Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
iv. Derivative instruments A variety of derivative instruments are utilized to manage exposure to natural gas price risk. Derivative instruments are classified as fair value through profit or loss and are recorded at fair value within current assets or current liabilities, as applicable, commencing on the trade date. The change in the fair value is recorded in net income and classified within the revenue or expense category to which it relates. Derivatives may be embedded in other host instruments. Embedded derivatives are treated as separate derivatives when the economic characteristics and risks are not closely related to those of the host instrument, the embedded derivative has the same terms as those of a stand-alone derivative and the combined contract is not measured at fair value through profit or loss. Embedded derivatives are measured at fair value with subsequent changes recognized in net income and classified within the revenue or expense category to which it relates. The Corporation enters into natural gas sales contracts with embedded derivatives for non-regulated contract sales to large end-use customers. Certain commodity contracts for the physical purchase of natural gas qualify as own-use contracts. The Corporation enters into these contracts for the purpose of physical receipt of natural gas in accordance with its own expected sales requirements for commodity customers. As such, these non-financial derivative contracts are not recorded at fair value on the consolidated statement of financial position; rather, the contracts are accounted for as a purchase at the time of delivery. g. Debt retirement funds Under conditions attached to certain advances from the Province of Saskatchewan’s General Revenue Fund, the Corporation is required, on an annual basis, to invest an amount equal to one per cent of the related outstanding debt. These investments are referred to as debt retirement funds and are administered by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Finance. Debt retirement funds are classified as financial instruments and are designated as at fair value through other comprehensive income, which are recorded at fair value in the consolidated statement of financial position. The investment and income earned on the investment is returned to the Corporation upon maturity of the related debt. h. Intangible assets Intangible assets are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. Intangible assets are capitalized if it is probable that the asset acquired or developed will generate future economic benefits. The costs incurred to establish technological feasibility or to maintain existing levels of performance are recognized in operating and maintenance expense as incurred. Cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition or development of the asset. The cost of self-developed assets includes materials, services, direct labour and directly attributable overheads. Borrowing costs associated with major projects are capitalized during the development period. Major projects (or qualifying assets) are those projects that are under development for a period greater than six months. Assets under development are recorded as in progress until they are available for use. Amortization of computer software is based on the cost of the asset and is calculated using the straight- line method over the estimated useful life of the asset from the date the asset is available for use. The amortization rate is 10.0 to 20.0 per cent annually. The estimated useful lives, residual values and method of amortization are reviewed annually for reasonableness.
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