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8-K - SMLP 1Q14 EARNINGS RELEASE FORM 8-K - Summit Midstream Partners, LPa0314earnings8-k.htm
Summit Midstream Partners, LP
2100 McKinney Avenue; Suite 1250
Dallas, Texas 75201

Summit Midstream Partners, LP Reports First Quarter 2014 Financial and Operating Results

Dallas, Texas (May 6, 2014) - Summit Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: SMLP) today announced financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014. SMLP reported adjusted EBITDA of $46.6 million and adjusted distributable cash flow of $34.3 million for the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 26.4% and 5.8%, respectively, over the first quarter of 2013. SMLP reported $6.4 million of net income for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $13.9 million for the first quarter of 2013. Volume throughput on SMLP’s assets averaged 1,311 million cubic feet per day (“MMcf/d”) in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 20.3% over 1,090 MMcf/d in the first quarter of 2013.
Steve Newby, President and Chief Executive Officer of SMLP commented, “SMLP’s strong first quarter 2014 financial performance was driven by record system volume throughput on our diversified asset base and by executing our drop down strategy, which enables us to mitigate certain risks associated with development projects at Summit Investments before offering them to SMLP. During the first quarter of 2014, we completed a $305 million Red Rock acquisition from Summit Investments, our second drop down transaction to date.”
“The first quarter of 2014 results enabled us to deliver our sixth consecutive quarterly distribution increase to our unitholders. In addition to growing our distributions per unit by 19.0% over the first quarter of 2013, SMLP continues to focus on maintaining a strong distribution coverage ratio, which was 1.13x for the first quarter of 2014. Our large inventory of assets under development at Summit Investments continues to generate significant new organic development opportunities, which are expected to provide SMLP with visible distribution growth for many years to come.”
Financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2014 benefitted from SMLP’s acquisition of Mountaineer Midstream Company, LLC (“Mountaineer Midstream”), which was acquired from an affiliate of MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. (“MarkWest”) in June 2013. Results for Mountaineer Midstream are not included in SMLP’s financial or operational results prior to its acquisition in June 2013. The first quarter of 2014 also reflects a full quarter of Bison Midstream, LLC (“Bison Midstream”), which was acquired from an affiliate of Summit Midstream Partners, LLC (“Summit Investments”) in June 2013.
Because of the common control aspects of the June 2013 Bison drop down and the March 2014 Red Rock Gathering Company, LLC (“Red Rock”) drop down, these acquisitions were deemed transactions between entities under common control and, as such, both have been accounted for on an “as if pooled” basis for all periods in which common control existed. As a result, SMLP’s financial and operating results retrospectively include financial and operating results from Bison Midstream since February 16, 2013, and from Red Rock since October 23, 2012, the date that each was originally acquired by Summit Investments.
Volume throughput averaged 1,311 MMcf/d in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 1,090 MMcf/d in the first quarter of 2013 primarily due to SMLP’s acquisition Mountaineer Midstream in June 2013, and a full quarter of contribution from Bison Midstream.
Volume throughput on the Mountaineer Midstream system averaged 286 MMcf/d in the first quarter of 2014, up 45.2% over 197 MMcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2013. Volume throughput increased throughout the first quarter of 2014 as a result of an active drilling program by our customer, Antero Resources Corp. (“Antero”). Volumes are expected to continue to grow on this system throughout the balance of 2014 as Antero volumes continue to increase and as processing capacity expansions at MarkWest’s Sherwood Processing Complex increase from 600 MMcf/d currently to 1.2 Bcf/d by the second quarter of 2015.
Volume throughput on the Bison Midstream system averaged 12 MMcf/d in the first quarter of 2014, down 14.3% from 14 MMcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2013. Volume throughput on the Bison Midstream system was negatively impacted in the first quarter of 2014 by (i) a continuation of severe winter weather in northwestern North Dakota during the first quarter of 2014 and (ii) operational challenges caused by water hydrate issues experienced during the fourth quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014. During the first quarter of 2014, SMLP completed


EX 99.1-1



operational improvements on the Bison Midstream system that are expected to remediate the water hydrate issues going forward.
Volume throughput on the DFW Midstream system averaged 348 MMcf/d in the first quarter of 2014, down 5.9% from the fourth quarter of 2013 and down 16.9% from the first quarter of 2013. Volume declines resulted from the natural decline of existing wells, and several customers continuing to temporarily shut-in several pad sites to drill and/or complete new wells. SMLP estimates that volume throughput on the DFW Midstream system was impacted by approximately 10 MMcf/d during the first quarter of 2014. Currently, there are two rigs drilling in the DFW Midstream service area.
Volume throughput on the Grand River system averaged 665 MMcf/d in the first quarter of 2014 (including Red Rock), up 3.6% over the 642 MMcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2013, and consistent with 663 MMcf/d of volume throughput in the first quarter of 2013. Volume throughput growth in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013 was primarily due to increased volume throughput from several customers including WPX Energy, Inc., and affiliates of Black Hills Corporation (“Black Hills”) and Ursa Resources Group II. During the first quarter of 2014, Grand River commissioned the DeBeque Processing Plant for Black Hills and immediately began processing liquids rich Mancos gas from wells that Black Hills had previously drilled and completed.
The Grand River system continues to benefit from its gathering agreements, which include minimum volume commitments (“MVCs”) that increase annually both in rate and volume commitments over the next few years, and largely mitigate the financial impact associated with declining volumes from certain customers. Lower volume throughput from certain Grand River customers during the first quarter of 2014 translated into larger MVC shortfall payments, thereby minimizing the impact on adjusted EBITDA.
 
Volume Throughput By System
 
Quarter Ended March 31,
 
 
YTD Period Ended March 31,
(MMcf/d)
2014
 
2013
 
 
2014
 
2013
Average Daily Throughput:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mountaineer Midstream
286

 
*

 
 
286

 
*

Bison Midstream
12

 
8

 
 
12

 
8

DFW Midstream
348

 
419

 
 
348

 
419

Grand River
665

 
663

 
 
665

 
663

Total Average Daily Throughput:
1,311

 
1,090

 
 
1,311

 
1,090

(1)
The 2013 volume throughput shown in the table above reflects the total volume attributable to each asset while under SMLP’s control in 2013. Mountaineer Midstream was acquired by SMLP in June 2013. Bison Midstream was acquired from an affiliate of Summit Investments in June 2013 and includes results for all periods in which common control existed, beginning in February 2013.
(2)
Includes Red Rock volume throughput. The Red Rock assets were acquired by Grand River Gathering from an affiliate of Summit Investment in March 2014, and the Grand River system includes the financial and operational results associated with the Red Rock assets for all periods during which common control existed, beginning in October 2012.
2014 SMLP Financial Guidance Reaffirmed
SMLP is reaffirming its 2014 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $190.0 million to $210.0 million. SMLP continues to expect to pay a distribution for the fourth quarter of 2014 that is 15.0% to 20.0% over the $0.48 per unit distribution paid for the fourth quarter of 2013.
SMLP’s 2014 financial guidance excludes the effect of any other acquisitions or potential drop down transactions from Summit Investments.
MVC Shortfall Payments
Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2014 was positively impacted by $13.4 million of adjustments associated with the MVC mechanisms in SMLP’s gathering agreements. Of the $13.4 million adjustment, (i) $9.6 million was related to MVC shortfall payments, and (ii) $3.8 million was related to the change in deferred revenue.
 

EX 99.1-2



 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(In Millions)
MVC
Billings
 
 
Gathering Revenue
 
 
Adjustments
to MVC Shortfall Payments
 
 
Net Impact
to Adjusted EBITDA
Net Change in Deferred Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mountaineer Midstream
$

 
 
$

 
 
$

 
 
$

Bison Midstream
0.2

 
 

 
 
0.2

 
 
0.2

DFW Midstream

 
 

 
 

 
 

Grand River
3.6

 
 

 
 
3.6

 
 
3.6

Total
$
3.8

 
 
$

 
 
$
3.8

 
 
$
3.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MVC Shortfall Payment Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mountaineer Midstream
$
1.0

 
 
$
1.0

 
 
$

 
 
$
1.0

Bison Midstream

 
 

 
 
2.5

 
 
2.5

DFW Midstream

 
 

 
 
0.8

 
 
0.8

Grand River
0.4

 
 
0.4

 
 
4.9

 
 
5.3

Total
$
1.4

 
 
$
1.4

 
 
$
8.2

 
 
$
9.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL
$
5.2

 
 
$
1.4

 
 
$
12.0

 
 
$
13.4

SMLP billed its customers $5.2 million of MVC shortfall payments in the first quarter of 2014 due to actual volume throughput that was lower than the minimum volumes that those customers were contractually required to ship under their gas gathering agreements. Of the quarterly MVC shortfall payments, $3.8 million was recorded as deferred revenue on SMLP’s balance sheet because these customers have the ability to use these MVC shortfall payments to offset gathering fees related to future throughput in excess of future period MVCs. MVC shortfall payment adjustments in the first quarter of 2014 totaled $8.2 million and included adjustments related to future anticipated shortfall payments from certain customers on the Grand River, Bison Midstream and DFW Midstream systems.
Certain of our gas gathering agreements do not have credit banking mechanisms and as such, the MVC shortfall payments from these customers are accounted for as gathering revenue in the period that it is earned. For the first quarter of 2014, the Grand River system recognized $0.4 million of gathering revenue associated with MVC shortfall payments and the Mountaineer Midstream system recognized $1.0 million of gathering revenue associated with MVC shortfall payments.
Capital Expenditures
For the three months ended March 31, 2014, SMLP recorded total capital expenditures of $40.1 million, including approximately $5.1 million of maintenance capital expenditures. Development activities during the first quarter of 2014 were primarily related to the construction of various pipeline and compressor expansion projects across the Grand River (including Red Rock), Bison Midstream, and Mountaineer Midstream systems to facilitate future expected volume throughput growth.
In March 2014, SMLP commissioned the DeBeque Processing Plant on the Grand River system. This project is supported by a long-term, fee-based processing agreement with Black Hills. SMLP also commissioned a new 150 gallon per minute natural gas treating facility on the DFW Midstream system in February 2014, which is currently running at full capacity. In the Marcellus Shale, SMLP continued its development of the Zinnia Loop project during the first quarter of 2014. Upon completion, which is expected in the third quarter of 2014, the Zinnia Loop

EX 99.1-3



project will increase the Mountaineer Midstream system’s delivery capacity to MarkWest’s Sherwood Processing Complex from 550 MMcf/d to 1,050 MMcf/d. SMLP also continued developing multiple pipeline and compression projects throughout the Piceance Basin, the Bakken Shale, and the Barnett Shale to connect new pad sites to SMLP’s existing gathering systems.
Capital & Liquidity
As of March 31, 2014, SMLP had total liquidity (cash plus undrawn borrowing capacity under its $700.0 million revolving credit facility) of $319.4 million. Based upon the terms of SMLP’s revolving credit facility and total outstanding debt of $691.0 million, total leverage (net debt divided by EBITDA) was approximately 3.9 to 1 as of March 31, 2014.
Quarterly Distribution
On April 24, 2014, the board of directors of SMLP’s general partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.50 per unit on all outstanding common and subordinated units, or $2.00 per unit on an annualized basis, for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. This distribution will be paid on May 15, 2014 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on May 8, 2014.
This was SMLP’s sixth consecutive quarterly per unit distribution increase. It represents an increase of $0.08 per unit, or 19.0%, over the distribution paid for the first quarter of 2013 and an increase of $0.02 per unit, or 4.2%, over the distribution paid for the fourth quarter of 2013.
First Quarter 2014 Earnings Call Information
SMLP will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, to discuss its quarterly operating and financial results. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 847-619-6441 or toll-free 877-261-8990 and entering the passcode 37176450. The conference call will also be webcast live and can be accessed through the Investors section of SMLP’s website at www.summitmidstream.com.
A replay of the conference call will be available until May 21, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, and can be accessed by dialing 888-843-7419 and entering the replay passcode 37176450#. An archive of the conference call will also be available on SMLP’s website.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). We also present EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and adjusted distributable cash flow. We define EBITDA as net income, plus interest expense, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization expense, less interest income and income tax benefit. We define adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus unit-based compensation, adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments and loss on asset sales, less gain on asset sales. We define distributable cash flow as adjusted EBITDA plus cash interest income, less cash paid for interest expense and income taxes, senior notes interest expense and maintenance capital expenditures. We define adjusted distributable cash flow as distributable cash flow plus or minus other non-cash or non-recurring expenses or income. Our definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the definitions of similar measures used by other companies. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating our financial performance. Furthermore, management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures may provide users with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results of prior periods as they are expected to be reflective of our core ongoing business. These measures have limitations, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are attached to this release.
About Summit Midstream Partners, LP
SMLP is a growth-oriented limited partnership focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in North America. SMLP currently provides natural gas gathering, treating and

EX 99.1-4



processing services pursuant to long-term, primarily fee-based natural gas gathering and processing agreements with our customers and counterparties in four unconventional resource basins: (i) the Appalachian Basin, which includes the Marcellus Shale formation in northern West Virginia; (ii) the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in northwestern North Dakota; (iii) the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in north-central Texas; and (iv) the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation as well as the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in western Colorado and eastern Utah. SMLP owns and operates 2,294 miles of pipeline and 239,800 horsepower of compression. SMLP is headquartered in Dallas, TX with regional corporate offices in Houston, TX, Denver, CO and Atlanta, GA.
About Summit Midstream Partners, LLC
Summit Midstream Partners, LLC (“Summit Investments”) indirectly owns a 56.8% limited partner interest in SMLP and indirectly owns and controls the general partner of SMLP, Summit Midstream GP, LLC, which has sole responsibility for conducting the business and managing the operations of SMLP. Summit Investments owns, operates and is developing various crude oil, associated natural gas, and water-related midstream energy infrastructure assets in the Bakken Shale in North Dakota and in the DJ Niobrara Shale in Colorado. Summit Investments is also developing natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization infrastructure in the Utica Shale in southeastern Ohio under a joint venture agreement with affiliates of MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. and The Energy & Minerals Group. Summit Investments is a privately held company owned by members of management, funds controlled by Energy Capital Partners II, LLC, and GE Energy Financial Services, Inc. and certain of its affiliates.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements contain known and unknown risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and beyond management’s control) that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from anticipated or projected results. An extensive list of specific material risks and uncertainties affecting us is contained in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2014 and as amended and updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and SMLP undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events.


EX 99.1-5



SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(In thousands)
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
10,404

 
$
20,357

Accounts receivable
47,104

 
67,877

Other assets
3,015

 
4,741

Total current assets
60,523

 
92,975

Property, plant and equipment, net
1,177,156

 
1,158,081

Intangible assets, net:
 
 
 
Favorable gas gathering contracts
17,446

 
17,880

Contract intangibles
375,344

 
383,306

Rights-of-way
102,035

 
100,991

Total intangible assets, net
494,825

 
502,177

Goodwill
115,888

 
115,888

Other noncurrent assets
14,000

 
14,618

Total assets
$
1,862,392

 
$
1,883,739

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Partners' Capital
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Trade accounts payable
$
22,766

 
$
25,117

Due to affiliate
1,043

 
653

Deferred revenue
1,555

 
1,555

Ad valorem taxes payable
4,070

 
8,375

Accrued interest
5,740

 
12,144

Other current liabilities
10,395

 
11,729

Total current liabilities
45,569

 
59,573

Long-term debt
691,000

 
586,000

Noncurrent liabilities, net
6,166

 
6,374

Deferred revenue
33,410

 
29,683

Other noncurrent liabilities
371

 
372

Total liabilities
776,516

 
682,002

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common limited partner capital
716,589

 
566,532

Subordinated limited partner capital
343,252

 
379,287

General partner interests
26,035

 
23,324

Summit Investments' equity in contributed subsidiaries

 
232,594

Total partners' capital
1,085,876

 
1,201,737

Total liabilities and partners' capital
$
1,862,392

 
$
1,883,739


EX 99.1-6



SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(In thousands, except per-unit and unit amounts)
Revenues:
 
 
 
Gathering services and other fees
$
50,072

 
$
45,972

Natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales and other
26,356

 
16,292

Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts
(226
)
 
(280
)
Total revenues
76,202

 
61,984

 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
Operation and maintenance
19,181

 
17,579

Cost of natural gas and NGLs
15,281

 
7,965

General and administrative
7,886

 
6,567

Transaction costs
537

 
38

Depreciation and amortization
19,642

 
13,912

Total costs and expenses
62,527

 
46,061

Other income
1

 
1

Interest expense
(7,144
)
 
(1,879
)
Income before income taxes
6,532

 
14,045

Income tax expense
(159
)
 
(181
)
Net income
$
6,373

 
$
13,864

Less: net income attributable to Summit Investments
2,828

 
1,384

Net income attributable to SMLP
3,545

 
12,480

Less: net income attributable to general partner, including IDRs
431

 
250

Net income attributable to limited partners
$
3,114

 
$
12,230

 
 
 
 
Earnings per limited partner unit:
 
 
 
Common unit – basic
$
0.08

 
$
0.25

Common unit – diluted
$
0.08

 
$
0.25

Subordinated unit – basic and diluted
$
0.02

 
$
0.25

 
 
 
 
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding:
 
 
 
Common unit – basic
29,911,669

 
24,412,427

Common unit – diluted
30,067,658

 
24,455,603

Subordinated unit – basic and diluted
24,409,850

 
24,409,850



EX 99.1-7



SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
OTHER FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Other financial data:
 
 
 
EBITDA (1)
$
33,543

 
$
30,115

Adjusted EBITDA (1)
46,619

 
36,872

Capital expenditures
40,100

 
28,297

Acquisition capital expenditures (2)
305,000

 

Distributable cash flow
33,733

 
32,359

Adjusted distributable cash flow
34,270

 
32,397

Distributions declared (3)
30,384

 
20,425

Distribution coverage ratio
1.13
x
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating data:
 
 
 
Miles of pipeline (end of period)
2,294

 
2,172

Aggregate average throughput (MMcf/d)
1,311

 
1,090

__________
(1) Includes transaction costs. These unusual and non-recurring expenses are settled in cash.
(2) Reflects cash paid and value of units issued, if any, to fund acquisitions.
(3) For the three months ended March 31, 2014, reflects quarterly cash distributions of $0.50 per unit in respect of the first quarter of 2014 that will be paid May 15, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, reflects quarterly cash distributions of $0.42 per unit in respect of the first quarter of 2013 that was paid May 15, 2013.
 

EX 99.1-8



SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Reconciliations of Net Income to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Distributable Cash Flow and Adjusted Distributable Cash Flow:
 
 
 
Net income (1)
$
6,373

 
$
13,864

Add:
 
 
 
Interest expense
7,144

 
1,879

Income tax expense
159

 
181

Depreciation and amortization expense
19,642

 
13,912

Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts (2)
226

 
280

Less:
 
 
 
Interest income
1

 
1

EBITDA (1)
$
33,543

 
$
30,115

Add:
 
 
 
Unit-based compensation
1,063

 
462

Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments (3)
12,013

 
6,295

Adjusted EBITDA (1)
$
46,619

 
$
36,872

Add:
 
 
 
Interest income
1

 
1

Less:
 
 
 
Cash interest paid
14,308

 
1,889

Senior notes interest expense (4)
(6,500
)
 

Maintenance capital expenditures
5,079

 
2,625

Distributable cash flow
$
33,733

 
$
32,359

Add:
 
 
 
Transaction costs (1)
537

 
38

Adjusted distributable cash flow
$
34,270

 
$
32,397

 
 
 
 
Distributions declared (5)
$
30,384

 
$
20,425

 
 
 
 
Distribution coverage ratio
1.13
x
 


__________
(1) Includes transaction costs. These unusual and non-recurring expenses are settled in cash.
(2) The amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts relates to gas gathering agreements that were deemed to be above or below market at the acquisition of the DFW Midstream system. We amortize these contracts on a units-of-production basis over the life of the applicable contract. The life of the contract is the period over which the contract is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to our future cash flows.
(3) Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments account for (i) the net increases or decreases in deferred revenue for MVC shortfall payments and (ii) our inclusion of future expected annual MVC shortfall payments.
(4) Senior notes interest expense represents interest expense recognized and accrued during the period.  Interest of 7.50% on the $300.0 million senior notes is paid in cash semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 until maturity in July 2021.

EX 99.1-9



(5) For the three months ended March 31, 2014, reflects quarterly cash distributions of $0.50 per unit in respect of the first quarter of 2014 that will be paid May 15, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, reflects quarterly cash distributions of $0.42 per unit in respect of the first quarter of 2013 that was paid May 15, 2013.
Contact: Marc Stratton, Vice President and Treasurer, 214-242-1966, ir@summitmidstream.com
SOURCE: Summit Midstream Partners, LP


EX 99.1-10