Table of Contents


 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20192020

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the transition period from __________ to _________ 

Commission File Number 001-33503

BLUEKNIGHT ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

20-8536826

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

6060 American Plaza, Suite 600

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (918) 237-4000

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes    ☒    No   ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes   ☒   No   ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ☐

 

Accelerated filer ☒ 

Non-accelerated filer ☐   

 

Smaller reporting company 

 

 

Emerging growth company ☐

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ☐  No ☒

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Units

BKEP

The Nasdaq Global Market

Series A Preferred Units

BKEPP

The Nasdaq Global Market

 

 As of November 1, 2019October 30, 2020, there were 35,125,202 Series A Preferred Units and 40,813,48841,198,088 common units outstanding.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

  Page
PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION1
Item 1.Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements1
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20182019, and September 30, 201920201
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20182019 and 201920202
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Deficit) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20182019 and 201920203
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20182019 and 201920204
 Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements5
1.   Organization and Nature of Business5
2.   Basis of Consolidation and Presentation5
3.   Revenue5
4.   Property, Plant, and Equipment8
5.   Debt9
6.   Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit11
7.   Partners’ Capital and Distributions11
8.   Related Party Transactions12
9.   Long-term Incentive Plan13
10. Derivative Financial Instruments14
11. Fair Value Measurements14
12. Operating Segments15
13. Commitments and Contingencies17
14. Recently Issued Accounting Standards17
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2118
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk3329
Item 4.Controls and Procedures3329
   
PART IIOTHER INFORMATION3430
Item 1.Legal Proceedings3430
Item 1A.Risk Factors3430
Item 6.Exhibits3430

 

i

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

BLUEKNIGHT ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

 

As of

  

As of

  

As of

  

As of

 
 

December 31, 2018

  

September 30, 2019

  

December 31, 2019

  

September 30, 2020

 
 

(unaudited)

  

(unaudited)

 

ASSETS

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

 $1,455  $2,777  $558  $972 

Accounts receivable, net

  35,683   25,913   23,716   15,039 

Receivables from related parties, net

  1,043   1,873   1,110   1,006 

Other current assets

  9,345   7,774   8,692   7,783 

Total current assets

  47,526   38,337   34,076   24,800 

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $263,554 and $278,768 at December 31, 2018, and September 30, 2019, respectively

  248,261   238,818 

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $274,404 and $287,964 at December 31, 2019, and September 30, 2020, respectively

  232,777   222,881 

Goodwill

  6,728   6,728   6,728   6,728 

Debt issuance costs, net

  3,349   2,595   2,344   1,591 

Operating lease assets

  -   11,374   10,758   9,009 

Intangible assets, net

  16,834   14,775   14,088   12,029 

Other noncurrent assets

  606   1,348   1,169   1,047 

Total assets

 $323,304  $313,975  $301,940  $278,085 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

        

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (DEFICIT)

        

Current liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

 $3,707  $4,036  $3,125  $2,281 

Accounts payable to related parties

  2,263   3,306   2,460   837 

Accrued crude oil purchases

  13,949   6,465   6,706   3,668 

Accrued crude oil purchases to related parties

  10,219   11,438   11,807   7,425 
Contingent liability with related party (Note 8)  12,221   - 

Accrued interest payable

  465   289   293   318 

Accrued property taxes payable

  3,089   3,701   3,247   3,451 

Unearned revenue

  3,206   5,476   1,942   3,874 

Unearned revenue with related parties

  4,835   2,624   2,934   2,910 

Accrued payroll

  3,667   3,836   4,823   4,794 

Current operating lease liability

  -   2,479   2,391   1,827 

Other current liabilities

  3,465   3,352   2,627   2,802 

Total current liabilities

  48,865   47,002   54,576   34,187 

Long-term unearned revenue with related parties

  1,714   1,545   2,149   4,224 

Other long-term liabilities

  4,010   3,708   2,417   927 

Noncurrent operating lease liability

  -   8,968   8,529   7,221 

Contingent liability with related party (Note 9)

  10,019   12,061 

Long-term debt

  265,592   258,592   255,592   260,592 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

        

Partners’ capital:

        

Common unitholders (40,424,372 and 40,813,488 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018, and September 30, 2019, respectively)

  370,972   360,144 

Preferred Units (35,125,202 units issued and outstanding at both dates)

  253,923   253,923 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

        

Partners’ capital(deficit):

        

Common unitholders (40,830,051 and 41,198,088 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019, and September 30, 2020, respectively)

  356,777   349,160 

Preferred unitholders (35,125,202 units issued and outstanding at both dates)

  253,923   253,923 

General partner interest (1.6% interest with 1,225,409 general partner units outstanding at both dates)

  (631,791)  (631,968)  (632,023)  (632,149)

Total partners’ deficit

  (6,896)  (17,901)  (21,323)  (29,066)

Total liabilities and partners’ deficit

 $323,304  $313,975  $301,940  $278,085 

 

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

 

1

 

 

BLUEKNIGHT ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per unit data)

 

 Three Months ended September 30,  Nine Months ended September 30,  

Three Months ended September 30,

  

Nine Months ended September 30,

 
 

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

 
 

(unaudited)

  

(unaudited)

Service revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

 $12,743  $15,716  $44,164  $47,329  $15,716  $12,886  $47,318  $39,935 

Related-party revenue

  5,396   3,956   17,780   12,257   3,934   4,849   12,189   12,945 

Lease revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

  11,368   11,444   31,409   31,026   11,444   9,142   31,004   27,051 

Related-party revenue

  5,406   5,427   20,584   15,179   5,427   7,490   15,179   19,239 

Product sales revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

  97,763   55,213   146,892   173,773   55,213   51,390   173,773   119,068 
Related-party revenue  482   -   482   - 

Total revenue

  133,158   91,756   261,311   279,564   91,734   85,757   279,463   218,238 

Costs and expenses:

                                

Operating expense

  27,174   25,168   87,297   78,326   25,215   23,715   78,432   73,066 

Cost of product sales

  50,815   18,972   73,493   64,069   18,972   19,833   64,069   41,133 

Cost of product sales from related party

  44,106   32,691   67,853   99,886   32,691   22,627   99,886   63,671 

General and administrative expense

  4,322   3,840   13,029   10,495   3,840   3,401   10,495   11,008 

Asset impairment expense

  15   83   631   2,316   83   -   2,316   6,417 

Total costs and expenses

  126,432   80,754   242,303   255,092   80,801   69,576   255,198   195,295 

Gain (loss) on sale of assets

  (63)  (40)  300   1,765 

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

  (40)  509   1,765   426 

Operating income

  6,663   10,962   19,308   26,237   10,893   16,690   26,030   23,369 

Other income (expenses):

                                

Other income

  -   -   -   268   69   176   475   969 

Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate

  -   -   2,225   - 

Interest expense

  (4,090)  (3,989)  (12,683)  (12,394)  (3,989)  (2,472)  (12,394)  (8,586)

Income before income taxes

  2,573   6,973   8,850   14,111   6,973   14,394   14,111   15,752 

Provision for income taxes

  165   14   215   39   14   1   39   8 

Net income

 $2,408  $6,959  $8,635  $14,072  $6,959  $14,393  $14,072  $15,744 
                                

Allocation of net income for calculation of earnings per unit:

                

Allocation of net income (loss) for calculation of earnings per unit:

                

General partner interest in net income

 $39  $110  $298  $268  $110  $228  $268  $249 

Preferred interest in net income

 $6,279  $6,278  $18,836  $18,836  $6,278  $6,278  $18,836  $18,836 

Net income (loss) available to limited partners

 $(3,910) $571  $(10,499) $(5,032) $571  $7,887  $(5,032) $(3,341)
                                

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common unit

 $(0.09) $0.01  $(0.25) $(0.12)
Basic net income (loss) per common unit $0.01  $0.19  $(0.12) $(0.08)

Diluted net income (loss) per common unit

 $0.01  $0.18  $(0.12) $(0.08)
                                

Weighted average common units outstanding - basic and diluted

  40,380   40,811   40,331   40,735 
Weighted average common units outstanding - basic  40,811   41,166   40,735   41,072 

Weighted average common units outstanding - diluted

  40,811   77,646   40,735   41,072 

 

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

 

2

 

 

BLUEKNIGHT ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (DEFICIT)

(in thousands)

 

 Common Unitholders  Series A Preferred Unitholders  General Partner Interest  Total Partners’ Capital (Deficit)  Common Unitholders  Series A Preferred Unitholders  General Partner Interest  Total Partners’ Capital (Deficit) 
 

(unaudited)

  

(unaudited)

 

Balance, June 30, 2018

 $436,416  $253,923  $(703,704) $(13,365)

Net income (loss)

  (3,910)  6,279   39   2,408 

Equity-based incentive compensation

  656   -   9   665 

Distributions

  (3,319)  (6,279)  (156)  (9,754)
Capital contributions related to sale of terminal assets to Ergon  -   -   72,967   72,967 
Proceeds from sale of 40,081 common units pursuant to the Employee Unit Purchase Plan  116   -   -   116 

Balance, September 30, 2018

 $429,959  $253,923  $(630,845) $53,037 
                

Balance, December 31, 2017

 $454,358  $253,923  $(703,597) $4,684 

Net income (loss)

  (10,655)  18,836   454   8,635 

Equity-based incentive compensation

  1,325   -   27   1,352 

Distributions

  (15,277)  (18,836)  (879)  (34,992)

Capital contributions

  -   -   183   183 
Capital contributions related to sale of terminal assets to Ergon  -   -   72,967   72,967 

Proceeds from sale of 61,327 common units pursuant to the Employee Unit Purchase Plan

  208   -   -   208 

Balance, September 30, 2018

 $429,959  $253,923  $(630,845) $53,037 
                

Balance, June 30, 2019

 $360,861  $253,923  $(631,952) $(17,168) $360,861  $253,923  $(631,952) $(17,168)

Net income (loss)

  574   6,278   107   6,959 

Net income

  574   6,278   107   6,959 

Equity-based incentive compensation

  284   -   5   289   284   -   5   289 

Distributions

  (1,678)  (6,278)  (128)  (8,084)  (1,678)  (6,278)  (128)  (8,084)
Proceeds from sale of 98,631 common units pursuant to the Employee Unit Purchase Plan  103   -   -   103   103   -   -   103 

Balance, September 30, 2019

 $360,144  $253,923  $(631,968) $(17,901) $360,144  $253,923  $(631,968) $(17,901)
                                

Balance, December 31, 2018

 $370,972  $253,923  $(631,791) $(6,896) $370,972  $253,923  $(631,791) $(6,896)

Net income (loss)

  (4,983)  18,836   219   14,072   (4,983)  18,836   219   14,072 

Equity-based incentive compensation

  637   -   15   652   637   -   15   652 

Distributions

  (6,658)  (18,836)  (411)  (25,905)  (6,658)  (18,836)  (411)  (25,905)

Proceeds from sale of 161,971 common units pursuant to the Employee Unit Purchase Plan

  176   -   -   176   176   -   -   176 

Balance, September 30, 2019

 $360,144  $253,923  $(631,968) $(17,901) $360,144  $253,923  $(631,968) $(17,901)
                

Balance, June 30, 2020

 $342,651  $253,923  $(632,252) $(35,678)
Net income  7,887   6,278   228   14,393 
Equity-based incentive compensation  210   -   3   213 
Distributions  (1,703)  (6,278)  (128)  (8,109)
Proceeds from sale of 104,954 common units pursuant to the Employee Unit Purchase Plan  115   -   -   115 
Balance, September 30, 2020 $349,160  $253,923  $(632,149) $(29,066)
                

Balance, December 31, 2019

 $356,777  $253,923  $(632,023) $(21,323)
Net income (loss)  (3,341)  18,836   249   15,744 
Equity-based incentive compensation  630   -   10   640 
Distributions  (5,076)  (18,836)  (385)  (24,297)
Proceeds from sale of 158,326 common units pursuant to the Employee Unit Purchase Plan  170   -   -   170 
Balance, September 30, 2020 $349,160  $253,923  $(632,149) $(29,066)

 

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

 

3

 

 

BLUEKNIGHT ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

 

Nine Months ended September 30,

  

Nine Months ended September 30,

 
 

2018

  

2019

  

2019

  

2020

 
 

(unaudited)

  

(unaudited)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income

 $8,635  $14,072  $14,072  $15,744 

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

                

Depreciation and amortization

  21,945   19,211   19,211   17,698 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

  1,200   754   754   753 

Unrealized (gain) loss related to interest rate swaps

  (277)  44 

Intangible asset impairment charge

  189   - 

Fixed asset impairment charge

  442   2,316 

Gain on sale of assets

  (300)  (1,765)

Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate

  (2,225)  - 
Tangible asset impairment charge  2,316   6,417 
Gain on disposal of assets  (1,765)  (426)

Equity-based incentive compensation

  1,352   652   652   640 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable

  (39,328)  7,128 
Decrease in accounts receivable  7,128   8,677 

Decrease (increase) in receivables from related parties

  1,423   (830)  (830)  104 

Decrease in other current assets

  868   3,571   3,615   3,032 

Decrease in other non-current assets

  424   2,255   2,255   1,767 

Decrease in accounts payable

  (435)  (250)  (250)  (379)

Increase in payables to related parties

  1,068   535 

Increase (decrease) in accrued crude oil purchases

  15,142   (7,484)

Increase in accrued crude oil purchases to related parties

  16,681   1,219 

Decrease in accrued interest payable

  (232)  (176)
Increase (decrease) in payables to related parties  535   (1,256)
Decrease in accrued crude oil purchases  (7,484)  (4,244)
Increase (decrease) in accrued crude oil purchases to related parties  1,219   (4,382)
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable  (176)  25 

Increase in accrued property taxes

  1,718   612   612   204 

Increase in unearned revenue

  853   1,557   1,557   318 

Increase (decrease) in unearned revenue from related parties

  2,829   (2,380)  (2,380)  1,382 

Increase (decrease) in accrued payroll

  (2,281)  169   169   (29)

Decrease in other accrued liabilities

  (1,504)  (2,926)  (2,926)  (2,145)

Net cash provided by operating activities

  28,187   38,284   38,284   43,900 

Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Acquisitions

  (21,959)  - 
Acquisition of DEVCO from Ergon (Note 8)  -   (12,221)

Capital expenditures

  (29,560)  (9,428)  (9,428)  (12,381)

Proceeds from sale of assets

  4,707   7,089   7,089   2,409 
Proceeds from sale of terminal assets to Ergon  88,538   - 

Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated affiliate

  2,225   - 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  43,951   (2,339)
Net cash used in investing activities  (2,339)  (22,193)

Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Payments on other financing activities

  (1,722)  (1,894)  (1,894)  (2,166)

Debt issuance costs

  (358)  - 

Borrowings under credit agreement

  216,000   218,000   218,000   181,000 

Payments under credit agreement

  (252,000)  (225,000)  (225,000)  (176,000)

Proceeds from equity issuance

  208   176   176   170 

Capital contributions

  183   - 

Distributions

  (34,992)  (25,905)  (25,905)  (24,297)

Net cash used in financing activities

  (72,681)  (34,623)  (34,623)  (21,293)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  (543)  1,322 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  1,322   414 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  2,469   1,455   1,455   558 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $1,926  $2,777  $2,777  $972 
                

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing cash flow information:

                

Non-cash changes in property, plant and equipment

 $(908) $1,528  $1,528  $1,185 
Non-cash change in assets and liabilities due to settlement items related to the sale of terminal assets to Ergon $(1,308) $- 

Increase in accrued liabilities related to insurance premium financing agreement

 $2,225  $2,356  $2,356  $2,324 

 

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

 

4

 

BLUEKNIGHT ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

1.

ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS

 

Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Partnership”) is a publicly traded master limited partnership with operations in 2726 states. The Partnership provides integrated terminalling, gathering, transportation and marketing services for companies engaged in the production, distribution and marketing of crude oil and asphalt products. The Partnership manages its operations through four operating segments: (i) asphalt terminalling services, (ii) crude oil terminalling services, (iii) crude oil pipeline services, and (iv) crude oil trucking services. The Partnership’s common units and preferred units, which represent limited partnership interests in the Partnership, are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbols “BKEP” and “BKEPP,” respectively. The Partnership was formed in February 2007 as a Delaware master limited partnership initially to own, operate and develop a diversified portfolio of complementary midstream energy assets.

 

 

2.

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION AND PRESENTATION

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 20192020, the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, the condensed consolidated statements of changes in partners’ capital (deficit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and include all adjustments necessary to state fairly the financial position and results of operations for the respective interim periods. All adjustments are of a recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed herein. The 20182019 year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20182019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 12, 201926, 2020 (the “20182019 Form 10-K”). Interim financial results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for an annual period. The Partnership’s significant accounting policies are consistent with those disclosed in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in its 20182019 Form 10-K except for new accounting standards adopted in 2019 as discussed Note 3 and Note 13.

Certain10-K. The following reclassifications have been made in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, andfinancial statements: (i) an immaterial operating cash flow item was combined with another operating cash flow item in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018,2019, and (ii) immaterial corporate items previously allocated to conformrevenues and operating expenses have been reclassified to other income in the 2019 financial statement presentation.condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. These reclassifications relate to items included in “Other current assets” and “Other noncurrent assets.” Reclassifications on the consolidated statement of cash flows were limited to the “Cash flows from operating activities” section. The reclassifications havehad no impact on net income.

 

 

3.

REVENUE

 

On January 1, 2019, theThe Partnership adopted ASU 2016-02, which created the new accounting standard ASC Topic 842 - Leases (“ASC 842”), using the modified retrospective method. Results for reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2019, are presented under ASC 842, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordancerecognizes revenue from contracts with the Partnership’s historic accounting under ASC Topic 840 - Leases. The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material effect on the Partnership’s revenue recognition. The primary impact is a change to the recognition of variable consideration that has both a service andcustomers as well as lease component. Previously, the variable consideration related to the service component was estimated at the beginning of the contract year and recognized on a straight-line basis over the year. Under ASC 842, the variable consideration related to the service component is treated as a change in estimate in the period when the facts and circumstances on which the variable payment is based occur.

There are two types of contracts in the asphalt terminalling segment: (i) operating lease contracts, under which customers operate the facilities, and (ii) storage, throughput and handling contracts, under which the Partnership operates the facilities. The operating lease contracts are accounted for in accordance with ASC 842. The storage, throughput and handling contracts contain both lease revenue and non-lease service revenue.  In accordance with ASC 842 and 606, fixed consideration is allocated to the lease and service components based on their relative stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling price of the lease component is calculated using the average internal rate of return under the operating lease agreements. The stand-alone selling price of the service component is calculated by applying an appropriate margin to the expected costs to operate the facility. The service component contains a single performance obligation that consists of a stand-ready obligation to perform activities as directed by the customer, and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over time as the customer receives and consumes benefits. The lease component is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the initial lease. Fixed consideration, consisting of the monthly storage and handling fees, is billed a month prior to the performance of services and is due by the first day of the month of service. Payments received in advance of the month of service are recorded as unearned revenue until the service is performed, and the service component is treated as a contract liability.

5

Asphalt storage, throughput and handling contracts also contain variable consideration in the form of reimbursements of utility, fuel and power expenses and throughput fees. Utility, fuel and power reimbursements are allocated entirely to the service component of the contracts. Utility, fuel and power reimbursements relate directly to the distinct monthly service that makes up the overall performance obligation and revenue is recognized in the period in which the service takes place. Variable consideration related to reimbursements of utility, fuel and power expenses is billed in the month subsequent to the period of service, and payment is due within 30 days of billing. Throughput fees are allocated to both the lease and service component of the contracts using the allocation percentages from contract inception. In accordance with ASC 842, the lease component of variable throughput fees is recognized in the period when the changes in facts and circumstances on which the variable payment is based occur. Additionally, under ASC 842, when variable consideration contains both a lease and non-lease service component, the service component cannot be recognized until the period in which the changes in facts and circumstances on which the variable payment is based occur. At that time, it can be recognized in accordance with ASC 606. The service component of variable throughput fees is treated as a change in estimate in the period in when the changes in facts and circumstances on which the variable payment is based occur and is then recognized on a straight-line basis over time as the customer receives and consumes benefits. Payment on variable throughput consideration is due within 30 days of billing.

Certain asphalt storage, throughput and handling contracts contain provisions for reimbursement of specified major maintenance costs above a specified threshold over the life of the contract. Reimbursements of specified major maintenance costs are allocated to both the lease and service component of the contracts using the allocation percentages from contract inception. Reimbursements of specified major maintenance costs are reviewed and paid quarterly, which may result in overpayments that must be paid back to the customer in future years. As such, the service component of this consideration is constrained and recorded in unearned revenue (contract liability) until facts and circumstances indicate it is probable that the minimum threshold will be met. In the event the minimum threshold is not met, the Partnership will return the reimbursement to the customer.

The following table includes revenue associated with contractual commitments in place related to future performance obligations as of the end of the reporting period, which are expected to be recognized in revenue in the specified periods (in thousands):

 

 Revenue from Contracts with Customers(1)  Revenue from Leases  

Revenue from Contracts with Customers(1)

  

Revenue from Leases

 

Remainder of 2019

 $7,756  $14,012 

2020

  30,602   53,487 

Remainder of 2020

 $9,620  $14,358 

2021

  27,253   49,244   38,156   57,083 

2022

  19,937   38,545   30,076   45,512 

2023

  14,533   29,609   26,462   38,446 

2024

  26,506   38,494 

Thereafter

  9,142   22,342   61,140   76,644 

Total revenue related to future performance obligations

 $109,223  $207,239  $191,960  $270,537 

_______________________________________

(1)

Excluded from the table is revenue that is either constrained or related to performance obligations that are wholly unsatisfied as of September 30, 2019.2020.

 

Crude oil terminalling services contracts can be either short- or long-term written contracts. The contracts contain a single performance obligation that consists of a series of distinct services provided over time. Customers are billed a month prior to the performance of terminalling services and payment is due by the first day of the month of service. Payments received in advance of the month of service are recorded as unearned revenue (contract liability) until the service is performed. These contracts also contain provisions under which customers are invoiced for product throughput in the month following the month in which the service is provided. Payment on product throughput is due within 30 days. The Partnership has elected to use the right-to-invoice expedient on crude oil terminalling services contracts as the right to consideration corresponds directly with the value to the customer of performance completed to date.

There are primarily two types of contracts in the crude oil pipeline segment: (i) monthly transportation contracts and (ii) product sales contracts.

Under crude oil pipeline services monthly transportation contracts, customers submit nominations for transportation monthly and a contract is created upon the Partnership’s acceptance of the nomination under its published tariffs. Crude oil pipeline services contracts have a single performance obligation to perform the transportation service. The transportation service is provided to the customer in the same month in which the customer makes the related nomination. Revenue is recorded in the month of service and invoiced in the following month. Payment is due within 30 days. The Partnership has elected to use the right-to-invoice expedient on crude oil pipeline services contracts as the right to consideration corresponds directly with the value to the customer of performance completed to date.

The Partnership also purchases crude oil and resells to third parties under written product sales contracts. Product sales contracts have a single performance obligation, and revenue is recognized at the point in time that control is transferred to the customer. Control is considered transferred to the customer on the day of the sale. Customers are invoiced in the following month. Payment is due within 30 days. The Partnership has elected to use the right-to-invoice expedient on product sales contracts as the right to consideration corresponds directly with the value to the customer of performance completed to date.

Services in the crude oil trucking segment are provided under master service agreements with customers that include rate sheets. Contracts are initiated when a customer requests service and both parties are committed upon the Partnership’s acceptance of the customer’s request. Crude oil trucking contracts have a single performance obligation to perform the service, which is completed in a day. Revenue is recorded in the month of service and invoiced in the following month. Payment is due within 30 days. The Partnership has elected to use the right-to-invoice expedient on crude oil trucking revenues as the right to consideration corresponds directly with the value to the customer of performance completed to date.

6
5

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

 

Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers for each operating segment by revenue type is presented as follows (in thousands):

 

 Asphalt Terminalling Services  Crude Oil Terminalling Services  Crude Oil Pipeline Services  Crude Oil Trucking Services  

Total

  

Asphalt Terminalling Services

  

Crude Oil Terminalling Services

  

Crude Oil Pipeline Services

  

Crude Oil Trucking Services

  

Total

 
 

Three Months ended September 30, 2018

  

Three Months ended September 30, 2019

 

Revenue from contracts with customers

                    

Third-party revenue:

                                        

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

 $4,865  $1,830  $-  $-  $6,695  $5,008  $3,264  $-  $-  $8,272 

Variable throughput revenue

  112   93   -   -   205 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  648   961   -   -   1,609 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  1,943   -   -   -   1,943   1,729   -   -   -   1,729 

Crude oil transportation revenue

  -   -   1,166   2,734   3,900   -   -   1,284   2,822   4,106 

Crude oil product sales revenue

  -   -   97,763   -   97,763   -   -   55,213   -   55,213 

Related-party revenue:

                                        

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

  3,011   -   83   -   3,094   2,750   -   63   -   2,813 
Variable throughput revenue  762   -   -   -   762 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  21   -   -   -   21 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  1,439   -   101   -   1,540   1,099   -   1   -   1,100 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 $12,132  $1,923  $99,113  $2,734  $115,902  $11,255  $4,225  $56,561  $2,822  $74,863 

Lease revenue

                    

Third-party revenue:

                    

Fixed lease revenue

 $9,415  $-  $-  $-  $9,415 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  1,451   -   -   -   1,451 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  578   -   -   -   578 

Related-party revenue:

                    

Fixed lease revenue

  4,733   -   -   -   4,733 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  615   -   -   -   615 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  79   -   -   -   79 

Total lease revenue

 $16,871  $-  $-  $-  $16,871 

Total revenue

 $28,126  $4,225  $56,561  $2,822  $91,734 

 

  

Nine Months ended September 30, 2018

 

Third-party revenue:

                    

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

 $13,038  $8,679  $-  $-  $21,717 

Variable throughput revenue

  471   739   -   -   1,210 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  5,184   -   -   -   5,184 

Crude oil transportation revenue

  -   -   4,270   11,783   16,053 

Crude oil product sales revenue

  -   -   146,882   10   146,892 

Related-party revenue:

                    

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

  12,272   -   132   -   12,404 

Variable throughput revenue

  762       -   -   762 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  4,478   -   136   -   4,614 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 $36,205  $9,418  $151,420  $11,793  $208,836 

 

  

Three Months ended September 30, 2019

 

Third-party revenue:

                    

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

 $5,138  $3,509  $-  $-  $8,647 

Variable throughput revenue

  518   716   -   -   1,234 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  1,729   -   -   -   1,729 

Crude oil transportation revenue

  -   -   1,284   2,822   4,106 

Crude oil product sales revenue

  -   -   55,213   -   55,213 

Related-party revenue:

                    

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

  2,794   -   63   -   2,857 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  1,098   -   1   -   1,099 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 $11,277  $4,225  $56,561  $2,822  $74,885 

 

Nine Months ended September 30, 2019

  

Three Months ended September 30, 2020

 

Revenue from contracts with customers

                    

Third-party revenue:

                                        

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

 $15,174  $9,956  $-  $-  $25,130  $5,097  $3,327  $-  $-  $8,424 

Variable throughput revenue

  554   1,863   -   -   2,417 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  752   863   -   -   1,615 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  5,489   -   -   -   5,489   1,665   -   -   -   1,665 

Crude oil transportation revenue

  -   -   5,753   8,540   14,293   -   -   412   770   1,182 

Crude oil product sales revenue

  -   -   173,773   -   173,773   -   -   51,390   -   51,390 

Related-party revenue:

                                        

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

  8,500   -   229   -   8,729   4,079   -   -   -   4,079 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  267   -   -   -   267 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  3,491   -   37   -   3,528   503   -   -   -   503 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 $33,208  $11,819  $179,792  $8,540  $233,359  $12,363  $4,190  $51,802  $770  $69,125 

Lease revenue

                    

Third-party revenue:

                    

Fixed lease revenue

 $7,930  $-  $-  $-  $7,930 

Variable throughput revenue

  713   -   -   -   713 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  499   -   -   -   499 

Related-party revenue:

                    

Fixed lease revenue

  6,552   -   -   -   6,552 

Variable throughput revenue

  784   -   -   -   784 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  154   -   -   -   154 

Total lease revenue

 $16,632  $-  $-  $-  $16,632 

Total revenue

 $28,995  $4,190  $51,802  $770  $85,757 

 

7
6

  

Asphalt Terminalling Services

  

Crude Oil Terminalling Services

  

Crude Oil Pipeline Services

  

Crude Oil Trucking Services

  

Total

 
  

Nine Months ended September 30, 2019

 

Revenue from contracts with customers

                    

Third-party revenue:

                    

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

 $14,852  $9,380  $-  $-  $24,232 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  877   2,435   -   -   3,312 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  5,489   -   -   -   5,489 

Crude oil transportation revenue

  -   -   5,748   8,537   14,285 

Crude oil product sales revenue

  -   -   173,773   -   173,773 

Related-party revenue:

                    

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

  8,296   -   229   -   8,525 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  136   -   -   -   136 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  3,491   -   37   -   3,528 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 $33,141  $11,815  $179,787  $8,537  $233,280 

Lease revenue

                    

Third-party revenue:

                    

Fixed lease revenue

 $27,867  $-  $-  $-  $27,867 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  1,451   -   -   -   1,451 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  1,685   -   -   -   1,685 

Related-party revenue:

                    

Fixed lease revenue

  14,249   -   -   -   14,249 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  615   -   -   -   615 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  316   -   -   -   316 

Total lease revenue

 $46,183  $-  $-  $-  $46,183 

Total revenue

 $79,324  $11,815  $179,787  $8,537  $279,463 

  

Nine Months ended September 30, 2020

 

Revenue from contracts with customers

                    

Third-party revenue:

                    

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

 $15,318  $9,858  $-  $-  $25,176 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  1,129   2,755   -   -   3,884 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  4,754   -   -   -   4,754 

Crude oil transportation revenue

  -   -   1,287   4,834   6,121 

Crude oil product sales revenue

  -   -   119,068   -   119,068 

Related-party revenue:

                    

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

  9,861   -   -   -   9,861 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  647   -   -   -   647 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  2,437   -   -   -   2,437 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 $34,146  $12,613  $120,355  $4,834  $171,948 

Lease revenue

                    

Third-party revenue:

                    

Fixed lease revenue

 $24,729  $-  $-  $-  $24,729 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  746   -   -   -   746 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  1,576   -   -   -   1,576 

Related-party revenue:

                    

Fixed lease revenue

  17,914   -   -   -   17,914 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  784   -   -   -   784 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  541   -   -   -   541 

Total lease revenue

 $46,290  $-  $-  $-  $46,290 

Total revenue

 $80,436  $12,613  $120,355  $4,834  $218,238 

7

 

Contract Balances

The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections result in billed accounts receivable and unearned revenue (contract liabilities) on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as noted in the contract discussions above. Accounts receivable are reflected in the line items “Accounts receivable” and “Receivables from related parties” on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Unearned revenue is included in the line items “Unearned revenue,” “Unearned revenue with related parties,” “Long-term unearned revenue with related parties” and “Other long-term liabilities” on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Billed accounts receivable from contracts with customers were $34.623.2 million and $24.613.7 million at December 31, 20182019, and September 30, 20192020, respectively.

 

The Partnership records unearned revenues when cash payments are received in advance of performance. Unearned revenue related to contracts with customers was $5.93.0 million and $5.73.6 million at December 31, 20182019, and September 30, 20192020, respectively. The change in the unearned revenue balance forFor the nine months ended September 30, 20192020, is driven bythe Partnership recognized $3.2 million in cash payments received in advance of satisfying performance obligations, partially offset by $3.42.2 million of revenues recognized that were previously included in the unearned revenue balance at the beginning of the period.balance.

 

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

 

The Partnership does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which revenue is recognized at the amount to which the Partnership has the right to invoice for services performed. The Partnership is using the right-to-invoice practical expedient on all contracts with customers in its crude oil terminalling services, crude oil pipeline services and crude oil trucking services segments.

 

 

 

4.

EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT

The Partnership’s investment in Advantage Pipeline, L.L.C. (“Advantage Pipeline”), over which the Partnership had significant influence but not control, was accounted for by the equity method. The Partnership did not consolidate any part of the assets or liabilities of Advantage Pipeline. On April 3, 2017, Advantage Pipeline was acquired by a joint venture formed by affiliates of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. and Noble Midstream Partners LP. The Partnership received cash proceeds at closing from the sale of its approximate 30% equity ownership interest in Advantage Pipeline of approximately $25.3 million and recorded a gain on the sale of the investment of $4.2 million. Approximately 10% of the gross sale proceeds were held in escrow, subject to certain post-closing settlement terms and conditions. The Partnership received approximately $1.1 million of the funds held in escrow in August 2017, and approximately $2.2 million for its pro rata portion of the remaining net escrow proceeds in January 2018. The Partnership’s proceeds were used to prepay revolving debt (without a commitment reduction). As of September 30, 2019, the Partnership had no equity investments.

8

5.

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

 

  Estimated Useful  

December 31,

  

September 30,

 
  Lives (Years)  2018  2019 
     

(dollars in thousands)

 

Land

 N/A  $24,705  $24,705 

Land improvements

 10-20   5,758   5,804 

Pipelines and facilities

 5-30   116,155   118,449 

Storage and terminal facilities

 10-35   321,096   326,738 

Transportation equipment

 3-10   2,798   3,140 

Office property and equipment and other

 3-20   26,980   27,415 

Pipeline linefill and tank bottoms

 N/A   10,297   8,258 

Construction-in-progress

 N/A   4,026   3,077 

Property, plant and equipment, gross

     511,815   517,586 

Accumulated depreciation

     (263,554)  (278,768)

Property, plant and equipment, net

    $248,261  $238,818 

Property, plant and equipment under operating leases at September 30, 2019, in which theThe Partnership is the lessor, had a cost basisrecognized asset impairment expense of $285.36.4 million and accumulated depreciation of $178.6 million.

Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2019, was $6.5 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 20182020. In the second quarter of 2020, the Partnership recorded an impairment of $1.3 million related to the crude oil trucking segment based on the expected future cash flows and 2019,market interest of the segment compared to the carrying value of its assets, and consisted of $1.1 million related to plant, property and equipment and $0.2 million related to operating right-of-use assets. In addition, an impairment was $20.2recorded in the first quarter of 2020 to write-down the value of the Partnership’s crude oil linefill from $8.1 million and $16.9as of December 31, 2019, to $4.0 million respectively.

as of March 31, 2020, based on the market price of crude oil as of March 31, 2020. Early in 2020, $0.8 million of incremental crude oil linefill was acquired to meet the requirements of the pipeline system, resulting in a total impairment on the crude oil linefill of $4.9 million.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Partnership recognized asset impairment expense of $2.3 million. A change in estimate of the push-down impairment related to Cimarron Express Pipeline, LLC (“Cimarron Express”) resulted in additional impairment expense of $2.0 million. This impairment is$2.0 million, which was recorded at the corporate level and the estimate is based on the expected amount due to Ergon, Inc. (“Ergon”) if the Put (as defined in Note 9) is exercised (see Note 98 for more information). In addition, flooding at several asphalt plantsterminals in the Midwest led to an impairment of $0.3 million.

$0.3 million during that period.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Partnership had a small gain on the disposal of assets that were no longer being used for operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019,, the Partnership sold various surplus assets, including the sale of three truck stations for $1.6$1.6 million, which resulted in a gain of $1.5$1.5 million, and the sale of pipeline linefill for $1.6$1.6 million, which resulted in a gain of $0.3$0.3 million.

 In addition, proceeds received during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, included $2.6$2.6 million related to a sale of pipeline linefill in December 2018, for which the proceeds were received in January 2019.

On July 12, 2018, the Partnership sold certain asphalt terminals, storage tanks and related real property, contracts, permits, assets and other interests located in Lubbock and Saginaw, Texas and Memphis, Tennessee (the “Divestiture”) to Ergon Asphalt & Emulsion, Inc. for a purchase price of $90.0 million, subject to customary adjustments. The Divestiture does not qualify as discontinued operations as it does not represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Partnership’s operations or financial results. The Partnership used the proceeds from the sale to prepay revolving debt under its credit agreement.

In April 2018, the Partnership sold its producer field services business. The Partnership received cash proceeds at closing of approximately $3.0 million and recorded a gain of $0.4 million. The sale of the producer field services business does not qualify as discontinued operations as it does not represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Partnership’s operations or financial results. The Partnership used the proceeds from the sale to prepay revolving debt under its credit agreement.

In March 2018, the Partnership acquired an asphalt terminalling facility in Oklahoma from a third party for approximately $22.0 million, consisting of property, plant and equipment of $11.5 million, intangible assets of $7.6 million and goodwill of $2.9 million.

 

9
8

 

 

6.5.

DEBT

 

On May 11, 2017, the Partnership entered into an amended and restated credit agreement. On June 28, 2018, the credit agreement was amended to, among other things, reduce the revolving loan facility from $450.0 million to $400.0 million and amend the maximum permitted consolidated total leverage ratio as discussed below.

 

As of November 1, 2019October 30, 2020, approximately $250.6255.6 million of revolver borrowings and $1.01.7 million of letters of credit were outstanding under the credit agreement, leaving the Partnership with approximately $148.4142.7 million available capacity for additional revolver borrowings and letters of credit under the credit agreement, although the Partnership’s ability to borrow such funds may beis limited by the financial covenants in the credit agreement. The proceeds of loans made under the credit agreement may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Partnership.

 

The credit agreement is guaranteed by all of the Partnership’s existing subsidiaries. Obligations under the credit agreement are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the Partnership’s assets and those of the guarantors.

 

The credit agreement includes procedures for additional financial institutions to become revolving lenders, or for any existing lender to increase its revolving commitment thereunder, subject to an aggregate maximum of $600.0 million for all revolving loan commitments under the credit agreement.

 

The credit agreement will mature on May 11, 2022, and all amounts outstanding under the credit agreement will become due and payable on such date. The credit agreement requires mandatory prepayments of amounts outstanding thereunder with the net proceeds of certain asset sales, property or casualty insurance claims and condemnation proceedings, unless the Partnership reinvests such proceeds in accordance with the credit agreement, but these mandatory prepayments will not require any reduction of the lenders’ commitments under the credit agreement.

 

Borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest, at the Partnership’s option, at either the reserve-adjusted eurodollar rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin that ranges from 2.0% to 3.25% or the alternate base rate (the highest of the agent bank’s prime rate, the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5%, and the 30-day eurodollar rate plus 1.0%) plus an applicable margin that ranges from 1.0% to 2.25%. The Partnership pays a per annum fee on all letters of credit issued under the credit agreement, which fee equals the applicable margin for loans accruing interest based on the eurodollar rate, and the Partnership pays a commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.5% on the unused commitments under the credit agreement. The applicable margins for the Partnership’s interest rate, the letter of credit fee, and the commitment fee vary quarterly based on the Partnership’s consolidated total leverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement, being generally computed as the ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and certain other non-cash charges)charges (“credit agreement EBITDA”)).

 

The credit agreement includes financial covenants that are tested on a quarterly basis, based on the rolling four-quarter period that ends on the last day of each fiscal quarter.

 

Prior to the date on which the Partnership issues qualified senior notes in an aggregate principal amount (when combined with all other qualified senior notes previously or concurrently issued) that equals or exceeds $200.0 million, the maximum permitted consolidated total leverage ratio will be 5.00 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2019; and 4.75 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2020, and each fiscal quarter thereafter;1.00; provided that the maximum permitted consolidated total leverage ratio may be increased to 5.25 to 1.00 for certain quarters, after December 31, 2019, based on the occurrence of a specified acquisition (as defined in the credit agreement, but generally being an acquisition for which the aggregate consideration is $15.0 million or more).

 

From and after the date on which the Partnership issues qualified senior notes in an aggregate principal amount (when combined with all other qualified senior notes previously or concurrently issued) that equals or exceeds $200.0 million, the maximum permitted consolidated total leverage ratio is 5.00 to 1.00; provided that from and after the fiscal quarter ending immediately preceding the fiscal quarter in which a specified acquisition occurs to and including the last day of the second full fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter in which such acquisition occurred, the maximum permitted consolidated total leverage ratio will be 5.50 to 1.00.

 

The maximum permitted consolidated senior secured leverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement, but generally computed as the ratio of consolidated total secured debt to consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain other non-cash charges)credit agreement EBITDA) is 3.50 to 1.00, but this covenant is only tested from and after the date on which the Partnership issues qualified senior notes in an aggregate principal amount (when combined with all other qualified senior notes previously or concurrently issued) that equals or exceeds $200.0 million.

 

The minimum permitted consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement, but generally computed as the ratio of consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain other non-cash charges (“credit agreement EBITDA”)EBITDA to consolidated interest expense) is 2.50 to 1.00.

 

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In addition, the credit agreement contains various covenants that, among other restrictions, limit the Partnership’s ability to:

 

create, issue, incur or assume indebtedness;

create, incur or assume liens;

engage in mergers or acquisitions;

sell, transfer, assign or convey assets;

repurchase the Partnership’s equity, make distributions to unitholders and make certain other restricted payments;

make investments;

modify the terms of certain indebtedness, or prepay certain indebtedness;

engage in transactions with affiliates;

enter into certain hedging contracts;

enter into certain burdensome agreements;

change the nature of the Partnership’s business; and

make certain amendments to the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (the “Partnership’s partnership agreement”“Partnership Agreement”).

 

At September 30, 20192020, the Partnership’s consolidated total leverage ratio was 4.244.06 to 1.00 and the consolidated interest coverage ratio was 3.965.79 to 1.00. The Partnership was in compliance with all covenants of its credit agreement as of September 30, 20192020.

Management evaluates whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about the Partnership’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the consolidated financial statements are issued (the “assessment period”). In performing this assessment, management considered the risk associated with its ongoing ability to meet the financial covenants.

 

Based on the Partnership’s forecasted credit agreement EBITDA during the assessment period, management believes that it will remain in compliance with these financial covenants (as described below). However, there are certain inherent risks associated with ourthe continued ability to comply with ourthe consolidated total leverage ratio covenant. These risks relate, among other things, to potential future (a) decreases in storage volumes and rates as well as throughput and transportation rates realized; (b) weather phenomenon that may potentially hinder the Partnership’s asphalt business activity; and (c) other items affecting forecasted levels of expenditures and uses of cash resources. Violation of the consolidated total leverage ratio covenant would be an event of default under the credit agreement, which would cause ourthe $258.6260.6 million in outstanding debt as of September 30, 20192020, to become immediately due and payable. If this were to occur, the Partnership would not expect to have sufficient liquidity to repay these outstanding amounts then due, which could cause the lenders under the credit facility to pursue other remedies. Such remedies could include exercising their collateral rights to the Partnership’s assets.

 

Based on management’s current forecasts, management believes the Partnership will be able to comply with the consolidated total leverage ratio during the assessment period. However, the Partnership cannot make any assurances that it will be able to achieve management’s forecasts. If the Partnership is unable to achieve management’s forecasts, further actions may be necessary to remain in compliance with the Partnership’s consolidated total leverage ratio covenant including, but not limited to, cost reductions, common and preferred unitholder distribution curtailments, and/or asset sales. The Partnership can make no assurances that it would be successful in undertaking these actions or that the Partnership will remain in compliance with the consolidated total leverage ratio during the assessment period.

 

The credit agreement permits the Partnership to make quarterly distributions of available cash (as defined in the Partnership’s partnership agreement)Partnership Agreement) to unitholders so long as no default or event of default exists under the credit agreement on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such distribution, provided, however, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2018, in no event shall aggregate quarterly distributions in any individual fiscal quarter exceed $10.7 million through, and including, the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2019.distribution. The Partnership is currently allowed to make distributions to its unitholders in accordance with this covenant; however, the Partnership will only make distributions to the extent it has sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash reserves as determined by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Blueknight Energy Partners G.P., L.L.C. (the “general partner”) in accordance with the Partnership’s cash distribution policy, including the establishment of any reserves for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business. See Note 87 for additional information regarding distributions.

 

In addition to other customary events of default, the credit agreement includes an event of default if:

 

 

(i)

the general partner ceases to own 100% of the Partnership’s general partner interest or ceases to control the Partnership;

 

(ii)

Ergon ceases to own and control 50% or more of the membership interests of the general partner; or

 

(iii)

during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the Board of the general partner ceases to be composed of individuals:

 

(A)

who were members of the Board on the first day of such period;

 

(B)

whose election or nomination to the Board was approved by individuals referred to in clause (A) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of the Board; or

 

(C)

whose election or nomination to the Board was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (A) and (B) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of the Board, provided that any changes to the composition of individuals serving as members of the Board approved by Ergon will not cause an event of default.

 

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If an event of default relating to bankruptcy or other insolvency events occurs with respect to the general partner or the Partnership, all indebtedness under the credit agreement will immediately become due and payable. If any other event of default exists under the credit agreement, the lenders may accelerate the maturity of the obligations outstanding under the credit agreement and exercise other rights and remedies.  In addition, if any event of default exists under the credit agreement, the lenders may commence foreclosure or other actions against the collateral.

 

If any default occurs under the credit agreement, or if the Partnership is unable to make any of the representations and warranties in the credit agreement, the Partnership will be unable to borrow funds or to have letters of credit issued under the credit agreement. 

 

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Upon the execution of the first amendment to its credit agreement in June 2018, the Partnership expensed $0.4 million of debt issuance costs due to the reduction in available borrowing capacity. The Partnership capitalized less than $0.1 million and $0.4 million of debt issuance costs during each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the credit agreement. Interest expense related to debt issuance cost amortization for both the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 20182020, was $0.3 million. Interest expense related to debt issuance cost amortization for both the nine months ended September 30, 2018 2019 and 2019,2020, was $0.8 million.

  

During the three months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, the weighted average interest rate under the Partnership’s credit agreement was 5.65%5.90% and 5.90%3.56%, respectively, resulting in interest expense of approximately $4.14.0 million and $4.02.5 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, the weighted average interest rate under the Partnership’s credit agreement excluding the $0.4 million of debt issuance costs in 2018 that were expensed as described above, was 5.33%6.20% and 6.20%4.11%, respectively, resulting in interest expense of approximately $12.612.3 million and $12.38.5 million, respectively.

The Partnership is exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates related to its credit agreement. Interest rate swap agreements are sometimes used to manage a portion of the exposure related to changing interest rates by converting floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. As of September 30, 2019, the Partnership had no interest rate swap agreements; interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $100.0 million matured on January 28, 2019. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Partnership recorded swap interest income of less than $0.1 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2019, the Partnership recorded swap interest income of less than $0.1 million for both periods. The interest rate swaps did not receive hedge accounting treatment under ASC 815 - Derivatives and Hedging.

The following provides information regarding the Partnership’s assets and liabilities related to its interest rate swap agreements as of the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

    Fair Value of Derivatives 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

December 31, 2018

 

Interest rate swap assets - current

 

Other current assets

 $44 

Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations as follows (in thousands):

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging InstrumentsLocation of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Income on Derivatives Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Income on Derivatives 
   Three Months ended September 30,  Nine Months ended September 30, 
   

2018

  

2018

  

2019

 

Interest rate swaps

Interest expense

 $(37) $277  $(44)

7.6.

NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT

 

For purposes of calculating earnings per unit, preferred units, general partner units and common units are first allocated net income to the extent they receive a distribution. Next, the excess of distributions over earnings or excess of earnings over distributions for each period are allocated to the Partnership’s general partner based on the general partner’sits respective ownership interestinterests at the time. The remainder is allocated to the common units. The following sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common unit (in thousands, except per unit data): 

 

  Three Months ended September 30,  Nine Months ended September 30, 
  

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

 

Net income

 $2,408  $6,959  $8,635  $14,072 

General partner interest in net income

  39   110   298   268 

Preferred interest in net income

  6,279   6,278   18,836   18,836 

Net income (loss) available to limited partners

 $(3,910) $571  $(10,499) $(5,032)
                 

Basic and diluted weighted average number of units:

                

Common units

  40,380   40,811   40,331   40,735 

Restricted and phantom units

  1,090   1,130   1,019   1,004 

Total units

  41,470   41,941   41,350   41,739 
                 

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common unit

 $(0.09) $0.01  $(0.25) $(0.12)

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Three Months ended September 30,

  

Nine Months ended September 30,

 
  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

 

Net income

 $6,959  $14,393  $14,072  $15,744 

General partner interest in net income

  110   228   268   249 

Preferred interest in net income

  6,278   6,278   18,836   18,836 

Net income (loss) available to limited partners

 $571  $7,887  $(5,032) $(3,341)
                 
Basic weighted average number of units:                

Common units

  40,811   41,166   40,735   41,072 

Restricted and phantom units

  1,130   1,354   1,004   1,259 

Total units

  41,941   42,520   41,739   42,331 
                 

Diluted weighted average number of units:

                
Common units  40,811   77,646   40,735   41,072 
                 
Basic net income (loss) per common unit $0.01  $0.19  $(0.12) $(0.08)

Diluted net income (loss) per common unit

 $0.01  $0.18  $(0.12) $(0.08)

 

 

8.7.

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

On October 17, 201915, 2020, the Board approved a cash distribution of $0.17875 per outstanding preferred unit for the three months ended September 30, 20192020. The Partnership will pay this distribution on November 14, 201913, 2020, to unitholders of record as of November 4, 20193, 2020. The total distribution will be approximately $6.4 million, with approximately $6.3 million and $0.1 million paid to the Partnership’s preferred unitholders and general partner, respectively.

 

In addition, the Board approved a cash distribution of $0.04 per outstanding common unit for the three months ended September 30, 20192020. The Partnership will pay this distribution on November 14, 201913, 2020, to unitholders of record onas of November 4, 20193, 2020. The total distribution will be approximately $1.7 million, with approximately $1.6 million and less than $0.1 million to be paid to the Partnership’s common unitholders and general partner, respectively, and less thanapproximately $0.1 million to be paid to holders of phantom and restricted units pursuant to awards granted under the Partnership’s Long-Term Incentive Plan.

  

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9.8.

RELATED-PARTYRELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Partnership leases asphalt facilities and provides asphalt terminalling services to Ergon. On April 3, 2020, Ergon purchased another customer of the Partnership, increasing the number of asphalt facilities under contract with Ergon from 23 to 28. On August 4, 2020, the Partnership and Ergon entered into the 2020 Master Storage, Throughput and Handling Agreement, which was effective August 1, 2020. Pursuant to the 2020 Master Storage, Throughput and Handling Agreement, which replaced three previously filed agreements and all related amendments, the Partnership provides Ergon with storage and terminalling services at 22 facilities. The remaining six facilities under contract with Ergon continue under their existing agreements. For the three months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, the Partnership recognized related-party revenues of $11.19.3 million and $9.312.4 million, respectively, for services provided to Ergon. For the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, the Partnership recognized related-party revenues of $38.627.2 million and $27.232.3 million, respectively, for services provided to Ergon. As of December 31, 20182019, and September 30, 20192020, the Partnership had receivables from Ergon of $1.01.1 million and $1.81.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 20182019, and September 30, 20192020, the Partnership had unearned revenues from Ergon of $6.55.1 million and $4.26.7 million, respectively.

 

Effective April 1, 2018,On August 4, 2020, the Partnership and Ergon also entered into the Operating and Maintenance Agreement, effective August 1, 2020, pursuant to which Ergon will provide certain operations and maintenance services to the 22 facilities also under the 2020 Master Storage, Throughput and Handling Agreement. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Partnership recognized expense of $3.1 million related to the Operating and Maintenance Agreement.

The Partnership has an agreement with Ergon under which the Partnership purchases crude oil in connection with its crude oil marketing operations. For the three months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, the Partnership made purchases of crude oil under this agreement totaling $44.432.8 million and $32.825.5 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, the Partnership made purchases of crude oil under this agreement totaling $74.998.6 million and $98.669.9 million, respectively. As of September 30, 20192020, the Partnership had payables to Ergon related to this agreement of $11.47.4 million related tofor the September crude oil settlement cycle, and this balance was paid in full on October 21, 2019.20, 2020.

 

TheIn May 2018, the Partnership, along with Kingfisher Midstream and Ergon, have an agreement (the “Agreement”) that gives each party rights concerningannounced the purchase or saleexecution of Ergon’s interest indefinitive agreements to form Cimarron Express, subject to certain terms and conditions.Express. Cimarron Express was planned to be a new 16-inch diameter, 65-mile crude oil pipeline running from northeastern Kingfisher County, Oklahoma to the Partnership’s Cushing, Oklahoma crude oil terminal, with an originallyoriginal anticipated in-service date in the second half of 2019.2019. Ergon formed a Delaware limited liability company, Ergon - Oklahoma Pipeline, LLC (“DEVCO”), which holdsheld Ergon’s 50% membership interest in Cimarron Express. UnderThe Partnership and Ergon had an agreement (the “DEVCO Agreement”) that gave each party certain rights to obligate the Agreement,counterparty to either sell or purchase the Partnership has the right, at any time, to purchase 100% of the authorized and outstanding membermembership interests in DEVCO from Ergon for the Purchase Price (as defined in the Agreement), which shall bea purchase price computed by taking Ergon’s total investment in Cimarron Express plus interest, by giving written noticesubject to Ergon (the “Call”). Ergon has the right to require the Partnership to purchase 100% of the authorizedcertain terms and outstanding member interests of DEVCO for the Purchase Price (the “Put”) at any time beginning the earlier of (i) 18 months from the formation, May 9, 2018, of the joint venture company to build the pipeline, (ii) six months after completion of the pipeline, or (iii) the event of dissolution of Cimarron Express. Upon exercise of the Call or the Put, the Partnership and Ergon will execute the Member Interest Purchase Agreement, which is attached to the Agreementconditions as Exhibit B. Upon receipt of the Purchase Price, Ergon shall be obligated to convey 100% of the authorized and outstanding member interestsdescribed in DEVCO to the Partnership or its designee. As of September 30, 2019, neither Ergon nor the Partnership has exercised their options under the Agreement.

 

In December 2018, the Partnership and Ergon were informed that Kingfisher Midstream LLC (“Kingfisher Midstream”) made the decision to suspend future investments in Cimarron Express as Kingfisher Midstream determined that the anticipated volumes from the currently dedicated acreage and the resultant project economics did not support additional investment from Kingfisher Midstream. As of December 31, 2018, Cimarron Express had spent approximately $30.6 million on the pipeline project, primarily related to the purchase of steel pipe and equipment, rights of way and engineering and design services. Cimarron Express recorded a $20.9 million impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2018 to reduce the carrying amount of its assets to their estimated fair value. Ergon recorded a $10.0 million other-than-temporary impairment on its investment in Cimarron Express as of December 31, 2018, to reduce its investment to its estimated fair value. As a result, theThe Partnership considered the SEC staff’s opinions outlined in SAB 107 Topic 5.T Accounting for Expenses or Liabilities Paid by Principal Stockholders. TheStockholders, and, as the DEVCO Agreement was designed to have the Partnership, ultimately and from the onset, bear any risk of loss on the construction of the pipeline project and eventually own a 50% interest in the pipeline. As a result,pipeline, the Partnership recorded on a push-down basis a $10.0 million impairment of Ergon’s investment in Cimarron Express in its consolidated results of operations during the year ended December 31, 2018, and a contingent liability payable to Ergon as of December 31, 2018. In April 2019, certain assets from the project were sold to a third party for approximately $1.4 million over the fair market value that was estimated at December 31, 2018, and the Partnership recorded its share,impairments on a push-down basis based on Ergon’s 50% interest in the assets. Ergon’s interest in DEVCO includes its capital contributions, its share of the cash received for the assets sale discussed above and internal Ergon labor costs, which brings its investment in DEVCO to approximately $10.4 million through September 30, 2019.Cimarron Express. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Partnership recorded impairment expense of $2.0 million related to the DEVCO Agreement, which included a change in estimate and accrued interest resulted in the Partnership recording additional impairment expense of $2.0 million.interest.  The Partnership’s contingent liability as of September 30,December 31, 2019,, consists consisted of Ergon’s $10.4$10.2 million investment plus accrued interest of $1.7 million,$2.0 million.  In November 2019, Ergon and Kingfisher Midstream wound up the business, distributed assets, and dissolved Cimarron Express. On January 2, 2020, Ergon exercised its right under the DEVCO Agreement to require the Partnership to purchase the outstanding member interest in DEVCO, and the Partnership paid the amount in full on January 3, 2020. This cash payment is reflected as an acquisition of whichDEVCO in the investing cash flows section on the Partnership’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the $0.4nine million relates to the three months ended September 30, 20192020.

 

On September 5, 2019, the management committee of Cimarron Express met and voted to terminate the project pipeline, wind up the business of Cimarron Express, distribute to its members the cash and assets of Cimarron Express, and thereafter dissolve the company.  Ergon and Kingfisher Midstream are in the process of negotiating final agreements to windup the business, distribute the assets, and dissolve Cimarron Express.

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10.9.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

In July 2007, the general partner adopted the Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”), which is administered by the compensation committee of the Board. Effective April 29, 2014, the Partnership’s unitholders approved an amendment to the LTIP to increase the number of common units reserved for issuance under the incentive plan to 4,100,000 common units, subject to adjustments for certain events. Although other types of awards are contemplated under the LTIP, currently outstanding awards include “phantom” units, which convey the right to receive common units upon vesting, and “restricted” units, which are grants of common units restricted until the time of vesting. The phantom unit awards also include distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”).

 

Subject to applicable earning criteria, a DER entitlesDERs entitle the grantee to a cash payment equal to the cash distribution paid on an outstanding common unit prior to the vesting date of the underlying award. Recipients of restricted and phantom units are entitled to receive cash distributions paid on common units during the vesting period which are reflected initially as a reduction of partners’ capital. Distributions paid on units which ultimately do not vest are reclassified as compensation expense. Awards granted to date are equity awards and, accordingly, the fair value of the awards as of the grant date is expensed over the vesting period.  

 

Restricted common units are granted to the independent directors on each anniversary of joining the Board.annually. The units vest in one-third increments over three years. The following table includes information on outstanding grants made to the directors under the LTIP:

 

Grant Date

 Number of Units  Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value(1)  Grant Date Total Fair Value (in thousands)  

Number of
Units

  

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value(1)

  

Grant Date Total Fair Value (in thousands)

 

December 2016

  10,950  $6.85  $75 

December 2017

  15,306  $4.85  $74   15,306  $4.85  $74 

December 2018

  23,436  $1.20  $28   23,436  $1.20  $28 

December 2019

  7,500  $1.07  $8 


(1)

Fair value is the closing market price on the grant date of the awards.

In addition, the independent directors received common unit grants that have no vesting requirement as part of their compensation. The following table includes information on grants made to the directors under the LTIP that have no vesting requirement:

Grant Date

 Number of Units  Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value(1)  Grant Date Total Fair Value (in thousands) 

December 2016

  10,220  $6.85  $70 

December 2017

  14,286  $4.85  $69 

December 2018

  21,875  $1.20  $26 


(1)

Fair value is the closing market price on the grant date of the awards.

 

The Partnership also grants phantom units to employees. These grants are equity awards under ASC 718 – Stock Compensation and, accordingly, the fair value of the awards as of the grant date is expensed over the three-year vesting period. The following table includes information on the outstanding grants:

 

Grant Date

 Number of Units  Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value(1)  Grant Date Total Fair Value (in thousands)  

Number of
Units

  

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value(1)

  

Grant Date Total Fair Value (in thousands)

 

March 2017

  323,339  $7.15  $2,312 

March 2018

  457,984  $4.77  $2,185   396,536  $4.77  $1,891 

March 2019

  524,997  $1.14  $598   524,997  $1.14  $598 

June 2019

  46,168  $1.08  $50   46,168  $1.08  $50 

March 2020

  600,396  $0.90  $540 


(1)

Fair value is the closing market price on the grant date of the awards.

 

The unrecognized estimated compensation cost of outstanding phantom and restricted units at September 30, 20192020, was $1.10.7 million, which will be expensed over the remaining vesting period.

 

The Partnership’s equity-based incentive compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, was $0.70.3 million and $0.30.2 million, respectively. The Partnership’sPartnership's equity-based incentive compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, was $1.80.8 million and $0.80.7 million, respectively.

 

Activity pertaining to phantom and restricted common unit awards granted under the LTIP iswas as follows:

 

 Number of Units  Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value  

Number of Units

  

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2018

  998,219  $5.88 

Nonvested at December 31, 2019

  1,068,343  $3.42 

Granted

  571,165   1.14   600,396   0.90 

Vested

  366,282   4.80   305,149   5.59 

Forfeited

  104,758   4.10   14,156   2.19 

Nonvested at September 30, 2019

  1,098,344  $3.45 

Nonvested at September 30, 2020

  1,349,434  $2.68 

 

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11.10.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANSDERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT

 

UnderCommodity Derivative - During the second quarter of 2020, the Partnership’s 401(k) Plan, whichinternal crude oil marketing department entered into crude oil forward purchase contracts for 0.3 million barrels of crude oil through sell/buy arrangements with a counterparty to facilitate spot storage deals in the Partnership’s Cushing terminal with such counterparty during a time of favorable contango spreads. The Partnership was institutednot exposed to additional commodity price risk beyond its normal marketing activity. The final purchase settlement on the contracts occurred in 2009, employees who meet specified service requirements may contribute a percentageAugust 2020 at then-market prices. There were no open derivative positions at September 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019.

Changes in the fair value of their total compensation, up to a specified maximum,the commodity derivative are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operation as follows (in thousands):

Derivatives Not Designated as

 

Location of Gain(Loss) Recognized in Net

 

Amount of Gain Recognized

 

Hedging Instruments

 

Income on Derivatives

 

in Net Income on Derivatives

 
    

Three Months ended September 30,

 
    

2020

 

Commodity derivative

 

Cost of product sales

 $3,589 

Due to the 401(k) Plan. The Partnership may match each employee’s contribution, up to a specified maximum,corresponding loss that was recognized in full or on a partial basis. The Partnership recognized expensethe second quarter of $0.3 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2019, for discretionary contributions under the 401(k) Plan. The Partnership recognized expense of $0.9 million and $0.8 million2020, there is no income statement impact for the change in fair market value of the derivative for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively, for discretionary contributions under the 401(k) Plan.

2020. The Partnership may also make annual lump-sum contributions to the 401(k) Plan irrespectiveimpact of the employee’s contribution match. The Partnership may make a discretionary annual contributionderivatives in the formabove table was reflected as cash from operations on our consolidated statements of profit sharing calculated as a percentage of an employee’s eligible compensation. This contribution is retirement income under the 401(k) Plan. Annual profit sharing contributions to the 401(k) Plan are submitted to and approved by the Board. The Partnership recognized expense of less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively, for discretionary profit sharing contributions under the 401(k) Plan. The Partnership recognized expense of $0.1 million and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively, for discretionary profit sharing contributions under the 401(k) Plan.

Under the Partnership’s Employee Unit Purchase Plan (the “Unit Purchase Plan”), which was instituted in January 2015, employees have the opportunity to acquire or increase their ownership of common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership. Eligible employees who enroll in the Unit Purchase Plan may elect to have a designated whole percentage, up to a specified maximum, of their eligible compensation for each pay period withheld for the purchase of common units at a discount to the then current market value. A maximum of 1,000,000 common units may be delivered under the Unit Purchase Plan, subject to adjustment for a recapitalization, split, reorganization, or similar event pursuant to the terms of the Unit Purchase Plan. The Partnership recognized compensation expense of less than $0.1 million for the each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2019, in connection with the Unit Purchase Plan.cash flows.

 

 

12.11.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Partnership uses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost) to value assets and liabilities required to be measured at fair value, as appropriate. The Partnership uses an exit price when determining the fair value. The exit price represents amounts that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.

 

The Partnership utilizes a three-tier fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:

 

 

Level 1

Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2

Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for these assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly.  These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

 

Level 3

Unobservable inputs in which there is little market data, which requires the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data, when available, to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. In periods in which they occur, the Partnership recognizes transfers into and out of Level 3 as of the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020. Transfers out of Level 3 represent existing assets and liabilities that were classified previously as Level 3 for which the observable inputs became a more significant portion of the fair value estimates. Determining the appropriate classification of the Partnership’s fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy requires management’s judgment regarding the degree to which market data is observable or corroborated by observable market data.

 

The Partnership’sAs of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Partnership had no recurring financial assets andor liabilities subject to fair value measurements and the necessary disclosures are as follows (in thousands): measurement.

  

Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2018

 
      

Quoted Prices

  

Significant

     
      

in Active

  

Other

  

Significant

 
      

Markets for

  

Observable

  

Unobservable

 
      

Identical Assets

  

Inputs

  

Inputs

 

Description

 

Total

  

(Level 1)

  

(Level 2)

  

(Level 3)

 

Assets:

                

Interest rate swap assets

 $44  $-  $44  $- 

Total swap assets

 $44  $-  $44  $- 

As of September 30, 2019, the Partnership had no interest rate swap agreements.

15

 

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

 

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with accounting guidance for financial instruments. The Partnership has determined the estimated fair values by using available market information and valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. The use of different market assumptions or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

  

At September 30, 20192020, the carrying values on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents (classified as Level 1), accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their fair value because of their short-term nature.

 

Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Partnership for credit agreement debt with similar terms and maturities and consideration of the Partnership’s non-performance risk, long-term debt associated with the Partnership’s credit agreement at September 30, 20192020, approximates its fair value. The fair value of the Partnership’s long-term debt was calculated using observable inputs (LIBOR(eurodollar for the risk-free component) and unobservable company-specific credit spread information.  As such, the Partnership considers this debt to be Level 3.

 

13.

LEASES

The Partnership adopted ASC 842 as of January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach applied at the beginning of the period of adoption. The Partnership elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which, among other things, allowed it to carry forward the historical lease classification.

Adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of additional net right of use operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $11.8 million and $11.9 million, respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The standard did not materially impact the consolidated statement of operations and had no impact on cash flows.

The Partnership leases certain office space, land and equipment. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; lease expense for these leases is recognized as paid over the lease term. For real property leases, the Partnership has elected the practical expedient to not separate nonlease components (e.g., common-area maintenance costs) from lease components and to instead account for each component as a single lease component. For leases that do not contain an implicit interest rate, the Partnership uses its most recent incremental borrowing rate.

Some real property and equipment leases contain options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend indefinitely. The exercise of such lease renewal options is at the Partnership’s sole discretion. Certain equipment leases also contain purchase options and residual value guarantees. The Partnership determines the lease term at the lease commencement date as the non-cancellable period of the lease, including options to extend or terminate the lease when such an option is reasonably certain to be exercised. The Partnership uses various data to analyze these options, including historical trends, current expectations and useful lives of assets related to the lease.

   

As of

 
 

Classification

 

September 30, 2019

 
   

(thousands)

 

Assets

     

Operating lease assets

Operating lease assets

 $11,374 

Finance lease assets

Other noncurrent assets

  839 

Total leased assets

  $12,213 

Liabilities

     

Current

     

Operating lease liabilities

Current operating lease liability

 $2,479 

Finance lease liabilities

Other current liabilities

  336 

Noncurrent

     

Operating lease liabilities

Noncurrent operating lease liability

  8,968 

Finance lease liabilities

Other long-term liabilities

  503 

Total lease liabilities

 $12,286 

Future commitments, including options to extend lease terms that are reasonably certain of being exercised, related to leases at September 30, 2019, are summarized below (in thousands):

  

Operating Leases

  

Financing Leases

 

Twelve months ending September 30, 2020

 $2,696  $369 

Twelve months ending September 30, 2021

  2,349   296 

Twelve months ending September 30, 2022

  1,569   183 

Twelve months ending September 30, 2023

  1,470   48 

Twelve months ending September 30, 2024

  969   2 

Thereafter

  6,199   - 

Total

  15,252   898 

Less: Interest

  3,805   60 

Present value of lease liabilities

 $11,447  $838 

 

16
14

Table of Contents

Future non-cancellable commitments related to operating leases at December 31, 2018, are summarized below (in thousands):

  Operating Leases 

Year ending December 31, 2019

 $2,862 

Year ending December 31, 2020

  1,904 

Year ending December 31, 2021

  1,242 

Year ending December 31, 2022

  640 

Year ending December 31, 2023

  548 

Thereafter

  1,259 

Total future minimum lease payments

 $8,455 

The following table summarizes the Partnership’s total lease cost by type as well as cash flow information (in thousands):

   Three Months ended September 30,  Nine Months ended September 30, 
 

Classification

 

2019

  

2019

 

Total Lease Cost by Type:

         

Operating lease cost(1)

Operating Expense

 $1,085  $3,281 

Finance lease cost

         

Amortization of leased assets

Operating Expense

  85   236 

Interest on lease liabilities

Interest Expense

  10   27 

Net lease cost

  $1,180  $3,544 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:

         

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

         

Operating cash flows from operating leases

      $2,195 

Operating cash flows from finance leases

      $77 

Financing cash flows from finance leases

      $201 

Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities

      $1,714 

Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities

      $520 


(1)

Includes short-term and variable lease costs, which are immaterial.

As of

Lease Term and Discount RateSeptember 30, 2019

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)

Operating leases

9.7

Finance leases

2.8

Weighted-average discount rate

Operating leases

5.78%

Finance leases

4.83%

The Partnership also incurs costs associated with acquiring and maintaining rights-of-way. The contracts for these generally either extend beyond one year but can be cancelled at any time should they no longer be required for operations or have no contracted term but contain perpetual annual or monthly renewal options. Rights-of-way generally do not provide for exclusive use of the land and as such are not accounted for as leases.

 

 

14.12.

OPERATING SEGMENTS

 

The Partnership’s operations consist of four reportable segments: (i) asphalt terminalling services, (ii) crude oil terminalling services, (iii) crude oil pipeline services, and (iv) crude oil trucking services. 

 

ASPHALT TERMINALLING SERVICES —The Partnership provides asphalt product and residual fuel terminalling services, including storage, blending, processing and throughput services. On July 12, 2018, the Partnership sold three asphalt facilities. See Note 6 for additional information. The Partnership has 53 terminalling facilities located in 26 states.

 

CRUDE OIL TERMINALLING SERVICES —The Partnership provides crude oil terminalling services at its terminalling facility located in Oklahoma.

 

CRUDE OIL PIPELINE SERVICES —The Partnership owns and operates its Mid-Continent pipeline systemssystem that gathergathers crude oil purchased by its customers and transports it to refiners, to common carrier pipelines for ultimate delivery to refiners or to terminalling facilities owned by the Partnership and others. The Partnership refers to its pipeline system located in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle as the Mid-Continent pipeline system. Crude oil product sales revenues consist of sales proceeds recognized for the sale of crude oil to third-party customers.

 

CRUDE OIL TRUCKING SERVICES — The Partnership uses its owned and leased tanker trucks to gather crude oil for its customers at remote wellhead locations generally not covered by pipeline and gathering systems and to transport the crude oil to aggregation points and storage facilities located along pipeline gathering and transportation systems.  

 

The Partnership’s management evaluates segment performance based upon operating margin, excluding amortizationdepreciation and depreciation,amortization, which includes revenues from related parties and external customers and operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization. Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization (in the aggregate and by segment) is presented in the following table. The Partnership computes the components of operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization by using amounts that are determined in accordance with GAAP. The Partnership accounts for intersegment product sales as ifTransactions between segments are generally recorded based on prices negotiated between the sales weresegments and are similar to prices charged to third parties, that is, at current market prices.parties. A reconciliation of operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization to income before income taxes, which is its nearest comparable GAAP financial measure, is included in the following table. The Partnership believes that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures being utilized by management. Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization is an important measure of the economic performance of the Partnership’s core operations. This measure forms the basis of the Partnership’s internal financial reporting and is used by its management in deciding how to allocate capital resources among segments. Income before income taxes, alternatively, includes expense items, such as depreciation and amortization, general and administrative expenses, and interest expense, which management does not consider when evaluating the core profitability of the Partnership’s operations.

 

The following table reflects certain financial data for each segment for the periods indicated (in thousands):. Immaterial corporate items previously allocated to reportable segment revenues and operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization in prior periods have been reclassified to other income to be consistent with current period presentation.

 

 Three Months ended September 30,  Nine Months ended September 30,  

Three Months ended September 30,

  

Nine Months ended September 30,

 
 

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

 

Asphalt Terminalling Services

                                

Service revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

 $6,921  $7,385  $18,693  $21,217  $7,385  $7,514  $21,218  $21,201 

Related-party revenue

  5,211   3,892   17,512   11,991   3,870   4,849   11,923   12,945 

Lease revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

  11,288   11,444   30,762   31,026   11,444   9,142   31,004   27,050 

Related-party revenue

  5,406   5,427   20,584   15,179 
Product sales revenue:                
Related-party revenue  482   -   482   -   5,427   7,490   15,179   19,240 

Total revenue for reportable segment

  29,308   28,148   88,033   79,413   28,126   28,995   79,324   80,436 

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  11,683   11,025   38,412   34,980   11,058   12,518   35,050   36,139 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $17,625  $17,123  $49,621  $44,433  $17,068  $16,477  $44,274  $44,297 

Total assets (end of period)

 $143,454  $145,761  $143,454  $145,761  $141,153  $134,818  $141,153  $134,818 
                                

Crude Oil Terminalling Services

                                

Service revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

 $1,923  $4,225  $9,418  $11,819  $4,225  $4,190  $11,815  $12,613 

Intersegment revenue

  222   278   392   853   278   -   853   - 

Lease revenue:

                

Third-party revenue

  9   -   35   - 

Total revenue for reportable segment

  2,154   4,503   9,845   12,672   4,503   4,190   12,668   12,613 

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  928   1,212   3,115   3,511   1,217   1,223   3,522   3,157 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $1,226  $3,291  $6,730  $9,161  $3,286  $2,967  $9,146  $9,456 

Total assets (end of period)

 $67,213  $66,045  $67,213  $66,045  $64,579  $57,056  $64,579  $57,056 

 

 

 Three Months ended September 30,  Nine Months ended September 30,  

Three Months ended September 30,

  

Nine Months ended September 30,

 
 

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

 

Crude Oil Pipeline Services

                                

Service revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

 $1,165  $1,284  $4,270  $5,753  $1,284  $412  $5,748  $1,287 

Related-party revenue

  185   64   268   266   64   -   266   - 

Lease revenue:

                

Third-party revenue

  40   -   452   - 

Product sales revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

  97,763   55,213   146,882   173,773   55,213   51,390   173,773   119,068 

Total revenue for reportable segment

  99,153   56,561   151,872   179,792   56,561   51,802   179,787   120,355 

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  3,094   2,638   8,420   8,109   2,642   2,247   8,123   6,714 

Intersegment operating expense

  1,644   1,642   3,243   4,971   1,642   1,434   4,971   4,364 

Third-party cost of product sales

  50,815   18,972   73,493   64,069   18,972   19,833   64,069   41,133 

Related-party cost of product sales

  44,106   32,691   67,853   99,886   32,691   22,627   99,886   63,671 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $(506) $618  $(1,137) $2,757  $614  $5,661  $2,738  $4,473 

Total assets (end of period)

 $171,841  $96,221  $171,841  $96,221  $94,247  $77,380  $94,247  $77,380 
                                

Crude Oil Trucking Services

                                

Service revenue

                                

Third-party revenue

 $2,734  $2,822  $11,783   8,540  $2,822  $770  $8,537  $4,834 

Intersegment revenue

  1,422   1,364   2,851   4,118   1,364   1,434   4,118   4,364 

Lease revenue:

                

Third-party revenue

  31   -   160   - 

Product sales revenue:

                

Third-party revenue

  -   -   10   - 

Total revenue for reportable segment

  4,187   4,186   14,804   12,658   4,186   2,204   12,655   9,198 

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  4,303   4,053   15,405   12,515  $4,058   2,289  $12,526   9,358 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $(116) $133  $(601) $143  $128  $(85) $129  $(160)

Total assets (end of period)

 $3,731  $5,948  $3,731  $5,948  $5,498  $4,113  $5,498  $4,113 
                                

Total operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization(1)

 $18,229  $21,165  $54,613  $56,494 
Consolidated Amounts                

Total operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization(1)

 $21,096  $25,020  $56,287  $58,066 
                                

Total Segment Revenues

 $134,802  $93,398  $264,554  $284,535 

Elimination of Intersegment Revenues

  (1,644)  (1,642)  (3,243)  (4,971)

Total reportable segment revenues

 $93,376  $87,191  $284,434  $222,602 

Elimination of intersegment revenues

  (1,642)  (1,434)  (4,971)  (4,364)

Consolidated Revenues

 $133,158  $91,756  $261,311  $279,564  $91,734  $85,757  $279,463  $218,238 
                
Total reportable segment assets $305,477  $273,367  $305,477  $273,367 

Corporate assets

  8,498   4,718   8,498   4,718 
Consolidated assets $313,975  $278,085  $313,975  $278,085 


(1)

The following table reconciles segment operating margin (excluding depreciation and amortization) to income from continuing operations before income taxes (in thousands):

 

 Three Months ended September 30,  Nine Months ended September 30,  

Three Months ended September 30,

  

Nine Months ended September 30,

 
 

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $18,229  $21,165  $54,613  $56,494  $21,096  $25,020  $56,287  $58,066 

Depreciation and amortization

  (7,166)  (6,240)  (21,945)  (19,211)  (6,240)  (5,438)  (19,211)  (17,698)

General and administrative expense

  (4,322)  (3,840)  (13,029)  (10,495)  (3,840)  (3,401)  (10,495)  (11,008)

Asset impairment expense

  (15)  (83)  (631)  (2,316)  (83)  -   (2,316)  (6,417)

Gain (loss) on sale of assets

  (63)  (40)  300   1,765 

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

  (40)  509   1,765   426 

Other income

  -   -   -   268   69   176   475   969 

Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate

  -   -   2,225   - 

Interest expense

  (4,090)  (3,989)  (12,683)  (12,394)  (3,989)  (2,472)  (12,394)  (8,586)

Income before income taxes

 $2,573  $6,973  $8,850  $14,111  $6,973  $14,394  $14,111  $15,752 

 

1916

Table of Contents

 

 

15.13.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Partnership is from time to time subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to its business. Management believes that these legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Partnership. Once management determines that information pertaining to a legal proceeding indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of such liability can be reasonably estimated, an accrual is established equal to its estimate of the likely exposure.

  

The Partnership has contractual obligations to perform dismantlement and removal activities in the event that some of its asphalt product and residual fuel oil terminalling and storage assets are abandoned. These obligations include varying levels of activity including completely removing the assets and returning the land to its original state. The Partnership has determined that the settlement dates related to the retirement obligations are indeterminate. The assets with indeterminate settlement dates have been in existence for many years and with regular maintenance will continue to be in service for many years to come. Also, it is not possible to predict when demands for the Partnership’s terminalling and storage services will cease, and the Partnership does not believe that such demand will cease for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Partnership believes the date when these assets will be abandoned is indeterminate. With no reasonably determinable abandonment date, the Partnership cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of the associated asset retirement obligations. Management believes that if the Partnership’s asset retirement obligations were settled in the foreseeable future the present value of potential cash flows that would be required to settle the obligations based on current costs are not material.  The Partnership will record asset retirement obligations for these assets in the period in which sufficient information becomes available for it to reasonably determine the settlement dates.

 

 

16.

INCOME TAXES

In relation to the Partnership’s taxable subsidiary, the tax effects of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at September 30, 2019, are presented below (dollars in thousands):

Deferred Tax Asset

    

Difference in bases of property, plant and equipment

 $236 

Net operating loss carryforwards

  24 

Deferred tax asset

  260 

Less: valuation allowance

  260 

Net deferred tax asset

 $- 

The Partnership has considered the taxable income projections in future years, whether future revenue and operating cost projections will produce enough taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset based on existing service rates and cost structures and the Partnership’s earnings history exclusive of the loss that created the future deductible amount for the Partnership’s subsidiary that is taxed as a corporation for purposes of determining the likelihood of realizing the benefits of the deferred tax assets. As a result of the Partnership’s consideration of these factors, the Partnership has provided a valuation allowance against its deferred tax asset as of September 30, 2019.

17.14.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

Except as discussed below and in the 20182019 Form 10-K, there have been no new accounting pronouncements that have become effective or have been issued during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020, that are of significance or potential significance to the Partnership.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. This is a comprehensive update to the lease accounting topic in the Codification intended to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 include a revised definition of a lease as well as certain scope exceptions. The changes primarily impact lessee accounting, while lessor accounting is largely unchanged from previous GAAP. The Partnership adopted this standard as of January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. See Note 3 and Note 13 for disclosures related to the adoption of this standard and the impact on the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

2017

 

 

Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

  

As used in this quarterly report, unless we indicate otherwise: (1) “Blueknight Energy Partners,” “our,” “we,” “us”“us,” and similar terms refer to Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P., together with its subsidiaries, (2) our “General Partner” refers to Blueknight Energy Partners G.P., L.L.C., and (3) “Ergon” refers to Ergon, Inc., its affiliates and subsidiaries (other than our General Partner and us) and (4) “Vitol” refers to Vitol Holding B.V., its affiliates and subsidiaries.. The following discussion analyzes the historical financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership and should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20182019, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 12, 201926, 2020 (the “20182019 Form 10-K”). 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains forward-looking statements. Statements included in this quarterly report that are not historical facts (including any statements regarding plans and objectives of management for future operations or economic performance, or assumptions or forecasts related thereto), including, without limitation, the information set forth in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology including “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” or other similar words. These statements discuss future expectations, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition, or state other “forward-looking” information. We and our representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements that are also forward-looking statements.

 

Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of the filing of this report. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements include, among other things, those set forth in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the 20182019 Form 10-K.

 

All forward-looking statements included in this report are based on information available to us on the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained throughout this report.

 

Overview

 

We are a publicly traded master limited partnership with operations in 2726 states. We provide integrated terminalling, gathering and transportation services for companies engaged in the production, distribution and marketing of liquid asphalt and crude oil. We manage our operations through four operating segments: (i) asphalt terminalling services, (ii) crude oil terminalling services, (iii) crude oil pipeline services, and (iv) crude oil trucking services.

 

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Potential Impact of Crude Oil Market Price Changes and Other Matters on Future Revenues

 

The crude oil market price and the corresponding forward market pricing curve may fluctuate significantly from period to period. In addition,period and other volatility in the overall energy industry, and specifically in publicly tradedthe midstream energy partnershipsindustry, may impact our partnership in the near term. Factors include the overall market price for crude oil and whether or not the forward price curve is in contango (in which future prices are higher than current prices and a premium is placed on storing product and selling at a later time) or backwardated (in which the current crude oil price per barrel is higher than the future price per barrel and a premium is placed on delivering product to market and selling as soon as possible), changes in crude oil production volume and the demand for storage and transportation capacity in the areas in which we serve, geopolitical concerns and overall changes in our cost of capital. As of November 1, 2019October 30, 2020, the forward crude oil price curve is in a shallow contango. Potential impacts of these factors are discussed below.

 

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Due to the global pandemic related to the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ and Russia’s disagreements over production output, the energy market had historic drops in oil prices in March and April of 2020; however, prices have subsequently risen to near pre-COVID-19 levels. Despite this volatility in prices, our business is uniquely positioned and expected to benefit in certain areas, and cash flow for the full year is expected to remain stable in 2020. Our asphalt and crude oil terminalling services segments represented 93% of our operating margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and as of October 30, 2020, these segments are fully contracted with take-or-pay revenue that have a weighted average remaining term of 5.8 years. While our customers across all our segments could be impacted by the recent market volatility, they are primarily high-quality counterparties, with over 50% of our revenues earned from those that are investment grade quality, which minimizes our counterparty credit risk. As of October 30, 2020, we do not expect any supply chain disruptions from COVID-19 to affect our customers. Management is also actively monitoring the states and regions in which we operate, and, as of now, our operations are excluded from mandatory closings due to the essential designation of our assets. In addition, approximately 76% of our operating margin for the year comes from the asphalt terminalling services business unit which is related to infrastructure spending at the federal, state, and local levels, and the U.S. government has continued to indicate its support for infrastructure spending. At the same time, state revenue is down due to COVID-19, so we remain cautious about future spending on infrastructure and road construction absent an infrastructure bill passed by the federal government to support funding efforts. While we are unaware of any potential negative impact of COVID-19 on our business at this time, we are continuing to monitor the situation and have been preparing our employees to take precautions and planning for unexpected events, which may include disruptions to our workforce, customers, vendors, facilities, and communities in which we operate. In an effort to protect the health and safety of our employees and the customers and vendors we interact with, we took proactive action to adopt social distancing policies at our locations, including working from home, limiting the number of employees attending meetings, reducing the number of people in our sites at any one time, and suspending employee travel.

Asphalt Terminalling Services - Historically,While, historically, there have only been limited times in which asphalt prices and volumes have had a direct correlation with the price of crude oil. As a result, we do not expect that changesoil, due to the steep decline in the price of crude oil will necessarilyprices earlier this year, asphalt prices also fell significantly before recovering. However, demand has held steady for road construction activity due to there being fewer vehicles on roads to interfere with construction work and the lower asphalt prices. This current environment is expected to have a significant impact onmore positive than negative implications for our asphalt terminalling services operating segment. Generally, asphalt volumes correlate more closely with the strength of state and local economies, the level of allocations of tax funding to transportation spending, and an increase in infrastructure spending needs.

 

In 2019,As previously mentioned, the levelU.S. government continues to indicate supporting infrastructure spending in this time of economic uncertainty. Further, customers have communicated that infrastructure projects may be accelerated and increased during this time of decreased transportation volume on the roads and highways. While customer throughput volumes through our terminals have varied across the country, primarily impacted by weather patterns, refinery disruptions and the customers’ own supply chain needs. The Midwest has been impacted bywere generally higher levels of rain earlier in the year that slowed customer throughput; however, activity has increased later in the season to help make up for this.  In addition, during the first half of 2019, several ofthe year compared to prior year, the third quarter has seen lower volumes compared to prior year, but for the nine months they are consistent. Current conversations with our asphalt facilities in the Midwest were damaged by flooding. While the facilities were able to successfully execute flood plans to minimize damages, costs related to the floodscustomers indicate volumes are expected to include approximately $0.7trend lower through the end of the year as compared to prior year, which could result in lower throughput revenues; however, this is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations.

At the end of June 2020, a 40,000 barrel tank (less than 10% of facility capacity) caught fire at our Gloucester City, New Jersey, asphalt facility. The roof and top portion of the tank was damaged, but the asphalt product remained in the tank. The facility remains operational, and we are making operational adjustments to continue to fulfill our obligation to meet our customer’s needs. Initial costs are estimated at $0.3 million of expenses for cleanup and the removal and reinstallation of equipment and $1.9 million of capitalcleanup. Capital expenditures to restore land improvementsrepair the tank are expected to be between $1.0 million and equipment. As$1.25 million, with the majority completed in the fourth quarter of September 30, 2019$1.3 million of these amounts have been spent. Impairment expense related to the assets was $0.3 million. As of September 30, 2019, we have recognized $0.7 million of insurance recoveries. While we2020. We are pursuing additional insurance claimsrecoveries for these events,this event, but there can be no assurance of the amount or timing of any proceeds we may receive under such claims.

On July 12, 2018, we sold certain asphalt terminals, storage tanks and related real property, contracts, permits, assets and other interests located in Lubbock and Saginaw, Texas and Memphis, Tennessee (the “Divestiture”) to Ergon for a purchase price of $90.0 million, subject to customary adjustments.receive.

 

Crude Oil Terminalling Services - A contango crude oil curve tends to favor the crude oil storage business as crude oil marketers are incentivized to store crude oil during the current month and sell into the future month. SinceFrom March 2016 through February 2020, the crude oil curve hashad generally been in a shallow contango or backwardation. In these shallow contango or backwardated markets there is no clear incentive for marketers to store crude oil. A shallow contango or a backwardated market may impact our ability to re-contract expiring contracts and/or decreaseDespite the storage rate at which we are able to re-contract. Alternatively, despite a shallow contango curve, we have seensaw increased activity and interests from customers that are regularly turning over their volumes by blending various crude grades and delivering it out of the terminal or customers utilizing the storage for more operational purposes for their downstream operations. AsIn late 2019, during recontracting efforts for 2020, the demand for storage declined and a resultsmall percentage of this changetanks were not contracted. However, as the forward price curve moved into a deeper contango in March and April 2020, there was a significant increase in demand factors for crude oil storage in Cushing storage, we anticipate a more complex recontracting environmentand globally, which has the potential to affect both thepositively impacted contracted volumes and raterates in the second and third quarters of our2020. As we have started recontracting efforts.efforts for 2021, they have been positively impacted by the current contango market; however, any shifts in the market in the fourth quarter could impact rates on uncontracted tanks.

19

 

Crude Oil Pipeline Services - Crude oil pipeline transportation, while potentially influenced by the shape of the crude oil market curve, is typically impacted more by overall drilling activity. From April 2016 to July 2018, a portion of our Oklahoma system was out of service, which reduced transportation capacity by approximately 20,000 Bpd. In July 2018, we were able to restore service to that portion of pipeline. The ability to fully utilize the capacity of theour pipeline system may be impacted by the market price of crude oil and producers’ decisions to increase or decrease production in the areas we serve. With the historic drop in crude oil prices earlier this year, the outlook for increased drilling activity remains challenging and the risk is higher for potential well shut-ins in this environment. While volumes have decreased year-over-year, we expect a key customer to bring on several new wells in the fourth quarter of 2020.

 

Over the past year, we increased the volumes of crude oil transported forIn our internal crude oil marketing operations, with the objective of increasing the overall utilization of our Oklahoma crude oil pipeline system.  Typically, the volume of crude oil we purchase in a given month will be sold in the same month. However, we have market price exposure for inventory that is carried over month-to-month as well as pipeline linefill we maintain. Since our pipeline tariffs require shippers to carry their share of linefill, our crude oil marketing operations, as a shipper, also carries linefill. We may also be exposed to price risk with respect to the differing qualities of crude oil we transport and our ability to effectively blend them to market specifications.

On May 10, 2018, we, together with affiliates of Ergon and Kingfisher Midstream, LLC, a subsidiary of Alta Mesa Resources, Inc., announced the execution of definitive agreements to form Cimarron Express Pipeline, LLC (“Cimarron Express”). See Note 9 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for discussion on the suspension of this project.

 

Crude Oil Trucking Services - Crude oil trucking, while potentially influenced by the shape of the crude oil market curve, is typically impacted more by overall drilling activity and the ability to have the appropriate level of assets located properly to efficiently move the barrels to delivery points for customers.

On Due to the historic drop in oil prices in March and April 24, 2018, we sold2020 and continued uncertainty in the market, customers could have wells shut-in or request rate decreases, which could impact our producer field services business, which has been historically reported along withrevenues and operating margin. The expected new wells from a key customer noted above will also impact the crude oil trucking services.volumes.

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Our Revenues 

 

Our revenues consist of (i) terminalling revenues, (ii) gathering and transportation revenues, (iii) product sales revenues, and (iv) fuel surcharge revenues. For the nine months ended September 30, 20192020, the Partnership recognized revenues of $27.2 million and $0.332.3 million for services provided to Ergon, and Cimarron Express, respectively, with the remainder of our services being provided to third parties.

 

Terminalling revenues consist of (i) storage service and operating lease fees resulting from short-term and long-term contracts for committed space that may or may not be utilized by the customer in a given month and (ii) terminal throughput service charges to pump crude oil to connecting carriers or to deliver asphalt product out of our terminals. We earn terminalling revenues in two of our segments: (i) asphalt terminalling services and (ii) crude oil terminalling services. Storage service revenues are recognized as the services are provided on a monthly basis. Terminal throughput service charges are recognized as the crude oil or asphalt product is delivered out of our terminal.

 

We have leases and terminalling agreements with customers for all of our 53 asphalt facilities, including 23 facilities28 under contract with Ergon. TheseAs of October 30, 2020, these agreements have, based on a weighted average by remaining fixed revenue, approximately 3.86.0 years remaining under their terms. WhileSix agreements with one customer for four of thethird parties, representing seven facilities, expire byin late 2021, and the end of 2019, we have commercially agreed to all terms on a new contract with the same customer and expect to finalize it in the near term. The remaining agreements expire at varying times thereafter, including agreements for 23 facilities with Ergon that expire in 2023.through 2027. We may not be able to extend, renegotiate or replace these contracts when they expire and the terms of any renegotiated contracts may not be as favorable as the contracts they replace. We operate the asphalt facilities pursuant to the terminalling agreements, while our contract counterparties operate the asphalt facilities that are subject to lease agreements. The new storage, throughput and handling agreement and the new operating and maintenance agreement entered into on August 4, 2020, with Ergon at 22 facilities are expected to improve our earnings.

 

As of November 1, 2019,October 30, 2020, we had approximately 5.25.7 million barrels of crude oil storage under service contracts, including 2.51.1 million barrels of crude oil storage contracts that expire inat the end of 20192020. The decrease in contracted storage barrels from prior quarter is due to the expiration of an intracompany contract for 0.5 million barrels, which has no net impact on our consolidated financial results. The remaining terms on the service contracts that extend beyond 20192020 range from 35 to 2614 months. Storage contracts with a subsidiary of Vitol Group (together with its subsidiaries, “Vitol”) represent 2.9 million barrels of crude oil storage capacity under contract. We are in negotiations to either extend contracts or enter into new customer contracts for the agreements expiring in 2019;2020; however, there is no certainty that we will have success in contracting available capacity or that extended or new contracts will be at the same or similar rates as expiring contracts. If we are unable to renew even some of the expiring storage contracts, we may experience lower utilization of our assets which could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, ability to make distributions to our unitholders, the price of our common units, results of operations, and ability to conduct our business.

 

20

Gathering and transportation services revenues consist of service fees recognized for the gathering of crude oil for our customers and the transportation of crude oil to refiners, to common carrier pipelines for ultimate delivery to refiners, or to terminalling facilities owned by us and others. We earn gathering and transportation revenues in two of our segments: (i) crude oil pipeline services operating segment and (ii)our crude oil trucking services.services segment. Revenue for the gathering and transportation of crude oil is recognized when the service is performed and is based upon regulated and non-regulated tariff rates and the related transport volumes.

 

The following is a summary of our average gathering and transportation volumes for the periods indicated (in thousands of barrels per day):

 

 

Three Months ended

 

Nine Months ended

 

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 
 

Three Months ended September 30,

  

Nine Months ended September 30,

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

Three Months

 

Nine Months

 

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

  

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

#

 

%

 

#

 

%

Average pipeline throughput volume

  23   23   22   31   -   0%  9   41%  23   15   31   15   (8)  (35)%  (16)  (52)%

Average trucking transportation volume

  29   25   26   26   (4)  (14)%  -   0%

Average trucking throughput volume

  25   16   26   19   (9)  (36)%  (7)  (27)%

 

Volumes have decreased in both pipeline and trucking transportation due to decreased drilling activities in the areas we serve. In July 2018, we restored service on an out-of-serviceaddition, a significant pipeline customer, Vitol, entered into a joint venture with a pipeline in the same area and in late 2019 began moving a significant portion of our Oklahoma system, increasing the transportation capacity of our pipeline systems by approximately 20,000 Bpd. See Crude oil pipeline services segment within our results of operations discussion for additional detail.their volumes to this competing pipeline. Vitol accounted for 27% and 28% of volumes transported on our pipelines in the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Vitol accounted for 37% and 38% of volumes transported on our pipelines in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Vitol accounted for less than 10% of volumes transported on our pipelines in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. A key customer is expected to bring on several new wells in the fourth quarter of 2020 that should positively impact both our crude oil pipeline and trucking services volumes.

 

Product sales revenues are comprised of (i) revenues recognized for the sale of crude oil to our customers that we purchase at production leases and (ii) revenue recognized in buy/sell transactions with our customers. We earn product sales revenue in our crude oil pipeline services operating segment. Product sales revenue is recognized for products upon delivery and when the customer assumes the risks and rewards of ownership.

 

Fuel surcharge revenues are comprised of revenues recognized for the reimbursement of fuel and power consumed to operate our asphalt terminals. We recognize fuel surcharge revenues in the period in which the related fuel and power expenses are incurred.

 

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Our Expenses

 

Operating expenses decreased by 10%7% for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 20182019. In addition, primarily due to decreases related to the salein compensation expense, utility costs and maintenance repairs expense as a result of the three asphalt plantsa focus on managing costs as well as a decrease in July 2018, depreciation expense decreased due to certain assets reaching the end of their depreciable lives and vehicle expenses decreased due to a reduction in the size of our fleet.expense. General and administrative expenses decreasedincreased by 19%5% for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 20182019. The decreaseincrease is primarily due to decreased compensation and professional fees expense, as well as the receipt in June 2019 of a $0.5 million settlement related to a payment made in 2018 to a fraudulent bank account due to a compromise of the vendor’s email system as disclosed in the our 2018 Form 10-K, which were offset byreduced expenses related to the Ergon buyout offer of $0.4 million.for that period. Our interest expense decreased by 2%31% for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 20182019. See Interest expense within our results of operations discussion for additional detail regarding the factors that contributed to the decrease in interest expense in 2019.

Income Taxes

As part of the process of preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate the federal and state income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which our subsidiary that is taxed as a corporation operates. This process involves estimating the actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as depreciation, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. We must then assess, using all available positive and negative evidence, the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. Unless we believe that recovery is more likely than not, we must establish a valuation allowance. To the extent we establish a valuation allowance or increase or decrease this allowance in a period, we must include an expense or reduction of expense within the tax provisions in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Under ASC 740 – Accounting for Income Taxes, an enterprise must use judgment in considering the relative impact of negative and positive evidence. The weight given to the potential effect of negative and positive evidence should be commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. The more negative evidence that exists, (a) the more positive evidence is necessary and (b) the more difficult it is to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for some portion or all of the deferred tax asset. Among the more significant types of evidence that we consider are:

taxable income projections in future years;

future revenue and operating cost projections that will produce more than enough taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset based on existing service rates and cost structures; and

our earnings history exclusive of the loss that created the future deductible amount coupled with evidence indicating that the loss is an aberration rather than a continuing condition.

Based on the consideration of the above factors for our subsidiary that is taxed as a corporation for purposes of determining the likelihood of realizing the benefits of the deferred tax assets, we have provided a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset as of September 30, 20192020.

 

Distributions

 

The amount of distributions we pay and the decision to make any distribution is determined by the Board of Directors of our General Partner (the “Board”), which has broad discretion to establish cash reserves for the proper conduct of our business and for future distributions to our unitholders. In addition, our cash distribution policy is subject to restrictions on distributions under our credit agreement. 

 

On October 17, 201915, 2020, the Board approved a cash distribution of $0.17875 per outstanding preferred unit for the three months ended September 30, 20192020. We will pay this distribution on November 14, 201913, 2020, to unitholders of record as of November 4, 20193, 2020. The total distribution will be approximately $6.4 million, with approximately $6.3 million and $0.1 million paid to our preferred unitholders and General Partner, respectively.

 

In addition, the Board approved a cash distribution of $0.04 per outstanding common unit for the three months ended September 30, 20192020. We will pay this distribution on November 14, 201913, 2020, to unitholders of record onas of November 4, 20193, 2020. The total distribution will be approximately $1.7 million, with approximately $1.6 million and less than $0.1 million paid to our common unitholders and General Partner, respectively, and less thanapproximately $0.1 million paid to holders of phantom and restricted units pursuant to awards granted under our Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

Ergon Buyout Offer

On August 5, 2019, Ergon filed an amendment to its Schedule 13D with the SEC disclosing that Ergon made a non-binding proposal to the Board, pursuant to which Ergon would acquire all the outstanding Common Units and Series A Preferred Units of the Partnership not already owned by Ergon and its affiliates. The proposal was referred to the Conflicts Committee of the Board for consideration. The proposal was withdrawn by Ergon on September 11, 2019.

 

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21

 

Results of Operations

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, management uses additional measures that are known as “non-GAAP financial measures” in its evaluation of past performance and prospects for the future.  The primary measure used by management is operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization.

 

Management believes that the presentation of such additional financial measures provides useful information to investors regarding our performance and results of operations because these measures, when used in conjunction with related GAAP financial measures, (i) provide additional information about our core operating performance and ability to generate and distribute cash flow; (ii) provide investors with the financial analytical framework upon which management bases financial, operational, compensation and planning decisions, and (iii) present measurements that investors, rating agencies and debt holders have indicated are useful in assessing us and our results of operations. These additional financial measures are reconciled to the most directly comparable measures as reported in accordance with GAAP, and should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes. 

 

The table below summarizes our financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measure:

 

 

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 

Operating results

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

 

Nine Months

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  $  

%

 $  

%

 

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

$

  

%

  

$

  

%

 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization:

                                                                

Asphalt terminalling services

 $17,625  $17,123  $49,621  $44,433  $(502)  (3)% $(5,188)  (10)% $17,068  $16,477  $44,274  $44,297  $(591)  (3)% $23   0%

Crude oil terminalling services

  1,226   3,291   6,730   9,161   2,065   168%  2,431   36%  3,286   2,967   9,146   9,456   (319)  (10)%  310   3%

Crude oil pipeline services

  (506)  618   (1,137)  2,757   1,124   222%  3,894   342%  614   5,661   2,738   4,473   5,047   822%  1,735   63%

Crude oil trucking services

  (116)  133   (601)  143   249   215%  744   124%  128   (85)  129   (160)  (213)  (166)%  (289)  (224)%

Total operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

  18,229   21,165   54,613   56,494   2,936   16%  1,881   3%  21,096   25,020   56,287   58,066   3,924   19%  1,779   3%
                                                                

Depreciation and amortization

  (7,166)  (6,240)  (21,945)  (19,211)  926   13%  2,734   12%  (6,240)  (5,438)  (19,211)  (17,698)  802   13%  1,513   8%

General and administrative expense

  (4,322)  (3,840)  (13,029)  (10,495)  482   11%  2,534   19%  (3,840)  (3,401)  (10,495)  (11,008)  439   11%  (513)  (5)%

Asset impairment expense

  (15)  (83)  (631)  (2,316)  (68)  (453)%  (1,685)  (267)%  (83)  -   (2,316)  (6,417)  83   100%  (4,101)  (177)%

Gain (loss) on sale of assets

  (63)  (40)  300   1,765   23   37%  1,465   488%

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

  (40)  509   1,765   426   549   1373%  (1,339)  (76)%

Operating income

  6,663   10,962   19,308   26,237   4,299   65%  6,929   36%  10,893   16,690   26,030   23,369   5,797   53%  (2,661)  (10)%
                                                                

Other income (expenses):

                                                                

Other income

  -   -   -   268   -   0%  268   N/A   69   176   475   969   107   155%  494   104%

Gain on sale of unconsolidated affiliate

  -   -   2,225   -   -   0%  (2,225)  (100)%

Interest expense

  (4,090)  (3,989)  (12,683)  (12,394)  101   2%  289   2%  (3,989)  (2,472)  (12,394)  (8,586)  1,517   38%  3,808   31%

Provision for income taxes

  (165)  (14)  (215)  (39)  151   92%  176   82%  (14)  (1)  (39)  (8)  13   93%  31   79%

Net income

 $2,408  $6,959  $8,635  $14,072  $4,551   189% $5,437   63% $6,959  $14,393  $14,072  $15,744  $7,434   107% $1,672   12%

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020, overall operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization, increasedwas higher than the same period in 2019. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2018. Our asphalt terminalling services segment operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization, was impacted by both the acquisition of an asphalt facility in March 2018 and the sale of three asphalt terminals to Ergon in July 2018. The increase in our crude oil terminalling services operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization,2019 is primarily due to an increasedriven by a derivative gain in rented storage capacity. Margins in ourthe crude oil pipeline services segment reflect the recovery of throughput volumes since the restoration of a portion of our Oklahoma system in July 2018, on which we had suspended service in April 2016 due to the discovery of a pipeline exposure on a riverbed in southern Oklahoma. In addition, an $0.8 million sale of crude oil product accumulated over time through customer loss allowance deductions for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2019, also contributed2020, of $3.6 million due to the increased marginsettlement of crude oil forward purchase contracts that were entered into in the second quarter of 2020. This gain is offset for the year by a corresponding unrealized loss that was recognized in the second quarter of 2020, so there is no impact on year-to-date results. The year-over-year increase is primarily driven by improved margins in our crude oil marketing operations within the crude oil pipeline services segment; there were no such sales in the same period in 2018. Crude oil trucking services operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization, improved for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, due to improved rates beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018 and longer length of hauls transported.segment.

 

A more detailed analysis of changes in operating margin by segment follows.

 

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Analysis of Operating Segments

 

Asphalt terminalling services segment

 

Our asphalt terminalling services segment operations generally consist of fee-based activities associated with providing terminalling services, including storage, blending, processing, and throughput services, for asphalt product and residual fuel oil. Revenue is generated through operating lease contracts and storage, throughput and handling contracts.

 

The following table sets forth our operating results from our asphalt terminalling services segment for the periods indicated:

 

 

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

  

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 

Operating results

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  $  

%

  $  

%

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  $  

%

  $  

%

 

Service revenue:

                                                                

Third-party revenue

 $6,921  $7,385  $18,693  $21,217  $464   7% $2,524   14% $7,385  $7,514  $21,218  $21,201  $129   2% $(17)  0%

Related-party revenue

  5,211   3,892   17,512   11,991   (1,319)  (25)%  (5,521)  (32)%  3,870   4,849   11,923   12,945   979   25%  1,022   9%

Lease revenue:

                                                                

Third-party revenue

  11,288   11,444   30,762   31,026   156   1%  264   1%  11,444   9,142   31,004   27,050   (2,302)  (20)%  (3,954)  (13)%

Related-party revenue

  5,406   5,427   20,584   15,179   21   0%  (5,405)  (26)%  5,427   7,490   15,179   19,240   2,063   38%  4,061   27%

Product sales revenue:

                                

Related-party revenue

  482   -   482   -   (482)  (100)%  (482)  (100)%

Total revenue

  29,308   28,148   88,033   79,413   (1,160)  (4)%  (8,620)  (10)%  28,126   28,995   79,324   80,436   869   3%  1,112   1%

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  11,683   11,025   38,412   34,980   658   6%  3,432   9%  11,058   12,518   35,050   36,139   (1,460)  (13)%  (1,089)  (3)%

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $17,625  $17,123  $49,621  $44,433  $(502)  (3)% $(5,188)  (10)% $17,068  $16,477  $44,274  $44,297  $(591)  (3)% $23   0%

 

The following is a discussion of items impacting asphalt terminalling services segment operating margin for the periods indicated:

 

 

TotalThird-party service revenue decreasedwas consistent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. Annual CPI index increases in our long-term contracts were offset by lower reimbursement revenue from improved fuel and power costs compared to prior year. The movement of lease revenue from third-party to related-party was due to Ergon purchasing another customer of ours in April 2020.

Increases in related-party lease and service revenues, in addition to Ergon’s purchase of another customer, was due to a new agreement with Ergon that became effective August 1, 2020. This storage, throughput and handling agreement replaced multiple previous agreements covering 22 facilities, of which certain facilities were previously under a lease-only arrangement.
Operating expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. The sale of the three asphalt facilities in July 2018 resulted in a decrease of revenue of $1.2 million and $10.8 million for the three and nine month periods, respectively. The decrease for the nine month period was offset in part by an increase in revenue of $1.5 million due to the asphalt facility acquired in March 2018new operating and a contract change on another asphalt facility from a related-party leasemaintenance agreement with Ergon at 22 facilities. We expect the new agreements to a third-party storage contract.

improve operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization at those facilities, at these facilities. Other operating expense increases relate to insurance premiums, which were partly offset by improved fuel and power costs.

 

Operating expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. For the three month comparative periods, the sale of three facilities in July 2018 led to a decrease in operating expenses of $0.6 million.  In addition, decreased utility costs at some facilities were offset by net flood-related expenses of $0.1 million as well as increases in other non-flood related repairs. For the nine month comparative periods, the sale of three facilities in July 2018 led to a decrease in operating expenses of $5.4 million, which was partially offset by an increase of $0.8 million related to the acquisition in March 2018, net flood-related expenses of $0.2 million, and increased compensation costs at some facilities.

 

26
23

 

Crude oil terminalling services segment

 

Our crude oil terminalling services segment operations generally consist of fee-based activities associated with providing terminalling services, including storage, blending, processing, and throughput services, for crude oil. Revenue is generated through short- and long-term storage contracts.

 

The following table sets forth our operating results from our crude oil terminalling services segment for the periods indicated:

 

 

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

  

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 

Operating results

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  $  

%

  $  

%

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  $  

%

  $  

%

 

Service revenue:

                                                                

Third-party revenue

 $1,923  $4,225  $9,418  $11,819  $2,302   120% $2,401   25% $4,225  $4,190  $11,815  $12,613  $(35)  (1)% $798   7%

Intersegment revenue

  222   278   392   853   56   25%  461   118%  278   -   853   -   (278)  (100)%  (853)  (100)%

Lease revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

  9   -   35   -   (9)  (100)%  (35)  (100)%

Total revenue

  2,154   4,503   9,845   12,672   2,349   109%  2,827   29%  4,503   4,190   12,668   12,613   (313)  (7)%  (55)  (0)%

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  928   1,212   3,115   3,511   (284)  (31)%  (396)  (13)%  1,217   1,223   3,522   3,157   (6)  (0)%  365   10%

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $1,226  $3,291  $6,730  $9,161  $2,065   168% $2,431   36% $3,286  $2,967  $9,146  $9,456  $(319)  (10)% $310   3%
                                                                

Average crude oil storage contracted per month at our Cushing terminal (in thousands of barrels)

  2,950   5,862   4,029   5,731   2,912   99%  1,702   42%  5,862   5,659   5,731   5,457   (203)  (3)%  (274)  (5)%

Average crude oil stored per month at our Cushing terminal (in thousands of barrels)

  779   3,104   1,249   3,339   2,325   298%  2,090   167%

Average crude oil delivered through our Cushing terminal (in thousands of barrels per day)

  32   99   50   87   67   209%  37   74%  99   81   87   86   (18)  (18)%  (1)  (1)%

 

The following is a discussion of items impacting crude oil terminalling services segment operating margin for the periods indicated:

 

 

Total revenues for the three and months ended September 30, 2020 decreased slightly from the comparable 2019 period due to lower contracted barrels. Prior year periods included an intersegment contract for 500 thousand barrels. In addition, revenues for the third quarter of 2020 decreased sequentially from the prior quarter by approximately $0.8 million due to short-term contracts that were executed during the second quarter of 2020. Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, were consistent with the same periods in 2019 despite lower contracted volumes due to those short-term contracts.

Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020, were consistent with the same period in 2019, while operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, decreased compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019, increased as compared to the same period in 2018. Decreases due to an increase in rented storage capacity and an increase in crude oil delivered through the terminal.

Operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, increased compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 due to an increase inlower tank repair expenses.

As of November 1, 2019, we had approximately 5.2 million barrels of crude oil storage under service contracts, including 2.5 million barrels of crude oil storage contracts that expireexpenses were partially offset by higher compensation cost and increases in 2019. The decrease in contracted storage barrels from prior quarter is due to the expiration of an intracompany contract for 0.5 million barrels, which has no net impact on our consolidated financial results. The remaining terms on the service contracts that extend beyond 2019 range from 3 to 26 months. Storage contracts with Vitol represent 2.9 million barrels of crude oil storage capacity under contract.

insurance premiums.

 

2724

Table of Contents

 

Crude oil pipeline services segment

 

Our crude oil pipeline services segment operations include both service and product sales revenue. Service revenue generally consists of tariffs and other fees associated with transporting crude oil products on pipelines. Product sales revenue is comprised of (i) revenues recognized for the sale of crude oil to our customers that we purchase at production leases and (ii) revenue recognized in buy/sell transactions with our customers. Product sales revenue is recognized for products upon delivery and when the customer assumes the risks and rewards of ownership.

 

The following table sets forth our operating results from our crude oil pipeline services segment for the periods indicated:

 

 

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

  

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 

Operating results

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  $  

%

  $  

%

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  $  

%

  $  

%

 

Service revenue:

                                                                

Third-party revenue

 $1,165  $1,284  $4,270  $5,753  $119   10% $1,483   35% $1,284  $412  $5,748  $1,287  $(872)  (68)% $(4,461)  (78)%

Related-party revenue

  185   64   268   266   (121)  (65)%  (2)  (1)%  64   -   266   -   (64)  (100)%  (266)  (100)%

Lease revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

  40   -   452   -   (40)  (100)%  (452)  (100)%

Product sales revenue:

                                                                

Third-party revenue

  97,763   55,213   146,882   173,773   (42,550)  (44)%  26,891   18%  55,213   51,390   173,773   119,068   (3,823)  (7)%  (54,705)  (31)%

Total revenue

  99,153   56,561   151,872   179,792   (42,592)  (43)%  27,920   18%  56,561   51,802   179,787   120,355   (4,759)  (8)%  (59,432)  (33)%

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  3,094   2,638   8,420   8,109   456   15%  311   4%  2,642   2,247   8,123   6,714   395   15%  1,409   17%

Intersegment operating expense

  1,644   1,642   3,243   4,971   2   0%  (1,728)  (53)%  1,642   1,434   4,971   4,364   208   13%  607   12%

Third-party cost of product sales

  50,815   18,972   73,493   64,069   31,843   63%  9,424   13%  18,972   19,833   64,069   41,133   (861)  (5)%  22,936   36%

Related-party cost of product sales

  44,106   32,691   67,853   99,886   11,415   26%  (32,033)  (47)%  32,691   22,627   99,886   63,671   10,064   31%  36,215   36%

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $(506) $618  $(1,137) $2,757  $1,124   222% $3,894   342% $614  $5,661  $2,738  $4,473  $5,047   822% $1,735   63%
                                                                

Pipeline transportation services average throughput volume (in thousands of barrels per day)

  23   23   22   31   -   0%  9   41%
                                

Transportation services average throughput volume (in thousands of barrels per day)

  23   15   31   15   (8)  (35)%  (16)  (52)%

Crude oil marketing volumes (in thousands of barrels per day)

  15   11   8   11   (4)  (27)%  3   38%  11   11   11   11   0   0%  0   0%

 

The following is a discussion of items impacting crude oil pipeline services segment operating margin for the periods indicated:

 

In July 2018, we restored service on the portion of the pipeline system that had been out of service since April 2016 due to a pipeline exposure on a riverbed in southern Oklahoma. This restored our transportation capacity to the full 50,000 barrels per day.

Included in third-party cost of product sales for the three months ended September 30, 2020, was the non-cash gain on our commodity derivative contracts of $3.6 million that settled during the third quarter, which is contributing to the significant increase in operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization.  A corresponding unrealized loss was recognized in the second quarter of 2020, and as the contracts were settled in the third quarter, there was no impact on year-to-date results from these mark-to-market adjustments. The Partnership realized a $1.5 million net cash gain from the related product sales during the third quarter of 2020. The increase in year-to-date margins for the comparative periods was due to improved margins on our crude oil marketing business.
 

Total throughputThroughput volumes are consistentand related service revenue have decreased for the three month comparativeand nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the same periods while the increasein 2019 due to decreased drilling activities in the nine month comparative periods is due to both increased crude oil marketing activities and the restored service on the Oklahoma pipeline system.areas we serve. In addition, a significant pipeline customer, Vitol, entered into a joint venture with a pipeline in the same area and moved a significant portion of their volumes to the increasethis competing pipeline beginning in volume, operating margins were positively impacted by improved margins on the crude oil marketing activities.  Throughput volumes related to the crude oil marketing business were approximatelylate 2019. Vitol accounted for 11,000 barrels per day, or approximately 48%28% and 35%38% of total throughput, forvolumes transported on our pipelines in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.  Vitol accounted for less than 10% of volumes transported on our pipelines in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Product sales revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The service revenue for this activity associated with pipeline tariffs is eliminated on an intrasegment basis. Our and 2020, included $0.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in sales of crude oil pipeline recognized $1.5 million and $4.5 million in intrasegment service revenue in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, that is not reflected in revenues in the table above.product accumulated over time through customer loss allowance deductions. The intrasegment revenues for three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, were $1.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively. The changesremaining change in product sales revenues, intersegment operating expense,revenue is related to our crude oil marketing business and related-party and third-partyreflects the decrease in the market price of crude oil.
Overall cost of product sales are all due to changes in ourhas decreased consistently with crude oil marketing business.

revenue and reflects the decrease in the market price of crude oil. 

 

28
25

 

Crude oil trucking services segment

 

Our crude oil trucking services segment operations generally consist of fee-based activity associated with transporting crude oil products on trucks. Revenues are generated primarily through transportation fees.

 

The following table sets forth our operating results from our crude oil trucking services segment for the periods indicated:

 

 

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

  

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 

Operating results

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  $  

%

  $  

%

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

      

$%

      

$%

 

Service revenue

                                

Service revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

 $2,734  $2,822  $11,783  $8,540  $88   3% $(3,243)  (28)% $2,822  $770  $8,537  $4,834  $(2,052)  (73)% $(3,703)  (43)%

Intersegment revenue

  1,422   1,364   2,851   4,118   (58)  (4)%  1,267   44%  1,364   1,434   4,118   4,364   70   5%  246   6%

Lease revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

  31   -   160   -   (31)  (100)%  (160)  (100)%

Product sales revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

  -   -   10   -   -   0%  (10)  (100)%

Total revenue

  4,187   4,186   14,804   12,658   (1)  (0)%  (2,146)  (14)%  4,186   2,204   12,655   9,198   (1,982)  (47)%  (3,457)  (27)%

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  4,303   4,053   15,405   12,515   250   6%  2,890   19%  4,058   2,289   12,526   9,358   1,769   44%  3,168   25%

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $(116) $133  $(601) $143  $249   215% $744   124% $128  $(85) $129  $(160) $(213)  (166)% $(289)  (224)%
                                                                

Average volume (in thousands of barrels per day)

  29   25   26   26   (4)  (14)%  -   0%  25   16   26   19   (9)  (36)%  (7)  (27)%

 

The following is a discussion of items impacting crude oil trucking services segment operating margin for the periods indicated:

 

Service revenues were consistent for the three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018, despite a decrease in volumes due to rate increases instituted in October 2018.

 

ServiceThird-party service revenues decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018, by $2.7 million due to decreased drilling activities in the sale ofareas we serve. Intersegment revenues increased for the producer field services business in April 2018. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in intersegment service revenues for services providedsame periods due to our crude oil pipeline services segment’s crude oil marketing business. Theseoperations purchasing increased volumes transported on an intersegment basis increased from 8,000 barrels per day to 11,000 barrels per day.key producers. 

 

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization, decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, primarily due to decreases in compensation and fleet expense related to lower volumes. Fleet lease expense for the third quarter of 2020 were further impacted both by the impairment that was recognized in the second quarter of 2020, as well as, the purchase of all leased vehicles in August, both of which decreased lease expense for 2020 compared to 2019. The decrease in volumes also led to severance costs of $0.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018, by $2.9 million duesecond quarter of 2020 to the sale of our producer field services business.optimize headcount.

 

Other Income and Expenses

 

Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased byto $1.05.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compareddue to $7.2 million fora number of assets reaching the three months ended September 30, 2018.end of their depreciable lives at the end of the second quarter of 2020.  Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $2.7 million to $19.217.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020, compared to $21.919.2 million for the same period in nine months ended September 30, 20182019. These decreases areThis decrease is primarily the result of certain assets reaching the end of their depreciable lives.lives at the end of the first quarter of 2019 and the end of the second quarter of 2020.

 

General and administrative expense.  General and administrative expense decreased to decreased$3.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020, compared to $3.8 million for the same periodsperiod in 2018 primarily due to decreases in compensation and professional fees expense as well as the impact of a payment made in 2018 to a fraudulent bank account due to a compromise of the vendor’s email system. Expense related to this payment of $0.9 million was recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2018, while a settlement payment of $0.5 million was received in the second quarter of 2019. This impact was partially offset by an increase of $0.4 million due to expenses related to the Ergon buyout offer during the third quarter of 2019.

Asset impairment expense. Asset impairment expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, included a change in estimate and accrued interest relatedincreased to the push-down impairment of Cimarron Express (see Note 9 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for more information) that resulted in additional impairment expense for those periods of $0.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.  The nine months ended September 30, 2019, also included flood-related impairment expense of $0.3 million. Asset impairment expense for 2018 included approximately $0.4 million related to the value of obsolete trucking stations and $0.2 million related to an intangible customer contract asset that was not renewed.

Gain (loss) on sale of assets. Gain on sale of assets was $1.811.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020, compared to $10.5 million for the same period in 2019. The decrease for the quarterly comparative periods is due to decreases in compensation expense and professional fees. The year-over-year increase was due to the receipt during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, of a loss$0.5 million settlement payment as discussed above, which reduced expense for that period. 

Asset impairment expense. Asset impairment expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, included $1.3 million related to adjustments to our crude oil trucking services segment assets based on the expected future cash flows of the segment. This impairment consisted of $1.1 million related to plant, property, and equipment and $0.2 million related to operating right-of-use assets. In addition, a $4.9 million write-down of crude oil linefill due to the decrease in the market price of crude oil occurred in the first quarter of 2020. Asset impairment expense for the $0.3nine months ended September 30, 2019, was $2.3 million and consisted of a change in estimate of the push-down impairment related to Cimarron Express Pipeline, LLC (“Cimarron Express”) of $2.0 million (see Note 8 of our condensed consolidated financial statements for more information) and $0.3 million related to a flood at an asphalt terminal in Wolcott, Kansas.

Gain(loss) on disposal of assets. Gains for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, relate to the sale of some idle real property in Michigan and pipeline linefill.  Gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, relate to the sale of pipeline linefill.

Other income. Other income includes insurance recoveries related to flood damages incurred in 2019 at certain asphalt facilities of $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20182020. Gains for 2019 primarily relate to the sale of certain truck stations in locations not served by our crude oil trucking services segment.

Other income. Other income, and $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 relates to insurance recoveries related to flood damages at certain asphalt facilities..

 

Gain on sale

 

Interest expense. Interest expense represents interest on borrowings under our credit agreement as well as amortization of debt issuance costs and unrealized gains and losses related to the change in fair value of interest rate swaps.costs. The following table presents the significant components of interest expense:expense (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

  

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

 
 

2018

  

2019

  

2018

  

2019

  $  

%

  $  

%

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  $  

%

  $  

%

 

Credit agreement interest

 $3,815  $3,714  $11,856  $11,585  $101   3% $271   2% $3,714  $2,200  $11,585  $7,778  $1,514   41% $3,807   33%

Amortization of debt issuance costs

  251   251   764   753   -   0%  11   1%  251   251   753   753   -   0%  -   0%
Write-off of debt issuance costs  -   -   437   -   -   0%  437   100%
Interest rate swaps interest income  (25)  -   (49)  (40)  (25)  (100)%  (9)  (18)%
Loss (gain) on interest rate swaps mark-to-market  36   -   (276)  44   36   100%  (320)  (116)%

Other

  13   24   (49)  52   (11)  (85)%  (101)  (206)%  24   21   56   55   3   13%  1   2%
Total interest expense $4,090  $3,989  $12,683  $12,394  $101   2% $289   2% $3,989  $2,472  $12,394  $8,586  $1,517   38% $3,808   31%

The decrease in credit agreement interest is due to a decrease in floating interest rates.

 

Effects of Inflation

 

In recent years, inflation has been modest and has not had a material impact upon the results of our operations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303 of Regulation S-K.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash Flows and Capital Expenditures

 

The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020

 

  Nine Months ended September 30, 
  

2018

  

2019

 
  

(in millions)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $28.2  $38.3 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 $44.0  $(2.3)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 $(72.7) $(34.6)
  Nine Months ended September 30, 
  

2019

  

2020

 
  

(in millions)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $38.3  $43.9 

Net cash used in investing activities

 $(2.3) $(22.2)

Net cash used in financing activities

 $(34.6) $(21.3)

 

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $43.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $38.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to $28.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, due to increased net income as discussed in Results of Operations above as well as changes in working capital.

 

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $22.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $44.0 million for the. The nine months ended September 30, 20182020., included a $12.2 million payment to Ergon related to our purchase of Ergon’s DEVCO entity related to Cimarron Express. The nine months ended September 30, 2019, included net proceeds from the saledisposal of certain assets of $7.1 million. Of such proceeds, $2.6$2.6 million related to the December 2018 sale of linefill for which the cash consideration was not received until January 2019.  The nine months ended September 30, 2018, included proceeds from the sale of three asphalt terminals of $88.5 million and proceeds from the sale of an unconsolidated affiliate of $2.2 million. On March 7, 2018, we acquired an asphalt terminalling facility from a third party for $22.0 million. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020, included maintenance capital expenditures of $6.07.5 million and $7.4 million, respectively,for both periods, and expansion capital expenditures of $23.62.0 million and $2.04.9 million, respectively.

 

Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $21.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $34.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and. Net cash $72.7used in millionfinancing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 20182020.  Cash, consisted primarily of $24.3 million in distributions to our unitholders, partially offset by net borrowings on long-term debt of $5.0 million. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, consisted primarily of $25.9 million in distributions to our unitholders and net payments on long-term debt of $7.0 million and $25.9 million in distributions to our unitholders. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, consisted primarily of net payments on long-term debt of $36.0 million and $35.0 million in distributions to our unitholders.million.

 

Our Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash flows from operations and from our credit agreement are our primary sources of liquidity. At September 30, 20192020, we had a working capital deficit of $8.79.4 million. This is primarily a function of our approach to cash management. At September 30, 20192020, we had approximately $140.4260.6 million of revolver borrowings and approximately $1.7 million of letters of credit outstanding under the credit agreement, leaving us with approximately $137.7 million of availability under our credit agreement subject to covenant restrictions, which limited our availability to $46.444.8 million. As of November 1, 2019October 30, 2020, we have approximately $255.6 million of revolver borrowings and approximately $1.7 million of letters of credit outstanding under the credit agreement, leaving us with aggregate unused commitments under our revolving credit facility of approximately $148.4 million and cash on hand of approximately $1.1142.7 million.  Based on our current outlook and liquidity, we expect to be in a position to settle the Put (see Note 9 for further information), which has a current value of $12.1 million, in cash when it is exercised. The credit agreement is scheduled to mature on May 11, 2022.

 

Our credit agreement contains certain financial covenants which include a maximum permitted consolidated total leverage ratio, which may limit our availability to borrow funds thereunder. The consolidated total leverage ratio is assessed quarterly based on the trailing twelve months of credit agreement EBITDA, as defined in the credit agreement. The maximum permitted consolidated total leverage ratio as of September 30, 20192020, was 5.00 to 1.00 and decreases to 4.75 to 1.00 as of March 31, 2020, and for each fiscal quarter thereafter.thereafter, is 4.75. Our consolidated total leverage ratio was 4.244.06 to 1.00 as of September 30, 20192020

 

Management evaluates whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the consolidated financial statements are issued (the “assessment period”). In performing this assessment, management considered the risk associated with its ongoing ability to meet the financial covenants.

 

Based on forecasted EBITDA during the assessment period, management believes that itwe will meet the financial covenants. However, there are certain inherent risks associated with our continued ability to comply with our consolidated total leverage ratio covenant.  These risks relate, among other things, to potential future (a) decreases in storage volumes and rates as well as throughput and transportation rates realized; (b) weather phenomenon that may potentially hinder the asphalt business activity; and (c) other items affecting forecasted levels of expenditures and uses of cash resources. Violation of the consolidated total leverage ratio covenant would be an event of default under the credit agreement, which would cause our $258.6260.6 million in outstanding debt, as of September 30, 20192020, to become immediately due and payable. If this were to occur, we would not expect to have sufficient liquidity to repay these outstanding amounts then due, which could cause the lenders under the credit facility to pursue other remedies. Such remedies could include exercising their collateral rights to our assets. Based on our current forecasts, we believe we will be able to comply with the consolidated total leverage ratio during the assessment period. However, we cannot make any assurances that we will be able to achieve our forecasts. If we are unable to achieve our forecasts, further actions may be necessary to remain in compliance with our consolidated total leverage ratio covenant including, but not limited to, cost reductions, common and preferred unitholder distribution curtailments, and/or asset sales. We can make no assurances that we would be successful in undertaking these actions, or that we will remain in compliance with the consolidated total leverage ratio during the assessment period.

 

Capital Requirements. Our capital requirements consist of the following:

 

maintenance capital expenditures, which are capital expenditures made to maintain the existing integrity and operating capacity of our assets and related cash flows, further extending the useful lives of the assets; and

expansion capital expenditures, which are capital expenditures made to expand the operating capacity or revenue of existing or new assets, whether through construction, acquisition or modification.

expansion capital expenditures, which are capital expenditures made to expand the operating capacity or revenue of existing or new assets, whether through construction, acquisition or modification.

maintenance capital expenditures, which are capital expenditures made to maintain the existing integrity and operating capacity of our assets and related cash flows, further extending the useful lives of the assets; and

 

The following table breaks out capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020 (in thousands):

 

 

Nine Months ended September 30,

  

Nine Months ended September 30,

 
 

2018

  

2019

  

2019

  

2020

 

Acquisitions

  21,959   -  $-  $12,221 
                

Gross expansion capital expenditures

  23,617   1,969  $1,969  $4,860 

Reimbursable expenditures

  (338)  (61)  (61)  (289)

Net expansion capital expenditures

  23,279   1,908  $1,908  $4,571 
                

Gross maintenance capital expenditures

  5,943   7,459  $7,459  $7,521 

Reimbursable expenditures

  (572)  (202)  (202)  (2,007)

Net maintenance capital expenditures

  5,371   7,257  $7,257  $5,514 

 

WeExpansion capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, includes $1.7 million related to the buy-out of heavy-duty crude oil transportation trucks and trailers that were under operating leases due to a more favorable cost of capital under our credit agreements as well as the anticipation of a possible future sale of the crude oil trucking services operating segment. Expansion capital expenditures for nine months ended September 30, 2020, also includes crude oil purchases of $1.5 million to replenish linefill requirements on our Oklahoma pipeline related to our crude oil marketing business. Exclusive of these items, we currently expect our expansion capital expenditures for organic growth projects to be approximately $3.52.2 million to $4.52.6 million for all of 20192020.  We currently expect maintenance capital expenditures to be approximately $9.07.8 million to $10.08.2 million, net of reimbursable expenditures, for all of 20192020.

 

Our Ability to Grow Depends on Our Ability to Access External Expansion Capital. Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash to our unitholders. Available cash is reduced by cash reserves established by our General Partner to provide for the proper conduct of our business (including for future capital expenditures) and to comply with the provisions of our credit agreement. We may not grow as quickly as businesses that reinvest their available cash to expand ongoing operations because we distribute all of our available cash. 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

For information regarding recent accounting developments that may affect our future financial statements, see Note 1714 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Other Items

 

Commodity Derivative Agreements

During the second quarter of 2020, our internal crude oil marketing department entered into crude oil forward purchase contracts through sell/buy arrangements with a counterparty to facilitate spot storage deals in our Cushing terminal with such counterparty during a time of favorable contango spreads. Our crude oil marketing department only holds working inventory and linefill and does not hold excess inventory for speculative purposes. Typically, each month’s purchase and sale volumes, including those under the sell/buy arrangements, are similar and at the current month market price; thus, the Partnership is not exposed to additional commodity price risk beyond its normal marketing activity. The final purchase settlement of these contracts occurred during the third quarter of 2020 at then market prices. The product was then sold to a separate counterparty at then market prices; thus, effectively removing the commodity price risk. These contracts were carried at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets last quarter and were valued based on quoted prices in active markets.

ItemItem 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.Risk

 

We are exposedPursuant to market risk due to variable interest rates under our credit agreement.

AsItem 305(e) of November 1, 2019, we had $250.6 million outstanding under our credit agreement that was subject to a variable interest rate.  Borrowings under our credit agreement bear interest, at our option, at either the reserve adjusted eurodollar rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin or the alternate base rate (the highest of the agent bank’s prime rate, the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5%, and the 30-day eurodollar rate plus 1%Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e)) plus an applicable margin. Interest rate swap agreements are sometimes used to manage a portion of the exposure related to changing interest rates by converting floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. In March 2014, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of $200.0 million. The first $100.0 million agreement became effective June 28, 2014, and matured on June 28, 2018. Under the terms of the first interest rate swap agreement, we paid a fixed rate of 1.45% and received one-month LIBOR with monthly settlement. The second agreement became effective January 28, 2015, and matured on January 28, 2019. Under the terms of the second interest rate swap agreement, we paid a fixed rate of 1.97% and received one-month LIBOR with monthly settlement. The interest rate swaps did not receive hedge accounting treatment under ASC 815 - Derivatives and Hedging. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are recorded in interest expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the weighted average interest rate under our credit agreement was 6.20%Partnership is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).

Changes in economic conditions could result in higher interest rates, thereby increasing our interest expense and reducing our funds available for capital investment, operations or distributions to our unitholders. Based on borrowings as of September 30, 2019, the terms of our credit agreement, current interest rates and the effect of our interest rate swaps, an increase or decrease of 100 basis points in the interest rate would result in increased or decreased annual interest expense of approximately $2.6 million. 

 

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our General Partner’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner, evaluated, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as of September 30, 20192020, were effective.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 20192020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.

 

The information required by this item is included under the caption “Commitments and Contingencies” in Note 1513 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

 

Item 1A.    Risk Factors.

 

See the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20182019.

 

Item 6.    Exhibits.

 

The information required by this Item 6 is set forth in the Index to Exhibits accompanying this quarterly report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated November 19, 2009, but effective as of December 1, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 25, 2009 (Commission File No. 001-33503), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2

 

First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of Blueknight Energy Partners L.P., dated July 18, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 22, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).

3.3

 

Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated September 14, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 14, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference).

3.4

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation of the General Partner, dated November 20, 2009 but effective as of December 1, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 25, 2009 (Commission File No. 001-33503), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.5

 

First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation of Blueknight Energy Partners G.P., L.L.C., dated July 18, 2019 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 22, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).

3.6

 

Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner, dated December 1, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 7, 2009 (Commission File No. 001-33503), and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 5, 2016, by and among the Partnership, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc., Ergon Terminaling, Inc. and Ergon Asphalt Holdings, LLC (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 5, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference).

31.1*

 

CertificationsCertification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*

CertificationsCertification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1#

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551, this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”

101#

 

The following financial information from Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 20192020, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Document and Entity Information; (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20182019 and September 30, 20192020; (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020; (iv) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Deficit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020; (v) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 and 20192020; and (vi) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

____________________

*    Filed herewith.

#     Furnished herewith

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

 

BLUEKNIGHT ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Blueknight Energy Partners, G.P., L.L.C.

 

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

Date:

November 7, 20195, 2020

By:

/s/ D. Andrew WoodwardMatthew R. Lewis

 

 

 

D. Andrew WoodwardMatthew R. Lewis

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Date:

November 7, 20195, 2020

By:

/s/ Michael McLanahan

 

 

 

Michael McLanahan

 

 

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

35

31