Accounting policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life [Table Text Block]

Rates are determined based on the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Buildings	5 to 40 years
Plant and equipment	4 to 40 years
Distribution system	3 to 40 years
Office furniture, fixtures and equipment	3 to 10 years
Vehicles	3 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of 5 years or lease term
Lab equipment	5 to 10 years

Estimated Fair Value Of Reporting Segment [Table Text Block]

The respective weightings the Company applied to each method for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

	2013					2012
Method	Retail		Bulk		Services	Retail		Bulk		Services
Discounted cash flow	50	%	50	%		20	%	30	%
Subject company stock price	30	%	30	%		60	%	50	%	10	%
Guideline public company	10	%	10	%		10	%	10	%
Mergers and acquisitions	10	%	10	%		10	%	10	%
Net asset value										90	%
	100	%	100	%		100	%	100	%	100	%