Goodwill and Other Intangibles (CenterPoint Energy and CERC) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill by Reportable Segments [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s goodwill by reportable segment as of both December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

	(in millions)
Natural Gas Distribution	$	746
Energy Services (1)	110
Other Operations	11
Total	$	867

(1) Amount presented is net of the accumulated goodwill impairment charge of $252 million recorded in 2012.

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

The tables below present information on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s finite lived intangible assets recorded in Other non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finite lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

	December 31, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance
	(in millions)
Customer relationships	$	86	$	(27	)	$	59	$	86	$	(21	)	$	65
Covenants not to compete	4		(3		)	1		4		(2		)	2
Other	16		(11		)	5		15		(8		)	7
Total	$	106	$	(41	)	$	65	$	105	$	(31	)	$	74

Finite-lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(in millions)
Amortization expense of intangible assets (1)	$	10	$	13	$	4

(1) Recorded in Depreciation and amortization expenses on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s respective Statements of Consolidated Income.

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]

CenterPoint Energy and CERC estimate that amortization expense of intangible assets with finite lives for the next five years will be as follows:

	Amortization Expense
	(in millions)
2019	$	11
2020	6
2021	6
2022	6
2023	5