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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Principles of Consolidation

  • Principles of Consolidation

        The accompanying CVR consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CVR Energy, Inc. and its majority-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The ownership interests of noncontrolling investors in its subsidiaries are recorded as noncontrolling interest. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

        Prior to the Partnership IPO, management had determined that the Partnership was a variable interest entity ("VIE") and as such evaluated the qualitative criteria under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 810-10 — Consolidations-Variable Interest Entities ("ASC 810-10"), to make a determination whether the Partnership should be consolidated on the Company's financial statements. ASC 810-10 requires the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity's activities to consolidate the VIE. The primary beneficiary is identified as the enterprise that has a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The standard requires an ongoing analysis to determine whether the variable interest gives rise to a controlling financial interest in the VIE. Based upon that evaluation, CVR's management had determined to consolidate the Partnership in CVR's consolidated financial statements for the periods presented prior to the Partnership IPO.

        Subsequent to the Partnership IPO, the Partnership is no longer considered a VIE. The consolidation of the Partnership is based upon the fact that the general partner is owned by CRLLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CVR; and, therefore, CVR has the ability to control the activities of the Partnership. Additionally, the Partnership's general partner manages the operations and activities of the Partnership, subject to the terms and conditions specified in the partnership agreement. The operations of the general partner in its capacity as general partner are managed by its board of directors. The limited rights of the common unitholders of the Partnership are demonstrated by the fact that the common unitholders have no right to elect the general partner or the general partner's directors on an annual or other continuing basis. The general partner can only be removed by a vote of the holders of at least 662/3% of the outstanding common units, including any common units owned by the general partner and its affiliates (including CRLLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CVR) voting together as a single class. Actions by the general partner that are made in its individual capacity will be made by CRLLC as the sole member of the general partner and not by the board of directors of the general partner. The officers of the general partner manage the day-to-day affairs of the business. The majority of the officers of the general partner are also officers of CVR. Based upon the general partner's role and rights as afforded by the partnership agreement and the limited rights afforded to the limited partners, the consolidated financial statements of CVR will include the assets, liabilities, cash flows, revenues and expenses of the Partnership.
Cash and Cash Equivalents

  • Cash and Cash Equivalents

        For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, CVR considers all highly liquid money market accounts and debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable, net

  • Accounts Receivable, net

        CVR grants credit to its customers. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of a customer's financial condition; generally, collateral is not required. Accounts receivable are due on negotiated terms and are stated at amounts due from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than their contractual payment terms are considered past due. CVR determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts are past due, the customer's ability to pay its obligations to CVR, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. CVR writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts. Amounts collected on accounts receivable are included in net cash provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. At December 31, 2011, no customers individually represented greater than 10% of the total accounts receivable balance. At December 31, 2010, two customers individually represented greater than 10% and collectively represented 22% of the total accounts receivable balance. The largest concentration of credit for any one customer at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was approximately 9% and 12%, respectively, of the accounts receivable balance.
Inventories

  • Inventories

        Inventories consist primarily of domestic and foreign crude oil, blending stock and components, work-in-progress, fertilizer products, and refined fuels and by-products. Inventories are valued at the lower of the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") cost, or market for fertilizer products, refined fuels and by-products for all periods presented. Refinery unfinished and finished products inventory values were determined using the ability-to-bear process, whereby raw materials and production costs are allocated to work-in-process and finished products based on their relative fair values. Other inventories, including other raw materials, spare parts, and supplies, are valued at the lower of moving-average cost, which approximates FIFO, or market. The cost of inventories includes inbound freight costs.
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

  • Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

        Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of prepayments for crude oil deliveries to CVR's refineries for which title had not transferred, non-trade accounts receivables, current portions of prepaid insurance and deferred financing costs, and other general current assets.
Property, Plant, and Equipment

  • Property, Plant, and Equipment

        Additions to property, plant and equipment, including capitalized interest and certain costs allocable to construction and property purchases, are recorded at cost. Capitalized interest is added to any capital project over $1.0 million in cost which is expected to take more than six months to complete. Depreciation is computed using principally the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of depreciable assets. The lives used in computing depreciation for such assets are as follows:

Asset
  Range of Useful
Lives, in Years

Improvements to land

   15 to 30

Buildings

   20 to 30

Machinery and equipment

   5 to 30

Automotive equipment

   5 to 15

Furniture and fixtures

   3 to 10

Railcars

   25 to 40

        Leasehold improvements and assets held under capital leases are depreciated or amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the contractual lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset. Expenditures for routine maintenance and repair costs are expensed when incurred. Such expenses are reported in direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets

  • Goodwill and Intangible Assets

        Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the assets acquired less liabilities assumed. Intangible assets are assets that lack physical substance (excluding financial assets). Goodwill acquired in a business combination and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, and intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized. Goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset might be impaired. CVR uses November 1 of each year as its annual valuation date for the impairment test. The Company performed its annual impairment review of goodwill for 2011, which is attributable entirely to the nitrogen fertilizer segment and concluded there was no impairment. Additionally, there was also no impairment charge recognized in 2010 or 2009, with respect to the nitrogen fertilizer segment. See Note 7 ("Goodwill and Intangible Assets") for further discussion.
Deferred Financing Costs, Underwriting and Original Issue Discount

  • Deferred Financing Costs, Underwriting and Original Issue Discount

        Deferred financing costs related to the first priority term debt credit facility, CRNF credit facility and senior secured notes are amortized to interest expense and other financing costs using the effective-interest method over the life of the debt. Additionally, the underwriting and original issue discount and premium related to the issuance of senior secured notes are amortized to interest expense and other financing costs using the effective-interest method over the life of the debt. Deferred financing costs related to the first priority revolving credit facility, ABL credit facility and CRNF credit facility are amortized to interest expense and other financing costs using the straight-line method through the termination date of the respective facility. Deferred financing costs related to the first priority funded letter of credit facility were amortized to interest expense and other financing costs using the straight-line method through the termination of the facility in October 2009.
Planned Major Maintenance Costs

  • Planned Major Maintenance Costs

        The direct-expense method of accounting is used for planned major maintenance activities. Maintenance costs are recognized as expense when maintenance services are performed. During the years ended December 31, 2011, the Coffeyville refinery completed the first phase of a two-phase major scheduled turnaround. Costs of approximately $66.4 million and $1.2 million associated with the Coffeyville refinery's 2011 turnaround were included in direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the nitrogen fertilizer plant completed a major scheduled turnaround. Costs of approximately $3.5 million associated with the nitrogen fertilizer plant's 2010 turnaround were included in direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for the year ended December 31, 2010.

        Planned major maintenance activities for the nitrogen plant generally occur every two years. The required frequency of the maintenance varies by unit, for the refineries, but generally is every four to five years. The Wynnewood refinery's next major maintenance activities are scheduled for fourth quarter 2012.
Cost Classifications

  • Cost Classifications

        Cost of product sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) includes cost of crude oil, other feedstocks, blendstocks, pet coke expense and freight and distribution expenses. Cost of product sold excludes depreciation and amortization of approximately $2.5 million, $2.8 million and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) includes direct costs of labor, maintenance and services, energy and utility costs, property taxes, environmental compliance costs as well as chemicals and catalysts and other direct operating expenses. Direct operating expenses exclude depreciation and amortization of approximately $86.0 million, $81.8 million and $79.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) consist primarily of legal expenses, treasury, accounting, marketing, human resources and maintaining the corporate and administrative office in Texas and the administrative offices in Kansas and Oklahoma. Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude depreciation and amortization of approximately $1.8 million, $2.1 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Income Taxes

  • Income Taxes

        CVR accounts for income taxes utilizing the asset and liability approach. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred amounts are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. See Note 12 ("Income Taxes") for further discussion.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

  • Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

        CVR accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with accounting standards issued by the FASB regarding the treatment of the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. As required by this standard, CVR reviews long-lived assets (excluding goodwill, intangible assets with indefinite lives, and deferred tax assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future net cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair value. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less cost to sell.
Revenue Recognition

  • Revenue Recognition

        Revenues for products sold are recorded upon delivery of the products to customers, which is the point at which title is transferred, the customer has the assumed risk of loss, and when payment has been received or collection is reasonably assumed. Deferred revenue represents customer prepayments under contracts to guarantee a price and supply of nitrogen fertilizer in quantities expected to be delivered in the next 12 months in the normal course of business. Excise and other taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are not included in reported revenues.

        Nonmonetary product exchanges and certain buy/sell crude oil transactions which are entered into in the normal course of business are included on a net cost basis in operating expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.

        The Company also engages in trading activities, whereby the Company enters into agreements to purchase and sell refined products with third parties. The Company acts as a principal in these transactions, taking title to the products in purchases from counterparties, and accepting the risks and rewards of ownership. The company records revenue for the gross amount of the sales transactions, and records costs of purchases as an operating expense in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Shipping Costs

  • Shipping Costs

        Pass-through finished goods delivery costs reimbursed by customers are reported in net sales, while an offsetting expense is included in cost of product sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization).
Derivative Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

  • Derivative Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

        CVR uses futures contracts, options, and forward swap contracts primarily to reduce the exposure to changes in crude oil prices, finished goods product prices and interest rates and to provide economic hedges of inventory positions. These derivative instruments have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Accordingly, these instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, and each period's gain or loss is recorded as a component of gain (loss) on derivatives, net in accordance with standards issued by the FASB regarding the accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities.

        On June 30 and July 1, 2011, CRNF entered into two floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements for the purpose of hedging the interest rate risk associated with a portion of its $125 million floating rate term debt which matures in April 2016. The aggregate notional amount covered under these agreements totals $62.5 million (split evenly between the two agreement dates) and commenced on August 12, 2011 and expires on February 12, 2016. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement entered into on June 30, 2011, CRNF receives a floating rate based on three month LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of 1.94%. Under the terms of the interest rate swap agreement entered into on July 1, 2011, CRNF receives a floating rate based on three month LIBOR and pays a fixed rate of 1.975%. Both swap agreements will be settled every 90 days. The effect of these swap agreements is to lock in a fixed rate of interest of approximately 1.96% plus the applicable margin paid to lenders over three month LIBOR as governed by the CRNF credit agreement. The agreements were designated as cash flow hedges at inception and accordingly, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the swap is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"), and will be reclassified into interest expense when the interest rate swap transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss will be recognized immediately in current interest expense.

        Financial instruments consisting of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable are carried at cost, which approximates fair value, as a result of the short-term nature of the instruments. See Note 13 ("Long-Term Debt") for further discussion of the extinguishment of the first priority credit facility long-term debt and issuance of senior secured notes. The senior secured notes are carried at the aggregate principal value less the unamortized original issue discount or premium. See Note 13 ("Long-Term Debt") for the fair value of the senior secured notes.
Share-Based Compensation

  • Share-Based Compensation

        CVR accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") regarding the treatment of share-based compensation and historically utilized guidance regarding the accounting for share-based compensation granted to employees of an equity method investee in conjunction with allocated non-cash share-based compensation expense to CVR from CALLC, CALLC II and CALLC III. As a result of the sale of the shares of CVR stock owned by CALLC and CALLC II during the year ended December 31, 2011 and the sale of the general partner and IDRs in connection with the Partnership IPO, no further amounts will be allocated by CALLC, CALLC II or CALLC III.

Non-vested shares, when granted, are valued at the closing market price of CVR's common stock on the date of issuance and amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the stock, generally a three-year period.

        The Partnership grants certain awards out of its Long-Term Incentive Plan ("CVR Partners LTIP"). Phantom units granted to employees of the Partnership are valued at closing unit price on the date of grant and amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the awards.

        Awards granted to employees of the Partnership's general partner or to the directors of its general partner are considered non-employee awards and are marked-to-market each reporting period until they vest.
Treasury Stock

  • Treasury Stock

        The Company accounts for its treasury stock under the cost method. To date, all treasury stock purchased was for the purpose of satisfying minimum statutory tax withholdings due at the vesting of non-vested stock awards.
Environmental Matters

  • Environmental Matters

        Liabilities related to future remediation costs of past environmental contamination of properties are recognized when the related costs are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of these costs are based upon currently available facts, internal and third party assessments of contamination, available remediation technology, site-specific costs, and currently enacted laws and regulations. In reporting environmental liabilities, no offset is made for potential recoveries. Loss contingency accruals, including those for environmental remediation, are subject to revision as further information develops or circumstances change and such accruals can take into account the legal liability of other parties. Environmental expenditures are capitalized at the time of the expenditure when such costs provide future economic benefits.
Use of Estimates

  • Use of Estimates

        The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, using management's best estimates and judgments where appropriate. These estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the 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. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates and judgments.
Subsequent Events

  • Subsequent Events

        The Company evaluated subsequent events, if any, that would require an adjustment to the Company's consolidated financial statements or require disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements.