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Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies |
Commitments and Contingencies | Note 16—Commitments and Contingencies Commitments Expenditures related to leases for 2012, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $102 million, $60 million and $52 million, respectively. We have commitments, some of which are leases, related to real property, equipment and operating facilities. We also incur costs associated with leased land, rights-of-way, permits and regulatory fees. Future non-cancelable commitments related to these items at December 31, 2012, are summarized below (in millions):
|  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2017 |  | Thereafter |  | Total |
Leases (1) |  | $ | 113 |  | $ | 110 |  | $ | 101 |  | $ | 88 |  | $ | 61 |  | $ | 343 |  | $ | 816 |
Other commitments (2) |  | 31 |  | 21 |  | 18 |  | 15 |  | 14 |  | 37 |  | 136 |
Total |  | $ | 144 |  | $ | 131 |  | $ | 119 |  | $ | 103 |  | $ | 75 |  | $ | 380 |  | $ | 952 |
(1) Includes capital and operating leases as defined by the FASB guidance. (2) Primarily includes third-party storage and transportation agreements and pipeline throughput agreements. Litigation General. In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various legal proceedings. To the extent we are able to assess the likelihood of a negative outcome for these proceedings, our assessments of such likelihood range from remote to probable. If we determine that a negative outcome is probable and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable, we accrue the estimated amount. We do not believe that the outcome of these legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a materially adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Although we believe that our operations are presently in material compliance with applicable requirements, as we acquire and incorporate additional assets it is possible that the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) or other governmental entities may seek to impose fines, penalties or performance obligations on us (or on a portion of our operations) as a result of any past noncompliance whether such noncompliance initially developed before or after our acquisition. Pemex Exploración y Producción v. Big Star Gathering Ltd L.L.P. et al. In two cases filed in the Texas Southern District Court in May 2011 and April 2012, Pemex Exploración y Producción (“PEP”) alleges that certain parties stole condensate from pipelines and gathering stations and conspired with U.S. companies (primarily in Texas) to import and market the stolen condensate. PEP does not allege that Plains was part of any conspiracy, but that it dealt in the condensate only after it had been obtained by others and resold to Plains Marketing, L.P. PEP seeks actual damages, attorney’s fees, and statutory penalties from Plains Marketing, L.P. At a hearing held on October 20, 2011, the Court ruled that Texas law (not Mexican law) governs the actions. In February 2013, the Court granted Plains Marketing, L.P.’s motion to be dismissed from the April 2012 lawsuit and Plains Marketing, L.P. filed a motion for summary judgment in the May 2011 lawsuit. Environmental General We record environmental liabilities when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. Generally, our recording of these accruals coincides with our completion of a feasibility study or our commitment to a formal plan of action. We do not discount our environmental remediation liabilities to present value. We also record environmental liabilities assumed in business combinations based on the estimated fair value of the environmental obligations caused by past operations of the acquired company. We record receivables for amounts recoverable from insurance or from third parties under indemnification agreements in the period that we determine the costs are probable of recovery. Environmental expenditures that pertain to current operations or to future revenues are expensed or capitalized consistent with our capitalization policy for property and equipment. Expenditures that result from the remediation of an existing condition caused by past operations and that do not contribute to current or future profitability are expensed. Although we believe that our efforts to enhance our leak prevention and detection capabilities have produced positive results, we have experienced (and likely will experience future) releases of hydrocarbon products into the environment from our pipeline and storage operations. These releases can result from unpredictable man-made or natural forces and may reach “navigable waters” or other sensitive environments. Whether current or past, damages and liabilities associated with any such releases from our assets may substantially affect our business. At December 31, 2012, our estimated undiscounted reserve for environmental liabilities, including the reserve related to our Rangeland Pipeline release as discussed further below, totaled approximately $96 million, of which approximately $13 million was classified as short-term and approximately $83 million was classified as long-term. At December 31, 2011, our estimated undiscounted reserve for environmental liabilities totaled approximately $74 million, of which approximately $12 million was classified as short-term and $62 million was classified as long-term. The short- and long-term environmental liabilities referenced above are reflected in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits,” respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. At December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had recorded receivables totaling approximately $42 million and $47 million, respectively, for amounts probable of recovery under insurance and from third parties under indemnification agreements, which are predominantly reflected in “Trade accounts receivable and other receivables, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. In some cases, the actual cash expenditures may not occur for three to five years. Our estimates used in these reserves are based on information currently available to us and our assessment of the ultimate outcome. Among the many uncertainties that impact our estimates are the necessary regulatory approvals for, and potential modification of, our remediation plans, the limited amount of data available upon initial assessment of the impact of soil or water contamination, changes in costs associated with environmental remediation services and equipment and the possibility of existing legal claims giving rise to additional claims. Therefore, although we believe that the reserve is adequate, costs incurred may be in excess of the reserve and may potentially have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Rangeland Pipeline Release On June 7, 2012, we experienced a crude oil release on a section of our Rangeland Pipeline located near Sundre, Alberta, Canada. Approximately 3,000 barrels were released into the Red Deer River and were contained downstream in the Gleniffer Reservoir. The pipeline, while pressurized, was shut in at the time of the incident. Clean-up and remediation activities were conducted in cooperation with the applicable regulatory agencies. Remediation activities in the reservoir area were completed by June 30, 2012, remediation of the remaining impacted areas was completed by September 30, 2012 and interim closure was received from the applicable regulatory agencies. Ongoing monitoring will continue into 2013, and a long-term monitoring plan, if required, will be developed and implemented in accordance with regulatory requirements. We estimate that the aggregate total clean-up and remediation costs, before insurance recoveries, will be approximately $51 million. This estimate considers our prior experience in environmental investigation and remediation matters, as well as available data from, and in consultation with, our environmental specialists. Although actual remediation costs may be more than amounts accrued, we believe we have established adequate reserves for all probable and reasonably estimable costs. We have accrued the total estimated costs to “Field operating costs” in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of December 31, 2012, we had a remaining undiscounted gross environmental remediation liability related to this release of approximately $7 million, substantially all of which is presented as a current liability in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We maintain insurance coverage, which is subject to certain exclusions and deductibles, to protect us against such environmental liabilities. This coverage is adequate to cover the total remediation costs net of our deductible. As of December 31, 2012, we had a receivable of approximately $36 million for the portion of this liability that we believe is probable of recovery from insurance, net of deductibles. This receivable has been recognized as a current asset in “Trade accounts receivable and other receivables, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet with the offset reducing “Field operating costs” in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. Environmental Remediation We currently own or lease, and in the past have owned and leased, properties where hazardous liquids, including hydrocarbons, are or have been handled. These properties and the hazardous liquids or associated wastes disposed thereon may be subject to CERCLA, RCRA and state and Canadian federal and provincial laws and regulations. Under such laws and regulations, we could be required to remove or remediate hazardous liquids or associated wastes (including wastes disposed of or released by prior owners or operators) and to clean up contaminated property (including contaminated groundwater). We maintain insurance of various types with varying levels of coverage that we consider adequate under the circumstances to cover our operations and properties. The insurance policies are subject to deductibles and retention levels that we consider reasonable and not excessive. Consistent with insurance coverage generally available in the industry, in certain circumstances our insurance policies provide limited coverage for losses or liabilities relating to gradual pollution, with broader coverage for sudden and accidental occurrences. In conjunction with our acquisitions, we typically make an assessment of potential environmental exposure and determine whether to negotiate an indemnity, what the terms of any indemnity should be and whether to obtain environmental risk insurance, if available. These contractual indemnifications typically are subject to specific monetary requirements that must be satisfied before indemnification will apply, and have term and total dollar limits. For instance, in connection with the purchase of former TNM pipeline assets from Link in 2004, we identified a number of environmental liabilities for which we received a purchase price reduction from Link and recorded a total environmental reserve of $20 million, of which we agreed in an arrangement with TNM to bear the first $11 million in costs of pre-May 1999 environmental issues. TNM also agreed to pay all costs in excess of $20 million (excluding certain deductibles). TNM’s obligations are guaranteed by SOP. As of December 31, 2012, we had incurred approximately $24 million of remediation costs associated with these sites, while SOP’s share has been approximately $13 million. Other assets we have acquired or will acquire in the future may have environmental remediation liabilities for which we are not indemnified. We have in the past experienced and in the future likely will experience releases of crude oil into the environment from our pipeline and storage operations. We also may discover environmental impacts from past releases that were previously unidentified. Insurance A pipeline, terminal or other facility may experience damage as a result of an accident, natural disaster or terrorist activity. These hazards can cause personal injury and loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property and equipment, pollution or environmental damage and suspension of operations. We maintain various types of insurance that we consider adequate to cover our operations and certain assets. The insurance policies are subject to deductibles or self-insured retentions that we consider reasonable. Our insurance does not cover every potential risk associated with operating pipelines, terminals and other facilities, including the potential loss of significant revenues. The occurrence of a significant event not fully insured, indemnified or reserved against, or the failure of a party to meet its indemnification obligations, could materially and adversely affect our operations and financial condition. We believe we are adequately insured for public liability and property damage with respect to our operations. In the future, we may not be able to maintain insurance at levels that we consider adequate for rates we consider reasonable. As a result, we may elect to self-insure or utilize higher deductibles in certain insurance programs. For example, the market for hurricane- or windstorm-related property damage coverage has remained difficult the last few years. The amount of coverage available has been limited, costs have increased substantially and deductibles have increased as well. In 2011, we elected not to renew our hurricane insurance, and, instead, to self-insure this risk. Our assessment of the current availability of coverage and associated rates has led us to the decision to continue to self-insure. This decision does not affect our third-party liability insurance, which still covers hurricane-related liability claims which we have renewed at our historic coverage levels. In addition, although we believe that we have established adequate reserves to the extent such risks are not insured, costs incurred in excess of these reserves may be higher and may potentially have a material adverse effect on our financial conditions, results of operations or cash flows.

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