Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

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.

The following table presents our allowance for doubtful accounts activity for the periods indicated:

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Balance at beginning of period	$	11.3		$	12.1		$	13.9
Charged to costs and expenses		2.7			2.3			0.8
Deductions		(1.9	)		(3.1	)		(2.6	)
Balance at end of period	$	12.1		$	11.3		$	12.1

See “Credit Risk” in Note 18 for additional information.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents represent unrestricted cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than three months from the date of purchase.

Restricted cash represents amounts held in segregated bank accounts by our clearing brokers as margin in support of our commodity derivative instruments portfolio and related physical purchases and sales of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil and refined products. Additional cash may be restricted to maintain our commodity derivative instruments portfolio as prices fluctuate or margin requirements change.

In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which standardizes the presentation of transfers to and from restricted cash within the cash flow statement. As a result, the cash flow statement will present changes in total cash amounts, regardless of whether the cash balances are restricted or unrestricted.

We adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2017 and applied this ASU retrospectively to the periods presented in our Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. As a result, the decrease in restricted cash of $338.6 million and $15.9 million was excluded from net cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the amounts shown in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows.

	December 31,
	2017		2016
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5.1	$	63.1
Restricted cash		65.2		354.5
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows	$	70.3	$	417.6

The balance of restricted cash at December 31, 2017 consisted of initial margin requirements of $33.4 million and variation margin requirements of $31.8 million. The initial margin requirements will be returned to us as the related derivative instruments are settled. See Note 14 for information regarding our derivative instruments and hedging activities.

Consolidation Policy

Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our majority-owned subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest, after the elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions. We also consolidate other entities and ventures in which we possess a controlling financial interest as well as partnership interests where we are the sole general partner of the partnership. We evaluate our financial interests in business enterprises to determine if they represent variable interest entities where we are the primary beneficiary. If such criteria are met, we consolidate the financial statements of such businesses with those of our own. Third party or affiliate ownership interests in our controlled subsidiaries are presented as noncontrolling interests. See Note 9 for information regarding noncontrolling interests.

If the entity is organized as a limited partnership or limited liability company and maintains separate ownership accounts, we account for our investment using the equity method if our ownership interest is between 3% and 50%, unless our interest is so minor that we have virtually no influence over the investee’s operating and financial policies. For all other types of investments, we apply the equity method of accounting if our ownership interest is between 20% and 50% and we exercise significant influence over the investee’s operating and financial policies. In consolidation, we eliminate our proportionate share of profits and losses from transactions with equity method unconsolidated affiliates to the extent such amounts remain on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (or those of our equity method investments) in inventory or similar accounts.

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 the likelihood of loss is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote. For contingencies where an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible and the impact would be material to our consolidated financial statements, we disclose the nature of the contingency and, where 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 17 for additional information regarding our contingencies.

Current Assets and Current Liabilities

We present, as individual captions in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, all components of current assets and current liabilities that exceed 5% of total current assets and current liabilities, respectively.

Derivative Instruments

We use derivative instruments such as futures, swaps, forward contracts and other arrangements to manage price risks associated with inventories, firm commitments, interest rates and certain anticipated future commodity transactions. To qualify for hedge accounting, the hedged item must expose us to risk and the related derivative instrument must reduce the exposure to that risk and meet specific hedge documentation requirements related to designation dates, expectations for hedge effectiveness and the probability that hedged future transactions will occur as forecasted. We formally designate derivative instruments as hedges and document and assess their effectiveness at inception of the hedge and on a monthly basis thereafter. Forecasted transactions are evaluated for the probability of occurrence and are periodically back-tested once the forecasted period has passed to determine whether similarly forecasted transactions are probable of occurring in the future.

We are required to recognize derivative instruments at fair value as either assets or liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets unless such instruments meet certain normal purchase/normal sale criteria. While all derivatives are required to be reported at fair value on the balance sheet, changes in fair value of derivative instruments are reported in different ways, depending on the nature and effectiveness of the hedging activities to which they relate. After meeting specified conditions, a qualified derivative may be designated as a total or partial hedge of:

	Changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability, or an unrecognized firm commitment – In a fair value hedge, gains and losses for both the derivative instrument and the hedged item are recognized in income during the period of change.

	Variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction – In a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the hedge is reported in other comprehensive income (loss) and is reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings.

An effective hedge relationship is one in which the change in fair value of a derivative instrument can be expected to offset 80% to 125% of the changes in fair value of a hedged item at inception and throughout the life of the hedging relationship. The effective portion of a hedge relationship is the amount by which the derivative instrument exactly offsets the change in fair value of the hedged item during the reporting period. Conversely, ineffectiveness represents the change in the fair value of the derivative instrument that does not exactly offset the change in the fair value of the hedged item. Any ineffectiveness associated with a hedge relationship is recognized in earnings immediately. Ineffectiveness can be caused by, among other things, changes in the timing of forecasted transactions or a mismatch of terms between the derivative instrument and the hedged item.

A contract designated as a cash flow hedge of an anticipated transaction that is not probable of occurring is immediately recognized in earnings.

Certain of our derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment; therefore, these instruments are accounted for using mark-to-market accounting.

For certain physical forward commodity derivative contracts, we apply the normal purchase/normal sale exception, whereby changes in the mark-to-market values of such contracts are not recognized in income. As a result, the revenues and expenses associated with such physical transactions are recognized during the period when volumes are physically delivered or received. Physical forward commodity contracts subject to this exception are evaluated for the probability of future delivery and are periodically back-tested once the forecasted period has passed to determine whether similar forward contracts are probable of physical delivery in the future. See Note 14 for additional information regarding our derivative instruments.

Environmental Costs

Environmental costs for remediation are accrued based on estimates of known remediation requirements. Such accruals are based on management’s best estimate of the ultimate cost to remediate a site and are adjusted as further information and circumstances develop. Those estimates may change substantially depending on information about the nature and extent of contamination, appropriate remediation technologies and regulatory approvals. Expenditures to mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized. Ongoing environmental compliance costs are charged to expense as incurred. In accruing for environmental remediation liabilities, costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation are not discounted to their present value, unless the amount and timing of the expenditures are fixed or reliably determinable. At December 31, 2017, none of our estimated environmental remediation liabilities were discounted to present value since the ultimate amount and timing of cash payments for such liabilities were not readily determinable.

The following table presents the activity of our environmental reserves for the periods indicated:

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
Balance at beginning of period	$	11.9		$	13.0		$	15.6
Charged to costs and expenses		12.1			7.0			6.4
Acquisition-related additions and other		1.7			0.5			1.1
Deductions		(14.1	)		(8.6	)		(10.1	)
Balance at end of period	$	11.6		$	11.9		$	13.0

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, $5.6 million of our environmental reserves were classified as current liabilities.

Estimates

Preparing our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates that affect amounts presented in the financial statements. Our most significant estimates relate to (i) the useful lives and depreciation/amortization methods used for fixed and identifiable intangible assets; (ii) measurement of fair value and projections used in impairment testing of fixed and intangible assets (including goodwill); (iii) contingencies; and (iv) 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 Measurements

Our fair value estimates are based on either (i) actual market data or (ii) assumptions that other market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including estimates of risk, in the principal market of the asset or liability at a specified measurement date. Recognized valuation techniques employ inputs such as contractual prices, quoted market prices or rates, operating costs, discount factors and business growth rates. These inputs may be either readily observable, corroborated by market data or generally unobservable. In developing our estimates of fair value, we endeavor to utilize the best information available and apply market-based data to the highest extent possible. Accordingly, we utilize valuation techniques (such as the market approach) that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

A three-tier hierarchy has been established that classifies fair value amounts recognized in the financial statements based on the observability of inputs used to estimate such fair values. The hierarchy considers fair value amounts based on observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2) to be more reliable and predictable than those based primarily on unobservable inputs (Level 3). At each balance sheet reporting date, we categorize our financial assets and liabilities using this hierarchy.

The characteristics of fair value amounts classified within each level of the hierarchy are described as follows:



Level 1 fair values are based on quoted prices, which are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the measurement date. Active markets are defined as those in which transactions for identical assets or liabilities occur with sufficient frequency so as to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis (e.g., the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”)). Our Level 1 fair values consist of financial assets and liabilities such as exchange-traded commodity derivative instruments.



Level 2 fair values are based on pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets (as reflected in Level 1 fair values) and are either directly or indirectly observable as of the measurement date. Level 2 fair values include instruments that are valued using financial models or other appropriate valuation methodologies. Such financial models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, the time value of money, volatility factors, current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments and other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions (i) are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument; (ii) can be derived from observable data; or (iii) are validated by inputs other than quoted prices (e.g., interest rate and yield curves at commonly quoted intervals). Our Level 2 fair values primarily consist of commodity derivative instruments such as forwards, swaps and other instruments transacted on an exchange or over-the-counter and interest rate derivative instruments. The fair values of these derivative instruments are based on observable price quotes for similar products and locations. The fair value of our interest rate derivatives are determined using financial models that incorporate the implied forward LIBOR yield curve for the same period as the future interest rate swap settlements.



Level 3 fair values are based on unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Unobservable inputs reflect management’s ideas about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available to us in the circumstances, which might include our internally developed data. Level 3 inputs are typically used in connection with internally developed valuation methodologies where we make our best estimate of an instrument’s fair value. With regards to commodity derivatives, our Level 3 fair values primarily consist of ethane, propane, normal butane and natural gasoline-based contracts with terms greater than one year and certain options used to hedge natural gas storage inventory and transportation capacities. In addition, we often rely on price quotes from reputable brokers who publish price quotes on certain products and compare these prices to other reputable brokers for the same products in the same markets whenever possible. These prices, when combined with data from our commodity derivative instruments, are used in our models to determine the fair value of such instruments.

Transfers within the fair value hierarchy routinely occur for certain term contracts as prices and other inputs used for the valuation of future delivery periods become more observable with the passage of time. Other transfers are made periodically in response to changing market conditions that affect liquidity, price observability and other inputs used in determining valuations. We deem any such transfers to have occurred at the end of the quarter in which they transpired. There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

We have a risk management policy that covers our Level 3 commodity derivatives. Governance and oversight of risk management activities for these commodities are provided by our Chief Executive Officer with guidance and support from a risk management committee (“RMC”) that meets quarterly (or on a more frequent basis, if needed). Members of executive management attend the RMC meetings, which are chaired by the head of our commodities risk control group. This group is responsible for preparing and distributing daily reports and risk analysis to members of the RMC and other appropriate members of management. These reports include mark-to-market valuations with the one-day and month-to-date changes in fair values. This group also develops and validates the forward commodity price curves used to estimate the fair values of our Level 3 commodity derivatives. These forward curves incorporate published indexes, market quotes and other observable inputs to the extent available.

Impairment Testing for Goodwill

Our goodwill amounts are assessed for impairment on a routine annual basis or when impairment indicators are present. If such indicators occur (e.g., the loss of a significant customer or technological obsolescence of assets), the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned is determined and compared to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value including associated goodwill amounts, a non-cash impairment charge to earnings is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the goodwill to its implied fair value.

Our reporting unit estimated fair values are based on assumptions regarding the future economic prospects of the businesses that comprise each reporting unit. Such assumptions include: (i) discrete financial forecasts for the assets classified within the reporting unit, which, in turn, rely on management’s estimates of operating margins, throughput volumes and similar factors; (ii) long-term growth rates for cash flows beyond the discrete forecast period; and (iii) appropriate discount rates. We believe the assumptions we use in estimating reporting unit fair values are consistent with those that would be employed by market participants in their fair value estimation process. Based on our most recent goodwill impairment test at December 31, 2017, each reporting unit’s fair value was substantially in excess of its carrying value (i.e., by at least 10%).

See Note 7 for additional information regarding goodwill.

Impairment Testing for Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets (including intangible assets with finite useful lives and property, plant and equipment) are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets with carrying values that are not expected to be recovered through future cash flows are written-down to their estimated fair values. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is deemed not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the asset’s carrying value exceeds the sum of its undiscounted cash flows, a non-cash asset impairment charge equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value is recorded. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at a specified measurement date. We measure fair value using market price indicators or, in the absence of such data, appropriate valuation techniques. See Note 14 for information regarding non-cash impairment charges related to long-lived assets.

Impairment Testing for Unconsolidated Affiliates

We evaluate our equity method investments for impairment to determine whether there are events or changes in circumstances that indicate there is a loss in value of the investment attributable to an other than temporary decline. Examples of such events or changes in circumstances include continuing operating losses of the entity and/or long-term negative changes in the entity’s industry. In the event we determine that the loss in value of an investment is an other than temporary decline, we record a non-cash impairment charge to equity earnings to adjust the carrying value of the investment to its estimated fair value. There were not any non-cash impairment charges related to our equity method investments during the years ended 2017, 2016 and 2015. See Note 6 for information regarding our equity method investments.

Inventories

Inventories primarily consist of NGLs, petrochemicals, refined products, crude oil and natural gas volumes that are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. We capitalize, as a cost of inventory, shipping and handling charges (e.g., pipeline transportation and storage fees) and other related costs associated with purchased volumes. As volumes are sold and delivered out of inventory, the cost of these volumes (including freight-in charges that have been capitalized as part of inventory cost) are charged to operating costs and expenses. Shipping and handling fees associated with products we sell and deliver to customers are charged to operating costs and expenses as incurred. See Note 4 for additional information regarding our inventories.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Expenditures for additions, improvements and other enhancements to property, plant and equipment are capitalized, and minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs that do not extend asset life or add value are charged to expense as incurred. When property, plant and equipment assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in results of operations for the respective period.

We capitalize interest costs incurred on funds used to construct property, plant and equipment while the asset is in its construction phase. The capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life as a component of depreciation expense. When capitalized interest is recorded, it reduces interest expense from what it would be otherwise.

In general, depreciation is the systematic and rational allocation of an asset’s cost, less its residual value (if any), to the periods it benefits. The majority of our property, plant and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method, which results in depreciation expense being incurred evenly over the life of an asset. Our estimate of depreciation expense incorporates management assumptions regarding the useful economic lives and residual values of our assets. With respect to midstream energy assets such as natural gas gathering systems that are reliant upon a specific natural resource basin for throughput volumes, the anticipated useful economic life of such assets may be limited by the estimated life of the associated natural resource basin from which the assets derive benefit. Our forecast of the remaining life for the applicable resource basins is based on several factors, including information published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Where appropriate, we use other depreciation methods (generally accelerated) for tax purposes.

Leasehold improvements are recorded as a component of property, plant and equipment. The cost of leasehold improvements is charged to earnings using the straight-line method over the shorter of (i) the remaining lease term or (ii) the estimated useful lives of the improvements. We consider renewal terms that are deemed reasonably assured when estimating remaining lease terms.

Our assumptions regarding the useful economic lives and residual values of our assets may change in response to new facts and circumstances, which would prospectively impact our depreciation expense amounts. Examples of such circumstances include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in laws and regulations that limit the estimated economic life of an asset; (ii) changes in technology that render an asset obsolete; (iii) changes in expected salvage values or (iv) significant changes in the forecast life of the applicable resource basins, if any.

Certain of our plant operations entail periodic planned outages for major maintenance activities. These planned shutdowns typically result in significant expenditures, which are principally comprised of amounts paid to third parties for materials, contract services and related items. We use the expense-as-incurred method for our planned major maintenance activities for plant operations; however, the cost of annual planned major maintenance projects for such plants are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis until the next planned annual outage. With regard to the planned major maintenance activities on our marine transportation assets and underground storage caverns, we use the deferral method to account for such costs. Under this method, major maintenance costs are capitalized and amortized over the period until the next major overhaul or cavern integrity project.

Asset retirement obligations (“AROs”) are legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that result from their acquisition, construction, development and/or normal operation. When an ARO is incurred, we record a liability for the ARO and capitalize an equal amount as an increase in the carrying value of the related long-lived asset. ARO amounts are measured at their estimated fair value using expected present value techniques. Over time, the ARO liability is accreted to its present value (through accretion expense) and the capitalized amount is depreciated over the remaining useful life of the related long-lived asset. We will incur a gain or loss to the extent that our ARO liabilities are not settled at their recorded amounts.

See Note 5 for additional information regarding our property, plant and equipment and AROs.

Recent Accounting Developments

Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenues from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). The new accounting standard, along with its related amendments, replaced the former rules-based U.S. GAAP governing revenue recognition with a principles-based approach. We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018 using a modified retrospective approach, which required us to apply the new revenue standard to (i) all new revenue contracts entered into after January 1, 2018 and (ii) all existing revenue contracts as of January 1, 2018 through a cumulative adjustment to equity, if necessary. In accordance with this approach, our consolidated revenues for periods prior to January 1, 2018 will not be revised.

The core principle in the new guidance is that a company should recognize revenue in a manner that fairly depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration the company expects to receive for those goods or services. In order to apply this core principle, companies will apply the following five steps in determining the amount of revenues to recognize: (i) identify the contract; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. Each of these steps involves management’s judgment and an analysis of the contract’s material terms and conditions.

Our implementation activities related to ASC 606 are nearly complete. For the vast majority of our businesses, we will not have any material differences in the amount or timing of revenues once we adopt ASC 606.

However, based on guidance in ASC 606 applicable to non-cash consideration, we will start recognizing revenue in connection with equity NGL volumes we receive as consideration for providing processing services under percent of liquids and similar arrangements. The value assigned to this non-cash consideration and related inventory will be based on the fair value of NGLs we are entitled to at the time the processing services are performed. An additional revenue stream, along with the related cost of sales, would be recognized in connection with the ultimate sale of the NGL products derived from the NGLs acquired as a fee for service. Under current accounting practice, we only recognize revenue from the downstream sale of NGL products and do not record service revenue. Based on our estimates, if the changes required by ASC 606 had been adopted at January 1, 2017, our total consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 would have increased by approximately 1%.

Given the rapid turnover of our inventories of NGL products each month, we do not expect a significant change in our gross operating margin from natural gas processing and related NGL marketing activities as a result of the changes required by ASC 606. The additional revenue stream recognized in connection with receipt of the equity NGLs will be offset by an equal cost of sales amount when the associated NGL products are sold, which is expected to typically be completed in the same accounting period.

As a result of adopting the new standard, there will be significant changes to our disclosures based on the additional requirements prescribed by ASC 606. These new disclosures include information regarding the significant judgments used in evaluating when and how revenue is (or will be) recognized and data related to contract assets and liabilities. Additionally, we have revised our business processes, systems and controls to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the recognition and disclosure requirements under the new revenue guidance.

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASC 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), which requires substantially all leases (with the exception of leases with a term of one year or less) to be recorded on the balance sheet using a method referred to as the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset approach. We will adopt the new standard on January 1, 2019 using a proposed transition method that will require us to apply the new lease standard to (i) all new leases entered into after January 1, 2019 and (ii) all existing lease contracts as of January 1, 2019 through a cumulative adjustment to equity. In accordance with this approach, our consolidated operating expenses for periods prior to January 1, 2019 will not be revised.

The new standard introduces two lease accounting models, which result in a lease being classified as either a “finance” or “operating” lease on the basis of whether the lessee effectively obtains control of the underlying asset during the lease term. A lease would be classified as a finance lease if it meets one of five classification criteria, four of which are generally consistent with current lease accounting guidance. By default, a lease that does not meet the criteria to be classified as a finance lease will be deemed an operating lease. Regardless of classification, the initial measurement of both lease types will result in the balance sheet recognition of a ROU asset representing a company’s right to use the underlying asset for a specified period of time and a corresponding lease liability. The lease liability will be recognized at the present value of the future lease payments, and the ROU asset will equal the lease liability adjusted for any prepaid rent, lease incentives provided by the lessor, and any indirect costs.

The subsequent measurement of each type of lease varies. Leases classified as a finance lease will be accounted for using the effective interest method. Under this approach, a lessee will amortize the ROU asset (generally on a straight-line basis in a manner similar to depreciation) and the discount on the lease liability (as a component of interest expense). Leases classified as an operating lease will result in the recognition of a single lease expense amount that is recorded on a straight-line basis (or another systematic basis, if more appropriate).

We have started the process of reviewing our lease agreements in light of the new guidance. Although we are in the early stages of our ASC 842 implementation project, we anticipate that this new lease guidance will result in changes to the way our operating leases are recorded, presented and disclosed in our consolidated financial statements.

Derivative instruments. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which amends and simplifies existing guidance in order to allow companies to more accurately present the economic effects of risk management activities in the financial statements. As a result of the new guidance, we will no longer be required to separately measure and disclose the effect of periodic hedge ineffectiveness related to cash flow hedges. We early adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2018. The impact of the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures is not expected to be material.