Debt Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Debt Obligations [Abstract]

Debt Obligations

Note 7.  Debt Obligations

The following table presents our consolidated debt obligations (arranged by company and maturity date) at the dates indicated:

	December 31,
	2023			2022
EPO senior debt obligations:
Commercial Paper Notes, variable-rates	$	450		$	495
Senior Notes HH, 3.35% fixed-rate, due March 2023		–			1,250
Senior Notes JJ, 3.90% fixed-rate, due February 2024		850			850
March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement, variable-rate, due March 2024 (1)		–			–
Senior Notes MM, 3.75% fixed-rate, due February 2025		1,150			1,150
Senior Notes FFF, 5.05% fixed-rate, due January 2026		750			–
Senior Notes PP, 3.70% fixed-rate, due February 2026		875			875
Senior Notes SS, 3.95% fixed-rate, due February 2027		575			575
March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, variable-rate, due March 2028 (2)		–			–
Senior Notes WW, 4.15% fixed-rate, due October 2028		1,000			1,000
Senior Notes YY, 3.125% fixed-rate, due July 2029		1,250			1,250
Senior Notes AAA, 2.80% fixed-rate, due January 2030		1,250			1,250
Senior Notes GGG, 5.35% fixed-rate, due January 2033		1,000			–
Senior Notes D, 6.875% fixed-rate, due March 2033		500			500
Senior Notes H, 6.65% fixed-rate, due October 2034		350			350
Senior Notes J, 5.75% fixed-rate, due March 2035		250			250
Senior Notes W, 7.55% fixed-rate, due April 2038		400			400
Senior Notes R, 6.125% fixed-rate, due October 2039		600			600
Senior Notes Z, 6.45% fixed-rate, due September 2040		600			600
Senior Notes BB, 5.95% fixed-rate, due February 2041		750			750
Senior Notes DD, 5.70% fixed-rate, due February 2042		600			600
Senior Notes EE, 4.85% fixed-rate, due August 2042		750			750
Senior Notes GG, 4.45% fixed-rate, due February 2043		1,100			1,100
Senior Notes II, 4.85% fixed-rate, due March 2044		1,400			1,400
Senior Notes KK, 5.10% fixed-rate, due February 2045		1,150			1,150
Senior Notes QQ, 4.90% fixed-rate, due May 2046		975			975
Senior Notes UU, 4.25% fixed-rate, due February 2048		1,250			1,250
Senior Notes XX, 4.80% fixed-rate, due February 2049		1,250			1,250
Senior Notes ZZ, 4.20% fixed-rate, due January 2050		1,250			1,250
Senior Notes BBB, 3.70% fixed-rate, due January 2051		1,000			1,000
Senior Notes DDD, 3.20% fixed-rate, due February 2052		1,000			1,000
Senior Notes EEE, 3.30% fixed-rate, due February 2053		1,000			1,000
Senior Notes NN, 4.95% fixed-rate, due October 2054		400			400
Senior Notes CCC, 3.95% fixed-rate, due January 2060		1,000			1,000
Total principal amount of senior debt obligations		26,725			26,270
EPO Junior Subordinated Notes C, variable-rate, due June 2067 (3)(7)		232			232
EPO Junior Subordinated Notes D, variable-rate, due August 2077 (4)(7)		350			350
EPO Junior Subordinated Notes E, fixed/variable-rate, due August 2077 (5)(7)		1,000			1,000
EPO Junior Subordinated Notes F, fixed/variable-rate, due February 2078 (6)(7)		700			700
TEPPCO Junior Subordinated Notes, variable-rate, due June 2067 (3)(7)		14			14
Total principal amount of senior and junior debt obligations		29,021			28,566
Other, non-principal amounts		(273	)		(271	)
Less current maturities of debt		(1,300	)		(1,744	)
Total long-term debt	$	27,448		$	26,551

(1)	Under the terms of the agreement, EPO may borrow up to $1.5 billion (which may be increased by up to $200 million to $1.7 billion at EPO’s election provided certain conditions are met).
(2)	Under the terms of the agreement, EPO may borrow up to $2.7 billion (which may be increased by up to $500 million to $3.2 billion at EPO’s election provided certain conditions are met).
(3)	Variable rate is reset quarterly and based on 3-month Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus (a) a 0.26161% tenor spread adjustment and (b) 2.778%.
(4)	Variable rate is reset quarterly and based on 3-month CME Term SOFR plus (a) a 0.26161% tenor spread adjustment and (b) 2.986%.
(5)	Fixed rate of 5.250% through August 15, 2027; thereafter, a variable rate reset quarterly and based on 3-month CME Term SOFR plus (a) a 0.26161% tenor spread adjustment and (b) 3.033%.
(6)	Fixed rate of 5.375% through February 14, 2028; thereafter, a variable rate reset quarterly and based on 3-month CME Term SOFR plus (a) a 0.26161% tenor spread adjustment and (b) 2.57%.
(7)	Effective July 1, 2023, all series of our junior subordinated notes subject to a variable interest rate replaced the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) with 3-month CME Term SOFR plus a 0.26161% tenor spread adjustment.  See discussion below in “Variable Interest Rates” regarding the LIBOR replacement and LIBOR replacement rate.

References to “TEPPCO” mean TEPPCO Partners, L.P. prior to its merger with one of our wholly owned subsidiaries in October 2009.

Variable Interest Rates

The following table presents the range of interest rates and weighted-average interest rates paid on our consolidated variable-rate debt during the year ended December 31, 2023:

	Range of Interest Rates Paid	Weighted-Average Interest Rate Paid
Commercial Paper Notes	4.59% to 5.65%	5.38%
EPO Junior Subordinated Notes C and TEPPCO Junior Subordinated Notes	7.54% to 8.45%	8.08%
EPO Junior Subordinated Notes D	7.63% to 8.64%	8.23%

Amounts borrowed under EPO’s March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement and March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest, at EPO’s election, equal to: (i) SOFR, plus an additional variable spread; or (ii) an alternate base rate, which is the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 0.5%, or (c) Adjusted Term SOFR for an interest period of one month in effect on such day plus 1%, and a variable spread. The applicable spreads are determined based on EPO's debt ratings.

In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority in the U.K. announced a desire to phase out LIBOR as a benchmark by the end of June 2023.  In December 2022, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System approved a final rule to implement the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act, which established benchmark replacements for certain contracts that reference various tenors of LIBOR and do not provide an alternative rate or would result in a rate that is expressed in terms of the last known value of LIBOR (typically referred to as a “frozen LIBOR” provision).  The final rule became effective during the first quarter of 2023.  As a result of the LIBOR Act, our Junior Subordinated Notes C and D and the TEPPCO Junior Subordinated Notes, which were subject to a variable rate (as defined by the applicable agreement) based on three-month LIBOR (in each case, a “LIBOR Rate”) through June 30, 2023, replaced the applicable LIBOR Rate with a variable rate based on the three-month CME Term SOFR as administered by the CME Group Benchmark Administration, Ltd. plus a 0.26161% tenor spread adjustment beginning on July 1, 2023.  Additionally, our Junior Subordinated Notes E and F, which would have been subject to a variable rate (as defined by the applicable agreement) based on three-month LIBOR beginning in August 2027 and February 2028, respectively, will replace the applicable LIBOR Rate with the three-month CME Term SOFR plus a 0.26161% tenor spread adjustment.  The foregoing tenor spread adjustment will be in addition to the applicable spread under the terms of each series of Junior Subordinated Notes.  We do not expect the transition from LIBOR to have a material financial impact on us.

Scheduled Maturities of Debt

The following table presents the scheduled maturities of principal amounts of EPO’s consolidated debt obligations at December 31, 2023 for the next five years, and in total thereafter:

			Scheduled Maturities of Debt
	Total		2024		2025		2026		2027		2028		Thereafter
Commercial Paper Notes	$	450	$	450	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–
Senior Notes		26,275		850		1,150		1,625		575		1,000		21,075
Junior Subordinated Notes		2,296		–		–		–		–		–		2,296
Total	$	29,021	$	1,300	$	1,150	$	1,625	$	575	$	1,000	$	23,371

EPO Debt Obligations

Commercial Paper Notes

EPO maintains a commercial paper program under which it may issue (and have outstanding at any time) up to $3.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of short-term notes.  As a back-stop to the program, we intend to maintain a minimum aggregate available borrowing capacity under EPO’s revolving credit facilities equal to the aggregate amount outstanding under our commercial paper notes.  All commercial paper notes issued under the program are senior unsecured obligations of EPO that are unconditionally guaranteed by the Partnership.  As of December 31, 2023, EPO had $450 million aggregate principal amount of short-term notes outstanding under its commercial paper program.

March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement

In March 2023, EPO entered into a new $1.5 billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement (the “March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement”) that replaced its September 2022 364-day revolving credit agreement.  There were no principal amounts outstanding under the September 2022 364-day revolving credit agreement when it was replaced by the March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement.  As of December 31, 2023, there were no principal amounts outstanding under the March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement.

Under the terms of the March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement, EPO may borrow up to $1.5 billion (which may be increased by up to $200 million to $1.7 billion at EPO’s election, provided certain conditions are met) at a variable interest rate for a term of up to 364 days, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein.  The March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement matures in March 2024.  To the extent that principal amounts are outstanding at the maturity date, EPO may elect to have the entire principal balance then outstanding continued as non-revolving term loans for a period of one additional year, payable in March 2025.  Borrowings under the March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and general company purposes.

The March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants (affirmative and negative) and events of default, the occurrence of which would permit the lenders to accelerate the maturity date of any amounts borrowed under this credit agreement.  The March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement also restricts EPO’s ability to pay cash distributions to the Partnership, if an event of default (as defined in the credit agreement) has occurred and is continuing at the time such distribution is scheduled to be paid or would result therefrom.

EPO’s obligations under the March 2023 $1.5 Billion 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement are not secured by any collateral; however, they are guaranteed by the Partnership.

March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement

In March 2023, EPO entered into a new revolving credit agreement that matures in March 2028 (the “March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement”).  The March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement replaced EPO’s prior multi-year revolving credit agreement that was scheduled to mature in September 2026.  There were no principal amounts outstanding under the prior multi-year revolving credit agreement when it was replaced by the March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement.  As of December 31, 2023, there were no principal amounts outstanding under the March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement.

Under the terms of the March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, EPO may borrow up to $2.7 billion (which may be increased by up to $500 million to $3.2 billion at EPO’s election, provided certain conditions are met) at a variable interest rate for a term of five years, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein.  The March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement matures in March 2028, although the maturity date may be extended at EPO’s request (up to two requests) for a one-year extension of the maturity date by delivering a request prior to the maturity date and with the consent of required lenders as set forth under the March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement.  Borrowings under the March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and general company purposes.

The March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants (affirmative and negative) and events of default, the occurrence of which would permit the lenders to accelerate the maturity date of any amounts borrowed under this credit agreement.  The March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement also restricts EPO’s ability to pay cash distributions to the Partnership, if an event of default (as defined in the credit agreement) has occurred and is continuing at the time such distribution is scheduled to be paid or would result therefrom.

EPO’s obligations under the March 2023 $2.7 Billion Multi-Year Revolving Credit Agreement are not secured by any collateral; however, they are guaranteed by the Partnership.

Senior Notes

EPO’s fixed-rate senior notes are unsecured obligations of EPO that rank equal with its existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.  They are senior to any existing and future subordinated indebtedness of EPO.  EPO’s senior notes are subject to make-whole redemption rights and were issued under indentures containing certain covenants, which generally restrict its ability (with certain exceptions) to incur debt secured by liens and engage in sale and leaseback transactions.  In total, EPO issued $1.75 billion and $1.0 billion of senior notes during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2021, respectively.  EPO did not issue any senior notes during the year ended December 31, 2022.

In January 2023, EPO issued $1.75 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes comprised of (i) $750 million principal amount of senior notes due January 2026 (“Senior Notes FFF”) and (ii) $1.0 billion principal amount of senior notes due January 2033 (“Senior Notes GGG”).  Net proceeds from this offering were used by EPO for general company purposes, including for growth capital investments, and the repayment of debt (including the repayment of all of our $1.25 billion principal amount of 3.35% Senior Notes HH at their maturity in March 2023 and amounts outstanding under our commercial paper program).

EPO’s senior notes are unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis by the Partnership.

See Note 20, Subsequent Events, for information regarding the issuance of Senior Notes HHH and III in January 2024.

EPO Junior Subordinated Notes

EPO’s payment obligations under its junior subordinated notes (“junior notes”) are subordinated to all of its current and future senior indebtedness.  The indenture agreement governing the junior notes allows EPO to defer interest payments on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years subject to certain conditions.  Subject to certain exceptions, during any period in which interest payments are deferred, neither the Partnership nor EPO can declare or make any distributions on any of our respective equity securities or make any payments on indebtedness or other obligations that rank equal with or are subordinate to the junior notes.  Each series of EPO’s junior notes rank equal with each other and generally are not redeemable by EPO while such notes bear interest at a fixed annual rate.

In connection with the issuance of EPO’s Junior Subordinated Notes C, EPO entered into a Replacement Capital Covenant in favor of covered debt holders (as defined in the underlying documents) pursuant to which EPO agreed, for the benefit of such debt holders, that it would not redeem or repurchase such junior notes unless such redemption or repurchase is made using proceeds from the issuance of certain securities.

EPO’s junior notes are unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured and subordinated basis by the Partnership.

Letters of Credit

At December 31, 2023, EPO had $152 million of letters of credit outstanding primarily related to our commodity hedging activities.

Lender Financial Covenants

We were in compliance with the financial covenants of our consolidated debt agreements at December 31, 2023.

Parent-Subsidiary Guarantor Relationships

The Partnership acts as guarantor of the consolidated debt obligations of EPO, with the exception of the remaining debt obligations of TEPPCO.  If EPO were to default on any of its guaranteed debt, the Partnership would be responsible for full and unconditional repayment of such obligations.