XML 128 R12.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8
Financial and Other Derivative Instruments (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets [Abstract]  
Financial and Other Derivative Instruments
FINANCIAL AND OTHER DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The Company recognizes all derivatives at their fair value as Derivative assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position unless they qualify for certain scope exceptions, including the normal purchases and normal sales exception. Further, derivatives that qualify and are designated for hedge accounting are classified as either hedges of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge), or as hedges of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (fair value hedge). For cash flow hedges, the portion of the derivative gain or loss that is effective in offsetting the change in the value of the underlying exposure is deferred in Accumulated other comprehensive income and later reclassified into earnings when the underlying transaction occurs. Gains or losses from the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings immediately. For fair value hedges, changes in fair values for the derivative and hedged item are recognized in earnings each period. For derivatives that do not qualify or are not designated for hedge accounting, changes in the fair value are recognized in earnings each period.

The Company’s primary market risk exposure is associated with commodity prices, credit and interest rates. The Company has risk management policies to monitor and manage market risks. The Company uses derivative instruments to manage some of the exposure. The Company uses derivative instruments for trading purposes in its Energy Trading segment. Contracts classified as derivative instruments include power, natural gas, oil and certain coal forwards, futures, options and swaps, and foreign currency exchange contracts. Items not classified as derivatives include natural gas inventory, pipeline transportation contracts, renewable energy credits and natural gas storage assets.

Electric — DTE Electric generates, purchases, distributes and sells electricity. DTE Electric uses forward energy contracts to manage changes in the price of electricity and fuel. Substantially all of these contracts meet the normal purchases and sales exemption and are therefore accounted for under the accrual method. Other derivative contracts are recoverable through the PSCR mechanism when settled. This results in the deferral of unrealized gains and losses as Regulatory assets or liabilities until realized.

Gas — DTE Gas purchases, stores, transports, distributes and sells natural gas and sells storage and transportation capacity. DTE Gas has fixed-priced contracts for portions of its expected gas supply requirements through 2016. Substantially all of these contracts meet the normal purchases and sales exemption and are therefore accounted for under the accrual method. DTE Gas may also sell forward transportation and storage capacity contracts. Forward transportation and storage contracts are generally not derivatives and are therefore accounted for under the accrual method.

Gas Storage and Pipelines — This segment is primarily engaged in services related to the transportation and storage of natural gas. Primarily fixed-priced contracts are used in the marketing and management of transportation and storage services. Generally these contracts are not derivatives and are therefore accounted for under the accrual method.

Power and Industrial Projects — This segment manages and operates energy and pulverized coal projects, coke batteries, reduced emissions fuel projects, landfill gas recovery and power generation assets. Primarily fixed-price contracts are used in the marketing and management of the segment assets. These contracts are generally not derivatives and are therefore accounted for under the accrual method.

Energy Trading — Commodity Price Risk — Energy Trading markets and trades electricity, coal, natural gas physical products and energy financial instruments, and provides energy and asset management services utilizing energy commodity derivative instruments. Forwards, futures, options and swap agreements are used to manage exposure to the risk of market price and volume fluctuations in its operations. These derivatives are accounted for by recording changes in fair value to earnings unless hedge accounting criteria are met.

Energy Trading — Foreign Currency Exchange Risk — Energy Trading has foreign currency exchange forward contracts to economically hedge fixed Canadian dollar commitments existing under natural gas and power purchase and sale contracts and natural gas transportation contracts. The Company enters into these contracts to mitigate price volatility with respect to fluctuations of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar. These derivatives are accounted for by recording changes in fair value to earnings unless hedge accounting criteria are met.

Corporate and Other — Interest Rate Risk — The Company uses interest rate swaps, treasury locks and other derivatives to hedge the risk associated with interest rate market volatility. In 2004 and 2000, the Company entered into a series of interest rate derivatives to limit its sensitivity to market interest rate risk associated with the issuance of long-term debt. Such instruments were designated as cash flow hedges. The Company subsequently issued long-term debt and terminated these hedges at a cost that is included in Other comprehensive loss. Amounts recorded in Other comprehensive loss will be reclassified to interest expense through 2033. In 2014, the Company estimates reclassifying less than $1 million of losses to earnings.

Credit Risk — The utility and non-utility businesses are exposed to credit risk if customers or counterparties do not comply with their contractual obligations. The Company maintains credit policies that significantly minimize overall credit risk. These policies include an evaluation of potential customers’ and counterparties’ financial condition, credit rating, collateral requirements or other credit enhancements such as letters of credit or guarantees. The Company generally uses standardized agreements that allow the netting of positive and negative transactions associated with a single counterparty. The Company maintains a provision for credit losses based on factors surrounding the credit risk of its customers, historical trends, and other information. Based on the Company’s credit policies and its December 31, 2013 and 2012 provision for credit losses, the Company’s exposure to counterparty nonperformance is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Derivative Activities

The Company manages its mark-to-market (MTM) risk on a portfolio basis based upon the delivery period of its contracts and the individual components of the risks within each contract. Accordingly, it records and manages the energy purchase and sale obligations under its contracts in separate components based on the commodity (e.g. electricity or natural gas), the product (e.g. electricity for delivery during peak or off-peak hours), the delivery location (e.g. by region), the risk profile (e.g. forward or option), and the delivery period (e.g. by month and year). The following describes the categories of activities represented by their operating characteristics and key risks:

Asset Optimization — Represents derivative activity associated with assets owned and contracted by DTE Energy, including forward natural gas purchases and sales, natural gas transportation and storage capacity. Changes in the value of derivatives in this category typically economically offset changes in the value of underlying non-derivative positions, which do not qualify for fair value accounting. The difference in accounting treatment of derivatives in this category and the underlying non-derivative positions can result in significant earnings volatility.

Marketing and Origination — Represents derivative activity transacted by originating substantially hedged positions with wholesale energy marketers, producers, end users, utilities, retail aggregators and alternative energy suppliers.

Fundamentals Based Trading — Represents derivative activity transacted with the intent of taking a view, capturing market price changes, or putting capital at risk. This activity is speculative in nature as opposed to hedging an existing exposure.

Other — Includes derivative activity at DTE Electric related to FTRs. Changes in the value of derivative contracts at DTE Electric are recorded as Derivative Assets or Liabilities, with an offset to Regulatory Assets or Liabilities as the settlement value of these contracts will be included in the PSCR mechanism when realized.

The following tables present the fair value of derivative instruments as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
(In millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1
)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$

Commodity Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Natural Gas
396

 
(503
)
 
645

 
(661
)
Electricity
400

 
(398
)
 
360

 
(351
)
Other
37

 
(34
)
 
11

 
(7
)
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
$
833

 
$
(936
)
 
$
1,016

 
$
(1,019
)
Total derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
$
691

 
$
(773
)
 
$
862

 
$
(879
)
Noncurrent
142

 
(163
)
 
154

 
(141
)
Total derivatives
$
833

 
$
(936
)
 
$
1,016

 
$
(1,020
)


Certain of the Company's derivative positions are subject to netting arrangements which provide for offsetting of asset and liability positions as well as related cash collateral. Such netting arrangements generally do not have restrictions. Under such netting arrangements, the Company offsets the fair value of derivative instruments with cash collateral received or paid for those contracts executed with the same counterparty, which reduces the Company's total assets and liabilities. Cash collateral is allocated between the fair value of derivative instruments and customer accounts receivable and payable with the same counterparty on a pro rata basis to the extent there is exposure. Any cash collateral remaining, after the exposure is netted to zero, is reflected in accounts receivable and accounts payable as collateral paid or received, respectively.

The Company also provides and receives collateral in the form of letters of credit which can be offset against net derivative assets and liabilities as well as accounts receivable and payable. The Company had issued letters of credit of approximately $19 million and $63 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which could be used to offset our net derivative liabilities. Letters of credit received from third parties which could be used to offset our net derivative assets were not material for the periods presented. Such balances of letters of credit are excluded from the tables below and are not netted with the recognized assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

For contracts with certain clearing agents the fair value of derivative instruments is netted against realized positions with the net balance reflected as either 1) a derivative asset or liability or 2) an account receivable or payable. Other than certain clearing agents, accounts receivable and accounts payable that are subject to netting arrangements have not been offset against the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities. Certain contracts that have netting arrangements have not been offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The impact of netting these derivative instruments and cash collateral related to such contracts is not material. Only the gross amounts for these derivative instruments are included in the table below.

As of December 31, 2013, the total cash collateral posted, net of cash collateral received, was $12 million. As of December 31, 2012, the total cash collateral received, net of cash collateral posted, was $20 million. As of December 31, 2013, derivative assets and derivative liabilities are shown net of cash collateral of $26 million and $17 million, respectively. There was no cash collateral related to unrealized positions to net against derivative assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012. The Company recorded cash collateral paid of $34 million and cash collateral received of $13 million not related to unrealized derivative positions as of December 31, 2013. The Company recorded cash collateral paid of $4 million and cash collateral received of $24 million not related to unrealized derivative positions as of December 31, 2012. These amounts are included in accounts receivable and accounts payable and are recorded net by counterparty.

The following table presents the netting offsets of derivative assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
 
Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets (Liabilities)
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
 
Net Amounts of Assets (Liabilities) Presented in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
 
(In millions)
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas
$
396

 
$
(382
)
 
$
14

 
$
645

 
$
(605
)
 
$
40

Electricity
400

 
(291
)
 
109

 
360

 
(258
)
 
102

Other
37

 
(34
)
 
3

 
11

 
(6
)
 
5

Total derivative assets
$
833

 
$
(707
)
 
$
126

 
$
1,016

 
$
(869
)
 
$
147

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas
$
(503
)
 
$
395

 
$
(108
)
 
$
(661
)
 
$
605

 
$
(56
)
Electricity
(398
)
 
269

 
(129
)
 
(351
)
 
258

 
(93
)
Other
(34
)
 
34

 

 
(7
)
 
6

 
(1
)
Other derivative liabilities
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Total derivative liabilities
$
(936
)
 
$
698

 
$
(238
)
 
$
(1,020
)
 
$
869

 
$
(151
)


The following table presents the netting offsets of derivative assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
Current
 
Noncurrent
 
Current
 
Noncurrent
 
Current
 
Noncurrent
 
Current
 
Noncurrent
 
(In millions)
Reconciliation of derivative instruments to Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total fair value of derivatives
$
691

 
$
142

 
$
(773
)
 
$
(163
)
 
$
862

 
$
154

 
$
(879
)
 
$
(141
)
Counterparty netting
(566
)
 
(115
)
 
566

 
115

 
(754
)
 
(115
)
 
754

 
115

Collateral adjustment
(26
)
 

 
12

 
5

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives as reported
$
99

 
$
27

 
$
(195
)
 
$
(43
)
 
$
108

 
$
39

 
$
(125
)
 
$
(26
)


The effect of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
 
 
Location of Gain
(Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivatives
 
Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivatives for
Years Ended
December 31
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Foreign currency exchange contracts
 
Operating Revenue
 
$
(1
)
 
$

Commodity Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas
 
Operating Revenue
 
(48
)
 
(29
)
Natural Gas
 
Fuel, purchased power and gas
 
(44
)
 
25

Electricity
 
Operating Revenue
 
82

 
64

Other
 
Operating Revenue
 

 
5

Total
 
 
 
$
(11
)
 
$
65



Revenues and energy costs related to trading contracts are presented on a net basis in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Commodity derivatives used for trading purposes, and financial non-trading commodity derivatives, are accounted for using the mark-to-market method with unrealized and realized gains and losses recorded in Operating revenues. Non-trading physical commodity sale and purchase derivative contracts are generally accounted for using the mark-to-market method with unrealized and realized gains and losses for sales recorded in Operating revenue and purchases recorded in Fuel, purchased power and gas.

The effects of derivative instruments recoverable through the PSCR mechanism when realized on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position were $5 million in unrealized gains related to FTRs recognized in Regulatory liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2013, and $15 million in unrealized gains related to FTRs recognized in Regulatory liabilities, for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The following represents the cumulative gross volume of derivative contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2013:
Commodity
 
Number of Units
Natural Gas (MMBtu)
 
795,553,773
Electricity (MWh)
 
55,658,483
Foreign Currency Exchange ($ CAD)
 
65,074,206
FTR (MWh)
 
10,485,618


Various subsidiaries of the Company have entered into contracts which contain ratings triggers and are guaranteed by DTE Energy. These contracts contain provisions which allow the counterparties to request that the Company post cash or letters of credit as collateral in the event that DTE Energy’s credit rating is downgraded below investment grade. Certain of these provisions (known as “hard triggers”) state specific circumstances under which the Company can be asked to post collateral upon the occurrence of a credit downgrade, while other provisions (known as “soft triggers”) are not as specific. For contracts with soft triggers, it is difficult to estimate the amount of collateral which may be requested by counterparties and/or which the Company may ultimately be required to post. The amount of such collateral which could be requested fluctuates based on commodity prices (primarily natural gas, power and coal) and the provisions and maturities of the underlying transactions. As of December 31, 2013, DTE Energy's contractual obligation in the form of cash or letter of credit in the event of a downgrade to below investment grade, under both hard trigger and soft trigger provisions, was approximately $406 million.

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $1,176 million of derivatives in net liability positions, for which hard triggers exist. Collateral of approximately $25 million has been posted against such liabilities, including cash and letters of credit. Associated derivative net asset positions for which contractual offset exists were approximately $902 million. The net remaining amount of approximately $249 million is derived from the $406 million noted above.