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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 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 record 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 June 30, 2024.
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 June 30, 2024 is $31 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 June 30, 2024 is USD $51 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 completed evaluations of all locations, which were prioritized based on the severity and proximity of the slope failures, and used updated cost information to assess the adequacy of the estimate for the contingent liability accrual. Based on these evaluations, we recorded a reduction to the contingent liability accrual and decrease to operation and maintenance expense of $9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had accrued contingent liabilities of $4 million and $13 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 is ongoing, we believe the accrued amounts are sufficient to cover estimated future expenditures.