Back to GetFilings.com
1
================================================================================
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 1-10934
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 39-1715850
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
LAKE SUPERIOR PLACE, 21 WEST SUPERIOR STREET
DULUTH, MINNESOTA 55802-2067
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (218) 725-0100
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered
CLASS A COMMON UNITS NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. X
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 ____
As of February 6, 1998, the aggregate market value of the Registrant's
Class A Common Units held by non affiliates of the Registrant was $1,037,822,000
based on the reported closing sale price of such units on the New York Stock
Exchange on that date.
As of February 6, 1998, there were 22,290,000 of the Registrant's Class A
Common Units outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: NONE
================================================================================
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
PART I
ITEMS 1 & 2. Business and Properties..................................... 1
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings........................................... 15
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders......... 15
PART II
ITEM 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters....................................... 16
ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data..................................... 17
ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations................................. 18
ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................. 24
ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure.................................. 24
PART III
ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.......... 24
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation...................................... 25
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management................................................ 25
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.............. 26
PART IV
ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form
8-K....................................................... 26
SIGNATURES................................................................ 29
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES..................................................... F-1
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements and
information that are based on the General Partner's beliefs as well as
assumptions made by and information currently available to the General Partner.
When used in this document, the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect,"
"estimate," "forecast," "project," and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the General
Partner's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain
risks, uncertainties and assumptions including the Partnership's dependence upon
adequate supplies of, and demand for, western Canadian crude oil, regulation of
the Partnership's tariffs by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the
possibility of unfavorable outcomes of future tariff proceedings, the
Partnership's ability to complete expansion programs on time and within budget
and to recover the costs of such expansions in its tariffs, and the effects of
competition, in particular, by other pipeline systems. Should one or more of
these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed,
expected, estimated, forecasted, or projected. Except as required by applicable
securities laws, the Partnership does not intend to update these forward-looking
statements and information. For additional discussion of such risks,
uncertainties and assumptions, see "Items 1 & 2, Business and Properties
Business Risks" included elsewhere in this report.
3
PART I
ITEMS 1 & 2. BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
GENERAL
Lakehead Pipe Line Partners, L.P. is a publicly traded Delaware limited
partnership ("Registrant" or "Partnership"), which owns a 99% limited partner
interest in Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Limited Partnership ("Operating
Partnership"), also a Delaware limited partnership. Unless the context otherwise
requires, references herein to the Partnership include the Registrant and the
Operating Partnership.
The Partnership was formed in 1991 to acquire, own and operate the
regulated crude oil and natural gas liquids pipeline business of Lakehead Pipe
Line Company, Inc. (the "General Partner"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Interprovincial Pipe Line Inc. ("IPL"). IPL is a Canadian company owned by IPL
Energy Inc. ("IPL Energy") of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The General Partner has
a 14.8% limited partner interest (in the form of 3,912,750 Class B Common Units)
and 1% general partner interest in the Registrant, as well as a 1% general
partner interest in the Operating Partnership (an effective 16.6% combined
interest in the Partnership). The remaining 83.4% limited partner interest in
the Partnership is represented by 22,290,000 publicly traded Class A Common
Units.
The Partnership and IPL are engaged in the transportation of crude oil and
other liquid hydrocarbons through the world's longest common carrier pipeline
system ("System"). The System is the primary transporter of crude oil from
western Canada to the United States and is the only pipeline that transports
crude oil from western Canada to eastern Canada. The System serves all the major
refining centers in the Great Lakes region of the United States, as well as the
province of Ontario, Canada and, through a connecting pipeline, the Patoka/Wood
River refinery and pipeline hub in southern Illinois. The System consists of the
IPL System, which is owned by IPL, in Canada and the Lakehead System, which is
owned by the Partnership, in the United States.
Shipments tendered to the IPL System originate in oil fields in the western
Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia and
in the Northwest Territories of Canada and reach the IPL System through
facilities owned and operated by third parties or affiliates of IPL. Deliveries
from the IPL System are currently made in the prairie provinces of Canada, and
through the Lakehead System in the Great Lakes and Midwest regions of the United
States and the province of Ontario, principally to refineries, either directly
or through connecting pipelines of other companies.
The IPL System, which is owned and operated by IPL, extends approximately
1,200 miles from Edmonton, Alberta, across the Canadian prairies to the U.S.
border near Neche, North Dakota, and continues from the U.S. border near
Marysville, Michigan, to Toronto, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec, with lateral
lines to Nanticoke, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Canadian portion of
the System includes another pipeline which is owned and operated by
Interprovincial Pipe Line (NW) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of IPL Energy.
This pipeline extends approximately 540 miles between Norman Wells, Northwest
Territories and Zama, Alberta, and connects from Zama, through a system owned by
others, to the IPL System at Edmonton.
The Lakehead System traverses approximately 1,750 miles from the Canadian
border near Neche, to the Canadian border near Marysville. The Lakehead System
consists of three separate lines extending from the Canadian border near Neche
to Superior, Wisconsin, and a line from the Canadian border near Neche to
Clearbrook, Minnesota. At Superior, the pipeline continues as two separate and
diverging lines, one traversing through the upper Great Lakes region and the
other through the lower Great Lakes region of the United States, with both lines
re-entering Canada at a point near Marysville. The Lakehead System also includes
a lateral line from the Canadian border near Niagara Falls to the Buffalo, New
York area. Crude oil and natural gas liquids ("NGLs") are received by the
Lakehead System at the Canadian border from the IPL System and, to a lesser
extent, at a number of other receipt points and are scheduled into the pipeline
in accordance with customer nominations.
1
4
All scheduling of shipments (including routes, storage, etc.) is handled by
IPL in coordination with the General Partner. The Lakehead System includes 16
connections to pipelines and refineries at various locations in the United
States, including the Chicago, Illinois, Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota,
Detroit, Michigan, Toledo, Ohio and Buffalo refining areas, and, through a
connecting pipeline, the Patoka/Wood River refinery market and pipeline hub. The
Lakehead System currently has approximately nine million barrels of tankage
capacity at its three main terminals at Clearbrook, Superior, and Griffith,
Indiana. The tankage capacity is utilized both to gather crude oil prior to
injection into the Lakehead System and to provide tankage in order to facilitate
more flexible oil movements scheduling. At Superior, all crude oil is removed
from the Lakehead System, directed into tankage and then, when appropriate to
meet the requirements of batch movements, reinjected into the Lakehead System
for delivery through either the upper Great Lakes region or the lower Great
Lakes region.
PROPERTIES
The Lakehead System consists of approximately 2,700 miles of pipe with
diameters ranging from 12 inches to 48 inches, 58 main line pump station
locations with a total of approximately 590,000 installed horsepower and 54
tanks with an aggregate working capacity of approximately nine million barrels.
The volume of liquid hydrocarbons in the Lakehead System required at all times
for operation is approximately 12 million barrels, all of which is owned by the
shippers on the Lakehead System.
The Lakehead System is comprised of a number of separate segments as
follows (excluding property under construction):
(i) (a) the portion of Line 13 that extends from the Canadian
border near Neche to Clearbrook consisting of 18-inch pipe;
(b) the portions of Lines 1, 2, and 3 that extend from the
Canadian border near Neche to Superior consisting of 20-
(18-inch from Clearbrook to Superior), 26- and 34-inch
pipe, respectively; Line 3 is looped with approximately
120 miles of 48-inch pipe;
(ii) Line 5, a 30-inch line from Superior through the upper Great
Lakes region via the upper peninsula of Michigan and across
the Straits of Mackinac to the Canadian border near
Marysville;
(iii) the portion of Line 6 that is a 34-inch line extending from
Superior to the Chicago area;
(iv) the portion of Line 6 that is a 30-inch line extending from
the Chicago area to the Canadian border near Marysville; and
(v) the portion of Line 10 that is a lateral line from the
Canadian border near Niagara Falls to the Buffalo area,
consisting of 12-inch pipe, which is looped with a four-mile
section of 20-inch pipe.
The Lakehead System regularly transports up to 35 different types of liquid
hydrocarbons including light, medium and heavy crude oil (including bitumen),
condensate, synthetic crudes and NGLs.
2
5
Estimated capacities of the various segments of the Lakehead System for
1998 are set forth below, and do not include additional delivery capability to
be added as a result of the System Expansion Program II ("SEP II") expected to
be completed in late 1998. See "-- Capital Expenditures and SEP II."
DESIGN ANNUAL
CAPACITY CAPACITY
-------- --------
THOUSANDS OF
BARRELS PER DAY
Canadian border to Clearbrook............................. 1,748 1,476
Clearbrook to Superior.................................... 1,532 1,248
Superior to Canadian border near Marysville (through the
upper Great Lakes region)............................... 566 509
Superior to Chicago area.................................. 782 704
Chicago area to Canadian border near Marysville........... 419 377
Canadian border near Niagara Falls to the Buffalo area.... 73 65
Design capacity is the absolute theoretical system capacity and assumes
that all required horsepower is fully operational at all times. Annual capacity,
which takes into account receipt and delivery patterns and ongoing pipeline
maintenance, reflects achievable rates over long periods of time.
The General Partner believes that the Lakehead System has been constructed
and is maintained in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws
and regulations, standards prescribed by the American Petroleum Institute and
accepted industry practice. To prolong the useful life of the Lakehead System,
pipeline crews perform scheduled maintenance and make repairs when necessary.
The Partnership attempts to control corrosion of the pipeline through the use of
pipe coatings and cathodic protection systems. The Partnership monitors the
integrity of the Lakehead System through a program of periodic internal
inspections using electronic instruments. In order to maintain the service
capability of the pipeline, periodic internal inspections will continue in 1998
and in the future, as determined necessary by the General Partner. On a bi-
weekly basis, the entire right of way is inspected from the air. Trained and
skilled operators use computerized monitoring systems to identify pressure drops
that might indicate potential disruptions in flow, and operate remote controlled
valves and pumps that allow the Lakehead System to be shut down quickly if
required.
TITLE TO PROPERTIES
The Partnership conducts business and owns properties located in seven
states. The Lakehead System is, in general, located on land owned by others and
is operated under perpetual easements or rights of way granted by land owners,
public authorities, railways or public utilities. In certain of the states
through which the pipeline passes, the Partnership has rights of condemnation.
These rights have been exercised from time to time.
The pumping stations, tanks, terminals and certain other facilities of the
Lakehead System are located on land that is owned by the Partnership, except for
five pumping stations that are situated on land owned by others and operated
under easements or permits. Substantially all of the Lakehead System assets are
subject to a first mortgage securing indebtedness of the Operating Partnership.
BUSINESS RISKS
The Lakehead System is dependent upon the level of supply of crude oil and
other liquid hydrocarbons from western Canada. For a discussion of the forecast
of the future supply of crude oil produced in western Canada as submitted to the
National Energy Board Of Canada ("NEB"), see "-- Supply and Demand for Western
Canadian Crude Oil." If a decline in western Canadian crude oil production does
occur, the Partnership expects that throughput on the Lakehead System will also
decline.
The Lakehead System is dependent upon the utilization of the IPL System by
producers of western Canadian crude oil to reach markets in the United States
and eastern Canada. The diversion of western Canadian crude oil away from the
IPL System, whether by virtue of increased demand by western Canadian
3
6
refiners or the shipment of crude oil by other pipelines, would be likely to
have a direct impact on the volumes transported by the Lakehead System. The
Lakehead System encounters competition in serving shippers to the extent that
shippers have alternative opportunities for transporting liquid hydrocarbons
from their sources to customers. In addition, the Lakehead System is affected by
the conditions in the markets for liquid hydrocarbons in the areas to which the
Lakehead System makes deliveries, see "-- Competition." The General Partner
estimates that in 1997, the System transported approximately 65% of all crude
oil produced in western Canada, of which more than 90% was transported by the
Lakehead System.
Demand for western Canadian crude oil and NGLs in the geographic areas
served by the Lakehead System is affected by the delivery of other supplies of
crude oil and refined products into such geographic areas. Existing pipeline
capacity for the delivery of crude oil to the Midwest U.S., the primary
destination market served by the Lakehead System, exceeds current refining
capacity. The General Partner believes that the System has certain advantages
over other transporters of crude oil with which it competes. The System is among
the lowest cost transporters of crude oil and NGLs in North America based on
costs per barrel mile transported. In addition, the System is strategically
located linking supplies of western Canadian crude oil to the Midwest U.S., an
area that is experiencing rising crude oil demand. See "-- Supply and Demand for
Western Canadian Crude Oil."
During 1997, the NEB approved an alternative use for the portion of the IPL
System from Sarnia to Montreal, involving a reversal of the line to bring crude
oil from Montreal to Sarnia, Ontario. The reversal of the line will result in
IPL or a subsidiary of IPL becoming a competitor of the Partnership for
supplying crude oil to the Ontario market and is expected to reduce the
deliveries of western Canadian crude oil into the eastern Canadian markets
served by the System. If and when the reversal of the line is effective,
quantities of crude oil historically delivered by the System to the Ontario
market are expected to be redirected to existing U.S. markets served by the
Partnership.
The General Partner believes that under Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission ("FERC") regulations the Partnership will periodically be allowed to
increase tariff rates to compensate for declines in throughput which result in a
substantial divergence between the Partnership's costs and tariff rates, there
can be no assurance that this will be the case. See "-- Regulation -- FERC
Regulation." Even if such tariff increases were allowed, the Partnership may
suffer lower revenues during the period before a tariff adjustment can be
implemented. In addition, reduced throughput on the IPL System as a result of
testing, line repair, reduced operating pressures or other causes could result
in reduced throughput on the Lakehead System.
The Partnership cannot predict the impact of future economic conditions,
fuel conservation measures, alternative fuel requirements, governmental
regulation or technological advances in fuel economy and energy generation
devices, all of which could reduce the demand for crude oil and other liquid
hydrocarbons in the areas in which deliveries are made by the Lakehead System.
For a discussion of projections regarding the future demand for crude oil
produced in western Canada, see "-- Supply and Demand for Western Canadian Crude
Oil."
In May 1997, the Illinois Commerce Commission ("ICC") denied the
Partnership's application for a certificate that is a necessary first step
toward receiving condemnation authority in Illinois with respect to SEP II.
Without condemnation authority, the cost to obtain rights of way in connection
with SEP II have increased. However, as the ICC does not have jurisdiction to
decide whether or not the Partnership can build a pipeline through Illinois, the
Partnership is continuing with its construction of a new line from Superior to
Chicago. At December 31, 1997, in excess of 90% of the line's route has been
secured or contractually committed. The Partnership has appealed the ICC
decision to the Illinois Court of Appeals.
The Partnership is currently seeking and acquiring environmental and
construction permits necessary to construct the new pipeline. While delays in
acquiring environmental or construction permits could impact the in-service date
of the new pipeline, such delays are not anticipated. The General Partner is
using its best efforts to ensure a December 31, 1998 in-service date for SEP II.
The operations of the Partnership are subject to federal and state laws and
regulations relating to environmental protection and operational safety.
Although the General Partner believes that the operations of
4
7
the Lakehead System are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental
and safety regulations, risks of substantial costs and liabilities are inherent
in pipeline operations, and there can be no assurance that such costs and
liabilities will not be incurred. Moreover, it is possible that other
developments, such as increasingly strict environmental and safety laws,
regulations and enforcement policies thereunder, and claims for damages to
property or persons resulting from the Partnership's operations, could result in
substantial costs and liabilities to the Partnership. For a discussion on
environmental and safety regulation, see "-- Environmental and Safety
Regulation."
The Partnership contemplates filing a rate increase with the FERC in late
1998 or early 1999 to reflect the projected incremental costs and throughput
resulting from SEP II. A settlement agreement between the Partnership and
customer representatives sets forth parameters governing the tariff increase
associated with SEP II, although such tariff increase has not been approved by
the FERC. In addition, certain details of implementation remain subject to
further discussions. Customers who are not parties to the agreement may
challenge any rate filing. Any challenge, if successful, could have a material
adverse effect on the Partnership and its ability to make distributions to the
Unitholders. For a discussion of FERC regulation, Partnership tariff rates, and
the settlement agreement, see "-- Regulation" and "-- Tariffs."
REGULATION
FERC Regulation
The interstate common carrier pipeline operations of the Partnership are
subject to rate regulation by the FERC under the Interstate Commerce Act. The
Interstate Commerce Act requires, among other things, that petroleum products
and crude oil pipeline rates be just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory, and
permits challenges to new, changed and existing rates through either a "protest"
or "complaint." At the FERC, a protest normally applies only to a proposed
change in a pipeline's rates or practices and subjects the pipeline to a
forward-looking investigation and possible refund obligation if the Commission
chooses to suspend the proposed change. A complaint, by comparison, can apply
either to an existing rate or practice or a proposed change and subjects the
pipeline, in certain circumstances, to possible retroactive liability for past
rates or practices found to be unlawful.
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 required the FERC to issue rules establishing
a simplified and generally applicable ratemaking methodology for oil pipelines
and to streamline procedures in oil pipeline proceedings. In response, the FERC
issued Orders No. 561 and No. 561-A which prescribed an indexing methodology for
setting rate ceilings beginning in 1995. Rates in effect at December 31, 1994,
if not subject to protest or complaint, became the base rates for application of
the indexing mechanism. The index selected for use is the Producer Price Index
for Finished Goods minus 1% ("PPIFG-1"). On an ongoing basis, rate ceiling
levels are increased or decreased each July 1. The PPIFG-1 applicable on July 1,
1997 was approximately 1.6%, accordingly, the Partnership increased its rates
1.6% on July 1, 1997. Indexed rates are subject both to protests and to
complaints, but in either case the FERC's existing regulations specify that the
party challenging a rate must show reasonable grounds for asserting that the
amount of any rate increase resulting from application of the index is so
substantially in excess of the pipeline's increase in costs as to be unjust and
unreasonable (or that the amount of any rate decrease is so substantially less
than the actual cost decrease incurred by the pipeline that the rate is unjust
and unreasonable).
The Energy Policy Act further deemed certain oil pipeline rates to be "just
and reasonable." This applied to rates that were either in effect for the
365-day period ended on the date of enactment of the Energy Policy Act or were
in effect on the 365th day preceding enactment and had not been subject to
complaint, protest or investigation during the 365-day period that began October
25, 1991. This provision of the Energy Policy Act did not apply to the
Partnership, see "-- Tariffs Rate Cases."
Prior to the indexing methodology, and since 1985, the propriety of crude
oil pipeline rates was generally assessed on the basis of a trended original
cost methodology (FERC Opinion No. 154-B/C). In general, under this cost-based
methodology, crude oil pipeline rates were permitted to generate operating
revenues, based on projected volumes, not greater than the total of the
following components: (i) operating expenses, (ii) depreciation and
amortization, (iii) federal and state income taxes and (iv) an overall allowed
rate of
5
8
return on the pipeline's rate base. During the period 1992 to 1995, the
Partnership implemented several rate filings in accordance with the methodology
specified in Opinion 154-B/C. See "Tariffs Rate Cases."
In Orders No. 561 and No. 561-A, the FERC stated that, as a general rule,
pipelines must utilize the indexing methodology to change rates. The FERC
indicated, however, that it was retaining cost-based ratemaking, market-based
rates and settlements as alternatives to the indexing approach. A pipeline can
follow a cost-based approach when it can demonstrate that there is a substantial
divergence between the actual costs experienced by the carrier and the rates
resulting from application of the index such that rates at the ceiling level
would preclude the carrier from being able to charge a just and reasonable rate.
In addition, a pipeline can seek to charge market-based rates if it can
establish that it lacks significant market power in a particular relevant
market, and a pipeline can establish rates pursuant to a settlement if agreed
upon by all current shippers. Initial rates for new services can be established
through a cost-based filing or through agreement between the pipeline and at
least one shipper not affiliated with the pipeline.
To the extent order No. 561 limits the ability of the Partnership to
establish cost-based rates, or the indexing methodology restricts or delays the
Partnership's ability to implement rates that reflect increased costs, the
Partnership could be adversely affected. Furthermore, no assurances can be given
that inflationary rate increases allowed under the FERC's indexing methodology
will be sufficient to offset increases in the Partnership's costs. In addition,
if the Producer Price Index for Finished Goods increases less than 1% or
decreases, the FERC's indexing methodology could result in a corresponding
reduction in tariffs.
Other Regulation
The Operating Partnership and the portion of the Lakehead System in
Michigan are, or may be, subject to the jurisdiction of the Michigan Public
Service Commission with respect to the construction and operation of the
pipeline and the issuance of the Partnership's securities in that state. The
Michigan Public Service Commission does not regulate the tariffs charged for
transportation on the Lakehead System.
International border crossing permits received from the U.S. Government
authorize the Partnership to make and maintain its pipeline crossings of the
international boundary between the United States and Canada. These permits
provide that they may be terminated or amended at the will of the U.S.
Government and that the pipelines they govern may be inspected by or subject to
orders issued by federal or state government agencies.
The governments of the United States and Canada have, by treaty, agreed to
ensure nondiscriminatory treatment with respect to the passage of oil and gas
through the pipelines of one country across the territory of the other.
TARIFFS
Rate Cases
The Partnership had several rate cases pending before the FERC during the
period from 1992 to 1996. On April 1, 1992, the Partnership filed new tariffs to
become effective May 2, 1992. These tariffs were subsequently challenged by
Marysville Fractionation Partnership, the Canadian Association of Petroleum
Producers ("CAPP"), and the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission ("APMC"). The
FERC Oil Pipeline Board issued an order suspending the tariffs for one day and
allowing the tariffs to become effective May 3, 1992, subject to investigation
and potential refund with interest. Subsequent to the first filing, the
Partnership implemented several other rate changes, all of which were suspended
pending resolution of the first rate proceeding.
CAPP and APMC took several exceptions to the Partnership's tariff filing.
The issues raised included the applicability to the Partnership of the FERC's
Opinion 154-B/C trended original cost methodology, the entitlement of the
Partnership to a starting or transition rate base, and the Partnership's
entitlement to an income tax allowance in its cost of service. In addition,
Marysville Fractionation Partnership's protest primarily challenged the
Partnership's rules and regulations governing the transportation of NGLs.
6
9
In June 1995, the FERC issued a decision ("Opinion No. 397") on the
Partnership's May 1992 tariff rate increase containing both favorable and
unfavorable rulings with respect to the May 1992 rate proceeding. In Opinion No.
397 the FERC decided:
(1) as provided in FERC Opinion No. 154-B/C, the Partnership's use of
the trended original cost methodology is appropriate, and the Partnership
is entitled to a starting, or transition, rate base;
(2) the Partnership is not entitled to recover in cost of service a
tax allowance with respect to income attributable to individual limited
partners; and
(3) the Partnership's rates in effect on October 24, 1991 were deemed
by the FERC to have been subject to a complaint and are therefore not
deemed "just and reasonable" by the Energy Policy Act. However, for the
purposes of making refunds under Opinion No. 397, the Partnership is
obligated to do so only down to the level of its rates in effect
immediately preceding the May 1992 increase.
The Partnership, CAPP and other parties requested FERC rehearing of Opinion
No. 397. In May 1996, the FERC issued Opinion No. 397-A, which denied the
parties' requests for rehearing of Opinion No. 397. In Opinion No. 397-A, the
FERC clarified several aspects of Opinion No. 397. Specifically, the FERC
further limited the income tax allowance by denying the Partnership's
entitlement to any income tax allowance in connection with "curative
allocations" which cause the General Partner's proportion of taxable income to
be greater than its share of the Partnership's net book income.
In October 1996, the FERC approved a settlement agreement between the
Partnership, CAPP and the Alberta Department of Energy ("ADOE") on all
outstanding contested tariff rates ("Settlement Agreement"). The Settlement
Agreement provided for a tariff rate reduction of approximately 6% and total
rate refunds and interest of $120.0 million through the effective date of
October 1, 1996, with interest accruing thereafter on the unpaid balance. Cash
refunds of $41.8 million were made during the fourth quarter of 1996, with the
remaining balance to be paid through a 10% reduction of tariff rates. This
reduction is currently in effect and will continue until all refunds have been
made. Based on the $55.1 million remaining balance at December 31, 1997 and
projected Lakehead System deliveries, the 10% refund credit is expected to
remain effective until sometime during the second half of 1999.
The Settlement Agreement also provides for the terms of an incremental
tariff rate surcharge for a period of 15 years to recover the cost of, and allow
a rate of return on, the Partnership's investment in SEP II. See "-- Capital
Expenditures and SEP II." The rate of return on this new line will be based, in
part, on the utilization level of the additional capacity constructed. As
specified in the Settlement Agreement, higher utilization will result in a
greater rate of return, subject to a minimum and maximum rate of return of 7.5%
and 15.0%, respectively. Although the FERC has generally approved the Settlement
Agreement, such approval does not constitute a ruling or decision regarding the
merits of future rate filings, including those related to SEP II.
The Settlement Agreement provides that the agreed tariff rates will be
subject to indexing as prescribed by FERC regulation and that CAPP and ADOE will
not challenge any rates within the indexed ceiling for a period of five years or
the 15-year incremental tariff rate surcharges adopted in connection with SEP
II. The Partnership's other customers are not parties to the Settlement
Agreement, and the Settlement Agreement does not prohibit those customers from
filing a protest or complaint against the Partnership's tariffs.
Many of the ratemaking issues contested in the Partnership's rate cases, in
particular the FERC's own Opinion 154-B/C methodology, have not previously been
reviewed by a federal appellate court. Any decision ultimately rendered by the
FERC on any Opinion 154-B/C rate case may be subject to judicial review. Any
such judicial review could ultimately result in alternative ratemaking
methodologies that could have a material adverse effect on the Partnership and
its ability to make distributions to the Unitholders.
There is also pending at the FERC a proceeding involving Santa Fe Pacific
Pipeline, L.P. ("SFPP") in which the FERC could further limit its current
position related to the tax allowance permitted in the rates of publicly traded
partnerships, as well as possibly altering the FERC's current application of the
Opinion 154-B/C rate methodology. On September 25, 1997, the administrative law
judge in that case issued an
7
10
initial decision addressing various aspects of the tax allowance issue as it
affects publicly traded partnerships, as well as various technical issues
involving the application of the Opinion 154-B/C methodology. The SFPP initial
decision is currently pending review by the FERC. In such a review, it is
possible that the FERC could alter its current rulings on the tax allowance
issue or on the application of the Opinion 154-B/C rate methodology in a way
that could, if applied to the Partnership, have a material adverse impact on the
Partnership and its ability to make distributions to the Unitholders.
Tariffs
Under published tariffs for transportation through the Lakehead System, the
rates for light crude oil from the Canadian border near Neche to principal
delivery points at December 31, 1997, are set forth below. As previously
discussed, the Partnership's published tariffs are subject to a 10% reduction,
which will continue until all rate refunds and interest thereon resulting from
the Settlement Agreement have been paid, which is expected to occur sometime
during the second half of 1999. The published tariffs for light crude oil less
this 10% reduction are also set forth below.
PUBLISHED PUBLISHED
TARIFF TARIFF PER BARREL
PER BARREL LESS 10% REDUCTION
---------- ------------------
Clearbrook, Minnesota............................ $0.147 $0.132
Superior, Wisconsin.............................. $0.275 $0.248
Chicago, Illinois area........................... $0.541 $0.487
Canadian border near Marysville, Michigan........ $0.617 $0.555
Buffalo, New York area........................... $0.659 $0.593
The rates at December 31, 1997 for medium and heavy crude oils are higher,
while those for NGLs are lower, than the rates set forth in the table to
compensate for differences in costs for shipping different types and grades of
liquid hydrocarbons. The Partnership periodically adjusts its tariff rates as
allowed under FERC's indexing methodology and the Settlement Agreement. See
"-- Regulation."
The Partnership finalized an agreement with Mustang Pipe Line Partners in
October 1996 to provide for a joint tariff covering shipments of western
Canadian crude oil to the Patoka, Illinois market area south of Chicago. These
shipments travel on the Lakehead System to Chicago and on to the Patoka/Wood
River market area through the Mustang pipeline system. The joint tariff
agreement provides for lower transportation costs to shippers desiring access to
the Patoka/Wood River market area, an incentive which the General Partner
believes complements SEP II. A reduction in the Partnership's tariff under the
joint tariff agreement will not become effective until the completion of SEP II.
Mustang Pipe Line Partners is a Delaware general partnership owned by Mobil
Illinois Pipe Line Company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPL Energy (U.S.A.)
Inc. ("IPL Energy USA"), a Delaware corporation owned by IPL Energy.
SOURCES OF SHIPMENTS
Substantially all of the shipments delivered through the Lakehead System
originate in oilfields in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan,
Manitoba and British Columbia and in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The
shipments reach the Lakehead System from the portion of the System located in
western Canada, which receives its shipments primarily through pipelines owned
and operated by other companies. The Lakehead System also receives U.S. and
Canadian production at Clearbrook through a connection with Portal Pipe Line
Company, a subsidiary of IPL Energy USA, U.S. production at Stockbridge and
Lewiston, Michigan, and both U.S. and offshore production in the Chicago area.
Changes in supply from western Canada would directly affect movements through
the IPL System and, therefore, the supply available for transportation through
the Lakehead System.
DELIVERIES FROM THE LAKEHEAD SYSTEM
Deliveries from the Lakehead System are made in the Great Lakes and Midwest
regions of the United States and in Ontario, principally to refineries, either
directly or through connecting pipelines of other
8
11
companies. Major refining centers within these regions are located near Sarnia,
Nanticoke, Toronto, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Superior, Chicago, the Patoka/Wood
River area, Detroit, Toledo, and Buffalo areas. Crude oils and NGLs transported
by the Lakehead System are feedstock for refineries and petrochemical plants.
The U.S. Government segregates the United States into five districts,
Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts ("PADD"), for purposes of its
strategic planning to ensure crude oil supply to key refining areas in the event
of a national emergency. The oil industry utilizes these districts in reporting
statistics regarding oil supply and demand. The Lakehead System services the
northern tier of PADD 2, and U.S. governmental publications project that crude
oil demand in this area will remain relatively constant. In addition, such
publications project the total supply of crude oil from producing areas in the
U.S. southwest, Rocky Mountains and Midwest that currently serve the entire PADD
2 market to decline in the near term as reserves are depleted, resulting in a
need for additional supplies of crude oil to replace the continuing demand. As a
result of these factors, the General Partner believes that the Lakehead System
will be able to maintain or exceed its current level of deliveries into PADD 2.
Express Pipeline Ltd. ("Express Pipeline"), a joint venture between Alberta
Energy Company, Ltd. and TransCanada Pipelines Limited, has constructed a
170,000 barrel per day pipeline which will compete for this market. See "--
Competition."
The following table sets forth Lakehead System average deliveries per day
and barrel miles for each of the years in the five-year period ending December
31, 1997.
DELIVERIES
(THOUSANDS OF BARRELS PER DAY)
-------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
UNITED STATES
Light crude oil.......................... 282 309 345 335 332
Medium and heavy crude oil............... 652 569 513 452 421
NGLs..................................... 26 23 18 8 4
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total United States................... 960 901 876 795 757
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
EASTERN CANADA
Light crude oil.......................... 355 348 332 321 333
Medium and heavy crude oil............... 98 102 96 108 97
NGLs..................................... 99 100 105 102 101
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total Eastern Canada.................. 552 550 533 531 531
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
TOTAL DELIVERIES........................... 1,512 1,451 1,409 1,326 1,288
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
BARREL MILES (billions per year)........... 389 384 385 366 358
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
Deliveries on the Lakehead System in 1997 averaged approximately 1,512,000
barrels per day, a 4% increase over 1996. Deliveries to U.S. destinations have
increased over the past five years and constituted 63% of the total volumes
shipped on the Lakehead System in 1997. Deliveries to eastern Canada have
remained relatively stable since 1993 although they may be adversely impacted in
future years by the planned reversal of a pipeline owned by IPL in eastern
Canada. See "-- Competition."
SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR WESTERN CANADIAN CRUDE OIL
Supply
IPL made application to the NEB in January 1996 to construct its IPL SEP II
facilities in Canada which would complement the SEP II facilities to be
constructed by the Partnership in the United States. As part of that
application, IPL submitted a forecast of supply of western Canadian crude oil
and a projection of the markets in which it could be reasonably expected to be
consumed. IPL's forecast was based upon numerous assumptions, including
estimates provided by industry, many of which are beyond the control of IPL or
the Partnership. The forecast showed the supply of western Canadian crude oil in
the year 2000 at 2,230,000 barrels per day, approximately 258,000 barrels per
day above estimated 1996 average daily production of
9
12
western Canadian crude oil, declining to 2,180,000 barrels per day by the year
2005. While acknowledging the uncertainty associated with forecasts of the
supply of crude oil and other commodities shipped on the IPL System, the NEB
accepted as reasonable the forecasts of the supply of crude oil and other
commodities submitted by IPL and recommended that a certificate for construction
be issued.
Demand
Rising crude oil demand and declining inland U.S. domestic production are
contributing to an increasing need for importing crude oil into the PADD 2
market. The General Partner believes that PADD 2 will continue to provide an
excellent market for western Canadian shippers as long as netbacks to producers
remain attractive and additional pipeline capacity is put in place. Moreover,
the General Partner believes that PADD 2 will remain the most attractive market
for western Canadian supply since it is currently the largest North American
processor of western Canadian heavy crude oil and has the greatest potential for
converting refining capacity from light to heavy crude. At the NEB hearing at
which the IPL SEP II expansion was approved, IPL projected that with
construction of additional pipeline facilities, total western Canadian exports
to the United States would increase to 1,558,000 barrels per day in 2000 and
1,519,000 barrels per day in 2005, approximately 426,000 and 387,000 barrels per
day, respectively, higher than average 1996 exports. Of those exports, PADD 2
was projected to receive 1,322,000 barrels per day in 2000 and 1,276,000 barrels
per day in 2005, approximately 452,000 and 406,000 barrels per day,
respectively, higher than average 1996 exports to PADD 2.
In the NEB's decision in the IPL SEP II application, the NEB stated that it
was of the view that, with the removal of the market constraint for heavy crude
oil, the PADD 2 market could absorb additional volumes of western Canadian crude
oil in light of the available refining capacity and the capability of refiners
to process additional heavy crude oil. The NEB noted that the significant level
of support from shippers, provincial governments and industry organizations
demonstrates that markets are available and that the IPL SEP II facilities will
achieve high utilization levels. The NEB acknowledged that current apportionment
of the System indicates that there is a need for additional capacity and that
the new facilities will help to reduce this apportionment.
CUSTOMERS
The Lakehead System conducts operations without the benefit of exclusive
franchises from government entities or long-term contractual arrangements with
shippers. During 1997, 47 shippers tendered crude oil and NGLs for delivery
through the Lakehead System. These customers included integrated oil companies
with production facilities in western Canada and refineries in eastern Canada,
major oil companies, refiners and marketers. Shipments by the top ten shippers
during 1997 accounted for approximately 79% of total revenues during that
period. Revenue from Amoco (through affiliated companies), Mobil Oil Company of
Canada Ltd. and Imperial Oil Limited accounted for approximately 22%, 15% and
12%, respectively, of total operating revenue generated by the Lakehead System
during 1997. The remaining shippers each accounted for less than 10% of such
revenue.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND SEP II
In 1997, the Partnership made capital expenditures of $126.9 million, of
which $84.9 million was for SEP II and $42.0 million was for other projects
including core maintenance ($5.9 million), storage facilities ($7.1 million),
and pipe replacement ($9.9 million).
The total project cost for SEP II is estimated to be approximately $370.0
million. Including $7.1 million expended in 1996, a total of $92.0 million has
been expended on SEP II through December 31, 1997. It is anticipated that $278.0
million will be expended in 1998 to complete the project.
The SEP II expansion of the Lakehead System consists primarily of a new
pipeline ("Line 14") from Superior to the Chicago area. This expansion of the
Lakehead System is being undertaken at the request of western Canadian crude oil
shippers to address System capacity constraints and forecasted increases in the
crude oil supply in western Canada.
10
13
Increases in crude oil supply in western Canada are forecast to coincide
approximately with and partially to offset decreases in domestic crude oil
supply produced in the Rocky Mountain and Midwest U.S. areas. The General
Partner believes that this forecasted decrease in domestic supply, coupled with
a forecasted increase in demand for crude oil, supports the need for SEP II.
Furthermore, the General Partner believes that refineries located in the Midwest
U.S. are particularly well positioned to utilize the expected increases in
western Canadian heavy crude oil production since they are already the primary
consumers of western Canadian heavy crude oil. See "-- Supply and Demand for
Western Canadian Crude Oil."
SEP II will add approximately 450 miles of 24-inch pipeline which, together
with other pipeline system modifications, is projected to provide approximately
170,000 additional barrels per day of delivery capacity to the Midwest U.S.
markets served by the Partnership. However, it is anticipated that current
constraints on the capacity of the System in western Canada will limit
incremental volumes reaching the Lakehead System to approximately 120,000
barrels per day. These capacity constraints are expected to be alleviated
following the completion of the Partnership's Terrace Expansion Project, see
"-- Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Lakehead System Expansion Projects."
In addition to the new pipeline, the SEP II project includes the
construction of six new pump stations along the pipeline route and additional
terminalling facilities in Superior and Mokena, Illinois. Additional system
modifications will be required on facilities west of Superior to enhance the
Lakehead System's existing delivery capability. SEP II complements a Cdn. $140
million expansion of the IPL System. Current estimated costs for the major
components of SEP II are as follows:
DESCRIPTION
-----------
New pipeline facilities..................................... $300
Six new pump stations....................................... 40
Additional terminalling facilities.......................... 10
Existing system modifications............................... 20
----
$370
====
The Partnership contemplates filing a tariff rate increase in late 1998 or
early 1999 to reflect the projected incremental costs and throughput resulting
from SEP II. In accordance with the Settlement Agreement, the necessary rate
increase will be added to the Partnership's indexed tolls and therefore, will
not be subject to the index ceiling mechanism. The Settlement Agreement requires
further discussions with the other parties to the agreement with respect to
certain details of implementation. Although the FERC has generally approved the
Settlement Agreement, such approval does not constitute a ruling or decision
regarding the merits of future rate filings, including those related to SEP II.
See "-- Tariffs Rate Cases."
Excluding SEP II and other significant expansion projects, routine capital
expenditures to maintain and enhance the service capability of the Lakehead
System in 1998 are expected to total approximately $22 million. Thereafter, the
Partnership's routine capital program to maintain and enhance the service
capability of the Lakehead System, excluding significant expansions, will
require future expenditures which are estimated to be up to approximately $12
million annually.
TAXATION
For federal and state income tax purposes, the Partnership and Operating
Partnership are not taxable entities. Federal and state income taxes on
Partnership taxable income are borne by the individual partners through the
allocation of Partnership taxable income. Such taxable income may vary
substantially from net income reported in the statement of income.
COMPETITION
Because pipelines are generally the lowest cost method for intermediate and
long haul overland movement of crude oil, the System's most significant existing
competitors for the transportation of western Canadian crude oil are other
pipelines. The System encounters competition in serving shippers to the extent
11
14
that shippers have alternative opportunities for transporting liquid
hydrocarbons from their sources to customers. The General Partner estimates that
in 1997 the System transported approximately 65% of total western Canadian crude
oil production, of which more than 90% was transported by the Lakehead System.
This level of utilization has resulted in the System operating at or near
capacity for the past several years. The General Partner expects this trend to
continue since the System is strategically located linking supplies of western
Canadian crude oil to the Midwest U.S., a market that is well positioned to
utilize expected future increases in western Canadian heavy crude oil
production. The remainder of 1997 western Canadian crude oil production was
refined in Alberta or Saskatchewan or transported through other pipelines. Of
the pipelines transporting western Canadian crude oil out of Canada, the System
provides approximately 70% of the total pipeline design capacity. The remaining
30% of design capacity is shared by five other pipelines transporting crude oil
to British Columbia, Washington, Montana and other states in the northwestern
U.S.
Competition among common carrier pipelines is based primarily on
transportation charges, access to producing areas and proximity to end users.
The General Partner believes that high capital requirements, environmental
considerations and the difficulty in acquiring rights of way and related permits
make it difficult for a competing pipeline system comparable in size and scope
to the System to be built in the foreseeable future.
Express Pipeline has constructed a 170,000 barrel per day pipeline to carry
western Canadian crude oil to the U.S. Rocky Mountain region and the Patoka/Wood
River market area. This pipeline began service in early 1997. The General
Partner believes, however, that the System (including the future Line 14) is
more attractive to western Canadian producers shipping to the Chicago or
Patoka/Wood River market area as it offers lower transportation costs, shorter
transit times, and does not require shipper volume commitments as required by
Express Pipeline.
The System encounters competition in serving shippers to the extent that
shippers have alternate opportunities for transporting liquid hydrocarbons from
their sources to customers. In selecting the destination for their supplies of
crude oil, sellers generally desire to use the alternative that results in the
highest netback to them. Generally, it is expected that producers will receive
the highest netback price from markets served by the System, but alternate
markets may, for periods of time, offer equal or better returns for the
producer. Such markets could potentially include the U.S. Rocky Mountain region
for sweet crude oil and the Washington State market for light sour crude oil.
In the United States, the Lakehead System encounters competition from other
crude oil and refined product pipelines and other modes of transportation
delivering crude oil and refined products to the refining centers of
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago, Detroit and Toledo and the refinery market and
pipeline hub located in the Patoka/Wood River area. The Lakehead System
transports approximately 45% of all crude oil deliveries into the Chicago area,
75% of all crude oil deliveries into the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and virtually
all deliveries of crude oil to Ontario.
The IPL System includes a section which extends from Sarnia to Montreal
(the "Montreal Extension" or "Line 9"). The portion of the Montreal Extension
from Sarnia to North Westover, Ontario is currently in west to east service. The
section from North Westover to Montreal has been purged with nitrogen and
remains available for service. IPL and a group of refiners have developed the
Line 9 reversal project to enable crude oil imported into eastern Canada through
facilities of Portland Pipe Line Corporation and Montreal Pipe Line Limited to
be transported on Line 9 in an east to west direction from Montreal to the major
refining centers in Ontario. The NEB approved construction of facilities, as
well as the tolling methodology for the Line 9 project on December 18, 1997.
While the reversal of the Montreal Extension would result in IPL or a subsidiary
of IPL becoming a competitor of the Lakehead System for supplying crude oil to
the Ontario market, such a reversal is expressly permitted by the agreements
entered into at the time of formation of the Partnership. The reversal of the
Montreal Extension is not anticipated to have a material adverse impact on the
Partnership, as displaced volumes are expected to be redirected to existing U.S.
markets served by the Partnership.
12
15
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY REGULATION
General
The operations of the Partnership are subject to federal, state and local
laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment and safety.
Although the General Partner believes that the operations of the Lakehead System
are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental and safety laws and
regulations, the risk of substantial liabilities are inherent in pipeline
operations, and there can be no assurance that such liabilities will not be
incurred. To the extent that the Partnership is unable to recover environmental
costs in its rates or through insurance, the General Partner has agreed to
indemnify the Partnership from and against any costs relating to environmental
liabilities associated with the Lakehead System prior to its transfer to the
Partnership in 1991. This excludes any liabilities resulting from a change in
laws after such transfer. If the Partnership is held to be responsible for
liabilities not covered by the General Partner's indemnification obligation,
such liabilities could have an adverse impact on the financial condition of the
Partnership and the Partnership's ability to make distributions.
Air
The operations of the Partnership are subject to the federal Clean Air Act
and comparable state statutes. The General Partner believes that the operations
of the Lakehead System are in substantial compliance with such statutes in all
states in which it operates.
Water
The federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Oil Pollution
Act of 1990 ("WPCA"), imposes strict controls on the discharge of oil into
navigable waters. The WPCA provides penalties for any discharges of petroleum
products in reportable quantities, imposes liability for clean-up costs and
natural resource damage, and allows for third party lawsuits. State laws also
provide varying civil and criminal penalties and liabilities in the case of a
release of petroleum into surface water or groundwater. Spill prevention control
and countermeasure requirements of federal laws require diking and similar
structures to help prevent contamination of navigable waters in the event of a
petroleum overflow, rupture or leak. In response to regulations mandated by the
WPCA, the Partnership has submitted to the Office of Pipeline Safety ("OPS") of
the U.S. Department of Transportation ("DOT") oil spill emergency response
plans, which have been approved, and a certification that it has the resources
to respond to a worst case spill. Expenses of routine compliance with these and
other similar regulations are not expected to have a material adverse impact on
the Partnership.
The operations of the Partnership are subject to state and federal
regulations concerning the discharge of water associated with pipeline system
operations or testing, or of stormwater run-off from facilities. The General
Partner believes that the operations of the Lakehead System are in substantial
compliance with such regulations in all states in which it operates.
Remediation Matters
Contamination resulting from spills of crude oil and petroleum products is
not unusual within the petroleum pipeline industry. The Lakehead System has, in
the past, experienced such spills. Historic spills along the Lakehead System as
a result of past operations may have resulted in soil or groundwater
contamination which Lakehead is addressing through monitoring and remediation
programs. Additional historic contamination may be discovered for which further
remediation may be required. The General Partner does not expect that any
cleanup liabilities not covered by the General Partner's indemnification
obligation will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the
Partnership.
Superfund
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of
1989, as amended ("CERCLA"), also known as "Superfund," and comparable state
laws impose liability, without regard to
13
16
fault or the legality of the original act, on certain classes of persons that
contributed to the release of a "hazardous substance" into the environment.
These persons include the owner or operator of a site and companies that
disposed, or arranged for the disposal of, the hazardous substances found at a
site. Such statutes also authorize government environmental authorities such as
the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and, in some instances, third
parties to take actions in response to threats to the public health or the
environment and to seek to recover from the responsible classes of persons the
costs incurred. In the course of its ordinary operations, the Lakehead System
generates wastes, some of which fall within the federal and state statutory
definitions of a "hazardous substance" and some of which were disposed of at
sites that may require cleanup under Superfund and related state statutes.
Uncertainty remains under current law as to whether certain petroleum
contaminated wastes constitute hazardous substances for the purposes of CERCLA
and comparable state laws. This uncertainty may, in the future, be resolved by a
conclusive judicial or administrative determination that such wastes are
considered hazardous substances. To the extent that such resolution would be
considered to constitute a change in the law, the General Partner's
indemnification obligations to the Partnership would not cover remedial
liability that may, in the future, be asserted relating to the historical
disposal of such waste generated by operation of the Lakehead System. The
remedial liability associated with such waste may be material, although the
General Partner believes that the Partnership would not be adversely impacted to
a greater extent than its competitors.
Waste
The Partnership generates hazardous and nonhazardous solid wastes that are
subject to requirements of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
("RCRA") and comparable state statutes. The General Partner believes that
operations of the Lakehead System are in substantial compliance with such
statutes in all states in which it operates. The Partnership reports, as
required, to environmental regulatory agencies regarding the disposal of such
wastes. The EPA is currently in the process of developing stricter disposal
standards for nonhazardous waste. Further, it is possible that some wastes that
are currently classified as nonhazardous, possibly including wastes generated
during pipeline operations, may, in the future, be designated as "hazardous
waste," which is subject to more costly disposal requirements.
Safety Regulation
The Partnership's operations are subject to construction, operating and
safety regulation by the DOT and various other federal, state and local
agencies. The Pipeline Safety Act of 1992, as amended by the Accountable
Pipeline Safety and Partnership Act of 1996, requires the OPS to consider
environmental impacts and do a risk assessment, as well as satisfy its
traditional public safety mandate, when developing pipeline safety regulations.
This legislation also mandates the OPS to establish pipeline operator
qualification rules, requires pipeline operators to provide maps and records to
the OPS, and authorizes the OPS to require pipelines to be modified to
accommodate internal inspection devices. Recent regulations have also been
issued requiring pipeline operators to implement alcohol testing programs, in
order to supplement already established drug testing programs previously
required by regulation, for employees and contractors that are engaged in
safety-sensitive activities. Additional legislation or regulations have been
proposed requiring remotely controlled shutoff valves in populated or
environmentally sensitive areas, increased public education of pipeline safety
and accident prevention and periodic integrity testing of pipelines by internal
inspection or hydrostatic testing. The Partnership currently has an integrity
testing program utilizing internal inspection devices and has conducted
additional hydrostatic testing for selected segments of the Lakehead System.
Facilities have been constructed and permits obtained to treat and dispose of
hydrostatic test water generated by the Lakehead System.
The Partnership is also subject to the requirements of federal and state
Occupational Safety and Health Acts ("OSHA"). The General Partner believes that
the operations of the Lakehead System are in substantial compliance with such
statutes in all states in which it operates.
14
17
In general, the General Partner expects to incur future ongoing
expenditures to comply with industry and regulatory safety standards. Such
expenditures cannot be accurately estimated at this time, although the General
Partner does not expect that they will have a material adverse effect on the
Partnership.
EMPLOYEES
Neither the General Partner nor the Partnership has any employees. The
General Partner has priority utilization of employees of IPL Energy USA to carry
out the Partnership's business. As the General Partner is responsible for
management and operation of the Partnership, it has entered into a services
agreement with IPL Energy USA to provide the required services. The General
Partner also receives, for the benefit of the Partnership, certain
administrative, engineering, treasury and computer services from IPL and IPL
Energy. The Partnership reimburses the General Partner or its affiliates for
expenses incurred in performing these services.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Partnership is, and the General Partner prior to the formation of the
Partnership has been, in the ordinary course of business, a defendant in various
lawsuits and a party to various legal proceedings, some of which are covered, in
whole or in part, by insurance. Certain of these claims were assumed by the
Partnership in connection with the Partnership's formation. The Partnership
believes that the outcome of all such lawsuits and other proceedings will not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition of the Partnership. In connection with the transfer of its
pipeline business to the Partnership, the General Partner agreed to indemnify
the Partnership from and against substantially all liabilities, including
liabilities relating to environmental matters, arising from operations prior to
the transfer. This indemnification does not apply to amounts that the
Partnership would be able to recover in its tariffs, through insurance, or to
any liabilities relating to a change in laws after December 27, 1991.
On October 21, 1997, the General Partner received from the EPA two Requests
for Information pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act relating to two separate
pipeline leaks that occurred in Minnesota in 1994. The Partnership previously
addressed these leak incidents with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's
oversight; no civil penalty was issued by the State in either case. The
Partnership cooperatively responded to the EPA's Requests for Information. The
General Partner has received no further indications from the EPA regarding how
it intends to proceed on this matter.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of 1997.
15
18
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Class A Common Units of the Registrant are listed and traded on the New
York Stock Exchange, the principal market for the Partnership's Class A Common
Units, under the symbol LHP. The quarterly price range per Class A Common Unit
and cash distributions paid per unit for 1997 and 1996 are summarized below:
1997 QUARTERS FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
- ------------- ----- ------ ----- ------
High..................................... $ 38 3/4 $ 39 $ 47 3/4 $ 47 7/8
Low...................................... $ 33 $ 33 7/8 $ 38 $ 38 3/8
Cash distributions paid.................. $0.68 $0.68 $0.78 $0.78
1996 QUARTERS FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
- ------------- ----- ------ ----- ------
High..................................... $ 29 $ 28 1/8 $ 31 1/8 $ 34 7/8
Low...................................... $ 25 1/2 $ 21 5/8 $ 25 1/4 $ 30 3/8
Cash distributions paid.................. $0.64 $0.64 $0.64 $0.68
On February 6, 1998 the last reported sales price of the Class A Common
Units on the New York Stock Exchange was $46 9/16. At February 6, 1998, there
were approximately 39,000 Class A Common Unitholders of which there were
approximately 3,600 registered Class A Common Unitholders of record. There is no
established public trading market for the Registrant's Class B Common Units, all
of which are held by the General Partner.
16
19
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth, for the periods and at the dates indicated,
summary historical financial and operating data for the Partnership. The table
is derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Partnership and
notes thereto, and should be read in conjunction with those audited financial
statements.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1997 1996(1) 1995(1) 1994 1993
---- ------- ------- ---- ----
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Operating revenue.......................... $ 282.1 $ 274.5 $ 268.5 $ 246.0 $ 240.1
Operating expenses(2)...................... 174.0 187.1 195.2 159.7 159.6
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating income........................... 108.1 87.4 73.3 86.3 80.5
Other income............................... 9.7 9.6 7.1 4.1 3.1
Interest expense........................... (38.6) (43.9) (40.3) (29.8) (30.9)
Minority interest.......................... (0.9) (0.7) (0.5) (0.7) (0.7)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income................................. $ 78.3 $ 52.4 $ 39.6 $ 59.9 $ 52.0
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net income per unit(3)..................... $ 3.02 $ 2.11 $ 1.60 $ 2.61 $ 2.36
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Cash distributions paid per unit........... $ 2.92 $ 2.60 $ 2.56 $ 2.51 $ 2.36
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
FINANCIAL POSITION DATA (AT YEAR END):
Property, plant and equipment, net......... $ 850.3 $ 763.5 $ 725.1 $ 727.6 $ 622.1
Total assets............................... $1,059.3 $ 975.9 $ 915.2 $ 868.6 $ 758.8
Long-term debt............................. $ 463.0 $ 463.0 $ 395.0 $ 364.0 $ 344.0
Partners' capital
Class A Common Unitholder............... $ 461.6 $ 376.3 $ 387.9 $ 409.3 $ 354.4
Class B Common Unitholder............... 36.7 21.7 21.7 23.5 11.8
General Partner......................... 3.5 1.6 1.5 1.6 0.7
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$ 501.8 $ 399.6 $ 411.1 $ 434.4 $ 366.9
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
CASH FLOW DATA:
Cash provided from operating activities.... $ 102.0 $ 93.9 $ 121.5 $ 108.1 $ 92.5
Capital expenditures....................... $ 126.9 $ 76.7 $ 35.5 $ 136.9 $ 35.6
OPERATING DATA:
Barrel miles (billions).................... 389 384 385 366 358
Deliveries (thousands of barrels per day)
United States........................... 960 901 876 795 757
Eastern Canada.......................... 552 550 533 531 531
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
1,512 1,451 1,409 1,326 1,288
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
- -------------------------
(1) 1996 results reflect the impact of the Settlement Agreement between the
Partnership and customer representatives on all outstanding contested tariff
rates. 1995 results reflect the impact of the June 1995 FERC decision.
(2) Operating expenses include provisions for prior years' rate refunds of $20.1
million and $22.9 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively.
(3) The General Partner's allocation of net income has been deducted before
calculating net income per unit.
17
20
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The Partnership experienced a record year during 1997 as net income,
pipeline system deliveries and barrel miles all reached record levels. These
operational milestones were reached primarily as a result of additional pipeline
capacity and increased crude oil production in western Canada. Deliveries to the
Midwest markets served by the Partnership increased 7% over 1996 primarily due
to the successful completion of the Partnership's System Expansion Program I
("SEP I") during late 1996. The exceptional performance of the Partnership
during 1997 prompted the Board of Directors of the General Partner to increase
the quarterly cash distribution on July 17, 1997 to $0.78 per unit ($3.12 per
unit on an annualized basis) from $0.68 per unit. This increase, the third since
the Partnership's inception, is primarily the result of earnings growth from
capacity expansions and the removal of uncertainty surrounding the Partnership's
tariff rates that existed prior to an October 1996 settlement agreement.
The Partnership is continuing its efforts to further expand the pipeline
system. Significant progress was made on the System Expansion Program II ("SEP
II") which primarily involves the construction of a new pipeline from Superior,
Wisconsin to the Chicago, Illinois area. When complete, SEP II will provide an
additional 170,000 barrels per day of delivery capacity on the Partnership's
pipeline from Superior to Chicago. During the past year, construction of the new
pipeline, pump stations, and other system modification was begun. In addition to
SEP II, during 1997 the Partnership announced a further staged expansion of the
pipeline system to commence in 1998 which will provide the capability to
transport a further 270,000 barrels per day of heavy crude oil by late 1999.
After allowing for anticipated light crude oil production declines, total system
deliveries are anticipated to increase 160,000 barrels per day.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Partnership experienced record operational performance during 1997 as
deliveries averaged 1,512,000 barrels per day, up from the 1,451,000 barrels per
day averaged during 1996. This 4% growth in Lakehead System deliveries
translated into a 1% increase from last year in system utilization measured in
barrel miles, reflecting a higher proportion of shorter haul deliveries to the
significant Midwest and eastern Canadian markets served by the Partnership.
Deliveries during 1996 increased 3%, and barrel miles were relatively unchanged,
compared with 1995 results. Over the three-year period, increased deliveries
resulted from greater crude oil production in western Canada and increased
pipeline capacity from the Partnership's expansion programs.
Net income for 1997 was $78.3 million ($3.02 per unit) compared with $52.4
million ($2.11 per unit) for 1996 and $39.6 million ($1.60 per unit) for 1995.
Net income for 1996 and 1995 was impacted by rate refunds and related interest
recorded in response to various tariff rate regulatory developments. Even though
the Partnership had been recording a provision for a potential rate refund since
1992, additional provisions were required in 1995, with respect to Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") Opinion No. 397, and in 1996, with respect
to a settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") between the Partnership
and representatives of certain of the Partnership's customers. In October 1996,
the FERC approved the Settlement Agreement. The Settlement Agreement provided
for a tariff rate reduction of approximately 6% and total rate refunds and
interest of $120.0 million through the effective date of October 1, 1996, with
interest accruing thereafter on the unpaid balance. The Settlement Agreement
concluded a protracted dispute between the Partnership and its customers
concerning the level of tariff rates.
To facilitate comparison of year-to-year financial results, set forth below
are the recalculated operating results of the Partnership for the indicated
periods. The retroactive impacts of the Settlement Agreement have been removed
from 1996 and 1995 reported results. Results for 1997 were not impacted by
retroactive aspects of the Settlement Agreement; therefore, no adjustments to
1997 net income are necessary.
18
21
Recalculated Operating Results
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS,
EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)
Operating Revenue.................................. $ 282.1 $ 274.5 $ 268.5
Operating Expenses................................. (174.0) (167.0) (172.3)
Interest and Other Income.......................... 9.7 9.6 7.1
Interest Expense................................... (38.6) (40.7) (38.8)
Minority Interest.................................. (0.9) (0.9) (0.7)
------- ------- -------
Net Income......................................... $ 78.3 $ 75.5 $ 63.8
======= ======= =======
Net Income Per Unit................................ $ 3.02 $ 3.06 $ 2.60
======= ======= =======
Net income for 1997 was $2.8 million higher than recalculated net income in
1996. A combination of higher operating revenue and lower interest expense,
partially offset by higher operating expense, led to the increase in net income.
Per unit amounts decreased slightly due to increased incentive income
allocations to the General Partner primarily as a result of higher distribution
levels, and an increase in the weighted average Common Units outstanding as a
result of the October 1997 Class A Common Unit offering. Net income per unit was
calculated using 24.4 million Common Units during 1997. Due to the issuance of
2.2 million Class A Common Units during October 1997, the weighted average
number of Common Units outstanding will increase from 24.4 million Common Units
in 1997 to 26.2 million Common Units in 1998 (excluding any additional Common
Units that may be issued).
Recalculated net income for 1996 was $11.7 million, or $0.46 per unit,
greater than recalculated net income for 1995 primarily due to increased
revenues and lower operating costs resulting from cost control activities of the
General Partner.
Operating revenue for 1997 was $7.6 million greater than recalculated
operating revenue for 1996 primarily due to increased deliveries and the
transportation of a greater proportion of heavy crude oil (up 22% to 573,000
barrels per day). Operating revenue was also favorably impacted by the full year
impact of a July 1996 tariff rate increase of 0.9%, and an additional 1.6% on
July 1, 1997, as allowed under the FERC's indexing methodology. Recalculated
operating revenue for 1996 and 1995 is computed at the tariff rates implied in
the Settlement Agreement. Operating revenue for 1996 was $6.0 million higher
than 1995 primarily due to a greater proportion of heavy crude oil deliveries
(up 29% to 471,000 barrels per day) and the 1996 mid-year tariff rate increase.
The tariff rate for heavier crude oil is greater than that for lighter crude
oils primarily due to its higher viscosity which requires more power to pump.
The Partnership's current tariff rate for medium and heavy crude oil deliveries
to the Chicago area is approximately 7% and 18% higher, respectively, than that
for lighter crude oils.
Total 1997 operating expenses were $7.0 million greater than recalculated
1996 operating expenses primarily due to higher power costs ($3.9 million)
associated with a heavier crude oil mix, operational considerations, and
increased deliveries. Depreciation expense for 1997 increased $1.8 million
primarily due to growth in property, plant and equipment, somewhat offset by the
impact of revised depreciation rates that became effective on July 1, 1996. The
depreciation rates were revised to better represent the expected service life of
the pipeline system. Other operating expenses increased $1.3 million primarily
due to higher property taxes. Total 1996 recalculated operating expenses were
$5.3 million less than in 1995 primarily due to lower power costs ($2.2 million)
and oil losses ($2.8 million). Efficiencies gained from the Partnership's
ongoing power cost management initiative, partially offset by the transportation
of greater amounts of heavy crude oil, led to the decrease in power costs in
1996. Oil losses are impacted by operational considerations, including changing
customer delivery requirements, and the volatility of crude oil prices,
resulting in variances in the level of oil losses from year to year.
Depreciation expense for 1996 increased only slightly over 1995 due to the
impact of new depreciation rates, effective July 1, 1996.
19
22
Interest expense for 1997 decreased $2.1 million from 1996 recalculated
interest expense. This decrease was primarily due to lower balances and interest
rates with respect to rate refunds payable, and increased capitalized interest
attributable to greater construction work in process balances during 1997. These
changes were partially offset by additional interest on greater average
borrowings in 1997 under the Partnership's credit facility. Recalculated
interest expense for 1996 was $1.9 million greater than in 1995 primarily due to
the impact of additional borrowings under the Partnership's credit facility to
finance enhancement capital expenditures including SEP I.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At December 31, 1997, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
totalled $172.5 million, down $0.8 million since December 31, 1996, as cash
required for distributions, capital expenditures and other business needs
slightly exceeded cash generated from operating activities and the 1997 equity
offering. Of this $172.5 million, $22.0 million ($0.78 per unit) was set aside
for the cash distribution paid on February 13, 1998, with the remaining $150.5
million available for capital expenditures and other business needs.
Cash generated from operating activities in 1997 increased $8.1 million,
primarily due to higher net income, partially offset by the reduction in
liability for rate refunds. Cash generated from operating activities in 1996
decreased $27.6 million from 1995 primarily due to the repayment of rate refunds
and related interest, partially offset by higher net income. Timing differences
in the collection of accounts receivable and payment of accrued obligations led
to the year-to-year changes in working capital requirements.
In response to the October 1996 Settlement Agreement, the Partnership made
rate refunds of $27.7 million in 1997 and $41.8 million in 1996 with the
remaining balance being repaid through a 10% reduction of tariff rates. This
reduction will continue until all refunds have been made. Based on the $55.1
million remaining balance at December 31, 1997, and projected pipeline system
deliveries, the 10% refund credit is expected to remain effective until sometime
during the second half of 1999.
In 1997, the Partnership made capital expenditures of $126.9 million, of
which $84.9 million was for SEP II and $42.0 million was for other projects.
With $7.1 million incurred in 1996, the remaining $278.0 million of the $370.0
million total cost of SEP II is expected to be incurred in 1998. In addition to
SEP II, the Partnership anticipates spending approximately $11.0 million for
pipeline system enhancements and $11.0 million for core maintenance activities
in 1998. Thereafter, ongoing capital expenditures are expected to average
approximately $12.0 million on an annual basis (approximately 50% for
enhancement and 50% for core maintenance of the pipeline system). Core
maintenance activities, such as the replacement of equipment that is completing
its useful life and preventive maintenance programs, are expected to be
undertaken to enable the Partnership's pipeline system to continue to operate at
its maximum operating capacity. Enhancements to the pipeline system, such as
renewal and replacement of pipe, are expected to extend the life of the Lakehead
System and permit the Partnership to respond to developing industry and
government standards and the changing service expectations of its customers. In
addition, the Partnership anticipates it may incur other capital expenditures to
significantly expand the pipeline system. In particular, the Partnership
anticipates expending approximately $66.0 million and $72.0 million on the
Terrace Project expansion program during 1998 and 1999 respectively. See
"-- Future Prospects -- Lakehead System Expansion Projects."
In 1996, the Partnership made capital expenditures of $76.7 million, of
which $59.0 million was for SEP I. Of the remaining capital expenditures in
1996, $5.9 million (compared with $7.6 million in 1995) was spent for core
maintenance capital expenditures and $11.8 million (compared with $27.9 million
in 1995) for other enhancements including $7.1 million for SEP II.
In October 1997, the Partnership issued an additional 2,200,000 Class A
Common Units. Net proceeds from the offering, including the General Partner's
contribution, were $99.2 million. This offering increased the number of Class A
Common Units outstanding to 22,290,000. Proceeds from this offering are being
used to finance SEP II. For additional information regarding the 1997 equity
offering and Partnership organization, see Note 1 to the Partnership's
Consolidated Financial Statements.
20
23
At December 31, 1997, the Partnership had outstanding $310.0 million
aggregate principal amount of First Mortgage Notes bearing interest at the rate
of 9.15% per annum, payable semi-annually. The notes are due and payable in ten
equal annual installments beginning in the year 2002. During 1997, the
Partnership did not further borrow against its $205.0 million Revolving Credit
Facility. Total borrowings under the facility of $153.0 million were outstanding
at December 31, 1997. Subject to complying with certain financial covenants, the
Partnership expects to have the ability to borrow an additional $52.0 million
under this facility. In 1996 the Partnership borrowed $68.0 million under its
revolving credit facility primarily to finance SEP I. For additional details
relating to the Partnership's debt, see Note 6 to the Partnership's Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Distributions paid to partners for 1997 increased $11.4 million to $75.3
million ($2.92 per unit) compared to 1996. This increase was primarily
attributable to the $0.10 per unit distribution increase declared July 17, 1997,
an additional 2,200,000 Class A Common Units issued October 24, 1997, and
increased incentive distributions paid to the General Partner as a result of the
increase in cash distributions per unit. The Partnership distributes quarterly
all of its Available Cash, which is generally defined to mean, with respect to
any calendar quarter, the sum of all of the cash receipts of the Partnership
plus net reductions to reserves less all of its cash disbursements and net
additions to reserves. These reserves are retained to provide for the proper
conduct of the Partnership's business, to stabilize distributions of cash to the
Class A and Class B Common Unitholders and the General Partner and as necessary
to comply with the terms of any agreement or obligation of the Partnership.
Distributions paid to partners for 1996 increased $1.0 million to $63.9 million
($2.60 per unit) compared to 1995. The $0.04 per unit quarterly distribution
increase first paid in November 1996 accounted for this increase. On February
13, 1998, the Partnership paid a $0.78 per unit distribution related to the
fourth quarter of 1997.
The General Partner believes that the Partnership will continue to have
adequate liquidity to fund future recurring operating, investing and financing
activities. The Partnership intends to fund the remaining portion of SEP II, and
ongoing capital expenditures with the proceeds from future equity and debt
offerings, bank borrowings, cash generated from operating activities, and
existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Cash distributions
are expected to be funded with internally generated cash. The Partnership's
ability to make future equity and debt offerings will depend on prevailing
market conditions and interest rates and the then-existing financial condition
of the Partnership.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
Income and cash flows are sensitive to oil industry supply and demand in
both Canada and the United States, as well as the regulatory environment. As the
Partnership's pipeline system is operationally integrated with the
Interprovincial Pipe Line Inc. system ("IPL" or "IPL System") in western Canada,
the Partnership's revenues are dependent upon the utilization of the IPL System
by producers of western Canadian crude oil. IPL and the General Partner believe
demand for their pipeline systems will continue in light of industry's
increasing production forecasts for western Canadian crude oil. See "Item 1 & 2
Business and Properties."
The Lakehead and IPL Systems (the "System") serve as a strategic link
between the western Canadian oil fields and the markets of the Midwest U.S. and
eastern Canada and currently operates at or near capacity. In response to the
continuing trend of increasing supply of crude oil from western Canada and the
growth of demand in the markets of the Midwest U.S., the Partnership plans not
only to maintain the service capability of the existing Lakehead System but also
to expand its capacity where appropriate. This is consistent with the
Partnership's principal business objective which is to increase cash generated
from its operations and the distribution of Available Cash. This strategy has
enabled the Partnership to increase quarterly cash distributions to Common
Unitholders from $0.59 per unit in 1992 to $0.78 per unit currently.
Lakehead System Expansion Projects
Key current and future expansion projects of the Partnership are summarized
below:
- SEP II -- This expansion, which began in 1996, is expected to provide an
additional 170,000 barrels per day of delivery capacity on the Lakehead
System from Superior to Chicago. Current constraints on
21
24
the capacity of the IPL System in western Canada, however, will limit
incremental volumes reaching the Lakehead System to approximately 120,000
barrels per day. These capacity constraints are expected to be alleviated
following the completion of the Terrace Expansion Project, see "--
Terrace Project." The SEP II project, which is expected to cost
approximately $370 million, was undertaken in response to apportionment
of the existing capacity on the System among suppliers of western
Canadian crude oil and natural gas liquids ("NGLs"). SEP II is being
undertaken in conjunction with a Cdn. $140 million capacity expansion of
the IPL System by IPL. The General Partner is using its best efforts to
complete SEP II by December 31, 1998. Since SEP II will not enter service
until late in 1998, the project will not significantly impact net income
during the year. However, SEP II is anticipated to have a favorable
impact on net income and cash flow of the Partnership after 1998.
- Terrace Project -- In early 1997, the Partnership, in conjunction with
IPL, announced a preliminary outline of a four-stage expansion program to
increase western Canadian crude oil pipeline capacity. Initially, this
project was proposed to be completed in stages over the period 1998
through 2005. However, in late 1997, in response to customer requests,
the Partnership in conjunction with IPL announced that it intends to
increase the size of the first stage of the Terrace Project in order to
provide greater pipeline capacity at an earlier date. The first phase of
this expansion will provide the capability to transport an additional
270,000 barrels per day of heavy crude oil. After allowing for
anticipated light crude oil production declines, total system deliveries
are anticipated to increase by 160,000 barrels per day. The first phase
of the expansion includes construction of new 36-inch diameter pipeline
facilities from Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, to Clearbrook, Minnesota. The
new pipeline construction will join existing 48-inch pipeline loops
between Kerrobert and Clearbrook, creating another separate pipeline
joining those locations. Approximately $138 million will be spent by the
Partnership on the Lakehead System for the first stage of the Terrace
project, primarily for new pipeline construction. IPL filed a facilities
application with the National Energy Board ("NEB") in late 1997.
Following NEB approval, construction in Canada and the U.S. would
commence in September 1998 with an anticipated in-service date of late
1999. Initial utilization of the new capacity is expected to approximate
130,000 barrels per day in 2001. Utilization of the new capacity is
anticipated to increase significantly in later years. Future stages of
the Terrace project could accommodate additional increases in crude
production through cost effective incremental expansions.
The Partnership is subject to a rate regulatory methodology that prescribes
rate ceilings that are adjusted every July 1. The rate ceilings are adjusted by
reference to annual changes in the Producer Price Index for Finished Goods minus
one percent ("PPIFG-1"). The General Partner expects the PPIFG-1 to be negative
for 1997; however, the PPIFG-1 should not decrease enough to have a material
effect on 1998 operating revenue. The Settlement Agreement is benefiting the
Partnership and its customers by restoring stability and providing predictable
tariff rates as customer representatives who are a party to the agreement have
agreed not to challenge any rates within the indexed ceiling for a period of
five years. In addition, to the extent allowed under FERC orders or by agreement
with customers, the Partnership anticipates the possibility of filing for
additional tariff increases from time to time to reflect ongoing expansion
programs. Specifically, the Partnership and customer representatives agreed to
the terms of an incremental tariff rate surcharge to recover the cost of, and
allow a rate of return on, SEP II. The rate of return on SEP II will be based,
in part, on the utilization level of the additional capacity constructed.
IPL Energy Projects
IPL Energy Inc. ("IPL Energy"), the ultimate parent of the General Partner,
is also engaged in North American crude oil pipeline projects which are related
to the IPL and Lakehead Systems. The General Partner believes that certain of
these projects are complementary to SEP II and the Terrace Project, even though
they are not owned by the Partnership, since the projects may result in
increased deliveries on the Lakehead System. Such projects are summarized below:
- Mustang -- In 1996, a U.S. subsidiary of IPL Energy entered into a
partnership ("Mustang Pipe Line Partners") with Mobil Illinois Pipe Line
Company, a subsidiary of Mobil Oil Corporation, to own and operate a
crude oil pipeline that connects the Lakehead System to the Patoka/Wood
River refinery
22
25
area and pipeline hub south of Chicago. The Partnership has entered into
a joint tariff agreement with Mustang Pipe Line Partners covering future
shipments of western Canadian crude oil over the Lakehead System and the
Mustang pipeline. The joint tariff agreement provides for lower
transportation costs to shippers desiring access to the Patoka/Wood River
market area. The Mustang system has a capacity of approximately 100,000
barrels per day.
- Toledo -- IPL Energy is proposing a new pipeline which would connect the
Partnership's facilities at Stockbridge, Michigan to a refinery in the
Toledo, Ohio area. This pipeline is anticipated to have an approximate
capacity of 80,000 barrels per day in heavy crude oil service.
- Wild Rose -- IPL Energy recently filed an application with the Alberta
Energy Utilities Board for approval of a project to construct a new
30-inch pipeline for the delivery of heavy crude oil from the Athabasca
oil sands region near Fort McMurray, Alberta to Hardisty, Alberta. At
Hardisty, the Wild Rose pipeline would access other pipeline systems
including the IPL System in western Canada. This project would provide
new pipeline capacity to accommodate anticipated growth in production in
the Athabasca oil sands region. The Wild Rose pipeline is anticipated to
have a capacity in excess of 500,000 barrels per day.
YEAR 2000 COMPUTER ISSUE
A major issue currently facing virtually all industries is known as the
Year 2000 Computer Issue.
In an attempt to save disk space, many computer systems and applications
were originally programmed to ignore the first two digits of the year. This
could cause many computer systems and applications to fail completely or to
create erroneous results unless corrective measures are taken. The General
Partner and IPL use many applications in their operational activities, such as
oil flow control devices, as well as customer billing, collection and
accounting.
In order to address this issue, executive responsibilities for the Year
2000 project have been established. The mandate of these executives extends to
all facets of the initiative and is not limited to computer hardware and
software modifications. In addition, a Year 2000 Corporate Advisory Group has
been established to assist in the resolution of obstacles to the success of the
overall project. The General Partner and IPL have established a Year 2000
Program Management Office to coordinate all project activities, including the
establishment of various management committees to facilitate the identification
and resolution of all risks associated with the project.
The General Partner and IPL are utilizing both internal and external
resources to identify, reprogram and test all of their computer systems and
applications for Year 2000 compliance. No material resource constraints have
been encountered to date and none are anticipated for project completion.
In addition, IPL and the General Partner have replaced, or are in the
process of replacing, certain key financial and operating information systems.
The replacement of these systems should address Year 2000 readiness within IPL
and the General Partner's internal information systems.
Furthermore, the General Partner is identifying key third parties with
which it undertakes transactions including suppliers, customers, creditors,
lenders and financial service organizations. IPL and the General Partner intend
to assess the Year 2000 readiness of such key third party contacts and, if
required, develop appropriate contingency plans to deal with any that are not
Year 2000 compliant on a timely basis. However, despite IPL and the General
Partner's best efforts, there can be no assurance that the systems of third
parties with which IPL and the General Partner's systems interact will be Year
2000 compliant on a timely basis or that any such compliance failure would not
have an adverse effect on the Partnership's operations or its financial results.
IPL and the General Partner expect their Year 2000 readiness project to be
completed on a timely basis. The financial impact of the project on the
Partnership has not been, and is not anticipated to be, material to its
financial position or results of operations.
23
26
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements of the Partnership together with the
notes thereto and the independent accountants' reports thereon, appear on pages
F-2 through F-13 of this Report, and are incorporated by reference. Reference
should be made to the Index to Financial Statements, Supplementary Information
and Financial Statement Schedules on page F-1 of this Report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
(a) Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
The Registrant is a limited partnership and has no officers, directors or
employees. Set forth below is certain information concerning the directors and
executive officers of the General Partner. As the sole stockholder of the
General Partner, IPL elects the directors of the General Partner on an annual
basis. All officers of the General Partner serve at the discretion of the
directors of the General Partner.
NAME AGE POSITION WITH GENERAL PARTNER
- ---- --- -----------------------------
E. C. Hambrook............ 60 Chairman and Director
P. D. Daniel.............. 51 President (through October 31, 1997) and Director
S. J. Wuori............... 40 President and Director (since November 1, 1997)
R. C. Sandahl............. 47 Vice President and Director
F. W. Fitzpatrick......... 65 Director
C. A. Russell............. 64 Director
D. P. Truswell............ 54 Director
S. R. Wilson.............. 40 Treasurer (since November 1, 1997)
M. A. Maki................ 33 Chief Accountant
P. W. Norgren............. 44 Secretary
Mr. Hambrook was elected a Director of the General Partner in January 1992
and has served as Chairman of the General Partner since July 1996. He also
serves on the Audit Committee. Mr. Hambrook is the President of Hambrook
Resources Inc.
Mr. Daniel was elected a Director of the General Partner in July 1996. Mr.
Daniel served as President of the General Partner from July 1996 through
October, 1997. Mr. Daniel has served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer -- Energy Transportation Services of IPL Energy since
September 1, 1997. Prior thereto, he served as Senior Vice President of IPL
Energy from May 1994 to August 1997, as President and Chief Executive Officer of
IPL from August 1996 to August 1997 and as President and Chief Operating Officer
of IPL from May 1994 to August 1996. Prior to May 1994, he served as Vice
President, Planning of IPL Energy.
Mr. Wuori was appointed President and elected a Director of the General
Partner as of November 1, 1997. He has served as President of IPL since
September 1997. Prior thereto, he served as Vice President, Operations of IPL
from May 1994 to August 1997, and, prior thereto, as District Manager of the
General Partner.
Mr. Sandahl was elected a Director and appointed Vice President of the
General Partner in July 1996. He served as Vice President, Operations of the
General Partner from May 1994 to August 1996. Prior thereto, he was employed by
IPL for six years where he served in various capacities, most recently as
Director of Engineering Services from June 1990 to May 1994.
24
27
Mr. Fitzpatrick was elected a Director of the General Partner in April 1993
and serves on the Audit Committee. He is also a Director of IPL Energy and
serves as Chairman of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee of the Board of IPL
Energy.
Mr. Russell was elected a Director of the General Partner in October 1985
and serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Russell served as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Norwest Bank Minnesota North, N.A. from
January through December 1995. Prior to January 1995, he served as President of
Norwest Bank Minnesota North, N.A. He also served as a Director of Minnesota
Power and Light Co. until May 1996.
Mr. Truswell was elected a Director of the General Partner in May 1991 and
served as a Vice President of the General Partner from October 1991 to May 1994.
Mr. Truswell has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
IPL Energy since May 1994 and prior thereto, as Vice President, Finance of IPL
Energy from 1992 to May 1994. He also served in various senior executive
capacities with IPL, including as Vice President, Finance from May 1991 to May
1994.
Mr. Wilson was appointed Treasurer of the General Partner as of November 1,
1997. He has served as Treasurer of IPL Energy since September 1997 and, prior
thereto, as its Assistant Treasurer from September 1995 to August 1997. Mr.
Wilson has served as Treasurer of The Consumers' Gas Company Ltd., a subsidiary
of IPL Energy since April 1991.
Mr. Maki has served as Chief Accountant of the General Partner since June
1997. Prior thereto, he served in various supervisory and professional positions
with the General Partner or IPL Energy USA in the areas of Internal Audit, Rate
Regulation and Accounting.
Mr. Norgren has served as Secretary of the General Partner since July 1996.
Prior thereto, he served as Assistant Secretary of the General Partner, from May
1990 to July 1996, and as General Counsel of the General Partner, from October
1992 to December 1995.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The General Partner is responsible for the management and operation of the
Partnership. The Partnership does not directly employ any of the persons
responsible for managing or operating the Partnership's operations, but instead
reimburses the General Partner or its affiliates for the services of such
persons. As the General Partner has no employees, it has entered into a services
agreement with IPL Energy USA to provide the services required by the
Partnership.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
a) Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
TITLE OF CLASS NAME AND ADDRESS AMOUNT PERCENT OF CLASS
- -------------- ---------------- ------ ----------------
Class A Common Units........... No person or group is known to be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
Class A Common Units as at February 6,
1998
Class B Common Units........... Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc. 3,912,750 100
Lake Superior Place
21 West Superior Street
Duluth, Minnesota 55802-2067
25
28
b) Security Ownership of Management
As of February 6, 1998, E. C. Hambrook beneficially owned 1,000 Class A
Common Units and Mr. R. C. Sandahl beneficially owned 200 Class A Common Units.
Class A Common Units beneficially held by all directors and officers as a group
represented less than 1% of the Partnership's outstanding Class A Common Units.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Partnership is managed by the General Partner pursuant to the Amended
and Restated Agreements of Limited Partnership of the Partnership and the
Operating Partnership, dated December 27, 1991, as amended ("Partnership
Agreements"). The General Partner has entered into a services agreement with IPL
Energy USA whereby the General Partner will utilize the resources of IPL Energy
USA to operate the Partnership. Under this agreement, IPL Energy USA will be
reimbursed for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes
on behalf of the Partnership. The General Partner also receives certain
administrative, engineering, treasury and computer services from IPL and IPL
Energy for the benefit of the Partnership. The Partnership reimburses the
General Partner for the cost of these services. For information about
reimbursements to the General Partner, see Note 7 to the Partnership's
Consolidated Financial Statements.
During 1997, the Partnership entered into an easement acquisition agreement
with IPL Patoka Pipeline Holdings (U.S.A.) Inc. ("IPL Patoka"), a subsidiary of
IPL Energy USA. For the benefit of the Partnership, IPL Patoka is acquiring
certain real property for purposes of granting a pipeline easement to the
Partnership. IPL Patoka is reimbursed for all net costs associated with this
process at cost by the Partnership and will be indemnified by the Partnership
from and against all liabilities that may arise in connection with this process.
This agreement was entered into to facilitate easement acquisitions for the new
pipeline to Chicago.
Under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, the
Partnership, Lakehead Services, Limited Partnership ("Services Partnership") and
the General Partner may draw down funds up to a combined maximum of $205.0
million. The Partnership has a 1% general partner interest in the Services
Partnership, with the General Partner having a 99% limited partner interest. For
additional details, see Note 6 to the Partnership's Consolidated Financial
Statements.
For discussion of distribution restrictions and incentive distributions
payable to the General Partner, see Note 3 to the Partnership's Consolidated
Financial Statements.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) As to financial statements, supplementary information and financial
statement schedules, reference is made to "Index to Financial Statements,
Supplementary Information and Financial Statement Schedules" on page F-1 of this
Report.
(b) The Registrant filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the
fourth quarter of 1997: A report on Form 8-K was filed on October 17, 1997,
submitting a press release of the Registrant dated October 16, 1997 reporting
the third quarter financial results and cash distributions.
(c) The following Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of
Regulation S-K) are filed or incorporated herein by reference as part of this
Report.
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
3.1 Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership.
(Partnership's Registration Statement No. 33-43425 --
Exhibit 3.1)
4.1 Form of Certificate representing Class A Common Units.
(Registrant's Form 8-A/A, dated May 2, 1997)
26
29
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
4.2 Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the
Partnership, dated April 15, 1997. (Registrant's Form 8-A/A,
dated May 2, 1997)
10.1 Note Agreement and Mortgage, dated December 12, 1991. (1991
Form 10-K -- Exhibit 10.1)
10.2 Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility Agreement, dated
December 12, 1991, among Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc.,
Lakehead Pipe Line Partners, L.P., Lakehead Services,
Limited Partnership, Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Limited
Partnership and the Bank of Montreal and Harris Trust and
Savings Bank. (1991 Form 10-K -- Exhibit 10.2)
10.3 Distribution Support Agreement, dated December 27, 1991,
among the Partnership, Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc. and
Interprovincial Pipe Line Inc. (1991 Form 10-K -- Exhibit
10.3)
10.4 Assumption and Indemnity Agreement, dated December 18, 1992,
between Interprovincial Pipe Line Inc. and Interprovincial
Pipe Line System Inc. (1992 Form 10-K -- Exhibit 10.4)
10.5 Amended Services Agreement, dated February 29, 1988, between
Interprovincial Pipe Line Inc. and Lakehead Pipe Line
Company, Inc. (1991 Form 10-K -- Exhibit 10.4)
10.6 Amended Services Agreement, dated January 1, 1992, between
Interprovincial Pipe Line Inc. and Lakehead Pipe Line
Company, Inc. (1992 Form 10-K -- Exhibit 10.6)
10.7 Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Operating
Partnership. (Partnership's Registration Statement No.
33-43425 -- Exhibit 10.1)
10.8 Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the
Operating Partnership, dated December 27, 1991. (1991 Form
10-K -- Exhibit 10.6)
10.9 Certificate of Limited Partnership of Lakehead Services,
Limited Partnership. (Partnership's Registration Statement
No. 33-43425 -- Exhibit 10.4)
10.10 Amendment No. 1 to the Certificate of Limited Partnership of
Lakehead Services, Limited Partnership. (Partnership's
Registration Statement No. 33-43425 -- Exhibit 10.16)
10.11 Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Lakehead Services, Limited Partnership, dated December 27,
1991. (1991 Form 10-K -- Exhibit 10.9)
10.12 Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated
December 27, 1991, among Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc.,
Lakehead Pipe Line Partners, L.P. and Lakehead Pipe Line
Company, Limited Partnership. (1991 Form 10-K -- Exhibit
10.10)
10.13 LPL Contribution and Assumption Agreement, dated December
27, 1991, among Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc., Lakehead
Pipe Line Partners, L.P. and Lakehead Pipe Line Company,
Limited Partnership and Lakehead Services, Limited
Partnership. (1991 Form 10-K -- Exhibit 10.11)
10.14 Services Agreement, dated January 1, 1996, between IPL
Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. and Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc.
(1995 Form 10-K -- Exhibit 10.14)
10.15 Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated
September 6, 1996, among Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc.,
Lakehead Pipe Line Partners, L.P., Lakehead Services,
Limited Partnership, Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Limited
Partnership and the Bank of Montreal and Harris Trust and
Savings Bank. (1996 Form 10-K -- Exhibit 10.15)
10.16 First Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit
Agreement, dated September 6, 1996, among Lakehead Pipe Line
Company, Inc., Lakehead Pipe Line Partners, L.P., Lakehead
Services, Limited Partnership, Lakehead Pipe Line Company,
Limited Partnership and the Bank of Montreal. (1996 Form
10-K -- Exhibit 10.16)
10.17 Settlement Agreement, dated August 28, 1996, between
Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Limited Partnership and the
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the Alberta
Department of Energy. (1996 Form 10-K -- Exhibit 10.17)
10.18 Treasury Services Agreement, dated January 1, 1996, between
IPL Energy Inc. and Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc. (1996
Form 10-K -- Exhibit 10.18)
27
30
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
27 Financial Data Schedule as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1997.
All Exhibits listed above, with the exception of Exhibits 21 and 27, are
incorporated herein by reference to the documents identified in parentheses.
Copies of Exhibits may be obtained upon written request of any Unitholder
to Investor Relations, Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc., Lake Superior Place, 21
West Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota 55802-2067.
(d) As to financial statement schedules, reference is made to "Financial
Statement Schedules" on page F-1 of this report.
28
31
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 13 OR 15(D) 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.
Lakehead Pipe Line Partners, L.P.
(Registrant)
By: Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc.,
as General Partner
Date: February 17, 1998 By: /s/ S.J. WUORI
--------------------------------------
S.J. Wuori
(President)
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THIS
REPORT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW ON FEBRUARY 17, 1998 BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ON
BEHALF OF THE REGISTRANT AND IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED WITH LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE
COMPANY, INC., GENERAL PARTNER.
/s/ S.J. WUORI /s/ E.C. HAMBROOK
- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
S.J. Wuori E.C. Hambrook
President and Director Chairman and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ R.C. SANDAHL /s/ M.A. MAKI
- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
R.C. Sandahl M.A. Maki
Vice President and Director Chief Accountant
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ F.W. FITZPATRICK /s/ P.D. DANIEL
- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
F.W. Fitzpatrick Director P.D. Daniel Director
/s/ C.A. RUSSELL /s/ D.P. TRUSWELL
- ----------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
C.A. Russell Director D.P. Truswell Director
29
32
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
PAGE
----
Financial Statements
Report of Independent Accountants......................... F-2
Consolidated Statement of Income for the Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995.......................... F-3
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995.......................... F-4
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as at
December 31, 1997 and 1996............................. F-5
Consolidated Statement of Partners' Capital for the Years
Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995.................... F-6
Notes to the 1997 Consolidated Financial Statements....... F-7
Supplementary Information (Unaudited)
Selected Quarterly Financial Data......................... F-14
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Financial statement schedules not included in this Report have been omitted
because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the
financial statements or notes thereto.
F-1
33
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Partners of
Lakehead Pipe Line Partners, L.P.
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the
related consolidated statements of income, of partners' capital and of cash
flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Lakehead Pipe Line Partners, L.P. and its subsidiary (the "Partnership") at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Partnership's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
January 12, 1998
F-2
34
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS,
EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)
Operating Revenue (Note 9).................................. $ 282.1 $ 274.5 $ 268.5
------- ------- -------
Expenses
Power..................................................... 65.9 62.0 64.2
Operating and administrative.............................. 68.0 66.7 70.1
Depreciation.............................................. 40.1 38.3 38.0
Provision for prior years' rate refunds (Note 9).......... -- 20.1 22.9
------- ------- -------
174.0 187.1 195.2
------- ------- -------
Operating Income............................................ 108.1 87.4 73.3
Interest and Other Income................................... 9.7 9.6 7.1
Interest Expense (Note 6)................................... (38.6) (43.9) (40.3)
Minority Interest........................................... (0.9) (0.7) (0.5)
------- ------- -------
Net Income.................................................. $ 78.3 $ 52.4 $ 39.6
======= ======= =======
Net Income Per Unit (Note 4)................................ $ 3.02 $ 2.11 $ 1.60
======= ======= =======
Weighted Average Units Outstanding (millions)............... 24.4 24.0 24.0
======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements.
F-3
35
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Operating Activities
Net income................................................ $ 78.3 $ 52.4 $ 39.6
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided from
operating activities:
Depreciation........................................... 40.1 38.3 38.0
Accrued rate refunds and related interest (Note 9)..... 3.5 42.6 46.4
Minority interest...................................... 0.9 0.7 0.5
Other.................................................. 0.5 0.6 0.8
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and other........................ 4.8 (0.7) 4.3
Materials and supplies............................... (0.1) (1.6) (0.7)
General Partner and affiliates....................... (4.1) 0.2 0.2
Accounts payable and other........................... 3.4 3.6 (12.1)
Interest payable..................................... 2.1 0.7 1.1
Property and other taxes............................. 0.3 (1.1) 3.4
Payment of rate refunds and related interest (Note
9).................................................. (27.7) (41.8) --
------- ------ ------
102.0 93.9 121.5
------- ------ ------
Investing Activities
Short-term investments, net............................... 29.8 (8.0) (18.5)
Additions to property, plant and equipment................ (126.9) (76.7) (35.5)
------- ------ ------
(97.1) (84.7) (54.0)
------- ------ ------
Financing Activities
Issuance of variable rate financing....................... -- 68.0 31.0
Proceeds from unit issuance, net (Note 1)................. 99.2 -- --
Distributions to partners (Note 3)........................ (75.3) (63.9) (62.9)
Minority interest......................................... 0.2 (0.7) (0.6)
------- ------ ------
24.1 3.4 (32.5)
------- ------ ------
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents....................... 29.0 12.6 35.0
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year.............. 89.6 77.0 42.0
------- ------ ------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year.................... $ 118.6 $ 89.6 $ 77.0
======= ====== ======
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements.
F-4
36
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1997 1996
---- ----
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 118.6 $ 89.6
Short-term investments.................................... 53.9 83.7
Due from General Partner and affiliates................... 2.6 --
Accounts receivable and other............................. 22.4 27.2
Materials and supplies.................................... 7.1 7.0
--------- --------
204.6 207.5
Deferred Charges and Other.................................. 4.4 4.9
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Note 5)................. 850.3 763.5
--------- --------
$ 1,059.3 $ 975.9
========= ========
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Current Liabilities
Due to General Partner and affiliates..................... $ -- $ 1.5
Accounts payable and other................................ 20.2 16.8
Interest payable.......................................... 5.3 3.2
Property and other taxes.................................. 11.4 11.1
Current portion of accrued rate refunds and related
interest (Note 9)...................................... 29.0 29.0
--------- --------
65.9 61.6
Long-Term Debt (Note 6)..................................... 463.0 463.0
Accrued Rate Refunds and Related Interest (Note 9).......... 26.1 50.3
Minority Interest........................................... 2.5 1.4
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10).....................
--------- --------
557.5 576.3
--------- --------
Partners' Capital
Class A Common Unitholders (Units issued -- 1997 --
22,290,000; 1996 -- 20,090,000)........................ 461.6 376.3
Class B Common Unitholder (Units issued -- 3,912,750)..... 36.7 21.7
General Partner........................................... 3.5 1.6
--------- --------
501.8 399.6
--------- --------
$ 1,059.3 $ 975.9
========= ========
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements.
F-5
37
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL
CLASS A CLASS B
COMMON COMMON GENERAL
UNITHOLDERS UNITHOLDER PARTNER TOTAL
----------- ---------- ------- -----
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Partners' capital at December 31, 1994................ $ 409.3 $ 23.5 $ 1.6 $ 434.4
Net income allocation................................. 30.2 8.2 1.2 39.6
Distributions to partners............................. (51.6) (10.0) (1.3) (62.9)
------- ------- ------- -------
Partners' capital at December 31, 1995................ 387.9 21.7 1.5 411.1
Net income allocation................................. 40.6 10.2 1.6 52.4
Distributions to partners............................. (52.2) (10.2) (1.5) (63.9)
------- ------- ------- -------
Partners' capital at December 31, 1996................ 376.3 21.7 1.6 399.6
Allocation of net proceeds from unit issuance (Note
1).................................................. 85.6 12.6 1.0 99.2
Net income allocation................................. 60.1 13.8 4.4 78.3
Distributions to partners............................. (60.4) (11.4) (3.5) (75.3)
------- ------- ------- -------
Partners' capital at December 31, 1997................ $ 461.6 $ 36.7 $ 3.5 $ 501.8
======= ======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements.
F-6
38
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO THE 1997 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)
1. PARTNERSHIP ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Lakehead Pipe Line Partners, L.P. ("Lakehead Partnership") is a publicly
traded limited partnership that owns a 99% limited partner interest in Lakehead
Pipe Line Company, Limited Partnership ("Operating Partnership"), both Delaware
limited partnerships, and collectively known as the "Partnership". The
Partnership was formed in 1991 to acquire, own and operate the crude oil and
natural gas liquids pipeline business of Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Inc. (the
sole "General Partner"). The General Partner is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Interprovincial Pipe Line Inc. ("Interprovincial"), a Canadian company owned by
IPL Energy Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
In October 1997, the Lakehead Partnership issued an additional 2,200,000
Class A Common Units (total net proceeds, including the General Partner's
contribution, were $99.2 million), bringing the total number of Class A Common
Units issued to 22,290,000. Class A Common Units are publicly traded and
represent an 83.4% limited partner interest in the Partnership. The General
Partner has a 14.8% limited partner (in the form of 3,912,750 Class B Common
Units) and 1.0% general partner interest in the Lakehead Partnership, as well as
a 1.0% general partner interest in the Operating Partnership (an effective 16.6%
combined interest in the Partnership).
The Partnership holds a 1% general partner interest in Lakehead Services,
Limited Partnership ("Services Partnership"), a Delaware limited partnership,
formed to facilitate the financing of the Operating Partnership.
The Operating Partnership is engaged in the transportation of crude oil and
natural gas liquids through a common carrier pipeline system. Substantially all
of the shipments delivered originate in western Canadian oil fields. The
majority of the shipments reach the Operating Partnership at the Canada/United
States border in North Dakota, through a Canadian pipeline system owned by
Interprovincial. Deliveries are made in the Great Lakes region of the United
States and to the Canadian province of Ontario, principally to refineries,
either directly or through the connecting pipelines of other companies.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The consolidated financial statements of the Partnership are prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
and conform in all material respects with the historical cost accounting
standards of the International Accounting Standards Committee. The preparation
of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The financial statements of the Partnership include the accounts of the
Lakehead Partnership and the Operating Partnership on a consolidated basis. The
equity method is used to account for the Partnership's 1% general partner
interest in the Services Partnership. The General Partner's 1% interest in the
Operating Partnership is accounted for by the Partnership as a minority
interest.
REGULATION OF PIPELINE SYSTEM
As an interstate common carrier oil pipeline, rates and accounting
practices are under the regulatory authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission ("FERC").
F-7
39
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO THE 1997 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Substantially all pipeline system revenues are derived from transportation
of crude oil and natural gas liquids and are recognized in income upon delivery.
Amounts provided for accrued rate refunds are recognized as a direct reduction
from revenues except for amounts related to prior years (Note 9), which are
separately stated as a provision for prior years' rate refunds.
CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
Cash equivalents are defined as all highly marketable securities with a
maturity of three months or less when purchased. Short-term investments are
marketable securities with a maturity of more than three months when purchased.
Both are accounted for as held-to-maturity securities and valued at amortized
cost.
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
Materials and supplies are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable
value.
DEFERRED FINANCING CHARGES
Deferred financing charges are amortized on the straight line basis over
the life of the related debt.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Expenditures for system expansion and major renewals and betterments are
capitalized; maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. An allowance
for interest incurred on external borrowings during construction is capitalized.
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is provided on the straight line
basis over their estimated service lives. When property, plant and equipment are
retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost less net proceeds is normally charged
to accumulated depreciation and no gain or loss is recognized.
INCOME TAXES
For federal and state income tax purposes, the Partnership is not a taxable
entity. Accordingly, no recognition has been given to income taxes for financial
reporting purposes. The tax on Partnership net income is borne by the individual
partners through the allocation of taxable income. Such taxable income
reportable to Unitholders may vary substantially from financial income as a
result of differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of
assets and liabilities and the taxable income allocation requirements under the
Partnership Agreement. The aggregate difference in the basis of the
Partnership's net assets for financial and tax reporting purposes cannot be
readily determined due to inaccessible information regarding each partner's tax
attributes in the Partnership.
F-8
40
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO THE 1997 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)
3. CASH DISTRIBUTIONS
The Partnership distributes quarterly all of its "Available Cash", which is
generally defined in the Partnership Agreement as cash receipts less cash
disbursements and net additions to reserves for future requirements. These
reserves are retained to provide for the proper conduct of the Partnership
business and as necessary to comply with the terms of any agreement or
obligation of the Partnership. Distributions by the Partnership of its Available
Cash generally are made 98% to the Class A and B Common Unitholders and 2% to
the General Partner, subject to the payment of incentive distributions to the
General Partner to the extent that certain target levels of cash distributions
to the Unitholders are achieved. The incremental incentive distributions payable
to the General Partner are 15%, 25% and 50% of all quarterly distributions of
Available Cash that exceed target levels of $0.59, $0.70, and $0.99 per Class A
and B Common Unit, respectively.
In 1997, the Partnership paid cash distributions of $2.92 per unit
consisting of $0.68 per unit paid in February and May, and $0.78 per unit paid
in August and November. In 1996, distributions of $2.60 per unit were paid
consisting of $0.64 per unit paid in February, May and August, and $0.68 per
unit paid in November. In 1995, distributions of $2.56 per unit were paid,
representing quarterly distributions of $0.64 per unit.
The cash distribution in respect of the fourth quarter of 1996 was the last
distribution subject to certain preferential rights of the Class A Common Units
and certain support obligations of the General Partner. These rights terminated
with the distribution paid in February 1997 and, with respect to subsequent cash
distributions, Class A and B Common Units are treated as one class of units.
4. NET INCOME PER UNIT
Net income per unit is computed by dividing net income, after deduction of
the General Partner's allocation, by the weighted average number of Class A and
Class B Common Units outstanding. The General Partner's allocation is equal to
an amount based upon its 1% general partner interest, adjusted to reflect an
amount equal to incentive distributions and an amount required to reflect
depreciation on the General Partner's historical cost basis for assets
contributed on formation of the Partnership. Net income per unit was determined
as follows:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Net income.................................................. $ 78.3 $ 52.4 $ 39.6
------ ------ ------
Net income allocated to General Partner..................... (0.8) (0.5) (0.4)
Adjusted to reflect:
Incentive distributions................................... (3.5) (1.0) (0.7)
Historical cost basis depreciation........................ (0.1) (0.1) (0.1)
------ ------ ------
(4.4) (1.6) (1.2)
------ ------ ------
Net income allocable to Common Units........................ $ 73.9 $ 50.8 $ 38.4
====== ====== ======
Weighted average units outstanding (millions)............... 24.4 24.0 24.0
====== ====== ======
Net income per unit......................................... $ 3.02 $ 2.11 $ 1.60
====== ====== ======
F-9
41
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO THE 1997 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)
5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
AVERAGE DECEMBER 31,
DEPRECIATION -------------------
RATES 1997 1996
------------ ---- ----
Land........................................... -- $ 6.1 $ 5.4
Rights-of-way.................................. 3.6% 12.6 12.4
Pipeline....................................... 4.1% 519.6 506.1
Pumping equipment, buildings and tanks......... 4.6% 355.4 310.8
Vehicles, office and communications
equipment.................................... 13.9% 27.4 27.1
Construction in progress....................... -- 87.4 22.4
-------- --------
1,008.5 884.2
Accumulated depreciation....................... (158.2) (120.7)
-------- --------
$ 850.3 $ 763.5
======== ========
Effective July 1, 1996, the Partnership revised the estimated service lives
of its property, plant and equipment to better represent the service life of its
pipeline system. Prior to this change, the average depreciation rate for
rights-of-way was 4.0%, pipeline -- 4.0%, pumping equipment, buildings and
tanks -- 6.9% and vehicles, office and communications equipment -- 6.2%. The
change in depreciation rates resulted in 1996 net income being $1.8 million, or
$0.07 per unit, higher than it would have been utilizing the prior rates.
6. DEBT
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1997 1996
---- ----
First Mortgage Notes..................................... $ 310.0 $ 310.0
Revolving Credit Facility Agreement...................... 153.0 153.0
------- -------
$ 463.0 $ 463.0
======= =======
FIRST MORTGAGE NOTES
The First Mortgage Notes are secured by a first mortgage on substantially
all of the property, plant and equipment of the Partnership and are due and
payable in ten equal annual installments beginning in the year 2002. The
interest rate on the Notes is 9.15% per annum, payable semi-annually. The Notes
contain various restrictive covenants applicable to the Partnership, and
restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness including compliance
with certain issuance tests. The General Partner believes these issuance tests
will not negatively impact the Partnership's ability to finance current
expansion projects. Under the Note Agreements, the Partnership is permitted to
make cash distributions not more frequently than quarterly in an amount not to
exceed Available Cash (Note 3) for the immediately preceding calendar quarter.
F-10
42
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO THE 1997 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)
(6) DEBT (CONTINUED)
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT
The Partnership has a $205.0 million Revolving Credit Facility Agreement
which was amended in September 1996 to effectively reduce the interest rate
spread, extend the maturity date to at least September 2001, and replace the
standby fee with a facility fee. The maturity date is subject to extension on an
annual basis. Upon drawdown, the loans are secured by a first lien on the
mortgaged property that ranks equally with the Notes or may be fully
collateralized with U.S. government securities. The facility contains
restrictive covenants substantially identical to those in the Note Agreements,
provides for variable interest rates and carries a facility fee of 0.075% (1996
- -- 0.085%) per annum on the entire $205.0 million. Prior to the September 1996
amendment, the Partnership paid a standby fee of 0.5% to the Services
Partnership (Note 7) on the unutilized portion, by the Partnership, of the
$205.0 million. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, $153.0 million of the facility
was utilized and is classified as long-term debt. The interest rate on loans
averaged 6.2% (1996 -- 6.8%; 1995 -- 6.9%) and was 6.2% at the end of 1997 (1996
- -- 6.0%).
INTEREST
Interest expense includes $3.5 million related to accrued rate refunds
(1996 -- $9.7 million; 1995 -- $7.3 million) and is net of amounts capitalized
of $3.3 million (1996 -- $2.4 million; 1995 -- $1.0 million). Interest paid
amounted to $39.9 million (1996 -- $44.8 million; 1995 -- $31.9 million).
7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Partnership, which does not have any employees, uses the services of
the General Partner and its affiliates for managing and operating its pipeline
business. These services, which are reimbursed at cost in accordance with
service agreements, amounted to $33.2 million (1996 -- $33.9 million; 1995 --
$33.8 million) and are included in operating and administrative expenses. At
December 31, 1997, the Partnership has accounts payable to General Partner and
affiliates of $3.9 million (1996 -- $1.5 million).
Under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, the Services
Partnership and the Partnership may draw down funds up to a combined maximum of
$205.0 million. The Partnership is entitled to require the Services Partnership
to repay any amounts owed by the Services Partnership in order to allow the
Partnership to borrow thereunder. During 1996 and 1995, the Partnership paid the
Services Partnership a standby fee of $0.4 million and $0.8 million,
respectively, as consideration for the agreement by the Services Partnership
that the Partnership will have priority over the Services Partnership to borrow
up to the full amount available under the facility. Effective September 1996,
the standby fee was eliminated and replaced with a facility fee which the
Partnership pays directly. The Partnership will continue to have borrowing
priority over the Services Partnership.
During 1997, the Partnership entered into an easement acquisition agreement
with IPL Patoka Pipeline Holdings (U.S.A.) Inc. ("IPL Patoka"), an affiliate of
the General Partner, to facilitate easement acquisitions for a new pipeline
under construction by the Partnership from Superior, Wisconsin to Chicago,
Illinois. For the benefit of the Partnership, IPL Patoka is acquiring certain
real property for purposes of granting pipeline easements to the Partnership.
The Partnership will ultimately reimburse IPL Patoka for the net costs
associated with acquiring, holding and disposing of the real property. As well,
during the acquisition period the Partnership will make non-interest bearing
cash advances to IPL Patoka in order to provide financing for easement
acquisition. The Partnership has advances to IPL Patoka of $6.5 million at
December 31, 1997.
F-11
43
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO THE 1997 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)
8. MAJOR CUSTOMERS
Operating revenue received from major customers was as follows:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Amoco Oil Company........................................... $ 60.7 $ 63.2 $ 62.3
Mobil Oil Company of Canada Ltd............................. $ 42.5 $ 37.2 $ 34.7
Imperial Oil Limited........................................ $ 33.2 $ 35.4 $ 31.4
The Partnership has a concentration of trade receivables from companies
operating in the oil and gas industry. These receivables are collateralized by
the crude oil and other products contained in the Partnership's pipeline and
storage facilities.
9. ACCRUED RATE REFUNDS AND RELATED INTEREST
In October 1996, the FERC approved a July 1996 agreement ("Settlement
Agreement") between the Partnership and customer representatives on all
outstanding contested tariff rates. The Settlement Agreement resulted in an
approximate tariff rate reduction of 6% and total rate refunds and related
interest of $120.0 million through the effective date of October 1, 1996.
Refunds of $41.8 million were made during the fourth quarter of 1996, with the
remaining balance to be repaid through a 10% reduction in future rates. This
reduction will continue until all refunds have been made, which is expected to
remain effective until sometime during the second half of 1999. Interest will
continue to accrue on the unpaid balance based on the 90-day Treasury bill rate.
The Partnership provided for $42.6 million of rate refunds and related
interest in 1996 to reflect the Settlement Agreement. In 1995, the Partnership
provided for $46.4 million of rate refunds and related interest to reflect a
June 1995 FERC decision. The balance of accrued rate refunds and related
interest was provided for prior to 1995. Of the amounts provided, rate refunds
related to the current year have reduced operating revenue, with the prior
years' portion separately stated as a provision for prior years' rate refunds.
Interest has been reflected in interest expense.
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SYSTEM EXPANSION PROGRAM II
During 1997, the Partnership began working on a system expansion which is
expected to increase delivery capacity to the Midwest U.S. market by
approximately 170,000 barrels per day. This system expansion will consist
primarily of a new 450-mile 24 inch pipeline from Superior, Wisconsin to
Chicago, Illinois at an approximate cost of $370 million, of which $84.9 million
and $7.1 million was expended during 1997 and 1996, respectively, with the
remaining $278.0 million expected to be expended in 1998.
ENVIRONMENT
The Partnership is subject to federal and state laws and regulations
relating to the protection of the environment. Environmental risk is inherent to
liquid pipeline operations and the Partnership could, at times, be subject to
environmental cleanup and enforcement actions. The General Partner manages this
environmental risk through appropriate environmental policies and practices to
minimize the impact to the Partnership. To the extent that the Partnership is
unable to recover environmental costs in its rates or through insurance, the
General Partner has agreed to indemnify the Partnership from and against any
costs relating to environmental liabilities associated with the pipeline system
prior to its transfer to the Partnership in 1991. This excludes any liabilities
resulting from a change in laws after such transfer. The Partnership continues
to voluntarily investigate past leak sites for the purpose of assessing whether
any remediation is required in light of current regulations, and to date no
material environmental risks have been identified.
F-12
44
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO THE 1997 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)
11. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying amounts of cash equivalents and short-term investments
approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Short-term investments consist of high quality commercial paper.
Based on the borrowing rates currently available for instruments with
similar terms and remaining maturities, the carrying values of borrowings under
the Revolving Credit Facility approximate fair value and the fair value of the
First Mortgage Notes approximates $363 million (1996 -- $344 million). Due to
contractual arrangements defined in the Note Agreements, refinancing of the
Notes would not result in any financial benefit to the Partnership.
F-13
45
LAKEHEAD PIPE LINE PARTNERS, L.P.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)
1997 QUARTERS FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH TOTAL
- ------------- ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
Operating revenue................ $ 68.7 $ 66.9 $ 72.3 $ 74.2 $ 282.1
Operating income................. $ 25.7 $ 26.9 $ 27.1 $ 28.4 $ 108.1
Net income....................... $ 17.7 $ 19.2 $ 19.4 $ 22.0 $ 78.3
Net income per unit(1)........... $ 0.71 $ 0.75 $ 0.76 $ 0.80 $ 3.02
1996 QUARTERS FIRST(2) SECOND THIRD FOURTH TOTAL
- ------------- -------- ------ ----- ------ -----
Operating revenue................ $ 68.0 $ 65.9 $ 67.9 $ 72.7 $ 274.5
Operating income................. $ 5.2 $ 27.6 $ 25.7 $ 28.9 $ 87.4
Net income (loss)................ $ (6.3) $ 19.2 $ 17.7 $ 21.8 $ 52.4
Net income (loss) per unit(1).... $ (0.27) $ 0.78 $ 0.72 $ 0.88 $ 2.11
- -------------------------
(1) The General Partner's allocation of net income (loss) has been deducted
before calculating net income (loss) per unit.
(2) The first quarter of 1996 was restated to reflect the 1996 Settlement
Agreement between the Partnership and customer representatives on all
outstanding contested tariff rates.
F-14