Summit Midstream Partners, LP Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Summit Midstream Partners, LP Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

- First quarter 2018 net loss of $3.8 million

- First quarter 2018 adjusted EBITDA of $70.3 million and DCF of $44.2 million

- First quarter 2018 natural gas volumes up 6.8% and liquids volumes up 11.3% over prior-year period

- Total leverage ratio of 3.63x as of March 31, 2018

- SMLP provides positive update on Double E Pipeline project

- SMLP increased the estimated undiscounted amount of the Deferred Purchase Price Obligation

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, May 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: SMLP) announced today its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2018. SMLP reported a net loss of $3.8 million for the first quarter of 2018 compared to a net loss of $0.6 million for the prior-year period. Net income in the first quarter of 2018 included $21.7 million of non-cash expense related to the increase in the present value of the estimated Deferred Purchase Price Obligation ("DPPO"). Net income for the prior-year period included $20.9 million of non-cash DPPO expense and $22.0 million of expense related to an early extinguishment of debt. Net cash provided by operations totaled $51.2 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared to $62.4 million in the prior-year period. This reduction is primarily related to a third quarter 2017 contract amendment with a certain Piceance/DJ Basins customer which required this customer, beginning July 2017, to make MVC shortfall payments monthly, rather than what historically had been an annual payment in the first quarter of the year. Adjusted EBITDA totaled $70.3 million and distributable cash flow ("DCF") totaled $44.2 million for the first quarter of 2018 compared to $71.4 million and $53.0 million, respectively, for the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA and DCF for the prior-year period includes $2.6 million of income related to a business interruption insurance claim.

Natural gas volume throughput averaged 1,737 million cubic feet per day ("MMcf/d") in the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 6.8% compared to 1,627 MMcf/d in the prior-year period, and a decrease of 1.4% compared to 1,761 MMcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2017. SMLP's natural gas volume throughput metrics exclude its proportionate share of volume from its 40% ownership interest in Ohio Gathering. Crude oil and produced water volume throughput in the first quarter of 2018 averaged 85.0 thousand barrels per day ("Mbbl/d"), an increase of 11.3% compared to 76.4 Mbbl/d in the prior-year period, and an increase of 14.7% compared to 74.1 Mbbl/d in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Steve Newby, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "SMLP reported in-line financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2018, and is on target to deliver on its 2018 financial guidance. As we look across the balance of 2018 and into 2019, we are encouraged about our business, our balance sheet and our long-term growth potential. We have a number of growth catalysts that will positively impact our operating and financial results beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018. These catalysts include the start-up of our 60 MMcf/d Delaware Basin gathering and processing assets in the third quarter of 2018, the start-up of our 60 MMcf/d DJ Basin processing plant in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the anticipated growth in our Williston and Utica operations, given current producer activity levels. We expect these catalysts to provide significant EBITDA growth and an expansion of our distribution coverage ratio beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018. The $300.0 million 9.50% Series A preferred equity transaction that we completed in the fourth quarter of 2017 strengthened our credit profile by de-levering our balance sheet, and more than satisfied our equity needs for 2018."

Double E Project Update
In January 2018, SMLP announced a non-binding open season for its proposed Double E Pipeline project ("Double E"), a greenfield development project designed to provide firm natural gas transportation service from various receipt points in the Delaware Basin in New Mexico and Texas to various delivery points around the Waha Hub.

SMLP has received a high level of interest in the project and is currently working with several potential anchor shippers on binding precedent agreements to ship natural gas on Double E. Based on shipper interest in the project, SMLP expects to expand the initial capacity of the Double E Pipeline beyond the 1.0 billion cubic feet per day ("Bcf/d") originally contemplated. SMLP estimates that the project cost will range from $400.0 million to $450.0 million, pending a final decision on route and pipeline size. Project-related capital expenditures in 2018 and 2019, in the aggregate, are expected to account for less than 15% of the total investment, with more meaningful expenditures occurring in 2020 and 2021.

SMLP has also received significant interest from potential shippers and other parties concerning equity participation in the project. SMLP is evaluating those alternatives, and expects to make its final investment decision on the project by the end of the third quarter of 2018. SMLP is currently targeting an in-service date for the project in the second quarter of 2021.

First Quarter 2018 Segment Results
The following table presents average daily throughput by reportable segment:


                                       Three months ended March 31,
                                       ----------------------------

                                         2018                       2017
                                         ----                       ----

    Average daily throughput (MMcf/d):

    Utica Shale                                                 356        275

    Williston Basin                                              18         17

    Piceance/DJ Basins                                          578        615

    Barnett Shale                                               263        286

    Marcellus Shale                                             522        434
                                                                ---        ---

    Aggregate average daily throughput                        1,737      1,627
                                                              =====      =====


    Average daily throughput (Mbbl/d):

    Williston Basin                                            85.0       76.4
                                                               ----       ----

    Aggregate average daily throughput                         85.0       76.4
                                                               ====       ====


    Ohio Gathering average daily
     throughput                                                 771        769

        (MMcf/d) (1)

    ________

    (1)              Gross basis, represents 100%
                     of volume throughput for
                     Ohio Gathering, based on a
                     one-month lag.

Utica Shale
The Utica Shale reportable segment includes Summit Midstream Utica ("SMU"), a natural gas gathering system located in Belmont and Monroe counties in southeastern Ohio. SMU gathers and delivers dry natural gas to interconnections with a third-party intrastate pipeline that provides access to the Clarington Hub.

Segment adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2018 totaled $8.7 million, up 10.1% from $7.9 million for the prior-year period, primarily due to higher volume throughput, partially offset by higher operating expenses. Volume throughput averaged 356 MMcf/d in the first quarter of 2018, compared to 275 MMcf/d in the prior-year period and 369 MMcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2017. Volume throughput for the first quarter of 2018 increased relative to the prior-year period due to the completion of 15 new wells in 2017, including two new wells completed in December 2017. In addition, first quarter 2018 volumes included an incremental 40 MMcf/d from the TPL-7 Connector Project which was commissioned in the second quarter of 2017. No volume flowed through the TPL-7 Connector Project in the prior-year period and 48 MMcf/d flowed in the fourth quarter of 2017. Volume throughput in the first quarter of 2018 was impacted by temporary production curtailments upstream of the SMU system which we estimate impacted volumes by approximately 15 MMcf/d.

We expect volume growth resuming behind the SMU system in the second quarter of 2018, and we are currently in the process of completing several pad connections to facilitate an acceleration of SMU volume growth in the second half of 2018.

Ohio Gathering
The Ohio Gathering reportable segment includes our 40% ownership interest in Ohio Gathering, a natural gas gathering system spanning the condensate, liquids-rich and dry gas windows of the Utica Shale in Harrison, Guernsey, Noble, Belmont and Monroe counties in southeastern Ohio. This segment also includes our 40% ownership interest in Ohio Condensate, a condensate stabilization facility located in Harrison County, Ohio. Segment adjusted EBITDA for the Ohio Gathering segment includes our proportional share of adjusted EBITDA from Ohio Gathering and Ohio Condensate, based on a one-month lag.

Segment adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2018 totaled $10.5 million, an increase of 15.5% from $9.1 million for the prior-year period, primarily due to lower operating expenses together with slightly higher volumes and incremental compression revenue. Volume throughput on the Ohio Gathering system averaged 771 MMcf/d, gross, in the first quarter of 2018 compared to 769 MMcf/d, gross, in the prior-year period and 825 MMcf/d, gross, in the fourth quarter of 2017. Volume throughput in the first quarter of 2018 was down 6.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2017 due to natural declines from wells commissioned in the second half of 2017. No new wells were connected in the first quarter of 2018.

We expect volume growth beginning in the third quarter of 2018, with new well connections beginning late in the second quarter of 2018 and continuing through the end of 2018.

Williston Basin
The Polar and Divide, Tioga Midstream and Bison Midstream systems provide our midstream services for the Williston Basin reportable segment. The Polar and Divide system gathers crude oil in Williams and Divide counties in North Dakota and delivers to third-party intra- and interstate pipelines as well as third-party rail terminals. The Polar and Divide system also gathers and delivers produced water to various third-party disposal wells in the region. Tioga Midstream is a crude oil, produced water and associated natural gas gathering system in Williams County, North Dakota. All crude oil and natural gas gathered on the Tioga Midstream system is delivered to third-party pipelines, and all produced water is delivered to third-party disposal wells. Bison Midstream gathers associated natural gas production in Mountrail and Burke counties in North Dakota and delivers to third-party pipelines serving a third-party processing plant in Channahon, Illinois.

Segment adjusted EBITDA for the Williston Basin segment totaled $16.0 million for the first quarter of 2018 compared to $17.8 million for the prior-year period. The $1.8 million reduction is primarily due to the prior-year period's inclusion of $2.6 million of income related to a business interruption insurance claim, partially offset by higher volume throughput. Liquids volumes averaged 85.0 Mbbl/d in the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 11.3% from 76.4 Mbbl/d in the prior-year period and an increase of 14.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2017. Liquids volumes in the prior-year period were negatively impacted by severe weather.

Compared to the prior-year period, first quarter 2018 liquids volumes were positively impacted by the completion of 46 new wells in 2017, including 20 new wells completed late in the fourth quarter of 2017, and another 10 new wells in the first quarter of 2018. First quarter 2018 volumes also benefitted from the addition of a new customer in the fourth quarter of 2017, that commissioned several new wells during the quarter and accounted for approximately 20% of our sequential quarterly volume growth. Liquids volumes in the first quarter of 2018 were negatively impacted by an estimated 13.0 Mbbl/d related to certain customers trucking dedicated liquids volumes due to third-party produced water disposal capacity issues, and certain customers implementing crude oil production curtailments related to simultaneous completion activities on pad sites with existing production.

Associated natural gas volumes averaged 18 MMcf/d in the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 5.9% from 17 MMcf/d in the prior-year period and a decrease of 5.3% from 19 MMcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2017. Volumes in the prior-year period were negatively impacted by severe weather in the first quarter of 2017. No new natural gas wells were completed in the first quarter of 2018.

We expect that our customers will continue to drill and complete new wells throughout the balance of 2018, resulting in increased liquids volume throughput.

Piceance/DJ Basins
The Grand River and the Niobrara G&P systems provide our midstream services for the Piceance/DJ Basins reportable segment. These systems provide natural gas gathering and processing services for producers operating in the Piceance Basin located in western Colorado and eastern Utah and in the Denver-Julesburg ("DJ") Basin located in northeastern Colorado.

Segment adjusted EBITDA totaled $29.2 million for the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 0.9% from $29.0 million for the prior-year period, primarily due to increased volume throughput from the higher-margin Niobrara G&P system, partially offset by lower volumes on the Grand River system and higher expenses. First quarter 2018 volume throughput averaged 578 MMcf/d, a decrease of 6.0% from 615 MMcf/d in the prior-year period and an increase of 0.5% from 575 MMcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2017. Volume declines relative to the prior-year period were primarily due to natural declines from producing wells on the system, partially offset by the completion of 50 new wells in the first quarter of 2018. This activity was partially offset by the impact of our anchor customer's continued suspension of drilling activities behind our gathering system, and the resulting natural declines from existing production, which was partially offset by contractual MVC shortfall payments.

We expect that the DJ Basin will continue to experience volume growth throughout the balance of 2018 and that the new 60 MMcf/d processing plant will be commissioned at the end of the fourth quarter of 2018. We expect significant drilling and completion activity in and around this asset for the foreseeable future.

Barnett Shale
The DFW Midstream system provides our midstream services for the Barnett Shale reportable segment. This system gathers and delivers low-pressure natural gas received from pad sites, primarily located in southeastern Tarrant County, Texas, to downstream intrastate pipelines serving various natural gas hubs in the region.

Segment adjusted EBITDA for the Barnett Shale segment totaled $9.9 million for the first quarter of 2018, a decrease of 18.4% from $12.1 million for the prior-year period, primarily due to lower volume throughput, together with $1.3 million of lower adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments related to the expiration of an MVC obligation beginning in the third quarter of 2017. Volume throughput in the first quarter of 2018 averaged 263 MMcf/d, which was down 8.0% compared to the prior-year period average of 286 MMcf/d and up 1.9% from 258 MMcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2017. Volume throughput for the first quarter of 2018 was impacted by natural production declines, partially offset by the commissioning of six new wells during the quarter. One customer is currently operating a drilling rig in our Barnett Shale segment, and we expect this will lead to new wells being commissioned in the second half of 2018.

Marcellus Shale
The Mountaineer Midstream system provides our midstream services for the Marcellus Shale reportable segment. This system gathers high-pressure natural gas received from upstream pipeline interconnections with Antero Midstream Partners, LP and Crestwood Equity Partners LP. Natural gas on the Mountaineer Midstream system is delivered to the Sherwood Processing Complex located in Doddridge County, West Virginia.

Segment adjusted EBITDA for the Marcellus Shale segment totaled $6.7 million for the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 18.2% from $5.6 million for the prior-year period, primarily due to an increase in volume throughput. Volume throughput for this segment averaged 522 MMcf/d in the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 20.3% from 434 MMcf/d in the prior-year period and a decrease of 3.3% from 540 MMcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2017. Volume throughput growth relative to the prior-year period resulted from our customer completing 27 new wells behind our system in 2017, and another 9 new wells late in the first quarter of 2018.

MVC Shortfall Payments
SMLP billed its customers $14.3 million in the first quarter of 2018 related to MVC shortfalls. For those customers that do not have credit banking mechanisms in their gathering agreements, or do not have the ability to use MVC shortfall payments as credits, the MVC shortfall payments are accounted for as gathering revenue in the period that they are earned. For the first quarter of 2018, SMLP recognized $14.3 million of gathering revenue associated with MVC shortfall payments from certain customers in the Williston Basin, Barnett Shale, Piceance/DJ Basins and Marcellus Shale reportable segments. There were no MVC shortfall payment adjustments in the first quarter of 2018. SMLP's MVC shortfall payment mechanisms contributed $14.3 million of adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2018.


                                         Three months ended March 31, 2018
                                         ---------------------------------

                            MVC Billings                                   Gathering           Adjustments     Net impact
                                                                           revenue               to MVC        to adjusted
                                                                                                shortfall        EBITDA
                                                                                                 payments
                                                                                                 --------

                                                   (In thousands)

    Net change in deferred
     revenue related to MVC
     shortfall payments:

    Utica Shale                        $                 -                           $      -              $                -   $     -

    Williston Basin                                      -                                  -                               -         -

    Piceance/DJ Basins                               3,514                               3,514                                -     3,514

    Barnett Shale                                        -                                  -                               -         -

    Marcellus Shale                                      -                                  -                               -         -
                                                       ---                                ---                             ---       ---

    Total net change                                $3,514                              $3,514               $                -    $3,514
                                                    ------                              ------             ---              ---    ------


    MVC shortfall payment
     adjustments:

    Utica Shale                        $                 -                           $      -              $                -   $     -

    Williston Basin                                  2,797                               2,797                                -     2,797

    Piceance/DJ Basins                               6,815                               6,815                                -     6,815

    Barnett Shale                                      104                                 104                                -       104

    Marcellus Shale                                  1,040                               1,040                                -     1,040
                                                     -----                               -----                              ---     -----

    Total MVC shortfall
     payment adjustments                           $10,756                             $10,756               $                -   $10,756
                                                   -------                             -------             ---              ---   -------


    Total (1)                                      $14,270                             $14,270               $                -   $14,270
                                                   =======                             =======             ===              ===   =======

    ________

    (1)              Exclusive of Ohio Gathering
                     due to equity method
                     accounting.

Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures totaled $40.8 million in the first quarter of 2018, including maintenance capital expenditures of approximately $3.8 million. Development activities during the first quarter of 2018 were primarily related to the procurement and development of associated natural gas gathering and processing infrastructure in the northern Delaware and DJ basins, as well as ongoing expansion of SMLP's gathering systems in the Piceance/DJ Basins and Williston Basin segments. The northern Delaware processing plant is expected to be mechanically complete in the second quarter of 2018, and we expect to begin processing associated natural gas in the third quarter of 2018.

Capital & Liquidity
As of March 31, 2018, SMLP had $301.0 million of outstanding debt under its $1.25 billion revolving credit facility and $949.0 million of available borrowing capacity, subject to covenant limits. Based upon the terms of SMLP's revolving credit facility and total outstanding debt of $1.10 billion (inclusive of $800.0 million of senior unsecured notes), SMLP's total leverage and senior secured leverage ratios (as defined in the credit agreement) as of March 31, 2018 were 3.63 to 1.0 and 0.99 to 1.0, respectively.

Deferred Purchase Price Obligation
SMLP increased the estimated undiscounted amount of the Deferred Purchase Price Obligation related to the 2016 Drop Down transaction from $454.4 million at December 31, 2017, to $467.5 million at March 31, 2018. The increase is primarily related to revised Utica Shale and Niobrara G&P well connections and volume throughput estimates in 2019.

Subsequent to March 31, 2018, SMLP received additional information from a key customer on our SMU system regarding increased drilling and completion activity on our Utica segment, and the deferral of an SMU compression project. The increased drilling and completion activity is expected to increase volume throughput in the Utica Shale segment and the deferral of the compression project delays capital expenditures previously expected in 2019. The net impact of this new information increases the undiscounted value of the Deferred Purchase Price Obligation by approximately $49.6 million, from $467.5 million to $517.1 million.

The consideration for the 2016 Drop Down consisted of (i) an initial $360.0 million cash payment (the "Initial Payment") which was funded on March 3, 2016, with borrowings under SMLP's revolving credit facility and (ii) a deferred payment which will be paid no later than December 31, 2020 (the "Deferred Purchase Price Obligation," "DPPO" or "Deferred Payment," as defined below). At the discretion of the board of directors of SMLP's general partner, the Deferred Payment can be made in either cash or SMLP common units, or a combination thereof.

The Deferred Payment will be equal to: (a) six-and-one-half (6.5) multiplied by the average Business Adjusted EBITDA of the 2016 Drop Down Assets for 2018 and 2019, less the G&A Adjuster, as defined in the Contribution Agreement; less (b) the Initial Payment; less (c) all capital expenditures incurred for the 2016 Drop Down Assets between March 3, 2016 and December 31, 2019; plus (d) all Business Adjusted EBITDA from the 2016 Drop Down Assets between March 3, 2016 and December 31, 2019, less the Cumulative G&A Adjuster, as defined in the Contribution Agreement.

The Deferred Payment calculation was designed to ensure that, during the deferral period, all of the EBITDA growth and capex development risk associated with the 2016 Drop Down Assets is held by the GP, Summit Investments. The Deferred Payment was structured such that SMLP will ultimately pay a 6.5x multiple of the actual EBITDA generated from the 2016 Drop Down Assets in 2018 and 2019.

Quarterly Distribution
On April 26, 2018, the board of directors of SMLP's general partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.575 per unit on all of its outstanding common units, or $2.30 per unit on an annualized basis, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. This quarterly distribution remains unchanged from the previous quarter and from the quarter ended March 31, 2017. This distribution will be paid on May 15, 2018, to unitholders of record as of the close of business on May 8, 2018.

First Quarter 2018 Earnings Call Information
SMLP will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern on Friday, May 4, 2018, to discuss its quarterly operating and financial results. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 847-585-4405 or toll-free 888-771-4371 and entering the passcode 46800643. The conference call will also be webcast live and can be accessed through the Investors section of SMLP's website at www.summitmidstream.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available until May 18, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, and can be accessed by dialing 888-843-7419 and entering the replay passcode 46800643#. An archive of the conference call will also be available on SMLP's website.

Upcoming Investor Conferences
Members of SMLP's senior management team will participate at Deutsche Bank's MLP & Pipeline One-on-One Day in New York, New York, on May 9, 2018; at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey's Midstream Summit in New York, New York, on May 10, 2018; and at the 2018 MLP & Energy Infrastructure Conference in Orlando, Florida, on May 23-24, 2018. The presentation materials associated with these events will be accessible through the Investors section of SMLP's website at www.summitmidstream.com prior to the beginning of each conference.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). We also present adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow, each a non-GAAP financial measure. We define adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss, plus interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, our proportional adjusted EBITDA for equity method investees, adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments, adjustments related to capital reimbursement activity, unit-based and noncash compensation, the change in the Deferred Purchase Price Obligation fair value, early extinguishment of debt expense, impairments and other noncash expenses or losses, less interest income, income tax benefit, income (loss) from equity method investees and other noncash income or gains. We define distributable cash flow as adjusted EBITDA plus cash interest received and cash taxes received, less cash interest paid, senior notes interest adjustment, distributions to Series A Preferred unitholders, Series A Preferred units distribution adjustment, cash taxes paid and maintenance capital expenditures. Because adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may be defined differently by other entities in our industry, our definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other entities, thereby diminishing their utility.

Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating our financial performance. Furthermore, management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures may provide external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others, with additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results of prior periods as they are expected to be reflective of our core ongoing business.

Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are used as supplemental financial measures by external users of our financial statements such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others.

Adjusted EBITDA is used to assess:

    --  the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to make cash
        distributions and support our indebtedness;
    --  the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing
        methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;
    --  our operating performance and return on capital as compared to those of
        other entities in the midstream energy sector, without regard to
        financing or capital structure;
    --  the attractiveness of capital projects and acquisitions and the overall
        rates of return on alternative investment opportunities; and
    --  the financial performance of our assets without regard to (i) income or
        loss from equity method investees, (ii) the impact of the timing of
        minimum volume commitments shortfall payments under our gathering
        agreements or (iii) the timing of impairments or other noncash income or
        expense items.

Distributable cash flow is used to assess:

    --  the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to make future
        cash distributions and
    --  the attractiveness of capital projects and acquisitions and the overall
        rates of return on alternative investment opportunities.

Both of these measures have limitations as analytical tools and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. For example:

    --  certain items excluded from adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow
        are significant components in understanding and assessing an entity's
        financial performance, such as an entity's cost of capital and tax
        structure;
    --  adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow do not reflect our cash
        expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or
        contractual commitments;
    --  adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow do not reflect changes in,
        or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; and
    --  although depreciation and amortization are noncash charges, the assets
        being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the
        future, and adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow do not reflect
        any cash requirements for such replacements.

We compensate for the limitations of adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow as analytical tools by reviewing the comparable GAAP financial measures, understanding the differences between the financial measures and incorporating these data points into our decision-making process. Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are attached to this press release.

We do not provide the GAAP financial measures of net income or loss or net cash provided by operating activities on a forward-looking basis because we are unable to predict, without unreasonable effort, certain components thereof including, but not limited to, (i) income or loss from equity method investees, (ii) deferred purchase price obligation and (iii) asset impairments. These items are inherently uncertain and depend on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. As such, any associated estimate and its impact on our GAAP performance and cash flow measures could vary materially based on a variety of acceptable management assumptions.

About Summit Midstream Partners, LP
SMLP is a growth-oriented limited partnership focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in the continental United States. SMLP provides natural gas, crude oil and produced water gathering services pursuant to primarily long-term and fee-based gathering and processing agreements with customers and counterparties in five unconventional resource basins: (i) the Appalachian Basin, which includes the Marcellus and Utica shale formations in West Virginia and Ohio; (ii) the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in North Dakota; (iii) the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in Texas; (iv) the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation as well as the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in Colorado and Utah; and (v) the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which includes the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado and Wyoming. SMLP is in the process of developing new gathering and processing infrastructure in a sixth basin, the Delaware Basin, in New Mexico. SMLP also owns substantially all of a 40% ownership interest in Ohio Gathering, which is developing natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization infrastructure in the Utica Shale in Ohio. SMLP is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, with regional corporate offices in Denver, Colorado, Atlanta, Georgia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Dallas, Texas.

About Summit Midstream Partners, LLC
Summit Midstream Partners, LLC ("Summit Investments") beneficially owns a 35.2% limited partner interest in SMLP and indirectly owns and controls the general partner of SMLP, Summit Midstream GP, LLC, which has sole responsibility for conducting the business and managing the operations of SMLP. Summit Investments is a privately held company controlled by Energy Capital Partners II, LLC, and certain of its affiliates. An affiliate of Energy Capital Partners II, LLC directly owns an 8.1% limited partner interest in SMLP.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements contain known and unknown risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and beyond management's control) that may cause SMLP's actual results in future periods to differ materially from anticipated or projected results. An extensive list of specific material risks and uncertainties affecting SMLP is contained in its 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2018, and as amended and updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and SMLP undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events.

We do not provide the GAAP financial measures of net income or loss or net cash provided by operating activities on a forward-looking basis because we are unable to predict, without unreasonable effort, certain components thereof including, but not limited to, (i) income or loss from equity method investees, (ii) deferred purchase price obligation and (iii) asset impairments. These items are inherently uncertain and depend on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. As such, any associated estimate and its impact on our GAAP performance and cash flow measures could vary materially based on a variety of acceptable management assumptions.


                                          SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                          UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                         March 31,                                        December 31,

                                                2018                                               2017
                                                ----                                               ----

                                      (In thousands)

    Assets

    Current assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                               $3,366                          $1,430

    Accounts receivable                                                     68,811                          72,301

    Other current assets                                                     3,535                           4,327
                                                                             -----                           -----

      Total current assets                                                  75,712                          78,058

    Property, plant and equipment,
     net                                                                 1,858,312                       1,795,129

    Intangible assets, net                                                 293,771                         301,345

    Goodwill                                                                16,211                          16,211

    Investment in equity method
     investees                                                             682,227                         690,485

    Other noncurrent assets                                                 13,153                          13,565
                                                                            ------                          ------

      Total assets                                                      $2,939,386                      $2,894,793
                                                                        ==========                      ==========


    Liabilities and Partners'
     Capital

    Current liabilities:

    Trade accounts payable                                                 $21,232                         $16,375

    Accrued expenses                                                        13,971                          12,499

    Due to affiliate                                                           443                           1,088

    Deferred revenue                                                        10,159                           4,000

    Ad valorem taxes payable                                                 3,834                           8,329

    Accrued interest                                                        15,383                          12,310

    Accrued environmental
     remediation                                                             3,068                           3,130

    Other current liabilities                                                5,984                          11,258
                                                                             -----                          ------

      Total current liabilities                                             74,074                          68,989

    Long-term debt                                                       1,091,602                       1,051,192

    Deferred Purchase Price
     Obligation                                                            384,617                         362,959

    Noncurrent deferred revenue                                             36,587                          12,707

    Noncurrent accrued environmental
     remediation                                                             1,916                           2,214

    Other noncurrent liabilities                                             6,509                           7,063
                                                                             -----                           -----

      Total liabilities                                                  1,595,305                       1,505,124


    Series A Preferred Units                                               300,741                         294,426

    Common limited partner capital                                       1,005,409                       1,056,510

    General Partner interests                                               27,033                          27,920

    Noncontrolling interest                                                 10,898                          10,813
                                                                            ------                          ------

      Total partners' capital                                            1,344,081                       1,389,669
                                                                         ---------                       ---------

      Total liabilities and partners'
       capital                                                          $2,939,386                      $2,894,793
                                                                        ==========                      ==========


                                          SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


                                        Three months ended March 31,
                                        ----------------------------

                                        2018                                                  2017
                                        ----                                                  ----

                                     (In thousands, except per-unit
                                                amounts)

    Revenues:

    Gathering services and related
     fees                                                         $84,361                           $118,013

    Natural gas, NGLs and
     condensate sales                                              26,117                             11,120

    Other revenues                                                  6,842                              6,672
                                                                    -----                              -----

    Total revenues                                                117,320                            135,805
                                                                  -------                            -------

    Costs and expenses:

    Cost of natural gas and NGLs                                   20,286                              9,052

    Operation and maintenance                                      24,604                             23,692

    General and administrative                                     14,385                             14,132

    Depreciation and amortization                                  26,677                             28,569

    Transaction costs                                                  57                                  -

    (Gain) loss on asset sales, net                                  (74)                                 3

    Long-lived asset impairment                                         -                               284
                                                                      ---                               ---

    Total costs and expenses                                       85,935                             75,732
                                                                   ------                             ------

    Other (expense) income                                            (7)                                71

    Interest expense                                             (15,122)                          (16,716)

    Early extinguishment of debt                                        -                          (22,020)

    Deferred Purchase Price
     Obligation                                                  (21,658)                          (20,883)
                                                                  -------                            -------

    (Loss) income before income
     taxes and income (loss) from
     equity method investees                                      (5,402)                               525

    Income tax benefit (expense)                                      171                              (452)

    Income (loss) from equity
     method investees                                               1,386                              (656)
                                                                    -----                               ----

    Net loss                                                     $(3,845)                            $(583)
                                                                  =======                              =====


    Loss per limited partner unit:

    Common unit - basic                                           $(0.18)                           $(0.04)

    Common unit - diluted                                         $(0.18)                           $(0.04)


    Weighted-average limited
     partner units outstanding:

    Common units - basic                                           73,134                             72,149

    Common units - diluted                                         73,134                             72,149


                        SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

                         UNAUDITED OTHER FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA


                                    Three months ended March 31,
                                    ----------------------------

                                       2018                               2017
                                       ----                               ----

                                     (Dollars in thousands)

    Other financial
     data:

    Net loss                                  $(3,845)                               $(583)

    Net cash
     provided
     by
     operating
     activities                                $51,210                               $62,449

    Capital
     expenditures                              $40,778                               $14,428

     Contributions
     to
     equity
     method
     investees                            $          -                               $4,936

    Adjusted
     EBITDA                                    $70,309                               $71,410

     Distributable
     cash
     flow                                      $44,151                               $52,951

     Distributions
     declared
     (1)                                      $45,216                               $44,577

     Distribution
     coverage
     ratio
     (2)                             0.98x                             1.19x


    Operating data:

    Aggregate average
     daily throughput -
     natural gas (MMcf/
     d)                                        1,737                                 1,627

    Aggregate average
     daily throughput -
     liquids (Mbbl/d)                           85.0                           76.4


    Ohio Gathering
     average daily
     throughput (MMcf/
     d) (3)                                      771                                   769

    _________

    (1)              Represents distributions
                     declared to common unitholders
                     in respect of a given period.
                     For example, for the three
                     months ended March 31, 2018,
                     represents the distributions
                     to be paid in May 2018.

    (2)              Distribution coverage ratio
                     calculation for the three
                     months ended March 31, 2018
                     and 2017 is based on
                     distributions declared to
                     common unitholders in respect
                     of the first quarter of 2018
                     and 2017. Represents the ratio
                     of distributable cash flow to
                     distributions declared.

    (3)              Gross basis, represents 100% of
                     volume throughput for Ohio
                     Gathering, based on a one-
                     month lag.


                                     SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

                             UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF REPORTABLE SEGMENT ADJUSTED EBITDA

                                                   TO ADJUSTED EBITDA


                                       Three months ended March 31,
                                       ----------------------------

                                         2018                                        2017
                                         ----                                        ----

                                            (In thousands)

    Reportable segment
     adjusted EBITDA (1):

    Utica Shale                                               $8,715                         $7,912

    Ohio Gathering (2)                                        10,477                          9,073

    Williston Basin                                           15,970                         17,809

    Piceance/DJ Basins                                        29,235                         28,974

    Barnett Shale                                              9,859                         12,088

    Marcellus Shale                                            6,676                          5,647
                                                               -----                          -----

    Total                                                    $80,932                        $81,503

    Less Corporate and Other
     (3)                                                     10,623                         10,093
                                                              ------                         ------

    Adjusted EBITDA                                          $70,309                        $71,410
                                                             =======                        =======

    _________

    (1)              We define segment adjusted EBITDA as
                     total revenues less total costs and
                     expenses; plus (i) other income
                     excluding interest income, (ii) our
                     proportional adjusted EBITDA for equity
                     method investees, (iii) depreciation
                     and amortization, (iv) adjustments
                     related to MVC shortfall payments, (v)
                     unit-based and noncash compensation,
                     (vi) change in the Deferred Purchase
                     Price Obligation, (vii) early
                     extinguishment of debt expense, (viii)
                     impairments and (ix) other noncash
                     expenses or losses, less other noncash
                     income or gains.

    (2)              Represents our proportional share of
                     adjusted EBITDA for Ohio Gathering,
                     based on a one-month lag.  We define
                     proportional adjusted EBITDA for our
                     equity method investees as the product
                     of (i) total revenues less total
                     expenses, excluding impairments and
                     other noncash income or expense items
                     and (ii) amortization for deferred
                     contract costs; multiplied by our
                     ownership interest in Ohio Gathering
                     during the respective period.

    (3)              Corporate and Other represents those
                     results that are not specifically
                     attributable to a reportable segment or
                     that have not been allocated to our
                     reportable segments, including certain
                     general and administrative expense
                     items, natural gas and crude oil
                     marketing services, transaction costs,
                     interest expense, early extinguishment
                     of debt and a change in the Deferred
                     Purchase Price Obligation.


                                             SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                        UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES


                                               Three months ended March 31,
                                               ----------------------------

                                                 2018                                              2017
                                                 ----                                              ----

                                                    (In thousands)

    Reconciliations of net income or
     loss to adjusted EBITDA and
     distributable cash flow:

    Net loss                                                          $(3,845)                            $(583)

    Add:

    Interest expense                                                    15,122                             16,716

    Income tax (benefit) expense                                         (171)                               452

    Depreciation and amortization (1)                                   26,526                             28,418

    Proportional adjusted EBITDA for
     equity method investees (2)                                        10,477                              9,073

    Adjustments related to MVC
     shortfall payments (3)                                                  -                          (28,640)

    Adjustments related to capital
     reimbursement activity (4)                                             40                                  -

    Unit-based and noncash compensation                                  1,962                              2,128

    Deferred Purchase Price Obligation
     (5)                                                               21,658                             20,883

    Early extinguishment of debt (6)                                         -                            22,020

    (Gain) loss on asset sales, net                                       (74)                                 3

    Long-lived asset impairment                                              -                               284

    Less:

    Income (loss) from equity method
     investees                                                           1,386                              (656)
                                                                         -----                               ----

      Adjusted EBITDA                                                  $70,309                            $71,410
                                                                       =======                            =======

    Less:

    Cash interest paid                                                  12,207                             28,040

    Senior notes interest adjustment
     (7)                                                                3,063                           (11,781)

    Distributions to Series A Preferred
     unitholders (8)                                                         -                                 -

    Series A Preferred units
     distribution adjustment (9)                                         7,125                                  -

    Maintenance capital expenditures                                     3,763                              2,200
                                                                         -----                              -----

      Distributable cash flow                                          $44,151                            $52,951
                                                                       =======                            =======


    Distributions declared (10)                                        $45,216                            $44,577
                                                                       =======                            =======


    Distribution coverage ratio (11)            0.98x                                            1.19x
                                                =====                                            =====

    ________

    (1)                 Includes the amortization expense
                        associated with our favorable and
                        unfavorable gas gathering contracts
                        as reported in other revenues.

    (2)                 Reflects our proportionate share of
                        Ohio Gathering adjusted EBITDA,
                        based on a one-month lag.

    (3)                 Adjustments related to MVC shortfall
                        payments for the three months ended
                        March 31, 2017 account for (i) the
                        net increases or decreases in
                        deferred revenue for MVC shortfall
                        payments and (ii) our inclusion of
                        expected annual MVC shortfall
                        payments.  For the three months
                        ended March 31, 2018, adjustments
                        related to MVC shortfall payments
                        are recognized in gathering services
                        and related fees.

    (4)                 Adjustments related to capital
                        reimbursement activity represent
                        contributions in aid of construction
                        revenue recognized in accordance
                        with Accounting Standards Update No.
                        2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with
                        Customers ("Topic 606").

    (5)                 Deferred Purchase Price Obligation
                         represents the change in the present
                         value of the Deferred Purchase Price
                         Obligation.

    (6)                 Early extinguishment of debt includes
                        $17.9 million paid for redemption
                        and call premiums, as well as $4.1
                        million of unamortized debt issuance
                        costs which were written off in
                        connection with the repurchase of
                        the outstanding $300.0 million 7.5%
                        Senior Notes in the first quarter of
                        2017.

    (7)                 Senior notes interest adjustment
                        represents the net of interest
                        expense accrued and paid during the
                        period. Interest on the $300.0
                        million 5.5% senior notes is paid in
                        cash semi-annually in arrears on
                        February 15 and August 15 until
                        maturity in August 2022.  Interest
                        on the $500.0 million 5.75% senior
                        notes is paid in cash semi-annually
                        in arrears on April 15 and October
                        15 until maturity in April 2025.

    (8)                 Distributions on the Series A
                        preferred units are paid in cash
                        semi-annually in arrears on June 15
                        and December 15 each year, through
                        and including December 15, 2022,
                        and, thereafter, quarterly in
                        arrears on the 15th day of March,
                        June, September and December of each
                        year.

    (9)                 Series A Preferred unit distribution
                        adjustment represents the
                        distributions accrued on the Series
                        A preferred units.

    (10)                Represents distributions declared to
                        common unitholders in respect of a
                        given period. For example, for the
                        three months ended March 31, 2018,
                        represents the distributions to be
                        paid in May 2018.

    (11)                Distribution coverage ratio
                        calculation for the three months
                        ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is
                        based on distributions declared in
                        respect of the first quarter of 2018
                        and 2017. Represents the ratio of
                        distributable cash flow to
                        distributions declared.


                                             SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                        UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES


                                               Three months ended March 31,
                                               ----------------------------

                                                 2018                                            2017
                                                 ----                                            ----

                                                    (In thousands)

    Reconciliation of net cash provided
     by operating activities to
     adjusted EBITDA and distributable
     cash flow:

    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                                                       $51,210                           $62,449

    Add:

    Interest expense, excluding
     amortization of debt issuance
     costs                                                             14,082                            15,684

    Income tax (benefit) expense                                        (171)                              452

    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities                                                        4,315                            21,336

    Proportional adjusted EBITDA for
     equity method investees (1)                                       10,477                             9,073

    Adjustments related to MVC
     shortfall payments (2)                                                 -                         (28,640)

    Adjustments related to capital
     reimbursement activity (3)                                            40                                 -

    Less:

    Distributions from equity method
     investees                                                          9,644                             8,944
                                                                        -----                             -----

      Adjusted EBITDA                                                 $70,309                           $71,410
                                                                      =======                           =======

    Less:

    Cash interest paid                                                 12,207                            28,040

    Senior notes interest adjustment
     (4)                                                               3,063                          (11,781)

    Distributions to Series A Preferred
     unitholders (5)                                                        -                                -

    Series A Preferred units
     distribution adjustment (6)                                        7,125                                 -

    Maintenance capital expenditures                                    3,763                             2,200
                                                                        -----                             -----

      Distributable cash flow                                         $44,151                           $52,951
                                                                      =======                           =======

    ________

    (1)              Reflects our proportionate share of
                     Ohio Gathering adjusted EBITDA,
                     based on a one-month lag.

    (2)              Adjustments related to MVC shortfall
                     payments for the three months ended
                     March 31, 2017 account for (i) the
                     net increases or decreases in
                     deferred revenue for MVC shortfall
                     payments and (ii) our inclusion of
                     expected annual MVC shortfall
                     payments.  For the three months
                     ended March 31, 2018, adjustments
                     related to MVC shortfall payments
                     are recognized in gathering services
                     and related fees.

    (3)              Adjustments related to capital
                     reimbursement activity represent
                     contributions in aid of construction
                     revenue recognized in accordance
                     with Accounting Standards Update No.
                     2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with
                     Customers ("Topic 606").

    (4)              Senior notes interest adjustment
                     represents the net of interest
                     expense accrued and paid during the
                     period. Interest on the $300.0
                     million 5.5% senior notes is paid in
                     cash semi-annually in arrears on
                     February 15 and August 15 until
                     maturity in August 2022.  Interest
                     on the $500.0 million 5.75% senior
                     notes is paid in cash semi-annually
                     in arrears on April 15 and October
                     15 until maturity in April 2025.

    (5)              Distributions on the Series A
                     preferred units are paid in cash
                     semi-annually in arrears on June 15
                     and December 15 each year, through
                     and including December 15, 2022,
                     and, thereafter, quarterly in
                     arrears on the 15th day of March,
                     June, September and December of each
                     year.

    (6)              Series A Preferred unit distribution
                     adjustment represents the
                     distributions accrued on the Series
                     A preferred units.

CONTACT: Marc Stratton, Senior Vice President and Treasurer, 832-608-6166, ir@summitmidstream.com

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SOURCE Summit Midstream Partners, LP