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Derivative Instruments
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instruments
Types of Derivative Instruments and Volumetric Information
Commodity Instruments — We are exposed to changes in prices for the purchase and sale of power, natural gas, fuel oil, environmental products and other energy commodities. We use derivatives, which include physical commodity contracts and financial commodity instruments such as OTC and exchange traded swaps, futures, options, forward agreements and instruments that settle on the power price to natural gas price relationships (Heat Rate swaps and options) or instruments that settle on power or natural gas price relationships between delivery points for the purchase and sale of power and natural gas to attempt to maximize the risk-adjusted returns by economically hedging a portion of the commodity price risk associated with our assets. By entering into these transactions, we are able to economically hedge a portion of our Spark Spread at estimated generation and prevailing price levels.
We also engage in limited trading activities related to our commodity derivative portfolio as authorized by our Board of Directors and monitored by our Chief Risk Officer and Risk Management Committee of senior management. These transactions are executed primarily for the purpose of providing improved price and price volatility discovery, greater market access, and profiting from our market knowledge, all of which benefit our asset hedging activities. Our trading results were not material for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Interest Rate Hedging Instruments — A portion of our debt is indexed to base rates, primarily LIBOR. We have historically used interest rate hedging instruments to adjust the mix between fixed and variable rate debt to hedge our interest rate risk for potential adverse changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2018, the maximum length of time over which we were hedging using interest rate hedging instruments designated as cash flow hedges was 7 years.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the net forward notional buy (sell) position of our outstanding commodity derivative instruments that did not qualify or were not designated under the normal purchase normal sale exemption and our interest rate hedging instruments were as follows (in millions):
Derivative Instruments
 
Notional Amounts
 
2018
 
2017
Power (MWh)
 
(161
)
 
(119
)
Natural gas (MMBtu)
 
1,045

 
405

Environmental credits (Tonnes)
 
13

 
12

Interest rate hedging instruments
 
$
4,500

 
$
4,600


Certain of our derivative instruments contain credit risk-related contingent provisions that require us to maintain collateral balances consistent with our credit ratings. If our credit rating were to be downgraded, it could require us to post additional collateral or could potentially allow our counterparty to request immediate, full settlement on certain derivative instruments in liability positions. The aggregate fair value of our derivative liabilities with credit risk-related contingent provisions as of December 31, 2018, was $229 million for which we have posted collateral of $178 million by posting margin deposits, letters of credit or granting additional first priority liens on the assets currently subject to first priority liens under our First Lien Notes, First Lien Term Loans and Corporate Revolving Facility. However, if our credit rating were downgraded by one notch from its current level, we estimate that additional collateral of $3 million related to our derivative liabilities would be required and that no counterparty could request immediate, full settlement.
Accounting for Derivative Instruments
We recognize all derivative instruments that qualify for derivative accounting treatment as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value unless they qualify for, and we elect, the normal purchase normal sale exemption. For transactions in which we elect the normal purchase normal sale exemption, gains and losses are not reflected on our Consolidated Statements of Operations until the period of delivery. Revenues and expenses derived from instruments that qualified for hedge accounting or represent an economic hedge are recorded in the same financial statement line item as the item being hedged. Hedge accounting requires us to formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. We present the cash flows from our derivatives in the same category as the item being hedged (or economically hedged) within operating activities on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows unless they contain an other-than-insignificant financing element in which case their cash flows are classified within financing activities.
Cash Flow Hedges — We currently apply hedge accounting to our interest rate hedging instruments. We report the effective portion of the mark-to-market gain or loss on our interest rate hedging instruments designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument as a component of OCI and reclassify such gains and losses into earnings in the same period during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses due to ineffectiveness on interest rate hedging instruments are recognized currently in earnings as a component of interest expense. If it is determined that the forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, then hedge accounting will be discontinued prospectively and future changes in fair value are recorded in earnings. If the hedging instrument is terminated or de-designated prior to the occurrence of the hedged forecasted transaction, the net accumulated gain or loss associated with the changes in fair value of the hedge instrument remains deferred in AOCI until such time as the forecasted transaction affects earnings or until it is determined that the forecasted transaction is probable of not occurring.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments — We enter into power, natural gas, interest rate, environmental product and fuel oil transactions that primarily act as economic hedges to our asset and interest rate portfolio, but either do not qualify as hedges under the hedge accounting guidelines or qualify under the hedge accounting guidelines and the hedge accounting designation has not been elected. Changes in fair value of commodity derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recognized currently in earnings and are separately stated on our Consolidated Statements of Operations in mark-to-market gain/loss as a component of operating revenues (for physical and financial power and Heat Rate and commodity option activity) and fuel and purchased energy expense (for physical and financial natural gas, power, environmental product and fuel oil activity). Changes in fair value of interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recognized currently in earnings as interest expense.
Derivatives Included on Our Consolidated Balance Sheets
We offset fair value amounts associated with our derivative instruments and related cash collateral and margin deposits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets that are executed with the same counterparty under master netting arrangements. Our netting arrangements include a right to set off or net together purchases and sales of similar products in the margining or settlement process. In some instances, we have also negotiated cross commodity netting rights which allow for the net presentation of activity with a given counterparty regardless of product purchased or sold. We also post and/or receive cash collateral in support of our derivative instruments which may also be subject to a master netting arrangement with the same counterparty.
The following tables present the fair values of our derivative instruments and our net exposure after offsetting amounts subject to a master netting arrangement with the same counterparty to our derivative instruments recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets by location and hedge type at December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
Gross Amounts of Assets and (Liabilities)
 
Gross Amounts Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amount Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets(1)
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity exchange traded derivatives contracts
 
$
820

 
$
(820
)
 
$
—

Commodity forward contracts
 
341

 
(229
)
 
112

Interest rate hedging instruments
 
30

 
—

 
30

Total current derivative assets(2)
 
$
1,191

 
$
(1,049
)
 
$
142

Commodity exchange traded derivatives contracts
 
113

 
(113
)
 
—

Commodity forward contracts
 
209

 
(59
)
 
150

Interest rate hedging instruments
 
10

 
—

 
10

Total long-term derivative assets(2)
 
$
332

 
$
(172
)
 
$
160

Total derivative assets
 
$
1,523

 
$
(1,221
)
 
$
302

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative (liabilities):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity exchange traded derivatives contracts
 
$
(764
)
 
$
764

 
$
—

Commodity forward contracts
 
(576
)
 
277

 
(299
)
Interest rate hedging instruments
 
(4
)
 
—

 
(4
)
Total current derivative (liabilities)(2)
 
$
(1,344
)
 
$
1,041

 
$
(303
)
Commodity exchange traded derivatives contracts
 
(168
)
 
168

 
—

Commodity forward contracts
 
(193
)
 
59

 
(134
)
Interest rate hedging instruments
 
(6
)
 
—

 
(6
)
Total long-term derivative (liabilities)(2)
 
$
(367
)
 
$
227

 
$
(140
)
Total derivative liabilities
 
$
(1,711
)
 
$
1,268

 
$
(443
)
Net derivative assets (liabilities)
 
$
(188
)
 
$
47

 
$
(141
)
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Gross Amounts of Assets and (Liabilities)
 
Gross Amounts Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amount Presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets(1)
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity exchange traded derivatives contracts
 
$
672

 
$
(672
)
 
$
—

Commodity forward contracts
 
361

 
(194
)
 
167

Interest rate hedging instruments
 
7

 
—

 
7

Total current derivative assets(3)
 
$
1,040

 
$
(866
)
 
$
174

Commodity exchange traded derivatives contracts
 
74

 
(74
)
 
—

Commodity forward contracts
 
231

 
(32
)
 
199

Interest rate hedging instruments
 
22

 
(3
)
 
19

Total long-term derivative assets(3)
 
$
327

 
$
(109
)
 
$
218

Total derivative assets
 
$
1,367

 
$
(975
)
 
$
392

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative (liabilities):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity exchange traded derivatives contracts
 
$
(702
)
 
$
702

 
$
—

Commodity forward contracts
 
(389
)
 
209

 
(180
)
Interest rate hedging instruments
 
(17
)
 
—

 
(17
)
Total current derivative (liabilities)(3)
 
$
(1,108
)
 
$
911

 
$
(197
)
Commodity exchange traded derivatives contracts
 
(88
)
 
88

 
—

Commodity forward contracts
 
(140
)
 
35

 
(105
)
Interest rate hedging instruments
 
(17
)
 
3

 
(14
)
Total long-term derivative (liabilities)(3)
 
$
(245
)
 
$
126

 
$
(119
)
Total derivative liabilities
 
$
(1,353
)
 
$
1,037

 
$
(316
)
Net derivative assets (liabilities)
 
$
14

 
$
62

 
$
76

____________
(1)
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had $244 million and $155 million of collateral under master netting arrangements that were not offset against our derivative instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets primarily related to initial margin requirements.
(2)
At December 31, 2018, current and long-term derivative assets are shown net of collateral of $(58) million and $(8) million, respectively, and current and long-term derivative liabilities are shown net of collateral of $49 million and $64 million, respectively.
(3)
At December 31, 2017, current and long-term derivative assets are shown net of collateral of $(8) million and $(2) million, respectively, and current and long-term derivative liabilities are shown net of collateral of $52 million and $20 million, respectively.
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Fair Value
of Derivative
Assets
 
Fair Value
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
Fair Value
of Derivative
Assets
 
Fair Value
of Derivative
Liabilities
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate hedging instruments
$
40

 
$
10

 
$
26

 
$
31

Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments
$
40

 
$
10

 
$
26

 
$
31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity instruments
$
262

 
$
433

 
$
366

 
$
285

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
$
262

 
$
433

 
$
366

 
$
285

Total derivatives
$
302

 
$
443

 
$
392

 
$
316


Derivatives Included on Our Consolidated Statements of Operations
Changes in the fair values of our derivative instruments are reflected either in cash for option premiums paid or collected, in OCI, net of tax, for the effective portion of derivative instruments which qualify for and we have elected cash flow hedge accounting treatment, or on our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of mark-to-market activity within our earnings.
The following tables detail the components of our total activity for both the net realized gain (loss) and the net mark-to-market gain (loss) recognized from our derivative instruments in earnings and where these components were recorded on our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Realized gain (loss)(1)(2)
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivative instruments
$
193

 
$
7

 
$
235

Total realized gain
$
193

 
$
7

 
$
235

 
 
 
 
 
 
Mark-to-market gain (loss)(3)
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivative instruments
$
(208
)
 
$
(171
)
 
$
(1
)
Interest rate hedging instruments
3

 
2

 
2

Total mark-to-market gain (loss)
$
(205
)
 
$
(169
)
 
$
1

Total activity, net
$
(12
)
 
$
(162
)
 
$
236

___________
(1)
Does not include the realized value associated with derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery.
(2)
Includes amortization of acquisition date fair value of financial derivative activity related to the acquisition of Champion Energy, Calpine Solutions and North American Power.
(3)
In addition to changes in market value on derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in mark-to-market gain (loss) also includes hedge ineffectiveness and adjustments to reflect changes in credit default risk exposure.
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Realized and mark-to-market gain (loss)(1)
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives contracts included in operating revenues(2)(3)
$
(369
)
 
$
(69
)
 
$
109

Derivatives contracts included in fuel and purchased energy expense(2)(3)
354

 
(95
)
 
125

Interest rate hedging instruments included in interest expense
3

 
2

 
2

Total activity, net
$
(12
)
 
$
(162
)
 
$
236


___________
(1)
In addition to changes in market value on derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in mark-to-market gain (loss) also includes hedge ineffectiveness and adjustments to reflect changes in credit default risk exposure.
(2)
Does not include the realized value associated with derivative instruments that settle through physical delivery.
(3)
Includes amortization of acquisition date fair value of financial derivative activity related to the acquisition of Champion Energy, Calpine Solutions and North American Power.
Derivatives Included in OCI and AOCI
The following table details the effect of our net derivative instruments that qualified for hedge accounting treatment and are included in OCI and AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized  in
OCI (Effective Portion)
 
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
AOCI into Income (Effective
Portion)(3)(4)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Affected Line Item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Interest rate hedging instruments(1)(2)
$
45

 
$
21

 
$
41

 
$
(5
)
 
$
(43
)
 
$
(43
)
 
Interest expense
Interest rate hedging instruments(1)(2)
1

 
5

 
—

 
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
—

 
Depreciation expense
Total
$
46

 
$
26

 
$
41

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(48
)
 
$
(43
)
 
 
____________
(1)
We recorded a gain of $1 million on hedge ineffectiveness related to our interest rate hedging instruments designated as cash flow hedges during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. We did not record any material gain (loss) on hedge ineffectiveness related to our interest rate hedging instruments designated as cash flow hedges during the year ended December 31, 2016.
(2)
We recorded income tax expense of $5 million, $6 million and $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in AOCI related to our cash flow hedging activities.
(3)
Cumulative cash flow hedge losses attributable to Calpine, net of tax, remaining in AOCI were $34 million, $72 million and $90 million at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cumulative cash flow hedge losses attributable to the noncontrolling interest, net of tax, remaining in AOCI were $3 million, $6 million and $8 million at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(4)
Includes losses of $1 million, nil and $3 million that were reclassified from AOCI to interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, where the hedged transactions became probable of not occurring.
We estimate that pre-tax net gains of $11 million would be reclassified from AOCI into interest expense during the next 12 months as the hedged transactions settle; however, the actual amounts that will be reclassified will likely vary based on changes in interest rates. Therefore, we are unable to predict what the actual reclassification from AOCI into earnings (positive or negative) will be for the next 12 months.