Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement [Abstract]

Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement

2) Common Unit Repurchase Plans and Retirement

In July 2009, the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s General Partner (“the Board”) authorized the repurchase of up to 7.5 million of the Partnership’s common units (“Plan I”). By the third fiscal quarter of 2010, all 7.5 million common units authorized for repurchase under the Plan I program were repurchased at an average price paid per unit of $4.04 and retired. The Partnership’s repurchase activities took into account SEC safe harbor rules and guidance for issuer repurchases.

In July 2010, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to 7.0 million of the Partnership’s common units (“Plan II”). In December 2011, the Board authorized the repurchase of an additional 250 thousand common units. By February 2012, all 7.25 million common units authorized for repurchase under the Plan II program were repurchased at an average price paid per unit of $4.94 and were retired. The Partnership’s repurchase activities took into account SEC safe harbor rules and guidance for issuer repurchases.

In July 2012, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to 3.0 million of the Partnership’s common units (“Plan III”). The authorized common unit repurchases may be made from time-to-time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or in such other manner deemed appropriate by management. There is no guarantee of the exact number of units that will be purchased under the program and the Partnership may discontinue purchases at any time. The program does not have a time limit. The Partnership’s repurchase activities take into account SEC safe harbor rules and guidance for issuer repurchases. All of the common units purchased in the repurchase program will be retired.

(in thousands, except per unit amounts)

Period	Total Number of Units Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Plan or Program		Average Price Paid per Unit (a)		Maximum Number of Units that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
Plan II - Number of units authorized						7,250
Plan II - Fiscal year 2010 total		1,197	$	4.44		6,053
Plan II - Fiscal year 2011 total (b)		2,108	$	5.19		3,945
Plan II - First quarter fiscal year 2012 total (c)		2,448	$	5.17		1,497
Plan II - Second quarter fiscal year 2012 total		1,497	$	4.62		—
Plan II - Fiscal year 2012 total		3,945	$	4.96		—
Plan II - Total number of units repurchased		7,250	$	4.94		—
Plan III - Number of units authorized (d)						3,000
Plan III - July 2012		—	$	—		3,000
Plan III - August 2012		4	$	4.26		2,996
Plan III - September 2012		18	$	4.25		2,978
Plan III - Fourth quarter fiscal year 2012 total		22	$	4.26		2,978
Plan III - Fiscal year 2012 total		22	$	4.26		2,978

(a) Amounts include repurchase costs.

(b) Fiscal year 2011 common unit repurchases include 1.5 million common units acquired in a private sale.

(c) December 2011 common unit repurchases include 1.75 million common units acquired in a private sale.

(d) In July 2012, the Board authorized 3.0 million common units for repurchase.