Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value. The fair values of our cash equivalents, equity mutual funds, marketable securities and derivatives were determined using the fair value hierarchy of inputs described in Note 1. The cash equivalents shown in the table below primarily consist of money market funds that are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and, as a result, are classified as Level 1. Equity mutual funds are valued based on quoted markets in active markets and, as a result, are classified as Level 1. We use quoted prices, other readily observable market data and internally developed valuation models when valuing our derivatives and marketable securities and have classified them as Level 2. Derivatives are valued using the income approach including discounted-cash-flow models or a Black-Scholes option pricing model and readily observable market data. The inputs for the valuation models are obtained from data providers and include end-of-period spot and forward natural gas prices and foreign currency exchange rates, natural gas price volatility and LIBOR and swap rates for discounting the cash flows implied from the derivative contracts. Marketable securities are valued using income and market value approaches and values are based on quoted prices or other observable market inputs received from data providers. The valuation process may include pricing matrices, or prices based upon yields, credit spreads or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type.

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:



	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)					Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)				Total
(millions)	12/31/14		12/31/13		12/31/14			12/31/13		12/31/14		12/31/13		12/31/14			12/31/13
Cash equivalents	$	93	$	549	$	32		$	24	$	—	$	—	$	125		$	573
Equity mutual funds	4		—		—			—		—		—		4			—
Marketable securities:
Corporate debt securities	—		—		93			87		—		—		93			87
U.S. government and agency debt securities	—		—		22			12		—		—		22			12
Asset-backed debt securities	—		—		17			20		—		—		17			20
Certificates of deposit	—		—		18			17		—		—		18			17
Municipal debt securities	—		—		4			6		—		—		4			6
Derivative assets	—		—		4			5		—		—		4			5
Derivative liabilities	—		—		(26		)	—		—		—		(26		)	—

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis rather than on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment or when a new liability is being established that requires fair value measurement. As disclosed in Note 13, during 2014 and 2012, we recorded asset impairment charges of $90 million and $8 million, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, we reviewed the carrying value of the ocean vessels owned by GTL, our wholly owned subsidiary, for potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of those assets with their fair values. To determine the estimated fair value for the ocean vessels, we engaged a third-party ship broker. Management developed our estimate of fair value by considering comparable sales for similar asset types and incorporating an adjustment for the specialized nature of these assets. This fair value measurement is classified as Level 3, and, as disclosed in Notes 13 and 14, we recorded a long-lived asset impairment charge of $60 million during the fourth quarter of 2014.

During the third quarter of 2014, we reviewed our property, plant and equipment for potential impairment by comparing the carrying values of those assets with their fair values as estimated using the future undiscounted cash flows for their remaining useful lives. We measured the fair value of the machinery, equipment and buildings as of September 30, 2014 using measurements classified as Level 3, and, as disclosed in Note 13, we recorded long-lived asset impairment charges of $30 million.

During 2012, we reviewed our property, plant and equipment for potential impairment by comparing the carrying values of those assets with their estimated future undiscounted cash flows for their remaining useful lives and determined that impairment existed for machinery and equipment for a previously idled production line. We measured the fair value of that machinery and equipment as of June 30, 2012 using measurements classified as Level 3 and recorded a long-lived asset impairment charge of $1 million.

Also during 2012, as a result of a change in estimate related to reclamation activities at our permanently closed gypsum quarry and ship loading facility in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada, we increased the related asset retirement obligation by $7 million with a corresponding increase to the long-lived Windsor assets. Consequently, we recorded a long-lived asset impairment charge of $7 million to impair the assets down to a fair value of $6 million which was determined using measurements classified as Level 3. Both of the 2012 impairment charges are included in long-lived asset impairment charges in the consolidated statements of operations as disclosed in Note 13.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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