USD Partners LP Announces Third Quarter 2023 Results

USD Partners LP (NYSE: USDP) (the “Partnership”) announced today its operating and financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. Financial highlights with respect to the third quarter of 2023 include the following:

• Reported a Net Loss of $2.8 million
• Reported Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities of $0.9 million, Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $2.0 million and Distributable Cash Flow⁽¹⁾ of $0.3 million

“We are pleased to have announced a short-term extension of the forbearance under our Credit Agreement last week as we continue to have constructive discussions with our bank group to secure a longer-term solution over the next two weeks,” said Adam Altsuler, the Partnership’s Chief Financial Officer. “In addition, we are also advancing several ongoing commercial discussions that could benefit the Partnership in the near future, such as our recent announcement regarding the extension of the terminalling services agreement at the Stroud Terminal.”

Stroud Terminal Short-Term Agreement Extension

In June 2023, we entered into a three-month rail-to-truck terminalling services agreement with a new third-party customer at the Stroud Terminal. The short-term agreement includes take-or-pay provisions with a minimum volume commitment. The customer entered into the agreement for a trial period to test the Stroud Terminal as a destination for its waxy crude oil production out of the Uinta Basin. The trial period commenced in August 2023. In October 2023, the customer elected to extend the terminalling services agreement through January 2024. If the testing period is successful, it is expected that a longer-term terminalling services agreement could be executed with the customer.

Expected Delisting from the New York Stock Exchange

Our common units could be delisted pursuant to Section 802.01B of the NYSE Listed Company Manual if our average market capitalization over a consecutive 30 trading-day period is less than $15 million. Our common units could also be delisted pursuant to Section 802.01D of the NYSE Listed Company Manual if the trading price of our common units on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, is “abnormally low,” which has generally been interpreted to mean at levels below $0.16 per common unit. As of close of trading on November 6, 2023, our average market capitalization over the preceding 30 trading-days was approximately $16.5 million and the last reported sale price of our common units was $0.3996 per common unit.

Distribution for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2023

On November 7, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Partnership’s general partner, determined to continue the suspension of the Partnership’s quarterly distribution, effective for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, and utilize free cash flow to support the Partnership’s operations and potentially pay down debt. In addition, the previously announced amendment and interim waiver we entered into with the lenders under our senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) in August 2023 and the covenant compliance provisions of the Credit Agreement prohibit us from making further distributions without our lenders’ consent.

Partnership’s Third Quarter 2023 Operational and Financial Results

Substantially all of the Partnership’s cash flows are generated from multi-year, take-or-pay terminalling services agreements related to its terminals, which include minimum monthly commitment fees. The Partnership’s customers include major integrated oil companies, refiners and marketers, the majority of which are primarily investment-grade rated or high-quality credit counterparties.

The Partnership’s revenues for the third quarter of 2023 relative to the same quarter in 2022 were lower primarily as a result of lower revenues at the Hardisty Terminal due to a reduction in contracted capacity. In addition, the Partnership had a decrease in revenue due to the sale of the Casper Terminal that occurred at the end of the first quarter of 2023.

The Partnership had lower operating costs during the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022. During the third quarter of 2022, the Partnership recognized a non-cash impairment of the intangible and long-lived assets associated with the Casper Terminal, with no similar occurrence in 2023.

The Partnership also experienced lower pipeline fee expense which is directly attributable to the associated decrease in the Hardisty terminal revenues previously discussed, as compared to the third quarter of 2022. In addition, subcontracted rail services costs were lower due to decreased throughput at the terminals. Operating and maintenance costs were lower primarily due to lower costs incurred associated with Hardisty Terminal primarily resulting from the decreased throughput at the terminal and lower expenses due to the sale of the Casper Terminal. In addition, operating and maintenance costs were lower at the Stroud Terminal as the Partnership incurred costs for idling the Stroud Terminal in the third quarter of 2022, with no similar expense incurred in the same period of 2023.

Selling, general and administrative costs (“SG&A costs”) were lower as SG&A costs for the third quarter of 2022 included expenses associated with the Hardisty South acquisition, with no acquisition expense incurred in the third quarter of 2023. In addition, SG&A costs were lower due to the aforementioned sale of the Casper Terminal.

Depreciation and amortization expenses were lower in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily associated with the sale of the Casper Terminal. In addition, the Partnership discontinued depreciation of the Stroud Terminal assets, as the assets are currently classified as held for sale.

The Partnership reported a net loss of $2.8 million in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to a net loss of $69.4 million in the third quarter of 2022, which included a non-cash impairment of the intangible and long-lived assets associated with the Casper Terminal of $71.6 million. The change in net income was due primarily to the operating factors discussed above. In addition, the Partnership had higher interest expense incurred during the third quarter of 2023 resulting from higher interest rates and a lower non-cash gain associated with the Partnership’s interest rate derivatives recognized in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the comparative period.

The Partnership had Net Cash Provided by Operating activities of $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities of $13.5 million for the prior year period. The decrease in the Partnership’s operating cash flow resulted from the factors already discussed. Net Cash Used in Operating Activities was also impacted by the general timing of receipts and payments of accounts receivable, accounts payable and deferred revenue balances.

Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2023 decreased by 84% when compared to the same period in 2022 due primarily to the factors discussed above. Distributable Cash Flow decreased to $0.3 million for the current quarter and also includes the impact of higher cash paid for income taxes when compared to the prior year quarter, partially offset by lower cash paid for interest.

Partnership’s Third Quarter 2023 Liquidity Position

As of September 30, 2023, the Partnership had approximately $8.7 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. On August 8, 2023, the Partnership executed an amendment to its Credit Agreement. Pursuant to this amendment, among other things, the Partnership agreed that it will not make any additional requests for new borrowings or letters of credit, or convert outstanding loans from one type to another, in each case under the Credit Agreement. Therefore, as of September 30, 2023 the Partnership had no available capacity under its Credit Agreement. At September 30, 2023, the Partnership was not in compliance with the total leverage ratio and interest coverage covenants set forth in its Credit Agreement; however, the Partnership was not considered to be in default with its banks due to the agreed upon forbearance under the October Letter Agreement with its lending group discussed below.

As of November 2, 2023, the Partnership had borrowings of approximately $195.9 million outstanding under its senior secured credit facility and unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of approximately $6.3 million.

Credit Agreement Update

The Partnership’s senior secured credit facility matured on November 2, 2023. The Partnership is in active discussions with the administrative agent and other banks within the lender group, as well as other potential financing sources, regarding the possible extension, renewal or replacement of the senior secured credit facility prior to the expiration of the forbearance period described below.

On October 6, 2023 and November 1, 2023, the Partnership entered into letter agreements, or the October Letter Agreement and November Letter Agreement, respectively, on its Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto and Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, or the Administrative Agent, to the Credit agreement.

Pursuant to the October Letter Agreement, the lenders and Administrative Agent agreed to, among other things, extend the expiration date of the original waiver from October 10, 2023 to November 3, 2023, and waive the event of default arising from non-payment of the interest due on October 10, 2023 until November 3, 2023. The November Letter Agreement extended this forbearance period and temporarily waives, through November 17, 2023, events of default arising from the non-payment of amounts due on the maturity date on November 2, 2023. As a condition to the October Letter Agreement, among other things, the Partnership agreed to terminate its derivative interest rate swaps and apply all proceeds thereof to repayment of the obligations then outstanding under the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Letter Agreements reduce the aggregate commitments under the Credit Agreement and the sublimit for letters of credit under the Credit Agreement to $195.9 million. The Partnership agreed not to make any additional requests for new borrowings or letters of credit, or convert outstanding loans from one type to another, in each case under the Credit Agreement, which may further impact the Partnership’s liquidity.

About USD Partners LP

USD Partners LP is a fee-based, growth-oriented master limited partnership formed in 2014 by US Development Group, LLC (“USD”) to acquire, develop and operate midstream infrastructure and complementary logistics solutions for crude oil, biofuels and other energy-related products. The Partnership generates substantially all of its operating cash flows from multi-year, take-or-pay contracts with primarily investment grade customers, including major integrated oil companies, refiners and marketers. The Partnership’s principal assets include a network of crude oil terminals that facilitate the transportation of heavy crude oil from Western Canada to key demand centers across North America. The Partnership’s operations include railcar loading and unloading, storage and blending in on-site tanks, inbound and outbound pipeline connectivity, truck transloading, as well as other related logistics services. In addition, the Partnership provides customers with leased railcars and fleet services to facilitate the transportation of liquid hydrocarbons and biofuels by rail.

USD, which owns the general partner of USD Partners LP, is engaged in designing, developing, owning, and managing large-scale multi-modal logistics centers and energy-related infrastructure across North America. USD’s solutions create flexible market access for customers in significant growth areas and key demand centers, including Western Canada, the U.S. Gulf Coast and Mexico. Among other projects, USD is currently pursuing the development of a premier energy logistics terminal on the Houston Ship Channel with capacity for substantial tank storage, multiple docks (including barge and deepwater), inbound and outbound pipeline connectivity, as well as a rail terminal with unit train capabilities. For additional information, please visit texasdeepwater.com. Information on websites referenced in this release is not part of this release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Partnership defines Adjusted EBITDA as Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities adjusted for changes in working capital items, interest, income taxes, foreign currency transaction gains and losses, and other items which do not affect the underlying cash flows produced by the Partnership’s businesses. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP, supplemental financial measure used by management and external users of the Partnership’s financial statements, such as investors and commercial banks, to assess:

• the Partnership’s liquidity and the ability of the Partnership’s businesses to produce sufficient cash flows to make distributions to the Partnership’s unitholders; and
• the Partnership’s ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures.

The Partnership defines Distributable Cash Flow, or DCF, as Adjusted EBITDA less net cash paid for interest, income taxes and maintenance capital expenditures. DCF does not reflect changes in working capital balances. DCF is a non-GAAP, supplemental financial measure used by management and by external users of the Partnership’s financial statements, such as investors and commercial banks, to assess:

• the amount of cash available for making distributions to the Partnership’s unitholders;
• the excess cash flow being retained for use in enhancing the Partnership’s existing business; and
• the sustainability of the Partnership’s current distribution rate per unit.

The Partnership believes that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and DCF in this press release provides information that enhances an investor’s understanding of the Partnership’s ability to generate cash for payment of distributions and other purposes. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA and DCF is Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities. Adjusted EBITDA and DCF should not be considered alternatives to Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities or any other measure of liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and DCF exclude some, but not all, items that affect Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities and these measures may vary among other companies. As a result, Adjusted EBITDA and DCF may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Reconciliations of Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA and DCF are presented in this press release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, including statements with respect to the ability of the Partnership and USD to achieve contract extensions, new customer agreements and expansions; the ability of the Partnership to extend, renew or replace its senior secured credit facility prior to the expiration of the forbearance period described above; the ability of the Partnership and USD to develop existing and future additional projects and expansion opportunities (including successful completion of USD’s DRU) and whether those projects and opportunities developed by USD would be made available for acquisition, or acquired, by the Partnership; volumes at, and demand for, the Partnership’s terminals; and the amount and timing of future distribution payments and distribution growth. Words and phrases such as “expect,” “plan,” “intent,” “believes,” “projects,” “begin,” “anticipates,” “subject to,” “could” and similar expressions are used to identify such forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements relating to the Partnership are based on management’s expectations, estimates and projections about the Partnership, its interests and the energy industry in general on the date this press release was issued. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include the Partnership’s ability to enter into new contracts for uncontracted capacity and to renew expiring contracts, actions by the Partnership’s lenders, including with respect to modifications to or waivers under the Credit Agreement in light of the current uncertainty regarding the Partnership’s ability to remain in compliance with the covenants of the Credit Agreement or to refinance, extend or replace the Credit Agreement before the expiration of the forbearance on November 17, 2023, the Partnership’s ability to obtain additional sources of capital and maintain sufficient liquidity, and changes in general economic conditions and commodity prices, as well as those factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Partnership’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Partnership’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (many of which may be amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent significant reductions in demand for and prices of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids). The Partnership is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of “Net cash used in operating activities,” the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the Hardisty South entities prior to our acquisition of the entities:

Category: Earnings

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