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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

We are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Regulated Operations (Topic 980), provides that rate-regulated public utilities account for and report regulatory assets and liabilities consistent with the economic effect of the way in which regulators establish rates if the rates established are designed to recover the costs of providing the regulated service and if the competitive environment makes it probable that such rates can be charged and collected. Accounting for businesses that are regulated and apply the provisions of Topic 980 can differ from the accounting requirements for non-regulated businesses. Transactions that are recorded differently as a result of regulatory accounting requirements include the capitalization of an equity return component on regulated capital projects, capitalization of other project costs, retirements of general plant assets, employee related benefits, environmental costs, negative salvage, asset retirement obligations, and other costs and taxes included in, or expected to be included in, future rates. As a rate-regulated entity, our management has determined that it is appropriate to apply the accounting prescribed by Topic 980 and, accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the effects of the types of transactions described above that result from regulatory accounting requirements.

Basis of Presentation

Williams’ acquisition of Transco Energy Company and its subsidiaries, including us, in 1995 was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, an allocation of the purchase price was assigned to our assets and liabilities based on their estimated fair values. The purchase price allocation to us primarily consisted of a $1.5 billion allocation to property, plant and equipment and adjustments to deferred taxes based upon the book basis of the net assets recorded as a result of the acquisition. The amount allocated to property, plant and equipment is being depreciated on a straight-line basis over 40 years, the estimated useful lives of these assets at the date of acquisition, at approximately $35 million per year. At December 31, 2016, the remaining property, plant and equipment allocation was approximately $0.6 billion. Current FERC policy does not permit us to recover through rates amounts in excess of original cost.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of the subsidiaries we control. Companies in which we and our subsidiaries own 20 percent to 50 percent of the voting common stock or otherwise exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the company are accounted for under the equity method. The equity method investments as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consist of Cardinal Pipeline Company, LLC (Cardinal) with ownership interest of approximately 45 percent and Pine Needle LNG Company, LLC (Pine Needle) with ownership interest of 35 percent. We received distributions associated with our equity method investments totaling $8.6 million, $7.6 million, and $9.1 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Included in the distributions are $2.8 million, $2.0 million and $2.3 million return of capital in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions which, in the opinion of management, are significant to the underlying amounts included in the financial statements and for which it would be reasonably possible that future events or information could change those estimates include: 1) revenues subject to refund; 2) litigation-related contingencies; 3) environmental remediation obligations; 4) impairment assessments of long-lived assets; 5) depreciation; and 6) asset retirement obligations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues for transportation of gas under long-term firm agreements are recognized considering separately the reservation and commodity charges. Reservation revenues are recognized monthly over the term of the agreement regardless of the volume of natural gas transported. Commodity revenues from both firm and interruptible transportation are recognized in the period transportation services are provided based on volumes of natural gas physically delivered at the agreed upon delivery point. Revenues for the storage of gas under firm agreements are recognized considering separately the reservation, capacity, and injection and withdrawal charges. Reservation and capacity revenues are recognized monthly over the term of the agreement regardless of the volume of storage service actually utilized. Injection and withdrawal revenues are recognized in the period when volumes of natural gas are physically injected into or withdrawn from storage.

In the course of providing transportation services to customers, we may receive different quantities of gas from shippers than the quantities delivered on behalf of those shippers. The resulting imbalances are primarily settled through the purchase and sale of gas with our customers under terms provided in our FERC tariff. Revenue is recognized from the sale of gas upon settlement of the transportation and exchange imbalances (See Gas Imbalances in this Note).

As a result of the ratemaking process, certain revenues collected by us may be subject to refunds upon the issuance of final orders by the FERC in pending rate proceedings. We record estimates of rate refund liabilities considering our and other third-party regulatory proceedings, advice of counsel and other risks.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their economic benefit and potential for rate recovery. We believe that any expenditures required to meet applicable environmental laws and regulations are prudently incurred in the ordinary course of business and such expenditures would be permitted to be recovered through rates.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. The carrying values of these assets are also based on estimates, assumptions and judgments relative to capitalized costs, useful lives and salvage values. These estimates, assumptions and judgments reflect FERC regulations, as well as historical experience and expectations regarding future industry conditions and operations. The FERC identifies installation, construction and replacement costs that are to be capitalized. All other costs are expensed as incurred. Gains or losses from the ordinary sale or retirement of property, plant and equipment are credited or charged to accumulated depreciation; certain other gains or losses are recorded in operating income.

We provide for depreciation under the composite (group) method at straight-line FERC prescribed rates that are applied to the cost of the group for transmission facilities, production and gathering facilities and storage facilities. Under this method, assets with similar lives and characteristics are grouped and depreciated as one asset. Included in our depreciation rates is a negative salvage component (net cost of removal) that we currently collect in rates. Our depreciation rates are subject to change each time we file a general rate case with the FERC. Depreciation rates used for major regulated gas plant facilities at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:



Category of Property		2016-2014

Gathering facilities		1.35% - 2.50%
Storage facilities		2.10% - 2.25%
Onshore transmission facilities		2.61% - 5.00%
Offshore transmission facilities		1.20% - 1.20%

We record a liability and increase the basis in the underlying asset for the present value of each expected future asset retirement obligation (ARO) at the time the liability is initially incurred, typically when the asset is acquired or constructed. Measurements of AROs include, as a component of future expected costs, an estimate of the price that a third party would demand, and could expect to receive, for bearing the uncertainties inherent in the obligations, sometimes referred to as a market-risk premium. The ARO asset is depreciated in a manner consistent with the expected timing of the future abandonment of the underlying physical assets. We measure changes in the liability due to passage of time by applying an interest method of allocation. The depreciation of the ARO asset and accretion of the ARO liability are recognized as an increase to a regulatory asset, as management expects to recover such amounts in future rates. The regulatory asset is amortized commensurate with our collection of these costs in rates.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

We evaluate the long lived assets of identifiable business activities for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate, in our management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. When an indicator of a potential impairment has occurred we compare our management’s estimate of undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the assets to the carrying value of the assets to determine whether an impairment has occurred. We apply a probability-weighted approach to consider the likelihood of different cash flow assumptions and possible outcomes including selling in the near term or holding for the remaining estimated useful life. If an impairment of the carrying value has occurred, we determine the amount of the impairment recognized in the financial statements by estimating the fair value of the assets and recording a loss for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value.

For assets identified to be disposed of in the future and considered held for sale in accordance with the ASC Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360), we compare the carrying value to the estimated fair value less the cost to sell to determine if recognition of an impairment is required. Until the assets are disposed of, the estimated fair value, which includes estimated cash flows from operations until the assumed date of sale, is recalculated when related events or circumstances change.

Judgments and assumptions are inherent in our management’s estimate of undiscounted future cash flows used to determine recoverability of an asset and the estimate of an asset’s fair value used to calculate the amount of impairment to recognize.

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction

Allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) represents the estimated cost of borrowed and equity funds applicable to utility plant in process of construction and are included as a cost of property, plant and equipment because it constitutes an actual cost of construction under established regulatory practices. The FERC has prescribed a formula to be used in computing separate allowances for borrowed and equity AFUDC. The allowance for borrowed funds used during construction was $12.5 million, $14.6 million and $6.3 million, for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The allowance for equity funds was $56.5 million, $48.4 million, and $18.7 million, for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Income Taxes

We generally are not a taxable entity for federal or state and local income tax purposes. The tax on net income is generally borne by unitholders of our ultimate parent, WPZ. Net income for financial statement purposes may differ significantly from taxable income of WPZ’s unitholders as a result of differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities and the taxable income allocation requirements under the WPZ partnership agreement. The aggregated difference in the basis of our assets for financial and tax reporting purposes cannot be readily determined because information regarding each of WPZ’s unitholder’s tax attributes in WPZ is not available to us.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Receivables

Accounts receivable are stated at the historical carrying amount net of reserves or write-offs. Our credit risk exposure in the event of nonperformance by the other parties is limited to the face value of the receivables. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and require collateral from our customers, if necessary. Due to our customer base, we have not historically experienced recurring credit losses in connection with our receivables. Receivables determined to be uncollectible are reserved or written off in the period of determination.

Gas Imbalances

In the course of providing transportation services to customers, we may receive different quantities of gas from shippers than the quantities delivered on behalf of those shippers. Additionally, we transport gas on various pipeline systems which may deliver different quantities of gas on behalf of us than the quantities of gas received from us. These transactions result in gas transportation and exchange imbalance receivables and payables which are recovered or repaid in cash or through the receipt or delivery of gas in the future and are recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. Settlement of imbalances requires agreement between the pipelines and shippers as to allocations of volumes to specific transportation contracts and timing of delivery of gas based on operational conditions. Our tariff includes a method whereby most transportation imbalances are settled on a monthly basis. Each month a portion of the imbalances are not identified to specific parties and remain unsettled. These are generally identified to specific parties and settled in subsequent periods. We believe that amounts that remain unidentified to specific parties and unsettled at year end are valid balances that will be settled with no material adverse effect upon our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Management has implemented a policy of continuing to carry any unidentified transportation and exchange imbalances on the books for a three-year period. At the end of the three year period a final assessment will be made of their continued validity. Absent a valid reason for maintaining the imbalance, any remaining balance will be recognized in income. Certain imbalances are being recovered or repaid in cash or through the receipt or delivery of gas upon agreement of the parties as to the allocation of the gas volumes, and as permitted by pipeline operating conditions. These imbalances have been classified as current assets and current liabilities at December 31, 2016 and 2015. We utilize the average cost method of accounting for gas imbalances.

Deferred Cash Out

Most transportation imbalances are settled in cash on a monthly basis (cash out). We are required by our tariff to refund revenues received from the cash out of transportation imbalances in excess of costs incurred during the annual August through July reporting period. Revenues received in excess of costs incurred are deferred until refunded in accordance with the tariff.

Inventory

Gas Inventory

We utilize the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting for inventory gas in storage. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, Gas in Storage, at LIFO, was zero. The basis for determining current cost at the end of each year is the December monthly average gas price delivered to pipelines in Texas and Louisiana. We utilize the average cost method of accounting for gas available for customer nomination. Liquefied natural gas in storage is valued at original cost.

Materials and Supplies Inventory

All inventories are stated at lower of average cost or market. We perform an annual review of Materials and Supplies inventories, including a quarterly analysis of parts that may no longer be useful due to planned replacements of compressor engines and other components on our system. Based on this assessment, we record a reserve for the value of the inventory which can no longer be used for maintenance and repairs on our pipeline. There was a minimal reserve at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Contingent Liabilities

We record liabilities for estimated loss contingencies, including environmental matters, when we assess that a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These liabilities are calculated based upon our assumptions and estimates with respect to the likelihood or amount of loss and upon advice of legal counsel, engineers, or other third parties regarding the probable outcomes of the matters. These calculations are made without consideration of any potential recovery from third-parties. We recognize insurance recoveries or reimbursements from others when realizable. Revisions to these liabilities are generally reflected in income when new or different facts or information become known or circumstances change that affect the previous assumptions or estimates.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

We do not have employees. Certain of the costs charged to us by Williams associated with employees who directly support us include costs related to Williams’ pension and other postretirement benefit plans. (See Note 6.) Although the underlying benefit plans of Williams are single-employer plans, we follow multiemployer plan accounting whereby the amount charged to us and thus paid by us, is based on our share of net periodic benefit cost.

Cash Equivalents

We include short-term, highly-liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents.