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Variable Interest Entities
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]  
Variable Interest Entities
Variable Interest Entities

In 2013, we formed Phillips 66 Partners LP, a master limited partnership, to own, operate, develop and acquire primarily fee-based crude oil, refined petroleum product and natural gas liquids (NGL) pipelines and terminals, as well as other transportation and midstream assets. We consolidate Phillips 66 Partners as we determined that Phillips 66 Partners is a VIE and we are the primary beneficiary. As general partner of Phillips 66 Partners, we have the ability to control its financial interests, as well as the ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact its economic performance. See Note 19—Phillips 66 Partners LP, for additional information.

We hold variable interests in VIEs that have not been consolidated because we are not considered the primary beneficiary. Information on our significant non-consolidated VIEs follows.

Merey Sweeny, L.P. (MSLP) is a limited partnership that owns a delayed coker and related facilities at the Sweeny Refinery. As discussed more fully in Note 6—Investments, Loans and Long-Term Receivables, in August 2009, a call right was exercised to acquire the 50 percent ownership interest in MSLP of the co-venturer, Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA). That exercise was challenged, and the dispute has been arbitrated. Until all legal challenges are resolved, we will continue to use the equity method of accounting for MSLP, and the VIE analysis below is based on the ownership and governance structure in place prior to the exercise of the call right. MSLP is a VIE because, in securing lender consents in connection with our separation from ConocoPhillips in 2012 (the Separation), we provided a 100 percent debt guarantee to the lender of MSLP’s 8.85% senior notes (MSLP Senior Notes). PDVSA did not participate in the debt guarantee. In our VIE assessment, this disproportionate debt guarantee, plus other liquidity support provided jointly by us and PDVSA independently of equity ownership, results in MSLP not being exposed to all potential losses. We have determined we are not the primary beneficiary while our call exercise award is subject to being vacated, because under the partnership agreement, the co-venturers jointly direct the activities of MSLP that most significantly impact economic performance. At June 30, 2016, our maximum exposure to loss was the outstanding principal balance of the MSLP Senior Notes of $140 million and our investment in MSLP of $179 million.

We have a 25 percent ownership interest in Dakota Access, LLC (DAPL) and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, LLC (ETCOP), whose planned principal operations have not commenced. Until the planned principal operations have commenced, these entities do not have sufficient equity at risk to fully fund the construction of all assets required for principal operations, and thus represent VIEs. We have determined we are not the primary beneficiary because we and our co-venturer jointly direct the activities of DAPL and ETCOP that most significantly impact economic performance. We use the equity method of accounting for these investments. At June 30, 2016, our maximum exposure to loss represented the aggregate book value of our equity investments of $520 million and our loans of $107 million.