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FORM 10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
-------------------------
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)
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 (NO FEE REQUIRED)
For the transition period from________________to__________________
Commission file number 1-10877
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 73-1389684
(State of other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
incorporation or organization)
Terra Centre
P.O. Box 6000, 600 Fourth Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51102-6000
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number
(712) 277-1340
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
Name of Each Exchange on
Title of Each Class Which Registered
------------------- ----------------
Common Units New York Stock Exchange
Representing Limited
Partner Interests
Evidenced by Depositary Receipts
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
None
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 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 registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statement
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]
The aggregate market value of the registrant's Common Units held by
nonaffiliates as of the close of business on February 27, 1998 was $178,642,617.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I Page
Items 1.
and 2. Business and Properties.................................... 1
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.......................................... 7
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Unitholders............. 7
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Units and Related Unitholder Matters 8
Item 6. Selected Financial Data..................................... 8
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations................................. 10
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................. 16
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure.................................. 16
Part III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.......... 17
Item 11. Executive Compensation...................................... 19
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management................................................ 22
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.............. 24
Part IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules and Reports on
Form 8-K.................................................. 26
Signatures ............................................................ 29
TERRA NITROGEN COMPANY, L.P.
FORM 10-K
PART I
Items 1 and 2. Business and Properties
General
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. ("TNCLP") is a Delaware limited partnership
that conducts its operations through an operating partnership subsidiary, Terra
Nitrogen, Limited Partnership (the "Operating Partnership"). Terra Nitrogen
Corporation ("TNC"), a Delaware corporation, owns a combined 2.0% general
partner interest in, and serves as the general partner (the "General Partner")
of, both TNCLP and the Operating Partnership (collectively the "Partnership",
unless the context otherwise requires). TNC is an indirect, wholly owned
subsidiary of Terra Industries Inc. ("Terra"), a Maryland corporation. Terra,
through its various subsidiaries, is a leading marketer and producer of nitrogen
fertilizer, crop protection products, seed and services for agricultural, turf,
ornamental and other growers. Terra also produces nitrogen products and methanol
for industrial customers.
Ownership of TNCLP is comprised of the general partner interest and the
limited partner interests. The limited partner interests consist of 18,501,576
Common Units. Terra and its subsidiaries owned 12,147,314 Common Units as of
December 31, 1997 and the balance traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol "TNH". The Common Units are referred to herein individually as a
"Unit" and collectively as "Units". Prior to December 31, 1996, the limited
partner interests consisted of 13,636,364 Senior Preference Units ("SPUs") and
5,172,414 Common Units. Terra and its subsidiaries owned 6,974,900 SPUs and all
the Common Units on December 31, 1996. Pursuant to the provisions of the TNCLP
limited partnership agreement, the Preference Period for TNCLP ended on December
31, 1996, and holders of SPUs had the right to elect by March 31, 1997 to
convert their SPUs to Common Units. (See "Conversion of SPUs").
Partnership products
The Partnership is one of the largest U.S. producers and distributors of
nitrogen fertilizer products, which are principally used by farmers to improve
the yield and quality of their crops. The Partnership's principal products
include ammonia, urea and urea ammonium nitrate solution ("UAN"). The
Partnership's product sales are heavily weighted toward UAN, and all of its
products are sold on a wholesale basis. Although, to some extent, the various
nitrogen fertilizer products are interchangeable, each has its own distinct
characteristics which result in agronomic preferences among end users. Farmers
determine which type of nitrogen fertilizer to apply depending on the crop, soil
and weather conditions, regional farming practices and relative nitrogen
fertilizer prices.
The Partnership's sales mix for each of the years 1997, 1996 and 1995 was
(based on tons sold):
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Ammonia 15% 13% 15%
Urea 15% 13% 15%
UAN 70% 74% 70%
---- ---- ----
100% 100% 100%
Ammonia. The Partnership produces ammonia, the simplest form of nitrogen
fertilizer and the feedstock for the production of most other nitrogen
fertilizers, at its two plants (the "Plants") located in Verdigris, Oklahoma
(the "Verdigris Plant") and Blytheville, Arkansas (the "Blytheville Plant").
Ammonia is produced by reacting natural gas with steam and air at high
temperatures and pressures in the presence of catalysts.
1
Ammonia has a nitrogen content of 82% by weight and is generally the least
expensive form of fertilizer per unit of nitrogen. However, because it is a gas
that must be kept under pressure and refrigerated, ammonia is more costly to
store, ship and apply than other nitrogen fertilizer products and must be
applied during a shorter period of the growing season. Ammonia must be injected
into the soil by specialized equipment, and soil conditions often limit its
application.
In addition, in certain areas, especially in lesser developed countries,
dealers and farmers lack the equipment necessary to store, ship and apply
ammonia and are required to use other forms of nitrogen fertilizer. Ammonia can
be upgraded to produce solid or liquid fertilizers, like urea and UAN, which are
easier to transport, store and apply than ammonia.
Urea. The Partnership produces granular urea at the Blytheville Plant, by
upgrading a portion of its ammonia production. Solid urea is produced by
converting ammonia into liquid urea which is then dehydrated and turned into a
solid and either prilled or granulated. Prilled materials are the most common
form of solid urea. The granular form made by the Partnership may command a
modest price premium in certain markets because the consistency in size of the
granules (relative to prills) results in a more controllable spreading pattern
and better blending characteristics.
Urea has a nitrogen content of 46% by weight, the highest level for any
solid nitrogen product. Dry urea is used both as a direct application fertilizer
and as an ingredient in the dry bulk blending of mixed fertilizer grades. Urea
is transported and stored in bulk or in bags and is often blended by
distributors into customized fertilizers containing other nutrients.
UAN. The Partnership produces UAN at the Verdigris Plant and at the
Blytheville Plant by upgrading a portion of its ammonia production. UAN is
produced by combining liquid urea and ammonium nitrate in water. UAN is a liquid
fertilizer and, unlike ammonia, is odorless and does not need to be refrigerated
or pressurized for transportation or storage.
The nitrogen content of UAN is typically 28% to 32%. As a liquid, UAN has
many advantages over solid fertilizers and gaseous ammonia. UAN may be applied
more uniformly than non-liquid products and may be mixed with various crop
protection products or other nutrients, permitting the farmer to apply several
materials simultaneously rather than in separate applications, thus reducing
energy and labor costs. In addition, UAN, unlike ammonia, may be applied from
ordinary tanks and trucks and can be sprayed on, injected into the soil, or
applied through irrigation systems, throughout the growing season. Due to its
stable nature, UAN may be used for no-till row crops where fertilizer is spread
on the surface of the soil but may be subject to volatilization losses. The use
of conservation tilling, which reduces erosion, is increasing in the United
States, and the Partnership believes this trend, if continued, should increase
UAN demand.
Marketing and distribution
The Partnership sells its products primarily in the Central and Southern
Plains and Cornbelt regions of the United States. The Partnership's two Plants
are located on waterways near the major crop producing and consuming areas of
the United States, where the Partnership has ready access to barge, truck and
rail transportation at both Plants and an ammonia pipeline at the Verdigris
Plant to transport product to its primary markets. As of December 31, 1997, the
General Partner marketed the Partnership's products through a distribution and
marketing organization of 63 persons, located in the field and at the
Partnership's offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For further information on the
combined organizations of the General Partner and its affiliates, see "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions".
All of the Partnership's sales are at the wholesale level. The
Partnership's customers for fertilizer products are dealers, national farm
retail chains, distributors and other fertilizer producers and traders. National
farm retail chains have both distribution and application capabilities.
Distributors operate as wholesalers and sell directly to dealers and national
farm retail chains, who, in turn, sell directly to farmers. Many dealers
maintain storage capacity for year-round inventory as well as application
equipment. The majority of the Partnership's
2
sales of nitrogen fertilizer is made to dealers. For the year ended December 31,
1997, sales to Terra totalled $41.0 million, or 12.3% of the Partnership's
sales. For a description of the Partnership's sales to affiliates of the General
Partner, see "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions". No other customer
accounted for greater than 10% of the Partnership's 1997 sales.
The Partnership exports UAN through an export marketing association
comprised of four domestic UAN producers.
Transportation. The Partnership transports product primarily via barge and
railcar. Additionally, the Partnership uses trucks to transport smaller
quantities of product, and the Verdigris Plant distributes ammonia through a
common carrier pipeline. In addition, various supply terminals and
transportation equipment are generally available for the use and benefit of the
Partnership and affiliates of the General Partner. The Partnership has access to
significant storage capacity throughout the Midwestern U.S. through these supply
terminals. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions".
Production facilities
The following table illustrates the Partnership's gross production capacity
and percentage of capacity utilized.
Years Ended December 31,
-------------------------
1997 1996 1995
----- ----- -----
Capacity (000s tons)
Ammonia 1,470 1,470 1,470
Urea 480 480 480
UAN 2,210 2,210 2,150
----- ----- -----
Total 4,160 4,160 4,100
Capacity Utilization* 105% 102% 102%
* Capacity utilization is determined by dividing the gross tons of product
produced by the tons of capacity at expected operating rates and onstream
factors.
Verdigris Plant. The Verdigris facility is located at the Port of
Catoosa, in Rogers County, Oklahoma. On the Verdigris site are the Verdigris
Plant and the Port Terminal. The Verdigris Plant is owned in fee by the
Partnership, while the Port Terminal is leased from the Tulsa-Rogers County Port
Authority. The leasehold interest is scheduled to expire on April 30, 1999, and
the Partnership has the option to renew the lease for two additional,
consecutive terms of five years each. The Verdigris Plant consists of two
ammonia plants, two nitric acid plants and two UAN solution plants. The
Verdigris Plant produces primarily ammonia and UAN solution. In 1997,
approximately 70 percent of its ammonia production was converted into UAN. In
addition, the Verdigris Plant also contains carbon dioxide and argon recovery
facilities. The Verdigris Plant's sale of by-product carbon dioxide and argon
reduces the cost of production of nitrogen products. The Verdigris Plant
transports its products by barge, truck, rail and pipeline.
Blytheville Plant. The Blytheville Plant is located in Mississippi County,
Arkansas, adjacent to the Mississippi River. The Blytheville Plant consists of
an ammonia plant, a granular urea plant and a UAN solution plant. In 1997,
approximately 66 percent of its ammonia was converted into granular urea and
UAN. The ammonia facility at the Blytheville Plant is leased from the City of
Blytheville at a nominal annual rental. The lease term is scheduled to expire on
November 30, 1999, and the Partnership has the option to extend the lease for
twelve successive terms of five years each at the same rental rate. The
Partnership has the unconditional right to purchase the Plant for a nominal
price at the end of the lease term (including any renewal term). The urea
facility is also leased from the City of Blytheville. The lease is scheduled to
expire on November 1, 1999, and the Partnership has the option to renew the
lease for four successive periods of five years each at a nominal annual rental.
The Partnership also has an option to purchase the property for a nominal price.
The Blytheville Plant has access to a distribution system which includes rail,
truck and barge transportation. This distribution network gives the Blytheville
Plant the flexibility to serve the Eastern U.S. fertilizer markets.
3
Terminal Facilities. The Partnership owns and operates four terminals used
in the storage and distribution of product to customers. The Dublin Terminal, a
UAN terminal owned by the Partnership in fee, is located in Henry and Wayne
Counties, Indiana. The Blair Terminal, an ammonia and UAN terminal facility in
which the Partnership holds a fee interest and a leasehold interest, is located
in Washington County, Nebraska. The Pekin Terminal, a UAN terminal in which the
Partnership holds a leasehold interest, is located in Tazewell County, Illinois.
The Shattuc Terminal, a UAN terminal owned by the Partnership in fee, is located
in Clinton County, Illinois. The leasehold portions of both the Blair Terminal
and the Pekin Terminal properties are leased from Conoco Inc. under a capital
lease. The lease is scheduled to terminate on November 30, 2000. The Partnership
has an option to purchase these properties for a nominal price at the end of the
lease term. In addition, as of December 31, 1997, the Partnership had access to
leased space in 60 terminals located in numerous states.
Raw materials
Natural gas is the primary raw material used in the production of ammonia
and is also the primary fuel used in the Partnership's ammonia production
processes. The Partnership purchases natural gas from unaffiliated sources. The
purchase, transportation and forward pricing activities of natural gas account
for a large majority of the Partnership's production costs, and represented 57%
of total costs and expenses during 1997. A significant increase in the price of
natural gas that is not recovered through an increase in nitrogen fertilizer
prices would have a material adverse effect on the Partnership's profitability
and cash flow. Annual gas usage in the Partnership's Plants is approximately 56
million MMbtus (million British Thermal Units). The Partnership has entered into
firm transportation contracts to minimize the risk of interruption or
curtailment of natural gas supplies.
The Partnership's natural gas procurement policy is to effectively fix or
cap the unit cost of 40% to 80% of its natural gas requirements for the upcoming
12 months and up to 50% of its natural gas requirements for the subsequent two-
year period using supply contracts, financial derivatives and other forward
pricing techniques in an attempt to gain some protection against natural gas
price increases on the spot market. Consequently, if natural gas prices were to
increase in a future period the Partnership may benefit from these forward
pricing techniques; however, if natural gas prices were to fall, the Partnership
may incur costs above the spot market price as a result of such policies.
The settlement dates for such financial instruments are scheduled to
coincide with gas purchases during such future periods. These instruments
reference physical natural gas prices or appropriate NYMEX futures contract
prices. The contracts' physical prices are frequently based on the Henry Hub
Louisiana price, which is the most common and financially liquid location of
reference for financial derivatives related to natural gas; however, natural gas
supplies for the Partnership's two production facilities are purchased from
various suppliers at locations that are different from Henry Hub. This creates a
location basis differential between the contract price and the physical price of
natural gas. Accordingly, the use of financial derivatives may not exactly
offset the change in price of physical gas. Therefore, the Partnership has
entered into basis swaps to maintain fixed prices for the location basis
differential. As of December 31, 1997, the Partnership had effectively fixed or
capped the price of a portion of its natural gas requirements for 1998 and 1999
in line with its gas procurement policy mentioned above. Liquidation of these
financial derivatives based on December 31, 1997 market prices would have
resulted in a gain of $12.1 million.
Verdigris Plant Supply. The Verdigris Plant obtains natural gas under a
transportation agreement with Oklahoma Natural Gas Company ("ONG") that will
expire in 2004. Under the provisions of the agreements, the Partnership has the
option to: (a) purchase all or part of its natural gas requirements from ONG at
prices periodically offered by ONG, (b) purchase natural gas from third parties
or (c) use any combination of (a) or (b). Except under certain limited
circumstances, all natural gas purchased by the Verdigris Plant must be
transported to the Plant on ONG's pipeline system under interruptible
transportation agreements.
Blytheville Plant Supply. The Partnership has agreements for the
transportation of natural gas to the Blytheville Plant. The primary term of the
agreements expires on September 30, 1998; however, discussions are underway to
extend or renew these agreements.
4
Seasonality and volatility
Nitrogen fertilizer is a global commodity and generally has no proprietary
distinction. The U.S. nitrogen fertilizer business is both seasonal and volatile
due to a number of factors that affect U.S. and world supply and demand.
Approximately 60% of all nitrogen fertilizer consumed in the United States is
applied on acreage used for growing corn and wheat. Because of its dependence
on the U.S. agricultural markets, the Partnership's business is seasonal to the
extent that the Partnership typically realizes higher prices and accordingly
more revenues on its products in the second quarter. The seasonality of the
Partnership's business is the result of the U.S. agricultural growing season,
which imposes the need to build inventories for the annual peak periods of
fertilizer application and generally results in higher fertilizer prices during
such peak periods. Prices for fertilizer typically peak in the spring, drop in
the summer, increase in the fall (as depleted inventories are restored) through
the spring. However in 1997, as discussed below, nitrogen fertilizer prices
declined during the summer and continued to decline during the fall and winter
as a result of increased production capacity in the industry.
In recent years, additional UAN storage capacity has been built which
allows the Partnership's customers to purchase more product during the fall and
winter months. As a result, there has been a shift in Partnership UAN sales from
the first and second quarters of the year to the third and fourth quarters.
While the third and fourth quarter revenues now represent a higher percentage of
the annual revenues, the second quarter continues to be the Partnership's
strongest quarter producing the highest revenues and earnings.
The Partnership's revenues are dependent on U.S. agricultural conditions,
which can be volatile as a result of a number of factors, the most important of
which are weather patterns and conditions (particularly during periods of high
fertilizer application), current and projected grain stocks and prices, grain
export prices and supports, and the U.S. government's agricultural policy. U.S.
governmental policies were designed to regulate or influence the number of acres
planted, the level of grain inventories, the mix of crops planted and crop
prices in order to mitigate price and grain inventory volatility. The enactment
of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform ("FAIR") Act during 1996 ended
government acreage reduction and production control measures and allowed farmers
more flexibility in planting. As a result, additional acres were brought into
production during 1996 and this increase in acreage production, if sustained,
could have a positive impact on the fertilizer industry over the next few years.
However, during 1997, the impact of the increase in acreage production was
mitigated by increased nitrogen fertilizer production capacity from new plants
and expansion of existing plants by competitors (see "Competition").
Nitrogen fertilizer producers experienced favorable market conditions in
1995 and 1996 which led to increased supply through the construction of new
plants and expansion of existing facilities. Future nitrogen fertilizer prices
will depend on, among other things, to what extent increased worldwide supply
will be absorbed by increased demand.
Competition
The nitrogen fertilizer industry is highly competitive. Competition takes
place largely on the basis of price, reliability and deliverability. The
relative cost and availability of natural gas, the efficiency of production
facilities and the ability to transport finished goods to end users are
important competitive factors. The Partnership's domestic competitors include
large farm cooperatives, other independent fertilizer companies and subsidiaries
or divisions of larger energy companies. In addition, nitrogen fertilizers
imported into the United States compete with domestically produced nitrogen
fertilizers, including those of the Partnership. Some of the Partnership's
principal competitors may have greater total resources and may be less dependent
on earnings from nitrogen fertilizer sales than is the Partnership. Countries
with inexpensive sources of natural gas, particularly those in the former Soviet
Union and the Middle East, can produce nitrogen fertilizers at a low cost.
However, political instability and transportation costs can serve as deterrents
to exporting nitrogen fertilizers to the U.S. Favorable market conditions in the
mid-1990s have resulted in nitrogen fertilizer production capacity increases and
additional capacity is starting up in 1998 and beyond. If increasing demand is
insufficient to absorb new supplies generated by these facilities, profit
margins could decline further in future periods.
5
Environmental matters
The Partnership is subject to federal, state and local environmental,
health and safety laws and regulations, particularly relating to air and water
quality. In the course of its ordinary operations, the Partnership has and will
generate wastes, which may fall within the definition of "hazardous substances"
under federal or state laws. If such wastes have been disposed of at sites which
are targeted for cleanup by federal or state regulatory authorities, the
Partnership may be among those responsible under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA") or analogous state laws for
all or part of the costs of such cleanup.
The Partnership believes that the procedures currently in effect at all of
its facilities for the production, handling and transportation of all materials
are consistent with industry standards and in compliance with applicable
environmental, health and safety laws in all material respects. In addition, in
connection with the Asset Purchase Agreement dated February 7, 1990, between TNC
and Freeport-McMoRan Resource Partners, Limited Partnership ("FMRP"), as
amended, by which TNC purchased certain nitrogen fertilizer operations from FMRP
(the "1990 TNC Acquisition"), FMRP agreed to provide TNC a limited indemnity
(the "Freeport Indemnity") for certain environmental liabilities that are the
subject of official notice from a court or governmental agency. The Freeport
Indemnity encompasses all costs incurred in respect of all such liabilities
associated with the off-site disposal of hazardous substances or other solid
wastes generated by FMRP prior to the 1990 TNC Acquisition closing date,
February 28, 1990.
Certain state regulatory agencies have enacted requirements to provide
secondary containment for bulk agricultural chemical storage facilities present
at the Partnership's terminals. It is expected that other states will adopt
similar requirements pursuant to federal mandate. The Partnership has commenced
construction of these facilities at its terminals, and estimates that the future
cost of complying with these regulations in 1998 and beyond will be
approximately $800,000.
Based on its current knowledge, the Partnership does not expect any capital
expenditures relating to environmental matters to have a material adverse effect
on its results of operations, financial condition, capital resources, liquidity
or cash flow. There can be no assurance, however, that additional environmental
matters resulting in material liabilities or expenditures will not be discovered
or that, in the future, material expenditures for such matters will not be
required by changes in law.
Employees
The Partnership does not have any employees, officers or directors.
The General Partner is responsible for the management of the Partnership.
As of December 31, 1997, the General Partner had 368 employees. None of the
General Partner's employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements. The
General Partner considers its labor relations to be good.
Conversion of SPUs
Pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement of Limited Partnership of
TNCLP, the Preference Period for TNCLP ended on December 31, 1996. For a 90-day
period which ended on March 31, 1997, the holders of all SPUs had the right to
elect to convert their SPUs into Common Units on a one-for-one basis, by
delivering to the General Partner a conversion notice. Any SPUs for which a
conversion notice was not received during the 90-day period remained SPUs. Those
units that remained SPUs were entitled to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution
("MQD") until redeemed (see "Redemption of SPUs") but did not participate with
the Common Units in any additional distributions after December 31, 1996.
Holders of 13,329,162 SPUs converted their units to Common Units and
307,202 units remained SPUs. The Common Units began trading on the New York
Stock Exchange on April 1, 1997 under the symbol TNH.
6
Redemption of SPUs
Pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement of Limited Partnership, on May
27, 1997, the Partnership redeemed all SPUs that did not convert to Common
Units. The redemption price was $21.50 per unit. On May 27, 1997, the SPUs
received the MQD of $.605 per unit for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, in
addition to the redemption price.
Limited Call Right
If at any time less than 25% of the issued and Outstanding Units are held
by non-affiliates of the General Partner, the Partnership may call, or assign to
the General Partner or its affiliates its right to acquire all such Outstanding
Units held by non-affiliated persons. TNCLP shall give at least 30 but not more
than 60 days notice of its decision to purchase the Outstanding Units. The
purchase price per unit will be the greater of (1) the average of the previous
twenty trading days closing prices as of the date five days before the purchase
is announced or (2) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its
affiliates for any unit within the 90 days preceding the date the purchase is
announced.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
There is no pending or threatened litigation to the knowledge of the
Partnership that would have a material adverse effect on the business or
financial condition of the Partnership.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Unitholders
Not Applicable.
7
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Units and Related Unitholder Matters
Prior to April 1, 1997, the SPUs of TNCLP were listed and traded on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol, TNH. After March 31, 1997, the Common
Units traded under the symbol TNH and any non converted SPUs traded under the
symbol TNHPRCL until redeemed effective May 27, 1997. The high and low sales
prices of the Common Units (previously SPUs) for each quarterly period for 1997
and 1996, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape, were as
follows:
1997 1996
------------------ -----------------
Quarter High Low High Low
------- -------- ------- ------- -------
1st $45 3/8 $35 1/2 $47 1/4 $35 3/4
2nd 43 7/8 37 7/8 49 1/4 37
3rd 42 3/8 32 1/4 46 1/2 37 1/2
4th 38 3/16 23 1/4 45 3/4 41 1/2
Based on information received from TNCLP's transfer and servicing agent,
the number of registered unitholders as of February 6, 1998 is 809. TNC owned
11,172,414 Common Units as of February 6, 1998.
The quarterly cash distributions paid to the Units and the General Partner
in 1997 and 1996 were as follows:
Amount Per Amount Per
Senior Preference Common Amount Distributed
Unit Unit to General Partner
----------------- ---------- ------------------
1997:
First quarter $.605* $1.50 $10,476,778
Second quarter .605* 1.02 1,835,535
Third quarter -- 2.38 26,686,249
Fourth quarter -- .29 109,543
1996:
First quarter 1.91 1.91 18,290,234
Second quarter 1.63 1.63 13,022,192
Third quarter 2.42 2.42 27,882,757
Fourth quarter 1.77 1.77 15,658,463
* The distributions paid in the first and second quarters of 1997 to the
holders of the SPUs represented an amount equal to the MQD for each
quarter. Nonconverting SPU holders were not entitled to participate in
cash distributions in excess of the MQD after December 31, 1996.
Cash distributions are based on Available Cash for the quarter as defined
in TNCLP's limited partnership agreement. Available Cash is defined generally as
all cash receipts less all cash disbursements, adjusted for changes in certain
reserves established as the General Partner determines in its reasonable
discretion to be necessary. There are a number of factors which affect the
amount of taxable income reported to unitholders including Partnership earnings,
capital spending and cash distributions.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
The following table sets forth the Partnership's historical financial and
operating data for each of the five years ended December 31, 1997. This
information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the financial
statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.
8
Selected Historical Financial and Operating Data
Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------- -------------
(Dollars in Thousands, except Income per Unit and Average Realized Prices)
Income Statement Data:
Revenues.................. $333,959 $362,730 $373,325 $300,269 $259,782
Other income............. 1,353 408 650 2,565 968
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues.......... 335,312 363,138 373,975 302,834 260,750
Cost of goods sold........ 219,486 177,502 187,615 193,541 190,192
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit............ 115,826 185,636 186,360 109,293 70,558
Operating expenses........ 12,147 13,035 16,840 20,000 17,645
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating income........ 103,679 172,601 169,520 89,293 52,913
Interest expense.......... (2,201) (1,210) (1,748) (3,575) (4,015)
Interest income........... 3,660 6,242 4,696 2,038 831
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income before income
taxes and
extraordinary expense.. 105,138 177,633 172,468 87,756 49,729
Income taxes.............. -- -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income before
extraordinary
expense.................. $105,138 $177,633 $172,468 $ 87,756 $ 49,729
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Income before
extraordinary
expense per limited
partner unit............. $ 4.17 $ 6.35 $ 6.55 $ 4.57 $ 2.59
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Balance Sheet Data (at
period end):
Net property, plant and
equipment................ $169,533 $172,771 $177,358 $179,028 $184,629
Total assets.............. 253,828 306,668 338,123 316,645 286,355
Long-term debt and
capital lease
obligations, including
current maturities....... 10,036 4,198 5,702 42,450 38,418
Partners' capital......... 206,775 243,744 286,356 236,879 201,003
Operating Data:
Production (000s tons):(a)
Ammonia -- net of
upgrades............. 487 397 427 535 422
UAN................... 2,299 2,286 2,158 1,890 1,974
Urea.................. 496 447 453 424 451
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Total production... 3,282 3,130 3,038 2,849 2,847
Sales Volume (000s tons):(a)
Ammonia............... 475 394 451 541 453
UAN................... 2,249 2,324 2,133 1,884 1,985
Urea.................. 496 419 455 418 460
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Total sales........ 3,220 3,137 3,039 2,843 2,898
Average realized prices
($/ton)
Ammonia............... 183 186 199 174 115
UAN................... 79 92 93 77 74
Urea.................. 139 179 187 147 132
- --------------
(a) Sales volume differs from production due to the purchase and resale by the
Partnership of ammonia, UAN and urea as well as changes in the quantities of
inventory of each of the products of the Partnership.
9
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
General
The supply and demand for nitrogen fertilizer are subject to changes in the
economy and agricultural conditions that can significantly affect prices and the
Partnership's profitability. See "Business and Properties -- Seasonality and
volatility" in Items 1 and 2. Demand for nitrogen fertilizer comes primarily
from the agricultural market with approximately 60% of all nitrogen fertilizer
consumed in the United States being applied to acreage for corn and wheat.
The U.S. is the primary market for the Partnership's products. Generally,
U.S. nitrogen demand is dependent on unpredictable factors such as weather,
agricultural policy, and planted acreage. While almost all the Partnership's
sales are domestic, nitrogen fertilizer is a global commodity and thus, the
worldwide relative balance of supply and demand for nitrogen fertilizers can
impact Partnership sales.
Weather can have a significant effect on demand for the Partnership's
products. Weather conditions that delay or intermittently disrupt field work
during the planting season may result in fewer nitrogen applications. Similar
conditions following harvest may delay or eliminate opportunities to apply
fertilizer in the fall. Weather can also have an adverse effect on crop yields,
which lowers the income of growers and could reduce the amount of fertilizer
purchased in the future.
The enactment of the FAIR Act in 1996 ended government acreage reduction and
production control measures and allowed farmers more flexibility in planting.
As a result, additional acres were brought into production during 1996 and 1997
and this increase in acreage production has had a positive impact on the
fertilizer industry over the past two years.
The nitrogen industry experienced favorable market conditions from 1994
through 1996 due in part to increased foreign and domestic demand, the breakup
of the Soviet Union and relatively few nitrogen capacity additions. This supply
and demand balance led to substantial increases in nitrogen fertilizer prices
and vastly improved the margins of the Partnership's business during that time
period. Worldwide demand has been fueled by a growing population and improving
economies in developing countries. As per capita income increased in some of
these developing countries, meat consumption also increased. The animal feed for
poultry, hogs and cattle comes from grain production. The increased grain
production led to an increase in demand for fertilizer.
The favorable market conditions for nitrogen producers in 1995 and 1996 led to
the construction of new manufacturing plants and the expansion of existing
plants. In addition, during 1997 worldwide demand for urea declined dramatically
as a result of significantly lower purchases by China. Historically, China has
been a major purchaser of urea, but the construction of several plants in China
led to increased supplies and imports were banned beginning in early 1997. This
import ban will continue until the Chinese inventories are reduced. The
reduction in Chinese demand caused urea prices to drop significantly during
1997. As a result of lower urea prices during 1997, nitrogen producers began to
sell higher priced ammonia rather than upgrading it to urea. Consequently,
additional ammonia became available which negatively impacted market conditions
for ammonia and caused prices to decline during the second half of 1997. As a
result of increased worldwide nitrogen supply and changes in China's demand for
imported nitrogen, market fundamentals deteriorated during 1997 causing the
Partnership's margins to decline.
New nitrogen fertilizer capacity will come on stream during 1998 and in the
next few years primarily in Trinidad, Western Asia and China, along with lesser
production increases in other areas. If demand from a growing worldwide
population is insufficient to absorb supplies generated by these new facilities,
profit margins could decline further in future periods.
The Partnership's margins are also influenced by the cost of natural gas, the
primary raw material in the production of nitrogen fertilizers. In 1997,
natural gas costs accounted for 57% of the Partnership's total costs and
expenses.
10
Results of operations
1997 compared with 1996
1997 1996
------------------------------- -------------------------------
Sales Volumes Avg. Unit Price Sales Volumes Avg. Unit Price
(000 tons) ($/ton) (000 tons) ($/ton)
------------- --------------- ------------- ---------------
Ammonia 475 183 394 186
UAN 2,249 79 2,324 92
Urea 496 139 419 179
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 1997 declined $27.8 million, or
8%, due to lower sales prices for all products and primarily for urea and UAN.
Also contributing to the lower revenues were lower sales volumes for UAN
partially offset by higher ammonia and urea sales volumes. Nitrogen prices fell
during 1997 due to lower worldwide demand for urea, increased nitrogen
production capacity and erratic weather patterns in the Partnership's markets.
Urea sales prices declined 23% in 1997 compared with 1996 due to a
significant reduction in China's purchases in the world markets. China has been
a major purchaser of urea, but increased production in that country led to
increased inventories and a ban on all urea imports until such inventories are
reduced. This created excess supply in the world markets and led to
significantly lower prices during 1997.
Wet weather in the South and Southwest led to lower demand for UAN. As a
result of increased UAN availability and lower alternate nitrogen prices, the
Partnership's UAN prices declined 14% compared with 1996. In addition, spring
weather conditions in the Midwest favored ammonia application over UAN
application. Contributing to favorable ammonia market conditions during 1997
were increased corn acres and greater demand for ammonia in the manufacture of
upgraded nitrogen fertilizer and industrial products.
Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues increased to 65% for 1997
from 49% in 1996, due to lower sales prices and higher natural gas costs. The
Partnership's natural gas costs increased 29% in 1997 compared with 1996. The
Partnership's forward pricing activities produced $25.6 million in cost savings
compared with spot market natural gas prices during 1997 compared with $37.1
million in 1996.
Interest expense increased $1 million in 1997 due to the discount on
accounts receivable sold under the accounts receivable securitization facility
entered into during the third quarter of 1996 and to the borrowing under the
revolving credit agreement used to fund the redemption of the Senior Preference
Units in May 1997.
Interest income declined $2.6 million during 1997 due to lower levels of
cash and short term investments and the elimination of the Reserve Amount. As a
result of the redemption of the SPUs on May 27, 1997, the Reserve Amount was no
longer required to be maintained. The Reserve Amount of $18.5 million was
distributed out of Available Cash on May 27, 1997 to holders of the Common Units
and to the General Partner.
The net income allocated to the General Partner decreased to 26% for the
year ended December 31, 1997 due to the decrease in Available Cash distributed
to the General Partner. According to the Agreement of Limited Partnership of
TNCLP, net income is allocated to the General Partner and the Limited Partners
in each taxable year in the same proportion that Available Cash for such taxable
year was distributed to the General Partner and the Limited Partners.
Distributions of Available Cash are made 98% to the Limited Partners and 2% to
the General Partner, except that the General Partner is entitled, as an
incentive, to larger percentage interests to the extent that distributions of
Available Cash exceed specified target levels. Available Cash for 1997 decreased
$82.3 million from 1996 due primarily to lower net income in 1997 partially
offset by the elimination of the $18.5 million Reserve Amount, and to an
increase in 1996 Available Cash as a result of the impact of TNCLP's
participation in an accounts receivable securitization facility entered into
during the third quarter of 1996.
11
1996 compared with 1995
1996 1995
------------------------------- -------------------------------
Sales Volumes Avg. Unit Price Sales Volumes Avg. Unit Price
(000 tons) ($/ton) (000 tons) ($/ton)
------------- --------------- ------------- ---------------
Ammonia 394 186 451 199
UAN 2,324 92 2,133 93
Urea 419 179 455 187
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996 declined $10.8 million, or
3%, due to lower sales prices for all products. Also contributing to the lower
revenues were lower sales volumes for ammonia and urea partially offset by
higher UAN sales volumes. Erratic weather patterns reduced ammonia and urea
applications and prices during 1996. Wet weather in parts of the corn belt
during the 1996 planting season created unfavorable conditions for ammonia
application. The wet weather combined with reduced demand for use in the
manufacture of phosphate fertilizers and lower industrial demand caused ammonia
prices to decline approximately 7% from 1995. Urea and ammonia sales volumes
were also impacted by a scheduled turnaround performed at the Blytheville Plant
during the third quarter of 1996 and reduced shipments for wheat pre-plant
application during 1996. UAN sales volumes increased 9% primarily due to a 12%
increase in corn acres planted during 1996.
Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues decreased to 49% for 1996
from 50% in 1995, despite slightly lower sales prices, reflecting the favorable
impact of the Partnership's natural gas procurement activities. The
Partnership's forward pricing activities decreased its overall cost of natural
gas from market prices by $37.1 million during 1996. Conversely, natural gas
forward pricing activities increased cost by $18.2 million during 1995. Spot
natural gas prices were higher during 1996 due to cold weather during the first
quarter of 1996 which caused spot natural gas prices to increase and remain high
during the second and third quarters as natural gas storage levels were
replenished. Toward the end of 1996, spot natural gas prices increased
dramatically due to cold weather and an anticipation that storage levels may
need to be drawn down even further to meet increased demand.
Operating expenses decreased $3.8 million, or 23%, compared with 1995
primarily due to lower data processing, legal and employee benefit expenses
during 1996. Incentive compensation expenses were also lower due to changes in
profit sharing plans.
Interest expense declined $538,000 in 1996 due to the repayment of the
Partnership's $35 million term loan during the second quarter of 1995.
Interest income increased $1.5 million due to the higher level of cash and
short term investments.
The net income allocated to the General Partner increased to 33% for the
year ended December 31, 1996 due to the increase in Available Cash distributed
to the General Partner. Available Cash for 1996 increased $39.9 million over
1995 due primarily to the reduction in 1995 Available Cash as a result of the
repayment of the Partnership's $35 million term loan; an increase in 1996
Available Cash as a result of the impact of TNCLP's participation in an accounts
receivable securitization facility entered into during the third quarter of 1996
and higher net income in 1996.
Seasonality
The U.S. nitrogen fertilizer business is seasonal. Because of its
dependence on the U.S. agricultural markets, the Partnership's business
typically realizes greater volume and higher prices, and accordingly, more
revenues for its products in the second quarter. The seasonality of the
Partnership's business is the result of the U.S. agricultural growing season,
which requires producers to build inventories for the annual peak periods of
fertilizer application and generally results in higher fertilizer prices during
such peak periods. Prices for fertilizer typically peak in the spring, drop in
the summer, increase in the fall (as depleted inventories are restored) through
the spring.
12
In recent years, additional UAN fertilizer storage capacity has been built
which allows the Partnership's customers to purchase more product during the
fall and winter months. As a result, there has been a shift in Partnership UAN
sales from the first and second quarters of the year to the third and fourth
quarters. While the third and fourth quarter revenues now represent a higher
percentage of the annual revenues, the second quarter continues to be the
Partnership's strongest quarter producing the highest revenues and earnings.
Natural gas costs
The Partnership's natural gas procurement policy is to effectively fix or
cap the unit cost of approximately 40% to 80% of its natural gas requirements
for the upcoming 12 months and up to 50% of its natural gas requirements for the
subsequent two-year period using supply contracts, financial derivatives and
other forward pricing techniques in an attempt to gain some protection against
natural gas price increases on the spot market. Consequently, if natural gas
prices were to increase in a future period, the Partnership may benefit from
these forward pricing techniques; however, if natural gas prices were to fall,
the Partnership may incur costs above the spot market price as a result of such
policies.
The settlement dates for such financial instruments are scheduled to
coincide with gas purchases during future periods. These instruments are based
on a designated price which is referenced to market natural gas prices or
appropriate NYMEX futures contract prices. The Partnership frequently uses
prices at the Henry Hub in Louisiana, the most common and financially liquid
location of reference for financial derivatives related to natural gas; however,
natural gas supplies for the Partnership's two production facilities are
purchased from various suppliers at locations that are different from Henry Hub.
This creates a location basis differential between the contract price and the
physical price of natural gas. Accordingly, the use of financial derivatives may
not exactly offset the change in the price of physical gas. The Partnership uses
basis swaps to maintain fixed prices for the location basis differential. As of
December 31, 1997, the Partnership had effectively fixed or capped the price of
a portion of its natural gas requirements for 1998 and 1999 in accordance with
its gas procurement policy mentioned above. Liquidation of these financial
derivatives based on December 31, 1997 market prices would have resulted in a
gain of $12.1 million.
Increases in the price of natural gas normally do not affect the level of
ammonia production. However, since the Partnership's gas procurement includes a
range of volumes and prices, it may be cost effective to eliminate certain
higher priced increments if the purchase of that increment would result in a
negative variable cash margin on the ammonia produced from such incremental gas
purchase. Under these circumstances, production levels may be curtailed.
Production rates can be reduced by up to 10-12% of capacity, thereby reducing
operating rates to 88-90% of capacity, without significantly affecting operating
efficiency.
Capital resources and liquidity
Net cash provided by operating activities for 1997 was $111.0 million, a
decrease of $95.1 million from 1996, principally due to lower net income and
higher working capital requirements. Working capital declined in 1997 due in
part to lower natural gas costs at year end 1997 compared with year end 1996,
and the 1996 period reflected the proceeds received from the accounts receivable
securitization program entered into during the third quarter of 1996. The
Partnership's principal needs for funds are for support of its working capital,
distributions to partners and capital expenditures. The Partnership intends to
fund such needs from net cash provided by operating activities, and, to the
extent permitted thereunder, from funds available under the Operating
Partnership's revolving credit facility. During the second quarter of 1997, the
Partnership borrowed $7 million under its revolving credit facility to fund the
redemption of the SPUs. At December 31,1997, the Operating Partnership had $18
million of unused borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility. The
Partnership believes that such sources of funds will be adequate to meet the
Partnership's working capital needs, make quarterly distributions to partners,
and fund the Partnership's capital expenditures during 1998.
Quarterly distributions to the partners of TNCLP are based on Available
Cash for the quarter as defined in the TNCLP Agreement of Limited Partnership.
Available Cash is defined generally as all cash receipts less all cash
disbursements, adjusted for changes in certain reserves established as the
General Partner determines in its reasonable discretion to be necessary.
Distributions paid to all partners were $135.5 million in 1997. On January 26,
1998, the Partnership declared a distribution of $21.6 million ($1.17 per unit)
to holders of the Common Units as of February 6, 1998 payable on February 27,
1998. Also on January 26, 1998, the
13
Partnership declared distributions of $3.4 million to the General Partner
(equaling 13.7% of total distributions declared above, as required).
Distributions on the Common Units are cumulative to the extent that, for
any calendar quarter, if a distribution of at least $0.605 is not paid to the
holders of the Common Units, the amount of the shortfall (plus any arrearages
from prior quarters) will be paid out of Available Cash in subsequent quarters
before any incentive distributions are paid to the General Partner. As of
December 31, 1997, the accumulated distribution arrearage for the Common Units
was $5.8 million ($0.315 per unit). This arrearage was satisfied in full in the
February 1998 distribution.
As a result of the conversion of SPUs to Common Units on March 31, 1997,
and the subsequent redemption of any nonconverted SPUs on May 27,1997, the
Reserve Amount was no longer required to be maintained. The Reserve Amount of
$18.5 million was distributed out of Available Cash on May 27, 1997 to holders
of the Common Units and to the General Partner.
On August 20, 1996, TNCLP and certain affiliates of the General Partner,
through Terra Funding Corporation ("TFC"), an affiliate of the General Partner
and a limited purpose corporation, entered into an agreement with a financial
institution to sell an undivided interest in their accounts receivable.
Undivided interests in new receivables may be sold as amounts are collected on
previously sold amounts. This agreement accelerates the receipt of cash on
outstanding Partnership accounts receivable and should benefit the Partnership's
cash flow during the term of the agreement which expires in 1999.
Financial condition
The demand deposit (which represents excess Partnership cash deposited with
Terra) declined $14.8 million from the December 31, 1996 balance primarily due
to lower cash generated from operations during 1997.
Accounts receivable -Other and accrued liabilities at December 31, 1996
included $6.9 million due on closed gas contracts compared with $600,000 due on
such contracts at December 31, 1997.
Other assets declined $9.5 million from the December 31, 1996 balance due
to the amortization of deferred turnaround costs during 1997. A scheduled
turnaround was completed at the Blytheville Plant during the third quarter of
1996. Costs related to the periodic scheduled maintenance of production
facilities (plant turnarounds) are capitalized when incurred and amortized on a
straight-line basis, generally over one or two years, until the next scheduled
turnaround.
Accounts payable and payable to affiliates decreased $15.3 million from the
December 31, 1996 balance primarily due to lower natural gas costs at the end of
1997 compared with the end of 1996 and due to the timing of cash transfers
between the Partnership and its affiliates.
Financing arrangements
The Partnership and certain affiliates of the General Partner are included
under an amended credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") entered into by the
Operating Partnership and certain Terra subsidiaries with certain senior lenders
and Citibank, N.A., as agent. The Operating Partnership's facilities under the
Credit Agreement include a $25 million revolving credit facility. The revolving
credit facility expires December 31, 2000. During the second quarter of 1997,
the Partnership borrowed $7 million under its revolving credit facility to fund
the redemption of the SPUs. At December 31, 1997, the Operating Partnership had
$18 million of unused borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility.
Loans under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Terra and certain
subsidiaries, including the General Partner, and are secured by pledges of the
stock of significant Terra subsidiaries, including the General Partner, and are
secured by substantially all of the assets of the Operating Partnership. The
security interest granted in the Operating Partnership's assets secure only its
revolving credit facility.
14
The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including those
relating to failure to pay amounts due, misrepresentation, failure to perform
covenants, bankruptcy or insolvency, litigation and unsatisfied judgments,
violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
and environmental laws and changes in control or ownership.
The Credit Agreement contains covenants customary for financings of this
type including limitations on capital expenditures, additional debt, liens,
receivables sales, investments, changes in lines of business, transactions with
affiliates and limitations on acquisitions. The Credit Agreement also includes
covenants requiring Terra to meet certain financial tests. The Partnership is
not required to meet such financial tests under the Credit Agreement.
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures totalled $8.9 million, $9.1 million and $8.3 million
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Expenditures
for these three years were primarily for equipment replacement, environmental
controls, efficiency improvements and minor capacity expansions. In 1998, the
Partnership plans to spend approximately $10 million for capital expenditures.
Plans for 1998 include urea storage and loading improvements at the Blytheville
plant and environmental control, equipment replacement and efficiency
improvements at both plants. The Partnership believes that after 1998 capital
spending will range between $6 million and $10 million per year in order to
maintain current operating efficiencies. The actual amount of capital
expenditures may be greater if the Partnership decides to expand nitrogen
fertilizer capacity or increase the efficiency of its facilities.
Environmental matters
The Partnership is subject to federal, state, and local environmental,
health and safety laws and regulations, particularly relating to air and water
quality. In the course of its ordinary operations, the Partnership has and will
generate wastes which may fall within the definition of "hazardous substances"
under federal or state laws. The Partnership's production facilities and storage
locations require ongoing operating expenditures in order to remain in
compliance with environmental regulations. Environmental operating costs in
1997, 1996, and 1995 were approximately $2.4 million, $2.3 million and $2.3
million, respectively. These operating costs consist largely of such items as
electrical and chemical usage, waste disposal, laboratory analysis, fees for
outside consultants and contractors, and salaries for environmental employees.
Environmental capital expenditures in 1997, 1996, and 1995 were approximately
$549,000, $1.4 million and $133,000, respectively.
Based on its current knowledge, the Partnership does not expect capital
expenditures relating to environmental matters to have a material adverse effect
on its results of operations, financial condition, capital resources, liquidity
or cash flow. In addition, the Partnership does not expect that any further
material capital expenditures will be required to comply with existing
environmental regulations. Based on such regulations, the Partnership does not
believe that it will be required to make any material environmental remediation
expenditures in the foreseeable future.
New accounting standards
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued three new accounting
standards which are applicable to the Partnership: SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities,"
SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income", and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". SFAS No. 125
establishes accounting and reporting standards for certain assets and
liabilities. The Partnership adopted SFAS No. 125 effective January 1, 1997, and
there was no material impact on the Partnership's consolidated financial
position or results of operations. SFAS Nos. 130 and 131 are effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. While the Partnership has
certain comprehensive income items, adopting these pronouncements will not
materially change the Partnership's financial reporting and disclosures.
15
Year 2000 issue
The Year 2000 issue concerns computer programs that use only the last two
digits to identify the year in date fields. If not corrected, many of these
computer applications could fail or create erroneous results on or before
January 1, 2000. This issue affects virtually every company.
The Partnership has assigned dedicated resources to address its year 2000
issues. A significant part, but not all, of the Partnership's computer
environment has been assessed for Year 2000 issues and necessary remedial
actions have been identified in these assessed areas. The impact of these
remedial actions for areas where an assessment has already been completed is not
expected to be material. Remedial actions taken to date have been completed at
minimal cost.
The Partnership has initiated an additional organization-wide review of all
possible computing functions, including the process control systems and
instrumentation in the manufacturing facilities. The Partnership is also
assessing Year 2000 issues in relation to its customers, suppliers and other
constituents because the actions of many such third parties affect the
operations of the Partnership.
The Partnership anticipates that it will complete all assessment,
remediation and testing efforts for Year 2000 issues in advance of January 1,
2000 with no material adverse consequences or significant costs to the
Partnership. The costs or consequences of incomplete or untimely resolution of
Year 2000 issues by the Partnership or third parties could have a material
adverse affect on the Partnership.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The consolidated financial statements of the Partnership together with the
report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, appear on pages
F-2 through F-18 of this report. See Index to Financial Statements on page F-1.
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
Summarized quarterly financial data are as follows (in thousands, except per
unit amounts):
1997 First Second Third Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
------- -------- ------- -------
Revenues................................. $74,179 $105,601 $77,120 $78,412
Gross profit............................. 31,670 45,347 22,127 16,682
Net income............................... 29,792 42,937 18,719 13,690
Net income per limited partnership unit.. 1.44 1.24 .78 .71
1996 First Second Third Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
------- -------- ------- -------
Revenues................................. $89,448 $106,238 $82,257 $85,195
Gross profit............................. 54,206 56,557 37,685 37,188
Net income............................... 52,998 54,682 35,883 34,070
Net income per limited partnership unit.. 1.98 1.74 1.31 1.32
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
None.
16
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
TNC, in its capacity as General Partner, manages and controls the
activities of TNCLP and the Operating Partnership. Unitholders do not direct or
participate in the management or control of either TNCLP or the Operating
Partnership. The General Partner does not intend to establish any advisory board
or similar body to which the Unitholders would be entitled to elect
representatives.
The Partnership has no directors or executive officers. Set forth below is
certain information concerning the directors and executive officers of the
General Partner. The sole stockholder of the General Partner elects the
directors of the General Partner. All directors hold office until their
successors are duly elected and qualified or their earlier resignation or
removal. All officers of the General Partner serve at the discretion of the
directors.
Directors: Age Position with the General Partner (Position with Terra Industries Inc.)
Michael L. Bennett........................ 44 Director (Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,
Terra Industries Inc.)
Thomas Buck............................... 70 Director
Lawrence S. Hlobik........................ 53 Chairman of the Board of Directors and President (Senior Vice President,
Terra Industries Inc.)
Dennis B. Longmire........................ 53 Director
Francis G. Meyer.......................... 46 Director (Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Terra Industries Inc.)
W. Mark Rosenbury......................... 50 Director (Vice President--European Operations, Terra Industries Inc. and
Managing Director--Terra Nitrogen UK)
Robert W. Todd............................ 70 Director
Principal Operating Executive Officers of Terra Nitrogen Corporation:
Bryan D. Evans............................ 42 Vice President--Marketing
Lawrence S. Hlobik........................ 53 Chairman of the Board of Directors and President
Charles J. Pero........................... 49 Vice President--Human Resources
Steven A. Savage.......................... 53 Senior Vice President--Manufacturing
Erik L. Slockers.......................... 46 Vice President--Controller
Other Executive Officers of Terra Nitrogen Corporation (including Offices with Terra Industries Inc.):
Michael L. Bennett........................ 44 Director (Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,
Terra Industries Inc.)
Francis G. Meyer.......................... 46 Director (Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Terra Industries Inc.)
W. Mark Rosenbury......................... 50 Director (Vice President--European Operations, Terra Industries Inc. and
Managing Director--Terra Nitrogen UK)
Burton M. Joyce........................... 56 (President and Chief Executive Officer, Terra Industries Inc.)
Paula C. Norton........................... 52 (Vice President--Corporate and Investor Relations, Terra Industries Inc.)
George H. Valentine....................... 49 Vice President and General Counsel (Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary, Terra Industries Inc.)
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of TNC is comprised of
Messrs. Buck, Longmire and Todd. The Audit Committee has authority to review
policies and practices of TNC dealing with various matters relating to the
financial condition and auditing procedures of TNC, the Partnership and the
Operating Partnership.
Mr. Bennett has been a director since March 1995. He has been Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Terra since February 1997 and was
President of Terra Distribution Division from November 1995 to February 1997 and
Senior Vice President of Terra from February 1995 to February 1997. He was
Senior Vice President, Distribution of Terra International from October 1994 to
February 1997. He was Vice President, Northern Division thereof from January
1992 to October 1994.
17
Mr. Longmire has been a director since April 1997. He has been Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Darling International, Inc. since 1994.
He was Group Vice President of Central Soya Food from 1990 to 1993.
Mr. Buck has been a director since March 1995. He was a Partner with Price
Waterhouse until retiring in July 1988.
Mr. Meyer has been Vice President of TNC since December 1994 and a director
since March 1995. He has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of Terra since November 1995. He was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of Terra from November 1993 to November 1995. He was Controller thereof from
August 1991 to November 1993.
Mr. Rosenbury has been a director since November 1994 and Vice President,
European Operations of Terra and Managing Director--Terra Nitrogen UK since
January 1998. He was Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Planning
of Terra from November 1995 to January 1998. He was Chairman of the Board of
Directors and President of TNC from November 1994 to February 1996. He was
Executive Vice President of Terra from November 1993 to November 1995. He was
Chief Operating Officer of Terra from November 1993 to November 1994. He was
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Terra from August 1991 to November
1993.
Mr. Todd has been a director since March 1995. He was Vice President,
Chemical Industry Services for Citibank, N.A. until retiring in June 1990.
Mr. Evans has been Vice President, Marketing since November 1996. He was
Vice President, Marketing of Tessenderlo Kerley from 1992 to November 1996.
Mr. Hlobik has been Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of
TNC, President of Terra Nitrogen Division and Senior Vice President of Terra
since February 1996. He was Senior Vice President, Marketing of TNC from
February 1995 to February 1996. He was Vice President, Marketing for Arcadian
Corporation from 1989 to February 1995.
Mr. Pero has been Vice President, Human Resources since February 1990.
Mr. Savage has been Senior Vice President, Manufacturing since April 1995.
He was Vice President, Engineering and Plant Manager, Verdigris facility from
February 1990 to April 1995.
Mr. Slockers has been Vice President and Controller since September 1995.
He was Vice President, Supply and Distribution from March 1993 to September
1995. He was Vice President, Marketing Administration of TNC from February 1990
to March 1993.
Mr. Joyce has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Terra since May
1991.
Ms. Norton has been Vice President, Corporate and Investor Relations of
Terra since February 1995. She was Director, Corporate Relations of Terra from
January 1993 to February 1995. She was Director, Corporate Communications of
Universal Foods Corp. prior thereto.
Mr. Valentine has been Vice President and General Counsel of TNC since
December 1994 and Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
of Terra since November 1995. He was Vice President, General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary of Terra from November 1993 to November 1995. He was
Assistant General Counsel of Household International, Inc. from February 1986 to
November 1993.
None of the executive officers or directors of TNC is related by blood,
marriage or adoption to any other executive officer or director of TNC.
18
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the
Partnership's executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent
beneficial owners to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in
beneficial ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the
New York Stock Exchange. Executive officers and directors are required by SEC
regulations to furnish the Partnership with copies of all Section 16(a) forms
they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the
Partnership and written representations from the Partnership's executive
officers and directors, all of the Partnership's officers, directors and greater
than ten percent beneficial owners made all required filings, except for Mr.
Charles Pero, an executive officer of the Partnership, who reported one
transaction late on a subsequently filed Form 4.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
TNCLP and the Operating Partnership have no executive officers or
employees. The following table sets forth certain summary information concerning
the combined compensation of the named executive officers of TNC, including
compensation from Terra (a portion of which is allocated to the Partnership).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Long-Term Compensation
-----------------------------------
Annual Compensation Awards Payouts
------------------------------------ -------------------------- -------
Restricted Securities
Name and Principal Other Annual Stock Underlying LTIP All Other
Position with TNC Year Salary/1/ Bonus/2/ Compensation/3/ Awards/4/ Options(#)/5/ Payouts Compensation/8/
- ------------------------- ---- --------- -------- --------------- ----------- ------------- ------- ----------------
Lawrence S. Hlobik 1997 $225,346 $111,413 -- $ -- 40,000 -- $ 9,673
Chairman of the Board 1996 200,385 119,900 -- 558,750/6/ 30,000 -- 8,807
of Directors and 1995 143,180 85,781 -- 191,250/7/ -- -- 86,516
President
Bryan D. Evans 1997 171,631 31,445 -- -- 12,500 -- 7,245
Vice President, 1996/9/
Marketing
Charles J. Pero 1997 139,273 27,187 -- -- 9,700 -- 5,501
Vice President, 1996 134,873 36,900 -- 29,250/6/ 6,500 -- 5,220
Human Resources 1995 127,543 95,098 -- -- -- -- 5,739
Steven A. Savage 1997 172,605 43,401 -- -- 12,500 -- 6,818
Senior Vice 1996 167,411 50,800 -- 134,550/6/ 11,300 -- 6,479
President, 1995 160,014 107,923 -- 140,250/7/ -- -- 6,930
Manufacturing
Erik L. Slockers 1997 130,464 50,047 -- -- 9,700 -- 5,469
Vice President and 1996 125,891 32,900 -- 29,250/6/ 6,000 -- 5,100
Controller 1995 117,864 92,662 -- -- -- -- 5,312
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/1/ "Salary" includes amounts deferred at the election of the named executive
officer under the Terra Industries Employees' Savings and Investment Plan
and Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan.
/2/ "Bonus" includes amounts awarded under the Terra Industries Incentive
Award Program for Key Executives. Except for Messrs. Hlobik and Evans, the
amounts shown as bonuses for 1995 include payments pursuant to the TNC
Profit Sharing Plan and the TNC Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan, which
were computed on a fiscal year basis. The amounts of bonuses paid in 1995
were related to the fiscal years July 1, 1994 to June 30, 1995. Effective
January 1, 1995, the TNC Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan was terminated
and as a result, a pro rata payment was made for the period July 1, 1994 to
December 31, 1994 in the first quarter of 1995. Effective June 30, 1995,
the TNC Profit Sharing Plan was terminated. Approximately 40%, 40% and 45%
of TNC salaries and bonuses for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, included
in the table were reimbursed to TNC by the Partnership.
/3/ While the named executive officers enjoy certain perquisites, such
perquisites do not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of such person's
salary and bonus.
/4/ The restricted stock awards relate to Common Shares of Terra Industries,
not Terra Nitrogen Corporation or Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. The number
of restricted Common Shares ("Restricted Shares") of Terra held, and the
value thereof (shown in parenthesis) at December 31, 1997 by each of the
Named Executive Officers is: Lawrence S. Hlobik:
19
55,000 ($718,438); Bryan D. Evans: 9,400 ($122,788); Charles J. Pero: 4,800
($62,700); Steven A. Savage: 22,200 ($289,988) and Erik L. Slockers: 4,800
($62,700). During the restricted period, a holder of Restricted Shares is
entitled to all benefits incidental to ownership of the Common Shares,
including voting the Common Shares and receiving such dividends as from
time to time may be declared by the Board of Directors of Terra.
/5/ The option awards relate to Common Shares of Terra Industries, not Terra
Nitrogen Corporation or Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
/6/ In November 1996, the Personnel Committee of Terra's Board of Directors
approved the grant of 25,000, 9,400, 2,000, 9,200, and 2,000 Restricted
Shares under its 1992 Stock Incentive Plan to each of Messrs. Hlobik,
Evans, Pero, Savage, and Slockers, respectively. The closing per share
price of the Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on the
date of award was $14.625. The restrictions lapse (i) if the executive
remains employed by the Corporation until November 12, 2005 or (ii) with
respect to 25%, 25% and 50% of these Restricted Shares if, prior to
November 12, 2001, the 30 business day average closing price of the Common
Shares on the NYSE is at least $20.50, $22.50 and $24.625 per share,
respectively. The restrictions lapse earlier in the event of a change in
control. See "Employee Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change
in Control Arrangements".
Mr. Hlobik also received a grant of 15,000 Restricted Shares as approved by
the Personnel Committee on February 19, 1996. The closing per share price
of the Common Shares on the NYSE on the first trading day following the
date of award was $12.875. The restrictions lapse with respect to 50%, 25%
and 25% of these Restricted Shares if, prior to February 20, 2002, the 30
business day average closing price of the Common Shares on the NYSE is at
least $16.375, $18.25 and $20.00 per share, respectively. The restrictions
lapse earlier in the event of a change in control. See "Employee Contracts
and Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements".
/7/ On February 16, 1995, 15,000 and 11,000 Restricted Shares were granted to
each of Messrs. Hlobik and Savage, respectively. The closing per share
price of the Common Shares on the NYSE on the first trading day following
the date of award was $12.75. The restrictions lapse with respect to 50%,
25% and 25% of these Restricted Shares if, prior to June 16, 2001, the 30
business day average closing price of the Common Shares on the NYSE is at
least $16.25, $18.125 and $19.875 per share, respectively. The restrictions
lapse earlier in the event of a change in control. See "Employee Contracts
and Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements".
/8/ "All Other Compensation" includes amounts contributed, allocated or
accrued for the named executive officers under Terra's Employees' Savings
and Investment Plan and Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan. The
amounts reported for Messrs. Hlobik and Evans in 1995 and 1997,
respectively, also include taxable relocation compensation.
/9/ Mr. Evans was hired during 1996 and his total annual compensation for 1996
was below the threshold for disclosure in this table.
Stock Options
The following table contains information concerning the grant of options to
purchase Terra Industries' Common Shares granted in 1997 under the Terra
Industries' stock incentive plans to the named executive officers. No stock
appreciation rights were granted under the plans during fiscal year 1997.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individual Grants Potential Realizable Value at
Assumed Annual Rates
of Stock Price Appreciation
for Option Term/2/
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% of Total
Number of Options Granted
Options to Employees Exercise or Base Expiration
Name Granted in 1997/1/ in 1997 Price Per Share Date 5% 10%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lawrence S. Hlobik 40,000 4.6 $12.125 12/15/07 $305,014 $772,965
Bryan D. Evans 12,500 1.4 12.125 12/15/07 95,313 241,550
Charles J. Pero 9,700 1.1 12.125 12/15/07 73,963 187,443
Steven A. Savage 12,500 1.4 12.125 12/15/07 95,313 241,550
Erik L. Slockers 9,700 1.1 12.125 12/15/07 73,963 187,443
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20
/1/ The Options vest in one-third increments on the business day following each
of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant. The
options are exercisable with respect to all of the Common Shares set forth
above following a change in control. See "Employee Contracts and
Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements".
/2/ The amounts reflected in the table represent assumed rates of appreciation
only. Actual gains, if any, on stock options exercised by the named
executive officers depend on the future performance of the Terra
Industries' Common Shares and overall market conditions, as well as
continued employment.
Option Year-End Value Table
The following table provides information concerning the number and value of
unexercised options to purchase Terra Industries' Common Shares granted under
the stock incentive plans of Terra Industries. None of the named executive
officers exercised any stock options during 1997.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Unexercised Value of Unexercised in-the-Money
Options at December 31, 1997 Options at December 31, 1997/1/
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lawrence S. Hlobik 10,000 60,000 -0- 37,500
Bryan D. Evans 3,800 20,100 -0- 11,719
Charles J. Pero 2,166 14,034 -0- 9,094
Steven A. Savage 3,766 20,034 -0- 11,719
Erik L. Slockers 2,000 13,700 -0- 9,094
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/1/ Based on the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange-Composite
Transaction of Terra Industries' Common Shares on December 31, 1997
($13.0625).
Pension Plan
In connection with the Merger Agreement, the AMCI Pension Plan was merged
into the Terra Industries Inc. Employees' Retirement Plan (the "Terra Retirement
Plan") effective December 31, 1994. Vesting service and benefit service that
were earned under the AMCI Pension Plan were credited under the terms of the
Terra Retirement Plan.
The following table shows, for certain employees retiring in 1997, the
estimated annual retirement benefit payable on a straight life annuity basis
under Terra's Retirement Plan and Terra's Excess Benefit Plan, on a non-
contributory basis at various levels of accrued service and compensation.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years of Credited Service
---------------------------------------------------------
Remuneration 5 10 15 20 25 30
------------ ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$ 150,000 $10,847 $ 21,695 $ 32,542 $ 43,390 $ 54,237 $ 65,084
250,000 18,597 37,195 55,792 74,390 92,987 111,584
500,000 37,972 75,945 113,917 151,890 189,862 227,834
750,000 57,347 114,695 172,042 229,390 286,737 344,084
1,000,000 76,722 153,445 230,167 306,890 383,612 460,334
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Compensation" under Terra's Retirement Plan includes all salaries and
wages paid to a participant, including bonuses, overtime, commissions and
amounts the participant elects to defer under the Terra Employees' Savings and
Investment Plan. Covered earnings are limited by Section 401 (a)(17) of the
Internal Revenue Code ("Code") to $160,000 in 1997. The above benefits are
subject to the limitations of Section 415 of the Code, which, in 1997, provided
for a maximum annual payment of approximately $125,000. Under Terra's Excess
Benefit Plan, however, Terra will supplement those benefits so that the amount
the participant will receive will be equal to the amount that would have been
received under Terra's Retirement Plan but for such limitations. "Compensation"
under the Excess Benefit Plan also includes amounts deferred under the
Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan.
21
Eligible compensation for the following named executive officers as of the
end of the last calendar year is: Mr. Hlobik: $345,246; Mr. Evans: $180,831; Mr.
Pero: $176,173; Mr. Savage: $223,405 and Mr. Slockers: $163,364. The estimated
years of service for each such officer is as follows: Mr. Hlobik: 3, Mr. Evans:
2, Mr. Pero: 11, Mr. Savage: 11 and Mr. Slockers: 11.
Eligible compensation for each of the named executive officers includes the
salary paid in 1997 to each of the named executive officers plus the bonus paid
in 1997 to such executive officers for service to the Corporation and its
subsidiaries in 1996. Amounts reported in the table entitled "Summary
Compensation Table" for 1997 include the salary paid to each of the named
executive officers in 1997 plus the bonus paid to such executive officers in
1998 for service to the Corporation and its subsidiaries in 1997.
Employee Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change in Control
Arrangements
Stock awards granted after October 1996 to the named executive officers
automatically vest or become exercisable in the event of any of the following
changes in control of Terra Industries (the "Corporation"): (i) any person or
group of persons (other than Minorco and its affiliates) acquires beneficial
ownership of the outstanding securities in an amount having, or convertible into
securities having, 25% or more of the ordinary voting power for the election of
directors of the Corporation, provided that this 25% beneficial ownership
trigger shall apply only when Minorco and its affiliates no longer own 50% or
more of the voting shares of the Corporation; (ii) during a period of not more
than 24 months, a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation ceases
to consist of the existing membership or successors nominated by the existing
membership or their similar successors; (iii) all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Corporation's
outstanding securities entitled to vote do not own more than 60% of such
securities in substantially the same proportions following a shareholder
approved reorganization, merger, or consolidation; or (iv) shareholder approval
of either (A) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or (B) a
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Corporation, or a transaction having a similar effect.
Stock awards granted prior to November 1996 automatically vest or become
exercisable beginning on the day that any such officer's employment with the
Corporation is terminated involuntarily or such officer's responsibilities or
compensation are substantially reduced, if such termination or reduction occurs
within twelve months of the date on which any person or group of persons acting
in concert (other than Minorco and its affiliates) acquires beneficial ownership
of the outstanding securities of the Corporation in an amount having, or
convertible into securities having, 50% or more of the ordinary voting power for
the election of directors of the Corporation.
Board of Directors Compensation
Independent directors of TNC receive an annual retainer fee of $15,000 for
their directorship, plus a fee of $1,000 for each TNC board meeting attended and
each Audit Committee meeting attended. No other director of TNC receives any
compensation for serving as a director.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Since the October, 1994 merger of AMCI into Terra, TNC has not had a
compensation committee and executive officer compensation decisions with respect
to TNC have been made by Terra and, in the case of those TNC executive officers
who are key employees of Terra, by the Personnel Committee of the Board of
Directors of Terra. None of the members of the Personnel Committee are employees
of Terra or its subsidiaries.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The entire general partner interest in both TNCLP and the Operating
Partnership is owned by TNC and certain limited partner interests in TNCLP are
owned by TNC, 600 Fourth Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51101. All the outstanding
capital stock of TNC is owned by Terra Capital, Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of Terra. The stock of TNC is pledged as security under the Credit
Agreement. See "Financing arrangements" under "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". Terra Capital, Inc.
also owned, as of December 31, 1997, 974,900 Common Units of TNCLP. Terra and
its subsidiaries are engaged in certain transactions with the Partnership
described under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions"
below.
22
The capital stock of Terra is owned, as of December 31, 1997, in part as
follows: 51.4% by Taurus International S.A. and 5.3% by Taurus Investments S.A.
Each of Taurus International S.A. and Taurus Investments S.A. is a company
incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a societe anonyme and is wholly
owned by Minorco. Minorco is a company incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg
as a societe anonyme and is an international natural resources company with
operations in gold, base metals, industrial minerals, paper and packaging and
agribusiness. Minorco's address is 9 rue Sainte Zithe, L-2763 Luxembourg City,
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The capital stock of Minorco is owned in part as
follows: approximately 45.6%, directly or through subsidiaries, by Anglo
American Corporation of South Africa Limited ("Anglo American"), a publicly held
mining and finance company, and approximately 22.5%, directly or through
subsidiaries, by De Beers Centenary AG ("Centenary"), a publicly held Swiss
diamond mining and investment company. Approximately 38.5% of the capital stock
of Anglo American is owned, directly or through subsidiaries, by De Beers
Consolidated Mines Limited ("De Beers"), a publicly held diamond mining and
investment company. Approximately 29.4% of the capital stock of Centenary and
approximately 32.5% of the capital stock of De Beers is owned, directly or
through subsidiaries, by Anglo American. De Beers owns approximately 9.5% of
Centenary.
Mr. Nicholas F. Oppenheimer, Deputy Chairman and a director of Anglo
American, Chairman and a director of Centenary and De Beers, and a director of
Minorco, and Mr. Henry R. Slack, a director of Terra, Chief Executive, President
and a director of Minorco and a director of Anglo American, have indirect
partial interests in approximately 7% of the outstanding shares of Minorco and
approximately 8% of the outstanding shares of Anglo American. Mr. Edward G.
Beimfohr, Mr. David E. Fisher, Mr. Anthony W. Lea and Mr. William R. Loomis, Jr.
are directors of Terra and Minorco. Mr. Fisher is also a director of Taurus
International S.A. and Taurus Investments S.A. Mr. Lea is also a director of
Anglo American and Taurus Investments S.A.
Set forth below is certain information concerning the beneficial ownership,
as of December 31, 1997, of the TNCLP Common Units and the Terra Industries
Common Shares, by each person known to TNC to be a beneficial owner of more than
5% of the TNCLP Common Units, by each director of TNC, by each of the Named
Executive Officers of TNC, and by all directors and executive officers of TNC as
a group.
Number of Terra
Number of Percent of Common Shares Percent of
Name Units/1/ Class Beneficially Owned/1/ Class
---- ---------- ----------- ---------------------- -----------
Terra Nitrogen Corporation /2/ 11,172,414 60% -- --
600 Fourth Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51101
Terra Capital, Inc. /2/ 974,900 5% -- --
600 Fourth Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51101
Michael L. Bennett -- -- 78,535 /3/ *
Thomas Buck -- -- -- --
Bryan D. Evans -- -- 13,802 /3/ *
Lawrence S. Hlobik -- -- 66,580 /3/ *
Dennis B. Longmire -- -- -- --
Francis G. Meyer -- -- 113,019 /3/ *
Charles J. Pero -- -- 8,266 /3/ *
W. Mark Rosenbury -- -- 141,425 /3/ *
Steven A. Savage 4,000 * 29,572 /3/ *
Erik L. Slockers 300 * 8,052 /3/ *
Robert W. Todd -- -- -- --
All directors and executive officers
as a group (14 persons) 4,300 * 1,395,291 /3/ *
- ----------
*Represents less than 1% of class.
/1/ Each has sole voting and investment power of all the securities indicated.
The number of Terra Common Shares shown also reflect the ownership of
certain restricted Common Shares subject to certain performance related
vesting conditions and Common Shares under Terra Employees' Savings and
Investment Plan as of December 31, 1997.
23
/2/ Each of Terra Nitrogen Corporation and Terra Capital, Inc. is an indirect,
wholly owned subsidiary of Terra Industries Inc. Terra Nitrogen
Corporation also owns all the general partner interests.
/3/ The number of Terra Industries Common Shares shown as beneficially owned
by Messrs. Bennett, Evans, Hlobik, Meyer, Pero, Rosenbury, Savage, Slockers
and by all directors and executive officers as a group, include 10,000,
3,800, 10,000, 27,700, 2,166, 43,333, 3,766, 2,000 and 685,431 Common
Shares, respectively, as to which such person or group had the right to
acquire beneficial ownership pursuant to the exercise, on or before May 5,
1998, of employee stock options. No other individual listed held any
employee stock options that are exercisable on or before May 5, 1998.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The General Partner does not receive a management fee or similar
compensation in connection with its management of the Partnership. Pursuant to
TNCLP's limited partnership agreement and the Operating Partnership's limited
partnership agreement, the General Partner receives:
(i) distributions in respect of its 2% General Partner interest on a
combined basis in TNCLP and the Operating Partnership (See "Market for
Registrant's Units and Related Unitholders Matters");
(ii) distributions in respect of its ownership of limited partner
interests of TNCLP;
(iii) incentive distributions payable to the General Partner out of
TNCLP's Available Cash (as defined) in the event quarterly distributions
exceed specified target levels; and
(iv) reimbursement for all direct and indirect costs and expenses
incurred on behalf of the Partnership, all general and administrative
expenses incurred by the General Partner or its affiliates for or on behalf
of the Partnership and all other expenses necessary or appropriate to the
conduct of the business of, and reasonably allocable to, the Partnership.
Such reimbursement includes the costs of compensation and employee benefit
plans properly allocable to the Partnership. Because certain of the plans are
incentive based, the maximum amount to be reimbursed by the Partnership under
such plans cannot be determined in advance. For the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, the General Partner was entitled to reimbursement in the
amount of $24.7 million, $25.9 million and $29.1 million respectively, for the
direct and indirect costs and expenses related to the business activities of the
Partnership.
Effective January 1, 1995, TNC and Terra entered into an administrative
services agreement whereby TNC provides certain general and administrative
services for certain Terra affiliates. Certain costs and expenses incurred by
TNC for providing such services are charged (based on cost) to such affiliates,
including the Partnership. Such expenses charged to the Partnership were $7.2
million, $7.9 million and $12.4 million for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Effective January 1, 1995, under a general and administrative services
agreement between TNC and Terra, certain management and other services,
including, advertising, accounting, legal, human resources, insurance and risk
management, safety and environmental, and corporate relations are provided by
Terra or certain of its affiliates (other than TNC) and charged to either TNC or
the Partnership, as appropriate. Expenses under this agreement charged to the
Partnership were $5.0 million, $5.1 million and $3.7 million for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Certain supply terminals and transportation equipment are generally
available for use by the Partnership and affiliates of TNC. TNC pays the costs
associated with the operation of such terminals and transportation equipment and
related freight costs incurred to ship product to the various sales points in
the distribution system. TNC charges the Partnership or Terra based on usage of
such assets and freight costs incurred. Amounts charged to the Partnership for
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $23.3 million, $20.5
million and $21.0 million, respectively.
The Partnership sells product to affiliates of the General Partner at
market prices and terms. During the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
the Partnership sold $41.0 million, $41.4 million and $26.5 million,
respectively, of nitrogen fertilizer products to affiliates of the General
Partner at market prices and
24
terms. Accounts receivable from Terra were $314,000 and $201,000 at December 31,
1997 and 1996, respectively.
The Partnership has a demand deposit with a Terra subsidiary that
represents excess Partnership cash deposited with such affiliate. The deposit is
due on demand and bears interest based on the Cost Rate under the Accounts
Receivable Sale Agreement or the Eurodollar rate under the Credit Agreement,
whichever is higher (6.5% and 6.3% at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively).
Interest income recorded by the Partnership on this deposit was $3.5 million and
$5.1 million for 1997 and 1996, respectively.
25
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this annual report:
(1) Financial Statements and (2) Financial Statement Schedules: See
Index to Financial Statements on page F-1 for financial statements and
financial statement schedules filed as part of this annual report.
(3) The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this annual
report.
#3.1 --Agreement of Limited Partnership of TNCLP.
3.2 --Certificate of Limited Partnership of TNCLP.
#4.1 --Deposit Agreement among TNCLP, the Depositary and
Unitholders.
#4.2 --Form of Depositary Receipt for SPUs (included as Exhibit A
to the Deposit Agreement filed as Exhibit 4.1 hereto).
#4.3 --Form of Depositary Receipt for Common Units (included as
Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement filed as Exhibit 4.1
hereto).
#4.4 --Form of Transfer Application (included in Exhibit A to the
Deposit Agreement filed as Exhibit 4.1 hereto).
4.5 --Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Operating
Partnership.
#10.1 --Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating
Partnership.
**10.2 --Master Agreement dated October 11, 1989, among ONEOK Inc.,
Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, ONG Western Inc., ONG Red Oak
Transmission Company, ONG Transmission Company, Agrico
Chemical Company and Freeport-McMoRan Resource Partners,
Limited Partnership.
**10.3 --Lease Agreement dated October 11, 1989, among ONEOK Inc.,
Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, ONG Western Inc., ONG Red Oak
Transmission Company, ONG Transmission Company, Agrico
Chemical Company and Freeport-McMoRan Resource Partners,
Limited Partnership.
10.4 --Gas Service Agreement dated October 11, 1989, between
Oklahoma Natural Gas Company and Agrico Chemical Company.
**10.5 --Transportation Service Agreement dated as of September 1,
1988, among ARKLA Energy Resources, Arkansas Louisiana Gas
Company and Agrico Chemical Company, as supplemented by
Letter Agreements dated September 2, 1988, and November 1,
1990, and Consent to Assignment dated March 9, 1990.
10.6 --Transportation Service Agreement effective January 1, 1990,
between MAPCO Ammonia Pipeline, Inc. and Agrico Chemical
Company, and Consent to Assignment dated January 22, 1991.
10.7 --Omitted.
10.8 --Car Service Contract dated as of March 2, 1990, between
General American Transportation Corporation and TNC, and
Consent to Assignment dated February 22, 1990.
10.9 --Lease Agreement dated as of December 22, 1988, between PLM
Investment Management, Inc. and Agrico Chemical Company,
and Consent to Assignment dated February 23, 1990, and
Assignment and Assumption effective as of March 1, 1990.
10.10 --Lease and Agreement dated December 1, 1964, between City of
Blytheville, Arkansas, and Continental Oil Company, as
supplemented.
10.11 --Lease dated November 1, 1975, between the City of
Blytheville, Arkansas, and The Williams Companies, Inc., as
supplemented.
10.12 --Lease dated September 6, 1977, between Tulsa-Rogers County
Port Authority and Agrico Chemical Company, as
supplemented.
10.13 --Lease dated February 1, 1972, between Continental Oil
Company and Agrico Chemical Company, as supplemented.
26
10.40 --General and Administrative Services Agreement Regarding
Services by Terra Industries Inc. filed as Exhibit 10.11 to
Terra Industries Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1995 (file no. 1-8520), is incorporated herein by
reference.
10.41 --General and Administrative Services Agreement Regarding
Services by Terra Nitrogen Corporation filed as Exhibit
10.12 to Terra Industries Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 1995 (file no. 1-8520), is incorporated
herein by reference.
10.42 --Omitted.
10.43 --Omitted.
10.44 --1992 Stock Incentive Plan of Terra Industries filed as
Exhibit 10.1.6 to Terra Industries' Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1992 (file no. 1-8520), is incorporated
herein by reference.
10.45 --Form of Restricted Stock Agreement of Terra Industries
under its 1992 Stock Incentive Plan filed as Exhibit 10.1.7
to Terra Industries' Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1992 (file no. 1-8520), is incorporated herein by
reference.
10.46 --Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement of Terra
Industries under its 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as
Exhibit 10.1.8 to Terra Industries' Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1992 (file no. 1-8520), is incorporated
herein by reference.
10.47 --Form of Nonqualified Stock Incentive Agreement of Terra
Industries under its 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as
Exhibit 10.1.9 to Terra Industries' Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1992 (file no. 1-8520), is incorporated
herein by reference.
10.48 --Terra Industries Inc. Supplemental Deferred Compensation
Plan effective as of December 20, 1993, filed as Exhibit
10.1.9 to Terra Industries' Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1993 (file no. 1-8520), is incorporated herein
by reference.
10.49 --Amendment No. 1 to the Terra Industries Inc. Supplemental
Deferred Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.1.15 to
Terra Industries' Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 1995 (file no. 1-8520), is incorporated herein by
reference.
10.50 --Excess Benefit Plan of Terra Industries, as amended
effective as of January 1, 1992, filed as Exhibit 10.1.13
to Terra Industries' Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1992 (file no. 1-8520), is incorporated herein by
reference.
10.51 --Omitted.
10.52 --Omitted.
10.53 --Omitted.
10.54 --Receivables and Purchase Agreement dated as of August 20,
1996 among Terra Funding Corporation, Terra Capital, Inc.
Certain Financial Institutions and Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, filed as Exhibit 10.12 to
the Terra Industries Inc. Form 10-Q for the period ended
September 30, 1996 (File No. 1-8520), is incorporated
herein by reference.
10.55 --Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of August 20, 1996
among Terra International, Inc., Terra Nitrogen, Limited
Partnership, Beaumont Methanol, Limited Partnership, filed
as Exhibit 10.13 to the Terra Industries Inc. Form 10-Q for
the period ended September 30, 1996 (File No. 1-8520), is
incorporated herein by reference.
10.56 --Omitted.
10.57 --1997 Incentive Award Program for Officers and Key Employees
of Terra Industries, filed as Exhibit 10.1.10 to the Terra
Industries Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996 (File No. 1-8520), is incorporated herein by
reference.
10.58 --Revised Form of Performance Share Award of Terra Industries
under its 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as Exhibit
10.1.11 to the Terra Industries Inc. Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 1-8520), is incorporated
herein by reference.
10.59 --Revised Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement of Terra
Industries under its 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as
Exhibit 10.1.12 to the Terra Industries Inc. Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 1-8520), is
incorporated herein by reference.
27
10.60 --Revised Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement of
Terra Industries under its 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, filed
as Exhibit 10.1.13 to the Terra Industries Inc. Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 1-8520), is
incorporated herein by reference.
10.61 --1997 Stock Incentive Plan of Terra Industries, filed as
Exhibit 10.1.14 to the Terra Industries Inc. Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 1-8520), is
incorporated herein by reference.
10.62 --Amended Demand Deposit Agreement, dated as of August 20,
1996, among Terra Nitrogen Limited Partnership and Terra
Capital, Inc. filed as Exhibit 10.62 to TNCLP's Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1996, is incorporated
herein by reference.
10.63 --Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31,
1997 among Terra Capital, Inc., Terra Nitrogen, Limited
Partnership, Certain Guarantors, Certain Lenders, Certain
Issuing Banks and Citibank, N.A. (without exhibits or
schedules), filed as Exhibit 4 to Terra Industries Inc.
Form 8-K/A dated December 31, 1997, is incorporated herein
by reference.
10.64 --Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement of Terra
Industries under its 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as
Exhibit 10.1.14 to the Terra Industries Inc. Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997 (File No. 1-8520), is
incorporated herein by reference.
10.65 --Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement of Terra
Industries under its 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, filed as
Exhibit 10.1.15 to the Terra Industries Inc. Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1997 (File No. 1-8520), is
incorporated herein by reference.
99.1 --Conversion Statement dated December 31, 1996, filed as
Exhibit 99.1 to the TNCLP Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 1997, is incorporated herein by reference.
** Confidential treatment has been granted for portions of the exhibit.
# Filed under the identical exhibit numbers in TNCLP's Form 10-K (file
No. 1-10877) for the year ended December 31, 1991 and incorporated
herein by reference.
Except as otherwise noted above, all exhibits listed above were
previously filed under the identical exhibit number in TNCLP's
Registration Statement No. 33-43007 and are incorporated herein by
reference.
Executive Compensation Plans and Other Arrangements
Exhibits 10.44 through 10.50 and 10.57 through 10.61 and 10.64 and
10.65 are incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
None.
28
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.
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
By: Terra Nitrogen Corporation,
as General Partner
By: /s/ Erik L. Slockers
--------------------------------------
Erik L. Slockers
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Dated: March 24, 1998
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant as of March 16, 1998 and in the capacities indicated.
Signature Title
---------- -----
/s/ Lawrence S. Hlobik Chairman of the Board of Directors
- ------------------------------------- and President
(Lawrence S. Hlobik)
/s/ Michael L. Bennett Director of Terra Nitrogen Corporation
- -------------------------------------
(Michael L. Bennett)
/s/ Thomas Buck Director of Terra Nitrogen Corporation
- -------------------------------------
(Thomas Buck)
/s/ Dennis B. Longmire Director of Terra Nitrogen Corporation
- -------------------------------------
(Dennis B. Longmire)
/s/ Francis G. Meyer Director of Terra Nitrogen Corporation
- -------------------------------------
(Francis G. Meyer)
/s/ W. Mark Rosenbury Director of Terra Nitrogen Corporation
- -------------------------------------
(W. Mark Rosenbury)
/s/ Robert W. Todd Director of Terra Nitrogen Corporation
- -------------------------------------
(Robert W. Todd)
29
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules
of Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Page
----
Independent Auditors' Report....................................................................... F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996....................................... F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995............. F-4
Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital for the Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.. F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995......... F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements......................................................... F-7
All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are either not
required, not applicable or the information is shown in the financial statements
or in the notes to financial statements.
F-1
Independent Auditors' Report
To the Partners
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Terra Nitrogen
Company, L.P. (a limited partnership) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the
related consolidated statements of income, partners' capital, and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. 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 in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards 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. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. 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.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Tulsa, Oklahoma
February 2, 1998
F-2
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31,
1997 1996
-------- --------
(In Thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents: (Note 2)
Cash and cash equivalents $ 60 $ 712
Demand deposit with affiliate 31,208 46,050
-------- --------
31,268 46,762
Receivables:
Trade (Notes 4 & 5) 1,542 1,726
Other 2,465 9,328
Inventory - finished products 19,241 15,209
Inventory - materials and supplies 11,437 14,489
Distribution reserve fund (Note 3) - 18,480
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,311 2,353
-------- --------
Total current assets 68,264 108,347
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 6) 169,533 172,771
Other assets 16,031 25,550
-------- --------
Total assets $253,828 $306,668
======== ========
Liabilities and partners' capital
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 14,869 $ 25,159
Payable to affiliates 8,560 13,598
Accrued liabilities 3,095 9,427
Customer prepayments 4,746 5,936
Current portion of capital lease obligations 1,070 1,162
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 32,340 55,282
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (Note 7) 8,966 3,036
Long-term payable to affiliates (Note 4) 4,687 3,546
Other long-term obligations 1,060 1,060
Partners' capital:
Limited partners' interests:
Senior preference unitholders - 207,483
Common unitholders 212,665 30,636
General partner's interest (5,890) 5,625
-------- --------
Total partners' capital 206,775 243,744
-------- --------
Total liabilities and partners' capital $253,828 $306,668
======== ========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Consolidated Statements of Income
Years ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995
-------- -------- --------
(In Thousands, Except
Per Unit Amounts)
Revenues $333,959 $362,730 $373,325
Other income 1,353 408 650
-------- -------- --------
Total revenues 335,312 363,138 373,975
Cost of goods sold 219,486 177,502 187,615
-------- -------- --------
Gross profit 115,826 185,636 186,360
Operating expenses 12,147 13,035 16,840
-------- -------- --------
103,679 172,601 169,520
Interest expense (2,201) (1,210) (1,748)
Interest income 3,660 6,242 4,696
-------- -------- --------
Net income $105,138 $177,633 $172,468
======== ======== ========
Net income allocable to limited
partners' interest $ 77,545 $119,458 $123,220
======== ======== ========
Net income per limited partnership unit (Note 2) $ 4.17 $ 6.35 $ 6.55
======== ======== ========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital
Limited Partners' Interests
-----------------------------------------
Senior Junior General Total
Preference Preference Common Partner's Partners'
Unitholders Unitholders Unitholders Interest Capital
----------- ----------- ----------- --------- ---------
(In Thousands, except for Units)
Partners' capital at December 31, 1994 $ 170,630 $ 34,503 $ 29,744 $ 2,002 $ 236,879
Net income 50,027 39,307 33,886 49,248 172,468
Distributions (38,182) (30,000) (25,862) (28,947) (122,991)
Conversion of Junior Preference Units
to Senior Preference Units 43,810 (43,810) - - -
--------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Partners' capital at December 31, 1995 226,285 - 37,768 22,303 286,356
Net income 86,607 - 32,851 58,175 177,633
Distributions (105,409) - (39,983) (74,853) (220,245)
--------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Partners' capital at December 31, 1996 207,483 - 30,636 5,625 243,744
Net income 160 - 77,385 27,593 105,138
Distributions (372) - (96,023) (39,108) (135,503)
Conversion of Senior Preference Units
to Common Units (200,667) - 200,667 - -
Redemption of Senior Preference Units (6,604) - - - (6,604)
--------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Partners' capital at December 31, 1997 $ - $ - $212,665 $ (5,890) $ 206,775
========= ======== ======== ======== =========
Limited partner units issued and
outstanding at December 31, 1997 18,501,576
==========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995
--------- --------- ---------
(In Thousands)
Operating activities
Net income $ 105,138 $ 177,633 $ 172,468
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 11,916 11,472 11,036
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables 7,047 17,372 (365)
Inventory (980) (10,462) 10,793
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 42 3,648 (771)
Accounts payable (10,290) 3,079 1,467
Payable to affiliates (5,038) 9,029 (3,902)
Accrued liabilities and customer prepayments (7,522) (2,993) 11,181
Change in other assets 9,519 (8,418) (7,080)
Other 1,170 5,751 (3,898)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 111,002 206,111 190,929
Investing activities
Capital expenditures (8,928) (9,090) (8,312)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 221 -- --
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities (8,707) (9,090) (8,312)
Financing activities
Redemption of Senior Preference Units (6,604) -- --
Borrowings under revolving line of credit 7,000 -- --
Repayment of long-term debt (1,162) (1,504) (36,748)
Proceeds from elimination of distribution reserve fund 18,480 -- --
Partnership distributions paid (135,503) (220,245) (122,991)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (117,789) (221,749) (159,739)
--------- --------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (15,494) (24,728) 22,878
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 46,762 71,490 48,612
--------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 31,268 $ 46,762 $ 71,490
========= ========= =========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Organization
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. ("TNCLP" or the "Partnership") is a Delaware
limited partnership which owns a 99% limited partner interest as the sole
limited partner in Terra Nitrogen, Limited Partnership (the "Operating
Partnership"). Terra Nitrogen Corporation ("TNC"), the General Partner,
conducts, directs, manages and exercises full control over all business and
affairs of the Partnership. TNC owns a 2% combined general partner interest
in both the Partnership and Operating Partnership. TNC has agreed not to
voluntarily withdraw as the General Partner of the Partnership, subject to
certain limited exceptions, prior to January 1, 2002.
TNC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Terra Industries Inc.
("Terra"), a Maryland corporation, a leading marketer and producer of
nitrogen fertilizer, crop protection products, seed and services for
ornamental and other growers. Terra also produces nitrogen products and
methanol for industrial customers.
Ownership of TNCLP is comprised of the general partner interest and the
limited partner interests. The limited partner interests consist of
18,501,576 Common Units. Terra and its subsidiaries owned 12,147,314 Common
Units as of December 31, 1997 and the balance traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol "TNH".
Pursuant to the provisions of the TNCLP Agreement of Limited Partnership,
the Preference Period for TNCLP ended on December 31, 1996 and for a 90-day
period holders of Senior Preference Units ("SPUs") had the right to elect
to convert their SPUs into Common Units. (See Note 3 "Agreement of Limited
Partnership".)
2. Significant Accounting Policies
General - The Partnership is in the business of manufacturing, distributing
and selling fertilizer products, including ammonia, urea and urea ammonium
nitrate solution ("UAN"), which are principally used by farmers to improve
the yield and quality of their crops. The Partnership sells products
primarily throughout the United States on a wholesale basis. The
Partnership's customers vary in size and are primarily related to the
agriculture industry and to a lesser extent to the chemical industry.
Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer's financial
condition, and generally collateral is not required. Expected credit losses
are provided for in the financial statements when deemed appropriate.
Basis of Presentation - The consolidated financial statements reflect the
combined assets, liabilities and operations of the Partnership and the
Operating Partnership. The Partnership has adopted a December 31 year-end
for tax and financial reporting purposes. Income is allocated to the
General Partner and the Limited Partners in accordance with the provisions
of the TNCLP Agreement of Limited Partnership which provides for
allocations of income between the Limited Partners and the General Partner
in the same proportion as cash distributions declared during the year. (See
"Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit".)
Reclassifications - Certain reclassifications have been made to prior
years' financial statements to conform with current year presentation.
Accounting Estimates - 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 and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported
amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results
could differ from these estimates.
F-7
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Cash and Cash Equivalents - TNCLP considers liquid debt instruments with an
original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The
Partnership has a demand deposit with an affiliate that represents excess
Partnership cash deposited with Terra Capital, Inc. The deposit is due on
demand and bears interest based on the Cost Rate under the Accounts
Receivable Sale Agreement or the Eurodollar rate under the credit
agreement, whichever is higher (6.5% and 6.3% at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively). Interest income recorded by TNCLP on this deposit was
$3.5 million and $5.1 million for 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Inventory - Finished product inventories are stated at the lower of average
cost or market. Cost includes labor, materials, depreciation and other
production costs. Materials and supplies inventories are stated at the
lower of average cost or market.
Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, plant and equipment are stated at
cost. Depreciation of plant and equipment is provided over the estimated
useful lives of the respective assets, generally 3 to 20 years, principally
on the straight-line basis. Expenditures for additions, major renewals and
betterments are capitalized, and expenditures for maintenance and repairs
are charged to income as incurred. When properties are retired or otherwise
disposed of, the cost thereof and the applicable accumulated depreciation
are removed from the respective accounts, and the resulting gain or loss is
reflected in income.
There have been no events or changes in the Partnership's business
environment which would indicate that the carrying amount of its property,
plant and equipment may not be recoverable through future cash flows
generated by such assets.
Hedging Transactions - The Partnership enters into both physical and
financial contracts to manage the cost of natural gas, the primary raw
material used in production of nitrogen fertilizers. The financial
contracts, referred to collectively as forward positions, include both
exchange and over-the-counter options and swap transactions. Contract
settlement dates are scheduled to coincide with the dates of natural gas
purchases. Realized gains and losses from forward positions and premiums
paid for option contracts are deferred and either credited or charged to
production cost in the month in which the underlying natural gas is
purchased.
Plant Turnaround and Catalyst Replacement Costs - Costs related to the
periodic scheduled maintenance of production facilities (plant turnarounds)
are capitalized when incurred and amortized on a straight-line basis,
generally over one or two years, until the next scheduled turnaround.
Included in other non-current assets at December 31, 1997 and 1996 is $11.8
million and $23.3 million, respectively, of unamortized plant turnaround
and catalyst replacement costs.
Income Taxes - The Partnership is not subject to income taxes and the
income tax liability of the individual partners is not reflected in the
consolidated financial statements of the Partnership. The reported amount
of assets and liabilities of the Partnership exceeded the tax basis of the
assets and liabilities by approximately $150 million and $159 million at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit - Net income per limited partner unit
is computed by dividing net income, less an approximate 26%, 33% and 29%
share allocable to the General Partner for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively, by 18,501,576 limited partner units for
the year ended December 31, 1997 and by 18,808,778 limited partner units
for each of the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995.
F-8
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
The net income allocated to the General Partner decreased to 26% of total
Partnership net income for the year ended December 31, 1997 due to the
decrease in Available Cash distributed to the General Partner. According to
the Agreement of Limited Partnership of TNCLP, net income is allocated to the
General Partner and the Limited Partners in each taxable year in the same
proportion that Available Cash for such taxable year was distributed to the
General Partner and the Limited Partners. Distributions of Available Cash are
made 98% to the Limited Partners and 2% to the General Partner, except that
the General Partner is entitled, as an incentive, to larger percentage
interests (up to 50%) to the extent that distributions of Available Cash
exceed specified target levels. Available Cash for 1997 decreased $82.3
million from 1996 due primarily to lower net income in 1997 and to an
increase in 1996 Available Cash as a result of the impact of TNCLP's
participation in an accounts receivable securitization facility (see Note 5)
entered into during the third quarter of 1996, partially offset by the
elimination of the $18.5 million Reserve Amount during 1997 (see Note 3).
Environmental Liabilities - In the normal course of business, the Partnership
monitors its operations and makes expenditures for environmental protection;
in addition, the Partnership's operations are generally subject to the
environmental standards and regulations of various regulatory agencies.
Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or
capitalized as appropriate. Environmental liabilities are recognized when it
is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of that loss is
reasonably estimable. Environmental liabilities are accrued based upon
estimates of expected future costs without discounting to present value the
estimated costs to be paid in the future, and without consideration of
possible recoveries from third parties. No environmental liabilities were
accrued at either December 31, 1997 or 1996. While current and future
environmental laws and regulations will potentially subject the Partnership
to corrective costs and expenses, management is not currently aware of any
such matters which it considers to be of a material nature.
New Accounting Standards - The Financial Accounting Standards Board has
issued three new accounting standards which are applicable to the
Partnership: SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of
Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities," SFAS No. 130,
"Reporting Comprehensive Income" and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information". SFAS No. 125 establishes
accounting and reporting standards for certain assets and liabilities. The
Partnership adopted SFAS No. 125 effective January 1, 1997, and there was no
material impact on the Partnership's consolidated financial position or
results of operations. SFAS Nos. 130 and 131 are effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997. While the Partnership has certain
comprehensive income items, adopting these pronouncements will not materially
change the Partnership's financial reporting and disclosures.
3. Agreement of Limited Partnership
The Partnership makes quarterly cash distributions to Unitholders and the
General Partner in an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash, as defined. The
General Partner receives a combined minimum 2% of total cash distributions
and as an incentive, the General Partner's participation increases if cash
distributions exceed specified target levels.
During the period December 4, 1991 through December 31, 1996 (the "Preference
Period"), distributions of Available Cash were subject to the rights of SPUs
to receive $.605 per unit per quarter, plus any arrearages for minimum
payments for prior quarters before any distributions to Common Unitholders.
During the Preference Period, SPUs and Common Units participated equally in
distributions after each
F-9
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
3. Agreement of Limited Partnership (continued)
class of Units received the Minimum Quarterly Distribution ("MQD"), subject
to the General Partner's right to receive cash distributions.
The quarterly cash distributions paid to the Units and the General Partner in
1997 and 1996 were as follows:
Senior Preference Units Common Units General Partner
----------------------- ------------ ---------------
Total $ Per Total $ Per Total $ Per
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
($000s) Unit ($000s) Unit ($000s) Unit
------- ---- ------- ---- ------- ----
1997:
First Quarter 186 .605* 27,752 1.50 10,477 --
Second Quarter 186 .605* 18,871 1.02 1,836 --
Third Quarter - - 44,034 2.38 26,686 --
Fourth Quarter - - 5,366 .29 109 --
1996:
First Quarter 26,046 1.91 9,880 1.91 18,290 --
Second Quarter 22,227 1.63 8,431 1.63 13,022 --
Third Quarter 33,000 2.42 12,517 2.42 27,883 --
Fourth Quarter 24,136 1.77 9,155 1.77 15,658 --
* The distributions paid in the first and second quarters of 1997 to the
holders of the SPUs represented an amount equal to the MQD for each
quarter. Nonvconverting SPU holders were not entitled to participate in
cash distributions in excess of the MQD after December 31, 1996.
Pursuant to the provisions of the TNCLP Agreement of Limited Partnership, the
Preference Period for TNCLP ended on December 31, 1996. For a 90-day period
which commenced on December 31, 1996, the holders of all SPUs had the right
to elect to convert their SPUs into Common Units on a one-for-one basis,
effective as of December 31, 1996, by delivering to the General Partner a
conversion notice. Any SPUs for which a conversion notice was not received
during the 90-day period remained SPUs. Those units that remained SPUs were
entitled to the MQD until redeemed (see below), but did not participate with
the Common Units in any additional distributions after December 31, 1996.
As of March 31, 1997 (the end of the Conversion Period) holders of 13,329,162
SPUs converted their units to Common Units and 307,202 units remained SPUs.
The Common Units began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on April 1,
1997 under the symbol TNH.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement of Limited Partnership, on May
27,1997, the Partnership redeemed all SPUs that did not convert to Common
Units. The redemption price was $21.50 per unit. The SPUs received the MQD of
$.605 per unit for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, in addition to the
redemption price.
As a result of the redemption of the SPUs on May 27, 1997, the Reserve Amount
was no longer required to be maintained. The Reserve Amount of $18.5 million
was distributed out of Available Cash on May 27, 1997 to holders of the
Common Units and to the General Partner.
F-10
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
3. Agreement of Limited Partnership (continued)
If at any time less than 25% of the issued and Outstanding Units are held by
non-affiliates of the General Partner, the Partnership may call, or assign to
the General Partner or its affiliates its right to acquire all such
Outstanding Units held by non-affiliated persons. TNCLP shall give at least
30 but not more than 60 days notice of its decision to purchase the
Outstanding Units. The purchase price per unit will be the greater of (1) the
average of the previous twenty trading days closing prices as of the date
five days before the purchase is announced or (2) the highest price paid by
the General Partner or any of its affiliates for any Unit within the 90 days
preceding the date the purchase is announced.
On January 26, 1998, the Partnership declared a distribution of $21.6 million
($1.17 per unit, including $0.315 per unit in cumulative arrearages) to
holders of Common Units as of February 6, 1998 payable on February 27, 1998.
Also on January 26, 1998, the Partnership declared distributions of $3.4
million to the General Partner (equaling 13.7% of total distributions
declared above, as required). Distributions on the Common Units are
cumulative to the extent that, for any calendar quarter, if a distribution of
at least $0.605 is not paid to the holders of the Common Units, the amount of
the shortfall (plus any arrearages from prior quarters) will be paid out of
Available Cash in subsequent quarters before any incentive distributions are
paid to the General Partner. As of December 31, 1997, the accumulated
distribution arrearage for the Common Units was $5.8 million ($0.315 per
unit).
4. Related Party Transactions
General Partner - The Partnership has no employees. Pursuant to the
provisions of the TNCLP Agreement of Limited Partnership, TNC, as General
Partner, is reimbursed for all direct and indirect expenses or payments it
makes on behalf of the Partnership and for that portion of TNC's or its
affiliates' administrative and overhead expenses and all other expenses
necessary or appropriate to the conduct of the Partnership's business and
reasonably allocable to the Partnership. In addition to such provisions,
effective January 1, 1995, TNC and Terra entered into an administrative
services agreement whereby TNC provides certain general and administrative
services for certain Terra affiliates. Costs and expenses incurred by TNC for
providing such services are charged to these affiliates, including the
Partnership. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, expenses
charged to the Partnership by TNC amounted to $24.7 million, $25.9 million
and $29.1 million, respectively, including $21.5 million, $21.1 million and
$26.5 million, respectively, for payroll and payroll-related expenses
including pension costs.
Effective January 1, 1995, under a general and administrative services
agreement between TNC and Terra, certain services including accounting,
legal, risk management, investor relations and certain employee benefit and
other employee-related expenses are provided by Terra to TNC. The portion of
these expenses allocated to TNC that relate to TNC's activities as General
Partner are charged to the Partnership. Expenses under this agreement charged
to the Partnership were $5.0 million, $5.1 million and $3.7 million for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Certain Terra supply terminals and transportation equipment are generally
available for use by the Partnership and affiliates of TNC. TNC pays the
costs associated with the operation of such terminals and transportation
equipment and related freight costs incurred to ship product to the various
sales points in the distribution system. TNC charges the Partnership or Terra
based on usage of such assets and freight costs incurred. Amounts charged to
the Partnership for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were
$23.3 million, $20.5 million and $21.0 million, respectively.
F-11
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
4. Related Party Transactions (continued)
TNC's employees are members of the Terra Industries, Inc. Employees'
Retirement Plan (the "Terra Retirement Plan"), a noncontributory defined
benefit pension plan. The accumulated benefits and plan assets of the Terra
Retirement Plan are not determined separately for TNC employees. TNC recorded
pension costs of $1.2 million, $1.2 million and $1.4 million ($1.0 million,
$1.1 million and $1.1 million of which was charged to the Partnership) in
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, as its allocated share of the total
periodic pension cost for the Terra Retirement Plan. Benefits are based on
years of service and average final compensation. Pension costs are funded to
satisfy minimum requirements prescribed by the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974. Contributions made by TNC to the Terra Retirement Plan
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $0, $0 and
$198,000, respectively.
Terra maintains a qualified savings plan which allows employees who meet
specified service requirements to contribute a percentage of their total
compensation, up to a maximum defined by the plan. Each employee's
contribution, up to a specified maximum, may be matched by TNC based on a
specified percentage of employee contributions. Employee contributions vest
immediately, while Terra's contributions vest over five years. Expenses
associated with TNC's contribution to the Terra qualified savings plan
charged to the Partnership for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995 were $706,000, $759,000 and $658,000, respectively.
TNC has an incentive compensation plan covering certain key employees which
is based on Terra Nitrogen Division (which consists of the Partnership and
the Nitrogen Manufacturing business represented by Terra's plants located in
Woodward, Oklahoma; Port Neal, Iowa; and Courtright, Ontario) annual earnings
before interest, taxes and minority interest. Expenses for the incentive
compensation plan charged to the Partnership for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995 were $1.5 million, $1.3 million and $2.5 million,
respectively.
The Partnership sold $41.0 million, $41.4 million and $26.5 million of
nitrogen fertilizer products to Terra at market prices and terms during the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Accounts
receivable from Terra were $314,000 and $201,000 at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.
5. Accounts Receivable Securitization
On August 20, 1996, TNCLP and certain affiliates of the General Partner,
through Terra Funding Corporation ("TFC"), an affiliate of the General
Partner and a limited purpose corporation, entered into an agreement with a
financial institution to sell an undivided interest in their accounts
receivable. Undivided interests in new receivables may be sold as amounts are
collected on previously sold amounts. The discount on TNCLP's portion of the
accounts receivable sold in 1997 and 1996 was $1.6 million and $746,000,
respectively, and is included in interest expense in the Consolidated
Statements of Income. TNCLP's receivables sold to TFC under this agreement
are sold without recourse, however, the amount of discount charged on
accounts receivable sold is subject to adjustment, on a prospective basis,
based on collection experience.
F-12
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
6. Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are summarized as follows:
December 31,
1997 1996
-------- --------
(In Thousands)
Assets owned:
Land and improvements $ 5,592 $ 5,261
Plant and equipment 253,636 245,916
Terminals and transportation equipment 7,411 6,998
-------- --------
266,639 258,175
Assets under capital lease:
Plant and equipment 9,262 9,262
Accumulated depreciation and amortization 106,368 94,666
-------- --------
$169,533 $172,771
======== ========
7. Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations are summarized as follows:
December 31,
1997 1996
-------- --------
(In Thousands)
Revolver borrowings $ 7,000 $ -
Capitalized lease obligations 3,036 4,198
------- -------
10,036 4,198
Less current maturities 1,070 1,162
------- -------
$ 8,966 $ 3,036
======= =======
Terra and its subsidiaries maintain a credit agreement (the "Credit
Agreement") with certain lenders and with Citibank, N.A., as agent. The
Operating Partnership has a $25 million revolving credit facility under the
Credit Agreement. The revolving credit facility expires December 31, 2000. At
December 31, 1997, the Operating Partnership had $18 million of unused
borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility. The Partnership has
classified the revolver borrowing as long-term debt since the Partnership has
the ability under its Credit Agreement, and the intent, to maintain this
obligation for longer than one year. Interest on the revolving credit
facility is based on the prime commercial lending rate plus .375% or the
Eurodollar rate plus 1.25% at the General Partner's option. At December 31,
1997, the interest rate on the revolving credit facility was 7.1875%. The
Operating Partnership incurs certain fees in connection with the borrowings
discussed above, including a commitment fee equal to .375% of the unused
amount of the revolving credit facility.
F-13
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7. Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (continued)
Loans under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Terra and certain
subsidiaries, including the General Partner, and are secured by pledges of
the stock of significant Terra subsidiaries, including the General Partner,
and by substantially all of the Operating Partnership's assets. The security
interest granted in the Operating Partnership's assets secures only the
revolving credit facility.
The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including those
relating to failure to pay amounts due, misrepresentation, failure to perform
covenants, bankruptcy or insolvency, litigation and unsatisfied judgments,
violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and environmental laws and changes in control or ownership.
The Credit Agreement contains convenants customary for financings of this
type including limitations on capital expenditures, additional debt, liens,
receivables sales, investments, changes in lines of business, transactions
with affiliates and limitations on acquisitions. The Credit Agreement also
includes convenants requiring Terra to meet certain financial tests. The
Partnership is not required to meet such financial tests under the Credit
Agreement. All such covenants were complied with as of December 31, 1997.
Interest paid by the Partnership was $605,000, $471,000 and $2.3 million for
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
8. Leases and Commitments
The Operating Partnership leases certain land, buildings and equipment.
Minimum rental commitments under capital and noncancelable operating leases
are as follows:
Capital Operating
Leases Leases Total
------- ------- -------
(In Thousands)
Year ending December 31:
1998 $1,283 $ 9,742 $11,025
1999 1,249 7,847 9,096
2000 893 7,014 7,907
2001 -- 6,213 6,213
2002 -- 4,366 4,366
Later years -- 12,480 12,480
------ ------- -------
Total minimum lease payments 3,425 47,662 51,087
Less amount representing interest 389 -- 389
------ ------- -------
Net minimum lease payments $3,036 $47,662 $50,698
====== ======= =======
Included above is the lease of the Port Terminal at the Verdigris facility.
The leasehold interest is scheduled to expire on April 30, 1999, and the
Partnership has the option to renew the lease for two additional, consecutive
terms of five years each.
F-14
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8. Leases and Commitments (continued)
The above amounts include the leases for the ammonia and urea facilities at
the Blytheville Plant. The lease term for the ammonia facility is scheduled
to expire on November 30, 1999 and the Partnership has the option to extend
the lease for twelve successive terms of five years each at the same rental
rate. The urea facility lease is scheduled to expire November 1, 1999, and
the Partnership has the option to renew the lease for four successive periods
of five years each at a nominal annual rental. The Partnership has the right
to purchase the ammonia and the urea facilities for a nominal price at the
end of the respective lease terms (including any renewal terms).
Rent expense under noncancelable operating leases amounted to approximately
$9.1 million, $6.5 million and $7.6 million, including contingent rentals of
$1.9 million, $1.8 million and $1.9 million, based primarily on terminal
throughput, for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
The Partnership has certain commitments with respect to the transportation of
minimum quantities of ammonia, urea and UAN. The transportation of such
minimum quantities are expected to be attained in the normal course of the
Partnership's business. The aggregate amount of required payments under these
commitments are: 1998 - $6.9 million; 1999 - $8.2 million; 2000 - $8.4
million; 2001 - $2.5 million; 2002 - $2.5 million; 2003 and after - $7.4
million.
9. Derivative Financial Instruments
During 1997, the Partnership recorded hedging gains and losses related to
natural gas supply requirements based on a pooled resources concept with
Terra. Under the pooled resources concept, hedging gains and losses are
allocated to each manufacturing plant based on gas usage for such plant.
Prior to 1997, hedging gains and losses were specifically identified with a
particular plant based on contractual arrangements for that plant. The change
in the allocation of hedging gains and losses did not have a material impact
on the Partnership's consolidated financial position or results of operations
for the year ended December 31, 1997.
The Partnership is subject to risks undertaken by Terra in its policy of
using derivative financial instruments to manage the risk associated with
changes in natural gas supply prices. Derivative financial instruments have
credit risk and market risk. To manage credit risk, Terra enters into
derivative transactions only with counter-parties who are currently rated BBB
or better as recognized by a national rating agency. Terra will not enter
into transactions with counter-parties if the additional transaction will
result in credit exposure exceeding $20 million. The credit rating of
counter-parties may be modified through guarantees, letters of credit or
other credit enhancement vehicles.
Terra classifies a derivative financial instrument as a hedge if all of the
following conditions are met:
1. The item to be hedged must expose the enterprise to price risk.
2. It must be probable that the results of the hedge position substantially
offset the effects of price changes on the hedged item (e.g., there is a
high correlation between the hedge position and changes in market value of
the hedged item).
3. The derivative financial instrument must be designated as a hedge of the
item at the inception of the hedge.
F-15
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
9. Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)
A change in the market value of a derivative financial instrument is
recognized as a gain or loss in the period of the change unless the
instrument meets the criteria to qualify as a hedge. If the hedge criteria
are met, the accounting for the derivative financial instrument is related to
the accounting for the hedged item so that changes in the market value of the
derivative financial instrument are recognized in income when the effects of
related changes in the price of the hedged item are recognized.
A change in the market value of a derivative financial instrument that is a
hedge of a firm commitment is included in the measurement of the transaction
that satisfies the commitment. The Partnership accounts for a change in the
market value of a derivative financial instrument that hedges an anticipated
transaction in the measurement of the subsequent transaction. If a derivative
financial instrument that has been accounted for as a hedge is closed before
the date of the anticipated transaction, the Partnership carries forward the
accumulated change in value of the contract and includes it in the
measurement of the related transaction.
Natural gas supplies to fulfill production requirements at the Operating
Partnership's production facilities are purchased at market prices. Natural
gas market prices, as with other commodities, are volatile and futures
contracts, swap agreements and purchased options are used to effectively
maintain fixed prices for a portion of the Operating Partnership's natural
gas production requirements and inventory. The settlement dates for such
financial instruments are scheduled to coincide with gas purchases during
such future periods. These contracts reference physical natural gas prices or
appropriate NYMEX futures contract prices. The contracts' physical prices are
frequently based on the Henry Hub, Louisiana price. Natural gas supplies for
the Partnership's two production facilities are purchased from various
suppliers at locations that are different from the Henry Hub. This creates a
location basis differential between the contract price and the physical price
of natural gas. Accordingly, the use of financial derivatives may not exactly
offset the change in the price of physical gas. Therefore, Terra has also
entered into basis swaps to maintain fixed prices for the location basis
differential.There are no initial cash requirements related to the basis swap
agreements. Gains and losses on settlement of these contracts are credited or
charged to cost of sales in the month in which the hedged transaction occurs.
Cash flows related to natural gas basis swaps are reported as cash flows from
operating activities. As of December 31, 1997 and 1996, MMbtu's under such
contracts totalled 39.8 million and 6.5 million, respectively. The unrealized
gain on basis swaps at December 31, 1997 was $30,000.
Swap agreements are used to hedge natural gas prices, which are agreements
with third parties to exchange cash based on a designated price, which price
is referenced to natural gas market prices or appropriate NYMEX futures
contract prices. Option contracts are also used and represent agreements
giving the holder of the contract the right to either own or sell a futures
or swap contract at a designated price. Option contracts require initial
premium payments ranging from 2% to 5% of contract value and the futures
contracts require maintenance of cash balances generally 10% to 20% of the
contract value.
F-16
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
9. Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)
The following summarizes open natural gas contracts allocated to the
Partnership at December 31, 1997 and entered into by the Partnership at
December 31,1996:
1997 1996
---------------------- ------------------------
Contract Unrealized Contract Unrealized
MMbtu Gain (Loss) MMbtu Gain (Loss)
--------- ----------- -------- --------------
(In Thousands) (In Thousands)
Futures (223) $ -- -- $ --
Swaps 55,131 12,060 82,880 19,559
Options -- -- 2,540 397
------ ------- ------ -------
54,908 $12,060 85,420 $19,956
====== ======= ====== =======
The Partnership's annual production requirements are approximately 56
million MMbtus of natural gas. Contracts were in place at December 31, 1997
to cover 68% of 1998 natural gas requirements, 34% for 1999 and 5% for 2000.
Gains and losses on settlement of these contracts and premium payments on
option contracts are credited or charged to cost of sales in the month in
which the hedged transaction occurs. The risk and reward of outstanding
natural gas positions are directly related to increases or decreases in
natural gas prices in relation to the underlying NYMEX natural gas contract
prices. Realized gains of $600,000 on closed contracts relating to January
1998 were deferred by the Partnership at December 31, 1997. Cash flows
related to natural gas hedging are reported as cash flows from operating
activities.
During 1997 and 1996, natural gas forward pricing activities reduced the
Partnership's natural gas costs by $25.6 million and $37.1 million,
respectively, compared with spot market natural gas prices. During 1995,
natural gas forward pricing activities increased the Partnership's cost by
$18.2 million compared with spot market prices.
10. Other Financial Information
Fair values of financial instruments - The following methods and assumptions
were used by the Partnership in estimating its fair value disclosures for
financial instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents - The carrying amounts reported in the
balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair
values.
Distribution reserve fund - The carrying amount reported in the
balance sheet for the distribution reserve fund approximates its fair
value.
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations - The carrying amounts of
the Partnership's borrowings under long-term debt agreements and
capital lease obligations approximate fair value.
F-17
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
10. Other Financial Information (continued)
Off-balance-sheet instruments - Fair values for the Partnership's
natural gas swaps and options are based on contract prices in effect
at December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996. The unrealized gain (loss)
on these contracts is disclosed in Note 9.
Concentration of credit risk - The Partnership is subject to credit risk through
trade receivables and short-term investments. Although a substantial portion of
its debtors' ability to pay is dependent upon the agribusiness economic sector,
credit risk with respect to trade receivables is minimized due to a large
customer base and its geographic dispersion. Credit risk related to trade
receivables has also been minimized as a result of the accounts receivable
securitization agreement entered into during 1996. Short-term cash investments
are placed with well capitalized, high quality financial institutions and in
short duration corporate and government debt securities funds.
Major customers - For the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, sales to Terra
totalled $41.0 million and $41.4 million, or 12.3% and 11.4%, respectively, of
the Partnership's sales. None of the Partnership's customers represented more
than 10% of the Partnership's sales for the year ended December 31, 1995.
F-18