FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. However, the use of a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point between bid and ask prices) is permitted. Fair values are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in valuation techniques and the inputs to valuations. This includes not only the credit standing of counterparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements but also the impact of Questar Gas' own nonperformance risk on its liabilities. Fair value measurements assume that the transaction occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability (the market with the most volume and activity for the asset or liability from the perspective of the reporting entity), or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability (the market in which the reporting entity would be able to maximize the amount received or minimize the amount paid). Questar Gas applies fair value measurements to commodity derivative instruments in accordance with the requirements described above. Questar Gas applies credit adjustments to its derivative fair values in accordance with the requirements described above.

Inputs and Assumptions

Questar Gas maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Fair value is based on actively-quoted market prices, if available. In the absence of actively-quoted market prices, price information is sought from external sources, including broker quotes and industry publications. When evaluating pricing information provided by brokers and other pricing services, Questar Gas considers whether the broker is willing and able to trade at the quoted price, if the broker quotes are based on an active market or an inactive market and the extent to which brokers are utilizing a particular model if pricing is not readily available. If pricing information from external sources is not available, or if Questar Gas believes that observable pricing is not indicative of fair value, judgment is required to develop the estimates of fair value. In those cases Questar Gas must estimate prices based on available historical and near-term future price information and certain statistical methods, including regression analysis, that reflect its market assumptions.

Questar Gas' commodity derivative valuations are prepared by Dominion’s Enterprise Risk Management department which creates mark-to-market valuations for Questar Gas' derivative transactions using computer-based statistical models. The inputs that go into the market valuations are transactional information and market pricing information that resides in data warehouse databases. The majority of forward prices are automatically uploaded into the data warehouse databases from various third-party sources. Inputs obtained from third-party sources are evaluated for reliability considering the reputation, independence, market presence, and methodology used by the third-party. If forward prices are not available from third-party sources, then Dominion’s Enterprise Risk Management department models the forward prices based on other available market data. A team consisting of risk management and risk quantitative analysts meets to assess the validity of market prices and mark-to-market valuations. During this meeting, the changes in mark-to-market valuations from period to period are examined and qualified against historical expectations. If any discrepancies are identified during this process, the mark-to-market valuations or the market pricing information is evaluated further and adjusted, if necessary.

For options and contracts with option-like characteristics where observable pricing information is not available from external sources, Questar Gas generally uses a modified Black-Scholes Model or other option model.

The inputs and assumptions used in measuring fair value for commodity derivative contracts include the following:


•	Forward commodity prices


•	Transaction prices


•	Price correlation


•	Volumes


•	Commodity location


•	Interest rates


•	Credit quality of counterparties and Questar Gas


•	Credit enhancements


•	Time value

Levels

Questar Gas also utilizes the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:


•	Level 1-Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that it has the ability to access at the measurement date.

•

Level 2-Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means. Instruments categorized in Level 2 primarily include commodity forwards and options.


•	Level 3-Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including situations where there is little, if any, market activity. Instruments categorized in Level 3 primarily include long-dated commodity derivatives.

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable data (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In these cases, the lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement in its entirety determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability.

For derivative contracts, Questar Gas recognizes transfers among Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 based on fair values as of the first day of the month in which the transfer occurs. Transfers out of Level 3 represent assets and liabilities that were previously classified as Level 3 for which the inputs became observable for classification in either Level 1 or Level 2. Because the activity and liquidity of commodity markets vary substantially between regions and time periods, the availability of observable inputs for substantially the full term and value of Questar Gas' over-the-counter derivative contracts is subject to change.

Level 3 Valuations

Fair value measurements are categorized as Level 3 when price or other inputs that are considered to be unobservable are significant to their valuations. Long-dated commodity derivatives are generally based on unobservable inputs due to the length of time to settlement and the absence of market activity and are therefore categorized as Level 3.

Questar Gas enters into certain physical forwards, which are considered Level 3 as they have one or more inputs that are not observable and are significant to the valuation. The discounted cash flow method is used to value Level 3 physical forward contracts. The discounted cash flow model for forwards calculates mark-to-market valuations based on forward market prices, original transaction prices, volumes, risk-free rate of return, and credit spreads. For Level 3 fair value measurements, forward market prices are considered unobservable. The unobservable inputs are developed and substantiated using historical information, available market data, third-party data, and statistical analysis. Periodically, inputs to valuation models are reviewed and revised as needed, based on historical information, updated market data, market liquidity and relationships, and changes in third-party pricing sources.

The fair value of Level 3 derivatives were not material at December 31, 2016.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents Questar Gas’ assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each hierarchy level, including both current and noncurrent portions. Questar Gas did not have any such items at December 31, 2015.



	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
(millions)
At December 31, 2016
Assets:
Derivatives:
Commodity	$	—	$	0.1	$	—	$	0.1
Total assets	$	—	$	0.1	$	—	$	0.1
Liabilities:
Derivatives:
Commodity	$	—	$	0.1	$	—	$	0.1
Total liabilities	$	—	$	0.1	$	—	$	0.1

The following table presents the net change in Questar Gas' assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and included in the Level 3 fair value category. Questar Gas did not have any such items at December 31, 2015 or 2014.



	2016
(millions)
Beginning balance	$	—
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings⁽¹⁾	0.2
Included in regulatory assets/liabilities	—
Settlements	(0.2		)
Ending balance	$	—

(1) The gains and losses included in earnings were classified in cost of sales.

There were no unrealized gains or losses included in earnings in the Level 3 fair value category relating to assets/liabilities still held at the reporting date for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Substantially all of Questar Gas' financial instruments are recorded at fair value, with the exception of the instruments described below, which are reported at historical cost. Estimated fair values have been determined using available market information and valuation methodologies considered appropriate by management. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, customer receivables, accounts receivable from affiliates, short-term debt, account payable to affiliates,affiliated current borrowings, and accounts payable are representative of fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. For Questar Gas' financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value, the carrying amounts and estimated fair values are as follows:



	December 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value⁽¹⁾		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value⁽²⁾
(millions)
Long-term debt, including securities due within one year⁽³⁾	$	630.8	$	672.6	$	531.2	$	568.4

(1) Fair value is estimated using market prices, where available, and interest rates currently available for issuance of debt with similar terms

and remaining maturities. The fair value measurements are classified as Level 2.

(2) Fair value is estimated using the discounted present value of cash flows using Questar Gas’ current credit risk-adjusted borrowing rates.

The fair value measurements are classified as Level 2.

(3) Carrying amount includes amounts which represent the unamortized debt issuance costs, discount and/or premium.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

QUESTAR GAS CO 10-K