Asset Retirement Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]

Asset Retirement Obligations

8. Asset Retirement Obligations

Currently, we have various legal requirements related to operations at our Chemical Business facilities, including the disposal of wastewater generated at certain of these facilities. Additionally, we have certain facilities in our Chemical Business that contain asbestos insulation around certain piping and heated surfaces, which we plan to maintain or replace, as needed, with non-asbestos insulation through our standard repair and maintenance activities to prevent deterioration. Currently, there is insufficient information to estimate the fair value for most of our AROs. In addition, we currently have no plans to discontinue the use of these facilities, and the remaining life of the facilities is indeterminable. As a result, a liability for only a minimal amount relating to AROs associated with certain facilities has been established. However, we will continue to review these obligations and record a liability when a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made. In addition, our Chemical Business owns working interests in certain natural gas properties. We recognized AROs associated with the obligation to plug and abandon wells when the natural gas reserves in the wells are depleted. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, our accrued liability for AROs was $340,000 and $304,000, respectively.