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Asset Retirement Obligations (Notes)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]  
Asset Retirement Obligations
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
Our accrued asset retirement obligations relate to our gas storage and transmission facilities. At the end of the useful life of our facilities, we are legally obligated to remove certain transmission facilities including underground pipelines, major river spans, compressor stations and meter station facilities. These obligations also include restoration of the property sites after removal of the facilities from above and below the ground.
During 2013 and 2012, our overall asset retirement obligation changed as follows (in thousands):
 
 
2013
 
2012
Beginning balance
$
67,640

 
$
80,313

Accretion
5,708

 
5,543

New obligations
51

 
15

Changes in estimates of existing obligations (1)
(12,577
)
 
(18,231
)
Property Dispositions & Settlements
(69
)
 
—

Ending balance
$
60,753

 
$
67,640

 
(1)
Changes in estimates of existing obligations are primarily due to the annual review process, which considers various factors including inflation rates, current estimates for removal cost, discount rates, and the estimated remaining life of assets. The decrease in 2012 is primarily attributed to a decrease in removal cost estimates. The decrease in 2013 is primarily attributed to increases in the discount rate and the remaining life of the applicable property.