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, 20202021

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

Series A Preferred Units

BKEPP

The Nasdaq Global Market

 

 As of October 30, 2020,November 4, 2021, there were 35,125,20234,406,683 Series A Preferred Units and 41,198,08841,516,643 common units outstanding.  


 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

  Page
PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATIONFINANCIAL INFORMATION1
Item 1.Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements1
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20192020, and September 30, 202020211
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three andNineNineMonths EndedSeptember 30, 20192020 and 202020212
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Deficit) for the Three and NineNine Months Ended September 30, 20192020 and 202020213
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the NineNine Months Ended September 30, 20192020 and 202020214
 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 EquipmentDiscontinued Operations87
 5. Debt910
 6. Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit1112
 7. Partners’ Capital and Distributions1113
 8. Related PartyRelated-party Transactions1213
 9. Long-termLong-Term Incentive Plan1314
 10. Derivative Financial InstrumentsFair Value Measurements1415
 11. Fair Value MeasurementsCommitments and Contingencies1415
 12. Operating SegmentsRecently Issued Accounting Standards1516
 13. Commitments and ContingenciesSubsequent Events1716
14. Recently Issued Accounting StandardsItem 2.17
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations1817
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures aboutAbout Market Risk2922
Item 4.Controls and Procedures2922
   
PART IIOTHER INFORMATIONOTHER INFORMATION3023
Item 1.Legal ProceedingsLegal Proceedings3023
Item 1A.Risk FactorsRisk Factors3023
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities23
Item 6.ExhibitsExhibits2430

 

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, 2019

  

September 30, 2020

  

December 31, 2020

  

September 30, 2021

 
 

(unaudited)

  

(unaudited)

 

ASSETS

            

Current assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

 $558  $972  $805  $555 
Accounts receivable, net  23,716   15,039  3,297  4,258 
Receivables from related parties, net  1,110   1,006  507  1,193 
Other current assets  8,692   7,783  2,355  2,876 

Current assets of discontinued operations

  96,945   299 
Total current assets  34,076   24,800   103,909   9,181 

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 

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $197,561 and $202,164 at December 31, 2020, and September 30, 2021, respectively

 104,709  105,978 
Goodwill  6,728   6,728  6,728  6,728 
Debt issuance costs, net  2,344   1,591  1,340  2,852 
Operating lease assets  10,758   9,009  8,548  7,281 
Intangible assets, net  14,088   12,029  7,531  5,744 
Other noncurrent assets  1,169   1,047   252   605 

Total assets

 $301,940  $278,085  $233,017  $138,369 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (DEFICIT)

        

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL(DEFICIT)

    

Current liabilities:

         
Accounts payable $3,125  $2,281  $1,635  $1,669 
Accounts payable to related parties  2,460   837  31  960 
Accrued crude oil purchases  6,706   3,668 
Accrued crude oil purchases to related parties  11,807   7,425 
Contingent liability with related party (Note 8)  12,221   - 
Accrued interest payable  293   318  274  234 
Accrued property taxes payable  3,247   3,451  1,757  2,076 
Unearned revenue  1,942   3,874  1,789  3,362 
Unearned revenue with related parties  2,934   2,910  4,603  4,748 
Accrued payroll  4,823   4,794  4,977  3,998 
Current operating lease liability  2,391   1,827  1,684  1,271 
Other current liabilities  2,627   2,802  1,349  1,259 

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

  17,248   348 
Total current liabilities  54,576   34,187   35,347   19,925 
Long-term unearned revenue with related parties  2,149   4,224  4,153  4,702 
Other long-term liabilities  2,417   927  168  253 
Noncurrent operating lease liability  8,529   7,221  6,980  6,210 
Long-term debt  255,592   260,592  252,592  101,000 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

        

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

       

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)

  (632,023)  (632,149)

Total partners’ deficit

  (21,323)  (29,066)

Total liabilities and partners’ deficit

 $301,940  $278,085 

Common unitholders (41,214,856 and 41,516,643 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020, and September 30, 2021, respectively)

 312,591  389,053 

Preferred unitholders (35,125,202 and 34,406,683 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020, and September 30, 2021, respectively)

 253,923  248,728 

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

  (632,737)  (631,502)

Total partners’ capital(deficit)

  (66,223)  6,279 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital(deficit)

 $233,017  $138,369 

 

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,

 
 

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

  

2021

 
 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

Service revenue:

                 

Third-party revenue

 $15,716  $12,886  $47,318  $39,935  $7,514  $7,919  $21,201  $22,150 

Related-party revenue

  3,934   4,849   12,189   12,945  4,849  5,153  12,945  15,037 

Lease revenue:

                 

Third-party revenue

  11,444   9,142   31,004   27,051  9,142  9,222  27,051  25,926 

Related-party revenue

  5,427   7,490   15,179   19,239   7,490   8,045   19,239   22,060 

Product sales revenue:

                

Third-party revenue

  55,213   51,390   173,773   119,068 

Total revenue

  91,734   85,757   279,463   218,238  28,995  30,339  80,436  85,173 

Costs and expenses:

                 

Operating expense

  25,215   23,715   78,432   73,066  15,571  15,836  46,461  47,799 

Cost of product sales

  18,972   19,833   64,069   41,133 

Cost of product sales from related party

  32,691   22,627   99,886   63,671 

General and administrative expense

  3,840   3,401   10,495   11,008   3,237   2,967   10,501   9,921 

Asset impairment expense

  83   -   2,316   6,417 

Total costs and expenses

  80,801   69,576   255,198   195,295  18,808  18,803  56,962  57,720 

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

  (40)  509   1,765   426 

Gain(loss) on disposal of assets

  324   (129)  250   (129)

Operating income

  10,893   16,690   26,030   23,369  10,511  11,407  23,724  27,324 

Other income (expenses):

                

Other income(expenses):

 

Other income

  69   176   475   969  176  2,187  969  2,529 

Interest expense

  (3,989)  (2,472)  (12,394)  (8,586)  (1,302)  (968)  (4,417)  (3,996)

Income before income taxes

  6,973   14,394   14,111   15,752  9,385  12,626  20,276  25,857 

Provision for income taxes

  14   1   39   8   0   10   (1)  30 

Income from continuing operations

 9,385  12,616  20,277  25,827 

Income(loss) from discontinued operations, net

  5,008   (20)  (4,533)  75,705 

Net income

 $6,959  $14,393  $14,072  $15,744  $14,393  $12,596  $15,744  $101,532 
                 

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

                

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

 

General partner interest in net income

 $110  $228  $268  $249  $228  $200  $249  $1,608 

Preferred interest in net income

 $6,278  $6,278  $18,836  $18,836  $6,278  $6,177  $18,836  $18,674 

Net income (loss) available to limited partners

 $571  $7,887  $(5,032) $(3,341)

Net income(loss) available to limited partners

 $7,887  $6,219  $(3,341) $81,250 
                 
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)

Basic and diluted net income(loss) from discontinued operations per common unit

 $0.12  $0  $(0.11) $1.74 

Basic and diluted net income from continuing operations per common unit

 $0.07  $0.14  $0.03  $0.15 

Basic and diluted net income(loss) per common unit

 $0.19  $0.14  $(0.08) $1.89 
                 
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 
 

Weighted average common units outstanding - basic and diluted

 41,166  41,514  41,072  41,471 

 

 

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, 2019

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

Net income

  574   6,278   107   6,959 

Equity-based incentive compensation

  284   -   5   289 

Distributions

  (1,678)  (6,278)  (128)  (8,084)
Proceeds from sale of 98,631 common units pursuant to the Employee Unit Purchase Plan  103   -   -   103 
Balance, September 30, 2019 $360,144  $253,923  $(631,968) $(17,901)
                

Balance, December 31, 2018

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

Net income (loss)

  (4,983)  18,836   219   14,072 

Equity-based incentive compensation

  637   -   15   652 

Distributions

  (6,658)  (18,836)  (411)  (25,905)

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

  176   -   -   176 
Balance, September 30, 2019 $360,144  $253,923  $(631,968) $(17,901)
                

Balance, June 30, 2020

 $342,651  $253,923  $(632,252) $(35,678) $342,651  $253,923  $(632,252) $(35,678)
Net income  7,887   6,278   228   14,393 

Net income(loss)

 7,887 6,278 228 14,393 
Equity-based incentive compensation  210   -   3   213  210  0  3  213 
Distributions  (1,703)  (6,278)  (128)  (8,109) (1,703) (6,278) (128) (8,109)
Proceeds from sale of 104,954 common units pursuant to the Employee Unit Purchase Plan  115   -   -   115   115   0   0   115 
Balance, September 30, 2020 $349,160  $253,923  $(632,149) $(29,066) $349,160  $253,923  $(632,149) $(29,066)
                 

Balance, December 31, 2019

 $356,777  $253,923  $(632,023) $(21,323) $356,777  $253,923  $(632,023) $(21,323)
Net income (loss)  (3,341)  18,836   249   15,744 

Net income(loss)

 (3,341) 18,836  249  15,744 
Equity-based incentive compensation  630   -   10   640  630  0  10  640 
Distributions  (5,076)  (18,836)  (385)  (24,297) (5,076) (18,836) (385) (24,297)
Proceeds from sale of 158,326 common units pursuant to the Employee Unit Purchase Plan  170   -   -   170   170   0   0   170 
Balance, September 30, 2020 $349,160  $253,923  $(632,149) $(29,066) $349,160  $253,923  $(632,149) $(29,066)
 

Balance, June 30, 2021

 $384,265 $248,946 $(631,578) $1,633 

Net income

 6,214 $6,182 $200 12,596 

Equity-based incentive compensation

 191 $0 $3 194 

Repurchase of Preferred Shares

 0 $(244) $0 (244)

Distributions

 (1,723) $(6,156) $(127) (8,006)

Proceeds from sale of 44,958 common units pursuant to the Employee Unit Purchase Plan

  106  $0  $0   106 

Balance, September 30, 2021

 $389,053  $248,728  $(631,502) $6,279 
 

Balance, December 31, 2020

 $312,591  $253,923  $(632,737) $(66,223)

Net income

 81,121  18,803  1,608  101,532 

Equity-based incentive compensation

 330 0 9 339 

Repurchase of preferred units

 0 (5,407) 0 (5,407)

Distributions

 (5,143) (18,591) (382) (24,116)

Proceeds from sale of 77,654 common units pursuant to the Employee Unit Purchase Plan

  154   0   0   154 

Balance, September 30, 2021

 $389,053  $248,728  $(631,502) $6,279 

 

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,

 
 

2019

  

2020

  

2020

  

2021

 
 

(unaudited)

  

(unaudited)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

            

Net income

 $14,072  $15,744  $15,744  $101,532 

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

         
Depreciation and amortization  19,211   17,698  17,698  8,977 
Amortization of debt issuance costs  754   753 

Amortization and write-off of debt issuance costs

 753  1,385 
Tangible asset impairment charge  2,316   6,417  6,417  156 
Gain on disposal of assets  (1,765)  (426)

Gain on sale of assets

 (426) (74,990)

Gain from insurance settlement related to investing activities

 0 (1,059)
Equity-based incentive compensation  652   640  640  339 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

         
Decrease in accounts receivable  7,128   8,677  8,677  12,699 
Decrease (increase) in receivables from related parties  (830)  104  104  (686)
Decrease in other current assets  3,615   3,032  3,032  2,554 
Decrease in other non-current assets  2,255   1,767  1,767  846 

Decrease in accounts payable

  (250)  (379) (379) (433)
Increase (decrease) in payables to related parties  535   (1,256)

Decrease in payables to related parties

 (1,256) (31)
Decrease in accrued crude oil purchases  (7,484)  (4,244) (4,244) (3,868)
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  612   204 

Decrease in accrued crude oil purchases to related parties

 (4,382) (8,842)

Increase in accrued interest payable

 25  289 

Increase (decrease) in accrued property taxes

 204  (183)
Increase in unearned revenue  1,557   318  318  972 
Increase (decrease) in unearned revenue from related parties  (2,380)  1,382 
Increase (decrease) in accrued payroll  169   (29)

Increase(decrease) in unearned revenue from related parties

 1,382  (257)

Decrease in accrued payroll

 (29) (2,367)
Decrease in other accrued liabilities  (2,926)  (2,145)  (2,145)  (1,761)
Net cash provided by operating activities  38,284   43,900   43,900   35,272 

Cash flows from investing activities:

            
Acquisition of DEVCO from Ergon (Note 8)  -   (12,221) (12,221) 0 
Capital expenditures  (9,428)  (12,381) (12,381) (6,394)
Proceeds from sale of assets  7,089   2,409 
Net cash used in investing activities  (2,339)  (22,193)

Net proceeds from sale of assets

  2,409   155,173 

Proceeds from insurance settlement related to investing activities

  0   1,059 

Net cash provided by(used in) investing activities

  (22,193)  149,838 

Cash flows from financing activities:

            
Payments on other financing activities  (1,894)  (2,166) (2,166) (1,105)

Debt issuance costs

 0 (372)
Borrowings under credit agreement  218,000   181,000  181,000  79,486 
Payments under credit agreement  (225,000)  (176,000) (176,000) (234,000)

Proceeds from equity issuance

  176   170  170  154 

Repurchase of preferred units

 0  (5,407)
Distributions  (25,905)  (24,297)  (24,297)  (24,116)
Net cash used in financing activities  (34,623)  (21,293)  (21,293)  (185,360)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  1,322   414 

Net increase(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 414  (250)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  1,455   558   558   805 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $2,777  $972  $972  $555 
         

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

         

Non-cash changes in property, plant and equipment

 $1,528  $1,185  $1,185  $2,013 

Increase in accrued liabilities related to insurance premium financing agreement

 $2,356  $2,324  $2,324  $1,208 

 

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 26 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.liquid asphalt. The Partnership manages its operations through four1 operating segments: (i)segment, 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 NASDAQNasdaq 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.partnership.

 

The Partnership previously provided integrated terminalling, gathering, and transportation services for companies engaged in the production, distribution, and marketing of crude oil in three different operating segments: (i) crude oil terminalling services, (ii) crude oil pipeline services, and (iii) crude oil trucking services. On December 21, 2020, the Partnership announced it had entered into multiple definitive agreements to sell these segments. These transactions closed in February and March of 2021. These segments are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Unless otherwise noted, information in these notes to the consolidated financial statements relates to continuing operations. As the Partnership is only operating through one operating segment, a segment footnote is no longer required.

 

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, 20202021, the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 2020 and 20202021, the condensed consolidated statements of changes in partners’ capital (deficit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 2020 and 20202021, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 2020 and 20202021, 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 20192020 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-K10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 26, 10, 2021 (the “2020 (the “2019 Form 10-K”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 20192020 Form 10-K. The following reclassifications have been made in the consolidated financial 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, 2019, and (ii) immaterial corporate items previously allocated to revenues and operating expenses have been reclassified to other income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. These reclassifications had no impact on net income.10-K.

 

 

3.

REVENUE

 

The Partnership recognizes revenue from contracts with customers as well as lease revenue. 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

 

Total

Remainder of 2020

 $9,620  $14,358 

2021

  38,156   57,083 

Remainder of 2021

 $9,813  $14,644  $24,457 

2022

  30,076   45,512  35,825  55,044  90,869 

2023

  26,462   38,446  28,126  43,483  71,609 

2024

  26,506   38,494  28,169  43,520  71,689 

2025

 26,852  38,523  65,375 

Thereafter

  61,140   76,644   37,666   45,820   83,486 

Total revenue related to future performance obligations

 $191,960  $270,537  $166,451  $241,034  $407,485 

___________________

(1)(1)

Excluded from the table is revenue that is either constrained or related to performance obligations that are wholly unsatisfied as of September 30, 20202021.

 

5

Disaggregation of Revenue

 

Disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers for each operating segmentand lease revenue 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

 
  

Three Months ended September 30, 2019

 

Revenue from contracts with customers

                    

Third-party revenue:

                    

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

 $5,008  $3,264  $-  $-  $8,272 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  648   961   -   -   1,609 

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

  2,750   -   63   -   2,813 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  21   -   -   -   21 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  1,099   -   1   -   1,100 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 $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 
  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

  

Revenue from contracts with customers

 

Lease revenue

    
  

Third-party revenue

 

Related-party revenue

 

Third-party revenue

 

Related-party revenue

 

Total

Fixed storage and throughput revenue

 $5,097  $4,079  $-  $-  $9,176 

Fixed lease revenue

  -   -   7,766   6,552   14,318 

Variable cost recovery revenue

  1,665   552   499   154   2,870 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  752   218   877   784   2,631 

Total

 $7,514  $4,849  $9,142  $7,490  $28,995 

 

 

  

Three Months ended September 30, 2020

 

Revenue from contracts with customers

                    

Third-party revenue:

                    

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

 $5,097  $3,327  $-  $-  $8,424 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  752   863   -   -   1,615 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  1,665   -   -   -   1,665 

Crude oil transportation revenue

  -   -   412   770   1,182 

Crude oil product sales revenue

  -   -   51,390   -   51,390 

Related-party revenue:

                    

Fixed storage, throughput and other revenue

  4,079   -   -   -   4,079 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  267   -   -   -   267 

Variable reimbursement revenue

  503   -   -   -   503 

Total revenue from contracts with customers

 $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 

6

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021

  

Revenue from contracts with customers

 

Lease revenue

    
  

Third-party revenue

 

Related-party revenue

 

Third-party revenue

 

Related-party revenue

 

Total

Fixed storage and throughput revenue

 $5,084  $4,721  $-  $-  $9,805 

Fixed lease revenue

  -   -   7,823   6,785   14,608 

Variable cost recovery revenue

  2,296   160   420   250   3,126 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  539   272   979   1,010   2,800 

Total

 $7,919  $5,153  $9,222  $8,045  $30,339 

 

 

  

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

 

Lease revenue

    
  

Third-party revenue

 

Related-party revenue

 

Third-party revenue

 

Related-party revenue

 

Total

Fixed storage and throughput revenue

 $15,318  $9,861  $-  $-  $25,179 

Fixed lease revenue

  -   -   24,479   17,914   42,393 

Variable cost recovery revenue

  4,754   2,866   1,575   541   9,736 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  1,129   218   997   784   3,128 

Total

 $21,201  $12,945  $27,051  $19,239  $80,436 

 

 

  

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

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

  

Revenue from contracts with customers

 

Lease revenue

    
  

Third-party revenue

 

Related-party revenue

 

Third-party revenue

 

Related-party revenue

 

Total

Fixed storage and throughput revenue

 $15,232  $14,162  $-  $-  $29,394 

Fixed lease revenue

  -   -   23,445   20,356   43,801 

Variable cost recovery revenue

  6,125   452   1,387   694   8,658 

Variable throughput and other revenue

  793   423   1,094   1,010   3,320 

Total

 $22,150  $15,037  $25,926  $22,060  $85,173 

 

Contract Balances

 

Billed accounts receivable from contracts with customers were $23.2$2.1 million and $13.7$3.0 million at December 31, 20192020, and September 30, 20202021, respectively.

 

The Partnership records unearned revenues when cash payments are received in advance of performance. Unearned revenue related to contracts with customers was $3.0$3.2 million and $3.6$4.0 million at December 31, 20192020, and September 30, 20202021, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 20202021, the Partnership recognized $2.2$2.3 million of revenues that were previously included in the unearned revenue 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 less.

6

4.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On December 21, 2020, the Partnership has the rightannounced that it entered into agreements to invoice for services performed. The Partnership is using the right-to-invoice practical expedient on all contracts with customers insell its crude oil terminallingtrucking services, crude oil pipeline services, and crude oil terminalling services segments. These segments are reported as discontinued operations in the results of operations and financial position for all periods presented. The crude oil trucking services segments.

4.

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

agreement closed in two phases, one on December 15, 2020, and one on February 2, 2021. The Partnershipcrude oil pipeline services agreement closed on February 1, 2021. Loss recognized asset impairment expenseon the classification of $6.4 millionheld for sale and disposal of these assets was recorded in the nine monthsyear ended September 30,December 31, 2020. In the second quarter of 2020, the Partnership recorded an impairment of $1.3 millionThe transaction related to the crude oil truckingterminalling services segment basedclosed on the expected future cash flows and marketMarch 1, 2021. The Partnership has allocated interest to discontinued operations on debt that was required to be repaid as a result of the sales of the crude oil pipeline and terminalling services segment comparedfor the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2021.

As part of the crude oil pipeline sale, $1.4 million of the gross sale proceeds are currently being held in escrow, subject to post-closing settlement terms and conditions. The Partnership expects to receive the carrying valuemajority of its assets,this in increments over the two years following the date of sale.

Exit and consisted of $1.1 milliondisposal costs related to plant, propertythese sales, in the form of employee severance payments, totaled $1.9 million. The Partnership provided limited transition services to both of the buyers of the crude oil pipeline and equipment and $0.2 million relatedterminalling services segments, with the final transition services being completed during the third quarter of 2021. The contracts were designed to operating right-of-use assets. In addition,recover the costs of providing services, so there is minimal income statement impact for these services.

During the three months ended March 31,2020, an impairment of $4.9 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2020recognized to write-down the value of the Partnership’sPartnership's crude oil linefill from $8.1 million as of December 31, 2019, to $4.0 million 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 ninethree months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019, 2020, the Partnership recognized asset impairment expense of $2.3 million. A change$1.3 million in estimate of the push-down impairment relatedits crude trucking services segment based on expected future cash flows and market interest compared to Cimarron Express Pipeline, LLC (“Cimarron Express”) resulted in additional impairment expense of $2.0 million, which was recorded at the corporate level (see Note 8 for more information). In addition, flooding at several asphalt terminals in the Midwest led to an impairment of $0.3 million during that period.
carrying value.

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 million, which resulted in a gain of $1.5 million, and the sale of pipeline linefill for $1.6 million, which resulted in a gain of $0.3 million. 

Assets and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations (in thousands)

 

As of December 31, 2020

 
  

Crude Oil Trucking Services

  

Crude Oil Pipeline Services

  

Crude Oil Terminalling Services

  

Total

 

ASSETS

                

Accounts receivable, net

 $81  $13,711  $167  $13,959 

Plant, property, and equipment

  442   23,541   52,854   76,837 

Other assets

  331   547   5,271   6,149 

Total assets of discontinued operations

 $854  $37,799  $58,292  $96,945 
                 

LIABILITIES

                

Current liabilities

 $1,017  $14,921  $1,310  $17,248 

Total liabilities of discontinued operations

 $1,017  $14,921  $1,310  $17,248 

 

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

Assets and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations (in thousands)

 

As of September 30, 2021

 
  

Crude Oil Trucking Services

  

Crude Oil Pipeline Services

  

Crude Oil Terminalling Services

  

Total

 

ASSETS

                

Accounts receivable, net

 $0  $0  $299  $299 

Total assets of discontinued operations

 $0  $0  $299  $299 
                 

LIABILITIES

                

Current liabilities

 $12  $232  $104  $348 

Total liabilities of discontinued operations

 $12  $232  $104  $348 

 

87

 

Statement of Operations for Discontinued Operations (in thousands)

  Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 
  

Crude Oil Trucking Services

  

Crude Oil Pipeline Services

  

Crude Oil Terminalling Services

  

Total

 

Revenue:

                

Third-party service revenue

 $770  $412  $4,190  $5,372 

Intercompany service revenue

  1,434   0   0   1,434 

Third-party product sales revenue

  0   51,390   0   51,390 

Costs and expenses:

                

Operating expense

  2,415   3,366   2,363   8,144 

Intercompany operating expense

  0   1,434   0   1,434 

Cost of product sales

  0   19,833   0   19,833 

Cost of product sales from related party

  0   22,627   0   22,627 

General and administrative expense

  71   93   0   164 

(Gain)loss on disposal of assets

  76   (261)  0   (185)

Interest expense

  2   206   962   1,170 

Income(loss) before income taxes

  (360)  4,504   865   5,009 

Provision for income taxes

  1   0   0   1 

Net income(loss) from discontinued operations

 $(361) $4,504  $865  $5,008 

 

Statement of Operations for Discontinued Operations (in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021

 
  

Crude Oil Trucking Services

  

Crude Oil Pipeline Services

  

Crude Oil Terminalling Services

  

Total

 

Revenue:

                

Third-party service revenue

 $0  $0  $656  $656 

Costs and expenses:

                

Operating expense

  (7)  (1)  676   668 

General and administrative expense

  0   (11)  0   (11)

(Gain)loss on disposal of assets

  26   0   (7)  19 

Income(loss) before income taxes

  (19)  12   (13)  (20)

Provision for income taxes

  0   0   0   0 

Net income(loss) from discontinued operations

 $(19) $12  $(13) $(20)

Statement of Operations for Discontinued Operations (in thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

 
  

Crude Oil Trucking Services

  

Crude Oil Pipeline Services

  

Crude Oil Terminalling Services

  

Total

 

Revenue:

                

Third-party service revenue

 $4,834  $1,287  $12,613  $18,734 

Intercompany service revenue

  4,364   0   0   4,364 

Third-party product sales revenue

  0   119,068   0   119,068 

Costs and expenses:

                

Operating expense

  9,890   10,149   6,566   26,605 

Intercompany operating expense

  0   4,364   0   4,364 

Cost of product sales

  0   41,133   0   41,133 

Cost of product sales from related party

  0   63,671   0   63,671 

General and administrative expense

  212   295   0   507 

Tangible asset impairment expense

  1,330   2,821   2,266   6,417 

Gain on disposal of assets

  (120)  (56)  0   (176)

Interest expense

  9   762   3,398   4,169 

Income(loss) before income taxes

  (2,123)  (2,784)  383   (4,524)

Provision for income taxes

  9   0   0   9 

Net income(loss) from discontinued operations

 $(2,132) $(2,784) $383  $(4,533)

8

Statement of Operations for Discontinued Operations (in thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

 
  

Crude Oil Trucking Services

  

Crude Oil Pipeline Services

  

Crude Oil Terminalling Services

  

Total

 

Revenue:

                

Third-party service revenue

 $9  $535  $5,097  $5,641 

Intercompany service revenue

  409   0   0   409 

Third-party product sales revenue

  0   15,591   0   15,591 

Costs and expenses:

                

Operating expense

  1,419   1,552   2,184   5,155 

Intercompany operating expense

  0   409   0   409 

Cost of product sales

  0   4,994   0   4,994 

Cost of product sales from related party

  0   9,461   0   9,461 

General and administrative expense

  61   112   0   173 

Tangible asset impairment expense

  92   41   23   156 

(Gain)loss on disposal of assets

  23   (1,644)  (73,498)  (75,119)

Interest expense

  0   72   635   707 

Income(loss) before income taxes

  (1,177)  1,129   75,753   75,705 

Provision for income taxes

  0   0   0   0 

Net income(loss) from discontinued operations

 $(1,177) $1,129  $75,753  $75,705 

Select cash flow information (in thousands)

                
  

Crude Oil Trucking Services

  

Crude Oil Pipeline Services

  

Crude Oil Terminalling Services

  

Total

 
  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

Depreciation and amortization

 $531  $3,435  $3,409  $7,375 

Capital expenditures

 $2,019  $2,974  $472  $5,465 
                 
  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

 

Amortization

 $3  $14  $41  $58 

Capital expenditures

 $0  $30  $106  $136 

9

 

5.

DEBT

 

On May 11, 2017, 26, 2021, the Partnership entered into an amended and restated credit agreement. On June 28, 2018, the credit agreement was amended to, among other things, reduce thewith a revolving loan facility from $450.0 million to $400.0 million and amend the maximum permitted consolidated total leverage ratio as discussed below.

of $300.0 million. As of October 30, 2020November 4, 2021, approximately approximately $255.696.0 million of revolver borrowings and $1.70.7 million of letters of credit were outstanding under the credit agreement, leaving the Partnership with approximately $142.7203.3 million availableavailable capacity for additional revolver borrowings and letters of credit under the credit agreement, although the Partnership’s ability to borrow such funds is 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$450.0 million for all revolving loan commitments under the credit agreement.

 

The credit agreement will mature on May 11, 2022, 26, 2025, 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) (“Eurodollar Rate”) 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 rate30-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,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 (“credit agreement EBITDA”))charges).

 

The credit agreement includes financial covenants that are tested on a quarterly basis, based on the rolling four-quarterfour-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 beis 4.75 to 1.00; provided that the maximum permitted consolidated total leverage ratio may be increased to 5.25 to 1.00 for certain quarters, 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$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 credit agreement EBITDA)consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain other non-cash charges) 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$200.0 million.

 

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

 

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 (the “Partnership Agreement”).

create, issue, incur or assume indebtedness;

create, incur or assume liens;

consummate 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”).

 

At  September 30, 20202021, the Partnership’s consolidated total leverage ratio was  4.061.87 to 1.00 and the consolidated interest coverage ratio was 5.7914.83 to 1.00.  The Partnership was in compliance with all covenants of its credit agreement as of  September 30, 2020.

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”)2021. In performing this assessment, management considered the risk associated with its ongoing ability to meet the financial covenants.

BasedB ased 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 the continued ability to comply with the consolidated total leverage ratio covenant. These risks relate, among other things, to potential future (a) decreases in storage volumescurrent operating plans 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 the $260.6 million in outstanding debt as of September 30, 2020, to become immediately due and payable. If this were to occur,forecasts, 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 necessaryexpects to remain in compliance with all covenants of 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 thatcredit agreement for at least the Partnership will remain in compliance with the consolidated total leverage ratio during the assessment period.

next year.

 

The credit agreement permits the Partnership to make quarterly distributions of available cash (as defined in the Partnership Agreement)Partnership’s partnership agreement) to unitholders so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such distributions, the Partnership is in compliance with its financial covenants under the credit agreement and no default or event of default exists under the credit agreement. Additionally, the credit agreement permits the Partnership to repurchase up to an aggregate of $40.0 million of its units (including preferred units), up to $10.0 million for each calendar year, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such repurchases, the Partnership’s total leverage ratio is less than 4.00 to 1.00,no default or event of default exists under the credit agreement, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such distribution. The Partnershipand availability under the revolving credit facility 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 conductat least 20% of the Partnership’s business. See Note 7 for additional information regarding distributions.total commitments thereunder.

 

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;

 

(i)(ii)

the general partnerErgon ceases to own 100%and control 50% or more of the Partnership’s general partner interest or ceases to control the Partnership;

(ii)

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

 

(iii)

during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the membersBoard of the Boardgeneral partner ceases to be composed 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 toat least a majority of the Board was approved by individuals referred to in clause (A) above constituting at the time of such electionBoard; 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.

 

1011

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. 

 

Debt issuance costs are being amortized over the termOn May 26, 2021, as part of the credit agreement. Interest expense related toagreement refinancing, there was a non-cash increase in credit borrowings of $2.9 million and a non-cash increase in debt issuance cost amortization for both the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, was $0.3costs of $2.5 million. Interest expense related to debt issuance cost amortization for both the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, was $0.8 million.

 

DuringThe following table sets forth financial information pertaining to the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, the weighted average interest rate under the Partnership’s credit agreement was 5.90% and 3.56%, respectively, resulting in(in thousands, except for interest expense of approximately $4.0 million and $2.5 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, the weighted average interest rate under the Partnership’s credit agreement was 6.20% and 4.11%, respectively, resulting in interest expense of approximately $12.3 million and $8.5 million, respectively.rate):

  

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

  

2021

 

Debt issuance costs capitalized

 $0  $51  $0  $2,897 

Write off of debt issuance costs due to amendments

  0   0   0   147 

Write off of debt issuance costs due to new credit facility

  0   0   0   583 

Interest expense related to amortization of debt issuance costs

  251   193   753   655 

Credit facility interest expense(1)

  1,046   771   3,652   2,606 

Weighted average interest rate under credit facility(1)

  3.56%  3.47%  4.11%  3.73%

___________________

(1)

Excludes interest expense related to amortization and write off of debt issuance costs for the nine months ending September 30, 2021.

 

 

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 its respectivethe general partner’s ownership interestsinterest at the time. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the preferred units were also allocated income for the excess consideration paid over carrying value for the repurchase of preferred units. 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,

  

Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
 

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2020

  

2021

  

2020

  

2021

 

Net income

 $6,959  $14,393  $14,072  $15,744  $14,393  $12,596  $15,744  $101,532 

General partner interest in net income

  110   228   268   249  228  200  249  1,608 

Preferred interest in net income

  6,278   6,278   18,836   18,836   6,278   6,177   18,836   18,674 

Net income (loss) available to limited partners

 $571  $7,887  $(5,032) $(3,341)

Net income(loss) available to limited partners

 $7,887  $6,219  $(3,341) $81,250 
                 
Basic weighted average number of units:                 

Common units

  40,811   41,166   40,735   41,072  41,166  41,514  41,072  41,471 

Restricted and phantom units

  1,130   1,354   1,004   1,259   1,354   1,549   1,259   1,422 

Total units

  41,941   42,520   41,739   42,331   42,520   43,063   42,331   42,893 
                 

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)

Basic and diluted net income(loss) from discontinued operations per common unit

 $0.12  $0  $(0.11) $1.74 

Basic and diluted net income from continuing operations per common unit

 $0.07  $0.14  $0.03  $0.15 

Basic and diluted net income(loss) per common unit

 $0.19  $0.14  $(0.08) $1.89 

 

12

 

7.

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND DISTRIBUTIONS

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND DISTRIBUTIONS

During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Partnership repurchased a total of 30,102 outstanding preferred units at a weighted average cost of $8.11 per unit or total cash consideration of $0.2 million.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Partnership repurchased a total of 718,519 outstanding preferred units at a weighted average cost of $7.53 per unit or total cash consideration of $5.4 million. The consideration paid was based on the fair market value of the units at the time of purchase. The carrying value of the units was $7.23 per unit. The preferred units were allocated additional net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, of less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for the consideration paid in excess of carrying value. All repurchased units were subsequently retired.

 

On October 15, 202026, 2021, the Board approved a cash distribution of $0.17875$0.17875 per outstanding preferred unit for the three months ended September 30, 20202021. The Partnership will pay this distribution on November 13, 202012, 2021, to unitholders of record as of November 3, 20205, 2021. The total distribution will be approximately $6.4$6.2 million, with approximately $6.3$6.2 million and $0.1$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$0.04 per outstanding common unit for the three months ended September 30, 20202021. The Partnership will pay this distribution on November 13, 202012, 2021, to unitholders of record as of on November 3, 20205, 2021. The total distribution will be approximately $1.7$1.8 million, with approximately $1.6 million and less than $0.1$1.7 million to be paid to the Partnership’s common unitholders, andless than $0.1 million to be paid to the general partner, respectively, and approximately $0.1$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.

 

 

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, 2019 2020 and 20202021, the Partnership recognized related-party revenues of $9.3$12.4 million and $12.4$13.2 million, respectively, for services provided to Ergon. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 2020 and 20202021, the Partnership recognized related-party revenues of $27.2$32.3 million and $32.3$37.1 million, respectively, for services provided to Ergon. As of December 31, 20192020, and September 30, 20202021, the Partnership had receivables from Ergon of $1.1$0.5 million and $1.0$1.2 million, respectively. As of December 31, 20192020, and September 30, 20202021, the Partnership had unearned revenues from Ergon of $5.1$8.8 million and $6.7$9.5 million, respectively.

 

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 provideprovides certain operations and maintenance services to certain asphalt facilities that it leases under an agreement dated August 1, 2020.  For the 22 facilities also under the 2020 Master Storage, Throughput and Handling Agreement. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020,and 2021, the Partnership recognized operating expense of $3.1 million related toand $4.6 million, respectively, for these services.  For the Operating nine months ended September 30, 2020 and Maintenance Agreement.2021, the Partnership recognized operating expense of $3.1 million and $13.9 million, respectively.

 

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, 2019 and 2020, the Partnership made purchases of crude oil under this agreement totaling $32.8 million and $25.5 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, the Partnership made purchases of crude oil under this agreement totaling $98.6 million and $69.9 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2020, December 31, 2019, the Partnership had payablesa contingent liability to Ergon related to this agreement of $7.4 million for the September crude oil settlement cycle, and this balance was paid in full on October 20, 2020.

In May 2018, the Partnership, along with Kingfisher Midstream and Ergon, announced the execution of definitive agreements to form Cimarron 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 original anticipated in-service date in the second half of 2019. Ergon formed a Delaware limited liability company, Ergon - Oklahoma Pipeline, LLC (“DEVCO”), which held Ergon’s 50% membership interest in Cimarron Express. The Partnership and Ergon had an agreement (the “DEVCO Agreement”) that gave each party certain rights to obligate the counterparty to either sell or purchase the outstanding membership interests in DEVCO for a purchase price computed by taking Ergon’s total investment in Cimarron Express plus interest, subject to certain terms and conditions as described in the Agreement.

In December 2018, the Partnership and Ergon were informed that Kingfisher Midstream made the decision to suspend future investments in Cimarron Express as Kingfisher Midstream determined that the anticipated volumes from the dedicated acreage and the resultant project economics did not support additional investment from Kingfisher Midstream. The Partnership considered the SEC staff’s opinions outlined in SAB 107 Topic 5.T Accounting for Expenses or Liabilities Paid by Principal Stockholders, 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, the Partnership recorded impairments on a push-down basis based on Ergon’s 50% interest in Cimarron Express. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Partnership recorded impairment expense of $2.0$12.2 million related to the DEVCO Agreement, which includedCimarron Express project, a changepreviously disclosed joint venture between Kingfisher Midstream and Ergon’s development company (“DEVCO”) that was cancelled in estimateDecember 2018. The contingent liability reflected Ergon's investment in the joint venture and accrued interest.  The Partnership’s contingent liability as of December 31, 2019, consisted of Ergon’s $10.2 million investment plus accrued interest, of $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 requirefor which the Partnership, in accordance with the membership interest purchase agreement with Ergon, was meant to purchasebear the outstanding member interest in DEVCO, andrisk of loss related to DEVCO’s portion of the project. The Partnership paid the amountthis liability in full on January 3, 2020. This cash payment2020, and it is reflected as an acquisition of DEVCO in the investing cash flows sectionDEVCO on the Partnership’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

 

 

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, theThe Partnership’s unitholders have approved an amendment to the LTIP to increase the number of8.1 million common units to be 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, DERs entitlea DER entitles 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 annually.on each anniversary of joining the Board. The units vest in one-thirdone-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 2017

  15,306  $4.85  $74 

December 2018

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

December 2019

  7,500  $1.07  $8  7,500  $1.07  $8 

December 2020

 7,500  $2.06  $15 

(1)(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-yearthree-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 2018

  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  600,396  $0.90  $540 

October 2020

 16,339 $1.53 $25 

March 2021

 530,435  $2.71  $1,437 

(1)(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, 20202021, was $0.7$1.2 million, which will be expensed over the remaining vesting period.

 

The Partnership’s equity-based incentive compensation expense for each of the three months ended September 30, 2019 2020 and 20202021, was $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively.$0.2 million. The Partnership'sPartnership’s equity-based incentive compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 2020 and 20202021, was $0.8$0.6 million and $0.7$0.5 million, respectively. 

 

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

 

 

Number of Units

  

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

  

Number of Units

  

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2019

  1,068,343  $3.42 

Nonvested at December 31, 2020

 1,350,366  $1.81 

Granted

  600,396   0.90  530,435  $2.71 

Vested

  305,149   5.59  335,444  $4.15 

Forfeited

  14,156   2.19   0  $0 

Nonvested at September 30, 2020

  1,349,434  $2.68 

Nonvested at September 30, 2021

  1,545,357  $1.61 

 

 

10.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT

Commodity Derivative - During the second quarter of 2020, the Partnership’s internal 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 not exposed to additional commodity price risk beyond its normal marketing activity. The final purchase settlement on the contracts occurred in August 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 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 corresponding loss that was recognized in the second quarter of 2020, there is no income statement impact for the change in fair market value of the derivative for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The impact of the derivatives in the above table was reflected as cash from operations on our consolidated statements of cash flows.

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-tierthree-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.

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, 2020. 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.

 

As of December 31, 2020, and September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019,2021, the Partnership had no0 recurring financial assets or liabilities subject to fair value measurement.

 

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, 20202021, the carrying values on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents (classified as Level 1)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, 20202021, approximates its fair value. The fair value of the Partnership’s long-term debt was calculated using observable inputs (eurodollar(Eurodollar Rate for the risk-free component) and unobservable company-specific credit spread information. As such, the Partnership considers this debt to be Level 3.

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 SERVICES11. —The Partnership provides asphalt product and residual fuel terminalling services, including storage, blending, processing and throughput services. 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 system that gathers 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. 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 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 depreciation and 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. Transactions between segments are generally recorded based on prices negotiated between the segments and are similar to prices charged to third 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,

 
  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

 

Asphalt Terminalling Services

                

Service revenue:

                

Third-party revenue

 $7,385  $7,514  $21,218  $21,201 

Related-party revenue

  3,870   4,849   11,923   12,945 

Lease revenue:

                

Third-party revenue

  11,444   9,142   31,004   27,050 

Related-party revenue

  5,427   7,490   15,179   19,240 

Total revenue for reportable segment

  28,126   28,995   79,324   80,436 

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  11,058   12,518   35,050   36,139 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $17,068  $16,477  $44,274  $44,297 
Total assets (end of period) $141,153  $134,818  $141,153  $134,818 
                 

Crude Oil Terminalling Services

                

Service revenue:

                

Third-party revenue

 $4,225  $4,190  $11,815  $12,613 

Intersegment revenue

  278   -   853   - 

Total revenue for reportable segment

  4,503   4,190   12,668   12,613 

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  1,217   1,223   3,522   3,157 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $3,286  $2,967  $9,146  $9,456 
Total assets (end of period) $64,579  $57,056  $64,579  $57,056 

  

Three Months ended September 30,

  

Nine Months ended September 30,

 
  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

 

Crude Oil Pipeline Services

                

Service revenue:

                

Third-party revenue

 $1,284  $412  $5,748  $1,287 

Related-party revenue

  64   -   266   - 

Product sales revenue:

                

Third-party revenue

  55,213   51,390   173,773   119,068 

Total revenue for reportable segment

  56,561   51,802   179,787   120,355 

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  2,642   2,247   8,123   6,714 

Intersegment operating expense

  1,642   1,434   4,971   4,364 

Third-party cost of product sales

  18,972   19,833   64,069   41,133 

Related-party cost of product sales

  32,691   22,627   99,886   63,671 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $614  $5,661  $2,738  $4,473 
Total assets (end of period) $94,247  $77,380  $94,247  $77,380 
                 
Crude Oil Trucking Services                
Service revenue                

Third-party revenue

 $2,822  $770  $8,537  $4,834 
Intersegment revenue  1,364   1,434   4,118   4,364 
Total revenue for reportable segment  4,186   2,204   12,655   9,198 

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $4,058   2,289  $12,526   9,358 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $128  $(85) $129  $(160)

Total assets (end of period)

 $5,498  $4,113  $5,498  $4,113 
                 
Consolidated Amounts                

Total operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization(1)

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

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

 $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,

 
  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $21,096  $25,020  $56,287  $58,066 

Depreciation and amortization

  (6,240)  (5,438)  (19,211)  (17,698)

General and administrative expense

  (3,840)  (3,401)  (10,495)  (11,008)

Asset impairment expense

  (83)  -   (2,316)  (6,417)

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

  (40)  509   1,765   426 

Other income

  69   176   475   969 

Interest expense

  (3,989)  (2,472)  (12,394)  (8,586)

Income before income taxes

 $6,973  $14,394  $14,111  $15,752 

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.

 

15

 

14.12.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

Except as discussed in the 20192020 Form 10-K,10-K, there have been no new accounting pronouncements that have become effective or have been issued during the nine months ended September 30, 20202021, that are of significance or potential significance to the Partnership.

 

13.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 8,2021, Ergon publicly announced that it submitted to the Board a non-binding proposal, pursuant to which Ergon would acquire all common units and preferred units of the Partnership that Ergon and its affiliates do not already own in exchange for $3.32 per common unit and $8.46 per preferred unit. The transaction, as proposed, is subject to a number of contingencies, including the approval of the conflicts committee of the Board, the approval by the Partnership’s unitholders and the satisfaction of any conditions to the consummation of a transaction set forth in any definitive agreement concerning the transaction. There can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be executed or that any transaction will materialize.

 

 

Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.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).  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, 2019,2020, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 26, 202010, 2021 (the 2019“2020 Form 10-K”). 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains forward-looking statements.“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  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 20192020 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 26 states. We have the largest independent asphalt facility footprint in the nation, and through that we provide integrated terminalling services for companies engaged in the production, distribution, and marketing of liquid asphalt for infrastructure or other end markets. We manage our operations through a single operating segment, asphalt terminalling services.

We previously provided 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 fouroil in three different operating segments: (i) asphaltcrude oil terminalling services, (ii) crude oil terminallingpipeline services, and (iii) crude oil pipelinetrucking services. On December 21, 2020, we announced that we had entered into multiple definitive agreements to sell these segments. The transactions closed in February and March of 2021, and these segments are presented as discontinued operations for all periods.

Our 53 asphalt facilities are well-positioned to provide asphalt terminalling services in the market areas they serve throughout the continental United States. With our approximately 8.7 million barrels of total liquid asphalt storage capacity, we provide our customers the ability to effectively manage their liquid asphalt inventories in their processing and (iv) crude oil trucking services.marketing activities. Our asphalt terminalling business delivers a stable cash flow profile through long-term take-or-pay contracts that generally have original terms of 5 to 7 years with options to extend the term. The stability comes from the contract structure that is comprised primarily of take-or-pay fixed fees, which make up approximately 95% of our revenues on an annual basis after excluding cost reimbursements primarily for utilities. The remaining revenue is variable, primarily consisting of volume-based throughput fees.

We have contractual agreements in place for all of our asphalt terminalling facilities. We lease certain facilities for operation by our customers and at the remaining facilities our employees operate the facility to meet our customers’ specifications. The agreements have, based on a weighted average by remaining fixed revenue, approximately 5.2 years remaining under their terms as of November 4, 2021. Approximately 5% of our tank capacity will expire at the end of 2021 if not renewed with the current customer or a new customer, and the remaining capacity expires at varying times thereafter, through 2028. Our varying contract expiration dates provide for staggered renewals, which provides additional stability to the cash flow. 

17

 

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

 

The crude oilDue to the high percentage of fixed and reimbursement revenue from our long-term contracts, our focus and our primary risk is renewing contracts at favorable terms. Our ability to renew agreements on favorable terms, or at all, could be impacted if our customers experience negative market priceconditions. These factors include infrastructure spending, the strength of state and local economies, and the corresponding forward market pricing curve may fluctuate significantlylevel of allocations of tax funding to transportation spending from periodstate or federal funds. Public transportation infrastructure projects historically have been a relatively stable portion of state and federal budgets and represent a significant share of the United States construction market. Federal funds are allocated on a state-by-state basis, and each state is required to periodmatch a portion of the federal funds that it receives. Currently, from a macroeconomic view, there are positive indicators for the infrastructure and other volatility inconstruction sector, such as continued discussion and support for infrastructure spending from all sides of the overall energy industry, specifically in the midstream energy industry, 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 pricesfederal government, low interest rates, and a premium is placed on storing product and selling at a later time) or backwardated (in whichrecovering economy since mid-2020. However, due to 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 sellingnovel coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”), 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 October 30, 2020, the forward crude oil price curve is in contango. Potential impacts of these factors are discussed below.below, some uncertainty exists.

18

 

Due to the global pandemic related to COVID-19, the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, and the Organizationeconomy experienced a significant downturn during part 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.2020. Despite this economic volatility, in prices, our business is uniquely positionedcash flows remained stable and expected to benefit in certain areas, and cash flow for the full year isare 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.moving forward. While our customers across all our segments couldmay be impacted by the recent marketeconomic 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, weWe 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 preparingprepared 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 - While, historically, there have only been limited times in which asphalt prices and volumes have hadInfrastructure spending is currently a direct correlation withfocus at the price of crude oil, due to the steep decline in crude oil prices 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 more positive than negative implications for our asphalt terminalling services operating segment. Generally, asphalt volumes correlate more closely with the strength offederal, state, and local economies,levels. The current federal administration has targeted infrastructure as a top priority. Based on recent history, infrastructure investment has been renewed at increased levels, and, based on recent federal proposals, we expect the level of allocations of tax funding to transportation spending, and an increase incontinue to increase. Increased funding potentially impacts us through favorable customer contract renewals as well as increased customer volumes through our terminals. Any new federal infrastructure spending needs.

As previously mentioned, the U.S. government continues to indicate supporting infrastructure spending in this time of economic uncertainty. Further, customerswill likely not have communicated that infrastructure projects may be accelerated and increased during this time of decreased transportation volumea significant impact on the roads and highways. Whilecustomers’ 2021 throughput volumes, but it could for future years. This asphalt season, customer throughput volumes were generally higherare trending in line with prior years, and as such we expect the first halffinancial impact of the year comparedvariable throughput revenues to trend in line with prior year, the third quarter has seen lower volumes compared to prior year, but for the nine months they are consistent. Current conversations withyears as well.

Another factor impacting us and our customers, indicatefrom a short-term perspective, is weather patterns. Our customers’ volumes are expected to trend 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 for cleanup. Capital expenditures to repair the tank are expected to be between $1.0 million and $1.25 million, with the majority completed in the fourth quarter of 2020. We are pursuing insurance recoveries for this event, but there can be no assurance of the amount or timing of any proceeds we may 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. From March 2016 through February 2020, the crude oil curve had generally been in a shallow contango or backwardation. In shallow contango or backwardated markets there is no clear incentive for marketers to store crude oil. Despite the shallow contango curve, we saw 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. In late 2019, during recontracting efforts for 2020, the demand for storage declined and a small percentage of tanks 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 for crude oil storage in Cushing and globally, which positively impacted contracted volumes and rates in the second and third quarters of 2020. As we have started recontracting efforts for 2021, they have been positivelysignificantly impacted by the current contango market; however,prolonged rain or snow seasons or any shifts in the market in the fourth quartersevere weather that occurs. Damage to our terminal facilities from severe weather, such as flooding or hurricanes, could impact rates on uncontracted tanks.our operating results through additional costs and/or loss of revenue.

 

19
18

 

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. The ability to fully utilize the capacity of our 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.

In our internal crude oil marketing operations, 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.  

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. Due to the historic drop in oil prices in March and April 2020 and continued uncertainty in the market, customers could have wells shut-in or request rate decreases, which could impact our revenues and operating margin. The expected new wells from a key customer noted above will also impact the crude oil trucking volumes.

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, 2020, the Partnership recognized revenues of $32.3 million for services provided to Ergon, 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 28 under contract with Ergon. As of October 30, 2020, these agreements have, based on a weighted average by remaining fixed revenue, approximately 6.0 years remaining under their terms. Six agreements with third parties, representing seven facilities, expire in late 2021, and the remaining agreements expire at varying times thereafter, 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 October 30, 2020, we had approximately 5.7 million barrels of crude oil storage under service contracts, including 1.1 million barrels of crude oil storage contracts that expire at the end of 2020. The remaining terms on the service contracts that extend beyond 2020 range from 5 to 14 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 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 our crude oil pipeline services operating segment and our crude oil trucking 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)

 
  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

Three Months

 

Nine Months

  

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

#

 

%

 

#

 

%

Average pipeline throughput volume

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

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 addition, 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 their volumes to this competing pipeline. Vitol accounted for 28% and 38% of volumes transported on our pipelines in 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. 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.

Our Expenses

Operating expenses decreased7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019, primarily due to decreases in compensation expense, utility costs and maintenance repairs expense as a result of a focus on managing costs as well as a decrease in depreciation expense. General and administrative expenses increased by 5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase is primarily due to 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 our 2018 Form 10-K, which reduced expenses for that period. Our interest expense decreased by 31% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. See Interest expense within our results of operations discussion for additional detail regarding the factors that contributed to the decrease in interest expense in 2020.

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 15, 2020, the Board approved a cash distribution of $0.17875 per outstanding preferred unit for the three months ended September 30, 2020. We will pay this distribution on November 13, 2020, to unitholders of record as of November 3, 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, 2020. We will pay this distribution on November 13, 2020, to unitholders of record as of November 3, 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 approximately $0.1 million paid to holders of phantom and restricted units pursuant to awards granted under our Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Results of Operations

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with GAAP,generally accepted accounting principles, or “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, 20192020 and 2020,2021, reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measure:

 

  

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 

Operating results

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

$

  

%

  

$

  

%

 

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization:

                                

Asphalt terminalling services

 $17,068  $16,477  $44,274  $44,297  $(591)  (3)% $23   0%

Crude oil terminalling services

  3,286   2,967   9,146   9,456   (319)  (10)%  310   3%

Crude oil pipeline services

  614   5,661   2,738   4,473   5,047   822%  1,735   63%

Crude oil trucking services

  128   (85)  129   (160)  (213)  (166)%  (289)  (224)%

Total operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

  21,096   25,020   56,287   58,066   3,924   19%  1,779   3%
                                 

Depreciation and amortization

  (6,240)  (5,438)  (19,211)  (17,698)  802   13%  1,513   8%

General and administrative expense

  (3,840)  (3,401)  (10,495)  (11,008)  439   11%  (513)  (5)%

Asset impairment expense

  (83)  -   (2,316)  (6,417)  83   100%  (4,101)  (177)%

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

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

Operating income

  10,893   16,690   26,030   23,369   5,797   53%  (2,661)  (10)%
                                 

Other income (expenses):

                                

Other income

  69   176   475   969   107   155%  494   104%

Interest expense

  (3,989)  (2,472)  (12,394)  (8,586)  1,517   38%  3,808   31%

Provision for income taxes

  (14)  (1)  (39)  (8)  13   93%  31   79%

Net income

 $6,959  $14,393  $14,072  $15,744  $7,434   107% $1,672   12%

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, overall operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization, was higher than the same period in 2019. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019 is primarily driven by a derivative gain in the crude oil pipeline services segment for the three months ended September 30, 2020, of $3.6 million due to the settlement 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.

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

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)

 

Operating results

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  $  

%

  $  

%

 

Service revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

 $7,385  $7,514  $21,218  $21,201  $129   2% $(17)  0%

Related-party revenue

  3,870   4,849   11,923   12,945   979   25%  1,022   9%

Lease revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

  11,444   9,142   31,004   27,050   (2,302)  (20)%  (3,954)  (13)%

Related-party revenue

  5,427   7,490   15,179   19,240   2,063   38%  4,061   27%

Total revenue

  28,126   28,995   79,324   80,436   869   3%  1,112   1%

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  11,058   12,518   35,050   36,139   (1,460)  (13)%  (1,089)  (3)%

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $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:

Third-party service revenue was 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, due to the new operating and maintenance agreement with Ergon at 22 facilities. We expect the new agreements to 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.

  

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Variance

  

Nine Months Ended

  

Nine Months Variance

 

Operating results

 

September 30,

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

  

September 30,

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2021

  

 

  

$%

  

2020

  

2021

  

 

  

$%

 

Fixed fee revenue

 $23,494  $24,413  $919   4% $67,572  $73,195  $5,623   8%

Variable cost recovery revenue

  2,870   3,126   256   9%  9,736   8,658   (1,078)  (11)%

Variable throughput and other revenue

  2,631   2,800   169   6%  3,128   3,320   192   6%

Total revenue

  28,995   30,339   1,344   5%  80,436   85,173   4,737   6%

Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization

  (12,517)  (12,917)  (400)  (3)%  (36,137)  (38,880)  (2,743)  (8)%

Total operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

  16,478   17,422   944   6%  44,299   46,293   1,994   5%
                                 

Depreciation and amortization

  3,054   2,919   135   4%  10,324   8,919   1,405   14%

General and administrative expense

  3,237   2,967   270   8%  10,501   9,921   580   6%

(Gain)loss on disposal of assets

  (324)  129   (453)  (140)%  (250)  129   (379)  (152)%

Operating income

  10,511   11,407   896   9%  23,724   27,324   3,600   15%
                                 

Other income(expenses):

                                

Other income

  176   2,187   2,011   1,143%  969   2,529   1,560   161%

Interest expense

  (1,302)  (968)  334   26%  (4,417)  (3,996)  421   10%

Provision for income taxes

  -   (10)  (10)  N/A   1   (30)  (31)  (3,100)%

Income from continuing operations

  9,385   12,616   3,231   34%  20,277   25,827   5,550   27%

Income(loss) from discontinued operations, net

  5,008   (20)  (5,028)  (100)%  (4,533)  75,705   80,238   1,770%

Net income

 $14,393  $12,596  $(1,797)  (12)% $15,744  $101,532  $85,788   545%

 

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)

 

Operating results

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  $  

%

  $  

%

 

Service revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

 $4,225  $4,190  $11,815  $12,613  $(35)  (1)% $798   7%

Intersegment revenue

  278   -   853   -   (278)  (100)%  (853)  (100)%

Total revenue

  4,503   4,190   12,668   12,613   (313)  (7)%  (55)  (0)%

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  1,217   1,223   3,522   3,157   (6)  (0)%  365   10%

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $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)

  5,862   5,659   5,731   5,457   (203)  (3)%  (274)  (5)%

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

  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 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. Decreases due to lower tank repair expenses were partially offset by higher compensation cost and increases in insurance premiums.

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)

 

Operating results

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  $  

%

  $  

%

 

Service revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

 $1,284  $412  $5,748  $1,287  $(872)  (68)% $(4,461)  (78)%

Related-party revenue

  64   -   266   -   (64)  (100)%  (266)  (100)%

Product sales revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

  55,213   51,390   173,773   119,068   (3,823)  (7)%  (54,705)  (31)%

Total revenue

  56,561   51,802   179,787   120,355   (4,759)  (8)%  (59,432)  (33)%

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  2,642   2,247   8,123   6,714   395   15%  1,409   17%

Intersegment operating expense

  1,642   1,434   4,971   4,364   208   13%  607   12%

Third-party cost of product sales

  18,972   19,833   64,069   41,133   (861)  (5)%  22,936   36%

Related-party cost of product sales

  32,691   22,627   99,886   63,671   10,064   31%  36,215   36%

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $614  $5,661  $2,738  $4,473  $5,047   822% $1,735   63%
                                 

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)

  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:

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.

Throughput volumes and related service revenue have decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the same periods in 2019 due to decreased drilling activities in the 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 this competing pipeline beginning in late 2019. Vitol accounted for 28% and 38% of volumes 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 and 2020, included $0.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in sales of crude oil product accumulated over time through customer loss allowance deductions. The remaining change in product sales revenue is related to our crude oil marketing business and reflects the decrease in the market price of crude oil.
Overall cost of product sales has decreased consistently with crude oil marketing revenue and reflects the decrease in the market price of crude oil. 

 

Crude oil trucking services segmentRevenues. Total revenues increased to $30.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $29.0 million for the same period in 2020, and increased to $85.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $80.4 million for the same period in 2020. Revenues consist primarily of fixed fees for items such as storage and minimum throughput requirements, with consideration of annual consumer price index (“CPI”) adjustments built into our agreements. In addition to CPI escalations, the increase in fixed fee revenue is primarily due to certain contracts that changed from a lease arrangement to an operating arrangement. Variable cost recovery revenue is driven by certain reimbursable operating expenses, such as utility costs, and therefore have no net impact on operating margin or net income. Variable throughput revenue is primarily driven by our customers’ excess volumes over annual minimum thresholds and the timing of those thresholds being reached during the year. The increase in variable throughput revenue for the three and nine month periods is due to the timing of certain customers reaching their thresholds and certain customer volumes trending favorably.  

 

Our crude oil trucking services segment operations generally consist of fee-based activity associated with transporting crude oil products on trucks. Revenues       Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization. Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased to $12.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $12.5 million for the same period in 2020, and increased to $38.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $36.1 million for the same period in 2020. Significant factors contributing to this change include certain contracts that changed from a lease arrangement to an operating arrangement and higher utility costs from rising prices, which are generated primarily through transportation fees.

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

  

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 

Operating results

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

      

$%

      

$%

 

Service revenue:

                                

Third-party revenue

 $2,822  $770  $8,537  $4,834  $(2,052)  (73)% $(3,703)  (43)%

Intersegment revenue

  1,364   1,434   4,118   4,364   70   5%  246   6%

Total revenue

  4,186   2,204   12,655   9,198   (1,982)  (47)%  (3,457)  (27)%

Operating expense, excluding depreciation and amortization

  4,058   2,289   12,526   9,358   1,769   44%  3,168   25%

Operating margin, excluding depreciation and amortization

 $128  $(85) $129  $(160) $(213)  (166)% $(289)  (224)%
                                 

Average volume (in thousands of barrels per day)

  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:

Third-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, 2019, due to decreased drilling activities in the areas we serve. Intersegment revenues increased for the same periods due to our crude oil marketing operations purchasing increased volumes from 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 second quarter of 2020 to optimize headcount.

Other Income and Expensescustomers.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased slightly to $5.4$2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020,2021, as compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, due to a number of assets reaching the end of their depreciable lives at the end of the second quarter of 2020.  Depreciation and amortization expense decreased to $17.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $19.2$3.1 million for the same period in 2019.2020, and decreased to $8.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $10.3 million for the same period in 2020. This decrease is primarily the result of certain assets reaching the end of their depreciable lives at the end of the first quarter of 2019 and the end of the second quarter of 2020.lives.

 

General and administrative expense.  General and administrative expense decreased to $3.4$3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020,2021, as compared to $3.8$3.2 million for the same period in 2019,2020, and increaseddecreased to $11.0$9.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2021, as compared to $10.5$10.5 million for the same period in 2019.2020. The decrease for the quarterly comparative periods is due to decreases in compensation expense and professional fees. The year-over-year increasethree month period was due to corporate cost synergies realized after the receipt during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, of a $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 flowscompletion 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 linefillbusiness sales, which included lower compensation costs in 2021 due to the decreasereductions in the market price of crude oil occurredcorporate overhead in the first quarter of 2020. Asset impairment expense for2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, was $2.3 million and consistedmonth period, decreases due to separation costs incurred in the second quarter of a change in estimate2020 related to the resignation of the push-down impairmentformer Chief Executive Officer of our general partner and the lower compensation costs in 2021 due to reductions in corporate overhead were partially offset by severance paid in the first quarter of 2021 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.the crude business sales.

 

Gain(loss) on disposal of assetsOther income. . GainsOther income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020,, relate primarily related 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 claim recoveries related to flood damages incurred in 2019 and 2020 at certain asphalt facilities of $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.facilities.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense represents interest on borrowings under our credit agreement as well as amortization of debt issuance costs. The following table presents the significant components of interest expense (in(dollars in thousands):

 

 

Three Months ended

  

Nine Months ended

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

  

Three Months Ended

 

Three Months Variance

 

Nine Months Ended

 

Nine Months Variance

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

Three Months

  

Nine Months

  

September 30,

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

  

September 30,

  

Favorable/(Unfavorable)

 
 

2019

  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  $  

%

  $  

%

  

2020

 

2021

 

 

  

$%

  

2020

  

2021

  

 

  

$%

 

Credit agreement interest

 $3,714  $2,200  $11,585  $7,778  $1,514   41% $3,807   33% $1,046  $771  $275  26% $3,652  $2,606  $1,046  29%

Amortization of debt issuance costs

  251   251   753   753   -   0%  -   0% 251  193  58  23% $753  655  98  13%

Write-off of debt issuance costs

 - - - 0% $- 730 (730) N/A 

Other

  24   21   56   55   3   13%  1   2%  5   4   1   20% $12   5   7   58%

Total interest expense

 $3,989  $2,472  $12,394  $8,586  $1,517   38% $3,808   31% $1,302  $968  $334  26% $4,417  $3,996  $421  10%

 

The decrease in credit agreement interest is due to a decrease inlower floating interest rates.Eurodollar Rates, lower average borrowings outstanding during the period, and favorable changes to the applicable margin based on an improved leverage ratio.

Distributions

 

EffectsThe amount of Inflationdistributions 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 26, 2021, the Board approved a cash distribution of $0.17875 per outstanding preferred unit for the three months ended September 30, 2021. We will pay this distribution on November 12, 2021, to unitholders of record as of November 5, 2021. The total distribution will be approximately $6.2 million, with approximately $6.2 million and $0.1 million paid to our preferred unitholders and general partner, respectively.

 

In recent years, inflation has been modestaddition, the Board approved a cash distribution of $0.04 per outstanding common unit for the three months ended September 30, 2021. We will pay this distribution on November 12, 2021, to unitholders of record as of November 5, 2021. The total distribution will be approximately $1.8 million, with approximately $1.7 million paid to our common unitholders, less than $0.1 million paid to our general partner, and has not had a material impact upon the resultsapproximately $0.1 million paid to holders of phantom and restricted units pursuant to awards granted under our operations.Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

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, inclusive of both continuing and discontinued operations, for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2020:2021: 

 

  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)
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  

2020

  

2021

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $43,900  $35,272 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 $(22,193) $149,838 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 $(21,293) $(185,360)

 

Operating Activities.  Net cash provided by operating activities increaseddecreased to $43.9$35.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as compared 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, primarily due to increased net income as discussed in Results of Operations above as well as changes in working capital.

 

Investing Activities.  Net cash used inprovided by investing activities was $22.2$149.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $22.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The nine months ended September 30, 2021, included net proceeds from the sale of the crude oil businesses of $155.2 million, which excludes $1.4 million of funds held in escrow for right of way renewals.  Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, inclusive of both continuing and discontinued operations, included maintenance capital expenditures of $5.1 million and expansion capital expenditures of $1.3 million. In addition, we received $1.1 million of insurance proceeds during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, from claims related to property damage repairs. The nine months ended September 30, 2020,, compared to $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The nine months ended September 30, 2020, included a $12.2 million payment to Ergon related to our purchase of Ergon’s DEVCO entity related to Cimarron Express. The Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, included net proceeds from the disposal2020, inclusive of certain assets of $7.1 million. Of such proceeds, $2.6 million related to the December 2018 sale of linefill for which the cash consideration was not received until January 2019.  Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2019both continuing and 2020,discontinued operations, included maintenance capital expenditures of $7.5$7.5 million for both periods, and expansion capital expenditures of $2.0 million and $4.9 million, respectively.$4.9 million. 

 

Financing Activities.  Net cash used in financing activities was $21.3$185.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $21.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, consisted primarily of net payments on long-term debt of $154.5 million, $24.1 million in distributions to our unitholders, and the repurchase of preferred units of $5.4 million. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020,, compared to $34.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, consisted primarily of $24.3$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$5.0 million.

 

Our Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash flows from operations and fromavailability under our revolving credit agreementfacility are our primary sources of liquidity. At September 30, 2020,2021, we had a working capital deficit of $9.4$10.7 million. This is primarily a function of our approach to cash management. At September 30, 2020,2021, we had approximately $260.6$101.0 million of revolver borrowings and approximately $1.7$0.7 million of letters of credit outstanding under the credit agreement, leaving us with approximately $137.7$198.3 million of availability under our credit agreement subject to covenant restrictions, which limited our availability to $44.8$157.2 million. As of October 30, 2020,November 4, 2021, we have approximately approximately $255.696.0 million of revolver borrowings and approximately $1.70.7 million of letters of credit outstanding under the credit agreement, leaving us with aggregate unused commitments under our revolving credit facility of approximately $142.7203.3 million and cash on hand of approximately $0.1 million. TheThe credit agreement is scheduled to mature on May 11, 2022.26, 2025.

 

 

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, 2020,2021, and for each fiscal quarter thereafter, is 4.75. Our consolidated total leverage ratio was 4.061.87 to 1.00 as of September 30, 2020

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.

Based2021.  Based on forecasted EBITDA during the assessment period, management believes that we 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 volumescurrent operating plans 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 $260.6 million in outstanding debt, as of September 30, 2020, 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 necessaryexpect 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 withall covenants of the consolidated total leverage ratio duringcredit agreement for at least the assessment period.next year.

 

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.

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, 2019 and 2020 (in thousands):

  

Nine Months ended September 30,

 
  

2019

  

2020

 

Acquisitions

 $-  $12,221 
         

Gross expansion capital expenditures

 $1,969  $4,860 

Reimbursable expenditures

  (61)  (289)

Net expansion capital expenditures

 $1,908  $4,571 
         

Gross maintenance capital expenditures

 $7,459  $7,521 

Reimbursable expenditures

  (202)  (2,007)

Net maintenance capital expenditures

 $7,257  $5,514 

Expansion capital expendituresfrom continuing operations 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, we2021 (in thousands):

  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
  

2020

  

2021

 

Acquisitions

 $12,221  $- 
         

Gross expansion capital expenditures

 $836  $1,312 

Reimbursable expenditures

  (284)  (154)

Net expansion capital expenditures

 $552  $1,158 
         

Gross maintenance capital expenditures

 $6,080  $4,946 

Reimbursable expenditures

  (1,114)  (19)

Net maintenance capital expenditures

 $4,966  $4,927 

________________

(1)

Related to the acquisition of DEVCO from Ergon as described in Note 8 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

We currently expect our 2021 expansion capital expenditures for organic growth projects to be approximately $2.2$1.0 million to $2.6$1.5 million for all of 2020.  We currently expectand our maintenance capital expenditures to be approximately $7.8$6.0 million to $8.2$6.5 million, each net of reimbursable expenditures, for all of 2020.expenditures.

 

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 1412 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.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures aboutAbout Market Risk

 

Pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e)), the 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).

 

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures.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, 2020,2021, 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, 2020,2021, 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 1311 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, 20192020.

.Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities


The following table sets forth a summary of our purchases during the three months ended September 30, 2021, of equity securities that are registered by Blueknight pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Period

 

Total Number of Series A Preferred Units Purchased(1)

  

Average Price Paid per Series A Preferred Unit(1)

  

Total Number of Series A Preferred Units Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

  

Maximum Dollar Value of Series A Preferred Units that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

 

09/01/2021-09/30/2021

  102  $8.10   -  $- 

08/01/2021-08/31/2021

  30,000  $8.11   -  $- 

07/01/2021-07/31/2021

  -  $-   -  $- 

___________________

(1)

The August repurchase was made pursuant to a single privately negotiated transaction.  The September repurchase consisted of multiple open-market transactions.


 

 

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*

 

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

31.2*

CertificationCertifications 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#101.INS

 

The following financial information from Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q forInline XBRL Instance Document - the quarter ended September 30, 2020, formattedinstance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Documenttags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Document.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and Entity Information; (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020; (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020; (iv) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changescontained in Partners’ Capital (Deficit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020; (v) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020;Exhibit 101).

Attached as Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report are the following Inline XBRL-related documents: (i) Document and Entity Information; (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2021; (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2021; (iv) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Deficit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2021; (v) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2021; 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 5, 202012, 2021

By:

/s/ Matthew R. Lewis

 

 

 

Matthew R. Lewis

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Date:

November 5, 202012, 2021

By:

/s/ Michael G. McLanahan

 

 

 

Michael G. McLanahan

 

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

25

31