As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 2, 2007
Registration No. 333-_______
 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
  41-2232463
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, Texas 77056

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
Spectra Energy Partners, LP
Long-Term Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)
C. Gregory Harper
Spectra Energy Partners, LP
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, Texas 77056

(Name and address of agent for service)
(713) 627-5400
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
David P. Oelman
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 758-2222
 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                                             
 
                  Proposed Maximum       Proposed Maximum       Amount of    
  Title of Securities     Amount to be       Offering Price       Aggregate Offering       Registration    
  to be Registered     Registered (1)       Per Share (2)       Price (2)       Fee    
 
Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests
    900,000 Common Units       $27.825        $25,042,500        $768.81   
 
(1)   Includes an indeterminate number of units that may become issuable pursuant to anti-dilution provisions of the agreement of limited partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP.
(2)   Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based on the average of the high and low prices reported on the New York Stock Exchange on June 27, 2007.
 
 

 


 

PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
     In accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and the instructional note to Part I of Form S-8, the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 has been omitted from the filing of this registration statement. The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participating employees as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act. Such documents and the documents incorporated by reference herein pursuant to Item 3 of Part II hereof, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
     The following documents filed by the registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) are incorporated by reference in this registration statement:
    The prospectus as filed by Spectra Energy Partners, LP with the Commission (File No. 333-141687) on June 27, 2007 pursuant to Rule 424 (b)(1) of the Securities Act;
 
    Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 2, 2007;
 
    The description of our common units contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on June 22, 2007, and any subsequent amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating that description.
     All documents we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 on any current report on Form 8-K) subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this registration statement indicating that all securities offered hereby have been sold or deregistering all securities then remaining unsold, will be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part of this registration statement from the date of filing of those documents. Any statement contained in this registration statement or in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this registration statement, except as so modified or superseded.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
     Not Applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel .
     Not Applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
     Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other persons from and against all claims and demands whatsoever. Under our partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events:

 


 

    our general partner;
 
    any departing general partner;
 
    any person who is or was an affiliate of a general partner or any departing general partner;
 
    any person who is or was a director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of any entity set forth in the preceding three bullet points;
 
    any person who is or was serving as director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person at the request of our general partner or any departing general partner; and
 
    any person designated by our general partner.
     Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it otherwise agrees, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or lend funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate indemnification. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under our partnership agreement.
Item 7. Exemptions from Registration Claimed.
     Not Applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
     Unless otherwise indicated below as being incorporated by reference to another filing of the registrant with the Commission, each of the following exhibits is filed herewith:
     
Exhibit    
Number   Description
 
   
4.1
  Form of Spectra Energy Partners, LP First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (including specimen unit certificate for Common Units) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Spectra Energy Partners, LP’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-141687)).
 
   
4.2
  Spectra Energy Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Spectra Energy Partners, LP’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-141687)).
 
   
4.3*
  Form of Phantom Unit Award Agreement under the Spectra Energy Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan.
 
   
5.1*
  Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
 
   
23.1*
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 
   
23.2*
  Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
 
   
23.3*
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 
   
23.4*
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 
   
24.1*
  Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page contained in Part II of this registration statement).
 
*   Filed herewith.

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Item 9. Undertakings .
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
     (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
     (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
     (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
     (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on the 2nd day of July, 2007.
         
 
       
    SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
 
       
 
  BY:   SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP,
 
      its General Partner
 
       
 
  BY:   SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS GP, LLC,
 
      its General Partner
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ C. Gregory Harper 
 
       
 
      C. Gregory Harper
 
      President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints C. Gregory Harper, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 2nd day of July 2007.
     
    Title
Signature   (of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC)
 
   
/s/ C. Gregory Harper 
 
C. Gregory Harper
  Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
   
/s/ Lon C. Mitchell, Jr. 
 
Lon C. Mitchell, Jr.
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
 
   
/s/ Martha B. Wyrsch 
 
Martha B. Wyrsch
  Chairman of the Board 
 
   
/s/ William S. Garner, Jr. 
 
William S. Garner, Jr.
  Director 
 
   
/s/ Gregory J. Rizzo 
 
Gregory J. Rizzo
  Director 
 
   

 


 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS
     Unless otherwise indicated below as being incorporated by reference to another filing of the registrant with the Commission, each of the following exhibits is filed herewith:
     
Exhibit    
Number   Description
 
   
4.1
  Form of Spectra Energy Partners, LP First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (including specimen unit certificate for Common Units) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Spectra Energy Partners, LP’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-141687)).
 
   
4.2
  Spectra Energy Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Spectra Energy Partners, LP’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-141687)).
 
   
4.3*
  Form of Phantom Unit Award Agreement under the Spectra Energy Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan.
 
   
5.1*
  Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
 
   
23.1*
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 
   
23.2*
  Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
 
   
23.3*
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 
   
23.4*
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 
   
24.1*
  Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page contained in Part II of this registration statement).
 
*   Filed herewith.

 

 

Exhibit 4.3
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
PHANTOM UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT
Grantee: __________________
[ Note : This form of Agreement must be modified, as necessary, for each individual grant of Phantom Units. Certain terms may be added or deleted as appropriate to customize the Agreement for a particular Grantee.]
      1.  Grant of Phantom Units with DERs . As of the Grant Date (identified in Section 11 below), Spectra Energy Partners, GP, LLC (the “ Company ”), hereby grants ___ (___) Phantom Units (“ Phantom Units ”) and tandem Distribution Equivalent Rights (“ DERs ”) to the Grantee identified above, subject to the terms and conditions of this agreement (the “ Agreement ”) and the Spectra Energy Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”). The Plan is hereby incorporated in its entirety into this Agreement by reference. This Agreement is an Award Agreement as described in the Plan.
      2.  Definitions . All capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan unless otherwise specifically defined herein.
      3.  Phantom Unit Agreement Term . This Agreement shall commence on the Grant Date (identified in Section 11 ) and terminate without further action on the date that all the Phantom Units under the Agreement are either fully paid, expire, or are forfeited, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Agreement.
      4.  Fair Market Value per Phantom Unit . The Fair Market Value (“ FMV ”) of a Phantom Unit is determined on the Vesting Date (as defined in Section 11 ). The FMV of each Phantom Unit on its Vesting Date is equal to the FMV of one Common Unit of the Partnership (“ Unit ”). All determinations of FMV shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
      5.  Distribution Equivalent Rights . Payments with respect to any DER subject to this Agreement shall be credited by the Company to a bookkeeping account in the Grantee’s name as soon as practicable each time that cash distributions are made by the Partnership with respect to Units before the DER expires hereunder. Grantee shall be entitled to payment for the DERs credited to the bookkeeping account in a cash lump sum payment at the same time that payment is made for the related Phantom Unit in accordance with Section 8 .
      6.  Vesting . Subject to Section 7 , all the Phantom Units subject to this Agreement shall vest in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in Section 11 .
      7.  Termination of Employment .
      7.1 Termination of Employment due to Cause . In the event of termination of the Grantee’s Employment for Cause, all of the vested (to the extent not already paid) and non-vested Phantom Units held by the Grantee as of the Employment termination

 


 

date shall immediately expire, terminate and become forfeited, and shall not be paid to any extent. No further action is needed to effectuate the forfeiture of all the Grantee’s Phantom Units due to a termination of Employment for Cause.
     For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” means the termination of the Grantee’s Employment by the Company or an Affiliate by reason of (i) the conviction of the Grantee by a court of competent jurisdiction as to which no further appeal can be taken of a crime involving moral turpitude or a felony; (ii) the commission by the Grantee of a material act of fraud upon the Company or an Affiliate, or any customer or supplier thereof; (iii) the misappropriation of any funds or property of the Company or an Affiliate, or any customer or supplier thereof; (iv) the willful and continued failure by the Grantee to perform the material duties assigned to him that is not cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company or an Affiliate within 30 days after written notice of such failure is provided to Grantee by the Company or an Affiliate (or by their delegate); (v) the engagement by the Grantee in any direct and material conflict of interest with the Company or an Affiliate without compliance with the Company’s or Affiliate’s conflict of interest policy, if any, then in effect; or (vi) the engagement by the Grantee, without the written approval of the Company or an Affiliate, in any material activity which competes with the business of the Company or Affiliate or which would result in a material injury to the business, reputation or goodwill of the Company or Affiliate.
     For purposes of this Agreement, “ Employment ” means that the Grantee is employed as an Employee or engaged as a Director (as such terms are defined in the Plan). All determinations regarding Employment, and termination of Employment, shall be made by the Committee in its discretion. In this regard, neither the transfer of the Grantee from Employment by the Company or Partnership to Employment by any Affiliate, nor the transfer of the Grantee from Employment by an Affiliate to Employment by the Company or Partnership, shall be considered to be a termination of Employment of the Grantee. Moreover, the Employment of Grantee shall not be deemed to have been terminated because of an approved leave of absence from active Employment on account of temporary illness, authorized vacation, or granted for reasons of professional advancement, education, or health, or during any period required to be treated as leave of absence by virtue of any applicable law, personnel policy or written agreement. The term “Employment” also includes current membership on the Board by a Director.
      7.2 Involuntary Termination of Employment due to Death or Disability . If Grantee’s Employment is terminated due to death or Disability, then all outstanding, non-vested Phantom Units shall immediately become 100% vested on the termination of Employment date, which shall be the Vesting Date.
     For purposes of this Agreement, “ Disability ” means that either the Grantee:
  (i)   is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; or

2


 

  (ii)   is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company or the Affiliate that is the Grantee’s employer.
      7.3 Termination of Employment due to Retirement . If Grantee’s Employment terminates at a time when Grantee is eligible for an immediately payable early or normal retirement benefit under the Spectra Energy Retirement Cash Balance Plan or under another qualified retirement plan of the Company or an Affiliate, which plan the Committee, or its delegatee, in its sole discretion, determines to be the functional equivalent of the Spectra Energy Retirement Cash Balance Plan, the number of Phantom Units and tandem DERs to which the Grantee shall have a right to payment hereunder shall be prorated to reflect the number of whole and partial months of the period beginning on the Date of Grant and ending with the third (3rd) anniversary of the Grant Date during which such Employment continued while Grantee was entitled to payment of salary, and the remaining Phantom Units shall be forfeited. Grantee shall be considered to have “retired” but Grantee’s Employment shall be considered to continue, with continued vesting under Section 11.4 , (i) unless the Committee or its delegatee, in its sole discretion, determines that (A) Grantee is in violation of any obligation identified in the following paragraph or (B) the termination of Grantee’s Employment is for Cause, in which case all Phantom Units not previously vested shall be forfeited, or (ii) unless the Grantee dies, in which case the Phantom Units subject to the provisions of this Section 7.3 shall vest in accordance with Section 11.4 .
     In consideration of the continued vesting opportunity provided under this Section 7.3 following the termination of Grantee’s continuous Employment, if Grantee is considered “retired”, Grantee agrees that during the period beginning with such termination of Employment and ending with the third anniversary of the Grant Date (the “ Restricted Period ”), Grantee shall not (i) without the prior written consent of the Company or an Affiliate, or its delegatee, become employed by, serve as a principal, partner, or member of the board of directors of, or in any similar capacity with, or otherwise provide service to, any competitor of the Company or an Affiliate, or (ii) violate any of Grantee’s other noncompetition obligations, or any of Grantee’s nonsolicitation or nondisclosure obligations, to the Company or any Affiliate. The noncompetition obligations of clause (i) of the preceding sentence shall be limited in scope and effective only to competition with the Company or any Affiliate in the businesses of: gathering, processing or transmission of natural gas, resale or arranging for the purchase or for the resale, brokering, marketing, or trading of natural gas, electricity or derivatives thereof; energy management and the provision of energy solutions; gathering, compression, treating, processing, fractionation, transportation, trading, marketing of natural gas components, including natural gas liquids; sales and marketing of electric power and natural gas, domestically and abroad; and any other business in which the Company and its Affiliates are engaged at the termination of Grantee’s continuous Employment; and within the following geographical areas (i) any country in the world where the Company and its Affiliates have at least US$25 million in capital deployed as of termination of Grantee’s continuous Employment; (ii) the continent of

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North America; (iii) the United States of America and Canada; (iv) the states of (A) Virginia, (B) Georgia, (C) Florida, (D)Texas, (E) California, (F) Massachusetts, (G) Illinois, (H) Michigan, (I) New York, (J) Colorado, (K) Oklahoma and (L) Louisiana; and (v) any state or states or province or provinces with respect to which was conducted a business of the Company and its Affiliates, which business constituted at least 20% of Grantee’s Employment as determined by the Company. The Company and Grantee intend the above restrictions on competition in geographical areas to be entirely severable and independent, and any invalidity or enforceability of this provision with respect to any one or more of such restrictions, including geographical areas, shall not render this provision unenforceable as applied to any one or more of the other restrictions, including geographical areas. If any part of this provision is held to be unenforceable because of the duration, scope or area covered, the Company and Grantee agree to modify such part, or that the court making such holding shall have the power to modify such part, to reduce its duration, scope or area, including deletion of specific words and phrases, i.e. , “blue penciling”, and in its modified, reduced or blue pencil form, such part shall become enforceable and shall be enforced to the full extent applicable. Nothing in this Section 7.3 shall be construed to prohibit Grantee being retained during the Restricted Period in a capacity as an attorney licensed to practice law, or to restrict Grantee providing advice and counsel in such capacity, in any jurisdiction where such prohibition or restriction is contrary to law.
      7.4. Involuntary Termination by Company other than for Cause. If the Grantee’s Employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company or an Affiliate for any reason other than Cause, then (i) the number of Phantom Units and tandem DERs hereunder shall be prorated to reflect the number of whole and partial months of Employment during the period beginning on the Grant Date and ending with the third anniversary of the Grant Date, and the remaining Phantom Units and DERs shall be forfeited, and (ii) the prorata number of Phantom Units and DERs determined in accordance with clause (i) shall immediately become 100% vested as of the Employment termination date, which shall be their Vesting Date.
      7.5 Termination of Employment for Other Reasons . If the Grantee’s Employment is terminated for any reason, other than (i) involuntary termination with or without Cause or (ii) due to Grantee’s death, Disability or retirement as described in Sections 7.2 and 7.3 hereof, before all the Phantom Units are 100% vested, all of the then non-vested, outstanding Phantom Units held by the Grantee as of the Employment termination date shall automatically expire and become forfeited, and no additional vesting shall occur on or subsequent to the Employment termination date.
      7.6 Change in Control . All outstanding Phantom Units and tandem DERs shall become 100% vested, if, following the occurrence of a Change in Control and before the second anniversary of such occurrence, the Grantee’s Employment is involuntarily terminated for any reason, except for Cause, death, Disability or Retirement, by the Company or Affiliate, or its successor in interest following the Change in Control.
     For purposes of this Agreement, “ Change in Control ” means:

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  (i)   any “person” or “group” within the meaning of those terms as used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than an Affiliate, shall become the beneficial owner, by way of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or otherwise, of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the equity interests in the Company or the Partnership;
 
  (ii)   the limited partners of the Partnership approve, in one or a series of transactions, a plan of complete liquidation of the Partnership;
 
  (iii)   the sale or other disposition by either the Company or the Partnership of all or substantially all of its assets in one or more transactions to any Person other than the Company or an Affiliate; or
 
  (iv)   a transaction resulting in a Person other than the Company or an Affiliate being the general partner of the Partnership.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to an Award that is subject to Code Section of the Code and with respect to which a Change of Control will accelerate payment thereunder, “Change of Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or an Affiliate, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company or an Affiliate as defined in Code Section 409A and authoritative guidance issued thereunder, but only to the extent inconsistent with the above definition, and only to the minimum exact necessary to comply with Section 409A as determined by the Committee.
      8.  Payment of Phantom Units upon Vesting Date . Payment for a Phantom Unit shall be made to the Grantee as soon as practicable following the time such Phantom Unit becomes vested in accordance with Section 6 prior to its expiration, but in no event later than 30 days following the Vesting Date, except to the extent deferred by the Grantee in accordance with such procedures as the Committee (or its delegate) may prescribe consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A. Payment shall be subject to withholding for all required taxes. Payment shall be in the form of one (1) Unit for each full vested Phantom Unit, and any fractional vested Phantom Unit shall not be payable unless and until subsequent vesting results in the full Phantom Unit becoming vested; provided, however, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, direct that a cash payment be made to Grantee in lieu of delivery of any such Unit or Units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that Grantee fails to timely tender to the Company or Affiliate sufficient cash to satisfy withholding for tax requirements, the number of Units that would otherwise be paid (valued at their FMV on the Vesting Date of the respective Phantom Unit, or if later, the date payable) shall be reduced by the Committee (or its delegate), in its sole discretion, to fully satisfy such requirements.
      9.  Independent Legal and Tax Advice . The Company, its Affiliates, and their officers, employees, agents and representatives, do not provide any tax or legal advice to Grantee or any other person. The Grantee is encouraged to consult with a personal tax advisor and legal counsel.

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      10.  General .
      10.1 Nontransferability of Phantom Unit . The Phantom Units granted pursuant to this Agreement cannot be transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated in any respect, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. If any attempt is made to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of any rights under this Agreement contrary to the provisions in this Agreement or the Plan, or upon the levy of any attachment or similar process upon such rights, such rights shall immediately become null and void. No right to any payment that may be provided hereunder to the Grantee shall be liable for, or subject to, any debts, contracts, liabilities, damages, losses, or torts of the Grantee unless and until actually paid to or on behalf of Grantee hereunder.
      10.2 No Guarantee of Employment . No award of Phantom Units shall confer upon Grantee any right to continued Employment.
      10.3 Notices . All notices under this Agreement shall be mailed or delivered by hand to the parties at their respective addresses set forth beneath their signatures below or at such other address as may be designated in writing by either party to the other party, or to their permitted transferees if applicable. Notices shall be effective upon receipt.
      10.4 Amendment and Termination . No amendment, modification or termination of this Agreement shall be made at any time without the written consent of Grantee and the Company.
      10.5 Severability . In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be fully severable, but shall not affect the remaining provisions of the Agreement, and the Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision had not been included herein.
      10.6 Governing Law . The Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflict of law provisions, to the extent federal law does not supersede and preempt Delaware law.
      10.7. Conflicts . In the event of any conflict between the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
      10.8. Restrictions. Grantee agrees that any Units acquired under this Agreement will not be sold or otherwise disposed of in any manner which would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws. Grantee also agrees that (i) the certificates representing the Units acquired under this Agreement may bear such legend or legends as the Committee deems appropriate in order to assure compliance with applicable securities laws, (ii) the Company may refuse to register the transfer of Units to be acquired under this Agreement on the transfer records of the Partnership if such proposed transfer would, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Partnership, constitute a violation of any applicable securities law, and (iii) the

6


 

Partnership may give related instructions to its transfer agent, if any, to stop the registration of the transfer of Units to be acquired under this Agreement.
      10.9. Rights as Unitholder. Grantee or Grantee’s executor, administrator, heirs, or legatees shall have the right to vote and receive distributions on Units and all the other privileges of a unitholder of the Partnership only upon and from the date of issuance of a Unit certificate in Grantee’s representing payment of a vested Phantom Unit.
      10.10. Insider Trading Policy. The terms of the Company’s Insider Trading Policy are incorporated herein by reference. The timing of the delivery of any Units hereunder shall be subject to such Policy in all respects.
      10.11. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor or successors of the Company and upon any person lawfully claiming under Grantee following death or Disability.
      10.12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the Phantom Units granted hereby. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect.
      11.  Definitions and Other Terms . The following capitalized terms shall have those meanings set forth opposite them:
      11.1. Grantee:                                          .
      11.2. Grant Date:                      , 2007 .
      11.3. Vesting Date : The date upon which the Phantom Units become vested under the Agreement pursuant to Sections 6 and 11.4 .
      11.4. Vesting Schedule : Subject to the terms of the Plan, if the Grantee remains in continuous Employment, the Phantom Units granted hereunder shall vest in accordance with the following vesting schedule:

7


 

      [Option 1:
                 
            Percentage of
Vesting Date           Phantom Units Vesting
Grant Date
            0 %
 
               
Third Anniversary of Grant Date
            100 %
 
               
 
  Total     100 %
 
               
]
      [Option 2:
                 
            Percentage of
Vesting Date           Phantom Units Vesting
First Anniversary of Grant Date
            33⅓ %
 
               
 
               
Second Anniversary of Grant Date
            33⅓ %
 
               
 
               
Third Anniversary of Grant Date
            33⅓ %
 
               
 
  Total     100 %
 
               
]
      12.  Acceptance and Cancellation . Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement is subject to cancellation by the Company in its sole discretion unless the Grantee, by not later than August 31, 2007, has signed a duplicate of this Agreement, in the space provided below, and returned the signed duplicate to: Executive Compensation Department — Phantom Units (WO 1P16), Spectra Energy Corp., P.O. Box 1642, Houston, TX 77521-1642, which, if and to the extent permitted by the Executive Compensation Department, may be accomplished by electronic means.
[Signature page follows.]

8


 

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by a duly authorized officer of the Company, and Grantee has hereunto executed this Agreement.
             
 
           
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS GP, LLC    
 
           
By:
      Date:    
 
           
 
           
Name:
           
 
           
 
           
Title:
           
 
           
 
           
Address for Notices:        
 
           
5400 Westheimer Court        
Houston, Texas 77056        
 
           
Attention:
           
 
           
Acceptance of Phantom Unit Award
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF Grantee has hereby accepted this Award agreed to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, and Grantee has hereunto executed this Agreement.
GRANTEE
             
 
           
Signature:
      Date:    
 
           
 
           
Name:
           
 
           
 
           
Address for Notices:        
 
           
 
           
         
 
           
 
           
         
 
           
 
           
         

9

 

Exhibit 5.1
(VINSON & ELKINS)
July 2, 2007
Spectra Energy Partners, LP
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, Texas 77056
Ladies and Gentlemen:
     We have acted as counsel to Spectra Energy Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the offering and sale of up to 900,000 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”) issuable under the Spectra Energy Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”).
     As the basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed, we examined such statutes, including the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “ Delaware Act ”), corporate records and documents, certificates of corporate and public officials, and other instruments and documents as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purposes of this opinion, including the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed in connection with the registration of the Common Units. In such examination, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity with the original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.
     Based on the foregoing and on such legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:
     1. The Partnership has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited partnership under the Delaware Act.
     2. The Common Units, when issued and delivered on behalf of the Partnership in accordance with the Plan, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
     The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the United States of America, the Constitution of the State of Delaware and the Delaware Act, as interpreted by federal courts and the courts of the State of Delaware.
(V & E FOOTER)

 


 

(V&E)   July 2, 2007     Page 2
 
     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
 
Very truly yours,
/s/ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

 

 

Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement on Form S-8 of our (1) report dated March 27, 2007 (May 7, 2007 as to paragraph 4 of Note 11) relating to the combined financial statements and financial statement schedule of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the preparation of the combined financial statements of Spectra Energy Partners Predecessor from the separate records maintained by Spectra Energy Capital, LLC), (2) report dated March 27, 2007, relating to the balance sheet of Spectra Energy Partners, LP and (3) report dated March 27, 2007, relating to the balance sheet of Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP appearing in the Registration Statement No. 333-141687 on Form S-1 of Spectra Energy Partners, LP.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Houston, Texas
July 2, 2007

 

Exhibit 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement on Form S-8 of our report dated March 27, 2007 relating to the financial statements of Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, appearing in the Registration Statement No. 333-141687 on Form S-1 of Spectra Energy Partners, LP.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Houston, Texas
July 2, 2007

 

Exhibit 23.4
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement on Form S-8 of our report dated March 27, 2007 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Market Hub Partners Holding, LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, appearing in the Registration Statement No. 333-141687 on Form S-1 of Spectra Energy Partners, LP.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Houston, Texas
July 2, 2007