e10vq
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2008
OR
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-32599
WILLIAMS PARTNERS L.P.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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DELAWARE
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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20-2485124
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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ONE WILLIAMS CENTER
TULSA, OKLAHOMA
(Address of principal executive offices)
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74172-0172
(Zip Code) |
(918) 573-2000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
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 þ | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
The registrant had 52,774,728 common units outstanding as of August 6, 2008
WILLIAMS PARTNERS L.P.
INDEX
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain matters contained in this report include forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements discuss our expected future results based on
current and pending business operations.
All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report which
address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will exist or may
occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified
by various forms of words such as anticipates, believes, could, may, should, continues,
estimates, expects, forecasts, might, planned, potential, projects, scheduled or
similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding:
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amounts and nature of future capital expenditures; |
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expansion and growth of our business and operations; |
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business strategy; |
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cash flow from operations; |
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seasonality of certain business segments; and |
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natural gas liquids and gas prices and demand. |
1
Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, uncertainties and risks that
could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in
this document. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to
control or predict. Specific factors which could cause actual results to differ from those in the
forward-looking statements include:
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We may not have sufficient cash from operations to enable us to pay the minimum
distribution following establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses,
including payments to our general partner. |
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Because of the natural decline in production from existing wells and competitive factors,
the success of our gathering and transportation businesses depends on our ability to connect
new sources of natural gas supply, which is dependent on factors beyond our control. Any
decrease in supplies of natural gas could adversely affect our business and operating
results. |
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Lower natural gas and oil prices could adversely affect our fractionation and storage
businesses. |
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Our processing, fractionation and storage businesses could be affected by any decrease in
natural gas liquids (NGL) prices or a change in NGL prices relative to the price of natural
gas. |
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We depend on certain key customers and producers for a significant portion of our
revenues and supply of natural gas and NGLs. The loss of any of these key customers or
producers could result in a decline in our revenues and cash available to pay distributions. |
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If third-party pipelines and other facilities interconnected to our pipelines and
facilities become unavailable to transport natural gas and NGLs or to treat natural gas, our
revenues and cash available to pay distributions could be adversely affected. |
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We do not own all of the interests in Wamsutter LLC, the Conway fractionator or Discovery
Producer Services LLC (Discovery), which could adversely affect our ability to operate and
control these assets in a manner beneficial to us. |
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Our results of storage and fractionation operations are dependent upon the demand for
propane and other NGLs. A substantial decrease in this demand could adversely affect our
business and operation results. |
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Discovery and Wamsutter may reduce their cash distributions to us in some situations. |
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Discoverys interstate tariff rates and terms and conditions are subject to review and
possible adjustment by federal regulators, and are subject to changes in policy by federal
regulators which could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. |
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Our operations are subject to operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions for which
we may not be adequately insured. |
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We do not operate all of our assets. This reliance on others to operate our assets and to
provide other services could adversely affect our business and operating results. |
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Our partnership agreement limits our general partners fiduciary duties to unitholders
and restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken by our general partner
that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty. |
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The Williams Companies Inc.s (Williams) public indentures and our credit facility
contain financial and operating restrictions that may limit our access to credit. In
addition, our ability to obtain credit in the future will be affected by Williams credit
ratings. |
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Our future financial and operating flexibility may be adversely affected by restrictions
in our debt agreements and by our leverage. |
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We may not be able to grow or effectively manage our growth. |
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We have a holding company structure in which our subsidiaries conduct our operations and
own our operating assets, which may affect our ability to make payments on our debt
obligations and distributions on our common units. |
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Common units held by Williams eligible for future sale may have adverse effects on the
price of our common units. |
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Williams controls our general partner, which has sole responsibility for conducting our
business and managing our operations. Our general partner and its affiliates have conflicts
of interests with us and limited fiduciary duties, and they may favor their own interests to
the detriment of our unitholders. |
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Even if unitholders are dissatisfied, they currently have little ability to remove our
general partner without its consent. |
2
Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, we caution investors not to
unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligations to and do not intend to
update the above list or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the
forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, we caution that there are
important factors, in addition to those listed above, that may cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. For a detailed discussion of
those factors, see Part I, Item IA Risk Factors in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2007, and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
3
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
WILLIAMS PARTNERS L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per-unit amounts)
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
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Six Months Ended |
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June 30, |
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June
30, |
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2008 |
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2007* |
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2008 |
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2007* |
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Revenues: |
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Product sales: |
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Affiliate |
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$ |
94,134 |
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$ |
62,119 |
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$ |
172,256 |
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$ |
118,671 |
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Third-party |
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9,741 |
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5,070 |
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13,962 |
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11,383 |
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Gathering and processing: |
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Affiliate |
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9,847 |
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8,743 |
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18,637 |
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18,234 |
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Third-party |
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49,548 |
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51,422 |
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95,758 |
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102,525 |
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Storage |
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7,102 |
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6,818 |
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14,435 |
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13,228 |
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Fractionation |
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4,804 |
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2,616 |
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8,096 |
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4,533 |
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Other |
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3,069 |
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2,481 |
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5,463 |
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4,510 |
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Total revenues |
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178,245 |
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139,269 |
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328,607 |
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273,084 |
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Costs and expenses: |
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Product cost and shrink replacement: |
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Affiliate |
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27,686 |
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18,520 |
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49,719 |
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40,245 |
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Third-party |
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38,323 |
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26,157 |
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68,388 |
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46,627 |
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Operating and maintenance expense (excluding depreciation): |
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Affiliate |
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16,548 |
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10,484 |
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39,681 |
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24,812 |
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Third-party |
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29,984 |
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23,759 |
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53,935 |
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51,944 |
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Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
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11,002 |
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11,234 |
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22,228 |
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24,412 |
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General and administrative expense: |
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Affiliate |
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12,385 |
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9,644 |
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22,261 |
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19,050 |
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Third-party |
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749 |
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1,189 |
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1,677 |
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1,853 |
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Taxes other than income |
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2,167 |
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2,626 |
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4,672 |
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4,740 |
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Other (income) expense net |
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(2,811 |
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198 |
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(2,478 |
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658 |
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Total costs and expenses |
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136,033 |
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103,811 |
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260,083 |
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214,341 |
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Operating income |
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42,212 |
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35,458 |
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68,524 |
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58,743 |
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Equity earnings-Wamsutter |
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37,480 |
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20,558 |
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58,674 |
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31,886 |
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Equity earnings-Discovery Producer Services |
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8,570 |
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3,875 |
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22,191 |
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7,806 |
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Interest expense: |
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Affiliate |
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(15 |
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(15 |
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(40 |
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(30 |
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Third-party |
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(16,668 |
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(14,359 |
) |
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(34,316 |
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(28,714 |
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Interest income |
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243 |
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1,225 |
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418 |
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2,188 |
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Net income |
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$ |
71,822 |
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$ |
46,742 |
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$ |
115,451 |
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$ |
71,879 |
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Allocation of net income: |
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Net income |
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$ |
71,822 |
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$ |
46,742 |
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$ |
115,451 |
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$ |
71,879 |
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Allocation of net income to general partner |
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23,008 |
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22,417 |
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31,919 |
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35,329 |
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Allocation of net income to limited partners |
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$ |
48,814 |
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$ |
24,325 |
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$ |
83,532 |
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$ |
36,550 |
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Basic and diluted net income per limited partner unit: |
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Common units |
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$ |
0.92 |
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$ |
0.48 |
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$ |
1.58 |
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$ |
0.79 |
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Weighted average number of units outstanding: |
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Common units
(b) |
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52,774,728 |
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39,358,798 |
(a) |
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52,774,728 |
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39,358,798 |
(a) |
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* |
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Recast as discussed in Note 1. |
(a) |
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Includes Class B units converted to Common on May 21, 2007. |
(b) |
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Includes Subordinated units converted to Common on February 19, 2008. |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
WILLIAMS PARTNERS L.P.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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June 30, |
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December 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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(Unaudited) |
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(In thousands) |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
57,715 |
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$ |
36,197 |
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Accounts receivable: |
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Trade |
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22,042 |
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12,860 |
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Affiliate |
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39,146 |
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20,402 |
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Other |
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7,477 |
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2,543 |
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Product imbalance |
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32,858 |
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20,660 |
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Prepaid expense |
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4,668 |
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4,056 |
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Derivative assets affiliate |
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|
231 |
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Reimbursable projects |
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416 |
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8,989 |
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Assets held for sale |
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11,296 |
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|
11,519 |
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Other current assets |
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3,544 |
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3,574 |
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Total current assets |
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179,162 |
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121,031 |
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Investment in Wamsutter |
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294,837 |
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|
284,650 |
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Investment in Discovery Producer Services |
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204,753 |
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214,526 |
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Property, plant and equipment, net |
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638,964 |
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630,770 |
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Other noncurrent assets |
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29,570 |
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32,500 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
1,347,286 |
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$ |
1,283,477 |
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LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable: |
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Trade |
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$ |
34,906 |
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$ |
35,947 |
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Affiliate |
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|
34,425 |
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|
17,676 |
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Product imbalance |
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|
20,142 |
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|
21,473 |
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Deferred revenue |
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|
11,125 |
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|
4,569 |
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Derivative liabilities affiliate |
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|
11,978 |
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|
2,718 |
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Accrued interest |
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|
19,101 |
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|
19,500 |
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Other accrued liabilities |
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|
6,982 |
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|
8,243 |
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Total current liabilities |
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|
138,659 |
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|
110,126 |
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Long-term debt |
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|
1,000,000 |
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|
1,000,000 |
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Other noncurrent liabilities |
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|
11,818 |
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|
11,864 |
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Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 9) |
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Partners capital |
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|
196,809 |
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|
161,487 |
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Total liabilities and partners capital |
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$ |
1,347,286 |
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$ |
1,283,477 |
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
5
WILLIAMS PARTNERS L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
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Six Months Ended |
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|
June 30, |
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|
2008 |
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|
2007* |
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(In thousands) |
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OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
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Net income |
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$ |
115,451 |
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$ |
71,879 |
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Adjustments to reconcile to cash provided by operations: |
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|
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Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
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|
22,228 |
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|
24,412 |
|
Amortization of gas purchase contract affiliate |
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|
2,377 |
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Gain on involuntary conversion |
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(3,266 |
) |
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Equity earnings of Wamsutter |
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(58,674 |
) |
|
|
(31,886 |
) |
Equity earnings of Discovery Producer Services |
|
|
(22,191 |
) |
|
|
(7,806 |
) |
Distributions related to equity earnings of
Wamsutter |
|
|
49,307 |
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions related to equity earnings of
Discovery Producer Services |
|
|
22,191 |
|
|
|
5,204 |
|
Cash provided (used) by changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
(32,860 |
) |
|
|
(13,907 |
) |
Prepaid expense |
|
|
(612 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
Other current assets |
|
|
5,679 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
15,708 |
|
|
|
19,761 |
|
Product imbalance |
|
|
(13,529 |
) |
|
|
(5,414 |
) |
Deferred revenue |
|
|
6,428 |
|
|
|
6,770 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
(1,272 |
) |
|
|
23,437 |
|
Derivative assets and liabilities |
|
|
377 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other, including changes in non-current liabilities |
|
|
1,925 |
|
|
|
619 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
106,890 |
|
|
|
95,441 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of equity investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(69,061 |
) |
Capital expenditures |
|
|
(29,031 |
) |
|
|
(21,703 |
) |
Cumulative distributions in excess of equity earnings of
Discovery Producer Services |
|
|
10,209 |
|
|
|
9,265 |
|
Insurance proceeds |
|
|
6,190 |
|
|
|
|
|
Change in accrued liabilities-capital expenditures |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
(2,810 |
) |
Contributions to Wamsutter |
|
|
(820 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Contributions to Discovery Producer Services |
|
|
(437 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used by investing activities |
|
|
(13,880 |
) |
|
|
(84,309 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to unitholders |
|
|
(73,204 |
) |
|
|
(40,557 |
) |
Proceeds from sale of common units |
|
|
28,992 |
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption of common units from general partner |
|
|
(28,992 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Excess purchase price over contributed basis of equity
investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,939 |
) |
Contributions per omnibus agreement |
|
|
1,636 |
|
|
|
1,667 |
|
Other |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used by financing activities |
|
|
(71,492 |
) |
|
|
(47,829 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
21,518 |
|
|
|
(36,697 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
36,197 |
|
|
|
57,541 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
$ |
57,715 |
|
|
$ |
20,844 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Recast as discussed in Note 1. |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
6
WILLIAMS PARTNERS L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS CAPITAL
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Limited Partners |
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated Other |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
General |
|
|
Comprehensive |
|
|
Partners |
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
Subordinated |
|
|
Partner |
|
|
Loss |
|
|
Capital |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance January 1, 2008 |
|
$ |
1,473,814 |
|
|
$ |
109,542 |
|
|
$ |
(1,419,382 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,487 |
) |
|
$ |
161,487 |
|
Net income |
|
|
102,636 |
|
|
|
1,556 |
|
|
|
11,259 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
115,451 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,373 |
) |
|
|
(10,373 |
) |
Reclassification into earnings of derivative
instrument losses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,259 |
|
|
|
1,259 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other comprehensive loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,114 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
106,337 |
|
Cash distributions |
|
|
(57,986 |
) |
|
|
(4,025 |
) |
|
|
(11,193 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(73,204 |
) |
Conversion of subordinated units into common |
|
|
107,073 |
|
|
|
(107,073 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions pursuant to the omnibus
agreement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,636 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,636 |
|
Issuance of units to public |
|
|
28,992 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,992 |
|
Repurchase of units from Williams |
|
|
(28,992 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(28,992 |
) |
Other |
|
|
(462 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
553 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance June 30, 2008 |
|
$ |
1,625,075 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(1,416,665 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,601 |
) |
|
$ |
196,809 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
7
WILLIAMS PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references in this report to we, our,
us or like terms refer to Williams Partners L.P. and its subsidiaries. Unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise, references to we, our, and us include the operations of
Wamsutter LLC (Wamsutter) and Discovery Producer Services LLC (Discovery) in which we own
interests accounted for as equity investments that are not consolidated in our financial
statements. When we refer to Wamsutter or Discovery by name, we are referring exclusively to their
businesses and operations.
We are principally engaged in the business of gathering, transporting, processing and treating
natural gas and fractionating and storing natural gas liquids (NGL). Operations of our businesses
are located in the United States and are organized into three reporting segments: (1) Gathering
and Processing West, (2) Gathering and Processing Gulf and (3) NGL Services. Our Gathering
and Processing West segment includes the Four Corners gathering and processing operations and
our equity investment in Wamsutter. Our Gathering and Processing Gulf segment includes the
Carbonate Trend gathering pipeline and our equity investment in Discovery. Our NGL Services
segment includes the Conway fractionation and storage operations.
On June 28, 2007 we closed on the acquisition of an additional 20% interest in Discovery from
Williams Energy, L.L.C. and Williams Energy Services, LLC, bringing our total ownership of
Discovery to 60%. This transaction was effective July 1, 2007. Because this additional 20%
interest in Discovery was purchased from an affiliate of The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams),
the transaction was between entities under common control and has been accounted for at historical
cost. Accordingly, our consolidated financial statements and notes have been recast to reflect the
combined historical results of our investment in Discovery throughout the periods presented. The
effect of recasting our financial statements to account for this common control exchange increased
net income $2.6 million through June 30, 2007. This acquisition had no impact on earnings per unit
as pre-acquisition earnings were allocated to our general partner.
On December 11, 2007, we acquired certain ownership interests in Wamsutter, consisting of 100%
of the Class A limited liability company interests and 20 Class C units representing 50% of the
initial Class C ownership interests (collectively the Wamsutter Ownership Interests). Because the
Wamsutter Ownership Interests were purchased from an affiliate of Williams, the transaction was
between entities under common control, and has been accounted for at historical cost. Accordingly,
our consolidated financial statements and notes have been recast to reflect the combined historical
results of our investment in Wamsutter throughout the periods presented. The effect of recasting
our financial statements to account for this common control exchange increased net income $31.9
million through June 30, 2007. This acquisition does not impact earnings per unit as
pre-acquisition earnings were allocated to our general partner.
The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements do not include all the notes in our
annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the audited
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K, filed February 26,
2008, for the year ended December 31, 2007. The accompanying consolidated financial statements
include all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to
present fairly our financial position at June 30, 2008, and results of operations for the three and
six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and
2007. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts have been reclassified
to conform to the current classifications.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
8
Note 2. Recent Accounting Standards
In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 161 Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, currently establishes the disclosure requirements for
derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS No. 161 amends and expands the disclosure
requirements of Statement 133 with enhanced quantitative, qualitative and credit risk disclosures.
The Statement requires quantitative disclosure in a tabular format about the fair values of
derivative instruments in the balance sheet, gains and losses on derivative instruments in the
statement of income and information about where these items are reported in the financial
statements. Also required in the tabular presentation is a separation of hedging and non-hedging
activities. Qualitative disclosures include outlining objectives and strategies for using
derivative instruments in terms of underlying risk exposures, use of derivatives for risk
management and other purposes and accounting designation, and an understanding of the volume and
purpose of derivative activity. Credit risk disclosures provide information about credit risk
related contingent features included in derivative agreements. SFAS No. 161 also amends SFAS No.
107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to clarify that disclosures about
concentrations of credit risk should include derivative instruments. This Statement is effective
for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15,
2008, with early application encouraged. We plan to apply this Statement beginning in 2009. This
Statement encourages, but does not require, comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial
adoption. We will assess the application of this Statement on our disclosures in our consolidated
financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB ratified the decisions reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force
(EITF) with respect to EITF Issue No. 07-4, Application of the Two-Class Method under FASB
Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share, to Master Limited Partnerships. EITF Issue No. 07-4
states, among other things, that the calculation of earnings per unit should not reflect an
allocation of undistributed earnings to the incentive distribution right (IDR) holders beyond
amounts distributable to IDR holders under the terms of the partnership agreement. As described in
Note 3, under current generally accepted accounting principles, we calculate earnings per unit as
if all the earnings for the period had been distributed, which results in an additional allocation
of income to the general partner (the IDR holder) in quarterly periods where an assumed incentive
distribution, calculated as if all earnings for the period had been distributed, exceeds the actual
incentive distribution. Following the adoption of the guidance in EITF Issue No. 07-4, we will no
longer calculate assumed incentive distributions. The final consensus is effective beginning with
the first interim period of the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2008, and must be
retrospectively applied to all periods presented. Early application is prohibited. Retrospective
application of this guidance will result in a decrease in the income allocated to the general
partner and an increase in the income allocated to limited partners for the amount that any assumed
incentive distribution exceeded the actual incentive distribution paid during that period. We are
currently evaluating the impact of this change on certain of our historical periods earnings per
unit.
9
Note 3. Allocation of Net Income and Distributions
The allocation of net income between our general partner and limited partners, as reflected in
the Consolidated Statement of Partners Capital, for the three months and six months ended June 30,
2008 and 2007 is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocation to general partner: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
71,822 |
|
|
$ |
46,742 |
|
|
$ |
115,451 |
|
|
$ |
71,879 |
|
Net income applicable to pre-partnership operations allocated
to general partner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,849 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(34,488 |
) |
Beneficial conversion of Class B units* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,308 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,308 |
) |
Reimbursable general and administrative costs charged
directly
to general partner |
|
|
398 |
|
|
|
598 |
|
|
|
796 |
|
|
|
1,190 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income subject to 2% allocation of general
partner interest |
|
|
72,220 |
|
|
|
20,183 |
|
|
|
116,247 |
|
|
|
33,273 |
|
General partners share of net income |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General partners allocated share of net income before
items directly allocable to general partner interest |
|
|
1,444 |
|
|
|
403 |
|
|
|
2,325 |
|
|
|
665 |
|
Incentive distributions paid to general
partner** |
|
|
5,499 |
|
|
|
965 |
|
|
|
9,730 |
|
|
|
1,568 |
|
Direct charges to general partner |
|
|
(398 |
) |
|
|
(598 |
) |
|
|
(796 |
) |
|
|
(1,190 |
) |
Pre-partnership net income allocated to general partner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,849 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,488 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income allocated to general partner |
|
$ |
6,545 |
|
|
$ |
22,619 |
|
|
$ |
11,259 |
|
|
$ |
35,531 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
71,822 |
|
|
$ |
46,742 |
|
|
$ |
115,451 |
|
|
$ |
71,879 |
|
Net income allocated to general partner |
|
|
6,545 |
|
|
|
22,619 |
|
|
|
11,259 |
|
|
|
35,531 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income allocated to limited partners |
|
$ |
65,277 |
|
|
$ |
24,123 |
|
|
$ |
104,192 |
|
|
$ |
36,348 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
During the second quarter of 2007, our outstanding
Class B units were converted into common units on a one-for-one basis.
Accordingly, under EITF 98-05, Accounting for Convertible Securities
with Beneficial Conversion Features or Contingently Adjustable
Conversion Ratios we made a $5.3 million non-cash allocation of
income to the Class B units representing the Class B unit beneficial conversion feature.
The $5.3 million beneficial conversion feature was computed as the product of the 6,805,492 Class B units and the difference between the fair value of a privately
placed common unit on the date of issuance ($36.59) and the issue
price of a Class B unit ($35.81). The conversion affects net income available to limited
partners and should be excluded for calculation of earnings
per limited partner unit; however, it does not affect net income, cash
flows nor does it affect total partners equity. |
|
** |
|
Under the two class method of computing earnings per share prescribed by SFAS No. 128,
Earnings Per Share, earnings are to be allocated to participating securities as if all of
the earnings for the period had been distributed. As a result, the general partner receives
an additional allocation of income in quarterly periods where an assumed incentive
distribution, calculated as if all earnings for the period had been distributed, exceeds the
actual incentive distribution. The assumed incentive distribution for the three months
ended June 30, 2008 is $22.0 million and the assumed incentive distribution for the six
months ended June 30, 2008 is $30.4 million. There were no
assumed incentive distributions for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2007. |
Common and subordinated unitholders have always shared equally, on a per-unit basis, in the net
income allocated to limited partners.
We paid or have authorized payment of the following cash distributions during 2007 and 2008 (in
thousands, except for per unit amounts):
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Partner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive |
|
|
|
|
Per Unit |
|
Common |
|
Subordinated |
|
Class B |
|
|
|
|
|
Distribution |
|
Total Cash |
Payment Date |
|
Distribution |
|
Units |
|
Units |
|
Units |
|
2% |
|
Rights |
|
Distribution |
2/14/2007 |
|
$ |
0.4700 |
|
|
$ |
12,010 |
|
|
$ |
3,290 |
|
|
$ |
3,198 |
|
|
$ |
390 |
|
|
$ |
603 |
|
|
$ |
19,491 |
|
5/15/2007 |
|
$ |
0.5000 |
|
|
$ |
12,777 |
|
|
$ |
3,500 |
|
|
$ |
3,403 |
|
|
$ |
421 |
|
|
$ |
965 |
|
|
$ |
21,066 |
|
8/14/2007 |
|
$ |
0.5250 |
|
|
$ |
16,989 |
|
|
$ |
3,675 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
447 |
|
|
$ |
1,267 |
|
|
$ |
22,378 |
|
11/14/2007 |
|
$ |
0.5500 |
|
|
$ |
17,799 |
|
|
$ |
3,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
487 |
|
|
$ |
2,211 |
|
|
$ |
24,347 |
|
2/14/2008 |
|
$ |
0.5750 |
|
|
$ |
26,321 |
|
|
$ |
4,025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
706 |
|
|
$ |
4,231 |
|
|
$ |
35,283 |
|
5/15/2008 |
|
$ |
0.6000 |
|
|
$ |
31,665 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
758 |
|
|
$ |
5,498 |
|
|
$ |
37,921 |
|
8/14/2008 (a) |
|
$ |
0.6250 |
|
|
$ |
32,984 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
811 |
|
|
$ |
6,765 |
|
|
$ |
40,560 |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
The board of directors of our general partner declared this cash distribution on July
28, 2008 to be paid on August 14, 2008 to unitholders of record at the close of business on
August 7, 2008. |
Note 4. Assets Held for Sale
Our right of way agreement with the Jicarilla Apache Nation (JAN), which covered certain
gathering system assets in Rio Arriba County of northern New Mexico, expired on December 31, 2006.
We currently operate our gathering assets on the JAN lands pursuant to a special business license
granted by the JAN which expires on August 31, 2008, and are negotiating with the JAN to sell them
these gathering assets. Although the special business license required the execution of a purchase
and sale agreement for these gathering assets on or before May 31, 2008, we continue to operate the
gathering assets under the terms of the special business license and it is our expectation that we
will continue to operate these assets past the completion date of negotiations with the JAN. It is
anticipated that if this sale is completed, it will be completed during the fourth quarter of 2008
or the first quarter of 2009. As a result of the maturation of negotiations during the first
quarter of 2008, these assets were classified as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet
and include property, plant and equipment. Our management believes the expected proceeds from the
sale of these assets will substantially exceed their carrying value of $11.3 million. The
gathering system assets being sold are part of the Gathering and Processing West segment.
11
Note 5. Equity Investments
Wamsutter
We are allocated net income (equity earnings) from Wamsutter based upon the allocation,
distribution, and liquidation provisions of its limited liability company agreement applied as
though liquidation occurs at book value. In general, the agreement allocates income in a manner
that will maintain capital account balances reflective of the amounts each ownership interest would
receive if Wamsutter were dissolved and liquidated at carrying value. The income allocation for the
quarterly periods during a year reflects the preferential rights of the Class A interest to any
distributions made to the Class C interest until the Class A interest has received $70.0 million in
distributions for the year. The Class B interest receives no income or loss allocation. As the
owner of 100% of the Class A ownership interest, we will receive 100% of Wamsutters net income up
to $70.0 million. Income in excess of $70.0 million will be shared between the Class A interest
and Class C interest, of which we currently own 50%. For annual periods in which Wamsutters net
income exceeds $70.0 million, this will result in a higher allocation of equity earnings to us
early in the year and a lower allocation of equity earnings to us later in the year. As such,
equity earnings in the first and second quarters may not be representative of the remaining
quarters of the year. Wamsutters net income allocations do not affect the amount of available
cash it distributes for any quarter.
The summarized financial position and results of operations for 100% of Wamsutter are
presented below (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
$ |
30,104 |
|
|
$ |
27,114 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
|
275,820 |
|
|
|
275,163 |
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
157 |
|
|
|
191 |
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
(10,823 |
) |
|
|
(13,016 |
) |
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
(3,015 |
) |
|
|
(2,740 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members capital |
|
$ |
292,243 |
|
|
$ |
286,712 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliate |
|
$ |
49,754 |
|
|
$ |
21,410 |
|
|
$ |
99,804 |
|
|
$ |
43,689 |
|
Third-party |
|
|
20,468 |
|
|
|
19,124 |
|
|
|
38,043 |
|
|
|
37,018 |
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliate |
|
|
17,277 |
|
|
|
7,595 |
|
|
|
50,491 |
|
|
|
23,769 |
|
Third-party |
|
|
15,465 |
|
|
|
12,381 |
|
|
|
28,682 |
|
|
|
25,052 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
37,480 |
|
|
$ |
20,558 |
|
|
$ |
58,674 |
|
|
$ |
31,886 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
Discovery Producer Services LLC
The summarized financial position and results of operations for 100% of Discovery are
presented below (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
$ |
75,832 |
|
|
$ |
78,035 |
|
Non-current restricted cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
3,658 |
|
|
|
6,222 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
|
357,963 |
|
|
|
368,228 |
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
(32,988 |
) |
|
|
(33,820 |
) |
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
(12,704 |
) |
|
|
(12,216 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members capital |
|
$ |
391,761 |
|
|
$ |
406,449 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliate |
|
$ |
71,911 |
|
|
$ |
48,635 |
|
|
$ |
149,917 |
|
|
$ |
93,168 |
|
Third-party |
|
|
10,972 |
|
|
|
14,869 |
|
|
|
20,122 |
|
|
|
22,817 |
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliate |
|
|
32,222 |
|
|
|
24,017 |
|
|
|
70,468 |
|
|
|
47,172 |
|
Third-party |
|
|
36,559 |
|
|
|
32,414 |
|
|
|
63,179 |
|
|
|
56,534 |
|
Interest income |
|
|
(186 |
) |
|
|
(422 |
) |
|
|
(450 |
) |
|
|
(1,083 |
) |
Loss on sale of operating assets |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
1,071 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
603 |
|
Foreign exchange loss (gain) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(36 |
) |
|
|
(143 |
) |
|
|
(252 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
14,282 |
|
|
$ |
6,460 |
|
|
$ |
36,983 |
|
|
$ |
13,011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
Note 6. Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
Rate |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Credit agreement term loan, adjustable rate, due 2012 |
|
|
(a |
) |
|
$ |
250 |
|
|
$ |
250 |
|
Senior unsecured notes, fixed rate, due 2017 |
|
|
7.25 |
% |
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
Senior unsecured notes, fixed rate, due 2011 |
|
|
7.50 |
% |
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Long-term debt |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
3.225% at June 30, 2008. |
Credit Facilities
We have a $450.0 million senior unsecured credit agreement with Citibank, N.A. as
administrative agent, comprised initially of a $200.0 million revolving credit facility available
for borrowings and letters of credit and a $250.0 million term loan. Under certain conditions, the
revolving credit facility may be increased up to an additional $100.0 million. Borrowings under
this agreement must be repaid by December 11, 2012. At June 30, 2008, we had a $250.0 million term
loan outstanding under the term loan provisions and no amounts outstanding under the revolving
credit facility.
We also have a $20.0 million revolving credit facility with Williams as the lender. The
facility is available exclusively to fund working capital borrowings. Borrowings under the credit
facility will mature on June 20, 2009. We are required to and
have reduced all borrowings under this facility
to zero for a period of at least 15 consecutive days once each 12-month period prior to the
maturity date of the facility. As of June 30, 2008, we had no outstanding borrowings under the
working capital credit facility.
Note 7. Partners Capital
On January 9, 2008, we sold an additional 800,000 common units to the underwriters upon the
underwriters partial exercise of their option to purchase additional common units pursuant to our
common unit offering in December 2007 used to finance our acquisition of the Wamsutter Ownership
Interests. We used the net proceeds from the partial exercise of the underwriters option to redeem
800,000 common units from an affiliate of Williams at a price per common unit of $36.24 ($37.75,
net of underwriter discount).
On January 28, 2008, our general partners board of directors confirmed that the financial
test contained in our partnership agreement required for conversion of all of our outstanding
subordinated units into common units had been satisfied. Accordingly, our 7,000,000 subordinated
units held by four subsidiaries of Williams converted into common units on a one-for-one basis on
February 19, 2008.
Note 8. Fair Value Measurements
Adoption of SFAS No.157
SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (1) establishes a framework for fair value
measurements in the financial statements by providing a definition of fair value, (2) provides
guidance on the methods used to estimate fair value and (3) expands disclosures about fair value
measurements. On January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157 for our assets and liabilities, which are
measured at fair value on a recurring basis, primarily our commodity derivatives. Upon applying
SFAS No. 157, we changed our valuation methodology to consider our non-performance risk in
estimating the fair value of our liabilities. Applying SFAS No. 157 had no material impact on
14
our consolidated financial statements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-2
permitting entities to delay application of SFAS No. 157 to fiscal years beginning after November
15, 2008 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized
or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).
Beginning January 1, 2009, we will apply SFAS No. 157 fair value requirements to nonfinancial
assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed on a recurring basis.
We are evaluating the impact of this application on our consolidated
financial statements.
SFAS No. 157 requires two distinct transition approaches; (i) cumulative-effect adjustment to
beginning retained earnings for certain financial instrument transactions and (ii) prospectively as
of the date of adoption through earnings or other comprehensive income, as applicable. Upon
adopting SFAS No. 157, we applied a prospective transition as we did not have financial instrument
transactions that required a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings.
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or the amount paid to transfer
a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants (an exit price) at the
measurement date. Fair value is a market based measurement considered from the perspective of a
market participant. We use market data or assumptions that market participants would use in
pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the
inputs to the valuation. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or
unobservable. We primarily apply a market approach for recurring fair value measurements using the
best available information while utilizing valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable
inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs where possible.
SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure
fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for
identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable
inputs (Level 3 measurement). We classify fair value balances based on the observability of those
inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
|
|
|
Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we
have the ability to access. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset
or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an
ongoing basis. |
|
|
|
|
Level 2 Inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1,
that are either directly or indirectly observable. These inputs are either directly
observable in the marketplace or indirectly observable through corroboration with market
data for substantially the full contractual term of the asset or liability being measured. |
|
|
|
|
Level 3 Includes inputs that are not observable for which there is little, if any,
market activity for the asset or liability being measured. These inputs reflect
managements best estimate of the assumptions market participants would use in determining
fair value. Our Level 3 consists of instruments valued with valuation methods that utilize
unobservable pricing inputs that are significant to the overall fair value. |
In valuing certain contracts, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different
levels of the fair value hierarchy. For disclosure purposes, assets and liabilities are classified
in their entirety in the fair value hierarchy level based on the lowest level of input that is
significant to the overall fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a
particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the placement
within the fair value hierarchy levels.
At June 30, 2008 all of our derivative liabilities which are valued at fair value are included
in Level 3 and include $12.0 million of energy commodity derivative liabilities. These
derivatives include commodity based financial swap contracts.
The determination of fair value also incorporates factors such as the credit standing of the
counterparties involved, our nonperformance risk on our liabilities, the impact of credit
enhancements (such as cash deposits and letters of credit) and the time value of money.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of net
derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2008.
15
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Derivative |
|
|
|
Asset (Liability) |
|
Balance as of April 1, 2008 |
|
$ |
(33 |
) |
Realized and unrealized gains (losses): |
|
|
|
|
Included in net income |
|
|
(357 |
) |
Included in other comprehensive income |
|
|
(12,832 |
) |
Purchases, issuances, and settlements |
|
|
1,244 |
|
Transfers in/(out) of Level 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of June 30, 2008 |
|
$ |
(11,978 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gains (losses) included in net
income relating to instruments still held at
June 30, 2008 |
|
$ |
(377 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Derivative |
|
|
|
Asset (Liability) |
|
Balance as of January 1, 2008 |
|
$ |
(2,487 |
) |
Realized and unrealized gains (losses): |
|
|
|
|
Included in net income |
|
|
(357 |
) |
Included in other comprehensive income |
|
|
(10,373 |
) |
Purchases, issuances, and settlements |
|
|
1,239 |
|
Transfers in/(out) of Level 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of June 30, 2008 |
|
$ |
(11,978 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gains (losses) included in net
income relating to instruments still held at
June 30, 2008 |
|
$ |
(377 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in net income are reported in revenues in our
Consolidated Statement of Income.
Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental Matters-Four Corners. Current federal regulations require that certain unlined
liquid containment pits located near named rivers and catchment areas be taken out of use, and
current state regulations required all unlined, earthen pits to be either permitted or closed by
December 31, 2005. Operating under a New Mexico Oil Conservation Division-approved work plan, we
have physically closed all of our pits that were slated for closure under those regulations. We are presently awaiting agency approval of the closures for 40
to 50 of those pits.
16
We are also a participant in certain hydrocarbon removal and groundwater monitoring activities
associated with certain well sites in New Mexico. Of nine remaining active sites, product removal
is ongoing at seven and groundwater monitoring is ongoing at each site. As groundwater
concentrations reach and sustain closure criteria levels and state regulator approval is received,
the sites will be properly abandoned. We expect the remaining sites will be closed within four to
eight years.
In April 2007, the New Mexico Environment Departments Air Quality Bureau (NMED) issued a
Notice of Violation (NOV) to Four Corners that alleges various emission and reporting violations in
connection with our Lybrook gas processing plants flare and leak detection and repair program. The
NMED proposed a penalty of approximately $3 million. We are discussing the basis for and the scope
of the proposed penalty with the NMED.
In March 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a penalty of $370,000 for
alleged violations relating to leak detection and repair program delays at our Ignacio gas plant
and for alleged permit violations at our Ute E compressor station. We met with the EPA and are
exchanging information in order to resolve the issues.
In July 2008, the NMED issued an NOV to Four Corners for alleged exceedances of volatile
organic compounds at our Pump Mesa Central Delivery Point and proposed a penalty of approximately
$100,000. We are investigating the matter and will respond to the NMED.
We have accrued liabilities totaling $1.5 million at June 30, 2008 for these environmental
activities. It is reasonably possible that we will incur losses in excess of our accrual for these
matters. However, a reasonable estimate of such amounts cannot be determined at this time because
actual costs incurred will depend on the actual number of contaminated sites identified, the amount
and extent of contamination discovered, the final cleanup standards mandated by governmental
authorities, negotiations with the applicable agencies, and other factors.
We are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations which
affect our operations related to the construction and operation of our facilities. Appropriate
governmental authorities may enforce these laws and regulations with a variety of civil and
criminal enforcement measures, including monetary penalties, assessment and remediation
requirements and injunctions as to future compliance. We have not been notified and are not
currently aware of any material noncompliance under the various applicable environmental laws and
regulations.
Environmental Matters-Conway. We are a participant in certain environmental remediation
activities associated with soil and groundwater contamination at our Conway storage facilities.
These activities relate to four projects that are in various remediation stages including
assessment studies, cleanups and/or remedial operations and monitoring. We continue to coordinate
with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to develop screening, sampling, cleanup
and monitoring programs. The costs of such activities will depend upon the program scope
ultimately agreed to by the KDHE and are expected to be paid over the next two to nine years.
In 2004, we purchased an insurance policy that covers up to $5.0 million of remediation costs
until an active remediation system is in place or April 30, 2008, whichever is earlier, excluding
operation and maintenance costs and ongoing monitoring costs for these projects to the extent such
costs exceed a $4.2 million deductible. We incurred $3.1 million in costs from the onset of the
policy through its termination. We did not submit any claims under this insurance policy prior to
its expiration. In addition, under an omnibus agreement with Williams entered into at the closing
of our IPO, Williams agreed to indemnify us for the $4.2 million deductible not covered by the
insurance policy, excluding costs of project management and soil and groundwater monitoring. There
is a $14.0 million cap on the total amount of indemnity coverage under the omnibus agreement. There
is also a three-year time limitation from the August 23, 2005 IPO closing date. The benefit of
this indemnification is accounted for as a capital contribution to us by Williams as the costs are
reimbursed. At June 30, 2008, we had accrued liabilities totaling $3.1 million for these costs.
It is reasonably possible that we will incur losses in excess of our accrual for these matters.
However, a reasonable estimate of such amounts cannot be determined at this time because actual
costs incurred will depend on the actual number of contaminated sites identified, the amount and
extent of contamination discovered, the final cleanup standards mandated by KDHE and other governmental
authorities and other factors.
17
Will Price. In 2001, we were named, along with other subsidiaries of Williams, as defendants
in a nationwide class action lawsuit in Kansas state court that had been pending against other
defendants, generally pipeline and gathering companies, since 2000. The plaintiffs alleged that
the defendants have engaged in mismeasurement techniques that distort the heating content of
natural gas, resulting in an alleged underpayment of royalties to the class of producer plaintiffs
and sought an unspecified amount of damages. The defendants have opposed class certification and a
hearing on the plaintiffs second motion to certify the class was held on April 1, 2005. We are
awaiting a decision from the court. The amount of any possible liability cannot be reasonably
estimated at this time.
Grynberg. In 1998, the Department of Justice informed Williams that Jack Grynberg, an
individual, had filed claims on behalf of himself and the federal government, in the United States
District Court for the District of Colorado under the False Claims Act against Williams and certain
of its wholly owned subsidiaries, and us. The claims sought an unspecified amount of royalties
allegedly not paid to the federal government, treble damages, a civil penalty, attorneys fees, and
costs. Grynberg had also filed claims against approximately 300 other energy companies alleging
that the defendants violated the False Claims Act in connection with the measurement, royalty
valuation and purchase of hydrocarbons. In 1999, the Department of Justice announced that it would
not intervene in any of the Grynberg cases. Also in 1999, the Panel on Multi-District Litigation
transferred all of these cases, including those filed against us, to the federal court in Wyoming
for pre-trial purposes. Grynbergs measurement claims remained pending against us and the other
defendants; the court previously dismissed Grynbergs royalty valuation claims. In 2005, the
court-appointed special master entered a report which recommended that the claims against certain
Williams subsidiaries, including us, be dismissed. In October 2006, the District Court dismissed
all claims against us, and in November 2006, Grynberg filed his notice of appeals with the Tenth
Circuit Court of Appeals.
GE Litigation. General Electric International, Inc. (GEII) worked on turbines at our Ignacio,
New Mexico plant. We disagree with GEII on the quality of GEIIs work and the appropriate
compensation. GEII asserts that it is entitled to additional extra work charges under the
agreement, which we deny are due. In 2006 we filed suit in federal court in Tulsa, Oklahoma
against GEII, GE Energy Services, Inc., and Qualified Contractors, Inc. We alleged, among other
claims, breach of contract, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, and negligent
misrepresentation and sought unspecified damages. In 2007, the defendants and GEII filed
counterclaims in the amount of $1.9 million against us that alleged breach of contract and breach
of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. Trial has been set for October 20, 2008.
Other. We are not currently a party to any other legal proceedings but are a party to various
administrative and regulatory proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business.
Summary. Litigation, arbitration, regulatory matters and environmental matters are subject to
inherent uncertainties. Were an unfavorable ruling to occur, there exists the possibility of a
material adverse impact on the results of operations in the period in which the ruling occurs.
Management, including internal counsel, currently believes that the ultimate resolution of the
foregoing matters, taken as a whole and after consideration of amounts accrued, insurance coverage,
recovery from customers or other indemnification arrangements, will not have a material impact upon
our future financial position.
18
Note 10. Segment Disclosures
Our reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and
services. The segments are managed separately because each segment requires different industry
knowledge, technology and marketing strategies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering & |
|
|
Processing - |
|
|
NGL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Processing - West |
|
|
Gulf |
|
|
Services |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues |
|
$ |
158,563 |
|
|
$ |
546 |
|
|
$ |
19,136 |
|
|
$ |
178,245 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product cost and shrink replacement |
|
|
61,144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,865 |
|
|
|
66,009 |
|
Operating and maintenance expense |
|
|
36,677 |
|
|
|
519 |
|
|
|
9,336 |
|
|
|
46,532 |
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
|
|
10,136 |
|
|
|
151 |
|
|
|
715 |
|
|
|
11,002 |
|
Direct general and administrative expense |
|
|
2,058 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
700 |
|
|
|
2,758 |
|
Other, net |
|
|
(750 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
(644 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income (loss) |
|
|
49,298 |
|
|
|
(124 |
) |
|
|
3,414 |
|
|
|
52,588 |
|
Equity earnings |
|
|
37,480 |
|
|
|
8,570 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,050 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
86,778 |
|
|
$ |
8,446 |
|
|
$ |
3,414 |
|
|
$ |
98,638 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to the Consolidated Statements of Income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
52,588 |
|
General and administrative expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocated-affiliate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,846 |
) |
Third party-direct |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(530 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
42,212 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30, 2007*: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues |
|
$ |
125,047 |
|
|
$ |
459 |
|
|
$ |
13,763 |
|
|
$ |
139,269 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product cost and shrink replacement |
|
|
42,313 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,364 |
|
|
|
44,677 |
|
Operating and maintenance expense |
|
|
29,487 |
|
|
|
361 |
|
|
|
4,395 |
|
|
|
34,243 |
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
|
|
10,203 |
|
|
|
303 |
|
|
|
728 |
|
|
|
11,234 |
|
Direct general and administrative expense |
|
|
1,797 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
470 |
|
|
|
2,267 |
|
Other, net |
|
|
2,624 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
2,824 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income (loss) |
|
|
38,623 |
|
|
|
(205 |
) |
|
|
5,606 |
|
|
|
44,024 |
|
Equity earnings |
|
|
20,558 |
|
|
|
3,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,433 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
59,181 |
|
|
$ |
3,670 |
|
|
$ |
5,606 |
|
|
$ |
68,457 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to the Consolidated Statements of Income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
44,024 |
|
General and administrative expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocated-affiliate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,430 |
) |
Third party-direct |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,136 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
35,458 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Recast as discussed in Note 1. |
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering & |
|
|
Processing - |
|
|
NGL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Processing - West |
|
|
Gulf |
|
|
Services |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues |
|
$ |
290,896 |
|
|
$ |
1,113 |
|
|
$ |
36,598 |
|
|
$ |
328,607 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product cost and shrink replacement |
|
|
108,590 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,517 |
|
|
|
118,107 |
|
Operating and maintenance expense |
|
|
77,570 |
|
|
|
1,043 |
|
|
|
15,003 |
|
|
|
93,616 |
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
|
|
20,435 |
|
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
1,489 |
|
|
|
22,228 |
|
Direct general and administrative expense |
|
|
3,988 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,244 |
|
|
|
5,232 |
|
Other, net |
|
|
1,804 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
390 |
|
|
|
2,194 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income (loss) |
|
|
78,509 |
|
|
|
(234 |
) |
|
|
8,955 |
|
|
|
87,230 |
|
Equity earnings |
|
|
58,674 |
|
|
|
22,191 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,865 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
137,183 |
|
|
$ |
21,957 |
|
|
$ |
8,955 |
|
|
$ |
168,095 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to the Consolidated Statements of Income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
87,230 |
|
General and administrative expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocated-affiliate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17,508 |
) |
Third party-direct |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,198 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
68,524 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007*: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues |
|
$ |
245,475 |
|
|
$ |
1,020 |
|
|
$ |
26,589 |
|
|
$ |
273,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product cost and shrink replacement |
|
|
81,988 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,884 |
|
|
|
86,872 |
|
Operating and maintenance expense |
|
|
62,584 |
|
|
|
911 |
|
|
|
13,261 |
|
|
|
76,756 |
|
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
|
|
22,378 |
|
|
|
607 |
|
|
|
1,427 |
|
|
|
24,412 |
|
Direct general and administrative expense |
|
|
3,618 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
968 |
|
|
|
4,586 |
|
Other, net |
|
|
5,008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
390 |
|
|
|
5,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income (loss) |
|
|
69,899 |
|
|
|
(498 |
) |
|
|
5,659 |
|
|
|
75,060 |
|
Equity earnings |
|
|
31,886 |
|
|
|
7,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,692 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
101,785 |
|
|
$ |
7,308 |
|
|
$ |
5,659 |
|
|
$ |
114,752 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to the Consolidated Statements of Income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
75,060 |
|
General and administrative expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocated-affiliate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,654 |
) |
Third party-direct |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,663 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
58,743 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Recast as discussed in Note 1. |
20
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Please read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this
quarterly report.
Overview
We are principally engaged in the business of gathering, transporting, processing and treating
natural gas and fractionating and storing NGLs. We manage our business and analyze our results of
operations on a segment basis. Our operations are divided into three business segments:
|
|
|
Gathering and Processing West. Our West segment includes Four Corners and ownership
interests in Wamsutter, consisting of (i) 100% of the Class A limited liability company
membership interests and (ii) 50% of the initial Class C limited liability company
membership interests (together, the Wamsutter Ownership Interests). We account for the
Wamsutter Ownership Interests as an equity investment. |
|
|
|
|
Gathering and Processing Gulf. Our Gulf segment includes (1) our 60% ownership
interest in Discovery and (2) the Carbonate Trend gathering pipeline off the coast of
Alabama. We account for our ownership interest in Discovery as an equity investment. |
|
|
|
|
NGL Services. Our NGL Services segment includes three integrated NGL storage facilities
and a 50% undivided interest in a fractionator near Conway, Kansas. |
Executive Summary
Through the second quarter of 2008, we continued to realize exceptionally strong per-unit
commodity margins at Four Corners and Wamsutter, which led to significantly higher segment profit
for our Gathering and Processing West segment. Additionally, during the second quarter, gathered
and processed volumes for these businesses continued to recover following the impact of the first
quarters severe winter weather and downtime related to the November 2007 fire at the Ignacio
plant. Through the second quarter of 2008, our equity method investments in Wamsutter and
Discovery made cash distributions totaling $49.3 million and $32.4 million respectively, as a
result of their higher 2008 net income and cash flows. Based on this combined performance, we
continued our record of consecutive unitholder distribution increases since our initial public
offering (IPO) with our second-quarter 2008 distribution of $0.625 per unit, which is 19% higher
than the second-quarter 2007 distribution.
21
Results of Operations
Consolidated Overview
The following table and discussion is a summary of our consolidated results of operations for
the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to the three and six months ended June 30,
2007. The results of operations by segment are discussed in further detail following this
consolidated overview discussion. All information in the following discussion and analysis of
results of operations reflects the combined historical results of our investments in Discovery and
Wamsutter throughout the periods presented following our acquisition of the additional 20% interest
in Discovery and the Wamsutter Ownership Interests in June and December 2007, respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
% Change from |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
% Change from |
|
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
|
2007(1) |
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
|
2007(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
178,245 |
|
|
$ |
139,269 |
|
|
|
+28 |
% |
|
$ |
328,607 |
|
|
$ |
273,084 |
|
|
|
+20 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product cost and shrink replacement |
|
|
66,009 |
|
|
|
44,677 |
|
|
|
-48 |
% |
|
|
118,107 |
|
|
|
86,872 |
|
|
|
-36 |
% |
Operating and maintenance
expense |
|
|
46,532 |
|
|
|
34,243 |
|
|
|
-36 |
% |
|
|
93,616 |
|
|
|
76,756 |
|
|
|
-22 |
% |
Depreciation, amortization and accretion |
|
|
11,002 |
|
|
|
11,234 |
|
|
|
+2 |
% |
|
|
22,228 |
|
|
|
24,412 |
|
|
|
+9 |
% |
General and administrative
expense |
|
|
13,134 |
|
|
|
10,833 |
|
|
|
-21 |
% |
|
|
23,938 |
|
|
|
20,903 |
|
|
|
-15 |
% |
Taxes other than income |
|
|
2,167 |
|
|
|
2,626 |
|
|
|
+17 |
% |
|
|
4,672 |
|
|
|
4,740 |
|
|
|
+1 |
% |
Other (income) expense net |
|
|
(2,811 |
) |
|
|
198 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
(2,478 |
) |
|
|
658 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
136,033 |
|
|
|
103,811 |
|
|
|
-31 |
% |
|
|
260,083 |
|
|
|
214,341 |
|
|
|
-21 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
42,212 |
|
|
|
35,458 |
|
|
|
+19 |
% |
|
|
68,524 |
|
|
|
58,743 |
|
|
|
+17 |
% |
Equity earnings Wamsutter |
|
|
37,480 |
|
|
|
20,558 |
|
|
|
+82 |
% |
|
|
58,674 |
|
|
|
31,886 |
|
|
|
+84 |
% |
Equity earnings Discovery |
|
|
8,570 |
|
|
|
3,875 |
|
|
|
+121 |
% |
|
|
22,191 |
|
|
|
7,806 |
|
|
|
+184 |
% |
Interest expense |
|
|
(16,683 |
) |
|
|
(14,374 |
) |
|
|
-16 |
% |
|
|
(34,356 |
) |
|
|
(28,744 |
) |
|
|
-20 |
% |
Interest income |
|
|
243 |
|
|
|
1,225 |
|
|
|
-80 |
% |
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
2,188 |
|
|
|
-81 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
71,822 |
|
|
$ |
46,742 |
|
|
|
+54 |
% |
|
$ |
115,451 |
|
|
$ |
71,879 |
|
|
|
+61 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
+ = Favorable Change; = Unfavorable Change; NM = A percentage
calculation is not meaningful due to change in signs, a zero-value
denominator or a percentage change greater than 200. |
Three months ended June 30, 2008 vs. three months ended June 30, 2007
Revenues increased $39.0 million, or 28%, due primarily to higher revenues in our Gathering
and Processing West segment and our NGL Services segment. Revenues in our Gathering and
Processing West segment increased due primarily to higher product sales resulting from
significantly higher average NGL sales prices, higher sales of NGLs on behalf of third party
producers, higher NGL sales volumes and higher condensate and LNG sales. Revenues in our NGL
services segment increased due primarily to higher product sales and fractionation revenue. These
fluctuations are discussed in detail in the Results of Operations Gathering and Processing
West and Results of Operations NGL Services sections.
Product cost and shrink replacement increased $21.3 million, or 48%, due primarily to
increases in both our Gathering and Processing West segment and our NGL Services segment.
Product cost and shrink replacement in our Gathering and Processing West segment increased due
primarily to increased purchases of NGLs from third party producers who elected to have us sell
their NGLs, higher average natural gas prices and increased volumetric shrink requirements.
Product cost and shrink replacement in our NGL Services segment increased due primarily to the
higher product sales volumes and prices. These fluctuations are discussed in detail in the
Results of Operations Gathering and Processing West and Results of Operations NGL
Services sections.
Operating and maintenance expense increased $12.3 million, or 36%, due primarily to higher
system losses, gathering fuel and plant material and supplies cost in our Gathering and Processing
West segment, combined with unfavorable product imbalance adjustments and higher
fractionation fuel costs in our NGL Services
22
segment. These fluctuations are discussed in detail in the Results of Operations
Gathering and Processing West and Results of Operations NGL Services sections.
General and administrative expense increased $2.3 million, or 21%, due primarily to higher
expenses for technical support services and other support services allocated by Williams to us for
administrative support functions.
Other
(income) expense net improved $3.0 million due primarily to a $3.2 million 2008
involuntary conversion gain related to the November 2007 Ignacio plant fire and is explained
further in the Results of Operations Gathering and Processing West section.
Operating income increased $6.8 million, or 19%, due primarily to sharply higher per-unit NGL
margins, higher NGL sales volumes, an involuntary conversion gain resulting from the November 2007
Ignacio plant fire and higher net condensate and LNG margins in our Gathering and Processing
West segment. Partially offsetting these favorable variances were higher operating and maintenance
expenses in all our segments and higher general and administrative expenses.
Equity earnings from Wamsutter increased $16.9 million, or 82%, due primarily to higher
per-unit NGL sales margins and higher NGL sales volumes and decreased operating and maintenance
expense, partially offset by higher general and administrative expense. These variances are
discussed in detail in the Results of Operations Gathering and Processing West section.
Please read Note 5 Equity Investments of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for a
discussion of how Wamsutter allocates its net income between its member owners including us.
Equity earnings from Discovery increased $4.7 million, or 121%, due primarily to higher
per-unit NGL sales margins and slightly lower NGL sales volumes
partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses. These
fluctuations are discussed in detail in the Results of Operations Gathering and Processing
Gulf section.
Interest expense increased $2.3 million, or 16% due primarily to interest on our $250.0
million term loan issued in December 2007 to finance a portion of our acquisition of the Wamsutter
Ownership Interests.
Interest income decreased $1.0 million, or 80%, due primarily to lower average cash balances
and lower daily interest rates on cash balances.
Six months ended June 30, 2008 vs. six months ended June 30, 2007
Revenues increased $55.5 million, or 20%, due primarily to higher revenues in our Gathering
and Processing West segment and our NGL Services segment. Revenues in our Gathering and
Processing West segment increased due primarily to higher product sales resulting from
significantly higher average NGL sales prices, higher sales of NGLs on behalf of third-party
producers and higher condensate sales revenues, partially offset by lower fee-based gathering
revenues from lower gathering volumes and lower NGL sales volumes received under keep-whole and
percent-of-liquids processing contracts. Revenues in our NGL Services segment increased due
primarily to higher product sales, fractionation and storage revenues. These fluctuations are
discussed in detail in the Results of Operations Gathering and Processing West and
Results of Operations NGL Services sections.
Product cost and shrink replacement increased $31.2 million, or 36%, due primarily to
increases in our Gathering and Processing West segment and our NGL Services segment. Product
cost and shrink replacement increased in our Gathering and Processing West segment due primarily
to increased cost of purchases from third-party producers who elected to have us sell their NGLs,
higher average natural gas prices for shrink replacement and higher condensate product cost.
Product cost increased in our NGL Services segment due primarily to higher related product sales
volumes and prices. These fluctuations are discussed in detail in the Results of Operations
Gathering and Processing West and Results of Operations NGL Services sections.
Operating and maintenance expense increased $16.9 million, or 22%, due primarily to higher
system losses and increased gathering fuel expense in our Gathering and Processing West
segment, combined with higher storage product losses and increased fractionation fuel cost in our
NGL Services segment. These changes were partially offset by the
absence in 2008 of a 2007 product imbalance valuation
adjustment in our NGL Services segment. These fluctuations are
23
discussed in detail in the Results of Operations Gathering and Processing West and
Results of Operations NGL Services sections.
The
$2.2 million, or 9%, decrease in depreciation, amortization and
accretion reflects the absence in 2008 of $2.0
million of unfavorable first-quarter 2007 adjustments in our Gathering and Processing West
segment. This fluctuation is discussed in detail in the Results of Operations Gathering and
Processing West section.
General and administrative expense increased $3.0 million, or 15%, due primarily to higher
expenses for technical support services and other charges allocated by Williams to us for various
administrative support functions.
Other
(income) expense net improved $3.1 million due primarily to a $3.2 million second
quarter 2008 involuntary conversion gain related to the November 2007 Ignacio plant fire and is
explained further in the Results of Operations Gathering and Processing West section.
Operating income increased $9.8 million, or 17%, due primarily to sharply higher per-unit NGL
margins on lower sales volumes, a $3.2 million second quarter 2008 involuntary conversion gain
and higher condensate sales margins in our
Gathering and Processing West segment, combined with higher fractionation and storage revenues
in our NGL Services segment. Partially offsetting these favorable variances were higher operating
and maintenance expenses in all our segments, lower fee-based gathering revenues in our Gathering
and Processing West segment and higher general and administrative expenses.
Equity earnings from Wamsutter increased $26.8 million, or 84%, due primarily to sharply
increased per-unit margins on higher NGL sales volumes, partially offset by higher general and
administrative expenses and higher depreciation and accretion expenses. These variances are discussed in detail in the Results of Operations
Gathering and Processing West section. Please read Note 5 Equity Investments of our Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements, for a discussion of how Wamsutter allocates its net income
between its member owners including us.
Equity earnings from Discovery increased $14.4 million, or 184%, due primarily to higher
per-unit NGL margins on higher NGL sales and plant inlet volumes and a favorable change in other (income) expense,
net, partially offset by higher general and administrative expense. This increase is discussed in
detail in the Results of Operations Gathering and Processing Gulf section.
Interest expense increased $5.6 million, or 20%, due primarily to interest on our $250.0
million term loan issued in December 2007 to finance a portion of our acquisition of the Wamsutter
Ownership Interests.
Interest income decreased $1.8 million, or 81%, due primarily to lower average cash balances
and lower daily interest rates on cash balances.
24
Results of operations Gathering and Processing West
The Gathering and Processing West segment includes our Four Corners natural gas gathering,
processing and treating assets and our Wamsutter Ownership Interests.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
158,563 |
|
|
$ |
125,047 |
|
|
$ |
290,896 |
|
|
$ |
245,475 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses, including interest: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product cost and shrink replacement |
|
|
61,144 |
|
|
|
42,313 |
|
|
|
108,590 |
|
|
|
81,988 |
|
Operating and maintenance expense |
|
|
36,677 |
|
|
|
29,487 |
|
|
|
77,570 |
|
|
|
62,584 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
10,136 |
|
|
|
10,203 |
|
|
|
20,435 |
|
|
|
22,378 |
|
General and administrative expense direct |
|
|
2,058 |
|
|
|
1,797 |
|
|
|
3,988 |
|
|
|
3,618 |
|
Taxes other than income |
|
|
2,061 |
|
|
|
2,426 |
|
|
|
4,281 |
|
|
|
4,350 |
|
Other (income) expense net |
|
|
(2,811 |
) |
|
|
198 |
|
|
|
(2,477 |
) |
|
|
658 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses, including interest |
|
|
109,265 |
|
|
|
86,424 |
|
|
|
212,387 |
|
|
|
175,576 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income |
|
|
49,298 |
|
|
|
38,623 |
|
|
|
78,509 |
|
|
|
69,899 |
|
Equity earnings Wamsutter |
|
|
37,480 |
|
|
|
20,558 |
|
|
|
58,674 |
|
|
|
31,886 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
86,778 |
|
|
$ |
59,181 |
|
|
$ |
137,183 |
|
|
$ |
101,785 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Four Corners
Three months ended June 30, 2008 vs. three months ended June 30, 2007
Revenues increased $33.5 million, or 27%, due primarily to $34.0 million higher product sales,
slightly offset by $0.9 million lower gathering and processing revenue. The significant components
of the revenue fluctuations are addressed more fully below.
Product sales revenues increased due primarily to:
|
|
|
$16.5 million related to a 41% increase in average NGL sales prices realized on the
sales of NGLs which we received under keep-whole and percent of liquids processing
contracts. This increase resulted from general increases in market prices for these
commodities between the two periods; |
|
|
|
|
$9.7 million higher sales of NGLs on behalf of third party producers for whom we
purchase their NGLs for a fee under their contracts. Under these arrangements, we purchase
the NGLs from the third party producers and sell them to an affiliate. This increase is
offset by higher associated product costs of $9.7 million discussed below; |
|
|
|
|
$3.8 million related to an 11% increase in NGL volumes due to the absence in 2008 of
plant maintenance outages that occurred in 2007; and |
|
|
|
|
$3.9 million higher condensate and LNG sales due primarily to higher prices. |
Product cost and shrink replacement increased $18.8 million, or 45%, due primarily to:
|
|
|
$9.7 million increase from third party producers who elected to have us purchase their
NGLs, which was offset by the corresponding increase in product sales discussed above; |
|
|
|
|
$5.7 million increase from 33% higher average natural gas prices; |
|
|
|
|
$2.0 million increase from 13% higher volumetric shrink requirements associated with the
increased NGL volumes received under Four Corners keep-whole processing contracts
discussed above; and |
25
|
|
|
$1.4 million increase in condensate and LNG product cost resulting primarily from
increased prices. |
Operating and maintenance expense increased $7.2 million, or 24%, due primarily to:
|
|
|
$3.4 million higher system losses. During the second quarter of 2008 our volumetric
loss, as a percentage of total volume received, was higher than in 2007; |
|
|
|
|
$1.6 million higher gathering fuel expense related to lower customer fuel
reimbursements as a result of lower throughput volumes; and |
|
|
|
|
$1.3 million higher plant materials and supplies expense. |
Other
(income) expense net improved $3.0 million due primarily to a $3.2 million 2008
involuntary conversion gain related to the November 2007 Ignacio plant fire.
Segment operating income increased $10.7 million, or 28%, due primarily to $12.7 million
higher NGL margins caused by increased per-unit NGL margins and
higher NGL sales volumes, a $3.2
million 2008 involuntary conversion gain and $2.5 million increased net condensate and LNG margins,
partially offset by $7.2 million higher operating and maintenance expense.
Six months ended June 30, 2008 vs. six months ended June 30, 2007
Revenues increased $45.4 million, or 19%, due primarily to $51.5 million higher product sales
revenues, partially offset by $6.2 lower gathering revenues. The significant components of the
revenue fluctuations are addressed more fully below.
Product sales revenues increased $51.5 million due primarily to:
|
|
|
$34.2 million related to a 51% increase in NGL sales prices realized on sales of NGLs
which we received under keep-whole and percent-of-liquids processing contracts. This
increase resulted from general increases in market prices for these commodities between the
two periods; |
|
|
|
|
$17.1 million higher sales of NGLs on behalf of third party producers for whom we
purchase their NGLs for a fee under their contracts. Under these arrangements, we purchase
the NGLs from the third party producers and sell them to an affiliate. This increase is
offset by higher associated product costs of $17.1 million discussed below; and |
|
|
|
|
$5.3 million higher condensate sales due primarily to higher prices. |
These increases were partially offset by $4.7 million related to a 7% decrease in NGL volumes
that Four Corners received under keep-whole and percent-of-liquids processing contracts. The
decreased NGL volumes were due primarily to lower processing volumes caused by prolonged, severe
weather during early 2008 and the impact of the fire at the Ignacio gas processing plant in
November 2007. The plant was shut down until January 18, 2008.
Fee-based gathering revenues decreased $6.2 million, or 7%, due primarily to $5.7 million
lower revenue from a 6% decrease in gathered volumes resulting from the prolonged, severe weather
during early 2008 and the impact of the fire at the Ignacio gas processing plant in November 2007.
Product cost and shrink replacement increased $26.6 million, or 32%, due primarily to:
|
|
|
$17.1 million increase from third party producers who elected to have us purchase their
NGLs, which was offset by the corresponding increase in product sales discussed above; |
26
|
|
|
$9.1 million increase from 28% higher average natural gas prices for shrink replacement;
and |
|
|
|
|
$1.1 million increase in condensate cost of sales. |
Operating and maintenance expense increased $15.0 million, or 24%, due primarily to:
|
|
|
$8.4 million higher system losses. During 2008 our volumetric loss, as a percentage of
total volume received, was significantly higher than in 2007. While our system losses are
generally an unpredictable component of our operating costs, they can be higher during
periods of prolonged, severe weather, such as those we experienced during early 2008.
Additionally, operating inefficiencies caused by the fire at Ignacio plant unfavorably
impacted our system losses; |
|
|
|
|
$2.7 million higher gathering fuel expense related to lower customer fuel
reimbursements as a result of lower volumes; |
|
|
|
|
$1.7 million increased expense related to revaluation of product imbalances; and |
|
|
|
|
$1.2 million higher plant materials and supplies expense. |
The $1.9 million, or 9%, decrease in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense results
from the absence in 2008 of a $2.0 million unfavorable first-quarter 2007 adjustment for
right-of-way amortization and asset retirement obligation.
Other
(income) expense net improved $3.1 million due primarily to a $3.2 million second
quarter 2008 involuntary conversion gain related to the November 2007 Ignacio plant fire.
Segment operating income increased $8.6 million, or 12%, due primarily to $23.4 million
increased NGL margins resulting from sharply higher per-unit NGL margins, $4.1 million higher
condensate sales margins, a $3.2 million second quarter 2008 involuntary conversion gain and $1.9
million lower depreciation expense. Partially offsetting these increases were $15.0 million higher
operating and maintenance expenses, $6.2 million lower fee-based gathering revenues and $2.6
million decreased NGL sales margin resulting from 7% lower NGL sales volumes.
Outlook
|
|
|
We anticipated that growth capital investments we completed in 2007 to support
ConocoPhillips and other producer customers drilling activity, expansion opportunities
and production enhancement activities would be sufficient to offset the historical decline
and slightly increase 2008 average gathering and processing volumes above 2007 levels.
However, first-quarter 2008 volumes were significantly impacted by severe weather
conditions that inhibited both our and our customers ability to access facilities and
maintain production. We currently expect average gathering and processing volumes for the
remainder of 2008 will be slightly higher as compared with the same period in 2007 and full
year 2008 gathering and processing volumes will be slightly lower than 2007. |
|
|
|
|
We have realized above average net liquids margins at our gas processing plants in
recent years due primarily to increasing prices for NGLs. Based on 2008 prices for NGLs and
natural gas through June 30, combined with the hedging program described below, per-unit
margins in 2008 could meet or exceed record levels realized in 2007. The prices of NGLs and
natural gas can quickly fluctuate in response to a variety of factors that are outside of
our control and, in particular, NGL pricing is typically impacted negatively by
recessionary economic conditions. The fluctuations and impacts due to economic conditions
could change the realized margins currently expected for the remainder of 2008. |
|
|
|
|
We currently have financial swap contracts to hedge 5.4 million gallons of our monthly
forecasted NGL sales and fixed price natural gas purchase contracts to hedge the price of
our natural gas shrink replacement associated with these NGL sales for July through
December 2008. The 5.4 million gallons per month represents approximately 40% of our 2007
NGL sales for these same months. On average, the per-gallon margin for the remaining
forecasted sales is $0.51 per gallon. The primary purpose of these hedges is to |
27
|
|
|
mitigate risk associated with ethane sales derived from keep-whole processing arrangements.
Of the 5.4 million gallons, 4.2 million are ethane gallons. The average hedged margin on
these forecasted keep-whole NGL sales exceeds the average margin realized on keep-whole NGL
sales for 2007. |
|
|
|
We are currently experiencing restrictions in the volume of NGLs we can deliver to
third-party pipelines as a result of pipeline transportation allocations. These
restrictions are caused by a lack of pipeline transportation capacity and impact Four
Corners ability to recover and sell NGLs, primarily ethane, which might otherwise have
been available from its Ignacio processing plant. These restrictions will likely continue
until the Overland Pass Pipeline becomes operational, which we expect will occur in the
late third or early fourth quarter of this year. |
|
|
|
|
We anticipate that operating costs, excluding compression, gathering fuel and system
gains and losses, will remain stable as compared to 2007. Compression cost increases are
dependent upon the extent and amount of additional compression needed to meet the needs of
our customers and the cost at which compression can be purchased, leased and operated.
System gains and losses are an unpredictable component of our operating costs. Gathering
fuel costs are expected to be higher in 2008 due to lower customer fuel reimbursements in
2008 as the result of lower overall volumes in 2008. |
|
|
|
|
Our right of way agreement with the Jicarilla Apache Nation (JAN) which covered certain
gathering system assets in Rio Arriba County of northern New Mexico, expired on December
31, 2006. We currently operate our gathering assets on the JAN lands pursuant to a special
business license granted by the JAN which expires August 31, 2008, and are negotiating with
the JAN to sell them these gathering assets. Although the special business license required
the execution of a purchase and sale agreement for these gathering assets on or before May
31, 2008, we continue to operate the gathering assets under the terms of the special
business license and it is our expectation that we will continue to operate these assets
past the completion date of negotiations with the JAN. It is anticipated that if this sale
is completed, it will be completed during the fourth quarter of 2008 or first quarter of
2009. Current expectations are that the final terms of the sale will allow us to maintain
partial revenues associated with gathering and processing services for gas produced from
the JAN lands and continued operations of the gathering assets on the JAN lands through at
least 2009. We believe the expected proceeds from the sale of these assets will
substantially exceed their carrying value. Based on current estimated gathering volumes and
a range of annual average commodity prices over the past five years, we estimate that gas
produced on or isolated by the JAN lands represents approximately $20 to $30 million of
Four Corners annual gathering and processing revenue less related product costs. |
Wamsutter
Wamsutter is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. As such, our interest in
Wamsutters net operating results is reflected as equity earnings in our Consolidated Statements of
Income. The following discussion addresses in greater detail the results of operations for 100% of
Wamsutter. Please read Note 5 Equity Investments of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
for a discussion of how Wamsutter allocates its net income between its member owners including us.
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
70,219 |
|
|
$ |
40,535 |
|
|
$ |
137,847 |
|
|
$ |
80,707 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses, including interest: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product cost and shrink replacement |
|
|
26,426 |
|
|
|
10,584 |
|
|
|
52,456 |
|
|
|
24,882 |
|
Operating and maintenance expense |
|
|
(2,586 |
) |
|
|
2,595 |
|
|
|
9,050 |
|
|
|
9,642 |
|
Depreciation and accretion |
|
|
5,214 |
|
|
|
4,440 |
|
|
|
10,441 |
|
|
|
8,698 |
|
General and administrative expense |
|
|
3,621 |
|
|
|
2,411 |
|
|
|
6,839 |
|
|
|
5,231 |
|
Taxes other than income |
|
|
419 |
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
903 |
|
|
|
822 |
|
Other income, net |
|
|
(355 |
) |
|
|
(453 |
) |
|
|
(516 |
) |
|
|
(454 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
32,739 |
|
|
|
19,977 |
|
|
|
79,173 |
|
|
|
48,821 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
37,480 |
|
|
$ |
20,558 |
|
|
$ |
58,674 |
|
|
$ |
31,886 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Williams Partners interest equity
earnings per our Consolidated
Statements of Income |
|
$ |
37,480 |
|
|
$ |
20,558 |
|
|
$ |
58,674 |
|
|
$ |
31,886 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, 2008 vs. three months ended June 30, 2007
Revenues increased $29.7 million, or 73%, due primarily to $28.3 million higher product sales.
Product sales revenues increased $28.3 million, or 132%, due primarily to:
|
|
|
$21.3 million related to a 76% increase in average NGL sales prices realized on sales
of NGLs which Wamsutter received under keep-whole processing contracts. This increase
resulted from general increases in market prices for these commodities between the two
periods. |
|
|
|
|
$7.4 million related to a 36% increase in NGL volumes that Wamsutter received under
keep-whole processing contracts. This increase was due primarily to higher plant
utilization in 2008, a lower percentage of total gas delivered from Wamsutters fee-based
customers and overall additional keep-whole gas processed at Colorado Interstate Gas
Companys (CIG) Rawlins natural gas processing plant. |
Gathering and processing revenues increased $1.0 million, or 6%, related to a 6% increase in
the average fee received for these services. The average fee increased as a result of fixed annual
percentage or inflation-sensitive contractual escalation clauses and incremental fee revenues from
completed gathering system expansion projects.
Product cost and shrink replacement increased $15.8 million, or 150%, due primarily to:
|
|
|
$12.4 million increase from 91% higher average natural gas prices. Gas prices in 2007
were impacted by very low local shrink replacement natural gas costs compared with other
natural gas markets. Natural gas prices have returned to more comparable levels in 2008 and
we do not expect a near-term return to 2007 levels. |
|
|
|
|
$3.8 million increase from 39% higher volumetric shrink requirements due to higher
volumes processed under Wamsutters keep-whole processing contracts. |
Operating and maintenance expense decreased $5.2 million, or 200%, due primarily to $3.5
million higher system gains and $1.8 million lower gathering fuel costs related to an increase in
customer fuel reimbursement rates.
General and administrative expenses increased $1.2 million, or 50% due primarily to higher
charges allocated by Williams to us for various administrative support functions.
Depreciation and accretion expense increased $0.8 million, or 17%, due primarily to new assets
placed into service.
Net income increased $16.9 million, or 82%, due primarily to:
|
|
|
$12.3 million higher product sales margins resulting primarily from sharply increased
per-unit margins on higher NGL sales volumes; and |
29
|
|
|
$5.2 million decrease in operating and maintenance expense due to higher system gains
and lower gathering fuel costs. |
|
|
These increases to net income were slightly offset by $1.2 million higher general and
administrative expenses. |
Six months ended June 30, 2008 vs. six months ended June 30, 2007
Revenues increased $57.1 million, or 71%, due primarily to $56.1 million higher product sales.
Product sales revenues increased $56.1 million, or 128%, due primarily to:
|
|
|
$37.4 million related to a 64% increase in average NGL sales prices realized on sales
of NGLs which Wamsutter received under keep-whole processing contracts. This increase
resulted from general increases in market prices for these commodities between the two
periods. |
|
|
|
|
$16.8 million related to a 41% increase in NGL volumes that Wamsutter received under
keep-whole processing contracts. This increase was primarily due to a lower percentage of
total gas delivered from Wamsutters fee-based customers in the first quarter of 2008 due
to inclement weather and additional keep-whole gas processed at Colorado Interstate Gas
Companys (CIG) Rawlins natural gas processing plant in the second quarter of 2008 compared
to the second quarter of 2007. |
|
|
|
|
$3.1 million related to favorable adjustments to the margin sharing provisions of one
of Wamsutters significant contracts. |
Product cost and shrink replacement increased $27.6 million, or 111%, due primarily to:
|
|
|
$19.3 million increase from 59% higher average natural gas prices. Gas prices in 2007
were impacted by very low local shrink replacement natural gas costs compared with other
natural gas markets. Natural gas prices have returned to more comparable levels in 2008 and
we do not expect a near-term return to 2007 levels. |
|
|
|
|
$9.7 million increase from 42% higher volumetric shrink requirements due to higher
volumes processed under Wamsutters keep-whole processing contracts. |
General and administrative expenses increased $1.6 million, or 31% due primarily to higher
charges allocated by Williams to us for various administrative support functions and higher labor
and employee related expenses.
Depreciation and accretion expense increased $1.7 million, or 20%, due primarily to new assets
placed into service.
Net income increased $26.8 million, or 84%, due primarily to $28.3 million higher product
sales margins resulting primarily from sharply increased per-unit margins on higher NGL sales
volumes. Partially offsetting these increases were $1.6 million higher general and administrative
expenses and $1.7 million higher depreciation and accretion expense.
Outlook
|
|
|
Wamsutter anticipated that sustained drilling activity, expansion opportunities and
production enhancement activities by producers would be sufficient to offset production
declines and to increase 2008 average gathering volumes above 2007 levels. However,
first-quarter 2008 volumes were significantly impacted by severe weather conditions that
inhibited both Wamsutters and their customers abilities to access facilities and maintain
production, resulting in lower than expected volumes. Wamsutter currently expects average
gathering and processing volumes for the remainder of 2008 will be slightly higher as
compared with the same period in 2007, and full year 2008 gathering and processing volumes
will be approximately the same as in 2007. |
|
|
|
|
Total gas available for processing has increased in recent years; however, due to
limited plant capacity, not all of this increased volume could be processed, resulting in
gas being bypassed around the Echo Springs plant. Under normal operating conditions, this
results in lower NGL volumes being received under keep- whole processing agreements relative to the volume of NGLs being received by customers under
fee |
30
|
|
|
processing agreements. In 2008, Wamsutter anticipates that an agreement for processing gas at
Colorado Interstate Gas Companys (CIG) Rawlins natural gas processing plant will increase
the processing capacity available to Wamsutter up to 80 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d)
or approximately 20%. The processing agreement with CIG is expected to add approximately
$4.0 million in operating costs, which will be more than offset by the incremental value of
the propane, butane and natural gasoline volumes sold by Wamsutter as a result of the
agreement. |
|
|
|
|
In 2007, Wamsutter realized very high net liquids margins at its Echo Springs plant.
The 2007 net liquids margins were significantly impacted by very low local shrink
replacement natural gas costs as compared with other natural gas markets. Local natural
gas prices have returned to more comparable levels in 2008. However, based on continued
high 2008 prices for NGLs through June 30, per-unit margins in 2008 could meet or exceed
record levels realized in 2007. The prices of NGLs and natural gas can quickly fluctuate in
response to a variety of factors that are outside of our control and, in particular, NGL
pricing is typically impacted negatively by recessionary economic conditions. The
fluctuations and impacts due to economic conditions could change the realized margins
currently expected for the remainder of 2008. |
|
|
|
|
Wamsutter is currently experiencing restrictions in the volume of NGLs it can deliver
to third-party pipelines as a result of higher pressures and pipeline transportation
allocations. These restrictions are caused by a lack of pipeline transportation capacity
and impact Wamsutters ability to recover and sell NGLs, primarily ethane, which might
otherwise have been available from its Echo Springs processing plant. These restrictions
will likely continue until the Echo Springs plant is able to deliver NGLs to Overland Pass
Pipeline, which we expect will occur in the late third or early fourth quarter of this
year. During the month of July, we estimate that the higher pressures and pipeline
allocations resulted in a loss of approximately 2.0 million ethane
gallons which Wamsutter might have otherwise extracted and sold. Wamsutter has executed
agreements for an alternative delivery option, starting in July, for
a portion of the NGL volumes lost
due to the capacity constraints. However, NGLs utilizing this alternative delivery will
likely realize lower pricing than NGLs being delivered into the traditional third-party
markets. Transition to the Overland Pass Pipeline is expected to
lower transportation costs by approximately 8.5 cents per gallon based on
July 2008 rates to Mont Belvieu, Texas. |
|
|
|
|
Operating costs, excluding system gains and losses and processing fees at CIGs Rawlins
plant, are expected to approximate those in 2007. System gains and losses are an
unpredictable component of Wamsutters operating costs. |
Results of Operations Gathering and Processing Gulf
The Gulf segment includes the Carbonate Trend gathering pipeline and our 60% ownership
interest in Discovery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues |
|
$ |
546 |
|
|
$ |
459 |
|
|
$ |
1,113 |
|
|
$ |
1,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating and maintenance expense |
|
|
519 |
|
|
|
361 |
|
|
|
1,043 |
|
|
|
911 |
|
Depreciation |
|
|
151 |
|
|
|
303 |
|
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
607 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
670 |
|
|
|
664 |
|
|
|
1,347 |
|
|
|
1,518 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating loss |
|
|
(124 |
) |
|
|
(205 |
) |
|
|
(234 |
) |
|
|
(498 |
) |
Equity earnings Discovery |
|
|
8,570 |
|
|
|
3,875 |
|
|
|
22,191 |
|
|
|
7,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
8,446 |
|
|
$ |
3,670 |
|
|
$ |
21,957 |
|
|
$ |
7,308 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carbonate Trend
Segment operating loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 declined $0.1 million
and $0.3 million, respectively, as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 due
primarily to lower depreciation following the property impairment recognized in the fourth quarter
of 2007.
31
Outlook
We are currently evaluating strategic options related to our ownership of the Carbonate Trend
gathering pipeline, which include the possible sale of this asset. This asset does not contribute
materially to the segment profit or cash flows of our Gathering and Processing Gulf segment.
Discovery Producer Services 100 %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
82,883 |
|
|
$ |
63,504 |
|
|
$ |
170,039 |
|
|
$ |
115,985 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses, including interest: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product cost and shrink replacement |
|
|
51,359 |
|
|
|
39,889 |
|
|
|
103,599 |
|
|
|
73,407 |
|
Operating and maintenance expense |
|
|
8,411 |
|
|
|
9,099 |
|
|
|
15,419 |
|
|
|
15,514 |
|
Depreciation and accretion |
|
|
6,802 |
|
|
|
6,508 |
|
|
|
13,785 |
|
|
|
12,991 |
|
General and administrative expense |
|
|
1,750 |
|
|
|
579 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
1,123 |
|
Interest income |
|
|
(186 |
) |
|
|
(422 |
) |
|
|
(450 |
) |
|
|
(1,083 |
) |
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
465 |
|
|
|
1,391 |
|
|
|
(2,797 |
) |
|
|
1,022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses, including interest |
|
|
68,601 |
|
|
|
57,044 |
|
|
|
133,056 |
|
|
|
102,974 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
14,282 |
|
|
$ |
6,460 |
|
|
$ |
36,983 |
|
|
$ |
13,011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Williams Partners 60% interest Equity
earnings per our Consolidated Statements of
Income |
|
$ |
8,570 |
|
|
$ |
3,875 |
|
|
$ |
22,191 |
|
|
$ |
7,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, 2008 vs. three months ended June 30, 2007
Revenues increased $19.4 million, or 31%, due primarily to $18.9 million higher product sales
resulting from:
|
|
|
$14.8 million related to a 60% increase in average NGL sales prices realized on sales
of NGLs which Discovery received under certain processing contracts. This increase resulted
from general increases in market prices for these commodities between the two periods. |
|
|
|
|
$5.6 million higher sales of NGLs on behalf of third party producers for whom Discovery
purchases their NGLs for a fee under their contracts. This increase is offset by higher
associated product costs of $5.5 million discussed below. |
Product cost and shrink replacement increased $11.5 million, or 29%, due primarily to:
|
|
|
$5.5 million higher product purchase cost for the processing customers who elected to
have Discovery purchase their NGLs. |
|
|
|
|
$4.7 million increase from higher average natural gas prices. |
General and administrative expense increased $1.2 million due primarily to a proposed increase
in Discoverys management fee charged by Williams. The management fee is in the process of being
re-negotiated effective January 1, 2008 as discussed below.
Net income increased $7.8 million, or 121%, due primarily to $7.5 million higher NGL sales
margins resulting primarily from increased per-unit margins on slightly lower NGL sales volumes,
partially offset by $1.2 million higher general and administrative expense.
32
Six months ended June 30, 2008 vs. Six months ended June 30, 2007
Revenues increased $54.1 million, or 47%, due primarily to $52.5 million higher product sales
resulting from:
|
|
|
$26.6 million related to a 41% increase in average NGL sales prices realized on sales
of NGLs which Discovery received under certain processing contracts. This increase resulted
from general increases in market prices for these commodities between the two periods. |
|
|
|
|
$18.7 million from 41% higher NGL volumes due primarily to an increase in volumes
processed under keep-whole and percent-of-liquids processing arrangements and 7% higher
plant inlet volumes. |
|
|
|
|
$9.2 million higher sales of NGLs on behalf of third party producers for whom Discovery
purchases their NGLs for a fee under their contracts. This increase is offset by higher
associated product costs of $9.2 million discussed below. |
These increases were partially offset by $2.0 million lower sales of excess fuel and shrink
replacement gas. The lower sales of excess fuel and shrink replacement gas is offset by lower
excess shrinkage cost and is described below.
Product cost and shrink replacement increased $30.2 million, or 41%, due primarily to:
|
|
|
$12.9 million from higher volumetric natural gas shrink requirements from increased
keep-whole and percent-of-liquids processing activity; |
|
|
|
|
$9.2 million higher product purchase cost for the processing customers who elected to
have Discovery purchase their NGLs; |
|
|
|
|
$6.0 million increase from higher average natural gas prices; and |
|
|
|
|
$4.2 million increase in payments to producers for the rights to process their gas. |
These increases were partially offset by a $2.0 million decrease in cost associated with the
sales of excess fuel and shrink replacement gas mentioned above.
General and administrative expense increased $2.4 million due primarily to a proposed increase
in Discoverys management fee charged by Williams. The management fee is in the process of being
re-negotiated effective January 1, 2008 as discussed below.
Other (income) expense, net improved $3.8 million due primarily to the first quarter 2008
adjustment of $3.5 million related to the reversal of amounts previously reserved from 1998 through
2003 for system fuel and lost and unaccounted for gas in connection with the recently approved
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) settlement filing.
Net income increased $24.0 million, or 184%, due primarily to $22.4 million higher NGL sales
margins resulting from increased per-unit margins on higher NGL sales
and plant inlet volumes and $3.8 million favorable change in other (income) expense, net, partially offset by
$2.4 million higher general and administrative expense.
Outlook
Throughput volumes on Discoverys pipeline system are an important component of maximizing its
profitability. Pipeline throughput volumes from existing wells connected to its pipelines will
naturally decline over time. Accordingly, to maintain or increase throughput levels on these
pipelines and the utilization rate of Discoverys natural gas plant and fractionator, Discovery
must continually obtain new supplies of natural gas.
|
|
|
With the current oil and natural gas price environment, drilling activity across the
shelf and the deepwater of the Gulf of Mexico has been robust. However, the limited
availability of specialized rigs necessary to drill in the deepwater areas, such as those
in and around Discoverys gathering areas, limits the ability of producers to bring
identified reserves to market quickly. This will prolong the timeframe over which these
reserves will be developed. We expect Discovery to be successful in competing for a portion
of these new volumes. |
|
|
|
|
Discoverys Tahiti pipeline lateral was installed on the sea bed in February 2007.
Chevron is currently working on the installation of their production facilities indicating
their ongoing progress toward first
production. During June 2008, Discovery connected its pipeline to Chevrons production
facility. Chevron announced that it expects first production by the third quarter of 2009.
Discoverys revenues from the Tahiti project are dependent on receiving throughput from
Chevron. Therefore, delays Chevron experiences in bringing their production online impact the
initial timing of revenues for Discovery. |
33
|
|
|
Gross processing margins have been at record high levels due to commodity prices for
NGLs and natural gas, Discoverys mix of processing contract types and its operation and
optimization activities. We expect that 2008 gross processing margins will remain favorable
to historical averages. However, the prices of NGLs and natural gas can quickly fluctuate
in response to a variety of factors that are impossible to control and, in particular, NGL
pricing is typically impacted negatively by recessionary economic conditions. |
|
|
|
|
Discoverys Larose gas processing plant has been operating at near capacity. We expect
that additional processing volumes from the Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) system in 2008
along with new month-to-month agreements with several shippers on Texas Eastern
Transmission Company (TETCO) will replace most of the processing volumes previously coming
from the TETCO system; therefore, the Larose plant will continue to remain at near capacity
throughout 2008. In addition, Discovery has compression projects that are expected to be
completed by the end of 2008, which will increase the inlet capacity of the TGP connection. |
|
|
|
|
In February 2008, Discovery executed agreements with LLOG Exploration Company to
provide production handling, transportation, processing and fractionation services for its
production from the MC 705 and 707 areas. |
|
|
|
|
We expect Discoverys 2008 results will be favorably impacted by approximately $3.0
million per year due to its recently approved FERC rate filing pertaining to the regulated
portion of its business. |
|
|
|
|
Discovery has recently received an additional dedication in four blocks of new natural gas reserves with ATP Oil
and Gas Corporation (ATP) around its Gomez facility. |
|
|
|
|
Discovery recently contracted with ATP for three blocks in the Mirage, Morgas and
Telemark areas. The capital requirements to connect these
blocks to Discoverys facilities will be funded entirely by ATP. |
|
|
|
|
Discovery is currently renegotiating the management fee it is charged by Williams for
providing senior management guidance, legal, marketing, financial analysis, information
technology, accounting and other management services to Discovery. Discovery expects an
increase of approximately $1.0 million per quarter and the
increase has been accrued as
part of Discoverys June year-to-date results. |
Results of Operations NGL Services
The NGL Services segment includes our three NGL storage facilities near Conway, Kansas and our
undivided 50% interest in the Conway fractionator.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
Segment revenues |
|
$ |
19,136 |
|
|
$ |
13,763 |
|
|
$ |
36,598 |
|
|
$ |
26,589 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product cost |
|
|
4,865 |
|
|
|
2,364 |
|
|
|
9,517 |
|
|
|
4,884 |
|
Operating and maintenance expense |
|
|
9,336 |
|
|
|
4,395 |
|
|
|
15,003 |
|
|
|
13,261 |
|
Depreciation and accretion |
|
|
715 |
|
|
|
728 |
|
|
|
1,489 |
|
|
|
1,427 |
|
General and administrative expense direct |
|
|
700 |
|
|
|
470 |
|
|
|
1,244 |
|
|
|
968 |
|
Other expense, net |
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
390 |
|
|
|
390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
15,722 |
|
|
|
8,157 |
|
|
|
27,643 |
|
|
|
20,930 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit |
|
$ |
3,414 |
|
|
$ |
5,606 |
|
|
$ |
8,955 |
|
|
$ |
5,659 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, 2008 vs. three months ended June 30, 2007
Segment revenues increased $5.4 million, or 39%, due primarily to higher product sales and
fractionation revenues. The significant components of the revenue fluctuations are addressed more
fully below.
34
|
|
|
Product sales increased $2.7 million due to higher sales volumes combined with a 57%
increase in average propane rates. This product sales increase was substantially offset by
the related increase in product cost discussed below. |
|
|
|
|
Fractionation revenues increased $2.2 million due primarily to 74% higher average
fractionation rate and a slight increase in fractionation volumes. The higher average rate
is due primarily to the expiration of a fractionation contract with a cap on the per-unit
fee, which limited our ability to pass through increases in fractionation fuel expense to
this customer. |
Product cost increased $2.5 million, or 106%, due primarily to higher product sales volumes
and rates discussed above.
Operating and maintenance expense increased $4.9 million, or 112%, due primarily to $0.8
million of product losses in the second quarter of 2008 compared to $1.9 million of gains in the
second quarter of 2007 and higher fractionation fuel costs of $0.9 million related to increased
natural gas prices and slightly higher fractionation volumes.
Segment profit decreased $2.2 million, or 39%, due primarily to $4.9 million increase in
operating and maintenance expense discussed above, partially offset by $2.2 million increase in
fractionation revenues.
Six months ended June 30, 2008 vs. six months ended June 30, 2007
Segment revenues increased $10.0 million, or 38%, due primarily to higher product sales,
fractionation and storage revenues. The significant components of the revenue fluctuations are
addressed more fully below.
|
|
|
Product sales increased $4.6 million due to higher sales volumes and a 35% increase in
average propane prices. This increase was offset by the related increase in product cost
discussed below. |
|
|
|
|
Fractionation revenues increased $3.6 million due primarily to a 68% higher average
fractionation rate and slight increase in fractionation volumes. The higher average rate
is due primarily to the expiration of a fractionation contract with a cap on the per-unit
fee, which limited our ability to pass through increases in fractionation fuel expense to
this customer. |
|
|
|
|
Storage revenues increased $1.2 million due primarily to higher average storage revenues
from additional storage leases. |
Product
cost increased $4.6 million, or 95%, due to the higher product
sales volumes and prices
discussed above.
Operating and maintenance expense increased $1.7 million, or 13%, due primarily to the
following:
|
|
|
$1.5 million higher storage product losses on compared to 2007; and |
|
|
|
|
$1.5 million higher fractionation fuel costs related to increased natural gas prices and
slightly higher fractionation volumes. |
These increases were partially offset by the absence in 2008 of an unfavorable $1.4 million
2007 product imbalance valuation adjustment.
Segment profit increased $3.3 million, or 58%, due primarily to higher fractionation and
storage revenues, partially offset by higher operating and maintenance expenses.
Outlook
|
|
|
We expect 2008 storage revenues will be consistent with 2007 due to continued strong
demand for NGL storage and specialty storage services. |
|
|
|
|
We continue to perform a large number of storage cavern workovers and wellhead
modifications to comply with KDHE regulatory requirements. We expect outside service costs to continue at current
levels throughout 2008 to ensure that we meet the regulatory compliance requirements. |
35
Financial Condition and Liquidity
We believe we have the financial resources and liquidity necessary to meet future requirements
for working capital, capital and investment expenditures, debt service and quarterly cash
distributions. We anticipate our sources of liquidity for 2008 will include:
|
|
|
cash and cash equivalents on hand; |
|
|
|
|
cash generated from operations, including cash distributions from Wamsutter and
Discovery; |
|
|
|
|
insurance recoveries related to the fire at the Ignacio gas processing plant; |
|
|
|
|
proceeds from the sale of gathering assets to the Jicarilla Apache Nation; |
|
|
|
|
capital contributions from Williams pursuant to the omnibus agreement; and |
|
|
|
|
credit facilities, as needed. |
We anticipate our more significant uses of cash for the remainder of 2008 to be:
|
|
|
maintenance and expansion capital expenditures for our Four Corners and Conway assets; |
|
|
|
|
contributions we must make to Wamsutter LLC to fund certain of its capital
expenditures; |
|
|
|
|
completion of the Four Corners repair expenditures related to the fire at Ignacio gas
processing plant, which generally should be reimbursed by insurance approximately as they
are incurred; |
|
|
|
|
interest on our long-term debt; and |
|
|
|
|
quarterly distributions to our unitholders and general
partner. |
Wamsutter Distributions
Wamsutter expects to make quarterly distributions of available cash to its members pursuant to
the terms of its limited liability company agreement. Wamsutter made the following 2008
distributions to its members (all amounts in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Distribution to |
|
|
Date of Distribution |
|
Members |
|
Our Share |
3/28/08
|
|
$25,000
|
|
$21,438 |
6/30/08
|
|
$30,500
|
|
$24,325 |
Wamsutters distributions in March and June included payments of approximately $7.1 million
and $12.4 million, respectively, to the Class C membership interests, which are currently 50% owned
by us and 50% owned by Williams. However, the Wamsutter LLC agreement provides that to the extent
at the end of the fourth quarter of a distribution year, the Class A member has received less than
$70.0 million, the Class C members will be required to repay any distributions received in that
distribution year such that the Class A member receives $70.0 million for that distribution year.
Thus, our Class A membership interest will ultimately receive the first $70.0 million of cash for
any distribution year. Additionally, during the first and second quarters of 2008 Wamsutter paid us
$1.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively, in transition support payments related to the amount
by which Wamsutters general and administrative expenses exceeded a certain cap.
36
Discovery
Discovery expects to make quarterly distributions of available cash to its members pursuant to
the terms of its limited liability company agreement. Discovery made the following 2008
distributions to its members (all amounts in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Distribution to |
|
|
Date of Distribution |
|
Members |
|
Our 60% Share |
1/30/08
|
|
$28,000
|
|
$16,800 |
4/30/08
|
|
26,000
|
|
15,600 |
7/30/08
|
|
22,000
|
|
13,200 |
Insurance Recoveries
On November 28, 2007 the Ignacio gas processing plant sustained significant damages from a
fire. The estimated total cost for fire-related repairs is approximately $32.0 million, including
$31.0 million in potentially reimbursable expenditures in excess of the insurance deductible. Of
this amount, $22.0 million has been incurred through June 30, 2008. We are funding these repairs
with cash flows from operations, are seeking reimbursement from our insurance carrier, and have
received $12.0 million of insurance proceeds to date. Future property damage insurance proceeds
will relate to the replacement of capital assets destroyed by the fire. Since the destroyed assets
have been fully written off, these proceeds will result in additional involuntary conversion gains.
Additionally, we will seek reimbursement from our insurance carrier for lost profits under our
business interruption policy.
Sale of Gathering Assets to the Jicarilla Apache Nation
As previously discussed, we may receive a significant amount of proceeds from the potential
sale of our gathering assets on the JAN lands in the fourth quarter of 2008 or first quarter of
2009. Cash proceeds resulting from this capital transaction would not be considered in the
determination of the amount of subsequent quarterly distributions of available cash to our
unitholders. We expect these cash proceeds would be reinvested in internal projects and/or
acquisition transactions in part to offset the loss of future earnings and cash flows associated
with these assets.
Capital Contributions from Williams
Capital contributions from Williams required under the omnibus agreement consist of the
following:
|
|
|
Indemnification of environmental and related expenditures, less any related insurance
recoveries, for a period of three years ending August 2008 (for certain of those
expenditures) up to a cap of $14.0 million. As of June 30, 2008, we have received $6.2
million from Williams for indemnified items since inception of the agreement in August
2005. Thus, approximately $7.8 million remains available for reimbursement of our costs not
subject to the three-year limitation. |
|
|
|
|
Additionally, under the omnibus agreement, we will receive (1) an annual credit for
general and administrative expenses of $1.6 million in 2008 and $0.8 million in 2009 and
(2) up to $3.4 million to fund our initial 40% share of the expected total cost of
Discoverys Tahiti pipeline lateral expansion project in excess of the $24.4 million we
contributed during September 2005. As of June 30, 2008 we have received $1.6 million from
Williams for the Tahiti-related indemnification since inception. |
Although in 2007 we acquired an additional 20% ownership interest in Discovery, Tahiti-related
indemnifications under the omnibus agreement continue to be based on the 40% ownership interest we
held when this agreement became effective.
Credit Facilities
We have a $200.0 million revolving credit facility with Citibank, N.A. as administrative agent
available for borrowings and letters of credit. Under certain conditions, the revolving credit
facility may be increased up to an
additional $100.0 million. Borrowings under this agreement must be repaid within five years.
There were no amounts outstanding at June 30, 2008 under the revolving credit facility.
37
We also have a $20.0 million revolving credit facility with Williams as the lender. The
facility is available exclusively to fund working capital borrowings.
We are required to and have reduced all
borrowings under this facility to zero for a period of at least 15 consecutive days once each
12-month period prior to the maturity date of the facility. As of June 30, 2008 we had no
outstanding borrowings under the working capital credit facility.
Wamsutter has a $20.0 million revolving credit facility with Williams as the lender. The
credit facility is available exclusively to fund working capital requirements. Wamsutter is
required to reduce all borrowings under the credit facility to zero for a period of at least 15
consecutive days once each 12-month period prior to the maturity date of the credit facility. As of
June 30, 2008, Wamsutter had no outstanding borrowings under the working capital credit facility.
Capital Expenditures
The natural gas gathering, treating, processing and transportation, and NGL fractionation and
storage businesses are capital-intensive, requiring investment to upgrade or enhance existing
operations and comply with safety and environmental regulations. The capital requirements of these
businesses consist primarily of:
|
|
|
maintenance capital expenditures, which are capital expenditures made to replace
partially or fully depreciated assets in order to maintain the existing operating capacity
of our assets and to extend their useful lives; and |
|
|
|
|
expansion capital expenditures such as those to acquire additional assets to grow our
business, to expand and upgrade plant or pipeline capacity and to construct new plants,
pipelines and storage facilities. |
The following table provides summary information related to our, Wamsutters and Discoverys
expected capital expenditures for 2008 and actual spending through June 30, 2008 (millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maintenance |
|
Expansion |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Through |
|
|
|
|
|
Through |
|
|
|
|
|
Through |
Company |
|
Total Year Estimate |
|
June 30, 2008 |
|
Total Year Estimate |
|
June 30, 2008 |
|
Total Year Estimate |
|
June 30, 2008 |
Four Corners |
|
$ |
20.9 |
|
|
$ |
9.8 |
|
|
$ |
14.8 |
|
|
$ |
2.6 |
|
|
$ |
35.7 |
|
|
$ |
12.4 |
|
Conway |
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
|
|
|
13.8 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
Wamsutter (our share) |
|
|
20.0 |
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
8.3 |
|
|
|
.9 |
|
|
|
28.3 |
|
|
|
10.4 |
|
Discovery (our share) |
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
9.0 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
The table above does not include capital expenditures related to the replacement of capital
assets destroyed by the November 2007 fire at Four Corners Ignacio gas processing plant. We
expect these expenditures to be reimbursed by insurance approximately as they are incurred. Our
statement of cash flows through June 30, 2008 includes $12.1 million of these reimbursed or
reimbursable capital expenditures.
We expect to fund Four Corners and Conways maintenance and expansion capital expenditures
with cash flows from operations. For 2008, Four Corners estimate of maintenance capital
expenditures includes approximately $10.0 million related to well connections necessary to connect
new sources of throughput for the Four Corners system which serve to offset the historical decline
in throughput volumes. Four Corners 2008 expansion capital expenditures relate primarily to plant
and gathering system expansion projects. Both Four Corners actual maintenance expenditures through
June 2008 and total year estimated maintenance expenditures have been reduced by $3.5 million for
reimbursed prior-year well connect charges. Conways 2008 expansion capital expenditures relate to
various small projects.
Wamsutters 2008 maintenance capital expenditures include approximately $18.0 million related
to well connections necessary to connect new sources of throughput for the Wamsutter system which
serve to offset the historical decline in throughput volumes. We expect Wamsutter will fund its
maintenance capital expenditures through its cash flows from operations.
Wamsutter funds its expansion capital expenditures through capital contributions from its
members as specified
in its limited liability company agreement. This agreement specifies that expansion capital
projects with expected
38
total expenditures in excess of $2.5 million at the time of approval and
well connections that increase gathered volumes beyond current levels be funded by contributions
from its Class B membership, which we do not own. However, our ownership of the Class A membership
interest requires us to provide capital contributions related to expansion projects with expected
total expenditures less than $2.5 million at the time of approval.
Discovery will fund its 2008 maintenance and expansion capital expenditures either by cash
calls to its members or from its cash flows from operations.
Cash Distributions to Unitholders
We paid quarterly distributions to unitholders and our general partner interest after every
quarter since our IPO on August 23, 2005. Our most recent quarterly distribution of $40.6 million
will be paid on August 14, 2008 to the general partner interest and common unitholders of record at
the close of business on August 7, 2008. This distribution includes an additional incentive
distribution to our general partner of approximately $6.8 million.
Results of Operations Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
June 30, |
Williams Partners L.P. |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
106,890 |
|
|
$ |
95,441 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used by investing activities |
|
|
(13,880 |
) |
|
|
(84,309 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used by financing activities |
|
|
(71,492 |
) |
|
|
(47,829 |
) |
The $11.4 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities for the first six
months of 2008 as compared to the first six months of 2007 is due primarily to $66.3 million higher
distributions from Wamsutter and Discovery. Partially offsetting this increase in net cash
provided by operating activities are the following:
|
|
|
$27.3 million decrease in cash provided by working capital excluding accrued interest.
Cash provided by working capital decreased due primarily to changes in accounts receivable,
product imbalance and accounts payable; and |
|
|
|
|
$27.8 million higher cash interest payments for the interest on our $600.0 million
senior unsecured notes issued in December 2006 to finance a portion of our acquisition of
Four Corners and on our $250.0 million term loan issued in December 2007 to finance a
portion of our acquisition of Wamsutter. |
Net cash used by investing activities in 2008 includes $12.1 million of capital expenditures
for the replacement of capital assets destroyed by the November 2007 fire at Four Corners Ignacio
gas processing plant and $6.2 million of the related insurance proceeds received for some of those
capital expenditures. Additionally, net cash used by investing activities in both years includes
maintenance and expansion capital expenditures primarily used for well connects in our Four Corners
business and the installation of cavern liners and KDHE-related cavern compliance with the
installation of wellhead control equipment and well meters in our NGL Services segment, as well as
cumulative distributions in excess of equity earnings from Discovery. Net cash used by investing
activities in 2007 includes the acquisition of an additional 20% ownership interest in Discovery in
June 2007.
Net cash used by financing activities is primarily comprised of quarterly distributions to
unitholders which have increased 80%.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
June 30, |
Wamsutter 100 percent |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
64,935 |
|
|
$ |
37,136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used by investing activities |
|
|
(11,792 |
) |
|
|
(19,806 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used by financing activities |
|
|
(53,143 |
) |
|
|
(17,330 |
) |
39
The $27.8 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in the first six
months of 2008 as compared to the first six months of 2007 is due primarily to $28.6 million
increase in operating income, as adjusted for non-cash expenses.
Net cash used by investing activities in the first six months of 2008 and 2007 is primarily
comprised of capital expenditures related to the connection of new wells. Severe winter weather
during the first quarter of 2008 reduced the ability to connect new wells.
Net cash used by financing activities in the first six months of 2008 is almost entirely
related to cash distributions to Wamsutters members pursuant to the distribution provisions of
Wamsutters limited liability company agreement. Net cash used by financing activities in the first
six months of 2007 is primarily distributions of Wamsutters net cash flows to Williams pursuant to
its participation in Williams cash management program.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
June 30, |
Discovery 100 % |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
|
(Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
55,377 |
|
|
$ |
26,139 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used by investing activities |
|
|
(4,505 |
) |
|
|
(5,137 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used by financing activities |
|
|
(51,672 |
) |
|
|
(32,252 |
) |
The $29.2 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2008 as compared to
2007 is due primarily to $25.4 million increase in operating income, as adjusted for non-cash
expenses, and $5.1 million increase in cash provided by working capital.
Net cash used by financing activities increased $19.4 million in 2008 due primarily to $17.8
million higher distributions paid to members.
Fair Value Measurements
On January 1, 2008 we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements, for our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a
recurring basis, primarily our energy commodity derivatives. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for disclosures regarding SFAS No. 157, including discussion of the fair value
hierarchy levels and valuation methodologies.
At June 30, 2008, our energy derivative assets and liabilities are valued using unobservable
inputs and included in Level 3. They consist of financial swap contracts that hedge future sales of
NGL volumes that our Four Corners operation receives as compensation under certain processing
agreements. The model used to value these financial swap contracts applies an internally developed
forecast of future NGL prices at Four Corners. The forward NGL yield curve used in our pricing
model is an unobservable input as comparable market data is not available. The change in the
overall fair value of these transactions included in Level 3 results primarily from changes in NGL
prices. The financial swap contracts are designated as cash flow hedges and reduce our exposure to
and revenue impact from declining NGL prices. As such, the effective portion of net unrealized
gains and losses from changes in fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income and
subsequently impact earnings when the underlying hedged NGLs are sold. Our net energy derivative
liability increased $11.9 million and $9.5 million during the three and six months ending June 30,
2008, respectively. The effective portion of the net unrealized loss from the change in fair value
recorded in other comprehensive income was $12.8 million and $10.4 million during the three and six
month periods ending June 30, 2008, respectively.
|
|
|
Item 3. |
|
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. The
principal market risks to which we are exposed are commodity price risk and interest rate risk.
40
Commodity Price Risk
We are exposed to the impact of fluctuations in the market price of natural gas liquids and
natural gas, as well as other market factors, such as market volatility and commodity price
correlations. We are exposed to these risks in connection with our owned energy-related assets and
our long-term energy-related contracts. We manage a portion of the risks associated with these
market fluctuations using various derivative contracts. The fair value of derivative contracts is
subject to changes in energy-commodity market prices, the liquidity and volatility of the markets
in which the contracts are transacted, and changes in interest rates. We measure the risk in our
portfolio using a value-at-risk methodology to estimate the potential one-day loss from adverse
changes in the fair value of the portfolio.
Value at risk requires a number of key assumptions and is not necessarily representative of
actual losses in fair value that could be incurred from the portfolio. Our value-at-risk model uses
a Monte Carlo method to simulate hypothetical movements in future market prices and assumes that,
as a result of changes in commodity prices, there is a 95% probability that the one-day loss in
fair value of the portfolio will not exceed the value at risk. The simulation method uses
historical correlations and market forward prices and volatilities. In applying the value-at-risk
methodology, we do not consider that the simulated hypothetical movements affect the positions or
would cause any potential liquidity issues, nor do we consider that changing the portfolio in
response to market conditions could affect market prices and could take longer than a one-day
holding period to execute. While a one-day holding period has historically been the industry
standard, a longer holding period could more accurately represent the true market risk given market
liquidity and our own credit and liquidity constraints. Our derivative contracts are contracts
held for nontrading purposes that hedge a portion of our commodity price risk exposure from natural
gas liquid sales and natural gas purchases. Certain of our derivative contracts have been
designated as normal purchases or sales under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities, and, therefore, have been excluded from our estimation of value at risk.
The value at risk for our derivative contracts was $0.7 million at June 30, 2008, and $1.0
million at December 31, 2007.
All of the derivative contracts included in our value-at-risk calculation are accounted for as
cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133. Any change in the fair value of these hedge contracts would
generally not be reflected in earnings until the associated hedged item affects earnings.
Interest Rate Risk
Our interest rate risk exposure is related primarily to our debt portfolio and has not
materially changed during the first six months of 2008. See Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d (e) of the Securities Exchange Act)
(Disclosure Controls) was performed as of the end of the period covered by this report. This
evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our general partners
management, including our general partners Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
Based upon that evaluation, our general partners Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer concluded that these Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Our management, including our general partners Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls or our internal controls over financial
reporting (Internal Controls) will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter
how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the
objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the
fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative
to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of
controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any,
within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that
judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error
or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by
collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system
of
controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events,
and there can be no
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assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all
potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control
system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. We monitor our
Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls and make modifications as necessary; our intent in this
regard is that the Disclosure Controls and the Internal Controls will be modified as systems change
and conditions warrant.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes during the second quarter of 2008 that have materially affected, or
are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
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Item 1. |
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Legal Proceedings |
The information required for this item is provided in Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies,
included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1, which
information is incorporated by reference into this item.
Part I., Item 1A. Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2007, includes certain risk factors that could materially affect our business, financial
condition or future results. Those risk factors have not materially changed except as set forth
below:
Our future financial and operating flexibility may be adversely affected by restrictions in our
debt agreements and by our leverage.
In December 2007, we borrowed $250.0 million under the term loan portion of our new $450.0
million five-year senior unsecured credit facility. Our total outstanding long-term debt as of June
30, 2008 was $1.0 billion, representing approximately 84% of our total book capitalization.
Our debt service obligations and restrictive covenants in the indentures governing our senior
unsecured notes could have important consequences. For example, they could:
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make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our senior
unsecured notes and our other indebtedness, which could in turn result in an event of
default on such other indebtedness or our outstanding notes; |
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impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital,
capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or other purposes; |
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adversely affect our ability to pay cash distributions to unitholders; |
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diminish our ability to withstand a downturn in our business or the economy generally; |
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require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to debt
service payments, thereby reducing the availability of cash for working capital, capital
expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or other purposes; limit our
flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in
which we operate; and |
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place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have
proportionately less debt. |
Our ability to repay, extend or refinance our existing debt obligations and to obtain future
credit will depend primarily on our operating performance, which will be affected by general
economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors, many of
which are beyond our control. Our ability to refinance existing debt obligations will also depend
upon the current conditions in the credit markets and the availability of credit generally. If we
are unable to meet our debt service obligations or obtain future credit on favorable terms, if at
all, we could be forced to restructure or refinance our indebtedness, seek additional equity
capital or sell assets. We may be unable to obtain financing or sell assets on satisfactory terms,
or at all.
We are not prohibited under our indentures from incurring additional indebtedness. Our
incurrence of significant
additional indebtedness would exacerbate the negative consequences mentioned above, and could
adversely affect our ability to repay our senior notes.
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We may not be able to grow or effectively manage our growth.
A principal focus of our strategy is to continue to grow by expanding our business. Our future
growth will depend upon a number of factors, some of which we can control and some of which we
cannot. These factors include our ability to:
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identify businesses engaged in managing, operating or owning pipeline, processing,
fractionation and storage assets, or other midstream assets for acquisitions, joint
ventures and construction projects; |
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control costs associated with acquisitions, joint ventures or construction projects; |
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consummate acquisitions or joint ventures and complete construction projects; |
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integrate any acquired or constructed business or assets successfully with our existing
operations and into our operating and financial systems and controls; |
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hire, train and retain qualified personnel to manage and operate our growing business;
and |
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obtain required financing for our existing and new operations. |
A failure to achieve any of these factors would adversely affect our ability to achieve
anticipated growth in the level of cash flows or realize anticipated benefits. Furthermore,
competition from other buyers could reduce our acquisition opportunities or cause us to pay a
higher price than we might otherwise pay.
We may acquire new facilities or expand our existing facilities to capture anticipated future
growth in natural gas production that does not ultimately materialize. As a result, our new or
expanded facilities may not achieve profitability. In addition, the process of integrating newly
acquired or constructed assets into our operations may result in unforeseen operating difficulties,
may absorb significant management attention and may require financial resources that would
otherwise be available for the ongoing development and expansion of our existing operations. Future
acquisitions or construction projects may require substantial new capital and could result in the
incurrence of indebtedness and additional liabilities and excessive costs that could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to
make cash distributions to unitholders. If we issue additional common units in connection with
future acquisitions, unitholders interest in us will be diluted and distributions to unitholders
may be reduced. Further, any limitations on our access to capital, including limitations caused by
illiquidity in the capital markets, may impair our ability to complete future acquisitions and
construction projects on favorable terms, if at all.
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The following documents are included as exhibits to this report:
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Exhibit |
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Description |
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Exhibit 31.1
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Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
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Exhibit 31.2
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Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
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Exhibit 32
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Section 1350 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. |
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Exhibit 99.1
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Williams Partners GP LLC Financial Statements. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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WILLIAMS PARTNERS L.P.
(Registrant)
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By: |
Williams Partners GP LLC, its general partner
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/s/ Ted T. Timmermans
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Ted. T. Timmermans |
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Controller (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
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August 7, 2008
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description |
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Exhibit 31.1
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Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
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Exhibit 31.2
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Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
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Exhibit 32
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Section 1350 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. |
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Exhibit 99.1
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Williams Partners GP LLC Financial Statements. |
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