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CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]  
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
Other than in Spire Marketing, Spire has no significant concentrations of credit risk.
A significant portion of Spire Marketing’s transactions are with (or are associated with) energy producers, utility companies, and pipelines. The concentration of transactions with these counterparties has the potential to affect the Company’s overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that each of these three groups may be affected similarly by changes in economic, industry, or other conditions. To manage this risk, as well as credit risk from significant counterparties in these and other industries, Spire Marketing has established procedures to determine the creditworthiness of its counterparties. These procedures include obtaining credit ratings and credit reports, analyzing counterparty financial statements to assess financial condition, and considering the industry environment in which the counterparty operates. This information is monitored on an ongoing basis. In some instances, Spire Marketing may require credit assurances such as prepayments, letters of credit, or parental guarantees. In addition, they may enter into netting arrangements to mitigate credit risk with counterparties in the energy industry from which Spire Marketing both sells and purchases natural gas. Sales are typically made on an unsecured credit basis with payment due the month following delivery. Accounts receivable amounts are closely monitored and provisions for uncollectible amounts are accrued when losses are probable. Spire Marketing records accounts receivable, accounts payable, and prepayments for physical sales and purchases of natural gas on a gross basis. The amount included in its accounts receivable attributable to energy producers and their marketing affiliates totaled $21.1 at December 31, 2016 ($13.5 reflecting netting arrangements). Spire Marketing’s accounts receivable attributable to utility companies and their marketing affiliates were $53.8 at December 31, 2016 ($48.5 reflecting netting arrangements).
Spire Marketing also has concentrations of credit risk with certain individually significant counterparties and with pipeline companies associated with its natural gas receivable amounts. At December 31, 2016, the amounts included in accounts receivable from its five largest counterparties (in terms of net accounts receivable exposure) totaled $30.5 ($27.7 reflecting netting arrangements). Four of these five counterparties are investment-grade rated companies.