ETE Q2 ER 8-K







UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 

 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
 
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
August 7, 2012
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
 
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delaware
 
1-32740
 
30-0108820
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
 
3738 Oak Lawn Avenue
Dallas, TX 75219
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(214) 981-0700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On August 7, 2012, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (the “Partnership”) issued a press release announcing its financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012. A copy of this press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information set forth in this Item 2.02 and in the attached exhibit shall be deemed to be “furnished” and not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits. In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information set forth in the attached Exhibit 99.1 is deemed to be “furnished” and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.

Exhibit Number
 
Description of the Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1
 
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. Press Release dated August 7, 2012


 
 
 





SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


 
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
 
By:LE GP, LLC,
its general partner
 
 
Date: August 7, 2012

   /s/ John W. McReynolds
John W. McReynolds
President and Chief Financial Officer







Exhibit Index



Exhibit Number
 
Description of the Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1
 
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. Press Release dated August 7, 2012






EX 99.1 ETE Earnings Release Q2 2012



ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY
REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

Dallas - August 7, 2012 - Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE:ETE) today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.
Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, was $158.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, an increase of $33.7 million over the three months ended June 30, 2011. ETE's net income attributable to partners was $53.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to $66.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, was $286.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, an increase of $37.2 million over the six months ended June 30, 2011. ETE's net income attributable to partners was $219.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to $154.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.
As of and during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, ETE's financial position and operating results were impacted by the following transactions:
Southern Union Acquisition. On March 26, 2012, ETE completed the acquisition of Southern Union Company (“Southern Union”) for $5.4 billion of cash and ETE Common Units. As such, Southern Union was consolidated in ETE's financial statements as of March 26, 2012 and its cash flows were included in ETE's Distributable Cash Flow from March 26, 2012 to June 30, 2012. The cash portion of the Southern Union acquisition purchase price was $3.0 billion, which was funded with proceeds from a $2.0 billion senior secured term loan and with proceeds from the dropdown transaction discussed below.
Merger and Finance-related Expenses. In connection with the Southern Union acquisition the following expenses were incurred by ETE during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012:
$62.2 million in fees recognized during the first quarter of 2012 related to a bridge loan facility that ETE entered into to initially fund the cash consideration of the Southern Union merger;
$8.3 million and $38.2 million in merger-related costs that were accounted for in selling, general and administrative expenses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively; and,
$53.1 million of net merger-related expenses incurred directly by Southern Union that were consolidated in to ETE's operating results during the first quarter of 2012.
Citrus Dropdown. Concurrent with the Southern Union acquisition, ETE completed the dropdown of Southern Union's 50% interest in Citrus Corp. (“Citrus”) to Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (“ETP”) in exchange for approximately $1.9 billion in cash and $105.0 million of ETP common units. The cash proceeds from ETP were used in part to fund a portion of the Southern Union acquisition and to repay existing indebtedness at Southern Union. Citrus was reflected as an equity method investment on ETE's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. In connection with this transaction, ETE also relinquished its rights to $220.0 million of the incentive distributions from ETP that it would otherwise be entitled to receive over 16 consecutive quarters.
Propane Contribution. On January 12, 2012, ETP completed the contribution of its retail propane operations to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (“AmeriGas”) in exchange for approximately $2.7 billion, consisting of cash and AmeriGas common units, which resulted in the recognition of a $1.1 billion gain on deconsolidation in ETE's consolidated financial statements during the six months ended June 30, 2012, and ETE's consolidated financial statements now reflect ETP's equity method investment in AmeriGas.
Tender Offer. ETP used the cash proceeds from the propane contribution discussed above to repay borrowings under its existing revolving credit facility and to extinguish approximately $750.0 million in senior notes outstanding through a tender offer. As a result of the tender offer, a loss on extinguishment of debt of $115.0 million was recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and recognized in ETE's consolidated statement of operations.





The Partnership has scheduled a conference call for 8:30 a.m. Central Time, Wednesday, August 8, 2012 to discuss its second quarter 2012 results. The conference call will be broadcast live via an internet web cast, which can be accessed through www.energytransfer.com and will also be available for replay on the Partnership's website for a limited time.
The Parent Company’s principal sources of cash flow are derived from (i) distributions related to its direct and indirect investments in the limited and general partner interests in ETP and Regency Energy Partners LP (“Regency”), including 100% of ETP's and Regency's incentive distribution rights, approximately 52.5 million of ETP's common units and approximately 26.3 million of Regency's common units and (ii) cash flow generated from its wholly owned subsidiary, Southern Union, which was acquired on March 26, 2012. The Parent Company's primary cash requirements are for general and administrative expenses, debt service requirements and distributions to its partners and holders of its Preferred Units.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and accompanying schedules include the non-generally accepted accounting principle (“non-GAAP”) financial measure of Distributable Cash Flow. The accompanying schedules provide a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Partnership's Distributable Cash Flow should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP financial measures such as net income, cash flow from operating activities or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.

Distributable Cash Flow. The Partnership defines Distributable Cash Flow for a period as cash distributions expected to be received from ETP and Regency in respect of such period in connection with the Partnership's investments in limited and general partner interests of ETP and Regency, net of the Partnership's cash expenditures for general and administrative costs and interest expense. Subsequent to the acquisition of Southern Union on March 26, 2012, the Partnership's definition of Distributable Cash Flow also includes distributable cash flow related to Southern Union. The Partnership defines distributable cash flow for Southern Union as net income, adjusted for certain non-cash items, less maintenance capital expenditures. Non-cash items include depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, non-cash compensation expense, gains and losses on disposals of assets, the allowance for equity funds used during construction, and non-cash impairment charges.

Distributable Cash Flow is a significant liquidity measure used by the Partnership's senior management to compare net cash flows generated by the Partnership to the distributions the Partnership expects to pay its unitholders. Using this measure, the Partnership's management can compute the coverage ratio of estimated cash flows for a period to planned cash distributions for such period.

Distributable Cash Flow is also an important non-GAAP financial measure for our limited partners since it indicates to investors whether the Partnership's investments are generating cash flows at a level that can sustain or support an increase in quarterly cash distribution levels. Financial measures such as Distributable Cash Flow are quantitative standards used by the investment community with respect to publicly traded partnerships because the value of a partnership unit is in part measured by its yield (which in turn is based on the amount of cash distributions a partnership can pay to a unitholder). The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Distributable Cash Flow is net income for ETE on a stand-alone basis (“Parent Company”). The accompanying analysis of Distributable Cash Flow is presented for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 for comparative purposes.

Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted. The Partnership defines Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, for a period as cash distributions expected to be received from ETP and Regency in respect of such period in connection with the Partnership's investments in limited and general partner interests of ETP and Regency plus the distributable cash flow related to Southern Union (as described in the definition of Distributable Cash Flow above), net of the Partnership's cash expenditures for general and administrative costs and interest expense, excluding certain items, such as acquisition-related expenses. Due to the cash expenses that were incurred during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 in connection with the Partnership's merger and acquisition activities, Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 is a significant liquidity measure used by the Partnership's senior management to compare net cash flows generated by the Partnership to the distributions the Partnership expects to pay its unitholders. Using this measure, the Partnership's management can compute the coverage ratio of estimated cash flows for a period to planned cash distributions for such period. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, is net income (loss) for the Parent Company on a stand-alone basis. The accompanying analysis of Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, is presented for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 for comparative purposes.

Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE:ETE) is a publicly traded partnership, which owns the general partner and 100 percent of the incentive distribution rights (IDRs) of Energy Transfer Partners and approximately 52.5 million ETP limited partner units; and owns the general partner and 100 percent of the IDRs of Regency Energy Partners and approximately 26.3 million Regency limited partner units. ETE is also the parent of Southern Union Company. The ETE family of companies owns approximately 45,000





miles of natural gas and natural gas liquids pipelines. For more information, visit the Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. web site at www.energytransfer.com.

Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE:ETP) is a publicly traded partnership owning and operating a diversified portfolio of energy assets. ETP has pipeline operations in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Utah and West Virginia and owns the largest intrastate pipeline system in Texas. ETP currently has natural gas operations that include approximately 24,000 miles of gathering and transportation pipelines, treating and processing assets, and three storage facilities located in Texas. ETP also holds a 70 percent interest in Lone Star NGL, a joint venture that owns and operates NGL storage, fractionation and transportation assets in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. ETP’s general partner is owned by ETE. For more information, visit the Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. web site at www.energytransfer.com.
Regency Energy Partners LP (NYSE: RGP) is a growth-oriented, midstream energy partnership engaged in the gathering and processing, contract compression, treating and transportation of natural gas and the transportation, fractionation, and storage of natural gas liquids. Regency also holds a 30% interest in Lone Star NGL LLC, a joint venture that owns and operates natural gas liquids storage, fractionation, and transportation assets in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Regency's general partner is owned by ETE. For more information, visit the Regency Energy Partners LP Web site at www.regencyenergy.com.

Contacts
Investor Relations:             Media Relations:
Energy Transfer             Vicki Granado
Brent Ratliff                Granado Communications Group
214-981-0700 (office)            214-599-8785 (office)
214-498-9272 (cell)

-more-






ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)


 
June 30,
2012
 
December 31, 2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS
$
1,683,774

 
$
1,455,444

 
 
 
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net
21,907,865

 
14,558,562

 
 
 
 
ADVANCES TO AND INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES
4,574,293

 
1,496,600

LONG-TERM PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT ASSETS
40,846

 
26,011

GOODWILL
3,458,809

 
2,038,975

INTANGIBLES ASSETS, net
971,341

 
1,072,291

OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS, net
476,294

 
248,910

Total assets
$
33,113,222

 
$
20,896,793

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
$
1,834,563

 
$
1,841,313

 
 
 
 
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current maturities
17,959,464

 
10,946,864

SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED UNITS
319,860

 
322,910

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
1,936,150

 
217,244

LONG-TERM PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT LIABILITIES
246,242

 
81,415

OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
312,712

 
26,958

 
 
 
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PREFERRED UNITS OF SUBSIDIARY
72,370

 
71,144

 
 
 
 
EQUITY:
 
 
 
Total partners' capital
2,298,853

 
53,484

Noncontrolling interest
8,133,008

 
7,335,461

Total equity
10,431,861

 
7,388,945

Total liabilities and equity
$
33,113,222

 
$
20,896,793










ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas sales
$
635,597

 
$
815,469

 
$
1,140,207

 
$
1,524,793

NGL sales
598,969

 
412,872

 
1,131,268

 
688,024

Gathering, transportation and other fees
600,806

 
456,797

 
1,101,768

 
869,053

Retail propane sales
11,637

 
220,296

 
87,082

 
748,762

Other
129,305

 
69,472

 
205,120

 
133,394

Total revenues
1,976,314

 
1,974,906

 
3,665,445

 
3,964,026

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
992,356

 
1,264,152

 
2,014,556

 
2,465,578

Operating expenses
260,517

 
222,717

 
435,422

 
443,413

Depreciation and amortization
221,767

 
148,530

 
382,968

 
287,786

Selling, general and administrative
122,950

 
78,946

 
271,212

 
142,445

Total costs and expenses
1,597,590

 
1,714,345

 
3,104,158

 
3,339,222

OPERATING INCOME
378,724

 
260,561

 
561,287

 
624,804

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
(281,255
)
 
(181,517
)
 
(494,585
)
 
(349,446
)
Bridge loan related fees

 

 
(62,241
)
 

Equity in earnings of affiliates
22,463

 
28,819

 
97,695

 
54,260

Gain on deconsolidation of Propane Business
765

 

 
1,056,709

 

Losses on disposal of assets
(1,402
)
 
(681
)
 
(2,462
)
 
(2,435
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
(7,821
)
 

 
(122,844
)
 

Gains (losses) on non-hedged interest rate derivatives
(44,668
)
 
1,883

 
(17,178
)
 
3,403

Other, net
17,891

 
2,811

 
31,197

 
(9,715
)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE
84,697

 
111,876

 
1,047,578

 
320,871

Income tax expense
10,175

 
5,224

 
11,754

 
15,127

NET INCOME
74,522

 
106,652

 
1,035,824

 
305,744

LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
21,024

 
40,367

 
815,904

 
150,819

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARTNERS
53,498

 
66,285

 
219,920

 
154,925

GENERAL PARTNER’S INTEREST IN NET INCOME
132

 
205

 
638

 
479

LIMITED PARTNERS’ INTEREST IN NET INCOME
$
53,366

 
$
66,080

 
$
219,282

 
$
154,446

BASIC NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT
$
0.19

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.87

 
$
0.69

BASIC AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING
279,955,578

 
222,972,708

 
253,343,028

 
222,963,741

DILUTED NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT
$
0.19

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.86

 
$
0.69

DILUTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING
279,955,578

 
222,972,708

 
253,343,028

 
222,963,741










ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FLOW
(Tabular amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
The following table presents the calculation and reconciliation of Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Cash distributions from ETP associated with: (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General partner interest
$
4,919

 
$
4,896

 
$
9,833

 
$
9,792

Incentive distribution rights
120,880

 
103,358

 
234,178

 
206,540

Limited partner interest
44,890

 
44,890

 
89,780

 
89,780

Total
170,689

 
153,144

 
333,791

 
306,112

IDR relinquishment related to Citrus Dropdown
(13,750
)
 

 
(27,500
)
 

Total cash distributions from ETP
156,939

 
153,144

 
306,291

 
306,112

Cash distributions from Regency associated with: (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General partner interest
1,322

 
1,287

 
2,646

 
2,556

Incentive distribution rights
2,074

 
1,338

 
4,149

 
2,452

Limited partner interest
12,083

 
11,820

 
24,165

 
23,509

Total cash distributions from Regency
15,479

 
14,445

 
30,960

 
28,517

Total cash distributions from ETP and Regency
172,418

 
167,589

 
337,251

 
334,629

Distributable cash flow attributable to Southern Union (including acquisition-related expenses) (3)
51,301

 

 
5,556

 

Deduct expenses of the Parent Company on a stand-alone basis:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense (4)
(10,286
)
 
(11,950
)
 
(41,267
)
 
(13,705
)
Interest expense, net of amortization of financing costs, interest income, and realized gains and losses on interest rate swaps (4)
(65,655
)
 
(40,119
)
 
(108,071
)
 
(80,238
)
Bridge financing costs

 

 
(62,241
)
 

Distributable Cash Flow (5)
147,778

 
115,520

 
131,228

 
240,686

Acquisition-related expenses (4)
10,460

 
9,039

 
155,659

 
9,039

Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted (5)
$
158,238

 
$
124,559

 
$
286,887

 
$
249,725

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash distributions to be paid to the partners of ETE: (6)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions to be paid to limited partners
$
174,972

 
$
139,358

 
$
349,944

 
$
264,206

Distributions to be paid to general partner
433

 
433

 
865

 
821

Total cash distributions to be paid to the partners of ETE (5)
$
175,405

 
$
139,791

 
$
350,809

 
$
265,027

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Distributable Cash Flow” and “Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted” to GAAP “Net income attributable to partners":
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to partners
$
53,498

 
$
66,285

 
$
219,920

 
$
154,925

Equity in income related to investments in ETP and Regency
(115,645
)
 
(120,626
)
 
(460,839
)
 
(267,268
)
Total cash distributions from ETP and Regency
172,418

 
167,589

 
337,251

 
334,629

Amortization included in interest expense (excluding ETP and Regency)
4,551

 
466

 
5,377

 
1,280

Fair value adjustment of ETE Preferred Units
(7,090
)
 
1,530

 
(3,050
)
 
16,570

Other non-cash (excluding ETP and Regency)
40,046

 
276

 
32,569

 
550

Distributable Cash Flow
147,778

 
115,520

 
131,228

 
240,686

Acquisition-related expenses (4)
10,460

 
9,039

 
155,659

 
9,039

Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted
$
158,238

 
$
124,559

 
$
286,887

 
$
249,725

(1) 
For the three months ended June 30, 2012, cash distributions expected to be received from ETP consist of cash distributions in respect of the quarter ended June 30, 2012 payable on August 14, 2012 to holders of record on August 6, 2012 and also





take into consideration a reduction in incentive distributions of $13.8 million related to the Citrus Dropdown. For the three months ended June 30, 2011, cash distributions received from ETP consist of cash distributions paid on August 15, 2011 in respect of the quarter ended June 30, 2011.
For the six months ended June 30, 2012, cash distributions received or expected to be received from ETP consist of cash distributions paid on May 15, 2012 in respect of the quarter ended March 31, 2012 and cash distributions in respect of the three months ended June 30, 2012 payable on August 14, 2012 to holders of record on August 6, 2012. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, cash distributions received from ETP consist of cash distributions paid on May 16, 2011 in respect of the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and cash distributions paid on August 15, 2011 in respect of the quarter ended June 30, 2011.
(2) 
For the three months ended June 30, 2012, cash distributions expected to be received from Regency consist of cash distributions in respect of the quarter ended June 30, 2012 payable on August 14, 2012 to holders of record on August 6, 2012. For the three months ended June 30, 2011, cash distributions received from Regency consist of cash distributions paid on August 12, 2011 in respect of the quarter ended June 30, 2011.
For the six months ended June 30, 2012, cash distributions received or expected to be received from Regency consist of cash distributions paid on May 14, 2012 in respect of the quarter ended March 31, 2012 and cash distributions in respect of the three months ended June 30, 2012 payable on August 14, 2012 to holders of record on August 6, 2012. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, cash distributions received from Regency consist of cash distributions paid on May 13, 2011 in respect of the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and cash distributions paid on August 12, 2011 in respect of the quarter ended June 30, 2011.
(3) 
Distributable cash flow attributable to Southern Union was calculated as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2012
 
Period from Acquisition (March 26, 2012) to June 30, 2012
Net earnings (loss)
$
11,725

 
$
(26,782
)
Amortization of finance costs charged to interest
(8,544
)
 
(8,544
)
Depreciation and amortization
74,476

 
79,199

Deferred income taxes
10,375

 
(1,558
)
Non-cash equity-based compensation, accretion expense and amortization of regulatory assets
4,860

 
4,860

Other non-cash gains/revenues or losses/expenses
4,727

 
4,727

Earnings from unconsolidated investments
(672
)
 
(684
)
Distributions received from unconsolidated investments
2,358

 
2,358

Other, net
(175
)
 
(191
)
Maintenance capital expenditures
(47,829
)
 
(47,829
)
Distributable cash flow attributable to Southern Union
51,301

 
5,556

Acquisition-related expenses recognized by Southern Union
2,280

 
55,380

Distributable cash flow, as adjusted, attributable to Southern Union
$
53,581

 
$
60,936

Distributable cash flow attributable to Southern Union for the period from our acquisition to June 30, 2012 reflected above included change in control payments and legal and other outside service costs totaling $70.6 million offset by benefit plan curtailment gains of $15.3 million. The net amount of $55.3 million was included in acquisition-related expenses that were added back to calculate ETE's Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted.
(4) 
Transaction costs for the six months ended June 30, 2012 related to ETE's acquisition of Southern Union consisted of $62.2 million bridge financing costs, $38.2 million of selling, general and administrative expenses incurred by ETE and $55.3 million of merger-related expenses that were incurred directly by Southern Union.
(5) 
For the six months ended June 30, 2012, total cash distributions to be paid to the partners of ETE exceeded ETE's Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, primarily due to the timing of the Southern Union acquisition.   In connection with the Southern Union acquisition, ETE issued 56,982,160 million ETE Common Units on March 26, 2012, the unitholders of which received the first quarter 2012 distribution of $0.625 per unit and will receive the second quarter 2012 distribution of $0.625 per unit, as announced July 26, 2012.   However, ETE's Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable





Cash Flow, as adjusted, both reflect cash flows from Southern Union for the period from acquisition (March 26, 2012) through June 30, 2012 rather than the full six months. 
(6) 
For the three months ended June 30, 2012, cash distributions expected to be paid by ETE consist of cash distributions in respect of the quarter ended June 30, 2012 payable on August 17, 2012 to holders of record on August 6, 2012. For the three months ended June 30, 2011, cash distributions paid by ETE consist of cash distributions paid on August 19, 2011 in respect of the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY
(Tabular amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
Supplemental Data
Following is a summary of Southern Union's results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2011. The results of Southern Union shown below include periods prior and subsequent to ETE's consolidation of Southern Union, which began upon the acquisition on March 26, 2012. Amounts shown below for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 include both the pre-acquisition and post-acquisition periods. The results of Southern Union in the post-acquisition period were impacted slightly by the changes in the accounting basis of Southern Union's assets and liabilities to record such assets and liabilities at estimated fair value. This step-up in basis primarily impacted the depreciation, amortization, and interest expense recognized by Southern Union in the post-acquisition periods, which amounts were accordingly reflected in ETE's consolidated financial statements, and will continue to be impacted by the step-up in basis going forward.
Southern Union defines Segment Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items, such as non-cash compensation expense, unrealized gains and losses on unhedged derivative activities, and other non-operating income or expense items. Segment Adjusted EBITDA reflects amounts for less than wholly owned subsidiaries and unconsolidated affiliates based on Southern Union's proportionate ownership.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to measures used by other companies and should be considered in conjunction with net earnings and other performance measures such as operating income or net cash flows provided by operating activities.





The following table presents Southern Union's Segment Adjusted EBITDA for each of the reportable segments reflected in Southern Union's consolidated financial statements, as well as a reconciliation of the total of Segment Adjusted EBITDA for all of Southern Union's segments to Southern Union's net earnings.
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
Combined
 
 
Segment Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transportation and storage segment
$
115,919

 
$
203,368

 
$
268,350

 
$
370,120

Gathering and processing segment
22,362

 
39,473

 
36,197

 
60,206

Distribution segment
23,314

 
12,027

 
47,000

 
44,304

Corporate and other activities
637

 
(1,044
)
 
(20,251
)
 
1,185

Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA
162,232

 
253,824

 
331,296

 
475,815

Depreciation and amortization
(74,476
)
 
(59,295
)
 
(135,743
)
 
(118,622
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on nonhedged derivative activities

 
331

 

 
(14,413
)
Interest expense
(57,303
)
 
(54,933
)
 
(112,091
)
 
(110,504
)
Federal and state income tax expense
(10,858
)
 
(25,588
)
 
(21,795
)
 
(44,230
)
Non-cash equity-based compensation
(4,860
)
 
(2,700
)
 
(6,210
)
 
(4,654
)
Net gain on curtailment of OPEB plans

 

 
15,332

 

Other, net
175

 
224

 
475

 
366

Proportionate share of unconsolidated investments' interest, depreciation and allowance for funds used during construction
(3,185
)
 
(52,090
)
 
(48,129
)
 
(63,323
)
Net earnings
$
11,725

 
$
59,773

 
$
23,135

 
$
120,435


Southern Union's Segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased between periods primarily due to the impact of Southern Union's contribution of its investment in Citrus to ETP. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same periods in the prior year, the contribution of the investment in Citrus resulted in a net reduction to transportation and storage Segment Adjusted EBITDA of $73.3 million and $49.4 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the impact from the contribution of the investment in Citrus was offset by higher earnings from Citrus during the pre-contribution period due to the completion of an expansion project. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, Southern Union's Segment Adjusted EBITDA was also impacted by Southern Union's recognition of merger-related expenses of $2.2 million and $89.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.

Southern Union's income tax expense decreased between periods primarily due to lower pretax earnings recorded in the period subsequent to the change in control.