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EX-32 - EXHIBIT 32 - EQM Midstream Partners, LPeqm6302018ex32.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - EQM Midstream Partners, LPeqm6302018ex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - EQM Midstream Partners, LPeqm6302018ex311.htm
EX-10.3 - EXHIBIT 10.3 - EQM Midstream Partners, LPeqm6302018exhibit103.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2018
or
 
¨
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 001-35574
 
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
DELAWARE
 
37-1661577
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
625 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1700, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
15222
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)
(412) 553-5700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x  No  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).    Yes  x  No  ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer   x
 
 
Accelerated Filer                  ¨
 
Emerging Growth Company       ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer     ¨
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller Reporting Company ¨
 
 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).        Yes  ¨  No  x
 
As of June 30, 2018, there were 86,480,648 Common Units and 1,443,015 General Partner Units outstanding.



EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Index
 
 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


2


Glossary of Commonly Used Terms, Abbreviations and Measurements

adjusted EBITDA – a supplemental non-GAAP (as defined below) financial measure defined by EQT Midstream Partners, LP and subsidiaries (collectively, EQM) as net income attributable to EQM plus net interest expense, depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, Preferred Interest (as defined below) payments, non-cash long-term compensation expense and transaction costs less equity income, AFUDC – equity (as defined) and adjusted EBITDA of assets prior to acquisition.
 
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction or AFUDC – carrying costs for the construction of certain long-lived regulated assets are capitalized and amortized over the related assets' estimated useful lives. The capitalized amount for construction of regulated assets includes interest cost and a designated cost of equity for financing the construction of these regulated assets.

British thermal unit – a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
 
distributable cash flow – a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure defined by EQM as adjusted EBITDA less net interest expense excluding interest income on the Preferred Interest, capitalized interest and AFUDC – debt, ongoing maintenance capital expenditures net of expected reimbursements and transaction costs.
 
gas – all references to "gas" refer to natural gas.

Preferred Interest – the preferred interest that EQM has in EQT Energy Supply, LLC (EES).
 
The $750 Million ATM Program – EQM's at-the-market (ATM) common unit offering program, pursuant to which a group of managers, acting as EQM's sales agents, may sell EQM common units having an aggregate offering price of up to $750 million.

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

Abbreviations
Measurements
ASU – Accounting Standards Update
Btu  = one British thermal unit
FASB  Financial Accounting Standards Board
BBtu = billion British thermal units
FERC – Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Bcf   = billion cubic feet
GAAP – United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Dth  =  dekatherm or million British thermal units
IDRs – incentive distribution rights
MMBtu  = million British thermal units
IPO – Initial Public Offering
Mcf = thousand cubic feet
IRS – Internal Revenue Service
MMcf  = million cubic feet
SEC – Securities and Exchange Commission
 

3


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
Item 1.   Financial Statements

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited) (1) 
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Thousands, except per unit amounts)
Operating revenues (2)
$
269,761

 
$
196,815

 
$
556,323

 
$
396,887

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Operating and maintenance (3)
24,587

 
18,315

 
44,047

 
35,132

Selling, general and administrative (3)
24,438

 
15,812

 
43,436

 
33,212

Depreciation
28,076

 
21,400

 
55,461

 
41,947

Amortization of intangible assets
10,387

 

 
20,773

 

Total operating expenses
87,488

 
55,527

 
163,717

 
110,291

Operating income
182,273

 
141,288

 
392,606

 
286,596

Equity income (4)
10,938

 
5,111

 
19,749

 
9,388

Other income
944

 
1,402

 
1,842

 
2,939

Net interest expense (5)
20,683

 
8,662

 
31,399

 
16,588

Net income
173,472

 
139,139

 
382,798

 
282,335

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
853

 

 
3,346

 

Net income attributable to EQM
$
172,619

 
$
139,139

 
$
379,452

 
$
282,335

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calculation of limited partner interest in net income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income attributable to EQM
$
172,619

 
$
139,139

 
$
379,452

 
$
282,335

Less pre-acquisition net income allocated to parent
(11,407
)
 

 
(41,022
)
 

Less general partner interest in net income – general partner units
(1,700
)
 
(2,448
)
 
(4,791
)
 
(4,967
)
Less general partner interest in net income – IDRs
(68,121
)
 
(34,150
)
 
(112,285
)
 
(64,836
)
Limited partner interest in net income
$
91,391

 
$
102,541

 
$
221,354

 
$
212,532

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per limited partner unit – basic and diluted
$
1.09

 
$
1.27

 
$
2.69

 
$
2.64

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding – basic and diluted
83,553

 
80,603

 
82,290

 
80,602

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash distributions declared per unit (6)
$
1.09

 
$
0.935

 
$
2.155

 
$
1.825

 

(1)
As discussed in Note A, the consolidated financial statements of EQM have been retrospectively recast to include the pre-acquisition results of Rice Olympus Midstream LLC (ROM), Strike Force Midstream Holdings LLC (Strike Force) and Rice West Virginia Midstream LLC (Rice WV), which were acquired by EQM effective on May 1, 2018 (the May 2018 Acquisition), because this transaction was between entities under common control.
(2)
Operating revenues included affiliate revenues from EQT Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively, EQT) of $180.4 million and $148.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $361.6 million and $291.6 million for six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. See Note F.
(3)
Operating and maintenance expense included charges from EQT of $11.3 million and $9.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $21.8 million and $19.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expense included charges from EQT of $19.0 million and $15.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $36.6 million and $31.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. See Note F.
(4)
Represents equity income from Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (the MVP Joint Venture). See Note G.
(5)
Net interest expense included interest income on the Preferred Interest in EES of $1.7 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $3.3 million and $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(6)
Represents the cash distributions declared related to the period presented. See Note J.

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

4


EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited) (1) 
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 

 
 

Net income
$
382,798

 
$
282,335

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

 
 

Depreciation
55,461

 
41,947

Amortization of intangible assets
20,773

 

Equity income
(19,749
)
 
(9,388
)
AFUDC – equity
(2,137
)
 
(3,297
)
Non-cash long-term compensation expense
331

 
225

Changes in other assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts receivable
718

 
(599
)
Accounts payable
8,019

 
2,426

Due to/from EQT affiliates
(11,210
)
 
1,410

Other assets and other liabilities
6,642

 
5,246

Net cash provided by operating activities
441,646

 
320,305

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(302,876
)
 
(149,413
)
Capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture
(182,805
)
 
(59,940
)
May 2018 Acquisition from EQT
(1,193,160
)
 

Principal payments received on the Preferred Interest
2,172

 
2,054

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,676,669
)
 
(207,299
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from credit facility borrowings
2,000,500

 
150,000

Payments on credit facility borrowings
(2,180,500
)
 
(110,000
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
2,500,000

 

Debt discount and issuance costs
(30,295
)
 

Distributions paid to unitholders
(258,211
)
 
(202,060
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
(750
)
 

Acquisition of 25% of Strike Force Midstream LLC
(175,000
)
 

Capital contributions
15,672

 
216

Net contributions from EQT
3,660

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
1,875,076

 
(161,844
)
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
640,053

 
(48,838
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
44,062

 
60,368

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
684,115

 
$
11,530

 
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 

 
 

Interest, net of amount capitalized
$
29,961

 
$
20,996

 
 
 
 
Non-cash activity during the period for:
 

 
 

(Decrease) increase in capital contribution receivable from EQT
$
(12,251
)
 
$
758

(1)
As discussed in Note A, the consolidated financial statements of EQM have been retrospectively recast to include the pre-acquisition results of the May 2018 Acquisition because this transaction was between entities under common control.

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

5


EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (1) 
 
 
June 30, 
 2018
 
December 31, 
 2017
 
(Thousands, except number of units)
ASSETS
 
Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
684,115

 
$
44,062

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,400 and $446 as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)
47,587

 
48,305

Accounts receivable – affiliate
119,097

 
110,292

Other current assets
14,085

 
12,754

Total current assets
864,884

 
215,413

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
4,363,068

 
4,077,282

Less: accumulated depreciation
(440,924
)
 
(398,245
)
Net property, plant and equipment
3,922,144

 
3,679,037

 
 
 
 
Investment in unconsolidated entity
1,003,299

 
460,546

Goodwill
37,954

 
37,954

Intangible assets, net
596,887

 
617,660

Other assets
137,257

 
136,966

Total assets
$
6,562,425

 
$
5,147,576

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
84,969

 
$
80,637

Due to related party
41,519

 
31,673

Capital contribution payable to MVP Joint Venture
445,933

 
105,734

Accrued interest
12,309

 
10,926

Accrued liabilities
25,144

 
16,936

Total current liabilities
609,874

 
245,906

 
 
 
 
Credit facility borrowings

 
180,000

Senior notes
3,453,975

 
987,352

Regulatory and other long-term liabilities
21,442

 
20,273

Total liabilities
4,085,291

 
1,433,531

 
 
 
 
Equity:
 

 
 

Predecessor equity

 
1,391,615

Noncontrolling interest

 
173,472

Common (86,480,648 and 80,581,758 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)
2,448,531

 
2,147,706

General partner (1,443,015 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)
28,603

 
1,252

Total equity
2,477,134

 
3,714,045

Total liabilities and equity
$
6,562,425

 
$
5,147,576

(1)
As discussed in Note A, the consolidated financial statements of EQM have been retrospectively recast to include the pre-acquisition results of the May 2018 Acquisition because this transaction was between entities under common control.


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

6


EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Statements of Consolidated Equity (Unaudited) (1) 

 
Predecessor Equity
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Limited Partners
Common
 
General
Partner
 
Total Equity
 
(Thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2017
$

 
$

 
$
2,008,510

 
$
(14,956
)
 
$
1,993,554

Net income

 

 
212,532

 
69,803

 
282,335

Capital contributions

 

 
956

 
18

 
974

Equity-based compensation plans

 

 
225

 

 
225

Distributions paid to unitholders

 

 
(140,212
)
 
(61,848
)
 
(202,060
)
Balance at June 30, 2017
$

 
$

 
$
2,082,011

 
$
(6,983
)
 
$
2,075,028

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2018
$
1,391,615

 
$
173,472

 
$
2,147,706

 
$
1,252

 
$
3,714,045

Net income
41,022

 
3,346

 
221,354

 
117,076

 
382,798

Capital contributions

 

 
3,361

 
60

 
3,421

Equity-based compensation plans

 

 
331

 

 
331

Distributions paid to unitholders

 

 
(168,426
)
 
(89,785
)
 
(258,211
)
Net contributions from EQT
3,660

 

 

 

 
3,660

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 
(750
)
 

 

 
(750
)
Acquisition of 25% of Strike Force Midstream LLC

 
(176,068
)
 
1,068

 

 
(175,000
)
May 2018 Acquisition from EQT (2)
(1,436,297
)
 

 
243,137

 

 
(1,193,160
)
Balance at June 30, 2018
$

 
$

 
$
2,448,531

 
$
28,603

 
$
2,477,134

(1)
As discussed in Note A, the consolidated financial statements of EQM have been retrospectively recast to include the pre-acquisition results of the May 2018 Acquisition because this transaction was between entities under common control.
(2)
Under common control accounting, any difference between consideration transferred and the net assets received at historical cost is recorded as an equity transaction. In addition, equity issued in a common control transaction is recorded at an amount equal to the carrying value of the net assets transferred, even if the equity issued has a readily determinable fair value. As a result, the EQM common units issued in the May 2018 Acquisition are valued at the excess of the net assets received by EQM over the cash consideration.



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

7


EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A.
Financial Statements
Organization and Basis of Presentation
EQM is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership. EQT Midstream Services, LLC (EQM General Partner) is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of EQT GP Holdings, LP (EQGP) and is the general partner of EQM.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of EQM as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the results of its operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, and its cash flows and equity for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The balance sheet at December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
EQM's consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively recast to include the pre-acquisition results of the May 2018 Acquisition because this transaction was between entities under common control. The recast is for the period the acquired businesses were under the common control of EQT, which began on November 13, 2017 as a result of EQT's merger with Rice Energy Inc. (Rice) (the Rice Merger). EQM recorded the assets and liabilities acquired in the May 2018 Acquisition at their carrying amounts to EQT on the effective date of the transaction. The consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations if EQM and the assets acquired in the May 2018 Acquisition been operated together during the pre-acquisition periods.
Due to the seasonal nature of EQM's utility customer contracts, the interim statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2017 and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in each case as included in EQM's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on June 12, 2018.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard requires an entity to recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects in exchange for those goods or services. EQM adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method of adoption. Adoption of the ASU did not require an adjustment to the opening balance of equity. EQM does not expect the standard to have a significant effect on its results of operations, liquidity or financial position. EQM implemented processes and controls to ensure new contracts are reviewed for the appropriate accounting treatment and to generate the disclosures required under the new standard in the first quarter of 2018. For the disclosures required by this ASU, see Note C.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The standard primarily affects accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments, and eliminates the cost method of accounting for equity investments. EQM adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2018 with no significant effect on its financial statements or related disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The standard requires an entity to record assets and obligations for contracts currently recognized as operating leases. Lessees and lessors must apply a modified retrospective transition approach. The ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. EQM has performed a high-level identification of agreements covered by this standard, is currently evaluating processes and internal controls and is in the process of implementing a third-party supported lease accounting information system to facilitate the accounting and financial reporting requirements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and

8


available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost basis, this ASU eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period. EQM is currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test of Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 simplifies the quantitative goodwill impairment test requirements by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (Step 2 of the current goodwill impairment test). Instead, a company would record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value (measured in Step 1 of the current goodwill impairment test). Entities will apply the standard’s provisions prospectively. EQM adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2018 with no significant effect on its financial statements or related disclosures.
B.
Acquisitions and Merger
May 2018 Acquisition
On April 25, 2018, EQT, Rice Midstream Holdings LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of EQT, EQM and EQM Gathering Holdings, LLC (EQM Gathering), a wholly owned subsidiary of EQM, entered into a Contribution and Sale Agreement pursuant to which EQM Gathering acquired from EQT all of EQT's interests in ROM, Strike Force and Rice WV in exchange for an aggregate of 5,889,282 EQM common units and aggregate cash consideration of $1.15 billion, plus working capital adjustments. ROM owns a natural gas gathering system that gathers gas from wells located primarily in Belmont County, Ohio. Strike Force owns a 75% limited liability company interest in Strike Force Midstream LLC (Strike Force Midstream). The May 2018 Acquisition closed on May 22, 2018 with an effective date of May 1, 2018.
As a result of the recast, EQM recognized approximately $38.0 million of goodwill. The goodwill value was based on a valuation performed by EQT as of November 13, 2017 with regard to the Rice Merger. EQT recorded goodwill as the excess of the estimated enterprise value of ROM, Strike Force and Rice WV over the sum of the fair value amounts allocated to the assets and liabilities of ROM, Strike Force and Rice WV. Goodwill was allocated to the value attributed to additional growth opportunities, synergies and operating leverage within the Gathering segment. Prior to the recast, EQM had no goodwill. The following table summarizes the allocation of the fair value of the assets and liabilities of ROM, Strike Force and Rice WV as of November 13, 2017 through pushdown accounting from EQT. The preliminary allocation to certain assets and/or liabilities may be adjusted by material amounts as EQT continues to finalize the fair value estimates.
 
 
At November 13, 2017
 
 
(Thousands)
Estimated fair value of ROM, Strike Force and Rice WV (1)
 
$
1,514,743

 
 

Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed:
 

Current assets (2)
 
66,586

Intangible assets (3)
 
623,200

Property and equipment, net (4)
 
846,823

Other non-current assets
 
71

Current liabilities (2)
 
(59,891
)
Total estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
 
$
1,476,789

Goodwill
 
37,954

(1)
Includes the estimated fair value attributable to noncontrolling interest of $166 million.
(2)
The fair value of current assets and current liabilities were assumed to approximate their carrying values.
(3)
The identifiable intangible assets for customer relationships were estimated by applying a discounted cash flow approach which was adjusted for customer attrition assumptions and projected market conditions.
(4)
The estimated fair value of long-lived property and equipment were determined utilizing estimated replacement cost adjusted for a usage or obsolescence factor.
As a result of the recast, EQM also recognized approximately $623.2 million in intangible assets. These intangible assets were valued by EQT based upon the estimated fair value of the customer contracts as of November 13, 2017. The customer contracts were assigned a useful life of 15 years and are amortized on a straight-line basis. Amortization expense for the three and six

9


months ended June 30, 2018 was $10.4 million and $20.8 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, accumulated amortization was $26.3 million and $5.5 million, respectively. There was no amortization expense recognized for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. The estimated annual amortization expense over the next five years is $41.5 million.
Gulfport Transaction
On May 1, 2018, pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated April 25, 2018, by and among EQM, EQM Gathering, Gulfport Energy Corporation (Gulfport) and an affiliate of Gulfport, EQM Gathering acquired the remaining 25% limited liability company interest in Strike Force Midstream not owned by Strike Force for $175 million (the Gulfport Transaction). As a result, EQM owned 100% of Strike Force Midstream effective as of May 1, 2018.
EQM-RMP Merger
On April 25, 2018, EQM entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) with Rice Midstream Partners LP (RMP), Rice Midstream Management LLC, the general partner of RMP (the RMP General Partner), the EQM General Partner, EQM Acquisition Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of EQM (Merger Sub), EQM GP Acquisition Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of EQM (GP Merger Sub), and, solely for certain limited purposes set forth therein, EQT. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on July 23, 2018, Merger Sub and GP Merger Sub merged with and into RMP and the RMP General Partner, respectively, with RMP and the RMP General Partner surviving as wholly owned subsidiaries of EQM (the EQM-RMP Merger). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each RMP common unit issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the EQM-RMP Merger was converted into the right to receive 0.3319 EQM common units (the Merger Consideration), the issued and outstanding incentive distributions rights of RMP were canceled and each outstanding award of phantom units in respect of RMP common units fully vested and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, less applicable tax withholding, in respect of each RMP common unit subject thereto. The aggregate Merger Consideration consisted of approximately 34 million EQM common units. As a result of the EQM-RMP Merger, RMP's common units are no longer publicly traded.
Also in connection with the completion of the EQM-RMP Merger, on July 23, 2018, EQM repaid the approximately $260 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2014, by and among RMP, as parent guarantor, Rice Midstream OpCo LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of RMP, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties from time to time party thereto (the RMP Credit Agreement), and the RMP Credit Agreement was terminated.
C. 
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
As discussed in Note A, EQM adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method of adoption. EQM applied the ASU to all open contracts as of the date of initial application. Adoption of the ASU did not require an adjustment to the opening balance of equity and did not materially change EQM's amount and timing of revenues.
EQM provides gathering, transmission and storage services in two manners: firm service and interruptible service. Firm service contracts are typically long term and include firm reservation fees, which are fixed, monthly charges for the guaranteed reservation of pipeline or storage capacity. Volumetric based fees under firm contracts include usage fees and charges for actual volumes transported, gathered or stored in excess of the firm contracted volume. Interruptible service contracts include volumetric based fees, which are charges for the volume of gas actually gathered, transported or stored and do not guarantee access to the pipeline or storage facility. These contracts can be short or long term. Firm and interruptible contracts are billed at the end of each calendar month, with payment typically due within 21 days.
Under a firm contract, EQM has a stand-ready obligation to provide the service over the life of the contract. The performance obligation for firm reservation fee revenue is satisfied over time as the pipeline capacity is made available to the customer. As such, EQM recognizes firm reservation fee revenue evenly over the contract period, using a time-elapsed output method to measure progress. The performance obligation for volumetric based fee revenues for usage fees under firm and interruptible contracts is generally satisfied upon EQM's monthly billing to the customer for actual volumes gathered, transported or stored during the month. The amount billed corresponds directly to the value of EQM's performance to date as the customer obtains value as each volume is gathered, transported or stored.
Certain of EQM's gas gathering agreements are structured with minimum volume commitments (MVC), which specify minimum quantities for which a customer will be charged regardless of actual quantities gathered under the contract. Revenue is recognized for MVCs when the performance obligation has been met, which is the earlier of when the gas is gathered or when it is remote that the producer will be able to meet its MVC.

10


For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, all revenues recognized on EQM's statements of consolidated operations are from contracts with customers. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, all receivables recorded on EQM's consolidated balance sheets represent performance obligations that have been satisfied and for which an unconditional right to consideration exists.
The table below provides disaggregated revenue information by EQM business segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
Gathering
 
Transmission
 
Total
 
 
(Thousands)
Firm reservation fee revenues
 
$
111,702

 
$
82,222

 
$
193,924

Volumetric based fee revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Usage fees under firm contracts (1)
 
9,956

 
4,828

 
14,784

Usage fees under interruptible contracts (2)
 
58,958

 
2,095

 
61,053

Total volumetric based fee revenues
 
68,914

 
6,923

 
75,837

Total operating revenues
 
$
180,616

 
$
89,145

 
$
269,761

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
Gathering
 
Transmission
 
Total
 
 
(Thousands)
Firm reservation fee revenues
 
$
221,635

 
$
179,997

 
$
401,632

Volumetric based fee revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Usage fees under firm contracts (1)
 
22,064

 
8,650

 
30,714

Usage fees under interruptible contracts (2)
 
116,545

 
7,432

 
123,977

Total volumetric based fee revenues
 
138,609

 
16,082

 
154,691

Total operating revenues
 
$
360,244

 
$
196,079

 
$
556,323

(1)
Includes fees on volumes gathered and transported in excess of firm contracted capacity and also for transmission includes commodity charges and fees on all volumes transported under firm contracts.
(2)
Includes volumes from contracts under which EQM has agreed to hold capacity available but for which it does not receive a capacity reservation fee.
Based on total projected contractual revenues and including contracts associated with expected future capacity from expansion projects that are not yet fully constructed but for which EQM has entered into firm contracts, EQM's firm gathering contracts and firm transmission and storage contracts had weighted average remaining terms of approximately 8 and 15 years, respectively, as of December 31, 2017.
The following table summarizes the transaction price allocated to EQM's remaining performance obligations under all contracts with firm reservation fees and MVCs as of June 30, 2018.
 
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
(Thousands)
Gathering firm reservation fees
 
$
223,806

 
$
471,226

 
$
547,153

 
$
557,152

 
$
557,152

 
$
2,841,279

 
$
5,197,768

Gathering revenues supported by MVCs
 

 
65,700

 
71,370

 
71,175

 
71,175

 
136,875

 
416,295

Transmission firm reservation fees
 
179,786

 
347,061

 
347,261

 
341,769

 
338,010

 
2,602,572

 
4,156,459

Total
 
$
403,592

 
$
883,987

 
$
965,784

 
$
970,096

 
$
966,337

 
$
5,580,726

 
$
9,770,522


11



D.
Equity and Net Income per Limited Partner Unit
The following table summarizes EQM's limited partner common units and general partner units issued from January 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018. There were no issuances in 2017.
 
Limited Partner Common Units
 
General Partner Units
 
Total
Balance at January 1, 2018
80,581,758

 
1,443,015

 
82,024,773

Common units issued (1)
9,608

 

 
9,608

May 2018 Acquisition consideration
5,889,282

 

 
5,889,282

Balance at June 30, 2018
86,480,648

 
1,443,015

 
87,923,663

(1)
Units issued upon a resignation from the EQM General Partner's Board of Directors in February 2018.
As of June 30, 2018, EQGP owned 21,811,643 EQM common units, representing a 24.8% limited partner interest, 1,443,015 EQM general partner units, representing a 1.6% general partner interest, and all of the IDRs in EQM. As of June 30, 2018, EQT owned 5,889,282 EQM common units, representing a 6.7% limited partner interest in EQM, 100% of the non-economic general partner interest in EQGP and a 91.3% limited partner interest in EQGP.
As a result of the EQM-RMP Merger, on July 23, 2018, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EQT received 9,544,530 EQM common units as Merger Consideration.
Net Income per Limited Partner Unit. Net income attributable to the May 2018 Acquisition for the periods prior to May 1, 2018, was not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per limited partner unit as these pre-acquisition amounts were not available to the unitholders. The weighted average phantom unit awards included in the calculation of basic weighted average limited partner units outstanding was 17,369 and 21,041 for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and 20,467 and 20,506 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
E.
Financial Information by Business Segment
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Thousands)
Revenues from external customers (including affiliates):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Gathering
$
180,616

 
$
112,145

 
$
360,244

 
$
214,474

Transmission
89,145

 
84,670

 
196,079

 
182,413

Total operating revenues
$
269,761

 
$
196,815

 
$
556,323

 
$
396,887

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Gathering
$
121,631

 
$
83,425

 
$
252,513

 
$
157,129

Transmission
60,642

 
57,863

 
140,093

 
129,467

Total operating income
$
182,273

 
$
141,288

 
$
392,606

 
$
286,596

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of operating income to net income:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Equity income (1)
10,938

 
5,111

 
19,749

 
9,388

Other income
944

 
1,402

 
1,842

 
2,939

Net interest expense
20,683

 
8,662

 
31,399

 
16,588

Net income
$
173,472


$
139,139


$
382,798


$
282,335

(1)
Equity income is included in the Transmission segment.

12


 
June 30, 
 2018
 
December 31, 
 2017
 
(Thousands)
Segment assets:
 

 
 

Gathering
$
3,250,242

 
$
3,020,491

Transmission (1)
2,505,947

 
1,948,047

Total operating segments
5,756,189

 
4,968,538

Headquarters, including cash
806,236

 
179,038

Total assets
$
6,562,425

 
$
5,147,576

(1)
The equity investment in the MVP Joint Venture was included in the headquarters segment prior to June 30, 2018. As of June 30, 2018, the investment in the MVP Joint Venture was included in the Transmission segment and the amount at December 31, 2017 has been recast to confirm with this presentation.
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Thousands)
Depreciation:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Gathering
$
15,646

 
$
9,555

 
$
30,590

 
$
18,415

Transmission
12,430

 
11,845

 
24,871

 
23,532

Total
$
28,076

 
$
21,400

 
$
55,461

 
$
41,947

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenditures for segment assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering
$
139,099

 
$
53,708

 
$
252,297

 
$
102,546

Transmission
27,962

 
29,978

 
46,891

 
51,367

Total (1)
$
167,061

 
$
83,686

 
$
299,188

 
$
153,913

(1)
EQM accrues capital expenditures when work has been completed but the associated bills have not yet been paid. These accrued amounts are excluded from capital expenditures in the statements of consolidated cash flows until they are paid in a subsequent period. Accrued capital expenditures were approximately $62.3 million, $60.3 million and $66.0 million at June 30, 2018, March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Accrued capital expenditures were approximately $31.2 million, $34.0 million and $26.7 million at June 30, 2017, March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
F.
Related Party Transactions
In the ordinary course of business, EQM engages in transactions with EQT and its affiliates including, but not limited to, gas gathering agreements, transportation service and precedent agreements and storage agreements. Pursuant to an omnibus agreement, EQT performs centralized corporate, general and administrative services for EQM and provides a license for the use of the name "EQT" and related marks in connection with EQM's business. In exchange, EQM reimburses EQT for the expenses incurred by EQT in providing these services. The omnibus agreement also provides for certain indemnification obligations between EQM and EQT. Pursuant to a secondment agreement, employees of EQT and its affiliates may be seconded to EQM to provide operating and other services with respect to EQM's business under the direction, supervision and control of EQM. EQM reimburses EQT and its affiliates for the services provided by the seconded employees. The expenses for which EQM reimburses EQT and its affiliates may not necessarily reflect the actual expenses that EQM would incur on a stand-alone basis. EQM is unable to estimate what those expenses would be on a stand-alone basis.
G.
Investment in Unconsolidated Entity
The MVP Joint Venture is constructing the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), an estimated 300-mile natural gas interstate pipeline spanning from northern West Virginia to southern Virginia. EQM is the operator of the MVP and owned a 45.5% interest in the MVP Joint Venture as of June 30, 2018. The MVP Joint Venture is a variable interest entity because it has insufficient equity to finance its activities during the construction stage of the project. EQM is not the primary beneficiary because it does not have the power to direct the activities of the MVP Joint Venture that most significantly impact its economic performance. Certain business decisions require the approval of owners holding more than a 66 2/3% interest in the MVP Joint Venture and no one member owns more than a 66 2/3% interest. The MVP Joint Venture is an equity method investment for accounting purposes as EQM has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the MVP Joint Venture.

13


In May 2018, the MVP Joint Venture issued a capital call notice to MVP Holdco, LLC (MVP Holdco), a direct wholly owned subsidiary of EQM, for $445.9 million, of which $193.4 million was paid in July 2018 and $252.5 million is expected to be paid in the third quarter of 2018. The capital contribution payable has been reflected on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2018 with a corresponding increase to EQM's investment in the MVP Joint Venture.
Equity income is primarily EQM's portion of the MVP Joint Venture's AFUDC on construction of the MVP.
As of June 30, 2018, EQM had issued a $91 million performance guarantee in favor of the MVP Joint Venture to provide performance assurances for MVP Holdco's obligations to fund its proportionate share of the construction budget for the MVP. As of June 30, 2018, EQM's maximum financial statement exposure related to the MVP Joint Venture was approximately $1,094 million, which consists of the investment in unconsolidated entity balance on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2018 and amounts that could have become due under EQM's performance guarantee as of that date.
The following tables summarize the unaudited condensed financial statements for the MVP Joint Venture.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
June 30, 
 2018
 
December 31, 
 2017
 
(Thousands)
Current assets
$
1,161,641

 
$
330,271

Noncurrent assets
1,334,266

 
747,728

Total assets
$
2,495,907

 
$
1,077,999

 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
$
290,855

 
$
65,811

Equity
2,205,052

 
1,012,188

Total liabilities and equity
$
2,495,907

 
$
1,077,999

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Thousands)
Net interest income
$
7,732

 
$
2,730

 
$
13,915

 
$
4,977

AFUDC - equity
16,307

 
8,503

 
29,489

 
15,656

Net income
$
24,039

 
$
11,233

 
$
43,404

 
$
20,633

H.
Debt
Credit Facility Borrowings
$1 Billion Facility. EQM has a $1 billion credit facility that expires in July 2022. The $1 Billion Facility is available to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures, to purchase assets, to pay distributions and repurchase units and for general partnership purposes (including purchasing assets from EQT and other third parties). EQM's $1 Billion Facility contains various provisions that, if violated, could result in termination of the credit facility, require early payment of amounts outstanding or similar actions. The most significant covenants and events of default relate to maintenance of a permitted leverage ratio, limitations on transactions with affiliates, limitations on restricted payments, insolvency events, nonpayment of scheduled principal or interest payments, acceleration of and certain other defaults under other financial obligations and change of control provisions. Under the $1 Billion Facility, EQM is required to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 5.00 to 1.00 (or not more than 5.50 to 1.00 for certain measurement periods following the consummation of certain acquisitions).
EQM had no letters of credit outstanding under its credit facility as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the maximum amount of EQM's outstanding borrowings under EQM's credit facility at any time was $338 million and $420 million, respectively, and the average daily balance was approximately $122 million and $211 million, respectively. EQM incurred interest at weighted average annual interest rates of approximately 3.4% and 3.2% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. There were no borrowings outstanding at any time during the

14


three and six months ended June 30, 2017. During the third quarter, EQM intends to increase its borrowing capacity from $1 billion up to $2 billion.
364-Day Facility. EQM has a $500 million, 364-day, uncommitted revolving loan agreement with EQT that matures on October 24, 2018 and will automatically renew for successive 364-day periods unless EQT delivers a non-renewal notice at least 60 days prior to the then current maturity date. Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings at an interest rate equal to the rate then applicable to similar loans under the $1 Billion Facility, or a successor revolving credit facility, less the sum of (i) the then applicable commitment fee under the $1 Billion Facility and (ii) 10 basis points.
EQM had no borrowings outstanding on the 364-Day Facility as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. There were no borrowings outstanding at any time during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the maximum amount of EQM's outstanding borrowings under the credit facility at any time was $100 million and the average daily balances were approximately $55 million and $40 million, respectively. EQM incurred interest at weighted average annual interest rates of approximately 2.2% and 2.1% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. EQM expects EQT to terminate the 364-Day Facility at or prior to the proposed separation of EQT's production and midstream businesses (the Separation). 
EQM Term Loan Facility. On April 25, 2018, EQM entered into a $2.5 billion unsecured multi-draw 364-day term loan facility with a syndicate of lenders. The EQM Term Loan Facility was used to fund the cash consideration for the May 2018 Acquisition, to repay borrowings under EQM's $1 Billion Facility and for other general partnership purposes. During the second quarter 2018, the balance outstanding under the EQM Term Loan Facility was repaid, and the EQM Term Loan Facility was terminated on June 25, 2018 in connection with EQM's issuance of the 2018 Senior Notes (defined below). As a result of the termination, EQM expensed $3 million of deferred issuance costs. From April 25, 2018 through June 25, 2018, the maximum amount of EQM's outstanding borrowings under the EQM Term Loan Facility at any time was $1,825 million and the average daily balance was approximately $1,231 million. EQM incurred interest at a weighted average annual interest rate of approximately 3.3% for the period from April 25, 2018 through June 25, 2018.
2018 Senior Notes. During the second quarter of 2018, EQM issued 4.75% senior notes due July 15, 2023 in the aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion, 5.50% senior notes due July 15, 2028 in the aggregate principal amount of $850 million and 6.50% senior notes due July 15, 2048 in the aggregate principal amount of $550 million (collectively, the 2018 Senior Notes). EQM received net proceeds from the offering of approximately $2,465.8 million, inclusive of a discount of $11.8 million and estimated debt issuance costs of $22.4 million. The net proceeds were used to repay the balance outstanding under the EQM Term Loan Facility and the RMP Credit Agreement and the remainder is expected to be used for general partnership purposes. The 2018 Senior Notes were issued pursuant to new supplemental indentures to EQM's existing indenture dated August 1, 2014. The 2018 Senior Notes contain covenants that limit EQM's ability to, among other things, incur certain liens securing indebtedness, engage in certain sale and leaseback transactions, and enter into certain consolidations, mergers, conveyances, transfers or leases of all or substantially all of the EQM's assets.
As of June 30, 2018, EQM was in compliance with all debt provisions and covenants.
I.
Fair Value Measurements
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, amounts due to/from related parties and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short maturity of the instruments; these are considered Level 1 fair value measurements. The carrying value of the credit facility borrowings approximates fair value as the interest rates are based on prevailing market rates; this is considered a Level 1 fair value measurement. As EQM's senior notes are not actively traded, their fair values are considered Level 2 fair value measurements and are estimated using a standard industry income approach model that applies a discount rate based on market rates for debt with similar remaining time to maturity and credit risk. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the estimated fair value of EQM's senior notes was approximately $3,454 million and $1,006 million, respectively, and the carrying value of EQM's senior notes was approximately $3,454 million and $987 million, respectively. The fair value of the Preferred Interest is a Level 3 fair value measurement and is estimated using an income approach model that applies a market-based discount rate. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the estimated fair value of the Preferred Interest was approximately $125 million and $133 million, respectively, and the carrying value of the Preferred Interest was approximately $117 million and $119 million, respectively.

15



J.
Distributions
On July 24, 2018, the Board of Directors of the EQM General Partner declared a cash distribution to EQM's unitholders for the second quarter of 2018 of $1.09 per common unit. The cash distribution will be paid on August 14, 2018 to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 3, 2018. Based on the EQM common units outstanding on July 26, 2018, cash distributions to EQGP will be approximately $23.8 million related to its limited partner interest, $2.4 million related to its general partner interest and $68.1 million related to its IDRs in EQM. The distribution amounts to EQGP related to its general partner interest and IDRs in EQM are subject to change if EQM issues additional common units on or prior to the record date for the second quarter 2018 distribution.

16


EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
Disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking and usually identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "could," "would," "will," "may," "forecast," "approximate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe" and other words of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the matters discussed in the section captioned "Outlook" in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives, and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance of EQM and its subsidiaries, including guidance regarding EQM's gathering, transmission and storage and water revenue and volume growth; the weighted average contract life of gathering, transmission and storage contracts; infrastructure programs (including the timing, cost, capacity and sources of funding with respect to gathering, transmission and water expansion projects); the cost, capacity, timing of regulatory approvals and anticipated in-service date of the MVP and MVP Southgate; the ultimate terms, partners and structure of the MVP Joint Venture; expansion projects in EQM's operating areas and in areas that would provide access to new markets; asset acquisitions, including EQM's ability to complete asset acquisitions; the impact and outcome of pending and future litigation; the timing of the proposed separation of EQT's production and midstream businesses (the Separation) and the parties' ability to complete the Separation; the amount and timing of distributions, including expected increases; the amounts and timing of projected capital contributions and operating and capital expenditures, including the amount of capital expenditures reimbursable by EQT; the impact of commodity prices on EQM's business; liquidity and financing requirements, including sources and availability and EQM's plan to increase its borrowing capacity up to $2 billion; the effects of government regulation; and tax position. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. EQM has based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions about future events. While EQM considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond EQM's control. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance and results of EQM's business and forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in EQM's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as updated by Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and EQM does not intend to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In reviewing any agreements incorporated by reference in or filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember that such agreements are included to provide information regarding the terms of such agreements and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about EQM. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by EQM, which should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties to such agreements should those statements prove to be inaccurate. The representations and warranties were made only as of the date of the relevant agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in such agreement and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties alone may not describe the actual state of affairs of EQM or its affiliates as of the date they were made or at any other time.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
For the three months ended June 30, 2018, net income attributable to EQM was $172.6 million compared to $139.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The increase resulted primarily from higher gathering and transmission revenues, which were driven mainly by the May 2018 Acquisition which supports affiliate and third party production development, and higher equity income, partly offset by higher operating expenses and higher net interest expense.
For the six months ended June 30, 2018, net income attributable to EQM was $379.5 million compared to $282.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase primarily resulted from higher gathering and transmission revenues, which

17


were driven mainly by the May 2018 Acquisition which supports affiliate and third party production development, and higher equity income, partly offset by an increase in operating expenses and higher net interest expense.
EQM declared a cash distribution to its unitholders of $1.09 per unit on July 24, 2018, which was 2% higher than the first quarter 2018 distribution of $1.065 per unit and 17% higher than the second quarter 2017 distribution of $0.935 per unit.
Business Segment Results
Operating segments are revenue-producing components of the enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and is subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources. Other income and net interest expense are managed on a consolidated basis. EQM has presented each segment's operating income and various operational measures in the following sections. Management believes that the presentation of this information provides useful information to management and investors regarding the financial condition, results of operations and trends of segments. EQM has reconciled each segment's operating income to EQM's consolidated operating income and net income in Note E to the consolidated financial statements.
GATHERING RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018 (1)
 
2017
 
% Change
 
2018 (1)
 
2017
 
% Change
 
(Thousands, except per day amounts)
FINANCIAL DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Firm reservation fee revenues
$
111,702

 
$
101,858

 
9.7
 
$
221,635

 
$
196,129

 
13.0
Volumetric based fee revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Usage fees under firm contracts (2)
9,956

 
6,479

 
53.7
 
22,064

 
11,300

 
95.3
Usage fees under interruptible contracts(3)
58,958

 
3,808

 
1,448.3
 
116,545

 
7,045

 
1,554.3
Total volumetric based fee revenues
68,914

 
10,287

 
569.9
 
138,609

 
18,345

 
655.6
Total operating revenues
180,616

 
112,145

 
61.1
 
360,244

 
214,474

 
68.0
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating and maintenance
15,777

 
10,293

 
53.3
 
27,686

 
20,633

 
34.2
Selling, general and administrative
17,175

 
8,872

 
93.6
 
28,682

 
18,297

 
56.8
Depreciation
15,646

 
9,555

 
63.7
 
30,590

 
18,415

 
66.1
Amortization of intangible assets
10,387

 

 
100.0
 
20,773

 

 
100.0
Total operating expenses
58,985

 
28,720

 
105.4
 
107,731

 
57,345

 
87.9
Operating income
$
121,631

 
$
83,425

 
45.8
 
$
252,513

 
$
157,129

 
60.7
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATIONAL DATA
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Gathered volumes (BBtu per day)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Firm capacity reservation
2,007

 
1,780

 
12.8
 
1,986

 
1,754

 
13.2
Volumetric based services (4)
2,494

 
281

 
787.5
 
2,514

 
253

 
893.7
Total gathered volumes
4,501

 
2,061

 
118.4
 
4,500

 
2,007

 
124.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
$
139,099

 
$
53,708

 
159.0
 
$
252,297

 
$
102,546

 
146.0
(1)
Includes the pre-acquisition results of the May 2018 Acquisition, which was effective on May 1, 2018. The recast is for the period the acquired businesses were under the common control of EQT, which began on November 13, 2017 as a result of the Rice Merger.
(2)
Includes fees on volumes gathered in excess of firm contracted capacity.
(3)
Includes volumes from contracts under which EQM has agreed to hold capacity available but for which it does not receive a capacity reservation fee.
(4)
Includes volumes gathered under interruptible contracts and volumes gathered in excess of firm contracted capacity.

18


Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Gathering revenues increased by $68.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 primarily driven by the May 2018 Acquisition and affiliate and third party production development in the Marcellus Shale. Firm reservation fee revenues increased primarily as a result of increased affiliate and third party contracted gathering capacity, including that on the Range Resources Corporation (Range Resources) header pipeline project, and higher rates on various affiliate wellhead expansion projects in the current period. Usage fees under firm contracts increased due to increased third party and affiliate volumes gathered in excess of firm contracted capacity. Usage fees under interruptible contracts increased as a result of the May 2018 Acquisition, which added revenues of $55.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018.
Operating expenses increased by $30.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. Operating and maintenance expense increased as a result of the May 2018 Acquisition as well as an increase in repairs and maintenance expense consistent with the growth of the business. Selling, general and administrative increased as a result of the May 2018 Acquisition and transaction costs associated with that acquisition and the EQM-RMP Merger. Depreciation expense increased primarily as a result of the May 2018 Acquisition and additional assets placed in-service, including those associated with the Range Resources header pipeline project and various wellhead gathering expansion projects. Amortization of intangible assets relates to the May 2018 Acquisition.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
Gathering revenues increased by $145.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily driven by the May 2018 Acquisition and affiliate and third party production development in the Marcellus Shale. Firm reservation fee revenues increased primarily as a result of increased affiliate and third party contracted gathering capacity, including that on the Range Resources header pipeline project, and higher rates on various affiliate wellhead expansion projects in the current period. Usage fees under firm contracts increased due to increased third party and affiliate volumes gathered in excess of firm contracted capacity. Usage fees under interruptible contracts increased as a result of the May 2018 Acquisition, which added revenues of $109.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018.
Operating expenses increased by $50.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. Operating and maintenance expense increased as a result of the May 2018 Acquisition as well as an increase in repairs and maintenance expense consistent with the growth of the business. Selling, general and administrative increased as a result of the May 2018 Acquisition and transaction costs associated with that acquisition and the EQM-RMP Merger. Depreciation expense increased primarily as a result of the May 2018 Acquisition and additional assets placed in-service, including those associated with the Range Resources header pipeline project and various wellhead gathering expansion projects. Amortization of intangible assets relates to the May 2018 Acquisition.

19


TRANSMISSION RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
 
(Thousands, except per day amounts)
FINANCIAL DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Firm reservation fee revenues
$
82,222

 
$
79,512

 
3.4

 
$
179,997

 
$
171,786

 
4.8

Volumetric based fee revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Usage fees under firm contracts (1)
4,828

 
3,503

 
37.8

 
8,650

 
6,360

 
36.0

Usage fees under interruptible contracts
2,095

 
1,655

 
26.6

 
7,432

 
4,267

 
74.2

Total volumetric based fee revenues
6,923

 
5,158

 
34.2

 
16,082

 
10,627

 
51.3

Total operating revenues
89,145

 
84,670

 
5.3

 
196,079

 
182,413

 
7.5

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating and maintenance
8,810

 
8,022

 
9.8

 
16,361

 
14,499

 
12.8

Selling, general and administrative
7,263

 
6,940

 
4.7

 
14,754

 
14,915

 
(1.1
)
Depreciation
12,430

 
11,845

 
4.9

 
24,871

 
23,532

 
5.7

Total operating expenses
28,503

 
26,807

 
6.3

 
55,986

 
52,946

 
5.7

Operating income
$
60,642

 
$
57,863

 
4.8

 
$
140,093

 
$
129,467

 
8.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity income
$
10,938

 
$
5,111

 
114.0

 
$
19,749

 
$
9,388

 
110.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATIONAL DATA
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Transmission pipeline throughput (BBtu per day)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Firm capacity reservation
2,826

 
2,218

 
27.4

 
2,821

 
2,171

 
29.9

Volumetric based services (2)
41

 
21

 
95.2

 
41

 
24

 
70.8

Total transmission pipeline throughput
2,867

 
2,239

 
28.0

 
2,862

 
2,195

 
30.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average contracted firm transmission reservation commitments (BBtu per day)
3,607

 
3,341

 
8.0

 
3,873

 
3,542

 
9.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
$
27,962

 
$
29,978

 
(6.7
)
 
$
46,891

 
$
51,367

 
(8.7
)
(1)
Includes fees on volumes transported in excess of firm contracted capacity as well as commodity charges and fees on all volumes transported under firm contracts.
(2)
Includes volumes transported under interruptible contracts and volumes transported in excess of firm contracted capacity.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Transmission and storage revenues increased by $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. Firm reservation fee revenues increased due to higher contractual rates on existing contracts with affiliates and third parties in the current period. Usage fees under firm contracts increased primarily due to increased commodity charges on higher firm contracted volumes. The increase in usage fees under interruptible contracts primarily relates to higher parking revenue, which does not have associated pipeline throughput.
Operating expenses increased by $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 consistent with the growth of the business.
The increase in equity income of $5.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 was primarily related to the increase in the MVP Joint Venture's AFUDC on the MVP.

20


Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
Transmission and storage revenues increased by $13.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. Firm reservation fee revenues increased due to higher contractual rates on existing contracts with third parties and affiliates in the current period, and third parties contracting for additional firm capacity. Usage fees under firm contracts increased primarily due to increased commodity charges. The increase in usage fees under interruptible contracts primarily relates to higher parking revenue, which does not have associated pipeline throughput.
Operating expenses increased by $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 consistent with the growth of the business.
Equity income increased $10.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to the increase in the MVP Joint Venture's AFUDC on the MVP.
Other Income Statement Items
Other income decreased by $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 and $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 as a result of lower AFUDC – equity, which was related to the timing of spending on regulated projects.
The increase in net interest expense of $12.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 and $14.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 was primarily due to increased interest of $7.6 million and $9.9 million, respectively, on higher borrowings on EQM's credit facilities, deferred issuance costs expensed in the second quarter of 2018 associated with the termination of the EQM Term Loan and interest incurred on the 2018 Senior Notes.
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was $0.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively. As discussed in Note A, on May 1, 2018, EQM acquired the remaining 25% limited liability company interest in Strike Force Midstream. As a result, EQM owned 100% of Strike Force Midstream effective as of May 1, 2018.
See "Investing Activities" and "Capital Requirements" in the "Capital Resources and Liquidity" section below for a discussion of capital expenditures.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures that management and external users of EQM's consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, use to assess:
EQM's operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships in the midstream energy industry without regard to historical cost basis or, in the case of adjusted EBITDA, financing methods;
the ability of EQM's assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to EQM's unitholders;
EQM's ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; and
the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities.
EQM believes that adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow provide useful information to investors in assessing its financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Additionally, because adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may be defined differently by other companies in its industry, EQM's adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing the utility of the measures. Distributable cash flow should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount of cash that EQM has available for distributions from operating surplus or that it plans to distribute.

21


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following table presents a reconciliation of EQM's non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow with the most directly comparable EQM GAAP financial measures of net income attributable to EQM and net cash provided by operating activities.
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Thousands)
Net income attributable to EQM
$
172,619

 
$
139,139

 
$
379,452

 
$
282,335

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest expense
20,683

 
8,662

 
31,399

 
16,588

Depreciation
28,076

 
21,400

 
55,461

 
41,947

Amortization of intangible assets
10,387

 

 
20,773

 

Preferred Interest payments
2,746

 
2,746

 
5,492

 
5,492

Non-cash long-term compensation expense

 

 
331

 
225

Transaction costs (1)
3,424

 

 
3,424

 

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity income
(10,938
)
 
(5,111
)
 
(19,749
)
 
(9,388
)
AFUDC – equity
(1,072
)
 
(1,598
)
 
(2,137
)
 
(3,297
)
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the May 2018 Acquisition (2)
(16,417
)
 

 
(60,507
)
 

Adjusted EBITDA
$
209,508

 
$
165,238

 
$
413,939

 
$
333,902

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest expense excluding interest income on the Preferred Interest
(22,336
)
 
(10,374
)
 
(34,836
)
 
(20,026
)
Capitalized interest and AFUDC – debt
(1,940
)
 
(1,008
)
 
(2,757
)
 
(2,608
)
Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures net of expected reimbursements (3)
(7,115
)
 
(3,462
)
 
(10,980
)
 
(6,070
)
Transaction costs
(3,424
)
 

 
(3,424
)
 

Distributable cash flow
$
174,693

 
$
150,394

 
$
361,942

 
$
305,198

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
220,225

 
$
158,883

 
$
441,646

 
$
320,305

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capitalized interest and AFUDC – debt
(1,940
)
 
(1,008
)
 
(2,757
)
 
(2,608
)
Principal payments received on the Preferred Interest
1,093

 
1,034

 
2,172

 
2,054

Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures net of expected reimbursements (3)
(7,115
)
 
(3,462
)
 
(10,980
)
 
(6,070
)
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the May 2018 Acquisition (2)
(16,417
)
 

 
(60,507
)
 

Other, including changes in working capital
(21,153
)
 
(5,053
)
 
(7,632
)
 
(8,483
)
Distributable cash flow
$
174,693

 
$
150,394

 
$
361,942

 
$
305,198

(1)
There were no transaction costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.
(2)
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the May 2018 Acquisition for the period prior to May 1, 2018 was excluded from EQM's adjusted EBITDA calculations as these amounts were generated by the May 2018 Acquisition prior to acquisition by EQM; therefore, the amounts could not have been distributed to EQM's unitholders. Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the May 2018 Acquisition for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was calculated as net income of $11.4 million and $41.0 million, respectively, plus depreciation expense of $1.6 million and $5.8 million, respectively, plus amortization of intangible assets of $3.5 million and $13.8 million, respectively, less interest income of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
(3)
Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures net of expected reimbursements excludes ongoing maintenance that EQM expects to be reimbursed or that was reimbursed by EQT under the terms of EQM's omnibus agreement of $0.6 million and zero for the three months

22


ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $3.4 million and $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
See "Executive Overview" above for a discussion of net income attributable to EQM, the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to adjusted EBITDA. EQM's adjusted EBITDA increased by $44.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 and $80.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily as a result of higher operating income on increased revenues driven by production development in the Marcellus Shale.
Net cash provided by operating activities, the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to distributable cash flow, increased by $121.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 as discussed in "Capital Resources and Liquidity." Distributable cash flow increased by $24.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 and $56.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 mainly attributable to the increase in EQM's adjusted EBITDA, partly offset by increased net interest expense and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures.
Outlook
On February 21, 2018, EQT announced a plan to separate its upstream and midstream businesses, creating a standalone publicly traded corporation (SpinCo) that will focus on midstream operations. Following the Separation, SpinCo will own the midstream interests held by EQT, including the interests in EQM and EQGP. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the EQM-RMP Merger, which was completed on July 23, 2018.
EQM's principal business objective is to increase the quarterly cash distributions it pays to its unitholders over time while ensuring the ongoing growth of its business. EQM believes that it is well positioned to achieve growth based on its strategically located assets, which cover portions of the Marcellus, Utica and Upper Devonian Shales that lack substantial natural gas pipeline infrastructure. EQM believes it has a competitive advantage in pursuing economically attractive organic expansion projects in its areas of operations, which EQM believes will be a key driver of growth in the future. EQM is also currently pursuing organic growth projects that are expected to provide access to markets in the Gulf Coast and Southeast regions. Additionally, EQM may pursue asset acquisitions from third parties.
EQM expects that the following expansion projects will allow it to capitalize on drilling activity by EQT and third party producers:
Mountain Valley Pipeline. The MVP Joint Venture is a joint venture with affiliates of each of NextEra Energy, Inc., Consolidated Edison, Inc., WGL Holdings, Inc. and RGC Resources, Inc. EQM is the operator of the MVP and owned a 45.5% interest in the MVP Joint Venture as of June 30, 2018. The 42 inch diameter MVP has a targeted capacity of 2.0 Bcf per day and is estimated to span 300 miles extending from EQM's existing transmission and storage system in Wetzel County, West Virginia to Pittsylvania County, Virginia, providing access to the growing Southeast demand markets. As currently designed, the total cost for the MVP is estimated to be $3.5 billion to $3.7 billion, excluding AFUDC, with EQM funding its proportionate share through capital contributions made to the MVP Joint Venture. In 2018, EQM expects to provide capital contributions of $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion to the MVP Joint Venture. The MVP Joint Venture has secured a total of 2.0 Bcf per day of firm capacity commitments at 20-year terms, including an initial 1.29 Bcf per day firm capacity commitment by EQT, and is currently in negotiation with additional shippers who have expressed interest in the MVP project.

In October 2017, the FERC issued the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the MVP project. In the first quarter of 2018, the MVP Joint Venture received limited notice to proceed with certain construction activities from the FERC and commenced construction.
The MVP Joint Venture is targeted to be placed in-service during the first quarter of 2019.

In April 2018, the MVP Joint Venture announced the MVP Southgate project, a proposed 70-mile interstate pipeline that will extend from the MVP at Pittsylvania County, Virginia to new delivery points in Rockingham and Alamance Counties, North Carolina. The MVP Southgate project is anchored by a firm capacity commitment from PSNC Energy. The preliminary MVP Southgate project cost estimate is $350 million to $500 million, which is expected to be spent in 2019 and 2020. EQM is expected to have between 33% and 48% ownership in the MVP Southgate project and will operate the pipeline. Subject to approval by the FERC, the MVP Southgate has a targeted in-service date of the fourth quarter 2020.
Affiliate Wellhead Gathering Expansion. EQM plans to invest approximately $750 million during 2018 in gathering expansion projects, primarily wellhead and header projects in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, including

23


commencing preliminary construction activities on the Hammerhead project, a 1.2 Bcf per day gathering header pipeline connecting natural gas produced in Pennsylvania and West Virginia to the MVP.
Transmission Expansion. EQM plans to invest approximately $100 million during 2018 in other transmission expansion projects, primarily the Equitrans Expansion project, which is designed to provide north-to-south capacity on the mainline Equitrans system for deliveries to the MVP.
Water Projects. In 2018, EQM plans to invest approximately $25 million on water infrastructure projects.
See further discussion of capital expenditures in the "Capital Requirements" section below.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
EQM's principal liquidity requirements are to finance its operations, fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture, make cash distributions and satisfy any indebtedness obligations. EQM's ability to meet these liquidity requirements will depend on its ability to generate cash in the future as well as its ability to raise capital in banking, capital and other markets. EQM's available sources of liquidity include cash generated from operations, borrowing under EQM's credit facilities, cash on hand, debt offerings and issuances of additional EQM partnership units.
Operating Activities
Net cash flows provided by operating activities was $441.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $320.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase was primarily driven by higher operating income for which contributing factors are discussed in the "Executive Overview" and "Business Segment Results of Operations" sections herein.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities was $1,676.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $207.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to the net assets acquired from EQT in the May 2018 Acquisition, increased capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture consistent with the start of construction on the MVP and increased capital expenditures as further described in "Capital Requirements."
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $1,875.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $161.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the primary source of financing cash flows was net proceeds from the 2018 Senior Notes offering, while the primary uses of financing cash flows were distributions paid to unitholders, net repayments on EQM's credit facilities and the Gulfport Transaction. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the primary use of financing cash flows was distributions paid to unitholders.
Capital Requirements
The gathering, transmission and storage businesses are capital intensive, requiring significant investment to develop new facilities and to maintain and upgrade existing operations.
 
Three Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended 
 June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Thousands)
Expansion capital expenditures (1)
$
159,968

 
$
80,224

 
$
284,787

 
$
146,869

Ongoing maintenance
7,093

 
3,462

 
14,401

 
7,044

Total capital expenditures (2)
$
167,061

 
$
83,686

 
$
299,188

 
$
153,913

(1)
Expansion capital expenditures do not include capital contributions made to the MVP Joint Venture of $65.8 million and $40.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $182.8 million and $59.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(2)
EQM accrues capital expenditures when work has been completed but the associated bills have not yet been paid. These accrued amounts are excluded from capital expenditures in the statements of consolidated cash flows until they are paid in a subsequent period. See Note E to the consolidated financial statements.

24


Expansion capital expenditures increased by $79.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 and $137.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily as a result of increased spending on the Hammerhead project, various wellhead gathering expansion projects and the Equitrans Expansion project, partly offset by decreased spending on the Range Resources header pipeline project. The final phase of the Range Resources header pipeline project was placed in-service during the second quarter of 2017.
Ongoing maintenance increased by $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 and $7.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily as a result of higher assets in service and timing of ongoing maintenance projects.
In 2018, capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture are expected to be $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion, depending on the timing of the construction of the MVP, expansion capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $875 million and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $45 million, net of reimbursements. As a result of the closing of the EQM-RMP Merger on July 23, 2018, capital expenditures include expected capital expenditures of RMP. EQM's future capital investments may vary significantly from period to period based on the available investment opportunities and the timing of construction for the MVP. Maintenance related capital expenditures are also expected to vary quarter to quarter. EQM may fund future capital expenditures primarily through cash generated from operations, availability under its credit facilities, debt offerings and issuances of additional EQM partnership units. EQM does not forecast capital expenditures associated with potential projects not committed as of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Credit Facility Borrowings
See Note H to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of EQM's credit facilities.
Security Ratings
The table below sets forth the credit ratings for debt instruments of EQM at June 30, 2018.
Rating Service
 
Senior Notes
 
Outlook
Moody's Investors Service (Moody's)
 
Ba1
 
Stable
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (S&P)
 
BBB-
 
Stable
Fitch Ratings (Fitch)
 
BBB-
 
Stable
EQM's credit ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. EQM cannot ensure that a rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a credit rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant. If any credit rating agency downgrades EQM's ratings, EQM's access to the capital markets may be limited, borrowing costs could increase, EQM may be required to provide additional credit assurances in support of commercial agreements such as joint venture agreements and construction contracts, the amount of which may be substantial, and the potential pool of investors and funding sources may decrease. In order to be considered investment grade, a company must be rated Baa3 or higher by Moody's, BBB- or higher by S&P or BBB- or higher by Fitch. Anything below these ratings, including EQM's current credit rating of Ba1 by Moody's, is considered non-investment grade.
$750 Million ATM Program
As of July 26, 2018, EQM had approximately $443 million in remaining capacity under the $750 Million ATM Program.
Distributions
See Note J to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of distributions.
Commitments and Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against EQM. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, EQM is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. EQM accrues legal and other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. EQM has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters; furthermore, after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, EQM believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against it will not materially affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions.

25


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
See Note G to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of the MVP Joint Venture guarantee.
Critical Accounting Policies
EQM's critical accounting policies are described in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in EQM's recast Current Report on Form 8-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 as filed with the SEC on June 12, 2018. Any new accounting policies or updates to existing accounting policies as a result of new accounting pronouncements have been included in the notes to EQM's consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2018. The application of EQM's critical accounting policies may require management to make judgments and estimates about the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates and judgments. Different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and estimates.
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Changes in interest rates affect the amount of interest EQM earns on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and the interest rates EQM pays on borrowings under its credit facilities. EQM's senior notes are fixed rate and thus do not expose EQM to fluctuations in its results of operations or liquidity from changes in market interest rates. Changes in interest rates do affect the fair value of EQM's fixed rate debt. See Note H to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of EQM's borrowings and Note I to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of fair value measurements. EQM may from time to time hedge the interest on portions of its borrowings under the credit facilities in order to manage risks associated with floating interest rates.
Credit Risk
EQM is exposed to credit risk, which is the risk that EQM may incur a loss if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. EQM manages its exposure to credit risk associated with customers through credit analysis, credit approval, credit limits and monitoring procedures. For certain transactions, EQM may request letters of credit, cash collateral, prepayments or guarantees as forms of credit support. EQM's FERC tariffs require tariff customers that do not meet specified credit standards to provide three months of credit support; however, EQM is exposed to credit risk beyond this three-month period when its tariffs do not require its customers to provide additional credit support. For some of EQM's more recent long-term contracts associated with system expansions, it has entered into negotiated credit agreements that provide for enhanced forms of credit support if certain credit standards are not met. EQM has historically experienced only minimal credit losses in connection with its receivables. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, approximately 77% of revenues were from investment grade counterparties. EQM is exposed to the credit risk of EQT, its largest customer. In connection with EQM's IPO in 2012, EQT guaranteed all payment obligations, up to a maximum of $50 million, due and payable to Equitrans, L.P., EQM's wholly owned FERC-regulated subsidiary, by EQT Energy, LLC, one of Equitrans, L.P.'s largest customers and a wholly owned subsidiary of EQT. The EQT guaranty will terminate on November 30, 2023 unless terminated earlier by EQT upon 10 days written notice. At June 30, 2018, EQT's public senior debt had an investment grade credit rating.
Commodity Prices
EQM's business is dependent on the continued availability of natural gas production and reserves in its areas of operation. Low prices for natural gas, including those resulting from regional basis differentials, could adversely affect development of additional reserves and production that is accessible by EQM's pipeline and storage assets. Lower regional natural gas prices could cause producers to determine in the future that drilling activities in areas outside of EQM's current areas of operation are strategically more attractive to them. EQT, or third party customers on EQM's systems, may reduce capital spending in the future based on commodity prices or other factors. Unless EQM is successful in attracting and retaining unaffiliated third party customers, which accounted for 47% of transmission and storage revenues and 28% of gathering revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2018, its ability to maintain or increase the capacity subscribed and volumes transported under service arrangements on its transmission and storage system as well as the volumes gathered on its gathering systems will be dependent on receiving consistent or increasing commitments from EQT. While EQT has dedicated acreage to EQM and has entered into long-term firm transmission and gathering contracts on certain EQM systems, EQT may determine in the future that drilling in EQM's areas of operations does not provide an adequate return or that drilling in areas outside of EQM's current areas of operations is strategically more attractive to it. EQT is under no contractual obligation to continue to develop its acreage dedicated to EQM.

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For the year ended December 31, 2017, approximately 89% of EQM’s total revenues were derived from firm reservation fees. On a pro forma basis following the closing of the EQM-RMP Merger, approximately 60% of EQM’s total revenues would have been derived from firm reservation fees for the year ended December 31, 2017. This decrease is primarily driven by the fact that RMP’s gathering systems have not been supported by contracts with firm capacity reservation components. Rather, all of RMP’s gathering and compression revenues were generated under long-term contracts which provide for a fixed price per unit for volumes of natural gas actually gathered. As a result, following the EQM-RMP Merger, EQM has greater exposure to short and medium term declines in volumes of gas produced and gathered on its systems than it has historically. With respect to its firm contracts, EQM believes that short and medium term declines in volumes of gas produced, gathered, transported or stored on its systems will have a limited financial impact on EQM because the firm reservation fees associated with these contracts are paid regardless of volumes supplied to the system by customers. Longer term price declines could have an impact on customer creditworthiness and related ability to pay firm reservation fees under long-term contracts, which could impact EQM's results of operations, liquidity, financial position or ability to pay distributions to its unitholders. Additionally, long term declines in gas production in EQM's areas of operations would limit EQM's growth potential. 
Other Market Risks
EQM's $1 Billion Facility is underwritten by a syndicate of financial institutions, each of which is obligated to fund its pro-rata portion of any borrowings by EQM. No one lender of the financial institutions in the syndicate holds more than 10% of the facility. EQM's large syndicate group and relatively low percentage of participation by each lender is expected to limit EQM's exposure to disruption or consolidation in the banking industry.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of management of the EQM General Partner, including the EQM General Partner's Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, an evaluation of EQM's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)) was conducted as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the EQM General Partner concluded that EQM's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management’s assessment of, and conclusion on, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of the entities acquired in the May 2018 Acquisition, which were initially acquired by EQT from Rice on November 13, 2017. Under guidelines established by the SEC, companies are permitted to exclude acquisitions from their assessment of internal control over financial reporting for a period of up to one year following an acquisition while integrating the acquired company. EQM is in the process of integrating its internal controls over financial reporting with those of the entities acquired in the May 2018 Acquisition. As a result of these integration activities, certain controls will be evaluated and may be changed. Except as noted above, there were no changes in EQM's internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the second quarter of 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, EQM's internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against EQM. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, EQM is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. EQM accrues legal and other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. EQM has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters; furthermore, after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, EQM believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against it will not materially affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions.
Environmental Proceedings
Between September 2015 and February 2016, EQM, as the operator of the Allegheny Valley Connector (AVC) facilities, which at that time were owned by EQT, received eight NOVs from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). The NOVs alleged violations of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law in connection with inadvertent releases of sediment and bentonite to water that occurred while drilling for a pipeline replacement project in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. EQT and EQM immediately addressed the releases and fully cooperated with the PADEP.  In October 2016, EQM acquired the AVC facilities from EQT, including any future obligations related to these releases. EQM and the PADEP are currently negotiating the terms of a consent order and agreement and related civil penalty related to the NOVs. While EQM expects the PADEP’s claims to result in penalties that exceed $100,000, EQM expects that the resolution of this matter will not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in EQM's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 other than the risks described below.
Failure to successfully combine the businesses of EQM and RMP in the expected time frame may adversely affect the future results of the combined organization and our ability to achieve the intended benefits of the EQM-RMP Merger and the May 2018 Acquisition.
The success of the EQM-RMP Merger will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from combining the businesses of EQM and RMP. To realize these anticipated benefits, the businesses must be successfully combined. If the combined organization is not able to achieve these objectives, or is not able to achieve these objectives on a timely basis, the anticipated benefits of the EQM-RMP Merger may not be realized fully or at all. In addition, the actual integration may result in additional and unforeseen expenses, which could reduce the anticipated benefits of the EQM-RMP Merger. There can be no assurance that our combination with RMP or the May 2018 Acquisition will deliver the strategic, financial and operational benefits anticipated by us. Our business may be negatively impacted if we are unable to effectively manage our expanded operations.
The proposed separation of EQT's production and midstream businesses into two independent publicly-traded companies may result in disruptions to, and negatively impact our relationships with, our customers and other business partners.
On February 21, 2018, EQT announced plans to separate its production and midstream businesses into two independent publicly-traded companies. Uncertainty related to the Separation may lead customers and other parties with which we currently do business or may do business in the future to terminate or attempt to negotiate changes in existing business relationships, or consider entering into business relationships with parties other than us. These disruptions could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The effect of such disruptions could be exacerbated by any delays in the completion of the Separation.
Our significant indebtedness, and any future indebtedness, as well as the restrictions under our debt agreements could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating flexibility, results of operations, liquidity and ability to make quarterly cash distributions to our unitholders.
Our debt agreements contain various covenants and restrictive provisions that limit our ability to, among other things:
incur or guarantee additional debt;
make distributions on or redeem or repurchase units;

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incur or permit liens on assets;
enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates;
enter into certain mergers or acquisitions; and
dispose of all or substantially all of our assets.
In July 2017, we amended and restated our credit facility to increase the borrowing capacity under the facility from $750 million to $1 billion and extend the maturity date to July 2022. Our $1 billion credit facility contains a covenant requiring us to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 5.00 to 1.00 (or not more than 5.50 to 1.00 for certain measurement periods following the consummation of certain acquisitions). Our ability to meet these covenants can be affected by events beyond our control and we cannot assure our unitholders that we will meet these covenants. In addition, our $1 billion credit facility contains events of default customary for such facilities, including the occurrence of a change of control (which will occur, among other things, if EQT or certain permitted transferees fail to control the EQM General Partner, we fail to own 100% of Equitrans, L.P., or the EQM General Partner fails to be our general partner). Furthermore, in June 2018, we issued senior unsecured notes in an aggregate principal amount of $2.5 billion across three new series, consisting of $1.1 billion in aggregate principal amount of our 4.75% senior notes due 2023, $850 million in aggregate principal amount of our 5.5% senior notes due 2028, and $550 million in aggregate principal amount of our 6.5% senior notes due 2048.
The provisions of our debt agreements may affect our ability to obtain future financing and pursue attractive business opportunities and our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in business conditions. In addition, a failure to comply with the provisions of our debt agreements could result in an event of default, which could enable our lenders to, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable agreement, declare any outstanding principal of that debt, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable. If the payment of our debt is accelerated, our assets may be insufficient to repay such debt in full, and our unitholders could experience a partial or total loss of their investments. The $1 billion credit facility also has cross default provisions that apply to any other indebtedness we may have with an aggregate principal amount in excess of $25 million.
Our substantial indebtedness and the additional debt we may incur in the future for, among other things, working capital, capital expenditures, capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture, acquisitions or operating activities may adversely affect our liquidity and therefore our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
Among other things, our significant indebtedness may be viewed negatively by credit rating agencies, which could result in increased costs for us to access the capital markets. Any future downgrade of the debt issued by us or our subsidiaries could significantly increase our capital costs or adversely affect our ability to raise capital in the future.
The demand for the services provided by our water distribution business could decline as a result of several factors.
Our water services business includes fresh water distribution for use in our customers’ natural gas, NGLs and oil exploration and production activities. Water is an essential component of natural gas, NGLs and oil production during the drilling, and in particular, the hydraulic fracturing process. As a result, the demand for our fresh water distribution and produced water handling services is tied to the level of drilling and completion activity of our customers, including EQT, which is currently and anticipated to continue to be our primary customer for such services. More specifically, the demand for our water distribution and produced water handling services could be adversely affected by any reduction in or slowing of EQT’s or other customers’ well completions, any reduction in produced water attributable to completion activity, or the extent to which EQT or other customers complete wells with shorter lateral lengths, which would lessen the volume of fresh water required for completion activity. In addition, increased regulation of hydraulic fracturing could result in reductions or delays in natural gas, NGLs and oil production by our water services customers, which could reduce the number of wells for which we provide water services.
Additionally, we depend on EQT to source a portion of the fresh water we distribute. The availability of our and EQT’s water supply may be limited due to reasons including, but not limited to, prolonged drought or regulatory delays associated with infrastructure development. Restrictions on the ability to obtain water or changes in wastewater disposal requirements may incentivize water recycling efforts by oil and natural gas producers, which could decrease the demand for our fresh water distribution services.
The regulatory approval process for the construction of new midstream assets is challenging, and litigation could impact our or MVP’s ability to obtain authorizations necessary for projects.
Certain of our internal growth projects may require regulatory approval from federal, state and local authorities prior to construction, including any extensions from or additions to our transmission and storage system. The approval process for storage and transportation projects has become increasingly challenging, due in part to state and local concerns related to

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exploration and production and gathering activities in new production areas, including the Marcellus, Utica and Upper Devonian Shales, and negative public perception regarding the oil and gas industry. Such authorization may not be granted or, if granted, such authorization may include burdensome or expensive conditions.
In addition, any significant delays in the regulatory approval process for the MVP Project could increase costs and negatively impact the scheduled in-service date, which in turn could adversely affect the ability for MVP and its owners, including us, to achieve the expected investment return. For example, in February 2018, the Sierra Club filed a lawsuit in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the use of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit 12 in West Virginia for the MVP project. In May 2018, the Army Corps suspended its Nationwide Permit 12 verifications for four river crossings in West Virginia. Plaintiffs then sought a preliminary injunction staying the Army Corps’ approval to proceed under Nationwide Permit 12 for all stream crossings in West Virginia. In June 2018, the Fourth Circuit granted the motion and stayed the Army Corps’ verification that Nationwide Permit 12 applied. Accordingly, MVP has stopped construction of the portions of the MVP project affected by this ruling. Although the Army Corps reinstated its verifications for four of the West Virginia stream crossings in July 2018, the stay imposed by the Fourth Circuit is still in place. This and other similar litigation could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and ability to make quarterly cash distributions to our unitholders.
Our natural gas gathering, transmission and storage services are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local regulatory authorities. Changes or additional regulatory measures adopted by such authorities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and ability to make distributions.
Our interstate natural gas transmission and storage operations are regulated by the FERC under the NGA, the NGPA and the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Certain portions of our gathering operations are also rate-regulated by the FERC in connection with our interstate transmission operations. Our FERC-regulated systems operate under tariffs approved by the FERC that establish rates, cost recovery mechanisms and terms and conditions of service to our customers. Generally, the FERC's authority extends to:
    rates and charges for our natural gas transmission and storage and FERC-regulated gathering services;
    certification and construction of new interstate transmission and storage facilities;
    abandonment of interstate transmission and storage services and facilities;
    maintenance of accounts and records;
    relationships between pipelines and certain affiliates;
    terms and conditions of services and service contracts with customers;
    depreciation and amortization policies;
    acquisitions and dispositions of interstate transmission and storage facilities; and
    initiation and discontinuation of interstate transmission and storage services.
Interstate pipelines may not charge rates or impose terms and conditions of service that, upon review by the FERC, are found to be unjust and unreasonable or unduly discriminatory. The recourse rate that may be charged by our interstate pipeline for its transmission and storage services is established through the FERC's ratemaking process. The maximum applicable recourse rate and terms and conditions for service are set forth in our FERC-approved tariffs.
Pursuant to the NGA, existing interstate transmission and storage rates and terms and conditions of service may be challenged by complaint and are subject to prospective change by the FERC. Additionally, rate increases and changes to terms and conditions of service proposed by a regulated interstate pipeline may be protested and such increases or changes can be delayed and may ultimately be rejected by the FERC. We currently hold authority from the FERC to charge and collect (i) "recourse rates," which are the maximum rates an interstate pipeline may charge for its services under its tariff, (ii) "discount rates," which are rates below the "recourse rates" and above a minimum level, provided they do not "unduly discriminate", (iii) "negotiated rates," which involve rates above or below the "recourse rates," provided that the affected customers are willing to agree to such rates and that the FERC has approved the negotiated rate agreement, and (iv) market-based rates for some of our storage services from which we derive a small portion of our revenues. As of December 31, 2017, approximately 89% of our system's contracted firm transmission capacity was committed under such "negotiated rate" contracts, rather than recourse, discount or market rate contracts. There can be no guarantee that we will be allowed to continue to operate under such rate structures for the remainder of those assets' operating lives. Any successful challenge against rates charged for our transmission

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and storage services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and ability to make quarterly cash distributions to our unitholders.
While the FERC does not generally regulate the rates and terms of service over facilities determined to be performing a natural gas gathering function, the FERC has traditionally regulated rates charged by interstate pipelines for gathering services performed on the pipeline's own gathering facilities when those gathering services are performed in connection with jurisdictional interstate transmission facilities. We maintain rates and terms of service in our tariff for unbundled gathering services performed on a portion of our gathering facilities that are connected to our transmission and storage system. Just as with rates and terms of service for transmission and storage services, our rates and terms of services for our FERC-regulated gathering services may be challenged by complaint and are subject to prospective change by the FERC. Rate increases and changes to terms and conditions of service which we propose for our FERC-regulated gathering services may be protested, and such increases or changes can be delayed and may ultimately be rejected by the FERC.
The FERC's jurisdiction extends to the certification and construction of interstate transmission and storage facilities, including, but not limited to, acquisitions, facility maintenance, expansions, and abandonment of facilities and services. While the FERC exercises jurisdiction over the rates and terms of service for our FERC-regulated gathering services, these gathering facilities are not subject to the FERC's certification and construction authority. Prior to commencing construction of new or existing interstate transmission and storage facilities, an interstate pipeline must obtain a certificate authorizing the construction, or file to amend its existing certificate, from the FERC. On April 19, 2018, the FERC issued a Notice of Inquiry seeking information regarding whether, and if so how, it should revise its approach under its currently effective policy statement on the certification of new natural gas transportation facilities. We cannot currently predict when the FERC will issue an order in the Notice of Inquiry proceeding or what action the FERC may take in any such order. If the FERC changes its existing certificate policy, it could impact our ability to construct interstate pipeline facilities. Further, typically, a significant expansion project requires review by a number of governmental agencies, including state and local agencies, whose cooperation is important in completing the regulatory process on schedule. Any agency's delay in the issuance of, or refusal to issue, authorizations or permits for one or more of these projects may mean that we will not be able to pursue these projects or that they will be constructed in a manner or with capital requirements that we did not anticipate. Such delays, refusals or resulting modifications to projects could materially and negatively impact the revenues and costs expected from these projects or cause us to abandon planned projects.
FERC regulations also extend to the terms and conditions set forth in agreements for transmission and storage services executed between interstate pipelines and their customers. These service agreements are required to conform, in all material respects, with the forms of service agreements set forth in the pipeline's FERC-approved tariff. Non-conforming agreements must be filed with, and accepted by, the FERC. In the event that the FERC finds that an agreement is materially non-conforming, in whole or in part, it could reject the agreement or require us to seek modification, or alternatively require us to modify our tariff so that the non-conforming provisions are generally available to all customers.
On March 15, 2018, the FERC issued an order prohibiting master limited partnership (MLP)-owned pipelines from including an allowance for investor income tax liability in their cost-of-service based rates. Under its prior policy, the FERC had permitted all interstate pipelines to include an income tax allowance in the cost-of-service used as the basis for calculating their regulated rates. On July 18, 2018, the FERC issued an order affirming the principal finding in the March order regarding income tax recovery and also clarifying the treatment of Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes (ADIT) in light of the prohibition on MLP income tax allowances. Also on July 18, 2018, the FERC issued Order No. 849, adopting regulations requiring that natural gas pipelines must make a one-time report, Form 501-G, due in the fourth quarter of 2018. For MLP-owned pipelines, the Form 501-G report must calculate an earned rate of return on equity that addresses any potential over-recovery of their cost of service arising from the prohibition of the income tax allowance and the ADIT clarification. The FERC will evaluate these Form 501-G filings on a case-by-case basis and may open a limited or a general rate case, open an investigation, or take no further action. This recent action by the FERC could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
The FERC may not continue to pursue its approach of pro-competitive policies as it considers matters such as interstate pipeline rates and rules and policies that may affect rights of access to natural gas transmission capacity and transmission and storage facilities.
Section 1(b) of the NGA exempts certain natural gas gathering facilities from regulation by the FERC under the NGA. We believe that our high pressure natural gas gathering pipelines meet the traditional tests the FERC has used to establish a pipeline's status as an exempt gatherer not subject to regulation as a natural gas company, although the FERC has not made a formal determination with respect to the jurisdictional status of those facilities. However, the distinction between FERC-regulated transmission services and federally unregulated gathering services is often the subject of litigation within the industry,

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so the classification and regulation of our high pressure gathering systems are subject to change based on future determinations by the FERC, the courts or the U.S. Congress.
Failure to comply with applicable provisions of the NGA, the NGPA, federal pipeline safety laws and certain other laws, as well as with the regulations, rules, orders, restrictions and conditions associated with these laws, could result in the imposition of administrative and criminal remedies and civil penalties. For example, the FERC is authorized to impose civil penalties of up to approximately $1.2 million per violation, per day for violations of the NGA, the NGPA or the rules, regulations, restrictions, conditions and orders promulgated under those statutes. This maximum penalty authority established by statute will continue to be adjusted periodically for inflation.
In addition, future federal, state or local legislation or regulations under which we will operate our natural gas gathering, transmission and storage businesses may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and ability to make quarterly cash distributions to our unitholders.

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Item 6. Exhibits

 
Exhibit No.
 
Document Description
 
Method of Filing

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 


 
 

 
 

 
 
101

 
Interactive Data File.
 
Filed herewith as Exhibit 101.



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Signature
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
By:
EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its General Partner
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Robert J. McNally
 
 
Robert J. McNally
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:  July 26, 2018


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