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UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES (Notes) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] |
UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES | UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates - The following table sets forth our investments in unconsolidated affiliates for the periods indicated:
|  | Net Ownership Interest |  | December 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
|  |  |  | (Thousands of dollars)
Northern Border Pipeline |  | 50% |  | $ | 381,623 |  |  | $ | 396,800 |
Overland Pass Pipeline Company |  | 50% |  | 429,295 |  |  | 436,111 |
Roadrunner Gas Transmission |  | 50% |  | 93,857 |  |  | 93,048 |
Other |  | Various |  | 64,375 |  |  | 77,197 |
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates (a) |  | $ | 969,150 |  |  | $ | 1,003,156 |
(a) - Equity-method goodwill (Note A) was $38.8 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017. Equity in Net Earnings from Investments and Impairments - The following table sets forth our equity in net earnings from investments for the periods indicated:
|  | Years Ended December 31,
|  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2016
|  | (Thousands of dollars)
Northern Border Pipeline |  | $ | 67,854 |  |  | $ | 68,153 |  |  | $ | 69,990 |
Overland Pass Pipeline Company |  | 65,887 |  |  | 60,067 |  |  | 53,984 |
Roadrunner Gas Transmission |  | 22,993 |  |  | 19,150 |  |  | 4,445 |
Other |  | 1,649 |  |  | 11,908 |  |  | 11,271 |
Equity in net earnings from investments |  | $ | 158,383 |  |  | $ | 159,278 |  |  | $ | 139,690 |
Impairment of equity investments |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (4,270 | ) |  | $ | — |
Impairment Charges - In the third quarter 2017, following a review of nonstrategic assets for potential divestiture, we recorded $4.3 million of noncash impairment charges related to a nonstrategic equity investment located in Oklahoma, which was later sold. Unconsolidated Affiliates Financial Information - The following tables set forth summarized combined financial information of our unconsolidated affiliates for the periods indicated:
|  | December 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
|  | (Thousands of dollars)
Balance Sheet |  |  |  |
Current assets |  | $ | 158,723 |  |  | $ | 151,907 |
Property, plant and equipment, net |  | $ | 2,413,662 |  |  | $ | 2,490,692 |
Other noncurrent assets |  | $ | 16,273 |  |  | $ | 14,793 |
Current liabilities |  | $ | 83,057 |  |  | $ | 70,434 |
Long-term debt |  | $ | 480,731 |  |  | $ | 479,050 |
Other noncurrent liabilities |  | $ | 47,826 |  |  | $ | 53,830 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |  | $ | 2,053 |  |  | $ | (9,946 | )
Owners’ equity |  | $ | 1,974,991 |  |  | $ | 2,064,024 |
|  | Years Ended December 31,
|  | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2016
|  | (Thousands of dollars)
Income Statement |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating revenues |  | $ | 637,762 |  |  | $ | 639,102 |  |  | $ | 578,542 |
Operating expenses |  | $ | 276,373 |  |  | $ | 277,121 |  |  | $ | 260,753 |
Net income |  | $ | 337,694 |  |  | $ | 347,692 |  |  | $ | 293,921 |
Distributions paid to us |  | $ | 197,285 |  |  | $ | 196,114 |  |  | $ | 196,717 |
We incurred expenses in transactions with unconsolidated affiliates of $153.9 million, $156.1 million and $140.3 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, primarily related to Overland Pass Pipeline Company and Northern Border Pipeline. Accounts payable to our equity-method investees at December 31, 2018 and 2017, was $14.7 million and $13.6 million, respectively. Northern Border Pipeline - The Northern Border Pipeline partnership agreement provides that distributions to Northern Border Pipeline’s partners are to be made on a pro rata basis according to each partner’s percentage interest. The Northern Border Pipeline Management Committee determines the amount and timing of such distributions. Any changes to, or suspension of, the cash distribution policy of Northern Border Pipeline requires the unanimous approval of the Northern Border Pipeline Management Committee. Cash distributions are equal to 100 percent of distributable cash flow as determined from Northern Border Pipeline’s financial statements based upon EBITDA less interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Loans or other advances from Northern Border Pipeline to its partners or affiliates are prohibited under its credit agreement. In 2018, we made no contributions to Northern Border Pipeline. In 2017, we made equity contributions of $83 million to Northern Border Pipeline. Northern Border Pipeline entered into a settlement with shippers that was approved by the FERC in February 2018. The settlement provides for tiered rate reductions beginning January 1, 2018, that will reduce tariff rates 12.5 percent by January 2020, compared with previous tariff rates and requires new rates to be established by January 2024. We do not expect the impact of lower tariff rates on Northern Border Pipeline’s earnings and cash distributions to be material to us. In compliance with the FERC final rule, Northern Border Pipeline completed the required filing related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and we do not expect the impact on tariff rates to be material to us. Overland Pass Pipeline Company - The Overland Pass Pipeline Company limited liability company agreement provides that distributions to Overland Pass Pipeline Company’s members are to be made on a pro rata basis according to each member’s percentage interest. The Overland Pass Pipeline Company Management Committee determines the amount and timing of such distributions. Any changes to, or suspension of, the cash distributions from Overland Pass Pipeline Company requires the unanimous approval of the Overland Pass Pipeline Company Management Committee. Cash distributions are equal to 100 percent of available cash as defined in the limited liability company agreement. Roadrunner Gas Transmission - The Roadrunner limited liability company agreement provides that distributions to members are made on a pro rata basis according to each member’s ownership interest. As the operator, we have been delegated the authority to determine such distributions in accordance with, and on the frequency set forth in, the Roadrunner limited liability company agreement. Cash distributions are equal to 100 percent of available cash, as defined in the limited liability company agreement. We made contributions of $65 million to Roadrunner in 2016. In 2018 and 2017, our contributions to Roadrunner were not material. We have an operating agreement with Roadrunner that provides for reimbursement or payment to us for management services and certain operating costs. Reimbursements and payments from Roadrunner included in operating income in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, were not material.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for equity method investments and joint ventures. Equity method investments are investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee. Joint ventures are entities owned and operated by a small group of businesses as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2196965 + Details
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