EX-99.2 5 dex992.htm MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results

Exhibit 99.2

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion analyzes our financial condition and results of operations. You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this 8-K. We refer to the assets, liabilities and operations contributed to us by DCP Midstream, LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries upon the closing of our initial public offering as DCP Midstream Partners Predecessor, which have been combined with the historical assets, liabilities and operations of our wholesale propane logistics business, which we acquired from DCP Midstream, LLC in November 2006, and of our 25% limited liability company interest in DCP East Texas Holdings, LLC, or East Texas, our 40% limited liability company interest in Discovery Producer Services LLC, or Discovery, and a non-trading derivative instrument, or the Swap, which DCP Midstream, LLC entered into in March 2007, which we acquired from DCP Midstream, LLC in July 2007. We refer to DCP Midstream Partners Predecessor, our wholesale propane logistics business, East Texas and Discovery collectively as our “predecessors.”

Overview

We are a Delaware limited partnership formed by DCP Midstream, LLC to own, operate, acquire and develop a diversified portfolio of complementary midstream energy assets. We operate in three business segments:

 

   

our Natural Gas Services segment, which consists of our Northern Louisiana natural gas gathering, processing and transportation system and the Southern Oklahoma system that was acquired in May 2007, and includes the effect of the acquisition of a 25% limited liability company interest in East Texas, a 40% limited liability company interest in Discovery, and the Swap;

 

   

our Wholesale Propane Logistics segment, which consists of six owned rail terminals, one leased marine terminal, one pipeline terminal, and access to several open access pipeline terminals; and

 

   

our NGL Logistics segment, which consists of our interests in three NGL pipelines.

The financial information contained herein includes our accounts, and prior to December 7, 2005, the assets, liabilities and operations of DCP Midstream Partners Predecessor. In November 2006 we acquired our wholesale propane logistics business from DCP Midstream, LLC, and in July 2007 we acquired a 25% limited liability company interest in East Texas, a 40% limited liability company interest in Discovery, and the Swap, in transactions among entities under common control. Accordingly, our financial information includes the historical results of our wholesale propane logistics business and of East Texas, Discovery and the Swap for all periods presented. The historical financial statements of DCP Midstream Partners Predecessor included in this 8-K and discussed elsewhere herein include DCP Midstream Partners Predecessor’s 50% ownership interest in Black Lake Pipe Line Company, or Black Lake. However, effective December 7, 2005, DCP Midstream, LLC retained a 5% interest and we own a 45% interest in Black Lake.

Recent Events

In April 2007, we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3, with a maximum aggregate offering price of $1.5 billion, which will allow us to register and issue additional partnership units and debt obligations, and was declared effective by the SEC in November 2007.

In November 2007 we were required to have posted collateral with certain counterparties to our commodity derivative instruments of approximately $9.0 million.

In October 2007, we filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, which will, upon effectiveness, allow us to register the 3,005,780 common limited partner units represented in the June private placement agreement and the 2,380,952 common limited partner units represented in the August private placement agreement.

On October 24, 2007, the board of directors of the General Partner declared a quarterly distribution of $0.55 per unit, payable on November 14, 2007 to unitholders of record on November 7, 2007. This distribution of $0.55 per unit exceeds the Fourth Target Distribution level. On July 25, 2007, the board of directors of the General Partner declared a quarterly distribution of $0.53 per unit, payable on August 14, 2007 to unitholders of record on August 7, 2007. This distribution of $0.53 per unit exceeds the Fourth Target Distribution level (see Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Consolidated Financial Statements” for discussion of distributions of available cash).

In September 2007, we received a distribution of $5.0 million from East Texas, for the third quarter of 2007. In October 2007, we received a distribution of $5.6 million from Discovery for the third quarter of 2007, and in July 2007, we received a distribution of $3.6 million from Discovery for the second quarter of 2007.

In conjunction with DCP Midstream, LLC’s acquisition of Momentum Energy Group, Inc., or MEG, in August 2007, we acquired certain subsidiaries of MEG from DCP Midstream, LLC for aggregate consideration of approximately $165.8 million, subject to final closing adjustments. The consideration consisted of approximately $153.8 million of cash and the issuance of 275,735 common units to an affiliate of DCP Midstream, LLC that were valued at approximately $12.0 million. We have incurred post-closing

 

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purchase price adjustments to date that include a liability of $9.0 million for net working capital and general and administrative charges. The subsidiaries of MEG own gathering, processing and compression assets in the Piceance and Powder River producing basins. The Piceance Basin assets consist of a 70 percent operating interest in the 31-mile Collbran Valley Gas Gathering system joint venture, which gathers and processes natural gas from over 20,000 dedicated acres in western Colorado. The processing facility capacity is currently being expanded from 60 MMcf/d to 120 MMcf/d. The other partners in the joint venture, Plains Exploration and Delta Petroleum, are also the producers on the system. The Powder River Basin assets include the 1,324-mile Douglas gas gathering system, which gathers approximately 30 MMcf/d of gas and covers more than 4,000 square miles in Wyoming. Also included in the transaction are the idle Painter Unit fractionator and Millis terminal, and associated NGL pipelines in southwest Wyoming. DCP Midstream, LLC will manage and operate these assets on our behalf. We financed this transaction with borrowings under our amended credit facility of $120.0 million, the issuance of common units through a private placement with certain institutional investors and cash on hand. In August 2007, we sold 2,380,952 common units in a private placement, pursuant to a common unit purchase agreement with private owners of MEG or affiliates of such owners, at $42.00 per unit, or approximately $100 million in the aggregate. In connection with this common unit purchase agreement, we have a registration rights agreement that requires us to register the units within 90 days of the close of the private placement, and have filed a registration statement with the SEC. In addition, the registration rights agreement requires us to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective within 180 days of the closing of the private placement. If the registration statement covering the common units is not declared effective by the SEC within 180 days of the closing of the private placement, then we will be liable to the purchasers for liquidated damages of 0.25% of the product of the purchase price and the number of registrable securities held by the purchasers per 30-day period for the first 60 days following the 180th day, increasing by an additional 0.25% of the product of the purchase price and the number of registrable securities held by the purchasers per 30-day period for each subsequent 60 days, up to a maximum of 1.00% of the product of the purchase price and the number of registrable securities held by the purchasers per 30-day period.

In August 2007, our Omnibus Agreement with DCP Midstream, LLC was amended to increase the annual fee by $0.6 million for general and administrative expenses payable to DCP Midstream, LLC under the agreement to account for additional services provided to us and extend the term for all general and administrative expenses under the agreement through December 31, 2009. The Omnibus Agreement was further amended in August 2007 to include an additional annual fee of $1.6 million in connection with our acquisition of the MEG subsidiaries, described above.

In August 2007, we entered into interest rate swap agreements to convert $200.0 million of the indebtedness on our revolving credit facility to a fixed rate obligation, thereby reducing the exposure to market rate fluctuations. These interest rate swaps commenced on September 21, 2007, expire on June 21, 2012 and re-price prospectively approximately every 90 days. The interest rate swap agreements have been designated as cash flow hedges, and effectiveness is determined by matching the principal balance and terms with that of the specified obligation.

On July 1, 2007, we acquired a 25% limited liability company interest in East Texas, a 40% limited liability company interest in Discovery and the Swap from DCP Midstream, LLC for aggregate consideration of approximately $271.3 million, consisting of approximately $243.7 million in cash, including $1.3 million for net working capital and other adjustments, the issuance of 620,404 common units to DCP Midstream, LLC valued at $27.0 million and the issuance of 12,661 general partner equivalent units valued at $0.6 million. We financed the cash portion of this transaction with borrowings of $245.9 million under our credit facility, which was amended on June 22, 2007 as described below. We are providing this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” to include the effect of this acquisition.

Effective July 1, 2007, we elected to discontinue using the hedge method of accounting for our commodity cash flow hedges. We will use the mark-to-market method of accounting for all commodity cash flow hedges beginning in July 2007. As a result, the remaining net loss of $2.0 million deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income as of June 30, 2007 will be reclassified to sales of natural gas, propane, NGLs and condensate, through December 2011, as the hedged transactions impact earnings.

In June 2007, we entered into a private placement agreement with a group of institutional investors for $130.0 million, representing 3,005,780 common limited partner units at a price of $43.25 per unit, and received proceeds of $128.5 million, net of offering costs. In connection with this private placement agreement, we entered into a registration rights agreement with institutional investors that requires us to register the units by the earlier of within 120 days of the close of the private placement or when a registration statement is filed to register the units to be issued and sold by us in connection with the MEG acquisition, and we have met the requirement to file a registration statement with the SEC. In addition, the registration rights agreement requires us to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective within 210 days of the closing of the private placement, or we will be liable to the institutional investors for liquidated damages of 0.25% of the product of the purchase price times the number of registrable securities held by the institutional investors per 30-day period for the first 60 days following the 210th day, increasing by an additional 0.25% of the product of the purchase price times the number of registrable securities held by the institutional investors per 30-day period for each subsequent 60 days, up to a maximum of 1.00% of the product of the purchase price times the number of registrable securities held by the institutional investors per 30-day period.

On June 21, 2007, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, or the Amended Credit Agreement, which amended our existing credit agreement, or the Credit Agreement. This new 5-year Amended Credit Agreement consists of a $600.0 million revolving credit facility and a $250.0 million term loan facility, and matures on June 21, 2012. The amendment also improved

 

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pricing and certain other terms or conditions of the Credit Agreement. See the Liquidity and Capital Resources—Description of Amended Credit Agreement section below for additional information.

In June 2007, we executed a series of financial derivatives to mitigate a portion of the commodity price exposure associated with our Northern Louisiana system assets. We entered into crude oil swap contracts for 250 Bbls/d at $71.35/Bbl for 2011, 600 Bbls/d at $71.00/Bbl for 2012 and 600 Bbls/d at $71.20/Bbl for 2013.

In May 2007, we acquired certain gathering and compression assets located in Southern Oklahoma, as well as related commodity purchase contracts, from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, for approximately $181.1 million. In April 2007, we acquired certain gathering and compression assets located in northern Louisiana for approximately $10.2 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. The results of operations from these acquired assets are included in our Natural Gas Services segment, prospectively from the dates of acquisition.

In May 2007, we executed a series of financial derivatives to mitigate a portion of the commodity price exposure associated with the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition. We entered into natural gas swap contracts for 1,500 MMBtu/d at $7.54 per MMBtu and into crude oil swap contracts for 650 Bls/d at $67.60 per Bbl for a term from June 2007 through December 2013.

In May 2007, we entered into a two-month bridge loan, or the Bridge Loan, which provided for borrowings of up to $100.0 million, and had terms and conditions substantially similar to those of our Credit Agreement. In conjunction with our entering into the Bridge Loan, our Credit Agreement was amended to provide for additional unsecured indebtedness, of an amount not to exceed $100.0 million, which was due and payable no later than August 9, 2007. We used borrowings on the Bridge Loan of $88.0 million to partially fund the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition. The remaining $12.0 million available for borrowing on the Bridge Loan was not utilized. We used a portion of the net proceeds of a private placement of limited partner units to extinguish the $88.0 million outstanding on the Bridge Loan in June 2007.

Factors That Significantly Affect Our Results

Our results of operations for our Natural Gas Services segment are impacted by increases and decreases in the volume of natural gas that we gather and transport through our systems, which we refer to as throughput volume. Throughput volumes and capacity utilization rates generally are driven by wellhead production and our competitive position on a regional basis, and more broadly by demand for natural gas, NGLs and condensate.

Our results of operations for our Natural Gas Services segment are also impacted by the fees we receive and the margins we generate. Our processing contract arrangements can have a significant impact on our profitability. Because of the volatility of the prices for natural gas, NGLs and condensate, we have mitigated a significant portion of our anticipated commodity price risk associated with our gathering and processing arrangements through 2013 with natural gas and crude oil swaps. With these swaps, we have substantially reduced our exposure to commodity price movements with respect to those volumes under these types of contractual arrangements for this period. We will continue to have direct commodity price risk associated with the remainder of our natural gas supply, and production of NGLs and condensate from our processing plants. For additional information regarding our derivative activities, please read “— Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Commodity Price Risk — Hedging Strategies.” Actual contract terms will be based upon a variety of factors, including natural gas quality, geographic location, the competitive commodity and pricing environment at the time the contract is executed and customer requirements. Our gathering and processing contract mix and, accordingly, our exposure to natural gas, NGL and condensate prices, may change as a result of producer preferences, our expansion in regions where some types of contracts are more common and other market factors.

In December 2006, the Pelico system filed a new Section 311 rate case with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The settlement in the rate case, which was approved on April 25, 2007, provided for an increase in the maximum transportation rate that the Pelico system can charge, to $0.2322 per MMBtu from $0.1965 per MMBtu, effective December 1, 2006. There were no other changes to the Pelico system’s terms and conditions of service.

Our results of operations for our Natural Gas Services segment are impacted by market conditions causing variability in natural gas prices. In the past, we have benefited from marketing activities and increased throughput related to atypical and significant differences in natural gas prices at various receipt and delivery points on our Pelico intrastate pipeline system. The market conditions causing the variability in natural gas prices may not continue in the future, nor can we assure our ability to capture upside margin if these market conditions do occur.

Our results of operations for our Wholesale Propane Logistics segment are impacted by our ability to balance our purchases and sales of propane, which may increase our exposure to commodity price risks, and by the impact on volume and pricing from weather conditions in the Midwest and northeastern sections of the United States. Our sales of propane may decline when these areas experience periods of milder weather in the winter months, which is when the demand for propane is generally at its highest.

Our results of operations for our NGL Logistics segment are impacted by the throughput volumes of the NGLs we transport on our NGL pipelines. Our NGL pipelines transport NGLs exclusively on a fee basis.

 

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In November, 2006 we acquired our wholesale propane logistics business from DCP Midstream, LLC in a transaction among entities under common control. Accordingly, our financial information includes the historical results of our wholesale propane logistics business for each period presented. Prior to November 2006, our financial statements do not give effect to various items that affected our results of operations and liquidity following the acquisition of our wholesale propane logistics business, including the indebtedness we incurred in conjunction with the closing of the acquisition of our wholesale propane logistics business, which increased our interest expense from the interest expense reflected in our historical financial statements.

We completed pipeline integrity testing during 2006, resulting in increased operating costs on Seabreeze, one of our NGL transportation pipelines. The construction of Wilbreeze, an NGL transportation pipeline connecting a DCP Midstream, LLC gas processing plant to the Seabreeze pipeline, was completed in December 2006. The Black Lake pipeline is currently experiencing increased operating costs due to pipeline integrity testing that commenced in 2005 and has continued into 2007. We expect that our results of operations related to our equity interest in the Black Lake pipeline will benefit in 2007 from the completion of this pipeline integrity testing, although it is possible that the integrity testing will result in the need for pipeline repairs, in which case the operations of this pipeline may be interrupted while the repairs are being made. DCP Midstream, LLC has agreed to indemnify us for up to $5.3 million of our pro rata share of any capital contributions required to be made by us to Black Lake associated with repairing the Black Lake pipeline that are determined to be necessary as a result of the pipeline integrity testing, and up to $4.0 million of the costs associated with any repairs to the Seabreeze pipeline that are determined to be necessary as a result of the pipeline integrity testing. Pipeline integrity testing and repairs are our responsibility and are recognized as operating and maintenance expense. Any reimbursement of these expenses from DCP Midstream, LLC will be recognized by us as a capital contribution. Seabreeze pipeline integrity testing was completed in 2006 and reimbursements related to these repairs were not significant.

During 2006, we entered into agreements with ConocoPhillips, which expanded the gathering and transportation services between us. As a result of these agreements, nine new wells were added during the six months ended June 30, 2007, and 17 new wells were added to our system during 2006.

Finally, we intend to make cash distributions to our unitholders and our general partner. Due to our cash distribution policy, we expect that we will distribute to our unitholders most of the cash generated by our operations. As a result, we expect that we will rely upon external financing sources, including other debt and common unit issuances, to fund our acquisition and expansion capital expenditures.

General Trends and Outlook

We expect our business to continue to be affected by the following key trends. Our expectations are based on assumptions made by us and information currently available to us. To the extent our underlying assumptions about or interpretations of available information prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from our expected results.

Natural Gas Supply and OutlookWe believe that current natural gas prices will continue to cause relatively strong levels of natural gas-related drilling in the United States as producers seek to increase their level of natural gas production. Although the number of natural gas wells drilled in the United States has increased overall in recent years, a corresponding increase in production has not been realized, primarily as a result of smaller discoveries and the decline in production from existing wells. We believe that an increase in United States drilling activity, additional sources of supply such as liquified natural gas, and imports of natural gas will be required for the natural gas industry to meet the expected increased demand for, and to compensate for the slowing production of, natural gas in the United States. A number of the areas in which we operate are experiencing significant drilling activity, new increased drilling for deeper natural gas formations, and the implementation of new exploration and production techniques.

While we anticipate continued high levels of exploration and production activities in a number of the areas in which we operate, fluctuations in energy prices can greatly affect production rates and investments by third parties in the development of new natural gas reserves. Drilling activity generally decreases as natural gas prices decrease. We have no control over the level of drilling activity in the areas of our operations.

Wholesale Propane Supply and Outlook — We are a wholesale supplier of propane for the Midwest and northeastern United States, which consists of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine. Pipeline deliveries to this region in the winter season are generally at capacity and competing propane supply sources, generally consisting of open access propane terminals supplied by interstate pipelines, can have significant supply constraints or outages during peak market conditions. Due to our multiple propane supply sources, propane supply contractual arrangements, significant storage capabilities, and multiple terminal locations for wholesale propane delivery, we are generally able to provide our retail propane distribution customers with reliable deliveries of propane during periods of tight supply, such as the winter months when their retail customers consume the most propane for home heating.

We manage our wholesale propane margins by selling propane to retail propane distributors under annual sales agreements negotiated each spring. These agreements specify floating price terms that provide us a margin in excess of our floating index-based supply costs under our supply purchase arrangements. In the event that a retail propane distributor desires to purchase propane from us on a fixed price basis, we sometimes enter into fixed price sales agreements with terms of generally up to one year, and we manage this commodity price risk by entering into either offsetting physical purchase agreements or financial derivate instruments, with either

 

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DCP Midstream, LLC or third parties, that generally match the quantities of propane subject to these fixed price sales agreements. Our portfolio of multiple supply sources and storage capabilities allows us to actively manage our propane supply purchases and to lower the aggregate cost of supplies. In addition, we may on occasion use financial derivatives to manage the value of our propane inventories.

Processing MarginsOur processing profitability is dependent upon pricing and market demand for natural gas, NGLs and condensate, which are beyond our control and have been volatile. We have mitigated our exposure to commodity price movements for these commodities by entering into derivative arrangements through 2013 for a significant portion of our currently anticipated natural gas and NGL price risk associated with our percentage-of-proceeds arrangements, and our operations associated with condensate recovered from our gathering operations. For additional information regarding our hedging activities, please read “— Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Commodity Price Risk — Hedging Strategies.”

Falling Commodity Prices During the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which negatively affected the nation’s short term energy supply in the latter part of 2005, natural gas, NGL and condensate prices experienced a significant increase. Prices for these commodities have since decreased.

Impact of Inflation Our industry has experienced rising inflation due to increased activity in the energy sector. Consequently, our costs for chemicals, utilities, materials and supplies, contract labor and major equipment purchases have increased. In the future, we may continue to be affected by inflation. To the extent permitted by competition, regulation and our existing agreements, we have and will continue to pass along increased costs to our customers in the form of higher fees.

Our Operations

We manage our business and analyze and report our results of operations on a segment basis. Our operations are divided into our Natural Gas Services segment, our Wholesale Propane Logistics segment and our NGL Logistics segment.

Natural Gas Services Segment

Results of operations from our Natural Gas Services segment are determined primarily by the volumes of natural gas gathered, compressed, treated, processed, transported and sold through our gathering, processing and pipeline systems; the volumes of NGLs and condensate sold; and the level of our realized natural gas, NGL and condensate prices. We generate our revenues and our gross margin for our Natural Gas Services segment principally under percentage-of-proceeds arrangements and fee-based arrangements, as described below in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Revenue Recognition.”

We have mitigated a significant portion of our currently anticipated natural gas and NGL commodity price risk associated with the percentage-of-proceeds arrangements through 2013 with natural gas and crude oil swaps. With these swaps, we expect our exposure to commodity price movements to be substantially reduced. Additionally, as part of our gathering operations, we recover and sell condensate. The margins we earn from condensate sales are directly correlated with crude oil prices. We have mitigated a significant portion of our condensate price risk through 2013 with crude oil swaps. For additional information regarding our derivative activities, please read “— Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Commodity Price Risk — Hedging Strategies” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

Effective July 1, 2007, we elected to discontinue using the hedge method of accounting for our commodity cash flow hedges. We will use the mark-to-market method of accounting for all commodity cash flow hedges, which is expected to significantly increase the volatility of our results of operations as we will recognize, in current earnings, all non-cash gains and losses from the mark-to-market on non-trading derivative activity.

We also purchase a small portion of our natural gas under percentage-of-index arrangements. Under percentage-of-index arrangements, we purchase natural gas from the producers at the wellhead at a price that is either at a fixed percentage of the index price for the natural gas that they produce, or at an index-based price less a fixed fee to gather, compress, treat and/or process their natural gas. We then gather, compress, treat and/or process the natural gas and then sell the residue natural gas and NGLs at index related prices. Under these types of arrangements, our cost to purchase the natural gas from the producer is based on the price of natural gas. As a result, our gross margin under these arrangements increases as the price of NGLs increases relative to the price of natural gas, and our gross margin under these arrangements decreases as the price of natural gas increases relative to the price of NGLs.

The natural gas supply for the gathering pipelines and processing plants in our Northern Louisiana system is derived primarily from natural gas wells located in five parishes in northern Louisiana, and in our Southern Oklahoma system is derived primarily from natural gas wells located in three counties in southern Oklahoma. The Pelico system receives natural gas produced in eastern Texas through its interconnect with other pipelines that transport natural gas from eastern Texas into western Louisiana. These areas have experienced significant levels of drilling activity, providing us with opportunities to access newly developed natural gas supplies. We identify primary suppliers as those individually representing 10% or more of our total natural gas supply. Our primary suppliers of natural gas to the Northern Louisiana and Southern Oklahoma systems represented approximately 64% of the 325 MMcf/d of natural gas supplied to this system in the six months ended June 30, 2007. We actively seek new supplies of natural gas, both to offset natural declines in the production from connected wells and to increase throughput volume. We obtain new natural gas supplies in our

 

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operating areas by contracting for production from new wells, connecting new wells drilled on dedicated acreage, or by obtaining natural gas that has been released from other gathering systems.

We sell natural gas to marketing affiliates of natural gas pipelines, marketing affiliates of integrated oil companies, national wholesale marketers, industrial end-users and gas-fired power plants. We typically sell natural gas under market index related pricing terms. In addition, under our merchant arrangements, we use DCP Midstream, LLC as our agent to purchase natural gas from third parties at pipeline interconnect points, as well as residue gas from our Minden and Ada processing plants, and then resell the aggregated natural gas to third parties. We also have entered into a contractual arrangement with DCP Midstream, LLC that provides that DCP Midstream, LLC will purchase natural gas and transport it into our Pelico system, where we will buy the gas from DCP Midstream, LLC at the actual acquisition cost plus transportation service charges incurred. In addition, for a significant portion of the gas that we sell out of our Pelico system, we have entered into a contractual arrangement with DCP Midstream, LLC that provides that DCP Midstream, LLC will purchase that natural gas from us and transport it to a sales point at a price equal to their net weighted-average sales price less a contractually agreed-to marketing fee. To the extent possible, we match the pricing of our supply portfolio to our sales portfolio in order to lock in value and reduce our overall commodity price risk. We manage the commodity price risk of our supply portfolio and sales portfolio with both physical and financial transactions. As a service to our customers, we may enter into physical fixed price natural gas purchases and sales, utilizing financial derivatives to swap this fixed price risk back to market index. We occasionally will enter into financial derivatives to lock in price variability across the Pelico system to maximize the value of pipeline capacity. We also gather, process and transport natural gas under fee-based transportation contracts.

The NGLs extracted from the natural gas at the Minden processing plant are sold at market index prices to an affiliate of DCP Midstream, LLC and transported to the Mont Belvieu hub via the Black Lake pipeline. The NGLs extracted from the natural gas at the Ada processing plant are sold at market index prices to affiliates. The NGLs extracted from a third party that is processing natural gas in the Southern Oklahoma system are sold to third parties at market index prices.

Our operations within the Natural Gas Services segment include a 25% limited liability company interest in East Texas and a 40% limited liability company interest in Discovery. East Texas is engaged in the business of gathering, transporting, treating, compressing, processing, and fractionating natural gas and NGLs. Their operations, located near Carthage, Texas, include a natural gas processing complex with a total capacity of 780 million cubic feet per day. The facility is connected to their 845 mile gathering system, as well as third party gathering systems. The complex is adjacent to their Carthage Hub, which delivers residue gas to interstate and intrastate pipelines. The Carthage Hub, with an aggregate delivery capacity of 1.5 billion cubic feet per day, acts as a key exchange point for the purchase and sale of residue gas. Discovery operates a 600 MMcf/d cryogenic natural gas processing plant near Larose, Louisiana, a 32,000 Bbl/d natural gas liquids fractionator plant near Paradis, Louisiana, a natural gas pipeline from offshore deep water in the Gulf of Mexico that transports gas to our processing plant in Larose, Louisiana with a design capacity of 600 MMcf/d and approximately 173 miles of pipe, and several laterals expanding their presence in the Gulf.

Wholesale Propane Logistics Segment

We operate a wholesale propane logistics business in the Midwest and northeastern United States. We purchase large volumes of propane supply from natural gas processing plants and fractionation facilities, and crude oil refineries, primarily located in the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast area, Canada and other international sources, and transport these volumes of propane supply by pipeline, rail or ship to our terminals and storage facilities in the Midwest and the northeastern areas of the United States. We identify primary suppliers as those individually representing 10% or more of our total propane supply. Our primary suppliers of propane represented approximately 81% of our propane purchases in the six months ended June 30, 2007. We sell propane on a wholesale basis to retail propane distributors who in turn resell propane to their retail customers.

Due to our multiple propane supply sources, long-term propane supply purchase arrangements, significant storage capabilities, and multiple terminal locations for wholesale propane delivery, we are generally able to provide our retail propane distribution customers with reliable deliveries of propane during periods of tight supply, such as the winter months when their retail customers consume the most propane for home heating. In particular, we generally offer our customers the ability to obtain propane supply volumes from us in the winter months that are significantly greater than their purchase of propane from us in the summer. We believe these factors generally allow us to maintain our favorable relationship with our customers.

We manage our wholesale propane margins by selling propane to retail propane distributors under annual sales agreements negotiated each spring that specify floating price terms that provide us a margin in excess of our floating index-based supply costs under our supply purchase arrangements. In the event that a retail propane distributor desires to purchase propane from us on a fixed price basis, we sometimes enter into fixed price sales agreements with terms of generally up to one year, and we manage this commodity price risk by entering into either offsetting physical purchase agreements or financial derivative instruments, with either DCP Midstream, LLC or third parties, that generally match the quantities of propane subject to these fixed price sales agreements. Our portfolio of multiple supply sources and storage capabilities allows us to actively manage our propane supply purchases and to lower the aggregate cost of supplies. In addition, we may on occasion use financial derivatives to manage the value of our propane inventories.

 

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NGL Logistics Segment

Our pipelines provide transportation services to customers on a fee basis. We have entered into contractual arrangements with DCP Midstream, LLC that require DCP Midstream, LLC to pay us to transport the NGLs pursuant to a fee-based rate that is applied to the volumes transported. Therefore, the results of operations for this business are generally dependent upon the volume of product transported and the level of fees charged to customers. We do not take title to the products transported on our NGL pipelines; rather, the shipper retains title and the associated commodity price risk. For the Seabreeze and Wilbreeze pipelines, we are responsible for any line loss or gain in NGLs. For the Black Lake pipeline, any line loss or gain in NGLs is allocated to the shipper. The volumes of NGLs transported on our pipelines are dependent on the level of production of NGLs from processing plants connected to our NGL pipelines. When natural gas prices are high relative to NGL prices, it is less profitable to process natural gas because of the higher value of natural gas compared to the value of NGLs and because of the increased cost of separating the mixed NGLs from the natural gas. As a result, we have experienced periods in the past, and will likely experience periods in the future, in which higher natural gas prices reduce the volume of NGLs extracted at plants connected to our NGL pipelines and, in turn, lower the NGL throughput on our assets. In the markets we serve, our pipelines are the sole pipeline facility transporting NGLs from the supply source.

How We Evaluate Our Operations

Our management uses a variety of financial and operational measurements to analyze our performance. These measurements include the following: (1) volumes; (2) gross margin, including segment gross margin; (3) operating and maintenance expense, and general and administrative expense; (4) EBITDA; and (5) distributable cash flow. Gross margin, segment gross margin, EBITDA and distributable cash flow measurements are not accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, financial measures. We provide reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable financial measures as calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Our gross margin, segment gross margin, EBITDA and distributable cash flow may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company because other entities may not calculate these non-GAAP measures in the same manner.

Volumes — We view throughput volumes for our Natural Gas Services segment and our NGL Logistics segment, and sales volumes for our Wholesale Propane Logistics segment as important factors affecting our profitability. We gather and transport some of the natural gas and NGLs under fee-based transportation contracts. Revenue from these contracts is derived by applying the rates stipulated to the volumes transported. Pipeline throughput volumes from existing wells connected to our pipelines will naturally decline over time as wells deplete. Accordingly, to maintain or to increase throughput levels on these pipelines and the utilization rate of our natural gas processing plants, we must continually obtain new supplies of natural gas and NGLs. Our ability to maintain existing supplies of natural gas and NGLs and obtain new supplies are impacted by: (1) the level of workovers or recompletions of existing connected wells and successful drilling activity in areas currently dedicated to our pipelines; and (2) our ability to compete for volumes from successful new wells in other areas. The throughput volumes of NGLs on our pipelines are substantially dependent upon the quantities of NGLs produced at our processing plants, as well as NGLs produced at other processing plants that have pipeline connections with our NGL pipelines. We regularly monitor producer activity in the areas we serve and our pipelines, and pursue opportunities to connect new supply to these pipelines.

Gross Margin — We view our gross margin as an important performance measure of the core profitability of our operations. We review our gross margin monthly for consistency and trend analysis.

We define gross margin as total operating revenues less purchases of natural gas, propane and NGLs, and we define segment gross margin for each segment as total operating revenues for that segment less commodity purchases for that segment. Our gross margin equals the sum of our segment gross margins. Gross margin is included as a supplemental disclosure because it is a primary performance measure used by management, as it represents the results of product sales and purchases, a key component of our operations. As an indicator of our operating performance, gross margin should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP.

With respect to our Natural Gas Services segment, we calculate our gross margin as our total operating revenue for this segment less natural gas and NGL purchases. Operating revenue consists of sales of natural gas, NGLs and condensate resulting from our gathering, compression, treating, processing and transportation activities, fees associated with the gathering of natural gas, and any gains and losses from our non-trading derivative activity. Purchases include the cost of natural gas and NGLs purchased by us. Our gross margin is impacted by our contract portfolio. We purchase the wellhead natural gas from the producers under percentage-of-proceeds arrangements or percentage-of-index arrangements. Our gross margin generated from percentage-of-proceeds gathering and processing contracts is directly correlated to the price of natural gas and NGLs. Under percentage-of-index arrangements, our gross margin is adversely affected when the price of NGLs falls in relation to the price of natural gas. Generally, our contract structure allows for us to allocate fuel costs and other measurement losses to the producer or shipper and, therefore, does not impact gross margin. Additionally, as part of our gathering operations, we recover and sell condensate. The margins we earn from condensate sales are directly correlated with crude oil prices.

 

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Our gross margin and segment gross margin may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company because other entities may not calculate gross margin and segment gross margin in the same manner. The following table sets forth our reconciliation of certain non-GAAP measures ($ in millions):

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

 

      Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2006     2005     2004  
     ($ in millions)  

Reconciliation of net income to gross margin:

          

Net income

   $ 16.6     $ 32.0     $ 61.9     $ 69.8     $ 40.9  

Add:

          

Interest expense

     8.4       5.2       11.5       0.8       —    

Impairment of equity method investment

     —         —         —         —         4.4  

Income tax expense

     —         —         —         3.3       2.5  

Operating and maintenance expense

     12.9       11.5       23.7       22.4       19.8  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     7.9       6.4       12.8       12.7       14.7  

General and administrative expense

     11.7       9.3       21.0       14.2       8.7  

Less:

          

Interest income

     (2.5 )     (3.0 )     (6.3 )     (0.5 )     —    

Earnings from equity method investments

     (12.8 )     (15.8 )     (29.2 )     (25.7 )     (17.6 )
                                        

Gross margin

   $ 42.2     $ 45.6     $ 95.4     $ 97.0     $ 73.4  
                                        

Reconciliation of segment net income (loss) to segment gross margin:

          

Natural Gas Services segment:

          

Segment net income

   $ 23.7     $ 38.4     $ 79.6     $ 71.9     $ 45.5  

Add:

          

Depreciation and amortization expense

     6.7       5.5       11.1       10.8       11.7  

Operating and maintenance expense

     7.2       7.0       13.5       14.0       13.4  

Less: Earnings from equity method investments

     (12.3 )     (15.7 )     (28.9 )     (25.3 )     (17.0 )
                                        

Segment gross margin

   $ 25.3     $ 35.2     $ 75.3     $ 71.4     $ 53.6  
                                        

Wholesale Propane Logistics segment:

          

Segment net income

   $ 8.9     $ 3.7     $ 6.6     $ 12.6     $ 8.2  

Add:

          

Depreciation and amortization expense

     0.4       0.5       0.8       1.0       2.1  

Operating and maintenance expense

     5.3       4.2       8.6       8.2       6.2  
                                        

Segment gross margin

   $ 14.6     $ 8.4     $ 16.0     $ 21.8     $ 16.5  
                                        

NGL Logistics segment:

          

Segment net income (loss)

   $ 1.6     $ 1.4     $ 1.9     $ 3.1     $ (1.6 )

Add:

          

Depreciation and amortization expense

     0.8       0.4       0.9       0.9       0.9  

Operating and maintenance expense

     0.4       0.3       1.6       0.2       0.2  

Impairment of equity method investment

     —         —         —         —         4.4  

Less: Earnings from equity method investments

     (0.5 )     (0.1 )     (0.3 )     (0.4 )     (0.6 )
                                        

Segment gross margin

   $ 2.3     $ 2.0     $ 4.1     $ 3.8     $ 3.3  
                                        

Operating and Maintenance and General and Administrative Expense — Operating and maintenance expense are costs associated with the operation of a specific asset. Direct labor, ad valorem taxes, repairs and maintenance, lease expenses, utilities and contract services comprise the most significant portion of our operating and maintenance expense. These expenses are relatively independent of the volumes through our systems, but may fluctuate depending on the activities performed during a specific period.

A substantial amount of our general and administrative expense is incurred through DCP Midstream, LLC. For the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, our general and administrative expense was $11.7 million and $9.3 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, our general and administrative expense was $21.0 million, $14.2 million and $8.7 million, respectively. We have entered into the Omnibus Agreement with DCP Midstream, LLC. Under the Omnibus Agreement, as amended, we are required to reimburse DCP Midstream, LLC for salaries of operating personnel and employee benefits as well as capital expenditures, maintenance and repair costs, taxes and other direct costs incurred by DCP Midstream, LLC on our behalf. We also pay DCP Midstream, LLC an annual fee of $4.8 million for services provided on our behalf related to the DCP Midstream Predecessor

 

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business contributed to us upon our initial public offering. The annual fee is for centralized corporate functions performed by DCP Midstream, LLC on our behalf, including legal, accounting, cash management, insurance administration and claims processing, risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, internal audit, taxes and engineering. The Omnibus Agreement: (1) states that the annual fee of $4.8 million for the initial assets under the agreement was fixed at such amount for 2006, subject to annual increases in the Consumer Price Index, which increased to $5.0 million for 2007; (2) effective November 2006, includes an additional annual fee of $2.0 million related to the acquisition of our wholesale propane logistics business from DCP Midstream, LLC, subject to the same conditions noted above; (3) effective May 2007, includes an additional annual fee of $0.2 million related to the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition, subject to the same conditions noted above; (4) effective July 2007, includes an additional annual fee of $0.1 million related to the acquisition of the 40% limited liability company interest in Discovery from DCP Midstream, LLC, subject to the same conditions noted above; (5) effective August 2007, includes an additional annual fee of $0.6 million to account for additional services provided to us; and (6) effective August 2007, includes an additional annual fee of $1.6 million related to our acquisition of certain subsidiaries of MEG from DCP Midstream, LLC, subject to the same conditions noted above.

The Omnibus Agreement addresses the following matters:

 

   

our obligation to reimburse DCP Midstream, LLC for the payment of operating expenses, including salary and benefits of operating personnel, it incurs on our behalf in connection with our business and operations;

 

   

our obligation to reimburse DCP Midstream, LLC for providing us with general and administrative services with respect to our business and operations;

 

   

our obligation to reimburse DCP Midstream, LLC for insurance coverage expenses it incurs with respect to our business and operations and with respect to director and officer liability coverage;

 

   

DCP Midstream, LLC’s obligation to indemnify us for certain liabilities and our obligation to indemnify DCP Midstream, LLC for certain liabilities;

 

   

DCP Midstream, LLC’s obligation to continue to maintain its credit support, including without limitation guarantees and letters of credit, for our obligations related to derivative financial instruments, such as commodity price hedging contracts, to the extent that such credit support arrangements were in effect as of the closing of our initial public offering until the earlier to occur of the fifth anniversary of the closing of our initial public offering or such time as we obtain an investment grade credit rating from either Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group with respect to any of our unsecured indebtedness; and

 

   

DCP Midstream, LLC’s obligation to continue to maintain its credit support, including without limitation guarantees and letters of credit, for our obligations related to commercial contracts with respect to its business or operations that were in effect at the closing of our initial public offering until the expiration of such contracts.

Under our Omnibus Agreement with DCP Midstream, LLC, as amended, we will reimburse DCP Midstream, LLC $7.9 million for 2007, for the provision by DCP Midstream, LLC or its affiliates of various general and administrative services to us. For 2008, the fee will be increased by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the applicable year. In addition, our general partner will have the right to agree to further increases in connection with expansions of our operations through the acquisition or construction of new assets or businesses, with the concurrence of the special committee of DCP Midstream GP, LLC’s board of directors.

We incurred approximately $8.2 million and $6.9 million, and $15.9 million, $13.9 million and $8.7 million of other general and administrative expense during the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, and during the years ending December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, primarily relating to compensation and benefit expenses of the personnel who provide direct support to our operations. Also included are expenses associated with annual and quarterly reports to unitholders, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, independent auditor fees, due diligence and acquisition costs, costs associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, investor relations activities, registrar and transfer agent fees, incremental director and officer liability insurance costs, and director compensation. These incremental expenses exclude $3.5 million and $2.4 million, and $5.1 million, $0.3 million and $0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, per the Omnibus Agreement, as amended, for other various general and administrative services.

EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow — We define EBITDA as net income less interest income, plus interest expense, and depreciation and amortization expense. EBITDA is used as a supplemental liquidity measure by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others, to assess the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest costs, support our indebtedness, make cash distributions to our unitholders and general partner, and finance maintenance capital expenditures. EBITDA is also a financial measurement that is reported to our lenders, and used as a gauge for compliance with our financial covenants under our credit facility, which requires us to maintain: (1) a leverage ratio (the ratio of our consolidated indebtedness to our consolidated EBITDA, in each case as is defined by the Amended Credit Agreement) of not more than 5.75 to 1.0 through and including the quarter ended June 30, 2007 and 5.0 to 1.0 thereafter, and on a temporary basis for not more than three consecutive quarters (including the quarter in which such acquisition is consummated) following the consummation of asset acquisitions in the midstream energy business, of not more than 5.50 to 1.0; and (2) an interest coverage ratio (the ratio of our consolidated EBITDA to our consolidated interest expense, in each case as is defined by the Amended Credit Agreement) of equal or greater than 2.5 to 1.0 determined as of the last day of each quarter for the four-quarter period ending

 

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on the date of determination. Our EBITDA may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company because other entities may not calculate EBITDA in the same manner.

EBITDA is also used as a supplemental performance measure by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others, to assess:

 

   

financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;

 

   

our operating performance and return on capital as compared to those of other companies in the midstream energy industry, without regard to financing methods or capital structure; and

 

   

viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects and the overall rates of return on alternative investment opportunities.

EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance, liquidity or ability to service debt obligations.

We define distributable cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, less maintenance capital expenditures, net of reimbursable projects, plus or minus adjustments for non-cash hedge ineffectiveness, non-cash mark-to-market on derivative instruments, net changes in operating assets and liabilities, and other adjustments to reconcile net cash provided by or used in operating activities (see “— Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for further definition of maintenance capital expenditures). In 2006, we also adjusted distributable cash flow for a post-closing reimbursement from DCP Midstream, LLC for maintenance capital expenditures. Maintenance capital expenditures are capital expenditures made where we add on to or improve capital assets owned, or acquire or construct new capital assets, if such expenditures are made to maintain, including over the long term, our operating capacity or revenues. Non-cash hedge ineffectiveness refers to the ineffective portion of our cash flow hedges, which is recorded in earnings in the current period. This amount is considered to be non-cash for the purpose of computing distributable cash flow because settlement will not occur until future periods, and will be impacted by future changes in commodity prices. Distributable cash flow is used as a supplemental financial measure by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others, to assess our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders and our general partner. Our distributable cash flow may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company because other entities may not calculate distributable cash flow in the same manner. The following table sets forth our reconciliation of certain non-GAAP measures:

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

 

      Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2006     2005     2004  
     ($ in millions)  

Reconciliation of net income to EBITDA:

          

Net income

   $ 16.6     $ 32.0     $ 61.9     $ 69.8     $ 40.9  

Interest income

     (2.5 )     (3.0 )     (6.3 )     (0.5 )     —    

Interest expense

     8.4       5.2       11.5       0.8       —    

Income tax expense

     —         —         —         3.3       2.5  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     7.9       6.4       12.8       12.7       14.7  
                                        

EBITDA

   $ 30.4     $ 40.6     $ 79.9     $ 86.1     $ 58.1  
                                        

Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to EBITDA:

          

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 39.8     $ 38.0     $ 94.8     $ 113.0     $ 38.1  

Interest income

     (2.5 )     (3.0 )     (6.3 )     (0.5 )     —    

Interest expense

     8.4       5.2       11.5       0.8       —    

Earnings from equity method investments

     12.8       15.8       29.2       25.7       17.6  

Distributions from equity method investments

     (18.5 )     (11.1 )     (25.9 )     (36.7 )     (13.4 )

Income tax expense

     —         —         —         3.3       2.5  

Non-cash impairment of equity method investment

     —         —         —         —         (4.4 )

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities

     (10.0 )     (5.7 )     (25.8 )     (19.9 )     17.4  

Other, net

     0.4       1.4       2.4       0.4       0.3  
                                        

EBITDA

   $ 30.4     $ 40.6     $ 79.9     $ 86.1     $ 58.1  
                                        

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our financial statements reflect the selection and application of accounting policies that require management to make estimates and assumptions. We believe that the following are the more critical judgment areas in the application of our accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Revenue Recognition — We generate the majority of our revenues from gathering, processing, compressing, transporting, and fractionating natural gas and NGLs, and from trading and marketing of natural gas and NGLs. We realize revenues either by selling the residue natural gas and NGLs, or by receiving fees from the producers.

We obtain access to commodities and provide our midstream services principally under contracts that contain a combination of one or more of the following arrangements:

 

   

Fee-based arrangements — Under fee-based arrangements, we receive a fee or fees for one or more of the following services: gathering, compressing, treating, processing or transporting natural gas; and transporting NGLs. Our fee-based arrangements include natural gas purchase arrangements pursuant to which we purchase natural gas at the wellhead or other receipt points, at an index related price at the delivery point less a specified amount, generally the same as the transportation fees we would otherwise charge for transportation of natural gas from the wellhead location to the delivery point. The revenues we earn are directly related to the volume of natural gas or NGLs that flows through our systems and are not directly dependent on commodity prices. To the extent a sustained decline in commodity prices results in a decline in volumes, however, our revenues from these arrangements would be reduced.

 

   

Percentage-of-proceeds/index arrangements — Under percentage-of-proceeds/index arrangements, we generally purchase natural gas from producers at the wellhead, or other receipt points, gather the wellhead natural gas through our gathering system, treat and process the natural gas, and then sell the resulting residue natural gas and NGLs based on index prices from published index market prices. We remit to the producers either an agreed-upon percentage of the actual proceeds that we receive from our sales of the residue natural gas and NGLs, or an agreed-upon percentage of the proceeds based on index related prices for the natural gas and the NGLs, regardless of the actual amount of the sales proceeds we receive. Certain of these arrangements may also result in our returning all or a portion of the residue natural gas and/or the NGLs to the producer, in lieu of returning sales proceeds. Our revenues under percentage-of-proceeds/index arrangements correlate directly with the price of natural gas and/or NGLs.

 

   

Propane sales arrangements — Under propane sales arrangements, we generally purchase propane from natural gas processing plants and fractionation facilities, and crude oil refineries. We sell propane on a wholesale basis to retail propane distributors, who in turn resell to their retail customers. Our sales of propane are not contingent upon the resale of propane by propane distributors to their retail customers.

Our marketing of natural gas and NGLs consists of physical purchases and sales, as well as positions in derivative instruments.

We recognize revenues for sales and services under the four revenue recognition criteria, as follows:

 

   

Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists — Our customary practice is to enter into a written contract, executed by both us and the customer.

 

   

Delivery — Delivery is deemed to have occurred at the time custody is transferred, or in the case of fee-based arrangements, when the services are rendered. To the extent we retain product as inventory, delivery occurs when the inventory is subsequently sold and custody is transferred to the third party purchaser.

 

   

The fee is fixed or determinable — We negotiate the fee for our services at the outset of our fee-based arrangements. In these arrangements, the fees are nonrefundable. For other arrangements, the amount of revenue, based on contractual terms, is determinable when the sale of the applicable product has been completed upon delivery and transfer of custody.

 

   

Collectability is probable — Collectability is evaluated on a customer-by-customer basis. New and existing customers are subject to a credit review process, which evaluates the customers’ financial position (for example, cash position and credit rating) and their ability to pay. If collectability is not considered probable at the outset of an arrangement in accordance with our credit review process, revenue is recognized when the fee is collected.

We generally report revenues gross in the consolidated statements of operations, as we typically act as the principal in these transactions, take custody to the product, and incur the risks and rewards of ownership. We recognize revenues from non-trading derivative activity net in the consolidated statements of operations. Effective April 1, 2006, any new or amended contracts for certain sales and purchases of inventory with the same counterparty, when entered into in contemplation of one another, are reported net as one transaction. We recognize revenues from non-trading derivative activity net in the consolidated statements of operations as (losses) gains from non-trading derivative activity. These activities include mark-to-market gains and losses on energy trading contracts, and the financial or physical settlement of energy trading contracts.

Inventories — Inventories, which consist primarily of propane, are recorded at the lower of weighted-average cost or market value. Transportation costs are included in inventory.

Gas and NGL Imbalance Accounting — Quantities of natural gas or NGLs over-delivered or under-delivered related to imbalance agreements with customers, producers or pipelines are recorded monthly as other receivables or other payables using

 

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current market prices or the weighted-average prices of natural gas or NGLs at the plant or system. These balances are settled with deliveries of natural gas or NGLs, or with cash.

Goodwill — Goodwill is the cost of an acquisition less the fair value of the net assets of the acquired business. We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually in the third quarter, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Impairment testing of goodwill consists of a two-step process. The first step involves comparing the fair value of the reporting unit, to which goodwill has been allocated, with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the process involves comparing the fair value and carrying value of the goodwill of that reporting unit. If the carrying value of the goodwill of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — We periodically evaluate whether the carrying value of long-lived assets has been impaired when circumstances indicate the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. This evaluation is based on undiscounted cash flow projections. The carrying amount is not recoverable if it exceeds the undiscounted sum of cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. We consider various factors when determining if these assets should be evaluated for impairment, including but not limited to:

 

   

significant adverse changes in legal factors or in the business climate;

 

   

a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses, or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset;

 

   

an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset;

 

   

significant adverse changes in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or in its physical condition;

 

   

a significant adverse change in the market value of an asset; or

 

   

a current expectation that, more likely than not, an asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of before the end of its estimated useful life.

If the carrying value is not recoverable, the impairment loss is measured as the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. We assess the fair value of long-lived assets using commonly accepted techniques, and may use more than one method, including, but not limited to, recent third party comparable sales, internally developed discounted cash flow analysis and analysis from outside advisors. Significant changes in market conditions resulting from events such as the condition of an asset or a change in management’s intent to utilize the asset would generally require management to reassess the cash flows related to the long-lived assets.

Impairment of Equity Method Investments — We evaluate our equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such investment may have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value. When evidence of loss in value has occurred, we compare the estimated fair value of the investment to the carrying value of the investment to determine whether an impairment has occurred. We assess the fair value of our equity method investments using commonly accepted techniques, and may use more than one method, including, but not limited to, recent third party comparable sales, internally developed discounted cash flow analysis and analysis from outside advisors. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value and we consider the decline in value to be other than temporary, we recognize an impairment for the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value.

Accounting for Risk Management and Hedging Activities and Financial Instruments — Each derivative not qualifying for the normal purchases and normal sales exception is recorded on a gross basis in the consolidated balance sheets at its fair value as unrealized gains or unrealized losses on non-trading derivative and hedging instruments. Derivative assets and liabilities remain classified in our consolidated balance sheets as unrealized gains or unrealized losses on non-trading derivative and hedging instruments at fair value until the contractual settlement period impacts earnings.

We designate each energy commodity derivative as either trading or non-trading. Prior to July 1, 2007, certain non-trading derivatives were further designated as either a hedge of a forecasted transaction or future cash flow (cash flow hedge), a hedge of a recognized asset, liability or firm commitment (fair value hedge), or normal purchases or normal sales, while certain non-trading derivatives, which are related to asset-based activities, are designated as non-trading activity. Effective July 1, 2007, we elected to discontinue using the hedge method of accounting for our commodity cash flow hedges. We will use the mark-to-market method of accounting for all commodity cash flow hedges beginning in July 2007. For a complete discussion of our hedging policies, see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Consolidated Financial Statements.”

When available, quoted market prices or prices obtained through external sources are used to determine a contract’s fair value. For contracts with a delivery location or duration for which quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined based on pricing models developed primarily from historical and expected correlations with quoted market prices.

Values are adjusted to reflect the credit risk inherent in the transaction as well as the potential impact of liquidating open positions in an orderly manner over a reasonable time period under current conditions. Changes in market prices and management estimates directly affect the estimated fair value of these contracts. Accordingly, it is reasonably possible that such estimates may change in the near term.

 

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Accounting for Equity-Based Compensation — We adopted a long-term incentive plan, which permits for the grant of restricted units, phantom units, unit options and substitute awards, as described further in Note 2 and Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Consolidated Financial Statements.” Equity-based compensation expense is accounted for over the vesting period of the related awards. We estimate the fair value of each award, and the number of awards that will ultimately vest at the end of each service period. These estimates are based on the tenure of our employees and the achievement of certain performance targets over the performance period. If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and judgments, we may experience material changes in compensation expense.

Results of Operations

Consolidated Overview

The following table and discussion is a summary of our consolidated results of operations for the six month ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. The results of operations by segment are discussed in further detail following this consolidated overview discussion.

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2006     2005     2004  
     ($ in millions except operating data)  

Operating revenues:

          

Natural Gas Services (a)

   $ 187.7     $ 212.4     $ 415.3     $ 592.8     $ 353.3  

Wholesale Propane Logistics

     227.0       210.5       375.2       359.8       324.5  

NGL Logistics

     3.6       2.6       5.3       191.7       156.2  
                                        

Total operating revenues

     418.3       425.5       795.8       1,144.3       834.0  
                                        

Gross margin (b):

          

Natural Gas Services

     25.3       35.2       75.3       71.4       53.6  

Wholesale Propane Logistics

     14.6       8.4       16.0       21.8       16.5  

NGL Logistics

     2.3       2.0       4.1       3.8       3.3  
                                        

Total gross margin

     42.2       45.6       95.4       97.0       73.4  

Operating and maintenance expense

     12.9       11.5       23.7       22.4       19.8  

General and administrative expense

     11.7       9.3       21.0       14.2       8.7  

Earnings from equity method investments (c)(d)

     (12.8 )     (15.8 )     (29.2 )     (25.7 )     (17.6 )

Impairment of equity method investment (e)

     —         —         —         —         4.4  
                                        

EBITDA (f)

     30.4       40.6       79.9       86.1       58.1  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     7.9       6.4       12.8       12.7       14.7  

Interest income

     (2.5 )     (3.0 )     (6.3 )     (0.5 )     —    

Interest expense

     8.4       5.2       11.5       0.8       —    

Income tax expense

     —         —         —         3.3       2.5  
                                        

Net income

   $ 16.6     $ 32.0     $ 61.9     $ 69.8     $ 40.9  
                                        

Operating data:

          

Natural gas throughput (MMcf/d) (d)

     716       656       666       629       590  

NGL gross production (Bbls/d) (d)

     20,207       19,378       19,485       17,562       16,815  

Propane sales volume (Bbls/d)

     25,715       24,664       21,259       22,604       24,589  

NGL pipelines throughput (Bbls/d) (c)

     27,917       23,947       25,040       20,565       20,222  

 

(a) Includes the effect of the acquisition of the Swap entered into by DCP Midstream, LLC in March 2007. The Swap is for a total of approximately 1.9 million barrels at $66.72 per barrel, and reduced revenues by $8.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

(b) Gross margin consists of total operating revenues less purchases of natural gas, propane and NGLs, and segment gross margin for each segment consists of total operating revenues for that segment, less commodity purchases for that segment. Please read “How We Evaluate Our Operations” above.

 

(c) Includes 45% of the throughput volumes and earnings of Black Lake subsequent to December 7, 2005. Prior to December 7, 2005, we owned a 50% interest in Black Lake.

 

(d) Includes 25% of the throughput volumes and earnings of East Texas and 40% of the throughput volumes and earnings of Discovery, as well as the amortization of the net difference between the carrying amount of Discovery and the underlying equity of Discovery, for all periods presented.

 

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(e) Represents an impairment of our equity interest in Black Lake.

 

(f) EBITDA consists of net income less interest income plus interest expense, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization expense. Please read “How We Evaluate Our Operations” above.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 vs. Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues decreased $7.2 million, or 2%, to $418.3 million in 2007 from $425.5 million in 2006, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$13.1 million decrease attributable primarily to a decrease in commodity prices as well as a decrease in natural gas sales volumes, primarily as a result of an amendment to a contract with an affiliate in 2006, which resulted in a prospective change in the reporting of certain Pelico revenues from a gross presentation to a net presentation, offset by an increase in natural gas, NGL and condensate sales volumes as a result of the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition in our Natural Gas Services segment; and

 

   

$12.8 million decrease related to commodity hedging and non-trading derivative activity; offset by

 

   

$16.7 million increase attributable to higher propane sales volumes and prices for our Wholesale Propane Logistics segment;

 

   

$1.4 million increase in transportation and processing services revenue, primarily attributable to an increase in volumes in our Natural Gas Services segment; and

 

   

$0.6 million increase due to an increase in NGL sales as well as the composition of inventory transactions at receipt versus delivery points for our NGL Logistics segment.

Gross Margin — Gross margin decreased $3.4 million, or 7%, to $42.2 million in 2007 from $45.6 million in 2006, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$9.9 million decrease for our Natural Gas Services segment primarily due to commodity hedging and non-trading derivative activity, a decrease in marketing margins from the decline in the differences in natural gas prices at various receipt and delivery points across our Pelico system, and lower natural gas prices, offset by higher NGL and condensate production as a result of the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition; offset by

 

   

$6.2 million increase due to higher sales volumes, higher per unit margins as a result of changes in contract mix and the ability to capture lower priced supply sources, and non-cash lower of cost or market inventory adjustments for our Wholesale Propane Logistics segment; and

 

   

$0.3 million increase attributable to increased transportation revenue and volumes for our NGL Logistics segment as a result of the addition of our Wilbreeze pipeline in December 2006.

Operating and Maintenance Expense — Operating and maintenance expense increased $1.4 million, or 12%, to $12.9 million in 2007 from $11.5 million in 2006, primarily as a result of higher operating and maintenance expense at the new Midland terminal, which became operational in May 2007, and higher labor and benefit costs in our Wholesale Propane Logistics segment, and as a result of the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition in our Natural Gas Services segment.

General and Administrative Expense — General and administrative expense increased $2.4 million, or 26%, to $11.7 million in 2007 from $9.3 million in 2006, primarily as a result of increased due diligence and acquisition costs, audit and legal fees, and labor and benefit costs.

Earnings from Equity Method Investments — Earnings from equity method investments decreased $3.0 million, or 19%, to $12.8 million in 2007 from $15.8 million in 2006, due to a decrease in equity earnings of $1.0 million from Discovery and $2.4 million from East Texas, offset by an increase in equity earnings of $0.4 million from Black Lake.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense — Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.5 million, or 23%, to $7.9 million in 2007 from $6.4 million in 2006, primarily as a result of asset acquisitions.

Year Ended December 31, 2006 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2005

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues decreased $348.5 million, or 30%, to $795.8 million in 2006 from $1,144.3 million in 2005, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$190.3 million decrease primarily attributable to lower sales for our Seabreeze pipeline, primarily due to a change in contract terms in December 2005, between DCP Midstream, LLC and us, from a purchase and sale arrangement to a fee-based contractual transportation arrangement for our NGL Logistics segment; and

 

   

$181.3 million decrease attributable primarily to lower natural gas prices and sales volumes, and an amendment to a contract with an affiliate, which resulted in a prospective change in the reporting of certain Pelico revenues from a gross presentation to a net presentation, partially offset by an increase in NGL and condensate prices and sales volumes for our Natural Gas Services segment; offset by

 

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$15.2 million increase attributable to higher propane prices, which were offset by lower sales volumes for our Wholesale Propane Logistics segment;

 

   

$4.7 million increase in transportation revenue primarily attributable to an increase in volumes and a change in contract terms in December 2005 for our Seabreeze pipeline, from a purchase and sale arrangement to a fee-based contractual transportation arrangement; and

 

   

$3.2 million increase related to commodity hedging and non-trading derivative activity.

Gross Margin — Gross margin decreased $1.6 million, or 2%, to $95.4 million in 2006 from $97.0 million in 2005, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$5.8 million decrease due to non-cash lower of cost or market inventory adjustments, decreased sales volumes, and increased product and transportation costs for our Wholesale Propane Logistics segment; offset by

 

   

$3.9 million increase for our Natural Gas Services segment primarily due to higher NGL and condensate prices, and an increase in natural gas throughput volumes, offset by lower natural gas prices, decreases due to a change in contract mix, and decreased marketing activity and throughput across the Pelico system due to atypical differences in natural gas prices at various receipt and delivery points across the system, which impacted gross margin more significantly in 2005 than in 2006. The market conditions causing the differentials in natural gas prices at various receipt and delivery points may not continue in the future, nor can we assure our ability to capture upside margin if these market conditions do occur; and

 

   

$0.3 million increase attributable to increased transportation revenue and higher volumes on our Seabreeze pipeline for our NGL Logistics segment.

Operating and Maintenance Expense — Operating and maintenance expense increased $1.3 million, or 6%, to $23.7 million in 2006 from $22.4 million in 2005, primarily as a result of higher pipeline integrity costs, increased labor and benefit costs, an increase in lease expense and the settlement of a commercial dispute.

General and Administrative Expense — General and administrative expense increased $6.8 million, or 48%, to $21.0 million in 2006 from $14.2 million in 2005, primarily as a result of increased audit fees, due diligence and acquisition costs, costs incurred related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, labor and benefit costs, and insurance premiums.

Earnings from Equity Method Investments — Earnings from equity method investments increased $3.5 million, or 14%, to $29.2 million in 2006 from $25.7 million in 2005, primarily due to an increase in equity earnings of $6.1 million from Discovery, offset by a decrease in equity earnings of $2.5 million from East Texas and $0.1 million from Black Lake.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense — Depreciation and amortization expense was relatively constant in 2006 and 2005.

Income Tax Expense — We incurred no income tax expense in 2006, due to the change in tax status of our wholesale propane logistics business in December 2005. See Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Year Ended December 31, 2005 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2004

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues increased $310.3 million, or 37%, to $1,144.3 million in 2005 from $834.0 million in 2004, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$237.4 million increase attributable primarily to higher commodity prices and natural gas sales volumes for our Natural Gas Services segment;

 

   

$35.2 million increase primarily attributable to higher NGL prices and increased throughput for our Seabreeze pipeline;

 

   

$34.1 million increase attributable primarily to higher propane prices, which were partially offset by lower sales volumes for our Wholesale Propane Logistics segment;

 

   

$2.6 million increase in transportation revenue; and

 

   

$1.0 million increase related to commodity hedging and non-trading derivative activity.

Gross Margin — Gross margin increased $23.6 million, or 32%, to $97.0 million in 2005 from $73.4 million in 2004, primarily as a result of the following:

 

   

$17.8 million increase attributable primarily to higher commodity prices and an increase in marketing activity and increased throughput across the Pelico system due to atypical and significant differences in natural gas prices at various receipt and delivery points across the system for our Natural Gas Services segment. The market conditions causing these significant differences in the natural gas prices at various receipt and delivery points across the

 

15


 

Pelico system are unusual and may not continue in the future, and we may not be able to capture the upside related to this market condition in the future;

 

   

$5.3 million increase due to increased prices and an increase related to commodity hedging, partially offset by lower sales volumes and increased product and transportation costs for our Wholesale Propane Logistics segment; and

 

   

$0.5 million increase due to increased throughput volumes for our Seabreeze pipeline.

Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita — Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused extensive damage to the Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast in late August and mid-September of 2005. These storms did not cause any significant damage to our properties. However, in September 2005, we experienced operational disruptions for several days as a result of the impact of Hurricane Rita on the energy industry in our areas of operations. These disruptions reduced our total operating revenues by approximately $10.1 million, our purchases by approximately $9.5 million and our gross margin by approximately $0.6 million in September 2005.

Operating and Maintenance Expense — Operating and maintenance expense increased $2.6 million, or 13%, to $22.4 million in 2005 from $19.8 million in 2004, primarily as a result of higher pipeline integrity costs, higher maintenance expenses, increased labor costs and higher lease expenses.

General and Administrative Expense — General and administrative expense increased $5.5 million, or 63%, to $14.2 million in 2005 from $8.7 million in 2004. This increase was primarily the result of public offering costs of approximately $4.0 million and higher allocated costs from DCP Midstream, LLC for general and administrative costs, primarily as a result of increased insurance premiums.

Earnings from Equity Method Investments — Earnings from equity method investments increased $8.1 million, or 46%, to $25.7 million in 2005 from $17.6 million in 2004, primarily due to an increase in equity earnings of $5.3 million from East Texas and an increase in equity earnings of $3.0 million from Discovery, offset by a decrease in equity earnings from Black Lake of $0.2 million.

Impairment of Equity Method Investment — In 2004, we recorded an impairment totaling $4.4 million of our equity interest in Black Lake, which is included in the NGL Logistics segment.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense — Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $2.0 million, or 14%, to $12.7 million in 2005 from $14.7 million in 2004 as a result of certain assets that became fully depreciated at the beginning of 2005.

Results of Operations — Natural Gas Services Segment

This segment consists of our North Louisiana system, which includes our Pelico system and our Minden and Ada processing plants and gathering systems.

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2006     2005     2004  
     ($ in millions except operating data)  

Operating revenues:

          

Sales of natural gas, NGLs and condensate

   $ 189.7     $ 201.1     $ 391.8     $ 570.9     $ 333.5  

Transportation and processing services

     12.3       11.3       23.5       22.6       19.9  

Losses from non-trading derivative activity (a)

     (14.3 )     —         —         (0.7 )     (0.1 )
                                        

Total operating revenues

     187.7       212.4       415.3       592.8       353.3  

Purchases of natural gas and NGLs

     162.4       177.2       340.0       521.4       299.7  
                                        

Segment gross margin (b)

     25.3       35.2       75.3       71.4       53.6  

Operating and maintenance expense

     7.2       7.0       13.5       14.0       13.4  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     6.7       5.5       11.1       10.8       11.7  

Earnings from equity method investments (c)

     (12.3 )     (15.7 )     (28.9 )     (25.3 )     (17.0 )
                                        

Segment net income

   $ 23.7     $ 38.4     $ 79.6     $ 71.9     $ 45.5  
                                        

Operating data:

          

Natural gas throughput (MMcf/d) (c)

     716       656       666       629       590  

NGL gross production (Bbls/d) (c)

     20,207       19,378       19,485       17,562       16,815  

 

(a) Includes the effect of the acquisition of the Swap entered into by DCP Midstream, LLC in March 2007. The Swap is for a total of approximately 1.9 million barrels at $66.72 per barrel, and increased losses from non-trading derivative activity by $8.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

 

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(b) Segment gross margin consists of total operating revenues less purchases of natural gas and NGLs. Please read “How We Evaluate Our Operations” above.

 

(c) Includes 25% of the throughput volumes and earnings of East Texas and 40% of the throughput volumes and earnings of Discovery, as well as the amortization of the net difference between the carrying amount of Discovery and the underlying equity of Discovery, for all periods presented.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 vs. Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues decreased $24.7 million, or 12%, to $187.7 million in 2007 from $212.4 million in 2006, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$12.6 million decrease related to commodity hedging and non-trading derivative activity;

 

   

$7.4 million decrease attributable to a decrease in commodity prices; and

 

   

$5.7 million decrease attributable to a decrease in natural gas sales volumes, primarily as a result of an amendment to a contract with an affiliate in 2006, which resulted in a prospective change in the reporting of certain Pelico revenues from a gross presentation to a net presentation, offset by an increase in natural gas, NGL and condensate sales volumes, partially as a result of the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition; offset by

 

   

$1.0 million increase in transportation and processing services revenue primarily attributable to an increase in natural gas throughput.

Purchases of Natural Gas and NGLs — Purchases of natural gas and NGLs decreased $14.8 million, or 8%, to $162.4 million in 2007 from $177.2 million in 2006, primarily due to lower natural gas prices and decreased natural gas purchase volumes, primarily as a result of an amendment to a contract with an affiliate in 2006, which resulted in a prospective change in the reporting of certain Pelico purchases from a gross presentation to a net presentation, offset by increased natural gas purchase volumes partially as a result of the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition.

Segment Gross Margin — Segment gross margin decreased $9.9 million, or 28%, to $25.3 million in 2007 from $35.2 million in 2006, primarily as a result of the following:

 

   

$12.6 million decrease related to commodity hedging and non-trading derivative activity;

 

   

$2.5 million decrease attributable primarily to a decrease in marketing margins from the decline in the differences in natural gas prices at various receipt and delivery points across our Pelico system, which were atypically high in 2006. The market conditions causing the variability in natural gas prices may not continue in the future, nor can we assure our ability to capture upside margin if these market conditions do occur;

 

   

$0.9 million decrease primarily attributable to lower natural gas prices, partially offset by favorable frac spreads. The favorable frac spreads may not continue in the future; and

 

   

$0.1 million decrease primarily attributable to a change in contract mix; offset by

 

   

$5.6 million increase primarily attributable to an increase in NGL and condensate production, partially as a result of the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition, and an increase in natural gas throughput volumes; and

 

   

$0.6 million increase primarily attributable to higher contractual fees charged to customers.

Operating and Maintenance Expense — Operating and maintenance expense increased $0.2 million, or 3%, to $7.2 million in 2007 from $7.0 million in 2006, primarily as a result of the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition.

NGL production during 2007 increased 829 Bbls/d, or 4%, to 20,207 Bbls/d from 19,378 Bbls/d in 2006, due primarily to an increase in volumes from the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition in May 2007, and an increase of gas volumes at Discovery and at our Minden processing plant in 2007. Natural gas transported and/or processed during 2007 increased 60 MMcf/d, or 9%, to 716 MMcf/d from 656 MMcf/d in 2006 due primarily to increased volumes at Discovery.

Earnings from Equity Method Investments — Earnings from equity method investments decreased $3.4 million, or 22%, to $12.3 million in 2007 from $15.7 million in 2006, due to a decrease in equity earnings of $1.0 million from Discovery and a decrease in equity earnings of $2.4 million from East Texas. Decreased equity earnings were primarily the result of the following variances, each representing 100% of the earnings drivers for East Texas and Discovery:

 

   

Decreased equity earnings from East Texas were the result of a decrease in East Texas’s net income of $9.6 million, or 34%, due primarily to a $2.1 million decrease due to natural gas volumes, a $2.8 million decrease due to decreased fee-based revenue, an increase in operating and maintenance expenses of $2.3 million, primarily due to increased contract services, materials and supplies, and labor and benefits and an increase in general and administrative expenses of $2.1 million, primarily due to higher allocated costs from DCP Midstream of $1.1 million due to higher overall DCP Midstream, LLC general and administrative expenses.

 

   

Decreased equity earnings from Discovery were the result of a decrease in Discovery’s net income of $2.3 million, or 15%, due primarily to $10.7 million lower fee-based transportation, processing and fractionation revenues from the

 

17


 

absences of the 2006 Tennessee Gas Pipeline, or TGP, and Texas Eastern Transmission Company, or TETCO, open season agreements and $5.5 million higher operating and maintenance expense, largely offset by $13.8 million higher NGL margins on higher NGL sales volumes. The open seasons provided outlets for natural gas that was stranded following damage to third-party facilities during hurricanes Katrina and Rita. TGP’s open season contract came to an end in early 2006.

Year Ended December 31, 2006 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2005

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues decreased $177.5 million, or 30%, to $415.3 million in 2006 from $592.8 million in 2005, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$114.1 million decrease attributable to a decrease in natural gas sales volumes and an amendment to a contract with an affiliate, which resulted in a prospective change in the reporting of certain Pelico revenues from a gross presentation to a net presentation; and

 

   

$87.3 million decrease attributable to a decrease in natural gas prices; offset by

 

   

$10.1 million increase primarily attributable to higher NGL and condensate sales volumes;

 

   

$10.0 million increase attributable to an increase in NGL and condensate prices;

 

   

$2.9 million increase related to commodity hedging and non-trading derivative activity; and

 

   

$0.9 million increase in transportation revenue primarily attributable to an increase in natural gas throughput.

Purchases of Natural Gas and NGLs — Purchases of natural gas and NGLs decreased $181.4 million, or 35%, to $340.0 million in 2006 from $521.4 million in 2005, primarily due to lower costs of raw natural gas supply, driven by lower natural gas prices and decreased purchased volumes, and an amendment to a contract with an affiliate, which resulted in a prospective change in the reporting of certain Pelico purchases from a gross presentation to a net presentation, partially offset by higher NGL and condensate prices and NGL and condensate purchased volumes.

Segment Gross Margin — Segment gross margin increased $3.9 million, or 5%, to $75.3 million in 2006 from $71.4 million in 2005, primarily as a result of the following:

 

   

$6.2 million increase attributable to higher NGL and condensate prices and favorable frac spreads, partially offset by lower natural gas prices. The frac spreads that existed during 2006 were higher than in recent years and may not continue in the future;

 

   

$5.2 million increase primarily attributable to an increase in natural gas throughput volumes;

 

   

$2.9 million increase related to commodity hedging and non-trading derivative activity; and

 

   

$0.5 million increase attributable to higher contractual fees charged to customers related to pipeline imbalances; offset by

 

   

$5.1 million decrease primarily attributable to a change in contract mix;

 

   

$4.0 million decrease attributable to a decrease in marketing activity and throughput across our Pelico system due to atypical differences in natural gas prices at various receipt and delivery points across the system. The market conditions causing the differentials in natural gas prices may not continue in the future, nor can we assure our ability to capture upside margin if these market conditions do occur; and

 

   

$1.8 million decrease attributable to higher netback prices paid to the producers at Minden and Ada.

Operating and Maintenance Expense — Operating and maintenance expense decreased $0.5 million, or 4%, to $13.5 million in 2006 from $14.0 million in 2005, primarily as a result of lower costs associated with repairs and maintenance.

NGL production during 2006 increased 1,923 Bbls/d, or 11%, to 19,485 Bbls/d from 17,562 Bbls/d in 2005, due primarily to increased volumes at Discovery and unfavorable market economics for processing NGLs in the fourth quarter of 2005. Natural gas transported and/or processed during 2006 increased 37 MMcf/d, or 6%, to 666 MMcf/d from 629 MMcf/d in 2005, primarily as a result of higher natural gas volumes at Discovery and for our Pelico system, offset by lower volumes at East Texas.

Earnings from Equity Method Investments — Earnings from equity method investments increased $3.6 million, or 14%, to $28.9 million in 2006 from $25.3 million in 2005, primarily due to an increase in equity earnings of $6.1 million from Discovery, partially offset by a decrease in equity earnings of $2.5 million from East Texas. Increased equity earnings were primarily the result of the following variances, each representing 100% of the earnings drivers for East Texas and Discovery:

 

   

Decreased equity earnings from East Texas were the result of a decrease in East Texas’s net income of $10.0 million, or 17%, due primarily to a $15.7 million decrease due to natural gas volumes and a $3.7 million decrease due to decreased fee-based revenue, offset by a $17.3 million increase due to increases in overall contract yield and higher condensate sales due to higher crude oil prices, an increase in operating and maintenance expenses of $4.2 million, primarily due to increased contract services, materials and supplies, and labor and benefits, an increase in general and administrative expenses of $1.6 million, primarily due to higher allocated costs from DCP

 

18


 

Midstream of $1.5 million due to higher overall DCP Midstream, LLC general and administrative expenses and an increase of $1.8 million in income tax expense due to recording deferred taxes in 2006 related to the Texas margin tax.

 

   

Increased equity earnings from Discovery were the result of our purchase of an additional 6.67% interest in Discovery, as well as an increase in Discovery’s net income of $9.3 million, or 44%, due primarily to $18.1 million higher gross processing margins and $7.5 million higher revenues from TGP and TETCO open seasons, partially offset by $12.9 million higher operating and maintenance and $3.8 million lower gathering revenues. The open seasons provided outlets for natural gas that was stranded following damage to third-party facilities during hurricanes Katrina and Rita. TGP’s open season contract came to an end in early 2006.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2004

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues increased $239.5 million, or 68%, to $592.8 million in 2005 from $353.3 million in 2004, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$169.6 million increase attributable to an increase in natural gas prices;

 

   

$15.0 million increase attributable to an increase in NGL and condensate prices;

 

   

$52.8 million increase attributable to higher natural gas sales volumes driven primarily by incremental natural gas demand at our Minden and Ada processing plants related to our merchant arrangements, higher gas supply volumes for our Ada processing plant and gathering system and an increase in marketing activity and increased throughput across the Pelico system due to atypical and significant differences in natural gas prices at various receipt and delivery points across the system. The market conditions causing these significant differences in the natural gas prices at various receipt and delivery points across the Pelico system are unusual and may not continue in the future, and we may not be able to capture the upside related to the market condition in the future; and

 

   

$2.7 million increase attributable to higher processing fees primarily driven by incremental fee-based services of our Ada gathering system and higher transportation fees primarily driven by an increase in volumes on our Pelico system; offset by

 

   

$0.6 million decrease attributable to lower non-trading derivative activity.

Purchases of Natural Gas and NGLs — Purchases of natural gas and NGLs increased $221.7 million, or 74%, to $521.4 million in 2005 from $299.7 million in 2004, primarily due to higher costs of raw natural gas supply driven by higher commodity prices.

Segment Gross Margin — Segment gross margin increased $17.8 million, or 33%, to $71.4 million in 2005 from $53.6 million in 2004, primarily as a result of the following:

 

   

$9.3 million increase attributable to an increase in marketing activity and increased throughput across the Pelico system due to atypical and significant differences in natural gas prices at various receipt and delivery points across the system. The market conditions causing the differentials in natural gas prices may not continue in the future, nor can we assure our ability to capture upside margin if these market conditions do occur;

 

   

$8.7 million increase attributable to higher commodity prices; and

 

   

$2.7 million increase attributable to higher processing fees primarily driven by incremental fee-based services of our Ada gathering system and higher transportation fees primarily driven by an increase in volumes on our Pelico system; offset by

 

   

$2.3 million decrease attributable to lower contractual fees charged to customers related to pipeline imbalances and a decrease in NGL recoveries at Minden as a result of unfavorable processing economics in the fourth quarter of 2005; and

 

   

$0.6 million decrease attributable to lower non-trading derivative activity.

Operating and Maintenance Expense — Operating and maintenance expense increased $0.6 million, or 4%, to $14.0 million in 2005 from $13.4 million in 2004, primarily as a result of higher outside services, parts, supplies and labor for maintenance and higher costs for pipeline integrity testing.

NGL production during 2005 increased 747 Bbls/d, or 4%, to 17,562 Bbls/d from 16,815 Bbls/d in 2004 due primarily to increased volumes at East Texas, offset by unfavorable market economics for processing NGLs in the fourth quarter of 2005. Natural gas transported and/or processed during 2005 increased 39 MMcf/d, or 7%, to 629 MMcf/d from 590 MMcf/d in 2004, primarily as a result of higher natural gas volumes for our Pelico system and East Texas.

 

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Earnings from Equity Method Investments — Earnings from equity method investments increased $8.3 million, or 49%, to $25.3 million in 2005 from $17.0 million in 2004, primarily due to an increase in equity earnings of $5.3 million from East Texas and an increase in equity earnings of $3.0 million from Discovery. Increased equity earnings were primarily the result of the following variances, each representing 100% of the earnings drivers for East Texas and Discovery:

 

   

Increased equity earnings from East Texas were the result of an increase in East Texas’s net income of $20.8 million, or 56%, due primarily to a $8.5 million increase due to increased natural gas volumes, a $7.1 million increase due to increased commodity prices, a $5.4 million increase due to increased fee-based revenue, and a $6.4 million increase due to increases in overall contract yield, partially offset by an increase in trading and marketing losses of $1.6 million, an increase in operating and maintenance expenses of $3.9 million, primarily due to increased contract services, materials and supplies, and labor and benefits and an increase in general and administrative expenses of $1.5 million, primarily due to higher allocated costs from DCP Midstream of $1.7 million due to higher overall DCP Midstream, LLC general and administrative expenses.

 

   

Increased equity earnings from Discovery were the result of the increase in Discovery’s net income of $9.2 million, or 78%, due primarily to the $10.7 million deferred gain recognition related to amounts deferred for net system gains from 2002 through 2004 that were recognized following the acceptance in 2005 of a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, $8.9 million increased revenue from gathering, processing and fractionation services and $1.1 million higher interest income, partially offset by $3.5 million lower product sales margins, $3.0 million higher other operating and maintenance expense, $0.6 million higher general and administrative expense, $2.0 million higher depreciation and accretion and $0.8 higher other expense including the foreign currency transaction loss.

Results of Operations — Wholesale Propane Logistics Segment

This segment includes our propane transportation facilities, which includes six owned propane rail terminals, one leased propane marine terminal, one pipeline terminal, and access to several open-access pipeline terminals.

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2006    2005     2004  
     ($ in millions except operating data)  

Operating revenues:

           

Sales of propane

   $ 227.7     $ 211.0     $ 375.0    $ 359.8     $ 325.7  

Transportation and processing services

     —         —         0.1      0.2       0.6  

(Losses) gains from non-trading derivative activity

     (0.7 )     (0.5 )     0.1      (0.2 )     (1.8 )
                                       

Total operating revenues

     227.0       210.5       375.2      359.8       324.5  

Purchases of propane

     212.4       202.1       359.2      338.0       308.0  
                                       

Segment gross margin (a)

     14.6       8.4       16.0      21.8       16.5  

Operating and maintenance expense

     5.3       4.2       8.6      8.2       6.2  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     0.4       0.5       0.8      1.0       2.1  
                                       

Segment net income

   $ 8.9     $ 3.7     $ 6.6    $ 12.6     $ 8.2  
                                       

Operating Data:

           

Propane sales volume (Bbls/d)

     25,715       24,664       21,259      22,604       24,589  

 

(a) Segment gross margin consists of total operating revenues less purchases of propane. Please read “How We Evaluate Our Operations” above.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 vs. Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues increased $16.5 million, or 8%, to $227.0 million in 2007 from $210.5 million in 2006, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$10.4 million increase attributable to higher propane sales volumes as a result of milder weather in the northeastern United States in 2006 and the completion of the new Midland terminal in May 2007; and

 

   

$6.3 million increase attributable to higher propane prices; offset by

 

   

$0.2 million decrease related to non-trading derivative activity.

Purchases of Propane — Purchases of propane increased $10.3 million, or 5%, to $212.4 million in 2007 from $202.1 million 2006, primarily due to increased purchased volumes and prices, primarily due to milder weather in the northeastern United States in 2006, and the completion of the new Midland terminal in May 2007, offset by non-cash lower of cost or market inventory adjustments.

 

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Segment Gross Margin — Segment gross margin increased $6.2 million, or 74%, to $14.6 million in 2007 from $8.4 million in 2006, primarily as a result of higher sales volumes, higher per unit margins as a result of changes in contract mix and the ability to capture lower priced supply sources, and non-cash lower of cost or market inventory adjustments.

Operating and Maintenance Expense — Operating and maintenance expense increased $1.1 million, or 26%, to $5.3 million in 2007 from $4.2 million in 2006, primarily as a result of higher operating and maintenance expense at the new Midland terminal, which became operational in May 2007, and higher labor and benefit costs.

Propane sales increased 1,051 Bbls/d, or 4%, to 25,715 Bbls/d in 2007 from 24,664 Bbls/d in 2006, due primarily to milder weather in the northeastern United States in 2006.

Year Ended December 31, 2006 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2005

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues increased $15.4 million, or 4%, to $375.2 million in 2006 from $359.8 million in 2005, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$36.6 million increase attributable to higher propane prices; and

 

   

$0.3 million increase related to non-trading derivative activity; offset by

 

   

$21.4 million decrease attributable to lower propane sales volumes; and

 

   

$0.1 million decrease in transportation revenues.

Purchases of Propane — Purchases of propane increased $21.2 million, or 6%, to $359.2 million in 2006 from $338.0 million 2005, primarily due to increased product and transportation costs, and non-cash lower of cost or market inventory adjustments partially offset by a decrease in volume.

Segment Gross Margin — Segment gross margin decreased $5.8 million, or 27%, to $16.0 million in 2006 from $21.8 million in 2005, primarily as a result of decreased sales volumes, non-cash lower of cost or market inventory adjustments, and increased product and transportation costs.

Operating and Maintenance Expense — Operating and maintenance expense increased $0.4 million, or 5%, to $8.6 million in 2006 from $8.2 million in 2005, primarily as a result of higher labor costs and an increase in lease expenses.

Propane sales decreased 1,345 Bbls/d, or 6%, to 21,259 Bbls/d in 2006 from 22,604 Bbls/d in 2005, due primarily to milder weather in the northeastern United States in 2006.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2004

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues increased $35.3 million, or 11%, to $359.8 million in the 2005 from $324.5 million in 2004, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$60.4 million increase attributable to higher propane prices; and

 

   

$1.6 million increase related to non-trading derivative activity; offset by

 

   

$26.3 million decrease attributable to lower propane sales volumes; and

 

   

$0.4 million decrease in transportation revenues.

Purchases of Propane — Purchases of propane increased $30.0 million, or 10%, to $338.0 million in 2005 from $308.0 million 2004, primarily due to increased product and transportation costs, partially offset by a decrease in volume.

Segment Gross Margin — Segment gross margin increased $5.3 million, or 32%, to $21.8 million in 2005 from $16.5 million in 2004, primarily as a result of increased per unit margins and an increase related to commodity hedging, partially offset by lower sales volumes, and increased product and transportation costs.

Operating and Maintenance Expense — Operating and maintenance expense increased $2.0 million, or 32%, to $8.2 million in 2005 from $6.2 million in 2004, primarily due to an increase in lease expenses as a result of the commencement of a new lease arrangement.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense — Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $1.1 million, or 52%, to $1.0 million in 2005 from $2.1 million in 2004, primarily as a result of certain assets that became fully depreciated at the beginning of 2005.

Propane sales decreased 1,985 Bbls/d, or 8%, to 22,604 Bbls/d in 2005 from 24,589 Bbls/d in 2004.

 

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Results of Operations — NGL Logistics Segment

This segment includes our NGL transportation pipelines, which includes our Seabreeze and Wilbreeze pipelines, and our interest in Black Lake.

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2006     2005     2004  
     ($ in millions except operating data)  

Operating revenues:

          

Sales of NGLs

   $ 1.1     $ 0.5     $ 1.1     $ 191.4     $ 156.2  

Transportation and processing services

     2.5       2.1       4.2       0.3       —    
                                        

Total operating revenues

     3.6       2.6       5.3       191.7       156.2  

Purchases of NGLs

     1.3       0.6       1.2       187.9       152.9  
                                        

Segment gross margin (a)

     2.3       2.0       4.1       3.8       3.3  

Operating and maintenance expense

     0.4       0.3       1.6       0.2       0.2  

Earnings from equity method investment (b)

     (0.5 )     (0.1 )     (0.3 )     (0.4 )     (0.6 )

Impairment of equity method investment

     —         —         —         —         4.4  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     0.8       0.4       0.9       0.9       0.9  
                                        

Segment net income

   $ 1.6     $ 1.4     $ 1.9     $ 3.1     $ (1.6 )
                                        

Operating data:

          

NGL pipelines throughput (Bbls/d) (b)

     27,917       23,947       25,040       20,565       20,222  

 

(a) Segment gross margin consists of total operating revenues less purchases of natural gas and NGLs. Please read “How We Evaluate Our Operations” above.

 

(b) Includes 45% of the throughput volumes and earnings of Black Lake in 2006 and the period from December 7, 2005 through December 31, 2005. Prior to December 7, 2005, we owned a 50% interest in Black Lake.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 vs. Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues increased $1.0 million, or 38%, to $3.6 million in 2007 from $2.6 million in 2006, due to an increase in revenues attributable to an increase in volumes, as well as the composition of inventory transactions at receipt versus delivery points.

Overall, our NGL pipelines experienced an increase in throughput volumes during 2007 as compared to 2006, primarily as a result of the addition of our Wilbreeze pipeline in December 2006.

Purchases of NGLs — Purchases of NGLs increased $0.7 million, or 117%, to $1.3 million in 2007 from $0.6 million 2006, primarily due to an increase in purchases attributable to an increase in volumes, as well as the composition of inventory transactions at receipt versus delivery points.

Segment Gross Margin — Segment gross margin increased $0.3 million, or 15%, to $2.3 million in 2007 from $2.0 million in 2006, primarily due to increased transportation revenue and volumes as a result of the addition of our Wilbreeze pipeline in December 2006, offset by lower per unit margins as a result of changes in product mix at various receipt points.

Operating and Maintenance Expense — Operating and maintenance expense remained relatively constant in 2007 and 2006.

Earnings from Equity Method Investments — Earnings from equity method investments increased to $0.5 million in 2007 from $0.1 million in 2006. This increase was as a result of higher Black Lake transport volumes and reduced operating expenses.

Year Ended December 31, 2006 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2005

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues decreased $186.4 million, or 97%, to $5.3 million in 2006 from $191.7 million in 2005, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$190.3 million decrease primarily attributable to lower sales for our Seabreeze pipeline primarily due to a change in contract terms in December 2005, between DCP Midstream, LLC and us, from a purchase and sale arrangement to a fee-based contractual transportation agreement; offset by

 

   

$3.9 million increase in transportation revenue attributable to an increase in volumes and a change in contract terms in December 2005, from a purchase and sale arrangement to a fee-based contractual transportation arrangement.

Overall, our NGL pipelines experienced an increase in throughput volumes during 2006 as compared to 2005, partially as result of a decrease in September 2005 volumes related to the impact of hurricane Katrina.

 

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Purchases of NGLs — Purchases of NGLs decreased $186.7 million, or 99%, to $1.2 million in 2006 from $187.9 million 2005, attributable to lower purchases due to the change in contract terms in December 2005 from a purchase and sale arrangement to a fee-based contractual transportation arrangement.

Segment Gross Margin — Segment gross margin increased $0.3 million, or 8%, to $4.1 million in 2006 from $3.8 million in 2005, primarily due to increased transportation revenue and higher volumes on our Seabreeze pipeline.

Operating and Maintenance Expense — Operating and maintenance expense increased $1.4 million, to $1.6 million in 2006 from $0.2 million in 2005, primarily as a result of higher costs associated with asset integrity, the settlement of a commercial dispute, and equipment rentals.

Earnings from Equity Method Investment — Earnings from equity method investment remained relatively constant in 2006 and 2005.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2004

Total Operating Revenues — Total operating revenues increased $35.5 million, or 23%, to $191.7 million in the 2005 from $156.2 million in 2004, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$39.7 million increase attributable to higher NGL prices for our Seabreeze pipeline; and

 

   

$0.3 million increase in transportation revenue attributable to the change in contract terms in December 2005, from a purchase and redeliver arrangement to a fee-based transport contractual arrangement; offset by

 

   

$4.5 million decrease attributable to lower sales volume for our Seabreeze pipeline primarily due to a change in contract terms in December 2005, from a purchase and sale arrangement to a fee-based contractual arrangement.

Overall, our Seabreeze pipeline experienced an increase in throughput volumes during 2005 as a result of a temporary disruption in supply from a third party pipeline in March 2004, which was restored in June 2005.

Purchases of NGLs — Purchases of NGLs increased $35.0 million, or 23%, to $187.9 million in 2005 from $152.9 million 2004, primarily due to the following:

 

   

$39.7 million increase attributable to higher NGL prices for our Seabreeze pipeline; offset by

 

   

$4.7 million decrease attributable to the change in contract terms in December 2005 from a purchase and sale arrangement to a fee-based contractual transportation arrangement.

Segment Gross Margin — Segment gross margin increased $0.5 million, or 15%, to $3.8 million in 2005 from $3.3 million in 2004 mainly as a result of higher volumes on our Seabreeze pipeline.

Earnings from Equity Method Investment — Earnings from equity method investment decreased $0.2 million, to $0.4 million in 2005 from $0.6 million in 2004, primarily due to an increase in Black Lake operating costs as a result of pipeline integrity testing during the fourth quarter of 2005.

Impairment of Equity Method Investment — In 2004, we recorded an impairment of our equity investment in Black Lake totaling $4.4 million. We did not record an impairment in 2005.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our Predecessor’s sources of liquidity, prior to their acquisition by us, included cash generated from operations and funding from DCP Midstream, LLC. Our Predecessor’s cash receipts were deposited in DCP Midstream, LLC’s bank accounts and all cash disbursements were made from these accounts. Cash transactions for our Predecessors were handled by DCP Midstream, LLC and were reflected in partners’ equity as intercompany advances from DCP Midstream, LLC. Following the acquisition of our Predecessor operations, we maintain our own bank accounts, which are managed by DCP Midstream, LLC.

We expect our sources of liquidity to include:

 

   

cash generated from operations;

 

   

cash distributions from our equity method investments;

 

   

borrowings under our revolving credit facility;

 

   

cash realized from the liquidation of securities that are pledged under our term loan facility;

 

   

issuance of additional partnership units; and

 

   

debt offerings.

 

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We anticipate our more significant uses of resources to include:

 

   

capital expenditures

 

   

business and asset acquisitions; and

 

   

quarterly distributions to our unitholders.

We believe that cash generated from these sources will be sufficient to meet our short-term working capital requirements, long-term capital expenditure and acquisition requirements, and quarterly cash distributions. Our commodity derivative program, as well as any future derivatives we enter into, may require us to post collateral depending on commodity price movements. DCP Midstream, LLC has issued parental guarantees for a portion of our commodity derivative instruments that span through 2010 for natural gas swaps and crude oil swaps that were executed prior to our initial public offering, which may reduce our requirement to post collateral.

Changes in natural gas, NGL and condensate prices and the terms of our processing arrangements have a direct impact on our generation and use of cash from operations due to their impact on net income, along with the resulting changes in working capital. We have mitigated a significant portion of our anticipated commodity price risk associated with our gathering and processing arrangements through 2013 with natural gas and crude oil swaps. For additional information regarding our derivative activities, please read “— Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Commodity Price Risk — Hedging Strategies” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

Working Capital — Working capital is the amount by which current assets exceed current liabilities. Current assets are reduced by our quarterly distributions, which are required under the terms of our partnership agreement based on Available Cash, as defined in the partnership agreement. In general, our working capital is impacted by changes in the prices of commodities that we buy and sell, along with other business factors that affect our net income and cash flows. Our working capital generally increases in periods of rising commodity prices and declines in periods of falling commodity prices. However, our working capital requirements do not necessarily change at the same rate as commodity prices. Our working capital is also impacted by the timing of operating cash receipts and disbursements, borrowings of and payments on debt, capital expenditures, and increases or decreases in restricted investments and other long-term assets.

We had working capital of $52.5 million, $33.1 million, $60.1 million and $41.2 million as of June 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The changes in working capital are primarily attributable to the factors described above. We expect that our future working capital requirements will be impacted by these same factors.

Cash FlowNet cash provided by or used in operating, investing and financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2007     2006     2006     2005     2004  
     ($ in millions)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 39.8     $ 38.0     $ 94.8     $ 113.0     $ 38.1  

Net cash used in investing activities

   $ (99.3 )   $ (20.4 )   $ (93.8 )   $ (130.4 )   $ (2.6 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   $ 68.3     $ (39.5 )   $ 3.0     $ 59.6     $ (35.5 )

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities — The changes in net cash provided by operating activities are attributable to our net income adjusted for non-cash charges as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows and changes in working capital as discussed above.

We received cash distributions from equity method investments of $18.5 million and $11.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $25.9 million, $36.7 million, and $13.4 million, during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Distributions exceeded earnings by $5.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and earnings exceeded distributions by $4.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Distributions exceeded earnings by $11.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, and earnings exceeded distributions by $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 and $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities — Net cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2007, was primarily used for: (1) asset acquisitions of $191.3 million; (2) capital expenditures of $7.6 million, which generally consisted of expenditures for construction and expansion of our infrastructure in addition to well connections and other upgrades to our existing facilities; and (3) investments in Discovery of $3.9 million; which were partially offset by (4) net sales of available-for-sale securities of $103.4 million. Net cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2006 was primarily used for capital expenditures, investments in Discovery and net purchases of available-for-sale securities.

During the year ended December 31, 2006, we acquired our wholesale propane logistics business from DCP Midstream, LLC, for an initial cash outlay of approximately $67.4 million. The historical value of the assets acquired of approximately $56.7 million is

 

24


reflected in “net cash used in investing activities.” The remaining $10.7 million is reflected in “net cash provided by (used in) financing activities” as the excess of the purchase price over the acquired assets.

Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2005 primarily consisted of purchases of available-for-sale securities in the amount of $100.1 million to provide collateral for the term loan portion of our credit facility. Net cash used in investing activities from 2004 through 2006 was also used for capital expenditures, which generally consisted of expenditures for construction and expansion of our infrastructure in addition to well connections and other upgrades to our existing facilities.

We invested cash in unconsolidated affiliates of $11.1 million and $20.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, of which $11.1 million and $7.6 million, respectively, was made to fund our share of a capital expansion project, and $12.9 million in 2005 was for the purchase of an additional 6.67% ownership interest in Discovery.

Net Cash Provided By (Used in) Financing Activities — Net cash provided by financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2007, was comprised of borrowings of $188.0 million and the issuance of common units for $128.5 million, net of offering costs, offset by the repayment of debt of $207.0 million, the excess of purchase price over the acquired assets attributable to a payment related to our acquisition of our wholesale propane logistics business of $9.9 million, changes in advances from DCP Midstream, LLC of $14.6 million and distributions to our unitholders of $16.4 million. Net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2006 was primarily comprised of repayments of debt, changes in advances from DCP Midstream, LLC and distributions to our unitholders.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2006 was primarily comprised of borrowings on our credit facility, which we used to fund the acquisition of our wholesale propane logistics business, partially offset by distributions to our unit holders, repayments of debt, changes in parent advances and the excess purchase price of our wholesale propane logistics business over its historical basis. Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2005 was a result of proceeds from the issuance of common units, proceeds from borrowings on our credit facility, partially offset by related distributions to DCP Midstream, LLC and changes in advances from DCP Midstream, LLC. Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from 2004 through 2005 represents the pass through of our net cash flows to DCP Midstream, LLC under its cash management program as discussed above. We expect to incur future financing cash outflows as a result of distributions to our unitholders and general partner. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Capital Requirements — The midstream energy business can be capital intensive, requiring significant investment to maintain and upgrade existing operations. In our Natural Gas Services segment, a significant portion of the cost of constructing new gathering lines to connect to our gathering system is generally paid for by the natural gas producer. Our expansion capital expenditures in this segment may include constructing new gathering lines and compression facilities to connect new wells to our Southern Oklahoma system. In our Wholesale Propane Logistics and NGL Logistics segments, our capital expenditures may include the construction of new propane terminals and NGL pipelines that would expand our distribution and transportation capabilities.

Our capital requirements have consisted primarily of, and we anticipate will continue to consist of the following:

 

   

maintenance capital expenditures, which are cash expenditures where we add on to or improve capital assets owned or acquire or construct new capital assets if such expenditures are made to maintain, including over the long term, our operating capacity or revenues; and

 

   

expansion capital expenditures, which are cash expenditures for acquisitions or capital improvements (where we add on to or improve the capital assets owned, or acquire or construct new gathering lines, treating facilities, processing plants, fractionation facilities, pipelines, terminals, docks, truck racks, tankage and other storage, distribution or transportation facilities and related or similar midstream assets) in each case if such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction is made to increase our operating capacity or revenues or those of our equity interests.

Given our objective of growth through acquisitions, expansion of existing assets and other internal growth projects, we anticipate that we will continue to invest significant amounts of capital to grow and acquire assets. We actively consider a variety of assets for potential acquisitions and expansion projects.

We have budgeted maintenance capital expenditures of $2.7 million and expansion capital expenditures of $7.2 million for the year ending December 31, 2007. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, our capital expenditures totaled $7.6 million, including maintenance capital expenditures of $0.9 million and expansion capital expenditures of $6.7 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2006, our capital expenditures totaled $12.1 million, including maintenance capital expenditures of $2.0 million and expansion capital expenditures of $10.1 million. In conjunction with the acquisition of our investments in East Texas and Discovery, we entered into an agreement with DCP Midstream, LLC whereby DCP Midstream, LLC will reimburse East Texas for 25%, and will reimburse us for 40%, of certain capital expenditures as defined in the agreement, from July 1, 2007 through completion of the capital projects, for a period not to exceed three years. During the year ended December 31, 2006, our capital expenditures totaled $27.2 million, including maintenance capital expenditures of $2.2 million and expansion capital expenditures of $25.0 million. In the second quarter of 2006, we entered into a letter agreement with DCP Midstream, LLC whereby DCP Midstream, LLC made capital contributions to reimburse us for certain capital projects. We also have an agreement with certain producers whereby these producers will reimburse us for certain capital projects completed by us. As a result, during the year ended December 31, 2006, we had changes

 

25


in receivables and collections of maintenance capital expenditures, from DCP Midstream, LLC and producers, of approximately $0.4 million. As a result, our total maintenance capital expenditures net of reimbursements were approximately $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the changes in receivables and collections of maintenance capital expenditures, from DCP Midstream, LLC and producers, were not significant.

Maintenance capital expenditures in 2007 were lower than 2006 as a result of a higher number of well connects in the first six months of 2006 versus 2007. Annual expansion capital expenditures in 2007 are expected to increase as a result of the acquisitions detailed above in “Recent Events.” These anticipated increases in capital expenditures in 2007 will be offset by decreases as a result of the completion of Wilbreeze in December 2006, an NGL pipeline, for which expansion capital expenditures were approximately $11.8 million in 2006, and the completion of a substantial portion of our new Midland propane terminal in 2006, for which expansion capital expenditures were approximately $9.2 million in 2006. We expect to fund future capital expenditures with restricted investments, funds generated from our operations, borrowings under our credit facility and the issuance of additional partnership units.

Cash Distributions to Unitholders — Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of the quarter, less certain reserves as identified in the partnership agreement, to unitholders of record on the applicable record date. We made cash distributions to our unitholders of $16.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007, as compared to $8.0 million for the same period in 2006. The distributions paid during 2006 included the pro rata portion of our Minimum Quarterly Distribution of $0.35 per unit for the period December 7, 2005, the closing of our initial public offering, through December 31, 2005. We made cash distributions to our unitholders of $22.1 million during 2006. We intend to make quarterly distribution payments to our unitholders to the extent we have sufficient cash from operations after the establishment of reserves.

Description of Credit Agreement — Through June 20, 2007, we had a 5-year credit agreement, or the Credit Agreement, with a $250.0 million revolving credit facility and a $100.1 million term loan facility, which was to mature on December 7, 2010. As of March 31, 2007, the outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility was $168.0 million and the outstanding balance on the term loan facility was $100.0 million. In conjunction with the April 2007 Northern Louisiana asset acquisition, we used borrowings of $11.0 million from our revolving credit facility to pay down a portion of our term loan facility. As a result of the pay down of our term loan facility, we liquidated $11.0 million of restricted investments, $10.2 million of which were used to fund the Northern Louisiana acquisition. In conjunction with the May 2007 Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition, we used borrowings of $89.0 million from our revolving credit facility to extinguish our term loan facility. As a result of the extinguishment of our term loan facility, we liquidated $90.8 million of restricted investments, which were used to partially fund the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition. Also in conjunction with the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition, our earnest deposit of $9.0 million, paid when we entered into the purchase agreement, was returned to us, and was used to retire indebtedness under our revolving credit facility.

On June 21, 2007, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, or the Amended Credit Agreement, which amended our existing Credit Agreement. This new 5-year Amended Credit Agreement consists of a $600.0 million revolving credit facility and a $250.0 million term loan facility, and matures on June 21, 2012. The amendment also improved pricing and certain other terms or conditions of the Credit Agreement. On June 21, 2007, we borrowed $259.0 million from our revolving credit facility under the Amended Credit Agreement to replace existing borrowings under the existing Credit Agreement. In July 2007 we borrowed $245.9 million from our revolving credit facility to finance the acquisition of our interests in East Texas and Discovery. In August 2007 we borrowed $100.0 million from our term loan facility and $20.0 million from our revolving credit facility to finance the MEG acquisition. As of September 28, 2007, the outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility was $530.0 million and the outstanding balance on the term loan facility was $100.0 million.

Our obligations under the revolving credit facility are unsecured, and when we have outstanding debt under the term loan facility, it is secured at all times by high-grade securities, which are classified as restricted investments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, in an amount equal to or greater than the outstanding principal amount of the term loan. We did not have outstanding debt under the term loan facility as of June 30, 2007. When outstanding, any portion of the term loan balance may be repaid at any time, and we may then have access to a corresponding amount of the collateral securities. Upon any prepayment of term loan borrowings, the amount of our revolving credit facility will automatically increase to the extent that the repayment of our term loan facility is made in connection with an acquisition of assets in the midstream energy business. The unused portion of the revolving credit facility may be used for letters of credit. At both June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 there were outstanding letters of credit of $0.2 million.

We have the option of increasing the size of the revolving credit facility to $1.0 billion with the consent of the issuing lenders.

We may prepay all loans at any time without penalty, subject to the reimbursement of lender breakage costs in the case of prepayment of London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, borrowings. Indebtedness under the revolving credit facility bears interest at either: (1) the higher of Wachovia Bank’s prime rate or the federal funds rate plus 0.50%; or (2) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 0.23% to 0.575% dependent upon our leverage level or credit rating. As of June 30, 2007, the weighted-average interest rate on our revolving credit facility was 5.77% per annum. The revolving credit facility incurs an annual facility fee of 0.07% to 0.175% depending on our applicable leverage level or debt rating. This fee is paid on drawn and undrawn portions of the revolving credit facility. The term loan facility bears interest at a rate equal to either: (1) LIBOR plus 0.10%; or (2) the higher of Wachovia Bank’s prime rate or the federal funds rate plus 0.50%.

 

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The Amended Credit Agreement prohibits us from making distributions of Available Cash to unitholders if any default or event of default (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) exists. The Amended Credit Agreement requires us to maintain a leverage ratio (the ratio of our consolidated indebtedness to our consolidated EBITDA, in each case as is defined by the Amended Credit Agreement) of not more than 5.75 to 1.0 through and including the quarter ended June 30, 2007 and 5.0 to 1.0 thereafter, and on a temporary basis for not more than three consecutive quarters (including the quarter in which such acquisition is consummated) following the consummation of asset acquisitions in the midstream energy business of not more than 5.50 to 1.0. The Amended Credit Agreement also requires us to maintain an interest coverage ratio (the ratio of our consolidated EBITDA to our consolidated interest expense, in each case as is defined by the Amended Credit Agreement) of equal or greater than 2.5 to 1.0 determined as of the last day of each quarter for the four-quarter period ending on the date of determination.

Bridge Loan

In May 2007, we entered into a two-month bridge loan, or the Bridge Loan, which provided for borrowings up to $100.0 million, and had terms and conditions substantially similar to those of our Credit Agreement. In conjunction with our entering into the Bridge Loan, our Credit Agreement was amended to provide for additional unsecured indebtedness, of an amount not to exceed $100.0 million, which was due and payable no later than August 9, 2007.

We used borrowings on the Bridge Loan of $88.0 million to partially fund the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition. The remaining $12.0 million available for borrowing on the Bridge Loan was not utilized. We used a portion of the net proceeds of the private placement to extinguish the $88.0 million outstanding on the Bridge Loan.

Total Contractual Cash Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

A summary of our total contractual cash obligations as of June 30, 2007, is as follows ($ in millions):

 

     Payments Due by Period
     Total    Remainder
of 2007
   2008-2009    2010-2011    2012 and
Thereafter

Long-term debt (a)

   $ 272.6    $ 3.4    $ 13.5    $ 6.7    $ 249.0

Operating lease obligations

     41.0      4.8      14.9      10.6      10.7

Purchase obligations (b)

     0.2      0.2      —        —        —  

Other long-term liabilities (c)

     1.2      0.1      —        —        1.1
                                  

Total

   $ 315.0    $ 8.5    $ 28.4    $ 17.3    $ 260.8
                                  

 

(a) Includes interest payments on long-term debt that has been hedged, because the interest rate is determinable. Interest payments on long-term debt, which has not been hedged, are not included as they are based on floating interest rates and we cannot determine with accuracy the periodic repayment dates or the amounts of the interest payments.

 

(b) Purchase obligations exclude accounts payable, accrued interest payable and other current liabilities recognized on the consolidated balance sheets. Purchase obligations also exclude current and long-term unrealized losses on non-trading derivative and hedging instruments included on the consolidated balance sheets, which represent the current fair value of various derivative contracts and do not represent future cash purchase obligations. These contracts may be settled financially at the difference between the future market price and the contractual price and may result in cash payments or cash receipts in the future, but generally do not require delivery of physical quantities. In addition, many of our gas purchase contracts include short- and long-term commitments to purchase produced gas at market prices. These contracts, which have no minimum quantities, are excluded from the table.

 

(c) Other long-term liabilities include $1.1 million of asset retirement obligations and $0.1 million of environmental reserves recognized on the June 30, 2007 consolidated balance sheet.

Our off-balance arrangements consist solely of our operating lease obligations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Standards

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—including an amendment of FAS 115, or SFAS 159 — In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued SFAS 159, which allows entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value that are not otherwise required to be measured at fair value. If a company elects the fair value option for an eligible item, changes in that item’s fair value in subsequent reporting periods must be recognized in current earnings. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to draw comparison between entities that elect different measurement attributes for similar assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective for us on January 1, 2008. We have not assessed the impact of SFAS 159 on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

 

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SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, or SFAS 157 — In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The standard also responds to investors’ requests for more information about: (1) the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value; (2) the information used to measure fair value; and (3) the effect that fair value measurements have on earnings. SFAS 157 will apply whenever another standard requires (or permits) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. SFAS 157 does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances. SFAS 157 is effective for us on January 1, 2008. We have not assessed the impact of SFAS 157 on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, or SFAS 154 — In June 2005, the FASB issued SFAS 154, a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20, or APB 20, Accounting Changes, and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements. Among other changes, SFAS 154 requires that a voluntary change in accounting principle be applied retrospectively with all prior period financial statements presented under the new accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to do so. SFAS 154 also: (1) provides that a change in depreciation or amortization of a long-lived nonfinancial asset be accounted for as a change in estimate (prospectively) that was effected by a change in accounting principle; and (2) carries forward without change the guidance within APB 20 for reporting the correction of an error in previously issued financial statements and a change in accounting estimate. The adoption of SFAS 154 on January 1, 2006, did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income TaxesAn Interpretation of FASB Statement 109, or FIN 48 — In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The provisions of FIN 48 were effective for us on January 1, 2007, and the adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 04-13, Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty, or EITF 04-13 — In September 2005, the FASB ratified the EITF’s consensus on Issue 04-13, which requires an entity to treat sales and purchases of inventory between the entity and the same counterparty as one transaction for purposes of applying APB Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions, or APB 29, when such transactions are entered into in contemplation of each other. When such transactions are legally contingent on each other, they are considered to have been entered into in contemplation of each other. The EITF also agreed on other factors that should be considered in determining whether transactions have been entered into in contemplation of each other. EITF 04-13 was applied to new arrangements that we entered into after March 31, 2006. The adoption of EITF 04-13 did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, or SAB 108 — In September 2006, the SEC issued SAB 108 to address diversity in practice in quantifying financial statement misstatements. SAB 108 requires entities to quantify misstatements based on their impact on each of their financial statements and related disclosures. SAB 108 is effective as of the end of our 2006 fiscal year, allowing a one-time transitional cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2006 for errors that were not previously deemed material, but are material under the guidance in SAB 108. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse change in market prices and rates. We are exposed to market risks, including changes in commodity prices and interest rates. We may use financial instruments such as forward contracts, swaps and futures to mitigate the effects of identified risks. In general, we attempt to mitigate risks related to the variability of future earnings and cash flows resulting from changes in applicable commodity prices or interest rates so that we can maintain cash flows sufficient to meet debt service, required capital expenditures, distribution objectives and similar requirements.

Risk Management Policy

Management has established a comprehensive risk management policy, or the Risk Management Policy, as amended, and a risk management committee, or the Risk Management Committee, to monitor and manage market risks associated with commodity prices, counterparty credit. Our Risk Management Committee is composed of senior executives who receive regular briefings on positions and exposures, credit exposures and overall risk management in the context of market activities. The Risk Management Committee, which was formed effective February 8, 2006, is responsible for the overall management of credit risk and commodity price risk, including monitoring exposure limits. Prior to the formation of the Risk Management Committee, we utilized DCP Midstream, LLC’s risk management policies and procedures and risk management committee to monitor and manage market risks.

See “— Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Accounting for Risk Management and Hedging Activities and Financial Instruments” for further discussion of the accounting for derivative contracts.

 

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Credit Risk

Our principal customers in the Natural Gas Services segment are large, natural gas marketing servicers and industrial end-users. Our principal customers in the Wholesale Propane Logistics segment are primarily retail propane distributors. In the NGL Logistics segment, our principal customers include an affiliate of DCP Midstream, LLC, producers and marketing companies. Substantially all of our natural gas, propane and NGL sales are made at market-based prices. This concentration of credit risk may affect our overall credit risk, in that these customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other factors. Where exposed to credit risk, we analyze the counterparties’ financial condition prior to entering into an agreement, establish credit limits, and monitor the appropriateness of these limits on an ongoing basis. We operate under DCP Midstream, LLC’s corporate credit policy. DCP Midstream, LLC’s corporate credit policy, as well as the standard terms and conditions of our agreements, prescribe the use of financial responsibility and reasonable grounds for adequate assurances. These provisions allow our credit department to request that a counterparty remedy credit limit violations by posting cash or letters of credit for exposure in excess of an established credit line. The credit line represents an open credit limit, determined in accordance with DCP Midstream, LLC’s credit policy. Our standard agreements also provide that the inability of a counterparty to post collateral is sufficient cause to terminate a contract and liquidate all positions. The adequate assurance provisions also allow us to suspend deliveries, cancel agreements or continue deliveries to the buyer after the buyer provides security for payment to us in a satisfactory form.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rates on future credit facility draws and debt offerings could be higher than current levels, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. Although this could limit our ability to raise funds in the debt capital markets, we expect to remain competitive with respect to acquisitions and capital projects, as our competitors would face similar circumstances.

We mitigate a portion of our interest rate risk with interest rate swaps, which reduce our exposure to market rate fluctuations by converting variable interest rates to fixed interest rates. On August 1, 2007, we entered into interest rate swap agreements, which commenced on September 21, 2007, expire on June 21, 2012 and re-price prospectively approximately every 90 days, to mitigate the variable interest rate on $200.0 million of the indebtedness outstanding under our revolving credit facility. During 2006, we entered into interest rate swap agreements to mitigate the variable interest rate on $125.0 million of the indebtedness outstanding under our revolving credit facility. The interest rate swap agreements have been designated as cash flow hedges, and effectiveness is determined by matching the principal balance and terms with that of the specified obligation.

Based on the annualized unhedged borrowings under our revolving credit facility of $305.0 million as of September 28, 2007, a 0.5% movement in the base rate or LIBOR rate would result in an approximately $1.5 million annualized increase or decrease in interest expense.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in the prices of natural gas, NGLs and condensate as a result of our gathering, processing and sales activities. For gathering services, we receive fees or commodities from producers to bring the raw natural gas from the wellhead to the processing plant. For processing services, we either receive fees or commodities as payment for these services, depending on the types of contracts. We employ established policies and procedures to manage our risks associated with these market fluctuations using various commodity derivatives, including forward contracts, swaps and futures.

Effective July 1, 2007, we elected to discontinue using the hedge method of accounting for our commodity cash flow hedges. We will use the mark-to-market method of accounting for all commodity cash flow hedges, which is expected to significantly increase the volatility of our results of operations as we will recognize, in current earnings, all non-cash gains and losses from the mark-to-market on non-trading derivative activity. We estimate the following non-cash sensitivities related to the mark-to-market on our commodity derivatives:

 

     Per Unit
Increase
   Unit of
Measurement
   Estimated
Mark-to-Market
Impact
(Decrease in
Net Income)

Natural gas prices

   $ 1.00    MMBtu    $ 7.4

Crude oil prices

   $ 5.00    Barrel    $ 20.5

 

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These sensitivities include the effect of all non-cash gains and losses from the mark-to-market on non-trading derivative activities. The calculation includes the estimated impact of the contribution of a financial derivative to mitigate a portion of the commodity price exposure associated with the acquisition of a 25% limited liability company interest in DCP East Texas Holdings, LLC, and a 40% limited liability company interest in Discovery Producer Services LLC on July 1, 2007. This contract consists of crude oil swaps at $66.72/Bbl for 1,100 Bls/day through 2007, 1,000 Bbls/d through 2008, 925 Bbls/d through 2009, 900 Bbls/d through 2010, 875 Bbls/d through 2011 and 850 Bbls/d through 2012.

We estimate the following annualized sensitivities, excluding any impact from the mark-to-market on our commodity derivatives, due to the impact of market fluctuations:

 

     Per Unit
Decrease
   Unit of
Measurement
   Estimated
Decrease in
Annual Net
Income

Natural gas prices

   $ 1.00    MMBtu    $ 0.8

NGL prices

   $ 0.10    Gallon    $ 0.9

Crude oil prices

   $ 5.00    Barrel    $ 0.1

Based on our current contract mix, we believe that during the remainder of 2007 we will have a long position in natural gas, NGLs and condensate, and will be sensitive to changes in commodity prices.

These sensitivities include the effect of settlements on our financial derivatives. The calculation includes the estimated impact of the acquisition of a 25% limited liability company interest in DCP East Texas Holdings, LLC, a 40% limited liability company interest in Discovery Producer Services LLC and a derivative instrument on July 1, 2007. Please read “— Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Commodity Price Risk — Hedging Strategies” for more information about these hedging strategies and our commodity price risk.

While the above commodity price sensitivities are indicative of the impact that changes in commodity prices may have on our annualized net income, changes during certain periods of extreme price volatility and market conditions or changes in the correlation of the price of NGLs and crude oil our commodity price sensitivities may vary significantly from these estimates.

The midstream natural gas industry is cyclical, with the operating results of companies in the industry significantly affected by the prevailing price of NGLs, which in turn has been generally correlated to the price of crude oil. Although the prevailing price of natural gas has less short term significance to our operating results than the price of NGLs, in the long term the growth and sustainability of our business depends on natural gas prices being at levels sufficient to provide incentives and capital, for producers to increase natural gas exploration and production. In the past, the prices of NGLs, crude oil and natural gas have been extremely volatile.

Valuation — Valuation of a contract’s fair value is validated by an internal group independent of the trading group. While common industry practices are used to develop valuation techniques, changes in pricing methodologies or the underlying assumptions could result in significantly different fair values and income recognition. When available, quoted market prices or prices obtained through external sources are used to determine a contract’s fair value. For contracts with a delivery location or duration for which quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined based on pricing models developed primarily from historical and expected correlations with quoted market prices.

Values are adjusted to reflect the credit risk inherent in the transaction as well as the potential impact of liquidating open positions in an orderly manner over a reasonable time period under current conditions. Changes in market prices and management estimates directly affect the estimated fair value of these contracts. Accordingly, it is reasonably possible that such estimates may change in the near term.

Hedging Strategies — We closely monitor the risks associated with commodity price changes on our future operations and, where appropriate, use various commodity instruments such as natural gas and crude oil contracts to mitigate the effect pricing fluctuations may have on the value of our assets and operations.

Effective July 1, 2007, we elected to discontinue using the hedge method of accounting for our commodity cash flow hedges. We will use the mark-to-market method of accounting for all commodity cash flow hedges, which is expected to significantly increase the volatility of our results of operations as we will recognize, in current earnings, all non-cash gains and losses from the mark-to-market on non-trading derivative activity.

As of June 30, 2007, we have mitigated a significant portion of our expected natural gas, NGL and condensate commodity price risk through 2013 with natural gas and crude oil non-trading derivatives. In addition to our previously existing non-trading derivative positions, in the second quarter of 2007 we entered into the following non-trading derivative positions. In May 2007, we executed a series of financial derivatives to mitigate a portion of the commodity price exposure associated with the Southern Oklahoma asset acquisition. In June 2007, we executed a series of financial derivatives to mitigate a portion of the commodity price exposure associated with our Northern Louisiana system assets.

 

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The derivative financial instruments we have entered into are typically referred to as “swap” contracts. These swap contracts entitle us to receive payment from the counterparty to the contract to the extent that the reference price is below the swap price stated in the contract, and we are required to make payment to the counterparty to the extent that the reference price is higher than the swap price stated in the contract. The swap contracts we have entered into to mitigate price risk associated with natural gas relate to the price of natural gas, settle on a monthly basis and provide that the reference price for each settlement period are the monthly index price for natural gas delivered into either the Texas Gas Transmission pipeline in the North Louisiana area or the Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line (Texas, Oklahoma – mainline) as published by an independent industry publication. The swap contracts we have entered into to mitigate price risk associated with NGLs and condensate relate to the price of crude oil, settle on a monthly basis and provide that the reference price for each settlement period are the average price for the month in which the Asian-pricing of NYMEX futures contracts for light, sweet crude oil. The notional volume for each period covered, and the time periods covered, by these contracts is set forth in the table below.

The counterparties to each of the swap contracts we have entered into are investment-grade rated financial institutions. Under these contracts, we may be required to provide collateral to the counterparties in the event that our potential payment exposure exceeds a predetermined “collateral threshold.” The assessment of our position with respect to the “collateral thresholds” are determined on a counterparty by counterparty basis and are impacted by the representative forward price curves and notional quantities under our swap contracts. Due to the interrelation between the representative crude oil and natural gas forward price curves, it is not practical to determine a single pricing point at which our swap contracts will meet the “collateral thresholds.” We have not been required to post collateral with any of our counterparties, and based on internally generated pricing forecasts, do not believe we will meet any of these collateral thresholds in the near term. As the swap contracts settle and the notional volume outstanding decreases, the forward curve price at which point collateral is required would be higher. Predetermined collateral thresholds for hedges guaranteed by DCP Midstream, LLC are generally dependent on DCP Midstream, LLC’s credit rating and would be reduced to $0 in the event DCP Midstream, LLC’s credit rating were to fall below investment grade. DCP Midstream, LLC has provided guarantees to support certain natural gas, NGL and condensate hedging contracts through 2010 that were executed prior to our initial public offering.

The following table sets forth additional information about our natural gas and crude oil swaps used to mitigate our natural gas and NGL price risk associated with our percentage-or-proceeds arrangements and our condensate price risk associated with our gathering operations:

 

Period

   Commodity    Notional Volume   

Reference Price

   Swap Price

January 2007 — December 2007

   Natural Gas    4,100 MMBtu/d    Texas Gas Transmission Price(1)    $ 9.20/MMBtu

January 2008 — December 2008

   Natural Gas    4,000 MMBtu/d    Texas Gas Transmission Price(1)    $ 9.20/MMBtu

January 2009 — December 2009

   Natural Gas    4,000 MMBtu/d    Texas Gas Transmission Price(1)    $ 9.20/MMBtu

January 2010 — December 2010

   Natural Gas    3,900 MMBtu/d    Texas Gas Transmission Price(1)    $ 9.20/MMBtu

June 2007 — December 2013

   Natural Gas    1,500 MMBtu/d    NYMEX Final Settlement Price (2)    $ 8.22/MMBtu

June 2007 — December 2013

   Natural Gas Basis    1,500 MMBtu/d   

IFERC Monthly Index Price for

Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line (4)

    

$

NYMEX less

0.68/MMBtu

January 2007 — December 2007

   Crude Oil    660 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 63.27/Bbl

January 2008 — December 2008

   Crude Oil    650 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 63.27/Bbl

January 2009 — December 2009

   Crude Oil    650 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 63.27/Bbl

January 2010 — December 2010

   Crude Oil    640 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 63.27/Bbl

January 2011 — December 2011

   Crude Oil    350 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 68.50/Bbl

June 2007 — December 2013

   Crude Oil    650 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures (3)    $ 67.60/Bbl

January 2011 — December 2011

   Crude Oil    250 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 71.35/Bbl

January 2012 — December 2012

   Crude Oil    600 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 71.00/Bbl

 

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Period

   Commodity    Notional Volume   

Reference Price

   Swap Price

January 2013 — December 2013

   Crude Oil    600 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 71.20/Bbl

July 2007 — December 2007

   Crude Oil    1,100 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 66.72/Bbl

January 2008 — December 2008

   Crude Oil    1,000 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 66.72/Bbl

January 2009 — December 2009

   Crude Oil    925 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 66.72/Bbl

January 2010 — December 2010

   Crude Oil    900 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 66.72/Bbl

January 2011 — December 2011

   Crude Oil    875 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 66.72/Bbl

January 2012 — December 2012

   Crude Oil    850 Bbls/d    Asian-pricing of NYMEX crude oil futures(3)    $ 66.72/Bbl

(1) The Inside FERC index price for natural gas delivered into the Texas Gas Transmission pipeline in the North Louisiana area.

 

(2) NYMEX final settlement price for natural gas futures contracts (NG).

 

(3) Monthly average of the daily close prices for the prompt month NYMEX light, sweet crude oil futures contract (CL).

 

(4) The Inside FERC monthly published index price for Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line (Texas, Oklahoma – mainline) less the NYMEX final settlement price for natural gas futures contracts.

At June 30, 2007, the aggregate fair value of the crude oil and natural gas swaps described above was a $20.1 million net loss and a $5.2 million net gain, respectively.

Asset-Based Activities — Our operations of gathering, processing, and transporting natural gas, and the accompanying operations of transporting and marketing of NGLs create commodity price risk due to market fluctuations in commodity prices, primarily with respect to the prices of NGLs, natural gas and crude oil. To the extent possible, we match the pricing of our supply portfolio to our sales portfolio in order to lock in value and reduce our overall commodity price risk. We manage the commodity price risk of our supply portfolio and sales portfolio with both physical and financial transactions. We occasionally will enter into financial derivatives to lock in price differentials across the Pelico system to maximize the value of pipeline capacity. These financial derivatives are accounted for using mark-to-market accounting with changes in fair value recognized in current period earnings.

Our wholesale propane logistics business is generally designed to establish stable margins by entering into supply arrangements that specify prices based on established floating price indices and by entering into sales agreements that provide for floating prices that are tied to our variable supply costs plus a margin. Occasionally, we may enter into fixed price sales agreements in the event that a retail propane distributor desires to purchase propane from us on a fixed price basis. We manage this risk with both physical and financial transactions, sometimes using non-trading derivative instruments, which generally allow us to swap our fixed price risk to market index prices that are matched to our market index supply costs. In addition, we may on occasion use financial derivatives to manage the value of our propane inventories. These financial derivatives are accounted for using mark-to-market accounting with changes in fair value recognized in current period earnings. We manage our asset-based activities in accordance with our Risk Management Policy which limits exposure to market risk and requires regular reporting to management of potential financial exposure. In addition, we may on occasion use financial derivatives to manage the value of our propane inventories.

Our profitability is affected by changes in prevailing natural gas, propane, NGL and condensate prices. Historically, changes in the prices of most NGL products and condensate have generally correlated with changes in the price of crude oil. Natural gas, propane, NGL and condensate prices are volatile and are impacted by changes in the supply and demand for these commodities, as well as market uncertainty. For a discussion of the volatility of natural gas and NGL prices, please read “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The cash flows from our Natural Gas Services and Wholesale Propane Logistics segments are affected by natural gas, NGL and condensate prices, and decreases in these prices could adversely affect our ability to make distributions to holders of our common units and subordinated units. Additionally, since weather conditions may adversely affect the overall demand for propane, our wholesale propane business is vulnerable to, and could be adversely affected by, milder winters.

The fair value of our interest rate and commodity non-trading derivatives is expected to be realized in future periods, as detailed in the following table. The amount of cash ultimately realized for these contracts will differ from the amounts shown in the following table due to factors such as market volatility, counterparty default and other unforeseen events that could impact the amount and/or realization of these values.

 

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     Fair Value of Derivative Contracts as of June 30, 2007  

Sources of Fair Value

   Maturity in
2007
    Maturity in
2008
    Maturity in
2009
    Maturity in
2010 and

Thereafter
    Total Fair
Value
 
     ($ in millions)  

Prices supported by quoted market prices and other external sources

   $ (0.4 )   $ (3.4 )   $ (4.4 )   $ (6.6 )   $ (14.8 )

Prices based on models or other valuation techniques

     (1.6 )     —         1.0       0.2       (0.4 )
                                        

Total

   $ (2.0 )   $ (3.4 )   $ (3.4 )   $ (6.4 )   $ (15.2 )
                                        

The “prices supported by quoted market prices and other external sources” category includes our interest rate swaps, our New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) swap positions in natural gas and our Asian-pricing NYMEX crude oil swaps. As of June 30, 2007, the NYMEX has quoted monthly natural gas prices for the next 72 months and quoted monthly crude oil prices for the next 66 months. In addition, this category includes our forward positions in natural gas basis swaps at points for which over-the-counter, or OTC, broker quotes are available. On average, OTC quotes as of June 30, 2007, for natural gas swaps extend 21 - 42 months into the future for the market locations at which we transact. Additionally, this category includes our forward positions in propane swaps for which OTC broker quotes are available, on average extend 17 months into the future as of June 30, 2007. These positions are valued against internally developed forward market price curves that are validated and recalibrated against OTC broker quotes. This category also includes “strip” transactions whose prices are obtained from external sources and then modeled to daily or monthly prices as appropriate.

The “prices based on models and other valuation methods” category includes the value of transactions for which an internally developed price curve was constructed as a result of the long dated nature of the transaction or the illiquidity of the market point.

Normal Purchases and Normal Sales — If a contract qualifies and is designated as a normal purchase or normal sale, no recognition of the contract’s fair value in the consolidated financial statements is required until the associated delivery period impacts earnings. We have applied this accounting election for contracts involving the purchase or sale of physical natural gas, propane or NGLs in future periods.

 

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