UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File No. 1-10403


TEPPCO Partners, L.P.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

76-0291058

(State of Incorporation

 

(I.R.S. Employer

or Organization)

 

Identification Number)

 

1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 1300

Houston, Texas 77002

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(713) 381-3636

(Registrant’s 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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
x      Accelerated Filer o      Non-accelerated Filer 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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.  Limited Partner Units outstanding as of November 6, 2006:   75,713,554

 




TEPPCO PARTNERS, L.P.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2006 (unaudited) and December 31, 2005 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Partners’ Capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

 

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

i




PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

TEPPCO PARTNERS, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

90

 

$

119

 

Accounts receivable, trade (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $100 and $250)

 

789,494

 

803,373

 

Accounts receivable, related parties

 

2,364

 

5,207

 

Inventories

 

26,951

 

29,069

 

Other

 

49,510

 

61,361

 

Total current assets

 

868,409

 

899,129

 

Property, plant and equipment, at cost (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $491,665 and $474,332)

 

1,607,832

 

1,960,068

 

Equity investments

 

1,016,131

 

359,656

 

Intangible assets

 

189,588

 

376,908

 

Goodwill

 

14,167

 

16,944

 

Other assets

 

71,858

 

67,833

 

Total assets

 

$

3,767,985

 

$

3,680,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

824,389

 

$

800,033

 

Accounts payable, related parties

 

45,620

 

11,836

 

Accrued interest

 

15,969

 

32,840

 

Other accrued taxes

 

17,067

 

16,532

 

Other

 

35,092

 

75,970

 

Total current liabilities

 

938,137

 

937,211

 

Senior notes

 

1,113,075

 

1,119,121

 

Other long-term debt

 

359,000

 

405,900

 

Deferred tax liability

 

657

 

 

Other liabilities and deferred credits

 

21,717

 

16,936

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital:

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 

(339

)

11

 

General partner’s interest

 

(79,331

)

(61,487

)

Limited partners’ interests

 

1,415,069

 

1,262,846

 

Total partners’ capital

 

1,335,399

 

1,201,370

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

 

$

3,767,985

 

$

3,680,538

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

1




TEPPCO PARTNERS, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per Unit amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of petroleum products

 

$

2,446,671

 

$

2,367,830

 

$

7,130,283

 

$

5,714,199

 

Transportation – Refined products

 

42,067

 

38,240

 

113,309

 

111,039

 

Transportation – LPGs

 

16,877

 

16,519

 

59,652

 

63,220

 

Transportation – Crude oil

 

9,567

 

10,001

 

29,034

 

28,215

 

Transportation – NGLs

 

10,971

 

11,829

 

32,362

 

33,435

 

Gathering – Natural gas

 

25,022

 

38,833

 

107,856

 

112,349

 

Other

 

18,870

 

16,875

 

58,970

 

48,846

 

Total operating revenues

 

2,570,045

 

2,500,127

 

7,531,466

 

6,111,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of petroleum products

 

2,417,636

 

2,349,919

 

7,043,432

 

5,662,899

 

Operating expense

 

49,237

 

49,079

 

151,015

 

135,475

 

Operating fuel and power

 

15,478

 

12,538

 

42,762

 

35,154

 

General and administrative

 

6,994

 

8,517

 

25,353

 

21,822

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

26,250

 

30,807

 

83,683

 

82,556

 

Taxes – other than income taxes

 

2,625

 

5,920

 

13,984

 

15,567

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

(14

)

(31

)

(1,410

)

(597

)

Total costs and expenses

 

2,518,206

 

2,456,749

 

7,358,819

 

5,952,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

51,839

 

43,378

 

172,647

 

158,427

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense – net

 

(23,181

)

(19,726

)

(63,522

)

(60,640

)

Equity earnings

 

11,567

 

4,747

 

15,230

 

16,592

 

Other income – net

 

1,063

 

484

 

2,416

 

885

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before deferred income tax expense

 

41,288

 

28,883

 

126,771

 

115,264

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

143

 

 

657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

41,145

 

28,883

 

126,114

 

115,264

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

692

 

1,497

 

2,662

 

Gain on sale of discontinued operations

 

 

 

17,872

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

692

 

19,369

 

2,662

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

41,145

 

$

29,575

 

$

145,483

 

$

117,926

 

 

2




 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net Income Allocation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Limited Partner Unitholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

29,047

 

$

20,426

 

$

89,035

 

$

81,527

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

489

 

13,674

 

1,883

 

Total Limited Partner Unitholders net income allocation

 

29,047

 

20,915

 

102,709

 

83,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Partner:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

12,098

 

8,457

 

37,079

 

33,737

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

203

 

5,695

 

779

 

Total General Partner net income allocation

 

12,098

 

8,660

 

42,774

 

34,516

 

Total net income allocated

 

$

41,145

 

$

29,575

 

$

145,483

 

$

117,926

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per Limited Partner Unit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.29

 

$

1.24

 

$

1.22

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

0.01

 

0.19

 

0.03

 

Basic and diluted net income per Limited Partner Unit

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.30

 

$

1.43

 

$

1.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average Limited Partner Units outstanding

 

75,360

 

69,964

 

71,782

 

66,533

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

3




TEPPCO PARTNERS, L.P.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

145,483

 

$

117,926

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by continuing operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

(19,369

)

(2,662

)

Deferred income tax expense

 

657

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

83,683

 

82,556

 

Earnings in equity investments

 

(15,230

)

(16,592

)

Distributions from equity investments

 

26,546

 

28,178

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

(1,410

)

(597

)

Non-cash portion of interest expense

 

1,241

 

1,214

 

Increase in accounts receivable, trade

 

(3,995

)

(296,340

)

Decrease in accounts receivable, related parties

 

1,309

 

6,523

 

Decrease (increase) in inventories

 

103

 

(111,083

)

Decrease (increase) in other current assets

 

5,877

 

(21,002

)

Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

2,159

 

283,167

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, related parties

 

14,919

 

(14,796

)

Other

 

(10,960

)

(10,530

)

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities

 

231,013

 

45,962

 

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

 

1,521

 

3,110

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

232,534

 

49,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from the sales of assets

 

39,750

 

510

 

Purchase of assets

 

(10,975

)

(112,231

)

Investment in Centennial Pipeline LLC

 

(2,500

)

 

Investment in Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P.

 

(4,168

)

(2,635

)

Investment in Jonah Gas Gathering Company

 

(65,342

)

 

Cash paid for linefill on assets owned

 

(5,640

)

(5,124

)

Capital expenditures

 

(125,684

)

(148,063

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(174,559

)

(267,543

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from revolving credit facility

 

509,750

 

549,657

 

Repayments on revolving credit facility

 

(556,650

)

(442,157

)

Issuance of Limited Partner Units, net

 

195,072

 

278,830

 

Distributions paid

 

(206,176

)

(184,209

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(58,004

)

202,121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(29

)

(16,350

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

119

 

16,422

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

90

 

$

72

 

 

4




 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Non-cash investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets transferred to Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P.

 

$

 

$

1,429

 

Net assets transferred to Jonah Gas Gathering Company

 

$

572,609

 

$

 

Payable to Enterprise Gas Processing, LLC for spending for Phase V expansion of Jonah Gas Gathering Company

 

$

18,943

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flows:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized)

 

$

84,402

 

$

78,504

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

5




TEPPCO PARTNERS, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except Unit amounts)

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Limited

 

General

 

Limited

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

Partner

 

Partner’s

 

Partners’

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

Units

 

Interest

 

Interests

 

Income (Loss)

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital at December 31, 2005

 

69,963,554

 

$

(61,487

)

$

1,262,846

 

$

11

 

$

1,201,370

 

Issuance of Limited Partner Units, net

 

5,750,000

 

 

195,072

 

 

195,072

 

Net income allocation

 

 

42,774

 

102,709

 

 

145,483

 

Cash distributions

 

 

(60,618

)

(145,558

)

 

(206,176

)

Changes in fair values of interest rate cash flow hedges

 

 

 

 

(584

)

(584

)

Changes in fair values of crude oil cash flow hedges

 

 

 

 

234

 

234

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital at September 30, 2006

 

75,713,554

 

$

(79,331

)

$

1,415,069

 

$

(339

)

$

1,335,399

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

6




TEPPCO PARTNERS, L.P.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net income

 

$

41,145

 

$

29,575

 

$

145,483

 

$

117,926

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in fair values of interest rate cash flow hedges

 

(584

)

 

(584

)

 

Changes in fair values of crude oil cash flow hedges

 

507

 

35

 

234

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

41,068

 

$

29,610

 

$

145,133

 

$

117,961

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

7




TEPPCO PARTNERS, L.P.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1.  ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership, is a master limited partnership formed in March 1990.  We operate through TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership (“TE Products”), TCTM, L.P. (“TCTM”) and TEPPCO Midstream Companies, L.P. (“TEPPCO Midstream”).  Collectively, TE Products, TCTM and TEPPCO Midstream are referred to as the “Operating Partnerships.”  Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC (the “Company” or “General Partner”), a Delaware limited liability company, serves as our general partner and owns a 2% general partner interest in us. 

As used in this Report, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Partnership” and “TEPPCO” mean TEPPCO Partners, L.P. and, where the context requires, include our subsidiaries.

Through February 23, 2005, the General Partner was an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Duke Energy Field Services, LLC (“DEFS”), a joint venture between Duke Energy Corporation (“Duke Energy”) and ConocoPhillips.  Duke Energy held an interest of approximately 70% in DEFS, and ConocoPhillips held the remaining interest of approximately 30%.  On February 24, 2005, the General Partner was acquired by DFI GP Holdings L.P. (formerly Enterprise GP Holdings L.P.) (“DFI”), an affiliate of EPCO, Inc. (“EPCO”), a privately held company controlled by Dan L. Duncan, for approximately $1.1 billion.  Mr. Duncan and his affiliates, including EPCO and Dan Duncan LLC, privately held companies controlled by him, control us, the General Partner and Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (“Enterprise”).  As a result of the transaction, DFI owns and controls the 2% general partner interest in us and has the right to receive the incentive distribution rights associated with the general partner interest.  In conjunction with an amended and restated administrative services agreement (“ASA”), EPCO performs all management, administrative and operating functions required for us, and we reimburse EPCO for all direct and indirect expenses that have been incurred in managing us.  As a result of the sale of our General Partner, DEFS and Duke Energy continued to provide some administrative services for us for a period of up to one year after the sale, at which time, we or EPCO assumed these services.  Prior to the sale of our General Partner, DEFS also managed and operated certain of our TEPPCO Midstream assets for us under contractual agreements.  We assumed the operations of these assets from DEFS, and certain DEFS employees became employees of EPCO effective June 1, 2005. 

In connection with our formation, the Company received 2,500,000 Deferred Participation Interests (“DPIs”).  Effective April 1, 1994, the DPIs were converted to Limited Partner Units, but they have not been listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange.  These Limited Partner Units were assigned to Duke Energy when ownership of the Company was transferred from Duke Energy to DEFS in 2000.  On February 24, 2005, DFI entered into an LP Unit Purchase and Sale Agreement with Duke Energy and purchased these 2,500,000 Limited Partner Units for $104.0 million.  As of September 30, 2006, none of these Limited Partner Units had been sold by DFI. 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of our management, of a normal and recurring nature and necessary for a fair statement of our financial position as of September 30, 2006, and the results of our operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  The results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006, are not necessarily indicative of results of our operations for the full year 2006.  You should read these interim financial statements in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 16, 2006, which recast certain information from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as discontinued operations. We have reclassified certain amounts from prior periods to conform to the current presentation.  Effective August 1, 2006, we have deconsolidated Jonah Gas Gathering Company (“Jonah”) due to the formation of a joint venture with an affiliate of Enterprise.  Jonah has been subsequently accounted for as an equity method investment (see Note 8).

8




Business Segments

We operate and report in three business segments: transportation and storage of refined products, liquefied petroleum gases (“LPGs”) and petrochemicals (“Downstream Segment”); gathering, transportation, marketing and storage of crude oil and distribution of lubrication oils and specialty chemicals (“Upstream Segment”); and gathering of natural gas, fractionation of natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) and transportation of NGLs (“Midstream Segment”).  Our reportable segments offer different products and services and are managed separately because each requires different business strategies.

Our interstate transportation operations, including rates charged to customers, are subject to regulations prescribed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”).  We refer to refined products, LPGs, petrochemicals, crude oil, NGLs and natural gas in this Report, collectively, as “petroleum products” or “products.”

Net Income Per Unit

Basic net income per Limited Partner Unit (“Unit” or “Units”) is computed by dividing net income, after deduction of the General Partner’s interest, by the weighted average number of Units outstanding (a total of 75.4 million Units and 70.0 million Units for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and a total of 71.8 million Units and 66.5 million Units for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively). The General Partner’s percentage interest in our net income is based on its percentage of cash distributions from Available Cash for each period (see Note 10).  The General Partner was allocated $12.1 million (representing 29.4%) and $8.7 million (representing 29.27%) of our net income for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and $42.8 million (representing 29.4%) and $34.5 million (representing 29.27%) of our net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  The General Partner’s percentage interest in our net income increases as cash distributions paid per Unit increase, in accordance with the Partnership Agreement. 

Diluted net income per Unit equaled basic net income per Unit for each of the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, as there were no dilutive instruments outstanding. 

Deferred Income Tax Expense – Texas Margin Tax

In May 2006, the State of Texas enacted a new business tax (the “Texas Margin Tax”) that replaces its existing franchise tax.  In general, legal entities that do business in Texas are subject to the Texas Margin Tax.  Limited partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, limited liability partnerships and joint ventures are examples of the types of entities that are subject to the Texas Margin Tax.  As a result of the change in tax law, our tax status in the state of Texas changed from nontaxable to taxable.  The Texas Margin Tax is considered an income tax for purposes of adjustments to deferred tax liability, as the tax is determined by applying a tax rate to a base that considers both revenues and expenses.  Our deferred income tax expense for state taxes relates only to Texas Margin Tax obligations.  The Texas Margin Tax becomes effective for franchise tax reports due on or after January 1, 2008.  The Texas Margin Tax due in 2008 will be based on revenues earned during the 2007 fiscal year.   

The Texas Margin Tax is assessed at 1% of Texas-sourced taxable margin measured by the ratio of gross receipts from business done in Texas to gross receipts from business done everywhere.  The taxable margin is computed as the lesser of (i) 70% of total revenue or (ii) total revenues less (a) cost of goods sold or (b) compensation.  The deferred tax liability shown on our consolidated balance sheet reflects the net tax effect of temporary differences related to items such as property, plant and equipment; therefore, the deferred tax liability is classified as noncurrent.  The Texas Margin Tax is calculated, paid and filed at an affiliated unitary group level.  Generally, an affiliated group is made up of one or more entities in which a controlling interest of at least 80% is

9




owned by a common owner or owners. Generally, a business is unitary if it is characterized by a sharing or exchange of value between members of the group, and a synergy and mutual benefit all of the members of the group achieved by working together.  We have calculated and recorded an estimated deferred tax liability of approximately $0.7 million associated with the Texas Margin Tax.  The non-cash offsetting charge is shown on our unaudited consolidated statements of income as deferred income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Since the Texas Margin Tax is determined by applying a tax rate to a base that considers both revenues and expenses, it has characteristics of an income tax.  Accordingly, we determined the Texas Margin Tax should be accounted for as an income tax in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes .  

Asset Retirement Obligations

During the second and third quarters of 2006, we recorded $0.3 million and $0.3 million of expense, respectively, included in depreciation and amortization expense, related to conditional asset retirement obligations.  Additionally, we have recorded a $1.2 million liability, which represents the fair values of conditional asset retirement obligations related to structural restoration work to be completed on leased office space that is required upon our anticipated office lease termination and related to the retirement of certain of our natural gas gathering systems.  These conditional asset retirement obligations were not previously recorded, due to the indeterminate range of settlement dates and settlement methods, during the implementation of SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations , and Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143 , which we adopted on January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2005, respectively.  During the second and third quarters of 2006, we assigned probabilities for settlement dates and settlement methods for use in an expected present value measurement of fair value and recorded asset retirement obligations. 

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R) (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment .  SFAS 123(R) is a revision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation , as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure and supersedes Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees .  SFAS 123(R) requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements at fair value.  In April 2005, both the FASB and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) decided to delay the effective date for public companies to implement SFAS 123(R).  SFAS 123(R) became effective for public companies for annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005.  Accordingly, we adopted SFAS 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006.  We adopted SFAS 123(R) under the modified prospective transition method.  We have determined that our 1999 and 2005 Phantom Unit Plans are liability awards under the provisions of this statement.  No additional compensation expense has been recorded in connection with the adoption of SFAS 123(R) as we have historically recorded the associated liabilities at fair value.  The adoption of SFAS 123(R) did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached consensus in EITF 04-5, Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights , to provide guidance on how general partners in a limited partnership should determine whether they control a limited partnership and therefore should consolidate it.  The EITF agreed that the presumption of general partner control would be overcome only when the limited partners have either of two types of rights. The first type, referred to as “kick-out rights,” is the right to dissolve or liquidate the partnership or otherwise remove the general partner without cause.  The second type, referred to as “participating

10




rights,” is the right to effectively participate in significant decisions made in the ordinary course of the partnership’s business. The kick-out rights and the participating rights must be substantive in order to overcome the presumption of general partner control. The consensus is effective for general partners of all new limited partnerships formed and for existing limited partnerships for which the partnership agreements are modified subsequent to the date of FASB ratification (June 29, 2005).  For existing limited partnerships that have not been modified, the guidance in EITF 04-5 is effective no later than the beginning of the first reporting period in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005.  Although this EITF did not directly impact us, it did impact our General Partner.  Our General Partner adopted this EITF on January 1, 2006.  The adoption of EITF 04-5 resulted in the consolidation of our results of operations and balance sheet into its consolidated financial statements. 

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections .  SFAS 154 establishes new standards on accounting for changes in accounting principles.  All such changes must be accounted for by retrospective application to the financial statements of prior periods unless it is impracticable to do so.  SFAS 154 completely replaces APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes , and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Periods .  However, it carries forward the guidance in those pronouncements with respect to accounting for changes in estimates, changes in the reporting entity and the correction of errors.  SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and error corrections made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005, with early adoption permitted for changes and corrections made in years beginning after June 1, 2005. The application of SFAS 154 does not affect the transition provisions of any existing pronouncements, including those that are in the transition phase as of the effective date of SFAS 154.  The adoption of SFAS 154 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2005, the EITF reached consensus in EITF 04-13, Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty , to define when a purchase and a sale of inventory with the same party that operates in the same line of business should be considered a single nonmonetary transaction subject to APB Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions .  Two or more inventory transactions with the same party should be combined if they are entered into in contemplation of one another.  The EITF also requires entities to account for exchanges of inventory in the same line of business at fair value or recorded amounts based on inventory classification.  The guidance in EITF 04-13 is effective for new inventory arrangements entered into in reporting periods beginning after March 15, 2006.  We adopted EITF 04-13 on April 1, 2006, which resulted in crude oil inventory purchases and sales under buy/sell transactions, which were previously recorded as gross purchases and sales, to be treated as inventory exchanges in our consolidated statements of income.  EITF 04-13 reduced gross revenues and purchases, but did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  The treatment of buy/sell transactions under EITF 04-13 reduced the relative amount of revenues and purchases of petroleum products on our consolidated statement of income by approximately $774.4 million each for the period from April 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006 ($460.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006).  The revenues and purchases of petroleum products associated with buy/sell transactions that are reported on a gross basis in our consolidated statements of income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005, and for the period from January 1, 2006 through March 31, 2006, are approximately $494.7 million, $898.0 million and $275.4 million, respectively.

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, which amends SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities and SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities .  SFAS 155 improves the financial reporting of certain hybrid financial instruments and simplifies the accounting for these instruments. SFAS 155 permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation, clarifies which interest-only and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of SFAS 133, establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are freestanding derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an

11




embedded derivative requiring bifurcation, clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded derivatives, and amends SFAS 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a qualifying special-purpose entity from holding a derivative financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial interest other than another derivative financial instrument. SFAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired, issued, or subject to a remeasurement event occurring after the fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006 (January 1, 2007).  At September 30, 2006, we did not have any hybrid financial securities outstanding and, as such, we do not believe that adoption of SFAS 155 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, unless such hybrid securities are issued by us prior to SFAS 155 becoming effective. 

In June 2006, the EITF reached consensus in EITF 06-3, How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation) .  The accounting guidance permits companies to elect to present on either a gross or net basis sales and other taxes that are imposed on and concurrent with individual revenue-producing transactions between a seller and a customer.  The gross basis includes the taxes in revenues and costs; the net basis excludes the taxes from revenues. The accounting guidance does not apply to tax systems that are based on gross receipts or total revenues.  EITF 06-3 requires companies to disclose their policy for presenting the taxes and disclose any amounts presented on a gross basis if those amounts are significant.  The guidance in EITF 06-3 is effective January 1, 2007.  As a matter of policy, we report such taxes on a net basis.  We believe that adoption of EITF 06-3 will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes , an Interpretation of SFAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“FIN 48”).  FIN 48 provides that the tax effects of an uncertain tax position should be recognized in a company’s financial statements if the position taken by the entity is more likely than not sustainable if it were to be examined by an appropriate taxing authority, based on technical merit.  After determining if a tax position meets such criteria, the amount of benefit to be recognized should be the largest amount of benefit that has more than a 50% chance of being realized upon settlement.  The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, and we are required to adopt FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007.  We are currently assessing the impact, if any, that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements .  SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 applies only to fair-value measurements that are already required or permitted by other accounting standards and is expected to increase the consistency of those measurements.  SFAS 157 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Companies will be required to disclose the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the inputs used to develop the measurements, and the effect of certain of the measurements on earnings (or changes in net assets) for the period. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, and we are required to adopt SFAS 157 as of January 1, 2008.  We are currently assessing the impact that the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”).  SAB 108 addresses how the effects of prior-year uncorrected misstatements should be considered when quantifying misstatements in current-year financial statements.  The SAB requires registrants to quantify misstatements using both balance-sheet and income-statement approaches and to evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying an error that is material in light of relevant quantitative and qualitative factors.  When the effect of initial adoption is determined to be material, SAB 108 allows registrants to record that effect as a cumulative-effect adjustment to

12




beginning-of-year retained earnings.  The requirements are effective for annual financial statements covering the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006.  Additionally, the nature and amount of each individual error being corrected through the cumulative-effect adjustment, when and how each error arose, and the fact that the errors had previously been considered immaterial is required to be disclosed.  We are required to adopt SAB 108 for our current fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.  We do not expect the adoption of SAB 108 to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 2. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired and is presented on the consolidated balance sheets net of accumulated amortization.  We account for goodwill under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, which was issued by the FASB in July 2001.  SFAS 142 prohibits amortization of goodwill, but instead requires testing for impairment at least annually. We test goodwill for impairment annually at December 31.

To perform an impairment test of goodwill, we have identified our reporting units and have determined the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning the assets and liabilities, including the existing goodwill, to those reporting units.  We then determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it to the carrying value of the reporting unit.  We will continue to compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value on an annual basis to determine if an impairment loss has occurred.  There have been no goodwill impairment losses recorded since the adoption of SFAS 142.

The following table presents the carrying amount of goodwill at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, by business segment (in thousands):

 

Downstream
Segment

 

Midstream
Segment

 

Upstream
Segment

 

Segments
Total

 

Goodwill:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2006 (1)

 

$

 

$

 

$

14,167

 

$

14,167

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

2,777

 

14,167

 

16,944

 

 


(1)    Effective August 1, 2006, with the formation of a joint venture with Enterprise, Jonah was deconsolidated and has been subsequently accounted for as an equity investment (see Note 8).

13




Other Intangible Assets

The following table reflects the components of intangible assets, including excess investments, being amortized at September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gathering and transportation agreements (1)

 

$

241,537

 

$

(81,683

)

$

464,337

 

$

(118,921

)

Fractionation agreement

 

38,000

 

(16,150

)

38,000

 

(14,725

)

Other

 

10,336

 

(2,452

)

10,226

 

(2,009

)

Subtotal

 

289,873

 

(100,285

)

512,563

 

(135,655

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excess investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Centennial Pipeline LLC

 

33,390

 

(15,678

)

33,390

 

(12,947

)

Seaway Crude Pipeline Company

 

27,100

 

(4,282

)

27,100

 

(3,764

)

Subtotal

 

60,490

 

(19,960

)

60,490

 

(16,711

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total intangible assets

 

$

350,363

 

$

(120,245

)

$

573,053

 

$

(152,366

)

 


(1)    Effective August 1, 2006, with the formation of a joint venture with Enterprise, Jonah was deconsolidated and has been subsequently accounted for as an equity investment (see Note 8).

SFAS 142 requires that intangible assets with finite useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives.  If an intangible asset has a finite useful life, but the precise length of that life is not known, that intangible asset shall be amortized over the best estimate of its useful life.  At a minimum, we will assess the useful lives and residual values of all intangible assets on an annual basis to determine if adjustments are required.  Amortization expense on intangible assets was $6.7 million and $8.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and $22.7 million and $22.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  Amortization expense on excess investments included in equity earnings was $1.2 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and $3.2 million and $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The values assigned to our intangible assets for natural gas gathering contracts on Val Verde Gas Gathering Company, L.P.’s system (“Val Verde”) are amortized on a unit-of-production basis, based upon the actual throughput of the systems compared to the expected total throughput for the lives of the contracts.  On a quarterly basis, we may obtain limited production forecasts and updated throughput estimates from some of the producers on the system, and as a result, we evaluate the remaining expected useful lives of the contract assets based on the best available information.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2006, we received updated limited production estimates from some of the producers on the Val Verde system, which reduced the future production forecast.  We revised the units-of-production calculation for Val Verde, which increased amortization expense by approximately $0.2 million per month.  Further revisions to these estimates may occur as additional production information is made available to us.

The values assigned to our fractionation agreement and other intangible assets are generally amortized on a straight-line basis.  Our fractionation agreement is being amortized over its contract period of 20 years.  The amortization periods for our other intangible assets, which include non-compete and other agreements, range from 3

14




years to 15 years.  The value of $8.7 million assigned to our crude supply and transportation intangible customer contracts is being amortized on a unit-of-production basis.

The value assigned to our excess investment in Centennial Pipeline LLC was created upon its formation.  Approximately $30.0 million is related to a contract and is being amortized on a unit-of-production basis based upon the volumes transported under the contract compared to the guaranteed total throughput of the contract over a 10-year life.  The remaining $3.4 million is related to a pipeline and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the pipeline, which is 35 years.  The value assigned to our excess investment in Seaway Crude Pipeline Company was created upon acquisition of our 50% ownership interest in 2000.  We are amortizing the $27.1 million excess investment on a straight-line basis over a 39-year life related primarily to the life of the pipeline. 

The following table sets forth the estimated amortization expense of intangible assets and the estimated amortization expense allocated to equity earnings for the years ending December 31 (in thousands):

 

Intangible Assets (1)

 

Excess Investments

 

2006

 

$

28,916

 

$

4,691

 

2007

 

22,707

 

5,113

 

2008

 

19,965

 

5,438

 

2009

 

17,485

 

6,878

 

2010

 

15,509

 

7,042

 

 


(1)    Excludes estimated amortization expense of Jonah’s intangible assets as a result of its deconsolidation effective August 1, 2006.

NOTE 3.  INTEREST RATE SWAPS

In October 2001, TE Products entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge its exposure to changes in the fair value of its fixed rate 7.51% Senior Notes due 2028. We designated this swap agreement as a fair value hedge.  The swap agreement has a notional amount of $210.0 million and matures in January 2028 to match the principal and maturity of the TE Products Senior Notes.  Under the swap agreement, TE Products pays a floating rate of interest based on a three-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate, plus a spread of 147 basis points, and receives a fixed rate of interest of 7.51%.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we recognized reductions in interest expense of $1.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to the difference between the fixed rate and the floating rate of interest on the interest rate swap.  During the quarters ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we reviewed the hedge effectiveness of this interest rate swap and noted that no gain or loss from ineffectiveness was required to be recognized.   The fair values of this interest rate swap were losses of approximately $3.9 million and $0.9 million at September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively. 

During 2002, we entered into interest rate swap agreements, designated as fair value hedges, to hedge our exposure to changes in the fair value of our fixed rate 7.625% Senior Notes due 2012.  The swap agreements had a combined notional amount of $500.0 million and matured in 2012 to match the principal and maturity of the Senior Notes.  Under the swap agreements, we paid a floating rate of interest based on a U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate, plus a spread, and received a fixed rate of interest of 7.625%.  These swap agreements were later terminated in 2002 resulting in gains of $44.9 million.  The gains realized from the swap terminations have been deferred as adjustments to the carrying value of the Senior Notes and are being amortized using the effective interest method as reductions to future interest expense over the remaining term of the Senior Notes.  At September 30, 2006, the unamortized balance of the deferred gains was $29.1 million.  In the event of early extinguishment of the Senior Notes, any

15




remaining unamortized gains would be recognized in the consolidated statement of income at the time of extinguishment.

During May 2005, we executed a treasury rate lock agreement for a notional amount of $200.0 million to hedge our exposure to increases in the treasury rate that was to be used to establish the fixed interest rate for a debt offering that was proposed to occur in the second quarter of 2005.  During June 2005, the proposed debt offering was cancelled, and the treasury lock was terminated with a realized loss of $2.0 million.  The realized loss was recorded as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statements of income in June 2005.

On January 20, 2006, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $200.0 million to hedge our exposure to increases in the benchmark interest rate underlying our variable rate revolving credit facility.  These interest rate swaps mature in January 2008.  Under the swap agreements, we pay a fixed rate of interest ranging from 4.67% to 4.695% and receive a floating rate based on a three-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate.  In the third quarter of 2006, these swaps were designated as cash flow hedges.  For the period from January 20, 2006 through the date these swaps were designated as cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of the swaps were recognized in earnings, which resulted in a $2.2 million reduction to interest expense.  While these interest rate swaps remain in effect, future changes in the fair value of the cash flow hedges, to the extent the swaps are effective, will be recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged interest costs are recognized in earnings.  At September 30, 2006, the fair value of these interest rate swaps was $1.5 million.  

NOTE 4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

We evaluate impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets .  Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of the carrying amount of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.  Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

During the third quarter of 2005, our Upstream Segment was notified by a connecting carrier that the flow of the carrier’s pipeline system would be reversed, which would directly impact the viability of one of our pipeline systems.  This system, located in East Texas, consists of approximately 45 miles of pipeline, six tanks of various sizes and other equipment and asset costs.  As a result of changes to the connecting carrier, we performed an impairment test of the system and recorded a $1.8 million non-cash impairment charge, or $0.03 per Unit, included in depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statements of income, for the excess carrying value over the fair value of the system.

During the third quarter of 2005, we completed an evaluation of a crude oil system included in our Upstream Segment.  The system, located in Oklahoma, consists of approximately six miles of pipelines, tanks and other equipment and asset costs.  The usage of the system has declined in recent months as a result of shifting crude oil production into areas not supported by the system, and as such, it has become more economical to transport barrels by truck to our other pipeline systems.  As a result, we performed an impairment test on the system and recorded a $0.8 million non-cash impairment charge, included in depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statements of income, for the excess carrying value over the fair value of the system. 

16




In September 2005, our Todhunter facility, near Middletown, Ohio, experienced a propane release and fire at a dehydration unit within the storage facility.  The facility is included in our Downstream Segment.  The dehydration unit was destroyed due to the propane release and fire, and as a result, we wrote off the remaining book value of the asset of $0.8 million to depreciation and amortization expense during the third quarter of 2005.

NOTE 5.  ACQUISITIONS

Mexia Pipeline

On March 31, 2005, we purchased crude oil pipeline assets for $7.1 million from BP Pipelines (North America) Inc. (“BP”).  The assets include approximately 158 miles of pipeline, which extend from Mexia, Texas, to the Houston, Texas, area and two stations in south Houston with connections to a BP pipeline that originates in south Houston.  We funded the purchase through borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and we allocated the purchase price to property, plant and equipment.  We have integrated these assets into our South Texas pipeline system, which is included in our Upstream Segment.

Storage and Terminaling Assets

On April 1, 2005, we purchased crude oil storage and terminaling assets in Cushing, Oklahoma, from Koch Supply & Trading, L.P. for $35.4 million.  The assets consist of eight storage tanks with 945,000 barrels of storage capacity, receipt and delivery manifolds, interconnections to several pipelines, crude oil inventory and approximately 70 acres of land.  We funded the purchase through borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and we allocated the purchase price to property, plant and equipment and inventory. 

Refined Products Terminal and Truck Rack

On July 12, 2005, we purchased a refined products terminal and two-bay truck loading rack in North Little Rock, Arkansas, for $6.8 million from Exxon Mobil Corporation.  The assets include three storage tanks and a two-bay truck loading rack.  We funded the purchase through borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and we allocated the purchase price to property, plant and equipment and inventory.  The terminal serves the central Arkansas refined products market and complements our existing Downstream Segment infrastructure in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Genco Assets

On July 15, 2005, we acquired from Texas Genco LLC (“Genco”) all of its interests in certain companies that own a 90-mile pipeline system and 5.5 million barrels of storage capacity for $62.1 million.  We funded the purchase through borrowings under our revolving credit facility.  We allocated the purchase price to property, plant and equipment, and we accounted for the acquisition of these assets under the purchase method of accounting.  This acquisition was made as part of an expansion of our refined products origin capabilities in the Houston, Texas, and Texas City, Texas, areas.  The assets of the purchased companies are being integrated into our Downstream Segment origin infrastructure in Texas City and Baytown, Texas.  The integration and other system enhancements should be in service by the first quarter of 2007, at an estimated cost of $45.0 million.  See Note 17 regarding the sale of certain of these assets to Enterprise.     

17




Terminal Assets

On July 14, 2006, we purchased assets from New York LP Gas Storage, Inc. for $10.0 million.  The assets consist of two active caverns, one active brine pond, a four bay truck rack, seven above ground storage tanks, and a twelve-spot railcar rack located east of our Watkins Glen, New York facility.  We funded the purchase through borrowings under our revolving credit facility.  We allocated the purchase price, net of liabilities assumed, primarily to property, plant and equipment and inventory.

NOTE 6.  DISPOSITIONS AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Pioneer Plant

On March 31, 2006, we sold our ownership interest in the Pioneer silica gel natural gas processing plant located near Opal, Wyoming, together with Jonah’s rights to process natural gas originating from the Jonah and Pinedale fields, located in southwest Wyoming, to an affiliate of Enterprise for $38.0 million in cash.  The Pioneer plant was not an integral part of our Midstream Segment operations, and natural gas processing is not a core business.  We have no continuing involvement in the operations or results of this plant.  This transaction was reviewed and recommended for approval by the Audit and Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of our General Partner and a fairness opinion was rendered by an independent third-party.  The sales proceeds were used to fund organic growth projects, retire debt and for other general partnership purposes.  The carrying value of the Pioneer plant at March 31, 2006, prior to the sale, was $19.7 million.  Costs associated with the completion of the transaction were approximately $0.4 million.

Condensed statements of income for the Pioneer plant, which is classified as discontinued operations, for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, are presented below (in thousands):   

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of petroleum products

 

$

 

$

2,880

 

$

3,828

 

$

7,337

 

Other

 

 

789

 

932

 

2,141

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

3,669

 

4,760

 

9,478

 

Purchases of petroleum products

 

 

2,585

 

3,000

 

5,761

 

Operating expense

 

 

205

 

182

 

501

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

153

 

51

 

459

 

Taxes – other than income taxes

 

 

34

 

30

 

95

 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

2,977

 

3,263

 

6,816

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

$

 

$

692

 

$

1,497

 

$

2,662

 

 

Assets of the discontinued operations consisted of the following at December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

December 31,
2005

 

Inventories

 

$

7

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

19,812

 

Assets of discontinued operations

 

$

19,819

 

 

18




Cash flows from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, are presented below (in thousands):

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

19,369

 

$

2,662

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

51

 

459

 

Gain on sale of Pioneer plant

 

(17,872

)

 

Increase in inventories

 

(27

)

(11

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from discontinued operations

 

$

1,521

 

3,110

 

 

NOTE 7.  INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (based on weighted average cost method) or market.  The costs of inventories did not exceed market values at September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005.  The major components of inventories were as follows (in thousands):

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

Crude oil (1)

 

$

3,754

 

$

3,021

 

Refined products and LPGs (2)

 

8,361

 

11,864

 

Lubrication oils and specialty chemicals

 

7,281

 

5,740

 

Materials and supplies

 

7,423

 

8,203

 

Other

 

132

 

241

 

Total

 

$

26,951

 

$

29,069

 

 


(1)    At September 30, 2006, substantially all of our crude oil inventory was subject to forward sales contracts.

(2)    Refined products and LPGs inventory is managed on a combined basis. 

NOTE 8.  EQUITY INVESTMENTS

Seaway

Through one of our indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, we own a 50% ownership interest in Seaway Crude Pipeline Company (“Seaway”).  The remaining 50% interest is owned by ConocoPhillips.  We operate the Seaway assets.  Seaway owns a pipeline that carries mostly imported crude oil from a marine terminal at Freeport, Texas, to Cushing, Oklahoma, and from a marine terminal at Texas City, Texas, to refineries in the Texas City and Houston, Texas, areas.  The Seaway Crude Pipeline Company Partnership Agreement provides for varying participation ratios throughout the life of Seaway.  From June 2002 through December 31, 2005, we received 60% of revenue and expense of Seaway.  For 2006, we are allocated 60% of revenue and expense for the period January 1, 2006, through May 12, 2006, and 40% for the period May 13, 2006, through December 31, 2006.  Our share of revenue and expense of Seaway is 47% for 2006.  Thereafter, we will receive 40% of revenue and expense of Seaway.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we received distributions from Seaway of $15.3 million and

19




$17.5 million, respectively.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we did not invest any funds in Seaway.

Centennial

TE Products owns a 50% ownership interest in Centennial Pipeline LLC (“Centennial”), and Marathon Petroleum Company LLC (“Marathon”) owns the remaining 50% interest. Centennial owns an interstate refined petroleum products pipeline extending from the upper Texas Gulf Coast to central Illinois.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, TE Products contributed $2.5 million to Centennial.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, TE Products did not invest any funds in Centennial.  TE Products has received no cash distributions from Centennial since its formation.

MB Storage

TE Products owns a 50% ownership interest in Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P. (“MB Storage”), and Louis Dreyfus Energy Services L.P. (“Louis Dreyfus”) owns the remaining 50% interest.  MB Storage owns storage capacity at the Mont Belvieu fractionation and storage complex and a short haul transportation shuttle system that ties Mont Belvieu, Texas, to the upper Texas Gulf Coast energy marketplace. MB Storage is a service-oriented, fee-based venture serving the fractionation, refining and petrochemical industries with substantial capacity and flexibility for the transportation, terminaling and storage of NGLs, LPGs and refined products.  MB Storage has no commodity trading activity.  TE Products operates the facilities for MB Storage.  See Note 14 regarding the expected divestiture of MB Storage.

For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, TE Products receives the first $1.7 million per quarter (or $6.78 million on an annual basis) of MB Storage’s income before depreciation expense, as defined in the Agreement of Limited Partnership of MB Storage.  TE Products’ share of MB Storage’s earnings may be adjusted annually by the partners of MB Storage.  Any amount of MB Storage’s annual income before depreciation expense in excess of $6.78 million is allocated evenly between TE Products and Louis Dreyfus.  Depreciation expense on assets each party originally contributed to MB Storage is allocated between TE Products and Louis Dreyfus based on the net book value of the assets contributed.  Depreciation expense on assets constructed or acquired by MB Storage subsequent to formation is allocated evenly between TE Products and Louis Dreyfus.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, TE Products’ sharing ratios in the earnings of MB Storage were approximately 63.8% and 64.3%, respectively.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, TE Products received distributions from MB Storage of $11.2 million and contributed $4.2 million to MB Storage.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, TE Products received distributions of $10.7 million from MB Storage and contributed $4.0 million to MB Storage, which included a combination of non-cash asset transfers of $1.4 million and cash contributions of $2.6 million. 

Summarized Financial Information for Seaway, Centennial and MB Storage

We use the equity method of accounting to account for our investments in Seaway, Centennial and MB Storage.  Summarized combined financial information for Seaway, Centennial and MB Storage for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, is presented below (in thousands):  

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Revenues

 

$

122,742

 

$

123,224

 

Net income

 

26,030

 

39,896

 

 

20




Summarized combined balance sheet information for Seaway, Centennial and MB Storage as of September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005, is presented below (in thousands):

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

Current assets

 

$

62,269

 

$

60,082

 

Noncurrent assets

 

619,904

 

630,212

 

Current liabilities

 

24,502

 

32,242

 

Long-term debt

 

150,000

 

150,000

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

21,341

 

13,626

 

Partners’ capital

 

486,330

 

494,426

 

 

Jonah

On August 1, 2006, Enterprise, through its affiliate, Enterprise Gas Processing, LLC, became our joint venture partner by acquiring an interest in Jonah, the partnership through which we owned the Jonah system.  Prior to entering into the Jonah joint venture, Enterprise had managed the construction of the Phase V expansion and funded the initial costs under a letter of intent we entered into in February 2006.  In connection with the joint venture arrangement, we and Enterprise intend to continue the Phase V expansion, which is expected to increase the system capacity of the Jonah system from 1.5 billion cubic feet (“Bcf”) per day to approximately 2.4 Bcf per day and to significantly reduce system operating pressures, which is anticipated to lead to increased production rates and ultimate reserve recoveries.  The first portion of the expansion, which is expected to increase the system gathering capacity to approximately 2.0 Bcf per day, is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2007 at an estimated cost of approximately $295.0 million.  The second portion of the expansion is expected to cost approximately $170.0 million and be completed by the end of 2007.  We expect to reimburse Enterprise for approximately 50% of these costs.   

Enterprise will continue to manage the Phase V construction project.  We are entitled to all distributions from the joint venture until specified milestones are achieved, at which point Enterprise will be entitled to receive approximately 50% of the incremental cash flow from portions of the system placed in service as part of the expansion.  From August 1, 2006, we and Enterprise equally share the costs of the Phase V expansion.  In the third quarter of 2006, we reimbursed Enterprise $65.0 million for 50% of the Phase V cost incurred by it through August 1, 2006 (including its cost of capital of $1.3 million).  At September 30, 2006, we had a payable to Enterprise for costs incurred through September 30, 2006, of $18.9 million.  After subsequent milestones are achieved, we and Enterprise will share distributions based on a formula that takes into account the capital contributions of the parties, including expenditures by us prior to the expansion.  Based on this formula in the partnership agreement, we expect to own an interest in Jonah of approximately 80%, with Enterprise owning the remaining 20% and serving as operator, with further costs being allocated based on such ownership interests.  The joint venture is governed by a management committee comprised of two representatives approved by Enterprise and two representatives approved by us, each with equal voting power.  This transaction was reviewed and recommended for approval by the Audit and Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of our General Partner.

Effective August 1, 2006, with the formation of the joint venture, Jonah was deconsolidated, and we began using the equity method of accounting to account for our investment in Jonah.  Under the equity method, we record the costs of our investment within the “Equity Investments” line on our consolidated balance sheet, and as changes in the net assets of Jonah occur (for example, earnings, contributions and distributions), we will recognize our proportional share of that change in the “Equity Investments” account.   

21




Summarized financial information for Jonah for the period August 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006, is presented below (in thousands):  

Revenues

 

$

30,101

 

Net income

 

11,563

 

 

Summarized balance sheet information for Jonah as of September 30, 2006, is presented below (in thousands):

Current assets

 

$

39,202

 

Noncurrent assets

 

725,953

 

Current liabilities

 

15,425

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

186

 

Partners’ capital

 

749,544

 

 

NOTE 9.  DEBT

Senior Notes

On January 27, 1998, TE Products completed the issuance of $180.0 million principal amount of 6.45% Senior Notes due 2008, and $210.0 million principal amount of 7.51% Senior Notes due 2028 (collectively the “TE Products Senior Notes”).  The 6.45% TE Products Senior Notes were issued at a discount of $0.3 million and are being accreted to their face value over the term of the notes.  The 6.45% TE Products Senior Notes due 2008 may not be redeemed prior to their maturity on January 15, 2008.  The 7.51% TE Products Senior Notes due 2028, issued at par, may be redeemed at any time after January 15, 2008, at the option of TE Products, in whole or in part, at the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of the principal amount) during the twelve months beginning January 15 of the years indicated:

 

Redemption

 

Year

 

Price

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

103.755

%

2009

 

103.380

%

2010

 

103.004

%

2011

 

102.629

%

2012

 

102.253

%

2013

 

101.878

%

2014

 

101.502

%

2015

 

101.127

%

2016

 

100.751

%

2017

 

100.376

%

 

and thereafter at 100% of the principal amount, together in each case with accrued interest at the redemption date.  

The TE Products Senior Notes do not have sinking fund requirements.  Interest on the TE Products Senior Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year.  The TE Products Senior Notes are unsecured obligations of TE Products and rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of TE Products.  The indenture governing the TE Products Senior Notes contains covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants limiting the creation of liens securing indebtedness and sale and leaseback transactions.  However, the indenture does not limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness.  As of September 30, 2006, TE Products was in compliance with the covenants of the TE Products Senior Notes.

On February 20, 2002, we completed the issuance of $500.0 million principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2012.  The 7.625% Senior Notes were issued at a discount of $2.2 million and are being accreted to their face value over the term of the notes.  The Senior Notes may be redeemed at any time at our option with the payment

22




of accrued interest and a make-whole premium determined by discounting remaining interest and principal payments using a discount rate equal to the rate of the United States Treasury securities of comparable remaining maturity plus 35 basis points.  The indenture governing our 7.625% Senior Notes contains covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants limiting the creation of liens securing indebtedness and sale and leaseback transactions.  However, the indenture does not limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness.  As of September 30, 2006, we were in compliance with the covenants of these Senior Notes. 

On January 30, 2003, we completed the issuance of $200.0 million principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2013.  The 6.125% Senior Notes were issued at a discount of $1.4 million and are being accreted to their face value over the term of the notes.  The Senior Notes may be redeemed at any time at our option with the payment of accrued interest and a make-whole premium determined by discounting remaining interest and principal payments using a discount rate equal to the rate of the United States Treasury securities of comparable remaining maturity plus 35 basis points.  The indenture governing our 6.125% Senior Notes contains covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants limiting the creation of liens securing indebtedness and sale and leaseback transactions.  However, the indenture does not limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness.  As of September 30, 2006, we were in compliance with the covenants of these Senior Notes.  

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the Senior Notes as of September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005 (in millions):

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

Face
Value

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

6.45% TE Products Senior Notes, due January 2008

 

$

180.0

 

$

182.2

 

$

183.7

 

7.625% Senior Notes, due February 2012

 

500.0

 

536.1

 

552.0

 

6.125% Senior Notes, due February 2013

 

200.0

 

200.7

 

205.6

 

7.51% TE Products Senior Notes, due January 2028

 

210.0

 

222.6

 

224.1

 

 

We have entered into interest rate swap agreements to hedge our exposure to changes in the fair value on a portion of the Senior Notes discussed above (see Note 3).

Revolving Credit Facility

We have in place a $700.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility, including the issuance of letters of credit (“Revolving Credit Facility”), which matures on December 13, 2011.  Commitments under the credit facility may be increased up to a maximum of $850.0 million upon our request, subject to lender approval and the satisfaction of certain other conditions.  The interest rate is based, at our option, on either the lender’s base rate plus a spread, or LIBOR plus a spread in effect at the time of the borrowings.  Financial covenants in the Revolving Credit Facility require that we maintain a ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to Pro Forma EBITDA (as defined and calculated in the facility) of less than 4.75 to 1.00 (subject to adjustment for specified acquisitions) and a ratio of EBITDA to Interest Expense (as defined and calculated in the facility) of at least 3.00 to 1.00, in each case with respect to specified twelve month periods.  Other restrictive covenants in the Revolving Credit Facility limit our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, make distributions in excess of Available Cash (see Note 10), incur liens, engage in specified transactions with affiliates and complete mergers, acquisitions and sales of assets.   

23




On July 31, 2006, we amended our Revolving Credit Facility.  The primary revisions were as follows:

·       The maturity date of the credit facility was extended from December 13, 2010 to December 13, 2011.  Also under the terms of the amendment, we may request up to two one-year extensions of the maturity date.  These extensions, if requested, will become effective subject to lender approval and satisfaction of certain other conditions.

·       The amendment releases Jonah as a guarantor of the Revolving Credit Facility and restricts the amount of outstanding debt of the Jonah joint venture to debt owing to the owners of its partnership interests and other third-party debt in the principal aggregate amount of $50.0 million.

·       The amendment modifies the financial covenants to, among other things, allow us to include in the calculation of our Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) pro forma adjustments for material capital projects.

·       The amendment allows for the issuance of Hybrid Securities (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) of up to 15% of our Consolidated Total Capitalization (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility). 

At September 30, 2006, $359.0 million was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at a weighted average interest rate of 6.02%.  At September 30, 2006, we were in compliance with the covenants of this credit facility.  

The following table summarizes the principal amounts outstanding under all of our debt instruments as of September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

Revolving Credit Facility, due December 2011

 

$

359,000

 

$

405,900

 

6.45% TE Products Senior Notes, due January 2008

 

179,960

 

179,937

 

7.625% Senior Notes, due February 2012

 

498,825

 

498,659

 

6.125% Senior Notes, due February 2013

 

199,095

 

198,988

 

7.51% TE Products Senior Notes, due January 2028

 

210,000

 

210,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total borrowings

 

1,446,880

 

1,493,484

 

Adjustment to carrying value associated with hedges of fair value

 

25,195

 

31,537

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Debt Instruments

 

$

1,472,075

 

$

1,525,021

 

 

Letter of Credit

At September 30, 2006, we had outstanding a $10.1 million standby letter of credit in connection with crude oil purchased during the third quarter of 2006.  The payable related to these purchases of crude oil is expected to be paid during the fourth quarter of 2006.

NOTE 10.  PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Equity Offering

In July 2006, we issued and sold in an underwritten public offering 5.0 million Units at a price to the public of $35.50 per Unit.  The proceeds from the offering, net of underwriting discount, totaled approximately $170.4

24




million.  On July 12, 2006, 750,000 additional Units were sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option granted in connection with the offering.  Proceeds from the over-allotment sale, net of underwriting discount, totaled $25.6 million.  The net proceeds from the offering and the over-allotment were used to reduce indebtedness under our Revolving Credit Facility.

Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash

We make quarterly cash distributions of all of our available cash, generally defined in our Partnership Agreement as consolidated cash receipts less consolidated cash disbursements and cash reserves established by the General Partner in its reasonable discretion (“Available Cash”).  Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, the General Partner receives incremental incentive cash distributions when unitholders’ cash distributions exceed certain target thresholds as follows:

 

 

 

General

 

 

 

Unitholders

 

Partner

 

Quarterly Cash Distribution per Unit:

 

 

 

 

 

Up to Minimum Quarterly Distribution ($0.275 per Unit)

 

98

%

2

%

First Target – $0.276 per Unit up to $0.325 per Unit

 

85

%

15

%

Second Target – $0.326 per Unit up to $0.45 per Unit

 

75

%

25

%

Over Second Target – Cash distributions greater than $0.45 per Unit (1)

 

50

%

50

%

 


(1)    See “– EPCO Proposal” below for a discussion of the proposed elimination of the 50%/50% distribution tier in exchange for the issuance of additional Units to the General Partner.

The following table reflects the allocation of total distributions paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands, except per Unit amounts):

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Limited Partner Units

 

$

145,558

 

$

130,694

 

General Partner Ownership Interest

 

2,971

 

2,667

 

General Partner Incentive

 

57,647

 

50,848

 

Total Cash Distributions Paid

 

$

206,176

 

$

184,209

 

Total Cash Distributions Paid Per Unit

 

$

2.025

 

$

2.00

 

 

On November 7, 2006, we paid a cash distribution of $0.675 per Unit for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.  The third quarter 2006 cash distribution totaled $72.4 million.

General Partner’s Interest

As of September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005, we had deficit balances of $79.3 million and $61.5 million, respectively, in our General Partner’s equity account.  These negative balances do not represent assets to us and do not represent obligations of the General Partner to contribute cash or other property to us.  The General Partner’s equity account generally consists of its cumulative share of our net income less cash distributions made to it plus capital contributions that it has made to us (see our Consolidated Statement of Partners’ Capital for a detail of the General Partner’s equity account).  For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the General Partner was allocated $42.8 million (representing 29.4%) of our net income and received $60.6 million in cash distributions.

25




Capital Accounts, as defined under our Partnership Agreement, are maintained for our General Partner and our limited partners.  The Capital Account provisions of our Partnership Agreement incorporate principles established for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are not comparable to the equity accounts reflected under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States in our financial statements.  Under our Partnership Agreement, the General Partner is required to make additional capital contributions to us upon the issuance of any additional Units if necessary to maintain a Capital Account balance equal to 1.999999% of the total Capital Accounts of all partners.  At September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005, the General Partner’s Capital Account balance substantially exceeded this requirement.

Net income is allocated between the General Partner and the limited partners in the same proportion as aggregate cash distributions made to the General Partner and the limited partners during the period.  This is generally consistent with the manner of allocating net income under our Partnership Agreement.  Net income determined under our Partnership Agreement, however, incorporates principles established for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is not comparable to net income reflected under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States in our financial statements.

Cash distributions that we make during a period may exceed our net income for the period.  We make quarterly cash distributions of all of our Available Cash, generally defined as consolidated cash receipts less consolidated cash disbursements and cash reserves established by the General Partner in its reasonable discretion.  Cash distributions in excess of net income allocations and capital contributions during the year ended December 31, 2005, and the nine months ended September 30, 2006, resulted in deficits in the General Partner’s equity account at December 31, 2005, and September 30, 2006.  Future cash distributions that exceed net income will result in an increase in the deficit balance in the General Partner’s equity account.

According to the Partnership Agreement, in the event of our dissolution, after satisfying our liabilities, our remaining assets would be divided among our limited partners and our General Partner generally in the same proportion as Available Cash but calculated on a cumulative basis over the life of the Partnership.  If a deficit balance still remains in the General Partner’s equity account after all allocations are made between the partners, the General Partner would not be required to make whole any such deficit.

EPCO Proposal

On April 20, 2006, EPCO submitted a proposal to the Audit and Conflicts Committee of our General Partner’s Board of Directors to reduce the General Partner’s maximum percentage interest in our quarterly distributions from 50% to 25% with respect to that portion of our quarterly cash distribution to partners that exceeds $0.325 per Unit.  In exchange for the agreement to reduce its maximum percentage interest in our quarterly distributions, our General Partner would receive a number of newly-issued Units that, based on the distribution rate and the number of Units outstanding at the time of issuance, would result in our General Partner receiving cash distributions from the newly-issued Units and from its reduced maximum percentage interest in our quarterly distributions that would approximately equal the cash distributions our General Partner would have received from its maximum percentage interest in our quarterly distributions without reduction.  Based on our distribution rate and outstanding Units as of the date of the filing of this Report, the number of newly-issued Units issued to the General Partner would be approximately 14.1 million.  On September 11, 2006, we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a definitive proxy statement that outlines the EPCO proposal to be voted upon at a special meeting of our unitholders and other changes to our Partnership Agreement that are part of the EPCO proposal, all of which are conditioned upon one another.  The proxy statement also contains separate proposals for the adoption of an employee Unit purchase plan and a long term incentive plan.  The special meeting was convened on October 26, 2006, and adjourned, without voting on the proposals, to November 30, 2006 by the General Partner for lack of a quorum.    

26




NOTE 11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

EPCO and Affiliates and Duke Energy, DEFS and Affiliates

We do not have any employees.  We are managed by the Company, which prior to February 23, 2005, was an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of DEFS.  According to our Partnership Agreement, the Company was entitled to reimbursement of all direct and indirect expenses related to our business activities.  As a result of the change in ownership of the General Partner on February 24, 2005, all of our management, administrative and operating functions are performed by employees of EPCO, pursuant to the ASA.  We reimburse EPCO for the allocated costs of its employees who perform operating, management and other administrative functions for us (see Note 1).              

The following table summarizes the related party transactions with EPCO and affiliates and DEFS and affiliates for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (in millions):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Revenues from EPCO and affiliates: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of petroleum products

 

$

1.0

 

$

 

$

3.1

 

$

 

Transportation – NGLs

 

2.8

 

2.3

 

7.4

 

5.2

 

Transportation – LPGs

 

0.5

 

1.1

 

2.8

 

2.7

 

Other operating revenues

 

0.4

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses from EPCO and affiliates: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payroll, administrative and other (2)

 

27.9

 

29.1

 

90.2

 

37.9

 

Purchases of petroleum products

 

14.0

 

 

30.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from DEFS and affiliates: (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of petroleum products

 

 

 

 

4.3

 

Transportation – NGLs

 

 

 

 

2.8

 

Gathering – Natural gas – Jonah

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

Transportation – LPGs

 

 

 

 

0.7

 

Other operating revenues

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses from DEFS and affiliates: (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payroll, administrative and other (4) (5)

 

 

 

 

16.2

 

Purchases of petroleum products

 

 

 

 

38.5

 

 


(1)    Operating revenues earned and expenses incurred from activities with EPCO and its affiliates are considered related party transactions beginning February 24, 2005, as a result of the change in ownership of the General Partner.

(2)    Substantially all of these costs were related to payroll, payroll related expenses and administrative expenses, including reimbursements related to employee benefits and employee benefit plans, incurred in managing us and our subsidiaries in accordance with the ASA.

(3)    Operating revenues earned and expenses incurred from activities with DEFS and its affiliates are considered related party transactions prior to February 23, 2005, at which time a change in ownership of the General Partner occurred.

(4)    Includes operating costs and expenses related to DEFS managing and operating the Jonah and Val Verde systems and the Chaparral NGL pipeline on our behalf under contractual agreements established at the time of acquisition of each asset.  In connection with the change in ownership of our General Partner, we or EPCO have assumed these activities.

(5)    Substantially all of these costs were related to payroll, payroll related expenses and administrative expenses incurred in managing us and our subsidiaries.

27




At September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had receivables from EPCO and affiliates of $1.6 million and $4.3 million, respectively, related to sales and transportation services provided to EPCO and affiliates.  At September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had payables to EPCO and affiliates of $41.6 million and $9.8 million, respectively, related to direct payroll, payroll related costs and other operational related costs attributable to our operations under the ASA.

Beginning February 24, 2005, the majority of our insurance coverage, including property, liability, business interruption, auto and directors and officers’ liability insurance, was obtained through EPCO.  We incurred insurance expense related to premiums paid by EPCO of $3.6 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  We incurred insurance expense related to premiums paid by EPCO of $10.8 million (including $0.1 million in finance charges) and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  At September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had insurance reimbursement receivables due from EPCO of $1.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

On March 31, 2006, we sold our ownership interest in the Jonah Pioneer silica gel natural gas processing plant located near Opal, Wyoming, together with Jonah’s rights to process natural gas originating from the Jonah and Pinedale fields, located in southwest Wyoming to an affiliate of Enterprise for $38.0 million.  We recognized a gain of approximately $17.9 million on the sale of this asset (see Note 6).

On October 6, 2006, we sold certain idled crude oil pipeline assets and refined products pipeline assets in the Houston, Texas area, with a carrying value of approximately $5.6 million, to an affiliate of Enterprise for approximately $11.7 million (see Note 17).  We also anticipate selling additional refined products pipeline assets in the Houston, Texas area to an affiliate of Enterprise in the fourth quarter of 2006 for approximately $8.0 million, which at September 30, 2006, have a carrying value of approximately $2.5 million.  These transactions were reviewed and recommended for approval by the Audit and Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of our General Partner.

Jonah Joint Venture

On August 1, 2006, Enterprise (through an affiliate) became our joint venture partner by acquiring an interest in Jonah, the partnership through which we owned the Jonah system.  In the third quarter of 2006, we reimbursed Enterprise $65.0 million for 50% of the Phase V cost incurred by it through August 1, 2006 (including its cost of capital of $1.3 million).  At September 30, 2006, we had a payable to Enterprise for costs incurred through September 30, 2006, of $18.9 million (see Note 8 for further discussion on the Jonah joint venture).

In conjunction with the formation of the joint venture, we have agreed to indemnify Enterprise from any and all losses, claims, demands, suits, liability, costs and expenses arising out of or related to breaches of our representations, warranties, or covenants related to the formation of the Jonah joint venture, Jonah’s ownership or operation of the Jonah system prior to the effective date of the joint venture, and any environmental activity, or violation of or liability under environmental laws arising from or related to the condition of the Jonah system prior to the effective date of the joint venture.  In general, a claim for indemnification cannot be filed until the losses suffered by Enterprise exceed $1.0 million, and the maximum potential amount of future payments under the indemnity is limited to $100.0 million.  However, if certain representations or warranties are breached, the maximum potential amount of future payments under the indemnity is capped at $207.6 million.  All indemnity payments are net of insurance recoveries that Enterprise may receive from third-party insurers. We carry insurance coverage that may

28




offset any payments required under the indemnity.  We do not expect that these indemnities will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 12.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Retirement Plans

The TEPPCO Retirement Cash Balance Plan (“TEPPCO RCBP”) was a non-contributory, trustee-administered pension plan.  In addition, the TEPPCO Supplemental Benefit Plan (“TEPPCO SBP”) was a non-contributory, nonqualified, defined benefit retirement plan, in which certain executive officers participated.  The TEPPCO SBP was established to restore benefit reductions caused by the maximum benefit limitations that apply to qualified plans.  The benefit formula for all eligible employees was a cash balance formula.  Under a cash balance formula, a plan participant accumulated a retirement benefit based upon pay credits and current interest credits.  The pay credits were based on a participant’s salary, age and service.  We used a December 31 measurement date for these plans.

On May 27, 2005, the TEPPCO RCBP and the TEPPCO SBP were amended.  Effective May 31, 2005, participation in the TEPPCO RCBP was frozen, and no new participants were eligible to be covered by the plan after that date.  Effective June 1, 2005, EPCO adopted the TEPPCO RCBP and the TEPPCO SBP for the benefit of its employees providing services to us.  Effective December 31, 2005, all plan benefits accrued were frozen, participants received no additional pay credits after that date, and all plan participants were 100% vested regardless of their years of service.  The TEPPCO RCBP plan was terminated effective December 31, 2005, and plan participants have the option to receive their benefits either through a lump sum payment in 2006 or through an annuity.  In April 2006, we received a determination letter from the IRS providing IRS approval of the plan termination.  For those plan participants who elect to receive an annuity, we will purchase an annuity contract from an insurance company in which the plan participant owns the annuity, absolving us of any future obligation to the participant.  Participants in the TEPPCO SBP received pay credits through November 30, 2005, and received lump sum benefit payments in December 2005.  Both the RCBP and SBP benefit payments are discussed below.

In June 2005, we recorded a curtailment charge of $0.1 million in accordance with SFAS No. 88, Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits , as a result of the TEPPCO RCBP and TEPPCO SBP amendments.  As of May 31, 2005, the following assumptions were changed for purposes of determining the net periodic benefit costs for the remainder of 2005: the discount rate, the long-term rate of return on plan assets, and the assumed mortality table.  The discount rate was decreased from 5.75% to 5.00% to reflect rates of returns on bonds currently available to settle the liability.   The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was changed from 8% to 2% due to the movement of plan funds from equity investments into short-term money market funds.  The mortality table was changed to reflect overall improvements in mortality experienced by the general population.  The curtailment charge arose due to the accelerated recognition of the unrecognized prior service costs.  We recorded additional settlement charges of approximately $0.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 relating to the TEPPCO SBP.  We expect to record additional settlement charges of approximately $4.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2006 relating to the TEPPCO RCBP for any existing unrecognized losses upon the plan termination and final distribution of the assets to the plan participants.

29




The components of net pension benefits costs for the TEPPCO RCBP and the TEPPCO SBP for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, were as follows (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Service cost benefit earned during the period

 

$

 

$

1,147

 

$

 

$

3,246

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

255

 

233

 

762

 

701

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(115

)

(76

)

(351

)

(595

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

1

 

 

4

 

Amortization of actuarial losses

 

35

 

37

 

104

 

92

 

SFAS 88 curtailment charge

 

 

 

 

50

 

Net pension benefits costs

 

$

175

 

$

1,342

 

$

515

 

$

3,498

 

 

Other Postretirement Benefits

We provided certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees on a contributory and non-contributory basis (“TEPPCO OPB”).  Employees became eligible for these benefits if they met certain age and service requirements at retirement, as defined in the plans.  We provided a fixed dollar contribution, which did not increase from year to year, towards retired employee medical costs.  The retiree paid all health care cost increases due to medical inflation.  We used a December 31 measurement date for this plan.

In May 2005, benefits provided to employees under the TEPPCO OPB were changed.  Employees eligible for these benefits received them through December 31, 2005, however, effective December 31, 2005, these benefits were terminated.  As a result of this change in benefits and in accordance with SFAS No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions , we recorded a curtailment credit of approximately $1.7 million in our accumulated postretirement obligation which reduced our accumulated postretirement obligation to the total of the expected remaining 2005 payments under the TEPPCO OPB.  The employees participating in this plan at that time were transferred to DEFS, who is expected to provide postretirement benefits to these retirees.  We recorded a one-time settlement to DEFS in the third quarter of 2005 of $0.4 million for the remaining postretirement benefits.

The components of net postretirement benefits cost for the TEPPCO OPB for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, were as follows (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Service cost benefit earned during the period

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

81

 

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

69

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

 

 

53

 

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

 

 

 

4

 

SFAS 106 curtailment credit

 

 

 

 

(1,676

)

Net postretirement benefits costs

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

(1,469

)

 

Effective June 1, 2005, the payroll functions performed by DEFS for our General Partner were transferred from DEFS to EPCO.  For those employees who were receiving certain other postretirement benefits at the time of the acquisition of our General Partner by DFI, DEFS is expected to continue to provide these benefits to those

30




employees.  Effective June 1, 2005, EPCO began providing certain other postretirement benefits to those employees who became eligible for the benefits after June 1, 2005, and will charge those benefit related costs to us.  As a result of these changes, we recorded a $1.2 million reduction in our other postretirement obligation in June 2005.

Estimated Future Benefit Contributions

We do not expect to make further contributions to our retirement plans and other postretirement benefit plans.  However, EPCO maintains a 401(k) plan for the benefit of employees providing services to us, and we will continue to reimburse EPCO for the cost of maintaining this plan in accordance with the ASA.

NOTE 13. SEGMENT INFORMATION

We have three reporting segments:

·       Our Downstream Segment, which is engaged in the transportation and storage of refined products, LPGs and petrochemicals;

·       Our Upstream Segment, which is engaged in the gathering, transportation, marketing and storage of crude oil and distribution of lubrication oils and specialty chemicals; and

·       Our Midstream Segment, which is engaged in the gathering of natural gas, fractionation of NGLs and transportation of NGLs.

The amounts indicated below as “Partnership and Other” relate primarily to intersegment eliminations and assets that we hold that have not been allocated to any of our reporting segments.

Our Downstream Segment revenues are earned from transportation and storage of refined products and LPGs, intrastate transportation of petrochemicals, sale of product inventory and other ancillary services. The two largest operating expense items of the Downstream Segment are labor and electric power.  We generally realize higher revenues in this segment during the first and fourth quarters of each year since these operations are somewhat seasonal. Refined products volumes are generally higher during the second and third quarters because of greater demand for gasolines during the spring and summer driving seasons. LPGs volumes are generally higher from November through March due to higher demand for propane, a major fuel for residential heating.  Our Downstream Segment also includes the results of operations of the northern portion of the Dean Pipeline, which transports refinery grade propylene from Mont Belvieu to Point Comfort, Texas.  Our Downstream Segment also includes our equity investments in MB Storage, which we are required to divest (see Note 14), and in Centennial (see Note 8).

Our Upstream Segment revenues are earned from gathering, transportation, marketing and storage of crude oil and distribution of lubrication oils and specialty chemicals, principally in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and the Rocky Mountain region.  Marketing operations consist primarily of aggregating purchased crude oil along our pipeline systems, or from third party pipeline systems, and arranging the necessary transportation logistics for the ultimate sale or delivery of the crude oil to local refineries, marketers or other end users.  Our Upstream Segment also includes our equity investment in Seaway (see Note 8).  Seaway consists of large diameter pipelines that transport crude oil from Seaway’s marine terminals on the U.S. Gulf Coast to Cushing, Oklahoma, a crude oil distribution point for the central United States, and to refineries in the Texas City and Houston areas.

31




Our Midstream Segment revenues are earned from the gathering of coal bed methane and conventional natural gas in the San Juan Basin in New Mexico and Colorado, through Val Verde; transportation of NGLs from two trunkline NGL pipelines in South Texas, two NGL pipelines in East Texas and a pipeline system (Chaparral) from West Texas and New Mexico to Mont Belvieu; and the fractionation of NGLs in Colorado.  Our Midstream Segment also includes our equity investment in Jonah (see Note 8).  Jonah, which is a joint venture between us and an affiliate of Enterprise, owns a natural gas gathering system in the Green River Basin in southwestern Wyoming.  Prior to August 1, 2006, when Jonah was wholly-owned by us, operating results for Jonah were included in the consolidated Midstream Segment operating results.  Effective August 1, 2006, we entered into the joint venture with Enterprise’s affiliate, upon which Jonah was deconsolidated, and its operating results since August 1, 2006, have been accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  Operating results of the Pioneer plant, which we sold to an Enterprise affiliate in March 2006, are shown as discontinued operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

On April 1, 2006, we adopted EITF 04-13, Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty (see Note 1), which resulted in crude oil inventory purchases and sales under buy/sell transactions, which were previously recorded as gross purchases and sales, to be treated as inventory exchanges in our consolidated statements of income.  EITF 04-13 reduced gross revenues and purchases, but did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Under the consensus reached in EITF 04-13, buy/sell transactions are reported as non-monetary exchanges and consequently not presented on a gross basis in our statements of income.  Implementation of EITF 04-13 reduced revenues and purchases of petroleum products on our consolidated statements of income by approximately $774.4 million each for the period from April 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006 ($460.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006).  Under the provisions of the consensus, retroactive restatement of buy/sell transactions reported in prior periods was not permitted.  The revenues and purchases of petroleum products associated with buy/sell transactions that are reported on a gross basis in our consolidated statements of income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005, and for the period from January 1, 2006 through March 31, 2006, are approximately $494.7 million, $898.0 million and $275.4 million, respectively.

32




The table below includes financial information by reporting segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

 

 

Downstream
Segment

 

Upstream
Segment

 

Midstream
Segment

 

Segments
Total

 

Partnership
and Other

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of petroleum products

 

$

 

$

2,441,750

 

$

4,990

 

$

2,446,740

 

$

(69

)

$

2,446,671

 

Operating revenues

 

72,358

 

12,176

 

38,905

 

123,439

 

(65

)

123,374

 

Purchases of petroleum products

 

 

2,413,391

 

4,323

 

2,417,714

 

(78

)

2,417,636

 

Operating expenses, including power and taxes – other than income taxes

 

38,618

 

15,930

 

12,857

 

67,405

 

(65

)

67,340

 

General and administrative expenses

 

3,455

 

1,460

 

2,079

 

6,994

 

 

6,994

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

10,713

 

3,699

 

11,838

 

26,250

 

 

26,250

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

(14

)

 

 

(14

)

 

(14

)

Operating income

 

19,586

 

19,446

 

12,798

 

51,830

 

9

 

51,839

 

Equity earnings (losses)

 

(2,949

)

2,962

 

11,563

 

11,576

 

(9

)

11,567

 

Other income, net

 

289

 

344

 

430

 

1,063

 

 

1,063

 

Earnings before interest, deferred income tax expense and discontinued operations

 

$

16,926

 

$

22,752

 

$

24,791

 

$

64,469

 

$

 

$

64,469

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

Downstream
Segment

 

Upstream
Segment

 

Midstream
Segment

 

Segments
Total

 

Partnership
and Other

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of petroleum products

 

$

 

$

2,367,984

 

$

 

$

2,367,984

 

$

(154

)

$

2,367,830

 

Operating revenues

 

66,094

 

12,750

 

53,641

 

132,485

 

(188

)

132,297

 

Purchases of petroleum products

 

 

2,350,107

 

 

2,350,107

 

(188

)

2,349,919

 

Operating expenses, including power and taxes – other than income taxes

 

36,788

 

17,200

 

13,703

 

67,691

 

(154

)

67,537

 

General and administrative expenses

 

4,617

 

1,756

 

2,144

 

8,517

 

 

8,517

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

10,098

 

6,471

 

14,238

 

30,807

 

 

30,807

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

(24

)

(7

)

 

(31

)

 

(31

)

Operating income

 

14,615

 

5,207

 

23,556

 

43,378

 

 

43,378

 

Equity earnings (losses)

 

(651

)

5,398

 

 

4,747

 

 

4,747

 

Other income, net

 

306

 

103

 

75

 

484

 

 

484

 

Earnings before interest, deferred income tax expense and discontinued operations

 

$

14,270

 

$

10,708

 

$

23,631

 

$

48,609

 

$

 

$

48,609

 

 

33




 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

 

 

Downstream
Segment

 

Upstream
Segment

 

Midstream
Segment

 

Segments
Total

 

Partnership
and Other

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of petroleum products

 

$

 

$

7,116,064

 

$

18,766

 

$

7,134,830

 

$

(4,547

)

$

7,130,283

 

Operating revenues

 

215,758

 

36,456

 

151,851

 

404,065

 

(2,882

)

401,183

 

Purchases of petroleum products

 

 

7,032,930

 

17,272

 

7,050,202

 

(6,770

)

7,043,432

 

Operating expenses, including power and taxes – other than income taxes

 

111,763

 

50,892

 

45,774

 

208,429

 

(668

)

207,761

 

General and administrative expenses

 

13,250

 

5,137

 

6,966

 

25,353

 

 

25,353

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

31,143

 

10,464

 

42,076

 

83,683

 

 

83,683

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

(39

)

 

(1,371

)

(1,410

)

 

(1,410

)

Operating income

 

59,641

 

53,097

 

59,900

 

172,638

 

9

 

172,647

 

Equity earnings (losses)

 

(6,581

)

10,257

 

11,563

 

15,239

 

(9

)

15,230

 

Other income, net

 

1,253

 

613

 

550

 

2,416

 

 

2,416

 

Earnings before interest, deferred income tax expense and discontinued operations

 

$

54,313

 

$

63,967

 

$

72,013

 

$

190,293

 

$

 

$

190,293

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

Downstream
Segment

 

Upstream
Segment

 

Midstream
Segment

 

Segments
Total

 

Partnership
and Other

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of petroleum products

 

$

 

$

5,714,353

 

$

 

$

5,714,353

 

$

(154

)

$

5,714,199

 

Operating revenues

 

207,699

 

36,161

 

155,481

 

399,341

 

(2,237

)

397,104

 

Purchases of petroleum products

 

 

5,665,136

 

 

5,665,136

 

(2,237

)

5,662,899

 

Operating expenses, including power and taxes – other than income taxes

 

104,943

 

45,132

 

36,275

 

186,350

 

(154

)

186,196

 

General and administrative expenses

 

12,328

 

4,483

 

5,011

 

21,822

 

 

21,822

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

29,460

 

13,623

 

39,473

 

82,556

 

 

82,556

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

(131

)

(59

)

(407

)

(597

)

 

(597

)

Operating income

 

61,099

 

22,199

 

75,129

 

158,427

 

 

158,427

 

Equity earnings (losses)

 

(2,718

)

19,310

 

 

16,592

 

 

16,592

 

Other income, net

 

576

 

132

 

177

 

885

 

 

885

 

Earnings before interest, deferred income tax expense and discontinued operations

 

$

58,957

 

$

41,641

 

$

75,306

 

$

175,904

 

$

 

$

175,904

 

 

34




The following table includes total assets, capital expenditures, and significant non-cash investing activities for each segment as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

Downstream
Segment

 

Upstream
Segment

 

Midstream
Segment

 

Segments
Total

 

Partnership
and Other

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,081,693

 

$

1,385,414

 

$

1,305,690

 

$

3,772,797

 

$

(4,812

)

$

3,767,985

 

Capital expenditures

 

47,053

 

35,028

 

41,624

 

123,705

 

1,979

 

125,684

 

Non-cash investing activities

 

 

 

591,552

 

591,552

 

 

591,552

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2005:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,056,217

 

$

1,353,492

 

$

1,280,548

 

$

3,690,257

 

$

(9,719

)

$

3,680,538

 

Capital expenditures

 

58,609

 

40,954

 

119,837

 

219,400

 

1,153

 

220,553

 

Non-cash investing activities

 

1,429

 

 

 

1,429

 

 

1,429

 

 

The following table reconciles the segment data from the tables above to consolidated net income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before interest, deferred income tax expense and discontinued operations

 

$

64,469

 

$

48,609

 

$

190,293

 

$

175,904

 

Interest expense – net

 

(23,181

)

(19,726

)

(63,522

)

(60,640

)

Income before deferred income tax expense

 

41,288

 

28,883

 

126,771

 

115,264

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

143

 

 

657

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

41,145

 

28,883

 

126,114

 

115,264

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

692

 

19,369

 

2,662

 

Net income

 

$

41,145

 

$

29,575

 

$

145,483

 

$

117,926

 

 

NOTE 14.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

In the fall of 1999, the General Partner and TE Products were named as defendants in a lawsuit in Jackson County Circuit Court, Jackson County, Indiana, styled Ryan E. McCleery and Marcia S. McCleery, et al. and Michael and Linda Robson, et al. v. Texas Eastern Corporation, et al.    In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs contend, among other things, that we and other defendants stored and disposed of toxic and hazardous substances and hazardous wastes in a manner that caused the materials to be released into the air, soil and water.  They further contend that the release caused damages to the plaintiffs.  In their complaint, the plaintiffs allege strict liability for both personal injury and property damage together with gross negligence, continuing nuisance, trespass, criminal mischief and loss of consortium. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory, punitive and treble damages.  On March 18, 2005, we entered into Release and Settlement Agreements with the McCleery plaintiffs dismissing all of these plaintiffs’ claims on terms that did not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Although we did not settle with all plaintiffs and we therefore remain named parties in the Michael and Linda Robson, et al. v. Texas Eastern Corporation, et al . action, a co-defendant has agreed, by Cooperative Defense

35




Agreement, to fund the defense and satisfy all final judgments which might be rendered with the remaining claims asserted against us.  Consequently, we do not believe that the outcome of these remaining claims will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On December 21, 2001, TE Products was named as a defendant in a lawsuit in the 10th Judicial District, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, styled Rebecca L. Grisham et al. v.  TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership .  In this case, the plaintiffs contend that our pipeline, which crosses the plaintiffs’ property, leaked toxic products onto their property and, consequently caused damages to them.  We have filed an answer to the plaintiffs’ petition denying the allegations, and we are defending ourselves vigorously against the lawsuit.  The plaintiffs assert damages attributable to the remediation of the property of approximately $1.4 million; however, this case is covered by insurance, subject to applicable policy limits.  We do not believe that the outcome of this lawsuit will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In 1991, we were named as a defendant in a matter styled Jimmy R. Green, et al. v. Cities Service Refinery, et al. as filed in the 26 th  Judicial District Court of Bossier Parish, Louisiana.  The plaintiffs in this matter reside or formerly resided on land that was once the site of a refinery owned by one of our co-defendants.  The former refinery is located near our Bossier City facility.  Plaintiffs have claimed personal injuries and property damage arising from alleged contamination of the refinery property.  The plaintiffs have recently pursued certification as a class and have significantly increased their demand to approximately $175.0 million.  This revised demand includes amounts for environmental restoration not previously claimed by the plaintiffs.  We have never owned any interest in the refinery property made the basis of this action, and we do not believe that we contributed to any alleged contamination of this property.  While we cannot predict the ultimate outcome, we do not believe that the outcome of this lawsuit will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On September 18, 2006, Peter Brinckerhoff, a purported unitholder of TEPPCO, filed a complaint in the Court of Chancery of New Castle County in the State of Delaware, in his individual capacity, as a putative class action on behalf of our other unitholders, and derivatively on our behalf, concerning proposals made to our unitholders in our definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on September 11, 2006  (“Proxy Statement”) and other transactions involving us and Enterprise or its affiliates.  The complaint names as defendants the General Partner; the Board of Directors of the General Partner; the parent companies of the General Partner, including EPCO; Enterprise and certain of its affiliates; and Dan L. Duncan.  We are named as a nominal defendant.

The complaint alleges, among other things, that certain of the transactions proposed in the Proxy Statement, including a proposal to reduce the General Partner’s maximum percentage interest in our distributions in exchange for Units (the “Issuance Proposal”), are unfair to our unitholders and constitute a breach by the defendants of fiduciary duties owed to our unitholders and that the Proxy Statement fails to provide our unitholders with all material facts necessary for them to make an informed decision whether to vote in favor of or against the proposals.  The complaint further alleges that, since Mr. Duncan acquired control of the General Partner in 2005, the defendants, in breach of their fiduciary duties to us and our unitholders, have caused us to enter into certain transactions with Enterprise or its affiliates that are unfair to us or otherwise unfairly favored Enterprise or its affiliates over us.  These transactions are alleged to include the Jonah joint venture entered into by us and an Enterprise affiliate in August 2006, the sale by us to an Enterprise affiliate of the Pioneer plant in March 2006 and the impending divestiture of our interest in MB Storage in connection with an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”).  As more fully described in the Proxy Statement, the Audit and Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner recommended the Issuance Proposal for approval by the Board of Directors of the General Partner.  The complaint also alleges that Richard S. Snell, Michael B. Bracy and Murray H. Hutchison, constituting the three members of the Audit and Conflicts Committee, cannot be considered independent because of their alleged ownership of securities in Enterprise and its affiliates and their relationships with Mr. Duncan.

36




The complaint seeks relief (i) requiring us to issue a proxy statement that corrects the alleged misstatements and omissions in the Proxy Statement; (ii) enjoining the October 26, 2006 meeting of unitholders provided for in the Proxy Statement; (iii) rescinding transactions in the complaint that have been consummated or awarding rescissory damages in respect thereof; (iv) awarding damages for profits and special benefits allegedly obtained by defendants as a result of the alleged wrongdoings in the complaint; and (v) awarding plaintiff costs of the action, including fees and expenses of his attorneys and experts.

On September 22, 2006, the plaintiff in the action filed a motion to expedite the proceedings, requesting the Court to schedule a hearing on plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the defendants from proceeding with the October 26, 2006 special meeting of unitholders.  On September 26, 2006, the defendants advised the Court that we would provide to our unitholders specified supplemental disclosures, which were included in the Form 8-K and supplemental proxy materials we filed with the SEC on October 5, 2006.  In light of the foregoing, we believe that the plaintiff’s motion requesting the Court to schedule a hearing to consider his motion to enjoin the special meeting is moot.  The special meeting was convened on October 26, 2006, and adjourned, without voting on the proposals, to November 30, 2006 by the General Partner for lack of a quorum.  While we cannot predict the ultimate outcome, we do not believe that the outcome of this lawsuit will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In addition to the litigation discussed above, we have been, in the ordinary course of business, a defendant in various lawsuits and a party to various other legal proceedings, some of which are covered in whole or in part by insurance. We believe that the outcome of these lawsuits and other proceedings will not individually or in the aggregate have a future material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Regulatory Matters

Our pipelines and other facilities are subject to multiple environmental obligations and potential liabilities under a variety of federal, state and local laws and regulations. These include, without limitation: the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; the Clean Air Act; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or the Clean Water Act; the Oil Pollution Act; and analogous state and local laws and regulations. Such laws and regulations affect many aspects of our present and future operations, and generally require us to obtain and comply with a wide variety of environmental registrations, licenses, permits, inspections and other approvals, with respect to air emissions, water quality, wastewater discharges, and solid and hazardous waste management. Failure to comply with these requirements may expose us to fines, penalties and/or interruptions in our operations that could influence our results of operations. If an accidental leak, spill or release of hazardous substances occurs at any facilities that we own, operate or otherwise use, or where we send materials for treatment or disposal, we could be held jointly and severally liable for all resulting liabilities, including investigation, remedial and clean-up costs. Likewise, we could be required to remove or remediate previously disposed wastes or property contamination, including groundwater contamination.  Any or all of this could materially affect our results of operations and cash flows.

We believe that our operations and facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, and that the cost of compliance with such laws and regulations will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position. We cannot ensure, however, that existing environmental regulations will not be revised or that new regulations will not be adopted or become applicable to us. The clear trend in environmental regulation is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may be perceived to affect the environment, and thus there can be no assurance as to the amount or timing of future expenditures for environmental regulation compliance or remediation, and actual future expenditures may be different from the amounts we currently anticipate. Revised or additional regulations that result in increased compliance costs or

37




additional operating restrictions, particularly if those costs are not fully recoverable from our customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.  At September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005, we have an accrued liability of $1.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively, related to sites requiring environmental remediation activities.

In 1994, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) issued a compliance order for environmental contamination at our Arcadia, Louisiana, facility.  In 1999, our Arcadia facility and adjacent terminals were directed by the Remediation Services Division of the LDEQ to pursue remediation of this contamination.  Effective March 2004, we executed an access agreement with an adjacent industrial landowner who is located upgradient of the Arcadia facility.  This agreement enables the landowner to proceed with remediation activities at our Arcadia facility for which it has accepted shared responsibility.  At September 30, 2006, we have an accrued liability of $0.1 million for remediation costs at our Arcadia facility.  We do not expect that the completion of the remediation program proposed to the LDEQ will have a future material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On July 27, 2004, we received notice from the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) of its intent to seek a civil penalty against us related to our November 21, 2001, release of approximately 2,575 barrels of jet fuel from our 14-inch diameter pipeline located in Orange County, Texas.  The DOJ, at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency, is seeking a civil penalty against us for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) arising out of this release, as well as three smaller spills at other locations in 2004 and 2005.  We have agreed with the DOJ on a proposed penalty of $2.865 million, along with our commitment to implement additional spill prevention measures, and expect to finalize the settlement in the fourth quarter of 2006.  We do not expect this settlement to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

One of the spills encompassed in our current settlement discussion with the DOJ involved a 37,450-gallon release from Seaway on May 13, 2005 at Colbert, Oklahoma.  This release was remediated under the supervision of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, but resulted in claims by neighboring landowners that have been settled for approximately $0.7 million.  In addition, the release resulted in a Corrective Action Order by the U.S. Department of Transportation.  Among other requirements of this Order, we were required to reduce the operating pressure of Seaway by 20% until completion of required corrective actions.  The corrective actions were completed and on June 1, 2006, we increased the operating pressure of Seaway back to 100%.  We have a 50% ownership interest in Seaway, and any settlement should be covered by our insurance.  We do not expect the completion of our obligations relating to the Colbert release to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On September 18, 2005, a propane release and fire occurred at our Todhunter facility, near Middletown, Ohio.  The incident resulted in the death of one of our employees; there were no other injuries.  Repairs to the impacted facilities have been completed.  On March 17, 2006, we received a citation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) arising out of this incident, with a penalty of $0.1 million.  The settlement of this citation did not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We are also in negotiations with the U.S. Department of Transportation with respect to a notice of probable violation that we received on April 25, 2005, for alleged violations of pipeline safety regulations at our Todhunter facility, with a proposed $0.4 million civil penalty.  We responded on June 30, 2005, by admitting certain of the alleged violations, contesting others and requesting a reduction in the proposed civil penalty.  We do not expect any settlement, fine or penalty to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

38




The FERC, pursuant to the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, as amended, regulates the tariff rates for our interstate common carrier pipeline operations.  To be lawful under that Act, interstate tariff rates, terms and conditions of service must be just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory, and must be on file with FERC.  In addition, pipelines may not confer any undue preference upon any shipper.  Shippers may protest, and the FERC may investigate, the lawfulness of new or changed tariff rates.  The FERC can suspend those tariff rates for up to seven months and can also require refunds of amounts collected pursuant to rates that are ultimately found to be unlawful.  The FERC and interested parties can also challenge tariff rates that have become final and effective.  Because of the complexity of rate making, the lawfulness of any rate is never assured.  The FERC uses prescribed rate methodologies for approving regulated tariff rates for transporting crude oil and refined products.  These methodologies may limit our ability to set rates based on our actual costs or may delay the use of rates reflecting increased costs.  Changes in the FERC’s approved methodology for approving rates could adversely affect us.  Adverse decisions by the FERC in approving our regulated rates could adversely affect our cash flow.  Challenges to our tariff rates could be filed with the FERC.

The intrastate liquids pipeline transportation service we provide is subject to various state laws and regulations that affect the rates we charge and terms and conditions of that service.  Although state regulation typically is less onerous than FERC regulation, proposed and existing rates subject to state regulation and the provision of non-discriminatory service are subject to challenge by complaint.

Other

Centennial entered into credit facilities totaling $150.0 million, and as of September 30, 2006, $150.0 million was outstanding under those credit facilities, of which $140.0 million expires in 2024, and $10.0 million expires in April 2007.  TE Products and Marathon have each guaranteed one-half of the repayment of Centennial’s outstanding debt balance (plus interest) under these credit facilities.  The guarantees arose in order for Centennial to obtain adequate financing, and the proceeds of the credit facilities were used to fund construction and conversion costs of its pipeline system.  Prior to the expiration of the long-term credit facility, TE Products could be relinquished from responsibility under the guarantee should Centennial meet certain financial tests.  If Centennial defaults on its outstanding balance, the estimated maximum potential amount of future payments for TE Products and Marathon is $75.0 million each at September 30, 2006.

TE Products, Marathon and Centennial have entered into a limited cash call agreement, which allows each member to contribute cash in lieu of Centennial procuring separate insurance in the event of a third-party liability arising from a catastrophic event.  There is an indefinite term for the agreement and each member is to contribute cash in proportion to its ownership interest, up to a maximum of $50.0 million each.  As a result of the catastrophic event guarantee, TE Products has recorded a $4.4 million obligation, which represents the present value of the estimated amount that we would have to pay under the guarantee.  If a catastrophic event were to occur and we were required to contribute cash to Centennial, contributions exceeding our deductible might be covered by our insurance, depending upon the nature of the catastrophic event.

One of our subsidiaries, TEPPCO Crude Oil, L.P. (“TCO”), has entered into master equipment lease agreements with finance companies for the use of various equipment.  We have guaranteed the full and timely payment and performance of TCO’s obligations under the agreements.  Generally, events of default would trigger our performance under the guarantee.  The maximum potential amount of future payments under the guarantee is not estimable, but would include base rental payments for both current and future equipment, stipulated loss payments in the event any equipment is stolen, damaged, or destroyed and any future indemnity payments.  We carry insurance coverage that may offset any payments required under the guarantees.

39




On February 24, 2005, the General Partner was acquired from DEFS by DFI.  The General Partner owns a 2% general partner interest in us and is the general partner of the Partnership.  On March 11, 2005, the Bureau of Competition of the FTC delivered written notice to DFI’s legal advisor that it was conducting a non-public investigation to determine whether DFI’s acquisition of our General Partner may substantially lessen competition or violate other provisions of federal antitrust laws.  We and our General Partner cooperated fully with this investigation.

On October 31, 2006, an FTC order and consent agreement ending its investigation became final.  The order requires the divestiture of our 50% interest in MB Storage and certain related assets to one or more FTC-approved buyers no later than December 31, 2006 in a manner approved by the FTC and subject to its final approval.  If we are unable to divest the interest and related assets by that date, the FTC may appoint a divestiture trustee to oversee their sale to one or more approved buyers.  The order contains no minimum price for the divestiture and requires that we provide the acquirer or acquirers the opportunity to hire employees who spend more than 10% of their time working on the divested assets.  The order also imposes specified operational, reporting and consent requirements on us including, among other things, in the event that we build a new pipeline connecting to our mainline at Mont Belvieu, implement new allocation procedures relating to the movement of NGLs between storage facilities, our mainline and customers, or acquire interests in or operate salt dome storage facilities for NGLs in specified areas.

NOTE 15. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income requires certain items such as foreign currency translation adjustments, minimum pension liability adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on certain investments to be reported in a financial statement.  As of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the components of accumulated other comprehensive income reflected on our consolidated balance sheets were composed of crude oil hedges and interest rate swaps.  The crude oil hedges mature in December 2006 and December 2007.  While the crude oil hedges are in effect, changes in their fair values, to the extent the hedges are effective, are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income until they are recognized in net income in future periods.  The interest rate swaps mature in January 2008, are related to our variable rate revolving credit facility and are designated as cash flow hedges beginning in the third quarter of 2006.

The accumulated balance of other comprehensive loss related to our cash flow hedge is as follows (in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

$

11

 

Changes in fair values of interest rate cash flow hedges

 

(584

)

Changes in fair values of crude oil cash flow hedges

 

234

 

Balance at September 30, 2006

 

$

(339

)

 

NOTE 16.  SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership, TCTM, L.P., TEPPCO Midstream Companies, L.P., and Val Verde Gas Gathering Company, L.P., have issued full, unconditional, and joint and several guarantees of our Senior Notes and our Revolving Credit Facility (collectively “the Guaranteed Debt”).  In addition, during the 2005 periods presented below and extending through July 31, 2006, Jonah Gas Gathering Company also had provided the same guarantees of our Guaranteed Debt.  Effective August 1, 2006, Enterprise, through its affiliate, Enterprise Gas Processing, LLC, became our joint venture partner by acquiring an interest in Jonah Gas Gathering

40




Company (see Note 8).  Jonah Gas Gathering Company was released as a guarantor of the Guaranteed Debt, effective upon the formation of the joint venture.

The following supplemental condensed consolidating financial information reflects our separate accounts, the combined accounts of the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the combined accounts of our other non-guarantor subsidiaries, the combined consolidating adjustments and eliminations and our consolidated accounts for the dates and periods indicated.  For purposes of the following consolidating information, our investments in our subsidiaries and the Guarantor Subsidiaries’ investments in their subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

 

September 30, 2006

 

 

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.
Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

$

32,286

 

$

56,235

 

$

807,624

 

$

(27,736

)

$

868,409

 

Property, plant and equipment – net

 

 

945,225

 

662,607

 

 

1,607,832

 

Equity investments

 

1,335,767

 

1,149,433

 

198,613

 

(1,667,682

)

1,016,131

 

Intercompany notes receivable

 

1,084,907

 

 

 

(1,084,907

)

 

Intangible assets

 

 

159,227

 

30,361

 

 

189,588

 

Other assets

 

5,915

 

21,207

 

58,903

 

 

86,025

 

Total assets

 

$

2,458,875

 

$

2,331,327

 

$

1,758,108

 

$

(2,780,325

)

$

3,767,985

 

Liabilities and partners’ capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

36,335

 

$

87,120

 

$

844,988

 

$

(30,306

)

$

938,137

 

Long-term debt

 

1,086,017

 

386,058

 

 

 

1,472,075

 

Intercompany notes payable

 

 

648,663

 

436,246

 

(1,084,909

)

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

638

 

19

 

 

657

 

Other long term liabilities

 

1,369

 

18,171

 

2,177

 

 

21,717

 

Total partners’ capital

 

1,335,154

 

1,190,677

 

474,678

 

(1,665,110

)

1,335,399

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

 

$

2,458,875

 

$

2,331,327

 

$

1,758,108

 

$

(2,780,325

)

$

3,767,985

 

 

41




 

 

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.
Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

$

40,977

 

$

107,692

 

$

789,486

 

$

(39,026

)

$

899,129

 

Property, plant and equipment – net

 

 

1,335,724

 

624,344

 

 

1,960,068

 

Equity investments

 

1,201,388

 

461,741

 

202,343

 

(1,505,816

)

359,656

 

Intercompany notes receivable

 

1,134,093

 

 

 

(1,134,093

)

 

Intangible assets

 

 

345,005

 

31,903

 

 

376,908

 

Other assets

 

5,532

 

22,170

 

57,075

 

 

84,777

 

Total assets

 

$

2,381,990

 

$

2,272,332

 

$

1,705,151

 

$

(2,678,935

)

$

3,680,538

 

Liabilities and partners’ capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

43,236

 

$

140,743

 

$

793,683

 

$

(40,451

)

$

937,211

 

Long-term debt

 

1,135,973

 

389,048

 

 

 

1,525,021

 

Intercompany notes payable

 

 

635,263

 

498,832

 

(1,134,095

)

 

Other long term liabilities

 

1,422

 

14,564

 

950

 

 

16,936

 

Total partners’ capital

 

1,201,359

 

1,092,714

 

411,686

 

(1,504,389

)

1,201,370

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

 

$

2,381,990

 

$

2,272,332

 

$

1,705,151

 

$

(2,678,935

)

$

3,680,538

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

 

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.
Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Operating revenues

 

$

 

$

85,938

 

$

2,484,528

 

$

(421

)

$

2,570,045

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

69,040

 

2,449,601

 

(421

)

2,518,220

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(14

)

Operating income

 

 

16,912

 

34,927

 

 

51,839

 

Interest expense – net

 

 

(14,586

)

(8,595

)

 

(23,181

)

Equity earnings

 

41,145

 

38,603

 

2,962

 

(71,143

)

11,567

 

Other income – net

 

 

356

 

707

 

 

1,063

 

Income before deferred income tax expense

 

41,145

 

41,285

 

30,001

 

(71,143

)

41,288

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

 

140

 

3

 

 

143

 

Income from continuing operations

 

41,145

 

41,145

 

29,998

 

(71,143

)

41,145

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

41,145

 

$

41,145

 

$

29,998

 

$

(71,143

)

$

41,145

 

 

42




 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.
Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Operating revenues

 

$

 

$

104,059

 

$

2,396,410

 

$

(342

)

$

2,500,127

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

74,782

 

2,382,340

 

(342

)

2,456,780

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

 

(24

)

(7

)

 

(31

)

Operating income

 

 

29,301

 

14,077

 

 

43,378

 

Interest expense – net

 

 

(12,476

)

(7,250

)

 

(19,726

)

Equity earnings

 

29,575

 

11,723

 

5,398

 

(41,949

)

4,747

 

Other income – net

 

 

335

 

149

 

 

484

 

Income from continuing operations

 

29,575

 

28,883

 

12,374

 

(41,949

)

28,883

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

692

 

 

 

692

 

Net income

 

$

29,575

 

$

29,575

 

$

12,374

 

$

(41,949

)

$

29,575

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

 

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.
Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Operating revenues

 

$

 

$

257,078

 

$

7,282,867

 

$

(8,479

)

$

7,531,466

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

207,291

 

7,161,417

 

(8,479

)

7,360,229

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

 

(1,410

)

 

 

(1,410

)

Operating income

 

 

51,197

 

121,450

 

 

172,647

 

Interest expense – net

 

 

(37,756

)

(25,766

)

 

(63,522

)

Equity earnings

 

145,483

 

130,883

 

10,257

 

(271,393

)

15,230

 

Other income – net

 

 

1,299

 

1,117

 

 

2,416

 

Income before deferred income tax expense

 

145,483

 

145,623

 

107,058

 

(271,393

)

126,771

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

 

140

 

517

 

 

657

 

Income from continuing operations

 

145,483

 

145,483

 

106,541

 

(271,393

)

126,114

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

19,369

 

 

19,369

 

Net income

 

$

145,483

 

$

145,483

 

$

125,910

 

$

(271,393

)

$

145,483

 

 

43




 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.
Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Operating revenues

 

$

 

$

319,832

 

$

5,793,862

 

$

(2,391

)

$

6,111,303

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

207,991

 

5,747,873

 

(2,391

)

5,953,473

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

 

(538

)

(59

)

 

(597

)

Operating income

 

 

112,379

 

46,048

 

 

158,427

 

Interest expense – net

 

 

(39,751

)

(20,889

)

 

(60,640

)

Equity earnings

 

117,926

 

41,956

 

19,310

 

(162,600

)

16,592

 

Other income – net

 

 

680

 

205

 

 

885

 

Income from continuing operations

 

117,926

 

115,264

 

44,674

 

(162,600

)

115,264

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

2,662

 

 

 

2,662

 

Net income

 

$

117,926

 

$

117,926

 

$

44,674

 

$

(162,600

)

$

117,926

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

 

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.
Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

145,483

 

$

145,483

 

$

125,910

 

$

(271,393

)

$

145,483

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

(19,369

)

 

(19,369

)

Deferred income tax expense

 

 

140

 

517

 

 

657

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

53,236

 

30,447

 

 

83,683

 

Earnings in equity investments, net of distributions

 

60,693

 

10,125

 

5,061

 

(64,563

)

11,316

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

 

(1,410

)

 

 

(1,410

)

Changes in assets and liabilities and other

 

51,523

 

(26,087

)

18,315

 

(33,098

)

10,653

 

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities

 

257,699

 

181,487

 

160,881

 

(369,054

)

231,013

 

Cash flows from discontinued operations

 

 

 

1,521

 

 

1,521

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

257,699

 

181,487

 

162,402

 

(369,054

)

232,534

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

(195,072

)

34,715

 

(54,333

)

40,131

 

(174,559

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

(58,004

)

(216,190

)

(108,098

)

324,288

 

(58,004

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

4,623

 

12

 

(29

)

(4,635

)

(29

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

1,978

 

 

107

 

(1,966

)

119

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

6,601

 

$

12

 

$

78

 

$

(6,601

)

$

90

 

 

44




 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidating
Adjustments

 

TEPPCO
Partners, L.P.
Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

117,926

 

$

117,926

 

$

44,674

 

$

(162,600

)

$

117,926

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) continuing operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

(2,662

)

 

 

(2,662

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

61,114

 

21,442

 

 

82,556

 

Earnings (losses) in equity investments, net of distributions

 

66,282

 

6,542

 

(1,820

)

(59,418

)

11,586

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

 

(538

)

(59

)

 

(597

)

Changes in assets and liabilities and other

 

(108,054

)

(52,375

)

(108,222

)

105,804

 

(162,847

)

Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operating activities

 

76,154

 

130,007

 

(43,985

)

(116,214

)

45,962

 

Cash flows from discontinued operations

 

 

3,110

 

 

 

3,110

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

76,154

 

133,117

 

(43,985

)

(116,214

)

49,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

(278,830

)

(21,909

)

(149,873

)

183,069

 

(267,543

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

202,121

 

(124,614

)

191,061

 

(66,447

)

202,121

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(555

)

(13,406

)

(2,797

)

408

 

(16,350

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

4,116

 

13,596

 

2,826

 

(4,116

)

16,422

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

3,561

 

$

190

 

$

29

 

$

(3,708

)

$

72

 

 

NOTE 17.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 6, 2006, we sold certain crude oil pipeline assets and refined products pipeline assets in the Houston, Texas area, to an affiliate of Enterprise for approximately $11.7 million.  These assets, which have been idle since acquisition, were part of the assets acquired by us in 2005 from Genco and BP (see Note 5).  The sales proceeds will be used to fund organic growth projects, retire debt or for other general partnership purposes.  The carrying value of these pipeline assets at September 30, 2006, was approximately $5.6 million.

During October 2006, we executed a series of treasury rate lock agreements that extend through June 2007 for a notional amount totaling $200.0 million.  These agreements, which are a series of derivative instruments, hedge our exposure to increases in the underlying U.S. Treasury benchmark rate that is expected to be used to establish the fixed interest rate for debt that we expect to incur in 2007.  The weighted average rate under the treasury lock agreements was approximately 4.7%.  The actual coupon rate of the expected debt issuance will be comprised of the underlying U.S. Treasury benchmark rate, plus a credit spread premium for our debt security.

On November 1, 2006, we announced plans to construct a new 20-inch diameter lateral pipeline that will connect our mainline system to Enterprise’s storage facility at Mont Belvieu, Texas.  The new connection, which will provide delivery of propane into our system at full line flow rates, complements our current ability to source product from MB Storage.  The new lateral will also offer the ability to deliver other liquid products such as butanes and

45




natural gasoline from Enterprise’s storage facilities into our system at reduced flow rates until enhancements can be made.  The capability to deliver butanes and natural gasoline from MB Storage at full flow rates is not expected to be impacted.  Construction of the new connection is expected to be completed around January 1, 2007.

Effective November 1, 2006, we purchased a refined petroleum product terminal in Aberdeen, Mississippi, for approximately $5.8 million from Mississippi Terminal and Marketing Inc. (“MTMI”).  The facility, located along the Tennessee/TomBigbee waterway system, has storage capacity of 130,000 barrels for gasoline and diesel, which are supplied by barge for delivery to local markets, including Tupelo and Columbus, Mississippi.  In connection with this acquisition, which we plan to integrate into our Downstream Segment, we plan to construct a new 500,000-barrel terminal in Boligee, Alabama, at a cost of approximately $25.0 million, on an 80-acre site which we are leasing from the Greene County Industrial Development Board under a 60-year agreement.  The Boligee terminal site is located approximately two miles from Colonial Pipeline.  The new terminal is expected to begin service during the fourth quarter of 2007.

46




Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

You should read the following review of our financial position and results of operations in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto.  The Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes, together with our discussion and analysis of financial position and results of operations included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 16, 2006, which recast certain information from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as discontinued operations.  Our discussion and analysis includes the following:

·       Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

·       Overview of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

·       Overview of Business

·       Results of Operations – Discusses material period-to-period variances in the consolidated statements of income

·       Financial Condition and Liquidity – Analyzes cash flows and financial position

·       Other Considerations – Addresses available sources of liquidity, trends, future plans and contingencies that are reasonably likely to materially affect future liquidity or earnings

·       Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  All statements that express belief, expectation, estimates or intentions, as well as those that are not statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements.  The words “proposed”, “anticipate”, “potential”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “expect”, “estimate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Without limiting the broader description of forward-looking statements above, we specifically note that statements included in this document that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as future distributions, estimated future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), business strategy and measures to implement strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of our business and operations, plans, references to future success, references to intentions as to future matters and other such matters are forward-looking statements.  These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances.  While we believe our expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, whether actual results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including general economic, market or business conditions, the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by us, competitive actions by other pipeline companies, changes in laws or regulations and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.  For example, the demand for refined products is dependent upon the price, prevailing economic conditions and demographic changes in the markets served, trucking and railroad freight, agricultural usage and military usage; the demand for propane is sensitive to the weather and prevailing economic conditions; the demand for petrochemicals is dependent upon prices for products produced from petrochemicals; the demand for crude oil and petroleum products is dependent upon the price of crude oil and the products produced from the refining of crude

47




oil; and the demand for natural gas is dependent upon the price of natural gas and the locations in which natural gas is drilled.  We are also subject to regulatory factors such as the amounts we are allowed to charge our customers for the services we provide on our regulated pipeline systems.  Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this document are qualified by these cautionary statements, and we cannot assure you that actual results or developments that we anticipate will be realized or, even if substantially realized, will have the expected consequences to or effect on us or our business or operations.  Also note that we provide a cautionary discussion of risks and uncertainties under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006 and in this Report; under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 16, 2006; and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Report speak only as of the date hereof.  Except as required by the federal and state securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason.  All forward-looking statements attributable to TEPPCO Partners, L.P. or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this Report and in our future periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Overview of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

A summary of the significant accounting policies we have adopted and followed in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 16, 2006.  Certain of these accounting policies require the use of estimates.  As more fully described therein, the following estimates, in our opinion, are subjective in nature, require the exercise of judgment and involve complex analysis: revenue and expense accruals, including accruals for power costs, property taxes and crude oil margins; environmental costs; asset impairment analysis related to property, plant and equipment; and amortization expense and asset impairment analysis related to goodwill and other intangible assets.  These estimates are based on our knowledge and understanding of current conditions and actions we may take in the future.  Changes in these estimates will occur as a result of the passage of time and the occurrence of future events.  Subsequent changes in these estimates may have a significant impact on our financial position and results of operations.

Overview of Business

Our business strategy is to continue to increase sustainable cash flow and cash distributions to our unitholders.  The key elements of our strategy are to focus on internal growth prospects in order to increase pipeline system and terminal throughput, expand and upgrade existing assets and services and construct new pipelines, terminals and facilities; to target accretive and complementary acquisitions and expansion opportunities that provide attractive growth potential; to maintain a balanced mix of assets; and to operate in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

Certain factors are key to our operations.  These include the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the pipelines and facilities that we own or operate while meeting the regulations that govern the operation of our assets and the costs associated with such regulations.  We are also focused on our continued growth through expansion of the assets that we own and through the acquisition of assets that complement our current operations.  We operate and report in three business segments:

·       Our Downstream Segment, which is engaged in the transportation and storage of refined products, liquefied petroleum products (“LPGs”) and petrochemicals;

·       Our Upstream Segment, which is engaged in the gathering, transportation, marketing and storage of crude oil and distribution of lubrication oils and specialty chemicals; and

48




·       Our Midstream Segment, which is engaged in the gathering of natural gas, transportation of natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) and fractionation of NGLs.

Our Downstream Segment revenues are earned from transportation and storage of refined products and LPGs, intrastate transportation of petrochemicals, sale of product inventory and other ancillary services.  The two largest operating expense items of the Downstream Segment are labor and electric power.  We generally realize higher revenues in this segment during the first and fourth quarters of each year since these operations are somewhat seasonal. Refined products volumes are generally higher during the second and third quarters because of greater demand for gasolines during the spring and summer driving seasons.  LPGs volumes are generally higher from November through March due to higher demand for propane, a major fuel for residential heating.  Our Downstream Segment also includes the results of operations of the northern portion of the Dean Pipeline, which transports refinery grade propylene from Mont Belvieu to Point Comfort, Texas.  Our Downstream Segment also includes our equity investments in Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P. (“MB Storage”), which we are required to divest (see Note 14 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), and in Centennial Pipeline LLC (“Centennial”) (see Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Our Upstream Segment revenues are earned from gathering, transportation, marketing and storage of crude oil and distribution of lubrication oils and specialty chemicals, principally in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and the Rocky Mountain region.  Marketing operations consist primarily of aggregating purchased crude oil along our pipeline systems, or from third party pipeline systems, and arranging the necessary transportation logistics for the ultimate sale or delivery of the crude oil to local refineries, marketers or other end users.  Our Upstream Segment also includes our equity investment in Seaway Crude Pipeline Company (“Seaway”) (see Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  Seaway consists of large diameter pipelines that transport crude oil from Seaway’s marine terminals on the U.S. Gulf Coast to Cushing, Oklahoma, a crude oil distribution point for the central United States, and to refineries in the Texas City and Houston areas.

Our Midstream Segment revenues are earned from the gathering of coal bed methane and conventional natural gas in the San Juan Basin in New Mexico and Colorado, through Val Verde Gas Gathering Company, L.P. (“Val Verde”); transportation of NGLs from two trunkline NGL pipelines in South Texas, two NGL pipelines in East Texas and a pipeline system (Chaparral) from West Texas and New Mexico to Mont Belvieu; and the fractionation of NGLs in Colorado.  Our Midstream Segment also includes our equity investment in Jonah Gas Gathering Company (“Jonah”) (see Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  Jonah, which is a joint venture between us and an affiliate of Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (“Enterprise”), owns a natural gas gathering system in the Green River Basin in southwestern Wyoming.  Prior to August 1, 2006, when Jonah was wholly-owned by us, operating results for Jonah were included in the consolidated Midstream Segment operating results.  Effective August 1, 2006, we entered into the joint venture with Enterprise’s affiliate, upon which Jonah was deconsolidated, and its operating results since August 1, 2006, have been accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  Operating results of the Pioneer plant, which we sold to an Enterprise affiliate in March 2006, are shown as discontinued operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

We continue to build a base for long-term growth by pursuing new business opportunities, increasing throughput on our pipeline systems, constructing new pipeline and gathering systems, and expanding and upgrading our existing infrastructure.  We continue to believe that our business strategy will provide continued growth in earnings and cash distributions.  Based on a detailed analysis of the business environment, our management has identified key trends or factors, each of which, in turn, drive our growth strategy beyond organic growth as follows:

·       We expect that Canadian crude oil imports to the U.S. will increase.

·       Develop competitive option to move Canadian crude oil to U.S. refining customers through an optimum combination of new pipeline construction and/or existing pipeline assets with third parties.

49




·       We expect that crude oil imports to the U.S. Gulf Coast will increase.

·       Build onshore or offshore crude oil discharge, handling and transportation facilities to optimize the U.S. Gulf Coast marine delivery options for imported crude oil.

·       We expect that refined products imports to the U.S. will increase.

·       Acquire or develop facilities to take advantage of these increased volumes.

·       We expect to see changes in commercial terminal ownership and operations.

·       Acquire refined products terminals and distribution assets to provide logistical service offerings to companies seeking to outsource or partner.

·       Ethanol consumption is mandated to double by 2012.

·       Participate in the aggregation, terminaling and transportation associated with the overall supply and distribution of ethanol.

·       We expect to see continued natural gas gathering and service opportunities in the Jonah, Pinedale and San Juan Basin areas.

·       Continued development and expansion of the Jonah system which serves the Jonah and Pinedale fields in our Midstream Segment.  Through additional Jonah expansions, which should be completed in the fourth quarter of 2007, we expect to increase the capacity to 2.4 billion cubic feet per day.

·       Adding new volumes and improving the operating efficiency of the Val Verde system in our Midstream Segment in New Mexico’s San Juan Basin, through new connections of conventional and Colorado coal seam gas.

We also believe other growth opportunities are available to us, including through: expanding our West Texas system and storage capacity at Cushing in our Upstream Segment; increasing throughput on our Midstream Segment NGL systems; expanding our Downstream Segment system delivery capability of gasoline and diesel fuel in the Indianapolis and Chicago market areas; utilizing available Downstream Segment system capacity of Centennial to move refined products to Midwest market areas, which enables us to increase movements of long-haul propane volumes; expanding our Downstream Segment gathering capacity of refined products along the upper Texas Gulf Coast; and pursuing acquisitions or organic growth projects in any of our business segments that would complement our current operations.

For additional discussion of important factors that could affect our growth, please read “-Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Report and “Risk Factors” in this Report and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006.

Our Upstream Segment’s performance for 2006 will be impacted by a decrease in our participation ratio in the revenue and expense of Seaway, in accordance with the Seaway Crude Pipeline Company Partnership Agreement.  From June 2002 through May 2006, we received 60% of revenue and expense of Seaway.  Thereafter, we receive 40% of revenue and expense of Seaway.  Our share of revenue and expense of Seaway is 47% for 2006 (see Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Consistent with our business strategy, we continuously evaluate possible acquisitions of assets that would complement our current operations, including assets which, if acquired, would have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Jonah Joint Venture

On August 1, 2006, Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (“Enterprise”), through its affiliate, Enterprise Gas Processing, LLC, became our joint venture partner by acquiring an interest in Jonah, the partnership through which we owned the Jonah system.  Prior to entering into the Jonah joint venture, Enterprise had managed the construction of the Phase V expansion and funded the initial costs under a letter of intent we entered into in February 2006.  In connection with the joint venture arrangement, we and Enterprise intend to continue the Phase V expansion, which is expected to increase the system capacity of the Jonah system from 1.5 billion cubic feet (“Bcf”) per day to

50




approximately 2.4 Bcf per day and to significantly reduce system operating pressures, which is anticipated to lead to increased production rates and ultimate reserve recoveries.  The first portion of the expansion, which is expected to increase the system gathering capacity to approximately 2.0 Bcf per day, is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2007 at an estimated cost of approximately $295.0 million.  The second portion of the expansion is expected to cost approximately $170.0 million and be completed by the end of 2007.  The overall high level of activity in the greater Green River Basin area has strained locally available resources, including equipment and qualified personnel.  Coupled with rising steel costs, these factors are likely to contribute to higher overall costs for the Jonah expansion than previously anticipated.  We expect to reimburse Enterprise for approximately 50% of these costs.

Enterprise will continue to manage the Phase V construction project.  We are entitled to all distributions from the joint venture until specified milestones are achieved, at which point, Enterprise will be entitled to receive approximately 50% of the incremental cash flow from portions of the system placed in service as part of the expansion.  From August 1, 2006, we and Enterprise equally share the costs of the Phase V expansion.  In the third quarter of 2006, we reimbursed Enterprise $65.0 million for 50% of the Phase V cost incurred by it through August 1, 2006 (including its cost of capital of $1.3 million).  At September 30, 2006, we had a payable to Enterprise for costs incurred through September 30, 2006, of $18.9 million.  After subsequent milestones are achieved, we and Enterprise will share distributions based on a formula that takes into account the capital contributions of the parties, including expenditures by us prior to the expansion.  Based on the formula in the partnership agreement, we expect to own an interest in Jonah of approximately 80%, with Enterprise owning the remaining 20% and serving as operator, with further costs being allocated based on such ownership interests.  The joint venture is governed by a management committee comprised of two representatives approved by Enterprise and two representatives approved by us, each with equal voting power.  This transaction was reviewed and recommended for approval by the Audit and Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of our General Partner.

Effective August 1, 2006, with the formation of the joint venture, Jonah was deconsolidated, and we began using the equity method of accounting to account for our investment in Jonah.   Under the equity method, we record the costs of our investment within the “Equity Investments” line on our consolidated balance sheet, and as changes in the net assets of Jonah occur (for example, earnings, contributions and distributions), we will recognize our proportional share of that change in the “Equity Investments” account.

EPCO Proposal

On April 20, 2006, EPCO submitted a proposal to the Audit and Conflicts Committee of our General Partner’s Board of Directors to reduce the General Partner’s maximum percentage interest in our quarterly distributions from 50% to 25% with respect to that portion of our quarterly cash distribution to partners that exceeds $0.325 per Unit.  In exchange for the agreement to reduce its maximum percentage interest in our quarterly distributions, our General Partner would receive a number of newly-issued Units that, based on the distribution rate and the number of Units outstanding at the time of issuance, would result in our General Partner receiving cash distributions from the newly-issued Units and from its reduced maximum percentage interest in our quarterly distributions that would approximately equal the cash distributions our General Partner would have received from its maximum percentage interest in our quarterly distributions without reduction.  Based on our distribution rate and outstanding Units as of the date of the filing of this Report, the number of newly-issued Units issued to the General Partner would be approximately 14.1 million.  On September 11, 2006, we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a definitive proxy statement that outlines the EPCO proposal to be voted upon at a special meeting of our unitholders and other changes to our Partnership Agreement that are part of the EPCO proposal, all of which are conditioned upon one another.  Passage of the components of the EPCO proposal effectively requires the affirmative vote of 66 2/3% of our outstanding Units (issuance of Units to the General Partner requires a majority of the votes cast by a quorum of our unitholders, but that proposal is conditioned on passage of the changes to our Partnership Agreement, which require the 66 2/3% approval).  The proxy statement also contains separate proposals for the adoption of an employee Unit purchase plan and a long term incentive plan.  The special meeting was convened on October 26, 2006, and adjourned, without voting on the proposals, to November 30, 2006 by the General Partner for lack of a quorum.

51




Recent Developments

On November 1, 2006, we announced plans to construct a new 20-inch diameter lateral pipeline that will connect our mainline system to Enterprise’s storage facility at Mont Belvieu, Texas.  The new connection, which will provide delivery of propane into our system at full line flow rates, complements our current ability to source product from MB Storage.  The new lateral will also offer the ability to deliver other liquid products such as butanes and natural gasoline from Enterprise’s storage facilities into our system at reduced flow rates until enhancements can be made.  The capability to deliver butanes and natural gasoline from MB Storage at full flow rates is not expected to be impacted.  Construction of the new connection is expected to be completed around January 1, 2007.

Effective November 1, 2006, we purchased a refined petroleum product terminal in Aberdeen, Mississippi, for approximately $5.8 million from Mississippi Terminal and Marketing Inc. (“MTMI”).  The facility, located along the Tennessee/TomBigbee waterway system, has storage capacity of 130,000 barrels for gasoline and diesel, which are supplied by barge for delivery to local markets, including Tupelo and Columbus, Mississippi.  In connection with this acquisition, which we plan to integrate into our Downstream Segment, we plan to construct a new 500,000-barrel terminal in Boligee, Alabama, at a cost of approximately $25.0 million, on an 80-acre site which we are leasing from the Greene County Industrial Development Board under a 60-year agreement.  The Boligee terminal site is located approximately two miles from Colonial Pipeline.  The new terminal is expected to begin service during the fourth quarter of 2007.

52




Results of Operations

The following table summarizes financial information by business segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downstream Segment

 

$

72,358

 

$

66,094

 

$

215,758

 

$

207,699

 

Upstream Segment

 

2,453,926

 

2,380,734

 

7,152,520

 

5,750,514

 

Midstream Segment (1)

 

43,895

 

53,641

 

170,617

 

155,481

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

(134

)

(342

)

(7,429

)

(2,391

)

Total operating revenues

 

2,570,045

 

2,500,127

 

7,531,466

 

6,111,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downstream Segment

 

19,586

 

14,615

 

59,641

 

61,099

 

Upstream Segment

 

19,446

 

5,207

 

53,097

 

22,199

 

Midstream Segment (1)

 

12,798

 

23,556

 

59,900

 

75,129

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

9

 

 

9

 

 

Total operating income

 

51,839

 

43,378

 

172,647

 

158,427

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity earnings (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downstream Segment

 

(2,949

)

(651

)

(6,581

)

(2,718

)

Upstream Segment

 

2,962

 

5,398

 

10,257

 

19,310

 

Midstream Segment (1)

 

11,563

 

 

11,563

 

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

(9

)

 

(9

)

 

Total equity earnings

 

11,567

 

4,747

 

15,230

 

16,592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before interest:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downstream Segment

 

16,926

 

14,270

 

54,313

 

58,957

 

Upstream Segment

 

22,752

 

10,708

 

63,967

 

41,641

 

Midstream Segment (1)

 

24,791

 

23,631

 

72,013

 

75,306

 

Interest expense

 

(24,884

)

(22,033

)

(71,642

)

(65,202

)

Interest capitalized

 

1,703

 

2,307

 

8,120

 

4,562

 

Income before deferred income tax expense

 

41,288

 

28,883

 

126,771

 

115,264

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

143

 

 

657

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

41,145

 

28,883

 

126,114

 

115,264

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

692

 

19,369

 

2,662

 

Net income

 

$

41,145

 

$

29,575

 

$

145,483

 

$

117,926

 

 


(1)           Effective August 1, 2006, with the formation of a joint venture with Enterprise, Jonah was deconsolidated and has been subsequently accounted for as an equity investment (see Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

The following is a detailed analysis of the results of operations, including reasons for changes in results, by each of our operating segments.

53




Downstream Segment

The following table provides financial information for the Downstream Segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation – Refined products

 

$

42,067

 

$

38,240

 

$

3,827

 

$

113,309

 

$

111,039

 

$

2,270

 

Transportation – LPGs

 

16,877

 

16,519

 

358

 

59,652

 

63,220

 

(3,568

)

Other

 

13,414

 

11,335

 

2,079

 

42,797

 

33,440

 

9,357

 

Total operating revenues

 

72,358

 

66,094

 

6,264

 

215,758

 

207,699

 

8,059

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expense

 

27,799

 

25,602

 

2,197

 

77,606

 

72,787

 

4,819

 

Operating fuel and power

 

10,560

 

8,170

 

2,390

 

28,183

 

23,787

 

4,396

 

General and administrative

 

3,455

 

4,617

 

(1,162

)

13,250

 

12,328

 

922

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

10,713

 

10,098

 

615

 

31,143

 

29,460

 

1,683

 

Taxes – other than income taxes

 

259

 

3,016

 

(2,757

)

5,974

 

8,369

 

(2,395

)

Gains on sales of assets

 

(14

)

(24

)

10

 

(39

)

(131

)

92

 

Total costs and expenses

 

52,772

 

51,479

 

1,293

 

156,117

 

146,600

 

9,517

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

19,586

 

14,615

 

4,971

 

59,641

 

61,099

 

(1,458

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity losses

 

(2,949

)

(651

)

(2,298

)

(6,581

)

(2,718

)

(3,863

)

Other income – net

 

289

 

306

 

(17

)

1,253

 

576

 

677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before interest

 

$

16,926

 

$

14,270

 

$

2,656

 

$

54,313

 

$

58,957

 

$

(4,644

)

 

The following table presents volumes delivered in barrels and average tariff per barrel for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands, except tariff information):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Percentage

 

Nine Months Ended

 

Percentage

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

Volumes Delivered:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refined products

 

43,018

 

43,067

 

 

125,061

 

123,759

 

1

%

LPGs

 

9,763

 

8,646

 

13

%

30,880

 

31,303

 

(1

)%

Total

 

52,781

 

51,713

 

2

%

155,941

 

155,062

 

1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Tariff per Barrel:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refined products

 

$

0.98

 

$

0.89

 

10

%

$

0.91

 

$

0.90

 

1

%

LPGs

 

1.73

 

1.91

 

(9

)%

1.93

 

2.02

 

(4

)%

Average system tariff per barrel

 

1.12

 

$

1.06

 

6

%

1.11

 

$

1.12

 

(1

)%

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

Revenues from refined products transportation increased $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to a 10% increase in the refined products average tariff per barrel.  The average tariff increased primarily due to an increase in gasoline blendstock deliveries, which have a higher tariff, an increase in system tariffs, which went into effect in April and July 2006, and a shift of volumes from Centennial to TEPPCO tariffs.  Overall, refined products volumes remained effectively unchanged between periods.  Increases in jet fuel and gasoline blendstock deliveries were offset by lower distillate deliveries.  Short-haul deliveries of product received into our system from Centennial at Creal Springs, Illinois, also decreased.  Centennial, through a lease agreement entered into in February 2003, provides our system with additional

54




pipeline capacity for movement of products originating in the U.S. Gulf Coast area.  Prior to the construction of Centennial, deliveries on our pipeline system were limited by our pipeline capacity and transportation services for our customers were allocated in accordance with a proration policy.  The Centennial capacity lease has relieved our previously constrained system and has permitted expanded deliveries in markets both south and north of Creal Springs, Illinois.  Movement of TEPPCO product via the Centennial lease to the north end of our system permits expanded supply capability of the TEPPCO system for delivery to the south end of our system.

Revenues from LPGs transportation increased $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005, due to an increase in short-haul propane deliveries on the Texas Gulf Coast.  The LPGs average rate per barrel decreased from the prior period primarily as a result of these increased short-haul deliveries during the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.

Other operating revenues increased $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to increased storage revenues on assets acquired from Texas Genco, LLC in July 2005 and higher other system storage revenues, partially offset by decreased volumes of product sales.

Costs and expenses increased $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.  Operating fuel and power increased $2.4 million primarily due to increased mainline throughput and higher power rates.  Operating expenses increased $2.2 million primarily due to a $1.5 million increase in pipeline operating costs primarily as a result of acquisitions made in 2005, a $0.7 million increase in rental expense on a lease with a third-party pipeline, a $0.6 million increase in rental expense from the Centennial pipeline capacity lease agreement and $0.6 million of higher insurance premiums.  These increases in operating expenses were partially offset by a $0.8 million decrease due to regulatory penalties in the prior year period and a $0.6 million decrease in pipeline inspection and repair costs associated with our integrity management program.  Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.6 million primarily due to assets placed into service and asset retirements during the 2006 period.  Taxes – other than income taxes decreased $2.7 million primarily due to a true-up of property tax accruals for prior tax years and higher payroll taxes in the prior year period.  General and administrative expenses decreased $1.2 million primarily due to higher labor and benefits expenses in the prior year period associated with vesting provisions in certain of our incentive compensation plans and changes in ownership of our General Partner.  These costs and expenses were offset by higher expenses relating to our special unitholder meeting to consider EPCO’s proposals to amend and restate our Partnership Agreement and issue Units to our General Partner, as well as other proposals, and higher executive compensation expense.

Net losses from equity investments increased for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005, as shown below (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Centennial

 

$

(4,065

)

$

(2,391

)

$

(1,674

)

MB Storage

 

1,122

 

1,728

 

(606

)

Other

 

(6

)

12

 

(18

)

Total equity losses

 

$

(2,949

)

$

(651

)

$

(2,298

)

 

Equity losses in Centennial increased $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to lower transportation volumes and increased costs relating to pipeline inspection and repair costs associated with its integrity management program.  Equity earnings in MB Storage decreased $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to higher product measurement losses on the MB

55




Storage system and higher operating fuel and power resulting from higher power rates and increased volumes, partially offset by higher revenues.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

Revenues from refined products transportation increased $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to a slight overall increase in refined products volumes transported and a minor increase in the average rate per barrel.  Volume increases were due to increased demand for products supplied from the U.S. Gulf Coast into Midwest markets resulting from higher distillate price differentials and a greater demand for gasoline blendstocks, partially offset by unfavorable differentials for motor fuels during the first quarter of 2006.  Additionally, refined products revenues increased due to increased terminaling activity at truck racks and higher product storage fees.  The average tariff increased primarily due to an increase in gasoline blendstock deliveries, which have a higher tariff, and an increase in system tariffs, which went into effect in April and July 2006.  The increase in the refined products average tariff rate is partially offset by the impact of Centennial on the average rates.  When a larger proportion of the refined products deliveries are delivered under a Centennial tariff, TEPPCO’s average tariff declines.  Conversely, if the proportion of refined products deliveries moving under a Centennial origin decrease, the average TEPPCO tariff increases.  Movements of refined products on Centennial therefore result in a decrease in the refined products average rate per barrel; however, utilizing Centennial for refined products movements allows us to increase movements of long-haul propane volumes.

Revenues from LPGs transportation decreased $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, due to lower deliveries of propane in the upper Midwest and Northeast market areas as a result of warmer than normal winter weather in the first quarter of 2006, high propane prices and scheduled plant maintenance, known as a turnaround.  The LPGs average rate per barrel decreased from the prior year period primarily as a result of increased short-haul deliveries during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Other operating revenues increased $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to increased storage revenue on assets acquired from Texas Genco, LLC in July 2005 and increases in other system storage and tender deduction revenues.

Costs and expenses increased $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  Operating expenses increased $4.8 million primarily due to a $7.8 million increase in pipeline operating costs primarily as a result of acquisitions made in 2005, $2.1 million of higher insurance premiums, a $0.7 million increase in rental expense on a lease with a third-party pipeline, $0.6 million in severance expense as a result of the migration to a shared services environment with EPCO, $0.4 million of expenses relating to our special unitholder meeting (“– EPCO Proposal,” above) and a $0.3 million increase in environmental remediation and assessment costs.  These increases in costs and expenses were partially offset by a $3.5 million decrease in pipeline inspection and repair costs associated with our integrity management program, $1.4 million in product measurement gains, a $1.0 million decrease in labor and benefits expense associated with incentive compensation plan vestings in the prior year period and a $0.8 million decrease in regulatory penalties for past incidents.  Operating fuel and power increased $4.4 million primarily due to increased mainline throughput and higher power rates.  Depreciation expense increased $1.7 million primarily due to assets placed into service, asset retirements in 2006 and the recording of a conditional asset retirement obligation as discussed below.  General and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million primarily due to a $1.1 million increase related to the retirement of an executive in February 2006, $0.7 million in severance expense as a result of the migration to a shared services environment with EPCO and higher executive compensation expense, partially offset by higher labor and benefits expenses in the prior year period associated with vesting provisions in certain of our incentive compensation plans and changes in ownership of our General Partner resulting in higher incentive compensation expenses for that period.  Taxes – other than income taxes decreased $2.4 million primarily due to a true-up of property tax accruals for prior tax years and higher payroll taxes in the prior year period.

56




Net losses from equity investments increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, as shown below (in thousands):

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Centennial

 

$

(11,378

)

$

(8,476

)

$

(2,902

)

MB Storage

 

4,814

 

5,727

 

(913

)

Other

 

(17

)

31

 

(48

)

Total equity losses

 

$

(6,581

)

$

(2,718

)

$

(3,863

)

 

Equity losses in Centennial increased $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to lower propane revenues and volumes primarily due to warmer than normal winter weather in the Northeast in the 2006 period and increased costs relating to pipeline inspection and repair costs associated with its integrity management program, partially offset by lower amortization expense on the portion of TE Products’ excess investment in Centennial as a result of the lower volumes.  Equity earnings in MB Storage decreased $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to higher product measurement losses on the MB Storage system, higher system maintenance expenses and higher operating fuel and power resulting from higher power rates and increased volumes, partially offset by higher revenues.

Other income – net increased $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, due to higher interest income earned on cash investments and other investing activities.

Asset Retirement Obligation

During the second quarter of 2006, we recorded $0.3 million of expense, included in depreciation and amortization expense, related to a conditional asset retirement obligation.  Additionally, we recorded a $0.4 million liability, which represents the fair value of the conditional asset retirement obligation related to structural restoration work to be completed on leased office space that is required upon our anticipated office lease termination (see Note 1 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

57




Upstream Segment

The following table provides financial information for the Upstream Segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of petroleum products (1)

 

$

2,441,750

 

$

2,367,984

 

$

73,766

 

$

7,116,064

 

$

5,714,353

 

$

1,401,711

 

Transportation – Crude oil

 

9,567

 

10,001

 

(434

)

29,034

 

28,215

 

819

 

Other

 

2,609

 

2,749

 

(140

)

7,422

 

7,946

 

(524

)

Total operating revenues

 

2,453,926

 

2,380,734

 

73,192

 

7,152,520

 

5,750,514

 

1,402,006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of petroleum products (1)

 

2,413,391

 

2,350,107

 

63,284

 

7,032,930

 

5,665,136

 

1,367,794

 

Operating expense

 

12,974

 

14,216

 

(1,242

)

40,955

 

37,217

 

3,738

 

Operating fuel and power

 

1,511

 

1,247

 

264

 

5,470

 

3,709

 

1,761

 

General and administrative

 

1,460

 

1,756

 

(296

)

5,137

 

4,483

 

654

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

3,699

 

6,471

 

(2,772

)

10,464

 

13,623

 

(3,159

)

Taxes – other than income taxes

 

1,445

 

1,737

 

(292

)

4,467

 

4,206

 

261

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

 

(7

)

7

 

 

(59

)

59

 

Total costs and expenses

 

2,434,480

 

2,375,527

 

58,953

 

7,099,423

 

5,728,315

 

1,371,108

 

Operating income

 

19,446

 

5,207

 

14,239

 

53,097

 

22,199

 

30,898

 

Equity earnings

 

2,962

 

5,398

 

(2,436

)

10,257

 

19,310

 

(9,053

)

Other income – net

 

344

 

103

 

241

 

613

 

132

 

481

 

Earnings before interest

 

$

22,752

 

$

10,708

 

$

12,044

 

$

63,967

 

$

41,641

 

$

22,326

 

 


(1)           Amounts for the three months ended September 30, 2006 have been fully adjusted for the impact of adopting Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 04-13.  Amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 have been adjusted for the period from April 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006 for the impact of adopting EITF 04-13.  The 2005 periods have not been adjusted for the adoption of EITF 04-13, as retroactive restatement was not permitted, which impacts comparability (for further discussion, see below).

Information presented in the following table includes the margin of the Upstream Segment, which may be viewed as a non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measure under the rules of the SEC.  We calculate the margin of the Upstream Segment as revenues generated from the sale of crude oil and lubrication oil, and transportation of crude oil, less the costs of purchases of crude oil and lubrication oil.  We believe that margin is a more meaningful measure of financial performance than sales and purchases of crude oil and lubrication oil due to the significant fluctuations in sales and purchases caused by variations in the level of volumes marketed and prices for products marketed.  Additionally, we use margin internally to evaluate the financial performance of the Upstream Segment because it excludes expenses that are not directly related to the marketing and sales activities being evaluated.  Margin and volume information for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 is presented below (in thousands, except per barrel and per gallon amounts):

58




 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Percentage

 

Nine Months Ended

 

Percentage

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margins: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude oil marketing

 

$

14,675

 

$

7,750

 

89%

 

$

46,557

 

$

20,282

 

130%

 

Lubrication oil sales

 

2,221

 

1,951

 

14%

 

6,396

 

5,383

 

19%

 

Revenues: (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude oil transportation

 

18,162

 

15,416

 

18%

 

50,516

 

44,537

 

13%

 

Crude oil terminaling

 

2,868

 

2,761

 

4%

 

8,699

 

7,230

 

20%

 

Total margins/revenues

 

$

37,926

 

$

27,878

 

36%

 

$

112,168

 

$

77,432

 

45%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total barrels/gallons:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude oil marketing (barrels)

 

57,982

 

54,747

 

6%

 

167,180

 

147,905

 

13%

 

Lubrication oil volume (gallons)

 

3,457

 

3,573

 

(3)%

 

10,689

 

10,898

 

(2)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude oil transportation (barrels)

 

23,237

 

23,659

 

(2)%

 

68,412

 

71,181

 

(4)%

 

Crude oil terminaling (barrels)

 

30,181

 

28,528

 

6%

 

92,929

 

76,934

 

21%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margin per barrel or gallon:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude oil marketing (per barrel)

 

$

0.253

 

$

0.142

 

79%

 

$

0.278

 

$

0.137

 

103%

 

Lubrication oil margin (per gallon)

 

0.642

 

0.546

 

18%

 

0.598

 

0.494

 

21%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average tariff per barrel:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude oil transportation

 

$

0.782

 

$

0.652

 

20%

 

$

0.738

 

$

0.626

 

18%

 

Crude oil terminaling

 

0.095

 

0.097

 

(2)%

 

0.094

 

0.094

 

 

 


(1)                 Amounts in this table are presented prior to the elimination of intercompany sales, revenues and purchases between TEPPCO Crude Oil, L.P. and TEPPCO Crude Pipeline, L.P.

The following table reconciles the Upstream Segment margin to operating income using the information presented in the consolidated statements of income and the statements of income in Note 13 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Sales of petroleum products

 

$

2,441,750

 

$

2,367,984

 

$

7,116,064

 

$

5,714,353

 

Transportation – Crude oil

 

9,567

 

10,001

 

29,034

 

28,215

 

Less: Purchases of petroleum products

 

(2,413,391

)

(2,350,107

)

(7,032,930

)

(5,665,136

)

Total margins/revenues

 

37,926

 

27,878

 

112,168

 

77,432

 

Other operating revenues

 

2,609

 

2,749

 

7,422

 

7,946

 

Net operating revenues

 

40,535

 

30,627

 

119,590

 

85,378

 

Operating expense

 

12,974

 

14,216

 

40,955

 

37,217

 

Operating fuel and power

 

1,511

 

1,247

 

5,470

 

3,709

 

General and administrative expense

 

1,460

 

1,756

 

5,137

 

4,483

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

3,699

 

6,471

 

10,464

 

13,623

 

Taxes – other than income taxes

 

1,445

 

1,737

 

4,467

 

4,206

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

 

(7

)

 

(59

)

Operating income

 

$

19,446

 

$

5,207

 

$

53,097

 

$

22,199

 

 

On April 1, 2006, we adopted EITF 04-13, Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty (see Note 1 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), which resulted in crude oil inventory purchases and sales under buy/sell transactions, which were previously recorded as gross purchases and sales, to be treated as inventory exchanges in our consolidated statements of income.  EITF 04-13 reduced gross

59




revenues and purchases, but did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Under the consensus reached in EITF 04-13, buy/sell transactions are reported as non-monetary exchanges and consequently not presented on a gross basis in our statements of income.  Implementation of EITF 04-13 reduced revenues and purchases of petroleum products on our consolidated statements of income by approximately $774.4 million for the period from April 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006 ($460.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006).  The revenues and purchases of petroleum products associated with buy/sell transactions that are reported on a gross basis in our consolidated statements of income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005, and for the period from January 1, 2006 through March 31, 2006, are approximately $494.7 million, $898.0 million and $275.4 million, respectively.  Under the provisions of the consensus, retroactive restatement of buy/sell transactions reported in prior periods was not permitted.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

Sales of petroleum products increased $73.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.  Purchases of petroleum products increased $63.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.  Operating income increased $14.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.  The increases in sales and purchases were primarily as a result of an increase in the price of crude oil and increased volumes marketed, partially offset by the effects of the adoption of EITF 04-13, which reduced each of revenues and purchases of petroleum products by $460.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006.  The average NYMEX price of crude oil was $70.54 per barrel for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with $63.31 per barrel for the three months ended September 30, 2005.  The increase in the average price of crude oil and decreased costs and expenses discussed below, partially offset by increased purchases of petroleum products were the primary factors resulting in an increase in operating income.  Crude oil marketing margin increased $6.9 million primarily due to favorable market conditions and increased volumes marketed and unrealized losses in the 2005 period of $1.2 million related to marking crude oil grade and location swap contracts to current market value, partially offset by increased transportation costs.  Crude oil transportation revenues increased $2.7 million primarily due to increased transportation revenues on the Red River system, the South Texas system and the Basin system primarily related to movements on higher tariff segments, increased tariffs and revenues from systems acquired during 2005 and increases due to organic growth projects, partially offset by decreases in transportation volumes on lower tariff segments of our Red River system and lower third-party transportation volumes.  Lubrication oil sales margin increased $0.3 million due to increased fuel and lubrication oil volumes and higher margins per gallon on sales of lubrication oils.  Crude oil terminaling revenues increased $0.1 million as a result of increased pumpover volumes at Midland, Texas, partially offset by decreased pumpover volumes at Cushing, Oklahoma and a lower average tariff per barrel.

Other operating revenues decreased $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to lower revenues from documentation and other services to support customers’ trading activity at Midland and Cushing in the third quarter of 2006.

Costs and expenses, excluding expenses associated with purchases of crude oil and lubrication oil, decreased $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.  Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $2.8 million primarily as a result of $2.6 million of asset impairments in the prior year period.  Operating expenses decreased $1.2 million from the prior year period primarily due to a $0.5 million decrease in pipeline operating and maintenance expense, a $0.4 million increase in product measurement gains and a $0.4 million decrease in pipeline operating expense.  General and administrative expenses decreased $0.3 million from the prior year period primarily due to reductions in labor and benefits expense related to plan amendments in the prior year period (see Note 12 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  Taxes – other than income taxes decreased $0.3 million from the prior year period primarily due to reductions in property tax accruals, partially offset by a higher property asset base in 2006.  Operating fuel and power increased $0.3 million primarily as a result of higher power rates in the 2006 period.

60




Equity earnings from our investment in Seaway decreased $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.   Our equity earnings in Seaway were reduced in part by a decrease in our participation ratio in the revenue and expense of Seaway.  Our sharing ratio for 2005 was 60%, while for the full year of 2006, it is 47% of the revenue and expense of Seaway (see Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  Equity earnings from our investment in Seaway also decreased due to decreased transportation volumes and revenues on the long-haul system primarily attributable to higher transportation demand in the prior year period as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and due to refinery turnarounds in the current period, partially offset by higher operating expenses in the prior year period related to pipeline integrity costs for the corrective measures taken for the pipeline release in May 2005 and higher operating fuel and power costs relating to the use of a drag reducing agent and higher power rates in the prior year period.  Long-haul volumes on Seaway averaged 239,000 barrels per day during the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with 296,000 barrels per day during the three months ended September 30, 2005.

After Seaway’s pipeline release in May 2005, the maximum operating pressure on the pipeline system was reduced by 20% until the cause of the failure was determined.  Corrective measures were implemented upon the release in 2005 and were completed during the second quarter of 2006.  Seaway operated at reduced maximum pressure through May 2006.  On June 1, 2006, Seaway’s operating pressure was increased to 100%.  As a result of operating at reduced maximum pressure, during the third quarter of 2005, we used a drag reducing agent to increase the flow of product through the pipeline system during the period when operating pressures were reduced.  The drag reducing agent allowed us to maintain the higher volumes transported, but also increased our operating costs.  The reduced pressure did not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows (see Note 14 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Other income – net increased $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005, due to higher interest income earned on cash investments and other investing activities.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

Sales of petroleum products increased $1,401.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  Purchases of petroleum products increased $1,367.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  Operating income increased $30.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  The increases in sales and purchases were primarily a result of an increase in the price of crude oil and increased volumes marketed, partially offset by the effects of the adoption of EITF 04-13, which reduced each of revenues and purchases of petroleum products by $774.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.  The average NYMEX price of crude oil was $68.25 per barrel for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with $55.52 per barrel for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  The increase in the average price of crude oil, partially offset by increased purchases and costs and expenses discussed below, were the primary factors resulting in an increase in operating income.  Crude oil marketing margin increased $26.3 million, primarily due to favorable market conditions and increased volumes marketed and a decrease in unrealized losses compared with the 2005 period of $0.3 million relating to marking crude oil grade and location swap contracts to current market value, partially offset by increased transportation costs.  Crude oil transportation revenues increased $6.0 million primarily due to higher revenues on our Red River system related to movements on higher tariff segments and revenues from acquisitions in 2005 and increased transportation volumes and revenues on our South Texas system and West Texas systems, partially offset by decreases in transportation volumes on lower tariff segments of our Basin and Red River systems.  Crude oil terminaling revenues increased $1.4 million as a result of increased pumpover volumes at Midland, Texas and Cushing, Oklahoma.  Lubrication oil sales margin increased $1.0 million due to increased fuel and lubrication oil volumes and higher margins per gallon on sales of lubrication oils.

Other operating revenues decreased $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to a $1.4 million favorable settlement of inventory

61




imbalances in the first quarter of 2005 and lower revenues from documentation and other services to support customers’ trading activity at Midland and Cushing in the first nine months of 2006.

Costs and expenses, excluding expenses associated with purchases of crude oil and lubrication oil, increased $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  Operating expenses increased $3.7 million from the prior year period, primarily due to a $2.5 million increase in pipeline operating and maintenance expense, $0.9 million of higher insurance premiums, a $0.6 million increase as a result of product measurement losses and higher crude oil prices, a $0.6 million increase in environmental assessment and remediation costs and $0.4 million in severance expense as a result of the migration to a shared services environment with EPCO, partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in labor and benefits expense related to vesting provisions in certain of our compensation plans in the prior year period as a result of changes in ownership of our General Partner and a $0.3 million decrease in costs associated with our integrity management program.  Operating fuel and power increased $1.8 million primarily as a result of increased power rates in the 2006 period, partially offset by lower transportation volumes.  General and administrative expenses increased $0.7 million from the prior year period primarily due to $0.4 million in severance expense, an increase in executive compensation expense and an increase in consulting and contract services.  Taxes – other than income taxes increased $0.3 million due to increases in property tax accruals and a higher property asset base in 2006.  Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $3.2 million primarily due to $2.6 million of asset impairments and asset retirements during the prior year period.

Equity earnings from our investment in Seaway decreased $9.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  Our sharing ratio for 2005 was 60%, while for the full year of 2006, it is 47% of the revenue and expense of Seaway (see Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  Equity earnings from our investment in Seaway also decreased due to higher operating, general and administrative expenses related to pipeline integrity costs for the corrective measures taken for the pipeline release in May 2005, increased environmental remediation and assessment costs, higher operating fuel and power costs relating to the use of a drag reducing agent and higher power rates, a favorable settlement in the first quarter of 2005 with a former owner of Seaway’s crude oil assets regarding inventory imbalances that were not acquired by us and decreased transportation volumes.  Long-haul volumes on Seaway averaged 247,000 barrels per day during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with 250,000 barrels per day during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Other income – net increased $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, due to higher interest income earned on cash investments and other investing activities.

62




Midstream Segment

The following table provides financial information for the Midstream Segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of petroleum products

 

$

4,990

 

$

 

$

4,990

 

$

18,766

 

$

 

$

18,766

 

Gathering – Natural Gas (1)

 

25,022

 

38,833

 

(13,811

)

107,856

 

112,349

 

(4,493

)

Transportation – NGLs

 

10,971

 

11,829

 

(858

)

32,362

 

33,435

 

(1,073

)

Other

 

2,912

 

2,979

 

(67

)

11,633

 

9,697

 

1,936

 

Total operating revenues

 

43,895

 

53,641

 

(9,746

)

170,617

 

155,481

 

15,136

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of petroleum products

 

4,323

 

 

4,323

 

17,272

 

 

17,272

 

Operating expense

 

8,529

 

9,415

 

(886

)

33,122

 

25,625

 

7,497

 

Operating fuel and power

 

3,407

 

3,121

 

286

 

9,109

 

7,658

 

1,451

 

General and administrative expense

 

2,079

 

2,144

 

(65

)

6,966

 

5,011

 

1,955

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

11,838

 

14,238

 

(2,400

)

42,076

 

39,473

 

2,603

 

Taxes – other than income taxes

 

921

 

1,167

 

(246

)

3,543

 

2,992

 

551

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

 

 

 

(1,371

)

(407

)

(964

)

Total costs and expenses

 

31,097

 

30,085

 

1,012

 

110,717

 

80,352

 

30,365

 

Operating income

 

12,798

 

23,556

 

(10,758

)

59,900

 

75,129

 

(15,229

)

Equity earnings (1)

 

11,563

 

 

11,563

 

11,563

 

 

11,563

 

Other income – net

 

430

 

75

 

355

 

550

 

177

 

373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before interest

 

$

24,791

 

$

23,631

 

$

1,160

 

$

72,013

 

$

75,306

 

$

(3,293

)

 


(1)    Effective August 1, 2006, with the formation of a joint venture with Enterprise, Jonah was deconsolidated and operating results, including revenues and costs and expenses, after August 1, 2006 are included in equity earnings (see Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

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The following table presents volume and average rate information for the Midstream Segment for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005:

 

Three Months Ended

 

Percentage

 

Nine Months Ended

 

Percentage

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

September 30,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

2006

 

2005

 

(Decrease)

 

Gathering – Natural Gas – Jonah (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Million cubic feet (“MMcf”)

 

118,739

 

105,993

 

12%

 

338,755

 

302,388

 

12%

 

Billion British thermal units (“BBtu”)

 

131,188

 

117,006

 

12%

 

374,164

 

333,823

 

12%

 

Average fee per Million British thermal unit (“MMBtu”)

 

$

0.204

 

$

0.185

 

10%

 

$

0.206

 

$

0.187

 

10%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gathering – Natural Gas – Val Verde:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MMcf

 

45,003

 

46,265

 

(3)%

 

137,291

 

131,646

 

4%

 

BBtu

 

39,851

 

40,816

 

(3)%

 

121,458

 

115,685

 

5%

 

Average fee per MMBtu

 

$

0.408

 

$

0.423

 

(3)%

 

$

0.405

 

$

0.430

 

(6)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation – NGLs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thousand barrels

 

18,008

 

16,332

 

10%

 

51,542

 

45,708

 

13%

 

Average rate per barrel

 

$

0.609

 

$

0.724

 

(16)%

 

$

0.628

 

$

0.731

 

(14)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Gas Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BBtu

 

3,537

 

 

 

6,164

 

 

 

Average fee per MMBtu

 

$

5.29

 

$

 

 

$

5.27

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fractionation – NGLs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thousand barrels

 

1,034

 

1,068

 

(3)%

 

3,311

 

3,294

 

1%

 

Average rate per barrel

 

$

1.633

 

$

1.768

 

(8)%

 

$

1.655

 

$

1.744

 

(5)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales – Condensate (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thousand barrels

 

2.7

 

3.4

 

(20)%

 

45.7

 

44.6

 

3%

 

Average rate per barrel

 

$

70.37

 

$

55.60

 

27%

 

$

65.81

 

$

50.21

 

31%

 

 


(1)    Effective August 1, 2006, with the formation of a joint venture with Enterprise, Jonah was deconsolidated and operating results after August 1, 2006 are included in equity earnings (see Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  However, the table includes Jonah’s volume and average rate information for the full three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

Effective August 1, 2006, with the formation of a joint venture with Enterprise, Jonah, the partnership through which we owned the Jonah system, was deconsolidated and has been subsequently accounted for as an equity investment.  Through July 31, 2006, Jonah’s operating results were fully consolidated in the Midstream Segment operating results.  Beginning August 1, 2006, Jonah has been accounted for as an equity investment and operating results for Jonah for the period August 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006, are reported as equity earnings.  For the period from August 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006, our sharing in the revenues and expenses of Jonah was 100% (see “– Jonah Joint Venture” above for further information).

64




Three Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

Revenues from the gathering of natural gas decreased $13.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.  Natural gas gathering revenues from the Jonah system decreased $14.2 million due to the deconsolidation of Jonah on August 1, 2006, partially offset by an increase of $1.4 million primarily due to the Phase IV expansion of the Jonah system completed in February 2006, prior to deconsolidation.  The Phase IV expansion increased the system capacity of Jonah to 1.5 Bcf per day with the addition of 33,000 horsepower of compression and approximately 50 miles of pipeline.  Jonah’s gathering volumes averaged 1.3 Bcf per day for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with 1.15 Bcf per day for the three months ended September 30, 2005.  Jonah’s average natural gas gathering rate per MMBtu increased 10% primarily due to lower system wellhead pressures.  Jonah’s volumes gathered increased 12.7 Bcf as a result of the Phase IV expansion for the three months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2005.  Natural gas gathering revenues from the Val Verde system decreased $1.0 million and volumes gathered decreased 1.3 Bcf for the three months ended September 30, 2006, primarily due to the natural decline of coal bed methane production and a decrease in the average natural gas gathering rate.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2006, we received updated limited production estimates from some of the producers on the Val Verde system, which reduced the future production forecast of coal bed methane, which in turn, could result in reduced future revenues from the Val Verde system.  This decrease was partially offset by an increase in volumes from a natural gas connection on the Val Verde system and increased volumes from temporary interconnects with third party gatherers in the third quarter of 2006.  Val Verde’s average natural gas gathering rate per MMBtu decreased 3% primarily due to contracts entered into relating to the new connections, which have lower rates than the existing Val Verde system’s average rates.

In May 2006, we began to aggregate purchases of wellhead gas on Jonah and re-sell the aggregated quantities at key Jonah delivery points in order to facilitate throughput on Jonah.  The purchases and sales are generally contracted to occur in the same month to minimize price risk.  During the second quarter of 2006, gas purchase and sales contracts were finalized and executed and the marketing of gas on the Jonah system began.  Sales from petroleum products relating to the natural gas marketing activities were $5.0 million and purchases of petroleum products were $4.3 million for the period from July 1, 2006 through July 31, 2006.  Effective August 1, 2006, with the deconsolidation of Jonah, sales and purchases of natural gas are reported in equity earnings.

Revenues from the transportation of NGLs decreased $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to a decrease in the average NGL transportation rate per barrel as a result of increased short-haul movements on the Chaparral Pipeline and a lower average rate per barrel on the Panola Pipeline.  During the 2006 period, volumes of NGLs transported increased due to increases on the Chaparral, Panola, Wilcox and Dean Pipelines, partially offset by decreased volumes transported on the San Jacinto Pipeline.

Other operating revenues decreased $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.  Val Verde’s other operating revenue decreased $0.4 million primarily due to a decrease in volumes, Jonah’s other operating revenues decreased $0.1 million primarily as a result of the deconsolidation of Jonah and other miscellaneous operating revenues decreased $0.2 million.  These decreases were offset by a $0.6 million increase on the Panola and Chaparral Pipelines primarily resulting from new pipeline capacity leases.

Costs and expenses (excluding purchases of petroleum products) decreased $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.  Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $2.4 million primarily due to a $2.7 million decrease on Jonah as a result of its deconsolidation and a $0.5 million decrease in amortization expense on Val Verde as a result of lower volumes on contracts included in the intangible assets, partially offset by a $0.5 million increase in amortization expense on Val Verde’s intangible assets as a result of a decrease in the estimated life of intangible assets under the units-of-production method in the 2006 period which increased amortization expense and a $0.2 million increase on Val

65




Verde primarily due to accretion expense on conditional asset retirement obligations (as discussed below).  Based on the reduction in some producers’ limited production estimates in the third quarter of 2006, we revised the units-of-production calculation for Val Verde’s gathering agreements intangible assets, which increased amortization expense in the Midstream Segment by approximately $0.2 million per month (see Note 2 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  This reduction in future production forecasts could reduce future revenues on certain gathering contracts of the Val Verde system.  Further revisions to these estimates may occur as additional production information is made available to us.  Operating expenses decreased $0.9 million primarily due to a $2.9 million decrease relating to the deconsolidation of Jonah, partially offset by a $1.4 million increase related to imbalance valuations and a $0.7 million increase in other pipeline operating and maintenance expense.  Taxes – other than income taxes decreased $0.2 million due to actual property taxes being lower than previously estimated, partially offset by a higher property asset base in the 2006 period.  General and administrative expenses decreased $0.1 million primarily due to a decrease in consulting and contract services, partially offset by increased expenses relating to our special unitholder meeting to consider EPCO’s proposals to amend our Partnership Agreement and issue Units to our General Partner, as well as other proposals.  Operating fuel and power increased $0.3 million primarily due to higher transportation volumes and power rates.

Equity earnings of $11.6 million were from our ownership interest in the Jonah joint venture with an affiliate of Enterprise, which was formed effective August 1, 2006.  Beginning August 1, 2006, revenues and costs and expenses of Jonah have been included in equity earnings based upon our ownership interest in Jonah.  Prior to August 1, 2006, Jonah was wholly-owned, and its revenues and costs and expenses were included in the individual revenues and costs and expenses line items.  For the period from August 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006, our sharing in the revenues and costs and expenses of Jonah was 100%.  If the revenues and costs and expenses from Jonah for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, had been accounted for under the same method in both periods, operating results from Jonah would have increased $3.8 million in the 2006 period, compared with the prior year period, primarily due to increased volumes generated from completion of Phase IV of the Jonah expansion project.

Other income – net increased $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2006, due to higher interest income earned on cash investments and other investing activities.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

Revenues from the gathering of natural gas decreased $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  Natural gas gathering revenues from the Jonah system decreased $14.3 million due to the deconsolidation of Jonah on August 1, 2006, partially offset by an increase of $10.4 million primarily due to the Phase IV expansion of the Jonah system completed in February 2006, prior to deconsolidation.  Jonah’s gathering volumes averaged 1.2 Bcf per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with 1.1 Bcf per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  Jonah’s average natural gas gathering rate per MMBtu increased 10% primarily due to lower system wellhead pressures.  Jonah’s volumes gathered increased 36.4 Bcf primarily as a result of the Phase IV expansion for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  Natural gas gathering revenues from the Val Verde system decreased $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, primarily due to the natural decline of coal bed methane production.  Val Verde’s volumes gathered increased 5.6 Bcf primarily due to increased volumes from a natural gas connection on the Val Verde system.  Val Verde’s average natural gas gathering rate per MMBtu decreased 6% primarily due to contracts entered into relating to the new connections, which have lower rates than the existing Val Verde system’s average rates.

Sales from petroleum products relating to the natural gas marketing activities were $18.8 million and purchases of petroleum products were $17.3 million for the period from January 1, 2006, through July 31, 2006.   Effective August 1, 2006, with the deconsolidation of Jonah, sales and purchases of natural gas are reported in equity earnings.

66




Revenues from the transportation of NGLs decreased $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, due to a decrease in the average NGL transportation rate per barrel as a result of increased short-haul movements on the Chaparral Pipeline and a lower average rate per barrel on the Panola Pipeline.  During the 2006 period, volumes of NGLs transported increased due to increases on the Chaparral, Panola and Dean Pipelines, partially offset by decreased volumes transported on the Wilcox Pipeline.

Other operating revenues increased $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  Other operating revenues increased $1.1 million on the Panola Pipeline and $0.8 million on the Chaparral Pipeline primarily due to new pipeline capacity leases.  Other operating revenues on Jonah increased $0.7 million primarily due to higher condensate sales.  These increases were partially offset by a $0.5 million decrease on Val Verde primarily due to a decrease in volumes.

Costs and expenses (excluding purchases of petroleum products) increased $13.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  Operating expenses increased $7.5 million primarily due to a $3.8 million increase related to imbalance valuations, a $3.0 million increase in expense as a result of the migration to a shared services environment with EPCO and a $0.5 million increase in other pipeline operating and maintenance expense.  Depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.6 million primarily due to a $2.9 million increase in amortization expense on Val Verde as a result of a decrease in the estimated life of intangible assets under the units-of-production method which increased amortization expense, a $1.5 million increase in depreciation expense on Jonah as a result of assets placed into service from the Phase IV expansion, a $0.4 million increase on the NGL pipelines as a result of assets placed into service and a $0.2 million increase on Val Verde due to accretion expense on conditional asset retirement obligations (as discussed below), partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in amortization expense due to the deconsolidation of Jonah and a $1.0 million decrease in amortization expense on Val Verde as a result of lower volumes on contracts included in the intangible assets in the 2006 period.  General and administrative expenses increased $2.0 million primarily due to an increase in consulting and contract services and supplies expense and $0.6 million in severance expense as a result of the migration to a shared services environment with EPCO.  Operating fuel and power increased $1.5 million primarily due to higher transportation volumes and power rates.  Taxes – other than income taxes increased $0.6 million due to actual property taxes being higher than previously estimated and a higher property asset base in the 2006 period.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, gains of $1.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively, were recognized on the sales of various equipment at Val Verde.

Equity earnings of $11.6 million were from our ownership interest in the Jonah joint venture with an affiliate of Enterprise, which was formed effective August 1, 2006.  Beginning August 1, 2006, revenues and costs and expenses of Jonah are now included in equity earnings based upon our ownership interest in Jonah.  Prior to August 1, 2006, Jonah was wholly-owned, and its revenues and costs and expenses were included in the individual revenues and costs and expenses line items.  For the period from August 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006, our sharing in the revenues and costs and expenses of Jonah was 100%.  If the revenues and costs and expenses from Jonah for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, had been accounted for under the same method in both periods, operating results from Jonah would have increased $25.2 million in the 2006 period, compared with the prior year period, primarily due to increased volumes generated from completion of Phase IV of the Jonah expansion project.

Other income – net increased $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2006, due to higher interest income earned on cash investments and other investing activities.

Asset Retirement Obligations

During the third quarter of 2006, we recorded $0.3 million of expense included in depreciation and amortization expense, related to conditional asset retirement obligations.  Additionally, we have recorded a $0.7

67




million liability, which represents the fair value, of the conditional asset retirement obligations related to the retirement of our Val Verde gathering system.  During the third quarter of 2006, we assigned probabilities for settlement dates and settlement methods for use in an expected present value measurement of fair value and recorded asset retirement obligations.

Discontinued Operations

On March 31, 2006, we sold our ownership interest in the Pioneer silica gel natural gas processing plant located near Opal, Wyoming, together with Jonah’s rights to process natural gas originating from the Jonah and Pinedale fields, located in southwest Wyoming, to an affiliate of Enterprise for $38.0 million in cash.  The Pioneer plant was not an integral part of our Midstream Segment operations, and natural gas processing is not a core business.  We have no continuing involvement in the operations or results of this plant.  This transaction was reviewed and recommended for approval by the Audit and Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of our General Partner and a fairness opinion was rendered by an independent third-party.  The sales proceeds were used to fund organic growth projects, retire debt and for other general partnership purposes.  The carrying value of the Pioneer plant at March 31, 2006, prior to the sale, was $19.7 million.  Costs associated with the completion of the transaction were approximately $0.4 million.

Condensed statements of income for the Pioneer plant, which is classified as discontinued operations, for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, are presented below (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of petroleum products

 

$

 

$

2,880

 

$

3,828

 

$

7,337

 

Other

 

 

789

 

932

 

2,141

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

3,669

 

4,760

 

9,478

 

Purchases of petroleum products

 

 

2,585

 

3,000

 

5,761

 

Operating expense

 

 

205

 

182

 

501

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

153

 

51

 

459

 

Taxes – other than income taxes

 

 

34

 

30

 

95

 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

2,977

 

3,263

 

6,816

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

$

 

$

692

 

$

1,497

 

$

2,662

 

 

Sales of petroleum products less purchases of petroleum products resulting from the processing activities at the Jonah Pioneer plant decreased $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to the sale of the Pioneer plant on March 31, 2006, partially offset by increased NGL prices.  The Pioneer gas processing plant was completed during the first quarter of 2004, as a part of Jonah’s Phase III expansion to increase the processing capacity in southwestern Wyoming.  Pioneer’s processing agreements allowed the producers to elect annually whether to be charged under a fee-based arrangement or a fee plus keep-whole arrangement.  Under the fee-based election, Jonah received a fee for its processing services.  Under the fee plus keep-whole election, Jonah received a lower fee for its processing services, retained and sold the NGLs extracted during the process and delivered to producers the residue gas equivalent in energy to the natural gas received from the producers.  Jonah sold the NGLs it retained and purchased gas to replace the equivalent energy removed in the liquids.   For the 2005 and 2006 periods, the producers elected the fee plus keep-whole arrangement.

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Interest Expense and Capitalized Interest

Three Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

Interest expense increased $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to higher short term floating interest rates on our revolving credit facility, partially offset by lower outstanding borrowings during the 2006 period.

Capitalized interest decreased $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005, due to lower construction work-in-progress balances in 2006 as compared to the 2005 period.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

Interest expense increased $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to higher outstanding borrowings and higher short term floating interest rates on our revolving credit facility, partially offset by reductions in interest expense of $2.5 million during 2006 related to our interest rate swaps and $2.0 million of increased interest expense in the 2005 period related to the termination of a treasury lock (see Note 3 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Capitalized interest increased $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, due to higher construction work-in-progress balances in 2006 as compared to the 2005 period.

Deferred Income Tax Expense – Texas Margin Tax

In May 2006, the State of Texas enacted a new business tax (the “Texas Margin Tax”) that replaces its existing franchise tax.  In general, legal entities that do business in Texas are subject to the Texas Margin Tax.  Limited partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, limited liability partnerships and joint ventures are examples of the types of entities that are subject to the Texas Margin Tax.  As a result of the change in tax law, our tax status in the state of Texas changed from nontaxable to taxable.  The Texas Margin Tax is considered an income tax for purposes of adjustments to deferred tax liability, as the tax is determined by applying a tax rate to a base that considers both revenues and expenses.  Our deferred income tax expense for state taxes relates only to Texas Margin Tax obligations.  The Texas Margin Tax becomes effective for franchise tax reports due on or after January 1, 2008.  The Texas Margin Tax due in 2008 will be based on revenues earned during the 2007 fiscal year.

The Texas Margin Tax is assessed at 1% of Texas-sourced taxable margin measured by the ratio of gross receipts from business done in Texas to gross receipts from business done everywhere.  The taxable margin is computed as the lesser of (i) 70% of total revenue or (ii) total revenue less (a) cost of goods sold or (b) compensation.  The deferred tax liability shown on our consolidated balance sheet reflects the net tax effect of temporary differences related to items such as property, plant and equipment; therefore, the deferred tax liability is classified as noncurrent.  The Texas Margin Tax is calculated, paid and filed at an affiliated unitary group level.  Generally, an affiliated group is made up of one or more entities in which a controlling interest of at least 80% is owned by a common owner or owners. Generally, a business is unitary if it is characterized by a sharing or exchange of value between members of the group, and a synergy and mutual benefit all of the members of the group achieved by working together.

Since the Texas Margin Tax is determined by applying a tax rate to a base that considers both revenues and expenses, it has characteristics of an income tax.  Accordingly, we determined the Texas Margin Tax should be accounted for as an income tax in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes .  The base used to compute the Texas Margin Tax affects book-tax differences.  All effects of a tax law change are accounted for in the period of the law’s enactment.  A change in tax status that results from a change in tax law is recognized on the enactment date and the effect of recognizing a

69




deferred tax liability or asset is included in income from continuing operations.  Therefore, we have calculated and recorded an estimated deferred tax liability of approximately $0.7 million using the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the deferred tax liability is expected to be realized or settled.  The non-cash offsetting charge is shown on our unaudited consolidated statements of income as deferred income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

The constitutionality of the Texas Margin Tax is being questioned.  The Texas Comptroller has requested a formal opinion from the Texas Attorney General on whether the Texas Margin Tax is an impermissible income tax that violates the Texas constitution.  The Texas constitution requires voter approval of any tax imposed on the net income of natural persons, including a person’s share of partnership unincorporated association income; such approval was not obtained for the Texas Margin Tax.  The Comptroller has requested that the Attorney General determine whether the direct imposition of the Texas Margin Tax on partnerships without voter approval violates this constitutional requirement.   The Attorney General’s decision is not expected until late 2006 or early 2007.  If the Texas Margin Tax is ultimately challenged in court, the legislation enacting the Texas Margin Tax gives the Texas Supreme Court jurisdiction over the constitutional challenge and allows the Court to grant injunctive or declaratory relief.  The Court would have 120 days from the date the challenge is filed to make a ruling.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

Cash generated from operations, credit facilities and debt and equity offerings are our primary sources of liquidity.  At September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005, we had working capital deficits of $69.7 million and $38.1 million, respectively.  At September 30, 2006, we had approximately $330.9 million in available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility to cover any working capital needs.  Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 were as follows (in millions):

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

232.5

 

$

49.1

 

Investing activities

 

(174.6

)

(267.5

)

Financing activities

 

(58.0

)

202.1

 

 

Operating Activities

Net cash from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, was comprised of the following (in millions):

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

145.5

 

$

117.9

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

(19.4

)

(2.7

)

Deferred income tax expense

 

0.7

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

83.7

 

82.6

 

Earnings in equity investments

 

(15.2

)

(16.6

)

Distributions from equity investments

 

26.5

 

28.2

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

(1.4

)

(0.6

)

Non-cash portion of interest expense

 

1.2

 

1.2

 

Cash provided by (used in) working capital and other

 

9.4

 

(164.0

)

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities

 

231.0

 

46.0

 

Cash flows from discontinued operations

 

1.5

 

3.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash from operating activities

 

$

232.5

 

$

49.1

 

 

70




Net cash provided by operating activities increased $183.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily due to a decrease of $108.2 million in crude oil inventory (as discussed below) and due to the timing of cash disbursements and cash receipts for other working capital components, partially offset by a decrease of $1.7 million in distributions received from our equity investments in Seaway and MB Storage.  For a discussion of changes in earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization expense, equity earnings and consolidated interest expense – net, see Results of Operations for the Downstream Segment, Upstream Segment and Midstream Segment in Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Crude oil inventory decreased $108.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  During the second and third quarters of 2005, we purchased crude oil and simultaneously entered into offsetting sales contracts for physical delivery during the fourth quarter of 2005.  The purpose of these contracts was to lock in a margin on the crude oil while it was stored in our facilities.  These purchases of crude oil had a negative impact on cash from operating activities (as discussed above) until the crude oil was delivered and payment was received from customers.

Net cash from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, included interest payments, net of amounts capitalized, of $84.4 million and $78.5 million, respectively.  Excluding the effects of hedging activities and interest capitalized during the year ended December 31, 2006, we expect interest payments on our fixed rate Senior Notes to be approximately $78.0 million.  We expect to make these interest payments with cash flows from operating activities.

Investing Activities

Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $174.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, and were comprised of $125.7 million of capital expenditures, $65.4 million of cash contributions for our ownership interest in the Jonah joint venture with Enterprise for capital expenditures on its Phase V expansion, $11.0 million for the acquisition of Downstream Segment assets, $5.6 million of cash paid for linefill on assets owned,  $4.2 million of cash contributions for TE Products’ ownership interest in MB Storage for capital expenditures and $2.5 million of cash contributions for TE Products’ ownership interest in Centennial for operating needs, partially offset by $39.8 million in net cash proceeds from asset sales in our Midstream Segment, of which $38.0 million related to cash proceeds received from the sale of the Pioneer plant on March 31, 2006.  Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $267.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, and were comprised of $148.1 million of capital expenditures, $68.9 million for the acquisition of Downstream Segment assets, $43.3 million for the acquisition of Upstream Segment assets, $5.1 million of cash paid for linefill on assets owned and $2.6 million of cash contributions for TE Products’ ownership interest in MB Storage for capital expenditures, partially offset by $0.5 million in net cash proceeds from an asset sale in our Midstream Segment.

Financing Activities

Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $58.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, and were comprised of $206.2 million of distributions paid to unitholders and $46.9 million in repayments, net of borrowings, on our revolving credit facility, partially offset by $195.1 million of net proceeds received from the public issuance of 5.8 million Units in July 2006.  Cash flows provided by financing activities totaled $202.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, and were comprised of $278.8 million of net proceeds received from the public issuance of 7.0 million Units in May and June 2005 and $107.5 million in borrowings, net of repayments, on our revolving credit facility, partially offset by $184.2 million of distributions paid to unitholders.

We paid cash distributions of $206.2 million ($2.025 per Unit) and $184.2 million ($2.00 per Unit) during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  Additionally, we declared a cash distribution of $0.675 per Unit for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.  We paid the distribution of $72.4 million on November 7, 2006, to unitholders of record on October 31, 2006.

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In July 2006, we issued and sold in an underwritten public offering 5.0 million Units at a price to the public of $35.50 per Unit.  The proceeds from the offering, net of underwriting discount, totaled approximately $170.4 million.  On July 12, 2006, 750,000 additional Units were sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option granted in connection with the offering.  Proceeds from the over-allotment sale, net of underwriting discount, totaled $25.6 million.  The net proceeds from the offering and the over-allotment were used to reduce indebtedness under our Revolving Credit Facility.

Other Considerations

Universal Shelf

We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a universal shelf registration statement that, subject to agreement on terms at the time of use and appropriate supplementation, allows us to issue, in one or more offerings, up to an aggregate of $2.0 billion of equity securities, debt securities or a combination thereof.  Taking into account our May 2005 and July 2006 equity offerings, in which we issued $290.8 million and $204.1 million of equity securities, respectively, we had approximately $1.5 billion remaining under this shelf registration, subject to customary marketing terms and conditions.

Credit Facilities

We have in place a $700.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility, including the issuance of letters of credit (“Revolving Credit Facility”), which matures on December 13, 2011.  Commitments under the credit facility may be increased up to a maximum of $850.0 million upon our request, subject to lender approval and the satisfaction of certain other conditions.  The interest rate is based, at our option, on either the lender’s base rate plus a spread, or LIBOR plus a spread in effect at the time of the borrowings.  Financial covenants in the Revolving Credit Facility require that we maintain a ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to Pro Forma EBITDA (as defined and calculated in the facility) of less than 4.75 to 1.00 (subject to adjustment for specified acquisitions) and a ratio of EBITDA to Interest Expense (as defined and calculated in the facility) of at least 3.00 to 1.00, in each case with respect to specified twelve month periods.  Other restrictive covenants in the Revolving Credit Facility limit our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, make distributions in excess of Available Cash (see Note 10 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), incur liens, engage in specified transactions with affiliates and complete mergers, acquisitions and sales of assets.

On July 31, 2006, we amended our Revolving Credit Facility.  The primary revisions were as follows:

·       The maturity date of the credit facility was extended from December 13, 2010 to December 13, 2011.  Also under the terms of the amendment, we may request up to two one-year extensions of the maturity date.  These extensions, if requested, will become effective subject to lender approval and satisfaction of certain other conditions.

·       The amendment releases Jonah as a guarantor of the Revolving Credit Facility and restricts the amount of outstanding debt of the Jonah joint venture to debt owing to the owners of its partnership interests and other third-party debt in the principal aggregate amount of $50.0 million.

·       The amendment modifies the financial covenants to, among other things, allow us to include in the calculation of our Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) pro forma adjustments for material capital projects.

·       The amendment allows for the issuance of Hybrid Securities (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) of up to 15% of our Consolidated Total Capitalization (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility).

At September 30, 2006, $359.0 million was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at a weighted average interest rate of 6.02%.  At September 30, 2006, we were in compliance with the covenants of this credit facility.

72




During October 2006, we executed a series of treasury rate lock agreements that extend through June 2007 for a notional amount totaling $200.0 million.  These agreements, which are derivative instruments, hedge our exposure to increases in the underlying U.S. Treasury benchmark rate that is expected to be used to establish the fixed interest rate for debt that we expect to incur in 2007.  The weighted average rate under the treasury lock agreements was approximately 4.7%.  The actual coupon rate of the expected debt issuance will be comprised of the underlying U.S. Treasury benchmark rate, plus a credit spread premium for our debt security.

Future Capital Needs and Commitments

We estimate that capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions and joint venture contributions, for 2006 will be approximately $195.0 million (including $9.0 million of capitalized interest).  We expect to spend approximately $133.0 million for revenue generating projects.  We expect to spend approximately $35.0 million to sustain existing operations, including life-cycle replacements for equipment at various facilities and pipeline and tank replacements among all of our business segments.  We expect to spend approximately $27.0 million to improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs among all of our business segments.  These estimates are lower than previously reported amounts primarily due to timing delays of construction projects.  Additionally, amounts related to Jonah capital expenditures will be reported as joint venture contributions due to the deconsolidation of Jonah on August 1, 2006. 

During 2006, TE Products may be required to contribute additional cash to Centennial to cover capital expenditures, acquisitions or other operating needs and to MB Storage to cover significant capital expenditures or additional acquisitions.  We continually review and evaluate potential capital improvements and expansions that would be complementary to our present business operations.  These expenditures can vary greatly depending on the magnitude of our transactions.  We may finance capital expenditures through internally generated funds, debt or the issuance of additional equity.

Additionally, we expect to contribute approximately $125.0 million to our Jonah joint venture for the construction of the Phase V expansion during 2006, of which $65.0 million has already been paid.  We expect to contribute approximately an additional $10.0 million to our Jonah joint venture for other capital expenditures during the remainder of 2006.  In August 2006, we entered into an amended and restated general partnership agreement forming a joint venture to expand our Jonah system with an affiliate of Enterprise.  For additional information, see ‘“– Overview of Business” above. 

Liquidity Outlook

We believe that we will continue to have adequate liquidity to fund future recurring operating and investing activities.  Our primary cash requirements consist of normal operating expenses, capital expenditures to sustain existing operations and to complete the Jonah expansion, revenue generating expenditures, interest payments on our Senior Notes and Revolving Credit Facility, distributions to our General Partner and unitholders and acquisitions of new assets or businesses.  Our cash requirements for 2006 are expected to be funded through operating cash flows and our arrangement with an affiliate of Enterprise under the joint venture agreement related to the Jonah expansion.   Long-term cash requirements for expansion projects, acquisitions and debt repayments are expected to be funded by several sources, including cash flows from operating activities, borrowings under credit facilities, joint ventures and possibly the issuance of additional equity and debt securities.  Our ability to complete future debt and equity offerings and the timing of any such offerings will depend on various factors, including prevailing market conditions, interest rates, our financial condition and our credit rating at the time.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not rely on off-balance sheet borrowings to fund our acquisitions.  We have no material off-balance sheet commitments for indebtedness other than the limited guaranty of Centennial debt, the limited guarantee of Centennial catastrophic events as discussed below and an outstanding letter of credit.  In addition, we have entered into various leases covering assets utilized in several areas of our operations.

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Centennial entered into credit facilities totaling $150.0 million, and as of September 30, 2006, $150.0 million was outstanding under those credit facilities, of which $140.0 million expires in 2024, and $10.0 million expires in April 2007.  TE Products and Marathon Petroleum Company LLC (“Marathon”) have each guaranteed one-half of the repayment of Centennial’s outstanding debt balance (plus interest) under these credit facilities.  The guarantees arose in order for Centennial to obtain adequate financing, and the proceeds of the credit facilities were used to fund construction and conversion costs of its pipeline system.  Prior to the expiration of the long-term credit facility, TE Products could be relinquished from responsibility under the guarantee should Centennial meet certain financial tests.  If Centennial defaults on its outstanding balance, the estimated maximum potential amount of future payments for TE Products and Marathon is $75.0 million each at September 30, 2006. 

TE Products, Marathon and Centennial have entered into a limited cash call agreement, which allows each member to contribute cash in lieu of Centennial procuring separate insurance in the event of a third-party liability arising from a catastrophic event.  There is an indefinite term for the agreement and each member is to contribute cash in proportion to its ownership interest, up to a maximum of $50.0 million each.  As a result of the catastrophic event guarantee, TE Products has recorded a $4.4 million obligation, which represents the present value of the estimated amount that we would have to pay under the guarantee.  If a catastrophic event were to occur and we were required to contribute cash to Centennial, contributions exceeding our deductible might be covered by our insurance, depending upon the nature of the catastrophic event. 

One of our subsidiaries, TEPPCO Crude Oil, L.P. (“TCO”), has entered into master equipment lease agreements with finance companies for the use of various equipment.  We have guaranteed the full and timely payment and performance of TCO’s obligations under the agreements.  Generally, events of default would trigger our performance under the guarantee.  The maximum potential amount of future payments under the guarantee is not estimable, but would include base rental payments for both current and future equipment, stipulated loss payments in the event any equipment is stolen, damaged, or destroyed and any future indemnity payments.  We carry insurance coverage that may offset any payments required under the guarantees.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our debt repayment obligations and material contractual commitments as of September 30, 2006 (in millions): 

 

 

Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period

 

 

 

Total

 

Less than
1 Year

 

1-3 Years

 

4-5 Years

 

After
5 Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving Credit Facility, due 2011

 

$

359.0

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

359.0

 

6.45% Senior Notes due 2008 (1) (2)

 

180.0

 

 

180.0

 

 

 

7.625% Senior Notes due 2012 (2)

 

500.0

 

 

 

 

500.0

 

6.125% Senior Notes due 2013 (2)

 

200.0

 

 

 

 

200.0

 

7.51% Senior Notes due 2028 (1) (2)

 

210.0

 

 

 

 

210.0

 

Interest payments (3)

 

758.4

 

99.4

 

181.3

 

175.5

 

302.2

 

Debt and interest subtotal

 

2,207.4

 

99.4

 

361.3

 

175.5

 

1,571.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases (4)

 

72.4

 

18.5

 

22.7

 

13.5

 

17.7

 

Contributions to Jonah (5)

 

242.0

 

242.0

 

 

 

 

Contributions to Centennial (6)

 

8.6

 

8.6

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditure obligations (7)

 

4.2

 

4.2

 

 

 

 

Standby letter of credit (8)

 

10.1

 

10.1

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities and deferred credits (9)

 

8.0

 

 

6.3

 

0.3

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

2,552.7

 

$

382.8

 

$

390.3

 

$

189.3

 

$

1,590.3

 

 

74





(1)    Obligations of TE Products.

(2)    Our TE Products subsidiary entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge its exposure to changes in the fair value of its 7.51% Senior Notes due 2028.  At September 30, 2006, the 7.51% Senior Notes include an adjustment to decrease the fair value of the debt by $3.9 million related to this interest rate swap agreement.  We also entered into interest rate swap agreements to hedge our exposure to changes in the fair value of our 7.625% Senior Notes due 2012.  At September 30, 2006, the 7.625% Senior Notes include a deferred gain, net of amortization, from previous interest rate swap terminations of $29.1 million.  At September 30, 2006, our 6.45% Senior Notes, our 7.625% Senior Notes and our 6.125% Senior Notes include $2.1 million of unamortized debt discounts.  The fair value adjustments, the deferred gain adjustment and the unamortized debt discounts are excluded from this table.   

(3)    Includes interest payments due on our Senior Notes and interest payments and commitment fees due on our Revolving Credit Facility. The interest amount calculated on the Revolving Credit Facility is based on the assumption that the amount outstanding and the interest rate charged both remain at their current levels.

(4)    Includes a pipeline capacity lease with Centennial.  In January 2003, TE Products entered into a pipeline capacity lease agreement with Centennial for a period of five years that contains a minimum throughput requirement.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, TE Products exceeded the minimum throughput requirements on the lease agreement.

(5)    Expected contributions to Jonah for our share of the Phase V expansion.  Of this amount, we expect to contribute approximately $125.0 million during the remainder of 2006 and $117.0 million in 2007.   

(6)    Expected contribution to Centennial during 2007 for an obligation of Centennial related to the formation of Centennial Pipeline LLC in 2001.

(7)    Includes accruals for costs incurred but not yet paid relating to capital projects. 

(8)    At September 30, 2006, we had outstanding a $10.1 million standby letter of credit in connection with crude oil purchased during the third quarter of 2006.  The payable related to these purchases of crude oil is expected to be paid during the fourth quarter of 2006.

(9)    Excludes approximately $9.5 million of long-term deferred revenue payments, which are being transferred to income over the term of the respective revenue contracts and $4.2 million related to our estimated long-term portion of our obligation under a catastrophic event guarantee for Centennial.  The amount of commitment by year is our best estimate of projected payments of these long-term liabilities.   

We expect to repay the long-term, senior unsecured obligations and bank debt through the issuance of additional long-term senior unsecured debt at the time the 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2028 debt matures, issuance of additional equity, with proceeds from dispositions of assets, cash flow from operations or any combination of the above items.

In addition to the items in the table above, we have entered into various operational commitments and agreements related to pipeline operations and to the marketing, transportation, terminaling and storage of crude oil.  The majority of contractual commitments we make for the purchase of crude oil range in term from a thirty-day evergreen to one year.  A substantial portion of the contracts for the purchase of crude oil that extend beyond thirty days include cancellation provisions that allow us to cancel the contract with thirty days written notice.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, crude oil purchases averaged approximately $781.4 million per month.

Our senior unsecured debt is rated BBB- by Standard and Poors (“S&P”) and Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”).  S&P assigned this rating on June 14, 2005, following its review of the ownership structure, corporate governance issues, and proposed funding after the acquisition of the General Partner by DFI.  Both ratings are with a stable outlook.  A rating reflects only the view of a rating agency and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any indebtedness.  Any rating can be revised upward or downward or withdrawn at any time by a rating agency if it determines that the circumstances warrant such a change and should be evaluated independently of any

75




other rating.  The senior unsecured debt of our subsidiary, TE Products, is also rated BBB- by S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s.  Both ratings are with a stable outlook and were reaffirmed during the first quarter of 2006.    

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See discussion of new accounting pronouncements in Note 1 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

For additional discussion of our exposure to market risks, please refer to “Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. 

Commodity Risk

We may be exposed to market risk through changes in crude oil commodity prices and interest rates.  We do not have foreign exchange risks.  Our Risk Management Committee has established policies to monitor and control these market risks.  The Risk Management Committee is comprised, in part, of senior executives of the Company.

We seek to maintain a position that is substantially balanced between crude oil purchases and sales and future delivery obligations.  On the majority of our crude oil derivative contracts, we take the normal purchase and normal sale exclusion in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities , and SFAS No. 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133

On a small portion of our crude oil marketing business, we enter into derivative contracts such as swaps and other business hedging devices for which we cannot take the normal purchase and normal sale exclusion.  Generally, hedge accounting is elected.  The terms of these contracts are typically one year or less.  The purpose is to balance our position or lock in a margin and, as such, the derivative contracts do not expose us to additional significant market risk.  For derivatives where hedge accounting is elected, the effective portion of changes in fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings as such transactions are settled.  For derivatives where hedge accounting is not elected, we mark these transactions to market and the changes in the fair value are recognized in current earnings.  This results in some financial statement variability during quarterly periods; however, any unrealized gains and losses reflected in the financial statements related to marking these transactions to market are offset by realized gains and losses in different quarterly periods when the transactions are settled.  

At September 30, 2006, we had a limited number of commodity derivatives that were accounted for as cash flow hedges.  Gains and losses on these derivatives are offset against corresponding gains or losses of the hedged item and are deferred through other comprehensive income, thus minimizing exposure to cash flow risk.  The fair value of the open positions at September 30, 2006, was a gain of $0.3 million.  Assuming a hypothetical across-the-board 10% price decrease in the applicable forward curve, the change in fair value of the hedging instrument would have been $0.3 million.  The fair value of the open positions was based upon both quoted market prices obtained from NYMEX and were estimated based on quoted prices from various sources such as independent reporting services, industry publications, brokers and marketers.  The fair values were determined based upon the differences by month between the fixed contract price and the relevant forward price curve, the volumes for the applicable month and a discount rate of 6%.

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Interest Rate Risk

We have utilized and expect to continue to utilize interest rate swap agreements to hedge a portion of our cash flow and fair value risks.  Interest rate swap agreements are used to manage the fixed and floating interest rate mix of our total debt portfolio and overall cost of borrowing.  Interest rate swaps that manage our cash flow risk reduce our exposure to increases in the benchmark interest rates underlying variable rate debt.  Interest rate swaps that manage our fair value risks are intended to reduce our exposure to changes in the fair value of the fixed rate debt.  Interest rate swap agreements involve the periodic exchange of payments without the exchange of the notional amount upon which the payments are based.  The related amount payable to or receivable from counterparties is included as an adjustment to accrued interest.  

At September 30, 2006, we had $359.0 million outstanding under our variable interest rate revolving credit facility.  The interest rate is based, at our option, on either the lender’s base rate plus a spread or LIBOR plus a spread in effect at the time of the borrowings and is adjusted monthly, bimonthly, quarterly or semiannually.  On January 20, 2006, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $200.0 million to hedge our exposure to increases in the benchmark interest rate underlying our variable rate revolving credit facility.  These interest rate swaps mature in January 2008.  Under the swap agreements, we pay a fixed rate of interest ranging from 4.67% to 4.695% and receive a floating rate based on a three-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate.  In the third quarter of 2006, these swaps were designated as cash flow hedges.  For the period from January 20, 2006 through the date these swaps were designated as cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of the swaps were recognized in earnings, which resulted in a $2.2 million reduction to interest expense.  While these interest rate swaps remain in effect, future changes in the fair value of the cash flow hedges, to the extent the swaps are effective, will be recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged interest costs are recognized in earnings.  At September 30, 2006, the fair value of these interest rate swaps was $1.5 million.  Utilizing the balances of our variable interest rate debt outstanding at September 30, 2006, and including the effects of hedging activities, if market interest rates increased 100 basis points, the annual increase in interest expense related to our revolving credit facility would be $2.4 million.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the Senior Notes as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (in millions):

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

Face
Value

 

September 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.45% TE Products Senior Notes, due January 2008

 

$

180.0

 

$

182.2

 

$

183.7

 

7.625% Senior Notes, due February 2012

 

500.0

 

536.1

 

552.0

 

6.125% Senior Notes, due February 2013

 

200.0

 

200.7

 

205.6

 

7.51% TE Products Senior Notes, due January 2028

 

210.0

 

222.6

 

224.1

 

 

In October 2001, TE Products entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge its exposure to changes in the fair value of its fixed rate 7.51% Senior Notes due 2028. We designated this swap agreement as a fair value hedge.  The swap agreement has a notional amount of $210.0 million and matures in January 2028 to match the principal and maturity of the TE Products Senior Notes.  Under the swap agreement, TE Products pays a floating rate of interest based on a three-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate, plus a spread of 147 basis points, and receives a fixed rate of interest of 7.51%.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, and 2005, we recognized reductions in interest expense of $1.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to the difference between the fixed rate and the floating rate of interest on the interest rate swap.  During the quarters ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we reviewed the hedge effectiveness of this interest rate swap and noted that no gain or loss from ineffectiveness was required to be recognized.  The fair values of this interest rate swap were losses of approximately $3.9 million and $0.9 million at September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively.  Utilizing the balance of the 7.51% TE Products Senior Notes outstanding at September 30, 2006, and including the effects of hedging activities, if market interest rates increased 100 basis points, the annual increase in interest expense would be $2.1 million.

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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our principal executive officer (the “CEO”) and our principal financial officer (the “CFO”), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Based on those evaluations, as of September 30, 2006, the CEO and CFO concluded:

(i)     that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure; and

(ii)    that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During 2006, we commenced a project to replace or upgrade our general ledger and consolidation software.  The implementation is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2007. The project is not in response to any identified deficiency or weakness in our internal control over financial reporting.  Other than these proposed changes, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

The certifications of our General Partner’s CEO and CFO required under Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 have been included as exhibits to this Report. 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

We have been, in the ordinary course of business, a defendant in various lawsuits and a party to various other legal proceedings, some of which are covered in whole or in part by insurance.  We believe that the outcome of these lawsuits and other proceedings will not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  See discussion of legal proceedings in Note 14 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated into this item by reference.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Unitholders and potential investors in our Units should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006, in addition to other information in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 16, 2006 and this Report.  We are identifying these risk factors as important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any written or oral forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us. 

The success of our Jonah gas gathering operations is substantially dependent upon Enterprise. 

We own our interest in the Jonah gas gathering system, which represents a significant component of our Midstream Segment and its potential for future growth, through a joint venture with Enterprise.  The joint venture is governed by a management committee comprised of two representatives approved by an Enterprise affiliate and two representatives approved by subsidiaries of ours.  We expect to ultimately own an 80% interest in the joint venture, with Enterprise’s affiliate owning the remaining 20%.  However, each representative on the management committee

78




is entitled to one vote, and the joint venture agreement generally requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the management committee to approve an action.  Moreover, Enterprise is responsible for managing construction of the Phase V expansion of the system, for half of the costs of the project and for operating the joint venture.  We and Enterprise may not always agree on the best course of action for the joint venture.  If such a disagreement were to occur, we would not be able to cause the joint venture to take action that we believed to be in our best interests.  Further, Enterprise may experience unanticipated delays or costs in construction or operation of the project, which could require additional capital contributions by us and Enterprise or diminish expected benefits from the project.  Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

Item 6.

Exhibits.

 

 

 

Exhibit

 

 

 

Number

 

Description

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

Certificate of Limited Partnership of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 33-32203) and incorporated herein by reference).

 

3.2

 

Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of TEPPCO Partners, L.P., dated September 21, 2001 (Filed as Exhibit 3.7 to Form 10-Q of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

3.3

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement of Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC, dated March 31, 2000 (Filed as Exhibit 3.3 to Form 10-Q/A of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

3.4

 

Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC, dated March 22, 2005 (Filed as Exhibit 3.4 to Form 10-Q/A of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

3.5

 

Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC, dated June 15, 2006, but effective as of February 24, 2005 (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) filed on June 16, 2006.

 

4.1

 

Form of Certificate representing Limited Partner Units (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 33-32203) and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.2

 

Form of Indenture between TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of January 27, 1998 (Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 333-38473) and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.3

 

Form of Certificate representing Class B Units (Filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Form 10-K of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) for the year ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.4

 

Form of Indenture between TEPPCO Partners, L.P., as issuer, TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership, TCTM, L.P., TEPPCO Midstream Companies, L.P. and Jonah Gas Gathering Company, as subsidiary guarantors, and First Union National Bank, NA, as trustee, dated as of February 20, 2002 (Filed as Exhibit 99.2 to Form 8-K of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) dated as of February 20, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.5

 

First Supplemental Indenture between TEPPCO Partners, L.P., as issuer, TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership, TCTM, L.P., TEPPCO Midstream Companies,

 

79




 

 

 

L.P. and Jonah Gas Gathering Company, as subsidiary guarantors, and First Union National Bank, NA, as trustee, dated as of February 20, 2002 (Filed as Exhibit 99.3 to Form 8-K of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) dated as of February 20, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.6

 

Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 27, 2002, among TEPPCO Partners, L.P., as issuer, TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership, TCTM, L.P., TEPPCO Midstream Companies, L.P., and Jonah Gas Gathering Company, as Initial Subsidiary Guarantors, and Val Verde Gas Gathering Company, L.P., as New Subsidiary Guarantor, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, formerly known as First Union National Bank, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.6 to Form 10-Q of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.7

 

Third Supplemental Indenture among TEPPCO Partners, L.P. as issuer, TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership, TCTM, L.P., TEPPCO Midstream Companies, L.P., Jonah Gas Gathering Company and Val Verde Gas Gathering Company, L.P. as Subsidiary Guarantors, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as trustee, dated as of January 30, 2003 (Filed as Exhibit 4.7 to Form 10-K of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) for the year ended December 31, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

4.8*

 

Full Release of Guarantee dated as of July 31, 2006 by Wachovia Bank, National Association, as trustee, in favor of Jonah Gas Gathering Company.

 

10.1

 

Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2006, by and among TEPPCO Partners, L.P., the Borrower, several banks and other financial institutions, the Lenders, SunTrust Bank, as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders and as the LC Issuing Bank, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent, and BNP Paribas, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, as Co-Documentation Agents (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) filed August 3, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.2

 

Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement of Jonah Gas Gathering Company dated as of August 1, 2006 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) filed August 3, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.3

 

Contribution Agreement among TEPPCO GP, Inc., TEPPCO Midstream Companies, L.P. and Enterprise Gas Processing, LLC filed August 1, 2006 (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) dated as of August 3, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

10.4

 

Transaction Agreement by and between TEPPCO Partners, L.P. and Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC dated as of September 5, 2006 (Filed as Exhibit 10 to Current Report on Form 8-K of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) filed September 12, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

12.1*

 

Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

 

31.1*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2*

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1**

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.2**

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


  *  Filed herewith.

  ** Furnished herewith pursuant to Item 601(b)-(32) of Regulation S-K. 

+ A management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.

80




SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

TEPPCO Partners, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/  JERRY E. THOMPSON

 

 


Date: November 7, 2006

Jerry E. Thompson,
President and Chief Executive Officer of
Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC, General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/  WILLIAM G. MANIAS

 

 


Date: November 7, 2006

William G. Manias,
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC, General Partner

 

 

81



Exhibit 4.8

FULL RELEASE OF GUARANTEE

THIS FULL RELEASE OF GUARANTEE (this “Release”) is dated as of July 31, 2006, by Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly known as First Union National Bank), a national banking association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (in such capacity, the “ Trustee ”) in favor of Jonah Gas Gathering Company, a Wyoming general partnership (“ Jonah Gas ”).

RECITALS :

WHEREAS, TEPPCO Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), Jonah Gas and the other subsidiary Guarantors named therein have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture dated as of February 20, 2002 (as amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the Partnership’s issuance, from time to time, of its Debt Securities in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount, and the guarantee by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors of the Debt Securities issued pursuant thereto; and

WHEREAS, Section 14.04 of the Indenture provides that the Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be unconditionally released and discharged, upon the release or discharge of all guarantees by such Subsidiary Guarantor of any Debt of the Partnership, other than obligations arising under the Indenture and any Debt Securities issued thereunder, following delivery of a written notice of such release or discharged by the Partnership to the Trustee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantees; and

WHEREAS, Jonah Gas has guaranteed the obligations of the Partnership under that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2004, as amended (the “ Credit Agreement ”), but Jonah Gas has not guaranteed any other Debt of the Partnership; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to a full Release of Guaranty Obligations entered into on July 31, 2006 in favor of Jonah Gas, attached hereto as Exhibit A , Jonah Gas has been released and discharged of its guarantee obligation under the Credit Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Partnership has requested that Jonah Gas be released as a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, including all indentures supplemental thereto and in accordance with Section 14.04 of the Indenture, the Partnership has delivered or caused to be delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel in respect of its request.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of all of which are acknowledged, the Trustee hereby fully releases and discharges Jonah Gas from all present and future obligations which currently exist or may exist in the future under or in connection with the Indenture, including all indentures supplemental thereto and all Debt Securities issued thereunder.  Notwithstanding the ongoing, this is a release of Jonah Gas only, and nothing in this Release shall be construed to be a release of any other subsidiary Guarantor or any obligations of the Partnership in connection with the Indenture.




THIS RELEASE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Trustee has caused this Release to be duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.

 

WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

As Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ RONDA L. PARMAN

 

 

Name:

Ronda L. Parman

 

Title:

Vice President

 

2



Exhibit 12.1

Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income From Continuing Operations *

 

105,882

 

104,958

 

112,658

 

138,639

 

109,474

 

Fixed Charges

 

73,381

 

93,294

 

80,695

 

93,414

 

75,322

 

Distributed Income of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Investment

 

30,938

 

28,003

 

47,213

 

37,085

 

26,546

 

Capitalized Interest

 

(4,345

)

(5,290

)

(4,227

)

(6,759

)

(8,120

)

Total Earnings

 

205,856

 

220,965

 

236,339

 

262,379

 

203,222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed Charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense

 

66,192

 

84,250

 

72,053

 

81,861

 

63,522

 

Capitalized Interest

 

4,345

 

5,290

 

4,227

 

6,759

 

8,120

 

Rental Interest Factor

 

2,844

 

3,754

 

4,415

 

4,794

 

3,680

 

Total Fixed Charges

 

73,381

 

93,294

 

80,695

 

93,414

 

75,322

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio: Earnings / Fixed Charges

 

2.81

 

2.37

 

2.93

 

2.81

 

2.70

 

 


*  Excludes discontinued operations, gain on sale of assets and undistributed equity earnings.



Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / Rule 15d-14(a),

promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

I, Jerry E. Thompson, certify that:

1.              I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of TEPPCO Partners, L.P.;

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 registrant’s 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)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) 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)     Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)      Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s 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

d)     Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.              The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s 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 registrant’s 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 registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

November 7, 2006

/s/ JERRY E. THOMPSON

 

 

Jerry E. Thompson

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC,

 

as General Partner

 



Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / Rule 15d-14(a),

promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

I, William G. Manias, certify that:

1.              I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of TEPPCO Partners, L.P.;

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 registrant’s 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)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) 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)     Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)      Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s 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

d)     Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.              The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s 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 registrant’s 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 registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

November 7, 2006

/s/ WILLIAM G. MANIAS

 

 

William G. Manias

 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC,

 

as General Partner

 



Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Jerry E. Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC, the general partner of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted 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, as amended; 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/ JERRY E. THOMPSON

 

Jerry E. Thompson

President and Chief Executive Officer

Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC, General Partner

 

November 7, 2006

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to TEPPCO Partners, L.P. and will be retained by TEPPCO Partners, L.P. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.



Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 (the “Report”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, William G. Manias, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC, the general partner of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted 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, as amended; 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/ WILLIAM G. MANIAS

 

William G. Manias

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC, General Partner

 

November 7, 2006

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to TEPPCO Partners, L.P. and will be retained by TEPPCO Partners, L.P. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.