Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

From time to time, we are subject to legal, administrative and environmental proceedings before various courts, arbitration panels and governmental agencies concerning claims arising in the ordinary course of business. These proceedings include certain contract disputes, additional environmental reviews and investigations, audits and pending judicial matters. We cannot predict the final disposition of such proceedings. We regularly review legal matters and records provisions for claims that we can estimate and are considered probable of loss. The amount or range of reasonably possible losses is not anticipated to, either individually or in the aggregate, materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Guarantees

In certain limited circumstances, we enter into contractual guarantees. We may guarantee another entity's obligation in the event it fails to perform and may provide guarantees in certain indemnification agreements. We did not have any guarantees of other parties' obligations as of December 31, 2023.

Purchase Commitments

As of December 31, 2023, we were party to long-term purchase commitments relating to a variety of goods and services required for our business. We estimate lifetime purchase commitments of approximately $103 million, due in the periods shown below.


	(millions)
2024	$	14
2025	13
2026	12
2027	11
2028	11
2029 and thereafter	42
Total	$	103

Surety Bonds

In certain limited circumstances, we enter into contracts that require us to obtain external surety bonds to secure our payment and performance. We agree to indemnify the issuers of these surety bonds for amounts, if any, paid by them under these agreements. In the event that any surety bonds are called for non-performance, we would be obligated to reimburse the issuer of the surety bond. The maximum potential indemnification under our surety bond agreements as of December 31, 2023 is $32 million.

Vector Line of Credit

We are the lender under a revolving term credit facility to Vector, the borrower, in the amount of Canadian $70 million. The credit facility was executed in response to the passage of Canadian regulations requiring oil and gas pipelines to demonstrate their financial ability to respond to a catastrophic event and exists for the sole purpose of satisfying these regulations. Vector may only draw upon the facility if the funds are required to respond to a catastrophic event. The maximum potential payout as of December 31, 2023 is USD $53 million. The funding of a loan under the terms of the revolving term credit facility is considered remote.

Contingent Liability

In order to comply with certain state environmental regulations, we have an obligation to restore pipeline right-of-way slope failures that may arise in the ordinary course of business in the Utica and Marcellus formations. We conducted an evaluation, which was prioritized based on the severity and proximity of remaining locations, and used updated cost information to assess the adequacy of the estimate for the contingent liability accrual. Based on this evaluation, we recorded a reduction to the contingent liability accrual and decrease to operation and maintenance expense of $6 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had accrued contingent liabilities of $13 million and $19 million, respectively, for future slope restoration expenditures. The accrual is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. While restoration and continued evaluation is ongoing, we believe the accrued amounts are sufficient to cover estimated future expenditures.