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General Accounting Matters (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
General Accounting Matters [Abstract] 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Our allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on specific identification and estimates of future uncollectible accounts, including those related to natural gas imbalances.  Our procedure for estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on: (i) historical experience with customers, (ii) the perceived financial stability of customers based on our research and (iii) the levels of credit we grant to customers.  In addition, we may increase the allowance for doubtful accounts in response to the specific identification of customers involved in bankruptcy proceedings and similar financial difficulties.  On a routine basis, we review estimates associated with the allowance for doubtful accounts to ensure that we have recorded sufficient reserves to cover potential losses.
Contingencies
Contingencies

Certain conditions may exist as of the date our consolidated financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to us but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur.   Management has regular quarterly litigation reviews, including updates from legal counsel, to assess the need for accounting recognition or disclosure of these contingencies, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise in judgment.  In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against us or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings, our management and legal counsel evaluate the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein.

We accrue an undiscounted liability for those contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  If a range of amounts can be reasonably estimated and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, then the minimum of the range is accrued.  We do not record a contingent liability when the likelihood of loss is probable but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated or when it is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote.

For contingencies where an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible and the impact would be material, we disclose the nature of the contingency and, if feasible, an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss.  

Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the guarantees would be disclosed.  See Note 15 for additional information regarding our contingencies.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments such as swaps, forward contracts and other arrangements to manage price risks associated with inventories, firm commitments, interest rates and certain anticipated transactions.  To qualify for hedge accounting, the item to be hedged must expose us to risk and the related derivative instrument must reduce that exposure and meet specific hedge documentation requirements.  We formally designate a derivative instrument as a hedge and document and assess the effectiveness of the hedge at inception and thereafter on a quarterly basis.

For certain of our derivative instruments, we apply the normal purchase/normal sale exception, which precludes the recognition of changes in mark-to-market values for these derivatives in our consolidated financial statements.  The revenues and expenses associated with these transactions are recognized when volumes are physically delivered or received.

See Note 4 for additional information regarding our derivative instruments and related interest rate and commodity hedging activities.
Earnings Per Unit
Earnings Per Unit

Earnings per unit is based on the amount of net income attributable to limited partners and the weighted-average number of limited partner units outstanding during a period.  See Note 14 for additional information regarding our earnings per unit amounts.

Estimates
Estimates

Preparing our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates that affect amounts presented in the financial statements.  Our most significant estimates relate to (i) the useful lives of fixed and identifiable intangible assets, (ii) impairment testing of fixed and intangible assets (including goodwill), (iii) reserves for environmental matters, (iv) natural gas imbalances, (v) contingencies and (vi) revenue and expense accruals.

Actual results could differ materially from our estimates.  On an ongoing basis, we review our estimates based on currently available information.  Any changes in the facts and circumstances underlying our estimates may require us to update such estimates, which could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Information
Fair Value Information

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash), accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values based on their short-term nature.  See Note 4 for fair value information associated with our derivative instruments.

The estimated total fair value of our fixed-rate long-term debt obligations was approximately $15.43 billion and $12.91 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  These values are based on quoted market prices for such debt or debt of similar terms and maturities.  The carrying values of our variable-rate long-term debt obligations approximate their fair values since the associated interest rates are market-based.

We do not have any long-term investments in debt or equity securities recorded at fair value.  See Note 8 for summarized financial information of our investments accounted for using the equity method.

Liquids Exchange Contracts
Liquids Exchange Contracts

In total, our liquids exchange balances were payables of $407.8 million and $144.1 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The most significant liquids exchange transactions recorded on our consolidated balance sheet relate to those involving petrochemical volumes. Petrochemical transactions accounted for approximately 84% and 85% of our liquids exchange transactions recorded at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Under these agreements, we physically receive volumes of propane/propylene mix (an unprocessed stream), including the risk of loss and legal title to such volumes, from the exchange counterparty.  In turn, we deliver segregated polymer grade propylene and propane (processed streams) back to the customer and charge them a processing or similar fee.  The intent of these exchange transactions is the earning of fee revenue for processing and transporting the propane/propylene mix using our assets.  This arrangement satisfies the commercial, logistical and timing needs of the customer and allows us to operate our plants more effectively.

To the extent that the aggregate volumes we receive under such exchange agreements exceed those we deliver under the agreements during a period (measured as of the end of each reporting period), we recognize a net exchange payable position with the counterparties.  With respect to the petrochemical transactions discussed above, we are typically in a net exchange payable position with our counterparties.  In those limited situations where the aggregate volumes we deliver exceed those we receive during a period (measured as of the end of each reporting period), we recognize a net exchange receivable position with the counterparties.  From an income statement perspective, the only revenue recognized from such exchange agreements is fee revenue.  From a balance sheet perspective, net exchange payables arising from these transactions are valued at market-based prices.  To the extent that we recognize net exchange receivables arising from liquids exchange transactions, such balances are valued at average cost.

Volumetric receivables and payables arising from liquids exchange contracts are typically balanced with movements of products rather than with cash.  When payment or receipt of monetary consideration is required for product differentials and service costs with a counterparty, such items are recognized in our consolidated financial statements on a net basis as either operating revenues or expense, as appropriate.
Restricted Cash
Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents amounts held in connection with our commodity derivative instruments portfolio and related physical natural gas, crude oil and NGL purchases.  Additional cash may be restricted to maintain this portfolio as commodity prices fluctuate or deposit requirements change.  At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our restricted cash amounts were $78.6 million and $98.7 million, respectively.  See Note 4 for information regarding derivative instruments and hedging activities.