UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One) | |
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2015
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 001-35574 |
EQT Midstream Partners, LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE | 37-1661577 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
625 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1700, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 15222 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
(412) 553-5700 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) |
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 x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer | x | Accelerated Filer | ¨ | ||||
Non-Accelerated Filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of June 30, 2015, there were 70,707,706 Common Units and 1,443,015 General Partner Units outstanding.
EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
Index
Page No. | |||
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Glossary of Commonly Used Terms, Abbreviations and Measurements
adjusted EBITDA – a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure defined by EQT Midstream Partners, LP (EQM) as net income plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, income tax expense (if applicable) and non-cash long-term compensation expense less equity income, other income, capital lease payments, Jupiter adjusted EBITDA prior to the Jupiter Acquisition and NWV Gathering adjusted EBITDA prior to the NWV Gathering Acquisition.
AFUDC (Allowance for Funds Used During Construction) – carrying costs for the construction of certain long-term regulated assets are capitalized and amortized over the related assets’ estimated useful lives. The capitalized amount for construction of regulated assets includes interest cost and a designated cost of equity for financing the construction of these regulated assets.
British thermal unit – a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
distributable cash flow – a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure defined by EQM as adjusted EBITDA less interest expense, excluding capital lease interest and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, net of expected reimbursements.
gas – all references to “gas” refer to natural gas.
omnibus agreement – the agreement, as amended, entered into among EQM, its general partner and EQT Corporation (EQT) in connection with EQM's initial public offering pursuant to which EQT agreed to provide EQM with certain general and administrative services and a license to use the name “EQT” and related marks in connection with EQM’s business. The omnibus agreement also provides for certain indemnification and reimbursement obligations between EQM and EQT.
Sunrise Merger – On July 22, 2013, Sunrise Pipeline, LLC (Sunrise) merged into Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans), a subsidiary of EQM.
throughput – the volume of natural gas transported or passing through a pipeline, plant, terminal or other facility during a particular period.
Abbreviations
FASB – Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC – Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
GAAP – United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
IRS – Internal Revenue Service
SEC – Securities and Exchange Commission
Measurements
Btu = one British thermal unit
BBtu = billion British thermal units
Bcf = billion cubic feet
Dth = million British thermal units
MMBtu = million British thermal units
Mcf = thousand cubic feet
MMcf = million cubic feet
TBtu = trillion British thermal units
Tcfe = one trillion cubic feet equivalent
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited) (1)
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||
(Thousands, except per unit amounts) | |||||||||||||||
Operating revenues (2) | $ | 144,613 | $ | 109,327 | $ | 299,424 | $ | 217,235 | |||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
Operating and maintenance (3) | 17,232 | 13,626 | 31,711 | 26,365 | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative (3) | 13,727 | 12,865 | 29,380 | 25,420 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 12,258 | 10,436 | 24,185 | 20,433 | |||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 43,217 | 36,927 | 85,276 | 72,218 | |||||||||||
Operating income | 101,396 | 72,400 | 214,148 | 145,017 | |||||||||||
Equity income (4) | 394 | — | 394 | — | |||||||||||
Other income | 1,169 | 559 | 1,883 | 828 | |||||||||||
Interest expense (5) | 11,640 | 6,629 | 23,097 | 12,284 | |||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 91,319 | 66,330 | 193,328 | 133,561 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | — | 7,362 | 6,703 | 19,595 | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | 91,319 | $ | 58,968 | $ | 186,625 | $ | 113,966 | |||||||
Calculation of limited partner interest in net income: | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 91,319 | $ | 58,968 | $ | 186,625 | $ | 113,966 | |||||||
Less pre-acquisition net income allocated to parent | — | (12,390 | ) | (11,106 | ) | (32,533 | ) | ||||||||
Less general partner interest in net income | (11,908 | ) | (2,792 | ) | (21,638 | ) | (4,514 | ) | |||||||
Limited partner interest in net income | $ | 79,411 | $ | 43,786 | $ | 153,881 | $ | 76,919 | |||||||
Net income per limited partner unit – basic | $ | 1.12 | $ | 0.81 | $ | 2.32 | $ | 1.49 | |||||||
Net income per limited partner unit – diluted | $ | 1.12 | $ | 0.81 | $ | 2.31 | $ | 1.49 | |||||||
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding – basic | 70,722 | 54,259 | 66,430 | 51,499 | |||||||||||
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding – diluted | 70,876 | 54,386 | 66,591 | 51,622 | |||||||||||
Cash distributions declared per unit (6) | $ | 0.64 | $ | 0.52 | $ | 1.25 | $ | 1.01 |
(1) | Financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2015 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the inclusion of the Northern West Virginia Marcellus gathering system (NWV Gathering). Financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the inclusion of NWV Gathering and the Jupiter natural gas gathering system (Jupiter). See Note B. |
(2) | Operating revenues included affiliate revenues from EQT Corporation and subsidiaries (collectively, EQT) of $107.7 million and $74.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $214.3 million and $147.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. See Note E. |
(3) | Operating and maintenance expense included charges from EQT of $9.0 million and $7.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $16.6 million and $13.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expense included charges from EQT of $12.3 million and $10.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $25.1 million and $20.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. See Note E. |
(4) | Equity income relates to EQM's interest in Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC, which is a related party. |
(5) | Interest expense included interest on a capital lease with an affiliate of $5.9 million and $5.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $11.8 million and $10.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. |
(6) | Represents the cash distributions declared related to the period presented. See Note J. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited) (1)
Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||
2015 | 2014 | ||||||
(Thousands) | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
Net income | $ | 186,625 | $ | 113,966 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 24,185 | 20,433 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | 2,998 | 7,777 | |||||
Equity income | (394 | ) | — | ||||
Other income | (1,883 | ) | (828 | ) | |||
Non-cash long-term compensation expense | 805 | 1,805 | |||||
Changes in other assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts receivable | 2,551 | (3,643 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable | 4,458 | 3,514 | |||||
Due to/from EQT affiliates | 16,075 | (8,914 | ) | ||||
Other assets and liabilities | 3,682 | 1,222 | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 239,102 | 135,332 | |||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
Capital expenditures | (208,890 | ) | (131,669 | ) | |||
MVP Interest Acquisition | (45,885 | ) | — | ||||
Acquisitions – net assets from EQT | (386,791 | ) | (168,198 | ) | |||
Purchase of preferred interest in EQT Energy Supply, LLC | (124,317 | ) | — | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (765,883 | ) | (299,867 | ) | |||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
Proceeds from the issuance of common units, net of offering costs | 698,501 | 902,451 | |||||
Acquisitions – purchase price in excess of net assets from EQT | (486,392 | ) | (952,802 | ) | |||
Proceeds from short-term loans | 434,000 | 450,000 | |||||
Payments of short-term loans | (122,000 | ) | (120,000 | ) | |||
Discount, debt issuance costs and credit facility fees | — | (2,020 | ) | ||||
Sunrise Merger payment | — | (110,000 | ) | ||||
Distributions paid to unitholders | (93,402 | ) | (47,989 | ) | |||
Capital contributions | 246 | 45 | |||||
Net (distributions to) contributions from EQT | (23,866 | ) | 54,451 | ||||
Capital lease principal payments | (5,472 | ) | (2,216 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 401,615 | 171,920 | |||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (125,166 | ) | 7,385 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 126,175 | 18,363 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 1,009 | $ | 25,748 | |||
Cash paid during the period for: | |||||||
Interest paid | $ | 25,422 | $ | 10,800 | |||
Non-cash activity during the period for: | |||||||
Increase in capital lease asset/obligation | $ | 8,235 | $ | 5,178 | |||
Elimination of net deferred tax liabilities | 80,741 | 39,785 | |||||
Limited partner and general partner units issued for acquisitions | 52,500 | 59,000 | |||||
Settlement of current income taxes payable/(receivable) with EQT | 3,705 | (6,294 | ) |
(1) | Financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2015 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the inclusion of NWV Gathering. Financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2014 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the inclusion of NWV Gathering and Jupiter. See Note B. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (1)
June 30, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | ||||||
ASSETS | (Thousands, except number of units) | ||||||
Current assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,009 | $ | 126,175 | |||
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $211 as of June 30, 2015 and $260 as of December 31, 2014) | 13,941 | 16,492 | |||||
Accounts receivable – affiliate | 61,511 | 55,068 | |||||
Other current assets | 826 | 1,710 | |||||
Total current assets | 77,287 | 199,445 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment | 2,007,248 | 1,821,803 | |||||
Less: accumulated depreciation | (235,075 | ) | (216,486 | ) | |||
Net property, plant and equipment | 1,772,173 | 1,605,317 | |||||
Equity in nonconsolidated investments | 46,279 | — | |||||
Other assets | 141,285 | 18,057 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 2,037,024 | $ | 1,822,819 | |||
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL | |||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 40,357 | $ | 43,785 | |||
Due to related party | 34,370 | 33,342 | |||||
Short-term loans | 312,000 | — | |||||
Accrued interest | 8,519 | 8,338 | |||||
Accrued liabilities | 6,036 | 9,055 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 401,282 | 94,520 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | — | 78,583 | |||||
Long-term debt | 493,017 | 492,633 | |||||
Lease obligation | 148,831 | 143,828 | |||||
Other long-term liabilities | 6,017 | 7,111 | |||||
Total liabilities | 1,049,147 | 816,675 | |||||
Partners’ capital: | |||||||
Predecessor equity | — | 315,105 | |||||
Common units (70,707,706 and 43,347,452 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively) | 1,026,670 | 1,647,910 | |||||
Subordinated units (17,339,718 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014) | — | (929,374 | ) | ||||
General partner interest (1,443,015 and 1,238,514 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively) | (38,793 | ) | (27,497 | ) | |||
Total partners’ capital | 987,877 | 1,006,144 | |||||
Total liabilities and partners’ capital | $ | 2,037,024 | $ | 1,822,819 |
(1) Financial statements as of December 31, 2014 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the inclusion of NWV Gathering. See Note B.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
Statements of Consolidated Partners’ Capital (Unaudited) (1)
Partners’ Capital | |||||||||||||||||||
Predecessor | Limited Partners | General | |||||||||||||||||
Equity | Common | Subordinated | Partner | Total | |||||||||||||||
(Thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2014 | $ | 310,861 | $ | 818,431 | $ | (175,996 | ) | $ | 1,753 | $ | 955,049 | ||||||||
Net income | 32,533 | 52,020 | 24,899 | 4,514 | 113,966 | ||||||||||||||
Capital contribution | — | 338 | 152 | 10 | 500 | ||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation plans | — | 1,967 | — | — | 1,967 | ||||||||||||||
Distributions to unitholders | — | (28,946 | ) | (16,472 | ) | (2,571 | ) | (47,989 | ) | ||||||||||
Net contributions from EQT | 36,129 | — | — | — | 36,129 | ||||||||||||||
Proceeds from equity offering, net of offering costs | — | 902,451 | — | — | 902,451 | ||||||||||||||
Elimination of net current and deferred income tax liabilities | 51,813 | — | — | — | 51,813 | ||||||||||||||
Jupiter net assets from EQT | (168,198 | ) | — | — | — | (168,198 | ) | ||||||||||||
Issuance of units | — | 39,091 | — | 19,909 | 59,000 | ||||||||||||||
Purchase price in excess of net assets from EQT | — | (177,773 | ) | (778,429 | ) | (55,600 | ) | (1,011,802 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2014 | $ | 263,138 | $ | 1,607,579 | $ | (945,846 | ) | $ | (31,985 | ) | $ | 892,886 | |||||||
Balance at January 1, 2015 | $ | 315,105 | $ | 1,647,910 | $ | (929,374 | ) | $ | (27,497 | ) | $ | 1,006,144 | |||||||
Net income | 11,106 | 153,881 | — | 21,638 | 186,625 | ||||||||||||||
Capital contribution | — | 1,713 | — | 35 | 1,748 | ||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation plans | — | 831 | — | 33 | 864 | ||||||||||||||
Distributions to unitholders | — | (68,274 | ) | (10,057 | ) | (15,071 | ) | (93,402 | ) | ||||||||||
Conversion of subordinated units to common units (2) | — | (939,431 | ) | 939,431 | — | — | |||||||||||||
Net distributions to EQT | (23,866 | ) | — | — | — | (23,866 | ) | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from equity offering, net of offering costs | — | 696,582 | — | 1,919 | 698,501 | ||||||||||||||
Elimination of net current and deferred tax liabilities | 84,446 | — | — | — | 84,446 | ||||||||||||||
NWV Gathering net assets from EQT | (386,791 | ) | — | — | — | (386,791 | ) | ||||||||||||
Issuance of units | — | 38,910 | — | 13,590 | 52,500 | ||||||||||||||
Purchase price in excess of net assets from EQT | — | (505,452 | ) | — | (33,440 | ) | (538,892 | ) | |||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2015 | $ | — | $ | 1,026,670 | $ | — | $ | (38,793 | ) | $ | 987,877 |
(1) | Financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2015 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the inclusion of NWV Gathering. Financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2014 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the inclusion of NWV Gathering and Jupiter. See Note B. |
(2) | All subordinated units were converted to common units on a one-for-one basis on February 17, 2015. For purposes of calculating net income per common and subordinated unit, the conversion of the subordinated units is deemed to have occurred on January 1, 2015. See Note I. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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EQT Midstream Partners, LP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
A. Financial Statements
Organization
EQT Midstream Partners, LP (EQM) is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership. EQT Midstream Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of EQT GP Holdings, LP (EQGP), is EQM’s general partner. EQT Corporation (EQT) formed EQGP to own EQT's partnership interests in EQM. References in these consolidated financial statements to EQT refer collectively to EQT Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of EQM as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 and its cash flows and partners' capital for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
The balance sheet at December 31, 2014, has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
NWV Gathering and Jupiter were businesses and the NWV Gathering and Jupiter Acquisitions (defined in Note B) were transactions between entities under common control; therefore, EQM recorded the assets and liabilities of NWV Gathering and Jupiter at their carrying amounts to EQT on the date of the respective transactions. The difference between EQT’s net carrying amount and the total consideration paid to EQT was recorded as a capital transaction with EQT, which resulted in a reduction in partners’ capital. EQM recast its consolidated financial statements to retrospectively reflect the NWV Gathering Acquisition and Jupiter Acquisition as if the entities were owned for all periods presented; however, the consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred if EQM had owned them during the periods reported.
Due to the seasonal nature of EQM’s utility customer contracts, the interim statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in EQM’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on April 1, 2015, as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained therein.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard requires an entity to recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 will replace most of the existing revenue recognition requirements in GAAP when it becomes effective. In July 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the effective date of this ASU to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with the option to adopt as early as annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. EQM is currently evaluating the method of adoption and impact this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation. The standard changes the analysis that a reporting entity
must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods therein. EQM is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. The ASU adds guidance that will help
8
entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. The ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. EQM is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-06, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260): Effects on Historical Earnings per Unit of Master Limited Partnership Dropdown Transactions. The ASU applies to master limited partnerships that receive net assets through a dropdown transaction. EQM has adopted this standard which had no significant impact on reported results or disclosures.
B. Acquisitions
NWV Gathering Acquisition
On March 10, 2015, EQM entered into a contribution and sale agreement (Contribution Agreement) pursuant to which, on March 17, 2015, EQT contributed NWV Gathering to EQM Gathering Opco, LLC (EQM Gathering), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EQM (the NWV Gathering Acquisition). EQM paid total consideration of approximately $925.7 million to EQT, consisting of approximately $873.2 million in cash, 511,973 EQM common units and 178,816 EQM general partner units. The cash portion of the purchase price was funded with the net proceeds from an equity offering of EQM common units and borrowings under EQM's credit facility.
On April 15, 2015, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, EQM acquired a preferred interest in EQT Energy Supply, LLC (the Preferred Interest), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EQT that generates revenue from services provided to a local distribution company, from EQT for approximately $124.3 million. EQM accounts for the Preferred Interest as a cost method investment and included it in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. EQT Energy Supply, LLC has been determined to be a variable interest entity because it has insufficient equity to finance its activities. EQM is not the primary beneficiary because it does not have the power to direct the activities of EQT Energy Supply, LLC that most significantly impact its economic performance.
MVP Interest Acquisition
On March 30, 2015, EQM assumed 100% of the membership interests in MVP Holdco, LLC (MVP Holdco), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EQT that owns an approximately 55% interest (the MVP Interest) in Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (MVP Joint Venture) for approximately $54.2 million (MVP Interest Acquisition), which represented EQM's reimbursement to EQT for 100% of the capital contributions made by EQT to the MVP Joint Venture as of March 30, 2015. The MVP Joint Venture plans to construct the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) project, an estimated 300-mile natural gas interstate pipeline spanning from northern West Virginia to southern Virginia. The MVP project is subject to FERC approval. The voluntary pre-filing process with the FERC began in October 2014 and the pipeline is expected to be in-service during the fourth quarter of 2018. The MVP Joint Venture has been determined to be a variable interest entity because the MVP Joint Venture has insufficient equity to finance activities during the construction stage of the MVP. EQM is not the primary beneficiary because it does not have the power to direct the activities of the MVP Joint Venture that most significantly impact its economic performance. EQM accounted for the MVP Interest beginning on the date it was assumed from EQT as an equity method investment. On March 11, 2015, the MVP Joint Venture announced that WGL Holdings, Inc. and Vega Energy Partners, Ltd. had acquired 7% and 3% ownership interests, respectively, in the MVP Joint Venture. As a result, EQM was reimbursed $8.3 million of capital contributions.
Jupiter Acquisition
On April 30, 2014, EQM entered into a contribution agreement pursuant to which, on May 7, 2014, EQT contributed to EQM Gathering certain assets constituting the Jupiter natural gas gathering system (Jupiter Acquisition). The aggregate consideration paid by EQM to EQT in connection with the Jupiter Acquisition was approximately $1,180 million, consisting of a $1,121 million cash payment and issuance of 516,050 EQM common units and 262,828 EQM general partner units. The cash portion of the purchase price was funded with the net proceeds from an equity offering of EQM common units and borrowings under EQM’s credit facility.
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C. Partners' Capital
The following table summarizes common, subordinated and general partner units issued January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.
Limited Partner Units | General | ||||||||||
Common | Subordinated | Partner Units | Total | ||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2014 | 30,468,902 | 17,339,718 | 975,686 | 48,784,306 | |||||||
May 2014 equity offering | 12,362,500 | — | — | 12,362,500 | |||||||
Jupiter Acquisition consideration (see Note B) | 516,050 | — | 262,828 | 778,878 | |||||||
Balance at December 31, 2014 | 43,347,452 | 17,339,718 | 1,238,514 | 61,925,684 | |||||||
Conversion of subordinated units to common units | 17,339,718 | (17,339,718 | ) | — | — | ||||||
2014 EQM VDA issuance | 21,063 | — | 430 | 21,493 | |||||||
March 2015 equity offering | 9,487,500 | — | 25,255 | 9,512,755 | |||||||
NWV Gathering Acquisition consideration (see Note B) | 511,973 | — | 178,816 | 690,789 | |||||||
Balance at June 30, 2015 | 70,707,706 | — | 1,443,015 | 72,150,721 |
See Note I for discussion of the conversion of the subordinated units in February 2015. In February 2015, EQM issued 21,063 common units under the 2014 EQM Value Driver Award (2014 EQM VDA). As a result, EQT purchased 430 EQM general partner units to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest.
On March 17, 2015, EQM completed an underwritten public offering of 8,250,000 common units. On March 18, 2015, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase 1,237,500 additional common units on the same terms as the offering. EQM received net proceeds of approximately $696.6 million after deducting the underwriters' discount and offering expenses which were used to finance a portion of the cash consideration paid to EQT in connection with the NWV Gathering Acquisition. As a result of the sale of the additional common units, EQT purchased 25,255 EQM general partner units for approximately $1.9 million to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest.
As of June 30, 2015, EQGP and its affiliates owned a 32.2% equity interest in EQM including 21,811,643 common units and 1,443,015 general partner units as well as all of the incentive distribution rights. As a result of EQGP's IPO in May 2015, EQT owned a non-economic general partner interest and a 90.1% limited partner interest in EQGP as of June 30, 2015.
D. Financial Information by Business Segment
Operating segments are revenue-producing components of the enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and is subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources. EQM reports its operations in two segments, which reflect its lines of business. Transmission and storage includes EQM’s FERC-regulated interstate pipeline and storage business. Gathering includes EQM's high-pressure gathering lines and FERC-regulated low pressure gathering system. The operating segments are evaluated on their contribution to EQM’s operating income. All of EQM’s operating revenues, income from operations and assets are generated or located in the United States.
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Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||
(Thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Revenues from external customers (including affiliates): | |||||||||||||||
Transmission and storage | $ | 68,140 | $ | 59,125 | $ | 147,501 | $ | 118,442 | |||||||
Gathering | 76,473 | 50,202 | 151,923 | 98,793 | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 144,613 | $ | 109,327 | $ | 299,424 | $ | 217,235 | |||||||
Operating income: | |||||||||||||||
Transmission and storage | $ | 45,917 | $ | 41,982 | $ | 103,207 | $ | 84,019 | |||||||
Gathering | 55,479 | 30,418 | 110,941 | 60,998 | |||||||||||
Total operating income | $ | 101,396 | $ | 72,400 | $ | 214,148 | $ | 145,017 | |||||||
Reconciliation of operating income to net income: | |||||||||||||||
Equity income | 394 | — | 394 | — | |||||||||||
Other income | 1,169 | 559 | 1,883 | 828 | |||||||||||
Interest expense | 11,640 | 6,629 | 23,097 | 12,284 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | — | 7,362 | 6,703 | 19,595 | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | 91,319 | $ | 58,968 | $ | 186,625 | $ | 113,966 |
June 30, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | ||||||
(Thousands) | |||||||
Segment assets: | |||||||
Transmission and storage | $ | 998,173 | $ | 928,864 | |||
Gathering | 863,350 | 765,090 | |||||
Total operating segments | 1,861,523 | 1,693,954 | |||||
Headquarters, including cash | 175,501 | 128,865 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 2,037,024 | $ | 1,822,819 |
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||
(Thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization: | |||||||||||||||
Transmission and storage | $ | 7,017 | $ | 6,322 | $ | 13,785 | $ | 12,481 | |||||||
Gathering | 5,241 | 4,114 | 10,400 | 7,952 | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 12,258 | $ | 10,436 | $ | 24,185 | $ | 20,433 | |||||||
Expenditures for segment assets: | |||||||||||||||
Transmission and storage | $ | 58,020 | $ | 25,080 | $ | 79,482 | $ | 39,081 | |||||||
Gathering | 69,029 | 56,406 | 105,298 | 90,855 | |||||||||||
Total (1) | $ | 127,049 | $ | 81,486 | $ | 184,780 | $ | 129,936 |
(1) EQM accrues capital expenditures when work has been completed but the associated bills have not yet been paid. These accrued amounts are excluded from capital expenditures on the statements of consolidated cash flows until they are paid in a subsequent period. Accrued capital expenditures were $27.0 million and $14.4 million at June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, EQM capitalizes certain labor overhead costs which include a portion of non-cash equity-based compensation. These non-cash capital expenditures in the table above were less than $0.1 million and approximately $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and less than $0.1 million and approximately $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
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E. Related-Party Transactions
In the ordinary course of business, EQM has transactions with affiliated companies. EQM has various contracts with affiliates including, but not limited to, transportation service and precedent agreements, storage agreements and gas gathering agreements.
EQM has various agreements with EQT. Pursuant to an omnibus agreement, EQT performs centralized corporate, general and administrative services for EQM, such as legal, corporate recordkeeping, planning, budgeting, regulatory, accounting, billing, business development, treasury, insurance administration and claims processing, risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, investor relations, cash management and banking, payroll, internal audit, taxes and engineering. In exchange, EQM reimburses EQT for the expenses incurred in providing these services. The omnibus agreement further requires that EQM reimburse EQT for EQM’s allocable portion of the premiums on any insurance policies covering EQM’s assets. Effective January 1, 2015, EQM amended the omnibus agreement to provide for reimbursement by EQM of direct and indirect costs and expenses attributable to EQT's long-term incentive programs as these plans will be utilized to compensate and retain EQT employees who provide services to EQM.
Pursuant to an operation and management services agreement, EQT Gathering, LLC (EQT Gathering) provides EQM’s pipelines and storage facilities with certain operational and management services. EQM reimburses EQT Gathering for such services pursuant to the terms of the omnibus agreement. The expenses for which EQM reimburses EQT and its subsidiaries may not necessarily reflect the actual expenses that EQM would incur on a stand-alone basis and EQM is unable to estimate what those expenses would be on a stand-alone basis.
See also Note B for a discussion of the MVP Joint Venture and the Preferred Interest in EQT Energy Supply, LLC.
F. Income Taxes
As a result of its limited partnership structure, EQM is not subject to federal and state income taxes. For federal and state income tax purposes, all income, expenses, gains, losses and tax credits generated by EQM flow through to the unitholders; accordingly, EQM does not record a provision for income taxes. As discussed in Note B, EQM completed the NWV Gathering Acquisition on March 17, 2015 and the Jupiter Acquisition on May 7, 2014, each of which was a transaction between entities under common control. Prior to these transactions, the income from NWV Gathering and Jupiter was included in EQT’s consolidated federal tax return; therefore, the NWV Gathering and Jupiter financial statements included U.S. federal and state income tax. The income tax effects associated with the operations of NWV Gathering and Jupiter prior to the NWV Gathering and Jupiter Acquisitions are reflected in EQM’s consolidated financial statements for those periods. In the first quarter of 2015, approximately $84.4 million of net current and deferred income tax liabilities were eliminated through equity related to NWV Gathering.
G. Short-term Loans
EQM has a $750 million credit facility that expires in February 2019. The credit facility is available to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures, to purchase assets, to pay distributions, to repurchase units and for general partnership purposes.
As of June 30, 2015, EQM had $312 million outstanding on the credit facility. There were no amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2014. The maximum amount of EQM’s outstanding short-term loans at any time during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $323 million and $450 million, respectively, and during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $390 million and $450 million, respectively. The average daily balance of short-term loans outstanding was approximately $302 million and $252 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and was approximately $182 million and $173 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Interest was incurred on the loans at a weighted average annual interest rate of 1.69% and 1.66% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 1.69% and 1.68% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
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H. Fair Value Measurements
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, amounts due to/from related parties and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short maturity of the instruments. The carrying value of short-term loans under EQM's credit facility approximates fair value as the interest rates are based on prevailing market rates. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value of EQM's long-term debt was approximately $472 million and $496 million, respectively, and the carrying value of EQM's long-term debt was approximately $493 million.
I. Net Income per Limited Partner Unit
The table below presents EQM’s calculation of net income per limited partner unit for common and subordinated limited partner units. Net income attributable to NWV Gathering for periods prior to March 17, 2015 and to Jupiter for periods prior to May 7, 2014 were not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per limited partner unit.
The phantom units granted to the independent directors of EQM’s general partner will be paid in common units on a director’s termination of service on the general partner’s Board of Directors. As there are no remaining service, performance or market conditions related to these awards, the weighted average phantom unit awards included in the calculation of basic weighted average limited partner units outstanding was 14,123 and 11,584 for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 13,757 and 11,176 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Potentially dilutive securities included in the calculation of diluted weighted average limited partner units outstanding totaled 154,576 and 126,202 for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 161,372 and 122,907 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Conversion of subordinated units. From its inception through December 31, 2014, EQM paid equal distributions on common, subordinated and general partner units, excluding payments on the incentive distribution rights. Upon payment of the cash distribution for the fourth quarter of 2014, the financial requirements for the conversion of all subordinated units were satisfied. As a result, on February 17, 2015, the 17,339,718 subordinated units converted into common units on a one-for-one basis. For purposes of calculating net income per common and subordinated unit, the conversion of the subordinated units is deemed to have occurred on January 1, 2015. The conversion does not impact the amount of the cash distribution paid or the total number of EQM’s outstanding units representing limited partner interests.
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Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||
(Thousands, except per unit data) | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 91,319 | $ | 58,968 | $ | 186,625 | $ | 113,966 | |||||||
Less: | |||||||||||||||
Pre-acquisition net income allocated to parent | — | (12,390 | ) | (11,106 | ) | (32,533 | ) | ||||||||
General partner interest in net income – 2% | (1,826 | ) | (932 | ) | (3,510 | ) | (1,628 | ) | |||||||
General partner interest in net income attributable to incentive distribution rights | (10,082 | ) | (1,860 | ) | (18,128 | ) | (2,886 | ) | |||||||
Limited partner interest in net income | $ | 79,411 | $ | 43,786 | $ | 153,881 | $ | 76,919 | |||||||
Net income allocable to common units - basic | $ | 79,411 | $ | 30,861 | $ | 153,881 | $ | 52,020 | |||||||
Net income allocable to subordinated units - basic | — | 12,925 | — | 24,899 | |||||||||||
Limited partner interest in net income - basic | $ | 79,411 | $ | 43,786 | $ | 153,881 | $ | 76,919 | |||||||
Net income allocable to common units – diluted | $ | 79,411 | $ | 30,871 | $ | 153,881 | $ | 52,038 | |||||||
Net income allocable to subordinated units – diluted | — | 12,915 | — | 24,881 | |||||||||||
Limited partner interest in net income – diluted | $ | 79,411 | $ | 43,786 | $ | 153,881 | $ | 76,919 | |||||||
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding – basic | |||||||||||||||
Common units | 70,722 | 36,919 | 66,430 | 34,159 | |||||||||||
Subordinated units | — | 17,340 | — | 17,340 | |||||||||||
Total | 70,722 | 54,259 | 66,430 | 51,499 | |||||||||||
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding – diluted | |||||||||||||||
Common units | 70,876 | 37,046 | 66,591 | 34,282 | |||||||||||
Subordinated units | — | 17,340 | — | 17,340 | |||||||||||
Total | 70,876 | 54,386 | 66,591 | 51,622 | |||||||||||
Net income per limited partner unit – basic | |||||||||||||||
Common units | $ | 1.12 | $ | 0.84 | $ | 2.32 | $ | 1.52 | |||||||
Subordinated units | — | 0.75 | — | 1.44 | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 1.12 | $ | 0.81 | $ | 2.32 | $ | 1.49 | |||||||
Net income per limited partner unit – diluted | |||||||||||||||
Common units | $ | 1.12 | $ | 0.83 | $ | 2.31 | $ | 1.52 | |||||||
Subordinated units | — | 0.74 | — | 1.43 | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 1.12 | $ | 0.81 | $ | 2.31 | $ | 1.49 |
J. Distributions
On July 21, 2015, the Board of Directors of EQM’s general partner declared a cash distribution to EQM’s unitholders for the second quarter of 2015 of $0.64 per common unit, $1.1 million to the general partner related to its 2% general partner interest and $10.1 million to the general partner related to its incentive distribution rights. The cash distribution will be paid on August 14, 2015 to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 4, 2015.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
EQT Midstream Partners, LP (EQM) is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership. EQM’s consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively recast for all periods presented to include the historical results of the Northern West Virginia Marcellus gathering system (NWV Gathering), which was acquired on March 17, 2015 (NWV Gathering Acquisition), and the Jupiter natural gas gathering system (Jupiter), which was acquired on May 7, 2014 (Jupiter Acquisition), as these were businesses and the transactions were between entities under common control. You should read the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report. References in the following discussion and analysis to ‘‘EQT’’ refer collectively to EQT Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
Disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking and usually identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “may,” “forecast,” “approximate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the matters discussed in the section captioned “Outlook” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives, and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance of EQM and its subsidiaries, including guidance regarding EQM’s transmission and storage and gathering revenue and volume growth; revenue projections; the weighted average contract life of transmission, storage and gathering contracts; infrastructure programs (including the timing, cost, capacity and sources of funding with respect to transmission and gathering expansion projects); the timing, cost, capacity and expected interconnections with facilities and pipelines of the Ohio Valley Connector (OVC) and Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) projects; the ultimate terms, partners and structure of the MVP joint venture; natural gas production growth in EQM’s operating areas for EQT and third parties; asset acquisitions, including EQM’s ability to complete asset acquisitions from EQT or third parties; the amount and timing of distributions, including expected increases; the effect of the Allegheny Valley Connector (AVC) facilities lease on distributable cash flow; future projected AVC lease payments; projected operating and capital expenditures, including the amount of capital expenditures reimbursable by EQT ; liquidity and financing requirements, including sources and availability; the effects of government regulation and litigation; and tax position. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. EQM has based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions about future events. While EQM considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond EQM’s control. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance and results of EQM’s business and forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in EQM’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and EQM does not intend to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In reviewing any agreements incorporated by reference in or filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember that such agreements are included to provide information regarding the terms of such agreements and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about EQM. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by EQM, which should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties to such agreements should those statements prove to be inaccurate. The representations and warranties were made only as of the date of the relevant agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in such agreement and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties alone may not describe the actual state of affairs of EQM or its affiliates as of the date they were made or at any other time.
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EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
EQM declared a cash distribution to unitholders of $0.64 per unit on July 21, 2015, which represented a 5% increase over the previous distribution paid on May 15, 2015 of $0.61 per unit.
For the three months ended June 30, 2015, EQM reported net income of $91.3 million compared to $59.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. The increase resulted from higher gathering revenues of $26.3 million and increased transmission and storage revenues of $9.0 million, both of which related to production development in the Marcellus Shale, as well as lower income tax expense. These items were partly offset by a $6.3 million increase in operating expenses and higher interest expense primarily related to EQM's long-term debt issued in August 2014.
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, EQM reported net income of $186.6 million compared to $114.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase resulted from higher gathering revenues of $53.1 million and increased transmission and storage revenues of $29.1 million, both of which related to production development in the Marcellus Shale, as well as lower income tax expense. These items were partly offset by a $13.1 million increase in operating expenses and higher interest expense primarily related to EQM's long-term debt issued in August 2014.
Business Segment Results of Operations
Operating segments are revenue-producing components of the enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and is subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources. Interest, equity income and other income are managed on a consolidated basis. EQM has presented each segment’s operating income and various operational measures in the sections below. Management believes that the presentation of this information provides useful information to management and investors regarding the financial condition, results of operations and trends of segments. EQM has reconciled each segment’s operating income to EQM’s consolidated operating income and net income in Note D to the consolidated financial statements.
EQM leases the Allegheny Valley Connector (AVC) facilities from EQT and operates the facilities as part of its transmission and storage system under the rates, terms and conditions of its FERC-approved tariff. The AVC facilities include an approximately 200 mile pipeline that interconnects with EQM’s transmission and storage system and provides approximately 450 MMcf per day of additional capacity to EQM’s system. Operating revenues and operating expenses related to the AVC facilities do not have an impact on adjusted EBITDA or distributable cash flow as the excess of the AVC revenues over operating and maintenance and selling, general and administrative expenses is paid to EQT as the current monthly lease payment. All revenues related to the AVC facilities are from third parties.
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TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | % Change | 2015 | 2014 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
FINANCIAL DATA | (Thousands, other than per day amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Firm reservation fee revenues | $ | 56,671 | $ | 45,170 | 25.5 | $ | 124,854 | $ | 93,167 | 34.0 | |||||||||||
Volumetric based fee revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Usage fees under firm contracts(1) | 10,084 | 11,260 | (10.4 | ) | 19,017 | 20,285 | (6.3 | ) | |||||||||||||
Usage fees under interruptible contracts | 1,385 | 2,695 | (48.6 | ) | 3,630 | 4,990 | (27.3 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total volumetric based fee revenues | 11,469 | 13,955 | (17.8 | ) | 22,647 | 25,275 | (10.4 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 68,140 | 59,125 | 15.2 | 147,501 | 118,442 | 24.5 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating and maintenance | 7,438 | 5,292 | 40.6 | 14,694 | 10,450 | 40.6 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 7,768 | 5,529 | 40.5 | 15,815 | 11,492 | 37.6 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 7,017 | 6,322 | 11.0 | 13,785 | 12,481 | 10.4 | |||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 22,223 | 17,143 | 29.6 | 44,294 | 34,423 | 28.7 | |||||||||||||||
Operating income | $ | 45,917 | $ | 41,982 | 9.4 | $ | 103,207 | $ | 84,019 | 22.8 | |||||||||||
OPERATIONAL DATA | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transmission pipeline throughput (BBtu per day) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Firm capacity reservation | 1,825 | 1,240 | 47.2 | 1,924 | 1,289 | 49.3 | |||||||||||||||
Volumetric based services(2) | 257 | 436 | (41.1 | ) | 236 | 351 | (32.8 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total transmission pipeline throughput | 2,082 | 1,676 | 24.2 | 2,160 | 1,640 | 31.7 | |||||||||||||||
Average contracted firm transmission reservation commitments (BBtu per day) | 2,362 | 1,745 | 35.4 | 2,655 | 1,878 | 41.4 | |||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 58,020 | $ | 25,080 | 131.3 | $ | 79,482 | $ | 39,081 | 103.4 |
(1) Includes commodity charges and fees on volumes transported in excess of firm contracted capacity.
(2) Includes volumes transported under interruptible contracts and volumes in excess of firm contracted capacity.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
Transmission and storage revenues increased by $9.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting production development in the Marcellus Shale by affiliate and third party producers. This was primarily as a result of higher firm reservation fees of $11.5 million partly offset by lower usage fees under both firm and interruptible contracts. The decrease in usage fees was primarily due to customers contracting for additional firm capacity as well as a decrease in interruptible storage activity during the current year.
Operating expenses increased by $5.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in operating and maintenance expense resulted from higher repairs and maintenance expenses associated with increased throughput, higher property taxes and higher allocations, including personnel costs, from EQT. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of higher allocations and personnel costs from EQT, including incentive compensation. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily a result of higher depreciation on the increased investment in transmission infrastructure.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
Transmission and storage revenues increased by $29.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014, reflecting production development in the Marcellus Shale by third party and affiliate producers. This was primarily as a result of higher firm reservation fees of $31.7 million partly offset by lower usage fees under both firm and interruptible contracts. The decrease in usage fees was primarily due to customers contracting for additional firm capacity as well as a decrease in interruptible storage activity during the current year.
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Operating expenses increased by $9.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in operating and maintenance expense resulted from higher repairs and maintenance expenses associated with increased throughput, higher allocations, including personnel costs, from EQT and higher property taxes. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of higher allocations and personnel costs from EQT, including incentive compensation. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily a result of higher depreciation on the increased investment in transmission infrastructure.
GATHERING
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | % Change | 2015 | 2014 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
FINANCIAL DATA | (Thousands, other than per day amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Firm reservation fee revenues | $ | 64,091 | $ | 8,432 | 660.1 | $ | 118,349 | $ | 8,432 | 1,303.6 | |||||||||||
Volumetric based fee revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Usage fees under firm contracts(1) | 7,182 | 11,107 | (35.3 | ) | 16,614 | 11,107 | 49.6 | ||||||||||||||
Usage fees under interruptible contracts | 5,200 | 30,663 | (83.0 | ) | 16,960 | 79,254 | (78.6 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total volumetric based fee revenues | 12,382 | 41,770 | (70.4 | ) | 33,574 | 90,361 | (62.8 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total operating revenues | 76,473 | 50,202 | 52.3 | 151,923 | 98,793 | 53.8 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Operating and maintenance | 9,794 | 8,334 | 17.5 | 17,017 | 15,915 | 6.9 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 5,959 | 7,336 | (18.8 | ) | 13,565 | 13,928 | (2.6 | ) | |||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 5,241 | 4,114 | 27.4 | 10,400 | 7,952 | 30.8 | |||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 20,994 | 19,784 | 6.1 | 40,982 | 37,795 | 8.4 | |||||||||||||||
Operating income | $ | 55,479 | $ | 30,418 | 82.4 | $ | 110,941 | $ | 60,998 | 81.9 | |||||||||||
OPERATIONAL DATA | |||||||||||||||||||||
Gathering volumes (BBtu per day) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Firm reservation | 1,102 | 155 | 611.0 | 1,027 | 40 | 2,467.5 | |||||||||||||||
Volumetric based services(2) | 319 | 880 | (63.8 | ) | 422 | 768 | (45.1 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total gathered volumes | 1,421 | 1,035 | 37.3 | 1,449 | 808 | 79.3 | |||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 69,029 | $ | 56,406 | 22.4 | $ | 105,298 | $ | 90,855 | 15.9 |
(1) Includes fees on volumes gathered in excess of firm contracted capacity.
(2) Includes volumes gathered under interruptible contracts and volumes in excess of firm contracted capacity.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
Gathering revenues increased primarily as a result of higher affiliate volumes gathered for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014, driven by production development in the Marcellus Shale. EQM significantly increased gathering revenues under firm reservation contracts in 2015 compared to 2014 as a result of increased capacity under firm contracts. This increase in firm contracts resulted in lower usage fees under both firm and interruptible contracts as volumes on these contracts shifted to firm capacity between periods.
Operating expenses increased by $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014. Operating and maintenance expense increased as a result of higher allocations, including personnel costs, from EQT and higher repairs and maintenance expenses associated with increased throughput. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense primarily resulted from transaction costs incurred in 2014 in connection with the Jupiter Acquisition. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense resulted from additional assets placed in-service.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
Gathering revenues increased primarily as a result of higher affiliate volumes gathered for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014, driven by production development in the Marcellus Shale. EQM significantly
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increased gathering revenues under firm reservation contracts in 2015 compared to 2014 as a result of increased capacity under firm contracts. This increase in firm contracts resulted in lower usage fees under interruptible contracts as volumes on these contracts shifted to firm capacity between periods.
The increase in operating expenses of $3.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014 was primarily related to increased depreciation and amortization expense as a result of additional assets placed in-service.
Other Income Statement Items
Equity income relates to EQM's interest in Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (MVP Joint Venture) and represents EQM's portion of the MVP Joint Venture's AFUDC related to construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP).
Other income primarily represents the equity portion of AFUDC on EQM's regulated projects, which generally increases during periods of increased construction and decreases during periods of reduced construction. Other income increased $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively. These increases are primarily related to increased spending on the Ohio Valley Connector (OVC) project.
Interest expense increased by $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014 primarily related to interest on EQM's long-term debt issued in August 2014. Interest expense increased by $10.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014 primarily related to interest of $10.0 million incurred on EQM's long-term debt issued in August 2014 and increased interest related to the AVC facilities capital lease.
There was no income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $7.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Income tax expense was $6.7 million and $19.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. EQM is not subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes. As previously noted, the NWV Gathering Acquisition on March 17, 2015 and the Jupiter Acquisition on May 7, 2014 were transactions between entities under common control for which the consolidated financial statements of EQM have been retrospectively recast to reflect the combined entities. Accordingly, the income tax effects associated with NWV Gathering and Jupiter operations prior to the NWV Gathering Acquisition and the Jupiter Acquisition are reflected in the consolidated financial statements as NWV Gathering and Jupiter were previously part of EQT’s consolidated federal tax return. The decrease in income tax expense resulted from the timing of the acquisitions.
See “Investing Activities” and “Capital Requirements” in the “Capital Resources and Liquidity” section below for a discussion of capital expenditures.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EQM defines adjusted EBITDA as EQM's net income plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, income tax expense (if applicable) and non-cash long-term compensation expense less equity income, other income, capital lease payments, Jupiter adjusted EBITDA prior to the Jupiter Acquisition and NWV Gathering adjusted EBITDA prior to the NWV Gathering Acquisition. EQM defines distributable cash flow as adjusted EBITDA less interest expense, excluding capital lease interest and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, net of expected reimbursements. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures that management and external users of EQM’s consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, use to assess:
• | EQM’s operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships in the midstream energy industry without regard to historical cost basis or, in the case of adjusted EBITDA, financing methods; |
• | the ability of EQM’s assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to EQM’s unitholders; |
• | EQM’s ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; and |
• | the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities. |
EQM believes that adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow provide useful information to investors in assessing EQM’s financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow have important
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limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Additionally, because adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may be defined differently by other companies in its industry, EQM’s adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility. Distributable cash flow should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount of cash that EQM has available for distributions from operating surplus or that EQM plans to distribute.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
The following table presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow with the most directly comparable EQM GAAP financial measures of net income and net cash provided by operating activities.
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||
(Thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 91,319 | $ | 58,968 | $ | 186,625 | $ | 113,966 | |||||||
Add: | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 11,640 | 6,629 | 23,097 | 12,284 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | 12,258 | 10,436 | 24,185 | 20,433 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | — | 7,362 | 6,703 | 19,595 | |||||||||||
Non-cash long-term compensation expense | 239 | 827 | 805 | 1,805 | |||||||||||
Less: | |||||||||||||||
Equity income | (394 | ) | — | (394 | ) | — | |||||||||
Other income | (1,169 | ) | (559 | ) | (1,883 | ) | (828 | ) | |||||||
Capital lease payments for AVC (1) | (3,427 | ) | (4,216 | ) | (12,271 | ) | (11,195 | ) | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Jupiter prior to acquisition (2) | — | (9,496 | ) | — | (34,733 | ) | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to NWV Gathering prior to acquisition (3) | — | (12,771 | ) | (19,841 | ) | (23,058 | ) | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 110,466 | $ | 57,180 | $ | 207,026 | $ | 98,269 | |||||||
Less: | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense, excluding capital lease interest | (5,742 | ) | (1,275 | ) | (11,274 | ) | (1,992 | ) | |||||||
Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, net of expected reimbursements (4) | (1,878 | ) | (3,340 | ) | (2,925 | ) | (4,821 | ) | |||||||
Distributable cash flow | $ | 102,846 | $ | 52,565 | $ | 192,827 | $ | 91,456 | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 124,443 | $ | 87,689 | $ | 239,102 | $ | 135,332 | |||||||
Adjustments: | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 11,640 | 6,629 | 23,097 | 12,284 | |||||||||||
Current tax expense | — | 3,079 | 3,705 | 11,818 | |||||||||||
Capital lease payments for AVC (1) | (3,427 | ) | (4,216 | ) | (12,271 | ) | (11,195 | ) | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Jupiter prior to acquisition (2) | — | (9,496 | ) | — | (34,733 | ) | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to NWV Gathering prior to acquisition (3) | — | (12,771 | ) | (19,841 | ) | (23,058 | ) | ||||||||
Other, including changes in working capital | (22,190 | ) | (13,734 | ) | (26,766 | ) | 7,821 | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 110,466 | $ | 57,180 | $ | 207,026 | $ | 98,269 |
(1) Capital lease payments presented are the amounts incurred on an accrual basis and do not reflect the timing of actual cash payments. These lease payments are generally made monthly on a one month lag.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Jupiter prior to acquisition for the periods presented was excluded from EQM’s adjusted EBITDA calculations as these amounts were generated by Jupiter prior to EQM’s acquisition; therefore, they were not amounts that could have been distributed to EQM’s unitholders. Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Jupiter for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was calculated as net income of $5.5 million and $20.1 million, respectively, plus depreciation and amortization expense of $0.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively, plus income tax expense of $3.4 million and $12.5 million, respectively.
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(3) Adjusted EBITDA attributable to NWV Gathering prior to acquisition for the periods presented was excluded from EQM’s adjusted EBITDA calculations as these amounts were generated by NWV Gathering prior to EQM’s acquisition; therefore, they were not amounts that could have been distributed to EQM’s unitholders. Adjusted EBITDA attributable to NWV Gathering for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was calculated as net income of $11.1 million plus depreciation and amortization expense of $2.0 million plus income tax expense of $6.7 million. Adjusted EBITDA attributable to NWV Gathering for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was calculated as net income of $6.9 million and $12.4 million, respectively, plus depreciation and amortization expense of $1.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively, plus income tax expense of $4.0 million and $7.1 million, respectively.
(4) | Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, net of expected reimbursements excludes ongoing maintenance attributable to NWV Gathering prior to acquisition of $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and $0.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014. Additionally, it excludes ongoing maintenance capital expenditures that EQM expects to be reimbursed or that was reimbursed by EQT under the terms of EQM's omnibus agreement of $1.5 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1.7 million and $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. |
EQM's adjusted EBITDA increased by $53.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014 and $108.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014 primarily a result of higher operating income due to increased firm reservation fee revenues related to production development in the Marcellus Shale and the acquisitions, which resulted in EBITDA subsequent to the transactions being reflected in adjusted EBITDA. Distributable cash flow increased by $50.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014 and $101.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014 mainly attributable to the increase in adjusted EBITDA which was partly offset by an increase in interest expense, excluding capital lease interest.
Outlook
EQM’s principal business objective is to increase the quarterly cash distributions that it pays to its unitholders over time while ensuring the ongoing growth of its business. EQM believes that it is well positioned to achieve growth based on the combination of its relationship with EQT and its strategically located assets, which cover portions of the Marcellus Shale that lack substantial natural gas pipeline infrastructure. As production increases in EQM’s areas of operations, EQM believes it will have a competitive advantage in pursuing economically attractive organic expansion projects, which EQM believes will be a key driver of growth in the future. EQM is also currently pursuing organic growth projects that are expected to provide access to markets in the Midwest, Gulf Coast and Southeast regions. Additionally, EQM may acquire additional midstream assets from EQT or pursue asset acquisitions from third parties. Should EQT choose to pursue midstream asset sales, it is under no contractual obligation to offer the assets to EQM.
EQM expects that the following expansion projects will allow it to capitalize on drilling activity by EQT and other third-party producers:
• | Third Party Projects. In July 2015, EQM announced its agreement with Range Resources - Appalachia, LLC to construct a natural gas header pipeline in southwestern Pennsylvania to support Marcellus and Utica development at a cost of approximately $250 million. The pipeline is contracted to provide 550 MDth per day of firm capacity and is backed by a ten-year firm capacity reservation commitment. EQM plans to complete the project in two phases, with phase one expected to be in-service by the third quarter of 2016 and phase two by mid-year 2017. The majority of EQM's capital investment is expected throughout 2016 and the first half of 2017. EQM expects to |
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invest approximately $30 million to $40 million on this and other gathering infrastructure projects for third party producers during 2015.
• | Gathering System Expansions. EQM expects capital expenditures of approximately $100 million in 2015 related to expansion in the Jupiter development area that will raise total firm gathering capacity in that area to 775 MMcf per day. The Jupiter expansion is fully subscribed and is expected to be in service by year-end 2015. In addition, EQM expects to invest a total of approximately $370 million, of which approximately $65 million is expected to be spent during 2015, related to expansion in the NWV Gathering development area. These expenditures are part of an additional fully subscribed expansion project expected to raise total firm gathering capacity in the NWV Gathering development area from the current 460 MMcf per day to 640 MMcf per day by year-end 2017. |
• | Ohio Valley Connector. The OVC includes a 36-mile pipeline that will extend EQM's transmission and storage system from northern West Virginia to Clarington, Ohio, at which point it will interconnect with the Rockies Express Pipeline and the Texas Eastern Pipeline. EQM submitted the OVC certificate application, which also includes related Equitrans transmission expansion projects, to the FERC in December of 2014 and anticipates receiving the certificate in the second half of 2015. Subject to FERC approval, construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2015 and the pipeline is expected to be in-service by mid-year 2016. The OVC will provide approximately 850 BBtu per day of transmission capacity and the greenfield portion is estimated to cost approximately $300 million, of which $120 million to $130 million is expected to be spent in 2015. EQM has entered into a 20-year precedent agreement for a total of 650 BBtu per day of firm transmission capacity on the OVC. |
• | Transmission Expansion Projects. EQM also plans to begin several multi-year transmission expansion projects to support the continued growth of the Marcellus and Utica development. The projects may include pipeline looping, compression installation and new pipeline segments, which combined are expected to increase transmission capacity by approximately 1.0 Bcf per day by year-end 2017. EQM expects to invest a total of approximately $400 million on these projects. Combined with the Antero Resources (Antero) transmission project which was completed in the second quarter of 2015, EQM expects to spend approximately $50 million on transmission projects during 2015. |
• | Mountain Valley Pipeline. On March 30, 2015, EQM assumed EQT's 55% interest in MVP Joint Venture, a joint venture with affiliates of each of NextEra Energy, Inc., WGL Holdings, Inc. and Vega Energy Partners, Ltd. EQM also assumed the role of operator of the MVP to be constructed by the joint venture. The estimated 300-mile MVP is currently targeted at 42" in diameter and a minimum capacity of 2.0 Bcf per day, and will extend from EQM's existing transmission and storage system in Wetzel County, West Virginia to Pittsylvania County, Virginia. As currently designed, the MVP is estimated to cost a total of $3.0 billion to $3.5 billion, excluding AFUDC, with EQM funding its proportionate share through capital contributions made to the joint venture. In 2015, EQM's capital contributions are expected to be approximately $105 million to $115 million and will be primarily in support of environmental and land assessments, design work and materials. Expenditures are expected to increase substantially as construction commences, with the bulk of the expenditures expected to be made in 2017 and 2018. The MVP Joint Venture has secured a total of 2.0 Bcf per day of 20 year firm capacity commitments and is currently in negotiation with additional shippers who have expressed interest in the MVP project. As a result, the final project scope and total capacity has not yet been determined; however, the voluntary pre-filing process with the FERC began in October 2014. The pipeline, which is subject to FERC approval, is expected to be in-service during the fourth quarter of 2018. |
Capital Resources and Liquidity
EQM’s principal liquidity requirements are to finance its operations, fund capital expenditures and acquisitions, make cash distributions and satisfy any indebtedness obligations. EQM’s ability to meet these liquidity requirements will depend on its ability to generate cash in the future as well as its ability to raise capital in the banking, capital and other markets. EQM’s available sources of liquidity include cash generated from operations, borrowing under EQM's credit facility, cash on hand, debt offerings and issuances of additional EQM partnership units.
Operating Activities
The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $103.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014 was driven by higher operating income for which contributing factors are discussed in the
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“Executive Overview” and "Business Segment Results of Operations" sections herein, and timing of payments between the two periods.
Investing Activities
The increase in net cash used in investing activities of $466.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014 was primarily attributable to the acquisition of the NWV Gathering net assets from EQT, the purchase of the preferred interest in EQT Energy Supply, LLC and the acquisition of EQT's interest in the MVP Joint Venture (MVP Interest Acquisition) as well as the following expansion projects: the OVC project, the Antero Resources (Antero) transmission project and the Jupiter gathering expansion. See further discussion of capital expenditures in the “Capital Requirements” section below.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $401.6 million for the first six months of 2015 compared to $171.9 million for the first six months of 2014. Cash inflows for the first six months of 2015 from the March equity offering and net short-term loans were partly offset by cash payments for the NWV Gathering Acquisition in excess of net assets acquired and distributions to unitholders. Cash inflows for the first six months of 2014 related to the May equity offering and net short-term loans and were partly offset by cash payments for the Jupiter Acquisition in excess of net assets acquired, the Sunrise Merger payment and distributions to unitholders.
Capital Requirements
The transmission, storage and gathering businesses are capital intensive, requiring significant investment to develop new facilities and to maintain and upgrade existing operations. Capital expenditures for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||
(Thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Expansion capital expenditures | $ | 122,360 | $ | 74,873 | $ | 177,854 | $ | 121,179 | |||||||
Maintenance capital expenditures: | |||||||||||||||
Ongoing maintenance | 3,413 | 4,092 | 5,010 | 5,671 | |||||||||||
Funded regulatory compliance | 1,276 | 2,521 | 1,916 | 3,086 | |||||||||||
Total maintenance capital expenditures | 4,689 | 6,613 | 6,926 | 8,757 | |||||||||||
Total capital expenditures (1) | $ | 127,049 | $ | 81,486 | $ | 184,780 | $ | 129,936 |
(1) EQM accrues capital expenditures when work has been completed but the associated bills have not yet been paid. These accrued amounts are excluded from capital expenditures on the statements of consolidated cash flows until they are paid in a subsequent period. Accrued capital expenditures were $27.0 million and $14.4 million at June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, EQM capitalizes certain labor overhead costs which include a portion of non-cash equity-based compensation. These non-cash capital expenditures in the table above were less than $0.1 million and approximately $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and less than $0.1 million and approximately $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Expansion capital expenditures increased by $47.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014 and by $56.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2014 primarily as a result of expenditures related to the OVC project, the Antero transmission project and the Jupiter gathering expansion. The Antero project was placed into service during the second quarter of 2015 at a cost of approximately $25 million.
In 2015, expansion capital expenditures and MVP capital contributions are expected to total $470 million to $500 million. EQM’s future capital investments may vary significantly from period to period based on the available investment opportunities and will grow substantially in future periods for the OVC project, MVP capital contributions and the Range Resources project. Maintenance related capital expenditures are also expected to vary quarter to quarter. EQM expects to fund future capital expenditures primarily through cash on hand, cash generated from operations, availability under its credit facility, debt
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offerings and the issuance of additional EQM partnership units. EQM does not forecast capital expenditures associated with potential midstream projects not committed as of the filing of this Form 10-Q.
Short-term Borrowings
EQM has a $750 million credit facility that expires in February 2019. The credit facility is available to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures, to purchase assets, to pay distributions and to repurchase units and for general partnership purposes. Subject to certain terms and conditions, the credit facility has an accordion feature that allows EQM to increase the available revolving borrowings under the facility by up to an additional $250 million. In addition, the credit facility includes a sublimit up to $75 million for same-day swing line advances and a sublimit up to $150 million for letters of credit. EQM has the right to request that one or more lenders make term loans to it under the credit facility subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, which term loans will be secured by cash and qualifying investment grade securities. EQM’s obligations under the revolving portion of the credit facility are unsecured.
EQM’s credit facility contains various provisions that, if not complied with, could result in termination of the credit facility, require early payment of amounts outstanding or similar actions. The covenants and events of default under the credit facility relate to maintenance of permitted leverage ratio, limitations on transactions with affiliates, limitations on restricted payments, insolvency events, nonpayment of scheduled principal or interest payments, acceleration of and certain other defaults under other financial obligations and change of control provisions. Under the credit facility, EQM is required to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 5.00 to 1.00 (or not more than 5.50 to 1.00 for certain measurement periods following the consummation of certain acquisitions). As of June 30, 2015, EQM was in compliance with all credit facility provisions and covenants.
Security Ratings
The table below sets forth the credit ratings for debt instruments of EQM at June 30, 2015. Changes in credit ratings may affect EQM’s cost of future borrowings (including interest rates and fees under its credit facility) and access to the credit markets.
Rating Service | Senior Notes | Outlook | ||
Moody’s Investors Service | Ba1 | Stable | ||
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services | BBB- | Stable | ||
Fitch Ratings | BBB- | Stable |
EQM’s credit ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. EQM cannot ensure that a rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a credit rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant. If the credit rating agencies downgrade EQM’s ratings, particularly below investment grade, EQM’s access to the capital markets may be limited, borrowing costs could increase, counterparties may request additional assurances and the potential pool of investors and funding sources may decrease. In order to be considered investment grade, a company must be rated BBB- or higher by S&P, Baa3 or higher by Moody’s or BBB- or higher by Fitch. Anything below these ratings, including EQM's current credit rating of Ba1 by Moody's, is considered non-investment grade. Having a non-investment grade rating may result in greater borrowing costs and collateral requirements than would be available to EQM if all its credit ratings were investment grade.
Distributions
A cash distribution to unitholders of $0.61 per limited partner unit was paid on May 15, 2015 related to the first quarter of 2015. On July 21, 2015, the Board of Directors of EQM’s general partner declared a cash distribution to EQM’s unitholders for the second quarter of 2015 of $0.64 per common unit, $1.1 million to the general partner related to its 2% general partner interest and $10.1 million to the general partner related to its incentive distribution rights. The cash distribution will be paid on August 14, 2015 to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 4, 2015.
Commitments and Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against EQM. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, EQM is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. EQM accrues legal and other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. EQM has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters, and after consultation with counsel and giving
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appropriate consideration to available insurance, EQM believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against it will not materially affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In connection with the transfer of EQT's interest in MVP Holdco to EQM on March 30, 2015, EQM entered into a $130 million performance guarantee to provide performance assurances for MVP Holdco's obligations to fund its proportionate share of the construction budget for the MVP. Upon the FERC’s initial release to begin construction of the MVP, EQM's guarantee will terminate, and EQM will be obligated to issue a new guarantee in an amount equal to 33% of MVP Holdco’s remaining obligations to make capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture in connection with the then remaining construction budget.
Critical Accounting Policies
EQM’s critical accounting policies are described in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for the year ended December 31, 2014 contained in EQM’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on April 1, 2015 and are incorporated herein by reference. Any new accounting policies or updates to existing accounting policies as a result of new accounting pronouncements have been included in the notes to EQM’s consolidated financial statements in Item 1 on this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2015. The application of EQM’s critical accounting policies may require management to make judgments and estimates about the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates and judgments. Different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and estimates.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Changes in interest rates affect the amount of interest EQM earns on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and the interest rates EQM pays on borrowings on its credit facility. EQM's long-term borrowings are fixed rate and thus do not expose EQM to fluctuations in its results of operations or liquidity from changes in market interest rates. Changes in interest rates do affect the fair value of EQM's fixed rate debt. See Note G to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of EQM's borrowings and Note H to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of fair value measurements. EQM may from time to time hedge the interest on portions of its borrowings under the credit facility in order to manage risks associated with floating interest rates.
Credit Risk
EQM is exposed to credit risk. Credit risk is the risk that EQM may incur a loss if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. EQM manages its exposure to credit risk associated with customers through credit analysis, credit approval, credit limits and monitoring procedures. For certain transactions, EQM may request letters of credit, cash collateral, prepayments or guarantees as forms of credit support. EQM’s FERC tariff requires tariff customers that do not meet specified credit standards to provide three months of credit support; however, EQM is exposed to credit risk beyond this three month period when its tariff does not require its customers to provide additional credit support. For some of EQM’s more recent long-term contracts associated with system expansions, it has entered into negotiated credit agreements that provide for enhanced forms of credit support if certain credit standards are not met. EQM has historically experienced only minimal credit losses in connection with its receivables. EQM is also exposed to the credit risk of EQT, its largest customer. In connection with EQM's IPO in 2012, EQT guaranteed all payment obligations, up to a maximum of $50 million, due and payable to Equitrans by EQT Energy, LLC, one of Equitrans’ largest customers. The EQT guaranty will terminate on November 30, 2023 unless terminated earlier by EQT upon 10 days written notice. At June 30, 2015, EQT’s public senior debt had an investment grade credit rating.
Other Market Risks
EQM's credit facility is underwritten by a syndicate of financial institutions, each of which is obligated to fund its pro-rata portion of any borrowings by EQM. No one lender of the large group of financial institutions in the syndicate holds more than 10% of the facility. EQM’s large syndicate group and relatively low percentage of participation by each lender is expected to limit EQM’s exposure to problems or consolidation in the banking industry.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of management of EQM’s general partner, including the general partner’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, an evaluation of EQM’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)) was conducted as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of EQM’s general partner concluded that EQM’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the second quarter of 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, EQM’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against EQM. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, EQM is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. EQM accrues legal and other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. EQM has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters and, after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, EQM believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against it will not materially affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Information regarding risk factors is discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of EQM’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in EQM’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 5. Other Information
On July 23, 2015, EQT Midstream Services, LLC, which is the general partner of EQM (EQM General Partner), entered into an amendment to EQM’s First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, and as previously amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, dated July 24, 2014. The amendment, which became effective on July 23, 2015, provides for the following:
• | In connection with any future issuances of limited partner interests by EQM, EQM General Partner may elect to maintain its percentage EQM general partner interest (which was a 2.0% general partner interest as of June 30, 2015) immediately prior to such issuance by making: (i) an election prior to such issuance and (ii) a capital contribution to EQM on or prior to the earlier of (a) EQM’s demand for such capital contribution and (b) the distribution record date for the quarter in which such election is made. Prior to the amendment, such capital contributions were required to be made on or prior to any subsequent issuance of EQM limited partner interests. |
• | The amendment clarifies that any EQM General Partner capital contributions made to maintain its percentage interest as described above may be made, at EQM General Partner’s election, in the form of EQM common units. |
• | The amendment eliminates the prohibition on EQM’s issuance of fractional partnership interests. |
The amendment is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6. Exhibits
3.1 | Amendment No. 2 to the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP, dated July 23, 2015 | ||
3.2 | Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EQT Midstream Services, LLC, dated May 15, 2015 | ||
31.1 | Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer | ||
31.2 | Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer | ||
32 | Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer | ||
101 | Interactive Data File |
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Signature
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.
EQT Midstream Partners, LP | |||
(Registrant) | |||
By: | EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its General Partner | ||
By: | /s/ Philip P. Conti | ||
Philip P. Conti | |||
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Date: July 23, 2015
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. | Document Description | Method of Filing | |||
3.1 | Amendment No. 2 to the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP, dated July 23, 2015 | Filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1 | |||
3.2 | Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EQT Midstream Services, LLC, dated May 15, 2015 | Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K (#001-35574) filed on May 15, 2015 which is incorporated herein by reference. | |||
31.1 | Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer | Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.1 | |||
31.2 | Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer | Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.2 | |||
32 | Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Filed herewith as Exhibit 32 | |||
101 | Interactive Data File | Filed herewith as Exhibit 101 |
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