Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
 
 

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 17, 2009 (February 16, 2009)

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 No.)
     
3738 Oak Lawn Avenue
Dallas, TX
  75219
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (214) 981-0700

 
 
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)

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:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 
 

 

1


 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 16, 2009, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (the “Partnership”) issued a press release announcing its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2008. A copy of this press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information set forth in this Item 2.02 and in the attached exhibit shall be deemed to be “furnished” and not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

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

     
Exhibit
Number
  Description of the Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1
  Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. Press Release, dated February 16, 2009.


 
 

 

2


 

SIGNATURES

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

     
  Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
 
  By:   LE GP, LLC,
its general partner
 
Date: February 17, 2009   /s/ John W. McReynolds
    John W. McReynolds
President and Chief Financial Officer

 

3


 

Exhibit Index

     
Exhibit
Number
  Description of the Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1
  Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. Press Release, dated February 16, 2009.

 

4

Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
Exhibit 99.1
(ENERGY TRANSFER LOGO)

ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY REPORTS
QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL RESULTS
Dallas — February 16, 2009 Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE:ETE) today reported Distributable Cash of $114.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2008. Distributable Cash is a “non-GAAP measure,” as explained below.
ETE’s net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by $35.2 million to $375.0 million as compared to $339.8 million for the twelve months ended November 30, 2007. ETE’s net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2008 was $22.6 million compared to $51.5 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2007. The fourth quarter 2008 results reflect unrealized losses on certain interest rate derivatives of $109.7 million, compared to unrealized losses of $30.2 million for the three months ended November 30, 2007. Excluding these unrealized losses, net income increased for both the quarter and the full year due principally to increased earnings of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (“ETP”).
ETE changed its fiscal year from August 31st to December 31st in November 2007. Quarterly results are compared to the three months ended November 30, 2007, which was included in the transition period. Annual results are compared to the twelve months ended November 30, 2007.
The principal sources of cash flow of ETE are distributions it receives from its investments in the limited and general partner interests in ETP. ETE currently has no other operating activities apart from those conducted by the operating subsidiaries within ETP. ETE’s principal uses of cash are for administrative expenses, debt service and distributions to its general and limited partners.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release and accompanying schedules include the non-generally accepted accounting principle (“non-GAAP”) financial measure of Distributable Cash. The accompanying schedules provide a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Partnership’s Distributable Cash should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP financial measures such as net income, cash flow from operating activities, or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.
Distributable Cash. The Partnership defines Distributable Cash as cash distributions expected to be received from ETP in connection with the Partnership’s investments in limited and general partner interests of ETP, net of the Partnership’s expenditures for general and administrative costs and debt service. Distributable Cash is a significant liquidity measure used by the Partnership’s senior management to compare net cash flows generated by the Partnership’s equity investments in ETP to the distributions the Partnership expects to pay its unitholders. Using this measure, the Partnership’s management can quickly compute the coverage ratio of estimated cash flows to planned cash distributions.

 

 


 

Distributable Cash is an important non-GAAP financial measure for our limited partners since it indicates to investors whether or not 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 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 measures most directly comparable to Distributable Cash are net income and cash flow from operating activities for ETE on a stand-alone basis (“Parent Company”).
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE:ETE) is a publicly traded partnership, which owns the general partner of Energy Transfer Partners and approximately 62.5 million ETP limited partner units.
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE:ETP) is a publicly traded partnership owning and operating a diversified portfolio of energy assets. ETP has pipeline operations in Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Utah, and owns the largest intrastate pipeline system in Texas. ETP’s natural gas operations include intrastate natural gas gathering and transportation pipelines, natural gas treating and processing assets and three natural gas storage facilities located in Texas. These assets include approximately 14,600 miles of intrastate pipeline in service, with approximately 250 miles of intrastate pipeline under construction. In addition, ETP owns 2,450 miles of interstate pipeline in service, with approximately 250 miles of interstate pipeline under construction. ETP is also one of the three largest retail marketers of propane in the United States, serving more than one million customers across the country.
The information contained in this press release is available on our website at www.energytransfer.com.
Contacts:
Investor Relations:
Brent Ratliff
Energy Transfer
214-981-0700 (office)
Media Relations:
Vicki Granado
Granado Communications Group
214-504-2260 (office)
214-498-9272 (cell)

 

 


 

ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except unit data)
(unaudited)
                 
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
ASSETS
               
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 92,023     $ 56,557  
Marketable securities
    5,915       3,002  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
    591,257       822,027  
Accounts receivable from related companies
    15,142       18,070  
Inventories
    272,348       361,954  
Deposits paid to vendors
    78,237       42,273  
Exchanges receivable
    45,209       37,321  
Price risk management assets
    5,423       8,203  
Prepaid expenses and other
    75,441       54,389  
 
           
Total current assets
    1,180,995       1,403,796  
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net
    8,702,534       6,852,458  
ADVANCES TO AND INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATES
    10,110       86,167  
GOODWILL
    773,283       757,698  
INTANGIBLES AND OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS, net
    402,980       361,975  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 11,069,902     $ 9,462,094  
 
           

 

 


 

ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except unit data)
(unaudited)
                 
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (DEFICIT)
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 381,933     $ 673,116  
Accounts payable to related companies
    34,495       48,012  
Exchanges payable
    54,636       40,382  
Customer advances and deposits
    106,679       75,831  
Accrued wages and benefits
    65,754       35,729  
Accrued capital expenditures
    153,230       87,622  
Accrued and other current liabilities
    94,156       133,500  
Price risk management liabilities
    142,432       13,547  
Interest payable
    115,487       78,933  
Income taxes payable
    14,298       7,264  
Deferred income taxes
    589       429  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    45,232       47,068  
 
           
 
Total current liabilities
    1,208,921       1,241,433  
 
               
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current maturities
    7,190,357       5,870,106  
LONG-TERM PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT LIABILITIES
    121,710       46,479  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
    194,871       199,934  
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
    14,727       12,986  
MINORITY INTERESTS
    2,422,748       2,106,819  
 
               
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
               
 
           
 
    11,153,334       9,477,757  
 
               
PARTNERS’ CAPITAL (DEFICIT):
               
General Partner
    155       192  
Limited Partners:
               
Common Unitholders (222,829,956 units authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2008 and 2007)
    (15,762 )     (4,628 )
 
               
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (67,825 )     (11,227 )
 
           
Total partners’ capital (deficit)
    (83,432 )     (15,663 )
 
           
 
Total liabilities and partners’ capital (deficit)
  $ 11,069,902     $ 9,462,094  
 
           

 

 


 

ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per unit and unit data)
(unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months     Three Months     Year     Twelve Months  
    Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended  
    December 31,     November 30,     December 31,     November 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
REVENUES:
                               
Natural gas operations
  $ 1,331,086     $ 1,304,965     $ 7,653,156     $ 5,628,413  
Retail propane
    428,182       288,966       1,514,599       1,201,949  
Other
    35,413       34,141       125,612       201,302  
 
                       
Total revenues
    1,794,681       1,628,072       9,293,367       7,031,664  
 
                       
 
                               
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
                               
Cost of products sold, natural gas operations
    920,837       944,739       5,885,982       4,268,456  
Cost of products sold, retail propane
    269,752       192,065       1,014,068       758,650  
Cost of products sold, other
    10,247       11,035       38,030       111,596  
Operating expenses
    208,225       161,955       781,831       589,174  
Depreciation and amortization
    73,450       55,783       274,372       210,302  
Selling, general and administrative
    59,400       45,170       200,181       169,913  
 
                       
Total costs and expenses
    1,541,911       1,410,747       8,194,464       6,108,091  
 
                       
 
                               
OPERATING INCOME
    252,770       217,325       1,098,903       923,573  
 
                               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                               
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
    (96,244 )     (77,857 )     (357,541 )     (289,296 )
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates
    584       (241 )     (165 )     33  
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
    (2,887 )     13,124       (1,303 )     4,870  
Gains (losses) on non-hedged interest rate derivatives
    (114,813 )     (30,316 )     (128,423 )     (1,235 )
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
    18,701       4,766       63,976       9,714  
Other, net
    (241 )     (11,469 )     8,115       (11,857 )
 
                       
 
                               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE AND MINORITY INTERESTS
    57,870       115,332       683,562       635,802  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (2,792 )     4,925       3,808       13,443  
 
                       
 
                               
INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTERESTS
    60,662       110,407       679,754       622,359  
Minority interests
    (38,096 )     (58,943 )     (304,710 )     (282,576 )
 
                       
 
                               
NET INCOME
    22,566       51,464       375,044       339,783  
 
                               
GENERAL PARTNER’S INTEREST IN NET INCOME
    70       159       1,161       1,062  
 
                       
 
                               
LIMITED PARTNERS’ INTEREST IN NET INCOME
  $ 22,496     $ 51,305     $ 373,883     $ 338,721  
 
                       
 
                               
BASIC NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT
  $ 0.10     $ 0.23     $ 1.68     $ 1.52  
 
                       
 
                               
BASIC AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING
    222,829,956       222,829,902       222,829,956       222,829,902  
 
                       
 
                               
DILUTED NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT
  $ 0.10     $ 0.23     $ 1.68     $ 1.52  
 
                       
 
                               
DILUTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING
    222,829,956       222,829,902       222,829,956       222,829,902  
 
                       
 
                               

 

 


 

                                 
    Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
    December 31,     November 30,     December 31,     November 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
                               
VOLUMES SOLD THROUGH ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P.:
                               
 
                               
Midstream
                               
Natural gas MMBtu/d — sold
    982,207       1,074,560       1,269,724       964,721  
NGLs Bbls/d — sold
    20,635       24,956       25,939       28,995  
Transportation and storage
                               
Natural gas MMBtu/d — transported
    13,269,286       8,831,276       11,187,327       7,122,562  
Natural gas MMBtu/d — sold
    876,261       1,220,692       1,389,781       1,450,466  
Interstate transportation
                               
Natural gas MMBtu/d — transported
    1,856,034       1,728,028       1,777,097       1,783,639  
Natural gas MMBtu/d — sold
    21,319       14,622       15,162       18,419  
Retail propane gallons (in thousands)
    179,025       130,425       601,134       594,063  

 

 


 

ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. — PARENT COMPANY
DISTRIBUTABLE CASH
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit)
(unaudited)
The following table presents the calculation and reconciliation of Distributable Cash of the Parent Company with respect to the following periods:
                                 
    Three Months     Three Months     Twelve Months     Twelve Months  
    Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended  
    December 31,     November 30,     December 31,     November 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
                               
Distributable Cash:
                               
Cash distributions expected from Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. associated with:
                               
General partner interest:
                               
Standard distribution rights
  $ 4,582     $ 3,812     $ 17,322     $ 14,217  
Incentive distribution rights
    79,277       63,994       298,575       234,467  
Less: General Partner contribution to ETP to maintain its 2% interest
                (13,098 )      
Limited partner interest:
                               
Common units
    55,860       52,735       221,878       140,810  
Class G units
                      63,098  
 
                       
Total cash expected from Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
    139,719       120,541       524,677       452,592  
Deduct expenses of the Parent Company on a stand-alone basis:
                               
General and administrative expenses
    (1,407 )     (10,695 )     (7,007 )     (19,064 )
Interest expense, net of amortization of financing costs
    (23,436 )     (25,852 )     (97,654 )     (100,200 )
 
                       
Distributable Cash
  $ 114,876     $ 83,994     $ 420,016     $ 333,328  
 
                       
 
                               
Cash distributions to be paid to the partners of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.:
                               
 
                               
Distribution per limited partner unit as of the end of the period
  $ 0.5100     $ 0.4100     $ 1.9100     $ 1.5285  
 
                               
Distributions to be paid to public unitholders
    48,445       38,917       181,334       145,085  
Distributions to be paid to affiliates
    65,234       52,443       244,306       195,509  
Distributions to be paid to general partner
    353       284       1,322       1,058  
 
                       
Total cash distributions to be paid by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. to its limited and general partners
  $ 114,032     $ 91,644     $ 426,962     $ 341,652  
 
                       
 
                               
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP “Distributable Cash” to GAAP “Net Income” and GAAP “Net cash provided by operating activities” for the Parent Company on a stand-alone basis:
                               
 
                               
Net income
  $ 22,566     $ 51,464     $ 375,044     $ 339,783  
Adjustments to derive Distributable Cash:
                               
Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates
    (110,536 )     (118,972 )     (551,835 )     (494,240 )
Quarterly distribution expected to be received from Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
    139,719       120,541       524,677       452,592  
Amortization of financing costs
    2,821       756       5,076       3,007  
Other non-cash
    808       18       823       47  
Change in value of Realized/Unrealized (gains)/losses on interest rate swaps
    59,498       30,187       66,231       32,139  
 
                       
Distributable Cash
    114,876       83,994       420,016       333,328  
 
                               
Adjustments to Distributable Cash to derive Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
                               
Quarterly distribution expected to be received from Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
    (139,719 )     (120,541 )     (524,677 )     (452,592 )
Cash distribution received from Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
    136,048       110,850       535,342       421,546  
Net effect of changes in operating accounts
    (3,536 )     11,956       6,137       10,990  
 
                       
Net cash provided by operating activites for Parent Company on stand-alone basis
  $ 107,669     $ 86,259     $ 436,818     $ 313,272  
 
                       

 

 


 

(1)  
For the three months ended December 31, 2008, cash distributions expected to be received from Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. consists of cash distributions in respect of the quarter ended December 31, 2008 payable on February 13, 2009 to holders of record on February 6, 2009. For the three months ended November 30, 2007, cash distributions expected from Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. consist of the allocated portion of cash distributions received on February 14, 2008 in respect of the four months ended December 31, 2007.
 
   
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, cash distributions received or expected to be received from Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. consist of cash distributions paid on May 15, 2008 in respect of the quarter ended March 31, 2008, cash distributions paid on August 14, 2008 in respect of the quarter ended June 30, 2008, cash distributions paid on November 14, 2008 in respect of the quarter ended September 30, 2008, and cash distributions in respect of the quarter ended December 31, 2008 payable on February 13, 2009 to holders of record on February 6, 2009. For the twelve months ended November 30, 2008, cash distributions received from Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. consist of cash distributions received on April 13, 2007 in respect of the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2007, cash distributions received on July 16, 2007 in respect of the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2007, cash distributionsreceived on October 15, 2007 in respect of the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2007, and the cash distributions allocated to the three months ended November 30, 2007 in respect of the distribution received on February 14, 2008 for the four months ended December 31, 2007.
 
(2)  
For the three months ended December 31, 2008, cash distributions expected to be paid by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. consist of cash distributions in respect of the three months ended December 31, 2008 payable on February 19, 2009 to holders of record as of February 6, 2009. For the three months ended November 30, 2007, cash distributions paid by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. consist of the allocated portion of cash distributions paid on February 19, 2008 for the four months ended December 31, 2007.
 
   
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, cash distributions paid or expected to be paid by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. consist of cash distributions paid on May 19, 2008 in respect of the quarter ended March 31, 2008, cash distributions paid on August 19, 2008 in respect of the quarter ended June 30, 2008, cash distributions paid on November 19, 2008 in respect of the quarter ended September 30, 2008, and cash distributions in respect of the quarter ended December 31, 2008 payable on February 19, 2009 to holders of record on February 6, 2009. For the twelve months ended November 30, 2007, cash distributions paid by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. consisted of cash distributions paid on April 16, 2007 for the three months ended February 28, 2007, cash distributions paid on July 19, 2007 for the three months ended May 31, 2007, cash distributions paid October 19, 2007 for the three months ended August 31, 2007, and cash distributions allocated to the three months ended November 30, 2007 in respect of the distribution paid on February 19, 2008 for the four months ended December 31, 2007.