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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our controlled subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments we do not control, but can exercise significant influence over, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. We also own an undivided interest in a crude oil pipeline, and include our proportionate share of assets, liabilities, and expenses related to this pipeline in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim consolidated financial information in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements exclude certain information and notes required by GAAP for complete annual consolidated financial statements. However, we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed in this Quarterly Report. The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2018 was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) filed with the SEC on May 30, 2018 and adjusted retrospectively for the Retail Propane segment disposition as previously described.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amount of assets and liabilities reported at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of revenues and expenses reported during the periods presented.

Critical estimates we make in the preparation of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include, among others, determining the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, the fair value of derivative instruments, the collectibility of accounts receivable, the recoverability of inventories, useful lives and recoverability of property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets, the impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, the fair value of asset retirement obligations, the value of equity-based compensation, accruals for environmental matters and estimating certain revenues. Although we believe these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is based upon assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. We use the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes valuation technique inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels:


•	Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date.

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Level 2: Inputs (other than quoted prices included within Level 1) that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (ii) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and (iv) inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means. Instruments categorized in Level 2 include non-exchange traded derivatives such as over-the-counter commodity price swap and option contracts and forward commodity contracts. We determine the fair value of all of our derivative financial instruments utilizing pricing models for similar instruments. Inputs to the pricing models include publicly available prices and forward curves generated from a compilation of data gathered from third parties.


•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability including situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular input to a fair value measurement requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We record all derivative financial instrument contracts at fair value in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets except for certain contracts that qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale election. Under this accounting policy election, we do not record the contracts at fair value at each balance sheet date; instead, we record the purchase or sale at the contracted value once the delivery occurs.

We have not designated any financial instruments as hedges for accounting purposes. All changes in the fair value of our commodity derivative instruments that do not qualify as normal purchases and normal sales (whether cash transactions or non-cash mark-to-market adjustments) are reported within cost of sales in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, regardless of whether the contract is physically or financially settled.

We utilize various commodity derivative financial instrument contracts to attempt to reduce our exposure to price fluctuations. We do not enter into such contracts for trading purposes. Changes in assets and liabilities from commodity derivative financial instruments result primarily from changes in market prices, newly originated transactions, and the timing of settlements. We attempt to balance our contractual portfolio in terms of notional amounts and timing of performance and delivery obligations. However, net unbalanced positions can exist or are established based on our assessment of anticipated market movements. Inherent in the resulting contractual portfolio are certain business risks, including commodity price risk and credit risk. Commodity price risk is the risk that the market value of crude oil, natural gas liquids, or refined and renewables products will change, either favorably or unfavorably, in response to changing market conditions. Credit risk is the risk of loss from nonperformance by suppliers, customers or financial counterparties to a contract. Procedures and limits for managing commodity price risks and credit risks are specified in our market risk policy and credit policy, respectively. Open commodity positions and market price changes are monitored daily and are reported to senior management and to marketing operations personnel. Credit risk is monitored daily and exposure is minimized through customer deposits, restrictions on product liftings, letters of credit, and entering into master netting agreements that allow for offsetting counterparty receivable and payable balances for certain transactions.

Income Taxes

We qualify as a partnership for income tax purposes. As such, we generally do not pay United States federal income tax. Rather, each owner reports his or her share of our income or loss on his or her individual tax return. The aggregate difference in the basis of our net assets for financial and tax reporting purposes cannot be readily determined, as we do not have access to information regarding each partner’s basis in the Partnership.

We have certain taxable corporate subsidiaries in Canada, and our operations in Texas are subject to a state franchise tax that is calculated based on revenues net of cost of sales.

We evaluate uncertain tax positions for recognition and measurement in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. To recognize a tax position, we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation, based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more likely than not threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. We had no material uncertain tax positions that required recognition in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements at June 30, 2018 or March 31, 2018.

Inventories

Our inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined using either the weighted-average cost or the first in, first out (FIFO) methods, including the cost of transportation and storage, and with net realizable value defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. In performing this analysis, we consider fixed-price forward commitments.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

Investments we do not control, but can exercise significant influence over, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Investments in partnerships and limited liability companies, unless our investment is considered to be minor, and investments in unincorporated joint ventures are also accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, we do not report the individual assets and liabilities of these entities on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets; instead, our ownership interests are reported within investments in unconsolidated entities on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Under the equity method, the investment is recorded at acquisition cost, increased by our proportionate share of any earnings and additional capital contributions and decreased by our proportionate share of any losses, distributions paid, and amortization of any excess investment. Excess investment is the amount by which our total investment exceeds our proportionate share of the net assets of the investee.

Variable Interest Entity

Victory Propane was formed as a joint venture in April 2015 by us and an unrelated third party. The business purpose of Victory Propane is to acquire and/or develop retail propane operations in a defined geographic area. In conjunction with the formation of Victory Propane, we agreed to provide Victory Propane a revolving line of credit of $5.0 million to be used for working capital and/or acquisition funding. Victory Propane began using this revolving line of credit shortly after operations commenced. At June 30, 2018, we provided a majority of Victory Propane’s financing and have concluded that Victory Propane is a variable interest entity because the equity of Victory Propane is not sufficient to fund its activities without additional subordinated financial support. Each joint venture member has an equal ownership interest in Victory Propane and has equal representation on Victory Propane’s board of managers to make all significant decisions relating to the operations of Victory Propane. Therefore, we do not have the power to direct activities that significantly influence the economic performance of Victory Propane and have concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary. Our maximum exposure to loss related to Victory Propane is limited to the sum of our equity investment as shown in the table above and the outstanding loan receivable (see Note 13) at June 30, 2018.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests represent the portion of certain consolidated subsidiaries that are owned by third parties. Amounts are adjusted by the noncontrolling interest holder’s proportionate share of the subsidiaries’ earnings or losses each period and any distributions that are paid. Noncontrolling interests are reported as a component of equity, unless the noncontrolling interest is considered redeemable, in which case the noncontrolling interest is recorded between liabilities and equity (mezzanine or temporary equity) in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. The redeemable noncontrolling interest is adjusted at each balance sheet date to its maximum redemption value if the amount is greater than the carrying value. The redeemable noncontrolling interest is included in liabilities and redeemable noncontrolling interest held for sale in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 14).

Business Combination Measurement Period

We record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination at their acquisition date fair values. Pursuant to GAAP, an entity is allowed a reasonable period of time (not to exceed one year) to obtain the information necessary to identify and measure the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. As discussed in Note 4, certain of our acquisitions are still within this measurement period, and as a result, the acquisition date fair values we have recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to change.

Also, as discussed in Note 4, we made certain adjustments during the three months ended June 30, 2018 to our estimates of the acquisition date fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations that occurred during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses.” The ASU requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, which would include accounts receivable. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount. The ASU is effective for the Partnership beginning April 1, 2020, and requires a modified retrospective method of adoption, although early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of assessing the impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases.” The ASU will replace previous lease accounting guidance in GAAP. The ASU requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases. The ASU retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases. The ASU is effective for the Partnership beginning April 1, 2019, and requires a modified retrospective method of adoption. We are currently in the process of compiling a database of leases and analyzing each lease to assess the impact under this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

On April 1, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” using a modified retrospective approach of adoption. ASU No. 2014-09 supersedes previous revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and includes a five-step revenue recognition model to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this core principle, more judgment and estimates are required within the revenue recognition process than required under Topic 605. In addition, ASU No. 2014-09 requires significantly expanded disclosures related to the nature, timing, amount and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. See Note 15 for a further discussion of the impact of adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and our revenue recognition policies.

On April 1, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” One of the provisions of ASU No. 2016-01 was to supersede the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair value into different categories (that is, trading or available-for-sale) and require equity securities to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized through net income. As a result of the adoption, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $1.6 million, moving the unrealized loss out of accumulated other comprehensive income and to limited partners’ equity.