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REVENUES
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
REVENUES  
REVENUES

 

NOTE 6  REVENUES

 

In 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The Partnership adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method for all contracts that were in effect on the date of adoption. The reported results for all periods in 2018 reflect the application of the new guidance, while the reported results for all periods in 2017 were prepared under previous revenue recognition guidance which is referred to herein as “legacy U.S. GAAP”.

 

Disaggregation of Revenues

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, virtually all of the Partnership’s revenues were from capacity arrangements and transportation contracts with customers as discussed in more detail below.

 

Capacity Arrangements and Transportation Contracts

 

The Partnership’s performance obligations in its contracts with customers consist primarily of capacity arrangements and natural gas transportation contracts.

 

The Partnership’s revenues are generated from contractual arrangements for committed capacity and from transportation of natural gas which are treated as a bundled performance obligation. Revenues earned from firm contracted capacity arrangements are recognized ratably over the term of the contract regardless of the amount of natural gas that is transported. Transportation revenues for interruptible or volumetric-based services are recognized when the service is performed. The Partnership has elected to utilize the practical expedient of recognizing revenue as invoiced.

 

The Partnership’s pipeline systems are subject to FERC regulations and, as a result, a portion of revenues collected may be subject to refund if invoiced during an interim period when a rate proceeding is ongoing. Allowances for these potential refunds are recognized using management’s best estimate based on the facts and circumstances of the proceeding. Any allowances that are recognized during the proceeding process are refunded or retained, as applicable, at the time a regulatory decision becomes final (See also the 2018 GTN Rate Refund discussion in Note 4). Revenues are invoiced and paid on a monthly basis. The Partnership’s pipeline systems do not take ownership of the natural gas that is transported for customers. Revenues from contracts with customers are recognized net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.

 

Financial Statement Impact of Adopting Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

The Partnership adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective transition method. As a practical expedient under this transition method, the Partnership is not required to analyze completed contracts at the date of adoption.  The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Partnership’s previously reported consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2017.

 

Pro-forma Financial Statements under Legacy U.S. GAAP

 

At September 30, 2018, had legacy U.S. GAAP been applied, there would be no change in the Partnership’s reported balance sheet and income statement line items.

 

Contract Balances

 

(unaudited-millions of dollars)

 

September 30, 2018

 

January 1, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables from contracts with customers(a)

 

37

 

40

 

Contract assets(b)

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Recorded as Trade accounts receivable and reported as Accounts receivable and other in the consolidated balance sheet (Refer also to Note 14). Additionally, our accounts receivable represents the Partnership’s unconditional right to recognize revenue for services completed which includes billed and unbilled accounts.

(b)

Contract assets primarily relate to the Partnership’s right to consideration for services completed but the right is conditioned on something other than the passage of time. Any change in Contract assets is primarily related to the transfer to Accounts receivable when the right to recognize revenue becomes unconditional and the customer is invoiced as well as when revenue increases but remains to be invoiced. The Partnership did not have any Contract assets at January 1, 2018 and September 30, 2018.

 

Future revenue from remaining performance obligations

 

In the application of the right to invoice practical expedient, the Partnership’s revenues from regulated capacity arrangements are recognized based on rates specified in the contract. Therefore, the amount invoiced, which includes the variable volume of natural gas transported, corresponds directly to the value the customer received. These revenues are recognized on a monthly basis once the Partnership’s performance obligation to provide capacity has been satisfied. The Partnership has also utilized the associated practical expedient that does not require disclosure of information related to its remaining performance obligations.