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Fair Value Measurements
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements

The Partnership uses a valuation framework based upon inputs that market participants use in pricing certain assets and liabilities. These inputs are classified into two categories: observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs represent the Partnership's own market assumptions. Unobservable inputs are used only if observable inputs are unavailable or not reasonably available without undue cost and effort. The two types of inputs are further prioritized into the following hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumptions and are not corroborated by market data.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
 
Level 2
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Commodity derivative contracts, net
$
(120
)
 
$
675

Interest rate derivative contracts

 
(206
)

           
The Partnership is required to disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. Fair value estimates are set forth below for these financial instruments. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Accounts and other receivables, trade and other accounts payable, accrued interest payable, other accrued liabilities, income taxes payable and due from/to affiliates: The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturity and highly liquid nature of these instruments, and as such these have been excluded from the table below. There is negligible credit risk associated with these instruments.

Note receivable and long-term debt including current portion: The carrying amount of the revolving credit facility approximates fair value due to the debt having a variable interest rate and is in Level 2. The Partnership has not had any indicators which represent a change in the market spread associated with its variable interest rate debt.

The estimated fair value of the senior unsecured notes is based on market prices of similar debt. The estimated fair value of the note receivable from Martin Energy Trading was determined by calculating the net present value of the payments over the life of the note. The note is considered Level 3 due to the lack of observable inputs for similar transactions between related parties.
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
Note receivable - MET
$
15,000

 
$
15,803

 
$
15,000

 
$
15,830

2021 Senior unsecured notes
372,144

 
359,184

 
371,861

 
318,000