UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2013
or
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-35574
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE |
|
37-1661577 |
( State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
|
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
|
|
|
625 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1700, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
|
15222 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
|
(Zip code) |
(412) 553-5700
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer o |
|
Accelerated Filer o |
|
|
|
Non-Accelerated Filer x |
|
Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
As of March 31, 2013, there were 17,339,718 Common Units, 17,339,718 Subordinated Units and 707,744 General Partner Units outstanding.
EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
Glossary of Commonly Used Terms, Abbreviations and Measurements
adjusted EBITDA - a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income plus net interest expense, income tax expense (if applicable), depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash long-term compensation expense and other non-cash adjustments (if applicable) less other income and the Sunrise Pipeline lease payment.
AFUDC Allowance for Funds Used During Construction - carrying costs for the construction of certain long-term assets are capitalized and amortized over the related assets estimated useful lives. The capitalized amount for construction of regulated assets includes interest cost and a designated cost of equity for financing the construction of these regulated assets.
Appalachian Basin the area of the United States comprised of those portions of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky and Virginia that lie in the Appalachian Mountains.
British thermal unit a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
distributable cash flow a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as adjusted EBITDA less net cash paid for interest expense and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures and income taxes (if applicable).
firm contracts contracts for transportation services that obligate customers to pay a fixed monthly charge to reserve an agreed upon amount of pipeline capacity regardless of the actual pipeline capacity used by a customer during each month.
gas all references to gas in this report refer to natural gas.
omnibus agreement - the agreement entered into among the Company, its general partner and EQT Corporation (EQT) in connection with the Companys initial public offering, pursuant to which EQT agreed to provide the Company with certain general and administrative services and a license to use the name EQT and related marks in connection with the Companys business. The omnibus agreement also provides for certain indemnification and reimbursement obligations between the Company and EQT.
play - a proven geological formation that contains commercial amounts of hydrocarbons.
reservoir - a porous and permeable underground formation containing an individual and separate natural accumulation of producible hydrocarbons (crude oil and/or natural gas) which is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is characterized by a single natural pressure system.
throughput - the volume of natural gas transported or passing through a pipeline, plant, terminal or other facility during a particular period.
working gas the volume of natural gas in the storage reservoir that can be extracted during the normal operation of the storage facility.
Abbreviations
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
GAAP Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
IRS Internal Revenue Service
NYSE New York Stock Exchange
PSCT Pipeline Safety Cost Tracker
PSIA Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002
SEC Securities and Exchange Commission
Glossary of Commonly Used Terms, Abbreviations and Measurements
Measurements
Btu = one British thermal unit
BBtu = billion British thermal units
Bcf = billion cubic feet
Dth = million British thermal units
Mcf = thousand cubic feet
MMBtu = million British thermal units
MMcf = million cubic feet
TBtu = trillion British thermal units
Tcf = one trillion cubic feet
EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
| ||||
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
| ||
|
|
(Thousands, except per unit |
| ||||
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating revenues affiliate |
|
$ |
34,386 |
|
$ |
24,234 |
|
Operating revenues third party |
|
9,979 |
|
6,769 |
| ||
Total operating revenues |
|
44,365 |
|
31,003 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating and maintenance |
|
6,632 |
|
7,024 |
| ||
Selling, general and administrative |
|
4,248 |
|
4,549 |
| ||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
7,348 |
|
3,038 |
| ||
Total operating expenses |
|
18,228 |
|
14,611 |
| ||
Operating income |
|
26,137 |
|
16,392 |
| ||
Other income, net |
|
297 |
|
2,471 |
| ||
Interest expense, net |
|
4,204 |
|
1,539 |
| ||
Income before income taxes |
|
22,230 |
|
17,324 |
| ||
Income tax expense |
|
|
|
6,201 |
| ||
Net income |
|
$ |
22,230 |
|
$ |
11,123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Calculation of Limited Partner Interest in Net Income: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net income |
|
$ |
22,230 |
|
N/A |
| |
Less general partner interest in net income |
|
(444 |
) |
N/A |
| ||
Limited partner interest in net income |
|
$ |
21,786 |
|
N/A |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net income per limited partner unit basic |
|
$ |
0.63 |
|
N/A |
| |
Net income per limited partner unit diluted |
|
$ |
0.63 |
|
N/A |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Limited partner units outstanding basic |
|
34,679 |
|
N/A |
| ||
Limited partner units outstanding diluted |
|
34,768 |
|
N/A |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Cash distributions declared per unit |
|
$ |
0.37 |
|
N/A |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
| ||||
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
| ||
|
|
(Thousands) |
| ||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net income |
|
$ |
22,230 |
|
$ |
11,123 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
7,348 |
|
3,038 |
| ||
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
|
16,179 |
| ||
Other income |
|
(297 |
) |
(2,471 |
) | ||
Non-cash long-term compensation expense |
|
353 |
|
641 |
| ||
Non-cash reserve adjustment |
|
(250 |
) |
|
| ||
Changes in other assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Accounts receivable |
|
(756 |
) |
352 |
| ||
Accounts payable |
|
(4,329 |
) |
(2,011 |
) | ||
Due to/ from EQT affiliates |
|
6,940 |
|
1,974 |
| ||
Income taxes payable |
|
|
|
(9,794 |
) | ||
Other assets |
|
1,622 |
|
(2,441 |
) | ||
Other liabilities |
|
(5,986 |
) |
(4,984 |
) | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
26,875 |
|
11,606 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Capital expenditures |
|
(10,485 |
) |
(51,240 |
) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(10,485 |
) |
(51,240 |
) | ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Distributions paid to unitholders |
|
(12,386 |
) |
|
| ||
Due to EQT |
|
|
|
39,634 |
| ||
Capital contributions |
|
2,382 |
|
|
| ||
Capital lease principal payments |
|
(2,284 |
) |
|
| ||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
|
(12,288 |
) |
39,634 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
4,102 |
|
|
| ||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
21,950 |
|
|
| ||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
$ |
26,052 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Cash paid during the period for: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Interest paid |
|
$ |
4,014 |
|
$ |
2,581 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Non-cash activity during the period for: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Capital lease asset/ obligation |
|
$ |
1,595 |
|
$ |
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
| ||
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
| ||
|
|
(Thousands, except number of |
| ||||
ASSETS |
|
|
| ||||
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
26,052 |
|
$ |
21,950 |
|
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $88 as of March 31, 2013 and $64 as of December 31, 2012) |
|
4,499 |
|
3,743 |
| ||
Accounts receivable affiliate |
|
12,166 |
|
11,911 |
| ||
Due from related party |
|
1,105 |
|
2,382 |
| ||
Other current assets |
|
804 |
|
645 |
| ||
Total current assets |
|
44,626 |
|
40,631 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Property, plant and equipment |
|
806,379 |
|
795,498 |
| ||
Less: accumulated depreciation |
|
(154,913 |
) |
(148,212 |
) | ||
Net property, plant and equipment |
|
651,466 |
|
647,286 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Regulatory assets |
|
17,023 |
|
17,877 |
| ||
Other assets |
|
1,731 |
|
1,810 |
| ||
Total assets |
|
$ |
714,846 |
|
$ |
707,604 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL |
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
5,123 |
|
$ |
9,452 |
|
Due to related party |
|
8,325 |
|
1,130 |
| ||
Lease obligation - current |
|
10,401 |
|
9,537 |
| ||
Accrued liabilities |
|
4,302 |
|
10,207 |
| ||
Total current liabilities |
|
28,151 |
|
30,326 |
| ||
Lease obligation |
|
201,752 |
|
203,305 |
| ||
Other long-term liabilities |
|
2,428 |
|
2,760 |
| ||
Total liabilities |
|
232,331 |
|
236,391 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Partners capital: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common units (17,339,718 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012) |
|
315,856 |
|
310,679 |
| ||
Subordinated units (17,339,718 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012) |
|
153,221 |
|
148,397 |
| ||
General partner interest (707,744 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012) |
|
13,438 |
|
12,137 |
| ||
Total partners capital |
|
482,515 |
|
471,213 |
| ||
Total liabilities and partners capital |
|
$ |
714,846 |
|
$ |
707,604 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
Consolidated Statements of Partners Capital (Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
Partners Capital |
|
|
| |||||||||
|
|
Parent Net |
|
Limited Partners |
|
General |
|
|
| |||||||
|
|
Investment |
|
Common |
|
Subordinated |
|
Partner |
|
Total |
| |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Balance at January 1, 2012 |
|
$ |
173,633 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
173,633 |
|
Net income |
|
11,123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,123 |
| |||||
Balance at March 31, 2012 |
|
$ |
184,756 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
184,756 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Balance at January 1, 2013 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
310,679 |
|
$ |
148,397 |
|
$ |
12,137 |
|
$ |
471,213 |
|
Capital contribution |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,105 |
|
1,105 |
| |||||
Equity-based compensation plans |
|
|
|
353 |
|
|
|
|
|
353 |
| |||||
Net income |
|
|
|
10,893 |
|
10,893 |
|
444 |
|
22,230 |
| |||||
Distributions to unitholders |
|
|
|
(6,069 |
) |
(6,069 |
) |
(248 |
) |
(12,386 |
) | |||||
Balance at March 31, 2013 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
315,856 |
|
$ |
153,221 |
|
$ |
13,438 |
|
$ |
482,515 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
EQT Midstream Partners , LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A. Financial Statements
Organization
EQT Midstream Partners, LP (the Partnership, EQT Midstream Partners or the Company), which closed its initial public offering (IPO) on July 2, 2012, is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership formed by EQT Corporation in January 2012. Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans) is a Pennsylvania limited partnership and the predecessor for accounting purposes (the Predecessor) of EQT Midstream Partners. EQT Midstream Services, LLC is the Companys general partner. References in these consolidated financial statements to the Company, when used for periods prior to the IPO, refer to Equitrans. References in these consolidated financial statements to the Company, when used for periods beginning at or following the IPO, refer collectively to the Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries. References in these consolidated financial statements to EQT refer collectively to EQT Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. For periods prior to the IPO, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of Equitrans presented on a carve-out basis prior to the contribution by EQT of all of the partnership interests in Equitrans to EQT Midstream Partners, in connection with the Partnerships IPO.
The Company does not have any employees. Operational support for the Company is provided by EQT Gathering, LLC (EQT Gathering), one of EQTs operating subsidiaries engaged in certain midstream business operations. EQT Gatherings employees manage and conduct the Companys daily business operations.
Immediately prior to the closing of the IPO, EQT contributed all of the partnership interests in Equitrans to the Partnership. The Company issued 14,375,000 common units in the IPO, which represented 40.6% of the Companys outstanding equity. EQT retained a 59.4% equity interest in the Company, including 2,964,718 common units, 17,339,718 subordinated units, and a 2% general partner interest. EQT also holds the incentive distribution rights.
Nature of Business
The Company is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by EQT to own, operate, acquire and develop midstream assets in the Appalachian Basin. The Company provides midstream services to EQT and third parties in the Appalachian Basin across 22 counties in Pennsylvania and West Virginia through two primary assets: the transmission and storage system and the gathering system.
The Companys transmission and storage system includes an approximately 700 mile FERC-regulated interstate pipeline that connects to five long-haul interstate pipelines and multiple distribution companies. The transmission and storage system is supported by 14 associated natural gas storage reservoirs with approximately 400 MMcf per day of peak withdrawal capability and 32 Bcf of working gas capacity. As of March 31, 2013, the transmission assets had total throughput capacity of approximately 1.4 TBtu per day. Revenues are primarily driven by the Companys firm transmission and storage contracts.
The Companys gathering system consists of approximately 2,000 miles of FERC-regulated low-pressure gathering lines. Substantially all of the revenues associated with the Companys gathering system are generated under interruptible gathering service contracts.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the results of its operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
EQT Midstream Partners , LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
Due to the seasonal nature of the Companys utility customer contracts, the interim statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. Operating revenues are currently expected to be higher in the first and fourth quarters of each year.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 as well as Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained therein.
B. Financial Information by Business Segment
Operating segments are revenue-producing components of the enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and is subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources.
The Company reports its operations in two segments, which reflect its lines of business. Transmission and storage includes the Companys FERC-regulated interstate pipeline and storage business. Gathering includes the FERC-regulated low pressure gathering system. The operating segments are evaluated on their contribution to the Companys results based on operating income.
All of the Companys operating revenues, income from operations and assets are generated or located in the United States.
|
|
Three Months Ended |
| ||||
|
|
March 31, |
| ||||
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
| ||
|
|
(Thousands) |
| ||||
Revenues from external customers: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Transmission and storage |
|
$ |
41,065 |
|
$ |
27,098 |
|
Gathering |
|
3,300 |
|
3,905 |
| ||
Total |
|
$ |
44,365 |
|
$ |
31,003 |
|
Operating income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Transmission and storage |
|
$ |
28,169 |
|
$ |
17,391 |
|
Gathering |
|
(2,032 |
) |
(999 |
) | ||
Total operating income |
|
$ |
26,137 |
|
$ |
16,392 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Reconciliation of operating income to net income: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Other income, net |
|
297 |
|
2,471 |
| ||
Interest expense, net |
|
4,204 |
|
1,539 |
| ||
Income tax expense |
|
|
|
6,201 |
| ||
Net income |
|
$ |
22,230 |
|
$ |
11,123 |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
| ||
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
| ||
|
|
(Thousands) |
| ||||
Segment assets: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Transmission and storage |
|
$ |
643,367 |
|
$ |
632,404 |
|
Gathering |
|
71,479 |
|
75,200 |
| ||
Total assets |
|
$ |
714,846 |
|
$ |
707,604 |
|
EQT Midstream Partners , LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
| ||||
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
| ||
|
|
(Thousands) |
| ||||
Depreciation and amortization: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Transmission and storage |
|
$ |
6,618 |
|
$ |
2,363 |
|
Gathering |
|
730 |
|
675 |
| ||
Total |
|
$ |
7,348 |
|
$ |
3,038 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Expenditures for segment assets: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Transmission and storage |
|
$ |
9,351 |
|
$ |
50,823 |
|
Gathering |
|
1,134 |
|
417 |
| ||
Total |
|
$ |
10,485 |
|
$ |
51,240 |
|
C. Related-Party Transactions
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has transactions with affiliated companies. The Company has various contracts with affiliates including, but not limited to, Transportation Service and Precedent Agreements, Storage Agreements and Gas Gathering Agreements.
In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into various agreements with EQT. For instance, the Company entered into an omnibus agreement by and among the Company, its general partner and EQT. Pursuant to the omnibus agreement, EQT or its affiliates perform centralized corporate, general and administrative services for the Company, such as legal, corporate recordkeeping, planning, budgeting, regulatory, accounting, billing, business development, treasury, insurance administration and claims processing, risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, investor relations, cash management and banking, payroll, internal audit, taxes and engineering. In exchange, the Company reimburses EQT and its affiliates for the expenses incurred by them in providing these services, except for any expenses associated with EQTs long-term incentive programs. The omnibus agreement further requires that the Company reimburse EQT and its affiliates for the Companys allocable portion of the premiums on any insurance policies covering the Companys assets. EQT does not record any profit or margin for the administrative and operational services charged to the Company.
The Company also entered into an operation and management services agreement with EQT Gathering, pursuant to which EQT Gathering provides the Companys pipelines and storage facilities with certain operational and management services. The Company reimburses EQT Gathering for such services pursuant to the terms of the omnibus agreement as described above.
D. Income Taxes
The Predecessors financial statements for the period prior to the IPO include U.S. federal and state income tax as its income was reported and included as part of EQTs consolidated federal tax return. In conjunction with the contribution by EQT of the ownership of Equitrans to the Partnership immediately prior to the IPO, approximately $143.6 million of net current and deferred income tax liabilities were eliminated through equity. Effective July 2, 2012, as a result of its limited partnership structure, the Company is no longer subject to federal and state income taxes. For federal and state income tax purposes, all income, expenses, gains, losses and tax credits generated by the Company flow through to the unitholders, and accordingly, do not result in a provision for income taxes for the Company.
E. Debt
Prior to the IPO, EQT provided financing to the Company directly or indirectly through EQT Capital Corporation (EQT Capital), EQTs subsidiary finance company. Such financing was generally provided through intercompany term and demand loans that were entered into between EQT Capital and EQTs subsidiaries.
On July 2, 2012, in connection with the IPO, the Company entered into a $350 million credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders, which will mature on July 2,
EQT Midstream Partners , LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
2017. The credit facility is available to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures, to purchase assets, to pay distributions and repurchase units and for general partnership purposes.
There were no amounts outstanding under the credit facility at March 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012. Additionally, the Company did not have any short-term loans outstanding at any time during the three months ended March 31, 2013. Commitment fees averaging approximately 6.25 basis points in the first quarter of 2013, or approximately $0.2 million, were incurred to maintain credit availability under the credit facility.
F. Lease Obligations
On June 18, 2012, the Company transferred ownership of the Sunrise Pipeline, an approximately 40 mile, FERC-regulated transmission pipeline which was under construction at the time and placed into service on July 28, 2012, to EQT. Concurrent with the transfer, the Company entered into a lease agreement with EQT for the lease of the Sunrise Pipeline. Under the lease, Equitrans operates the pipeline as part of its transmission and storage system under the rates, terms, and conditions of its FERC-approved tariff. While the lease agreement was effective June 18, 2012, no lease payments were due pursuant to this lease agreement until the Sunrise Pipeline was placed into service. The lease payment due each month is the lesser of the following alternatives: (1) a revenue-based payment reflecting the revenues generated by the operation of the Sunrise Pipeline minus the actual costs of operating the Sunrise Pipeline and (2) a payment based on depreciation expense and pre-tax return on invested capital for the Sunrise Pipeline. As a result, the payments to be made under the Sunrise Pipeline lease will be variable and are not expected to have a net positive or negative impact on distributable cash flow.
At the time the lease was entered into, management determined that the lease was a capital lease as the present value of the estimated minimum lease payments exceeded the fair value of the leased property. Thus, the gross capital lease assets and obligations recorded in 2012 were approximately $216 million, which represented the costs incurred through December 31, 2012 to construct the pipeline and was estimated to be the fair value of the leased property. Additional closeout construction costs of approximately $2 million were incurred by EQT during the first quarter of 2013, which increased the fair value of the leased property. Completion of the pipeline closeout construction is anticipated to continue into the second quarter of 2013, which will further increase the fair value of the leased property. Once closeout construction is complete, management will finalize the estimate of the fair value of the asset and will revise the estimates of the lease obligation and related asset as necessary. Currently, management expects that the fair value of the asset will be approximately $225 million once closeout construction is complete.
For the three months ended March 31, 2013, interest expense of $4.0 million and depreciation expense of $3.7 million was recorded related to this capital lease. Additionally, Sunrise lease payments totaled $6.9 million related to the three months ended March 31, 2013.
G. Net Income per Limited Partner Unit and Cash Distributions
Net income per limited partner unit is calculated utilizing the two-class method by dividing the limited partner interest in net income by the weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding during the period. The limited partner interest in net income is determined by first allocating net income to the general partner based upon the general partners ownership interest of 2%. Any common units issued during the period are included on a weighted-average basis for the days in which they were outstanding.
Diluted net income per limited partner unit reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other agreements to issue common units, such as the performance awards, were exercised, settled or converted into common units. When it is determined that potential common units resulting from an award subject to performance or market conditions should be included in the diluted net income per limited partner unit calculation, the impact is reflected by applying the treasury stock method. The weighted-average number of units used to calculate diluted net income per limited partner unit for the first quarter of 2013 includes the effect of 8,673 phantom units and 80,142 performance awards.
The following table presents the Companys calculation of net income per unit for common and subordinated limited partner units:
EQT Midstream Partners , LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended |
| |
|
|
(Thousands, except per |
| |
Net income |
|
$ |
22,230 |
|
Less general partner interest in net income |
|
(444 |
) | |
Limited partner interest in net income |
|
$ |
21,786 |
|
|
|
|
| |
Net income allocable to common units |
|
$ |
10,893 |
|
Net income allocable to subordinated units |
|
10,893 |
| |
Limited partner interest in net income |
|
$ |
21,786 |
|
|
|
|
| |
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding basic |
|
|
| |
Common units |
|
17,340 |
| |
Subordinated units |
|
17,339 |
| |
Total |
|
34,679 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding diluted |
|
|
| |
Common units |
|
17,429 |
| |
Subordinated units |
|
17,339 |
| |
Total |
|
34,768 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Net income per limited partner unit basic and diluted |
|
|
| |
Common units |
|
$ |
0.63 |
|
Subordinated units |
|
$ |
0.63 |
|
The partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2012, the Company distribute all of its available cash (described below) to unitholders of record on the applicable record date. As further discussed in Note I, a quarterly cash distribution was declared on April 23, 2013, payable May 15, 2013 to unitholders of record on May 6, 2013.
Available cash
Available cash generally means, for any quarter, all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter:
· less, the amount of cash reserves established by the Companys general partner to:
· provide for the proper conduct of the Companys business (including reserves for future capital expenditures, anticipated future debt service requirements and refunds of collected rates reasonably likely to be refunded as a result of a settlement or hearing related to FERC rate proceedings or rate proceedings under applicable law subsequent to that quarter);
· comply with applicable law, any of the Companys debt instruments or other agreements; or
· provide funds for distributions to the Companys unitholders and to the Companys general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters (provided that the Companys general partner may not establish cash reserves for distributions if the effect of the establishment of such reserves will prevent the Company from distributing the minimum quarterly distribution on all common units and any cumulative arrearages on such common units for the current quarter);
· plus, if the Companys general partner so determines, all or any portion of the cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made subsequent to the end of such quarter.
EQT Midstream Partners , LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Subordinated Units
All subordinated units are held by EQT. The partnership agreement provides that, during the period of time referred to as the subordination period, the common units will have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus each quarter in an amount equal to $0.35 per common unit, which amount is defined in the partnership agreement as the minimum quarterly distribution, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. The practical effect of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash to distribute the minimum quarterly distribution to the common units. The subordination period will end, and the subordinated units will convert to common units, on a one-for-one basis, when certain distribution requirements, as defined in the partnership agreement, have been met.
Incentive Distribution Rights
All incentive distribution rights are held by the Companys general partner. Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage (13.0%, 23.0% and 48.0%) of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels described below have been achieved. The Companys general partner may transfer the incentive distribution rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in the partnership agreement.
The following discussion assumes that the Companys general partner continues to own both its 2.0% general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights.
If for any quarter:
· the Company has distributed available cash from operating surplus to the common and subordinated unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution; and
· the Company has distributed available cash from operating surplus on outstanding common units in an amount necessary to eliminate any cumulative arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution;
then, the Company will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and the Companys general partner in the following manner:
· first, 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to the Companys general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.4025 per unit for that quarter (the first target distribution);
· second, 85.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15.0% to the Companys general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.4375 per unit for that quarter (the second target distribution);
· third, 75.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25.0% to the Companys general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.5250 per unit for that quarter (the third target distribution); and
· thereafter, 50.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50.0% to the Companys general partner.
H. Regulatory Matters
Equitrans previously maintained a PSCT, which enabled Equitrans to recover qualifying costs it incurred under the PSIA. The qualifying costs recoverable through the PSCT included a rate of return, taxes and depreciation associated with capital investments and actual operating and maintenance expenses incurred under the PSIA. The PSCT surcharge was a usage charge expressed in dollars per Dth and was assessed to firm and interruptible transmission service customers. Equitrans was required to track all expenses and capital investments associated with the PSIA made on and after September 1, 2005. Equitrans made annual filings with the FERC to adjust the PSCT surcharge to reconcile actual historic qualifying costs incurred against PSCT revenues collected.
On March 1, 2012, Equitrans made its annual filing with the FERC to recover costs it incurred to comply with the PSIA. The filing provided for the recovery of $10.4 million in qualifying pipeline safety costs. One customer and the Independent Oil and Gas Association filed protests which asserted, among other things, that Equitrans had not included all appropriate volumes in calculating the level of its surcharge. Equitrans responded to the protests and in an order issued March 30, 2012, the FERC accepted the annual filing and suspended it, allowing the surcharge to become effective on April 1, 2012. Equitrans submitted additional information to the FERC on April 19, 2012 with the expectation that the FERC would subsequently issue an order based on the material Equitrans submitted.
EQT Midstream Partners , LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
On January 14, 2013, following numerous discussions with its customers, Equitrans filed a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (Settlement) with the FERC. The Settlement, which was approved by the FERC on March 22, 2013, resolved all issues arising out of Equitrans 2012 PSCT annual filing. The Settlement eliminated the tracking of PSIA costs and replaced the PSCT surcharge with a Pipeline Safety Cost (PSC) rate effective April 1, 2013. The new PSC rate has both a reservation and a usage component. The reservation component of the PSC rate applicable to firm transportation service is $0.8108 per Dth of the contract Maximum Daily Quantity applicable to service provided on the mainline system, and the usage component is $0.1372 per Dth delivered to the customer. The PSC rate applicable to interruptible over firm service, no-notice firm transportation service nominated on a point to point basis and interruptible service is $0.1372 per Dth delivered to the customer. Additionally, under the Settlement, Equitrans reduced its transmission retainage factor approved in Equitrans most recent 2006 rate case from 3.72% to 2.72% effective February 1, 2013. Equitrans no longer tracks its continued recovery of base storage gas, and the base storage gas recovery limit established in the 2006 rate case settlement has been eliminated. To the extent that Equitrans over-recovers its actual fuel and lost gas, the excess gas could be used to replenish the storage base gas. The PSC rate and transmission retainage factor will be in effect for a minimum of three years.
I. Subsequent Events
On April 23, 2013, the Company announced that the Board of Directors of its general partner declared a cash distribution to the Companys unitholders of $0.37 per unit for the first quarter of 2013. The cash distribution is payable on May 15, 2013 to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 6, 2013.
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
EQT Midstream Partners, LP (the Partnership, EQT Midstream Partners or the Company), which closed its initial public offering (IPO) on July 2, 2012, is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership formed by EQT Corporation in January 2012. Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans) is a Pennsylvania limited partnership and the predecessor for accounting purposes (the Predecessor) of EQT Midstream Partners (the Successor). References in the following discussion to the Company, when used for periods prior to the IPO, refer to Equitrans. References in the following discussion to the Company, when used for periods beginning at or following the IPO, refer collectively to the Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries. Immediately prior to the closing of the IPO, EQT Corporation contributed all of the partnership interests in Equitrans to the Partnership. Therefore, the historical financial statements contained in this report reflect the assets, liabilities and operations of Equitrans for periods ending before July 2, 2012 and EQT Midstream Partners for periods beginning at or following July 2, 2012.
The following discussion analyzes, among other things, the financial condition and results of operations of the Predecessor and Successor. You should read the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report. References in the following discussion and analysis to EQT refer collectively to EQT Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
Disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking and usually identified by the use of words such as anticipate, estimate, could, would, will, may, forecast, approximate, expect, project, intend, plan, believe and other words of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the matters discussed in the section captioned Outlook in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives, and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance of the Company and its subsidiaries, including guidance regarding transmission and storage and gathering revenue and volume growth; revenue projections; infrastructure programs (including the timing, cost, capacity and sources of funding with respect to such programs); natural gas production growth in the Companys operating areas for EQT and third parties; the amount and timing of distributions; the effect of the Sunrise Pipeline lease on distributable cash flow; future projected Sunrise Pipeline lease payments; projected operating and capital expenditures including the amount and timing of capital expenditures reimbursable by EQT; liquidity and financing requirements, including funding sources and availability; asset acquisitions, including the Companys ability to complete any asset purchases from EQT and third parties; the effects of government regulation, pending and future litigation, claims and proceedings and tax position. The forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions about future events. While the Company considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Companys control. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance and results of the Companys business and forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A, Risk Factors in the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Company does not intend to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In reviewing any agreements incorporated by reference in or filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember that such agreements are included to provide information regarding the terms of such agreements and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Company. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by the Company, which should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties of such agreements should those statements prove to be inaccurate. The representations and warranties were made only as of the date of the relevant agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in such agreement and are subject to more recent developments.
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Accordingly, these representations and warranties alone may not describe the actual state of affairs of the Company or its affiliates as of the date they were made or at any other time.
Executive Overview
The Company is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) to own, operate, acquire and develop midstream assets in the Appalachian Basin. The Company provides substantially all of its natural gas transmission, storage and gathering services under contracts with fixed reservation and/or usage fees, with a significant portion of its revenues being generated under long-term firm contracts.
For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company reported net income of $22.2 million compared to $11.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Transmission and storage revenues increased by $14.0 million primarily due to increased firm transmission service and increased system throughput, which were driven by production development in the Marcellus play. Total operating expenses increased by $3.6 million, primarily due to increased depreciation and amortization expense resulting from additional assets in service. Additionally, no income tax expense was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2013 as the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes due to its post-IPO limited partnership structure.
For the three months ended March 31, 2013, basic and diluted net income per limited partner unit was $0.63, adjusted EBITDA was $26.7 million and distributable cash flow was $24.4 million, which exceeded the $12.4 million of distributable cash flow necessary to meet the minimum quarterly distribution. The Company declared a cash distribution to unitholders of $0.37 per unit on April 23, 2013, which represents a 6% increase over the previous distribution paid on February 14, 2013 of $0.35 per unit. For a discussion of the non-GAAP financial measures, adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow, please read the discussion below under Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.
Consolidated Results of Operations
|
|
Three Months Ended |
| ||||||
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
% |
| ||
|
|
(Thousands, other than per unit amounts) |
| ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Transmission and storage revenues |
|
$ |
41,065 |
|
$ |
27,098 |
|
51.5 |
|
Gathering revenues |
|
3,300 |
|
3,905 |
|
(15.5 |
) | ||
Total operating revenues |
|
44,365 |
|
31,003 |
|
43.1 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating and maintenance |
|
6,632 |
|
7,024 |
|
(5.6 |
) | ||
Selling, general and administrative |
|
4,248 |
|
4,549 |
|
(6.6 |
) | ||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
7,348 |
|
3,038 |
|
141.9 |
| ||
Total operating expenses |
|
18,228 |
|
14,611 |
|
24.8 |
| ||
Operating income |
|
26,137 |
|
16,392 |
|
59.4 |
| ||
Other income, net |
|
297 |
|
2,471 |
|
(88.0 |
) | ||
Interest expense, net |
|
4,204 |
|
1,539 |
|
173.2 |
| ||
Income before income taxes |
|
22,230 |
|
17,324 |
|
28.3 |
| ||
Income tax expense |
|
|
|
6,201 |
|
(100.0 |
) | ||
Net income |
|
$ |
22,230 |
|
$ |
11,123 |
|
99.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net income per limited partner unit - basic and diluted (1) |
|
$ |
0.63 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
| |
Adjusted EBITDA (1) |
|
$ |
26,725 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
| |
Distributable cash flow (1) |
|
$ |
24,432 |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
(1) Presented for the post-IPO period only. For a discussion of the non-GAAP financial measures adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow, please read the sections below titled Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Business Segment Results
Operating segments are evaluated on their contribution to the Companys consolidated results based on operating income. Interest and other income are managed on a consolidated basis. The Company has presented each segments operating income and various operational measures in the sections below. Management believes that presentation of this information provides useful information to management and investors regarding the financial condition, results of operations and trends of segments. In addition, management uses these measures for budget planning purposes. The Company has reconciled each segments operating income to the Companys consolidated operating income and net income in Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
|
Three Months Ended |
| ||||||
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
|
% |
| ||
|
|
(Thousands, other than per day amounts) |
| ||||||
SEGMENT FINANCIAL DATA TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating revenues affiliate |
|
$ |
32,582 |
|
$ |
21,744 |
|
49.8 |
|
Operating revenues third party |
|
8,483 |
|
5,354 |
|
58.4 |
| ||
Total operating revenues |
|
41,065 |
|
27,098 |
|
51.5 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating and maintenance |
|
3,294 |
|
4,061 |
|
(18.9 |
) | ||
Selling, general and administrative |
|
2,984 |
|
3,283 |
|
(9.1 |
) | ||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
6,618 |
|
2,363 |
|
180.1 |
| ||
Total operating expenses |
|
12,896 |
|
9,707 |
|
32.9 |
| ||
Operating income |
|
$ |
28,169 |
|
$ |
17,391 |
|
62.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
SEGMENT OPERATIONAL DATA TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Transmission pipeline throughput (BBtu per day) |
|
900 |
|
462 |
|
94.8 |
| ||
Capital expenditures |
|
$ |
9,351 |
|
$ |
50,823 |
|
(81.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
SEGMENT FINANCIAL DATA GATHERING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating revenues affiliate |
|
$ |
1,804 |
|
$ |
2,490 |
|
(27.6 |
) |
Operating revenues third party |
|
1,496 |
|
1,415 |
|
5.7 |
| ||
Total operating revenues |
|
3,300 |
|
3,905 |
|
(15.5 |
) | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Operating and maintenance |
|
3,338 |
|
2,963 |
|
12.7 |
| ||
Selling, general and administrative |
|
1,264 |
|
1,266 |
|
(0.2 |
) | ||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
730 |
|
675 |
|
8.1 |
| ||
Total operating expenses |
|
5,332 |
|
4,904 |
|
8.7 |
| ||
Operating loss |
|
$ |
(2,032 |
) |
$ |
(999 |
) |
103.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
SEGMENT OPERATIONAL DATA GATHERING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Gathered volumes (BBtu per day) |
|
65 |
|
75 |
|
(13.3 |
) | ||
Capital expenditures |
|
$ |
1,134 |
|
$ |
417 |
|
171.9 |
|
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Operating revenues and operating expenses related to the Sunrise Pipeline do not have an impact on distributable cash flow as the excess of the Sunrise Pipeline revenues over operating and maintenance and selling, general and administrative expenses is paid to EQT as the current monthly lease payment.
Total operating revenues were $44.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to $31.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily related to a $14.0 million increase in transmission and storage revenues offset by a decrease in gathering revenues of $0.6 million.
Transmission and storage revenues increased as a result of increased firm transmission service capacity contracts and increased system throughput. This includes $7.5 million of reservation fees and usage charges under firm contracts on the Sunrise Pipeline, $4.8 million of fees associated with transported volumes in excess of firm capacity, $1.4 million of increased pipeline safety revenues, increased contracted transmission capacity associated with the Blacksville Compressor project which was completed in September 2012 and increased usage charges under interruptible service contracts. These increases primarily resulted from increased production development in the Marcellus play. The average daily transmission throughput increased by 438 BBtu per day to 900 BBtu per day during the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, approximately 61% of the Companys total operating revenues were generated from firm capacity reservation charges. These increases were partly offset by a decrease in storage and parking services.
Due to the seasonal nature of the Companys utility customer contracts, the interim statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. Operating revenues are currently expected to be approximately $2 million higher in the first and fourth quarters of each year.
The average daily volumes gathered decreased 10 BBtu for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012, which resulted in reduced gathering revenues. The decreased volumes were primarily the result of lower production gathered from affiliates due to the utilization of direct interconnects between EQTs other gathering systems and the Companys transmission and storage systems.
Operating expenses totaled $18.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to $14.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase in operating expenses was due to a $4.3 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense partly offset by a $0.4 million decrease in operating and maintenance expense and a $0.3 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expense.
The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily in transmission and storage as a result of Sunrise Pipeline capital lease depreciation expense of $3.7 million and increased investment in transmission infrastructure. The Sunrise Pipeline capital lease is depreciated over the 15 year life of the lease, resulting in increased depreciation expense compared to the 40 year expected life of the pipeline.
The decrease in operating and maintenance expense resulted from a $0.8 million decrease in transmission and storage expenses partly offset by a $0.4 million increase in gathering expenses. Transmission and storage expenses decreased primarily as a result of lower allocated indirect operating costs of $0.6 million and decreased amortization of pipeline safety costs of $0.3 million. These decreases were partly offset by additional operating costs associated with operating the Sunrise Pipeline. The increase in gathering expense primarily resulted from higher purchased gas costs of $0.4 million. Fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes on the gathering system have historically exceeded the natural gas retained from the Companys gathering customers as compensation for its fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes. Purchased gas costs were recorded for the difference. The increase in purchased gas costs during the first quarter of 2013 was primarily the result of higher gas prices compared to the first quarter of 2012.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.3 million primarily due to decreased long-term incentive compensation costs of $0.5 million, lower indirect labor costs of $0.4 million and a reduction of a reserve on the collectability of long-term regulatory assets of $0.3 million. The historical financial statements of the Predecessor included long-term incentive compensation expenses associated with the EQT long-term incentive plan, which expense was not allocable to the Partnership subsequent to the IPO. The storage reserve was established for
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
the recovery of base storage gas from excess customer retention provided in the Companys 2006 rate settlement. The reduction to this reserve at March 31, 2013 is the result of recovering additional base storage gas. These expense reductions were partly offset by increased expenses associated with being a publicly traded partnership of $0.4 million and $0.4 million due to the additional costs attributable to the Sunrise Pipeline.
Other income primarily represents the equity portion of AFUDC, which generally increases during periods of increased construction and decreases during periods of reduced construction. The decrease in other income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012 primarily resulted from a decrease in applicable construction expenditures in connection with the completion of the Sunrise Pipeline project, which was placed into service on July 28, 2012.
Interest expense was $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, interest expense primarily consisted of $4.0 million related to the interest portion of the Sunrise Pipeline lease payments and $0.2 million related to commitment fees paid to maintain availability under the Companys credit facility. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, interest expense related to intercompany debt which was repaid in June 2012.
No income tax expense was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The Predecessors financial statements include U.S. federal and state income tax expense. Due to the Companys post-IPO limited partnership structure, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes and therefore no income tax expense was recorded in the first quarter of 2013.
See Investing Activities and Capital Requirements in the Capital Resources and Liquidity section below for a discussion of capital expenditures.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as net income plus net interest expense, income tax expense (if applicable), depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash long-term compensation expense and other non-cash adjustments (if applicable) less other income and the Sunrise Pipeline lease payment. As used herein, the Company defines distributable cash flow as adjusted EBITDA less net cash paid for interest expense, ongoing maintenance capital expenditures and income taxes (if applicable). Distributable cash flow should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount of cash that the Company has available for distributions or that the Company plans to distribute. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures that management and external users of the Companys consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, use to assess:
· the Companys operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships in the midstream energy industry, without regard to historical cost basis or, in the case of adjusted EBITDA, financing methods;
· the ability of the Companys assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to the Companys unitholders;
· the Companys ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; and
· the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities.
The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow provide useful information to investors in assessing the Companys financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow should not be considered alternatives to net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Additionally, because adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may be defined differently by other companies in its industry, the Companys definition of adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
The following tables present a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures, to the most comparable GAAP financial measures of net income and net cash provided by operating activities:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
| |
|
|
(Thousands) |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Net income |
|
$ |
22,230 |
|
Add: |
|
|
| |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
7,348 |
| |
Interest expense, net |
|
4,204 |
| |
Non-cash long-term compensation expense |
|
353 |
| |
Non-cash reserve adjustment |
|
(250 |
) | |
Less: |
|
|
| |
Other income |
|
(297 |
) | |
Sunrise Pipeline lease payment |
|
(6,863 |
) | |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
26,725 |
|
Less: |
|
|
| |
Cash interest, net |
|
(219 |
) | |
Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures(1) |
|
(2,074 |
) | |
Reimbursable plugging and abandonment (P&A) maintenance capital expenditures (2) |
|
(461 |
) | |
Reimbursable bare steel maintenance capital expenditures (2) |
|
(644 |
) | |
Add: |
|
|
| |
Reimbursement of reimbursable P&A maintenance capital expenditures (2) |
|
461 |
| |
Reimbursement of reimbursable bare steel maintenance capital expenditures (2) |
|
644 |
| |
Distributable cash flow |
|
$ |
24,432 |
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
| |
|
|
(Thousands) |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
26,875 |
|
Adjustments: |
|
|
| |
Interest expense, net |
|
4,204 |
| |
Sunrise Pipeline lease payment |
|
(6,863 |
) | |
Other, including changes in working capital |
|
2,509 |
| |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
26,725 |
|
(1) Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures are expenditures (including expenditures for the construction or development of new capital assets or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets) made to maintain, over the long term, the Companys operating capacity or operating income.
(2) EQT has reimbursement obligations to the Company for certain capital expenditures for plugging and abandonment of natural gas wells and bare steel pipe replacement. For further explanation of these reimbursable maintenance capital expenditures, see the section below titled Capital Requirements.
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Outlook
The Companys principal business objective is to increase the quarterly cash distributions that it pays to its unitholders over time while ensuring the ongoing growth of its business. The Company believes that it is well-positioned to achieve growth based on the combination of its relationship with EQT and its strategically located assets, which cover portions of the Marcellus Shale that lack substantial natural gas pipeline infrastructure. As production increases in the Companys areas of operations, the Company believes it will have a competitive advantage in attracting volumes to its transmission and storage system through relatively low-cost capacity expansions. Additionally, the Company may acquire additional midstream assets from EQT, or pursue selected asset acquisitions from third parties, to the extent such acquisitions complement the Companys or EQTs existing asset base or allow the Company to capture operational efficiencies from EQTs production. Should EQT choose to pursue midstream asset sales, it is under no contractual obligation to offer the assets to the Company.
In the near term, the Company expects that the following internal transmission and storage expansion projects will allow it to capitalize on increased drilling activity by EQT and other third-party producers:
· New Delivery Interconnect Expansion. The Morris III interconnect is expected to have 300 BBtu of incremental daily capacity into Texas Eastern Transmission LP at an estimated cost of approximately $3 million. The Company expects this project will be placed into service in the second quarter of 2013.
· Low Pressure East Expansion Project. This project involves uprating or replacing 26 miles of existing transmission pipeline in Greene, Washington and Allegheny counties in Pennsylvania at a cost of approximately $25 million. The Company expects to complete and place this project into service in the fourth quarter of 2013. When complete, this project will triple the current maximum allowable operating pressure of the pipeline, thereby creating approximately 150 BBtu per day of incremental firm transmission capacity on the system.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Overview
Prior to the IPO, the Companys primary sources of cash were proceeds from operating activities and cash contributions provided by EQT. From and after the IPO, the Companys available sources of liquidity include cash generated from operations, $350 million available for borrowing under the Companys credit facility, cash on hand, debt offerings and issuances of additional partnership units.
The Company believes that cash on hand, cash generated from operations and availability under the credit facility will be adequate to meet the Companys operating short-term capital, debt service and cash distribution requirements. The Company believes that future internal growth projects and potential acquisitions will be funded primarily through borrowings under the credit facility or through issuances of debt securities and additional partnership units.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $26.9 million for the first three months of 2013 compared to $11.6 million for the first three months of 2012, an increase of $15.3 million. The increase was primarily a result of increased transmission and storage operating revenues from firm transmission service and fees associated with transported volumes in excess of firm capacity related to production development in the Marcellus play. Additionally, other working capital fluctuations in amounts due to/from EQT affiliates, other assets and income taxes payable were related to the timing of advances from or repayments to EQT prior to the IPO.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities decreased $40.7 million to $10.5 million for the first three months of 2013 compared to $51.2 million for the first three months of 2012. The decrease was primarily attributable to the Sunrise Pipeline project and the Blacksville Compressor Station project, both of which were completed in the third quarter of 2012.
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
See further discussion of capital expenditures, including the transfer to EQT of the Sunrise Pipeline project, in the Capital Requirements section below.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $12.3 million for the first three months of 2013 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $39.6 million for the first three months of 2012. In the first three months of 2013, the Company paid cash distributions to unitholders of $12.4 million and made principal payments on the Sunrise Pipeline capital lease of $2.3 million. These cash outflows were partly offset by the capital contributions received from EQT of $2.4 million for reimbursement of qualifying expenditures made in the fourth quarter of 2012. EQT has reimbursement obligations to the Company for certain capital expenditures for plugging and abandonment of natural gas wells and bare steel pipe replacement. The Company may request reimbursement for these expenditures quarterly based on actual expenditures to date and projections for the applicable period. This is presented as a capital contribution from EQT and therefore is a cash inflow from financing. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company requested reimbursement of $1.1 million and expects to receive the cash from EQT in the second quarter of 2013.
In the first three months of 2012, the Company received advances from EQT of $39.6 million. Prior to the IPO, certain advances from affiliates were viewed as financing transactions as the Company would have otherwise obtained demand notes or term loans from EQT Capital Corporation (EQT Capital), EQTs subsidiary finance company, to fund these transactions. Subsequent to the IPO, these transactions reflect services rendered on behalf of the Company by EQT and its affiliates for operating expenses and will be settled monthly. Therefore, these are classified as operating activities subsequent to the IPO.
The Companys credit facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions and also requires maintenance of a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 5.00 to 1.00 (or, after the Company obtains an investment grade rating, of not more than 5.50 to 1.00 for certain measurement periods following the consummation of certain acquisitions) and, until the Company obtains an investment grade rating, a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00. No amounts were borrowed during the first quarter of 2013. As of March 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all existing debt provisions and covenants.
Capital Requirements
The transmission, storage and gathering businesses can be capital intensive, requiring significant investment to maintain and upgrade existing operations. Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
| ||||
|
|
2013 |
|
2012 |
| ||
|
|
(Thousands) |
| ||||
Expansion capital expenditures, excluding Sunrise Pipeline project |
|
$ |
5,028 |
|
$ |
11,788 |
|
Sunrise Pipeline project capital expenditures |
|
|
|
35,346 |
| ||
Maintenance capital expenditures: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Ongoing maintenance |
|
2,074 |
|
2,478 |
| ||
Funded regulatory compliance |
|
2,278 |
|
|
| ||
Reimbursable P&A maintenance |
|
461 |
|
1,518 |
| ||
Reimbursable bare steel maintenance |
|
644 |
|
110 |
| ||
Total maintenance capital expenditures |
|
5,457 |
|
4,106 |
| ||
Total capital expenditures |
|
$ |
10,485 |
|
$ |
51,240 |
|
Expansion capital expenditures excluding the Sunrise Pipeline project totaled $5.0 million and $11.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to the completion of the Blacksville Compressor Station project which was placed into service during the third quarter of 2012.
There were no Sunrise Pipeline project capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2013. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, Sunrise Pipeline project capital expenditures were $35.3 million. On June 18,
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
2012, the Company transferred ownership of the Sunrise Pipeline to EQT and therefore, the Company will have no future capital expenditures related to this project.
Maintenance capital expenditures are expenditures (including expenditures for the construction or development of new capital assets or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets) made to maintain, over the long term, the Companys operating capacity or operating income. Examples of maintenance capital expenditures are expenditures to repair, refurbish and replace pipelines, to connect new wells to maintain throughput, to maintain equipment reliability, integrity and safety and to address environmental laws and regulations.
Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures are all maintenance capital expenditures other than funded regulatory compliance and reimbursable maintenance capital expenditures described below. Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures were $2.1 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Funded regulatory compliance capital expenditures are certain maintenance capital expenditures identified prior to the IPO that are necessary to comply with regulatory and other legal requirements. Prior to the IPO, the Company identified two specific regulatory compliance initiatives, which will require it to expend approximately $32 million, the majority of which is expected to be incurred over the two years following the IPO. The Company retained approximately $32 million from the net proceeds of the IPO, which the Company anticipates will fully fund these expenditures. Funded regulatory compliance capital expenditures were $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. There were no funded regulatory compliance capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was due to a recently initiated program to install remote valve and pressure monitoring equipment on the Companys transmission and storage system. Expenditures to relocate certain valve operators above ground and apply corrosion protection also contributed to the increase over the prior quarter.
Under the omnibus agreement that the Company entered into with EQT and its general partner at the closing of the IPO, EQT has reimbursement obligations to the Company related to certain capital expenditures. For a period of ten years after the closing of the IPO, EQT will reimburse the Company for plugging and abandonment expenditures and other expenditures for certain identified wells of EQT and third parties. The reimbursement obligation of EQT with respect to wells owned by third parties is capped at $1.2 million per year. Additionally, EQT has agreed to reimburse the Company for bare steel replacement capital expenditures in the event that ongoing maintenance capital expenditures (other than capital expenditures associated with plugging and abandonment liabilities to be reimbursed by EQT) exceed $17.2 million (with respect to the Companys assets owned at the time of the IPO) in any year. If such ongoing maintenance capital expenditures and bare steel replacement capital expenditures exceed $17.2 million during any year, EQT will reimburse the Company for the lesser of (i) the amount of bare steel replacement capital expenditures during such year and (ii) the amount by which such ongoing capital expenditures and bare steel replacement capital expenditures exceeds $17.2 million. This bare steel replacement reimbursement obligation is capped at an aggregate amount of $31.5 million over the ten years following the IPO. Note that the amounts included as reimbursable maintenance for periods prior to the IPO were included for comparative purposes. As these amounts were spent in prior periods, EQT has no reimbursement obligations for them under the omnibus agreement.
Reimbursable P&A maintenance capital expenditures were $0.5 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a lower number of wells being plugged. Reimbursable bare steel maintenance capital expenditures were $0.6 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase was primarily related to the timing of costs associated with this program.
For 2013, the Company forecasts total capital expenditures to be approximately $73 million. The Companys future expansion capital expenditures may vary significantly from period to period based on the available investment opportunities. Maintenance related capital expenditures are expected to vary quarter to quarter. The Company expects to fund future capital expenditures through a combination of funds generated from its operations, cash on hand, borrowings under its credit facility and the issuance of additional partnership units and debt offerings.
Regulatory Matters
Equitrans previously maintained a PSCT, which enabled Equitrans to recover qualifying costs it incurred under the PSIA. The qualifying costs recoverable through the PSCT included a rate of return, taxes and depreciation associated with capital investments and actual operating and maintenance expenses incurred under the PSIA. The PSCT
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
surcharge was a usage charge expressed in dollars per Dth and was assessed to firm and interruptible transmission service customers. Equitrans was required to track all expenses and capital investments associated with the PSIA made on and after September 1, 2005. Equitrans made annual filings with the FERC to adjust the PSCT surcharge to reconcile actual historic qualifying costs incurred against PSCT revenues collected.
On March 1, 2012, Equitrans made its annual filing with the FERC to recover costs it incurred to comply with the PSIA. The filing provided for the recovery of $10.4 million in qualifying pipeline safety costs. One customer and the Independent Oil and Gas Association filed protests which asserted, among other things, that Equitrans had not included all appropriate volumes in calculating the level of its surcharge. Equitrans responded to the protests and in an order issued March 30, 2012, the FERC accepted the annual filing and suspended it, allowing the surcharge to become effective on April 1, 2012. Equitrans submitted additional information to the FERC on April 19, 2012 with the expectation that the FERC would subsequently issue an order based on the material Equitrans submitted.
On January 14, 2013, following numerous discussions with its customers, Equitrans filed a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (Settlement) with the FERC. The Settlement, which was approved by the FERC on March 22, 2013, resolved all issues arising out of Equitrans 2012 PSCT annual filing. The Settlement eliminated the tracking of PSIA costs and replaced the PSCT surcharge with a Pipeline Safety Cost (PSC) rate effective April 1, 2013. The new PSC rate has both a reservation and a usage component. The reservation component of the PSC rate applicable to firm transportation service is $0.8108 per Dth of the contract Maximum Daily Quantity applicable to service provided on the mainline system, and the usage component is $0.1372 per Dth delivered to the customer. The PSC rate applicable to interruptible over firm service, no-notice firm transportation service nominated on a point to point basis and interruptible service is $0.1372 per Dth delivered to the customer. Additionally, under the Settlement, Equitrans reduced its transmission retainage factor approved in Equitrans most recent 2006 rate case from 3.72% to 2.72% effective February 1, 2013. Equitrans no longer tracks its continued recovery of base storage gas, and the base storage gas recovery limit established in the 2006 rate case settlement has been eliminated. To the extent that Equitrans over-recovers its actual fuel and lost gas, the excess gas could be used to replenish the storage base gas. The PSC rate and transmission retainage factor will be in effect for a minimum of three years.
Distributions
A cash distribution to unitholders of $0.35 per unit was paid on February 14, 2013 related to the fourth quarter of 2012. On April 23, 2013, the Company announced that the Board of Directors of its general partner declared a cash distribution to the Companys unitholders of $0.37 per unit related to the first quarter of 2013. The cash distribution is payable on May 15, 2013 to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 6, 2013.
Commitments and Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Company. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the Company is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. The Company accrues legal or other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. The Company has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters and after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against the Company will not materially affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Companys critical accounting policies are described in the notes to the Companys Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any new accounting policies or updates to existing accounting policies as a result of new accounting pronouncements have been included in the notes to the Companys Consolidated Financial Statements on this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013. The application of the Companys critical accounting policies may require management to make judgments and estimates about the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates and judgments. Different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and estimates.
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Commodity Price Risk
Other than the base gas the Company purchases and uses in its natural gas storage facilities, which is necessary to maintain pressure and deliverability in its storage pools, and purchases of a small amount of natural gas for system operations, the Company generally does not take title to the natural gas that is stored or transported on its transmission system; accordingly, the Company is not exposed to commodity price fluctuations on natural gas stored in its facilities or transported through its pipelines by its customers. Base gas purchased and used in natural gas storage facilities, which was generally purchased more than 30 years ago, is considered a long-term asset and is not re-valued at current market prices. A certain amount of gas is naturally lost in connection with transporting natural gas across a pipeline system, and under the Companys contractual arrangements with its customers the Company is entitled to retain a specified volume of natural gas in order to compensate the Company for such lost and unaccounted for volumes as well as its fuel usage. Historically the natural gas volumes retained from the Companys transmission and storage customers as compensation for its fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes pursuant to the Companys transmission and storage agreements have been sufficient to cover its fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes on the transmission and storage system. However, fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes on its gathering system have historically exceeded the natural gas volumes retained from the Companys gathering customers as compensation for its fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes pursuant to its gathering agreements. As a consequence, the Company has purchased natural gas to make up for the difference. For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Companys actual fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes exceeded the amounts recovered from its gathering customers for which the Company recognized $1.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of purchased gas cost as a component of operating and maintenance expense. Except for the base gas in its natural gas storage facilities, which the Company considers to be a long-term asset, and volume and pricing variations related to the volumes of fuel purchased to make up for fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes in excess of amounts recovered from customers, the Companys current business model is designed to minimize its exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices. As a result, absent other market factors that could adversely impact its operations, changes in the price of natural gas over the intermediate term should not materially impact the Companys operations. The Company has not historically engaged in material commodity hedging activities relating to its assets. However, the Company may engage in commodity hedging activities in the future, particularly if it undertakes growth projects or engages in acquisitions that expose it to direct commodity price risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Prior to the IPO, the Companys operating and acquisition activities were funded through intercompany borrowings with EQT at market rates. At the closing of the IPO on July 2, 2012, the Company entered into a new $350 million revolving credit facility. The Company may from time to time hedge the interest on portions of its borrowings under the revolving credit facility in order to manage risks associated with floating interest rates.
Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to credit risk. Credit risk represents the loss that it would incur if a counterparty fails to perform under its contractual obligations. Approximately 90% and 87% of the Companys third party accounts receivable balances of $4.5 million and $3.7 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, represent amounts due from marketers. The Company manages its exposure to credit risk associated with customers to whom it extends credit through credit analysis, credit approval, credit limits and monitoring procedures. For certain transactions, the Company may request letters of credit, cash collateral, prepayments or guarantees as forms of credit support. The Companys tariff requires customers that do not meet specified credit standards to provide three months of credit support; however, the Company is exposed to credit risk beyond this three month period when its tariff does not require its customers to provide additional credit support. For some of the Companys more recent long-term contracts associated with system expansions, it has entered into negotiated credit agreements that provide for enhanced forms of credit support if certain credit standards are not met. The Company has historically experienced only minimal credit losses in connection with its receivables. In connection with the IPO, EQT guaranteed all payment obligations, up to a maximum of $50 million, due and payable to Equitrans by EQT Energy, one of Equitrans largest customers. The EQT guaranty will terminate on November 30, 2023 unless terminated earlier by EQT by providing 10 days written notice. At March 31, 2013, EQTs public senior debt had an investment grade credit rating.
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of management of the Companys general partner, including the general partners Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, an evaluation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)), was conducted as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Companys general partner have concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the first quarter of 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Company. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the Company is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. The Company accrues legal or other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. The Company has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters, and after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against the Company will not materially affect the business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions.
Information regarding risk factors is discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K.
31.1 |
Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
|
|
31.2 |
Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
|
|
32 |
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
|
|
101 |
Interactive Data File |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
EQT Midstream Partners, LP | |
|
(Registrant) | |
|
| |
|
By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its General Partner | |
|
| |
|
| |
|
By: |
/s/ Philip P. Conti |
|
|
Philip P. Conti |
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
| |
|
| |
Date: April 25, 2013 |
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Document Description |
|
Method of Filing |
|
|
|
|
|
31.1 |
|
Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
|
Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
31.2 |
|
Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
|
Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
|
Filed herewith as Exhibit 32 |
|
|
|
|
|
101 |
|
Interactive Data File |
|
Filed herewith as Exhibit 101 |
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, David L. Porges, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EQT Midstream Partners, LP;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Date: April 25, 2013 |
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EQT Midstream Partners, LP |
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/s/ David L. Porges |
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David L. Porges |
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Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, EQT Midstream Services, LLC, the registrants General Partner |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Philip P. Conti, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EQT Midstream Partners, LP;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Date: April 25, 2013 |
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EQT Midstream Partners, LP |
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/s/ Philip P. Conti |
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Philip P. Conti |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, EQT Midstream Services, LLC, the registrants General Partner |
Exhibit 32
CERTIFICATION
In connection with the Quarterly Report of EQT Midstream Partners, LP (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), the undersigned certify pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
/s/ David L. Porges |
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April 25, 2013 |
David L. Porges |
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Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, EQT Midstream Services, LLC, the Companys General Partner |
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/s/ Philip P. Conti |
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April 25, 2013 |
Philip P. Conti |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, EQT Midstream Services, LLC, the Companys General Partner |
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A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to EQT Midstream Partners, LP and will be retained by EQT Midstream Partners, LP and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
Net Income per Limited Partner Unit and Cash Distributions (Details 3) (General partner)
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3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2013
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General partner
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General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights | |
Level one increasing percentage of distribution entitlement per quarter | 13.00% |
Level two increasing percentage of distribution entitlement per quarter | 23.00% |
Maximum increasing percentage of distribution entitlement per quarter | 48.00% |
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