Alon USA Partners, LP - FORM 10-Q

Attached files

file	filename
EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION - Alon USA Partners, LP	aldw-ex311_2014331xq1.htm
EX-32.1 - CERTIFICATION - Alon USA Partners, LP	aldw-ex321_2014331xq1.htm
EX-31.2 - CERTIFICATION - Alon USA Partners, LP	aldw-ex312_2014331xq1.htm
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - Alon USA Partners, LP	Financial_Report.xls

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

___________________________________________________

FORM 10-Q



þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
		FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2014



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: 001-35742

ALON USA PARTNERS, LP

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

___________________________________________________



Delaware		46-0810241
(State of organization)		(I.R.S. Employer
		Identification No.)

12700 Park Central Dr., Suite 1600, Dallas, Texas 75251

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(972) 367-3600

(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 þ 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 þ 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 þ	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o

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

The number of the Registrant’s common limited partner units outstanding as of May 1, 2014, was 62,502,467.

TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION	1
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	1
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS	2
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS	3
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	4
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	12
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	12
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	22
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	23
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION	24
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS	24
SIGNATURES	25

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands)



	March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	168,348	$	153,583
Accounts and other receivables, net	136,379		123,781
Accounts and other receivables, net - related parties	15,776		14,621
Inventories	50,636		49,146
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,759		4,642
Total current assets	377,898		345,773
Property, plant and equipment, net	464,649		472,885
Other assets, net	42,048		31,266
Total assets	$	884,595	$	849,924
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	288,128	$	280,774
Accrued liabilities	33,071		44,492
Current portion of long-term debt	2,500		2,500
Total current liabilities	323,699		327,766
Other non-current liabilities	43,131		34,894
Long-term debt	341,332		341,822
Total liabilities	708,162		704,482
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Partners’ equity:
General Partner	—		—
Common unitholders - 62,502,467 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	176,433		145,442
Total partners’ equity	176,433		145,442
Total liabilities and partners’ equity	$	884,595	$	849,924

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except per unit data)



	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2014			2013
Net sales (1)	$	856,460		$	804,167
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	759,046			650,203
Direct operating expenses	28,941			30,422
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,368			7,665
Depreciation and amortization	10,067			12,064
Total operating costs and expenses	802,422			700,354
Operating income	54,038			103,813
Interest expense	(11,324		)	(9,392		)
Other income, net	12			4
Income before state income tax expense	42,726			94,425
State income tax expense	485			900
Net income	$	42,241		$	93,525
Earnings per unit	$	0.68		$	1.50
Weighted average common units outstanding (in thousands)	62,502			62,501
Cash distribution per unit	$	0.18		$	0.57

___________


(1)	Includes sales to related parties of $139,013 and $141,899 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited, dollars in thousands)

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2014			2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	42,241		$	93,525
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	10,067			12,064
Amortization of debt issuance costs	506			498
Amortization of original issuance discount	135			124
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables, net	(12,598		)	(2,506		)
Accounts and other receivables, net - related parties	(1,155		)	(3,140		)
Inventories	(1,490		)	5,179
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(2,117		)	3,319
Other assets, net	(239		)	1,060
Accounts payable	11,364			60,439
Accrued liabilities	(9,684		)	(5,682		)
Other non-current liabilities	8,237			1,766
Net cash provided by operating activities	45,267			166,646
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(4,162		)	(2,941		)
Capital expenditures for turnarounds and catalysts	(14,465		)	(3,778		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(18,627		)	(6,719		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Distributions paid to unitholders	(2,070		)	(6,556		)
Distributions paid to unitholders - Alon Energy	(9,180		)	(29,070		)
Deferred debt issuance costs	—			(205		)
Revolving credit facility, net	—			1,000
Payments on long-term debt	(625		)	(625		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(11,875		)	(35,456		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	14,765			124,471
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	153,583			66,001
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	168,348		$	190,472
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	$	12,097		$	9,487
Cash paid for income tax	$	485		$	900

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except as noted)


(1)	Basis of Presentation

As used in this report, the terms “Alon,” the “Partnership,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Alon USA Partners, LP, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries or all of them taken as a whole. References in this report to “Alon Energy” refer collectively to Alon USA Energy, Inc. and any of its subsidiaries, other than Alon USA Partners, LP, its subsidiaries and its general partner.

Alon is a Delaware limited partnership formed in August 2012 by Alon Energy and its wholly-owned subsidiary Alon USA Partners GP, LLC (the “General Partner”). On November 26, 2012, we completed our initial public offering of 11,500,000 common units representing limited partner interests.

These consolidated financial statements and notes are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements.

In the opinion of the General Partner’s management, the information included in these consolidated financial statements reflects all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of our consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year balances may have been aggregated or disaggregated in order to conform to the current year presentation. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be obtained for the year ending December 31, 2014.

The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.


(2)	Fair Value

We determine fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We classify financial assets and financial liabilities into the following fair value hierarchy:


•	Level 1 - valued based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;


•	Level 2 - valued based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and


•	Level 3 - valued based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

As required, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs (levels 1 and 2) and minimize the use of unobservable inputs (level 3) within the fair value hierarchy. We generally apply the “market approach” to determine fair value. This method uses pricing and other information generated by market transactions for identical or comparable assets and liabilities. Assets and liabilities are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level (least observable) input that is significant to the measurement in its entirety.

The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities. The reported amounts of long-term debt approximate fair value. Derivative instruments are carried at fair value, which are based on quoted market prices. Derivative instruments and the Renewable Identification Numbers (“RINs”) obligation are our only assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

The RINs obligation represents the period-end deficit for the purchase of RINs necessary to satisfy the requirement to blend biofuels into the products we have produced. Our RINs obligation is based on the RINs deficit and the price of those RINs as of the balance sheet date. The RINs obligation is categorized as level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and is measured at fair value using the market approach based on quoted prices from an independent pricing service.

Table of Contents

ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except as noted)

The following table sets forth the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, by input level, in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:



	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
As of March 31, 2014
Liabilities:
Commodity contracts (futures and forwards)	$	813	$	—	$	—	$	813
Fair value hedge	—		3,127		—		3,127

As of December 31, 2013
Assets:
Commodity contracts (futures and forwards)	$	22	$	—	$	—	$	22
Liabilities:
Fair value hedge	—		2,304		—		2,304
RINs obligation	—		334		—		334


(3)	Derivative Financial Instruments

Mark to Market

Commodity Derivatives. We selectively utilize crude oil and refined product commodity derivative contracts to reduce the risk associated with potential price changes on committed obligations. We do not speculate using derivative instruments. Credit risk on our derivative instruments is mitigated by transacting with counterparties meeting established collateral and credit criteria.

Fair Value Hedge

Fair value hedges are used to hedge price volatility of certain refining inventories and firm commitments to purchase inventories. The gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated and qualifying as a fair value hedge, as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, is recognized in earnings in the same period.

As of March 31, 2014, we have accounted for certain commodity contracts as fair value hedges with contract purchase volumes of 312 thousand barrels of crude oil with remaining contract terms through May 2019.

The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of financial position:



	As of March 31, 2014
	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet
	Location	Fair Value		Location	Fair Value
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts (futures and forwards)		$	—	Accrued liabilities	$	813
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	—		$	813

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Fair value hedge		$	—	Other non-current liabilities	$	3,127
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		—			3,127
Total derivatives		$	—		$	3,940

Table of Contents

ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except as noted)



	As of December 31, 2013
	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Balance Sheet			Balance Sheet
	Location	Fair Value		Location	Fair Value
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts (futures and forwards)	Accounts receivable	$	303	Accrued liabilities	$	281
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	303		$	281

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Fair value hedge		$	—	Other non-current liabilities	$	2,304
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		—			2,304
Total derivatives		$	303		$	2,585

The following tables present the effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of operations:

Derivatives in fair value hedging relationships:



		Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	Location	2014			2013
Fair value hedge	Cost of sales	$	(823	)	$	(1,594	)
Total derivatives		$	(823	)	$	(1,594	)

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:



		Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	Location	2014		2013
Commodity contracts (futures & forwards)	Cost of sales	$	623	$	7,651
Total derivatives		$	623	$	7,651

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

Our derivative financial instruments are subject to master netting arrangements to manage counterparty credit risk associated with derivatives and we offset the fair value amounts recorded for derivative instruments to the extent possible under these agreements on our consolidated balance sheets.

Table of Contents

ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except as noted)

The following table presents offsetting information regarding our derivatives by type of transaction as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:



	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities		Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position			Net Amounts of Assets/Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Position		Gross Amounts Not offset in the Statement of Financial Position					Net Amount
	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities		Gross Amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Position					Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
As of March 31, 2014
Commodity Derivative Assets:
Futures & forwards	$	43	$	(43	)	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
Commodity Derivative Liabilities:
Futures & forwards	$	856	$	(43	)	$	813	$	—		$	—	$	813
Fair value hedge	3,127		—			3,127		—			—		3,127

As of December 31, 2013
Commodity Derivative Assets:
Futures & forwards	$	514	$	(211	)	$	303	$	(281	)	$	—	$	22
Commodity Derivative Liabilities:
Futures & forwards	$	492	$	(211	)	$	281	$	(281	)	$	—	$	—
Fair value hedge	2,304		—			2,304		—			—		2,304

Compliance Program Market Risk

We are obligated by government regulations to blend a certain percentage of biofuels into the products we produce that are consumed in the U.S. We purchase biofuels from third parties and blend those biofuels into our products, and each gallon of biofuel purchased includes a RIN. To the degree we are unable to blend biofuels at the required percentage, a RINs deficit is generated and we must acquire that number of RINs by the annual reporting deadline in order to remain in compliance with applicable regulations.

We are exposed to market risk related to the volatility in the price of credits needed to comply with these government regulations. We manage this risk by purchasing RINs when prices are deemed favorable utilizing fixed price purchase contracts. Some of these contracts are derivative instruments; however, we elect the normal purchase and sale exception and do not record these contracts at their fair values.

The cost of meeting our obligations under these compliance programs was $2,926 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. This amount is reflected in cost of sales. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, we utilized carryover RINs from 2012 to completely offset our RINs deficit.


(4)	Inventories

Our inventories (including inventory consigned to others) are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined under the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for crude oil, refined products and blendstock inventories. Materials and supplies are stated at average cost.

Carrying value of inventories consisted of the following:



	March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
Crude oil, refined products and blendstocks	$	21,202	$	25,246
Crude oil inventory consigned to others	20,063		14,214
Materials and supplies	9,371		9,686
Total inventories	$	50,636	$	49,146

Market values of crude oil, refined products and blendstock inventories exceeded LIFO costs by $25,979 and $21,216 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

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ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except as noted)


(5)	Inventory Financing Agreement

The Partnership has entered into a Supply and Offtake Agreement and other associated agreements (together the “Supply and Offtake Agreement”) with J. Aron & Company (“J. Aron”). Pursuant to the Supply and Offtake Agreement, (i) J. Aron agreed to sell to us, and we agreed to buy from J. Aron, at market prices, crude oil for processing at the Big Spring refinery and (ii) we agreed to sell to J. Aron, and J. Aron agreed to buy from us, at market prices, certain refined products produced at the Big Spring refinery.

The Supply and Offtake Agreement also provided for the sale, at market prices, of our crude oil and certain refined product inventories to J. Aron, the lease to J. Aron of crude oil and refined product storage facilities, and to identify prospective purchasers of refined products on J. Aron’s behalf. The Supply and Offtake Agreement has an initial term that expires in May 2019. J. Aron may elect to terminate the Supply and Offtake Agreement prior to the expiration of the initial term beginning in May 2016 and upon each anniversary thereof, on six months prior notice. We may elect to terminate in May 2018 on six months prior notice.

Following expiration or termination of the Supply and Offtake Agreement, we are obligated to purchase the crude oil and refined product inventories then owned by J. Aron and located at the Big Spring refinery.

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had net current receivables of $15,094 and $11,640, respectively, from J. Aron for sales and purchases, non-current liabilities related to the original financing of $32,697 and $24,482, respectively, and a consignment inventory receivable representing a deposit paid to J. Aron of $6,290 and $6,290, respectively.

Additionally, we had current payables of $628 and $263 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, for forward commitments related to month-end consignment inventory target levels differing from projected levels and the associated pricing with these inventory level differences.


(6)	Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following:



	March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
Refining facilities	$	677,531		$	677,085
Accumulated depreciation	(212,882		)	(204,200		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	464,649		$	472,885


(7)	Additional Financial Information

The tables that follow provide additional financial information related to the consolidated financial statements.


(a)	Other Assets, Net



	March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
Deferred debt issuance costs	$	7,276	$	7,782
Receivable from supply agreement	6,290		6,290
Deferred turnaround and catalyst cost	19,384		7,774
Other	9,098		9,420
Total other assets	$	42,048	$	31,266

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ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except as noted)


(b)	Accrued Liabilities and Other Non-Current Liabilities



	March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
Accrued Liabilities:
Taxes other than income taxes, primarily excise taxes	$	23,880	$	30,354
Accrued finance charges	870		1,365
Environmental accrual (Note 11)	1,307		1,307
Commodity contracts	813		281
Other	6,201		11,185
Total accrued liabilities	$	33,071	$	44,492

Other Non-Current Liabilities:
Consignment inventory obligation	$	32,697	$	24,482
Environmental accrual (Note 11)	5,640		5,640
Asset retirement obligations	1,995		1,973
Other	2,799		2,799
Total other non-current liabilities	$	43,131	$	34,894


(8)	Indebtedness

Debt consisted of the following:



	March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
Term loan credit facility	$	243,832	$	244,322
Revolving credit facility	100,000		100,000
Total debt	343,832		344,322
Less: Current portion	2,500		2,500
Total long-term debt	$	341,332	$	341,822

Outstanding letters of credit under the revolving credit facility were $103,363 and $109,772 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Our revolving credit facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including maintenance financial covenants. At March 31, 2014, we were in compliance with these covenants.


(9)	Partners' Equity (unit values in dollars)

Cash Distributions

We have adopted a policy pursuant to which we will distribute all of the available cash generated each quarter, as defined in the partnership agreement and subject to the approval of the board of directors of the General Partner. The per unit amount of available cash to be distributed each quarter, if any, will be distributed within 60 days following the end of such quarter.

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we paid cash distributions of $11,250, or $0.18 per unit. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we paid cash distributions of $35,626, or $0.57 per unit.


(10)	Related-Party Transactions

Sales and Receivables

Sales to related parties include motor fuels and asphalt sold to other Alon Energy subsidiaries at prices substantially determined by reference to market commodity pricing information. These sales are included in net sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Accounts receivable from related parties include sales of motor fuels and are shown separately on the consolidated balance sheets.

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ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except as noted)

Costs Allocated from Alon Energy


(a)	Corporate Overhead Allocations

The Partnership is a subsidiary of Alon Energy and is operated as a component of the integrated operations of Alon Energy. As such, the executive officers of Alon Energy, who are employed by another subsidiary of Alon Energy, also serve as executive officers of the General Partner and Alon Energy’s other subsidiaries. Alon Energy performs general corporate and administrative services and functions for us and their other subsidiaries, which include accounting, treasury, cash management, tax, information technology, insurance administration and claims processing, legal, environmental, risk management, audit, payroll and employee benefit processing and internal audit services. Alon Energy allocates the expenses actually incurred in performing these services to the Partnership based primarily on the estimated amount of time the individuals performing such services devote to our business and affairs relative to the amount of time they devote to the business and affairs of Alon Energy’s other subsidiaries. The management of Alon Energy and the General Partner consider these allocations to be reasonable. We record the amount of such allocations to our consolidated financial statements as selling, general and administrative expenses. Our allocation for selling, general and administrative expenses was $2,743 and $2,915 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.


(b)	Labor Costs

We have no employees and, as a result, actual employee expense costs for Alon Energy employees working in our operations have been allocated and recorded as payroll expense and included in direct operating expenses within the consolidated statements of operations. Our share of Alon Energy’s employee expense costs included in direct operating expenses were $6,615 and $6,308 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.


(c)	Insurance Costs

Insurance costs related to the Big Spring refinery and wholesale marketing operations are allocated to us by Alon Energy based on estimated insurance premiums on a stand-alone basis relative to Alon Energy’s total insurance premium. Our allocation for insurance costs included in direct operating expenses was $1,818 and $2,604 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Distributions

In March 2014, we paid a cash distribution of $11,250, of which $9,180 was paid to Alon Energy. In March 2013, we paid a cash distribution of $35,626, of which $29,070 was paid to Alon Energy.


(11)	Commitments and Contingencies


(a)	Commitments

In the normal course of business, we have long-term commitments to purchase, at market prices, utilities such as natural gas, electricity and water for use by our refinery, terminals and pipelines. We are also party to various refined product and crude oil supply and exchange agreements. These agreements are typically short-term in nature or provide terms for cancellation.


(b)	Contingencies

The Partnership is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. We believe the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.


(c)	Environmental

We are subject to loss contingencies pursuant to federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations govern the discharge of materials into the environment and may require us to incur future obligations to investigate the effects of the release or disposal of certain petroleum, chemical, and mineral substances at various sites; to remediate or restore these sites and to compensate others for damage to property and natural resources. These contingent obligations relate to sites owned by the Partnership and are associated with past or present operations. We are currently participating in environmental investigations, assessments and cleanups pertaining to the refinery, pipelines and terminals. We may be involved in additional future environmental investigations, assessments and cleanups. The magnitude of future costs are unknown and will depend on factors such as the nature and contamination at many sites, the timing, extent and method of the remedial actions which may be required, and the determination of our liability in proportion to other responsible parties.

Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their future economic benefit. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and that have no future economic benefit are expensed. Liabilities for expenditures of a non-capital nature are recorded when environmental assessment and/or remediation is probable, and the costs

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ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

(unaudited, dollars in thousands except as noted)

can be reasonably estimated. Substantially all amounts accrued are expected to be paid out over the next 15 years. The level of future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations is impossible to determine with any degree of reliability.

We accrued environmental remediation obligations of $6,947 ($1,307 accrued liability and $5,640 non-current liability) at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.


(12)	Subsequent Event

Distribution Declared

On May 1, 2014, the board of directors of the General Partner declared a cash distribution to our common unitholders of approximately $43,125, or $0.69 per common unit. The cash distribution will be paid on May 21, 2014 to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 14, 2014.

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ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

References in this report to “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms, refer to Alon USA Partners, LP and its subsidiaries, also referred to as the “Partnership” or “Alon.” Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this report to “Alon Energy” refers to Alon USA Energy, Inc. and any of its subsidiaries other than the Partnership, its subsidiaries and its general partner.

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this report and other materials we file with the SEC, or in other written or oral statements made by us, other than statements of historical fact, are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to matters such as our industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other financial and operating information. We have used the words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “budget,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” “future” and similar terms and phrases to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations of future events, results or outcomes. These expectations may or may not be realized. Some of these expectations may be based upon assumptions or judgments that prove to be incorrect. In addition, our business and operations involve numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could result in our expectations not being realized or otherwise materially affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Actual events, results and outcomes may differ materially from our expectations due to a variety of factors. Although it is not possible to identify all of these factors, they include, among others, the following:


•	changes in general economic conditions and capital markets;


•	changes in the underlying demand for our products;


•	the availability, costs and price volatility of crude oil, other refinery feedstocks and refined products;


•	changes in the spread between West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) Cushing crude oil and West Texas Sour (“WTS”) crude oil or WTI Midland crude oil;


•	changes in the spread between Brent crude oil and WTI Cushing crude oil;


•	the effects of transactions involving forward contracts and derivative instruments;


•	actions of customers and competitors;


•	termination of our Supply and Offtake Agreement with J. Aron & Company (“J. Aron”), under which J. Aron is our largest supplier of crude oil and our largest customer of refined products. Additionally, we are obligated to repurchase all consigned inventories and certain other inventories upon termination of the Supply and Offtake Agreement;


•	changes in fuel and utility costs incurred by our refinery;


•	disruptions due to equipment interruption, pipeline disruptions or failure at our or third-party facilities;


•	the execution of planned capital projects;


•	adverse changes in the credit ratings assigned to our trade credit and debt instruments;


•	the effects of and cost of compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standards 2 (“RFS2”) requirements, including the availability, cost and price volatility of Renewable Identification Numbers (“RINs”);


•	the effects and cost of compliance with current and future state and federal environmental, economic, safety and other laws, policies and regulations;


•	operating hazards, natural disasters, casualty losses and other matters beyond our control;


•	the effect of any national or international financial crisis on our business and financial condition; and


•	the other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 under the caption “Risk Factors.”

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Any one of these factors or a combination of these factors could materially affect our future results of operations and could influence whether any forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be accurate. Our forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results and future performance may differ materially from those suggested in any forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update these statements unless we are required by the securities laws to do so.

Company Overview

On November 26, 2012, we completed our initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 11,500,000 common units representing limited partner interests. After completion of the Offering, Alon Energy contributed to us its equity interests in Alon USA, LP and Alon USA Refining, LLC.

We are a Delaware limited partnership formed in August 2012 by Alon USA Energy, Inc. (NYSE: ALJ) (“Alon Energy”) to own, operate and grow our strategically located refining and petroleum products marketing business. Our integrated downstream business operates primarily in the South Central and Southwestern regions of the United States. We own and operate a crude oil refinery in Big Spring, Texas with total crude oil throughput capacity of approximately 70,000 barrels per day (“bpd”), which we refer to as our Big Spring refinery. We refine crude oil into finished products, which we market primarily in West and Central Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona through our wholesale distribution network to both Alon Energy’s retail convenience stores and other third-party distributors.

We sell refined products in both the wholesale rack and bulk markets. We focus our marketing of transportation fuels on West and Central Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona through our physically-integrated refining and distribution system. We distribute fuel products through a product pipeline and terminal network of seven pipelines and five terminals that we own or access through leases or long-term throughput agreements.

First Quarter Operational and Financial Highlights

Operating income for the first quarter of 2014 was $54.0 million, compared to operating income of $103.8 million for the same period last year. Our operational and financial highlights for the first quarter of 2014 include the following:


•	Big Spring refinery average throughput for the first quarter of 2014 was 73,296 bpd compared to 59,476 bpd for the first quarter of 2013. The increased throughput rate for the first quarter of 2014 was primarily due to unplanned downtime that occurred during the first quarter of 2013.

•

Operating margin at the Big Spring refinery was $14.77 per barrel for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $28.76 per barrel for the same period in 2013. This decrease in operating margin was primarily due to lower Gulf Coast 3/2/1 crack spreads and a narrowing of both the WTI Cushing to WTS spread and the WTI Cushing to WTI Midland spread. The average WTI Cushing to WTS spread for the first quarter of 2014 was $3.67 per barrel compared to $11.41 per barrel for the same period in 2013. The WTI Cushing to WTI Midland for the first quarter of 2014 was $3.54 per barrel compared to $7.72 per barrel for the same period in 2013.


•	The average Gulf Coast 3/2/1 crack spread was $16.81 per barrel for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $28.40 per barrel for the first quarter of 2013, which was primarily influenced by a reduction in the Brent to WTI Cushing spread. The average Brent to WTI Cushing spread for the first quarter of 2014 was $10.46 per barrel compared to $19.25 per barrel for the same period in 2013.


•	RINs costs for the first quarter of 2014 were $2.9 million. For the first quarter of 2013, we utilized carryover RINs from 2012 to completely offset our RINs deficit.


•	During the first quarter of 2014, we paid cash distributions of $11.3 million, or $0.18 per unit.

Major Influences on Results of Operations

Earnings and cash flow are primarily affected by the difference between refined product prices and the prices for crude oil and other feedstocks. These prices depend on numerous factors beyond our control, including the supply of, and demand for, crude oil, gasoline and other refined products which, in turn, depend on, among other factors, changes in domestic and foreign economies, weather conditions, domestic and foreign political affairs, production levels, the availability of imports, the marketing of competitive fuels and government regulation. While our sales and operating revenues fluctuate significantly with movements in crude oil and refined product prices, it is the spread between crude oil and refined product prices, and not necessarily fluctuations in those prices, that affect our earnings.

In order to measure our operating performance, we compare our per barrel refinery operating margin to certain industry benchmarks. We calculate this margin for the Big Spring refinery by dividing the refinery’s gross margin by its throughput volumes. Gross margin is the difference between net sales and cost of sales.

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We compare our Big Spring refinery operating margin to the Gulf Coast 3/2/1 crack spread, which is intended to approximate the refinery’s crude slate and product yield. A Gulf Coast 3/2/1 crack spread is calculated assuming that three barrels of WTI Cushing crude oil are converted, or cracked, into two barrels of Gulf Coast conventional gasoline and one barrel of Gulf Coast ultra-low sulfur diesel.

Our Big Spring refinery is capable of processing substantial volumes of sour crude oil, which has historically cost less than intermediate and sweet crude oils. We measure the cost advantage of refining sour crude oil by calculating the difference between the price of WTI Cushing crude oil and the price of WTS, a medium, sour crude oil. We refer to this differential as the WTI Cushing/WTS, or sweet/sour, spread. A widening of the sweet/sour spread can favorably influence the operating margin for our Big Spring refinery. The Big Spring refinery’s crude oil input is primarily comprised of WTS and WTI Midland priced crude oil.

In addition, we have been able to capitalize on the oversupply of West Texas crudes in Midland, the largest origination terminal for West Texas crude oil, resulting from increased production in the Permian Basin coupled with infrastructure constraints in Cushing, Oklahoma. Although West Texas crudes are typically transported to Cushing for sale, current logistical and infrastructure constraints at Cushing are limiting the ability of Permian Basin producers to transport their production to Cushing. The resulting oversupply of West Texas crudes at Midland has depressed Midland crude prices and enabled us to obtain an increased portion of our crude supply at discounted prices to Cushing. Moreover, by sourcing West Texas crude oils at Midland, we are able to eliminate the cost of transporting crude to and from Cushing. The WTI Cushing less WTI Midland spread represents the differential between the average per barrel price of WTI Cushing crude oil and the average per barrel price of WTI Midland crude oil. A widening of the WTI Cushing less WTI Midland spread can favorably influence the operating margin for our Big Spring refinery.

Global product prices are influenced by the price of Brent crude which is a global benchmark crude. Global product prices set product prices in the U.S. As a result, the Big Spring refinery is influenced by the spread between Brent crude and WTI Cushing. The Brent less WTI Cushing spread represents the differential between the average per barrel price of Brent crude oil and the average per barrel price of WTI Cushing crude oil. A widening of the spread between Brent and WTI Cushing can favorably influence the operating margins for our Big Spring refinery.

Our results of operations are also significantly affected by our refinery’s operating costs, particularly the cost of natural gas used for fuel and the cost of electricity. Natural gas prices have historically been volatile. Typically, electricity prices fluctuate with natural gas prices.

Demand for gasoline products is generally higher during summer months than during winter months due to seasonal increases in highway traffic. As a result, our operating results for the first and fourth calendar quarters are generally lower than those for the second and third calendar quarters. The effects of seasonal demand for gasoline are partially offset by seasonality in demand for diesel, which in our region is generally higher in winter months as east-west trucking traffic moves south to avoid winter conditions on northern routes.

Safety, reliability and the environmental performance of our refinery is critical to our financial performance. The financial impact of planned downtime, such as a turnaround or major maintenance project, is mitigated through a diligent planning process that considers expectations for product availability, margin environment and the availability of resources to perform the required maintenance.

The nature of our business requires us to maintain substantial quantities of crude oil and refined product inventories. Crude oil and refined products are commodities, and we have no control over the changing market value of these inventories. Because our inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market value under the LIFO inventory valuation methodology, price fluctuations generally have little effect on our financial results.

Factors Affecting Comparability

Our financial condition and operating results over the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 have been influenced by the following factors which are fundamental to understanding comparisons of our period-to-period financial performance.

Maintenance and Reduced Crude Oil Throughput

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Big Spring refinery was shut down for eleven days to perform maintenance on the crude vacuum tower as well as complete a reformer catalyst regeneration and a diesel hydro-treater catalyst replacement.

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Renewable Fuel Standard

RINs costs for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $2.9 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, we utilized carryover RINs from 2012 to completely offset our RINs deficit.

Results of Operations

The period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations have been prepared using the historical periods included in our consolidated financial statements. We refer to our financial statement line items in the explanation of our period-to-period changes in results of operations. Below are general definitions of what those line items include and represent.

Net sales. Net sales consist principally of sales of refined petroleum products and are mainly affected by refined product prices, changes to the product mix and volume changes caused by operations. Product mix refers to the percentage of production represented by higher value motor fuels, such as gasoline, rather than lower value finished products.

Cost of sales. Cost of sales includes principally crude oil, blending materials, other raw materials and transportation costs. Cost of sales excludes depreciation and amortization, which is presented separately in the consolidated statements of operations.

Direct operating expenses. Direct operating expenses include costs associated with the actual operations of the refinery, such as energy and utility costs, routine maintenance, labor, insurance and environmental compliance costs. All operating costs associated with our crude oil and product pipelines are considered to be transportation costs and are reflected in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A, primarily include corporate overhead costs and marketing expenses. These costs also include actual costs incurred by Alon Energy and allocated to us.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization represents an allocation to expense within the consolidated statements of operations of the carrying value of capital assets. The value is allocated based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset. Depreciation and amortization also includes deferred turnaround and catalyst replacement costs. Turnaround and catalyst replacement costs are currently deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis beginning the month after the completion of the turnaround and ending immediately prior to the next scheduled turnaround.

Operating income. Operating income represents our net sales less our total operating costs and expenses.

Interest expense. Interest expense includes interest expense, letters of credit, financing costs associated with crude oil purchases, financing fees, and amortization of both original issuance discount and deferred debt issuance costs but excludes capitalized interest.

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ALON USA PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED

Summary Financial Tables. The following tables provide summary financial data and selected key operating statistics for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The following data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. All information in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” except for Balance Sheet data as of December 31, 2013 is unaudited.



	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2014			2013
	(dollars in thousands, except per unit data, per barrel data and pricing statistics)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net sales (1)	$	856,460		$	804,167
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	759,046			650,203
Direct operating expenses	28,941			30,422
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,368			7,665
Depreciation and amortization	10,067			12,064
Total operating costs and expenses	802,422			700,354
Operating income	54,038			103,813
Interest expense	(11,324		)	(9,392		)
Other income, net	12			4
Income before state income tax expense	42,726			94,425
State income tax expense	485			900
Net income	$	42,241		$	93,525
Earnings per unit	$	0.68		$	1.50
Weighted average common units outstanding (in thousands)	62,502			62,501
Cash distribution per unit	$	0.18		$	0.57
CASH FLOW DATA:
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	45,267		$	166,646
Investing activities	(18,627		)	(6,719		)
Financing activities	(11,875		)	(35,456		)
OTHER DATA:
Adjusted EBITDA (2)	$	64,117		$	115,881
Capital expenditures	4,162			2,941
Capital expenditures for turnarounds and catalysts	14,465			3,778
KEY OPERATING STATISTICS:
Per barrel of throughput:
Refinery operating margin (3)	$	14.77		$	28.76
Refinery direct operating expense (4)	4.39			5.68
PRICING STATISTICS:
Crack spreads (per barrel):
Gulf Coast 3/2/1	$	16.81		$	28.40
WTI Cushing crude oil (per barrel)	$	98.65		$	94.27
Crude oil differentials (per barrel):
WTI Cushing less WTI Midland	$	3.54		$	7.72
WTI Cushing less WTS	3.67			11.41
Brent less WTI Cushing	10.46			19.25
Product price (dollars per gallon):
Gulf Coast unleaded gasoline	$	2.66		$	2.84
Gulf Coast ultra-low sulfur diesel	2.93			3.09
Natural gas (per MMBtu)	4.72			3.48

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	March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
BALANCE SHEET DATA (end of period):	(dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	168,348	$	153,583
Working capital	54,199		18,007
Total assets	884,595		849,924
Total debt	343,832		344,322
Total debt less cash and cash equivalents	175,484		190,739
Total partners’ equity	176,433		145,442



THROUGHPUT AND PRODUCTION DATA:	For the Three Months Ended
THROUGHPUT AND PRODUCTION DATA:	March 31,
	2014			2013
	bpd	%		bpd	%
Refinery throughput:
WTS crude	35,345	48.2		45,220	76.0
WTI crude	35,982	49.1		11,549	19.4
Blendstocks	1,969	2.7		2,707	4.6
Total refinery throughput (5)	73,296	100.0		59,476	100.0
Refinery production:
Gasoline	36,290	49.6		29,785	50.4
Diesel/jet	24,674	33.6		19,298	32.6
Asphalt	3,406	4.6		3,359	5.7
Petrochemicals	4,412	6.0		3,726	6.3
Other	4,557	6.2		2,969	5.0
Total refinery production (6)	73,339	100.0		59,137	100.0
Refinery utilization (7)		101.9	%		92.4	%


(1)	Includes sales to related parties of $139,013 and $141,899 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

(2)

Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before state income tax expense, interest expense and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under GAAP; however, the amounts included in Adjusted EBITDA are derived from amounts included in our consolidated financial statements. Our management believes that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. In addition, our management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating our operating performance compared to that of other companies in our industry because the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA generally eliminates the effects of state income tax expense, interest expense and the accounting effects of capital expenditures and acquisitions, items that may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance.

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:


•	Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;


•	Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;


•	Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in or cash requirements for our working capital needs; and


•	Our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from EBITDA calculations of other companies in our industry, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally.

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The following table reconciles net income to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively:



	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2014		2013
	(dollars in thousands)
Net income	$	42,241	$	93,525
State income tax expense	485		900
Interest expense	11,324		9,392
Depreciation and amortization	10,067		12,064
Adjusted EBITDA	$	64,117	$	115,881

(3)

Refinery operating margin is a per barrel measurement calculated by dividing the margin between net sales and cost of sales by the refinery’s throughput volumes. Industry-wide refining results are driven and measured by the margins between refined product prices and the prices for crude oil, which are referred to as crack spreads. We compare our refinery operating margin to these crack spreads to assess our operating performance relative to other participants in our industry.


(4)	Refinery direct operating expense is a per barrel measurement calculated by dividing direct operating expenses by total throughput volumes.


(5)	Total refinery throughput represents the total barrels per day of crude oil and blendstock inputs in the refinery production process.


(6)	Total refinery production represents the barrels per day of various refined products produced from processing crude and other refinery feedstocks through the crude units and other conversion units.


(7)	Refinery utilization represents average daily crude oil throughput divided by crude oil capacity, excluding planned periods of downtime for maintenance and turnarounds.

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

Net Sales. Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $856.5 million, compared to $804.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, an increase of $52.3 million. This increase was primarily due to higher refinery throughput, partially offset by lower refined product prices. Refinery throughput for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 73,296 bpd compared to 59,476 bpd for the three months ended March 31, 2013, an increase of 23.2%. The average per gallon price of Gulf Coast gasoline for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $0.18, or 6.3%, to $2.66, compared to $2.84 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The average per gallon price of Gulf Coast ultra-low sulfur diesel for the three months ended March 31, 2014 decreased $0.16, or 5.2%, to $2.93, compared to $3.09 for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $759.0 million, compared to $650.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, an increase of $108.8 million. This increase was primarily due to an increase in crude oil prices, higher refinery throughput and a narrowing of both the WTI Cushing to WTS spread and the WTI Cushing to WTI Midland spread. The average price of WTI Cushing increased 4.6% to $98.65 per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2014 from $94.27 per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The WTI Cushing to WTS spread narrowed 67.8% to $3.67 per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $11.41 per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The WTI Cushing to WTI Midland spread narrowed 54.1% to $3.54 per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $7.72 per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Additionally, cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2014 includes $2.9 million for the purchase of RINs needed to satisfy our obligation to blend biofuels into the products we produce. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, we utilized carryover RINs from 2012 to completely offset our 2013 RINs deficit.

Direct Operating Expenses. Direct operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $28.9 million, compared to $30.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 4.9%. This decrease was primarily due to lower major maintenance and insurance costs partially offset by higher utility costs for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SG&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $4.4 million, compared to $7.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 42.9%. This decrease was primarily due to lower employee incentive compensation costs and marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $10.1 million, compared to $12.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $2.0 million.

Operating Income. Operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $54.0 million, compared to $103.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $49.8 million. This decrease was primarily due to lower refinery operating margins. Refinery operating margin was $14.77 per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $28.76 per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2013. This decrease in operating margin was primarily due to lower Gulf Coast 3/2/1 crack spreads and a narrowing of both the WTI Cushing to WTS spread and the WTI Cushing to WTI Midland spread. The average Gulf Coast 3/2/1 crack spread decreased 40.8% to $16.81 per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $28.40 per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2013, which was primarily influenced by a reduction in the Brent to WTI Cushing spread. The average Brent to WTI Cushing spread for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $10.46 per barrel compared to $19.25 per barrel for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Also impacting operating income and refinery operating margin was $2.9 million of costs associated with the RINs obligation for the three months ended March 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, we utilized carryover RINs from 2012 to completely offset our 2013 RINs deficit.

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $11.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to interest expense of $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, an increase of $1.9 million. This increase was primarily due to higher financing costs associated with crude oil purchases as a result of a backwardated crude oil market.

Net Income. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $42.2 million, compared to $93.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013, a decrease of $51.3 million. This decrease was attributable to the factors discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash generated from our operating activities, borrowings under our revolving credit facility, inventory supply and offtake arrangement and other credit lines.

We have an agreement with J. Aron for the supply of crude oil that supports the operations of the Big Spring refinery. This arrangement substantially reduces our physical inventories and the associated need to issue letters of credit to support crude oil

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purchases. In addition, the structure allows us to acquire crude oil without the constraints of a maximum facility size during periods of high crude oil prices.

We believe that the aforementioned sources of funds and other sources of capital available to us will be sufficient to satisfy the anticipated cash requirements associated with our existing operations for at least the next twelve months. However, future capital expenditures and other cash requirements could be higher than we currently expect as a result of various factors. Additionally, our ability to generate sufficient cash from our operating activities depends on our future performance, which is subject to general economic, political, financial, competitive, and other factors beyond our control.

Cash Flows

The following table sets forth our consolidated cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:



	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2014			2013
	(dollars in thousands)
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	45,267		$	166,646
Investing activities	(18,627		)	(6,719		)
Financing activities	(11,875		)	(35,456		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	14,765		$	124,471

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $45.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $166.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013. The reduction in net cash provided by operating activities of $121.3 million was primarily attributable to lower net income after adjusting for non-cash items of $53.3 million, decreased cash provided by accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $53.1 million, reduced cash collected on accounts receivable of $8.1 million and higher cash used on increases of inventories of $6.7 million.

Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $18.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $6.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase in net cash used in investing activities of $11.9 million was primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures and capital expenditures for turnarounds and catalysts associated with the planned major turnaround scheduled for the second quarter of 2014.

Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $11.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to $35.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013. The reduction in net cash used in financing activities of $23.6 million was primarily attributable to lower distributions to unitholders of $24.4 million.

Indebtedness

Revolving Credit Facility. We have a $240.0 million revolving credit facility that can be used both for borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit. Borrowings of $100.0 million and $100.0 million and letters of credit of $103.4 million and $109.8 million were outstanding under this facility at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Capital Spending

Each year the Board of Directors of our General Partner approves capital projects, including sustaining maintenance, regulatory and planned turnaround projects that our management is authorized to undertake in our annual capital budget. Additionally, at times when conditions warrant or as new opportunities arise, growth and profit improvement projects may be approved. Our total capital expenditure budget, including expenditures for catalysts and turnarounds, for 2014 is $56.2 million. Approximately $18.6 million has been spent during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business from our contractual obligations and commercial commitments detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. In order to apply these principles, we must make judgments, assumptions and estimates based on the best available information at the time. Actual results may differ based on the accuracy of the information utilized and subsequent events, some of which we may have little or no control over.

Our critical accounting policies are described under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Certain critical accounting policies that materially affect the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements are the use of the LIFO method for valuing certain inventories and the deferral and subsequent amortization of costs associated with major turnarounds and catalysts replacements. No significant changes to these accounting policies have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2013.

New Accounting Standards and Disclosures

New accounting standards, if any, are disclosed in Note (1) Basis of Presentation included in the consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Changes in commodity prices, purchased fuel prices and interest rates are our primary sources of market risk. Alon Energy’s risk management committee oversees all activities associated with the identification, assessment and management of our market risk exposure.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to market risks related to the volatility of crude oil and refined product prices, as well as volatility in the price of natural gas used in our refinery operations. Our financial results can be affected significantly by fluctuations in these prices, which depend on many factors, including demand for crude oil, gasoline and other refined products, changes in the economy, worldwide production levels, worldwide inventory levels and governmental regulatory initiatives. Alon Energy’s risk management strategy identifies circumstances in which we may utilize the commodity futures market to manage risk associated with these price fluctuations.

In order to manage the uncertainty relating to inventory price volatility, we have consistently applied a policy of maintaining inventories at or below a targeted operating level. In the past, circumstances have occurred, such as timing of crude oil cargo deliveries, turnaround schedules or shifts in market demand that have resulted in variances between our actual inventory level and our desired target level. Upon the review and approval of Alon Energy’s risk management committee, we may utilize the commodity futures market to manage these anticipated inventory variances.

We maintain inventories of crude oil, refined products and blendstocks, the values of which are subject to wide fluctuations in market prices driven by world economic conditions, regional and global inventory levels and seasonal conditions. As of March 31, 2014, we held 0.6 million barrels of crude oil and refined product inventories valued under the LIFO valuation method. Market value exceeded carrying value of LIFO costs by $26.0 million. We refer to this excess as our LIFO reserve. If the market value of these inventories had been $1.00 per barrel lower, our LIFO reserve would have been reduced by $0.6 million.

All commodity contracts are recorded at fair value and any changes in fair value between periods is recorded in the profit and loss section of our consolidated financial statements. “Forwards” represent physical trades for which pricing and quantities have been set, but the physical product delivery has not occurred by the end of the reporting period. “Futures” represent trades which have been executed on the New York Mercantile Exchange which have not been closed or settled at the end of the reporting period. A “long” represents an obligation to purchase product and a “short” represents an obligation to sell product.

The following table provides information about our commodity contracts as of March 31, 2014:



Description	Contract Volume		Wtd Avg Purchase		Wtd Avg Sales		Contract			Market			Gain
of Activity	(barrels)		Price/BBL		Price/BBL		Value			Value			(Loss)
							(in thousands)
Forwards-long (Crude)	146,078		$	97.98	$	—	$	14,313		$	14,022		$	(291	)
Forwards-long (Gasoline)	315,214		121.86		—		38,412			38,141			(271		)
Forwards-long (Distillate)	64,285		125.47		—		8,066			8,040			(26		)
Forwards-long (Jet)	15,557		123.86		—		1,927			1,912			(15		)
Forwards-short (Slurry)	(700	)			88.26		(62		)	(61		)	1
Forwards-long (Catfeed)	21,727		117.94		—		2,563			2,547			(16		)
Forwards-short (Slop)	(8,909	)	—		90.51		(806		)	(816		)	(10		)
Forwards-short (Propane)	(1,605	)	—		42.34		(68		)	(68		)	—
Futures-short (Crude)	(187,000	)	—		100.36		(18,768		)	(18,995		)	(227		)
Futures-short (Gasoline)	(331,000	)	—		122.63		(40,591		)	(40,565		)	26
Futures-short (Distillate)	(87,000	)	—		123.23		(10,721		)	(10,705		)	16

Interest Rate Risk

As of March 31, 2014, our outstanding debt balance of $346.9 million, excluding discounts, was subject to floating interest rates, of which $246.9 million was charged interest at the Eurodollar rate (with a floor of 1.25%) plus a margin of 8.00% and $100.0 million was charged interest at the Eurodollar rate plus 3.5%, subject to a minimum interest rate of 4.0%.

An increase of 1% in the Eurodollar rate on indebtedness would result in an increase in our interest expense of approximately $0.7 million per year.

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


(1)	Disclosure controls and procedures.

Our management has evaluated, with the participation of our principal executive and principal financial officers, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, and has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms including, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.


(2)	Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as described in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS



Exhibit
Number		Description of Exhibit
31.1		Certifications of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2		Certifications of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1		Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101		The following financial information from Alon USA Partners, LP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (iv) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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SIGNATURES

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



		Alon USA Partners, LP
		By:	Alon USA Partners GP, LLC
			its general partner

Date:	May 2, 2014	By:	/s/ David Wiessman
			David Wiessman
			Executive Chairman of the Board


Date:	May 2, 2014	By:	/s/ Paul Eisman
			Paul Eisman
			President, Chief Executive Officer and Director


Date:	May 2, 2014	By:	/s/ Shai Even
			Shai Even
			Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
			(Principal Accounting Officer)

Attached files

Alon USA Partners, LP Reports

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