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Commitments and Contingencies | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies |
Commitments and Contingencies | Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies 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 and including the general and environmental legal proceedings described below, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. 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 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. Rainbow Pipeline Release. On April 29, 2011, we experienced a crude oil release of approximately 28,000 barrels of crude oil on a remote section of our Rainbow Pipeline located in Alberta, Canada. Since the release and through March 31, 2013, we spent approximately $70 million, before insurance recoveries, in connection with site clean-up, reclamation and remediation activities, and as of March 31, 2013, we did not have any material outstanding liabilities or insurance receivables relating to this release. On February 26, 2013, the Energy Resources Conservation Board of Alberta (“ERCB”) issued a report detailing four enforcement actions against Plains Midstream Canada ULC (“PMC”) for failure to comply with certain regulatory requirements in connection with the release, including requirements related to operations and maintenance procedures, leak detection and response, backfill and compaction procedures and emergency response plan testing. PMC is in the process of taking appropriate actions necessary to respond to and comply with the enforcement actions set forth in the report, including the implementation of additional risk assessment procedures and the taking of other actions designed to minimize the risk that similar incidents occur in the future and enhance the effectiveness of PMC’s response to any such future incidents. In addition, on April 23, 2013, the Alberta Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development filed civil charges under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act against PMC relating to the release. To date, PMC has not been assessed any fines or penalties related to this release; however, such fines or penalties may be assessed in the future and are not reasonably estimable at this time. 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. 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. Through March 31, 2013, we spent approximately $45 million, before insurance recoveries, in connection with site clean-up, reclamation and remediation activities, and as of March 31, 2013, we did not have any material outstanding liabilities or insurance receivables relating to this release. This release is currently under investigation by the ERCB. To date, no charges have been issued, and no fines or penalties have been assessed, against PMC with respect to this release; however, it is possible that charges and fines may be issued and/or assessed against PMC in the future. Bay Springs Pipeline Release. On February 5, 2013, we experienced a crude oil release on a portion of one of our pipelines near Bay Springs, Mississippi. Although the volume of oil released has not been finally determined, we estimate that approximately 125 barrels were released. Most of the released oil was contained within our pipeline right of way, but some of the released oil entered a nearby waterway where it was contained with booms. The EPA has issued an administrative order requiring us to take various actions in response to the release, including remediation, reporting and other actions, and we may be subjected to a civil penalty. We estimate that the aggregate clean-up and remediation costs associated with this release will not exceed $10 million. At March 31, 2013, our estimated undiscounted reserve for environmental liabilities totaled approximately $101 million, of which approximately $16 million was classified as short-term and approximately $85 million was classified as long-term. At December 31, 2012, our reserve for environmental liabilities totaled approximately $96 million, of which approximately $13 million was classified as short-term and approximately $83 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 condensed consolidated balance sheets. At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had recorded receivables totaling approximately $16 million and $42 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 condensed consolidated balance sheets. 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 liabilities. 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.

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