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EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - TransMontaigne Partners LLCtlp-20180930ex32226ec43.htm
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EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - TransMontaigne Partners LLCtlp-20180930ex31155f2ac.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10‑Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

OR

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Commission File Number: 001‑32505

TRANSMONTAIGNE PARTNERS L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

34‑2037221
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

1670 Broadway

Suite 3100

Denver, Colorado 80202

(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

(303) 626‑8200

(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 ☒  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 ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non‑accelerated filer, 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 ☐

Accelerated filer ☒

Non‑accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☐ 

 

 

 

Emerging growth 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 ☒

As of October 31, 2018, there were 16,229,123 units of the registrant’s Common Limited Partner Units outstanding.

 

 

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

    

Page No.

 

Part I. Financial Information 

 

Item 1. 

 

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4

 

 

 

Consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

 

5

 

 

 

Consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

 

6

 

 

 

Consolidated statements of partners’ equity for the year ended December 31, 2017 and nine months ended September 30, 2018

 

7

 

 

 

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

 

8

 

 

 

Notes to consolidated financial statements

 

9

 

Item 2. 

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

32

 

Item 3. 

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

45

 

Item 4. 

 

Controls and Procedures

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part II. Other Information 

 

Item 1. 

 

Legal Proceedings

 

46

 

Item 1A. 

 

Risk Factors

 

46

 

Item 6. 

 

Exhibits

 

47

 

 

 

Signatures

 

48

 

 

 

2


 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD‑LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition, or forecasts of future events. When used in this Quarterly Report, the words “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “seek,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “continue,” “estimate,” “plan,” “target,” “predict,” “project,” “attempt,” “is scheduled,” “likely,” “forecast,” the negatives thereof and other similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the risk factors and other cautionary statements contained in our other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.  

You should also understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider the following list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include:

·

our ability to successfully implement our business strategy;

·

competitive conditions in our industry;

·

actions taken by third-party customers, producers, operators, processors and transporters;

·

pending legal or environmental matters;

·

costs of conducting our operations;

·

our ability to complete internal growth projects on time and on budget;

·

general economic conditions;

·

the price of oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and other commodities in the energy industry;

·

the price and availability of debt and equity financing;

·

large customer defaults; 

·

interest rates;

·

operating hazards, natural disasters, weather-related delays, casualty losses and other matters beyond our control;

·

uncertainty regarding our future operating results;

·

changes in tax status;

·

effects of existing and future laws and governmental regulations;

·

the effects of future litigation; and

·

plans, objectives, expectations and intentions contained in the Annual Report that are not historical.

All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this Quarterly Report are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue.

 

Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report.

3


 

Part I. Financial Information

ITEM 1.  UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of TransMontaigne Partners L.P. as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are included herein beginning on the following page. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2017, together with our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, included in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K, filed on March 15, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 001‑32505).

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. is a holding company with the following 100% owned operating subsidiaries during the three months ended September 30, 2018:

·

TransMontaigne Operating GP L.L.C.

·

TransMontaigne Operating Company L.P.

·

TransMontaigne Terminals L.L.C.

·

Razorback L.L.C. (d/b/a Diamondback Pipeline L.L.C.)

·

TPSI Terminals L.L.C.

·

TLP Finance Corp.

·

TLP Operating Finance Corp.

·

TPME L.L.C.

We do not have off‑balance‑sheet arrangements (other than operating leases) or special‑purpose entities.

 

4


 

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Consolidated balance sheets (unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

September 30,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,246

 

$

923

 

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

 

12,447

 

 

11,017

 

Due from affiliates

 

 

1,367

 

 

1,509

 

Other current assets

 

 

7,863

 

 

20,654

 

Total current assets

 

 

23,923

 

 

34,103

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

662,819

 

 

655,053

 

Goodwill

 

 

9,428

 

 

9,428

 

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

228,622

 

 

233,181

 

Other assets, net

 

 

51,795

 

 

55,238

 

 

 

$

976,587

 

$

987,003

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

$

14,341

 

$

8,527

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

25,600

 

 

17,426

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

39,941

 

 

25,953

 

Other liabilities

 

 

3,741

 

 

3,633

 

Long-term debt

 

 

583,420

 

 

593,200

 

Total liabilities

 

 

627,102

 

 

622,786

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common unitholders (16,222,151 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2018 and 16,177,353 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017)

 

 

295,795

 

 

310,769

 

General partner interest (2% interest with 331,055 equivalent units outstanding at September 30, 2018 and 330,150 equivalent units outstanding at December 31, 2017)

 

 

53,690

 

 

53,448

 

Total partners’ equity

 

 

349,485

 

 

364,217

 

 

 

$

976,587

 

$

987,003

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

5


 

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of operations (unaudited)

(In thousands, except per unit amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

Nine months ended 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

2018

    

2017

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External customers

 

$

53,006

 

$

43,512

 

$

156,499

 

$

130,442

 

Affiliates

 

 

4,144

 

 

1,937

 

 

12,439

 

 

5,221

 

Total revenue

 

 

57,150

 

 

45,449

 

 

168,938

 

 

135,663

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct operating costs and expenses

 

 

(19,910)

 

 

(17,719)

 

 

(59,330)

 

 

(50,214)

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

(4,957)

 

 

(5,247)

 

 

(14,557)

 

 

(13,298)

 

Insurance expenses

 

 

(1,227)

 

 

(999)

 

 

(3,744)

 

 

(3,007)

 

Equity-based compensation expense

 

 

(483)

 

 

(544)

 

 

(2,941)

 

 

(2,713)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(12,310)

 

 

(8,882)

 

 

(37,278)

 

 

(26,379)

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

 

(38,887)

 

 

(33,391)

 

 

(117,850)

 

 

(95,611)

 

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

1,862

 

 

1,884

 

 

7,195

 

 

6,564

 

Operating income

 

 

20,125

 

 

13,942

 

 

58,283

 

 

46,616

 

Other expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(8,608)

 

 

(2,656)

 

 

(23,342)

 

 

(7,333)

 

Amortization of deferred issuance costs

 

 

(622)

 

 

(320)

 

 

(2,412)

 

 

(885)

 

Total other expenses

 

 

(9,230)

 

 

(2,976)

 

 

(25,754)

 

 

(8,218)

 

Net earnings

 

 

10,895

 

 

10,966

 

 

32,529

 

 

38,398

 

Less—earnings allocable to general partner interest including incentive distribution rights

 

 

(4,058)

 

 

(3,270)

 

 

(11,696)

 

 

(9,218)

 

Net earnings allocable to limited partners

 

$

6,837

 

$

7,696

 

$

20,833

 

$

29,180

 

Net earnings per limited partner unit—basic

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.47

 

$

1.28

 

$

1.79

 

Net earnings per limited partner unit—diluted

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.47

 

$

1.27

 

$

1.79

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

6


 

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of partners’ equity (unaudited)

Year ended December 31, 2017 and nine months ended September 30, 2018

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

    

General

    

 

 

 

 

Common

 

partner

 

 

 

 

 

units

 

interest

 

Total

 

Balance December 31, 2016

 

$

320,042

 

$

52,692

 

$

372,734

 

Distributions to unitholders

 

 

(47,349)

 

 

(11,985)

 

 

(59,334)

 

Equity-based compensation

 

 

2,729

 

 

 

 

2,729

 

Issuance of 6,498 common units pursuant to our long-term incentive plan

 

 

270

 

 

 —

 

 

270

 

Issuance of 33,205 common units pursuant to our savings and retention program

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Settlement of tax withholdings on equity-based compensation

 

 

(711)

 

 

 

 

(711)

 

Contribution of cash by TransMontaigne GP to maintain its 2% general partner interest

 

 

 —

 

 

36

 

 

36

 

Net earnings for year ended December 31, 2017

 

 

35,788

 

 

12,705

 

 

48,493

 

Balance December 31, 2017

 

 

310,769

 

 

53,448

 

 

364,217

 

Distributions to unitholders

 

 

(38,090)

 

 

(11,488)

 

 

(49,578)

 

Equity-based compensation

 

 

2,941

 

 

 

 

2,941

 

Issuance of 44,798 common units pursuant to our savings and retention program

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Settlement of tax withholdings on equity-based compensation

 

 

(658)

 

 

 

 

(658)

 

Contribution of cash by TransMontaigne GP to maintain its 2% general partner interest

 

 

 —

 

 

34

 

 

34

 

Net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2018

 

 

20,833

 

 

11,696

 

 

32,529

 

Balance September 30, 2018

 

$

295,795

 

$

53,690

 

$

349,485

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

7


 

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Three months ended 

 

Nine months ended 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

2018

    

2017

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

10,895

 

$

10,966

 

$

32,529

 

$

38,398

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

12,310

 

 

8,882

 

 

37,278

 

 

26,379

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

(1,862)

 

 

(1,884)

 

 

(7,195)

 

 

(6,564)

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

5,007

 

 

4,201

 

 

12,168

 

 

13,096

Equity-based compensation expense

 

 

483

 

 

544

 

 

2,941

 

 

2,713

Amortization of deferred issuance costs

 

 

622

 

 

320

 

 

2,412

 

 

885

Amortization of deferred revenue

 

 

(119)

 

 

(170)

 

 

(455)

 

 

(211)

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments

 

 

144

 

 

65

 

 

271

 

 

(155)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

 

(128)

 

 

(1,020)

 

 

(1,218)

 

 

(879)

Due from affiliates

 

 

2,124

 

 

(49)

 

 

142

 

 

(805)

Other current assets

 

 

1,265

 

 

1,146

 

 

3,086

 

 

3,905

Amounts due under long-term terminaling services agreements, net

 

 

171

 

 

772

 

 

375

 

 

447

Deposits

 

 

 —

 

 

(4)

 

 

 —

 

 

50

Trade accounts payable

 

 

766

 

 

2,095

 

 

(43)

 

 

2,526

Accrued liabilities

 

 

(1,076)

 

 

1,537

 

 

8,174

 

 

4,004

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

30,602

 

 

27,401

 

 

90,465

 

 

83,789

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(1,264)

 

 

(2,145)

Return of investment in unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

850

 

 

 —

Capital expenditures

 

 

(16,525)

 

 

(8,682)

 

 

(38,480)

 

 

(37,327)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

10,025

 

 

 —

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(16,525)

 

 

(8,682)

 

 

(28,869)

 

 

(39,472)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from senior notes

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

300,000

 

 

 —

Borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

 

37,300

 

 

14,600

 

 

122,800

 

 

101,700

Repayments under revolving credit facility

 

 

(32,600)

 

 

(14,600)

 

 

(425,000)

 

 

(91,500)

Deferred issuance costs

 

 

 —

 

 

(457)

 

 

(7,871)

 

 

(5,821)

Settlement of tax withholdings on equity-based compensation

 

 

 —

 

 

(304)

 

 

(658)

 

 

(711)

Distributions paid to unitholders

 

 

(16,921)

 

 

(15,078)

 

 

(49,578)

 

 

(43,755)

Contribution of cash by TransMontaigne GP

 

 

 —

 

 

 8

 

 

34

 

 

30

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(12,221)

 

 

(15,831)

 

 

(60,273)

 

 

(40,057)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

1,856

 

 

2,888

 

 

1,323

 

 

4,260

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

390

 

 

1,965

 

 

923

 

 

593

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

2,246

 

$

4,853

 

$

2,246

 

$

4,853

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

13,159

 

$

2,688

 

$

20,790

 

$

7,279

Property, plant and equipment acquired with accounts payable

 

$

9,064

 

$

3,733

 

$

9,064

 

$

3,733

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

8


 

Table of Contents

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Nature of business

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “the Partnership”) was formed in February 2005 as a Delaware limited partnership. We provide integrated terminaling, storage, transportation and related services for companies engaged in the trading, distribution and marketing of light refined petroleum products, heavy refined petroleum products, crude oil, chemicals, fertilizers and other liquid products. We conduct our operations in the United States along the Gulf Coast, in the Midwest, in Houston and Brownsville, Texas, along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, in the Southeast and along the West Coast.

We are controlled by our general partner, TransMontaigne GP L.L.C. (“TransMontaigne GP”), which as of February 1, 2016 is a wholly‑owned indirect subsidiary of ArcLight Energy Partners Fund VI, L.P. (“ArcLight”).

(b) Basis of presentation and use of estimates

Our accounting and financial reporting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and its controlled subsidiaries. Investments where we do not have the ability to exercise control, but do have the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. All inter‑company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring accruals) considered necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with “GAAP” requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. The following estimates, in management’s opinion, are subjective in nature, require the exercise of judgment, and/or involve complex analyses: business combination estimates and assumptions, useful lives of our plant and equipment and accrued environmental obligations. Changes in these estimates and assumptions will occur as a result of the passage of time and the occurrence of future events. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

(c) Accounting for terminal and pipeline operations

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), applying the modified retrospective transition method, which required us to apply the new standard to (i) all new revenue contracts entered into after January 1, 2018, and (ii) revenue contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. ASC 606 replaces existing revenue recognition requirements in GAAP and requires entities to recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. ASC 606 also requires certain disclosures regarding qualitative and quantitative information regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The adoption of ASC 606 did not result in a transition adjustment nor did it have an impact on the timing or amount of our revenue recognition (See Note 18 of Notes to consolidated financial statements).

9


 

Table of Contents

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

The adoption of ASC 606 did not result in changes to our accounting for trade accounts receivable (see Note 4 of Notes to consolidated financial statements), contract assets or contract liabilities. We recognize contract assets in situations where revenue recognition under ASC 606 occurs prior to billing the customer based on our rights under the contract. Contract assets are transferred to accounts receivable when the rights become unconditional. At September 30, 2018, we did not have any contract assets related to ASC 606.

Contract liabilities primarily relate to consideration received from customers in advance of completing the performance obligation. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer goods or services to the customer. We recognize contract liabilities under these arrangements as revenue once all contingencies or potential performance obligations have been satisfied by the (i) performance of services or (ii) expiration of the customer’s rights under the contract. Short-term contract liabilities include customer advances and deposits (see Note 10 of Notes to consolidated financial statements). Long-term contract liabilities include deferred revenue related to ethanol blending fees and other projects (See Note 11 of Notes to consolidated financial statements).

We generate revenue from terminaling services fees, pipeline transportation fees and management fees. Under ASC 606, we recognize revenue over time or at a point in time, depending on the nature of the performance obligations contained in the respective contract with our customer. The contract transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The majority of our revenue is recognized pursuant to ASC guidance other than ASC 606. The following is an overview of our significant revenue streams, including a description of the respective performance obligations and related method of revenue recognition. 

Terminaling services fees. Our terminaling services agreements are structured as either throughput agreements or storage agreements. Our throughput agreements contain provisions that require our customers to make minimum payments, which are based on contractually established minimum volumes of throughput of the customer’s product at our facilities, over a stipulated period of time. Due to this minimum payment arrangement, we recognize a fixed amount of revenue from the customer over a certain period of time, even if the customer throughputs less than the minimum volume of product during that period. In addition, if a customer throughputs a volume of product exceeding the minimum volume, we would recognize additional revenue on this incremental volume. Our storage agreements require our customers to make minimum payments based on the volume of storage capacity available to the customer under the agreement, which results in a fixed amount of recognized revenue. We refer to the fixed amount of revenue recognized pursuant to our terminaling services agreements as being “firm commitments.” The majority of our firm commitments under our terminaling services agreements are accounted for in accordance with ASC 840, Leases (“ASC 840 revenue”). The remainder is recognized in accordance with ASC 606 (“ASC 606 revenue”) where the minimum payment arrangement in each contract is a single performance obligation that is primarily satisfied over time through the contract term. 

 

Revenue recognized in excess of firm commitments and revenue recognized based solely on the volume of product distributed or injected are referred to as ancillary. The ancillary revenue associated with terminaling services include volumes of product throughput that exceed the contractually established minimum volumes, injection fees based on the volume of product injected with additive compounds, heating and mixing of stored products, product transfer, railcar handling, butane blending, proceeds from the sale of product gains, wharfage and vapor recovery. The revenue generated by these services is primarily considered optional purchases to acquire additional services or variable consideration that is required to be estimated under ASC 606 for any uncertainty that is not resolved in the period of the service. We account for the majority of ancillary revenue at individual points in time when the services are delivered to the customer. Our ancillary revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 606.

Pipeline transportation fees. We earn pipeline transportation fees at our Diamondback pipeline either based on the volume of product transported or under capacity reservation agreements. Revenue associated with the capacity reservation is recognized ratably over the respective term, regardless of whether the capacity is actually utilized. We earn pipeline transportation fees at our Razorback pipeline based on an allocation of the aggregate fees charged under the capacity agreement with our customer who has contracted for 100% of our Razorback system. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, pipeline transportation revenue is primarily accounted for in accordance with ASC 840.

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

Management fees. We manage and operate certain tank capacity at our Port Everglades South terminal for a major oil company and receive a reimbursement of its proportionate share of operating and maintenance costs. We manage and operate the Frontera joint venture and receive a management fee based on our costs incurred. We manage and operate rail sites at certain Southeast terminals on behalf of a major oil company and receive reimbursement for operating and maintenance costs. We also managed and operated for an affiliate of PEMEX, Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company, a bi-directional products pipeline connected to our Brownsville terminal facility and received a management fee for our services through August 23, 2018. Management fee revenue is recognized at individual points in time as the services are performed or as the costs are incurred and is primarily accounted for in accordance with ASC 606.

(d) Cash and cash equivalents

We consider all short‑term investments with a remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

(e) Property, plant and equipment

Depreciation is computed using the straight‑line method. Estimated useful lives are 15 to 25 years for terminals and pipelines and 3 to 25 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. All items of property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Expenditures that increase capacity or extend useful lives are capitalized. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

We evaluate long‑lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset group may not be recoverable based on expected undiscounted future cash flows attributable to that asset group. If an asset group is impaired, the impairment loss to be recognized is the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its estimated fair value.

(f) Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

We account for our investments in unconsolidated affiliates, which we do not control but do have the ability to exercise significant influence over, using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the investment is recorded at acquisition cost, increased by our proportionate share of any earnings and additional capital contributions and decreased by our proportionate share of any losses, distributions received and amortization of any excess investment. Excess investment is the amount by which our total investment exceeds our proportionate share of the book value of the net assets of the investment entity. We evaluate our investments in unconsolidated affiliates for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate there is a loss in value of the investment that is other than temporary. In the event of impairment, we would record a charge to earnings to adjust the carrying amount to estimated fair value.

(g) Environmental obligations

We accrue for environmental costs that relate to existing conditions caused by past operations when probable and reasonably estimable (see Note 10 of Notes to consolidated financial statements). Environmental costs include initial site surveys and environmental studies of potentially contaminated sites, costs for remediation and restoration of sites determined to be contaminated and ongoing monitoring costs, as well as fines, damages and other costs, including direct legal costs. Liabilities for environmental costs at a specific site are initially recorded, on an undiscounted basis, when it is probable that we will be liable for such costs, and a reasonable estimate of the associated costs can be made based on available information. Such an estimate includes our share of the liability for each specific site and the sharing of the amounts related to each site that will not be paid by other potentially responsible parties, based on enacted laws and adopted regulations and policies. Adjustments to initial estimates are recorded, from time to time, to reflect changing circumstances and estimates based upon additional information developed in subsequent periods. Estimates of our ultimate liabilities associated with environmental costs are difficult to make with certainty due to the number of variables involved, including the early stage of investigation at certain sites, the lengthy time frames required to complete remediation, technology changes, alternatives available and the evolving nature of environmental laws and regulations.

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

We periodically file claims for insurance recoveries of certain environmental remediation costs with our insurance carriers under our comprehensive liability policies (see Note 5 of Notes to consolidated financial statements).

We recognize our insurance recoveries as a credit to income in the period that we assess the likelihood of recovery as being probable.

In connection with our previous acquisitions of certain terminals from TransMontaigne LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NGL Energy Partners LP and the previous owner of our general partner, TransMontaigne LLC agreed to indemnify us against certain potential environmental claims, losses and expenses at those terminals. Pursuant to the acquisition agreements for each of the Florida (except Pensacola) and Midwest terminals, the Southeast terminals, the Brownsville and River terminals, and the Pensacola, Florida Terminal, TransMontaigne LLC is obligated to indemnify us against environmental claims, losses and expenses that were associated with the ownership or operation of the terminals prior to the purchase by the Partnership. In each acquisition agreement, TransMontaigne LLC’s maximum indemnification liability is subject to a specified time period for indemnification, cap on indemnification and satisfaction of a deductible amount before indemnification, in each case subject to certain exceptions, limitations and conditions specified therein. TransMontaigne LLC has no indemnification obligations with respect to environmental claims made as a result of additions to or modifications of environmental laws promulgated after certain specified dates.

The environmental indemnification obligations of TransMontaigne LLC to us remain in place and were not affected by ArcLight’s acquisition of our general partner on February 1, 2016.    

(h) Asset retirement obligations

Asset retirement obligations are legal obligations associated with the retirement of long‑lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal use of the asset. Generally accepted accounting principles require that the fair value of a liability related to the retirement of long‑lived assets be recorded at the time a legal obligation is incurred. Once an asset retirement obligation is identified and a liability is recorded, a corresponding asset is recorded, which is depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset. After the initial measurement, the liability is adjusted to reflect changes in the asset retirement obligation. If and when it is determined that a legal obligation has been incurred, the fair value of any liability is determined based on estimates and assumptions related to retirement costs, future inflation rates and interest rates. Our long‑lived assets consist of above‑ground storage facilities and underground pipelines. We are unable to predict if and when these long‑lived assets will become completely obsolete and require dismantlement. We have not recorded an asset retirement obligation, or corresponding asset, because the future dismantlement and removal dates of our long‑lived assets is indeterminable and the amount of any associated costs are believed to be insignificant. Changes in our assumptions and estimates may occur as a result of the passage of time and the occurrence of future events.

(i) Equity-based compensation

Generally accepted accounting principles require us to measure the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the measurement‑date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized during the period services are provided in exchange for the award (see Note 14 of Notes to consolidated financial statements).

(j) Accounting for derivative instruments

Generally accepted accounting principles require us to recognize all derivative instruments at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities (see Notes 5 and 9 of Notes to consolidated financial statements). Changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments are recognized in earnings.

At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our derivative instruments were limited to interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $50.0 million and $125.0 million, respectively. At September 30, 2018 the remaining derivative instrument expires March 11, 2019. Pursuant to the terms of the interest rate swap agreements, we paid a blended fixed rate of approximately 0.97% and 1.01% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

year ended December 31, 2017, respectively, and received interest payments based on the one-month LIBOR. The net difference to be paid or received under the interest rate swap agreements is settled monthly and is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense. The fair value of our interest rate swap agreements are determined using a pricing model based on the LIBOR swap rate and other observable market data.

(k) Income taxes

No provision for U.S. federal income taxes has been reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements because we are treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, all income, gains, losses, expenses, deductions and tax credits generated by us flow through to our unitholders. 

(l) Net earnings per limited partner unit

Net earnings allocable to the limited partners, for purposes of calculating net earnings per limited partner unit, are calculated under the two-class method and accordingly are net of the earnings allocable to the general partner interest and distributions payable to any restricted phantom units granted under our equity-based compensation plans that participate in our distributions. The earnings allocable to the general partner interest include the distributions of available cash (as defined by our partnership agreement) attributable to the period to the general partner interest, net of adjustments for the general partner’s share of undistributed earnings, and the incentive distribution rights. Undistributed earnings are the difference between the earnings and the distributions attributable to the period. Undistributed earnings are allocated to the limited partners and general partner interest based on their respective sharing of earnings or losses specified in the partnership agreement, which is based on their ownership percentages of 98% and 2%, respectively. The incentive distribution rights are not allocated a portion of the undistributed earnings given they are not entitled to distributions other than from available cash. Further, the incentive distribution rights do not share in losses under our partnership agreement. Basic net earnings per limited partner unit is computed by dividing net earnings allocable to the limited partners by the weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per limited partner unit is computed by dividing net earnings allocable to the limited partners by the weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding during the period and any potential dilutive securities outstanding during the period.

(m)   Comprehensive income

Entities that report items of other comprehensive income have the option to present the components of net earnings and comprehensive income in either one continuous financial statement, or two consecutive financial statements. As the Partnership has no components of comprehensive income other than net earnings, no statement of comprehensive income has been presented.

(n) Recent accounting pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2018 we adopted ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU requires changes in the presentation of certain items, including but not limited to debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies and distributions received from equity method investees. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. The objective of this update is to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period. We are currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption will have on our disclosures and financial statements. Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating and designing the necessary changes to our business processes and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. As part of our evaluation process we established an implementation team and licensed a third-party

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

supported lease accounting system to facilitate the accounting and financial reporting requirements. The implementation team is currently using the lease accounting system to input and review individual leases.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period. We are currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption will have on our disclosures and financial statements.

 

(2) TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Third Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement.    Since the inception of the Partnership in 2005 we have been party to an omnibus agreement with the owner of our general partner, which agreement has been amended and restated from time to time.  The omnibus agreement provides for the provision of various services for our benefit. The fees payable under the omnibus agreement to the owner of our general partner are comprised of (i) the reimbursement of the direct operating costs and expenses, such as salaries and benefits of operational personnel performing services on site at our terminals and pipelines, which we refer to as on-site employees, (ii) bonus awards to key employees of TLP Management Services who perform services for the Partnership, which are typically paid in the Partnership’s units and are subject to the approval by the compensation committee and the conflicts committee of our general partner, and (iii) the administrative fee for the provision of various general and administrative services for the Partnership’s benefit such as legal, accounting, treasury, insurance administration and claims processing, information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, taxes and other corporate services, to the extent such services are not outsourced by the Partnership. The administrative fee is recognized as a component of general and administrative expenses and for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the administrative fee paid was approximately $2.1 million and $3.4 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the administrative fee paid by the Partnership was approximately $8.2 million and $9.4 million, respectively.

In accordance with the Second Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement and the prior versions thereto, if we acquired or constructed additional facilities, the owner of our general partner may propose a revised administrative fee covering the provision of services for such additional facilities, subject to the approval by the conflicts committee of our general partner. In connection with our previously discussed Phase II buildout at our Collins terminal, the expansion of our Brownsville terminal and pipeline operations and the December 2017 acquisition of the West Coast terminals, on May 7, 2018, the Partnership, with the concurrence of the conflicts committee of our general partner, agreed to an annual increase in the aggregate fees payable to the owner of the general partner under the omnibus agreement of $3.6 million beginning May 13, 2018. 

To effectuate this $3.6 million annual increase in the aggregate fees payable to the owner of the general partner, on May 7, 2018 the Partnership, with the concurrence of the conflicts committee of our general partner, entered into the Third Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement by and among the Partnership, our general partner, TransMontaigne Operating GP L.L.C., TransMontaigne Operating Company L.P., Gulf TLP Holdings, LLC, and TLP Management Services LLC. The effect of the change to the omnibus agreement is to allow the Partnership to assume the costs and expenses of employees of TLP Management Services performing engineering and environmental safety and occupational health (ESOH) services for and on behalf of the Partnership and to receive an equal and offsetting decrease in the administrative fee. These costs and expenses are expected to approximate $8.9 million in 2018. We expect that a significant portion of the assumed engineering costs will be capitalized under generally accepted accounting principles. 

Prior to the $3.6 million annual increase and the effective date of the Third Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement, the annual administrative fee was approximately $13.7 million and included the costs and expenses of the employees of TLP Management Services performing engineering and ESOH services. Subsequent to the $3.6 million annual increase and the effective date of the Third Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement, the annual administrative fee will be approximately $8.4 million and the Partnership will bear the approximately $8.9 million costs and expenses of the employees of TLP Management Services performing engineering and ESOH services for and on behalf of the Partnership.

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

The administrative fee under the Third Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement is subject to an increase each calendar year tied to an increase in the consumer price index, if any, plus two percent. If we acquire or construct additional facilities, the owner of our general partner may propose a revised administrative fee covering the provision of services for such additional facilities, subject to approval by the conflicts committee of our general partner.

We do not directly employ any of the persons responsible for managing our business.  We are managed by our general partner, and all of the officers of our general partner and employees who provide services to the Partnership are employed by TLP Management Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of ArcLight.  TLP Management Services provides payroll and maintains all employee benefits programs on behalf of our general partner and the Partnership pursuant to the omnibus agreement. The omnibus agreement will continue in effect until the earlier of (i) ArcLight ceasing to control our general partner or (ii) the election of either us or the owner, following at least 24 months’ prior written notice to the other parties. 

Operations and reimbursement agreement—Frontera.  We have a 50% ownership interest in the Frontera Brownsville LLC joint venture, or (Frontera). We operate Frontera, in accordance with an operations and reimbursement agreement executed between us and Frontera, for a management fee that is based on our costs incurred. Our agreement with Frontera stipulates that we may resign as the operator at any time with the prior written consent of Frontera, or that we may be removed as the operator for good cause, which includes material noncompliance with laws and material failure to adhere to good industry practice regarding health, safety or environmental matters. We recognized revenue related to this operations and reimbursement agreement of approximately $1.4 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively and approximately $4.2 million and $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Terminaling services agreements—Brownsville terminals. We have terminaling services agreements with Frontera relating to our Brownsville, Texas facility that will expire in June 2019 and June 2020, subject to automatic renewals unless terminated by either party upon 90 days’ and 180 days’ prior notice, respectively. In exchange for its minimum throughput commitments, we have agreed to provide Frontera with approximately 301,000 barrels of storage capacity. We recognized revenue related to these agreements of approximately $0.7 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively and approximately $1.9 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Terminaling services agreement—Gulf Coast terminals. Associated Asphalt Marketing, LLC is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of ArcLight. Effective January 1, 2018, a third party customer assigned their terminaling services agreement relating to our Gulf Coast terminals to Associated Asphalt Marketing, LLC. The agreement will expire in April 2021, subject to two, two-year automatic renewals unless terminated by either party upon 180 days’ prior notice. In exchange for its minimum throughput commitment, we have agreed to provide Associated Asphalt Marketing, LLC with approximately 750,000 barrels of storage capacity. We recognized revenue related to this agreement of approximately $2.1 million and $nil for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively and approximately $6.3 million and $nil for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(3) BUSINESS COMBINATION, TERMINAL ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION

On December 15, 2017, we acquired the West Coast terminals from a third party for a total purchase price of $276.8 million. The West Coast terminals consist of two waterborne refined product and crude oil terminals located in the San Francisco Bay Area refining complex including a total of 64 storage tanks with approximately 5.0 million barrels of active storage capacity. The West Coast terminals have access to domestic and international crude oil and refined products markets through marine, pipeline, truck and rail logistics capabilities. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the West Coast terminals from December 15, 2017.

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

The purchase price and final assessment of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combination were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

Other current assets

    

$

1,037

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

228,000

Goodwill

 

 

943

Customer relationships

 

 

47,000

Total assets acquired

 

 

276,980

Environmental obligation

 

 

220

Total liabilities assumed

 

 

220

Allocated purchase price

 

$

276,760

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration paid for the acquired business over the fair value of the individual assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed. Goodwill represents the premium we paid to acquire the skilled workforce.

 

On February 20, 2018 we closed on the purchase of certain assets from a third party. Concurrently we sold these assets to another third party for cash proceeds equal to our purchase price plus expenses.

 

(4) CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK AND TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Our primary market areas are located in the United States along the Gulf Coast, in the Southeast, in Brownsville, Texas, along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, in the Midwest and along the West Coast. We have a concentration of trade receivable balances due from companies engaged in the trading, distribution and marketing of refined products and crude oil. These concentrations of customers may affect our overall credit risk in that the customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other factors. Our customers’ historical financial and operating information is analyzed prior to extending credit. We manage our exposure to credit risk through credit analysis, credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures, and for certain transactions we may request letters of credit, prepayments or guarantees. Amounts included in trade accounts receivable that are accounted for as ASC 606 revenue in accordance with ASC 606 approximate $3.6 million at September 30, 2018. We maintain allowances for potentially uncollectible accounts receivable.

Trade accounts receivable, net consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

September 30,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

$

12,556

 

$

11,128

 

Less allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(109)

 

 

(111)

 

 

 

$

12,447

 

$

11,017

 

 

The following customers accounted for at least 10% of our consolidated revenue in at least one of the periods presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

Nine months ended 

    

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

NGL Energy Partners LP

 

23

%  

27

%

 

23

%  

26

%

RaceTrac Petroleum Inc.

 

11

%  

13

%

 

12

%  

13

%

Castleton Commodities International LLC

 

10

%  

13

%

 

10

%  

13

%  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

(5) OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Other current assets are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

September 30,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Amounts due from insurance companies

 

$

3,257

 

$

1,981

 

Prepaid insurance

 

 

1,525

 

 

4,151

 

Additive detergent

 

 

1,336

 

 

1,715

 

Unrealized gain on derivative instrument

 

 

305

 

 

 —

 

Deposits and other assets

 

 

1,440

 

 

12,807

 

 

 

$

7,863

 

$

20,654

 

 

Amounts due from insurance companies.  We periodically file claims for recovery of environmental remediation costs and property claims with our insurance carriers under our comprehensive liability policies. We recognize our insurance recoveries in the period that we assess the likelihood of recovery as being probable. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we have recognized amounts due from insurance companies of approximately $3.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively, representing our best estimate of our probable insurance recoveries. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we received reimbursements from insurance companies of approximately $0.3 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we increased our estimate of probable future insurance recoveries by approximately $1.6 million.

Deposits and other assets.  At December 31, 2017, deposits and other assets includes a deposit of approximately $10.2 million paid during the fourth quarter 2017 related to expansion opportunities that closed in the first quarter of 2018 (See Note 3 of Notes to consolidated financial statements).

(6) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property, plant and equipment, net is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

September 30,

    

December 31,

 

 

2018

 

2017

Land

 

$

83,451

 

$

83,310

Terminals, pipelines and equipment

 

 

912,878

 

 

885,429

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

 

5,389

 

 

4,430

Construction in progress

 

 

34,457

 

 

21,575

 

 

 

1,036,175

 

 

994,744

Less accumulated depreciation

 

 

(373,356)

 

 

(339,691)

 

 

$

662,819

 

$

655,053

 

 

 

(7) GOODWILL

Goodwill is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

September 30,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Brownsville terminals

 

$

8,485

 

$

8,485

 

West Coast terminals

 

 

943

 

 

943

 

 

 

$

9,428

 

$

9,428

 

 

Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment annually unless events or changes in circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred at an interim date. Our annual test for the impairment of goodwill is performed as of December 31. The impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level. Our reporting

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

units are our operating segments (see Note 19 of Notes to consolidated financial statements). The fair value of each reporting unit is determined on a stand‑alone basis from the perspective of a market participant and represents an estimate of the price that would be received to sell the unit as a whole in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered to be impaired.

At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our Brownsville and West Coast terminals contained goodwill. We did not recognize any goodwill impairment charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 or during the year ended December 31, 2017 for these reporting units. However, a significant decline in the price of our common units with a resulting increase in the assumed market participants’ weighted average cost of capital, the loss of a significant customer, the disposition of significant assets, or an unforeseen increase in the costs to operate and maintain the Brownsville or West Coast terminals could result in the recognition of an impairment charge in the future.

(8) INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our investments in unconsolidated affiliates include a 42.5% Class A ownership interest in Battleground Oil Specialty Terminal Company LLC (“BOSTCO”) and a 50% ownership interest in Frontera Brownsville LLC (“Frontera”). BOSTCO is a terminal facility located on the Houston Ship Channel that encompasses approximately 7.1 million barrels of distillate, residual and other black oil product storage. Class A and Class B ownership interests share in cash distributions on a 96.5% and 3.5% basis, respectively. Class B ownership interests do not have voting rights and are not required to make capital investments. Frontera is a terminal facility located in Brownsville, Texas that encompasses approximately 1.7 million barrels of light petroleum product storage, as well as related ancillary facilities.

The following table summarizes our investments in unconsolidated affiliates:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of

 

Carrying value

 

 

 

ownership

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

    

2018

    

2017

    

2018

    

2017

 

BOSTCO

 

42.5

%  

42.5

%  

$

204,640

 

$

209,373

 

Frontera

 

50

%  

50

%  

 

23,982

 

 

23,808

 

Total investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

$

228,622

 

$

233,181

 

 

At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our investment in BOSTCO includes approximately $6.9 million and $7.0 million, respectively, of excess investment related to a one time buy-in fee to acquire our 42.5% interest and capitalization of interest on our investment during the construction of BOSTCO amortized over the useful life of the assets. Excess investment is the amount by which our investment exceeds our proportionate share of the book value of the net assets of the BOSTCO entity.

Earnings from investments in unconsolidated affiliates was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

Nine months ended 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

2018

    

2017

BOSTCO

 

$

1,028

 

$

923

 

$

4,867

 

$

3,904

Frontera

 

 

834

 

 

961

 

 

2,328

 

 

2,660

Total earnings from investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

$

1,862

 

$

1,884

 

$

7,195

 

$

6,564

 

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TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

Additional capital investments in unconsolidated affiliates was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Three months ended 

 

Nine months ended 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

2018

    

2017

BOSTCO

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

145

Frontera

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,264

 

 

2,000

Additional capital investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

1,264

 

$

2,145

 

Cash distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Three months ended 

 

Nine months ended 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

2018

    

2017

BOSTCO

 

$

4,015

 

$

3,074

 

$

9,600

 

$

9,472

Frontera

 

 

992

 

 

1,127

 

 

3,418

 

 

3,624

Cash distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates

 

$

5,007

 

$

4,201

 

$

13,018

 

$

13,096

 

The summarized financial information of our unconsolidated affiliates is as follows (in thousands):

Balance sheets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOSTCO

 

Frontera

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

    

2018

    

2017

    

2018

    

2017

Current assets

 

$

20,768

 

$

24,976

 

$

5,545

 

$

5,649

Long-term assets

 

 

457,972

 

 

469,348

 

 

44,611

 

 

44,292

Current liabilities

 

 

(12,143)

 

 

(17,550)

 

 

(2,085)

 

 

(2,147)

Long-term liabilities

 

 

(1,314)

 

 

 —

 

 

(107)

 

 

(178)

Net assets

 

$

465,283

 

$

476,774

 

$

47,964

 

$

47,616

 

Statements of operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOSTCO

 

Frontera

 

 

Three months ended 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

    

2018

    

2017

    

2018

    

2017

Revenue

 

$

16,596

 

$

16,066

 

$

6,061

 

$

5,807

Expenses

 

 

(13,720)

 

 

(13,517)

 

 

(4,393)

 

 

(3,885)

Net earnings

 

$

2,876

 

$

2,549

 

$

1,668

 

$

1,922

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOSTCO

 

Frontera

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended 

 

Nine months ended 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

    

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

Revenue

 

$

50,331

    

$

49,724

    

$

17,982

    

$

16,398

 

 

Expenses

 

 

(37,784)

 

 

(39,383)

 

 

(13,326)

 

 

(11,078)

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

12,547

 

$

10,341

 

$

4,656

 

$

5,320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

(9) OTHER ASSETS, NET

Other assets, net are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

September 30,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization of $4,300 and $2,294, respectively

 

$

45,130

 

$

47,136

 

Revolving credit facility unamortized deferred issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $7,231 and $5,984, respectively

 

 

5,939

 

 

6,778

 

Amounts due under long-term terminaling services agreements

 

 

436

 

 

460

 

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments

 

 

 —

 

 

576

 

Deposits and other assets

 

 

290

 

 

288

 

 

 

$

51,795

 

$

55,238

 

 

Customer relationships.  Other assets, net include certain customer relationships primarily at our West Coast terminals. These customer relationships are being amortized on a straight‑line basis over twenty years.

Revolving credit facility unamortized deferred issuance costs.  Deferred issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the related revolving credit facility.

Amounts due under long‑term terminaling services agreements.  We have long‑term terminaling services agreements with certain of our customers that provide for minimum payments that increase at stated amounts over the terms of the respective agreements. We recognize as revenue the minimum payments under the long‑term terminaling services agreements on a straight‑line basis over the terms of the respective agreements. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we have recognized revenue in excess of the minimum payments that was due through those respective dates under the long‑term terminaling services agreements resulting in an asset of approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

(10) ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

September 30,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Customer advances and deposits

 

$

9,619

 

$

10,265

 

Accrued property taxes

 

 

6,329

 

 

1,381

 

Accrued environmental obligations

 

 

1,724

 

 

1,855

 

Interest payable

 

 

3,264

 

 

982

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

 

4,664

 

 

2,943

 

 

 

$

25,600

 

$

17,426

 

Customer advances and deposits.  We bill certain of our customers one month in advance for terminaling services to be provided in the following month. At September 30, 2018, approximately $0.4 million of the customer advances and deposits balance is considered contract liabilities under ASC 606. Revenue recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from amounts included in contract liabilities at the beginning of the period was approximately $0.5 million. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we have billed and collected from certain of our customers approximately $9.6 million and $10.3 million, respectively, in advance of the terminaling services being provided.

Accrued environmental obligations.  At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we have accrued environmental obligations of approximately $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, representing our best estimate of our remediation obligations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we made payments of approximately

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TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

$0.3 million towards our environmental remediation obligations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we increased our estimate of our future environmental remediation costs by approximately $0.2 million. Changes in our estimates of our future environmental remediation obligations may occur as a result of the passage of time and the occurrence of future events.

(11) OTHER LIABILITIES

Other liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

September 30,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Advance payments received under long-term terminaling services agreements

 

$

1,950

 

$

1,599

 

Deferred revenue—ethanol blending fees and other projects

 

 

1,791

 

 

2,034

 

 

 

$

3,741

 

$

3,633

 

Advance payments received under long‑term terminaling services agreements.  We have long‑term terminaling services agreements with certain of our customers that provide for advance minimum payments. We recognize the advance minimum payments as revenue either on a straight‑line basis over the term of the respective agreements or when services have been provided based on volumes of product distributed. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we have received advance minimum payments in excess of revenue recognized under these long‑term terminaling services agreements resulting in a liability of approximately $2.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

Deferred revenue—ethanol blending fees and other projects.  Pursuant to agreements with our customers, we agreed to undertake certain capital projects that primarily pertain to providing ethanol blending functionality at certain of our Southeast terminals. Upon completion of the projects, our customers have paid us amounts that will be recognized as revenue on a straight‑line basis over the remaining term of the agreements. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we have unamortized deferred revenue for completed projects of approximately $1.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we billed customers approximately $1.1 million for completed projects and recognized revenue for completed projects on a straight‑line basis of approximately $1.3 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recognized revenue for completed projects on a straight-line basis of approximately $0.2 million. At September 30, 2018, approximately $0.2 million of the deferred revenue-ethanol blending fees and other projects balance is considered contract liabilities under ASC 606. Revenue recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from amounts included in contract liabilities under ASC 606 at the beginning of the period was approximately $1.0 million.

(12) LONG‑TERM DEBT

Long-term debt is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

September 30,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Revolving credit facility due in 2022

 

$

291,000

 

$

593,200

 

6.125% senior notes due in 2026

 

 

300,000

 

 

 —

 

Senior notes unamortized deferred issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $499 and $nil, respectively

 

 

(7,580)

 

 

 —

 

 

 

$

583,420

 

$

593,200

 

 

On February 12, 2018, the Partnership and TLP Finance Corp., our wholly owned subsidiary, completed the sale of $300 million of 6.125% senior notes, issued at par and due 2026. The senior notes were guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our 100% owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee obligations under our revolving credit facility. Net proceeds after $8.1 million of issuance costs, were used to repay indebtedness under our revolving credit facility.

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

Our senior secured revolving credit facility, or our “revolving credit facility”, provides for a maximum borrowing line of credit equal to $850 million. The terms of our revolving credit facility include covenants that restrict our ability to make cash distributions, acquisitions and investments, including investments in joint ventures. We may make distributions of cash to the extent of our “available cash” as defined in our partnership agreement. We may make acquisitions and investments that meet the definition of “permitted acquisitions”; “other investments” which may not exceed 5% of “consolidated net tangible assets”; and additional future “permitted JV investments” up to $175 million, which may include additional investments in BOSTCO. The primary financial covenants contained in our revolving credit facility are (i) a total leverage ratio test (not to exceed 5.25 to 1.0), (ii) a senior secured leverage ratio test (not to exceed 3.75 to 1.0), and (iii) a minimum interest coverage ratio test (not less than 2.75 to 1.0). The principal balance of loans and any accrued and unpaid interest are due and payable in full on the maturity date in March 2022. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of and during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017.  

 

We may elect to have loans under our revolving credit facility bear interest either (i) at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.75% depending on the total leverage ratio then in effect, or (ii) at the base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.75% depending on the total leverage ratio then in effect. We also pay a commitment fee on the unused amount of commitments, ranging from 0.375% to 0.5% per annum, depending on the total leverage ratio then in effect. Our obligations under our revolving credit facility are secured by a first priority security interest in favor of the lenders in the majority of our assets, including our investments in unconsolidated affiliates. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings under our revolving credit facility was approximately 5.0% and 3.4%, respectively. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility were $291.0 million and $593.2 million, respectively. At both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 our outstanding letters of credit were $0.4 million.

We have an effective universal shelf‑registration statement and prospectus on Form S‑3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that expires in September 2019. In February 2018, we and TLP Finance Corp., our 100% owned subsidiary, used the shelf registration statement to issue senior notes that were guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our 100% owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee obligations under our revolving credit facility. In the future, we may issue additional debt or equity securities pursuant to that registration statement. TransMontaigne Partners L.P. has no independent assets or operations unrelated to its investments in its consolidated subsidiaries. TLP Finance Corp. has no assets or operations. Our operations are conducted by subsidiaries of TransMontaigne Partners L.P. through our 100% owned operating company subsidiary, TransMontaigne Operating Company L.P. Each of TransMontaigne Operating Company L.P.s’ and our other 100% owned domestic subsidiaries (other than TLP Finance Corp., whose sole purpose is to act as co‑issuer of any debt securities) may guarantee any future debt securities we issue. We expect that any guarantees associated with future debt securities will be full and unconditional and joint and several, subject to certain automatic customary releases, including sale, disposition, or transfer of the capital stock or substantially all of the assets of a subsidiary guarantor, exercise of legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option, and designation of a subsidiary guarantor as unrestricted in accordance with the indenture. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of TransMontaigne Partners L.P. or any guarantor to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by dividend or loan. None of the assets of TransMontaigne Partners L.P. or a guarantor represent restricted net assets pursuant to the guidelines established by the SEC.

(13) PARTNERS’ EQUITY

The number of units outstanding is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

    

General

 

 

 

Common

 

partner

 

 

 

units

 

equivalent units

 

Units outstanding at December 31, 2017

 

16,177,353

 

330,150

 

Issuance of common units pursuant to our savings and retention program

 

44,798

 

 —

 

Contribution of cash by TransMontaigne GP to maintain its 2% general partner interest

 

 —

 

905

 

Units outstanding at September 30, 2018

 

16,222,151

 

331,055

 

 

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

(14) EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

Long-term incentive plan. The TLP Management Services long-term incentive plan reserves 750,000 common units to be granted as awards under the plan, with such amount subject to adjustment as provided for under the terms of the plan if there is a change in our common units, such as a unit split or other reorganization. The common units authorized to be granted under the TLP Management Services long-term incentive plan are registered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8.

The TLP Management Services long‑term incentive plan is administered by the compensation committee of the board of directors of our general partner and is used for grants of common units to the independent directors of our general partner. The grants to the independent directors of our general partner under the TLP Management Services long-term incentive plan are immediately vested and not subject to forfeiture. Accordingly, there are no long-term incentive plan grants outstanding as of September 30, 2018.

Generally accepted accounting principles require us to measure the cost of board member services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant‑date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the vesting period on a straight line basis during which a board member is required to provide services in exchange for the award with the costs being accelerated upon the occurrence of accelerated vesting events, such as a change in control of our general partner. 

For awards to the independent directors of our general partner, equity-based compensation of approximately $200,000 is included in equity-based compensation expense for both the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Savings and retention program. TLP Management Services savings and retention program is intended to constitute a program under, and be subject to, the TLP Management Services long-term incentive plan described above. The savings and retention program is used for awards to employees of TLP Management Services who provide services to the Partnership.

The restricted phantom units awarded and accrued under the savings and retention program are subject to forfeiture until the vesting date. Recipients have distribution equivalent rights from the date of grant that accrue additional restricted phantom units equivalent to the value of quarterly distributions paid by us on each of our outstanding common units. Recipients of restricted phantom units under the savings and retention program do not have voting rights.

The purpose of the savings and retention program is to provide for the reward and retention of participants by providing them with bonus awards that vest over future service periods. Awards under the program generally become vested as to 50% of a participant’s annual award as of the first day of the month that falls closest to the second anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 50% as of the first day of the month that falls closest to the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to earlier vesting upon a participant’s attainment of the age and length of service thresholds, retirement, death or disability, involuntary termination without cause, or termination of a participant’s employment following a change in control of the Partnership, our general partner or TLP Management Services, as specified in the program.

A person will satisfy the age and length of service thresholds of the program upon the attainment of the earliest of (a) age sixty, (b) age fifty-five and ten years of service as an officer of TLP Management Services or any of its affiliates or predecessors, or (c) age fifty and twenty years of service as an employee of TLP Management Services or any of its affiliates or predecessors.

Under the omnibus agreement we have agreed to reimburse the owner of TransMontaigne GP for bonus awards made to key employees under the savings and retention program, provided the compensation committee and the conflicts committee of our general partner approve the annual awards granted under the program (see Note 2 of Notes to

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

consolidated financial statements). We have the option to provide the reimbursement in either a cash payment or the delivery of our common units to the savings and retention program or alternatively directly to the award recipients, with the reimbursement made in accordance with the underlying vesting and payment schedule of the savings and retention program. Our reimbursement for the bonus awards is reduced for forfeitures and is increased for the value of quarterly distributions accrued under the distribution equivalent rights. We have the intent and ability to settle our reimbursement for the bonus awards in our common units, and accordingly, we account for the bonus awards as an equity award.

Given that we do not have any employees to provide corporate and support services and instead we contract for such services under the omnibus agreement, generally accepted accounting principles require us to classify the savings and retention program awards as a non-employee award and measure the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the vesting‑date fair value of the award. That cost, or an estimate of that cost in the case of unvested restricted phantom units, is recognized over the period during which services are provided in exchange for the award. As of September 30, 2018, there was approximately $1.7 million of total unrecognized equity-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted phantom units, which is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted average period of 1.55 years.

For bonus awards to employees of TLP Management Services, approximately $2.7 million and $2.5 million is included in equity-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Activity related to our equity-based awards granted under the savings and retention program for services performed under the omnibus agreement for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

    

Weighted

    

 

    

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

average

 

 

 

average

 

 

 

Vested

 

price

 

Unvested

 

price

 

Restricted phantom units outstanding at December 31, 2017

 

91,877

 

$

38.91

 

54,244

 

$

38.81

 

Issuance of units

 

(44,798)

 

$

37.75

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

Units withheld for settlement of withholding taxes

 

(16,822)

 

$

37.59

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

Unit accrual for distributions paid

 

5,401

 

$

38.01

 

3,878

 

$

38.02

 

Vesting of units

 

19,144

 

$

36.63

 

(19,144)

 

$

36.63

 

Grant of units

 

46,362

 

$

35.23

 

33,097

 

$

35.23

 

Forfeiture of units

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

(1,259)

 

$

34.87

 

Restricted phantom units outstanding at September 30, 2018

 

101,164

 

$

38.52

 

70,816

 

$

38.25

 

Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2018

 

171,980

 

$

38.41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

(15) NET EARNINGS PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT

The following table reconciles net earnings to net earnings allocable to limited partners and sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per limited partner unit (in thousands, except per unit amounts):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

Nine months ended 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

2018

    

2017

Net earnings

 

$

10,895

 

$

10,966

 

$

32,529

 

$

38,398

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions payable on behalf of incentive distribution rights

 

 

(3,917)

 

 

(3,113)

 

 

(11,270)

 

 

(8,622)

Distributions payable on behalf of general partner interest

 

 

(267)

 

 

(249)

 

 

(789)

 

 

(732)

Earnings allocable to general partner interest less than distributions payable to general partner interest

 

 

126

 

 

92

 

 

363

 

 

136

Earnings allocable to general partner interest including incentive distribution rights

 

 

(4,058)

 

 

(3,270)

 

 

(11,696)

 

 

(9,218)

Net earnings allocable to limited partners per the consolidated statements of operations

 

$

6,837

 

$

7,696

 

$

20,833

 

$

29,180

Basic weighted average units

 

 

16,322

 

 

16,263

 

 

16,312

 

 

16,257

Diluted weighted average units

 

 

16,357

 

 

16,286

 

 

16,351

 

 

16,279

Net earnings per limited partner unit—basic

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.47

 

$

1.28

 

$

1.79

Net earnings per limited partner unit—diluted

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.47

 

$

1.27

 

$

1.79

 

Pursuant to our partnership agreement we are required to distribute available cash (as defined by our partnership agreement) as of the end of the reporting period. Such distributions are declared within 45 days after period end. The following table sets forth the distribution declared per common unit attributable to the periods indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

    

Distribution

January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017

 

$

0.725

April 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017

 

$

0.740

July 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017

 

$

0.755

October 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017

 

$

0.770

January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018

 

$

0.785

April 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018

 

$

0.795

July 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018

 

$

0.805

 

 

(16) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contract commitments.  At September 30, 2018, we have contractual commitments of approximately $50.2 million for the supply of services, labor and materials related to capital projects that currently are under development. We expect that these contractual commitments will be paid within the next twelve months.

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

Operating leases.  We lease property and equipment under non‑cancelable operating leases. At September 30, 2018, future minimum lease payments under these non‑cancelable operating leases are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Years ending December 31:

    

 

 

 

2018 (remainder of the year)

 

$

901

 

2019

 

 

3,456

 

2020

 

 

2,103

 

2021

 

 

1,915

 

2022

 

 

995

 

Thereafter

 

 

4,378

 

 

 

$

13,748

 

 

Included in the above non‑cancelable operating lease commitments are amounts for property rentals that we have sublet under non‑cancelable sublease agreements or have reimbursement agreements with affiliates, for which we expect to receive minimum rentals of approximately $3.4 million in future periods.

Rental expense under operating leases was approximately $0.5 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $1.5 million and $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Legal proceedings. We are party to various legal, regulatory and other matters arising from the day-to-day operations of our business that may result in claims against us. While the ultimate impact of any proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, our management believes that the resolution of any of our pending legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

(17) DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE

“GAAP” defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. GAAP also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the use of higher‑level inputs for valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are: (1) Level 1 inputs, which are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; (2) Level 2 inputs, which are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and (3) Level 3 inputs, which are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The fair values of the following financial instruments represent our best estimate of the amounts that would be received to sell those assets or that would be paid to transfer those liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at that date. Our fair value measurements maximize the use of observable inputs. However, in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date, the fair value measurement reflects our judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Cash equivalents.  The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short‑term maturity of these instruments. The fair value is categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative instruments.  The carrying amount of our interest rate swaps was determined using a pricing model based on the LIBOR swap rate and other observable market data. The fair value is categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Debt. The carrying amount of our revolving credit facility debt approximates fair value since borrowings under the facility bear interest at current market interest rates. The carrying value of our publicly traded senior notes approximates fair value as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The fair value of our publicly traded senior notes is based on the prices of those senior notes at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The fair value is

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Table of Contents

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

(18) REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

The majority of our terminaling services agreements contain minimum payment arrangements, resulting in a fixed amount of revenue recognized, which we refer to as “firm commitments” and are accounted for in accordance with ASC 840, Leases (“ASC 840 revenue”). The remainder is recognized in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (“ASC 606 revenue”).

 

The following table provides details of our revenue disaggregated by category of revenue (in thousands):    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

    

2018

 

2018

Terminaling services fees:

 

 

 

 

 

 

           Firm commitments (ASC 840 revenue)

 

$

39,753

 

$

117,608

           Firm commitments (ASC 606 revenue)

 

 

3,467

 

 

10,443

   Total firm commitments revenue

 

 

43,220

 

 

128,051

   Ancillary revenue (ASC 606 revenue)

 

 

11,132

 

 

31,870

Total terminaling services fees

 

 

54,352

 

 

159,921

Pipeline transportation fees (ASC 840 revenue)

 

 

774

 

 

2,437

Management fees (ASC 606 revenue)

 

 

2,024

 

 

6,580

Total revenue

 

$

57,150

 

$

168,938

 

The following table includes our estimated future revenue associated with our firm commitments under terminaling services fees which is expected to be recognized as ASC 606 revenue in the specified period related to our future performance obligations as of the end of the reporting period (in thousands):

Estimated Future ASC 606 Revenue by Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midwest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminals and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gulf Coast

 

Pipeline

 

 

Brownsville

 

River

 

Southeast

 

West Coast

 

 

 

 

Terminals

    

System

    

 

Terminals

    

Terminals

    

Terminals

    

Terminals

    

Total

Remainder of 2018

$

1,022

 

$

31

 

$

 —

 

$

320

 

$

 —

 

$

1,724

 

$

3,097

 

2019

 

4,089

 

 

122

 

 

 —

 

 

1,099

 

 

 —

 

 

1,642

 

 

6,952

 

2020

 

1,256

 

 

15

 

 

 —

 

 

1,039

 

 

 —

 

 

125

 

 

2,435

 

2021

 

1,107

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

519

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,626

 

Thereafter

 

783

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

783

 

Total estimated future ASC 606 revenue

$

8,257

 

$

168

 

$

 —

 

$

2,977

 

$

 —

 

$

3,491

 

$

14,893

 

 

Our estimated future ASC 606 revenue, for purposes of the tabular presentation above, excludes estimates of future rate changes due to changes in indices or contractually negotiated rate escalations and is generally limited to contracts that have minimum payment arrangements. The balances disclosed include the full amount of our customer commitments accounted for as ASC 606 revenue as of September 30, 2018 through the expiration of the related contracts. The balances disclosed exclude all performance obligations for which the original expected term is one year or less, the term of the contract with the customer is open and cannot be estimated, the contract includes options for future purchases or the consideration is variable.

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Table of Contents

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

Estimated future ASC 606 revenue in the table above excludes revenue arrangements accounted for in accordance with ASC 840 in the amount of $38.7 million for the remainder of 2018, $134.6 million for 2019, $111.5 million for 2020, $82.6 million for 2021 and $579.0 million thereafter. We have included in these amounts, revenue accounted for in accordance with ASC 840 related to a terminaling services agreement with a third party at our Southeast terminals that will continue in effect through February 1, 2023, after which it shall automatically continue unless and until the third party provides at least 24 months’ prior notice of its intent to terminate the agreement. Effective at any time from and after July 31, 2040, we have the right to terminate the agreement by providing at least 24 months’ prior notice of our intent to terminate the agreement. We do not believe the third party will terminate the agreement prior to July 31, 2040. Accordingly, we have included the revenue accounted for in accordance with ASC 840 related to their agreement through July 31, 2040.

(19) BUSINESS SEGMENTS

We provide integrated terminaling, storage, transportation and related services to companies engaged in the trading, distribution and marketing of refined petroleum products, crude oil, chemicals, fertilizers and other liquid products. Our chief operating decision maker is our general partner’s chief executive officer. Our general partner’s chief executive officer reviews the financial performance of our business segments using disaggregated financial information about “net margins” for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. “Net margins” is composed of revenue less direct operating costs and expenses. Accordingly, we present “net margins” for each of our business segments: (i) Gulf Coast terminals, (ii) Midwest terminals and pipeline system, (iii) Brownsville terminals, (iv) River terminals, (v) Southeast terminals and (vi) West Coast terminals.

 

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Table of Contents

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

The financial performance of our business segments is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

Nine months ended 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

2018

 

2017

Gulf Coast Terminals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminaling services fees

 

$

15,824

 

$

15,076

 

$

48,462

 

$

46,616

Management fees

 

 

13

 

 

261

 

 

196

 

 

807

Revenue

 

 

15,837

 

 

15,337

 

 

48,658

 

 

47,423

Direct operating costs and expenses

 

 

(5,614)

 

 

(5,805)

 

 

(16,859)

 

 

(16,785)

Net margins

 

 

10,223

 

 

9,532

 

 

31,799

 

 

30,638

Midwest Terminals and Pipeline System:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminaling services fees

 

 

2,644

 

 

1,882

 

 

7,468

 

 

6,750

Pipeline transportation fees

 

 

453

 

 

433

 

 

1,319

 

 

1,299

Revenue

 

 

3,097

 

 

2,315

 

 

8,787

 

 

8,049

Direct operating costs and expenses

 

 

(733)

 

 

(718)

 

 

(2,188)

 

 

(2,123)

Net margins

 

 

2,364

 

 

1,597

 

 

6,599

 

 

5,926

Brownsville Terminals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminaling services fees

 

 

2,100

 

 

2,299

 

 

6,143

 

 

7,271

Pipeline transportation fees

 

 

321

 

 

658

 

 

1,118

 

 

3,304

Management fees

 

 

1,818

 

 

1,934

 

 

5,814

 

 

5,472

Revenue

 

 

4,239

 

 

4,891

 

 

13,075

 

 

16,047

Direct operating costs and expenses

 

 

(1,887)

 

 

(2,746)

 

 

(6,063)

 

 

(8,200)

Net margins

 

 

2,352

 

 

2,145

 

 

7,012

 

 

7,847

River Terminals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminaling services fees

 

 

2,559

 

 

2,705

 

 

7,902

 

 

8,115

Revenue

 

 

2,559

 

 

2,705

 

 

7,902

 

 

8,115

Direct operating costs and expenses

 

 

(1,568)

 

 

(1,710)

 

 

(5,209)

 

 

(4,895)

Net margins

 

 

991

 

 

995

 

 

2,693

 

 

3,220

Southeast Terminals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminaling services fees

 

 

21,349

 

 

20,018

 

 

61,098

 

 

55,478

Management fees

 

 

193

 

 

183

 

 

570

 

 

551

Revenue

 

 

21,542

 

 

20,201

 

 

61,668

 

 

56,029

Direct operating costs and expenses

 

 

(6,633)

 

 

(6,740)

 

 

(18,966)

 

 

(18,211)

Net margins

 

 

14,909

 

 

13,461

 

 

42,702

 

 

37,818

West Coast Terminals:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminaling services fees

 

 

9,876

 

 

 —

 

 

28,848

 

 

 —

Revenue

 

 

9,876

 

 

 —

 

 

28,848

 

 

 —

Direct operating costs and expenses

 

 

(3,475)

 

 

 —

 

 

(10,045)

 

 

 —

Net margins

 

 

6,401

 

 

 —

 

 

18,803

 

 

 —

Total net margins

 

 

37,240

 

 

27,730

 

 

109,608

 

 

85,449

General and administrative expenses

 

 

(4,957)

 

 

(5,247)

 

 

(14,557)

 

 

(13,298)

Insurance expenses

 

 

(1,227)

 

 

(999)

 

 

(3,744)

 

 

(3,007)

Equity-based compensation expense

 

 

(483)

 

 

(544)

 

 

(2,941)

 

 

(2,713)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(12,310)

 

 

(8,882)

 

 

(37,278)

 

 

(26,379)

Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

1,862

 

 

1,884

 

 

7,195

 

 

6,564

Operating income

 

 

20,125

 

 

13,942

 

 

58,283

 

 

46,616

Other expenses

 

 

(9,230)

 

 

(2,976)

 

 

(25,754)

 

 

(8,218)

Net earnings

 

$

10,895

 

$

10,966

 

$

32,529

 

$

38,398

 

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Table of Contents

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

Supplemental information about our business segments is summarized below (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2018

 

 

    

    

 

    

Midwest

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminals and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gulf Coast

 

Pipeline

 

Brownsville

 

River

 

Southeast

 

West Coast

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminals

 

System

 

Terminals

 

Terminals

 

Terminals

 

Terminals

 

Total

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External customers

    

$

13,774

 

$

3,097

 

$

2,158

 

$

2,559

 

$

21,542

 

$

9,876

 

$

53,006

 

Frontera

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

2,081

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

2,081

 

 Associated Asphalt, LLC

 

2,063

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

2,063

 

Revenue

 

$

15,837

 

$

3,097

 

$

4,239

 

$

2,559

 

$

21,542

 

$

9,876

 

$

57,150

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

940

 

$

 2

 

$

3,859

 

$

441

 

$

8,693

 

$

2,590

 

$

16,525

 

Identifiable assets

 

$

121,047

 

$

19,979

 

$

49,625

 

$

47,084

 

$

225,290

 

$

274,012

 

$

737,037

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,246

 

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

228,622

 

Deferred issuance costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,939

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,743

 

Total assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

976,587

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2017

 

 

    

    

 

    

Midwest

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminals and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gulf Coast

 

Pipeline

 

Brownsville

 

River

 

Southeast

 

West Coast

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminals

 

System

 

Terminals

 

Terminals

 

Terminals

 

Terminals

 

Total

 

Revenue:

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External customers

 

$

15,337

 

$

2,315

 

$

2,954

 

$

2,705

 

$

20,201

 

$

 —

 

$

43,512

 

Frontera

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,937

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,937

 

Revenue

 

$

15,337

 

$

2,315

 

$

4,891

 

$

2,705

 

$

20,201

 

$

 —

 

$

45,449

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

1,208

 

$

 —

 

$

285

 

$

389

 

$

6,800

 

$

 —

 

$

8,682

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2018

 

 

    

 

 

 

Midwest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminals and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gulf Coast

 

Pipeline

 

Brownsville

 

River

 

Southeast

 

West Coast

 

 

 

 

 

    

Terminals

    

System

    

Terminals

    

Terminals

    

Terminals

    

Terminals

    

Total

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External customers

 

$

42,312

 

$

8,787

 

$

6,982

 

$

7,902

 

$

61,668

 

$

28,848

 

$

156,499

 

Frontera

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

6,093

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

6,093

 

Associated Asphalt, LLC

 

 

6,346

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

6,346

 

Revenue

 

$

48,658

 

$

8,787

 

$

13,075

 

$

7,902

 

$

61,668

 

$

28,848

 

$

168,938

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

4,120

 

$

338

 

$

6,326

 

$

1,333

 

$

21,128

 

$

5,235

 

$

38,480

 

 

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Table of Contents

TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries

Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midwest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminals and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gulf Coast

 

Pipeline

 

Brownsville

 

River

 

Southeast

 

West Coast

 

 

 

 

 

    

Terminals

    

System

    

Terminals

    

Terminals

    

Terminals

    

Terminals

    

Total

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External customers

 

$

47,423

 

$

8,049

 

$

10,826

 

$

8,115

 

$

56,029

 

$

 —

 

$

130,442

 

Frontera

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,221

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,221

 

Revenue

 

$

47,423

 

$

8,049

 

$

16,047

 

$

8,115

 

$

56,029

 

$

 —

 

$

135,663

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

3,794

 

$

267

 

$

657

 

$

1,435

 

$

31,174

 

$

 —

 

$

37,327

 

 

 

(20) SUBSEQUENT EVENT

Quarterly distribution.  On October 15, 2018, we announced a distribution of $0.805 per unit for the period from July 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018. This distribution was paid on November 8, 2018 to unitholders of record on October 31, 2018. 

 

 

31


 

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

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Expansion of our Brownsville operations.  The Frontera joint venture has waived its right of first refusal to participate in our previously announced Brownsville terminal expansion. Accordingly, our Brownsville expansion project will be 100% constructed and owned by TransMontaigne Partners L.P. The project, which is underpinned by new long-term agreements, includes the construction of approximately 630,000 barrels of additional liquids storage capacity and the conversion of our Diamondback Pipeline to transport diesel and gasoline to the U.S./Mexico border. The Diamondback Pipeline is comprised of an 8” pipeline that previously transported propane approximately 16 miles from our Brownsville facilities to the U.S./Mexico border, as well as a 6” pipeline, which runs parallel to the 8” pipeline, that has been idle and can be used to transport additional refined products. We expect the first tanks of the additional liquids storage capacity under construction to be placed into commercial service during the first quarter of 2019. We expect to recommission the Diamondback Pipeline and resume operations on both the 8” pipeline and the previously idle 6” pipeline by the end of 2019, with the remaining additional liquids storage capacity being placed into commercial service at the same time. The anticipated aggregate cost of the terminal expansion and pipeline recommissioning is estimated to be approximately $55 million.

 

ArcLight buyout offer.  On July 9, 2018 the board of directors of TransMontaigne GP L.L.C. received a non-binding proposal from affiliates of ArcLight, directed to the conflicts committee of our general partner, pursuant to which ArcLight would acquire through a subsidiary all common units of the Partnership that ArcLight and its affiliates do not already own in exchange for $38.00 per common unit. If approved, the transaction would be effected through a merger of the Partnership with a subsidiary of ArcLight.

The transaction, as proposed, is subject to a number of contingencies, including ArcLight’s completion of due diligence, the approval of the conflicts committee, the approval by holders of a majority of the outstanding common units of the Partnership and the satisfaction of any conditions to the consummation of a transaction set forth in any definitive agreement concerning the transaction. There can be no assurance that definitive documentation will be executed or that any transaction will materialize.

Twelfth consecutive increase in quarterly distribution. On October 15, 2018, we announced a quarterly distribution of $0.805 per unit for the three months ended September 30, 2018. This $0.01 increase over the previous quarter reflects the twelfth consecutive increase in our distribution and represents annual growth of 6.6% over the third quarter of last year. This distribution was paid on November 8, 2018 to unitholders of record on October 31, 2018.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

A summary of the significant accounting policies that we have adopted and followed in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is detailed in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, included in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K, filed on March 15, 2018. Certain of these accounting policies require the use of estimates. The following estimates, in management’s opinion, are subjective in nature, require the exercise of judgment, and involve complex analyses: business combination estimates and assumptions, useful lives of our plant and equipment and accrued environmental obligations. These estimates are based on our knowledge and understanding of current conditions and actions we may take in the future. Changes in these estimates will occur as a result of the passage of time and the occurrence of future events. Subsequent changes in these estimates may have a significant impact on our financial condition and results of operations (see Note 1 of Notes to consolidated financial statements).

32


 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 AND 2017

The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ANALYSIS OF REVENUE

Total revenue.  We derive revenue from our terminal and pipeline transportation operations by charging fees for providing integrated terminaling, transportation and related services. Our total revenue by category was as follows (in thousands):

Total Revenue by Category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

    

 

2018

 

2017

 

Terminaling services fees

 

 

$

54,352

 

$

41,980

 

Pipeline transportation fees

 

 

 

774

 

 

1,091

 

Management fees

 

 

 

2,024

 

 

2,378

 

Revenue

 

 

$

57,150

 

$

45,449

 

 

See discussion below for a detailed analysis of terminaling services fees, pipeline transportation fees and management fees included in the table above.

We operate our business and report our results of operations in six principal business segments: (i) Gulf Coast terminals, (ii) Midwest terminals and pipeline system, (iii) Brownsville terminals, (iv) River terminals, (v) Southeast terminals and (vi) West Coast terminals. The aggregate revenue of each of our business segments was as follows (in thousands):

Total Revenue by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

Gulf Coast terminals

 

$

15,837

 

$

15,337

 

Midwest terminals and pipeline system

 

 

3,097

 

 

2,315

 

Brownsville terminals

 

 

4,239

 

 

4,891

 

River terminals

 

 

2,559

 

 

2,705

 

Southeast terminals

 

 

21,542

 

 

20,201

 

West Coast terminals

 

 

9,876

 

 

 —

 

Revenue

 

$

57,150

 

$

45,449

 

 

Total revenue by business segment is presented and further analyzed below by category of revenue.

Terminaling services fees.    Our terminaling services agreements are structured as either throughput agreements or storage agreements. Our throughput agreements contain provisions that require our customers to make minimum payments, which are based on contractually established minimum volume of throughput of the customer’s product at our facilities over a stipulated period of time. Due to this minimum payment arrangement, we recognize a fixed amount of revenue from the customer over a certain period of time, even if the customer throughputs less than the minimum volume of product during that period. In addition, if a customer throughputs a volume of product exceeding the minimum volume, we would recognize additional revenue on this incremental volume. Our storage agreements require our customers to make minimum payments based on the volume of storage capacity available to the customer under the agreement, which results in a fixed amount of recognized revenue.

 

We refer to the fixed amount of revenue recognized pursuant to our terminaling services agreements as being “firm commitments.” Revenue recognized in excess of firm commitments and revenue recognized based solely on the volume of product distributed or injected are referred to as “ancillary.” In addition “ancillary” revenue also includes fees

33


 

received from ancillary services including heating and mixing of stored products, product transfer, railcar handling, butane blending, proceeds from the sale of product gains, wharfage and vapor recovery.

The terminaling services fees by business segments were as follows (in thousands):

Terminaling Services Fees by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

    

 

2018

    

2017

 

Gulf Coast terminals

 

 

$

15,824

 

$

15,076

 

Midwest terminals and pipeline system

 

 

 

2,644

 

 

1,882

 

Brownsville terminals

 

 

 

2,100

 

 

2,299

 

River terminals

 

 

 

2,559

 

 

2,705

 

Southeast terminals

 

 

 

21,349

 

 

20,018

 

West Coast terminals

 

 

 

9,876

 

 

 —

 

Terminaling services fees

 

 

$

54,352

 

$

41,980

 

 

The increase in terminaling services fees at our West Coast terminals is a result of the West Coast terminals acquisition on December 15, 2017.

Included in terminaling services fees for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are fees charged to affiliates of approximately $2.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

The “firm commitments” and “ancillary” revenue included in terminaling services fees were as follows (in thousands):

Firm Commitments and Ancillary Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

Firm commitments

 

$

43,220

 

$

33,857

 

Ancillary

 

 

11,132

 

 

8,123

 

Terminaling services fees

 

$

54,352

 

$

41,980

 

 

The remaining terms on the terminaling services agreements that generated “firm commitments” for the three months ended September 30, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than 1 year remaining

    

$

9,932

    

23%

 

1 year or more, but less than 3 years remaining

 

 

12,952

 

30%

 

3 years or more, but less than 5 years remaining

 

 

11,063

 

26%

 

5 years or more remaining (1)

 

 

9,273

 

21%

 

Total firm commitments for the three months ended September 30, 2018

 

$

43,220

 

 

 

_____________________________

 

(1) We have a terminaling services agreement with a third party relating to our Southeast terminals that will continue in effect through February 1, 2023, after which it shall automatically continue unless and until the third party provides at least 24 months’ prior notice of its intent to terminate the agreement. Effective at any time from and after July 31, 2040, we have the right to terminate the agreement by providing at least 24 months’ prior notice of our intent to terminate the agreement. We do not believe the third party will terminate the agreement prior to July 31, 2040; therefore we have presented the firm commitments related to this terminaling services agreement in the 5 years or more remaining category in the table above.

34


 

Pipeline transportation fees.    We earned pipeline transportation fees at our Diamondback pipeline either based on the volume of product transported or under capacity reservation agreements. Revenue associated with the capacity reservation is recognized ratably over the respective term, regardless of whether the capacity is actually utilized. We earn pipeline transportation fees at our Razorback pipeline based on an allocation of the aggregate fees charged under the capacity agreement with our customer who has contracted for 100% of our Razorback system. We own the Razorback and Diamondback pipelines, and we leased the Ella‑Brownsville pipeline from a third party through December 31, 2017. The pipeline transportation fees by business segments were as follows (in thousands):

Pipeline Transportation Fees by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

Gulf Coast terminals

 

$

 —

 

$

 

Midwest terminals and pipeline system

 

 

453

 

 

433

 

Brownsville terminals

 

 

321

 

 

658

 

River terminals

 

 

 —

 

 

 

Southeast terminals

 

 

 —

 

 

 

West Coast terminals

 

 

 —

 

 

 

Pipeline transportation fees

 

$

774

 

$

1,091

 

The decrease in pipeline transportation fees at our Brownsville terminals is attributable to suspending operations on the Diamondback pipeline in the first quarter of 2018 in connection with the expansion of our Brownville operations. The Diamondback Pipeline consists of an 8” pipeline that previously transported propane approximately 16 miles from our Brownsville facilities to the U.S./Mexico border and a 6” pipeline, which runs parallel to the 8” pipeline, that has been idle and can be used to transport additional refined products. We expect to recommission and resume operations on both the 8” pipeline and the previously idle 6” pipeline by the end of 2019.

Management fees.    We manage and operate certain tank capacity at our Port Everglades South terminal for a major oil company and receive a reimbursement of its proportionate share of operating and maintenance costs. We manage and operate the Frontera joint venture and receive a management fee based on our costs incurred. We manage and operate rail sites at certain Southeast terminals on behalf of a major oil company and receive reimbursement for operating and maintenance costs. We also managed and operated for an affiliate of PEMEX, Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company, a bi-directional products pipeline connected to our Brownsville terminal facility and received a management fee through August 23, 2018. The management fees by business segments were as follows (in thousands):

Management Fees by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

    

2018

    

2017

Gulf Coast terminals

 

$

13

 

$

261

Midwest terminals and pipeline system

 

 

 —

 

 

Brownsville terminals

 

 

1,818

 

 

1,934

River terminals

 

 

 —

 

 

Southeast terminals

 

 

193

 

 

183

West Coast terminals

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Management fees

 

$

2,024

 

$

2,378

 

Included in management fees for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are fees charged to affiliates of approximately $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

35


 

ANALYSIS OF COSTS AND EXPENSES

The direct operating costs and expenses of our operations include the directly related wages and employee benefits, utilities, communications, repairs and maintenance, rent, property taxes, vehicle expenses, environmental compliance costs, materials and supplies. Consistent with historical trends across our terminaling and transportation facilities we anticipate an increase in repairs and maintenance expenses in the later months of the year as the weather becomes more conducive to these types of projects. The direct operating costs and expenses of our operations were as follows (in thousands):

Direct Operating Costs and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

Wages and employee benefits

 

$

7,491

 

$

6,163

 

Utilities and communication charges

 

 

2,701

 

 

2,059

 

Repairs and maintenance

 

 

3,103

 

 

3,409

 

Office, rentals and property taxes

 

 

2,835

 

 

2,531

 

Vehicles and fuel costs

 

 

201

 

 

201

 

Environmental compliance costs

 

 

672

 

 

855

 

Other

 

 

2,907

 

 

2,501

 

Direct operating costs and expenses

 

$

19,910

 

$

17,719

 

 

The direct operating costs and expenses of our business segments were as follows (in thousands):

Direct Operating Costs and Expenses by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

    

2018

    

2017

 

Gulf Coast terminals

 

$

5,614

 

$

5,805

 

Midwest terminals and pipeline system

 

 

733

 

 

718

 

Brownsville terminals

 

 

1,887

 

 

2,746

 

River terminals

 

 

1,568

 

 

1,710

 

Southeast terminals

 

 

6,633

 

 

6,740

 

West Coast terminals

 

 

3,475

 

 

 —

 

Direct operating costs and expenses

 

$

19,910

 

$

17,719

 

The decrease in direct operating costs and expenses at our Brownsville terminals is primarily attributable to terminating our lease of the Ella‑Brownsville pipeline from a third party on December 31, 2017 in connection with the expansion of our Brownville operations. The increase in direct operating costs and expenses at our West Coast terminals is a result of the West Coast terminals acquisition on December 15, 2017.

General and administrative expenses include fees paid to the owner of TransMontaigne GP under the omnibus agreement to cover the costs of centralized corporate functions such as legal, accounting, treasury, insurance administration and claims processing, information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, taxes and other corporate services. General and administrative expenses also include direct general and administrative expenses for costs and expenses of employees performing engineering, health, safety and environmental services, third party accounting costs associated with annual and quarterly reports and tax return and Schedule K‑1 preparation and distribution, legal fees and independent director fees. The general and administrative expenses were approximately $5.0 million and $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Insurance expenses include charges for insurance premiums to cover costs of insuring activities such as property, casualty, pollution, automobile, directors’ and officers’ liability, and other insurable risks. For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the expense associated with insurance was approximately $1.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

36


 

Equity-based compensation expense includes expense associated with us reimbursing an affiliate of TransMontaigne GP for awards granted by them to certain key officers and employees who provide service to us that vest over future service periods and grants to the independent directors of our general partner under our long-term incentive plan. We have the intent and ability to settle our reimbursement for the bonus awards by issuing additional common units, and accordingly, we account for the bonus awards as an equity award. The expense associated with these reimbursements was approximately $0.5 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, depreciation and amortization expense was approximately $12.3 million and $8.9 million, respectively. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense is primarily attributable to the West Coast terminals acquisition on December 15, 2017.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, interest expense was approximately $8.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The increase in interest expense is primarily attributable to financing the December 15, 2017 acquisition of the West Coast terminals, the issuance of senior notes and increases in LIBOR based interest rates.

 

ANALYSIS OF INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

Our investments in unconsolidated affiliates include a 42.5% Class A ownership interest in BOSTCO and a 50% ownership interest in Frontera. BOSTCO is a terminal facility located on the Houston Ship Channel that encompasses approximately 7.1 million barrels of distillate, residual and other black oil product storage. Class A and Class B ownership interests share in cash distributions on a 96.5% and 3.5% basis, respectively. Class B ownership interests do not have voting rights and are not required to make capital investments. Frontera is a terminal facility located in Brownsville, Texas that encompasses approximately 1.7 million barrels of light petroleum product storage, as well as related ancillary facilities.

Earnings from investments in unconsolidated affiliates were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

2018

    

2017

BOSTCO

    

$

1,028

 

$

923

Frontera

 

 

834

 

 

961

Total earnings from investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

$

1,862

 

$

1,884

Additional capital investments in unconsolidated affiliates were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

    

2018

    

2017

BOSTCO

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

Frontera

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Additional capital investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

Cash distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

    

2018

    

2017

BOSTCO

 

$

4,015

 

$

3,074

Frontera

 

 

992

 

 

1,127

Cash distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates

 

$

5,007

 

$

4,201

37


 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 AND 2017

The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ANALYSIS OF REVENUE

Total revenue.  We derive revenue from our terminal and pipeline transportation operations by charging fees for providing integrated terminaling, transportation and related services. Our total revenue by category was as follows (in thousands):

Total Revenue by Category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Terminaling services fees

    

 

$

159,921

    

$

124,230

 

Pipeline transportation fees

 

 

 

2,437

 

 

4,603

 

Management fees

 

 

 

6,580

 

 

6,830

 

Revenue

 

 

$

168,938

 

$

135,663

 

 

See discussion below for a detailed analysis of terminaling services fees, pipeline transportation fees and management fees included in the table above.

We operate our business and report our results of operations in six principal business segments: (i) Gulf Coast terminals, (ii) Midwest terminals and pipeline system, (iii) Brownsville terminals, (iv) River terminals, (v) Southeast terminals and (vi) West Coast terminals. The aggregate revenue of each of our business segments was as follows (in thousands):

Total Revenue by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Gulf Coast terminals

    

$

48,658

 

$

47,423

 

Midwest terminals and pipeline system

 

 

8,787

 

 

8,049

 

Brownsville terminals

 

 

13,075

 

 

16,047

 

River terminals

 

 

7,902

 

 

8,115

 

Southeast terminals

 

 

61,668

 

 

56,029

 

West Coast terminals

 

 

28,848

 

 

 —

 

Revenue

 

$

168,938

 

$

135,663

 

 

Total revenue by business segment is presented and further analyzed below by category of revenue.

Terminaling services fees.    Our terminaling services agreements are structured as either throughput agreements or storage agreements. Our throughput agreements contain provisions that require our customers to make minimum payments, which are based on contractually established minimum volume of throughput of the customer’s product at our facilities over a stipulated period of time. Due to this minimum payment arrangement, we recognize a fixed amount of revenue from the customer over a certain period of time, even if the customer throughputs less than the minimum volume of product during that period. In addition, if a customer throughputs a volume of product exceeding the minimum volume, we would recognize additional revenue on this incremental volume. Our storage agreements require our customers to make minimum payments based on the volume of storage capacity available to the customer under the agreement, which results in a fixed amount of recognized revenue.

 

We refer to the fixed amount of revenue recognized pursuant to our terminaling services agreements as being “firm commitments.” Revenue recognized in excess of firm commitments and revenue recognized based solely on the volume of product distributed or injected are referred to as “ancillary.” In addition “ancillary” revenue also includes fees received from ancillary services including heating and mixing of stored products, product transfer, railcar handling,

38


 

butane blending, proceeds from the sale of product gains, wharfage and vapor recovery.

The terminaling services fees by business segments were as follows (in thousands):

Terminaling Services Fees by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Gulf Coast terminals

    

 

$

48,462

 

$

46,616

 

Midwest terminals and pipeline system

 

 

 

7,468

 

 

6,750

 

Brownsville terminals

 

 

 

6,143

 

 

7,271

 

River terminals

 

 

 

7,902

 

 

8,115

 

Southeast terminals

 

 

 

61,098

 

 

55,478

 

West Coast terminals

 

 

 

28,848

 

 

 —

 

Terminaling services fees

 

 

$

159,921

 

$

124,230

 

 

The increase in terminaling services fees at our Southeast terminals includes an increase of approximately $3.0 million resulting from placing into service approximately 2.0 million barrels of new tank capacity at our Collins, Mississippi terminal in various stages beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016 through the second quarter of 2017. The increase in terminaling services fees at our West Coast terminals is a result of the West Coast terminals acquisition on December 15, 2017.

 

Included in terminaling services fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are fees charged to affiliates of approximately $8.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

 

The “firm commitments” and “ancillary” revenue included in terminaling services fees were as follows (in thousands):

Firm Commitments and Ancillary Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Firm commitments

    

$

128,051

 

$

99,590

 

Ancillary

 

 

31,870

 

 

24,640

 

Terminaling services fees

 

$

159,921

 

$

124,230

 

 

The remaining terms on the terminaling services agreements that generated “firm commitments” for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than 1 year remaining

 

$

29,995

 

23%

1 year or more, but less than 3 years remaining

 

 

38,512

 

30%

3 years or more, but less than 5 years remaining

 

 

32,856

 

26%

5 years or more remaining (1)

 

 

26,688

 

21%

Total firm commitments for the nine months ended September 30, 2018

 

$

128,051

 

 

______________________________

 

(1) We have a terminaling services agreement with a third party relating to our Southeast terminals that will continue in effect through February 1, 2023, after which it shall automatically continue unless and until the third party provides at least 24 months’ prior notice of its intent to terminate the agreement. Effective at any time from and after July 31, 2040, we have the right to terminate the agreement by providing at least 24 months’ prior notice of our intent to terminate the agreement. We do not believe the third party will terminate the agreement prior to July 31, 2040; therefore we have presented the firm commitments related to this terminaling services agreement in the 5 years or more remaining category in the table above.

39


 

 

Pipeline transportation fees.    We earned pipeline transportation fees at our Diamondback pipeline either based on the volume of product transported or under capacity reservation agreements. Revenue associated with the capacity reservation is recognized ratably over the respective term, regardless of whether the capacity is actually utilized. We earn pipeline transportation fees at our Razorback pipeline based on an allocation of the aggregate fees charged under the capacity agreement with our customer who has contracted for 100% of our Razorback system. We own the Razorback and Diamondback pipelines, and we leased the Ella‑Brownsville pipeline from a third party through December 31, 2017. The pipeline transportation fees by business segments were as follows (in thousands):

Pipeline Transportation Fees by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Gulf Coast terminals

    

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

Midwest terminals and pipeline system

 

 

1,319

 

 

1,299

 

Brownsville terminals

 

 

1,118

 

 

3,304

 

River terminals

 

 

 —

 

 

 

Southeast terminals

 

 

 —

 

 

 

West Coast terminals

 

 

 —

 

 

 

Pipeline transportation fees

 

$

2,437

 

$

4,603

 

The decrease in pipeline transportation fees at our Brownsville terminals is attributable to suspending operations on the Diamondback pipeline in the first quarter of 2018 in connection with the expansion of our Brownville operations. The Diamondback Pipeline consists of an 8” pipeline that previously transported propane approximately 16 miles from our Brownsville facilities to the U.S./Mexico border and a 6” pipeline, which runs parallel to the 8” pipeline, that has been idle and can be used to transport additional refined products. We expect to recommission and resume operations on the both the 8” pipeline and the previously idle 6” pipeline by the end of 2019.

Management fees.    We manage and operate certain tank capacity at our Port Everglades South terminal for a major oil company and receive a reimbursement of its proportionate share of operating and maintenance costs. We manage and operate the Frontera joint venture and receive a management fee based on our costs incurred. We manage and operate rail sites at certain Southeast terminals on behalf of a major oil company and receive reimbursement for operating and maintenance costs. We also managed and operated for an affiliate of PEMEX, Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company, a bi-directional products pipeline connected to our Brownsville terminal facility and received a management fee for our services through August 23, 2018. The management fees by business segments were as follows (in thousands):

Management Fees by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Gulf Coast terminals

    

$

196

 

$

807

 

Midwest terminals and pipeline system

 

 

 —

 

 

             —

 

Brownsville terminals

 

 

5,814

 

 

5,472

 

River terminals

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Southeast terminals

 

 

570

 

 

551

 

West Coast terminals

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Management fees

 

$

6,580

 

$

6,830

 

 

Included in management fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are fees charged to affiliates of approximately $4.2 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

40


 

ANALYSIS OF COSTS AND EXPENSES

The direct operating costs and expenses of our operations include the directly related wages and employee benefits, utilities, communications, repairs and maintenance, rent, property taxes, vehicle expenses, environmental compliance costs, materials and supplies. Consistent with historical trends across our terminaling and transportation facilities we anticipate an increase in repairs and maintenance expenses in the later months of the year as the weather becomes more conducive to these types of projects. The direct operating costs and expenses of our operations were as follows (in thousands):

Direct Operating Costs and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Wages and employee benefits

    

$

22,713

 

$

18,433

 

Utilities and communication charges

 

 

7,249

 

 

6,288

 

Repairs and maintenance

 

 

9,854

 

 

8,991

 

Office, rentals and property taxes

 

 

8,807

 

 

7,640

 

Vehicles and fuel costs

 

 

585

 

 

534

 

Environmental compliance costs

 

 

2,382

 

 

2,098

 

Other

 

 

7,740

 

 

6,230

 

Direct operating costs and expenses

 

$

59,330

 

$

50,214

 

 

The direct operating costs and expenses of our business segments were as follows (in thousands):

Direct Operating Costs and Expenses by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Gulf Coast terminals

    

$

16,859

 

$

16,785

 

Midwest terminals and pipeline system

 

 

2,188

 

 

2,123

 

Brownsville terminals

 

 

6,063

 

 

8,200

 

River terminals

 

 

5,209

 

 

4,895

 

Southeast terminals

 

 

18,966

 

 

18,211

 

West Coast terminals

 

 

10,045

 

 

 —

 

Direct operating costs and expenses

 

$

59,330

 

$

50,214

 

The decrease in direct operating costs and expenses at our Brownsville terminals is primarily attributable to terminating our lease of the Ella‑Brownsville pipeline from a third party on December 31, 2017 in connection with the expansion of our Brownville operations. The increase in direct operating costs and expenses at our Southeast terminals is primarily attributable to placing into service approximately 2.0 million barrels of new tank capacity at our Collins, MS terminal in various stages beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016 through the second quarter of 2017. The increase in direct operating costs and expenses at our West Coast terminals is a result of the West Coast terminals acquisition on December 15, 2017.

General and administrative expenses include fees paid to the owner of TransMontaigne GP under the omnibus agreement to cover the costs of centralized corporate functions such as legal, accounting, treasury, insurance administration and claims processing, information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, taxes and other corporate services. General and administrative expenses also include direct general and administrative expenses for costs and expenses of employees performing engineering, health, safety and environmental services, third party accounting costs associated with annual and quarterly reports and tax return and Schedule K‑1 preparation and distribution, legal fees and independent director fees. The general and administrative expenses were approximately $14.6 million and $13.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses is primarily attributable to the previously announced increases in the omnibus fee beginning as of May 13, 2018 and May 3, 2017.

41


 

Insurance expenses include charges for insurance premiums to cover costs of insuring activities such as property, casualty, pollution, automobile, directors’ and officers’ liability, and other insurable risks. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the expense associated with insurance was approximately $3.7 million and $3.0 million, respectively.

Equity-based compensation expense includes expense associated with us reimbursing an affiliate of TransMontaigne GP for awards granted by them to certain key officers and employees who provide service to us that vest over future service periods and grants to the independent directors of our general partner under our long-term incentive plan. We have the intent and ability to settle our reimbursement for the bonus awards by issuing additional common units, and accordingly, we account for the bonus awards as an equity award. The expense associated with these reimbursements was approximately $2.9 million and $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, depreciation and amortization expense was approximately $37.3 million and $26.4 million, respectively. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense is primarily attributable to the West Coast terminals acquisition on December 15, 2017 and placing into service new tank capacity at our Collins, Mississippi terminal in various stages beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016 through the second quarter 2017.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, interest expense was approximately $23.3 million and $7.3 million, respectively. The increase in interest expense is primarily attributable to financing the December 15, 2017 acquisition of the West Coast terminals, the issuance of senior notes and increases in LIBOR based interest rates.

 

ANALYSIS OF INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

Our investments in unconsolidated affiliates include a 42.5% Class A ownership interest in BOSTCO and a 50% ownership interest in Frontera. BOSTCO is a terminal facility located on the Houston Ship Channel that encompasses approximately 7.1 million barrels of distillate, residual and other black oil product storage. Class A and Class B ownership interests share in cash distributions on a 96.5% and 3.5% basis, respectively. Class B ownership interests do not have voting rights and are not required to make capital investments. Frontera is a terminal facility located in Brownsville, Texas that encompasses approximately 1.7 million barrels of light petroleum product storage, as well as related ancillary facilities.

Earnings from investments in unconsolidated affiliates were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

2018

 

2017

BOSTCO

    

$

4,867

 

$

3,904

Frontera

 

 

2,328

 

 

2,660

Total earnings from investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

$

7,195

 

$

6,564

 

Additional capital investments in unconsolidated affiliates were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

2018

 

2017

BOSTCO

    

$

 —

 

$

145

Frontera

 

 

1,264

 

 

2,000

Additional capital investments in unconsolidated affiliates

 

$

1,264

 

$

2,145

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Cash distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

2018

 

2017

BOSTCO

    

$

9,600

 

$

9,472

Frontera

 

 

3,418

 

 

3,624

Cash distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates

 

$

13,018

 

$

13,096

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary liquidity needs are to fund our working capital requirements, distributions to unitholders, approved investments, approved capital projects and approved future expansion, development and acquisition opportunities. We expect to initially fund any investments, capital projects and future expansion, development and acquisition opportunities with undistributed cash flows from operations and additional borrowings under our revolving credit facility. After initially funding expenditures with borrowings under our revolving credit facility, we may raise funds through additional equity offerings and debt financings. The proceeds of such equity offerings and debt financings may then be used to reduce our outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, investing activities and financing activities were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

90,465

 

$

83,789

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

$

(28,869)

 

$

(39,472)

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

$

(60,273)

 

$

(40,057)

 

 

The increase in net cash provided by operating activities is primarily related to the timing of working capital requirements. 

The decrease in net cash used in investing activities is primarily related to the timing of construction spend and the receipt of approximately $10.0 million from the sale of assets in February 2018.

Management and the board of directors of our general partner have approved additional investments and expansion capital projects at our terminals that currently are, or will be, under construction with estimated completion dates that extend through the fourth quarter of 2019. At September 30, 2018, the remaining expenditures to complete the approved projects are estimated to be approximately $100 million. These expenditures primarily relate to the construction costs associated with our Collins, Mississippi Phase II terminal expansion and our expansion of the Brownsville operations. 

Our Collins, Mississippi Phase II terminal expansion includes the construction of an additional approximately 870,000 barrels of liquids storage capacity and improvements to the Colonial Pipeline receipt and delivery manifolds. Total capital expenditures for this project are expected to be approximately $55 million. We expect the first of the new tanks to be placed into commercial service in the fourth quarter of 2018, with the remaining capacity and the manifold improvements to be placed into commercial service in the second quarter of 2019.

 

 Our expansion of our Brownsville operations includes the construction of approximately 630,000 barrels of additional liquids storage capacity and the conversion of our Diamondback Pipeline to transport diesel and gasoline to the U.S./Mexico border. We expect the first tanks of the additional liquids storage capacity under construction to be placed into commercial service during the first quarter of 2019. We expect to recommission the Diamondback Pipeline and resume operations on both the 8” pipeline and the previously idle 6” pipeline by the end of 2019, with the remaining additional liquids storage capacity being placed into commercial service at the same time. The anticipated aggregate cost of the terminal expansion and pipeline recommissioning is estimated to be approximately $55 million.

 

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The increase in net cash used in financing activities includes a decrease of approximately $12.4 million in net debt borrowings primarily related to the receipt of approximately $10.0 million from the sale of assets in February 2018 and an increase of approximately $5.8 million in distributions paid as a result of increasing our quarterly distributions. Net proceeds of the senior notes were primarily used to repay indebtedness under our revolving credit facility.

Third amended and restated senior secured credit facility.  On December 14, 2017 we amended our revolving credit facility, which increased the maximum borrowing line of credit to $850 million from $600 million, in connection with the acquisition of the West Coast terminals. At our request, the maximum borrowing line of credit may be increased by an additional $250 million, subject to the approval of the administrative agent and the receipt of additional commitments from one or more lenders. The terms of our revolving credit facility include covenants that restrict our ability to make cash distributions, acquisitions and investments, including investments in joint ventures. We may make distributions of cash to the extent of our “available cash” as defined in our partnership agreement. We may make acquisitions and investments that meet the definition of “permitted acquisitions”; “other investments” which may not exceed 5% of “consolidated net tangible assets”; and additional future “permitted JV investments” up to $175 million, which may include additional investments in BOSTCO. The principal balance of loans and any accrued and unpaid interest are due and payable in full on the maturity date, March 13, 2022.

We may elect to have loans under our revolving credit facility bear interest either (i) at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.75% depending on the total leverage ratio then in effect, or (ii) at the base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.75% depending on the total leverage ratio then in effect. We also pay a commitment fee on the unused amount of commitments, ranging from 0.375% to 0.5% per annum, depending on the total leverage ratio then in effect. Our obligations under our revolving credit facility are secured by a first priority security interest in favor of the lenders in the majority of our assets, including our investments in unconsolidated affiliates. At September 30, 2018, our outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility were $291.0 million.

Our revolving credit facility also contains customary representations and warranties (including those relating to organization and authorization, compliance with laws, absence of defaults, material agreements and litigation) and customary events of default (including those relating to monetary defaults, covenant defaults, cross defaults and bankruptcy events). The primary financial covenants contained in our revolving credit facility are (i) a total leverage ratio test (not to exceed 5.25 to 1.0), (ii) a senior secured leverage ratio test (not to exceed 3.75 to 1.0), and (iii) a minimum interest coverage ratio test (not less than 2.75 to 1.0). These financial covenants are based on a non-GAAP, defined financial performance measure within our revolving credit facility known as “Consolidated EBITDA.” We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of and during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017.  

 

If we were to fail either financial performance covenant, or any other covenant contained in our revolving credit facility, we would seek a waiver from our lenders under such facility. If we were unable to obtain a waiver from our lenders and the default remained uncured after any applicable grace period, we would be in breach of our revolving credit facility, and the lenders would be entitled to declare all outstanding borrowings immediately due and payable. 

Senior notes.  On February 12, 2018, the Partnership and our wholly owned subsidiary, TLP Finance Corp., completed the sale of $300 million of 6.125% senior notes, issued at par and due 2026. The senior notes were guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our 100% owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee obligations under our revolving credit facility. Net proceeds were used to repay indebtedness under our revolving credit facility. 

The senior notes will mature on February 15, 2026.  Interest on the senior notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on August 15, 2018. The senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by each of our 100% owned domestic subsidiaries in each case that guarantee obligations under our revolving credit facility.  The senior notes and the associated guarantees rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness and senior to all of the Partnership’s future subordinated indebtedness.  The senior notes and the guarantees are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of the Partnership’s existing and future secured debt, including debt under our revolving credit facility, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt, and are structurally subordinated to all liabilities of our subsidiaries (other than TLP Finance Corp.) that do not guarantee the senior notes.

At any time prior to February 15, 2021, we may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the senior notes at a redemption price of 106.125% of the principal amount of the senior

44


 

notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings. On and after February 15, 2021, we may redeem all or a part of the senior notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to (i) 104.594% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2021; (ii) 103.063% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2022; (iii) 101.531% for the twelve month-period beginning on February 15, 2023; and (iv) 100.000% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2024 and at any time thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

 

Common unit offering program. On September 2, 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared effective a universal shelf registration statement, which replaced our prior shelf registration statement that previously expired. As with the prior shelf registration statement, the new shelf registration statement allows us to issue common units and debt securities. In connection with the shelf registration statement, we established a common unit offering program under which we may issue and sell common units from time to time, representing limited partner interests, up to an aggregate gross sales amount of $50 million. We intend to use the net proceeds from any equity sales pursuant to the common unit offering program, after deducting the agent’s commissions and the partnership’s offering expenses, for general partnership purposes, which may include, among other things, repayment of indebtedness, capital expenditures, working capital or acquisitions. In February 2018, we used the shelf registration statement to issue the senior notes (see Note 12 of Notes to consolidated financial statements).

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information contained in this Item 3 updates, and should be read in conjunction with, information set forth in Part II, Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10‑K, filed on March 15, 2018, in addition to the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements, accompanying notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations presented in Part 1, Items 1 and 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q. There are no material changes in the market risks faced by us from those reported in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. A principal market risk to which we are exposed is interest rate risk associated with borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility bear interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR or the lender’s base rate. We manage a portion of our interest rate risk with interest rate swaps, which reduce our exposure to changes in interest rates by converting variable interest rates to fixed interest rates. At September 30, 2018, we are party to an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $50.0 million that expires March 11, 2019. Pursuant to the terms of the interest rate swap agreement, we pay a fixed rate of approximately 0.97% and receive interest payments based on the one-month LIBOR. The net difference to be paid or received under the interest rate swap agreement is settled monthly and is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense. At September 30, 2018, we had outstanding borrowings of $291.0 million under our revolving credit facility. Based on the outstanding balance of our variable‑interest‑rate debt at September 30, 2018, the terms of our interest rate swap agreement and assuming market interest rates increase or decrease by 100 basis points, the potential annual increase or decrease in interest expense is approximately $2.4 million.

We do not purchase or market products that we handle or transport and, therefore, we do not have material direct exposure to changes in commodity prices, except for the value of product gains arising from certain of our terminaling services agreements with our customers. We do not use derivative commodity instruments to manage the commodity risk associated with the product we may own at any given time. Generally, to the extent we are entitled to retain product pursuant to terminaling services agreements with our customers, we sell the product to our customers on a contractually established periodic basis; the sales price is based on industry indices.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Commission’s rules and forms, and that information is accumulated and communicated to the management of our general partner, including our general partner’s principal executive and principal financial officer (whom we refer to as the Certifying Officers), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The management of our general partner evaluated, with the participation of the Certifying Officers, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls

45


 

and procedures as of September 30, 2018, pursuant to Rule 13a‑15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the Certifying Officers concluded that, as of September 30, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. Other Information

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Part I, Item 1 Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements entitled “Legal proceedings” which is incorporated into this item by reference.  

 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in our  Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2018, which could materially affect our businesses, financial condition, or future results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or future results.

There have been no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed on March 15, 2018.

46


 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

 

 

 

Exhibit
number

    

 

Description of exhibits

 

 

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002.

101

The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q of TransMontaigne Partners L.P. and subsidiaries for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of operations, (iii) consolidated statements of partners’ equity, (iv) consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

47


 

 

SIGNATURES

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

 

 


Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: November 8, 2018

TransMontaigne Partners L.P.
(Registrant)

 

 

 

TransMontaigne GP L.L.C., its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Frederick W. Boutin

Frederick W. Boutin
Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert T. Fuller

Robert T. Fuller
Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

48