Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

 

ý

  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

  FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2014

 

 

or

 

o

  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934   

 

 

 

  FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                TO               

 

 

 

  COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-35574

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE

 

37-1661577

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

625 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1700, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

15222

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

 

(412) 553-5700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý  No  o

 

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  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer

o

 

 

Accelerated Filer

ý

 

 

Non-Accelerated Filer

o

 

 

Smaller reporting company

o

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).        Yes  o  No  ý

 

As of June 30, 2014, there were 43,347,452 Common Units, 17,339,718 Subordinated Units and 1,238,514 General Partner Units outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

Index

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

Glossary of Commonly Used Terms, Abbreviations and Measurements

3 – 4

 

 

Part I.

Financial Information:

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited):

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Consolidated Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 and 2013

5

 

 

 

 

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 and 2013

6

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

7

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 and 2013

8

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

9 – 15

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

16 – 27

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

28

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

28

 

 

 

Part II.

Other Information:

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

29

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

29

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other information

29

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

30

 

 

 

Signature

31

 

 

Index to Exhibits

32

 

2



Table of Contents

 

Glossary of Commonly Used Terms, Abbreviations and Measurements

 

adjusted EBITDA - a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure defined by EQT Midstream Partners, LP (the Partnership) as net income plus net interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense,  income tax expense (if applicable), non-cash long-term compensation expense and other non-cash adjustments (if applicable) less other income and capital lease payments.  The results associated with the Jupiter natural gas gathering system (Jupiter) prior to the acquisition of Jupiter by the Partnership (the Jupiter Acquisition) are excluded from adjusted EBITDA.

 

AFUDC – Allowance for Funds Used During Construction - carrying costs for the construction of certain long-term assets are capitalized and amortized over the related assets’ estimated useful lives.  The capitalized amount for construction of regulated assets includes interest cost and a designated cost of equity for financing the construction of these regulated assets.

 

Appalachian Basin – the area of the United States composed of those portions of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky and Virginia that lie in the Appalachian Mountains.

 

British thermal unit – a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

 

distributable cash flow – a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure defined by the Partnership as adjusted EBITDA less interest expense, excluding capital lease interest and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures,  net of expected reimbursements.  The results associated with Jupiter prior to the Jupiter Acquisition are excluded from distributable cash flow.

 

firm contracts – contracts for transportation and gathering services that obligate customers to pay a fixed monthly charge to reserve an agreed upon amount of pipeline capacity regardless of the actual pipeline capacity used by a customer during each month.

 

gas – all references to “gas” in this report refer to natural gas.

 

omnibus agreement – the agreement entered into among the Partnership, its general partner and EQT Corporation (EQT) in connection with the Partnership’s initial public offering,  pursuant to which EQT agreed to provide the Partnership with certain general and administrative services and a license to use the name “EQT” and related marks in connection with the Partnership’s business. The omnibus agreement also provides for certain indemnification and reimbursement obligations between the Partnership and EQT.

 

play - a proven geological formation that contains commercial amounts of hydrocarbons.

 

throughput – the volume of natural gas transported or passing through a pipeline, plant, terminal or other facility during a particular period.

 

working gas – the volume of natural gas in the storage reservoir that can be extracted during the normal operation of the storage facility.

 

 

Abbreviations

 

FERC – Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

GAAP – United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

IRS – Internal Revenue Service

SEC – Securities and Exchange Commission

 

3



Table of Contents

 

Glossary of Commonly Used Terms, Abbreviations and Measurements

 

Measurements

 

Btu = one British thermal unit

BBtu  = billion British thermal units

Bcf    = billion cubic feet

Dth  =  million British thermal units

Mcf    = thousand cubic feet

MMBtu  = million British thermal units

MMcf   = million cubic feet

TBtu = trillion British thermal units

Tcf = one trillion cubic feet

 

4



Table of Contents

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.   Financial Statements

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2014 (1)

 

2013 (1)

 

2014 (1)

 

2013 (1)

 

 

(Thousands, except per unit amounts)

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues – affiliate

$

57,158

$

66,238

$

115,125

$

125,811

Operating revenues – third party

 

34,410

 

9,433

 

69,854

 

19,412

Total operating revenues

 

91,568

 

75,671

 

184,979

 

145,223

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and maintenance (2)

 

10,947

 

8,367

 

21,557

 

16,280

Selling, general and administrative (2)

 

10,556

 

8,030

 

21,030

 

14,111

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,525

 

6,434

 

16,896

 

12,699

Total operating expenses

 

30,028

 

22,831

 

59,483

 

43,090

Operating income

 

61,540

 

52,840

 

125,496

 

102,133

Other income, net

 

559

 

229

 

828

 

526

Interest expense, net (3)

 

6,629

 

213

 

12,284

 

417

Income before income taxes

 

55,470

 

52,856

 

114,040

 

102,242

Income tax expense

 

3,390

 

12,197

 

12,456

 

21,848

Net income

$

52,080

$

40,659

$

101,584

$

80,394

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculation of limited partner interest in net income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

52,080

$

40,659

$

101,584

$

80,394

Less pre-acquisition income allocated to parent

 

(5,502)

 

(19,628)

 

(20,151)

 

(35,284)

Less general partner interest in net income

 

(2,792)

 

(465)

 

(4,514)

 

(970)

Limited partner interest in net income

$

43,786

$

20,566

$

76,919

$

44,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per limited partner unit – basic

$

0.81

$

0.59

$

1.49

$

1.27

Net income per limited partner unit – diluted

$

0.81

$

0.59

$

1.49

$

1.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding – basic

 

54,259

 

34,679

 

51,499

 

34,679

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding – diluted

 

54,386

 

34,785

 

51,622

 

34,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash distributions declared per unit (4)

$

0.52

$

0.40

$

1.01

$

0.77

 

(1)    Financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the inclusion of Sunrise Pipeline, LLC (Sunrise) and the Jupiter Gathering System (Jupiter). See Note B.

(2)    Operating and maintenance expense includes charges from EQT Corporation (EQT) and subsidiaries of $6.3 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $11.6 million and $9.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Selling, general and administrative expense includes charges from EQT and subsidiaries of $8.1 million and $7.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $15.9 million and $12.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  See Note D.

(3)    Interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 includes $5.4 million and $10.3 million, respectively, related to interest on a capital lease with an affiliate.  See Note G.

(4)   Represents the cash distributions declared related to the period presented. See Note J.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2014 (1)

 

2013 (1)

 

 

(Thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

101,584

$

80,394

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

16,896

 

12,699

Deferred income taxes

 

428

 

2,862

Other income

 

(828)

 

(526)

Non-cash long-term compensation expense

 

1,805

 

562

Non-cash adjustments

 

 

(680)

Changes in other assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(3,643)

 

(137)

Accounts payable

 

5,372

 

(18,835)

Due to/from EQT affiliates

 

5,657

 

7,884

Other assets and liabilities

 

(3,112)

 

(859)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

124,159

 

83,364

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(79,950)

 

(41,557)

Jupiter Acquisition – net assets from EQT

 

(168,198)

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(248,148)

 

(41,557)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from the issuance of common units, net of offering costs

 

902,451

 

Jupiter Acquisition – purchase price in excess of net assets from EQT

 

(952,802)

 

Short-term loans

 

450,000

 

Payments of short-term loans

 

(120,000)

 

Sunrise Merger payment

 

(110,000)

 

Distributions paid to unitholders

 

(47,989)

 

(25,479)

Credit facility origination fees

 

(2,020)

 

Capital contributions

 

45

 

3,487

Partners’ investments and net change in parent advances

 

13,905

 

(16,546)

Predecessor distributions paid to EQT

 

 

(29,031)

Capital lease principal payments

 

(2,216)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

131,374

 

(67,569)

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

7,385

 

(25,762)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

18,363

 

50,041

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

25,748

$

24,279

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

$

10,800

$

219

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash activity during the period for:

 

 

 

 

Capital lease asset/obligation

$

5,178

$

Elimination of net current and deferred tax liabilities

$

51,813

$

Limited partner and general partner units issued for Jupiter acquisition

$

59,000

$

 

 

(1)          Financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the inclusion of Sunrise and Jupiter. See Note B.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2014

 

2013 (1)

ASSETS

 

(Thousands, except number of
units)

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

25,748

$

18,363

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $212 as of June 30, 2014 and $152 as of December 31, 2013)

 

12,106

 

8,463

Accounts receivable – affiliate

 

16,518

 

23,620

Other current assets

 

909

 

1,033

Total current assets

 

55,281

 

51,479

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

1,255,924

 

1,163,683

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

(184,338)

 

(168,740)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

1,071,586

 

994,943

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

15,101

 

16,246

Other assets

 

3,441

 

1,304

Total assets

$

1,145,409

$

1,063,972

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

14,006

$

8,634

Short-term loans

 

330,000

 

Due to related party

 

11,694

 

25,621

Sunrise merger consideration to EQT

 

 

110,000

Lease obligation - current

 

1,868

 

662

Accrued liabilities

 

17,067

 

12,951

Total current liabilities

 

374,635

 

157,868

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

 

39,840

Lease obligation

 

135,489

 

133,733

Other long-term liabilities

 

5,537

 

6,014

Total liabilities

 

515,661

 

337,455

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital:

 

 

 

 

Predecessor equity

 

 

82,329

Common units (43,347,452 and 30,468,902 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)

 

1,607,579

 

818,431

Subordinated units (17,339,718 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013)

 

(945,846)

 

(175,996)

General partner interest (1,238,514 and 975,686 units issued and outstanding at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)

 

(31,985)

 

1,753

Total partners’ capital

 

629,748

 

726,517

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

$

1,145,409

$

1,063,972

 

(1)          Financial statements as of December 31, 2013 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the inclusion of Jupiter. See Note B.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital (Unaudited)(1)

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ Capital

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

Limited Partners

 

General

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

Common

 

Subordinated

 

Partner

 

Total

 

 

(Thousands)

Balance at January 1, 2013

$

279,576

$

313,304

$

153,664

$

8,108

$

754,652

Net income

 

35,284

 

20,363

 

23,777

 

970

 

80,394

Capital contribution

 

 

910

 

910

 

38

 

1,858

Equity-based compensation plans

 

 

562

 

 

 

562

Distributions to unitholders

 

 

(12,485)

 

(12,485)

 

(509)

 

(25,479)

Predecessor distributions paid to EQT

 

(29,031)

 

 

 

 

(29,031)

Partners’ investments and net change in parent advances

 

(16,546)

 

 

 

 

(16,546)

Balance at June 30, 2013

$

269,283

$

322,654

$

165,866

$

8,607

$

766,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2014

$

82,329

$

818,431

$

(175,996)

$

1,753

$

726,517

Net income

 

20,151

 

52,020

 

24,899

 

4,514

 

101,584

Capital contribution

 

 

338

 

152

 

10

 

500

Equity-based compensation plans

 

 

1,967

 

 

 

1,967

Distributions to unitholders

 

 

(28,946)

 

(16,472)

 

(2,571)

 

(47,989)

Proceeds from equity offering, net of offering costs

 

 

902,451

 

 

 

902,451

Elimination of net current and deferred income tax liabilities

 

51,813

 

 

 

 

51,813

Jupiter net assets from EQT

 

(168,198)

 

 

 

 

(168,198)

Issuance of units

 

 

39,091

 

 

19,909

 

59,000

Purchase price in excess of net assets from EQT

 

 

(177,773)

 

(778,429)

 

(55,600)

 

(1,011,802)

Partner’s investments and net change in parent advances

 

13,905

 

 

 

 

13,905

Balance at June 30, 2014

$

$

1,607,579

$

(945,846)

$

(31,985)

$

629,748

 

(1)          Financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 have been retrospectively recast to reflect the inclusion of Sunrise and Jupiter. See Note B.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

A.                        Financial Statements

 

Organization

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP (EQT Midstream Partners or the Partnership) is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership. EQT Midstream Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of EQT Corporation, is the Partnership’s general partner. References in these consolidated financial statements to EQT refer collectively to EQT Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

Limited Partner and General Partner Units

 

The following table summarizes common, subordinated and general partner units issued January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

 

 

 

Limited Partner Units

 

General

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

Subordinated

 

Partner Units

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2013

 

17,339,718

 

17,339,718

 

707,744

 

35,387,180

 

July 2013 equity offering

 

12,650,000

 

 

 

12,650,000

 

Sunrise Merger consideration

 

479,184

 

 

267,942

 

747,126

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

30,468,902

 

17,339,718

 

975,686

 

48,784,306

 

May 2014 equity offering

 

12,362,500

 

 

 

12,362,500

 

Jupiter Acquisition consideration

 

516,050

 

 

262,828

 

778,878

 

Balance at June 30, 2014

 

43,347,452

 

17,339,718

 

1,238,514

 

61,925,684

 

 

On May 7, 2014, the Partnership completed an underwritten public offering of 12,362,500 common units.  Net proceeds from the offering were used to finance the cash consideration paid to EQT in connection with the acquisition of the Jupiter gathering system (Jupiter) from EQT (Jupiter Acquisition). The Partnership received net proceeds of approximately $902 million from the offering after deducting the underwriters’ discount and offering expenses.

 

As of June 30, 2014, EQT retained a 36.4% equity interest in the Partnership, which includes 3,959,952 common units, 17,339,718 subordinated units and 1,238,514 general partner units.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Partnership as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the results of its operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

 

As discussed in Note B, the Jupiter Acquisition and Sunrise Merger (as defined in Note B) were transactions between entities under common control; therefore, the Partnership recorded the assets and liabilities of Jupiter and Sunrise at their carrying amounts to EQT on the date of the respective transactions. The difference between EQT’s net carrying amount and the total consideration paid to EQT was recorded as a capital transaction with EQT, which resulted in a reduction in partners’ capital.  The Partnership recast its consolidated financial statements to retrospectively reflect the Jupiter Acquisition and Sunrise Merger as if the assets and liabilities were owned for all periods presented; however, the consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred if the Partnership had owned the assets during the periods reported.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Due to the seasonal nature of the Partnership’s utility customer contracts, the interim statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.

 

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed on June 26, 2014, as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained therein.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.  The standard requires an entity to recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  ASU 2014-09 will replace most of the existing revenue recognition requirements in GAAP when it becomes effective.  The guidance in ASU 2014-09 is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein.  Early adoption is not permitted.  The Partnership is currently evaluating the method of adoption and impact this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

 

B.                                    Jupiter Acquisition and Sunrise Merger

 

On April 30, 2014, the Partnership, its general partner, EQM Gathering Opco, LLC (EQM Gathering), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership, and EQT Gathering, LLC (EQT Gathering), a wholly owned subsidiary of EQT entered into a contribution agreement (Contribution Agreement) pursuant to which, on May 7, 2014, EQT Gathering contributed to EQM Gathering certain assets constituting the Jupiter natural gas gathering system (Jupiter Acquisition).

 

The aggregate consideration paid by the Partnership to EQT in connection with the Jupiter Acquisition was approximately $1,180 million, consisting of a $1,121 million cash payment and issuance of 516,050 common units and 262,828 general partner units of the Partnership. The cash portion of the purchase price was funded with the net proceeds from an equity offering, as discussed in Note A, and borrowings under the Partnership’s credit facility, as discussed in Note F.

 

On July 15, 2013, the Partnership and Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with EQT and Sunrise Pipeline, LLC (Sunrise), a wholly owned subsidiary of EQT and the owner of the Sunrise Pipeline. Effective July 22, 2013, Sunrise merged with and into Equitrans , with Equitrans continuing as the surviving company (Sunrise Merger).  Upon closing, the Partnership paid EQT consideration of $540 million, consisting of a $507.5 million cash payment, 479,184 Partnership common units and 267,942 Partnership general partner units. Prior to the Sunrise Merger, Equitrans entered into a precedent agreement with a third party for firm transportation service on the Sunrise Pipeline over a twenty-year term (the Precedent Agreement).  Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, following the effectiveness of the transportation agreement contemplated by the Precedent Agreement in December 2013, the Partnership paid additional consideration of $110 million to EQT in January 2014.

 

Prior to the Sunrise Merger, the Partnership operated the Sunrise Pipeline as part of its transmission and storage system under a lease agreement with EQT. The lease was a capital lease under GAAP; therefore, prior to the merger, revenues and expenses associated with Sunrise were included in the Partnership’s historical consolidated financial statements and the Sunrise Pipeline was depreciated over the lease term of 15 years. Effective as of the closing of the Sunrise Merger on July 22, 2013, the lease agreement was terminated. Because the Sunrise Merger was a transaction between entities under common control, the Partnership has recast its financial statements to retrospectively reflect the merger. This included recasting depreciation expense recognized for the periods prior to the merger to reflect the pipeline’s useful life of 40 years. The decrease in depreciation expense and interest expense associated with the capital lease increased previously reported net income for the first six months of 2013.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

C.                                    Financial Information by Business Segment

 

Operating segments are revenue-producing components of the enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and is subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources.

 

The Partnership reports its operations in two segments, which reflect its lines of business. Transmission and storage includes the Partnership’s FERC-regulated interstate pipeline and storage business. Gathering includes Jupiter and the FERC-regulated low pressure gathering system. The operating segments are evaluated on their contribution to the Partnership’s results based on operating income.

 

All of the Partnership’s operating revenues, income from operations and assets are generated or located in the United States.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Thousands)

Revenues from external customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission and storage

$  

59,125

$  

41,960

$  

118,442

$  

83,025

Gathering

 

32,443

 

33,711

 

66,537

 

62,198

Total

$  

91,568

$  

75,671

$  

184,979

$  

145,223

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission and storage

$  

41,982

$  

29,666

$  

84,019

$  

60,127

Gathering

 

19,558

 

23,174

 

41,477

 

42,006

Total operating income

$  

61,540

$  

52,840

$  

125,496

$  

102,133

Reconciliation of operating income to net income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

559

 

229

 

828

 

526

Interest expense, net

 

6,629

 

213

 

12,284

 

417

Income tax expense

 

3,390

 

12,197

 

12,456

 

21,848

Net income

$  

52,080

$  

40,659

$  

101,584

$  

80,394

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Thousands)

Segment assets:

 

 

 

 

Transmission and storage

$  

854,946

$  

807,287

Gathering

 

264,715

 

238,322

Total operating segments

 

1,119,661

 

1,045,609

Headquarters, including cash

 

25,748

 

18,363

Total assets

$  

1,145,409

$  

1,063,972

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Thousands)

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission and storage

$  

6,322

$  

4,442

$  

12,481

$  

8,753

Gathering

 

2,203

 

1,992

 

4,415

 

3,946

Total

$  

8,525

$  

6,434

$  

16,896

$  

12,699

Expenditures for segment assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission and storage

$  

25,080

$  

12,284

$  

39,081

$  

23,223

Gathering

 

24,858

 

6,924

 

41,031

 

18,334

Total (1)

$  

49,938

$  

19,208

$  

80,112

$  

41,557

 

 

(1)         The Partnership capitalizes certain labor overhead costs which include a portion of non-cash equity-based compensation.  These non-cash capital expenditures in the table above were approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.

 

D.                        Related-Party Transactions

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Partnership has transactions with affiliated companies. The Partnership has various contracts with affiliates including, but not limited to, transportation service and precedent agreements, storage agreements and gas gathering agreements.

 

The Partnership has various agreements with EQT. Pursuant to an omnibus agreement, EQT performs centralized corporate, general and administrative services for the Partnership, such as legal, corporate recordkeeping, planning, budgeting, regulatory, accounting, billing, business development, treasury, insurance administration and claims processing, risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, investor relations, cash management and banking, payroll, internal audit, taxes and engineering. In exchange, the Partnership reimburses EQT for the expenses incurred in providing these services, except for any expenses associated with EQT’s long-term incentive programs as these are not expenses of the Partnership subsequent to the initial public offering (IPO) under the Partnership’s omnibus agreement.  The Partnership’s general partner established its own long-term incentive compensation plan in 2012. The omnibus agreement further requires that the Partnership reimburse EQT for the Partnership’s allocable portion of the premiums on any insurance policies covering the Partnership’s assets. EQT does not record any profit or margin for the administrative and operational services charged to the Partnership.

 

Pursuant to an operation and management services agreement, EQT Gathering provides the Partnership’s pipelines and storage facilities with certain operational and management services.  The Partnership reimburses EQT Gathering for such services pursuant to the terms of the omnibus agreement.  The expenses for which the Partnership reimburses EQT and its subsidiaries may not necessarily reflect the actual expenses that the Partnership would incur on a stand-alone basis and the Partnership is unable to estimate what those expenses would be on a stand-alone basis.

 

E.                        Income Taxes

 

As a result of its limited partnership structure, the Partnership is not subject to federal and state income taxes. For federal and state income tax purposes, all income, expenses, gains, losses and tax credits generated by the Partnership flow through to the unitholders; accordingly, the Partnership does not record a provision for income taxes. As discussed in Note B, the Partnership completed the Sunrise Merger on July 22, 2013 and the Jupiter Acquisition on May 7, 2014, which were transactions between entities under common control. Prior to these transactions, the income from Sunrise and Jupiter was included in EQT’s consolidated federal tax return; therefore, the Sunrise and Jupiter financial statements included U.S. federal and state income tax.  The income tax effects associated with the operations of Sunrise and Jupiter prior to the Sunrise Merger and the Jupiter Acquisition are reflected in the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements for those periods.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

F.                         Debt

 

In February 2014, the Partnership amended its credit facility to increase the borrowing capacity to $750 million. The amended credit facility will expire in February 2019. The credit facility is available to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures, to purchase assets, to pay distributions, to repurchase units and for general partnership purposes.

 

On May 7, 2014, the Partnership borrowed $340 million on its credit facility for the Jupiter Acquisition. On May 14, 2014, the Partnership made a $120 million payment to reduce its outstanding balance on the credit facility.

 

As of June 30, 2014, the Partnership had $330 million outstanding on the credit facility. There were no amounts outstanding on the credit facility as of December 31, 2013. The maximum amount of the Partnership’s outstanding short-term loans at any time during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was $450 million. The average daily balance of short-term loans outstanding was approximately $252 million and $173 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively. The loans bear interest at a weighted average rate of 1.68% for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The carrying value of short-term borrowings approximates fair value as the interest rates are based on prevailing market rates.

 

G.                       Lease Obligations

 

On December 17, 2013, the Partnership entered into a lease with EQT for the Allegheny Valley Connector (AVC) facilities. Under the lease, the Partnership operates the AVC facilities as part of its transmission and storage system under the rates, terms and conditions of its FERC-approved tariff.  The AVC facilities are strategically located to connect Marcellus Shale supply and demand and include an approximately 200 mile pipeline that interconnects with the Partnership’s transmission and storage system. Additionally, the AVC facilities provide 450 BBtu per day of additional firm capacity to the Partnership’s system and are supported by 4 associated natural gas storage reservoirs with approximately 260 MMcf per day of peak withdrawal capability and 15 Bcf of working gas capacity. Of the total 15 Bcf of working gas capacity, the Partnership leases and operates 13 Bcf of working gas capacity. The lease payment due each month is the lesser of the following alternatives: (1) a revenue-based payment reflecting the revenues generated by the operation of the AVC facilities minus the actual costs of operating the AVC facilities and (2) a payment based on depreciation expense and pre-tax return on invested capital for the AVC facilities. As a result, the payments to be made under the AVC lease will be variable.

 

The AVC lease is a capital lease under GAAP. The gross capital lease assets and obligations recorded in 2013 were approximately $134.4 million. The Partnership expects modernization capital expenditures will be incurred by EQT to upgrade the AVC facilities. As the capital expenditures are incurred, the capital lease asset and obligations will increase.

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, interest expense of $5.4 million and $10.3 million, respectively, and depreciation expense of $1.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively, were recorded related to the capital lease. At June 30, 2014, accumulated depreciation was $3.2 million, net capital lease assets were $135.6 million and capital lease obligations were $137.4 million.

 

H.                       Net Income per Limited Partner Unit

 

The Partnership’s net income is allocated to the general partner and limited partners, including subordinated unitholders, in accordance with their respective ownership percentages, and when applicable, giving effect to incentive distributions allocable to the general partner. The allocation of undistributed earnings, or net income in excess of distributions, to the incentive distribution rights is limited to available cash (as defined by the Partnership’s partnership agreement) for the period. Net income allocated to the general partner includes amounts attributed to incentive distributions, as applicable. The Partnership’s net income allocable to the limited partners is allocated between common and subordinated unitholders by applying the provisions of the Partnership’s partnership agreement that govern actual cash distributions as if all earnings for the period had been distributed. Any common units issued during the period are included on a weighted-average basis for the days in which they were outstanding. The phantom units granted to the independent directors of the Partnership’s general partner will be paid in common units on a director’s termination of service on the general partner’s Board of Directors. As there are no remaining service, performance or market conditions related to these awards, approximately 11,500 phantom unit awards were

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

included in the calculation of basic weighted average limited partner units outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.

 

Diluted net income per limited partner unit reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or agreements to issue common units, such as awards under the long-term incentive plan, were exercised, settled or converted into common units.  When it is determined that potential common units resulting from an award subject to performance or market conditions should be included in the diluted net income per limited partner unit calculation, the impact is reflected by applying the treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive securities, consisting of performance awards, included in the calculation of diluted net income per limited partner unit totaled 126,202 and 105,740 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Potentially dilutive securities, consisting of performance awards, included in the calculation of diluted net income per limited partner unit totaled 122,907 and 110,959 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The 2014 EQM Value Driver Awards granted in the first quarter of 2014 were not included in potentially dilutive securities because the performance condition has not yet been met.

 

The following table presents the Partnership’s calculation of net income per limited partner unit for common and subordinated limited partner units. Net income attributable to Sunrise for periods prior to July 22, 2013 and to Jupiter for periods prior to May 7, 2014 was not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per limited partner unit.

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Thousands, except per unit data)

Net income

$  

52,080

$  

40,659

$  

101,584

$  

80,394

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-acquisition net income allocated to parent

 

(5,502)

 

(19,628)

 

(20,151)

 

(35,284)

General partner interest in net income – 2%

 

(932)

 

(465)

 

(1,628)

 

(970)

General partner interest in net income attributable to incentive distribution rights

 

(1,860)

 

 

(2,886)

 

Limited partner interest in net income

$  

43,786

$  

20,566

$  

76,919

$  

44,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income allocable to common units - basic

$  

30,861

$  

9,209

$  

52,020

$  

20,363

Net income allocable to subordinated units - basic

 

12,925

 

11,357

 

24,899

 

23,777

Limited partner interest in net income - basic

$  

43,786

$  

20,566

$  

76,919

$  

44,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income allocable to common units – diluted

$  

30,871

$  

9,236

$  

52,038

$  

20,426

Net income allocable to subordinated units – diluted

 

12,915

 

11,330

 

24,881

 

23,714

Limited partner interest in net income – diluted

$  

43,786

$  

20,566

$  

76,919

$  

44,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding – basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common units

 

36,919

 

17,339

 

34,159

 

17,339

Subordinated units

 

17,340

 

17,340

 

17,340

 

17,340

Total

 

54,259

 

34,679

 

51,499

 

34,679

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding – diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common units

 

37,046

 

17,445

 

34,282

 

17,450

Subordinated units

 

17,340

 

17,340

 

17,340

 

17,340

Total

 

54,386

 

34,785

 

51,622

 

34,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per limited partner unit – basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common units

$  

0.84

$  

0.53

$  

1.52

$  

1.17

Subordinated units

 

0.75

 

0.65

 

1.44

 

1.37

Total

$  

0.81

$  

0.59

$  

1.49

$  

1.27

 

14



Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Thousands, except per unit data)

Net income per limited partner unit – diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common units

$  

0.83

$  

0.53

$  

1.52

$  

1.17

Subordinated units

 

0.74

 

0.65

 

1.43

 

1.37

Total

$  

0.81

$  

0.59

$  

1.49

$  

1.27

 

 

I.                            Subsidiary Guarantors

 

The Partnership filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC on July 1, 2013, as updated by a post- effective amendment filed with the SEC on June 26, 2014.  The purpose of the Form S-3 was to register, among other securities, debt securities. Certain subsidiaries of the Partnership are co-registrants with the Partnership (Subsidiary Guarantors), and the registration statement registered guarantees of debt securities by one or more of the Subsidiary Guarantors (other than EQT Midstream Finance Corporation, a 100% owned subsidiary of the Partnership whose primary purpose is to act as co-issuer of debt securities). The Subsidiary Guarantors are 100% owned by the Partnership and any guarantees by the Subsidiary Guarantors will be full and unconditional. Subsidiaries of the Partnership other than the Subsidiary Guarantors and EQT Midstream Finance Corporation, if any, are minor. The Partnership has no assets or operations independent of the Subsidiary Guarantors and EQT Midstream Finance Corporation, and there are no significant restrictions upon the ability of the Subsidiary Guarantors to distribute funds to the Partnership by dividend or loan. In the event that more than one of the Subsidiary Guarantors provide guarantees of any debt securities issued by the Partnership, such guarantees will constitute joint and several obligations. None of the assets of the Partnership or the Subsidiary Guarantors represent restricted net assets pursuant to Rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

J.                          Subsequent Events

 

On July 22, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s general partner declared a cash distribution to the Partnership’s unitholders for the second quarter of 2014 of $0.52 per common and subordinated unit, $0.7 million to the general partner related to its 2% general partner interest and $1.9 million to the general partner related to its incentive distribution rights. The cash distribution will be paid on August 14, 2014 to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 5, 2014.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP (EQT Midstream Partners or the Partnership) is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership. The Partnership’s consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively recast for all periods presented to include the historical results of Sunrise Pipeline, LLC (Sunrise), which was merged into the Partnership on July 22, 2013, and the Jupiter Gathering System (Jupiter), which was acquired on May 7, 2014, as the transactions were between entities under common control. You should read the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report. References in the following discussion and analysis to ‘‘EQT’’ refer collectively to EQT Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

 

Disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking and usually identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “may,” “forecast,” “approximate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial matters.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the matters discussed in the section captioned “Outlook” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives, and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, including guidance regarding the Partnership’s transmission and storage and gathering revenue and volume growth; infrastructure programs (including the timing, cost, capacity and sources of funding with respect to transmission and gathering expansion projects); the timing, cost and capacity of the Ohio Valley Connector (OVC) and Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) projects; the expected terms and structure of the proposed joint venture related to the MVP project, including the EQT affiliate to own and/or operate MVP; natural gas production growth in the Partnership’s operating areas for EQT and third parties; asset acquisitions, including the Partnership’s ability to complete any asset acquisitions from EQT or third parties; the amount and timing of distributions, including expected increases; the effect of the AVC lease on distributable cash flow; future projected AVC lease payments; projected operating and capital expenditures; liquidity and financing requirements, including sources and availability; the effects of government regulation and litigation; and tax position. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results.  Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.  The Partnership has based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions about future events.  While the Partnership considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Partnership’s control. With respect to the proposed pipeline projects, these risks and uncertainties include, among others, the ability to obtain regulatory permits and approvals, the ability to secure customer contracts, the availability of skilled labor, equipment and materials, and, with respect to MVP, the risk that the joint venture may not be consummated.  Additional risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance and results of the Partnership’s business and forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Partnership’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Partnership does not intend to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

In reviewing any agreements incorporated by reference in or filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember that such agreements are included to provide information regarding the terms of such agreements and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Partnership. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by the Partnership, which should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties to such agreements should those statements prove to be inaccurate. The representations and warranties were made only as of the date of the relevant agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in such agreement and are subject to more recent developments.  Accordingly, these representations and warranties alone may not describe the actual state of affairs of the Partnership or its affiliates as of the date they were made or at any other time.

 

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Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Executive Overview

 

The Partnership declared a cash distribution to unitholders of $0.52 per unit on July 22, 2014, which represents a 6% increase over the previous distribution paid on May 15, 2014 of $0.49 per unit.

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Partnership reported net income of $52.1 million compared to $40.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013. The increase was primarily related to an increase in transmission and storage revenues of $17.2 million primarily due to increased firm transmission contracted capacity, driven by production development in the Marcellus Shale and the addition of AVC and lower income tax expense.  These increases were partly offset by a $7.2 million increase in operating expenses and higher interest expense primarily related to the AVC lease.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Partnership reported net income of $101.6 million compared to $80.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. The increase was primarily related to an increase in operating revenues of $39.8 million driven by production development in the Marcellus Shale and the addition of AVC, and lower income tax expense.  These increases were partly offset by a $16.4 million increase in operating expenses and higher interest expense primarily related to the AVC lease.

 

Business Segment Results of Operations

 

Operating segments are revenue-producing components of the enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and is subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources. Interest and other income are managed on a consolidated basis. The Partnership has presented each segment’s operating income and various operational measures in the sections below. Management believes that presentation of this information provides useful information to management and investors regarding the financial condition, results of operations and trends of segments. The Partnership has reconciled each segment’s operating income to the Partnership’s consolidated operating income and net income in Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Operating revenues and operating expenses related to the AVC facilities do not have an impact on adjusted EBITDA or distributable cash flow as the excess of the AVC revenues over operating and maintenance and selling, general and administrative expenses is paid to EQT as the current monthly lease payment. All revenues related to the AVC facilities are from third-parties.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Transmission and Storage Results of Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

%

 

2014

 

2013

 

%

FINANCIAL DATA

 

(Thousands, other than per day amounts)

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues – affiliate (1)

$  

26,955

$  

33,904

 

(20.5)

$  

53,056

$  

66,486

 

(20.2)

Operating revenues – third party (1)

 

32,170

 

8,056

 

299.3

 

65,386

 

16,539

 

295.3

Total operating revenues

 

59,125

 

41,960

 

40.9

 

118,442

 

83,025

 

42.7

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and maintenance

 

5,292

 

3,480

 

52.1

 

10,450

 

6,774

 

54.3

Selling, general and administrative

 

5,529

 

4,372

 

26.5

 

11,492

 

7,371

 

55.9

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,322

 

4,442

 

42.3

 

12,481

 

8,753

 

42.6

Total operating expenses

 

17,143

 

12,294

 

39.4

 

34,423

 

22,898

 

50.3

Operating income

$  

41,982

$  

29,666

 

41.5

$  

84,019

$  

60,127

 

39.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATIONAL DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transmission pipeline throughput (BBtu per day)

 

1,676

 

1,152

 

45.5

 

1,640

 

1,027

 

59.7

Capital expenditures

$  

25,080

$  

12,284

 

104.2

$  

39,081

$  

23,223

 

68.3

 

(1)         On December 17, 2013, EQT completed the sale of Equitable Gas Company, LLC (EGC). Prior to the sale, revenues related to sales to EGC were recorded as affiliate revenues. Subsequent to the sale, revenues related to sales to EGC are recorded as third party revenues. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, these revenues were $9.1 million and $20.0 million, respectively.

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2013

 

Transmission and storage revenues increased by $17.2 million as a result of higher third party and affiliate firm transmission contracted capacity of $15.8 million, including $6.4 million related to the AVC facilities, and higher interruptible transmission service. The increase in transmission revenue is the result of increased production development in the Marcellus Shale.

 

Operating expenses totaled $17.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $12.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013.  The increase in operating and maintenance expense resulted from additional costs associated with operating the AVC facilities of $1.2 million and increased repairs and maintenance expenses associated with increased throughput.  The selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily related to additional costs associated with operating the AVC facilities of $1.0 million. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily a result of AVC facilities capital lease depreciation expense of $1.5 million as well as higher depreciation on the increased investment in transmission infrastructure, most notably the Low Pressure East expansion project that was placed into service in the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2013

 

Transmission and storage revenues increased by $35.4 million as a result of higher third party and affiliate firm transmission contracted capacity of $34.4 million, including $15.4 million related to the AVC facilities, and higher interruptible transmission service. The increase in transmission revenue is the result of increased production development in the Marcellus Shale.

 

Operating expenses totaled $34.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $22.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013.  The increase in operating and maintenance expense resulted from additional costs associated with operating the AVC facilities of $2.3 million, increased repairs and maintenance expenses associated with increased throughput and higher allocations including personnel costs from EQT. Selling, general and

 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

administrative expenses increased primarily related to additional costs associated with operating the AVC facilities of $1.9 million, $1.1 million of increased professional services and other costs associated with growth of the business and $0.8 million of increased personnel costs including incentive compensation. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily a result of AVC facilities capital lease depreciation expense of $2.8 million as well as higher depreciation on the increased investment in transmission infrastructure, most notably the Low Pressure East expansion project that was placed into service in the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

Gathering Results of Operations

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

%

 

2014

 

2013

 

%

FINANCIAL DATA

 

(Thousands, other than per day amounts)

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating revenues – affiliate

$  

30,203

$  

32,334

 

(6.6)

$  

62,069

$  

59,325

 

4.6

Operating revenues – third party

 

2,240

 

1,377

 

62.7

 

4,468

 

2,873

 

55.5

Total operating revenues

 

32,443

 

33,711

 

(3.8)

 

66,537

 

62,198

 

7.0

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and maintenance

 

5,655

 

4,887

 

15.7

 

11,107

 

9,506

 

16.8

Selling, general and administrative

 

5,027

 

3,658

 

37.4

 

9,538

 

6,740

 

41.5

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,203

 

1,992

 

10.6

 

4,415

 

3,946

 

11.9

Total operating expenses

 

12,885

 

10,537

 

22.3

 

25,060

 

20,192

 

24.1

Operating income

$  

19,558

$  

23,174

 

(15.6)

$  

41,477

$  

42,006

 

(1.3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATIONAL DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gathering volumes (BBtu per day)

 

708

 

656

 

7.9

 

687

 

596

 

15.3

Capital expenditures

$  

24,858

$  

6,924

 

259.0

$  

41,031

$  

18,334

 

123.8

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2013

 

Gathering revenues decreased by $1.3 million as a result of a lower average gathering fee partly offset by higher gathered volumes for the three months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2013. The average gathering fee decreased due to a lower gathering rate on Marcellus Shale volumes in the current year for Jupiter. The increase in gathered volumes was the result of increased production development in the Marcellus Shale.

 

Operating expenses totaled $12.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $10.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013.  The increase in operating and maintenance expense was primarily due to increases in repairs and maintenance and allocations from EQT partly offset by decreased purchased gas costs.  Fuel usage and other requirements on the gathering system, excluding Jupiter, have historically exceeded the natural gas retained from the Partnership’s gathering customers as compensation for its fuel usage and other requirements.  Purchased gas costs were recorded for the difference.  The decline in purchased gas costs during 2014 was primarily the result of operating improvements.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expense primarily resulted from increased allocations from EQT of $0.7 million due to higher corporate overhead and personnel costs as well as transaction costs of $0.7 million incurred by the Partnership in connection with the Jupiter Acquisition.  The increase in depreciation and amortization expense resulted from additional assets placed in-service.

 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2013

 

Gathering revenues increased by $4.3 million as a result of higher gathered volumes partly offset by a lower average gathering fee for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2013. The increase in gathered volumes was the result of increased production development in the Marcellus Shale.  The average gathering fee decreased due to a lower gathering rate on Marcellus Shale volumes in the current year for Jupiter.

 

Operating expenses totaled $25.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $20.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013.  The increase in operating and maintenance expense was primarily due to increases in repairs and maintenance and allocations from EQT partly offset by decreased purchased gas costs.  Fuel usage and other requirements on the gathering system, excluding Jupiter, have historically exceeded the natural gas retained from the Partnership’s gathering customers as compensation for its fuel usage and other requirements.  Purchased gas costs were recorded for the difference.  The decline in purchased gas costs during 2014 was primarily the result of operating improvements.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expense primarily resulted from increased allocations from EQT of $1.9 million due to higher corporate overhead and personnel costs and transaction costs of $0.7 million incurred by the Partnership in connection with the Jupiter Acquisition.  The increase in depreciation and amortization expense resulted from additional assets placed in-service.

 

Other Income Statement Items

 

Other income primarily represents the equity portion of AFUDC, which generally increases during periods of increased construction and decreases during periods of reduced construction of regulated assets. Other income increased $0.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.

 

Interest expense was $6.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013.  The increase primarily related to interest incurred on the AVC facilities capital lease of $5.4 million and interest related to the borrowings on the credit facility of $1.1 million.  Interest expense was $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. The increase primarily related to interest incurred on the AVC facilities capital lease of $10.3 million and interest related to the borrowings on the credit facility of $1.5 million.

 

Income tax expense was $3.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $12.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and $12.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $21.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. The Partnership is not subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes. As previously noted, the Sunrise Merger on July 22, 2013 and the Jupiter Acquisition on May 7, 2014 were transactions between entities under common control for which the consolidated financial statements of the Partnership have been retrospectively recast to reflect the combined entities.  Accordingly, the income tax effects associated with Sunrise’s and Jupiter’s operations prior to the Sunrise Merger and the Jupiter Acquisition are reflected in the consolidated financial statements as Sunrise and Jupiter were previously part of EQT’s consolidated federal tax return. The first half of 2013 included a full six months of recast income tax expense for Sunrise and Jupiter, while 2014 included no income tax for Sunrise and income tax for Jupiter through May 7, 2014 only. The decrease in income tax expense resulted primarily from the timing of the Sunrise Merger and the Jupiter Acquisition.

 

See “Investing Activities” and “Capital Requirements” in the “Capital Resources and Liquidity” section below for a discussion of capital expenditures.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

The Partnership defines adjusted EBITDA as net income plus net interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, income tax expense (if applicable), non-cash long-term compensation expense and other non-cash adjustments (if applicable) less other income and capital lease payments and Jupiter EBITDA prior to acquisitions. The Partnership defines distributable cash flow as adjusted EBITDA less interest expense, excluding capital lease interest and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, net of expected reimbursements.  Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures that management and external users of the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, use to assess:

 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

·                    the Partnership’s operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships in the midstream energy industry without regard to historical cost basis or, in the case of adjusted EBITDA, financing methods;

·                    the ability of the Partnership’s assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to the Partnership’s unitholders;

·                    the Partnership’s ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; and

·                    the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities.

 

The Partnership believes that adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow provide useful information to investors in assessing the Partnership’s financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Additionally, because adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may be defined differently by other companies in its industry, the Partnership’s definition of adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility. Distributable cash flow should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount of cash that the Partnership has available for distributions from operating surplus or that the Partnership plans to distribute.

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow with net income and net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Thousands)

Net income

$  

52,080

$  

40,659

$  

101,584

$  

80,394

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

6,629

 

213

 

12,284

 

417

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

8,525

 

6,434

 

16,896

 

12,699

Income tax expense

 

3,390

 

12,197

 

12,456

 

21,848

Non-cash long-term compensation expense

 

827

 

209

 

1,805

 

562

Non-cash adjustments

 

 

(430)

 

 

(680)

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

(559)

 

(229)

 

(828)

 

(526)

Capital lease payments for AVC (1)

 

(4,216)

 

 

(11,195)

 

Pre-merger capital lease payments for Sunrise (1)

 

 

(8,338)

 

 

(15,201)

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Jupiter prior to acquisition (2)

 

(9,496)

 

(27,286)

 

(34,733)

 

(49,374)

Adjusted EBITDA

$  

57,180

$  

23,429

$  

98,269

$  

50,139

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, excluding capital lease interest

 

(1,275)

 

(221)

 

(1,992)

 

(440)

Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, net of expected reimbursements

 

(3,340)

 

(2,097)

 

(4,821)

 

(4,171)

Distributable cash flow

$  

52,565

$  

21,111

$  

91,456

$  

45,528

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

$  

78,000

$  

36,070

$  

124,159

$  

83,364

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

6,629

 

213

 

12,284

 

417

Current tax expense

 

3,291

 

10,220

 

12,028

 

18,986

Capital lease payments for AVC (1)

 

(4,216)

 

 

(11,195)

 

Pre-merger capital lease payments for Sunrise (1)

 

 

(8,338)

 

 

(15,201)

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Jupiter prior to acquisition (2)

 

(9,496)

 

(27,286)

 

(34,733)

 

(49,374)

Other, including changes in working capital

 

(17,028)

 

12,550

 

(4,274)

 

11,947

Adjusted EBITDA

$  

57,180

$  

23,429

$  

98,269

$  

50,139

 

(1)         Capital lease payments presented are the amounts incurred on an accrual basis and do not reflect the timing of actual cash payments. These lease payments are generally made monthly on a one month lag.

(2)         Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Jupiter prior to acquisition for the periods presented was excluded from the Partnership’s adjusted EBITDA calculations as these amounts were generated by Jupiter prior to the Partnership’s acquisition;  therefore, they were not amounts that could have been distributed to the Partnership’s unitholders.  Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Jupiter for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 is calculated as net income of $5.5 million and $20.1 million plus depreciation and amortization expense of $0.6 million and $2.1 million plus income tax expense of $3.4 million and $12.5 million, respectively.  Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Jupiter for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2013 is calculated as net income of $16.1 million and $29.1 million plus depreciation and amortization expense of $1.3 million and $2.5 million plus income tax expense of $9.9 million and $17.8 million, respectively.

 

Adjusted EBITDA was $57.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $23.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and $98.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $50.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. These increases were primarily a result of increased transmission

 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

and storage operating revenues related to production development in the Marcellus Shale and the Sunrise Merger and Jupiter Acquisition, which resulted in Sunrise and Jupiter EBITDA being reflected in adjusted EBITDA subsequent to the transactions, partly offset by an increase in operating expenses consistent with the overall growth of the transmission system. Distributable cash flow was $52.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $21.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and $91.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to $45.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. These increases were mainly attributable to the increase in adjusted EBITDA.

 

Outlook

 

The Partnership’s principal business objective is to increase the quarterly cash distributions that it pays to its unitholders over time while ensuring the ongoing growth of its business. The Partnership believes that it is well-positioned to achieve growth based on the combination of its relationship with EQT and its strategically located assets, which cover portions of the Marcellus Shale that lack substantial natural gas pipeline infrastructure. As production increases in the Partnership’s areas of operations, the Partnership believes it will have a competitive advantage in attracting volumes to its system through relatively low-cost capacity expansions. Additionally, the Partnership may acquire additional midstream assets from EQT, or pursue asset acquisitions from third parties. Should EQT choose to pursue midstream asset sales, it is under no contractual obligation to offer the assets to the Partnership.

 

In the near term, the Partnership expects that the following expansion projects will also allow it to capitalize on increased drilling activity by EQT and other third-party producers.

 

                   Jefferson Compressor Station Expansion Project. This project involves expanding the Jefferson compressor station to provide approximately 550 BBtu per day of incremental capacity on the Sunrise Pipeline system. When complete, the project is expected to more than double the existing throughput capacity on the Sunrise Pipeline of approximately 400 BBtu per day. The expansion is expected to cost approximately $30 million and to be placed into service in the third quarter of 2014.

 

                   Transmission Expansion (Antero Project). The Partnership entered into two separate agreements with Antero Resources for firm transportation services on the Partnership’s transmission system. Under each agreement, the Partnership will ultimately provide 100 BBtu per day of firm transmission capacity on the transmission system for a combined total of 200 BBtu per day. As part of the agreements, the Partnership expects to spend approximately $55 million on two separate transmission expansion projects in northern West Virginia. The West-Side Expansion will add 100 BBtu per day of transmission capacity at an estimated cost of $26 million and is expected to be in full service by year-end 2014. The East-Side Expansion will add 100 BBtu per day of transmission capacity at an estimated cost of $29 million and is expected to be in full service by mid-year 2015. The agreements are primarily fixed-fee, demand based contracts with a 10-year term commencing on the applicable project’s full 100 BBtu per day in-service date.

 

                   Transmission and Gathering Expansion (Range Resources Project). The Partnership entered into agreements with a subsidiary of Range Resources Corporation to provide gathering, compression, and transmission services in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Partnership expects to invest approximately $30 million in gathering infrastructure and $25 million in a transmission expansion project in conjunction with the agreements.  The transmission expansion will add approximately 100 BBtu per day of capacity to the Partnership’s transmission system and is expected to be in service in the fourth quarter of 2014.  The agreements include a fee-based 10-year minimum volume commitment for gathering and transmission services.

 

                   Jupiter Gathering Expansion.  The Partnership expects to complete several expansion projects related to the Jupiter gathering system during 2014 and 2015.  These expansion projects are fully subscribed under the Jupiter Gas Gathering Agreement with EQT. The 2014 expansion involves the construction of the Halo compressor station and the addition of compression at the Callisto and Jupiter compressor stations in Greene County, Pennsylvania and is expected to be placed into service in the fourth quarter of 2014. This expansion is expected to add approximately 350 MMcf per day of compression capacity and is estimated to cost approximately $47 million. The 2015 expansion involves the construction of the Europa compressor station in Greene County and is expected to be placed into service in the fourth quarter of 2015. This expansion is expected to add approximately 200 MMcf per day of compression capacity and is estimated to cost

 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

approximately $51 million. In addition, the Partnership expects to spend approximately $84 million over 2014 and 2015 to build approximately 20 miles of additional gathering pipelines and for field pressure reduction.

 

·                  Ohio Valley Connector.  The Partnership announced that it will construct and own the Ohio Valley Connector (OVC) pipeline, which will be regulated by FERC. OVC will connect the Partnership’s transmission and storage system in northern West Virginia to Clarington, Ohio. At Clarington, OVC will interconnect with the Rockies Express Pipeline and the Texas Eastern Pipeline. In addition to providing Marcellus producers access to pipelines serving Midwest and Gulf Coast markets, OVC will provide Utica producers, located along the route, direct access to the Partnerships’ extensive transmission system and is expected to be in-service by mid-year 2016. Subject to FERC approval, the 36 mile pipeline extension will provide approximately 1.0 Bcf per day of transmission capacity and is estimated to cost $300 million.  The Partnership has entered into a 20-year precedent agreement with EQT for a total of 650 MMcf per day of firm transmission capacity on OVC.

 

·                  Mountain Valley Pipeline.  On July 10, 2014, EQT completed a non-binding open season for the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline project. The open season resulted in significant interest from many potential shippers. EQT is working toward binding precedent agreements with shippers and expects to have an update on the project within the next several months. EQT currently expects the 330-mile project, which is subject to Board and FERC approval, to extend from the Partnership’s transmission and storage system in West Virginia to southern Virginia, to provide approximately two billion cubic feet per day of firm transmission capacity and to be in-service by the end of 2018. The pipeline is expected to be constructed and owned by a joint venture between EQT or the Partnership and NextEra Energy, Inc.

 

On April 30, 2014, EQT entered into a gas gathering agreement with EQT Gathering for gathering services on Jupiter (Jupiter Gas Gathering Agreement). The Jupiter Gas Gathering Agreement has a ten year term (with year-to-year rollovers), beginning May 1, 2014. Under the agreement, EQT has subscribed for all of the approximately 225 MMcf per day of firm compression capacity currently available on Jupiter. The Partnership anticipates future expansion projects which are expected to bring the total Jupiter compression capacity to approximately 775 MMcf per day. EQT has agreed to separate ten year terms (with year-to-year rollovers) for the compression capacity associated with each expansion project. After all of the expansion projects scheduled to be completed in 2014 and 2015 have been placed into service, EQT’s firm reservation fee is expected to result in revenue of approximately $173 million annually. EQT also agreed to pay a monthly usage fee for volumes gathered in excess of firm compression capacity. In connection with the closing of the Jupiter Acquisition, the Jupiter Gas Gathering Agreement was assigned to EQM Gathering.

 

Capital Resources and Liquidity

 

The Partnership’s principal liquidity requirements are to finance its operations, fund capital expenditures and acquisitions, make cash distributions and satisfy any indebtedness obligations. The Partnership’s ability to meet these liquidity requirements will depend on its ability to generate cash in the future. The Partnership’s available sources of liquidity include cash generated from operations, borrowing under the Partnership’s credit facility, cash on hand, debt offerings and issuances of additional partnership units.

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $124.2 million for the first six months of 2014 compared to $83.4 million for the first six months of 2013. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was driven by higher operating income for which contributing factors are discussed in the “Executive Overview” section herein and timing of payments between the two periods.

 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $248.1 million for the first six months of 2014 compared to $41.6 million for the first six months of 2013. The increase was primarily attributable to the acquisition of the Jupiter net assets from EQT as well as the following expansion projects: the Jupiter gathering expansion, the Range Resources project, the Jefferson compressor station expansion project and the Ohio Valley Connector. These increases were partly offset by decreases in maintenance capital expenditures related to timing of the projects.

 

See further discussion of capital expenditures in the “Capital Requirements” section below.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $131.4 million for the first six months of 2014 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $67.6 million for the first six months of 2013.  Cash inflows for the first six months of 2014 from the equity offering and net borrowings under the Partnership’s credit facility totaling $1.2 billion were mostly offset by cash payments for the Jupiter acquisition of approximately $1.0 billion, the Sunrise merger of $110.0 million and distributions to unitholders of $48.0 million.  Cash outflows for the first six months of 2013 primarily related to predecessor distributions paid to EQT of $29.0 million and distributions to unitholders of $25.5 million.

 

Capital Requirements

 

The transmission, storage and gathering businesses can be capital intensive, requiring significant investment to maintain and upgrade existing operations and pursue expansion projects. Capital expenditures for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Expansion capital expenditures

$

43,694

$

12,431

$

71,695

$

29,350

 

Maintenance capital expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ongoing maintenance

 

3,723

 

2,987

 

5,331

 

6,139

 

Funded regulatory compliance

 

2,521

 

3,790

 

3,086

 

6,068

 

Total maintenance capital expenditures

 

6,244

 

6,777

 

8,417

 

12,207

 

Total capital expenditures (1)

$

49,938

$

19,208

$

80,112

$

41,557

 

 

(1)         The Partnership capitalizes certain labor overhead costs which include a portion of non-cash equity-based compensation.  These non-cash capital expenditures in the table above were approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.

 

Expansion capital expenditures increased primarily due to expenditures related to the Jupiter gathering expansion, the Range Resources project, the Jefferson compressor station expansion project and the Ohio Valley Connector.

 

Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures are all maintenance capital expenditures other than funded regulatory compliance capital expenditures described in this section. The period over period changes primarily relate to the timing of projects. Included in these amounts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 were $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of maintenance capital expenditures that the Partnership expects to be reimbursed by EQT under the terms of the omnibus agreement.  Included in these amounts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 were $0.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively, of maintenance capital expenditures that the Partnership was reimbursed by EQT under the terms of the omnibus agreement.  The reimbursement of maintenance capital expenditures is only applicable to the Partnership’s assets owned at the time of the IPO.  Amounts reimbursed are recorded as capital contributions when received.

 

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Funded regulatory compliance capital expenditures decreased primarily due to the timing of costs associated with a multi-year program to install remote valve and pressure monitoring equipment on the Partnership’s transmission and storage system. The Partnership retained approximately $32 million from the net proceeds of its IPO to fund these expenditures. Since the IPO, funded regulatory compliance capital expenditures have totaled $22.0 million.

 

The Partnership forecasts total capital expenditures of $225 million to $250 million in 2014. The Partnership’s future expansion capital expenditures may vary significantly from period to period based on the available investment opportunities. Maintenance related capital expenditures are also expected to vary quarter to quarter. The Partnership expects to fund future capital expenditures primarily through cash on hand, cash generated from operations, availability under the Partnership’s credit facility, debt offerings and the issuance of additional partnership units. The Partnership forecasts capital expenditures only for projects it has the authority to complete.

 

Short-term Borrowings

 

In February 2014, the Partnership amended its credit facility to increase the borrowing capacity to $750 million. The amended credit facility will expire in February 2019. The credit facility is available to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures, to purchase assets, to pay distributions and to repurchase units and for general partnership purposes. Subject to certain terms and conditions, the credit facility has an accordion feature that allows the Partnership to increase the available revolving borrowings under the facility by up to an additional $250 million. In addition, the credit facility includes a sublimit up to $75 million for same-day swing line advances and a sublimit up to $150 million for letters of credit. The Partnership has the right to request that one or more lenders make term loans to it under the credit facility subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, which term loans will be secured by cash and qualifying investment grade securities. The Partnership’s obligations under the revolving portion of the credit facility are unsecured.

 

The Partnership’s credit facility contains various provisions that, if not complied with, could result in termination of the credit facility, require early payment of amounts outstanding or similar actions.  The most significant covenants and events of default under the credit facility relate to maintenance of permitted leverage ratio, limitations on transactions with affiliates, insolvency events, nonpayment of scheduled principal or interest payments, acceleration of other financial obligations and change of control provisions.  Under the credit facility, the Partnership is required to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 5.00 to 1.00 (or, if the Partnership has an investment grade rating, not more than 5.50 to 1.00 for certain measurement periods following the consummation of certain acquisitions). As of June 30, 2014, the Partnership was in compliance with all credit facility provisions and covenants.

 

On May 7, 2014, the Partnership borrowed $340 million on its credit facility for the Jupiter Acquisition. On May 14, 2014, the Partnership made a $120 million payment to reduce its outstanding balance on the credit facility.  The Partnership had $330 million outstanding on the credit facility as of June 30, 2014.

 

Distributions

 

A cash distribution to unitholders of $0.49 per limited partner unit was paid on May 15, 2014 related to the first quarter of 2014. On July 22, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s general partner declared a cash distribution to the Partnership’s unitholders for the second quarter of 2014 of $0.52 per common and subordinated unit, $0.7 million to the general partner related to its 2% general partner interest and $1.9 million to the general partner related to its incentive distribution rights. The cash distribution will be paid on August 14, 2014 to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 5, 2014.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Partnership.  While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the Partnership is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. The Partnership accrues legal and other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. The Partnership has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters, and after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, the Partnership believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against the

 

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EQT Midstream Partners, LP

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Partnership will not materially affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Partnership’s critical accounting policies are described in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for the year ended December 31, 2013 contained in the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on June 26, 2014.  Any new accounting policies or updates to existing accounting policies as a result of new accounting pronouncements have been included in the notes to the Partnership’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 on this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2014.  The application of the Partnership’s critical accounting policies may require management to make judgments and estimates about the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements.  Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates and judgments.  Different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and estimates.

 

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Partnership maintains a credit facility. The Partnership may from time to time hedge the interest on portions of its borrowings under the credit facility in order to manage risks associated with floating interest rates.

 

Credit Risk

 

The Partnership is exposed to credit risk. Credit risk is the risk that the Partnership may incur a loss if a counterparty fails to perform under a contract. The Partnership manages its exposure to credit risk associated with customers through credit analysis, credit approval, credit limits and monitoring procedures. For certain transactions, the Partnership may request letters of credit, cash collateral, prepayments or guarantees as forms of credit support. The Partnership’s FERC tariff requires tariff customers that do not meet specified credit standards to provide three months of credit support; however, the Partnership is exposed to credit risk beyond this three month period when its tariff does not require its customers to provide additional credit support. For some of the Partnership’s more recent long-term contracts associated with system expansions, it has entered into negotiated credit agreements that provide for enhanced forms of credit support if certain credit standards are not met. The Partnership has historically experienced only minimal credit losses in connection with its receivables. Approximately 50% and 59% of the Partnership’s third party accounts receivable balances as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, represent amounts due from marketers. The Partnership is also exposed to the credit risk of EQT, its largest customer. In connection with the IPO, EQT guaranteed all payment obligations, up to a maximum of $50 million, due and payable to Equitrans by EQT Energy, LLC, one of Equitrans’ largest customers. The EQT guaranty will terminate on November 30, 2023 unless terminated earlier by EQT upon 10 days written notice. At June 30, 2014, EQT’s public senior debt had an investment grade credit rating. In order to be considered investment grade, a company must be rated BBB- or higher by S&P and Baa3 or higher by Moody’s.  Anything below these ratings is considered non-investment grade.

 

Other market risks

 

The Partnership has a $750 million revolving credit facility that matures on February 18, 2019. The credit facility is underwritten by a syndicate of financial institutions, each of which is obligated to fund its pro-rata portion of any borrowings by the Partnership. As of June 30, 2014, the Partnership had $330 million of loans outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under its credit facility. No one lender of the large group of financial institutions in the syndicate holds more than 10% of the facility. The Partnership’s large syndicate group and relatively low percentage of participation by each lender is expected to limit the Partnership’s exposure to problems or consolidation in the banking industry.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of management of the Partnership’s general partner, including the general partner’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, an evaluation of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)), was conducted as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Partnership’s general partner concluded that the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the second quarter of 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Partnership. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, the Partnership is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. The Partnership accrues legal or other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. The Partnership has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters, and after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, the Partnership believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against the Partnership will not materially affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Information regarding risk factors is discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.  There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Amendment to the Partnership Agreement

 

On July 24, 2014, EQT Midstream Services, LLC, which is the general partner of the Partnership (the General Partner), entered into an amendment to the Partnership’s First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (the Partnership Agreement). The amendment, which became effective on July 24, 2014, changes the definition of an “eligible taxable holder” and gives the General Partner flexibility in making the determination of whether a unitholder is an “eligible taxable holder,” among other things. Under the previous definition, “eligible taxable holders” were (a) individuals or entities subject to United States federal income taxation on the Partnership’s income or (b) entities not subject to taxation on the Partnership’s income, so long as all of the entity’s owners are subject to such taxation.  Under the new definition, “eligible taxable holders” are individuals or entities (a) whose, or whose owners’, U.S. federal income tax status (or lack of proof thereof) does not have, or is not reasonably likely to have, as determined by the General Partner, a material adverse effect on the rates that can be charged to customers by the Partnership or its subsidiaries with respect to assets that are subject to regulation by the FERC or similar regulatory body or (b) as to whom the General Partner cannot make the determination provided for in clause (a), if the General Partner determines that it is in the best interest of the Partnership to permit such individual or entity (or category thereof) to own interests of the Partnership. The General Partner can change its determination of whether a holder, or category of holders, is eligible at any time. The amendment is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Amendment and Restatement of the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner

 

On July 24, 2014, EQT Gathering, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of EQT and the current sole member of the General Partner, entered into the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner (the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement).  The Amended and Restated LLC Agreement reflects a series of contributions of the General Partner’s membership interests from EQT Investments Holdings, LLC, the prior sole member of the General Partner, and designates EQT Gathering, LLC as the sole member of the General Partner as a result of such contributions.  The Amended and Restated LLC Agreement is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Ohio Valley Connector Precedent Agreement

 

On July 23, 2014, Equitrans, LP, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (Equitrans), and EQT Energy, LLC  (EQT Energy), a wholly owned subsidiary of EQT, entered into a Precedent Agreement for approximately 650 BBtu per day of firm transportation capacity on Equitrans’ proposed Ohio Valley Connector pipeline (Precedent Agreement) for a term of 20 years commencing in June 2016.  The Precedent Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

2.1

 

Contribution Agreement by and among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, EQT Midstream Services, LLC, EQM Gathering Opco, LLC and EQT Gathering, LLC, dated as of April 30, 2014. The Partnership will furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule and similar attachment to the SEC upon request.

 

 

 

3.1

 

Amendment No. 1 to the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP, dated July 24, 2014

 

 

 

3.2

 

Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EQT Midstream Services, LLC, dated July 24, 2014

 

 

 

10.1

 

Jupiter Gas Gathering Agreement between EQT Production Company, EQT Energy LLC and EQT Gathering, LLC. Specific items in this exhibit have been redacted, as marked by three asterisks (***), because confidential treatment for those terms has been requested. The redacted material has been separately filed with the SEC.

 

 

 

10.2

 

Precedent Agreement for Transportation Services, dated July 23, 2014, between Equitrans, LP and EQT Energy, LLC

 

 

 

31.1

 

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

 

 

32

 

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer

 

 

 

101

 

Interactive Data File

 

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Signature

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:  July 24, 2014

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

 

Document Description

 

Method of Filing

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

 

Contribution Agreement by and among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, EQT Midstream Services, LLC, EQM Gathering Opco, LLC and EQT Gathering, LLC, dated as of April 30, 2014. The Partnership will furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule and similar attachment to the SEC upon request.

 

Filed as exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K (#001-35574) filed April 30, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

Amendment No. 1 to the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP, dated July 24, 2014

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EQT Midstream Services, LLC, dated July 24, 2014

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 3.2

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

Jupiter Gas Gathering Agreement between EQT Production Company, EQT Energy LLC and EQT Gathering, LLC. Specific items in this exhibit have been redacted, as marked by three asterisks (***), because confidential treatment for those terms has been requested. The redacted material has been separately filed with the SEC.

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

Precedent Agreement for Transportation Services, dated July 23, 2014, between Equitrans, LP and EQT Energy, LLC

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.1

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13(a)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.2

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 32

 

 

 

 

 

101

 

Interactive Data File

 

Filed herewith as Exhibit 101

 

32