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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission File Number 1-16417

 

VALERO L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   74-2956831

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

One Valero Place

San Antonio, Texas

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

78212

(Zip Code)

 

Telephone number: (210) 370-2000

(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 x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes x No ¨

 

The number of common and subordinated units outstanding as of April 30, 2004 was 13,442,072 and 9,599,322, respectively.

 


 


Table of Contents

VALERO L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

MARCH 31, 2004

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

     PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION     

Item 1.

   Financial Statements:     
    

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003

   2
    

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

   3
    

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

   4
    

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   5

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    10

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    19

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    20
     PART II – OTHER INFORMATION     

Item 2.

   Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds    20

Item 6.

   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    21
     Signatures    22

 

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Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

VALERO L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

     March 31,     December 31,  
     2004

    2003

 
     (unaudited)        
Assets                 

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,614     $ 15,745  

Receivable from Valero Energy

     21,733       15,781  

Accounts receivable

     3,509       5,333  

Other current assets

     2,096       1,275  
    


 


Total current assets

     40,952       38,134  
    


 


Property, plant and equipment

     968,470       928,886  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (171,741 )     (163,884 )
    


 


Property, plant and equipment, net

     796,729       765,002  

Goodwill, net

     4,715       4,715  

Investment in Skelly-Belvieu Pipeline Company

     15,568       15,703  

Other noncurrent assets, net

     5,958       4,003  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 863,922     $ 827,557  
    


 


Liabilities and Partners’ Equity                 

Current liabilities:

                

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 485     $ 935  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     13,289       16,145  

Payable to Valero Energy

     4,805       9,849  

Taxes other than income taxes

     2,565       4,441  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     21,144       31,370  
    


 


Long-term debt, less current portion

     402,951       353,257  

Other long-term liabilities

     130       4,767  

Commitments and contingencies

                

Partners’ equity:

                

Common units

     311,259       310,589  

Subordinated units

     118,508       118,005  

General partner’s equity

     9,930       9,569  
    


 


Total partners’ equity

     439,697       438,163  
    


 


Total liabilities and partners’ equity

   $ 863,922     $ 827,557  
    


 


 

See Accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

VALERO L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited, in thousands, except unit and per unit data)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Revenues

   $ 52,324     $ 31,816  
    


 


Costs and expenses:

                

Operating expenses

     17,908       11,661  

Depreciation and amortization

     7,874       4,283  

General and administrative expenses

     1,999       1,844  
    


 


Total costs and expenses

     27,781       17,788  
    


 


Operating income

     24,543       14,028  

Equity income from Skelly-Belvieu Pipeline Company

     553       731  

Interest expense, net

     (5,126 )     (2,377 )
    


 


Net income

   $ 19,970     $ 12,382  
    


 


Allocation of net income:

                

Net income

   $ 19,970     $ 12,382  

General partner’s interest in net income

     (1,489 )     (624 )
    


 


Limited partners’ interest in net income

   $ 18,481     $ 11,758  
    


 


Basic and diluted net income per unit applicable to limited partners

   $ 0.80     $ 0.60  
    


 


Weighted average number of basic and diluted units outstanding

     23,041,394       19,556,486  
    


 


Cash distributions per unit applicable to limited partners

   $ 0.80     $ 0.70  
    


 


 

See Accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

VALERO L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

                

Net income

   $ 19,970     $ 12,382  

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

                

Depreciation and amortization

     7,874       4,283  

Equity income from Skelly-Belvieu Pipeline Company

     (553 )     (731 )

Distributions of equity income from Skelly-Belvieu Pipeline Company

     553       731  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Increase in receivable from Valero Energy

     (5,952 )     (3,795 )

Decrease in accounts receivable

     1,824       47  

Increase in other current assets

     (821 )     (1,711 )

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (2,856 )     1,630  

Increase (decrease) in payable to Valero Energy

     (5,044 )     6,053  

Decrease in taxes other than income taxes

     (1,876 )     (1,186 )

Other, net

     57       2,595  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     13,176       20,298  
    


 


Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

                

Reliability capital expenditures

     (1,717 )     (1,192 )

Expansion capital expenditures

     (9,840 )     (940 )

Acquisitions

     (28,085 )     (364,807 )

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     58       —    

Distributions in excess of equity income from Skelly-Belvieu Pipeline Company

     135       17  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (39,449 )     (366,922 )
    


 


Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

                

Proceeds from 6.05% senior note placement, net of discount and issuance costs

     —         247,819  

Proceeds from other long-term debt borrowings

     43,000       25,000  

Repayment of long-term debt

     (450 )     (298 )

Distributions to unitholders and general partner

     (18,408 )     (14,121 )

General partner contribution, net of redemption

     —         1,456  

Proceeds from sale of common units to the public, net of issuance costs

     —         200,342  

Redemption of common units held by UDS Logistics, LLC

     —         (134,065 )
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     24,142       326,133  
    


 


Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,131 )     (20,491 )

Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of period

     15,745       33,533  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of period

   $ 13,614     $ 13,042  
    


 


Supplemental cash flow information:

                

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 11,451     $ 3,779  
    


 


 

See Accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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VALERO L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

(unaudited)

 

NOTE 1: Organization, Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

As used in this report, the term Valero L.P. may refer, depending on the context, to Valero L.P., Valero Logistics Operations, L.P. (Valero Logistics), or both of them taken as a whole. Riverwalk Logistics, L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation (Valero Energy), is the 2% general partner of Valero L.P. Valero Energy, through various affiliates, is also a limited partner in Valero L.P., resulting in a combined limited partner ownership of 43.6% as of March 31, 2004. The remaining 54.4% limited partnership interest is held by public unitholders.

 

These unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Valero L.P. and subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in 50% or less owned entities are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. In addition, the operations of certain crude oil and refined product pipelines and refined product terminals, in which Valero L.P. owns an undivided interest, are proportionately consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

These unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004.

 

The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2003 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Valero L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

NOTE 2: Acquisition

 

On February 20, 2004, Valero L.P. acquired two asphalt terminals, one in Catoosa, Oklahoma near Tulsa and one in Rosario, New Mexico near Santa Fe, from Royal Trading Company (Royal Trading) for $28.1 million. These terminals have an aggregate storage capacity of 500,000 barrels in 32 tanks and six loading stations. In conjunction with the Royal acquisition, Valero L.P. entered into a five-year terminal storage and throughput agreement with Valero Energy.

 

The agreement provides a base throughput and blending fee schedule with volume incentive discounts once certain thresholds are met. In addition, Valero Energy has agreed to throughput 18.5% of the McKee and Ardmore refineries’ asphalt production.

 

This acquisition was accounted for as a purchase in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business Combinations,” and the purchase price was preliminarily allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The final allocation of the purchase price is pending completion of an independent appraisal.

 

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VALERO L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

NOTE 3: Long-term Debt

 

$175.0 Million Revolving Credit Facility

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2004, Valero Logistics borrowed $28.0 million under its revolving credit facility to fund the Royal Trading acquisition and borrowed $15.0 million to partially fund the construction of the Nuevo Laredo, Mexico propane terminal and the related pipelines. Borrowings under Valero Logistics’ $175.0 million revolving credit facility bear interest based on either an alternative base rate or LIBOR. The effective interest rate related to outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was 2.1% and 3.4%, respectively.

 

Interest Rate Swaps

 

During 2003, Valero Logistics entered into $167.5 million (notional amount) of interest rate swaps, which effectively convert $167.5 million of fixed-rate debt to variable-rate debt. As of March 31, 2004, the weighted average effective interest rate for the interest rate swaps was 3.2% and the aggregate estimated fair value was a receivable of $2.1 million. Valero Logistics accounts for the interest rate swaps as fair value hedges, with changes in the fair value of each swap and the related debt instrument recorded as an adjustment to interest expense in the consolidated statements of income.

 

NOTE 4: Related Party Transactions

 

Valero L.P. has related party transactions with Valero Energy for pipeline tariff, terminalling fee and crude oil storage tank rent and fee revenues, certain employee costs, insurance costs, operating expenses, administrative costs and rent expense. The receivable from Valero Energy represents amounts due for pipeline tariff, terminalling fee and tank rent and fee revenues, and the payable to Valero Energy represents amounts due for employee costs, insurance costs, operating expenses, administrative costs and rent expense.

 

The following table summarizes the results of transactions with Valero Energy:

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


     2004

   2003

     (in thousands)

Revenues

   $ 51,445    $ 31,766

Operating expenses

     6,957      4,068

General and administrative expenses

     1,203      1,559

 

Services Agreement

 

Valero L.P. receives certain corporate services such as legal, accounting, treasury, engineering, information technology and other corporate functions from Valero Energy under the provisions of a Services Agreement entered into in July of 2000 for an annual fee of $5.2 million. Due to the significant growth of Valero L.P. over the past three years and the increased levels of service provided by Valero Energy for Valero L.P., Valero L.P. and Valero Energy amended the terms of the Services Agreement, effective April 1, 2004, to change the annual services fee.

 

Under the terms of the amended Services Agreement, the annual services fee will be $1.2 million. Each year over the next four years, the annual services fee will be increased by $1.2 million and by Valero Energy’s average percentage increase in salaries. The annual services fee may also be adjusted to account for changed service levels due to Valero L.P.’s acquisition, sale or construction of assets. Additionally, Valero L.P. will reimburse Valero Energy for the cost of corporate employees dedicated to Valero L.P. matters (currently estimated to be approximately $5.6 million per year, excluding employee bonus costs). The conflicts committee of the board of directors of Valero GP, LLC approved the amendment to the Services Agreement in March 2004. This annual fee

 

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VALERO L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

is in addition to the general and administrative costs to be incurred from third parties for services Valero Energy does not provide under the Services Agreement.

 

The Services Agreement also requires that Valero L.P. reimburse Valero Energy for various recurring costs of operational employees who work exclusively within the pipeline, terminalling and storage operations and for certain other costs incurred by Valero Energy relating solely to Valero L.P. These employee costs include salary, wage and benefit costs.

 

Crude Oil Storage Tanks Agreements

 

Effective January 1, 2004, Valero Energy and Valero L.P. entered into a one-year shell barrel capacity lease agreement whereby Valero Energy agreed to lease the 1.6 million barrels of storage capacity at the Corpus Christi North Beach storage facility for an annual fee of $5.8 million, payable monthly.

 

NOTE 5: Employee Benefit Expenses

 

Valero L.P.’s share of allocated Valero Energy employee benefit plan expenses, excluding the compensation expense related to the restricted common units and unit options, was $2.1 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. These employee benefit plan expenses are included in operating expenses with the related payroll costs.

 

NOTE 6: Partners’ Equity

 

Outstanding Equity

 

As of March 31, 2004, Valero L.P.’s outstanding partners’ equity consists of 13,442,072 common units (of which 614,572 are held by UDS Logistics, LLC and 42,192 are held by Valero GP, LLC), 9,599,322 subordinated units held by UDS Logistics, LLC and a 2% general partner interest held by Riverwalk Logistics, L.P.

 

The computation of net income per unit applicable to limited partners is based on the weighted-average number of common and subordinated units outstanding during the period. Net income per unit applicable to limited partners is computed by dividing net income applicable to limited partners, after deducting the general partner’s 2% interest and incentive distributions, by the weighted-average number of limited partnership units outstanding. Basic and diluted net income per unit applicable to limited partners is the same because Valero L.P. has no potentially dilutive securities outstanding.

 

Effective March 11, 2004, Valero L.P.’s partnership agreement was amended to reduce the percentage of the vote required to remove Valero L.P.’s general partner from 58% to a simple majority of units entitled to vote (excluding the units held by the general partner and its affiliates).

 

Cash Distributions

 

Effective March 11, 2004, Valero L.P.’s partnership agreement was amended to lower the general partner’s incentive distribution rights with respect to distributions of available cash from 48% to 23% of the amount of any quarterly distribution that exceeds $0.90 per unit. The general partner will continue to receive a 2% distribution with respect to its general partner interest. The general partner’s incentive distribution allocation for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was $1.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Valero L.P. generated sufficient net income such that the amount of net income allocated to common units was equal to the amount allocated to the subordinated units. On April 26, 2004, Valero L.P. declared a quarterly distribution of $0.80 per unit payable on May 14, 2004 to unitholders of record on May 7, 2004, which represents a $0.05 per unit increase from the $0.75 per unit distribution paid in February 2004 relating to the fourth quarter of 2003.

 

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VALERO L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The following table reflects the allocation of total cash distributions to the general and limited partners applicable to the period in which the distributions are earned:

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


     2004

   2003

     (in thousands, except per unit data)
               

General partner interest

   $ 399    $ 319

General partner incentive distribution

     1,112      384
    

  

Total general partner distribution

     1,511      703

Limited partners’ distribution

     18,433      15,264
    

  

Total cash distributions

   $ 19,944    $ 15,967
    

  

Cash distributions per unit applicable to limited partners

   $ 0.80    $ 0.70
    

  

 

NOTE 7: Segment Information

 

Segment information for Valero L.P.’s four reportable segments was as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


     2004

   2003

     (in thousands)

Revenues:

             

Crude oil pipelines

   $     12,792    $     11,443

Refined product pipelines

     20,526      13,016

Refined product terminals

     8,810      5,980

Crude oil storage tanks

     10,196      1,377
    

  

Total revenues

   $ 52,324    $ 31,816
    

  

Operating expenses:

             

Crude oil pipelines

   $ 3,234    $ 3,616

Refined product pipelines

     8,538      5,132

Refined product terminals

     4,333      2,745

Crude oil storage tanks

     1,803      168
    

  

Total operating expenses

   $ 17,908    $ 11,661
    

  

Operating income:

             

Crude oil pipelines

   $ 8,460    $ 6,403

Refined product pipelines

     8,210      5,814

Refined product terminals

     3,345      2,446

Crude oil storage tanks

     6,527      1,209
    

  

Total segment operating income

     26,542      15,872

General and administrative expenses

     1,999      1,844
    

  

Total operating income

   $ 24,543    $ 14,028
    

  

 

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VALERO L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Total assets by reportable segment were as follows:

 

    

March 31,

2004


  

December 31,

2003


     (in thousands)
               

Refined product pipelines

   $ 354,630    $ 358,257

Crude oil pipelines

     128,852      146,338

Refined product terminals

     143,642      102,854

Crude oil storage tanks

     216,801      198,191
    

  

Total segment assets

     843,925      805,640

General partnership assets (including current assets and other noncurrent assets)

     19,997      21,917
    

  

Total consolidated assets

   $   863,922    $ 827,557
    

  

 

Effective January 1, 2004, the Corpus Christi North Beach storage facility was transferred from the crude oil pipelines segment to the crude oil storage tanks segment. As of December 31, 2003, the assets related to the Corpus Christi North Beach storage facility totaled $18.0 million and are included in the crude oil pipelines segment.

 

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

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

 

This report contains certain estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions and other forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect Valero L.P.’s current judgment regarding the direction of its business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested in this report. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “may” and similar expressions. These statements reflect Valero L.P.’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions including:

 

  Any reduction in the quantities of crude oil and refined products transported in Valero L.P.’s pipelines or handled at Valero L.P.’s terminals and storage tanks;

 

  Any significant decrease in the demand for refined products in the markets served by Valero L.P.’s pipelines and terminals;

 

  Any material decline in production by any of Valero Energy’s McKee, Three Rivers, Corpus Christi East, Corpus Christi West, Texas City, Benicia, Paulsboro or Ardmore refineries;

 

  Any downward pressure on market prices caused by new competing refined product pipelines that could cause Valero Energy to decrease the volumes transported in Valero L.P.’s pipelines;

 

  Any challenges to Valero L.P.’s tariffs or changes in the FERC’s ratemaking methodology;

 

  Any changes in laws and regulations to which Valero L.P. is subject, including federal, state and local tax laws, safety, environmental and employment laws;

 

  Overall economic conditions;

 

  Any material decrease in the supply of or material increase in the price of crude oil available for transport through Valero L.P.’s pipelines and storage tanks;

 

  Inability to expand Valero L.P.’s business, to acquire new assets or to attract third party shippers;

 

  Conflicts of interest with Valero Energy;

 

  The loss of Valero Energy as a customer or a significant reduction in its current level of throughput and storage with Valero L.P.;

 

  Any inability to borrow additional funds;

 

  Any substantial costs related to environmental risks, including increased costs of compliance;

 

  Any change in the credit ratings assigned to Valero Logistics’ indebtedness;

 

  Any change in the credit rating assigned to Valero Energy’s indebtedness;

 

  Any reductions in space allocated to Valero L.P. in interconnecting third party pipelines;

 

  Any material increase in the price of natural gas;

 

  Terrorist attacks, threats of war or terrorist attacks or political or other disruptions that limit crude oil production; and

 

  Accidents or unscheduled shutdowns affecting Valero L.P.’s pipelines, terminals, machinery, or equipment, or those of Valero Energy.

 

If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, Valero L.P.’s actual results may vary materially from those described in any forward-looking statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is as of the date of this Form 10-Q. Valero L.P. does not intend to update these statements unless it is required by the securities laws to do so, and it undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

Valero L.P.’s operations provide transportation and storage services to Valero Energy and other unrelated customers. Valero L.P. provides these services with its crude oil and refined product pipelines, refined product terminals and crude oil storage tanks located near or connected to eight of Valero Energy’s refineries. As a result of the significant relationship with Valero Energy, the operating results of Valero L.P. are affected by factors affecting the business of Valero Energy, including refinery utilization rates, refinery maintenance turnarounds, crude oil prices, the demand for refined products and industry refining capacity.

 

In the first quarter of 2003, Valero L.P. completed the following acquisitions, which significantly increased the size and scope of its operations:

 

  Effective January 7, 2003, Valero L.P. acquired an asphalt terminal located in Pittsburg, California from Telfer Oil Company (Telfer) for $15.3 million.

 

  On March 18, 2003, Valero L.P. acquired Valero Energy’s South Texas pipeline system (South Texas Pipelines and Terminals), which is composed of the Corpus Christi to Houston refined product pipeline and four refined product terminals (one of which is idle), the Corpus Christi to Edinburg refined product pipeline and one refined product terminal, the Pettus to San Antonio refined product pipeline and one refined product terminal and the Pettus to Corpus Christi refined product pipeline, for $150.1 million.

 

  On March 18, 2003, Valero L.P. acquired 58 crude oil and intermediate feedstock storage tanks and related assets with an aggregate storage capacity of 11.0 million barrels (Crude Oil Storage Tanks) from Valero Energy for $200.2 million.

 

To fund these acquisitions as well as the redemption from UDS Logistics, LLC of $134.1 million of common units (3,809,750 common units) in March 2003, Valero L.P. completed the following debt and equity offerings:

 

  Valero Logistics issued $250.0 million of 6.05% senior notes on March 18, 2003; and

 

  Also on March 18, 2003, Valero L.P. issued 5,750,000 common units for net proceeds of $204.6 million, including the general partner contribution.

 

On February 20, 2004, Valero L.P. acquired two asphalt terminals, one in Catoosa, Oklahoma near Tulsa and one in Rosario, New Mexico near Santa Fe, from Royal Trading for $28.1 million. Valero L.P. funded this acquisition with proceeds from borrowings under Valero Logistics’ revolving credit facility. Because asphalt is a seasonal product with higher demand in the spring and summer months, operating income for the period from February 20, 2004 to March 31, 2004 related to these terminals was minimal.

 

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2003

 

The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 presented in the following table are derived from the consolidated statement of income for Valero L.P. and subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2004, which includes the results of operations of the Catoosa and Rosario asphalt terminals for the period February 20, 2004 to March 31, 2004 and the results of operations for the various acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2003. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003 presented in the following table are derived from the consolidated statement of income for Valero L.P. and subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2003, which includes the results of operations of the South Texas Pipelines and Terminals and the Crude Oil Storage Tanks for the period from March 19, 2003 through March 31, 2003 and the Pittsburg asphalt terminal from January 7, 2003 to March 31, 2003.

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 
     (in thousands)  

Statement of Income Data:

        

Revenues

   $ 52,324     $ 31,816  
    


 


Costs and expenses:

                

Operating expenses

     17,908       11,661  

Depreciation and amortization

     7,874       4,283  

General and administrative expenses

     1,999       1,844  
    


 


Total costs and expenses

     27,781       17,788  
    


 


Operating income

     24,543       14,028  

Equity income from Skelly-Belvieu Pipeline Company

     553       731  

Interest expense, net

     (5,126 )     (2,377 )
    


 


Net income

     19,970       12,382  

Less net income applicable to general partner

     (1,489 )     (624 )
    


 


Net income applicable to the limited partners’ interest

   $ 18,481     $ 11,758  
    


 


Net income per unit applicable to limited partners

   $ 0.80     $ 0.60  
    


 


Weighted average number of limited partnership units outstanding

     23,041,394       19,556,486  
    


 


Earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) (a)

   $ 32,970     $ 19,042  
    


 


Distributable cash flow applicable to limited partners

   $ 23,171     $ 14,906  

Distributable cash flow applicable to general partner

     3,091       584  
    


 


Distributable cash flow (a)

   $ 26,262     $ 15,490  
    


 


    

March 31,

2004


   

December 31,

2003


 

Balance Sheet Data:

                

Long-term debt, including current portion (1)

   $ 403,436     $ 354,192  

Partners’ equity (2)

     439,697       438,163  

Debt-to-capitalization ratio (1) / ((1)+(2))

     47.8 %     44.7 %

 

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Segment Operating Data for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

 

The following table reflects the results of operations for each of Valero L.P.’s operating segments and a reconciliation of the combined segments to the consolidated statements of income.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2004

   2003

     (in thousands, except
barrel/day information)

Crude Oil Pipelines:

             

Throughput (barrels/day)

     381,832      332,760

Revenues

   $ 12,792    $ 11,443

Operating expenses

     3,234      3,616

Depreciation and amortization

     1,098      1,424
    

  

Segment operating income

   $ 8,460    $ 6,403
    

  

Refined Product Pipelines:

             

Throughput (barrels/day)(b)

     437,207      296,816

Revenues

   $ 20,526    $ 13,016

Operating expenses

     8,538      5,132

Depreciation and amortization

     3,778      2,070
    

  

Segment operating income

   $ 8,210    $ 5,814
    

  

Refined Product Terminals:

             

Throughput (barrels/day)(b)

     254,950      176,797

Revenues

   $ 8,810    $ 5,980

Operating expenses

     4,333      2,745

Depreciation and amortization

     1,132      789
    

  

Segment operating income

   $ 3,345    $ 2,446
    

  

Crude Oil Storage Tanks:

             

Throughput (barrels/day)(b)

     461,102      77,458

Revenues

   $ 10,196    $ 1,377

Operating expenses

     1,803      168

Depreciation and amortization

     1,866      —  
    

  

Segment operating income

   $ 6,527    $ 1,209
    

  

Consolidated Information:

             

Revenues

   $ 52,324    $ 31,816

Operating expenses

     17,908      11,661

Depreciation and amortization

     7,874      4,283
    

  

Segment operating income

     26,542      15,872

General and administrative expenses

     1,999      1,844
    

  

Consolidated operating income

   $ 24,543    $ 14,028
    

  

 

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(a) The following is a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and distributable cash flow.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 
     (in thousands)  
                  

Net income

   $ 19,970     $ 12,382  

Plus interest expense, net

     5,126       2,377  

Plus depreciation and amortization

     7,874       4,283  
    


 


EBITDA

     32,970       19,042  

Less equity income from Skelly-Belvieu Pipeline Company

     (553 )     (731 )

Less interest expense, net

     (5,126 )     (2,377 )

Less reliability capital expenditures

     (1,717 )     (1,192 )

Plus distributions from Skelly-Belvieu Pipeline Company

     688       748  
    


 


Distributable cash flow

   $ 26,262     $ 15,490  
    


 


 

The amount of distributable cash flow allocated to the general partner includes the general partner’s 2% interest in distributions plus the amount of incentive distributions that would be allocated to the general partner assuming 100% of the distributable cash flow is actually distributed.

 

Valero L.P. utilizes two financial measures, EBITDA and distributable cash flow, which are not defined in GAAP. Management uses these financial measures because they are widely accepted financial indicators used by investors to compare partnership performance. In addition, management believes that these measures provide investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of Valero L.P.’s assets and the cash flow the business is generating. Neither EBITDA nor distributable cash flow is intended to represent cash flows for the period, nor are they intended as an alternative to net income. They should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for a measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

(b) During the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, Valero L.P. completed several acquisitions as discussed above. The throughput related to these newly acquired assets included in the table above is calculated based on throughput for the period from the date of acquisition through March 31st, divided by 91 days in 2004 and 90 days in 2003.

 

Crude Oil Pipelines

 

Revenues for the crude oil pipelines segment increased $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due primarily to increased revenues for the Wichita Falls to McKee crude oil pipeline as a result of an 18% increase in throughput barrels. During the first quarter of 2003, Valero Energy had initiated economic-based refinery production cuts at its McKee refinery, which reduced throughput in the Wichita Falls pipeline.

 

Operating expenses for the crude oil pipelines segment decreased $0.4 million or 11% for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 as a result of the operating expenses associated with the Corpus Christi North Beach storage facility now being included in the crude oil storage tank segment.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the crude oil pipelines segment decreased for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due to the transfer of the Corpus Christi North Beach storage facility to the crude oil storage tanks segment effective January 1, 2004.

 

Refined Product Pipelines

 

Revenues for the refined product pipelines segment increased $7.5 million or 58% and throughput increased 47% for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due primarily to the acquisitions of the South Texas Pipelines on March 18, 2003 and the Southlake refined product pipeline on August 1, 2003. Revenues for

 

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the acquired pipelines were $8.3 million for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2003.

 

Operating expenses for the refined product pipelines segment increased $3.4 million or 66% for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due primarily to the expenses associated with the operations of the South Texas Pipelines and the Southlake refined product pipeline. Operating expenses for the South Texas Pipelines and the Southlake refined product pipeline were $3.9 million for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2003.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the refined product pipelines segment increased $1.7 million or 83% for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due to the acquisitions completed during 2003.

 

Refined Product Terminals

 

Revenues for the refined product terminals segment increased $2.8 million and throughput increased 44% for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due primarily to the acquisitions of the South Texas Terminals on March 18, 2003, the Paulsboro refined product terminal on September 3, 2003 and the Royal Trading asphalt terminals on February 20, 2004. Revenues for the acquired terminals were $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to $0.2 million for the first quarter of 2003.

 

Operating expenses for the refined product terminals segment increased $1.6 million or 58% for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due primarily to the expenses associated with the operations of the South Texas Terminals, the Paulsboro refined product terminal and the Royal Trading asphalt terminals. Operating expenses for the acquired terminals were $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to $0.1 million for the first quarter of 2003. In addition, maintenance expenses were $0.4 million higher in the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 as Valero L.P. performed several tank inspections during the 2004 period.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the refined product terminals segment increased $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due to the acquisitions completed in 2003.

 

Crude Oil Storage Tanks

 

Revenues for the crude oil storage tanks segment increased $8.8 million and throughput increased 383,644 barrels per day for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due primarily to the crude oil storage tanks being owned by Valero L.P. for only 13 days in the first quarter of 2003 as compared to 91 days in the first quarter of 2004.

 

In addition, effective January 1, 2004, Valero L.P. transferred the operations of the Corpus Christi North Beach storage facility to the crude oil storage tanks segment from the crude oil pipelines segment. Valero L.P. and Valero Energy entered into a one-year shell barrel capacity lease agreement for the l.6 million barrels of capacity at the facility. Revenues for the first quarter of 2004 for the Corpus Christi North Beach storage facility totaled $1.9 million, which included $1.4 million of rental income and $0.5 million of dockage and wharfage fees. The use of this storage facility was previously included as a part of the crude oil pipeline tariff for the Corpus Christi to Three Rivers crude oil pipeline.

 

Operating expenses for the crude oil storage tanks segment consist primarily of the fees charged by Valero Energy for the personnel providing operating and routine maintenance services, rent expense and $0.4 million of operating expenses related to the Corpus Christi North Beach storage facility for the first quarter of 2004.

 

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General Partnership and Other

 

General and administrative expenses were as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 
     (in thousands)  
                  

Services Agreement

   $ 1,300     $ 1,300  

Third party expenses

     806       447  

Compensation expense related to restricted common units and unit options

     23       259  

Reimbursement from partners on jointly owned pipelines

     (130 )     (162 )
    


 


General and administrative expenses

   $ 1,999     $ 1,844  
    


 


 

General and administrative expenses increased 8% for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due primarily to higher third party expenses related to unitholder reporting costs due to the overall increase in the number of unitholders and the additional costs related to compliance with the new Sarbanes-Oxley internal control reporting requirements. Partially offsetting the higher third party expenses was lower compensation expense related to the amortization of the fair value of restricted common units and unit options.

 

Equity income from Skelly-Belvieu Pipeline Company for the first quarter of 2004 decreased 24% as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due to a 9% decline in throughput barrels in the Skellytown to Mont Belvieu refined product pipeline and higher maintenance expenses associated with pipeline integrity inspection costs.

 

Interest expense for the first quarter of 2004 was $5.1 million, net of interest income and capitalized interest of $0.1 million and interest income related to the interest rate swaps of $0.9 million. Interest expense for the first quarter of 2003 was $2.4 million, net of interest income and capitalized interest of $0.1 million and interest income related to the interest rate swaps of $0.2 million. Interest expense was higher in 2004 due primarily to interest expense related to the $250.0 million of 6.05% senior notes issued on March 18, 2003 and $43.0 million of borrowings under the revolving credit facility to fund the acquisition of the Royal Trading asphalt terminals and to fund a portion of the construction costs related to the Nuevo Laredo, Mexico propane terminal and the related pipelines.

 

Net income applicable to limited partners increased $6.7 million for the first quarter of 2004 as compared to the first quarter of 2003 due primarily to the acquisitions completed during 2003. Net income applicable to the general partner for the first quarter of 2004 includes the effect of $1.1 million of incentive distributions as compared to $0.4 million of incentive distributions for the first quarter of 2003.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Valero L.P.’s primary cash requirements, in addition to normal operating expenses, are for capital expenditures (both reliability and expansion), business and asset acquisitions, distributions to partners and debt service. Valero L.P. expects to fund its short-term needs for such items as reliability capital expenditures and quarterly distributions to the partners from operating cash flows. Capital expenditures for long-term needs resulting from future expansion projects and acquisitions are expected to be funded by a variety of sources including cash flows from operating activities, borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the issuance of additional common units, debt securities and other capital market transactions.

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

As of March 31, 2004, Valero Logistics has $132.0 million of available borrowing capacity under its $175.0 million revolving credit facility. During the first quarter of 2004, Valero Logistics borrowed $28.0 million under the revolving credit facility to fund the purchase of the Royal Trading asphalt terminals and borrowed an additional $15.0 million to partially fund construction of a propane terminal in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and the related pipelines. The revolving credit facility expires on January 15, 2006. At Valero Logistics’ option,

 

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borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest based on either an alternative base rate or LIBOR, which was 2.1% as of March 31, 2004. Valero Logistics also incurs a facility fee on the aggregate commitments of lenders under the revolving credit facility, whether used or unused. The amended revolving credit facility requires that Valero Logistics maintain certain financial ratios and includes other restrictive covenants, including a prohibition on distributions by Valero Logistics to Valero L.P. if any default, as defined in the revolving credit facility, exists or would result from the distribution.

 

Senior Notes

 

The $250.0 million of 6.05% senior notes are due March 15, 2013 with interest payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The $100.0 million of 6.875% senior notes are due July 15, 2012 with interest payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The senior notes are redeemable and do not have sinking fund requirements and rank equally with all other existing senior unsecured indebtedness of Valero Logistics, including indebtedness under the revolving credit facility.

 

Shelf Registration Statement

 

As of March 31, 2004, Valero L.P. and Valero Logistics have outstanding a $750.0 million universal shelf registration statement that has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the issuance of an unspecified amount of common units or debt securities or a combination thereof. Valero L.P. may, in one or more offerings, offer and sell common units representing limited partner interests in Valero L.P. Valero Logistics may, in one or more offerings, offer and sell its debt securities, which will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Valero L.P.

 

Distributions

 

Valero L.P.’s partnership agreement, as amended, sets forth the calculation to be used to determine the amount and priority of cash distributions that the common unitholders, subordinated unitholders and the general partner will receive. During the subordination period, if there is sufficient available cash, the holders of Valero L.P.’s common units are entitled to receive each quarter a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.60 per unit ($2.40 annualized) prior to any distribution of available cash to holders of Valero L.P.’s subordinated units. In addition, the general partner is entitled to incentive distributions, as defined in the amended partnership agreement, if the amount Valero L.P. distributes with respect to any quarter exceeds $0.60 per unit. Effective March 11, 2004, the partnership agreement was amended to lower the general partner’s incentive distribution rights with respect to distributions of available cash from 48% to 23% of the amount of any quarterly distribution that exceeds $0.90 per unit. The general partner will continue to receive a 2% distribution with respect to its general partner interest.

 

Total cash distributions applicable to the first quarter of 2004 were $19.9 million or $0.80 per unit, of which $1.5 million related to the general partner. Total cash distributions applicable to the first quarter of 2003 were $16.0 million or $0.70 per unit, of which $0.7 million related to the general partner. In February 2004, Valero L.P. paid the quarterly cash distribution applicable to the fourth quarter of 2003 of $18.4 million or $0.75 per unit, of which $1.1 million related to the general partner.

 

Capital Requirements

 

The petroleum pipeline and terminalling industry is capital-intensive, requiring significant investments to maintain, upgrade or enhance existing operations and to comply with environmental and safety laws and regulations. Valero L.P.’s capital expenditures consist primarily of:

 

  reliability capital expenditures, such as those required to maintain equipment reliability and safety and to address environmental and safety regulations; and

 

  expansion capital expenditures, such as those to expand and upgrade pipeline capacity and to construct new pipelines, terminals and storage tanks. In addition, expansion capital expenditures may include acquisitions of pipelines, terminals or storage tank assets.

 

During the first quarter of 2004, Valero L.P. incurred reliability capital expenditures of $1.7 million primarily related to tank and pipeline pump station upgrades at numerous locations. Expansion capital expenditures of $9.8 million during the first quarter of 2004 were primarily related to the construction of the Nuevo Laredo, Mexico

 

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Table of Contents

propane terminal and the related pipelines and the expansion of the Corpus Christi to Edinburg refined product pipeline. Also during the first quarter of 2004, Valero L.P. acquired two asphalt terminals, one in Catoosa, Oklahoma near Tulsa and one in Rosario, New Mexico near Santa Fe, from Royal Trading for $28.1 million.

 

For the remainder of 2004, Valero L.P. expects to incur approximately $19.3 million of capital expenditures including approximately $9.9 million for reliability capital expenditures and approximately $9.4 million for expansion capital expenditures, including $6.8 million to complete the pipeline from Laredo, Texas to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and the propane terminal in Nuevo Laredo. Valero L.P. expects to fund its expansion capital expenditures with borrowings under its revolving credit facility and its reliability capital expenditures from cash provided by operations.

 

Valero L.P. believes it generates sufficient cash from its current operations to fund day-to-day operating and general and administrative expenses and reliability capital expenditures. Valero L.P. also has available, borrowing capacity under Valero Logistics’ revolving credit facility and, to the extent necessary, it can raise additional funds from time to time through equity or debt offerings under the $750.0 million universal shelf registration statement. However, there can be no assurance regarding the availability of any future financings or whether such financings can be made available on terms acceptable to Valero L.P.

 

Environmental, Health and Safety

 

Valero L.P. is subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations, including those relating to the discharge of materials into the environment, waste management, pollution prevention measures, pipeline integrity and operator qualifications. Because environmental and safety laws and regulations are becoming more complex and stringent and new environmental and safety laws and regulations are continuously being enacted or proposed, the level of future expenditures required for environmental, health and safety matters is expected to increase. As of March 31, 2004, Valero L.P. has accrued $0.1 million for environmental matters, which is expected to be spent over the next two years.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Valero L.P.’s critical accounting policies were disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and such policies have not changed during the first quarter of 2004.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The principal market risk (i.e., the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices) to which Valero L.P. is exposed is interest rate risk on Valero Logistics’ debt. Valero Logistics manages its debt considering various financing alternatives available in the market and manages its exposure to changing interest rates principally through the use of a combination of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt. In addition, Valero L.P. utilizes interest rate swap agreements to manage a portion of the exposure to changing interest rates by converting certain fixed-rate debt to variable-rate debt.

 

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility expose Valero Logistics to increases in the benchmark interest rate underlying its variable-rate revolving credit facility. As of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, Valero Logistics’ fixed-rate debt consisted of the $250.0 million of 6.05% senior notes, the $100.0 million of 6.875% senior notes and the 8.0% Port of Corpus Christi Authority note payable.

 

The following table provides information about Valero Logistics’ long-term debt and interest rate derivative instruments, all of which are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For long-term debt, principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates are presented. For interest rate swaps, the table presents notional amounts and weighted-average interest rates by expected (contractual) maturity dates. Weighted-average variable rates are based on implied forward interest rates in the yield curve at the reporting date.

 

     March 31, 2004

     Expected Maturity Dates

    Total

   

Fair

Value


     2004

    2005

    2006

    2007

    2008

   

There-

after


     
                 (in thousands, except interest rates)            

Long-term Debt:

                                                              

Fixed rate

   $ 485     $ 524     $ 566     $ 611     $ 660     $ 356,365     $ 359,211     $ 395,438

Average interest rate

     8.0 %     8.0 %     8.0 %     8.0 %     8.0 %     6.3 %     6.3 %      

Variable rate

   $ —       $ —       $ 43,000     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 43,000     $ 43,000

Average interest rate

     —         —         2.1 %     —         —         —         2.1 %      

Interest Rate Swaps Fixed to Variable:

                                                              

Notional amount

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 167,500     $ 167,500     $ 2,115

Average pay rate

     3.2 %     4.2 %     5.2 %     5.9 %     6.5 %     7.2 %     6.2 %      

Average receive rate

     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.5 %     6.4 %      

 

     December 31, 2003

 
     Expected Maturity Dates

    Total

   

Fair

Value


 
     2004

    2005

    2006

    2007

    2008

   

There-

after


     
                 (in thousands, except interest rates)              

Long-term Debt:

                                                                

Fixed rate

   $ 935     $ 524     $ 566     $ 611     $ 660     $ 356,364     $ 359,660     $ 377,217  

Average interest rate

     8.0 %     8.0 %     8.0 %     8.0 %     8.0 %     6.3 %     6.3 %        

Variable rate

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    

Average interest rate

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —            

Interest Rate Swaps Fixed to Variable:

                                                                

Notional amount

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 167,500     $ 167,500     $ (4,553 )

Average pay rate

     3.5 %     5.0 %     6.0 %     6.8 %     7.1 %     7.7 %     6.7 %        

Average receive rate

     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.5 %     6.4 %        

 

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Table of Contents
Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

 

The principal executive officer and principal financial officer of Valero GP, LLC have evaluated the effectiveness of Valero L.P.’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report, and have concluded that Valero L.P.’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by Valero L.P. in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

 

There has been no change in Valero L.P.’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during Valero L.P.’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Valero L.P.’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

(a) Amendment to Partnership Agreement.

 

On March 11, 2004, Valero L.P. amended its partnership agreement to reduce the percentage of the vote required to remove Valero L.P.’s general partner from 58% to a simple majority of units entitled to vote (excluding any units held by the general partner and its affiliates). In addition, the partnership agreement was amended to lower the general partner’s incentive distribution rights with respect to distributions of available cash from 48% to 23% of the amount of any quarterly distribution that exceeds $0.90 per unit. The general partner will continue to receive a 2% distribution with respect to its general partner interest.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit 10.1    Amended and Restated Services Agreement Among Diamond Shamrock Refining and Marketing Company, Valero L.P., Valero Logistics Operations, L.P., Riverwalk Logistics, L.P. and Valero GP, LLC dated as of April 1, 2004
Exhibit 10.2    Terminal Storage and Throughput Agreement between Valero Marketing and Supply Company and Valero Logistics Operation, L.P. effective as of January 15, 2004
Exhibit 10.3    Amendment Number One to the Handling and Throughput Agreement between Valero Marketing and Supply Company and Valero Logistics Operation, L.P. effective as of April 27, 2004
Exhibit 10.4    Terminal Agreement (Corpus Christi Crude Terminal) between Valero Marketing and Supply Company and Valero Logistics Operation, L.P. effective as of January 1, 2004
Exhibit 12.1    Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Exhibit 31.1    Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications (under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
Exhibit 32.1    Section 1350 Certifications (under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

(i) On January 26, 2004, Valero L.P. furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 26, 2004 reporting Item 12 (Results of Operations and Financial Condition) and furnishing a copy of Valero L.P.’s press release relating to its earnings announcement for the fourth quarter of 2003. Financial statements were not filed with this report. The information in this report is not incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by Valero L.P. under the Securities Act of 1933 unless specifically identified in the registration statement as being incorporated by reference.

 

(ii) On March 2, 2004, Valero L.P. furnished a Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 2, 2004 reporting Item 9 (Regulation FD Disclosure) and furnishing a copy of the slide presentation made by executives of Valero L.P. to analysts and investors at the RBC Capital Markets 2004 Master Limited Partnership Investor Conference. Financial statements were not filed with this report.

 

(iii) On March 12, 2004, Valero L.P. filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 2004 reporting Item 4 (Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant) in connection with Valero L.P.’s dismissal on March 11, 2004 of Ernst & Young LLP and retention of KPMG LLP as Valero L.P.’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004. Financial statements were not filed with this report.

 

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Table of Contents

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.

 

VALERO L.P.

(Registrant)

By:   Riverwalk Logistics, L.P., its general partner
    By: Valero GP, LLC, its general partner

 

By:   /s/    CURTIS V. ANASTASIO        
   
   

(Curtis V. Anastasio)

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

May 7, 2004

 

By:   /s/    STEVEN A. BLANK        
   
   

(Steven A. Blank)

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

May 7, 2004

 

By:   /s/    CLAYTON E. KILLINGER        
   
   

(Clayton E. Killinger)

Vice President and Controller

 

May 7, 2004

 

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