Three Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2003 Revenues. Our transportation and compression revenues increased to $4,468,400 in the three months ended June 30, 2004 from $4,325,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase of $143,400 (3%) resulted from an increase in the average transportation fee paid to us ($338,600) partially offset by a decrease in the volumes of natural gas we transported ($195,200). Our average daily throughput volumes were 52,442 mcf in the three months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to 54,734 mcf in the three months ended June 30, 2003, a decrease of 2,292 mcf (4%). During the three months and twelve months ended June 30, 2004, we added 115 and 309 new wells to our system, respectively. Although production volumes have been added from new wells, overall production for the three months ended June 30, 2004 has declined due to the following factors. Of the above well connections, Atlas America drilled and connected 42 wells during the twelve months ended June 30, 2004 in an area of operation that produces predominately oil. The decrease in the three months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the prior year period includes a decrease resulting from normal recurring adjustments of estimated accruals. In addition, in February 2004, a third party producer that had been connected to our Fayette County, Pennsylvania system constructed its own gathering system, resulting in a loss in throughput volumes. Our average transportation rate was $.94 per mcf in the three months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $.87 per mcf in the three months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $.07 per mcf (8%). In the second quarter of 2004, natural gas prices were higher than those of the prior year period. Since our transportation rates are generally at fixed percentages of the sales price of the natural gas we transport, the higher prices resulted in an increase in our average transportation rate. Costs andExpenses. Our transportation and compression expenses decreased to $537,900 in the three months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $615,800 in the three months ended June 30, 2003, a decrease of $77,900 (13%). Our average cost per mcf for transportation and compression was $.11 in the three months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $.12 in the three months ended June 30, 2003. This decrease primarily resulted from a decrease in compressor lease payments as a result of our decision to purchase the majority of the compressors we had previously leased.
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Our general and administrative expenses increased to $582,500 in the three months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $546,600 in the three months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $35,900 (7%). This increase is the result of the expensing of phantom units issued under the Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan established in February 2004 for officers and members of the managing board of our general partner and employees of our general partner’s affiliates who perform services for us, and the related distributions payable on those units at June 30, 2004. We incurred $69,800 in expense in the three months ended June 30, 2004 associated with phantom units issued. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the fair value of phantom units is amortized over the vesting period of these units and the related distribution payable is recognized in expense as declared. Our depreciation and amortization expense increased to $592,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $421,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $171,000 (41%). This increase resulted from our increased asset base associated with pipeline extensions and the upgrade of compressors and compressor stations. We anticipate that our depreciation will increase in the remainder of 2004 as a result of our pipeline extensions and compressor upgrades. Our interest expense decreased to $63,800 in the three months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $79,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2003. This decrease of $15,200 (19%) resulted from decreased borrowings in the three months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003. In June 2003, we repaid all of our existing debt with proceeds from a public offering we completed in May 2003. Our interest expense in the three months ended June 30, 2004 consisted of commitment fees on amounts not drawn on our credit facility and amortization of our debt issuance costs. Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 Revenues. Our transportation and compression revenues increased to $8,678,700 in the six months ended June 30, 2004 from $7,653,400 in the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase of $1,025,300 (13%) resulted from an increase in the average transportation fee paid to us ($1,054,400) partially offset by a decrease in the volumes of natural gas we transported ($29,100). Our average daily throughput volumes were 51,940 mcf in the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to 52,402 mcf in the six months ended June 30, 2003, a decrease of 462 mcf (1%). During the six months and twelve months ended June 30, 2004, we added 190 and 309 new wells to our system, respectively. Although production volumes have been added from new wells, overall production for the six months ended June 30, 2004 has declined due to the following factors. Of the above well connections, Atlas America drilled and connected 42 wells during the twelve months ended June 30, 2004 in an area of operation that produces predominately oil. The decrease in the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the prior year period includes a decrease resulting from normal recurring adjustments of estimated accruals. In addition, in February 2004, a third party producer that had been connected to our Fayette County, Pennsylvania system constructed it own gathering system, resulting in a loss in throughput volumes.
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Our average transportation rate was $.92 per mcf in the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $.81 per mcf in the six months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $.11 per mcf (14%). During the six months ended June 30, 2004, natural gas prices increased over the prior year period. Since our transportation rates are generally at fixed percentages of the sales price of the natural gas we transport, the higher prices resulted in an increase in our average transportation rate. Costs and Expenses. Our transportation and compression expenses decreased to $1,144,700 in the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $1,224,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2003, a decrease of $79,300 (6%). Our average cost per mcf for transportation and compression was $.12 in the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $.13 in the six months ended June 30, 2003. This decrease primarily resulted from a decrease in compressor lease payments as a result of our decision to purchase the majority of the compressors we had previously leased. Our general and administrative expenses increased to $1,163,600 in the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $865,700 in the six months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $297,900 (34%). This increase primarily resulted from an increase in our cost associated with the preparation and filing of two tax returns for 2003. This is a result of our general partner’s percentage interest in us being reduced below 50% as a result of our offering of common units in May 2003, requiring a change in our tax year-end from September 30th to December 31st which necessitated the filing of an additional short year tax return. This expense is non-reoccurring. In addition, under our Long-Term Incentive Plan we recognized approximately $72,300 in expense related to the expensing of phantom units issued and their related dividends. Our depreciation and amortization expense increased to $1,110,700 in the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $827,700 in the six months ended June 30, 2003, an increase of $283,000 (34%). This increase resulted from our increased asset base associated with pipeline extensions and the upgrade of compressors and compressor stations. We anticipate that our depreciation will increase in the remainder of 2004 as a result of our pipeline extensions and compressor upgrades. Our interest expense decreased to $126,500 in the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $162,500 in the six months ended June 30, 2003. This decrease of $36,000 (22%) resulted from decreased borrowings in the six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003. In June 2003, we repaid all of our existing debt with proceeds from a public offering we completed in May 2003. Our interest expense in the six months ended June 30, 2004 consisted of commitment fees on amounts not drawn on our credit facility and amortization of our debt issuance costs. Liquidity and Capital Resources Our primary cash requirements, in addition to normal operating expenses, are for debt service, maintenance capital expenditures, expansion capital expenditures and quarterly distributions to our unitholders and general partner. In addition to cash generated from operations, we have the ability to meet our cash requirements, (other than distributions to our unitholders and general partner) through borrowings under our credit facility. In general, we expect to fund: |