Document



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

 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
 
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
May 9, 2018
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
 
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delaware
 
1-32740
 
30-0108820
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
 
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600,
Dallas, Texas 75225
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
(214) 981-0700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company. ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new of revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨




Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On May 9, 2018, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (the “Partnership”) issued a press release announcing its financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018. A copy of this press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information set forth in this Item 2.02 and in the attached exhibit shall be deemed to be “furnished” and not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits. In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information set forth in the attached Exhibit 99.1 is deemed to be “furnished” and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
Exhibit Number
 
Description of the Exhibit
 




SIGNATURE

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


 
 
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
 
 
By:
LE GP, L.L.C., its General Partner
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 9, 2018
By:
/s/ Thomas E. Long
 
 
 
Thomas E. Long
 
 
 
Group Chief Financial Officer (duly
authorized to sign on behalf of the registrant)




Exhibit


https://cdn.kscope.io/2bfbe346f2220ebc7d58f3b3f3f31b9d-etclogoa01a01a14.jpg
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY
REPORTS FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
Dallas - May 9, 2018 - Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE:ETE) (“ETE” or the “Partnership”) today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.
ETE’s net income attributable to partners was $363 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $124 million compared to $239 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $395 million, an increase of $180 million compared to $215 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The improved results reflect an increase of $183 million in general partner and incentive distributions from Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (“ETP”) of which $115 million was attributable to a reduction in incentive distribution waivers.
The Partnership’s recent key accomplishments and other developments include the following:
In April 2018, ETE acquired the general partner of USA Compression Partners, LP (“USAC”) and approximately 12.5 million USAC common units from USA Compression Holdings, LLC.
In April 2018, ETE announced a $0.305 distribution per ETE common unit for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, or $1.22 per unit on an annualized basis.
As of March 31, 2018, ETE’s $1.5 billion revolving credit facility had $873 million of outstanding borrowings and its leverage ratio, as defined by the credit agreement, was 2.79x.
In January 2018, Sunoco LP redeemed all outstanding Sunoco LP Series A Preferred Units, for which ETE received proceeds of approximately $313 million.
The Partnership has scheduled a conference call for 8:00 a.m. Central Time, Thursday, May 10, 2018 to discuss its first quarter 2018 results. The conference call will be broadcast live via an internet webcast, which can be accessed through www.energytransfer.com and will also be available for replay on the Partnership’s website for a limited time.
The Partnership’s principal sources of cash flow are derived from distributions related to its direct and indirect investments in the limited and general partner interests in ETP, including 100% of ETP’s incentive distribution rights, limited and general partner interests in Sunoco LP, as well as the Partnership’s ownership of Lake Charles LNG Company, LLC (“Lake Charles LNG”). Subsequent to the acquisition on April 2, 2018, the Partnership also owns interests in USAC, as discussed above. The Partnership’s primary cash requirements are for general and administrative expenses, debt service requirements and distributions to its partners.
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE) is a master limited partnership that owns the general partner and 100% of the incentive distribution rights (IDRs) of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP) and Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN). ETE also owns Lake Charles LNG Company and the general partner of USA Compression Partners, LP (NYSE: USAC). On a consolidated basis, ETE’s family of companies owns and operates a diverse portfolio of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and refined products assets, as well as retail and wholesale motor fuel operations and LNG terminalling. For more information, visit the Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. website at www.energytransfer.com.
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP) is a master limited partnership that owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States. Strategically positioned in all of the major U.S. production basins, ETP owns and operates a geographically diverse portfolio of complementary natural gas midstream, intrastate and interstate transportation and storage assets; crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and refined product transportation and terminalling assets; NGL fractionation; and various acquisition and marketing assets.  ETP’s general partner is owned by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE). For more information, visit the Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. website at www.energytransfer.com.

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Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) is a master limited partnership that distributes motor fuel to approximately 9,200 convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors located in more than 30 states. SUN’s general partner is owned by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE). For more information, visit the Sunoco LP website at www.sunocolp.com.
USA Compression Partners, LP (NYSE: USAC) is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership that is one of the nation’s largest independent providers of compression services in terms of total compression unit horsepower. USAC partners with a broad customer base composed of producers, processors, gatherers and transporters of natural gas. USAC focuses on providing compression services to infrastructure applications primarily in high volume gathering systems, processing facilities and transportation applications. More information is available at www.usacompression.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may include certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management’s control. An extensive list of factors that can affect future results are discussed in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events.
The information contained in this press release is available on our website at www.energytransfer.com.
Contacts
 
 
Energy Transfer
 
 
Investor Relations:
 
 
Lyndsay Hannah, Brent Ratliff, Helen Ryoo
 
 
214-981-0795
 
 

 
 
Media Relations:
 
 
Vicki Granado
 
 
214-840-5820
 
 

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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
(unaudited)
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets
$
6,593

 
$
10,683

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
61,975

 
61,088

 
 
 
 
Advances to and investments in unconsolidated affiliates
2,701

 
2,705

Other non-current assets, net
936

 
886

Intangible assets, net
5,936

 
6,116

Goodwill
4,768

 
4,768

Total assets
$
82,909

 
$
86,246

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities
$
7,261

 
$
7,897

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
41,779

 
43,671

Non-current derivative liabilities
97

 
145

Deferred income taxes
3,026

 
3,315

Other non-current liabilities
1,244

 
1,217

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
21

 
21

 
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
Total partners’ deficit
(1,180
)
 
(1,196
)
Noncontrolling interest
30,661

 
31,176

Total equity
29,481

 
29,980

Total liabilities and equity
$
82,909

 
$
86,246


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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
REVENUES
$
11,882

 
$
9,661

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
9,245

 
7,510

Operating expenses
724

 
601

Depreciation and amortization
665

 
628

Selling, general and administrative
148

 
165

Total costs and expenses
10,782

 
8,904

OPERATING INCOME
1,100

 
757

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
 
 
 
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
(466
)
 
(473
)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
79

 
87

Losses on extinguishments of debt
(106
)
 
(25
)
Gains on interest rate derivatives
52

 
5

Other, net
57

 
17

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE
716

 
368

Income tax (benefit) expense from continuing operations
(10
)
 
38

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
726

 
330

Loss from discontinued operations
(237
)
 
(11
)
NET INCOME
489

 
319

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
126

 
80

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARTNERS
363

 
239

General Partner’s interest in net income
1

 
1

Convertible Unitholders’ interest in income
21

 
6

Limited Partners’ interest in net income
$
341

 
$
232

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.32

 
$
0.22

Diluted
$
0.32

 
$
0.21

NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.31

 
$
0.22

Diluted
$
0.31

 
$
0.21

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
Basic
1,079.1

 
1,075.2

Diluted
1,154.7

 
1,139.0


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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(In millions)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Cash distributions from ETP associated with:
 
 
 
Limited partner interest
$
16

 
$
15

General partner interest and IDRs
449

 
381

IDR relinquishments, net of distributions on Class I Units
(42
)
 
(157
)
Total cash distributions from ETP
423

 
239

Cash distributions from Sunoco LP
20

 
23

Total cash distributions from investments in subsidiaries
$
443

 
$
262

 
 
 
 
Distributable cash flow attributable to Lake Charles LNG:
 
 
 
Revenues
$
49

 
$
49

Operating expenses
(5
)
 
(5
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(1
)
 

Distributable cash flow attributable to Lake Charles LNG
$
43

 
$
44

 
 
 
 
Expenses of the Parent Company on a cash basis:
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding certain non-cash expenses
$
2

 
$
8

Management fee to ETP (1)

 
5

Interest expense, net of amortization of financing costs, interest income, and realized gains and losses on interest rate swaps
84

 
81

Total Parent Company expenses
$
86

 
$
94

 

 


Cash distributions to be paid to the partners of ETE:
 
 
 
Distributions to be paid to limited partners (2)
$
265

 
$
250

Distributions to be paid to general partner
1

 
1

Total cash distributions to be paid to the partners of ETE
$
266

 
$
251

 
 
 
 
Common units outstanding — end of period
1,079.1

 
1,079.1

(1) 
ETE previously paid certain fees for management services under agreements expired in the first quarter of 2017.
(2) 
Includes distributions of $0.11 per common unit for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, to unitholders who elected to participate in a plan to forgo a portion of their future potential cash distributions on common units and reinvest those distributions in ETE Series A convertible preferred units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership. The quarter ended March 31, 2018 is the final quarter of participation in the plan.

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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
RECONCILIATION OF DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FLOW
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Net income attributable to partners
$
363

 
$
239

Equity in earnings related to investments in ETP and Sunoco LP
(414
)
 
(325
)
Total cash distributions from investments in subsidiaries
443

 
262

Amortization included in interest expense (excluding ETP and Sunoco LP)
2

 
2

Other non-cash (excluding ETP and Sunoco LP)
6

 
34

Distributable Cash Flow
400

 
212

Transaction-related expenses (recovery of prior expenses)
(5
)
 
3

Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted
$
395

 
$
215

 
 
 
 
Total cash distributions to be paid to the partners of ETE
$
266

 
$
251

 
 
 
 
Distribution coverage ratio(1)
1.48x

 
0.86x

(1) 
This press release and accompanying schedules include the non-generally accepted accounting principle (“non-GAAP”) financial measures of Distributable Cash Flow, Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, per Unit. The Partnership’s non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to GAAP financial measures such as net income, cash flow from operating activities or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.
Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted. The Partnership defines Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, for a period as cash distributions expected to be received in respect of such period in connection with the Partnership’s investments in limited and general partner interests, net of the Partnership’s cash expenditures for general and administrative costs and interest expense. The Partnership’s definitions of Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, also include distributable cash flow from Lake Charles LNG to the Partnership. For Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, certain transaction-related expenses that are included in net income are excluded.
Distributable Cash Flow is a significant liquidity measure used by the Partnership’s senior management to compare net cash flows generated by the Partnership to the distributions the Partnership expects to pay its unitholders. Due to cash expenses incurred from time to time in connection with the Partnership’s merger and acquisition activities and other transactions, Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, is also a significant liquidity measure used by the Partnership’s senior management to compare net cash flows generated by the Partnership to the distributions the Partnership expects to pay its unitholders. Using these measures, the Partnership’s management can compute the coverage ratio of estimated cash flows for a period to planned cash distributions for such period.
Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, are also important non-GAAP financial measures for our limited partners since these indicate to investors whether the Partnership’s investments are generating cash flows at a level that can sustain or support an increase in quarterly cash distribution levels. Financial measures such as Distributable Cash Flow and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, are quantitative standards used by the investment community with respect to publicly traded partnerships because the value of a partnership unit is in part measured by its yield (which in turn is based on the amount of cash distributions a partnership can pay to a unitholder). The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Distributable Cash Flow, and Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, is net income for ETE on a stand-alone basis (the “Parent Company”).
Distribution Coverage Ratio. The Partnership defines Distribution Coverage Ratio for a period as Distributable Cash Flow, as adjusted, divided by total cash distributions expected to be paid to the partners of ETE in respect of such period.

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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR PARENT COMPANY
Following are condensed balance sheets and statements of operations of the Parent Company on a stand-alone basis.
BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
(unaudited)
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets
$
105

 
$
67

Property, plant and equipment, net
27

 
27

Advances to and investments in unconsolidated affiliates
5,805

 
6,082

Goodwill
9

 
9

Other non-current assets, net
8

 
8

Total assets
$
5,954

 
$
6,193

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ DEFICIT
 
 
 
Current liabilities
$
87

 
$
70

Long-term debt, less current maturities
6,386

 
6,700

Long-term notes payable – related companies
658

 
617

Other non-current liabilities
3

 
2

Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
Total partners’ deficit
(1,180
)
 
(1,196
)
Total liabilities and partners’ deficit
$
5,954

 
$
6,193

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
$
(2
)
 
$
(13
)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(86
)
 
(83
)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
448

 
361

Losses on extinguishments of debt

 
(25
)
Other, net
3

 
(1
)
NET INCOME
363

 
239

General Partner’s interest in net income
1

 
1

Convertible Unitholders’ interest in income
21

 
6

Limited Partners’ interest in net income
$
341

 
$
232


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