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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation, and certain reclassifications have been made to information from previous years to conform to the current presentation. These reclassifications do not affect net income attributable to PAA. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PAA and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries and those entities that it controls.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We make significant estimates with respect to (i) purchases and sales accruals, (ii) estimated fair value of assets and liabilities acquired and identification of associated goodwill and intangible assets, (iii) fair value of derivatives, (iv) accruals and contingent liabilities, (v) equity-indexed compensation plan accruals, (vi) property and equipment, depreciation expense and asset retirement obligations, (vii) allowance for doubtful accounts and (viii) inventory valuations. Although we believe these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Supply and Logistics Segment Revenues. Revenues from sales of crude oil, NGL and natural gas are recognized at the time title to the product sold transfers to the purchaser, which occurs upon delivery of the product to the purchaser or its designee. Sales of crude oil and NGL consist of outright sales contracts. Inventory purchases and sales under buy/sell transactions are treated as inventory exchanges. The sales under these exchanges are netted to zero in Supply and Logistics segment revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Additionally, we may utilize derivatives in connection with the transactions described above. For commodity derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges, derivative gains and losses are deferred in AOCI and recognized in revenues in the periods during which the underlying physical hedged transaction impacts earnings. Also, the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of cash flow hedges is recognized in revenues each period along with the change in fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for or are not designated for hedge accounting.

Transportation Segment Revenues. Our Transportation segment operations generally consist of fee-based activities associated with transporting crude oil and NGL on pipelines, gathering systems, trucks and barges. Revenues from pipeline tariffs and fees are associated with the transportation of crude oil and NGL at a published tariff, as well as revenues associated with agreements for committed space on various assets. Tariff revenues are recognized either at the point of delivery or at the point of receipt pursuant to specifications outlined in the regulated and non-regulated tariffs. Revenues associated with fees are recognized in the month to which the fee applies. The majority of our pipeline tariff and fee revenues are based on actual volumes and rates. As is common in the pipeline transportation industry, our tariffs incorporate a loss allowance factor that is intended to offset losses due to evaporation, measurement and other losses in transit. We value the variance of allowance volumes to actual losses at the estimated net realizable value (including the impact of gains and losses from derivative related activities) at the time the variance occurred and the result is recorded as either an increase or decrease to tariff revenues.

Facilities Segment Revenues. Our Facilities segment operations generally consist of fee-based activities associated with providing storage, terminalling and throughput services for crude oil, refined products, NGL and natural gas, as well as NGL fractionation and isomerization services and natural gas and condensate processing services. Revenues generated in this segment include (i) fees that are generated from storage capacity agreements, (ii) terminal throughput fees that are generated when we receive crude oil, refined products or NGL from one connecting source and deliver the applicable product to another connecting carrier, (iii) loading and unloading fees at our rail terminals, (iv) fees from NGL fractionation and isomerization, (v) fees from natural gas and condensate processing services and (vi) fees associated with natural gas park and loan activities, interruptible storage services and wheeling and balancing services.

We generate revenue through a combination of month-to-month and multi-year agreements and processing arrangements. Storage fees resulting from short-term and long-term contracts are typically recognized in revenue ratably over the term of the contract regardless of the actual storage capacity utilized. Terminal fees (including throughput and rail fees) are recognized as the crude oil, NGL or refined product enters or exits the terminal and is received from or delivered to the connecting carrier or third-party terminal, as applicable. Hub service fees are recognized in the period the natural gas moves across our header system. Fees from NGL fractionation, isomerization services and gas processing services are recognized in the period when the services are performed.

Minimum Volume Commitments. We have certain agreements that require counterparties to deliver, transport or throughput a minimum volume over an agreed upon period. Some of these agreements include make-up rights if the minimum volume is not met. At December 31, 2015, counterparty deficiencies associated with agreements that include minimum volume commitments totaled $33 million.

We record a receivable from the counterparty in the period that services are provided or when the transaction occurs, including amounts for deficiency obligations from counterparties associated with minimum volume commitments. If a counterparty has a make-up right associated with a deficiency, we defer the revenue attributable to the counterparty make-up right and subsequently recognize the revenue at the earlier of when the deficiency volume is delivered or shipped, when the make-up right expires or when it is determined that the counterparty’s ability to utilize the make-up right is remote.

Purchases and Related Costs

Purchases and related costs include (i) the cost of crude oil, NGL and natural gas obtained in outright purchases, (ii) fees incurred for third-party storage and transportation, whether by pipeline, truck, rail, ship or barge, (iii) interest cost attributable to borrowings for inventory stored in a contango market and (iv) performance-related bonus costs. These costs are recognized when incurred except in the case of products purchased, which are recognized at the time title transfers to us. Purchases that are part of exchanges under buy/sell transactions are netted with the related sales, with any margin presented in “Purchases and related costs” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Field Operating Costs and General and Administrative Expenses

Field operating costs consist of various field operating expenses, including fuel and power costs (including the impact of gains and losses from derivative related activities), telecommunications, payroll and benefit costs (including equity-indexed compensation expense) for truck drivers and field and other operations personnel, third-party trucking transportation costs for our U.S. crude oil operations, maintenance and integrity management costs, regulatory compliance, environmental remediation, insurance, vehicle leases, and property taxes. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and benefit costs (including equity-indexed compensation expense), certain information systems and legal costs, office rent, contract and consultant costs and audit and tax fees.

Foreign Currency Transactions/Translation

Certain of our subsidiaries use the Canadian dollar as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries with a Canadian dollar functional currency are translated at period-end rates of exchange, and revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing for each month. The resulting translation adjustments are made directly to a separate component of other comprehensive income, which is reflected in Partners’ Capital on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Certain of our subsidiaries also enter into transactions and have monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency other than the entities’ respective functional currencies. Gains and losses from the revaluation of foreign currency transactions and monetary assets and liabilities are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The revaluation of foreign currency transactions and monetary assets and liabilities resulted in a net gain of $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a net loss of $13 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and a net gain of $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of all unrestricted demand deposits and funds invested in highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less and typically exceed federally insured limits. We periodically assess the financial condition of the institutions where these funds are held and believe that our credit risk is minimal.

In accordance with our policy, outstanding checks are classified as accounts payable rather than negative cash. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, accounts payable included $60 million and $94 million, respectively, of outstanding checks that were reclassified from cash and cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

Our accounts receivable are primarily from purchasers and shippers of crude oil and, to a lesser extent, purchasers of NGL and natural gas. These purchasers include, but are not limited to, refiners, producers, marketing and trading companies and financial institutions that are active in the physical and financial commodity markets. The majority of our accounts receivable relate to our crude oil supply and logistics activities that can generally be described as high volume and low margin activities, in many cases involving exchanges of crude oil volumes.

The sustained decrease in commodity prices since late 2014 has caused liquidity issues throughout the energy industry, which in turn has increased the potential credit risks associated with certain counterparties with which we do business. To mitigate credit risk related to our accounts receivable, we utilize a rigorous credit review process. We closely monitor market conditions to make a determination with respect to the amount, if any, of open credit to be extended to any given customer and the form and amount of financial performance assurances we require. Such financial assurances are commonly provided to us in the form of advance cash payments, standby letters of credit or parental guarantees. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had received $88 million and $180 million, respectively, of advance cash payments from third parties to mitigate credit risk. We also received $36 million and $198 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of standby letters of credit to support obligations due from third parties, a portion of which applies to future business. The decrease in standby letters of credit and advance cash payments from third parties as of December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014 was largely due to a decrease in exposure to various customers requiring letters of credit. Additionally, in an effort to mitigate credit risk, a significant portion of our transactions with counterparties are settled on a net-cash basis. Furthermore, we also enter into netting agreements (contractual agreements that allow us to offset receivables and payables with those counterparties against each other on our balance sheet) for a majority of such arrangements.

We review all outstanding accounts receivable balances on a monthly basis and record a reserve for amounts that we expect will not be fully recovered. We do not apply actual balances against the reserve until we have exhausted substantially all collection efforts. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, substantially all of our trade accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts) were less than 30 days past their scheduled invoice date. Our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable totaled $4 million at both December 31, 2015 and 2014. Although we consider our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable to be adequate, actual amounts could vary significantly from estimated amounts.

Noncontrolling Interests

We account for noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries in accordance with FASB guidance, which requires all entities to report noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements. Noncontrolling interest represents the portion of assets and liabilities in a consolidated subsidiary that is owned by a third-party. See Note 10 for additional discussion regarding our noncontrolling interests.

Asset Retirement Obligations

FASB guidance establishes accounting requirements for retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets, including estimates related to (i) the time of the liability recognition, (ii) initial measurement of the liability, (iii) allocation of asset retirement cost to expense, (iv) subsequent measurement of the liability and (v) financial statement disclosures. FASB guidance also requires that the cost for asset retirement should be capitalized as part of the cost of the related long-lived asset and subsequently allocated to expense using a systematic and rational method.

Some of our assets, primarily related to our Transportation and Facilities segments, have contractual or regulatory obligations to perform remediation and, in some instances, dismantlement and removal activities when the assets are abandoned. These obligations include varying levels of activity including disconnecting inactive assets from active assets, cleaning and purging assets, and in some cases, completely removing the assets and returning the land to its original state. These assets have been in existence for many years and with regular maintenance will continue to be in service for many years to come. It is not possible to predict when demand for these transportation or storage services will cease, and we do not believe that such demand will cease for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, we believe the date when these assets will be abandoned is indeterminate. With no reasonably determinable abandonment date, we cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of the associated asset retirement obligations. We will record asset retirement obligations for these assets in the period in which sufficient information becomes available for us to reasonably determine the settlement dates.

A small portion of our contractual or regulatory obligations is related to assets that are inactive or that we plan to take out of service and, although the ultimate timing and costs to settle these obligations are not known with certainty, we have recorded a reasonable estimate of these obligations. We have estimated that the fair value of these obligations was $35 million and $36 million, respectively, at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Fair Value Measurements

Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, which affects the placement of assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy levels. The determination of the fair values includes not only the credit standing of the counterparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash deposits and letters of credit) but also the impact of our nonperformance risk on our liabilities. The fair value of our commodity derivatives, interest rate derivatives and foreign currency derivatives includes adjustments for credit risk. Our credit adjustment methodology uses market observable inputs and requires judgment. There were no changes to any of our valuation techniques during the period. See Note 11 for further discussion.

Income Allocation

Net income for partners’ capital presentation purposes is allocated to our general partner and common unitholders in accordance with their respective partnership percentages, after giving effect to priority income allocations for incentive distributions, if any, to our general partner (the holder of the IDRs pursuant to our partnership agreement), which are declared and paid following the close of each quarter. For purposes of determining basic and diluted net income per common unit, income is allocated pursuant to the two-class method for MLPs as prescribed in FASB guidance. See Note 3 for additional information.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes by requiring that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted, and may be applied prospectively or retrospectively to all periods presented. We early adopted this guidance during the fourth quarter of 2015, with prospective application. Prior period amounts presented have not been retrospectively adjusted. Our adoption did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for measurement-period adjustments for provisional amounts recognized in a business combination by eliminating the requirement for an acquirer to retrospectively account for measurement-period adjustments. Under the updated guidance, the acquirer must recognize adjustments in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined and the effect on earnings as a result of the change to the provisional amounts must be calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. This guidance will become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted, and must be applied prospectively. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2016. Our adoption did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the measurement of inventory. This updated guidance requires entities to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value; however, inventory measured using last-in, first-out and the retail inventory method is unchanged by this update. This guidance will become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with prospective application required. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We expect to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2017, and we do not anticipate that our adoption will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs in entities’ financial statements. This updated guidance requires entities to present certain debt issuance costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Additionally, amortization of debt issuance costs is required to be reported as interest expense. This guidance became effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with retrospective application required for all prior periods presented and early adoption permitted. We early adopted this guidance during the fourth quarter of 2015 and have retroactively adjusted all prior period information presented in this Form 10-K. Our adoption of this guidance resulted in the reclassification of $58 million of unamortized debt issuance costs from “Other long-term assets, net” to “Senior notes, net of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs” in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014. Additionally, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we reclassified $8 million and $10 million, respectively, from “Depreciation and amortization” to “Interest expense, net” in our accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations related to the presentation of the amortization of debt issuance costs. Our adoption of this guidance did not impact our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Cash Flows or Changes in Partners’ Capital.

In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance that revises the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. Among other things, this guidance (i) modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities, (ii) eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and (iii) affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. This guidance will become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2016. Our adoption did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers with the underlying principle that an entity will recognize revenue to reflect amounts expected to be received in exchange for the provision of goods and services to customers upon the transfer of those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and the related cash flows. This guidance can be adopted either with a full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. In August 2015, the FASB issued guidance deferring the effective date to interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Therefore, we expect to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2018, and we are currently evaluating which transition approach to apply and the impact that adopting this guidance will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In April 2014, the FASB issued guidance that modifies the criteria under which assets to be disposed of are evaluated to determine if such assets qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures for both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2015. Our adoption did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Net Income Per Common Unit

Basic and diluted net income per common unit is determined pursuant to the two-class method for MLPs as prescribed in FASB guidance. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that is used to determine earnings to our general partner, common unitholders and participating securities according to distributions pertaining to the current period’s net income and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings are allocated to our general partner, common unitholders and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive distributions, regardless of whether those earnings would actually be distributed during a particular period from an economic or practical perspective.

We calculate basic and diluted net income per common unit by dividing net income attributable to PAA (after deducting the amount allocated to the general partner’s interest, IDRs and participating securities) by the basic and diluted weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period. Participating securities include LTIP awards that have vested DERs, which entitle the grantee to a cash payment equal to the cash distribution paid on our outstanding common units.

Diluted net income per common unit is computed based on the weighted-average number of common units plus the effect of dilutive potential common units outstanding during the period using the two-class method. Our LTIP awards that contemplate the issuance of common units are considered dilutive unless (i) vesting occurs only upon the satisfaction of a performance condition and (ii) that performance condition has yet to be satisfied. LTIP awards that are deemed to be dilutive are reduced by a hypothetical common unit repurchase based on the remaining unamortized fair value, as prescribed by the treasury stock method in guidance issued by the FASB. See Note 15 for a complete discussion of our LTIP awards including specific discussion regarding DERs.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common unit for the periods indicated (in millions, except per unit data):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Basic Net Income per Common Unit
Net income attributable to PAA	$	903		$	1,384		$	1,361
Less: Distributions to general partner (1)	(608		)	(502		)	(392		)
Less: Distributions to participating securities (1)	(6		)	(6		)	(5		)
Less: Undistributed (earnings)/loss allocated to general partner and participating securities (1)	16			2			(4		)
Net income attributable to common unitholders in accordance with application of the two-class method for MLPs	$	305		$	878		$	960


Basic weighted average common units outstanding	394			367			341

Basic net income per common unit	$	0.78		$	2.39		$	2.82


Diluted Net Income per Common Unit
Net income attributable to PAA	$	903		$	1,384		$	1,361
Less: Distributions to general partner (1)	(608		)	(502		)	(392		)
Less: Distributions to participating securities (1)	(6		)	(6		)	(5		)
Less: Undistributed (earnings)/loss allocated to general partner and participating securities (1)	16			2			(3		)

Net income attributable to common unitholders in accordance with application of the two-class method for MLPs	$	305		$	878		$	961


Basic weighted average common units outstanding	394			367			341
Effect of dilutive securities: Weighted average LTIP units	2			2			2

Diluted weighted average common units outstanding	396			369			343


Diluted net income per common unit	$	0.77		$	2.38		$	2.80

(1)

We calculate net income attributable to common unitholders based on the distributions pertaining to the current period’s net income. After adjusting for the appropriate period’s distributions, the remaining undistributed earnings or excess distributions over earnings, if any, are allocated to the general partner, common unitholders and participating securities in accordance with the contractual terms of our partnership agreement and as further prescribed under the two-class method.

Inventory, Linefill and Base Gas and Long-term Inventory

Inventory primarily consists of crude oil, NGL and natural gas in pipelines, storage facilities and railcars that are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using an average cost method within specific inventory pools. At the end of each reporting period, we assess the carrying value of our inventory and make any adjustments necessary to reduce the carrying value to the applicable net realizable value. Any resulting adjustments are a component of “Purchases and related costs” on our accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded charges of $117 million, $289 million and $7 million, respectively, related to the writedown of our crude oil, NGL and natural gas inventory due to declines in prices. In addition, the charges recorded during the year ended December 31, 2014 included the writedown of our natural gas inventory that was purchased in conjunction with managing natural gas storage deliverability requirements during the extended period of severe cold weather in the first quarter of 2014. A portion of these adjustments was offset by the recognition of gains on derivative instruments being utilized to hedge the future sales of our crude oil and NGL inventory. Substantially all of such gains were recorded to “Supply and Logistics segment revenues” in our accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Note 11 for discussion of our derivative and risk management activities.

Linefill and base gas and minimum working inventory requirements in assets we own are recorded at historical cost and consist of crude oil, NGL and natural gas. We classify as linefill or base gas (i) our proportionate share of barrels used to fill a pipeline that we own such that when an incremental barrel is pumped into or enters a pipeline it forces product out at another location, (ii) barrels that represent the minimum working requirements in tanks and caverns that we own and (iii) natural gas required to maintain the minimum operating pressure of natural gas storage facilities we own. Linefill and base gas carrying amounts are reviewed for impairment in accordance with FASB guidance with respect to accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. Carrying amounts that are not expected to be recoverable through future cash flows are written down to estimated fair value. See Note 5 for further discussion regarding impairment of long-lived assets. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we did not recognize any impairments of linefill and base gas, but we did recognize gains of less than $1 million, $8 million and $7 million, respectively, on the sale of linefill and base gas for proceeds of $1 million, $24 million and $40 million, respectively.

Minimum working inventory requirements in third-party assets and other working inventory in our assets that are needed for our commercial operations are included within specific inventory pools in inventory (a current asset) in determining the average cost of operating inventory. At the end of each period, we reclassify the inventory not expected to be liquidated within the succeeding twelve months out of inventory, at the average cost of the applicable inventory pools, and into long-term inventory, which is reflected as a separate line item in “Other assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Property and Equipment

In accordance with our capitalization policy, expenditures made to expand the existing operating and/or earnings capacity of our assets are capitalized. We also capitalize certain costs directly related to the construction of such assets, including related internal labor costs, engineering costs and interest costs. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, capitalized interest was $57 million, $48 million and $38 million, respectively. We also capitalize expenditures for the replacement of partially or fully depreciated assets in order to maintain the operating and/or earnings capacity of our existing assets. Repair and maintenance expenditures incurred in order to maintain the day to day operation of our existing assets are expensed as incurred.

Property and equipment, net is stated at cost and consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in millions):

	Estimated Useful	December 31,
	Lives (Years)	2015			2014
Pipelines and related facilities	10 - 70	$	8,395		$	7,003
Storage, terminal and rail facilities	30 - 70	5,012			4,853
Trucking equipment and other	3 - 15	392			198
Construction in progress	—	1,217			1,545
Office property and equipment	2 - 50	196			156
Land and other	N/A	442			423

		15,654			14,178
Accumulated depreciation		(2,180		)	(1,906		)

Property and equipment, net		$	13,474		$	12,272

We calculate our depreciation using the straight-line method, based on estimated useful lives and salvage values of our assets. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $380 million, $319 million and $259 million, respectively. We also classify gains and losses on sales of assets and asset impairments as a component of “Depreciation and amortization” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” below for a discussion of our policy for the recognition of asset impairments.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets with recorded values that are not expected to be recovered through future cash flows are written down to estimated fair value in accordance with FASB guidance with respect to the accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. Under this guidance, a long-lived asset is tested for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying value exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset is recognized.

We periodically evaluate property and equipment and other long-lived assets for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. The evaluation is highly dependent on the underlying assumptions of related cash flows. The subjective assumptions used to determine the existence of an impairment in carrying value include:

whether there is an indication of impairment;

the grouping of assets;

the intention of “holding,” “abandoning” or “selling” an asset;

the forecast of undiscounted expected future cash flow over the asset’s estimated useful life; and

if an impairment exists, the fair value of the asset or asset group.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

In accordance with FASB guidance, we test goodwill to determine whether an impairment has occurred at least annually (as of June 30) and on an interim basis if it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying value. Goodwill is tested for impairment at a level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management. Our reporting units are our operating segments. FASB guidance requires a two-step, quantitative approach to testing goodwill for impairment; however, we may first assess certain qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. We did not elect to apply this qualitative assessment during our 2015 annual goodwill impairment test, but proceeded directly to the two-step, quantitative test. In Step 1, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit with the respective book values, including goodwill, by using an income approach based on a discounted cash flow analysis. This approach requires us to make long-term forecasts of future revenues, expenses and other expenditures. Those forecasts require the use of various assumptions and estimates, the most significant of which are net revenues (total revenues less purchases and related costs), operating expenses, general and administrative expenses and the weighted average cost of capital. Fair value of the reporting units is determined using significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. When the fair value is greater than book value, then the reporting unit’s goodwill is not considered impaired. If the book value is greater than fair value, then we proceed to Step 2. In Step 2, we compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the book value. A goodwill impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

Through Step 1 of our annual testing of goodwill for potential impairment, which also includes a sensitivity analysis regarding the excess of our reporting unit’s fair value over book value, we determined that the fair value of each reporting unit was substantially greater than its respective book value; therefore, goodwill was not considered impaired. We did not recognize any material impairments of goodwill during the last three years.

As of December 31, 2015, as a result of industry conditions, we considered qualitative factors to determine whether a triggering event had occurred, which would require that a Step 1 impairment test be performed as of the end of the year. A triggering event is a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit was less than its carrying value. Based on our assessment, we concluded that a triggering event had not occurred as of December 31, 2015. However, significant negative variances in the assumptions and estimates utilized in our forecasts, such as a continued decline in petroleum commodity prices or a sustained multi-year low petroleum commodity price environment that results in lower volumes and cash flows or further increases in our weighted average cost of capital assumption, could result in reporting unit carrying values in excess of fair values.

Goodwill by segment and changes in goodwill is reflected in the following table (in millions):

	Transportation			Facilities			Supply and Logistics			Total
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	878		$	1,162		$	463		$	2,503

Acquisitions	—			1			—			1
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(24		)	(11		)	(4		)	(39		)

Balance at December 31, 2014	$	854		$	1,152		$	459		$	2,465

Acquisitions (1)	3			8			—			11
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(42		)	(19		)	(10		)	(71		)
Other	—			(54		)	54			—

Balance at December 31, 2015	$	815		$	1,087		$	503		$	2,405

(1)

Goodwill is recorded at the acquisition date based on a preliminary fair value determination. This preliminary goodwill balance may be adjusted when the fair value determination is finalized.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in entities over which we have significant influence but not control are accounted for by the equity method. We do not consolidate any part of the assets or liabilities of our equity investees. Our share of net income or loss is reflected as one line item on our Consolidated Statements of Operations entitled “Equity earnings in unconsolidated entities” and will increase or decrease, as applicable, the carrying value of our investments in unconsolidated entities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, as applicable, we include a proportionate share of our equity method investees’ unrealized gains and losses in other comprehensive income on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We also adjust our investment balances in these investees by the like amount. We evaluate our equity investments for impairment in accordance with FASB guidance with respect to the equity method of accounting for investments in common stock. An impairment of an equity investment results when factors indicate that the investment’s fair value is less than its carrying value and the reduction in value is other than temporary in nature.

We consider distributions received from unconsolidated entities as returns on investment in those entities to the extent of cumulative net operating cash flows, and therefore classify these distributions as cash flows from operating activities in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. We define cumulative net operating cash flows as cumulative net income adjusted for certain non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization expense. Other distributions received from unconsolidated entities would be considered a return of the investment and classified as cash flows from investing activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

We generally fund our portion of development, construction or capital expansion projects of our equity method investees through capital contributions. Our contributions to these entities increase the carrying value of our investments and are reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as cash used in investing activities.

Our investments in unconsolidated entities exceeded our share of the underlying equity in the net assets of such entities by $760 million and $763 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Such basis differences are included in the carrying values of our investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The portion of the basis differences attributable to depreciable or amortizable assets is amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the related assets, which reduces “Equity earnings in unconsolidated entities” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The portion of the basis differences attributable to goodwill is not amortized

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets that have finite lives are tested for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable

Debt

In connection with our supply and logistics activities, we provide certain suppliers with irrevocable standby letters of credit to secure our obligation for the purchase of crude oil, NGL and natural gas. These letters of credit are issued under the PAA senior unsecured revolving credit facility and the PAA senior secured hedged inventory facility, and our liabilities with respect to these purchase obligations are recorded in accounts payable on our balance sheet in the month the crude oil, NGL or natural gas is purchased. Generally, these letters of credit are issued for periods of up to seventy days and are terminated upon completion of each transaction

Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of senior notes are recorded as a direct deduction from the related debt liability and are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the related debt. Use of the straight-line method does not differ materially from the “effective interest” method of amortization.

Derivatives

We identify the risks that underlie our core business activities and use risk management strategies to mitigate those risks when we determine that there is value in doing so. Our policy is to use derivative instruments for risk management purposes and not for the purpose of speculating on hydrocarbon commodity (referred to herein as “commodity”) price changes. We use various derivative instruments to (i) manage our exposure to commodity price risk, as well as to optimize our profits, (ii) manage our exposure to interest rate risk and (iii) manage our exposure to currency exchange rate risk. Our commodity risk management policies and procedures are designed to help ensure that our hedging activities address our risks by monitoring our derivative positions, as well as physical volumes, grades, locations, delivery schedules and storage capacity. Our interest rate and currency exchange rate risk management policies and procedures are designed to monitor our derivative positions and ensure that those positions are consistent with our objectives and approved strategies.

We record all open derivatives on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.

Derivative Hedge Accounting Documentation

When we apply hedge accounting, our policy is to formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives for undertaking the hedge. This process includes specific identification of the hedging instrument and the hedged transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged and how the hedging instrument’s effectiveness will be assessed.

Derivative Hedge Effectiveness Determination

Both at the inception of the hedge and throughout the hedging relationship, we assess whether the derivatives employed are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of anticipated hedged transactions.

Derivatives That Qualify for Hedge Accounting

For derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value of the effective portion of the hedges are deferred in AOCI and recognized in earnings in the periods during which the underlying physical transactions are recognized in earnings.

Derivatives That Do Not Qualify for Hedge Accounting

Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting and the portion of cash flow hedges that are not highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items are recognized in earnings each period.

Cash Settlements Associated with Derivative Activities

Cash settlements associated with our derivative activities are classified within the same category as the related hedged item in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Offsetting Derivative Assets and Liabilities

Our accounting policy is to offset derivative assets and liabilities executed with the same counterparty when a master netting arrangement exists. Accordingly, we also offset derivative assets and liabilities with amounts associated with cash margin. Our exchange-traded derivatives are transacted through clearing brokerage accounts and are subject to margin requirements as established by the respective exchange. On a daily basis, our account equity (consisting of the sum of our cash balance and the fair value of our open derivatives) is compared to our initial margin requirement resulting in the payment or return of variation margin.

Fair Value Hierarchy Transfer

To the extent any transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy occur, our policy is to reflect these transfers as of the beginning of the reporting period in which they occurred.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense is estimated using the tax rate in effect or to be in effect during the relevant periods in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. To the extent we do not consider it more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will be recovered, a valuation allowance is established. Changes in tax legislation are included in the relevant computations in the period in which such changes are effective. We review contingent tax liabilities for estimated exposures on a more likely than not standard related to our current tax positions.

Pursuant to FASB guidance related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, we must recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the tax position and also the past administrative practices and precedents of the taxing authority. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had not recognized any material amounts in connection with uncertainty in income taxes.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade receivables. Our accounts receivable are primarily from purchasers and shippers of crude oil and, to a lesser extent, purchasers of NGL and natural gas. This industry concentration has the potential to impact our overall exposure to credit risk in that the customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. We review credit exposure and financial information of our counterparties and generally require letters of credit for receivables from customers that are not considered creditworthy, unless the credit risk can otherwise be reduced.

Reimbursement of Expenses of Our General Partner and its Affiliates

We do not pay our general partner a management fee, but we do reimburse our general partner for all direct and indirect costs of services provided to us or incurred on our behalf, including the costs of employee, officer and director compensation and benefits allocable to us as well as all other expenses necessary or appropriate to the conduct of our business (other than expenses related to grants of AAP Management Units). We record these costs on the accrual basis in the period in which our general partner incurs them. Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner will determine the expenses that are allocable to us in any reasonable manner determined by our general partner in its sole discretion.

Equity-indexed Compensation

Our LTIP awards include both liability-classified and equity-classified awards. In accordance with FASB guidance regarding share-based payments, the fair value of liability-classified LTIP awards is calculated based on the closing market price of the underlying PAA unit at each balance sheet date and adjusted for the present value of any distributions that are estimated to occur on the underlying units over the vesting period that will not be received by the award recipients. The fair value of equity-classified LTIP awards is calculated based on the closing market price of the underlying PAA unit on the respective grant dates and adjusted for the present value of any distributions that are estimated to occur on the underlying units over the vesting period that will not be received by the award recipient. This fair value is recognized as compensation expense over the service period.

Our LTIP awards typically contain performance conditions based on the attainment of certain annualized distribution levels and vest upon the later of a certain date or the attainment of such levels. For awards with performance conditions (such as distribution targets), expense is accrued over the service period only if the performance condition is considered probable of occurring. When awards with performance conditions that were previously considered improbable become probable, we incur additional expense in the period that the probability assessment changes. This is necessary to bring the accrued obligation associated with these awards up to the level it would be if we had been accruing for these awards since the grant date. DER awards typically contain performance conditions based on the attainment of certain annualized distribution levels and become earned upon the attainment of such levels. The DERs terminate with the vesting or forfeiture of the underlying LTIP award. For liability-classified awards, we recognize DER payments in the period the payment is earned as compensation expense. For equity-classified awards, we recognize DER payments in the period they are paid as a reduction of partners’ capital.

AAP Management Units

The entire economic burden of the AAP Management Units, which are equity classified, is borne solely by AAP and does not impact our cash or units outstanding. However, because the intent of the AAP Management Units is to provide a performance incentive and encourage retention for certain members of our senior management, we recognize the grant date fair value of the AAP Management Units as compensation expense over the service period. The expense is also reflected as a capital contribution and thus, results in a corresponding credit to partners’ capital on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loss Contingencies

To the extent we are able to assess the likelihood of a negative outcome for a contingency, 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 an undiscounted liability equal to the estimated amount. If a range of probable loss amounts can be reasonably estimated and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, then we accrue an undiscounted liability equal to the minimum amount in the range. In addition, we estimate legal fees that we expect to incur associated with loss contingencies and accrue those costs when they are material and probable of being incurred.

We do not record a contingent liability when the likelihood of loss is probable but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated or when the likelihood of loss is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote. For contingencies where an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible and the impact would be material to our consolidated financial statements, we disclose the nature of the contingency and, where feasible, an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss.

Environmental Matters

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.

Operating Segments

Our Chief Operating Decision Maker (our Chief Executive Officer) evaluates segment performance based on measures including segment profit and maintenance capital investment. We define segment profit as revenues and equity earnings in unconsolidated entities less (a) purchases and related costs, (b) field operating costs and (c) segment general and administrative expenses. Each of the items above excludes depreciation and amortization. Maintenance capital consists of capital expenditures for the replacement of partially or fully depreciated assets in order to maintain the operating and/or earnings capacity of our existing assets.

As an MLP, we make quarterly distributions of our “available cash” (as defined in our partnership agreement) to our unitholders. We look at each period’s earnings before non-cash depreciation and amortization as an important measure of segment performance. The exclusion of depreciation and amortization expense could be viewed as limiting the usefulness of segment profit as a performance measure because it does not account in current periods for the implied reduction in value of our capital assets, such as crude oil pipelines and facilities, caused by age-related decline and wear and tear. We compensate for this limitation by recognizing that depreciation and amortization are largely offset by repair and maintenance investments, which act to partially offset the aging and wear and tear in the value of our principal fixed assets. These maintenance investments are a component of field operating costs included in segment profit or in maintenance capital, depending on the nature of the cost. Capital expenditures made to expand the existing operating and/or earnings capacity of our assets are classified as expansion capital. Capital expenditures for the replacement of partially or fully depreciated assets in order to maintain the operating and/or earnings capacity of our existing assets are classified as maintenance capital, which is deducted in determining “available cash”. Repair and maintenance expenditures incurred in order to maintain the day to day operation of our existing assets are charged to expense as incurred.