| Significant Accounting Policies | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation and Reporting Requirements The accompanying audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). To conform to these accounting principles, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. These estimates are evaluated on an ongoing basis, utilizing historical experience and other methods considered reasonable under the particular circumstances. Although these estimates are based on management’s best available knowledge at the time, changes in facts and circumstances or discovery of new facts or circumstances may result in revised estimates and actual results may differ from these estimates. Effects on the Partnership’s business, financial position and results of operations resulting from revisions to estimates are recognized when the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act ("JOBS Act"), for as long as the Partnership remains an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including not being required to provide an auditor’s attestation report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and seeking unitholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. The Partnership will remain an emerging growth company for up to five years from the date of our initial public offering, although we will lose that status sooner if: • we have more than $1.0 billion of revenues in a fiscal year; • the limited partner interests held by non-affiliates have a market value of more than $700 million; or • we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three -year period. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Partnership has irrevocably elected to “opt out” of this exemption and, therefore, is and will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CONE Midstream Partners LP and all of its controlled subsidiaries. Transactions between the Partnership and its Sponsors have been identified in the consolidated financial statements as transactions between related parties and are discussed in Note 4. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and various disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue Recognition Revenues are recognized for the transportation of natural gas and other hydrocarbons based on the delivery of actual volumes transported at a contracted throughput rate. Operating fees received are recorded in gathering revenue — related party in the period the service is performed. Cash Cash includes cash on hand and on deposit at banking institutions. Receivables Receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. When applicable, we reserve for specific accounts receivable when it is probable that all or a part of an outstanding balance will not be collected, such as customer bankruptcies. Collectability is determined based on terms of sale, credit status of customers and various other circumstances. We regularly review collectability and establish or adjust the allowance as necessary using the specific identification method. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. There were no reserves for uncollectible amounts in the periods presented. Inventory Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market and consists entirely of pipe purchased for a delayed pipeline project in the Growth System, in which our Sponsors maintain a 95% noncontrolling interest. Cost was determined primarily under the specific identification method. The Partnership expects the pipe will either be used in an alternative project or sold to a third party. Fair Value Measurement The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance also relates to all nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed on a recurring basis (e.g., the initial recognition of asset retirement obligations and impairments of long‑lived assets). The fair value is the price that we estimate would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize input to valuation techniques used to estimate fair value. An asset or liability subject to the fair value requirements is categorized within the hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. The highest priority (Level 1) is given to unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, and the lowest priority (Level 3) is given to unobservable inputs. Level 2 inputs are data, other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. The carrying values on our balance sheet of our current assets, current liabilities and revolving credit facility approximate fair values due to their short maturities. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is recorded at cost upon acquisition. Expenditures which extend the useful lives of existing property and equipment are capitalized. Property and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives or lease terms of the assets. When properties are retired or otherwise disposed, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any profit or loss on disposition is recognized as a gain or loss. The Partnership did not retire or dispose of any assets during the periods presented. The Partnership evaluates whether long-lived assets have been impaired and determines if the carrying amount of its assets may not be recoverable. For such long-lived assets, impairment exists when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds estimates of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable, based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the impairment loss is measured as the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its estimated fair value. Fair value represents the estimated price between market participants to sell an asset in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset, based on assumptions a market participant would make. When warranted, management assesses the fair value of long-lived assets using commonly accepted techniques and may use more than one source in making such assessments. Sources used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, recent third-party comparable sales, internally developed discounted cash flow analyses and analyses from outside advisors. Significant changes, such as the condition of an asset or management’s intent to utilize the asset generally require management to reassess the cash flows related to long-lived assets. The Partnership did not record any impairments during the periods presented. Environmental Matters We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or clean-ups are probable and the related costs can be reasonably estimated. At this time, we are unable to assess the timing and/or effect of potential liabilities related to greenhouse gas emissions or other environmental issues. Asset Retirement Obligations We perform an ongoing analysis of asset removal and site restoration costs that we may be required to perform under law or contract once an asset has been permanently taken out of service. We have property and equipment at locations that we own and at sites leased or under right of way agreements. We are under no contractual obligation to remove the assets at locations we own. In evaluating our asset retirement obligation, we review lease agreements, right of way agreements, easements and permits to determine which agreements, if any, require an asset removal and restoration obligation. Determination of the amounts to be recognized is based upon numerous estimates and assumptions, including expected settlement dates, future retirement costs, future inflation rates and the credit-adjusted-risk-free interest rates. We operate and maintain our midstream systems and intend to do so as long as supply and demand for natural gas exists, which we expect for the foreseeable future. Therefore, we believe that we cannot reasonably estimate the asset retirement obligations for our midstream system assets as these assets have indeterminate lives. Variable Interest Entities The Anchor, Growth and Additional Limited Partnerships (the "Limited Partnerships"), which are variable interest entities, are consolidated by CONE Midstream Partners LP through its ownership of CONE Midstream Operating Company LLC. CONE Midstream Operating Company LLC, through its general partner ownership interest in each of the Anchor, Growth and Additional Limited Partnerships, has the power to direct all substantive strategic and day-to-day operational decisions of the Limited Partnerships. CONE Midstream Operating Company LLC is considered to be the primary beneficiary for accounting purposes. Equity Compensation Equity compensation expense for all unit-based compensation awards is based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Compensation Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. We recognize these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the award's vesting term. See Note 14–Long Term Incentive Plan for further discussion. Income Taxes Our operations as a limited partnership, and our Predecessor, as a limited liability company, are treated as partnerships for federal and state income tax purposes, with each partner being separately taxed on its share of the taxable income. Accordingly, no provision for federal or state income taxes has been recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Cash Distributions Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash within 45 days after the end of each quarterly period to unitholders of record on the applicable record date. This requirement forms the basis of our cash distribution policy and reflects a basic judgment that our unitholders will be better served by distributing our available cash rather than retaining it because, among other reasons, we believe we will generally finance any expansion capital expenditures from external financing sources. Under our current cash distribution policy, we intend to make a minimum quarterly distribution to the holders of our common units and subordinated units of $0.2125 per unit, or $0.85 per unit on an annualized basis, to the extent we have sufficient available cash after the establishment of cash reserves and the payment of costs and expenses, including the payment of expenses to our general partner. However, other than the requirement in our partnership agreement to distribute all of our available cash each quarter, we have no legal obligation to make quarterly cash distributions in this or any other amount, and the board of directors of our general partner has considerable discretion to determine the amount of our available cash each quarter. In addition, the board of directors of our general partner may change our cash distribution policy at any time, subject to the requirement in our partnership agreement to distribute all of our available cash quarterly. Generally, our available cash is the sum of (i) all cash on hand at the end of a quarter after the payment of our expenses and the establishment of cash reserves and (ii) if the board of directors of our general partner so determines, all or any portion of additional cash on hand resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter. The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of available cash from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner based on the specified target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under “Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions” are the percentage interests of our general partner and the unitholders in any available cash from operating surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit Target Amount.” The percentage interests shown for our unitholders and our general partner for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests set forth below for our general partner include its 2% general partner interest and assume that our general partner has contributed any additional capital necessary to maintain its 2% general partner interest, our general partner has not transferred its incentive distribution rights and that there are no arrearages on common units. Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions Distribution Targets Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit Target Amount Unitholders General Partner Minimum Quarterly Distribution $0.2125 98% 2% First Target Distribution Above $0.2125 up to $0.24438 98% 2% Second Target Distribution Above $0.24438 up to $0.26563 85% 15% Third Target Distribution Above $0.26563 up to $0.31875 75% 25% Thereafter Above $0.31875 50% 50% Subordinated Units Our partnership agreement provides that, during the subordination period, the common unitholders will have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus each quarter in an amount equal to $0.2125 per unit, which is defined in our partnership agreement as the minimum quarterly distribution, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. The practical effect of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that, during the subordination period, there will be available cash to be distributed on the common units. The subordination period will end, and the subordinated units will convert to common units, on a one-for- one basis, when certain distribution requirements, as defined in the partnership agreement, have been met. Subordination Period Except as described below, the subordination period began on the closing date of the IPO and will extend until the first business day following the distribution of available cash in respect of any quarter beginning after September 30, 2017, that each of the following tests are met: • distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on the 2% general partner interest equaled or exceeded $0.85 (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution), for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date; • the adjusted operating surplus (as defined below) generated during each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded the sum of $0.85 (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on the 2% general partner interest during those periods on a fully diluted basis; and • there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units. Early Termination of the Subordination Period The subordination period will automatically terminate on the first business day following the distribution of available cash in respect of any quarter that each of the following tests are met: • distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on the 2% general partner interest equaled or exceeded $1.275 ( 150% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution), plus the related distributions on the incentive distribution rights, for the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date; • the adjusted operating surplus (as defined below) generated during the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded the sum of (i) $1.275 ( 150% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on the 2% general partner interest during that period on a fully diluted basis and (ii) the corresponding distributions on the incentive distribution rights; and • there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units. Expiration of the Subordination Period When the subordination period ends, each outstanding subordinated unit will convert into one common unit and will thereafter participate pro rata with the other common units in distributions of available cash. Adjusted Operating Surplus Adjusted operating surplus is intended to reflect the cash generated from operations during a particular period and therefore excludes net drawdowns of reserves of cash established in prior periods. Adjusted operating surplus for a period consists of: • operating surplus generated with respect to that period; less • any net increase in working capital borrowings with respect to that period; less • any net decrease in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period not relating to an operating expenditure made with respect to that period; plus • any net decrease in working capital borrowings with respect to that period; plus • any net decrease made in subsequent periods to cash reserves for operating expenditures initially established with respect to that period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction in adjusted operating surplus in subsequent periods; plus • any net increase in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium. Incentive Distribution Rights ("IDRs") All of the IDRs are currently held by CONE Midstream GP LLC, our general partner. Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage ( 13.0% , 23.0% and 48.0% ) of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels described below have been achieved. Our general partner may transfer the IDRs separately from its general partner interest. The following discussion assumes that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and that our general partner continues to own the IDRs. If for any quarter: • we have distributed available cash from operating surplus to the common unitholders and subordinated unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution; and • we have distributed available cash from operating surplus on outstanding common units in an amount necessary to eliminate any cumulative arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution; then, we will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and our general partner in the following manner: • first, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.24438 per unit for that quarter (the “first target distribution”); • second, 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.26563 per unit for that quarter (the “second target distribution”); • third, 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.31875 per unit for that quarter (the “third target distribution”); and • thereafter, 50% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to our general partner. Reclassifications Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current reporting classifications with no effect on previously reported net income or partners' capital. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)". The objective of the amendments in this update is to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The guidance in this update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. An entity should disclose sufficient information, both qualitative and quantitative, to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB issued a standard to delay the effective date by one year. In accordance with this delay, the new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with the option to adopt as early as annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the method of adoption and impact that this new standard will have on our financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, "Consolidation: Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." ASU 2015-02 changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods therein. The Partnership believes adoption of this new standard will not have a material impact on the Partnership's financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-06 "Earnings Per Share (Topic 260): Effects on Historical Earnings per Unit of Master Limited Partnership Dropdown Transactions". ASU 2015-06 specifies that for purposes of calculating historical earnings per unit under the two-class method, the earnings or losses of a transferred business before the date of a dropdown transaction should be allocated entirely to the general partner. In that circumstance, the previously reported earnings per unit of the limited partners, which is typically the earnings per unit measure presented in the financial statements, would not change as a result of the dropdown transaction. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and is required to be applied retrospectively. The Partnership believes adoption of this new standard will not have a material impact on the Partnership's financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 "Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs" ("ASU 2015-03"), which attempted to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that such costs be presented as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements", which clarified ASU 2015-03 as it relates to line-of-credit arrangements. ASU 2015-15 states that the SEC staff would not object to an entity's decision to continue to present debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. Because this is how the Partnership has historically accounted for debt issuance costs, adoption of this standard will not have any impact on reported results or disclosures. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 "Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330)". The guidance is part of the “Simplification Initiative” to identify and re-evaluate areas where the generally accepted accounting principles may be complex and cumbersome to apply. The guidance will require that inventory be stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value as opposed to the lower of cost or market. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price for the inventory less completion, disposal and transportation costs. The guidance becomes effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016; however, the Partnership early adopted this new standard in the current year, which had no impact on the Partnership's financial statements. |
