EX-99 2 ex99.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED FEBRUARY 23, 2007 Exhibit 99 Press Release dated Februry 23, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ross A. Benavides
Chief Financial Officer
(713) 860-2528


GENESIS ENERGY, L.P. REPORTS 2006 RESULTS 

 
Houston - February 23, 2007 - Genesis Energy, L.P. (AMEX:GEL) reported today net income for 2006 of $8,381,000, or $0.59 per unit. Net income for the year was reduced by approximately $1.4 million for costs related to the transition to a new senior management team and $0.6 million of expenses related to the write-off of unamortized costs related to the replacement of our credit facility. For 2005 Genesis had net income of $3,415,000, or $0.35 per unit.
 
Net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 was $0.7 million, or $0.05 per unit, which was net of a write-off of $0.6 million of credit facility costs. In the fourth quarter of 2005, Genesis had income of $0.5 million, or $0.05 per unit.
 
Grant Sims, CEO said “We are very pleased with our results for the year. All segments reported improved performance from the prior year annual period. For the year, we generated Available Cash before Reserves, a non-GAAP measure, of $18.8 million or $1.34 per unit, which was more than adequate to cover distributions to the holders of our common units and general partner interest for 2006 totaling $11.0 million or $0.78 per unit. Without the transition costs and write-off of the credit costs, Available Cash before Reserves for 2006 would have been $20.9 million, or $1.48 per unit.” Available Cash before Reserves is a non-GAAP financial measure that is defined and reconciled later in this press release to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, net cash provided by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $11.3 million for 2006.
 
“For the fourth quarter, Available Cash before Reserves was $3.7 million, or $0.26 per unit. Without the credit costs write-off such amounts would have been $4.3 million and $0.30, respectively,” Mr. Sims added. Net cash provided by operating activities was $4.5 million for fourth quarter of 2006. In February 2007, we paid a distribution of $3.0 million, or $0.21 per unit, attributable to the fourth quarter of 2006. This is the sixth consecutive $0.01 per unit increase in the distribution.
 
During the fourth quarter, we closed on a new credit facility. This new facility provides for an aggregate maximum capacity of $500 million and an initial committed borrowing capacity of $125 million. The commitment amount can be increased, with approval from the lenders, based on pro forma adjustments for acquisitions. This facility provides us with the financial strength and flexibility to significantly grow the partnership for our unitholders by making accretive acquisitions and organic growth projects, as well as provide working capital for our existing operations.
 
“Given the performance of our existing business segments, we have the flexibility to now focus to a greater extent on increasing the long-term value of our partnership units. With our new credit facility, we believe we are positioned to execute our plan to finance significant accretive investments to grow the partnership,” added Mr. Sims.
 
Financial Results
 

 
 

 

We recorded net income for 2006 of $8.4 million, or $0.59 per unit, compared to net income for 2005 of $3.4 million, or $0.35 per unit. Income for 2005 included income from continuing operations of $3.7 million, or $0.38 per unit, and income from discontinued operations of $0.3 million, or $0.03 per unit. Additionally, in 2005 we recorded a loss of $0.6 million, or $0.06 per unit, relating to the cumulative effect of the adoption of an accounting change due to a new accounting pronouncement.
 
Results for the 2006 fourth quarter were $0.7 million or $0.05 per unit. For the 2005 fourth quarter, we generated net income of $0.5 million, or $0.05 per unit, including $1.1 million, or $0.10 per unit, attributable to continuing operations and a loss of $0.6 million, or $0.05 per unit from the cumulative effect of the accounting change adoption.
 
Segment margin is defined and reconciled later in this press release to income from continuing operations. The following table presents selected financial information by segment for the three month and annual reporting periods for continuing operations:
 

 
 

 

 
 
           
Crude Oil
     
   
Pipeline 
   
Industrial
   
Gathering &
       
 
   
Transportation 
   
Gases
   
Marketing
   
Total
 
                           
                           
Three Months Ended December 31, 2006
                         
Segment margin excluding depreciation
                         
and amortization (a)
 
$
2,564
 
$
2,635
 
$
1,292
 
$
6,491
 
Total capital expenditures
 
$
334
 
$
306
 
$
164
 
$
804
 
Maintenance capital expenditures
 
$
243
 
$
-
 
$
164
 
$
407
 
Revenues:
                         
External Customers
 
$
5,321
 
$
3,611
 
$
181,854
 
$
190,786
 
Intersegment
   
1,087
   
-
   
-
   
1,087
 
Total revenues of reportable segments
 
$
6,408
 
$
3,611
 
$
181,854
 
$
191,873
 
                           
Three Months Ended December 31, 2005
                         
Segment margin excluding depreciation
                         
and amortization (a)
 
$
2,668
 
$
2,932
 
$
1,270
 
$
6,870
 
Total capital expenditures
 
$
269
 
$
14,445
 
$
232
 
$
14,946
 
Maintenance capital expenditures
 
$
186
 
$
-
 
$
232
 
$
418
 
Revenues:
                         
External Customers
 
$
7,034
 
$
3,931
 
$
252,775
 
$
263,740
 
Intersegment
   
678
   
-
   
-
   
678
 
Total revenues of reportable segments
 
$
7,712
 
$
3,931
 
$
252,775
 
$
264,418
 
                           
Year Ended December 31, 2006
                         
Segment margin excluding depreciation
                         
and amortization (a)
 
$
12,426
 
$
11,443
 
$
7,366
 
$
31,235
 
Total capital expenditures
 
$
971
 
$
6,058
 
$
356
 
$
7,385
 
Maintenance capital expenditures
 
$
611
 
$
-
 
$
356
 
$
967
 
Revenues:
                         
External Customers
 
$
25,479
 
$
15,154
 
$
873,268
 
$
913,901
 
Intersegment
   
4,468
   
-
   
-
   
4,468
 
Total revenues of reportable segments
 
$
29,947
 
$
15,154
 
$
873,268
 
$
918,369
 
                           
Year Ended December 31, 2005
                         
Segment margin excluding depreciation
                         
and amortization (a)
 
$
9,804
 
$
8,154
 
$
3,661
 
$
21,619
 
Total capital expenditures
 
$
5,425
 
$
27,863
 
$
547
 
$
33,835
 
Maintenance capital expenditures
 
$
1,256
 
$
-
 
$
287
 
$
1,543
 
Revenues:
                         
External Customers
 
$
25,613
 
$
11,302
 
$
1,038,549
 
$
1,075,464
 
Intersegment
   
3,275
   
-
   
-
   
3,275
 
Total revenues of reportable segments
 
$
28,888
 
$
11,302
 
$
1,038,549
 
$
1,078,739
 

 
(a) Segment margin was calculated as revenues less cost of sales and operating expenses, plus our share of the operating income of our investment in joint ventures. A reconciliation of segment margin to income from continuing operations is presented for periods presented in the table at the end of this release.
 
Pipeline transportation segment margin for the fourth quarter periods was consistent between the periods. For the year, segment margin from our pipeline operations was $12.4 million as compared to $9.8 million for 2005. Higher tariffs in Mississippi and Florida added to
 

 
 

 

segment margin as did increased revenues from volumetric gains, most of which resulted from higher crude oil market prices. Expenditures for pipeline integrity testing and repairs were less in 2006; however this reduction was partially offset by increased expenses of $0.3 million related to our stock appreciation rights plan which was included in pipeline operating costs.
 
Segment margin from industrial gas activities in the 2006 fourth quarter declined $0.3 million from the prior year period to $2.7 million. Seasonal variations in the volumes sold under our industrial sales contracts between the quarters combined with the differences in pricing on the contracts were the primary cause of the decrease. For the annual periods, the industrial gases segment margin was $11.4 million in 2006 as compared to $8.2 million in 2005, respectively. The additional CO2 industrial sales contracts acquired in 2005 provided most of the improvement. The 2006 period also included twelve months rather than nine months of results from the syngas joint venture acquired on April 1, 2005.
 
Segment margin from crude oil gathering and marketing activities was consistent between the fourth quarter periods. For the annual periods, segment margin from crude oil gathering and marketing doubled to $7.4 million in 2006 as compared to the prior period. Field costs declined $1.8 million primarily as a result of a reduction in the size of our fleet, combined with a $0.4 million reserve recorded in the 2005 period for environmental remediation of a truck unload site. Field costs for 2006 included $0.3 million of expense related to our stock appreciation rights plan. We also took advantage of opportunities in 2005 and 2006 to store crude oil in inventory and hedge it for future sale, increasing our profits for this segment.
 
General and administrative expenses remained constant between the two fourth quarter periods. For the 2006 year, general and administrative expenses were $13.6 million, an increase of $3.9 million over 2005. $1.4 million of the increase resulted from transition costs for the senior management team change and $0.1 million from the write-off of deferred charges from our prior credit facility. In 2006, we adopted a new method of accounting for our stock appreciation rights plan, which resulted in total expense of $1.9 million, of which $1.3 million is included in general and administrative expenses. In the 2005 period, under the previous method of accounting, we recorded a non-cash credit of $0.5 million due to a decrease in our unit price. The effect of this change in accounting for the plan was an increase in general and administrative expense of $1.8 million between the two periods. The remaining increase in general and administrative expenses related to compensation, bonus accrual and costs related to legal and consultant fees.
 
The increase in our depreciation and amortization expenses resulted from amortization of our increased investment in the fourth quarter of 2005 in CO2 industrial sales contracts and related assets.
 
In 2005, we disposed of idle assets for $1.6 million, generating $0.8 million of gain. The assets sold included pipelines that were idled in 2002 and 2003. $0.3 million of this gain is reflected as discontinued operations.
 
In addition to the $0.1 million write-off of deferred charges from our prior credit facility included in general and administrative expenses, we wrote off $0.5 million of facility costs that were included in interest expense. Excluding this write-off, interest costs in 2006 were $1.2 million lower than the 2005 period, due to lower average outstanding debt balances. We made acquisitions in late 2004 and early 2005 that significantly increased our outstanding debt balance. In the fourth quarter of 2005, we issued new partnership units and used a portion of the proceeds
 

 
 

 

to repay the debt. Consequently, we had lower outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility during 2006.
 
Upon adoption at December 31, 2005 of a new accounting pronouncement, we recorded a non-cash charge of $0.6 million for the cumulative effect of the accounting change. This accounting change related to estimates of future asset retirement obligations. In 2006, we adopted a new accounting pronouncement related to accounting for our stock appreciation rights that resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of $30,000.
 
Over the last six quarters, we have increased the distribution rate on our common units by a total of $0.06 per unit, or 40%.
 
 Distribution for      Distribution Payment Date    Amount per Unit
         
 Fourth Quarter 2006     February 2007   
 $ 0.21
 Third Quarter 2006     November 2006   
 $ 0.20
 Second Quarter 2006      August 2006   
 $ 0.19
 First Quarter 2006     May 2006   
 $ 0.18
 Fourth Quarter 2005     February 2006   
 $ 0.17
 Third Quarter 2005     November 2005   
 $ 0.16
 Second Quarter 2005     August 2005   
 $ 0.15

 
The fourth quarter 2006 distribution was paid February 14, 2007 to unitholders of record on February 5, 2007. We generated Available Cash before reserves (a non-GAAP measure) of $3.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2006 and $18.8 million during 2006. Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $4.6 million and $11.3 million for the fourth quarter and annual periods in 2006, respectively. (Please see the accompanying schedules for a reconciliation of Available Cash before reserves, a non-GAAP measure, to net cash flow provided by operations, the GAAP measure.)
 
Available Cash
 
Several adjustments to net income are required to calculate Available Cash before reserves. The calculation of Available Cash before reserves for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
       
Net income
 
$
651
 
Depreciation and amortization expense
   
1,963
 
Loss on asset disposals
   
22
 
Cash from direct financing leases in
       
excess of income recorded
   
137
 
Available cash generated by joint ventures in
       
excess of earnings
   
413
 
Non-cash expense for incentive compensation plan
       
and other non-cash items
   
895
 
Maintenance capital expenditures
   
(407
)
Available Cash before reserves
 
$
3,674
 

 

 
 

 

The calculation of Available Cash before reserves for the year ended December 31, 2006 is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
8,381
 
Depreciation and amortization expense
   
7,963
 
Cash in excess of gain on asset sales
   
51
 
Cash from direct financing leases in
       
excess of income recorded
   
531
 
Available cash generated by joint ventures in
       
excess of earnings
   
1,401
 
Non-cash expense for incentive compensation plan
       
and other non-cash items
   
1,471
 
Maintenance capital expenditures
   
(967
)
Available Cash before reserves
 
$
18,831
 

 
Earnings Conference Call
 
We will broadcast our Earnings Conference Call on Friday, February 23, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. Central time. This call can be accessed at www.genesiscrudeoil.com. Choose the Investor Relations button. Listeners should go to this website at least fifteen minutes before this event to download and install any necessary audio software. For those unable to attend the live broadcast, a replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the event and remain available on our website for 30 days. There is no charge to access the event.
 
Genesis Energy, L.P. operates crude oil common carrier pipelines and is an independent gatherer and marketer of crude oil in North America, with operations concentrated in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. Genesis Energy, L.P. also operates an industrial gases business.
 
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Although we believe that our expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our goals will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements herein include the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices for oil, ability to obtain adequate credit facilities, managing operating costs, completion of capital projects on schedule and within budget, consummation of accretive acquisitions, capital spending, environmental risks, government regulation, our ability to meet our stated business goals and other risks noted from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Actual results may vary materially. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.
 
(tables to follow)

 
 

 


           
Genesis Energy, L.P.
 
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations - Unaudited
 
(in thousands except per unit amounts and volumes)
 
           
   
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
   
December 31, 2006 
   
December 31, 2005
 
               
Revenues
 
$
191,873
 
$
264,418
 
Cost of sales
   
185,594
   
257,789
 
General and administrative expenses
   
3,125
   
3,120
 
Depreciation and amortization expense
   
1,963
   
2,026
 
Loss from disposal of surplus assets
   
22
   
3
 
OPERATING INCOME
   
1,169
   
1,480
 
Equity in earnings of joint ventures
   
212
   
241
 
Interest, net
   
(729
)
 
(631
)
Income from continuing operations before minority
             
interest
   
652
   
1,090
 
Minority interest
   
(1
)
 
-
 
Income from continuing operations
   
651
   
1,090
 
Loss from discontinued operations
   
-
   
(6
)
Income from cumulative effect adjustment from
             
adoption of new accounting principle
   
-
   
(586
)
NET INCOME
 
$
651
 
$
498
 
               
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON UNIT -
             
BASIC AND DILUTED
             
Continuing operations
 
$
0.05
 
$
0.10
 
Discontinued operations
   
-
   
-
 
Cumulative effect adjustment
   
-
   
(0.05
)
Net income per common unit - basic
             
and diluted
 
$
0.05
 
$
0.05
 
               
Volume data:
             
Crude oil pipeline barrels per day (total)
   
58,918
   
60,124
 
Mississippi Pipeline System barrels per day
   
17,237
   
17,363
 
Jay Pipeline System barrels per day
   
13,440
   
13,179
 
Texas Pipeline System barrels per day
   
28,241
   
29,582
 
CO2 sales Mcf per day
   
68,452
   
76,791
 
Crude oil gathering wellhead barrels per day
   
33,391
   
37,342
 
Total crude oil gathering and marketing
             
barrels per day
   
34,028
   
46,211
 
               
Units Data:
             
Common units held by Public
   
12,765,000
   
12,765,000
 
Common units held by general partner
   
1,019,441
   
1,019,441
 
Total common units outstanding
   
13,784,441
   
13,784,441
 

 
 

 


           
Genesis Energy, L.P.
 
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations - Unaudited
 
(in thousands except per unit amounts and volumes)
 
           
   
Year Ended
 
Year Ended
 
   
December 31, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
 
           
Revenues
 
$
918,369
 
$
1,078,739
 
Cost of sales
   
888,265
   
1,057,621
 
General and administrative expenses
   
13,573
   
9,656
 
Depreciation and amortization expense
   
7,963
   
6,721
 
Gain from disposal of surplus assets
   
(16
)
 
(479
)
OPERATING INCOME
   
8,584
   
5,220
 
Equity in earnings of joint ventures
   
1,131
   
501
 
Interest, net
   
(1,374
)
 
(2,032
)
Income from continuing operations before income
             
taxes
   
8,341
   
3,689
 
Income tax benefit
   
11
   
-
 
Minority interest
   
(1
)
 
-
 
Income from continuing operations
   
8,351
   
3,689
 
Loss from discontinued operations
   
-
   
312
 
Income from cumulative effect adjustment from
             
adoption of new accounting principle
   
30
   
(586
)
NET INCOME
 
$
8,381
 
$
3,415
 
               
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON UNIT -
             
BASIC AND DILUTED
             
Continuing operations
 
$
0.59
 
$
0.38
 
Discontinued operations
   
-
   
0.03
 
Cumulative effect adjustment
   
-
   
(0.06
)
Net income per common unit - basic
             
and diluted
 
$
0.59
 
$
0.35
 
               
Volume data:
             
Crude oil pipeline barrels per day (total)
   
61,585
   
61,296
 
Mississippi Pipeline System barrels per day
   
16,931
   
16,021
 
Jay Pipeline System barrels per day
   
13,351
   
13,725
 
Texas Pipeline System barrels per day
   
31,303
   
31,550
 
CO2 sales Mcf per day
   
72,841
   
56,823
 
Crude oil gathering wellhead barrels per day
   
33,853
   
39,194
 
Total crude oil gathering and marketing
             
barrels per day
   
37,180
   
52,943
 
               
Units Data:
             
Common units held by Public
   
12,765,000
   
12,765,000
 
Common units held by general partner
   
1,019,441
   
1,019,441
 
Total common units outstanding
   
13,784,441
   
13,784,441
 

 
 

 


           
Genesis Energy, L.P.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited
 
(in thousands)
 
           
           
   
December 31, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
 
           
ASSETS
         
Cash
 
$
2,318
 
$
3,099
 
Accounts receivable
   
89,106
   
82,634
 
Inventories
   
5,172
   
498
 
Other current assets
   
3,396
   
4,218
 
Total current assets
   
99,992
   
90,449
 
Net property
   
31,316
   
33,769
 
CO2 contracts
   
33,404
   
37,648
 
Joint ventures and other investments
   
18,226
   
13,042
 
Other assets
   
8,149
   
6,869
 
Total Assets
 
$
191,087
 
$
181,777
 
               
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
             
Accounts payable
 
$
86,692
 
$
85,286
 
Accrued liabilities
   
9,220
   
7,325
 
Total current liabilities
   
95,912
   
92,611
 
Long-term debt
   
8,000
   
-
 
Other liabilities
   
991
   
955
 
Minority interest
   
522
   
522
 
Partners' capital
   
85,662
   
87,689
 
Total Liabilities and Partners' Capital
 
$
191,087
 
$
181,777
 
 


 
 

 


           
Genesis Energy, L.P.
 
Summary Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Unaudited
 
(in thousands)
 
           
   
Year Ended
 
Year Ended
 
   
December 31, 2006 
   
December 31, 2005
 
               
Net income
 
$
8,381
 
$
3,415
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
             
provided by operating activities:
             
Depreciation and amortization
   
7,963
   
6,721
 
Amortization and write-off of credit facility issuance costs
   
969
   
373
 
Amortization of unearned income
   
(655
)
 
(689
)
Cash received from direct financing leases
   
1,186
   
1,185
 
Equity in earnings of joint ventures
   
(1,131
)
 
(501
)
Distributions from joint ventures - return on investment
   
1,565
   
435
 
Gains on asset disposals
   
(16
)
 
(791
)
Other non-cash items
   
1,873
   
532
 
Changes to components of working capital
   
(8,873
)
 
(1,190
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
11,262
   
9,490
 
               
Additions to property and equipment
   
(1,260
)
 
(6,106
)
CO2 contracts acquisition
   
-
   
(14,446
)
Investments in joint ventures and other investments
   
(6,042
)
 
(13,418
)
Distributions from joint ventures that are a return
             
of investment
   
528
   
388
 
Proceeds from sales of assets
   
67
   
1,585
 
Other, net
   
(135
)
 
188
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(6,842
)
 
(31,809
)
               
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt
   
8,000
   
(15,300
)
Issuance of limited and general partner interests, net
             
and minority interests contributions
   
-
   
44,838
 
Distributions to partners
   
(10,408
)
 
(5,798
)
Credit facility issuance fees
   
(2,726
)
 
-
 
Other, net
   
(67
)
 
(400
)
Net cash used in (provided by) financing activities
   
(5,201
)
 
23,340
 
               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
(781
)
 
1,021
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
3,099
   
2,078
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
2,318
 
$
3,099
 


 
 

 


Genesis Energy, L.P.
 
Reconciliations
 
           
SEGMENT MARGIN EXCLUDING DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
 
RECONCILIATION TO INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
 
           
               
 
   
Three Months Ended 
    Three Months Ended  
 
   
December 31, 2006 
   
December 31, 2005
 
 
 
(in thousands) 
               
Segment margin excluding depreciation and
             
amortization
 
$
6,491
 
$
6,870
 
General and administrative expenses
   
(3,125
)
 
(3,120
)
Depreciation and amortization expense
   
(1,963
)
 
(2,026
)
Loss from disposal of surplus assets
   
(22
)
 
(3
)
Interest, net
   
(729
)
 
(631
)
Minority interest
   
(1
)
 
-
 
Income from continuing operations
 
$
651
 
$
1,090
 
               
               
 
   
 Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
 
   
December 31, 2006 
   
December 31, 2005
 
 
 
(in thousands) 
               
Segment margin excluding depreciation and
             
amortization
 
$
31,235
 
$
21,619
 
General and administrative expenses
   
(13,573
)
 
(9,656
)
Depreciation and amortization expense
   
(7,963
)
 
(6,721
)
Gain from disposal of surplus assets
   
16
   
479
 
Interest, net
   
(1,374
)
 
(2,032
)
Income tax credit
   
11
   
-
 
Minority interest
   
(1
)
 
-
 
Income from continuing operations
 
$
8,351
 
$
3,689
 


 
 

 


GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation
 
           
AVAILABLE CASH BEFORE RESERVES RECONCILIATION TO
     
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
         
               
 
   
Three Months Ended 
   
Year Ended
 
 
   
December 31, 2006 
   
December 31, 2006
 
 
(in thousands) 
               
Net cash flows from operating activities (GAAP measure)
 
$
4,540
 
$
11,262
 
Adjustments to reconcile net cash flow provided by
             
operating activities to Available Cash before
             
reserves:
             
Maintenance capital expenditures
   
(407
)
 
(967
)
Amortization and write-off of credit facility issuance
             
costs
   
(690
)
 
(969
)
Cash effects of stock appreciation rights plan
   
(93
)
 
(364
)
Available cash from joint ventures not included in
             
operating cash flows
   
211
   
967
 
Unrealized losses on fair value hedges
   
26
   
(38
)
Proceeds from asset sales
   
-
   
67
 
Net effect of changes in components of working
             
capital
   
87
   
8,873
 
Available Cash before reserves (Non-GAAP measure)
 
$
3,674
 
$
18,831
 

This press release and the accompanying schedules include a non-generally accepted accounting principle (“non-GAAP”) financial measures of available cash. The accompanying schedule provides a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Our non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures of liquidity or financial performance. We believe that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures being utilized by management, lenders, analysts and other market participants.
 
Available cash. Available Cash before reserves is a liquidity measure used by management to compare cash flows generated by us to the cash distribution paid to our limited partners and general partner. This is an important financial measure to the public unitholders since it is an indicator of our ability to provide a cash return on their investment. Specifically, this financial measure aids investors in determining whether or not we are generating cash flows at a level that can support a quarterly cash distribution to the partners. Lastly, Available Cash before reserves (also referred to as distributable cash flow) is the quantitative standard used throughout the investment community with respect to publicly-traded partnerships.
 
We define available cash as net income or loss plus: (1) depreciation and amortization expense; (2) cash proceeds from the sale of certain assets; (3) the addition of losses or subtraction of gains relating to the sale of assets; (4) payments under direct financing leases in excess of the amount recognized as income; (5) the addition of losses or subtraction of gains on derivative
 

 
 

 

financial instruments; (6) available cash generated by equity method investments; (7) the subtraction of maintenance capital expenditures incurred to replace or enhance partially or fully depreciated assets so as to sustain the existing operating capacity or efficiency of our assets and extend their useful lives; and (8) the addition of losses or subtraction of gains relating to other non-cash amounts affecting net income for the period.
 
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