3. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
n. Employee benefits (continued)
iii. Retiring allowance plan Certain employees of the Corporation are members of a retiring allowance plan. The Corporation’s obligation is the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods. At each year end, the future benefit is actuarially determined using the projected unit credit method. Any actuarial gains or losses are recognized in other comprehensive income while all current service costs and interest expense are recognized in net income. The Corporation transfers any actuarial gains and losses from other equity to retained earnings in the year it is recognized in other comprehensive income. The Corporation has not established a trust nor does it hold property for the specific purpose of providing benefits to the participants of the plan. Benefits are funded by the current operations of the Corporation. o. Provisions Provisions are recognized when the Corporation has a present obligation, legal or constructive, as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Corporation will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation.
i.
Decommissioning liability A decommissioning liability is a legal or constructive obligation associated with the decommissioning of certain natural gas facilities. The Corporation recognizes a decommissioning liability, with a corresponding increase to property, plant and equipment, in the period the facility is commissioned, provided a reasonable estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation can be determined. The estimated expenditure of a decommissioning liability is based on detailed studies that take into account various assumptions regarding the anticipated future cash flows, including the method and timing of decommissioning. The Corporation discounts the future cash flows at a credit-adjusted risk free rate based on the yield of Government of Canada bonds. The unwinding of the discount on provisions is recognized in net income as finance expense over the estimated time period until settlement of the obligation. The corresponding increase to property, plant and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the related asset. At each reporting date, the estimated fair value of a decommissioning liability is reviewed with any changes recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
p. Revenue Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Revenue is recognized when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the Corporation and these benefits can be measured reliably.
i.
Natural gas sales and delivery revenue Revenue is recognized when natural gas is delivered to the customer. An estimate of natural gas delivered but not billed is included in revenue.
ii. Transportation and storage revenue Revenue is recognized when transportation, storage and related services are provided to the customer. An estimate of transportation, storage and related services rendered but not billed is included in revenue. iii. Customer capital contribution revenue The Corporation obtains customer capital contributions related to the construction of new service connections. Customer capital contributions are recognized initially as deferred revenue and are recognized as revenue once the related property, plant and equipment is available for use. The Corporation’s customer capital contributions are often subject to refunds over a specified period. An estimate of these refunds remains in deferred revenue until the eligible refund period expires.
49
2014 Annual Report SaskEnergy
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator