10-K 1 cclp2018123110k.htm 10-K Document



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018
 
OR
 
[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM             TO             .
 
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 001-35195
 
CSI Compressco LP
(EXACT NAME OF THE REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) 
Delaware
94-3450907
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF
(I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
IDENTIFICATION NO.)
 
 
24955 INTERSTATE 45 NORTH
 
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS
77380
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
(ZIP CODE)
 
 
REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (281) 364-2244
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
 
 
COMMON UNITS REPRESENTING LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
NASDAQ GLOBAL MARKET
(TITLE OF CLASS)
(NAME OF EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED)
 
 
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF THE REGISTRANT IS A WELL-KNOWN SEASONED ISSUER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 405 OF THE SECURITIES ACT).
YES [  ]   NO [ X ]
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF THE REGISTRANT IS NOT REQUIRED TO FILE REPORTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR SECTION 15(d) OF THE ACT. YES [   ]   NO [ X ]
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS) AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS. YES [ X ]   NO [   ]
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT HAS SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY EVERY INTERACTIVE DATA FILE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO RULE 405 OF REGULATION S-T DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT SUCH FILES).
YES  [ X ]    NO [   ]
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF DISCLOSURE OF DELINQUENT FILERS PURSUANT TO ITEM 405 OF REGULATION S-K IS NOT CONTAINED HEREIN, AND WILL NOT BE CONTAINED, TO THE BEST OF REGISTRANT’S KNOWLEDGE, IN DEFINITIVE PROXY OR INFORMATION STATEMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN PART III OF THIS FORM 10-K OR ANY AMENDMENT TO THIS FORM 10-K. [ X ]

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A LARGE ACCELERATED FILER, AN ACCELERATED FILER, A NON-ACCELERATED FILER, OR A SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY, OR AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY. SEE THE DEFINITIONS OF “LARGE ACCELERATED FILER,” “ACCELERATED FILER,” “SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY”AND "EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY" IN RULE 12b-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT. (CHECK ONE):
LARGE ACCELERATED FILER [  ]
ACCELERATED FILER [ X ]
NON-ACCELERATED FILER [ ]
SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY [   ]
EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY [ ]
 
 
 
IF AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY, INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF THE REGISTRANT HAS ELECTED NOT TO USE THE EXTENDED TRANSITION PERIOD FOR COMPLYING WITH ANY NEW OR REVISED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS PROVIDED PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT [ ]
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A SHELL COMPANY (AS DEFINED IN RULE 12b-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT).
YES [   ]  NO [ X ] 
THE AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF COMMON UNITS HELD BY NON-AFFILIATES OF THE REGISTRANT WAS $139,030,298 AS OF JUNE 29, 2018, THE LAST BUSINESS DAY OF THE REGISTRANT’S MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED SECOND FISCAL QUARTER.
THE NUMBER OF COMMON UNITS OUTSTANDING AS OF March 1, 2019 WAS 46,974,732 UNITS.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE- NONE    




TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Part I
 
 
 
 
 
Part II
 
 32
34 
 
 
 
 
Part III
 
81 
 
 
 
 
Part IV
 


(i)



Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” and information based on our beliefs and those of our general partner. Forward-looking statements in this annual report are identifiable by the use of the following words, the negative of such words, and other similar words: “anticipates”, “assumes”, “believes”, “budgets”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “goal”, “intends”, “may”, “might”, “plans”, “predicts”, “projects”, “schedules”, “seeks”, “should, “targets”, “will” and “would”.

Such forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable but such forward-looking statements
are subject to numerous risks, and uncertainties, including, but not limited to:
economic and operating conditions that are outside of our control, including the supply, demand, and prices of oil and natural gas;
the availability of adequate sources of capital to us;
our existing debt levels and our flexibility to obtain additional financing;
our ability to continue to make cash distributions, or increase cash distributions from current levels, after the establishment of reserves, payment of debt service and other contractual obligations;
the restrictions on our business that are imposed under our long-term debt agreements;
our dependence upon a limited number of customers and the activity levels of our customers;
the levels of competition we encounter;
our ability to replace our contracts with customers, which are generally short-term contracts;
the availability of raw materials and labor at reasonable prices;
risks related to acquisitions and our growth strategy;
our operational performance;
risks related to our foreign operations;
the credit and risk profile of TETRA;
the ability of our general partner to retain key personnel;
information technology risks including the risk from cyberattack;
the effect and results of litigation, regulatory matters, settlements, audits, assessments, and contingencies, and
other risks and uncertainties under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Annual Report and as included in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available free of charge on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

The risks and uncertainties referred to above are generally beyond our ability to control and we cannot predict all the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary from those indicated by the forward-looking statements, and such variances may be material.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements made by or attributable to us or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements we may make, except as may be required by law.
 
Certain Defined Terms

Unless the context requires otherwise, when we refer to “we,” “us,” “our,” and “the Partnership,” we are describing CSI Compressco LP and its wholly owned subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. References to “CSI Compressco GP” or “our general partner” refer to our general partner, CSI Compressco GP Inc. References to “TETRA” refer to TETRA Technologies, Inc. and TETRA’s controlled subsidiaries, other than us. References to “Compressco” refer to Compressco, Inc. and its controlled subsidiaries, other than us. References to “TETRA International” refer to TETRA International Incorporated and TETRA International’s controlled subsidiaries. References to the “Initial Public Offering” refer to the Partnership’s initial public offering of 2,670,000 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership ("common units") at $20.00 per common unit completed on June 20, 2011 pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-155260) (the "Registration Statement"), initially filed on November 10, 2008 by the Partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), including a prospectus regarding the Initial Public Offering (the "Prospectus") filed with the SEC on June 16, 2011 pursuant to Rule 424(b).

(ii)



PART I
 
Item 1. Business.

 The financial statements presented in this annual report are the consolidated financial statements of CSI Compressco LP, a Delaware limited partnership and its subsidiaries. When the terms “the Partnership,” “we,” “us” or “our” are used in this document, those terms refer to CSI Compressco LP and its consolidated subsidiaries.

We are a Delaware limited partnership formed in October 2008. Our corporate headquarters are located at 24955 Interstate 45 North, The Woodlands, Texas, 77380. Our phone number is 281-364-2244, and our website is accessed at www.csicompressco.com. Our common units are traded on the NASDAQ Exchange under the symbol “CCLP.”

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Conduct, Financial Code of Ethics, and Audit Committee Charter, as well as our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports are all available, free of charge, on our website at www.csicompressco.com as soon as practicable after we file the reports with the SEC. Information contained on or connected to our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated into any other filings with the SEC. The documents referenced above are available in print at no cost to any unitholder who requests them from our Corporate Secretary.

About CSI Compressco LP

We are a provider of compression services and equipment for natural gas and oil production, gathering, transportation, processing, and storage. We sell standard and custom-designed compressor packages, and provide aftermarket services and compressor package parts and components manufactured by third-party suppliers. We provide these compression services and equipment to a broad base of natural gas and oil exploration and production, midstream, and transmission companies operating throughout many of the onshore producing regions of the United States, as well as in a number of foreign countries, including Mexico, Canada, and Argentina. We design and fabricate a majority of the compressor packages that we use to provide compression services or sell to customers.

We are one of the largest service providers of natural gas compression services in the United States, utilizing our fleet of compressor packages that employs a full spectrum of low-, medium-, and high-horsepower engines. Low-horsepower compressor packages enhance production for dry gas wells and liquid-loaded gas wells by deliquifying wells, lowering wellhead pressure, and increasing gas velocity. Our low-horsepower compressor packages are also utilized in connection with oil and liquids production and in vapor recovery and casing gas system applications. Low- to medium-horsepower compressor packages are typically utilized in wellhead and natural gas gathering systems and other applications primarily in connection with natural gas and oil production. Our high-horsepower compressor package offerings are typically utilized in natural gas production, natural gas gathering, centralized compression facilities and midstream applications.

Our equipment sales business includes the fabrication and sale of standard compressor packages and custom-designed compressor packages designed and fabricated primarily at our facility in Midland, Texas. We design and fabricate natural gas reciprocating and rotary compressor packages up to 2,500 horsepower for use in our service fleet and up to 8,000 horsepower for sale to our broadened customer base. The compressor packages that we fabricate are sold to customers for their use in various applications including gas gathering, gas lift, carbon dioxide injection, wellhead compression, gas storage, refrigeration plant compression, gas processing, pressure maintenance, pipeline transmission, vapor recovery, gas transmission, fuel gas boosters, and coal bed methane systems.

Our aftermarket business provides a wide range of services to support the needs of customers who own compression equipment as well as the sale of compressor package parts and components manufactured by third-party suppliers. These services include operations, maintenance, overhaul, and reconfiguration services and may be provided under turnkey engineering, procurement and construction contracts. Our aftermarket services are provided by our factory- and internally trained technicians in most of the major oil and natural gas producing basins in the United States.


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Our long-term growth strategy includes expanding our existing businesses - through internal growth and acquisitions - both in the U.S. and in select foreign countries.

Our operations are organized into a single business segment. See "Note N - Segments" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report for further information. For financial information regarding our revenues and total assets, see "Note O - Geographic Information" contained in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

Certain of our domestic services are performed by our wholly owned subsidiary CSI Compressco Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (our “Operating LLC”), pursuant to contracts that our legal counsel has concluded generate qualifying income under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or “qualifying income.” We do not pay U.S. federal income taxes on the portion of our business conducted by Operating LLC. CSI Compressco Sub Inc. and Compressor Systems, Inc. ("CSI"), which are also wholly owned subsidiaries of ours, conduct substantially all of our operations that our legal counsel has not concluded generate qualifying income, and pay U.S. federal income tax with respect to such operations. We strive to ensure that all new domestic compression contracts are entered into by our Operating LLC and generate qualifying income. We also pay state and local income taxes in certain states, and we incur income taxes related to our foreign operations.

Through TETRA’s wholly owned subsidiary and our general partner, CSI Compressco GP Inc., TETRA manages and controls us. We rely on our general partner’s board of directors and executive officers to manage our operations and make decisions on our behalf. Our general partner is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of TETRA. Unlike shareholders in a publicly traded corporation, our unitholders are not entitled to elect our general partner or its directors. All of our general partner’s directors are elected by TETRA. Our general partner does not receive any management fee in connection with its management of our business. However, our general partner is reimbursed for certain indirect and direct expenses, including compensation expenses, incurred on our behalf. In addition, our general partner receives distributions based on its limited and general partner interests and incentive distribution rights. As of December 31, 2018, common units held by the public represent approximately a 65.0% ownership interest in us.

Products and Services

We are a provider of compression services and equipment for natural gas and oil production, gathering, transmission, processing, and storage. Natural gas compression is a mechanical process in which the pressure of a given volume of natural gas is increased to a higher pressure. It is essential to the production and movement of natural gas. Compression is typically required numerous times in the natural gas production and sales cycle, including (i) at the wellhead, (ii) throughout gathering and distribution systems, (iii) into and out of processing and storage facilities and (iv) in natural gas pipelines. Compression is also utilized for gas lift, an artificial lift technique for producing oil that has insufficient reservoir pressure. We fabricate and sell standard compressor packages and custom designed compressor packages. We also provide aftermarket compression services and sell compressor package parts and components manufactured by third-party suppliers.

Compression Services

We utilize our fleet of compressor packages to provide a variety of compression services to our customers to meet their specific requirements. Our fleet includes approximately 5,700 compressor packages that provide approximately 1.1 million in aggregate horsepower, employing a wide spectrum of low-, medium-, and high-horsepower engines. We fabricate our compressor packages primarily at our fabrication facility in Midland, Texas. The horsepower of our natural gas compressor package fleet as of December 31, 2018 is summarized in the following table:
Range of Horsepower Per Package
 
Number of Packages
 
Aggregate Horsepower
 
% of Aggregate Horsepower
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Low horsepower (0-100)
 
3,752

 
175,951

 
15.5
%
Medium-horsepower (101-1,000)
 
1,587

 
443,901

 
39.1
%
High-horsepower (1,001 and over)
 
380

 
515,625

 
45.4
%
Total
 
5,719

 
1,135,477

 
100.0
%


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Low-Horsepower (0-100 Horsepower) Compression Services. Our natural gas-powered, low-horsepower compressor packages include our GasJack® compressor packages that are relatively compact and easy to transport to our customer’s well site. We utilize our electric powered, low-horsepower VJack™ compressor packages to provide production enhancement services on wells where electric power is available. Our low-horsepower packages allow us to perform wellhead compression, fluids separation, and optional gas metering services all from one skid, thereby providing services that otherwise would generally require the use of multiple, more costly pieces of equipment. We utilize our low-horsepower compressor packages to provide production enhancement for dry gas wells and liquid-loaded gas wells and backside auto injection systems (“BAIS”). BAIS monitors tubing pressure to redirect gas flow into the casing annulus as needed to help gas wells unload liquids that hinder production. We also utilize our low-horsepower compressor packages to collect hydrocarbon vapors that are a by-product of oil production and storage (“vapor recovery”) and to reduce casing pressure of pumping oil wells to enhance oil production (“casing gas systems”).
 
Medium-horsepower (101-1,000 Horsepower) Compression Services. Our medium-horsepower compressor packages are primarily utilized to move natural gas from the wellhead through the field gathering system by boosting the pressure of the natural gas flowing through the system. Additionally, these compressor packages are used to reinject natural gas into producing vertical and horizontal oil wells that have insufficient reservoir pressure, to help lift liquids to the surface ("gas lift operations"). Typically, these applications require medium-horsepower compressor packages located at or near the wellhead. These compressor packages are also used to increase the efficiency of low-capacity natural gas fields by providing a central compression point from which the natural gas can be further processed and transported. These compressor packages feature primarily two- and three-stage compressors powered by natural gas engines ranging from 101 to 1,000 horsepower and equipped with interstage cooling.

High-Horsepower (Over 1,000 Horsepower) Compression Services. Our high-horsepower compressor packages are primarily utilized in midstream applications including natural gas gathering and centralized compression facilities. They move natural gas from individual wells or a group of wells to boost the pressure while being moved into a gathering pipeline that leads to various types of processing facilities. A significant number of these compressor packages in midstream applications also serve the dual purpose of gas lift operations by injecting a percentage of the compressed natural gas into producing oil wells. Our high-horsepower compressor packages are also used in connection with the movement of natural gas from gathering systems to storage facilities or the end user. These compressor packages feature primarily two- and three-stage compressors powered by natural gas engines over 1,000 horsepower and equipped with interstage cooling.

Other Related Services.    In certain Latin America markets, we provide well monitoring and sand separation services in connection with our primary low-horsepower compression services. Well monitoring services include a variety of services that monitor and optimize production from oil and gas wells. We utilize automated sand separators, which are high-pressure vessels with automated valve operation functions, at the well to remove solids that would otherwise cause abrasive wear damage to compression and other equipment that is installed downstream and inhibit production from the well.

Compression Services Contract Terms. Our compression services are primarily performed under service contracts using our low-, medium-, and high-horsepower compressor packages. A significant portion of these compression services are provided under services contracts that our legal counsel has concluded will generate qualifying income that is not subject to U.S. federal income taxes. Under these services contracts, we are responsible for providing our services in accordance with the particular specifications of a job. As owner and operator, we are responsible for operating and maintaining the equipment we utilize to provide our services. Our low horsepower compression service contracts typically have an initial term of one month and, unless terminated by us or our customers with 30-days' notice, continue on a month-to-month basis thereafter. Our medium and high horsepower compression service contracts typically have an initial term of twelve months but can also range from six months to twenty-four month initial terms as well. After the initial terms on our medium- and high-horsepower compression service contracts, typically customers will continue on a month-to-month basis or renew for additional extensions. We charge our customers a fixed monthly fee for the services provided under the services contracts. If the level of services we provide falls below certain contractually specified percentages, other than as a result of factors beyond our control, our customers are generally entitled to request limited credits against our service fees. To date, these credits have been insignificant as a percentage of revenue.
 
We generally own the equipment we use to provide services to our customers, and we bear the risk of loss to this equipment to the extent not caused by (i) a breach of certain obligations of the customer, primarily involving

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the service site and the fuel gas being supplied to us, or (ii) an uncontrolled well condition. Utilizing our proprietary, satellite telemetry-based reporting system, which is included on most of our equipment, we remotely monitor, in real time, whether our services are being continuously provided at our domestic customer well sites.

As owner of the equipment, we are obligated to pay ad valorem taxes levied on the equipment and related insurance expenses, and we do not seek reimbursement for such taxes and expenses from our service agreement customers.

Equipment and Parts Sales
 
We fabricate and sell natural gas compressor packages for various applications, including: gas gathering, gas lift, carbon dioxide injection, wellhead compression, gas storage, refrigeration plant compression, gas processing, pressure maintenance, pipeline transmission, vapor recovery, pipeline station optimization, gas transmission, fuel gas boosters, and coal bed methane systems.

 Aftermarket Business

Through our aftermarket operations, we provide a wide range of services to support the needs of customers who own compression equipment. The services provided are primarily operation, maintenance, overhaul and reconfiguration services, which may be provided under turnkey engineering, procurement and construction contracts. We also sell engine parts, compressor package parts and other parts manufactured by third parties that are utilized in natural gas compressor packages. We have factory- and internally trained technicians in most of the major oil and natural gas producing basins in the United States to perform these services.
 
Compressor Package Fabrication Facilities and Sources of Raw Materials
 
At our fabrication facility in Midland, Texas, we design and fabricate natural gas reciprocating and rotary compressor packages up to 8,000 horsepower, including both standard field compression equipment meeting industry standards and specially engineered compression equipment designed for unique customer specifications. We internally fabricate skids, pressure vessels built to American Society of Mechanical Engineers code, and piping systems and integrate them with engines, compressors and other components obtained from third-party suppliers. The compressor packages are used in our services business and they are sold to major and independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies as well as midstream processing and transmission companies. We design, engineer, fabricate and market high-quality gas compressor packages that have a superior reputation in the industry as evidenced by occasional sales to competitive fleets and to end users who have their own compressor package fabrication capabilities.

A majority of the components we use to fabricate compressor packages are obtained from third-party suppliers. These components represent a significant portion of the cost of the compressor packages. Some of the components used in the assembly of our compressor packages are obtained from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers. Typical contracts with these suppliers are for a period of twelve months. Should we experience a lack of availability of the components we use to fabricate our packages and systems, we believe that there are adequate, alternative suppliers and that any impact would not be severe, although short-term disruptions could be material. We occasionally experience long lead times for components from suppliers and, therefore, at times make purchases in anticipation of future orders.

Market Overview and Competition
 
Our operations are significantly dependent upon the demand for, and production of, oil and natural gas in the various domestic and international markets in which we operate. Beginning in 2014 and continuing throughout most of 2016, reduced prices of oil and natural gas led to declines in our customers' capital expenditure levels in the domestic and international markets in which we operate. The decline in activity in the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry resulted in reduced demand for our products and services compared to early 2014 levels. Despite recent volatility in oil and gas prices, we are seeing strong indicators of continued improving demand for our products and services.

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Customers
 
We provide services to a broad base of natural gas and oil exploration and production, midstream, pipeline transmission, and storage companies operating throughout many of the onshore producing regions of the United States. We also have operations in Latin America and certain other foreign regions. While most of our domestic services are performed throughout Texas, the San Juan Basin, the Rocky Mountain region, and the Mid-Continent region of the United States, we also have a presence in other U.S. producing regions. We continue to seek opportunities to further expand our operations into other regions in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.

 Our service contracts are generally terminable upon thirty days’ notice after the primary term has expired. Although we enter into short-term contracts, many of our largest customers have been with us for over five years. Our most significant customer for the year ended December 31, 2018 was Targa Resources, which accounted for approximately 15% of our consolidated revenues for the year. Other significant customers include various major integrated oil companies, public and private independent exploration and production companies and midstream companies, none of which individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018. The loss of any of our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.

Competition
 
The natural gas compression services and compressor package fabrication and sale businesses are highly competitive. We experience competition from companies that may be able to more quickly adapt to changes within our industry and changes in economic conditions as a whole, more readily take advantage of available opportunities, and adopt more aggressive pricing policies. Primary competition for our low-horsepower compression services business comes from smaller local and regional companies that utilize packages consisting of a screw or reciprocating compressor with a separate engine driver. These local and regional competitors tend to compete with us on the basis of price, as opposed to our focus on providing production enhancement value to the customer. Competition for our medium- and high-horsepower compression services business comes primarily from large companies that may have greater financial resources than ours. Such competitors include ArchRock, Kodiak Gas Services, and USA Compression. Our competition in the standard compressor package fabrication and sale markets includes several large companies and a large number of small, regional fabricators, including some of those with whom we also compete for compression services, including Enerflex, Exterran and others. Our competition in the custom-designed market usually consists of larger companies with the ability to provide integrated projects and product support after the sale, including some of the competitors noted above. The ability to fabricate these large custom-designed packages at our facilities near the point of end-use of many customers is often a competitive advantage.
 
Many of our compression services competitors compete on the basis of price. We believe our pricing has proven to be competitive because of the significant increases in the value that results from use of our services, our customer service, trained field personnel, and the quality of the compressor packages we use to provide our services.

Other Business Matters
 
Marketing
 
We utilize various marketing strategies to promote our services and compressor package products. Our account managers attempt to build close working relationships with our existing and potential customers to educate them about our services and products by scheduling personal visits, hosting and attending workshops, tradeshows and conferences, and participating in industry organizations. We sponsor and make presentations at industry events that are targeted to production managers, compression specialists and other decision makers. Our marketing representatives also use these marketing opportunities to promote our value-added service initiatives, such as the use of our proprietary satellite telemetry-based system, our wellsite optimization program and our call center.
 

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Backlog
 
Our equipment and parts sales business consists of the fabrication and sale of standard compressor packages and custom-designed compressor packages. Our custom-designed packages are typically greater in size and complexity than standard fabrication packages, requiring more labor, materials, and overhead resources. This business requires diligent planning of those resources and project and backlog management in order to meet the customer's desired delivery dates and performance criteria, and achieve fabrication efficiencies. As of December 31, 2018, our equipment sales backlog was $105.2 million, compared to $47.5 million as of December 31, 2017, all of which is expected to be recognized in the year ended December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we received cumulative orders of $188.2 million for new compressor packages. We also reached our highest backlog since 2014 and received the largest single order of new compressor equipment in our history, for approximately $67.0 million. Our new equipment sales backlog consists of firm customer orders for which a purchase or work order has been received, satisfactory credit or financing arrangements exist, and delivery has been scheduled. Our new equipment sales backlog is a measure of marketing effectiveness that allows us to plan future labor and raw material needs and measure our success in winning bids from our customers.

Employees
 
As of December 31, 2018, our general partner and certain of our subsidiaries had approximately 750 full-time employees who provide services to conduct our operations. Our general partner’s U.S. employees and our employees in Canada are not subject to collective bargaining agreements. Under our Omnibus Agreement with TETRA, certain employees of TETRA and its affiliates also provide services to our general partner, us and our subsidiaries, and we reimburse TETRA for these services. Our employees in Argentina and Mexico are subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The employees of TETRA who provide services to us in Argentina and Mexico are subject to numerous collective labor agreements. We believe that the various employers of these employees have good relations with these employees and we have not experienced work stoppages in the past.
 
Proprietary Technology and Trademarks
 
It is our practice to enter into confidentiality agreements with employees, consultants, and third parties to whom we disclose our confidential and proprietary information. There can be no assurance, however, that these measures will prevent the unauthorized disclosure or use of our trade secrets and expertise or that others may not independently develop similar trade secrets or expertise. Our management believes, however, that it would require a substantial period of time and substantial resources to independently develop similar know-how or technology.
 
We sell various services and products under a variety of trademarks and service marks, some of which are registered in the United States.
 
Health, Safety, and Environmental Affairs Regulations

We believe that our service and sales operations and fabricating plants are in substantial compliance with all applicable U.S. and foreign health, safety, and environmental laws and regulations. We are committed to conducting all of our operations under the highest standards of safety and respect for the environment. However, risks of substantial costs and liabilities are inherent in certain of our operations and in the development and handling of certain products and equipment produced or used at our plants, well locations, and worksites. Because of these risks, there can be no assurance that significant costs and liabilities will not be incurred in the future. Changes in environmental and health and safety regulations could subject us to more rigorous standards. We cannot predict the extent to which our operations may be affected by future regulatory and enforcement policies.

We are subject to numerous federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to protection of human health and the environment. The primary environmental laws that impact our operations in the United States include:

the Clean Air Act ("CAA") and comparable state laws, and regulations thereunder, which regulate air emissions;

6



the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 (the "Clean Water Act") and comparable state laws, and regulations thereunder, which regulate the discharge of pollutants into regulated waters, including industrial wastewater discharges and storm water runoff;
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or (“RCRA”), and comparable state laws, and regulations, thereunder, which regulate the management and disposal of solid and hazardous waste; and
the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or (“CERCLA”), and comparable state laws, and regulations thereunder, known more commonly as “Superfund,” which impose liability for the cleanup of releases of hazardous substances in the environment.

Our operations in the United States are also subject to regulation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act ("OSHA") and comparable state laws, and regulations thereunder, which regulate the protection of the health and safety of workers.

The CAA and implementing regulations and comparable state laws and regulations regulate emissions of air pollutants from various industrial sources and also impose various monitoring and reporting requirements, including requirements related to emissions from certain stationary engines. These laws and regulations impose limits on the levels of various substances that may be emitted into the atmosphere from our compressor packages and require us to meet more stringent air emission standards and install new emission control equipment on all of our engines built after July 1, 2008. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") issued regulations in April 2012 that require the reduction of emissions of volatile organic compounds, air toxins, and methane, a greenhouse gas, at certain oil and gas operations. We are not currently aware of material impacts to our operations associated with these rules.

The EPA has determined that greenhouse gases ("GHGs") present an endangerment to public health and the environment because, according to the EPA, they contribute to global warming and climate change. As a result, the EPA has begun to regulate certain sources of GHGs, including air emissions associated with oil and gas production particularly as they relate to the hydraulic fracturing of natural gas wells. In addition, the EPA has issued regulations requiring the reporting of GHG emissions from certain sources including onshore and offshore oil and natural gas production facilities and onshore oil and gas processing, transmission, storage, and distribution facilities. Reporting of GHG emissions from such facilities is required on an annual basis. The EPA’s rules relating to emissions of GHGs from large stationary sources of emissions are currently subject to a number of legal challenges, but the federal courts have thus far declined to issue any injunctions to prevent the EPA or state environmental agencies from implementing the rules. Further, Congress has considered, and almost one-half of the states have adopted, legislation that seeks to control or reduce emissions of GHGs from a wide range of sources.

The Clean Water Act and implementing regulations and comparable state laws and regulations prohibit the discharge of pollutants into regulated waters without a permit and establish limits on the levels of pollutants contained in these discharges. In addition, the Clean Water Act and other comparable laws and regulations regulate storm water discharges associated with industrial activities depending on a facility’s primary standard industrial classification. Our facilities are in compliance with these requirements, as applicable.
 
RCRA and implementing regulations and state laws and regulations address the management and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. These laws and regulations govern the generation, storage, treatment, transfer, and disposal of wastes including, but not limited to, used oil, antifreeze, filters, sludges, paint, solvents and sandblast materials. The EPA and various state agencies have limited the approved methods of disposal for these types of wastes. We believe we are in substantial compliance with all applicable requirements.
 
CERCLA and comparable state laws and regulations impose strict, joint, and several liabilities without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct on certain classes of persons that contributed to the release of a hazardous substance into the environment. These persons include the owner or operator of a disposal site where a hazardous substance release occurred and any company that transported, disposed of, or arranged for the transport or disposal of such hazardous substances released at a site. Under CERCLA, such persons may be liable for the costs of remediating the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources and for the costs of certain health studies.
 
We believe that we have properly disposed of all historical waste streams and we have no outstanding liability regarding any past waste handling or spill activities; however, there is always the possibility that future spills

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and releases of petroleum hydrocarbons, wastes, or other regulated substances into the environment could cause us to become subject to remediation costs and liabilities under CERCLA, RCRA, or other environmental laws. The costs and liabilities associated with the future imposition of remedial obligations could have the potential for a material adverse effect on our operations or financial position.

We are subject to the requirements of OSHA and comparable state statutes. These laws and regulations strictly govern the protection of the health and safety of employees. The OSHA hazard communication standard, the EPA community right-to-know regulations under Title III of CERCLA, and similar state statutes require that we maintain and/or disclose information about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with these requirements and other applicable similar laws.

Our compressor packages may be subject to additional regulatory requirements under the CAA. For example, regulations under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (“NESHAPS”) provisions of the CAA require control of hazardous air pollutants from new and existing stationary reciprocal internal combustion engines. Our equipment is also subject to additional prescribed maintenance practices and catalyst installation may also be required. More recently, the EPA finalized rules that establish new air emission controls under the EPA's New Source Performance Standards ("NSPS") and NESHAPS for natural gas and natural gas liquids production, processing and transportation activities. These rules establish specific requirements associated with emissions from compressors and controllers at natural gas gathering and boosting stations.

We design and fabricate our compressor packages to meet applicable customer and government regulatory health, safety, and environmental requirements. Our operations outside the United States are subject to foreign governmental laws and regulations relating to the environment, health and safety, and other regulated activities. We believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with existing foreign governmental laws and regulations.
 
Related Party Agreements
 
Under our Omnibus Agreement with TETRA, our general partner provides all personnel and services reasonably necessary to manage our operations and conduct our business other than in Mexico and Argentina and certain of TETRA’s Latin American subsidiaries provide personnel and services necessary for the conduct of certain of our Latin American business. In addition, under the Omnibus Agreement, TETRA provides corporate and general and administrative services requested by our general partner including certain legal, accounting and financial reporting, treasury, insurance administration, claims processing and risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, internal audit and tax services. Pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement, we reimburse our general partner and TETRA and its subsidiaries for services they provide to us. At various times, we and TETRA have agreed that our reimbursement for corporate general and administrative services performed by TETRA would be paid using common units rather than cash. We may sometimes refer herein to the personnel of our general partner and TETRA and its subsidiaries who provide services for the conduct of our business as “our personnel” or other similar references.

Under the Omnibus Agreement, we or TETRA may, but neither of us is under any obligation to, perform for the other such production enhancement or other oilfield services on a subcontract basis as are needed or desired by the other, for such periods of time and in such amounts as may be mutually agreed upon by TETRA and our general partner. Any such services are required to be performed on terms that are (i) approved by the conflicts committee of our general partner’s board of directors, (ii) no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from non-affiliated third parties, as determined by our general partner, or (iii) fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between TETRA and us (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us), as determined by our general partner.

Under the Omnibus Agreement, we or TETRA may, but neither of us is under any obligation to, sell, lease, or like-kind exchange to the other such production enhancement or other oilfield services equipment as is needed or desired, in such amounts, upon such conditions, and for such periods of time, as may be mutually agreed upon by TETRA and our general partner. Any such sales, leases, or like-kind exchanges are required to be on terms that are (i) approved by the conflicts committee of our general partner’s board of directors, (ii) no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from non-affiliated third parties, as determined by our general partner, or (iii) fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between TETRA and us (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us), as determined by our general partner. In addition, TETRA may purchase newly fabricated equipment from us at a negotiated price provided that such price may not be less than the sum of the total costs (other than any allocations of general and

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administrative expenses) incurred by us in fabricating such equipment plus a fixed margin percentage thereof, and TETRA may purchase from us previously fabricated equipment for a price that is not less than the sum of the net book value of such equipment plus a fixed margin percentage thereof, unless otherwise approved by the conflicts committee of our general partner’s board of directors.

The Omnibus Agreement, as amended in June 2014 to extend its term, will terminate (other than the indemnification obligations contained therein) upon the earlier to occur of a change of control of the general partner or TETRA or upon any party providing at least 180 days' prior written notice of termination.

In addition to the Omnibus Agreement, we have entered into other operational agreements with TETRA. For a more comprehensive discussion of the Omnibus Agreement and other agreements we have entered into with TETRA, please see “Item 13 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.”

Item 1A. Risk Factors.
 
Certain Business Risks
 
Although it is not possible to identify all of the risks we encounter, we have identified the following significant risk factors that could affect our actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from any such results that might be projected, forecasted, or estimated by us in this Annual Report.
 
We depend on domestic and international demand for and production of oil and natural gas, and a reduction in this demand or production could adversely affect the demand or the prices we charge for our services, which could cause our revenue and cash available for distribution to our unitholders to decrease.
 
Our operations are significantly dependent upon the demand for, and production of, oil and natural gas in the various domestic and international markets in which we operate. Oil and natural gas production rates are volatile and may be affected by, among other factors, prices for such commodities, market uncertainty, weather and availability of alternative energy sources.

The reduction in oil and natural gas prices that began in 2014 and continued through 2015 and 2016 resulted in declining demand for certain of our products and services compared to 2014 levels. Although oil prices steadily rose during late 2017 and early 2018, they fell during late 2018, with 2018 West Texas Intermediate oil prices dropping from a high of $76.90 per barrel in October 2018 to a low of $42.36 per barrel in December 2018. West Texas Intermediate price was $55.80 per barrel as of March 1, 2019. U.S. natural gas prices have also been volatile over the past three years, with the Henry Hub price ranging from a low of $1.61 per million British thermal units (“MMBtu”) in March 2016 to a high of $4.93 per MMBtu in November 2018. The Henry Hub price for natural gas as of March 1, 2019 was $2.86 per MMBtu. Despite the downturn in oil prices during late 2018, demand for medium- and high-horsepower compression services and equipment remains strong compared to two years ago. Demand for low-horsepower compression services used for natural gas production enhancement has begun to increase slightly, but remains challenged. If oil and natural gas prices decline and remain low in the future, this may negatively impact the operating cash flows and exploration and development activities and plans of many of our customers and have a negative impact on the demand for our compression products and services.

Factors impacting the prices of oil and natural gas include: (i) the levels of supply of and demand for oil and natural gas; (ii) governmental regulations, including the policies of governments regarding the exploration for and production and development of their oil and natural gas reserves; (iii) weather conditions and natural disasters; (iv) worldwide political, military, and economic conditions; (v) the ability and willingness of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ("OPEC") to set and maintain oil production levels; (vi) the levels of oil production by non-OPEC countries; (vii) oil refining capacity and shifts in end-customer preferences toward fuel efficiency and the use of natural gas; (viii) the cost of producing and delivering oil and natural gas; and (ix) the cost and availability of alternative sources of energy.

Our current capital structure, along with current debt and equity market conditions, may continue to limit our ability to obtain financing to pursue business growth opportunities.
 
Current conditions in the markets for debt and equity securities in the energy sector have increased the difficulty of obtaining debt and equity financing to grow our business. As of December 31, 2018, the market price for our common units was $2.32 per common unit, reflecting a steep decline during the fourth quarter of 2018 and

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compared to a high of $8.05 per common unit during February 2018. As of March 1, 2019, the price of our common units was $3.10 per common unit. The issuance of new convertible debt or equity securities (similar to the Series A Convertible Preferred Units that were issued in late 2016, (the "Preferred Units")) in the future, if available, could be significantly dilutive to current common unitholders. In addition, as of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $645.9 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 7.25% Senior Notes and 7.50% Senior Secured Notes. Obtaining equity or debt financing in the current market environment is particularly difficult for us, given our current levels of long-term debt.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, our aggregate capital expenditures totaled $103.5 million, which were primarily growth capital expenditures to increase our compression services equipment fleet, and the majority of these capital expenditures were funded through the issuance of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes in 2018. As of December 31, 2018, our total cash balance was $15.9 million. We anticipate capital expenditures in 2019 to range from $60.0 million to $65.0 million. These capital expenditures include approximately $18.0 million to $20.0 million of maintenance capital expenditures and approximately $42.0 to $45.0 million of capital expenditures primarily associated with the expansion of our compression services fleet. We expect that the combination of $15.9 million of cash on hand at the beginning of 2019 and operating cash flows expected to be generated during the year will be sufficient to fund these capital expenditures without having to incur additional long-term debt and without having to access the equity markets. In addition to the anticipated 2019 expansion capital expenditures noted above that we intend to fund from cash on hand and from expected cash flow from operations, TETRA has agreed to purchase up to $15.0 million of compression equipment to be leased to us pursuant to agreements executed in February 2019. However, our ability to grow our business through capital expenditure or acquisition activities beyond these sources of financing may be significantly limited or curtailed. Without the ability to increase our compression equipment fleet or otherwise grow our operations, our ability to continue to retain customers whose compression services needs are expanding and to increase distributions to our common unitholders in the future may be limited.

Our long-term debt levels result in a significant amount of our operating cash flows being used to fund debt service requirements.

In March 2018, we issued an aggregate $350.0 million of our 7.50% Senior Secured Notes, the proceeds of which were partially used to repay the remaining outstanding balance of $258.0 million under our previous bank credit facility, which was then terminated. The aggregate carrying value of our 7.50% Senior Secured Notes as of December 31, 2018 is $343.2 million. The issuance of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes increased our aggregate amount of long-term debt outstanding as well as the aggregate interest rate of our debt outstanding. In addition, we have an aggregate carrying value of $289.8 million of our 7.25% Senior Notes outstanding as of December 31, 2018. The increase in our total long-term indebtedness has increased our total interest expense, which in turn reduces our cash available to fund capital expenditures or for distribution. Our ability to service our indebtedness in the future will depend upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which will be impacted by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If our operating results are not sufficient to service our current or future indebtedness, we may be forced to consider taking actions such as reducing or delaying our business activities, acquisitions, investments and/or capital expenditures, delaying any desired increase of distributions, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness, or seeking additional equity capital or bankruptcy protection. We may not be able to take any of these courses of action.

We may not have sufficient cash from operations following the establishment of cash reserves and payment of debt service and other contractual obligations, fees and expenses, including cost reimbursements to our general partner, to enable us to increase cash distributions to our common unitholders following the conversion of the remaining outstanding Preferred Units.

On December 20, 2018, we announced that, given our low common unit price, we were reducing our common unit distributions from $0.75 per unit per year (or $0.1875 per quarter) to $0.04 per unit per year (or $0.01 per quarter) for a period of up to four quarters, beginning with the February 2019 distribution. We noted that we intend to use the approximately $34 million of savings from the reduced distribution to redeem the remaining outstanding Preferred Units for cash and avoid the further dilution to our common unitholders that would occur if we continued to convert the Preferred Units into common units each month. The redemption of the Preferred Units is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2019, at which time we intend to re-evaluate the distribution policy based on business conditions at that time.     


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Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the amount of cash otherwise available for distribution is reduced by our operating expenses and the amount of cash reserves that our general partner establishes to provide for future operations, future capital expenditures, future debt service requirements (including the redemption of our remaining Preferred Units in cash, if we so choose and are allowed under our debt agreements), and future cash distributions to our common unitholders. In order to make cash distributions at this current distribution rate of $0.01 per common unit per quarter, or $0.04 per common unit per year, we will require available cash of approximately $0.5 million per quarter, or $1.9 million per year, based on the number of common units outstanding as of March 1, 2019. We may not have sufficient available cash each quarter to enable us to increase cash distributions following the redemption of our remaining Preferred Units, or make any distribution at all. To the extent we issue additional partnership units in connection with our growth, the payment of distributions on those additional partnership units may further increase the risk that we will be unable to increase our per-unit distribution. There are no limitations in our partnership agreement or our Loan and Security Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") on our ability to issue additional common units. The amount of cash we can distribute to our common unitholders principally depends upon the amount of cash we generate from our operations, which fluctuates from quarter to quarter based on, among other things, the market conditions described in these Risk Factors.

Many of our operating expenses have been volatile and may continue to be volatile or increase in the future. To the extent our efforts to contain these costs are not successful, our generation of operating cash flows to fund or increase our quarterly distributions will be negatively impacted.
    
Our long-term debt agreements contain covenants and other provisions that restrict our ability to take certain actions and may limit our ability to grow our business in the future.

Our Credit Agreement includes a maximum credit commitment of $50.0 million, which is available for loans, letters of credit (with a sublimit of $25.0 million), and swingline loans (with a sublimit of $5.0 million), subject to a borrowing base determined by reference to the value of certain of our accounts receivable. The maximum credit commitment may be increased by $25.0 million, subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that restrict our ability to take certain actions including, among other things and subject to certain significant exceptions, incurring debt, granting liens, making investments, entering into or amending existing transactions with affiliates, paying dividends, and selling assets. The Credit Agreement also contains a provision that requires our compliance with a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of not less than 1.0 to 1.0 in the event that certain conditions associated with outstanding borrowings and cash availability occur.

In addition, the indentures governing our 7.50% Senior Secured Notes and our 7.25% Senior Notes contain customary covenants restricting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (i) pay distributions on, purchase, or redeem our common units, make certain investments and other restricted payments, or purchase or redeem any subordinated debt; (ii) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue certain kinds of preferred equity securities; (iii) create or incur certain liens securing indebtedness; (iv) sell assets, including dispositions of the collateral securing our 7.50% Senior Secured Notes; (v) consolidate, merge, or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (vii) enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from our restricted subsidiaries to us. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions, including certain provisions permitting us, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to transfer assets to certain of our unrestricted subsidiaries. The indentures also contain customary events of default and acceleration provisions relating to events of default, which provide that upon an event of default under the indentures, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding 7.50% Senior Secured Notes and 7.25% Senior Notes may declare all of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes and 7.25% Senior Notes to be due and payable immediately.

The loss of any of our most significant customers would result in a decline in our revenue and cash available to pay distributions to our common unitholders.
 
Our five most significant customers collectively accounted for approximately 31% of our 2018 revenues. Our services and products are provided to these customers pursuant to equipment sales or short-term contract compression services agreements, many of which are cancellable with 30-days' notice. The loss of all or even a portion of the services we provide to these customers, as a result of competition or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 

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The credit and risk profile of TETRA could adversely affect our business and our ability to make distributions to our common unitholders.
 
The credit and business risk profile of TETRA could adversely affect our ability to incur indebtedness in the future or obtain a credit rating, as credit rating agencies may consider the leverage and credit profile of TETRA and its affiliates in assigning a rating because of TETRA's control of us, their performance of administrative functions for us, and our contractual relationships with them. Furthermore, the trading price of our common units may be adversely affected by financial or operational difficulties or excessive debt levels at TETRA. If the pledge of TETRA's ownership of our general partner becomes effective in the future, control over our general partner could be transferred to TETRA’s lenders in the event of a default by TETRA.
 
We may be unable to negotiate extensions or replacements of our contracts with our customers, which are generally cancellable on 30-days' notice, which could adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution to our common unitholders.
 
We generally provide compression services to our customers under “evergreen” contracts that are cancellable on thirty days’ notice. We may be unable to negotiate extensions or replacements of these contracts on favorable terms, if at all, which could adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution to our common unitholders.

We face competition that may cause us to lose market share and harm our financial performance.

Our business is highly competitive. We face competition from a variety of large and small companies, including companies with greater financial resources than we have. Our ability to renew or replace existing contracts with our customers at rates sufficient to maintain current revenues and cash flows could be adversely impacted by the activities of our competitors. Our competitors could substantially increase the resources they devote to the development and marketing of competitive equipment or services, develop more efficient equipment, or decrease the price at which they offer their equipment services or sell their equipment. Any of these competitive pressures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and ability to make cash distributions to our common unitholders.

We depend on particular suppliers and are vulnerable to engine and compressor component shortages and
price increases, which could have a negative impact on our results of operations and cash available for
distribution to our common unitholders.

We fabricate most of our compressor packages. We obtain some of the components used in our compressor packages from a single source or a limited group of suppliers. Significant suppliers of material components include Caterpillar, Inc. and Ariel Corporation for engines and compressor components, respectively. Our reliance on these and other suppliers involves several risks, including our potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components in a timely manner. We do not have long-term contracts with these sources and the partial or complete loss of certain of these sources could have a negative impact on our results of operations and could damage our customer relationships. Further, since any increase in component prices for compressor packages fabricated by us could decrease our margins, a significant increase in the price of one or more of these components could have a negative impact on our results of operations and cash available for distribution to our common unitholders.

Operating cash flows from the sale of compressor packages are inconsistent.

A significant portion of our revenues and cash flows is derived from the sales of compressor packages. During 2018, we reported revenues of $137.9 million from the sale of compressor packages. As of December 31, 2018, we had a compressor package sales order backlog of $105.2 million, compared to $47.5 million as of December 31, 2017. Demand to purchase our compressor packages is affected by numerous factors, including the prices of natural gas and oil and the level of capital spending by our customers. A change in our business strategy or any of these factors could cause cash flows from the sale of compressor packages to decrease.


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Our future growth and success depend upon a number of factors, some of which we cannot control.

Our long-term growth strategy includes both internal growth and growth through acquisitions. Our future internal growth and success will depend upon a number of factors that are outside of our control. These factors include our ability to:
attract new customers;
maintain our existing customers and maintain or expand the level of services we provide to them; and
recruit, train, and retain qualified field services and other personnel.

Failure in any of these areas could adversely affect our ability to execute our internal growth strategy.

We may be unable to grow successfully through future acquisitions and we may not be able to achieve the expected benefits of and integrate the businesses we do acquire effectively, which may impact our operations and limit our ability to increase distributions to our common unitholders.

From time to time, we may choose to make business acquisitions to pursue market opportunities, increase our existing capabilities, and expand into new areas of operations. We may not be able to identify attractive acquisition opportunities or successfully acquire identified targets. If oil and natural gas prices worsen or do not improve, we may not achieve all of the expected benefits of or be successful in fully integrating any future acquisitions into our existing operations, which may result in unforeseen operational difficulties or diminished financial performance or require a disproportionate amount of attention from our general partner’s personnel. Even if we are successful in fully integrating any future acquisitions into our existing operations, we may not derive the benefits, such as operational or administrative synergies, that we expect from such acquisitions, which may result in the commitment of our capital resources without the expected returns on such capital. Furthermore, competition for acquisition opportunities may escalate, increasing our cost of making acquisitions or causing us to refrain from making acquisitions. Our inability to make acquisitions or to achieve the expected results of and integrate successfully future acquisitions into our existing operations may impact our operations and limit our ability to increase distributions to our common unitholders.

Our sales to and operations in foreign countries exposes us to additional risks and uncertainties, including with respect to U.S. trade and economic sanctions, export control laws, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
(“FCPA”), and similar anti-bribery laws. If we are not in compliance with applicable legal requirements, we may be subject to civil or criminal penalties and other remedial measures that could have a material impact on our business.

We have operations in Mexico, Canada, and Argentina as well as a number of other foreign countries. A portion of our expected future growth includes expansion in these and other foreign countries. Foreign operations carry special risks. Our operations in the countries in which we currently operate and those countries in which we may operate in the future, could be adversely affected by:
government controls and actions, such as expropriation of assets and changes in legal and regulatory environments;
import and export license requirements;
political, social, or economic instability;
trade restrictions;
changes in tariffs and taxes;
currency exposure;
restrictions on repatriating foreign profits back to the United States; and
the impact of anti-corruption laws.
 
Sanctions imposed by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) prohibit our operations in or sales to customers in certain foreign countries. We are also subject to the FCPA, which prohibits U.S. companies and their intermediaries from bribing foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment, and other similar laws governing our foreign operations. The FCPA’s foreign counterparts, including the UK Bribery Act, contain similar prohibitions, although varying in both scope and jurisdiction. We operate in parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption in the past.


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We have policies and procedures to maintain our compliance with the FCPA, OFAC sanctions, export controls, and similar laws and regulations. The implementation of such policies and procedures may be time consuming and expensive, and could result in the discovery of issues or violations with respect to the foregoing by us or our employees, independent contractors, subcontractors, or agents of which we were previously unaware. If we violate any of these regulations, significant administrative, civil, and criminal penalties could be assessed on us. In addition, foreign governments and agencies often establish permit and regulatory standards different from those in the U.S. If we cannot obtain foreign regulatory approvals or cannot obtain them in a timely manner, our growth and profitability from international operations could be adversely affected.

Escalating security disruptions in regions of Mexico served by us could adversely affect our Mexican operations, and, as a result, the levels of revenue and operating cash flow from our Mexican operations could be reduced.

In recent years, incidents of security disruptions throughout many regions of Mexico have increased. Drug-related gang activity has grown in Mexico. Certain incidents of violence have occurred in regions in which we operate and have resulted in the interruption of our operations, and these interruptions could increase in the future. To the extent that such security disruptions increase, the levels of revenue and operating cash flow from our Mexican operations could be reduced.

Our operations in Argentina expose us to the changing economic, legal, and political environment in that country, including changing regulations governing the repatriation of cash generated from our operations in Argentina.

The current economic, legal, and political environment in Argentina and recent devaluations of the Argentinian peso have created increased instability for foreign investment in Argentina. The Argentinian government is currently attempting to address the current high rate of inflation and the continuing currency devaluation pressure. Fiscal and monetary expansion in Argentina has led to devaluations of the Argentinian peso. Additional devaluation may be necessary to help boost the current Argentina economy, and they may be accompanied by fiscal and monetary tightening, including additional restrictions on the transfer of U.S. dollars out of Argentina. On June 30, 2018, we determined the economy in Argentina to be highly inflationary. As a result of this determination and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), on July 1, 2018, the functional currency of our operations in Argentina was changed from the Argentine peso to the U.S. dollar. The remeasurement did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
As a result of our operations in Argentina, consolidated revenues and operating cash flow generated in Argentina have increased over the past three years. As of December 31, 2018, approximately $53,000 of our consolidated cash balance is located in bank accounts in Argentina, and the process of repatriating this cash to the U.S. is subject to increasingly complex regulations. There can be no assurances that our growing Argentinian operations will not expose us to the loss of liquidity, foreign exchange losses, and other potential financial impacts.

Our ability to manage and grow our business effectively and provide quality services to our customers may be adversely affected if our general partner loses its management or is unable to retain trained personnel.
 
We rely primarily on the executive officers and other senior management of our general partner to manage our operations and make decisions on our behalf. Our ability to provide quality compression services depends upon our general partner’s ability to hire, train, and retain an adequate number of trained personnel. The departure of any of our general partner’s executive officers or other senior management could have a significant negative effect on our business, operating results, financial condition, and our ability to compete effectively in the marketplace. We operate in an industry characterized by highly competitive labor markets, and, similar to many of our competitors, we have experienced high employee turnover in certain regions. It is possible that our labor expenses could increase if there is a shortage in the supply of skilled regional service supervisors and other service professionals. Our general partner may be unable to maintain an adequate skilled labor force necessary for us to operate efficiently and to support our growth strategy. Failure to do so could impair our ability to operate efficiently and to retain current customers and attract prospective customers, which could cause our business to suffer materially. Additionally, increases in labor expenses may have an adverse impact on our operating results and may reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our common unitholders.


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The employees conducting our operations in Mexico and Argentina are party to collective labor agreements, and a prolonged work stoppage of our operations in Mexico or Argentina could adversely impact our revenues, cash flows and net income.
 
The personnel conducting our operations in Mexico are currently subject to collective labor agreements. These collective labor agreements consist of “evergreen” contracts that have no expiration date and whose terms remain in full force and effect from year-to-year, unless the parties agree to negotiate new terms. The employees subject to these “evergreen” agreements may, however, request a renegotiation of their employee compensation terms on an annual basis or a renegotiation of the entire agreement on a biannual basis, although we are not required to honor any such request. The personnel conducting operations in Argentina are also subject to collective labor agreements. We have not experienced work stoppages in Mexico or Argentina in the past, but cannot guarantee that we will not experience work stoppages in the future. A prolonged work stoppage could adversely impact our revenues, cash flows, and net income.

TETRA and its affiliates are not limited in their ability to compete with us, which could cause conflicts of interest and limit our ability to acquire additional assets or businesses, which in turn could adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution to our common unitholders.

Neither our partnership agreement nor the Omnibus Agreement between TETRA and us prohibits TETRA and its affiliates from owning assets or engaging in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. TETRA has historically provided some services for PEMEX in Mexico in competition with us and could choose to further compete with us for additional services for PEMEX in Mexico. In addition, TETRA and its affiliates may acquire compression-based services businesses or assets in the future, without any obligation to offer us the opportunity to purchase any of that business or those assets. As a result, competition from TETRA could adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution.

Our exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations may result in fluctuations in our cash flows and could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
Because we have operations in Mexico, Canada and Argentina, and in certain other foreign countries, a portion of our business is conducted in foreign currencies. As a result, we are exposed to currency exchange rate fluctuations that could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. If a foreign currency weakened significantly, we would be required to convert more of that foreign currency to U.S. dollars to satisfy our obligations, which would cause us to have less cash available for distribution. A significant strengthening of the U.S. dollar could result in an increase in our financing expenses and could materially affect our financial results under U.S. GAAP. Because we report our operating results in U.S. dollars, changes in the value of the U.S. dollar also result in fluctuations in our reported revenues and earnings. Most of our billings under the contracts with PEMEX and other clients in Mexico are in U.S. dollars; however, a large portion of our expenses and costs under those contracts are incurred in Mexican pesos. In addition, future contract awards with PEMEX may require us to bill a larger portion of our revenues in Mexican pesos, which would expose us to additional foreign currency exchange rate risks.

As a result of the above, we are exposed to fluctuations in the values of the Mexican and Argentinian peso against the U.S. dollar. A material increase in the values of these foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar would adversely affect our cash flows and net income. On June 30, 2018, we determined the economy in Argentina to be highly inflationary. As a result of this determination and in accordance with U.S. GAAP, on July 1, 2018, the functional currency of our operations in Argentina was changed from the Argentine peso to the U.S. dollar. In addition, for our operations in Canada, where the Canadian dollar is the functional currency under U.S. GAAP, all U.S. dollar-denominated monetary assets and liabilities, such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, long-term debt and capital lease obligations, are revalued and reported based on the prevailing exchange rate at the end of the reporting period. This revaluation may cause us to report significant foreign currency exchange gains and losses in certain periods.
Further changes in the economic environment could result in further significant impairments of certain of our long-lived assets.
 
During 2015 and 2016, lower oil and natural gas prices resulted in a decreased demand for certain of our products and services. Demand for compression services and for new compressor packages decreased significantly, although recently we are seeing signs of increased demand, particularly for medium- and high-horsepower compression services and equipment. Decreased commodity prices had, and may continue to have, a

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negative impact on oil and gas drilling and capital expenditure activity, which affects the demand for a portion of our products and services. During 2015 and 2016, primarily as a result of the significant decreases in oil and natural gas prices during these periods, we recorded certain consolidated long-lived asset impairments, including goodwill impairments, of approximately $242.0 million. Further changes in the economic environment could result in decreased demand for our products and services, which could impact the expected utilization rates of our compressor package fleet. Under U.S. GAAP, we review the carrying value of our long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable, based on their expected future cash flows. The impact of reduced expected future cash flow could require the write-down of all or a portion of the carrying value for these assets, which would result in additional impairments, resulting in decreased earnings.

We are exposed to significant credit risks.
 
We face credit risk associated with the significant amounts of accounts receivable we have with our customers in the energy industry. Many of our customers, particularly those associated with our low-horsepower compression service operations, are small- to medium-sized oil and gas operators that may be more susceptible to fluctuating oil and gas commodity prices or generally increased operating expenses than larger companies. Our customers' ability to pay is impacted by a decreased oil and natural gas price environment.
 
We do not insure against all potential losses and could be seriously harmed by unexpected liabilities.
 
Our assets and operations are subject to inherent risks such as vehicle accidents, equipment defects, malfunctions and failures, as well as other incidents that result in releases or uncontrolled flows of gas or well fluids, fires, or explosions. These risks could expose us to substantial liability for personal injury, death, property damage, pollution, and other environmental damages. On occasion, we have experienced fires that have damaged or destroyed certain of our compression fleet, and additional accidents or fires could occur in the future. We do not insure all of our assets and the insurance we do obtain may be inadequate to cover our liabilities. Further, insurance covering the risks we face or in the amounts we desire may not be available in the future, or, if available, the premiums may not be commercially feasible. If we were to incur substantial liability and such damages were not covered by insurance or were in excess of policy limits, or if we were to incur liability at a time when we did not maintain liability insurance, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected. In addition, we do not maintain business interruption insurance. Please read “Health, Safety, and Environmental Affairs Regulations” for a description of how we are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to protection of human health and environment.

We are subject to environmental regulations, and changes in these regulations could increase our costs or liabilities.
 
We are subject to federal, state, local, and foreign laws and regulatory standards, including laws and regulations regarding the discharge of materials into the environment, emission controls, and other environmental protection and occupational health and safety concerns. Environmental laws and regulations may, in certain circumstances, impose strict and joint and several liability for environmental contamination, rendering us liable for remediation costs, natural resource damages, and other damages resulting from our ownership of property or conduct that was lawful at the time it occurred or the conduct of, or conditions caused by, prior owners or operators or other third parties. In addition, where contamination may be present, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury, property damage, and recovery of response costs. Remediation costs and other damages arising as a result of environmental laws and regulations, and costs associated with new information, changes in existing environmental laws and regulations or the adoption of new environmental laws and regulations could be substantial and could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. Moreover, failure to comply with these environmental laws and regulations may result in the imposition of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, and the issuance of injunctions delaying or prohibiting operations.

We routinely deal with natural gas, oil, and other petroleum products. Hydrocarbons or other hazardous wastes may have been released during our operations or by third parties on wellhead sites where we provide services or store our equipment or on or under other locations where wastes have been taken for disposal. These properties may be subject to investigatory, remediation, and monitoring requirements under foreign, federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) has adopted regulations under the Clean Air Act to control emissions of hazardous air pollutants from reciprocal internal combustion engines and more recently the EPA adopted regulations that establish air emission controls for natural gas and natural gas liquids production, processing and transportation activities, including NSPS as well as emission standards to address hazardous air pollutants. Certain of our compressor packages are subject to these new requirements and additional control equipment and maintenance operations are required. While we do not believe that compliance with current regulatory requirements will have a material adverse effect on our business, additional regulations could impose new air permitting or pollution control requirements on our equipment that could require us to incur material costs.

The modification or interpretation of existing environmental laws or regulations, the more vigorous enforcement of existing environmental laws or regulations, or the adoption of new environmental laws or regulations may also adversely affect oil and natural gas exploration and production, which in turn could have an adverse effect on us.

Climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of GHGs could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas our customers produce, while the physical effects of climate change could disrupt production and cause us to incur costs in preparing for or responding to those effects.
 
The EPA has determined that GHGs present an endangerment to public health and the environment, because emissions of such gases are, according to the EPA, contributing to warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. Based on these findings, the EPA has begun adopting and implementing regulations to restrict emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the CAA. Such EPA rules regulate GHG emissions under the CAA and require a reduction in emissions of GHGs from motor vehicles and from certain large stationary sources. The EPA rules also require so-called “green” completions at hydraulically fractured natural gas wells beginning in 2015. In addition, the EPA requires the annual reporting of GHG emissions from specified large GHG emission sources in the United States, including petroleum refineries, as well as from certain oil and gas production facilities.
 
In addition, in December 2015, over 190 countries, including the United States, reached an agreement to reduce global GHG emissions (the “Paris Agreement”). The Paris Agreement entered into force in November 2016 after more than 170 nations, including the United States, ratified or otherwise indicated their intent to be bound by the Paris Agreement. However, in June 2017, President Trump announced that the United States intends to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and to seek negotiations either to reenter the Paris Agreement on different terms or a separate agreement. In August 2017, the U.S. Department of State officially informed the United Nations of the United States’ intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement provides for a four-year exit process beginning when it took effect in November 2016, which would result in an effective exit date of November 2020. The United States’ adherence to the exit process and/or the terms on which the United States may re-enter the Paris Agreement or a separately negotiated agreement are unclear at this time. To the extent that the United States and other countries implement the Paris Agreement or impose other climate change regulations on the oil and natural gas industry, it could have an adverse effect on our business.

The adoption and implementation of any regulations imposing reporting obligations on, or limiting emissions of GHGs from, our facilities and operations could require us to incur costs. Further, Congress has considered and almost one-half of the states have adopted legislation that seeks to control or reduce emissions of GHGs from a wide range of sources. Any such legislation could adversely affect demand for the oil and natural gas our customers produce and, in turn, demand for our products and services. Finally, it should be noted that some scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods, and other climatic events; if any such effects were to occur, they could have an adverse effect on our operations and cause us to incur costs in preparing for or responding to those effects.


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Regulatory initiatives related to hydraulic fracturing in the countries where we and our customers operate could result in operating restrictions or delays in the completion of oil and gas wells that may reduce demand for our services.

Hydraulic fracturing is an important and common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons from dense subsurface rock formations. The process involves the injection of water, sand or other proppants and chemical additives under pressure into targeted geological formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production.

Hydraulic fracturing typically is regulated by state oil and gas commissions or similar state agencies, but several federal agencies have asserted regulatory authority over certain aspects of the process. For example, the EPA asserted regulatory authority pursuant to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, Underground Injection Control program over hydraulic fracturing activities involving the use of diesel and issued guidance covering such activities; published final rules under the federal CAA in 2012 and published additional final regulations in June 2016 governing methane and volatile organic compound performance standards, including standards for the capture of air emissions released during for the oil and natural gas hydraulic fracturing industry; published in June 2016 an effluent limitations guidelines final rule prohibiting the discharge of waste water from shale natural-gas extraction operations before discharging to a treatment plant; and in 2014 published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding Toxic Substances Control Act reporting of the chemical substances and mixtures used in hydraulic fracturing. Also, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") published a final rule in March 2015 that established new or more stringent standards for performing hydraulic fracturing on federal and Indian lands. However, in June 2016, a Wyoming federal judge struck down this final rule, finding that the BLM lacked authority to promulgate the rule, the BLM appealed the decision to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in July 2016, the appellate court issued a ruling in September 2017 to vacate the Wyoming trial court decision and dismiss the lawsuit challenging the 2015 rule in response to the BLM’s issuance of a proposed rulemaking to rescind the 2015 rule and, in December 2017, the BLM published a final rule rescinding the March 2015 rule. In January 2018, litigation challenging the BLM’s rescission of the 2015 rule was brought in federal court, but, in June 2016, a Wyoming federal judge struck down this final rule, finding that the BLM lacked authority to promulgate the rule. That decision was appealed by the BLM to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in 2016, but, in March 2017, the BLM filed a request with the Tenth Circuit to put the appeal on hold pending rescission of the 2015 final rule.

The U.S. Congress (“Congress”) has from time to time considered legislation to provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing and to require disclosure of the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. At the state level, some states, including Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, where the drilling program is expected to operate, have adopted, and other states are considering adopting legal requirements that could impose new or more stringent permitting, public disclosure, or well construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing activities. States could elect to prohibit high volume hydraulic fracturing altogether, following the approach taken by the State of New York in 2015. Local governments also may seek to adopt ordinances within their jurisdictions regulating the time, place and manner of drilling activities in general or hydraulic fracturing activities in particular. If new or more stringent federal, state, or local legal restrictions relating to the hydraulic fracturing process are adopted in areas where the drilling program operates, including, for example, on federal and American Indian lands, the partnership could incur potentially significant added costs to comply with such requirements, experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development or production activities, and perhaps even be precluded from drilling wells. In December 2016, the EPA released its final report on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, concluding that “water cycle” activities associated with hydraulic fracturing may impact drinking water resources under some circumstances. “Water cycle” describes the use of water in hydraulic fracturing, from water withdrawals to the making of hydraulic fracturing fluids, through the mixing and injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids in oil and natural gas production wells, to the collection and disposal or reuse of produced water.
    
Increased regulation and attention given to the hydraulic fracturing process could lead to greater opposition to oil and gas production activities using hydraulic fracturing techniques. Additional legislation or regulation could also lead to operational delays or increased operating costs for our customers in the production of oil and gas, including from the developing shale plays, or could make it more difficult to perform hydraulic fracturing. The adoption of any federal, state or local laws or the implementation of additional regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing could potentially cause a decrease in the completion of new oil and gas wells and an associated decrease in demand for our services and increased compliance costs and time, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, consolidated results of operations, and consolidated financial condition.

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Regulatory initiatives relating to the protection of endangered or threatened species in the United States, in other countries where we operate, could have an adverse impact on our and our customers’ ability to expand operations.

In the United States, the Endangered Species Act (the “ESA”) restricts activities that may affect endangered or threatened species or their habitats. Similar protections are offered to migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (the “MBTA”). To the extent species that are listed under the ESA or similar state laws, or are protected under the MBTA, live in the areas where we or our customers operate, both our and our customers’ abilities to conduct or expand operations and construct facilities could be limited or be forced to incur material additional costs.
The designation of previously unidentified endangered or threatened species could indirectly cause us to incur additional costs, cause our or our customers’ operations to become subject to operating restrictions or bans, and limit future development activity in affected areas. The designation of previously unprotected species as threatened or endangered in areas where we or our customers might conduct operations could result in limitations or prohibitions on our operations and could adversely impact our business.

Our operations and reputation may be impaired if certain information technology systems fail to perform adequately or if we are the subject of a data breach or cyberattack.

The information technology systems of our general partner and TETRA are critically important to operating our business efficiently. We rely on these information technology systems to manage business data, communications, supply chain, customer invoicing, employee information, and other business processes. Our general partner outsources certain business process functions to TETRA and third-party providers and similarly relies on TETRA and these third-parties to maintain and store confidential information on their systems. The failure of these information technology systems to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and could result in transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, and the loss of sales and customers, causing our business and results of operations to suffer.
 
Although our general partner allocates significant resources to protect these information technology systems, we have experienced varying degrees of cyber-incidents in the normal conduct of our business, including viruses, worms, other destructive software, process breakdowns, phishing and other malicious activities. Such breaches have in the past and could again in the future result in unauthorized access to information including customer, supplier, employee, or other company confidential data. We do not carry insurance against these risks, although our general partner invests in security technology, performs penetration tests from time to time, and designs our business processes to attempt to mitigate the risk of such breaches. While we believe these measures are generally effective, there can be no assurance that security breaches will not occur. Moreover, the development and maintenance of these measures requires continuous monitoring as technologies change and efforts to overcome security measures evolve. We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, cybersecurity threats and incidents, none of which has been material to us to date. However, a successful breach or attack could have a material negative impact on our operations or business reputation and subject us to consequences such as litigation and direct costs associated with incident response.

Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us
 
 
If the Preferred Units issued in August 2016 and September 2016 are not redeemed for cash, as intended, the result would be the issuance of additional partnership common units in the future, resulting in dilution of our existing common unitholders’ ownership interests.
 
Our partnership agreement does not limit the number of additional partnership common units that we may issue at any time without the approval of our common unitholders. In addition, subject to the provisions of the Series A Preferred Unit Purchase Agreements (the “Unit Purchase Agreements”), we may issue an unlimited number of partnership units that are senior to the common units in right of distribution, liquidation, or voting. On August 8, 2016, we issued an aggregate of 4,374,454 of the Preferred Units for a cash purchase price of $11.43 per Preferred Unit (the “Issue Price”), resulting in total net proceeds, after deducting certain offering expenses, of $49.8 million. Additionally, on September 20, 2016, we issued an aggregate of 2,624,672 of Preferred Units for a cash purchase price of $11.43 per Preferred Unit, resulting in total net proceeds, after deducting certain offering expenses, of $29.0 million.


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Pursuant to the Unit Purchase Agreement dated August 8, 2016, our general partner executed the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (the “Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement”) to, among other things, authorize and establish the rights and preferences of the Preferred Units. The Preferred Units are a class of equity security that ranks senior to all classes or series of our equity securities with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation. The holders of Preferred Units (each, a “Preferred Unitholder”) receive quarterly distributions in kind in additional Preferred Units, equal to an annual rate of 11.00% of the Issue Price ($1.2573 per unit), subject to certain adjustments, including adjustments related to any future issuances of common units below a set price, and any quarterly distributions on our common units in excess of $0.3775 per common unit. In the event we fail to pay in full any quarterly distribution in additional Preferred Units, then until such failure is cured we are prohibited from making any distributions on our common units. Beginning on March 8, 2017 and on the first Trading Day (as defined in the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement) of each calendar month thereafter for a total of thirty months (each, a “Conversion Date”), the Preferred Units convert into common units representing limited partner interests in the partnership in an amount equal to, with respect to each Preferred Unitholder, the number of Preferred Units held by such Preferred Unitholder divided by the number of Conversion Dates remaining. On June 7, 2017, as permitted under the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, we elected to defer the monthly conversion of Preferred Units for each of the Conversion Dates during the three month period beginning July 2017. As a result, no Preferred Units were converted into common units during the three month period ended September 30, 2017, and future monthly conversions were increased beginning in October 2017. During 2018, conversions of the Preferred Units resulted in the issuance of approximately 8.0 million common units. We may, at our option, pay cash, or a combination of cash and common units, to the Preferred Unitholders instead of issuing common units on any Conversion Date, subject to certain restrictions as described in the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement and the Credit Agreement.

On December 20, 2018, we announced that, given the decline in our common unit price, we were reducing our common unit distributions from $0.75 per unit per year (or $0.1875 per quarter) to $0.04 per unit per year (or $0.01 per quarter) for a period of up to four quarters, beginning with the February 2019 distribution. We intend to use the approximately $34 million of savings from the reduced common unit distribution to redeem the remaining Preferred Units for cash and avoid the dilution to our common unitholders that would occur if the Preferred Units were converted into common units at a low unit price. However, there is no guarantee that we will be able to fully redeem the remaining Preferred Units for cash and that additional dilution will not occur.

If the remaining Preferred Units are not redeemed for cash, as intended, the result would be the issuance of additional common units upon conversion thereof, which would result in the dilution of our common unitholders.

Our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of the available cash that we generate each quarter after paying expenses and establishing prudent operating reserves, which could limit our ability to grow.
 
Our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of the available cash we generate each quarter. Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the amount of cash otherwise available for distribution will be reduced by our operating expenses and the amount of cash reserves that our general partner establishes to provide for future operations, future capital expenditures, future debt service requirements (including the redemption of our remaining outstanding Preferred Units) and future cash distributions to our common unitholders. As a result, our general partner relies primarily upon external financing sources, including existing debt arrangements and the issuance of additional debt and equity securities, as well as cash flows from operations to a certain extent, to fund our expansion capital expenditures. To the extent that we are unable to finance growth externally, this requirement significantly impairs our ability to grow. In addition, also as a result of this requirement, our growth may not be as fast as that of businesses that reinvest their available cash to expand ongoing operations. To the extent that we issue additional units in connection with any expansion capital expenditures, the payment of distributions on those additional units will decrease the amount we distribute on each outstanding unit.
 
On January 22, 2019, our general partner declared a cash distribution attributable to the quarter ended December 31, 2018 of $0.01 per common unit. This distribution equates to a distribution of $0.04 per outstanding common unit, on an annualized basis. This cash distribution was paid on February 14, 2019 to all common unitholders of record as of the close of business on February 1, 2019. The amount of quarterly distributions is determined based on a variety of factors, including our estimates of cash needs to fund our future operating, investing, and debt service requirements (including the redemption of our remaining outstanding Preferred Units). Our estimates of these future cash requirements are used in the determination of available cash, as defined in our Partnership Agreement. We will continue to monitor the uncertain levels of cash flows from operating activities and the levels of cash flows from investing activities necessary to maintain our equipment fleet, and use these estimates

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in the determination of the levels of our future quarterly distributions. There can be no assurance that our quarterly distributions will increase from this reduced amount per common unit, or that there will not be further decreases in the amount of distributions in the future.
    
Our partnership agreement requires us to complete a reverse common unit split in certain circumstances.
    
Our partnership agreement, as amended as of December 24, 2018, provides that on or after March 1, 2019, if (i) the closing bid price of our common units is less than $3.00 for five (5) consecutive trading days and (ii) we have elected to convert the Preferred Units into common units to settle a monthly conversion at that time, we will be required to complete a reverse split of our common units to increase the price of such common units to at least $10.00 per unit, as described in the partnership agreement, as amended. As announced on December 20, 2018, we intend to use the approximately $34 million of savings from our reduced common unit distribution to redeem the remaining Preferred Units for cash and avoid the dilution to our common unitholders that would occur if the remaining outstanding Preferred Units were converted into common units. However, there is no guarantee that we will be able to fully redeem the remaining outstanding Preferred Units for cash and that dilution will not occur which could result in a reduction of our common unit price that would require us to complete a reverse common unit split.

TETRA controls our general partner, which has sole responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations, and thereby controls us. TETRA has conflicts of interest, which may permit it to favor its own interests to our unitholders’ detriment. 
 
TETRA controls our general partner, and through the general partner controls us. Some of our general partner’s directors are directors of TETRA or its affiliates that own our general partner. Therefore, conflicts of interest may arise between TETRA and its affiliates, including our general partner, on the one hand, and us and our common unitholders, on the other hand. In resolving these conflicts of interest, our general partner may favor its own interests and the interests of TETRA and its affiliates over the interests of our common unitholders. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:
neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires TETRA to pursue a business strategy that favors us. The directors and officers of TETRA and its affiliates have a fiduciary duty to make these decisions in the best interests of TETRA, which may be contrary to our interests;
our general partner controls the interpretation and enforcement of contractual obligations between us and our affiliates, on the one hand, and TETRA, on the other hand, including provisions governing administrative services, acquisitions, and non-competition provisions;
our general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, including TETRA and its affiliates, in resolving conflicts of interest;
our general partner has limited its liability and reduced its fiduciary duties to our common unitholders and us, and has also restricted the remedies available to our common unitholders for actions that, without the limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty;
our general partner will determine the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales, capital expenditures, borrowings, repayment of indebtedness, and issuances of additional partnership interests, each of which can affect the amount of cash that is available for distribution to our common unitholders;
our general partner determines the amount and timing of any capital expenditures and whether a capital expenditure is a maintenance capital expenditure, which reduces operating surplus, or an expansion capital expenditure, which does not reduce operating surplus, and this determination can affect the amount of cash that is distributed to our common unitholders;
our general partner may cause us to borrow funds in order to permit the payment of cash distributions, even if the purpose or effect of the borrowing is to make incentive distributions;
our partnership agreement permits us to distribute up to $15 million as operating surplus, even if it is generated from asset sales, non-working capital borrowings, or other sources that would otherwise constitute capital surplus. This cash may be used to fund distributions on the incentive distribution rights;
our general partner determines which costs incurred by it and its affiliates are reimbursable by us and TETRA will determine the allocation of shared overhead expenses;
our partnership agreement does not restrict our general partner from causing us to pay it or its affiliates for any services rendered to us or entering into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf;
our general partner intends to limit its liability regarding our contractual and other obligations and, in some circumstances, is entitled to be indemnified by us;

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our general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants, or others to perform services for us; and
our general partner may elect to cause us to issue common units to it in connection with a resetting of the target distribution levels related to our general partner’s incentive distribution rights without the approval of the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner or the common unitholders. This election may result in lower distributions to the common unitholders in certain situations.

Our reliance on TETRA for certain general and administrative support services and our limited ability to control certain costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders. Cost reimbursements due to our general partner and its affiliates for services provided, which will be determined by our general partner, will be substantial and will reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
Pursuant to an Omnibus Agreement entered into between TETRA, our general partner and us, TETRA provides to us certain general and administrative services, including, without limitation, legal, accounting, treasury, insurance administration and claims processing and risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, internal audit and tax services. Our ability to execute our growth strategy depends significantly upon TETRA’s performance of these services. Our reliance on TETRA could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders. Additionally, TETRA will receive reimbursement for the provision of various general and administrative services for our benefit. Our general partner is also entitled to significant reimbursement for certain expenses it incurs on our behalf, including reimbursement for a portion of the cost of its employees who perform services for us. Payments for these services are substantial and reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our common unitholders. In addition, under Delaware partnership law, our general partner has unlimited liability for our obligations, such as our debts and environmental liabilities, except for our contractual obligations that are expressly made without recourse to our general partner. To the extent our general partner incurs obligations on our behalf, we are obligated to reimburse or indemnify it. If we are unable or unwilling to reimburse or indemnify our general partner, our general partner may take actions to cause us to make payments of these obligations and liabilities. Any such payments could reduce the amount of cash otherwise available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
Our partnership agreement limits our general partner’s fiduciary duties to our common unitholders and restricts the remedies available to our common unitholders for actions taken by our general partner that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
 
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the fiduciary standards to which our general partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty laws. For example, our partnership agreement:
permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner. This entitles our general partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and it has no duty or obligation to consider any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or any limited partner. Examples include the exercise of its limited call right, the exercise of its rights to transfer or vote the partnership units it owns, the exercise of its registration rights and its determination whether or not to consent to any merger or consolidation of the partnership or amendment to the partnership agreement;
provides that our general partner will not have any liability to us or our common unitholders for decisions made in its capacity as a general partner so long as it acted in good faith, meaning it believed the decision was in the best interests of our partnership;
generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not approved by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner acting in good faith and not involving a vote of our common unitholders must be on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or must be “fair and reasonable” to us, as determined by our general partner in good faith and that, in determining whether a transaction or resolution is “fair and reasonable,” our general partner may consider the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly advantageous or beneficial to us;
provides that our general partner and its executive officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us, our limited partners or assignees for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that our general

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partner or those other persons acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the conduct was criminal; and
provides that in resolving conflicts of interest, it will be presumed that in making its decision our general partner acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or us, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption.
 
 
Our general partner may elect to cause us to issue common units to it in connection with a resetting of the target distribution levels related to its incentive distribution rights, without the approval of the conflicts committee of its board of directors or our common unitholders. This could result in lower distributions to our common unitholders.
 
Our general partner has the right, at any time when it has received incentive distributions at the highest level to which it is entitled (48.0%) for each of the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters, to reset the initial target distribution levels at higher levels based on our distributions at the time of the exercise of the reset election. Following a reset election by our general partner, the minimum quarterly distribution will be adjusted to equal the reset minimum quarterly distribution, and the target distribution levels will be reset to correspondingly higher levels based on percentage increases above the reset minimum quarterly distribution. If our general partner elects to reset the target distribution levels, it will be entitled to receive a number of common units and will retain its then-current general partner interest. The number of common units to be issued to our general partner will equal the number of common units that would have entitled the holder to an average aggregate quarterly cash distribution in the prior two quarters equal to the average of the distributions to our general partner on the incentive distribution rights in the prior two quarters. We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this reset right in order to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects that would not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per common unit without such reset. It is possible, however, that our general partner could exercise this reset election at a time when it is experiencing, or expects to experience, declines in the cash distributions it receives related to its incentive distribution rights and may, therefore, desire to be issued common units rather than retain the right to receive incentive distributions based on the initial target distribution levels. As a result, a reset election may cause our common unitholders to experience a reduction in the amount of cash distributions that our common unitholders would have otherwise received had we not issued new common units to our general partner in connection with resetting the target distribution levels.

Our common unitholders have limited voting rights and are not entitled to elect our general partner or its directors.
 
Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, our unitholders have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business and, therefore, limited ability to influence management’s decisions regarding our business. Unitholders will have no right to elect our general partner or its board of directors. The board of directors of our general partner will be chosen indirectly by TETRA through its subsidiary that is the sole shareholder of our general partner. Furthermore, if our unitholders are dissatisfied with the performance of our general partner, they will have little ability to remove our general partner. Due to these limitations, the price at which the common units will trade could be diminished because of the absence or reduction of a takeover premium in the trading price.

Even if our common unitholders are dissatisfied, they cannot currently remove our general partner without its consent.
 
Our common unitholders are currently unable to remove our general partner without its consent because our general partner and its affiliates own sufficient units to prevent its removal. The vote of the holders of at least 66.7% of all outstanding common units is required to remove our general partner. As of March 1, 2019, our general partner and its affiliates own 34.5% of our aggregate outstanding common units.

We can issue an unlimited number of partnership units in the future, including units that are senior in right of distributions, liquidation and voting to the common units, without the approval of our common unitholders, and our general partner may elect to cause us to issue common units to it in connection with a resetting of the target distribution levels related to its incentive distribution rights, without the approval of the conflicts committee of its board of directors or our common unitholders, each of which would dilute our common unitholders’ existing ownership interests.
 
Our partnership agreement does not limit the number of additional partnership units that we may issue at any time without the approval of our common unitholders. In addition, we may issue an unlimited number of

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partnership units that are senior to the common units in right of distribution, liquidation, or voting. Our general partner also has the right, at any time when it has received incentive distributions at the highest level to which it is entitled (48.0%) for each of the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters, to reset the initial target distribution levels at higher levels based on our distributions at the time of the exercise of the reset election. If our general partner elects to reset the target distribution levels, it will be entitled to receive a number of common units and will retain its then-current general partner interest.

The issuance by us of additional common units or other equity securities of equal or senior rank will have the following effects:
our previously existing common unitholders’ proportionate ownership interests in us will decrease;
the amount of cash available for distribution on each common unit may decrease;
the ratio of taxable income to distributions may increase;
the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding common unitholders may be diminished; and
the market price of the common units may decline.
 
Control of our general partner may be transferred to a third party without common unitholder consent.

Our general partner may transfer its general partner interest to a third party in a merger or in a sale of all or substantially all of its assets without the consent of our unitholders. Furthermore, our partnership agreement does not restrict the ability of TETRA or its subsidiaries from transferring all or a portion of its indirect ownership interest in our general partner to a third party. The new owners of our general partner would then be in a position to replace the board of directors and executive officers of our general partner with its own choices and thereby influence the decisions taken by the board of directors and executive officers.
 
 
Our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning 20% or more of our common units, other than our general partner and its affiliates, including TETRA. Accordingly, such unitholders’ voting rights may be limited.
 
Unitholders’ voting rights are further restricted by the partnership agreement provision providing that any partnership units held by a person that owns 20% or more of any class of partnership units then outstanding, other than our general partner, its affiliates, including TETRA, its transferees and persons who acquired such partnership units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner, cannot vote on any matter. Our partnership agreement also contains provisions limiting the ability of our common unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as well as other provisions.

 Our general partner has a limited call right that may require our unitholders to sell common units at an undesirable time or price.
 
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 90% of the common units, our general partner will have the right, but not the obligation, which it may assign to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the common units held by unaffiliated persons at a price not less than the then-current market price. As a result, our unitholders may be required to sell common units at an undesirable time or price and may not receive any return on their investment. Our unitholders may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of common units. As of March 1, 2019, our general partner and its affiliates own an aggregate of 34.47% of our common units.

 
Our common unitholders’ liability may not be limited if a court finds that common unitholder action constitutes control of our business.
 
A general partner of a partnership generally has unlimited liability for the obligations of the partnership, except for those contractual obligations of the partnership that are expressly made without recourse to our general partner. Our partnership is organized under Delaware law, and we conduct business in a number of other states. The limitations on the liability of holders of limited partner interests for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in some of the other states in which we do business. Our common unitholders could be liable for any and all of our obligations as if they were a general partner if:
a court or government agency determined that we were conducting business in a state but had not complied with that particular state’s partnership statute; or

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our common unitholders’ right to act with other unitholders to remove or replace our general partner, to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement, or to take other actions under our partnership agreement constitutes “control” of our business.
 
 
Our common unitholders may have liability to repay distributions that were wrongfully distributed to them.
 
Under certain circumstances, our common unitholders may have to repay amounts wrongfully returned or distributed to them. Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a distribution to our common unitholders if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets. Delaware law provides that for a period of three years from the date of the impermissible distribution, limited partners who received the distribution and who knew at the time of the distribution that it violated Delaware law will be liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount. Substituted limited partners are liable for the obligations of the assignor to make contributions to the partnership that are known to the substituted limited partner at the time it became a limited partner and for unknown obligations if the liabilities could be determined from the partnership agreement. Liabilities to partners because of their partnership interest and liabilities that are non-recourse to the partnership are not counted for purposes of determining whether a distribution is permitted.
 
While our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of our available cash, our partnership agreement, including provisions requiring us to make cash distributions contained therein, may be amended.
 
While our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of our available cash, our partnership agreement, including provisions requiring us to make cash distributions contained therein, may be amended. Our partnership agreement can be amended with the consent of our general partner and the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units (including common units held by affiliates of TETRA). As of March 1, 2019, our general partner and its affiliates own an aggregate of 34.5% of our common units.
 
 
We are exempt from certain corporate governance requirements that provide additional protection to stockholders of other public companies.
 
Companies listed on the NASDAQ are required to meet the high standards of corporate governance, as set forth in the NASDAQ Listing Rules. These requirements generally do not apply to limited partnerships or to a “controlled company,” within the meaning of the NASDAQ rules. We are a limited partnership and a “controlled company,” within the meaning of the NASDAQ rules, and, as a result, we rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to stockholders of other public companies.

Tax Risks to Common Unitholders
 
Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the IRS were to treat us as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then our cash available for distribution to our unitholders would be substantially reduced.
 
The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in the common units depends largely on our being treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Despite the fact that we are a limited partnership under Delaware law, we will be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless we satisfy a "qualifying income" requirement. Based upon our current operations, we believe that we satisfy the qualifying income requirement. Failing to meet the qualifying income requirement or a change in current law could cause us to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to taxation as an entity.
 
If we were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would pay U.S. federal income tax on all of our taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently 21%, and would likely pay additional state and local income tax at varying rates. Distributions to our unitholders would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gains, losses, deductions or credits would flow through to our unitholders. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, our cash available for distribution to our unitholders would be substantially reduced. Therefore, treatment of us as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to our unitholders, likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of our common units.


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We have subsidiaries that are treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are subject to corporate-level income taxes.
 
We conduct a portion of our operations through subsidiaries that are organized as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including our CSI subsidiary. We may elect to conduct additional operations through these corporate subsidiaries in the future. These corporate subsidiaries are subject to U.S. corporate-level tax, which reduces the cash available for distribution to us and, in turn, to our unitholders. If the IRS were to successfully assert that these corporations have more tax liability than we anticipate or legislation were enacted that increased the corporate tax rate, our cash available for distribution to our unitholders would be further reduced. Distributions from any such corporate subsidiary will generally be treated as dividend income to the extent of the current and accumulated earnings and profits of such corporate subsidiary. An individual unitholder's share of dividend income from any corporate subsidiary would constitute portfolio income that could not be offset by the unitholder's share of our other losses or deductions.

The tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or an investment in our common units could be subject to potential legislative, judicial, or administrative changes and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.
 
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our common units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. From time to time, members of the U.S. Congress have proposed and considered substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that would affect publicly traded partnerships. Although there is no current legislative proposal, a prior legislative proposal would have eliminated the qualifying income exception to the treatment of all publicly traded partnerships as corporations upon which we relay for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Any modification to the U.S. federal income tax laws may be applied retroactively and could make it more difficult or impossible to meet the exception for certain publicly traded partnerships to be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes or other proposals will ultimately be enacted. Any similar of future legislative changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our common units. You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor with respect to the status of regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on your investment in our common units.

In addition, on January 24, 2017, final regulations regarding which activities give rise to qualifying income within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code (the "Final Regulations") were published in the Federal Register. The Final Regulations are effective as of January 19, 2017, and apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 19, 2017. We do not believe the Final Regulations affect our ability to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If we were subjected to a material amount of additional entity-level taxation by individual states, it would reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
Changes in current state law may subject us to additional entity-level taxation by individual states. Because of state budget deficits and other reasons, several states have been evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise, and other forms of taxation. For example, we are subject to an entity-level Texas franchise tax. Imposition of any such taxes may substantially reduce the cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

Our partnership agreement provides that if a law is enacted or existing law is modified or interpreted in a manner that subjects us to additional amounts of entity-level taxation, for U.S. federal, state, or local tax purposes, the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution amounts may be adjusted to reflect the impact of that law on us.
 

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Although we are not subject to U.S. federal income tax other than with respect to our operating U.S. subsidiaries that are treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, certain of our foreign operations are subject to certain non-U.S. taxes. If a taxing authority were to successfully assert that we have more tax liability than we anticipate or legislation were enacted that increased the taxes to which we are subject, our cash available for distribution to our unitholders could be further reduced.
 
Approximately 8.6% of our consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018, was generated in non-U.S. jurisdictions, primarily Mexico, Canada, and Argentina. Our non-U.S. operations and subsidiaries are generally subject to income, withholding, and other taxes in the non-U.S. jurisdictions in which they are organized or from which they receive income, reducing the amount of cash available for distribution. In computing our tax obligation in these non-U.S. jurisdictions, we are required to take various tax accounting and reporting positions on matters that are not entirely free from doubt and for which we have not received rulings from the governing tax authorities, such as whether withholding taxes will be reduced by the application of certain tax treaties. Upon review of these positions the applicable authorities may not agree with our positions. A successful challenge by a tax authority could result in additional taxes being imposed on us, reducing the cash available for distribution to our unitholders. In addition, changes in our operations or ownership could result in higher than anticipated taxes being imposed in jurisdictions in which we are organized or from which we receive income and further reducing the cash available for distribution. Although these taxes may be properly characterized as foreign income taxes, our unitholders may not be able to credit them against the liability for U.S. federal income taxes on the unitholders’ share of our earnings. In addition, our operations in countries in which we operate now or in the future may involve risks associated with the legal structure used and the taxation on assets transferred into a particular country. Tax laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions are subject to potential legislative, judicial, or administrative changes and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis. Any such changes may result in additional taxes above the amounts we currently anticipate and further reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
If the IRS contests the U.S. federal income tax positions we take, the market for our common units may be adversely impacted, and the cost of any IRS contest will reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
The IRS may adopt positions that differ from the positions we take, and the IRS’s positions may ultimately be sustained. It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of the positions we take. A court may not agree with some or all of the positions we take. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our common units and the price at which they trade. In addition, our costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner, because the costs will reduce our cash available for distribution.

Legislation applicable to partnership tax years beginning after 2017 alters the procedures for auditing large partnerships and for assessing and collecting taxes due (including penalties and interest) as a result of a partnership-level federal income tax audit. Under these new rules, unless we are eligible to (and do) elect to issue revised information statements to our partners with respect to an audited and adjusted partnership tax return, the IRS may assess and collect taxes (including any applicable penalties and interest) directly from us in the year in which the audit is completed. If we are required to pay taxes, penalties and interest as a result of audit adjustments, cash available for distribution to our unitholders may be substantially reduced. In addition, because payment would be due for the taxable year in which the audit is completed, unitholders during that taxable year would bear the expense of the adjustment even if they were not unitholders during the audited tax year.
 
Unitholders’ share of our income will be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes, even if they do not receive any cash distributions from us.
 
Because our unitholders will be treated as partners to whom we will allocate taxable income that could be different in amount than the cash we distribute, a unitholder’s allocable share of our taxable income (including our global intangible low-taxed income realized from certain foreign corporate subsidiaries) will be taxable to the unitholder, which may require the payment of U.S. federal income taxes, and, in some cases, state and local income taxes on the unitholder’s share of our taxable income, even if the unitholder receives no cash distributions from us. Unitholders may not receive cash distributions from us equal to their share of our taxable income or even equal to the actual tax liability that results from that income.


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Tax gain or loss on the disposition of our common units could be more or less than expected.
 
If our unitholders sell common units, they will recognize a gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the amount realized and their tax basis in those common units. Because distributions in excess of their allocable share of our net taxable income decrease their tax basis in that common unit, the amount, if any, of such prior excess distributions with respect to the units our unitholders sell will, in effect, become taxable income to our unitholders if they sell such units at a price greater than their tax basis in those units, even if the price they receive is less than their original cost. In addition, because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, if our unitholders sell their units, they may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash the unitholders receive from the sale.

A substantial portion of the amount realized from a unitholder’s sale of our units, whether or not representing gain, may be taxed as ordinary income to such unitholder due to potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and capital loss from the sale of units if the amount realized on a sale of such units is less than such unitholder’s adjusted basis in the units. Net capital loss may only offset capital gains and, in the case of individuals, up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year. In the taxable period in which a unitholder sells its units, such unitholder may recognize ordinary income from our allocations of income and gain to such unitholder prior to the sale and from recapture items that generally cannot be offset by any capital loss recognized upon the sale of units.

Unitholders may be subject to limitation on their ability to deduct interest expense incurred by us.

In general, we are entitled to a deduction for interest paid or accrued on indebtedness properly allocable to our trade or business during our taxable year. However, under the Act, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, our deduction for “business interest” is limited to the sum of our business interest income and 30% of our “adjusted taxable income.” For the purposes of this limitation, our adjusted taxable income is computed without regard to any business interest expense or business interest income, and in the case of taxable years beginning before January 1, 2022, any deduction allowable for depreciation, amortization, or depletion. This limitation could result in an increase in the taxable income allocable to a unitholder for such taxable year without any corresponding increase in the cash available for distribution to such unitholder.

Tax-exempt entities face unique tax issues from owning our common units that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.
 
Investment in our common units by tax-exempt entities, such as employee benefit plans and individual retirement accounts (known as IRAs), raises issues unique to them. For example, virtually all of our income allocated to organizations that are exempt from U.S. federal income tax, including IRAs and other retirement plans, will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to them. Further, with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, a tax-exempt entity with more than one unrelated trades or businesses (including by attribution from investment in a partnership such as ours) is required to compute the unrelated business taxable income of such tax-exempt entity separately with respect to each such trade or business (including for purposes of determining any net operating loss deduction). As a result, for years beginning after December 31, 2017, it may not be possible for tax-exempt entities to utilize losses from an investment in our partnership to offset unrelated business taxable income from another unrelated trade or business and vice versa. Tax-exempt entities should consult a tax advisor before investing in our common units.

Non-U.S. Unitholders will be subject to U.S. taxes and withholding with respect to their income and gain from owning our units.

Non-U.S. unitholders are generally taxed and subject to income tax filing requirements by the United States on income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (“effectively connected income”). Income allocated to our unitholders and any gain from the sale of our units will generally be considered to be “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business. As a result, distributions to a Non-U.S. unitholder will be subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate and a Non-U.S. unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a unit will also be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the gain realized from the sale or disposition of that unit.

The Act imposes a withholding obligation of 10% of the amount realized upon a Non-U.S. unitholder’s sale or exchange of an interest in a partnership that is engaged in a U.S. trade or business. However, due to challenges of administering a withholding obligation applicable to open market trading and other complications, the IRS has

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temporarily suspended the application of this withholding rule to open market transfers of interests in publicly traded partnerships pending promulgation of regulations or other guidance that resolves the challenges. It is not clear if or when such regulations or other guidance will be issued. Non-U.S. unitholders should consult a tax advisor before investing in our common units.

We will treat each purchaser of our common units as having the same tax benefits without regard to the actual common units purchased. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the common units.
 
Due to a number of factors, including our inability to match transferors and transferees of common units, we have adopted depreciation and amortization positions that may not conform to all aspects of existing Treasury Regulations. A successful IRS challenge to those positions could adversely affect the amount of tax benefits available to our unitholders. It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits or the amount of gain from the sale of common units and could have a negative impact on the value of our common units or result in audit adjustments to our unitholders’ tax returns.

We prorate our items of income, gain, loss, and deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes between transferors and transferees of our units each month based upon the ownership of our units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred. The IRS may challenge aspects of our proration method and could change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss, and deduction among our unitholders.
 
We prorate our items of income, gain, loss, and deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes between transferors and transferees of our units each month based upon the ownership of our units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred. Although final Treasury Regulations allow publicly traded partnerships to use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders, these regulations do not specifically authorize all aspects of the proration method we have adopted. If the IRS were to successfully challenge our proration method, we may be required to change our allocation of items of income, gain, loss, and deduction among our unitholders.

Taxable income from our non-U.S. businesses is not eligible for the 20% deduction for qualified publicly traded partnership income.

Pursuant to the Act, a unitholder is generally allowed a deduction equal to 20% of our “qualified publicly traded partnership income” that is allocated to such unitholder. For purposes of the deduction, the term qualified publicly traded partnership income includes the net amount of such unitholder’s allocable share of our income that is effectively connected to our U.S. trade or business activities. Because our non-U.S. business operations earn income that is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, unitholders may not apply the 20% deduction for qualified publicly traded partnership income to that portion of our income.

A unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, the unitholder would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition.
 
Because a unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of the loaned units, the unitholder may no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan to the short seller, and the unitholder may recognize gain or loss from such disposition. Moreover, during the period of the loan to the short seller, any of our income, gain, loss, or deduction with respect to those units may not be reportable by the unitholder, and any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units could be fully taxable as ordinary income. Unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to consult a tax advisor to discuss whether it is advisable to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing their units.

We have adopted certain valuation methodologies in determining a unitholder’s allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction. The IRS may challenge these methodologies or the resulting allocations, and such a challenge could adversely affect the value of our common units.


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In determining the items of income, gain, loss and deduction allocable to our unitholders, we must routinely determine the fair market value of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we make many fair market value estimates ourselves using a methodology based on the market value of our common units as a means to determine the fair market value of our assets. The IRS may challenge these valuation methods and the resulting allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

A successful IRS challenge to these methods or allocations could adversely affect the timing or amount of taxable income or loss being allocated to our unitholders. It also could affect the amount of gain from our unitholders’ sale of common units and could have a negative impact on the value of the common units or result in audit adjustments to our unitholders’ tax returns without the benefit of additional deductions.
 
Unitholders will likely be subject to non-U.S., state and local taxes, and return filing requirements in jurisdictions where they do not live as a result of investing in our common units.
 
In addition to U.S. federal income taxes, unitholders will likely be subject to other taxes, including non-U.S., state and local taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance, or intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or control property now or in the future, even if they do not live in any of those jurisdictions. Unitholders will likely be required to file non-U.S., state, and local income tax returns and pay non-U.S., state and local income taxes in some or all of these various jurisdictions. Further, unitholders may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In the United States, we own assets and conduct business in many states, most of which currently impose a personal income tax on individuals and an income tax on corporations and other entities. As we make acquisitions or expand our business, we may own or control assets or conduct business in additional jurisdictions that impose a personal income tax.
 
 
Unitholders may be subject to tax in one or more non-U.S. jurisdictions, including Canada, Mexico, and Argentina, and as a result of owning our common units if, under the laws of any such country, we are considered to be carrying on business there. If unitholders are subject to tax in any such country, they may be required to file a tax return with, and pay taxes to, that country based on their allocable share of our income. We may be required to reduce distributions to unitholders on account of any withholding obligations imposed upon us by that country in respect of such allocation to the unitholders. In addition, the United States may not allow a tax credit for any foreign income taxes that unitholders directly or indirectly incur.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
 
None.
 
Item 2. Properties.
 
As of December 31, 2018, we owned a fabrication facility in Midland, Texas, consisting of an aggregate of approximately 177,000 square feet of structures that are located on 38.5 acres of land. In addition, we own a facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and additional service facilities in North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. We lease 38 additional service facilities in Alabama, California, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, and foreign locations in Argentina, Canada, and Mexico. We lease a number of storage facilities located across the geographic markets we serve. We utilize a portion of TETRA’s headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas as our headquarters office. Our primary assets include our fleet of compression and other equipment. See "Item 1 Business - Compression Services," for a discussion and description of our compression fleet. All obligations under our 7.50% Senior Secured Notes are secured by a first-lien security interest in substantially all of our assets, including our equipment fleet and our fabrication facilities in Midland, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, but excluding other real property assets.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
 
From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. While the outcome of lawsuits against us cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not consider it reasonably possible that a loss resulting from such lawsuits in excess of any amounts accrued has been incurred that is expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.


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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
 
Not applicable.


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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities.
 
Market Information
 
Our common units are traded on the NASDAQ Global Market ("NASDAQ") under the symbol “CCLP.” As of March 1, 2019, there were 33 holders of record of the common units.

Distribution Policy
 
Our partnership agreement requires us to distribute, no later than 45 days after the end of each quarter, all of our available cash, as defined below, at the end of each quarter. Our ability to pay our minimum quarterly distribution is subject to various restrictions and other factors, and there is no guarantee that we will pay any specific distribution in any quarter.
 
Definition of Available Cash. We define Available Cash in the partnership agreement, and it generally means, for each fiscal quarter, the sum of all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of the quarter:
less the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to:
provide for the proper conduct of our business after the end of the quarter;
comply with applicable law, any of our future debt instruments or other agreements; or
provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and to our general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters (provided that our general partner may not establish cash reserves for future distributions, unless it determines that the establishment of reserves will not prevent us from distributing the minimum quarterly distribution on all common units and any cumulative arrearages for such quarter);
plus, if our general partner so determines, all or any portion of any additional cash and cash equivalents on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter.
 
 
Working capital borrowings are borrowings that are made under a credit agreement, commercial paper facility, or similar financing arrangement, and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to partners and with the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within twelve months from sources other than additional working capital borrowings.
 
Common Units. We pay quarterly distributions to the holders of common units to the extent we have sufficient cash from our operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of debt service and other contractual obligations, fees and expenses, including cash payments to our general partner and its affiliates. On December 20, 2018, we announced that, given the decline in our common unit price, we were reducing our common unit distributions from $0.75 per unit per year (or $0.1875 per quarter) to $0.04 per unit per year (or $0.01 per quarter) for a period of up to four quarters, beginning with the fourth quarter of 2018. We intend to use the approximately $34 million of savings from the reduced distribution to redeem the remaining Preferred Units for cash and avoid the dilution to our common unitholders that would occur if the Preferred Units were converted into common units. Accordingly, for the fourth quarter of 2018, we paid a distribution of $0.01 per common unit, or $0.04 on an annualized basis. As a result, no payments are due under our incentive distribution rights to our general partner in connection with this quarterly distribution. (See discussion of incentive distribution rights below.) There is no guarantee that we will continue to pay the reduced current quarterly distribution on the common units or be able to increase it in the future. Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions paid under our policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement. Distributions attributable to the year ended 2018 totaled $0.5725 per common unit. See "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources - Cash Flows - Financing Activities - Bank Credit Facility” for a discussion of provisions included in our revolving credit facility that restrict our ability to make distributions.
 
General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights. Initially, our general partner was entitled to approximately 2.0% of all distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its initial 2.0% general partner

32



interest. Our general partner’s initial 2.0% interest in our distributions has been reduced to approximately 1% and may be further reduced if we issue additional limited partner units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its current general partner interest.
 
Our general partner also holds incentive distribution rights ("Incentive Distribution Rights") that entitle it to receive increasing percentages, up to a maximum of 50.0%, of the cash we distribute from operating surplus in excess of $0.445625 per common unit per quarter. The maximum distribution of 50.0% includes distributions paid to our general partner on its 2.0% general partner interest and assumes that our general partner maintains its general partner interest at 2.0%. The maximum distribution of 50.0% does not include any distributions that our general partner may receive on any limited partner units that it owns.

Series A Convertible Preferred Units. We are required to make quarterly distributions to our Preferred Unitholders. The holders of Preferred Units are entitled to receive quarterly distributions in kind in additional Preferred Units, equal to an annual rate of 11.00% of the Issue Price ($1.2573 per unit), subject to certain adjustments related to any future issuances of common units below a set price and any quarterly distributions on our common units in excess of $0.3775 per common unit. In the event we fail to pay in full any quarterly distribution in additional Preferred Units, then until such failure is cured we are prohibited from making any distributions on our common units.
 
 
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers 
Period
 
Total Number
of Units
Purchased
 
Average
Price
Paid per
Unit
 
Total Number of Units
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value) of
Units that May Yet be
Purchased Under the Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Oct 1 – Oct 31, 2018
 

 
 
 
N/A
 
N/A
Nov 1 – Nov 30, 2018
 
– 

 
– 
 
N/A
 
N/A
Dec 1 – Dec 31, 2018
 
– 

 
– 
 
N/A
 
N/A
Total
 

 
 
 
N/A
 
N/A

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans.

See "Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" for information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2018.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
 
The following tables set forth our selected consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014. The selected consolidated financial data does not purport to be complete and should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by, the more detailed information, including the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes and "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. Please read “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for a discussion of the material uncertainties that might cause the selected consolidated financial data not to be indicative of our future financial condition or results of operations. During 2016 and 2015, we recorded significant impairments of long-lived assets and goodwill. On August 4, 2014, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated July 20, 2014, one of our subsidiaries acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Compressor Systems, Inc. ("CSI") for $825.0 million cash, a portion of which was financed through the issuance of additional common units and through the issuance of long-term debt. For periods after August 4, 2014, our results of operations include the operations of CSI.


33



 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Unit Amounts)
Income Statement Data
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Revenues
 
$
438,663

 
$
295,566

 
$
311,363

 
$
457,641

 
$
282,647

Cost of revenues
 
308,397

 
193,498

 
191,260

 
290,660

 
174,667

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
70,500

 
69,140

 
72,123

 
81,838

 
40,880

Impairments and other charges
 
681

 

 
10,223

 
11,797

 
278

Insurance recoveries
 

 
(2,352
)
 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
39,600

 
33,438

 
36,222

 
43,479

 
32,100

Goodwill impairment
 

 

 
92,334

 
139,444

 

Interest expense, net
 
52,585

 
43,135

 
38,055

 
34,964

 
14,240

Series A Preferred fair value adjustment
 
(838
)
 
(3,402
)
 
5,036

 

 

Other expense, net
 
2,101

 
(216
)
 
2,383

 
2,190

 
10,396

Income (loss) before income tax provision
 
(34,363
)
 
(37,675
)
 
(136,273
)
 
(146,731
)
 
10,086

Net income (loss)
 
$
(36,978
)
 
$
(40,459
)
 
$
(138,138
)
 
$
(146,630
)
 
$
11,258

Net income (loss) per common unit, basic
 
$
(0.88
)
 
$
(1.13
)
 
$
(4.07
)
 
$
(4.36
)
 
$
0.47

Weighted average common units outstanding, basic
 
41,552,804

 
35,035,428

 
33,262,376

 
33,169,413

 
18,928,640

Net income (loss) per common unit, diluted
 
$
(0.88
)
 
$
(1.13
)
 
$
(4.07
)
 
$
(4.36
)
 
$
0.47

Weighted average common units outstanding, diluted
 
41,552,804

 
35,035,428

 
33,262,376

 
33,169,413

 
18,928,640

Cash distributions declared per common unit
 
$
0.57

 
$
0.75

 
$
1.51

 
$
1.98

 
$
1.80

 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In Thousands)
Balance Sheet Data
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Working capital
 
$
57,394

 
$
38,141

 
$
52,090

 
$
59,300

 
$
91,215

Total assets
 
826,744

 
742,932

 
786,140

 
966,627

 
1,217,051

Long-term debt
 
633,013

 
512,176

 
504,090

 
566,658

 
523,351

Partners' capital
 
67,403

 
95,027

 
143,249

 
332,158

 
550,281


Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
The following discussion is intended to analyze major elements of our consolidated financial statements and provide insight into important areas of management’s focus. This section should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes included in this Annual Report. This discussion includes forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties.
 
Statements in the following discussion may include forward-looking statements. These forward- looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” for additional discussion of these factors and risks.

34



Business Overview

Throughout 2018, we continued to see an increase in the demand for compression services and equipment, which resulted in a significant increase in our consolidated revenues during 2018 compared to 2017. In particular, new equipment sales revenues increased by $88.4 million during the year compared to 2017, as demand for high-horsepower compression equipment, primarily in midstream gas processing applications, resulted in $188.2 million of new equipment sales orders. We have a new equipment sales backlog of $105.2 million as of December 31, 2018, all of which is expected to be recognized during 2019. The construction of new infrastructure to alleviate current takeaway capacity constraints that are having an impact on oil and gas production and drilling in the Permian Basin has resulted in increased demand for our new compressor packages as well as for compression and related services. Due to this increased demand and internal efficiencies gained on repeat orders, we expect to be able to capture greater margins on equipment sales included in our current backlog, when the revenue for these contracts is recognized. Our new equipment sales orders are largely prepaid by the customer through progressive billings, which allows us to minimize the use of our working capital during the sales order fabrication process. Our compression and related services revenues increased by $24.1 million during 2018 compared to 2017, as the overall compression fleet utilization rate continued to increase, with utilization for the high-horsepower class of our fleet rising to 95.0% at December 31, 2018. In addition to increased revenue resulting from increased utilization rates, revenue and margin also increased due to improved contract pricing resulting from increased demand. In addition to the increase in new equipment sales and compression and related services revenues, our aftermarket services revenues increased $30.6 million during 2018 compared to 2017, as our customers increased their maintenance capital expenditure activities and deployed compression units that were previously idle. Consistent with the growth of our overall operations, our selling, general and administrative costs also increased, although these costs decreased as a percentage of consolidated revenues compared to the prior year. Interest expense also increased, primarily due to the increased borrowings during the year to finance the growth of our medium- and high-horsepower compression fleet.

Consolidated cash provided by operating activities during 2018 decreased to $30.1 million, compared to $39.1 million during 2017, primarily due to the timing of collections of accounts receivable. Increases in work-in-process inventory for new compressor package sales was largely offset by advance funding from customers. During 2018, we spent $103.5 million on capital expenditures, including $83.8 million to expand primarily our high-horsepower compression equipment fleet, and $19.7 million to maintain our entire compression fleet. These capital expenditures were funded primarily from increases to our long-term debt borrowings, particularly from the March 2018 issuance of our 7.50% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2025 (the “7.50% Senior Secured Notes”). During 2018, we distributed $31.3 million to our common unitholders and general partner. On December 20, 2018, we announced that, given the decline in our common unit price, we were reducing our common unit distributions from $0.75 per unit per year (or $0.1875 per quarter) to $0.04 per unit per year (or $0.01 per quarter) for a period of up to four quarters, beginning with the fourth quarter of 2018. We intend to use the approximately $34 million of savings from the reduced distribution to redeem the remaining Series A Convertible Preferred Units (the "Preferred Units") for cash and avoid the further dilution to our common unitholders that would occur if the Preferred Units were converted into common units.
    
Our focus remains on generating attractive returns on capital while meeting the requirements of the customers with whom we have significant market position and concentrations of service assets with attractive pricing and returns. To meet current and future demand, we continue to evaluate options to fund the expansion of our compression services fleet and our ability to provide related services. We anticipate capital expenditures in 2019 to range from $60.0 million to $65.0 million, including approximately $18.0 million to $20.0 million of maintenance capital expenditures and approximately $42.0 million to $45.0 million of capital expenditures primarily associated with the expansion of our compression services fleet. We expect that the combination of $15.9 million of cash on hand at the beginning of 2019 and operating cash flows expected to be generated during the year will be sufficient to fund these capital expenditures without having to access available borrowings under our Credit Agreement and without having to access the debt and equity markets, as current conditions in the debt and equity markets have increased the difficulty of obtaining financing. In addition to these capital expenditures, pursuant to agreements executed in February 2019, TETRA has agreed to purchase up to $15.0 million of new compression services equipment and lease it to us under a finance lease in exchange for a monthly rental fee. As a result of this agreement, approximately 20,700 horsepower of additional compression equipment will be deployed to meet our customer demands, and we will have the right to purchase the equipment from TETRA at any time over the five year lease term.


35



We have borrowing capacity of up to $50 million under our Credit Agreement, subject to borrowing base limitations, to fund the working capital needs of our business. As of December 31, 2018, we had $27.1 million available for borrowings under our Credit Agreement. It is not our intention to use borrowings under our Credit Agreement to fund growth capital expenditure requirements. We have no outstanding borrowings that will mature prior to August 2022. The scheduled maturities of our long-term debt are August 2022 for the $296 million of outstanding 7.25% Senior Notes, April 2025 for the $350 million of outstanding 7.50% Senior Secured Notes, and June 2023 for our $50 million Credit Agreement.

However, if capital expenditure needs exceed available sources, and other financing sources are not available, our ability to expand our compression services fleet to meet the increased demand will be limited. In addition to our anticipated growth capital expenditures, we also generally seek to grow through targeted acquisition opportunities, although funding such acquisition opportunities in the current market environment may not be possible or financially prudent.
How We Evaluate Our Operations
 
Operating Expenses. We use operating expenses as a performance measure for our business. We track our operating expenses using month-to-month, quarter-to-quarter, year-to-date, and year-to-year comparisons and as compared to budget. This analysis is useful in identifying adverse cost trends and allows us to investigate the cause of these trends and implement remedial measures if possible. The most significant portions of our operating expenses are for our field labor, repair and maintenance of our equipment, and for the fuel and other supplies consumed while providing our services. Other materials consumed while performing our services, ad valorem taxes, other labor costs, truck maintenance, rent on storage facilities, and insurance expenses comprise the significant remainder of our operating expenses. Our operating expenses generally fluctuate with our level of activity.

Our labor costs consist primarily of wages and benefits for our field and fabrication personnel, as well as expenses related to their training and safety. Additional information regarding our operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018, is provided within the results of operations sections below.
 
Adjusted EBITDA. We view Adjusted EBITDA as one of our primary management tools, and we track it on a monthly basis, both in dollars and as a percentage of revenues (typically compared to the prior month, prior year period, and to budget). We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and before certain non-cash charges consisting of impairments, bad debt expense attributable to bankruptcy of customer, equity compensation, non-cash costs of compressors sold, fair value adjustments of our Preferred Units, gain on extinguishment of debt, administrative expenses under the Omnibus Agreement paid in equity using common units, write-off of unamortized financing costs, and excluding acquisition and transaction costs and severance. Adjusted EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure by our management and by external users of our financial statements, including investors, to:
assess our ability to generate available cash sufficient to make distributions to our common unitholders and general partner;
evaluate the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure, or historical cost basis;
measure operating performance and return on capital as compared to our competitors; and
determine our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; and

     The following table reconciles net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:


36



 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In Thousands)
Net income (loss)
 
$
(36,978
)

$
(40,459
)
 
$
(138,138
)
Provision for income taxes
 
2,615


2,784

 
1,865

Depreciation and amortization
 
70,500


69,140

 
72,123

Impairments and other charges
 
681

 

 
10,223

Goodwill impairment
 

 

 
92,334

Bad debt expense attributable to bankruptcy of customer
 

 

 
728

Interest expense, net
 
52,585


43,135

 
38,055

Equity compensation
 
639

 
1,219

 
3,028

Expense for unamortized finance costs
 
3,539

 

 

Non-income tax contingency
 
2,110

 

 

Acquisition costs
 
176

 

 

Series A Preferred transaction costs
 

 
37

 
3,131

Series A Preferred fair value adjustments
 
(838
)
 
(3,402
)
 
5,036

Gain on extinguishment of debt
 

 

 
(1,405
)
Omnibus expense paid in equity
 

 
1,746

 
1,576

Severance
 
12

 
63

 
562

Non-cash cost of compressors sold
 
4,126

 
8,505

 
6,772

Software implementation
 

 
974

 

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
99,167

 
$
83,742

 
$
95,890


The following table reconciles cash flow from operating activities to Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In Thousands)
Cash flow from operating activities
 
30,121

 
39,068

 
61,444

Changes in current assets and current liabilities
 
16,613

 
(1,357
)
 
(6,508
)
Deferred income taxes
 
178

 
(757
)
 
(30
)
Other non-cash charges
 
(3,951
)
 
(4,391
)
 
(4,752
)
Non-income tax contingency
 
2,110

 

 

Interest expense, net
 
52,585

 
43,135

 
38,055

Series A Preferred paid in kind distributions
 
(5,419
)
 
(8,380
)
 
(3,094
)
Insurance recoveries
 

 
2,352

 

Provision for income taxes
 
2,615

 
2,784

 
1,865

Acquisition costs
 
176

 

 

Omnibus expense paid in equity
 

 
1,746

 
1,576

Severance
 
12

 
63

 
562

Non-cash cost of compressors sold
 
4,126

 
8,505

 
6,772

Software implementation
 

 
974

 

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
99,166

 
$
83,742

 
$
95,890



37



Free Cash Flow. We define Free Cash Flow as cash from operations less capital expenditures, net of sales proceeds. Management primarily uses this metric to assess our ability to retire debt, evaluate our capacity to further invest and grow, and measure our performance as compared to our peers. The following table reconciles cash provided from operations, net, to Free Cash Flow for the periods indicated:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In Thousands)
Cash from operations, net
$
30,121

 
$
39,068

 
$
61,444

Capital expenditures, net of sales proceeds
(103,489
)
 
(25,126
)
 
(10,659
)
Free cash flow
$
(73,368
)
 
$
13,942

 
$
50,785

    
Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are financial measures that are not in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities, or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled financial metrics of other entities, as other entities may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA or Free Cash Flow in the same manner as we do. Management compensates for the limitations of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow as an analytical tool by reviewing the comparable U.S. GAAP measures, understanding the differences between the measures, and incorporating this knowledge into management’s decision-making processes. Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount we have available for distributions or that we plan to distribute for a given period, nor should it be equated with “available cash” as defined in our partnership agreement.

Horsepower Utilization Rate of our Compressor Packages. We measure the horsepower utilization rate of our fleet of compressor packages as the amount of horsepower of compressor packages used to provide services as of a particular date, divided by the amount of horsepower of compressor packages in our services fleet as of such date. Management primarily uses this metric to determine our future need for additional compressor packages for our service fleet and to measure marketing effectiveness.
 
The following table sets forth the total horsepower in our compression fleet, our total horsepower in service, and our total horsepower utilization rate as of the dates shown.

 
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Horsepower
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total horsepower in fleet
 
1,135,477

 
1,081,919

 
1,114,312

Total horsepower in service
 
983,848

 
900,638

 
851,733

Total horsepower utilization rate
 
86.6
%
 
83.2
%
 
76.4
%

The following table sets forth our horsepower utilization rates by each horsepower class of our compression fleet as of the dates shown.
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Horsepower utilization rate by class
 
 
 
 
 
Low horsepower (0-100)
66.4
%
 
65.4
%
 
62.5
%
Medium-horsepower (101-1,000)
84.9
%
 
80.8
%
 
70.1
%
High-horsepower (1,001 and over)
95.0
%
 
92.8
%
 
88.1
%

Net Increases/Decreases in Compression Fleet Horsepower. We measure the net increase (or decrease) in our compression fleet horsepower during a given period of time by taking the difference between the aggregate horsepower of compressor packages added to the fleet during the period, less the aggregate horsepower of compressor packages removed from the fleet during the period. We measure the net increase (or decrease) in our

38



compression fleet horsepower in service during a given period of time by taking the difference between the aggregate horsepower of compressor packages placed into service during the period, less the aggregate horsepower of compressor packages removed from service during the period.

New Equipment Sales Backlog. Our new equipment sales business includes the fabrication and sale of standard compressor packages and custom-designed compressor packages designed and fabricated primarily at our facility in Midland, Texas. The equipment is fabricated to customer and standard specifications, as applicable. Our custom fabrication projects are typically greater in size and scope than standard fabrication projects, requiring more labor, materials, and overhead resources. Our fabrication business requires diligent planning of those resources and project and backlog management in order to meet the customer delivery dates and performance criteria. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we received cumulative orders of $188.2 million for new compressor equipment. During 2018, we also reached our highest new equipment sales backlog since 2014 and received the largest single order of new compressor equipment in our history, for approximately $67.0 million. As of December 31, 2018, our new equipment sales backlog was $105.2 million, all of which is expected to be recognized during 2019. Our new equipment sales backlog consists of firm customer orders for which a purchase or work order has been received, satisfactory credit or financing arrangements exist, and delivery has been scheduled. Our new equipment sales backlog is a measure of marketing effectiveness that allows us to plan future labor and raw material needs and measure our success in winning bids from our customers.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements. We prepared these financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we make assumptions, estimates, and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. We base these estimates on historical experience, available information, and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. We periodically evaluate these estimates and judgments, which may change as new events occur, as new information is acquired, and with changes in our operating environment. Actual results are likely to differ from current estimates, and those differences may be material. The following critical accounting policies reflect the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Series A Preferred Units

Because the Preferred Units may be settled using a variable number of common units, the fair value of the Preferred Units is classified as a long-term liability on our consolidated balance sheet in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 480 "Distinguishing Liabilities and Equity." The fair value of the Preferred Units as of December 31, 2018 was $30.9 million. Changes in the fair value during each quarterly period, if any, are charged to earnings in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. To calculate the estimated fair value of our Preferred Units, we utilize market information related to debt instruments, the trading price of our common units, and lattice modeling techniques. Because the Preferred Units are convertible into our common units at the option of the holder, the fair value of the Preferred Units will generally increase or decrease with the trading price of our common units, and this increase/decrease in Preferred Unit fair value will be charged/credited to earnings. Because of the volatility of market factors inherent in the estimation of the fair value of the Preferred Units, including the trading price of our common units, the volatility of our earnings may increase while the Preferred Units are outstanding. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the estimated fair value of the Preferred Units decreased to $30.9 million, resulting in $0.8 million credited to earnings in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
We conduct a determination of impairment of long-lived assets whenever indicators of impairment are present. If such indicators are present, the determination of the amount of impairment is based on our judgments as to the future operating cash flows to be generated from these assets throughout their estimated useful lives. If an impairment of a long-lived asset is warranted, we estimate the fair value of the asset based on a present value of these cash flows or the value that could be realized from disposing of the asset in a transaction between market participants. The estimation of future operating cash flows is inherently imprecise, and, if our estimates are materially incorrect, it could result in an overstatement or understatement of our financial position and results of operations. In particular, the oil and gas industry is cyclical, and estimates of the period over which future cash flows

39



will be generated, as well as the predictability of these cash flows, can have an additional significant impact on the carrying value of these assets and, particularly in periods of prolonged down cycles, may result in impairment charges. Historically, our business has not experienced significant impairments of its long-lived compression assets, as utilized compressor packages generate cash flows sufficient to support their carrying values. Unutilized assets are maintained and evaluated on a regular basis. Serviceable compressor packages that are currently unutilized are anticipated to be placed in service in future years as demand increases or as fully depreciated packages in service are replaced. Sales of compressor packages have historically been at selling prices in excess of asset cost. Intangible assets recognized as part of the CSI acquisition include trademark/tradename, customer relationships, and other intangible assets that are supported primarily by the estimated future cash flows of our operations. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded no impairments of long-lived assets. Impairments of our long-lived assets could occur in the future, particularly in the event of a significant and sustained deterioration of natural gas production or pricing.
 
Results of Operations
 
The following data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the associated Notes contained elsewhere in this document.
 

Year Ended December 31,

Period-to-Period Change
Consolidated Results of Operations

2018

2017

2016

2018 vs. 2017

2017 vs. 2016
 

(In Thousands)
Revenues:

 


 


 


 


 

Compression and related services

$
229,895

 
$
205,774

 
$
224,736

 
$
24,121

 
$
(18,962
)
Aftermarket services
 
70,907

 
40,287

 
33,303

 
30,620

 
6,984

Equipment sales

137,861

 
49,505

 
53,324

 
88,356

 
(3,819
)
 Total revenues

438,663

 
295,566

 
311,363

 
143,097

 
(15,797
)
Cost of revenues:

 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Cost of compression and related services

127,128

 
116,956

 
117,154

 
10,172

 
(198
)
Cost of aftermarket services
 
57,870

 
32,256

 
25,362

 
25,614

 
6,894

Cost of equipment sales

123,399

 
44,286

 
48,744

 
79,113

 
(4,458
)
 Total cost of revenues

308,397

 
193,498

 
191,260

 
114,899

 
2,238

Depreciation and amortization

70,500

 
69,140

 
72,123

 
1,360

 
(2,983
)
Impairments and other charges
 
681

 

 
10,223

 
681

 
(10,223
)
Insurance recoveries
 

 
(2,352
)
 

 
2,352

 
(2,352
)
Selling, general, and administrative expense

39,600

 
33,438

 
36,222

 
6,162

 
(2,784
)
Goodwill impairment
 

 

 
92,334

 

 
(92,334
)
Interest expense, net

52,585

 
43,135

 
38,055

 
9,450

 
5,080

Series A Preferred fair value adjustment
 
(838
)
 
(3,402
)
 
5,036

 
2,564

 
(8,438
)
Other (income) expense, net

2,101

 
(216
)
 
2,383

 
2,317

 
(2,599
)
Loss before income taxes

(34,363
)
 
(37,675
)
 
(136,273
)
 
3,312

 
98,598

Provision for income taxes

2,615

 
2,784

 
1,865

 
(169
)
 
919

Net Loss

$
(36,978
)
 
$
(40,459
)
 
$
(138,138
)
 
$
3,481

 
$
97,679

 

40



 
 
Percentage of Total Revenues
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Period-to-Period Change
Consolidated Results of Operations
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
2017 vs. 2016
Revenues:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Compression and related services
 
52.4
 %
 
69.6
 %
 
72.2
 %
 
11.7
 %
 
(8.4
)%
Aftermarket services
 
16.2
 %
 
13.6
 %
 
10.7
 %
 
76.0
 %
 
21.0
 %
Equipment sales
 
31.4
 %
 
16.7
 %
 
17.1
 %
 
178.5
 %
 
(7.2
)%
Total revenues
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
48.4
 %
 
(5.1
)%
Cost of revenues:
 


 


 


 


 


Cost of compression and related services
 
29.0
 %
 
39.6
 %
 
37.6
 %
 
8.7
 %
 
(0.2
)%
Cost of aftermarket services
 
13.2
 %
 
10.9
 %
 
8.1
 %
 
79.4
 %
 
27.2
 %
Cost of equipment sales
 
28.1
 %
 
15.0
 %
 
15.7
 %
 
178.6
 %
 
(9.1
)%
Total cost of revenues
 
70.3
 %
 
65.5
 %
 
61.4
 %
 
59.4
 %
 
1.2
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
16.1
 %
 
23.4
 %
 
23.2
 %
 
2.0
 %
 
(4.1
)%
Impairments and other charges
 
0.2
 %
 
 %
 
3.3
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
(100.0
)%
Insurance recoveries
 
 %
 
(0.8
)%
 
 %
 
(100.0
)%
 
100.0
 %
Selling, general, and administrative expense
 
9.0
 %
 
11.3
 %
 
11.6
 %
 
18.4
 %
 
(7.7
)%
Goodwill impairment
 
 %
 
 %
 
29.7
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
(100.0
)%
Interest expense, net
 
12.0
 %
 
14.6
 %
 
12.2
 %
 
21.9
 %
 
13.3
 %
Series A Preferred fair value adjustment
 
(0.2
)%
 
(1.2
)%
 
1.6
 %
 
(75.4
)%
 
(167.6
)%
Other (income) expense, net
 
0.5
 %
 
(0.1
)%
 
0.8
 %
 
(1,072.7
)%
 
(109.1
)%
Loss before income taxes
 
(7.8
)%
 
(12.7
)%
 
(43.8
)%
 
(8.8
)%
 
(72.4
)%
Net Loss
 
(8.4
)%
 
(13.7
)%
 
(44.4
)%
 
(8.6
)%
 
(70.7
)%

2018 Compared to 2017
 
Revenues
 
Compression and related services revenues increased by $24.1 million, or 11.7%, during 2018 compared to the prior year. Increases in oil prices compared to the prior year and growth in demand for compression services positively impacted our compression fleet utilization rates. Utilization of our medium-horsepower (101-1,000 HP) and high-horsepower (over 1,000 HP) compression fleets, which are used to provide services in natural gas gathering and transmission applications, have increased compared to the prior year, and have reached utilization rates not achieved since 2015. As a result, the overall compression fleet horsepower utilization rate as of December 31, 2018 increased to 86.6% compared to 83.2% as of December 31, 2017. Our low-horsepower compression fleet, which is primarily used to provide services for wellhead natural gas production enhancement, continues to experience a slower increase in utilization compared to the higher horsepower classes of our compression fleet. Primarily as a result of our medium-horsepower and high-horsepower compression fleets, we have seen our overall compression fleet horsepower utilization rate increase sequentially over the past two years. In response to the overall improving demand for compression services, we continue to invest in growth capital projects to increase certain horsepower categories of our compression fleet.

Aftermarket services revenues increased $30.6 million, or 76.0%, during 2018 compared to the prior year, as our customers increased their maintenance capital expenditure activities and deployed compression units that were previously idle. In addition, we have focused on providing improved sales coverage for midstream customers, resulting in increased parts and overhaul services sales. We have seen increased requests for quotes and sales backlog for aftermarket projects resulting from the increased utilization and previously delayed expenditures on customer-owned compression equipment.

Equipment sales revenues increased $88.4 million, a 178.5% increase, during 2018 compared to the prior year, as we continue to see improving demand. This increase is primarily due to the increased number of customer projects compared to the prior year requiring fabrication, particularly projects requiring high-horsepower compressor packages. New equipment sales backlog was $105.2 million as of December 31, 2018 compared to $47.5 million as

41



of December 31, 2017. Our backlog associated with new equipment sales increased from the prior year, as additional customer orders exceeded completed orders recorded as revenues, which also increased year over year, as discussed above. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we received cumulative orders of $188.2 million for new compressor equipment. We also reached our highest backlog since 2014 and received the largest single order in our history, for approximately $67 million of new compressor equipment. All of our new equipment sales backlog as of December 31, 2018 is expected to be recognized as revenue during 2019. The level of revenues from equipment sales is typically volatile and difficult to forecast, as these revenues are tied to specific customer projects that vary in scope, design, complexity, and customer needs. In comparison, our revenues from compression and related services and aftermarket services are typically more consistent and predictable.

Cost of revenues
 
The increase in the cost of compression and related services revenue, compared to the prior year, was primarily due to the increased overall utilization of compressor packages. The cost of compression and related services as a percentage of compression and related services revenues was 55.3% during 2018, compared to 56.8% during the prior year. Costs of compression and related services as a percent of associated revenues was decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to improved customer contract pricing. Cost of aftermarket services increased compared to the prior year, consistent with the increased activity and parts sales levels.

Cost of equipment sales revenues increased in accordance with the increase in associated revenues. Costs of equipment sales as a percentage of associated revenues remained flat despite the increased demand. We expect to capture greater margin on equipment sales included in our current backlog in future periods as the orders are completed.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense primarily consists of the depreciation of compressor packages in our service fleet. In addition, it includes the depreciation of other operating equipment and facilities and the amortization of intangibles. Depreciation and amortization expense increased slightly compared to the prior year due to increases in the compression services fleet.

Impairments and other charges

During 2018 and 2017, we recorded no impairments of long-lived assets.

Selling, general, and administrative expense
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased during 2018 compared to the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by increased employee expenses, including wages, incentives, benefits, and other employee related expenses of $5.4 million, increased general expenses such as office, tax, and insurance expenses of $1.6 million, and increased sales and marketing expense of $0.2 million. These increases were partially offset by decreased professional services fee of $1.0 million. Included within selling, general and administrative expenses are $0.6 million and $1.3 million of equity compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Despite these increases, selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenues decreased due to the increased revenues compared to the prior year.

Interest expense, net
 
Interest expense, net, increased during 2018 compared to the prior year due to higher outstanding debt balances and higher interest rates associated with the issuance of our 7.50% Senior Secured Notes in March 2018, the proceeds of which were partially used to repay the balance outstanding under our previous credit agreement. Interest expense is expected to continue to be increased compared to prior year periods. Interest expense, net, during the current and prior year periods includes $3.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively, of finance cost amortization and other non-cash charges.

Series A Preferred fair value adjustment

The Preferred Units fair value adjustment was $0.8 million credited to earnings during 2018 compared to $3.4 million credited to earnings during the prior year. The fair value of the Preferred Units is classified as a long-

42



term liability on our consolidated balance sheet in accordance with ASC 480 "Distinguishing Liabilities and Equity" and changes in the fair value during each quarterly period, if any, are charged or credited to earnings. As of December 31, 2018, the fair value of the Preferred Units was $30.9 million. Changes in the fair value of the Preferred Units may generate additional volatility to our earnings going forward.

Other (income) expense, net
 
Other (income) expense, net, was $2.1 million expense during 2018 compared to $0.2 million income during the prior year. This increase is primarily due to $3.5 million of unamortized deferred financing costs charged to other expense as a result of the termination of the prior credit agreement in March 2018. This increase was partially offset by foreign currency gains.

Loss before income taxes, provision for income taxes, and net loss
 
As a partnership, we are generally not subject to income taxes at the entity level because our income is included in the tax returns of our partners. Our operations are treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes with each partner being separately taxed on its share of taxable income. However, a portion of our business is conducted through taxable U.S. corporate subsidiaries. Accordingly, a U.S. federal and state income tax provision has been reflected in the accompanying statements of operations. Certain of our operations are located outside of the U.S. and the Partnership, through its foreign subsidiaries, is responsible for income taxes in these countries.

On December 22, 2017, the United States enacted significant changes to the U.S. tax law following the passage and signing of H.R.1, “An Act to Provide the Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018” (the “Act”) (previously known as “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”). We applied the guidance in Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”) when accounting for the enactment-date effects of the Act. During the 4th quarter of 2017, we recorded our best estimate of the impact of the Act in our year-end income tax provision in accordance with our understanding of the Act and guidance available and as a result recorded income tax expense of $21.9 million. This income tax expense was fully offset by a decrease in the valuation allowance previously recorded on our deferred tax assets. As such, the Act resulted in no net tax expense. As of December 31, 2018, we completed our accounting analysis for all of the enactment-date income tax effects of the Act and confirmed our 2017 estimate.
    
In January 2018, the FASB released guidance on the accounting for tax on the global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") provisions of the Act. The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of foreign corporations. The guidance indicates that either accounting for deferred taxes related to GILTI inclusions or to treat any taxes on GILTI inclusions as period costs are both acceptable methods subject to an accounting policy election. As of December 31, 2017, we had not yet completed our assessment or elected an accounting policy to either recognize deferred taxes for basis differences expected to reverse as GILTI or to record GILTI as period costs if and when incurred. After further consideration in 2018, we have elected to account for GILTI as a period cost in the year the tax is incurred.
    
Despite the pre-tax loss for the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded a provision for income tax, primarily attributable to taxes in certain foreign jurisdictions and Texas gross margin taxes. Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 was negative 7.6% primarily due to losses generated in entities for which no related tax benefit has been recorded. The losses generated by these entities do not result in tax benefits due to offsetting valuation allowances being recorded against their net deferred tax assets. We establish a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Included in our deferred tax assets are net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits that are available to offset future income tax liabilities in the U.S. as well as in certain foreign jurisdictions.

2017 Compared to 2016
 
Revenues
 
Compression and related services revenues decreased by $19.0 million during 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to the continued impact of contract pricing concessions provided as a result of the market downturn from 2015 to 2016, in which those contracts carried over into 2017. Overall, increases in commodity prices compared to the prior year and growth in demand for compression services positively affected our compression fleet utilization rates during 2017. Utilization of our medium-horsepower (101-1,000 HP) and high-horsepower (over

43



1,000 HP) compression fleets, which are primarily used to provide services in natural gas gathering and transmission application, had increased as of December 31, 2017 compared to the prior year. As a result of overall improving demand for compression services, we began growth capital projects to increase certain horsepower categories of our compression fleet. Aftermarket services revenues increased $7.0 million during 2017 compared to the prior year, reflecting our focus on providing improved sales coverage to midstream customers, resulting in increased parts and overhaul services sales. We also saw an increased sales backlog for aftermarket projects as well as increased requests for quotes and awards of aftermarket projects resulting from the increased utilization and previously delayed expenditures on customer-owned compression equipment.

Equipment sales revenues decreased $3.8 million during 2017 compared to the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to the decreased number of used unit sales compared to the prior year. Our backlog associated with new equipment sales increased significantly during 2017, as new equipment sales orders greatly exceeded the decreased equipment sales during the prior year. New equipment sales backlog was $47.5 million as of December 31, 2017 compared to $21.6 million as of December 31, 2016. The level of revenues from new equipment sales is typically volatile and difficult to forecast, as these revenues are tied to specific customer projects that vary in scope, design, complexity, and customer needs. In comparison, our revenues from compression and related services and aftermarket services are typically more consistent and predictable.

Cost of revenues
 
Despite the more significant decrease in compression and related services revenue, the decrease in the associated cost of compression and related services revenue, compared to the prior year, was marginal because of increases in make ready costs in fleet roll outs as utilization increased. The cost of compression and related services as a percentage of compression and related services revenues was 56.8% during 2017, compared to 52.1% from the prior year primarily as a result of decreased revenues caused by customer price decreases. Cost of aftermarket services increased compared to the prior year, consistent with the increased activity and parts sales levels.

Cost of equipment sales revenues decreased in accordance with the decrease in associated revenues. Costs of equipment sales as a percentage of revenues also decreased due to lower cost of used equipment sales for 2017 compared to the prior year period.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense primarily consists of the depreciation of compressor packages in our service fleet. In addition, it includes the depreciation of other operating equipment and facilities and the amortization of intangibles. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $3.0 million compared to the prior year due to long-lived asset disposals that reduced the amount of our assets subject to depreciation and as a result of a decrease in the amortization expense. The amortization expense decrease is a result of certain intangible asset impairment charges incurred during 2016 that reduced the amount of our assets subject to amortization.

Impairments and other charges

During 2017, we recorded no impairments of long-lived assets. During 2016, we recorded total long-lived asset impairments of $10.2 million primarily reflecting the decreased fair value for certain intangible assets as a result of decreased expected future cash flows to support their carrying value. In addition, certain compressor packages were written off as a result of units that were damaged or destroyed by fires during 2016.

Insurance recoveries

Insurance recoveries during 2017 relate to insurance claims related to fleet compressor packages that were damaged during the prior year.

Selling, general, and administrative expense
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased during 2017 compared to the prior year. This decrease is largely due to decreased professional services fees of $1.0 million, decreased bad debt expense of $0.7 million, decreased employee expenses, including wages, incentives, benefits, and other employee related expenses of $0.5 million and decreased other general expenses of $0.3 million. Selling, general and administrative

44



expense as a percentage of revenues remained consistent with the prior year period, as decreased administrative expenses were largely offset by the decrease in revenues compared to the prior year.
 
Goodwill impairment

During the first three months of 2016, low oil and natural gas commodity prices resulted in decreased demand for certain of our products and services. Specifically, demand for low-horsepower wellhead compression services and for sales of compressor equipment decreased significantly and as of March 31, 2016 was expected to continue to be decreased for the foreseeable future. In addition, the price per common unit as of March 31, 2016 decreased compared to December 31, 2015. Accordingly, our fair value, as reflected by our market capitalization and other indicators, was less than our carrying value as of March 31, 2016. When such triggering events occur, ASC 350-20 "Goodwill" requires that a test of goodwill impairment be performed consistent with the year-end annual testing requirement. As part of the test of goodwill impairment at quarter end, we estimated our fair value and determined that impairment of all of our remaining goodwill was necessary, primarily due to the market factors discussed above. Accordingly, during the three month period ended March 31, 2016, $92.4 million was charged to goodwill impairment expense. As a result, we have no remaining goodwill as of December 31, 2016 and 2017.

Interest expense, net
 
Interest expense increased during 2017 compared to the prior year due to the paid in kind distributions that accrue and are paid to the holders of the Preferred Units. The Preferred Units were issued during the third quarter of 2016. Interest expense, net, during 2017 and 2016 includes $3.7 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of finance cost amortization and other non-cash charges.

Series A Preferred fair value adjustment

The Preferred Units fair value adjustment was $3.4 million credited to earnings during 2017 compared to $5.0 million charged to earnings during the prior year. The fair value of the Preferred Units is classified as a long-term liability on our consolidated balance sheet in accordance with ASC 480 "Distinguishing Liabilities and Equity" and changes in the fair value during each quarterly period, if any, are charged or credited to earnings. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of the Preferred Units was $70.3 million. Changes in the fair value of the Preferred Units may generate additional volatility to our earnings going forward.

Other (income) expense, net
 
Other (income) expense, net, was $0.2 million income during 2017, compared to $2.4 million expense during the prior year. This change was due to $2.1 million of offering costs for the Preferred Units that were charged during 2016 along with $1.6 million of decreased foreign currency losses. These decreases were largely offset by $1.4 million of decreased gains related to the early extinguishment of debt in the prior year and $0.7 million of increased income from insurance proceeds related to damaged compressors.

Loss before taxes, provision for income taxes, and net loss
 
As a partnership, we are generally not subject to income taxes at the entity level because our income is included in the tax returns of our partners. Our operations are treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes with each partner being separately taxed on its share of taxable income. However, a portion of our business is conducted through taxable U.S. corporate subsidiaries. Accordingly, a U.S. federal and state income tax provision has been reflected in the accompanying statements of operations. Certain of our operations are located outside of the U.S. and the Partnership, through its foreign subsidiaries, is responsible for income taxes in these countries.

On December 22, 2017, the Act was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes include, but are not limited to, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the transition of U.S international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a territorial system, and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017. We have calculated our best estimate of the impact of the Act in accordance with our understanding of the Act and guidance available in our year end 2017 income tax provision. See "Note I- Income Taxes" contained in the consolidated financial statements for the effect on our 2017 tax provision.


45



Despite the significant pre-tax loss for the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded a provision for income tax, primarily attributable to taxes in certain foreign jurisdictions and Texas gross margin taxes. Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2017 was negative 7.4% primarily due to losses generated in entities for which no related tax benefit has been recorded. The losses generated by these entities do not result in tax benefits due to offsetting valuation allowances being recorded against their net deferred tax assets. We establish a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Included in our deferred tax assets are net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits that are available to offset future income tax liabilities in the U.S. as well as in certain foreign jurisdictions.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our primary cash requirements are for distributions, working capital requirements, debt service, normal operating expenses, and capital expenditures. Our potential sources of funds are our existing cash balances, cash generated from our operations, long-term and short-term borrowings, financing transactions with TETRA, issuances of debt and equity securities, and leases, which we believe will be sufficient to meet our working capital and planned growth requirements during 2019. Continued competitive market environments have resulted in ongoing challenges in each of our domestic and international business regions. Throughout most of 2018, oil prices were higher than in 2017 and as a result, demand for our products and services continued to grow throughout 2018, and we expect demand for our products and services to continue to be strong for the foreseeable future. The improved 2018 results were despite the impact of decreased oil commodity prices that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2018. We are monitoring the 2019 spending plans of our customers as a result of the current lower oil prices, and if oil prices decrease further during 2019, demand for our products and services could be negatively impacted. In addition, current conditions in the market for debt and equity securities in the energy sector have increased the difficulty of obtaining equity and debt financing to grow our business. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to a long-term growth strategy. Our near-term focus is to selectively expand our compression fleet to serve the growing demand for compression services, while continuing to preserve and enhance liquidity through strategic operating and financial measures.
 
Cash flows provided by operating activities were $30.1 million during 2018, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $39.1 million in the prior year, a decrease of $9.0 million, despite increased revenues, primarily due to the use of cash related to the timing of collections of accounts receivable. The increase in our new compressor equipment sales backlog during 2018 has resulted in the increase in inventory levels, which was largely offset by a corresponding increase in unearned revenue from advance payments from customers for new compressor packages. Cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018, increased $80.7 million when compared to 2017, as capital expenditure activity has increased primarily associated with increased growth and maintenance capital expenditures. Cash flows provided by financing activities were $81.7 million for 2018, as compared to cash flows used in financing activities of $29.3 million in the prior year, primarily due to the issuance in March 2018 of our 7.50% Senior Secured Notes in the aggregate face amount of $350.0 million, which generated net proceeds of $342.5 million. These proceeds were partially used to repay the $258.0 million then outstanding under our prior credit agreement, which was then terminated. As of December 31, 2018, we had cash of $15.9 million, which is available for funding capital expenditures as well as general partnership needs. A summary of our sources and uses of cash during the three year period ended December 31, 2018, is as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Operating activities
$
30,121

 
$
39,068

 
$
61,444

Investing activities
(103,490
)
 
(22,753
)
 
(10,681
)
Financing activities
81,707

 
(29,334
)
 
(39,890
)

On December 20, 2018, we announced that, given the decline in our common unit price, we were reducing our common unit distributions from $0.75 per unit per year (or $0.1875 per quarter) to $0.04 per unit per year (or $0.01 per quarter) for a period of up to four quarters, beginning with the February 2019 distribution. We intend to use the approximately $34 million of savings from the reduced distribution to redeem the remaining Preferred Units for cash and avoid the dilution to our common unitholders that would occur if the Preferred Units were converted into common units. Accordingly, on January 22, 2019, our general partner declared a cash distribution attributable to the quarter ended December 31, 2018 of $0.01 per common unit. Also on January 22, 2019, our general partner approved the paid in kind distribution of 85,565 Preferred Units attributable to the quarter ended December 31,

46



2018 to the holders of the outstanding Preferred Units in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement, as amended. These distributions were paid on February 14, 2019, to the holders of common units and Preferred Units, respectively, of record as of the close of business February 1, 2019.

We have reviewed our financial forecasts as of March 4, 2019 and for the subsequent twelve month period, which consider our debt covenant requirements and the current level of distributions to our common unitholders discussed above. Based on this review, which is based on current market conditions and certain operating and other business assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of March 4, 2019, we believe that we will have adequate liquidity, earnings, and operating cash flows to fund our operations and debt obligations and maintain compliance with debt covenants through at least the next twelve months. We expect to fund any future capital expenditures, along with potential acquisitions, if any, with existing cash balances, cash flow generated from our operations, financing transactions with TETRA, and funds received from the issuance of additional debt and equity securities. However, we are subject to business and operational risks that could materially adversely affect our cash flows and together with risks associated with current debt and equity market conditions, our ability or desire to issue such securities. Please read Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors."
 
Meeting increased demand for our compression services, both internationally and in the U.S., will require ongoing capital expenditure investment, which could be significant. The level of future growth capital expenditures depends on demand for compression services, the level of cash available to fund these expenditures, and our decisions whether to utilize available cash to fund distribution increases, retire debt or make capital expenditures. We anticipate capital expenditures in 2019 to range from $60.0 million to $65.0 million. These capital expenditures include approximately $18.0 million to $20.0 million of maintenance capital expenditures and approximately $42.0 million to $45.0 million of capital expenditures primarily associated with the expansion of our compression services fleet. We expect that the combination of $15.9 million of cash on hand at the beginning of 2019 and operating cash flows expected to be generated during the year will be sufficient to fund these capital expenditures without having to incur additional long-term debt and without having to access the equity markets. In addition to these capital expenditures, pursuant to agreements executed in February 2019, TETRA has agreed to purchase up to $15.0 million of new compression services equipment and lease it to us under a finance lease in exchange for a monthly rental fee. As a result of this agreement, approximately 20,700 horsepower of additional compression equipment will be deployed, and we will have the right to purchase the equipment from TETRA at any time over the five year lease term. These anticipated 2019 growth plans are to expand our high-horsepower compression fleet by approximately 98,000 horsepower, focused on key customers as they look to their 2020 compression needs. However, if additional desired capital expenditures exceed available sources, and other financing sources are not available, we will not have the ability to expand our compression services fleet to meet the increased demand. We are reviewing all capital expenditure plans carefully in an effort to conserve cash and fund our liquidity needs.

Our capital expenditure program typically consists of both expansion capital expenditures and maintenance capital expenditures. Expansion capital expenditures consist of expenditures for acquisitions or capital improvements that increase our capacity, either by fabricating new compressor packages to expand our compression services fleet, purchasing support equipment or other assets, or through the upgrading of existing compressor packages to increase their capabilities. Expansion capital expenditures generally result in our ability to generate increased revenues. Maintenance capital expenditures consist of expenditures to maintain our compressor package fleet and support equipment without increasing its capacity. Maintenance capital expenditures are intended to maintain or sustain the current level of operating capacity and include the maintenance of existing assets and the replacement of obsolete assets. Routine repair and maintenance is charged to expense as incurred.
    
Cash Flows

Operating Activities
 
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $8.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2018 to $30.1 million compared to $39.1 million provided by operating activities in 2017. Our cash provided from operating activities is primarily generated from the provision of compression and related services and the sale of new compressor packages. The demand for compression and related services improved during 2018 and the level of new equipment sales backlog as of December 31, 2018 has significantly increased compared to December 31, 2017. As a result of the increase in our operations, the use of cash to fund working capital has increased, particularly due to the increased accounts receivable during the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in our new equipment sales backlog during the year ended December 31, 2018 has resulted in the increase in work in progress inventory levels, which was largely offset by a corresponding increase in unearned income from customer

47



advance payments. The increases in new equipment sales backlog and work in progress inventory is anticipated to result in increased equipment sales revenues in 2019.

Cash provided from our foreign operations is subject to various uncertainties, including the volatility associated with interruptions caused by customer budgetary decisions, uncertainties regarding the renewal of our existing customer contracts, and other changes in contract arrangements, security concerns, the timing of collection of our receivables, and the repatriation of cash generated by our operations.
 
Investing Activities
 
Capital expenditures during the year ended December 31, 2018, increased by $78.4 million compared to 2017 primarily to grow and maintain the capacity of our compression fleet. As a result of overall improving demand for compression services, beginning in late 2017, we initiated growth capital expenditure projects to increase certain horsepower categories of our compression fleet. Maintenance capital expenditures also increased during the year ended 2018. Total capital expenditures, net of disposals and proceeds, during 2018 of $103.5 million include $21.0 million of maintenance capital expenditures, and are net of $4.1 million of non-cash cost of fleet compression units sold. The majority of the fleet compression units sold during 2018 were idle and were unlikely to return to service. The level of growth capital expenditures depends on forecasted demand for compression services. If the forecasted demand for compression services during 2019 increases or decreases, the amount of planned expenditures on growth and expansion will be adjusted, subject to the availability of funds. We continue to review all capital expenditure plans carefully in an effort to conserve cash and fund our liquidity needs.

Financing Activities

In March 2018, we issued an aggregate $350.0 million of our 7.50% Senior Secured Notes, and the net proceeds of $342.5 million were partially used to repay the remaining outstanding balance of $258.0 million under our prior credit agreement, which was then terminated. See below for a further discussion of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes. The remaining proceeds were primarily used to fund 2018 capital expenditures in order to grow and maintain the capacity of our compression fleet, as well as for general partnership needs.
 
Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash, as defined in our Partnership Agreement, to our common unitholders of record on the applicable record date and to our general partner. In addition, our partnership agreement, as amended, requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we make a distribution to holders of our Preferred Units of additional paid in kind Preferred Units equal to 2.75% of the Issue Price (11% of $11.43 per Preferred Unit on an annualized basis). For the year ended December 31, 2018, we distributed $31.3 million to our common unitholders and general partner. On December 20, 2018, we announced that, given the decline in our common unit price, we were reducing our common unit distributions from $0.75 per unit per year (or $0.1875 per quarter) to $0.04 per unit per year (or $0.01 per quarter) for a period of up to four quarters, beginning with the February 2019 distribution. We intend to use the approximately $34 million of savings from the reduced distribution to redeem the remaining Preferred Units for cash and avoid the further dilution to our common unitholders that would occur if the Preferred Units were converted into common units. Accordingly, on January 22, 2019, our general partner declared a cash distribution attributable to the quarter ended December 31, 2018 of $0.01 per common unit. Also on January 22, 2019, our general partner approved the paid-in-kind distribution of 85,565 Preferred Units attributable to the quarter ended December 31, 2018. These distributions were paid on February 14, 2019 to each of the holders of our common units, and to the holders of the Preferred Units as a group, respectively, of record as of the close of business on February 1, 2019.

     Our sources of funds for liquidity needs are existing cash balances, cash generated from our operations, and long-term and short-term borrowings. In addition to redeeming the remaining Preferred Units, we anticipate that we will utilize available cash to fund our anticipated growth capital expenditures. In February 2019, we entered into a transaction with TETRA whereby TETRA agreed to purchase up to $15 million of new compression services equipment and agreed to lease it to us under a finance lease in exchange for a monthly rental fee.

Series A Convertible Preferred Units

During 2016, we issued an aggregate of 6,999,126 of Preferred Units representing limited partner interests for a cash purchase price of $11.43 per Preferred Unit (the “Issue Price”), resulting in total net proceeds of approximately $77.3 million. One of the purchasers in the Initial Private Placement was TETRA, which purchased 874,891 of the Preferred Units at the aggregate Issue Price of $10.0 million.

48




The Preferred Units rank senior to all classes or series of equity securities of the Partnership with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation. The holders of Preferred Units (each, a “Preferred Unitholder”) receive quarterly distributions, which are paid in kind in additional Preferred Units, equal to an annual rate of 11.00% of the Issue Price (or $1.2573 per Preferred Unit annualized) of their outstanding Preferred Units, subject to certain adjustments. The rights of the Preferred Units include certain anti-dilution adjustments, including adjustments for economic dilution resulting from the issuance of common units in the future below a set price. 

Unless otherwise redeemed for cash, a ratable portion of the Preferred Units has been, and will be, converted into common units on the eighth day of each month over a period of thirty months that began in March 2017 (each, a “Conversion Date”), subject to certain provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement that may delay or accelerate all or a portion of such monthly conversions. Unless otherwise converted into cash, on each Conversion Date, a portion of the Preferred Units convert into common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership in an amount equal to, with respect to each Preferred Unitholder, the number of Preferred Units held by such Preferred Unitholder divided by the number of Conversion Dates remaining, subject to adjustment described in the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, with the conversion price (the "Conversion Price") determined by the trading prices of the common units over the prior month, among other factors, and as otherwise impacted by the existence of certain conditions related to the common units. The maximum aggregate number of common units that could be required to be issued pursuant to the conversion provisions of the Preferred Units is potentially unlimited; however, the Partnership may, at its option, pay cash, or a combination of cash and common units, to the Preferred Unitholders instead of issuing common units on any Conversion Date, subject to certain restrictions as described in the Second Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement and the Credit Agreement. On December 20, 2018, we announced that we intended to redeem the remaining Preferred Units for cash and avoid the further dilution to our common unitholders that would occur if the Preferred Units were converted into common units. Including the impact of paid in kind distributions of Preferred Units and the conversions of Preferred Units into common units, the total number of Preferred Units outstanding as of December 31, 2018 was 2,732,981.

Because the Preferred Units may be settled using a variable number of common units, the fair value of the Preferred Units is classified as a long-term liability on our consolidated balance sheet in accordance with ASC 480 "Distinguishing Liabilities and Equity." The fair value of the Preferred Units as of December 31, 2018 was $30.9 million. Changes in the fair value during each quarterly period, if any, are charged or credited to earnings in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Charges or credits to earnings for changes in the fair value of the Preferred Units, along with the interest expense for the accrual and payment of paid-in-kind distributions associated with the Preferred Units, are non-cash charges or credits associated with the Preferred Units.

Bank Credit Facilities

On June 29, 2018, we and two of our wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively the "Borrowers"), and certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries named therein as guarantors (the "Credit Agreement Guarantors"), entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with the lenders thereto (the "Lenders"), and Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent, collateral agent, letter of credit issuer, and swing line lender. All of the Borrowers' obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of their existing and future domestic subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement includes a maximum credit commitment of $50.0 million available for loans, letters of credit (with a sublimit of $25.0 million) and swingline loans (with a sublimit of $5.0 million), subject to a borrowing base to be determined by reference to the value of the Partnership’s and any other Borrowers’ accounts receivable. Such maximum credit commitment may be increased by $25.0 million in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 2018, and subject to compliance with the covenants, borrowing base, and other provisions of the agreements that may limit borrowings under the Credit Agreement, we had availability of $27.1 million.

The Borrowers may borrow funds under the Credit Agreement to pay fees and expenses related to the Credit Agreement and for the Borrower's ongoing working capital needs and for general partnership purposes. The revolving loans under the Credit Agreement may be voluntarily prepaid, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, subject to breakage or similar costs. The maturity date of the Credit Agreement is June 29, 2023. As of December 31, 2018, no balance was outstanding under the Credit Agreement. As of March 1, 2019, we have no balance outstanding under our Credit Agreement and $3.5 million letters of credit.


49



Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of the Borrowers, either (i) London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (adjusted to reflect any required bank reserves) for an interest period equal to 30, 60, 90, 180, or 360 days (as selected by the Borrowers, subject to availability and with the consent of the Lenders for 360 days) plus a margin based on average daily excess availability or (ii) a base rate plus a margin based on average daily excess availability; such base rate shall be determined by reference to the highest of (a) the prime rate of interest announced from time to time by Bank of America, N.A., (b) the Federal Funds Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) rate plus 0.5% per annum and (c) LIBOR (adjusted to reflect any required bank reserves) for a 30-day interest period on such day plus 1.0% per annum. Initially, from June 29, 2018 until the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2018, LIBOR-based loans will have an applicable margin of 2.00% per annum and base-rate loans will have an applicable margin of 1.00% per annum; thereafter, the applicable margin will range between 1.75% and 2.25% per annum for LIBOR-based loans and 0.75% and 1.25% per annum for base-rate loans, according to average daily excess availability when financial statements are delivered. In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Credit Agreement, the Borrowers are required to pay a commitment fee in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder, initially at the rate of 0.375% per annum until the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2018 and thereafter at the applicable rate ranging from 0.250% to 0.375% per annum, paid quarterly in arrears based on utilization of the commitments under the Credit Agreement. The Borrowers are also required to pay a customary letter of credit fee equal to the applicable margin on revolving credit LIBOR loans and fronting fees.

The Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that restrict the ability of the Borrowers, the Credit Agreement Guarantors, and certain of their subsidiaries to take certain actions including, among other things and subject to certain significant exceptions, incurring debt, granting liens, making investments, entering into or amending transactions with affiliates, paying dividends, and selling assets. The Credit Agreement also contains a provision that requires compliance with a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of not less than 1.0 to 1.0 in the event that certain conditions associated with outstanding borrowings and cash availability occur. As of December 31, 2018, such conditions have not occurred.

All obligations under the Credit Agreement and the guarantees of those obligations are secured, subject to certain exceptions, by a first priority security interest for the benefit of the Lenders in the Borrowers' and the Credit Agreement Guarantors' present and future accounts receivable, inventory and related assets, and proceeds thereof.

7.25% Senior Notes

The obligations under the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "7.25% Senior Notes") are jointly and severally, and fully and unconditionally, guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our domestic restricted subsidiaries (other than CSI Compressco Finance) that guarantee our other indebtedness (the "Guarantors" and together with the Issuers, the "7.25% Senior Notes Obligors"). The 7.25% Senior Notes and the subsidiary guarantees thereof (together, the "7.25% Senior Notes Securities") were issued pursuant to an indenture described below. As of December 31, 2018, $295.9 million in aggregate principal amount of our 7.25% Senior Notes are outstanding.

The Obligors issued the Securities pursuant to the Indenture dated as of August 4, 2014 (the "7.25% Senior Notes Indenture") by and among the 7.25% Senior Notes Obligors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The 7.25% Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 7.25% per annum. Interest on the 7.25% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The 7.25% Senior Notes are scheduled to mature on August 15, 2022.

The 7.25% Senior Notes Indenture contains customary covenants restricting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (i) pay dividends and make certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments; (ii) incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares; (iii) create certain liens; (iv) sell assets; (v) merge, consolidate, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our or their assets; (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (vii) designate our or their subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries under the 7.25% Senior Notes Indenture. The 7.25% Senior Notes Indenture also contains customary events of default and acceleration provisions relating to such events of default, which provide that upon an event of default under the 7.25% Senior Notes Indenture, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Notes then outstanding may declare all amounts owing under the 7.25% Senior Notes to be due and payable. We are in compliance with all covenants of the 7.25% Senior Notes Indenture as of December 31, 2018.

50




7.50% Senior Secured Notes

The obligations under the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes are jointly and severally, and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each of our domestic restricted subsidiaries (other than CSI Compressco Finance) that guarantee our other indebtedness (the "7.50% Senior Secured Notes Guarantors" and together with the Partnership and CSI Compressco Finance Inc, the "7.50% Senior Secured Notes Obligors"). The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes and the subsidiary guarantees thereof (together, the "7.50% Senior Secured Notes Securities") were issued pursuant to an indenture described below. As of December 31, 2018, $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 7.50% Senior Secured Notes are outstanding. The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Securities are secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Obligors' assets (other than certain excluded assets) (the "Collateral") as collateral security for their obligations under the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Securities, subject to certain permitted encumbrances and exceptions.

The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes accrue interest at a rate of 7.50% per annum. Interest on the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes are scheduled to mature on April 1, 2025.

The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture contains customary covenants restricting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (i) pay distributions on, purchase, or redeem our common units or purchase or redeem any subordinated debt; (ii) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue certain kinds of preferred equity securities; (iii) create or incur certain liens securing indebtedness; (iv) sell assets, including dispositions of the Collateral; (v) consolidate, merge, or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (vii) enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from our restricted subsidiaries to us. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions, including certain provisions permitting us, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to transfer assets to certain of our unrestricted subsidiaries. Moreover, if the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes receive an investment grade rating from at least two rating agencies and no default has occurred and is continuing under the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes indenture, many of the restrictive covenants in the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture will be terminated. The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture also contains customary events of default and acceleration provisions relating to events of default, which provide that upon an event of default under the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding 7.50% Senior Secured Notes may declare all of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes to be due and payable immediately. We are in compliance with all covenants of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture as of December 31, 2018.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of December 31, 2018, we had no “off balance sheet arrangements” that may have a current or future material effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. For a discussion of our operating leases, see Note H - "Leases" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Commitments and Contingencies
 
From time to time, we are involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. While the outcome of these lawsuits or other proceedings against us cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not consider it reasonably possible that a loss resulting from such lawsuits or proceedings in excess of any amounts accrued has been incurred that is expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Contractual Obligations
 
Our contractual obligations and commitments principally include obligations associated with our outstanding indebtedness and obligations under operating leases.

51




The table below summarizes our contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2018:
 
 
Payments Due
 
 
Total
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
Thereafter
 
 
(In Thousands)
Long-term debt
 
$
645,930

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
295,930

 
$

 
$
350,000

Interest on debt
 
242,134

 
47,542

 
47,542

 
47,542

 
40,445

 
26,250

 
32,813

Operating leases
 
7,514

 
3,606

 
2,934

 
949

 
25

 

 

Total contractual cash obligations(1)
 
$
895,578

 
$
51,148

 
$
50,476

 
$
48,491

 
$
336,400

 
$
26,250

 
$
382,813


(1) 
Amounts exclude other long-term liabilities reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheet that do not have known cash payment streams. These excluded amounts include approximately $30.9 million carrying value of liabilities related to the Preferred Units. The Preferred Units are expected to be serviced with non-cash paid in kind distributions and are currently expected to be satisfied either through conversions to common units or by redemptions for cash at our election. See "Note G - Series A Convertible Preferred Units," in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of new accounting pronouncements that may affect our consolidated financial statements, see "Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, New Accounting Pronouncements," in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
 
Commodity Price Risk
 
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. We do not take title to any natural gas or oil in connection with our services and, accordingly, have no direct exposure to fluctuating commodity prices. While we have a significant number of customers who have retained our services through periods of high and low commodity prices, we generally experience less growth and more customer attrition during periods of significantly high or low commodity prices. For a discussion of our indirect exposure to fluctuating commodity prices, please read “Risk Factors — Certain Business Risks.” We depend on domestic and international demand for and production of natural gas and oil and a reduction in this demand or production could adversely affect the demand or the prices we charge for our services, which could impact our revenues and cash available for distribution to our common unitholders in the future. We do not currently hedge, and do not intend to hedge, our indirect exposure to fluctuating commodity prices.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest charged on our prior credit agreement was based on a variable rate and we were exposed under the prior credit agreement to floating interest rate risk on the outstanding borrowings. In connection with the issuance of our 7.50% Senior Secured Notes, we used a portion of the net proceeds to repay the remaining outstanding balance of $258.0 million under our prior credit agreement, which was terminated. Although we entered into the Credit Agreement on June 29, 2018, there is no balance outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2018. As such, we currently do not have any long-term debt obligations that have a variable rate of interest.

The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2018, our principal cash flows for our long-term debt obligations (which bear a variable rate of interest) and weighted average effective interest rate by their expected maturity dates. We are not a party to an interest rate swap contract or other derivative instrument designed to hedge our exposure to interest rate fluctuation risk.

52



 
 
Expected Maturity Date
 
 
 
Fair Market Value
 
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. dollar fixed rate (in 000s)
 

 

 

 
295,930

 

 
350,000

 
645,930

 
598,800

Interest rate (fixed)
 

 

 

 
7.25
%
 
 
 
7.50
%
 


 

 
Exchange Rate Risk
 
We have exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates associated with our operations in Latin America and Canada. Most of our billings under our contracts with PEMEX and other customers in Mexico are denominated in U.S. dollars; however, a large portion of our expenses and costs under those contracts are incurred in Mexican pesos, and we retain cash balances denominated in Mexican pesos. As such, we are exposed to fluctuations in the value of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar. Before considering the impact of any derivative contracts, a hypothetical increase or decrease in the U.S. dollar-Mexican peso foreign exchange rate of 2.0% would have a $116,000 impact on our net income for the year ended December 31, 2018.

We enter into 30-day foreign currency forward derivative contracts as part of a program designed to mitigate the currency exchange rate risk exposure on selected transactions of certain foreign subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2018, we had the following foreign currency derivative contract outstanding relating to a portion of our foreign operations:

 
US Dollar Notional Amount
 
Traded Exchange Rate
 
Settlement Date

 
(In Thousands)
 

 

Forward sale Mexican peso
 
$
4,783

 
20.07
 
1/17/2019

Under this program, we may enter into similar derivative contracts from time to time. Although contracts pursuant to this program will serve as an economic hedge of the cash flow of our currency exchange risk exposure, they will not be formally designated as hedge contracts or qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Accordingly, any change in the fair value of this derivative instrument during a period will be included in the determination of earnings for that period.

The fair value of foreign currency derivative instruments are based on quoted market values (a Level 2 fair value measurement). The fair value of our foreign currency derivative instruments as of December 31, 2018, is as follows:
Foreign currency derivative instruments
 
Balance Sheet
 
Fair Value at

 
Location
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
(In Thousands)
Forward sale contracts
 
Current assets
 
$

Forward sale contracts
 
Current liabilities
 
(98
)
Total
 

 
$
(98
)

None of the foreign currency derivative contracts contains credit risk related contingent features that would require us to post assets or collateral for contracts that are classified as liabilities. During the period ended December 31, 2018 we recognized approximately $46,000 of net losses associated with our foreign currency derivative program, and such amount is included in other (income) expense, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
Our financial statements and supplementary data for us and our subsidiaries required to be included in this Item 8 are set forth in Item 15 of this Annual Report.


53



Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
 
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
 
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of our general partner, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Based on this evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of our general partner concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2018.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Management of our general partner is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Our Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management of our general partner, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of our general partner, an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, was conducted based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) ("COSO"). Based on this assessment, management of our general partner has determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.

Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. Ernst & Young LLP's report on our internal control over financial reporting is included herein.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



54



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

Board of Directors of CSI Compressco GP Inc.
and the Unitholders of CSI Compressco LP

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited CSI Compressco LP’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, CSI Compressco LP (the Partnership) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2018 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated March 4, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion
The Partnership's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.” Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Houston, Texas
March 4, 2019


55



Item 9B. Other Information.
 
None.
 


56



PART III
 
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance.
 
Corporate Governance and Director Independence
 
Our general partner, CSI Compressco GP Inc., is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of TETRA Technologies, Inc. (“TETRA”) and has sole responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations. The members of our general partner’s board of directors (our “Board”) oversee our operations. Unitholders are not entitled to elect the members of our Board or directly or indirectly participate in our management or operation. All of the members of our Board are appointed by Compressco Field Services, L.L.C., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of TETRA. We do not hold annual unitholder meetings. References in this Part III to the “Board,” “directors,” "executive officers," or “officers” refer to the Board, directors, executive officers, and officers of our general partner, unless otherwise indicated.
 
Our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that outline important policies and practices regarding our governance and provide a framework for the functioning of the Board and its committees. The Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters of the Audit Committee and Conflicts Committee are available in the Corporate Governance section of the Investor Relations area of our website at www.csicompressco.com. In addition, our Board and our general partner have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and a Financial Code of Ethics, copies of which are also available in the Corporate Governance section of the Investor Relations area of our website at www.csicompressco.com. We will post on our website all waivers to or amendments of our Code of Business Conduct and Financial Code of Ethics that are required to be disclosed by applicable law or the listing requirements of the NASDAQ. We will provide to our unitholders, without charge, printed copies of the foregoing materials upon written request to Investor Relations, CSI Compressco LP, 24955 Interstate 45 North, The Woodlands, Texas, 77380.
 
The NASDAQ does not require a listed limited partnership like us to have a majority of independent directors on the Board or to establish a compensation committee or a nominating committee. Our Board currently consists of seven directors, four of whom, Paul D. Coombs, D. Frank Harrison, James R. Larson, and William D. Sullivan, are independent as defined under the listing standards of the NASDAQ.
 
Directors and Executive Officers
 
Our directors hold office until the earlier of their death, resignation, removal, or until their successors have been appointed. Our executive officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of our Board. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers. The following table shows information regarding our current directors and executive officers. Directors are appointed for one-year terms. As previously disclosed, Mr. Brightman has informed the Board of his intent to retire as Chairman and as a member of the Board immediately following TETRA's Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 3, 2019.
Name
 
Age
 
Position with CSI Compressco GP
Stuart M. Brightman
 
62
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Paul D. Coombs
 
63
 
Independent Director
D. Frank Harrison
 
71
 
Independent Director
James R. Larson
 
69
 
Independent Director
Brady M. Murphy
 
59
 
Director
Owen A. Serjeant
 
58
 
President and Director
William D. Sullivan
 
61
 
Independent Director
Elijio V. Serrano
 
61
 
Chief Financial Officer
Ronald J. Foster
 
62
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Levent Caglar
 
43
 
Vice President North America Sales, Compression Services
Christopher Liddle
 
60
 
Vice President of Manufacturing
Miguel Luna
 
48
 
Vice President of Engineered Products Sales & International Operations

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Name
 
Age
 
Position with CSI Compressco GP
Roy McNiven
 
39
 
Vice President of Operations
Michael E. Moscoso
 
53
 
Vice President - Finance
Bass C. Wallace, Jr.
 
60
 
General Counsel
Joseph J. Meyer
 
56
 
Treasurer
 
Biographical summaries of the directors and executive officers, including the experiences, qualifications, attributes, and skills of each director that have been considered by the Board in determining that these individuals should serve as directors, are set forth below. See “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters - Beneficial Ownership of Certain Unitholders and Management” included under Item 12 of this Annual Report for information regarding the number of common units owned by each individual.

Stuart M. Brightman has served as a director of our general partner's Board since October 31, 2008, and as Chairman of its Board since May 2014. He also served as President of our general partner during an interim period from August 2017 until November 2017. Mr. Brightman has served as TETRA’s chief executive officer and a member of its board of directors since May 2009 and served as TETRA’s president from May 2009 until February 2018. He served as TETRA’s executive vice president and chief operating officer from April 2005 through May 2009. From April 2004 to April 2005, Mr. Brightman was self-employed. Mr. Brightman served as president of the Dresser Flow Control division of Dresser, Inc. from April 2002 until April 2004. Dresser Flow Control, which manufactures and sells valves, actuators, and other equipment and provides related technology and services for the oil and gas industry, had revenues in excess of $400 million in 2004. From November 1998 to April 2002, Mr. Brightman was president of the Americas Operation of the Dresser Valve Division of Dresser, Inc. He served in other capacities during the earlier portion of his career with Dresser, from 1993 to 1998. From 1982 to 1993, Mr. Brightman served in several financial and operational positions with Cameron Iron Works and its successor, Cooper Oil Tools. Mr. Brightman currently serves on the board of directors and as a member of the compensation and nominating and governance committees of C&J Services, Inc., a public company subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. Mr. Brightman received his B.S. degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School of Business.

Mr. Brightman has more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing and services businesses related to the oil and gas industry. He has experience in corporate finance and in the management of capital intensive operations. Mr. Brightman’s service as TETRA’s chief executive officer also provides our Board with an in-depth source of knowledge regarding our operations, our executive management team, and the effectiveness of our compensation programs.
 
Paul D. Coombs has served as an independent director of our general partner's Board since May 6, 2014. Mr. Coombs has served as a member of TETRA’s board of directors since June 1994, and as a member of its nominating and corporate governance committee since July 2012, and as a member of its audit committee since May 2015. From April 2005 until his retirement in June 2007, Mr. Coombs served as TETRA’s executive vice president of strategic initiatives, and from May 2001 to April 2005, as TETRA’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. From January 1994 to May 2001, Mr. Coombs served as TETRA’s executive vice president - oil & gas, from 1987 to 1994 he served as senior vice president - oil & gas, and from 1985 to 1987, as general manager - oil & gas. Mr. Coombs has served in numerous other positions with TETRA since 1982. Mr. Coombs is presently a director and serves on the audit and corporate governance committees of the board of directors of Balchem Corporation, a public company that is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.

Mr. Coombs has more than 30 years of experience with TETRA, which, together with his entrepreneurial approach to management, provides our general partner’s Board with insight into our capabilities and personnel. Mr. Coombs has substantial experience with the services we provide and with oil and gas exploration and production operations in general.

D. Frank Harrison has served as an independent director of our general partner's Board and as Chairman of its Conflicts Committee and a member of its Audit Committee since April 2012. Since June 2011, Mr. Harrison is an owner and the managing partner of Eufaula Energy, LLC, a privately held company that invests in oil and gas interests. Mr. Harrison served as chairman of the board of directors (since 2007) and as chief executive officer and a director (since 2005) of Bronco Drilling Company, Inc. ("Bronco") until the acquisition of Bronco by Chesapeake

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Energy Corporation in June 2011. Bronco was a publicly traded company that provided contract drilling and well services. From 2002 to 2005, Mr. Harrison served as an agent for the purchase of oil and gas properties for entities controlled by Wexford Capital LLC. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Harrison served as president of Harding and Shelton, Inc., a privately held oil and natural gas exploration, drilling and development firm.  Mr. Harrison currently serves on the board of directors of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association. He received his B.S. degree in Sociology from Oklahoma State University.
 
Mr. Harrison has significant management experience in the exploration and production of oil and gas in the U.S. Mr. Harrison also has substantial experience in serving on the board of a publicly held corporation operating in the oil and gas industry, which provides cross board experience and perspective.

James R. Larson has served as an independent director of our general partner's Board and as Chairman of its Audit Committee since July 2011 and as a member of its Conflicts Committee since April 2012. Since January 1, 2006, Mr. Larson has been retired. From September 2005 until January 1, 2006, Mr. Larson served as senior vice president of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation ("Anadarko"). From December 2003 to September 2005, Mr. Larson served as senior vice president, finance and chief financial officer of Anadarko. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Larson served as senior vice president, finance of Anadarko where he oversaw treasury, investor relations, internal audits and acquisitions and divestitures. From 1995 to 2002, Mr. Larson served as vice president and controller of Anadarko where he was responsible for accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and tax. Prior to that, he held various tax and financial positions within Anadarko after joining the company in 1981. Mr. Larson currently serves as a director, chairman of the audit committee and a member of the governance committee of Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation, a publicly traded company that is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. From September 2006 until June 2018, Mr. Larson served as a director of EV Management, LLC, the general partner of EV Energy GP, which was the general partner of EV Energy Partners, L.P. a publicly-traded limited partnership. Mr. Larson is a current member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Financial Executives International, the Tax Executives Institute and the National Association of Corporate Directors. He received his BBA degree in business from the University of Iowa.

Mr. Larson has significant management experience in the exploration and production of oil and gas on an international as well as domestic level. Mr. Larson also has substantial experience in corporate finance and financial reporting matters and in serving on the board of a publicly traded limited partnership operating in the oil and gas industry.

Brady M. Murphy has served as a director of our general partner’s Board since February 22, 2018. Mr. Murphy has also served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of TETRA since February 12, 2018 and as a member of its Board of Directors since December 2018. Prior to his employment with TETRA, Mr. Murphy served as chief executive officer of Paradigm Group B.V., a private company focused on strategic technologies for the upstream energy industry, from January 2016 until February 2018. Mr. Murphy previously served at Halliburton Company and its affiliated companies for 34 years, holding numerous international and North America positions, most recently as senior vice president - global business development and marketing from 2012 to December 2015, as senior vice president - business development Eastern Hemisphere from 2011 to 2012, as senior vice president - Europe/Sub -Saharan Africa region from 2009 to 2011, and as vice president of Sperry Drilling Services from 2004 to 2008. Mr. Murphy received his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

Mr. Murphy has more than 35 years of global operations, engineering, manufacturing and business development experience in a variety of areas within the energy industry, including deepwater, mature fields and unconventional assets.

Owen A. Serjeant has served as President and a director of our general partner's Board since November 2017. Mr. Serjeant served as Group Vice President - Global Operational Support of Schlumberger Limited, a publicly traded company subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, from April 2016 to November 2017. From July 1999 until April 2016, Mr. Serjeant served in various senior operations management roles with increasing responsibility, including most recently as Corporate Vice President - Global Operational Excellence and Group Vice President - Compression Systems Division, at Cameron International Corporation, a publicly traded company prior to its acquisition by Schlumberger in April 2016. Mr. Serjeant began his career with Cooper Energy Services and served in a variety of operations, engineering, marketing, and sales roles from 1981 to 1999. He earned his BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from Aston University, United Kingdom, and his MBA degree from Henley Management College, United Kingdom.

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Mr. Serjeant has significant senior management and operations experience, including in the natural gas compression industry, and provides our general partner's Board with an in-depth knowledge regarding our customers, operations, business strategies, and the markets and geographies in which we operate. Mr. Serjeant’s management experience and leadership skills are highly valuable in assessing our business strategies and accompanying risks.

William D. Sullivan is an independent director of our general partner's Board and has served as a member of its Audit Committee since July 2011. Mr. Sullivan has served as a member of TETRA’s board of directors since August 2007 and as non-executive chairman of its board since May 2015. Mr. Sullivan is the non-executive chairman of the board of directors of SM Energy Company, a publicly traded company subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. From 1981 through August 2003, Mr. Sullivan was employed in various capacities by Anadarko, most recently as executive vice president, exploration and production. Mr. Sullivan has been retired since August 2003. Mr. Sullivan received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University. From 2007 to May 2015, Mr. Sullivan served as a director and as a member of the conflicts and audit committees of Targa Resources Partners GP, LLC, the general partner of Targa Resources Partners LP, and from March 2006 to September 2018, Mr. Sullivan served as a director and as a member of the audit, nominating and corporate governance and conflicts, and compensation committees of Legacy Reserves GP, LLC, the general partner of Legacy Reserves, LP, both of which are publicly traded limited partnerships. Mr. Sullivan received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University.
 
Mr. Sullivan has significant management experience in midstream oil and gas operations and in the exploration and production of oil and gas on an international and domestic level. Mr. Sullivan also has substantial experience in executive compensation matters and in serving on the boards of publicly held corporations and publicly traded limited partnerships operating in the oil and gas industry, which provides cross board experience and perspective.
 
Elijio V. Serrano has served as Chief Financial Officer of our general partner since March 2017. He has also served as TETRA’s senior vice president and chief financial officer since August 2012. Mr. Serrano served as chief financial officer of UniversalPegasus International, a global project management, engineering and construction management company, from October 2009 through July 2012. Following his resignation from Paradigm BV in February 2009 and until his acceptance of the position with UniversalPegasus International in October 2009, Mr. Serrano was retired. From February 2006 through February 2009, Mr. Serrano served as chief financial officer and executive vice president of Paradigm BV (formerly, Paradigm Geophysical Ltd.), a provider of enterprise software solutions to the oil and gas industry. From October 1999 through February 2006, Mr. Serrano served as chief financial officer of EGL, Inc., a publicly-traded transportation and logistics company subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. From 1982 through October 1999, Mr. Serrano was employed in various capacities by Schlumberger Ltd., including as vice president and general manager of the western hemisphere operations of Schlumberger’s Geco-Prakla seismic division (from 1997 to 1999), as group controller for the global operations of the Geco-Prakla seismic division (from 1996 to 1997), and from 1992 to 1996, as controller of various geographical units of the Geco-Prakla seismic division. Mr. Serrano served as a director, chairman of the audit committee, and as a member of the corporate governance and nominating committee of Tesco Corporation, a public company subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, until its acquisition by Nabors Industries Ltd. in December 2017. Mr. Serrano received his B.B.A. degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Texas at El Paso. Mr. Serrano was a certified public accountant in the State of Texas from 1986 until March 2002, at which time his license became inactive.

Ronald J. Foster has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of our general partner since the closing of the CSI acquisition in August 2014. From October 2008 through September 2015, Mr. Foster also served as a director of our general partner and Compressco, Inc. Prior to the CSI acquisition, Mr. Foster served as President of CSI Compressco GP Inc. from October 2008 until July 2014, and as President and a director of our Compressco, Inc. subsidiary from October 2008 until October 2012. From August 2002 to September 2008, Mr. Foster served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Compressco, Inc. Mr. Foster has over 30 years of energy-related work experience that also includes positions with Wood Group, Halliburton and Dresser. He is an active member of several regional industry trade organizations, including the American Petroleum Institute (API), the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA). Mr. Foster received his B.S. degree in Economics from Oklahoma State University.
 

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Levent Caglar has served as Vice President North America Sales, Compression Services of our general partner since December 2017 and as Vice President of Fleet Management from August 2015 to December 2017. Mr. Caglar joined CSI in 2001 as an International Application Engineer and served in a variety of roles including Lean Six-Sigma Black Belt, Asset Manager, and Director of Rental Fleet Management Services through July 2015. Most recently he served as the company’s Director of Asset Management. Mr. Caglar holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Galatasaray University, Istanbul, Turkey and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Dallas He is also an active member in the Gas Compressor Association as well as Petroleum Equipment and Service Association (PESA) Emerging Leaders Committee.

Christopher Liddle has served as Vice President Manufacturing of our general partner since January 2018. Prior to joining CSI Compressco, from June 2014 to July 2017 he served as Senior Manufacturing Projects & Initiatives Manager for GE Oil & Gas in the Reciprocating Compression Business acquired from Cameron International Corp. Prior to his role at GE Oil & Gas, Mr. Liddle served for 30 years at Cameron International Corp in various management level roles of increasing responsibility throughout the company, most recently as Director of Operations - Reciprocating Compression & Process Division from January 2011 to May 2014. Mr. Liddle earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University.

Miguel Luna has served as Vice President of Engineered Products Sales & International Operations of our general partner since May 2017. From August 2014 through May 2017, he served as Director of Engineered Products Sales & International Operations of our general partner. Mr. Luna served as general manager of engineered products sales & international operations of Compressor Systems, Inc. from October 2010 through August 2014. From December 2004 to February 2009, Mr. Luna served as senior manager of Latin America for Exterran.  Mr. Luna began his career at Schlumberger in 1999, as a marketing manager and held various leadership roles with increasing responsibility. Mr. Luna holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Gas Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Roy McNiven has served as Vice President of Operations of our general partner since October 1, 2018.  Mr. McNiven most recently served as Vice President of Rental Operations at Nabors Industries ("Nabors") from December 2017 until joining CSI Compressco. Prior to this role, he served for 13 years at Tesco Corporation in various management levels roles, including Vice President of Product Supply and Commercialization from March 2017 to December 2017, Vice President of Products and Services from May 2016 to March 2017, Vice President of Aftermarket Sales & Service, Rentals and Global Supply Chain from November 2014 to May 2016, and Global Director, Aftermarket Sales & Service and Rentals from June 2010 to November 2014, before Tesco was acquired by Nabors. Mr. McNiven earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, as well as an Executive MBA, from Athabasca University in Canada.

Michael E. Moscoso, has served as our Vice President - Finance since January 2018. He served as Director of Internal Audit of TETRA from July 2014 until January 2018. From July 2005 until April 2014, Mr. Moscoso served in various internal audit roles with increasing responsibility, most recently as the senior director - internal audit, at AEI Services, LLC, a private company which owned and operated interests in multiple power generation assets, as well as natural gas transportation and distribution businesses in Central and South America, the Caribbean, and other international locations. From April 2014 until July 2014, Mr. Moscoso was self-employed. Mr. Moscoso’s prior experience includes serving as the director of settlements and, prior to that, as manager of risk reporting and controls of Enron Corporation, the assistant treasurer of Zilkha Energy Company, and as controller - Latin America division of Weatherford International. Mr. Moscoso began his career in 1989 with KPMG, where his responsibilities primarily included managing and executing audits of exploration and production companies and pipeline companies. Mr. Moscoso received his B.B.A. degree in accounting from the University of Houston, is a certified public accountant in the State of Texas, and a certified internal auditor.
Bass C. Wallace, Jr. has served as our General Counsel since October 2008. He has also served as TETRA’s General Counsel since 1994 and as a Senior Vice President since May 2011. From 1984 to 1994 he was engaged in the private practice of law. Mr. Wallace received his B.A. degree in Economics from the University of Virginia and his J.D. degree from the University of Texas School of Law.
Joseph J. Meyer has served as our Treasurer since March 2015. He has also served as TETRA’s Vice President - Finance and Treasurer since February 2015.  He served as treasurer of JBT Corporation, a multi-national equipment and technology solutions provider to the food processing and air transportation industries, from July 2008 through May 2014.  From June 2014 until January 2015, Mr. Meyer was self-employed. From June 2001

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until July 2008, Mr. Meyer served as director, treasury operations of FMC Technologies, Inc., a multi-national company within the oil and gas equipment and services industry, food processing equipment industry, and air transportation equipment industry, and from 1995 until 2001 served in various managerial roles within the treasury department of FMC Corporation.  From 1988 through 1994, Mr. Meyer held positions with increasing responsibility with several national banks.  Mr. Meyer received his B.S. degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his MS in Management from Northwestern University.

Board Meetings and Committees
 
During 2018, the Board held eleven meetings. The standing committees of the Board during 2018 consisted of an Audit Committee and a Conflicts Committee. During 2018, the Audit Committee held four meetings, and the Conflicts Committee held two meetings. 
 
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is currently composed of Mr. Larson, as Chairman, and Messrs. Harrison and Sullivan. The purposes of the Audit Committee are to (i) oversee the financial and reporting processes of the Partnership and the general partner, and the audit of the Partnership’s financial statements, (ii) assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with regard to the integrity of the Partnership’s financial statements, the Partnership’s and the general partners’ compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications, independence and performance of the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm, and the effectiveness and performance of the Partnership’s and the general partner’s internal audit function, and (iii) perform such other functions as the Board may assign from time to time. The Audit Committee has sole authority to retain and terminate our independent registered public accounting firm, approve all auditing services and related fees and terms, and approve any non-audit service to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. To promote the independence of its audit, the Audit Committee consults separately and jointly with the independent registered public accounting firm, our internal auditor, and management.
 
As required by NASDAQ and SEC rules regarding audit committees, the Board has reviewed the qualifications of the Audit Committee and has determined that no current committee member has a relationship with us that might interfere with the exercise of his independence from us or our affiliates. Included within such determination, the Board has determined that Messrs. Larson, Harrison, and Sullivan are independent as defined in Section 10A of the Exchange Act and the listing standards of the NASDAQ. In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Larson, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, is an audit committee financial expert within the definition established by the SEC.
 
Conflicts Committee. The Conflicts Committee, which was formed in April 2012, is currently composed of Mr. Harrison, as Chairman, and Mr. Larson. The purposes of the Conflicts Committee are to (i) as requested by the Board, review and evaluate any potential conflicts of interest between us and our general partner or its affiliates or us and TETRA or its subsidiaries or affiliates, and (ii) carry out any other duties assigned by the Board that relate to potential conflicts of interest between us and our general partner or its affiliates or us and TETRA or its subsidiaries or affiliates. The Conflicts Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any consultants, attorneys, independent accountants or other service providers to assist it in the evaluation of conflicts matters, including the sole authority to approve their fees and other terms of retention. 

As required by the Second Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement of the Partnership, the Board has reviewed the independence of Messrs. Harrison and Larson and has determined that each of them meets the independence standards established thereunder as required for service on the Conflicts Committee. Included within such determination, the Board has also determined that each of Messrs. Harrison and Larson is independent as defined in Section 10A of the Exchange Act and the listing standards of the NASDAQ.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of our common units to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common units (Forms 3, 4 and 5) with the SEC and the NASDAQ. Executive officers, directors, and greater than 10% holders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all such forms they file.
 
To our knowledge, and based solely on our review of the copies of such reports and written representations provided to us by certain reporting persons that no reports on Form 5 were required, we believe that during the

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fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors, and 10% holders were complied with in a timely manner.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
 
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
 
Our general partner is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of TETRA and has sole responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations. All of our executive officers and other personnel necessary for the operation of our business are employed or compensated by our general partner, our subsidiaries, or TETRA and its subsidiaries. We may refer to such individuals as “our employees” in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
 
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) is designed to provide an understanding of our compensation philosophy and objectives and insight into the process by which our specific compensation practices are established. This CD&A is focused on the total compensation of the President and other executive officers of our general partner named in the Summary Compensation Table (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”) and other executive officers of our general partner (together with our NEOs, “Senior Management”). The Compensation Committee of TETRA’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) is responsible for the oversight of compensation programs that apply to a broad base of our employees, and for specific compensation decisions that relate to our NEOs who are employed by our general partner. Mr. Serrano, who serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TETRA, also serves as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Serrano is not presently, nor was he previously, an employee of our general partner. Mr. Serrano’s primary business responsibilities are for TETRA and he devotes less than a majority of his business time to our general partner and us. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee, acting in its capacity as such for TETRA, is responsible for establishing the compensation of Mr. Serrano, and we have no control over his compensation. We have not formed, and do not intend to form, a compensation committee, and for the immediate future the Board intends to continue to delegate oversight of certain aspects of our compensation programs to the Compensation Committee.
 
Our relationship with our general partner and TETRA relating to the personnel who operate our business is governed by the Omnibus Agreement dated June 20, 2011 and amended on June 20, 2014, among us, our general partner and TETRA (as amended, the “Omnibus Agreement”). Under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, we reimburse our general partner and TETRA for certain expenses incurred on our behalf, including a portion of the compensation of employees of our general partner and TETRA who perform services on our behalf. The compensation expense allocated to us in 2018 with respect to each of our NEOs, other than Mr. Serrano, was 100% of their total compensation, since each of our NEOs, other than Mr. Serrano, devote virtually all of their business time to our operations. Under our Omnibus Agreement, certain corporate and administrative departments of TETRA allocate a percentage of their costs to us for reimbursement for services provided by them on our behalf. While Mr. Serrano's department makes such an allocation under the Omnibus Agreement, no portion of such expenses is specifically based on his time and there is no reimbursement by us specifically for the cost of his services. Accordingly, the compensation disclosed herein for our NEOs other than Mr. Serrano reflects all of the compensation expense that is payable by us under the Omnibus Agreement with regard to such individuals. None of the cash compensation or other benefits made available to Mr. Serrano by TETRA were based on the specific services provided to us. Please read the section titled “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” below for additional information regarding our reimbursement of expenses.
 
Executive Summary
 
We are a provider of compression services and equipment for natural gas and oil production, gathering, transportation, processing, and storage. We sell standard and custom-designed compressor packages, and provide aftermarket services and compressor package parts and components manufactured by third-party suppliers. We provide these compression services and equipment to a broad base of natural gas and oil exploration and production, midstream, and transmission companies operating throughout many of the onshore producing regions of the United States as well as in a number of foreign countries, including Mexico, Canada, and Argentina.

As a result of our relationship with TETRA, the compensation of our NEOs is structured in a manner similar to TETRA’s compensation of its executive officers. In addition, the compensation policies and practices of our general partner are similar to those of TETRA.


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The following CD&A addresses our compensation practices, philosophies and objectives as they relate to our NEOs and other members of our Senior Management who are employed by our general partner. Because TETRA makes all decisions regarding the compensation of Mr. Serrano, those decisions are not discussed in this CD&A and unless specified to the contrary below, references in the following CD&A to “NEOs,” “executive officers,” or “Senior Management” do not include Mr. Serrano. The total compensation paid by TETRA to Mr. Serrano in 2018 will be disclosed in TETRA’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 3, 2019.
 
Overall Compensation Structure

We seek to structure a balance between achieving positive short-term annual results and ensuring long-term viability and success by providing both annual and long-term incentive opportunities. The following graphic illustrates the components of the total compensation opportunities available to members of our Senior Management:
cclpscompstructuregrapha01.jpg
Key Compensation Practices and Policies

We have implemented and continue to maintain compensation practices and policies that we believe contribute to good governance.
What We Do
What We Don’t Do
þ Use performance measures to align pay with performance
þ The compensation consultant is retained directly by the Compensation Committee and does not provide any services to management
þ Every member of the Compensation Committee is independent as defined in the listing standards of the NYSE and NASDAQ
þ We have adopted procedures for grants of equity awards that provide guidelines under which annual and other equity awards may be granted
ý Our insider trading policy prohibits transactions involving short sales, the buying or selling of puts calls or other derivative instruments, and transactions involving certain forms of hedging or monetization
ý Provide tax gross-ups or executive perquisites
ý Allow single-trigger severance or change of control agreements

Overview of Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
 
In order to recruit and retain highly qualified and competent individuals as Senior Management, we strive to maintain a compensation program that is competitive in the labor markets in which we operate. Our guiding philosophy is to maintain an executive compensation program that will attract, retain, motivate, and reward highly qualified and talented individuals to enable us to perform better than our competitors. The following are our key objectives in setting the compensation programs for our Senior Management:
design competitive total compensation programs that enhance our ability to attract and retain knowledgeable and experienced Senior Management;
motivate our Senior Management to deliver outstanding financial performance and meet or exceed general and specific business, operational, and individual performance objectives;
establish salary and annual cash incentive compensation levels that reflect competitive market practices in relevant markets and are generally within the median range for the relevant peer group;

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provide long-term incentive compensation opportunities that are consistent with our overall compensation philosophy; 
provide a significant percentage of total compensation that is “at risk,” or “variable,” based on predetermined performance measures and objectives; and
ensure that a significant portion of the total compensation package is determined by increases in unitholder value, thus assuring an alignment of Senior Management with our unitholders.

Focus on Performance-Based Pay

In establishing target compensation levels, the Compensation Committee places a significant portion of our NEOs’ compensation “at-risk” through the use of variable compensation, much of which is performance-based. Variable pay includes the following:
Annual Incentives - performance-based cash incentives for achievement of specified performance objectives on an annual basis.
Performance-Based Unit Awards - performance-based equity incentives that are earned only if specified long-term performance objectives are achieved.
Time-Based Unit Awards - time-based equity compensation, the long-term value of which depends on the market price for CCLP’s common units.
  
Roles and Process
 
Role of the Compensation Committee. Our Board has appointed the Compensation Committee to discharge many of its responsibilities relating to the compensation of our executive officers. With regard to certain actions that must be taken directly by our Board, the Compensation Committee provides recommendations to the Board that are consistent with our compensation philosophy, programs, and objectives, which are largely a reflection of TETRA’s compensation philosophy, programs, and objectives.
 
The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants, outside counsel, or other advisers to assist the committee in the discharge of its duties. In any given year, the Compensation Committee bases its decision on whether to retain a compensation consultant on factors including prevailing market conditions, regulatory changes governing executive compensation, and the quality of any other relevant data that may be available. If a compensation consultant is engaged with respect to our compensation programs, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee maintains a direct line of communication with the consultant and arranges meetings with the consultant that may include other members of the committee and/or our President, TETRA’s CEO and certain members of TETRA’s senior management, including TETRA's President and Chief Operating Officer ("President"). The Compensation Committee, and/or its Chairman, also periodically meets with the compensation consultant independently of management. Through this communication with the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, the consultant reports to, and acts at the discretion of, the Compensation Committee.
 
Role of Compensation Consultant. The Compensation Committee has retained the services of Pearl Meyer & Partners ("Pearl Meyer"), an independent provider of compensation consulting services, to assist the Compensation Committee in its review of our compensation programs. Before engaging Pearl Meyer, the Compensation Committee confirmed that Pearl Meyer does not provide other services to us, to our general partner, or to TETRA; has procedures in place to prevent conflicts of interest; and, does not have a business or personal relationship with any of the executive officers of our general partner, any of TETRA’s executive officers, or any member of the Compensation Committee. The individual consultants involved in the engagement do not own our limited partner units, nor do they own TETRA’s common stock. The Compensation Committee discussed these considerations and concluded that there were no conflicts of interest with respect to the consulting services provided by Pearl Meyer.

Role of our President, TETRA's President, and TETRA's CEO. Our President makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee with regard to salary adjustments and the annual and long-term incentives to be provided to our Senior Management, excluding himself. TETRA's President and TETRA's CEO make recommendations to the Compensation Committee with regard to salary adjustments and the annual and long-term incentives to be provided to our President. Based upon his judgment and experience and in consultation with TETRA’s President and TETRA's CEO, taking into consideration available industry-based compensation surveys and other compensation data and analysis, including data provided by the Compensation Committee’s consultant,

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if one is retained for that year, our President annually reviews with the Compensation Committee specific compensation recommendations for Senior Management.
 
In its review of our compensation program and its consideration of whether changes in compensation recommended by our President, TETRA's President, and TETRA's CEO are in line with our overall compensation philosophy, current competitive market conditions, and current economic conditions, the Compensation Committee considers performance evaluations of and compensation recommendations for each member of Senior Management as well as its own performance evaluations of Senior Management, and the analysis and report of the compensation consultant. In conjunction with our President, TETRA's President, and TETRA's CEO, the Compensation Committee reviews the compensation of our Senior Management, other than our President. The Compensation Committee, in an executive session that includes TETRA’s CEO, establishes the compensation for our President.
 
Compensation Elements
 
We strongly believe that Senior Management should be compensated with a package that includes, at a minimum, the following three elements:
salary and industry-standard benefits,
annual incentive cash compensation tied to key financial and operating results, and
long-term incentive compensation tied to our common unit price and key long-term value drivers.

Each of these components is discussed in greater detail below.

Salary. We believe that a competitive salary program and industry standard benefits are important factors in our ability to attract and retain talented Senior Management employees. The Compensation Committee typically reviews relevant compensation data and analysis provided by its compensation consultant, if one is retained for that year, or by management if no compensation consultant is engaged, to ensure that our salary program is competitive. In this respect, the Compensation Committee uses the survey data and compensation paid by peer companies as a market check on the salaries and other elements of compensation it establishes. The Compensation Committee reviews the salaries of all members of our Senior Management at least annually. Base salaries may be adjusted for performance, which may be individual or company-wide performance, expansion of duties, and changes in market salary levels. In considering salary adjustments each year, the Compensation Committee gives weight to the foregoing factors, with particular emphasis on corporate performance goals, our President’s analysis and TETRA's President's and TETRA's CEO's analysis of each individual’s performance, and their specific compensation recommendations. However, the Compensation Committee does not rely on formulas and considers all factors when considering salary adjustments.

In its December 2017 review of Senior Management compensation, the Compensation Committee noted that the base salaries of Senior Management were, overall, well aligned with the peer group and survey data provided by Pearl Meyer. With regard to members of Senior Management other than our President, the Compensation Committee also took into account our President’s evaluation, and TETRA's President's and TETRA's CEO's evaluations, of each individual’s performance during 2017. Mr. Benge, who had previously notified us of his intent to retire, resigned from his position as Vice President of Operations on October 1, 2018, although he remained employed by us as an adviser, assisting with the transition of his duties to his successor, until February 2, 2019. With the exception of Mr. Luna, who was appointed to the position of Vice President, Engineered Products Sales and International Operations in May 2017, the Compensation Committee did not make adjustments to the 2018 base salaries of our NEOs. The table below shows the base salary of each of our NEOs, and the date that each base salary became effective.

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Name
 
Title
 
Effective Date
 
Base Salary
Owen Serjeant
 
President
 
11/20/2017
 
$
410,000

Levent Caglar
 
Vice President North America Sales, Compression Services
 
5/13/2017
 
249,000

Ronald J. Foster
 
Sr. Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer
 
4/1/2017
 
325,000

Miguel A. Luna
 
Vice President, Engineered Products Sales and International Operations
 
1/20/2018
 
195,500

C. Brad Benge
 
Vice President of Operations
 
4/1/2017
 
240,000


Annual Performance-Based Cash Incentives. Our NEOs and other key employees are eligible to receive annual performance-based cash incentive awards pursuant to TETRA’s Cash Incentive Compensation Plan. The Cash Incentive Compensation Plan was adopted by TETRA’s Board of Directors to provide greater focus on TETRA’s strategic business objectives, further its compensation philosophy, emphasize pay-for-performance, and provide competitive compensation opportunities.
 
Each member of our Senior Management is provided with an annual, performance-based incentive opportunity, calculated as a percentage of base salary. For each award opportunity, a threshold, target, stretch, and over achievement performance objective is established for each applicable performance measure and the amount of the award payment that may be received is based on the level of achievement of such performance objectives, subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
 
As part of its annual review of the compensation of our NEOs, the Compensation Committee reviews a preliminary estimate of the aggregate amount of annual cash incentive compensation to be awarded under TETRA’s Cash Incentive Compensation Plan based on the current year's performance, and discusses the overall effectiveness of the plan in furthering our compensation philosophy. In its consideration of changes for the 2018 plan year, the Compensation Committee noted that target annual incentive award opportunities for our Senior Management, overall, were generally well aligned with the target award opportunities reflected in the peer group and survey data provided by Pearl Meyer, and elected not to make changes to the award opportunities available to our NEOs for the 2018 plan year.

The following table sets forth the target award opportunities for the 2018 plan year, shown as a percentage of base salary for each of our NEOs under the Cash Incentive Compensation Plan. As an example, Mr. Serjeant’s target award opportunity is 70% of his base salary; therefore, his threshold award opportunity, which is 30% of the target award opportunity, is 21% of his base salary.
2018 Award Opportunities - Annual Cash Incentive Compensation Plan
 
 
Threshold %
of Base Salary
(30% of TargetAward)
 
Target % of Base Salary
(100% of Target Award)
 
Stretch % of Base Salary
(150% of Target Award)
 
Over Achievement % of Base Salary
(200% of Target Award)
Owen Serjeant
 
21.0
%
 
70.0
%
 
105.0
%
 
140.0
%
Levent Caglar
 
10.5
%
 
35.0
%
 
52.5
%
 
70.0
%
Ronald J. Foster
 
13.5
%
 
45.0
%
 
67.5
%
 
90.0
%
Miguel A. Luna
 
10.5
%
 
35.0
%
 
52.5
%
 
70.0
%
C. Brad Benge
 
10.5
%
 
35.0
%
 
52.5
%
 
70.0
%
 
The following table sets forth the performance measures approved by the Compensation Committee for each of our NEOs for the 2018 plan year under the Cash Incentive Compensation Plan, and the business consideration underlying each performance measure:    

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Performance Measure
Business Consideration
Distributable Cash Flow ("DCF")
DCF is a critical performance measure for our NEOs because it reflects the ability of our compression business to generate cash flow. Our NEOs can drive increases in DCF by:
Ÿ Managing costs.
Ÿ Reducing debt.
Ÿ Focusing on accretive investments in growth opportunities that will yield the highest returns.
Adjusted EBITDA
The Adjusted EBITDA performance measure ensures focus on the financial outcome of day-to-day and long-term operating decisions that impact the overall profitability of our businesses, including:
Ÿ Ensuring that day-to-day spending is tightly managed and aligned with our annual operating budget, and that operational plans and projects are quickly integrated in order to maximize efficiencies.
Ÿ Prioritizing projects across the organization to elevate focus on those that have the greatest potential impact to our profitability.
Ÿ Ensuring differentiation of service quality and depth of service, which position us to manage pricing through market cycles and pursue and maintain relationships with the most profitable customers.
Ÿ Driving reductions in our cost to deliver services, through robust cost controls, automation, and new technologies.
Ÿ Managing external relationships, including strong marketing efforts to spearhead our introduction to new geographies and customers.
Individual Performance Objectives ("IPOs")
IPOs provide an opportunity for each NEO to earn incentive compensation based on their personal performance compared to established target objectives approved by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the plan year. We believe that IPOs are a critical component of the plan structure, as they drive performance related to specific strategic objectives and line-of-sight goals.

Under the annual Cash Incentive Compensation Plan awards for 2018, actual results for the DCF and Adjusted EBITDA performance measures had to reach a minimum threshold level of 80% of the established target performance objective for any portion of awards based on those measures to be earned. A threshold payment level of 30% corresponds to the threshold performance level of each established performance objective; for actual results that fall between threshold and target, straight line interpolation is used to determine the earned amount of the award.

The following tables show the weight of each performance measure, the percentage of the award deemed to have been earned based on 2018 results and the performance criteria discussed above, and the amount of the award opportunity earned related to each performance measure.
 
Target Amount of Award Opportunity
Weight of Metric
% of Target Achieved
Weighted % Earned
Amount of Award Earned
Owen A. Serjeant
$
287,000

 
 
 
 
Distributable Cash Flow
 
50.0%
91.8%
35.7%
$
102,488

Adjusted EBITDA
 
20.0%
96.2%
17.4%
$
49,795

IPOs
 
30.0%
30.0%
30.0%
$
86,100

 
 
100.0%
 
 
$
238,382


 
Target Amount of Award Opportunity
Weight of Metric
% of Target Achieved
Weighted % Earned
Amount of Award Earned
Levent Caglar
$
87,150

 
 
 
 
Distributable Cash Flow
 
45.0%
91.8%
32.1%
$
28,010

Adjusted EBITDA
 
15.0%
96.2%
13.0%
$
11,338

IPOs
 
40.0%
40.0%
40.0%
$
34,860

 
 
100.0%
 
 
$
74,208



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Target Amount of Award Opportunity
Weight of Metric
% of Target Achieved
Weighted % Earned
Amount of Award Earned
Ronald J. Foster
$
146,250

 
 
 
 
Distributable Cash Flow
 
50.0%
91.8%
35.7%
$
52,226

Adjusted EBITDA
 
20.0%
96.2%
17.4%
$
25,374

IPOs
 
30.0%
30.0%
30.0%
$
43,875

 
 
100.0%
 
 
$
121,475


 
Target Amount of Award Opportunity
Weight of Metric
% of Target Achieved
Weighted % Earned
Amount of Award Earned
Miguel A. Luna
$
79,010

 
 
 
 
Distributable Cash Flow
 
45.0%
91.8%
32.1%
$
25,394

Adjusted EBITDA
 
15.0%
96.2%
13.0%
$
10,279

IPOs
 
40.0%
40.0%
40.0%
$
31,604

 
 
100.0%
 
 
$
67,277


 
Target Amount of Award Opportunity
Weight of Metric
% of Target Achieved
Weighted % Earned
Amount of Award Earned
C. Brad Benge
$
84,000

 
 
 
 
Distributable Cash Flow
 
45.0%
91.8%
32.1%
$
26,998

Adjusted EBITDA
 
15.0%
96.2%
13.0%
$
10,928

IPOs
 
40.0%
40.0%
40.0%
$
33,600

 
 
100.0%
 
 
$
71,526


Long-Term Incentive Awards. Equity incentives consisting primarily of awards of phantom units and performance phantom units comprise a significant portion of our NEOs’ total compensation package. The Compensation Committee seeks to strike a balance between achieving short-term annual results and ensuring strong long-term success through its use of equity awards, which are geared toward longer-term performance as they generally, though not always, vest ratably over a three-year period, and their values are materially affected by market price appreciation of the underlying security. We believe that tying a significant portion of the compensation of our Senior Management team directly to our unitholders’ returns is an important aspect of our total compensation plan.

The following table summarizes the elements of our long-term incentive ("LTI") program and their alignment with our compensation principles:
Component of LTI Program
Terms
Alignment with Compensation Principles
Performance Phantom Units
(50% of LTI mix)
Ÿ 3-year performance period
Ÿ Target award amounts denominated in units
Ÿ Payout range is 0% to 200% of target award
Ÿ Performance determined by pre-established 3-year financial metric approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board of our general partner
Ÿ Long-term, performance-based phantom units work in conjunction with annual awards of time-based units to provide us with increased retention value and reward participants for both improved financial results and improvement in the market price for our units.

Time-Based Phantom Units
(50% of LTI mix)
Ÿ Units vest in equal installments over 3-year period, subject to continued service
Ÿ Time-based phantom units are a key element in aligning our Senior Management's interests with those of our unitholders.

2018 LTI Awards

While the Compensation Committee does consider the general compensation practices of other companies in the oil and gas services industry in establishing equity incentive compensation opportunities, it does

69



not specifically benchmark the value of equity awards relative to any survey, peer group, or other compensation data. The Compensation Committee does, however, annually review the equity compensation practices of other companies in our industry in order to gain a general impression of the proportionate share of equity award value in the total compensation packages they offer.

The following table sets forth the number of time-based phantom units and/or performance-based phantom units awarded to our NEOs in February 2018. Mr. Benge, who previously notified us of his desire to retire in early 2019, and who stepped down from his position as Vice President of Operations on October 1, 2018, did not receive an LTI award in 2018.
 
 
Number of
Time-Based
Phantom Units
 
Number of Performance-Based Phantom Units
 
Aggregate Grant
Date Fair Value
Of Unit Awards
Owen Serjeant
 
47,771

 
47,771

 
$
737,584

Levent Caglar
 
10,351

 
10,351

 
$
159,819

Ronald J. Foster
 
6,370

 
6,370

 
$
98,353

Miguel A. Luna
 
6,370

 
6,370

 
$
98,353

C. Brad Benge
 

 

 
$

 
Three-Year Performance Phantom Unit Awards Granted in 2016. In May 2016, our Board approved awards of performance-based phantom units with tandem distribution equivalent rights ("DERs") to certain executive officers as of such date, including Messrs. Cagler, Benge, and Foster. The performance-based phantom unit awards covered the performance period of January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018 and under such awards, up to 200% of the "Target" number of phantom units granted under the award could be earned based on our three-year cumulative distributable cash flow ("DCF") per outstanding unit for the performance period ending December 31, 2018, relative to the following performance objectives established by our Board:
3-Year Cumulative DCF per Outstanding Unit
Percentage of Phantom Units Earned
Less than $4.96
—%
$4.96
10%
$5.83 (Target)
100%
$7.58
150%
> $8.75 (Maximum)
200%

For DCF per outstanding unit amounts that fell between any of the performance objectives set forth above, straight line interpolation was to be used to determine the specific number of phantom units earned. In February of 2019, our Board determined that the required threshold performance objective for the three-year cumulative DCF per outstanding unit performance measure had not been met, and based on such determination, none of the units awarded had been earned.

CEO Pay Ratio

Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, require disclosure regarding the relationship of the annual compensation of our employees and the annual compensation of our Chief Executive Officer. As discussed in the "About CSI Compressco LP" and "Employees" sections under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-K, we have no employees. Nonetheless, in an effort to comply with this requirement, the pay ratio provided below has been calculated as the total 2018 annual compensation for Mr. Serjeant, divided by the total annual compensation of the median employee providing services to us pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement.

We used a consistently applied compensation measure to identify the median of the annual total compensation of all the employees of our general partner, and to determine the annual total compensation of the President of our general partner, Mr. Serjeant. To make them comparable, salaries for newly hired employees who

70



had worked less than a year were annualized, and the target annual bonus amount was applied to their total compensation measure. For 2018:
Ÿ Median employee total annual compensation
$77,305
Ÿ Mr. Serjeant's total annual compensation
$1,387,682
Ÿ Ratio of President to median employee compensation
18.0 to 1
    
To identify the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of our general partner and the median employee's total compensation, we took the following steps:
We determined that our employee population as of December 31, 2018, consisted of approximately 749 full- and part-time employees located in the U.S. and Canada (we do not have temporary or seasonal workers).
We selected December 31, 2018 as our identification date for determining our median employee because it enabled us to make such identification in a reasonably efficient and economic manner.
For our employees located in Canada and paid in Canadian currency, we converted each such employee's total annual compensation as of December 31, 2018 to U.S. dollars; however, we did not make any cost of living adjustments with respect to either Canadian or U.S. employees.

Retirement, Health and Welfare Benefits
 
Our employees are eligible to participate in a variety of health and welfare and retirement programs sponsored by TETRA. Members of our Senior Management are generally eligible for the same benefit programs on the same basis as the remainder of our employees. Our health and welfare programs are intended to protect employees against catastrophic loss and to encourage a healthy lifestyle. These health and welfare programs include medical, wellness, pharmacy, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and insurance against accidental death and disability.
 
401(k) Plan. Due to our relationship with TETRA, our employees are eligible to participate in TETRA’s 401(k) Retirement Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which is intended to supplement a participant’s personal savings and social security. Under the 401(k) Plan, eligible employees may contribute on a pretax basis up to 70% of their compensation, subject to an annual maximum established under the Code. Our general partner generally makes a matching contribution under the 401(k) Plan equal to 50% of the first 8% of a participant’s annual compensation that is contributed to the 401(k) Plan. All employees (other than nonresident aliens) who have reached the age of eighteen are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan beginning on the first day of the month following their completion of 30 days of service with us.
 
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. Certain of our Senior Management, directors, and certain other key employees have the opportunity to participate in TETRA’s Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan, which is an unfunded, deferred compensation program. Under the program, participants may defer a specified portion of their annual total cash compensation, including salary and performance-based cash incentive, subject to certain established minimums. The amounts deferred increase or decrease depending on the deemed investment elections selected by the participant from among various hypothetical investment election options. Deferral contributions and earnings credited to such contributions are 100% vested and may be distributed in cash at a time selected by the participant and irrevocably designated on the participant’s deferral form. In-service distributions may not be withdrawn until two years following the participant’s initial enrollment. Notwithstanding the participant’s deferral election, the participant will receive distribution of his deferral account if the participant becomes disabled or dies, or upon a change in control. None of our NEOs participated in the Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan during 2018.
 
Perquisites
 
Perquisites (“perks”) are not a material component of our compensation. In general, NEOs do not receive reimbursements for meals, airline and travel costs other than those costs allowed for all employees, or for tickets to sporting events or entertainment events, unless such tickets are used for business purposes. Messrs. Foster, Luna, and Benge receive car allowances or are entitled to the use of a company-owned vehicle, as is the case for all of our sales and field service personnel. During 2018, except for the car allowances (or the use of a

71



company-owned car) for Messrs. Foster, Luna, and Benge, no NEO received an allowance from us for any of the above or a reimbursement for any expense incurred for non-business purposes.
 
Employment Agreements
 
We have previously entered into employment agreements with each of our NEOs that are substantially identical to the form of agreement executed by all of our employees. Each agreement evidences the at-will nature of employment and does not guarantee the term of employment, which is entirely at the discretion of our Board, or otherwise set forth the salary and other compensation of the NEOs, which is established in accordance with the procedures described above.

Tax and Accounting Implications of Executive Compensation

With respect to the deduction limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code, we are a limited partnership and do not meet the definition of a “corporation” under Section 162(m). Nonetheless, the taxable compensation paid to each of the NEOs in 2017 was less than the Section 162(m) threshold of $1,000,000.

Double Trigger Change of Control Agreements
 
We have entered into change of control agreements (the “COC Agreements”) with Messrs. Serjeant and Foster. The COC Agreements have an initial two-year term, with automatic one-year extensions on the second anniversary of the effective date and every anniversary date thereafter, unless a cancellation notice is given at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the then applicable term. Under the COC Agreements, we have an obligation to provide certain benefits to each applicable NEO upon a qualifying termination event that occurs in connection with or within two years following a “change of control” of us or TETRA. A qualifying termination event under the COC Agreements includes the termination of the NEO's employment with us other than for Cause (as that term is defined in the COC Agreement) or termination by the NEO for Good Reason (as that term is defined in the COC Agreement). For an overview of the specific terms and conditions of the COC Agreements, please read the section titled "Potential Payments upon a Change of Control or Termination" in this Item 11, below.

Indemnification Agreements
 
We and each of our current directors and our NEOs have executed an indemnification agreement that provides that we will indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by our Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, Bylaws, and applicable law. The indemnification agreement also provides that our directors and officers will be entitled to the advancement of fees as permitted by applicable law and sets out the procedures required for determining entitlement to and obtaining indemnification and expense advancement. In addition, our charter documents provide that each of our directors and officers and any person serving at our request as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by law in connection with any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding (including civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative proceedings) arising out of or in connection with his or her services to us or to another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, at our request. We purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is a director or officer of the aforementioned corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as an officer or director, subject to the terms and conditions of that insurance. In addition, Messrs. Brightman, Coombs, Murphy, Meyer, Serrano, Wallace, and Sullivan, in their capacities as directors and/or executive officers of TETRA, have executed indemnification agreements with TETRA that are substantially similar to the indemnification agreements executed by each of them in connection with their services to us, and they benefit from the protection of similar insurance.
 
Compensation Committee Report
 
Our general partner, CSI Compressco GP Inc., does not have a compensation committee. The Board of Directors of CSI Compressco GP Inc., the general partner of CSI Compressco LP, has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based upon such review and discussion, has approved the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for inclusion in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 

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Submitted by the Board of Directors of CSI Compressco GP Inc.,

Stuart M. Brightman, Chairman
Paul D. Coombs            Brady M. Murphy
D. Frank Harrison            Owen A. Serjeant
James R. Larson            William D. Sullivan


Compensation of Executive Officers
 
Summary Compensation
 
The following table sets forth the compensation earned by (i) our President (“Principal Executive Officer”), (ii) our Chief Financial Officer (“Principal Financial Officer”), (iii) our former Vice President of Operations, who served in such position until October 1, 2018, and (iv) each of our three other most highly compensated executive officers (each a “Named Executive Officer”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

 Summary Compensation Table 
Name and Principal Position
 
Year
 
Salary
 
Bonus
 
Unit Awards(1)
 
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Comp.
 
All Other Comp.(2)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
Owen A. Serjeant(3)
 
2018
 
$
410,000

 
$

 
$
737,584

 
$
238,382

 
$
1,715

 
$
1,387,681

  President
 
2017
 
39,423

 

 
500,000

 

 

 
539,423

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elijio V. Serrano
 
2018
 
(4 
) 
 
(4 
) 
 
$

 
(4 
) 
 
(4 
) 
 
$

  Chief Financial Officer
 
2017
 
(4 
) 
 
(4 
) 
 

 
(4 
) 
 
(4 
) 
 

 
 
2016
 
(4 
) 
 
(4 
) 
 
225,628

 
(4 
) 
 
(4 
) 
 
225,628

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Levent Caglar
 
2018
 
$
249,000

 
$

 
$
159,819

 
$
74,208

 
$
13,491

 
$
496,518

  VP NA Sales, Comp. Serv.
 
2017
 
226,330

 

 
120,684

 
36,071

 
10,721

 
393,806

 
 
2016
 
183,011

 

 
95,003

 

 
33,075

 
311,089

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ronald J. Foster
 
2018
 
$
325,000

 
$

 
$
98,353

 
$
121,475

 
$
16,325

 
$
561,153

  SVP, Chief Marketing Officer
 
2017
 
316,250

 

 
60,342

 
52,972

 
126,516

 
556,080

 
 
2016
 
300,813

 

 
71,261

 

 
60,329

 
432,403

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Miguel A. Luna(5)
 
2018
 
$
222,850

 
$

 
$
98,353

 
$
67,277

 
$
10,409

 
$
398,889

  VP EPS and Int'l Operations
 
2017
 
203,657

 

 
30,003

 
31,146

 
4,114

 
268,920

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C. Brad Benge(6)
 
2018
 
$
240,000

 
$
200,000

 
$

 
$
71,526

 
$
20,135

 
$
531,661

  VP of Operations
 
2017
 
233,538

 
100,000

 
150,855

 
34,768

 
76,338

 
595,499

 
 
2016
 
225,231

 

 
142,505

 

 
16,290

 
384,026

(1)
The amounts included in the “Unit Awards” column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, as applicable, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair value of performance phantom unit awards granted in each year are reported based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions on the grant date. The value of the 2018 performance phantom unit awards assuming achievement of the maximum performance level would be: Mr. Serjeant, $737,584; Mr. Caglar, $159,819; Mr. Foster, $98,353; and Mr. Luna, $98,353. Phantom unit awards and performance phantom unit awards granted under the CSI Compressco equity plan on February 24, 2018 relate to our common units and are valued at $7.72 per common unit in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Each phantom unit award granted on February 24, 2018 was granted in tandem with distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”) that entitle the award holder to receive an additional number of units equal in value to any distributions we pay during the period the award is outstanding times the number of units subject to the award.
(2)
The amounts reflected represent: (i) matching contributions under our 401(k) Retirement Plan; (ii) for Messrs. Benge, Caglar, Foster, and Luna, the value of distribution equivalent rights settled in connection with the vesting of unit awards that relate to CSI Compressco's common units, which was $11,114 for Mr. Benge,$5,611 for Mr. Caglar, $8,480 for Mr. Foster, and $3,804 for Mr. Luna in 2018; and (iii) for Messrs. Benge, Foster, and Luna, a car allowance or the use of a company-owned vehicle.
(3)
Mr. Serjeant was first employed by us on November 20, 2017. Prior period information is not applicable.

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(4)
The compensation of Mr. Serrano, the Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TETRA, is determined by TETRA. As noted above, no compensation has been reported for Mr. Serrano other than a grant of phantom unit awards in 2016 because none of his compensation is specifically allocated to us and no portion payable by us under the Omnibus Agreement is specifically allocated to the services provided to us by Mr. Serrano. The phantom units awarded to Mr. Serrano in 2016 are also included in the Summary Compensation Table of TETRA's Proxy.
(5)
Mr. Luna was appointed to the position of Vice President, Engineered Products Sales and International Operations in May 2017. Prior period information is not applicable.
(6)
The amount included in the "Bonus" column for Mr. Benge in 2018 is the second of two cash retention awards payable to Mr. Benge under the terms of the cash retention award letter dated May 15, 2017. The first payment under such letter, in the amount of $100,000, was paid to Mr. Benge in 2017. Mr. Benge, who had previously notified us of his intent to retire, resigned from his position as Vice President of Operations on October 1, 2018, and remained employed by us as a senior adviser, assisting with the transition of duties to his successor, until February 2, 2019.
 
Grants of Plan Based Awards
 
The following table discloses the actual number of phantom unit awards and performance phantom unit awards granted under the CSI Compressco LP Second Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 to each Named Executive Officer, including the grant date fair value of these awards, and the threshold, target, and maximum amounts of the annual non-equity (cash) incentive granted under TETRA’s Cash Incentive Compensation Plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 to each Named Executive Officer.
 
Grants of Plan Based Awards Table
 
 
 
 
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)
 
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2)
 
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Units
 
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(3)
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Threshold
 
Target
 
Maximum
 
Threshold
 
Target
 
Maximum
 
 
 
 
 
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
(#)
 
(#)
 
(#)
 
(#)
 
($)
Owen A. Serjeant
 
2/22/2018
(1) 
$
86,100

 
$
287,000

 
$
574,000

 

 
 
 

 
 
 


 
 
2/24/2018
(4) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,777
 
47,771
 
95,542
 
 
 
$
368,792

 
 
2/24/2018
(5) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
47,771
 
$
368,792

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 


Elijio V. Serrano
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$

 
 
 
 


 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Levent Caglar
 
2/22/2018
(1) 
$
26,145

 
$
87,150

 
$
174,300

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
2/24/2018
(4) 


 
 
 


 
1,035
 
10,351
 
20,702
 
 
 
$
79,910

 
 
2/24/2018
(5) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,351
 
$
79,910

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ronald J. Foster
 
2/22/2018
(1) 
$
43,875

 
$
146,250

 
$
292,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
2/24/2018
(4) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
637
 
6,370
 
12,740
 
 
 
$
49,176

 
 
2/24/2018
(5) 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
6,370
 
$
49,176

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Miguel A. Luna
 
2/22/2018
(1) 
$
23,703

 
$
79,010

 
$
158,020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2/24/2018
(4) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
637
 
6,370
 
12,740
 
 
 
$
49,176

 
 
2/24/2018
(5) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,370
 
$
49,176

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C. Brad Benge
 
2/22/2018
(1) 
$
25,200

 
$
84,000

 
$
168,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
The estimated possible payouts under non-equity incentive plan awards granted on February 22, 2018 are the threshold, target, and maximum amounts of the annual cash incentive granted for 2018 performance under TETRA’s Cash Incentive Compensation Plan. The actual amounts of annual cash incentive earned for 2018 performance, but unpaid as of the date of this filing, are as follows: Mr. Serjeant, $238,382; Mr. Caglar, $74,208; Mr. Foster, $121,475; Mr. Luna, $67,277; and Mr. Benge, $71,526.
(2)
The equity incentive plan awards granted on February 24, 2018 are the threshold, target, and maximum numbers of our common units that may be earned under performance phantom unit awards granted under the CSI Compressco equity plan. "Threshold" is the lowest possible payout (10% of the award) and "maximum" is the highest possible payout (200% of the award).
(3)
The FASB ASC Topic 718 value of the phantom unit and performance phantom unit awards granted under the CSI Compressco equity plan on February 24, 2018 is $7.72 per unit. Performance phantom units are shown at target value.
(4)
Performance phantom unit awards granted on February 24, 2018 may be earned under the CSI Compressco equity plan based on the level of achievement of the cumulative distributable cash flow performance objective for the three-year performance period ending on December 31, 2020. Each performance phantom unit award was granted in tandem with DERs that entitle the award holder to receive an additional number of units equal in value to any distributions we pay during the period the award is outstanding times the number of units subject to the award.
(5)
Phantom unit awards granted under the CSI Compressco equity plan on February 24, 2018 vest over a three-year period at a rate of one-third per year beginning on the first anniversary date of the award based on continued employment over such three-year period.


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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
 
The following table shows outstanding stock option awards previously awarded by TETRA and classified as exercisable as of December 31, 2018 for each Named Executive Officer. The table also discloses the number and value of unvested phantom unit awards granted under the CSI Compressco LP Second Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2018.
 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table
 
 
Option Awards(1)
 
Unit Awards
 
 
Number of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Options
 
Option Exercise Price
 
Option Expiration Date
 
Number of Units that Have Not Vested
 
Market Value of Units that Have Not Vested(2)
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units that Have Not Vested(3)
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market Value or Payout Value of Unearned Units that Have Not Vested(3)
Name
 
Options Exercisable
 
Options Unexercisable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(#)
 
(#)
 
($/Share)
 
 
 
(#)
 
($)
 
(#)
 
($)
Owen A. Serjeant
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
94,697
(4) 
$
219,697

 
 
 
 
Owen A. Serjeant
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
47,771
(5) 
$
110,829

 
47,771
(6) 
$
110,829

Elijio V. Serrano(7)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0
 
$

 
0
 
$

Levent Caglar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,894
(8) 
$
4,394

 
 
 
 
Levent Caglar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,739
(9) 
$
8,674

 
5,608
(10) 
$
13,011

Levent Caglar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,351
(5) 
$
24,014

 
10,351
(6) 
$
24,014

Ronald J. Foster
 
31,500

 

 
$
4.17

 
4/9/2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ronald J. Foster
 
14,500

 

 
$
10.20

 
5/20/2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ronald J. Foster
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,421
(8) 
$
3,297

 
 
 
 
Ronald J. Foster
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,870
(9) 
$
4,338

 
2,804
(10) 
$
6,505

Ronald J. Foster
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,370
(5) 
$
14,778

 
6,370
(6) 
$
14,778

Miguel A. Luna
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,497
(8) 
$
3,473

 
 
 


Miguel A. Luna
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,870
(9) 
$
4,338

 
 
 


Miguel A. Luna
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,370
(5) 
$
14,778

 
6,370
(6) 
$
14,778

C. Brad Benge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,841
(8) 
$
6,591

 
 
 
 
C. Brad Benge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,674
(9) 
$
10,844

 
7,010
(10) 
$
16,263

(1)
All outstanding option awards relate to TETRA’s common stock. Under the terms of TETRA’s equity plans, the option exercise price must be greater than or equal to 100% of the closing price of the common stock on the date of grant.
(2)
All outstanding unit awards relate to our common units. Market value is determined by multiplying the number of units that have not vested by $2.32, the closing price of our common units on December 31, 2018.
(3)
The number of units earned under these performance phantom unit awards will be determined based on actual level of achievement of an established performance objective. The amounts shown in these columns assume achievement of the target performance objective. Market value is determined by multiplying the target number of unearned units that have not vested by $2.32, the closing price of our common units on December 31, 2018.
(4)
One-third of the phantom unit award granted on November 20, 2017 vested on November 20, 2018; the remaining one-third portions will vest on November 20, 2019, and November 20, 2020.
(5)
One-third of the unvested phantom unit award granted on February 24, 2018 vested on February 24, 2019; the remaining one-third portions will vest on February 24, 2020, and February 24, 2021.
(6)
The performance phantom unit award for the performance period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020 may be settled pursuant to the terms of the award in March of 2021 if applicable performance objectives are met. The number of units shown is the target number of units that may be issued under the award.
(7)
The table above includes only the outstanding equity awards held by Mr. Serrano in the Partnership. Outstanding equity awards held by Mr. Serrano in TETRA will be reflected in TETRA’s 2019 Proxy Statement.
(8)
The remaining one-third portion of the unvested phantom unit award granted on May 2, 2016 will vest on May 2, 2019.
(9)
One-third portions of the unvested phantom unit award granted on February 22, 2017 will vest on February 22, 2019, and February 22, 2020.

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(10)
The performance phantom unit award for the performance period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019 may be settled pursuant to the terms of the award in March of 2020 if applicable performance objectives are met. The number of units shown is the target number of units that may be issued under the award.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding phantom unit awards and performance phantom unit awards under the CSI Compressco LP Second Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan that became vested or were earned for each of our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
 
Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table 
 
 
Option Awards
 
Unit Awards(1)
Name
 
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
 
Value
Realized on Exercise
 
Number of Units Acquired on Vesting
 
Value
Realized on Vesting
 
 
(#)
 
($)
 
(#)
 
($)
Owen A. Serjeant
 

 
$

 

 
$

Elijio V. Serrano(2)
 

 
$

 
10,636

 
$
77,856

Levent Caglar
 

 
$

 
5,488

 
$
41,283

Ronald J. Foster
 

 
$

 
4,763

 
$
35,493

Miguel A. Luna
 

 
$

 
2,946

 
$
21,629

C. Brad Benge
 

 
$

 
7,578

 
$
56,932

(1)
Includes the number and value of units issued pursuant to DERs settled in tandem with phantom unit awards.
(2)
The table above reflects only the activity of Mr. Serrano with respect to equity awards granted by the Partnership. Any activity with respect to TETRA’s equity awards will be reflected in TETRA’s 2019 Proxy Statement.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
 
TETRA maintains the TETRA Technologies, Inc. Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan, an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan that allows participants to defer a portion of their base salaries and performance-based compensation. As of December 31, 2018, none of the Named Executive Officers had elected to participate in this plan.
 
Potential Payments upon a Change of Control or Termination

Other than the Change of Control Agreements with Messrs. Serjeant and Foster that are further described below, as of the date of this filing, we do not have a defined severance plan for, or any agreement with, any Named Executive Officer that would require us to make any termination payments. We have previously entered into employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers that are substantially identical to the form of agreement executed by all of our employees. These agreements evidence the at-will nature of employment, and do not guarantee term of employment, salary, severance or change in control payments.

Under the CSI Compressco LP Second Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the vesting of restricted units, phantom units, and performance phantom units held by our Named Executive Officers upon termination of their employment. For purposes of the following disclosure, we have assumed that all outstanding unit awards would be accelerated if the Named Executive Officer's employment was terminated in connection with a change of control, or upon the death, disability, or retirement of such officer.

Change of Control Agreement with Mr. Serjeant. We have entered into a change of control agreement with Mr. Serjeant (the “Serjeant COC Agreement”). The Serjeant COC Agreement has an initial two-year term, with an automatic one-year extension on the second anniversary of the effective date (and any anniversary date thereafter) unless a cancellation notice is given at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the then applicable term. Under the Serjeant COC Agreement, we have an obligation to provide certain benefits to Mr. Serjeant upon a qualifying termination event that occurs in connection with or within two years following a “change of control” of CSI Compressco LP or TETRA. A qualifying termination event under the Serjeant COC Agreement includes the

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termination of Mr. Serjeant’s employment by us other than for “Cause” (as that term is defined in the Serjeant COC Agreement) or termination by Mr. Serjeant for “Good Reason” (as that term is defined in the Serjeant COC Agreement).

Under the Serjeant COC Agreement, if a qualifying termination event occurs in connection with or within two years following a change of control, we have an obligation to pay Mr. Serjeant the following cash severance amounts: (i) (A) an amount equal to Mr. Serjeant’s earned but unpaid Annual Bonus (as that term is defined in the Serjeant COC Agreement) attributable to the immediately preceding calendar year and earned but unpaid Long Term Bonus (as that term is defined in the Serjeant COC Agreement) attributable to the performance period ended as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year to the extent such amounts would have been paid to Mr. Serjeant had he remained employed by us, and in each case only to the extent the performance goals for such bonus were achieved for the applicable performance period, plus (B) Mr. Serjeant’s prorated target Annual Bonus for the current year, plus (C) an amount equal to Mr. Serjeant’s target Long-Term Bonus for each outstanding award; plus (ii) the product of two times the sum of Mr. Serjeant’s Base Salary (as that term is defined in the Serjeant COC Agreement) and target Annual Bonus amount for the year in which the qualifying termination event occurs; plus (iii) an amount equal to the aggregate premiums and any administrative fees applicable to Mr. Serjeant due to an election of continuation of coverage that he would be required to pay if he elected to continue medical and dental benefits under TETRA's group health plan for Mr. Serjeant and his eligible dependents without subsidy from us for a period of two years following the date of his qualifying termination event. The Serjeant COC Agreement also provides for full acceleration of vesting of any outstanding restricted unit awards, phantom unit awards, and other unit-based awards upon any qualifying termination event to the extent permitted under the applicable plan. All payments and benefits due under the Serjeant COC Agreement are conditioned upon the execution and non-revocation by Mr. Serjeant of a release for our benefit. All payments under the Serjeant COC Agreement are subject to reduction as may be necessary to avoid exceeding the amount allowed under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

The Serjeant COC Agreement also contains certain confidentiality provisions and related restrictions applicable to Mr. Serjeant. In addition to restrictions upon improper disclosure and use of Confidential Information (as defined in the Serjeant COC Agreement), Mr. Serjeant agrees that for a period of two years following a termination of employment for any reason, he will not solicit our employees or otherwise engage in a competitive business with us as more specifically set forth in the Serjeant COC Agreement. Such obligations are only binding on Mr. Serjeant if he receives the severance benefits described above.

Change of Control Agreement with Mr. Foster. We have entered into a change of control agreement (the “Foster COC Agreement”) with Mr. Foster. The Foster COC Agreement has an initial two-year term, with an automatic one-year extension on the second anniversary of the effective date (and any anniversary date thereafter) unless a cancellation notice is given at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the then applicable term. Under the Foster COC Agreement, we have an obligation to provide certain benefits to Mr. Foster upon a qualifying termination event that occurs in connection with or within two years following a “change of control” of us or TETRA. A qualifying termination event under the Foster COC Agreement includes the termination of Mr. Foster’s employment with us other than for Cause (as that term is defined in the Foster COC Agreement) or termination by Mr. Foster for Good Reason (as that term is defined in the Foster COC Agreement).

Under the Foster COC Agreement, if a qualifying termination event occurs in connection with or within two years following a change of control, we have an obligation to pay Mr. Foster the following cash severance amounts: (i)(A) an amount equal to Mr. Foster’s earned but unpaid Annual Bonus (as that term is defined in the Foster COC Agreement) attributable to the immediately preceding calendar year and earned but unpaid Long Term Bonus (as that term is defined in the Foster COC Agreement) attributable to the performance period ended as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year to the extent such amounts would have been paid to Mr. Foster had he remained employed by us, and in each case only to the extent the performance goals for such bonus were achieved for the applicable performance period, plus (B) Mr. Foster’s prorated target Annual Bonus for the current year, plus (C) an amount equal to Mr. Foster’s target Long-Term Bonus for each outstanding award; plus (ii) the product of 2 times the sum of Mr. Foster’s Base Salary and target Annual Bonus amount for the year in which the qualifying termination event occurs; plus (iii) an amount equal to the aggregate premiums and any administrative fees applicable to Mr. Foster due to an election of continuation of coverage that he would be required to pay if he elected to continue medical and dental benefits under the group health plan for Mr. Foster and his eligible dependents without subsidy from us for a period of two years following the date of Mr. Foster’s qualifying termination event. The Foster COC Agreement also provides for full acceleration of vesting of any outstanding restricted unit awards, phantom unit awards, and other unit-based awards upon Mr. Foster’s qualifying

77



termination event to the extent permitted under the applicable plan. All payments and benefits due under the Foster COC Agreement are conditioned upon the execution and nonrevocation by Mr. Foster of a release for our benefit. All payments under the Foster COC Agreement are subject to reduction as may be necessary to avoid exceeding the amount allowed under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

The Foster COC Agreement also contains certain confidentiality provisions and other restrictions applicable to Mr. Foster. In addition to restrictions upon improper disclosure and use of Confidential Information (as defined in the Foster COC Agreement), Mr. Foster agrees that for a period of two years following a termination of employment for any reason, he will not solicit our employees or otherwise engage in a competitive business with us as more specifically set forth in the Foster COC Agreement. Such obligations are only binding on Mr. Foster if he receives the severance benefits described above.

TETRA has a Change of Control Agreement with Mr. Serrano, which was in effect during 2018. Payments and benefits under the TETRA Change of Control Agreement is triggered only on a change of control of TETRA. The terms of the TETRA Change of Control Agreement and a quantification of potential benefits to Mr. Serrano under the TETRA Change of Control Agreement will be disclosed in TETRA’s 2019 Proxy Statement.

The following table quantifies the potential payments to Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Serrano) who were employed by us as of December 31, 2018, under the contracts, agreements, or plans discussed above in various scenarios involving a change of control or termination of employment, assuming a December 31, 2018 termination date. In addition to the amounts reflected in the table, the Named Executive Officers would receive upon termination any salary earned through December 31, 2018, and any benefits they would otherwise be entitled to under TETRA's 401(k) Plan.
Name
 
Cash Severance Payment
 
Bonus Payment
 
 Accelerated Vesting of Unit Awards(1)
 
Continuation of Health Benefits
 
Total
Owen A. Serjeant
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Death/disability
 
$

 
$

 
$
441,354

 
$

 
$
441,354

Retirement
 

 

 
441,354

 

 
441,354

Termination for Cause
 

 

 

 

 

Termination for no cause or good reason
 

 

 

 

 

Qualifying termination/change of control(2)
 
1,394,000

 
238,382

 
441,354

 
34,973

 
2,108,709

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Levent Caglar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Death/disability
 
$

 
$

 
$
74,108

 
$

 
$
74,108

Retirement
 

 

 
74,108

 

 
74,108

Termination for Cause
 

 

 

 

 

Termination for no cause or good reason
 

 

 

 

 

Qualifying termination/change of control(2)
 

 

 
74,108

 

 
74,108

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ronald J. Foster
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Death/disability
 
$

 
$

 
$
43,697

 
$

 
$
43,697

Retirement
 

 

 
43,697

 

 
43,697

Termination for Cause
 

 

 

 

 

Termination for no cause or good reason
 

 

 

 

 

Qualifying termination/change of control(2)
 
942,500

 
121,475

 
43,697

 
45,812

 
1,153,484

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

78



Name
 
Cash Severance Payment
 
Bonus Payment
 
 Accelerated Vesting of Unit Awards(1)
 
Continuation of Health Benefits
 
Total
Miguel A. Luna
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Death/disability
 
$

 
$

 
$
37,368

 
$

 
$
37,368

Retirement
 

 

 
37,368

 

 
37,368

Termination for Cause
 

 

 

 

 

Termination for no cause or good reason
 

 

 

 

 

Qualifying termination/change of control(2)
 

 

 
37,368

 

 
37,368

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C. Brad Benge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Death/disability
 
$

 
$

 
$
33,698

 
$

 
$
33,698

Retirement
 

 

 
33,698

 

 
33,698

Termination for Cause
 

 

 

 

 

Termination for no cause or good reason
 

 

 

 

 

Qualifying termination/change of control(2)
 

 

 
33,698

 

 
33,698

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Our Second Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan allows acceleration upon termination following a change of control and upon death, disability, or retirement at the discretion of our Board of Directors (with regard to Named Executive Officers). Under the terms of COC Agreements with Messrs. Serjeant and Foster, acceleration would automatically occur upon a qualifying termination of employment following a change of control. The value of accelerated unit awards is calculated by multiplying the number of accelerated units by $2.32, the closing price of our common units on December 31, 2018.
(2)
Pursuant to the terms of Change of Control Agreements with Messrs. Serjeant and Foster, amounts shown represent a multiple of base salary plus target annual cash bonus, payment of the earned portion of annual bonuses for the 2018 performance period, acceleration of outstanding unit awards, and provision of health benefits through December 31, 2020.

Director Compensation
 
As of January 1, 2018, each director who is not an employee of our general partner, TETRA, or any of its subsidiaries, receives non-cash compensation of $60,000 per year for attending regularly scheduled board meetings. The non-cash compensation is paid for the upcoming service year in the form of phantom unit awards that have an intended value of $60,000, prorated for any newly-elected director to such director's date of election and that vest over the service year as set forth below. Directors who are appointed as the chairmen of our Conflicts Committee and Audit Committee receive additional non-cash compensation of $5,000 and $10,000 per year, respectively, prorated from their respective dates of appointment in their initial year of service, which is also paid in the form of phantom unit awards. All such awards of phantom units are granted under our Second Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan. Directors are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their service as directors. In addition, each non-employee director is paid an annual cash retainer of $60,000 per year, paid in quarterly installments.
 
Directors who are also our officers or employees, or officers or employees of TETRA, do not receive any compensation for duties performed as our directors. Consequently, none of Mr. Serjeant, our President, Mr. Brightman, the Chief Executive Officer of TETRA, or Mr. Murphy, the President and Chief Operating Officer of TETRA, was compensated for his service to us as a director during 2018.
 
On May 6, 2018, the Board approved awards of 8,076 phantom units with an aggregate grant date fair market value of $59,116 to Messrs. Coombs, Harrison, Larson, and Sullivan for their service as directors during the May 2018 through May 2019 service year. Also on May 6, 2018, with regard to the May 2018 through May 2019 service year, Mr. Harrison received an additional award of 673 phantom units with a grant date fair market value of $4,926 for his service as chairman of the Conflicts Committee, and Mr. Larson received an additional award of 1,346 phantom units with a grant date fair market value of $9,853 for his service as chairman of the Audit Committee. One-third of all of the phantom units so awarded were immediately vested on May 6, 2018, and additional one-third portions of each award vest on January 6, 2019 and May 6, 2019. A phantom unit is a notional unit that entitles the director to receive a common unit of the Partnership upon vesting of the phantom unit. Each award of phantom units to Messrs. Coombs, Harrison, Larson, and Sullivan was granted in tandem with

79



distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”) that entitle the award holder to receive an additional number of common units equal in value to any distributions we pay during the period the award is outstanding times the number of unvested phantom units subject to the award. DERs are subject to the same vesting restrictions and risk of forfeiture applicable to the corresponding phantom units. It is anticipated that directors will be appointed to the Board in May of each calendar year.

The following table discloses the cash, equity awards, and other compensation earned, paid, or awarded, as the case may be, to each of our non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
 
Director Compensation Table
Name
 
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash(1)
 
Unit Awards(2)
 
All Other
Compensation
 
Total
 
 
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
Stuart M. Brightman
 
$

(3) 
$

(3) 
$

(3) 
$

(3) 
Paul D. Coombs
 
60,000

 
59,116

 

 
119,116

 
D. Frank Harrison
 
60,000

 
64,043

 

 
124,043

 
James R. Larson
 
60,000

 
68,969

 

 
128,969

 
Brady M. Murphy
 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 
Owen A. Serjeant
 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 

(3) 
William D. Sullivan
 
60,000

 
59,116

 

 
119,116

 
(1)
The amounts in this column reflect payments earned for service as a non-employee director during 2018.
(2)
Phantom units granted on May 6, 2018 are valued at $7.32 per common unit in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(3)
Messrs. Brightman, Murphy, and Serjeant did not receive compensation for their service as directors during 2018 since they are employees of our general partner or TETRA.

Compensation Policies and Risk Management
 
To the extent that risks may arise from our compensation policies and practices for our employees that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us, we are required to discuss our policies and practices for compensating our employees (including our employees that are not Named Executive Officers) as they relate to our risk management practices and risk-taking incentives. We have determined that our compensation policies and practices for our employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us, thus no such disclosure exists at this time. We seek to structure a balance between achieving strong short-term annual results and ensuring long-term viability and success by providing both annual and long-term incentive opportunities. We believe that providing both short- and long-term awards also helps to minimize any risk to us or our unitholders that could arise from excessive focus on short-term performance. Our general partner’s board of directors is aware of the need to routinely assess our compensation policies and practices and will make a determination as to the necessity of this particular disclosure on an annual basis.
 
Management and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
As previously discussed, our general partner’s Board is not required to maintain, and does not maintain, a compensation committee. During 2018, Messrs. Brightman, Murphy, and Serjeant, who were directors of our general partner, were also executive officers of TETRA. All compensation decisions with respect to Messrs. Brightman and Murphy are made by TETRA and they do not receive any compensation directly from us or from our general partner. All compensation decisions with respect to Mr. Serjeant are made by TETRA and our general partner as described above, with the exception of equity awards under the CSI Compressco LP Second Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan which, if awarded, are granted by our general partner’s Board. Please read Item 13, “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence” below, for information about relationships among us, our general partner, and TETRA.

80




Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
 
Beneficial Ownership of Certain Unitholders and Management
 
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common units as of December 31, 2018 with respect to each person that beneficially owns five percent (5%) or more of our outstanding common units, and as of March 1, 2019, with respect to (i) our directors; (ii) our Named Executive Officers ("NEOs"); and (iii) our directors and executive officers as a group.
Name and Business Address of Beneficial Owner
 
Common Units Beneficially Owned
 
 
 
Percentage
of Class(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TETRA Technologies, Inc.
24955 Interstate 45 North
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
 
16,003,986

 
(2)
 
38.9
%
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
225 Liberty Street
New York, New York 10281
 
5,595,493

 
(3)
 
12.5
%
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
 
3,282,123

 
(4)
 
7.3
%
Stuart M. Brightman
 
43,097

 
 
 
*

Elijio Serrano
 
8,046

 
 
 
*

Owen A. Serjeant
 
279,607

 
 
 
*

Paul D. Coombs
 
41,752

 
 
 
*

D. Frank Harrison
 
42,198

 
 
 
*

James R. Larson
 
49,041

 
 
 
*

Brady M. Murphy
 

 
 
 
*

William D. Sullivan
 
56,521

 
 
 
*

C. Brad Benge
 
30,045

 
 
 
*

Ronald J. Foster
 
118,364

 
 
 
*

Levent Caglar
 
66,161

 
 
 
*

Director and executive officers as a group (17 persons)
 
931,637

 
 
 
2.0
%
*
Less than 1%.
(1)
Reflects common units beneficially owned as a percentage of common units outstanding.
(2)
The common units beneficially owned by TETRA Technologies, Inc. are directly held of record by our general partner, CSI Compressco Investment, LLC, and TETRA International Incorporated, each a wholly owned subsidiary of TETRA Technologies, Inc. Each of our general partner and TETRA International Incorporated has sole voting and investment power over the common units held by them. As a result, TETRA Technologies, Inc. has indirect, sole voting and investment power over the common units held by our general partner and TETRA International Incorporated.
(3)
Pursuant to a Schedule 13G/A dated January 24, 2019, Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. reports shared voting power and shared dispositive power with respect to 5,595,493 of our common units.
(4)
Pursuant to a Schedule 13G/A dated February 6, 2019, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., together with GS Investment Strategies, LLC, report shared voting power and shared dispositive power with respect to 3,321,123 of our common units.



81



The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the common stock of TETRA as of March 1, 2019 with respect to (i) our directors; (ii) our NEOs; and (iii) our directors and executive officers as a group.
Name of Beneficial Owner
 
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
 
 
 
Percentage of Class
Stuart M. Brightman
 
2,213,936

 
(1) 
 
1.8
%
Elijio Serrano
 
1,195,520

 
(2) 
 
*

Owen A. Serjeant
 

 
 
 
*

Paul D. Coombs
 
925,552

 
 
 
*

D. Frank Harrison
 

 
 
 
*

James R. Larson
 

 
 
 
*

Brady M. Murphy
 
825,372

 
 
 
*

William D. Sullivan
 
191,624

 
 
 
*

C. Brad Benge
 

 
 
 
*

Miguel A. Luna
 

 
 
 
*

Ronald J. Foster
 
52,601

 
(3) 
 
*

Levent Caglar
 

 
 
 
*

Director and executive officers as a group (17 persons)
 
6,020,417

 
(4) 
 
4.8
%
*
Less than 1%.
(1)
Includes 877,628 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2019.
(2)
Includes 417,739 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2019.
(3)
Includes 46,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2019.
(4)
Includes 1,610,334 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2019.

Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2018, regarding compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which our common units are authorized for issuance.
Plan Category
 
Number of Securities
to be Issued upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants or Rights
 
 
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants, or Rights
 
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for Future
Issuance under Equity Comp.
Plans (Excluding Securities
Shown in the First Column)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
 

 
 
 
$

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(1)
 
492,088

 
(2) 
 
$

 
3,887,596

Total:
 
492,088

 
 
 
$

 
3,887,596

(1)
Consists of the Second Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan. Please read "Item 11. Executive Compensation" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the Second Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan.
(2)
Represents phantom unit awards and performance phantom unit awards outstanding under the Second Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan. These phantom unit awards and performance phantom unit awards do not have an exercise price.

Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Compensation Elements – Equity Incentive Awards” under Item 11 of this Annual Report for information about the material features of the Second Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, which information is incorporated by reference in this Item 12.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
 
Certain Transactions
 
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons. The related person transactions in which we engaged in 2018 were typically of a recurring, ordinary course nature, were previously

82



made known to the Board of our general partner, and generally were of the sort contemplated by the Omnibus Agreement dated June 20, 2011, as amended on June 20, 2014 as described below, among us, our general partner and TETRA Technologies, Inc. (the “Omnibus Agreement”) and other related party agreements entered into in connection with our Initial Public Offering. We do not have formal, specified policies for the review, approval or ratification of transactions required to be reported under paragraph (a) of Regulation S-K Item 404. However, because related person transactions may result in potential conflicts of interest among management and board-level decision makers, our Partnership Agreement does set forth procedures that the general partner may utilize in connection with resolutions of potential conflicts of interest, including the referral of such matters to an independent conflicts committee for its review and approval or disapproval of such matters.
 
The Conflicts Committee, which was formed in April 2012, is currently composed of two directors of the Board of our general partner, each of whom has been deemed by the Board to meet the independence standards established under the Partnership Agreement. The purposes of the Conflicts Committee are to carry out certain duties set forth in our Partnership Agreement and the Omnibus Agreement, and to carry out any other duties delegated by the Board that involve or relate to conflicts of interest between us and TETRA, including its operating subsidiaries. The Conflicts Committee has sole authority to retain and terminate any consultants, attorneys, independent accountants or other service providers to assist it in the evaluation of conflicts matters. 

The Conflicts Committee is charged with acting on an informed basis, in good faith and with an honest belief that any action taken by the committee is in our best interests. In taking any such action, including the resolution of a conflict of interest, the conflicts committee will be authorized to consider any factors it determines in its sole discretion to be relevant, reasonable or appropriate under the circumstances.
 
Transactions with our General Partner and its Affiliates.
 
As of March 1, 2019, TETRA and certain of its subsidiaries, including our general partner, owned 16,190,448 common units, which constitutes a 34% limited partner interest in us, and an approximate 1% general partner interest in us. TETRA is, therefore, a “related person” to us as such term is defined by the SEC.

In August 2016 and September 2016, we issued and sold 6,999,126 newly-authorized Series A Convertible Preferred Units (the "Preferred Units") in a private placement. One of the purchasers in the Initial Private Placement was TETRA, which purchased 874,891 of the Preferred Units at the aggregate Issue Price of $10.0 million and representing 12.5% ownership of the Preferred Units.
 
Distributions and Payments to the General Partner and its Affiliates. We will generally make cash distributions 99% to unitholders on a pro rata basis, including our general partner and certain subsidiaries of TETRA, as the holders of 16,190,448 common units and approximately 1% to our general partner. In addition, because distributions have exceeded certain higher target distribution levels (beginning with the distribution for the three month period ended June 30, 2014) as provided for in our Partnership Agreement, TETRA and our general partner are entitled to Incentive Distribution Rights of the distributions up to 48% of the distributions above the highest target distribution level. However, beginning with the distribution paid in February 2019, our quarterly cash distribution was reduced to $0.01 per common unit, and fell below the target distribution levels needed to result in Incentive Distribution Rights distribution to the General Partner. In addition, TETRA, as holders of 353,978 Preferred Units as of December 31, 2018, is entitled to its share of paid in kind distributions paid to holders of Preferred Units, as prescribed in our Partnership Agreement, as amended.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2018, we paid aggregate cash distributions of approximately $30.8 million on our common units, and $0.5 million on our general partner interest to TETRA and our general partner. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2018, we distributed 60,166 of paid in kind Preferred Units to TETRA. On February 14, 2019, we paid quarterly distributions with respect to the period from October 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, including approximately $0.5 million aggregate cash distribution on our common units, and $0.2 million of such cash distribution was paid to TETRA and our general partner, as well as 10,746 paid in kind Preferred Units paid to TETRA. 
 
Omnibus Agreement. Our ongoing relationship with TETRA and our general partner is governed by the Omnibus Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, TETRA and our general partner are reimbursed for direct costs incurred in operating and maintaining our business and allocated expenses for personnel who perform corporate, general and administrative services on our behalf. TETRA and our general partner do not receive any separate management fee or other compensation for management of us. The Omnibus

83



Agreement (other than the indemnification obligations described under “Indemnification for Environmental and Related Liabilities,” below) will terminate upon the earlier to occur of (i) a change in control of TETRA or our general partner, or (ii) any party providing at least 180 days prior written notice of termination to each of the other parties.
 
Subcontract Services
 
Under the Omnibus Agreement, we or TETRA and our general partner may, but neither is under any obligation to, perform for the other such production enhancement or other oilfield services on a subcontract basis as are needed or desired by the entity retaining such services, for such periods of time and in such amounts as may be mutually agreed upon by us and TETRA and our general partner. Any such services are required to be performed on terms that are either (i) approved by the conflicts committee of our general partner’s board of directors, (ii) no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from non-affiliated third parties, as determined by our general partner, or (iii) fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between us and TETRA, as determined by our general partner.
 
Sales, Leases, or Like-Kind Exchanges of Equipment
 
Under the Omnibus Agreement, we or TETRA and our general partner may, but neither is under any obligation to, sell, lease, or like-kind exchange to the other such production enhancement or other oilfield services equipment as is needed or desired by the acquiring entity to meet its production enhancement or other oilfield services obligations, in such amounts, in such conditions, and for such periods of time as may be mutually agreed upon by us and our general partner. Any such sales, leases, or like-kind exchanges are required to be on terms that are either (i) approved by the conflicts committee of our general partner’s board of directors, (ii) no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from non-affiliated third parties, as determined by our general partner, or (iii) fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between us and TETRA, as determined by our general partner. In addition, unless otherwise approved by the conflicts committee of our general partner’s board of directors, TETRA may purchase newly fabricated equipment from us, but only for a price not less than the sum of the total costs (other than any allocations of general and administrative expenses) incurred by us in manufacturing such equipment plus a fixed margin percentage thereof, and TETRA may purchase from us previously fabricated equipment for a price that is not less than the sum of the net book value of such equipment plus a fixed margin percentage thereof. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the approximate dollar value of the amounts involved in transactions between us and TETRA that were related to the sale, lease or like-kind exchange of equipment was as follows: 
Pursuant to an equipment sharing agreement between two of our subsidiaries and a subsidiary of TETRA in connection with operations in Mexico, TETRA’s subsidiary charged our subsidiaries equipment rental amounts of approximately $0.2 million during 2018. In addition, another TETRA subsidiary charged our subsidiaries $0.3 million during 2018 for parts and insurance coverage purchased for use by our subsidiaries in Mexico and for reimbursement to a TETRA subsidiary for certain capital expenditures.
In addition to the foregoing, we also provide early production services to a customer in Argentina. Two subsidiaries of TETRA charged a subsidiary of ours in Argentina approximately $2.1 million during 2018 for equipment that is leased, and other equipment that is subleased, along with associated technical service charges, from TETRA's subsidiary to our subsidiary in Argentina related to those operations.  In connection with our operations in Argentina, our subsidiary invoiced another subsidiary of TETRA for reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of TETRA's subsidiary of approximately $0.2 million during 2018.

In February 2019, we entered into an arrangement with TETRA under which a subsidiary of TETRA entered into an agreement with one of our subsidiaries for the purchase up to $15.0 million of compressor packages. It is anticipated that the compressor packages will be delivered during the third and fourth quarters of 2019. The parties to the purchase agreement, together with another one of our subsidiaries, also entered into finance lease agreement under which the TETRA subsidiary would lease the compressor packages to our subsidiary to be utilized to provide compression services to our customers. The lease agreement will be entered into upon the receipt of the first compressor package by the TETRA subsidiary. The lease agreement will have a five-year term with an agreed-upon monthly fee. We can terminate the agreement at any time within the five year period by agreeing to purchase the compressor packages for an agreed upon price. After the initial five year lease agreement, we can return the compressor packages to TETRA with no further obligations, or can elect to extend the lease. In the event we obtain certain financing prior to the delivery of the compressor packages, we may terminate the purchase orders for the compressor packages. If certain financing is obtained during the term of the lease, we are required to repurchase the compressor packages that are subject to the lease agreement.

84




     Provision of Personnel and Services
 
Our business operations are conducted by our general partner’s employees, our Canadian employees, and certain employees of TETRA’s Mexico-based subsidiaries. In addition, TETRA and our general partner provide certain corporate general and administrative services to us that are reasonably necessary for the conduct of our business. Such corporate general and administrative services include legal, accounting and financial reporting, treasury, insurance administration, claims processing and risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, internal audit, and tax services. Under the Omnibus Agreement, the services TETRA and our general partner provide to us must be substantially similar in nature and quantity to the services TETRA and our general partner previously provided to our successor entity and they can be no lower in quantity than is reasonably necessary to assist us in the management and operation of our business. For the year ending December 31, 2018, TETRA and our general partner charged us approximately $34.0 million in reimbursement for such services.

Indemnification for Environmental and Related Liabilities
 
Under the Omnibus Agreement, subject to certain limitations, TETRA and our general partner have indemnified us against certain potential environmental claims, losses, and expenses associated with TETRA’s operation of our Predecessor entity prior to the completion of the Initial Public Offering, and we have indemnified TETRA and our general partner for environmental claims arising following the completion of the Initial Public Offering regarding the businesses contributed by TETRA and our general partner to us. TETRA and our general partner have also indemnified us for liabilities related to certain defects in title to our assets and certain consents and permits necessary to own and operate such assets, and tax liabilities attributable to TETRA’s operation of our assets prior to the completion of the Initial Public Offering.
 
Director Independence
 
Please see Part III, Item 10 of this annual report (“Corporate Governance and Director Independence”) for a discussion of director independence matters, which discussion is incorporated by reference into this Item 13.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
 
Fees Paid to Principal Accounting Firm
 
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional services rendered to us by our principal accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively:
 
 
2018
 
2017
Audit fees
 
$
920,000

 
$
1,753,000

Audit related fees
 

 

Tax fees
 

 

Total fees
 
$
920,000

 
$
1,753,000


Our Audit Committee pre-approved all of the services and fees shown in the above table. Before approving these services and fees, our Audit Committee considered whether the provision of services by Ernst & Young LLP that are not related to the audit of our financial statements was compatible with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young LLP, and concluded that it was.
 
Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services
 
 The Audit Committee of our general partner has adopted a pre-approval policy with respect to services which may be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm (the “Audit Firm”). This policy provides that all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the Audit Firm must be specifically pre-approved on a case-by-case basis by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the entire Audit Committee at or before its next scheduled meeting. As of the date hereof, the Audit Committee has delegated this authority to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Neither the

85



Audit Committee, nor the person to whom pre-approval authority is delegated, may delegate their responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the Audit Firm to our management.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
 
(a) List of documents filed as part of this Report
 
1.
Financial Statements of the Partnership
 
 
 
Page
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-1
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017
F-3
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
F-4
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
F-5
 
Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
F-6
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
F-7
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
F-8
2.
Financial statement schedules have been omitted as they are not required, are not applicable, or the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
3.
List of Exhibits 
 
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11

86



3.12
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
10.1
10.2
10.3***
10.4***
10.5***
10.6
10.7***
10.8
10.9
10.11
10.12

87



10.13
10.14***
10.15***
10.16
10.17

10.18***
10.19
10.20
10.21
10.22
21+
23.1+
31.1+
31.2+
32.1**
32.2**
101.INS++
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH++
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL++
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF++
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB++
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE++
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
+
Filed with this report.
**
Furnished with this report.
***
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
++
Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016; (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital/Net Parent Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2018.


88



Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.

None.

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, CSI Compressco LP has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
CSI COMPRESSCO LP
 
 
 
By:
CSI Compressco GP Inc.,
 
 
 
   its general partner
Date:
March 4, 2019
By:
/s/Owen A. Serjeant
 
 
 
Owen A. Serjeant, President
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities with CSI Compressco GP Inc, its general partner, and on the dates indicated:

Signature
Title
Date
/s/Stuart M. Brightman
Chairman of
March 4, 2019
Stuart M. Brightman
the Board of Directors
 
 
 
 
/s/Owen A. Serjeant
President and Director
March 4, 2019
Owen A. Serjeant
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
/s/Elijio V. Serrano
Chief Financial Officer
March 4, 2019
Elijio V. Serrano
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
/s/Michael E. Moscoso
Vice President - Finance
March 4, 2019
Michael E. Moscoso
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
/s/Paul D. Coombs
Director
March 4, 2019
Paul D. Coombs
 
 
 
 
 
/s/D. Frank Harrison
Director
March 4, 2019
D. Frank Harrison
 
 
 
 
 
/s/James R. Larson
Director
March 4, 2019
James R. Larson
 
 
 
 
 
/s/Brady M. Murphy
Director
March 4, 2019
Brady M. Murphy
 
 
 
 
 
/s/William D. Sullivan
Director
March 4, 2019
William D. Sullivan
 
 
 
 
 


89



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 
Board of Directors of CSI Compressco GP Inc.
and the Unitholders of CSI Compressco LP
 
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CSI Compressco LP (the Partnership) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Partnership's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) and our report dated March 4, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ERNST & YOUNG LLP

We have served as the Partnership's auditor since 2008.
Houston, Texas
March 4, 2019









F-1



CSI Compressco LP
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands, Except Unit Amounts)
 
 
December 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
ASSETS
 
 

 
 

Current assets:
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
15,858

 
$
7,601

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,229 in 2018 and $822 in 2017
 
65,067

 
47,776

Inventories
 
65,222

 
42,283

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
5,600

 
4,487

Total current assets
 
151,747

 
102,147

Property, plant, and equipment:
 
 

 
 

Land and building
 
35,024

 
34,972

Compressors and equipment
 
913,488

 
846,615

Vehicles
 
10,354

 
10,837

Construction in progress
 
41,086

 
13,261

Total property, plant, and equipment
 
999,952

 
905,685

Less accumulated depreciation
 
(358,633
)
 
(299,206
)
Net property, plant, and equipment
 
641,319

 
606,479

Other assets:
 
 

 
 

Deferred tax assets
 
13

 
10

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $24,790 in 2018 and $21,829 in 2017
 
30,978

 
33,942

    Other assets
 
2,687

 
354

Total other assets
 
33,678

 
34,306

Total assets
 
$
826,744

 
$
742,932

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
 
$
33,408

 
$
21,661

Unearned income
 
24,898

 
15,526

Accrued liabilities and other
 
32,530

 
23,785

Amounts payable to affiliates
 
3,517

 
3,034

Total current liabilities
 
94,353

 
64,006

Other liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Long-term debt, net
 
633,013

 
512,176

Series A Preferred Units
 
30,900

 
70,260

Deferred tax liabilities
 
1,012

 
1,403

Other long-term liabilities
 
63

 
60

Total other liabilities
 
664,988

 
583,899

Commitments and contingencies
 
 

 
 

Partners' capital:
 
 

 
 

General partner interest
 
505

 
1,618

Common units (45,769,019 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 37,618,734 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017)
 
81,984

 
104,898

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(15,086
)
 
(11,489
)
Total partners' capital
 
67,403

 
95,027

Total liabilities and partners' capital
 
$
826,744

 
$
742,932

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-2



CSI Compressco LP
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Amounts)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Compression and related services
 
$
229,895

 
$
205,774

 
$
224,736

Aftermarket services
 
70,907

 
40,287

 
33,303

Equipment sales
 
137,861

 
49,505

 
53,324

Total revenues
 
438,663

 
295,566

 
311,363

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization expense):
 
 
 
 

 
 

Cost of compression and related services
 
127,128

 
116,956

 
117,154

Cost of aftermarket services
 
57,870

 
32,256

 
25,362

Cost of equipment sales
 
123,399

 
44,286

 
48,744

Total cost of revenues
 
308,397

 
193,498

 
191,260

Depreciation and amortization
 
70,500

 
69,140

 
72,123

Impairments and other charges
 
681

 

 
10,223

Insurance recoveries
 

 
(2,352
)
 

Selling, general, and administrative expense
 
39,600

 
33,438

 
36,222

Goodwill impairment
 

 

 
92,334

Interest expense, net
 
52,585

 
43,135

 
38,055

Series A Preferred fair value adjustment (income) expense
 
(838
)
 
(3,402
)
 
5,036

Other (income) expense, net
 
2,101

 
(216
)
 
2,383

Loss before income tax provision
 
(34,363
)
 
(37,675
)
 
(136,273
)
Provision for income taxes
 
2,615

 
2,784

 
1,865

Net loss
 
$
(36,978
)
 
$
(40,459
)
 
$
(138,138
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General partner interest in net loss
 
$
(607
)
 
$
(809
)
 
$
(2,763
)
Common units interest in net loss
 
$
(36,371
)
 
$
(39,650
)
 
$
(135,375
)
Net loss per common unit:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic and diluted
 
$
(0.88
)
 
$
(1.13
)
 
$
(4.07
)
Weighted average common units outstanding:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic and diluted
 
41,552,804

 
35,035,428

 
33,262,376

 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-3



CSI Compressco LP
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Net loss
 
$
(36,978
)
 
$
(40,459
)
 
$
(138,138
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $0 in 2018, 2017, and 2016
 
(3,597
)
 
(1,078
)
 
(2,018
)
Comprehensive loss
 
$
(40,575
)
 
$
(41,537
)
 
$
(140,156
)
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-4



CSI Compressco LP
Consolidated Statement of Partners’ Capital
(In Thousands)

 
 
Partners' Capital
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 Total Partners' Capital
 
 
 
 
Limited Partners
 
 
 
 
General
Partner
 
Common
Unitholders
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
Units
 
Amount
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
$
6,842

 
33,186

 
$
333,709

 
$
(8,393
)
 
$
332,158

Net loss for 2016
 
(2,763
)
 

 
(135,375
)
 

 
(138,138
)
Distributions ($1.51 per unit)
 
(1,018
)
 

 
(50,236
)
 

 
(51,254
)
Equity compensation
 

 

 
2,541

 

 
2,541

Vesting of Phantom Units
 

 
76

 

 

 

Other
 

 

 
(40
)
 

 
(40
)
Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 

 
(2,018
)
 
(2,018
)
Balance as of December 31, 2016
 
$
3,061

 
33,262

 
$
150,599

 
$
(10,411
)
 
$
143,249

Net loss for 2017
 
(809
)
 

 
(39,650
)
 

 
(40,459
)
Distributions ($0.75 per unit)
 
(634
)
 

 
(32,434
)
 

 
(33,068
)
Equity compensation
 

 

 
862

 

 
862

Vesting of Phantom Units
 

 
212

 

 

 

Conversions of Series A Preferred
 

 
3,705

 
22,848

 

 
22,848

Omnibus agreement charges settled with common units
 

 
439

 
3,322

 

 
3,322

Other
 

 

 
(649
)
 

 
(649
)
Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 

 
(1,078
)
 
(1,078
)
Balance as of December 31, 2017
 
$
1,618

 
37,618

 
$
104,898

 
$
(11,489
)
 
$
95,027

Net loss for 2018
 
(607
)
 

 
(36,371
)
 

 
(36,978
)
Distributions ($0.57 per unit)
 
(506
)
 

 
(30,788
)
 

 
(31,294
)
Equity compensation
 

 

 
420

 

 
420

Vesting of Phantom Units
 

 
129

 

 

 

Conversions of Series A Preferred
 

 
8,022

 
43,825

 

 
43,825

Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 

 
(3,597
)
 
(3,597
)
Balance as of December 31, 2018
 
$
505

 
45,769

 
$
81,984

 
$
(15,086
)
 
$
67,403




See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-5



CSI Compressco LP
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands) 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Operating activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net loss
 
$
(36,978
)
 
$
(40,459
)
 
$
(138,138
)
Reconciliation of net loss to cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
70,500

 
69,140

 
72,123

Impairments and other charges
 
681

 

 
10,223

Impairment of goodwill
 

 

 
92,334

Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes
 
(178
)
 
757

 
30

Insurance recoveries associated with damaged equipment
 

 
(2,352
)
 

Series A Preferred offering costs
 

 
37

 
3,111

Series A Preferred accrued paid in kind distributions
 
5,419

 
8,380

 
3,094

Series A Preferred fair value adjustments (income) expense
 
(838
)
 
(3,402
)
 
5,036

Gain on extinguishment of debt
 

 

 
(1,405
)
Equity compensation expense
 
639

 
1,219

 
3,028

Provision for doubtful accounts
 
1,004

 
968

 
1,704

Amortization of deferred financing costs
 
2,531

 
3,167

 
2,739

Expense for unamortized finance costs
 
3,539

 

 

Other
 
633

 
571

 
1,558

Gain on sale of property, plant, and equipment
 
(217
)
 
(315
)
 
(501
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts receivable
 
(19,287
)
 
(2,706
)
 
11,208

Inventories
 
(23,536
)
 
(10,840
)
 
10,542

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
(2,247
)
 
(501
)
 
1,729

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
29,788

 
15,765

 
(17,039
)
Other
 
(1,332
)
 
(361
)
 
68

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
30,121

 
39,068

 
61,444

Investing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment, net
 
(103,489
)
 
(25,126
)
 
(10,659
)
Insurance recoveries associated with damaged equipment
 

 
2,352

 

Other investing activities
 
(1
)
 
21

 
(22
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(103,490
)
 
(22,753
)
 
(10,681
)
Financing activities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Proceeds from long-term debt
 
380,000

 
80,900

 
109,000

Payments of long-term debt
 
(258,000
)
 
(74,900
)
 
(172,882
)
Proceeds from Series A Preferred Units, net of offering costs
 

 
(37
)
 
76,934

Distributions
 
(31,294
)
 
(33,068
)
 
(51,254
)
    Financing costs and other financing activities
 
(8,999
)
 
(2,229
)
 
(1,688
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
81,707

 
(29,334
)
 
(39,890
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
(81
)
 
(177
)
 
(696
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
8,257

 
(13,196
)
 
10,177

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
 
7,601

 
20,797

 
10,620

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
 
$
15,858

 
$
7,601

 
$
20,797

Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest paid
 
$
38,550

 
$
31,674

 
$
32,947

Taxes paid
 
$
2,056

 
$
3,005

 
$
1,277

 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-6



CSI COMPRESSCO LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2018
NOTE A ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS
 
CSI Compressco LP, a Delaware limited partnership, is a provider of compression services and equipment for natural gas and oil production, gathering, transportation, processing, and storage. We sell standard and custom-designed compressor packages, and provide aftermarket services and compressor package parts and components manufactured by third-party suppliers. We provide these compression services and equipment to a broad base of natural gas and oil exploration and production, midstream, and transmission companies operating throughout many of the onshore producing regions of the United States as well as in a number of foreign countries, including Mexico, Canada, and Argentina. We design and fabricate a majority of the compressor packages that we use to provide compression services or sell to customers. Unless the context requires otherwise, when we refer to “the Partnership,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” we are describing CSI Compressco LP and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

On December 20, 2018, we announced a reduction in our quarterly common unit distributions from $0.1875 to $0.01 for a period of up to four quarters. We have reviewed our financial forecasts as of March 4, 2019 for the subsequent twelve month period, which consider our debt covenant requirements and the current distribution levels to our common unitholders. Based on these financial forecasts, which are based on the current market conditions and certain operating and other business assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of March 4, 2019, we believe that we will have adequate liquidity, earnings, and operating cash flows to fund our operations and debt obligations and maintain compliance with our debt covenants through at least the next twelve months.
NOTE B — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
 
Basis of Presentation
 
Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
    
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclose contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, and impairments during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material.

Reclassifications

Certain previously reported financial information has been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. The impact of such reclassifications was not significant to the prior year's overall presentation.

Cash Equivalents
 
We consider all highly liquid cash investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
  
Financial Instruments
 
The fair values of our financial instruments, which may include cash, accounts receivable, amounts outstanding under our variable rate bank credit facility, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate their carrying amounts. Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade accounts receivable, which are primarily due from companies of varying size engaged in oil and gas activities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Argentina. Our policy is to review the financial condition of customers before extending credit and periodically update customer credit information. Payment terms are on a short-term basis. The risk of loss from the inability to collect trade receivables is heightened during prolonged periods of low oil and natural gas commodity prices.

F-7




We have currency exchange rate risk exposure related to transactions denominated in a foreign currency as well as to investments in certain of our international operations. Our risk management activities include the use of foreign currency forward purchase and sale derivative contracts as part of a program designed to mitigate the currency exchange rate risk exposure on selected international operations.

We have no outstanding balances under our variable rate revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2018. However if we were to have outstanding balances on our variable rate bank credit facility, we would face market risk exposure related to changes in applicable interest rates.

Significant Customers

During the year ended December 31, 2018, one customer accounted for 15% of our revenues. During each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, another customer accounted for approximately 11.0% of our revenues.
 
Foreign Currencies
 
We have designated the Canadian dollar as the functional currency for our operations in Canada. We are exposed to fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and certain foreign currencies, including the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso, and the Argentine peso, as a result of our international operations. Foreign currency exchange losses and (gains) are included in other (income) expense, net, and totaled $(1.4) million, $(48,000), and $1.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

On June 30, 2018, we determined the economy in Argentina to be highly inflationary. As a result of this determination and in accordance with U.S. GAAP, on July 1, 2018, the functional currency of our operations in Argentina was changed from the Argentine peso to the U.S. dollar. The remeasurement did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts
 
Allowances for doubtful accounts are determined on a specific identification basis when we believe that the collection of specific amounts owed to us is not probable. The changes in allowances for doubtful accounts are as follows:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In Thousands)
At beginning of period
 
$
822

 
$
2,253

 
$
1,973

Activity in the period:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Provision for doubtful accounts
 
1,004

 
968

 
1,704

Account (chargeoffs) recoveries, net
 
(597
)
 
(2,399
)
 
(1,424
)
At end of period
 
$
1,229

 
$
822

 
$
2,253


Inventories
 
Inventories consist primarily of compressor package parts and supplies and work in process and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. For parts and supplies, cost is determined using the weighted average cost method. The cost of work in progress is determined using the specific identification method.
    
Property, Plant, and Equipment
 
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures that increase the useful lives of assets are capitalized. The cost of repairs and maintenance is charged to cost of revenues as incurred. Compressors include compressor packages currently placed in service and available for service. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives:

F-8



Buildings
15 – 30 years
Compressors
12  20 years
Other equipment
2  8 years
Vehicles
3 – 5 years
Information systems
7 years
 
Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining term of the associated building lease or their useful lives. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $67.5 million, $66.0 million, and $68.8 million, respectively.

Construction in progress as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 consists primarily of new compressor packages under fabrication and capital expenditures that sustain the capacity of our existing fleet.
 
Intangible Assets other than Goodwill
 
Trademarks/trade names, customer relationships, and other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 15 years. Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $3.0 million, $3.2 million, and $3.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and is included in depreciation and amortization. The estimated future annual amortization expense of trademarks/trade names, customer relationships, and other intangible assets is $2.9 million for 2019, $2.9 million for 2020, $2.9 million for 2021, $2.9 million for 2022, and $2.9 million for 2023.
 
Our intangible assets other than goodwill are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. In such an event, we will determine the fair value of the asset using an undiscounted cash flow analysis of the asset at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist. If an impairment has occurred, we will recognize a loss for the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the intangible asset. See "Impairments of Long-Lived Assets" section below.

Goodwill
 
Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. Prior to the impairment of remaining goodwill as of March 31, 2016, we performed a goodwill impairment test on an annual basis or whenever indicators of impairment were present. We perform the annual test of goodwill impairment on the last day of the fourth quarter of each year. The assessment for goodwill impairment begins with a qualitative assessment of whether it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of our business is less than its carrying value. This qualitative assessment requires the evaluation, based on the weight of evidence, of the significance of all identified events and circumstances. When the qualitative analysis indicates that it is “more likely than not” that our business’ fair value is less than its carrying value, the resulting goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step accounting test being performed. The first step of the impairment test is to compare the estimated fair value with the recorded net book value (including goodwill) of our business. If the estimated fair value is higher than the recorded net book value, no impairment is deemed to exist and no further testing is required. If, however, the estimated fair value is below the recorded net book value, an impairment loss is calculated by comparing the recorded net book value of goodwill to our estimated implied fair value of that goodwill. Our estimates of our fair value, when required, are based on a combination of an income and market approach. These estimates are imprecise and are subject to our estimates of our future cash flows and our judgment as to how these estimated cash flows translate into our estimated fair value. These estimates and judgments are affected by numerous factors, including the general economic environment at the time of our assessment, which affects our overall market capitalization. Refer to Note D - "Goodwill" for further discussion.

Impairments of Long-Lived Assets
 
Impairments of long-lived assets, including identified intangible assets, are determined periodically, when indicators of impairment are present. If such indicators are present, the determination of the amount of impairment is based on our judgments as to the future undiscounted operating cash flows to be generated from these assets throughout their remaining estimated useful lives. If these undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the related asset, an impairment is recognized for the excess of the carrying value over its fair value. Fair

F-9



value of intangible assets is generally determined using the discounted present value of future cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risks inherent with the specific assets. Assets held for disposal are recorded at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value less estimated selling costs.

During 2018 and 2017, we recorded no impairments of long-lived assets. During the first quarter of 2016, as a result of continuing decreased demand as a result of current market conditions, we recorded impairments of approximately $7.9 million associated with certain identified intangible assets. During the fourth quarter of 2016, as a result of fire damage to compressor packages, we recorded charges of approximately $2.4 million associated with certain identified compressor packages. This amount was charged to Impairments and Other Charges in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied. Refer to Note P - "Revenue From Contracts With Customers" for further discussion. The majority of our compression services are provided pursuant to contract terms ranging from one month to twenty-four months. Monthly agreements are generally cancellable with 30 days written notice by the customer. Collections associated with progressive billings to customers for the construction of compression equipment is included in unearned income in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
Equity-Based Compensation
    
We have an equity incentive compensation plan which provides for the granting of phantom units and performance phantom units to the executive officers, key employees, nonexecutive officers, and directors of our general partner. Total equity-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, was $0.6 million, $1.2 million, and $3.0 million, respectively. For further discussion of equity-based compensation, see Note K - Equity-Based Compensation.

Income Taxes
 
Our operations are not subject to U.S. federal income tax other than the operations that are conducted through taxable subsidiaries. We incur state and local income taxes in certain of the United States in which we conduct business. We incur income taxes and are subject to withholding requirements related to certain of our operations in Latin America, Canada, and other foreign countries in which we operate. Furthermore, we also incur Texas Margin Tax, which, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740, is classified as an income tax for reporting purposes. Beginning in 2015, a portion of the carrying value of certain deferred tax assets is subjected to a valuation allowance. See Note I - Income Taxes for further discussion.
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Certain of our international operations maintain their accounting records in the local currencies that are their functional currencies. For these operations, the functional currency financial statements are converted to United States dollar equivalents, with the effect of the foreign currency translation adjustment reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is included in partners' capital in the accompanying audited consolidated balance sheets and consists of the cumulative currency translation adjustments associated with such international operations.

Activity within accumulated other comprehensive income includes no reclassifications to net income.

Allocation of Net Income
 
Our net income is allocated to partners’ capital accounts in accordance with the provisions of the Partnership Agreement.

F-10




Fair Value Measurements

We utilize fair value measurements to account for certain items and account balances within our consolidated financial statements. Fair value measurements are utilized in the determination of the carrying value of our Preferred Units (a Level 3 fair value measurement). We also utilize fair value measurements on a recurring basis in the accounting for our foreign currency forward purchase and sale derivative contracts. For these fair value measurements, we utilize the quoted value (a Level 2 fair value measurement). Refer to Note L - "Fair Value Measurements" for further discussion.
Fair value measurements are also utilized on a nonrecurring basis, such as in the allocation of purchase consideration for acquisition transactions to the assets and liabilities acquired, including intangible assets (a Level 3 fair value measurement) and for the impairment of long-lived assets (a Level 3 fair value measurement).

New Accounting Pronouncements

Standards adopted

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605, "Revenue Recognition", and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years, under either full or modified retrospective adoption.
    
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09 and all related amendments, which are codified into ASC 606. We utilized the modified retrospective method of adoption. Comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.
The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASC 606 also provides a five-step model for determining revenue recognition for arrangements that are within the scope of the standard: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. We only apply the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that we will collect the consideration we are entitled to in exchange for the goods or services we transfer to the customer. At contract inception, once the contract is determined to be within the scope of ASC 606, we assess the goods or services promised within each contract and determine those that are performance obligations and assess whether each promised good or service is distinct. We then recognize as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. For a complete discussion of accounting for revenues, see Note I - Revenue Recognition.
The impact from the adoption of ASC 606 to our January 1, 2018 consolidated balance sheet, our December 31, 2018 consolidated balance sheet, and our consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 was immaterial. The adoption of ASC 606 had no impact to cash provided by operating, financing, or investing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments" to reduce diversity in practice in classification of certain transactions in the statement of cash flows. We adopted this ASU during the three month period ended March 31, 2018, with no impact to our consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory" which requires companies to account for the income tax effects of intercompany transfers of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs. We adopted this ASU during the three month period ended March 31, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.
Additionally, in November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash" to reduce diversity in the presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. We adopted this ASU during the three month period ended March 31, 2018, resulting in

F-11



restricted cash, if any, being classified with cash and cash equivalents in our consolidated statement of cash flows for all periods presented.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting" to clarify when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. We adopted this ASU during the three month period ended March 31, 2018, with no impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Standards not yet adopted
 
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" to increase comparability and transparency among different organizations. Organizations are required to recognize right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities in the balance sheet related to the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. In addition, through improved disclosure requirements, ASC 842 will enable users of financial statements to further understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. ASC 842 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those annual periods. In July 2018, the FASB provided an additional transition method allowing for the recognition of a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption rather than in the earliest period presented. We plan to adopt ASC 842 effective January 1, 2019 using the optional transition method. Comparative information will continue to be reported under the accounting standards that were in effect for those periods. Based on our preliminary assessment of our portfolio of leases where we are the lessee, upon adoption of ASC 842, we will record an amount for right-to-use assets and lease obligations ranging from approximately $5.0 million to $10.0 million pursuant to the new requirements.
 
The July 2018 amendment also provided lessors with a practical expedient to not separate nonlease components from the associated lease component and, instead, to account for those components as a single component if the nonlease components otherwise would be accounted for under ASC 606 and certain conditions are met. The amendment also provided clarification on whether ASC 842 or ASC 606 is applicable to the combined component based on determination of the predominant component. An entity that elects the lessor practical expedient also should provide certain disclosures. We evaluated the impact of the July 2018 amendment on our compression services contracts and have concluded that the services nonlease component is predominant, which results in the ongoing recognition following ASC 606.
 
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments." ASU 2016-13 amends the impairment model to utilize an expected loss methodology in place of the currently used incurred loss methodology, which will result in the more timely recognition of losses. ASU 2016-13 has an effective date of the first quarter of fiscal 2022. We are currently assessing the potential effects of these changes to our consolidated financial statements.
 
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting” to align the measurement and classification guidance for share-based payments to nonemployees with the guidance currently applied to employees, with certain exceptions. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the potential effects of these changes to our consolidated financial statements and do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
NOTE C — INVENTORIES

Components of inventories as of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, are as follows: 
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(In Thousands)
Parts and supplies
$
43,538

 
$
31,703

Work in progress
21,684

 
10,580

Total inventories
$
65,222

 
$
42,283


Inventories consist primarily of compressor package parts and supplies. Work in progress inventories consist primarily of new compressor packages located at our fabrication facility in Midland, Texas.

F-12



NOTE D — GOODWILL

As a result of changes in the global economic environment that affected our common unit price and market capitalization, we performed an interim impairment test and recorded an impairment of goodwill of $92.4 million as of March 31, 2016. Due to the decrease in the price of our common units during the first three months of 2016, our market capitalization as of March 31, 2016, was below our recorded net book value, including remaining goodwill. In addition, the continuing low oil and natural gas commodity price environment resulted in a negative impact on demand for the products and services for our reporting unit. As a result of these factors, we determined that it was “more likely than not” that our fair value was less than our net book value as of March 31, 2016.
NOTE E — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Omnibus Agreement
 
On June 20, 2014, the Partnership, CSI Compressco GP Inc. (the "General Partner"), and TETRA Technologies, Inc. ("TETRA") entered into a First Amendment to Omnibus Agreement (the "First Amendment"). The First Amendment amended the Omnibus Agreement previously entered into on June 20, 2011 (as amended, the "Omnibus Agreement") to extend the term thereof. The Omnibus Agreement will terminate on the earlier of (i) a change of control of the General Partner or TETRA, or (ii) upon any party providing at least 180 days' prior written notice of termination.

Under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, our General Partner provides all personnel and services reasonably necessary to manage our operations and conduct our business (other than in Mexico, Canada, and Argentina), and certain of TETRA’s Latin American-based subsidiaries provide personnel and services necessary for the conduct of certain of our Latin American-based businesses. In addition, under the Omnibus Agreement, TETRA provides certain corporate and general and administrative services as requested by our General Partner, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and financial reporting, treasury, insurance administration, claims processing and risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, internal audit, and tax services. Pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement, we reimburse our General Partner and TETRA for services they provide to us. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, we were charged by TETRA $34.8 million, $37.2 million, and $41.5 million, respectively, for expenses incurred on our behalf as described below. Amounts charged under the Omnibus Agreement and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are included in Amounts Payable to Affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

In January 2017, our General Partner and TETRA agreed that $1.6 million of Amounts Payable to Affiliates as of December 31, 2016 that were charged to us by TETRA under the Omnibus Agreement would be paid with common units in lieu of cash, with the number of common units calculated based on the average trading price of our common units over a defined period. This amount represents certain corporate and general and administrative services for the fourth quarter of 2016. Pursuant to this agreement, 159,192 units were issued to TETRA in January 2017.

In May 2017, our General Partner and TETRA entered into an agreement (the "First Quarter 2017 Omnibus
Reimbursement Agreement") pursuant to which $1.7 million of Amounts Payable to Affiliates as of March 31, 2017 that were owed by us to TETRA under the Omnibus Agreement would be satisfied by newly issued common units instead of cash, with the number of common units calculated based on the average trading price of our common units, subject to limitations, over a defined period that began on May 12, 2017. This amount owed by us represented certain corporate and general and administrative services provided in the first quarter of 2017.
Pursuant to the First Quarter 2017 Omnibus Reimbursement Agreement, 280,257 common units were issued to TETRA in June 2017.

Under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, we or TETRA may, but neither are under any obligation to, perform for the other such production enhancement or other oilfield services on a subcontract basis as are needed or desired by the other, for such periods of time and in such amounts as may be mutually agreed upon by TETRA and our General Partner. Any such services are required to be performed on terms that are (i) approved by the conflicts committee of our General Partner’s board of directors, (ii) no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from non-affiliated third parties, as determined by our General Partner, or (iii) fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between TETRA and us (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us), as determined by our General Partner.
 

F-13



Under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, we or TETRA may, but are under no obligation to, sell, lease or exchange on a like-kind basis to the other such production enhancement or other oilfield services equipment as is needed or desired to meet either of our production enhancement or other oilfield services obligations, in such amounts, upon such conditions and for such periods of time, if applicable, as may be mutually agreed upon by TETRA and our General Partner. Any such sales, leases, or like-kind exchanges are required to be on terms that are (i) approved by the conflicts committee of our General Partner’s board of directors, (ii) no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from non-affiliated third parties, as determined by our General Partner, or (iii) fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between TETRA and us (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us), as determined by our General Partner. In addition, unless otherwise approved by the conflicts committee of our General Partner’s board of directors, TETRA may purchase newly fabricated equipment from us at a negotiated price, provided that such price may not be less than the sum of the total costs (other than any allocations of general and administrative expenses) incurred by us in fabricating such equipment plus a fixed margin percentage thereof, and TETRA may purchase from us previously fabricated equipment for a price that is not less than the sum of the net book value of such equipment plus a fixed margin percentage thereof.
 
This description is not a complete discussion of this agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the complete agreement, which is filed, along with other agreements, as exhibits to our filings with the SEC.

In addition to the Omnibus Agreement, we have entered into other agreements with TETRA in the course of our operations.

TETRA and General Partner Ownership

TETRA's ownership interest in us as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 is approximately 36% and 41%, respectively, with the common units held by the public representing an approximate 64% and 59% interest in us, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, TETRA's ownership is through various wholly owned subsidiaries and consists of approximately 35% of the limited partner interests plus the approximately 1% general partner interest, through which it holds incentive distribution rights. As a result of its ownership of common units and its general partner interest in us, TETRA received distributions of $12.1 million, $14.2 million, and $22.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

During 2016, we issued and sold 6,999,126 of the Preferred Units in a private placement. One of the purchasers in the Initial Private Placement was TETRA, which purchased 874,891 of the Preferred Units at the aggregate Issue Price of $10.0 million and representing 12.5% ownership of the Preferred Units. For further discussion, see Note G - Series A Convertible Preferred Units.

Indemnification Agreement
 
Each of our directors and officers entered into an indemnification agreement with regard to their services as a director or officer, in order to enhance the indemnification rights provided under Delaware law and our Partnership Agreement. The individual indemnification agreements provide each such director or officer with the right to receive his or her costs of defense if he or she is made a party or witness to any proceeding other than a proceeding brought by or in the right of us, provided that such director or officer has not acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud with respect to the action that gave rise to his or her participation in the proceeding.

Other Sources of Financing

In February 2019, we entered into a transaction with TETRA whereby TETRA has agreed to purchase up to $15.0 million of new compression services equipment and lease it to us under a finance lease in exchange for a monthly rental fee.

F-14



NOTE F LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWINGS
 
Long-term debt, net of associated deferred financing costs, consists of the following:
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
Scheduled Maturity
 
(In Thousands)
Prior Credit Agreement (presented net of the unamortized deferred financing costs of $4.0 million as of December 31, 2017), terminated on March 22, 2018
 

 
$

 
$
223,985

Credit Agreement
 
June 29, 2023
 

 

7.25% Senior Notes (presented net of the unamortized discount of $2.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and $2.8 million as of December 31, 2017 and unamortized deferred financing costs of $3.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and $5.0 million as of December 31, 2017)
 
August 15, 2022
 
289,797

 
288,191

7.50% Senior Secured Notes (presented net of the unamortized deferred financing costs of $6.8 million as of December 31, 2018)
 
April 1, 2025
 
343,216

 

Total debt
 

 
633,013

 
512,176

Less current portion
 
 
 

 

Total long-term debt
 
 
 
$
633,013

 
$
512,176


    
There was no balance outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, and subject to compliance with the covenants, borrowing base, and other provisions of the agreements that may limit borrowings under the Credit Agreement, we had availability of $27.1 million.
    
We are in compliance with all covenants of our respective credit and senior note agreements as of December 31, 2018.
    
Bank Credit Facilities

On March 22, 2018, in connection with the closing of the Offering (as defined below), we repaid all outstanding borrowings and obligations under our then existing bank credit agreement (the "Prior Credit Agreement") with a portion of the net proceeds from the Offering, and terminated this Prior Credit Agreement. As a result of the termination of the Prior Credit Agreement, associated unamortized deferred financing costs of $3.5 million were charged to other (income) expense, net during the three month period ended March 31, 2018.

On June 29, 2018, we and two of our wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively the "Borrowers"), and certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries named therein as guarantors (the "Credit Agreement Guarantors"), entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with the lenders thereto (the "Lenders"), and Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent, collateral agent, letter of credit issuer, and swing line lender. All of the Borrowers' obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of their existing and future domestic subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement includes a maximum credit commitment of $50.0 million available for loans, letters of credit (with a sublimit of $25.0 million) and swingline loans (with a sublimit of $5.0 million), subject to a borrowing base to be determined by reference to the value of our and any other borrowers’ accounts receivable. Such maximum credit commitment may be increased by $25.0 million in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.

The Borrowers may borrow funds under the Credit Agreement to pay fees and expenses related to the Credit Agreement and for the Borrower's ongoing working capital needs and for general partnership purposes. The revolving loans under the Credit Agreement may be voluntarily prepaid, in whole or in part, without premium or

F-15



penalty, subject to breakage or similar costs. The maturity date of the Credit Agreement is June 29, 2023. As of December 31, 2018, no balance was outstanding under the Credit Agreement and $27.1 million was available for borrowings. Because there was no outstanding balance on the Credit Agreement, associated deferred financing costs of $1.1 million as of December 31, 2018, were classified as other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of the Borrowers, either (i) London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (adjusted to reflect any required bank reserves) for an interest period equal to 30, 60, 90, 180, or 360 days (as selected by the Borrowers, subject to availability and with the consent of the Lenders for 360 days) plus a margin based on average daily excess availability or (ii) a base rate plus a margin based on average daily excess availability; such base rate shall be determined by reference to the highest of (a) the prime rate of interest announced from time to time by Bank of America, N.A., (b) the Federal Funds Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) rate plus 0.5% per annum and (c) LIBOR (adjusted to reflect any required bank reserves) for a 30-day interest period on such day plus 1.0% per annum. Initially, from June 29, 2018 until the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2018, LIBOR-based loans will have an applicable margin of 2.00% per annum and base-rate loans will have an applicable margin of 1.00% per annum; thereafter, the applicable margin will range between 1.75% and 2.25% per annum for LIBOR-based loans and 0.75% and 1.25% per annum for base-rate loans, according to average daily excess availability when financial statements are delivered. In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Credit Agreement, the Borrowers are required to pay a commitment fee in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder, initially at the rate of 0.375% per annum until the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2018 and thereafter at the applicable rate ranging from 0.250% to 0.375% per annum, paid quarterly in arrears based on utilization of the commitments under the Credit Agreement. The Borrowers are also required to pay a customary letter of credit fee equal to the applicable margin on revolving credit LIBOR loans and fronting fees.

The Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that restrict the ability of the Borrowers, the Credit Agreement Guarantors, and certain of their subsidiaries to take certain actions including, among other things and subject to certain significant exceptions, the incurrence of debt, the granting of liens, the making of investments, entering into transactions with affiliates, the payment of dividends, and the sale of assets. The Credit Agreement also contains a provision that may require a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of not less than 1.0 to 1.0 in the event that certain conditions associated with outstanding borrowings and cash availability occur. As of December 31, 2018, such conditions have not occurred.
 
All obligations under the Credit Agreement and the guarantees of those obligations are secured, subject to certain exceptions, by a first priority security interest for the benefit of the Lenders in the Borrowers’ and the Credit Agreement Guarantors’ present and future accounts receivable, inventory and related assets, and proceeds of the foregoing.

7.25% Senior Notes
    
The obligations under the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "7.25% Senior Notes") are jointly and severally, and fully and unconditionally, guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our domestic restricted subsidiaries (other than CSI Compressco Finance) that guarantee our other indebtedness (the "Guarantors" and together with the Issuers, the "7.25% Senior Notes Obligors"). The 7.25% Senior Notes and the subsidiary guarantees thereof (together, the "Securities") were issued pursuant to an indenture described below. As of December 31, 2018, $295.9 million in aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Notes are outstanding.

The 7.25% Senior Notes Obligors issued the Securities pursuant to the Indenture dated as of August 4, 2014 (the "7.25% Senior Notes Indenture") by and among the Obligors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The 7.25% Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 7.25% per annum. Interest on the 7.25% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The 7.25% Senior Notes are scheduled to mature on August 15, 2022.

The 7.25% Senior Notes Indenture contains customary covenants restricting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (i) pay dividends and make certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments; (ii) incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares; (iii) create certain liens; (iv) sell assets; (v) merge, consolidate, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets; (vi) enter into

F-16



transactions with affiliates; and (vii) designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries under the 7.25% Senior Notes Indenture. The 7.25% Senior Notes Indenture also contains customary events of default and acceleration provisions relating to such events of default, which provide that upon an event of default under the 7.25% Senior Notes Indenture, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Notes then outstanding may declare all amounts owing under the 7.25% Senior Notes to be due and payable.

During September 2016 and October 2016, we repurchased on the open market and retired $54.1 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes for a purchase price of $50.9 million, at an average repurchase price of 94% of the principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Notes, plus accrued interest, utilizing a portion of the net proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Units. Following the repurchase of these 7.25% Senior Notes, $295.9 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes remain outstanding. In connection with the repurchase of these 7.25% Senior Notes, $1.4 million of early extinguishment net gain was credited to other expense during the year ended December 31, 2016, representing the difference between the repurchase price and the $54.1 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Notes repurchased, and $1.8 million of remaining unamortized deferred finance costs and discounts associated with the repurchased 7.25% Senior Notes.
7.50% Senior Secured Notes

On March 8, 2018, we and CSI Compressco Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation and one of our wholly owned subsidiaries (we, together with CSI Compressco Finance Inc., the “Issuers”), and the guarantors named therein (the “Guarantors” and, together with the Issuers, the "7.50% Senior Secured Notes Obligors"), entered into the Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated as representative of the initial purchasers listed in Schedule A thereto (collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Issuers agreed to issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 7.50% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2025 (the “7.50% Senior Secured Notes”) (the "Offering") pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

The Offering closed on March 22, 2018. The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes were issued at par for net proceeds of approximately $342.5 million, after deducting certain financing costs. We used a portion of the net proceeds to repay in full and terminate our existing bank Prior Credit Agreement and for general partnership purposes, including the expansion of our compression fleet. The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes are jointly and severally, and fully and unconditionally, guaranteed (the "Guarantees" and, together with the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes, the "Securities") on a senior secured basis initially by each of our domestic restricted subsidiaries (other than CSI Compressco Finance Inc., certain immaterial subsidiaries, and certain other excluded domestic subsidiaries) and are secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of the Issuers' and the Guarantors' assets (other than certain excluded assets) (the "Collateral") as collateral security for their obligations under the Securities, subject to certain permitted encumbrances and exceptions. On the closing date, we entered into an indenture (the "7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture") by and among the Obligors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee with respect to the Securities. The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes accrue interest at a rate of 7.50% per annum. Interest on the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes are scheduled to mature on April 1, 2025. In connection with the Offering, we incurred total financing costs of $7.6 million related to the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes. These costs are deferred, netting against the carrying value of the amount outstanding.

On and after April 1, 2021, we may redeem all or a part of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes, from time to time, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the applicable redemption date, subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on April 1 of the years indicated below:
 
 
 
Date
 
Price
2021
 
105.625
%
2022
 
103.750
%
2023
 
101.875
%
2024
 
100.000
%


F-17



In addition, at any time and from time to time before April 1, 2021, we may, at our option, redeem all or a portion of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium (as defined in the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture) with respect to the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date, subject to the rights of holders of 7.50% Senior Secured Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

Prior to April 1, 2021, we may on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes with an amount of cash not greater than the amount of the net cash proceeds from one or more equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 107.500% of the principal amount of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption, subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, provided that (a) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes originally issued on the issue date (excluding notes held by us and our subsidiaries) remains outstanding after each such redemption; and (b) the redemption occurs within 180 days after the date of the closing of the equity offering.

If we experience certain kinds of changes of control, each holder of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes will be entitled to require us to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000) of that holder’s 7.50% Senior Secured Notes pursuant to an offer on the terms set forth in the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture. We will offer to make a cash payment equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes repurchased to the date of repurchase, subject to the rights of holders of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture contains customary covenants restricting our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (i) pay distributions on, purchase, or redeem our common units or purchase or redeem any subordinated debt; (ii) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue certain kinds of preferred equity securities; (iii) create or incur certain liens securing indebtedness; (iv) sell assets, including dispositions of the Collateral; (v) consolidate, merge, or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (vii) enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from our restricted subsidiaries to us. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions, including certain provisions permitting us, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to transfer assets to certain of our unrestricted subsidiaries. Moreover, if the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes receive an investment grade rating from at least two rating agencies and no default has occurred and is continuing under the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture, many of the restrictive covenants in the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture will be terminated. The 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture also contains customary events of default and acceleration provisions relating to events of default, which provide that upon an event of default under the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding 7.50% Senior Secured Notes may declare all of the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes to be due and payable immediately.


F-18



NOTE G — SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED UNITS

During 2016, we issued an aggregate of 6,999,126 Preferred Units for a cash purchase price of $11.43 per Preferred Unit (the “Issue Price”), resulting in total net proceeds, after deducting certain offering expenses, of approximately $77.3 million. One of the purchasers in the Initial Private Placement was TETRA, which purchased 874,891 of the Preferred Units at the aggregate Issue Price of $10.0 million.

The Preferred Units rank senior to all classes or series of equity securities of the Partnership with respect to distribution rights and rights upon liquidation. The holders of Preferred Units (each, a “Preferred Unitholder”) receive quarterly distributions, which are paid in kind in additional Preferred Units, equal to an annual rate of 11.00% of the Issue Price (or $1.2573 per Preferred Unit annualized) of their outstanding Preferred Units, subject to certain adjustments. The rights of the Preferred Units include certain anti-dilution adjustments, including adjustments for economic dilution resulting from the issuance of common units in the future below a set price.

Unless otherwise redeemed for cash, a ratable portion of the Preferred Units has been, and will be converted into common units on the eighth day of each month over a period of thirty months that began in March 2017 (each, a “Conversion Date”), subject to certain provisions of the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement that may delay or accelerate all or a portion of such monthly conversions. Unless otherwise converted into cash, on each Conversion Date, a portion of the Preferred Units convert into common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership in an amount equal to, with respect to each Preferred Unitholder, the number of Preferred Units held by such Preferred Unitholder divided by the number of Conversion Dates remaining, subject to adjustment described in the Second Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, with the conversion price (the "Conversion Price") determined by the trading prices of the common units over the prior month, among other factors, and as otherwise impacted by the existence of certain conditions related to the common units. Based on the number of Preferred Units outstanding as of December 31, 2018, the maximum aggregate number of common units that could be required to be issued pursuant to the conversion provisions of the Preferred Units is approximately 15.6 million common units; however, the Partnership may, at its option, pay cash, or a combination of cash and common units, to the Preferred Unitholders instead of issuing common units on any Conversion Date, subject to certain restrictions as described in the Second Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement and the Credit Agreement. On December 20, 2018, we announced that we intended to redeem the remaining Preferred Units for cash and avoid the further dilution to our common unitholders that would occur if the Preferred Units were converted into common units. Redemption of the Preferred Units for cash began with the January 2019 conversion date. The total number of Preferred Units outstanding as of December 31, 2018 was 2,732,981.

Because the Preferred Units may be settled using a variable number of common units, the fair value of the Preferred Units is classified as a long-term liability on our consolidated balance sheet in accordance with ASC 480 "Distinguishing Liabilities and Equity." The fair value of the Preferred Units as of December 31, 2018 was $30.9 million. Changes in the fair value during each quarterly period, resulted in $0.8 million credited to earnings, $3.4 million credited to earnings, and $5.0 million charged to earnings during the years ended 2018 and 2017 and 2016, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Based on the conversion provisions of the Preferred Units, and using the Conversion Price calculated as of December 31, 2018, the theoretical number of common units that would be issued if all of the outstanding Preferred Units were converted on December 31, 2018 on the same basis as the monthly conversions would be approximately 13.9 million common units, with an aggregate market value of $32.2 million. A $1 decrease in the Conversion Price would result in the issuance of approximately 1.7 million additional common units pursuant to these conversion provisions.


F-19



NOTE H — LEASES
 
We lease some of our office space, warehouse space, operating locations, and machinery and equipment. Lease terms generally vary from one to five years and expire at various dates through 2022, with some leases having renewal clauses of various periods. Our leases are classified as operating leases and we are generally required under the lease terms to pay all maintenance and insurance costs.
 
Future minimum lease payments by year and in the aggregate, under leases with terms in excess of one year, consist of the following at December 31, 2018
 
Operating Leases
 
(In Thousands)
2019
$
3,606

2020
2,934

2021
949

2022
25

2023

After 2023

Total minimum lease payments
$
7,514


Rental expense for all operating leases was $5.6 million, $5.6 million, and $7.2 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
NOTE I — INCOME TAXES
 
On December 22, 2017, the United States enacted significant changes to the U.S. tax law following the passage and signing of H.R.1, “An Act to Provide the Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018” (the “Act”) (previously known as “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”). We applied the guidance in Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”) when accounting for the enactment-date effects of the Act. During the fourth quarter of 2017, we recorded our best estimate of the impact of the Act in our year-end income tax provision in accordance with our understanding of the Act and guidance available and as a result recorded income tax expense of $21.9 million. This income tax expense was fully offset by a decrease in the valuation allowance previously recorded on our deferred tax assets. As such, the Act resulted in no net tax expense. As of December 31, 2018, we completed our accounting analysis for all of the enactment-date income tax effects of the Act and confirmed our 2017 estimate.

In January 2018, the FASB released guidance on the accounting for tax on the global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") provisions of the Act. The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of foreign corporations. The guidance indicates that either accounting for deferred taxes related to GILTI inclusions or to treat any taxes on GILTI inclusions as period costs are both acceptable methods subject to an accounting policy election. As of December 31, 2017, we had not yet completed our assessment or elected an accounting policy to either recognize deferred taxes for basis differences expected to reverse as GILTI or to record GILTI as period costs if and when incurred. After further consideration in 2018, we have elected to account for GILTI as a period cost in the year the tax is incurred.

As a partnership, we are generally not subject to income taxes at the entity level because our income is included in the tax returns of our partners. Our operations are treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes with each partner being separately taxed on its share of taxable income. However, a portion of our business is conducted through taxable U.S. corporate subsidiaries. Accordingly, a U.S. federal and state income tax provision has been reflected in the accompanying statements of operations. We have a tax sharing agreement with TETRA with respect to the Texas franchise tax liability. The resulting state tax expense is included in the provision for income taxes. Certain of our operations are located outside of the U.S., and the Partnership is responsible for income taxes in these countries.

 

F-20



The income tax provision (benefit) attributable to our operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 consists of the following:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In Thousands)
Current
 
 

 
 

 
 

Federal
 
$

 
$
(47
)
 
$

State
 
1,105

 
688

 
836

Foreign
 
1,688

 
1,386

 
999

 
 
2,793

 
2,027

 
1,835

Deferred
 
 

 
 

 
 

Federal
 
72

 

 

State
 
(4
)
 
19

 
(8
)
Foreign
 
(246
)
 
738

 
38

 
 
(178
)
 
757

 
30

Total tax provision (benefit)
 
$
2,615

 
$
2,784

 
$
1,865

 
A reconciliation of the provision (benefit) for income taxes, computed by applying the federal statutory rate to income (loss) before income taxes and the reported income taxes, is as follows: 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In Thousands)
Income (loss) tax provision computed at statutory federal income tax rates
 
$
(7,216
)
 
$
(12,809
)
 
$
(46,332
)
Partnership (earnings) losses
 
7,216

 
12,809

 
46,332

Corporate subsidiary earnings (loss) subject to federal tax
 
745

 
5,805

 
(33,791
)
Impact of goodwill impairments
 

 

 
2,134

Impact of U.S. tax law change
 

 
21,928

 

Valuation allowances
 
(1,733
)
 
(28,236
)
 
33,056

Income tax expense attributable to foreign earnings
 
1,992

 
2,565

 
1,297

State income taxes (net of federal benefit)
 
1,525

 
734

 
(849
)
Other
 
86

 
(12
)
 
18

Total tax provision (benefit)
 
$
2,615

 
$
2,784

 
$
1,865



Income (loss) before income tax provision includes the following components: 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In Thousands)
Domestic
 
$
(37,303
)
 
$
(40,649
)
 
$
(146,007
)
International
 
2,940

 
2,974

 
9,734

Total
 
$
(34,363
)
 
$
(37,675
)
 
$
(136,273
)
 
We file U.S. federal, state, and foreign income tax returns on behalf of all of our consolidated subsidiaries. With few exceptions, we are not subject to U.S. federal, state, local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2010. We file tax returns in the U.S. and in various state, local and non-U.S. jurisdictions. The following table summarizes the earliest tax years that remain subject to examination by taxing authorities in any major jurisdiction in which we operate:


F-21



Jurisdiction
Earliest Open Tax Period
United States – Federal
2014
United States – State and Local
2014
Non-U.S. jurisdictions
2012
 
We use the liability method for reporting income taxes, under which current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in accordance with enacted tax laws and rates. Under this method, at the end of each period, the amounts of deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined using the tax rate expected to be in effect when the taxes are actually paid or recovered. We establish a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. While we consider taxable income in prior carryback years, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, there can be no guarantee that we will be able to realize all of our deferred tax assets. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
 
Deferred Tax Assets
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(In Thousands)
Amortization for book in excess of tax expense
 
25,146

 
27,721

Accruals
 
185

 
264

Net operating losses
 
18,078

 
17,809

  Other
 
864

 
456

Total deferred tax assets
 
44,273

 
46,250

Valuation allowance
 
(37,704
)
 
(39,367
)
Net deferred tax assets
 
$
6,569

 
$
6,883

 
Deferred Tax Liabilities
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(In Thousands)
Accruals
 
$
1,388

 
$
1,076

Depreciation for tax in excess of book expense
 
5,887

 
7,011

All other
 
293

 
190

Total deferred tax liability
 
7,568

 
8,277

Net deferred tax liability
 
$
999

 
$
1,394


At December 31, 2018, we have federal, state, and foreign net operating loss carryforwards/carrybacks equal to approximately $15.2 million, $1.3 million, and $1.6 million, respectively. In those foreign jurisdictions and states in which net operating losses are subject to an expiration period, our loss carryforwards, if not utilized, will expire from 2019 to 2037. Utilization of the net operating loss and credit carryforwards may be subject to a significant annual limitation due to ownership changes that have occurred previously or could occur in the future provided by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
 
The decrease in the valuation allowance during the year ended December 31, 2018 was $1.7 million. The change in the valuation allowance during 2018 primarily relates to the reduction of the deferred tax assets as a result of income generated in our U.S. corporate subsidiaries. The decrease in the valuation allowance during the years ended December 31, 2017 was $29.8 million and the increase in the valuation allowance during the year ended December 31, 2016 was $33.0 million. The change in the valuation allowance during 2017 primarily relates to the decrease in the federal statutory tax rate from 35% to 21%. We believe that it is more likely than not we will not realize all the tax benefits of the deferred tax assets within the allowable carryforward period. Therefore, an appropriate valuation allowance has been provided.


F-22



ASC 740 provides guidance on measurement and recognition in accounting for income tax uncertainties and provides related guidance on derecognition, classification, disclosure, interest, and penalties. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Partnership had no material unrecognized tax benefits (as defined in ASC 740-10). We do not expect to incur interest charges or penalties related to our tax positions, but if such charges or penalties are incurred, our policy is to account for interest charges as interest expense and penalties as tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
NOTE J — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
From time to time, we are involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. While the outcome of these lawsuits or other proceedings against us cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not consider it reasonably possible that a loss resulting from such lawsuits or proceedings in excess of any amounts accrued has been incurred that is expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Insurance Recoveries

During the third quarter of 2017, our insurer paid $3.0 million of claim proceeds associated with damages sustained to certain compression equipment packages that we had impaired as a result of such damage. The amount was credited to earnings, with $2.4 million classified as insurance recoveries for the damaged equipment, and $0.6 million classified as other income.
NOTE K — EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
 
2011 Long Term Incentive Plan
 
We have granted phantom unit and performance phantom unit awards to certain employees, officers, and directors of our general partner pursuant to the CSI Compressco LP Amended and Restated 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan. Awards of phantom units generally vest over a three year period. Awards of performance phantom units cliff vest at the end of a performance period and are settled based on achievement of related performance measures over the performance period. Each of the phantom unit and performance phantom unit awards includes distribution equivalent rights that enable the recipient to receive additional units equal in value to the accumulated cash distributions made on the units subject to the award from the date of grant. Accumulated distributions associated with each underlying unit are payable upon settlement of the related phantom unit award (and are forfeited if the related award is forfeited). Phantom units are notional units that entitle the grantee to receive a common unit upon the vesting of the award.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we granted to certain officers and employees an aggregate of 330,395 phantom unit and performance phantom unit awards, having an average market value (equal to the closing price of the common units on the dates of grant) of $7.33 per unit, or an aggregate market value of $2.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we granted to certain officers and employees 290,190 phantom and performance phantom unit awards, having an average market value (equal to the closing price of the common units on the dates of grant) of $8.40 per unit, or an aggregate market value of $2.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we granted to certain officers and employees 396,692 restricted common unit awards, having an average market value (equal to the closing price of the common units on the dates of grant) of $8.38 per unit, or an aggregate market value of $3.3 million. The fair value of awards vesting during 2018, 2017, and 2016 was approximately $1.5 million, $2.8 million, and $1.5 million, respectively. The fair value of awards is amortized straight-line over the vesting period. Adjustments to the amortized expense related to performance phantom units may be recognized prior to vesting depending on the expected achievement of the performance target.
 

F-23



The following is a summary of unit activity for the year ended December 31, 2018:
 
 
Units
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value Per Unit
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
Nonvested units outstanding at December 31, 2017
 
469

 
$
9.31

Units granted(1)
 
330

 
7.33

Cancelled/forfeited
 
(186
)
 
8.96

Exercised/released
 
(121
)
 
12.37

Nonvested units outstanding at December 31, 2018(2)
 
492

 
$
7.36

 (1)
This number excludes 93,996 performance-based phantom units, which represents the maximum number of common units that would be issued if the maximum level of performance under the awards is achieved.
(2)
This number excludes an additional 15,422 performance-based phantom units, which, when combined with the 93,996 granted, (net of 2018 forfeitures), represents the maximum number of common units that would be issued if the maximum level of performance under the awards is achieved. The number of units actually issued under the awards may range from zero to 218,836.

Total estimated unrecognized equity-based compensation expense from unvested units as of December 31, 2018, was approximately $2.3 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years. The amount recognized in 2018, 2017, and 2016 was approximately $0.6 million, $1.2 million, and $3.0 million, respectively, and included in selling, general, and administrative expense.
NOTE L — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as “the price 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” within an entity’s principal market, if any. The principal market is the market in which the reporting entity would sell the asset or transfer the liability with the greatest volume and level of activity, regardless of whether it is the market in which the entity will ultimately transact for a particular asset or liability or if a different market is potentially more advantageous. Accordingly, this exit price concept may result in a fair value that may differ from the transaction price or market price of the asset or liability.

Under U.S. GAAP, the fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Fair value measurements should maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs, where possible. Observable inputs are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs may be needed to measure fair value in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which could include the reporting entity’s own judgments about the assumptions market participants would utilize in pricing the asset or liability.

Financial Instruments

Preferred Units
The Preferred Units are valued using a lattice modeling technique that, among a number of lattice structures, includes significant unobservable items (a level 3 fair value measurement). These unobservable items include (i) the volatility of the trading price of our common units compared to a volatility analysis of equity prices of comparable peer companies, (ii) a yield analysis that utilizes market information related to the debt yields of comparable peer companies, and (iii) a future conversion price analysis. The fair valuation of our Preferred Units liability is increased by, among other factors, projected increases in our common unit price, and by increases in the volatility and decreases in the debt yields of comparable peer companies. Increases (or decreases) in the fair value of our Preferred Units will increase (decrease) the associated liability and result in future adjustments to earnings for the associated valuation losses (gains). During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, the changes in the fair value of the Preferred Units resulted in $0.8 million credited to earnings, $3.4 million credited to earnings, and $5.0 million charged to earnings, respectively, in the consolidated statement of operations.

F-24




Derivative Contracts

We are exposed to financial and market risks that affect our businesses. We have currency exchange rate risk exposure related to transactions denominated in a foreign currency as well as to investments in certain of our international operations. As a result of our variable rate bank credit facility, we face market risk exposure related to changes in applicable interest rates. We have concentrations of credit risk as a result of trade receivables owed to us by companies in the energy industry. Our financial risk management activities may at times involve, among other measures, the use of derivative financial instruments, such as swap and collar agreements, to hedge the impact of market price risk exposures.
 
We enter into 30-day foreign currency forward derivative contracts as part of a program designed to mitigate the currency exchange rate risk exposure on selected transactions of certain foreign subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had the following foreign currency derivative contracts outstanding relating to a portion of our foreign operations:
 
 
December 31, 2018

 
US Dollar Notional Amount
 
Traded Exchange Rate
 
Settlement Date

 
(In Thousands)
 

 

Forward sale Mexican peso
 
$
4,783

 
20.07

 
1/17/2019

 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
US Dollar Notional Amount
 
Traded Exchange Rate
 
Settlement Date
 
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
Forward sale Mexican peso
 
$
6,067

 
19.28

 
1/18/2018

Under a program designed to mitigate the currency exchange rate risk exposure on selected transactions of certain foreign subsidiaries, we may enter into similar derivative contracts from time to time. Although contracts pursuant to this program will serve as economic hedges of the cash flow of our currency exchange risk exposure, they will not be formally designated as hedge contracts or qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Accordingly, any change in the fair value of these derivative instruments during a period will be included in the determination of earnings for that period.

The fair values of our foreign currency derivative instruments are based on quoted market values (a Level 2 fair value measurement). The fair value of our foreign currency derivative instruments as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, are as follows:
 
 
Balance Sheet
 
Fair Value at
 
Fair Value at
Foreign currency derivative instruments
 
Location
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017

 

 
(In Thousands)
Forward sale contracts
 
Current assets
 
$

 
130

Forward sale contracts
 
Current liabilities
 
(98
)
 
(10
)
Total
 

 
$
(98
)
 
120


None of the foreign currency derivative contracts contains credit risk related contingent features that would require us to post assets or collateral for contracts that are classified as liabilities. During the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, we recognized approximately $0.05 million, $0.04 million, and $(0.4) million of net (gains) losses, respectively, associated with our foreign currency derivative program, and such amount is included in other (income) expense, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

F-25



A summary of these recurring fair value measurements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, is as follows:
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
Description
Total as of December 31, 2018
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
or Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(In Thousands)
Series A Preferred Units
$
(30,900
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(30,900
)
Liability for foreign currency derivative contracts
(98
)
 

 
(98
)
 


$
(30,998
)
 

 

 

 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
Description
Total as of December 31, 2017
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
or Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(In Thousands)
Series A Preferred Units
$
(70,260
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(70,260
)
Asset for foreign currency derivative contracts
$
130

 
$

 
$
130

 
$

Liability for foreign currency derivative contracts
(10
)
 

 
(10
)
 

 
$
(70,140
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
The fair values of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term borrowings, and variable-rate long-term debt pursuant to our Credit Agreement approximate their carrying amounts. The fair values of our publicly traded long-term 7.25% Senior Notes at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, were approximately $266.3 million and $279.7 million (a Level 2 fair value measurement), respectively. Those fair values compared to an aggregate principal amount of such notes at December 31, 2018 and 2017 of $295.9 million. The fair value of our publicly traded long-term 7.50% Senior Secured Notes at December 31, 2018 was approximately $332.5 million (a Level 2 fair value measurement). This fair value compares to an aggregate principal amount of such notes at December 31, 2018 of $350.0 million. We based the fair values of our 7.25% Senior Notes and our 7.50% Senior Secured Notes as of December 31, 2018 on recent trades for these notes. See Note F - "Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowings," for a complete discussion of our debt.
NOTE M EARNINGS PER COMMON UNIT
 
The computations of earnings per common unit are based on the weighted average number of common units outstanding during the applicable full-year period. Basic earnings per common unit is determined by dividing net income (loss) allocated to the common units after deducting the amount allocated to our General Partner (including distributions to our General Partner on its incentive distribution rights), by the weighted average number of outstanding common units during the period.
 
When computing earnings per common unit under the two-class method in periods when distributions are greater than earnings, the amount of the distributions is deducted from net income (loss) and the excess of distributions over earnings is allocated between the General Partner and common units based on how our partnership agreement allocates net losses.
 
When earnings are greater than distributions, we determine cash distributions based on available cash and determine the actual incentive distributions allocable to our General Partner based on actual distributions. When computing earnings per common unit, the amount of the assumed incentive distribution rights, if any, is deducted from net income and allocated to our General Partner for the period to which the calculation relates. The remaining

F-26



amount of net income, after deducting the assumed incentive distribution rights, is allocated between the General Partner and common units based on how our Partnership Agreement allocates net earnings.
 
The following is a reconciliation of the weighted average number of common units outstanding to the number of common units used in the computations of net income per common unit.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Common
Units
 
Common
Units
 
Common
Units
Number of weighted average units outstanding
 
41,552,804

 
35,035,428

 
33,262,376

Unit awards outstanding
 

 

 

Average diluted units outstanding
 
41,552,804

 
35,035,428

 
33,262,376


Diluted earnings per unit are computed using the treasury stock method, which considers the potential future issuance of limited partner common units. Unvested phantom units are not included in basic earnings per common unit, as they are not considered to be participating securities, but are included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common unit. As of December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 approximately 29,276, 90,594, and 9,707 incremental units, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted units because the impact was anti-dilutive. Following the issuance of the Preferred Units, diluted earnings per common unit are computed using the "if converted" method, whereby the amount of net income (loss) and the number of common units issuable are each adjusted as if the Preferred Units had been converted as of the date of issuance or as of the beginning of the period. The number of common units that may be issued upon future conversion of the Preferred Units is excluded from the calculation of diluted common units, as the impact would be antidilutive due to the net loss recorded during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016.
NOTE N — SEGMENTS

ASC 280, "Segment Reporting”, defines the characteristics of an operating segment as (i) being engaged in business activity from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, (ii) being reviewed by the company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") to make decisions about resources to be allocated and to assess its performance, and (iii) having discrete financial information. Although management of our General Partner reviews our products and services to analyze the nature of our revenue, other financial information, such as certain costs and expenses, and net income are not captured or analyzed by these items. Therefore, discrete financial information is not available by product line and our CODM does not make resource allocation decisions or assess the performance of the business based on these items, but rather in the aggregate. Based on this, our General Partner believes that we operate in one business segment. 


F-27



NOTE O — GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
 
 
We are domiciled in the United States of America, with operations in Latin America, Canada, and to a lesser extent, in other countries located in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. We attribute revenue to the countries based on the location of customers. Long-lived assets consist primarily of compressor packages and are attributed to the countries based on the physical location of the compressor packages at a given year-end. Information by geographic area is as follows:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In Thousands)
Revenues from external customers:
 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S.
 
$
400,986

 
$
265,311

 
$
270,828

Latin America
 
27,889

 
23,493

 
32,673

Canada
 
4,365

 
3,678

 
2,666

Other
 
5,423

 
3,084

 
5,196

Total
 
$
438,663

 
$
295,566

 
$
311,363

Identifiable assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S.
 
$
773,476

 
$
691,588

 
$
733,077

Latin America
 
47,891

 
45,170

 
48,303

Canada
 
4,156

 
4,278

 
2,895

Other
 
1,221

 
1,896

 
1,865

Total identifiable assets
 
$
826,744

 
$
742,932

 
$
786,140


F-28



NOTE P – REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

Performance Obligations. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied. Generally this occurs with the transfer of control of our products or services to our customers. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring products or providing services to our customers.

Compression and related services. For compression services revenues recognized over time, our customer contracts typically provide agreed upon monthly service rates and we recognize service revenue based upon the number of days that services have been performed. We receive cash equal to the invoice price for most product sales and services and payment terms typically range from 30 to 60 days from the date we invoice our customer. With the exception of the initial terms of our compression services contracts of our mid- and high-horsepower compressor packages, our customer contracts are generally for terms of one year or less. Since the period between when we deliver products or services and when the customer pays for products or services are not expected to exceed one year, we have elected not to calculate or disclose a financing component for our customer contracts.

Depending on the terms of the arrangement, we may also defer the recognition of revenue for a portion of the consideration received because we have to satisfy a future performance obligation. For example, consideration received from customers during the fabrication of new compressor packages is typically deferred until control of the compressor package is transferred to our customer. For revenue associated with mobilization of service equipment as part of a service contract arrangement, such revenue, if significant, is deferred and amortized over the estimated service period. As of December 31, 2018, we had $29.6 million of remaining performance obligations related to our compression service contracts. As a practical expedient, this amount does not reflect revenue for compression service contracts whose original expected duration is less than 12 months and does not consider the effects of the time value of money. The remaining performance obligations, and associated revenues, to be recognized through 2023 are as follows:
 
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
Total
 
(In Thousands)
Contract operations remaining performance obligations
$
16,980

 
$
8,401

 
$
4,236

 
$

 
$

 
$
29,617


Sales taxes, value added taxes, and other taxes we collect concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. We recognize the cost for freight and shipping costs when control over our products (i.e. delivery) has transferred to the customer as part of cost of product sales.

Equipment Sales & Aftermarket Services. Equipment sales and most aftermarket service revenues are recognized at a point in time when we transfer control of our products and complete the delivery of services to our customers.

Use of Estimates. Our revenues do not include material amounts of variable consideration, as our revenues typically do not require significant estimates or judgments. The transaction price on a majority of our arrangements are fixed and product returns are immaterial. Additionally, our arrangements typically do not include multiple performance obligations that require estimates of the stand-alone purchase price for each performance obligation. Revenue on certain aftermarket service arrangements that include time as a component of the transaction price is not recognized until the performance obligation is complete.

Contract Assets and Liabilities. Contract assets arise when we transfer products or perform services in fulfillment of a contract obligation but must perform other performance obligations before being entitled to payment. Generally, once we have transferred products or performed services for the customer pursuant to a contract, we recognize revenue and trade accounts receivable, as we are entitled to payment that is unconditional. Any contract assets, along with billed and unbilled accounts receivable, are included in Trade Accounts Receivable in our consolidated balance sheets. Contract liabilities arise when we receive consideration, or consideration is unconditionally due, from a customer prior to transferring products or services to the customer under the terms of a sales contract. We classify contract liabilities as Unearned Income in our consolidated balance sheets. Such unearned income typically results from advance payments received on orders for new compressor equipment prior to the time such equipment is completed and transferred to the customer in accordance with the customer contract.

F-29




There were no contract assets as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018. The following table reflects the changes in our contract liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2018:

 
December 31, 2018
 
(In Thousands)
Unearned income, beginning of period
$
15,526

Additional unearned income
136,473

Revenue recognized
(127,101
)
Unearned income, end of period
$
24,898


Bad debt expense on accounts receivables was $1.0 million and $1.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2018, contract liabilities increased due to unearned income for consideration received on new compressor equipment being fabricated. During the year ended December 31, 2018, $127.1 million of unearned income was recognized as product sales revenue, primarily associated with deliveries of new compression equipment.

Contract Costs. When costs are incurred to obtain contracts, such as professional fees and sales bonuses, such costs are deferred and amortized over the contract term. Costs of mobilizing service equipment necessary to perform under service contracts, if significant, are deferred and amortized over the estimated service period. Where applicable, we establish provisions for estimated obligations pursuant to compressor equipment warranties by accruing for estimated future product warranty cost in the period of the compressor equipment sale. Such estimates are based on historical warranty loss experience. Major components of fabricated compressor packages have manufacturer warranties that we pass through to the customer.

Disaggregation of Revenue. We disaggregate revenue from contracts with customers by geography based on the following table below.

 
Twelve Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Compression and related services
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
$
197,976

 
$
178,470

 
$
194,726

International
31,919

 
27,304

 
30,010

 
229,895

 
205,774

 
224,736

Aftermarket services
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
67,316

 
38,345

 
25,392

International
3,591

 
1,942

 
7,911

 
70,907

 
40,287

 
33,303

Equipment sales
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
135,693

 
48,496

 
50,709

International
2,168

 
1,009

 
2,615

 
137,861

 
49,505

 
53,324

Total Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
400,985

 
265,311

 
270,827

International
37,678

 
30,255

 
40,536

 
$
438,663

 
$
295,566

 
$
311,363


F-30



NOTE Q — SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The $295.9 million and $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Notes and 7.50% Senior Secured Notes, respectively, as of December 31, 2018 is fully and unconditionally guaranteed, subject to certain customary release provisions, on a joint and several senior unsecured basis, by the following domestic restricted subsidiaries which are each a 100% owned subsidiary (each a "Guarantor Subsidiary" and collectively the "Guarantor Subsidiaries"):

Compressor Systems, Inc.
CSI Compressco Field Services International LLC
CSI Compressco Holdings LLC
CSI Compressco International LLC
CSI Compressco Leasing LLC
CSI Compressco Operating LLC
CSI Compressco Sub, Inc.
CSI Compression Holdings, LLC
Rotary Compressor Systems, Inc.

As a result of these guarantees, we are presenting the following condensed consolidating financial information pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. These schedules are presented using the equity method of accounting for all periods presented. Under this method, investments in subsidiaries are recorded at cost and adjusted for our share in the subsidiaries’ cumulative results of operations, capital contributions and distributions and other changes in equity. Elimination entries relate primarily to the elimination of investments in subsidiaries and associated intercompany balances and transactions. The Other Subsidiaries column includes financial information for those subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 7.25% Senior Notes or the 7.50% Senior Secured Notes. In addition to the financial information of the Partnership, financial information of the Issuers includes CSI Compressco Finance Inc., which had no assets or operations for any of the periods presented.


F-31



Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2018
(In Thousands)


 
Issuers
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 

 

 

 

 

Current assets
 
$

 
$
128,084

 
$
23,663

 
$

 
$
151,747

Property, plant, and equipment, net
 

 
614,982

 
26,337

 

 
641,319

Investments in subsidiaries
 
146,852

 
21,330

 

 
(168,182
)
 

Intangible and other assets, net
 

 
31,874

 
1,804

 

 
33,678

Intercompany receivables
 
599,145

 

 

 
(599,145
)
 

Total non-current assets
 
745,997

 
668,186

 
28,141

 
(767,327
)
 
674,997

Total assets
 
$
745,997

 
$
796,270

 
$
51,804

 
$
(767,327
)
 
$
826,744


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
$
14,681

 
$
72,985

 
$
3,170

 
$

 
$
90,836

Amounts payable to affiliate
 

 

 
3,517

 

 
3,517

Long-term debt
 
633,013

 

 

 

 
633,013

Series A Preferred Units
 
30,900

 

 

 

 
30,900

Intercompany payables
 

 
576,242

 
22,903

 
(599,145
)
 

Other long-term liabilities
 

 
191

 
884

 

 
1,075

Total liabilities
 
678,594

 
649,418

 
30,474

 
(599,145
)
 
759,341

Total partners' capital
 
67,403

 
146,852

 
21,330

 
(168,182
)
 
67,403

Total liabilities and partners' capital
 
$
745,997

 
$
796,270

 
$
51,804

 
$
(767,327
)
 
$
826,744



F-32



Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
December 31, 2017
(In Thousands)

 
 
Issuers
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 

 

 

 

 

Current assets
 
$

 
$
78,942

 
$
23,205

 
$

 
$
102,147

Property, plant, and equipment, net
 

 
581,092

 
25,387

 

 
606,479

Investments in subsidiaries
 
169,411

 
19,146

 

 
(188,557
)
 

Intangible and other assets, net
 

 
33,688

 
618

 

 
34,306

Intercompany receivables
 
292,373

 

 

 
(292,373
)
 

Total non-current assets
 
461,784

 
633,926

 
26,005

 
(480,930
)
 
640,785

Total assets
 
$
461,784

 
$
712,868

 
$
49,210

 
$
(480,930
)
 
$
742,932


 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities
 
$
8,306

 
$
49,639

 
$
3,027

 
$

 
$
60,972

Amounts payable to affiliate
 

 
1,475

 
1,559

 

 
3,034

Long-term debt
 
288,191

 
223,985

 

 

 
512,176

Series A Preferred Units
 
70,260

 

 

 

 
70,260

Intercompany payables
 

 
268,216

 
24,157

 
(292,373
)
 

Other long-term liabilities
 

 
142

 
1,321

 

 
1,463

Total liabilities
 
366,757

 
543,457

 
30,064

 
(292,373
)
 
647,905

Total partners' capital
 
95,027

 
169,411

 
19,146

 
(188,557
)
 
95,027

Total liabilities and partners' capital
 
$
461,784

 
$
712,868

 
$
49,210

 
$
(480,930
)
 
$
742,932



F-33



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
December 31, 2018
(In Thousands)

 
Issuers
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues
$

 
$
416,846

 
$
32,594

 
$
(10,777
)
 
$
438,663

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization expense)

 
297,295

 
21,879

 
(10,777
)
 
308,397

Depreciation and amortization

 
67,003

 
3,497

 

 
70,500

Impairments and other charges

 
681

 

 

 
681

Insurance recoveries

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense
639

 
36,810

 
2,151

 

 
39,600

Interest expense, net
49,512

 
3,073

 

 

 
52,585

Series A Preferred FV Adjustment
(838
)
 

 

 

 
(838
)
Other expense, net

 
3,989

 
(1,888
)
 

 
2,101

Equity in net (income) loss of subsidiaries
(12,335
)
 
(5,781
)
 

 
18,116

 

Income (loss) before income tax provision
(36,978
)
 
13,776

 
6,955

 
(18,116
)
 
(34,363
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 
1,441

 
1,174

 

 
2,615

Net income (loss)
(36,978
)
 
12,335

 
5,781

 
(18,116
)
 
(36,978
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(3,597
)
 
(3,597
)
 

 
3,597

 
(3,597
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
(40,575
)
 
$
8,738

 
$
5,781

 
$
(14,519
)
 
$
(40,575
)


F-34



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
December 31, 2017
(In Thousands)

 
Issuers
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues
$

 
$
273,649

 
$
28,175

 
$
(6,258
)
 
$
295,566

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization expense)

 
181,121

 
18,635

 
(6,258
)
 
193,498

Depreciation and amortization

 
65,920

 
3,220

 

 
69,140

Insurance recoveries

 
(2,352
)
 

 

 
(2,352
)
Selling, general and administrative expense
1,314

 
30,504

 
1,620

 

 
33,438

Interest expense, net
31,402

 
11,733

 

 

 
43,135

Series A Preferred FV Adjustment
(3,402
)
 

 

 

 
(3,402
)
Other expense, net

 
2,147

 
(2,363
)
 

 
(216
)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries
11,145

 
(5,112
)
 

 
(6,033
)
 

Income (loss) before income tax provision
(40,459
)
 
(10,312
)
 
7,063

 
6,033

 
(37,675
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 
833

 
1,951

 

 
2,784

Net income (loss)
(40,459
)
 
(11,145
)
 
5,112

 
6,033

 
(40,459
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(1,078
)
 
(1,078
)
 

 
1,078

 
(1,078
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
(41,537
)
 
$
(12,223
)
 
$
5,112

 
$
7,111

 
$
(41,537
)


F-35



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
December 31, 2016
(In Thousands)

 
Issuers
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Revenues
$

 
$
283,846

 
$
38,653

 
$
(11,136
)
 
$
311,363

Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization expense)

 
175,314

 
27,082

 
(11,136
)
 
191,260

Depreciation and amortization

 
69,327

 
2,796

 

 
72,123

Impairments and other charges

 
10,154

 
69

 

 
10,223

Selling, general and administrative expense
3,969

 
30,574

 
1,679

 

 
36,222

Goodwill impairment

 
91,575

 
759

 

 
92,334

Interest expense, net
24,667

 
13,388

 

 

 
38,055

Series A Preferred FV Adjustment
5,036

 

 

 

 
5,036

Other expense, net
737

 
44

 
1,602

 

 
2,383

Equity in net income of subsidiaries
103,729

 
(3,798
)
 

 
(99,931
)
 

Income (loss) before income tax provision
(138,138
)
 
(102,732
)
 
4,666

 
99,931

 
(136,273
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 
997

 
868

 

 
1,865

Net income (loss)
(138,138
)
 
(103,729
)
 
3,798

 
99,931

 
(138,138
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(2,018
)
 
(2,018
)
 

 
2,018

 
(2,018
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
(140,156
)
 
$
(105,747
)
 
$
3,798

 
$
101,949

 
$
(140,156
)


F-36



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
December 31, 2018
(In Thousands)

 
 
Issuers
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$

 
$
26,753

 
$
3,368

 
$

 
$
30,121

Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment, net
 

 
(98,508
)
 
(4,981
)
 

 
(103,489
)
Advances and other investing activities
 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 

 
(98,509
)
 
(4,981
)
 

 
(103,490
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from long-term debt
 
343,800

 
36,200

 

 

 
380,000

Payments of long-term debt
 

 
(258,000
)
 

 

 
(258,000
)
Proceeds from issuance of Series A Preferred
 

 

 

 

 

Distributions
 
(31,294
)
 

 

 

 
(31,294
)
Intercompany contribution (distribution)
 
(303,507
)
 
303,507

 

 

 

Financing costs and other
 
(8,999
)
 

 

 

 
(8,999
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 

 
81,707

 

 

 
81,707

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 

 

 
(81
)
 

 
(81
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 

 
9,951

 
(1,694
)
 

 
8,257

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 

 
4,197

 
3,404

 

 
7,601

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$

 
$
14,148

 
$
1,710

 
$

 
$
15,858



F-37



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
December 31, 2017
(In Thousands)

 
 
Issuers
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$

 
$
44,456

 
$
(5,388
)
 
$

 
$
39,068

Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment, net
 

 
(25,499
)
 
373

 

 
(25,126
)
Insurance recoveries associated with damaged equipment
 

 
2,352

 

 

 
2,352

Advances and other investing activities
 

 
21

 

 

 
21

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 

 
(23,126
)
 
373

 

 
(22,753
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from long-term debt
 

 
80,900

 

 

 
80,900

Payments of long-term debt
 

 
(74,900
)
 

 

 
(74,900
)
Proceeds from issuance of Series A Preferred
 
(37
)
 

 

 

 
(37
)
Distributions
 
(33,068
)
 

 

 

 
(33,068
)
Intercompany contribution (distribution)
 
33,187

 
(33,187
)
 

 

 

Financing costs and other
 
(82
)
 
(2,147
)
 

 

 
(2,229
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 

 
(29,334
)
 

 

 
(29,334
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 

 

 
(177
)
 

 
(177
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 

 
(8,004
)
 
(5,192
)
 

 
(13,196
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 

 
12,201

 
8,596

 

 
20,797

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$

 
$
4,197

 
$
3,404

 
$

 
$
7,601



F-38



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
December 31, 2016
(In Thousands)

 
 
Issuers
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Other
Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$

 
$
60,296

 
$
1,148

 
$

 
$
61,444

Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment, net
 

 
(10,895
)
 
236

 

 
(10,659
)
Advances and other investing activities
 

 
(22
)
 

 

 
(22
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 

 
(10,917
)
 
236

 

 
(10,681
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from long-term debt
 

 
109,000

 

 

 
109,000

Payments of long-term debt
 
(50,882
)
 
(122,000
)
 

 

 
(172,882
)
Proceeds from issuance of Series A Preferred
 
76,934

 

 

 

 
76,934

Distributions
 
(51,254
)
 

 

 

 
(51,254
)
Intercompany contribution (distribution)
 
25,202

 
(25,202
)
 

 

 

Financing costs and other
 

 
(1,688
)
 

 

 
(1,688
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 

 
(39,890
)
 

 

 
(39,890
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 

 

 
(696
)
 

 
(696
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 

 
9,489

 
688

 

 
10,177

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 

 
2,712

 
7,908

 

 
10,620

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$

 
$
12,201

 
$
8,596

 
$

 
$
20,797


NOTE R — QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
 
Summarized quarterly financial data for 2018 and 2017 is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended 2018
 
 
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
 
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Total revenues
 
$
85,417

 
$
99,922

 
$
115,256

 
$
138,068

Net income (loss)
 
(15,737
)
 
(9,592
)
 
(7,947
)
 
(3,702
)
Net income (loss) per common unit
 
$
(0.40
)
 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.18
)
 
$
(0.08
)
Net income (loss) per diluted common unit
 
$
(0.40
)
 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.18
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 2017
 
 
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
 
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Total revenues
 
65,552

 
73,315

 
71,598

 
83,101

Net income (loss)
 
(15,593
)
 
(6,372
)
 
(7,821
)
 
(10,673
)
Net income (loss) per common unit
 
$
(0.46
)
 
$
(0.18
)
 
$
(0.22
)
 
$
(0.29
)
Net income (loss) per diluted common unit
 
$
(0.46
)
 
$
(0.21
)
 
$
(0.22
)
 
$
(0.29
)

F-39




For the three month period ended December 31, 2018, diluted earnings per common unit were computed using the "if converted" method, whereby the amount of net income (loss) and the number of common units issuable are each adjusted as if the Preferred Units had been converted as of the beginning of the period presented. This resulted in the assumed conversion of 9.3 million of Preferred Units and an assumed adjustment of net income (loss) of $3.2 million.

For the three month period ended June 30, 2017, diluted earnings per common unit were computed using the "if converted" method, whereby the amount of net income (loss) and the number of common units issuable are each adjusted as if the Preferred Units had been converted as of the beginning of the period presented. This resulted in the assumed conversion of 10.8 million of Preferred Units and an assumed adjustment of net income (loss) of $5.4 million.
NOTE S — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On January 22, 2019, our General Partner declared a cash distribution attributable to the quarter ended December 31, 2018 of $0.0100 per common unit. This distribution equates to a distribution of $0.04 per outstanding common unit on an annualized basis. This cash distribution is a reduction to the previous quarterly distribution. Also on January 22, 2019, our General Partner approved the paid in kind distribution of 85,565 Preferred Units attributable to the quarter ended December 31, 2018 in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement, as amended. These distributions were paid on February 14, 2019, to the holders of common units and Preferred Units, respectively, of record as of the close of business February 1, 2019.

On January 8, 2019, 256,083 Preferred Units were converted into 1,112,939 common units and 85,540 Preferred Units were redeemed for $1.0 million. On February 8, 2019, 341,623 Preferred Units were redeemed for $4.1 million.
    
See Note E - "Related Party Transactions" for a discussion of an agreement whereby TETRA would provide up to $15 million of funding for the fabrication of new compressor packages.


F-40