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8-K - 8-K - Rice Midstream Partners LPd434454d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rice Midstream Partners Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results and Updates 2017 Capital Budget

CANONSBURG, Pa., August 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Rice Midstream Partners LP (NYSE: RMP) (“RMP” or the “Partnership”) today reported second quarter 2017 financial and operating results. Highlights include:

 

    Gathering throughput averaged 1,360 MDth/d, a 10% increase from first quarter 2017

 

    Freshwater delivery volumes were 424 MMGal, a 16% increase over first quarter 2017

 

    Net income attributable to limited partners of $42.5 million, or $0.42 per unit

 

    Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $55.6 million, a 14% increase relative to first quarter 2017

 

    Distributable cash flow (“DCF”)(1) of $49.3 million, resulting in DCF coverage ratio(1) of 1.68x

 

    Raised second quarter distribution to $0.2711 per common unit, an increase of 21% over the second quarter 2016

 

    Exited the quarter with low leverage(1) of 1.1x

 

    Increased acreage dedication by approximately 15,000 acres consisting of approximately 12,000 acres through Rice Energy’s announced Greene County, Pennsylvania land acquisition and approximately 3,000 acres through Rice Energy’s organic leasing program

Commenting on the results, Daniel J. Rice IV, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased with our strong second quarter results, as gathering throughput continued to increase as a result of our sponsor’s solid execution. Furthermore, we substantially increased our water volumes due to completing wells ahead of schedule. Our strong financial position allows for continued successful development across our increased footprint in Appalachia.”

 

  1. Please see Supplemental “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a description of Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow, DCF coverage ratio and related reconciliations to the comparable GAAP financial measures. Leverage is defined as the ratio of net debt to last twelve months Adjusted EBITDA.

2017 Capital Budget Update

Based on results through the first half of 2017, we are updating our 2017 gathering and compression budget to reflect capital projects trending below prior expectations. We expect to invest $235 million in Washington and Greene counties, a reduction of 8% from our prior $255 million gathering and compression capital budget. Our $60 million water services budget is unchanged.

Proposed Merger of Rice Energy with EQT Corporation

In light of Rice Energy’s previously announced merger with EQT, Rice Energy and RMP have discontinued providing guidance and long-term outlook information regarding results of operations and distribution growth through 2023. In addition, investors are cautioned not to rely on historical forward-looking statements regarding guidance and long-term outlook information, which forward-looking statements spoke only as of the date provided and were subject to the specific risks and uncertainties that accompanied such forward-looking statements.

 

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In order to provide more clarity to our investors, we are providing the following analysis to demonstrate the impact of the elimination of the drop down opportunities for RMP on its previously published (and now discontinued) long-term outlook. Based upon Rice Energy’s previously published development plan, the elimination of future drop down transactions would have resulted in an outlook that would have targeted 20% distribution growth, DCF coverage of approximately 1.4x and leverage of less than 2.5x through 2019.

As mentioned above, a significant number of factors that are outside of our control will ultimately determine the long-term distributions of RMP including, among other things, the development program to be adopted by EQT. As such, investors are cautioned that the above analysis should not be construed as guidance or relied upon as an expectation that such levels will be achieved.

Second Quarter 2017 Results

 

(in thousands, except volumes)    Three Months Ended
June 30, 2017
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2017
 

Operating volumes (MDth/d)

     

Gathering volumes

     

Affiliate

     1,144        1,074  

Third-party

     216        224  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,360        1,298  

Compression volumes

     

Affiliate

     676        635  

Third-party

     216        224  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     892        859  

Water services assets (MMGal)

     

Pennsylvania Water

     149        373  

Ohio Water

     275        416  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     424        789  

Operating revenues

     

Gathering

   $ 40,313      $ 76,533  

Compression

   $ 6,270      $ 12,052  

Water

   $ 25,794      $ 46,542  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 72,377      $ 135,127  

Total operating expenses

   $ 25,363      $ 47,517  

Operating income

   $ 47,014      $ 87,610  

 

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Net income attributable to limited partners

   $ 42,469      $ 78,845  

Net income per limited partner unit:

     

Common units (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.42      $ 0.77  

Subordinated units (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.42      $ 0.77  

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

   $ 55,615      $ 104,377  

DCF(1)

   $ 49,306      $ 91,750  

DCF coverage ratio(1)

     1.68        1.60  

Capital expenditures (in millions)

     

Gas gathering and compression

   $ 40      $ 69  

Water services assets

   $ 1      $ 4  
Financial position (in millions)           As of June 30, 2017  

Liquidity

      $ 656  

Cash and cash equivalents

      $ 12  

Revolving credit facility

      $ 206  

Leverage(1)

        1.1x  

Second quarter gathering throughput averaged 1,360 MDth/d, consisting of 1,144 MDth/d affiliate volumes and 216 MDth/d third party volumes. Increases in Adjusted EBITDA(1) to $55.6 million and DCF(1) to $49.3 million were driven by accelerated sponsor well completion activity and operational efficiencies.

As of June 30, 2017, RMP’s concentrated gathering and compression acreage dedication in the Marcellus Shale core covered approximately 221,000 acres in Washington and Greene Counties with approximately 29,000 acres dedicated from high quality, third party customers.

 

  1. Please see Supplemental “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a description of Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow, DCF coverage ratio and related reconciliations to the comparable GAAP financial measures. Leverage is defined as the ratio of net debt to last twelve months Adjusted EBITDA.

Quarterly Cash Distribution

On July 21, 2017, we declared a quarterly distribution of $0.2711 per unit for the second quarter 2017, an increase of $0.0103 per unit, or 4%, relative to first quarter 2017. The distribution will be payable on August 17, 2017 to unitholders of record as of August 8, 2017.

Conference Call

RMP will host a conference call on August 3, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time (9:30 a.m. Central Time) to discuss second quarter 2017 results. The conference format will only include prepared remarks, given the restrictions related to discussing Rice Energy’s signed merger agreement with EQT.

 

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To listen to a live audio webcast of the conference call, please visit RMP’s website at www.ricemidstream.com. A replay of the conference call will be available following the call for two weeks and can be accessed from www.ricemidstream.com.

Rice Energy will host a conference call on August 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time) to discuss second quarter 2017 results, and we encourage RMP investors to listen-in. The conference format will only include prepared remarks, given the restrictions related to discussing the signed merger agreement with EQT.

To listen to a live audio webcast of the conference call, please visit Rice Energy’s website at www.riceenergy.com. A replay of the conference call will be available for two weeks and can also be accessed from www.riceenergy.com.

About Rice Midstream Partners

Rice Midstream Partners LP is a fee-based, growth-oriented limited partnership formed by Rice Energy Inc. (NYSE: RICE) to own, operate, develop and acquire midstream assets in the Appalachian basin. RMP provides midstream services to Rice Energy and third-party companies through its natural gas gathering, compression and water assets in the rapidly developing dry gas cores of the Marcellus and Utica Shales. For more information, please visit www.ricemidstream.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. All statements, other than historical facts included in this release, that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as, forecasted gathering volumes, revenues, Adjusted EBITDA, distribution growth, and distributable cash flow, Rice Energy’s targeted production growth and other operational results, the terms, timing and completion of any acquisitions or divestitures, the timing of completion of midstream projects, future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), business strategy and measures to implement strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of our business and operations, plans, market conditions, references to future success, references to intentions as to future matters and other such matters are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although we believe that the plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there is no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecast in such statements.

We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, incident to our gathering and compression and water services businesses. These risks include, but are not limited to: commodity price volatility; inflation; environmental risks; regulatory changes; the uncertainty inherent in projecting future throughput volumes, cash flow and access to capital; and the timing of development expenditures of Rice Energy or our other customers. Information concerning these and other factors can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurances that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized,

 

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or even if realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on us, our business or operations. We have no intention, and disclaim any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise.

This release does not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. This communication relates to a proposed business combination between EQT Corporation (“EQT”) and Rice.

In connection with the proposed transaction, EQT has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 on July 27, 2017, that includes a joint proxy statement of EQT and Rice and also constitutes a prospectus of EQT. Each of EQT and Rice also plan to file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transactions. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus(es) for EQT and/or Rice will be mailed to shareholders of EQT and/or Rice, as applicable.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF EQT AND RICE ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT(S), REGISTRATION STATEMENT(S), PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents (if and when available) and other documents containing important information about EQT and Rice, once such documents are filed with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by EQT will be available free of charge on EQT’s website at www.eqt.com or by directing a request to Investor Relations, EQT Corporation, EQT Plaza, 625 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3111, Tel. No. (412) 553-5700. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Rice will be available free of charge on Rice’s website at www.riceenergy.com or by directing a request to Investor Relations, Rice Energy Inc., 2200 Rice Drive, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317, Tel. No. (724) 271-7200.

EQT, Rice and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Rice is set forth in Rice’s proxy statement for its 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 17, 2017. Information about the directors and executive officers of EQT is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2017 annual meeting, which was filed with the SEC on March 6, 2017. These documents may be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when such materials become available. Investors should read the joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from EQT or Rice using the sources indicated above.

 

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Contact:

Julie Danvers, Director of Investor Relations

(832) 708-3437, Julie.Danvers@RiceMidstream.com

 

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Rice Midstream Partners LP

Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands, except unit data)    2017     2016     2017     2016  

Operating revenues:

        

Affiliate

   $ 62,474     $ 32,622     $ 115,271     $ 77,007  

Third-party

     9,903       13,925       19,856       24,083  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     72,377       46,547       135,127       101,090  

Operating expenses:

        

Operation and maintenance expense

     9,701       4,187       17,880       12,733  

Equity compensation expense

     128       1,134       260       2,119  

General and administrative expense

     7,071       4,607       12,778       8,363  

Depreciation expense

     7,543       6,855       15,164       12,225  

Acquisition costs

     494       —         494       73  

Amortization of intangible assets

     406       403       808       811  

Other expense

     20       361       133       149  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     25,363       17,547       47,517       36,473  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     47,014       29,000       87,610       64,617  

Other income

     30       —         41       —    

Interest expense

     (1,934     (920     (3,877     (1,967

Amortization of deferred finance costs

     (1,050     (144     (2,099     (288
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 44,060     $ 27,936     $ 81,675     $ 62,362  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Calculation of limited partner interest in net income:

        

Net income

   $ 44,060     $ 27,936     $ 81,675     $ 62,362  

Less: General partner interest in net income attributable to incentive distribution rights

     1,591       113       2,830       113  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to limited partners

   $ 42,469     $ 27,823     $ 78,845     $ 62,249  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average limited partner units (in millions)

        

Common units (basic and diluted)

     73.5       44.5       73.5       43.3  

Subordinated units (basic and diluted)

     28.8       28.8       28.8       28.8  

Net income attributable to RMP per limited partner unit

        

Common units (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.42     $ 0.38     $ 0.77     $ 0.86  

Subordinated units (basic and diluted)

   $ 0.42     $ 0.38     $ 0.77     $ 0.87  

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

   $ 55,615     $ 37,753     $ 104,377     $ 79,994  

Distributable cash flow (2)

   $ 49,306     $ 34,033     $ 91,750     $ 72,427  

 

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Quarterly distribution per unit

   $ 0.2711      $ 0.2235      $ 0.5319      $ 0.4335  

Distributions declared:

           

Limited partner units - Public

   $ 19,938      $ 11,714      $ 39,111      $ 20,568  

Limited partner units - GP Holdings

     7,796        6,427        15,296        12,466  

Incentive distribution rights - General Partner

     1,591        113        2,830        113  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions declared

   $ 29,325      $ 18,254      $ 57,237      $ 33,147  

DCF coverage ratio (3)

     1.68        1.86        1.60        2.19  

 

1. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, depreciation expense, amortization expense, non-cash equity compensation expense, amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-recurring items. Please read Supplemental “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
2. We define distributable cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA less interest expense and estimated maintenance capital expenditures. Please read Supplemental “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
3. We define DCF coverage ratio as distributable cash flow divided by total distributions declared. Please read Supplemental “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

 

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Rice Midstream Partners LP

Segment Results of Operations

(Unaudited)

Gathering and Compression Segment

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands)    2017      2016      2017      2016  

Gathering volumes (MDth/d):

           

Affiliate

     1,144        678        1,074        648  

Third-party

     216        256        224        237  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gathering volumes

     1,360        934        1,298        885  

Compression volumes (MDth/d):

           

Affiliate

     676        329        635        169  

Third-party

     216        235        224        189  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total compression volumes

     892        564        859        358  

Operating results:

           

Operating revenues:

           

Affiliate

   $ 37,067      $ 19,058      $ 69,116      $ 36,364  

Third-party

     9,515        10,978        19,468        20,472  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     46,582        30,036        88,584        56,836  

Operating expenses:

           

Operation and maintenance expense

     3,504        1,360        6,233        3,152  

Equity compensation expense

     108        915        222        1,656  

General and administrative expense

     5,967        3,767        10,804        6,721  

Depreciation expense

     3,237        2,685        6,507        4,620  

Acquisition costs

     494        —          494        73  

Amortization of intangible assets

     406        403        808        811  

Other expense

     —          361        113        149  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     13,716        9,491        25,181        17,182  

Operating income

   $ 32,866      $ 20,545      $ 63,403      $ 39,654  

 

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Water Services Segment

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands)    2017      2016      2017      2016  

Water services volumes (MMGal):

           

Affiliate

     408        220        773        665  

Third-party

     16        115        16        132  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total water services volumes

     424        335        789        797  

Operating results:

           

Operating revenues:

           

Affiliate

   $ 25,407      $ 13,564      $ 46,155      $ 40,643  

Third-party

     387        2,947        387        3,611  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     25,794        16,511        46,542        44,254  

Operating expenses:

           

Operation and maintenance expense

     6,197        2,827        11,647        9,581  

Equity compensation expense

     20        219        38        463  

General and administrative expense

     1,104        840        1,974        1,642  

Depreciation expense

     4,306        4,170        8,657        7,605  

Other operating expense

     20        —          20        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     11,647        8,056        22,336        19,291  

Operating income

   $ 14,147      $ 8,455      $ 24,206      $ 24,963  

 

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Rice Midstream Partners LP

Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and DCF coverage ratio are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures that management and external users of our consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, may use to assess the financial performance of our assets, without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis; our operating performance and return on capital as compared to other companies in the midstream energy sector, without regard to historical cost basis or, in the case of Adjusted EBITDA, financing or capital structure; our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; the ability of our assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to our unitholders; and the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, depreciation expense, amortization of intangible assets, non-cash equity compensation expense, amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net income as determined by GAAP. We define distributable cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA less cash interest expense and estimated maintenance capital expenditures. We define DCF coverage ratio as distributable cash flow divided by total distributions declared. Distributable cash flow does not reflect changes in working capital balances and is not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP.

We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and DCF coverage ratio will provide useful information to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow is net income. Our non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow should not be considered as alternatives to GAAP net income. Each of Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow has important limitations as an analytical tool because they exclude some but not all items that affect net income. You should not consider Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow or DCF coverage ratio in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and DCF coverage ratio may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definitions of Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and DCF coverage ratio may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing its utility.

 

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(in thousands)    Three Months Ended
June 30, 2017
     Twelve Months Ended
June 30, 2017
 

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and DCF:

     

Net income

   $ 44,060      $ 140,923  

Interest expense

     1,934        5,841  

Acquisition costs

     494        546  

Depreciation expense

     7,543        28,109  

Amortization of intangible assets

     406        1,631  

Non-cash equity compensation expense

     128        1,014  

Amortization of deferred finance costs

     1,050        3,290  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 55,615      $ 181,354  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 55,615      $ 181,354  

Cash interest expense

     (1,934      (5,841

Estimated maintenance capital expenditures

     (4,375      (14,350
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributable cash flow

   $ 49,306      $ 161,163  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions declared

   $ 29,325      $ 108,367  

DCF coverage ratio

     1.68        1.49  

 

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