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Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant, and Equipment (Tables) [Abstract]  
Property, Plant, and Equipment
   Estimated Depreciation      
   Useful Life (a) Rates (a)  December 31,
   (Years) (%)  2011 2010
            
        (Millions)
            
Nonregulated:          
 Natural gas gathering and processing facilities 5 - 40   $ 6,435 $ 6,134
 Construction in progress (b)     648   223
 Other 3 - 45     816   773
Regulated:          
 Natural gas transmission facilities   .01 - 6.67   9,593   9,066
 Construction in progress   (b)   199   240
 Other   .01 - 33.33   1,391   1,359
Total property, plant, and equipment, at cost       19,082   17,795
Accumulated depreciation and amortization       (6,502)   (6,041)
Property, plant, and equipment - net     $ 12,580 $ 11,754

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(a)       Estimated useful life and depreciation rates are presented as of December 31, 2011. Depreciation rates for regulated assets are prescribed by the FERC.

 

(b)        Construction in progress balances not yet subject to depreciation

Asset Retirement Obligation
   December 31,
   2011  2010
       
   (Millions)
Beginning balance $499 $ 499
Liabilities settled   (46)   (16)
Additions  4   2
Accretion expense  39   36
Revisions(1)  77   (22)
Ending balance $573 $ 499

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  • The revision in 2011 is primarily due to increases in the inflation rate and estimated removal costs, which are among several factors considered for revision in the annual review process. The revision in 2010 is primarily due to a decrease in the inflation rate. The 2011 and 2010 revisions also include increases of $39 million and $31 million, respectively, related to changes in the timing and method of abandonment on certain of Transco's natural gas storage caverns that were associated with a leak in 2010.