# notes_to_financial_statements_122_1_duration

entity_id: C000097
filing_name: Cimarron_River_Pipeline,_LLC_form2_Q4_1712950994
publication_time: 2024-04-12 19:43:14.000000
start_date: 2023-01-01
end_date: 2023-12-31
disclosure_of_assets_retirement_obligations_a_r_o_text_block:
  <div style="margin-top:10pt;padding-left:27pt;text-indent:-27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;padding-left:18.67pt">ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS<br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Cimarron’s asset retirement obligations relate primarily to the retirement of transmission lines. Cimarron recognizes the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying amount is then depreciated over the life of the asset. The liability increases due to the passage of time based on the time value of money until the obligation is settled.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> The asset retirement obligation is adjusted each quarter for any liabilities incurred or settled during the period, accretion expense and any revisions made to the estimated cash flows. The following table summarizes changes in the asset retirement obligation, included in Accumulated Miscellaneous Operating Provisions in the balance sheets:</span></div><div style="margin-top:10pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:72.470%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:62.349%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:16.764%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.621%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:16.766%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">December 31,</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance, beginning of period</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">598,930 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">760,787 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accretion expense</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">44,494 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">41,419 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Dispositions</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(203,276)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance, end of period</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">643,424 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">598,930 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div>

disclosure_of_applicable_notes_text_block:
  <div style="margin-top:10pt;padding-left:27pt;text-indent:-27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;padding-left:18.67pt">BUSINESS CONCENTRATIONS<br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">One customer accounted for $1,019,658 or 4%, and an affiliate accounted for $22,676,625 or 96%, of Cimarron’s revenues in 2023. One customer accounted $1,042,517 or 3%, and an affiliate accounted for $31,044,056 or 97%, of Cimarron’s revenues in 2022.</span></div>

disclosure_of_significant_contingent_assets_or_liabilities_text_block:
  <div style="margin-top:10pt;padding-left:27pt;text-indent:-27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;padding-left:18.67pt">COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES<br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Litigation </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">— </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Periodically, Cimarron is involved in legal matters, none of which, in the opinion of management, will have a material impact on Cimarron’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.</span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%"><br/>    Regulatory Compliance </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">— The operation of pipelines and other facilities for gathering, compressing, treating and transporting natural gas is subject to stringent and complex laws and regulations pertaining to health, safety and the environment. As an owner and operator of these facilities, we must comply with laws and regulations at the federal, state, and, in some cases, local levels that relate to worker safety, pipeline safety, air and water quality, solid and hazardous waste management and disposal, and other environmental matters. The cost of planning, designing, constructing, and operating such facilities incorporates compliance with environmental laws and regulations, worker safety standards, and safety standards applicable to such facilities. In addition, there is increasing focus, from (i) regulatory bodies, communities and through litigation, on hydraulic fracturing and the real or perceived environmental or public health impacts of this technique, which indirectly presents some risk to our available supply of natural gas, (ii) regulatory bodies regarding pipeline system safety, which could impose additional regulatory burdens and increase the cost of our operations, (iii) state and federal regulatory bodies regarding the emission of greenhouse gases, which could impose additional regulatory burdens and increase the costs of our operations, and (iv) regulatory bodies and communities that could delay or prevent the development of infrastructure used in our business. Failure to comply with these various health, safety and environmental laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and potentially criminal enforcement measures, including citizen suits, which can include the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements, and the issuance of injunctions or restrictions on operation. Management believes that, based on </span></div><div style="margin-top:10pt;text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">currently known information, compliance with these existing laws and regulations will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.</span></div>

disclosure_of_significant_changes_in_accounting_methods_text_block:
  <div style="margin-top:10pt;padding-left:27pt;text-indent:-27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;padding-left:18.67pt">SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES<br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Organization and Basis of Presentation</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> — Cimarron River Pipeline, LLC, or Cimarron, us, we, our, or the Company was organized in 2006 for the purpose of acquiring, constructing and operating gas gathering and pipeline facilities in the Anadarko Basin area of Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas. Cimarron became </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">operational on October 9, 2008, with the acquisition of assets from Northern Natural Gas Company, or NNG, and from Dauphin Island Gathering Partnership, or DIGP, an affiliate of Cimarron. Cimarron is wholly owned by DCP Midstream, LLC, or Midstream, which operates the Company.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> The facilities of Cimarron are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, or Commission, and are subject to its rules, regulations and accounting procedures. The FERC Form 2, including the financial statements listed on pages 110 through 122.5 is reported in accordance with the accounting requirements of the FERC as set forth in its applicable Uniform System of Accounts and published accounting releases, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. Significant differences include income taxes and adjustment of property, plant and equipment.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> Midstream funds the operations and capital expenditures of Cimarron. Since Cimarron has no cash accounts, all of our cash management activity is performed by Midstream and affiliates on our behalf, including collection of receivables, payment of payables, and the settlement of sales and purchases transactions. Net amounts due to or from the Company from or to Midstream or affiliates are settled periodically by the transfer of such receivables and payables to Midstream and are shown as net Contributions and Advances from Associated and Subsidiary Companies in the Statement of Cash Flows.<br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Use of Estimate</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">s — Conformity with FERC accounting rules and GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and footnotes. Although these estimates are based on management’s best available knowledge of current and expected future events, actual results could be different from these estimates.<br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Property, Plant and Equipment</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> — Property, plant and equipment</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">are recorded at original cost. The cost of maintenance and repairs, which are not significant improvements, are expensed when incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful life of 4 to 50 years. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> Asset retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets are recorded at fair value in the period in which they are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made, and added to the carrying amount of the associated asset. This additional carrying amount is then depreciated over the life of the asset. The liability increases due to the passage of time based on the time value of money until the obligation is settled. </span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:112%"><br/>    Pipeline Revenues </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">— </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">For pipeline transportation services, Cimarron receives fees from shippers to transport the natural gas or selling the natural gas and condensate. Cimarron recognizes pipeline revenues as gas volumes are transported through the pipeline and gathering facilities. When rate cases are pending final FERC approval, a portion of the revenue collected is subject to possible refund. Reserves are established where required for such cases; however, there were no outstanding cases and no reserves recorded as of December 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.<br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Revenues from transportation agreements are recognized based on contracted volumes transported in the period the services are provided. Our contracts generally have terms that extend beyond one year, and related revenues are recognized over time. The performance obligation for most of our contracts encompasses a series of distinct services performed on discrete daily quantities of natural gas for purposes of allocating variable consideration and recognizing revenue while the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the transportation services provided. Revenue is recognized over time consistent with the transfer of services over time to the customer based on daily volumes delivered. Consideration is generally variable, and the transaction price cannot be determined at the inception of the contract, because the volume of natural gas for which the service is provided is only specified on a daily or monthly basis. The transaction price is determined at the time the service is provided as the uncertainty is resolved.<br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We recognize revenue from the sales of natural gas and condensate at the point in time when control is obtained by the customer. Generally, the transaction price is determined at the time of each delivery as the variability of commodity pricing is resolved. Customers usually pay monthly based on the products purchased the previous month.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">    </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Quantities of natural gas over-delivered or under-delivered related to imbalance agreements with shippers and pipelines are recorded monthly as receivables or payables using current market prices or the weighted-average prices of natural gas on the system. These balances are settled with deliveries of natural gas, or with cash. Included in the balance sheet as Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Liabilities as of December 31, 2023 </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">were imbalances totaling $1,184,659. Included in the balance sheet as Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Liabilities as of December 31, 2022 were imbalances totaling $1,380,629.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Environmental Expenditures </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">— </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized as appropriate, depending upon the future economic benefit. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and that do not generate current or future revenue, are expensed. Liabilities for these expenditures are recorded on an undiscounted basis when environmental assessments and/or clean-ups are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Environmental liabilities are included in the balance sheet as Accumulated Miscellaneous Operating Provisions and Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Liabilities. Environmental Accumulated Miscellaneous Operating Provisions and Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Liabilities as of December 31, 2023 were $868,200 and $455,299, respectively. Environmental Accumulated Miscellaneous Operating Provisions and Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Liabilities as of December 31, 2022 were $836,252 and $419,264, respectively.<br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Income Taxes </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">— </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Cimarron is a pass-through entity for federal income tax purposes, the taxable income or loss of the Company is reported as part of a consolidated group. Prior to July 18, 2018, the FERC required that Cimarron maintain its books of accounts and determined its rates as though it was a taxable corporate entity.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> On July 18, 2018, the Commission issued guidance in Docket No. PL17-1-001, regarding its revised policy on income tax allowance stating that the Commission “will no longer permit master limited partnerships to recover an income tax allowance in their cost”. The Commission states that if a pass-through pipeline eliminates its income tax allowance from its cost, the Commission anticipates that Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes (“ADIT”) will be removed from the cost.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> Pursuant to the guidance from the July 18 Order, Cimarron has elected to eliminate previously accumulated ADIT balances in Accounts 190 (ADIT), 283 (ADIT-Other) of the Commission’s Uniform System of Accounts. The elimination of the balances from each of these accounts results in a debit to Account 426.5 (Other Deductions).</span></div>

disclosure_of_important_disclosures_regarding_the_financial_statements_text_block:
  <div style="margin-top:10pt;padding-left:27pt;text-indent:-27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%;padding-left:18.67pt">AGREEMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES<br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The following table summarizes the transactions with Midstream and affiliates:</span></div><div style="margin-top:10pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:83.928%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:62.729%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:16.630%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.509%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:16.632%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Year Ended</span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">December 31,</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Midstream and affiliates:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Transportation and other sales to Midstream</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">22,676,625 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">31,044,056 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Management fees</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">993,003 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,394,478 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 7pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Operation Expenses</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,710,873 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,270,116 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The employees supporting Cimarron’s activities are employees of Midstream and affiliates. Operating costs incurred by Midstream and affiliates on Cimarron’s behalf have been directly allocated to Cimarron. The Company’s share of indirect costs was allocated using an allocation method approved by the FERC. In management’s estimation, this allocation methodology is reasonable and results in an allocation to Cimarron of its costs of doing business borne by Midstream and affiliates. Cimarron purchases gas from Midstream to replace system losses from condensate and fuel consumption.</span></div>

disclosure_of_subsequent_events_text_block:
  <div style="margin-top:10pt;padding-left:27pt;text-indent:-9pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</span></div><div style="text-indent:27pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We have evaluated subsequent events through April 12, 2024, the date of these financial statements available to be issued.</span></div>


entity_id: C000623
filing_name: ANR_Pipeline_Company_form2_Q4_1712877897
publication_time: 2024-04-11 23:24:57.000000
start_date: 2023-01-01
end_date: 2023-12-31
disclosure_of_important_disclosures_regarding_the_financial_statements_text_block:
  <div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">(1)    Description of Business</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">ANR Pipeline Company (the Company) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on July 20, 1945. The Company is a wholly owned direct subsidiary of American Natural Resources Company (Parent) and an indirect subsidiary of TransCanada American Investments Ltd., TransCanada PipeLine USA Ltd. (TCPL USA), TransCanada PipeLines Limited, and TC Energy Corporation, collectively referred to as “TC Energy.” The Company’s 9,400-mile transmission system transports natural gas from producing fields </span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">located primarily in Texas and Oklahoma on its southwest leg and in the Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana on its southeast leg. The Company’s system extends to markets located mainly in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. The Company’s natural gas pipeline also connects with numerous other natural gas pipelines, providing customers with access to diverse sources of North American supply, including Western Canada and the Rocky Mountain region, and to a variety of end-user markets in the midwestern and northeastern United States (U.S.). The Company also owns and operates regulated underground natural gas storage facilities in Michigan.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">In addition, the Company owns TransCanada USA Pipeline Services LLC (TransCanada USA), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that serves to allocate management, administrative, and other service costs to TC Energy’s U.S. pipelines (U.S. pipelines) and other businesses. All costs (including payroll, benefits, incentive compensation, employee expenses, office costs, lease expenses and other costs) charged to TransCanada USA are identified and charged to the operating entities (primarily the U.S. pipelines as well as relatively smaller amounts to other TC Energy companies) to which services are provided. No material residual costs remain on TransCanada USA.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(2)    Basis of Presentation</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Company’s financial statements presented herein are prepared in accordance with the accounting regulations of the FERC, as set forth in the applicable Uniform System of Accounts and published accounting releases, which are a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The most significant differences between GAAP and the financial statements presented herein are: (1) the classification of certain accounts on the balance sheets, statement of income, and statements of cash flows and (2) all subsidiaries, including those that are 100% wholly owned subsidiaries, are reflected on the equity method of accounting whereas GAAP requires that all majority-owned subsidiaries be consolidated.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(3)    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(a) Use of Estimates</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities during the reported period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Judgment is required in developing these estimates.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(b)    Cash and Cash Equivalents</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less and are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(c)    Trade Accounts Receivable</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest, except for those receivables subject to late charges. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses on accounts receivable due from shippers and operators if it is determined the Company will not collect all or part of the outstanding receivable balance. The Company regularly reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts and establishes or adjusts the allowance as necessary using the specific-identification method. Account balances are charged to the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">no longer considered probable. Accounts charged to the allowance in 2023 and 2022 were $184 thousand and $38 thousand respectively. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(d)    Natural Gas Imbalances</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Natural gas imbalances occur when the actual amount of natural gas delivered to or received from a pipeline system or storage facility differs from the amount of natural gas scheduled to be delivered or received. The Company values these imbalances due to or from shippers and operators at current index prices. Imbalances are settled in-kind, subject to the terms of the Company’s tariff. </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Imbalances due from others are reported on the balance sheet in FERC Account No. 174 Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Assets. Imbalances owed to others are reported on the balance sheet in FERC Account No. 242 Miscellaneous Current Accrued Liabilities. The Company classifies all imbalances as current as the Company expects to settle them within a year. </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(e)    Materials and Supplies</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company’s inventories primarily consist of materials and supplies and are carried at lower of weighted average cost or net realizable value.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(f)    Property, Plant, and Equipment</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at their original cost of construction. For assets the Company constructs, direct costs are capitalized, such as labor and materials, and indirect costs, such as overhead and interest are also capitalized. The Company capitalizes major units of property replacements or improvements and expenses minor items.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company uses the composite (group) method to depreciate property, plant, and equipment. Under this method, assets with similar lives and characteristics are grouped and depreciated as one asset. The depreciation rate is applied to the total cost of the group until its net book value equals its salvage value. All asset groups are depreciated using depreciation rates approved by FERC in the Company’s last rate proceeding. Currently, the Company’s depreciation rates vary from 1% to 20% per year. Using these rates, the remaining depreciable life of these assets ranges from 1 to 52 years.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company collects estimated future removal costs related to its regulated natural gas transmission and storage facilities in its current rates (also known as “negative salvage”). Estimated costs associated with the future removal of transmission and storage facilities are collected through depreciation as allowed by FERC. These amounts do not represent asset retirement obligations as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 410, </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">. When property, plant, and equipment are retired, the Company charges accumulated depreciation and amortization for the original cost of the assets in addition to the cost to remove, sell, or dispose of the assets, less their salvage value. The Company does not recognize a gain or loss unless an entire operating unit is sold or retired. The Company includes gains or losses on dispositions of operating units in income.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company capitalizes carrying costs on funds invested in the construction of long-lived assets. This carrying cost includes a return on the investment financed by debt and equity allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC). AFUDC is calculated based on the Company’s average cost of debt and equity. Capitalized carrying costs for AFUDC debt and equity are reflected as an increase in the cost of the asset on the balance sheets. Capitalized AFUDC debt amounts are included as a reduction of interest charges and equity amounts are included in other income, in the statement of income.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(g)    Revenue Recognition</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">In 2018, the Company adopted FASB's current guidance on revenue from contracts with customers using the modified retrospective transition method for all contracts that were in effect on the date of adoption. The adoption did not result in any changes to the Company’s historical revenue recognition and the Company did not have any cumulative impact adjustment on the date of adoption. While FERC has not adopted FASB’s current revenue recognition guidance and disclosure requirements, there remains no difference between the revenue recognized under GAAP and FERC due to the application of the right to invoice practical expedient. The following GAAP disclosures over the adoption of the new revenue standard are included to reflect the Company’s criteria for recognizing revenue.</span></div><div style="margin-top:2pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company’s revenues are primarily generated from transportation and storage services which are treated as a single performance obligation. Revenues for all services are based on the quantity of gas delivered or subscribed at a price specified in a contract. For the Company’s transportation and storage services, reservation revenues are recognized on firm contracted capacity over the contract period regardless of the amount of natural gas that is transported or stored. For interruptible or volumetric-based services, the Company recognizes revenues when Company satisfies its performance obligation. The Company utilizes the practical expedient of recognizing revenue as invoiced. In the application of the right to invoice practical expedient, our revenues from regulated capacity arrangements are recognized based on rates specified in the contract or the Company's FERC tariff. Therefore, the amount invoiced, which includes the capacity contracted and variable volume of natural gas transported and injected and/or withdrawn from storage, corresponds directly to the value the customer received. Revenues are recognized monthly once invoiced. </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company’s contract balances consist primarily of receivables from contracts with customers reported under Customer Accounts Receivable (FERC Account No. 142) on the balance sheets. Additionally, the Company's customer accounts receivable represents the Company’s unconditional right to recognize revenue for services completed which includes billed and unbilled accounts.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company does not take ownership of the gas that it transports or stores. The Company is subject to FERC regulations, and as a result, revenues the Company collects may be subject to refund in a rate proceeding. Allowances for these potential refunds are recognized using management’s best estimate based on the facts and circumstances of the proceeding. Any allowances that are recognized during the proceeding process are refunded at the time a regulatory decision becomes final. As of December 31, 2022, there was a refund provision of approximately $55.6 million, including interest of $0.5 million reflected in these financial statements in FERC Account No. 229 Accumulated Provision for Rate Refunds related to the Company's rate proceeding as described in Note 5(c) Regulatory Matters. Accordingly, the revenues presented in the statement of income as of December 31, 2022 are net of the $55.1 million revenue refund provision. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(h)    Commitments and Contingencies</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Environmental Costs</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company records its environmental liabilities at their undiscounted amounts in the balance sheets in other current and other non-current liabilities when environmental assessments indicate that remediation efforts are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of the Company’s environmental liabilities are based on currently available facts, existing technology, and presently enacted laws and regulations taking into consideration the likely effects of other societal and economic factors. These amounts also consider prior experience in remediating contaminated sites, other companies’ cleanup experience, and data released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other organizations. The Company’s environmental liabilities represent a combination of two estimation methodologies. First, the most likely estimate method is used when a scenario, similar grouping, or cluster of outcomes have an </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">outcome probability that is significantly greater than all other outcomes. Otherwise, the expected value estimate method is used. Both estimation methodologies use a Monte Carlo simulation that considers distributions for variable quantities and cost factors that have significant impact to the overall cost estimates. Estimates are subject to revision in future periods based on actual costs or new circumstances. The Company capitalizes costs that benefit future periods and recognizes a current period expense when cleanup efforts do not benefit future periods. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had an environmental liability of $5.6 million and $5.4 million respectively. </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company evaluates any amounts paid directly or reimbursed by government-sponsored programs and potential recoveries or reimbursements of remediation costs from third parties, including insurance coverage, separately from the Company’s environmental liabilities. Recovery is evaluated based on the creditworthiness or solvency of the third party, among other factors. When recovery is assured, the Company records and reports an asset separately from the associated liability on the balance sheets.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(i)    Debt Issuance Costs</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Costs related to the issuance of debt are deferred and amortized using the effective-interest rate method over the term of the related debt.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company amortizes premiums and discounts incurred in connection with the issuance of debt consistent with the terms of the respective debt instrument.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(j)    Income Taxes</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. This method requires the recognition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates at the balance sheet date that are anticipated to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Changes to these balances are recognized in income in the period during which they occur, except for changes in balances subject to rate-regulated accounting, which are recorded as regulatory liabilities or assets.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company is party to a federal tax-sharing agreement with TCPL USA. The Company is included in a consolidated federal return filed by TCPL USA but determines its current tax liability as if a separate return is filed. Pursuant to the tax-sharing agreement, the Company settles its tax liability/benefit with TCPL USA. For states that require combined/consolidated returns, the Company is included with certain TC Energy affiliates and settles its tax liabilities/benefit with TCPL USA. For all other state returns, the Company files and pays its tax liabilities directly to the taxing jurisdictions. The Company had a federal tax related receivable from TCPL USA of $1.6 million and a payable due to TCPL USA of $17.7 million, at year end December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company evaluates its tax positions for all jurisdictions and for all years where the statute of limitations has not expired to meet a more-likely-than-not threshold (i.e., greater than a 50% likelihood of a tax position being sustained under examination) prior to recording a benefit for its tax positions. Additionally, for tax positions meeting this more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount of benefit is limited to the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% probability of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(k)    Fair Value Measurements</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">For cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and certain accrued expenses, the carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short maturities of these instruments. For long-term debt instruments fair value is estimated based upon the market values (if applicable) or on the current interest rates available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. Judgment is required in developing these estimates.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(4)    Income Taxes</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(a)    Components of Income Taxes</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following table reflects the components of income tax expense included in income for the years ended December 31:</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:75.148%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:51.969%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:3.652%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.701%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.374%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.704%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(In thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Current:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Federal</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">49,300 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">49,765 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">State</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">18,346 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">11,936 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 61pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total current expense</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">67,646</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">61,701</span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Deferred:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Federal</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">18,772 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">19,450 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">State</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9,156 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3,210 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 61pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total deferred expense</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">27,928</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">22,660 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total income tax expense</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">95,574 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">84,361 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:3pt double #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(b)    Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company’s income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% at December 31:</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:83.333%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:61.221%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.292%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.328%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.121%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.438%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(In thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Income tax expense at the statutory federal rate of 21%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">85,064 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">74,311 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">17,301 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10,022 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Unrecognized Tax Benefits</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4,426 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,944 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">U.S. Tax Reform</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(9,418)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,107 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">AFUDC</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(2,446)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(3,332)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other, net</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">647 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">309 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">         Income Tax Expense</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">95,574</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">84,361</span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Effective tax rate</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">23.6 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">23.8 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td></tr></table></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(c)    Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following are the components of the net deferred tax liability at December 31: </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:89.434%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:59.465%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.893%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.538%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.963%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.541%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(In thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Deferred tax liabilities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Property, plant and equipment</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">590,124 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">555,358 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Regulatory assets</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">17,015 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">15,435 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,661 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">733 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 43pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total deferred tax liabilities</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">608,800 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">571,526 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Deferred tax assets</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Regulatory liabilities</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">64,620 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">68,982 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Environmental liability</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,626 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,584 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">217 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,377 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 43pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total deferred tax assets</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">66,463 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">72,943 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net deferred tax liability</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">542,337 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">498,583 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(d)    Unrecognized Tax Benefits</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company has recognized an increase in 2023 and 2022 in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits that when recognized affects the effective rate on income from continuing operations. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of total unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:89.434%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:59.465%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.893%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.538%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.963%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.541%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(In thousands)</span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance at January 1</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9,013 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,069 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Increase related to prior year tax positions</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3,952 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">28 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Increase related to current year tax positions</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,807 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,916 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Lapse of statute of limitations</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(1,333)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance at December 31</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">13,439 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9,013 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company accounts for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of its provision for federal and state income taxes. The Company accrued an expense of $0.2 million and $0.6 million for interest and penalties at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company had $1.9 million and $1.7 million of accrued taxes for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. The Company is included in a consolidated federal return filed by TCPL USA, which is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for 2020 and subsequent years. In most cases, the Company’s state income tax returns are open to audit under the statute of limitations for 2018 and subsequent tax years. The Company does not expect any significant changes to its unrecognized tax positions within the 12 months following the 2023 reporting period. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(5)    Commitments and Contingencies</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(a)    Contingencies</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company is subject to various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The accounting for contingencies covers a variety of business activities, including contingencies for legal and environmental liabilities. The Company accrues for these contingencies when the assessments indicate that it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset will not be recovered and an amount can be reasonably estimated in accordance with ASC 450, </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Contingencies</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">. The Company bases these estimates on currently available facts and estimates of the ultimate outcomes or resolution. Actual results may vary from estimates resulting in an impact, positive or negative, on results of operations and cash flows. Other than those reflected in this section, the Company is not aware of any contingent liabilities that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(b)    Legal Proceedings</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company is not aware of any material legal liabilities as of December 31, 2023. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(c)    Regulatory Matters</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The FERC regulates the rates and charges for transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce. Natural gas companies may not charge rates that have been determined to be unjust and unreasonable by the FERC. Generally, rates for interstate pipelines are based on the cost of service, including recovery of and a return on the pipeline’s actual prudent historical cost investment. The rates and terms and conditions for service are found in each pipeline’s FERC-approved tariff. Under its tariff, an interstate pipeline is allowed to charge for its services on the basis of stated transportation rates. Transportation rates are established periodically in FERC proceedings known as rate cases. The tariff also allows the interstate pipeline to provide services under negotiated and discounted rates.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company operated under rates established through a 2016 FERC-approved rate settlement until July 31, 2022. To meet terms of the 2016 settlement, on January 28, 2022, the Company filed a Section 4 Rate Case with FERC under FERC Docket No. RP22-501-000 requesting an increase to maximum transportation and storage rates. In December 2022 the Company filed a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (2022 ANR Settlement) with FERC. The 2022 ANR Settlement reflects the agreement of the Company, its customers and FERC staff to resolve all outstanding issues pertaining to the original rate case filing in January 2022 and was effective August 2022. The 2022 ANR Settlement received FERC approval on April 11, 2023. As part of the settlement, there is a moratorium on any further rate changes until November 1, 2025. The Company must file for new rates with an effective date no later than August 1, 2028. The settlement also included an additional rate step up effective August 2024 related to certain modernization projects. In the second quarter 2023, all previously accrued rate refund liabilities as discussed in Note 3(g) – Revenue Recognition, including interest, were refunded to customers. </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Transporter’s Use Adjustment Mechanism, FERC Docket No. RP23-543 et al.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">On March 1, 2023, the Company filed to comply with the annual fuel and EPC re-determination provisions of Sections 6.1.86 and 6.34 of the General terms and Conditions of its FERC Gas Tariff. On March 24, 2023, FERC issued an Order which accepted the Company’s revised Transporter’s Use percentages and EPC charges effective April 1, 2023. </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Cashout Mechanism, FERC Docket No. RP23-732 et al.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">On April 28, 2023, the Company made its annual filing to establish its Cashout Price Surcharge pursuant to the Cashout provisions of its FERC Gas Tariff. The Cashout Price Surcharge was set at a negative rate of ($0.0013) based upon Cashout revenues in excess of costs totaling $2,981,366. On May 25, 2023, FERC issued an Order which accepted the Cashout Price Surcharge effective June 1, 2023.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Credit of Penalty Charges, FERC Docket No. RP24-33 et al. </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">On October 9, 2023, the Company filed a Penalty Revenue Crediting Report (“Report”), pursuant to section 6.31 of the General Terms and Conditions of its FERC Gas tariff, showing the penalty revenues credited to Eligible Credit Shippers each month of the twelve-month period ending three (3) months prior to the penalty revenue account determination date of July 1, 2023. As detailed in Appendix A to the Report, the Company credited a total of $2,393,417.05 in penalty revenues, inclusive of interest, to its Eligible Credit Shippers for the twelve (12) month period ending March 31, 2023. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(d)    Environmental Matters</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Matter</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company has been designated as one of a number of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP) at a CERCLA site. On March 28, 2011, the Company, as part of a PRP Group, entered into a Consent Decree to perform certain remedial activities. The activities include, but are not limited to, performing the remedial measures specified in the Consent Decree within a certain time period, as well as providing sufficient financial assurance among all the PRPs to ensure the remediation can be completed. Each PRP provides contributions to a working trust to cover the expected total cost of its collective obligations under the Consent Decree, which currently remains at approximately $33 million. The Company has been assessed and paid $2.2 million since the time the Consent Decree was entered into and has accrued $0.3 million</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> in 2022 and an additional $0.8 million in 2023 for a $1.1 million assessment which was paid on March 22, 2024</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">. The Company has sought to mitigate its liability as a PRP at this site through settlement negotiation of the Consent Decree. Nonetheless, because the general liability scheme under CERCLA is joint and several, the Company could eventually be required to pay in excess of its pro rata share of assessment and remediation costs. The financial strength of other PRPs has been considered, where appropriate, in estimating the Company’s liabilities. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(e)    Purchase Obligations</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company has entered into unconditional purchase obligations for storage and transportation services totaling $429.3 million at December 31, 2023. </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The table below summarizes the Company’s annual obligations under these agreements (in thousands):</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:60.119%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:68.206%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:4.840%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:23.654%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">     Year ending December 31:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 31pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2024</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">115,107 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 31pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2025</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">90,707 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 31pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2026</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">62,127 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 31pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2027</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">23,953 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 31pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2028</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">23,772 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 31pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Thereafter</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">113,654 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 37pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">429,320 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(f)    Leases</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company accounts for leases in accordance with Docket No. AI19-1-000 which permits the Company to record operating leases that may be capitalized under U.S. GAAP in the FERC balance sheet accounts that have already been established for capital lease assets and liabilities. Docket No AI19-1-000 did not impact any existing ratemaking treatment or practices and all other provisions of regulatory lease accounting are not affected. The amounts in balance sheet accounts that are related to operating leases at December 31 are as follows:</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:89.434%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:59.465%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.893%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.538%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.963%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.541%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(In thousands)</span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Property Under Capital Leases (101.1)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">447 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accumulated Provision for Depreciation (108)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">402 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Obligations Under Capital Leases - Current (243)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">45 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(g)    Other Commercial Commitments</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company holds cancelable easements or rights-of-way arrangements from landowners permitting the use of land for the construction and operation of the Company’s pipeline system. Currently, the Company’s obligations under these easements are not material to its results of operations. </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(6)    Long Term Debt</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company’s long term debt outstanding consisted of the following at December 31:</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:89.434%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:59.465%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.893%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.538%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.963%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.541%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(In thousands)</span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7.375% debentures due February 2024</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">125,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">125,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7.000% debentures due June 2025</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,484 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,484 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4.140% debentures due June 2026</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">240,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">240,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.260% debentures due May 2029</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7.15pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.85pt;vertical-align:baseline"> (1)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">100,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">100,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.430% debentures due May 2032</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7.15pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.85pt;vertical-align:baseline"> (1)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">300,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">300,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.580% debentures due May 2034 </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7.15pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.85pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">200,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">200,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3.730% debentures due May 2037 </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:7.15pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.85pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">200,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">200,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,172,484 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,172,484 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="padding-left:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Less: Current maturities of long-term debt</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">125,000 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 19pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">          Total long-term debt, net</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,047,484 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,172,484 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-13.5pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> On April 22, 2022 the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement securing $800 million of senior unsecured notes for the Company across four tranches (Series A, B, C and D) with a weighted average term of 11.4 years and a weighted average borrowing rate of 3.52%. Each Series do not require a principal payment until maturity. Proceeds were used to pay down the Company’s $1,008.8 million demand loan payable balance. The transaction closed and funded on May 26, 2022.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(7)    Fair Value Measurements</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(a)    Fair Value Hierarchy</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Under ASC 820, </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Fair Value Measurement</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">, fair value measurements are characterized in one of three levels based upon the input used to arrive at the measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:108pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">• Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:108pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">• 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.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:108pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">• Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">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.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(b)    Fair Value of Financial Instruments</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2023 and 2022. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:78.125%"><tr><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.466%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:33.757%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:1.947%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.661%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.657%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.661%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.704%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.661%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.519%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:11.667%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Carrying</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Carrying</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">amount</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Fair value</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">amount</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Fair value</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="21" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(In thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Financial assets:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash and cash equivalents</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">0</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">0</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">17</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">17</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Demand loan receivable</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">105,872</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">105,872</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">70,639</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">70,639</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Financial liabilities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Long-term debt</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,172,484</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,073,207</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,172,484</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,038,203</span></div></td></tr></table></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments measured on a recurring basis:</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these investments.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Demand loan receivable – The carrying amount of the demand loan receivable approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these investments.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Long term debt – The fair value of notes and debentures was estimated based on quoted market prices for the same or similar debt instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities, which is classified as Level 2 in the “Fair Value Hierarchy,” where the fair value is determined by using valuation techniques that refer to observable market data. The Company presently intends to maintain the current schedule of maturities for its debentures, which will result in no gains or losses on repayment.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(c)    Other Recurring Fair Value Measurements</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of other items measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:83.928%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:38.084%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:1.914%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:12.375%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.686%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:12.375%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.218%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:12.375%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:12.378%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Carrying</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Carrying</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">amount</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Fair value</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">amount</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Fair value</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="21" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(In thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Affiliate natural gas imbalance asset</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,139</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,139</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8,383</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8,383</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Natural gas imbalance asset</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,732</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">5,732</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">28,265</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">28,265</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Affiliate natural gas imbalance liability</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,311</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,311</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,192</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,192</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Natural gas imbalance liability</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">23,011</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">23,011</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">45,425</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">45,425</span></div></td></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Natural Gas Imbalances – Natural gas imbalances represent the difference between the amount of natural gas delivered to or received from a pipeline system and the amount of natural gas scheduled to be delivered or received at current market prices. We value these imbalances by applying the difference between the measured quantities of natural gas delivered to or received from our shippers and operators to a monthly average rate calculated using the same spot price indices as the Company’s FERC approved cashout mechanism. We have classified the fair value of natural gas imbalances as a Level 2 in the “Fair Value Hierarchy,” as the valuation approach includes quoted prices in the market index and observable volumes for the imbalance.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(8)    Transactions with Major Customer</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following table shows revenues from the Company’s major customers comprising more than 10% of the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31:</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:85.416%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:30.258%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.761%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:13.011%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.064%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:13.011%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.890%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.761%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:13.011%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.716%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:13.017%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Amount</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Percentage of total</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Amount</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:middle"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Percentage of total</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="24" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(In thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">WEC Energy Group</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">139,156</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">14.9%</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">132,474</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">15.3%</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Antero Resources Corp</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">103,696</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">11.1%</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">112,882</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">13.0%</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Ascent Resources - Utica</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">94,593</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10.1%</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">106,163</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">12.2%</span></div></td></tr></table></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(9)    Supplemental Cash Flow Information</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:79.017%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:55.962%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.101%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:17.167%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.101%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:17.169%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(In thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Interest paid, net of capitalized interest</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">45,498</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">27,773</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Income taxes paid</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">87,701</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">83,824</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accruals for property, plant and equipment</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">78,586</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">97,618</span></div></td></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(10)    Transactions with Affiliated Companies</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(a)    Cash Management Program</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company and its subsidiaries participate in TC Energy’s cash management program, through TC Energy's subsidiary TCPL USA, which matches short term cash surpluses and needs of participating affiliates, thus minimizing total borrowings from outside sources. Monies advanced under the program are considered loans, accruing interest and repayable on demand. The Company receives interest on monies advanced to TCPL USA at the rate of interest earned by TCPL USA on its short-term cash investments. The Company pays interest on monies advanced from TCPL USA based on TCPL USA's short-term borrowing costs. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had a demand loan receivable balance from TCPL USA of $105.9 million and $70.6 million, respectively.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(b)    Gas Storage Assets Acquisition</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">On October 1, 2019, the Company filed with FERC in Docket No. CP20-1 a request for authorization to acquire certain natural gas storage assets valued at approximately $1.6 million and currently leased by the Company from an affiliate Mid Michigan Gas Storage Company (Mid Michigan). Specifically, the Company requested authorization to 1) abandon the existing lease agreements with Mid Michigan to remove Mid Michigan as owner and lessor; 2) change the Company from lessee to owner of the subject assets; and 3) establish a new interim lease arrangement with Mid Michigan related to the Mid Michigan owned base gas in the subject </span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">storage fields. On March 19, 2020, FERC issued its Order Issuing Certificate and Approving Abandonment, granting the Company’s October 1, 2019 requests. Following the Company’s acceptance of the certificate, on April 24, 2020, the Company filed with FERC its notification of an April 21, 2020 effective date of 1) the abandonment of the lease arrangements with Mid Michigan; 2) the acquisition of the associated storage assets; and 3) the execution of the new interim lease with Mid Michigan for the base gas in the storage fields. On July 13, 2022, pursuant to Ordering Paragraph B of the March 19 Order, the Company filed its sixteenth and final Notification of Base Gas Purchase Transactions which completed the required purchase of 35.2 MMdth of base gas for $127.3 million.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">On October 11, 2022, FERC issued its Order approving abandonment of the interim lease arrangement with Mid Michigan. On October 20, 2022, pursuant to Ordering Paragraph A of the October 11 Order, ANR notified the FERC the interim lease was deemed abandoned effective June 30, 2022.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(c)    Affiliate Revenues and Expenses</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Great Lakes Gas Transmission Limited Partnership (GLGT), a TC Energy subsidiary, provides the Company transportation capacity under contracts and lease agreements, the longest of which extends through 2043. The Company also has natural gas storage contracts with another TC Energy affiliate Blue Lake Gas Storage Company, and ANR Storage Company a TC Energy subsidiary. The Company’s contracts with Blue Lake Gas Storage Company cover a total capacity of 36 Bcf of natural gas storage through March 2026. The Company’s contracts with ANR Storage Company cover a total capacity of 33 Bcf of natural gas storage through March 2025. Transportation and storage costs are recorded as operating expenses. The Company also may provide other affiliates transportation and storage services under terms that are the same as those provided to nonaffiliated parties. In addition, the Company contracts with ANR Storage Company to provide condensate processing services for condensate recovered from the Company’s storage operations. Proceeds from ANR Storage Company for the sale of the condensate generated from processing are recorded by the Company as revenues from affiliates.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company is charged by TC Energy for services such as legal, tax, treasury, human resources, other administrative functions, and for other costs incurred on its behalf. These include, but are not limited to, employee benefit costs and property and liability insurance costs. These costs are based on direct assignment to the extent practicable, or by using allocation methods that are reasonable reflections of the utilization of services provided to or for the benefits received by the Company.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The Company provides operational and/or administrative services to a TC Energy affiliates Eaton Rapids Gas Storage, Blue Lake Gas Storage Company, ANR Storage Company, GLGT, and other affiliates. Service costs are based on direct assignment to the extent practicable, or by using allocation methods that are reasonable reflections of the utilization of services provided to or for the benefits received by the affiliates. The Company records the amounts received for these services as a reimbursement of operating expenses and revenues from affiliates in the case of rent charged for use of office space.</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The following table shows revenues and charges from/to the Company’s affiliates for the years ended December 31:</span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:72pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:85.267%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:61.029%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.417%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.828%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.196%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.830%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2023</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2022</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(In thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Revenues from affiliates</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">16,443</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">23,680</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Costs charged from affiliates</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">238,115</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">222,166</span></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Reimbursement of operating expenses charged to affiliates</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">37,629</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#ffffff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-align:right"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">56,120</span></div></td></tr></table></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">(11)    Subsequent Events</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company repaid it’s $125 million 7.375% debentures, and the accrued interest of $4.6 million, due February 2024 on February 15, 2024.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company paid a $1.1 million assessment to the working trust for the CERCLA site on March 22, 2024. </span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Subsequent events have been assessed through April 11, 2024, which is the date the financial statements were issued, and we concluded there were no events or transactions during this period that would require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements other than those disclosed here and/or in the preceding notes.</span></div>


entity_id: C001031
filing_name: Discovery_Gas_Transmission_LLC_form2_Q4_1713221033
publication_time: 2024-04-15 22:43:53.000000
start_date: 2023-01-01
end_date: 2023-12-31
disclosure_of_important_disclosures_regarding_the_financial_statements_text_block:
  <div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">1. Organization and Description of Business</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Discovery Gas Transmission LLC (DGT), a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Discovery Producer Services LLC (DPS), was formed on June 24, 1996, for the purpose of constructing and operating a natural gas pipeline from offshore deep water in the Gulf of Mexico to supply DPS’s gas processing plant in Larose, Louisiana.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">DPS is owned 60% by Williams Field Services Group, LLC (WFSG) (a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams Companies, Inc.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">(WMB)),</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">and 40% by DCP Assets Holding, LP (DCP) (a wholly owned subsidiary of DCP Midstream, LP).</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Herein, DGT is referred to in the first person as “we,” “us”, or “our” and sometimes as “the Company.”</span></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Basis of Presentation </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The financial statements have been prepared based upon the accounting regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 18, Part 201, and The Uniform System of Accounts, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Therefore, these financial statements contain certain differences from financial statements prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, including account classification, use of FERC-prescribed depreciation rates, deferral of certain hurricane mitigation and reliability related costs, impairment of long-lived assets, and presentation of income taxes. </span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Use of Estimates</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting regulations of the FERC requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Estimates and assumptions used in the calculation of asset retirement obligations and in evaluating the realizability of deferred tax assets are, in the opinion of management, significant to the underlying amounts included in the financial statements. It is reasonably possible that future events or information could change those estimates.</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:133%">Cash and Cash Equivalents</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash and cash equivalents</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> in our Consolidated Balance Sheet consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when acquired.</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:133%">Customer Accounts Receivable</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accounts receivable are carried on a gross basis, with no discounting, less an allowance for doubtful accounts. We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts, considering current expected credit losses using a forward-looking “expected loss” model, the financial condition of our customers, and the age of past due accounts. The majority of our trade receivable balances are due within 30 days. We monitor the credit quality of our counterparties through review of collection trends, credit ratings, and other analyses, such as bankruptcy monitoring. Financial assets from our natural gas transmission business and gathering and transportation business are segregated into separate pools for evaluation due to different counterparty risks inherent in each business. Changes in counterparty risk factors could lead to reassessment of the composition of our financial assets as separate pools or the need for additional pools. We calculate our allowance for credit losses incorporating an aging method. In estimating our expected credit losses, we utilize historical loss rates over many years, which include periods of both high and low commodity prices. Commodity prices could have a significant impact on a portion of our gathering and processing counterparties’ financial health and ability to satisfy current liabilities. Our expected credit loss estimate considers both internal and external forward-looking commodity price expectations, as well as counterparty credit ratings, and factors impacting their near-term liquidity. In addition, our expected credit loss estimate considers potential contractual, physical, and commercial protections and outcomes in the case of a counterparty bankruptcy. The physical location and nature of our services help to mitigate collectability concerns of our gathering, processing, and transportation producer customers. Our gathering lines in many cases are physically connected to the customers’ wellheads and pads, and there may not be alternative gathering lines nearby. The construction of gathering systems is capital intensive and it would be costly for others to replicate, especially considering the depletion to date of the associated reserves. As a result, we play a critical role in getting customers’ production from the wellhead to a marketable condition and location.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">This tends to reduce collectability risk as our services enable producers to generate operating cash flows. We do not offer extended payment terms and typically receive payment within one month. We consider receivables past due if full payment is not received by the contractual due date. We do not charge interest on past due receivables. Past due accounts are generally written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts only after all collection attempts have been exhausted</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">. </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">There was no allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">We do not have a material amount of significantly aged receivables at December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:133%">Gas Imbalances</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">In the course of providing transportation services to customers, we may receive different quantities of gas from shippers than the quantities delivered on behalf of those shippers. This results in gas transportation imbalance receivables and payables which are recovered or repaid in cash, based on market-based prices, or through the receipt or delivery of gas in the future. Imbalance receivables and payables are included in Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Assets and Other Current Liabilities in the Balance Sheets. Imbalance receivables which are recovered through receipt of gas in the future are valued based on the lower of the current market prices or weighted average cost of natural gas in the system. Imbalance payables are valued at current market prices. Settlement of imbalances requires agreement between the pipelines and shippers as to allocations of volumes to specific transportation contracts and the timing of delivery of gas based on operational conditions. Pursuant to a settlement with our shippers issued by the FERC on February 5, 2008, to streamline the process, if a cash-out refund is due and payable to a shipper during any year pursuant to our FERC Gas Tariff, shipper will be deemed to have immediately assigned its right to the refund amount to us.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The cash-out balance on December 31, 2023, is $329,000; it will be held in Miscellaneous Current and Accrued Liabilities until approved by the FERC.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The cash-out balance as of December 31, 2022, was $2.5 million and filed with FERC on April 28, 2023.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Property, Plant and Equipment</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Property, plant, and equipment is recorded at cost. We base the carrying value of these assets on estimates, assumptions, and judgments relative to capitalized costs, useful lives, and salvage values. The natural gas and natural gas liquids maintained in the pipeline facilities necessary for their operation (line fill) are included in property, plant, and equipment. Gains or losses from the retirement of property, plant and equipment are credited or charged to accumulated depreciation. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The provision for depreciation of DGT transmission and market expansion lines, respectively, is a straight-line method rate of 1.48% and 3.56%, based on the terms of the approved 2008 settlement agreement.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The DGT junction assets were placed in service on February 1, 2015. The FERC approved levelized depreciation rates on the DGT junction assets.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">These rates were designed to have lower than straight-line depreciation in the early years and higher than straight-line depreciation in the later years. The difference between the straight-line average rate and the levelized rate, which include an allowance for negative salvage, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 is the related regulatory asset of $33.7 million and $30.6 million, respectively.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Amortization of the regulatory asset of $3.1 million and $3.3 million was recorded to the income statement as a regulatory credit in 2023 and 2022, respectively.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We record an asset and a liability equal to the present value of each expected future asset retirement obligation (ARO). We base the calculation of this obligation on estimates, assumptions, and judgments relative to retirement costs and dates.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The ARO asset is depreciated in a manner consistent with the depreciation of the underlying physical asset. We measure changes in the liability due to passage of time by applying an interest method of allocation. This amount is recognized as an increase in the carrying amount of the liability and as a corresponding accretion expense included in operating income.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Relative to the DGT junction assets, the impact of depreciation expense and accretion expense is removed with a regulatory credit and offsetting regulatory asset to reflect the future recovery from shippers. The amount is amortized to expense following the negative salvage and levelized depreciation rates.</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Allowance for Funds Used During Construction</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) represents the estimated cost of borrowed and equity funds applicable to utility plant in the process of construction and is included as a cost of property, plant, and equipment because it constitutes an actual cost of construction under established regulatory practices. The AFUDC is being amortized over 25 years.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The FERC has prescribed a formula to be used in computing separate allowances for borrowed and equity AFUDC. There was no material allowance for borrowed funds or equity funds used during construction during 2023 and 2022.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Other Regulatory Assets and Liabilities</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Effective January 1, 2008, we changed our utility plant depreciation method from a levelized rate depreciation to a straight-line rate depreciation method as a result of a FERC-approved 2008 rate case settlement. Other regulatory liabilities consist of the difference between the cumulative depreciation expense using a straight-line depreciation method and the levelized rates through the date of the change. Our regulatory assets primarily consist of the deferred tax on AFUDC (see Note 4). Pursuant to the 2008 rate case, these balances are amortized using a straight-line rate method over the remaining life of the asset. </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Effective February 1, 2015, we began applying a levelized rate depreciation and negative salvage method related to certain assets placed into service at that time. The negative salvage component is intended to allow us to recover expected asset retirement costs associated with those assets. The levelized method serves to defer depreciation expense associated with those assets and accretion expense associated with the related asset retirement obligations. We record a non-current regulatory asset to account for this deferral.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Revenue Recognition </span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Customers for our service revenues are primarily of oil and natural gas producers. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service (or integrated package of goods or services) to the customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue, when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. A performance obligation is distinct if the service is separately identifiable from other items in the integrated package of services and if a customer can benefit from it on its own or with other resources that are readily available to the customer. An integrated package of services typically represents a single performance obligation if the services are contained within the same contract or within multiple contracts entered into in contemplation with one another that are highly interdependent or highly interrelated, meaning each of the services is significantly affected by one or more of the other services in the contract. Our service revenue contracts contain a series of distinct services, with the majority of our contracts having a single performance obligation that is satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by our performance. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Our revenues include contracts for natural gas transportation, and other related services with contract terms that are generally long-term in nature and may extend up to the production life of the associated reservoir. As such, revenue is recognized at the daily completion of the integrated package of services as the integrated package represents a single performance obligation. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We generally earn a contractually stated fee per unit for the volume of product transported. The rates are fixed. </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">For all of our contracts, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Company is subject to FERC regulations, and accordingly, certain revenues collected may be subject to possible refunds upon final orders in pending rate proceedings. We record estimates of rate refund liabilities considering DGT and other third-party regulatory proceedings, advice of counsel, and estimated total exposure as discounted and risk weighted, as well as collection and other risks. There were no rate refund liabilities accrued, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Accounting for Repair and Maintenance Costs</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">DGT accounts for repair and maintenance costs under the guidance of FERC regulations. The FERC identifies installation, construction and replacement costs that are to be capitalized. All other costs are expensed as incurred.</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Income Taxes</span></div><div style="padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">For federal tax purposes, DPS has elected to be treated as a partnership with each member being separately taxed on its ratable share of DPS’s taxable income. This election, to be treated as a pass-through entity, also applies to us as its wholly owned subsidiary. However, income taxes are a cost component used in determining our transportation rates allowed by the FERC. Accordingly, we record a current and deferred tax provision and related balance sheet amounts (calculated as if for a separately taxable corporation) to represent the member’s liability. Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) No. 740, </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Income Taxes</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">, requires that a deferred tax liability (asset) be recorded to reflect the tax provision expense (benefit) resulting from the recognition of temporary differences. Temporary differences are differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in differences between income for tax purposes and income for financial statement purposes in future years.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Management’s judgment and certain income tax assumptions are used to determine the levels, if any, of valuation allowances associated with deferred tax assets.</span></div><div style="margin-top:10pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">3. Related Party Transactions</span></div><div style="margin-top:10pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We have the following related party transactions with WMB, DCP, and subsidiaries of DCP and WMB, respectively:</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%;padding-left:13.8pt">We have no employees. </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Pipeline operations are performed under a pipeline operations and maintenance agreement with WFSG.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Under this agreement, WFSG is reimbursed for direct payroll and employee benefit costs incurred on our behalf. </span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%;padding-left:13.8pt">We pay WFSG a monthly operation and management fee to cover the cost of commercial services, accounting and financial analysis, legal services, gas management and control, engineering, and technical services, environmental, health and safety services, computer systems, and management services provided to us.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%;padding-left:13.8pt">We pay WFSG a project management fee to cover the cost of managing capital projects.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">This fee is determined on a project-by-project basis.</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%;padding-left:13.8pt">We pay Williams for our direct share of insurance coverage under Williams’ policy.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%;padding-left:13.8pt">We have a compression services agreement with DPS as part of the agreement to service our market expansion points.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The agreement began in July 2003 with a five-year term and renews on a year-to-year basis thereafter with 90 days cancellation notice.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The fee is adjusted annually by a labor index.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We have a pipeline capacity agreement with DPS which began in December 2006 with initial term of 13 months and thereafter year to year with 30 days cancellation notice. </span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%;padding-left:13.8pt">We enter into natural gas purchase and sale transactions to meet pipeline and plant requirements and to settle the cash out provisions in the operating balancing agreement with DPS. In 2023 and 2022, DPS purchased $1.3 million and $3.8 million, respectively, for cash out provisions.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">This related agreement covers imbalances created between our pipeline and DPS’s Larose processing plant.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We had accounts payable of $400,000 and $1.9 million from DPS as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The operating expenses and capitalized charges associated with these transactions are summarized in the following table:</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:90.773%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:62.998%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.342%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.129%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.131%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Years Ended December 31,</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Operation expenses:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Payroll Costs</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,136 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,789 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Management and Project Fees</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,611 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,396 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Compression Rental Expense</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">3,084 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,946 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Insurance Expense</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">761 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">649 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Pipeline Capacity Rental</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">900 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">900 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">4. Provision for Income Taxes </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Reconciliations from the provision (benefit) for income taxes at the federal statutory rate to the provision for income taxes for the years ended as follow:</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:90.773%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:62.998%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.342%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.129%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.131%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Thousands)</span></td></tr><tr style="height:6pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Provision at Statutory Rate:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,046 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,643 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">State Income Taxes</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">148 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">231 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Other</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Change in Tax Rate</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(152)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Increases (Reductions) in Provision Resulting from:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 14.5pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Change in Valuation Allowance</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(86)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">6,116 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Provision (benefit) for Income Taxes</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,109 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,839 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr style="height:11pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Provision for income taxes includes:</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:90.625%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:63.103%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.184%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.156%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.157%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Current:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 14.5pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Federal</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 14.5pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">State</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">44 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">49 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">44 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">49 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Deferred:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 14.5pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Federal</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">921 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,738 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 14.5pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">State</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">143 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">52 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,064 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,790 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total Provision/(Benefit)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,108 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">7,839 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Significant components of deferred tax liabilities and assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:90.029%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:63.528%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.444%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.263%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:15.265%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Deferred Tax Liabilities:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Property, Plant, and Equipment and HMRE</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">49,540 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">48,900 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Regulatory Liability</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">196 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">231 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 37pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total Deferred Tax Liabilities</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">49,736 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">49,131 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Deferred Tax Assets:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accounts Payable</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">25 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">29 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Asset Retirement Obligation</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">9,754 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8,749 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Deferred Revenue</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">79 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">593 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Regulatory Liability - Levelized Depreciation</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">493 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">560 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net Operating Loss Carryforward</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">24,047 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">25,012 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 37pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total Deferred Tax Assets</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">34,398 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">34,943 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Valuation Allowance</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(18,350)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(18,436)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net Deferred Tax Assets</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">16,048 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">16,507 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Overall Net Deferred Tax Liabilities</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">33,688 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">32,624 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div style="text-align:justify;text-indent:36pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The FERC allows recovery of certain of these temporary differences, and accordingly, DGT has recorded a regulatory asset in the amount of $40.8 million and $37.1 million on December 31, 2023 and 2022 respectively.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">As of December 31, 2023, we had federal and state NOL carryforwards of approximately $103.5 million and $76.9 million, respectively. Approximately $8.1 million federal and all state NOLs have an indefinite carryforward period. All other NOLs will expire between 2024 and 2034.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Valuation allowances have been established that reduce the deferred tax assets to amounts that will more likely than not be utilized. Uncertainties that may affect the utilization of the loss carryforwards include future operating results, tax law changes and expiration of carryforward periods.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">5. Property, Plant, Equipment, and Intangible Assets </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:92.857%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:48.739%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:2.364%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.765%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.765%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.767%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Depreciation % Per Year</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Thousands)</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Property, Plant and Equipment:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Construction Work in Progress</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">19,259 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">11,139 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Land and Land Rights</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">816 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">816 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Transportation Lines</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">233,745 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">231,322 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1.48-3.56</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Junction</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">128,058 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">128,048 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">.91-2.5</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 10pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Equipment</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">17,245 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">17,254 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1.48-3.56</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total Property, Plant and Equipment</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">399,123 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">388,579 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Less Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">215,937 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">207,842 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net Property, Plant and Equipment</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">183,186 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">180,737 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div style="margin-top:10pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">A summary of our intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 as presented below:</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:92.857%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:48.739%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:2.105%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.765%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.765%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:14.126%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Asset Life</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><div style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Thousands)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gross Intangible Assets</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">475 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">475 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">10 Years</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Less Accumulated Amortization</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">443</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">367</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Net Intangible Assets</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">32 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">108 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:3pt double #000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Annual Amortization Expense on a Straight Line Basis</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">76 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">76 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Expected Amortization in Future Years:</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2024</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">32</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2025</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">0</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Total</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">32 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr></table></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We have asset retirement obligations related to our offshore pipelines and platform.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">At the end of the useful life, we are legally obligated to properly abandon the offshore pipelines and platform.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">A summary of our asset retirement obligation as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 is presented below.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:78.125%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:58.138%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:1.947%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:17.757%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:17.758%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-bottom:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(Thousands)</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance at January 1</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">36,509 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">34,479 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accretion Expense</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,070 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,927 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Estimate Revisions</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,128 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">New Obligations Incurred</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">104 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balance at December 31</span></td><td colspan="3" style="background-color:#bfe4ff;padding:0 1pt"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">40,707 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:8pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">36,510 </span></td><td style="background-color:#bfe4ff;border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">6. Financial Instruments and Concentrations of Credit Risk</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Fair Value of Financial Instruments</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Fair value is defined as the price which would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value are categorized based upon the level of judgement associated with the inputs used to measure their fair values.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">These categories include (in descending order of priority):</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Concentrations of Credit Risk</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Substantially all our accounts receivable result from gas transmission services provided to our largest customers as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">This concentration of customers may impact our overall credit risk either positively or negatively, in that these entities may be similarly affected by industry wide changes in economic or other conditions. As a general policy, collateral is not required for receivables, but customers’ financial condition and credit worthiness are evaluated regularly. Our credit policy and the relatively short duration of receivables mitigate the risk of uncollected receivables. We did not incur any credit losses on receivables during 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:133%">Major Customers</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">In 2023, revenues from Walter/Superior, Murphy and Anadarko represented approximately $3.9 million (14 percent), $3.0 million (11 percent), and $2.8 million (10 percent), respectively of our total revenues.</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:115%">In 2022, revenues from Walter/Superior, Spotlight Energy and Murphy represented approximately $5.2 million (15 percent), $3.6 million (11 percent), and $3.1 million (9 percent), respectively of our total revenues.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">7. Rate and Regulatory Matters and Contingent Liabilities</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:133%">Rate and Regulatory Matters. </span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Pursuant to the FERC 18 CFR § 154.403, Periodic Rate Adjustments, and DGT’s Rate Schedules FT-1, FT-2 and IT in its FERC Gas Tariff, DGT has the right to file, on an annual basis, a request with the FERC for a fuel lost-and-unaccounted-for gas (FL&amp;U) percentage (“the retention rate”) to be assessed shippers for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1. On June 1, 2022 the FL&amp;U retention rate assessed on gas received into DGT’s system remained at 0.0 percent per Dt commencing July 1, 2022. The retention rate was based on upon the actual fuel use, system loss and gas retained in 2021.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">No FERC filing was necessary as there was no change to the fuel retention rate in DGT’s tariff. On May 24, 2023, DGT filed to increase the FL&amp;U retention rate from 0.00 percent to 0.18 percent per Dt to be assessed on gas received into DGT’s system commencing July 1, 2023. The revised retention rate was based upon the actual fuel use, system loss and gas retained in 2022. On June 23, 2023 the FERC issued a letter order approving the requested retention rate.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span></div><div><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Pursuant the FERC 18 CFR § 154.403, Periodic Rate Adjustments, and DGT’s FERC Tariff, GT&amp;C, Section 27, DGT has the right to file, on an annual basis, a request to recover all capital costs and related operation and maintenance expenditures associated with Hurricane Mitigation and Reliability Enhancements (“HMRE Surcharge”) to be assessed shippers each January 1. On November 15, 2022, DGT filed its annual HMRE surcharge adjustment to increase its then current rate from $0.0009 per Dt to $0.0136 per Dt effective January 1, 2023.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The filing reflected an additional $2.4 million of qualifying HMRE costs to be recovered by the surcharge.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">As reflected in the application, the total HMRE amount to be recovered over future periods was $2.3 million as of September 30, 2022.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">The Commission approved the requested surcharge by letter order dated December 12, 2022. </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Calibri',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">On</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> November 15, 2023, DGT filed its annual HMRE surcharge adjustment to increase its then current rate from $0.0136 per Dt to $0.0144 per Dt effective January 1, 2024. The filing reflected an additional $1.3 million of qualifying HMRE costs to be recovered by the surcharge. As reflected in the application, the total HMRE amount to be recovered over future periods was $2 million as of September 30, 2023. The Commission approved the requested surcharge by letter order dated December 14, 2023.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Environmental Matters.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We are subject to extensive federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations which affect our operations related to the construction and operation of our facilities. Appropriate governmental authorities may enforce these laws and regulations with a variety of civil and criminal enforcement measures, including monetary penalties, assessment and remediation requirements and injunctions as to future compliance. We have not been notified and are not currently aware of any material noncompliance under the various environmental laws and regulations.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Other</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">A state government filed a claim against us alleging damages to protected marshland. It is reasonably possible that the ultimate resolution of this matter could result in a potential loss; however, we are in the early stages of the process and have no ability to reasonably estimate a range of potential exposure.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We are party to various other claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We estimate that, for all matters for which we are able to reasonably estimate a range of loss, our aggregate reasonably possible losses beyond amounts accrued for all of our contingent liabilities are immaterial to our expected future annual results of operations, liquidity, and financial position.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">These estimations have been made without consideration of any potential recovery from third parties.</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%"> </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">There are no significant matters for which we are unable to reasonably estimate a range of possible loss.</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Commitments</span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Commitments for construction and acquisition of property, plant, and equipment were $19.3 million at December 31, 2023.</span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:115%">8. Subsequent Event</span></div><div style="padding-left:36pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span><br/></span></div><div style="text-align:justify"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Times New Roman',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">We evaluated our disclosure of subsequent events through April 15, 2024 the date that our financial statements were issued.</span></div>


entity_id: C000229
filing_name: Trailblazer_Pipeline_Company_LLC_form2_Q4_1712793309
publication_time: 2024-04-10 23:55:09.000000
start_date: 2023-01-01
end_date: 2023-12-31
disclosure_of_important_disclosures_regarding_the_financial_statements_text_block:
  <div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">1. Description of Business</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer Pipeline Company LLC ("Trailblazer") is a Delaware limited liability company that owns and operates a 465-mile pipeline system and is engaged in the transmission of natural gas for others in interstate commerce from Colorado through southeastern Wyoming to Beatrice, Nebraska.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The sole member of Trailblazer is Tallgrass MLP Operations, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tallgrass Energy Partners, LP ("TEP").</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Basis of Presentation</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with the accounting requirements of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") as set forth in its applicable Uniform System of Accounts and published accounting releases, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Use of Estimates</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Certain amounts included in or affecting these financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated, requiring management to make certain assumptions with respect to values or conditions which cannot be known with certainty at the time the financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported for assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses during the reporting period, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Management evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis, utilizing historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods it considers reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates. These estimates and other factors, including those outside of Trailblazer's control, such as the impact of commodity price volatility associated with global economic factors, could have a significant adverse impact on its business, financial position, or results of operations. Any impact of revisions to these estimates is recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Cash Equivalents and Supplemental Cash Flow Information</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Non-cash investing activities during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 include accruals of property, plant, and equipment of $0.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accounts Receivable and Reserves for Credit Losses</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Current expected credit losses for trade receivables are estimated using a combination of the probability-of-default methodology and review of aging schedules. Trade receivables are measured collectively, with customers grouped on the basis of their credit profile and line of business, and consideration is given to individual receivables that may have different risk profiles. Probability of default rates are assigned to customers based on actual credit ratings or estimated ratings based on available financial metrics. Outstanding receivables are periodically reviewed and for any specific receivables deemed uncollectible, a reserve for current expected credit losses is recorded. Trailblazer’s reserve for current expected credit losses totaled $0.4 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Fuel Recovery Mechanism</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer obtains natural gas quantities from its shippers as reimbursement for fuel consumed at compressor stations and other locations on its system, as well as for natural gas quantities lost and otherwise unaccounted for, in accordance with its tariff and applicable contract terms. Trailblazer tracks the volume and value of associated over- or under-collections of fuel and lost and unaccounted for quantities through a tracking mechanism referred to as "fuel tracker." Those amounts are recorded as an addition or reduction to a regulatory asset or liability balance representing the amounts to be recovered from or refunded to customers through the fuel tracker mechanisms. Fuel tracker volumes are valued using an average monthly index price.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accounting for Regulatory Activities</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Regulatory assets and liabilities represent probable future revenues or expenses to Trailblazer associated with certain charges and credits that will be recovered from or refunded to customers through the ratemaking process. Trailblazer recorded $0.5 million and $1.4 million in regulatory assets (Account 182.3, Other Regulatory Assets) at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which were primarily attributable to costs associated with Trailblazer's fuel and power trackers and the FERC annual charge adjustment. Trailblazer recorded regulatory liabilities (Account 254, Other Regulatory Liabilities) of $2.6 million and $4.6 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to Trailblazer's fuel and power trackers and regulatory liabilities associated with the remeasurement of Trailblazer's deferred income tax liability.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gas Imbalances</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gas imbalances receivable and payable represent the difference between customer nominations and actual gas receipts from and gas deliveries to interconnecting pipelines under various operational balancing and imbalance agreements. Gas imbalances are either made up in-kind or settled in cash, subject to the terms of the various agreements. Imbalances are valued at applicable average market index prices of $1.99 per MMBtu and $3.53 per MMBtu at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Property, Plant and Equipment</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Utility Plant is stated at historical cost, which for a constructed plant includes indirect costs such as payroll taxes, other employee benefits, allowance for funds used during construction and other costs directly related to the projects. Expenditures that increase capacities, improve efficiencies or extend useful lives are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset or major asset component. Trailblazer also capitalizes certain costs related to the construction of assets, including internal labor costs, interest and engineering costs.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Routine maintenance, repairs and renewal costs are expensed as incurred. The cost of normal retirements of depreciable utility property, plant and equipment, plus the cost of removal less salvage value and any gain or loss recognized, is recorded in accumulated depreciation with no effect on current period earnings. Gains or losses are recognized upon retirement of utility property, plant and equipment constituting an operating unit or system, and land, when sold or abandoned, and costs of removal or salvage are expensed when incurred.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer maintains natural gas in its pipeline, known as "line pack," which serves to maintain the necessary pressure to allow efficient transmission of natural gas. Line pack is capitalized within Utility Plant and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the pipeline. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Depreciation and Amortization</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Depreciation is computed based on the composite method over the estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment. The annual composite rate of depreciation for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 ranges from 0.7% to 10.0% for the various classes of depreciable assets. These depreciation rates include two components, one based on economic service life (capital recovery) and one based on net costs of removal (negative salvage).</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Impairment of Long-Lived Assets </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss results when the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to result from the asset's use and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. Any such impairment losses at Trailblazer would be recorded as a regulatory asset until regulatory review regarding recoverability through the rate-making process is complete, at which time Trailblazer will recognize the loss if it is determined to be unrecoverable or retain it as a regulatory asset and recover through its rates.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Examples of long-lived asset impairment indicators include:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:14.5pt">a significant decrease in the market value of a long-lived asset or group;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:14.5pt">a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or asset group is being used or in its physical condition;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:14.5pt">a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate could affect the value of a long-lived asset or asset group, including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator which would exclude allowable costs from the rate-making process;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:14.5pt">an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of the long-lived asset or asset group;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:14.5pt">a current period operating cash flow loss combined with a history of operating cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group; and</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:36pt;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">•</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:14.5pt">a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset or asset group will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">When an impairment indicator is present, Trailblazer first assesses the recoverability of the long-lived assets by comparing the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset to the carrying amount of the asset. If the carrying amount is higher than the undiscounted future cash flows, the fair value of the asset is assessed using a discounted cash flow analysis and used to determine the amount of impairment, if any, to be recognized.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Allowance for Funds Used During Construction</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Included in the cost of construction work in progress is an allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”). AFUDC represents the estimated cost of debt, from borrowed funds, or the estimated cost of capital, from equity funds, during the construction period.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Revenue Recognition</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer accounts for revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with the five-step model outlined in ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"). Under the five-step model, Trailblazer identifies the contract, identifies the performance obligations, determines the transaction price, allocates the transaction price, and recognizes revenue. Revenue is recognized when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied. For additional information see Note 5 - </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Revenue from Contracts with Customers.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Commitments and Contingencies</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer recognizes liabilities for other commitments and contingencies when, after fully analyzing the available information, it determines it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. When a range of probable loss can be estimated, Trailblazer accrues the most likely amount, or if no amount is more likely than another, Trailblazer accrues the minimum of the range of probable loss.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Environmental Costs</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer expenses or capitalizes, as appropriate, environmental expenditures that relate to current operations. Trailblazer expenses amounts that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations that do not contribute to current or future revenue generation. Trailblazer does not discount environmental liabilities to a net present value, and records environmental liabilities when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and costs can be reasonably estimated. Recording of these accruals coincides with the completion of a feasibility study or a commitment to a formal plan of action. Estimates of environmental liabilities are based on currently available facts and presently enacted laws and regulations taking into consideration the likely effects of other factors including prior experience in remediating contaminated sites, other companies' clean-up experience and data released by government organizations. Trailblazer's estimates are subject to revision in future periods based on actual cost or new information.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Income Taxes</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes. Changes in tax legislation are included in the relevant computations in the period in which such changes are effective. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance for the amount of any tax benefit Trailblazer does not expect to be realized. For more information regarding income taxes and the changes in tax legislation, see Note 3 - </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Income Taxes. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">3. Income Taxes</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">As a single-member limited liability company, Trailblazer is classified as a disregarded entity for income tax purposes. As a disregarded entity, Trailblazer's annual taxable income or loss is included in the tax return filed by a parent entity. The parent entity is a limited partnership subject to pass-through treatment for federal and state income tax purposes. Although Trailblazer does not directly pay federal or state income taxes, it has historically been allowed to treat the income tax paid by the ultimate owners of TEP as a cost component in rates allowed by the FERC. These taxes are calculated based on the composite federal and state tax rates of the ultimate owners of TEP and included in the applicable financial statements herein. On March 15, 2018, in Docket No. PL17-1-000, the FERC issued a revised Policy Statement finding that interstate natural gas pipelines held by Master Limited Partnerships are no longer permitted to recover an income tax allowance in their cost of service. The FERC stated that it would address income tax allowances for other pass-through entities that are not Master Limited Partnerships in future proceedings.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The computation of the current and deferred income tax expense assumes the use of an accelerated method for calculating tax depreciation. Trailblazer records deferred income taxes for significant differences between book and taxable income. Income taxes charged to Trailblazer and assignable to the ultimate owners of TEP are reflected in the accompanying Comparative Balance Sheet as taxes accrued (Account 236) and accumulated deferred income taxes (Accounts 190, 282 and 283). A portion of the change in Account 211, Miscellaneous Paid-In Capital (Account 211) reflects the income taxes assigned to the owners of TEP. Trailblazer settles accrued taxes recorded in Account 236 as a deemed contribution from or deemed distribution to its sole Member (a credit or debit to Additional Paid-in Capital or "APIC" (Account 211)).</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Components of the income tax expense applicable to federal and state income taxes are as follows (in thousands):</span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.702%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:58.601%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.750%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.397%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.752%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom">Year Ended December 31, </td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Current income tax expense:</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Federal</span></div></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,320 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">State</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">323 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total current income tax expense</span></div></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">— </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,643 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Deferred income tax expense:</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Federal</span></div></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2,447 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,096 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">State</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">612 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">281 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total deferred income tax expense</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">3,059 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,377 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total income tax expense</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">3,059 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">3,020 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The difference between the composite federal income tax expense and Trailblazer's effective income tax expense, and its effective income tax rate, are summarized as follows (in thousands, except percentages):</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.702%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:58.601%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.750%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.397%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.752%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Year Ended December 31,</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Income tax expense at the composite federal rate </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.47pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%;position:relative;top:-3.48pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2,501 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2,470 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">State income tax expense, net of federal benefit</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">612 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">604 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Excess ADIT Amortization</span></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(54)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">(54)</span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total income tax expense</span></div></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">3,059 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">3,020 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Effective tax rate</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">25.7 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">25.7 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">%</span></td></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:31.5pt;text-indent:-13.5pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;padding-left:5.57pt">The composite federal tax rate used was 21.0% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The deferred tax assets and liabilities result from the following (in thousands):</span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.702%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:58.601%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.750%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.397%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.752%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom">December 31, 2023</td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">December 31, 2022</span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Account 190, Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes:</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/><td colspan="3" style="display:none"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Other receivables</span></div></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">896 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Regulatory assets/liabilities</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">627 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Other</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">134 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">332 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total Account 190</span></div></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">134 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">1,855 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Account 282, Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes - Other Property:</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Property, plant and equipment</span></div></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">8,120 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">6,728 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total Account 282</span></div></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">8,120 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">6,728 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Net deferred income tax liabilities</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">7,986 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">4,873 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">4. Related Party Transactions</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer has no employees. TEP and its subsidiaries provide and bill Trailblazer for various services including employee labor costs, information technology services, employee health and retirement benefits, and all other expenses necessary or appropriate to the conduct of Trailblazer's business. TEP pays costs and expenses incurred by Trailblazer, acting as Trailblazer's agent, and is reimbursed by Trailblazer for such payments through Trailblazer's participation in a cash management agreement.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Totals of transactions with affiliated companies are as follows (in thousands):</span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.702%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:58.601%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.750%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.397%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.752%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom">Year Ended December 31,</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Gas operating revenues</span></div><div><span><br/></span></div></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">4,272 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">4,034 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Charges from TEP:</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Net utility plant</span></div></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">81 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">306 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Operating expenses</span></div><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span><br/></span></div></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">10,631 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">11,857 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-right:18pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Gas imbalances with affiliated shippers are as follows (in thousands):</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-right:18pt"><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:58.572%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.691%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.544%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.693%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="6" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">December 31, 2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">December 31, 2022</span></td></tr><tr style="height:15pt"><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Affiliate gas imbalance receivables</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4,952 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">20 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Affiliate gas imbalance payables</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8,518 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">4,894 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Balances with affiliated companies included in the accompanying Comparative Balance Sheets include customer deposits from affiliates of TEP of $11.9 million and $2.0 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">5. Revenue from Contracts with Customers</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Disaggregated Revenue</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">A summary of Trailblazer's revenue by contract type is as follows (in thousands):</span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:99.702%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:58.601%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.750%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.397%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.752%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="9" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom">Year Ended December 31,</td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2023</span></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2022</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Transportation of gas for others (489.2 &amp; 489.3)</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:0 1pt"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Firm transportation service</span></div></td><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">29,904 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">30,031 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Interruptible transportation service</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">80 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">278 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Fuel recoveries</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">309 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,172 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Wheeling service</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">273 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">126 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Park and loan service</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">1,319 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,350 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:24.75pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total transportation of gas for others</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">31,885 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">34,957 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Natural gas sales (480-488)</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">— </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">2,436 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:24.75pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total revenue from contracts with customers</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">31,885 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">37,393 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Other revenue (490-496) </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.47pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%;position:relative;top:-3.48pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1)</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">467 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">189 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:36pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Gas operating revenues (400)</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">32,352 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">37,582 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:6.5pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%;position:relative;top:-3.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">(1) </span><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> Includes other revenue not subject to ASC 606.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Performance Obligations</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, and is the unit of account in ASC Topic 606. A contract's transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The majority of Trailblazer's contracts have a single performance obligation and are billed and collected monthly. These performance obligations typically include an obligation to stand ready to provide natural gas transportation service over the life of the contract, which is a series. These performance obligations are satisfied over time using each day of service to measure progress toward satisfaction of the performance obligation.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer also engages in commodity sales, in which the performance obligations include an obligation to deliver the specified volume of a commodity to the designated receipt point. Revenue from commodity sales is recognized at a point in time when the customer obtains control of the commodity, typically upon delivery to the designated delivery point when the customer accepts and takes possession of the commodity.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">On December 31, 2023, Trailblazer had $110.3 million of remaining performance obligations, which it refers to as total backlog. Total backlog includes performance obligations under firm transportation contracts, and excludes variable consideration that is not estimated at contract inception, as discussed further below. Trailblazer expects to recognize the total backlog during future periods as follows (in thousands):</span><table style="border-collapse:collapse;display:inline-table;margin-bottom:5pt;vertical-align:text-bottom;width:100.000%"><tr><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:78.513%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:0.395%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/><td style="width:1.0%"/><td style="width:18.692%"/><td style="width:0.1%"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:112%">Year</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:center;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Estimated Revenue</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2024</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">23,844 </span></td><td style="border-top:1pt solid #000000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2025</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">19,818 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2026</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">18,120 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2027</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">12,072 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:9pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">2028</span></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">8,014 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Thereafter</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td colspan="2" style="padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">28,389 </span></td><td style="padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:bottom"/></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="padding:2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><div style="text-indent:11.25pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">Total</span></div></td><td colspan="3" style="padding:0 1pt"/><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0 2px 1pt;text-align:left;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">$</span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">110,257 </span></td><td style="border-bottom:3pt double #000;border-top:1pt solid #000;padding:2px 1pt 2px 0;text-align:right;vertical-align:top"/></tr></table></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Contract Estimates</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Accounting for long-term contracts involves the use of various techniques to estimate total contract revenue. Contract estimates are based on various assumptions to project the outcome of future events that often span several years.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The nature of Trailblazer's contracts gives rise to several types of variable consideration, including volumetric charges for actual volumes delivered, overrun charges, and other fees that are contingent on the actual volumes delivered by its customers. As the amount of variable consideration is allocable to each distinct performance obligation within the series of performance obligations that comprise the single performance obligation and the uncertainty related to the consideration is resolved each month as the distinct service is provided, Trailblazer does not estimate the total variable consideration for the single overall performance obligation. Consequently, Trailblazer is able to include in the transaction price each month the actual amount of variable consideration because no uncertainty exists surrounding the services provided that month.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Contract Balances</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections may result in billed accounts receivable, unbilled receivables (contract assets), and deferred revenue (contract liabilities) on the Comparative Balance Sheet. Revenue is generally billed and collected monthly based on services provided or volumes sold. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, Trailblazer recognized deferred revenue from contracts with customers of $0.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, reflecting the amount by which actual cash collected from the customer exceeds the revenue recognized for certain contracts.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">6. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Leases and Right of Way Agreements</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Rent expense under operating leases and right of way agreements totaled less than $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Rent expense is allocated from Tallgrass Interstate Gas Transmission, LLC (“TIGT”), an indirect subsidiary of TEP and an affiliated company of Trailblazer. TIGT charges rent expense to Trailblazer, so although Trailblazer incurs rent expense, it is not listed on the lease and has no legal obligation for future commitments.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">At December 31, 2023, there were no future minimum rental commitments under major, non-cancelable operating leases and right of way agreements.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Capital Expenditures</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Approximately $7.2 million had been committed for the future purchase of property, plant, and equipment as of December 31, 2023.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">7. Major Customers</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">During the year ended December 31, 2023, two non-affiliated shippers accounted for $4.5 million (14%) and $3.4 million (11%) of Trailblazer's total revenues. During the year ended December 31, 2022, no non-affiliated shippers accounted for more than 10% of Trailblazer's total revenues. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Trailblazer's top ten non-affiliated customers accounted for approximately 60% of Trailblazer's gas operating revenues. Trailblazer attempts to mitigate credit risk by seeking credit support, such as letters of credit, prepayments, or other financial guarantees, from customers with specific credit concerns.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">8. Regulatory Matters</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Ratemaking Process</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Transportation services on interstate natural gas pipelines are contracted under one of three rate types: recourse, discount, or negotiated. Recourse rates are calculated based on the cost of service being provided and include an allowable rate of return for the pipeline. Recourse rates are established through a FERC rate proceeding and remain effective until a subsequent rate proceeding is filed and approved by the FERC. Discount rates are offered at a discount to the then-effective maximum recourse rate, subject to a minimum rate floor set forth in the pipeline's tariff. Discount rates are typically effective for an established term and can vary based on adjustments to the underlying recourse rate. Negotiated rates can be higher or lower than the then-effective maximum recourse rate, subject to agreement between the pipeline and shipper and approval by the FERC. Negotiated rates are also entered into for a defined term but do not change based on adjustments in the applicable recourse rate for that type of service.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">On June 29, 2018, Trailblazer filed a general rate case with the FERC pursuant to Section 4 of the NGA in Docket No. RP18-922-000. Trailblazer and its customers reached a settlement in principle on October 2, 2019 with an effective date of October 1, 2019. The settlement continues the bifurcated rate treatment for Trailblazer's "Existing System" and "Expansion System" and maintains the existing fuel retainage and revenue crediting mechanisms. Shippers with firm contracts on the Existing System were given the opportunity to convert their contracts to negotiated rate agreements that would terminate no earlier than December 31, 2026. A rate moratorium will be in effect through December 31, 2025. The settlement also requires that Trailblazer file a new general rate case pursuant to Section 4 of the NGA with rates to be effective no later than July 1, 2026. The settlement was approved on March 3, 2020 in an order issued by the FERC.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%"> The majority of services provided by Trailblazer are contracted under negotiated rate agreements. Currently, there are no regulatory proceedings challenging the transportation rates of Trailblazer.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Application for Lease of Capacity </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">TEP has announced plans to convert certain of the existing facilities owned by Trailblazer from natural gas service to CO2 transportation service. In connection with this proposed conversion, Trailblazer and Rockies Express Pipeline LLC ("REX"), of which TEP indirectly owns a 75% common membership interest and a 100% preferred membership interest, entered into a Capacity Lease Agreement effective May 17, 2022 (the "Capacity Lease"). Pursuant to the Capacity Lease, Trailblazer would continue to provide FERC regulated natural gas service by leasing a portion of existing REX capacity and all of the additional transportation facilities to be constructed by REX further described in the Capacity Lease (the "New Facilities"). The commencement date for the lease of this capacity would begin following satisfaction of certain conditions precedent set forth in the Capacity Lease, including receipt of the FERC approvals necessary for (1) the lease of capacity by REX to Trailblazer under the Capacity Lease, and (2) REX to construct and operate the New Facilities. </span></div><div style="text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:112%">On May 27, 2022, Trailblazer and REX filed an Abbreviated Application for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Abandonment Authorizations with FERC in Docket No. CP22-468-000 seeking such FERC approvals. On October 23, 2023, the FERC issued an order approving the Capacity Lease and the construction and operation of the New Facilities, and construction commenced in January 2024.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">9. Legal and Environmental Matters</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Legal</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer may be involved in various lawsuits arising from the day-to-day operations of its business. Although no assurance can be given, Trailblazer believes, based on its experiences to date, that the ultimate resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse impact on its business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer has evaluated claims in accordance with the accounting guidance for contingencies that it deems both probable and reasonably estimable and, accordingly, has recorded no reserve for legal claims as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">Environmental, Health and Safety</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Trailblazer is subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws that regulate permitted activities relating to air and water quality, waste disposal, and other environmental matters. Trailblazer currently believes that compliance with these laws will not have a material adverse impact on its business, cash flows, financial position or results of operations. However, there can be no assurances that future events, such as changes in existing laws, the promulgation of new laws, or the development of new facts or conditions, will not cause Trailblazer to incur significant costs.</span></div>

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  <div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;padding-left:18pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:-18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:700;line-height:120%">10. Subsequent Events</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:18pt"><span style="color:#000000;font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;font-size:10pt;font-weight:400;line-height:120%">Subsequent events, which are events or transactions that occurred after December 31, 2023 through the issuance of the accompanying financial statements, have been evaluated through April 10, 2024.</span></div>


