Guarantees
At December 31, 2013, we were liable for certain contingent obligations under various contractual arrangements as described below. We recognize a liability, at inception, for the fair value of our obligation as a guarantor for newly issued or modified guarantees. Unless the carrying amount of the liability is noted below, we have not recognized a liability either because the guarantees were issued prior to December 31, 2002, or because the fair value of the obligation is immaterial. In addition, unless otherwise stated we are not currently performing with any significance under the guarantee and expect future performance to be either immaterial or have only a remote chance of occurrence.
Guarantees of Joint Venture Debt
In April 2012, in connection with the Separation, we issued a guarantee for 100 percent of the 8.85% senior notes issued by MSLP in July 1999. At December 31, 2013, the maximum potential amount of future payments to third parties under the guarantee is estimated to be $214 million, which could become payable if MSLP fails to meet its obligations under the senior notes agreement. The senior notes mature in 2019.
At December 31, 2013, we had other guarantees outstanding for our portion of certain joint venture debt obligations, which have terms of up to 12 years. The maximum potential amount of future payments under the guarantees is approximately $103 million. Payment would be required if a joint venture defaults on its debt obligations.
Other Guarantees
We have residual value guarantees associated with leases with maximum future potential payments totaling approximately $228 million. We have other guarantees with maximum future potential payment amounts totaling $305 million, which consist primarily of guarantees to fund the short-term cash liquidity deficits of certain joint ventures, guarantees of third parties related to prior asset dispositions, and guarantees of the lease payment obligations of a joint venture. These guarantees generally extend up to 11 years or life of the venture.
Indemnifications
Over the years, we have entered into various agreements to sell ownership interests in certain corporations, joint ventures and assets that gave rise to qualifying indemnifications. Agreements associated with these sales include indemnifications for taxes, litigation, environmental liabilities, permits and licenses, supply arrangements, and employee claims, and real estate indemnity against tenant defaults. The terms of these indemnifications vary greatly. The majority of these indemnifications are related to environmental issues, the term is generally indefinite, and the maximum amount of future payments is generally unlimited. The carrying amount recorded for indemnifications at December 31, 2013, was $246 million. We amortize the indemnification liability over the relevant time period, if one exists, based on the facts and circumstances surrounding each type of indemnity. In cases where the indemnification term is indefinite, we will reverse the liability when we have information the liability is essentially relieved or amortize the liability over an appropriate time period as the fair value of our indemnification exposure declines. Although it is reasonably possible future payments may exceed amounts recorded, due to the nature of the indemnifications, it is not possible to make a reasonable
estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments. Included in the recorded carrying amount were $112 million of environmental accruals for known contamination that are included in asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs at December 31, 2013. For additional information about environmental liabilities, see Note 14—Contingencies and Commitments.
Indemnification and Release Agreement
In conjunction with, and effective as of, the Separation, we entered into the Indemnification and Release Agreement with ConocoPhillips. This agreement governs the treatment between ConocoPhillips and us of matters relating to indemnification, insurance, litigation responsibility and management, and litigation document sharing and cooperation arising in connection with the Separation. Generally, the agreement provides for cross-indemnities principally designed to place financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of our business with us and financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of ConocoPhillips' business with ConocoPhillips. The agreement also establishes procedures for handling claims subject to indemnification and related matters.
