Water Handling
| ● | Fresh water delivery revenue decreased $1 million period over period primarily due to lower fresh water delivery volumes between periods, partially offset by a 3% increase to the fresh water delivery rate for our long-term contract with Antero Resources as a result of the annual CPI-based adjustment. Fresh water delivery volumes decreased between periods due to timing of well completions by Antero Resources. |
| ● | Other fluid handling services revenue increased $3 million period over period primarily due to increased costs, partially due to inflationary pressures that impact our cost plus 3% and cost of service rates during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and higher other fluid handling volumes of 1 MMBbl, or 9 MBbl/d, between periods. |
Direct operating expenses. Direct operating expenses increased by 21%, from $43 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 to $53 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Gathering and processing direct operating expenses increased by 30%, from $19 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 to $25 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to 12 compressor stations that were acquired during the fourth quarter of 2022 and increased heavy maintenance expense between periods. Water handling direct operating expenses increased by 15%, from $24 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 to $28 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to higher wastewater trucking volumes and rates, and higher fresh water expense between periods due to maintenance and repairs.
General and administrative (excluding equity-based compensation) expenses. General and administrative expenses (excluding equity-based compensation expense) remained consistent at $10 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023.
Equity-based compensation expenses. Equity-based compensation expenses increased from $6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 to $8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in the annual equity awards granted during the first quarter of 2023 as compared to prior years, which were temporarily and significantly reduced during 2020 and supplemented by our cash awards program. Our equity awards vest over three or four year service periods, and our equity incentive program began returning to normal levels in 2021. See Note 9—Equity-Based Compensation and Cash Awards to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Depreciation expense. Depreciation expense remained relatively consistent at $36 million and $35 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Impairment of property and equipment expense. Impairment of property and equipment expense of $4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022 was primarily due to (i) a write-down of the Clearwater Facility related to the retirement obligation for the facility and (ii) cancelled projects. There were no impairments of property and equipment during the three months ended June 30, 2023.
Loss (gain) on asset sale. Loss on asset sale of $6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 is primarily due to sales of miscellaneous equipment.
Interest expense. Interest expense increased by 22%, from $45 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 to $55 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to the increased interest rates on our Credit Facility as a result of higher benchmark rates during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and higher Credit Facility borrowings between periods primarily as a result of our asset acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates increased by 14%, from $23 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 to $26 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to higher processing and fractionation fees as a result of annual CPI-based adjustments and increased volumes between periods.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023 was $26 million and $29 million, respectively, which reflects effective tax rates of 25.0% and 25.1%, respectively.
Net income. Net income increased by 10%, from $79 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 to $87 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher gathering, compression and other fluid handling revenues and higher equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses, interest expense and equity-based compensation expense between periods.