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Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
x
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002
 
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: 33-98490
 
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
  
06-1437793
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
  
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
2187 Atlantic Street, Stamford, Connecticut 06902
(Address of principal executive office)
 
(203) 328-7300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
 
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  ¨
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each issuer’s classes of common stock, as of July 25, 2002:
 
27,130,446
   
Common Units
  3,134,110
   
Senior Subordinated Units
     345,364
   
Junior Subordinated Units
     325,729
   
General Partner Units

Table of Contents
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
 
    
    Page    
Part I    Financial Information
     
Item 1—Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
     
  
3
  
4
  
5
  
6
  
7
  
8-15
  
16-21
  
22
Part II    Other Information:
     
  
22
  
23

2

Table of Contents
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
 
    
September 30,
2001
     
June 30,
2002
  
           
(unaudited)
  
ASSETS
                  
Current assets
                  
Cash and equivalents
   
$
17,228
 
   
$
53,493
 
Receivables, net of allowance of $11,364 and $10,336, respectively
   
 
104,973
 
   
 
91,495
 
Inventories
   
 
41,130
 
   
 
32,442
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
 
21,931
 
   
 
25,129
 
    
  
Total current assets
   
 
185,262
 
   
 
202,559
 
    
  
Property and equipment, net
   
 
235,371
 
   
 
239,065
 
Long-term portion of accounts receivable
   
 
6,752
 
   
 
6,753
 
Intangibles and other
   
 
471,434
 
   
 
476,075
 
    
  
Total assets
   
$
898,819
 
   
$
924,452
 
    
  
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
                  
Current liabilities
                  
Accounts payable
   
$
35,800
 
   
$
23,835
 
Working capital facility borrowings
   
 
13,866
 
   
 
3,672
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
   
 
11,886
 
   
 
71,502
 
Accrued expenses
   
 
77,678
 
   
 
64,932
 
Unearned service contract revenue
   
 
24,575
 
   
 
25,728
 
Customer credit balances
   
 
65,207
 
   
 
54,295
 
    
  
Total current liabilities
   
 
229,012
 
   
 
243,964
 
    
  
Long-term debt
   
 
457,086
 
   
 
392,357
 
Other
   
 
14,457
 
   
 
9,796
 
Partners’ Capital
                  
Common unitholders
   
 
209,911
 
   
 
273,751
 
Subordinated unitholders
   
 
2,772
 
   
 
10,184
 
General partner
   
 
(2,220
)
   
 
(2,106
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
 
(12,199
)
   
 
(3,494
)
    
  
Total Partners’ Capital
   
 
198,264
 
   
 
278,335
 
    
  
Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital
   
$
898,819
 
   
$
924,452
 
    
  
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
 
    
Three Months Ended
June 30,
     
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
  
    
2001
     
2002
     
2001
   
2002
  
    
(in thousands, except per unit data)
  
Sales
   
$
166,052
 
   
$
188,725
 
   
$
960,003
   
$
886,233
 
Costs and expenses:
                                  
Cost of sales
   
 
123,269
 
   
 
127,012
 
   
 
672,541
   
 
563,241
 
Delivery and branch expenses
   
 
44,337
 
   
 
57,150
 
   
 
151,510
   
 
180,964
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
 
11,031
 
   
 
15,027
 
   
 
31,050
   
 
44,039
 
General and administrative expenses
   
 
9,747
 
   
 
9,768
 
   
 
25,267
   
 
27,216
 
TG&E customer acquisition expense
   
 
525
 
   
 
350
 
   
 
1,896
   
 
756
 
Unit compensation expense
   
 
772
 
   
 
74
 
   
 
1,991
   
 
239
 
    
  
  
  
Operating income (loss)
   
 
(23,629
)
   
 
(20,656
)
   
 
75,748
   
 
69,778
 
Interest expense, net
   
 
7,887
 
   
 
8,767
 
   
 
25,007
   
 
28,668
 
Amortization of debt issuance costs
   
 
161
 
   
 
417
 
   
 
457
   
 
1,036
 
    
  
  
  
Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
   
 
(31,677
)
   
 
(29,840
)
   
 
50,284
   
 
40,074
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
   
 
114
 
   
 
98
 
   
 
1,753
   
 
(1,707
)
    
  
  
  
Income (loss) before cumulative change in accounting principle
   
 
(31,791
)
   
 
(29,938
)
   
 
48,531
   
 
41,781
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle for adoption of SFAS No. 133, net of income taxes
   
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
   
 
1,466
   
 
—  
 
    
  
  
  
Net income (loss)
   
$
(31,791
)
   
$
(29,938
)
   
$
49,997
   
$
41,781
 
    
  
  
  
General Partner’s interest in net income (loss)
   
$
(449
)
   
$
(331
)
   
$
745
   
$
488
 
    
  
  
  
Limited Partners’ interest in net income (loss)
   
$
(31,342
)
   
$
(29,607
)
   
$
49,252
   
$
41,293
 
    
  
  
  
Net income (loss) per Limited Partner Unit:
                                  
Basic
   
$
(1.38
)
   
$
(1.02
)
   
$
2.28
   
$
1.47
 
    
  
  
  
Diluted
   
$
(1.38
)
   
$
(1.02
)
   
$
2.27
   
$
1.47
 
    
  
  
  
Basic weighted average number of Limited Partner Units outstanding
   
 
22,767
 
   
 
28,957
 
   
 
21,603
   
 
28,068
 
    
  
  
  
Diluted weighted average number of Limited Partner Units
   
 
22,767
 
   
 
28,957
 
   
 
21,716
   
 
28,110
 
    
  
  
  
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(unaudited)
 
    
Three Months Ended
June 30,
     
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
  
    
2001
     
2002
     
2001
     
2002
  
 (in thousands)   
 
Net income (loss)
   
$
(31,791
)
   
$
(29,938
)
   
$
49,997
 
   
$
41,781
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                                    
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments
   
 
(1,975
)
   
 
538
 
   
 
(10,083
)
   
 
(7,802
)
    
  
  
  
Comprehensive income (loss)
   
$
(33,766
)
   
$
(29,400
)
   
$
39,914
 
   
$
33,979
 
    
  
  
  
Reconciliation of Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income (loss)
                                    
Balance, beginning of period
   
$
159
 
   
$
(3,899
)
   
$
—  
 
   
$
(12,199
)
Cumulative effect of the adoption of SFAS No. 133
   
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
   
 
10,544
 
   
 
—  
 
Current period reclassification to earnings
   
 
(157
)
   
 
(133
)
   
 
(2,434
)
   
 
16,507
 
Current period other comprehensive income (loss)
   
 
(1,975
)
   
 
538
 
   
 
(10,083
)
   
 
(7,802
)
    
  
  
  
Balance, end of period
   
$
(1,973
)
   
$
(3,494
)
   
$
(1,973
)
   
$
(3,494
)
    
  
  
  
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
(unaudited)
 
    
Number of Units
                           
Accum.
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
    
Total
Partners’
Capital
  
    
Common
  
Senior Sub
   
Junior Sub
   
General Partner
  
Common
    
Senior
Sub
    
Junior
Sub
    
General
Partner
       
(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
 
Balance as of September 30, 2001
   
23,394
  
2,717
   
345
   
326
  
$
209,911
 
  
$
3,483
 
  
$
(711
)
  
$
(2,220
)
   
$
(12,199
)
  
$
198,264
 
Issuance of units:
   
3,736
                                                               
Common
                     
 
70,021
 
                                   
 
70,021
 
Senior subordinated
       
417
                    
 
6,866
 
                           
 
6,866
 
Net income
                     
 
36,194
 
  
 
4,580
 
  
 
519
 
  
 
488
 
           
 
41,781
 
Other comprehensive income, net
                                                      
 
8,705
 
  
 
8,705
 
Distributions:
                                                                    
($1.725 per unit)
($1.400 per unit)
($1.150 per unit)
                     
 
(42,375
)
  
 
(4,155
)
  
 
(398
)
  
 
(374
)
           
 
 
 
(42,375
(4,155
(772
)
)
)
    
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Balance as of June 30, 2002
   
27,130
  
3,134
   
345
   
326
  
$
273,751
 
  
$
10,774
 
  
$
(590
)
  
$
(2,106
)
   
$
(3,494
)
  
$
278,335
 
    
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
 
    
Nine Months Ended June 30,
  
    
2001
     
2002
  
    
(in thousands)
  
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
                  
Net income
   
$
49,997
 
   
$
41,781
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                  
Depreciation and amortization
   
 
31,050
 
   
 
44,039
 
Amortization of debt issuance cost
   
 
457
 
   
 
1,036
 
Unit compensation expense
   
 
1,991
 
   
 
239
 
Provision for losses on accounts receivable
   
 
6,998
 
   
 
5,596
 
(Gains) loss on sales of fixed assets
   
 
(21
)
   
 
181
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle for the adoption of SFAS No. 133
   
 
(1,466
)
   
 
—  
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                  
Decrease (increase) in receivables
   
 
(52,428
)
   
 
8,524
 
Decrease in inventories
   
 
8,348
 
   
 
9,607
 
Decrease (increase) in other assets
   
 
(1,711
)
   
 
6,089
 
Decrease in accounts payable
   
 
(2,076
)
   
 
(12,097
)
Decrease in other current and long-term liabilities
   
 
(13,224
)
   
 
(19,985
)
    
  
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
 
27,915
 
   
 
85,010
 
    
  
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
                  
Capital expenditures
   
 
(12,291
)
   
 
(11,654
)
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets
   
 
368
 
   
 
1,496
 
Acquisitions
   
 
(85,084
)
   
 
(41,883
)
    
  
Net cash (used in) investing activities
   
 
(97,007
)
   
 
(52,041
)
    
  
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
                  
Working capital facility borrowings
   
 
122,850
 
   
 
76,300
 
Working capital facility repayments
   
 
(130,040
)
   
 
(86,494
)
Acquisition facility borrowings
   
 
68,700
 
   
 
58,250
 
Acquisition facility repayments
   
 
(79,600
)
   
 
(47,750
)
Repayment of debt
   
 
(7,203
)
   
 
(17,484
)
Proceeds from issuance of debt
   
 
72,585
 
   
 
—  
 
Distributions
   
 
(37,311
)
   
 
(47,302
)
Increase in deferred charges
   
 
(837
)
   
 
(2,064
)
Proceeds from issuance of Common Units, net
   
 
59,314
 
   
 
69,742
 
Other
   
 
(886
)
   
 
98
 
    
  
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
 
67,572
 
   
 
3,296
 
    
  
Net increase (decrease) in cash
   
 
(1,520
)
   
 
36,265
 
Cash at beginning of period
   
 
10,910
 
   
 
17,228
 
    
  
Cash at end of period
   
$
9,390
 
   
$
53,493
 
    
  
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1)    Partnership Organization
 
Star Gas Partners, L.P. (“Star Gas Partners” or the “Partnership”) is a diversified home energy distributor and services provider, specializing in heating oil, propane, natural gas and electricity. Star Gas Partners is a Master Limited Partnership, which at June 30, 2002 had outstanding 27.1 million common limited partner units (trading symbol “SGU”) representing an 87.7% limited partner interest in Star Gas Partners and 3.1 million senior subordinated units (trading symbol “SGH”) representing a 10.1% limited partner interest in Star Gas Partners, which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Additional interest in Star Gas Partners is comprised of 0.3 million junior subordinated units (representing a 1.1% limited partner interest in Star Gas Partners) and 0.3 million general partner units (representing a 1.1% general partner interest in Star Gas Partners).
 
Operationally, the Partnership is organized as follows:
 
 
•
 
Petro Holdings, Inc. (“Petro” or the “heating oil segment”), is the nation’s largest retail distributor of home heating oil and serves approximately 510,000 customers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Petro is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Star Gas Propane, L.P.
 
 
•
 
Star Gas Propane, L.P., (“Star Gas Propane” or the “propane segment”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership. Star Gas Propane markets and distributes propane gas and related products to more than 280,000 customers in the Midwest, Northeast, Florida and Georgia.
 
 
•
 
Total Gas and Electric (“TG&E” or the “natural gas and electric reseller segment”) is an energy reseller that markets natural gas and electricity to residential households in deregulated energy markets in the states of New York, New Jersey, Florida and Maryland and serves approximately 50,000 residential customers. TG&E is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership.
 
 
•
 
Star Gas Partners includes the office of the Chief Executive Officer and in addition has the responsibility for maintaining investor relations and investor reporting for the Partnership.
 
2)    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Star Gas Partners, L.P., and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
In June 2002, the Partnership entered into an agreement that resolved certain disputes between the Partnership and the minority interest shareholders of TG&E relating to the initial purchase of TG&E by the Partnership. This agreement provided for the transfer of the entire minority shareholder’s equity interest in TG&E and the surrender to the Partnership of certain notes payable to the minority shareholders in the amount of $0.6 million. This transaction was accounted for as the acquisition of a minority interest and the result was to reduce recorded goodwill by $0.6 million. The book value of all other assets and liabilities of TG&E approximated their fair values.
 
The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, such information reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair statement of financial condition and results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

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Table of Contents

STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and are computed on a first-in, first-out basis. At the dates indicated, the components of inventory were as follows:
 
    
September 30, 2001
   
June 30, 2002
(in thousands)
    
Propane gas
   
$
9,546
   
$
5,025
Propane appliances and equipment
   
 
3,635
   
 
3,941
Fuel oil
   
 
12,403
   
 
9,772
Fuel oil parts and equipment
   
 
12,332
   
 
12,193
Natural gas
   
 
3,214
   
 
1,511
    
  
    
$
41,130
   
$
32,442
    
  
 
Reclassifications
 
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.
 
TG&E Valuation Allowance on Terminated Accounts
 
Since the acquisition of TG&E, the Partnership has encountered customer credit deficiencies and problems with collecting TG&E receivables. At September 30, 2001, TG&E had more than 50,000 terminated customers who collectively owed $16.2 million, virtually all of which was greater than 90 days old. The September 30, 2001 balance included $5.3 million of accounts receivable that predated TG&E’s acquisition by the Partnership, which were assigned no value and were not reflected in the financial statements. At September 30, 2001, the gross amount of receivables from terminated accounts on the Partnership’s books (before bad debt reserves) was approximately $10.9 million, against which the Partnership has a bad debt reserve of $6.2 million. Consequently, out of approximately $16.2 million owed TG&E by terminated accounts all but $4.7 million had been reserved, or assigned no value at the date of the acquisition.
 
During fiscal 2002, TG&E implemented the personnel and systems necessary to proceed with a collection effort targeting these terminated accounts. This effort included reconstructing account histories and implementing software enhancements that allowed TG&E to fully pursue the collection of these terminated accounts during the third fiscal quarter. Based upon collection information and results obtained to date, an additional $0.9 million of reserve was provided during the fiscal third quarter for those terminated accounts, leaving an unreserved accounts receivable balance of approximately $2.4 million. The Partnership believes that the reserve established as of June 30, 2002 is appropriate but will continue to review it as further information becomes available.
 
Inventory Derivatives and Hedging
 
The Partnership periodically hedges a portion of its home heating oil, propane and natural gas purchases through the use of futures, options, collars and swap agreements. The purpose of the hedges is to provide a measure of stability in the volatile markets for home heating oil, propane and natural gas prices and to manage its exposure to commodity price risk under certain existing sales commitments. The Partnership also has derivative agreements that management has decided not to designate as hedge transactions for accounting purposes and as such, mark-to-market adjustments are recognized currently in earnings.
 
The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a derivative instrument is designated as a hedge, and if so, the type of hedge. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. All of the Partnership’s derivative instruments entered into for the purchase of heating oil, propane and natural gas to be sold to price plan customers are designated as cash flow hedges. For derivatives recognized as fair value hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in the statement of operations and may be offset by related changes in fair value of the hedged item. Substantially all of the derivative instruments entered into in order to mitigate the price exposure for firm commitments relating to the purchase of heating oil, propane and natural gas to be sold to price plan customers are designated as fair value hedges. The ineffective portion of changes in a hedge’s fair value, together with changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges or which do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized currently in earnings.

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Table of Contents

STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, the change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is principally attributable to the increase in fair value of additional hedging instruments entered into during the period, designated as cash flow hedges. For the nine month period ended June 30, 2002, the change is principally attributable to the reclassification of accumulated losses on cash flow hedges that settled during the period offset in part by the increase in the effective portion of certain cash flow hedges in the first fiscal quarter.
 
Accounting Principles Not Yet Adopted
 
In July 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 141, “Business Combinations” and Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Statement No. 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 as well as for all purchase method business combinations completed after June 30, 2001. Statement No. 141 also specifies criteria that intangible assets acquired in a purchase method business combination must meet to be recognized and reported apart from goodwill. Statement No. 142 will require that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead be tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of Statement No. 142. Statement No. 142 will also require that intangible assets with definite useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”
 
The Partnership adopted the provisions of Statement No. 141 effective July 1, 2001 and Statement No. 142 is required to be adopted effective October 1, 2002. Futhermore, any goodwill or any intangible asset determined to have an indefinite useful life that are acquired in a purchase method business combination completed after June 30, 2001 will not be amortized, but will continue to be evaluated for impairment in accordance with the appropriate pre-Statement No. 142 accounting literature. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in business combinations completed before July 1, 2001 will continue to be amortized prior to the adoption of Statement No. 142.
 
Statement No. 141 will require upon adoption of Statement No. 142, that the Partnership evaluate its existing intangible assets and goodwill that were acquired in a prior purchase method business combination, and to make any necessary reclassifications in order to conform with the new criteria in Statement No. 141 for recognition apart from goodwill. Upon adoption of Statement No. 142, the Partnership will be required to reassess the useful lives and residual values of all intangible assets acquired in purchase business combinations, and make any necessary amortization period adjustments by the end of the first interim period after adoption. In addition, to the extent an intangible asset is identified as having an indefinite useful life, the Partnership will be required to test the intangible asset for impairment in accordance with the provisions of Statement No. 142 within the first quarter of fiscal 2003. Any impairment loss will be measured as of the date of adoption and recognized as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in that period.
 
In connection with the transitional goodwill impairment evaluation, Statement No. 142 will require the Partnership to perform an assessment of whether there is an indication that goodwill is impaired as of the date of adoption. To accomplish this the Partnership must identify its reporting units and determine the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning the assets and liabilities, including the existing goodwill and intangible assets, to those reporting units as of the date of adoption. The Partnership will then have up to six months from the date of adoption to determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it with the reporting unit’s carrying amount.
 
To the extent a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an indication exists that the reporting unit’s goodwill may be impaired and the Partnership must perform the second step of the transitional impairment test. In the second step, the Partnership must compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, determined by allocating the reporting unit’s fair value to all of its assets (recognized and unrecognized) and liabilities in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation in accordance with Statement No. 141, with its carrying amount, both of which would be measured as of the date of adoption. This second step is required to be completed as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the year of adoption. Any transitional impairment loss will be recognized as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the Partnership’s statement of operations.

10

Table of Contents

STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
As of June 30, 2002, the Partnership had unamortized goodwill in the amount of $266.0 million. The Partnership also has $200.6 million of unamortized identifiable intangible assets, which will be subject to the transition provisions of Statements No. 141 and No. 142. Amortization expense related to goodwill was $5.9 million and $6.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001 and 2002, respectively. Since July 1, 2001, the Partnership’s adoption date of Statement No. 141, the Partnership acquired $87.3 million of goodwill subject to Statement No. 142. As a result, these assets were not amortized; however, amortization expense would have been increased approximately $0.9 million and $2.5 million, if this goodwill had been amortized for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2002, respectively. Because of the extensive effort needed to comply with adopting Statements No. 141 and No. 142, it is not practicable to reasonably estimate the impact of adopting these Statements on the Partnership’s financial statements at the date of this report, including whether any transitional impairment losses will be required to be recognized as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.
 
In August 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”. Statement No. 143 requires recording the fair market value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets is incurred. Statement No. 143 also requires the recording of a corresponding asset, and to depreciate that amount over the life of the asset. The liability is then increased at the end of each period to reflect the passage of time and changes in the initial fair value measurement. The Partnership is required to adopt the provisions of Statement No. 143, effective October 1, 2002 and has not yet determined the extent of its impact, if any.
 
In October 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. Statement No. 144 addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. It also extends the reporting requirements to report separately as discontinued operations, components of an entity that have either been disposed of or classified as held for sale. The Partnership is required to adopt the provisions of Statement No. 144, effective October 1, 2002 and has not yet determined the extent of its impact, if any.
 
3)    Interest Rate Swaps
 
In March 2002, the heating oil segment entered into two interest rate swap agreements designed to hedge $73.0 million in underlying fixed rate senior note obligations, in order to reduce overall interest expense. The swap agreements, which expire August 1, 2006, require the counterparties to pay an amount based on the stated fixed interest rate (annual rate 8.05%) pursuant to the senior notes for an aggregate $2.9 million due every six months on August 1 and February 1. In exchange, the heating oil segment is required to make semi-annual floating interest rate payments on the first of August and February based on an annual interest rate equal to the 6 month LIBOR interest rate plus 2.83% applied to the same notional amount of $73.0 million. The swap agreements have been recognized as fair value hedges. Amounts to be paid or received under the interest rate swap agreements are accrued and recognized over the life of the agreements as an adjustment to interest expense. At June 30, 2002, the Partnership recognized an approximate $2.3 million increase in the fair market value of its interest rate swaps which is recorded in other assets. In addition, the fair value of long term debt increased by a corresponding amount.
 
4)    Segment Reporting
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”, the Partnership has four reportable segments: a retail distributor of heating oil, a retail distributor of propane, a reseller of natural gas and electricity and the public master limited partnership, Star Gas Partners. Management has chosen to organize the enterprise under these four segments in order to leverage the expertise it has in each industry, allow each segment to continue to strengthen its core competencies and provide a clear means for evaluation of operating results.
 
The heating oil segment is primarily engaged in the retail distribution of home heating oil, related equipment services, and equipment sales to residential and commercial customers. It operates primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Home heating oil is principally used by the Partnership’s residential and commercial customers to heat their homes and buildings, and as a result, weather conditions have a significant impact on the demand for home heating oil.
 
The propane segment is primarily engaged in the retail distribution of propane and related supplies and equipment to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and motor fuel customers, in the Midwest, Northeast, Florida and Georgia. Propane is used primarily for space heating, water heating and cooking by the Partnership’s residential and commercial customers and as a result, weather conditions also have a significant impact on the demand for propane.

11

Table of Contents

STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
The natural gas and electric reseller segment is primarily engaged in offering natural gas and electricity to residential consumers in deregulated energy markets. In deregulated energy markets, customers have a choice in selecting energy suppliers to power and / or heat their homes. As a result, a significant portion of this segment’s revenue is directly related to weather conditions. TG&E operates in nine markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Florida, where competitors range from independent resellers, like TG&E, to large public utilities.
 
The public master limited partnership segment includes the office of the Chief Executive Officer and has the responsibility for maintaining investor relations and investor reporting for the Partnership.
 
The following are the condensed statements of operations and balance sheets for each segment as of and for the periods indicated. There were no inter-segment sales.
 
   
Three Months Ended
  
   
June 30, 2001
    
June 30, 2002
  
   
(unaudited)
    
(unaudited)
  
(in thousands)
     
Statements of Operations
  
Heating
Oil
    
Propane
    
TG&E
     
Partners
    
Consol.
    
Heating
Oil
    
Propane
    
TG&E
     
Partners
    
Consol.
  
Sales
  
$
117,197
 
  
$
32,418
 
  
$
16,437
 
   
$
—  
 
  
$
166,052
 
  
$
145,243
 
  
$
34,313
 
  
$
9,169
 
   
$
—  
 
  
$
188,725
 
Cost of sales
  
 
90,782
 
  
 
16,623
 
  
 
15,864
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
123,269
 
  
 
104,859
 
  
 
14,359
 
  
 
7,794
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
127,012
 
Delivery and branch
  
 
30,785
 
  
 
13,552
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
44,337
 
  
 
41,248
 
  
 
15,902
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
57,150
 
Deprec. and amortization
  
 
7,017
 
  
 
3,720
 
  
 
292
 
   
 
2
 
  
 
11,031
 
  
 
10,059
 
  
 
4,339
 
  
 
626
 
   
 
3
 
  
 
15,027
 
G & A expense
  
 
2,439
 
  
 
1,962
 
  
 
3,843
 
   
 
1,503
 
  
 
9,747
 
  
 
3,257
 
  
 
1,962
 
  
 
4,019
 
   
 
530
 
  
 
9,768
 
TG&E customer
acquisition expense
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
525
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
525
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
350
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
350
 
Unit compensation expense
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
772
 
  
 
772
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
74
 
  
 
74
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Operating loss
  
 
(13,826
)
  
 
(3,439
)
  
 
(4,087
)
   
 
(2,277
)
  
 
(23,629
)
  
 
(14,180
)
  
 
(2,249
)
  
 
(3,620
)
   
 
(607
)
  
 
(20,656
)
Net interest expense
(income)
  
 
4,540
 
  
 
3,041
 
  
 
780
 
   
 
(474
)
  
 
7,887
 
  
 
5,418
 
  
 
3,263
 
  
 
925
 
   
 
(839
)
  
 
8,767
 
Amortization of debt
issuance costs
  
 
98
 
  
 
63
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
161
 
  
 
353
 
  
 
64
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
417
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Income (loss)
before income taxes
  
 
(18,464
)
  
 
(6,543
)
  
 
(4,867
)
   
 
(1,803
)
  
 
(31,677
)
  
 
(19,951
)
  
 
(5,576
)
  
 
(4,545
)
   
 
232
 
  
 
(29,840
)
Income tax (benefit)
  
 
25
 
  
 
89
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
114
 
  
 
50
 
  
 
48
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
98
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Net income (loss)
  
$
(18,489
)
  
$
(6,632
)
  
$
(4,867
)
   
$
(1,803
)
  
$
(31,791
)
  
$
(20,001
)
  
$
(5,624
)
  
$
(4,545
)
   
$
232
 
  
$
(29,938
)
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Capital expenditures
  
$
3,598
 
  
$
1,381
 
  
$
247
 
   
$
—  
 
  
$
5,226
 
  
$
2,136
 
  
$
1,253
 
  
$
85
 
   
$
—  
 
  
$
3,474
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
Nine Months Ended
  
   
June 30, 2001
  
June 30, 2002
  
   
(unaudited)
  
(unaudited)
  
(in thousands)
     
Statements of Operations
  
Heating
Oil
  
Propane
    
TG&E
     
Partners
    
Consol.
  
Heating
Oil
    
Propane
  
TG&E
     
Partners
    
Consol.
  
Sales
  
$
681,872
  
$
196,181
 
  
$
81,950
 
   
$
—  
 
  
$
960,003
  
$
690,266
 
  
$
163,324
  
$
32,643
 
   
$
—  
 
  
$
886,233
 
Cost of sales
  
 
489,064
  
 
109,317
 
  
 
74,160
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
672,541
  
 
467,078
 
  
 
69,373
  
 
26,790
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
563,241
 
Delivery and branch
  
 
108,518
  
 
42,992
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
151,510
  
 
135,417
 
  
 
45,547
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
180,964
 
Deprec. and amortization
  
 
20,128
  
 
10,147
 
  
 
769
 
   
 
6
 
  
 
31,050
  
 
30,317
 
  
 
12,385
  
 
1,330
 
   
 
7
 
  
 
44,039
 
G & A expense
  
 
7,725
  
 
5,197
 
  
 
8,145
 
   
 
4,200
 
  
 
25,267
  
 
10,088
 
  
 
5,459
  
 
9,415
 
   
 
2,254
 
  
 
27,216
 
TG&E customer acquisition expense
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
 
  
 
1,896
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
1,896
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
  
 
756
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
756
 
Unit compensation expense
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
1,991
 
  
 
1,991
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
 
   
 
239
 
  
 
239
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Operating income (loss)
  
 
56,437
  
 
28,528
 
  
 
(3,020
)
   
 
(6,197
)
  
 
75,748
  
 
47,366
 
  
 
30,560
  
 
(5,648
)
   
 
(2,500
)
  
 
69,778
 
Net interest expense (income)
  
 
15,451
  
 
8,734
 
  
 
2,111
 
   
 
(1,289
)
  
 
25,007
  
 
18,531
 
  
 
9,864
  
 
2,635
 
   
 
(2,362
)
  
 
28,668
 
Amortization of debt issuance costs
  
 
290
  
 
167
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
457
  
 
844
 
  
 
192
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
1,036
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
  
 
40,696
  
 
19,627
 
  
 
(5,131
)
   
 
(4,908
)
  
 
50,284
  
 
27,991
 
  
 
20,504
  
 
(8,283
)
   
 
(138
)
  
 
40,074
 
Income tax (benefit)
  
 
1,550
  
 
202
 
  
 
1
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
1,753
  
 
(1,850
)
  
 
143
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
(1,707
)
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Income (loss) before cumulative change in accounting principle
  
 
39,146
  
 
19,425
 
  
 
(5,132
)
   
 
(4,908
)
  
 
48,531
  
 
29,841
 
  
 
20,361
  
 
(8,283
)
   
 
(138
)
  
 
41,781
 
Cumulative change in accounting principle
  
 
2,093
  
 
(229
)
  
 
(398
)
   
 
—  
 
  
 
1,466
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Net income (loss)
  
$
41,239
  
$
19,196
 
  
$
(5,530
)
   
$
(4,908
)
  
$
49,997
  
$
29,841
 
  
$
20,361
  
$
(8,283
)
   
$
(138
)
  
$
41,781
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Capital expenditures
  
$
8,059
  
$
3,916
 
  
$
316
 
   
$
—  
 
  
$
12,291
  
$
6,756
 
  
$
4,235
  
$
663
 
   
$
—  
 
  
$
11,654
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 

12

Table of Contents

STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
    
September 30, 2001
   
June 30, 2002
(unaudited)
Balance Sheets
   
Heating
Oil
     
Propane
     
TG&E
   
Partners
     
(1)
Consol.
   
Heating
Oil
     
Propane
     
TG&E
   
Partners
   
(1)
Consol.
                                     
(in thousands)
    
ASSETS
                                                                                
Current assets
                                                                                
Cash and equivalents
   
$
7,181
 
   
$
3,655
 
   
$
102
   
$
6,290
 
   
$
17,228
   
$
7,400
 
   
$
10,248
 
   
$
—  
   
$
35,845
   
$
53,493
Receivables, net
   
 
82,484
 
   
 
12,002
 
   
 
10,487
   
 
—  
 
   
 
104,973
   
 
72,813
 
   
 
11,606
 
   
 
7,076
   
 
—  
   
 
91,495
Inventories
   
 
24,735
 
   
 
13,181
 
   
 
3,214
   
 
—  
 
   
 
41,130
   
 
21,965
 
   
 
8,966
 
   
 
1,511
   
 
—  
   
 
32,442
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
 
16,921
 
   
 
3,523
 
   
 
2,349
   
 
—  
 
   
 
21,931
   
 
20,820
 
   
 
3,193
 
   
 
1,894
   
 
84
   
 
25,129
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Total current assets
   
 
131,321
 
   
 
32,361
 
   
 
16,152
   
 
6,290
 
   
 
185,262
   
 
122,998
 
   
 
34,013
 
   
 
10,481
   
 
35,929
   
 
202,559
Property and equipment, net
   
 
72,204
 
   
 
162,680
 
   
 
487
   
 
—  
 
   
 
235,371
   
 
66,383
 
   
 
171,844
 
   
 
838
   
 
—  
   
 
239,065
Long-term portion of accounts receivable
   
 
6,752
 
   
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
   
 
—  
 
   
 
6,752
   
 
6,753
 
   
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
   
 
—  
   
 
6,753
Investment in subsidiaries
   
 
—  
 
   
 
108,035
 
   
 
—  
   
 
194,647
 
   
 
—  
   
 
—  
 
   
 
137,019
 
   
 
—  
   
 
246,429
   
 
—  
Intangibles and other
   
 
381,348
 
   
 
77,750
 
   
 
12,117
   
 
219
 
   
 
471,434
   
 
366,736
 
   
 
98,381
 
   
 
10,958
   
 
—  
   
 
476,075
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Total assets
   
$
591,625
 
   
$
380,826
 
   
$
28,756
   
$
201,156
 
   
$
898,819
   
$
562,870
 
   
$
441,257
 
   
$
22,277
   
$
282,358
   
$
924,452
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
   
Heating
Oil
     
Propane
     
TG&E
   
Partners
     
(1)
Consol.
   
Heating
Oil
     
Propane
     
TG&E
   
Partners
   
(1)
Consol.
Current liabilities
                                                                                
Accounts payable
   
$
22,407
 
   
$
5,682
 
   
$
7,711
   
$
—  
 
   
$
35,800
   
$
14,790
 
   
$
3,849
 
   
$
5,196
   
$
—  
   
$
23,835
Working capital Facility borrowings
   
 
—  
 
   
 
8,400
 
   
 
5,466
   
 
—  
 
   
 
13,866
   
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
   
 
3,672
   
 
—  
   
 
3,672
Current maturities of of long-term debt
   
 
1,184
 
   
 
8,702
 
   
 
2,000
   
 
—  
 
   
 
11,886
   
 
58,783
 
   
 
10,624
 
   
 
2,095
   
 
—  
   
 
71,502
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
   
 
63,895
 
   
 
10,267
 
   
 
1,052
   
 
2,464
 
   
 
77,678
   
 
49,583
 
   
 
12,798
 
   
 
1,186
   
 
1,365
   
 
64,932
Due to affiliate
   
 
(185
)
   
 
(1,450
)
   
 
2,069
   
 
(434
)
   
 
—  
   
 
(1,815
)
   
 
(2,576
)
   
 
2,595
   
 
1,796
   
 
—  
Unearned service contract revenue
   
 
24,575
 
   
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
   
 
—  
 
   
 
24,575
   
 
25,728
 
   
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
   
 
—  
   
 
25,728
Customer credit balances
   
 
45,456
 
   
 
18,053
 
   
 
1,698
   
 
—  
 
   
 
65,207
   
 
41,946
 
   
 
7,903
 
   
 
4,446
   
 
—  
   
 
54,295
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Total current
liabilities
   
 
157,332
 
   
 
49,654
 
   
 
19,996
   
 
2,030
 
   
 
229,012
   
 
189,015
 
   
 
32,598
 
   
 
19,190
   
 
3,161
   
 
243,964
Long-term debt
   
 
314,148
 
   
 
142,375
 
   
 
563
   
 
—  
 
   
 
457,086
   
 
228,793
 
   
 
163,564
 
   
 
—  
   
 
—  
   
 
392,357
Other
   
 
12,110
 
   
 
2,307
 
   
 
40
   
 
—  
 
   
 
14,457
   
 
8,043
 
   
 
1,753
 
   
 
—  
   
 
—  
   
 
9,796
Partners’ capital equity capital
   
 
108,035
 
   
 
186,490
 
   
 
8,157
   
 
199,126
 
   
 
198,264
   
 
137,019
 
   
 
243,342
 
   
 
3,087
   
 
279,197
   
 
278,335
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Total liabilities and Partners’ Capital
   
$
591,625
 
   
$
380,826
 
   
$
28,756
   
$
201,156
 
   
$
898,819
   
$
562,870
 
   
$
441,257
 
   
$
22,277
   
$
282,358
   
$
924,452
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
(1)
 
The consolidated amounts include the necessary entries to eliminate the investment in Petro Holdings, Star Gas Propane and TG&E.

13

Table of Contents
5)    Acquisitions
 
During the nine month period ending June 30, 2002, the Partnership acquired three retail heating oil dealers and five retail propane dealers. The aggregate consideration for these acquisitions accounted for by the purchase method of accounting was approximately $41.9 million. Purchase prices have been allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities based on their respective fair market values on the dates of acquisition. The purchase prices in excess of the fair values of net assets acquired are classified as intangibles in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
The following table indicates the allocation of the aggregate purchase price paid for these acquisitions and the respective periods of amortization assigned:
 
    
Useful Lives
(in thousands)
    
Land
   
$
762
   
—  
Buildings
   
 
660
   
30 years
Furniture & fixtures
   
 
510
   
10 years
Fleet
   
 
1,812
   
5-30 years
Tanks and equipment
   
 
8,784
   
5-30 years
Customer lists
   
 
18,981
   
7-15 years
Restrictive covenants
   
 
10
   
5 years
Goodwill
   
 
8,951
   
—  
Working capital
   
 
1,413
   
—  
    
    
Total
   
$
41,883
     
    
    
 
Sales and net income have been included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations from the respective dates of acquisition. The following unaudited pro forma information presents the results of operations of the Partnership, including acquisitions, as if the acquisitions had taken place on October 1, 2000.
 
    
Nine Months Ended June 30,
    
2001
   
2002
(in thousands, except per unit data)
    
Sales
   
$
1,276,857
   
$
897,509
Net income
   
$
70,974
   
$
43,063
General Partner’s interest in net income
   
$
1,058
   
$
503
Limited Partners’ interest in net income
   
$
69,916
   
$
42,560
Basic net income per limited partner unit
   
$
2.45
   
$
1.49
Diluted net income per limited partner unit
   
$
2.45
   
$
1.49
 
6)    Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
 
    
Nine Months Ended June 30,
  
    
2001
   
2002
  
(in thousands)
      
Cash paid during the period for:
                
Income taxes
   
$
796
   
$
1,007
 
Interest
   
$
25,631
   
$
31,086
 
Non-cash investing activities:
Acquisitions:
                
Decrease in intangibles and other assets
   
$
—  
   
$
943
 
Decrease in accrued expenses
   
$
—  
   
$
(943
)
Non-cash financing activities:
                
Increase in long-term debt
   
$
—  
   
$
1,774
 
Increase in other assets
   
$
—  
   
$
(2,337
)
Decrease in intangibles and other assets
   
$
—  
   
$
563
 

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Table of Contents
 
7)    Earnings Per Limited Partner Unit
 
    
Three Months Ended June 30,
     
Nine Months Ended June 30,
    
2001
     
2002
     
2001
   
2002
    
(unaudited)
     
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per unit data)
    
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per Limited Partner unit
                                
Basic
   
$
(1.38
)
   
$
(1.02
)
   
$
2.21
   
$
1.47
Diluted
   
$
(1.38
)
   
$
(1.02
)
   
$
2.20
   
$
1.47
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle per
Limited Partner unit
                                
Basic
   
$
—  
 
   
$
—  
 
   
$
0.07
   
$
—  
Diluted
   
$
—  
 
   
$
—  
 
   
$
0.07
   
$
—  
Net income (loss) per Limited Partner unit
                                
Basic
   
$
(1.38
)
   
$
(1.02
)
   
$
2.28
   
$
1.47
Diluted
   
$
(1.38
)
   
$
(1.02
)
   
$
2.27
   
$
1.47
Basic Earnings Per Unit:
                                
Net income (loss)
   
$
(31,791
)
   
$
(29,938
)
   
$
49,997
   
$
41,781
Less: General Partner’s interest in net income (loss)
   
 
(449
)
   
 
(331
)
   
 
745
   
 
488
    
  
  
  
Limited Partners’ interest in net income (loss)
   
$
(31,342
)
   
$
(29,607
)
   
$
49,252
   
$
41,293
    
  
  
  
Common Units
   
 
19,725
 
   
 
25,478
 
   
 
18,588
   
 
24,631
Senior Subordinated Units
   
 
2,697
 
   
 
3,134
 
   
 
2,670
   
 
3,092
Junior Subordinated Units
   
 
345
 
   
 
345
 
   
 
345
   
 
345
    
  
  
  
Weighted average number of Limited Partner units
Outstanding
   
 
22,767
 
   
 
28,957
 
   
 
21,603
   
 
28,068
    
  
  
  
Basic earnings per unit
   
$
(1.38
)
   
$
(1.02
)
   
$
2.28
   
$
1.47
    
  
  
  
Diluted Earnings Per Unit:
                                
Limited Partners’ interest in net income (loss)
   
$
(31,342
)
   
$
(29,607
)
   
$
49,252
   
$
41,293
    
  
  
  
                                 
Weighted average number of Limited Partner units
outstanding
   
 
22,767
 
   
 
28,957
 
   
 
21,603
   
 
28,068
Senior subordinated units anticipated to be issued under
employee incentive plan
   
 
—  
 
   
 
—  
 
   
 
113
   
 
42
    
  
  
  
Diluted weighted average number of Limited
Partner units
   
 
22,767
 
   
 
28,957
 
   
 
21,716
   
 
28,110
    
  
  
  
Diluted earnings per unit
   
$
(1.38
)
   
$
(1.02
)
   
$
2.27
   
$
1.47
    
  
  
  
8)    Subsequent Event
 
Cash Distributions—On August 1, 2002, the Partnership announced that it would pay a cash distribution of $0.575 per Common Unit and $0.250 per Senior Subordinated Unit, for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. The distribution will be paid on August 14, 2002, to unitholders of record on August 9, 2002.

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Table of Contents
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure
 
This Report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act which represent the Partnership’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including those associated with the effect of weather conditions on the Partnership’s financial performance, the price and supply of home heating oil, propane, electricity and natural gas and the ability of the Partnership to obtain new accounts and retain existing accounts. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Report including, without limitation, the statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere herein, are forward-looking statements. Although the Partnership believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Partnership’s expectations (“Cautionary Statements”) are disclosed in this Report, including without limitation, in conjunction with the forward-looking statements included in this Report. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Partnership or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.
 
Overview
 
In analyzing the financial results of the Partnership, the following matters should be considered.
 
The primary use for heating oil, propane and natural gas is for space heating in residential and commercial applications. As a result, weather conditions have a significant impact on financial performance and should be considered when analyzing changes in financial performance. In addition, gross margins vary according to customer mix. For example, sales to residential customers generate higher profit margins than sales to other customer groups, such as agricultural customers. Accordingly, a change in customer mix can affect gross margins without necessarily impacting total sales.
 
The heating oil, propane and natural gas industries are seasonal in nature with peak activity occurring during the winter months. Accordingly, results of operations for the periods presented are not indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.
 
The Partnership adopted SFAS No. 133 on October 1, 2000 and has since recorded its derivatives at fair market value. As a result, net income for the nine months ended June 30, 2001 was $1.8 million less than it would have been had the Standard not been adopted and net income for the nine months ended June 30, 2002 was $5.0 million more than it would have been had the Standard not been adopted. Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2001 was $2.2 million less than it would have been had the Standard not been adopted and net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 was $1.2 million more than it would have been had the Standard not been adopted. The effect of the Standard has no impact in how the Partnership evaluates its ability to make the minimum quarterly distribution.

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Table of Contents
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002
COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
 
Volume
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, retail volume of heating oil and propane increased 19.0 million gallons, or 24.9%, to 95.1 million gallons, as compared to 76.1 million gallons for the three months ended June 30, 2001. This increase was due to a 14.2 million gallon increase in the heating oil segment and by a 4.8 million gallon increase in the propane segment. The increase in volume was due to the impact of additional volume provided as a result of acquisitions and to a lesser extent by the impact of colder temperatures. Customer attrition in the heating oil segment partially offset these volume increases. Temperatures in the Partnership’s areas of operations were an average of 15.6% colder than in the prior year’s comparable quarter and approximately 9% colder than normal.
 
Sales
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, sales increased $22.7 million, or 13.7%, to $188.7 million, as compared to $166.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001. This increase was due to $28.0 million higher heating oil segment sales, $1.9 million higher propane segment sales, partially offset by a $7.3 million decrease in TG&E sales. Sales increased largely as a result of the higher retail volume in the heating oil and propane segments partially offset by lower selling prices. Selling prices, in all segments, decreased versus the prior year’s comparable period in response to lower product commodity costs. Sales of rationally related products including heating equipment installation and service and water softeners increased in the heating oil segment by $10.3 million and by $1.2 million in the propane segment from the prior year’s comparable quarter due to acquisitions and internal growth. TG&E’s sales also decreased as a result of lower electricity sales from the segment’s strategic decision made during fiscal 2001 to redirect its resources toward the natural gas and deregulated energy markets offering greater potential for new opportunities and profitability.
 
Cost of Sales
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, cost of sales increased $3.7 million, or 3.0%, to $127.0 million, as compared to $123.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001. This increase was due to $14.1 million of higher cost of sales at the heating oil segment, partially offset by a $2.3 million lower propane segment cost of sales and a $8.1 million decrease in TG&E cost of sales. Cost of sales increased at the heating oil segment due to the cost of sales for the higher retail volume partially offset by the impact of lower supply cost. Cost of sales was lower at the propane segment due to lower product commodity costs on a per gallon basis. Lower electricity sales at TG&E also contributed to the reduction of TG&E’s cost of sales. While selling prices and supply cost decreased on a per gallon basis, the decrease in selling prices was less than the decrease in supply costs, which resulted in an increase in per gallon margins.
 
Delivery and Branch Expenses
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, delivery and branch expenses increased $12.8 million, or 28.9%, to $57.2 million, as compared to $44.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001. This increase was due to an additional $10.5 million of delivery and branch expenses at the heating oil segment and a $2.3 million increase in delivery and branch expenses for the propane segment. Delivery and branch expenses increased both at the heating oil and propane segments due to additional operating cost associated with acquired companies’ increased volumes and for the impact of inflation which was mitigated by a concerted cost reduction effort at both business segments. The heating oil segment’s delivery and branch expense also increased by approximately $1.3 million due to an increase in the estimate of the accrual required to cover certain insurance reserves.
 
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, depreciation and amortization expenses increased $4.0 million, or 36.2%, to $15.0 million, as compared to $11.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001. This increase was primarily due to additional depreciation and amortization related to heating oil and propane acquisitions.

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Table of Contents
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, general and administrative expenses increased $0.1 million, or 0.2%, to $9.8 million, as compared to $9.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001. The increase was due to additional general and administration expenses for the acquisition of Meenan Oil Co., Inc. and other acquisitions partially offset by lower general and administrative expenses at the Partnership level. General and administrative expenses also increased $0.2 million at TG&E. This increase was largely due to increased compensation incurred for professional staff additions and for the personnel hired for its collection project and was partially offset by approximately $0.8 million due to a lower provision for bad debts. The Partnership level decrease was primarily due to a reduction in the accrual for compensation earned for unit appreciation rights previously granted.
 
Approximately $0.5 million of expenses associated with the heating oil segment’s business process redesign project are included in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2002. One of the heating oil segment’s primary business strategies is to capitalize on its unique size in the home heating oil industry by accessing technological developments to operate more effectively. Preliminary observations indicate that improved process and technology can have a meaningful impact on reducing the heating oil division’s annual operating cost. The $0.5 million of expense incurred for this project largely consisted of consultant fees and travel related expenditures.
 
TG&E Customer Acquisition Expense
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, TG&E customer acquisition expense decreased $0.2 million, or 33.3% to $0.3 million, as compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001. This TG&E expense is for the cost of acquiring new accounts through the services of a third party direct marketing company.
 
Unit Compensation Expense
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, unit compensation expense decreased $0.7 million, or 90.4%, to $0.1 million, as compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001. The decrease was due to a reduction in the accrual for units expected to be earned versus the prior year under the Partnership’s Unit Incentive Plan pursuant to which certain employees were granted senior subordinated units as an incentive for increased efforts during employment and as an inducement to remain in the service of the Partnership. The Partnership believes that these contingent units will not vest for fiscal 2002.
 
Interest Expense, net
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, interest expense, net increased $0.9 million, or 11.1%, to $8.8 million, as compared to $7.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001. This increase was due to additional interest expense for the financing of propane and heating oil acquisitions partially offset by lower interest expense for working capital borrowings and for approximately $0.5 million of interest savings from the heating oil segment’s interest rate swap.
 
Net Loss
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, the net loss decreased $1.9 million, or 5.8%, to $29.9 million, as compared to $31.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2001. The decrease was due to a $1.0 million decrease in the net loss at the propane segment, a $0.3 million decrease in the net loss at TG&E and a $2.0 million reduction in the net loss at the Partnership level offset partially by an increase in the net loss of $1.5 million at the heating oil segment. The reduction in the net loss was primarily due to the impact of a per gallon improvement in gross profit margins, a reduction in unit compensation and unit appreciation rights accruals and from an increase in volume due to colder weather.
 
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, TG&E customer acquisition expense and unit compensation expense, less net gain (loss) on sales of fixed assets and before the impact of SFAS No. 133 (EBITDA)
 
For the three months ended June 30, 2002, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, TG&E customer acquisition expense and unit compensation expense, less net gain (loss) on sales of fixed assets and before the impact of SFAS No. 133 (EBITDA) increased $2.7 million, or 30.0% to a loss of $6.3 million as compared to a loss of $9.0 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2001. This increase was due to a $2.0 million increase at the propane segment, a $0.7 million increase in TG&E’s EBITDA and a $1.0 million increase at the Partnership level partially offset by a $0.8 million decrease at the heating oil segment. The increase in EBITDA was largely due to the impact of higher per gallon gross profit margins, increased volume due to colder weather and EBITDA generated by acquisitions. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (as an indicator of operating performance) or as an alternative to cash flow (as a measure of liquidity or ability to service debt obligations), but provides additional information for evaluating the Partnership’s ability to make the Minimum Quarterly Distribution. The definition of “EBITDA” set forth above may be different from that used by other companies.

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Table of Contents
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2002
 
COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
 
Volume
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, retail volume of home heating oil and propane increased 27.2 million gallons, or 5.3%, to 537.6 million gallons, as compared to 510.4 million gallons for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. This increase was due to a 24.5 million gallon increase in the heating oil segment and a 2.6 million increase in the propane segment. The increase in volume reflects the impact of additional volume provided by acquisitions, which was offset by the impact of significantly warmer temperatures and to a much lesser extent by customer attrition in the heating oil segment. Temperatures in the Partnership’s areas of operations were an average of 17.8% warmer than in the prior year’s comparable period and approximately 19% warmer than normal. The abnormally warm weather made the past heating season the warmest in over a hundred years with temperatures approximately 6% higher than the next warmest year in the century.
 
Sales
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, sales decreased $73.8 million, or 7.7%, to $886.2 million, as compared to $960.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. This decrease was due to $32.9 million lower propane segment sales and $49.3 million lower TG&E sales partially offset by a $8.4 million increase in sales at the heating oil segment. Sales decreased largely as a result of lower selling prices which were only partially offset by sales from the higher retail volume in the heating oil and propane segments. Selling prices, in all segments, decreased versus the prior year’s comparable period in response to lower product commodity costs. Sales also decreased at the TG&E segment due to lower electricity sales as previously mentioned in the three month analysis. Sales of rationally related products, including heating and air conditioning equipment installation and service and water softeners increased in the heating oil segment by $34.3 million and by $2.7 million in the propane segment from the prior year’s comparable nine months due to acquisitions and internal growth.
 
Cost of Sales
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, cost of sales decreased $109.3 million, or 16.3%, to $563.2 million, as compared to $672.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. This decrease was due to $22.0 million of lower cost of sales at the heating oil segment, $39.9 million lower propane segment cost of sales and a $47.4 million decrease in TG&E cost of sales. Cost of sales decreased due to the impact of lower product commodity cost partially offset by the cost of sales for the higher retail volume sales. TG&E cost of sales also decreased due to the lower electricity sales. While selling prices and supply cost decreased on a per gallon basis, the decrease in selling prices was less than the decrease in supply costs, which resulted in an increase in per gallon margins.
 
Delivery and Branch Expenses
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, delivery and branch expenses increased $29.5 million, or 19.4%, to $181.0 million, as compared to $151.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. This increase was due to an additional $26.9 million of delivery and branch expenses at the heating oil segment and a $2.6 million increase in delivery and branch expenses for the propane segment. Delivery and branch expenses increased both at the heating oil and propane segments largely due to additional operating costs associated with acquired companies’ increased volumes and due to the impact of inflation. The increase in delivery and branch expenses was mitigated by the purchase of weather insurance that allowed the Partnership to record approximately $6.4 million of net weather insurance recoveries.
 
Depreciation and Amortization Expenses
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, depreciation and amortization expenses increased $13.0 million, or 41.8%, to $44.0 million, as compared to $31.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. This increase was primarily due to additional depreciation and amortization related to heating oil and propane acquisitions, which was partially offset by the effects of the adoption of SFAS No. 141 on July 1, 2001.

19

Table of Contents
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, general and administrative expenses increased $1.9 million, or 7.7%, to $27.2 million, as compared to $25.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. The increase was due to additional general and administration expenses for the acquisition of Meenan Oil Co., Inc. and other acquisitions, $1.4 million for business process redesign expenses at the heating oil segment and for increased compensation expense for TG&E. The increased compensation for TG&E was incurred for professional staff additions, hiring of personnel for its collection project and for severances paid to former employees in connection with the relocation of its corporate office to New Jersey. General and administrative expense were lower at the Partnership level due to a reduction in the accrual for compensation earned for unit appreciation rights previously granted.
 
TG&E Customer Acquisition Expense
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, TG&E customer acquisition expense decreased $1.1 million, or 60.1% to $0.8 million, as compared to $1.9 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. This TG&E segment expense is for the cost of acquiring new accounts through the services of a third party direct marketing company. The number of accounts acquired in fiscal 2002 through third party direct marketing was lower than in the previous fiscal period due to a more stringent profile for accepting new customers than was in place for fiscal 2001.
 
Unit Compensation Expense
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, unit compensation expense decreased $1.8 million, or 88.0%, to $0.2 million, as compared to $2.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. The decrease was due to a reduction in the accrual for units expected to be earned versus the prior year under the Partnership’s Unit Incentive Plan pursuant to which certain employees were granted senior subordinated units as an incentive for increased efforts during employment and as an inducement to remain in the service of the Partnership. The Partnership believes that these contingent units will not vest for fiscal 2002.
 
Interest Expense, net
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, interest expense, net increased $3.7 million, or 14.6%, to $28.7 million, as compared to $25.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. This increase was due to additional interest expense for the financing of propane and heating oil acquisitions partially offset by lower interest expense for working capital borrowings.
 
Income Tax Expense (benefit)
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, income tax expense decreased $3.5 million, or 197.4%, to a tax benefit of $1.7 million, as compared to an expense of $1.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. This decrease was due to the availability of carrying back certain Federal tax losses resulting from a change in the tax laws enacted during the current nine months of approximately $2.2 million and for lower state income taxes based upon the lower pretax earnings achieved for the nine months ended June 30, 2002.
 
Cumulative Effect of Adoption of Accounting Principle
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2001, the Partnership recorded a $1.5 million increase in net income arising from the adoption of SFAS No. 133.
 
Net Income
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, net income decreased $8.2 million, or 16.4%, to $41.8 million, as compared to $50.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. The decrease was due to a $11.4 million decrease in net income at the heating oil segment and a $2.8 million increase in the net loss at TG&E partially offset by a $1.2 million increase in net income at the propane segment and a $4.8 million reduction in the net loss at the Partnership level. The reduction in the net income was primarily due to decreased volume from the impact of the warmer weather, partially offset by a per gallon improvement in gross profit margins, net weather insurance recoveries, the tax benefit of the tax loss carryback and by net income generated from acquisitions.

20

Table of Contents
 
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, TG&E customer acquisition expense and unit compensation expense, less net gain (loss) on sales of fixed assets and before the impact of SFAS No. 133 (EBITDA)
 
For the nine months ended June 30, 2002, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, TG&E customer acquisition expense and unit compensation expense, less net gain (loss) on sales of fixed assets and before the impact of SFAS No. 133 (EBITDA) decreased $4.0 million, or 3.5% to $110.0 million as compared to $113.9 million, for the nine months ended June 30, 2001. This decrease was due to $7.0 million of less EBITDA generated by the heating oil segment and a $3.0 million decrease in TG&E’s EBITDA partially offset by a $4.0 million increase in the propane segment and a $1.9 million increase at the Partnership level. The decrease in EBITDA was largely due to the impact on volume of warmer temperatures, partially offset by higher per gallon gross profit margins, net weather insurance recoveries and EBITDA generated by acquisitions. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (as an indicator of operating performance) or as an alternative to cash flow (as a measure of liquidity or ability to service debt obligations), but provides additional information for evaluating the Partnership’s ability to make the Minimum Quarterly Distribution. The definition of “EBITDA” set forth above may be different from that used by other companies.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
During the nine months ended June 30, 2002, the Partnership sold 3.7 million Common Units, the net proceeds of which, net of underwriter’s discount, commission, and offering expenses was $69.7 million. These funds combined with net cash provided by $0.3 million in net working capital and acquisition facility borrowings, $1.5 million in proceeds from the sale of fixed assets, and $85.0 million generated from operating activities, totaled $156.5 million. Such funds were used for acquisitions of $41.9 million, distributions of $47.3 million, debt repayment of $17.5 million, capital expenditures of $11.7 million and other financing activities of $1.8 million. As a result of the above activity, cash increased by $36.3 million to $53.5 million as of June 30, 2002. The Partnership has bank working capital facilities of $156.4 million, of which $3.7 million was outstanding as of June 30, 2002. Available borrowing capacity under these working capital facilities as of June 30, 2002 was $72.8 million.
 
Due to the impact on operations of the record warm weather conditions experienced during the 2001-2002 heating season, the Partnership’s heating oil segment did not meet certain of its bank facility agreement covenants. The noncompliance was resolved with an amendment to the heating oil segment’s bank facility agreements, signed on April 25, 2002. As a result, the heating oil segment is currently in compliance with these covenants. Future failure to comply with the various restrictive and affirmative covenants of the Partnership’s various bank and note facility agreements could negatively impact the Partnership’s ability to incur additional debt and/or pay distributions and could cause certain debt to become currently payable.
 
The heating oil segment has $45.3 million of senior secured notes coming due on October 1, 2002. The Partnership plans to meet this obligation through a combination of proceeds to be raised from a new debt issuance as well as using a portion of the proceeds received from the above mentioned equity offerings. The segment’s ability to incur indebtedness is dependent upon obtaining a technical modification to its existing intercreditor agreement. The Partnership expects to get the required approvals to complete this modification. If the approvals were not obtained, the Partnership would then intend to repay the debt with $45.3 million of equity offering proceeds, a portion of which is currently being used to finance working capital needs. The heating oil segment also has $11.0 million of senior secured notes maturing in April 2003. The intention of the segment, barring any limitation of debt incurrence ability, would be to refinance this maturity with a new debt issuance. In addition, in June 2002, the credit rating service, Fitch Ratings, reaffirmed its “BBB” rating on the propane segment’s notes while it placed on rating watch negative its “BBB” rating of the heating oil segment’s senior secured notes.
 
For the remainder of fiscal 2002, the Partnership anticipates paying interest of approximately $10 million and anticipates growth and maintenance capital additions of approximately $4 million. In addition, the Partnership plans to pay distributions on its units to the extent there is sufficient available cash in accordance with the partnership agreement. The Partnership expects that its acquisition activity through the upcoming heating season will be temporarily curtailed as compared to prior periods. The Partnership will, however, prudently fund any acquisitions made through a combination of debt and equity. Based on its current cash position, proceeds from the above mentioned common unit offering, bank credit availability and anticipated net cash to be generated from operating activities, the Partnership expects to be able to meet all of its obligations for the next twelve months.

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Table of Contents
 
Item. 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
The Partnership is exposed to interest rate risk primarily through its Bank Credit Facilities due to the fact that they are subject to variable interest rates. The Partnership utilizes these borrowings to meet its working capital needs and also to fund the short-term needs of its acquisition program.
 
At June 30, 2002, the Partnership had outstanding borrowings totaling $467.5 million, of which approximately $32.2 million is subject to variable interest rates under its Bank Credit Facilities. The Partnership also has an interest rate swap for $73.0 million of fixed rate borrowings. In the event that interest rates associated with these facilities were to increase 100 basis points, the impact on future cash flows would be a decrease of approximately $1.1 million annually.
 
The Partnership also selectively uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to market risk related to changes in the current and future market price of home heating oil, propane and natural gas. The Partnership does not hold derivatives for trading purposes. The value of market sensitive derivative instruments is subject to change as a result of movements in market prices. Consistent with the nature of hedging activity, associated unrealized gains and losses would be offset by corresponding decreases or increases in the purchase price the Partnership would pay for the product being hedged. Sensitivity analysis is a technique used to evaluate the impact of hypothetical market value changes. Based on a hypothetical ten percent increase in the cost of product at June 30, 2002, the potential gain on the Partnership’s hedging activity would be to increase the fair market value of these outstanding derivatives by $1.8 million to a fair market value of $4.1 million; and conversely a hypothetical ten percent decrease in the cost of product would decrease the fair market value of these outstanding derivatives by $1.8 million to a fair market value of $0.5 million.
 
 
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item
 
6.     Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
 
(a)  Exhibits Included Within:
 
(None)
 
(b)  Reports on Form 8-K:
 
 
6/5/02—
 
This Form 8-K consists of a copy of the underwriting agreement for a firm commitment public offering of up to 1,800,000 common units (plus a 15% over-allotment option) of the registrant that were previously registered pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (SEC File No. 333-57994)
 
 
6/6/02—
 
This Form 8-K consists of the following historical press release: Star Gas Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”) (NYSE: SGU, SGH), a diversified energy distributor and services provider—specializing in heating oil, propane, natural gas and electricity, announced today that Fitch Rating Service has reaffirmed its (BBB) rating on the First Mortgage Notes issued by Star’s subsidiary Star Gas Propane. At the same time, Fitch has placed on rating watch negative its (BBB) rating of the Senior Secured Notes of Star’s subsidiary, Petro.

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Table of Contents
 
SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Partnership has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned thereunto duly authorized:
 
STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P.
 
By:
  
/s/    STAR GAS LLC (GENERAL PARTNER)      
     
 
 
Signature
   
Title
  
Date
/s/    AMI TRAUBER           
Ami Trauber
   
Chief Financial Officer Star Gas LLC(Principal Financial Officer)
  
August 1, 2002
/s/    JAMES J. BOTTIGLIERI          
James J. Bottiglieri
   
Vice President Star Gas LLC

  
August 1, 2002

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