Energy Transfer Equity Reports Second Quarter Results

Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE:ETE) (“ETE” or the “Partnership”) today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

ETE’s net income attributable to partners was $212 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $241 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was $240 million compared to $276 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The decreases in net income attributable to partners and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, were primarily driven by a reduction in incentive distributions as previously agreed to between ETE and ETP, as well as the impact of the ETP and Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (“Sunoco Logistics”) merger in April 2017, as discussed below.

The Partnership’s recent key accomplishments and other developments include the following:

  • In July 2017, ETE announced a $0.285 distribution per ETE common unit for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, or $1.14 per unit on an annualized basis.
  • As of June 30, 2017, ETE’s $1.5 billion revolving credit facility had $1.20 billion of outstanding borrowings and its leverage ratio, as defined by the credit agreement, was 3.81x.

The Partnership has scheduled a conference call for 8:00 a.m. Central Time, Wednesday, August 9, 2017 to discuss its second quarter 2017 results. The conference call will be broadcast live via an internet webcast, which can be accessed through www.energytransfer.com and will also be available for replay on the Partnership’s website for a limited time.

The Partnership’s principal sources of cash flow are derived from distributions related to its direct and indirect investments in the limited and general partner interests in Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (“Post-Merger ETP”), including 100% of ETP’s incentive distribution rights, limited and general partner interests in Sunoco LP, as well as the Partnership’s ownership of Lake Charles LNG. In connection with the merger of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (“Legacy ETP”) and Sunoco Logistics in April 2017, the Legacy ETP Class H units were cancelled, and ETE now owns 27.5 million Post-Merger ETP Common Units (representing 2.5% of the total outstanding Post-Merger ETP common units). The Partnership’s primary cash requirements are for general and administrative expenses, debt service requirements and distributions to its partners.

Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE:ETE) is a master limited partnership that owns the general partner and 100% of the incentive distribution rights (IDRs) of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP) and Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN). ETE also owns Lake Charles LNG Company. On a consolidated basis, ETE’s family of companies owns and operates a diverse portfolio of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and refined products assets, as well as retail and wholesale motor fuel operations and LNG terminalling. For more information, visit the Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. website at www.energytransfer.com.

Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP) is a master limited partnership that owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States. Strategically positioned in all of the major U.S. production basins, ETP owns and operates a geographically diverse portfolio of complementary natural gas midstream, intrastate and interstate transportation and storage assets; crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and refined product transportation and terminalling assets; NGL fractionation; and various commodity acquisition and marketing assets. ETP’s general partner is owned by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE). For more information, visit the Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. website at www.energytransfer.com.

Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) is a master limited partnership that operates 1,355 convenience stores and retail fuel sites and distributes motor fuel to 7,825 convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors located in 30 states. Our parent — Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE) — owns SUN’s general partner and incentive distribution rights. For more information, visit the Sunoco LP website at www.sunocolp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management’s control. An extensive list of factors that can affect future results are discussed in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events.

The information contained in this press release is available on our website at www.energytransfer.com.

   

ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

(unaudited)

 
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016

ASSETS

 
Current assets $ 10,326 $ 6,985
 
Property, plant and equipment, net 56,808 53,253
 
Advances to and investments in unconsolidated affiliates 3,182 3,040
Other non-current assets, net 852 816
Intangible assets, net 6,267 5,489
Goodwill 5,174 5,170
Non-current assets held for sale       4,258  
Total assets $ 82,609   $ 79,011  
 
 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 
Current liabilities $ 7,765 $ 7,277
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities 43,084 42,608
Long-term notes payable – related companies 250
Non-current derivative liabilities 201 76
Deferred income taxes 5,170 5,112
Other non-current liabilities 1,178 1,055
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale 68
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
Preferred units of subsidiary 33
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 22 15
 
Equity:
Total partners’ deficit (1,185 ) (1,694 )
Noncontrolling interest   26,374     24,211  
Total equity   25,189     22,517  
Total liabilities and equity $ 82,609   $ 79,011  
   

ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per unit data)

(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
  2017       2016     2017       2016  
REVENUES $ 8,935 $ 7,415 $ 18,163 $ 13,522
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of products sold 6,887 5,479 14,178 9,816
Operating expenses 478 444 915 852
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 604 537 1,208 1,048
Selling, general and administrative   178     150     342     306  
Total costs and expenses   8,147     6,610     16,643     12,022  
OPERATING INCOME 788 805 1,520 1,500
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net (485 ) (443 ) (966 ) (862 )
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 49 95 136 156
Losses on extinguishments of debt (25 )
Losses on interest rate derivatives (25 ) (81 ) (20 ) (151 )
Other, net   67     26     92     43  
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) 394 402 737 686
Income tax expense (benefit)   21     (7 )   60     (62 )
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 373 409 677 748
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes   (256 )   15     (270 )   12  
NET INCOME 117 424 407 760
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest   (95 )   183     (44 )   207  
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARTNERS 212 241 451 553
General Partner’s interest in net income 1 1 2
Convertible Unitholders’ interest in income   8     1     14     1  
Limited Partners’ interest in net income $ 204   $ 239   $ 436   $ 550  
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT:
Basic $ 0.19   $ 0.23   $ 0.41   $ 0.53  
Diluted $ 0.19   $ 0.23   $ 0.40   $ 0.52  
NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT:
Basic $ 0.18   $ 0.23   $ 0.40   $ 0.53  
Diluted $ 0.18   $ 0.23   $ 0.39   $ 0.52  
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING:
Basic   1,075.2     1,048.9     1,077.2     1,046.9  
Diluted   1,141.3     1,063.8     1,143.7     1,052.5  
   

ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

(In millions)

(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
  2017       2016     2017       2016  
Cash distributions from ETP associated with: (1)
Limited partner interest $ 15 $ 2 $ 30 $ 5
Class H Units 88 171
General partner interest 4 8 8 16
Incentive distribution rights 396 335 773 666
IDR relinquishments, net of distributions on Class I Units (2)   (162 )   (110 )   (319 )   (144 )
Total cash distributions from ETP   253     323     492     714  
Cash distributions from Sunoco LP   31     22     54     44  
Total cash distributions from investments in subsidiaries $ 284 $ 345 $ 546 $ 758
 
Distributable cash flow attributable to Lake Charles LNG:
Revenues $ 50 $ 49 $ 99 98
Operating expenses (4 ) (5 ) (9 ) (9 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (2 )       (2 )   (1 )
Distributable cash flow attributable to Lake Charles LNG $ 44 $ 44 $ 88 $ 88
 
Expenses of the Parent Company on a cash basis:
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding certain non-cash expenses $ 9 $ 24 $ 17 55
Management fee to ETP (3) 24 5 48
Interest expense, net of amortization of financing costs, interest income, and realized gains and losses on interest rate swaps   83     79     164     157  
Total Parent Company expenses $ 92 $ 127 $ 186 $ 260
 
Cash distributions to be paid to the partners of ETE:
Distributions to be paid to limited partners (4) $ 250 $ 240 $ 500 $ 480
Distributions to be paid to general partner   1         2     1  
Total cash distributions to be paid to the partners of ETE $ 251   $ 240   $ 502   $ 481  
 
Common units outstanding — end of period   1,079.1     1,044.8     1,079.1     1,044.8  
 

_________________

(1)

  Following the merger of Legacy ETP and Sunoco Logistics in April 2017, the Post-Merger ETP partnership agreement contains distribution requirements consistent with those of Sunoco Logistics prior to the merger.

(2)

IDR relinquishments for the three months ended June 30, 2017 include the impact of incentive distribution reductions agreed to between ETE and Legacy ETP in addition to incentive distribution reductions previously agreed to between Legacy ETP and Sunoco Logistics.

(3)

ETE previously paid Legacy ETP certain fees for management services under agreements expired in the first quarter of 2017.

(4)

Includes distributions of $0.11 per common unit for the three months ended June 30, 2017, and $0.22 per common unit for the six months ended June 30, 2017, to unitholders who elected to participate in a plan to forgo a portion of their future potential cash distributions on common units for a period of up to nine fiscal quarters, commencing with the distributions for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, and reinvest those distributions in ETE Series A convertible preferred units representing limited partner interest in the Partnership.
   

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

RECONCILIATION OF DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FLOW

(Dollars in millions)

(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
  2017       2016     2017       2016  
Net income attributable to partners $ 212 $ 241 $ 451 $ 553
Equity in earnings related to investments in ETP and Sunoco LP (273 ) (334 ) (598 ) (732 )
Total cash distributions from investments in subsidiaries 284 345 546 758
Amortization included in interest expense (excluding ETP and Sunoco LP) 3 3 5 6
Other non-cash (excluding ETP and Sunoco LP)   10     7     44     1  
Distributable Cash Flow 236 262 448 586
Transaction-related expenses   4     14     7     40  
Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted $ 240   $ 276   $ 455   $ 626  
 
Distribution coverage ratio(1) 0.96x 1.15x 0.91x 1.30x
 

(1)

  This press release and accompanying schedules include the non-generally accepted accounting principle (“non-GAAP”) financial measures of Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted. The Partnership’s non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to GAAP financial measures such as net income, cash flow from operating activities or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.
 

Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted. The Partnership defines Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, for a period as cash distributions expected to be received in respect of such period in connection with the Partnership’s investments in limited and general partner interests, net of the Partnership’s cash expenditures for general and administrative costs and interest expense. The Partnership’s definitions of Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, also include distributable cash flow from Lake Charles LNG to the Partnership. For Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, certain transaction-related expenses that are included in net income are excluded.

 

Distributable Cash Flow is a significant liquidity measure used by the Partnership’s senior management to compare net cash flows generated by the Partnership to the distributions the Partnership expects to pay its unitholders. Due to cash expenses incurred from time to time in connection with the Partnership’s merger and acquisition activities and other transactions, Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, is also a significant liquidity measure used by the Partnership’s senior management to compare net cash flows generated by the Partnership to the distributions the Partnership expects to pay its unitholders. Using these measures, the Partnership’s management can compute the coverage ratio of estimated cash flows for a period to planned cash distributions for such period.

 

Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, are also important non-GAAP financial measures for our limited partners since these indicate to investors whether the Partnership’s investments are generating cash flows at a level that can sustain or support an increase in quarterly cash distribution levels. Financial measures such as Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, are quantitative standards used by the investment community with respect to publicly traded partnerships because the value of a partnership unit is in part measured by its yield (which in turn is based on the amount of cash distributions a partnership can pay to a unitholder). The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, is net income attributable to partners.

 

Distribution Coverage Ratio. The Partnership defines Distribution Coverage Ratio for a period as Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, divided by total cash distributions expected to be paid to the partners of ETE in respect of such period.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR PARENT COMPANY

 
Following are condensed balance sheets and statements of operations of the Parent Company on a stand-alone basis.
   

BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

(unaudited)

 
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
ASSETS
Current assets $ 68 $ 57
Property, plant and equipment, net 28 36
Advances to and investments in unconsolidated affiliates 5,980 5,088
Intangible assets, net 1
Goodwill 9 9
Other non-current assets, net   18     10  
Total assets $ 6,103   $ 5,201  
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
Current liabilities $ 63 $ 92
Long-term debt, less current maturities 6,693 6,358
Long-term notes payable – related companies 530 443
Other non-current liabilities 2 2
Commitments and contingencies
Total partners’ deficit   (1,185 )   (1,694 )
Total liabilities and partners’ deficit $ 6,103   $ 5,201  
   

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions)

(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
  2017       2016     2017       2016  
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES $ (9 ) $ (44 ) $ (22 ) $ (81 )
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized (86 ) (82 ) (169 ) (163 )
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 308 369 669 799
Losses on extinguishments of debt (25 )
Other, net   (1 )   (2 )   (2 )   (2 )
NET INCOME 212 241 451 553
General Partner’s interest in net income 1 1 2
Convertible Unitholders' interest in income   8     1     14     1  
Limited Partners’ interest in net income $ 204   $ 239   $ 436   $ 550