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8-K - 8-K - Westlake Chemical Partners LPa160930earningsrelease8k.htm


EXHIBIT 99.1
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP

Contact—(713) 585-2900
Investors—Steve Bender
Media—Ben Ederington

 

Westlake Chemical Partners LP Announces Third Quarter 2016 Earnings
Increased quarterly cash distribution to $0.3353 per unit, a 2.9% increase from the previous quarter
Westlake Chemical Partners LP (NYSE: WLKP) (the "Partnership") today reported net income attributable to the Partnership of $8.7 million, or $0.32 per limited partner unit, for the three months ended September 30, 2016, a decrease of $1.4 million compared to third quarter 2015 net income attributable to the Partnership of $10.1 million, or $0.37 per limited partner unit. The decrease in net income attributable to the Partnership as compared to the prior-year period was primarily due to lower operating rates at Westlake Chemical OpCo LP's ("OpCo") Petro 1 facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana due to the planned turnaround and expansion project, which was completed in July. The third quarter 2016 results were also negatively impacted by lost production as a result of an unplanned outage at OpCo's Calvert City, Kentucky facility.
The third quarter 2016 net income attributable to the Partnership of $8.7 million, or $0.32 per limited partner unit, decreased by $0.6 million from the second quarter 2016 net income attributable to the Partnership of $9.3 million, or $0.34 per limited partner unit. The decrease in net income was due to a decrease in sales to Westlake Chemical ("Westlake") associated with certain cost recovery provisions in the ethylene sales agreement between OpCo and Westlake, which was partially offset by increased production at OpCo's Petro 1 and Calvert City facilities.
On October 31, 2016, the Board of Directors of Westlake Chemical Partners GP LLC, the general partner of the Partnership, announced a quarterly distribution with respect to the third quarter of 2016 of $0.3353 per limited partner unit to be payable on November 29, 2016 to unit and IDR holders of record as of November 14, 2016. The third quarter 2016 distribution increased 12.0% compared to the third quarter 2015 distribution and 2.88% compared to the second quarter 2016 distribution.
OpCo's sales agreement with Westlake is designed to provide for stable and predictable cash flows. The sales agreement provides that 95% of OpCo's ethylene output is sold to Westlake for a cash margin of $0.10 per pound, net of operating costs, maintenance capital expenditures and reserves for future turnaround expenditures. Under the ethylene sales agreement with Westlake, Westlake's obligation to purchase the annual minimum commitment under the ethylene sales agreement, which is measured at year end, is not reduced for the first 45 days following a force majeure event, such as the unplanned outage at Calvert City that began in June 2016.
"We are pleased with OpCo's recent performance following our turnaround and expansion project, which was completed in July, and added 250 million pounds of capacity to our Petro 1 facility. We believe our upcoming 100 million pound ethylene expansion at our Calvert City facility in the first half of 2017, along with the recently completed expansion at Petro 1, support our continued increase in distributions at a low double digit growth rate to unitholders," said Albert Chao, President and Chief Executive Officer.

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The statements in this release and the related teleconference relating to matters that are not historical facts, such as statements regarding growth of distributions and results of expansion projects, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially, based on factors including, but not limited to, operating difficulties; the volume of ethylene that we are able to sell; the price at which we are able to sell ethylene; changes in the price and availability of electricity; changes in prevailing economic conditions; actions of Westlake Chemical Corporation; actions of third parties; unanticipated ground, grade or water conditions; inclement or hazardous weather conditions, including flooding, and the physical impacts of climate change; environmental hazards; industrial accidents; changes in laws and regulations (or the interpretation thereof); inability to acquire or maintain necessary permits; inability to obtain necessary production equipment or replacement parts; technical difficulties or failures; labor disputes; late delivery of raw materials; difficulty collecting receivables; inability of our customers to take delivery; changes in the price and availability of transportation; fires, explosions or other accidents; our ability to borrow funds and access capital markets; and other risk factors. For more detailed information about the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, please refer to the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC in March 2016, and the risk factors in our other filings with the SEC.
This release is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100.0%) of the Partnership's distributions to non-U.S. investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, the Partnership's distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This release includes the term MLP distributable cash flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as defined in Regulation G of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), but believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA, provide useful supplemental information to investors regarding the underlying business trends and performance of our ongoing operations and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA to net income and net cash provided by operating activities can be found in the financial schedules at the end of this release. We define distributable cash flow as net income plus depreciation and amortization, less contributions from turnaround reserves and maintenance capital expenditures. We define MLP distributable cash flow as distributable cash flow less distributable cash flow attributable to Westlake's noncontrolling interest in OpCo and distributions attributable to incentive distribution rights holder. MLP distributable cash flow does not reflect changes in working capital balances. We define EBITDA as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Because MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definition of MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Westlake Chemical Partners LP
Westlake Chemical Partners is a limited partnership formed by Westlake Chemical Corporation to operate, acquire and develop facilities for the processing of natural gas liquids as well as other qualifying activities. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the Partnership owns a 13.3% interest in Westlake Chemical OpCo LP. Westlake Chemical OpCo LP's assets include three facilities in Calvert City, Kentucky, and Lake Charles, Louisiana which process ethane and propane into ethylene, and an ethylene pipeline. For more information about Westlake Chemical Partners LP, please visit http://www.wlkpartners.com .


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Westlake Chemical Partners LP Conference Call Information:
A conference call to discuss Westlake Chemical Partners' third quarter 2016 results will be held November 8, 2016 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time (11:00 AM Central Time). To access the conference call, dial (855) 765-5686 or (234) 386-2848 for international callers, approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and reference passcode 96257816.
A replay of the conference call will be available beginning two hours after its conclusion until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 15, 2016. To hear a replay, dial (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 for international callers. The replay passcode is 96257816.
The conference call will also be available via webcast at: http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/pgrx3b72 and the earnings release can be obtained via the Partnership web page at: http://westlakepartners.investorroom.com/news-events


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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP ("WESTLAKE PARTNERS")
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars, except per unit data)
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales—Westlake Chemical Corporation
   ("Westlake")
 
$
193,964

 
$
207,856

 
$
606,859

 
$
621,438

Net co-product, ethylene and other
   sales—third parties
 
35,390

 
40,763

 
85,940

 
137,277

Total net sales
 
229,354

 
248,619

 
692,799

 
758,715

Cost of sales
 
142,553

 
154,474

 
407,203

 
473,815

Gross profit
 
86,801

 
94,145

 
285,596

 
284,900

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
5,788

 
5,831

 
17,733

 
17,826

Income from operations
 
81,013

 
88,314

 
267,863

 
267,074

Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense—Westlake
 
(4,947
)
 
(1,054
)
 
(7,381
)
 
(3,794
)
Other (expense) income, net
 
(13
)
 
(73
)
 
230

 
(35
)
Income before income taxes
 
76,053

 
87,187

 
260,712

 
263,245

Provision for income taxes
 
194

 
141

 
890

 
567

Net income
 
75,859

 
87,046

 
259,822

 
262,678

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling
   interest in Westlake Chemical OpCo LP ("OpCo")
 
67,198

 
76,943

 
229,733

 
233,632

Net income attributable to Westlake Partners
 
$
8,661

 
$
10,103

 
$
30,089

 
$
29,046

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per limited partners unit attributable to
   Westlake Partners (basic and diluted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common units
 
$
0.32

 
$
0.37

 
$
1.11

 
$
1.07

Subordinated units
 
$
0.32

 
$
0.37

 
$
1.11

 
$
1.07

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions declared per unit
 
$
0.3353

 
$
0.2994

 
$
0.9780

 
$
0.8733

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MLP distributable cash flow
 
$
6,833

 
$
9,475

 
$
20,643

 
$
27,671

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution declared
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited partner units—public
 
$
4,338

 
$
3,873

 
$
12,653

 
$
11,298

Limited partner units—Westlake
 
4,735

 
4,229

 
13,812

 
12,333

Incentive distribution rights
 
91

 

 
139

 

Total distribution declared
 
$
9,164

 
$
8,102

 
$
26,604

 
$
23,631

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA
 
$
107,290

 
$
108,683

 
$
335,565

 
$
327,676



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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP ("WESTLAKE PARTNERS")
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
75,006

 
$
169,559

Accounts receivable—Westlake
 
98,145

 
39,655

Accounts receivable, net—third parties
 
15,699

 
11,927

Inventories
 
3,428

 
3,879

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 

 
267

Total current assets
 
192,278

 
225,287

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
1,217,451

 
1,020,469

Receivable from Westlake
 
20,428

 

Other assets, net
 
106,502

 
44,593

Total assets
 
$
1,536,659

 
$
1,290,349

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities (accounts payable and accrued liabilities)
 
$
47,577

 
$
57,694

Long-term debt payable to Westlake
 
595,083

 
384,006

Other liabilities
 
2,024

 
1,482

Total liabilities
 
644,684

 
443,182

Common unitholders—public
 
296,585

 
294,565

Common unitholder—Westlake
 
4,726

 
4,502

Subordinated unitholder—Westlake
 
41,766

 
39,786

General partner—Westlake
 
(242,481
)
 
(242,572
)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(224
)
 
280

Total Westlake Partners partners' capital
 
100,372

 
96,561

Noncontrolling interest in OpCo
 
791,603

 
750,606

Total equity
 
891,975

 
847,167

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
1,536,659

 
$
1,290,349


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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP ("WESTLAKE PARTNERS")
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
259,822

 
$
262,678

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
67,472

 
60,637

Other balance sheet changes
 
(149,924
)
 
7,888

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
177,370

 
331,203

Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
 
(268,647
)
 
(152,572
)
Proceeds from disposition of assets
 
157

 

Net cash used for investing activities
 
(268,490
)
 
(152,572
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from debt payable to Westlake
 
212,175

 
238,198

Repayment of debt payable to Westlake
 
(1,098
)
 
(135,341
)
Quarterly distributions to noncontrolling interest retained in OpCo by Westlake
 
(188,736
)
 
(238,009
)
Quarterly distributions to unitholders
 
(25,774
)
 
(22,972
)
Net cash used for financing activities
 
(3,433
)
 
(158,124
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
(94,553
)
 
20,507

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
 
169,559

 
133,750

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
 
$
75,006

 
$
154,257



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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP ("WESTLAKE PARTNERS")
RECONCILIATION OF MLP DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FLOW TO NET INCOME
AND NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
MLP distributable cash flow
 
$
4,295

 
$
6,833

 
$
9,475

 
$
20,643

 
$
27,671

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Distributable cash flow attributable to
   noncontrolling interest in OpCo
 
39,171

 
55,853

 
72,833

 
168,940

 
225,565

Incentive distribution rights
 
46

 
91

 

 
139

 

Maintenance capital expenditures
 
48,252

 
21,747

 
18,145

 
103,609

 
48,946

Contribution to turnaround reserves
 
10,214

 
17,625

 
7,035

 
33,963

 
21,133

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
(20,786
)
 
(26,290
)
 
(20,442
)
 
(67,472
)
 
(60,637
)
Net income
 
81,192

 
75,859

 
87,046

 
259,822

 
262,678

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
   and other
 
(8,631
)
 
(83,835
)
 
14,383

 
(82,841
)
 
68,884

Deferred income taxes
 
141

 
69

 
(125
)
 
389

 
(359
)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating
   activities
 
$
72,702

 
$
(7,907
)
 
$
101,304

 
$
177,370

 
$
331,203



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WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP ("WESTLAKE PARTNERS")
RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA TO NET INCOME AND NET CASH
PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands of dollars)
EBITDA
 
$
103,478

 
$
107,290

 
$
108,683

 
$
335,565

 
$
327,676

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for income taxes
 
(297
)
 
(194
)
 
(141
)
 
(890
)
 
(567
)
Interest expense
 
(1,203
)
 
(4,947
)
 
(1,054
)
 
(7,381
)
 
(3,794
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
(20,786
)
 
(26,290
)
 
(20,442
)
 
(67,472
)
 
(60,637
)
Net income
 
81,192

 
75,859

 
87,046

 
259,822

 
262,678

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
   and other
 
(8,631
)
 
(83,835
)
 
14,383

 
(82,841
)
 
68,884

Deferred income taxes
 
141

 
69

 
(125
)
 
389

 
(359
)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating
   activities
 
$
72,702

 
$
(7,907
)
 
$
101,304

 
$
177,370

 
$
331,203



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