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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005

 

OR

 

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

 

Commission File No. 1-13603

 


 

TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

76-0329620

(State of Incorporation
or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

 

2929 Allen Parkway
P.O. Box 2521
Houston, Texas 77252-2521

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) 

 

(713) 759-3636

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   ý  No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes   o  No  ý

 

 



 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2005 (unaudited) and December 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

 

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

i



 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1

 

$

 

Accounts receivable, trade (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $56 and $56)

 

17,980

 

21,090

 

Accounts receivable, related parties

 

1,893

 

3,455

 

Inventories

 

10,539

 

10,093

 

Other

 

12,839

 

12,143

 

Total current assets

 

43,252

 

46,781

 

Property, plant and equipment, at cost (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $319,129 and $311,197)

 

726,540

 

722,334

 

Equity investments

 

170,526

 

169,873

 

Other assets

 

13,272

 

16,156

 

Total assets

 

$

953,590

 

$

955,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

8,740

 

$

10,211

 

Accounts payable, related parties

 

70,179

 

66,451

 

Accrued interest

 

7,354

 

17,063

 

Other accrued taxes

 

5,453

 

5,605

 

Other

 

7,129

 

9,339

 

Total current liabilities

 

98,855

 

108,669

 

Senior Notes

 

390,432

 

393,317

 

Note Payable, Parent Partnership

 

320,536

 

301,686

 

Other liabilities and deferred credits

 

9,849

 

9,980

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital:

 

 

 

 

 

General partner’s interest

 

2

 

2

 

Limited partner’s interest

 

133,916

 

141,490

 

Total partners’ capital

 

133,918

 

141,492

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

 

$

953,590

 

$

955,144

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

1



 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation – Refined products

 

$

34,965

 

$

30,971

 

Transportation – LPGs

 

32,231

 

28,780

 

Other

 

9,820

 

13,911

 

Total operating revenues

 

77,016

 

73,662

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Operating, general and administrative

 

26,505

 

29,048

 

Operating fuel and power

 

7,629

 

8,049

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

9,298

 

8,638

 

Taxes – other than income taxes

 

2,908

 

2,843

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

(92

)

 

Total costs and expenses

 

46,248

 

48,578

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

30,768

 

25,084

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense – net

 

(7,959

)

(6,909

)

Equity losses

 

(842

)

(1,238

)

Other income – net

 

149

 

272

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

22,116

 

$

17,209

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

2



 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

22,116

 

$

17,209

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

9,298

 

8,638

 

Losses in equity investments, net of distributions

 

842

 

1,238

 

Non-cash portion of interest expense

 

68

 

7

 

Gains on sales of assets

 

(92

)

 

Decrease in accounts receivable

 

3,110

 

6,793

 

(Increase) decrease in inventories

 

(446

)

1,015

 

(Increase) decrease in other current assets

 

(696

)

3,700

 

Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(9,933

)

(13,332

)

Other

 

715

 

(8,200

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

24,982

 

17,068

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in Centennial Pipeline LLC

 

 

(1,000

)

Capital expenditures

 

(14,140

)

(7,820

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(14,140

)

(8,820

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from note payable, Parent Partnership

 

38,788

 

35,474

 

Repayments of notes payable, Parent Partnership

 

(19,938

)

(14,973

)

Distributions paid

 

(29,691

)

(28,894

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(10,841

)

(8,393

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

1

 

(145

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

188

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

1

 

$

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flows:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized)

 

$

15,330

 

$

12,610

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3



 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1.  ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership, was formed in March 1990.  TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (the “Parent Partnership”) owns a 99.999% interest in us as the sole limited partner.  TEPPCO GP, Inc. (“TEPPCO GP” or “General Partner”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent Partnership, holds a 0.001% general partner interest in us.  Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability company, serves as the general partner of our Parent Partnership.  Through February 23, 2005, the Company was an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Duke Energy Field Services, LLC (“DEFS”), a joint venture between Duke Energy Corporation (“Duke Energy”) and ConocoPhillips.  Through February 23, 2005, Duke Energy held an interest of approximately 70% in DEFS, and ConocoPhillips held the remaining interest of approximately 30%.  On February 24, 2005, the Company was acquired by DFI GP Holdings L.P. (formerly Enterprise GP Holdings L.P.) (“DFI”), an affiliate of EPCO, Inc. (“EPCO”), a privately held company controlled by Dan L. Duncan, for approximately $1.1 billion.  As a result of the transaction, DFI owns and controls the 2% general partner interest in our Parent Partnership and has the right to receive the incentive distribution rights associated with the general partner interest.

 

 TEPPCO GP, as our general partner, performs all of the management and operating functions required for us in accordance with the Agreement of Limited Partnership of TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”).  We reimburse our General Partner and the Company for all reasonable direct and indirect expenses that they incur in managing us.

 

As used in this Report, “we,” “us,”  and “our” means TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership.

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of our management, of a normal and recurring nature and necessary for a fair statement of our financial position as of March 31, 2005, and the results of our operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005, are not necessarily indicative of results of our operations for the full year 2005.  You should read these interim financial statements in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented in the TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.  We have reclassified certain amounts from prior periods to conform with the current presentation.

 

We operate and report in one business segment: transportation and storage of refined products, liquefied petroleum gases (“LPGs”) and petrochemicals.  Our interstate transportation operations, including rates charged to customers, are subject to regulations prescribed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”).  We refer to refined products, LPGs and petrochemicals in this Report, collectively, as “petroleum products” or “products.”

 

At March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004, we had working capital deficits of $55.6 million and $61.9 million, respectively.  Cash generated from operations and from our Parent Partnership’s credit facilities and debt and equity offerings are our primary sources of liquidity.  Working capital deficits can occur primarily due to the timing of operating cash receipts from customers, payment of cash distributions and the payment of normal operating expenses and capital expenditures.  Our Parent Partnership has historically made capital contributions, loans or otherwise provided liquidity to us as needed, but the Parent Partnership has no contractual obligation to do so.  At March 31, 2005, our Parent Partnership had $81.5 million in available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility and agreed to cover any working capital needs, if required.

 

4



 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment.  SFAS 123(R) requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements.  With limited exceptions, the amount of the compensation cost is to be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.  In addition, liability awards are to be re-measured each reporting period.  Compensation cost will be recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. SFAS 123(R) is a revision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure and supersedes Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.  SFAS 123(R) is effective for public companies as of the first interim or annual reporting period of the first fiscal year beginning on or after June 15, 2005.  As such, we will adopt SFAS 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006.  Early adoption is permitted, but not required.  All public companies that adopted the fair-value-based method of accounting must use the modified prospective transition method and may elect to use the modified retrospective transition method.  We do not believe that the adoption of SFAS 123(R) will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In November 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached consensus in EITF 03-13, Applying the Conditions in Paragraph 42 of FASB Statement No. 144, Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, in Determining Whether to Report Discontinued Operations, to clarify whether a component of an enterprise that is either disposed of or classified as held for sale qualifies for income statement presentation as discontinued operations.  The EITF ratified the consensus on November 30, 2004.  The consensus is to be applied prospectively with regard to a component of an enterprise that is either disposed of or classified as held for sale in reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2004.  The consensus may be applied retrospectively for previously reported operating results related to disposal transactions initiated within an enterprise’s reporting period that included the date that this consensus was ratified. The adoption of EITF 03-13 did not have an effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143 (“FIN 47”).  FIN 47 clarifies that the term, conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional upon a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity.  Even though uncertainty about the timing and/or method of settlement exists and may be conditional upon a future event, the obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional.  Accordingly, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated.  Uncertainty about the timing and/or method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation should be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists.  The fair value of a liability for the conditional asset retirement obligation should be recognized when incurred generally upon acquisition, construction, or development or through the normal operation of the asset.  SFAS 143 acknowledges that in some cases, sufficient information may not be available to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation.  FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation.  FIN 47 is effective no later than the end of reporting periods ending after December 15, 2005. Retrospective application for interim financial information is permitted but is not required.  Early adoption of FIN 47 is encouraged.  We are currently evaluating what impact FIN 47 will have on our financial statements, but at this time, we do not believe that the adoption of FIN 47 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

5



 

NOTE 2.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

We account for our intangible assets under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, which was issued by the FASB in July 2001.  SFAS 142 prohibits amortization of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, but instead requires testing for impairment at least annually.  SFAS 142 requires that intangible assets with definite useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives.  If an intangible asset has a finite useful life, but the precise length of that life is not known, that intangible asset shall be amortized over the best estimate of its useful life.  At a minimum, we will assess the useful lives and residual values of all intangible assets on an annual basis to determine if adjustments are required.

 

The following table reflects the components of intangible assets being amortized, included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004 (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2005

 

December 31, 2004

 

 

 

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets being amortized:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation agreements

 

$

1,328

 

$

(277

)

$

1,328

 

$

(260

)

 

At March 31, 2005, we had $33.4 million of excess investment in our equity investment in Centennial Pipeline LLC, which was created upon formation of the company.  The excess investment is included in our equity investments account at March 31, 2005.  This excess investment is accounted for as an intangible asset with an indefinite life.  We assess the intangible asset for impairment on an annual basis.

 

Amortization expense on intangible assets was $16,603 for each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2004.

 

Estimated amortization expense on intangible assets will be $0.1 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2005 through 2009.

 

NOTE 3.  INTEREST RATE SWAP

 

In October 2001, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge our exposure to changes in the fair value of our fixed rate 7.51% Senior Notes due 2028. We designated this swap agreement as a fair value hedge.  The swap agreement has a notional amount of $210.0 million and matures in January 2028 to match the principal and maturity of the 7.51% Senior Notes.  Under the swap agreement, we pay a floating rate of interest based on a three-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate, plus a spread, and receive a fixed rate of interest of 7.51%. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, and 2004, we recognized reductions in interest expense of $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, related to the difference between the fixed rate and the floating rate of interest on the interest rate swap.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2005, we measured the hedge effectiveness of this interest rate swap and noted that no gain or loss from ineffectiveness was required to be recognized.  The fair value of this interest rate swap was a gain of approximately $0.5 million and $3.4 million at March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004, respectively.

 

6



 

NOTE 4.  INVENTORIES

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (based on weighted average cost method) or market.  The costs of inventories did not exceed market values at March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004. The major components of inventories were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

Refined products

 

$

5,323

 

$

5,665

 

LPGs

 

706

 

 

Materials and supplies

 

4,510

 

4,428

 

Total

 

$

10,539

 

$

10,093

 

 

NOTE 5.  EQUITY INVESTMENTS

 

We own a 50% ownership interest in Centennial Pipeline Company LLC (“Centennial”), and Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (“Marathon”) owns the remaining 50% interest. Centennial owns an interstate refined petroleum products pipeline extending from the upper Texas Gulf Coast to central Illinois.  During the three months ended March 31, 2005, we have not invested any additional funds in Centennial.  During the three months ended March 31, 2004, we invested an additional $1.0 million in Centennial, which is included in the equity investment balance at March 31, 2005.  We have not received any distributions from Centennial since its formation.

 

On January 1, 2003, we and Louis Dreyfus Energy Services L.P. (“Louis Dreyfus”) formed Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P. (“MB Storage”).  We and Louis Dreyfus each have a 50% ownership interest in MB Storage.  The purpose of MB Storage is to expand services to the upper Texas Gulf Coast energy marketplace by increasing pipeline throughput and the mix of products handled through the existing system and establishing new receipt and delivery connections.  MB Storage is a service-oriented, fee-based venture with no commodity trading activity.  We operate the facilities for MB Storage.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2005, we will receive the first $1.7 million per quarter (or $6.78 million on an annual basis) of MB Storage’s income before depreciation expense, as defined in the operating agreement.  For the year ended December 31, 2004, we received the first $1.8 million per quarter (or $7.15 million on an annual basis) of MB Storage’s income before depreciation expense.  Our share of MB Storage’s earnings is adjusted annually by the partners of MB Storage.  Any amount of MB Storage’s annual income before depreciation expense in excess of $6.78 million for 2005 and $7.15 million for 2004 is allocated evenly between Louis Dreyfus and us.  Depreciation expense on assets each party originally contributed to MB Storage is allocated between us and Louis Dreyfus based on the net book value of the assets contributed.  Depreciation expense on assets constructed or acquired by MB Storage subsequent to formation is allocated evenly between us and Louis Dreyfus. For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, our sharing ratio in the earnings of MB Storage was approximately 58.1% and 66.4%, respectively.  During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, we received no distributions from MB Storage and made no contributions to MB Storage.

 

We use the equity method of accounting to account for our investments in Centennial and MB Storage.  Summarized combined financial information for Centennial and MB Storage for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, is presented below (in thousands):

 

7



 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Revenues

 

$

18,797

 

$

12,151

 

Net income (loss)

 

548

 

(996

)

 

Summarized combined balance sheet data for Centennial and MB Storage as of March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004, is presented below (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

Current assets

 

$

48,376

 

$

39,228

 

Noncurrent assets

 

374,660

 

377,924

 

Current liabilities

 

39,799

 

36,015

 

Long-term debt

 

140,000

 

140,000

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

21,935

 

20,383

 

Partners’ capital

 

221,302

 

220,754

 

 

NOTE 6.  DEBT

 

Senior Notes

 

On January 27, 1998, we completed the issuance of $180.0 million principal amount of 6.45% Senior Notes due 2008, and $210.0 million principal amount of 7.51% Senior Notes due 2028 (collectively the “Senior Notes”).  The 6.45% Senior Notes were issued at a discount of $0.3 million and are being accreted to their face value over the term of the notes.  The 6.45% Senior Notes due 2008 are not subject to redemption prior to January 15, 2008.  The 7.51% Senior Notes due 2028, issued at par, may be redeemed at any time after January 15, 2008, at our option in whole or in part, at a premium.

 

The Senior Notes do not have sinking fund requirements.  Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year.  The Senior Notes are unsecured obligations and rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.  The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants limiting the creation of liens securing indebtedness and sale and leaseback transactions.  However, the indenture does not limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness.  As of March 31, 2005, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Senior Notes.

 

We have entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge our exposure to changes in the fair value on a portion of the Senior Notes discussed above.  At March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the Senior Notes include the fair value of our interest rate swap of $0.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively (see Note 3. Interest Rate Swap).

 

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the Senior Notes as of March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004 (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

Face
Value

 

March 31,
2005

 

December 31,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.45% Senior Notes, due January 2008

 

$

180.0

 

$

186.2

 

$

187.1

 

7.51% Senior Notes, due January 2028

 

210.0

 

223.2

 

225.6

 

 

8



 

Other Long Term Debt and Credit Facilities

 

We currently utilize debt financing available from our Parent Partnership through intercompany notes. The terms of the intercompany notes generally match the principal and interest payment dates under the Parent Partnership’s credit agreements.  The interest rates charged by the Parent Partnership include the stated interest rate of the Parent Partnership, plus a premium to cover debt issuance costs.  The interest rate is also decreased or increased to cover gains and losses, respectively, on any interest rate swaps that the Parent Partnership may have in place on its respective credit agreements.  These credit facilities of the Parent Partnership are described below.

 

On February 20, 2002, our Parent Partnership issued $500.0 million principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2012.  The 7.625% Senior Notes were issued at a discount of $2.2 million and are being accreted to their face value over the term of the notes.  The Senior Notes may be redeemed at any time at our Parent Partnership’s option with the payment of accrued interest and a make-whole premium determined by discounting remaining interest and principal payments using a discount rate equal to the rate of the United States Treasury securities of comparable remaining maturity plus 35 basis points.  The indenture governing these 7.625% Senior Notes contains covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants limiting the creation of liens securing indebtedness and sale and leaseback transactions.  However, the indenture does not limit our Parent Partnership’s ability to incur additional indebtedness.

 

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

 

On June 27, 2003, our Parent Partnership entered into a $550.0 million revolving credit facility with a three year term, including the issuance of letters of credit of up to $20.0 million (“Revolving Credit Facility”).  The interest rate is based, at our Parent Partnership’s option, on either the lender’s base rate plus a spread, or LIBOR plus a spread in effect at the time of the borrowings.  The credit agreement for the Revolving Credit Facility contains certain restrictive financial covenant ratios.  On October 21, 2004, our Parent Partnership amended the Revolving Credit Facility to (i) increase the facility size to $600.0 million, (ii) extend the term to October 21, 2009, (iii) remove certain restrictive covenants, (iv) increase the available amount for the issuance of letters of credit up to $100.0 million and (v) decrease the LIBOR rate spread charged at the time of each borrowing.  On February 23, 2005, the Parent Partnership amended its Revolving Credit Facility to remove the requirement that DEFS must at all times own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Company, to allow for its acquisition by DFI (see Note 1. Organization and Basis of Presentation).  On March 31, 2005, $432.0 million was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at a weighted average interest rate of 3.4%.

 

As of March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004, we had intercompany notes payable to our Parent Partnership of $320.5 million and $301.7 million, respectively, which represented borrowings under the Parent Partnership’s Revolving Credit Facility, 7.625% Senior Notes and 6.125% Senior Notes. The weighted average interest rate on the note payable to the Parent Partnership at March 31, 2005, was 4.5%.  At March 31, 2005, accrued interest includes $1.7 million due to our Parent Partnership.  For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, interest costs incurred on the note payable to our Parent Partnership totaled $3.4 million and $2.9 million, respectively.

 

9



 

NOTE 7.  QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTONS OF AVAILABLE CASH

 

We make quarterly cash distributions of all of our Available Cash, generally defined as consolidated cash receipts less consolidated cash disbursements and cash reserves established by the General Partner in its sole discretion.  We pay distributions of 99.999% to the Parent Partnership and 0.001% to the General Partner.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, we paid cash distributions to our Parent Partnership totaling $29.7 million and $28.9 million, respectively.  On May 6, 2005, we will pay a cash distribution to our Parent Partnership of $29.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

 

NOTE 8.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

 

Retirement Plans

 

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

 

The components of net pension benefits costs allocated to us for the TEPPCO RCBP and the TEPPCO SBP for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Service cost benefit earned during the period

 

$

656

 

$

596

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

152

 

123

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(209

)

(155

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

2

 

1

 

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

7

 

10

 

Net pension benefits costs

 

$

608

 

$

575

 

 

Other Postretirement Benefits

 

Effective January 1, 2001, the Parent Partnership provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees on a contributory and non-contributory basis (“TEPPCO OPB”).  Employees become eligible for these benefits if they meet certain age and service requirements at retirement, as defined in the plans.  The Parent Partnership provides a fixed dollar contribution, which does not increase from year to year, towards retired employee medical costs.  The retiree pays all health care cost increases due to medical inflation. The Parent Partnership uses a December 31 measurement date for this plan.

 

10



 

The components of net postretirement benefits cost allocated to us for the TEPPCO OPB for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost benefit earned during the period

 

$

30

 

$

26

 

Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

 

35

 

32

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

28

 

28

 

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

3

 

 

Net postretirement benefits costs

 

$

96

 

$

86

 

 

Estimated Future Benefit Contributions

 

The Parent Partnership expects to contribute approximately $3.5 million to its retirement plans and other postretirement benefit plans in 2005.  We expect to be allocated a share of these contributions.

 

NOTE 9.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

In the fall of 1999 and on December 1, 2000, the Company and the Parent Partnership were named as defendants in two separate lawsuits in Jackson County Circuit Court, Jackson County, Indiana, styled Ryan E. McCleery and Marcia S. McCleery, et al. v. Texas Eastern Corporation, et al. (including the Company and Parent Partnership) and Gilbert Richards and Jean Richards v. Texas Eastern Corporation, et al. (including the Company and Parent Partnership).  In both cases, the plaintiffs contend, among other things, that we and other defendants stored and disposed of toxic and hazardous substances and hazardous wastes in a manner that caused the materials to be released into the air, soil and water.  They further contend that the release caused damages to the plaintiffs.  In their complaints, the plaintiffs allege strict liability for both personal injury and property damage together with gross negligence, continuing nuisance, trespass, criminal mischief and loss of consortium. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory, punitive and treble damages.  On January 27, 2005, we entered into Release and Settlement Agreements with the McCleery plaintiffs and the Richards plaintiffs dismissing all of these plaintiffs’ claims.  The settlement terms included a $2.0 million payment to the plaintiffs, which did not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Although we did not settle with all plaintiffs and we therefore remain named parties in the Ryan E. McCleery and Marcia S. McCleery, et al. v. Texas Eastern Corporation, et al. action, a co-defendant has agreed to indemnify us for all remaining claims asserted against us.  Consequently, we do not believe that the outcome of these remaining claims will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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

 

In May 2003, the Company was named as a defendant in a lawsuit styled John R. James, et al. v. J Graves Insulation Company, et al. as filed in the first Judicial District Court, Caddo Parish, Louisiana.  There are numerous

 

11



 

plaintiffs identified in the action that are alleged to have suffered damages as the result of alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products and materials.  According to the petition and as a result of a preliminary investigation, the Company believes that the only claim asserted against it results from one individual for the period from July 1971 through June 1972, who is alleged to have worked on a facility owned by the Company’s predecessor.  This period represents a small portion of the total alleged exposure period from January 1964 through December 2001 for this individual.  The individual’s claims involve numerous employers and alleged job sites.  The Company has been unable to confirm involvement by the Company or its predecessors with the alleged location, and it is uncertain at this time whether this case is covered by insurance. Discovery is planned, and the Company intends to defend itself vigorously against this lawsuit.  The plaintiffs have not stipulated the amount of damages that they are seeking in this suit.  We are obligated to reimburse the Company for any costs it incurs related to this lawsuit.  We cannot estimate the loss, if any, associated with this pending lawsuit.  We do not believe that the outcome of this lawsuit will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

On April 2, 2003, Centennial was served with a petition in a matter styled Adams, et al. v. Centennial Pipeline Company LLC, et al.  This matter involves approximately 2,000 plaintiffs who allege that over 200 defendants, including Centennial, generated, transported, and/or disposed of hazardous and toxic waste at two sites in Bayou Sorrell, Louisiana, an underground injection well and a landfill.  The plaintiffs allege personal injuries, allergies, birth defects, cancer and death.  The underground injection well has been in operation since May 1976.  Based upon current information, Centennial appears to be a de minimis contributor, having used the disposal site during the two month time period of December 2001 to January 2002.  Marathon has been handling this matter for Centennial under its operating agreement with Centennial.  We have a 50% ownership interest in Centennial.  On November 30, 2004, the court approved a class settlement, which included an $80,000 payment by Centennial.  The time period for parties to appeal this settlement expired in March 2005, and the class settlement became final.  The terms of the settlement did not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

On February 4, 2005, we received a letter notifying us of a claim for approximately $1.45 million in damages allegedly due to a shipper being delivered off-specification gasoline during November 2004.  We are contesting liability for this matter, and to the extent there may be liability, we would seek reimbursement from the third party refiner who supplied the gasoline into our pipeline system.  We do not believe that the outcome of this matter will have a future material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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

 

Our operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, imposition of injunctions delaying or prohibiting certain activities and the need to perform investigatory and remedial activities.  Although we believe our operations are in material compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, risks of significant costs and liabilities are inherent in pipeline operations, and we cannot assure you that significant costs and liabilities will not be incurred. Moreover,

 

12



 

it is possible that other developments, such as increasingly strict environmental laws and regulations and enforcement policies thereunder, and claims for damages to property or persons resulting from our operations, could result in substantial costs and liabilities to us.  We believe that changes in environmental laws and regulations will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows in the near term.

 

On March 26, 2004, an initial decision in ARCO Products Co., et al. v. SFPP, Docket OR96-2-000, et al. was issued by the FERC, which made several significant determinations with respect to finding “changed circumstances” under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (“EP Act”).  The decision largely clarifies, but does not fully quantify, the standard required for a complainant to demonstrate that an oil pipeline’s rates are no longer subject to the rate protection of the EP Act by demonstrating that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred since 1992 with respect to the basis of the rates being challenged.  In the decision, the FERC found that a limited number of rate elements will significantly affect the economic basis for a pipeline company’s rates.  The elements identified in the decision are volume changes, allowed total return and total cost-of-service (including major cost elements of rate base such as tax rates and tax allowances, among others).  The FERC did reject, however, the use of changes in tax rate and income tax allowances as standalone factors.  It appears likely that the decision will be appealed.  We have not yet determined the impact, if any, that the decision, if it is ultimately upheld, would have on our rates if they were reviewed under the criteria of this decision.

 

On July 20, 2004, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an opinion in BP West Coast Producers LLC v. FERC.  In reviewing a series of orders involving SFPP, L.P., the court held among other things that the FERC had not adequately justified its policy of providing an oil pipeline limited partnership with an income tax allowance equal to the proportion of its limited partnership interests owned by corporate partners.  Under the FERC’s initial ruling, SFPP, L.P. was permitted an income tax allowance on its cost-of-service filing for 42.7% of the net operating (pre-tax) income expected from operations and was denied an income tax allowance equal to 57.3% of its limited partnership interests that were held by non-corporate partners.  The court remanded the case back to the FERC for further review.  As a result of the court’s remand, on December 2, 2004, the FERC issued a Request for Comments seeking comments on whether the court’s ruling applies only to the specific facts of the SFPP, L.P. proceeding or also extends to other capital structures involving partnerships and other forms of ownership.  The ultimate outcome of the FERC’s inquiry on income tax allowance should not affect our current rates and rate structure because our rates are not based on cost-of-service methodology.  However, the outcome of the income tax allowance would become relevant to us should we (i) elect in the future to use cost-of-service to support our rates, or (ii) be required to use such methodology to defend our indexed rates.

 

In 1994, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) issued a compliance order for environmental contamination at our Arcadia, Louisiana, facility.  In 1999, our Arcadia facility and adjacent terminals were directed by the Remediation Services Division of the LDEQ to pursue remediation of this contamination.  At March 31, 2005, we have an accrued liability of $0.2 million for remediation costs at our Arcadia facility.  Effective in March 2004, we executed an access agreement with an adjacent industrial landowner who is located upgradient of the Arcadia facility.  This agreement enables the landowner to proceed with remediation activities at our Arcadia facility for which it has accepted shared responsibility.  We do not expect that the completion of the remediation program proposed to the LDEQ will have a future material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

On March 17, 2003, we experienced a release of 511 barrels of jet fuel from a storage tank at our Blue Island terminal located in Cook County, Illinois.  As a result of the release, we have entered into an Agreed Order with the State of Illinois which required us to conduct an environmental investigation.  At this time, we have complied with the terms of the Agreed Order, and the results of the environmental investigation indicated there were no soil or groundwater impacts from the release.  We are in the process of negotiating a final settlement with the State of Illinois, and we do not expect that compliance with the settlement will have a future material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

13



 

On July 22, 2004, we experienced a release of approximately 12 barrels of jet fuel from a sump at our Lebanon, Ohio, terminal.  The released jet fuel was contained within a storm water retention pond located on the terminal property.  Six migratory waterfowl were affected by the jet fuel and were subsequently euthanized by or at the request of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“USFWS”).  On October 1, 2004, the USFWS served us with a Notice of Violation, alleging that we violated 16 USC 703 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the “take[ing] of migratory birds by illegal methods.”  On February 7, 2005, we entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the USFWS, settling all aspects of this matter.  The terms of this settlement did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

On July 27, 2004, we received notice from the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) of its intent to seek a civil penalty against us related to our November 21, 2001, release of approximately 2,575 barrels of jet fuel from our 14-inch diameter pipeline located in Orange County, Texas.  The DOJ, at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency, is seeking a civil penalty against us for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) arising out of this release.  The maximum statutory penalty calculated for this alleged violation of the CWA is $2.8 million.  We are in discussions with the DOJ regarding this matter and have responded to its request for additional information.  We do not expect a civil penalty, if any, to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

At March 31, 2005, we have an accrued liability of $1.5 million related to sites requiring environmental remediation activities.  We do not expect that the completion of remediation programs associated these activities will have a future material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Centennial entered into credit facilities totaling $150.0 million, and as of March 31, 2005, $150.0 million was outstanding under those credit facilities.  The proceeds were used to fund construction and conversion costs of its pipeline system.  We and Marathon have each guaranteed one-half of Centennial’s debt, up to a maximum amount of $75.0 million each.

 

On February 24, 2005, the Company was acquired from DEFS by DFI.  The Company owns a 2% general partner interest in our Parent Partnership and is the general partner of the Parent Partnership.  On March 11, 2005, the Bureau of Competition of the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) delivered written notice to DFI’s legal advisor that it was conducting a non-public investigation to determine whether DFI’s acquisition of the Company may substantially lessen competition.  The FTC has contacted the Company requesting data.  The Company intends to cooperate fully with any such investigations and inquiries requested by the FTC or any other regulatory authorities.

 

14



 

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

 

General

 

You should read the following review of our financial position and results of operations in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements.  Material period-to-period variances in the consolidated statements of income are discussed under “Results of Operations.”  The “Financial Condition and Liquidity” section analyzes our cash flows and financial position.  “Other Considerations” addresses trends, future plans and contingencies that are reasonably likely to materially affect future liquidity or earnings.  The Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes, together with our discussion and analysis of financial position and results of operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

A summary of the significant accounting policies we have adopted and followed in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is detailed in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain of these accounting policies require the use of estimates.  The following estimates, in our opinion, are subjective in nature, require the exercise of judgment and involve complex analysis: revenue and expense accruals, including power costs, property taxes, environmental costs and property, plant and equipment.  These estimates are based on our knowledge and understanding of current conditions and actions we may take in the future.  Changes in these estimates will occur as a result of the passage of time and the occurrence of future events.  Subsequent changes in these estimates may have a significant impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Management Overview of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

 

We reported net income of $22.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with net income of $17.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004.  Our results were impacted by increased refined products and LPG transportation revenues and volumes delivered. These increases were partially offset by lower propane inventory fee revenues, increased environmental expenses and increased rental expense from our Centennial Pipeline LLC (“Centennial”) capacity lease agreement.  Additionally, pipeline integrity expenses decreased $4.4 million compared to our first quarter 2004 costs.  We anticipate that our pipeline integrity expenses for 2005 will be approximately $17.6 million lower than our 2004 expenses due to the completion of projects.

 

Certain factors are inherent in our business. These include the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the pipelines and facilities that we own or operate while meeting increased regulations that govern the operation of our assets and the costs associated with such regulations.  We are also focused on our continued growth through expansion of the assets that we own and through acquisition of assets that complement our current operations.  We remain confident that our current strategy and focus will provide continued growth in earnings and cash distributions.  These opportunities include continued growth, resulting from our recent capacity expansion and grass roots facility investments and growing demand for Gulf Coast sourced products.

 

We are subject to economic and other factors that affect our industry.  The demand for refined products is dependent upon the price, prevailing economic conditions and demographic changes in the markets served, trucking and railroad freight, agricultural usage and military usage; the demand for propane is sensitive to the weather and prevailing economic conditions; and the demand for petrochemicals is dependent upon prices for products produced from petrochemicals. We are also subject to regulatory factors such as the amounts we are allowed to charge our customers for the services we provide on our regulated pipeline systems.

 

Consistent with our business strategy, we continuously evaluate possible acquisitions of assets that would complement our current operations.  Such acquisition efforts involve participation by us in processes that have been made public and involve a number of potential buyers, as well as situations in which we believe we are the only

 

15



 

party or one of a very limited number of potential buyers in negotiations with the potential seller.  These acquisition efforts often involve assets which, if acquired, would have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Our Business

 

TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership, was formed in March 1990.  TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (the “Parent Partnership”) owns a 99.999% interest in us as the sole limited partner.  TEPPCO GP, Inc. (“TEPPCO GP” or “General Partner”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent Partnership, holds a 0.001% general partner interest in us.  Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability company, serves as the general partner of our Parent Partnership.  Through February 23, 2005, the Company was an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Duke Energy Field Services, LLC (“DEFS”), a joint venture between Duke Energy Corporation (“Duke Energy”) and ConocoPhillips. Through February 23, 2005, Duke Energy held an interest of approximately 70% in DEFS, and ConocoPhillips held the remaining interest of approximately 30%.  On February 24, 2005, the Company was acquired by DFI GP Holdings L.P. (formerly Enterprise GP Holdings L.P.) (“DFI”), an affiliate of EPCO, Inc. (“EPCO”), a privately held company controlled by Dan L. Duncan, for approximately $1.1 billion.  As a result of the transaction, DFI owns and controls the 2% general partner interest in our Parent Partnership and has the right to receive the incentive distribution rights associated with the general partner interest.

 

TEPPCO GP, as our general partner, performs all of the management and operating functions required for us in accordance with the Agreement of Limited Partnership of TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”).  We reimburse our General Partner and the Company for all reasonable direct and indirect expenses that they incur in managing us.

 

We operate and report in one business segment:  transportation and storage of refined products, LPGs and petrochemicals.  Revenues are earned from transportation and storage of refined products and LPGs, intrastate transportation of petrochemicals, sales of product inventory and other ancillary services.  Our two largest operating expense items are labor and electric power.  We generally realize higher revenues during the first and fourth quarters of each year since our operations are somewhat seasonal.  Refined products volumes are generally higher during the second and third quarters because of greater demand for gasolines during the spring and summer driving seasons. LPGs volumes are generally higher from November through March due to higher demand in the Northeast for propane, a major fuel for residential heating.  Our results also include our equity investments in Centennial and Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P. (“MB Storage”) (see Note 5.  Equity Investments).

 

We are one of three operating subsidiaries of our Parent Partnership.  Our Parent Partnership is managed by its general partner, the Company, which has approximately 1,000 employees dedicated to the operations and management of the operating subsidiaries.  Our Parent Partnership allocates operating, general and administrative expenses to us for legal, insurance, financial, communication and other administrative services based upon the estimated level of effort devoted to our various operations.  We believe that the methods for allocating corporate operating, general and administrative expenses to us are reasonable.

 

16



 

Results of Operations

 

The following table presents volumes delivered in barrels and average tariff per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands, except tariff information):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Percentage
Increase

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Decrease)

 

Volumes Delivered

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refined products

 

38,595

 

32,522

 

19

%

LPGs

 

14,801

 

13,208

 

12

%

Total

 

53,396

 

45,730

 

17

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Tariff per Barrel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refined products

 

$

0.91

 

$

0.95

 

(4

)%

LPGs

 

2.18

 

2.18

 

 

Average system tariff per barrel

 

$

1.26

 

$

1.31

 

(4

)%

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

 

Revenues from refined products transportation increased $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004, due to an overall increase of 19% in the refined products volumes delivered. This increase was primarily due to deliveries of products moved on Centennial.  Centennial has provided our system with additional pipeline capacity for movement of products originating in the U.S. Gulf Coast area.  Prior to the construction of Centennial, deliveries on our pipeline system were limited by our pipeline capacity, and transportation services for our customers were allocated in accordance with a proration policy.  With this incremental pipeline capacity, our previously constrained system has expanded deliveries in markets both south and north of Creal Springs.  In February 2003, we entered into a lease agreement with Centennial that increased our flexibility to deliver refined products to our market areas.  Volume increases were due to increased demand and market share for products supplied from the U.S. Gulf Coast into Midwest markets. The refined products average rate per barrel decreased 4% from the prior year period primarily due to the impact of greater growth in the volume of products delivered under a Centennial tariff compared to the growth in deliveries under our tariff, which resulted in an increased proportion of lower tariff barrels transported on our system.

 

Revenues from LPGs transportation increased $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004, due to higher deliveries of propane in the upper Midwest and Northeast market areas and increased short-haul propane deliveries to U.S. Gulf Coast petrochemical customers in the first quarter of 2005. Prior year LPG transportation revenues were negatively impacted by a price spike in the Mont Belvieu propane price in late February 2004, which resulted in our sourced propane being less competitive than propane from other source points.

 

Other operating revenues decreased $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004, primarily due to lower propane inventory fees in 2005 and lower volume of product inventory sales, partially offset by higher refined products tender deduction and loading revenues.

 

Costs and expenses decreased $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004, due to decreased operating, general and administrative expenses and decreased operating fuel and power, partially offset by increased depreciation and amortization expense and increased taxes – other than income taxes.  Operating, general and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to a $4.4 million decrease in pipeline inspection and repair costs associated with our integrity management program, partially offset by a $0.6 million increase in rental expense from the Centennial pipeline capacity lease agreement, a $0.8 million increase in labor and benefits expense primarily associated with vesting provisions in certain of our compensation plans as a result of changes in control of the Company and a $0.6 million increase in environmental remediation and assessment costs.  Depreciation expense increased $0.7 million primarily due to assets retired to depreciation expense in 2005.  Operating fuel and power decreased $0.4 million primarily due to adjustments to power accruals.  Taxes – other than income taxes increased due to increases in property tax accruals.

 

17



 

Interest expense increased $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004, as a result of higher outstanding debt balances under the note payable with our Parent Partnership, and an increased percentage of fixed-rate debt in 2005, compared with 2004.  Interest capitalized decreased $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004, as a result of decreased construction work-in-progress balances.

 

Net losses from equity investments decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004, as shown below (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March  31,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

(Decrease)

 

Centennial

 

$

(3,471

)

$

(3,856

)

$

385

 

MB Storage

 

2,634

 

2,629

 

5

 

Other

 

(5

)

(11

)

6

 

Total equity losses

 

$

(842

)

$

(1,238

)

$

396

 

 

Equity losses in Centennial decreased $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004, primarily due to higher transportation revenues and volumes, partially offset by higher transmix related product replacement costs and product measurement losses during the 2005 period.  Equity earnings in MB Storage remained virtually unchanged for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004.  In April 2004, MB Storage acquired storage and pipeline assets and contracts for approximately $34.0 million, of which we contributed $16.5 million.  Equity earnings increased due to increased storage revenue, shuttle revenue and rental revenue primarily from the acquired contracts, lower pipeline rehabilitation expenses on the MB Storage system and lower general and administrative expenses offset by increased depreciation and amortization expense on storage assets and contracts acquired.

 

Financial Condition and Liquidity

 

Cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

24,982

 

$

17,068

 

Investing activities

 

(14,140

)

(8,820

)

Financing activities

 

(10,841

)

(8,393

)

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, were comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

22,116

 

$

17,209

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

9,298

 

8,638

 

Losses in equity investments

 

842

 

1,238

 

Non-cash portion of interest expense

 

68

 

7

 

Cash used in working capital and other

 

(7,342

)

(10,024

)

Net cash from operating activities

 

$

24,982

 

$

17,068

 

 

18



 

For a discussion of changes in net income, depreciation and amortization and equity earnings, see Results of Operations in Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.  Cash provided by operating activities increased $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2004, primarily due to the timing of cash disbursements and cash receipts for working capital components and higher net income partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization in the 2005 period.

 

We believe that we will continue to have adequate liquidity to fund future recurring operating and investing activities.  Our primary cash requirements consist of normal operating expenses, capital expenditures to sustain existing operations and revenue generating expenditures, interest payments on our Senior Notes and on borrowings under our Parent Partnership’s credit facilities and distributions to our Parent Partnership.  Short-term cash requirements, such as operating expenses, capital expenditures to sustain existing operations and quarterly distributions to our Parent Partnership, are expected to be funded through operating cash flows.  Long-term cash requirements for expansion projects are expected to be funded by several sources, including cash flows from operating activities, borrowings under our Parent Partnership’s credit facilities and the issuance by our Parent Partnership of additional equity and debt securities.  The timing of any debt or offerings by our Parent Partnership will depend on various factors, including prevailing market conditions, interest rates and our Parent Partnership’s financial condition and credit rating at the time.

 

At March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004 we had working capital deficits of $55.6 million and $61.9 million, respectively.  Cash generated from operations and from our Parent Partnership’s credit facilities and debt and equity offerings are our primary sources of liquidity.  Working capital deficits can occur primarily due to the timing of operating cash receipts from customers, payment of cash distributions and the payment of normal operating expenses and capital expenditures.  We are a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent Partnership.  We expect that our Parent Partnership will make capital contributions, loans or otherwise provide liquidity to us as needed, but the Parent Partnership has no contractual obligation to do so.  We anticipate that the Parent Partnership will provide the necessary liquidity to protect its investment in us.  At March 31, 2005, our Parent Partnership had $81.5 million in available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility to cover any working capital needs, and expects that cash flows from operating activities, the sale of additional debt or equity offerings will provide necessary liquidity to us.

 

Investing Activities

 

Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $14.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, and were comprised of $14.1 million of capital expenditures.  Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $8.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, and were comprised of $7.8 million of capital expenditures and $1.0 million of cash contributions for our ownership interest in Centennial.

 

Financing Activities

 

Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $10.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, and were comprised of $29.7 million of distributions paid to our Parent Partnership and $19.9 million of repayments on our term loan, partially offset by $38.8 million of proceeds from our term loan. Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $8.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, and were comprised of $28.9 million of distributions paid to our Parent Partnership and $15.0 million of repayments on our term loan, partially offset by $35.5 million of proceeds from our term loan.

 

Centennial entered into credit facilities totaling $150.0 million and, as of March 31, 2005, $150.0 million was outstanding under those credit facilities.  The proceeds were used to fund construction and conversion costs of Centennial’s pipeline system.  We and Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC have each guaranteed one-half of Centennial’s debt, up to a maximum of $75.0 million each.

 

19



 

Parent Partnership Credit Facilities

 

We currently utilize debt financing available from our Parent Partnership through intercompany notes. The terms of the intercompany notes generally match the principal and interest payment dates under the Parent Partnership’s credit agreements.  The interest rates charged by the Parent Partnership include the stated interest rate of the Parent Partnership, plus a premium to cover debt issuance costs.  The interest rate is also decreased or increased to cover gains and losses, respectively, on any interest rate swaps that the Parent Partnership may have in place on its respective credit agreements.  These credit facilities of the Parent Partnership are described below.

 

On June 27, 2003, our Parent Partnership entered into a $550.0 million revolving credit facility with a three year term, including the issuance of letters of credit of up to $20.0 million (“Revolving Credit Facility”).  The interest rate is based, at our Parent Partnership’s option, on the lender’s base rate plus a spread, or LIBOR plus a spread in effect at the time of the borrowings.  The credit agreement for the Revolving Credit Facility contains certain restrictive financial covenant ratios.  On October 21, 2004, the Parent Partnership amended its Revolving Credit Facility to (i) increase the facility size to $600.0 million, (ii) extend the term to October 21, 2009, (iii) remove certain restrictive covenants, (iv) increase the available amount for the issuance of letters of credit up to $100.0 million and (v) decrease the LIBOR rate spread charged at the time of each borrowing.  On February 23, 2005, the Parent Partnership amended its Revolving Credit Facility to remove the requirement that DEFS must at all times own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Company, to allow for its acquisition by DFI.  At March 31, 2005, $432.0 million was outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at a weighted average interest rate of 3.4%.

 

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

 

As of March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004, we had intercompany notes payable to our Parent Partnership of $320.5 million and $301.7 million, respectively, which represented borrowings under the Parent Partnership’s Revolving Credit Facility, 7.625% Senior Notes and 6.125% Senior Notes. The weighted average interest rate on the note payable to the Parent Partnership at March 31, 2005, was 4.5%.  At March 31, 2005, accrued interest includes $1.7 million due to our Parent Partnership.  For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, interest costs incurred on the note payable to our Parent Partnership totaled $3.4 million and $2.9 million, respectively.

 

Cash Distributions

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, we paid cash distributions to our Parent Partnership totaling $29.7 million and $28.9 million, respectively.  On May 6, 2005, we will pay a cash distribution to our Parent Partnership of $29.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

 

Future Capital Needs and Commitments

 

We estimate that capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, for 2005 will be approximately $59.6 million (which includes $2.3 million of capitalized interest). We expect to spend approximately $22.7 million for revenue generating projects and facility improvements.  We expect to spend approximately $20.0 million to sustain existing operations, including life-cycle replacements for equipment at various facilities and pipeline and tank replacements and $14.6 million for various system upgrade projects.  We continually review and evaluate potential capital improvements and expansions that would be complementary to our present system.  These expenditures can vary

 

20



 

greatly depending on the magnitude of our transactions.  We may finance capital expenditures through internally generated funds, debt or capital contributions from our Parent Partnership or any combination thereof.

 

Our debt repayment obligations consist of payments for principal and interest on (i) our $320.5 million principal amount due to the Parent Partnership related to our share of the Parent Partnership’s Revolving Credit Facility due in October 2009, 7.625% Senior Notes due in February 2012 and 6.125% Senior Notes due in February 2013, (ii) our $210.0 million 7.51% Senior Notes due January 15, 2028, and (iii) our $180.0 million 6.45% Senior Notes due January 15, 2008.

 

We are also contingently liable as guarantor for the lesser of one half or $75.0 million principal amount (plus interest) of the borrowings of Centennial. In January 2003, we entered into a pipeline capacity lease agreement with Centennial for a period of five years that contains a minimum throughput requirement.  For the year ended December 31, 2004, we exceeded the minimum throughput requirements on the lease agreement.  We are also contingently liable as guarantor for $500.0 million principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2012 issued in February 2002 and for $200.0 million principal amount of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2013 issued in January 2003 by our Parent Partnership.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2004, we contributed $1.0 million to Centennial to cover operating needs and capital expenditures.  No amounts were contributed to either Centennial or MB Storage during the three months ended March 31, 2005.  During 2005, we may be required to contribute cash to Centennial to cover capital expenditures, acquisitions or other operating needs and to MB Storage to cover significant capital expenditures or additional acquisitions.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not rely on off-balance sheet borrowings to fund our acquisitions. We have no off-balance sheet commitments for indebtedness other than the limited guaranty of the Centennial debt, the Parent Partnership debt and leases covering assets utilized in several areas of our operations.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table summarizes our debt repayment obligations and material contractual commitments as of March 31, 2005 (in millions):

 

 

 

Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period

 

 

 

Total

 

Less than 1
Year

 

1-3 Years

 

3-5 Years

 

After 5
Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note payable, Parent Partnership

 

$

320.5

 

$

 

$

 

$

320.5

 

$

 

6.45% Senior Notes due 2008 (1)

 

180.0

 

 

180.0

 

 

 

7.51% Senior Notes due 2028 (1)

 

210.0

 

 

 

 

210.0

 

Debt subtotal

 

710.5

 

 

180.0

 

320.5

 

210.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

57.0

 

12.2

 

21.8

 

8.6

 

14.4

 

Capital expenditure obligations (2)

 

0.8

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities and deferred credits (3)

 

0.7

 

 

0.6

 

0.1

 

 

Total

 

$

769.0

 

$

13.0

 

$

202.4

 

$

329.2

 

$

224.4

 

 


(1)          We entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge our exposure to changes in the fair value of our 7.51% Senior Notes due 2028.  At March 31, 2005, the 7.51% Senior Notes include an adjustment to increase the fair value of the debt by $0.5 million related to this interest rate swap agreement.  At March 31, 2005, our 6.45% Senior Notes include $0.1 million of unamortized debt discount.  The fair value adjustment and unamortized debt discount are excluded from this table.

 

(2)          Includes accruals of cost incurred but not yet paid relating to capital projects.

 

21



 

(3)          Excludes approximately $9.1 million of long-term deferred revenue payments, which are being transferred to income over the term of the respective revenue contracts.  The amount of commitment by year is our best estimate of projected payments of these long-term liabilities.

 

We expect to repay the long-term, senior unsecured obligations and note payable to our Parent Partnership through the issuance of additional long-term senior unsecured debt at the time the 2008 and 2028 debts mature, with proceeds from the dispositions of assets, cash flows from operations, and contributions from our Parent Partnership or any combination of the above items.

 

Sources of Future Capital

 

We expect that our cash flow from operating activities will be adequate to fund cash distributions and capital additions necessary to sustain existing operations.  However, expansionary capital projects and acquisitions may require additional capital contributions from our Parent Partnership.  The Parent Partnership has funded its capital commitments from operating cash flow, borrowings under bank credit facilities, the issuance of long term debt in capital markets and the public offering of Limited Partner Units.  We expect future capital needs will be similarly funded.

 

Our Parent Partnership has filed with the SEC a universal shelf registration statement that, subject to agreement on terms at the time of use and appropriate supplementation, allows it to issue, in one or more offerings, up to an aggregate of $2.0 billion of equity securities, debt securities or a combination thereof.  At December 31, 2004, our Parent Partnership had $2.0 billion available under this shelf registration, subject to customary marketing terms and conditions.

 

Our Parent Partnership’s senior unsecured debt is rated BBB with negative implications by Standard and Poors (“S&P”) and Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”).  S&P assigned this rating on February 24, 2005, following the announcement of the acquisition of the Company by DFI, which is not rated by S&P.  Our senior unsecured debt is also rated BBB with negative implications by S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s. The Moody’s ratings are stable.  A rating reflects only the view of a rating agency and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any indebtedness.  Any rating can be revised upward or downward or withdrawn at any time by a rating agency if it determines that the circumstances warrant such a change.

 

Other Considerations

 

Our operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, imposition of injunctions delaying or prohibiting certain activities and the need to perform investigatory and remedial activities.  Although we believe our operations are in material compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, risks of significant costs and liabilities are inherent in pipeline operations, and we cannot assure you that significant costs and liabilities will not be incurred.  Moreover, it is possible that other developments, such as increasingly strict environmental laws and regulations and enforcement policies thereunder, and claims for damages to property or persons resulting from our operations, could result in substantial costs and liabilities to us.  We believe that changes in environmental laws and regulations will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows in the near term.

 

In 1994, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) issued a compliance order for environmental contamination at our Arcadia, Louisiana, facility.  In 1999, our Arcadia facility and adjacent terminals were directed by the Remediation Services Division of the LDEQ to pursue remediation of this contamination.  At March 31, 2005, we have an accrued liability of $0.2 million for remediation costs at our Arcadia facility.  Effective in March 2004, we executed an access agreement with an adjacent industrial landowner who is located upgradient of the Arcadia facility.  This agreement enables the landowner to proceed with remediation activities at our Arcadia facility for which it has accepted shared responsibility.  We do not expect that the completion of the remediation program proposed to the LDEQ will have a future material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

22



 

On March 17, 2003, we experienced a release of 511 barrels of jet fuel from a storage tank at our Blue Island terminal located in Cook County, Illinois.  As a result of the release, we have entered into an Agreed Order with the State of Illinois, which required us to conduct an environmental investigation.  At this time, we have complied with the terms of the Agreed Order, and the results of the environmental investigation indicated there were no soil or groundwater impacts from the release.  We are in the process of negotiating a final settlement with the State of Illinois, and we do not expect that compliance with the settlement will have a future material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

On July 22, 2004, we experienced a release of approximately 12 barrels of jet fuel from a sump at our Lebanon, Ohio, terminal.  The released jet fuel was contained within a storm water retention pond located on the terminal property.  Six migratory waterfowl were affected by the jet fuel and were subsequently euthanized by or at the request of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“USFWS”).  On October 1, 2004, the USFWS served us with a Notice of Violation, alleging that we violated 16 USC 703 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the “take[ing] of migratory birds by illegal methods.”  On February 7, 2005, we entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the USFWS, settling all aspects of this matter.  The terms of this settlement did not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

On July 27, 2004, we received notice from the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) of its intent to seek a civil penalty against us related to our November 21, 2001, release of approximately 2,575 barrels of jet fuel from our 14-inch diameter pipeline located in Orange County, Texas.  The DOJ, at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency, is seeking a civil penalty against us for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) arising out of this release.  The maximum statutory penalty calculated for this alleged violation of the CWA is $2.8 million.  We are in discussions with the DOJ regarding this matter and have responded to its request for additional information.  We do not expect a civil penalty, if any, to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

At March 31, 2005, we have an accrued liability of $1.5 million related to various sites requiring environmental remediation activities.  We do not expect that the completion of remediation programs associated with these activities will have a future material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See discussion of new accounting pronouncements in Note 1.  Organization and Basis of Presentation - New Accounting Pronouncements in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The matters discussed herein include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of various provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this document that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as estimated future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), business strategy and measures to implement strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of our business and operations, plans, references to future success, references to intentions as to future matters and other such matters are forward-looking statements.  These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances.  However, whether actual results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including general economic, market or business conditions, the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by us, competitive actions by other pipeline companies, changes in laws or regulations, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.  Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this document are qualified by these cautionary statements and we cannot assure you that actual results or developments that we anticipate will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effect on us or our business or

 

23



 

operations.  For additional discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and other filings we have made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

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

 

We have utilized and expect to continue to utilize interest rate swap agreements to hedge a portion of our fair value risks.  Interest rate swap agreements are used to manage the fixed interest rate mix of our debt portfolio and overall cost of borrowing.  The interest rate swap related to our fair value risk is intended to reduce our exposure to changes in the fair value of our fixed rate Senior Notes.  The interest rate swap agreement involves the periodic exchange of payments without the exchange of the notional amount upon which the payments are based. The related amount payable to or receivable from counterparties is included as an adjustment to accrued interest.

 

At March 31, 2005, we had outstanding $180.0 million principal amount of 6.45% Senior Notes due 2008 and $210.0 million principal amount of 7.51% Senior Notes due 2028.  At March 31, 2005, the estimated fair value of the 6.45% Senior Notes and 7.51% Senior Notes were approximately $186.2 million and $223.2 million, respectively.

 

In October 2001, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge our exposure to changes in the fair value of our fixed rate 7.51% Senior Notes due 2028. We designated this swap agreement as a fair value hedge.  The swap agreement has a notional amount of $210.0 million and matures in January 2028 to match the principal and maturity of the Senior Notes.  Under the swap agreement, we pay a floating rate of interest based on a three-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate, plus a spread, and receive a fixed rate of interest of 7.51%.  During the three months ended March 31, 2005, and 2004, we recognized reductions in interest expense of $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, related to the difference between the fixed rate and the floating rate of interest on the interest rate swap.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2005, we measured the hedge effectiveness of this interest rate swap and noted that no gain or loss from ineffectiveness was required to be recognized.  The fair value of this interest rate swap was a gain of approximately $0.5 million and $3.4 million at March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004, respectively.  Utilizing the balance of the 7.51% Senior Notes outstanding at March 31, 2005, and including the effects of hedging activities, assuming market interest rates increase 100 basis points, the potential annual increase in interest expense is $2.1 million.

 

As of March 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004, we had intercompany notes payable to our Parent Partnership of $320.5 million and $301.7 million, respectively, which represented borrowings under the Parent Partnership’s Revolving Credit Facility, 7.625% Senior Notes and 6.125% Senior Notes. The weighted average interest rate on the note payable to the Parent Partnership at March 31, 2005, was 4.5%.  At March 31, 2005, accrued interest includes $1.7 million due to our Parent Partnership.  For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, interest costs incurred on the note payable to our Parent Partnership totaled $3.4 million and $2.9 million, respectively.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

The principal executive officer and principal financial officer of our General Partner, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of March 31, 2005, have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities.

 

24



 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  As a result, no corrective actions were required or undertaken.

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

We have been, in the ordinary course of business, a defendant in various lawsuits and a party to various other legal proceedings, some of which are covered in whole or in part by insurance.  We believe that the outcome of these lawsuits and other proceedings will not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  See discussion of legal proceedings in Note 9.  Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

3.1

 

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership, effective September 21, 2001 (Filed as Exhibit 3.8 to Form 10-Q of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) for the quarter ended September 30, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1

 

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

4.2

 

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

4.3

 

First Supplemental Indenture between TEPPCO Partners, L.P., as issuer, TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership, TCTM, L.P., TEPPCO Midstream Companies, L.P. and Jonah Gas Gathering Company, as subsidiary guarantors, and First Union National Bank, NA, as trustee, dated as of February 20, 2002 (Filed as Exhibit 99.3 to Form 8-K of TEPPCO Partners, L.P (Commission File No. 1-10403) dated as of February 20, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.4

 

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

4.5

 

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

 

25



 

 

 

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

10.1

 

Supplemental Agreement to Employment Agreement between the Company and Barry R. Pearl dated as of February 23, 2005 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.2

 

Supplemental Agreement to Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between the Company and J. Michael Cockrell dated as of February 23, 2005 (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.3

 

Supplemental Form Agreement to Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and John N. Goodpasture, Stephen W. Russell, C. Bruce Shaffer and Barbara A. Carroll dated as of February 23, 2005 (Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.4

 

Supplemental Form Agreement to Form of Employment and Agreement between the Company and Thomas R. Harper, Charles H. Leonard, James C. Ruth and Leonard W. Mallett dated as of February 23, 2005 (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q of TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (Commission File No. 1-10403) for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference).

31.1*

 

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

31.2*

 

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

32.1**

 

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

32.2**

 

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

 


*                 Filed herewith.

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

+                 A management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.

 

26



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership

 

(Registrant)

 

 

(A Delaware Limited Partnership)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

TEPPCO GP, Inc.,

 

as General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/   BARRY R. PEARL

 

 

 

Barry R. Pearl,

 

 

 

President, Chief Executive

 

 

 

Officer and Director

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/  CHARLES H. LEONARD

 

 

 

Charles H. Leonard,

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Director

 

 

 

 

 

Date: April 28, 2005

 

 

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