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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

NOTE 2SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The accompanying financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and amounts are stated in U.S. dollars. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. That report contains a more comprehensive summary of the Partnership’s significant accounting policies. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements contain all of the appropriate adjustments, all of which are normally recurring adjustments unless otherwise noted, and considered necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Partnership, the results of operations and cash flows for the respective periods. Our significant accounting policies are consistent with those disclosed in Note 2 of the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Certain items from that Note are repeated or updated below as necessary to assist in understanding the accompanying financial statements.

 

(a) Basis of Presentation

The Partnership accounts for business acquisitions between itself and TransCanada and its affiliates as transactions between entities under common control. Using this approach, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities are recorded at TransCanada’s carrying value. In the event recasting is required, the Partnership’s historical financial information will be recast, except net income per common unit, to include the acquired entities for all periods presented. If the fair market value paid for the acquired entities is greater than the recorded net assets of the acquired entities, the excess purchase price paid is recorded as a reduction in Partners’ Equity. Similarly, if the fair market value paid for the acquired entities is less than the recorded net assets of the acquired entities, the excess of assets acquired is recorded as an increase in Partners’ Equity.

 

The Partnership consolidates its investments in GTN, Bison, North Baja and Tuscarora, over which it is able to exercise control. To the extent there are interests owned by other parties, these interests are included in non-controlling interests. The Partnership uses the equity method of accounting for its investments in Northern Border and Great Lakes, over which it is able to exercise significant influence.

 

(b) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.