Summit Midstream Partners, LP Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial and Operating Results

HOUSTON, May 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: SMLP) announced today its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2020, including net income of $5.3 million, adjusted EBITDA of $66.1 million and DCF of $34.2 million. Operated natural gas volume throughput averaged 1,281 MMcf/d and liquids volume throughput averaged 98 Mbbl/d in the quarter. Natural gas volume throughput benefitted from the on-time commissioning of a five-well pad site behind our Utica Shale gathering system in mid-March 2020. This pad site is generating aggregate production rates in excess of 160 MMcf/d, which exceeded the expectations set forth in our original financial guidance by more than 15%. We expect this system will be a growth driver for us over the next several quarters as natural gas forward pricing has strengthened in the second half of 2020 and will incentivize upstream activity in this and other natural gas-focused basins in which we operate.

Heath Deneke, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are operating in unprecedented times given the prevailing commodity price backdrop and COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the current environment, many of our customers have updated their forecasts to reflect the steps they are taking to reduce capital budgets, delay and defer drilling and completion activities, and on a limited scale, temporarily curtail existing production. On May 3, 2020, we released updated 2020 adjusted EBITDA and capital expenditures guidance that was based on revised customer information. As previously reported, we expect our 2020 adjusted EBITDA to trend towards the low-end of our original $260 million to $285 million guidance range and for our 2020 capital expenditures range to be down by 33% at the midpoint. We will continue to monitor our customers' month to month decisions regarding to what extent, if any, curtailments of production will continue beyond May 2020 and we will continue to work aggressively to find ways to further reduce operating expenses and capital expenditures. I'm proud of how quickly our employees have adapted to the current environment, while maintaining their commitment to operate safely, effectively and focus on initiatives that are within our control."

"Many of our customers, particularly in our liquids-focused areas such as the Williston and DJ basins, have responded to the current market conditions by reducing rig activity and deferring well completions. Our customers currently have nearly 60 DUCs behind our liquids-oriented assets, which represent an identifiable catalyst once crude oil prices improve. Natural gas prices have strengthened in recent weeks and while that is encouraging over the longer term, at this time, we do not expect near term volumes in our natural gas-focused areas to change materially relative to our original financial guidance for 2020. Challenging markets like the one we are currently in highlight the strength of Summit's diversified business model. For the first quarter of 2020, approximately 69% of our segment adjusted EBITDA originated from our natural gas-focused segments, which provide relative stability for SMLP while preserving significant upside relative to future improvements to crude oil and liquids prices."

"In an effort to continue to reposition the business and transform our governance structure to be fully aligned with SMLP unitholders, on May 3, 2020, we entered into a definitive agreement with Energy Capital Partners II, LLC ("ECP") to acquire Summit Midstream Partners, LLC, the private entity that owns SMP Holdings, as well as 5.9 million common units owned directly by ECP, for $35 million in cash plus warrants covering 10 million SMLP common units. As a result of this acquisition, SMP Holdings will become an indirect, unrestricted subsidiary of SMLP, which will give us ownership of SMLP's general partner, the $180.75 million DPPO receivable, and 45.3 million SMLP units. SMP Holdings will remain liable for a $158.2 million term loan which is due in May 2022 and is secured by 34.6 million SMLP common units and the GP interest. As an unrestricted subsidiary, SMP Holdings' term loan will continue to be non-recourse indebtedness to SMLP and its operating subsidiaries."

"This simplification transaction is transformational for SMLP and upon closing, the Board will consist of a majority of independent directors. Concurrent with the closing of the transaction, we will also amend our partnership agreement to provide for the public election of directors beginning in 2022, which further aligns the interests of the Board and our public unitholders. We are very excited about this transaction and believe it is in the best long-term interest of all of SMLP's stakeholders."

"Liquidity and balance sheet strength is paramount for SMLP, particularly during this volatile time in the crude oil and natural gas market, and we believe the GP Buy-in Transaction prioritizes this focus. Concurrent with the GP Buy-in Transaction, we announced the suspension of approximately $76 million of annualized common and preferred distributions which otherwise would have been distributed out of the business. In connection with the GP Buy-in Transaction, the $35 million of acquisition proceeds will be loaned back from ECP to Summit Midstream Holdings, LLC, thereby enhancing our liquidity and financial flexibility. As a result of the decision to suspend our common and preferred distributions, SMLP expects to generate sufficient cash in 2020, after capital expenditures, to reduce outstanding indebtedness by more than $100 million."

"We also continue to actively evaluate potential asset divestitures and joint ventures of certain of our Legacy and Core Focus Areas and will continue to do so in a patient and disciplined manner. Our expectation is that any divestiture will serve to further accelerate de-leveraging of SMLP's balance sheet."

2020 Financial Guidance

SMLP is reaffirming the updated 2020 financial guidance that it provided on May 3, 2020. Projections associated with this guidance are subject to risks and uncertainties as described in the "Forward-Looking Statements" section at the end of this release.

The financial guidance incorporates a slow-down in activity and a deferral of well completions from customers predominantly in the Williston Basin and DJ Basin reportable segments. The guidance also incorporates instances of temporary economic shut-ins of existing production as a result of the low commodity price environment and prevailing storage constraints in certain crude oil and condensate production basins, including the Williston Basin, DJ Basin and the condensate window of the Utica Shale. Although many producers in the Permian Basin have announced plans to reduce activity, we currently expect volume throughput and the activity from our customers to be in-line with the forecast used to produce our initial guidance range. SMLP's 2020 financial guidance remains largely unchanged relative to its initial guidance for its natural gas-focused reportable segments.

Our 2020 growth capital expenditures plan is relatively flexible and can adapt to changing market conditions given that most projects are aligned with the schedules of our customers and in many cases can be canceled or deferred. As such, we reduced our planned investments for 2020, which are comprised of primarily growth capital reductions, by 33% relative to our original financial guidance at the midpoint. Below is a summary of the updates that were released on May 3, 2020 to our 2020 financial guidance:

Updates to Financial Guidance (Released on May 3, 2020)

    --  Adjusted EBITDA expected to trend towards the low-end of original
        guidance range of $260 million to $285 million;
    --  Reduced the midpoint of our original 2020 total capital expenditures
        guidance by 33% to a range of $30 million to $50 million, which
        continues to include approximately $10 million related to our equity
        investment in Double E.

First Quarter 2020 Business Highlights

In the first quarter of 2020, SMLP's average daily natural gas throughput for its operated systems decreased 5.5% relative to the fourth quarter of 2019, to 1,281 MMcf/d, and liquids volumes decreased 17.3% relative to the fourth quarter of 2019, to 98 Mbbl/d. SMLP's customers currently have approximately 89 DUCs in inventory upstream of our systems.

Core Focus Areas:

    --  Core Focus Areas generated combined quarterly segment adjusted EBITDA of
        $37.6 million and had combined capital expenditures of $15.4 million.
    --  Utica Shale segment adjusted EBITDA totaled $5.9 million, a 31.0%
        decrease from the fourth quarter of 2019, which was driven by a 12.6%
        decrease in throughput volumes and a non-recurring $2.1 million payment
        that we received last quarter related to a contract amendment. Volumes
        were lower in the first quarter of 2020 as a result of natural
        production declines from the ten pad-level wells that were connected in
        2019, partially offset by seven new wells connected near the end of the
        first quarter of 2020, including the five-well pad that was incorporated
        in our original guidance. Current flow rates of the five-well pad have
        exceeded expectations at 160 MMcf/d, and current throughput levels on
        our SMU system are averaging in excess of 400 MMcf/d compared to 222
        MMcf/d in the first quarter of 2020.
    --  Ohio Gathering segment adjusted EBITDA totaled $7.9 million, a $1.6
        million decrease from the fourth quarter of 2019. Lower segment adjusted
        EBITDA was driven by a 16.0% decrease in volume throughput, due to
        natural declines associated with 13 new wells that were connected in the
        second half of 2019, partially offset by seven new wells that were
        connected in the condensate window in the first quarter of 2020, which
        yield relatively lower natural gas production rates compared to the
        rich-gas and dry gas windows.
    --  Williston Basin segment adjusted EBITDA totaled $16.2 million in the
        first quarter of 2020, a 19.9% decrease from the fourth quarter of 2019,
        primarily due to a 17.3% quarter-over-quarter decrease in liquids volume
        throughput to 98 Mbbl/d. Twelve new wells were connected in the first
        quarter of 2020; however, volumes were offset by natural production
        declines from the more than 80 wells that were connected to our
        Williston Basin systems in the second through fourth quarters of 2019.
        There are approximately 32 DUCs in inventory behind our Williston Basin
        systems. We expect well connection deferrals in the near-term from our
        Williston customers due to the reduction in crude oil prices.
    --  DJ Basin segment adjusted EBITDA totaled $5.9 million in the first
        quarter of 2020, a 10.8% decrease from the fourth quarter of 2019, due
        to an approximate $0.6 million increase in producer payments
        attributable to flowing volumes that were classified as capital
        reimbursement versus gathering revenue and a 8.6% quarter-over-quarter
        decrease in total throughput to 32 MMcf/d. We did not have any new well
        connections in the first quarter of 2020 and we expect well connection
        deferrals in the near-term from our DJ Basin customers due to the
        reduction in crude oil prices. Our customers currently have 26 wells in
        DUC inventory behind our DJ Basin system.
    --  The Permian Basin segment generated a record $1.6 million of segment
        adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2020, an increase of $1.5
        million from the prior quarter. These results were driven by 17 new well
        connections over the last two quarters, which resulted in a 32.0%
        quarter-over-quarter volume increase to 33 MMcf/d. A customer also
        recently drilled and completed two new wells behind the Lane G&P system,
        but is waiting to turn-in-line those wells once crude oil prices
        improve. Overall, our outlook for our Permian Basin segment remains
        unchanged relative to our original 2020 financial guidance.

Legacy Areas:

    --  Legacy Areas generated $37.6 million of combined segment adjusted EBITDA
        in the first quarter of 2020 and had combined capital expenditures of
        $1.4 million.
    --  Piceance Basin segment adjusted EBITDA of $23.6 million, a decrease of
        $0.6 million from the fourth quarter of 2019 due to lower volume
        throughput and the impact of contractual step-downs in MVCs.
    --  Barnett Shale segment adjusted EBITDA decreased $0.8 million from the
        fourth quarter of 2019 to $8.8 million, as a result of a 1.7% decline in
        volume throughput and the expiration of an MVC contract that expired in
        the fourth quarter of 2019. We are benefitting from several workovers of
        existing wells behind the DFW Midstream system, which have partially
        mitigated natural production declines. While conversations are still
        on-going with customers, we believe this segment could benefit from the
        improved natural gas outlook and favorable basis differentials. Any
        activity on this system would be highly incremental to cash flow since
        all pads are already connected to the system and there is no need for
        additional capital expenditures to capture new volumes.
    --  Marcellus Shale segment adjusted EBITDA of $5.3 million was relatively
        flat compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 due to a 3.4% decrease in
        volume throughput, offset by margin mix and lower operating expenses.
        Our anchor customer has 18 DUCs in inventory, all of which are planned
        for initial production in 2020, which represents an increase of nine
        wells expected in our original 2020 financial guidance.

The following table presents average daily throughput by reportable segment on a quarter-over-quarter basis:


                                                                               Three
                                                                               months
                                                                            ended March
                                                                                 31,



                                                                       2020             2019




     
              Average daily throughput (MMcf/d):



     Utica Shale                                                                  222         286



     Williston Basin (1)                                                           14          16



     DJ Basin                                                                      32          21



     Permian Basin                                                                 33          15



     Piceance Basin (2)                                                           383         485



     Barnett Shale                                                                233         260



     Marcellus Shale                                                              364         379




     
              Aggregate average daily throughput                              1,281       1,462






     
              Average daily throughput (Mbbl/d):



     Williston Basin                                                               98         103




     
              Aggregate average daily throughput                                 98         103






     
              Ohio Gathering average daily throughput
     (MMcf/d) (3)             610         711


              __________



              (1)              The Williston Basin segment
                                  includes the Tioga
                                  Midstream system, which was
                                  sold in March 2019.



              (2)              The Piceance Basin segment
                                  includes the RRG West
                                  system, which was sold in
                                  December 2019.



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

The following table presents adjusted EBITDA by reportable segment on a quarter-over-quarter basis:


                                                                Three
                                                                months
                                                             ended March
                                                                     31,



                                                                     2020            2019



                                                           (In thousands)



     
                Reportable segment adjusted EBITDA (1):



     Utica Shale                                                          $
      5,928       $
      6,193



     Ohio Gathering (2)                                                       7,939           9,210



     Williston Basin (3)                                                     16,192          18,734



     DJ Basin                                                                 5,911           2,673



     Permian Basin                                                            1,581           (550)



     Piceance Basin (4)                                                      23,557          25,999



     Barnett Shale                                                            8,760          11,374



     Marcellus Shale                                                          5,320           5,142




     Total                                                               $
      75,188      $
      78,775



     Less:  Corporate and Other (5)                                           9,102           9,805




     Adjusted EBITDA                                                     $
      66,086      $
      68,970


              __________



              (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)
                                  adjustments related to capital
                                  reimbursement activity, (vi) unit-
                                  based and noncash compensation, (vii)
                                  change in the Deferred Purchase Price
                                  Obligation, (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,
                                  subject to 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)              The Williston Basin segment includes the
                                  Tioga Midstream system, which was sold
                                  in March 2019.



              (4)              The Piceance Basin segment includes the
                                  RRG West system, which was sold in
                                  December 2019.



              (5)              Corporate and Other represents those
                                  results that are not specifically
                                  attributable to a reportable segment
                                  (such as Double E) or that have not
                                  been allocated to our reportable
                                  segments, including certain general and
                                  administrative expense items, natural
                                  gas and crude oil marketing services,
                                  interest expense and a change in the
                                  Deferred Purchase Price Obligation.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures totaled $18.6 million in the first quarter of 2020, including maintenance capital expenditures of $5.1 million, a decrease of 39.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2020 were primarily related to growth projects in our Williston Basin, DJ Basin and Permian Basin segments, as well as expenditures associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters.


                                                                Three
                                                                months
                                                             ended March
                                                                     31,



                                                                     2020              2019



                                                           (In thousands)



     
                Cash paid for capital expenditures (1):



     Utica Shale                                                            $
        909         $
        101



     Williston Basin                                                            4,943             8,023



     DJ Basin                                                                   6,298            28,356



     Permian Basin                                                              3,281             7,057



     Piceance Basin                                                               346             1,226



     Barnett Shale (2)                                                            657             (118)



     Marcellus Shale                                                              422               102




     Total reportable segment capital expenditures                             16,856            44,747



     Corporate and Other (3)                                                    1,727            16,101




     Total cash paid for capital expenditures                            $
        18,583      $
        60,848


              __________



              (1)              Excludes cash paid for capital
                                  expenditures by Ohio Gathering and
                                  Double E (after June 2019) due to
                                  equity method accounting.



              (2)              For the three months ended March 31,
                                  2019, the amount includes sales tax
                                  reimbursements of $1.1 million.



              (3)              For the three months ended March 31,
                                  2019, and through the formation date
                                  of the Double E joint venture in June
                                  2019, reflects 100% of the capital
                                  expenditures associated with Double E
                                  and excludes capital contributions
                                  made by our JV partner.

Capital & Liquidity

As of March 31, 2020, SMLP had $542.9 million of undrawn commitments under its $1.25 billion revolving credit facility. Subject to covenant limits, and after accounting for a $9.1 million issued but undrawn letter of credit, our available borrowing capacity at March 31, 2020 was approximately $120 million.

Based upon the terms of SMLP's revolving credit facility and total outstanding debt, net of cash, of $1.43 billion (inclusive of $800.0 million of senior unsecured notes), SMLP's total leverage ratio and senior secured leverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) as of March 31, 2020, were 5.05 to 1.0 and 2.26 to 1.0, respectively, relative to maximum threshold limits of 5.50 to 1.0 and 3.75 to 1.0.

Double E Update

During the first quarter of 2020, SMLP made cash investments totaling $58.0 million with respect to its 70% equity investment in Double E Pipeline, LLC and as of March 31, 2020, $65 million of the $80 million Subsidiary Series A Preferred Units had been issued. SMLP is actively pursuing a non-recourse commercial bank financing to fund the substantial majority of SMLP's remaining Double E capital obligations, which would defer to 2021 any additional SMLP investment beyond the approximately $10 million expected in 2020. The Double E project is proceeding in-line with our expected timeline. In March, we received an environmental assessment report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") and we continue to expect to receive a FERC 7(c) certificate for Double E in the third quarter of 2020.

MVC Shortfall Payments

SMLP billed its customers $12.9 million in the first quarter of 2020 related to MVC shortfalls. For those customers that do not have MVC shortfall credit banking mechanisms in their gathering agreements, the MVC shortfall payments are accounted for as gathering revenue in the period in which they are earned. In the first quarter of 2020, SMLP recognized $20.6 million of gathering revenue associated with MVC shortfall payments. SMLP also recognized $5.4 million of negative adjustments to MVC shortfall payments in the first quarter of 2020 related to shortfall payment adjustments from customers in the Williston Basin segment and the Piceance Basin segment. SMLP's MVC shortfall payment mechanisms contributed $15.1 million of total adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2020.


                                                        Three
             
            months
                
       ended March
                                                                                  
               31, 2020



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



                                                               
          
            (In thousands)


                   Net change in deferred
                    revenue related to MVC
                             shortfall
                             payments:



     Piceance Basin                                               $
         3,658                                                    $
      3,658                           
     $                                   $
      3,658



                   Total net change                      $
           
           3,658                                               $
      
        3,658                       
     
       $                              $
      
        3,658





                   MVC shortfall payment
                    adjustments:


      Williston Basin                                              $
         1,002                                                    $
      8,792                                       $
              (5,665)       $
      3,127



     Piceance Basin                                                      6,956                                                        6,851                                                       223            7,074


      Marcellus Shale                                                     1,286                                                        1,286                                                                     1,286



                   Total MVC shortfall
                    payment adjustments                  $
           
           9,244                                              $
      
        16,929                               $
         
                (5,442) $
      
        11,487





                   Total (1)                            $
           
           12,902                                              $
      
        20,587                               $
         
                (5,442) $
      
        15,145


              __________


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

Quarterly Distribution Update

On May 3, 2020, the board of directors of SMLP's general partner suspended the distribution payable on its common units and on its 9.50% Series A fixed-to-floating rate cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred units. The suspension of the common and preferred distributions will enable SMLP to retain an incremental approximately $76 million of cash in the business annually, which it intends to use to de-lever the balance sheet, enhance liquidity and increase financial flexibility. The unpaid distributions on the preferred units will continue to accrue.

First Quarter 2020 Earnings Call Information

SMLP will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern on Friday, May 8, 2020, 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 49631232. The conference call, webcast live and archive of the call can be accessed through the Investors section of SMLP's website at www.summitmidstream.com.

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 present value, impairments, items of income or loss that we characterize as unrepresentative of our ongoing operations 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 future
        potential 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 income or expense
        items that we characterize as unrepresentative of our ongoing
        operations.

Distributable cash flow is used to assess:

    --  the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to support future
        potential 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 and (ii) 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 value-driven 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, processing and transportation services pursuant to primarily long-term, fee-based agreements with customers and counterparties in six unconventional resource basins: (i) the Appalachian Basin, which includes the Utica and Marcellus shale formations in Ohio and West Virginia; (ii) the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in North Dakota; (iii) the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which includes the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado and Wyoming; (iv) the Permian Basin, which includes the Bone Spring and Wolfcamp formations in New Mexico; (v) the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in Texas; and (vi) the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation as well as the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in Colorado. SMLP has an equity investment in Double E Pipeline, LLC, which is developing natural gas transmission infrastructure that will provide transportation service from multiple receipt points in the Delaware Basin to various delivery points in and around the Waha Hub in Texas. SMLP also has an equity investment in Ohio Gathering, which operates extensive natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization infrastructure in the Utica Shale in Ohio. SMLP is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

About Summit Midstream Partners, LLC

Summit Midstream Partners, LLC ("Summit Investments") beneficially owns a 48.0% 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 a 6.3% 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 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2020, and as amended and updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements in this press release, including forward-looking statements regarding 2020 financial guidance or financial or operating expectations for 2020, 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.


                                                                  
      
      SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                 
      
      UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS




                                                                                                   March                               December

                                                                                                            31,                                  31,


                                                                                                           2020                                 2019



                                                                                              (In thousands)



     
                Assets



     
                Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                           $
        67,694                   $
         4,948



     Restricted cash                                                                                                            4,057                         27,392



     Accounts receivable                                                                                                       83,648                        102,118



     Other current assets                                                                                                       4,265                          5,018




       Total current assets                                                                                                   159,664                        139,476



     Property, plant and equipment, net                                                                                     1,869,882                      1,882,251



     Intangible assets, net                                                                                                   224,076                        232,278



     Investment in equity method investees                                                                                    363,578                        309,728



     Other noncurrent assets                                                                                                    7,735                          9,718




     Total assets                                                                                                     $
        2,624,935               $
         2,573,451






     
                Liabilities and Capital



     
                Current liabilities:



     Trade accounts payable                                                                                              $
        22,294                  $
         24,415



     Accrued expenses                                                                                                          11,413                         11,482



     Due to affiliate                                                                                                             776                            311



     Deferred revenue                                                                                                          14,318                         13,493



     Ad valorem taxes payable                                                                                                   3,696                          8,477



     Accrued interest                                                                                                          15,370                         12,311



     Accrued environmental remediation                                                                                          2,016                          1,725



     Other current liabilities                                                                                                  8,621                         11,933




       Total current liabilities                                                                                               78,504                         84,147



     Long-term debt                                                                                                         1,491,716                      1,470,299



     Deferred Purchase Price Obligation                                                                                       180,750                        178,453



     Noncurrent deferred revenue                                                                                               43,045                         38,709



     Noncurrent accrued environmental remediation                                                                               2,618                          2,926



     Other noncurrent liabilities                                                                                               8,044                          7,951




     Total liabilities                                                                                                      1,804,677                      1,782,485





     
                Mezzanine Capital



     Subsidiary Series A Preferred Units                                                                                       62,341                         27,450





     
                Partners' Capital



     Series A Preferred Units                                                                                                 300,741                        293,616



     Common limited partner capital                                                                                           457,176                        469,900




     Total partners' capital                                                                                                  757,917                        763,516




     Total liabilities, mezzanine capital and partners' capital                                                       $
        2,624,935               $
         2,573,451


                                                                                         
       
           SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                                       
       
       UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS




                                                                                                                                             Three
                                                                                                                                             months
                                                                                                                                          ended March
                                                                                                                                               31,



                                                                                                                                                          2020              2019



                                                                                                                                (In thousands, except per-unit
                                                                                                                                            amounts)



     
                Revenues:



     Gathering services and related fees                                                                                                                      $
        83,792        $
        86,964



     Natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales                                                                                                                         13,780              37,928



     Other revenues                                                                                                                                                  7,331               6,516




     Total revenues                                                                                                                                                104,903             131,408




     
                Costs and expenses:



     Cost of natural gas and NGLs                                                                                                                                    8,225              31,759



     Operation and maintenance                                                                                                                                      21,811              24,222



     General and administrative (1)                                                                                                                                 16,378              17,281



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                                                  29,629              27,727



     Transaction costs                                                                                                                                                  11                 950



     Loss (gain) on asset sales, net                                                                                                                                   115               (961)



     Long-lived asset impairment (2)                                                                                                                                 3,821              44,951




     Total costs and expenses                                                                                                                                       79,990             145,929




     Other (expense) income                                                                                                                                          (428)                209



     Interest expense                                                                                                                                             (20,218)           (17,527)



     Deferred Purchase Price Obligation                                                                                                                            (2,297)            (4,427)




     Income (loss) before income taxes and income (loss) from equity method investees                                                                                1,970            (36,266)



     Income tax benefit (expense)                                                                                                                                       28               (207)



     Income (loss) from equity method investees                                                                                                                      3,311               (441)




     Net income (loss)                                                                                                                                         $
        5,309      $
        (36,914)






     
                (Loss) income per limited partner unit:



     Common unit - basic                                                                                                                                      $
        (0.03)       $
        (0.58)



     Common unit - diluted                                                                                                                                    $
        (0.03)       $
        (0.58)





     
                Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding:



     Common units - basic                                                                                                                                           93,675              75,793



     Common units - diluted                                                                                                                                         93,675              75,793


              __________


               (1) For the three months ended March 31,
                2020, the amount includes $2.8 million
                of restructuring expenses.


               (2) For the three months ended March 31,
                2019, the amount is associated with (i)
                our decision in March 2019 to idle our
                existing 20 MMcf/d DJ Basin processing
                plant in conjunction with the
                commissioning of our new 60 MMcf/d DJ
                Basin processing plant resulting in an
                impairment charge of $34.7 million; and
                (ii) our decommissioning in March 2019
                of an underutilized Barnett Shale
                compressor station resulting in an
                impairment charge of $10.2 million.


                                                                
      
      SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                 
      
      UNAUDITED OTHER FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA




                                                                                                                               Three
                                                                                                                               months
                                                                                                                             ended March
                                                                                                                                      31,



                                                                                                               2020                               2019



                                                                                                                         (Dollars in thousands)



     
                Other financial data:



     Net income (loss)                                                                                               $
           5,309                       $
       (36,914)



     Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                      $
           73,968                         $
       52,711



     Capital expenditures                                                                                           $
           18,583                         $
       60,848



     Contributions to equity method investees                                                                       $
           58,033                   
     $



     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                $
           66,086                         $
       68,970



     Distributable cash flow                                                                                        $
           34,244                         $
       40,228



     Distributions declared (1)                                                                       
              $                                         $
       23,775



     Distribution coverage ratio (2)                                                                           n/a                             1.69x





     
                Operating data:



     Aggregate average daily throughput - natural gas (MMcf/d)                                                              1,281                               1,462



     Aggregate average daily throughput - liquids (Mbbl/d)                                                                   98.0                               103.0





     Ohio Gathering average daily throughput (MMcf/d) (3)                                                                     610                                 711


              __________


               (1) Represents distributions
                declared to common unitholders
                in respect of a given period.
                On May 3, 2020, the board of
                directors of SMLP's general
                partner announced an immediate
                suspension of the distribution
                payable on its common units and
                on its 9.50% Series A fixed-
                to-floating rate cumulative
                redeemable perpetual preferred
                units. For the three months
                ended March 31, 2019,
                represents the distributions
                declared in April 2019 and paid
                in May 2019.


               (2) Represents the ratio of
                distributable cash flow to
                distributions declared.
                Distribution coverage ratio
                calculation for the three
                months ended March 31, 2019 is
                based on distributions declared
                to common unitholders in
                respect of the first quarter of
                2019.


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


                                                                                  
              
                SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                             
              
                UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES




                                                                                                                                                                     Three
                                                                                                                                                                     months
                                                                                                                                                                   ended March
                                                                                                                                                                          31,



                                                                                                                                                    2020                           2019



                                                                                                                                                                  (In thousands)



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



     Net income (loss)                                                                                                                                        $
              5,309        $
       (36,914)



     
                Add:



     Interest expense                                                                                                                                                    20,218               17,527



     Income tax (benefit) expense                                                                                                                                          (28)                 207



     Depreciation and amortization (1)                                                                                                                                   29,863               28,116



     Proportional adjusted EBITDA for equity method investees (2)                                                                                                         7,939                9,210



     Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments (3)                                                                                                                  (5,442)             (4,199)



     Adjustments related to capital reimbursement activity (4)                                                                                                            (211)               (715)



     Unit-based and noncash compensation                                                                                                                                  2,723                2,526



     Deferred Purchase Price Obligation (5)                                                                                                                               2,297                4,427



     Loss (gain) on asset sales, net                                                                                                                                        115                (961)



     Long-lived asset impairment                                                                                                                                          3,821               44,951



     Other, net (6)                                                                                                                                                       2,793                4,354



     
                Less:



     Income (loss) from equity method investees                                                                                                                           3,311                (441)




     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                                                         $
              66,086          $
       68,970




     
                Less:



     Cash interest paid                                                                                                                                                  16,523               15,229



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



     Series A Preferred units distribution adjustment (8)                                                                                                                 7,125                7,125



     Maintenance capital expenditures                                                                                                                                     5,131                3,325




     Distributable cash flow                                                                                                                                 $
              34,244          $
       40,228






     Distributions declared (9)                                                                                                            
              $                                 $
       23,775






     Distribution coverage ratio (10)                                                                                                               n/a                         1.69x


              __________


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


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


               (3) Adjustments related to MVC shortfall
                payments recognize the earnings from
                MVC shortfall payments ratably over the
                term of the associated MVC.


               (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) Represents items of income or loss
                that we characterize as
                unrepresentative of our ongoing
                operations. For the three months ended
                March 31, 2020, the amount represents
                restructuring expenses. For the three
                months ended March 31, 2019, the amount
                includes $3.4 million of severance
                expense associated with our former
                Chief Executive Officer and $0.9
                million of transaction costs associated
                with the Equity Restructuring.


               (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) Series A Preferred unit distribution
                adjustment represents the net of
                distributions paid and accrued on the
                Series A Preferred units. Distributions
                on the Series A preferred units are
                paid or accrued 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) Represents distributions declared to
                common unitholders in respect of a
                given period. On May 3, 2020, the board
                of directors of SMLP's general partner
                announced an immediate suspension of
                the distribution payable on its common
                units and on its 9.50% Series A fixed-
                to-floating rate cumulative redeemable
                perpetual preferred units. For the
                three months ended March 31, 2019,
                represents the distributions declared
                in April 2019 and paid in May 2019.


               (10) Represents the ratio of
                distributable cash flow to
                distributions declared. Distribution
                coverage ratio calculation for the
                three months ended March 31, 2019 is
                based on distributions declared in
                respect of the first quarter of 2019.


                                                                                             
          
                SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                                           
       
                UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES




                                                                                                                                                                       March
                                                                                                                                                                        31,



                                                                                                                                                                            2020             2019



                                                                                                                                                                  (In thousands)


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



     Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                                                                                  $
       73,968      $
       52,711



     
                Add:



     Interest expense, excluding amortization of debt issuance costs                                                                                                                 19,109           16,447



     Income tax (benefit) expense                                                                                                                                                      (28)             207



     Changes in operating assets and liabilities                                                                                                                                   (24,075)             303



     Proportional adjusted EBITDA for equity method investees (1)                                                                                                                     7,939            9,210



     Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments (2)                                                                                                                              (5,442)         (4,199)



     Adjustments related to capital reimbursement activity (3)                                                                                                                        (211)           (715)



     Other, net (4)                                                                                                                                                                   2,793            4,354



     
                Less:



     Distributions from equity method investees                                                                                                                                       7,494            8,583



     Noncash lease expense                                                                                                                                                              473              765




     Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                                                                            $
       66,086      $
       68,970




     
                Less:



     Cash interest paid                                                                                                                                                              16,523           15,229



     Senior notes interest adjustment (5)                                                                                                                                             3,063            3,063



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



     Maintenance capital expenditures                                                                                                                                                 5,131            3,325




       Distributable cash flow                                                                                                                                                  $
       34,244      $
       40,228


              __________


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


               (2) 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) Represents items of income or loss
                that we characterize as
                unrepresentative of our ongoing
                operations. For the three months ended
                March 31, 2020, the amount represents
                restructuring expenses. For the three
                months ended March 31, 2019, the amount
                includes $3.4 million of severance
                expense associated with our former
                Chief Executive Officer and $0.9
                million of transaction costs associated
                with the Equity Restructuring.


               (5) 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.


               (6) Series A Preferred unit distribution
                adjustment represents the net of
                distributions paid and accrued on the
                Series A Preferred units. Distributions
                on the Series A Preferred units are
                paid or accrued 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.

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SOURCE Summit Midstream Partners, LP