Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s goodwill by reportable business segment as of both June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is as follows:



	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	746
Energy Services (1)	110
Other Operations	11
Total	$	867

(1) Amount presented is net of the accumulated goodwill impairment charge of $252 million recorded in 2012.

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

The tables below present information on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s other intangible assets recorded in Other non-current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.



		June 30, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Useful Lives	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance
	(in years)	(in millions)
Customer relationships	15	$	86	$	(25	)	$	61	$	86	$	(21	)	$	65
Covenants not to compete	4	4		(2		)	2		4		(2		)	2
Other	Various	15		(9		)	6		15		(8		)	7
Total		$	105	$	(36	)	$	69	$	105	$	(31	)	$	74

Finite-lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$	2	$	1	$	5	$	3