(8) Goodwill

Goodwill and other intangible assets accounting standards provide that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but instead are tested for impairment on an annual basis. In accordance with these standards, CVR completes its annual test for impairment of goodwill as of November 1 each year. CVR's annual review is performed only at the nitrogen fertilizer segment, as this is the only reporting unit that has goodwill recorded. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the annual test of impairment indicated that the goodwill, attributable to the nitrogen fertilizer segment, was not impaired. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, goodwill included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled approximately $41.0 million.

In testing goodwill for impairment, the Company applied the guidance in ASU 2011-08, "Testing Goodwill for Impairment," which allows an alternative in certain situations that simplifies the impairment testing of goodwill. This guidance allows an entity the option to first perform a qualitative evaluation to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment analysis.

The nitrogen fertilizer segment began the qualitative assessment by analyzing the key drivers and other external factors that impact the business in an attempt to determine if any significant events, transactions or other factors had occurred, or were expected to occur, that would impair earnings or competitiveness, thereby impairing the fair value of the nitrogen fertilizer segment. The key drivers that were considered in the evaluation of the nitrogen fertilizer segment's fair value included:


•	general economic conditions;


•	fertilizer pricing;


•	input costs; and


•	customer outlook.

After assessing the totality of events and circumstances, it was determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the nitrogen fertilizer segment was less than the carrying value, and so it was not necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment analysis.