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Table of Contents

 

 

 

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, 2013

 

or

 

o         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 1-35574

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE

 

37-1661577

( State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

625 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1700, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

 

15222

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

(412) 553-5700

(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 o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer o

 

Accelerated Filer o

 

 

 

Non-Accelerated Filer x

 

Smaller reporting company o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

 

As of March 31, 2013, there were 17,339,718 Common Units, 17,339,718 Subordinated Units and 707,744 General Partner Units outstanding.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

Index

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

Glossary of Commonly Used Terms, Abbreviations and Measurements

3 – 4

 

 

Part I.

Financial Information:

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited):

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Consolidated Operations for the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2013 and 2012

5

 

 

 

 

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2013 and 2012

6

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2013 and
December 31, 2012

7

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital for the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2013 and 2012

8

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

9 – 15

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

16 – 25

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

26

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

27

 

 

Part II.

Other Information:

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

28

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

28

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

28

 

 

 

Signature

 

29

 

 

 

Index to Exhibits

30

 

2



Table of Contents

 

Glossary of Commonly Used Terms, Abbreviations and Measurements

 

adjusted EBITDA - a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as net income plus net interest expense, income tax expense (if applicable), depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash long-term compensation expense and other non-cash adjustments (if applicable) less other income and the Sunrise Pipeline lease payment.

 

AFUDC — Allowance for Funds Used During Construction - carrying costs for the construction of certain long-term assets are capitalized and amortized over the related assets’ estimated useful lives.  The capitalized amount for construction of regulated assets includes interest cost and a designated cost of equity for financing the construction of these regulated assets.

 

Appalachian Basin — the area of the United States comprised of those portions of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky and Virginia that lie in the Appalachian Mountains.

 

British thermal unit — a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

 

distributable cash flow — a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Company as adjusted EBITDA less net cash paid for interest expense and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures and income taxes (if applicable).

 

firm contracts — contracts for transportation services that obligate customers to pay a fixed monthly charge to reserve an agreed upon amount of pipeline capacity regardless of the actual pipeline capacity used by a customer during each month.

 

gas — all references to “gas” in this report refer to natural gas.

 

omnibus agreement - the agreement entered into among the Company, its general partner and EQT Corporation (EQT) in connection with the Company’s initial public offering,  pursuant to which EQT agreed to provide the Company with certain general and administrative services and a license to use the name “EQT” and related marks in connection with the Company’s business. The omnibus agreement also provides for certain indemnification and reimbursement obligations between the Company and EQT.

 

play - a proven geological formation that contains commercial amounts of hydrocarbons.

 

reservoir - a porous and permeable underground formation containing an individual and separate natural accumulation of producible hydrocarbons (crude oil and/or natural gas) which is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is characterized by a single natural pressure system.

 

throughput - the volume of natural gas transported or passing through a pipeline, plant, terminal or other facility during a particular period.

 

working gas — the volume of natural gas in the storage reservoir that can be extracted during the normal operation of the storage facility.

 

Abbreviations

 

FERC — Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

GAAP — Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

IRS — Internal Revenue Service

NYSE — New York Stock Exchange

PSCT — Pipeline Safety Cost Tracker

PSIA — Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002

SEC — Securities and Exchange Commission

 

3



Table of Contents

 

Glossary of Commonly Used Terms, Abbreviations and Measurements

 

Measurements

 

Btu = one British thermal unit

BBtu = billion British thermal units

Bcf = billion cubic feet

Dth =  million British thermal units

Mcf = thousand cubic feet

MMBtu = million British thermal units

MMcf = million cubic feet

TBtu = trillion British thermal units

Tcf = one trillion cubic feet

 

4



Table of Contents

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(Thousands, except per unit
amounts)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues — affiliate

 

$

34,386

 

$

24,234

 

Operating revenues — third party

 

9,979

 

6,769

 

Total operating revenues

 

44,365

 

31,003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and maintenance

 

6,632

 

7,024

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

4,248

 

4,549

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,348

 

3,038

 

Total operating expenses

 

18,228

 

14,611

 

Operating income

 

26,137

 

16,392

 

Other income, net

 

297

 

2,471

 

Interest expense, net

 

4,204

 

1,539

 

Income before income taxes

 

22,230

 

17,324

 

Income tax expense

 

 

6,201

 

Net income

 

$

22,230

 

$

11,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation of Limited Partner Interest in Net Income:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

22,230

 

N/A

 

Less general partner interest in net income

 

(444

)

N/A

 

Limited partner interest in net income

 

$

21,786

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per limited partner unit — basic

 

$

0.63

 

N/A

 

Net income per limited partner unit — diluted

 

$

0.63

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Limited partner units outstanding — basic

 

34,679

 

N/A

 

Limited partner units outstanding — diluted

 

34,768

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash distributions declared per unit

 

$

0.37

 

N/A

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(Thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

22,230

 

$

11,123

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,348

 

3,038

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

16,179

 

Other income

 

(297

)

(2,471

)

Non-cash long-term compensation expense

 

353

 

641

 

Non-cash reserve adjustment

 

(250

)

 

Changes in other assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(756

)

352

 

Accounts payable

 

(4,329

)

(2,011

)

Due to/ from EQT affiliates

 

6,940

 

1,974

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

(9,794

)

Other assets

 

1,622

 

(2,441

)

Other liabilities

 

(5,986

)

(4,984

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

26,875

 

11,606

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(10,485

)

(51,240

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(10,485

)

(51,240

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions paid to unitholders

 

(12,386

)

 

Due to EQT

 

 

39,634

 

Capital contributions

 

2,382

 

 

Capital lease principal payments

 

(2,284

)

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(12,288

)

39,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

4,102

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

21,950

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

26,052

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

4,014

 

$

2,581

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash activity during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital lease asset/ obligation

 

$

1,595

 

$

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(Thousands, except number of
units)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

26,052

 

$

21,950

 

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $88 as of March 31, 2013 and $64 as of December 31, 2012)

 

4,499

 

3,743

 

Accounts receivable — affiliate

 

12,166

 

11,911

 

Due from related party

 

1,105

 

2,382

 

Other current assets

 

804

 

645

 

Total current assets

 

44,626

 

40,631

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

806,379

 

795,498

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

(154,913

)

(148,212

)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

651,466

 

647,286

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

17,023

 

17,877

 

Other assets

 

1,731

 

1,810

 

Total assets

 

$

714,846

 

$

707,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

5,123

 

$

9,452

 

Due to related party

 

8,325

 

1,130

 

Lease obligation - current

 

10,401

 

9,537

 

Accrued liabilities

 

4,302

 

10,207

 

Total current liabilities

 

28,151

 

30,326

 

Lease obligation

 

201,752

 

203,305

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

2,428

 

2,760

 

Total liabilities

 

232,331

 

236,391

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital:

 

 

 

 

 

Common units (17,339,718 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012)

 

315,856

 

310,679

 

Subordinated units (17,339,718 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012)

 

153,221

 

148,397

 

General partner interest (707,744 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012)

 

13,438

 

12,137

 

Total partners’ capital

 

482,515

 

471,213

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

 

$

714,846

 

$

707,604

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ Capital

 

 

 

 

 

Parent Net

 

Limited Partners 

 

General

 

 

 

 

 

Investment

 

 Common

 

Subordinated

 

Partner

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 (Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2012

 

$

173,633

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

173,633

 

Net income

 

11,123

 

 

 

 

11,123

 

Balance at March 31, 2012

 

$

184,756

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

184,756

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2013

 

$

 

$

310,679

 

$

148,397

 

$

12,137

 

$

471,213

 

Capital contribution

 

 

 

 

1,105

 

1,105

 

Equity-based compensation plans

 

 

353

 

 

 

353

 

Net income

 

 

10,893

 

10,893

 

444

 

22,230

 

Distributions to unitholders

 

 

(6,069

)

(6,069

)

(248

)

(12,386

)

Balance at March 31, 2013

 

$

 

$

315,856

 

$

153,221

 

$

13,438

 

$

482,515

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners , LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

A.        Financial Statements

 

Organization

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP (the Partnership, EQT Midstream Partners or the Company), which closed its initial public offering (IPO) on July 2, 2012, is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership formed by EQT Corporation in January 2012.  Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans) is a Pennsylvania limited partnership and the predecessor for accounting purposes (the Predecessor) of EQT Midstream Partners. EQT Midstream Services, LLC is the Company’s general partner. References in these consolidated financial statements to the “Company,” when used for periods prior to the IPO, refer to Equitrans.  References in these consolidated financial statements to the “Company,” when used for periods beginning at or following the IPO, refer collectively to the Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries. References in these consolidated financial statements to ‘‘EQT’’ refer collectively to EQT Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.  For periods prior to the IPO, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of Equitrans presented on a carve-out basis prior to the contribution by EQT of all of the partnership interests in Equitrans to EQT Midstream Partners, in connection with the Partnership’s IPO.

 

The Company does not have any employees. Operational support for the Company is provided by EQT Gathering, LLC (EQT Gathering), one of EQT’s operating subsidiaries engaged in certain midstream business operations. EQT Gathering’s employees manage and conduct the Company’s daily business operations.

 

Immediately prior to the closing of the IPO, EQT contributed all of the partnership interests in Equitrans to the Partnership. The Company issued 14,375,000 common units in the IPO, which represented 40.6% of the Company’s outstanding equity. EQT retained a 59.4% equity interest in the Company, including 2,964,718 common units, 17,339,718 subordinated units, and a 2% general partner interest. EQT also holds the incentive distribution rights.

 

Nature of Business

 

The Company is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by EQT to own, operate, acquire and develop midstream assets in the Appalachian Basin. The Company provides midstream services to EQT and third parties in the Appalachian Basin across 22 counties in Pennsylvania and West Virginia through two primary assets: the transmission and storage system and the gathering system.

 

The Company’s transmission and storage system includes an approximately 700 mile FERC-regulated interstate pipeline that connects to five long-haul interstate pipelines and multiple distribution companies. The transmission and storage system is supported by 14 associated natural gas storage reservoirs with approximately 400 MMcf per day of peak withdrawal capability and 32 Bcf of working gas capacity. As of March 31, 2013, the transmission assets had total throughput capacity of approximately 1.4 TBtu per day. Revenues are primarily driven by the Company’s firm transmission and storage contracts.

 

The Company’s gathering system consists of approximately 2,000 miles of FERC-regulated low-pressure gathering lines. Substantially all of the revenues associated with the Company’s gathering system are generated under interruptible gathering service contracts.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the results of its operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.  Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

9



Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners , LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

The balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

 

Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s utility customer contracts, the interim statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. Operating revenues are currently expected to be higher in the first and fourth quarters of each year.

 

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained therein.

 

B.                                    Financial Information by Business Segment

 

Operating segments are revenue-producing components of the enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and is subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources.

 

The Company reports its operations in two segments, which reflect its lines of business. Transmission and storage includes the Company’s FERC-regulated interstate pipeline and storage business. Gathering includes the FERC-regulated low pressure gathering system. The operating segments are evaluated on their contribution to the Company’s results based on operating income.

 

All of the Company’s operating revenues, income from operations and assets are generated or located in the United States.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(Thousands)

 

Revenues from external customers:

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission and storage

 

$

41,065

 

$

27,098

 

Gathering

 

3,300

 

3,905

 

Total

 

$

44,365

 

$

31,003

 

Operating income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission and storage

 

$

28,169

 

$

17,391

 

Gathering

 

(2,032

)

(999

)

Total operating income

 

$

26,137

 

$

16,392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of operating income to net income:

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

297

 

2,471

 

Interest expense, net

 

4,204

 

1,539

 

Income tax expense

 

 

6,201

 

Net income

 

$

22,230

 

$

11,123

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(Thousands)

 

Segment assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission and storage

 

$

643,367

 

$

632,404

 

Gathering

 

71,479

 

75,200

 

Total assets

 

$

714,846

 

$

707,604

 

 

10



Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners , LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(Thousands)

 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission and storage

 

$

6,618

 

$

2,363

 

Gathering

 

730

 

675

 

Total

 

$

7,348

 

$

3,038

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenditures for segment assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission and storage

 

$

9,351

 

$

50,823

 

Gathering

 

1,134

 

417

 

Total

 

$

10,485

 

$

51,240

 

 

C.                        Related-Party Transactions

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has transactions with affiliated companies. The Company has various contracts with affiliates including, but not limited to, Transportation Service and Precedent Agreements, Storage Agreements and Gas Gathering Agreements.

 

In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into various agreements with EQT. For instance, the Company entered into an omnibus agreement by and among the Company, its general partner and EQT. Pursuant to the omnibus agreement, EQT or its affiliates perform centralized corporate, general and administrative services for the Company, such as legal, corporate recordkeeping, planning, budgeting, regulatory, accounting, billing, business development, treasury, insurance administration and claims processing, risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, investor relations, cash management and banking, payroll, internal audit, taxes and engineering. In exchange, the Company reimburses EQT and its affiliates for the expenses incurred by them in providing these services, except for any expenses associated with EQT’s long-term incentive programs. The omnibus agreement further requires that the Company reimburse EQT and its affiliates for the Company’s allocable portion of the premiums on any insurance policies covering the Company’s assets. EQT does not record any profit or margin for the administrative and operational services charged to the Company.

 

The Company also entered into an operation and management services agreement with EQT Gathering, pursuant to which EQT Gathering provides the Company’s pipelines and storage facilities with certain operational and management services. The Company reimburses EQT Gathering for such services pursuant to the terms of the omnibus agreement as described above.

 

D.                        Income Taxes

 

The Predecessor’s financial statements for the period prior to the IPO include U.S. federal and state income tax as its income was reported and included as part of EQT’s consolidated federal tax return.  In conjunction with the contribution by EQT of the ownership of Equitrans to the Partnership immediately prior to the IPO, approximately $143.6 million of net current and deferred income tax liabilities were eliminated through equity. Effective July 2, 2012, as a result of its limited partnership structure, the Company is no longer subject to federal and state income taxes. For federal and state income tax purposes, all income, expenses, gains, losses and tax credits generated by the Company flow through to the unitholders, and accordingly, do not result in a provision for income taxes for the Company.

 

E.                        Debt

 

Prior to the IPO, EQT provided financing to the Company directly or indirectly through EQT Capital Corporation (EQT Capital), EQT’s subsidiary finance company. Such financing was generally provided through intercompany term and demand loans that were entered into between EQT Capital and EQT’s subsidiaries.

 

On July 2, 2012, in connection with the IPO, the Company entered into a $350 million credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders, which will mature on July 2,

 

11



Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners , LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

2017. The credit facility is available to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures, to purchase assets, to pay distributions and repurchase units and for general partnership purposes.

 

There were no amounts outstanding under the credit facility at March 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012. Additionally, the Company did not have any short-term loans outstanding at any time during the three months ended March 31, 2013. Commitment fees averaging approximately 6.25 basis points in the first quarter of 2013, or approximately $0.2 million, were incurred to maintain credit availability under the credit facility.

 

F.                         Lease Obligations

 

On June 18, 2012, the Company transferred ownership of the Sunrise Pipeline, an approximately 40 mile, FERC-regulated transmission pipeline which was under construction at the time and placed into service on July 28, 2012, to EQT. Concurrent with the transfer, the Company entered into a lease agreement with EQT for the lease of the Sunrise Pipeline. Under the lease, Equitrans operates the pipeline as part of its transmission and storage system under the rates, terms, and conditions of its FERC-approved tariff. While the lease agreement was effective June 18, 2012, no lease payments were due pursuant to this lease agreement until the Sunrise Pipeline was placed into service. The lease payment due each month is the lesser of the following alternatives: (1) a revenue-based payment reflecting the revenues generated by the operation of the Sunrise Pipeline minus the actual costs of operating the Sunrise Pipeline and (2) a payment based on depreciation expense and pre-tax return on invested capital for the Sunrise Pipeline. As a result, the payments to be made under the Sunrise Pipeline lease will be variable and are not expected to have a net positive or negative impact on distributable cash flow.

 

At the time the lease was entered into, management determined that the lease was a capital lease as the present value of the estimated minimum lease payments exceeded the fair value of the leased property. Thus, the gross capital lease assets and obligations recorded in 2012 were approximately $216 million, which represented the costs incurred through December 31, 2012 to construct the pipeline and was estimated to be the fair value of the leased property.  Additional closeout construction costs of approximately $2 million were incurred by EQT during the first quarter of 2013, which increased the fair value of the leased property. Completion of the pipeline closeout construction is anticipated to continue into the second quarter of 2013, which will further increase the fair value of the leased property. Once closeout construction is complete, management will finalize the estimate of the fair value of the asset and will revise the estimates of the lease obligation and related asset as necessary.  Currently, management expects that the fair value of the asset will be approximately $225 million once closeout construction is complete.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, interest expense of $4.0 million and depreciation expense of $3.7 million was recorded related to this capital lease.  Additionally, Sunrise lease payments totaled $6.9 million related to the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

G.                       Net Income per Limited Partner Unit and Cash Distributions

 

Net income per limited partner unit is calculated utilizing the two-class method by dividing the limited partner interest in net income by the weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding during the period. The limited partner interest in net income is determined by first allocating net income to the general partner based upon the general partner’s ownership interest of 2%. Any common units issued during the period are included on a weighted-average basis for the days in which they were outstanding.

 

Diluted net income per limited partner unit reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other agreements to issue common units, such as the performance awards, were exercised, settled or converted into common units.  When it is determined that potential common units resulting from an award subject to performance or market conditions should be included in the diluted net income per limited partner unit calculation, the impact is reflected by applying the treasury stock method. The weighted-average number of units used to calculate diluted net income per limited partner unit for the first quarter of 2013 includes the effect of 8,673 phantom units and 80,142 performance awards.

 

The following table presents the Company’s calculation of net income per unit for common and subordinated limited partner units:

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners , LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2013

 

 

 

(Thousands, except per
unit amounts)

 

Net income

 

$

22,230

 

Less general partner interest in net income

 

(444

)

Limited partner interest in net income

 

$

21,786

 

 

 

 

 

Net income allocable to common units

 

$

10,893

 

Net income allocable to subordinated units

 

10,893

 

Limited partner interest in net income

 

$

21,786

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding — basic

 

 

 

Common units

 

17,340

 

Subordinated units

 

17,339

 

Total

 

34,679

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding — diluted

 

 

 

Common units

 

17,429

 

Subordinated units

 

17,339

 

Total

 

34,768

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per limited partner unit — basic and diluted

 

 

 

Common units

 

$

0.63

 

Subordinated units

 

$

0.63

 

 

The partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2012, the Company distribute all of its available cash (described below) to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.  As further discussed in Note I, a quarterly cash distribution was declared on April 23, 2013, payable May 15, 2013 to unitholders of record on May 6, 2013.

 

Available cash

 

Available cash generally means, for any quarter, all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter:

 

·                  less, the amount of cash reserves established by the Company’s general partner to:

 

·      provide for the proper conduct of the Company’s business (including reserves for future capital expenditures, anticipated future debt service requirements and refunds of collected rates reasonably likely to be refunded as a result of a settlement or hearing related to FERC rate proceedings or rate proceedings under applicable law subsequent to that quarter);

 

·      comply with applicable law, any of the Company’s debt instruments or other agreements; or

 

·      provide funds for distributions to the Company’s unitholders and to the Company’s general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters (provided that the Company’s general partner may not establish cash reserves for distributions if the effect of the establishment of such reserves will prevent the Company from distributing the minimum quarterly distribution on all common units and any cumulative arrearages on such common units for the current quarter);

 

·                  plus, if the Company’s general partner so determines, all or any portion of the cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made subsequent to the end of such quarter.

 

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EQT Midstream Partners , LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Subordinated Units

 

All subordinated units are held by EQT. The partnership agreement provides that, during the period of time referred to as the “subordination period,” the common units will have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus each quarter in an amount equal to $0.35 per common unit, which amount is defined in the partnership agreement as the minimum quarterly distribution, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. The practical effect of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash to distribute the minimum quarterly distribution to the common units. The subordination period will end, and the subordinated units will convert to common units, on a one-for-one basis, when certain distribution requirements, as defined in the partnership agreement, have been met.

 

Incentive Distribution Rights

 

All incentive distribution rights are held by the Company’s general partner. Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage (13.0%, 23.0% and 48.0%) of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels described below have been achieved. The Company’s general partner may transfer the incentive distribution rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in the partnership agreement.

 

The following discussion assumes that the Company’s general partner continues to own both its 2.0% general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights.

 

If for any quarter:

 

·                  the Company has distributed available cash from operating surplus to the common and subordinated unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution; and

 

·                  the Company has distributed available cash from operating surplus on outstanding common units in an amount necessary to eliminate any cumulative arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution;

 

then, the Company will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and the Company’s general partner in the following manner:

 

·                  first, 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to the Company’s general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.4025 per unit for that quarter (the first target distribution);

 

·                  second, 85.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15.0% to the Company’s general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.4375 per unit for that quarter (the second target distribution);

 

·                  third, 75.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25.0% to the Company’s general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.5250 per unit for that quarter (the third target distribution); and

 

·                  thereafter, 50.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50.0% to the Company’s general partner.

 

H.                       Regulatory Matters

 

Equitrans previously maintained a PSCT, which enabled Equitrans to recover qualifying costs it incurred under the PSIA. The qualifying costs recoverable through the PSCT included a rate of return, taxes and depreciation associated with capital investments and actual operating and maintenance expenses incurred under the PSIA. The PSCT surcharge was a usage charge expressed in dollars per Dth and was assessed to firm and interruptible transmission service customers. Equitrans was required to track all expenses and capital investments associated with the PSIA made on and after September 1, 2005. Equitrans made annual filings with the FERC to adjust the PSCT surcharge to reconcile actual historic qualifying costs incurred against PSCT revenues collected.

 

On March 1, 2012, Equitrans made its annual filing with the FERC to recover costs it incurred to comply with the PSIA. The filing provided for the recovery of $10.4 million in qualifying pipeline safety costs. One customer and the Independent Oil and Gas Association filed protests which asserted, among other things, that Equitrans had not included all appropriate volumes in calculating the level of its surcharge. Equitrans responded to the protests and in an order issued March 30, 2012, the FERC accepted the annual filing and suspended it, allowing the surcharge to become effective on April 1, 2012. Equitrans submitted additional information to the FERC on April 19, 2012 with the expectation that the FERC would subsequently issue an order based on the material Equitrans submitted.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners , LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

On January 14, 2013, following numerous discussions with its customers, Equitrans filed a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (Settlement) with the FERC.  The Settlement, which was approved by the FERC on March 22, 2013, resolved all issues arising out of Equitrans’ 2012 PSCT annual filing. The Settlement eliminated the tracking of PSIA costs and replaced the PSCT surcharge with a Pipeline Safety Cost (PSC) rate effective April 1, 2013. The new PSC rate has both a reservation and a usage component. The reservation component of the PSC rate applicable to firm transportation service is $0.8108 per Dth of the contract Maximum Daily Quantity applicable to service provided on the mainline system, and the usage component is $0.1372 per Dth delivered to the customer. The PSC rate applicable to interruptible over firm service, no-notice firm transportation service nominated on a point to point basis and interruptible service is $0.1372 per Dth delivered to the customer. Additionally, under the Settlement, Equitrans reduced its transmission retainage factor approved in Equitrans’ most recent 2006 rate case from 3.72% to 2.72% effective February 1, 2013. Equitrans no longer tracks its continued recovery of base storage gas, and the base storage gas recovery limit established in the 2006 rate case settlement has been eliminated. To the extent that Equitrans over-recovers its actual fuel and lost gas, the excess gas could be used to replenish the storage base gas. The PSC rate and transmission retainage factor will be in effect for a minimum of three years.

 

I.                            Subsequent Events

 

On April 23, 2013, the Company announced that the Board of Directors of its general partner declared a cash distribution to the Company’s unitholders of $0.37 per unit for the first quarter of 2013.  The cash distribution is payable on May 15, 2013 to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 6, 2013.

 

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EQT Midstream Partners, LP

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

 

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

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP (the Partnership, EQT Midstream Partners or the Company), which closed its initial public offering (IPO) on July 2, 2012, is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership formed by EQT Corporation in January 2012.  Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans) is a Pennsylvania limited partnership and the predecessor for accounting purposes (the Predecessor) of EQT Midstream Partners (the Successor).  References in the following discussion to the “Company,” when used for periods prior to the IPO, refer to Equitrans.  References in the following discussion to the “Company,” when used for periods beginning at or following the IPO, refer collectively to the Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries. Immediately prior to the closing of the IPO, EQT Corporation contributed all of the partnership interests in Equitrans to the Partnership. Therefore, the historical financial statements contained in this report reflect the assets, liabilities and operations of Equitrans for periods ending before July 2, 2012 and EQT Midstream Partners for periods beginning at or following July 2, 2012.

 

The following discussion analyzes, among other things, the financial condition and results of operations of the Predecessor and Successor. You should read the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report. References in the following discussion and analysis to ‘‘EQT’’ refer collectively to EQT Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

 

Disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking and usually identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “may,” “forecast,” “approximate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial matters.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the matters discussed in the section captioned “Outlook” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives, and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance of the Company and its subsidiaries, including guidance regarding transmission and storage and gathering revenue and volume growth; revenue projections; infrastructure programs (including the timing, cost, capacity and sources of funding with respect to such programs); natural gas production growth in the Company’s operating areas for EQT and third parties; the amount and timing of distributions; the effect of the Sunrise Pipeline lease on distributable cash flow; future projected Sunrise Pipeline lease payments; projected operating and capital expenditures including the amount and timing of capital expenditures reimbursable by EQT; liquidity and financing requirements, including funding sources and availability; asset acquisitions, including the Company’s ability to complete any asset purchases from EQT and third parties; the effects of government regulation, pending and future litigation, claims and proceedings and tax position. The forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results.  Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.  The Company has based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions about future events.  While the Company considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control.  The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance and results of the Company’s business and forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Company does not intend to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

In reviewing any agreements incorporated by reference in or filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember that such agreements are included to provide information regarding the terms of such agreements and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Company. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by the Company, which should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties of such agreements should those statements prove to be inaccurate. The representations and warranties were made only as of the date of the relevant agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in such agreement and are subject to more recent developments.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

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

 

Accordingly, these representations and warranties alone may not describe the actual state of affairs of the Company or its affiliates as of the date they were made or at any other time.

 

Executive Overview

 

The Company is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) to own, operate, acquire and develop midstream assets in the Appalachian Basin. The Company provides substantially all of its natural gas transmission, storage and gathering services under contracts with fixed reservation and/or usage fees, with a significant portion of its revenues being generated under long-term firm contracts.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company reported net income of $22.2 million compared to $11.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Transmission and storage revenues increased by $14.0 million primarily due to increased firm transmission service and increased system throughput, which were driven by production development in the Marcellus play. Total operating expenses increased by $3.6 million, primarily due to increased depreciation and amortization expense resulting from additional assets in service. Additionally, no income tax expense was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2013 as the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes due to its post-IPO limited partnership structure.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, basic and diluted net income per limited partner unit was $0.63, adjusted EBITDA was $26.7 million and distributable cash flow was $24.4 million, which exceeded the $12.4 million of distributable cash flow necessary to meet the minimum quarterly distribution. The Company declared a cash distribution to unitholders of $0.37 per unit on April 23, 2013, which represents a 6% increase over the previous distribution paid on February 14, 2013 of $0.35 per unit. For a discussion of the non-GAAP financial measures, adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow, please read the discussion below under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.”

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

%

 

 

 

(Thousands, other than per unit amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission and storage revenues

 

$

41,065

 

$

27,098

 

51.5

 

Gathering revenues

 

3,300

 

3,905

 

(15.5

)

Total operating revenues

 

44,365

 

31,003

 

43.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and maintenance

 

6,632

 

7,024

 

(5.6

)

Selling, general and administrative

 

4,248

 

4,549

 

(6.6

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,348

 

3,038

 

141.9

 

Total operating expenses

 

18,228

 

14,611

 

24.8

 

Operating income

 

26,137

 

16,392

 

59.4

 

Other income, net

 

297

 

2,471

 

(88.0

)

Interest expense, net

 

4,204

 

1,539

 

173.2

 

Income before income taxes

 

22,230

 

17,324

 

28.3

 

Income tax expense

 

 

6,201

 

(100.0

)

Net income

 

$

22,230

 

$

11,123

 

99.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per limited partner unit - basic and diluted (1)

 

$

0.63

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

 

$

26,725

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Distributable cash flow (1)

 

$

24,432

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 


(1)               Presented for the post-IPO period only. For a discussion of the non-GAAP financial measures adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow, please read the sections below titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.”

 

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EQT Midstream Partners, LP

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

 

Business Segment Results

 

Operating segments are evaluated on their contribution to the Company’s consolidated results based on operating income. Interest and other income are managed on a consolidated basis. The Company has presented each segment’s operating income and various operational measures in the sections below. Management believes that presentation of this information provides useful information to management and investors regarding the financial condition, results of operations and trends of segments. In addition, management uses these measures for budget planning purposes. The Company has reconciled each segment’s operating income to the Company’s consolidated operating income and net income in Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

%

 

 

 

(Thousands, other than per day amounts)

 

SEGMENT FINANCIAL DATA — TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues — affiliate

 

$

32,582

 

$

21,744

 

49.8

 

Operating revenues — third party

 

8,483

 

5,354

 

58.4

 

Total operating revenues

 

41,065

 

27,098

 

51.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and maintenance

 

3,294

 

4,061

 

(18.9

)

Selling, general and administrative

 

2,984

 

3,283

 

(9.1

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,618

 

2,363

 

180.1

 

Total operating expenses

 

12,896

 

9,707

 

32.9

 

Operating income

 

$

28,169

 

$

17,391

 

62.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEGMENT OPERATIONAL DATA — TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission pipeline throughput (BBtu per day)

 

900

 

462

 

94.8

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

9,351

 

$

50,823

 

(81.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEGMENT FINANCIAL DATA — GATHERING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues — affiliate

 

$

1,804

 

$

2,490

 

(27.6

)

Operating revenues — third party

 

1,496

 

1,415

 

5.7

 

Total operating revenues

 

3,300

 

3,905

 

(15.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and maintenance

 

3,338

 

2,963

 

12.7

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

1,264

 

1,266

 

(0.2

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

730

 

675

 

8.1

 

Total operating expenses

 

5,332

 

4,904

 

8.7

 

Operating loss

 

$

(2,032

)

$

(999

)

103.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEGMENT OPERATIONAL DATA — GATHERING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gathered volumes (BBtu per day)

 

65

 

75

 

(13.3

)

Capital expenditures

 

$

1,134

 

$

417

 

171.9

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

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

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

 

Operating revenues and operating expenses related to the Sunrise Pipeline do not have an impact on distributable cash flow as the excess of the Sunrise Pipeline revenues over operating and maintenance and selling, general and administrative expenses is paid to EQT as the current monthly lease payment.

 

Total operating revenues were $44.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to $31.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily related to a $14.0 million increase in transmission and storage revenues offset by a decrease in gathering revenues of $0.6 million.

 

Transmission and storage revenues increased as a result of increased firm transmission service capacity contracts and increased system throughput. This includes $7.5 million of reservation fees and usage charges under firm contracts on the Sunrise Pipeline, $4.8 million of fees associated with transported volumes in excess of firm capacity, $1.4 million of increased pipeline safety revenues, increased contracted transmission capacity associated with the Blacksville Compressor project which was completed in September 2012 and increased usage charges under interruptible service contracts. These increases primarily resulted from increased production development in the Marcellus play. The average daily transmission throughput increased by 438 BBtu per day to 900 BBtu per day during the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, approximately 61% of the Company’s total operating revenues were generated from firm capacity reservation charges. These increases were partly offset by a decrease in storage and parking services.

 

Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s utility customer contracts, the interim statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. Operating revenues are currently expected to be approximately $2 million higher in the first and fourth quarters of each year.

 

The average daily volumes gathered decreased 10 BBtu for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012, which resulted in reduced gathering revenues.  The decreased volumes were primarily the result of lower production gathered from affiliates due to the utilization of direct interconnects between EQT’s other gathering systems and the Company’s transmission and storage systems.

 

Operating expenses totaled $18.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to $14.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase in operating expenses was due to a $4.3 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense partly offset by a $0.4 million decrease in operating and maintenance expense and a $0.3 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expense.

 

The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily in transmission and storage as a result of Sunrise Pipeline capital lease depreciation expense of $3.7 million and increased investment in transmission infrastructure. The Sunrise Pipeline capital lease is depreciated over the 15 year life of the lease, resulting in increased depreciation expense compared to the 40 year expected life of the pipeline.

 

The decrease in operating and maintenance expense resulted from a $0.8 million decrease in transmission and storage expenses partly offset by a $0.4 million increase in gathering expenses.  Transmission and storage expenses decreased primarily as a result of lower allocated indirect operating costs of $0.6 million and decreased amortization of pipeline safety costs of $0.3 million. These decreases were partly offset by additional operating costs associated with operating the Sunrise Pipeline. The increase in gathering expense primarily resulted from higher purchased gas costs of $0.4 million. Fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes on the gathering system have historically exceeded the natural gas retained from the Company’s gathering customers as compensation for its fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes.  Purchased gas costs were recorded for the difference. The increase in purchased gas costs during the first quarter of 2013 was primarily the result of higher gas prices compared to the first quarter of 2012.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.3 million primarily due to decreased long-term incentive compensation costs of $0.5 million, lower indirect labor costs of $0.4 million and a reduction of a reserve on the collectability of long-term regulatory assets of $0.3 million. The historical financial statements of the Predecessor included long-term incentive compensation expenses associated with the EQT long-term incentive plan, which expense was not allocable to the Partnership subsequent to the IPO. The storage reserve was established for

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

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

 

the recovery of base storage gas from excess customer retention provided in the Company’s 2006 rate settlement. The reduction to this reserve at March 31, 2013 is the result of recovering additional base storage gas. These expense reductions were partly offset by increased expenses associated with being a publicly traded partnership of $0.4 million and $0.4 million due to the additional costs attributable to the Sunrise Pipeline.

 

Other income primarily represents the equity portion of AFUDC, which generally increases during periods of increased construction and decreases during periods of reduced construction. The decrease in other income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012 primarily resulted from a decrease in applicable construction expenditures in connection with the completion of the Sunrise Pipeline project, which was placed into service on July 28, 2012.

 

Interest expense was $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, interest expense primarily consisted of $4.0 million related to the interest portion of the Sunrise Pipeline lease payments and $0.2 million related to commitment fees paid to maintain availability under the Company’s credit facility. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, interest expense related to intercompany debt which was repaid in June 2012.

 

No income tax expense was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The Predecessor’s financial statements include U.S. federal and state income tax expense. Due to the Company’s post-IPO limited partnership structure, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes and therefore no income tax expense was recorded in the first quarter of 2013.

 

See “Investing Activities” and “Capital Requirements” in the “Capital Resources and Liquidity” section below for a discussion of capital expenditures.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as net income plus net interest expense, income tax expense (if applicable), depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash long-term compensation expense and other non-cash adjustments (if applicable) less other income and the Sunrise Pipeline lease payment. As used herein, the Company defines distributable cash flow as adjusted EBITDA less net cash paid for interest expense, ongoing maintenance capital expenditures and income taxes (if applicable).  Distributable cash flow should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount of cash that the Company has available for distributions or that the Company plans to distribute. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures that management and external users of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, use to assess:

 

·                  the Company’s operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships in the midstream energy industry, without regard to historical cost basis or, in the case of adjusted EBITDA, financing methods;

 

·                  the ability of the Company’s assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to the Company’s unitholders;

 

·                  the Company’s ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; and

 

·                  the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities.

 

The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow provide useful information to investors in assessing the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow should not be considered alternatives to net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Additionally, because adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may be defined differently by other companies in its industry, the Company’s definition of adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.

 

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EQT Midstream Partners, LP

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

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

 

The following tables present a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow, which are non-GAAP financial measures, to the most comparable GAAP financial measures of net income and net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2013

 

 

 

(Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

22,230

 

Add:

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,348

 

Interest expense, net

 

4,204

 

Non-cash long-term compensation expense

 

353

 

Non-cash reserve adjustment

 

(250

)

Less:

 

 

 

Other income

 

(297

)

Sunrise Pipeline lease payment

 

(6,863

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

26,725

 

Less:

 

 

 

Cash interest, net

 

(219

)

Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures(1)

 

(2,074

)

Reimbursable plugging and abandonment (P&A) maintenance capital expenditures (2)

 

(461

)

Reimbursable bare steel maintenance capital expenditures (2)

 

(644

)

Add:

 

 

 

Reimbursement of reimbursable P&A maintenance capital expenditures (2)

 

461

 

Reimbursement of reimbursable bare steel maintenance capital expenditures (2)

 

644

 

Distributable cash flow

 

$

24,432

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2013

 

 

 

(Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

26,875

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

4,204

 

Sunrise Pipeline lease payment

 

(6,863

)

Other, including changes in working capital

 

2,509

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

26,725

 

 


(1)         Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures are expenditures (including expenditures for the construction or development of new capital assets or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets) made to maintain, over the long term, the Company’s operating capacity or operating income.

 

(2)         EQT has reimbursement obligations to the Company for certain capital expenditures for plugging and abandonment of natural gas wells and bare steel pipe replacement. For further explanation of these reimbursable maintenance capital expenditures, see the section below titled “Capital Requirements.”

 

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EQT Midstream Partners, LP

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

 

Outlook

 

The Company’s principal business objective is to increase the quarterly cash distributions that it pays to its unitholders over time while ensuring the ongoing growth of its business. The Company believes that it is well-positioned to achieve growth based on the combination of its relationship with EQT and its strategically located assets, which cover portions of the Marcellus Shale that lack substantial natural gas pipeline infrastructure. As production increases in the Company’s areas of operations, the Company believes it will have a competitive advantage in attracting volumes to its transmission and storage system through relatively low-cost capacity expansions. Additionally, the Company may acquire additional midstream assets from EQT, or pursue selected asset acquisitions from third parties, to the extent such acquisitions complement the Company’s or EQT’s existing asset base or allow the Company to capture operational efficiencies from EQT’s production. Should EQT choose to pursue midstream asset sales, it is under no contractual obligation to offer the assets to the Company.

 

In the near term, the Company expects that the following internal transmission and storage expansion projects will allow it to capitalize on increased drilling activity by EQT and other third-party producers:

 

·                  New Delivery Interconnect Expansion. The Morris III interconnect is expected to have 300 BBtu of incremental daily capacity into Texas Eastern Transmission LP at an estimated cost of approximately $3 million.  The Company expects this project will be placed into service in the second quarter of 2013.

 

·                  Low Pressure East Expansion Project. This project involves uprating or replacing 26 miles of existing transmission pipeline in Greene, Washington and Allegheny counties in Pennsylvania at a cost of approximately $25 million.  The Company expects to complete and place this project into service in the fourth quarter of 2013. When complete, this project will triple the current maximum allowable operating pressure of the pipeline, thereby creating approximately 150 BBtu per day of incremental firm transmission capacity on the system.

 

Capital Resources and Liquidity

 

Overview

 

Prior to the IPO, the Company’s primary sources of cash were proceeds from operating activities and cash contributions provided by EQT. From and after the IPO, the Company’s available sources of liquidity include cash generated from operations, $350 million available for borrowing under the Company’s credit facility, cash on hand, debt offerings and issuances of additional partnership units.

 

The Company believes that cash on hand, cash generated from operations and availability under the credit facility will be adequate to meet the Company’s operating short-term capital, debt service and cash distribution requirements. The Company believes that future internal growth projects and potential acquisitions will be funded primarily through borrowings under the credit facility or through issuances of debt securities and additional partnership units.

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $26.9 million for the first three months of 2013 compared to $11.6 million for the first three months of 2012, an increase of $15.3 million.  The increase was primarily a result of increased transmission and storage operating revenues from firm transmission service and fees associated with transported volumes in excess of firm capacity related to production development in the Marcellus play.  Additionally, other working capital fluctuations in amounts due to/from EQT affiliates, other assets and income taxes payable were related to the timing of advances from or repayments to EQT prior to the IPO.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $40.7 million to $10.5 million for the first three months of 2013 compared to $51.2 million for the first three months of 2012.  The decrease was primarily attributable to the Sunrise Pipeline project and the Blacksville Compressor Station project, both of which were completed in the third quarter of 2012.

 

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EQT Midstream Partners, LP

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

 

See further discussion of capital expenditures, including the transfer to EQT of the Sunrise Pipeline project, in the “Capital Requirements” section below.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $12.3 million for the first three months of 2013 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $39.6 million for the first three months of 2012. In the first three months of 2013, the Company paid cash distributions to unitholders of $12.4 million and made principal payments on the Sunrise Pipeline capital lease of $2.3 million. These cash outflows were partly offset by the capital contributions received from EQT of $2.4 million for reimbursement of qualifying expenditures made in the fourth quarter of 2012. EQT has reimbursement obligations to the Company for certain capital expenditures for plugging and abandonment of natural gas wells and bare steel pipe replacement. The Company may request reimbursement for these expenditures quarterly based on actual expenditures to date and projections for the applicable period. This is presented as a capital contribution from EQT and therefore is a cash inflow from financing. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company requested reimbursement of $1.1 million and expects to receive the cash from EQT in the second quarter of 2013.

 

In the first three months of 2012, the Company received advances from EQT of $39.6 million. Prior to the IPO, certain advances from affiliates were viewed as financing transactions as the Company would have otherwise obtained demand notes or term loans from EQT Capital Corporation (EQT Capital), EQT’s subsidiary finance company, to fund these transactions. Subsequent to the IPO, these transactions reflect services rendered on behalf of the Company by EQT and its affiliates for operating expenses and will be settled monthly. Therefore, these are classified as operating activities subsequent to the IPO.

 

The Company’s credit facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions and also requires maintenance of a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 5.00 to 1.00 (or, after the Company obtains an investment grade rating, of not more than 5.50 to 1.00 for certain measurement periods following the consummation of certain acquisitions) and, until the Company obtains an investment grade rating, a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00. No amounts were borrowed during the first quarter of 2013. As of March 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all existing debt provisions and covenants.

 

Capital Requirements

 

The transmission, storage and gathering businesses can be capital intensive, requiring significant investment to maintain and upgrade existing operations. Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(Thousands)

 

Expansion capital expenditures, excluding Sunrise Pipeline project

 

$

5,028

 

$

11,788

 

Sunrise Pipeline project capital expenditures

 

 

35,346

 

Maintenance capital expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

Ongoing maintenance

 

2,074

 

2,478

 

Funded regulatory compliance

 

2,278

 

 

Reimbursable P&A maintenance

 

461

 

1,518

 

Reimbursable bare steel maintenance

 

644

 

110

 

Total maintenance capital expenditures

 

5,457

 

4,106

 

Total capital expenditures

 

$

10,485

 

$

51,240

 

 

Expansion capital expenditures excluding the Sunrise Pipeline project totaled $5.0 million and $11.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to the completion of the Blacksville Compressor Station project which was placed into service during the third quarter of 2012.

 

There were no Sunrise Pipeline project capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2013. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, Sunrise Pipeline project capital expenditures were $35.3 million. On June 18,

 

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EQT Midstream Partners, LP

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

 

2012, the Company transferred ownership of the Sunrise Pipeline to EQT and therefore, the Company will have no future capital expenditures related to this project.

 

Maintenance capital expenditures are expenditures (including expenditures for the construction or development of new capital assets or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets) made to maintain, over the long term, the Company’s operating capacity or operating income. Examples of maintenance capital expenditures are expenditures to repair, refurbish and replace pipelines, to connect new wells to maintain throughput, to maintain equipment reliability, integrity and safety and to address environmental laws and regulations.

 

Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures are all maintenance capital expenditures other than funded regulatory compliance and reimbursable maintenance capital expenditures described below. Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures were $2.1 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Funded regulatory compliance capital expenditures are certain maintenance capital expenditures identified prior to the IPO that are necessary to comply with regulatory and other legal requirements.  Prior to the IPO, the Company identified two specific regulatory compliance initiatives, which will require it to expend approximately $32 million, the majority of which is expected to be incurred over the two years following the IPO.  The Company retained approximately $32 million from the net proceeds of the IPO, which the Company anticipates will fully fund these expenditures. Funded regulatory compliance capital expenditures were $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. There were no funded regulatory compliance capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was due to a recently initiated program to install remote valve and pressure monitoring equipment on the Company’s transmission and storage system.  Expenditures to relocate certain valve operators above ground and apply corrosion protection also contributed to the increase over the prior quarter.

 

Under the omnibus agreement that the Company entered into with EQT and its general partner at the closing of the IPO, EQT has reimbursement obligations to the Company related to certain capital expenditures. For a period of ten years after the closing of the IPO, EQT will reimburse the Company for plugging and abandonment expenditures and other expenditures for certain identified wells of EQT and third parties. The reimbursement obligation of EQT with respect to wells owned by third parties is capped at $1.2 million per year. Additionally, EQT has agreed to reimburse the Company for bare steel replacement capital expenditures in the event that ongoing maintenance capital expenditures (other than capital expenditures associated with plugging and abandonment liabilities to be reimbursed by EQT) exceed $17.2 million (with respect to the Company’s assets owned at the time of the IPO) in any year. If such ongoing maintenance capital expenditures and bare steel replacement capital expenditures exceed $17.2 million during any year, EQT will reimburse the Company for the lesser of (i) the amount of bare steel replacement capital expenditures during such year and (ii) the amount by which such ongoing capital expenditures and bare steel replacement capital expenditures exceeds $17.2 million. This bare steel replacement reimbursement obligation is capped at an aggregate amount of $31.5 million over the ten years following the IPO. Note that the amounts included as reimbursable maintenance for periods prior to the IPO were included for comparative purposes. As these amounts were spent in prior periods, EQT has no reimbursement obligations for them under the omnibus agreement.

 

Reimbursable P&A maintenance capital expenditures were $0.5 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a lower number of wells being plugged.  Reimbursable bare steel maintenance capital expenditures were $0.6 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase was primarily related to the timing of costs associated with this program.

 

For 2013, the Company forecasts total capital expenditures to be approximately $73 million. The Company’s future expansion capital expenditures may vary significantly from period to period based on the available investment opportunities. Maintenance related capital expenditures are expected to vary quarter to quarter. The Company expects to fund future capital expenditures through a combination of funds generated from its operations, cash on hand, borrowings under its credit facility and the issuance of additional partnership units and debt offerings.

 

Regulatory Matters

 

Equitrans previously maintained a PSCT, which enabled Equitrans to recover qualifying costs it incurred under the PSIA. The qualifying costs recoverable through the PSCT included a rate of return, taxes and depreciation associated with capital investments and actual operating and maintenance expenses incurred under the PSIA. The PSCT

 

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EQT Midstream Partners, LP

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

 

surcharge was a usage charge expressed in dollars per Dth and was assessed to firm and interruptible transmission service customers. Equitrans was required to track all expenses and capital investments associated with the PSIA made on and after September 1, 2005. Equitrans made annual filings with the FERC to adjust the PSCT surcharge to reconcile actual historic qualifying costs incurred against PSCT revenues collected.

 

On March 1, 2012, Equitrans made its annual filing with the FERC to recover costs it incurred to comply with the PSIA. The filing provided for the recovery of $10.4 million in qualifying pipeline safety costs. One customer and the Independent Oil and Gas Association filed protests which asserted, among other things, that Equitrans had not included all appropriate volumes in calculating the level of its surcharge. Equitrans responded to the protests and in an order issued March 30, 2012, the FERC accepted the annual filing and suspended it, allowing the surcharge to become effective on April 1, 2012. Equitrans submitted additional information to the FERC on April 19, 2012 with the expectation that the FERC would subsequently issue an order based on the material Equitrans submitted.

 

On January 14, 2013, following numerous discussions with its customers, Equitrans filed a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement (Settlement) with the FERC.  The Settlement, which was approved by the FERC on March 22, 2013, resolved all issues arising out of Equitrans’ 2012 PSCT annual filing. The Settlement eliminated the tracking of PSIA costs and replaced the PSCT surcharge with a Pipeline Safety Cost (PSC) rate effective April 1, 2013. The new PSC rate has both a reservation and a usage component. The reservation component of the PSC rate applicable to firm transportation service is $0.8108 per Dth of the contract Maximum Daily Quantity applicable to service provided on the mainline system, and the usage component is $0.1372 per Dth delivered to the customer. The PSC rate applicable to interruptible over firm service, no-notice firm transportation service nominated on a point to point basis and interruptible service is $0.1372 per Dth delivered to the customer. Additionally, under the Settlement, Equitrans reduced its transmission retainage factor approved in Equitrans’ most recent 2006 rate case from 3.72% to 2.72% effective February 1, 2013. Equitrans no longer tracks its continued recovery of base storage gas, and the base storage gas recovery limit established in the 2006 rate case settlement has been eliminated. To the extent that Equitrans over-recovers its actual fuel and lost gas, the excess gas could be used to replenish the storage base gas. The PSC rate and transmission retainage factor will be in effect for a minimum of three years.

 

Distributions

 

A cash distribution to unitholders of $0.35 per unit was paid on February 14, 2013 related to the fourth quarter of 2012. On April 23, 2013, the Company announced that the Board of Directors of its general partner declared a cash distribution to the Company’s unitholders of $0.37 per unit related to the first quarter of 2013.  The cash distribution is payable on May 15, 2013 to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 6, 2013.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Company.  While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the Company is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings.  The Company accrues legal or other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred.  The Company has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters and after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against the Company will not materially affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Company’s critical accounting policies are described in the notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Any new accounting policies or updates to existing accounting policies as a result of new accounting pronouncements have been included in the notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements on this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013.  The application of the Company’s critical accounting policies may require management to make judgments and estimates about the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements.  Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates and judgments.  Different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and estimates.

 

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EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

Other than the base gas the Company purchases and uses in its natural gas storage facilities, which is necessary to maintain pressure and deliverability in its storage pools, and purchases of a small amount of natural gas for system operations, the Company generally does not take title to the natural gas that is stored or transported on its transmission system; accordingly, the Company is not exposed to commodity price fluctuations on natural gas stored in its facilities or transported through its pipelines by its customers. Base gas purchased and used in natural gas storage facilities, which was generally purchased more than 30 years ago, is considered a long-term asset and is not re-valued at current market prices. A certain amount of gas is naturally lost in connection with transporting natural gas across a pipeline system, and under the Company’s contractual arrangements with its customers the Company is entitled to retain a specified volume of natural gas in order to compensate the Company for such lost and unaccounted for volumes as well as its fuel usage. Historically the natural gas volumes retained from the Company’s transmission and storage customers as compensation for its fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes pursuant to the Company’s transmission and storage agreements have been sufficient to cover its fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes on the transmission and storage system. However, fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes on its gathering system have historically exceeded the natural gas volumes retained from the Company’s gathering customers as compensation for its fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes pursuant to its gathering agreements. As a consequence, the Company has purchased natural gas to make up for the difference.  For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s actual fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes exceeded the amounts recovered from its gathering customers for which the Company recognized $1.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of purchased gas cost as a component of operating and maintenance expense.  Except for the base gas in its natural gas storage facilities, which the Company considers to be a long-term asset, and volume and pricing variations related to the volumes of fuel purchased to make up for fuel usage and lost and unaccounted for volumes in excess of amounts recovered from customers, the Company’s current business model is designed to minimize its exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices. As a result, absent other market factors that could adversely impact its operations, changes in the price of natural gas over the intermediate term should not materially impact the Company’s operations. The Company has not historically engaged in material commodity hedging activities relating to its assets. However, the Company may engage in commodity hedging activities in the future, particularly if it undertakes growth projects or engages in acquisitions that expose it to direct commodity price risk.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Prior to the IPO, the Company’s operating and acquisition activities were funded through intercompany borrowings with EQT at market rates.  At the closing of the IPO on July 2, 2012, the Company entered into a new $350 million revolving credit facility. The Company may from time to time hedge the interest on portions of its borrowings under the revolving credit facility in order to manage risks associated with floating interest rates.

 

Credit Risk

 

The Company is exposed to credit risk. Credit risk represents the loss that it would incur if a counterparty fails to perform under its contractual obligations. Approximately 90% and 87% of the Company’s third party accounts receivable balances of $4.5 million and $3.7 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, represent amounts due from marketers. The Company manages its exposure to credit risk associated with customers to whom it extends credit through credit analysis, credit approval, credit limits and monitoring procedures. For certain transactions, the Company may request letters of credit, cash collateral, prepayments or guarantees as forms of credit support. The Company’s tariff requires customers that do not meet specified credit standards to provide three months of credit support; however, the Company is exposed to credit risk beyond this three month period when its tariff does not require its customers to provide additional credit support. For some of the Company’s more recent long-term contracts associated with system expansions, it has entered into negotiated credit agreements that provide for enhanced forms of credit support if certain credit standards are not met. The Company has historically experienced only minimal credit losses in connection with its receivables. In connection with the IPO, EQT guaranteed all payment obligations, up to a maximum of $50 million, due and payable to Equitrans by EQT Energy, one of Equitrans’ largest customers. The EQT guaranty will terminate on November 30, 2023 unless terminated earlier by EQT by providing 10 days written notice.  At March 31, 2013, EQT’s public senior debt had an investment grade credit rating.

 

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EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of management of the Company’s general partner, including the general partner’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)), was conducted as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company’s general partner have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the first quarter of 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Company. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the Company is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. The Company accrues legal or other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. The Company has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters, and after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, the Company believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against the Company will not materially affect the business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Information regarding risk factors is discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.  There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

  31.1

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

 

 

  31.2

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

 

  32

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer

 

 

  101

Interactive Data File

 

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Signature

 

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.

 

 

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

Philip P. Conti

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Date: April 25, 2013

 

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

 

Document Description

 

Method of Filing

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.1

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.2

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 32

 

 

 

 

 

101

 

Interactive Data File

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 101

 

30