| Significant Accounting Policies | Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Business Combinations Since the required adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”), on January 1, 2018, determining whether an entity has acquired a business or an asset (or a group of assets) is critical because the accounting for a business combination differs significantly from that of an asset acquisition. For transfers between entities under common control, the transfer of a business would represent a change in reporting entity requiring a retrospective adjustment of the combined financial statements. Conversely, a common control transaction involving the transfer of net assets that does not constitute a business is not accounted for as a change in reporting entity and is, therefore, accounted for prospectively. For an acquisition of a business from an entity not under common control, the overall principle is that, when an entity (the acquirer) takes control of another entity (the target), the fair value of the underlying exchange transaction is used to establish a new accounting basis for the acquired entity where the acquirer recognizes and measures the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their full fair values as of the date control is obtained. For an acquisition of an asset from an entity not under common control, a cost accumulation and allocation model is used under which the cost of the acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We must first evaluate whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. Gross assets acquired should exclude cash and cash equivalents, deferred tax assets and goodwill resulting from the effects of deferred tax liabilities. However, the gross assets acquired should include any consideration transferred (plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest and previously held interest, if any) in excess of the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired. A tangible asset that is attached to and cannot be physically removed and used separately from another tangible asset (or an intangible asset representing the right to use a tangible asset) without incurring significant cost or significant diminution in utility or fair value to either asset (for example, land and building) should be considered a single asset. In that context, we consider a wood pellet production facility to be a single identifiable asset. We need to apply judgment to determine what is considered “substantially all” because ASU 2017-01 does not provide a bright line for making this assessment. If the “substantially all” threshold is met, the acquired set of assets and activities is not a business. If that threshold is not met, we must evaluate whether the set meets the definition of a business, which consists of inputs and at least one substantive process applied to those inputs that have the ability to contribute to the creation of outputs. If that threshold is not met but the set does not meet the definition of a business, the acquisition would be an asset acquisition. A business combination is an acquisition of a business from an entity not under common control and is accounted for using the acquisition method. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, which excludes acquisition-related costs that are expensed, over the fair value of the net assets recognized and represents the future economic benefits arising from other net assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. Fair value measurements may require us to make significant estimates and assumptions. A measurement period, which could be up to one year from the date of acquisition, exists to identify and measure the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. During the measurement period, provisional amounts may be recognized and those amounts may subsequently be prospectively adjusted to reflect any new information about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of these amounts. At the end of the measurement period, any subsequent changes would not be recognized under the acquisition method but would instead follow other accounting principles, which would then generally impact earnings. Common Control Transactions Assets and businesses acquired from our sponsor and its controlled subsidiaries are accounted for as common control transactions. For assets acquired in a common control transaction, net assets acquired are accounted for on the carryover basis of accounting and consolidated prospectively as of the transaction date. For businesses acquired in a common control transaction, the net assets acquired are combined at their historical costs and prior periods are recast with historical net equity amounts prior to the transaction date are attributed to the General Partner and any noncontrolling partner interest at carryover basis. If any recognized consideration transferred in such a transaction exceeds the carrying value of the net assets acquired, the excess is treated as a capital distribution to the General Partner. If the carrying value of the net assets acquired exceeds any recognized consideration transferred including, if applicable, the fair value of any limited partner units issued, then that excess is treated as a capital contribution from the General Partner. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) consists of two components, net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenue, expenses, and gains and losses that under GAAP are included in comprehensive income (loss) but excluded from net income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of net unrealized gains and losses related to derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges and foreign currency translation adjustments. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments readily convertible into cash with an original maturity of three months or less. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable represent amounts billed that are recorded at the invoiced amount and billable under our contracts that are pending finalization of prerequisite billing documentation and do not bear interest. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no amounts in allowance for doubtful accounts given the lack of historical credit losses and no current expectations of credit losses. Inventories Inventories consist of raw materials, work-in-progress, consumable tooling and finished goods. Fixed production overhead, including related depreciation expense, is allocated to inventory based on the normal production capacity of the facilities. To the extent we do not achieve normal production levels, we charge such under-absorption of fixed overhead to cost of goods sold in the period incurred. Consumable tooling consists of spare parts and tooling to be consumed in the production process. Spare parts are expected to be used within a year and are expensed as used. Tooling items are amortized to expense over an estimated service life generally less than one year. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in, first-out method (“FIFO”) for all inventories. Raw material, production and distribution costs associated with delivering wood pellets to marine terminals and third- and related-party wood pellet purchase costs are capitalized as a component of inventory. These costs and the finished production overhead allocated to inventory are reflected in cost of goods sold when inventory is sold. Intangibles Intangibles primarily consist of favorable or unfavorable customer contracts and an unfavorable shipping contact that were acquired in the Georgia Biomass Acquisition. Intangibles with definite lives are amortized based on the pattern of economic benefit over their estimated useful lives, which are reviewed annually. The intangibles acquired in the Georgia Biomass Acquisition are being amortized on a straight-line basis, as MT of wood pellets to be sold or shipped under each contract are constant through the end of such contracts. See Note 13, Goodwill and Other Intangibles . Revenue Recognition We primarily earn revenue by supplying wood pellets to customers under off-take contracts, the majority of the commitments under which are long-term in nature. Our off-take contracts are considered “take-or-pay” because they include a firm obligation of the customer to take a fixed quantity of product at a stated price and provisions that require that we be compensated in the case of a customer’s failure to accept all or a part of the contracted volumes or termination of a contract by a customer. Each of our long-term off-take contracts define the annual volume of wood pellets that a customer is required to purchase, and we are required to sell, the fixed price per MT for product satisfying a base net calorific value and other technical specifications. These prices are generally fixed for the entire term, however, some may be subject to adjustments which may include annual inflation-based adjustments or price escalators, price adjustments for product specifications, as well as, in some instances, price adjustments due to changes in underlying indices. In addition to sales of our product under these long-term off-take contracts, we routinely sell wood pellets under shorter-term contracts, which range in volume and tenor and, in some cases, may include only one specific shipment. Because each of our off-take contracts is a bilaterally negotiated agreement, our revenue over the duration of such contracts does not generally follow observable current market pricing trends. Our performance obligations under these contracts are the delivery of wood pellets, which we aggregate into MT. We account for each MT as a single performance obligation. Our revenue from the sales of wood pellets we produce is recognized as product sales upon satisfaction of our performance obligation when control transfers to the customer at the time of loading wood pellets onto a ship. Depending on the specific off‑take contract, shipping terms are either Cost, Insurance and Freight (“CIF”), Cost and Freight (“CFR”) or Free on Board (“FOB”). Under a CIF contract, we procure and pay for shipping costs, which include insurance and all other charges, up to the port of destination for the customer. Under a CFR contract, we procure and pay for shipping costs, which include insurance (excluding marine cargo insurance) and all other charges, up to the port of destination for the customer. Shipping under CIF and CFR contracts after control has passed to the customer is considered a fulfillment activity rather than a performance obligation and associated expenses are included in the price to the customer. Under FOB contracts, the customer is directly responsible for shipping costs. In some cases, we may purchase shipments of product from third-party suppliers and resell them to other parties in back-to-back transactions (“purchase and sale transactions”). We recognize revenue on a gross basis in product sales when we determine that we act as a principal by having control of the wood pellets before they are transferred to the customer. Indicators of control have included being primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the wood pellets (such as by contracting to sell wood pellets before contracting to buy them), having inventory risk, or having discretion in establishing the sales price for the wood pellets. The decision as to whether to recognize revenue on a gross or net basis requires significant judgment. We recognize third- and related-party terminal services revenue ratably over the related contract term, which is included in other revenue. Terminal services are performance obligations that are satisfied over time, as customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the terminal services we perform. The consideration is generally fixed for minimum quantities and any services above the minimum are generally billed based on a per-MT rate as variable consideration and recognized as services are performed. Any deficiency payments receivable and probable of being collected from a customer not meeting quarterly minimum throughput requirements are recognized during the related quarter in satisfaction of the related performance obligation. Variable consideration from off-take contracts arises from several pricing features outlined in our off-take contracts, pursuant to which such contract pricing may be adjusted in respect of particular shipments to reflect differences between certain contractual quality specifications of the wood pellets as measured both when the wood pellets are loaded onto ships and unloaded at the discharge port as well as certain other contractual adjustments. Variable consideration from terminal services contracts arises from price increases based on agreed inflation indices and from above-minimum throughput quantities or services. We allocate variable consideration under our off-take and terminal services contracts entirely to each performance obligation to which variable consideration relates. The estimate of variable consideration represents the amount that is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is resolved. Under our off-take contracts, customers are obligated to pay the majority of the purchase price prior to the arrival of the ship at the customers’ discharge port. The remaining portion is paid after the wood pellets are unloaded at the discharge port. We generally recognize revenue prior to the issuance of an invoice to the customer. In instances where we have contracts to exchange wood pellets held for sale in the ordinary course of business for similar wood pellets to be sold in the same line of business to facilitate sales to customers other than the parties to the exchange, we account for these exchanges as nonmonetary transactions at the carrying amount of the wood pellets transferred, with no impact to revenue and with no net impact to cost of goods sold once an equal amount of wood pellets have been exchanged. For the sale of the wood pellets received to customers not parties to the exchange, we recognize product sales revenue as described above for off-take contracts. To the extent that these exchanges also include compensation to us for shipping wood pellets, we recognize it as product sales revenue as those wood pellets are loaded and we recognize the shipping costs in cost of goods sold. Cost of Goods Sold Cost of goods sold includes the cost to produce and deliver wood pellets to customers, reimbursable shipping-related costs associated with specific off-take contracts with CIF and CFR shipping terms and costs associated with purchase and sale transactions. Distribution costs associated with shipping wood pellets to customers are expensed as incurred. The calculation of cost of goods sold is based on estimates used in the valuation of the FIFO inventory and in determining the specific composition of inventory that is sold to each customer. Accrued and other current liabilities Accrued and other current liabilities primarily includes liabilities related to construction in progress, amounts related cost of goods sold such as utility costs at our production facilities, distribution costs associated with shipping wood pellets to customers, and costs associated with the purchase of wood fiber and wood pellets not yet invoiced. Derivative Instruments Derivative instruments are classified as either assets or liabilities on a gross basis and carried at fair value and included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, other long-term assets, accrued and other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Since August 2018 and March 2020, we have no longer applied hedge accounting treatment to any foreign currency and interest rate derivatives, respectively. Derivative instruments that did not or ceased to qualify, or are no longer designated, as accounting hedges are adjusted to fair value through earnings in the current period. To the extent hedge accounting had previously been applied, it was applied to qualifying cash flow hedges with unrealized changes in their fair value recognized as accumulated other comprehensive income in partners’ capital to the extent they could be considered effective in accordance with the accounting standards on derivatives and hedging applicable during those periods. The effective portion of qualifying foreign currency hedges was reclassified into revenue in the same period or periods during which the hedged revenue affected earnings. The effective portion of qualifying interest rate swaps was reclassified into interest expense in the same period or periods during which the hedged interest expense affects earnings. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, which includes the fair values of assets acquired. Equipment under finance leases is stated at the present value of minimum lease payments. Useful lives of assets are based on historical experience and other relevant information. The useful lives of assets are adjusted when changes in the expected physical life of the asset, its planned use, technological advances, or other factors show that a different life would be more appropriate. Changes in useful lives are recognized prospectively. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Plant and equipment held under finance leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Construction in progress primarily represents expenditures for the development and expansion of facilities. Capitalized interest cost and all direct costs, which include equipment and engineering costs related to the development and expansion of facilities, are capitalized as construction in progress. Depreciation is not recognized for amounts in construction in progress. Normal repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Amounts incurred that extend an asset’s useful life, increase its productivity or add production capacity are capitalized. Direct costs, such as outside labor, materials, internal payroll and benefit costs, incurred during the construction of a new plant are capitalized; indirect costs are not capitalized. The principal useful lives are as follows: Asset Estimated useful life Land improvements 15 to 17 years Buildings 5 to 40 years Machinery and equipment 2 to 25 years Vehicles 5 to 6 years Furniture and office equipment 2 to 10 years Leasehold improvements Shorter of estimated useful life or lease term, generally 10 years Costs and accumulated depreciation applicable to assets retired or sold are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations. Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets, are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. There were no such indicators that would require impairment testing to be performed during the periods presented. Leases We have operating and finance leases related to real estate, machinery, equipment and other assets where we are the lessee. Operating leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet but are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease terms. Operating and finance leases with an initial term longer than 12 months are recorded on the balance sheet and classified as either operating or finance. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Our leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees, restrictive covenants or subleases. In addition to fixed lease payments, we have contracts that incur variable lease expense related to usage (e.g. throughput fees, maintenance and repair and machine hours), which are expensed as incurred. Our leases have remaining terms of one improvements are limited by the expected lease term unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. An incremental borrowing rate is applied to our leases for balance sheet measurement. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate based on the estimated rate of interest for a collateralized borrowing over a similar term of the lease payments as of the commencement date. We adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases , on and as of January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition method, which we applied to all leases existing at the date of initial application of the ASU. We elected to use the effective date as the date of initial application, as opposed to the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements; consequently, financial information and disclosures are not presented under the new standard for periods prior to January 1, 2019. We elected the package of three practical expedients under the transition guidance within the new standard, which permitted us to not reassess our prior conclusions under the previous guidance concerning lease identification, lease classification and initial direct leasing costs. We elected the practical expedient to not evaluate existing or expired land easements that were not accounted for as leases under previous guidance. We did not, however, elect the separate practical expedient pertaining to the use of hindsight in determining the lease term for existing leases. For contracts that contain lease and nonlease components, nonlease components are separated and accounted for under other, relevant accounting standards. We made an accounting policy election to not separate nonlease components from lease components for heavy machinery and equipment. Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU assets, accrued and other current liabilities and long-term operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, the current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations and long-term debt and finance lease obligations on our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are included net in change in operating lease liabilities on the consolidated statement of cash flows. Debt Issuance Costs and Original Issue Discounts and Premiums Debt issuance costs and original issue discounts and premiums incurred with debt financing are capitalized and amortized over the life of the debt. Amortization expense is included in interest expense. If a debt instrument is retired before its scheduled maturity date, any related unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discounts and premiums are written-off as gain or loss on debt extinguishment in the same period. Unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discounts and premiums related to a recognized debt liability are recognized as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related long-term debt and are amortized using the effective interest method. Unamortized debt issuance costs related to our revolving credit commitments are recognized as an asset and are amortized using the straight-line method. Goodwill Goodwill represents the purchase price paid for acquired businesses in excess of the identifiable acquired assets and assumed liabilities. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually and whenever an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amounts. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we identified the Partnership as having one reporting unit that corresponded to our one reportable segment. We have selected December 1 to perform our annual goodwill impairment test. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we performed a quantitative assessment using the market approach and determined the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we performed a qualitative assessment and determined that it was more likely than not that the estimated fair value of the reporting unit substantially exceeded the related carrying value of our reporting unit. There have been no impairments to the carrying value of the Partnership’s goodwill during the periods presented. See Note 13, Goodwill and Other Intangibles . Unit-Based Compensation Employees, consultants and directors of the General Partner and any of its affiliates are eligible to receive equity awards and other forms of compensation under the Enviva Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”). Phantom units issued in tandem with corresponding distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”) are granted to employees of Enviva Management Company that provide services to us and to independent directors of the General Partner. Phantom unit awards vest subject to the satisfaction of service requirements and/or the achievement of certain performance goals. Once these conditions have been met, common units in the Partnership will be delivered to the holder of the phantom units. For accounting purposes, units granted to employees of our affiliates (excluding the General Partner, the Partnership and subsidiaries of the Partnership) are treated as if they were distributed by the Partnership. Such affiliates recognize compensation expense for the phantom units awarded to their employees, a portion of which is allocated to us under the MSAs (see Note 15, Related-Party Transactions-Management Services Agreements and Note 18, Equity-Based Awards ). We also recognize compensation expense for phantom units awarded to independent directors. As of December 31, 2020, we have the ability to settle certain of our outstanding phantom unit awards under the LTIP in either cash or common units at our election. As we have the ability to settle the awards in common units as of December 31, 2020 and as we reasonably expect to be able to deliver common units at the settlement date, we have classified all of our outstanding phantom unit awards as equity on our balance sheets. Commitments and Contingencies Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred. Fair Value Measurements We apply authoritative accounting guidance for fair value measurements of financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities. We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. We determine fair value based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels: • Level 1 Inputs: Unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date. • Level 2 Inputs: Other than quoted prices included in Level 1, inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. • Level 3 Inputs: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Income taxes Substantially all of our operating subsidiaries are organized as limited partnerships and entities that are disregarded entities for U.S. federal and applicable state income tax purposes. As a result, those entities disregarded for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes are not subject to U.S. federal and most state income taxes. Our partners and unitholders are liable for these income taxes on their share of our taxable income. Some states impose franchise and capital taxes on the Partnership. Such taxes are not material to the consolidated financial statements and have been included in other income (expense) as incurred. One of our subsidiaries formed in connection with the Georgia Biomass Acquisition, Enviva Pellets Waycross Holdings, LLC, is an entity taxable as a corporation and is subject to U.S. federal income tax and accounts for income tax under the liability method. Deferred taxes are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and net operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of any tax rate change on deferred taxes is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date of the tax rate change. Realization of deferred tax assets is assessed on an annual basis and, unless a deferred tax asset is more likely than not to be utilized, a valuation allowance is recorded to write down the deferred tax assets to their net realizable value. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards On January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) : Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments , which changes how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets. The adoption did not have a material impact on the financial statements. Recently Issued Accounting Standards not yet Adopted In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2019-12- Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. |
