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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

or

o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from           to          

Commission File Number:  001-35358

TC PipeLines, LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

877-290-2772

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No x

As of May 2, 2017, there were 68,938,577 of the registrant’s common units outstanding.

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TC PIPELINES, LP

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All amounts are stated in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.

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DEFINITIONS

The abbreviations, acronyms, and industry terminology used in this quarterly report are defined as follows:

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, TC PipeLines, LP and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to in this quarterly report as “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Partnership.” We use “our pipeline systems” and “our pipelines” when referring to the Partnership’s ownership interests in Gas Transmission Northwest LLC (GTN), Northern Border Pipeline Company (Northern Border), Bison Pipeline LLC (Bison), Great Lakes Gas Transmission Limited Partnership (Great Lakes), North Baja Pipeline, LLC (North Baja), Tuscarora Gas Transmission Company (Tuscarora) and Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS).

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PART I

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This report includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements are identified by words and phrases such as: “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “forecast,” “should,” “predict,” “could,” “will,” “may,” and other terms and expressions of similar meaning. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on currently available information and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding anticipated financial performance, future capital expenditures, liquidity, market or competitive conditions, regulations, organic or strategic growth opportunities, contract renewals and ability to market open capacity, business prospects, outcome of regulatory proceedings and cash distributions to unitholders.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted. Factors that could cause actual results and our financial condition to differ materially from those contemplated in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

·                                          the ability of our pipeline systems to sell available capacity on favorable terms and renew expiring contracts which are affected by, among other factors:

·                  demand for natural gas;

·                  changes in relative cost structures and production levels of natural gas producing basins;

·                  natural gas prices and regional differences;

·                  weather conditions;

·                  availability and location of natural gas supplies in Canada and the United States (U.S.) in relation to our pipeline systems;

·                  competition from other pipeline systems;

·                  natural gas storage levels; and

·                  rates and terms of service;

·                                          the performance by the shippers of their contractual obligations on our pipeline systems;

·                                          the outcome and frequency of rate proceedings or settlement negotiations on our pipeline systems;

·                                          changes in the taxation of master limited partnerships by state or federal governments such as final adoption of proposed regulations narrowing the sources of income qualifying for partnership tax treatment or the elimination of pass-through taxation or tax deferred distributions;

·                                          increases in operational or compliance costs resulting from changes in laws and governmental regulations affecting our pipeline systems, particularly regulations issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT);

·                                          the impact of downward changes in oil and natural gas prices, including the effects on the creditworthiness of our shippers;

·                                          our ongoing ability to grow distributions through acquisitions, accretive expansions or other growth opportunities, including the timing, structure and closure of further potential acquisitions;

·                                          potential conflicts of interest between TC PipeLines GP, Inc., our general partner (General Partner), TransCanada and us;

·                                          the ability to maintain secure operation of our information technology;

·                                          the impact of any impairment charges;

·                                          changes in the political environment;

·                                          cybersecurity threats, acts of terrorism and related disruptions;

·                                          operating hazards, casualty losses and other matters beyond our control;

·                                          potential of claims for rescission or loss in connection with certain sales under our at-the-market equity issuance program (ATM program); and

·                                          the level of our indebtedness, including the indebtedness of our pipeline systems, and the availability of capital.

These are not the only factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. Other factors described elsewhere in this document, or factors that are unknown or unpredictable, could also have material adverse effects on future results. These and other risks are described in

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greater detail in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. All forward-looking statements are made only as of the date made and except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or other changes.

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements

TC PIPELINES, LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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TC PIPELINES, LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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TC PIPELINES, LP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Variable Interest Entities (Note 16)

Subsequent Events (Note 17)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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TC PIPELINES, LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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TC PIPELINES, LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ EQUITY

(a)              Income related to cash flow hedges reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and expected to be reclassified to Net Income in the next 12 months is estimated to be $1 million. These estimates assume constant interest rates over time; however, the amounts reclassified will vary based on actual value of interest rates at the date of settlement.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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TC PIPELINES, LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1        ORGANIZATION

TC PipeLines, LP and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the Partnership. The Partnership was formed by TransCanada PipeLines Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TransCanada Corporation (TransCanada Corporation together with its subsidiaries collectively referred to herein as TransCanada), to acquire, own and participate in the management of energy infrastructure assets in North America.

The Partnership owns its pipeline assets through three intermediate limited partnerships (ILPs), TC GL Intermediate Limited Partnership, TC PipeLines Intermediate Limited Partnership and TC Tuscarora Intermediate Limited Partnership.

NOTE 2        SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and amounts are stated in U.S. dollars. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year.

The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. That report contains a more comprehensive summary of the Partnership’s significant accounting policies. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements contain all of the appropriate adjustments, all of which are normally recurring adjustments unless otherwise noted, and considered necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Partnership, the results of operations and cash flows for the respective periods. Our significant accounting policies are consistent with those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, except as described in Note 3, Accounting Pronouncements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

NOTE 3        ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Retrospective application of ASU No 2016-15  “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”

In August 2016, the FASB issued an amendment of previously issued guidance, which intends to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective January 1, 2018, however as early adoption is permitted, the Partnership elected to retrospectively apply this guidance effective December 31, 2016. The Partnership has elected to classify distributions received from equity method investees using the nature of distributions approach as it is more representative of the nature of the underlying activities of the investees that generated the distributions. As a result, certain comparative period distributions received from equity method investees, amounting to $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, have been reclassified from investing activities to cash generated from operations in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Effective January 1, 2017

Inventory

In July 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on simplifying the measurement of inventory. The new guidance specifies that an entity should measure inventory within the scope of this update at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This new guidance was effective January 1, 2017, and was applied prospectively and did not have a material impact on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheet.

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Equity method and joint ventures

In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that simplifies the transition to equity method accounting. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to retroactively apply the equity method of accounting when an increase in ownership interest in an investment qualifies for equity method accounting. The new guidance is effective January 1, 2017 and was applied prospectively. The application of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

Consolidation

In October 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on consolidation relating to interests held through related parties that are under common control.  The new guidance amends the consolidation requirements such that if a decision maker is required to evaluate whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entry (VIE), it will need to consider only its proportionate indirect interest in the VIE held through common control party.  The guidance was effective January 1, 2017, was applied retrospectively and did not result in any change to our consolidation conclusions.

Future accounting changes

Revenue from contracts with customers

In 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The new guidance requires that an entity recognize revenue in accordance with a five-step model. This model is used to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the total consideration to which it expects to be entitled during the term of the contract in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance also requires additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and the related cash flows. The Partnership will adopt the new standard on the effective date of January 1, 2018. There are two methods in which the new standard can be adopted: (1) a full retrospective approach with restatement of all prior periods presented, or (2) a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Partnership is evaluating both methods of adoption as it works through its analysis.

The Partnership has identified all existing customer contracts that are within the scope of the new guidance and is in the process of analyzing individual contracts or groups of contracts on a segmented basis to identify any significant changes in how revenues are recognized as a result of implementing the new standard. As the Partnership continues its contract analysis, it will also quantify the impact, if any, on prior period revenues. The Partnership will address any system and process changes necessary to compile the information to meet the recognition and disclosure requirements of the new standard. As the Partnership is currently evaluating the impact of this standard, it has not yet determined the effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for leases. The new guidance amends the definition of a lease requiring the customer to have both (1) the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset and (2) the right to direct the use of the asset in order for the arrangement to qualify as a lease. The new guidance requires lessees to recognize most leases, including operating leases, on the balance sheet as lease assets and lease liabilities. The new standard does not make extensive changes to lessor accounting. Lessees may also be required to reassess assumptions associated with existing leases as well as to provide expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The new guidance is effective January 1, 2019. The Partnership is currently identifying existing lease agreements that may have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as a result of adopting this new guidance.

Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on simplifying the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure the impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value. This new guidance is effective January 1, 2020 and will be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance and has not yet determined the effect on its consolidated financial statements.

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NOTE 4        EQUITY INVESTMENTS

Northern Border, Great Lakes and PNGTS are regulated by FERC and are operated by TransCanada. The Partnership uses the equity method of accounting for its interests in its equity investees. The Partnership’s equity investments are held through our ILPs that are considered to be variable interest entities (VIEs) (refer to Note 16).

(a)  Equity earnings from Northern Border is net of the 12-year amortization of a $10 million transaction fee paid to the operator of Northern Border at the time of the Partnership’s additional 20 percent interest acquisition in April 2006.

(b) For the three months ending March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Partnership recorded no undistributed earnings from PNGTS.

Northern Border

The Partnership did not have undistributed earnings from Northern Border for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

The summarized financial information for Northern Border is as follows:

Great Lakes

The Partnership made an equity contribution to Great Lakes of $4 million in the first quarter of 2017. This amount represents the Partnership’s 46.45 percent share of a $9 million cash call from Great Lakes to make a scheduled debt repayment.

The Partnership did not have undistributed earnings from Great Lakes for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

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The summarized financial information for Great Lakes is as follows:

NOTE 5        DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES

(a)              Fixed interest rate

The Partnership’s Senior Credit Facility consists of a $500 million senior revolving credit facility with a banking syndicate, maturing November 10, 2021, under which $110 million was outstanding at March 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $160 million), leaving $390 million available for future borrowing. The LIBOR-based interest rate on the Senior Credit Facility was 2.04 percent at March 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 — 1.92 percent).

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As of March 31, 2017, the variable interest rate exposure related to 2013 Term Loan Facility was hedged by fixed interest rate swap arrangements and our effective interest rate was 2.31 percent (December 31, 2016 — 2.31 percent). Prior to hedging activities, the LIBOR-based interest rate on 2013 Term Loan Facility was 2.04 percent at March 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 — 1.87 percent).

The LIBOR-based interest rate on the 2015 Term Loan Facility was 1.93 percent at March 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 — 1.77 percent).

The 2013 Term Loan Facility and the 2015 Term Loan Facility (Term Loan Facilities) and the Senior Credit Facility  require the Partnership to maintain a certain leverage ratio (debt to adjusted cash flow [net income plus cash distributions received, extraordinary losses, interest expense, expense for taxes paid or accrued, and depreciation and amortization expense less equity earnings and extraordinary gains]) no greater than 5.00 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter, except for the fiscal quarter and the two following fiscal quarters in which one or more acquisitions has been executed, in which case the leverage ratio is to be no greater than 5.50 to 1.00. The leverage ratio was 4.04 to 1.00 as of March 31, 2017.

GTN’s Unsecured Senior Notes, along with GTN’s Unsecured Term Loan Facility contain a covenant that limits total debt to no greater than 70 percent of GTN’s total capitalization.  GTN’s total debt to total capitalization ratio at March 31, 2017 was 44.7 percent. The LIBOR-based interest rate on the GTN’s Unsecured Term Loan Facility was 1.73 percent at March 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 — 1.57 percent).

Tuscarora’s Series D Senior Notes, which require yearly principal payments until maturity, are secured by Tuscarora’s transportation contracts, supporting agreements and substantially all of Tuscarora’s property. The note purchase agreements contain certain provisions that include, among other items, limitations on additional indebtedness and distributions to partners. The Series D Senior Notes contain a covenant that limits total debt to no greater than 45 percent of Tuscarora’s total capitalization.  Tuscarora’s total debt to total capitalization ratio at March 31, 2017 was 21.05 percent. Additionally, the Series D Senior Notes require Tuscarora to maintain a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (cash available from operations divided by a sum of interest expense and principal payments) of greater than 3.00 to 1.00. The ratio was 3.92 to 1.00 as of March 31, 2017.

The LIBOR-based interest rate on the Tuscarora’s Unsecured Term Loan Facility was 2.12 percent at March 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 —1.90 percent).

At March 31, 2017, the Partnership was in compliance with its financial covenants, in addition to the other covenants which include restrictions on entering into mergers, consolidations and sales of assets, granting liens, material amendments to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (Partnership Agreement), incurring additional debt and distributions to unitholders.

The principal repayments required of the Partnership on its debt are as follows:

NOTE 6        PARTNERS’ EQUITY

ATM equity issuance program (ATM program)

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we issued 1,197,749 common units under our ATM program generating net proceeds of approximately $69 million, plus $2 million from the General Partner to maintain its effective two percent general partner interest. The commissions to our sales agents in the three months ended March 31, 2017 were approximately $704,000. The net proceeds were used for general partnership purposes.

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Class B units issued to TransCanada

The Class B Units we issued on April 1, 2015 to finance a portion of the 2015 GTN Acquisition represent a limited partner interest in us and entitle TransCanada to an annual distribution based on 30 percent of GTN’s annual distributions as follows: (i) 100 percent of distributions above $20 million through March 31, 2020; and (ii) 25 percent of distributions above $20 million thereafter.

For the year ending December 31, 2017, the Class B units’ equity account will be increased by the excess of 30 percent of GTN’s distributions over the annual threshold of $20 million until such amount is declared for distribution and paid in the first quarter of 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the threshold has not been exceeded.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Class B distribution was $22 million and was declared and paid in the first quarter of 2017.

Common unit issuance subject to rescission

In connection with a late filing of an employee-related Form 8-K with the SEC in March 2016, the Partnership became ineligible to use the then effective shelf registration statement upon filing of its 2015 Annual Report. As a result, it was determined that the purchasers of the 1.6 million common units that were issued from March 8, 2016 to May 19, 2016 under the Partnership’s ATM program may have a rescission right for an amount equal to the purchase price paid for the units, plus statutory interest and less any distributions paid, upon the return of such units to the Partnership. No unitholder has claimed or attempted to exercise any rescission rights to date and these rights expire one year from the date of purchase of the unit.

At December 31, 2016, $83 million was recorded as Common units subject to rescission on the consolidated balance sheet.  The Partnership classified all the 1.6 million common units sold under its ATM program from March 8, 2016 up to and including May 19, 2016, which may be subject to rescission rights, outside of equity given the potential redemption feature which is not within the control of the Partnership. These units are treated as outstanding for financial reporting purposes.

At March 31, 2017, $19 million of the Common units subject to rescission on the consolidated balance sheet were reclassified back to equity. The amount reclassified represents the net proceeds received from the 0.4 million units sold from March 8, 2016 up to and including March 31, 2016 as the rescission rights attached to these units expired.

NOTE 7        NET INCOME PER COMMON UNIT

Net income per common unit is computed by dividing net income attributable to controlling interests, after deduction of amounts attributable to the General Partner and Class B units by the weighted average number of common units outstanding.

The amounts allocable to the General Partner equals an amount based upon the General Partner’s effective two percent general partner interest, plus an amount equal to incentive distributions. Incentive distributions are paid to the General Partner if quarterly cash distributions on the common units exceed levels specified in the Partnership Agreement.

The amount allocable to the Class B units in 2017 equals 30 percent of GTN’s distributable cash flow during the year ended December 31, 2017 less $20 million (December 31, 2016 —$20 million). During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, no amounts were allocated to the Class B units as the annual threshold of $20 million has  not been exceeded.

Net income per common unit was determined as follows:

(a)              Under the terms of the Partnership Agreement, for any quarterly period, the participation of the incentive distribution rights (IDRs) is limited to the available cash distributions declared. Accordingly, incentive distributions allocated to the General

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Partner are based on the Partnership’s available cash during the current reporting period, but declared and paid in the subsequent reporting period.

(b)             Includes the common units subject to rescission. These units are treated as outstanding for financial reporting purposes. Refer to Note 6.

NOTE 8        CASH DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON UNITS

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Partnership distributed $0.94 per common unit (March 31, 2016 — $0.89 per common unit) for a total of $68 million (March 31, 2016 - $60 million).

The distribution paid to our General Partner during the three months ended March 31, 2017 for its effective two percent general partner interest was $2 million along with an IDR payment of $2 million for a total distribution of $4 million (March 31, 2016 - $1 million for the effective two percent interest and a $1 million IDR payment).

NOTE 9        CHANGE IN OPERATING WORKING CAPITAL

(a)              The accrual of $10 million for the construction of GTN’s Carty Lateral in December 31, 2015 was paid during the first quarter of 2016. Accordingly, the payment was reported as capital expenditures in our cash flow statement during the first quarter of 2016.

NOTE 10      RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Partnership does not have any employees. The management and operating functions are provided by the General Partner. The General Partner does not receive a management fee in connection with its management of the Partnership. The Partnership reimburses the General Partner for all costs of services provided, including the costs of employee, officer and director compensation and benefits, and all other expenses necessary or appropriate to the conduct of the business of, and allocable to, the Partnership. Such costs include (i) overhead costs (such as office space and equipment) and (ii) out-of-pocket expenses related to the provision of such services. The Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner will determine the costs that are allocable to the Partnership in any reasonable manner determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion. Total costs charged to the Partnership by the General Partner were $1 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

As operator, TransCanada’s subsidiaries provide capital and operating services to our pipeline systems. TransCanada’s subsidiaries incur costs on behalf of our pipeline systems, including, but not limited to, employee salary and benefit costs, and property and liability insurance costs.

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Capital and operating costs charged to our pipeline systems for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 by TransCanada’s subsidiaries and amounts payable to TransCanada’s subsidiaries at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized in the following tables:

(a) Represents 100 percent of the costs.

(b) In March 2016, Bison sold excess pipe (at cost) to an affiliate.

Great Lakes earns significant transportation revenues from TransCanada and its affiliates, some of which are provided at discounted rates and some at maximum recourse rates. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, Great Lakes earned 67 percent of transportation revenues from TransCanada and its affiliates (March 31, 2016 — 76 percent).

At March 31, 2017, $16 million was included in Great Lakes’ receivables in regards to the transportation contracts with TransCanada and its affiliates (December 31, 2016 — $19 million).

Great Lakes operates under a FERC approved 2013 rate settlement that includes a revenue sharing mechanism that requires Great Lakes to share with its shippers certain percentages of any qualifying revenues earned above a certain return on equity threshold. For the year ended December 31, 2016, Great Lakes recorded an estimated 2016 revenue sharing provision of $7.2 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, Great Lakes recorded an estimated 2017 revenue sharing provision of $3.4 million. Great Lakes expects that a significant percentage of this refund will be paid to its affiliates.

On March 31, 2017, PNGTS declared its first quarter 2017 distribution of $5 million, of which the Partnership received its 49.9 percent share or $2 million on April 18, 2017.

NOTE 11      FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

(a) Fair Value Hierarchy

Under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, fair value measurements are characterized in one of three levels based upon the inputs used to arrive at the measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

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·      Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date.

·      Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

·      Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

When appropriate, valuations are adjusted for various factors including credit considerations. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used.

(b) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and other, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, accounts payable to affiliates and accrued interest approximate their fair values because of the short maturity or duration of these instruments, or because the instruments bear a variable rate of interest or a rate that approximates current rates. The fair value of the Partnership’s debt is estimated by discounting the future cash flows of each instrument at estimated current borrowing rates. The fair value of interest rate derivatives is calculated using the income approach, which uses period-end market rates and applies a discounted cash flow valuation model.

Long-term debt is recorded at amortized cost and classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy for fair value disclosure purposes. Interest rate derivative assets and liabilities are classified in Level 2 for all periods presented where the fair value is determined by using valuation techniques that refer to observable market data or estimated market prices.  The estimated fair value of the Partnership’s debt at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $1,863 million and $1,908 million, respectively.

Market risk is the risk that changes in market interest rates may result in fluctuations in the fair values or cash flows of financial instruments. The Partnership’s floating rate debt is subject to LIBOR benchmark interest rate risk. The Partnership uses interest rate derivatives to manage its exposure to interest rate risk. We regularly assess the impact of interest rate fluctuations on future cash flows and evaluate hedging opportunities to mitigate our interest rate risk.

The interest rate swaps are structured such that the cash flows of the derivative instruments match those of the variable rate of interest on the 2013 Term Loan Facility. The Partnership hedged interest payments on the variable-rate 2013 Term Loan Facility with interest rate swaps maturing July 1, 2018, at a weighted average fixed interest rate of 2.31 percent. At March 31, 2017, the fair value of the interest rate swaps accounted for as cash flow hedges was an asset of $2 million (both on a gross and net basis).  At December 31, 2016, the fair value of the interest rate swaps accounted for as cash flow hedges was an asset of $1 million and a liability of $1 million (on a gross basis) and an asset of nil million (on a net basis). The Partnership did not record any amounts in net income related to ineffectiveness for interest rate hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. The change in fair value of interest rate derivative instruments recognized in other comprehensive income was a gain of $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (March 31, 2016 — loss of $2 million). For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the net realized loss related to the interest rate swaps was nil million and was included in financial charges and other (March 31, 2016 — nil million) (refer to Note 13).

The Partnership has no master netting agreements; however, it has derivative contracts containing provisions with rights of offset. The Partnership has elected to present the fair value of derivative instruments with the right to offset on a gross basis in the balance sheet. Had the Partnership elected to present these instruments on a net basis, there would be no effect on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017 (net asset of nil million as of December 31, 2016).

NOTE 12      ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND OTHER

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NOTE 13      FINANCIAL CHARGES AND OTHER

(a)              Includes debt issuance costs and amortization of discount costs.

(b)             Nil million for both periods.

NOTE 14      CONTINGENCIES

Great Lakes v. Essar Steel Minnesota LLC, et al. —  On October 29, 2009, Great Lakes filed suit in the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, against Essar Minnesota LLC (Essar Minnesota) and certain Foreign Essar Affiliates (collectively, Essar) for breach of its monthly payment obligation under its transportation services agreement with Great Lakes. Great Lakes sought to recover approximately $33 million for past and future payments due under the agreement. On September 16, 2015, following a jury trial, the federal district court judge entered a judgment in the amount of $32.9 million in favor of Great Lakes.  On September 20, 2015, Essar appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (Eighth Circuit) based on an allegation of improper jurisdiction and a number of other rulings by the federal district judge. Essar was required to post a performance bond for the full value of the judgment pending appeal.  In July 2016, Essar Minnesota filed for Bankruptcy. The performance bond was released into the bankruptcy court proceedings.The Foreign Essar Affiliates have not filed for bankruptcy. The Eighth Circuit heard the appeal on October 20, 2016.  A decision on the appeal was received in December 2016 and the Eighth Circuit vacated Great Lakes’ judgment against Essar finding that there was no federal jurisdiction. Great Lakes filed a Request for Rehearing with the Eighth Circuit and it was denied in January 2017. Great Lakes currently is proceeding against Essar Minnesota in the bankruptcy court and its case against the Foreign Essar Affiliates in Minnesota state court remains pending. In April, after reaching agreement with creditors on an allowed claim, the Bankruptcy court approved Great Lakes’ claim in the amount of $31.5 million.

NOTE 15              REGULATORY

North Baja —On January 6, 2017, North Baja notified FERC that current market conditions do not support the replacement of the compression that was temporarily abandoned in 2013 and requested authorization to permanently abandon two compressor units and a nominal volume of unsubscribed firm capacity. FERC approved the permanent abandonment request on February 16, 2017. The abandonments will not have any impact on existing firm transportation service.

Great Lakes- Great Lakes is required to file a new section 4 rate case with rates effective no later than January 1, 2018 as part of the settlement agreement with customers approved in November 2013. On March 31, 2017, Great Lakes submitted a General Section 4 Rate Filing and Tariff Changes with FERC. The rates proposed in the filing will become effective on October 1, 2017, subject to refund, if alternate resolution to the proceeding is not reached prior to that date. Great Lakes has initiated customer discussions regarding the details of the filing and will seek to achieve a mutually beneficial resolution through settlement with its customers.

NOTE 16              VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

In the normal course of business, the Partnership must re-evaluate its legal entities under the newly effective consolidation guidance to determine if those that are considered to be VIEs are appropriately consolidated or if they should be accounted for under other US GAAP. A variable interest entity (VIE) is a legal entity that does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or is structured such that equity investors lack the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights or do not substantively participate in the gains or losses of the entity. A VIE is appropriately consolidated if the Partnership is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The VIE’s primary beneficiary is the entity that has both (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

As a result of its analysis, the Partnership continues to consolidate all legal entities in which it has a variable interest and for which it is considered to be the primary beneficiary. VIEs where the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary, but has a variable interest in the entity, are accounted for as equity investments.

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Consolidated VIEs

The Partnership’s consolidated VIEs consist of the Partnership’s ILPs that hold interests in the Partnership’s pipeline systems. After considering the purpose and design of the ILPs and the risks that they were designed to create and pass through to the Partnership, the Partnership has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary of these ILPs because of the significant amount of variability that it absorbs from the ILPs’ economic performance.

The assets and liabilities held through these VIEs that are not available to creditors of the Partnership and whose investors have no recourse to the credit of the Partnership are held through GTN, Tuscarora, Northern Border, Great Lakes and PNGTS due to their third party debt. The following table presents the total assets and liabilities of these entities that are included in the Partnership’s Consolidated Balance Sheet: