SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Neptune and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Neptune has accounting policies that conform to generally accepted accounting principles. 100 NEPTUNE PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Regulation Nautilus, as an interstate pipeline, is subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Nautilus has accounting policies that conform to generally accepted accounting principles, as applied to regulated enterprises and are in accordance with the accounting requirements and ratemaking practices of the FERC. Cash and Cash Equivalents All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents. Pipelines and Equipment Newly constructed pipelines are recorded at historical cost. Regulated pipelines and equipment includes an Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC). The rates used in the calculation of AFUDC are determined in accordance with guidelines established by FERC. The Manta Ray pipeline and related facilities are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of 30 years, while the Nautilus pipeline and related facilities are depreciated on a straight line basis over their estimated useful life of 20 years. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred while additions, improvements and replacements are capitalized. Income Taxes Neptune is treated as a tax partnership under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements do not reflect a provision for income taxes since Neptune's results of operations and related credits and deductions will be passed through to and taken into account by its members in computing their respective tax liabilities. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of" requires recognition of impairment losses on long-lived assets if the carrying amount of such assets, grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows from other assets, exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of such assets. Measurement of any impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset. At Dece...
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and cash equivalents Short term investments that have a maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents. At December 31, 1997 and 1998, cash and cash equivalents include $30,235,000 and $10,075,000, respectively, invested in United States Treasury money market funds.
