Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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ý | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017
or
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¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number 1-31219
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware | | 73-1493906 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas 75225
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
(214) 981-0700
(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 ý 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 ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer | | ý | | Accelerated filer | | ¨ |
Non-accelerated filer | | ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | Smaller reporting company | | ¨ |
| | | | Emerging growth company | | ¨ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No ý
At November 3, 2017, the registrant had 1,155,493,524 Common Units outstanding.
FORM 10-Q
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this report, excluding historical information, as well as some statements by Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership” or “ETP”) in periodic press releases and some oral statements of the Partnership’s officials during presentations about the Partnership, include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Statements using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “expect,” “continue,” “estimate,” “goal,” “forecast,” “may,” “will” or similar expressions help identify forward-looking statements. Although the Partnership and its general partner believe such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and current expectations and projections about future events, no assurance can be given that such assumptions, expectations, or projections will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Partnership’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, projected or expected, forecasted, estimated or expressed in forward-looking statements since many of the factors that determine these results are subject to uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict and beyond management’s control. For additional discussion of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, see “Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2017 and Exhibit 99.3 to the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 8, 2017.
Definitions
The following is a list of certain acronyms and terms generally used in the energy industry and throughout this document:
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| /d | | per day |
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| AmeriGas | | AmeriGas Partners, L.P. |
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| AOCI | | accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
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| AROs | | asset retirement obligations |
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| Bbls | | barrels |
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| Btu | | British thermal unit, an energy measurement used by gas companies to convert the volume of gas used to its heat equivalent, and thus calculate the actual energy used |
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| Capacity | | capacity of a pipeline, processing plant or storage facility refers to the maximum capacity under normal operating conditions and, with respect to pipeline transportation capacity, is subject to multiple factors (including natural gas injections and withdrawals at various delivery points along the pipeline and the utilization of compression) which may reduce the throughput capacity from specified capacity levels |
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| Citrus | | Citrus, LLC |
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| CrossCountry | | CrossCountry Energy, LLC |
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| DOJ | | U.S. Department of Justice |
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| ETC Compression | | ETC Compression, LLC |
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| EPA | | Environmental Protection Agency |
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| ETC FEP | | ETC Fayetteville Express Pipeline, LLC |
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| ETC MEP | | ETC Midcontinent Express Pipeline, L.L.C. |
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| ETC OLP | | La Grange Acquisition, L.P., which conducts business under the assumed name of Energy Transfer Company |
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| ETC Tiger | | ETC Tiger Pipeline, LLC |
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| ETE | | Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a publicly traded partnership and the owner of ETP LLC for the periods presented herein |
| | | |
| ET Interstate | | Energy Transfer Interstate Holdings, LLC |
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| ET Rover | | ET Rover Pipeline LLC |
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| ETLP Credit Facility | | Energy Transfer, LP’s $3.75 billion revolving credit facility |
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| ETP GP | | Energy Transfer Partners GP, L.P., the general partner of ETP |
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| ETP Holdco | | ETP Holdco Corporation |
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| ETP LLC | | Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C., the general partner of ETP GP |
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| Exchange Act | | Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
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| ExxonMobil | | Exxon Mobil Corporation
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| FEP | | Fayetteville Express Pipeline LLC |
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| FERC | | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
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| FGT | | Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC |
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| GAAP | | accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America |
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| HPC | | RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Regency Intrastate Gas LP |
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| IDRs | | incentive distribution rights |
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| LIBOR | | London Interbank Offered Rate |
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| MEP | | Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC |
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| MBbls | | thousand barrels |
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| MMBtu | | million British thermal units |
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| MMcf | | million cubic feet |
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| MTBE | | methyl tertiary butyl ether |
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| NGL | | natural gas liquid, such as propane, butane and natural gasoline |
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| NYMEX | | New York Mercantile Exchange |
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| OSHA | | federal Occupational Safety and Health Act |
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| OTC | | over-the-counter |
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| Panhandle | | Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP and its subsidiaries |
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| PCBs | | polychlorinated biphenyls |
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| PennTex | | PennTex Midstream Partners, LP |
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| PES | | Philadelphia Energy Solutions, a refining joint venture |
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| Preferred Units | | ETP Series A cumulative convertible preferred units |
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| Regency | | Regency Energy Partners LP |
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| Retail Holdings | | ETP Retail Holdings, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sunoco, Inc. |
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| Rover | | Rover Pipeline LLC, a subsidiary of ETP |
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| Sea Robin | | Sea Robin Pipeline Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Panhandle |
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| SEC | | Securities and Exchange Commission |
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| Sunoco Logistics | | Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. |
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| Transwestern | | Transwestern Pipeline Company, LLC |
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| Trunkline | | Trunkline Gas Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Panhandle |
Adjusted EBITDA is a term used throughout this document, which we define as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and other non-cash items, such as non-cash compensation expense, gains and losses on disposals of assets, the allowance for equity funds used during construction, unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities, non-cash impairment charges, losses on extinguishments of debt and other non-operating income or expense items. Unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities include unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory fair value adjustments (excluding lower of cost or market adjustments). Adjusted EBITDA reflects amounts for less than wholly-owned subsidiaries based on 100% of the subsidiaries’ results of operations and for unconsolidated affiliates based on the Partnership’s proportionate ownership.
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
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| | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 |
ASSETS | | | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 379 |
| | $ | 360 |
|
Accounts receivable, net | 3,083 |
| | 3,002 |
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Accounts receivable from related companies | 335 |
| | 209 |
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Inventories | 1,591 |
| | 1,712 |
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Income taxes receivable | 151 |
| | 128 |
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Derivative assets | 40 |
| | 20 |
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Other current assets | 201 |
| | 298 |
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Total current assets | 5,780 |
| | 5,729 |
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| | | |
Property, plant and equipment | 65,735 |
| | 58,220 |
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Accumulated depreciation and depletion | (8,763 | ) | | (7,303 | ) |
| 56,972 |
| | 50,917 |
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| | | |
Advances to and investments in unconsolidated affiliates | 4,221 |
| | 4,280 |
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Other non-current assets, net | 752 |
| | 672 |
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Intangible assets, net | 5,379 |
| | 4,696 |
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Goodwill | 3,907 |
| | 3,897 |
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Total assets | $ | 77,011 |
| | $ | 70,191 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
1
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
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| | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Accounts payable | $ | 3,410 |
| | $ | 2,900 |
|
Accounts payable to related companies | 204 |
| | 43 |
|
Derivative liabilities | 128 |
| | 166 |
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Accrued and other current liabilities | 2,434 |
| | 1,905 |
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Current maturities of long-term debt | 710 |
| | 1,189 |
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Total current liabilities | 6,886 |
| | 6,203 |
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| | | |
Long-term debt, less current maturities | 33,630 |
| | 31,741 |
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Long-term notes payable – related company | — |
| | 250 |
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Non-current derivative liabilities | 132 |
| | 76 |
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Deferred income taxes | 4,374 |
| | 4,394 |
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Other non-current liabilities | 1,111 |
| | 952 |
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| | | |
Commitments and contingencies |
| |
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Preferred Units | — |
| | 33 |
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Redeemable noncontrolling interests | 21 |
| | 15 |
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Equity: | | | |
General Partner | 252 |
| | 206 |
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Limited Partners: | | | |
Common Unitholders | 26,400 |
| | 14,946 |
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Class H Unitholder | — |
| | 3,480 |
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Class I Unitholder | — |
| | 2 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income | 14 |
| | 8 |
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Total partners’ capital | 26,666 |
| | 18,642 |
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Noncontrolling interest | 4,191 |
| | 7,885 |
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Total equity | 30,857 |
| | 26,527 |
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Total liabilities and equity | $ | 77,011 |
| | $ | 70,191 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
2
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in millions, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
REVENUES: | | | | | | | |
Natural gas sales | $ | 1,098 |
| | $ | 1,069 |
| | $ | 3,132 |
| | $ | 2,602 |
|
NGL sales | 1,750 |
| | 1,249 |
| | 4,782 |
| | 3,339 |
|
Crude sales | 2,273 |
| | 1,649 |
| | 6,751 |
| | 4,572 |
|
Gathering, transportation and other fees | 1,027 |
| | 986 |
| | 3,118 |
| | 2,991 |
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Refined product sales | 334 |
| | 177 |
| | 1,109 |
| | 656 |
|
Other | 491 |
| | 401 |
| | 1,552 |
| | 1,141 |
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Total revenues | 6,973 |
| | 5,531 |
| | 20,444 |
| | 15,301 |
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COSTS AND EXPENSES: | | | | | | | |
Cost of products sold | 4,876 |
| | 3,844 |
| | 14,582 |
| | 10,280 |
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Operating expenses | 571 |
| | 475 |
| | 1,603 |
| | 1,359 |
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 596 |
| | 503 |
| | 1,713 |
| | 1,469 |
|
Selling, general and administrative | 105 |
| | 71 |
| | 335 |
| | 226 |
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Total costs and expenses | 6,148 |
| | 4,893 |
| | 18,233 |
| | 13,334 |
|
OPERATING INCOME | 825 |
| | 638 |
| | 2,211 |
| | 1,967 |
|
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): | | | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | (367 | ) | | (345 | ) | | (1,052 | ) | | (981 | ) |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | 127 |
| | 65 |
| | 139 |
| | 260 |
|
Impairment of investment in an unconsolidated affiliate | — |
| | (308 | ) | | — |
| | (308 | ) |
Losses on interest rate derivatives | (8 | ) | | (28 | ) | | (28 | ) | | (179 | ) |
Other, net | 72 |
| | 52 |
| | 169 |
| | 96 |
|
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) | 649 |
| | 74 |
| | 1,439 |
| | 855 |
|
Income tax expense (benefit) | (112 | ) | | (64 | ) | | 22 |
| | (131 | ) |
NET INCOME | 761 |
| | 138 |
| | 1,417 |
| | 986 |
|
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 110 |
| | 64 |
| | 243 |
| | 231 |
|
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARTNERS | 651 |
| | 74 |
| | 1,174 |
| | 755 |
|
General Partner’s interest in net income | 270 |
| | 220 |
| | 727 |
| | 740 |
|
Class H Unitholder’s interest in net income | — |
| | 93 |
| | 98 |
| | 257 |
|
Class I Unitholder’s interest in net income | — |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | 6 |
|
Common Unitholders’ interest in net income (loss) | $ | 381 |
| | $ | (241 | ) | | $ | 349 |
| | $ | (248 | ) |
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON UNIT: | | | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 0.33 |
| | $ | (0.33 | ) | | $ | 0.35 |
| | $ | (0.36 | ) |
Diluted | $ | 0.33 |
| | $ | (0.33 | ) | | $ | 0.34 |
| | $ | (0.36 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
Net income | $ | 761 |
| | $ | 138 |
| | $ | 1,417 |
| | $ | 986 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | | | | | | | |
Change in value of available-for-sale securities | 2 |
| | — |
| | 5 |
| | 5 |
|
Actuarial gain (loss) relating to pension and other postretirement benefit plans | 5 |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | (3 | ) |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1 | ) |
Change in other comprehensive income from unconsolidated affiliates | — |
| | 2 |
| | (1 | ) | | (9 | ) |
| 7 |
| | 2 |
| | 6 |
| | (8 | ) |
Comprehensive income | 768 |
| | 140 |
| | 1,423 |
| | 978 |
|
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 110 |
| | 64 |
| | 243 |
| | 231 |
|
Comprehensive income attributable to partners | $ | 658 |
| | $ | 76 |
| | $ | 1,180 |
| | $ | 747 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
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| | | Limited Partners | | | | | | |
| General Partner | | Common Units | | Class H Units | | Class I Units | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | | Noncontrolling Interest | | Total |
Balance, December 31, 2016 | $ | 206 |
| | $ | 14,946 |
| | $ | 3,480 |
| | $ | 2 |
| | $ | 8 |
| | $ | 7,885 |
| | $ | 26,527 |
|
Distributions to partners | (681 | ) | | (1,765 | ) | | (95 | ) | | (2 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (2,543 | ) |
Distributions to noncontrolling interest | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (306 | ) | | (306 | ) |
Units issued for cash | — |
| | 2,162 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,162 |
|
Sunoco Logistics Merger | — |
| | 9,459 |
| | (3,483 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (5,976 | ) | | — |
|
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,907 |
| | 1,907 |
|
Sale of Bakken Pipeline interest | — |
| | 1,260 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 740 |
| | 2,000 |
|
Acquisition of PennTex noncontrolling interest | — |
| | (48 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (232 | ) | | (280 | ) |
Other comprehensive income, net of tax | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 6 |
| | — |
| | 6 |
|
Other, net | — |
| | 37 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (70 | ) | | (33 | ) |
Net income | 727 |
| | 349 |
| | 98 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 243 |
| | 1,417 |
|
Balance, September 30, 2017 | $ | 252 |
| | $ | 26,400 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 14 |
| | $ | 4,191 |
| | $ | 30,857 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
|
| | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2017 | | 2016 |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | |
Net income | $ | 1,417 |
| | $ | 986 |
|
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 1,713 |
| | 1,469 |
|
Deferred income taxes | (1 | ) | | (154 | ) |
Amortization included in interest expense | 5 |
| | (16 | ) |
Inventory valuation adjustments | (30 | ) | | (143 | ) |
Unit-based compensation expense | 57 |
| | 60 |
|
Impairment of investment in an unconsolidated affiliate | — |
| | 308 |
|
Distributions on unvested awards | (21 | ) | | (19 | ) |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | (139 | ) | | (260 | ) |
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates | 319 |
| | 292 |
|
Other non-cash | (168 | ) | | (230 | ) |
Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition | 185 |
| | 172 |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities | 3,337 |
| | 2,465 |
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | |
Proceeds from Bakken Pipeline Transaction | 2,000 |
| | — |
|
Proceeds from the Sunoco, Inc. retail business to Sunoco LP transaction | — |
| | 2,200 |
|
Cash paid for acquisition of PennTex noncontrolling interest | (280 | ) | | — |
|
Cash paid for all other acquisitions | (264 | ) | | (159 | ) |
Capital expenditures, excluding allowance for equity funds used during construction | (6,074 | ) | | (5,787 | ) |
Contributions in aid of construction costs | 18 |
| | 44 |
|
Contributions to unconsolidated affiliates | (230 | ) | | (47 | ) |
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates in excess of cumulative earnings | 116 |
| | 112 |
|
Proceeds from the sale of assets | 33 |
| | 6 |
|
Change in restricted cash | — |
| | (8 | ) |
Other | (6 | ) | | (1 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (4,687 | ) | | (3,640 | ) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | |
Proceeds from borrowings | 19,978 |
| | 13,073 |
|
Repayments of long-term debt | (18,487 | ) | | (11,308 | ) |
Cash paid to affiliate notes | (255 | ) | | (1 | ) |
Units issued for cash | 2,162 |
| | 794 |
|
Subsidiary units issued for cash | — |
| | 1,305 |
|
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest | 919 |
| | 187 |
|
Distributions to partners | (2,543 | ) | | (2,669 | ) |
Distributions to noncontrolling interest | (306 | ) | | (334 | ) |
Redemption of Preferred Units | (53 | ) | | — |
|
Debt issuance costs | (50 | ) | | (22 | ) |
Other | 4 |
| | — |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities | 1,369 |
| | 1,025 |
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 19 |
| | (150 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 360 |
| | 527 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 379 |
| | $ | 377 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
6
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular dollar and unit amounts, except per unit data, are in millions)
(unaudited)
| |
1. | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION |
Organization
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (“ETP”, formerly named “Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.”, as discussed below) is a consolidated subsidiary of ETE.
In April 2017, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and Sunoco Logistics completed a merger transaction (the “Sunoco Logistics Merger”) in which Sunoco Logistics acquired Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. in a unit-for-unit transaction. Prior to the Sunoco Logistics Merger, Sunoco Logistics was a consolidated subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. Under the terms of the transaction, the unitholders received 1.5 common units of Sunoco Logistics for each Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. common unit they owned. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Sunoco Logistics’ general partner was merged with and into ETP GP, with ETP GP surviving as an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ETE. Based on the number of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. common units outstanding at the closing of the merger, Sunoco Logistics issued approximately 832 million Sunoco Logistics common units to Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. unitholders. In connection with the merger, the Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. Class H units were cancelled. The outstanding Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. Class E units, Class G units, Class I units and Class K units at the effective time of the merger were converted into an equal number of newly created classes of Sunoco Logistics units, with the same rights, preferences, privileges, duties and obligations as such classes of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. units had immediately prior to the closing of the merger. Additionally, the outstanding Sunoco Logistics common units and Sunoco Logistics Class B units owned by Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. at the effective time of the merger were cancelled.
At the time of the Sunoco Logistics Merger, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. changed its name from “Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.” to “Energy Transfer, LP” and Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. changed its name to “Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.” For purposes of maintaining clarity, the following references are used herein:
| |
• | References to “ETLP” refer to Energy Transfer, LP subsequent to the close of the merger; |
| |
• | References to “Sunoco Logistics” refer to the entity named Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. prior to the close of the merger; and |
| |
• | References to “ETP” refer to the consolidated entity named Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. subsequent to the close of the merger. |
The Sunoco Logistics Merger resulted in Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. being treated as the surviving consolidated entity from an accounting perspective, while Sunoco Logistics (prior to changing its name to “Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.”) was the surviving consolidated entity from a legal and reporting perspective. Therefore, for the pre-merger periods, the consolidated financial statements reflect the consolidated financial statements of the legal acquiree (i.e., the entity that was named “Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.” prior to the merger and name changes).
The Sunoco Logistics Merger was accounted for as an equity transaction. The Sunoco Logistics Merger did not result in any changes to the carrying values of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements, and no gain or loss was recognized. For the periods prior to the Sunoco Logistics Merger, the Sunoco Logistics limited partner interests that were owned by third parties (other than Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. or its consolidated subsidiaries) are presented as noncontrolling interest in these consolidated financial statements.
The historical common units and net income (loss) per limited partner unit amounts presented in these consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the 1.5 to one unit-for-unit exchange in connection with the Sunoco Logistics Merger.
The consolidated financial statements of the Partnership presented herein include our operating subsidiaries (collectively, the “Operating Companies”), through which our activities are primarily conducted, as follows:
| |
• | ETC OLP, Regency and PennTex, which are primarily engaged in midstream and intrastate transportation and storage natural gas operations. ETC OLP and Regency own and operate, through their wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries, natural gas gathering systems, intrastate natural gas pipeline systems and gas processing plants and are engaged in the business of purchasing, gathering, transporting, processing, and marketing natural gas and NGLs in the states of Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia, Denver and Ohio. |
| |
• | ET Interstate, with revenues consisting primarily of fees earned from natural gas transportation services and operational gas sales. ET Interstate is the parent company of: |
| |
• | Transwestern, engaged in interstate transportation of natural gas. Transwestern’s revenues consist primarily of fees earned from natural gas transportation services and operational gas sales. |
| |
• | ETC FEP, which directly owns a 50% interest in FEP, which owns 100% of the Fayetteville Express interstate natural gas pipeline. |
| |
• | ETC Tiger, engaged in interstate transportation of natural gas. |
| |
• | CrossCountry, which indirectly owns a 50% interest in Citrus, which owns 100% of the FGT interstate natural gas pipeline. |
| |
• | ETC MEP, which directly owns a 50% interest in MEP. |
| |
• | ET Rover, which owns a 65% interest in Rover pipeline. |
| |
• | ETC Compression, LLC, engaged in natural gas compression services and related equipment sales. |
| |
• | ETP Holdco, which indirectly owns Panhandle and Sunoco, Inc. Panhandle owns and operates assets in the regulated and unregulated natural gas industry and is primarily engaged in the transportation and storage of natural gas in the United States. Sunoco, Inc. owned and operated retail marketing assets, which were contributed to Sunoco LP in March 2016. Subsequent to this transaction, Sunoco Inc.’s assets primarily consist of its ownership in Retail Holdings, which owns noncontrolling interests in Sunoco LP and PES. Subsequent to the Sunoco Logistics Merger, ETLP holds an equity method investment in ETP through ETP Holdco’s ownership of ETP Class E, Class G, and Class K units, which investment is eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. |
| |
• | Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations L.P., which owns and operates a logistics business, consisting of a geographically diverse portfolio of complementary pipeline, terminalling, and acquisition and marketing assets, which are used to facilitate the purchase and sale of crude oil, NGLs and refined products. |
Subsequent to the Sunoco Logistics Merger, our financial statements reflect the following reportable business segments:
•intrastate transportation and storage;
•interstate transportation and storage;
•midstream;
•NGL and refined products transportation and services;
•crude oil transportation and services; and
•all other.
Prior periods have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the impact of the Sunoco Logistics Merger on our reportable business segments.
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited financial information included in this Form 10-Q has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. for the year ended December 31, 2016, included in Exhibit 99.1 to the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 14, 2017. In the opinion of the Partnership’s management, such financial information reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for such interim periods in accordance with GAAP. All intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
For prior periods reported herein, certain transactions related to the business of legacy Sunoco Logistics have been reclassified from cost of products sold to operating expenses; these transactions include sales between operating subsidiaries and their marketing affiliates. These reclassifications had no impact on net income or total equity.
Use of Estimates
The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which includes the use of estimates and assumptions made by management that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities that exist at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Although
these estimates are based on management’s available knowledge of current and expected future events, actual results could be different from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
ASU 2014-09
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue based on the core principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Partnership expects to adopt ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 and will apply the cumulative catchup transition method, which requires recognition, upon the date of initial application, of the cumulative effect of the retrospective application of the standard.
We are continuing the process of evaluating our revenue contracts by segment and fee type to determine the potential impact of adopting the new standard. At this point in our evaluation process, we have determined that the timing and/or amount of revenue that we recognize on certain contracts (as discussed below) may be impacted by the adoption of the new standard; however, we are still in the process of quantifying these impacts and cannot say whether or not they would be material to our financial statements.
We currently anticipate a change to revenues and costs associated with the accounting for noncash consideration in multiple of our reportable segments as well as the accounting for certain processing contracts in our midstream segment. We do not expect these changes in the accounting for noncash consideration or processing contracts to impact net income.
We are still evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to contributions in aid of construction costs (“CIAC”) arrangements and materiality of any related changes. While we do not expect any impacts to net income from the application of the standard to other transactions, we have not concluded whether the application of the standard to CIAC transactions could impact net income.
We continue to assess the impact of the disclosure requirements under the new standard and are evaluating the manner in which we will disaggregate revenue into categories that show how economic factors affect the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows generated from contracts with customers. In addition, we are in the process of implementing appropriate changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. We continue to monitor additional authoritative or interpretive guidance related to the new standard as it becomes available, as well as comparing our conclusions on specific interpretative issues to other peers in our industry, to the extent that such information is available to us.
ASU 2016-02
In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which establishes the principles that lessees and lessors shall apply to report useful information to users of financial statements about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from a lease. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this new standard will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
ASU 2016-09
On January 1, 2017, the Partnership adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Stock Compensation (Topic 718) (“ASU 2016-09”). The objective of the update is to reduce complexity in accounting standards. The areas for simplification in this update involve several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
ASU 2016-16
In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (“ASU 2016-16”), which requires that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The amendments in this update do not change GAAP for the pre-tax effects of an intra-entity asset transfer under Topic 810, Consolidation, or for an intra-entity transfer of inventory. ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those
annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this standard will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
ASU 2016-17
On January 1, 2017, the Partnership adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests Held Through Related Parties That Are Under Common Control (“ASU 2016-17”), which amends the consolidation guidance on how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. Under the amendments, a single decision maker is required to include indirect interests on a proportionate basis consistent with indirect interests held through other related parties. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
ASU 2017-04
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 “Intangibles-Goodwill and other (Topic 350): Simplifying the test for goodwill impairment.” The amendments in this update remove the second step of the two-step test currently required by Topic 350. An entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new guidance does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership expects that the adoption of this standard will change its approach for measuring goodwill impairment; however, this standard requires prospective application and therefore will only impact periods subsequent to adoption. The Partnership plans to apply this ASU for its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2017.
ASU 2017-12
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” The amendments in this update improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. In addition, the amendments in this update make certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance in current GAAP. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this new standard will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
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2. | ACQUISITIONS AND CONTRIBUTION TRANSACTIONS |
Rover Contribution Agreement
In July 2017, ETP announced that it had entered into a contribution agreement with a fund managed by Blackstone Energy Partners and Blackstone Capital Partners (“Blackstone”), for the purchase by Blackstone of a 49.9% interest in the holding company that owns 65% of the Rover pipeline (“Rover Holdco”). The agreement with Blackstone required Blackstone to contribute, at closing, funds to reimburse ETP for its pro rata share of the Rover construction costs incurred by ETP through the closing date, along with the payment of additional amounts subject to certain adjustments. The transaction closed in October 2017. As a result of this closing, Rover Holdco is now owned 50.1% by ETP and 49.9% by Blackstone.
Permian Express Partners
In February 2017, Sunoco Logistics formed Permian Express Partners LLC (“PEP”), a strategic joint venture with ExxonMobil. Sunoco Logistics contributed its Permian Express 1, Permian Express 2, Permian Longview and Louisiana Access pipelines. ExxonMobil contributed its Longview to Louisiana and Pegasus pipelines, Hawkins gathering system, an idle pipeline in southern Oklahoma, and its Patoka, Illinois terminal. Assets contributed to PEP by ExxonMobil were reflected at fair value on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheet at the date of the contribution, including $547 million of intangible assets and $435 million of property, plant and equipment.
In July 2017, the Partnership contributed an approximate 15% ownership interest in Dakota Access, LLC (“Dakota Access”) and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, LLC (“ETCO”) to PEP, which resulted in an increase in the Partnership’s ownership interest in PEP to approximately 88%. The Partnership maintains a controlling financial and voting interest in PEP and is the operator of all of the assets. As such, PEP is reflected as a consolidated subsidiary of the Partnership. ExxonMobil’s interest in PEP is reflected as noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheets. ExxonMobil’s contribution resulted in an
increase of $988 million in noncontrolling interest, which is reflected in “Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest” in the consolidated statement of equity.
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3. | CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
Cash and cash equivalents include all cash on hand, demand deposits, and investments with original maturities of three months or less. We consider cash equivalents to include short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and that are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
We place our cash deposits and temporary cash investments with high credit quality financial institutions. At times, our cash and cash equivalents may be uninsured or in deposit accounts that exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit.
The net change in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions) included in cash flows from operating activities is comprised as follows:
|
| | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2017 | | 2016 |
Accounts receivable | $ | (77 | ) | | $ | (595 | ) |
Accounts receivable from related companies | 46 |
| | 80 |
|
Inventories | 150 |
| | (299 | ) |
Other current assets | 37 |
| | (135 | ) |
Other non-current assets, net | (89 | ) | | (1 | ) |
Accounts payable | 96 |
| | 635 |
|
Accounts payable to related companies | (11 | ) | | 24 |
|
Accrued and other current liabilities | (26 | ) | | 213 |
|
Other non-current liabilities | 57 |
| | 31 |
|
Derivative assets and liabilities, net | 2 |
| | 219 |
|
Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions | $ | 185 |
| | $ | 172 |
|
Non-cash investing and financing activities are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2017 | | 2016 |
NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | |
Accrued capital expenditures | $ | 1,236 |
| | $ | 991 |
|
Sunoco LP limited partner interest received in exchange for contribution of the Sunoco, Inc. retail business to Sunoco LP | — |
| | 194 |
|
Net gains from subsidiary common unit issuances | — |
| | 34 |
|
NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | |
Contribution of property, plant and equipment from noncontrolling interest | $ | 988 |
| | $ | — |
|
Inventories consisted of the following:
|
| | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 |
Natural gas and NGLs | $ | 609 |
| | $ | 699 |
|
Crude oil | 696 |
| | 683 |
|
Refined products | 69 |
| | 113 |
|
Spare parts and other | 217 |
| | 217 |
|
Total inventories | $ | 1,591 |
| | $ | 1,712 |
|
We utilize commodity derivatives to manage price volatility associated with our natural gas inventory. Changes in fair value of designated hedged inventory are recorded in inventory on our consolidated balance sheets and cost of products sold in our consolidated statements of operations.
Based on the estimated borrowing rates currently available to us and our subsidiaries for loans with similar terms and average maturities, the aggregate fair value and carrying amount of our consolidated debt obligations as of September 30, 2017 were $35.89 billion and $34.34 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, the aggregate fair value and carrying amount of our consolidated debt obligations were $33.85 billion and $32.93 billion, respectively. The fair value of our consolidated debt obligations is a Level 2 valuation based on the observable inputs used for similar liabilities.
We have commodity derivatives and interest rate derivatives that are accounted for as assets and liabilities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. We determine the fair value of our assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurement by using the highest possible “level” of inputs. Level 1 inputs are observable quotes in an active market for identical assets and liabilities. We consider the valuation of marketable securities and commodity derivatives transacted through a clearing broker with a published price from the appropriate exchange as a Level 1 valuation. Level 2 inputs are inputs observable for similar assets and liabilities. We consider OTC commodity derivatives entered into directly with third parties as a Level 2 valuation since the values of these derivatives are quoted on an exchange for similar transactions. Additionally, we consider our options transacted through our clearing broker as having Level 2 inputs due to the level of activity of these contracts on the exchange in which they trade. We consider the valuation of our interest rate derivatives as Level 2 as the primary input, the LIBOR curve, is based on quotes from an active exchange of Eurodollar futures for the same period as the future interest swap settlements. Level 3 inputs are unobservable. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, no transfers were made between any levels within the fair value hierarchy.
The following tables summarize the gross fair value of our financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 based on inputs used to derive their fair values:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2017 |
| Fair Value Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 |
Assets: | | | | | |
Commodity derivatives: | | | | | |
Natural Gas: | | | | | |
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX | $ | 16 |
| | $ | 16 |
| | $ | — |
|
Swing Swaps IFERC | 2 |
| | — |
| | 2 |
|
Fixed Swaps/Futures | 28 |
| | 28 |
| | — |
|
Forward Physical Swaps | 3 |
| | — |
| | 3 |
|
Power: | | | | | |
Forwards | 11 |
| | — |
| | 11 |
|
Futures | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
|
Options – Puts | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
|
Natural Gas Liquids – Forwards/Swaps | 213 |
| | 213 |
| | — |
|
Refined Products – Futures | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | — |
|
Crude – Futures | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | — |
|
Total commodity derivatives | 279 |
| | 263 |
| | 16 |
|
Total assets | $ | 279 |
| | $ | 263 |
| | $ | 16 |
|
Liabilities: | | | | | |
Interest rate derivatives | $ | (210 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | (210 | ) |
Commodity derivatives: | | | | | |
Natural Gas: | | | | | |
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX | (22 | ) | | (22 | ) | | — |
|
Swing Swaps IFERC | (3 | ) | | (1 | ) | | (2 | ) |
Fixed Swaps/Futures | (22 | ) | | (22 | ) | | — |
|
Forward Physical Swaps | (1 | ) | | — |
| | (1 | ) |
Power: | | | | | |
Forwards | (9 | ) | | — |
| | (9 | ) |
Futures | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) | | — |
|
Natural Gas Liquids – Forwards/Swaps | (261 | ) | | (261 | ) | | — |
|
Refined Products – Futures | (2 | ) | | (2 | ) | | — |
|
Crude – Futures | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) | | — |
|
Total commodity derivatives | (322 | ) | | (310 | ) | | (12 | ) |
Total liabilities | $ | (532 | ) | | $ | (310 | ) | | $ | (222 | ) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 |
| Fair Value Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
Assets: | | | | | | | |
Commodity derivatives: | | | | | | | |
Natural Gas: | | | | | | | |
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX | $ | 14 |
| | $ | 14 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Swing Swaps IFERC | 2 |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | — |
|
Fixed Swaps/Futures | 96 |
| | 96 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Forward Physical Swaps | 1 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
| | — |
|
Power: |
|
| | | | | | |
Forwards | 4 |
| | — |
| | 4 |
| | — |
|
Futures | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Options – Calls | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Natural Gas Liquids – Forwards/Swaps | 233 |
| | 233 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Refined Products – Futures | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Crude – Futures | 9 |
| | 9 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Total commodity derivatives | 362 |
| | 355 |
| | 7 |
| | — |
|
Total assets | $ | 362 |
| | $ | 355 |
| | $ | 7 |
| | $ | — |
|
Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Interest rate derivatives | $ | (193 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | (193 | ) | | $ | — |
|
Embedded derivatives in Preferred Units | (1 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (1 | ) |
Commodity derivatives: | | | | | | | |
Natural Gas: | | | | | | | |
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX | (11 | ) | | (11 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Swing Swaps IFERC | (3 | ) | | — |
| | (3 | ) | | — |
|
Fixed Swaps/Futures | (149 | ) | | (149 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Power: |
|
| | | | | | |
Forwards | (5 | ) | | — |
| | (5 | ) | | — |
|
Futures | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Natural Gas Liquids – Forwards/Swaps | (273 | ) | | (273 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Refined Products – Futures | (17 | ) | | (17 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Crude – Futures | (13 | ) | | (13 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Total commodity derivatives | (472 | ) | | (464 | ) | | (8 | ) | | — |
|
Total liabilities | $ | (666 | ) | | $ | (464 | ) | | $ | (201 | ) | | $ | (1 | ) |
| |
6. | NET INCOME (LOSS) PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT |
The historical common units and net income (loss) per limited partner unit amounts presented in these consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the 1.5 to one unit-for-unit exchange in connection with the Sunoco Logistics Merger.
Net income for partners’ capital and statement of operations presentation purposes is allocated to the General Partner and Limited Partners in accordance with their respective partnership percentages, after giving effect to priority income allocations for incentive distributions, if any, to the General Partner, the holder of the IDRs pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, which are declared and paid following the close of each quarter. Earnings in excess of distributions are allocated to the General Partner and Limited Partners based on their respective ownership interests.
A reconciliation of net income (loss) and weighted average units used in computing basic and diluted net income (loss) per unit is as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
Net income | $ | 761 |
| | $ | 138 |
| | $ | 1,417 |
| | $ | 986 |
|
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 110 |
| | 64 |
| | 243 |
| | 231 |
|
Net income, net of noncontrolling interest | 651 |
| | 74 |
| | 1,174 |
| | 755 |
|
General Partner’s interest in net income | 270 |
| | 220 |
| | 727 |
| | 740 |
|
Class H Unitholder’s interest in net income | — |
| | 93 |
| | 98 |
| | 257 |
|
Class I Unitholder’s interest in net income | — |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | 6 |
|
Common Unitholders’ interest in net income (loss) | 381 |
| | (241 | ) | | 349 |
| | (248 | ) |
Additional (earnings) distributions allocated to General Partner | — |
| | (3 | ) | | 12 |
| | (9 | ) |
Distributions on employee unit awards, net of allocation to General Partner | (6 | ) | | (5 | ) | | (19 | ) | | (15 | ) |
Net income (loss) available to Common Unitholders | $ | 375 |
| | $ | (249 | ) | | $ | 342 |
| | $ | (272 | ) |
Weighted average Common Units – basic (1) | 1,125.2 |
| | 761.1 |
| | 990.9 |
| | 749.7 |
|
Basic net income (loss) per Common Unit | $ | 0.33 |
| | $ | (0.33 | ) | | $ | 0.35 |
| | $ | (0.36 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Dilutive effect of unvested employee unit awards | 3.7 |
| | — |
| | 4.6 |
| | — |
|
Weighted average Common Units – diluted (1) | 1,128.9 |
| | 761.1 |
| | 995.5 |
| | 749.7 |
|
Diluted net income (loss) per Common Unit | $ | 0.33 |
| | $ | (0.33 | ) | | $ | 0.34 |
| | $ | (0.36 | ) |
(1) Excludes Common Units owned by the Partnership’s consolidated subsidiaries.
For certain periods reflected above, distributions paid for the period exceeded net income attributable to partners. Accordingly, the distributions paid to the General Partner, including incentive distributions, further exceeded net income, and as a result, a net loss was allocated to the Limited Partners for the period.
ETP Senior Notes Redemption
In October 2017, the Partnership redeemed all of the outstanding $500 million aggregate principal amount of ETLP’s 6.50% senior notes due July 2021 and all of the outstanding $700 million aggregate principal amount of ETLP’s 5.50% senior notes due April 2023. The aggregate amount paid to redeem these notes, including call premiums, was approximately $1.23 billion.
ETP Senior Notes Offering
In September 2017, Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations L.P., a subsidiary of ETP, issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% senior notes due 2027 and $1.50 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.40% senior notes due 2047. The $2.22 billion net proceeds from the offering were used to redeem all of the $500 million aggregate principal amount of ETLP’s 6.5% senior notes due 2021, to repay borrowings outstanding under the Sunoco Logistics Credit Facility (described below) and for general partnership purposes.
The senior notes were registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended). The Partnership may redeem some or all of the senior notes at any time, or from time to time, pursuant to the terms of the indenture and related indenture supplements related to the senior notes. The principal is payable upon maturity. Interest on the senior notes is paid semi-annually. The senior notes are guaranteed by the parent company (ETP) on a senior unsecured basis as long as it guarantees any of Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations L.P.’s other long-term debt. As a result of the parent guarantee, the senior notes will rank equally in right of payment with the Partnership’s existing and future senior debt, and senior in right of payment to any subordinated debt the Partnership may incur.
Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper
ETLP Credit Facility
The ETLP Credit Facility allows for borrowings of up to $3.75 billion and matures in November 2019. The indebtedness under the ETLP Credit Facility is unsecured, is not guaranteed by any of the Partnership’s subsidiaries and has equal rights to holders of our current and future unsecured debt. In September 2016, ETLP initiated a commercial paper program under the borrowing limits established by the $3.75 billion ETLP Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2017, the ETLP Credit Facility had $2.06 billion of outstanding borrowings, all of which was commercial paper.
Sunoco Logistics Credit Facilities
ETP maintains the Sunoco Logistics $2.50 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Sunoco Logistics Credit Facility”), which matures in March 2020. The Sunoco Logistics Credit Facility contains an accordion feature, under which the total aggregate commitment may be increased to $3.25 billion under certain conditions. As of September 30, 2017, the Sunoco Logistics Credit Facility had $35 million of outstanding borrowings.
In December 2016, Sunoco Logistics entered into an agreement for a 364-day maturity credit facility (“364-Day Credit Facility”), due to mature on the earlier of the occurrence of the Sunoco Logistics Merger or in December 2017, with a total lending capacity of $1.00 billion. In connection with the Sunoco Logistics Merger, the 364-Day Credit Facility was terminated and repaid in May 2017.
Bakken Credit Facility
In August 2016, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., Sunoco Logistics and Phillips 66 completed project-level financing of the Bakken Pipeline. The $2.50 billion credit facility provides substantially all of the remaining capital necessary to complete the projects. As of September 30, 2017, $2.50 billion was outstanding under this credit facility.
PennTex Revolving Credit Facility
PennTex previously maintained a $275 million revolving credit commitment (the “PennTex Revolving Credit Facility”). In August 2017, the PennTex Revolving Credit Facility was repaid and terminated.
Compliance with Our Covenants
We were in compliance with all requirements, tests, limitations, and covenants related to our credit agreements as of September 30, 2017.
In January 2017, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. repurchased all of its 1.9 million outstanding Preferred Units for cash in the aggregate amount of $53 million.
The changes in outstanding common units during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were as follows:
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| | | |
| | Number of Units |
Number of common units at December 31, 2016 (1) | | 794.8 |
|
Common Units issued in connection with public offerings | | 54.0 |
|
Common units issued in connection with equity distribution agreements | | 22.6 |
|
Common units issued in connection with the distribution reinvestment plan | | 4.6 |
|
Common units issued to ETE in a private placement transaction | | 23.7 |
|
Common unit increase from Sunoco Logistics Merger (2) | | 255.4 |
|
Issuance of common units under equity incentive plans | | 0.4 |
|
Number of common units at September 30, 2017 | | 1,155.5 |
|
| |
(1) | The historical common units presented have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the 1.5 to one unit-for-unit exchange in connection with the Sunoco Logistics Merger. |
| |
(2) | Represents the Sunoco Logistics common units outstanding at the close of the Sunoco Logistics Merger. See Note 1 for discussion on the accounting treatment of the Sunoco Logistics Merger. |
In connection with the Sunoco Logistics Merger, the previous Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. equity distribution agreement was terminated. In May 2017, the Partnership entered into an equity distribution agreement with an aggregate offering price up to $1.00 billion. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Partnership received proceeds of $498 million, net of $5 million of commissions, from the issuance of common units pursuant to equity distribution agreements, which were used for general partnership purposes.
In connection with the Sunoco Logistics Merger, the previous Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. distribution reinvestment plan was terminated. In July 2017, the Partnership initiated a new distribution reinvestment plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, distributions of $106 million were reinvested under the distribution reinvestment plan.
August 2017 Units Offering
In August 2017, the Partnership issued 54 million ETP common units in an underwritten public offering. Net proceeds of $997 million from the offering were used by the Partnership to repay amounts outstanding under its revolving credit facilities, to fund capital expenditures and for general partnership purposes.
Bakken Equity Sale
In February 2017, Bakken Holdings Company LLC, an entity in which the Partnership indirectly owns a 100% membership interest, sold a 49% interest in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bakken Pipeline Investments LLC, to MarEn Bakken Company LLC, an entity jointly owned by Marathon Petroleum Corporation and Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P., for $2.00 billion in cash. Bakken Pipeline Investments LLC indirectly owns a 75% interest in each of Dakota Access and ETCO. The remaining 25% of each of Dakota Access and ETCO is owned by wholly-owned subsidiaries of Phillips 66. In July 2017, the Partnership contributed a portion of its ownership interest in Dakota Access and ETCO to PEP, a strategic joint venture with ExxonMobil. ETP continues to consolidate Dakota Access and ETCO subsequent to this transaction.
PennTex Tender Offer and Limited Call Right Exercise
In June 2017, ETP purchased all of the outstanding PennTex common units not previously owned by ETP for $20.00 per common unit in cash. ETP now owns all of the economic interests of PennTex, and PennTex common units are no longer publicly traded or listed on the NASDAQ.
Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash
Following the Sunoco Logistics Merger, cash distributions are declared and paid in accordance with the Partnership’s limited partnership agreement, which was Sunoco Logistics’ limited partnership agreement prior to the Sunoco Logistics Merger. Under the agreement, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, the Partnership distributes all cash on hand at the end of the quarter, less reserves established by the general partner in its discretion. This is defined as “available cash” in the partnership agreement. The general partner has broad discretion to establish cash reserves that it determines are necessary or appropriate to properly conduct the Partnership’s business. The Partnership will make quarterly distributions to the extent there is sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to the general partner.
If cash distributions exceed $0.0833 per unit in a quarter, the general partner receives increasing percentages, up to 50 percent, of the cash distributed in excess of that amount. These distributions are referred to as “incentive distributions.” The percentage interests shown for the unitholders and the general partner for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution.
The following table shows the target distribution levels and distribution “splits” between the general partner and the holders of the Partnership’s common units:
|
| | | | | | |
| | | | Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions |
| | Total Quarterly Distribution Target Amount | | IDRs | | Partners (1) |
Minimum Quarterly Distribution | | $0.0750 | | —% | | 100% |
First Target Distribution | | up to $0.0833 | | —% | | 100% |
Second Target Distribution | | above $0.0833 up to $0.0958 | | 13% | | 87% |
Third Target Distribution | | above $0.0958 up to $0.2638 | | 35% | | 65% |
Thereafter | | above $0.2638 | | 48% | | 52% |
(1) Includes general partner and limited partner interests, based on the proportionate ownership of each.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2016, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and Sunoco Logistics paid distributions on February 14, 2017 of $0.7033 and $0.52, respectively, per common unit.
Following are distributions declared and/or paid by the Partnership subsequent to the Sunoco Logistics Merger:
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| | | | | | | | |
Quarter Ended | | Record Date | | Payment Date | | Rate |
March 31, 2017 | | May 10, 2017 | | May 15, 2017 | | $ | 0.5350 |
|
June 30, 2017 | | August 7, 2017 | | August 14, 2017 | | 0.5500 |
|
September 30, 2017 | | November 7, 2017 | | November 14, 2017 | | 0.5650 |
|
ETE agreed to relinquish its right to the following amounts of incentive distributions in future periods.
|
| | | | |
| | Total Year |
2017 (remainder) | | $ | 173 |
|
2018 | | 153 |
|
2019 | | 128 |
|
Each year beyond 2019 | | 33 |
|
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following table presents the components of AOCI, net of tax:
|
| | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 |
Available-for-sale securities | $ | 7 |
| | $ | 2 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment | (5 | ) | | (5 | ) |
Actuarial gain related to pensions and other postretirement benefits | 9 |
| | 7 |
|
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, net | 3 |
| | 4 |
|
Total AOCI, net of tax | $ | 14 |
| | $ | 8 |
|
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Partnership’s income tax expense included the impact of a one-time adjustment to deferred tax balances as a result of a change in apportionment and corresponding state tax rates resulting from the Sunoco Logistics Merger in April 2017, which resulted in incremental income tax expense of approximately $68 million during the period. In addition, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Partnership recognized a $154 million deferred tax gain resulting from internal restructuring among its subsidiaries that resulted in a change in tax status for one of the subsidiaries. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 also reflect increased income tax expense due to higher earnings among the Partnership’s consolidated corporate subsidiaries. For the three and nine months ended September
30, 2016, the Partnership’s income tax benefit primarily resulted from losses among the Partnership’s consolidated corporate subsidiaries.
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11. | REGULATORY MATTERS, COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES |
Contingent Residual Support Agreement – AmeriGas
In connection with the closing of the contribution of its propane operations in January 2012, ETLP (formerly Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.) agreed to provide contingent residual support of $1.55 billion of intercompany borrowings made by AmeriGas and certain of its affiliates with maturities through 2022 from a finance subsidiary of AmeriGas that have maturity dates and repayment terms that mirror those of an equal principal amount of senior notes issued by this finance company subsidiary to third-party purchasers. In 2016, AmeriGas repurchased certain of its senior notes, which caused a reduction in the amount supported by ETLP under the contingent residual support agreement. In February 2017, AmeriGas repurchased a portion of its 7.00% senior notes. The remaining outstanding 7.00% senior notes were repurchased in May 2017, and ETLP no longer provides contingent residual support for any AmeriGas notes.
Guarantee of Sunoco LP Notes
In connection with previous transactions whereby Retail Holdings contributed assets to Sunoco LP, Retail Holdings provided a limited contingent guarantee of collection, but not of payment, to Sunoco LP with respect to (i) $800 million principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2023 issued by Sunoco LP, (ii) $800 million principal amount of 6.25% senior notes due 2021 issued by Sunoco LP and (iii) $2.035 billion aggregate principal for Sunoco LP’s term loan due 2019. In December 2016, Retail Holdings contributed its interests in Sunoco LP, along with the assignment of the guarantee of Sunoco LP’s senior notes, to its subsidiary, ETC M-A Acquisition LLC.
FERC Audit
In March 2016, the FERC commenced an audit of Trunkline for the period from January 1, 2013 to present to evaluate Trunkline’s compliance with the requirements of its FERC gas tariff, the accounting regulations of the Uniform System of Accounts as prescribed by the FERC, and the FERC’s annual reporting requirements. The audit is ongoing.
Commitments
In the normal course of our business, we purchase, process and sell natural gas pursuant to long-term contracts and we enter into long-term transportation and storage agreements. Such contracts contain terms that are customary in the industry. We believe that the terms of these agreements are commercially reasonable and will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
We have certain non-cancelable leases for property and equipment, which require fixed monthly rental payments and expire at various dates through 2034. The table below reflects rental expense under these operating leases included in operating expenses in the accompanying statements of operations, which include contingent rentals, and rental expense recovered through related sublease rental income:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
Rental expense | $ | 29 |
| | $ | 19 |
| | $ | 68 |
| | $ | 58 |
|
Our joint venture agreements require that we fund our proportionate share of capital contributions to our unconsolidated affiliates. Such contributions will depend upon our unconsolidated affiliates’ capital requirements, such as for funding capital projects or repayment of long-term obligations.
Litigation and Contingencies
We may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. Natural gas and crude oil are flammable and combustible. Serious personal injury and significant property damage can arise in connection with their transportation, storage or use. In the ordinary course of business, we are sometimes threatened with or named as a defendant in various lawsuits seeking actual and punitive damages for product liability, personal injury and property damage. We maintain liability insurance with insurers in amounts and with coverage and deductibles management believes are reasonable and prudent, and which are generally accepted in the industry. However, there can be no assurance that the levels of insurance protection currently in effect will continue to be available at reasonable prices or that such levels
will remain adequate to protect us from material expenses related to product liability, personal injury or property damage in the future.
Dakota Access Pipeline
On July 25, 2016, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“USACE”) issued permits to Dakota Access consistent with environmental and historic preservation statutes for the pipeline to make two crossings of the Missouri River in North Dakota, including a crossing of the Missouri River at Lake Oahe. After significant delay, the USACE also issued easements to allow the pipeline to cross land owned by the USACE adjacent to the Missouri River in two locations. Also in July, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (“SRST”) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the USACE that challenged the legality of the permits issued for the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline across those waterways and claimed violations of the National Historic Preservation Act (“NHPA”). The SRST also sought a preliminary injunction to rescind the USACE permits while the case is pending. Dakota Access intervened in the case. The SRST soon added a request for an emergency TRO to stop construction on the pipeline project. On September 9, 2016, the Court denied SRST’s motion for a preliminary injunction, rendering the temporary restraining order (“TRO”) request moot.
After the September 9, 2016 ruling, the Department of the Army, the DOJ, and the Department of the Interior released a joint statement that the USACE would not grant the easement for the land adjacent to Lake Oahe until the Army completed a review to determine whether it was necessary to reconsider the USACE’s decision under various federal statutes relevant to the pipeline approval.
The SRST appealed the denial of the preliminary injunction to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and filed an emergency motion in the U.S. District Court for an injunction pending the appeal, which was denied. The D.C. Circuit then denied the SRST’s application for an injunction pending appeal and later dismissed SRST’s appeal of the order denying the preliminary injunction motion. The SRST filed an amended complaint and added claims based on treaties between the tribes and the United States and statutes governing the use of government property.
In December 2016, the Department of the Army announced that, although its prior actions complied with the law, it intended to conduct further environmental review of the crossing at Lake Oahe. In February 2017, in response to a presidential memorandum, the Department of the Army decided that no further environmental review was necessary and delivered an easement to Dakota Access allowing the pipeline to cross Lake Oahe. Almost immediately, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (“CRST”), which had intervened in the lawsuit in August 2016, moved for a preliminary injunction and TRO to block operation of the pipeline. These motions raised, for the first time, claims based on the religious rights of the Tribe. The district court denied the TRO and preliminary injunction, and the CRST appealed and requested an injunction pending appeal in the district court and the D.C. Circuit. Both courts denied the CRST’s request for an injunction pending appeal. Shortly thereafter, at CRST’s request, the D.C. Circuit dismissed CRST’s appeal.
The SRST and the CRST amended their complaints to incorporate religious freedom and other claims. In addition, the Oglala and Yankton Sioux tribes have filed related lawsuits to prevent construction of the Dakota Access pipeline project. These lawsuits have been consolidated into the action initiated by the SRST. Several individual members of the Tribes have also intervened in the lawsuit asserting claims that overlap with those brought by the four tribes.
On June 14, 2017, the Court ruled on SRST’s and CRST’s motions for partial summary judgment and the USACE’s cross-motions for partial summary judgment. The Court rejected the majority of the Tribes’ assertions and granted summary judgment on most claims in favor of the USACE and Dakota Access. In particular, the Court concluded that the USACE had not violated any trust duties owed to the Tribes and had generally complied with its obligations under the Clean Water Act, the Rivers and Harbors Act, the Mineral Leasing Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) and other related statutes; however, the Court remanded to the USACE three discrete issues for further analysis and explanation of its prior determination under certain of these statutes. The Court ordered briefing to determine whether the pipeline should remain in operation during the pendency of the USACE’s review process or whether to vacate the existing permits. The USACE and Dakota Access opposed any shutdown of operations of the pipeline during this review process. On October 11, 2017, the Court issued an order allowing the pipeline to remain in operation during the pendency of the USACE’s review process. In early October 2017, USACE advised the Court that it expects to complete this additional work by April 2018. The Court has stayed consideration of any other claims until it fully resolves the remaining issues relating to its remand order.
While we believe that the pending lawsuits are unlikely to block operation of the pipeline, we cannot assure this outcome. We cannot determine when or how these lawsuits will be resolved or the impact they may have on the Dakota Access project.
Mont Belvieu Incident
On June 26, 2016, a hydrocarbon storage well located on another operator’s facility adjacent to Lone Star NGL Mont Belvieu’s (“Lone Star”) facilities in Mont Belvieu, Texas experienced an over-pressurization resulting in a subsurface release. The subsurface release caused a fire at Lone Star’s South Terminal (CMB) and damage to Lone Star’s storage well operations at its South and North Terminals. Normal operations have resumed at the facilities with the exception of one of Lone Star’s storage wells. Lone Star is still quantifying the extent of its incurred and ongoing damages and has or will be seeking reimbursement for these losses.
MTBE Litigation
Sunoco, Inc. and/or Sunoco, Inc. (R&M), along with other refiners, manufacturers and sellers of gasoline, are defendants in lawsuits alleging MTBE contamination of groundwater. The plaintiffs, typically governmental authorities, assert product liability claims and additional claims including nuisance, trespass, negligence, violation of environmental laws, and/or deceptive business practices. The plaintiffs seek to recover compensatory damages, and in some cases also seek natural resource damages, injunctive relief, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees.
As of September 30, 2017, Sunoco, Inc. is a defendant in six cases, including cases initiated by the States of New Jersey, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and two others by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with the more recent Puerto Rico action being a companion case alleging damages for additional sites beyond those at issue in the initial Puerto Rico action. Four of these cases are venued in a multidistrict litigation proceeding in a New York federal court.
Sunoco, Inc. and Sunoco, Inc. (R&M) have reached a settlement with the State of New Jersey. The court approved the Judicial Consent Order on October 10, 2017.
It is reasonably possible that a loss may be realized in the remaining cases; however, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss in excess of amounts accrued. An adverse determination with respect to one or more of the MTBE cases could have a significant impact on results of operations during the period in which any such adverse determination occurs, but such an adverse determination likely would not have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s consolidated financial position.
Regency Merger Litigation
Following the January 26, 2015 announcement of the Regency-ETP merger (the “Regency Merger”), purported Regency unitholders filed lawsuits in state and federal courts in Dallas and Delaware asserting claims relating to the Regency Merger. All but one Regency Merger-related lawsuits have been dismissed. On June 10, 2015, Adrian Dieckman (“Dieckman”), a purported Regency unitholder, filed a class action complaint, Dieckman v. Regency GP LP, et al., C.A. No. 11130-CB, in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Regency Merger Litigation”), on behalf of Regency’s common unitholders against Regency GP, LP; Regency GP LLC; ETE, ETP, ETP GP, and the members of Regency’s board of directors (the “Regency Litigation Defendants”).
The Regency Merger litigation alleges that the Regency Merger breached the Regency partnership agreement because Regency’s conflicts committee was not properly formed, and the Regency Merger was not approved in good faith. On March 29, 2016, the Delaware Court of Chancery granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit in its entirety. Dieckman appealed. On January 20, 2017, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed the judgment of the Court of Chancery. On May 5, 2017, Plaintiff filed an Amended Verified Class Action Complaint. The Regency Merger Litigation Defendants then filed Motions to Dismiss the Amended Complaint and a Motion to Stay Discovery on May 19, 2017. A hearing on these motions is currently set for January 9, 2018.
The Regency Merger Litigation Defendants cannot predict the outcome of the Regency Merger Litigation or any lawsuits that might be filed subsequent to the date of this filing; nor can the Regency Merger Litigation Defendants predict the amount of time and expense that will be required to resolve the Regency Merger Litigation. The Regency Litigation Defendants believe the Regency Merger Litigation is without merit and intend to vigorously defend against it and any others that may be filed in connection with the Regency Merger.
Enterprise Products Partners, L.P. and Enterprise Products Operating LLC Litigation
On January 27, 2014, a trial commenced between ETP against Enterprise Products Partners, L.P. and Enterprise Products Operating LLC (collectively, “Enterprise”) and Enbridge (US) Inc. Trial resulted in a verdict in favor of ETP against Enterprise that consisted of $319 million in compensatory damages and $595 million in disgorgement to ETP. The jury also found that ETP owed Enterprise approximately $1 million under a reimbursement agreement. On July 29, 2014, the trial court entered a final judgment in favor of ETP and awarded ETP $536 million, consisting of compensatory damages, disgorgement, and
pre-judgment interest. The trial court also ordered that ETP shall be entitled to recover post-judgment interest and costs of court and that Enterprise is not entitled to any net recovery on its counterclaims. Enterprise filed a notice of appeal with the Court of Appeals. On July 18, 2017, the Court of Appeals issued its opinion and reversed the trial court’s judgment. ETP’s motion for rehearing to the Court of Appeals was denied. ETP intends to file a petition for review with the Texas Supreme Court.
Sunoco Logistics Merger Litigation
Seven purported Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. common unitholders (the “ETP Unitholder Plaintiffs”) separately filed seven putative unitholder class action lawsuits against ETP, ETP GP, ETP LLC, the members of the ETP Board, and ETE (the “ETP-SXL Defendants”) in connection with the announcement of the Sunoco Logistics Merger. Two of these lawsuits have been voluntarily dismissed. The five remaining lawsuits have been consolidated as In re Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. Shareholder Litig., C.A. No. 1:17-cv-00044-CCC, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the “Sunoco Logistics Merger Litigation”). The ETP Unitholder Plaintiffs allege causes of action challenging the merger and the proxy statement/prospectus filed in connection with the Sunoco Logistics Merger (the “ETP-SXL Merger Proxy”). The ETP Unitholder Plaintiffs seek rescission of the Sunoco Logistics Merger or rescissory damages for ETP unitholders, as well as an award of costs and attorneys’ fees.
The ETP-SXL Defendants cannot predict the outcome of the Sunoco Logistics Merger Litigation or any lawsuits that might be filed subsequent to the date of this filing, nor can the ETP-SXL Defendants predict the amount of time and expense that will be required to resolve the Sunoco Logistics Merger Litigation. The ETP-SXL Defendants believe the Sunoco Logistics Merger Litigation is without merit and intend to defend vigorously against it and any other actions challenging the Sunoco Logistics Merger.
Litigation filed by BP Products
On April 30, 2015, BP Products North America Inc. (“BP”) filed a complaint with the FERC, BP Products North America Inc. v. Sunoco Pipeline L.P., FERC Docket No. OR15-25-000, alleging that Sunoco Pipeline L.P. (“SPLP”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETP, entered into certain throughput and deficiency (“T&D”) agreements with shippers other than BP regarding SPLP’s crude oil pipeline between Marysville, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio, and revised its proration policy relating to that pipeline in an unduly discriminatory manner in violation of the Interstate Commerce Act (“ICA”). The complaint asked FERC to (1) terminate the agreements with the other shippers, (2) revise the proration policy, (3) order SPLP to restore BP’s volume history to the level that existed prior to the execution of the agreements with the other shippers, and (4) order damages to BP of approximately $62 million, a figure that BP reduced in subsequent filings to approximately $41 million.
SPLP denied the allegations in the complaint and asserted that neither its contracts nor proration policy were unlawful and that BP’s complaint was barred by the ICA’s two-year statute of limitations provision. Interventions were filed by the two companies with which SPLP entered into T&D agreements, Marathon Petroleum Company (“Marathon”) and PBF Holding Company and Toledo Refining Company (collectively, “PBF”). A hearing on the matter was held in November 2016.
On May 26, 2017, the Administrative Law Judge Patricia E. Hurt (“ALJ”) issued her initial decision (“Initial Decision”) and found that SPLP had acted discriminatorily by entering into T&D agreements with the two shippers other than BP and recommended that the FERC (1) adopt the FERC Trial Staff’s $13 million alternative damages proposal, (2) void the T&D agreements with Marathon and PBF, (3) re-set each shipper’s volume history to the level prior to the effective date of the proration policy, and (4) investigate the proration policy. The ALJ held that BP’s claim for damages was not time-barred in its entirety, but that it was not entitled to damages more than two years prior to the filing of the complaint.
On July 26, 2017, each of the parties filed with the FERC a brief on exceptions to the Initial Decision. SPLP challenged all of the Initial Decision’s primary findings (except for the adjustment to the individual shipper volume histories). BP and FERC Trial Staff challenged various aspects of the Initial Decision related to remedies and the statute of limitations issue. On September 18 and 19, 2017, all parties filed briefs opposing the exceptions of the other parties. The matter is now awaiting a decision by FERC.
Other Litigation and Contingencies
We or our subsidiaries are a party to various legal proceedings and/or regulatory proceedings incidental to our businesses. For each of these matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome and the availability of insurance coverage. If we determine that an unfavorable outcome of a particular matter is probable and can be estimated, we accrue the contingent obligation, as well as any expected insurance recoverable amounts related to the contingency. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, accruals of approximately $66 million and $77 million, respectively, were reflected on our consolidated balance sheets related to these
contingent obligations. As new information becomes available, our estimates may change. The impact of these changes may have a significant effect on our results of operations in a single period.
The outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty and there can be no assurance that the outcome of a particular matter will not result in the payment of amounts that have not been accrued for the matter. Furthermore, we may revise accrual amounts prior to resolution of a particular contingency based on changes in facts and circumstances or changes in the expected outcome. Currently, we are not able to estimate possible losses or a range of possible losses in excess of amounts accrued.
In December 2016, Sunoco Logistics received multiple Notice of Violations (“NOVs”) from the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority (“DELCORA”) in connection with a discharge at its Marcus Hook Industrial Complex (“MHIC”) in July 2016. Sunoco Logistics also entered in a Consent Order and Agreement from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“PADEP”) related to its tank inspection plan at MHIC. These actions propose penalties in excess of $0.1 million, and ETP is currently in discussions with the PADEP and DELCORA to resolve these matters. The timing or outcome of these matters cannot be reasonably determined at this time, however, the Partnership does not expect there to be a material impact to its results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (“Ohio EPA”) has alleged that various environmental violations have occurred during construction of the Rover pipeline project. The alleged violations include inadvertent returns of drilling muds and fluids at horizontal directional drilling (“HDD”) locations in Ohio that affected waters of the State, storm water control violations, improper disposal of spent drilling mud containing diesel fuel residuals, and open burning. The alleged violations occurred from April to July, 2017. The Ohio EPA has proposed penalties of approximately $2.3 million in connection with the alleged violations and is seeking certain corrective actions. ETP is working with Ohio EPA to resolve the matter. The timing or outcome of this matter cannot be reasonably determined at this time; however, we do not expect there to be a material impact to our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
In addition, on May 10, 2017, the FERC prohibited Rover from conducting HDD activities at 27 sites in Ohio. On July 31, 2017, the FERC issued an independent third party assessment of what led to the release at the Tuscarawas River site and what Rover can do to prevent reoccurrence once the HDD suspension is lifted. Rover has notified the FERC of its intention to implement the suggestions in the assessment and to implement additional voluntary protocols. On September 18, 2017, the FERC authorized Rover to resume HDD activities at the Tuscarawas River site and nine other river crossing sites. On October 20, 2017, the FERC authorized Rover to resume HDD activities at two additional sites.
On July 17, 2017, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (“WVDEP”) issued a Cease and Desist order requiring Rover, among other things, to cease any land development activity in Doddridge and Tyler Counties. Under the order, Rover had 20 days to submit a corrective action plan and schedule for agency review. The order followed several notices of violation WVDEP issued to Rover alleging stormwater non-compliance. Rover is complying with the order and has already addressed many of the stormwater control issues. On August 9, 2017, WVDEP lifted the Cease and Desist requirement.
On July 25, 2017, the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board (“EHB”) issued an order to SPLP to cease HDD activities in Pennsylvania related to the Mariner East 2 project. On August 1, 2017 the EHB lifted the order as to two drill locations. On August 3, 2017, the EHB lifted the order as to 14 additional locations. The EHB issued the order in response to a complaint filed by environmental groups against SPLP and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“PADEP”). The EHB Judge encouraged the parties to pursue a settlement with respect to the remaining HDD locations and facilitated a settlement meeting. On August 7, 2017 a final settlement was reached. A stipulated order has been submitted to the EHB Judge with respect to the settlement. The settlement agreement requires that SPLP reevaluate the design parameters of approximately 26 drills on the Mariner East 2 project and approximately 43 drills on the Mariner East 2X project. The settlement agreement also provides a defined framework for approval by PADEP for these drills to proceed after reevaluation. Additionally, the settlement agreement requires modifications to several of the HDD plans that are part of the PADEP permits. Those modifications have been completed and agreed to by the parties and the reevaluation of the drills has been initiated by the company.
In addition, on June 27, 2017 and July 25, 2017, the PADEP entered into a Consent Order and Agreement with SPLP regarding inadvertent returns of drilling fluids at three HDD locations in Pennsylvania related to the Mariner East 2 project. Those agreements require SPLP to cease HDD activities at those three locations until PADEP reauthorizes such activities and to submit a corrective action plan for agency review and approval. SPLP is working to fulfill the requirements of those agreements and has been authorized by PADEP to resume drilling at one of the three locations.
No amounts have been recorded in our September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016 consolidated balance sheets for contingencies and current litigation, other than amounts disclosed herein.
Environmental Matters
Our operations are subject to extensive federal, tribal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations that require expenditures to ensure compliance, including related to air emissions and wastewater discharges, at operating facilities and for remediation at current and former facilities as well as waste disposal sites. Historically, our environmental compliance costs have not had a material adverse effect on our results of operations but there can be no assurance that such costs will not be material in the future or that such future compliance with existing, amended or new legal requirements will not have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. Costs of planning, designing, constructing and operating pipelines, plants and other facilities must incorporate compliance with environmental laws and regulations and safety standards. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of investigatory, remedial and corrective action obligations, the issuance of injunctions in affected areas and the filing of federally authorized citizen suits. Contingent losses related to all significant known environmental matters have been accrued and/or separately disclosed. However, we may revise accrual amounts prior to resolution of a particular contingency based on changes in facts and circumstances or changes in the expected outcome.
Environmental exposures and liabilities are difficult to assess and estimate due to unknown factors such as the magnitude of possible contamination, the timing and extent of remediation, the determination of our liability in proportion to other parties, improvements in cleanup technologies and the extent to which environmental laws and regulations may change in the future. Although environmental costs may have a significant impact on the results of operations for any single period, we believe that such costs will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position.
Based on information available at this time and reviews undertaken to identify potential exposure, we believe the amount reserved for environmental matters is adequate to cover the potential exposure for cleanup costs.
In February 2017, we received letters from the DOJ and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality notifying Sunoco Pipeline L.P. (“SPLP”) and Mid-Valley Pipeline Company (“Mid-Valley”) that enforcement actions were being pursued for three crude oil releases: (a) an estimated 550 barrels released from the Colmesneil-to-Chester pipeline in Tyler County, Texas (“Colmesneil”) operated and owned by SPLP in February of 2013; (b) an estimated 4,509 barrels released from the Longview-to-Mayersville pipeline in Caddo Parish, Louisiana (a/k/a Milepost 51.5) operated by SPLP and owned by Mid-Valley in October of 2014; and (c) an estimated 40 barrels released from the Wakita 4-inch gathering line in Oklahoma operated and owned by SPLP in January of 2015. In May of this year, we presented to the DOJ, EPA and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality a summary of the emergency response and remedial efforts taken by SPLP after the releases occurred as well as operational changes instituted by SPLP to reduce the likelihood of future releases. In July, we had a follow-up meeting with the DOJ, EPA and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality during which the agencies presented their initial demand for civil penalties and injunctive relief. In short, the DOJ and EPA proposed federal penalties totaling $7 million for the three releases along with a demand for injunctive relief, and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality proposed a state penalty of approximately $1 million to resolve the Caddo Parish release. Neither Texas nor Oklahoma state agencies have joined the penalty discussions at this point. We are currently working on a counteroffer to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
Environmental Remediation
Our subsidiaries are responsible for environmental remediation at certain sites, including the following:
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• | Certain of our interstate pipelines conduct soil and groundwater remediation related to contamination from past uses of PCBs. PCB assessments are ongoing and, in some cases, our subsidiaries could potentially be held responsible for contamination caused by other parties. |
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• | Certain gathering and processing systems are responsible for soil and groundwater remediation related to releases of hydrocarbons. |
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• | Currently operating Sunoco, Inc. retail sites previously contributed to Sunoco LP in January 2016. |
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• | Legacy sites related to Sunoco, Inc. that are subject to environmental assessments, including formerly owned terminals and other logistics assets, retail sites that Sunoco, Inc. no longer operates, closed and/or sold refineries and other formerly owned sites. |
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• | Sunoco, Inc. is potentially subject to joint and several liability for the costs of remediation at sites at which it has been identified as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”). As of September 30, 2017, Sunoco, Inc. had been named as a PRP at approximately 44 identified or potentially identifiable “Superfund” sites under federal and/or comparable state law. Sunoco, Inc. is usually one of a number of companies identified as a PRP at a site. Sunoco, Inc. has reviewed the nature and extent of its involvement at each site and other relevant circumstances and, based upon Sunoco, Inc.’s purported nexus to the sites, believes that its potential liability associated with such sites will not be significant. |
To the extent estimable, expected remediation costs are included in the amounts recorded for environmental matters in our consolidated balance sheets. In some circumstances, future costs cannot be reasonably estimated because remediation activities are undertaken as claims are made by customers and former customers. To the extent that an environmental remediation obligation is recorded by a subsidiary that applies regulatory accounting policies, amounts that are expected to be recoverable through tariffs or rates are recorded as regulatory assets on our consolidated balance sheets.
The table below reflects the amounts of accrued liabilities recorded in our consolidated balance sheets related to environmental matters that are considered to be probable and reasonably estimable. Currently, we are not able to estimate possible losses or a range of possible losses in excess of amounts accrued. Except for matters discussed above, we do not have any material environmental matters assessed as reasonably possible that would require disclosure in our consolidated financial statements.
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| | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 |
Current | $ | 36 |
| | $ | 26 |
|
Non-current | 276 |
| | 283 |
|
Total environmental liabilities | $ | 312 |
| | $ | 309 |
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In 2013, we established a wholly-owned captive insurance company to bear certain risks associated with environmental obligations related to certain sites that are no longer operating. The premiums paid to the captive insurance company include estimates for environmental claims that have been incurred but not reported, based on an actuarially determined fully developed claims expense estimate. In such cases, we accrue losses attributable to unasserted claims based on the discounted estimates that are used to develop the premiums paid to the captive insurance company.
During the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, Sunoco, Inc. recorded $4 million and $10 million, respectively, of expenditures related to environmental cleanup programs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, Sunoco, Inc. recorded $14 million and $24 million, respectively, of expenditures related to environmental cleanup programs.
On December 2, 2010, Sunoco, Inc. entered an Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement to sell the Toledo Refinery to Toledo Refining Company LLC (“TRC”) wherein Sunoco, Inc. retained certain liabilities associated with the pre-closing time period. On January 2, 2013, USEPA issued a Finding of Violation (“FOV”) to TRC and, on September 30, 2013, EPA issued a Notice of Violation (“NOV”)/ FOV to TRC alleging Clean Air Act violations. To date, EPA has not issued an FOV or NOV/FOV to Sunoco, Inc. directly but some of EPA’s claims relate to the time period that Sunoco, Inc. operated the refinery. Specifically, EPA has claimed that the refinery flares were not operated in a manner consistent with good air pollution control practice for minimizing emissions and/or in conformance with their design, and that Sunoco, Inc. submitted semi-annual compliance reports in 2010 and 2011 to the EPA that failed to include all of the information required by the regulations. EPA has proposed penalties in excess of $200,000 to resolve the allegations and discussions continue between the parties. The timing or outcome of this matter cannot be reasonably determined at this time, however, we do not expect there to be a material impact to our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
Our operations are also subject to the requirements of OSHA, and comparable state laws that regulate the protection of the health and safety of employees. In addition, OSHA’s hazardous communication standard requires that information be maintained about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations and that this information be provided to employees, state and local government authorities and citizens. We believe that our past costs for OSHA required activities, including general industry standards, record keeping requirements, and monitoring of occupational exposure to regulated substances have not had a material adverse effect on our results of operations but there is no assurance that such costs will not be material in the future.
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12. | DERIVATIVE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
Commodity Price Risk
We are exposed to market risks related to the volatility of commodity prices. To manage the impact of volatility from these prices, we utilize various exchange-traded and OTC commodity financial instrument contracts. These contracts consist primarily of futures, swaps and options and are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets.
We use futures and basis swaps, designated as fair value hedges, to hedge our natural gas inventory stored in our Bammel storage facility. At hedge inception, we lock in a margin by purchasing gas in the spot market or off peak season and entering into a financial contract. Changes in the spreads between the forward natural gas prices and the physical inventory spot price result in unrealized gains or losses until the underlying physical gas is withdrawn and the related designated derivatives are
settled. Once the gas is withdrawn and the designated derivatives are settled, the previously unrealized gains or losses associated with these positions are realized.
We use futures, swaps and options to hedge the sales price of natural gas we retain for fees in our intrastate transportation and storage segment and operational gas sales on our interstate transportation and storage segment. These contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.
We use NGL and crude derivative swap contracts to hedge forecasted sales of NGL and condensate equity volumes we retain for fees in our midstream segment whereby our subsidiaries generally gather and process natural gas on behalf of producers, sell the resulting residue gas and NGL volumes at market prices and remit to producers an agreed upon percentage of the proceeds based on an index price for the residue gas and NGL. These contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.
We use derivatives in our NGL and refined products transportation and services segment to manage our storage facilities and the purchase and sale of purity NGL. These contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.
We utilize swaps, futures and other derivative instruments to mitigate the risk associated with market movements in the price of refined products and NGLs. These contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.
We use financial commodity derivatives to take advantage of market opportunities in our trading activities which complement our transportation and storage segment’s operations and are netted in cost of products sold in our consolidated statements of operations. We also have trading and marketing activities related to power and natural gas in our all other segment which are also netted in cost of products sold. As a result of our trading activities and the use of derivative financial instruments in our transportation and storage segment, the degree of earnings volatility that can occur may be significant, favorably or unfavorably, from period to period. We attempt to manage this volatility through the use of daily position and profit and loss reports provided to our risk oversight committee, which includes members of senior management, and the limits and authorizations set forth in our commodity risk management policy.
The following table details our outstanding commodity-related derivatives:
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| | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 |
| Notional Volume | | Maturity | | Notional Volume | | Maturity |
Mark-to-Market Derivatives | | | | | | | |
(Trading) | | | | | | | |
Natural Gas (MMBtu): | | | | | | | |
Fixed Swaps/Futures | 1,297,500 |
| | 2017-2018 | | (682,500 | ) | | 2017 |
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX(1) | (15,810,000 | ) | | 2017-2019 | | 2,242,500 |
| | 2017 |
Options – Puts | 13,000,000 |
| | 2018 | | — |
| | — |
Power (Megawatt): | | | | | | | |
Forwards | 665,040 |
| | 2017-2018 | | 391,880 |
| | 2017-2018 |
Futures | (213,840 | ) | | 2017-2018 | | 109,564 |
| | 2017-2018 |
Options – Puts | (280,800 | ) | | 2017-2018 | | (50,400 | ) | | 2017 |
Options – Calls | 545,600 |
| | 2017-2018 | | 186,400 |
| | 2017 |
Crude (Bbls) – Futures | (160,000 | ) | | 2017 | | (617,000 | ) | | 2017 |
(Non-Trading) | | | | | | | |
Natural Gas (MMBtu): | | | | | | | |
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX | 67,500 |
| | 2017-2020 | | 10,750,000 |
| | 2017-2018 |
Swing Swaps IFERC | 91,897,500 |
| | 2017-2019 | | (5,662,500 | ) | | 2017 |
Fixed Swaps/Futures | (20,220,000 | ) | | 2017-2019 | | (52,652,500 | ) | | 2017-2019 |
Forward Physical Contracts | (140,937,993 | ) | | 2017-2018 | | (22,492,489 | ) | | 2017 |
Natural Gas Liquid (Bbls) – Forwards/Swaps | (8,747,200 | ) | | 2017-2019 | | (5,786,627 | ) | | 2017 |
Refined Products (Bbls) – Futures | (701,000 | ) | | 2017 | | (2,240,000 | ) | | 2017 |
Fair Value Hedging Derivatives | | | | | | | |
(Non-Trading) | | | | | | | |
Natural Gas (MMBtu): | | | | | | | |
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX | (41,102,500 | ) | | 2017 | | (36,370,000 | ) | | 2017 |
Fixed Swaps/Futures | (41,102,500 | ) | | 2017 | | (36,370,000 | ) | | 2017 |
Hedged Item – Inventory | 41,102,500 |
| | 2017 | | 36,370,000 |
| | 2017 |
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(1) | Includes aggregate amounts for open positions related to Houston Ship Channel, Waha Hub, NGPL TexOk, West Louisiana Zone and Henry Hub locations. |
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates. To maintain a cost effective capital structure, we borrow funds using a mix of fixed rate debt and variable rate debt. We also manage our interest rate exposure by utilizing interest rate swaps to achieve a desired mix of fixed and variable rate debt. We also utilize forward starting interest rate swaps to lock in the rate on a portion of our anticipated debt issuances.
The following table summarizes our interest rate swaps outstanding, none of which were designated as hedges for accounting purposes:
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| | | | | | | | | | |
Term | | Type(1) | | Notional Amount Outstanding |
September 30, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 |
July 2017(2) | | Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.90% and receive a floating rate | | $ | — |
| | $ | 500 |
|
July 2018(2) | | Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.76% and receive a floating rate | | 300 |
| | 200 |
|
July 2019(2) | | Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.64% and receive a floating rate | | 300 |
| | 200 |
|
July 2020(2) | | Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.52% and receive a floating rate | | 400 |
| | — |
|
December 2018 | | Pay a floating rate based on a 3-month LIBOR and receive a fixed rate of 1.53% | | 1,200 |
| | 1,200 |
|
March 2019 | | Pay a floating rate based on a 3-month LIBOR and receive a fixed rate of 1.42% | | 300 |
| | 300 |
|
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(1) | Floating rates are based on 3-month LIBOR. |