Contingencies And Commitments

3 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2012

Contingencies And Commitments

J.Contingencies and commitments

Litigation

Ferrellgas’ operations are subject to all operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing, transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers of combustible liquids such as propane. As a result, at any given time, Ferrellgas is threatened with or named as a defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Other than as discussed below, Ferrellgas is not a party to any legal proceedings other than various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters; however, management is of the opinion that there are no known claims or contingent claims that are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on theconsolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Ferrellgas.

Ferrellgas has been named as a defendant in lawsuits filed in multiple federal and state courts that seek to certify nationwide or statewide classesrelated to its Blue Rhino branded propane tank exchange activities.  The plaintiffs in each case generally allege that Ferrellgas failed to inform consumers of the amount of propane contained in propane tanks they purchased and that Ferrellgas violated anti-trust laws by allegedly conspiring with a competitor. The federal cases have been coordinated for multidistrict treatment in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. A settlement agreement has received approval by the Court. Ferrellgas believes these claims will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Ferrellgas beyond the amount paid during March 2012 for these claims.

Ferrellgas has received notice that the Offices of the District Attorneys of several counties in California and the Federal Trade Commission are investigating cylinder labeling and filling practices and any anti-trust issues relating to the amount of propane contained in propane tanks. These government agencies issued administrative subpoenas seeking documents and information relating to those practices and Ferrellgas has responded. Ferrellgas believes that its cylinders were correctly filled and labeled and will defend any claims that may result from this investigation. Ferrellgas does not believe any loss is probable or reasonably estimable at this time related to these investigations. 

Ferrellgas has also been named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court in Kansas. The complaint alleges that Ferrellgas violates consumer protection laws in the manner Ferrellgas sets prices and fees for its customers. Based on Ferrellgas’ business practices, Ferrellgas believes that the claims are without merit and intends to defend the claims vigorously. The court has stayed discovery on this matter pending Ferrellgas’ motion to compel arbitration, and the case has not been certified for class treatment. The court has permitted limited discovery into an individual claim and the case has not been certified for class treatment. Ferrellgas does not believe loss is probable or reasonably estimable at this time related to this class action lawsuit.

Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. [Member]

Contingencies And Commitments

B.Contingencies and commitments

The Finance Corp. serves as co-issuer and co-obligor for debt securities of the Partnership.

The senior unsecured notes contain various restrictive covenants applicable to the Partnership and its subsidiaries, the most restrictive relating to additional indebtedness. As of October 31, 2012, the Partnership is in compliance with all requirements, tests, limitations and covenants related to this debt agreement.

Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]

Contingencies And Commitments

J.  Contingencies and commitments

Litigation

Ferrellgas, L.P.’s operations are subject to all operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing, transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers of combustible liquids such as propane. As a result, at any given time, Ferrellgas, L.P. is threatened with or named as a defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Other than as discussed below, Ferrellgas, L.P. is not a party to any legal proceedings other than various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters; however, management is of the opinion that there are no known claims or contingent claims that are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Ferrellgas, L.P.

Ferrellgas, L.P. has been named as a defendant in lawsuits filed in multiple federal and state courts that seek to certify nationwide or statewide classesrelated to its Blue Rhino branded propane tank exchange activities.  The plaintiffs in each case generally allege that Ferrellgas, L.P. failed to inform consumers of the amount of propane contained in propane tanks they purchased and that Ferrellgas, L.P. violated anti-trust laws by allegedly conspiring with a competitor. The federal cases have been coordinated for multidistrict treatment in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. A settlement agreement has received approval by the Court. Ferrellgas, L.P. believes these claims will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Ferrellgas, L.P. beyond the amount paid during March 2012 for these claims.

Ferrellgas, L.P. has received notice that the Offices of the District Attorneys of several counties in California and the Federal Trade Commission are investigating cylinder labeling and filling practices and any anti-trust issues relating to the amount of propane contained in propane tanks. These government agencies issued administrative subpoenas seeking documents and information relating to those practices and Ferrellgas, L.P. has responded. Ferrellgas, L.P. believes that its cylinders were correctly filled and labeled and will defend any claims that may result from this investigation. Ferrellgas, L.P. does not believe any loss is probable or reasonably estimable at this time related to these investigations. 

Ferrellgas, L.P. has also been named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court in Kansas. The complaint alleges that Ferrellgas, L.P. violates consumer protection laws in the manner Ferrellgas, L.P. sets prices and fees for its customers. Based on Ferrellgas, L.P.’s business practices, Ferrellgas, L.P. believes that the claims are without merit and intends to defend the claims vigorously. The court has stayed discovery on this matter pending Ferrellgas, L.P.’s motion to compel arbitration, and the case has not been certified for class treatment. The court has permitted limited discovery into an individual claim and the case has not been certified for class treatment. Ferrellgas, L.P. does not believe loss is probable or reasonably estimable at this time related to this class action lawsuit.

Ferrellgas Finance Corp. [Member]

Contingencies And Commitments

B.  Contingencies and commitments

The Finance Corp. serves as co-issuer and co-obligor for debt securities of the Partnership.

The senior notes agreements contain various restrictive covenants applicable to the Partnership and its subsidiaries, the most restrictive relating to additional indebtedness. As of October 31, 2012, the Partnership is in compliance with all requirements, tests, limitations and covenants related to these debt agreements.