As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 16, 2014
Registration No. 333-194799
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1 to
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| Delaware | 16-1731691 | |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 750-1771
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices
Thomas E. Long
Regency GP LLC
2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 750-1771
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
William N. Finnegan IV
Sean T. Wheeler
Latham & Watkins LLP
811 Main Street, Suite 3700
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 546-5400
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
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. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer | x | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | ¨ | |||
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling unitholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 16, 2014
PROSPECTUS
4,040,471 Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests
Regency Energy Partners LP
Up to 4,040,471 of our common units may be offered from time to time by the selling unitholders that will be named in the future. The selling unitholders may sell the common units at various times and in various types of transactions, including sales in the open market, sales in negotiated transactions and sales by a combination of methods. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common units by the selling unitholders.
Our common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RGP.”
Investing in our common units involves risks. Limited partnerships are inherently different from corporations. You should carefully consider the factors described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus before you make an investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2014.
| Page | ||||
| ii | ||||
| ii | ||||
| 1 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | ||||
| 7 | ||||
| 20 | ||||
| 26 | ||||
| INVESTMENT IN REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS |
43 | |||
| 45 | ||||
| 46 | ||||
| 48 | ||||
| 48 | ||||
| 49 | ||||
| 49 | ||||
i
In making your investment decision, you should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any other information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.
You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus. You should not assume that the information contained in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the selling unitholders may, over time, offer and sell up to 4,040,471 of our common units. In connection with certain sales of securities hereunder, a prospectus supplement may accompany this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To the extent information in this prospectus is inconsistent with information contained in a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation By Reference,” as well as any additional information you may need to make your investment decision.
As used in this prospectus, “Regency Energy Partners,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms mean Regency Energy Partners LP and its subsidiaries. References to “our general partner” or the “general partner” refer to Regency GP LP, our general partner, and its general partner, Regency GP LLC, which effectively manages our business and affairs.
Certain matters discussed in this prospectus include “forward-looking” statements. Forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Statements using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “expect,” “continue,” “estimate,” “goal,” “forecast,” “may” or similar expressions help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe our forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and current expectations and projections about future events, we cannot give assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including without limitation the following:
| • | volatility in the price of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”); |
| • | declines in the credit market and availability of credit for us as well as for producers connected to our pipelines and our gathering and processing facilities, and for customers of our contract services business; |
| • | the level of creditworthiness of, and performance by, our counterparties and customers; |
| • | our access to capital to fund organic growth projects and acquisitions, and our ability to obtain debt or equity financing on satisfactory terms; |
| • | our use of derivative financial instruments to hedge commodity and interest rate risks; |
ii
| • | the amount of collateral required to be posted from time-to-time in our transactions; |
| • | changes in commodity prices, interest rates and demand for our services; |
| • | changes in laws and regulations impacting the midstream sector of the natural gas industry, including those that relate to climate change and environmental protection and safety; |
| • | weather and other natural phenomena; |
| • | industry changes including the impact of consolidations and changes in competition; |
| • | regulation of transportation rates on our natural gas and NGL pipelines; |
| • | our ability to obtain indemnification related to cleanup liabilities and to clean up any hazardous materials release on satisfactory terms; |
| • | our ability to obtain required approvals for construction or modernization of our facilities and the timing of production from such facilities; and |
| • | the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting standard setting boards. |
If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected.
Other factors described herein or incorporated by reference, or factors that are unknown or unpredictable, could also have a material adverse effect on future results. Please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus, the risk factors included in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and those that may be included in any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as risks described in all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and in the documents we incorporate by reference.
Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
iii
We are a growth-oriented, publicly-traded Delaware limited partnership engaged in the gathering and processing, compression, treating and transportation of natural gas and the transportation, fractionation and storage of NGLs. We focus on providing midstream services in some of the most prolific natural gas producing regions in the United States, including the Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Barnett, Fayetteville, Marcellus, Utica, Bone Spring, Avalon and Granite Wash shales. Our assets are primarily located in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, California, Mississippi, Alabama, New Mexico and the mid-continent region of the United States, which includes Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma. On February 3, 2014, we completed our acquisition of subsidiaries of Hoover Energy Partners, L.P. (“Hoover”) that are engaged in crude oil gathering, transportation and terminaling, condensate handling, natural gas gathering, treating, and processing and water gathering and disposal services in the Southern Delaware Basin in west Texas. Additionally, on March 21, 2014, we completed our merger with PVR Partners, L.P. (“PVR”). PVR was principally engaged in the gathering and processing of natural gas and the management of coal and natural resources in the United States and its assets are located in Pennsylvania, Texas, Oklahoma and West Virginia.
As of December 31, 2013, our operations were divided into five business segments:
| • | Gathering and Processing. We provide “wellhead-to-market” services to producers of natural gas, which include transporting raw natural gas from the wellhead through gathering systems, processing raw natural gas to separate NGLs from the raw natural gas and selling or delivering the pipeline-quality natural gas and NGLs to various markets and pipeline systems, and the gathering of oil (crude and/or condensate, a lighter oil) received from producers. This segment also includes Edwards Lime Gathering LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries, ELG Oil LLC and ELG Utility LLC, and our 33.33% membership interest in Ranch Westex JV, which processes natural gas delivered from the NGLs-rich Bone Spring and Avalon shale formations in west Texas. |
| • | Natural Gas Transportation. We own a 49.99% general partner interest in RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co., which owns the Regency Intrastate Gas System, a 450-mile intrastate pipeline that delivers natural gas from northwest Louisiana to downstream pipelines and markets, and a 50% membership interest in Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC, which owns a 500-mile interstate natural gas pipeline stretching from southeast Oklahoma through northeast Texas, northern Louisiana and central Mississippi to an interconnect with the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line system in Butler, Alabama. This segment also includes Gulf States Transmission LLC, which owns a 10-mile interstate pipeline that extends from Harrison County, Texas to Caddo Parish, Louisiana. |
| • | NGL Services. We own a 30% membership interest in Lone Star NGL LLC, an entity owning a diverse set of midstream energy assets including NGL pipelines, storage, fractionation and processing facilities located in the states of Texas, New Mexico, Mississippi and Louisiana. |
| • | Contract Services. We own and operate a fleet of compressors used to provide turn-key natural gas compression services for customer specific systems. We also own and operate a fleet of equipment used to provide treating services, such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide removal, natural gas cooling, and dehydration. |
| • | Corporate. The Corporate segment comprises our corporate assets. |
On December 23, 2013, we and our wholly owned subsidiary, Regal Midstream LLC (“Regal Midstream”), entered into a contribution agreement with Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P. (“Eagle Rock”), pursuant to which we have agreed to acquire from Eagle Rock all of the issued and outstanding equity interests in (i) Eagle Rock Marketing, LLC, (ii) Eagle Rock Pipeline GP, LLC, (iii) Eagle Rock Gas Services, LLC, (iv) Eagle Rock Pipeline, L.P. and (v) EROC Midstream Energy, L.P. (collectively, the “Acquired Eagle Rock Entities”). The assets held and operated by the Acquired Eagle Rock Entities collectively comprise what we refer to herein as the “Eagle Rock Midstream Business.”
1
The consideration to be paid by us in exchange for the Acquired Eagle Rock Entities was valued at approximately $1.3 billion (subject to customary post-closing adjustments) and will consist of (i) 8,245,859 common units issued to Eagle Rock valued at approximately $200 million, (ii) the assumption by us of up to $550 million of Eagle Rock’s existing 8.375% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Existing Eagle Rock Notes”) through an exchange offer in exchange for notes newly issued by us and our wholly owned subsidiary, Regency Energy Finance Corp., and (iii) cash equal to the remainder of the purchase price. If less than $550 million of Existing Eagle Rock Notes are tendered for exchange in the exchange offer, then we have agreed to pay Eagle Rock an amount equal to 1.1x the principal amount of Existing Eagle Rock Notes not tendered for exchange. Any Existing Eagle Rock Notes not tendered will remain as obligations of Eagle Rock upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by the contribution agreement. We expect to finance the cash portion of the purchase price through borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Each of our and Eagle Rock’s obligations to consummate the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including the approval of the contribution agreement and the transaction by Eagle Rock’s unitholders and the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
The Acquired Eagle Rock Entities are engaged in the business of gathering, compressing, treating, processing and transporting natural gas; fractionating and transporting NGLs, crude oil and condensate logistics and marketing, and natural gas marketing and trading. The Eagle Rock Midstream Business is located in four significant natural gas producing regions: (i) the Texas Panhandle, (ii) East Texas/Louisiana, (iii) South Texas and (iv) the Gulf of Mexico. These four regions are productive, mature, natural gas producing basins that have historically experienced significant drilling activity. The Eagle Rock transaction is expected to complement our core gathering and processing business, and, when combined with our merger with PVR, further diversify our basin exposure in the Texas Panhandle, East Texas and South Texas.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700, Dallas, Texas 75201 and our phone number is (214) 750-1771.
For additional information as to our business, properties and financial condition, please refer to the documents described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation By Reference.”
2
An investment in our securities involves risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors included herein and in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and those that may be included in any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as risks described in all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and in the documents we incorporate by reference.
If any of these risks were to materialize, our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In that case, our ability to make distributions to our unitholders may be reduced, the trading price of our securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risk Related to Our Acquisition of the Eagle Rock Midstream Business
Purported class action complaints have been filed against Eagle Rock, the members of the Eagle Rock board of directors, Regency Energy Partners and Regal Midstream, challenging our acquisition of the Eagle Rock Midstream Business, and an unfavorable judgment or ruling in these lawsuits could prevent or delay the consummation of our acquisition of the Eagle Rock Midstream Business and result in substantial costs.
In connection with our acquisition of the Eagle Rock Midstream Business, purported unitholders of Eagle Rock have filed putative unitholder class action lawsuits against Eagle Rock, members of the Eagle Rock board of directors, Regency Energy Partners and Regal Midstream. Among other remedies, the plaintiffs seek to enjoin the transactions contemplated by the contribution agreement pursuant to which Regency Energy Partners will acquire the Eagle Rock Midstream Business. The lawsuits are in early stages of litigation. Defendants have yet to answer, move to dismiss or otherwise respond to the lawsuits. Regency Energy Partners cannot predict the outcome of the lawsuits or any other lawsuits that might be filed, nor can it predict the amount of time and expense that will be required to resolve the lawsuits. These lawsuits could prevent or delay completion of our acquisition of the Eagle Rock Midstream Business and result in substantial costs to us, including any costs associated with indemnification. Additional lawsuits may be filed against us and Regal Midstream, or our officers or directors in connection with our acquisition of the Eagle Rock Midstream Business. The defense or settlement of any lawsuit or claim that remains unresolved at the time our acquisition is consummated may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
3
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common units by the selling unitholders.
4
DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON UNITS
The Common Units
The common units represent limited partner interests in Regency Energy Partners. The holders of common units are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of common units and our general partner in and to partnership distributions, please read this section and “How We Make Cash Distributions.” For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement, including voting rights, please read “The Partnership Agreement.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Duties. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company serves as registrar and transfer agent for the common units. We will pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of common units except the following that must be paid by unitholders:
| • | surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, taxes and other governmental charges; |
| • | special charges for services requested by a common unitholder; and |
| • | other similar fees or charges. |
There will be no charge to unitholders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We will indemnify the transfer agent, its agents and each of their stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.
Resignation or Removal. The transfer agent may resign by notice to us or be removed by us. The resignation or removal of the transfer agent will become effective upon our appointment of a successor transfer agent and registrar and its acceptance of the appointment. If no successor has been appointed and has accepted the appointment within 30 days after notice of the resignation or removal, our general partner may act as the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.
Transfer of Common Units
Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfers of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to become a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units.
By transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of common units shall be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission is reflected in our books and records. Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the common unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations. Our general partner will cause any transfers to be recorded on our books and records no less frequently than quarterly. Each transferee:
| • | represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to become bound by our partnership agreement; |
| • | automatically agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and is deemed to have executed, our partnership agreement; and |
| • | gives the consents and approvals contained in our partnership agreement. |
A transferee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred common units automatically upon the recording of the transfer on our books and records.
5
We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial owner’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.
6
The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. We will provide prospective investors with a copy of our partnership agreement upon request at no charge.
We summarize the following provisions of our partnership agreement elsewhere in this prospectus:
| • | with regard to distributions of available cash, please read “How We Make Cash Distributions”; |
| • | with regard to the fiduciary duties of our general partner, you should read the risk factors included in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and those that may be included in the applicable prospectus supplement; |
| • | with regard to the transfer of common units, please read “Description of Our Common Units — Transfer of Common Units”; and |
| • | with regard to allocations of taxable income and taxable loss, please read “Material Income Tax Consequences.” |
Organization and Duration
Our partnership was organized in September 2005 and will have a perpetual existence.
Purpose
Our purpose under the partnership agreement is to engage in any business activities that are approved by our general partner. Our general partner, however, may not cause us to engage in any business activities that it determines would cause us to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. Our general partner is authorized in general to perform all acts it determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.
As of April 14, 2014, we had outstanding 356,544,783 common units, 6,274,483 Class F common units (the “Class F units”) and 1,912,569 Series A cumulative convertible preferred units (the “Series A units”).
The Class F units will convert automatically on a one-for-one basis into common units on the first business day after the record date for distributions in respect of the quarter ending March 31, 2015.
The Series A units are convertible by the holders at any time into a number of common units at the then-applicable conversion price set forth in our partnership agreement. As of April 14, 2014, the Series A units were convertible into an aggregate of 2,054,742 common units.
Power of Attorney
Each limited partner, and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder, by accepting the unit, automatically grants to our general partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a power of attorney, among other things, to execute and file documents required for our qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants our general partner the authority to amend, and to grant consents and waivers on behalf of the limited partners under, our partnership agreement.
Capital Contributions
Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under “— Limited Liability.”
7
Voting Rights
The following is a summary of the unitholder vote required for the matters specified below. Matters requiring the approval of a “unit majority” require the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units, Class F units and Series A units, voting together as a single class.
In voting their common units or Class F units, as the case may be, our general partner and its affiliates have no fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners.
| Issuance of additional units |
No approval right. | |
| Amendment of the partnership agreement |
Certain amendments may be made by the general partner without the approval of the unitholders, and certain other amendments that would adversely affect the holders of our Series A units or Class F units require the approval of holders of 75% of the Series A units or Class F units, as applicable. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority. Please read “— Amendment of the Partnership Agreement.” | |
| Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets |
Unit majority in certain circumstances and, if such merger or sale would adversely affect any of the rights, preferences and privileges of the Series A units or the Class F units in any respect, the affirmative vote of 75% of the Series A units or the Class F units, respectively, voting separately as a class. Please read “— Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets” and “Meetings; Voting.” | |
| Dissolution of our partnership |
Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.” | |
| Reconstitution of our partnership upon dissolution |
Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.” | |
| Withdrawal of the general partner |
Under most circumstances, the approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required for the withdrawal of our general partner prior to December 31, 2015 in a manner that would cause a dissolution of our partnership. On or after December 31, 2015, our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days’ written notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. Please read “—Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner.” | |
| Removal of the general partner | Not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding units, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates. Please read “— Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner.” | |
| Transfer of the general partner interest |
Our general partner may transfer all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest in us without a vote of our unitholders to an affiliate or another person in connection with its merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets, to such person. The approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by the general partner and its affiliates, is required in other circumstances for a transfer of the general partner interest to a third party prior to December 31, 2015. On or after December 31, 2015, our general partner may transfer all or any of its general partner interest in us without unitholder approval. See “— Transfer of General Partner Interest.” | |
8
| Transfer of incentive distribution rights |
Except for transfers to an affiliate or another person as part of our general partner’s merger or consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of its assets or the sale of all of the ownership interests in such holder, the approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by the general partner and its affiliates, is required in most circumstances for a transfer of the incentive distribution rights to a third party prior to December 31, 2015. On or after December 31, 2015, the incentive distribution rights will be freely transferable. Please read “— Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.” | |
| Transfer of ownership interests in our general partner |
No approval required at any time. Please read “— Transfer of Ownership Interests in the General Partner.” | |
Limited Liability
Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Delaware Act”) and that the limited partner otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of the partnership agreement, the limited partner’s liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital the limited partner is obligated to contribute to us for its common units plus the limited partner’s share of any undistributed profits and assets. If it were determined, however, that the right, or exercise of the right, by the limited partners as a group:
| • | to remove or replace the general partner; |
| • | to approve some amendments to the partnership agreement; or |
| • | to take other action under the partnership agreement; |
constituted “participation in the control” of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware, to the same extent as the general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us who reasonably believe that the limited partner is a general partner. Neither the partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against the general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of the general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for this type of a claim in Delaware case law.
Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, would exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to liability for which recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act shall be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years. Under the Delaware Act, a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of his assignor to make contributions to the partnership, except that such person is not obligated for liabilities unknown to him at the time he became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from the partnership agreement.
Our subsidiaries conduct business in a number of states. Maintenance of our limited liability as a member of the operating company may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which the operating company conducts business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business there.
Limitations on the liability of limited partners for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If, by virtue of our ownership of our operating partnership and its
9
subsidiaries or otherwise, it were determined that we were conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership or limited liability company statute, or that the right or exercise of the right by the limited partners as a group to remove or replace the general partner, to approve some amendments to the partnership agreement, or to take other action under the partnership agreement constituted “participation in the control” of our business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, our limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent as the general partner under the circumstances. We will operate in a manner that the general partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the limited partners.
Issuance of Additional Securities
Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our general partner without the approval of the unitholders.
It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units or other partnership securities. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other partnership securities may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership securities that, as determined by our general partner, may have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled. Our partnership agreement restricts our ability to issue any securities senior to or on parity with our Series A units with respect to distributions on such securities and distributions upon liquidation, except that we may issue parity securities up to an amount equal to 10% (at face value) of the lowest market capitalization of our common units as measured over the trailing 30-day period prior to issuance. However, our partnership agreement does not prohibit the issuance by us of equity securities that may effectively rank senior to the common units.
Upon issuance of additional partnership securities, our general partner will be entitled, but not required, to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its percentage interest in us. Our general partner’s percentage interest in us will be reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its percentage interest. Moreover, our general partner will have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units or other partnership securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the percentage interest of the general partner and its affiliates, including such interest represented by common units, that existed immediately prior to each issuance. The holders of common units will not have preemptive rights to acquire additional common units or other partnership securities.
On February 3, 2014, we issued 4,040,471 common units to Hoover in connection with our acquisition of Hoover’s business, which includes crude oil gathering, transportation and terminaling, condensate handling, natural gas gathering, treating and processing, and water gathering and disposal services in the Southern Delaware Basin in west Texas. The common units originally issued to Hoover are being registered under this prospectus.
On April 30, 2013, we issued 6,274,483 Class F units to Southern Union Company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of our affiliate, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., in connection with our acquisition of Southern Union Gathering Company, LLC. For a complete description of our Class F units, please see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 30, 2013.
On September 2, 2009, we issued 4,371,586 Series A units. For so long as the Series A units remain outstanding, the holders of the Series A units will have a preemptive right to purchase any securities junior to or
10
on parity with our Series A units with respect to distributions on such securities and distributions upon liquidation (other than common units) issued by us to the extent necessary to maintain their proportionate beneficial ownership of common units (on an as-converted basis) immediately before such issuance. For a more complete description of the Series A units, please see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 4, 2009.
Amendment of the Partnership Agreement
General. Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by or with the consent of our general partner. Our general partner, however, will have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner is required to seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or to call a meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as described below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.
Prohibited Amendments. No amendment may be made that would:
| • | enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless approved by at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected; or |
| • | enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to our general partner or any of its affiliates without the consent of our general partner, which consent may be given or withheld at its option. |
The provision of our partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects described in any of the clauses above can only be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting together as a single class (including units owned by our general partner and its affiliates).
No Unitholder Approval. Our general partner may generally make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or assignee to reflect:
| • | a change in our name, the location of our principal place of our business, our registered agent or our registered office; |
| • | the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with our partnership agreement; |
| • | a change that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue our qualification as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that neither we nor the operating company nor any of its subsidiaries will be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes; |
| • | an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our general partner or its directors, officers, agents or trustees from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed; |
| • | an amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the authorization of additional partnership securities or rights to acquire partnership securities; |
| • | any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general partner acting alone; |
11
| • | an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been approved under the terms of our partnership agreement; |
| • | any amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership or other entity, as otherwise permitted by our partnership agreement; |
| • | an amendment that is necessary to require the limited partners to provide a statement, certification or other proof to us regarding whether such limited partner is subject to U.S. federal income taxation on the income generated by us; |
| • | a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and related changes; |
| • | mergers with or conveyances to another limited liability entity that is newly formed and has no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of the merger or conveyance other than those it receives by way of the merger or conveyance; or |
| • | any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described in the clauses above. |
In addition, our general partner may make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or transferee (subject to the voting rights of the Series A units and the Class F units discussed below) in connection with a merger or consolidation approved in connection with our partnership agreement, or if our general partner determines that those amendments:
| • | do not adversely affect the limited partners (or any particular class of limited partners) in any material respect; |
| • | are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute; |
| • | are necessary or appropriate to facilitate the trading of limited partner interests or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any securities exchange on which the limited partner interests are or will be listed for trading; |
| • | are necessary or appropriate for any action taken by our general partner relating to splits or combinations of units under the provisions of our partnership agreement; or |
| • | are required to effect the intent expressed in the registration statement relating to our initial public offering or the intent of the provisions of our partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by our partnership agreement. |
Opinion of Counsel and Unitholder Approval. Our general partner will not be required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will not result in a loss of limited liability to the limited partners or result in our being treated as an entity for federal income tax purposes in connection with any of the amendments described under “— No Unitholder Approval.” No other amendments to our partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting as a single class unless we first obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not affect the limited liability under applicable law of any of our limited partners.
In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any type or class of outstanding units in relation to other classes of units will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of units so affected. Any amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action is required to be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced. The affirmative vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of the Series A units or Class F units, as applicable, voting separately as a class with one vote per Series A unit or Class F unit, is necessary on any matter (including a merger, consolidation or business combination) that would adversely affect any of the rights, preferences and privileges of the Series A unit or Class F unit in any respect. Please read “— Meetings; Voting.”
12
Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets
A merger or consolidation of us requires the prior consent of our general partner. Our general partner, however, will have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger or consolidation and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interest of us or the limited partners.
In addition, the partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner without the prior approval of the holders of a unit majority, from causing us, among other things, to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination, or approving on our behalf the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of our subsidiaries. Further, if any such sale, merger, consolidation or other combination would adversely affect any of the rights, preferences and privileges of the Series A units or the Class F units in any respect, the affirmative vote of 75% of the Series A units or the Class F units, respectively, voting separately as a class is required. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without such approval. Our general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without such approval. Finally, our general partner may consummate any merger without the prior approval of our unitholders if we are the surviving entity in the transaction, the transaction would not result in a material amendment to the partnership agreement, the general partner has received an opinion of counsel that the merger would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner or cause us to be treated as a taxable entity and each of our units will be an identical unit of our partnership following the transaction.
If the conditions specified in the partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may convert us or any of our subsidiaries into a new limited liability entity or merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey all of our assets to, a newly formed entity if the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited liability entity. The unitholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under the partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a conversion, merger or consolidation, a sale of substantially all of our assets or any other transaction or event.
Termination and Dissolution
We will continue as a limited partnership until terminated under our partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:
| • | the election of our general partner to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority; |
| • | there being no limited partners, unless we are continued without dissolution in accordance with applicable Delaware law; |
| • | the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our partnership; or |
| • | the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in its ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner interest in accordance with our partnership agreement or withdrawal or removal following approval and admission of a successor. |
Upon a dissolution under the last clause above, the holders of a unit majority, may also elect, within specific time limitations, to reconstitute us and continue our business on the same terms and conditions described in our partnership agreement by forming a new limited partnership on terms identical to those in our partnership agreement and having as general partner an entity approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the effect that:
| • | the action would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner; and |
13
| • | neither our partnership, the reconstituted limited partnership, our operating company nor any of our other subsidiaries, would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of that right to continue. |
Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds
Upon our dissolution, unless we are reconstituted and continued as a new limited partnership, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general partner that are necessary or appropriate to liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation as provided in “How We Make Cash Distributions — Distributions of Cash upon Liquidation.” The liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time or distribute assets to partners in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to our partners.
Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner
Except as described below, our general partner has agreed not to withdraw voluntarily as our general partner prior to December 31, 2015 without obtaining the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by the general partner and its affiliates, and furnishing an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. On or after December 31, 2015, our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days’ written notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. Notwithstanding the information above, our general partner may withdraw without unitholder approval upon 90 days’ notice to the limited partners if at least 50% of the outstanding common units are held or controlled by one person and its affiliates other than the general partner and its affiliates. In addition, the partnership agreement permits our general partner in some instances to sell or otherwise transfer all of its general partner interest in us without the approval of the unitholders. Please read “— Transfer of General Partner Interest” and “— Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.”
Upon withdrawal of our general partner under any circumstances, other than as a result of a transfer by our general partner of all or a part of its general partner interest in us, the holders of a unit majority may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within a specified period after that withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority agree in writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding units, voting together as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. Any removal of our general partner is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units, voting as separate classes. The ownership of more than 33 1/3% of the outstanding units by our general partner and its affiliates would give them the practical ability to prevent our general partner’s removal.
Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by the general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal:
| • | any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and |
| • | our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of those interests at that time. |
14
In the event of removal of a general partner under circumstances where cause exists or withdrawal of a general partner where that withdrawal violates our partnership agreement, a successor general partner will have the option to purchase the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights of the departing general partner for a cash payment equal to the fair market value of those interests. Under all other circumstances where a general partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest of the departing general partner and its incentive distribution rights for fair market value. In each case, this fair market value will be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor general partner. If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will determine the fair market value. Or, if the departing general partner and the successor general partner cannot agree upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by each of them will determine the fair market value.
If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the successor general partner, the departing general partner’s general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will automatically convert into common units equal to the fair market value of those interests as determined by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.
In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due the departing general partner, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities, including severance liabilities, incurred for the termination of any employees employed by the departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.
Transfer of General Partner Interest
Except for transfer by our general partner of all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest in our partnership to:
| • | an affiliate of our general partner (other than an individual); or |
| • | another entity as part of the merger or consolidation of our general partner with or into another entity or the transfer by our general partner of all or substantially all of its assets to another entity, |
our general partner may not transfer all or any part of its general partner interest in our partnership to another person prior to December 31, 2015 without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates. On or after December 31, 2015, our general partner may transfer all or any of its general partner interest in us without unitholder approval. As a condition of any transfer, the transferee must assume, among other things, the rights and duties of our general partner, agree to be bound by the provisions of our partnership agreement, and furnish an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters.
Transfer of Ownership Interests in the General Partner
At any time, the owner of our General Partner, may sell or transfer all or part of its ownership interest in our General Partner to an affiliate or third party without the approval of our unitholders.
Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights
Our general partner or its affiliates or a subsequent holder may transfer its incentive distribution rights to an affiliate of the holder (other than an individual) or another entity as part of the merger or consolidation of such holder with or into another entity, the sale of all of the ownership interest of the holder or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets to, that entity without the prior approval of the unitholders. Prior to December 31,
15
2015, other transfers of incentive distribution rights will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates. On or after December 31, 2015, the incentive distribution rights will be freely transferable.
Change of Management Provisions
Our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove our general partner or otherwise change our management. If any person or group other than our general partner and its affiliates acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or group that acquires the units from our general partner or its affiliates and any transferees of that person or group approved by our general partner or to any person or group who acquires the units with the prior approval of our general partner.
Limited Call Right
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80% of the then-issued and outstanding limited partner interests of any class, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining partnership securities of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a record date to be selected by our general partner, on at least 10 but not more than 60 days’ notice. The purchase price in the event of such a purchase is the greater of:
| • | the highest cash price paid by either of our general partner or any of its affiliates for any partnership securities of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those limited partner interests; and |
| • | the current market price as of the date three days before the date the notice is mailed. |
As a result of our general partner’s right to purchase outstanding partnership securities, a holder of partnership securities may have his partnership securities purchased at an undesirable time or price. The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of his common units in the market. Please read “Material Income Tax Consequences — Disposition of Common Units.”
Meetings; Voting
Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, unitholders or transferees who are record holders of units on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited. In the case of common units held by our general partner on behalf of non-citizen assignees, our general partner will distribute the votes on those common units in the same ratios as the votes of limited partners on other units are cast.
Our general partner does not anticipate that any meeting of unitholders will be called in the foreseeable future. Any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting. Meetings of the unitholders may be called by our general partner or by unitholders owning at least 20% of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is proposed. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called represented in person or by proxy will constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage.
16
Each record holder of a unit has a vote according to his percentage interest in us; however, the holders of our Series A units and Class F units have special voting rights, and additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. Please read “— Issuance of Additional Securities.” The affirmative vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of the Series A units and Class F units, as applicable, voting separately as a class with one vote per Series A unit or Class F unit, is necessary on any matter (including a merger, consolidation or business combination) that would adversely affect any of the rights, preferences and privileges of the Series A units or Class F units in any respect, including without limitation, the following matters:
| • | any reduction in the distribution rate on the Series A units, change in the form of payment of distributions on the Series A units, deferral of the date from which distributions on the Series A units will accrue and accumulate, cancellation of accrued, accumulated and unpaid distributions on the Series A units, change in the relative seniority rights of the holders of the Series A units as to the payment of distributions in relation to the holders of any other units, or amendment to Section 5.14 or Section 5.15 of our partnership agreement (which set forth the terms of the Series A units and the Class F units, respectively), except that the General Partner may amend Section 5.14 or Section 5.15 so long as the amendment does not adversely affect the holders of the Series A units or the Class F units, respectively; |
| • | any reduction in the liquidation value or change in the form of payment upon liquidation of the Series A units, or any change in the relative seniority of the liquidation preferences of the holders of the Series A units to the rights upon liquidation of the holders of any other units; |
| • | any matter that would accelerate the terms of our options to redeem or convert the Series A units; and |
| • | any authorization, creation or issuance of any securities that would be senior to or on parity with our Series A units with respect to distributions on such securities and distributions upon liquidation, except that we may issue parity securities up to an amount equal to 10% (at face value) of the lowest market capitalization of the common units as measured over the trailing 30-day period prior to issuance. |
If at any time any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, a direct or subsequently approved transferee of our general partner or its affiliates or a person who acquired the units with the prior approval of our general partner, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its units and the units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes. Common units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and his nominee provides otherwise.
Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of common units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.
Status as Limited Partner
By the transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of common units shall be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission is reflected in our books and records. Except as described under “— Limited Liability”, the common units will be fully paid, and unitholders will not be required to make additional contributions.
Non-Citizen Assignees; Redemption
If we are or become subject to federal, state or local laws or regulations that, in the reasonable determination of our general partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property that we have an
17
interest in because of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of any limited partner, we may redeem the units held by the limited partner at their current market price. In order to avoid any cancellation or forfeiture, our general partner may require each limited partner to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or related status. If a limited partner fails to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or other related status within 30 days after a request for the information or our general partner determines after receipt of the information that the limited partner is not an eligible citizen, the limited partner may be treated as a non-citizen assignee. A non-citizen assignee, is entitled to an interest equivalent to that of a limited partner for the right to share in allocations and distributions from us, including liquidating distributions. A non-citizen assignee does not have the right to direct the voting of his units and may not receive distributions in kind upon our liquidation.
Indemnification
Under our partnership agreement, we will indemnify the following persons (each, an “Indemnitee”), to the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to limitations in our partnership agreement, from and against all losses, claims, damages , liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative in which the Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee:
| • | our general partner; |
| • | any departing general partner; |
| • | any person who is or was an affiliate of a general partner or any departing general partner; |
| • | any person who is or was a director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of any entity set forth in the preceding three bullet points; |
| • | any person who is or was serving as director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person at the request of our general partner or any departing general partner; and |
| • | any person designated by our general partner; |
provided, that we will not indemnify an Indemnitee if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal manner, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we may advance expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding prior to a determination that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by us of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it is determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in the partnership agreement. Unless it otherwise agrees, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification.
We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under our partnership agreement.
Reimbursement of Expenses
Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to us or otherwise incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses
18
allocated to our general partner by its affiliates. The general partner is entitled to determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us.
Books and Reports
Our general partner is required to keep appropriate books of our business at our principal offices. The books will be maintained for both tax and financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis. For tax and financial reporting purposes, our fiscal year is the calendar year.
We will furnish or make available to record holders of common units, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those financial statements by our independent public accountants. Except for our fourth quarter, we will also furnish or make available summary financial information within 90 days after the close of each quarter.
We will furnish each record holder of a unit with information reasonably required for tax reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each calendar year. This information is expected to be furnished in summary form so that some complex calculations normally required of partners can be avoided. Our ability to furnish this summary information to unitholders will depend on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying us with specific information. Every unitholder will receive information to assist him in determining his federal and state tax liability and filing his federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us with information.
Right to Inspect Our Books and Records
Our partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to his interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable demand and at his own expense, have furnished to him:
| • | a current list of the name and last known address of each partner; |
| • | a copy of our tax returns; |
| • | information as to the amount of cash, and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other property or services, contributed or to be contributed by each partner and the date on which each partner became a partner; |
| • | copies of our partnership agreement, our certificate of limited partnership, related amendments and powers of attorney under which they have been executed; |
| • | information regarding the status of our business and financial condition; and |
| • | any other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable. |
Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which our general partner believes in good faith is not in our best interests or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.
Registration Rights
Under our partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act, and applicable state securities laws any common units or other partnership securities proposed to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates or their assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements is not otherwise available. These registration rights continue for two years following any withdrawal or removal of our general partner. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.
Additionally, under a separate registration rights agreement (the “Hoover registration rights agreement”) dated as of February 3, 2014 between us and Hoover, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act the 4,040,471 common units issued to Hoover in connection with our acquisition of Hoover’s business, which common units are now held by Hoover. We are registering such common units under this prospectus pursuant to the terms of the Hoover registration rights agreement.
19
HOW WE MAKE CASH DISTRIBUTIONS
Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus
Overview. All cash distributed to unitholders will be characterized as either “operating surplus” or “capital surplus.” We treat distributions of available cash from operating surplus differently than distributions of available cash from capital surplus. Within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we will distribute all available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.
The Class F units will neither receive nor accrue distributions prior to their conversion into common units. The Series A units receive the distribution preference described below. References to “unitholders” made in the context of the recipients of cash distributions refer to common unitholders.
Characterization of Cash Distributions. We will treat all available cash distributed as coming from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed since we began operations equals the operating surplus as of the most recent date of determination of available cash. We will treat any amount distributed in excess of operating surplus, regardless of its source, as capital surplus. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus.
Definition of Available Cash. Available cash generally means, for each fiscal quarter all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of the quarter:
| • | less the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner: |
| • | to provide for the proper conduct of our business (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for our anticipated credit needs); |
| • | to comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements; and |
| • | to provide funds for distribution to our unitholders and to our general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters; |
| • | plus all cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter for which the determination is being made. |
Working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that will be made under our credit facilities and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to partners.
Definition of Operating Surplus. Operating surplus for any period generally means:
| • | our cash balance on the closing date of our initial public offering; plus |
| • | $20.0 million (as described below); plus |
| • | all of our cash receipts since the closing of our initial public offering, excluding cash from (1) borrowings that are not working capital borrowings, (2) sales of equity and debt securities and (3) sales or other dispositions of assets outside the ordinary course of business; plus |
| • | working capital borrowings made after the end of a quarter but before the date of determination of operating surplus for the quarter; less |
| • | operating expenses; less |
| • | the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner for future operating expenditures. |
Operating surplus includes a provision that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to $20.0 million of cash we receive in the future from non-operating sources, such as asset sales, issuances of securities and long-term borrowings, that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus.
20
Definition of Capital Surplus. Capital surplus will generally be generated only by:
| • | borrowings other than working capital borrowings; |
| • | sales of debt and equity securities; and |
| • | sales or other disposition of assets for cash, other than inventory, accounts receivable and other current assets sold in the ordinary course of business or non-current assets sold as part of normal retirements or replacements of assets. |
Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus
We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus in the following manner:
| • | first, to the holders of our Series A units to the extent of the distribution preference on the Series A units, as described below; |
| • | second, 100% to all unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, until we distribute for each outstanding unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and |
| • | thereafter, in the manner described in “— Incentive Distribution Rights” below. |
The Series A units will receive distributions at a rate of $0.445 per Series A unit, payable quarterly on the same date as the distribution payment date for the common units. The record date for the determination of holders entitled to receive distributions of the Series A units will be the same as the record date for determination of common unit holders entitled to receive quarterly distributions.
Distributions on the Series A units were accrued for the first two quarters following their issuance, which resulted in an increase in the number of common units issuable upon conversion of the Series A units. If on any distribution payment date occurring with respect to a quarter ending after December 31, 2009, we (x) fail to pay distributions on the Series A units, (y) reduce the distributions on the common units to zero ($0.00) and (z) are prohibited by our material financing agreements from paying cash distributions, then until the distributions that were to be paid on the Series A units on such distribution payment date are paid in cash, such distributions shall automatically accrue and accumulate. If we fail to pay cash distributions in full for two quarters (whether or not consecutive) from and including the quarter ended on March 31, 2010, then to the extent that we fail to pay cash distributions on the Series A units thereafter, all future distributions on the Series A units that are accrued rather than being paid in cash by us will consist of the following: (i) $0.35375 per Series A unit per quarter, (ii) $0.09125 per Series A unit per quarter (the “Common Unit Distribution Amount”), payable solely in common units, and (iii) $0.09125 per Series A unit per quarter (the “PIK Distribution Additional Amount”), payable solely in common units. The total number of common units payable in connection with the Common Unit Distribution Amount or the PIK Distribution Additional Amount cannot exceed 1,600,000 in any period of twenty consecutive fiscal quarters.
For as long as the Series A units are outstanding (or until we receive an investment grade rating from either Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services on our 9-3/8% Senior Notes due 2016), upon our breach of certain covenants (a “Covenant Default”) contained in our Indenture, dated as of May 20, 2009, among us, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the holders of the Series A units will be entitled to an increase of $0.1825 per quarterly distribution, payable solely in common units (the “Covenant Default Additional Amount”).
All accumulated and unpaid distributions will accrue interest (i) at a rate of 2.432% per quarter, or (ii) if we have failed to pay all PIK Distribution Additional Amounts or Covenant Default Additional Amounts or any Covenant Default has occurred and is continuing, at a rate of 3.429% per quarter while such failure to pay or such Covenant Default continues.
21
Additionally, the holders of the Series A units are entitled to a “make-whole” distribution and allocation equal to 60% of the tax cost of the rate differential between ordinary income and long term capital gains with respect to any gross income allocation resulting from a forced conversion of the Series A units, “grossed up” for the additional tax due with respect to such “make-whole” allocation.
Incentive Distribution Rights
Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. Our general partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in the partnership agreement. For purposes of this section “— Incentive Distribution Rights,” the term unitholders does not include holders of Class F units, which are not entitled to participate in distributions, and holders of Series A units.
If for any quarter:
| • | we have distributed available cash from operating surplus to the common unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution; |
| • | we have distributed available cash from operating surplus on outstanding common units in an amount necessary to eliminate any cumulative arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution; and |
| • | we have distributed available cash from operating surplus to the holders of our Series A units to the extent of the distribution preference on the Series A units; |
then, we will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and our general partner in the following manner:
| • | first, 100% to all unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.4025 per unit for that quarter (the “first target distribution”); |
| • | second, 87% to all unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, and 13% to the holders of incentive distribution rights, pro rata, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.4375 per unit for that quarter (the “second target distribution”); |
| • | third, 77% to all unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, and 23% to the holders of incentive distribution rights, pro rata, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.5250 per unit for that quarter (the “third target distribution”); and |
| • | thereafter, 52% to all unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, and 48% to the holders of incentive distribution rights, pro rata. |
In each case, the amount of the target distribution set forth above is exclusive of any distributions to common unitholders to eliminate any cumulative arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution.
Distributions from Capital Surplus
How Distributions from Capital Surplus Will Be Made. We will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:
| • | first, 100% to all unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit issued in our initial public offering an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to the initial public offering price; |
| • | second, to our general partner, in accordance with its percentage interest, and to the common unitholders, pro rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the general partner’s percentage interest, until we distribute for |
22
| each common unit, an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units; and |
| • | thereafter, we will make all distributions of available cash from capital surplus as if they were from operating surplus. |
Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus. The partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus as the repayment of the initial unit price from the initial public offering, which is a return of capital. The initial public offering price less any distributions of capital surplus per unit is referred to as the unrecovered initial unit price. Each time a distribution of capital surplus is made, the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels will be reduced in the same proportion as the corresponding reduction in the unrecovered initial unit price. Because distributions of capital surplus will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution, after any of these distributions are made, it may be easier for the general partner to receive incentive distributions. Any distribution of capital surplus before the unrecovered initial unit price is reduced to zero cannot be applied to the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution or any arrearages.
Once we distribute capital surplus on a unit in an amount equal to the initial unit price, we will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels to zero and we will make all future distributions from operating surplus, with 50% being paid to the holders of units, and 50% to the general partner.
Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels
In addition to adjusting the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels to reflect a distribution of capital surplus, if we combine our units into fewer units or subdivide our units into a greater number of units, we will proportionately adjust:
| • | the minimum quarterly distribution; |
| • | the target distribution levels; and |
| • | the unrecovered initial unit price; |
For example, if a two-for-one split of the common units should occur, the minimum quarterly distribution, the target distribution levels and the unrecovered initial unit price would each be reduced to 50% of its initial level. We will not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional units for cash or property.
In addition, if legislation is enacted or if existing law is modified or interpreted by a governmental taxing authority so that we become taxable as a corporation or otherwise subject to taxation as an entity for federal, state or local income tax purposes, we will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels for each quarter by multiplying each distribution level by a fraction, the numerator of which is available cash for that quarter and the denominator of which is the sum of available cash for that quarter plus our general partner’s estimate of our aggregate liability for the quarter for such income taxes payable by reason of such legislation or interpretation. To the extent that the actual tax liability differs from the estimated tax liability for any quarter, the difference will be accounted for in subsequent quarters.
Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation
Overview. If we dissolve in accordance with the partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called liquidation. Upon dissolution, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act, the holders of the Series A units will be entitled to receive any accrued and unpaid distributions in respect of the Series A units, if any, and will have the status of, and will be entitled to all remedies available to, a creditor of the Partnership, and will have priority over any entitlement of any other unitholders with respect to any distributions by us. We will distribute any remaining proceeds to the unitholders and our general partner in accordance with their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation.
23
Manner of Adjustments for Gain. The manner of the adjustment for gain is set forth in the partnership agreement. Upon liquidation, we will allocate any gain to the partners in the following manner:
| • | First, to our general partner and the holders of units who have negative balances in their capital accounts to the extent of and in proportion to those negative balances; |
| • | second, to the holders of our Series A units, pro rata, until the capital account for each Series A unit is equal to the sum of: |
| (1) | the initial unit price for that Series A unit; and |
| (2) | all accrued but unpaid distributions on that Series A unit; |
| • | third, 100% to the common unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, until the capital account for each common unit is equal to the sum of: |
| (1) | the unrecovered initial unit price for that common unit; and |
| (2) | the amount of the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs; |
| • | fourth, 100% to all unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: |
(1) the sum of the excess of the first target distribution per unit over the minimum quarterly distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less
(2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution per unit that we distributed 100% to the unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, for each quarter of our existence;
| • | fifth, 87% to all unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, and 13% to the holders of incentive distribution rights, pro rata, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: |
(1) the sum of the excess of the second target distribution per unit over the first target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less
(2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution per unit that we distributed 87% to the unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, and 13% to the holders of incentive distribution rights, pro rata, for each quarter of our existence;
| • | sixth, 77% to all unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, and 23% to the holders of incentive distribution rights, pro rata, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: |
(1) the sum of the excess of the third target distribution per unit over the second target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less
(2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution per unit that we distributed 77% to the unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, and 23% to the holders of incentive distribution rights, pro rata, for each quarter of our existence; and
| • | thereafter, 52% to all unitholders and our general partner in accordance with their respective percentage interests, and 48% to the holders of incentive distribution rights, pro rata. |
Manner of Adjustments for Losses. Upon liquidation, we will generally allocate any loss to our general partner and the unitholders in the following manner:
| • | first, 100% to the holders of common units and our general partner, in accordance with their respective percentage interests, until the capital accounts of the common unitholders have been reduced to zero; |
24
| • | second, 100% to the holders of our Series A units, pro rata, until the capital accounts of the holders of our Series A units have been reduced to zero; and |
| • | thereafter, 100% to our general partner. |
Adjustments to Capital Accounts. We will make adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units (including as a result of the conversion of our Series A units into common units). In doing so, we will allocate any unrealized and, for tax purposes, unrecognized gain or loss resulting from the adjustments to the unitholders and our general partner in the same manner as we allocate gain or loss upon liquidation; provided, that for purposes of determining the amount of such unrealized gain or loss, we will reduce the fair market value of our property (to the extent of any unrealized income or gain in our property that has not previously been reflected in the capital accounts) to reflect the incremental share of such fair market value that would be attributable to the holders of our outstanding Series A units if all of such Series A units were converted into common units as of such date. If we make positive adjustments to the capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units, we will allocate any later negative adjustments to the capital accounts resulting from the issuance of additional units or upon our liquidation in a manner which results, to the extent possible, in our general partner’s capital account balance equaling the amount that it would have been if no earlier positive adjustments to the capital accounts had been made.
Additionally, if in the year of liquidation, any holder’s capital account in respect of any Series A units is less than an aggregate amount equal to the sum of (i) $18.30 per Series A unit, plus (ii) all accrued and accumulated but unpaid distributions on such Series A units, or together the Preferred Liquidation Value, then prior to any other allocation for that year and prior to any distribution to the holders of the Series A unit upon liquidation, items of gross income and gain will be allocated to all holders of the Series A unit, pro rata, until the capital account in respect of each Series A unit then outstanding is equal to the Preferred Liquidation Value (and no other allocation will reverse the effect of this allocation).
If in the year of liquidation, any holder’s capital account in respect of any Series A units is less than the aggregate Preferred Liquidation Value of such Series A units after the application of the allocation described in the paragraph immediately above, then to the extent permitted by law, items of gross income and gain for any preceding taxable period(s) with respect to which Schedule K-1s have not been filed by us will be reallocated to all holders of the Series A units, pro rata, until the capital account in respect of each Series A unit then outstanding is equal to the Preferred Liquidation Value (and no other allocation will reverse the effect of this allocation).
25
MATERIAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
This section is a summary of the material tax considerations that may be relevant to prospective unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel to our general partner and us, insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of U.S. federal income tax law. This section is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Treasury Regulations”) and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Later changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “us” or “we” are references to Regency Energy Partners LP and our operating company.
The following discussion does not comment on all federal income tax matters affecting us or our unitholders. Moreover, the discussion focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and has only limited application to corporations, estates, entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, trusts, nonresident aliens, U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions, tax-exempt institutions, foreign persons (including, without limitation, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and non-U.S. persons eligible for the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty with the United States), individual retirement accounts (IRAs), real estate investment trusts (REITs) or mutual funds, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities, U.S. persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar, persons holding their units as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction, and persons deemed to sell their units under the constructive sale provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the discussion only comments, to a limited extent, on state, local, and foreign tax consequences. Accordingly, we encourage each prospective unitholder to consult his own tax advisor in analyzing the state, local and foreign tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of common units and potential changes in applicable tax laws.
No ruling has been requested from the IRS regarding our characterization as a partnership for tax purposes. Instead, we will rely on opinions of Latham & Watkins LLP. Unlike a ruling, an opinion of counsel represents only that counsel’s best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for the common units and the prices at which common units trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees, will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and our general partner and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or of an investment in us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.
All statements as to matters of federal income tax law and legal conclusions with respect thereto, but not as to factual matters, contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP and are based on the accuracy of the representations made by us.
For the reasons described below, Latham & Watkins LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following specific federal income tax issues: (i) our method of allocating taxable income and losses to take into account the conversion feature of our Series A units (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction”); (ii) the treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Short Sales”); (iii) whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by existing Treasury Regulations (please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees”); and (iv) whether our method for taking
26
into account Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain cases (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election” and “— Disposition of Common Units — Uniformity of Units”).
Partnership Status
A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner are generally not taxable to the partnership or the partner unless the amount of cash distributed to him is in excess of the partner’s adjusted basis in his partnership interest. Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly traded partnerships will, as a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the “Qualifying Income Exception,” exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the gross income for every taxable year consists of “qualifying income.” Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from the transportation, storage, processing and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and products thereof. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We estimate that less than 4% of our current gross income is not qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time. Based upon and subject to this estimate, the factual representations made by us and our general partner and a review of the applicable legal authorities, Latham & Watkins LLP is of the opinion that at least 90% of our current gross income constitutes qualifying income. The portion of our income that is qualifying income may change from time to time.
The IRS has made no determination as to our status or the status of our operating company for federal income tax purposes. Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP on such matters. It is the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP that, based upon the Internal Revenue Code, its regulations, published revenue rulings and court decisions and the representations described below that:
| • | We will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes; and |
| • | Our operating company will be disregarded as an entity separate from us for federal income tax purposes. |
In rendering its opinion, Latham & Watkins LLP has relied on factual representations made by us and our general partner. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which Latham & Watkins LLP has relied include:
| • | Neither we nor the operating company has elected or will elect to be treated, or is otherwise treated, as a corporation for federal income tax purposes; and |
| • | For each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income of the type that Latham & Watkins LLP has opined or will opine is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. |
We believe that these representations have been true in the past and expect that these representations will continue to be true in the future.
If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery (in which case the IRS may also require us to make adjustments with respect to our unitholders or pay other amounts), we will be treated as if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for stock in that corporation, and then distributed that stock to the unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This deemed contribution and
27
liquidation should be tax-free to unitholders and us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax basis of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.
If we were treated as an association taxable as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to our unitholders, and our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a unitholder would be treated as taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital, to the extent of the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units, or taxable capital gain, after the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units is reduced to zero. Accordingly, taxation as a corporation would result in a material reduction in a unitholder’s cash flow and after-tax return and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of the units.
The discussion below is based on Latham & Watkins LLP’s opinion that we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Limited Partner Status
Unitholders of Regency Energy Partners LP will be treated as partners of Regency Energy Partners LP for federal income tax purposes. Also, unitholders whose common units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of their common units will be treated as partners of Regency Energy Partners LP for federal income tax purposes.
A beneficial owner of common units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for federal income tax purposes. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Short Sales”.
Income, gains, losses or deductions would not appear to be reportable by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to be fully taxable as ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of holding common units in Regency Energy Partners LP. The references to “unitholders” in the discussion that follows are to persons who are treated as partners in Regency Energy Partners LP for federal income tax purposes.
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership
Flow-Through of Taxable Income. Subject to the discussion below under “— Entity-Level Collections,” we will not pay any federal income tax. Instead, each unitholder will be required to report on his income tax return his share of our income, gains, losses and deductions without regard to whether we make cash distributions to him. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if he has not received a cash distribution. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for our taxable year ending with or within his taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.
Treatment of Distributions. Distributions by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent the amount of any such cash distribution exceeds his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Our cash distributions in excess of a unitholder’s tax basis generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of the common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under “— Disposition of Common Units.” Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities for which no partner, including the general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, known as “nonrecourse liabilities,” will be treated as a distribution by us of cash to that unitholder. To the extent our distributions cause a unitholder’s “at-risk” amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. Please read “— Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.”
28
A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash. This deemed distribution may constitute a non-pro rata distribution. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his common units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation recapture and/or substantially appreciated “inventory items,” each as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, and collectively, “Section 751 Assets.” To that extent, the unitholder will be treated as having been distributed his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and then having exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholder’s realization of ordinary income, which will equal the excess of (i) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (ii) the unitholder’s tax basis (often zero) for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.
Basis of Common Units. A unitholder’s initial tax basis for his common units will be the amount he paid for the common units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by his share of our income and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be decreased, but not below zero, by distributions from us, by the unitholder’s share of our losses, by any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder will have no share of our debt that is recourse to our general partner to the extent of the general partner’s “net value” as defined in regulations under Section 752 of the Internal Revenue Code, but will have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
Limitations on Deductibility of Losses. The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder, estate, trust, or corporate unitholder (if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholder’s stock is owned directly or indirectly by or for five or fewer individuals or some tax-exempt organizations) to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities, if that is less than his tax basis. A common unitholder subject to these limitations must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his at-risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable as a deduction to the extent that his at-risk amount is subsequently increased, provided such losses do not exceed such common unitholder’s tax basis in his common units. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at-risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any loss previously suspended by the at-risk limitation in excess of that gain would no longer be utilizable.
In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of his units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by (i) any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or other similar arrangement and (ii) any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder’s at-risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the unitholder’s units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable to increases or decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities.
In addition to the basis and at-risk limitations on the deductibility of losses, the passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some closely-held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from passive activities, which are generally trade or business activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate, only to the extent of the taxpayer’s income from those passive activities. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will only be available to offset our passive income generated in the
29
future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments, including our investments or a unitholder’s investments in other publicly traded partnerships, or the unitholder’s salary, active business or other income. Passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder’s share of income we generate may be deducted in full when he disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive loss limitations are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at-risk rules and the basis limitation.
A unitholder’s share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses, but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities, including those attributable to other publicly traded partnerships.
Limitations on Interest Deductions. The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:
| (a) | interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment; |
| (b) | our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and |
| (c) | the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income. |
The computation of a unitholder’s investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment or (if applicable) qualified dividend income. The IRS has indicated that the net passive income earned by a publicly traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its unitholders. In addition, the unitholder’s share of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income.
Entity-Level Collections. If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state, local or foreign income tax on behalf of any unitholder or our general partner or any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend our partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under our partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of an individual unitholder in which event the unitholder would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund.
Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction. In general, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us, subject to an allocation of net income to the holders of our Series A units. At any time that incentive distributions are made to our general partner, gross income will be allocated to the recipients to the extent of these distributions. If we have a net loss, that loss will be allocated first to our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts (as adjusted for certain items in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations), second, to the holders of our Series A units, pro rata, to the extent of their positive capital accounts (as adjusted for certain items in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations), and, finally, to our general partner.
Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for (i) any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of our assets at the time of an offering and (ii) any difference
30
between the tax basis and fair market value of any property contributed to us by the general partner and its affiliates (or by a third party) that exists at the time of such contribution, together referred to in this discussion as the “Contributed Property.” The effect of these allocations, referred to as Section 704(c) Allocations, to a unitholder purchasing common units from us in an offering will be essentially the same as if the tax bases of our assets were equal to their fair market values at the time of the offering. In the event we issue additional common units (including as a result of the conversion of our Series A units into common units) or engage in certain other transactions in the future, “reverse Section 704(c) Allocations,” similar to the Section 704(c) Allocations described above, will be made to the general partner and all of our unitholders immediately prior to such issuance or other transactions to account for the difference between the “book” basis for purposes of maintaining capital accounts and the fair market value of all property held by us at the time of such issuance or future transaction. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by some unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.
In connection with the issuance of additional common units (including as a result of the conversion of our Series A units into common units), we will adjust capital accounts to reflect the fair market value of our property. In doing so, we will allocate any unrealized and, for tax purposes, unrecognized gain or loss resulting from the adjustments to the unitholders and our general partner in the same manner as we allocate gain or loss upon liquidation; provided, that for purposes of determining the amount of such unrealized gain or loss, we will reduce the fair market value of our property (to the extent of any unrealized income or gain in our property that has not previously been reflected in the capital accounts) to reflect the incremental share of such fair market value that would be attributable to the holders of our outstanding Series A units if all of such Series A units were converted into common units as of such date. Consequently, a holder of common units may be allocated less unrealized gain (or more unrealized loss) in connection with an adjustment of the capital accounts than such holder would have been allocated if there were no outstanding Series A units. Following the conversion of our Series A units into common units, items of gross income and gain (or gross loss and deduction) will be specially allocated to the holders of such common units to reflect differences between the capital accounts maintained with respect to such Series A units and the capital accounts maintained with respect to common units. This method of maintaining capital accounts and allocating income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to the Series A units is intended to comply with proposed Treasury Regulations under Section 704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Although these Treasury Regulations have been finalized, we agreed to follow the proposed Treasury Regulations in connection with, among other things, the issuance and conversion of our Series A units. Consequently, Latham & Watkins LLP is unable to opine as to whether our method of allocating income and loss among our unitholders to take into account the conversion feature of our Series A units will be given effect for federal income tax purposes. If our allocations are not respected, a unitholder could be allocated more taxable income (or less taxable loss).
An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required by the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the difference between a partner’s “book” capital account, credited with the fair market value of Contributed Property, and “tax” capital account, credited with the tax basis of Contributed Property, referred to in this discussion as the “Book-Tax Disparity,” will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has “substantial economic effect.” In any other case, a partner’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including:
| (a) | his relative contributions to us; |
| (b) | the interests of all the partners in profits and losses; |
| (c) | the interest of all the partners in cash flow; and |
| (d) | the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation. |
31
Latham & Watkins LLP is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described above with respect to allocations to take into account the conversion feature of our Series A units, in “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election” and “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees,” allocations under our partnership agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.
Treatment of Short Sales. A unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition.
As a result, during this period:
| (a) | any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units would not be reportable by the unitholder; |
| (b) | any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units would be fully taxable; and |
| (c) | while not entirely free from doubt, all of these distributions would appear to be ordinary income. |
Because there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on the issue relating to partnership interests, Latham & Watkins LLP has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to effect a short sale of common units; therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to consult a tax advisor to discuss whether it is advisable to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing and loaning their units. The IRS has previously announced that it is studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please also read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
Alternative Minimum Tax. Each unitholder will be required to take into account his distributive share of any items of our income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of an investment in units on their liability for the alternative minimum tax.
Tax Rates. Beginning on January 1, 2013, the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income of individuals is 39.6% and the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to long- term capital gains (generally, capital gains on certain assets held for more than twelve months) of individuals is 20%. Such rates are subject to change by legislation at any time.
In addition, a 3.8% Medicare tax, or NIIT, on certain net investment income earned by individuals, estates and trusts applies for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes a unitholder’s allocable share of our income and gain realized by a unitholder from a sale of units. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) the unitholder’s net investment income and (ii) the amount by which the unitholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). In the case of an estate or trust, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) undistributed net investment income and (ii) the excess adjusted gross income over the dollar amount at which the highest income tax bracket applicable to an estate or trust begins. Recently, the Department of the Treasury and the IRS issued proposed and final Treasury Regulations that provide guidance regarding the NIIT that are effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2013. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of the NIIT on an investment in our common units.
32
Section 754 Election. We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS unless there is a constructive termination of the partnership. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Constructive Termination.” The election will generally permit us to adjust a common unit purchaser’s tax basis in our assets (“inside basis”) under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect his purchase price. This election does not apply with respect to a person who purchases common units directly from us. The Section 743(b) adjustment belongs to the purchaser and not to other unitholders. For purposes of this discussion, the inside basis in our assets with respect to a unitholder will be considered to have two components: (i) his share of our tax basis in our assets (“common basis”) and (ii) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.
We have adopted the remedial allocation method as to all our properties. Where the remedial allocation method is adopted, the Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code require a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment that is attributable to recovery property that is subject to depreciation under Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code and whose book basis is in excess of its tax basis to be depreciated over the remaining cost recovery period for the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity. Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code, rather than cost recovery deductions under Section 168, is generally required to be depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150% declining balance method. Under our partnership agreement, our general partner is authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with these and any other Treasury Regulations. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Uniformity of Units.”
We depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as non-amortizable to the extent attributable to property which is not amortizable. This method is consistent with the methods employed by other publicly traded partnerships but is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. To the extent this Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation or amortization, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. This kind of aggregate approach may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Uniformity of Units.” A unitholder’s tax basis for his common units is reduced by his share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual’s income tax return) so that any position we take that understates deductions will overstate the common unitholder’s basis in his common units, which may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.” Latham & Watkins LLP is unable to opine as to whether our method for taking into account Section 743 adjustments is sustainable for property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code or if we use an aggregate approach as described above, as there is no direct or indirect controlling authority addressing the validity of these positions. Moreover, the IRS may challenge our position with respect to depreciating or amortizing the Section 743(b) adjustment we take to preserve the uniformity of the units. If such a challenge were sustained, the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.
A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is higher than the units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is lower than those units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Thus, the fair market value of the units may be affected either
33
favorably or unfavorably by the election. A basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made in the case of a transfer of an interest in us if we have a substantial built-in loss immediately after the transfer, or if we distribute property and have a substantial basis reduction. Generally, a built-in loss or a basis reduction is substantial if it exceeds $250,000.
The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example, the allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment allocated by us to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally nonamortizable or amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure you that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS and that the deductions resulting from them will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.
Tax Treatment of Operations
Accounting Method and Taxable Year. We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year must include his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for his taxable year, with the result that he will be required to include in income for his taxable year his share of more than twelve months of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”
Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization. The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. The federal income tax burden associated with the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to an offering will be borne by our unitholders holding interests in us prior to any such offering. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.”
To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods, including bonus depreciation to the extent available, that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets subject to these allowances are placed in service. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units —Uniformity of Units.” Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.
If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction” and “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
The costs we incur in selling our units (called “syndication expenses”) must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties regarding the classification of costs
34
as organization expenses, which may be amortized by us, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us. The underwriting discounts and commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.
Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties. The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values, and the initial tax bases, of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deductions previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.
Disposition of Common Units
Recognition of Gain or Loss. Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis for the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property received by him plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.
Prior distributions from us that in the aggregate were in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a common unit and, therefore, decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost.
Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a “dealer” in units, on the sale or exchange of a unit will generally be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held for more than twelve months will generally be taxed at the U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains. However, a portion of this gain or loss, which will likely be substantial, will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to depreciation recapture or other “unrealized receivables” or to “inventory items” we own. The term “unrealized receivables” includes potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Capital losses may offset capital gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income, in the case of individuals, and may only be used to offset capital gains in the case of corporations. Both ordinary income and capital gain recognized on a sale of units may be subject to the NIIT in certain circumstances. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Tax Rates.”
The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method, which generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the same relation to the partner’s tax basis in his entire interest in the partnership as the value of the interest sold bears to the value of the partner’s entire interest in the partnership. Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify common units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the common units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling discussed above, a common unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis common units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, he may designate specific common units sold for purposes of determining the
35
holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of common units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of common units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of common units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the Treasury Regulations.
Specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code affect the taxation of some financial products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an “appreciated” partnership interest, one in which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned or terminated at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enter(s) into:
| (a) | a short sale; |
| (b) | an offsetting notional principal contract; or |
| (c) | a futures or forward contract; |
in each case, with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.
Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having constructively sold the financial position.
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, our taxable income and losses will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Allocation Date.” However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders on the Allocation Date in the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.
Although simplifying conventions are contemplated by the Internal Revenue Code and most publicly traded partnerships use similar simplifying conventions, the use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations as there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on this issue. The Department of the Treasury and the IRS have issued proposed Treasury Regulations that provide a safe harbor pursuant to which a publicly traded partnership may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders, although such tax items must be prorated on a daily basis. Existing publicly traded partnerships are entitled to rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations; however, they are not binding on the IRS and are subject to change until final Treasury Regulations are issued. Accordingly, Latham & Watkins LLP is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating income and deductions between transferor and transferee unitholders because the issue has not been finally resolved by the IRS or the courts. If this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the unitholder’s interest, our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the unitholders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferor and transferee unitholders, as well as unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year, to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury Regulations. A unitholder who owns units at any time during a quarter and who disposes of them prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to that quarter through the month of disposition but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.
Notification Requirements. A unitholder who sells any of his units is generally required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A
36
purchaser of units who purchases units from another unitholder is also generally required to notify us in writing of that purchase within 30 days after the purchase. Upon receiving such notifications, we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a purchase may, in some cases, lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the United States and who effects the sale or exchange through a broker who will satisfy such requirements.
Constructive Termination. We will be considered to have technically terminated for federal income tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50 percent or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. For purposes of determining whether the 50 percent threshold has been met, multiple sales of the same unit will be counted only once. While we would continue our existence as a Delaware limited partnership, our technical termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders, which would result in us filing two tax returns (and our unitholders could receive two Schedules K-1 if relief was not available, as described below) for one fiscal year. Our termination could also result in a significant deferral of depreciation deductions allowable in computing our taxable income. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a calendar year, the closing of our taxable year may also result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. Our termination currently would not affect our classification as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, but instead, we would be treated as a new partnership for federal income tax purposes. If treated as a new partnership, we must make new tax elections, including a new election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code, and could be subject to penalties if we are unable to determine that a technical termination occurred. The IRS has announced a relief procedure whereby if a publicly traded partnership that has technically terminated requests and the IRS grants special relief, among other things, the partnership may be permitted to provide only a single Schedule K-1 to unitholders for the tax years in which the termination occurs.
Uniformity of Units. Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we must maintain uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements, both statutory and regulatory. A lack of uniformity can result from a literal application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6). Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of the units. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.” We take into account the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property the common basis of which is not amortizable, consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code, even though that position may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.” To the extent that the Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a depreciation and amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. If this position is adopted, it may result in lower annual depreciation and amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions not taken in the year that these deductions are otherwise allowable. This position will not be adopted if we determine that the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions will have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to utilize this aggregate method, we may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. In either case, and as stated above under “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election,” Latham & Watkins LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to these methods.
37
Moreover, the IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the Section 743(b) adjustment described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors
Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign persons raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below to a limited extent, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a non- U.S. person, you should consult your tax advisor before investing in our common units. Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is a tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to it.
Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be considered to be engaged in business in the United States because of the ownership of units. As a consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, our quarterly distribution to foreign unitholders will be subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate. Each foreign unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN or applicable substitute form in order to obtain credit for these withholding taxes. A change in applicable law may require us to change these procedures.
In addition, because a foreign corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our earnings and profits, as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporation’s “U.S. net equity,” that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. That tax may be reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which the foreign corporate unitholder is a “qualified resident.” In addition, this type of unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Internal Revenue Code.
A foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a common unit will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized from the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the foreign unitholder. Under a ruling published by the IRS, interpreting the scope of “effectively connected income,” a foreign unitholder would be considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the United States by virtue of the U.S. activities of the partnership, and part or all of that unitholder’s gain would be effectively connected with that unitholder’s indirect U.S. trade or business. Moreover, under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, a foreign common unitholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax upon the sale or disposition of a common unit if (i) he owned (directly or constructively applying certain attribution rules) more than 5% of our common units at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of such disposition and (ii) 50% or more of the fair market value of all of our assets consisted of U.S. real property interests at any time during the shorter of the period during which such unitholder held the common units or the five-year period ending on the date of disposition. Currently, more than 50% of our assets consist of U.S. real property interests and we do not expect that to change in the foreseeable future. Therefore, foreign unitholders may be subject to federal income tax on gain from the sale or disposition of their units.
Recent changes in law may affect certain foreign unitholders. Please read “— Administrative Matters — Additional Withholding Requirements.”
38
Administrative Matters
Information Returns and Audit Procedures. We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder’s share of income, gain, loss and deduction. We cannot assure you that those positions will yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. Neither we nor Latham & Watkins LLP can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the units.
The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability, and possibly may result in an audit of his return. Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.
Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal Revenue Code requires that one partner be designated as the “Tax Matters Partner” for these purposes. Our partnership agreement names our general partner as our Tax Matters Partner.
The Tax Matters Partner has made and will make some elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate.
A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties.
Additional Withholding Requirements. Withholding taxes may apply to certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” (as specially defined in the Internal Revenue Code) and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits and income from sources within the United States (“FDAP Income”), or gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any property of a type which can produce interest or dividends from sources within the United States (“Gross Proceeds”) paid to a foreign financial institution or to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specially defined in the Internal Revenue Code), unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting, (ii) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (i) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons or U.S.-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to noncompliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders.
39
These rules generally will apply to payments of FDAP Income made on or after July 1, 2014 and to payments of relevant Gross Proceeds made on or after January 1, 2017. Thus, to the extent we have FDAP Income or Gross Proceeds after these dates that are not treated as effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (please read “— Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors”), unitholders who are foreign financial institutions or certain other non-US entities may be subject to withholding on distributions they receive from us, or their distributive share of our income, pursuant to the rules described above.
Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of these withholding provisions to their investment in our common units.
Nominee Reporting. Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:
| (a) | the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee; |
| (b) | whether the beneficial owner is: |
| 1. | a person that is not a United States person; |
| 2. | a foreign government, an international organization or any wholly owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing; or |
| 3. | a tax-exempt entity; |
| (c) | the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and |
| (d) | specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from dispositions. |
Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are U.S. persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $100 per failure, up to a maximum of $1,500,000 per calendar year, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for failure to report that information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information furnished to us.
Accuracy-Related Penalties. An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding that portion.
For individuals, a substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the taxable year or $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). The amount of any understatement subject to penalty generally is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:
| (a) | for which there is, or was, “substantial authority”; or |
| (b) | as to which there is a reasonable basis and the pertinent facts of that position are disclosed on the return. |
If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of unitholders might result in that kind of an “understatement” of income for which no “substantial authority” exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on their returns and to take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability for this penalty. More stringent rules apply to “tax shelters,” which we do not believe includes us, or any of our investments, plans or arrangements.
40
A substantial valuation misstatement exists if (a) the value of any property, or the adjusted basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 150% or more of the amount determined to be the correct amount of the valuation or adjusted basis, (b) the price for any property or services (or for the use of property) claimed on any such return with respect to any transaction between persons described in Internal Revenue Code Section 482 is 200% or more (or 50% or less) of the amount determined under Section 482 to be the correct amount of such price, or (c) the net Internal Revenue Code Section 482 transfer price adjustment for the taxable year exceeds the lesser of $5 million or 10% of the taxpayer’s gross receipts. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of the underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). If the valuation claimed on a return is 200% or more than the correct valuation or certain other thresholds are met, the penalty imposed increases to 40%. We do not anticipate making any valuation misstatements.
In addition, the 20% accuracy-related penalty also applies to any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to transactions lacking economic substance. To the extent that such transactions are not disclosed, the penalty imposed is increased to 40%. Additionally, there is no reasonable cause defense to the imposition of this penalty to such transactions.
Reportable Transactions. If we were to engage in a “reportable transaction,” we (and possibly you and others) would be required to make a detailed disclosure of the transaction to the IRS. A transaction may be a reportable transaction based upon any of several factors, including the fact that it is a type of tax avoidance transaction publicly identified by the IRS as a “listed transaction” or that it produces certain kinds of losses for partnerships, individuals, S corporations, and trusts in excess of $2 million in any single year, or $4 million in any combination of six successive tax years. Our participation in a reportable transaction could increase the likelihood that our federal income tax information return (and possibly your tax return) would be audited by the IRS. Please read “— Information Returns and Audit Procedures.”
Moreover, if we were to participate in a reportable transaction with a significant purpose to avoid or evade tax, or in any listed transaction, you may be subject to the following additional consequences:
| (a) | accuracy-related penalties with a broader scope, significantly narrower exceptions, and potentially greater amounts than described above at “— Accuracy-Related Penalties;” |
| (b) | for those persons otherwise entitled to deduct interest on federal tax deficiencies, nondeductibility of interest on any resulting tax liability; and |
| (c) | in the case of a listed transaction, an extended statute of limitations. |
We do not expect to engage in any “reportable transactions.”
Recent Legislative Developments
The present federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our common units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. For example, from time to time, members of Congress propose and consider substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. Any modification to the federal income tax laws and interpretations thereof may or may not be retroactively applied and could make it more difficult or impossible to meet the exception for us to be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Please read “— Partnership Status.” We are unable to predict whether any such changes will ultimately be enacted. However, it is possible that a change in law could affect us, and any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our common units.
State, Local, Foreign and Other Tax Considerations
In addition to federal income taxes, you likely will be subject to other taxes, such as state, local and foreign income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by
41
the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property or in which you are a resident. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his investment in us. We currently own property or do business in a number of states. Many of these states impose a personal income tax on individuals; certain of these states also impose an income tax on corporations and other entities. We may also own property or do business in other jurisdictions in the future. Although you may not be required to file a return and pay taxes in some jurisdictions because your income from that jurisdiction falls below the filing and payment requirement, you will be required to file income tax returns and to pay income taxes in many of these jurisdictions in which we do business or own property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some jurisdictions, tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred and may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years. Some of the jurisdictions may require us, or we may elect, to withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the jurisdiction. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholder’s income tax liability to the jurisdiction, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld will be treated as if distributed to unitholders for purposes of determining the amounts distributed by us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Entity-Level Collections.” Based on current law and our estimate of our future operations, our general partner anticipates that any amounts required to be withheld will not be material.
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent states, localities and foreign jurisdictions, of his investment in us. Accordingly, each prospective unitholder is urged to consult his own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local and foreign, as well as U.S. federal tax returns, that may be required of him. Latham & Watkins LLP has not rendered an opinion on the state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in us.
42
INVESTMENT IN REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
An investment in our common units by an employee benefit plan is subject to certain additional considerations because the investments of such plans are subject to the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and restrictions imposed by Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, and provisions under any federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA, which we refer to collectively as Similar Laws. As used herein, the term “employee benefit plan” includes, but is not limited to, qualified pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans, Keogh plans, simplified employee pension plans and tax deferred annuities or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) or other arrangements established or maintained by an employer or employee organization, and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts and arrangements.
General Fiduciary Matters
ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of an employee benefit plan that is subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, which we refer to as an ERISA Plan, and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of such an ERISA Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of such an ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to such an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan. In considering an investment in our common units, consideration should be given to (a) whether such investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws; (b) whether in making such investment, such plan will satisfy the diversification requirement of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws; (c) whether making such an investment will comply with the delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and any other applicable Similar Laws and (d) whether such investment will result in recognition of unrelated business taxable income by such plan and, if so, the potential after-tax investment return. Please read “Material Income Tax Considerations.” The person with investment discretion with respect to the assets of an employee benefit plan, which we refer to as a fiduciary, should determine whether an investment in our common units is authorized by the appropriate governing instrument and is a proper investment for such plan.
Prohibited Transaction Issues
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (which also applies to IRAs that are not considered part of an employee benefit plan) prohibit an employee benefit plan from engaging in certain transactions involving “plan assets” with parties that are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the plan, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA Plan that engaged in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.
Plan Asset Issues
In addition to considering whether the purchase of our common units is a prohibited transaction, a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan should consider whether such plan will, by investing in our common units, be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that our general partner also would be a fiduciary of such plan and our operations would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Internal Revenue Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.
43
The Department of Labor regulations provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which employee benefit plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets” under certain circumstances. Pursuant to these regulations, an entity’s assets would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things, (a) the equity interest acquired by employee benefit plans are publicly offered securities — i.e., the equity interests are widely held by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other, freely transferable and registered pursuant to certain provisions of the federal securities laws, (b) the entity is an “operating company” — i.e., it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or service other than the investment of capital either directly or through a majority owned subsidiary or subsidiaries, or (c) there is no significant investment by benefit plan investors, which is defined to mean that less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interest (disregarding certain interests held by our general partner, its affiliates and certain other persons) is held by employee benefit plans that are subject to part 4 of Title I of ERISA (which excludes governmental plans and non-electing church plans) and/or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, IRAs which are not considered part of an employee benefit plan and certain other employee benefit plans not subject to ERISA (such as electing church plans). With respect to an investment in our common units, our assets should not be considered “plan assets” under these regulations because it is expected that the investment will satisfy the requirements in (a) above and may also satisfy the requirements in (c) above (although we do not monitor the level of benefit plan investors as required for compliance with (c)).
The foregoing discussion of issues arising for employee benefit plan investments under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and Similar Laws should not be construed as legal advice. Plan fiduciaries contemplating a purchase of our common units should consult with their own counsel regarding the consequences under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other Similar Laws in light of the serious penalties imposed on persons who engage in prohibited transactions or other violations.
44
This prospectus covers the offering for resale of up to 4,040,471 common units by the selling unitholders, subject to any appropriate adjustment as a result of any unit subdivision, split, combination or other reclassification of our common units. Hoover originally acquired the common units pursuant to a contribution agreement in connection with our acquisition of Hoover’s subsidiaries that conduct substantially all of Hoover’s business. On February 3, 2014, we entered into the Hoover registration rights agreement pursuant to which Hoover has the right to cause us to prepare and file a registration statement to permit the resale of any common units held by Hoover, or any subsequent transferees of Hoover, in each case as selling unitholders, from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act. We are registering the common units described in this prospectus pursuant to the Hoover registration rights agreement.
No offer or sale may occur unless the registration statement that includes this prospectus has been declared effective by the SEC, and remains effective at the time the selling unitholders offer or sell such common units. We are required (under certain circumstances) to update this prospectus to reflect material developments in our business, financial position and results of operations.
Information regarding the identities of the selling unitholders, beneficial ownership of our common units by the selling unitholders, the number of common units being offered by each selling unitholder, and the number of common units beneficially owned by the selling unitholders after any offering, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in the filings which we make with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
45
We are registering the common units on behalf of the selling unitholders. As used in this prospectus, “selling unitholders” includes Hoover and/or any subsequent transferees of Hoover selling common units received from Hoover after the date of this prospectus.
Under this prospectus, the selling unitholders intend to offer our securities to the public:
| • | through one or more broker-dealers; |
| • | through underwriters; or |
| • | directly to investors. |
The selling unitholders may price the common units offered from time to time:
| • | at market prices prevailing at the time of any sale under this registration statement; |
| • | prices related to market prices; or |
| • | negotiated prices. |
We will pay the costs and expenses of the registration of the common units offered hereby. We will not pay any underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions allocable to the selling unitholders’ sale of common units, which will be paid by the selling unitholders. Broker-dealers may act as agent or may purchase securities as principal and thereafter resell the securities from time to time:
| • | in or through one or more transactions (which may involve crosses and block transactions) or distributions; |
| • | on the New York Stock Exchange; |
| • | in the over-the-counter market; or |
| • | in private transactions. |
Broker-dealers or underwriters may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agents. If any broker-dealer purchases the securities as principal, it may effect resales of the securities from time to time to or through other broker-dealers, and other broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of concessions or commissions from the purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agents.
To the extent required, the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, as well as other important information, will be set forth in prospectus supplements. In that event, the discounts and commissions we and the selling unitholders will allow or pay to the underwriters, if any, and the discounts and commissions the underwriters may allow or pay to dealers or agents, if any, will be set forth in, or may be calculated from, the prospectus supplements. Any underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents who participate in any sale of the securities may also engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their businesses. We may indemnify underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents against specific liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
In addition, the selling unitholders have advised us that they may sell common units in compliance with Rule 144, if available, or pursuant to other available exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act, rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
The aggregate maximum compensation the underwriters will receive in connection with the sale of any securities under this prospectus and the registration statement of which it forms a part will not exceed 10% of the gross proceeds from the sale.
46
Because the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) views our common units as interests in a direct participation program, any offering of common units under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will be made in compliance with Rule 2310 of the FINRA Rules.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
In connection with offerings under this shelf registration and in compliance with applicable law, underwriters, brokers or dealers may engage in transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at levels above those which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Specifically, underwriters, brokers or dealers may over-allot in connection with offerings, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the purpose of covering a syndicate short position or stabilizing the price of the securities, the underwriters, brokers or dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the securities in the open market. Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other brokers or dealers for distribution the securities in offerings may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
47
The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas. Latham & Watkins LLP will also render an opinion on the material federal income tax consequences regarding the securities. The selling unitholders’ counsel and the underwriters’ own legal counsel will advise them about other issues relating to any offering in which they participate.
The consolidated financial statements of Regency Energy Partners LP and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC as of and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, included in Exhibits 99.3 and 99.4, respectively, of Regency Energy Partners LP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, have been so incorporated in this prospectus in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of Lone Star NGL LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2013 and for the period from March 21, 2011 (Inception) to December 31, 2011 incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of PVR Partners, L.P. as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein.
The combined financial statements of Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P.’s midstream business as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2013 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent auditors, incorporated by reference herein.
48
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act that registers the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit some information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.
In addition, we file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330 for further information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room. Our SEC filings are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. We also make available free of charge on our website, at http://www.regencygasservices.com, all materials that we file electronically with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, Section 16 reports and any amendments to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Additionally, you can obtain information about us through the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our common units are listed.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we have filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. These other documents contain important information about us, our financial condition and results of operations. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and may replace information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and until the termination of the registration statement (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any current report on Form 8-K):
| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed on February 27, 2014; |
| • | our Current Reports on Form 8-K or 8-K/A filed on January 24, 2014, January 28, 2014, February 5, 2014 (two reports), February 10, 2014, February 20, 2014, February 21, 2014, March 3, 2014, March 14, 2014, March 24, 2014, April 7, 2014 and April 15, 2014; and |
| • | the description of our common units contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 1-35262) filed on August 1, 2011, and including any other amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
The historical audited financial statements of PVR as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for the three years ended December 31, 2013 are also incorporated by reference to PVR’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2014.
You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the SEC through the SEC’s website at the address provided above. You also may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus (including exhibits to those documents specifically incorporated by reference in this document), at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address:
Regency Energy Partners LP Investor Relations 2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700 Dallas, Texas 75201 (214) 750-1771
49
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. |
Set forth below are the expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) expected to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the amounts set forth below are estimates.
| SEC registration fee |
$ | 13,922 | ||
| Legal fees and expenses |
35,000 | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
80,000 | |||
| Printing and engraving expenses |
5,000 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total |
$ | 133,922 |
| Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
The section of the prospectus entitled “The Partnership Agreement — Indemnification” discloses that we will generally indemnify officers, directors and affiliates of the general partner to the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to limitations in the partnership agreement from and against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, interests, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative in which such entity or person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an officer, director and affiliate of our general partner and is incorporated herein by this reference. Subject to any terms, conditions or restrictions set forth in the partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other persons from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.
Any underwriting or distribution agreement entered into in connection with the sale of the securities offered pursuant to this registration statement will provide for indemnification of officers and directors of the general partner, including indemnification against liability under the Securities Act.
| Item 16. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. |
(a) See the Exhibit Index on the page immediately preceding the exhibits for a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement on Form S-3, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules.
Not applicable.
| Item 17. | Undertakings. |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
| (a) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
| (b) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which |
II-1
| was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of the prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; |
| (c) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to the information in this registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (l)(a), (l)(b) and (1)(c) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each of the post-effective amendments shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
| (a) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
| (b) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
| (a) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
II-2
| (b) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
| (c) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
| (d) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
(6) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of its annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(8) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC that indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against any liability (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by a director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of the issue.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on April 16, 2014.
| REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP | ||||
| By: | Regency GP LP, its general partner | |||
| By: | Regency GP LLC, its general partner | |||
| By: | /s/ Michael J. Bradley | |||
| Name: | Michael J. Bradley | |||
| Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated, which are with Regency GP LLC, the general partner of Regency GP LP, the general partner of Regency Energy Partners LP, on the dates indicated:
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Michael J. Bradley Michael J. Bradley |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
April 16, 2014 | ||
| * Thomas E. Long |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
April 16, 2014 | ||
| * A. Troy Sturrock |
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
April 16, 2014 | ||
| * James W. Bryant |
Chairman of the Board of Directors | April 16, 2014 | ||
| * Rodney L. Gray |
Director | April 16, 2014 | ||
| * John W. McReynolds |
Director | April 16, 2014 | ||
|
Matthew S. Ramsey |
Director | April 16, 2014 | ||
| * By: | /s/ Michael J. Bradley | |
| Attorney-in-Fact | ||
II-4
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 1.1** | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | |
| 2.1 | Contribution Agreement dated as of February 27, 2013, by and among Southern Union Company, Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Western G&P LLC, ETP Holdco Corporation, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and ETC Texas Pipeline, Ltd., together with related Form of Assignment of Interests, Form of Registration Rights Agreement, Form of Regency Partnership Agreement Amendment, Form of Guarantee of Collection and Form of Support Agreement, Transition Services Agreement Term Sheet and Form of Gomez Lateral Conveyance and Bill of Sale and an Assignment of Easement, Rights of Way, and Permits. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 28, 2013). | |
| 2.2 | Amendment No. 1 to Contribution Agreement dated as of April 16, 2013, by and among Southern Union Company, Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Western G&P LLC, ETP Holdco Corporation, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and ETC Texas Pipeline, Ltd., together with the related Form of Guarantee of Collection. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2013). | |
| 2.3 | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 9, 2013, by and among Regency Energy Partners LP, RVP LLC, Regency GP LP, PVR Partners, L.P. and PVR GP, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K Filed October 10, 2013). | |
| 2.4 | Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 7, 2013, by and among Regency Energy Partners LP, RVP LLC, Regency GP LP, PVR Partners, L.P. and PVR GP, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 8, 2013). | |
| 2.5 | Contribution Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2013, by and among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency HEP LLC, and Hoover Energy Partners, L.P., together with related exhibits. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 23, 2013). | |
| 2.6 | Contribution Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2013, by and among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regal Midstream LLC, and Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P., together with related Form of Assignment of Assumption Agreement, Form of Registration Rights Agreement, Form of Opinion of Counsel of the Partnership, Transition Services Term Sheet, Form of Escrow Agreement, Form of Debt Assumption Agreement and Terms of Exchange Notes. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 24, 2013). | |
| 4.1 | Certificate of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed September 15, 2005, File No. 333-128332). | |
| 4.2 | Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP dated as of February 3, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 9, 2006). | |
| 4.3 | Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2006). | |
| 4.4 | Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 22, 2006). | |
II-5
| 4.5 | Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 8, 2008). | |
| 4.6 | Amendment No. 4 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 16, 2008). | |
| 4.7 | Amendment No. 5 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 28, 2008). | |
| 4.8 | Amendment No. 6 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 2, 2009). | |
| 4.9 | Amendment No. 7 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 4, 2009). | |
| 4.10 | Amendment No. 8 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 30, 2013). | |
| 4.11 | Certificate of Formation of Regency GP LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed September 15, 2005, File No. 333-128332). | |
| 4.12 | Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Regency GP LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 9, 2006). | |
| 4.13 | First Amendment to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Regency GP LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 1, 2010). | |
| 4.14 | Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Regency GP LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 10, 2010). | |
| 4.15 | Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Regency GP LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 6, 2011). | |
| 4.16 | Certificate of Limited Partnership of Regency GP LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed September 15, 2005, File No. 333-128332). | |
| 4.17 | Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Regency GP LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 9, 2006). | |
| 4.18 | Second Amended and Restated General Partnership Agreement of RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co. dated as of December 18, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 1, 2010). | |
| 4.19 | First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated General Partnership Agreement of RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co. dated as of March 9, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 7, 2010). | |
| 4.20 | Form of Common Unit Certificate Evidencing Common Units Representing Limited Partnership Interests in Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed January 11, 2006, File No. 333-128332). | |
II-6
| 4.21 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2013, among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., certain subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners LP party thereto, PEPL Holdings, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 30, 2013). | |
| 4.22 | Registration Rights Agreement dated May 26, 2010 by and between Regency LP Acquirer, L.P. and Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 28, 2010). | |
| 4.23 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2014, by and between Hoover Energy Partners LP and Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 5, 2014). | |
| 4.24 | Indenture dated as of October 27, 2010 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 27, 2010). | |
| 4.25 | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 27, 2010, to Indenture dated as of October 27, 2010 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 27, 2010). | |
| 4.26 | Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 24, 2011, to Indenture dated as of October 27, 2010 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 26, 2011). | |
| 4.27 | Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 26, 2011, to Indenture dated as of October 27, 2010 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 26, 2011). | |
| 4.28 | Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 22, 2012, to Indenture dated as of October 27, 2010 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 27, 2012). | |
| 4.29 | Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 2, 2012, to Indenture dated as of October 27, 2010 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 2, 2012). | |
| 4.30 | Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 15, 2013, to Indenture dated as of October 27, 2010 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.33 to our Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed February 4, 2014). | |
| 4.31 | Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 10, 2014, to Indenture dated as of October 27, 2010 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 10, 2014). | |
| 4.32 | Indenture dated as of April 30, 2013 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2013). | |
II-7
| 4.33 | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 15, 2013, to Indenture dated as of April 30, 2013 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.35 to our Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed February 4, 2014). | |
| 4.34 | Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 10, 2014, to Indenture dated as of April 30, 2013 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2014). | |
| 4.35 | Indenture dated as of September 11, 2013 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 11, 2013). | |
| 4.36 | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 11, 2013, to Indenture dated as of September 11, 2013 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 11, 2013). | |
| 4.37 | Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 10, 2014, to Indenture dated as of September 11, 2013 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2014). | |
| 4.38 | Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 10, 2014, to Indenture dated as of September 11, 2013 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2014). | |
| 4.39 | Indenture, dated as of April 27, 2010, by and among PVR Partners, L.P., Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to PVR Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2010 (File No. 001-16735)). | |
| 4.40 | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 27, 2010, by and among PVR Partners, L.P., Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to PVR Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2010 (File No. 001-16735)). | |
| 4.41 | Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 17, 2012, by and among PVR Partners, L.P., Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation II, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to PVR Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2012 (File No. 001-16735)). | |
| 4.42 | Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 17, 2012, by and among PVR Partners, L.P., Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to PVR Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2012 (File No. 001-16735)). | |
| 4.43 | Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 9, 2013, by and among PVR Partners, L.P., Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation II, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to PVR Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 10, 2013 (File No. 001-16735)). | |
| 4.44 | Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 21, 2014, by and among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 24, 2014). | |
II-8
| 4.45 | Regency Energy Partners LP 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 20, 2011). | |
| 4.46 | Form of Grant of Phantom Units with DERs (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 20, 2011). | |
| 4.47 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2013, by and between Southern Union Company and Regency Energy Partners LP (incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 4.2 on our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 30, 2013). | |
| 5.1* | Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP regarding the legality of the securities being registered hereby. | |
| 8.1 | Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP regarding tax matters. | |
| 23.1* | Consent of Grant Thornton LLP (Regency Energy Partners LP). | |
| 23.2* | Consent of Grant Thornton LLP (RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co.). | |
| 23.3* | Consent of Grant Thornton LLP (Lone Star NGL LLC). | |
| 23.4* | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC). | |
| 23.5* | Consent of KPMG LLP (PVR Partners, L.P.). | |
| 23.6* | Consent of KPMG LLP (certain assets and operations of Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P.). | |
| 23.7* | Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). | |
| 23.8 | Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1). | |
| 24.1 | Powers of Attorney (contained on signature page of the initial filing of the Registration Statement). | |
| 99.1 | Audited Financial Statements of PVR Partners, L.P. as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for the three years ended December 31, 2013 (incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of PVR Partners, L.P. for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2013). | |
| * – | Filed herewith. |
| ** – | To be filed as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or in a post-effective amendment to this registration statement. |
II-9