FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

OR

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 1-4998

 

 

ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

DELAWARE   23-3011077

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1550 Coraopolis Heights Road

Moon Township, Pennsylvania

  15108
(Address of principal executive office)   (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (412) 262-2830

 

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

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

The number of common units of the registrant outstanding on November 2, 2011 was 53,616,683.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT

ON FORM 10-Q

 

          Page  

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

     3   

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     4   

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

     4   
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (Unaudited)

     4   
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

     5   
  

Consolidated Statement of Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 (Unaudited)

     7   
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

     8   
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     9   

Item 2.

  

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

     38   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     51   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     53   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

     54   

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      54   

Item 5.

   Other Information      54   

Item 6.

   Exhibits      56   

SIGNATURES

     58   

 

2


Table of Contents

Glossary of Terms

Definitions of terms and acronyms generally used in the energy industry and in this report are as follows:

 

BPD    Barrels per day. Barrel - measurement for a standard US barrel is 42 gallons. Crude oil and condensate are generally reported in barrels.

BTU

   British thermal unit, a basic measure of heat energy

Condensate

   Liquid hydrocarbons present in casinghead gas that condense within the gathering system and are removed prior to delivery to the gas plant. This product is generally sold on terms more closely tied to crude oil pricing.

FASB

   Financial Accounting Standards Board

Fractionation

   The process used to separate an NGL stream into its individual components.

GAAP

   Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

IFRS

   International Financial Reporting Standards

Keep-Whole

   Contract with producer whereby plant operator pays for or returns gas having an equivalent BTU content to the gas received at the well-head.

L.P.

   Limited Partner or Limited Partnership

MCF

   Thousand cubic feet

MCFD

   Thousand cubic feet per day

MMBTU

   Million British thermal units

MMCFD

   Million cubic feet per day

NGL(s)

   Natural Gas Liquid(s), primarily ethane, propane, normal butane, isobutane and natural gasoline

Percentage of Proceeds, (“POP”)

   Contract with natural gas producers whereby the plant operator retains a negotiated percentage of the sale proceeds.

Residue gas

   The portion of natural gas remaining after natural gas is processed for removal of NGLs and impurities.

SEC

   Securities and Exchange Commission

Y-grade

   A term utilized in the industry for the NGL stream prior to fractionation, also referred to as “raw mix.”

 

3


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     September 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 167      $ 164   

Accounts receivable

     117,978        99,759   

Notes receivable

     8,500        —     

Current portion of derivative assets

     11,887        —     

Prepaid expenses and other

     15,809        15,118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     154,341        115,041   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     1,481,441        1,341,002   

Intangible assets, net

     109,052        126,379   

Investment in joint ventures

     86,688        153,358   

Long-term portion of derivative assets

     26,950        —     

Other assets, net

     21,841        29,068   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,880,313      $ 1,764,848   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 2,054      $ 210   

Accounts payable – affiliates

     2,676        12,280   

Accounts payable

     45,279        29,382   

Accrued liabilities

     40,378        30,013   

Accrued interest payable

     5,896        1,921   

Current portion of derivative liabilities

     —          4,564   

Accrued producer liabilities

     89,658        72,996   

Distribution payable

     —          240   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     185,941        151,606   

Long-term portion of derivative liabilities

     —          5,608   

Long-term debt, less current portion

     423,927        565,764   

Other long-term liability

     127        223   

Commitments and contingencies

    

Equity:

    

General Partner’s interest

     24,639        20,066   

Class C preferred limited partner’s interest

     —          8,000   

Common limited partners’ interests

     1,281,650        1,057,342   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (6,106     (11,224
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total partners’ capital

     1,300,183        1,074,184   

Non-controlling interest

     (29,865     (32,537
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     1,270,318        1,041,647   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,880,313      $ 1,764,848   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per unit data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Revenue:

        

Natural gas and liquids

   $ 341,498      $ 220,478      $ 937,975      $ 641,978   

Transportation, processing and other fees – third parties

     11,612        9,810        31,280        29,472   

Transportation, processing and other fees – affiliates

     79        141        256        472   

Other income (loss), net

     26,591        (4,311     17,317        10,576   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue and other income (loss), net

     379,780        226,118        986,828        682,498   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

        

Natural gas and liquids

     282,391        178,920        774,859        521,495   

Plant operating

     14,085        12,552        40,240        36,492   

Transportation and compression

     268        300        603        721   

General and administrative

     8,686        7,203        25,477        22,396   

Compensation reimbursement – affiliates

     463        375        1,344        1,125   

Other costs

     8        —          583        —     

Depreciation and amortization

     19,471        18,566        57,499        55,647   

Interest

     5,935        23,087        24,525        74,085   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     331,307        241,003        925,130        711,961   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity income in joint ventures

     1,785        1,787        2,934        4,137   

Gain on asset sale

     —          —          255,674        —     

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —          (4,359     (19,574     (4,359
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     50,258        (17,457     300,732        (29,685
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

        

Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations

     —          311,492        (81     311,492   

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

     —          (5,565     —          9,192   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     —          305,927        (81     320,684   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     50,258        288,470        300,651        290,999   

Income attributable to non-controlling interests

     (1,760     (1,076     (4,492     (3,338

Preferred unit dividends

     —          (240     (389     (240
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common limited partners and the General Partner

   $ 48,498      $ 287,154      $ 295,770      $ 287,421   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per unit data)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011      2010     2011     2010  

Allocation of net income (loss) attributable to:

         

Common limited partner interest:

         

Continuing operations

   $ 47,091       $ (18,414   $ 289,472      $ (32,627

Discontinued operations

     —           300,085        (79     314,559   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     47,091         281,671        289,393        281,932   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

General Partner interest:

         

Continuing operations

     1,407         (359     6,379        (636

Discontinued operations

     —           5,842        (2     6,125   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,407         5,483        6,377        5,489   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to:

         

Continuing operations

     48,498         (18,773     295,851        (33,263

Discontinued operations

     —           305,927        (81     320,684   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 48,498       $ 287,154      $ 295,770      $ 287,421   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners per unit:

         

Basic:

         

Continuing operations

   $ 0.87       $ (0.34   $ 5.37      $ (0.61

Discontinued operations

     —           5.63        —          5.92   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 0.87       $ 5.29      $ 5.37      $ 5.31   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common limited partner units (basic)

     53,588         53,277        53,494        53,115   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted:

         

Continuing operations

   $ 0.87       $ (0.34   $ 5.37      $ (0.61

Discontinued operations Diluted

     —           5.63        —          5.92   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 0.87       $ 5.29      $ 5.37      $ 5.31   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common limited partner units (diluted)

     54,012         53,277        53,923        53,115   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (Unaudited)

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

(in thousands, except unit data)

 

     Number of Limited
Partner Units
    Class C                 Accumulated              
     Class C
Preferred
    Common     Preferred
Limited
Partner
    Common
Limited
Partners
    General
Partner
    Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Non-controlling
Interest
    Total  

Balance at January 1, 2011

     8,000        53,338,010      $ 8,000      $ 1,057,342      $ 20,066      $ (11,224   $ (32,537   $ 1,041,647   

Redemption of Class C cumulative preferred limited partner units

     (8,000     —          (8,000     —          —          —          —          (8,000

Issuance of units under incentive plans

     —          306,275        —          468        —          —          —          468   

Repurchase and retirement of common limited partner units

     —          (28,878     —          (984     —          —          —          (984

Distributions paid

     —          —          (629     (66,869     (1,804     —          —          (69,302

Distributions payable

     —          —          240        —          —          —          —          240   

Distributions paid to non-controlling interests

     —          —          —          —          —          —          (1,820     (1,820

Unissued units under incentive plans

     —          —          —          2,300        —          —          —          2,300   

Other comprehensive income

     —          —          —          —          —          5,118        —          5,118   

Net income

     —          —          389        289,393        6,377        —          4,492        300,651   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2011

     —          53,615,407      $ —        $ 1,281,650      $ 24,639      $ (6,106   $ (29,865   $ 1,270,318   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 300,651      $ 290,999   

Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (81     320,684   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

     300,732        (29,685

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     57,499        55,647   

Equity income in joint ventures

     (2,934     (4,137

Distributions received from joint ventures

     2,548        8,276   

Non-cash compensation expense

     2,507        2,810   

Amortization of deferred finance costs

     3,354        4,729   

Gain on asset sales

     (255,674     —     

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     19,574        4,359   

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other

     (18,950     19,106   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     25,497        11,431   

Accounts payable and accounts receivable – affiliates

     (9,604     8,348   

Derivative accounts payable and receivable

     (43,891     (4,089
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities

     80,658        76,795   

Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities

     —          24,490   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     80,658        101,285   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Capital contribution to equity investment

     (12,250     (6,914

Capital expenditures

     (148,144     (31,194

Acquisition of equity investment

     (85,000     —     

Net proceeds related to asset sales

     411,480        —     

Other

     (11     391   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) continuing investing activities

     166,075        (37,717

Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued investing activities

     (81     667,605   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

     165,994        629,888   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Borrowings under credit facility

     995,500        273,000   

Repayments under credit facility

     (867,000     (587,000

Repayment of debt

     (279,557     (433,504

Payment of premium on early retirement of debt

     (14,342     —     

Principal payments on capital lease

     (452     (92

Net proceeds from issuance of common limited partner units

     468        15,319   

Purchase and retirement of treasury units

     (984     —     

Net proceeds from issuance of preferred limited partner units

     —          8,000   

Redemption of preferred limited partner units

     (8,000     —     

Net distributions to non-controlling interest holders

     (1,820     (4,125

Distributions paid to common limited partners, the General Partner and preferred limited partners

     (69,302     —     

Other

     (1,160     (3,626
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (246,649     (732,028
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     3        (855

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     164        1,021   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 167      $ 166   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a publicly-traded (NYSE: APL) Delaware limited partnership engaged in the gathering and processing of natural gas in the Mid-Continent and Appalachia regions and the transportation of NGLs in the Mid-Continent. The Partnership’s operations are conducted through subsidiary entities whose equity interests are owned by Atlas Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership. At September 30, 2011, Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC (the “General Partner”) owned a combined 2.0% general partner interest in the consolidated operations of the Partnership, through which it manages and effectively controls both the Partnership and the Operating Partnership. The General Partner is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlas Energy, L.P, a publicly-traded partnership (NYSE: ATLS). The remaining 98.0% ownership interest in the consolidated operations consists of limited partner interests. At September 30, 2011, the Partnership had 53,615,407 common units outstanding, including 1,641,026 common units held by the General Partner and 4,113,227 common units held by Atlas Energy, L.P

On February 17, 2011, Atlas Energy, Inc., a formerly publicly-traded company, completed an agreement and plan of merger with Chevron Corporation (“Chevron”), pursuant to which, among other things, Atlas Energy, Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron (the “Chevron Merger”). At the time of the Chevron Merger, Atlas Energy, Inc. owned a 64.3% ownership interest in Atlas Energy, L.P.’s common units, and 1,112,000 of the Partnership’s common units, along with 8,000 $1,000 par value 12% cumulative Class C preferred limited partner units. The Partnership’s common units and 12% cumulative Class C preferred units held directly by Atlas Energy, Inc. were acquired by Chevron as part of the Chevron Merger. Atlas Energy, Inc. contributed Atlas Energy, L.P.’s general partner, Atlas Energy GP, LLC (formerly known as Atlas Pipeline Holdings GP, LLC) to Atlas Energy, L.P., so that Atlas Energy GP, LLC became Atlas Energy, L.P.’s wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition, Atlas Energy, Inc. distributed to its stockholders all Atlas Energy, L.P. common units it held. On May 27, 2011, the Partnership redeemed the 8,000 $1,000 par value 12% cumulative Class C preferred limited partner units held by Chevron (see Note 5).

The Partnership has adjusted its consolidated financial statements and related footnote disclosures presented within this Form 10-Q from amounts previously presented to reflect the reclassification of accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs. The Partnership has retrospectively adjusted its prior period consolidated financial statements to reclass the amounts from interest expense to loss on early extinguishment of debt.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements, which are unaudited except the balance sheet at December 31, 2010 is derived from audited financial statements, are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim reporting. They do not include all disclosures normally made in financial statements contained in Form 10-K. In management’s opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods disclosed have been made. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto presented in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The results of operations for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 may not necessarily be indicative of the results of operations for the full year ending December 31, 2011.

 

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NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

In addition to matters discussed further within this note, a more thorough discussion of the Partnership’s significant accounting policies is included in its audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Capitalized Interest

The Partnership capitalizes interest on borrowed funds related to capital projects only for periods that activities are in progress to bring these projects to their intended use. The weighted average interest rate used to capitalize interest on borrowed funds was 6.3% and 7.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 7.2% and 7.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The amount of interest capitalized was $1.7 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $3.0 million and $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Capital Leases

Leased property and equipment meeting capital lease criteria are capitalized based on the minimum payments required under the lease and are included within property plant and equipment on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. Obligations under capital leases are accounted for as current and noncurrent liabilities and are included within debt on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. Amortization is calculated on a straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Intangible Assets

The Partnership has recorded intangible assets with finite lives in connection with certain consummated acquisitions. The following table reflects the components of intangible assets being amortized at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
    Estimated
Useful Lives
In Years

Customer relationships:

      

Gross carrying amount

   $ 205,313      $ 205,313      7–10

Accumulated amortization

     (96,261     (78,934  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net carrying amount

   $ 109,052      $ 126,379     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

The Partnership amortizes intangible assets with finite useful lives over their estimated useful lives. If an intangible asset has a finite useful life, but the precise length of that life is not known, that intangible asset must be amortized over the best estimate of its useful life. At a minimum, the Partnership will assess the useful lives of all intangible assets on an annual basis to determine if adjustments are required. The estimated useful life for the Partnership’s customer relationship intangible assets is based upon the estimated average length of non-contracted customer relationships in existence at the date of acquisition, adjusted for management’s estimate of whether these individual relationships will continue in excess or less than the average length. The weighted-average amortization period for customer relationships is 9.1 years. The Partnership recorded amortization expense on intangible assets of $5.8 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and $17.3 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 on its consolidated statements of operations.

 

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Amortization expense related to intangible assets is estimated to be as follows for each of the next five calendar years: 2011 to 2013 - $23.1 million per year; 2014 - $19.5 million; 2015 - $14.5 million.

Stock-Based Compensation

All share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. Share-based awards, which have a cash option, are classified as liabilities on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. All other share-based awards are classified as equity on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. Compensation expense associated with share-based payments is recognized within general and administrative expenses on the Partnership’s statements of operations from the date of the grant through the date of vesting, amortized on a straight-line method. Generally, no expense is recorded for awards that do not vest due to forfeiture.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Unit

Basic net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners per unit is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners by the weighted average number of common limited partner units outstanding during the period. Net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners is determined by deducting net income attributable to participating securities, if applicable, and net income (loss) attributable to the General Partner’s and the preferred unitholders’ interests. The General Partner’s interest in net income (loss) is calculated on a quarterly basis based upon its 2% general partner interest and incentive distributions to be distributed for the quarter (see Note 6), with a priority allocation of net income to the General Partner’s incentive distributions, if any, in accordance with the partnership agreement, and the remaining net income (loss) allocated with respect to the General Partner’s and limited partners’ ownership interests.

The Partnership presents net income (loss) per unit under the two-class method for master limited partnerships, which considers whether the incentive distributions of a master limited partnership represent a participating security when considered in the calculation of earnings per unit under the two-class method. The two-class method considers whether the partnership agreement contains any contractual limitations concerning distributions to the incentive distribution rights that would impact the amount of earnings to allocate to the incentive distribution rights for each reporting period. If distributions are contractually limited to the incentive distribution rights’ share of currently designated available cash for distributions as defined under the partnership agreement, undistributed earnings in excess of available cash should not be allocated to the incentive distribution rights. Under the two-class method, management of the Partnership believes the partnership agreement contractually limits cash distributions to available cash; therefore, undistributed earnings are not allocated to the incentive distribution rights.

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per unit pursuant to the two-class method. The Partnership’s phantom unit awards, which consist of common units issuable under the terms of its long-term incentive plans and incentive compensation agreements (see Note 13), contain non-forfeitable rights to distribution equivalents of the Partnership. The participation rights result in a non-contingent transfer of value each time the Partnership declares a distribution or distribution equivalent right during the award’s vesting period. However, unless the contractual terms of the participating securities require the holders to share in the losses of the entity, net loss is not allocated to the participating securities. As such, the net income (loss) utilized in the calculation of net income (loss) per unit must be after the allocation of only net income to the phantom units on a pro-rata basis.

 

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The following is a reconciliation of net income (loss) from continuing operations and net income from discontinued operations allocated to the General Partner and common limited partners for purposes of calculating net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners per unit (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Continuing operations:

        

Net income (loss)

   $ 50,258      $ (17,457   $ 300,732      $ (29,685

Income attributable to non-controlling interest

     (1,760     (1,076     (4,492     (3,338

Preferred unit dividends

     —          (240     (389     (240
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners and the General Partner

     48,498        (18,773     295,851        (33,263
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

General Partner’s cash incentive distributions paid

     441        —          441        —     

General Partner’s ownership interest

     966        (358     5,938        (636
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to the General Partner’s ownership interests

     1,407        (358     6,379        (636
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners

     47,091        (18,415     289,472        (32,627

Net income attributable to participating securities – phantom units(1)

     369        —          2,301        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) utilized in the calculation of net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common limited partners per unit

   $ 46,722      $ (18,415   $ 287,171      $ (32,627
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

        

Net income (loss)

   $ —        $ 305,927      $ (81   $ 320,684   

Net income (loss) attributable to the General Partner’s ownership interests

     —          5,842        (2     6,125   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) utilized in the calculation of net income from discontinued operations attributable to common limited partners per unit

   $ —        $ 300,085      $ (79   $ 314,559   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Net income attributable to common limited partners’ ownership interest is allocated to the phantom units on a pro-rata basis (weighted average phantom units outstanding as a percentage of the sum of the weighted average phantom units and common limited partner units outstanding). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, net loss attributable to common limited partners’ ownership interest is not allocated to approximately 532,000 and 234,000 phantom units, respectively, because the contractual terms of the phantom units as participating securities do not require the holders to share in the losses of the entity.

Diluted net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners per unit is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners, plus income allocable to participating securities, by the sum of the weighted average number of common limited partner units outstanding plus the dilutive effect of outstanding participating securities and unit option awards, as calculated by the treasury stock method. Unit options consist of common units issuable upon payment of an exercise price by the participant under the terms of the Partnership’s long-term incentive plans (see Note 13).

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the Partnership’s weighted average number of common limited partner units used to compute basic net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners per unit with those used to compute diluted net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners per unit (in thousands):

 

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     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Weighted average number of common limited partner units – basic

     53,588         53,277         53,494         53,115   

Add effect of participating securities – phantom units(1)

     424         —           429         —     

Add effect of dilutive option incentive awards(2)

     —           —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common limited partner units – diluted

     54,012         53,277         53,923         53,115   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, approximately 532,000 and 234,000 phantom units, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings attributable to common limited partners per unit because the inclusion of such phantom units would have been anti-dilutive.
(2) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, 100,000 unit options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings attributable to common limited partners per unit because the inclusion of such unit options would have been anti-dilutive. There were no unit options outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes net income (loss) and all other changes in the equity of a business during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. These changes, other than net income (loss), are referred to as “other comprehensive income” or “OCI” and for the Partnership only include changes in the fair value of unsettled derivative contracts which were previously accounted for as cash flow hedges (see Note 9). The following table sets forth the calculation of the Partnership’s comprehensive income (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Net income

   $ 50,258      $ 288,470      $ 300,651      $ 290,999   

Income attributable to non-controlling interests

     (1,760     (1,076     (4,492     (3,338

Preferred unit dividends

     —          (240     (389     (240
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common limited partners and the General Partner

     48,498        287,154        295,770        287,421   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

        

Adjustment for realized losses on derivatives reclassified to net income

     1,714        14,122        5,118        35,555   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 50,212      $ 301,276      $ 300,888      $ 322,976   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue Recognition

The Partnership’s revenue primarily consists of the sale of natural gas and NGLs along with the fees earned from its gathering, processing and transportation operations. Under certain agreements, the Partnership purchases natural gas from producers and moves it into receipt points on its pipeline systems, and then sells the natural gas, or produced NGLs, if any, off delivery points on its systems. Under other agreements, the Partnership gathers natural gas across its systems, from receipt to delivery point, without taking title to the natural gas. Revenue associated with the physical sale of natural gas and NGLs is recognized upon physical delivery. In connection with the Partnership’s gathering, processing and transportation operations, it enters into the following types of contractual relationships with its producers and shippers:

Fee-Based Contracts. These contracts provide a set fee for gathering and/or processing raw natural gas and for transporting NGLs. Revenue is a function of the volume of natural gas that the

 

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Partnership gathers and processes or the volume of NGLs transported and is not directly dependent on the value of the natural gas or NGLs. The Partnership is also paid a separate compression fee on many of its gathering systems. The fee is dependent upon the volume of gas flowing through its compressors and the quantity of compression stages utilized to gather the gas.

Percentage of Proceeds (“POP”) Contracts. These contracts provide for the Partnership to retain a negotiated percentage of the sale proceeds from residue gas and NGLs it gathers and processes, with the remainder being remitted to the producer. In this contract-type, the Partnership and the producer are directly dependent on the volume of the commodity and its value; the Partnership effectively owns a percentage of the commodity and revenues are directly correlated to its market value. POP contracts may include a fee component which is charged to the producer.

Keep-Whole Contracts. These contracts require the Partnership, as the processor and gatherer, to gather or purchase raw natural gas at current market rates. The volume of gas gathered or purchased is based on the measured volume at an agreed upon location (generally at the wellhead). The volume of gas redelivered or sold at the tailgate of the Partnership’s processing facility will be lower than the volume purchased at the wellhead primarily due to NGLs extracted when processed through a plant. The Partnership must make up or “keep the producer whole” for this loss in volume. To offset the make-up obligation, the Partnership retains the NGLs which are extracted and sells them for its own account. Therefore, the Partnership bears the economic risk (the “processing margin risk”) that (i) the volume of residue gas available for redelivery to the producer may be less than received from the producer; or (ii) the aggregate proceeds from the sale of the processed natural gas and NGLs could be less than the amount the Partnership paid for the unprocessed natural gas. In order to help mitigate the risk associated with Keep-Whole contracts the Partnership generally imposes a fee to gather the gas that is settled under this arrangement. Also, because the natural gas volumes contracted under some Keep-Whole agreements is lower in BTU content and thus, can meet downstream pipeline specifications without being processed, the natural gas can be bypassed around the processing plants on these systems and delivered directly into downstream pipelines during periods of margin risk.

The Partnership accrues unbilled revenue due to timing differences between the delivery of natural gas, NGLs, and condensate and the receipt of a delivery statement. This revenue is recorded based upon volumetric data from the Partnership’s records and management estimates of the related gathering and compression fees which are, in turn, based upon applicable product prices. The Partnership had unbilled revenues at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 of $66.1 million and $57.8 million, respectively, which are included in accounts receivable within its consolidated balance sheets.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs,” which, among other changes, requires (1) additional disclosures for fair value measurements categorized within Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy; and (2) additional disclosures for items not measured at fair value in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets but for which the fair value is required to be disclosed. These requirements are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is prohibited. The Partnership will apply these requirements upon the adoption of this ASU on January 1, 2012. The Partnership does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position and results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” which, among other changes, eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in equity. The

 

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amendments in this update require “all nonowner changes in equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.” The update does not change the components of comprehensive income that must be presented. These requirements are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership will apply these requirements upon the adoption of this ASU on January 1, 2012. The Partnership does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position and results of operations.

NOTE 3 – INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES

Laurel Mountain

On February 17, 2011, the Partnership completed the sale of its 49% non-controlling interest in Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC (“Laurel Mountain”), a Delaware limited liability company, to Atlas Energy Resources, LLC (“Atlas Energy Resources”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlas Energy, Inc. (the “Laurel Mountain Sale”) for $409.5 million in cash, including closing adjustments and net of expenses. Concurrently, Atlas Energy, Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron and divested its interests in Atlas Energy, L.P. (see Note 1), resulting in the Laurel Mountain sale being classified as a third party sale. The Partnership recognized on its consolidated statements of operations a net gain on the sale of assets of $253.5 million. The Partnership recognized a $255.7 million gain during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and a $2.2 million loss during the year ended December 31, 2010 for expenses related to the sale. Laurel Mountain is a joint venture, which owns and operates the Appalachia natural gas gathering system previously owned by the Partnership. Subsidiaries of The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE: WMB) (“Williams”) hold the remaining 51% ownership interest. The Partnership utilized the proceeds from the sale to repay its indebtedness (see Note 11) and for general company purposes.

The Partnership recognized its 49% non-controlling ownership interest in Laurel Mountain as an investment in joint venture on its consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The Partnership accounted for its ownership interest in Laurel Mountain under the equity method of accounting, with recognition of its ownership interest in the income of Laurel Mountain as equity income on its consolidated statements of operations. Since the Partnership accounted for its ownership as an equity investment, the Partnership did not reclassify the earnings or the gain on sale related to Laurel Mountain to discontinued operations upon the sale of its ownership interest.

The Partnership retained its preferred distribution rights with respect to a $25.5 million note receivable due from Williams, an investment grade rated entity, related to the formation of Laurel Mountain in 2009, including interest due on this note. Interest is received on the last day of each quarter. The preferred distribution rights with respect to the note receivable have been reclassified from investment in joint ventures to notes receivable on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. Any amount that remains outstanding on this note after June 1, 2012 will be paid to the Partnership in cash. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Partnership utilized $8.5 million and $15.3 million of the note receivable, respectively, and made cash payments of $1.3 million and $6.9 million, respectively, for capital contributions to Laurel Mountain. As of September 30, 2011, the Partnership has utilized $17.0 million of the $25.5 million note receivable, resulting in a remaining balance of $8.5 million.

West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership

On May 11, 2011, the Partnership acquired a 20% interest in West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership (“WTLPG”) from Buckeye Partners, L.P. (NYSE: BPL) for $85.0 million. WTLPG owns a common-carrier pipeline system that transports NGLs from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu,

 

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Texas for fractionation. WTLPG is operated by Chevron Pipeline Company, an affiliate of Chevron, which owns the remaining 80% interest. The Partnership recognizes its 20% interest in WTLPG as an investment in joint venture on its consolidated balance sheets. The Partnership accounts for its ownership interest in WTLPG under the equity method of accounting, with recognition of its ownership interest in the income of WTLPG as equity income on its consolidated statements of operations. The Partnership incurred costs of $0.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, related to the acquisition of WTLPG, which are reported as other costs within the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations.

The following tables summarize the components of the investment in joint ventures on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets and the components of equity income on the Partnership’s statements of operations (in thousands).

 

     September 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Investment in Laurel Mountain

   $ —         $ 153,358   

Investment in WTLPG

     86,688         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investment in joint ventures

   $ 86,688       $ 153,358   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Equity income in Laurel Mountain

   $ —         $ 1,787       $ 462       $ 4,137   

Equity income in WTLPG

     1,785         —           2,472         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity income in joint ventures

   $ 1,785       $ 1,787       $ 2,934       $ 4,137   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 4 – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On September 16, 2010, the Partnership completed the sale of its Elk City and Sweetwater, Oklahoma natural gas gathering systems, and the related processing and treating facilities (including the Prentiss treating facility and the Nine Mile processing plant, collectively “Elk City”) to a subsidiary of Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: EEP) for $682.0 million in cash, excluding working capital adjustments and transaction costs, and recognized a gain of $312.1 million on the sale of Elk City within income from discontinued operations on its consolidated statements of operations, during the year ended December 31, 2010. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Partnership recorded, within its consolidated statements of operations, a reduction to the gain on sale of Elk City of $81 thousand to recognize the final settlement of working capital adjustments and transaction costs. The Partnership accounted for the earnings of Elk City as discontinued operations within its consolidated financial statements. Elk City was previously included within the Partnership’s formerly reported Mid-Continent segment of operations, which was reclassified to the Partnership’s current Gathering and Processing segment of operations (see Note 15).

The following table summarizes the components included within income from discontinued operations on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011      2010     2011     2010  

Total revenue and other income (loss), net

   $ —         $ 29,912      $ —        $ 129,928   

Total costs and expenses

     —           (35,477     —          (120,736

Gain (loss) on asset sales and other

     —           311,492        (81     311,492   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   $ —         $ 305,927      $ (81   $ 320,684   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The Partnership’s continuing operations include $0.6 million and $18.0 million within natural gas and liquids revenue on the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, for intercompany sales from the WestOK system to Elk City. These intercompany sales were previously eliminated in consolidation prior to the sale of Elk City and were reinstated within natural gas and liquids revenue from continuing operations upon the sale of Elk City. In the periods subsequent to the sale of Elk City, these sales have been made directly to third parties.

NOTE 5 – PREFERRED UNIT EQUITY OFFERINGS

On June 30, 2010, the Partnership sold 8,000 newly-created 12% Cumulative Class C Preferred Units of limited partner interest (the “Class C Preferred Units”) to Atlas Energy, Inc. for cash consideration of $1,000 per Class C Preferred Unit (the “Class C Preferred Unit Face Value”). The Class C Preferred Units were entitled to receive distributions of 12.0% per annum, paid quarterly on the same date as the distribution payment date for the Partnership’s common units. The Class C Preferred Units were not convertible into common units of the Partnership. The Partnership had the right at any time to redeem some or all of the outstanding Class C Preferred Units for cash at an amount equal to the Class C Preferred Face Value being redeemed plus accrued but unpaid dividends.

On February 17, 2011, the Class C Preferred Units were acquired by Chevron as part of the Chevron Merger (see Note 1). On May 27, 2011, the Partnership redeemed all 8,000 Class C Preferred Units outstanding for cash at the liquidation value of $1,000 per unit, or $8.0 million, plus $0.2 million, representing the accrued dividends on the 8,000 Class C Preferred Units prior to the Partnership’s redemption. There are no longer any Class C Preferred Units outstanding. The Partnership recognized $0.2 million of preferred dividend cost for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and $0.4 million and $0.2 million of preferred dividend cost for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which are presented as reductions of net income (loss) to determine net income (loss) attributable to common limited partners and the General Partner on its consolidated statements of operations.

NOTE 6 – CASH DISTRIBUTIONS

The Partnership is required to distribute, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, all its available cash (as defined in its partnership agreement) for that quarter to its common unitholders and the General Partner. If common unit distributions in any quarter exceed specified target levels, the General Partner will receive between 15% and 50% of such distributions in excess of the specified target levels. Common unit and General Partner distributions declared by the Partnership from January 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011 were as follows:

 

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For Quarter Ended

   Date Cash
Distribution
Paid
   Cash
Distribution
Per Common
Limited
Partner Unit
     Total Cash
Distribution
to Common
Limited
Partners
     Total Cash
Distribution
to the
General
Partner
 
                 (in thousands)      (in thousands)  

March 31, 2010

   None    $ 0.00       $ —         $ —     

June 30, 2010

   None      0.00         —           —     

September 30, 2010

   November 14, 2010      0.35         18,660         363   

December 31, 2010

   February 14, 2011      0.37         19,735         398   

March 31, 2011

   May 13, 2011      0.40         21,400         439   

June 30, 2011

   August 12, 2011      0.47         25,184         967   

On October 26, 2011, the Partnership declared a cash distribution of $0.54 per unit on its outstanding common limited partner units, representing the cash distribution for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. The $30.8 million distribution, including $1.8 million to the General Partner for its general partner interest and incentive distribution rights, will be paid on November 14, 2011 to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2011.

NOTE 7 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The following is a summary of property, plant and equipment, including leased property and equipment meeting capital lease criteria (see Note 11) (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
    Estimated
Useful Lives
in Years

Pipelines, processing and compression facilities

   $ 1,517,573      $ 1,340,944      2 – 40

Rights of way

     158,602        156,713      20 – 40

Buildings

     8,047        8,047      40

Furniture and equipment

     9,404        8,981      3 – 7

Other

     13,800        12,659      3 – 10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     1,707,426        1,527,344     

Less – accumulated depreciation

     (225,985     (186,342  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
   $ 1,481,441      $ 1,341,002     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or, upon acquisition of a business, at the fair value of the assets acquired. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements that extend the useful lives of property are capitalized. Depreciation and amortization expense is based on cost less the estimated salvage value primarily using the straight-line method over the asset’s estimated useful life. The Partnership follows the composite method of depreciation and has determined the composite groups to be the major asset classes of its gathering and processing systems. Under the composite depreciation method, any gain or loss upon disposition or retirement of pipeline, gas gathering and processing components is recorded to accumulated depreciation. When entire pipeline systems, gas plants or other property and equipment are retired or sold, any gain or loss is included in the Partnership’s results of operations. The Partnership recorded depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment, including amortization of capital lease arrangements (see Note 11), of $13.8 million and $12.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $40.2 million and $38.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, on its consolidated statements of operations.

 

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NOTE 8 – OTHER ASSETS

The following is a summary of other assets (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Deferred finance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $17,739 and $24,436 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

   $ 18,988       $ 26,227   

Security deposits

     2,853         2,841   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 21,841       $ 29,068   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred finance costs are recorded at cost and amortized over the term of the respective debt agreement (see Note 11). During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Partnership recorded $5.2 million related to accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the retirement of its 8.125% Senior Notes and partial redemption of its 8.75% Senior Notes, which is included in loss on early extinguishment of debt on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations (see Note 11). During the three and nine months ended September 2010, the Partnership recorded $4.4 million of accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the retirement of its term loan with proceeds from the sale of its Elk City assets (see Note 4), which is included in loss on early extinguishment of debt on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations. Amortization expense of deferred finance costs, excluding accelerated amortization expense, was $1.1 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $3.4 million and $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which is recorded within interest expense on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations. Amortization expense related to deferred finance costs is estimated to be as follows for each of the next five calendar years: 2011 - $4.4 million; 2012 to 2014 - $4.2 million per year; 2015 - $3.9 million.

NOTE 9 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The Partnership uses derivative instruments in connection with its commodity price risk management activities. The Partnership enters into financial swap and option instruments to hedge its forecasted natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales against the variability in expected future cash flows attributable to changes in market prices. It also previously entered into financial swap instruments to hedge certain portions of its floating interest rate debt against the variability in market interest rates. Swap instruments are contractual agreements between counterparties to exchange obligations of money as the underlying natural gas, NGLs and condensate are sold or interest payments on the underlying debt instrument are due. Under its swap agreements, the Partnership receives a fixed price and remits a floating price based on certain indices for the relevant contract period. The swap agreement sets a fixed price for the product being hedged. Commodity-based option instruments are contractual agreements that require the payment of a premium and grant the purchaser of the option the right to receive the difference between a fixed, or strike, price and a floating price based on certain indices for the relevant contract period, if the floating price is lower than the fixed price. The option agreement sets a floor price for commodity sales being hedged.

The Partnership no longer applies hedge accounting for its derivatives. As such, changes in fair value of derivatives are recognized immediately within other income (loss), net in its consolidated statements of operations. The change in fair value of commodity-based derivative instruments, which was previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss within equity on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets, will be reclassified to the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations in the future at the time the originally hedged physical transactions affect earnings. The Partnership will

 

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reclassify $4.7 million of the $6.1 million net loss in accumulated other comprehensive loss, within equity on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2011, to natural gas and liquids revenue on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations over the next twelve-month period. Aggregate losses of $1.4 million will be reclassified to natural gas and liquids revenue on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations in later periods.

Derivatives are recorded on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities at fair value. Premium costs for purchased options are recorded on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets as the initial value of the options. Changes in the fair value of the options are recognized within other income (loss), net as unrealized gain (loss) on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations. Premium costs are reclassified to realized gain (loss) within other income (loss), net at the time the option expires or is exercised. The Partnership reflected net derivative assets on its consolidated balance sheet of $38.8 million at September 30, 2011 and net derivative liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet of $10.2 million at December 31, 2010.

The fair value of the Partnership’s derivative instruments was included in its consolidated balance sheets as follows (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Current portion of derivative assets

   $ 11,887       $ —     

Long-term portion of derivative assets

     26,950         —     

Current portion of derivative liabilities

     —           (4,564

Long-term portion of derivative liabilities

     —           (5,608
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net derivative assets/(liabilities)

   $ 38,837       $ (10,172
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the Partnership’s gross fair values of commodity-based derivative instruments for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

Balance Sheet Location

   September 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

Asset Derivatives

    

Current portion of derivative assets

   $ 17,582      $ —     

Long-term portion of derivative assets

     28,522        —     

Current portion of derivative liabilities

     —          2,624   

Long-term portion of derivative liabilities

     —          1,052   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     46,104        3,676   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liability Derivatives

    

Current portion of derivative assets

     (5,695     —     

Long-term portion of derivative assets

     (1,572     —     

Current portion of derivative liabilities

     —          (7,188

Long-term portion of derivative liabilities

     —          (6,660
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     (7,267     (13,848
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Derivatives

   $ 38,837      $ (10,172
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the Partnership’s commodity derivatives as of September 30, 2011, none of which are designated for hedge accounting (dollars and volumes in thousands):

 

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Fixed Price Swaps

 

Production Period

   Purchased/
Sold
   Commodity    Volumes(1)      Average
Fixed
Price
    Fair  Value(2)
Asset/
(Liability)
 

Natural Gas

             

2011

   Sold    Natural Gas Basis      480       $ (0.728   $ (284

2011

   Purchased    Natural Gas Basis      480         (0.758     298   

2011

   Sold    Natural Gas      1,200         4.910        1,337   

Natural Gas Liquids

             

2011

   Sold    Ethane      2,142         0.730        (136

2011

   Sold    Propane      4,284         1.190        (1,342

2011

   Sold    Isobutane      504         1.628        (244

2011

   Sold    Normal Butane      1,386         1.590        (396

2011

   Sold    Natural Gasoline      3,276         2.042        (231

2012

   Sold    Ethane      1,890         0.700        (5

2012

   Sold    Propane      19,278         1.302        (527

2012

   Sold    Normal Butane      3,276         1.902        440   

2012

   Sold    Isobutane      504         1.970        (13

2012

   Sold    Natural Gasoline      4,158         2.401        1,807   

Crude Oil

             

2011

   Sold    Crude Oil      30         90.75        343   

2012

   Sold    Crude Oil      180         103.76        4,100   
             

 

 

 

Total Fixed Price Swaps

              $ 5,147   
             

 

 

 

Options

 

Production Period

   Purchased/
Sold
   Type    Commodity    Volumes(1)      Average
Strike
Price
     Fair  Value(2)
Asset/
(Liability)
 

Natural Gas Liquids

           

2011

   Purchased    Put    Ethane      2,142       $ 0.735       $ 57   

2011

   Purchased    Put    Propane      5,040         1.383         292   

2012

   Purchased    Put    Ethane      1,890         0.700         157   

2012

   Purchased    Put    Propane      28,476         1.386         6,476   

2012

   Purchased    Put    Natural Gasoline      2,520         2.400         950   

2013

   Purchased    Put    Normal Butane      10,458         1.667         3,459   

2013

   Purchased    Put    Isobutane      4,158         1.687         1,311   

2013

   Purchased    Put    Natural Gasoline      23,940         2.108         10,219   

Crude Oil

              

2011

   Purchased    Put    Crude Oil      93         99.45         1,911   

2011

   Sold    Call    Crude Oil      170         93.35         (208

2011

   Purchased(3)    Call    Crude Oil      63         125.20         3   

2012

   Purchased    Put    Crude Oil      180         106.42         5,146   

2012

   Sold    Call    Crude Oil      498         94.69         (3,210

2012

   Purchased(3)    Call    Crude Oil      180         125.20         301   

2013

   Purchased    Put    Crude Oil      282         100.10         6,826   
                 

 

 

 

Total Options

                  $ 33,690   
                 

 

 

 

Total Fair Value

                  $ 38,837   
                 

 

 

 

 

(1) Volumes for natural gas are stated in MMBTU’s. Volumes for NGLs are stated in gallons. Volumes for crude oil are stated in barrels.
(2) See Note 10 for discussion on fair value methodology.
(3) Calls purchased for 2011 and 2012 represent offsetting positions for calls sold. These offsetting positions were entered into to limit the loss which could be incurred if crude oil prices continued to rise.

 

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During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Partnership made net payments of $25.3 million related to the early termination of derivative contracts, which were recorded within the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations. The terminated derivative contracts were to expire at various times through the fourth quarter of 2010. No contracts were terminated early during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

The following tables summarize the gross effect of all derivative instruments, including the transactions referenced above, on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

          For the Three Months
ended September 30,
    For the Nine Months
ended September 30,
 
          2011     2010     2011     2010  

Loss reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into Income

                        

Contract Type

  

Location

                        

Interest rate contracts(1)

  

Interest expense

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ (2,242

Commodity contracts(1)

  

Natural gas and liquids revenue

     (1,714     (2,411     (5,118     (13,159

Commodity contracts(1)

  

Discontinued operations

     —          (11,711     —          (20,154
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   $ (1,714   $ (14,122   $ (5,118   $ (35,555
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain (loss) recognized in income (derivatives not designated as hedges)

 

Contract type

  

Location

                        

Interest rate contracts(2)

  

Other income (loss), net

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ (6

Commodity contracts(2)

  

Other income (loss), net

     23,760        (6,802     8,952        3,139   

Commodity contracts(2)

  

Discontinued operations

     —          (1,555     —          665   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain (loss) recognized in income

      $ 23,760      $ (8,357   $ 8,952      $ 3,798   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Hedges previously designated as cash flow hedges
(2) Dedesignated cash flow hedges and non-designated hedges

NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Derivative Instruments

The Partnership uses a valuation framework based upon inputs market participants use in pricing an asset or liability, which are classified into two categories: observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources; whereas, unobservable inputs reflect the Partnership’s own market assumptions, which are used if observable inputs are not reasonably available without undue cost and effort. These two types of inputs are further prioritized into the following hierarchy:

Level 1– Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets and liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset and liability or can be corroborated with observable market data for substantially the entire contractual term of the asset or liability.

 

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Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that reflect the entity’s own assumptions about the assumption market participants would use in the pricing of the asset or liability and are consequently not based on market activity but rather based upon particular valuation techniques.

The Partnership uses a fair value methodology to value the assets and liabilities for its outstanding derivative contracts (see Note 9). At September 30, 2011, all the Partnership’s derivative contracts are defined as Level 2, with the exception of the Partnership’s NGL fixed price swaps and NGL options. The Partnership’s Level 2 commodity derivatives include natural gas and crude oil swaps and options which are calculated based upon observable market data related to the change in price of the underlying commodity. These swaps and options are calculated by utilizing the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) quoted price for futures and option contracts traded on NYMEX that coincide with the underlying commodity, expiration period, strike price (if applicable) and pricing formula. Valuations for the Partnership’s NGL fixed price swaps are based on a forward price curve modeled on a regression analysis of quoted price curves for NGL’s for similar locations, and therefore are defined as Level 3. Valuations for the Partnership’s NGL options are based on forward price curves developed by financial institutions, and therefore are defined as Level 3.

The following table represents the Partnership’s derivative assets and liabilities recorded at fair value as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3     Total  

September 30, 2011

       

Assets

       

Commodity swaps

   $ —         $ 6,433      $ 2,564      $ 8,997   

Commodity options

     —           14,186        22,921        37,107   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     —           20,619        25,485        46,104   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

       

Commodity swaps

     —           (638     (3,212     (3,850

Commodity options

     —           (3,417     —          (3,417
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     —           (4,055     (3,212     (7,267
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivatives

   $ —         $ 16,564      $ 22,273      $ 38,837   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

       

Assets

       

Commodity swaps

   $ —         $ 1,225      $ 124      $ 1,349   

Commodity options

     —           2,327        —          2,327   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     —           3,552        124        3,676   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

       

Commodity swaps

     —           (1,461     (1,914     (3,375

Commodity options

     —           (10,473     —          (10,473
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     —           (11,934     (1,914     (13,848
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivatives

   $ —         $ (8,382   $ (1,790   $ (10,172
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Partnership’s Level 3 fair value amount relates to its derivative contracts on NGL fixed price swaps and NGL options. The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Partnership’s Level 3 derivative instruments for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 (in thousands):

 

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     NGL Fixed Price Swaps     NGL Put Options     Total  
     Volume     Amount     Volume     Amount     Amount  

Balance – December 31, 2010

     32,760      $ (1,790     —        $ —        $ (1,790

New contracts(1)

     37,464        —          89,628        22,360        22,360   

Cash settlements from unrealized gain (loss)(2)(3)

     (29,526     8,103        (11,004     1,352        9,455   

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)(2)

     —          (6,961     —          593        (6,368

Deferred option premium recognition(3)

     —          —          —          (1,384     (1,384
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance – September 30, 2011

     40,698      $ (648     78,624      $ 22,921      $ 22,273   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Swaps are entered into with no value on the date of trade. Options include premiums paid, which are included in the value of the derivatives on the date of trade.
(2) Included within other income (loss), net on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations.
(3) Includes option premium cost reclassified from unrealized gain (loss) to realized gain (loss) at time of option expiration.

Other Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of the Partnership’s other financial instruments has been determined based upon its assessment of available market information and valuation methodologies. However, these estimates may not necessarily be indicative of the amounts the Partnership could realize upon the sale or refinancing of such financial instruments.

The Partnership’s current assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets, other than the derivatives discussed above, are considered to be financial instruments for which the estimated fair values of these instruments approximate their carrying amounts due to their short-term nature. The estimated fair values of the Partnership’s total debt at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, which consists principally of borrowings under the revolving credit facility, the 8.125% Senior Notes and the 8.75% Senior Notes, were $429.2 million and $532.3 million, respectively, compared with the carrying amounts of $426.0 million and $566.0 million, respectively. The Senior Notes were valued based upon available market data for similar issues. The carrying value of outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility, which bear interest at a variable interest rate, approximate their estimated fair value.

NOTE 11 – DEBT

Total debt consists of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

Revolving credit facility

   $ 198,500      $ 70,000   

8.125% Senior notes – due 2015

     —          272,181   

8.75% Senior notes – due 2018

     215,822        223,050   

Capital lease obligations

     11,659        743   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt

     425,981        565,974   

Less current maturities

     (2,054     (210
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long term debt

   $ 423,927      $ 565,764   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash payments for interest related to debt, excluding payments related to early retirement of debt and net of capitalized interest, were $3 thousand and $11.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $17.2 million and $65.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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Revolving Credit Facility

At September 30, 2011, the Partnership had a $450.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks, which matures in December 2015. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at the Partnership’s option, at either (i) the higher of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) three-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, or (ii) the LIBOR rate for the applicable period (each plus the applicable margin). The weighted average interest rate for borrowings on the revolving credit facility, at September 30, 2011, was 3.2%. Up to $50.0 million of the revolving credit facility may be utilized for letters of credit, of which $1.1 million was outstanding at September 30, 2011. These outstanding letter of credit amounts were not reflected as borrowings on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. At September 30, 2011, the Partnership had $250.4 million of remaining committed capacity under its revolving credit facility.

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are secured by a lien on and security interest in all the Partnership’s property and that of its subsidiaries, except for the assets owned by WestOK and WestTX joint ventures; and by the guaranty of each of the Partnership’s consolidated subsidiaries other than the joint venture companies. The revolving credit facility contains customary covenants, including restrictions on the Partnership’s ability to incur additional indebtedness; make certain acquisitions, loans or investments; make distribution payments to its unitholders if an event of default exists; or enter into a merger or sale of assets, including the sale or transfer of interests in its subsidiaries. The Partnership is unable to borrow under its revolving credit facility to pay distributions of available cash to unitholders because such borrowings would not constitute “working capital borrowings” pursuant to its partnership agreement.

The events which constitute an event of default for the revolving credit facility are customary for loans of this size, including payment defaults, breaches of representations or covenants contained in the credit agreement, adverse judgments against the Partnership in excess of a specified amount, and a change of control of the Partnership’s General Partner. As of September 30, 2011, the Partnership was in compliance with all covenants under the revolving credit facility.

Senior Notes

At September 30, 2011, the Partnership had $215.8 million principal amount outstanding of 8.75% senior unsecured notes due on June 15, 2018 (“8.75% Senior Notes”). Interest on the 8.75% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15. The 8.75% Senior Notes are redeemable at any time after June 15, 2013, at certain redemption prices, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. The 8.75% Senior Notes are subject to repurchase by the Partnership at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, upon a change of control or upon certain asset sales if the Partnership does not reinvest the net proceeds within 360 days. The 8.75% Senior Notes are junior in right of payment to the Partnership’s secured debt, including the Partnership’s obligations under its revolving credit facility.

On April 7, 2011, the Partnership redeemed $7.2 million of the 8.75% Senior Notes, which were tendered upon its offer to purchase the 8.75% Senior Notes, at par. The sale of the Partnership’s 49% non-controlling interest in Laurel Mountain on February 17, 2011 constituted an “Asset Sale” pursuant to the terms of the indenture of the 8.75% Senior Notes. As a result of the Asset Sale, the Partnership offered to purchase any and all of the 8.75% Senior Notes.

The indenture governing the 8.75% Senior Notes contains covenants, including limitations of the Partnership’s ability to: incur certain liens; engage in sale/leaseback transactions; incur additional indebtedness; declare or pay distributions if an event of default has occurred; redeem, repurchase or retire

 

25


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equity interests or subordinated indebtedness; make certain investments; or merge, consolidate or sell substantially all its assets. The Partnership is in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2011.

On April 8, 2011, the Partnership redeemed all of the 8.125% senior unsecured notes due on December 15, 2015 (“8.125% Senior Notes”). The redemption price was determined in accordance with the indenture for the 8.125% Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. The Partnership paid $293.7 million to redeem the $275.5 million principal plus $11.2 million premium and $7.0 million accrued interest. There were no 8.125% Senior Notes outstanding at September 30, 2011.

Capital Leases

On July 15, 2011, the Partnership amended an operating lease for eight natural gas compressors to include a mandatory purchase of the equipment at the end of the lease term, thereby converting the agreement to a capital lease upon the effective date of the amendment. As a result, the Partnership recorded an asset of $11.4 million within property, plant and equipment and recorded an offsetting liability within long term debt on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. This amount was based on the minimum payments required under the lease and the Partnership’s incremental borrowing rate. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Partnership entered into capital lease arrangements having obligations of $0.9 million at inception, which were recorded within property, plant and equipment with an offsetting liability recorded within long term debt on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets.

The following is a summary of the leased property under capital leases, which are included within property, plant and equipment (see Note 7) (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

Pipelines, processing and compression facilities

   $ 12,507      $ 1,139   

Less – accumulated depreciation

     (185     (47
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 12,322      $ 1,092   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization expense for leased properties was $109 thousand and $14 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $137 thousand and $33 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which is included within depreciation and amortization expense on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations (see Note 7).

As of September 30, 2011, future minimum lease payments related to the capital leases are as follows (in thousands):

 

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     Capital Lease
Minimum Payments
 

2011

   $ 671   

2012

     2,685   

2013

     9,376   

2014

     64   

2015

     —     

Thereafter

     —     
  

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

     12,796   

Less amounts representing interest

     (1,137
  

 

 

 

Present value of minimum lease payments

     11,659   

Less current capital lease obligations

     (2,054
  

 

 

 

Long-term capital lease obligations

   $ 9,605   
  

 

 

 

NOTE 12 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Partnership has certain long-term unconditional purchase obligations and commitments, primarily take-or-pay agreements. These agreements provide transportation services to be used in the ordinary course of the Partnership’s operations.

The Partnership is, or may become, a party to various routine legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of its business. Management of the Partnership believes the ultimate resolution of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

On February 26, 2010, the Partnership received notice from Williams, its former joint venture partner in Laurel Mountain, alleging that certain title defects exist with respect to the real property contributed by the Partnership to Laurel Mountain. Under the Formation and Exchange Agreement with Williams (“Formation Agreement”): (i) Williams had nine months after closing (the “Claim Date”) to assert any alleged title defects, and (ii) the Partnership had 30 days following the Claim Date to contest the title defects asserted by Williams and 180 days following the Claim Date to cure those title defects, which was extended by agreement until March 31, 2011. On March 26, 2010, the Partnership delivered notice, disputing Williams’ alleged title defects as well as the amounts claimed. The Partnership has delivered documentation to Williams, which should resolve many of the alleged title defects. Although the Partnership’s cure period has technically expired, the Partnership, without objection from Williams, continues work to resolve the remaining alleged title defects. In addition, Atlas Energy, Inc. delivered a proposed assignment to Laurel Mountain that should resolve some of the alleged deficiencies. Williams also claims, in a letter dated August 26, 2010, that the alleged title defects violate the Partnership’s representation with respect to sufficiency of the assets contributed to Laurel Mountain. If valid, this would make Williams’ title defect claims subject to a higher aggregate cap (which is noted below). The Partnership believes its representations with respect to title are Williams’ sole and exclusive remedy with respect to title matters.

In August 2010, Williams asserted additional indemnity claims under the Formation Agreement totaling approximately $19.8 million. Williams’ claims are generally based on the Partnership’s alleged failure to construct and maintain the assets contributed to Laurel Mountain in accordance with “standard industry practice” or applicable law. As a preliminary matter, the Partnership believes Williams has overstated its claim by forty-nine percent (49%), because, under the Formation Agreement, these claims are reduced on a pro-rata basis to equal Williams’ percentage ownership interest in Laurel Mountain. The Partnership has received some additional information from Williams and, based on the Partnership’s analysis of that information, believes that an adverse outcome is probable with respect to some portion of Williams’ claims.

 

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There were no substantive developments with respect to Williams’ indemnity claims during the three months ended September 30, 2011. As previously reported, the Partnership has established an accrual with respect to the portion of Williams’ claims that it deems probable, which is less than 51% of the amounts asserted by Williams. Under the Formation Agreement, Williams’ indemnity claims are capped, in the aggregate, at $27.5 million. In addition, the Partnership may be entitled to indemnification from Atlas Energy, Inc. with respect to a small portion of Williams’ claims.

NOTE 13 – BENEFIT PLANS

Generally, all share-based payments to employees, which are not cash settled, including grants of unit options and phantom units, are recognized within equity in the financial statements based on their fair values on the date of the grant. Share-based payments to non-employees, which have a cash settlement option, are recognized within liabilities in the financial statements based upon their current fair market value.

A phantom unit entitles a grantee to receive a common limited partner unit upon vesting of the phantom unit. In tandem with phantom unit grants, participants may be granted a distribution equivalent right (“DER”), which is the right to receive cash per phantom unit in an amount equal to and at the same time as the cash distributions the Partnership makes on a common unit during the period the phantom unit is outstanding. Except for phantom units awarded to non-employee managing board members of the General Partner and within the guidelines proscribed in each long term incentive plan, a committee (the “LTIP Committee”) appointed by the General Partner’s managing board determines the vesting period for phantom units.

A unit option entitles a grantee to purchase a common limited partner unit upon payment of the exercise price for the option after completion of vesting of the unit option. The exercise price of the unit option is equal to the fair market value of the common unit on the date of grant of the option. The LTIP Committee shall determine how the exercise price may be paid by the grantee. The LTIP Committee will determine the vesting and exercise period for unit options. Unit option awards expire 10 years from the date of grant.

Long-Term Incentive Plans

The Partnership has a 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2004 LTIP”) and a 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which was modified on April 26, 2011 (“2010 LTIP” and collectively with the 2004 LTIP, the “LTIPs”), in which officers, employees, non-employee managing board members of the General Partner, employees of the General Partner’s affiliates and consultants are eligible to participate. The LTIPs are administered by the LTIP Committee. Under the LTIPs, the LTIP Committee may make awards of either phantom units or unit options for an aggregate of 3,435,000 common units. At September 30, 2011, the Partnership had 389,765 phantom units outstanding under the Partnership’s LTIPs, with 2,370,779 phantom units and unit options available for grant. The Partnership generally issues new common units for phantom units and unit options, which have vested and have been exercised.

Partnership Phantom Units. Through September 30, 2011, phantom units granted to employees under the LTIPs generally had vesting periods of four years. Phantom units awarded to non-employee managing board members will vest over a four year period. Awards may automatically vest upon a change of control, as defined in the LTIPs. At September 30, 2011, there were 193,248 units outstanding under the LTIPs that will vest within the following twelve months. The Partnership is authorized to repurchase common units to cover employee-related taxes on certain phantom units when they have vested. The Partnership purchased and retired 5,533 common units during both the three months ending

 

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September 30, 2011 and 2010 for a cost of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and purchased 28,878 common units and 20,442 common units during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively for a cost of $1.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively, which was recorded as a reduction of Partners’ capital on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheet. On February 17, 2011, the employment agreement with the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the General Partner was terminated in connection with the Chevron Merger (see Note 1) and 75,250 outstanding phantom units, which represented all outstanding phantom units held by the CEO, automatically vested and were issued.

All phantom units outstanding under the LTIPs at September 30, 2011 include DERs granted to the participants by the LTIP Committee. The amounts paid with respect to LTIP DERs were $0.2 and $0.6 million during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. These amounts were recorded as a reduction of Partners’ capital on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. No DERs were paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

The following table sets forth the Partnership’s LTIPs phantom unit activity for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2011      2010      2011      2010  
     Number
of Units
    Fair
Value(1)
     Number
of Units
    Fair
Value(1)
     Number
of Units
    Fair
Value(1)
     Number
of Units
    Fair
Value(1)
 

Outstanding, beginning of period

     436,425      $ 17.84         603,774      $ 12.24         490,886      $ 11.75         52,233      $ 39.72   

Granted

     7,465        27.30         500        13.90         138,318        32.99         564,000        10.34   

Matured and issued(2)

     (46,375     11.02         (103,625     11.15         (231,689     11.31         (114,209     14.10   

Forfeited

     (7,750     26.99         (4,500     14.83         (7,750     26.99         (5,875     21.65   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding, end of period(3)(4)

     389,765      $ 19.24         496,149      $ 12.43         389,765      $ 19.24         496,149      $ 12.43   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Matured and not issued(5)

     750      $ 11.12         250      $ 44.51         750      $ 11.12         250      $ 44.51   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash compensation expense recognized (in thousands)(6)

     $ 822         $ 763         $ 2,498         $ 2,788   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1) Fair value based upon weighted average grant date price.
(2) The intrinsic values for phantom unit awards exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, and $7.4 million and $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
(3) The aggregate intrinsic value for phantom unit awards outstanding at September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $11.6 million and $8.7 million, respectively.
(4) There were 15,701 and 3,898 outstanding phantom unit awards at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which were classified as liabilities due to a cash option available on the related phantom unit awards.
(5) The aggregate intrinsic value for phantom unit awards vested but not issued at September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $24 thousand and $3 thousand, respectively.
(6) Non-cash compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 includes incremental compensation expense of $472 thousand, related to the accelerated vesting of phantom units held by the CEO of the General Partner. Non-cash compensation expense includes $0.2 million and $2.0 million related to Bonus Units converted to phantom units during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

At September 30, 2011, the Partnership had approximately $4.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested phantom units outstanding under the LTIPs based upon the fair value of the awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.

 

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Partnership Unit Options. At September 30, 2011, there were no unit options outstanding. On February 17, 2011, the employment agreement with the CEO of the General Partner was terminated in connection with the Chevron Merger (see Note 1) and 50,000 outstanding unit options held by the CEO automatically vested. As of September 30, 2011, all unit options were exercised.

The following table sets forth the LTIP unit option activity for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2011      2010      2011      2010  
     Number
of Unit
Options
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Number
of Unit
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Number
of Unit
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Number
of Unit
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

Outstanding, beginning of period

     —         $ —           100,000      $ 6.24         75,000      $ 6.24         100,000      $ 6.24   

Exercised(1)

     —           —           (3,000     6.24         (75,000     6.24         (3,000     6.24   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding, end of period(2)(3)

     —         $ —           97,000      $ 6.24         —        $ —           97,000      $ 6.24   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options exercisable, end of period(4)

     —         $ —           22,000      $ 6.24         —        $ —           22,000      $ 6.24   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash compensation expense recognized (in thousands)(5)

      $ —           $ 1         $ 3         $ 3   
     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1) The intrinsic value for option unit awards exercised during the three months ended September 2010 was $0.1 million. The intrinsic values for option unit awards exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were $1.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Approximately $19 thousand was received from exercise of unit option awards during the three months ended September 30, 2010. Approximately $468 thousand and $19 thousand were received from exercise of unit option awards during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
(2) The weighted average remaining contractual life for outstanding and exercisable options at September 30, 2010 was 8.3 years.
(3) The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at September 30, 2010 was $1.1 million.
(4) The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable at September 30, 2010 was $249 thousand.
(5) Non-cash compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 includes incremental compensation expense of $2 thousand, related to the accelerated vesting of options held by the CEO of the General Partner.

Employee Incentive Compensation Plan and Agreement

A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership has an incentive plan (the “Cash Plan”), which allows for equity-indexed cash incentive awards to employees of the Partnership (the “Participants”). The Cash Plan is administered by a committee appointed by the CEO of the General Partner. Under the Cash Plan, cash bonus units may be awarded to Participants at the discretion of the committee. During 2009, the committee granted 375,000 bonus units (“Bonus Units”). A Bonus Unit entitles the employee to receive the cash equivalent of the then-fair market value of a common limited partner unit, without payment of an exercise price, upon vesting of the Bonus Unit. Bonus Units vest ratably over a three year period from the date of grant and will automatically vest upon a change of control, death, or termination without cause, each as defined in the governing document. Vesting will terminate upon termination of employment with cause. In conjunction with the approval of the 2010 LTIP, the holders of 300,000 of the then outstanding 375,000 Bonus Units agreed to exchange their Bonus Units for phantom units, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

At September 30, 2011, the Partnership had 25,500 outstanding Bonus Units, which will all vest within the following twelve months. The Partnership recognizes compensation expense related to these awards based upon the fair value, which is re-measured each reporting period based upon the current fair value of the underlying common units. The Partnership recognized compensation expense related to the re-measurement of the outstanding Bonus Units of $9 thousand and $0.3 million during the three months

 

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Table of Contents

ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and expense of $0.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and a credit of $0.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, which was recorded within general and administrative expense on its consolidated statements of operations. The Partnership had $0.6 million and $0.8 million, at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, included within accrued liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet with regard to these awards, which represents their fair value as of those dates.

NOTE 14 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Partnership does not directly employ any persons to manage or operate its business. These functions are provided by the General Partner and employees of Atlas Energy, L.P. The General Partner does not receive a management fee in connection with its management of the Partnership apart from its interest as general partner and its right to receive incentive distributions. The Partnership reimburses the General Partner and its affiliates for compensation and benefits related to its employees who perform services for the Partnership based upon an estimate of the time spent by such persons on activities for the Partnership. Other indirect costs, such as rent for offices, are allocated to the Partnership by Atlas Energy, L.P. based on the number of its employees who devote their time to activities on the Partnership’s behalf.

The partnership agreement provides that the General Partner will determine the costs and expenses allocable to the Partnership in any reasonable manner determined by the General Partner at its sole discretion. These costs and expenses are limited to $1.8 million for the twelve months following the closing of the Chevron Merger (see Note 1). The Partnership reimbursed the General Partner and its affiliates $0.4 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $1.3 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, for compensation and benefits related to its employees. There were no reimbursements for direct expenses incurred by the General Partner and its affiliates for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. The General Partner believes the method utilized in allocating costs to the Partnership is reasonable.

On February 17, 2011, the Partnership completed the sale of its 49% interest in Laurel Mountain to Atlas Energy Resources for $409.5 million; including closing adjustments and net of expenses (see Note 3).

NOTE 15 – SEGMENT INFORMATION

On February 17, 2011, the Partnership sold its 49% interest in Laurel Mountain, which was reported as part of the Partnership’s previous Appalachia segment (see Note 3). On May 11, 2011, the Partnership acquired a 20% interest in WTLPG (see Note 3). As a result of these two transactions, the Partnership realigned the reportable segments into two new segments: Gathering and Processing; and Pipeline Transportation (“Pipeline”). These reportable segments reflect the way the Partnership will manage its operations going forward. The Partnership has adjusted its segment presentation from the amounts previously presented to reflect the realignment of the segments.

The Gathering and Processing segment consists of (1) the WestOK, WestTX and Velma operations, which are comprised of natural gas gathering and processing assets servicing drilling activity in the Anadarko and Permian Basins, and which were formerly included within the previous Mid-Continent segment; (2) the natural gas gathering assets located in Tennessee, which were formerly included in the previous Appalachia segment; and (3) the revenues and gain on sale related to the Partnership’s 49% interest in Laurel Mountain, which were formerly included in the previous Appalachia

 

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segment. Gathering and Processing revenues are primarily derived from the sale of residue gas and NGLs and gathering of natural gas.

The Pipeline segment consists of the equity income generated by the newly acquired interest in WTLPG, which owns a common-carrier pipeline system that transports NGLs from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu, Texas for fractionation. Pipeline revenues are primarily derived from transportation fees.

The following summarizes the Partnership’s reportable segment data for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

     Gathering
and
Processing
     Pipeline      Corporate
and Other
    Consolidated  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011:

          

Revenue:

          

Revenues – third party(1)

   $ 357,655       $ —         $ 22,046      $ 379,701   

Revenues – affiliates

     79         —           —          79   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue and other income (loss), net

     357,734         —           22,046        379,780   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses:

          

Operating costs and expenses

     296,615         129         —          296,744   

General and administrative(1) `

     —           —           9,149        9,149   

Other costs

     —           8         —          8   

Depreciation and amortization

     19,471         —           —          19,471   

Interest expense(1)

     —           —           5,935        5,935   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     316,086         137         15,084        331,307   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity income

     —           1,785         —          1,785   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 41,648       $ 1,648       $ 6,962      $ 50,258   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010(2):

          

Revenue:

          

Revenues – third party(1)

   $ 235,190       $ —         $ (9,213   $ 225,977   

Revenues – affiliates

     141         —           —          141   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue and other income (loss), net

     235,331         —           (9,213     226,118   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

          

Operating costs and expenses

     191,772         —           —          191,772   

General and administrative(1)

     —           —           7,578        7,578   

Depreciation and amortization

     18,566         —           —          18,566   

Interest expense(1)

     —           —           23,087        23,087   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     210,338         —           30,665        241,003   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity income

     1,787         —           —          1,787   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —           —           (4,359     (4,359
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

     26,780         —           (44,237     (17,457

Income from discontinued operations

     —           —           305,927        305,927   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 26,780       $ —         $ 261,690      $ 288,470   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
     Gathering
and
Processing
     Pipeline      Corporate
and Other
    Consolidated  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011:

          

Revenue:

          

Revenues – third party(1)

   $ 982,739       $ —         $ 3,833      $ 986,572   

Revenues – affiliates

     256         —           —          256   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue and other income (loss), net

     982,995         —           3,833        986,828   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

          

Operating costs and expenses

     815,573         129         —          815,702   

General and administrative(1)

     —           —           26,821        26,821   

Other costs

     —           583         —          583   

Depreciation and amortization

     57,499         —           —          57,499   

Interest expense(1)

     —           —           24,525        24,525   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     873,072         712         51,346        925,130   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity income

     462         2,472         —          2,934   

Gain on sale of assets

     255,674         —           —          255,674   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —           —           (19,574     (19,574
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

     366,059         1,760         (67,087     300,732   

Loss from discontinued operations

     —           —           (81     (81
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 366,059       $ 1,760       $ (67,168   $ 300,651   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010(2):

          

Revenue:

          

Revenues – third party(1)

   $ 692,052       $ —         $ (10,026   $ 682,026   

Revenues – affiliates

     472         —           —          472   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue and other income (loss), net

     692,524         —           (10,026     682,498   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses:

          

Operating costs and expenses

     558,708         —           —          558,708   

General and administrative(1)

     —           —           23,521        23,521   

Depreciation and amortization

     55,647         —           —          55,647   

Interest expense(1)

     —           —           74,085        74,085   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     614,355         —           97,606        711,961   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity income

     4,137         —           —          4,137   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —           —           (4,359     (4,359
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

     82,306         —           (111,991     (29,685

Income from discontinued operations

     —           —           320,684        320,684   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 82,306       $ —         $ 208,693      $ 290,999   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Capital Expenditures:    2011      2010(2)      2011      2010(2)  

Gathering and Processing

   $ 56,175       $ 11,340       $ 148,144       $ 32,078   

Pipeline

     —           —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 56,175       $ 11,340       $ 148,144       $ 32,078   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Balance Sheet

   September 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Investment in joint ventures:

     

Gathering and Processing

   $ —         $ 153,358   

Pipeline

     86,688         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 86,688       $ 153,358   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets:

     

Gathering and Processing

   $ 1,735,445       $ 1,738,493   

Pipeline

     86,915         —     

Corporate other

     57,953         26,355   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,880,313       $ 1,764,848   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the Partnership’s natural gas and liquids revenues by product or service for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010      2011     2010  

Natural gas and liquids:

         

Natural gas

   $ 112,909      $ 72,421       $ 299,566      $ 226,806   

NGLs

     209,941        134,294         582,806        383,962   

Condensate

     19,070        12,526         56,268        30,895   

Other

     (422     1,237         (665     315   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 341,498      $ 220,478       $ 937,975      $ 641,978   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The Partnership notes derivative contracts are carried at the corporate level and interest and general and administrative expenses have not been allocated to its reportable segments as it would be unfeasible to reasonably do so for the periods presented.
(2) Restated to reflect the realignment of the segments due to the sale of Laurel Mountain and the acquisition of WTLPG (see Note 3) and to reflect the reclass of accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs from interest expense to loss on early extinguishment of debt (see Note 1).

NOTE 16 – SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Partnership’s 8.75% Senior Notes and revolving credit facility are guaranteed by its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The guarantees are full, unconditional, joint and several. The Partnership’s consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 include the financial statements of Atlas Pipeline Mid-Continent WestOk, LLC (“WestOK LLC”) and Atlas Pipeline Mid-Continent WestTex, LLC (“WestTX LLC”), entities in which the Partnership has 95% interests. Under the terms of the 8.75% Senior Notes and the revolving credit facility, WestOK LLC and WestTX LLC are non-guarantor subsidiaries as they are not wholly-owned by the Partnership. The following supplemental condensed consolidating financial information reflects the Partnership’s stand-alone accounts, the combined accounts of the guarantor subsidiaries, the combined accounts of the non-guarantor subsidiaries, the consolidating adjustments and eliminations and the Partnership’s consolidated accounts as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. For the purpose of the following financial information, the Partnership’s investments in its subsidiaries and the guarantor subsidiaries’ investments in their subsidiaries are presented in accordance with the equity method of accounting (in thousands):

 

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Balance Sheets

   Parent      Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor

Subsidiaries
     Consolidating
Adjustments
    Consolidated  

September 30, 2011

            
Assets             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —         $ 167      $ —         $ —        $ 167   

Accounts receivable – affiliates

     211,201         52,538        —           (263,739     —     

Other current assets

     255         50,239        104,789         (1,109     154,174   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     211,456         102,944        104,789         (264,848     154,341   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —           264,239        1,217,202         —          1,481,441   

Intangible assets, net

     —           —          109,052         —          109,052   

Investment in joint venture

     —           86,688        —           —          86,688   

Long term portion of derivative asset

     —           26,950        —           —          26,950   

Long term notes receivable

     —           —          1,852,928         (1,852,928     —     

Equity investments

     1,459,815         2,052,644        —           (3,512,459     —     

Other assets, net

     19,116         1,773        952         —          21,841   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,690,387       $ 2,535,238      $ 3,284,923       $ (5,630,235   $ 1,880,313   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Liabilities and Equity             

Accounts payable – affiliates

   $ —         $ —        $ 266,415       $ (263,739   $ 2,676   

Other current liabilities

     5,670         42,355        135,240         —          183,265   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     5,670         42,355        401,655         (263,739     185,941   

Long-term debt, less current portion

     414,322         —          9,605         —          423,927   

Other long-term liability

     77         50        —           —          127   

Equity

     1,270,318         2,492,833        2,873,663         (5,366,496     1,270,318   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,690,387       $ 2,535,238      $ 3,284,923       $ (5,630,235   $ 1,880,313   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

                                
Assets             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —         $ 164      $ —         $ —        $ 164   

Accounts receivable – affiliates

     1,329,448         —          —           (1,329,448     —     

Other current assets

     202         25,488        89,187         —          114,877   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,329,650         25,652        89,187         (1,329,448     115,041   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —           243,092        1,097,910         —          1,341,002   

Intangible assets, net

     —           —          126,379         —          126,379   

Investment in joint venture

     —           153,358        —           —          153,358   

Long term notes receivable

     —           —          1,852,928         (1,852,928     —     

Equity investments

     252,725         (633,455     —           380,730        —     

Other assets, net

     26,605         1,775        688         —          29,068   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,608,980       $ (209,578   $ 3,167,092       $ (2,801,646   $ 1,764,848   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
Liabilities and Equity             

Accounts payable – affiliates

   $ —         $ 1,173,729      $ 167,999       $ (1,329,448   $ 12,280   

Current portion of derivative liability

     —           4,564        —           —          4,564   

Other current liabilities

     2,102         47,162        85,498         —          134,762   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     2,102         1,225,455        253,497         (1,329,448     151,606   

Long-term derivative liability

     —           5,608        —           —          5,608   

Long-term debt, less current portion

     565,231         —          533         —          565,764   

Other long-term liability

     —           223        —           —          223   

Equity

     1,041,647         (1,440,864     2,913,062         (1,472,198     1,041,647   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,608,980       $ (209,578   $ 3,167,092       $ (2,801,646   $ 1,764,848   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Statements of Operations

   Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor

Subsidiaries
    Consolidating
Adjustments
    Consolidated  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

          

Total revenue and other income (loss), net

   $ —        $ 95,458      $ 284,322      $ —        $ 379,780   

Total costs and expenses

     (3,857     (81,241     (246,209     —          (331,307

Equity income

     53,613        40,460        —          (92,288     1,785   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 49,756      $ 54,677      $ 38,113      $ (92,288   $ 50,258   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010(1)

                              

Total revenue and other income (loss), net

   $ —        $ 36,959      $ 189,159      $ —        $ 226,118   

Total costs and expenses

     (11,047     (67,485     (162,471     —          (241,003

Equity income

     294,137        29,017        —          (321,367     1,787   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —          (4,359     —          —          (4,359
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     283,090        (5,868     26,688        (321,367     (17,457

Income from discontinued operations

     —          305,927        —          —          305,927   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 283,090      $ 300,059      $ 26,688      $ (321,367   $ 288,470   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

                              

Total revenue and other income (loss), net

   $ —        $ 202,637      $ 784,191      $ —        $ 986,828   

Total costs and expenses

     (19,661     (221,578     (683,891     —          (925,130

Equity income

     337,728        103,357        —          (438,151     2,934   

Gain on asset sales and other

     —          255,674        —          —          255,674   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     (19,574     —          —          —          (19,574
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     298,493        340,090        100,300        (438,151     300,732   

Loss from discontinued operations

     —          (81     —          —          (81
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 298,493      $ 340,009      $ 100,300      $ (438,151   $ 300,651   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010(1)

                              

Total revenue and other income (loss), net

   $ —        $ 123,513      $ 558,985      $ —        $ 682,498   

Total costs and expenses

     (32,951     (200,806     (478,204     —          (711,961

Equity income

     316,616        84,488        —          (396,967     4,137   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —          (4,359     —          —          (4,359
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     283,665        2,836        80,781        (396,967     (29,685

Income from discontinued operations

     —          320,684        —          —          320,684   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 283,665      $ 323,520      $ 80,781      $ (396,967   $ 290,999   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Statements of Cash Flows

   Parent     Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-
Guarantor

Subsidiaries
    Consolidating
Adjustments
    Consolidated  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

          

Net cash provided by (used in):

          

Total operating activities

   $ (21,998   $ 34,831      $ 164,961      $ (97,136   $ 80,658   

Continuing investing activities

     268,195        292,617        (123,226     (271,511     166,075   

Discontinued investing activities

     —          (81     —          —          (81
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investing activities

     268,195        292,536        (123,226     (271,511     165,994   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total financing activities

     (246,197     (327,364     (41,735     368,647        (246,649
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     —          3        —          —          3   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     —          164        —          —          164   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ —        $ 167      $ —        $ —        $ 167   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Statements of Cash Flows

                              

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

          

Net cash provided by (used in):

          

Continuing operating activities

   $ 361,840      $ 15,291      $ 144,031      $ (444,367   $ 76,795   

Discontinued operating activities

     —          24,490        —          —          24,490   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating activities

     361,840        39,781        144,031        (444,367     101,285   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Continuing investing activities

     370,097        861,369        (26,580     (1,242,603     (37,717

Discontinued investing activities

     —          667,605        —          —          667,605   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investing activities

     370,097        1,528,974        (26,580     (1,242,603     629,888   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total financing activities

     (731,937     (1,569,610     (117,451     1,686,970        (732,028
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     —          (855     —          —          (855

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     —          1,021        —          —          1,021   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ —        $ 166      $ —        $ —        $ 166   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Restated to reflect the reclass of accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs from interest expense to loss on early extinguishment of debt (see Note 1).

 

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Table of Contents
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

When used in this Form 10-Q, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties more particularly described in Item 1A, under the caption “Risk Factors”, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from the results stated or implied in this document. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to forward-looking statements which we may make to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

General

The following discussion provides information to assist in understanding our financial condition and results of operations. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report and with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Overview

We are a publicly-traded Delaware limited partnership formed in 1999 whose common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “APL.” We are a leading provider of natural gas gathering, processing and treating services in the Anadarko and Permian Basins located in the southwestern and mid-continent regions of the United States; a provider of natural gas gathering services in the Appalachian Basin in the northeastern region of the United States; and a provider of NGL transportation services in the southwestern region of the United States.

Due to the sale of our 49% non-controlling interest in Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC (“Laurel Mountain”) and our acquisition of a 20% interest in West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership (“WTLPG”) (see “–Recent Events”), we realigned the management of our business in the midstream segment of the natural gas industry into two new reportable segments: Gathering and Processing; and Pipeline Transportation.

The Gathering and Processing segment consists of (1) the WestOK, WestTX and Velma operations, which are comprised of natural gas gathering and processing assets servicing drilling activity in the Anadarko and Permian Basins, and which were formerly included within the previous Mid-Continent segment; (2) the natural gas gathering assets located in Tennessee, which were formerly included in the previous Appalachia segment; and (3) the revenues and gain on sale related to our 49% interest in Laurel Mountain, which were formerly included in the previous Appalachia segment. Gathering and Processing revenues are primarily derived from the sale of residue gas and NGLs and gathering of natural gas.

Our Gathering and Processing operations, as of September 30, 2011, own, have interests in and operate five natural gas processing plants with aggregate capacity of approximately 520 MMCFD, which are connected to approximately 8,600 miles of active natural gas gathering systems located in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas. These assets were formerly included in our previous Mid-Continent segment. In addition we own and operate approximately 70 miles of active natural gas gathering systems located in

 

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Table of Contents

Tennessee, which were formerly included in our previous Appalachia segment. Our gathering systems gather gas from wells and central delivery points and deliver to natural gas processing and treating plants, as well as third-party pipelines.

Our Pipeline Transportation operations, as of September 30, 2011, own a 20% interest in WTLPG, which was acquired on May 11, 2011 (see “–Recent Events”). WTLPG owns a common-carrier pipeline system that transports NGLs from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu, Texas for fractionation. WTLPG is operated by Chevron Pipeline Company, an affiliate of Chevron, which owns the remaining 80% interest.

Recent Events

On February 17, 2011, we completed the sale to Atlas Energy Resources, LLC of our 49% non-controlling interest in Laurel Mountain for $409.5 million in cash, net of expenses and including adjustments based on certain capital contributions we made to and distributions we received from Laurel Mountain after January 1, 2011. We retained the preferred distribution rights under the limited liability company agreement of Laurel Mountain entitling APL Laurel Mountain, LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary, to receive all payments made under a note issued to Laurel Mountain by Williams Laurel Mountain, LLC in connection with the formation of Laurel Mountain. We intend to utilize the proceeds from the sale to repay our indebtedness, to fund future capital expenditures, and for general corporate purposes.

On April 7, 2011, we purchased $7.2 million, or 3.24%, of the outstanding 8.75% Senior Notes, which represented all the 8.75% Senior Notes validly tendered pursuant to our offer to purchase the 8.75% Senior Notes, at par, and paid $0.2 million in accrued and unpaid interest for a total payment of $7.4 million (see “–Senior Notes”). We funded the purchase from a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of our 49% non-controlling interest in Laurel Mountain.

On April 8, 2011, we redeemed all our 8.125% Senior Notes for a total redemption of $293.7 million, including accrued interest of $7.0 million and premium of $11.2 million (see “–Senior Notes”). The redemption was funded with a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of our 49% non-controlling interest in Laurel Mountain.

On May 11, 2011, we acquired a 20% interest in WTLPG from Buckeye Partners, L.P. for $85.0 million. WTLPG owns a common-carrier pipeline system that transports NGLs from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu, Texas for fractionation and is operated by Chevron Pipeline Company, an affiliate of Chevron, which owns the remaining 80% interest.

On May 27, 2011, we redeemed our 8,000 units of Class C Preferred Units for cash at the liquidation value of $1,000 per unit, or $8.0 million plus $0.2 million accrued dividends. There are no longer any Class C Preferred Units outstanding (see “–Preferred Units”).

On July 8, 2011, we exercised the $100.0 million accordion feature on our revolving credit facility to increase the capacity from $350.0 million to $450.0 million. The other terms of the credit agreement remain unchanged.

On July 15, 2011, we amended an operating lease for eight natural gas compressors to include a mandatory purchase of the equipment at the end of the term of the lease, thereby converting the agreement into a capital lease upon the effective date of the amendment and capitalized $11.4 million within property, plant and equipment with an offsetting liability within debt on our consolidated balance sheets based on the minimum payments required under the lease and our incremental borrowing rate.

 

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Table of Contents

On August 29, 2011, we signed long-term product sales agreements with DCP NGL Services, LLC (“DCP”), a subsidiary of DCP Midstream, LLC, to sell our NGL production from each of our processing facilities in Oklahoma and Texas. The agreements are based on Mt. Belvieu NGL pricing and each has a term of fifteen years, which will become effective at various times upon expiration of our existing NGL sales agreements.

Contractual Revenue Arrangements

Our principal revenue is generated from the gathering and sale of natural gas, NGLs and condensate. Variables that affect our revenue are:

 

   

the volumes of natural gas we gather and process, which in turn, depend upon the number of wells connected to our gathering systems, the amount of natural gas the wells produce, and the demand for natural gas, NGLs and condensate;

 

   

the price of the natural gas we gather and process and the NGLs and condensate we recover and sell, which is a function of the relevant supply and demand in the mid-continent, mid-Atlantic and northeastern areas of the United States;

 

   

the NGL and BTU content of the gas gathered and processed;

 

   

the contract terms with each producer; and

 

   

the efficiency of our gathering systems and processing plants.

Revenue consists of the sale of natural gas and NGLs and the fees earned from our gathering and processing operations. Under certain agreements, we purchase natural gas from producers and move it into receipt points on our pipeline systems and then sell the natural gas and NGLs off delivery points on our systems. Under other agreements, we gather natural gas across our systems, from receipt to delivery point, without taking title to the natural gas. (See “Item 1. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) –Note 2–Revenue Recognition” for further discussion of contractual revenue arrangements).

Results of Operations

The following table illustrates selected pricing and volumetric information for the periods indicated:

 

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Table of Contents
     Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2011      2010      Percent
Change
    2011      2010      Percent
Change
 

Pricing:

                

Weighted Average Market Prices:

                

NGL price per gallon – Conway hub

   $ 1.13       $ 0.85         32.9   $ 1.11       $ 0.93         19.4

NGL price per gallon – Mt. Belvieu hub

     1.36         0.95         43.2     1.30         1.04         25.0

Natural gas sales ($/Mcf):

                

Velma

     4.02         4.03         (0.2 )%      4.04         4.35         (7.1 )% 

WestOK

     4.04         4.01         0.7     4.05         4.35         (6.9 )% 

WestTX

     4.05         3.99         1.5     4.04         4.30         (6.0 )% 

Weighted Average

     4.04         4.01         0.7     4.04         4.33         (6.7 )% 

NGL sales ($/gallon):

                

Velma

     1.16         0.80         45.0     1.12         0.87         28.7

WestOK

     1.17         0.91         28.6     1.13         0.92         22.8

WestTX

     1.42         0.94         51.1     1.32         1.00         32.0

Weighted Average

     1.27         0.90         41.1     1.21         0.96         26.0

Condensate sales ($/barrel):

                

Velma

     88.54         74.92         18.2     94.39         76.19         23.9

WestOK

     81.23         68.73         18.2     86.75         71.33         21.6

WestTX

     87.68         74.82         17.2     92.77         74.06         25.3

Weighted Average

     85.77         73.55         16.6     90.91         73.68         23.4

Operating data:

                

Velma system:

                

Gathered gas volume (MCFD)

     111,777         90,377         23.7     101,593         81,107         25.3

Processed gas volume (MCFD)

     104,930         84,255         24.5     95,643         75,531         26.6

Residue Gas volume (MCFD)

     87,099         68,713         26.8     78,462         61,559         27.5

NGL volume (BPD)

     12,198         10,231         19.2     11,219         8,749         28.2

Condensate volume (BPD)

     346         369         (6.2 )%      439         410         7.1

WestOK system:

                

Gathered gas volume (MCFD)

     277,794         225,395         23.2     260,863         223,511         16.7

Processed gas volume (MCFD)

     263,654         211,533         24.6     247,259         197,197         25.4

Residue Gas volume (MCFD)

     242,744         187,024         29.8     224,158         177,245         26.5

NGL volume (BPD)

     13,392         11,561         15.8     13,395         11,785         13.7

Condensate volume (BPD)

     786         599         31.2     842         661         27.4

WestTX system(1):

                

Gathered gas volume (MCFD)

     224,412         188,960         18.8     205,089         175,985         16.5

Processed gas volume (MCFD)

     198,068         170,988         15.8     188,292         161,474         16.6

Residue Gas volume (MCFD)

     136,594         109,167         25.1     128,584         104,742         22.8

NGL volume (BPD)

     27,387         28,557         (4.1 )%      28,003         26,533         5.5

Condensate volume (BPD)

     2,257         1,867         20.9     1,707         1,353         26.2

Tennessee system:

                

Average throughput volumes (MCFD)

     7,493         9,142         (18.0 )%      7,747         8,767         (11.6 )% 

 

(1) Operating data for the WestTX system represents 100% of its operating activity.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

Revenue. The following table details the revenue variances between the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

 

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     Three Months Ended
September 30,
              
      2011      2010     Variance      Percent
Change
 

Revenues:

          

Natural gas and liquids

   $ 341,498       $ 220,478      $ 121,020         54.9

Transportation, processing and other fees

     11,691         9,951        1,740         17.5

Other income (loss), net

     26,591         (4,311     30,902         716.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenues

   $ 379,780       $ 226,118      $ 153,662         68.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Natural gas and liquids revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011 increased primarily due to a favorable price change as a result of higher realized commodity prices combined with higher production volumes.

Volumes on the Velma system increased for the three months ended September 30, 2011 when compared to the prior year period primarily due to new production gathered on the Madill-to-Velma gas gathering pipeline. Volumes on the WestOK system increased for the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the prior year due to the completion of an expansion into Kansas in 2010. WestTX system gathering and processing volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2011 increased when compared to the prior year period due to increased volumes from Pioneer as a result of their continued drilling program. WestTX system NGL volumes were impacted by plant maintenance and liquid allocation on the system, resulting in the NGL volumes having a slight decrease in comparison to the prior year period.

Transportation, processing and other fees for the three months ended September 30, 2011 increased primarily due to increased processing fee revenue on the Velma system related to the increased volumes processed through the system.

Other income (loss), net, including the impact of certain gains and losses recognized on derivatives had a favorable variance for the three months ended September 30, 2011 due primarily to $32.8 million favorable non-cash mark-to-market adjustments on commodity-based derivatives, partially offset by $1.8 million higher net cash settlements on commodity-based derivatives. We enter into derivative instruments solely to hedge our forecasted natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales against the variability in expected future cash flows attributable to changes in market prices. See further discussion of derivatives under “Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Costs and Expenses. The following table details the costs and expenses variances between the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
              
     2011      2010      Variance     Percent
Change
 

Costs and Expenses:

          

Natural gas and liquids

   $ 282,391       $ 178,920       $ 103,471        57.8

Plant operating

     14,085         12,552         1,533        12.2

Transportation and compression

     268         300         (32     (10.7 )% 

General and administrative

     9,149         7,578         1,571        20.7

Other costs

     8         —           8        100

Depreciation and amortization

     19,471         18,566         905        4.9

Interest expense

     5,935         23,087         (17,152     (74.3 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

   $ 331,307       $ 241,003       $ 90,304        37.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Natural gas and liquids cost of goods sold for the three months ended September 30, 2011 increased primarily due to an increase in average commodity prices and processed volumes in comparison to the prior year period, as discussed above in “Revenues.”

Plant operating expense for the three months ended September 30, 2011 increased primarily due to increased processed volumes in comparison to the prior year period, as discussed above in “Revenues.”

Transportation and compression expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2011 decreased due to lower throughput volumes on the Tennessee gathering system.

General and administrative expense, including amounts reimbursed to affiliates, increased for the three months ended September 30, 2011 primarily due to a $1.8 million increase in salaries and wages.

Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2011 decreased primarily due to a $6.6 million decrease in interest expense associated with our term loan retired in the prior year; a $5.6 million decrease in interest expense associated with the 8.125% Senior Notes; a $3.2 million decrease in interest expense associated with our revolving credit facility and a $1.5 million increase in capitalized interest. The lower interest expense on our term loan and revolving credit facility is primarily due to the retirement of the term loan and a reduction of the credit facility borrowings in September 2010 with proceeds from the sale of Elk City. The lower interest expense on our 8.125% Senior Notes is due to the redemption of the 8.125% Senior Notes in April 2011, with proceeds from the sale of our 49% non-controlling interest in Laurel Mountain (see “–Recent Events”). The increased capitalized interest is due to the increased capital expenditures in the current period (see “–Capital Requirements”)

Other income items. The following table details the changes between the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 for other income items (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
             
     2011     2010     Variance     Percent
Change
 

Equity income in joint ventures

   $ 1,785      $ 1,787      $ (2     (0.1 )% 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     —          (4,359     4,359        100.0

Income from discontinued operations

     —          305,927        (305,927     (100.0 )% 

Income attributable to non-controlling interests

     (1,760     (1,076     (684     (63.6 )% 

Equity income in joint ventures for the current year period represents our ownership interest in the net income of WTLPG, which we purchased on May 11, 2011 (see “–Recent Events”). Equity income in joint ventures for the prior year period represents our ownership interest in the net income of Laurel Mountain, which we sold on February 17, 2011 (see “–Recent Events”).

Loss on early extinguishment of debt for the three months ended September 30, 2010 represents the accelerated amortization of debt expense related to the early retirement of our term loan with proceeds from the sale of Elk City.

Income from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2010 represents a $311.5 million gain on sale associated with the Elk City system, which was sold on September 16, 2010, offset by a $5.6 million loss related to the income of Elk City.

 

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Income attributable to non-controlling interests increased primarily due to higher net income for the WestOK and WestTX joint ventures, which were formed to accomplish our acquisition of control of the systems. The increase in net income of the joint ventures was principally due to higher gross margins on the sale of commodities, resulting from higher prices and volumes. The non-controlling interest expense represents Anadarko Petroleum Corporation’s interest in the net income of the WestOK and WestOK joint ventures.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

Revenue. The following table details the revenue changes between the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
               
     2011      2010      Change      Percent
Change
 

Revenues:

           

Natural gas and liquids

   $ 937,975       $ 641,978       $ 295,997         46.1

Transportation, processing and other fees

     31,536         29,944         1,592         5.3

Other income (loss), net

     17,317         10,576         6,741         63.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenues

   $ 986,828       $ 682,498       $ 304,330         44.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Natural gas and liquids revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased primarily due to a favorable price change as a result of higher realized commodity prices combined with higher production volumes across all systems.

Volumes on the Velma system increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 when compared to the prior year period primarily due to new production gathered on the Madill-to-Velma gas gathering pipeline. Volume on the WestOK system increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the prior year due to the completion of an expansion into Kansas in June 2010. WestTX system volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased when compared to the prior year period due to increased volumes from Pioneer as a result of their continued drilling program.

Other income (loss), net, including the impact of certain gains and losses recognized on derivatives had a favorable variance for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 due primarily to $13.7 million favorable non-cash mark-to-market adjustments on commodity-based derivatives. We enter into derivative instruments solely to hedge our forecasted natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales against the variability in expected future cash flows attributable to changes in market prices. See further discussion of derivatives under “Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Costs and Expenses. The following table details the costs and expenses changes between the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

 

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     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
              
     2011      2010      Change     Percent
Change
 

Costs and Expenses:

          

Natural gas and liquids

   $ 774,859       $ 521,495       $ 253,364        48.6

Plant operating

     40,240         36,492         3,748        10.3

Transportation and compression

     603         721         (118     (16.4 )% 

General and administrative

     26,821         23,521         3,300        14.0

Other costs

     583         —           583        100.0

Depreciation and amortization

     57,499         55,647         1,852        3.3

Interest expense

     24,525         74,085         (49,560     (66.9 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

   $ 925,130       $ 711,961       $ 213,169        29.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Natural gas and liquids cost of goods sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased primarily due to an increase in average commodity prices and processed volumes in comparison to the prior year period, as discussed above in “Revenues.”

Plant operating expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased primarily due to increased processed volumes in comparison to the prior year period, as discussed above in “Revenues.”

Transportation and compression expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 decreased due to lower throughput volumes on the Tennessee gathering system.

General and administrative expense, including amounts reimbursed to affiliates, increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 mainly due to an increase in net salaries and wages of $2.9 million.

Other costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 are associated with the acquisition of WTLPG in May 2011 (see “–Recent Events”).

Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 decreased primarily due to a $21.1 million decrease in interest expense associated with our term loan retired during the prior year; a $12.2 million decrease in interest expense associated with our revolving credit facility; and a $10.8 million decrease in interest expense associated with the 8.125% Senior Notes. The lower interest expense on our term loan and revolving credit facility is primarily due to the retirement of the term loan and a reduction of the credit facility borrowings in September 2010 with proceeds from the sale of Elk City. The lower interest expense on our 8.125% Senior Notes is due to the redemption of the 8.125% Senior Notes in April 2011, with proceeds from the sale of our 49% non-controlling interest in Laurel Mountain (see “–Recent Events”).

Other income items. The following table details the changes between the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 for other income items (in thousands):

 

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     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
             
     2011     2010     Change     Percent
Change
 

Equity income in joint ventures

   $ 2,934      $ 4,137      $ (1,203     (29.1 )% 

Gain on asset sales and other

     255,674        —          255,674        100.0

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     (19,574     (4,359     (15,215     (349.0 )% 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (81     320,684        (320,765     (100.0 )% 

Income attributable to non-controlling interests

     (4,492     (3,338     (1,154     (34.6 )% 

Equity income in joint ventures decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to the sale of our ownership interest in Laurel Mountain on February 17, 2011, resulting in $3.7 million lower equity earnings from Laurel Mountain (see “–Recent Events”); partially offset by $2.5 million equity earnings generated in the current period from our 20% ownership interest in WTPLG, which was purchased in May 2011 (see “–Recent Events”).

Gain on asset sales and other for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 includes amounts associated with the sale of our 49% interest in Laurel Mountain on February 17, 2011 (see “–Recent Events”).

Loss on early extinguishment of debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 represents the premium paid for the redemption of the 8.125% Senior Notes and the recognition of deferred finance costs related to the redemption (see “–Recent Events”). Loss on early extinguishment of debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 represents the accelerated amortization of debt expense related to the early retirement of our term loan with proceeds from the sale of Elk City.

Income from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 represents a $311.5 million gain on sale associated with the Elk City system, which was sold on September 16, 2010, and $9.2 million net income related to the operations of Elk City.

Income attributable to non-controlling interests increased primarily due to higher net income for the WestOK and WestTX joint ventures, which were formed to accomplish our acquisition of control of the systems. The increase in net income of the joint ventures was principally due to higher gross margins on the sale of commodities, resulting from higher prices and volumes. The non-controlling interest expense represents Anadarko Petroleum Corporation’s interest in the net income of the WestOK and WestTX joint ventures.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash generated from operations and borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Our primary cash requirements, in addition to normal operating expenses, are for debt service, capital expenditures and quarterly distributions to our common unitholders and General Partner. In general, we expect to fund:

 

   

cash distributions and maintenance capital expenditures through existing cash and cash flows from operating activities;

 

   

expansion capital expenditures and working capital deficits through the retention of cash and

 

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additional capital raising; and

 

   

debt principal payments through operating cash flows and refinancings as they become due, or by the issuance of additional limited partner units or asset sales.

At September 30, 2011, we had $198.5 million outstanding borrowings under our $450.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility and $1.1 million of outstanding letters of credit, which are not reflected as borrowings on our consolidated balance sheets, with $250.4 million of remaining committed capacity under the revolving credit facility, (see “–Revolving Credit Facility”). We were in compliance with the credit facility’s covenants at September 30, 2011. We had a working capital deficit of $31.6 million at September 30, 2011 compared with a $36.6 million working capital deficit at December 31, 2010. We believe we will have sufficient liquid assets, cash from operations and borrowing capacity to meet our financial commitments, debt service obligations, contingencies and anticipated capital expenditures for at least the next twelve-month period. However, we are subject to business, operational and other risks that could adversely affect our cash flow. We may need to supplement our cash generation with proceeds from financing activities, including borrowings under our credit facility and other borrowings, the issuance of additional limited partner units and sales of our assets.

Instability in the financial markets, as a result of recession or otherwise, may cause volatility in the markets and may impact the availability of funds from those markets. This may affect our ability to raise capital and reduce the amount of cash available to fund our operations. We rely on our cash flow from operations and our revolving credit facility to execute our growth strategy and to meet our financial commitments and other short-term liquidity needs. We cannot be certain additional capital will be available to the extent required and on acceptable terms.

Cash Flows – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

The following table details the cash flow changes between the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
          Percent  
     2011     2010     Variance     Change  

Net cash provided by (used in):

        

Operating activities

   $ 80,658      $ 101,285      $ (20,627     (20.4 )% 

Investing activities

     165,994        629,888        (463,894     (73.7 )% 

Financing activities

     (246,649     (732,028     485,379        66.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3      $ (855   $ 858        100.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 decreased primarily due to a $41.9 million decrease in the change in working capital and a $24.5 million decrease in cash provided by discontinued operations; offset by a $45.8 million increase in net earnings from continuing operations excluding non-cash charges. The decrease in the change in working capital is primarily due to a $58.6 million increase in receivables during the current year period related to higher revenues. The increase in net earnings from continuing operations excluding non-cash charges is primarily due to increased revenues from the sale of natural gas and NGLs (see “–Results of Operations”).

Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 decreased mainly as a result of net proceeds of $674.4 million received from the sale of the Elk City system in the prior period; a $117.0 million increase in capital expenditures in the current year period

 

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compared to the prior year period (see further discussion of capital expenditures under “–Capital Requirements”); and $85.0 million paid for the acquisition of WTLPG (see “–Recent Events”); partially offset by $411.5 million received from the sale of our 49% interest in Laurel Mountain (see “–Recent Events”).

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 decreased mainly due to a $433.5 million repayment of our term loan in the prior period and a $314.0 million reduction in borrowings on our revolving credit facility in the prior period; partially offset by $293.9 million paid for the redemption of the 8.125% Senior Notes and a portion of the 8.75% Senior Notes in the current period. The proceeds from the sale of Elk City were utilized in the retirement of the term loan and the reduction of borrowings on the revolving credit facility in the prior year period. The proceeds from the sale of Laurel Mountain were utilized in the redemption of the Senior Notes in the current year period (see “–Recent Events”).

Capital Requirements

Our operations require continual investment to upgrade or enhance existing operations and to ensure compliance with safety, operational, and environmental regulations. Our capital requirements consist primarily of:

 

   

maintenance capital expenditures to maintain equipment reliability and safety and to address environmental regulations; and

 

   

expansion capital expenditures to acquire complementary assets and to expand the capacity of our existing operations.

The following table summarizes maintenance and expansion capital expenditures, excluding amounts paid for acquisitions, for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Maintenance capital expenditures

   $ 4,980       $ 2,595       $ 13,451       $ 6,478   

Expansion capital expenditures

     51,195         8,745         134,693         25,600   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 56,175       $ 11,340       $ 148,144       $ 32,078   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expansion capital expenditures increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 primarily due to major processing facility expansions, compressor upgrades and pipeline projects. The increase in maintenance capital expenditures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 when compared with the prior year period is due to expanded processing and gathering facilities. As of September 30, 2011, we have approved additional expenditures of approximately $194.7 million on processing facility expansions; pipeline extensions; compressor station upgrades; and maintenance. We expect to fund these projects through operating cash flow and borrowings under our existing revolving credit facility.

Partnership Distributions

Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute 100% of available cash to our common unitholders and our General Partner within 45 days following the end of each calendar quarter in accordance with their respective percentage interests. Available cash consists generally of all our cash

 

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receipts, less cash disbursements and net additions to reserves, including any reserves required under debt instruments for future principal and interest payments.

Our General Partner is granted discretion by our partnership agreement to establish, maintain and adjust reserves for future operating expenses, debt service, maintenance capital expenditures and distributions for the next four quarters. These reserves are not restricted by magnitude, but only by type of future cash requirements with which they can be associated. When our General Partner determines our quarterly distributions, it considers current and expected reserve needs along with current and expected cash flows to identify the appropriate sustainable distribution level.

Available cash is initially distributed 98% to our common limited partners and 2% to our General Partner. These distribution percentages are modified to provide for incentive distributions to be paid to our General Partner if quarterly distributions to common limited partners exceed specified targets. Incentive distributions are generally defined as all cash distributions paid to our General Partner that are in excess of 2% of the aggregate amount of cash being distributed. Our General Partner, holder of all our incentive distribution rights, has agreed to allocate up to $3.75 million of its incentive distribution rights per quarter back to us after the General Partner receives the initial $7.0 million of incentive distribution rights per quarter. Incentive distributions of $0.4 million were paid during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. No incentive distributions were paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2011, our off balance sheet arrangements include our letters of credit, issued under the provisions of our revolving credit facility, totaling $1.1 million. These are in place to support various performance obligations as required by (i) statutes within the regulatory jurisdictions where we operate, (ii) surety and (iii) counterparty support.

We also have certain long-term unconditional purchase obligations and commitments, primarily take-or-pay agreements. These agreements provide transportation services to be used in the ordinary course of our operations.

Preferred Units

On June 30, 2010, we sold 8,000 newly-created 12% Cumulative Class C Preferred Units of limited partner interest (the “Class C Preferred Units”) to Atlas Energy, Inc. for cash consideration of $1,000 per Class C Preferred Unit, for total proceeds of $8.0 million.

The Class C Preferred Units received distributions of 12% per annum, paid quarterly on the same date as the distribution payment date for our common units. The record date for the determination of holders entitled to receive distributions was the same as the record date for determination of common unit holders entitled to receive quarterly distributions. We had the right to redeem some or all of the Class C Preferred Units for an amount equal to the face value of the Class C Preferred Units being redeemed plus all accrued but unpaid dividends.

On May 27, 2011, we redeemed the 8,000 Class C Preferred units for cash, at the liquidation value of $1,000 per unit, or $8.0 million, plus $0.2 million, representing the accrued dividends on the 8,000 Class C Preferred Units prior to our redemption. There are no Class C Preferred Units outstanding at September 30, 2011.

 

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Revolving Credit Facility

At September 30, 2011, we had a $450.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks, which matures in December 2015. On July 8, 2011, the revolving credit facility was increased from $350.0 million to $450.0 million. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at either (i) the higher of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or (c) three-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, or (ii) the LIBOR rate for the applicable period (each plus the applicable margin). The weighted average interest rate for borrowings on the revolving credit facility, at September 30, 2011, was 3.2%. Up to $50.0 million of the revolving credit facility may be utilized for letters of credit, of which $1.1 million was outstanding at September 30, 2011. These outstanding letter of credit amounts were not reflected as borrowings on our consolidated balance sheets.

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are secured by a lien on and security interest in all our property and that of our subsidiaries, except for the assets owned by the WestOK and WestTX joint ventures. Borrowings are also secured by the guaranty of each of our consolidated subsidiaries other than the joint venture companies. The revolving credit facility contains customary covenants, including covenants to maintain specified financial ratios, restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness; make certain acquisitions, loans or investments; make distribution payments to our unitholders if an event of default exists; or enter into a merger or sale of assets, including the sale or transfer of interests in our subsidiaries. We are also unable to borrow under our revolving credit facility to pay distributions of available cash to unitholders because such borrowings would not constitute “working capital borrowings” pursuant to our partnership agreement.

The events which constitute an event of default for our revolving credit facility include payment defaults, breaches of representations or covenants contained in the credit agreement, adverse judgments against us in excess of a specified amount, and a change of control of our General Partner. As of September 30, 2011, we were in compliance with all covenants under the revolving credit facility.

Senior Notes

At September 30, 2011, we had $215.8 million principal amount outstanding of 8.75% senior unsecured notes due on June 15, 2018 (“8.75% Senior Notes”). Interest on the 8.75% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15. The 8.75% Senior Notes are redeemable at any time after June 15, 2013, at certain redemption prices, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. The 8.75% Senior Notes are subject to repurchase by us at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, upon a change of control or upon certain asset sales if we do not reinvest the net proceeds within 360 days. The 8.75% Senior Notes are junior in right of payment to our secured debt, including our obligations under our revolving credit facility.

On April 7, 2011, we redeemed $7.2 million of the 8.75% Senior Notes, which were tendered upon our offer to purchase the 8.75% Senior Notes, at par. The sale of our 49% non-controlling interest in Laurel Mountain on February 17, 2011 constituted an “Asset Sale” pursuant to the terms of the indenture of the 8.75% Senior Notes. As a result of the Asset Sale, we offered to purchase any and all of the 8.75% Senior Notes.

The indenture governing the 8.75% Senior Notes contains covenants, including limitations of our ability to: incur certain liens; engage in sale/leaseback transactions; incur additional indebtedness; declare or pay distributions if an event of default has occurred; redeem, repurchase or retire equity interests or subordinated indebtedness; make certain investments; or merge, consolidate or sell substantially all our assets. We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2011.

 

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On April 8, 2011, we redeemed all the 8.125% senior unsecured notes due on December 15, 2015 (“8.125% Senior Notes”). The redemption price was determined in accordance with the indenture for the 8.125% Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. We paid $293.7 million to redeem the $275.5 million principal plus $11.2 million premium and $7.0 million accrued interest. There are no 8.125% Senior Notes outstanding at September 30, 2011.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires making estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of actual revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Although we base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results may differ from the estimates on which our financial statements are prepared at any given point of time. Changes in these estimates could materially affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Significant items that are subject to such estimates and assumptions include revenue and expense accruals, depreciation and amortization, asset impairment, fair value of derivative instruments, the probability of forecasted transactions and the allocation of purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired. A discussion of our significant accounting policies we have adopted and followed in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is included within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and there have been no material changes to these policies through September 30, 2011.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See “Item 1. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) –Note 2 –Recently Issued Accounting Standards” for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our potential exposure to market risks. The term “market risk” refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in interest rates and oil and natural gas prices. The disclosures are not meant to be precise indicators of expected future losses, but rather indicators of reasonable possible losses. This forward-looking information provides indicators of how we view and manage our ongoing market risk exposures. All our market risk sensitive instruments were entered into for purposes other than trading.

General

All our assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. dollars, and as a result, we do not have exposure to currency exchange risks.

We are exposed to various market risks, principally fluctuating interest rates and changes in commodity prices. These risks can impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial position. We manage these risks through regular operating and financing activities and periodic use of derivative instruments. The following analysis presents the effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial position as if the hypothetical changes in market risk factors occurred on September 30, 2011. Only the potential impact of hypothetical assumptions is analyzed. The analysis does not consider other possible effects that could impact our business.

 

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Current market conditions elevate our concern over counterparty risks and may adversely affect the ability of these counterparties to fulfill their obligations to us, if any. The counterparties to our commodity-based derivatives are banking institutions, or their affiliates, currently participating in our revolving credit facility. The creditworthiness of our counterparties is constantly monitored, and we are not aware of any inability on the part of our counterparties to perform under our contracts.

Interest Rate Risk. At September 30, 2011, we had a $450.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility with $198.5 million outstanding borrowings. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at either (i) the higher of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or (c) three-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, or (ii) the LIBOR rate for the applicable period (each plus the applicable margin). The weighted average interest rate for the revolving credit facility borrowings was 3.2% at September 30, 2011. Based upon the outstanding borrowings on the senior secured revolving credit facility and holding all other variables constant, a 100 basis-point, or 1%, change in interest rates would change our annual interest expense by approximately $2.0 million.

Commodity Price Risk. We are exposed to commodity prices as a result of being paid for certain services in the form of natural gas, NGLs and condensate rather than cash. For gathering services, we receive fees or commodities from the producers to bring the raw natural gas from the wellhead to the processing plant. For processing services, we either receive fees or commodities as payment for these services, based on the type of contractual agreement. We use a number of different derivative instruments in connection with our commodity price risk management activities. We enter into financial swap and option instruments to hedge our forecasted natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales against the variability in expected future cash flows attributable to changes in market prices. Swap instruments are contractual agreements between counterparties to exchange obligations of money as the underlying natural gas, NGLs and condensate are sold. Under swap agreements, we receive a fixed price and remit a floating price based on certain indices for the relevant contract period. Commodity-based option instruments are contractual agreements that grant the right to receive the difference between a fixed price and a floating price based on certain indices for the relevant contract period, if the floating price is lower than the fixed price. See “Item 1. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) –Note 9” for further discussion of our derivative instruments. Average estimated market prices for NGLs, natural gas and condensate, based upon twelve-month forward price curves as of October 3, 2011, are $1.23 per gallon, $4.09 per million BTU and $78.92 per barrel, respectively. A 10% change in these prices would change our forecasted gross margin for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2012 by approximately $16.3 million.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure information required to be disclosed in our Securities Exchange Act of 1934 reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Under the supervision of our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and with the participation of our disclosure committee appointed by such officers, we have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of September 30, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

In connection with the previously-announced appointment of Robert W. “Trey” Karlovich, III as our Chief Financial Officer, on November 4, 2011, the Compensation Committee of Atlas Energy, L.P. (the “Company”) the parent of our General Partner, agreed to provide Mr. Karlovich with: (i) an annual base salary of $275,000; and (ii) a one-time equity award of 40,000 phantom units (subject to annual vesting ratably over a period of four (4) years beginning on the first anniversary of the award). Any and all annual bonuses to be paid to Mr. Karlovich will be discretionary.

On November 4, 2011, Company entered into an employment agreement with Eugene N. Dubay. Under the agreement, Mr. Dubay has the title of Senior Vice-President of the Midstream Operations division of Atlas Energy GP, LLC, the general partner of the Company. The agreement has an effective date of November 4, 2011 and has an initial term of two years, which automatically renews for successive one-year terms unless earlier terminated pursuant to the termination provisions of the agreement.

The agreement provides for an initial annual base salary of $500,000, and Mr. Dubay is entitled to participate in any short-term and long-term incentive programs and health and welfare plans of the Company and receive perquisites and reimbursement of business expenses, in each case as provided by the Company for its senior executives generally.

The agreement provides the following benefits in the event of a termination of Mr. Dubay’s employment:

 

   

Upon a termination by the Company for cause or by Mr. Dubay without good reason, he is entitled to receive payment of accrued but unpaid base salary and (to the extent required to be paid under Company policy) amounts of accrued but unpaid vacation, in each case through the date of termination (together, the “Accrued Obligations”).

 

   

Upon a termination of employment due to death or disability, all equity awards held by Mr. Dubay accelerate and vest in full upon such termination (“Acceleration of Equity Vesting”), and Mr. Dubay’s estate is entitled to receive, in addition to payment of all Accrued Obligations, a pro-rata amount in respect of the bonus granted to him for the fiscal year in which his termination occurs in an amount equal to the bonus earned by him for the prior fiscal year multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year in which his termination occurs through the date of termination, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such fiscal year (the “Pro-Rata Bonus”).

 

   

Upon a termination of employment by the Company without cause (which, for purposes of the “Acceleration of Equity Vesting” (as defined below), includes a non-renewal of the agreement) or by Mr. Dubay for good reason, he is entitled to either:

 

   

if he does not timely execute (or revokes) a release of claims against the Company, payment of the Accrued Obligations; or

 

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in addition to payment of the Accrued Obligations, if he timely executes and does not revoke a release of claims against the Company:

 

   

monthly cash severance installments each in an amount equal to one-twelfth of the sum of his then-current annual base salary and the annual bonus earned by him in respect of the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which his termination of employment occurs, payable for the then-remaining portion of the employment term (taking into account any applicable renewal term) assuming his termination had not occurred,

 

   

healthcare continuation at active employee rates for the then-remaining portion of the employment term (taking into account any applicable renewal term) assuming his termination had not occurred,

 

   

a prorated amount in respect of the bonus granted to him in respect of the fiscal year in which his termination of employment occurs based on actual performance for such year, calculated as the product of (x) the amount which would have been earned in respect of the award based on actual performance measured at the end of such fiscal year and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year through the date of termination, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such fiscal year, paid in a lump sum in cash on the date payment would otherwise be made had he remained employed by the Company, and

 

   

Acceleration of Equity Vesting.

In connection with a change of control of the Company, any “excess parachute payments” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code) otherwise payable to Mr. Dubay will be reduced such that the total payments to him which are subject to Section 280G are no greater than the Section 280G “safe harbor amount” if he would be in a better after-tax position as a result of such reduction.

The terms and conditions of the employment agreement for Mr. Dubay summarized above are qualified in their entirety by reference to the terms and conditions of the employment agreement itself, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.18.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

No.

 

Description

    2.1   Securities Purchase Agreement, dated July 27, 2010, by and among Atlas Pipeline Mid-Continent, LLC, Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P., Enbridge Pipelines (Texas Gathering) L.P. and Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.(12)
    2.2   Purchase and Sale Agreement, by and among Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P., APL Laurel Mountain, LLC, Atlas Energy, Inc., and Atlas Energy Resources, LLC, dated November 8, 2010. (13)
    3.1   Certificate of Limited Partnership(1)
    3.2(a)   Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership(2)
    3.2(b)   Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership(3)
    3.2(c)   Amendment No. 2 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership(4)
    3.2(d)   Amendment No. 3 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership(5)
    3.2(e)   Amendment No. 4 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership(6)
    3.2(f)   Amendment No. 5 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership(8)
    3.2(g)   Amendment No. 6 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership(9)
    3.2(h)   Amendment No. 7 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership(14)
    3.2(i)   Amendment No. 8 to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership(15)
    4.1   Common unit certificate(1)
    4.2   8 3/4% Senior Notes Indenture dated June 27, 2008(7)
  10.1   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated July 27, 2007, amended and restated as of December 22, 2010, by and among Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and the several guarantors and lenders hereto(16)
  10.1(a)   Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 19, 2011(22)
  10.1(b)   Incremental Joinder Agreement to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 8, 2011(23)
  10.2   Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Atlas Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P.(14)
  10.3   Long-Term Incentive Plan(21)
  10.4   Amended and Restated 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan(22)
  10.5   Form of Grant of Phantom Units in Exchange for Bonus Units(17)
  10.6   Form of 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan Phantom Unit Grant Letter(18)
  10.7   Form of Grant of Phantom Units to Non-Employee Managers(19)
  10.8   Atlas Pipeline Mid-Continent, LLC 2009 Equity-Indexed Bonus Plan(21)
  10.9   Form of Atlas Pipeline Mid-Continent, LLC 2009 Equity-Indexed Bonus Plan Grant Agreement(21)
  10.10   Employment Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2009, between Atlas America, Inc. and Eugene N. Dubay(10)
  10.11   Letter Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2009, between Atlas America, Inc. and Eric Kalamaras(11)
  10.12   Phantom Unit Grant Agreement between Atlas Pipeline Mid-Continent, LLC and Eric Kalamaras, dated September 14, 2009(11)
  10.13   Letter Agreement, by and between Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. and Atlas Pipeline Holdings, L.P., dated November 8, 2010(13)
  10.14   Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, by and between Chevron Corporation and Edward E. Cohen, dated as of November 8, 2010(20)
  10.15   Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, by and between Chevron Corporation and Jonathan Z. Cohen, dated as of November 8, 2010(20)

 

  10.16         Employment Agreement between Atlas Energy, L.P. and Edward E. Cohen dated as of May 13, 2011(24)
  10.17   Employment Agreement between Atlas Energy, L.P. and Jonathan Z. Cohen dated as of May 13, 2011(24)
  10.18   Employment Agreement between Atlas Energy, L.P. and Eugene N. Dubay dated as of November 4, 2011
  12.1   Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
  31.1   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification
  31.2   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification
  32.1   Section 1350 Certification

 

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Exhibit

No.

 

Description

  32.2   Section 1350 Certification
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document(25)
101.SCH   XBRL Schema Document(25)
101.CAL   XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document(25)
101.LAB   XBRL Label Linkbase Document(25)
101.PRE   XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document(25)
101.DEF   XBRL Definition Linkbase Document(25)

 

(1) Previously filed as an exhibit to registration statement on Form S-1 on January 20, 2000.
(2) Previously filed as an exhibit to registration statement on Form S-3 on April 2, 2004.
(3) Previously filed as an exhibit to quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.
(4) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K on July 30, 2007.
(5) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K on January 8, 2008.
(6) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K on June 16, 2008.
(7) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K on June 27, 2008.
(8) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K on January 6, 2009.
(9) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K on April 3, 2009.
(10) Previously filed as an exhibit to quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
(11) Previously filed as an exhibit to quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
(12) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K on July 29, 2010.
(13) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K on November 12, 2010.
(14) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K on April 2, 2010.
(15) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K on July 7, 2010.
(16) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K on December 23, 2010.
(17) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2010.
(18) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2010.
(19) Previously filed as an exhibit to quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.
(20) Previously filed as an exhibit to Atlas Energy, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2010.
(21) Previously filed as an exhibit to annual report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2009.
(22) Previously filed as an exhibit to quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
(23) Previously filed as an exhibit to current report on Form 8-K filed on July 11, 2011.
(24) Previously filed as an exhibit to Atlas Energy, L.P.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
(25) Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language). Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that the interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise not subject to liability under these sections. The financial information contained in the XBRL-related documents is “unaudited” or “unreviewed.”

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

    ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.
  By:   Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC,
    its General Partner
Date: November 7, 2011   By:  

/s/ EUGENE N. DUBAY

    Eugene N. Dubay
    Chief Executive Officer, President and Managing Board Member of the General Partner
Date: November 7, 2011   By:  

/s/ ROBERT W. KARLOVICH, III

    Robert W. Karlovich, III
    Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of the General Partner

 

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