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OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES [Abstract]  
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
25.
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

(in thousands of $)
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
Tax benefits on intra-group transfers of long-term assets
 
 
56,628
 
 
 
29,184
 
Liabilities in respect of the termination of the Five Ship Leases
 
 
-
 
 
 
51,089
 
Pension obligations (see note 22)
 
 
37,584
 
 
 
33,451
 
Deferred credits from capital lease transactions
 
 
19,153
 
 
 
19,780
 
Other
 
 
132
 
 
 
132
 
 
 
 
113,497
 
 
 
133,636
 

Tax benefits arising on intra-group transfers of long-term assets arose from transactions between controlled entities in respect of five vessels, the Golar Freeze, Golar Spirit, Gimi, Hilli and Nusantara Regas Satu that generated a permanent tax benefit for the Company. The tax benefits are being amortized through the tax line of the statement of operations over the remaining useful lives of the vessels (see note 8).  $12 million of the liabilities in respect of the termination of the Five Ship Leases was transferred and recorded in "accrued expenses – provision for taxes" (see note 20) of which $6 million was paid in 2011.

Deferred credits from capital lease transactions

(in thousands of $)
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
Deferred credits from capital lease transactions
 
 
24,691
 
 
 
24,691
 
Less: Accumulated amortization
 
 
(4,911
)
 
 
(4,286
)
 
 
 
19,780
 
 
 
20,405
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term (see note 21)
 
 
627
 
 
 
625
 
Long-term
 
 
19,153
 
 
 
19,780
 
 
 
 
19,780
 
 
 
20,405
 

In connection with the Methane Princess Lease and the Five Ships Leases, the Company initially recorded an amount representing the difference between the net cash proceeds received upon sale of the vessels and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The amortization of the deferred credit for the year is offset against depreciation and amortization expense in the statement of operations. The deferred credits represent the upfront benefits derived from undertaking finance in the form of UK leases. The deferred credits are amortized over the remaining estimated useful economic lives of the vessels to which the leases relate on a straight-line basis.  The Five Ships Leases were terminated in 2010.

Amortization for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $0.6 million, $3.9 million and $3.9 million, respectively.