Related Party And Affiliate Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party And Affiliate Transactions

Related Party and Affiliate Transactions

The Company leases office space for management and administrative services from an affiliate of the Company's principal stockholder. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company incurred lease payments of approximately $1,614, $1,550 and $1,556, respectively.

Cypress Interstate Pipeline L.L.C., a natural gas liquids pipeline joint venture company in which the Company owns a 50% equity stake, transports natural gas liquid feedstocks to the Company's Lake Charles, Louisiana complex through its pipeline. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company incurred pipeline fees of approximately $13,328, $11,957 and $9,474, respectively, payable to this joint venture for usage of its pipeline.

In March 2000, the Company loaned $2,000 to Suzhou Huasu Plastics Company, Ltd., a Chinese joint venture company in which the Company owns a 59% equity stake. The Company accounts for the investment using the equity method of accounting because the entity does not meet the definition of a variable interest entity and because contractual arrangements allowing certain substantive participatory rights to minority shareholders prevent the Company from exercising a controlling financial interest over this entity. Interest on the debt accrues at LIBOR plus 2%. Previously, the Company loaned this same affiliate $5,150. Principal payments of $167, $1,192 and $1,192 were received from the affiliate in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest payments of $8, $74 and $441 were received in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and included in other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2013, the notes receivable balances of $1,192 and $1,025 are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets, net, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

One of our directors serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. and as a Senior Vice President of the Air Liquide Group. The Company purchased and paid for oxygen, nitrogen and utilities and leased cylinders from various affiliates of American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. aggregating $16,407 for the year ended December 31, 2013.