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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

We are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 980, “Regulated Operations,” (Topic 980), provides that certain costs that would otherwise be charged to expense should be deferred as regulatory assets, based on the expected recovery from customers in future rates. Likewise, certain actual or anticipated credits that would otherwise reduce expense should be deferred as regulatory liabilities, based on the expected return to customers in future rates. Management's expected recovery of deferred costs and return of deferred credits generally results from specific decisions by regulators granting such ratemaking treatment. We record certain incurred costs and obligations as regulatory assets or liabilities if, based on regulatory orders or other available evidence, it is probable that the costs or obligations will be included in amounts allowable for recovery or refunded in future rates. 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 (ARO), 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 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, 2021, the remaining property, plant and equipment allocation was approximately $0.5 billion. Current FERC policy does not permit us to recover through rates amounts in excess of original cost.

A reclassification within Operating Costs and Expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income to include Cost of natural gas transportation within Operation and maintenance of approximately $53.7 million and $50.3 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively, has been made to conform to the 2021 presentation.

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 prior to December 31, 2019 (see Note 9 – Transactions with Major Customers and Affiliates) 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 $4.9 million in 2019. We made a $12.3 million contribution to Pine Needle in the second quarter of 2019.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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) litigation-related contingencies; 2) environmental remediation obligations; 3) impairment assessments of long-lived assets; 4) depreciation; 5) asset retirement obligations; and 6) measurement of regulatory assets and liabilities.

Revenue Recognition

Our customers are comprised of public utilities, municipalities, natural gas marketers and producers, intrastate pipelines, direct industrial users, and electric power generators.

Service revenue contracts from our gas pipeline business contain a series of distinct services, with the majority of our contracts having a single performance obligation that is satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by our performance. Most of our natural gas sales contracts have a single performance obligation with revenue recognized at a point in time when the natural gas has been sold and delivered to the customer.

Certain customers reimburse us for costs we incur associated with construction of property, plant, and equipment utilized in our operations. As a rate-regulated entity applying Topic 980, we follow FERC guidelines with respect to reimbursement of construction costs. FERC tariffs only allow for cost reimbursement and are non-negotiable in nature; thus, in our judgment, the construction activities do not represent an ongoing major and central operation of our gas pipeline business and are not within the scope of ASC Topic 606, “Revenues from Contracts with Customers.” Accordingly, cost reimbursements are treated as a reduction to the cost of the constructed asset.

Operating Revenues

We are subject to regulation by certain state and federal authorities, including the FERC, with revenue derived from both firm and interruptible transportation and storage contracts. Firm transportation and storage agreements primarily provide for a fixed reservation charge based on the pipeline or storage capacity reserved, and a commodity charge based on the volume of natural gas delivered/stored, each at rates specified in our FERC tariffs or as negotiated with our customers, with contract terms that are generally long-term in nature. Most of our long-term contracts contain an evergreen provision, which allows the contracts to be extended for periods primarily up to one year in length an indefinite number of times following the specified contract term and until terminated generally by either us or the customer. Interruptible transportation and storage agreements provide for a volumetric charge based on actual commodity transportation or storage utilized in the period in which those services are provided, and the contracts are generally limited to one-month periods or less. Our performance obligations include the following:

•Firm transportation or storage under firm transportation and storage contracts—an integrated package of services typically constituting a single performance obligation, which includes standing ready to provide such services and receiving, transporting or storing (as applicable), and redelivering commodities;

•Interruptible transportation and storage under interruptible transportation and storage contracts—an integrated package of services typically constituting a single performance obligation once scheduled, which includes receiving, transporting or storing (as applicable), and redelivering commodities.

In situations where, in our judgment, we consider the integrated package of services as a single performance obligation, which represents a majority of our contracts with customers, we do not consider there to be multiple performance obligations because the nature of the overall promise in the contract is to stand ready (with regard to firm transportation and storage contracts), receive, transport or store, and redeliver natural gas to the customer; therefore, revenue is recognized over time upon satisfaction of our daily stand ready performance obligation.

We recognize revenues for reservation charges over the performance obligation period, which is the contract term, regardless of the volume of natural gas that is transported or stored. Revenues for commodity charges from both firm and interruptible transportation services and storage services are recognized when natural gas is delivered at the agreed upon delivery point or when natural gas is injected or withdrawn from the storage facility because they specifically relate to our efforts to provide these distinct services. Generally, reservation charges and commodity charges are recognized as revenue in the same period they are invoiced to our customers. As a result of the ratemaking process, certain amounts collected by us may be subject to refunds upon the issuance of final orders by the FERC in pending rate proceedings. We use judgment to record estimates of rate refund liabilities considering our and other third-party regulatory proceedings, advice of counsel, and other risks. At December 31, 2021, we had no such rate refund liabilities.

Natural Gas Sales

In the course of providing transportation services to customers, we may receive different quantities of natural gas from customers than the quantities delivered on behalf of those customers. The resulting imbalances are primarily settled through the purchase or sale of natural gas with each customer under terms provided for in our FERC tariffs. Revenue is recognized from the sale of natural gas upon settlement of the transportation and exchange imbalances (see Gas Imbalances below).

Contract Liabilities

Our contract liabilities consist of advance payments from customers, which include prepayments, and other billings for which future services are to be provided under the contract. These amounts are deferred until recognized in revenue when the associated performance obligation has been satisfied, which is primarily straight-line over the remaining contractual service periods, and are classified as current or non-current according to when such amounts are expected to be recognized. Current and non-current contract liabilities are included within Accrued Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities - Deferred revenue, respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Contracts requiring advance payments and the recognition of contract liabilities are evaluated to determine whether the advance payments provide us with a significant financing benefit. This determination is based on the combined effect of the expected length of time between when we transfer the promised good or service to the customer, when the customer pays for those goods or services and the prevailing interest rates. We have assessed our contracts and determined none of our contracts contain a significant financing component.

Leases

We are a lessee through noncancellable lease agreements for property and equipment consisting primarily of buildings, land, vehicles, and equipment used in both our operations and administrative functions. We recognize a lease liability with an offsetting right-of-use asset in our Consolidated Balance Sheet for operating leases based on the present value of the future lease payments. We have elected to combine lease and nonlease components for all classes of leased assets in our calculation of the lease liability and the offsetting right-of-use asset.

Our lease agreements require both fixed and variable periodic payments, with initial terms typically ranging from one year to 30 years. Payment provisions in certain of our lease agreements contain escalation factors which may be based on stated rates or a change in a published index at a future time. The amount by which a lease escalates based on the change in a published index, which is not known at lease commencement, is considered a variable payment and is not included in the present value of the future lease payments, which only includes those that are stated or can be calculated based on the lease agreement at lease commencement. In addition to the noncancellable periods, many of our lease agreements provide for one or more extensions of the lease agreement for periods ranging from one year in length to an indefinite number of times following the specified contract term. Other lease agreements provide for extension terms that allow us to utilize the identified leased asset for an indefinite period of time so long as the asset continues to be utilized in our operations. In consideration of these renewal features, we assess the term of the lease agreements, which includes using judgment in the determination of which renewal periods and termination provisions, when at our sole election, will be reasonably certain of being exercised. Periods after the initial term or extension terms that allow for either party to the lease to cancel the lease are not considered in the assessment of the lease term. Additionally, we have elected to exclude leases with an original term of one year or less, including renewal periods, from the calculation of the lease liability and the offsetting right-of-use asset.

We use judgment in determining the discount rate upon which the present value of the future lease payments is determined. This rate is based on a collateralized interest rate corresponding to the term of the lease agreement using company, industry, and market information available.

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 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 using the straight-line method at 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, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:


Category of Property						Depreciation Rate
Gathering facilities						0% - 1.00%
Storage facilities						1.86% - 2.05%
Onshore transmission facilities						2.50% - 7.13%
Offshore transmission facilities						1.25%

We record a liability and increase the basis in the underlying asset for the present value of each expected future 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 our long-lived assets, including capitalized project development costs, 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. If an impairment of the carrying value has occurred, we determine the amount of the impairment recognized in our consolidated 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 ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” 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 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 $5.0 million, $7.7 million, and $10.5 million, for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The allowance for equity funds was $17.1 million, $14.9 million, and $28.8 million, for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Income Taxes

We are a natural gas company organized as a pass-through entity and our taxable income or loss is consolidated on the federal income tax return of our parent, Williams. We generally are treated as a pass-through entity for state and local income tax purposes, and those taxes are generally borne on a consolidated basis by Williams. Net income for financial statement purposes may differ significantly from taxable income of Williams as a result of differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are carried on a gross basis, with no discounting, less an allowance for doubtful accounts. We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts, considering current expected credit losses using a forward-looking “expected loss” model, the financial condition of our customers, and the age of past due accounts. The majority of our trade receivable balances are due within 30 days. We monitor the credit quality of our counterparties through review of collection trends, credit ratings, and other analyses, such as bankruptcy monitoring, if applicable. Financial assets are evaluated as one pool. Changes in counterparty risk factors could lead to reassessment of the composition of our financial assets as one pool. We calculate our allowance for credit losses incorporating an aging method. In estimating our expected credit losses, we utilized historical loss rates over many years. Our expected credit loss estimate considered both internal and external forward-looking commodity price expectations, as well as counterparty credit ratings, and factors impacting their near-term liquidity.

We do not offer extended payment terms and typically receive payment within one month. We consider receivables past due if full payment is not received by the contractual due date. Past due accounts are generally written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts only after all collection attempts have been exhausted. We do not have a material amount of significantly aged receivables at December 31, 2021 and 2020. The balance of our allowance for doubtful accounts was $6.2 million at December 31, 2021 and was primarily related to non-trade receivables. The balance of our allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2020 was minimal.

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 (see Deferred Cash Out below) 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, 2021 and 2020. 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). In accordance with our tariff, revenues received from the cash-out of transportation imbalances in excess of costs incurred are deferred and offset by the deferral of costs incurred in excess of revenues received. At the end of each annual August through July reporting period, if the cumulative revenues received exceed the costs incurred, the over recovered amounts are applied to any prior under recovery balance or refunded. If the cumulative revenues received are less than the costs incurred, the net under recovered amounts are carried forward and offset against any future net over recoveries that may occur in a subsequent annual reporting period.

Materials and Supplies Inventory

All materials and supplies inventory is stated at average cost. 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, 2021 and 2020.

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 8 – Benefit Plans). 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 Flows from Operating Activities and Cash Equivalents

We use the indirect method to report cash flows from operating activities, which requires adjustments to net income to reconcile to net cash flows provided by operating activities. We include short-term, highly-liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents.