UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

Commission file number 001-32593

Global Partners LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

P.O. Box 9161
800 South Street
Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9161
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(781) 894-8800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 x 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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).      Yes o No x

The issuer had 7,428,139 common units and 5,642,424 subordinated units outstanding as of May 6, 2008.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 1.    Financial Statements

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except unit data)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per unit data)

(Unaudited)

(1)   See Note 2 for net income per limited partner unit calculation.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1.       Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

Global Partners LP (the “Partnership”) is a publicly traded master limited partnership that engages in the wholesale and commercial distribution of refined petroleum products and small amounts of natural gas and provides ancillary services to companies domestically and, on a limited basis, internationally.

The Partnership has four operating subsidiaries:  Global Companies LLC, its subsidiary, Glen Hes Corp., Global Montello Group Corp. and Chelsea Sandwich LLC (the four operating subsidiaries, collectively, the “Companies”).  The Companies (other than Glen Hes Corp.) are wholly owned by Global Operating LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership.  In addition, GLP Finance Corp. (“GLP Finance”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership.  GLP Finance has no material assets or liabilities.  Its activities will be limited to co-issuing debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental thereto.

The Partnership’s 1.73% general partner interest (reduced from 2% following the private placement of Class B units discussed in Note 11) is held by Global GP LLC, the Partnership’s general partner (the “General Partner”).  The General Partner, which is owned by affiliates of the Slifka family, manages the Partnership’s operations and activities and employs its officers and substantially all of its personnel.  Affiliates of the General Partner, including its directors and executive officers, own 61,824 common units and 5,642,424 subordinated units, representing a combined 42.9% limited partner interest.

Basis of Presentation

Interim Financial Statements

The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 reflect the accounts of the Partnership.  All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial condition and operating results for the interim periods.  The interim financial information, which has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 and notes thereto contained in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that will be realized for the entire year ending December 31, 2008.

As demand for some of the Partnership’s refined petroleum products, specifically home heating oil and residual oil for space heating purposes, is generally greater during the winter months, sales are generally higher during the first and fourth quarters of the calendar year which may result in significant fluctuations in the Partnership’s quarterly operating results.

The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2007 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

5

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 2.       Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit

The computation of net income per limited partner unit is based on the weighted average number of common and subordinated units, or limited partner units, outstanding during the period.  Basic and diluted net income per limited partner unit are determined by dividing net income after deducting the amount allocated to the general partner interest (including incentive distributions on the incentive distribution rights held by the General Partner in excess of its general partner interest) by the weighted average number of outstanding limited partner units during the period in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force 03-06, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128” (“EITF 03-06”).  EITF 03-06 addresses the computation of earnings per share (in the Partnership’s case, net income per limited partner unit) by an entity that has issued securities other than common stock (in the Partnership’s case, limited partner units) that contractually entitle the holder to participate in dividends and earnings of the entity when, and if, it declares dividends on its common stock (in the Partnership’s case, distributions on its limited partner units).  Essentially, EITF 03-06 provides that in any accounting period where the Partnership’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distribution for such period, the Partnership is required to present net income per limited partner unit as if all of the earnings for the periods were distributed, regardless of whether those earnings would actually be distributed during a particular period from an economic or practical perspective.  EITF 03-06 does not impact the Partnership’s overall net income or other financial results; however, for periods in which the Partnership’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distributions for such period, it will have the impact of reducing the earnings per limited partner unit.  This result occurs as a larger portion of the Partnership’s aggregate earnings is allocated to the incentive distribution rights held by the General Partner, as if distributed, even though the Partnership makes cash distributions on the basis of cash available for distributions, not earnings, in any given accounting period.  In accounting periods where aggregate net income does not exceed aggregate distributions for such period, EITF 03-06 does not have any impact on the Partnership’s net income per limited partner unit calculation.

The following sets forth the net income allocation and per unit data using this method for the periods presented (in thousands, except per unit data):

(1)  Calculation includes the effect of the private placement of Class B units on May 9, 2007 and, as a result, the general partner interest was 1.73% for the three months ended March 31, 2008.  For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the general partner interest was 2%.

6

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 2.       Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit (continued)

On January 24, 2008, the board of directors of the Partnership’s General Partner declared a quarterly distribution of $0.4875 per unit for the period from October 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007.  On April 23, 2008, the board declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.4875 per unit for the period from January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008.  These declared cash distributions resulted in incentive distributions to the Partnership’s General Partner, as the holder of the incentive distribution rights, as indicated above, and enabled the Partnership to reach its second target distribution with respect to such incentive distribution rights.  See Note 8, “Cash Distributions” for further information.  During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the board did not declare cash distributions that resulted in incentive distributions to the General Partner.

Note 3.       Inventories

The Partnership hedges substantially all of its inventory purchases through futures contracts and swap agreements.  Hedges are executed when inventory is purchased and are identified with that specific inventory.  Changes in the fair value of these contracts, as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged inventory item, are recognized currently in earnings.  All hedged inventory is valued using the lower of cost, as determined by specific identification, or market.  Prior to sale, hedges are removed from specific barrels of inventory, and the then unhedged inventory is sold and accounted for on a first-in, first-out basis.  Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

In addition to its own inventory, the Partnership has exchange agreements with unrelated third-party suppliers, whereby it may draw inventory from these other suppliers and suppliers may draw inventory from the Partnership.  Positive exchange balances are accounted for as accounts receivable and amounted to $45.2 million and $36.8 million at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.  Negative exchange balances are accounted for as accounts payable and amounted to $23.8 million and $11.1 million at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.  Exchange transactions are valued using current quoted market prices.

Note 4.       Derivative Financial Instruments

The Partnership accounts for its derivatives in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended (“SFAS No. 133”).  SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities and requires that an entity recognize derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measure the instruments at fair value.  Changes in the fair value of the derivative are to be recognized currently in earnings, unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.

Fair Value Hedges

The fair value of the Partnership’s derivatives is determined through the use of independent markets and is based upon the prevailing market prices of such instruments at the date of valuation.  The Partnership enters into futures contracts for the receipt or delivery of refined petroleum products in future periods.  The contracts are entered into in the normal course of business to reduce risk of loss of inventory on hand, which could result through fluctuations in market prices.  Changes in the fair value of these contracts, as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged inventory item, are recognized currently in earnings.  Ineffectiveness related to these hedging activities was immaterial at March 31, 2008.

7

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 4.       Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

The Partnership also uses futures contracts and swap agreements to hedge exposure under forward purchase and sale commitments.  These agreements are intended to hedge the cost component of virtually all of the Partnership’s forward purchase and sale commitments.  Changes in the fair value of these contracts, as well as offsetting gains or losses on the forward fixed price purchase and sale commitments, are recognized currently in earnings.  Gains and losses on net product margin from forward fixed price purchase and sale contracts are reflected in earnings as these contracts mature.

The composition and fair value of derivative instruments relating to forward fixed price purchase and sale contracts on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheet consisted of the following (in thousands):

The Partnership also markets and sells natural gas.  The Partnership generally conducts business by entering into forward purchase commitments for natural gas only when it simultaneously enters into arrangements for the sale of product for physical delivery to third-party users.  The Partnership generally takes delivery under its purchase commitments at the same location as it delivers to third-party users.  Through these transactions, which establish an immediate margin, the Partnership seeks to maintain a position that is substantially balanced between firm forward purchase and sales commitments.  Natural gas is generally purchased and sold at fixed prices and quantities.  Current price quotes from actively traded markets are used in all cases to determine the contracts’ fair value.  Changes in the fair value of these contracts are recognized currently in earnings as an increase or decrease in cost of sales.

The Partnership formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items after its risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking the hedge are determined.  The Partnership calculates hedge effectiveness on a quarterly basis.  This process includes specific identification of the hedging instrument and the hedged transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged and how the hedging instrument’s effectiveness will be assessed.  Both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Partnership assesses whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value of hedged items.  The derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are fair value hedges.

The Partnership has a daily margin requirement with its broker based on the prior day’s market results on open futures contracts.  The required brokerage margin balance was $16.1 million and $12.5 million at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

The Partnership is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties of futures contracts, options and swap agreements, but the Partnership has no current reason to expect any material nonperformance by any of these counterparties.  Futures contracts, the primary derivative instrument utilized by the Partnership, are traded on regulated exchanges, greatly reducing potential credit risks.  Exposure on swap and certain option agreements is limited to the amount of the recorded fair value as of the balance sheet dates.  The Partnership utilizes primarily one clearing broker, a major financial institution, for all New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) derivative transactions and the right of offset exists.  Accordingly, the fair value of all derivative instruments is presented on a net basis on the consolidated balance sheets.

8

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 4.       Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

Interest Rate Hedge

The Partnership executed a zero premium interest rate collar with a major financial institution.  The collar, which became effective on May 14, 2007, is used to hedge the variability in interest payments due to changes in the three-month LIBOR rate with respect to $100.0 million of long-term three-month LIBOR-based borrowings.  Under the collar, the Partnership capped its exposure at a maximum three-month LIBOR rate of 5.75%.  In addition, the Partnership established a minimum floor rate of 3.75%.  As of March 31, 2008, the three-month LIBOR rate of 3.1% was lower than the floor rate.  As a result, the Partnership will remit to the financial institution the difference between the floor rate and the current rate which amounted to approximately $89,000 and was recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the accompanying balance sheet.  The collar, which expires on May 14, 2011, is designated as a cash flow hedge and is accounted for under the provisions of SFAS No. 133.  As of March 31, 2008, the change in fair value of the collar was a liability of approximately $2.4 million and was recorded in both other long-term liabilities and accumulated other comprehensive income.  There was no ineffectiveness related to the collar as of March 31, 2008.

Note 5.       Debt

The Partnership has a senior secured credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with total available commitments of $750.0 million.  There are three facilities under the Credit Agreement:

·     a working capital revolving credit facility to be used for working capital purposes and letters of credit in the principal amount equal to the lesser of the Partnership’s borrowing base and $650.0 million, of which two $50.0 million seasonal overline facilities are available each year only during the period between September 1 and June 30;

·     an $85.0 million acquisition facility to be used for funding acquisitions similar to the Partnership’s business line that have a purchase price of $25.0 million or less or $35.0 million or less in the aggregate in any 12-month period; and

·     a $15.0 million revolving credit facility to be used for general purposes, including payment of distributions to the Partnership’s unitholders.

In addition, provided no Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) then exists, the Partnership may request to increase:  (1) the acquisition facility by up to another $50.0 million, for a total acquisition facility of up to $135.0 million; and (2) the working capital revolving credit facility by up to another $100.0 million, for a total working capital revolving credit facility of up to $750.0 million.  Any such request for an increase by the Partnership must be in a minimum amount of $5.0 million, and no more than three such requests may be made for each facility.

Borrowings under the Partnership’s working capital revolving credit, acquisition and revolving credit facilities bear interest at the Partnership’s option at (1) the Eurodollar rate, plus 1%, 1½% and 1½%, respectively, (2) the cost of funds rate, plus 1%, 1¾% and 1½%, respectively, or (3) the bank’s base rate.  The average interest rate for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was approximately 4.6%.  In addition, the Partnership executed a zero premium interest rate collar with a major financial institution.  The collar, which became effective on May 14, 2007, is used to hedge the variability in interest payments due to changes in the three-month LIBOR rate with respect to $100.0 million of long-term three-month LIBOR-based borrowings (see Note 4 for further discussion on the interest rate collar).

The Partnership incurs a letter of credit fee of 1% per annum for each letter of credit issued.  In addition, the Partnership incurs a commitment fee on the unused portion of the three facilities under the Credit Agreement (including the unused portion of either of the seasonal overline facilities exercised by the Partnership) at a rate of 25 basis points per annum, a facility fee of 10 basis points per annum on any unexercised seasonal overline facility during the period between September 1 and June 30 and a seasonal overline fee of $30,000 each time the Partnership elects to exercise either of the seasonal overline facilities.

9

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 5.       Debt (continued)

The Credit Agreement will mature on April 22, 2011.  The Partnership classifies a portion of its revolving line of credit as a long-term liability because the Partnership has a multi-year, long-term commitment from its bank group.  The long-term portion of the revolving line of credit was $190.2 million at March 31, 2008 and at December 31, 2007, representing the amounts expected to be outstanding during the year.  In addition, the Partnership classifies a portion of its revolving line of credit as a current liability because it repays amounts outstanding and reborrows funds based on its working capital requirements.  The current portion of the revolving line of credit was approximately $218.2 million and $304.8 million at March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, representing the amounts the Partnership expects to pay down during the course of the year.

As of March 31, 2008, the Partnership had total borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement of $408.4 million and outstanding letters of credit of $81.9 million.  The total remaining availability for borrowings and letters of credit at March 31, 2008 was $259.7 million.

The Credit Agreement is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Partnership and each of the Companies and is guaranteed by the General Partner.  The Credit Agreement imposes certain requirements including, for example, a prohibition against distributions if any potential default or Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) would occur, and limitations on the Partnership’s ability to grant liens, make certain loans or investments, incur additional indebtedness or guarantee other indebtedness, make any material change to the nature of the Partnership’s business or undergo a fundamental change, make any material dispositions, acquire another company, enter into a merger, consolidation, sale leaseback transaction or purchase of assets, or make capital expenditures in excess of specified levels.

The Credit Agreement imposes covenants that require the Partnership to maintain certain minimum working capital amounts, capital expenditure limits, a minimum EBITDA ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio.  The Partnership was in compliance with these covenants at March 31, 2008.

The Credit Agreement requires that in each calendar year, the outstanding amount under the working capital revolving credit facility must be equal to or less than $130.0 million for a period of ten consecutive calendar days.

The Credit Agreement limits distributions by the Partnership to its unitholders to the amount of the Partnership’s available cash and permits borrowings to fund such distributions only under the $15.0 million revolving credit facility.  The revolving credit facility is subject to an annual “clean-down” period, requiring the Partnership to reduce the amount outstanding under the revolving credit facility to $0 for 30 consecutive calendar days in each calendar year.

Note 6.       Employee Benefit Plan with Related Party

The General Partner employs substantially all of the Partnership’s employees and charges the Partnership for their services.  The Partnership also reimburses the General Partner for its contributions under the General Partner’s 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan and the General Partner’s qualified and non-qualified pension plans.  The Partnership’s net periodic benefit cost for its defined benefit pension plan consisted of the following components (in thousands):

10

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 7.       Related Party Transactions

The Partnership is a party to a Second Amended and Restated Terminal Storage Rental and Throughput Agreement with Global Petroleum Corp. (“GPC”), an affiliate of the Partnership, which extends through December 2013 with annual renewal options.  The agreement is accounted for as an operating lease.  The expenses under this agreement totaled approximately $2.1 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.

Pursuant to an Amended and Restated Services Agreement with GPC, GPC provides certain terminal operating management services to the Partnership and uses certain administrative, accounting and information processing services of the Partnership.  The expenses from these services totaled approximately $21,468 and $18,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  These charges were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.  The agreement is for an indefinite term, and either party may terminate its receipt of some or all of the services thereunder upon 180 days’ notice at any time after January 1, 2009.

Pursuant to the Partnership’s Amended and Restated Services Agreement with Alliance Energy Corp. (“Alliance”), the Partnership also provides certain administrative, accounting and information processing services, and the use of certain facilities, to Alliance, an affiliate of the Partnership that is 90% owned by members of the Slifka family.  The income from these services was approximately $216,504 and $132,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  These fees were recorded as an offset to selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.  The agreement is for an indefinite term, and Alliance may terminate its receipt of some or all of the services thereunder upon 180 days’ notice at any time after January 1, 2009.

The Partnership sells refined petroleum products to Alliance at prevailing market prices at the time of delivery.  Sales to Alliance were approximately $5.8 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007.

The General Partner employs substantially all of the Partnership’s employees and charges the Partnership for their services.  The expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, including payroll, payroll taxes and bonus accruals, were $7.7 million and $8.3 million, respectively.  The Partnership also reimburses the General Partner for its contributions under the General Partner’s 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan and the General Partner’s qualified and non-qualified pension plans.

The table below presents trade receivables with Alliance, receivables incurred in connection with the services agreements between Alliance and the Partnership and GPC and the Partnership, as the case may be, and receivables from the General Partner (in thousands):

(1)    Receivables from the General Partner reflect the Partnership’s prepayment of payroll taxes and payroll accruals to the General Partner.

11

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 8.       Cash Distributions

The Partnership intends to consider regular cash distributions to unitholders on a quarterly basis, although there is no assurance as to the future cash distributions since they are dependent upon future cash flows, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors.  The Credit Agreement prohibits the Partnership from making cash distributions if any potential default or event of default, as defined in the Credit Agreement, occurs or would result from the cash distribution.

Within 45 days after the end of each quarter, the Partnership will distribute all of its available cash (as defined in its partnership agreement) to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.  The amount of available cash is all cash on hand at the end of the quarter; plus all cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter; less the amount of cash reserves established by the General Partner to provide for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business, to comply with applicable law, any of the Partnership’s debt instruments, or other agreements or to provide funds for distributions to unitholders and to the General Partner for any one or more of the next four quarters.  Working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that are made under the Credit Agreement and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to partners.

The Partnership will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter during the subordination period as defined in its partnership agreement in the following manner: firstly, 98.27% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 1.73% to the General Partner, until the Partnership distributes for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; secondly, 98.27% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 1.73% to the General Partner, until the Partnership distributes for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units for any prior quarters during the subordination period; thirdly, 98.27% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 1.73% to the General Partner, until the Partnership distributes for each subordinated unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and thereafter, cash in excess of the minimum quarterly distributions is distributed to the unitholders and the General Partner based on the percentages as provided below.

As the holder of the incentive distribution rights, the General Partner is entitled to incentive distributions if the amount that the Partnership distributes with respect to any quarter exceeds specified target levels shown below:

The Partnership paid the following cash distribution during 2008 (in thousands, except per unit data):

(1)    This distribution of $0.4875 per unit resulted in the Partnership reaching its second target distribution for the fourth quarter of 2007.  As a result, the General Partner received this incentive distribution.

12

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 8.       Cash Distributions (continued)

In addition, on April 23, 2008, the board of directors of the General Partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.4875 per unit for the period from January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008 ($1.95 per unit on an annualized basis) to the Partnership’s common and subordinated unitholders of record as of the close of business May 6, 2008.  This distribution resulted in the Partnership reaching its second target distribution for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

Note 9.       Segment Reporting

The Partnership is a wholesale and commercial distributor of gasoline, distillates and residual oil whose business is organized within two operating segments, Wholesale and Commercial, based on the way the chief operating decision maker (CEO) manages the business and on the similarity of customers and expected long-term financial performance of each segment.  The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

In the Wholesale segment, the Partnership sells gasoline, home heating oil, diesel, kerosene and residual oil to unbranded retail gasoline stations and other resellers of transportation fuels, home heating oil retailers and wholesale distributors.  Generally, customers use their own vehicles or contract carriers to take delivery of the product at bulk terminals and inland storage facilities that the Partnership owns or controls or with which it has throughput arrangements.

The Commercial segment includes (1) sales and deliveries of unbranded gasoline, home heating oil, diesel, kerosene, residual oil and small amounts of natural gas to customers in the public sector and to large commercial and industrial customers, either through a competitive bidding process or through contracts of various terms, and (2) sales of custom blended distillates and residual oil delivered by barges or from a terminal dock.  Commercial segment customers include federal and state agencies, municipalities, large industrial companies, many autonomous authorities such as transportation authorities and water resource authorities, colleges and universities and a limited group of small utilities.  Unlike the Wholesale segment, in the Commercial segment, the Partnership generally arranges the delivery of the product to the customer’s designated location, typically hiring third-party common carriers to deliver the product.

The Partnership evaluates segment performance based on net product margins before allocations of corporate and indirect operating costs, depreciation, amortization (including non-cash charges) and interest.  Based on the way the CEO manages the business, it is not reasonably possible for the Partnership to allocate the components of operating costs and expenses between the reportable segments.  Additionally, due to the commingled nature and uses of the Partnership’s assets, it is not reasonably possible for the Partnership to allocate assets between the two segments.  There were no intersegment sales for any of the periods presented below.

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GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 9.       Segment Reporting (continued)

Summarized financial information for the Partnership’s reportable segments is presented in the table below (in thousands):

(1)    Net product margin is a non-GAAP financial measure used by management and external users of the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements to assess the Partnership’s business.  The table above reconciles net product margin on a combined basis to gross profit, a directly comparable GAAP measure.

A reconciliation of the totals reported for the reportable segments to the applicable line items in the consolidated financial statements is as follows (in thousands):

There were no foreign sales for the three months ended March 31 2008 and 2007.  The Partnership has no foreign assets.

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GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 10.     Investment in Equity Securities

The Partnership held an investment in NYMEX Holdings, Inc. which was accounted for under the provisions of SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.”  On March 6, 2007, the Partnership sold its investment in NYMEX Holdings, Inc. along with its NYMEX seats for approximately $15.3 million and realized a gain of approximately $14.1 million in the consolidated statement of income for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

Note 11.     Unitholders’ Equity

Private Placement

On March 13, 2007, the Partnership entered into a Class B Unit Purchase Agreement (the “Unit Purchase Agreement”) with Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company and funds managed by Tortoise Capital Advisors, LLC and Fiduciary Asset Management, LLC (the “Purchasers”) to sell $50.0 million of Class B units representing limited partner interests of the Partnership in a private placement (the “Private Placement”).  The Partnership issued and sold 1,785,715 Class B units to the Purchasers pursuant to the Unit Purchase Agreement on May 9, 2007.  The Class B units were convertible into common units on a one-for-one basis.

Class B Units Converted into Common Units

On May 9, 2007, the Partnership issued and sold to the Purchasers 1,785,715 Class B units representing limited partner interests of the Partnership in a private placement for $50.0 million.  After giving effect to a price reduction as discussed above, the purchase price for the Class B units was approximately $49.2 million, or $27.53 per unit.  On May 22, 2007, the Class B units converted into common units on one-for-one basis.

Note 12.     Environmental Liabilities

The Partnership currently owns or leases properties where refined petroleum products are being or have been handled.  These properties and the refined petroleum products handled thereon may be subject to federal and state environmental laws and regulations.  Under such laws and regulations, the Partnership could be required to remove or remediate containerized hazardous liquids or associated generated wastes (including wastes disposed of or abandoned by prior owners or operators), to clean up contaminated property arising from the release of liquids or wastes to the environment, including contaminated groundwater, or to implement best management practices to prevent future contamination.

The Partnership maintains insurance of various types with varying levels of coverage that it considers adequate under the circumstances to cover its operations and properties.  The insurance policies are subject to deductibles that the Partnership considers reasonable and not excessive.  In addition, the Partnership has entered into indemnification agreements with various sellers in conjunction with several of its acquisitions.  Allocation of environmental liability is an issue negotiated in connection with each of the Partnership’s acquisition transactions.  In each case, the Partnership makes an assessment of potential environmental liability exposure based on available information.  Based on that assessment and relevant economic and risk factors, the Partnership determines whether to, and the extent to which it will, assume liability for existing environmental conditions.

15

GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 12.     Environmental Liabilities (continued)

In connection with the November 2007 acquisition of ExxonMobil Oil Corporation’s (“ExxonMobil”)  Glenwood Landing and Inwood, New York terminals, the Partnership assumed certain environmental liabilities, including the remediation obligations under remedial action plans submitted by ExxonMobil to and approved by the NYDEC with respect to both terminals.  As a result, the Partnership recorded, on an undiscounted basis, total environmental liabilities of approximately $1.2 million of which $0.4 million was recorded as a current liability and $0.8 million was recorded as a long-term liability on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2008.  The remedial action plans submitted by ExxonMobil will be implemented by Global Companies LLC.  The Partnership does not believe that compliance with the terms thereof will result in material costs in excess of the environmental reserve or have a material impact on its operations.

In connection with the May 2007 acquisition of ExxonMobil’s Albany and Newburgh, New York and Burlington, Vermont terminals, the Partnership assumed certain environmental liabilities, including the remediation obligations under a proposed remedial action plan submitted by ExxonMobil to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (“NYDEC”) with respect to the Albany, New York terminal.  As a result, the Partnership recorded, on an undiscounted basis, total environmental liabilities of approximately $8.0 million, of which $0.5 million was recorded as a current liability and $7.5 million was recorded as a long-term liability on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2008.  NYDEC has reviewed the proposed remedial action plan submitted by ExxonMobil and provided comments to Global Companies LLC regarding the plan.  Global Companies LLC prepared a response to NYDEC’s comments.  Subject to NYDEC’s approval of the proposed remedial action plan, the Partnership does not believe that compliance with the terms thereof will result in material costs in excess of the environmental reserve or have a material impact on its operations.

In connection with the 2006 acquisition of its Macungie, Pennsylvania terminal (the “Global Macungie Terminal”), the Partnership assumed certain existing environmental liabilities at the terminal.  The Partnership did not accrue for these contingencies as it believes that the aggregate amount of these liabilities cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.  The Partnership also executed an Administrative Order on Consent (“AOC”) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III (“EPA, Region III”) requiring certain investigatory activities at the Global Macungie Terminal.  Although the Partnership cannot predict the outcome of the investigation of the Global Macungie Terminal, based upon current information, the Partnership does not anticipate that the outcome will have a material adverse effect on it.  Furthermore, the Partnership does not believe that compliance with the terms of the AOC executed by it will result in material costs or have a material impact on the Partnership’s operations.

The Partnership’s estimates used in these reserves are based on all known facts at the time and its assessment of the ultimate remedial action outcomes.  Among the many uncertainties that impact the Partnership’s estimates are the necessary regulatory approvals for, and potential modification of, its remediation plans, the amount of data available upon initial assessment of the impact of soil or water contamination, changes in costs associated with environmental remediation services and equipment and the possibility of existing legal claims giving rise to additional claims.  Therefore, although the Partnership believes that the reserve is adequate, no assurances can be made that any costs incurred in excess of this reserve or outside of indemnifications or not otherwise covered by insurance would not have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 13.     Long-Term Incentive Plan

In October 2005, the General Partner adopted a Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) whereby 564,242 common units were authorized for issuance.  The LTIP provides for awards to employees, consultants and directors of the General Partner and employees and consultants of affiliates of the Partnership who perform services for the Partnership.  The LTIP allows for the award of unit options, unit appreciation rights, restricted units, phantom units and distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”).

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GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 13.     Long-Term Incentive Plan (continued)

On August 14, 2007, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors of the General Partner granted awards of phantom units and associated DERs under the LTIP to certain employees and non-employee directors of the General Partner.  The phantom units granted will cliff vest on December 31, 2009 and become payable on a one-for-one basis in common units of the Partnership (or cash equivalent) upon the achievement of certain performance goals over the vesting period.  The DERs that were granted in tandem with the phantom units will vest and become payable in cash simultaneously with the vesting of the phantom units.  Any phantom units and associated DERs that have not vested as of the end of the cliff vesting period will be forfeited.  The Partnership currently intends and reasonably expects to issue and deliver the common units upon vesting.

SFAS No. 123(R) requires compensation cost for an award of share-based employee compensation classified as equity, as is the case of the Partnership’s award, to be recognized over the requisite service period.  The requisite service period for the Partnership is from August 14, 2007, the grant date, through December 31, 2009 (the “Requisite Service Period”).  The Partnership will recognize as compensation expense the value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest over the Requisite Service Period on a straight-line basis.  In accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), the Partnership estimated forfeitures at the time of grant.  Such estimates, which were based on the Partnership’s service and performance history, will be revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from estimates.

For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Partnership recorded compensation expense of approximately $0.2 million which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.  The total compensation cost related to the non-vested awards not yet recognized at March 31, 2008 is approximately $1.4 million and is expected to be recognized ratably over the remaining Requisite Service Period.  The Company recorded no unit-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as no other awards of any kind had been granted under the LTIP during that period.

Note 14.     Fair Value Measurements

On January 1, 2008, the Partnership adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”) for its financial assets and financial liabilities.  The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on the Partnership’s fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into the following three levels:

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GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 14.     Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The following table presents those financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2008 (in thousands):

Note 15.     Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157.  This statement defines fair value, establishes guidelines for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures regarding fair value measurements.  SFAS No. 157 applies only to fair value measurements currently required or permitted by other accounting standards and is expected to increase the consistency of those measurements.  In February 2008, the FASB deferred the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) until January 1, 2009.  The Partnership is in the process of evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 157 on its non-recurring fair value measurements.  The Partnership adopted SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008 for its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The partial adoption of SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities did not have a material impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.  See Note 14.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS No. 159”) which provides entities with an option to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently measured at fair value.  The election to use the fair value option is available when an entity first recognizes a financial asset or financial liability or upon entering into a firm commitment.  Subsequent changes in fair value must be recorded in earnings.  This statement also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.  The Partnership adopted SFAS No. 159 on January 1, 2008 and elected not to use the fair value option for its existing financial assets and liabilities and, therefore, the adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have any impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141(R)”) which retains the fundamental requirements of the original pronouncement requiring that the purchase method be used for all business combinations.  SFAS No. 141(R) defines the acquirer as the entity that obtains control of one or more businesses in the business combination, establishes the acquisition date as the date that the acquirer achieves control and requires the acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest at their fair values as of the acquisition date.  SFAS No. 141(R) also requires that acquisition-related costs be recognized separately from the acquisition.  SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.  The Partnership is in the process of evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 141(R) on its consolidated financial statements.

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GLOBAL PARTNERS LP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 15.     Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS No. 161”) which enhances the requirements under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities.”  SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivatives and hedging activities and how they affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.  SFAS No. 161 will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008.  The Partnership is in the process of evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 161 on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the Emerging Issues Task Force approved consensus on EITF Issue No. 07-04, “Application of the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128 to Master Limited Partnerships” (“EITF 07-04”) which specifies the treatment of earnings per unit calculations when incentive distributions rights exist in master limited partnerships.  Under EITF 07-04, when earnings exceed cash distributions, undistributed earnings are to be allocated to the general partner, limited partners and holders of the incentive distribution rights based on the distribution formula for available cash set forth in the partnership agreement.  Conversely, when cash distributions exceed earnings, net income (or loss) would be reduced (or increased) by distributions to the general partner, limited partners and holders of incentive distribution rights.  The excess of distributions over earnings would be allocated to the general partner and limited partners based on their respective sharing of losses set forth in the partnership agreement.  EITF 07-04 will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2008 and will be applied retrospectively.  The Partnership is in the process of evaluating the impact of EITF 07-04 on its computation of earnings per unit.

Note 16.     Subsequent Event

The board of directors of the General Partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.4875 per unit ($1.95 per unit on an annualized basis) for the period from January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008.  On May 15, 2008, the Partnership will pay this cash distribution to its common and subordinated unitholders of record as of the close of business May 6, 2008.

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Item 2.        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations of Global Partners LP should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements of Global Partners LP and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  These forward-looking statements are identified as any statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology including “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue” or other similar words.  Such statements may discuss future expectations for, or contain projections of, results of operations, financial condition or our ability to make distributions to unitholders or state other forward-looking information.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance.  Although we believe these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, statements made regarding future results are subject to a number of assumptions, uncertainties and risks, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause future results to be materially different from the results stated or implied in this document.  These risks and uncertainties include, among other things:

·     We may not have sufficient cash from operations to enable us to pay the minimum quarterly distribution following establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our general partner.

·     A significant decrease in demand for refined petroleum products in the areas served by our storage facilities would reduce our ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

·     Our sales of home heating oil and residual oil could be significantly reduced by conversions to natural gas which conversions could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

·     Warmer weather conditions could adversely affect our results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

·     Our risk management policies cannot eliminate all commodity risk.  In addition, any noncompliance with our risk management policies could result in significant financial losses.

·     We are exposed to trade credit risk in the ordinary course of our business activities.

·     Due to our lack of asset and geographic diversification, adverse developments in the terminals that we use or in our operating areas could reduce our ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

·     We are exposed to performance risk in our supply chain.

·     Our general partner and its affiliates have conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary duties, which may permit them to favor their own interests to the detriment of unitholders.

·     Unitholders have limited voting rights and are not entitled to elect our general partner or its directors or initially to remove our general partner without its consent, which could lower the trading price of our common units.

·     Unitholders may be required to pay taxes on their share of our income even if they do not receive any cash distributions from us.

Additional information about risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements is contained in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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All forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-Q and all subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.  The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, other than as required by law, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview

General

We own, control or have access to one of the largest terminal networks of refined petroleum products in the Northeast.  We are one of the largest wholesale distributors of gasoline, distillates (such as home heating oil, diesel and kerosene) and residual oil to wholesalers, retailers and commercial customers in the Northeast.  For the three months ended March 31, 2008, we sold approximately $2.7 billion of refined petroleum products and small amounts of natural gas.

We purchase our refined petroleum products primarily from domestic and foreign refiners (wholesalers), traders and producers and sell these products in two segments, Wholesale and Commercial.  Like most independent marketers of refined petroleum products, we base our pricing on spot physical prices and routinely use the NYMEX or derivatives to hedge our commodity risk inherent in buying and selling energy commodities.  Through the use of regulated exchanges or derivatives, we maintain a position that is substantially balanced between purchased volumes and sales volumes or future delivery obligations.  We earn a margin by selling the product for physical delivery to third parties.

Products and Operational Structure

Our products include gasoline, distillates and residual oil.  We sell gasoline to unbranded retail gasoline stations and other resellers of transportation fuels.  The distillates we sell are used primarily for fuel for trucks and off-road construction equipment and for space heating of residential and commercial buildings.  We sell residual oil to major housing units, such as public housing authorities, colleges and hospitals and large industrial facilities that use processed steam in their manufacturing processes.  In addition, we sell bunker fuel, which we can custom blend, to cruise ships, bulk carriers and fishing fleets.  We have increased our sales in the non-weather sensitive components of our business, such as transportation fuels; however, we are still subject to the impact that warmer weather conditions may have on our home heating oil and residual oil sales.

Our business is divided into two segments:

·     Wholesale.  This segment includes sales of gasoline, distillates and residual oil to unbranded retail gasoline stations and other resellers of transportation fuels, home heating oil retailers and wholesale distributors.

·     Commercial.  This segment includes sales and deliveries of unbranded gasoline, distillates, residual oil and small amounts of natural gas to customers in the public sector and to large commercial and industrial customers, primarily either through a competitive bidding process or through contracts of various terms.  This segment also purchases, custom blends, sells and delivers bunker fuel and diesel to cruise ships, bulk carriers and fishing fleets generally by barges.

Our business activities are substantially comprised of purchasing, storing, terminalling and selling refined petroleum products.  In a contango market (when product prices for future deliveries are higher than for current deliveries), we may use our storage capacity to improve our margins by storing products we have purchased at lower prices in the current market for delivery to customers at higher prices in the future.  In a backwardated market (when product prices for future deliveries are lower than current deliveries), we attempt to minimize our inventories to reduce commodity risk and maintain or increase net product margins.  See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for additional information related to commodity risk.

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Outlook

This section identifies certain risks and certain economic or industry-wide factors that may affect our financial performance and results of operations in the future, both in the short-term and in the long-term.  Our results of operations and financial condition depend, in part, upon the following:

·     We commit substantial resources to pursuing acquisitions, though there is no certainty that we will successfully complete any acquisitions or receive the economic results we anticipate from completed acquisitions.  Consistent with our business strategy, we are continuously engaged in discussions with potential sellers of terminalling, storage and/or marketing assets and related businesses.  In an effort to prudently and economically leverage our asset base, knowledge base and skill sets, management has also expanded its efforts to pursue businesses that are closely related to or significantly intertwined with our existing lines of business.  Our growth largely depends on our ability to make accretive acquisitions.  We may be unable to make such accretive acquisitions for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, the following:  (1) we are unable to identify attractive acquisition candidates or negotiate acceptable purchase contracts; (2) we are unable to raise financing for such acquisitions on economically acceptable terms; or (3) we are outbid by competitors.  In addition, we may consummate acquisitions that at the time of consummation we believe will be accretive, but that ultimately may not be accretive.  If any of these events were to occur, our future growth would be limited.  We can give no assurance that our current or future acquisition efforts will be successful or that any such acquisition will be completed on terms that are favorable to us.

·     Our financial results are generally better in the first and fourth quarters of the calendar year.  Demand for some refined petroleum products, specifically home heating oil and residual oil for space heating purposes, is generally higher during November through March than during April through October.  We obtain a significant portion of our sales during these winter months.  Therefore, our results of operations for the first and fourth calendar quarters are generally better than for the second and third quarters.  With lower cash flow during the second and third calendar quarters, we may be required to borrow money in order to maintain current levels of distributions to our unitholders.

·     Warmer weather conditions could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.  Weather conditions generally have an impact on the demand for both home heating oil and residual oil.  Because we supply distributors whose customers depend on home heating oil and residual oil for space heating purposes during the winter, warmer-than-normal temperatures during the first and fourth calendar quarters in the Northeast can decrease the total volume we sell and the gross profit realized on those sales.

·     Energy efficiency, new technology and alternative fuels could reduce demand for our products.  Increased conservation and technological advances have adversely affected the demand for home heating oil and residual oil.  Consumption of residual oil has steadily declined over the last three decades.  We could face additional competition from alternative energy sources as a result of future government-mandated controls or regulation further promoting the use of cleaner fuels.  End users who are dual-fuel users have the ability to switch between residual oil and natural gas.  Other end users may elect to convert to natural gas.  During a period of increasing residual oil prices relative to the prices of natural gas, dual-fuel customers may switch and other end users may convert to natural gas.  Residential users of home heating oil may also convert to natural gas.  Such switching or conversion could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

·     New, stricter environmental laws and regulations could significantly increase our costs, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.  Our operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regulating product quality specifications and other environmental matters.  The trend in environmental regulation is towards more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment.  Our business may be adversely affected by increased costs and liabilities resulting from such stricter laws and regulations.  We try to anticipate future regulatory requirements that might be imposed and plan accordingly to remain in compliance with changing environmental laws and regulations and to minimize the costs of such compliance.  However, there can be no assurances as to the timing and type of such changes in existing laws or the promulgation of new laws or the amount of any required expenditures associated therewith.

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Results of Operations

Evaluating Our Results of Operations

Our management uses a variety of financial and operational measurements to analyze our performance.  These measurements include: (1) net product margin, (2) gross profit, (3) selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”), (4) operating expenses, (5) heating degree days, (6) adjusted net income per diluted limited partner unit, (7) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), adjusted EBITDA and net income as adjusted for one-time gains and (8) distributable cash flow.

Net Product Margin

We view net product margin as an important performance measure of the core profitability of our operations.  We review net product margin monthly for consistency and trend analysis.  We define net product margin as our sales minus product costs.  Sales include sales of unbranded gasoline, distillates, residual oil and natural gas.  Product costs include the cost of acquiring the refined petroleum products and natural gas that we sell and all associated costs including shipping and handling costs to bring such products to the point of sale.  Net product margin is a non-GAAP financial measure used by management and external users of our consolidated financial statements to assess our business.  Net product margin should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flow from operations, or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, our net product margin may not be comparable to net product margin or a similarly titled measure of other companies.

Gross Profit

We define gross profit as our sales minus product costs and terminal depreciation expense allocated to cost of sales.  Sales include sales of unbranded gasoline, distillates, residual oil and natural gas.  Product costs include the cost of acquiring the refined petroleum products that we sell and all associated costs to bring such products to the point of sale.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Our SG&A expenses include marketing costs, corporate overhead, employee salaries and benefits, pension and 401(k) plan expenses, discretionary bonuses, non-interest financing costs, professional fees and information technology expenses.  Employee-related expenses including employee salaries, discretionary bonuses and related payroll taxes, benefits and pension and 401(k) plan expenses are paid by our general partner which, in turn, is reimbursed for these expenses by us.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses are costs associated with the operation of the terminals used in our business.  Lease payments and storage expenses, maintenance and repair, utilities, taxes, labor and labor-related expenses comprise the most significant portion of our operating expenses.  These expenses remain relatively stable independent of the volumes through our system but fluctuate slightly depending on the activities performed during a specific period.

Degree Day

A “degree day” is an industry measurement of temperature designed to evaluate energy demand and consumption.  Degree days are based on how far the average temperature departs from a human comfort level of 65°F.  Each degree of temperature above 65°F is counted as one cooling degree day, and each degree of temperature below 65°F is counted as one heating degree day.  Degree days are accumulated each day over the course of a year and can be compared to a monthly or a long-term (multi-year) average, or normal, to see if a month or a year was warmer or cooler than usual.  Degree days are officially observed by the National Weather Service and officially archived by the National Climatic Data Center.  For purposes of evaluating our results of operations, we use the normal heating degree day amount as reported by the National Weather Service at its Logan International Airport station in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Adjusted Net Income Per Diluted Limited Partner Unit

We use adjusted net income per diluted limited partner unit to measure our financial performance on a per-unit basis.  Adjusted net income per diluted limited partner unit is defined as net income after adding back the theoretical amount allocated to the general partner’s interest as provided under EITF 03-06, divided by the weighted average number of outstanding diluted common and subordinated units, or limited partner units, during the period.  Net income per diluted limited partner unit as dictated by EITF 03-06 is theoretical and pro forma in nature and does not reflect the economic probabilities of whether earnings for an accounting period would or could be distributed to unitholders.  The partnership agreement does not provide for the quarterly distribution of net income; rather, it provides for the distribution of available cash, which is a contractually defined term that generally means all cash on hand at the end of each quarter after establishment of sufficient cash reserves required to operate our business.  Accordingly, the distributions we historically paid and will pay in future periods are not impacted by net income per diluted limited partner unit as dictated by EITF 03-06.  Adjusted net income per diluted limited partner unit is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to net income per diluted limited partner unit or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, our adjusted net income per diluted limited partner unit may not be comparable to the adjusted net incomer per diluted limited partner unit or similarly titled measure of other companies.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Net Income as Adjusted for One-time Gains

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and net income as adjusted for one-time gains are used as supplemental financial measures by management and external users of our consolidated financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks and research analysts, to assess:

·     our compliance with certain financial covenants included in our debt agreements;

·     our financial performance without regard to financing methods, capital structure, income taxes or historical cost basis;

·     our ability to generate cash sufficient to pay interest on our indebtedness and to make distributions to our partners;

·     our operating performance and return on invested capital as compared to those of other companies in the wholesale marketing and distribution of refined petroleum products business, without regard to financing methods and capital structure; and

·     the viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects and the overall rates of return of alternative investment opportunities.

Adjusted EBITDA and net income as adjusted for one-time gains reflect the exclusion of the $14.1 million gain on investment in the first quarter of 2007 (see Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).  EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and net income as adjusted for one-time gains should not be considered alternatives to net income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.  EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and net income as adjusted for one-time gains exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income, and these measures may vary among other companies.  Therefore, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and net income as adjusted for one-time gains may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Distributable Cash Flow

Distributable cash flow is an important non-GAAP financial measure for our limited partners since it serves as an indicator of our success in providing a cash return on their investment.  Specifically, this financial measure indicates to investors whether or not we have generated sufficient cash flow on a current or historic level that can sustain or support an increase in our quarterly cash distribution.  Distributable cash flow is a quantitative standard used by the investment community with respect to publicly traded partnerships.  Distributable cash flow reflects the exclusion of the $14.1 million gain on investment in the first quarter of 2007 (see Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).  Distributable cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, cash flow from operations, or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with

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GAAP.  In addition, our distributable cash flow may not be comparable to distributable cash flow or similarly titled measure of other companies.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

In the first quarter of 2008, we experienced the following events which, we believe, led to a significant negative impact on our results of operations:

1.    Refined petroleum product prices continued to rise which we believe contributed to:

·     the conversion by end users to other products (primarily natural gas) from residual fuel and heating oil;

·     energy conservation; and

·     shifts to more fuel-efficient, hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles and changes in driving habits.

2.    Adverse market conditions in our markets, including volatility and backwardation, led to lower margins and intensified competition from other wholesalers.

3.    Temperatures for the first quarter of 2008 were warmer than normal and warmer than the first quarter of 2007.

4.    We had fewer fixed priced sales of heating oil in the first quarter of 2008 than in comparable prior periods.

5.    The opportunistic conversion of certain gasoline markets to ethanol put us in a temporarily disadvantaged competitive position while our terminal infrastructure was being converted.

6.    Temporary logistical supply issues related to rail capacity continued into the first quarter of 2008 which adversely affected the performance of our Burlington, Vermont facility.

During the first quarter ended March 31, 2008, we experienced higher sales volumes and higher revenues, primarily due to our 2007 acquisitions of five refined petroleum products terminals from ExxonMobil.  Refined petroleum product and natural gas prices rose during the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.  Specifically, prices for gasoline, heating oil, residual oil and natural gas increased 24%, 62%, 59% and 30%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2007.  Temperatures were 6% warmer than normal and 7% warmer than last year as measured by aggregate heating degree days.

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Key Performance Indicators

The following table provides a summary of some of the key performance indicators that may be used to assess our results of operations.  These comparisons are not necessarily indicative of future results (dollars and gallons in thousands, except per unit amounts):