Basis Of Presentation Of Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Basis Of Presentation Of Interim Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis Of Presentation Of Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 2 – Basis of Presentation of Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain the accounts of QEP and its majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries. The condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and with the instructions for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Regulations S-X and S-K. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments and accruals that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. Interim condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for audited annual consolidated financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes in conformity with GAAP requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from estimates. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011.

Reincorporation Merger and Spin-off

Effective May 18, 2010, Questar Market Resources, Inc. (Market Resources), then a wholly owned subsidiary of Questar Corporation (Questar), merged with and into a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary, QEP, a Delaware corporation, in order to reincorporate in the State of Delaware (Reincorporation Merger). The Reincorporation Merger was effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into between Market Resources and QEP. The Reincorporation Merger was approved by the boards of directors of Market Resources and QEP and submitted to a vote of, and approved by, the Board of Directors of Questar, as sole shareholder of Market Resources, and by Market Resources, as sole shareholder of QEP on May 18, 2010.

On June 30, 2010, Questar distributed all of the shares of common stock of QEP held by Questar to Questar shareholders in a tax-free, pro rata dividend (the Spin-off). Each Questar shareholder received one share of QEP common stock for each one share of Questar common stock held (including fractional shares) at the close of business on the record date. In connection therewith, QEP distributed Wexpro Company (Wexpro), a wholly owned subsidiary of QEP at the time, to Questar. In addition, Questar contributed $250.0 million of equity to QEP prior to the Spin-off.

The financial information presented in this Form 10-Q presents QEP's financial results as an independent company separate from Questar and reflects Wexpro's financial condition and operating results as discontinued operations for all periods presented. A summary of discontinued operations can be found in Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

New accounting pronouncements

In September of 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-08, which amends the guidance on testing goodwill for impairment. The new guidance provides entities that are testing goodwill the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the reporting unit. If it is determined, based on the qualitative assessment, that the carrying value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the fair value, further impairment testing is not required. However, if the qualitative assessment does not provide such conclusive evidence, further testing and calculation of fair value of the reporting unit will be required. The amendments are effective for reporting periods (including interim periods) beginning after December 15, 2011. QEP does not expect that this ASU, once adopted, will have a material impact on its financial statements.

In June of 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, which revises the manner entities are able to present the components of comprehensive income in their financial statements. The new guidance requires entities to report the components of comprehensive income in either (1) a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements. However, this ASU does not change the items that are reported in other comprehensive income. The amendments are effective for reporting periods (including interim periods) beginning after December 15, 2011. This ASU will require minor disclosure changes to QEP's financial statements and footnotes once adopted.

In May of 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, which provides converged guidance on how to measure fair value and requires additional disclosures relating to fair value measurements. Most of the amendments created by this ASU are to bridge the gap between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. However some of the amendments may change how the current fair value measurement guidance is applied. In addition, the ASU expands the qualitative and quantitative fair value disclosure requirements, with most of these additional disclosures pertaining to Level 3 measurements. The amendments are effective for reporting periods (including interim periods) beginning after December 15, 2011. QEP is currently evaluating the impact that this ASU will have on its financial statements and disclosures.