Energy Transfer Reports Fourth Quarter 2018 Results with Record Performance and Continued Growth

  • Net income attributable to partners of $617 million, reflecting an increase over previous periods primarily due to the impact of the Merger.
  • Record Adjusted EBITDA of $2.67 billion, up 29 percent from the fourth quarter of 2017.
  • Record Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners of $1.52 billion, up 29 percent from the fourth quarter of 2017.
  • Distribution coverage ratio of 1.90x, yielding excess coverage of $716 million of Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners in excess of distributions.
  • Reaffirms 2019 outlook for Adjusted EBITDA of $10.6 billion to $10.8 billion and capital expenditures of approximately $5 billion.

DALLAS--()--Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) (“ET” or the “Partnership”) today reported financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.

ET reported net income attributable to partners for the three months ended December 31, 2018 of $617 million, an increase of $366 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017. For the prior period, net income attributable to partners continues to reflect only the amount of net income attributable to the legacy ETE partners prior to the Merger, as discussed below.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $2.67 billion, an increase of $592 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017. Results were supported by increases in all of the Partnership’s core operations, with record operating performance in ET’s NGL, interstate and intrastate businesses.

On a pro forma basis for the Merger, Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners, as adjusted, for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was a record $1.52 billion, an increase of $338 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to the increase in Adjusted EBITDA.

Key accomplishments and current developments:

Strategic

  • ET and Energy Transfer Operating, L.P. (“ETO”, formerly Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. or “ETP”) completed a simplification merger transaction on October 19, 2018 (the “Merger”) whereby the publicly held common units of ETP were exchanged for 1.28 common units of ET. Consequently, the former common unitholders of ETP, along with the existing common unitholders of ET, now comprise the current common unitholders of ET.

Operational

  • Frac VI, a 150,000 barrel per day fractionator at Mont Belvieu, was placed in service in February 2019.
  • Bakken Pipeline completed a successful open season in January 2019 to bring the current system capacity to 570,000 barrels per day.
  • The North Texas natural gas pipeline 160,000 MMBtu per day expansion was placed in service in January 2019.
  • Mariner East 2, a 350-mile NGL pipeline, was placed into service for both intrastate and interstate service in December 2018.
  • Construction of a 150,000 barrel per day fractionator (Frac VII) at Mont Belvieu and Lone Star Express 352-mile NGL pipeline expansion were announced in November 2018.

Financial

  • In January 2019, ET announced a quarterly distribution of $0.305 per unit ($1.220 annualized) on ET common units for the quarter ended December 31, 2018.
  • In January 2019, ETO issued an aggregate $4.00 billion principal amount of senior notes and used the net proceeds to repay in full ET’s outstanding senior secured term loan, redeem certain outstanding senior notes at maturity, repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under ET’s revolving credit facility and for general partnership purposes.
  • As of December 31, 2018, ETO’s $6.00 billion revolving credit facilities had an aggregate $2.24 billion of available capacity, and ETO’s leverage ratio, as defined by its credit agreement, was 3.38x.

Energy Transfer benefits from a portfolio of assets with exceptional product and geographic diversity. The Partnership’s multiple segments generate high-quality, balanced earnings with no single segment contributing more than a quarter of the Partnership’s consolidated Adjusted EBITDA in 2018. The great majority of the Partnership’s segment margins are fee-based and therefore have limited commodity price sensitivity.

Conference call information:

The Partnership has scheduled a conference call for 8:00 a.m. Central Time, Thursday, February 21, 2019 to discuss its fourth quarter 2018 results. The conference call will be broadcast live via an internet webcast, which can be accessed through www.energytransfer.com and will also be available for replay on the Partnership’s website for a limited time.

Subsequent to the Merger, substantially all of the Partnership’s cash flows are derived from distributions related to its investment in ETO, whose cash flows are derived from its subsidiaries, including ETO’s investments in the limited and general partner interests in Sunoco LP and USA Compression Partners LP (“USAC”), as well as its ownership of Lake Charles LNG Company, LLC (“Lake Charles LNG”).

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET) owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States, with a strategic footprint in all of the major U.S. production basins, ET is a publicly traded limited partnership with core operations that include complementary natural gas midstream, intrastate and interstate transportation and storage assets; crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and refined product transportation and terminalling assets; NGL fractionation; and various acquisition and marketing assets. ET, through its ownership of Energy Transfer Operating, L.P., formerly known as Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., also owns the general partner interests, the incentive distribution rights and 28.5 million common units of Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN), and the general partner interests and 39.7 million common units of USA Compression Partners, LP (NYSE: USAC). For more information, visit the Energy Transfer LP website at www.energytransfer.com.

Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) is a master limited partnership that distributes motor fuel to approximately 10,000 convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors located in more than 30 states. SUN’s general partner is owned by Energy Transfer Operating, L.P., a subsidiary of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET). For more information, visit the Sunoco LP website at www.sunocolp.com.

USA Compression Partners, LP (NYSE: USAC) is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership that is one of the nation’s largest independent providers of compression services in terms of total compression fleet horsepower. USAC partners with a broad customer base composed of producers, processors, gatherers and transporters of natural gas and crude oil. USAC focuses on providing compression services to infrastructure applications primarily in high-volume gathering systems, processing facilities and transportation applications. For more information, visit the USAC website at www.usacompression.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management’s control. An extensive list of factors that can affect future results are discussed in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events.

The information contained in this press release is available on our website at www.energytransfer.com.

 

ENERGY TRANSFER LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)
(unaudited)
   

December 31,
2018

December 31,
2017

ASSETS
Current assets $ 6,750 $ 10,683
 
Property, plant and equipment, net 66,963 61,088
 
Advances to and investments in unconsolidated affiliates 2,642 2,705
Other non-current assets, net 1,006 886
Intangible assets, net 6,000 6,116
Goodwill 4,885   4,768  
Total assets $ 88,246   $ 86,246  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities $ 9,310 $ 7,897
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities 43,373 43,671
Non-current derivative liabilities 104 145
Deferred income taxes 2,926 3,315
Other non-current liabilities 1,184 1,217
 
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 499 21
 
Equity:
Total partners’ capital (deficit) 20,559 (1,196 )
Noncontrolling interest 10,291   31,176  
Total equity 30,850   29,980  
Total liabilities and equity $ 88,246   $ 86,246  
 
   

ENERGY TRANSFER LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Year Ended
December 31,
2018   2017 2018   2017
REVENUES $ 13,573 $ 11,451 $ 54,087 $ 40,523
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of products sold 9,977 8,721 41,658 30,966
Operating expenses 809 704 3,089 2,644
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 750 677 2,859 2,554
Selling, general and administrative 187 119 702 599
Impairment losses 431   940   431   1,039  
Total costs and expenses 12,154   11,161   48,739   37,802  
OPERATING INCOME 1,419 290 5,348 2,721
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized (544 ) (482 ) (2,055 ) (1,922 )
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates 86 (84 ) 344 144
Impairment of investment in unconsolidated affiliate (313 ) (313 )
Losses on extinguishments of debt (6 ) (64 ) (112 ) (89 )
Gains (losses) on interest rate derivatives (70 ) (9 ) 47 (37 )
Other, net (35 ) 73   62   206  
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) 850 (589 ) 3,634 710
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (2 ) (1,747 ) 4   (1,833 )
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 852 1,158 3,630 2,543
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes   10   (265 ) (177 )
NET INCOME 852 1,168 3,365 2,366
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 220 917 1,632 1,412
Less: Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests 15     39    
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARTNERS 617 251 1,694 954
Convertible Unitholders’ interest in income 12 33 37
General Partner’s interest in net income     3   2  
Limited Partners’ interest in net income $ 617   $ 239   $ 1,658   $ 915  
NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT:
Basic $ 0.26 $ 0.22 $ 1.16 $ 0.85
Diluted $ 0.26 $ 0.22 $ 1.15 $ 0.83
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING:
Basic 2,332.1 1,079.2 1,423.8 1,078.2
Diluted 2,339.4 1,151.5 1,461.4 1,150.8
 
   

ENERGY TRANSFER LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

(Dollars and units in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Year Ended
December 31,
2018   2017 2018   2017
Reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow (a) (b):
Net income $ 852 $ 1,168 $ 3,365 $ 2,366
(Income) loss from discontinued operations (10 ) 265 177
Interest expense, net 544 482 2,055 1,922
Impairment losses 431 940 431 1,039
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (2 ) (1,747 ) 4 (1,833 )
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 750 677 2,859 2,554
Non-cash compensation expense 23 23 105 99
(Gains) losses on interest rate derivatives 70 9 (47 ) 37
Unrealized (gains) losses on commodity risk management activities (244 ) (37 ) 11 (59 )
Losses on extinguishments of debt 6 64 112 89
Inventory valuation adjustments 135 (16 ) 85 (24 )
Impairment of investment in an unconsolidated affiliate 313 313
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates (86 ) 84 (344 ) (144 )
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates 152 162 655 716
Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations 44 (25 ) 223
Other, net 38   (79 ) (21 ) (155 )
Adjusted EBITDA (consolidated) 2,669 2,077 9,510 7,320
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates (152 ) (162 ) (655 ) (716 )
Distributable Cash Flow from unconsolidated affiliates 95 102 407 431
Interest expense, net (544 ) (497 ) (2,057 ) (1,958 )
Subsidiary preferred unitholders’ distributions (54 ) (12 ) (170 ) (12 )
Current income tax expense (7 ) (10 ) (472 ) (39 )
Transaction-related income taxes 470
Maintenance capital expenditures (137 ) (157 ) (510 ) (479 )
Other, net 19   5   49   67  
Distributable Cash Flow (consolidated) 1,889 1,346 6,572 4,614
Distributable Cash Flow attributable to Sunoco LP (100%) (115 ) (89 ) (446 ) (449 )
Distributions from Sunoco LP 43 68 166 259
Distributable Cash Flow attributable to USAC (100%) (55 ) (148 )
Distributions from USAC 21 73
Distributable Cash Flow attributable to PennTex Midstream Partners, LP (“PennTex”) (100%) (c) (19 )
Distributions from PennTex to ETO (c) 8
Distributable Cash Flow attributable to noncontrolling interest in other non-wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries (294 ) (151 ) (874 ) (350 )
Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ET – pro forma for the Merger (a) 1,489 1,174 5,343 4,063
Transaction-related expenses 27   4   52   57  
Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ET, as adjusted – pro forma for the Merger (a) $ 1,516   $ 1,178   $ 5,395   $ 4,120  
 
   
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Year Ended
December 31,
2018   2017 2018   2017
Distributions to partners – pro forma for the Merger (a):
Limited Partners (d) $ 799 $ 708 $ 3,104 $ 2,669
General Partner 1   1   4   4
Total distributions to be paid to partners $ 800   $ 709   $ 3,108   $ 2,673
Common Units outstanding – end of period – pro forma for the Merger (a) 2,619.4   2,532.5   2,619.4   2,532.5
Distribution coverage ratio – pro forma for the Merger (a)(b) 1.90x 1.66x 1.74x 1.54x
 

(a) The closing of the Merger (as discussed above) has impacted the Partnership’s calculation of Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners, as well as the number of ET Common Units outstanding and the amount of distributions to be paid to partners. In order to provide information on a comparable basis for pre-Merger and post-Merger periods, the Partnership has included certain pro forma information.

Pro forma Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners reflects the following merger related impacts:

  • ETO is reflected as a wholly-owned subsidiary and pro forma Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners reflects ETO’s consolidated Distributable Cash Flow (less certain other adjustments, as follows).
  • Distributions from Sunoco LP and USAC include distributions to both ET and ETO.
  • Distributions from PennTex are separately included in Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners.
  • Distributable Cash Flow attributable to noncontrolling interest in our other non-wholly-owned subsidiaries is subtracted from consolidated Distributable Cash Flow to calculate Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners.

Pro forma distributions to partners include actual distributions to legacy ET partners, as well as pro forma distributions to legacy ETO partners. Pro forma distributions to ETO partners are calculated assuming (i) historical ETO common units converted under the terms of the Merger and (ii) distributions on such converted common units were paid at the historical rate paid on ET Common Units.

Pro forma Common Units outstanding include actual Common Units outstanding, in addition to Common Units assumed to be issued in the Merger, which are based on historical ETO common units converted under the terms of the Merger.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the calculation of Distributable Cash Flow and the amounts reflected for distributions to partners and common units outstanding also reflect the pro forma impacts of the Sunoco Logistics Merger as though the merger had occurred on January 1, 2017.

(b) Adjusted EBITDA, Distributable Cash Flow and distribution coverage ratio are non-GAAP financial measures used by industry analysts, investors, lenders, and rating agencies to assess the financial performance and the operating results of ET’s fundamental business activities and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, income from operations, cash flows from operating activities, or other GAAP measures.

There are material limitations to using measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, Distributable Cash Flow and distribution coverage ratio, including the difficulty associated with using either as the sole measure to compare the results of one company to another, and the inability to analyze certain significant items that directly affect a company’s net income or loss or cash flows. In addition, our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA, Distributable Cash Flow and distribution coverage ratio may not be consistent with similarly titled measures of other companies and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP, such as segment margin, operating income, net income, and cash flow from operating activities.

Definition of Adjusted EBITDA

We define Adjusted EBITDA as total partnership earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and other non-cash items, such as non-cash compensation expense, gains and losses on disposals of assets, the allowance for equity funds used during construction, unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities, non-cash impairment charges, losses on extinguishments of debt and other non-operating income or expense items. Unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities include unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory fair value adjustments (excluding lower of cost or market adjustments). Adjusted EBITDA reflects amounts for less than wholly-owned subsidiaries based on 100% of the subsidiaries’ results of operations and for unconsolidated affiliates based on our proportionate ownership.

Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to determine our operating performance and, along with other financial and volumetric data, as internal measures for setting annual operating budgets, assessing financial performance of our numerous business locations, as a measure for evaluating targeted businesses for acquisition and as a measurement component of incentive compensation.

Definition of Distributable Cash Flow

We define Distributable Cash Flow as net income, adjusted for certain non-cash items, less distributions to preferred unitholders and maintenance capital expenditures. Non-cash items include depreciation, depletion and amortization, non-cash compensation expense, amortization included in interest expense, gains and losses on disposals of assets, the allowance for equity funds used during construction, unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities, non-cash impairment charges, losses on extinguishments of debt and deferred income taxes. Unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities includes unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory fair value adjustments (excluding lower of cost or market adjustments). For unconsolidated affiliates, Distributable Cash Flow reflects the Partnership’s proportionate share of the investee’s distributable cash flow.

Distributable Cash Flow is used by management to evaluate our overall performance. Our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all available cash, and Distributable Cash Flow is calculated to evaluate our ability to fund distributions through cash generated by our operations.

On a consolidated basis, Distributable Cash Flow includes 100% of the Distributable Cash Flow of ET’s consolidated subsidiaries. However, to the extent that noncontrolling interests exist among our subsidiaries, the Distributable Cash Flow generated by our subsidiaries may not be available to be distributed to our partners. In order to reflect the cash flows available for distributions to our partners, we have reported Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners, which is calculated by adjusting Distributable Cash Flow (consolidated), as follows:

  • For subsidiaries with publicly traded equity interests, other than ETO, Distributable Cash Flow (consolidated) includes 100% of Distributable Cash Flow attributable to such subsidiary, and Distributable Cash Flow attributable to our partners includes distributions to be received by the parent company with respect to the periods presented.
  • For consolidated joint ventures or similar entities, where the noncontrolling interest is not publicly traded, Distributable Cash Flow (consolidated) includes 100% of Distributable Cash Flow attributable to such subsidiaries, but Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners reflects only the amount of Distributable Cash Flow of such subsidiaries that is attributable to our ownership interest.

For Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners, as adjusted, certain transaction-related and non-recurring expenses that are included in net income are excluded.

Definition of Distribution Coverage Ratio

Distribution coverage ratio for a period is calculated as Distributable Cash Flow attributable to partners, as adjusted, divided by distributions expected to be paid to the partners of ET in respect of such period.

(c) Beginning with the second quarter of 2017, PennTex became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETO. The amounts reflected above for PennTex relate only to the first quarter of 2017, and no distributable cash flow has been attributed to noncontrolling interests in PennTex subsequent to March 31, 2017.

(d) Includes distributions to unitholders who elected to participate in a plan to forgo a portion of their future potential cash distributions on common units and reinvest those distributions in ETE Series A convertible preferred units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership. The quarter ended March 31, 2018 was the final quarter of participation in the plan.

 
ENERGY TRANSFER LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY ANALYSIS OF QUARTERLY RESULTS BY SEGMENT
(Tabular dollar amounts in millions)
(unaudited)
 

As a result of the Merger in October 2018, our reportable segments were reevaluated and currently reflect the following segments.

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
Segment Adjusted EBITDA:
Intrastate transportation and storage $ 306 $ 146
Interstate transportation and storage 479 342
Midstream 402 393
NGL and refined products transportation and services 569 433
Crude oil transportation and services 636 544
Investment in Sunoco LP 180 158
Investment in USAC 104
All other (7 ) 61
Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 2,669   $ 2,077

In the following analysis of segment operating results, a measure of segment margin is reported for segments with sales revenues. Segment Margin is a non-GAAP financial measure and is presented herein to assist in the analysis of segment operating results and particularly to facilitate an understanding of the impacts that changes in sales revenues have on the segment performance measure of Segment Adjusted EBITDA. Segment Margin is similar to the GAAP measure of gross margin, except that Segment Margin excludes charges for depreciation, depletion and amortization.

In addition, for certain segments, the sections below include information on the components of Segment Margin by sales type, which components are included in order to provide additional disaggregated information to facilitate the analysis of Segment Margin and Segment Adjusted EBITDA. For example, these components include transportation margin, storage margin, and other margin. These components of Segment Margin are calculated consistent with the calculation of Segment Margin; therefore, these components also exclude charges for depreciation, depletion and amortization.

Following is a reconciliation of Segment Margin to operating income, as reported in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations:

  Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
Segment Margin:
Intrastate transportation and storage $ 350 $ 205
Interstate transportation and storage 495 317
Midstream 609 568
NGL and refined products transportation and services 840 582
Crude oil transportation and services 939 683
Investment in Sunoco LP 183 277
Investment in USAC 149
All other 45 102
Intersegment eliminations (14 ) (4 )
Total segment margin 3,596 2,730
 
Less:
Operating expenses 809 704
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 750 677
Selling, general and administrative 187 119
Impairment losses 431   940  
Operating income $ 1,419   $ 290  
 

Intrastate Transportation and Storage

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
Natural gas transported (BBtu/d) 11,708 8,944
Revenues $ 1,127 $ 741
Cost of products sold 777   536  
Segment margin 350 205
Unrealized (gains) losses on commodity risk management activities 5 (21 )
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (48 ) (44 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (7 ) (5 )
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates 6   11  
Segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 306   $ 146  

Transported volumes increased primarily due to favorable market pricing spreads, as well as the impact of reflecting Regency Intrastate Gas LP (“RIGS”) as a consolidated subsidiary. RIGS was previously reflected as an unconsolidated affiliate until ETO acquired the remaining interest in April 2018.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA. For the three months ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to our intrastate transportation and storage segment increased due to the net impacts of the following:

  • an increase of $154 million in realized natural gas sales and other due to higher realized gains from pipeline optimization activity; and
  • a net increase of $13 million due to the consolidation of RIGS beginning in April 2018, resulting in increases in transportation fees, retained fuel revenues, operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses of $24 million, $2 million, $5 million and $2 million, respectively, and a decrease of $6 million in Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates; partially offset by
  • a decrease of $7 million in realized storage margin primarily due to lower realized derivative gains; and
  • a decrease of $2 million in transportation fees, excluding the impact of consolidating RIGS as discussed above, primarily due to a non-recurring adjustment to a transportation services agreement, partially offset by Red Bluff Express coming online and new contracts.
 

Interstate Transportation and Storage

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
Natural gas transported (BBtu/d) 11,062 7,185
Natural gas sold (BBtu/d) 18 18
Revenues $ 495 $ 317
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation, amortization and accretion expenses (120 ) (80 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation, amortization and accretion expenses (8 ) (7 )
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates 118 115
Other (6 ) (3 )
Segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 479   $ 342  

Transported volumes reflected an increase of 2,223 BBtu/d as a result of the initiation of service on the Rover pipeline; increases of 506 BBtu/d and 475 BBtu/d on the Panhandle and Trunkline pipelines, respectively, due to increased utilization of higher contracted capacity; an increase of 309 BBtu/d on the Tiger pipeline as a result of production increases in the Haynesville Shale; and an increase of 264 BBtu/d on the Transwestern pipeline as a result of favorable market opportunities in the West, midcontinent, and Waha areas from the Permian supply basin.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA. For the three months ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to our interstate transportation and storage segment increased due to the net impacts of the following:

  • an increase of $112 million associated with the Rover pipeline with increases of $149 million in revenues, $35 million in net operating expenses and $2 million in selling, general and administrative expenses;
  • an aggregate increase of $29 million in revenues, excluding the incremental revenue related to the Rover pipeline discussed above, primarily due to capacity sold at higher rates on the Transwestern, Panhandle and Trunkline pipelines;
  • an increase of $3 million in Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates primarily related to higher sales of capacity on Citrus; and
  • a decrease of $1 million in selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding the incremental expenses related to the Rover pipeline discussed above, primarily due to a reduction in insurance reserves; partially offset by
  • an increase of $5 million in operating expenses, excluding the incremental expenses related to the Rover pipeline discussed above, primarily due to system gas expenses and increases in maintenance project costs due to scope and level of activity.
 

Midstream

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
Gathered volumes (BBtu/d) 12,827 11,525
NGLs produced (MBbls/d) 558 505
Equity NGLs (MBbls/d) 25 27
Revenues $ 1,781 $ 1,926
Cost of products sold 1,172   1,358  
Segment margin 609 568
Unrealized losses on commodity risk management activities 3
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (193 ) (168 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (22 ) (18 )
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates 8   8  
Segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 402   $ 393  

Gathered volumes and NGL production increased primarily due to increases in the North Texas, Permian and Northeast regions, partially offset by smaller declines in other regions.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA. For the three months ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to our midstream segment increased due to the net effects of the following:

  • an increase of $49 million in fee-based margin due to growth in the North Texas, Permian and Northeast regions, offset by declines in the Ark-La-Tex and midcontinent/Panhandle regions; and
  • an increase of $14 million in non-fee-based margin due to increased throughput volume in the North Texas and Permian regions; partially offset by
  • a decrease of $25 million in non-fee-based margin primarily due to lower NGL prices;
  • an increase of $25 million in operating expenses due to an increase of $8 million in materials, $6 million in outside services, $6 million in ad valorem taxes and $5 million in expense projects; and
  • an increase of $4 million in selling, general and administrative expenses due to a change in capitalized overhead.
 

NGL and Refined Products Transportation and Services

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
NGL transportation volumes (MBbls/d) 1,115 963
Refined products transportation volumes (MBbls/d) 601 618
NGL and refined products terminal volumes (MBbls/d) 898 792
NGL fractionation volumes (MBbls/d) 594 455
Revenues $ 2,946 $ 2,533
Cost of products sold 2,106   1,951  
Segment margin 840 582
Unrealized gains on commodity risk management activities (112 ) (28 )
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (156 ) (120 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (22 ) (15 )
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates 19   14  
Segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 569   $ 433  

NGL transportation volumes increased primarily due to increased volumes from the Permian region resulting from a ramp up in production from existing customers, higher throughput volumes on Mariner West driven by end user facility constraints in the prior period and higher throughput from Mariner South resulting from increased export volumes. Refined products transportation volumes decreased primarily due to the timing of turnarounds at third-party refineries in the Midwest and Northeast regions.

NGL and refined products terminal volumes increased primarily due to more volumes loaded at our Nederland terminal as export demand increased, as well as higher throughput volumes at our Marcus Hook Industrial Complex.

Average fractionated volumes at our Mont Belvieu, Texas fractionation facility increased primarily due to increased volumes from the Permian region, as well as an increase in fractionation capacity as our fifth fractionator at Mont Belvieu came online in July 2018.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA. For the three months ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to our NGL and refined products transportation and services segment increased due to net impacts of the following:

  • an increase of $85 million in transportation margin primarily due to a $70 million increase resulting from higher producer volumes from the Permian region on our Texas NGL pipelines, a $9 million increase due to higher throughput volumes on Mariner West driven by end-user facility constraints in the prior period, a $5 million increase due to higher throughput volumes from the Barnett region, a $4 million increase resulting from a reclassification between our transportation and fractionation margins and a $3 million increase due to higher throughput volumes on Mariner South as a result of increased export volumes. These increases were partially offset by a $6 million decrease resulting from the timing of deficiency revenue recognition;
  • an increase of $32 million in fractionation and refinery services margin primarily due to a $43 million increase resulting from the commissioning of our fifth fractionator in July 2018 and higher NGL volumes from the Permian region feeding our Mont Belvieu fractionation facility. This increase was partially offset by a $5 million decrease in blending gains as a result of less favorable market pricing, a $4 million decrease resulting from a reclassification between our transportation and fractionation margins and a $2 million decrease from planned downtime at a customer facility that lowered the supply to our refinery services facility;
  • an increase of $28 million in marketing margin due to a $31 million increase from our butane blending operations and an $12 million increase in NGL sales from our Marcus Hook Industrial Complex. These increases were partially offset by a $15 million decrease from the timing of optimization gains from our Mont Belvieu fractionators; and
  • an increase of $26 million in terminal services margin due to a $13 million increase from higher throughput at our Marcus Hook Industrial Complex, an $11 million increase resulting from a change in the classification of certain customer reimbursements previously recorded in operating expenses and a $2 million increase at our Nederland terminal due to increased export demand; partially offset by
  • an increase of $36 million in operating expenses primarily due to a $14 million increase in operating costs primarily due to higher throughput on our NGL pipelines and fractionators and the commissioning of our fifth fractionator in July 2018, an $11 million increase resulting from a change in the classification of certain customer reimbursements previously recorded as a reduction to operating expenses that are now classified as revenue following the adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, a $3 million increase in costs relating to an outside storage lease and a $3 million increase in certain allocated overhead costs; and
  • an increase of $7 million in selling, general and administrative expenses due to a $6 million increase in overhead costs allocated to the segment and $1 million increase in legal fees.
 

Crude Oil Transportation and Services

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
Crude transportation volumes (MBbls/d) 4,330 3,872
Crude terminals volumes (MBbls/d) 2,202 2,059
Revenues $ 4,346 $ 3,938
Cost of products sold 3,407   3,255  
Segment margin 939 683
Unrealized (gains) losses on commodity risk management activities (132 ) 4
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (150 ) (125 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (22 ) (20 )
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates 1   2  
Segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 636   $ 544  

Crude transportation volumes increased due to placing the Bakken pipeline in service in June 2017 as well as higher throughput on existing pipelines due to increased production in West Texas. Crude terminal volumes benefited from an increase in barrels delivered to our Nederland crude terminal from the Bakken pipeline and from increased West Texas production.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA. For the three months ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to our crude oil transportation and services segment increased due to the net impacts of the following:

  • an increase of $120 million in segment margin (excluding unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities) primarily due to the following: a $102 million increase resulting from higher throughput on the Bakken pipeline and a $125 million increase resulting from higher throughput on our Texas crude pipeline system primarily due to increased production from Permian producers. These increases were partially offset by a $107 million decrease to segment margin (excluding a net change of $136 million in unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities) from our crude oil acquisition and marketing business; partially offset by
  • an increase of $25 million in operating expenses due to a $23 million increase due to higher throughput related expenses on existing assets and a $2 million increase from the expansion of our Permian Express 3 pipeline in service in the fourth quarter of 2018; and
  • an increase of $2 million in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to increases in allocated shared service charges.
 

Investment in Sunoco LP

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
Revenues $ 3,877 $ 2,959
Cost of products sold 3,694   2,682  
Segment margin 183 277
Unrealized losses on commodity risk management activities 5 2
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (111 ) (113 )
Selling, general and administrative, excluding non-cash compensation expense (36 ) (36 )
Inventory fair value adjustments 135 (16 )
Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations 44
Other, net 4    
Segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 180   $ 158  

The Investment in Sunoco LP segment reflects the consolidated results of Sunoco LP.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA. For the three months ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to our investment in Sunoco LP increased due to the net impacts of the following:

  • an increase of $60 million in margin (excluding a $154 million change in inventory fair value adjustments and unrealized losses on commodity risk management activities) primarily due to increases in fuel margins and fuel volumes; partially offset by
  • a decrease of $44 million in Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations primarily due to Sunoco LP’s retail divestment in January 2018.
 

Investment in USAC

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
Revenues $ 172 $
Cost of products sold 23  
Segment margin 149
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (30 )
Selling, general and administrative, excluding non-cash compensation expense (16 )
Other, net 1  
Segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 104   $

Amounts reflected above for the three months ended December 31, 2018 represents the consolidated results of operations for USAC. Changes between periods are due to the consolidation of USAC beginning April 2, 2018.

 

All Other

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
Revenues $ 630 $ 652
Cost of products sold 585   550  
Segment margin 45 102
Unrealized (gains) losses on commodity risk management activities (11 ) 3
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (6 ) (31 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (41 ) (28 )
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates 12
Other and eliminations 6   3  
Segment Adjusted EBITDA $ (7 ) $ 61  

Segment Adjusted EBITDA. For the three months ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to our all other segment decreased due to the net impacts of the following:

  • a decrease of $35 million due to the contribution of CDM to USAC in April 2018, subsequent to which CDM is reflected in the Investment in USAC segment;
  • a decrease of $29 million due to merger and acquisition expenses related to the Merger in 2018;
  • a decrease of $13 million in Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates from our investment in PES primarily due to our lower ownership in PES subsequent to its reorganization, which resulted in PES no longer being reflected as an affiliate beginning in the third quarter of 2018; and
  • a decrease of $6 million due to a decrease in power trading gains; partially offset by
  • an increase of $5 million in joint venture management fees; and
  • an increase of $4 million from transport fees and gains from storage and park and loan activity.
     

ENERGY TRANSFER LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON LIQUIDITY

(In millions)
(unaudited)
 
The following table is a summary of ETO’s revolving credit facilities which incurred certain changes in connection with the Merger. We also have consolidated subsidiaries with revolving credit facilities which are not included.
 
Facility Size

Funds Available at
December 31, 2018

Maturity Date
ETO Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility $ 5,000 $ 1,243 December 1, 2023
ETO 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility 1,000   1,000   November 30, 2019
$ 6,000   $ 2,243  
 
 

ENERGY TRANSFER LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

(In millions)
(unaudited)
 

The table below provides information on an aggregated basis for our unconsolidated affiliates, which are accounted for as equity method investments in the Partnership’s financial statements for the periods presented.

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates:
Citrus $ 39 $ 58
FEP 14 14
MEP 7 9
HPC (1)(2) (185 )
Other 26   20  
Total equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates $ 86   $ (84 )
 
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates:
Citrus $ 81 $ 74
FEP 18 19
MEP 19 22
HPC (2) 6
Other 34   41  
Total Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates $ 152   $ 162  
 
Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates:
Citrus $ 46 $ 43
FEP 18 19
MEP 8 8
HPC (2) 13
Other 35   22  
Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates $ 107   $ 105  

(1) For the three months ended December 31, 2017, equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates includes the impact of non-cash impairments recorded by HPC, which reduced the Partnership’s equity in earnings by $185 million.

(2) The partnership previously owned a 49.99% interest in HPC, which owns RIGS. In April 2018, we acquired the remaining 50.01% interest in HPC. Prior to April 2018, HPC was reflected as an unconsolidated affiliate in our financial statements; beginning in April 2018, RIGS is reflected as a wholly-owned subsidiary in our financial statements.

 

ENERGY TRANSFER LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON NON-WHOLLY-OWNED JOINT VENTURE SUBSIDIARIES

(In millions)
(unaudited)
 

The table below provides information on an aggregated basis for our non-wholly-owned joint venture subsidiaries, which are reflected on a consolidated basis in our financial statements. The table below excludes Sunoco LP and USAC, which are non-wholly-owned subsidiaries that are publicly traded.

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018   2017
Adjusted EBITDA of non-wholly-owned subsidiaries (100%) (a) $ 669 $ 381
Our proportionate share of Adjusted EBITDA of non-wholly-owned subsidiaries (b) 351 212
 
Distributable Cash Flow of non-wholly-owned subsidiaries (100%) (c) $ 626 $ 346
Our proportionate share of Distributable Cash Flow of non-wholly-owned subsidiaries (d) 332 194

Below is our ownership percentage of certain non-wholly-owned subsidiaries:

Non-wholly-owned subsidiary:   ET Percentage Ownership (e)  
Bakken Pipeline 36.4 %
Bayou Bridge 60.0 %
Ohio River System 75.0 %
Permian Express Partners 87.7 %
Rover 32.6 %
Others various

(a) Adjusted EBITDA of non-wholly-owned subsidiaries reflects the total Adjusted EBITDA of our non-wholly-owned subsidiaries on an aggregated basis. This is the amount of EBITDA included in our consolidated non-GAAP measure of Adjusted EBITDA.

(b) Our proportionate share of Adjusted EBITDA of non-wholly-owned subsidiaries reflects the amount of Adjusted EBITDA of such subsidiaries (on an aggregated basis) that is attributable to our ownership interest.

(c) Distributable Cash Flow of non-wholly-owned subsidiaries reflects the total Distributable Cash Flow of our non-wholly-owned subsidiaries on an aggregated basis.

(d) Our proportionate share of Distributable Cash Flow of non-wholly-owned subsidiaries reflects the amount of Distributable Cash Flow of such subsidiaries (on an aggregated basis) that is attributable to our ownership interest. This is the amount of Distributable Cash Flow included in our consolidated non-GAAP measure of Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ET.

(e) Our ownership reflects the total economic interest held by us and our subsidiaries. In some cases, this percentage comprises ownership interests held in (or by) multiple entities.

Contacts

Energy Transfer

Investor Relations:
Bill Baerg, Brent Ratliff, Lyndsay Hannah, 214-981-0795
or
Media Relations:
Vicki Granado, 214-840-5820

Contacts

Energy Transfer

Investor Relations:
Bill Baerg, Brent Ratliff, Lyndsay Hannah, 214-981-0795
or
Media Relations:
Vicki Granado, 214-840-5820