NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—UNAUDITED
1. Organization and Business
Starfish Pipeline Company, LLC (“Starfish” or the “Company”) was formed on December 8, 2000, under the provisions of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. Starfish was owned 50% each by Enterprise Products Operating, LP (“Enterprise”) and Shell Gas Transmission, LLC (“Shell”), an affiliate of Shell Oil Company (“SOC”). In January 2001, Starfish acquired 100% of Stingray Pipeline Company, LLC (“Stingray”), West Cameron Dehydration, LLC (“West Cameron”) and Triton Gathering, LLC (“Triton”, previously East Breaks Gathering Company, LLC) from Deepwater Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of the El Paso Corporation. The purchase price was $50,200,000, which was allocated based on the fair value of the net assets acquired. Since the estimated fair value of the net assets was in excess of the purchase price, no goodwill was recorded. On December 31, 2004, SOC sold its interest in Shell to Enbridge Holdings (Offshore) L.L.C. (“Enbridge”), an affiliate of Enbridge (U.S.) Inc. Therefore, as of December 31, 2004, SOC was no longer an affiliate. Subsequent to the sale, Shell was renamed Enbridge Offshore (Gas Transmission) L.L.C. On March 31, 2005, with an effective date of January 1, 2005, Enterprise sold its interest in Starfish to MarkWest Energy Partners L.P. (“MarkWest”). Therefore, as of January 1, 2005, Enterprise was no longer an affiliate.
Stingray operates a regulated natural gas pipeline system (the “Stingray System”) engaged in the transmission of natural gas in the Louisiana and Texas offshore areas. The Stingray System consists of (i) 361 miles of 6 to 36-inch diameter pipeline that transports natural gas from the High Island Offshore System, or HIOS, West Cameron, East Cameron, Garden Banks and Vermilion lease areas in the Gulf of Mexico to onshore transmission systems in Louisiana, (ii) 43 miles of 16 to 20-inch diameter pipeline connecting platforms and leases in the Garden Banks Block 191 and 72 areas to the Stingray System, and (iii) 13 miles of 16-inch diameter pipeline connecting the GulfTerra Energy Partners L.P., formerly known as El Paso Energy Partners L.P., platform at East Cameron Block 373 to the Stingray System at East Cameron Block 338.
West Cameron operates an unregulated natural gas dehydration facility that provides interruptible dehydration service to offshore platform operators connected to the Stingray System. The facility is located at Stingray station 701 in Holly Beach, Louisiana.
Triton is an unregulated gathering system that includes 18 laterals, which are connected to the Stingray System, and located in the Garden Banks, East Cameron, Vermilion, and West Cameron areas of the Gulf of Mexico. This includes the Gunnison lateral completed in December 2003 and the West Cameron 62 Lateral purchased from El Paso in May 2006.
Starfish has no employees and receives all administrative and operating support through contractual arrangements with affiliated companies. These services and agreements are outlined in Note 3, Related Party Transactions.
Agreements between the member companies address the allocation of income and capital contributions and distributions amongst the respective members’ capital accounts.
The terms of the agreements include, but are not limited to, the following:
· No member is required to make a capital contribution unless such member votes to approve the capital contribution;
· If a member does not contribute by the time required, other non-defaulting members may elect to participate in its share of such advance in proportion to its membership interest;
· Starfish is required to distribute all available cash, as defined by the members, within thirty days of the end of the calendar month;
· Starfish is not required to distribute any amounts that would cause it to materially default under any debt agreement or instrument.
9
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—UNAUDITED
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates and Significant Risks
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the related reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates and assumptions include those made in areas of FERC regulations, fair value of financial instruments, future cash flows associated with assets, useful lives for depreciation and potential environmental liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management believes that the estimates are reasonable.
Development and production of natural gas in the service area of the pipeline and dehydration facilities are subject to, among other factors, prices for natural gas and federal and state energy policy, none of which are within Starfish’s control.
Regulation
The Stingray System is an interstate pipeline subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). Stingray has accounting policies that conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as applied to regulated enterprises and are in accordance with the accounting requirements and ratemaking practices of the FERC.
Stingray follows the regulatory accounting principles prescribed under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation. If Stingray discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71, due to an increased level of competition and discounting in its market area, adjustments and reversals of regulatory assets and liabilities would be necessary.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
All highly liquid investments with maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Allowances have been established for losses on accounts, which may become uncollectible. Collectibility is reviewed regularly and the allowance is adjusted as necessary, primarily under the specific identification method. The allowance was $0 and $1,421,567 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The Company recognized provisions for bad debts of $1,421,567 in 2005 relating to imbalance disputes with shippers which has been resolved in 2006.
Pipelines, Plant and Equipment
Pipelines, plant and equipment consist primarily of natural gas pipeline assets and related facilities that are recorded at cost. The regulated portion of the pipeline assets includes an Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (“AFUDC”). The rates used in the calculation of AFUDC are determined in accordance with guidelines established by FERC. The pipeline and related facilities are depreciated on the straight-line method over 100 years. The dehydration facility is depreciated based on a useful life of 40 years. The laterals are depreciated based on a useful life of 10 years. Routine maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred while additions, improvements and replacements are capitalized.
Leased property and equipment are capitalized, as appropriate, and the present value of the related lease payments is recorded as a liability. Amortization of capitalized lease assets is computed on a straight-line method over the term of the lease and recorded as a component of depreciation expense. Improvements to leased properties are amortized over their useful lives or the lease period, whichever is shorter.
10
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—UNAUDITED
Starfish records depreciation using the group method of depreciation which is commonly used by pipelines, utilities and similar entities. Under the group method, upon the disposition of property, plant and equipment, the cost less net proceeds is typically charged to accumulated depreciation and no gain or loss on disposal is recognized. However, when a separately identifiable group of assets, such as a stand-alone pipeline system is sold, Starfish will recognize a gain or loss in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the difference between the cash received and the net book value of the assets sold.
Impairment of Long Lived Assets
Starfish evaluates its assets for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recovered. These events include market declines that are believed to be other than temporary, changes in the manner in which Starfish intends to use a long-lived asset and adverse changes in the legal or business environment, such as adverse actions by regulators. When an event occurs, Starfish evaluates the recoverability of its carrying value based on its long-lived assets’ ability to generate future cash flows on an undiscounted basis. If impairment is indicated Starfish will adjust the carrying value of assets downward.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Effective January 1, 2003, Starfish adopted SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. SFAS No. 143, issued in June 2001, requires the recording of liabilities equal to the fair value of asset retirement obligations and corresponding additional asset costs. The obligations included are those for which there is a legal obligation as a result of existing or enacted law, statute or contract. Over time, the liability would be accreted to its present value, and the capitalized cost would be depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, an entity would either settle the obligation for its recorded amount or recognize a gain or loss. Starfish’s assets are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation and the Minerals Management Service (“MMS”). The MMS requires the ultimate abandonment of offshore facilities when they are no longer in use or when suspension for future utilization cannot be justified. Stingray and Triton recorded asset retirement obligations for several of their laterals during FAS 143 implementation in 2003. Starfish did not recognize any asset retirement obligations for its remaining assets because these were determined to be part of the main trunk-line system or laterals with long term usage potential, and due to current reserve estimates and expanding production in the deepwater of the Gulf of Mexico, the date of abandonment could not be reasonably estimated. FIN 47 provides specific guidance regarding when an asset retirement obligation is reasonably estimable including when sufficient information is available to apply an expected present value technique. The Company’s implementation of FIN 47 did not have a material impact effect on these financial statements.
Costs related to the retirement of the Stingray System are provided for in the rates charged to shippers, as allowed by the FERC. The amounts charged to shippers for the costs related to the retirement of the Stingray System differ from the period costs recognized in accordance with SFAS No. 143, and therefore, result in a difference in the timing of recognition of period costs for financial reporting and rate-making purposes. The Company recognizes a regulatory asset or liability for differences in the timing of recognition of the period costs associated with asset retirement obligations for financial reporting and rate-making purposes.
Income Taxes
Starfish is treated as a tax partnership under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements do not reflect a provision for income taxes since Starfish’s results of operations and related credits and deductions will be passed through to and taken into account by its members in computing their respective tax liabilities.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from pipeline transportation of hydrocarbons is recognized upon receipt of the hydrocarbons into the pipeline system. Revenue from dehydration services is recognized at the time the service is performed.
Gas Imbalances and Gas Imbalance Over (Under) Recoveries
In the course of providing transportation services to customers, Stingray may receive different quantities of gas from shippers than the quantities delivered on behalf of those shippers. These transactions result in imbalances (gains and losses), which are settled in-kind each month through a fuel gas and unaccounted-for gas tracking mechanism, negotiated cash-outs between parties, or are subject to a cash-out procedure included in Stingray’s tariff. Gas imbalances represent natural gas volumes owed to or due from Stingray’s customers. Gas
11
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—UNAUDITED
imbalances and gas imbalance over (under) recoveries are valued at an average monthly index price, which was $6.6100 per Dth for the month of December 2006 and $12.5475 per Dth for the month of December 2005.
Stingray’s tariff, Section 11.5, states that subsequent to the end of the twelve month billing period ending November 30 of each year, Stingray shall compare the revenues and costs under the cash-out procedures and shall refund, within 60 days, the gas imbalance net over recoveries to firm and interruptible transportation customers on a pro-rata basis in accordance with the transportation revenues Stingray received during that billing period. If the revenues received are less than the costs incurred, then Stingray shall carry forward the gas imbalance net under recoveries and may offset such net under recoveries against any future net over recoveries that may occur.
Environmental Costs
Starfish records environmental liabilities at their undiscounted amounts when environmental assessments indicate that remediation efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of our liabilities are based on currently available facts, existing technology and presently enacted laws and regulations, and include estimates of associated legal costs. As of December 31, 2006, Starfish had no liabilities recognized for environmental costs.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The reported amounts of financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and current liabilities approximate fair value because of their short maturities.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2006 financial statement presentation. These reclassifications have no impact on net income.
3. Related Party Transactions
Transportation Services
There were no transportation revenues derived from related parties in 2006 and 2005. All transactions were at rates pursuant to the appropriate FERC tariff or contractual agreements. There were no affiliate receivables or payables relating to transportation and gas imbalances at December 31, 2006 and 2005.
Operating and Administrative Expense
Starfish has no employees. Operating, maintenance and general and administrative services are provided to Starfish under service agreements with an Enbridge affiliate in 2006 and 2005. Substantially all operating and administrative expenses were incurred through services provided under these agreements. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, Starfish had affiliate payables of $3,044,796 and $421,447 and affiliates receivables of $251,378 and $0, relating to these agreements.
Member Contributions
At December 31, 2005, Starfish had an affiliate receivable of $1,486,000 due from MarkWest for a capital contribution. Starfish received the contribution in January 2006.
4. Accrued Other Receivables
Stingray operates an on-shore separation facility and charges the owners a fee for normal operations and any direct cost relating to repairs and maintenance of the facility. Included in accrued other receivables is $1,288,531 and $63,959 related to these activities in 2006 and 2005, respectively.
12
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—UNAUDITED
5. Pipelines, Plant and Equipment
Pipelines, plant and equipment at December 31, 2006 and 2005, is comprised of the following:
(in thousands of dollars) | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
| | | | | |
Regulated pipelines and equipment | | $ | 47,585 | | $ | 49,273 | |
Regulated pipeline under capital lease | | 9,778 | | 9,778 | |
Unregulated pipelines and equipment | | 66,312 | | 43,211 | |
Dehydration facilities | | 4,349 | | 4,542 | |
Construction in progress | | 32,865 | | 3,656 | |
Asset retirement cost (regulated pipelines) | | 2,027 | | 2,181 | |
| | 162,916 | | 112,641 | |
Accumulated depreciation | | 29,473 | | 22,905 | |
| | $ | 133,443 | | $ | 89,736 | |
6. Capital Lease
Stingray leases a 36-inch pipeline from Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (“NGPL”), an affiliate of Kinder Morgan, Inc., that connects Stingray’s pipeline system to onshore Louisiana. In June 1999, the lease agreement with NGPL was extended for an additional 14 years beginning December 1, 1999, through November 30, 2013, with an option to purchase the asset at the expiration of the lease. Accordingly, Stingray accounts for this lease as a capital lease. The present value of the lease payments under the capital lease is recorded as other current and noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet.
Future minimum lease payments under capital leases are as follows:
(in thousands of dollars) | | | |
| | | |
Year Ended December 31, | | | |
2007 | | $ | 1,073 | |
2008 | | 1,073 | |
2009 | | 1,073 | |
2010 | | 1,073 | |
2011 | | 1,073 | |
Thereafter | | 3,129 | |
| | | |
Total minimum lease payments | | 8,494 | |
| | | |
Less: Amount representing interest | | (2,033 | ) |
| | | |
Present value of net minimum lease payments, including current maturities of $1,073 | | $ | 6,461 | |
13
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—UNAUDITED
7. Asset Retirement Obligation
Activity related to the Company’s asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) during the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, is as follows:
(in thousands of dollars) | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
| | | | | |
Balance of ARO as of January 1 | | $ | 5,593 | | $ | 5,277 | |
Liabilities incurred during period | | 19 | | — | |
Liabilities settled during period | | — | | — | |
Accretion expense | | 324 | | 316 | |
Balance of ARO as of December 31 | | $ | 5,936 | | $ | 5,593 | |
For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company recognized depreciation expense related to its asset retirement cost (“ARC”) of $512,500 and $223,000, respectively.
The rate case filed by Stingray with the FERC (Docket No. RP99—166) decreased the amount the Company could charge in their rates (“Negative Salvage”) for asset retirement obligations. Beginning in 2003, the Negative Salvage the Company was allowed to recover was 0.25% of the total value of the Stingray System (approximately $697,000 per year). The Company recognized regulatory expense of approximately $278,045 and $363,000 during the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Activity related to the Company’s regulatory liability during the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, is as follows:
(in thousands of dollars) | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
| | | | | |
Balance of regulatory liability as of January 1 | | $ | 9,180 | | $ | 8,817 | |
Negative Salvage recovered | | 675 | | 697 | |
Current period ARO accretion (Stingray’s System) | | (248 | ) | (252 | ) |
Current period ARC depreciation (Stingray’s System) | | (258 | ) | (82 | ) |
Balance of regulatory liability as of December 31 | | $ | 9,349 | | $ | 9,180 | |
8. Regulatory Matters
Regulatory Environment
The FERC has jurisdiction over Stingray with respect to transportation of gas, rates and charges, construction of new facilities, extension or abandonment of service facilities, accounts and records, depreciation and amortization policies and certain other matters.
An annual charge totaling $226,948 and $337,079 was paid to the FERC for fiscal years 2006 and 2005, respectively. This charge, to be recovered from customers through rates, was recorded as a regulatory asset and will be amortized over twelve months. During 2006 and 2005, respectively, $304,518 and $318,082 was recorded as amortization expense.
9. Commitments and Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, Starfish and its subsidiaries are subject to various laws and regulations including regulations of the FERC. In the opinion of management, compliance with existing laws and regulations will not materially affect the financial position or results of operations of Starfish.
Various legal actions, which have arisen in the ordinary course of business, are pending with respect to the assets of the Starfish. Management believes that the ultimate disposition of these actions, either individually or in aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, the results of operations or cash flows of Starfish.
14
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—UNAUDITED
10. Impact of Hurricane Rita
In September 2005, Hurricane Rita (“Rita”) caused substantial damage to both onshore and offshore facilities, resulting in loss of revenues and significant capital and maintenance expenditures. Onshore refurbishments were primarily complete as of December 31, 2005, and the majority of offshore refurbishments were completed as of December 31, 2006. As the company is self insured, total expenditures of approximately $30,407,000 have been incurred as of December 31, 2006.
11. Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Noncash financing and investing activities include:
During 2006 and 2005, respectively, $19,000 and $0 of fixed asset additions were recognized due to recording of an asset retirement obligation.
The members agreed on December 19, 2005 to provide capital contributions in the amount of $2,972,000. As of December 31, 2005, a receivable in the amount of $1,486,000, was due from MarkWest. Starfish received the contribution in January 2006.
12. Business and Credit Concentrations
For the year ended December 31, 2006, four customers accounted for approximately 51% of revenues and 23% of transportation receivables. For the year ended December 31, 2005, two customers accounted for approximately 29% of revenues and 13% of transportation receivables.
15