XML 45 R21.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]  
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
Other than in Spire Marketing, Spire has no significant concentration 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 guaranties. In addition, Spire Marketing may enter into netting arrangements to mitigate credit risk with counterparties in the energy industry with whom it conducts both sales and purchases of 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 accounts receivable attributable to energy producers and their marketing affiliates amounted to $11.2 at September 30, 2018 ($3.7 reflecting netting arrangements). Spire Marketing’s accounts receivable attributable to utility companies and their marketing affiliates comprised $96.1 of total accounts receivable at September 30, 2018 ($89.7 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 amount. At September 30, 2018, the amounts included in accounts receivable from Spire Marketing’s five largest counterparties (in terms of net accounts receivable exposure) totaled $51.3 ($50.6 reflecting netting arrangements). Three of these five counterparties are investment-grade rated integrated utilities. The fourth is an investment-grade rated wholesale power provider. The fifth is not rated, but each of its owners is investment-grade.