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Basis of Financial Statements | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Basis of Financial Statements | Basis of Financial Statements The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for interim periods. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required for complete financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") have not been included. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2013 financial statements and notes thereto of Westlake Chemical Corporation (the "Company") included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 (the "2013 Form 10-K"), filed with the SEC on February 21, 2014. These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the accounting principles and practices as disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair statement of the Company's financial position as of September 30, 2014, its results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the changes in its cash position for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Results of operations and changes in cash position for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014 or any other interim period. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On February 14, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one split of the Company's common stock. Stockholders of record as of February 28, 2014 were entitled to one additional share for every share outstanding, which was distributed on March 18, 2014. The total number of authorized common stock shares and associated par value were unchanged by this stock split. All share amounts and per share data included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been restated to reflect the effect of the stock split. In March 2014, the Company formed Westlake Chemical Partners LP ("WLKP") to operate, acquire and develop ethylene production facilities and related assets. On August 4, 2014, WLKP closed its initial public offering of 12,937,500 common units. See Note 19 for additional information. The Company consolidates WLKP and records a noncontrolling interest for the interest in WLKP not owned by the Company. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Revenue from Contracts with Customers In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standards update on a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede the existing revenue recognition guidance. The new accounting guidance creates a framework by which an entity will allocate the transaction price to separate performance obligations and recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. Under the new standard, entities will be required to use judgment and make estimates, including identifying performance obligations in a contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation and determining when an entity satisfies its performance obligations. The standard allows for either "full retrospective" adoption, meaning that the standard is applied to all of the periods presented with a cumulative catch-up as of the earliest period presented, or "modified retrospective" adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements with a cumulative catch-up as of the current period. The accounting standard will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that the new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern In August 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The new accounting guidance requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if "conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern." The accounting standard will be effective for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016 and is not expected to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the general note to the financial statements for the reporting entity which may include, descriptions of the basis of presentation, business description, significant accounting policies, consolidations, reclassifications, new pronouncements not yet adopted and changes in accounting principles. + References No definition available. + Details
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