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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K
Mark One
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
 
ý
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
 
OR
o
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 000-50056
  MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
05-0527861
State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
4200 Stone Road Kilgore, Texas  75662
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

903-983-6200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
_______________________
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Units representing limited partnership interests
 
NASDAQ Global Select Market
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes   o                      No ý
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o                         No ý
 
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 the past 90 days.
 Yes ý                         No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files).
 Yes ý                         No o
 



Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ý
 
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 definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company", and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company o
 
 
 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o                         No ý
 
As of June 30, 2018, 39,052,237 common units were outstanding.  The aggregate market value of the common units held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of such date approximated $454,540,329  based on the closing sale price on that date.  There were 39,049,181 of the registrant’s common units outstanding as of February 19, 2019 .
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:          None.
 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
PART I
 
Item 1.
Business
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Properties
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
 
 
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Our Common Equity, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
Item 9B.
Other Information
 
 
 
PART III
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14 .
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
 
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
 




i


PART I

Item 1.
Business

References in this annual report to "we," "ours," "us" or like terms when used in a historical context refer to the assets and operations of Martin Resource Management's business contributed to us in connection with our initial public offering on November 6, 2002. References in this annual report to "Martin Resource Management" refer to Martin Resource Management Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. References in this annual report to the "Partnership" refer to Martin Midstream Partners L.P. and its subsidiaries, unless the content otherwise requires. You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report. For more detailed information regarding the basis for presentation for the following information, you should read the notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

Forward-Looking Statements

This annual report on Form 10-K includes "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. Statements included in this annual report that are not historical facts (including any statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or economic performance, or assumptions or forecasts related thereto), are forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology including "forecast," "may," "believe," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue" or other similar words. These statements discuss future expectations, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other "forward-looking" information. We and our representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements that are also forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are made based upon management's current plans, expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting us and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.

Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements for a number of important reasons, including those discussed below in "Item 1A. Risk Factors - Risks Related to our Business."

Overview
 
We are a publicly traded limited partnership with a diverse set of operations focused primarily in the United States ("U.S.") Gulf Coast region. Our four primary business lines include:

Natural gas liquids transportation and distribution services and natural gas storage;

Terminalling and storage services for petroleum products and by-products, including the refining of naphthenic crude oil and the blending and packaging of finished lubricants;

Sulfur and sulfur-based products gathering, processing, marketing, manufacturing and distribution; and

Marine transportation services for petroleum products and by-products.

The petroleum products and by-products we collect, transport, store and market are produced primarily by major and independent oil and gas companies who often turn to third parties, such as us, for the transportation and disposition of these products. In addition to these major and independent oil and gas companies, our primary customers include independent refiners, large chemical companies, fertilizer manufacturers and other wholesale purchasers of these products. We operate primarily in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. This region is a major hub for petroleum refining, natural gas gathering and processing, and support services for the exploration and production industry.

We were formed in 2002 by Martin Resource Management, a privately-held company whose initial predecessor was incorporated in 1951 as a supplier of products and services to drilling rig contractors. Since then, Martin Resource Management has expanded its operations through acquisitions and internal expansion initiatives as its management identified

1


and capitalized on the needs of producers and purchasers of petroleum products and by-products and other bulk liquids. Martin Resource Management is an important supplier and customer of ours. As of December 31, 2018 , Martin Resource Management owned 15.7% of our total outstanding common limited partner units. Furthermore, Martin Resource Management controls Martin Midstream GP LLC ("MMGP"), our general partner, by virtue of its 51% voting interest in MMGP Holdings, LLC ("Holdings"), the sole member of MMGP. MMGP owns a 2% general partner interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights. Martin Resource Management directs our business operations through its ownership interests in and control of our general partner.

We entered into an omnibus agreement dated November 1, 2002, with Martin Resource Management (the "Omnibus Agreement") that governs, among other things, potential competition and indemnification obligations among the parties to the agreement, related party transactions, the provision of general administration and support services by Martin Resource Management and our use of certain of Martin Resource Management’s trade names and trademarks. Under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, the employees of Martin Resource Management are responsible for conducting our business and operating our assets.

Martin Resource Management has operated our business since 2002.  Martin Resource Management began operating our natural gas services business in the 1950s and our sulfur business in the 1960s. It began our marine transportation business in the late 1980s. It entered into our fertilizer and terminalling and storage businesses in the early 1990s. Over the last 10 years, Martin Resource Management has increased the size of our asset base through expansions and strategic acquisitions.

Primary Business Segments
 
Our primary business segments can be generally described as follows:
 
Terminalling and Storage.   We own or operate 19 marine shore-based terminal facilities and 14 specialty terminal facilities located primarily in the U.S. Gulf Coast region that provide storage, refining, blending, packaging, and handling services for producers and suppliers of petroleum products and by-products, including the refining of naphthenic crude oil and the blending and packaging of various grades and quantities of industrial, commercial, and automotive lubricants and greases. Our facilities and resources provide us with the ability to handle various products that require specialized treatment, such as molten sulfur and asphalt. We also provide land rental to oil and gas companies along with storage and handling services for lubricants and fuels. We provide these terminalling and storage services on a fee basis primarily under long-term contracts. A significant portion of the contracts in this segment provide for minimum fee arrangements that are not based on the volumes handled.

Natural Gas Services.   We distribute natural gas liquids ("NGLs"). We purchase NGLs primarily from refineries and natural gas processors. We store and transport NGLs for wholesale deliveries to refineries, industrial NGL users in Texas and the Southeastern U.S, and propane retailers. We own an NGL pipeline, which spans approximately 200 miles from Kilgore, Texas to Beaumont, Texas. We own approximately 2.4 million barrels of underground storage capacity for NGLs. Additionally, we own 100% of the interests in Cardinal Gas Storage Partners LLC ("Cardinal"), which is focused on the operation and management of natural gas storage facilities across northern Louisiana and Mississippi.

Sulfur Services.   We have developed an integrated system of transportation assets and facilities relating to sulfur services. We process and distribute sulfur produced by oil refineries primarily located in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. We buy and sell molten sulfur on contracts that are tied to sulfur indices and tend to provide stable margins. We process molten sulfur into prilled or pelletized sulfur at our facilities in Port of Stockton, California and Beaumont, Texas on contracts that often provide guaranteed minimum fees. The sulfur we process and handle is primarily used in the production of fertilizers and industrial chemicals. We own and operate five sulfur-based fertilizer production plants and one emulsified sulfur blending plant that manufactures primarily sulfur-based fertilizer products for wholesale distributors and industrial users. These plants are located in Texas and Illinois. Demand for our sulfur products exist in both the domestic and foreign markets, and our asset base provides additional opportunities to handle increases in U.S. supply and access to foreign demand.

Marine Transportation.   We operate a fleet of 31 inland marine tank barges, 17 inland push boats and one offshore tug and barge unit that transport petroleum products and by-products largely in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. We provide these transportation services on a fee basis primarily under annual contracts, and many of our customers have long standing contractual relationships with us. Our modernized asset base is attractive both to our existing customers as well as potential new customers. In addition, our fleet contains several vessels that reflect our focus on specialty products.

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Significant Recent Developments

Martin Transport Inc. Stock Purchase Agreement. On October 22, 2018, we entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with Martin Resource Management to acquire all of the issued and outstanding equity of Martin Transport, Inc. (“MTI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Martin Resource Management which operates a fleet of tank trucks providing transportation of petroleum products, liquid petroleum gas, chemicals, sulfur and other products, as well as owns twenty-three terminals located throughout the Gulf Coast and Midwest for total consideration of $135.0 million with a $10.0 million earn-out based on certain performance thresholds. Additionally, a post-closing working capital adjustment was finalized on January 28, 2019 which included additional consideration paid to Martin Resource Management of $2.2 million. The Stock Purchase Agreement contained customary representations and warranties. Martin Resource Management has owned and operated MTI or its predecessor for over 40 years and MTI is integral to our routine movements of sulfur and NGL’s. Based on operational estimates and current transportation market conditions, this drop-down from our general partner will provide strategic long-term growth for the Partnership. This transaction closed January 2, 2019 and was effective as of January 1, 2019. As of January 1, 2019, Martin Resource Management will no longer provide land transportation services.

Divestiture of WTLPG Partnership Interest. On July 31, 2018, we completed the sale of our 20 percent non-operating interest in West Texas LPG Pipeline L.P. ("WTLPG") to ONEOK, Inc. (“ONEOK”). WTLPG owns an approximate 2,300 mile common-carrier pipeline system that primarily transports NGLs from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu, Texas for fractionation. A wholly-owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc. is the operator of the assets. In consideration of the sale of these assets, we received cash proceeds of $195.0 million at closing, before transaction fees and expenses. The proceeds from the sale were used to reduce outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Credit Facility Amendment. On February 21, 2018, we amended our revolving credit facility in order to achieve two primary objectives, the first of which was to accommodate growth capital expenditures necessary for the previously announced WTLPG expansion project. Starting in the first quarter of 2018, the amendment provided short-term (5 quarters) covenant relief by increasing the total leverage ratio to 5.75 to 1.00 (first and second quarters of 2018) with step downs to 5.50 to 1.00 (third and fourth quarters of 2018 and first quarter of 2019) and to 5.25 to 1.00 beginning in the second quarter of 2019. Additionally, the facility was amended to establish an inventory financing sublimit tranche for borrowings related to our NGL (butane) marketing business, which is a part of and not in addition to the already existing commitments under the revolving credit facility. This sublimit is not to exceed $75.0 million, with seasonal step downs to $10.0 million for the months of March through June of each fiscal year. The sublimit is subject to a monthly borrowing base not to exceed 90% of the value of forward sold/hedged inventory. In conjunction with the sale of WTLPG on July 31, 2018, we amended our revolving credit facility which included, among other things, further revising our leverage covenants from the February 21, 2018 amendment (discussed in detail above).  Total Indebtedness to EBITDA and Senior Secured Indebtedness to EBITDA (each as defined in the credit agreement) was amended to 5.25 times and 3.50 times, respectively.  No changes were made to the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of 2.50 times.                                   

Subsequent Events

Quarterly Distribution. On January 17, 2019, we declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.50 per common unit for the fourth quarter of 2018, or $2.00 per common unit on an annualized basis, which will be paid on February 14, 2019 to unitholders of record as of February 7, 2019.

Our Growth Strategy

The key components of our growth strategy are:

Pursue Organic Growth Projects . We continually evaluate economically attractive organic expansion opportunities in existing areas of operation that will allow us to leverage our existing market position and increase the distributable cash flow from our existing assets through improved utilization and efficiency.

Pursue Internal Organic Growth by Attracting New Customers and Expanding Services Provided to Existing Customers . Opportunities exist to expand our customer base and provide additional services and products to existing customers. We generally begin a relationship with a customer by transporting, storing or marketing a limited range of products and services. Expanding our customer base and our service and product offerings to existing customers is an efficient and cost effective method of achieving organic growth in revenues and cash flow.


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Pursue Strategic Acquisitions . We continually monitor the marketplace to identify and pursue accretive acquisitions that expand the services and products we offer or that expand our geographic presence. After acquiring other businesses, we attempt to utilize our industry knowledge, network of customers and suppliers and strategic asset base to operate the acquired businesses more efficiently and competitively, thereby increasing revenues and cash flow. Our diversified base of operations provides multiple platforms for strategic growth through acquisitions.

Pursue Strategic Commercial Alliances . Many of our larger customers, which include major integrated energy companies, have established strategic alliances with midstream service providers such as us to address logistical and transportation problems or achieve operational synergies. We intend to pursue strategic commercial alliances with such customers in the future.

Competitive Strengths

Fee-Based Contracts . We generate a majority of our cash flow from fee-based contracts with our customers. A significant portion of the fee-based contracts consist of reservation charges or minimum fee arrangements, which reduce the volatility of our cash flows due to volume fluctuations.

Asset Base and Integrated Distribution Network . We operate a diversified asset base that enables us to offer our customers an integrated distribution network consisting of transportation, terminalling and storage and midstream logistical services for petroleum products and by-products.
Strategically Located Assets . A significant portion of our cash flow comes from providing various services to the oil refining industry.  Accordingly, a significant portion of our assets are located in proximity to refining operations along the U.S. Gulf Coast.  For example, we are one of the largest operators of marine service shore-based terminals in the U.S. Gulf Coast region providing broad geographic coverage and distribution capability of our products and services to our customers. Our natural gas storage and NGL distribution and storage assets are located in areas highly desirable for our customers. Finally, many of our sulfur services assets are strategically located to source sulfur from the largest refinery sources in the U.S.
Specialized Transportation Equipment and Storage Facilities . We have the assets and expertise to handle and transport certain petroleum products and by-products with unique requirements for transportation and storage. For example, we own facilities and resources to transport a variety of specialty products, including ammonia, molten sulfur and asphalt. Some of these specialty products require treatment across a wide range of temperatures ranging between approximately -30 to +400 degrees Fahrenheit to remain in liquid form, which our facilities are designed to accommodate. These capabilities help us enhance relationships with our customers by offering them services to handle their unique product requirements.
Strong Industry Reputation and Established Relationships with Suppliers and Customers . We have established a reputation in our industry as a reliable and cost-effective supplier of services to our customers and have a track record of safe, efficient operation of our facilities. Our management has also established long-term relationships with many of our suppliers and customers. We benefit from our management's reputation and track record and from these long-term relationships.
Experienced Management Team and Operational Expertise . Members of our executive management team and the heads of our principal business lines have a significant amount of experience in the industries in which we operate. Our management team has a successful track record of creating internal growth and completing acquisitions. Our management team's experience and familiarity with our industry and businesses are important assets that assist us in implementing our business strategies.

Terminalling and Storage Segment
 
Industry Overview.   The U.S. petroleum distribution system moves petroleum products and by-products from oil refineries and natural gas processing facilities to end users. This distribution system is comprised of a network of terminals,

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storage facilities, pipelines, tankers, barges, railcars and trucks. Terminals play a key role in moving these products throughout the distribution system by providing storage, blending and other ancillary services.
 
Although many large energy and chemical companies own terminalling and storage facilities, these companies also use third-party terminalling and storage services. Major energy and chemical companies typically have a strong demand for terminals owned by independent operators when such terminals are strategically located at or near key transportation links, such as deep-water ports. Major energy and chemical companies also need independent terminal storage when their owned storage facilities are inadequate, either because of lack of capacity, the nature of the stored material or specialized handling requirements.

The Gulf Coast region is a major hub for petroleum refining. Approximately 50% of U.S. refining capacity exists in this region. Growth in the refining and natural gas processing industries has increased the volume of petroleum products and by-products that are transported within the Gulf Coast region, which consequently has increased the need for terminalling and storage services.
 
The marine and offshore oil and gas exploration and production industries use terminal facilities in the Gulf Coast region as shore bases that provide them logistical support services as well as provide a broad range of products, including fuel oil, lubricants, chemicals and supplies. The demand for these types of terminals, services and products is driven primarily by offshore exploration, development and production in the Gulf of Mexico. Offshore activity is greatly influenced by current and projected prices of oil and natural gas.
 
Specialty Petroleum Terminals.   We own or operate 12 terminalling facilities providing storage, handling and transportation of various petroleum products and by-products. The locations and capabilities of our terminals are structured to complement our other businesses and reflect our strategy to provide a broad range of integrated services in the storage, handling and transportation of products. We developed our terminalling and storage assets by acquisition and upgrades of existing facilities as well as developing our own properties strategically located near rail, waterways and pipelines. We anticipate further expansion of our terminalling facilities through both acquisition and organic growth.

At the Neches and Stanolind terminals, our customers are primarily energy or petrochemical companies. We charge either a fixed monthly fee or a throughput fee for the use of our facilities based on the capacity of the applicable tank. We conduct a substantial portion of our terminalling and storage operations under long-term contracts, which enhances the stability and predictability of our operations and cash flow. We attempt to balance our short-term and long-term terminalling contracts in order to allow us to maintain a consistent level of cash flow while maintaining flexibility to earn higher storage revenues when demand for storage space increases. In addition, a significant portion of the contracts for our specialty terminals provide for minimum fee arrangements that are not based on the volume handled.

In Smackover, Arkansas, we own a refinery and terminal where we process crude oil into finished products that include naphthenic lubricants, distillates, asphalt and other intermediates.  This process is dedicated to an affiliate of Martin Resource Management through a long-term tolling agreement based on throughput rates and a monthly reservation fee.

In Smackover, Arkansas, we own and operate a terminal used for lubricant blending, processing, packaging, marketing and distribution. This terminal is used as our central hub for branded and private label packaged lubricants where we receive, package and ship heavy-duty, passenger car, and industrial lubricants to a network of retailers and distributors.

In Kansas City, Missouri, we lease and operate a plant that specializes in the processing and packaging of automotive, commercial and industrial greases.

In Houston, Texas, we own and operate a plant that specializes in the processing and packaging of post tension greases.

In Hondo, Texas, we own an asphalt terminal whose use is dedicated to an affiliate of Martin Resource Management through a terminalling service agreement based on throughput rates.

In South Houston, Texas, we own an asphalt terminal whose use is dedicated to an affiliate of Martin Resource Management through a terminalling service agreement based on throughput rates.

In Port Neches, Texas, we own an asphalt terminal whose use is dedicated to an affiliate of Martin Resource Management through a terminalling service agreement based upon throughput rates.


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In Omaha, Nebraska, we own an asphalt terminal whose use is dedicated to an affiliate of Martin Resource Management through a terminalling service agreement based on throughput rates.

In Beaumont, Texas we own a terminal where we receive natural gasoline via pipeline and then ship the product to our customers via other pipelines to which the facility is connected, referred to as the "Spindletop Terminal."  Our fees for the use of this facility are based on the volume of barrels shipped from the terminal.

The following is a summary description of our shore-based specialty terminals:
Terminal
 
Location
 
Aggregate Capacity (in barrels)
 
Products
 
Description
Tampa (1)
 
Tampa, Florida
 
719,000
 
Asphalt and fuel oil
 
Marine terminal, loading/unloading for vessels, barges, railcars and trucks
Stanolind
 
Beaumont, Texas
 
593,000
 
Asphalt, crude oil, sulfur, sulfuric acid and fuel oil
 
Marine terminal, marine dock for loading/unloading of vessels, barges, railcars and trucks
Neches (2)
 
Beaumont, Texas
 
548,000
 
Molten sulfur, formed sulfur, ammonia, asphalt, fuel oil, crude oil and sulfur-based fertilizer
 
Marine terminal, loading/unloading for vessels, barges, railcars and trucks
 
(1)
This terminal is located on land owned by the Tampa Port Authority that was leased to us under a 10-year lease that expires in December 2021. This lease may be extended at the option of the tenant for one option period of five years.

(2)
The Neches terminal is a deep water marine terminal located near Beaumont, Texas, on approximately 50 acres of land owned by us, and an additional 96 acres leased to us under terms of a 20-year lease commencing May 1, 2014 with three five-year options.

The following is a summary description of our non shore-based specialty terminals:
Terminal
 
Location
 
Aggregate Capacity
 
Products
 
Description
Smackover Refinery
 
Smackover, Arkansas
 
7,700 barrels per day; 275,000 barrels of crude bulk storage; 647,000 barrels of lubricant storage
 
Naphthenic lubricants, distillates, asphalt, crude oil
 
Crude refining facility
Martin Lubricants
 
Smackover, Arkansas
 
3.9 million gallons bulk storage
 
Agricultural, automotive, and industrial lubricants and grease
 
Lubricants packaging facility
Martin Lubricants (1)
 
Kansas City, Missouri
 
0.2 million gallons of bulk storage
 
Automotive, commercial and industrial greases
 
Grease manufacturing and packaging facility
Martin Lubricants
 
Houston, Texas
 
0.2 million gallons of bulk storage
 
Post tension greases
 
Grease manufacturing and packaging facility
Hondo Asphalt
 
Hondo, Texas
 
182,000 barrels
 
Asphalt
 
Asphalt processing and storage
South Houston Asphalt
 
Houston, Texas
 
95,000 barrels
 
Asphalt
 
Asphalt processing and storage
Port Neches Asphalt
 
Port Neches, Texas
 
24,000 barrels
 
Asphalt
 
Asphalt processing and storage
Omaha Asphalt
 
Omaha, Nebraska
 
112,000 barrels
 
Asphalt
 
Asphalt processing and storage
Spindletop
 
Beaumont, Texas
 
90,000 barrels
 
Natural gasoline
 
Pipeline receipts and shipments

(1)
This terminal contains a warehouse owned by third parties and leased under a lease that expires in December 2020 and can be extended by us for two successive five-year periods.

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Marine Shore-Based Terminals.   We own or operate 19 marine shore-based terminals along the Gulf Coast from Theodore, Alabama to Corpus Christi, Texas.   Our terminalling assets are located at strategic distribution points for the products we handle and are in close proximity to our customers. We are one of the largest operators of marine shore-based terminals in the Gulf Coast region. These terminals are used to distribute and market fuel and lubricants. Additionally, full service terminals also provide shore bases for companies that are operating in the offshore exploration and production industry. Customers are primarily oil and gas exploration and production companies and oilfield service companies, such as drilling fluid companies, marine transportation companies and offshore construction companies. Shore bases typically provide logistical support, including the storing and handling of tubular goods, loading and unloading bulk materials, providing facilities from which major and independent oil companies can communicate with and control offshore operations and leasing dockside facilities to companies which provide complementary products and services such as drilling fluids and cementing services. We generate revenues from our terminals that have shore bases by fees that we charge our customers under land rental contracts for the use of our terminal facility for these shore bases. These contracts generally provide us a fixed land rental fee and additional rental fees that are determined based on a percentage of the sales value of the products and services delivered from the shore base. In addition, Martin Resource Management, through terminalling service agreements, pays us for terminalling and storage of fuels and lubricants at these terminal facilities and includes a provision for minimum volume throughput requirements.
 
Our marine shore-based terminals are divided into two classes of terminals: (i) full service terminals and (ii) fuel and lubricant terminals.
 
Full Service Terminals.   We own or operate 6 full service terminals. These facilities provide logistical support services and storage and handling services for fuel and lubricants.  The significant difference between our full service terminals and our fuel and lubricant terminals is that our full service terminals generate additional revenues by providing shore bases to support our customer’s operating activities related to the offshore exploration and production industry. One typical use for our shore bases is for drilling fluids manufacturers to manufacture and sell drilling fluids to the offshore drilling industry. Offshore drilling companies may also set up service facilities at these terminals to support their offshore operations. Customers of our full service terminals are primarily oil and gas exploration and production companies, oilfield service companies such as drilling fluids companies, marine transportation companies and offshore construction companies.
 
The following is a summary description of our full service terminals:
Terminal
 
Location
 
Aggregate   Capacity (barrels)
 
End of Lease (Including Options)
Amelia
 
Amelia, Louisiana
 
13,000
 
August 2023
Fourchon 15
 
Fourchon, Louisiana
 
7,600
 
February 2047
Harbor Island (1)
 
Harbor Island, Texas
 
6,800
 
December 2039
Intracoastal City 2 (2)
 
Intracoastal City, Louisiana
 
17,700
 
December 2025
Pelican Island
 
Galveston, Texas
 
87,600
 
Own
Theodore
 
Theodore, Alabama
 
19,900
 
Own

(1)
A portion of this terminal is owned.
(2)
This terminal is currently in caretaker status.

Fuel and Lubricant Terminals.   We own or operate 13 lubricant and fuel terminals located in the Gulf Coast region that provide storage and handling services for lubricants and fuel oil.
 

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The following is a summary description of our fuel and lubricant terminals at:
Terminal
 
Location
 
Aggregate   Capacity (barrels)
 
End of Lease (Including Options)
Dulac (1)
 
Dulac, Louisiana
 
15,400
 
December 2041
Dock 193 (3)
 
Gueydan, Louisiana
 
11,000
 
May 2020
Fourchon
 
Fourchon, Louisiana
 
80,900
 
May 2027
Fourchon 16
 
Fourchon, Louisiana
 
16,400
 
July 2048
Galveston T (2)
 
Galveston, Texas
 
1,400
 
Own
Intracoastal City (2)
 
Intracoastal City, Louisiana
 
 
Own
Jennings Bulk Plant
 
Jennings, Louisiana
 
9,100
 
Own
Channelview
 
Houston, Texas
 
39,800
 
Own
Lake Charles T
 
Lake Charles, Louisiana
 
1,000
 
April 2023
Pascagoula (2)
 
Pascagoula, Mississippi
 
10,100
 
Own
Port Arthur
 
Port Arthur, Texas
 
16,300
 
November 2025
Port O'Connor (1)
 
Port O'Connor, Texas
 
6,700
 
March 2028
Sabine Pass (2)
 
Sabine Pass, Texas
 
16,700
 
September 2036

(1)
This terminal is currently in caretaker status and the lease will not be renewed at the end of the current option.
(2)
These terminals are currently in caretaker status.
(3)
A portion of this terminal is owned.

Competition.   We compete with independent terminal operators and major energy and chemical companies that own their own terminalling and storage facilities. Many customers prefer to contract with independent terminal operators rather than terminal operators owned by integrated energy and chemical companies that may have refining or marketing interests that compete with the customers.

Independent terminal owners generally compete on the basis of the location and versatility of terminals, service and price. A favorably located terminal has access to various cost effective transportation modes, both to and from the terminal, such as waterways, railroads, roadways and pipelines. Terminal versatility depends upon the operator’s ability to handle diverse products, some of which have complex or specialized handling and storage requirements. The service function of a terminal includes, among other things, the safe storage of product at specified temperature, moisture and other conditions and receiving and delivering product to and from the terminal. All of these services must be in compliance with applicable environmental and other regulations.

We successfully compete for terminal customers because of the strategic location of our terminals along the Gulf Coast, our integrated transportation services, our reputation, the prices we charge for our services and the quality and versatility of our services. Additionally, while some companies have significantly more terminalling and storage capacity than us, not all terminalling and storage facilities located in the markets we serve are equipped to properly handle specialty products such as asphalt, sulfur and anhydrous ammonia.

The principal competitive factors affecting our terminals, which provide fuel and lubricants distribution and marketing, as well as shore bases at certain terminals, are the locations of the facilities, availability of competing logistical support services and the experience of personnel and dependability of service. The distribution and marketing of our lubricant products is brand sensitive and we encounter brand loyalty competition. Shore base rental contracts are generally long-term contracts and provide more protection from competition. Our primary competitors for both lubricants and shore bases include several independent operators as well as major companies that maintain their own similarly equipped marine terminals, shore bases and fuel and lubricant supply sources.

Natural Gas Services Segment
 
Industry Overview.   NGLs are produced through natural gas processing and as a by-product of crude oil refining. NGLs include ethane, propane, normal butane, iso butane and natural gasoline.

Ethane is almost entirely used as a petrochemical feedstock in the production of ethylene and propylene.  Propane is used as a petrochemical feedstock in the production of ethylene and propylene, as a fuel for heating, for industrial applications, as motor fuel and as a refrigerant.  Normal butane is used as a petrochemical feedstock, as a blend stock for motor gasoline and as a component in aerosol propellants.  Normal butane can also be made into iso butane through isomerization.  Iso butane is used in the production of motor gasoline, alkylation and as a component in aerosol propellants.  Natural gasoline is used as a component of motor gasoline, as a petrochemical feedstock and as a diluent.

Facilities.   We purchase NGLs primarily from major domestic oil refiners and natural gas processors.  We transport NGLs using MTI’s land transportation fleet or by contracting with common carriers, owner-operators and railroad tank cars. We typically enter into annual contracts with independent retail propane distributors to deliver their estimated annual volume requirements based on prevailing market prices. Dependable delivery is very important to these customers and in some cases may be more important than price. We ensure adequate supply of NGLs through:

storage of NGLs ;

efficient use of railroad tank cars

the transportation fleet of vehicles owned by MTI; and

product management expertise to obtain supplies when needed.

The following is a summary description of our owned NGL facilities:
NGL Facility 
 
Location                         
 
Capacity                   
 
Description                           
Wholesale terminals
 
Arcadia, Louisiana
 
2,400,000 barrels
 
Underground storage
Retail terminals
 
Kilgore, Texas
 
90,000 gallons
 
Retail propane distribution
 
 
Longview, Texas
 
30,000 gallons
 
Retail propane distribution
 
 
Henderson, Texas
 
12,000 gallons
 
Retail propane distribution
Rail terminal
 
Arcadia, Louisiana
 
24 railcars per day
 
NGL railcar loading and unloading capabilities

In addition to the owned NGL facilities above, we lease underground storage capacity at four locations under short-term lease agreements.

Our NGL customers consist of refiners, industrial processors and retail propane distributors. The majority of our NGL volumes are sold to refiners and industrial processors.

Seasonality.   The level of NGL supply and demand is subject to changes in domestic production, weather, inventory levels and other factors. While production is not seasonal, residential, refinery, and wholesale demand is highly seasonal. This imbalance causes increases in inventories during summer months when consumption is low and decreases in inventories during winter months when consumption is high. In September, demand for normal butane typically increases with refineries entering

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the winter gasoline-blending season, resulting in upward pressure on prices. Abnormally cold weather can put extra upward pressure on propane prices during the winter.

Competition.   We compete with large integrated NGL producers and marketers, as well as small local independent marketers. The primary components of competition related to our natural gas storage operations are location, rates, terms and flexibility of service and supply. Our natural gas storage facilities compete with other storage providers and increased competition could result from newly developed storage facilities or expanded capacity from existing competitors.

Natural Gas Storage

Natural gas storage facilities provide a staging and warehousing function for seasonal swings in demand relative to supply, as well as an essential reliability cushion against disruptions in natural gas supply, demand and transportation by allowing natural gas to be injected into, withdrawn from or warehoused in such storage facilities as dictated by market conditions. The long term demand for storage services in the U.S. is driven primarily by the long-term demand for natural gas and the overall lack of balance between the supply of and demand for natural gas on a seasonal, monthly, daily or other basis. In general and on a long-term basis, to the extent the overall demand for natural gas increases and such growth includes higher demand from seasonal or weather-sensitive end-users (such as gas-fired power generators and residential and commercial consumers), demand for natural gas storage services should also grow. In addition, any factors that contribute to more frequent and severe imbalances between the supply of and demand for natural gas, whether caused by supply or demand fluctuations, should increase the need for and the value of storage services. On a short term basis, storage demand and values are also significantly influenced by operational imbalances, near term seasonal spreads, shorter term spreads and basis differentials.

We own 100% of the interests in Cardinal, which is focused on the operation and management of natural gas storage facilities across northern Louisiana and Mississippi.

Cardinal facilities are summarized below:
Facility Name / Location
 
Facility Type
 
Working Storage Capacity
 
Percent of Capacity Contracted (1)
 
Weighted Average Life of Remaining Contract Term
Arcadia Gas Storage, LLC Bienville Parish, Louisiana
 
Salt dome
 
15.25 billion cubic feet (bcf)
 
100%
 
2.2 years
Cadeville Gas Storage, LLC Ouachita Parish, Louisiana
 
Depleted reservoir
 
17.0 bcf
 
100%
 
4.4 years
Perryville Gas Storage, LLC Franklin Parish, Louisiana
 
Salt dome
 
11.85 bcf
 
74%
 
2.2 years
Monroe Gas Storage Company, LLC Monroe County, Mississippi
 
Depleted reservoir
 
6.7 bcf
 
100%
 
3.0 years

(1) Contracted capacity refers specifically to firm contracted capacity.

These facilities were developed to provide producers, end users, local distribution companies, pipelines and energy marketers with high-deliverability storage services and hub services.
    
Sulfur Services Segment
 
Industry Overview.   Sulfur is a natural element and is required to produce a variety of industrial products. In the U.S., approximately 9 million tons of sulfur are consumed annually with the Tampa, Florida area being the largest single market. Currently, all sulfur produced in the U.S. is "recovered sulfur," or sulfur that is a by-product from oil refineries and natural gas processing plants.  Sulfur production in the U.S. is principally located along the Gulf Coast, along major inland waterways and in some areas of the western U.S.
 
Sulfur is an important plant nutrient and is primarily used in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers and other industrial purposes. The primary application of sulfur in fertilizers occurs in the form of sulfuric acid. Burning sulfur creates sulfur dioxide, which is subsequently oxidized and dissolved in water to create sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid is then combined with phosphate rock to make phosphoric acid, the base material for most high-grade phosphate fertilizers.
 

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Sulfur-based fertilizers are manufactured chemicals containing nutrients known to improve the fertility of soils. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur are the four most important nutrients for crop growth.  These nutrients are found naturally in soils. However, soils used for agriculture become depleted of nutrients and require fertilizers rich in nutrients to restore fertility.
 
Industrial sulfur products (including sulfuric acid) are used in a wide variety of industries. For example, these products are used in power plants, paper mills, auto and tire manufacturing plants, food processing plants, road construction, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
 
Our Operations and Products.   We maintain an integrated system of transportation assets and facilities relating to our sulfur services.  We gather molten sulfur from refiners, primarily located on the Gulf Coast. We transport sulfur by inland and offshore barges, railcars and trucks.  In the U.S., recovered sulfur is mainly kept in liquid form from production to usage at a temperature of approximately 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of the temperature requirement, the sulfur industry uses specialized equipment to store and transport molten sulfur. We have the necessary assets and expertise to handle the unique requirements for transportation and storage of molten sulfur.
 
Terms for our standard purchase and sales contracts typically range from one to two years in length with prices that are usually tied to a published market indicator and fluctuate according to the price movement of the indicator. We also provide barge transportation and tank storage services to large producers and consumers of sulfur under contracts with remaining terms from one to five years in duration.
 
We operate sulfur forming assets in the Port of Stockton, California and Beaumont, Texas, which are used to convert molten sulfur into solid form (prills/granules). The Stockton facility is equipped with one wet prill unit capable of processing 1,000 metric tons of molten sulfur per day. The Beaumont facility is equipped with two wet prill units and one granulation unit capable of processing a combined 5,500 metric tons of molten sulfur per day. Formed sulfur at both facilities is stored in bulk until sold into local or international agricultural markets. Our forming services contracts are fee based and typically include minimum fee guarantees.

Our sulfuric acid production facility at our Plainview, Texas location processes molten sulfur to produce a dedicated supply of raw material sulfuric acid to our ammonium sulfate production plant.  The ammonium sulfate plant produces approximately 400 tons per day of quality ammonium sulfate and is marketed to our customers throughout the U.S.  The sulfuric acid produced and not consumed by the captive ammonium sulfate production is sold to third parties.

Fertilizer and related sulfur products are a natural extension of our molten sulfur business because of our access to sulfur and our distribution capabilities. 
 
In the U.S., fertilizer is generally sold to farmers through local dealers.  These dealers are typically owned and supplied by much larger wholesale distributors. We sell to these wholesale distributors.  Our industrial sulfur products are marketed primarily in the southern U.S., where many paper manufacturers and power plants are located.  Our products are sold in accordance with price lists that vary from state to state. These price lists are updated periodically to reflect changes in seasonal or competitive prices.  We transport our fertilizer and industrial sulfur products to our customers using third-party common carriers.  We utilize barge and rail shipments for large volume and long distance shipments where available.
 
We manufacture and market the following sulfur-based fertilizer and related sulfur products:
 
Plant nutrient sulfur products.  We produce plant nutrient and agricultural ground sulfur products at our facilities in Odessa, Texas, Seneca, Illinois and Cactus, Texas. Our plant nutrient sulfur product is a 90% degradable sulfur product marketed under the Disper-Sul® trade name and sold throughout the U.S. to direct application agricultural markets.

Ammonium sulfate products.  We produce various grades of ammonium sulfate including granular, coarse, standard, and 40% ammonium sulfate solution.  These products primarily serve direct application agricultural markets. We package these custom grade products under both proprietary and private labels and sell them to major retail distributors and other retail customers.

Industrial sulfur products.  We produce industrial sulfur products such as elemental pastille sulfur, industrial ground sulfur products, and emulsified sulfur. We produce elemental pastille sulfur at our Odessa, Texas and Seneca, Illinois facilities. Elemental pastille sulfur is used to increase the efficiency of the coal-fired precipitators in the power industry. These industrial ground sulfur products are also used in a variety of dusting and wettable

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sulfur applications such as rubber manufacturing, fungicides, sugar and animal feeds. We produce emulsified sulfur at our Nash, Texas facility. Emulsified sulfur is primarily used to control the sulfur content in the pulp and paper manufacturing processes.

Liquid sulfur products.  We produce ammonium thiosulfate at our Neches terminal facility in Beaumont, Texas. This agricultural sulfur product is a clear liquid containing 12% nitrogen and 26% sulfur. This product serves as a liquid plant nutrient used directly through spray rigs or irrigation systems. It is also blended with other nitrogen phosphorus potassium liquids or suspensions as well. Our market is predominantly the Mid-South U.S. and Coastal Bend area of Texas.

Our Sulfur Services Facilities. We own 26 railcars and lease 42 railcars equipped to transport molten sulfur. We own the following marine assets and use them to transport molten sulfur between U.S. Gulf Coast storage terminals (including our terminal in Beaumont, Texas) under third-party marine transportation agreements:
Asset                   
 
Class of Equipment 
 
Capacity/Horsepower
 
Products Transported
Margaret Sue
 
Offshore tank barge
 
10,500 long tons
 
Molten sulfur
M/V Martin Explorer
 
Offshore tugboat
 
7,130 horsepower
 
N/A
M/V Martin Express
 
Inland push boat
 
1,200 horsepower
 
N/A
MGM 101
 
Inland tank barge
 
2,500 long tons
 
Molten sulfur
MGM 102
 
Inland tank barge
 
2,500 long tons
 
Molten sulfur
 
We operate the following sulfur forming facilities as part of our sulfur services business: 
Terminal 
 
Location
 
Daily Production Capacity
 
Products Stored
Neches
 
Beaumont, Texas
 
5,500 metric tons per day
 
Molten, prilled and granulated sulfur
Stockton
 
Stockton, California
 
1,000 metric tons per day
 
Molten and prilled sulfur

We lease 132 railcars to transport our fertilizer products.  We own the following manufacturing plants as part of our sulfur services business:
Facility 
 
Location                     
 
Annual Capacity                   
 
Description                              
Fertilizer plant
 
Plainview, Texas
 
150,000 tons
 
Fertilizer production
Fertilizer plant
 
Beaumont, Texas
 
110,000 tons
 
Liquid sulfur fertilizer production
Fertilizer plants
 
Odessa, Texas
 
35,000 tons
 
Dry sulfur fertilizer production
Fertilizer plant
 
Seneca, Illinois
 
36,000 tons
 
Dry sulfur fertilizer production
Fertilizer plant
 
Cactus, Texas
 
20,000 tons
 
Dry sulfur fertilizer production
Industrial sulfur plant
 
Nash, Texas
 
18,000 tons
 
Emulsified sulfur production
Sulfuric acid plant
 
Plainview, Texas
 
150,000 tons
 
Sulfuric acid production
 
Competition.   The Martin Explorer/Margaret Sue articulated barge unit is one of four vessels currently used to transport molten sulfur between U.S. ports on the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa, Florida. Phosphate fertilizer manufacturers consume a majority of the sulfur produced in the U.S., which they purchase directly from both producers and resellers. As a reseller, we compete against producers and other resellers capable of accessing the required transportation and storage assets. Our sulfur-based fertilizer products compete with several large fertilizer and sulfur product manufacturers.  However, the close proximity of our manufacturing plants to our customer base is a competitive advantage for us in the markets we serve and allows us to minimize freight costs and respond quickly to customer requests. Our sulfuric acid products compete with regional producers and importers in the South and Southwest portion of the U.S. from Louisiana to California.  
 
Seasonality.   Sales of our agricultural fertilizer products are partly seasonal as a result of increased demand during the growing season.


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Marine Transportation Segment
 
Industry Overview.   The inland waterway system is composed of a network of interconnected rivers and canals that serve as water highways and is used to transport vast quantities of products annually. This waterway system extends approximately 26,000 miles, of which 12,000 miles are generally considered significant for domestic commerce.
 
The Gulf Coast region is a major hub for petroleum refining. The petroleum refining process generates products and by-products that require transportation in large quantities from the refinery or processor. Convenient access to and use of this waterway system by the petroleum and petrochemical industry is a major reason for the current location of U.S. refineries and petrochemical facilities. The marine transportation industry uses push boats and tugboats as power sources and tank barges for freight capacity. The combination of the power source and tank barge freight capacity is called a tow.
 
Marine Fleet.   We utilize a fleet of inland and offshore tows that provide marine transportation of petroleum products and by-products produced in oil refining and natural gas processing. Our marine transportation business operates coastwise along the Gulf of Mexico and East Coast and on the U.S. inland waterway system, primarily between domestic ports along the Gulf of Mexico, Intracoastal Waterway, the Mississippi River system and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway system. Our inland tows generally consist of one push boat and one to three tank barges, depending upon the horsepower of the push boat, the river or canal capacity and conditions, and customer requirements. Our offshore tow consists of one tugboat, with much greater horsepower than an inland push boat, and one large tank barge. We transport asphalt, fuel oil, gasoline, sulfur and other bulk liquids.
 
The following is a summary description of the marine vessels we use in our marine transportation business (excluding equipment classified as Assets Held for Sale):
Class of Equipment 
 
Number in Class 
 
Capacity/Horsepower 
 
Description of Products Carried 
Inland tank barges
 
7
 
Under 20,000 barrels
 
Asphalt, crude oil, fuel oil, gasoline and sulfur
Inland tank barges
 
24
 
20,000 - 31,000 barrels
 
Asphalt, crude oil, fuel oil and gasoline
Inland push boats
 
17
 
800 - 2,650 horsepower
 
N/A
Offshore tank barge
 
1
 
59,000 barrels
 
Diesel fuel
Offshore tugboat
 
1
 
5,100 horsepower
 
N/A

Our largest marine transportation customers include major and independent oil and gas refining companies, petroleum marketing companies and Martin Resource Management. We conduct our marine transportation services on a fee basis primarily under spot contracts.
 
We are a party to a marine transportation agreement under which we provide marine transportation services to Martin Resource Management on a spot contract basis at applicable market rates.  Effective each January 1, this agreement automatically renews for consecutive one-year periods unless either party terminates the agreement by giving written notice to the other party at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable term.
 
Competition.   We compete primarily with other marine transportation companies. Competition in this industry has historically been based primarily on price. However, customers are placing an increased emphasis on the age of equipment, safety, environmental compliance, quality of service and the availability of a single source of supply of services.
 
In addition to competitors that provide marine transportation services, we also compete with providers of other modes of transportation, such as rail, trucks and, to a lesser extent, pipelines. For example, a typical two inland barge unit carries a volume of product equal to approximately 80 railcars or 250 tanker trucks. Pipelines generally provide a less expensive form of transportation than marine transportation. However, pipelines are not able to transport most of the products we transport and are generally a less flexible form of transportation because they are limited to the fixed point-to-point distribution of commodities in high volumes over extended periods of time.


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Our Relationship with Martin Resource Management
 
Martin Resource Management is engaged in the following principal business activities:
 
providing land transportation of various liquids using a fleet of trucks and road vehicles and road trailers (the Partnership acquired MTI effective January 1, 2019);

distributing fuel oil, asphalt, marine fuel and other liquids;

providing marine bunkering and other shore-based marine services in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida;

operating a crude oil gathering business in Stephens, Arkansas;

providing crude oil gathering, refining, and marketing services of base oils, asphalt, and distillate products in Smackover, Arkansas;

providing crude oil marketing and transportation from the well head to the end market;

operating an environmental consulting company;

operating an engineering services company;

supplying employees and services for the operation of our business; and

operating, solely for our account, the asphalt facilities in Omaha, Nebraska, Port Neches, Texas, Hondo, Texas, and South Houston, Texas.

We are and will continue to be closely affiliated with Martin Resource Management as a result of the following relationships.

Ownership

Martin Resource Management owns approximately 15.7% of the outstanding limited partner units. In addition, Martin Resource Management controls MMGP, our general partner, by virtue of its 51% voting interest in Holdings, the sole member of MMGP. MMGP owns a 2% general partner interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights.

Management

Martin Resource Management directs our business operations through its ownership interests in and control of our general partner. We benefit from our relationship with Martin Resource Management through access to a significant pool of management expertise and established relationships throughout the energy industry. We do not have employees. Martin Resource Management employees are responsible for conducting our business and operating our assets on our behalf.

Related Party Agreements

The Omnibus Agreement with Martin Resource Management requires us to reimburse Martin Resource Management for all direct expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf or in connection with the operation of our business.  We reimbursed Martin Resource Management for $127.9 million , $129.5 million and $135.8 million of direct costs and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.  There is no monetary limitation on the amount we are required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for direct expenses.

In addition to the direct expenses, under the Omnibus Agreement, we are required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for indirect general and administrative and corporate overhead expenses.  For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , the conflicts committee of our general partner ("Conflicts Committee") approved reimbursement amounts of $16.4 million, $16.4 million and $13.0 million, respectively, reflecting our allocable share of such expenses. The Conflicts Committee will review and approve future adjustments in the reimbursement amount for indirect expenses, if any, annually.  These indirect expenses covered the centralized corporate functions Martin Resource Management provides for us, such as accounting, treasury, clerical, engineering, legal, billing, information technology, administration of insurance,

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environmental and safety compliance, general office expenses and employee benefit plans and other general corporate overhead functions we share with Martin Resource Management’s retained businesses.  The Omnibus Agreement also contains significant non-compete provisions and indemnity obligations.  Martin Resource Management also licenses certain of its trademarks and trade names to us under the Omnibus Agreement.
 
Other agreements include, but are not limited to, a motor carrier agreement, marine transportation agreements, terminal services agreements, a tolling agreement, and a sulfuric acid sales agency agreement.  Pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, we are prohibited from entering into certain material agreements with Martin Resource Management without the approval of the Conflicts Committee.

For a more comprehensive discussion concerning the Omnibus Agreement and the other agreements that we have entered into with Martin Resource Management, please see "Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence."
 
Commercial
 
We have been and anticipate that we will continue to be both a significant customer and supplier of products and services offered by Martin Resource Management. Our motor carrier agreement with Martin Resource Management provides us with access to Martin Resource Management’s fleet of road vehicles and road trailers to provide land transportation in the areas served by Martin Resource Management (the Partnership acquired MTI effective January 1, 2019). Our ability to utilize MTI’s land transportation operations is currently a key component of our integrated distribution network.
  
In the aggregate, our purchases from Martin Resource Management accounted for approximately 9% , 8% , and 11% of our total cost of products sold during for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.  We also purchase marine fuel from Martin Resource Management, which we account for as an operating expense.
 
Correspondingly, Martin Resource Management is one of our significant customers. Our sales to Martin Resource Management accounted for approximately 10% , 11% , and 13% of our total revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.  We have entered into certain agreements with Martin Resource Management pursuant to which we provide terminalling and storage and marine transportation services to its subsidiary, Martin Energy Services LLC ("MES"), and MES provides terminal services to us to handle lubricants, greases and drilling fluids.  Additionally, we have entered into a long-term, fee for services-based tolling agreement with Martin Resource Management where Martin Resource Management agrees to pay us for the processing of its crude oil into finished products, including naphthenic lubricants, distillates, asphalt and other intermediate cuts.

For a more comprehensive discussion concerning the Omnibus Agreement and the other agreements that we have entered into with Martin Resource Management, please see "Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence."
 
Approval and Review of Related Party Transactions

If we contemplate entering into a transaction, other than a routine or in the ordinary course of business transaction, in which a related person will have a direct or indirect material interest, the proposed transaction is submitted for consideration to the board of directors of our general partner or to our management, as appropriate. If the board of directors is involved in the approval process, it determines whether to refer the matter to the Conflicts Committee, as provided under our limited partnership agreement. If a matter is referred to the Conflicts Committee, it obtains information regarding the proposed transaction from management and determines whether to engage independent legal counsel or an independent financial advisor to advise the members of the committee regarding the transaction.  If the Conflicts Committee retains such counsel or financial advisor, it considers such advice and, in the case of a financial advisor, such advisor’s opinion as to whether the transaction is fair and reasonable to us and to our unitholders.


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Insurance

Our deductible for onshore physical damage resulting from named windstorms is 5% of the total value located at an individual location subject to an overall minimum deductible of $1.0 million for damage caused by the named windstorm at all locations excluding Neches Industrial Park. Our onshore program currently provides $40.0 million per occurrence for named windstorm events. For non-windstorm events, our deductible applicable to onshore physical damage is $0.5 million per occurrence. Business interruption coverage in connection with a windstorm event is subject to the same $40.0 million per occurrence and aggregate limit as the property damage coverage and has a waiting period of 45 days. For non-windstorm events, our waiting period applicable to business interruption is 30 days.

We have various pollution liability policies which provide coverages ranging from remediation of our property to third party liability. The limits of these policies vary based on our assessments of exposure at each location.

Loss of, or damage to, our vessels and cargo is insured through hull and cargo insurance policies. Vessel operating liabilities such as collision, cargo, environmental and personal injury are insured primarily through our participation in mutual insurance associations and other reinsurance arrangements, pursuant to which we are potentially exposed to assessments in the event claims by us or other members exceed available funds and reinsurance. Protection and indemnity ("P&I") insurance coverage is provided by P&I associations and other insurance underwriters. Our vessels are entered in P&I associations that are parties to a pooling agreement, known as the International Group Pooling Agreement ("Pooling Agreement") through which approximately 90% of the world's ocean-going tonnage is reinsured through a group reinsurance policy. With regard to collision coverage, the first $1.0 million of coverage is insured by our hull policy and any excess is insured by a P&I association. We insure our owned cargo through a domestic insurance company. We insure cargo owned by third parties through our P&I coverage. As a member of P&I associations that are parties to the Pooling Agreement, we are subject to supplemental calls payable to the associations of which we are a member, based on our claims record and the other members of the other P&I associations that are parties to the Pooling Agreement. Except for our marine operations, we self-insure against liability exposure up to a predetermined amount, beyond which we are covered by catastrophe insurance coverage.

For marine claims, our insurance covers up to $1.0 billion of liability per accident or occurrence. We believe our current insurance coverage is adequate to protect us against most accident related risks involved in the conduct of our business. However, there can be no assurance that all risks are adequately insured against, that any particular claim will be paid by the insurer, or that we will be able to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future.

Environmental and Regulatory Matters
 
Our activities are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations, as well as orders of regulatory bodies, governing a wide variety of matters, including marketing, production, pricing, community right-to-know, protection of the environment, safety and other matters.
 
Environmental
 
We are subject to complex federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to protection of human health, natural resources and the environment. These laws and regulations can impair our operations that affect the environment in many ways, such as requiring the acquisition of permits to conduct regulated activities; restricting the manner in which we can release materials into the environment; requiring remedial activities or capital expenditures to mitigate pollution from former or current operations; and imposing substantial liabilities on us for pollution resulting from our operations. Many environmental laws and regulations can impose joint and several, strict liability, and any failure to comply with environmental laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil, and criminal penalties, the imposition of investigatory and remedial obligations, and, in some circumstances, the issuance of injunctions that can limit or prohibit our operations.

The clear trend in environmental regulation is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment, and, thus, any changes in environmental laws and regulations that result in more stringent and costly waste handling, storage, transport, disposal, or remediation requirements could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial position. Moreover, there is inherent risk of incurring significant environmental costs and liabilities in the performance of our operations due to our handling of petroleum products and by-products, chemical substances, and wastes as well as the accidental release or spill of such materials into the environment. Consequently, we cannot provide assurance that we will not incur significant costs and liabilities as result of such handling practices, releases or spills, including those relating to claims for damage to property and persons. In the event of future increases in costs, we may be unable to pass on those increases to our customers. While we believe that we are in substantial compliance with current environmental laws and regulations and that continued compliance with existing requirements would not have a material adverse impact on us, we cannot provide any assurance that our environmental compliance expenditures will not have a material adverse effect on us in the future.
 
Superfund
 
The Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, ("CERCLA"), also known as the "Superfund" law, and similar state laws, impose liability without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of "responsible persons," including the owner or operator of a site where regulated hazardous substances have been released into the environment and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances found at such site. Under CERCLA, these responsible persons may be subject to joint and several strict liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources, and for the costs of certain health studies, and it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances into the environment. Although certain hydrocarbons are not subject to CERCLA’s reach because "petroleum" is excluded from CERCLA’s definition of a "hazardous substance," in the course of our ordinary operations we will generate wastes that may fall within the definition of a "hazardous substance." In addition, some state counterparts to CERCLA tie liability to a broader set of substances than does CERCLA.
 
Solid Waste
 
We generate both hazardous and nonhazardous solid wastes, which are subject to requirements of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended ("RCRA") and comparable state statutes. From time to time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") has considered making changes in nonhazardous waste standards that would result in stricter disposal requirements for these wastes. Furthermore, it is possible some wastes generated by us that are currently classified as nonhazardous may in the future be designated as "hazardous wastes," resulting in the wastes being subject to more rigorous and costly disposal requirements. Changes in applicable regulations may result in an increase in our capital expenditures or operating expenses.
 
We currently own or lease, and have in the past owned or leased, properties that have been used for the manufacturing, processing, transportation and storage of petroleum products and by-products. Solid waste disposal practices within oil and gas related industries have improved over the years with the passage and implementation of various environmental laws and regulations. Nevertheless, a possibility exists that petroleum and other solid wastes may have been disposed of on or under various properties owned or leased by us during the operating history of those facilities. In addition, a number of these properties have been operated by third parties over whom we had no control as to such entities’ handling of petroleum, petroleum by-products or other wastes and the manner in which such substances may have been disposed of or released. State and federal laws and regulations applicable to oil and natural gas wastes and properties have gradually become more strict and, under such laws and regulations, we could be required to remove or remediate previously disposed wastes or property contamination, including groundwater contamination, even under circumstances where such contamination resulted from past operations of third parties.

Clean Air Act
 
Our operations are subject to the federal Clean Air Act ("CAA"), as amended, and comparable state statutes. Amendments to the CAA adopted in 1990 contain provisions that may result in the imposition of increasingly stringent pollution control requirements with respect to air emissions from the operations of our terminal facilities, processing and storage facilities and fertilizer and related products manufacturing and processing facilities. Such air pollution control requirements may include specific equipment or technologies to control emissions, permits with emissions and operational limitations, pre-approval of new or modified projects or facilities producing air emissions, and similar measures. Failure to comply with applicable air statutes or regulations may lead to the assessment of administrative, civil or criminal penalties, and/or result in the limitation or cessation of construction or operation of certain air emission sources. We believe our operations, including our manufacturing, processing and storage facilities and terminals, are in substantial compliance with applicable requirements of the CAA and analogous state laws.
 
Global Warming and Climate Change .  Recent scientific studies have suggested that emissions of certain gases, commonly referred to as "greenhouse gases" and including carbon dioxide and methane, may be contributing to warming of the Earth’s atmosphere.  In response to such studies, the U.S. Congress has from time to time considered climate change-related legislation to restrict greenhouse gas emissions.  Many states have already taken legal measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily through the planned development of greenhouse gas emission inventories and/or regional greenhouse gas cap and trade programs.  Also, as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on April 2, 2007, in Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA , the EPA eventually concluded that it is required to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from mobile sources (e.g., cars and trucks) even if Congress does not adopt new legislation specifically addressing emissions of greenhouse gases.  The Court's holding in Massachusetts that greenhouse gases fall under the federal CAA's definition of air pollutant has

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also led the EPA to determine that regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources under various Clean Air Act programs is required.  To that end, EPA promulgated regulations, referred to as the Tailoring Rule, 75 Fed. Red. 31514, to begin gradually subjecting stationary greenhouse gas emission sources to various Clean Air Act programs, including permitting programs applicable to new and existing major sources of greenhouse gas emissions.  In reviewing the regulations at issue, the Supreme Court struck down EPA’s permitting requirements as applicable only to greenhouse gas emissions, although it upheld the EPA’s authority to control greenhouse gas emissions when a permit is required due to emissions of other pollutants.
On an international level, almost 200 nations agreed in December 2015 to an international climate change agreement in Paris, France that calls for countries to set their own greenhouse gas emissions targets and be transparent about the measures each country will use to achieve its emissions targets. Although the present administration has announced its intention to withdraw from the Paris accord, such withdrawal has not yet been finalized. It is not possible at this time to predict how or when the United States might impose restrictions on GHGs as a result of the international climate change agreement. Further, several states and local governments have stated their commitment to its principles in their effectuation of policy and regulations. To date, applicable requirements have not had a substantial effect upon our operations.  Still, new legislation or regulatory programs that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases in areas in which we conduct business could adversely affect our operations and demand for our services.

Moreover, in interpretative guidance on climate change disclosures, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") indicates that climate change could have an effect on the severity of weather (including hurricanes and floods), sea levels, the arability of farmland, and water availability and quality. If such effects were to occur, our operations have the potential to be adversely affected. Potential adverse effects could include disruption of our business activities, including, for example, damages to our facilities from powerful winds or floods, or increases in our costs of operation or reductions in the efficiency of our operations, as well as potentially increased costs for insurance coverages in the aftermath of such effects. Significant physical effects of climate change could also have an indirect effect on our financing and operations by disrupting the transportation or process related services provided by companies or suppliers with whom we have a business relationship. In addition, the demand for and consumption of our products and services (due to change in both costs and weather patterns), and the economic health of the regions in which we operate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We may not be able to recover through insurance some or any of the damages, losses or costs that may result from potential physical effects of climate change.

Clean Water Act
 
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended, also known as Clean Water Act and comparable state laws impose restrictions and strict controls regarding the discharge of pollutants, including hydrocarbon-bearing wastes, into state waters and waters of the U.S. Pursuant to the Clean Water Act and similar state laws, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, or a state permit, or both, must be obtained to discharge pollutants into federal and state waters. In addition, the Clean Water Act and comparable state laws require that individual permits or coverage under general permits be obtained by subject facilities for discharges of storm water runoff. Furthermore, the Clean Water Act potentially requires individual permits or qualification for nationwide permits for activities that involve the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, the definition of which was expanded by the EPA and Corps of Engineers in a 2015 rulemaking. The 2015 rule, if it were to become effective, could significantly expand federal control of land and water resources across the U.S., triggering substantial additional permitting and regulatory requirements to which our operations may be subject from time to time. The EPA and the Corps subsequently proposed a rulemaking in June 2017 to repeal the 2015 rule and also announced their intent to issue a new rule defining the CWA’s jurisdiction. The EPA and the Corps issued a final rule in January 2018 staying implementation of the 2015 rule for two years. On December 11, 2018, the EPA and the Corps proposed a new rule defining the CWA’s jurisdiction. A nationwide patchwork of litigation and court rulings developed regarding the rules. At this time, due to varied court rulings, the 2015 rule is effective in some states, while the agencies’ decision to delay implementation of the 2015 rule is effective in other states. If finalized, the 2018 proposed rule would apply nationwide, replacing the national patchwork of CWA jurisdictional applicability. Additionally, if finalized, it is possible that the 2018 proposed rule could be challenged. The scope of the CWA’s jurisdiction will likely remain fluid until a final regulatory determination is made and subsequent litigation, if any, is finalized. To the extent a rule ultimately promulgated expands the scope of the CWA’s jurisdiction, we could face increased costs and delays with respect to permitting. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with Clean Water Act permitting requirements as well as the conditions imposed thereunder, and that our continued compliance with such existing permit conditions will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Oil Pollution Act
 
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, as amended ("OPA") imposes a variety of regulations on "responsible parties" related to the prevention of oil spills and liability for damages resulting from such spills in U.S. waters. A "responsible party" includes

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the owner or operator of a facility or vessel or the lessee or permittee of the area in which an offshore facility is located. The OPA assigns liability to each responsible party for oil removal costs and a variety of public and private damages including natural resource damages. Under the OPA, vessels and shore facilities handling, storing, or transporting oil are required to develop and implement oil spill response plans, and vessels greater than 300 tons in weight must provide to the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility to cover the costs of cleaning up oil spills from such vessels. The OPA also requires that all newly constructed tank barges engaged in oil transportation in the U.S. be double hulled effective January 1, 2016. We believe we are in substantial compliance with all of the oil spill-related and financial responsibility requirements. Nonetheless, in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010, Congress has from time to time considered oil spill related legislation that could have the effect of substantially increasing financial responsibility requirements and potential fines and damages for violations and discharges subject to the OPA, and similar legislation.  Any such changes in law affecting areas where we conduct business could materially affect our operations.

Safety Regulation
 
The Company’s marine transportation operations are subject to regulation by the U.S. Coast Guard, federal laws, state laws and certain international treaties. Tank ships, push boats, tugboats and barges are required to meet construction and repair standards established by the American Bureau of Shipping, a private organization, and the U.S. Coast Guard and to meet operational and safety standards presently established by the U.S. Coast Guard. We believe our marine operations and our terminals are in substantial compliance with current applicable safety requirements.
 
Occupational Health Regulations
 
The workplaces associated with our manufacturing, processing, terminal and storage facilities are subject to the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act ("OSHA") and comparable state statutes. We believe we have conducted our operations in substantial compliance with OSHA requirements, including general industry standards, record keeping requirements and monitoring of occupational exposure to regulated substances.  Our marine vessel operations are also subject to safety and operational standards established and monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard.
 
In general, we expect to increase our expenditures relating to compliance with likely higher industry and regulatory safety standards such as those described above. These expenditures cannot be accurately estimated at this time, but we do not expect them to have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
Jones Act
 
The Jones Act is a federal law that restricts maritime transportation between locations in the U.S. to vessels built and registered in the U.S. and owned and manned by U.S. citizens. Since we engage in maritime transportation between locations in the U.S., we are subject to the provisions of the law. As a result, we are responsible for monitoring the ownership of our subsidiaries that engage in maritime transportation and for taking any remedial action necessary to ensure that no violation of the Jones Act ownership restrictions occurs. The Jones Act also requires that all U.S.-flagged vessels be manned by U.S. citizens. Foreign-flagged seamen generally receive lower wages and benefits than those received by U.S. citizen seamen. This requirement significantly increases operating costs of U.S.-flagged vessel operations compared to foreign-flagged vessel operations. Certain foreign governments subsidize their nations’ shipyards. This results in lower shipyard costs both for new vessels and repairs than those paid by U.S.-flagged vessel owners. The U.S. Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping maintain the most stringent regimen of vessel inspection in the world, which tends to result in higher regulatory compliance costs for U.S.-flagged operators than for owners of vessels registered under foreign flags of convenience.
 
Merchant Marine Act of 1936
 
The Merchant Marine Act of 1936 is a federal law that provides that, upon proclamation by the President of the U.S. of a national emergency or a threat to the national security, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation may requisition or purchase any vessel or other watercraft owned by U.S. citizens (including us, provided that we are considered a U.S. citizen for this purpose). If one of our push boats, tugboats or tank barges were purchased or requisitioned by the U.S. government under this law, we would be entitled to be paid the fair market value of the vessel in the case of a purchase or, in the case of a requisition, the fair market value of charter hire. However, if one of our push boats or tugboats is requisitioned or purchased and its associated tank barge is left idle, we would not be entitled to receive any compensation for the lost revenues resulting from the idled barge. We also would not be entitled to be compensated for any consequential damages we suffer as a result of the requisition or purchase of any of our push boats, tugboats or tank barges.

Employees
 
We do not have any employees.  Under our Omnibus Agreement with Martin Resource Management, Martin Resource Management provides us with corporate staff and support services.  These services include centralized corporate functions, such as accounting, treasury, engineering, information technology, insurance, administration of employee benefit plans and other corporate services.  Martin Resource Management employs approximately 735 individuals, including 57 employees represented by labor unions, who provide direct support to our operations as of December 31, 2018 .

Financial Information about Segments
 
Information regarding our operating revenues and identifiable assets attributable to each of our segments is presented in Note 19 to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
Access to Public Filings
 
We provide public access to our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports filed with the SEC under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.  These documents may be accessed free of charge on our website at the following address: www.martinmidstream.com.  These documents are provided as soon as is reasonably practicable after their filing with the SEC.  This website address is intended to be an inactive, textual reference only, and none of the material on this website is part of this report.  These documents may also be found at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors
    
Limited partner interests are inherently different from the capital stock of a corporation, although many of the business risks to which we are subject are similar to those that would be faced by a corporation engaged in a business similar to ours. If any of the following risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In this case, we might not be able to pay distributions on our common units, the trading price of our common units could decline and unitholders could lose all or part of their investment. These risk factors should be read in conjunction with the other detailed information concerning us set forth herein.


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Risks Relating to Our Business

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the risks set forth below. The risks described below should not be considered to be comprehensive and all-inclusive. Many of such factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Unitholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think are immaterial may also impair our business operations, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not have sufficient cash after the establishment of cash reserves and payment of our general partner's expenses to enable us to pay the minimum quarterly distribution each quarter.

We may not have sufficient available cash each quarter in the future to pay the minimum quarterly distributions on all our units. Under the terms of our partnership agreement, we must pay our general partner's expenses and set aside any cash reserve amounts before making a distribution to our unitholders. The amount of cash we can distribute on our common units principally depends upon the amount of net cash generated from our operations, which will fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on, among other things:

the costs of acquisitions, if any;

the prices of petroleum products and by-products;

fluctuations in our working capital;

the level of capital expenditures we make;

restrictions contained in our debt instruments and our debt service requirements;

our ability to make working capital borrowings under our credit facility; and

the amount, if any, of cash reserves established by our general partner in its discretion.

Unitholders should also be aware that the amount of cash we have available for distribution depends primarily on our cash flow, including cash flow from working capital borrowings, and not solely on profitability, which will be affected by non-cash items. In addition, our general partner determines the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales, capital expenditures, borrowings, issuances of additional partnership securities and the establishment of reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders. As a result, we may make cash distributions during periods when we record losses and may not make cash distributions during periods when we record net income.

Restrictions in our credit facility could prevent us from making distributions to our unitholders.

The payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness reduces the cash available for distribution to our unitholders. In addition, we are prohibited by our credit facility from making cash distributions during a default or an event of default under our credit facility or if the payment of a distribution would cause a default or an event of default thereunder. Our leverage and various limitations in our credit facility may reduce our ability to incur additional debt, engage in certain transactions, and capitalize on acquisition or other business opportunities that could increase cash flows and distributions to our unitholders.

Demand for a portion of our terminalling and storage services is substantially dependent on the level of offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activity.

The level of offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activity historically has been volatile and is likely to continue to be so in the future. The level of activity is subject to large fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in a variety of factors that are beyond our control, including:

prevailing oil and natural gas prices and expectations about future prices and price volatility;

the ability of exploration and production companies to drill in other basins that have more attractive rates of return;


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the cost of offshore exploration for and production and transportation of oil and natural gas;

worldwide demand for oil and natural gas;

consolidation of oil and gas and oil service companies operating offshore;

availability and rate of discovery of new oil and natural gas reserves in offshore areas;

local and international political and economic conditions and policies;

technological advances affecting energy production and consumption;

weather conditions;

environmental regulation; and

the ability of oil and gas companies to generate or otherwise obtain funds for exploration and production.

We expect levels of offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production activity to continue to be volatile and affect demand for our terminalling and storage services.

Debt we owe or incur in the future could limit our flexibility to obtain financing and to pursue other business opportunities.

                Our indebtedness could have important consequences, including the following:

our ability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes may be impaired or such financing may not be available on favorable terms;

our funds available for operations, future business opportunities and distributions to unitholders will be reduced by that portion of our cash flows required to make interest payments on the debt;

we may be more vulnerable to competitive pressures or a downturn in our business or the economy generally; and

our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions may be limited.

Our ability to service our debt will depend upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.  If our operating results are not sufficient to service any future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing distributions, reducing or delaying our business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets or seeking additional equity capital.  We may not be able to effect any of these actions on satisfactory terms or at all.

Fluctuations in interest rates could materially affect our financial results.

Because a significant portion of our debt bears interest at variable rates, increases in interest rates could materially increase our interest expense. Based on our debt outstanding as of December 31, 2018, if interest rates were to increase by 100 basis points, the corresponding increase in interest expense on our variable rate debt would decrease future earnings and cash flows by approximately $2.9 million per year.

Further, LIBOR and certain other interest rate “benchmarks” are the subject of recent national, international, and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms may cause such benchmarks to perform differently than in the past or have other consequences which cannot be predicted. On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, publicly announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. It is expected that a transition away from the widespread use of LIBOR to alternative rates will occur over the course of the next several years. As a result of this transition, LIBOR may disappear entirely or perform differently than in the past, and interest rates on our variable rate indebtedness may be adversely affected.



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If we do not have sufficient capital resources for acquisitions or opportunities for expansion, our growth will be limited.

We intend to explore acquisition opportunities in order to expand our operations and increase our profitability. We may finance acquisitions through public and private financing, or we may use our limited partner interests for all or a portion of the consideration to be paid in acquisitions. Distributions of cash with respect to these equity securities or limited partner interests may reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to the common units. In addition, in the event our limited partner interests do not maintain a sufficient valuation, or potential acquisition candidates are unwilling to accept our limited partner interests as all or part of the consideration, we may be required to use our cash resources, if available, or rely on other financing arrangements to pursue acquisitions. If we use funds from operations, other cash resources or increased borrowings for an acquisition, the acquisition could adversely impact our ability to make our minimum quarterly distributions to our unitholders. Additionally, if we do not have sufficient capital resources or are not able to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us for acquisitions, our ability to implement our growth strategies may be adversely impacted.

A higher cost of capital relative to our peers could limit our ability to grow through acquisitions.

In order to expand our operations and increase profitability, we explore acquisition opportunities.  When competing for acquisition targets, firms with a lower cost of capital will be in a stronger position to secure the acquisition.  A higher cost of capital relative to our peers could put us in a weaker position to grow through acquisitions.

We are exposed to counterparty risk in our credit facility and related interest rate protection agreements.

We rely on our credit facility to assist in financing a significant portion of our working capital, acquisitions and capital expenditures. Our ability to borrow under our credit facility may be impaired because:

one or more of our lenders may be unable or otherwise fail to meet its funding obligations;

the lenders do not have to provide funding if there is a default under the credit facility or if any of the representations or warranties included in the credit facility are false in any material respect; and

if any lender refuses to fund its commitment for any reason, whether or not valid, the other lenders are not required to provide additional funding to make up for the unfunded portion.

If we are unable to access funds under our credit facility, we will need to meet our capital requirements, including some of our short-term capital requirements, using other sources. Alternative sources of liquidity may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. If the cash generated from our operations or the funds we are able to obtain under our credit facility or other sources of liquidity are not sufficient to meet our capital requirements, then we may need to delay or abandon capital projects or other business opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we have from time to time entered into interest rate protection agreements to manage our interest rate risk exposure by fixing a portion of the interest expense we pay on our long-term debt under our credit facility. Uncertainty in the global economy and banking markets exists, which could affect whether the counterparties to such interest rate protection agreements are able to honor their agreements. If the counterparties fail to honor their commitments, we could experience higher interest rates, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if the counterparties fail to honor their commitments, we also may be required to replace such interest rate protection agreements with new interest rate protection agreements, and such replacement interest rate protection agreements may be at higher rates than our current interest rate protection agreements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The impacts of climate-related initiatives at the international, federal and state levels remain uncertain at this time.

Currently, there are numerous international, federal and state-level initiatives and proposals addressing domestic and global climate issues.  Within the U.S., most of these proposals would regulate and/or tax, in one fashion or another, the production of carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse gases" to facilitate the reduction of carbon compound emissions to the atmosphere and provide tax and other incentives to produce and use more "clean energy." Costs to comply with future climate-related initiatives could have a material impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.


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Our recent and future acquisitions may not be successful, may substantially increase our indebtedness and contingent liabilities and may create integration difficulties.

As part of our business strategy, we intend to acquire businesses or assets we believe complement our existing operations. We may not be able to successfully integrate recent or any future acquisitions into our existing operations or achieve the desired profitability from such acquisitions. These acquisitions may require substantial capital expenditures and the incurrence of additional indebtedness. If we make acquisitions, our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly. Further, any acquisition could result in:

post-closing discovery of material undisclosed liabilities of the acquired business or assets;

the unexpected loss of key employees or customers from the acquired businesses;

difficulties resulting from our integration of the operations, systems and management of the acquired business; and

an unexpected diversion of our management's attention from other operations.

If recent or any future acquisitions are unsuccessful or result in unanticipated events or if we are unable to successfully integrate acquisitions into our existing operations, such acquisitions could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flow and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

Adverse weather conditions, including droughts, hurricanes, tropical storms and other severe weather, could reduce our results of operations and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

Our distribution network and operations are primarily concentrated in the Gulf Coast region and along the Mississippi River inland waterway. Weather in these regions is sometimes severe (including tropical storms and hurricanes) and can be a major factor in our day-to-day operations. Our marine transportation operations can be significantly delayed, impaired or postponed by adverse weather conditions, such as fog in the winter and spring months and certain river conditions. Additionally, our marine transportation operations and our assets in the Gulf of Mexico, including our barges, push boats, tugboats and terminals, can be adversely impacted or damaged by hurricanes, tropical storms, tidal waves or other related events. Demand for our lubricants and the diesel fuel we throughput in our Terminalling and Storage segment can be affected if offshore drilling operations are disrupted by weather in the Gulf of Mexico.

National weather conditions have a substantial impact on the demand for our products. Unusually warm weather during the winter months can cause a significant decrease in the demand for NGL products. Likewise, extreme weather conditions (either wet or dry) can decrease the demand for fertilizer. For example, an unusually wet spring can delay planting of seeds, which can leave insufficient time to apply fertilizer at the planting stage. Conversely, drought conditions can kill or severely stunt the growth of crops, thus eliminating the need to nurture plants with fertilizer. Any of these or similar conditions could result in a decline in our net income and cash flow, which would reduce our ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

If we incur material liabilities that are not fully covered by insurance, such as liabilities resulting from accidents on rivers or at sea, spills, fires or explosions, our results of operations and ability to make distributions to our unitholders could be adversely affected.

Our operations are subject to the operating hazards and risks incidental to terminalling and storage, marine transportation and the distribution of petroleum products and by-products and other industrial products. These hazards and risks, many of which are beyond our control, include:

accidents on rivers or at sea and other hazards that could result in releases, spills and other environmental damages, personal injuries, loss of life and suspension of operations;

leakage of NGLs, natural gas, and other petroleum products and by-products;

fires and explosions;

damage to transportation, terminalling and storage facilities and surrounding properties caused by natural disasters; and

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terrorist attacks or sabotage.

Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to protect us from all material expenses related to potential future claims for personal-injury and property damage, including various legal proceedings and litigation resulting from these hazards and risks. If we incur material liabilities that are not covered by insurance, our operating results, cash flow and ability to make distributions to our unitholders could be adversely affected.

Changes in the insurance markets attributable to the effects of hurricanes and their aftermath may make some types of insurance more difficult or expensive for us to obtain. As a result, we may be unable to secure the levels and types of insurance we would otherwise have secured prior to such events. Moreover, the insurance that may be available to us may be significantly more expensive than our existing insurance coverage.

The price volatility of petroleum products and by-products could reduce our liquidity and results of operations and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

We purchase petroleum products and by-products, such as molten sulfur, fuel oils, NGLs (including normal butane), lubricants, and other bulk liquids and sell these products to wholesale and bulk customers and to other end users. We also generate revenues through the terminalling and storage of certain products for third parties. The price and market value of petroleum products and by-products could be, and has recently been, volatile. Our liquidity and revenues have been adversely affected by this volatility during periods of decreasing prices because of the reduction in the value and resale price of our inventory. In addition, our liquidity and costs have been adversely affected during periods of increasing prices because of the increased costs associated with our purchase of petroleum products and by-products. Future price volatility could have an adverse impact on our liquidity and results of operations, cash flow and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

Increasing energy prices could adversely affect our results of operations.

Increasing energy prices could adversely affect our results of operations. Diesel fuel, natural gas, chemicals and other supplies are recorded in operating expenses. An increase in price of these products would increase our operating expenses, which could adversely affect our results of operations including net income and cash flows. We cannot assure unitholders that we will be able to pass along increased operating expenses to our customers.

Decreasing energy prices could adversely affect our results of operations.

Decreasing energy prices could adversely affect our results of operations. If commodity prices remain weak for a sustained period, our pipeline, terminalling throughput and NGL volumes may be negatively impacted, particularly as producers are curtailing or redirecting drilling, adversely affecting our results of operations. A sustained decline in commodity prices could result in a decrease in activity in the areas served by certain of our terminalling and storage and marine transportation assets resulting in reduced utilization of these assets.

Increased competition from alternative natural gas transportation and storage options and alternative fuel sources could have a significant financial impact on us.

Our ability to renew or replace existing contracts at rates sufficient to maintain current revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected by activities of other interstate and intrastate pipelines and storage facilities that may expand or construct competing transportation and storage systems. In addition, future pipeline transportation and storage capacity could be constructed in excess of actual demand and with lower fuel requirements, operating and maintenance costs than our facilities, which could reduce the demand for and the rates that we receive for our services in particular areas. Further, natural gas also competes with alternative energy sources available to our customers that are used to generate electricity, such as hydroelectric power, solar, wind, nuclear, coal and fuel oil.

Our NGL and sulfur-based fertilizer products are subject to seasonal demand and could cause our revenues to vary.

The demand for NGLs and natural gas is highest in the winter. Therefore, revenue from our natural gas services business is higher in the winter than in other seasons. Our sulfur-based fertilizer products experience an increase in demand during the spring, which increases the revenue generated by this business line in this period compared to other periods. The seasonality of the revenue from these products may cause our results of operations to vary on a quarter-to-quarter basis and thus could cause our cash available for quarterly distributions to fluctuate from period to period.


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The highly competitive nature of our industry could adversely affect our results of operations and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

We operate in a highly competitive marketplace in each of our primary business segments. Most of our competitors in each segment are larger companies with greater financial and other resources than we possess. We may lose customers and future business opportunities to our competitors and any such losses could adversely affect our results of operations and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

Our business is subject to compliance with environmental laws and regulations that could expose us to significant costs and liabilities and adversely affect our results of operations and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

Our business is subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to protection of human health, natural resources and the environment. These laws and regulations may impose numerous obligations that are applicable to our operations, such as: requiring the acquisition of permits to conduct regulated activities; restricting the manner in which we can release materials into the environment; requiring remedial activities or capital expenditures to mitigate pollution from former or current operations; and imposing substantial liabilities on us for pollution resulting from our operations. Numerous governmental authorities, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and analogous state agencies, have the power to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them, oftentimes requiring difficult and costly actions. Many environmental laws and regulations can impose joint and several strict liability, and any failure to comply with environmental laws, regulations and permits may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of investigatory and remedial obligations and, in some circumstances, the issuance of injunctions that can limit or prohibit our operations. The clear trend in environmental regulation is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment, and, thus, any changes in environmental laws and regulations that result in more stringent and costly waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or remediation requirements could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial position.

The loss or insufficient attention of key personnel could negatively impact our results of operations and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

Our success is largely dependent upon the continued services of members of the senior management team of Martin Resource Management. Those senior officers have significant experience in our businesses and have developed strong relationships with a broad range of industry participants. The loss of any of these executives could have a material adverse effect on our relationships with these industry participants, our results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

We do not have employees. We rely solely on officers and employees of Martin Resource Management to operate and manage our business. Martin Resource Management operates businesses and conducts activities of its own in which we have no economic interest. There could be competition for the time and effort of the officers and employees who provide services to our general partner. If these officers and employees do not or cannot devote sufficient attention to the management and operation of our business, our results of operations and ability to make distributions to our unitholders may be reduced.

Our loss of significant commercial relationships with Martin Resource Management could adversely impact our results of operations and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

Martin Resource Management provides us with various services and products pursuant to various commercial contracts. The loss of any of these services and products provided by Martin Resource Management could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flow and ability to make distributions to our unitholders. Additionally, we provide terminalling and storage, processing and marine transportation services to Martin Resource Management to support its businesses under various commercial contracts. The loss of Martin Resource Management as a customer could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flow and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

Our business could be adversely affected if operations at our transportation, terminalling and storage and distribution facilities experienced significant interruptions. Our business could also be adversely affected if the operations of our customers and suppliers experienced significant interruptions.

Our operations are dependent upon our terminalling and storage facilities and various means of transportation. We are also dependent upon the uninterrupted operations of certain facilities owned or operated by our suppliers and customers. Any significant interruption at these facilities or inability to transport products to or from these facilities or to or from our customers for any reason would adversely affect our results of operations, cash flow and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

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Operations at our facilities and at the facilities owned or operated by our suppliers and customers could be partially or completely shut down, temporarily or permanently, as the result of any number of circumstances that are not within our control, such as:

catastrophic events, including hurricanes;

environmental remediation;

labor difficulties; and

disruptions in the supply of our products to our facilities or means of transportation.

Additionally, terrorist attacks and acts of sabotage could target oil and gas production facilities, refineries, processing plants, terminals and other infrastructure facilities. Any significant interruptions at our facilities, facilities owned or operated by our suppliers or customers, or in the oil and gas industry as a whole caused by such attacks or acts could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flow and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

NASDAQ does not require a publicly traded partnership like us to comply with certain of its corporate governance requirements, and therefore, unitholders do not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of corporations subject to all NASDAQ requirements.

              Because we are a publicly traded partnership, the Nasdaq Global Select Market ("NASDAQ") does not require our general partner to have a majority of independent directors on its board of directors or to establish a compensation committee or nominating and corporate governance committee.  Accordingly, unitholders do not have the same protections afforded to certain corporations that are subject to all of NASDAQ corporate governance requirements.

Our marine transportation business could be adversely affected if we do not satisfy the requirements of the Jones Act or if the Jones Act were modified or eliminated.

The Jones Act is a federal law that restricts domestic marine transportation in the U.S. to vessels built and registered in the U.S. Furthermore, the Jones Act requires that the vessels be manned and owned by U.S. citizens. If we fail to comply with these requirements, our vessels lose their eligibility to engage in coastwise trade within U.S. domestic waters.

The requirements that our vessels be U.S. built and manned by U.S. citizens, the crewing requirements and material requirements of the Coast Guard and the application of U.S. labor and tax laws significantly increase the costs of U.S. flagged vessels when compared with foreign-flagged vessels. During the past several years, certain interest groups have lobbied Congress to repeal the Jones Act to facilitate foreign flag competition for trades and cargoes reserved for U.S. flagged vessels under the Jones Act and cargo preference laws. If the Jones Act were to be modified to permit foreign competition that would not be subject to the same U.S. government imposed costs, we may need to lower the prices we charge for our services in order to compete with foreign competitors, which would adversely affect our cash flow and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

Our marine transportation business could be adversely affected if the U.S. Government purchases or requisitions any of our vessels under the Merchant Marine Act.

We are subject to the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, which provides that, upon proclamation by the President of the U.S. of a national emergency or a threat to the national security, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation may requisition or purchase any vessel or other watercraft owned by U.S. citizens (including us, provided that we are considered a U.S. citizen for this purpose). If one of our push boats, tugboats or tank barges were purchased or requisitioned by the U.S. government under this law, we would be entitled to be paid the fair market value of the vessel in the case of a purchase or, in the case of a requisition, the fair market value of charter hire. However, if one of our push boats or tugboats is requisitioned or purchased and its associated tank barge is left idle, we would not be entitled to receive any compensation for the lost revenues resulting from the idled barge. We also would not be entitled to be compensated for any consequential damages we suffer as a result of the requisition or purchase of any of our push boats, tugboats or tank barges. If any of our vessels are purchased or requisitioned for an extended period of time by the U.S. government, such transactions could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flow and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.


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Our interest rate swap activities could have a material adverse effect on our earnings, profitability, liquidity, cash flows and financial condition.

We enter into interest rate swap agreements from time to time to manage some of our exposure to interest rate volatility. These swap agreements involve risks, such as the risk that counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under these arrangements. In addition, these arrangements may not be effective in reducing our exposure to changes in interest rates. When we use forward-starting interest rate swaps, there is a risk that we will not complete the long-term borrowing against which the swap is intended to hedge. If such events occur, our results of operations may be adversely affected.

The industry in which we operate is highly competitive, and increased competitive pressure could adversely affect our business and operating results.

We compete with similar enterprises in our respective areas of operation. Some of our competitors are large oil, natural gas and petrochemical companies that have greater financial resources and access to supplies of NGLs than we do. Our customers who produce NGLs may develop their own systems to transport NGLs in lieu of using ours. Our ability to renew or replace existing contracts with our customers at rates sufficient to maintain current revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected by the activities of our competitors and our customers. All of these competitive pressures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.

Information technology systems present potential targets for cyber security attacks, which could adversely affect our business.

              We are reliant on technology to improve efficiency in our business.  Information technology systems are critical to our operations.  These systems could be a potential target for a cyber security attack as they are used to store and process sensitive information regarding our operations, financial position, and information pertaining to our customers and vendors.  While we take the utmost precautions, we cannot guarantee safety from all threats and attacks.  Any successful breach of security could result in the spread of inaccurate or confidential information, disruption of operations, environmental harm, endangerment of employees, damage to our assets, and increased costs to respond.  Any of these instances could have a negative impact on cash flows, litigation status and/or our reputation, which could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial conditions and operations. 

Risks Relating to an Investment in the Common Units

Units available for future sales by us or our affiliates could have an adverse impact on the price of our common units or on any trading market that may develop.

Common units will generally be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except that any common units held by an "affiliate" of ours may not be resold publicly except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or under an exemption under Rule 144 or otherwise.

Our partnership agreement provides that we may issue an unlimited number of limited partner interests of any type without a vote of the unitholders. Our general partner may also cause us to issue an unlimited number of additional common units or other equity securities of equal rank with the common units, without unitholder approval, in a number of circumstances such as:

the issuance of common units in additional public offerings or in connection with acquisitions that increase cash flow from operations on a pro forma, per unit basis;

the conversion of subordinated units into common units;

the conversion of units of equal rank with the common units into common units under some circumstances; or

the conversion of our general partner's general partner interest in us and its incentive distribution rights into common units as a result of the withdrawal of our general partner.

Our partnership agreement does not restrict our ability to issue equity securities ranking junior to the common units at any time. Any issuance of additional common units or other equity securities would result in a corresponding decrease in the

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proportionate ownership interest in us represented by, and could adversely affect the cash distributions to and market price of, common units then outstanding.

Under our partnership agreement, our general partner and its affiliates have the right to cause us to register under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws the offer and sale of any units that they hold. Subject to the terms and conditions of our partnership agreement, these registration rights allow the general partner and its affiliates or their assignees holding any units to require registration of any of these units and to include any of these units in a registration by us of other units, including units offered by us or by any unitholder. Our general partner will continue to have these registration rights for two years following its withdrawal or removal as a general partner. In connection with any registration of this kind, we will indemnify each unitholder participating in the registration and its officers, directors, and controlling persons from and against any liabilities under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws arising from the registration statement or prospectus. Except as described below, the general partner and its affiliates may sell their units in private transactions at any time, subject to compliance with applicable laws. Our general partner and its affiliates, with our concurrence, have granted comparable registration rights to their bank group to which their partnership units have been pledged.

The sale of any common or subordinated units could have an adverse impact on the price of the common units or on any trading market that may develop.

Unitholders have less power to elect or remove management of our general partner than holders of common stock in a corporation. It is unlikely that our common unitholders will have sufficient voting power to elect or remove our general partner without the consent of Martin Resource Management and its affiliates.

Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, unitholders have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business and therefore limited ability to influence management's decisions regarding our business. Unitholders did not elect our general partner or its directors and will have no right to elect our general partner or its directors on an annual or other continuing basis. Holdings, the sole member of MMGP, elects the board of directors of our general partner.

If unitholders are dissatisfied with the performance of our general partner, they will have a limited ability to remove our general partner. Our general partner generally may not be removed except upon the vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding units voting together as a single class. As of December 31, 2018 , Martin Resource Management owned 15.7% of our total outstanding common limited partner units.

Unitholders' voting rights are further restricted by our partnership agreement provision prohibiting any units held by a person owning 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, other than our general partner, its affiliates, their transferees and persons who acquired such units with the prior approval of our general partner's directors, from voting on any matter. In addition, our partnership agreement contains provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as well as other provisions limiting the unitholders' ability to influence the manner or direction of management.

As a result of these provisions, it will be more difficult for a third party to acquire our partnership without first negotiating the acquisition with our general partner. Consequently, it is unlikely the trading price of our common units will ever reflect a takeover premium.

Our general partner's discretion in determining the level of our cash reserves may adversely affect our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.

Our partnership agreement requires our general partner to deduct from operating surplus cash reserves that it determines in its reasonable discretion to be necessary to fund our future operating expenditures. In addition, our partnership agreement permits our general partner to reduce available cash by establishing cash reserves for the proper conduct of our business, to comply with applicable law or agreements to which we are a party, or to provide funds for future distributions to partners. These cash reserves will affect the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

Unitholders may not have limited liability if a court finds that we have not complied with applicable statutes or that unitholder action constitutes control of our business.

The limitations on the liability of holders of limited partner interests for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in some states. The holder of one of our common units could be held liable in some circumstances for our obligations to the same extent as a general partner if a court were to determine that:


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we had been conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership statute; or

the right or the exercise of the right by our unitholders as a group to remove or replace our general partner, to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement, or to take other action under our partnership agreement constituted participation in the "control" of our business.

Our general partner generally has unlimited liability for our obligations, such as our debts and environmental liabilities, except for our contractual obligations that are expressly made without recourse to our general partner. In addition, under some circumstances, a unitholder may be liable to us for the amount of a distribution for a period of nine years from the date of the distribution.

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the remedies available to unitholders for actions that might otherwise constitute a breach of fiduciary duty by our general partner.

Our partnership agreement limits the liability and reduces the fiduciary duties of our general partner to the unitholders. Our partnership agreement also restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions that would otherwise constitute breaches of our general partner's fiduciary duties. For example, our partnership agreement:

permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its "sole discretion." This entitles our general partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and it has no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or any limited partner;

provides that our general partner is entitled to make other decisions in its "reasonable discretion," which may reduce the obligations to which our general partner would otherwise be held;

generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not involving a required vote of unitholders must be "fair and reasonable" to us and that, in determining whether a transaction or resolution is "fair and reasonable," our general partner may consider the interests of all parties involved, including its own; and

provides that our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us, our limited partners or assignees for errors of judgment or for any acts or omissions if our general partner and those other persons acted in good faith.

Unitholders are treated as having consented to the various actions contemplated in our partnership agreement and conflicts of interest that might otherwise be considered a breach of fiduciary duties under applicable state law.

We may issue additional common units without unitholder approval, which would dilute unitholder ownership interests.

Our general partner may also cause us to issue an unlimited number of additional common units or other equity securities of equal rank with the common units, without unitholder approval, in a number of circumstances such as:

the issuance of common units in additional public offerings or in connection with acquisitions that increase cash flow from operations on a pro forma, per unit basis;

the conversion of subordinated units into common units;

the conversion of units of equal rank with the common units into common units under some circumstances; or

the conversion of our general partner's general partner interest in us and its incentive distribution rights into common units as a result of the withdrawal of our general partner.

We may issue an unlimited number of limited partner interests of any type without the approval of our unitholders. Our partnership agreement does not give our unitholders the right to approve our issuance of equity securities ranking junior to the common units at any time.


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The issuance of additional common units or other equity securities of equal or senior rank will have the following effects:

our unitholders' proportionate ownership interest in us will decrease;

the amount of cash available for distribution on a per unit basis may decrease;

because a lower percentage of total outstanding units will be subordinated units, the risk that a shortfall in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution will be borne by our common unitholders will increase;

the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding unit will diminish;

the market price of the common units may decline; and

the ratio of taxable income to distributions may increase.

The control of our general partner may be transferred to a third party and that party could replace our current management team, without unitholder consent.

Our general partner may transfer its general partner interest to a third party in a merger or in a sale of all or substantially all of its assets without the consent of the unitholders. Furthermore, there is no restriction in our partnership agreement on the ability of the owner of our general partner to transfer its ownership interest in our general partner to a third party. A new owner of our general partner could replace the directors and officers of our general partner with its own designees and control the decisions taken by our general partner.

Our general partner has a limited call right that may require unitholders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price.

If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80% of the common units, our general partner will have the right, but not the obligation, which it may assign to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining common units held by unaffiliated persons at a price not less than the then-current market price. As a result, unitholders may be required to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price and may not receive any return on their investment. Unitholders may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of their units. No provision in our partnership agreement, or in any other agreement we have with our general partner or Martin Resource Management, prohibits our general partner or its affiliates from acquiring more than 80% of our common units. For additional information about this call right and unitholders' potential tax liability, please see "Risk Factors - Tax Risks - Tax gain or loss on the disposition of our common units could be different than expected."

Our common units have a limited trading volume compared to other publicly traded securities.

Our common units are quoted on the NASDAQ under the symbol "MMLP." However, daily trading volumes for our common units are, and may continue to be, relatively small compared to many other securities quoted on the NASDAQ. The price of our common units may, therefore, be volatile.

Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our unit price.

In order to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we periodically document and test our internal control procedures. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting addressing these assessments. During the course of our testing we may identify deficiencies, which we may not be able to address in time to meet the deadline imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for compliance with the requirements of Section 404. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Failure to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common units.


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Risks Relating to Our Relationship with Martin Resource Management

Cash reimbursements due to Martin Resource Management may be substantial and will reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

Under our Omnibus Agreement with Martin Resource Management, Martin Resource Management provides us with corporate staff and support services on behalf of our general partner that are substantially identical in nature and quality to the services it conducted for our business prior to our formation. The Omnibus Agreement requires us to reimburse Martin Resource Management for the costs and expenses it incurs in rendering these services, including an overhead allocation to us of Martin Resource Management's indirect general and administrative expenses from its corporate allocation pool. These payments may be substantial. Payments to Martin Resource Management will reduce the amount of available cash for distribution to our unitholders.

Martin Resource Management has conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary responsibilities, which may permit it to favor its own interests to the detriment of our unitholders.

As of December 31, 2018 , Martin Resource Management owned 15.7% of our total outstanding common limited partner units and a 51% voting interest in Holdings, the sole member of MMGP. MMGP owns a 2% general partnership interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights. Conflicts of interest may arise between Martin Resource Management and our general partner, on the one hand, and our unitholders, on the other hand. As a result of these conflicts, our general partner may favor its own interests and the interests of Martin Resource Management over the interests of our unitholders. Potential conflicts of interest between us, Martin Resource Management and our general partner could occur in many of our day-to-day operations including, among others, the following situations:

Officers of Martin Resource Management who provide services to us also devote significant time to the businesses of Martin Resource Management and are compensated by Martin Resource Management for that time;

Neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires Martin Resource Management to pursue a business strategy that favors us or utilizes our assets or services. Martin Resource Management's directors and officers have a fiduciary duty to make these decisions in the best interests of the shareholders of Martin Resource Management without regard to the best interests of the unitholders;

Martin Resource Management may engage in limited competition with us;

Our general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such as Martin Resource Management, in resolving conflicts of interest, which has the effect of reducing its fiduciary duty to our unitholders;

Under our partnership agreement, our general partner may limit its liability and reduce its fiduciary duties, while also restricting the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that, without the limitations and reductions, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty. As a result of purchasing units, our unitholders will be treated as having consented to some actions and conflicts of interest that, without such consent, might otherwise constitute a breach of fiduciary or other duties under applicable state law;

Our general partner determines which costs incurred by Martin Resource Management are reimbursable by us;

Our partnership agreement does not restrict our general partner from causing us to pay it or its affiliates for any services rendered on terms that are fair and reasonable to us or from entering into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf;

Our general partner controls the enforcement of obligations owed to us by Martin Resource Management;

Our general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants or others to perform services for us;

The audit committee of our general partner retains our independent auditors;


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In some instances, our general partner may cause us to borrow funds to permit us to pay cash distributions, even if the purpose or effect of the borrowing is to make incentive distributions; and

Our general partner has broad discretion to establish financial reserves for the proper conduct of our business. These reserves also will affect the amount of cash available for distribution.

Martin Resource Management and its affiliates may engage in limited competition with us.

Martin Resource Management and its affiliates may engage in limited competition with us. For a discussion of the non-competition provisions of the Omnibus Agreement, please see "Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence." If Martin Resource Management does engage in competition with us, we may lose customers or business opportunities, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flow and ability to make distributions to our unitholder allocations.

If Martin Resource Management were ever to file for bankruptcy or otherwise default on its obligations under its credit facility, amounts we owe under our credit facility may become immediately due and payable and our results of operations could be adversely affected.

If Martin Resource Management were ever to commence or consent to the commencement of a bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise default on its obligations under its credit facility, its lenders could foreclose on its pledge of the interests in our general partner and take control of our general partner. If Martin Resources Management no longer controls our general partner, the lenders under our credit facility may declare all amounts outstanding thereunder immediately due and payable. In addition, either a judgment against Martin Resource Management or a bankruptcy filing by or against Martin Resource Management could independently result in an event of default under our credit facility if it could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on us. If our lenders do declare us in default and accelerate repayment, we may be required to refinance our debt on unfavorable terms, which could negatively impact our results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our unitholders. A bankruptcy filing by or against Martin Resource Management could also result in the termination or material breach of some or all of the various commercial contracts between us and Martin Resource Management, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flow and ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

Tax Risks

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) could treat us as a corporation for tax purposes, which would substantially reduce the cash available for distribution to unitholders.

The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in us depends largely on our classification as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. We have not requested a ruling from the IRS on this matter.

Despite the fact that we are organized as a limited partnership under Delaware law, it is possible in certain circumstances for a partnership such as ours to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. In order for us to be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, more than 90% of our gross income each year must be "qualifying income" under Section 7704 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). "Qualifying income" includes income and gains derived from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation, or marketing of minerals or natural resources, including crude oil, natural gas and products thereof. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income.

Although we intend to meet this gross income requirement, we may not find it possible, regardless of our efforts, to meet this gross income requirement or may inadvertently fail to meet this gross income requirement. If we do not meet this gross income requirement for any taxable year and the IRS does not determine that such failure was inadvertent, we would be treated as a corporation for such taxable year and each taxable year thereafter.

If we were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, we would owe federal income tax on our income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 21%, and would likely owe state income tax at varying rates. Distributions would generally be taxed again to unitholders as corporate distributions and no income, gains, losses, or deductions would flow through to unitholders. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as an entity, cash available for

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distribution to unitholders would be reduced. Treatment of us as a corporation would result in a reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to unitholders and therefore would likely result in a reduction in the value of the common units.

Our partnership agreement provides that if a law is enacted or existing law is modified or interpreted in a manner that subjects us to taxation as a corporation or otherwise subjects us to entity-level taxation for federal, state or local income tax purposes, then the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution amount will be adjusted to reflect the impact of that law on us.

The tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or an investment in our units could be subject to potential legislative, judicial or administrative changes and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.

The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our common units, may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time.

At the federal level, members of Congress and the President of the United States have periodically considered substantive changes to the existing U.S. tax laws that would have affected certain publicly traded partnerships, including the elimination of partnership tax treatment for publicly traded partnerships. At the state level, because of widespread state budget deficits and other reasons, several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise and other forms of taxation. For example, we are required to pay a Texas margin tax at a maximum effective rate of 0.525% of our gross income apportioned to Texas in the prior year. Imposition of any such tax on us by any other state will reduce the cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

Any modification to the tax laws and interpretations thereof may or may not be applied retroactively and could make it more difficult or impossible to meet the exception pursuant to which we are treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is not taxable as a corporation, affect or cause us to change our business activities, affect the tax considerations of an investment in us, change the character or treatment of portions of our income and adversely affect an investment in our common units. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes or other proposals will ultimately be enacted. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our common units.

On January 24, 2017, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued final regulations (the “Final Regulations”) regarding qualifying income under Section 7704(d)(1)(E) of the Code which relates to the qualifying income exception upon which we rely for partnership tax treatment. The Final Regulations apply to income earned in a taxable year beginning on or after January 19, 2017. The Final Regulations include “reserved” paragraphs for fertilizer and hedging, which the U.S. Department of the Treasury plans to address in future proposed and final Treasury regulations (“Treasury regulations”). The Final Regulations provide for a ten year transition period during which certain taxpayers that either obtained a favorable private letter ruling or treated income under a reasonable interpretation of the statute or prior proposed regulations as qualifying income may continue to treat such income as qualifying income. We have obtained favorable private letter rulings from the IRS in the past as to what constitutes “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d)(1)(E) of the Code and we expect to rely upon these private letter rulings for purposes of the ten year transition rule contained in the Final Regulations. With respect to some of these private letter rulings, the income that we derived from certain affected activities will be treated as qualifying income only until the end of the ten year transition period. Thus, at this time and through the transition period, we believe that the Final Regulations will not significantly impact the amount of our gross income that we are able to treat as qualifying income.

The effects of the budget reconciliation act commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (hereinafter, “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”) could have an adverse effect on the timing and amount of income allocations to our unitholders.

On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law Public Law No. 115-97, a comprehensive tax reform bill commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) that makes significant changes to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Among other changes, the Tax Act includes a reduction in the corporate and individual tax rates, a new deduction on certain pass-through income, a repeal of the partnership technical termination rule, and new limitations on certain deductions and credits, including interest expense deductions. The Tax Act had no material impact on our unitholder allocations for 2018.


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A successful IRS contest of the federal income tax positions we take could adversely affect the market for our common units and the costs of any contest will be borne by our unitholders, debt security holders and our general partner.

We have not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to our treatment as a partnership for federal income tax purposes or any other matter affecting us. The IRS may adopt positions that differ from the positions we take and our counsel's conclusions. It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of our counsel's conclusions or the positions we take. A court may not agree with some or all our counsel's conclusions or the positions we take. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our common units and the prices at which they trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne directly or indirectly by all of our unitholders, debt security holders and our general partner.

If the IRS makes audit adjustments to our income tax returns for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, it may assess and collect any taxes (including any applicable penalties and interest) resulting from such audit adjustment directly from us, in which case our cash available for distribution to our unitholders might be substantially reduced.

Pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 and recently issued proposed Treasury Regulations (the “Proposed Partnership Audit Regulations”), for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, if the IRS makes audit adjustments to our income tax returns, it may assess and collect any taxes (including any applicable penalties and interest) resulting from such audit adjustment directly from us. Similarly, for such taxable years, if the IRS makes audit adjustments to income tax returns filed by an entity in which we are a member or partner, the IRS may assess and collect any taxes (including penalties and interest) resulting from such audit adjustment directly from such entity. Generally, we expect to elect to have our unitholders take such audit adjustment into account in accordance with their interests in us during the tax year under audit, but there can be no assurance that such election will be effective in all circumstances. If we are unable to have our unitholders take such audit adjustment into account in accordance with their interests in us during the tax year under audit, our current unitholders may bear some or all of the tax liability resulting from such audit adjustment, even if such unitholders did not own units in us during the tax year under audit. If, as a result of any such audit adjustment, we are required to make payments of taxes, penalties and interest as a result of audit adjustments cash available for distribution to our unitholders may be substantially reduced. These rules are not applicable to us for tax years beginning on or prior to December 31, 2017.

Additionally, pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 and the Proposed Partnership Audit Regulations, we are no longer required to designate a “tax matters partner.” Instead, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, we are required to designate a partner, or other person, with a substantial presence in the United States as the partnership representative (“Partnership Representative”). The Partnership Representative will have the sole authority to act on our behalf for purposes of, among other things, U.S. federal income tax audits and judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS. If we do not make such a designation, the IRS can select any person as the Partnership Representative. Any actions taken by us or by the Partnership Representative on our behalf with respect to, among other things, U.S. federal income tax audits and judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS, will be binding on us and all of the unitholders. We anticipate that our current tax matters partner will be designated the Partnership Representative.

Unitholders may be required to pay taxes on income from us, including their share of income from the cancellation of debt, even if they do not receive any cash distributions from us.

Unitholders may be required to pay federal income taxes and, in some cases, state, local and foreign income taxes on their share of our taxable income even if they receive no cash distributions from us. Unitholders may not receive cash distributions from us equal to their share of our taxable income or even the tax liability that results from the taxation of their share of our taxable income.

We may engage in transactions to delever the partnership and manage our liquidity that may result in income to our unitholders without a corresponding cash distribution. For example, if we sell assets and use the proceeds to repay existing debt or fund capital expenditures, you may be allocated taxable income and gain resulting from the sale without receiving a cash distribution. Further, taking advantage of opportunities to reduce our existing debt, such as debt exchanges, debt repurchases, or modifications of our existing debt could result in “cancellation of indebtedness income” (also referred to as “COD income”) being allocated to our unitholders as taxable income. Unitholders may be allocated COD income, and income tax liabilities arising therefrom may exceed cash distributions or the value of the units. The ultimate effect of any such allocations will depend on the unitholder's individual tax position with respect to its units. Unitholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisor with respect to the consequences to them of COD income.


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Tax gain or loss on the disposition of our common units could be different than expected.

If our unitholders sell their common units, they will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and their tax basis in those common units. Prior distributions in excess of the total net taxable income unitholders were allocated for a common unit, which decreased unitholder tax basis in that common unit, will, in effect, become taxable income to our unitholders if the common unit is sold at a price greater than their tax basis in that common unit, even if the price they receive is less than their original cost. A substantial portion of the amount realized, whether or not representing gain, may be ordinary income to our unitholders. Should the IRS successfully contest some positions we take, our unitholders could recognize more gain on the sale of units than would be the case under those positions without the benefit of decreased income in prior years. In addition, if our unitholders sell their units, they may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash they receive from the sale.

Tax-exempt entities and non-U.S. persons face unique tax issues from owning common units that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.

Investment in common units by tax-exempt entities, such as employee benefit plans, individual retirement accounts (known as IRAs), Keogh plans and other retirement plans, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, mutual funds and non-U.S. persons raises issues unique to them. For example, virtually all of our income allocated to organizations exempt from federal income tax, including IRAs and other retirement plans, will be unrelated business income and will be taxable to them. Distributions to non-U.S. persons will be reduced by withholding taxes at the highest applicable effective tax rate, and non-U.S persons will be required to file U.S. federal income tax returns and pay tax on their share of our taxable income. Tax-exempt entities, non-U.S. persons and other unique investors should consult their tax advisor regarding their investment in our common units.

We treat a purchaser of our common units as having the same tax benefits without regard to the seller's identity. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the common units.

Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of common units and because of other reasons, we have adopted depreciation positions that may not conform to all aspects of the Treasury regulations. Any position we take that is inconsistent with applicable Treasury regulations may have to be disclosed on our federal income tax return. This disclosure increases the likelihood that the IRS will challenge our positions and propose adjustments to some or all of our unitholders. A successful IRS challenge to those positions could adversely affect the amount of tax benefits available to our unitholders. It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits or the amount of gain from the sale of common units and could have a negative impact on the value of our common units or result in audit adjustments to our unitholders' tax returns.

Unitholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes and return filing requirements as a result of investing in our common units.

In addition to federal income taxes, unitholders may be subject to other taxes, such as state, local and foreign income taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance, or intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property. Unitholders may be required to file state, local and foreign income tax returns and pay state and local income taxes in some or all of the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. We own property and/or conduct business in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. We may do business or own property in other states or foreign countries in the future. It is the unitholder's responsibility to file all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns. Our counsel has not rendered an opinion on the state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in our common units.

There are limits on the deductibility of our losses that may adversely affect our unitholders.

There are a number of limitations that may prevent unitholders from using their allocable share of our losses as a deduction against unrelated income. In cases when our unitholders are subject to the passive loss rules (generally, individuals and closely-held corporations), any losses generated by us will only be available to offset our future income and cannot be used to offset income from other activities, including other passive activities or investments. Unused losses may be deducted when the unitholder disposes of its entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. A unitholder's share of our net passive income may be offset by unused losses from us carried over from prior years but not by losses from other passive activities, including losses from other publicly traded partnerships. Other limitations that may further restrict the

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deductibility of our losses by a unitholder include the at-risk rules, the excess loss limitation rules for non-corporate unitholders that applies until January 1, 2026, and the prohibition against loss allocations in excess of the unitholder's tax basis in its units.

We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our units each month based upon the ownership of our units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among our unitholders.

We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our units each month based upon the ownership of our units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred. Treasury regulations permit publicly traded partnerships to use a monthly simplifying convention that is similar to ours, but they do not specifically authorize all aspects of the proration method we have adopted. Therefore, the use of our proration method may not be permitted under existing Treasury regulations, and, accordingly, our counsel is unable to opine as to the validity of such method. If the IRS were to challenge our proration method, we may be required to change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among our unitholders.

A unitholder whose units are loaned to a "short seller" to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition.

Because a unitholder whose units are loaned to a "short seller" to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of the loaned units, he may no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan to the short seller and the unitholder may recognize gain or loss from such disposition. Moreover, during the period of the loan to the short seller any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units may not be reportable by the unitholder and any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units could be fully taxable as ordinary income. Our counsel has not rendered an opinion regarding the treatment of a unitholder where common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units; therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing their units.



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Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments

None. 

Item 2.
Properties
    
A description of our properties is contained in "Item 1.  Business" and is incorporated herein by reference. 

We believe we have satisfactory title to our assets.  Some of the easements, rights-of-way, permits, licenses or similar documents relating to the use of the properties that have been transferred to us in connection with our initial public offering and the assets we acquired in our acquisitions, required the consent of third parties, which in some cases is a governmental entity.  We believe we have obtained sufficient third-party consents, permits and authorizations for the transfer of assets necessary for us to operate our business in all material respects.  With respect to any third-party consents, permits or authorizations that have not been obtained, we believe the failure to obtain these consents, permits or authorizations will not have a material adverse effect on the operation of our business. Title to our property may be subject to encumbrances, including liens in favor of our secured lender.  We believe none of these encumbrances materially detract from the value of our properties or our interest in these properties or materially interfere with their use in the operation of our business.

Item 3.
Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are subject to certain legal proceedings, claims and disputes that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Although we cannot predict the outcomes of these legal proceedings, we do not believe these actions, in the aggregate, will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. A description of our legal proceedings is included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 22. Commitments and Contingencies", and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.


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PART II

Item 5.
Market for Our Common Equity, Related Unitholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Market Information and Holders

Our common units are traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol "MMLP." As of January 25, 2019, there were approximately 279 holders of record and approximately 20,329 beneficial owners of our common units.  

Cash Distribution Policy
  
Within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash, as defined in our partnership agreement, to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.  Our general partner has broad discretion to establish cash reserves that it determines are necessary or appropriate to properly conduct our business.  These can include cash reserves for future capital and maintenance expenditures, reserves to stabilize distributions of cash to the unitholders and our general partner, reserves to reduce debt, or, as necessary, reserves to comply with the terms of any of our agreements or obligations.  Our distributions are effectively made 98% to unitholders and 2% to our general partner, subject to the payment of incentive distributions to our general partner if certain target cash distribution levels to common unitholders are achieved.  Distributions to our general partner increase to 15%, 25% and 50% based on incremental distribution thresholds as set forth in our partnership agreement.
 
Our ability to distribute available cash is contractually restricted by the terms of our credit facility.  Our credit facility contains covenants requiring us to maintain certain financial ratios.  We are prohibited from making any distributions to unitholders if the distribution would cause a default or an event of default, or a default or an event of default exists, under our credit facility.  Please read "Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Description of Our Credit Facility."

Quarterly Distribution. On January 17, 2019, we declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.50 per common unit for the fourth quarter of 2018, or $2.00 per common unit on an annualized basis, which will be paid on February 14, 2019 to unitholders of record as of February 7, 2019.

Item 6.
Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth selected financial data and other operating data of the Partnership for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , 2016 , 2015 and 2014 and is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Partnership.
     
The following selected financial data are qualified by reference to and should be read in conjunction with the Partnership's Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this document.

36


 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
972,655

 
$
946,116

 
$
827,391

 
$
1,036,844

 
$
1,642,141

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
(7,595
)
 
13,007

 
27,003

 
32,088

 
(11,590
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
51,700

 
4,128

 
4,649

 
10,169

 
(115
)
Net income (loss)
$
44,105

 
$
17,135

 
$
31,652

 
$
42,257

 
$
(11,705
)
Net income (loss) attributable to limited partners
$
43,195

 
$
16,750

 
$
23,143

 
$
21,902

 
$
(15,176
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per limited partner unit – continuing operations
(0.19
)
 
0.33

 
0.55

 
0.47

 
(0.48
)
Net income (loss) per limited partner unit – discontinued operations
1.30

 
0.11

 
0.10

 
0.15

 
(0.01
)
Net income (loss) per limited partner unit
$
1.11

 
$
0.44

 
$
0.65

 
$
0.62

 
$
(0.49
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
1,033,398

 
$
1,253,498

 
$
1,246,363

 
$
1,380,473

 
$
1,553,919

Long-term debt
656,459

 
812,632

 
808,107

 
865,003

 
902,005

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends per common unit (in dollars)
2.00

 
2.00

 
2.94

 
3.25

 
3.18



Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview
 
We are a publicly traded limited partnership with a diverse set of operations focused primarily in the United States ("U.S.") Gulf Coast region. Our four primary business lines include:

Terminalling and storage services for petroleum products and by-products, including the refining of naphthenic crude oil and the blending and packaging of finished lubricants;

Natural gas liquids transportation and distribution services and natural gas storage;

Sulfur and sulfur-based products gathering, processing, marketing, manufacturing and distribution; and

Marine transportation services for petroleum products and by-products.

The petroleum products and by-products we collect, transport, store and market are produced primarily by major and independent oil and gas companies who often turn to third parties, such as us, for the transportation and disposition of these products. In addition to these major and independent oil and gas companies, our primary customers include independent refiners, large chemical companies, fertilizer manufacturers and other wholesale purchasers of these products. We operate primarily in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. This region is a major hub for petroleum refining, natural gas gathering and processing, and support services for the exploration and production industry.

We were formed in 2002 by Martin Resource Management, a privately-held company whose initial predecessor was incorporated in 1951 as a supplier of products and services to drilling rig contractors. Since then, Martin Resource Management has expanded its operations through acquisitions and internal expansion initiatives as its management identified and capitalized on the needs of producers and purchasers of petroleum products and by-products and other bulk liquids. Martin Resource Management is an important supplier and customer of ours. As of December 31, 2018 , Martin Resource Management owned 15.7% of our total outstanding common limited partner units. Furthermore, Martin Resource Management controls Martin Midstream GP LLC ("MMGP"), our general partner, by virtue of its 51% voting interest in MMGP Holdings, LLC ("Holdings"), the sole member of MMGP. MMGP owns a 2% general partner interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights. Martin Resource Management directs our business operations through its ownership interests in and control of our general partner.

We entered into an omnibus agreement dated November 1, 2002, with Martin Resource Management (the "Omnibus Agreement") that governs, among other things, potential competition and indemnification obligations among the parties to the agreement, related party transactions, the provision of general administration and support services by Martin Resource Management and our use of certain of Martin Resource Management’s trade names and trademarks. Under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, the employees of Martin Resource Management are responsible for conducting our business and operating our assets. The Omnibus Agreement was amended on November 25, 2009, to include processing crude oil into finished products including naphthenic lubricants, distillates, asphalt and other intermediate cuts. The Omnibus Agreement was amended further on October 1, 2012, to permit the Partnership to provide certain lubricant packaging products and services to Martin Resource Management.

Martin Resource Management has operated our business since 2002.  Martin Resource Management began operating our natural gas services business in the 1950s and our sulfur business in the 1960s. It began our marine transportation business in the late 1980s. It entered into our fertilizer and terminalling and storage businesses in the early 1990s. In recent years, Martin Resource Management has increased the size of our asset base through expansions and strategic acquisitions.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates     

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on the historical consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. We prepared these financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP" or "GAAP"). The preparation of these financial statements required us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We based our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We routinely evaluate these estimates, utilizing historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods we consider reasonable in the particular circumstances. Our results may differ from these estimates, and any effects on our business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Changes in these estimates could materially affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. You should also read Note 2, "Significant Accounting Policies" in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The following table evaluates the potential impact of estimates utilized during the periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 :


37


Description
 
Judgments and Uncertainties
 
Effect if Actual Results Differ from Estimates and Assumptions
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We periodically evaluate whether the carrying value of long-lived assets has been impaired when circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. These evaluations are based on undiscounted cash flow projections over the remaining useful life of the asset. The carrying value is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows. Any impairment loss is measured as the excess of the asset's carrying value over its fair value.
 
Our impairment analyses require management to use judgment in estimating future cash flows and useful lives, as well as assessing the probability of different outcomes.
 
Applying this impairment review methodology, no impairment of long-lived assets was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018. In 2017, we recorded an impairment charge of $1.6 million in our Marine Transportation segment and $0.6 million in our Terminalling and Storage segment.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset retirement obligations ("AROs") associated with a contractual or regulatory remediation requirement are recorded at fair value in the period in which the obligation can be reasonably estimated and the related asset is depreciated over its useful life or contractual term. The liability is determined using a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate and is accreted over time until the obligation is settled.
 
Determining the fair value of AROs requires management judgment to evaluate required remediation activities, estimate the cost of those activities and determine the appropriate interest rate.
 
If actual results differ from judgments and assumptions used in valuing an ARO, we may experience significant changes in ARO balances. The establishment of an ARO has no initial impact on earnings.

Our Relationship with Martin Resource Management
 
Martin Resource Management directs our business operations through its ownership and control of our general partner and under the Omnibus Agreement. In addition to the direct expenses, under the Omnibus Agreement, we are required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for indirect general and administrative and corporate overhead expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , the conflicts committee of our general partner ("Conflicts Committee") approved reimbursement amounts of $16.4 million, $16.4 million and $13.0 million, respectively, reflecting our allocable share of such expenses. The Conflicts Committee will review and approve future adjustments in the reimbursement amount for indirect expenses, if any, annually.

We are required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for all direct expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf or in connection with the operation of our business. Martin Resource Management also licenses certain of its trademarks and trade names to us under the Omnibus Agreement.

We are both an important supplier to and customer of Martin Resource Management. Among other things, we provide marine transportation and terminalling and storage services to Martin Resource Management. We purchase land transportation services and marine fuel from Martin Resource Management (the Partnership acquired MTI effective January 1, 2019). All of these services and goods are purchased and sold pursuant to the terms of a number of agreements between us and Martin Resource Management.

For a more comprehensive discussion concerning the Omnibus Agreement and the other agreements that we have entered into with Martin Resource Management, please see "Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence."

How We Evaluate Our Operations

Our management uses a variety of financial and operational measurements other than our financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP to analyze our performance. These include: (1) net income before interest expense, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), (2) adjusted EBITDA and (3) distributable cash flow. Our management views these measures as important performance measures of core profitability for our operations and the

38


ability to generate and distribute cash flow, and as key components of our internal financial reporting. We believe investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that our management uses.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA . Certain items excluded from EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing an entity's financial performance, such as cost of capital and historic costs of depreciable assets. We have included information concerning EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA because they provide investors and management with additional information to better understand the following: financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis; our operating performance and return on capital as compared to those of other similarly situated entities; and the viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects. Our method of computing adjusted EBITDA may not be the same method used to compute similar measures reported by other entities. The economic substance behind our use of adjusted EBITDA is to measure the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest costs, support our indebtedness and make distributions to our unit holders.

Distributable Cash Flow . Distributable cash flow is a significant performance measure used by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks and research analysts, to compare basic cash flows generated by us to the cash distributions we expect to pay our unitholders. Distributable cash flow is also an important financial measure for our unitholders since it serves as an indicator of our success in providing a cash return on investment. Specifically, this financial measure indicates to investors whether or not we are generating cash flow at a level that can sustain or support an increase in our quarterly distribution rates. Distributable cash flow is also a quantitative standard used throughout the investment community with respect to publicly-traded partnerships because the value of a unit of such an entity is generally determined by the unit's yield, which in turn is based on the amount of cash distributions the entity pays to a unitholder.

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow should not be considered alternatives to, or more meaningful than, net income, cash flows from operating activities, or any other measure presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our method of computing these measures may not be the same method used to compute similar measures reported by other entities.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following table reconciles the non-GAAP financial measurements used by management to our most directly comparable GAAP measures for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , which represents EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow from continuing operations.


39


Reconciliation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Distributable Cash Flow
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
44,105

 
$
17,135

 
$
31,652

Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
(51,700
)
 
(4,128
)
 
(4,649
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
(7,595
)
 
13,007

 
27,003

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
52,037

 
47,743

 
46,100

Income tax expense
369

 
352

 
726

Depreciation and amortization
76,866

 
85,195

 
92,132

EBITDA
121,677

 
146,297

 
165,961

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
379

 
(523
)
 
(33,400
)
Impairment of long-lived assets

 
2,225

 
26,953

Impairment of goodwill

 

 
4,145

Unrealized mark-to-market on commodity derivatives
(76
)
 
(3,832
)
 
4,579

Hurricane damage repair accrual

 
657

 

Asset retirement obligation revision

 
5,547

 

Unit-based compensation
1,224

 
650

 
904

Transaction costs associated with acquisitions
465

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA
123,669

 
151,021

 
169,142

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(52,037
)
 
(47,743
)
 
(46,100
)
Income tax expense
(369
)
 
(352
)
 
(726
)
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs
3,445

 
2,897

 
3,684

Amortization of debt premium
(306
)
 
(306
)
 
(306
)
Non-cash mark-to-market on interest rate derivatives

 

 
(206
)
Payments for plant turnaround costs
(1,893
)
 
(1,583
)
 
(2,061
)
Maintenance capital expenditures
(21,505
)
 
(18,080
)
 
(17,163
)
Distributable Cash Flow 1
$
51,004

 
$
85,854

 
$
106,264


1 Excludes distributable cash flow from discontinued operations were $3,253, $5,214 and $7,435 for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.

Results of Operations

The results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 have been derived from our consolidated financial statements.

We evaluate segment performance on the basis of operating income, which is derived by subtracting cost of products sold, operating expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses, and depreciation and amortization expense from revenues.  
 
Our consolidated results of operations are presented on a comparative basis below.  There are certain items of income and expense which we do not allocate on a segment basis.  These items, including equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated entities, interest expense, and indirect selling, general and administrative expenses, are discussed after the comparative discussion of our results within each segment.

The Natural Gas Services segment information below excludes the discontinued operations of the WTLPG partnership interests disposed of on July 31, 2018 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. See Item 8, Note 5.

The following table sets forth our operating revenues and operating income by segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 .  


40


 
Operating Revenues
 
Revenues
Intersegment Eliminations
 
Operating Revenues
 after Eliminations
 
Operating Income (loss)
 
Operating Income Intersegment Eliminations
 
Operating
Income (loss)
 after
Eliminations
 
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31, 2018:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Terminalling and storage
$
247,840

 
$
(6,226
)
 
$
241,614

 
$
17,820

 
$
(4,095
)
 
$
13,725

Natural gas services
548,135

 

 
548,135

 
24,938

 
3,632

 
28,570

Sulfur services
132,536

 

 
132,536

 
17,216

 
(2,940
)
 
14,276

Marine transportation
52,830

 
(2,460
)
 
50,370

 
2,713

 
3,403

 
6,116

Indirect selling, general and administrative

 

 

 
(17,901
)
 

 
(17,901
)
Total
$
981,341

 
$
(8,686
)
 
$
972,655

 
$
44,786

 
$

 
$
44,786

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Terminalling and storage
$
236,169

 
$
(5,998
)
 
$
230,171

 
$
3,305

 
$
(2,676
)
 
$
629

Natural gas services
532,908

 
(226
)
 
532,682

 
49,377

 
2,472

 
51,849

Sulfur services
134,684

 

 
134,684

 
25,862

 
(2,657
)
 
23,205

Marine transportation
51,915

 
(3,336
)
 
48,579

 
(1,211
)
 
2,861

 
1,650

Indirect selling, general and administrative

 

 

 
(17,332
)
 

 
(17,332
)
Total
$
955,676

 
$
(9,560
)
 
$
946,116

 
$
60,001

 
$

 
$
60,001

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Terminalling and storage
$
242,363

 
$
(5,653
)
 
$
236,710

 
$
44,143

 
$
(3,483
)
 
$
40,660

Natural gas services
391,333

 

 
391,333

 
38,447

 
3,056

 
41,503

Sulfur services
141,058

 

 
141,058

 
26,815

 
(3,422
)
 
23,393

Marine transportation
61,233

 
(2,943
)
 
58,290

 
(19,888
)
 
3,849

 
(16,039
)
Indirect selling, general and administrative

 

 

 
(16,794
)
 

 
(16,794
)
Total
$
835,987

 
$
(8,596
)
 
$
827,391

 
$
72,723

 
$

 
$
72,723



41


Terminalling and Storage Segment

Comparative Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Services
$
102,514

 
$
105,703

 
$
(3,189
)
 
(3)%
Products
145,326

 
130,466

 
14,860

 
11%
Total revenues
247,840

 
236,169

 
11,671

 
5%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
132,384

 
118,832

 
13,552

 
11%
Operating expenses
54,129

 
63,191

 
(9,062
)
 
(14)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
5,327

 
5,832

 
(505
)
 
(9)%
Impairment of long-lived assets

 
600

 
(600
)
 
(100)%
Depreciation and amortization
39,508

 
45,160

 
(5,652
)
 
(13)%
 
16,492

 
2,554

 
13,938

 
546%
Other operating income, net
1,328

 
751

 
577

 
77%
Operating income
$
17,820

 
$
3,305

 
$
14,515

 
439%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lubricant sales volumes (gallons)
24,016

 
21,897

 
2,119

 
10%
Shore-based throughput volumes (guaranteed minimum) (gallons)
80,000

 
144,998

 
(64,998
)
 
(45)%
Smackover refinery throughput volumes (guaranteed minimum BBL per day)
6,500

 
6,500

 

 
—%

Services revenues. Services revenue decreased $3.2 million, of which $7.6 million was primarily a result of decreased throughput fees at our shore-based terminals, offset by a $4.1 million increase at our specialty terminals primarily as a result of the Hondo asphalt plant being put into service on July 1, 2017.

Products revenues. A 28% increase in sales volumes combined with a 4% increase in average sales price at our blending and packaging facilities resulted in a $20.3 million increase to products revenues. Offsetting this increase was a 9% decrease in sales volumes offset by a 1% increase in average sales price at our shore based terminals resulting in a $5.4 million decrease in products revenues.

Cost of products sold.   A 28% increase in sales volumes combined with a 10% increase in average cost per gallon at our blending and packaging facilities resulted in a $19.0 million increase in cost of products sold. Offsetting this increase was a 9% decrease in sales volume offset by a 2% increase in average cost per gallon at our shore based terminals resulting in a $5.5 million decrease in cost of products sold.

Operating expenses. Operating expenses at our shore-based terminals decreased by $8.0 million primarily due to the 2017 period including an increase in the accrual related to asset retirement obligations of $6.3 million. Additionally, lease expense decreased $0.7 million as a result of closing several facilities. Operating expenses at our specialty terminals decreased $1.8 million, primarily due to the 2017 period including $2.5 million in hurricane expenses offset by an increase of $1.0 million in expenses at our Hondo facility which was placed in service in July of 2017. Offsetting this decrease was a $0.8 million increase at our Smackover refinery due to an increase in utilities of $0.4 million, $0.2 million in repairs and maintenance, and $0.2 million in professional fees.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.    Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased primarily as a result of decreased legal expenses.

Impairment of long-lived assets. This represents the loss on impairment of non-core operating assets in 2017.


42


Depreciation and amortization.   The decrease in depreciation and amortization is due to the disposition of assets at several closed shore-based facilities, offset by recent capital expenditures.

Other operating income, net.  Other operating income, net represents gains from the disposition of property, plant and equipment.

Comparative Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Services
$
105,703

 
$
128,783

 
$
(23,080
)
 
(18)%
Products
130,466

 
113,580

 
16,886

 
15%
Total revenues
236,169

 
242,363

 
(6,194
)
 
(3)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
118,832

 
102,883

 
15,949

 
16%
Operating expenses
63,191

 
65,292

 
(2,101
)
 
(3)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
5,832

 
4,677

 
1,155

 
25%
Impairment of long-lived assets
600

 
15,252

 
(14,652
)
 
(96)%
Depreciation and amortization
45,160

 
45,484

 
(324
)
 
(1)%
 
2,554

 
8,775

 
(6,221
)
 
(71)%
Other operating income, net
751

 
35,368

 
(34,617
)
 
(98)%
Operating income
$
3,305

 
$
44,143

 
$
(40,838
)
 
(93)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lubricant sales volumes (gallons)
21,897

 
17,995

 
3,902

 
22%
Shore-based throughput volumes (guaranteed minimum) (gallons)
144,998

 
200,000

 
(55,002
)
 
(28)%
Smackover refinery throughput volumes (guaranteed minimum BBL per day)
6,500

 
6,500

 

 
—%
Corpus Christi crude terminal (barrels per day)

 
66,167

 
(66,167
)
 
(100)%

Services revenues. S ervices revenue decreased primarily as a result of decreased throughput volumes and pass-through revenues at our Corpus Christi crude terminal, which was sold on December 21, 2016.

Products revenues. An 11% increase in sales volumes offset by a 1% decrease in average sales price at our blending and packaging facilities resulted in a $5.9 million increase to products revenues. Products revenues at our shore-based terminals increased $11.0 million resulting from an 18% increase in average sales price and a 1% increase in sales volume.

Cost of products sold.   An 11% increase in sales volumes at our blending and packaging facilities resulted in a $4.9 million increase in cost of products sold. Average cost per gallon increased 2%, resulting in a $0.8 million increase in cost of products sold. Cost of products sold at our shore-based terminals increased $10.1 million resulting from an 19% increase in average cost per gallon and a 1% increase in sales volumes.

Operating expenses. Operating expenses at our specialty terminals decreased $4.8 million, primarily as a result of the disposition of the Corpus Christi crude terminalling assets in the fourth quarter 2016 of $7.6 million, offset by hurricane expenses of $2.5 million. Operating expenses at our shore-based terminals increased by $3.2 million, primarily due to a $5.5 million increase in the accrual related to asset retirement obligations at leased terminal facilities and hurricane expenses of $0.3 million, offset by $2.7 million decrease associated with closed facilities.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.    Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to increased legal fees of $0.6 million and compensation expense of $0.5 million.

Impairment of long-lived assets. This represents the loss on impairment of non-core operating assets.


43


Depreciation and amortization.   The decrease in depreciation and amortization is due to the impact of the disposition of assets and assets being fully depreciated, offset by capital expenditures.

Other operating income, net.  Other operating income, net represents gains and losses from the disposition of property, plant and equipment. The 2016 period includes the gain on the disposition of the Corpus Christi crude terminalling assets of $37.3 million.

Natural Gas Services Segment

Comparative Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Services
$
52,109

 
$
58,817

 
$
(6,708
)
 
(11)%
Products
496,026

 
474,091

 
21,935

 
5%
Total revenues
548,135

 
532,908

 
15,227

 
3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cost of products sold
467,571

 
425,073

 
42,498

 
10%
Operating expenses
24,065

 
22,347

 
1,718

 
8%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
9,063

 
11,106

 
(2,043
)
 
(18)%
Depreciation and amortization
21,283

 
24,916

 
(3,633
)
 
(15)%
 
26,153

 
49,466

 
(23,313
)
 
(47)%
Other operating loss, net
(1,215
)
 
(89
)
 
(1,126
)
 
(1,265)%
Operating income
$
24,938

 
$
49,377

 
$
(24,439
)
 
(49)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGLs Volumes (barrels)
10,223

 
10,487

 
(264
)
 
(3)%

Services Revenues. The decrease in services revenue is primarily a result of lower firm storage re-contracting rates at our natural gas storage facilities.

Products Revenues. Our NGL average sales price per barrel increased $3.31, or 7%, resulting in an increase to products revenues of $34.7 million. The increase in average sales price per barrel was a result of an increase in market prices. Product sales volumes decreased 3%, decreasing revenues $12.8 million.

Cost of products sold .   Our average cost per barrel increased $5.20, or 13%, increasing cost of products sold by $54.6 million.  The increase in average cost per barrel was a result of an increase in market prices.  The decrease in sales volume of 3% resulted in a $12.1 million decrease to cost of products sold. Our margins decreased $1.89 per barrel, or 40% during the period.

Operating expenses .  Operating expenses increased $1.4 million at our natural gas storage facilities, primarily as a result of $0.6 million in increased utility expense, $0.5 million in insurance premiums, and $0.3 million in park and loan expense. Additionally, repairs and maintenance expense at our underground NGL storage facility increased $0.3 million.

Selling, general and administrative expenses .  Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased primarily as a result of decreased compensation expense.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization decreased primarily due to a $3.9 million decrease in amortization related to contracts acquired during the purchase of Cardinal Gas Storage Partners, LLC (“Cardinal”), offset by a $0.3 million increase in depreciation expense related to recent capital expenditures.

Other operating loss, net.  Other operating loss, net represents losses from the disposition of property, plant and equipment.


44


Comparative Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Services
$
58,817

 
$
61,133

 
$
(2,316
)
 
(4)%
Products
474,091

 
330,200

 
143,891

 
44%
Total revenues
532,908

 
391,333

 
141,575

 
36%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
425,073

 
292,573

 
132,500

 
45%
Operating expenses
22,347

 
23,152

 
(805
)
 
(3)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
11,106

 
8,970

 
2,136

 
24%
Depreciation and amortization
24,916

 
28,081

 
(3,165
)
 
(11)%
 
49,466

 
38,557

 
10,909

 
28%
Other operating loss, net
(89
)
 
(110
)
 
21

 
19%
Operating income
$
49,377

 
$
38,447

 
$
10,930

 
28%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGLs Volumes (barrels)
10,487

 
9,532

 
955

 
10%

Services Revenues. The decrease in services revenue is primarily a result of decreased storage rates at our Arcadia gas storage facility.

Products Revenues. Our NGL average sales price per barrel increased $10.57, or 31%, resulting in an increase to products revenues of $100.7 million. The increase in average sales price per barrel was a result of an increase in market prices. Product sales volumes increased 10%, increasing revenues $43.2 million.

Cost of products sold .   Our average cost per barrel increased $9.84, or 32%, increasing cost of products sold by $93.8 million.  The increase in average cost per barrel was a result of an increase in market prices.  The increase in sales volume of 10% resulted in a $38.7 million increase to cost of products sold. Our margins increased $0.73 per barrel, or 18% during the period.

Operating expenses .  Operating expenses decreased $0.8 million due to $0.3 million of decreased maintenance expense at our NGL East Texas pipeline, decreased compensation expense of $0.3 million, and decreased repairs and maintenance at our underground NGL storage facility of $0.2 million.

Selling, general and administrative expenses .  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of increased compensation expense.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization decreased primarily due to a $3.7 million decrease in amortization related to contracts acquired during the purchase of Cardinal Gas Storage Partners, LLC (“Cardinal”), offset by a $0.6 million increase in depreciation expense related to recent capital expenditures.

Other operating loss, net.  Other operating loss, net represents losses from the disposition of property, plant and equipment.


45


Sulfur Services Segment

Comparative Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Services
$
11,148

 
$
10,952

 
$
196

 
2%
Products
121,388

 
123,732

 
(2,344
)
 
(2)%
Total revenues
132,536

 
134,684

 
(2,148
)
 
(2)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
90,780

 
82,760

 
8,020

 
10%
Operating expenses
11,618

 
13,783

 
(2,165
)
 
(16)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
4,326

 
4,136

 
190

 
5%
Depreciation and amortization
8,485

 
8,117

 
368

 
5%
 
17,327

 
25,888

 
(8,561
)
 
(33)%
Other operating loss, net
(111
)
 
(26
)
 
(85
)
 
(327)%
Operating income
$
17,216

 
$
25,862

 
$
(8,646
)
 
(33)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulfur (long tons)
688.0

 
807.0

 
(119.0
)
 
(15)%
Fertilizer (long tons)
277.0

 
276.0

 
1.0

 
—%
Sulfur services volumes (long tons)
965.0

 
1,083.0

 
(118.0
)
 
(11)%
 
Services Revenues.   Services revenues increased as a result of a contractually prescribed index based fee adjustment.

Products Revenues.   Products revenues decreased $14.8 million due to an 11% decrease in sales volumes, primarily related to a 15% decrease in sulfur volumes. Offsetting, products revenues increased $12.5 million as a result of a 10% rise in average sulfur services sales prices.

Cost of products sold.   A 23% increase in prices impacted cost of products sold by $19.1 million, resulting from an increase in commodity prices. An 11% decrease in sales volumes resulted in an offsetting decrease in cost of products sold of $11.1 million. Margin per ton decreased $6.11, or 16%.

Operating expenses. Our operating expenses decreased primarily as a result of a $1.5 million reduction in compensation expense and $0.4 million in lower property taxes. Additionally, outside towing decreased $0.3 million, railcar leases decreased $0.3 million, and repairs and maintenance on marine vessels decreased $0.2 million. An offsetting increase of $0.5 million resulted from an increase in marine fuel and lube.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.   Increased primarily as a result of increased compensation expense.

Depreciation and amortization.   Depreciation expense increased $0.4 million due to capital projects being completed and placed in service in the fourth quarter of 2017 and throughout 2018.

Other operating loss, net.  Other operating loss, net represents losses from the disposition of property, plant and equipment.

46


Comparative Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Services
$
10,952

 
$
10,800

 
$
152

 
1%
Products
123,732

 
130,258

 
(6,526
)
 
(5)%
Total revenues
134,684

 
141,058

 
(6,374
)
 
(5)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cost of products sold
82,760

 
88,325

 
(5,565
)
 
(6)%
Operating expenses
13,783

 
13,771

 
12

 
—%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
4,136

 
3,861

 
275

 
7%
Depreciation and amortization
8,117

 
7,995

 
122

 
2%
 
25,888

 
27,106

 
(1,218
)
 
(4)%
Other operating loss, net
(26
)
 
(291
)
 
265

 
91%
Operating income
$
25,862

 
$
26,815

 
$
(953
)
 
(4)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulfur (long tons)
807.0

 
797.0

 
10.0

 
1%
Fertilizer (long tons)
276.0

 
262.0

 
14.0

 
5%
Sulfur services volumes (long tons)
1,083.0

 
1,059.0

 
24.0

 
2%

Services Revenues.   Services revenues increased as a result of a contractually prescribed index based fee adjustment.

Products Revenues.   Products revenues decreased $9.3 million as a result of a 7% decline in average sales price. Offsetting, products revenues increased $2.8 million due to a 2% increase in sales volumes, primarily related to a 5% increase in fertilizer volumes.

Cost of products sold.   An 8% decrease in prices reduced cost of products sold by $7.4 million, resulting from a decline in commodity prices. A 2% increase in sales volumes caused an offsetting increase in cost of products sold of $1.9 million. Margin per ton decreased $1.78, or 4%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.   Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.3 million due to increased compensation expense offset slightly by a decrease of $0.1 million in bad debt expense.

Depreciation and amortization.   Depreciation expense increased $0.1 million due to capital projects being completed and placed in service during the second half of 2016.

Other operating loss, net.  Other operating loss, net represents losses from the disposition of property, plant and equipment.


47


Marine Transportation Segment

Comparative Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Revenues
$
52,830

 
$
51,915

 
$
915

 
2%
Operating expenses
41,086

 
44,028

 
(2,942
)
 
(7)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
1,060

 
358

 
702

 
196%
Impairment of long-lived assets

 
1,625

 
(1,625
)
 
(100)%
Depreciation and amortization
7,590

 
7,002

 
588

 
8%
 
3,094

 
(1,098
)
 
4,192

 
382%
Other operating loss, net
(381
)
 
(113
)
 
(268
)
 
(237)%
Operating income (loss)
$
2,713

 
$
(1,211
)
 
$
3,924

 
324%

Revenues .   An increase of $1.8 million in inland revenue was primarily related to new equipment being placed in service. Revenue was also impacted by an increase in pass-through revenue (primarily fuel) of $2.1 million. An offsetting decrease of $3.1 million is attributable to revenue related to equipment sold or being classified as idle or held for sale. A $0.2 million increase in offshore revenues is primarily the result of increased utilization.

Operating expenses .  The decrease in operating expenses is primarily a result of decreased labor and burden of $1.8 million, a reclassification of labor and burden from operating expense to selling general and administrative expense for the 2018 period of $0.7 million, repairs and maintenance of $0.8 million, barge rental expense of $1.0 million, property and liability insurance premiums of $1.0 million, and outside towing of $0.3 million. These decreases were offset by an increase in pass through expenses (primarily fuel) of $2.2 million, marine Jones Act claims of $0.4 million, and contract labor of $0.3 million.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses .  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to the reclassification of expenses from operating expense to selling, general, and administrative expense of $0.7 million for the 2018 period.

Impairment of long-lived assets. This represents the loss on impairment of non-core operating assets.

Depreciation and amortization .  Depreciation and amortization increased as a result of recent capital expenditures offset by asset disposals.

Other operating loss, net.  Other operating loss represents losses from the disposition of property, plant and equipment.



48


Comparative Results of Operations for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Revenues
$
51,915

 
$
61,233

 
$
(9,318
)
 
(15)%
Operating expenses
44,028

 
53,118

 
(9,090
)
 
(17)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
358

 
18

 
340

 
1,889%
Impairment of long lived assets
1,625

 
11,701

 
(10,076
)
 
(86)%
Impairment of goodwill

 
4,145

 
(4,145
)
 
(100)%
Depreciation and amortization
7,002

 
10,572

 
(3,570
)
 
(34)%
 
(1,098
)
 
(18,321
)
 
17,223

 
94%
Other operating loss, net
(113
)
 
(1,567
)
 
1,454

 
93%
Operating income (loss)
$
(1,211
)
 
$
(19,888
)
 
$
18,677

 
94%
 
Inland revenues .  A decrease of $7.2 million is primarily attributable to decreased transportation rates and decreased utilization of the inland fleet resulting from an abundance of supply of marine equipment in our predominantly Gulf Coast market.

Offshore revenues.  A $2.4 million decrease in offshore revenues is primarily the result of the 2016 period including the recognition of previously deferred revenues of $1.5 million and decreased utilization of the offshore fleet due to downtime associated with regulatory inspections of $0.7 million.

Operating expenses .  The decrease in operating expenses is primarily a result of decreased labor and burden of $3.9 million, repairs and maintenance of $1.3 million, Jones Act claims of $0.8 million, pass-through expenses (primarily barge tank cleaning) of $0.7 million, outside towing of $0.4 million, barge rental expense of $0.4 million, property taxes of $0.3 million, operating supplies of $0.3 million, and property insurance premiums of $0.2 million.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses .  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to the 2016 period including the collection of a previously deemed uncollectible receivable of $0.5 million, offset by decreased legal fees of $0.1 million.

Impairment of long-lived assets. This represents the loss on impairment of non-core operating assets.

Loss on impairment of goodwill.  This represents the loss on impairment of goodwill in the Marine Transportation reporting unit during the second quarter of 2016.    

Depreciation and amortization .  Depreciation and amortization decreased as a result of the disposal of property, plant and equipment combined with the impairment of long-lived assets recognized in the fourth quarter of 2016, offset by recent capital expenditures.

Other operating loss, net.  Other operating loss represents losses from the disposition of property, plant and equipment.


49


Interest Expense

Comparative Components of Interest Expense, Net for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017     
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Revolving loan facility
$
20,193

 
$
18,192

 
$
2,001

 
11%
7.250 % senior unsecured notes
27,101

 
27,101

 

 
—%
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs
3,445

 
2,897

 
548

 
19%
Amortization of debt premium
(306
)
 
(306
)
 

 
—%
Other
2,258

 
1,532

 
726

 
47%
Capitalized interest
(624
)
 
(730
)
 
106

 
15%
Interest income
(30
)
 
(943
)
 
913

 
97%
Total interest expense, net
$
52,037

 
$
47,743

 
$
4,294

 
9%
    
Comparative Components of Interest Expense, Net for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Revolving loan facility
$
18,192

 
$
19,482

 
$
(1,290
)
 
(7)%
7.250 % senior unsecured notes
27,101

 
27,326

 
(225
)
 
(1)%
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs
2,897

 
3,684

 
(787
)
 
(21)%
Amortization of debt premium
(306
)
 
(306
)
 

 
—%
Impact of interest rate derivative activity, including cash settlements

 
(995
)
 
995

 
100%
Other
1,532

 
291

 
1,241

 
426%
Capitalized interest
(730
)
 
(1,126
)
 
396

 
35%
Interest income
(943
)
 
(2,256
)
 
$
1,313

 
58%
Total interest expense, net
$
47,743

 
$
46,100

 
$
1,643

 
4%

Indirect Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Indirect selling, general and administrative expenses
$
17,901

 
$
17,332

 
$
569

 
3%
 
$
17,332

 
$
16,795

 
$
537

 
3%

The increase in indirect selling, general and administrative expenses from 2017 to 2018 is primarily a result of increased unit based compensation expense.

The increase in indirect selling, general and administrative expenses from 2016 to 2017 is primarily a result of a $0.6 million increase in audit, consulting and other professional fees.

Martin Resource Management allocates to us a portion of its indirect selling, general and administrative expenses for services such as accounting, treasury, clerical, engineering, legal, billing, information technology, administration of insurance, general office expenses and employee benefit plans and other general corporate overhead functions we share with Martin Resource Management retained businesses. This allocation is based on the percentage of time spent by Martin Resource Management personnel that provide such centralized services. GAAP also permits other methods for allocation of these expenses, such as basing the allocation on the percentage of revenues contributed by a segment. The allocation of these expenses between Martin Resource Management and us is subject to a number of judgments and estimates, regardless of the

50


method used. We can provide no assurances that our method of allocation, in the past or in the future, is or will be the most accurate or appropriate method of allocation for these expenses. Other methods could result in a higher allocation of selling, general and administrative expense to us, which would reduce our net income.

Under the Omnibus Agreement, we are required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for indirect general and administrative and corporate overhead expenses. The Conflicts Committee approved the following reimbursement amounts:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Conflicts Committee approved reimbursement amount
$
16,416

 
$
16,416

 
$

 
—%
 
$
16,416

 
$
13,033

 
$
3,383

 
26%

The amounts reflected above represent our allocable share of such expenses. The Conflicts Committee will review and approve future adjustments in the reimbursement amount for indirect expenses, if any, annually.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
General

Our primary sources of liquidity to meet operating expenses, pay distributions to our unitholders and fund capital expenditures have historically been cash flows generated by our operations and access to debt and equity markets, both public and private.  Management believes that expenditures for our current capital projects will be funded with cash flows from operations, current cash balances and our current borrowing capacity under the expanded revolving credit facility. Given the current environment, we have altered and reduced our planned growth capital expenditures.  We believe that controlling our spending in an effort to preserve liquidity is prudent and reduces our need for near-term access to the somewhat uncertain capital markets.

Our ability to satisfy our working capital requirements, to fund planned capital expenditures and to satisfy our debt service obligations will also depend upon our future operating performance, which is subject to certain risks.  Please read "Item 1A. Risk Factors - Risks related to Our Business" for a discussion of such risks.

Recent Debt Financing Activity
 
Credit Facility Amendment. On February 21, 2018, we amended our revolving credit facility in order to achieve two primary objectives, the first of which was to accommodate growth capital expenditures necessary for the previously announced WTLPG expansion project. Starting in the first quarter of 2018, the amendment provided short-term (5 quarters) covenant relief by increasing the total leverage ratio to 5.75 to 1.00 (first and second quarters of 2018) with step downs to 5.50 to 1.00 (third and fourth quarters of 2018 and first quarter of 2019) and to 5.25 to 1.00 beginning in the second quarter of 2019. Additionally, the facility was amended to establish an inventory financing sublimit tranche for borrowings related to our NGL (butane) marketing business, which is a part of and not in addition to the already existing commitments under the revolving credit facility. This sublimit is not to exceed $75.0 million, with seasonal step downs to $10.0 million for the months of March through June of each fiscal year. The sublimit is subject to a monthly borrowing base not to exceed 90% of the value of forward sold/hedged inventory. In conjunction with the sale of WTLPG on July 31, 2018, we amended our revolving credit facility which included, among other things, further revising our leverage covenants from the February 21, 2018 amendment (discussed in detail above).  Total Indebtedness to EBITDA and Senior Secured Indebtedness to EBITDA (each as defined in the credit agreement) was amended to 5.25 times and 3.50 times, respectively.  No changes were made to the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of 2.50 times.         

Due to the foregoing, we believe that cash generated from operations and our borrowing capacity under our credit facility will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements and anticipated maintenance capital expenditures in 2019.

Finally, our ability to satisfy our working capital requirements, to fund planned capital expenditures and to satisfy our debt service obligations will depend upon our future operating performance, which is subject to certain risks.  Please read "Item 1A. Risk Factors - Risks Relating to Our Business" for a discussion of such risks.


51


Cash Flows - Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017

The following table details the cash flow changes between the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 :
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
90,726

 
$
67,506

 
$
23,220

 
34%
Investing activities
147,654

 
(37,878
)
 
185,532

 
490%
Financing activities
(238,170
)
 
(29,616
)
 
(208,554
)
 
(704)%
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
210

 
$
12

 
$
198

 
34%

Net cash provided by operating activities. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 includes a $52.6 million favorable variance in working capital and a $4.8 million decrease in other non-cash charges. Offsetting was a decrease in operating results of $20.6 million and an unfavorable variance in other non-current assets and liabilities of $2.1 million. Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities decreased $2.0 million.

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities. Net cash provided by investing activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 increased primarily as a result of a $177.3 million increase in net cash provided by discontinued investing activities. Additionally, a decrease in cash used in investing activities as a result of the acquisition of certain asphalt terminalling assets from Martin Resource Management in 2017, compared to no acquisitions in 2018, resulted in an increase of $19.5 million. Further, a decrease in cash used of $2.3 million is due to lower payments for capital expenditures and plant turnaround costs in 2018 as well as a $1.0 million increase in proceeds received as a result of higher sales of property, plant and equipment in 2018. Offsetting was a $15.0 million decline in proceeds received resulting from repayment of the Note receivable - affiliate in 2017 as compared to none in 2018.

Net cash used in financing activities. Net cash used in financing activities increased for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 as a result of an increase in net repayments of long-term borrowings of $160.0 million as well as a decrease in proceeds received from the issuance of common units (including the related general partner contribution) of $52.3 million. Also contributing was an increase in cash distributions paid of $1.5 million and an additional $1.2 million in costs associated with our credit facility amendment. Offsetting was a decrease in cash used of $6.7 million related to excess purchase price over the carrying value of acquired assets in common control transactions.
 
Cash Flows - Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2016

The following table details the cash flow changes between the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 :
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
Variance
 
Percent Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
67,506

 
$
110,848

 
$
(43,342
)
 
(39)%
Investing activities
(37,878
)
 
63,839

 
(101,717
)
 
(159)%
Financing activities
(29,616
)
 
(174,703
)
 
145,087

 
83%
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
$
12

 
$
(16
)
 
$
28

 
175%

Net cash provided by operating activities. The decline in net cash provided by operating activities includes a decrease in operating results from continuing operations of $14.5 million and a $29.6 million unfavorable variance in working capital. Further decreases were due to an $11.8 million decrease in other non-cash charges and a decrease in distributions received from WTLPG of $2.1 million. Offsetting was an increase of $14.6 million attributable to a favorable variance in other non-current assets and liabilities.

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities. Net cash from investing activities decreased as a result of a decrease of $100.1 million in net proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment. The 2017 period also included an

52


acquisition of $19.5 million compared to an acquisition of $2.2 million in 2016, resulting in a $17.4 million decrease in cash. Offsetting these decreases was an increase of $15.0 million for proceeds received from repayment of the Note receivable - affiliate and a decrease in payments for capital expenditures and plant turnaround costs of $1.2 million.

Net cash used in financing activities. Net cash used in financing activities decreased for the year ended December 31, 2017 as a result of a decrease in net repayments of long-term borrowings of $57.0 million. Proceeds received from the issuance of common units (including the related general partner contribution) increased net cash by $52.2 million. Also contributing was a decrease in cash distributions paid of $41.2 million and $5.2 million less in costs associated with our credit facility amendment. Offsetting was an increase of $10.9 million related to excess purchase price over the carrying value of acquired assets in common control transactions.

Capital Resources

Historically, we have generally satisfied our working capital requirements and funded our capital expenditures with cash generated from operations and borrowings. We expect our primary sources of funds for short-term liquidity will be cash flows from operations and borrowings under our credit facility.

Total Contractual Obligations.   A summary of our total contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018 , is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Payments due by period
Type of Obligation
Total
Obligation
 
Less than
One Year
 
1-3
Years
 
3-5
Years
 
More than 5 years
Revolving credit facility
$
287,000

 
$

 
$
287,000

 
$

 
$

2021 senior unsecured notes
373,800

 

 
373,800

 

 

Throughput commitment
16,030

 
6,194

 
9,836

 

 

Operating leases
27,921

 
7,869

 
8,633

 
3,596

 
7,823

Interest payable on fixed long-term obligations
57,589

 
27,101

 
30,488

 

 

Total contractual cash obligations
$
762,340

 
$
41,164

 
$
709,757

 
$
3,596

 
$
7,823


The interest payable under our revolving credit facility is not reflected in the above table because such amounts depend on the outstanding balances and interest rates, which vary from time to time.

Letter of Credit .  At December 31, 2018 , we had outstanding irrevocable letters of credit in the amount of $16.9 million, which were issued under our revolving credit facility.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements.   We do not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements.
 
Description of Our Long-Term Debt

2021 Senior Notes

We and Martin Midstream Finance Corp., a subsidiary of us (collectively, the "Issuers"), entered into (i) an Indenture, dated as of February 11, 2013 (the "2021 Indenture") among the Issuers, certain subsidiary guarantors (the "2021 Guarantors") and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the "2021 Trustee") and (ii) a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2013 (the "2021 Registration Rights Agreement"), among the Issuers, the 2021 Guarantors and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, RBS Securities Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representatives of a group of initial purchasers, in connection with a private placement to eligible purchasers of $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers' 7.25% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the "2021 Notes"). On April 1, 2014, we completed a private placement add-on of $150.0 million of the 2021 Notes. In 2015, we repurchased on the open market and subsequently retired an aggregate $26.2 million of our outstanding 2021 Notes.

Interest and Maturity. The Issuers issued the 2021 Notes pursuant to the 2021 Indenture in transactions exempt from registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The 2021 Notes were resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The 2021 Notes will mature on February 15, 2021. The interest payment dates are February 15 and August 15.

53


    
Optional Redemption. Prior to February 15, 2017, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the 2021 Notes at the redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make whole premium at the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. On or after February 15, 2017, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the 2021 Notes at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 103.625% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2017, 101.813% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2018 and 100.00% for the twelve-month period beginning on February 15, 2019 and at any time thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable redemption date on the 2021 Notes.

Certain Covenants. The 2021 Indenture restricts our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to: (i) sell assets including equity interests in our subsidiaries; (ii) pay distributions on, redeem or repurchase our units or redeem or repurchase our subordinated debt; (iii) make investments; (iv) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred units; (v) create or incur certain liens; (vi) enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from our restricted subsidiaries to us; (vii) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; (viii) engage in transactions with affiliates; (ix) create unrestricted subsidiaries; (x) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; or (xi) engage in certain business activities. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. If the 2021 Notes achieve an investment grade rating from each of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and no Default (as defined in the 2021 Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, many of these covenants will terminate.
    
Events of Default. The 2021 Indenture provides that each of the following is an Event of Default: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the 2021 Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the 2021 Notes; (iii) failure by us to comply with certain covenants relating to asset sales, repurchases of the 2021 Notes upon a change of control and mergers or consolidations; (iv) failure by us for 180 days after notice to comply with our reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (v) failure by us for 60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the 2021 Indenture; (vi) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument governing any indebtedness for money borrowed or guaranteed by us or any of our restricted subsidiaries, whether such indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the date of the 2021 Indenture, if such default: (a) is caused by a payment default; or (b) results in the acceleration of such indebtedness prior to its stated maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount of the indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such indebtedness under which there has been a payment default or acceleration of maturity, aggregates $20.0 million or more, subject to a cure provision; (vii) failure by us or any of our restricted subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $20.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; (viii) except as permitted by the 2021 Indenture, any subsidiary guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force or effect, or any 2021 Guarantor, or any person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its subsidiary guarantee; and (ix) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in the 2021 Indenture with respect to the Issuers or any of our restricted subsidiaries that is a significant subsidiary or any group of restricted subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary of us. Upon a continuing Event of Default, the 2021 Trustee, by notice to the Issuers, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding 2021 Notes, by notice to the Issuers and the 2021 Trustee, may declare the 2021 Notes immediately due and payable, except that an Event of Default resulting from entry into a bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Issuers, any restricted subsidiary of us that is a significant subsidiary or any group of its restricted subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary of us, will automatically cause the 2021 Notes to become due and payable.

Revolving Credit Facility

At December 31, 2018 , we maintained a $664.4 million credit facility. This facility was most recently amended on July 24, 2018, which included, among other things, revising our existing leverage covenants.  Total Indebtedness to EBITDA and Senior Secured Indebtedness to EBITDA (each as defined in the credit agreement) was amended to 5.25 times and 3.50 times, respectively.  No changes were made to the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of 2.50 times.

As of December 31, 2018 , we had $287.0 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility and $16.9 million of letters of credit issued, leaving a maximum available to be borrowed under our credit facility for future revolving credit borrowings and letters of credit of $360.5 million. Subject to the financial covenants contained in our credit facility and based on our existing EBITDA (as defined in our credit facility) calculations, as of December 31, 2018 , we have the ability to borrow approximately $25.8 million of that amount. We were in compliance with all financial covenants at December 31, 2018 .

54


   
The revolving credit facility is used for ongoing working capital needs and general partnership purposes, and to finance permitted investments, acquisitions and capital expenditures.  During the year ended December 31, 2018 , the level of outstanding draws on our credit facility has ranged from a low of $287.0 million to a high of $500.0 million.

The credit facility is guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries. Obligations under the credit facility are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of our assets and those of the guarantors, including, without limitation, inventory, accounts receivable, bank accounts, marine vessels, equipment, fixed assets and the interests in our subsidiaries.

We may prepay all amounts outstanding under the credit facility at any time without premium or penalty (other than customary LIBOR breakage costs), subject to certain notice requirements. The credit facility requires mandatory prepayments of amounts outstanding thereunder with the net proceeds of certain asset sales, equity issuances and debt incurrences.

Indebtedness under the credit facility bears interest at our option at the Eurodollar Rate (the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate) plus an applicable margin or the Base Rate (the highest of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, the 30-day Eurodollar Rate plus 1.0%, or the administrative agent’s prime rate) plus an applicable margin. We pay a per annum fee on all letters of credit issued under the credit facility, and we pay a commitment fee per annum on the unused revolving credit availability under the credit facility. The letter of credit fee, the commitment fee and the applicable margins for our interest rate vary quarterly based on our leverage ratio (as defined in the credit facility, being generally computed as the ratio of total funded debt to consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain other non-cash charges) and are as follows as of December 31, 2018 :
 
Leverage Ratio
Base Rate Loans
 
Eurodollar
Rate
Loans
 
Letters of Credit
Less than 3.00 to 1.00
1.00
%
 
2.00
%
 
2.00
%
Greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00 and less than 3.50 to 1.00
1.25
%
 
2.25
%
 
2.25
%
Greater than or equal to 3.50 to 1.00 and less than 4.00 to 1.00
1.50
%
 
2.50
%
 
2.50
%
Greater than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 and less than 4.50 to 1.00
1.75
%
 
2.75
%
 
2.75
%
Greater than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00
2.00
%
 
3.00
%
 
3.00
%
    
At December 31, 2018 , the applicable margin for revolving loans that are LIBOR loans ranges from 2.00% to 3.00% and the applicable margin for revolving loans that are base prime rate loans ranges from 1.00% to 2.00%. The applicable margin for LIBOR borrowings at December 31, 2018 is 2.75%.  

The credit facility includes financial covenants that are tested on a quarterly basis, based on the rolling four-quarter period that ends on the last day of each fiscal quarter.

In addition, the credit facility contains various covenants, which, among other things, limit our and our subsidiaries’ ability to: (i) grant or assume liens; (ii) make investments (including investments in our joint ventures) and acquisitions; (iii) enter into certain types of hedging agreements; (iv) incur or assume indebtedness; (v) sell, transfer, assign or convey assets; (vi) repurchase our equity, make distributions and certain other restricted payments, but the credit facility permits us to make quarterly distributions to unitholders so long as no default or event of default exists under the credit facility; (vii) change the nature of our business; (viii) engage in transactions with affiliates; (ix) enter into certain burdensome agreements; (x) make certain amendments to the Omnibus Agreement and our material agreements; (xi) make capital expenditures; and (xii) permit our joint ventures to incur indebtedness or grant certain liens.

The credit facility contains customary events of default, including, without limitation: (i) failure to pay any principal, interest, fees, expenses or other amounts when due; (ii) failure to meet the quarterly financial covenants; (iii) failure to observe any other agreement, obligation, or covenant in the credit facility or any related loan document, subject to cure periods for certain failures; (iv) the failure of any representation or warranty to be materially true and correct when made; (v) our, or any of our subsidiaries’ default under other indebtedness that exceeds a threshold amount; (vi) bankruptcy or other insolvency events involving us or any of our subsidiaries; (vii) judgments against us or any of our subsidiaries, in excess of a threshold amount; (viii) certain ERISA events involving us or any of our subsidiaries, in excess of a threshold amount; (ix) a change in control (as defined in the credit facility); and (x) the invalidity of any of the loan documents or the failure of any of the collateral documents to create a lien on the collateral.


55


The credit facility also contains certain default provisions relating to Martin Resource Management. If Martin Resource Management no longer controls our general partner, the lenders under the credit facility may declare all amounts outstanding thereunder immediately due and payable. In addition, an event of default by Martin Resource Management under its credit facility could independently result in an event of default under our credit facility if it is deemed to have a material adverse effect on us.

If an event of default relating to bankruptcy or other insolvency events occurs with respect to us or any of our subsidiaries, all indebtedness under our credit facility will immediately become due and payable. If any other event of default exists under our credit facility, the lenders may terminate their commitments to lend us money, accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness outstanding under the credit facility and exercise other rights and remedies. In addition, if any event of default exists under our credit facility, the lenders may commence foreclosure or other actions against the collateral.
 
We are subject to interest rate risk on our credit facility due to the variable interest rate and may enter into interest rate swaps to reduce this variable rate risk.

The Partnership is in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2018 and expects to be in compliance for the next twelve months.

Seasonality

A substantial portion of our revenues are dependent on sales prices of products, particularly NGLs and fertilizers, which fluctuate in part based on winter and spring weather conditions. The demand for NGLs is strongest during the winter heating season and the refinery blending season. The demand for fertilizers is strongest during the early spring planting season. However, natural gas storage division of the Natural Gas Services segment provides stable cash flows and is not generally subject to seasonal demand factors. Additionally, our Terminalling and Storage and Marine Transportation segments and the molten sulfur business are typically not impacted by seasonal fluctuations and a significant portion of our net income is derived from our terminalling and storage, sulfur and marine transportation businesses. Therefore, we do not expect that our overall net income will be impacted by seasonality factors.  However, extraordinary weather events, such as hurricanes, have in the past, and could in the future, impact our Terminalling and Storage and Marine Transportation segments.

Impact of Inflation

Inflation did not have a material impact on our results of operations in 2018, 2017 or 2016.  Although the impact of inflation has been insignificant in recent years, it is still a factor in the U.S. economy and may increase the cost to acquire or replace property, plant and equipment. It may also increase the costs of labor and supplies.  In the future, increasing energy prices could adversely affect our results of operations. Diesel fuel, natural gas, chemicals and other supplies are recorded in operating expenses.  An increase in price of these products would increase our operating expenses which could adversely affect net income. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to pass along increased operating expenses to our customers.

Environmental Matters

Our operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations adopted by various governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which these operations are conducted. We incurred no material environmental costs, liabilities or expenditures to mitigate or eliminate environmental contamination during 2018, 2017 or 2016.

56



Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Commodity Risk. The Partnership from time to time uses derivatives to manage the risk of commodity price fluctuation. Commodity risk is the adverse effect on the value of a liability or future purchase that results from a change in commodity price.  We have established a hedging policy and monitor and manage the commodity market risk associated with potential commodity risk exposure.  In addition, we focus on utilizing counterparties for these transactions whose financial condition is appropriate for the credit risk involved in each specific transaction.     

We have entered into hedging transactions as of December 31, 2018 to protect a portion of our commodity price risk exposure. These hedging arrangements are in the form of swaps for NGLs. We have instruments totaling a gross notional quantity of 55,000 barrels settling during the period from January 31, 2019 through February 28, 2019. These instruments settle against the applicable pricing source for each grade and location. These instruments are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2018 in "Fair value of derivatives" as a current asset of $0.04 million. Based on the current net notional volume hedged as of December 31, 2018 , a $0.10 change in the expected settlement price of these contracts would result in an impact of $0.2 million to the Partnership's net income.

Interest Rate Risk. We are exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of our credit facility, which had a weighted-average interest rate of 5.24% as of December 31, 2018 .  Based on the amount of unhedged floating rate debt owed by us on December 31, 2018 , the impact of a 100 basis point increase in interest rates on this amount of debt would result in an increase in interest expense and a corresponding decrease in net income of approximately $2.9 million annually.

We are not exposed to changes in interest rates with respect to our senior unsecured notes as these obligations are fixed rate.  The estimated fair value of the senior unsecured notes was approximately $360.1 million as of December 31, 2018 , based on market prices of similar debt at December 31, 2018 .   Market risk is estimated as the potential decrease in fair value of our long-term debt resulting from a hypothetical increase of a 100 basis point increase in interest rates. Such an increase in interest rates would result in approximately a $6.8 million decrease in fair value of our long-term debt at December 31, 2018 .

    


57



Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The following financial statements of Martin Midstream Partners L.P. (Partnership) are listed below:

 
Page
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Capital for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

58


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Unitholders and Board of Directors
Martin Midstream Partners L.P. and Martin Midstream GP LLC:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Martin Midstream Partners L.P. and subsidiaries (the “Partnership”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in capital, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 19, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.


/s/ KPMG LLP 


We have served as the Partnership’s auditor since 1981

Dallas, Texas
February 19, 2019








    

59


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Unitholders and Board of Directors
Martin Midstream Partners L.P. and Martin Midstream GP LLC:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Martin Midstream Partners L.P. and subsidiaries' (the “Partnership”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Partnership maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Partnership as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in capital, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”), and our report dated February 19, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Partnership’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting . Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


/s/ KPMG LLP 


Dallas, Texas
February 19, 2019


60



MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Assets
 
 
 
Cash
$
237

 
$
27

Trade and accrued accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $291 and $314, respectively
79,031

 
107,242

Product exchange receivables
166

 
29

Inventories (Note 7)
85,068

 
97,252

Due from affiliates
18,609

 
23,668

Fair value of derivatives (Note 13)
4

 

Other current assets
5,275

 
4,866

Assets held for sale (Note 5)
5,652

 
9,579

Total current assets
194,042

 
242,663

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost (Note 8)
1,264,730

 
1,253,065

Accumulated depreciation
(466,381
)
 
(421,137
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
798,349

 
831,928

 
 
 
 
Goodwill (Note 9)
17,296

 
17,296

Investment in WTLPG (Note 11)

 
128,810

Intangibles and other assets, net (Note 15)
23,711

 
32,801

 
$
1,033,398

 
$
1,253,498

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital
 
 
 
Trade and other accounts payable
$
63,157

 
$
92,567

Product exchange payables
13,237

 
11,751

Due to affiliates
2,459

 
3,168

Income taxes payable
445

 
510

Fair value of derivatives (Note 13)

 
72

Other accrued liabilities (Note 15)
22,215

 
26,340

Total current liabilities
101,513

 
134,408

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net (Note 16)
656,459

 
812,632

Other long-term obligations
10,714

 
8,217

Total liabilities
768,686

 
955,257

Commitments and contingencies (Note 22)


 


Partners’ capital (Note 17)
264,712

 
298,241

Total partners’ capital
264,712

 
298,241

 
$
1,033,398

 
$
1,253,498



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

61

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)


 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Terminalling and storage *
$
96,287

 
$
99,705

 
$
123,132

Marine transportation *
50,370

 
48,579

 
58,290

Natural gas storage services *
52,109

 
58,817

 
61,133

Sulfur services
11,148

 
10,952

 
10,800

Product sales: *
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas services
496,026

 
473,865

 
330,200

Sulfur services
121,388

 
123,732

 
130,258

Terminalling and storage
145,327

 
130,466

 
113,578

 
762,741

 
728,063

 
574,036

Total revenues
972,655

 
946,116

 
827,391

 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold: (excluding depreciation and amortization)
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas services *
463,939

 
421,444

 
289,516

Sulfur services *
90,418

 
82,338

 
87,963

Terminalling and storage *
130,253

 
116,495

 
100,714

 
684,610

 
620,277

 
478,193

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses *
128,337

 
140,177

 
152,325

Selling, general and administrative *
37,677

 
38,764

 
34,320

Impairment of long-lived assets

 
2,225

 
26,953

Impairment of goodwill

 

 
4,145

Depreciation and amortization
76,866

 
85,195

 
92,132

Total costs and expenses
927,490

 
886,638

 
788,068

Other operating income (loss), net
(379
)
 
523

 
33,400

Operating income
44,786

 
60,001

 
72,723

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(52,037
)
 
(47,743
)
 
(46,100
)
Other, net
25

 
1,101

 
1,106

Total other income (expense)
(52,012
)
 
(46,642
)
 
(44,994
)
Net income (loss) before taxes
(7,226
)
 
13,359

 
27,729

Income tax expense
(369
)
 
(352
)
 
(726
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
(7,595
)
 
13,007

 
27,003

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
51,700

 
4,128

 
4,649

Net income
44,105

 
17,135

 
31,652

Less general partner's interest in net income
(882
)
 
(343
)
 
(8,419
)
Less income allocable to unvested restricted units
(28
)
 
(42
)
 
(90
)
Limited partner's interest in net income
$
43,195

 
$
16,750

 
$
23,143



*Related Party Transactions Shown Below

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

62

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)


*Related Party Transactions Included Above
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Terminalling and storage
$
79,219

 
$
82,205

 
$
82,437

Marine transportation
15,442

 
16,801

 
21,767

Natural gas services

 
122

 
699

Product sales
1,407

 
3,578

 
3,034

Costs and expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

Cost of products sold: (excluding depreciation and amortization)
 

 
 

 
 

Natural gas services
14,816

 
18,946

 
22,886

Sulfur services
17,418

 
15,564

 
15,339

          Terminalling and storage
28,304

 
17,612

 
13,838

Expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

Operating expenses
55,528

 
64,344

 
70,841

Selling, general and administrative
28,246

 
29,416

 
25,890



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

63

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)



 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Allocation of net income attributable to:
 
 
 
 
 
Limited partner interest:
 
 
 
 
 
 Continuing operations
$
(7,438
)
 
$
12,715

 
$
19,744

 Discontinued operations
50,633

 
4,035

 
3,399

 
$
43,195

 
$
16,750

 
$
23,143

General partner interest:
 
 
 
 
 
  Continuing operations
$
(152
)
 
$
260

 
$
7,182

  Discontinued operations
1,034

 
83

 
1,237

 
$
882

 
$
343

 
$
8,419

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per unit attributable to limited partners:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.19
)
 
$
0.33

 
$
0.55

Discontinued operations
1.30

 
0.11

 
0.10

 
$
1.11

 
$
0.44

 
$
0.65

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average limited partner units - basic
38,907

 
38,102

 
35,347

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.19
)
 
$
0.33

 
$
0.55

Discontinued operations
1.30

 
0.11

 
0.10

 
$
1.11

 
$
0.44

 
$
0.65

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average limited partner units - diluted
38,923

 
38,165

 
35,375


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



64

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL
(Dollars in thousands)


 
Partners’ Capital
 
 
 
Common
 
General Partner
 
 
 
Units
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Total
Balances – December 31, 2015
35,456,612

 
$
380,845

 
$
13,034

 
$
393,879

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income

 
23,233

 
8,419

 
31,652

Issuance of common units, net

 
(29
)
 

 
(29
)
Issuance of restricted units
13,800

 

 

 

Forfeiture of restricted units
(2,250
)
 

 

 

Cash distributions

 
(104,137
)
 
(14,041
)
 
(118,178
)
Reimbursement of excess purchase price over carrying value of acquired assets

 
4,125

 

 
4,125

Unit-based compensation

 
904

 

 
904

Purchase of treasury units
(16,100
)
 
(347
)
 

 
(347
)
Balances – December 31, 2016
35,452,062

 
304,594

 
7,412

 
312,006

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income

 
16,792

 
343

 
17,135

Issuance of common units, net
2,990,000

 
51,056

 

 
51,056

Issuance of restricted units
12,000

 

 

 

Forfeiture of restricted units
(9,250
)
 

 

 

General partner contribution

 

 
1,098

 
1,098

Cash distributions

 
(75,399
)
 
(1,539
)
 
(76,938
)
Reimbursement of excess purchase price over carrying value of acquired assets

 
1,125

 

 
1,125

Excess purchase price over carrying value of acquired assets

 
(7,887
)
 

 
(7,887
)
Unit-based compensation

 
650

 

 
650

Purchase of treasury units
(200
)
 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
Balances – December 31, 2017
38,444,612

 
290,927

 
7,314

 
298,241

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income

 
43,223

 
882

 
44,105

Issuance of common units, net

 
(118
)
 

 
(118
)
Issuance of time-based restricted units
315,500

 

 

 

Issuance of performance-based restricted units
317,925

 

 

 

Forfeiture of restricted units
(27,000
)
 

 

 

Cash distributions

 
(76,872
)
 
(1,569
)
 
(78,441
)
Excess purchase price over carrying value of acquired assets

 
(26
)
 

 
(26
)
Unit-based compensation

 
1,224

 

 
1,224

Purchase of treasury units
(18,800
)
 
(273
)
 

 
(273
)
Balances – December 31, 2018
39,032,237

 
$
258,085

 
$
6,627

 
$
264,712



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

65

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)


 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
44,105

 
$
17,135

 
$
31,652

Less: Income from discontinued operations
(51,700
)
 
(4,128
)
 
(4,649
)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
(7,595
)
 
13,007

 
27,003

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
76,866

 
85,195

 
92,132

Amortization and write-off of deferred debt issue costs
3,445

 
2,897

 
3,684

Amortization of premium on notes payable
(306
)
 
(306
)
 
(306
)
(Gain) loss on disposition or sale of property, plant, and equipment
379

 
(523
)
 
(33,400
)
Impairment of long lived assets

 
2,225

 
26,953

Impairment of goodwill

 

 
4,145

Derivative (income) loss
(14,024
)
 
1,304

 
4,133

Net cash (paid) received for commodity derivatives
13,948

 
(5,136
)
 
(550
)
Net cash received for interest rate derivatives

 

 
160

Net premiums received on derivatives that settled during the year on interest rate swaption contracts

 

 
630

Unit-based compensation
1,224

 
650

 
904

Change in current assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts and other receivables
28,440

 
(26,739
)
 
(6,153
)
Product exchange receivables
(137
)
 
178

 
843

Inventories
11,844

 
(14,656
)
 
(6,761
)
Due from affiliates
5,059

 
(12,096
)
 
(1,441
)
Other current assets
1,178

 
(1,699
)
 
2,478

Trade and other accounts payable
(27,478
)
 
20,037

 
3,254

Product exchange payables
1,486

 
4,391

 
(5,372
)
Due to affiliates
(709
)
 
(5,306
)
 
2,736

Income taxes payable
(65
)
 
(360
)
 
(115
)
Other accrued liabilities
(6,415
)
 
(3,187
)
 
686

Change in other non-current assets and liabilities
332

 
2,416

 
(12,230
)
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities
87,472

 
62,292

 
103,413

Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities
3,254

 
5,214

 
7,435

Net cash provided by operating activities
90,726

 
67,506

 
110,848

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Payments for property, plant, and equipment
(37,090
)
 
(39,749
)
 
(40,455
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 
(19,533
)
 
(2,150
)
Payments for plant turnaround costs
(1,893
)
 
(1,583
)
 
(2,061
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment
9,381

 
8,377

 
108,505

Proceeds from repayment of Note receivable - affiliate

 
15,000

 

Net cash provided by (used in) continuing investing activities
(29,602
)
 
(37,488
)
 
63,839

Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued investing activities
177,256

 
(390
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
147,654

 
(37,878
)
 
63,839

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Payments of long-term debt
(557,000
)
 
(339,000
)
 
(386,700
)
Proceeds from long-term debt
399,000

 
341,000

 
331,700

Net proceeds from issuance of common units
(118
)
 
51,056

 
(29
)
General partner contributions

 
1,098

 

Excess purchase price over carrying value of acquired assets
(26
)
 
(7,887
)
 

Reimbursement of excess purchase price over carrying value of acquired assets

 
1,125

 
4,125

Purchase of treasury units
(273
)
 
(4
)
 
(347
)
Payments of debt issuance costs
(1,312
)
 
(66
)
 
(5,274
)
Cash distributions paid
(78,441
)
 
(76,938
)
 
(118,178
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(238,170
)
 
(29,616
)
 
(174,703
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash
210

 
12

 
(16
)
Cash at beginning of year
27

 
15

 
31

Cash at end of year
$
237

 
$
27

 
$
15

 
 
 
 
 
 


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

66

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)


NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Martin Midstream Partners L.P. (the "Partnership") is a publicly traded limited partnership with a diverse set of operations focused primarily in the United States ("U.S.") Gulf Coast region. Its four primary business lines include:  terminalling and storage services for petroleum products and by-products including the refining of naphthenic crude oil and the blending and packaging of finished lubricants; natural gas services, including liquids transportation and distribution services and natural gas storage; sulfur and sulfur-based products processing, manufacturing, marketing and distribution; and marine transportation services for petroleum products and by-products.

The petroleum products and by-products the Partnership collects, transports, stores and distributes are produced primarily by major and independent oil and gas companies who often turn to third parties, such as the Partnership, for the transportation and disposition of these products.  In addition to these major and independent oil and gas companies, the Partnership's primary customers include independent refiners, large chemical companies, fertilizer manufacturers and other wholesale purchasers of these products. The Partnership operates primarily in the U.S. Gulf Coast region, which is a major hub for petroleum refining, natural gas gathering and processing and support services for the oil and gas exploration and production industry.

On August 30, 2013, Martin Resource Management completed the sale of a 49% non-controlling voting interest ( 50% economic interest) in MMGP Holdings, LLC ("Holdings"), a newly-formed sole member of Martin Midstream GP LLC ("MMGP"), the general partner of the Partnership, to certain affiliated investment funds managed by Alinda Capital Partners ("Alinda"). Upon closing the transaction, Alinda appointed two representatives to serve on the board of directors of the general partner of the Partnership.

NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES

(a)       Principles of Presentation and Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and equity method investees.  In the opinion of the management of the Partnership’s general partner, all adjustments and elimination of significant intercompany balances necessary for a fair presentation of the Partnership’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods shown have been made.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  In addition, the Partnership evaluates its relationships with other entities to identify whether they are variable interest entities under certain provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"), 810-10 and to assess whether it is the primary beneficiary of such entities.  If the determination is made that the Partnership is the primary beneficiary, then that entity is included in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with ASC 810-10.  No such variable interest entities exist as of December 31, 2018 or 2017 .

Divestiture of WTLPG Partnership Interest. On July 31, 2018, the Partnership completed the sale of its 20 percent non-operating interest in West Texas LPG Pipeline L.P. ("WTLPG") to ONEOK, Inc. (“ONEOK”). WTLPG owns an approximate 2,300 mile common-carrier pipeline system that primarily transports NGLs from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu, Texas for fractionation. A wholly-owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc. is the operator of the assets. The Partnership has concluded the disposition represents a strategic shift and will have a major effect on its financial results going forward. As a result, the Partnership has presented the results of operations and cash flows relating to its equity method investment in WTLPG as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016. See Note 5 for more information.

Correction of Immaterial Error. The year to date amounts for 2017 and 2016 have been revised to reflect a reclassification in the presentation of certain expenses associated with the manufacturing and shipping of product related to a location in the Partnership's Terminalling and Storage operating segment.  The reclassification resulted in a decrease in operating expenses from $146,874 to $140,177 and an increase in cost of products sold from $613,580 to $620,277 for the year ended December 31, 2017, and a decrease in operating expenses from $158,864 to $152,325 and an increase in cost of products sold from $471,654 to $478,193 for the year ended December 31, 2016.


67

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

(b)         Product Exchanges
 
The Partnership enters into product exchange agreements with third parties, whereby the Partnership agrees to exchange natural gas liquids ("NGLs") and sulfur with third parties.  The Partnership records the balance of exchange products due to other companies under these agreements at quoted market product prices and the balance of exchange products due from other companies at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method.  Product exchanges with the same counterparty are entered into in contemplation of one another and are combined. The net amount related to location differentials is reported in "Product sales" or "Cost of products sold" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
(c)       Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is generally determined by using the FIFO method for all inventories except lubricants and lubricants packaging inventories. Lubricants and lubricants packaging inventories cost is determined using standard cost, which approximates actual cost, computed on a FIFO basis.
 
(d)      Revenue Recognition
 
Terminalling and Storage – Revenue is recognized for storage contracts based on the contracted monthly tank fixed fee.  For throughput contracts, revenue is recognized based on the volume moved through the Partnership’s terminals at the contracted rate.  For the Partnership’s tolling agreement, revenue is recognized based on the contracted monthly reservation fee and throughput volumes moved through the facility.  When lubricants and drilling fluids are sold by truck or rail, revenue is recognized upon delivering product to the customers as title to the product transfers when the customer physically receives the product. Delivery of product is invoiced as the transaction occurs and are generally paid within a month.
 
Natural Gas Services – NGL distribution revenue is recognized when product is delivered by truck, rail, or pipeline to the Partnership's NGL customers. Revenue is recognized on title transfer of the product to the customer. Delivery of product is invoiced as the transaction occurs and are generally paid within a month. Natural gas storage revenue is recognized when the service is provided to the customer. The performance of the service is invoiced as the transaction occurs and are generally paid within a month.

Sulfur Services – Revenue from sulfur product sales is recognized when the customer takes title to the product.  Delivery of product is invoiced as the transaction occurs and are generally paid within a month. Revenue from sulfur services is recognized as deliveries are made during each monthly period. The performance of the service is invoiced as the transaction occurs and are generally paid within a month.
 
Marine Transportation – Revenue is recognized for time charters based on a per day rate. For contracted trips, revenue is recognized upon completion of the particular trip. The performance of the service is invoiced as the transaction occurs and are generally paid within a month.
 
(e)       Equity Method Investments
 
The Partnership uses the equity method of accounting for investments in unconsolidated entities where the ability to exercise significant influence over such entities exists.  Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of capital contributions and advances plus the Partnership’s share of accumulated earnings as of the entities’ latest fiscal year-ends, less capital withdrawals and distributions.  Equity method investments are subject to impairment under the provisions of ASC 323-10, which relates to the equity method of accounting for investments in common stock.  No portion of the net income from these entities is included in the Partnership’s operating income.

(f)      Property, Plant, and Equipment

Owned property, plant, and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation.  Owned buildings and equipment are depreciated using straight-line method over the estimated lives of the respective assets.

Equipment under capital leases is stated at the present value of minimum lease payments less accumulated amortization. Equipment under capital leases is amortized on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset.

68

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)


Routine maintenance and repairs are charged to expense while costs of betterments and renewals are capitalized.  When an asset is retired or sold, its cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and the difference between net book value of the asset and proceeds from disposition is recognized as gain or loss.
 
(g)      Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is subject to a fair-value based impairment test on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment. The Partnership is required to identify its reporting units and determine the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning the assets and liabilities, including the existing goodwill and intangible assets. The Partnership is required to determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it to the carrying amount of the reporting unit. To the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the Partnership will record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

When assessing the recoverability of goodwill and other intangible assets, the Partnership may first assess qualitative factors in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or other intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. After assessing qualitative factors, if the Partnership determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or other intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, then performing a quantitative assessment is not required. If an initial qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit or other intangible asset, a quantitative analysis will be performed. The Partnership may also elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to a quantitative analysis depending on the facts and circumstances.

Of the Partnership's four reporting units, the terminalling and storage, natural gas services, and sulfur services reporting units contain goodwill. No goodwill impairment was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2018 or 2017. During the second quarter of 2016, the Partnership experienced an impairment of all the goodwill in the Partnership's marine transportation reporting unit.

In performing a quantitative analysis, recoverability of goodwill for each reporting unit is measured using a weighting of the discounted cash flow method and two market approaches (the guideline public company method and the guideline transaction method). The discounted cash flow model incorporates discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. Use of a discounted cash flow model is common practice in assessing impairment in the absence of available transactional market evidence to determine the fair value. The key assumptions used in the discounted cash flow valuation model include discount rates, growth rates, cash flow projections and terminal value rates. Discount rates, growth rates and cash flow projections are the most sensitive and susceptible to change as they require significant management judgment. Discount rates are determined by using a weighted average cost of capital ("WACC"). The WACC considers market and industry data as well as company-specific risk factors for each reporting unit in determining the appropriate discount rate to be used. The discount rate utilized for each reporting unit is indicative of the return an investor would expect to receive for investing in such a business. Management, considering industry and company specific historical and projected data, develops growth rates and cash flow projections for each reporting unit. Terminal value rate determination follows common methodology of capturing the present value of perpetual cash flow estimates beyond the last projected period assuming a constant WACC and low long-term growth rates. If the calculated fair value is less than the current carrying amount, the Partnership will record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

Significant changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value for each reporting unit which could give rise to future impairment. Changes to these estimates and assumptions can include, but may not be limited to, varying commodity prices, volume changes and operating costs due to market conditions and/or alternative providers of services.

Other intangible assets that have finite lives are tested for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. An impairment is indicated if the carrying amount of a long-lived intangible asset exceeds the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If impairment is indicated, the Partnership would record an impairment loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset. There were no intangible asset impairments in 2018, 2017 or 2016.

69

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

 
(h)      Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs relating to the Partnership’s revolving credit facility and senior unsecured notes are deferred and amortized over the terms of the debt arrangements and are shown, net of accumulated amortization, as a reduction of the related long-term debt.

In connection with the issuance, amendment, expansion and restatement of debt arrangements, the Partnership incurred debt issuance costs of $1,312 , $66 and $5,274 in the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.

During 2016, the Partnership made certain strategic amendments to its credit facility which, among other things, decreased its borrowing capacity from $700,000 to $664,444 and extended the maturity date of the facility from March 28, 2018 to March 28, 2020. In connection with the amendment, the Partnership expensed $820 of unamortized debt issuance costs determined not to have continuing benefit.

Remaining unamortized deferred issuance costs are amortized over the term of each respective revised debt arrangement.

Amortization and write-off of debt issuance costs, which is included in interest expense, totaled $3,445 , $2,897 and $3,684 for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.  Accumulated amortization amounted to $20,607 and $17,162 at December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.
 
(i)      Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
In accordance with ASC 360-10, long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets with definite lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.  Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell and would no longer be depreciated.  The assets and liabilities of a disposed group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet.  

In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Partnership identified a triggering event related to the planned disposition of certain assets that were no longer deemed core assets in the Partnership's Marine Transportation business. The triggering event was the assets' inability to generate cash flows in recent quarters and going forward. As a result, an impairment charge of $1,625 was recorded in the Marine Transportation segment results of operations in the fourth quarter of 2017. Additionally, the Partnership recorded an adjustment to the fair value less cost to sell of a certain asset classified as held for sale in the Martin Lubricants division of the Terminalling and Storage segment. As a result, an impairment charge of $600 was recorded in the Terminalling and Storage segment results of operations in the fourth quarter of 2017.

On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane. The storm lingered over Texas and Louisiana for days producing over 50 inches of rain in some areas, resulting in widespread flooding and damage. The Partnership experienced an impact from Hurricane Harvey in our Terminalling and Storage and Sulfur Services segments, where damages were suffered to the Partnership's property, plant, and equipment at its Neches, Stanolind, Galveston, and Harbor Island terminals located along the Texas gulf coast. The damage incurred did not exceed the insurance deductible at these locations and therefore the Partnership does not expect to receive any insurance proceeds resulting from the damage from Hurricane Harvey. In the third quarter of 2017, the Partnership recorded a write-off in the amount of $186 related to assets damaged.
    
In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Partnership identified a triggering event related to certain organic growth projects in the Smackover Refinery and Specialty Terminals divisions of the Partnership's Terminalling and Storage segment. These triggering events were the decision to not move forward with certain expansion projects due to the evaporation of the economic viability of the projects. Additionally, a triggering event was identified related to the planned disposition of certain assets that were no longer deemed core assets to the Partnership's Martin Lubricants division. As a result, an impairment charge of $15,252 was recorded

70

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

in the Terminalling and Storage segment results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. Also, in the fourth quarter of 2016, the Partnership identified a triggering event related to the planned disposition of certain assets that were no longer deemed core assets in the Partnership's Marine Transportation business. The triggering event was the assets' inability to generate cash flows in recent quarters and going forward. As a result, an impairment charge of $11,701 was recorded in the Marine Transportation segment results of operations in the fourth quarter of 2016.

(j)      Asset Retirement Obligations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Under ASC 410-20, which relates to accounting requirements for costs associated with legal obligations to retire tangible, long-lived assets, the Partnership records an asset retirement obligation ("ARO") at fair value in the period in which it is incurred by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. In each subsequent period, the liability is accreted over time towards the ultimate obligation amount and the capitalized costs are depreciated over the useful life of the related asset.  

(k)     Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
 
In accordance with certain provisions of ASC 815-10 related to accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities, all derivatives and hedging instruments are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as an asset or liability measured at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. If a derivative qualifies for hedge accounting, changes in the fair value can be offset against the change in the fair value of the hedged item through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until such time as the hedged item is recognized in earnings.
 
Derivative instruments not designated as hedges are marked to market with all market value adjustments being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

(l)    Use of Estimates

Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
(m)      Indirect Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Indirect selling, general and administrative expenses are incurred by Martin Resource Management and allocated to the Partnership to cover costs of centralized corporate functions such as accounting, treasury, engineering, information technology, risk management and other corporate services.  Such expenses are based on the percentage of time spent by Martin Resource Management’s personnel that provide such centralized services.  Under an omnibus agreement with Martin Resource Management, the Partnership is required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for indirect general and administrative and corporate overhead expenses.  For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , the conflicts committee of the Partnership's general partner ("Conflicts Committee") approved reimbursement amounts of   $16,416 , $16,416 and $13,033 , respectively, reflecting the Partnership's allocable share of such expenses.  The Conflicts Committee will review and approve future adjustments in the reimbursement amount for indirect expenses, if any, annually.
 
(n)        Environmental Liabilities and Litigation
 
The Partnership’s policy is to accrue for losses associated with environmental remediation obligations when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable.  Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations generally are recognized no later than completion of the remedial feasibility study.  Such accruals are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change.  Costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations are not discounted to their present value.  Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable.
 

71

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

(o)      Trade and Accrued Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.
 
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Partnership’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Partnership’s existing accounts receivable.
 
(p)      Deferred Catalyst Costs

The cost of the periodic replacement of catalysts is deferred and amortized over the catalyst’s estimated useful life, which ranges from 12 to 36 months.

(q)      Deferred Turnaround Costs

The Partnership capitalizes the cost of major turnarounds and amortizes these costs over the estimated period to the next turnaround, which ranges from 12 to 36 months.

(r)      Income Taxes
 
The Partnership is subject to the Texas margin tax, which is considered a state income tax, and is included in income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Since the tax base on the Texas margin tax is derived from an income-based measure, the margin tax is construed as an income tax and, therefore, the recognition of deferred taxes applies to the margin tax. The impact on deferred taxes as a result of this provision is immaterial.

(s)      Comprehensive Income
 
Comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income.  There are no items of other comprehensive income or loss in any of the years presented.

NOTE 3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The new standard is effective for the Partnership on January 1, 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Partnership adopted the new standard utilizing the cumulative effect method which resulted in no cumulative effect of the adoption being recorded as of January 1, 2018. The Partnership adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 and did not identify any significant changes in the timing of revenue recognition when considering the amended accounting guidance. Additional disclosures related to revenue recognition appear in "Note 6. Revenue."

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases , which introduces the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. Lessor accounting under the new standard is substantially unchanged and the Partnership believes substantially all of our leases will continue to be classified as operating leases under the new standard. Additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures, including significant judgments made by management, will be required.  The update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. The original guidance required application on a modified retrospective basis with the earliest period presented. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements to ASC 842 , which includes an option to not restate comparative periods in transition and elect to use the effective date of ASC 842, Leases, as the date of initial application of transition. Based on the effective date, this guidance will apply and the Partnership will adopt this ASU beginning on January 1, 2019 and plans to elect the transition option provided under ASU 2018-11. Consequently, financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019.

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Partnership expects to elect the "package of practical expedients", which permits the Partnership not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting. The Partnership expects to elect the short-term lease recognition exemption for

72

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

all leases that qualify. This means, for those assets that qualify, the Partnership will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities, and this includes not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition.

Based on its current lease portfolio, the Partnership estimates that the adoption of this ASU will result in approximately $19,879 of additional assets and liabilities being reflected on its Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2019.

NOTE 4. ACQUISITIONS

Acquisition of Terminalling Assets.     On February 22, 2017, the Partnership acquired 100% of the membership interests of MEH South Texas Terminals LLC (“MEH”), a subsidiary of Martin Resource Management, for a purchase price of $27,420 (the “Hondo Acquisition”), which was was funded with borrowings under the Partnership's revolving credit facility. At the date of acquisition, MEH was in the process of constructing an asphalt terminal facility in Hondo, Texas (the "Hondo Terminal”), which will serve the asphalt market in San Antonio, Texas and surrounding areas. This acquisition is considered a transfer of net assets between entities under common control. The acquisition of these assets was recorded at the historical carrying value of the assets at the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the carrying value of the assets of $7,887 was recorded as an adjustment to "Partners' capital."
Purchase price
$
27,420

Historical carrying value of assets allocated to "Property, plant and equipment"
19,533

Excess purchase price over carrying value of acquired assets
$
7,887



As no individual line item of the historical financial statements of the acquired assets was in excess of 3% of the Partnership's relative consolidated financial statement captions, the Partnership elected not to retrospectively recast the historical financial information to include these assets.

NOTE 5. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, DIVESTITURES, AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

Divestitures

Divestiture of WTLPG Partnership Interest. On July 31, 2018, the Partnership completed the sale of its 20 percent non-operating interest in WTLPG to ONEOK. WTLPG owns an approximate 2,300 mile common-carrier pipeline system that primarily transports NGLs from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu, Texas for fractionation. A wholly-owned subsidiary of ONEOK is the operator of the assets. In consideration for the sale of these assets, the Partnership received cash proceeds of $193,705 , after transaction fees and expenses. The proceeds from the sale were used to reduce outstanding borrowings under the Partnership's revolving credit facility.  The Partnership has concluded the disposition represents a strategic shift and will have a major effect on its financial results going forward. As a result, the Partnership has presented the results of operations and cash flows relating to its equity method investment in WTLPG as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016.

The operating results, which are included in income from discontinued operations, were as follows:
 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total costs and expenses and other, net, excluding depreciation and amortization 1
$
(247
)
 
$
(186
)
 
$
(65
)
Other operating income 2
48,564

 

 

Equity in earnings
3,383

 
4,314

 
4,714

Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
51,700

 
4,128

 
4,649

Income tax expense

 

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
$
51,700

 
$
4,128

 
$
4,649


73

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)


1 These expenses represent direct operating expenses as a result of the Partnership's ownership interest in WTLPG.

2 Other operating income represents the gain on the disposition of the investment in WTLPG.

Divestiture of Terminalling Assets. On December 21, 2016, the Partnership sold its 900,000 barrel crude oil storage terminal, refined product barge terminal, certain pipelines and related easements as well as dockage and trans-loading assets located in Corpus Christi, Texas (collectively the "CCCT Assets") to NuStar Logistics, L.P. (“NuStar”) for gross consideration of $107,000 plus the reimbursement of certain capital expenditures and prepaid items of $2,057 . The Partnership received net proceeds of approximately $93,347 after transaction fees and expenses as well as the application of certain net cash payments previously received by us in conjunction with its mandated relocation of certain dockage assets to the purchase price in the amount of $13,400 . Proceeds from the sale were used to reduce outstanding borrowings under the Partnership's revolving credit facility. The Partnership recorded a gain from the divestiture of $37,345 , which was included in "Other operating income, net" on the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. Net income attributable to the CCCT Assets included in the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Operations was $0 , $0 , and $43,804 for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively.

The divestiture of the CCCT Assets did not qualify for discontinued operations presentation under the guidance of ASC 205-20.

Long-Lived Assets Held for Sale

In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Partnership identified certain assets that were no longer deemed core to the operations of the Partnership in the inland division of the Marine Transportation segment. Additionally, the Partnership recorded an adjustment to the fair value less cost to sell of a certain asset classified as held for sale in the Martin Lubricants division of the Terminalling and Storage segment. As a result, an impairment charge of $600 and $1,625 was recorded in the Terminalling and Storage and Marine Transportation segments, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2017 and was presented as "Impairment of long-lived assets" in the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Partnership identified certain assets that were no longer deemed core to the operations of the Partnership in the Smackover refinery and Martin Lubricants divisions of the Terminalling and Storage segment as well as the inland and offshore divisions of the Marine Transportation segment. These assets were deemed non-core due to the each asset's inability to generate cash flows in recent quarters as well as the expected cash flows in future quarters. As a result, an impairment charge of $15,252 and $11,701 was recorded in the Terminalling and Storage and Marine Transportation segments, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2016 and was presented as "Impairment of long-lived assets" in the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

At December 31, 2018 and 2017 , the assets met the criteria to be classified as held for sale in accordance with ASC 360-10 and are presented at the assets' fair value less cost to sell by segment in current assets as follows:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
Terminalling and storage
$
3,552

 
$
4,152

Marine transportation
2,100

 
5,427

    Assets held for sale
$
5,652

 
$
9,579



During 2018, the Partnership received $1,002 in proceeds from the sale of assets classified as held for sale resulting in a loss of $1,022 , which was presented as a component of "Other operating income (loss), net" in the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During 2017, the Partnership received $8,341 in proceeds from the sale of assets classified as held for sale resulting in a gain of $822 , which was presented as a component of "Other operating income (loss), net" in the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Operations.


74

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

The non-core assets discussed above did not qualify for discontinued operations presentation under the guidance of ASC 205-20.


75

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

NOTE 6. REVENUE

The following table disaggregates our revenue by major source:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
Terminalling and storage segment
 
 
 
 
 
Lubricant product sales
$
145,327

 
$
130,466

 
$
113,578

Throughput and storage
96,287

 
99,705

 
123,132

 
$
241,614

 
$
230,171

 
$
236,710

Natural gas services segment
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas liquids product sales
$
496,026

 
$
473,865

 
$
330,200

Natural gas storage
52,109

 
58,817

 
61,133

 
$
548,135

 
$
532,682

 
$
391,333

Sulfur service segment
 
 
 
 
 
Sulfur product sales
$
46,347

 
$
49,204

 
$
53,327

Fertilizer product sales
75,041

 
74,528

 
76,931

Sulfur services
11,148

 
10,952

 
10,800

 
$
132,536

 
$
134,684

 
$
141,058

Marine transportation segment
 
 
 
 
 
Inland transportation
$
44,580

 
$
42,874

 
$
50,556

Offshore transportation
5,790

 
5,705

 
7,734

 
$
50,370

 
$
48,579

 
$
58,290



Revenue is measured based on a consideration specified in a contract with a customer and excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties where the Partnership is acting as an agent. The Partnership recognizes revenue when the Partnership satisfies a performance obligation, which typically occurs when the Partnership transfers control over a product to a customer or as the Partnership delivers a service.

The following is a description of the principal activities - separated by reportable segments - from which the Partnership generates revenue.

Terminalling and Storage Segment

Revenue is recognized for storage contracts based on the contracted monthly tank fixed fee.  For throughput contracts, revenue is recognized based on the volume moved through the Partnership’s terminals at the contracted rate.  For the Partnership’s tolling agreement, revenue is recognized based on the contracted monthly reservation fee and throughput volumes moved through the facility.  When lubricants and drilling fluids are sold by truck or rail, revenue is recognized when title is transferred, which is either upon delivering product to the customer or when the product leaves the Partnership's facility, depending on the specific terms of the contract. Delivery of product is invoiced as the transaction occurs and is generally paid within a month.

Natural Gas Services Segment

Natural Gas Liquids ("NGL") distribution revenue is recognized when product is delivered by truck, rail, or pipeline to the Partnership's NGL customers. Revenue is recognized on title transfer of the product to the customer. Delivery of product is invoiced as the transaction occurs and are generally paid within a month. Natural gas storage revenue is recognized when the service is provided to the customer. The performance of the service is invoiced as the transaction occurs and is generally paid within a month.

76

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)


Sulfur Services Segment

Revenue from sulfur product sales is recognized when the customer takes title to the product.  Delivery of product is invoiced as the transaction occurs and are generally paid within a month. Revenue from sulfur services is recognized as services are performed during each monthly period. The performance of the service is invoiced as the transaction occurs and is generally paid within a month.

Marine Transportation Segment

Revenue is recognized for time charters based on a per day rate. For contracted trips, revenue is recognized upon completion of the particular trip. The performance of the service is invoiced as the transaction occurs and is generally paid within a month.

The table includes estimated minimum revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied at the end of the reporting period. The Partnership applies the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14(a) and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Terminalling and storage
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Throughput and storage
$
50,079

 
$
49,354

 
$
46,642

 
$
42,735

 
$
42,854

 
$
392,624

 
$
624,288

Natural gas services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas storage
37,979

 
32,119

 
26,276

 
24,615

 
10,107

 

 
131,096

Sulfur services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sulfur product sales
17,082

 
4,898

 
1,181

 
295

 

 

 
23,456

Marine transportation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Offshore transportation
6,205

 

 

 

 

 

 
6,205

Total
$
111,345

 
$
86,371

 
$
74,099

 
$
67,645

 
$
52,961

 
$
392,624

 
$
785,045



NOTE 7. INVENTORIES

Components of inventories at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows: 
 
2018
 
2017
Natural gas liquids
$
32,388

 
$
47,462

Sulfur
12,818

 
8,436

Fertilizer
14,208

 
18,674

Lubricants
22,887

 
20,086

Other
2,767

 
2,594

 
$
85,068

 
$
97,252




77

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

NOTE 8. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

At December 31, 2018 and 2017 , property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
 
Depreciable Lives
 
2018
 
2017
Land
 
$
22,293

 
$
21,719

Improvements to land and buildings
10-25 years
 
129,985

 
135,896

Storage equipment
5-50 years
 
174,851

 
178,815

Marine vessels
4-25 years
 
191,070

 
176,782

Operating plant and equipment
3-50 years
 
673,909

 
659,854

Base Gas
 
43,755

 
43,799

Furniture, fixtures and other equipment
3-20 years
 
11,832

 
11,134

Transportation equipment
3-7 years
 
1,821

 
1,535

Construction in progress
 
 
15,214

 
23,531

 
 
 
$
1,264,730

 
$
1,253,065



Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 was $67,122 , $70,904 and $72,405 .

Additions to property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $2,166 and $4,100 , respectively.

NOTE 9. GOODWILL

The following table represents the goodwill balance by reporting unit at December 31, 2018 and 2017 as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
Carrying amount of goodwill:
 
 
 
   Terminalling and storage
$
11,868

 
$
11,868

   Natural gas services
79

 
79

   Sulfur services
5,349

 
5,349

        Total goodwill
$
17,296

 
$
17,296



During the impairment evaluation performed at August 31, 2018 and 2017, the Partnership first assessed qualitative factors in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or other intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. After assessing qualitative factors, the Partnership determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting units are less than its carrying amount. Therefore, no impairment was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2018 or 2017.

During the second quarter of 2016, the Partnership determined that the state of market conditions in the Marine Transportation reporting unit, including the demand for utilization, day rates and the current oversupply of inland tank barges, indicated that an impairment of goodwill may exist. As a result, the Partnership assessed qualitative factors and determined that the Partnership could not conclude it was more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill exceeded its carrying value. In turn, the Partnership prepared a quantitative analysis of the fair value of the goodwill as of June 30, 2016, based on the weighted average valuation of the aforementioned income and market based valuation approaches. The underlying results of the valuation were driven by actual results during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and the pricing and market conditions existing as of June 30, 2016, which were below forecasts at the time of the previous goodwill assessments. Other key estimates, assumptions and inputs used in the valuation included long-term growth rates, discounts rates, terminal values, valuation multiples and relative valuations when comparing the reporting unit to similar businesses or asset bases. Upon completion of the analysis, a  $4,145  impairment of all goodwill in the Marine Transportation reporting unit was incurred during the second quarter of 2016. The Partnership did not recognize any other goodwill impairment losses for the year ended December 31, 2016.

    

78

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

NOTE 10. LEASES

The Partnership has numerous non-cancelable operating leases primarily for terminal facilities and transportation and other equipment. The leases generally provide that all expenses related to the equipment are to be paid by the lessee. The Partnership also has cancelable operating lease land rentals and outside marine vessel charters.

The Partnership’s future minimum lease obligations as of December 31, 2018 consist of the following:
Fiscal year
Operating Leases
 
 
2019
$
7,869

2020
5,417

2021
3,216

2022
2,129

2023
1,467

Thereafter
7,823

Total
$
27,921



Rent expense for continuing operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 was $14,076 , $15,908 and $19,005 , respectively.

NOTE 11. INVESTMENT IN WTLPG

As discussed in Note 5, on July 31, 2018, the Partnership completed the sale of its 20 percent non-operating interest in WTLPG. Prior to the sale, the Partnership owned a 19.8% limited partnership and 0.2% general partnership interest in WTLPG. A wholly-owned subsidiary of ONEOK is the operator of the assets. WTLPG owns an approximate 2,300 mile common-carrier pipeline system that primarily transports NGLs from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu, Texas for fractionation. The Partnership recognized its 20% interest in WTLPG as "Investment in WTLPG" on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Partnership accounted for its ownership interest in WTLPG under the equity method of accounting. As discussed in Note 5, the Partnership sold its 20% non-operating partnership interest to ONEOK on July 31, 2018.

Selected financial information for WTLPG during the period of ownership is as follows:
 

As of July 31,
 
Seven Months Ended July 31,
 
Total Assets
 
Long-Term Debt
 
Members’ Equity/Partners' Capital
 
Revenues
 
Net Income
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WTLPG
$
928,349

 
$

 
$
868,894

 
$
55,534

 
$
16,642

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

As of December 31,
 
Years ended December 31,
 
Total Assets
 
Long-Term Debt
 
Members’ Equity/Partners' Capital
 
Revenues
 
Net Income
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WTLPG
$
837,163

 
$

 
$
787,426

 
$
87,048

 
$
21,571

2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WTLPG
$
812,464

 
$

 
$
790,406

 
$
88,468

 
$
23,883

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


NOTE 12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Partnership uses a valuation framework based upon inputs that market participants use in pricing certain assets and liabilities. These inputs are classified into two categories: observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs represent the Partnership's own market assumptions. Unobservable inputs are used only if observable inputs are unavailable or not reasonably available without undue cost and effort. The two types of inputs are further prioritized into the following hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumptions and are not corroborated by market data.


79

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
 
Level 2
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Commodity derivative contracts, net
$
4

 
$
(72
)

The Partnership is required to disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. Fair value estimates are set forth below for these financial instruments. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Accounts and other receivables, trade and other accounts payable, accrued interest payable, other accrued liabilities, income taxes payable and due from/to affiliates: The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturity and highly liquid nature of these instruments, and as such these have been excluded from the table below. There is negligible credit risk associated with these instruments.

Long-term debt: The carrying amount of the revolving credit facility approximates fair value due to the debt having a variable interest rate and is in Level 2. The Partnership has not had any indicators which represent a change in the market spread associated with its variable interest rate debt. The estimated fair value of the senior unsecured notes is considered Level 1, as the fair value is based on quoted market prices in active markets.
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
2021 Senior unsecured notes
$
372,996

 
$
360,138

 
$
372,618

 
$
381,657



NOTE 13. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Partnership’s results of operations could be materially impacted by changes in NGL prices and interest rates. In an effort to manage its exposure to these risks, the Partnership periodically enters into various derivative instruments, including commodity and interest rate hedges. All derivatives and hedging instruments are included on the balance sheet as an asset or a liability measured at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings. All of the Partnership's derivatives are non-hedge derivatives and therefore all changes in fair values are recognized as gains and losses in the earnings of the periods in which they occur.

(a)    Commodity Derivative Instruments

The Partnership from time to time has used derivatives to manage the risk of commodity price fluctuation. Commodity risk is the adverse effect on the value of a liability or future purchase that results from a change in commodity price.  The Partnership has established a hedging policy and monitors and manages the commodity market risk associated with potential commodity risk exposure.  In addition, the Partnership has focused on utilizing counterparties for these transactions whose financial condition is appropriate for the credit risk involved in each specific transaction. The Partnership has entered into hedging transactions as of December 31, 2018 to protect a portion of its commodity price risk exposure. These hedging arrangements are in the form of swaps for NGLs. The Partnership has instruments totaling a gross notional quantity of 55 barrels settling during the period from January 31, 2019 through February 28, 2019. At December 31, 2017 , the Partnership had instruments totaling a gross notional quantity of 145 barrels settling during the period from January 31, 2018 through February 28, 2018. These instruments settle against the applicable pricing source for each grade and location.

(b)    Interest Rate Derivative Instruments

The Partnership is exposed to market risks associated with interest rates. Market risk is the adverse effect on the value of a financial instrument that results from a change in interest rates. We minimize this market risk by establishing and monitoring parameters that limit the types and degree of market risk that may be undertaken. The Partnership enters into

80

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk associated with the Partnership’s variable rate credit facility and its senior unsecured notes.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Partnership entered into contracts which provided the counterparty the option to enter into swap contracts to hedge the Partnership's exposure to changes in the fair value of its senior unsecured notes ("interest rate swaptions"). In connection with the interest rate swaption contracts, the Partnership received premiums of $630 , which represented the fair value on the date the transactions were initiated and were initially recorded as a derivative liability on the Partnership's Consolidated Balance Sheet, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. Each of the interest rate swaptions was fully amortized as of December 31, 2016. Interest rate swaption contract premiums received are amortized over the period from initiation of the contract through their termination date. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Partnership recognized $630 of premium in "Interest expense, net" on the Partnership's Consolidated Statement of Operations related to the interest rate swaption contracts.

     For information regarding fair value amounts and gains and losses on interest rate derivative instruments and related hedged items, see "Tabular Presentation of Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments and Related Hedged Items" below.

(c)    Tabular Presentation of Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments

The following table summarizes the fair values and classification of the Partnership’s derivative instruments in its Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
Derivative Assets
Derivative Liabilities
 
 
Fair Values
 
Fair Values
 
  Balance Sheet Location
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
  Balance Sheet Location
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
Fair value of derivatives
$
4

 
$

Fair value of derivatives
$

 
$
72

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
$
4

 
$

 
$

 
$
72



Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Amount of (Gain) or Loss Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaption contracts
Interest expense
$

 
$

 
$
(630
)
Interest rate contracts
Interest expense

 

 
(366
)
Commodity contracts
Cost of products sold
(14,024
)
 
1,304

 
5,129

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
$
(14,024
)
 
$
1,304

 
$
4,133



NOTE 14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As of December 31, 2018 , Martin Resource Management owned 6,114,532 of the Partnership’s common units representing approximately 15.7% of the Partnership’s outstanding limited partnership units.  Martin Resource Management controls the Partnership's general partner by virtue of its 51% voting interest in Holdings, the sole member of the Partnership's general partner. The Partnership’s general partner, MMGP, owns a 2% general partner interest in the Partnership and the Partnership’s incentive distribution rights.  The Partnership’s general partner’s ability, as general partner, to manage and operate the Partnership, and Martin Resource Management’s ownership as of December 31, 2018 , of approximately 15.7% of the

81

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

Partnership’s outstanding limited partnership units, effectively gives Martin Resource Management the ability to veto some of the Partnership’s actions and to control the Partnership’s management.
 
The following is a description of the Partnership’s material related party agreements:
 
Omnibus Agreement
 
               Omnibus Agreement .  The Partnership and its general partner are parties to the Omnibus Agreement dated November 1, 2002, with Martin Resource Management that governs, among other things, potential competition and indemnification obligations among the parties to the agreement, related party transactions, the provision of general administration and support services by Martin Resource Management and the Partnership’s use of certain Martin Resource Management trade names and trademarks. The Omnibus Agreement was amended on November 25, 2009, to include processing crude oil into finished products including naphthenic lubricants, distillates, asphalt and other intermediate cuts. The Omnibus Agreement was amended further on October 1, 2012, to permit the Partnership to provide certain lubricant packaging products and services to Martin Resource Management.

Non-Competition Provisions . Martin Resource Management has agreed for so long as it controls the general partner of the Partnership, not to engage in the business of:

providing terminalling and storage services for petroleum products and by-products including the refining, blending and packaging of finished lubricants;

providing marine transportation of petroleum products and by-products;

distributing NGLs; and

manufacturing and selling sulfur-based fertilizer products and other sulfur-related products.

This restriction does not apply to:

the ownership and/or operation on the Partnership’s behalf of any asset or group of assets owned by it or its affiliates;

any business operated by Martin Resource Management, including the following:

providing land transportation of various liquids;

distributing fuel oil, asphalt, marine fuel and other liquids;

providing marine bunkering and other shore-based marine services in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida;

operating a crude oil gathering business in Stephens, Arkansas;

providing crude oil gathering, refining, and marketing services of base oils, asphalt, and distillate products in Smackover, Arkansas;

providing crude oil marketing and transportation from the well head to the end market;

operating an environmental consulting company;

operating an engineering services company;

supplying employees and services for the operation of the Partnership's business; and

operating, solely for the Partnership's account, the asphalt facilities in Omaha, Nebraska, Port Neches, Texas, Hondo, Texas, and South Houston, Texas.

82

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)


any business that Martin Resource Management acquires or constructs that has a fair market value of less than $5,000 ;

any business that Martin Resource Management acquires or constructs that has a fair market value of $5,000 or more if the Partnership has been offered the opportunity to purchase the business for fair market value and the Partnership declines to do so with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee; and

any business that Martin Resource Management acquires or constructs where a portion of such business includes a restricted business and the fair market value of the restricted business is $5,000 or more and represents less than 20% of the aggregate value of the entire business to be acquired or constructed; provided that, following completion of the acquisition or construction, the Partnership will be provided the opportunity to purchase the restricted business.
    
Services.   Under the Omnibus Agreement, Martin Resource Management provides the Partnership with corporate staff, support services, and administrative services necessary to operate the Partnership’s business. The Omnibus Agreement requires the Partnership to reimburse Martin Resource Management for all direct expenses it incurs or payments it makes on the Partnership’s behalf or in connection with the operation of the Partnership’s business. There is no monetary limitation on the amount the Partnership is required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for direct expenses.  In addition to the direct expenses, under the Omnibus Agreement, the Partnership is required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for indirect general and administrative and corporate overhead expenses.

Effective January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018 , the Conflicts Committee approved an annual reimbursement amount for indirect expenses of $16,416 .  The Partnership reimbursed Martin Resource Management for $16,416 , $16,416 and $13,033 of indirect expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.  The Conflicts Committee will review and approve future adjustments in the reimbursement amount for indirect expenses, if any, annually.

These indirect expenses are intended to cover the centralized corporate functions Martin Resource Management provides for the Partnership, such as accounting, treasury, clerical, engineering, legal, billing, information technology, administration of insurance, general office expenses and employee benefit plans and other general corporate overhead functions the Partnership shares with Martin Resource Management retained businesses. The provisions of the Omnibus Agreement regarding Martin Resource Management’s services will terminate if Martin Resource Management ceases to control the general partner of the Partnership.

Related  Party Transactions . The Omnibus Agreement prohibits the Partnership from entering into any material agreement with Martin Resource Management without the prior approval of the Conflicts Committee. For purposes of the Omnibus Agreement, the term material agreements means any agreement between the Partnership and Martin Resource Management that requires aggregate annual payments in excess of then-applicable agreed upon reimbursable amount of indirect general and administrative expenses. Please read "Services" above.

License Provisions. Under the Omnibus Agreement, Martin Resource Management has granted the Partnership a nontransferable, nonexclusive, royalty-free right and license to use certain of its trade names and marks, as well as the trade names and marks used by some of its affiliates.

Amendment and Termination. The Omnibus Agreement may be amended by written agreement of the parties; provided, however, that it may not be amended without the approval of the Conflicts Committee if such amendment would adversely affect the unitholders. The Omnibus Agreement was first amended on November 25, 2009, to permit the Partnership to provide refining services to Martin Resource Management.  The Omnibus Agreement was amended further on October 1, 2012, to permit the Partnership to provide certain lubricant packaging products and services to Martin Resource Management.  Such amendments were approved by the Conflicts Committee.  The Omnibus Agreement, other than the indemnification provisions and the provisions limiting the amount for which the Partnership will reimburse Martin Resource Management for general and administrative services performed on its behalf, will terminate if the Partnership is no longer an affiliate of Martin Resource Management.


83

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

Motor Carrier Agreement

Motor Carrier Agreement.   The Partnership is a party to a motor carrier agreement effective January 1, 2006 as amended, with Martin Transport, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Martin Resource Management through which Martin Transport, Inc. operates its land transportation operations. Under the agreement, Martin Transport, Inc. agreed to transport the Partnership's NGLs as well as other liquid products.

Term and Pricing.  The agreement has an initial term that expired in December 2007 but automatically renews for consecutive one year periods unless either party terminates the agreement by giving written notice to the other party at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable term.  The Partnership has the right to terminate this agreement at any time by providing 90 days prior notice.  These rates are subject to any adjustments which are mutually agreed or in accordance with a price index. Additionally, during the term of the agreement, shipping charges are also subject to fuel surcharges determined on a weekly basis in accordance with the U.S. Department of Energy’s national diesel price list.

Indemnification.   Martin Transport has indemnified us against all claims arising out of the negligence or willful misconduct of Martin Transport and its officers, employees, agents, representatives and subcontractors. We indemnified Martin Transport against all claims arising out of the negligence or willful misconduct of us and our officers, employees, agents, representatives and subcontractors. In the event a claim is the result of the joint negligence or misconduct of Martin Transport and us, our indemnification obligations will be shared in proportion to each party’s allocable share of such joint negligence or misconduct.

As discussed in Item 1. Business , the Partnership purchased Martin Transport, Inc. effective January 1, 2019.

Marine Agreements

Marine Transportation Agreement . The Partnership is a party to a marine transportation agreement effective January 1, 2006, as amended, under which the Partnership provides marine transportation services to Martin Resource Management on a spot-contract basis at applicable market rates.  Effective each January 1, this agreement automatically renews for consecutive one year periods unless either party terminates the agreement by giving written notice to the other party at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the then applicable term. The fees the Partnership charges Martin Resource Management are based on applicable market rates.

Marine Fuel.   The Partnership is a party to an agreement with Martin Resource Management dated November 1, 2002 under which Martin Resource Management provides the Partnership with marine fuel from its locations in the Gulf of Mexico at a fixed rate in excess of a price index.  Under this agreement, the Partnership agreed to purchase all of its marine fuel requirements that occur in the areas serviced by Martin Resource Management.

Terminal Services Agreements

Diesel Fuel Terminal Services Agreement.   Effective January 1, 2016, the Partnership entered into a second amended and restated terminalling services agreement under which the Partnership provides terminal services to Martin Resource Management for marine fuel distribution.  At such time, the per gallon throughput fee the Partnership charged under this agreement was increased when compared to the previous agreement and may be adjusted annually based on a price index.  This agreement was further amended on January 1, 2017 and October 1, 2017 to modify its minimum throughput requirements and throughput fees. This agreement, as amended, expired September 30, 2018 and continued thereafter on a month to month basis until terminated by either party by giving 60 days’ written notice.  

Miscellaneous Terminal Services Agreements.  The Partnership is currently party to several terminal services agreements and from time to time the Partnership may enter into other terminal service agreements for the purpose of providing terminal services to related parties. Individually, each of these agreements is immaterial but when considered in the aggregate they could be deemed material. These agreements are throughput based with a minimum volume commitment. Generally, the fees due under these agreements are adjusted annually based on a price index.

Other Agreements


84

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

  Cross Tolling Agreement. The Partnership is a party to an amended and restated tolling agreement with Cross Oil Refining and Marketing, Inc. ("Cross") dated October 28, 2014, under which the Partnership processes crude oil into finished products, including naphthenic lubricants, distillates, asphalt and other intermediate cuts for Cross.  The tolling agreement expires November 25, 2031.  Under this tolling agreement, Cross agreed to process a minimum of 6,500 barrels per day of crude oil at the facility at a fixed price per barrel.  Any additional barrels are processed at a modified price per barrel.  In addition, Cross agreed to pay a monthly reservation fee and a periodic fuel surcharge fee based on certain parameters specified in the tolling agreement.  All of these fees (other than the fuel surcharge) are subject to escalation annually based upon the greater of 3% or the increase in the Consumer Price Index for a specified annual period.  In addition, on the third, sixth and ninth anniversaries of the agreement, the parties can negotiate an upward or downward adjustment in the fees subject to their mutual agreement.

Sulfuric Acid Sales Agency Agreement . The Partnership was previously a party to a third amended and restated sulfuric acid sales agency agreement dated August 2, 2017 but effective October 1, 2017, under which a successor in interest to the agreement from Martin Resource Management, Saconix LLC ("Saconix"), a limited liability company in which Martin Resource Management held a minority equity interest, purchased and marketed the sulfuric acid produced by the Partnership’s sulfuric acid production plant at Plainview, Texas, that was not consumed by the Partnership’s internal operations.  This agreement, as amended, was to remain in place until September 30, 2020 and automatically renew year to year thereafter until either party provided 90 days’ written notice of termination prior to the expiration of the then existing term.  Under this agreement, the Partnership sold all of its excess sulfuric acid to Saconix, who then marketed and sold such acid to third-parties.  The Partnership shared in the profit of such sales. Effective May 31, 2018, Martin Resource Management no longer holds an equity interest in Saconix. These transactions are reported below as related party transactions during the period the equity interest was held. Transactions subsequent to Martin Resource Management's disposition of the equity interest will be reported as third party transactions.

Other Miscellaneous Agreements. From time to time the Partnership enters into other miscellaneous agreements with Martin Resource Management for the provision of other services or the purchase of other goods.

The tables below summarize the related party transactions that are included in the related financial statement captions on the face of the Partnership’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The revenues, costs and expenses reflected in these tables are tabulations of the related party transactions that are recorded in the corresponding caption of the Consolidated Statements of Operations and do not reflect a statement of profits and losses for related party transactions.

The impact of related party revenues from sales of products and services is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:
Revenues:
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Terminalling and storage
$
79,219

 
$
82,205

 
$
82,437

Marine transportation
15,442

 
16,801

 
21,767

Natural gas services

 
122

 
699

Product sales:
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas services
19

 
1,043

 
8

Sulfur services
630

 
1,963

 
2,006

Terminalling and storage
758

 
572

 
1,020

 
1,407

 
3,578

 
3,034

 
$
96,068

 
$
102,706

 
$
107,937


The impact of related party cost of products sold is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:
Cost of products sold:
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas services
$
14,816

 
$
18,946

 
$
22,886

Sulfur services
17,418

 
15,564

 
15,339

Terminalling and storage
28,304

 
17,612

 
13,838

 
$
60,538

 
$
52,122

 
$
52,063



85

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

The impact of related party operating expenses is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Marine transportation
$
22,326

 
$
23,815

 
$
28,107

Natural gas services
8,851

 
9,007

 
9,258

Sulfur services
5,497

 
5,821

 
5,995

Terminalling and storage
18,854

 
25,701

 
27,481

 
$
55,528

 
$
64,344

 
$
70,841


The impact of related party selling, general and administrative expenses is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:
Selling, general and administrative:
 
 
 
 
 
Marine transportation
$
704

 
$
34

 
$
30

Natural gas services
5,568

 
8,162

 
7,566

Sulfur services
2,684

 
2,526

 
2,732

Terminalling and storage
2,847

 
2,278

 
2,526

Indirect overhead allocation, net of reimbursement
16,443

 
16,416

 
13,036

 
$
28,246

 
$
29,416

 
$
25,890



Other Related Party Transactions

The Partnership had a $15,000 note receivable from an affiliate of Martin Resource Management which previously bore an annual interest rate of 15% and had a maturity date of August 31, 2026, the balance of which could be prepaid on or after September 1, 2016. On February 14, 2017, the Partnership notified Martin Resource Management that it would be requesting voluntary repayment of the long-term Note Receivable plus accrued interest. During second quarter of 2017, the Note Receivable was fully repaid. The note has historically been recorded in "Note receivable - affiliates" on the Partnership's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest income for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 was $0 , $943 and $2,256 , respectively, and is included in "Interest expense, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

NOTE 15. SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

Components of "Intangibles and other assets, net" at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
Customer contracts and relationships, net
$
18,222

 
$
25,252

Other intangible assets
1,310

 
1,752

Other
4,179

 
5,797

 
$
23,711

 
$
32,801



Other intangible assets consist of covenants not-to-compete and technology-based assets.

Aggregate amortization expense for customer contracts and other intangible assets included in continuing operations was $9,228 , $13,887 , and $19,548 , for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and accumulated amortization amounted to $44,510 and $39,462 at December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Estimated amortization expense for intangibles and other assets for the years subsequent to December 31, 2018 are as follows: 2019 - $6,063 ; 2020 - $5,272 ; 2021 - $4,319 ; 2022 - $4,295 ; 2023 - $1,952 ; subsequent years - $55 .


86

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

Components of "Other accrued liabilities" at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
Accrued interest
$
10,735

 
$
11,726

Asset retirement obligations
2,721

 
5,429

Property and other taxes payable
5,621

 
5,638

Accrued payroll
3,109

 
3,385

Other
29

 
162

 
$
22,215

 
$
26,340



The schedule below summarizes the changes in our asset retirement obligations:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Beginning asset retirement obligations
$
13,512

 
$
16,418

Revisions to existing liabilities 1
4,041

 
5,547

Accretion expense
516

 
404

Liabilities settled
(5,640
)
 
(8,857
)
Ending asset retirement obligations
12,429

 
13,512

Current portion of asset retirement obligations 2
(2,721
)
 
(5,429
)
Long-term portion of asset retirement obligations 3
$
9,708

 
$
8,083


1 Several factors are considered in the annual review process, including inflation rates, current estimates for removal cost, discount rates, and the estimated remaining useful life of the assets.

2 The current portion of asset retirement obligations is included in "Other current liabilities" on the Partnership's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

3 The non-current portion of asset retirement obligations is included in "Other long-term obligations" on the Partnership's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NOTE 16. LONG-TERM DEBT

At December 31, 2018 and 2017 , long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
2018
 
2017
$664,444 Revolving credit facility at variable interest rate (5.24% 1  weighted average at December 31, 2018), due March 2020 secured by substantially all of the Partnership’s assets, including, without limitation, inventory, accounts receivable, vessels, equipment, fixed assets and the interests in the Partnership’s operating subsidiaries, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $3,537 and $4,986, respectively 3
$
283,463

 
$
440,014

$400,000 Senior notes, 7.25% interest, including unamortized premium of $650 and $956, respectively, also net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $1,454 and $2,138 respectively, issued $250,000 February 2013 and $150,000 April 2014, $26,200 repurchased during 2015, due February 2021, unsecured 3,4
372,996

 
372,618

Total long-term debt
$
656,459

 
$
812,632


1 Interest rate fluctuates based on the LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin set on the date of each advance. The margin above LIBOR is set every three months. Indebtedness under the credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus an

87

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

applicable margin or the base prime rate plus an applicable margin. All amounts outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were at LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for revolving loans that are LIBOR loans ranges from 2.00% to 3.00% and the applicable margin for revolving loans that are base prime rate loans ranges from 1.00% to 2.00% . The applicable margin for LIBOR borrowings at December 31, 2018 is 2.75% .  The credit facility contains various covenants which limit the Partnership’s ability to make certain investments and acquisitions; enter into certain agreements; incur indebtedness; sell assets; and make certain amendments to the Omnibus Agreement. The Partnership is permitted to make quarterly distributions so long as no event of default exists.

3 The Partnership is in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2018 .

4 The 2021 indentures restrict the Partnership’s ability to sell assets; pay distributions or repurchase units or redeem or repurchase subordinated debt; make investments; incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred units; and consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets.
The Partnership paid cash interest, net of proceeds received from interest rate swaptions, in the amount of $50,543 , $45,728 , and $46,046 for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Capitalized interest was $624 , $730 , and $1,126 for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.

NOTE 17. PARTNERS' CAPITAL

As of  December 31, 2018 , partners’ capital consisted of  39,032,237  common limited partner units, representing a  98% partnership interest, and a  2%  general partner interest. Martin Resource Management, through subsidiaries, owned 6,114,532  of the Partnership's common limited partnership units representing approximately  15.7%  of the Partnership's outstanding common limited partnership units. MMGP, the Partnership's general partner, owns the  2%  general partnership interest.

The partnership agreement of the Partnership (the "Partnership Agreement") contains specific provisions for the allocation of net income and losses to each of the partners for purposes of maintaining their respective partner capital accounts.

Issuance of Common Units

On February 22, 2017, the Partnership completed a public offering of 2,990,000 common units at a price of $18.00 per common unit, before the payment of underwriters' discounts, commissions and offering expenses (per unit value is in dollars, not thousands). Total proceeds from the sale of the 2,990,000 common units, net of underwriters' discounts, commissions and offering expenses, were $51,056 . Additionally, the Partnership's general partner contributed $1,098 in cash to the Partnership in conjunction with the issuance in order to maintain its 2% general partner interest in the Partnership. All of the net proceeds were used to pay down outstanding amounts under the Partnership's revolving credit facility.

Incentive Distribution Rights

MMGP holds a 2% general partner interest and certain incentive distribution rights ("IDRs") in the Partnership. IDRs are a separate class of non-voting limited partner interest that may be transferred or sold by the general partner under the terms of the Partnership Agreement, and represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of cash distributions after the minimum quarterly distribution and any cumulative arrearages on common units once certain target distribution levels have been achieved. The Partnership is required to distribute all of its available cash from operating surplus, as defined in the Partnership Agreement.
 
The target distribution levels entitle the general partner to receive 2% of quarterly cash distributions up to $0.55 per unit, 15% of quarterly cash distributions in excess of $0.55 per unit until all unitholders have received $0.625 per unit, 25% of quarterly cash distributions in excess of $0.625 per unit until all unitholders have received $0.75 per unit and 50% of quarterly cash distributions in excess of $0.75 per unit.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , the general partner was allocated $0 , $0 , and $7,786 in incentive distributions.


88

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

Distributions of Available Cash

The Partnership distributes all of its available cash (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) within  45  days after the end of each quarter to unitholders of record and to the general partner. Available cash is generally defined as all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership on hand at the end of each quarter less the amount of cash reserves its general partner determines in its reasonable discretion is necessary or appropriate to: (i) provide for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business; (ii) comply with applicable law, any debt instruments or other agreements; or (iii) provide funds for distributions to unitholders and the general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters, plus all cash on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter.

Net Income per Unit

The Partnership follows the provisions of the FASB ASC 260-10 related to earnings per share, which addresses the application of the two-class method in determining income per unit for master limited partnerships having multiple classes of securities that may participate in partnership distributions accounted for as equity distributions. Undistributed earnings are allocated to the general partner and limited partners utilizing the contractual terms of the Partnership Agreement. Distributions to the general partner pursuant to the IDRs are limited to available cash that will be distributed as defined in the Partnership Agreement. Accordingly, the Partnership does not allocate undistributed earnings to the general partner for the IDRs because the general partner's share of available cash is the maximum amount that the general partner would be contractually entitled to receive if all earnings for the period were distributed. When current period distributions are in excess of earnings, the excess distributions for the period are to be allocated to the general partner and limited partners based on their respective sharing of losses specified in the Partnership Agreement. Additionally, as required under FASB ASC 260-10-45-61A, unvested share-based payments that entitle employees to receive non-forfeitable distributions are considered participating securities, as defined in FASB ASC 260-10-20, for earnings per unit calculations.
   
For purposes of computing diluted net income per unit, the Partnership uses the more dilutive of the two-class and if-converted methods. Under the if-converted method, the weighted-average number of subordinated units outstanding for the period is added to the weighted-average number of common units outstanding for purposes of computing basic net income per unit and the resulting amount is compared to the diluted net income per unit computed using the two-class method. The following is a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations and net income from discontinued operations allocated to the general partner and limited partners for purposes of calculating net income attributable to limited partners per unit:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Continuing operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
(7,595
)
 
$
13,007

 
$
27,003

Less general partner’s interest in net income:
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions payable on behalf of IDRs

 

 
6,642

Distributions payable on behalf of general partner interest
(270
)
 
1,191

 
1,756

General partner interest in undistributed loss
118

 
(931
)
 
(1,216
)
Less income allocable to unvested restricted units
(5
)
 
32

 
77

Limited partners’ interest in net income
$
(7,438
)
 
$
12,715

 
$
19,744



89

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Discontinued operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Income from discontinued operations
$
51,700

 
$
4,128

 
$
4,649

Less general partner’s interest in net income:
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions payable on behalf of IDRs

 

 
1,144

Distributions payable on behalf of general partner interest
1,839

 
378

 
302

General partner interest in undistributed loss
(805
)
 
(295
)
 
(209
)
Less income allocable to unvested restricted units
33

 
10

 
13

Limited partners’ interest in net income
$
50,633

 
$
4,035

 
$
3,399



The Partnership allocates the general partner's share of earnings between continuing and discontinued operations as a proportion of net income from continuing and discontinued operations to total net income.

The following are the unit amounts used to compute the basic and diluted earnings per limited partner unit for the periods presented:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Basic weighted average limited partner units outstanding
 
38,907,000

 
38,101,583

 
35,347,032

Dilutive effect of restricted units issued
 
15,678

 
63,318

 
28,231

Total weighted average limited partner diluted units outstanding
 
38,922,678

 
38,164,901

 
35,375,263



All outstanding units were included in the computation of diluted earnings per unit and weighted based on the number of days such units were outstanding during the period presented.

NOTE 18. UNIT BASED AWARDS
   
The Partnership recognizes compensation cost related to stock-based awards to employees in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with certain provisions of ASC 718. The Partnership recognizes compensation costs related to stock-based awards to directors under certain provisions of ASC 505-50-55 related to equity-based payments to non-employees.   Amounts recognized in selling, general, and administrative expense in the consolidated financial statements with respect to these plans are as follows:
 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Employees
$
1,098

 
$
534

 
$
783

Non-employee directors
126

 
116

 
121

   Total unit-based compensation expense
$
1,224

 
$
650

 
$
904



Long-Term Incentive Plans
    
           The Partnership's general partner has a long term incentive plan for employees and directors of the general partner and its affiliates who perform services for the Partnership.
  
On May 26, 2017, the unitholders of the Partnership approved the Martin Midstream Partners L.P. 2017 Restricted Unit Plan. The plan currently permits the grant of awards covering an aggregate of 3,000,000 common units, all of which can be awarded in the form of restricted units. The plan is administered by the compensation committee of the general partner’s board of directors (the "Compensation Committee").
  

90



 A restricted unit is a unit that is granted to grantees with certain vesting restrictions, which may be time-based and/or performance-based. Once these restrictions lapse, the grantee is entitled to full ownership of the unit without restrictions. The Compensation Committee may determine to make grants under the plan containing such terms as the Compensation Committee shall determine under the plan. With respect to time-based restricted units ("TBRU's"), the Compensation Committee will determine the time period over which restricted units granted to employees and directors will vest. The Compensation Committee may also award a percentage of restricted units with vesting requirements based upon the achievement of specified pre-established performance targets ("Performance Based Restricted Units" or "PBRU's"). The performance targets may include, but are not limited to, the following: revenue and income measures, cash flow measures, net income before interest expense and income tax expense ("EBIT"), net income before interest expense, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), distribution coverage metrics, expense measures, liquidity measures, market measures, corporate sustainability metrics, and other measures related to acquisitions, dispositions, operational objectives and succession planning objectives. PBRU's are earned only upon our achievement of an objective performance measure for the performance period. PBRU's which vest are payable in common units.  Unvested units granted under the 2017 LTIP may or may not participate in cash distributions depending on the terms of each individual award agreement.

The restricted units issued to directors generally vest in equal annual installments over a four -year period.

On February 20, 2018, the Partnership issued 4,650 TBRU's to each of the Partnership's three independent directors under the 2017 LTIP.  These restricted common units vest in equal installments of 1,162.5 units on January 24, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

On March 1, 2018, the Partnership issued 301,550 TBRU's and 317,925 PBRU's to certain employees of Martin Resource Management. The TBRU's vest in equal installments over a three-year service period. The PBRU's will vest at the conclusion of a three -year performance period based on certain performance targets. In addition, the PBRU's awarded on March 1, 2018 that are achieved will only vest if the grantee is employed by Martin Resource Management on March 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2018, the Partnership is unable to ascertain if the performance conditions will be achieved and, as such, has not recognized compensation expense for the vesting of the units. The Partnership will record compensation expense for the vested portion of the units once the achievement of the performance condition is deemed probable.

  
 The restricted units are valued at their fair value at the date of grant which is equal to the market value of common units on such date. A summary of the restricted unit activity for the year ended December 31, 2018 is provided below:
 
Number of Units
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Unit
Non-vested, beginning of year
98,750

 
$
24.80

   Granted (TBRU)
315,500

 
$
13.89

   Granted (PRBU)
317,925

 
$
13.89

   Vested
(81,050
)
 
$
27.77

   Forfeited
(27,000
)
 
$
13.90

Non-Vested, end of year
624,125

 
$
13.78

 
 
 
 
Aggregate intrinsic value, end of year
$
6,416

 
 

A summary of the restricted units’ aggregate intrinsic value (market value at vesting date) and fair value of units vested (market value at date of grant) during the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 is provided below:

91



 
For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Aggregate intrinsic value of units vested
$
1,195

 
$
143

 
$
1,233

Fair value of units vested
$
2,250

 
$
208

 
$
1,773



As of December 31, 2018 , there was $3,083 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted units. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.3  years.

NOTE 19. INCOME TAXES

The operations of a partnership are generally not subject to income taxes because its income is taxed directly to its partners.

The Partnership is subject to the Texas margin tax, which is considered a state income tax, and is included in income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Since the tax base on the Texas margin tax is derived from an income-based measure, the margin tax is construed as an income tax and, therefore, the recognition of deferred taxes applies to the margin tax. The impact on deferred taxes as a result of this provision is immaterial. State income taxes attributable to the Texas margin tax of $369 , $352 and $726 were recorded in income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.

A current income tax liability of $445 and $510 existed at December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Cash paid for income taxes was $434 , $712 , and $841 for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.     

On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law Public Law No. 115-97, a comprehensive tax reform bill commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) that makes significant changes to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Among other changes, the Tax Act includes a new deduction on certain pass-through income, a repeal of the partnership technical termination rule, and new limitations on certain deductions and credits, including interest expense deductions. Since the operations of a partnership are not subject to federal income tax, the legislation has no material impact on our financial statements in 2018.

As of December 31, 2018, the tax years that remain open to assessment by federal and state jurisdictions are 2015-2017.

NOTE 20. BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Partnership has four reportable segments: terminalling and storage, natural gas services, marine transportation, and sulfur services. The Partnership’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. The operating income of these segments is reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to assess performance and make business decisions.

The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in Note 2. The Partnership evaluates the performance of its reportable segments based on operating income. There is no allocation of administrative expenses or interest expense.

92

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

 
Operating Revenues
 
Intersegment Eliminations
 
Operating Revenues After Eliminations
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Operating Income (Loss) after Eliminations
 
Capital Expenditures and Plant Turnaround Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Terminalling and storage
$
247,840

 
$
(6,226
)
 
$
241,614

 
$
39,508

 
$
13,725

 
$
13,704

Natural gas services
548,135

 

 
548,135

 
21,283

 
28,570

 
4,728

Sulfur services
132,536

 

 
132,536

 
8,485

 
14,276

 
4,429

Marine transportation
52,830

 
(2,460
)
 
50,370

 
7,590

 
6,116

 
14,188

Indirect selling, general, and administrative

 

 

 

 
(17,901
)
 

Total
$
981,341

 
$
(8,686
)
 
$
972,655

 
$
76,866

 
$
44,786

 
$
37,049

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Terminalling and storage
$
236,169

 
$
(5,998
)
 
$
230,171

 
$
45,160

 
$
629

 
$
29,644

Natural gas services
532,908

 
(226
)
 
532,682

 
24,916

 
51,849

 
7,430

Sulfur services
134,684

 

 
134,684

 
8,117

 
23,205

 
2,611

Marine transportation
51,915

 
(3,336
)
 
48,579

 
7,002

 
1,650

 
3,929

Indirect selling, general, and administrative

 

 

 

 
(17,332
)
 

Total
$
955,676

 
$
(9,560
)
 
$
946,116

 
$
85,195

 
$
60,001

 
$
43,614

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Terminalling and storage
$
242,363

 
$
(5,653
)
 
$
236,710

 
$
45,484

 
$
40,660

 
$
26,097

Natural gas services
391,333

 

 
391,333

 
28,081

 
41,503

 
4,807

Sulfur services
141,058

 

 
141,058

 
7,995

 
23,393

 
5,093

Marine transportation
61,233

 
(2,943
)
 
58,290

 
10,572

 
(16,039
)
 
2,334

Indirect selling, general, and administrative

 

 

 

 
(16,794
)
 

Total
$
835,987

 
$
(8,596
)
 
$
827,391

 
$
92,132

 
$
72,723

 
$
38,331



Revenues from two customers in the Natural Gas Services segment were $179,729 , $169,504 and $122,381 for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively.

The Partnership's assets by reportable segment as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , are as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
Total assets:
 
 
 
Terminalling and storage
$
298,784

 
$
326,920

Natural gas services
512,817

 
704,524

Sulfur services
115,498

 
120,790

Marine transportation
106,299

 
101,264

Total assets
$
1,033,398

 
$
1,253,498




93

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

NOTE 21. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Consolidated Quarterly Income Statement Information
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
 
 
(Dollar in thousands, except per unit amounts)
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
284,204

 
$
216,571

 
$
219,047

 
$
252,833

Operating income (loss)
24,120

 
5,616

 
3,527

 
11,523

Income (loss) from continuing operations
11,286

 
(8,282
)
 
(9,686
)
 
(913
)
Income from discontinued operations
1,532

 
1,036

 
49,132

 

Net income (loss)
12,818

 
(7,246
)
 
39,446

 
(913
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations per unit
0.29

 
(0.21
)
 
(0.25
)
 
(0.02
)
Limited partners' interest in net income (loss) per limited partner unit
0.33

 
(0.18
)
 
1.00

 
(0.04
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
 
 
(Dollar in thousands, except per unit amounts)
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
253,325

 
$
193,922

 
$
193,128

 
$
305,741

Operating income
23,804

 
10,891

 
(4,440
)
 
29,746

Income (loss) from continuing operations
12,734

 
179

 
(17,031
)
 
17,125

Income from discontinued operations
849

 
810

 
745

 
1,724

Net income (loss)
13,583

 
989

 
(16,286
)
 
18,849

Income (loss) from continuing operations per unit
0.34

 

 
(0.44
)
 
0.45

Limited partners' interest in net income (loss) per limited partner unit
0.36

 
0.03

 
(0.42
)
 
0.47



NOTE 22. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contingencies

From time to time, the Partnership is subject to various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Partnership.
    
Pursuant to a Purchase Price Reimbursement Agreement between the Partnership and Martin Resource Management related to the Partnership’s acquisition of the Redbird Gas Storage LLC ("Redbird") Class A interests on October 2, 2012,

94

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

beginning in the second quarter of 2015, Martin Resource Management will reimburse the Partnership $750 each quarter for four consecutive quarters as a reduction in the purchase price of the Redbird Class A interests.  These payments are a result of Cardinal Gas Storage Partners LLC ("Cardinal") not achieving certain financial targets set forth in the Purchase Price Reimbursement Agreement.  These payments are considered a reduction of the excess of the purchase price over the carrying value of the assets transferred to the Partnership from Martin Resource Management and will be recorded as an adjustment to "Partners' capital" in each quarter the payments are made. The agreement further provided for purchase price reimbursements of up to $4,500 in 2016 in the event certain financial conditions were not met. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Partnership received $1,125 , respectively, related to the Purchase Price Reimbursement Agreement. The amount received in the first quarter of 2017 represented the final payment under the Purchase Price Reimbursement Agreement.

In 2015, the Partnership was named as a defendant in the cause J. A. Davis Properties, LLC v. Martin Operating Partnership L.P., in the 38th Judicial District Court, Cameron Parish, Louisiana.  The plaintiff alleged that the Partnership breached a lease agreement by failing to perform work to the plaintiff's property as required under the lease agreement.  The plaintiff originally sought to evict the Partnership from the leased property and to recover damages.  Prior to trial, this matter was settled for a confidential amount in September of 2017. The Partnership's financial statements reflect the terms of the settlement and all amounts have been accrued as asset retirement obligations.

On December 31, 2015, the Partnership received a demand from a customer in its lubricants packaging business for defense and indemnity in connection with lawsuits filed against it in various United States District Courts, which generally allege that the customer engaged in unlawful and deceptive business practices in connection with its marketing and advertising of its private label motor oil.  The Partnership disputes that it has any obligation to defend or indemnify the customer for its conduct.  Accordingly, on January 7, 2016, the Partnership filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment in the Chancery Court of Davidson County, Tennessee requesting a judicial determination that the Partnership does not owe the customer the demanded defense and indemnity obligations.  The lawsuits against the customer have been transferred to the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri for consolidated pretrial proceedings.  On March 1, 2017, at the request of the parties, the Chancery Court of Davidson County, Tennessee administratively closed the Partnership's lawsuit pending rulings in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.  In the event that either party moves the Chancery Court of Davidson County, Tennessee to reopen the case, we expect the Court would grant such motion and reopen the case.  If the case is reopened, we are currently unable to determine the exposure we may have in this matter, if any.

Commitments

The Partnership has non-cancelable revenue arrangements whereby we have committed certain terminalling and storage assets in exchange for a minimum fee. Future minimum revenues we expect to receive under these non-cancelable arrangements as of December 31, 2018, are as follows: 2019 - $17,343 ; 2020 - $13,345 ; 2021 - $10,576 ; 2022 - $10,576 ; 2023 - $10,576 ; subsequent years - $58,128 .

NOTE 23. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATIING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Partnership's operations are conducted by its operating subsidiaries as it has no independent assets or operations. Martin Operating Partnership L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"), the Partnership’s wholly-owned subsidiary, and the Partnership's other operating subsidiaries have issued in the past, and may issue in the future, unconditional guarantees of senior or subordinated debt securities of the Partnership. The guarantees that have been issued are full, irrevocable and unconditional and joint and several. In addition, the Operating Partnership may also issue senior or subordinated debt securities which, if issued, will be fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by the Partnership. Substantially all of the Partnership's operating subsidiaries are subsidiary guarantors of its outstanding senior unsecured notes and any subsidiaries other than the subsidiary guarantors are minor.

95

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)


NOTE 24. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Martin Transport Inc. Stock Purchase Agreement. On October 22, 2018, the Operating Partnership entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with Martin Resource Management Corporation (“MRMC”) to acquire all of the issued and outstanding equity of Martin Transport, Inc. (“MTI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MRMC which operates a fleet of tank trucks providing transportation of petroleum products, liquid petroleum gas, chemicals, sulfur and other products, as well as owns twenty-three terminals located throughout the Gulf Coast and Midwest for total consideration as follows:



96

MARTIN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)

Purchase price 1
$
135,000

Plus: Working Capital Adjustment
2,796

Less: Capital leases assumed
(11,682
)
Cash consideration paid
$
126,114



1 The Stock Purchase Agreement also includes a $10,000 earn-out based on certain performance thresholds. The transaction closed on January 2, 2019 and was effective as of January 1, 2019. The Stock Purchase Agreement contained customary representations and warranties.

The Partnership also acquired certain operating leases that will result in additional assets and liabilities being recorded at the transaction date in accordance with ASU 2016-02 in the amount of $7,082 .
    
Quarterly Distribution.   On January 17, 2019, the Partnership declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.50 per common unit for the fourth quarter of 2018, or $2.00 per common unit on an annualized basis, which was paid on February 14, 2019 to unitholders of record as of February 7, 2019.
    

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Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.
 
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures

(a)        Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), we, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2018 .  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2018 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

During 2017 we began implementation of a new enterprise resource planning ("ERP") system. The new ERP system is expected to take several years to fully implement, and has and will continue to require significant capital and human resources to deploy. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we completed the implementation of certain functional areas of the ERP implementation project that affect the processes that constitute our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) and this initial deployment will require testing for effectiveness throughout 2018. Management has taken steps to ensure that appropriate controls are designed and implemented as each functional area of the new ERP system is enacted.

Beginning January 1, 2018, we implemented ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.  Although the new revenue standard is expected to have an immaterial impact on our ongoing net income, we did implement changes to our processes related to revenue recognition and the control activities within them.  These included the development of new policies based on the five-step model provided in the new revenue standard, new training, ongoing contract review requirements, and gathering of information provided for disclosures.
 
(b)        Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting .  Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in the Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on its evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) , our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018 .  The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has been audited by KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing in "Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

(c)        Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Other than as described above, t here were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred

98



during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
 

99


Item 9B.
Other Information

None.


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PART III

Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
Management of Martin Midstream Partners L.P.
 
Martin Midstream GP LLC, as our general partner, manages our operations and activities on our behalf. Our general partner was not elected by our unitholders and will not be subject to re-election in the future. Unitholders do not directly or indirectly participate in our management or operation.  Our general partner owes a fiduciary duty to our unitholders. Our general partner is liable, as general partner, for all of our debts (to the extent not paid from our assets), except for indebtedness or other obligations that are made specifically non-recourse to it. However, whenever possible, our general partner seeks to provide that our indebtedness or other obligations are non-recourse to our general partner.
 
Three directors of our general partner serve on a conflicts committee of the Partnership's general partner ("Conflicts Committee") to review specific matters that the directors believe may involve conflicts of interest. The Conflicts Committee determines if the resolution of the conflict of interest is fair and reasonable to us.  The members of the Conflicts Committee may not be officers or employees of our general partner or directors, officers, or employees of its affiliates and must meet the independence standards established by NASDAQ to serve on an audit committee of a board of directors.  Any matters approved by the Conflicts Committee will be conclusively deemed to be fair and reasonable to us, approved by all of our partners, and not a breach by our general partner of any duties it may owe us or our unitholders.  The current members of our Conflicts Committee are outside directors, James M. Collingsworth, C. Scott Massey and Byron R. Kelley, all of whom meet the independence standards established by NASDAQ, except as referenced above.
 
The Audit Committee reviews our external financial reporting, recommends engagement of our independent auditors and reviews procedures for internal auditing and the adequacy of our internal accounting controls.   The current members of our Audit Committee are outside directors, C. Scott Massey, Byron R. Kelley and James M. Collingsworth, all of whom meet the independence standards established by NASDAQ.

The Compensation Committee oversees compensation decisions for the officers of our general partner as well as the compensation plans described below.  The current members of our Compensation Committee are our outside directors, James M. Collingsworth, C. Scott Massey, and Byron R. Kelley.

The current members of our Nominating Committee are outside directors, James M. Collingsworth, Byron R. Kelley and C. Scott Massey.
 
We are managed and operated by the directors and officers of our general partner. All of our operational personnel are employees of Martin Resource Management. All of the officers of our general partner will spend a substantial amount of time managing the business and affairs of Martin Resource Management and its other affiliates. These officers may face a conflict regarding the allocation of their time between our business and the other business interests of Martin Resource Management. Our general partner intends to cause its officers to devote as much time to the management of our business and affairs as is necessary for the proper conduct of our business and affairs.


101



Directors and Executive Officers of Martin Midstream GP LLC

The following table shows information for the directors and executive officers of our general partner. Directors and executive officers are elected for one-year terms.
Name
 
Age
 
Position with the General Partner
Ruben S. Martin
 
67
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Robert D. Bondurant
 
60
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Director
Randall L. Tauscher
 
53
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Chris H. Booth
 
49
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
Scot A. Shoup
 
58
 
Senior Vice President of Operations
C. Scott Massey
 
66
 
Director
James M. Collingsworth
 
64
 
Director
Byron R. Kelley
 
71
 
Director
Sean P. Dolan
 
45
 
Director
Zachary S. Stanton
 
43
 
Director

Ruben S. Martin serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of our general partner. Mr. Martin has served in such capacities since June 2002. Mr. Martin has served as President of Martin Resource Management since 1981 and has served in various capacities within the company since 1974.   Mr. Martin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial management from the University of Arkansas.  Mr. Martin was selected to serve as a director on our general partner's board of directors due to his depth of knowledge of the Partnership, including its strategies and operations, his business judgment and his position within the Partnership.

Robert D. Bondurant serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and a member of the board of directors of our general partner. Mr. Bondurant has served in such capacities since June 2002. Mr. Bondurant joined Martin Resource Management in 1983 as Controller and subsequently was appointed Chief Financial Officer and a member of its board of directors in 1990. Mr. Bondurant served in the audit department at Peat Marwick, Mitchell and Co. from 1980 to 1983. Mr. Bondurant holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Texas.
 
Randall L. Tauscher serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of our general partner. Mr. Tauscher has served in this capacity since May 2011.  From September 2007 through May 2011, Mr. Tauscher served as Executive Vice President.  Prior to joining Martin, Mr. Tauscher was employed by Koch Industries for over 18 years, most recently as Senior Vice President of the Koch Carbon Division.  Mr. Tauscher earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Kansas State University.
 
Chris H. Booth serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of our general partner.  Mr. Booth has served as an officer of our general partner since February 2006.  Mr. Booth joined Martin Resource Management in October 2005.  Prior to joining Martin Resource Management, Mr. Booth was an attorney with the law firm of Mehaffy Weber located in Beaumont, Texas.  Mr. Booth holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree and a Masters of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance from the University of Houston.  Additionally, Mr. Booth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from LeTourneau University.  Mr. Booth is an attorney licensed to practice in the State of Texas.

Scot A. Shoup serves as Senior Vice President of Operations for our general partner. Mr. Shoup joined Martin in May 2011. Prior to joining Martin, Mr. Shoup was employed by Exline, Inc. as Executive Vice President from 2005 to 2011 and was employed by Koch Industries in various capacities for 18 years. Mr. Shoup holds a bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas.

C. Scott Massey serves as a member of the board of directors of our general partner. Mr. Massey has served as a Director since June 2002. Mr. Massey has been self employed as a Certified Public Accountant since 1998. From 1977 to 1998, Mr. Massey worked for KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP in various positions, including, most recently, as a Partner in the firm's Tax Practice - Energy, Real Estate, Timber from 1986 to 1998. Mr. Massey received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Houston. Mr. Massey is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the States of Louisiana and Texas.  Mr. Massey was selected

102



to serve as a director on our general partner's board of directors due to his extensive background in public accounting and taxation.  Mr. Massey qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" under the SEC guidelines.
  
James M. Collingsworth serves as a member of the board of directors of our general partner. Mr. Collingsworth has spent 41 years in all facets of the midstream and petrochemical industry. In 2013, Mr. Collingsworth retired from Enterprise Products Company as a Sr. Vice President of Regulated NGL Pipelines & Natural Gas Storage. Mr. Collingsworth currently serves on the board of directors of NGL Energy Partners LP, and has served on the board of directors of Texaco Canada, Dixie Pipeline Company, Seminole Pipeline Company and the Petrochemical Feedstock Association of America. Mr. Collingsworth has served as a Director since October 2014. Mr. Collingsworth received a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing from Northeastern State University. Mr. Collingsworth was selected to serve as a director on our general partner's board of directors due to his extensive corporate business experience.
 
Byron R. Kelley serves as a member of the board of directors of our general partner and also served as an Advisory Director from April 2011 to August 2012. On December 31, 2013, Mr. Kelley retired as CEO, President and a member of the board of directors of CVR Partners, LP, a chemical company engaged in the production of nitrogen based fertilizers and served in this position from June 2011 through December 2013. Prior to joining CVR Partners in June of 2011 he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Regency GP, LLC from April 2008 to November 2010. From 2004 through March of 2008, Mr. Kelley served as Senior Vice President and Group President of Pipeline and Field Services at CenterPoint Energy. Preceding his work at CenterPoint, Mr. Kelley served as Executive Vice President of Development, Operations and Engineering, and as President of El Paso Energy International. Mr. Kelley is a past member and Chairman of the board of directors of the Interstate National Gas Association and previously served as one of the association's representatives on the United States Natural Gas Council of America. Mr. Kelley received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Auburn University. Mr. Kelley was selected to serve as a director on our general partner's board of directors due to his extensive corporate business experience.

Sean P. Dolan serves as a member of the board of directors of our general partner. Mr. Dolan has served as a Director since 2013. Mr. Dolan is a Managing Director of Alinda Capital Partners, which he joined in 2009. Prior to joining Alinda, Mr. Dolan spent over 12 years with Citigroup Global Markets in investment banking primarily focused in the energy sector. Mr. Dolan received a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University. Mr. Dolan was selected to serve as a director on our general partner's board of directors due to his affiliation with Alinda, his knowledge of the energy industry and his financial and business expertise.

Zachary S. Stanton serves as a member of the board of directors of our general partner.  Mr. Stanton was appointed to the board of directors on February 24, 2016.  Mr. Stanton is a Director of Alinda Capital Partners, which he joined in 2011.  Prior to joining Alinda, he was a Director at Zolfo Cooper, LLC, a consulting firm based in New York.  Mr. Stanton has over 15 years of experience focused on the corporate development and operations of energy and transportation infrastructure businesses as well as diversified industrial companies. Mr. Stanton received a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University.  Mr. Stanton was selected to serve as a director on our general partner's board of directors due to his affiliation with Alinda, his knowledge of the energy industry, and his financial and business expertise.

Independence of Directors

Messrs. Massey, Collingsworth, and Kelley qualify as "independent" in accordance with the published listing requirements of NASDAQ and applicable securities laws.  The NASDAQ independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that the director is not an employee of us and has not engaged in various types of business dealings with us.  In addition, as further required by the NASDAQ rules, the board of directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exist which, in the opinion of the board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, the directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard to each director's business and personal activities as they may relate to us and our management.
 
Board Meetings and Committees
 
From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, the board of directors of our general partner held 10 meetings.  All directors then in office attended each of these meetings, either in person, by teleconference or by videoconference with the exception of:  Zach Stanton, who was not in attendance at the meeting of the board of directors on the dates of April 19, 2018 and July 19, 2018.  Additionally, the board of directors undertook action one time during 2018 without a meeting by acting through written unanimous consent.  We have standing conflicts, audit, compensation and nominating committees of the board of directors of our general partner.  The board of directors of our general partner appoints the members of the Audit,

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Compensation, Nominating and Conflicts Committees.  Each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director in accordance with NASDAQ and applicable securities laws.  Each of the board committees has a written charter approved by the board.  Copies of each charter are posted on our website at ww.martinmidstream.com under the "Corporate Governance" section.  The current members of the committees, the number of meetings held by each committee from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, and a brief description of the functions performed by each committee are set forth below:

                Conflicts Committee (9 meetings).  The members of the Conflicts Committee are: Messrs. Kelley (chairman), Massey and Collingsworth.  All of the members of the Conflicts Committee attended all meetings of the committee for the period noted above.  The primary responsibility of the Conflicts Committee is to review matters that the directors believe may involve conflicts of interest.  The Conflicts Committee determines if the resolution of the conflict of interest is fair and reasonable to us.  The members of the Conflicts Committee may not be officers or employees of our general partner or directors, officers, or employees of its affiliates and must meet the independence standards to serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by NASDAQ.  Any matters approved by the Conflicts Committee will be conclusively deemed to be fair and reasonable to us, approved by all of our partners, and not a breach by our general partner of any duties it may owe us or our unitholders.

                Audit Committee (5 meetings).  The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Massey (chairman), Kelley and Collingsworth.  All of the members attended all meetings of the Audit Committee for the period noted.  The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to assist the board of directors in its general oversight of our financial reporting, internal controls and audit functions, and it is directly responsible for the appointment, retention, compensation and oversight of the work of our independent auditors.  The members of the Audit Committee of the board of directors of our general partner each qualify as "independent" under standards established by the SEC for members of audit committees, and the Audit Committee includes at least one member who is determined by the board of directors to meet the qualifications of an "audit committee financial expert" in accordance with SEC rules, including that the person meets the relevant definition of an "independent" director.  C. Scott Massey is the independent director who has been determined to be an audit committee financial expert.  Unitholders should understand that this designation is a disclosure requirement of the SEC related to Mr. Massey's experience and understanding with respect to certain accounting and auditing matters.  The designation does not impose on Mr. Massey any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than are generally imposed on him as a member of the Audit Committee and board of directors, and his designation as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this SEC requirement does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or board of directors.

                 Compensation Committee (2 meetings).  The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Collingsworth (chairman), Massey and Kelley.  All members attended the meeting of the Compensation Committee for the period noted above.  The primary responsibility of the Compensation Committee is to oversee compensation decisions for the outside directors of our general partner and executive officers of our general partner (in the event they are to be paid by our general partner) as well as our long-term incentive plan.

                Nominating Committee (1 meetings).  The members of the Nominating Committee are Messrs. Collingsworth (chairman), Massey, and Kelley.  All of the members attended the meeting of the Nominating Committee for the period noted above.  The primary responsibility of the nominating committee is to select and recommend nominees for election to the board of directors of our general partner.

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
 
Our general partner has adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct applicable to all of our general partner's employees (including any employees of Martin Resource Management who undertake actions with respect to us or on our behalf), including all officers, and including our general partner's independent directors, who are not employees of our general partner, with regard to their activities relating to us.  The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct incorporate guidelines designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote honest and ethical conduct and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.  They also incorporate our expectations of our general partner's employees (including any employees of Martin Resource Management who undertake actions with respect to us or on our behalf) that enable us to provide accurate and timely disclosure in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other public communications.  The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is publicly available on our website under the "Corporate Governance" section (at www.martinmidstream.com).  This website address is intended to be an inactive, textual reference only, and none of the material on this website is part of this report.  If any substantive amendments are made to the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct or if we or our general partner grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the code to any of our general partner's executive officers and directors, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on that website or in a report on Form 8-K.

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
Our general partner's directors and officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities are required to file reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC and NASDAQ.  Directors, officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our equity securities are also required to furnish us with copies of all such reports that are filed.  Based solely on our review of copies of such forms and amendments previously provided to us, we believe directors, officers and greater than 10% beneficial owners complied with all filing requirements during the year ended December 31, 2018 , with the exception of one Form 4 for Scot Shoup which was filed late.
 

 

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Item 11.
Executive Compensation
 
Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Background

We are required to provide information regarding the compensation program in place as of December 31, 2018 , for the CEO, CFO and the three other most highly-compensated executive officers of our general partner as reflected in the summary compensation table set forth below (the "Named Executive Officers").  This section should be read in conjunction with the detailed tables and narrative descriptions regarding compensation below.

We are a master limited partnership and have no employees.  We are managed by the executive officers of our general partner. These executive officers are employed by Martin Resource Management, a private corporation that has significant operations that are separate from ours. The executive officers of our general partner are also the executive officers of Martin Resource Management and devote significant time to the management of Martin Resource Management’s operations.  We reimburse Martin Resource Management for a portion of the indirect general and administrative expenses, including compensation expense relating to the service of these individuals that are allocated to us pursuant to the omnibus agreement between us and our general partner, as amended on October 1, 2012 ("Omnibus Agreement"). Under the Omnibus Agreement, we are required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for indirect general and administrative and corporate overhead expenses.   For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 the conflicts committee of our general partner ("Conflicts Committee") approved reimbursement amounts of $16.4 million, $16.4 million and $13.0 million, respectively, reflecting our allocable share of such expenses. Please see "Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence — Agreements — Omnibus Agreement" for a discussion of the Omnibus Agreement.

Compensation Objectives

As we do not directly compensate the executive officers of our general partner, we do not have any set compensation programs. The elements of Martin Resource Management’s compensation program discussed below, along with Martin Resource Management’s other rewards, are intended to provide a total rewards package designed to yield competitive total cash compensation, drive performance and reward contributions in support of the businesses of Martin Resource Management and other Martin Resource Management affiliates, including us, for which the Named Executive Officers perform services. Although we bear an allocated portion of Martin Resource Management’s costs of providing compensation and benefits to the Named Executive Officers, we do not have control over such costs and do not establish or direct the compensation policies or practices of Martin Resource Management.  During 2018, Martin Resource Management paid compensation based on the performance of Martin Resource Management but did not set any specific performance-based criteria and did not have any other specific performance-based objectives.

Elements of Compensation

Martin Resource Management’s executive officer compensation package includes a combination of annual cash, long-term incentive compensation and other compensation.  Elements of compensation which the Named Executive Officers may be eligible to receive from Martin Resource Management consist of the following: (1) annual base salary; (2) discretionary annual cash awards; (3) awards pursuant to the Martin Midstream Partners L.P. 2017 Restricted Unit Plan and Martin Resource Management employee benefit plans and (4) where appropriate, other compensation, including limited perquisites.

Annual Base Salary .  Base salary is intended to provide fixed compensation to the Named Executive Officers for their performance of core duties with respect to Martin Resource Management and its affiliates, including us, and to compensate for experience levels, scope of responsibility and future potential. Base salaries are not intended to compensate individuals for extraordinary performance or for above average company performance. The base salaries of the Named Executive Officers are generally reviewed on an annual basis, as well as at the time of promotion and other changes in responsibilities or market conditions.

Discretionary Annual Cash Awards.   In addition to the annual base salary, the Named Executive Officers may be eligible to receive discretionary annual cash awards that, if awarded, are paid in a lump sum in the quarter following the end of the fiscal year.  These cash awards are designed to provide the Named Executive Officers with competitive incentives to help drive performance and promote achievement of Martin Resource Management’s business objectives.  Named Executive Officers may also be eligible to receive a cash award based upon their services provided to us in the event that any such Named Executive Officer has devoted a significant amount of their time to working for us.  Any such award is determined in

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accordance with the same methodologies as the discretionary annual cash awards for Martin Resource Management, as described below.

Employee Benefit Plan Awards.   The Named Executive Officers may be eligible to receive awards pursuant to the Martin Midstream Partners L.P. 2017 Restricted Unit Plan and Martin Resource Management employee benefit plans.  These employee benefit plan awards are designed to reward the performance of the Named Executive Officers by providing annual incentive opportunities tied to the annual performance of Martin Resource Management.  In particular, these awards are provided to the Named Executive Officers in order to provide competitive incentives to these executives who can significantly impact performance and promote achievement of the business objectives of Martin Resource Management.

Other Compensation.    Martin Resource Management generally does not pay for perquisites for any of the Named Executive Officers, other than general recreational activities at certain Martin Resource Management’s properties located in Texas, including aircraft. No perquisites are paid for services rendered to us.  Martin Resource Management provides an executive life insurance policy and long term disability policy for the Named Executive Officers with the annual premiums being paid by Martin Resource Management.  Martin Resource Management does not provide any greater allocation toward employee health insurance premiums than is provided for all other employees covered on the health benefits plan.

Compensation Methodology

The compensation policies and philosophy of Martin Resource Management govern the types and amount of compensation granted to each of the Named Executive Officers. The board of directors and Conflicts Committee have responsibility for evaluating and determining the reasonableness of the total amount we are charged under the Omnibus Agreement for managerial, administrative and operational support, including compensation of the Named Executive Officers, provided by Martin Resource Management.
 
Our allocation for the costs incurred by Martin Resource Management in providing compensation and benefits to its employees who serve as the Named Executive Officers is governed by the Omnibus Agreement. In general, this allocation is based upon estimates of the relative amounts of time that these employees devote to the business and affairs of our general partner and to the business and affairs of Martin Resource Management. We bear substantially less than a majority of Martin Resource Management’s costs of providing compensation and benefits to the Named Executive Officers.

When setting compensation for the Named Executive Officers, the elements of compensation above are considered holistically to provide an appropriate combination of compensation. Annual base salaries for the Named Executive Officers are determined by Mr. Ruben Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Robert Bondurant, Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Randall Tauscher, Chief Operating Officer, and Mrs. Melanie Mathews, Vice President-Human Resources (collectively, the "Management Compensation Committee of Martin Resource Management") based on a periodic performance review of each Named Executive Officer. Except in the case of an exceptional amount of time devoted to us, discretionary annual cash awards are based on the performance of Martin Resource Management. Annual discretionary cash awards, if any, are calculated first by allocating a portion of Martin Resource Management’s earnings as determined by the Management Compensation Committee of Martin Resource Management for distribution to key employees of Martin Resource Management. Upon such allocation, the Management Compensation Committee of Martin Resource Management, with input from appropriate business leaders determines the allocation and distribution of the bonus pool among such employees, including the Named Executive Officers. All decisions of the Management Compensation Committee of Martin Resource Management concerning the compensation of the Named Executive Officers are reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Martin Resource Management, which is made up of Mr. Cullen M. Godfrey, an independent director of Martin Resource Management and Mr. Ruben Martin. With respect to employee benefit plan awards pursuant to plans maintained by the Partnership, the Management Compensation Committee of Martin Resource Management makes a recommendation as to whether such awards should be awarded to any employees. Any such employee plan awards are then considered and must be approved by the Compensation Committee and then are distributed to the employees, including Named Executive Officers, accordingly. Further, Martin Resource Management, with the approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Martin Resource Management or the Compensation Committee regularly reviews market data and relevant compensation surveys when setting base compensation and, when appropriate, engages compensation consultants.  Because he serves on both the Management Compensation Committee of Martin Resource Management and on the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Martin Resource Management, Mr. Martin, as Chief Executive Officer, has significant authority in setting base salaries, discretionary annual cash award allocations and amounts and employee benefit award distributions.


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Any awards granted under our long-term incentive plan, which to date have consisted of the grant of restricted common units to the independent directors and employees of our general partner, are approved by the Compensation Committee.

Determination of 2018 Compensation Amounts
 
During 2018, elements of all compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers by Martin Resource Management consisted of the following: (1) annual base salary; (2) discretionary annual cash awards; (3) awards pursuant to the Martin Midstream Partners L.P. 2017 Restricted Unit Plan and Martin Resource Management employee benefit plans; and (4) other compensation, including limited perquisites.  With respect to the Named Executive Officers, they were paid an allocated portion of their base salaries.

Annual Base Salary.   The portions of the annual base salaries paid by Martin Resource Management to the Named Executive Officers, which are allocable to us under our Omnibus Agreement with Martin Resource Management, are reflected in the summary compensation table below.  Based upon the agreement of our general partner with Martin Resource Management, we have reimbursed Martin Resource Management for approximately 55.5% of the aggregate annual base salaries paid to the Named Executive Officers by Martin Resource Management during 2017.  The foregoing agreement has been developed based on an assessment of the estimated percentage of the time spent by the Named Executive Officers managing our affairs, relative to the affairs of Martin Resource Management ranging from approximately 50% to 75%. Our Named Executive Officers are Mr. Ruben Martin, the President and Chief Executive Officer of our general partner, Mr. Robert Bondurant, an Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner, Mr. Randall Tauscher, an Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of our general partner, Mr. Chris Booth, the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of our general partner, and Mr. Scot A. Shoup, Senior Vice President of Operations. Aggregate annual base salaries of the Named Executive Officers were not increased during 2016 or 2017.

Discretionary Annual Cash Awards.   Discretionary annual cash awards paid to the Named Executive Officers which are allocable to us are reflected in the summary compensation table below.

Martin Midstream Partners L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan

On May 26, 2017, the unitholders of the Partnership approved the Martin Midstream Partners L.P. 2017 Restricted Unit Plan (the "2017 LTIP"). The plan currently permits the grant of awards covering an aggregate of 3,000,000 common units, all of which can be awarded in the form of restricted units. The plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our general partner’s board of directors. The purpose of the 2017 LTIP is designed to enhance our ability to attract, retain, reward and motivate the services of certain key employees, officers, and directors of the General Partner and Martin Resource Management.

Our general partner’s board of directors or the Compensation Committee, in their discretion, may terminate or amend the 2017 LTIP at any time with respect to any units for which a grant has not yet been made. Our general partner’s board of directors or the Compensation Committee also have the right to alter or amend the 2017 LTIP or any part of the plan from time to time, including increasing the number of units that may be reserved for issuance under the plan subject to any applicable unitholder approval. However, no change in any outstanding grant may be made that would materially impair the rights of the participant without the consent of the participant. In addition, the restricted units will vest upon a change of control of us, our general partner or Martin Resource Management or if our general partner ceases to be an affiliate of Martin Resource Management.

Restricted Units.   A restricted unit is a unit that is granted to grantees with certain vesting restrictions, which may be time-based and/or performance-based. Once these restrictions lapse, the grantee is entitled to full ownership of the unit without restrictions. The Compensation Committee may determine to make grants under the plan containing such terms as the Compensation Committee shall determine under the plan. With respect to time-based restricted units ("TBRU's"), the Compensation Committee will determine the time period over which restricted units granted to employees and directors will vest. The Compensation Committee may also award a percentage of restricted units with vesting requirements based upon the achievement of specified pre-established performance targets ("Performance Based Restricted Units" or "PBRU's"). The performance targets may include, but are not limited to, the following: revenue and income measures, cash flow measures, EBIT, EBITDA, distribution coverage metrics, expense measures, liquidity measures, market measures, corporate sustainability metrics, and other measures related to acquisitions, dispositions, operational objectives and succession planning objectives. PBRU's are earned only upon our achievement of an objective performance measure for the performance period. PBRU's which vest are payable in common units.  The Compensation Committee believes this type of incentive award strengthens the tie between each grantee's pay and our financial performance. We intend the issuance of the common units

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upon vesting of the restricted units under the plan to serve as a means of incentive compensation for performance and not primarily as an opportunity to participate in the equity appreciation of the common units. Therefore, plan participants will not pay any consideration for the common units they receive, and we will receive no remuneration for the units. Unvested units granted under the 2017 LTIP may or may not participate in cash distributions depending on the terms of each individual award agreement.

If a grantee’s service to the Partnership terminates for any reason, the grantee’s restricted units will be automatically forfeited unless, and to the extent, the Compensation Committee provides otherwise. Common units to be delivered upon the vesting of restricted units may be common units acquired by our general partner in the open market, common units already owned by our general partner, common units acquired by our general partner directly from us or any affiliate of our general partner, newly issued common units under the LTIP, or any combination of the foregoing. Our general partner will be entitled to reimbursement by us for the cost incurred in acquiring common units. If we issue new common units upon vesting of the restricted units, the total number of common units outstanding will increase.

On February 20, 2018, we issued 4,650 TBRU's to each of our three independent directors under the 2017 LTIP.  These restricted common units vest in equal installments of 1,162.5 units on January 24, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

On March 1, 2018, we issued 301,550 TBRU's and 317,925 PBRU's to certain employees of Martin Resource Management. The TBRU's vest in equal installments over a three-year service period. The PBRU's will vest at the conclusion of a three-performance period based on certain performance targets. In addition, the PBRU's awarded on March 1, 2018 that are achieved will only vest if the grantee is employed by Martin Resource Management on March 31, 2021.

Martin Resource Management Employee Benefit Plans

Martin Resource Management has employee benefit plans for its employees who perform services for us. The following summary of these plans is not complete but outlines the material provisions of these plans.

Martin Resource Management Purchase Plan for Units of Martin Midstream Partners L.P .  Martin Resource Management maintains a purchase plan for our units to provide employees of Martin Resource Management and its affiliates who perform services for us the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in us through the purchase of our common units. Each individual employed by Martin Resource Management or an affiliate of Martin Resource Management that provides services to us is eligible to participate in the purchase plan. Enrollment in the purchase plan by an eligible employee will constitute a grant by Martin Resource Management to the employee of the right to purchase common units under the purchase plan. The right to purchase common units granted by the Company under the purchase plan is for the term of a purchase period.

During each purchase period, each participating employee may elect to make contributions to his bookkeeping account each pay period in an amount not less than one percent of his compensation and not more than fifteen percent of his compensation. The rate of contribution shall be designated by the employee at the time of enrollment. On each purchase date (the last day of such purchase period), units will be purchased for each participating employee at the fair market value of such units. The fair market value of the Units to be purchased during such purchase period shall mean the closing sales price of a unit on the purchase date.
 
Martin Resource Management Employee Stock Ownership Plans.

MRMC Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Martin Resource Management maintains an employee stock ownership plan that covers employees who satisfy certain minimum age and service requirements ("ESOP"). Under the terms of the ESOP, Martin Resource Management has the discretion to make contributions in an amount determined by its board of directors. Those contributions are allocated under the terms of the ESOP and invested primarily in the common stock of Martin Resource Management. Participants in the ESOP become 100% vested upon completing six years of vesting service or upon their attainment of Normal Retirement Age (as defined in the plan document), permanent disability or death during employment. Any forfeitures of non-vested accounts may be used to pay administrative expenses and restore previous forfeitures of employees rehired before incurring five consecutive breaks-in-service. Any remaining forfeitures will be allocated to the accounts of employed participants. Participants are not permitted to make contributions including rollover contributions to the ESOP.

Martin Employee Stock Ownership Plan.   Martin Resource Management maintains an employee stock ownership plan that covers employees who satisfied certain minimum age and service requirements but no Employee shall become eligible to participate in the Plan on or after January 1, 2013. This plan is referred to as the "Martin Employee Stock Ownership Plan". Under the terms of the plan, Martin Resource Management has the discretion to make contributions in an amount determined

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by its board of directors. Those contributions are allocated under the terms of the Martin Employee Stock Ownership Plan and invested primarily in the common stock of Martin Resource Management. No contributions will be made to the Plan for any Plan Year commencing on or after January 1, 2013. The account balances of any participant who was employed by Martin Resource Management on December 31, 2012 shall be fully vested and non-forfeitable. This plan converted to an employee stock ownership plan on January 1, 2013.

Martin Resource Management 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan.   Martin Resource Management maintains a profit sharing plan that covers employees who satisfy certain minimum age and service requirements. This profit sharing plan is referred to as the "401(k) Plan." Eligible employees may elect to participate in the 401(k) Plan by electing pre-tax contributions up to 30% of their regular compensation. Matching contributions are made to the 401(k) Plan equal to 50% of the first 4% of eligible compensation.  Martin Resource Management may make annual discretionary profit sharing contributions in an amount at the plan year end as determined by the board of directors of Martin Resource Management. Participants in the 401(k) Plan prior to January 1, 2017 are 100% vested in matching contributions, while those employed after January 1, 2017 become vested upon completion of the five years of vesting service schedule or upon their attainment of age 65, permanent disability or death during employment. The five year vesting service schedule is also applicable to discretionary contributions made to the plan.

Martin Resource Management Non-Qualified Option Plan.   In September 1999, Martin Resource Management adopted a stock option plan designed to retain and attract qualified management personnel, directors and consultants.  Under the plan, Martin Resource Management is authorized to issue to qualifying parties from time to time options to purchase up to 2,000 shares of its common stock with terms not to exceed ten years from the date of grant and at exercise prices generally not less than fair market value on the date of grant.  In November 2007, Martin Resource Management adopted an additional stock option plan designed to retain and attract qualified management personnel, directors and consultants. In December 2013, all outstanding options were exercised or redeemed in lieu of redemption. There are no outstanding options under this plan as of December 31, 2018 .

Other Compensation

Martin Resource Management generally does not pay for perquisites for any of our named executive officers other than general recreational activities at certain Martin Resource Management’s properties located in Texas and use of Martin Resource Management vehicles, including aircraft.
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table sets forth the compensation expense that was allocated to us for the services of the named executive officers for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 .
Name and Principal Position
 
Year
 
Salary
 
Bonus
 
Stock Awards (1)
 
Total Compensation
Ruben S. Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
2018
 
$
262,500

 
$

 
$
1,158,913

 
$
1,421,413

 
2017
 
$
412,500

 
$

 
$

 
$
412,500

 
2016
 
$
412,500

 
$

 
$

 
$
412,500

Robert D. Bondurant, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
2018
 
$
240,000

 
$

 
$
740,870

 
$
980,870

 
2017
 
$
230,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
230,000

 
2016
 
$
230,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
230,000

Randall L. Tauscher, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
 
2018
 
$
288,000

 
$

 
$
740,870

 
$
1,028,870

 
2017
 
$
276,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
276,000

 
2016
 
$
308,200

 
$

 
$

 
$
308,200

Chris H. Booth, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 
2018
 
$
192,500

 
$

 
$
556,000

 
$
748,500

 
2017
 
$
183,600

 
$

 
$

 
$
183,600

 
2016
 
$
165,240

 
$

 
$

 
$
165,240

Scot A. Shoup, Senior Vice President of Operations
 
2018
 
$
279,000

 
$

 
$
222,400

 
$
501,400

 
2017
 
$
270,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
270,000

 
2016
 
$
180,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
180,000



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(1) The amounts shown represent the grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718, however, such awards are subject to vesting requirements for TBRU's and PBRU's which have not been met as it relates to the 2018 stock award. See Note 18 included in Item 8 herein for the assumptions made in our valuation of such awards.

Director Compensation

As a partnership, we are managed by our general partner.  The board of directors of our general partner performs for us the functions of a board of directors of a business corporation. Directors of our general partner are entitled to receive total quarterly retainer fees of $16,250 each which are paid by the general partner.  Martin Resource Management employees who are a member of the board of directors of our general partner do not receive any additional compensation for serving in such capacity.  Officers of our general partner who also serve as directors will not receive additional compensation. All directors of our general partner are entitled to reimbursement for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with their travel to and from, and attendance at, meetings of the board of directors or committees thereof.  Each director will be fully indemnified by us for actions associated with being a director to the extent permitted under Delaware law.

The following table sets forth the compensation of our board members for the period from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 .
 
 
Name
 
Fees Earned Paid in
Cash
 
Stock
Awards (2)
 
 
Total
Ruben S. Martin
 
$

 
$
1,158,913

 
$
1,158,913

Robert D. Bondurant
 
$

 
$
740,870

 
$
740,870

C. Scott Massey (1)
 
$
65,000

 
$
74,633

 
$
139,633

Byron R. Kelley (1)
 
$
65,000

 
$
74,633

 
$
139,633

James M. Collingsworth (1)
 
$
65,000

 
$
74,633

 
$
139,633

Sean P. Dolan
 
$

 
$

 
$

Zachary S. Stanton
 
$

 
$

 
$


(1) On February 20, 2018, the Partnership issued 4,650 restricted common units to each of three independent directors, C. Scott Massey, Byron R. Kelley, and James M. Collingsworth under our 2017 LTIP.  These restricted common units vest in equal installments of 1,162.5 units on January 24, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively.  In calculating the fair value of the award, we multiplied the closing price of our common units on the NASDAQ on the date of grant by the number of restricted common units granted to each director.

(2) The amounts shown represent the grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718, however, such awards are subject to vesting requirements for TBRU's and PBRU's which have not been met as it relates to the 2018 stock award. See Note 18 included in Item 8 herein for the assumptions made in our valuation of such awards.

COMPENSATION REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
 
The Compensation Committee of the general partner of Martin Midstream Partners L.P. has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this report with management of the general partner of Martin Midstream Partners L.P. and, based on that review and discussions, has recommended that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this report.
 
Members of the Compensation Committee:
/s/ James M. Collingsworth
James M. Collingsworth, Committee Chair
 
/s/ Byron R. Kelley
Byron R. Kelley
 
/s/ C. Scott Massey
C. Scott Massey
 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Other than these independent directors, no other officer or employee of our general partner or its subsidiaries is a member of the Compensation Committee.  Employees of Martin Resource Management, through our general partner, are the individuals who work on our matters.
 


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Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our units as of February 19, 2019 held by beneficial owners of 5% or more of the units outstanding, by directors of our general partner, by each executive officer and by all directors and executive officers of our general partner as a group.
Name of Beneficial Owner(1)
 
Common Units
Beneficially
 Owned
 
Percentage of
 Common Units
 Beneficially
Owned (3)
MRMC ESOP Trust (4)
 
6,114,532

 
15.7%
Martin Resource Management Corporation (5)
 
6,114,532

 
15.7%
Martin Resource, LLC (5)
 
4,203,823

 
10.8%
Martin Product Sales LLC (5)
 
1,021,265

 
2.6%
Cross Oil Refining & Marketing Inc. (6)
 
889,444

 
2.3%
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. (2)
 
7,760,760

 
19.9%
Ruben S. Martin (6)
 
6,446,851

 
16.5%
Robert D. Bondurant
 
69,772

 
—%
Randall L. Tauscher
 
55,145

 
—%
Chris H. Booth
 
31,330

 
—%
Scot A. Shoup
 
10,100

 
—%
Sean Dolan
 

 
—%
Zachary S. Stanton
 

 
—%
C. Scott Massey (7)
 
41,298

 
—%
Byron R. Kelley
 
26,898

 
—%
James M. Collingsworth (8)
 
24,298

 
—%
All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons) (9)
 
6,705,692

 
17.2%
  
(1)
The address for Martin Resource Management Corporation and all of the individuals listed in this table, unless otherwise indicated, is c/o Martin Midstream Partners L.P., 4200 Stone Road, Kilgore, Texas  75662.

(2)
The address for OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is 225 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10281.

(3)
The percent of class shown is less than one percent unless otherwise noted.

(4)
By virtue of its ownership of 87.87% of the outstanding common stock of Martin Resource Management Corporation ("Martin Resource Management"), the MRMC ESOP Trust (the "MRMC ESOP") is the controlling shareholder of Martin Resource Management, and may be deemed to beneficially own the 6,114,532 MMLP Common Units held by Martin Resource LLC, Cross Oil Refining & Marketing Inc., and Martin Product Sales LLC. Wilmington Trust Retirement and Institutional Services Company serves as trustee of the MRMC ESOP but all of its voting and investment decisions are directed by the board of directors of Martin Resource Management. The MRMC ESOP expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the MMLP Common Units as voting and investment decisions are directed by the board of directors of Martin Resource Management.

(5)
Martin Resource Management is the owner of Martin Resource, LLC, Martin Product Sales LLC, and Cross Oil Refining & Marketing Inc., and as such may be deemed to beneficially own the common units held by Martin Resource LLC, Cross Oil Refining & Marketing Inc, and Martin Product Sales LLC.  The 4,203,823 common units beneficially owned by Martin Resource Management through its ownership of Martin Resource, LLC have been pledged as security to a third party to secure payment for a loan made by such third party.   The 1,021,265 common units beneficially owned by Martin Resource Management through its ownership of Martin Product Sales LLC have been pledged as security to a third party to secure payment for a loan made by such third party. The 889,444 common units beneficially owned by Martin Resource Management through its ownership of Cross Oil Refining & Marketing Inc. have been pledged as security to a third party to secure payment for a loan made by such third party.

(6)
Includes 332,319 common units owned directly by Mr. Martin, 297,147 of which are pledged to third parties to secure payment for loans. By virtue of serving as the Chairman of the Board and President of Martin Resource

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Management, Ruben S. Martin may exercise control over the voting and disposition of the securities owned by Martin Resource Management, and therefore, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the common units owned by Martin Resource Management, which include 6,114,532 common units beneficially owned through its ownership of Martin Resource LLC, Cross Oil Refining & Marketing Inc. and Martin Product Sales LLC.

(7)
Mr. Massey may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 1,500 common units held by his wife.

(8)
Mr. Collingsworth may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 775 common units held by his wife.

(9)
The total for all directors and executive officers as a group includes the common units directly owned by such directors and executive officers as well as the common units beneficially owned by Martin Resource Management as Ruben S. Martin may be deemed to be the beneficial owner thereof.

Martin Resource Management owns a 51% voting interest in the holding company that is the sole member of our general partner and, together with our general partner, owns approximately 15.7% of our outstanding common limited partner units as of December 31, 2018 .  The table below sets forth information as of December 31, 2018 concerning (i) each person owning beneficially in excess of 5% of the voting common stock of Martin Resource Management, and (ii) the beneficial common stock ownership of (a) each director of Martin Resource Management, (b) each executive officer of Martin Resource Management, and (c) all such executive officers and directors of Martin Resource Management as a group.  Except as indicated, each individual has sole voting and investment power over all shares listed opposite his or her name.
 
 
Beneficial Ownership of
Voting Common Stock
Name of Beneficial Owner(1)
 
Number of
Shares
 
Percent of
Outstanding Voting Stock
MRMC ESOP Trust (2)
 
170,278.81

 
87.87
%
Martin ESOP Trust (3)
 
23,510.25

 
12.13
%
Robert D. Bondurant (3)
 
23,510.25

 
12.13
%
Randall Tauscher (3)
 
23,510.25

 
12.13
%

(1)
The business address of each shareholder, director and executive officer of Martin Resource Management Corporation is c/o Martin Resource Management Corporation, 4200 Stone Road, Kilgore, Texas 75662.

(2)
The MRMC ESOP owns 170,278.81 shares of common stock of Martin Resource Management. Wilmington Trust Retirement and Institutional Services Company serves as trustee of the MRMC ESOP but all of its voting and investment decisions related to the unallocated shares of common stock are directed by the board of directors of Martin Resource Management. Of the common stock held by the MRMC ESOP, 99,195.49 shares of common stock are allocated to participant accounts, and 71,083.32 shares of common stock are unallocated.

(3)
Robert D. Bondurant and Randall Tauscher (the "Co-Trustees") are co-trustees of the Martin Employee Stock Ownership Trust which converted from a profit sharing plan known as the Martin Employees' Stock Profit Sharing Plan on January 1, 2014. The Co-Trustees exercise shared control over the voting and disposition of the securities owned by this trust.  As a result, the Co-Trustees may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the securities held by such trust; thus, the number of shares of common stock reported herein as beneficially owned by the Co-Trustees includes the 23,510 shares owned by such trust.  The Co-Trustees disclaim beneficial ownership of these 23,510 shares.


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The following table sets forth information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2018 :
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
Number of
 securities to be
 issued upon exercise
of outstanding
 options, Warrants
and rights
 
Weighted-average
 exercise price of
 outstanding options,
warrants and rights
 
Number of securities
 remaining available for
 future issuance under equity compensation
plans (excluding
 securities reflected in
 column (a))
Plan Category
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
N/A

 
N/A

 
2,393,575

Total

 
$

 
2,393,575

      
(1) Our general partner has adopted and maintains the Martin Midstream Partners L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan.  For a description of the material features of this plan, please see "Item 11. Executive Compensation – Employee Benefit Plans – Martin Midstream Partners L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan".

In February 2019, we issued 5,648 restricted common units to independent directors under our long-term incentive plan.  These restricted common units vest in equal installments of 1,412 units on January 24, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.








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Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
Martin Resource Management owns 6,114,532 of our common limited partnership units representing approximately 15.7% of our outstanding common limited partnership units as of February 19, 2019.  Martin Resource Management controls Martin Midstream GP LLC, our general partner, by virtue of its 51% voting interest in MMGP Holdings, LLC, the sole member of our general partner. Our general partner owns a 2% general partner interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights.  Our general partner’s ability to manage and operate us and Martin Resource Management’s ownership of approximately 15.7% of our outstanding common limited partnership units effectively gives Martin Resource Management the ability to veto some of our actions and to control our management.
 
Distributions and Payments to the General Partner and its Affiliates
 
The following table summarizes the distributions and payments to be made by us to our general partner and its affiliates in connection with our formation, ongoing operation and liquidation.  These distributions and payments were determined by and among affiliated entities and, consequently, are not the result of arm’s-length negotiations.
 
Formation Stage
 
The consideration received by our general partner and Martin Resource Management for the transfer of assets to us
Ÿ     4,253,362 subordinated units  (All of the original 4,253,362 subordinated units issued to Martin Resource Management have been converted into common units on a one-for-one basis since the formation of the Partnership.  850,672 subordinated units were converted on each of November 14, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, and 850,674 subordinated units were converted on November 14, 2009)
 
Ÿ     2% general partner interest; and
Ÿ     the incentive distribution rights.
Operational Stage
 
Distributions of available cash to our general partner
We will generally make cash distributions 98% to our unitholders, including Martin Resource Management as holder of all of the subordinated units, and 2% to our general partner.  In addition, if distributions exceed the minimum quarterly distribution and other higher target levels, our general partner will be entitled to increasing percentages of the distributions, up to 50% of the distributions above the highest target level as a result of its incentive distribution rights.
 
Assuming we have sufficient available cash to pay the full minimum quarterly distribution on all of our outstanding units for four quarters, our general partner would receive an annual aggregate distribution of approximately $1.6 million on its 2% general partner interest.
Payments to our general partner and its affiliates
Martin Resource Management is entitled to reimbursement for all direct expenses it or our general partner incurs on our behalf.  The direct expenses include the salaries and benefit costs employees of Martin Resource Management who provide services to us.  Our general partner has sole discretion in determining the amount of these expenses.  In addition to the direct expenses, Martin Resource Management is entitled to reimbursement for a portion of indirect general and administrative and corporate overhead expenses.  Under the omnibus agreement, we are required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for indirect general and administrative and corporate overhead expenses.  The conflicts committee of our general partner ("Conflicts Committee") will review and approve future adjustments in the reimbursement amount for indirect expenses, if any, annually.  Please read "Agreements — Omnibus Agreement" below.
Withdrawal or removal of our general partner
 If our general partner withdraws or is removed, its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will either be sold to the new general partner for cash or converted into common units, in each case for an amount equal to the fair market value of those interests.
Liquidation Stage
 
Liquidation                                        
Upon our liquidation, the partners, including our general partner, will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions according to their particular capital account balances.

Agreements
 
Omnibus Agreement

We and our general partner are parties to an omnibus agreement with Martin Resource Management (the "Omnibus Agreement") that governs, among other things, potential competition and indemnification obligations among the parties to the

115



agreement, related party transactions, the provision of general administration and support services by Martin Resource Management and our use of certain of Martin Resource Management’s trade names and trademarks. The Omnibus Agreement was amended on November 25, 2009, to include processing crude oil into finished products including naphthenic lubricants, distillates, asphalt and other intermediate cuts. The Omnibus Agreement was amended further on October 1, 2012, to permit the Partnership to provide certain lubricant packaging products and services to Martin Resource Management.

Non-Competition Provisions . Martin Resource Management has agreed for so long as it controls the general partner of the Partnership, not to engage in the business of:

providing terminalling and storage services for petroleum products and by-products including the refining, blending and packaging of finished lubricants;

providing marine transportation of petroleum products and by-products;

distributing NGLs; and

manufacturing and selling sulfur-based fertilizer products and other sulfur-related products.

This restriction does not apply to:

the ownership and/or operation on the Partnership’s behalf of any asset or group of assets owned by it or its affiliates;

any business operated by Martin Resource Management, including the following:

providing land transportation of various liquids (the Partnership acquired MTI effective January 1, 2019);

distributing fuel oil, asphalt, marine fuel and other liquids;

providing marine bunkering and other shore-based marine services in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida;

operating a crude oil gathering business in Stephens, Arkansas;

providing crude oil gathering, refining, and marketing services of base oils, asphalt, and distillate products in Smackover, Arkansas;

providing crude oil marketing and transportation from the well head to the end market;

operating an environmental consulting company;

operating an engineering services company;

supplying employees and services for the operation of the Partnership's business; and

operating, solely for the Partnership's account, the asphalt facilities in Omaha, Nebraska, Port Neches, Texas, Hondo, Texas, and South Houston, Texas.

any business that Martin Resource Management acquires or constructs that has a fair market value of less than $5,000;

any business that Martin Resource Management acquires or constructs that has a fair market value of $5,000 or more if the Partnership has been offered the opportunity to purchase the business for fair market value and the Partnership declines to do so with the concurrence of the conflicts committee of the board of directors of the general partner of the Partnership (the "Conflicts Committee"); and

any business that Martin Resource Management acquires or constructs where a portion of such business includes a restricted business and the fair market value of the restricted business is $5,000 or more and represents less than 20% of the aggregate value of the entire business to be acquired or constructed; provided that, following completion of the acquisition or construction, the Partnership will be provided the opportunity to purchase the restricted business.


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Services.   Under the Omnibus Agreement, Martin Resource Management provides us with corporate staff and support services that are substantially identical in nature and quality to the services previously provided by Martin Resource Management in connection with its management and operation of our assets during the one-year period prior to the date of the agreement. The Omnibus Agreement requires us to reimburse Martin Resource Management for all direct expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf or in connection with the operation of our business. There is no monetary limitation on the amount we are required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for direct expenses.  In addition to the direct expenses, Martin Resource Management is entitled to reimbursement for a portion of indirect general and administrative and corporate overhead expenses.  

Under the Omnibus Agreement, we are required to reimburse Martin Resource Management for indirect general and administrative and corporate overhead expenses.   For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , the Conflicts Committee approved and we reimbursed Martin Resource Management of $16.4 million, $16.4 million and $13.0 million, respectively, reflecting our allocable share of such expenses. The Conflicts Committee will review and approve future adjustments in the reimbursement amount for indirect expenses, if any, annually.

These indirect expenses cover all of the centralized corporate functions Martin Resource Management provides for us, such as accounting, treasury, clerical billing, information technology, administration of insurance, general office expenses and employee benefit plans and other general corporate overhead functions we share with Martin Resource Management retained businesses. The provisions of the Omnibus Agreement regarding Martin Resource Management’s services will terminate if Martin Resource Management ceases to control our general partner.
 
Related Party Transactions . The Omnibus Agreement prohibits us from entering into any material agreement with Martin Resource Management without the prior approval of the Conflicts Committee. For purposes of the Omnibus Agreement, the term material agreements means any agreement between us and Martin Resource Management that requires aggregate annual payments in excess of then-applicable limitation on the reimbursable amount of indirect general and administrative expenses. Please read " Services" above.

License Provisions . Under the Omnibus Agreement, Martin Resource Management has granted us a nontransferable, nonexclusive, royalty-free right and license to use certain of its trade names and marks, as well as the trade names and marks used by some of its affiliates.

Amendment and Termination. The Omnibus Agreement may be amended by written agreement of the parties; provided, however that it may not be amended without the approval of the Conflicts Committee if such amendment would adversely affect the unitholders.  The Omnibus Agreement was first amended on November 25, 2009, to permit us to provide refining services to Martin Resource Management. The Omnibus Agreement was amended further on October 1, 2012, to permit us to provide certain lubricant packaging products and services to Martin Resource Management. Such amendments were approved by the Conflicts Committee. The Omnibus Agreement, other than the indemnification provisions and the provisions limiting the amount for which we will reimburse Martin Resource Management for general and administrative services performed on our behalf, will terminate if we are no longer an affiliate of Martin Resource Management.

Motor Carrier Agreement

We are a party to a motor carrier agreement effective January 1, 2006, as amended, with Martin Transport, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Martin Resource Management through which Martin Resource Management operates its land transportation operations.  Under the agreement, Martin Transport, Inc. agrees to ship our NGL shipments as well as other liquid products.

Term and Pricing.  The agreement has an initial term that expired in December 2007 but automatically renews for consecutive one-year periods unless either party terminates the agreement by giving written notice to the other party at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the then-applicable term.  We have the right to terminate this agreement at anytime by providing 90 days prior notice. Under this agreement, Martin Transport, Inc. transports our NGL shipments as well as other liquid products. These rates are subject to any adjustment to which are mutually agreed or in accordance with a price index.  Additionally, during the term of the agreement, shipping charges are also subject to fuel surcharges determined on a weekly basis in accordance with the United States Department of Energy’s national diesel price list.

Indemnification.   Martin Transport, Inc. has indemnified us against all claims arising out of the negligence or willful misconduct of Martin Transport, Inc. and its officers, employees, agents, representatives and subcontractors. We indemnified Martin Transport against all claims arising out of the negligence or willful misconduct of us and our officers, employees, agents, representatives and subcontractors. In the event a claim is the result of the joint negligence or misconduct of Martin

117



Transport and us, our indemnification obligations will be shared in proportion to each party’s allocable share of such joint negligence or misconduct.

As discussed in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data , the Partnership purchased Martin Transport, Inc. effective January 1, 2019.

Terminal Services Agreements

Diesel Fuel Terminal Services Agreement.   Effective January 1, 2016, we entered into a second amended and restated terminalling services agreement under which we provide terminal services to Martin Resource Management for marine fuel distribution.  At such time, the per gallon throughput fee we charged under this agreement was increased when compared to the previous agreement and may be adjusted annually based on a price index.  This agreement was further amended on January 1, 2017 and October 1, 2017 to modify its minimum throughput requirements and throughput fees. This agreement, as amended, expired September 30, 2018 and continued thereafter on a month to month basis until terminated by either party by giving 60 days’ written notice.  

Miscellaneous Terminal Services Agreements.  We are currently party to several terminal services agreements and from time to time we may enter into other terminal service agreements for the purpose of providing terminal services to related parties. Individually, each of these agreements is immaterial but when considered in the aggregate they could be deemed material. These agreements are throughput based with a minimum volume commitment. Generally, the fees due under these agreements are adjusted annually based on a price index.

Marine Agreements

Marine Transportation Agreement. We are a party to a marine transportation agreement effective January 1, 2006, as amended, under which we provide marine transportation services to Martin Resource Management on a spot-contract basis at applicable market rates.  Effective each January 1, this agreement automatically renews for consecutive one-year periods unless either party terminates the agreement by giving written notice to the other party at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the then- applicable term. The fees we charge Martin Resource Management are based on applicable market rates.
 
Marine Fuel.   We are a party to an agreement with Martin Resource Management dated November 1, 2002 under which Martin Resource Management provides us with marine fuel from its locations in the Gulf of Mexico at a fixed rate in excess of a price index.  Under this agreement, we agreed to purchase all of its marine fuel requirements that occur in the areas serviced by Martin Resource Management.

Other Agreements

  Cross Tolling Agreement. We are a party to an amended and restated tolling agreement with Cross dated October 28, 2014 under which we process crude oil into finished products, including naphthenic lubricants, distillates, asphalt and other intermediate cuts for Cross.  The tolling agreement expires November 25, 2031. Under this tolling agreement, Martin Resource Management agreed to refine a minimum of 6,500 barrels per day of crude oil at the refinery at a fixed price per barrel.  Any additional barrels are refined at a modified price per barrel.  In addition, Martin Resource Management agreed to pay a monthly reservation fee and a periodic fuel surcharge fee based on certain parameters specified in the tolling agreement.  All of these fees (other than the fuel surcharge) are subject to escalation annually based upon the greater of 3% or the increase in the Consumer Price Index for a specified annual period.  In addition, every three years, the parties can negotiate an upward or downward adjustment in the fees subject to their mutual agreement.

Sulfuric Acid Sales Agency Agreement . We were previously a party to a third amended and restated sulfuric acid sales agency agreement dated August 2, 2017 but effective October 1, 2017, under which a successor in interest to the agreement from Martin Resource Management, Saconix LLC ("Saconix"), a limited liability company in which Martin Resource Management held a minority equity interest, purchased and marketed the sulfuric acid produced by our sulfuric acid production plant at Plainview, Texas, that was not consumed by our internal operations.  This agreement, as amended, was to remain in place until September 30, 2020 and automatically renew year to year thereafter until either party provided 90 days’ written notice of termination prior to the expiration of the then existing term.  Under this agreement, we sold all of our excess sulfuric acid to Saconix, who then marketed and sold such acid to third-parties.  We shared in the profit of such sales.

Other Miscellaneous Agreements. From time to time we enter into other miscellaneous agreements with Martin Resource Management for the provision of other services or the purchase of other goods.


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Other Related Party Transactions

Related Party Note Receivable

We had a $15.0 million note receivable from an affiliate of Martin Resource Management which previously bore an annual interest rate of 15% and had a maturity date of August 31, 2026, the balance of which could be prepaid on or after September 1, 2016. On February 14, 2017, we notified Martin Resource Management that we would be requesting voluntary repayment of the long-term Note Receivable plus accrued interest. During second quarter of 2017, the Note Receivable was fully repaid. Interest income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $0.9 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

2017 Public Offerings    

In conjunction with a public offering, our general partner contributed $1.1 million in order to maintain its 2% general partner interest in us.     

Transfers of Assets Between Entities Under Common Control    

Acquisition of Terminalling Assets.     On February 22, 2017, we acquired 100% of the membership interests of MEH South Texas Terminals LLC (“MEH”), a subsidiary of Martin Resource Management, for a purchase price of $27.4 million (the “Hondo Acquisition”). At the date of acquisition, MEH was in the process of constructing an asphalt terminal facility in Hondo, Texas (the "Hondo Terminal”), which will serve the asphalt market in San Antonio, Texas and surrounding areas. The excess of the purchase price over the carrying value of the assets of $7.9 million was recorded as an adjustment to "Partners' capital."

Miscellaneous  

Certain of directors, officers and employees of our general partner and Martin Resource Management maintain margin accounts with broker-dealers with respect to our common units held by such persons.  Margin account transactions for such directors, officers and employees were conducted by such broker-dealers in the ordinary course of business.

For information regarding amounts of related party transactions that are included in the Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Operations, please see Footnote 14, "Related Party Transactions", in Part II, Item 8.
 
Approval and Review of Related Party Transactions
 
If we contemplate entering into a transaction, other than a routine or in the ordinary course of business transaction, in which a related person will have a direct or indirect material interest, the proposed transaction is submitted for consideration to the board of directors of our general partner or to our management, as appropriate. If the board of directors is involved in the approval process, it determines whether to refer the matter to the Conflicts Committee, as constituted under our limited partnership agreement. If a matter is referred to the Conflicts Committee, it obtains information regarding the proposed transaction from management and determines whether to engage independent legal counsel or an independent financial advisor to advise the members of the committee regarding the transaction. If the Conflicts Committee retains such counsel or financial advisor, it considers such advice and, in the case of a financial advisor, such advisor’s opinion as to whether the transaction is fair and reasonable to us and to our unitholders.


119



Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
KPMG, LLP served as our independent auditors for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.  The following fees were paid to KPMG, LLP for services rendered during our last two fiscal years:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Audit fees
 
$
1,238,500

(1)
$
1,349,934

(1)
Audit related fees
 

 

 
Audit and audit related fees
 
1,238,500

 
1,349,934

 
Tax fees
 
82,106

(2)
123,167

(2)
All other fees
 

 
124,550

(3)
Total fees
 
$
1,320,606

 
$
1,597,651

 

(1)
2018 audit fees include fees for the annual integrated audit and fees related to services in connection with transactions. 2017 audit fees include fees for the annual integrated audit and fees related to services in connection with transactions.

(2)
Tax fees are for services related to the review of our partnership K-1's returns, and research and consultations on other tax related matters.

(3)
All other fees are for accounting advisory services related to the adoption of ASC 606.

Under policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services performed by our independent auditor to ensure that the provisions of such services do not impair the auditor’s independence.  All of the services described above that were provided by KPMG, LLP in years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were approved in advance by the Audit Committee.


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PART IV

Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a)      Financial Statements, Schedules
(1)
Financial Statements (see Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding financial statements)
(2)
Financial Statement Schedules:  The separate filing of financial statement schedules has been omitted because such schedules are either not applicable or the information called for therein appears in the footnotes of our Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3)
Financial Statements of West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership, an affiliate accounted for by the equity method, which constituted a significant subsidiary.


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Financial Statement Schedule
Pursuant to Item 15(a)(3)

























West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Financial Statements
For the seven-month period from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018 and each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited)








Independent Auditor’s Report



To the Partnership Committee of West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership, which comprise the balance sheets as of July 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and the related statements of operations, changes in partners’ capital and cash flows for the period from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017.

Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors’ Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on our judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, we consider internal control relevant to the Partnership's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership's internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Opinion

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership as of July 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017 in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Other Matter

The accompanying statements of operations, changes in partners’ capital and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 are presented for purposes of complying with Rule 3-09 of SEC Regulation S-X; however, Rule 3-09 does not require the 2016 financial statements to be audited and they are therefore not covered by this report.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
February 19, 2019



West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)


 
July 31,
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
6,247

 
$
27,927

Accounts receivable
17,069

 
17,151

Materials and supplies inventories
2,168

 
2,168

Other current assets
208

 
66

Total current assets
25,692

 
47,312

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment
952,969

 
831,823

Accumulated depreciation
(50,468
)
 
(42,308
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
902,501

 
789,515

 
 
 
 
Other assets
311

 
337

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
928,504

 
$
837,164

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Partners' Capital
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
49,706

 
$
40,919

Taxes payable
1,575

 
2,396

Other current liabilities
2,436

 
459

Total current liabilities
53,717

 
43,774

 
 
 
 
Environmental reserve
5,488

 
5,964

Other liabilities
405

 

Total liabilities
59,610

 
49,738

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
 
 
 
Partners' capital
868,894

 
787,426

Total liabilities and partners' capital
$
928,504

 
$
837,164


See accompanying notes to the financial statements.



West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands)


 
Period from January 1, 2018 through July 31, 2018
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016*
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue (Note 3)
$
55,534

 
$
87,049

 
$
88,467

 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of services (exclusive of items shown separately below)
8,379

 
12,336

 
11,401

Operations and maintenance
20,464

 
36,510

 
36,824

Depreciation
8,144

 
13,842

 
13,686

Taxes other than income
1,866

 
2,842

 
2,651

Total costs and expenses
38,853

 
65,530

 
64,562

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense), net
(39
)
 
53

 
(22
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
16,642

 
$
21,572

 
$
23,883


*Not covered by the auditor’s report
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.



West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital
(Dollars in thousands)


 
ONEOK Permian NGL Pipeline LP, LLC
 
ONEOK Permian NGL Pipeline GP, LLC
 
Martin Midstream Holdings II, LLC
 
Martin Midstream Holdings, LLC
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balances - December 31, 2015
$
636,786

 
$
6,432

 
$
159,197

 
$
1,608

 
$
804,023

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (unaudited)
18,915

 
191

 
4,729

 
48

 
23,883

Distributions to partners (unaudited)
(29,700
)
 
(300
)
 
(7,425
)
 
(75
)
 
(37,500
)
Balances - December 31, 2016 (unaudited)*
626,001

 
6,323

 
156,501

 
1,581

 
790,406

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (unaudited)
17,086

 
172

 
4,270

 
44

 
21,572

Contributions by partners
1,542

 
16

 
386

 
4

 
1,948

Distributions to partners
(20,988
)
 
(212
)
 
(5,247
)
 
(53
)
 
(26,500
)
Balances - December 31, 2017
623,641

 
6,299

 
155,910

 
1,576

 
787,426

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASC 606 (Note 2)
65

 
1

 
17

 

 
83

Net income
13,181

 
133

 
3,295

 
33

 
16,642

Contributions by partners
65,137

 
658

 
16,284

 
164

 
82,243

Distributions to partners
(13,860
)
 
(140
)
 
(3,465
)
 
(35
)
 
(17,500
)
Purchase and sale of Partnership interest (Note 1)
$
172,041

 
$
1,738

 
$
(172,041
)
 
$
(1,738
)
 

Balances - July 31, 2018
$
860,205

 
$
8,689

 
$

 
$

 
$
868,894


*Not covered by the auditor’s report
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.



West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)


 
Period from January 1, 2018 through July 31, 2018
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016*
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
16,642

 
$
21,572

 
$
23,883

Adjustments to reconcile net income and net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
8,144

 
13,842

 
13,686

Change in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
82

 
(4,008
)
 
(4,169
)
Materials and supplies inventories

 
(221
)
 
59

Other current assets
(142
)
 
(24
)
 
(42
)
Other assets
26

 
28

 
(365
)
Accounts payable
(21,665
)
 
23,971

 
7,797

Taxes other than income
(821
)
 
226

 
88

Other current liabilities
(83
)
 
368

 
(219
)
Other liabilities
(36
)
 

 

Environmental reserve
(476
)
 
(877
)
 
(1,413
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,671

 
54,877

 
39,305

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Payments for property and equipment
(90,094
)
 
(5,555
)
 
(3,946
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(90,094
)
 
(5,555
)
 
(3,946
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Contributions by partners
82,243

 
1,948

 

Distributions to partners
(15,500
)
 
(26,500
)
 
(37,500
)
Net cash used in financing activities
66,743

 
(24,552
)
 
(37,500
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(21,680
)
 
24,770

 
(2,141
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
27,927

 
3,157

 
5,298

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
6,247

 
$
27,927

 
$
3,157


*Not covered by the auditor’s report
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.




West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)


(1)
Organization and Basis of Presentation

West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership (the “Partnership” or “WTLPG”) is a Texas limited partnership. The Partnership was formed in 1999 and owns an approximately 2,300 mile common-carrier pipeline system that transports natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu, Texas for fractionation. On July 31, 2018, ONEOK Permian NGL Pipeline GP, L.L.C. acquired the 0.2% General Partner Interest from Martin Midstream NGL Holdings, LLC, and ONEOK Permian NGL Pipeline LP, L.L.C. acquired the 19.8% Limited Partner Interest from Martin Midstream NGL Holdings II, LLC. As of July 31, 2018, the Partnership is a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK. Prior to the sale of partnership interests on July 31, 2018, the partners’ capital interests were owned by the following:

Owner
Interest
 
Interest Type
ONEOK Permian NGL Pipeline GP, L.L.C
0.8
%
 
General Partner
ONEOK Permian NGL Pipeline LP, L.L.C.
79.2
%
 
Limited Partner
Martin Midstream NGL Holdings, LLC
0.2
%
 
General Partner
Martin Midstream NGL Holdings II, LLC
19.8
%
 
Limited Partner
 
100
%
 
 

ONEOK Permian NGL Pipeline GP, L.L.C. and ONEOK Permian NGL Pipeline LP, L.L.C. are wholly owned subsidiaries of ONEOK, Inc. (“ONEOK”). A subsidiary of ONEOK is also the pipeline operator (“Operator”). Martin Midstream NGL Holdings, LLC and Martin Midstream NGL Holdings II, LLC are wholly owned subsidiaries of Martin Midstream Partners, L.P. (“Martin”).
The operating agreement among the partners provides that net income and distributions are to be allocated among the partner interests in proportion to their respective capital interests. Partners’ liabilities are limited to the amount of capital contributed.
The limited partnership agreement of WTLPG provides that distributions to the partners are to be made on a pro rata basis according to each partner’s ownership interest. Cash distributions to the partners are declared and paid by WTLPG each calendar quarter. Any changes to, or suspension of, the cash distributions from WTLPG required the approval of a minimum of 90 percent of the ownership interest and a minimum of two general partners of WTLPG. Cash distributions are equal to 100 percent of distributable cash as defined in the limited partnership agreement of WTLPG.
(2)
Significant Accounting Policies

(a)
Use of Estimates

Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(b)
Revenue Recognition

The Partnership’s revenue is derived from fees collected for transporting NGLs. Transportation fees charged to shippers are based on either tariffs regulated by governmental agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (“RRC”), or contractual arrangements. Our tariffs specify the maximum rates we may charge our customers and the general terms and conditions for NGL transportation service on our pipelines. Revenue is recognized when transportation services are provided. See Note 3 for additional disclosures.

(c)
Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Partnership considers all highly liquid cash investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.


128

West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)


(d)
Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation.  Our property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. We periodically conduct depreciation studies to assess the economic lives of our assets.  These depreciation studies are completed as a part of our rate proceedings, and the changes in economic lives, if applicable, are implemented prospectively.

Property and equipment on our Balance Sheets includes construction work in process for capital projects that have not yet been placed in service and therefore are not being depreciated. Assets are transferred out of construction work in process when they are substantially complete and ready for their intended use.

Property and equipment consists of the following:
 
Useful Life
 
July 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering lines and related equipment
20-88
 
$
819,780

 
$
813,037

General plant and other
71-80
 
8,238

 
8,097

Construction work in process
 
 
124,951

 
10,689

   Property and equipment
 
 
952,969

 
831,823

   Accumulated depreciation
 
 
(50,468
)
 
(42,308
)
  Property and equipment, net
 
 
$
902,501

 
$
789,515


Additions to property and equipment included in accounts payable as of July 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were $35,528 and $4,000, respectively.

(a)
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with ASC 360-10, long-lived assets such as property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.  We determined that there were no asset impairments for the seven-month period from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018 or the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(a)
Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset retirement obligations represent legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the asset.  We are not able to estimate reasonably the fair value of the asset retirement obligations for our assets because the settlement dates are indeterminable given the expected continued use of the assets with proper maintenance. We expect our pipeline assets, for which we are unable to estimate reasonably the fair value of the asset retirement obligation, will continue in operation as long as supply and demand for NGLs exists. Based on the widespread use of NGLs by the petrochemical industry, we expect supply and demand to exist for the foreseeable future.

(a)
Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

We use a valuation framework based upon inputs that market participants use in pricing certain assets and liabilities. These inputs are classified into two categories: observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs represent our own market assumptions. Unobservable inputs are used only if observable inputs are unavailable or not reasonably available without undue cost and effort. The two types of inputs are further prioritized into the following hierarchy:


129

West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)


Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumptions and are not corroborated by market data.

We classify the fair value of an asset or liability based on the lowest level of input significant to its measurement. A fair value initially reported as Level 3 will be subsequently reported as Level 2 if the unobservable inputs become inconsequential to its measurement, or corroborating market data becomes available. Asset and liability fair values initially reported as Level 2 will be subsequently reported as Level 3 if corroborating market data becomes unavailable.

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. The carrying amounts of financial instruments approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Our cash and cash equivalents are comprised of bank and money market accounts and are classified as Level 1.

(h)
Operating and Maintenance Expenses

Operating and maintenance expenses are incurred by the Operator and charged for the cost of personnel that operate the pipeline and other operating costs.  Where costs are incurred specifically on our behalf, the costs are billed directly to us by the Operator. In other situations, the costs may be allocated to us through a variety of methods, depending upon the nature of the expense and activities. Under our operating agreement, we are required to reimburse the Operator for such operating expenses.

(i)
Environmental Reserves

Our policy is to accrue for losses associated with environmental remediation obligations when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable.  We routinely conduct reviews of potential environmental issues and claims that could impact our assets or operations. These reviews assist us in identifying environmental issues and estimating the costs and timing of remediation efforts. In making environmental liability estimations, we consider the material effect of environmental compliance, pending legal actions against us and potential third-party liability claims. Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations generally are recognized no later than completion of the remedial feasibility study. Such accruals are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change.  These revisions are reflected in our income in the period in which they are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimated future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations are not discounted to their present value. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable.

(j)
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest.  We assess collectability at the inception of an arrangement based upon credit ratings and prior collections history. In general, we conduct business with customers with whom we have a long collection history. As a result, we have not experienced significant credit losses nor has our revenue recognition been impacted due to assessments of collectability. We have not recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts as of July 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017, as all accounts receivable were determined to be collectible.

(k)
Transportation Imbalances

In the course of transporting NGLs for others, we may receive for redelivery different quantities of NGLs than the quantities we ultimately redeliver. We record these differences as transportation and exchange imbalance receivables or payables that are subject to cash-out provisions. Imbalance receivables are included in accounts receivable, and imbalance payables are included in accounts payable on the balance sheet at current market prices in effect for the reporting period of the outstanding imbalances. As of July 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had imbalance receivables and payables totaling $7,964 and $8,409, respectively.
(l)
Concentration of Credit Risk

Substantially all of our accounts receivable at July 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, results from transportation fees earned from companies in the oil and gas industry and transportation imbalances. This concentration of customers may impact our overall credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that these entities may be similarly affected by industry-wide changes in economic or other conditions. Such receivables are generally not collateralized. However, we perform credit evaluations on

130

West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)


all our customers to minimize exposure to credit risk. For the seven-month period from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018 and years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 credit losses were not material.

As of July 31, 2018, accounts receivable includes receivables from one customer representing 52% of total accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2017, accounts receivable includes receivables from two customers representing 47% and 13% of total accounts receivable.

For the seven-month period from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018, revenue includes transportation fees received from three customers representing 23%, 20% and 17% of total revenue, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017, revenue includes transportation fees received from three customers representing 23%, 16% and 15% of total revenue, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2016, revenue includes transportation fees received from two customers representing 18% (unaudited) and 12% (unaudited) of total revenue, respectively.

(m)
Income Taxes

We are a limited partnership for federal and state income taxes. Income taxes are the responsibility of our members and, with the exception of the Texas franchise tax, are not reflected in our financial statements.
(n)
Materials and Supplies Inventory

The cost of materials, supplies and other inventories is principally determined using the average-cost method.

(o)
Subsequent Events

We have evaluated subsequent events through February 19, 2019, the date our financial statements were available, and we believe all required subsequent events disclosures have been made.

(p)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 Leases .  This ASU amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief.  We expect to record right of use assets and lease obligations on our balance sheet upon adoption. We do not expect the impact of adopting this standard to be material to our income statement or related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. Topic 606 replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The Partnership adopted the standard on January 1, 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Partnership utilized the cumulative effect method which resulted an increase of $83 to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, are presented under the new standard, while prior periods are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Partnership did not identify any significant changes in the timing of revenue recognition when considering the amended accounting guidance.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments . The standard clarifies the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows where diversity in practice has been identified. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We do not expect the impact of adopting this standard to be material to our financial statements and related disclosures.

(3)
Revenue

On January 1, 2018, we adopted Topic 606 using the cumulative effect transition method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are

131

West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)


presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition . The following disclosures discuss the Partnership’s revised revenue recognition policies upon the adoption of Topic 606, as discussed in Note 2.

There were no material impacts to revenues, or any other income statement caption, for the period from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018 as a result of applying Topic 606. The impact to the Balance Sheet resulted from contributions in aid of construction as follows:

 
July 31, 2018
 
As reported
 
Balance without adoption of Topic 606
 
Effect of change increase / (decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property and equipment
$
952,969

 
$
952,369

 
$
600

Accumulated depreciation
50,468

 
50,445

 
23

Other current liabilities
2,436

 
2,376

 
60

Other liabilities
405

 
0

 
405

Partners’ capital
868,894

 
868,782

 
112


Under Topic 606, we disaggregate our revenues by interstate transportation contracts, intrastate transportation contracts, and other contractual arrangements. These categories depict the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues. Disaggregated revenue for the period from January 1, 2018 through July 31, 2018 is as follows:

Revenue
 
 
Interstate transportation services
 
$
32,654

Intrastate transportation services
 
19,007

Other services
 
3,775

Total revenue from contracts with customers
 
55,436

Noncustomer revenue
 
98

Total revenue
 
$
55,534


The Partnership satisfies its obligations by providing services in exchange for consideration from customers. The timing of performance may differ from the timing of the associated consideration received from the customer, thus resulting in the recognition of a contract asset or a contract liability. As of July 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, no contract assets have been recognized.

The Partnership recognizes a contract liability if the customer's payment of consideration precedes the Partnership’s fulfillment of the performance obligations. Our contract liabilities represent deferred revenue on contributions in aid of construction received from customers and are recorded in Other current liabilities and Other liabilities. These amounts are recognized in revenue as services are provided over the contract period, which averages approximately 10 years. The change in the contract liability is as follows:

Contract Liability
 
 
 
 
 
As of January 1, 2018
 
$
500

Revenue recognized included in beginning balance
 
(35
)
As of July 31, 2018
 
$
465


We expect to record approximately $50 per year through 2027.

(4)
Related Party Transactions

132

West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)



Related Party Transactions - We provide transportation services to affiliates of our partners. Affiliate services are recorded on the same basis as services to unaffiliated customers.

We do not have any employees; therefore, the Operator’s employees support and maintain our assets as provided by the terms of the operating agreement. We record direct costs for all compensation, benefits, employer taxes and other employer expenses for these employees. Pursuant to the operating agreement, we pay a management fee, which is reflected in operations and maintenance expenses in our Statements of Operations, to the Operator for administrative costs associated with operating our pipelines.

We also lease an approximate 300 mile pipeline, the Mesquite Pipeline, from affiliates of ONEOK, the cost of which is reflected in cost of services in our Statements of Operations.

The following table sets forth the transactions with related parties for the periods indicated:
                              
 
Period from January 1, 2018 through July 31, 2018
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
12,735

 
$
13,309

 
$
7,606

 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of serivces
$
1,305

 
$
2,172

 
$
2,117

Operating costs
3,735

 
8,924

 
9,359

Administrative costs
5,821

 
5,608

 
5,546

Total Expenses
$
10,861

 
$
16,704

 
$
17,022


Related Party Balances - We reimburse the Operator for direct costs of employees that support and maintain our assets. We also reimburse the Operator for direct third-party costs incurred on our behalf such as costs for materials, supplies and other charges. As of July 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, we had accounts payable to the Operator of $47,668 and $39,306, respectively, related to management fees and reimbursements of expenditures. As of July 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had accounts receivable from affiliates of ONEOK of $8,885 and $8,042, respectively, related to amounts due for transportation services provided and imbalance receivables.


(5)
Operating Leases

We have non-cancelable operating leases primarily for the Mesquite Pipeline and other equipment. The leases generally provide that all expenses related to the pipeline and equipment are to be paid by the lessee.

Our future minimum lease obligations as of July 31, 2018 consist of the following:

2018
$
1,145

2019
2,729

2020
2,389

2121
955

Thereafter

Total
$
7,218


Lease expense for operating leases for the period from January 1, 2018 through July 31, 2018, and years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $5,626, $8,534 and $7,683 (unaudited) respectively.

133

West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except where otherwise indicated)



(6)
Commitments and Contingencies

2015 Rate Complaints - On July 1, 2015, WTLPG began charging market-based common carrier rates for intrastate transportation service under a tariff on file with the Railroad Commission of Texas (“RRC”). Certain shippers filed complaints with the RRC challenging the increased rates WTLPG implemented effective July 1, 2015. The complaints requested that the rate increase be suspended until the RRC has determined appropriate new rates. On March 8, 2016, the RRC issued an order directing that WTLPG’s rates “in effect prior to July 1, 2015 are the lawful rates for the duration of this docket unless changed by Commission order.” The RRC indicated that WTLPG’s rates should be reviewed on a market basis, without consideration of cost of service, if market information is available.
In September 2017, the hearings examiner issued his Proposal for Decision rejecting the rates WTLPG filed on July 1, 2015, and finding that WTLPG could not charge rates similar to rates charged by new or expansion pipelines, since the rates of those newer pipelines included amounts associated with construction costs and those newer pipelines were allegedly “more reliable.” In January 2018, the Commissioners remanded the case back to the hearing examiner “for the limited scope of admitting and considering additional relevant evidence on common carrier market competition, transportation options, and pricing in the Permian Basin, Barnett Shale and Haynesville Shale markets, including pertinent market studies and/or analysis.”
    
The shippers’ complaints about increased rates implemented by WTLPG in July 2015 were resolved by a settlement that was formally approved by the RRC in January 2019.  All prior claims have been resolved, and no contingency exists.

Occidental Energy Marketing, Inc. v. WTLPG - In December 2014, Occidental Energy Marketing, Inc. (“Oxy”) filed a lawsuit against WTLPG in state court in Houston, Texas asserting breach of contract and related claims arising from allegations that during a period from 2010 through 2014, WTLPG failed to redeliver approximately 11.7 million gallons of product received by WTLPG from Oxy. Oxy asserts approximately $11 million in damages. In August 2016, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of WTLPG on all of Oxy’s claims. In January 2017, the Court entered Final Judgment in favor of WTLPG, including an award of $257 thousand in attorneys’ fees. Oxy filed a Notice of Appeal in January 2017. All briefs have been filed and the oral argument was heard by the Texas Court of Appeals in November 2017.

In October 2018, the Texas Court of Appeals issued its decision affirming in part, reversing in part and remanding the case to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with its opinion. Oxy did not seek rehearing of the case en banc or request review by the Texas Supreme Court.  Accordingly, the case was remanded to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with the decision of the Court of Appeals.

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the Oxy litigation, we cannot estimate a reasonably possible range of potential exposure at this time. However, it is reasonably possible that the ultimate resolution of this matter could result in future charges that may be material to our results of operations.




134



(b)      Exhibits
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Name
 
 
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
3.12
3.13
3.14
3.15
3.16
3.17
3.18

135



3.19
3.20
3.21
3.22
3.23
3.24
3.25
3.26
3.27
3.28
3.29
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
10.1
10.2
10.3

136



10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9*
10.10*
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.20†
10.21†
10.22

137



10.23
10.24
10.25(1)
10.26(1)
10.27
10.28
10.29
10.30
10.31
10.32
10.33
10.34
10.35(1)
10.36(1)
10.37(1)
10.38
10.39
10.40
10.41
21.1*
23.1*
23.2*

138



31.1*
31.2*
32.1*
32.2*
101
Interactive Data: the following financial information from Martin Midstream Partners L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language: (1) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (2) the Consolidated Statements of Income; (3) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (4) the Consolidated Statements of Capital; and (6) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
*
Filed or furnished herewith.
As required by Item 15(a)(3) of Form 10-K, this exhibit is identified as a compensatory plan or arrangement.
(1) Material has been redacted from this exhibit and filed separately with the Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which has been granted.

Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary

Not applicable.

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we have duly caused this Report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized representative.
 
Martin Midstream Partners L.P
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
By:
Martin Midstream GP LLC
 
 
It's General Partner
 
 
 
February 19, 2019
By:
/s/ Ruben S. Martin
 
 
Ruben S. Martin
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 19, 2019 .


139



Signature
 
Title
 
 
 
/s/ Ruben S. Martin
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Martin Midstream GP LLC (Principal Executive Officer)
Ruben S. Martin
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Robert D. Bondurant
 
Executive Vice President, Director, and Chief Financial Officer of Martin Midstream GP LLC (Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer)
Robert D. Bondurant
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Zachary S. Stanton
 
Director of Martin Midstream GP LLC
Zachary S. Stanton
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ James M. Collingsworth
 
Director of Martin Midstream GP LLC
James M. Collingsworth
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Sean P. Dolan
 
Director of Martin Midstream GP LLC
Sean P. Dolan
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Byron R. Kelley
 
Director of Martin Midstream GP LLC
Byron R. Kelley
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ C. Scott Massey
 
Director of Martin Midstream GP LLC
C. Scott Massey
 
 


140
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