Item 1.
Financial Statements
EQT GP HOLDINGS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
(Thousands, except per unit amounts)
|
Operating revenues
(2)
|
$
|
203,426
|
|
|
$
|
185,786
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating and maintenance
(3)
|
20,286
|
|
|
17,136
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
(3)
|
18,692
|
|
|
18,480
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
20,547
|
|
|
14,007
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
59,525
|
|
|
49,623
|
|
Operating income
|
143,901
|
|
|
136,163
|
|
Other income
(4)
|
6,009
|
|
|
7,602
|
|
Net interest expense
(5)
|
7,922
|
|
|
4,551
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
141,988
|
|
|
139,214
|
|
Income tax expense
|
—
|
|
|
3,435
|
|
Net income
|
141,988
|
|
|
135,779
|
|
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
80,612
|
|
|
77,787
|
|
Net income attributable to EQT GP Holdings, LP
|
$
|
61,376
|
|
|
$
|
57,992
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calculation of limited partners' interest in net income:
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to EQT GP Holdings, LP
|
$
|
61,376
|
|
|
$
|
57,992
|
|
Less pre-acquisition net income allocated to parent
|
—
|
|
|
(7,670
|
)
|
Limited partners' interest in net income
|
$
|
61,376
|
|
|
$
|
50,322
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per limited partner unit – basic and diluted
|
$
|
0.23
|
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
|
Weighted average common units outstanding – basic and diluted
|
266,183
|
|
|
266,173
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash distributions declared per unit
(6)
|
$
|
0.191
|
|
|
$
|
0.134
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
As discussed in Note A, EQGP’s consolidated financial statements for the
three months ended March 31, 2016
have been retrospectively recast to include the pre-acquisition results of AVC, Rager and the Gathering Assets, which were acquired by EQM effective on October 1, 2016, because the transaction was between entities under common control.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Operating revenues included affiliate revenues from EQT of
$143.4 million
and
$135.3 million
for the
three months ended March 31, 2017
and
2016
, respectively. See Note E.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Operating and maintenance expense included charges from EQT of
$9.9 million
and
$8.1 million
for the
three months ended March 31, 2017
and
2016
, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expense included charges from EQT of
$17.7 million
and
$17.1 million
for the
three months ended March 31, 2017
and
2016
, respectively. See Note E.
|
|
|
(4)
|
For the
three
months ended
March 31, 2017
, other income included equity income from Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (MVP Joint Venture) of
$4.3 million
. For the
three
months ended
March 31, 2016
, other income included distributions received from EES of
$2.8 million
and equity income from the MVP Joint Venture of
$1.6 million
. See Note F.
|
|
|
(5)
|
For the
three months ended March 31, 2017
, net interest expense included
$1.7 million
of interest income on the Preferred Interest in EES.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Represents the cash distributions declared related to the period presented. See Note K.
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
EQT GP HOLDINGS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
(Thousands)
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
$
|
141,988
|
|
|
$
|
135,779
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
20,547
|
|
|
14,007
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
—
|
|
|
2,975
|
|
Equity income
|
(4,277
|
)
|
|
(1,589
|
)
|
AFUDC – equity
|
(1,699
|
)
|
|
(2,937
|
)
|
Non-cash long-term compensation expense
|
451
|
|
|
325
|
|
Changes in other assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
(968
|
)
|
|
(535
|
)
|
Accounts payable
|
420
|
|
|
(72
|
)
|
Due to/from EQT affiliates
|
366
|
|
|
(28,563
|
)
|
Other assets and other liabilities
|
3,941
|
|
|
(3,746
|
)
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
160,769
|
|
|
115,644
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
(62,947
|
)
|
|
(124,625
|
)
|
Capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture
|
(19,760
|
)
|
|
(11,430
|
)
|
Sales of interests in the MVP Joint Venture
|
—
|
|
|
12,533
|
|
Principal payments received on Preferred Interest
|
1,020
|
|
|
—
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
(81,687
|
)
|
|
(123,522
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from EQM credit facility borrowings
|
50,000
|
|
|
71,000
|
|
Payments on EQM credit facility borrowings
|
(50,000
|
)
|
|
(361,000
|
)
|
Proceeds from the EQGP Working Capital Facility loan, net of payments
|
83
|
|
|
139
|
|
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest unitholders of EQM
|
(49,955
|
)
|
|
(39,553
|
)
|
Distributions paid to EQGP unitholders
|
(47,111
|
)
|
|
(32,472
|
)
|
Capital contributions
|
216
|
|
|
—
|
|
Net contributions from EQT
|
—
|
|
|
9,182
|
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
(96,767
|
)
|
|
(352,704
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
|
(17,685
|
)
|
|
(360,582
|
)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
60,453
|
|
|
360,957
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
$
|
42,768
|
|
|
$
|
375
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest, net of amount capitalized
|
$
|
9,412
|
|
|
$
|
9,739
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
As discussed in Note A, EQGP’s consolidated financial statements for the
three months ended March 31, 2016
have been retrospectively recast to include the pre-acquisition results of AVC, Rager and the Gathering Assets, which were acquired by EQM effective on October 1, 2016, because the transaction was between entities under common control.
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
EQT GP HOLDINGS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
ASSETS
|
(Thousands, except number of units)
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
42,768
|
|
|
$
|
60,453
|
|
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $331 as of March 31, 2017 and $319 as of December 31, 2016)
|
21,630
|
|
|
20,662
|
|
Accounts receivable – affiliate
|
81,654
|
|
|
81,358
|
|
Other current assets
|
5,807
|
|
|
9,912
|
|
Total current assets
|
151,859
|
|
|
172,385
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
2,966,817
|
|
|
2,894,858
|
|
Less: accumulated depreciation
|
(334,352
|
)
|
|
(316,024
|
)
|
Net property, plant and equipment
|
2,632,465
|
|
|
2,578,834
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in unconsolidated entity
|
237,308
|
|
|
184,562
|
|
Other assets
|
139,519
|
|
|
140,668
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
3,161,151
|
|
|
$
|
3,076,449
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
$
|
43,531
|
|
|
$
|
35,831
|
|
Due to related party
|
20,349
|
|
|
20,360
|
|
Capital contribution payable to MVP Joint Venture
|
40,180
|
|
|
11,471
|
|
Accrued interest
|
11,760
|
|
|
12,016
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
9,867
|
|
|
8,755
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
125,687
|
|
|
88,433
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt
|
986,137
|
|
|
985,732
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
10,258
|
|
|
9,562
|
|
Total liabilities
|
1,122,082
|
|
|
1,083,727
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common (266,165,000 common units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016)
|
(1,061,600
|
)
|
|
(1,077,100
|
)
|
Noncontrolling interests
|
3,100,669
|
|
|
3,069,822
|
|
Total equity
|
2,039,069
|
|
|
1,992,722
|
|
Total liabilities and equity
|
$
|
3,161,151
|
|
|
$
|
3,076,449
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
EQT GP HOLDINGS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Statements of Consolidated Equity (Unaudited)
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Predecessor Equity
|
|
Common
|
|
Noncontrolling Interests
|
|
Total Equity
|
|
(Thousands)
|
Balance at January 1, 2016
|
$
|
275,545
|
|
|
$
|
(1,204,509
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,771,558
|
|
|
$
|
1,842,594
|
|
Net income
|
7,670
|
|
|
50,322
|
|
|
77,787
|
|
|
135,779
|
|
Capital contributions
|
—
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
162
|
|
Equity-based compensation plans
|
—
|
|
|
169
|
|
|
156
|
|
|
325
|
|
Distributions to noncontrolling interest unitholders of EQM
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(39,553
|
)
|
|
(39,553
|
)
|
Net contributions from EQT
|
9,182
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
9,182
|
|
Distributions to EQGP unitholders
|
—
|
|
|
(32,472
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(32,472
|
)
|
Balance at March 31, 2016
|
$
|
292,397
|
|
|
$
|
(1,186,328
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,809,948
|
|
|
$
|
1,916,017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at January 1, 2017
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(1,077,100
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,069,822
|
|
|
$
|
1,992,722
|
|
Net income
|
—
|
|
|
61,376
|
|
|
80,612
|
|
|
141,988
|
|
Capital contributions
|
—
|
|
|
974
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
974
|
|
Equity-based compensation plans
|
—
|
|
|
261
|
|
|
190
|
|
|
451
|
|
Distributions to noncontrolling interest unitholders of EQM
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(49,955
|
)
|
|
(49,955
|
)
|
Distributions to EQGP unitholders
|
—
|
|
|
(47,111
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(47,111
|
)
|
Balance at March 31, 2017
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(1,061,600
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,100,669
|
|
|
$
|
2,039,069
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
As discussed in Note A, EQGP’s consolidated financial statements for the
three months ended March 31, 2016
have been retrospectively recast to include the pre-acquisition results of AVC, Rager and the Gathering Assets, which were acquired by EQM effective on October 1, 2016, because the transaction was between entities under common control.
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
EQT GP HOLDINGS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Organization
EQGP owns EQT's partnership interests in EQM, a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership. EQT Midstream Services, LLC (EQM General Partner) is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of EQGP and is the general partner of EQM. EQT GP Services, LLC (EQGP General Partner) is a wholly owned subsidiary of EQT and is the general partner of EQGP.
EQGP has no independent operations or material assets other than its partnership interests in EQM. EQGP’s financial statements differ from those of EQM primarily as a result of noncontrolling interest ownership attributable to the publicly held limited partner interests in EQM and additional expenses incurred by EQGP which include selling, general and administrative expenses and net interest expense or income.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of EQGP as of
March 31, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, and the results of its operations, cash flows and equity for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2017
and
2016
. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The balance sheet at
December 31, 2016
has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
AVC, Rager and the Gathering Assets were businesses and the October 2016 Acquisition was a transaction between entities under common control; therefore, EQM recorded the assets and liabilities of these entities at their carrying amounts to EQT on the date of the transaction. The difference between EQT’s net carrying amount and the total consideration paid to EQT was recorded as a capital transaction with EQT, which resulted in a reduction in equity. EQGP recast its consolidated financial statements to retrospectively reflect the October 2016 Acquisition as if the entities were owned by EQM for all periods presented; however, the consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred if EQM had owned them during the periods reported.
Due to the seasonal nature of EQM’s utility customer contracts, the interim statements for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2017
are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending
December 31, 2017
.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in EQGP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016
as well as “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained therein.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
. The standard requires an entity to recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Deferral of the Effective Date which approved a one year deferral of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. EQGP expects to adopt the ASUs using the modified retrospective method of adoption on January 1, 2018. During 2016, EQGP completed an analysis of the impact of the standard on its broad contract types. As a result, EQGP anticipates that this standard will not have a material impact on net income. EQGP is currently performing a detailed review of the impact of the standard on each of its contracts, which it expects to complete by mid-year 2017. EQGP is evaluating the impact of the standard on its related disclosures.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01,
Financial Instruments-Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.
The changes primarily affect the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. This standard will eliminate the cost method of accounting for equity investments. The ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods
beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, with early adoption of certain provisions permitted. EQGP anticipates this standard will not have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02,
Leases
. The ASU requires, among other things, that lessees recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessees and lessors must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The primary effect of adopting the new standard will be to record assets and obligations for contracts currently recognized as operating leases. EQGP has completed a high level identification of agreements covered by this standard and will continue to evaluate the impact this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13,
Financial Instruments-Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.
This ASU amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost basis, this ASU eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period. EQGP is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15,
Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
. This ASU addresses the presentation and classification of eight specific cash flow issues. The amendments in the ASU will be effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. EQGP anticipates this standard will not have a material impact on its financial statements and related disclosures.
|
|
B.
|
October 2016 Acquisition
|
Effective October 1, 2016, EQM acquired from EQT
100%
of the outstanding limited liability company interests of AVC and Rager as well as the Gathering Assets. The aggregate consideration paid by EQM to EQT of
$275 million
was funded by borrowings under the
$750
Million Facility (as defined in Note G).
Prior to the October 2016 Acquisition, EQM operated the AVC facilities as part of its transmission and storage system under a lease agreement with EQT. The lease was a capital lease under GAAP; therefore, revenues and expenses associated with the AVC facilities were included in EQM’s historical consolidated financial statements and the AVC facilities were depreciated over the lease term of
25
years. In conjunction with the October 2016 Acquisition, the lease agreement was terminated. As a result, EQGP's recast of the consolidated financial statements included recasting depreciation expense recognized for the periods prior to the transaction to reflect the pipeline’s useful life of
40
years. The cumulative capital lease depreciation recorded for periods prior to the transaction was eliminated through equity at the time of the acquisition and the consolidated financial statements now reflect the depreciation expense based on the
40
year useful life. This adjustment increased previously reported net income by
$2.0 million
for the
three months ended March 31, 2016
.
|
|
C.
|
Equity and Net Income per Limited Partner Unit
|
EQGP Equity.
As of
March 31, 2017
, EQT indirectly held
239,715,000
EQGP common units, representing a
90.1%
limited partner interest, and the entire non-economic general partner interest in EQGP, while the public held
26,450,000
EQGP common units, representing a
9.9%
limited partner interest in EQGP.
Net Income per Limited Partner Unit.
Net income attributable to AVC, Rager and the Gathering Assets for periods prior to October 1, 2016 was not allocated to the limited partners for purposes of calculating net income per limited partner unit. The weighted average phantom unit awards included in the calculation of basic weighted average limited partner units outstanding was
18,219
and
7,662
for the
three months ended March 31, 2017
and
2016
, respectively.
EQM Equity.
The following table summarizes EQM's limited partner common units and general partner units issued from January 1,
2016
through December 31, 2016. EQM did not issue any units during the first quarter of 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQM Limited Partner Common Units
|
|
EQM General Partner Units
|
|
Total
|
Balance at January 1, 2016
|
77,520,181
|
|
|
1,443,015
|
|
|
78,963,196
|
|
2014 EQM Value Driver Award Program issuance
|
19,796
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
19,796
|
|
EQM Total Return Program issuance
|
92,472
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
92,472
|
|
$750 Million ATM Program
|
2,949,309
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,949,309
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2016
|
80,581,758
|
|
|
1,443,015
|
|
|
82,024,773
|
|
As of
March 31, 2017
, EQGP and its subsidiaries owned
21,811,643
EQM common units, representing a
26.6%
limited partner interest,
1,443,015
EQM general partner units, representing a
1.8%
general partner interest, and all of the incentive distribution rights (IDRs) in EQM.
|
|
D.
|
Financial Information by Business Segment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
(Thousands)
|
Revenues from external customers (including affiliates):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering
|
$
|
102,329
|
|
|
$
|
98,009
|
|
Transmission
|
101,097
|
|
|
87,777
|
|
Total operating revenues
|
$
|
203,426
|
|
|
$
|
185,786
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering
|
$
|
73,589
|
|
|
$
|
72,604
|
|
Transmission
|
71,524
|
|
|
64,516
|
|
Headquarters
|
(1,212
|
)
|
|
(957
|
)
|
Total operating income
|
$
|
143,901
|
|
|
$
|
136,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation of operating income to net income:
|
|
|
|
|
Other income
|
6,009
|
|
|
7,602
|
|
Net interest expense
|
7,922
|
|
|
4,551
|
|
Income tax expense
|
—
|
|
|
3,435
|
|
Net income
|
$
|
141,988
|
|
|
$
|
135,779
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
(Thousands)
|
Segment assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering
|
$
|
1,329,846
|
|
|
$
|
1,292,713
|
|
Transmission
|
1,426,109
|
|
|
1,413,631
|
|
Total operating segments
|
2,755,955
|
|
|
2,706,344
|
|
Headquarters, including cash
|
405,196
|
|
|
370,105
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
3,161,151
|
|
|
$
|
3,076,449
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
(Thousands)
|
Depreciation and amortization:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering
|
$
|
8,860
|
|
|
$
|
7,263
|
|
Transmission
|
11,687
|
|
|
6,744
|
|
Total
|
$
|
20,547
|
|
|
$
|
14,007
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditures for segment assets:
|
|
|
|
Gathering
|
$
|
48,838
|
|
|
$
|
73,087
|
|
Transmission
|
21,389
|
|
|
60,071
|
|
Total
(1)
|
$
|
70,227
|
|
|
$
|
133,158
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
EQM accrues capital expenditures when work has been completed but the associated bills have not yet been paid. These accrued amounts are excluded from capital expenditures on the statements of consolidated cash flows until they are paid in a subsequent period. Accrued capital expenditures were approximately
$34.0 million
and
$26.7 million
at
March 31, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, respectively. Accrued capital expenditures were approximately
$32.7 million
and
$24.1 million
at
March 31, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
, respectively.
|
|
|
E.
|
Related Party Transactions
|
In the ordinary course of business, EQGP and EQM engage in transactions with EQT and its affiliates. EQM has various contracts with affiliates including, but not limited to, transportation service and precedent agreements, storage agreements and gas gathering agreements. EQGP and EQM each have an omnibus agreement with EQT. Pursuant to the omnibus agreements, EQT performs centralized corporate, general and administrative services for EQGP and EQM. In exchange, EQGP and EQM reimburse EQT for the expenses incurred in providing these services, including direct and indirect costs and expenses attributable to EQT's long-term incentive programs.
Pursuant to an operation and management services agreement, EQT Gathering, LLC (EQT Gathering), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EQT, provides EQM’s pipelines and storage facilities with certain operational and management services. EQM reimburses EQT Gathering for such services pursuant to the terms of the EQM omnibus agreement. The expenses for which EQGP and EQM reimburse EQT and its subsidiaries may not necessarily reflect the actual expenses that EQGP and EQM would incur on a stand-alone basis and EQGP and EQM are unable to estimate what those expenses would be on a stand-alone basis.
|
|
F.
|
Investment in Unconsolidated Entity
|
MVP Joint Venture.
The MVP Joint Venture plans to construct the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), an estimated
300
-mile natural gas interstate pipeline spanning from northern West Virginia to southern Virginia. EQM is the operator of the MVP and owned a
45.5%
interest in the MVP Joint Venture as of
March 31, 2017
. The MVP Joint Venture has been determined to be a variable interest entity because it has insufficient equity to finance its activities during the construction stage of the project. EQM is not the primary beneficiary because it does not have the power to direct the activities of the MVP Joint Venture that most significantly impact its economic performance. Certain business decisions require the approval of owners holding more than a 66 2/3% interest in the MVP Joint Venture and no one member owns more than a 66 2/3% interest. EQM accounts for the interest in the MVP Joint Venture as an equity method investment as EQM has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the MVP Joint Venture.
In February 2017, the MVP Joint Venture issued a capital call notice to MVP Holdco, LLC (MVP Holdco), a direct wholly owned subsidiary of EQM, for a total amount of
$40.2 million
, of which
$22.1 million
was paid on
April 13, 2017
and the remaining
$18.1 million
is expected to be paid on
May 12, 2017
. The capital contribution payable has been reflected on the consolidated balance sheet as of
March 31, 2017
with a corresponding increase to EQM's investment in the MVP Joint Venture.
Equity income related to EQM's portion of the MVP Joint Venture's AFUDC on construction of the MVP is reported in other income in the statements of consolidated operations and was
$4.3 million
and
$1.6 million
for the
three months ended March 31, 2017
and
2016
, respectively.
As of
March 31, 2017
, EQM had issued a
$91 million
performance guarantee in favor of the MVP Joint Venture to provide performance assurances for MVP Holdco's obligations to fund its proportionate share of the construction budget for the MVP. Upon the FERC’s initial release to begin construction of the MVP, EQM's guarantee will terminate and EQM will be obligated
to issue a new guarantee in an amount equal to
33%
of MVP Holdco’s remaining obligations to make capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture in connection with the then remaining construction budget, less, subject to certain limits, any credit assurances issued by any affiliate of EQM under such affiliate's precedent agreement with the MVP Joint Venture.
As of
March 31, 2017
, EQM's maximum financial statement exposure related to the MVP Joint Venture was approximately
$328.3 million
, which included the investment in unconsolidated entity balance on the consolidated balance sheet as of
March 31, 2017
and amounts which could have become due under the performance guarantee as of that date.
|
|
G.
|
Credit Facility Borrowings
|
EQGP Working Capital Facility.
EQGP has a Working Capital Loan Agreement with EQT (the Working Capital Facility) that provides for interest bearing loans of up to
$50 million
outstanding at any one time and matures on the earlier of February 18, 2019 or at least
90
days after EQT gives notice of termination.
EQGP had approximately
$0.2 million
and
$0.1 million
of borrowings outstanding under the Working Capital Facility as of
March 31, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, respectively, which were included in the due to related party balances on the consolidated balance sheets. During the
three months ended March 31, 2017
and
2016
, the maximum amounts of EQGP’s outstanding borrowings under the credit facility at any time were approximately
$0.3 million
and
$0.2 million
, respectively, and the average daily balances were approximately
$0.2 million
and
$0.1 million
, respectively. Interest was incurred at weighted average annual interest rates of approximately
2.3%
and
1.9%
for the
three months ended March 31, 2017
and
2016
, respectively.
EQM
$750
Million Facility.
EQM has a
$750
million credit facility that expires in February 2019. The credit facility is available to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures, to purchase assets, to pay distributions, to repurchase units and for general partnership purposes. EQM’s
$750
Million Facility contains various provisions that, if not complied with, could result in termination of the credit facility, require early payment of amounts outstanding or similar actions. The most significant covenants and events of default under the
$750
Million Facility relate to maintenance of a permitted leverage ratio, limitations on transactions with affiliates, limitations on restricted payments, insolvency events, nonpayment of scheduled principal or interest payments, acceleration of and certain other defaults under other financial obligations and change of control provisions. Under the
$750
Million Facility, EQM is required to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than
5.00
to 1.00 (or not more than
5.50
to 1.00 for certain measurement periods following the consummation of certain acquisitions).
EQM had
no
borrowings outstanding on its
$750
Million Facility as of
March 31, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
. There were
no
borrowings outstanding at any time during the
three months ended March 31, 2017
. During the
three months ended March 31, 2016
, the maximum amount of EQM’s outstanding borrowings under the credit facility at any time was
$299 million
and the average daily balance was approximately
$134 million
. Interest was incurred at a weighted average annual interest rate of approximately
1.9%
for the
three months ended March 31, 2016
.
EQM
364
-Day Facility.
In October 2016, EQM entered into a
$500 million
,
364
-day, uncommitted revolving loan agreement with EQT that matures on October 25, 2017 and will automatically renew for successive
364
-day periods unless EQT delivers a non-renewal notice at least
60
days prior to the then current maturity date. Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings at an interest rate equal to the rate then applicable to similar loans under the
$750
Million Facility, or a successor revolving credit facility, less the sum of (i) the then applicable commitment fee under the
$750
Million Facility and (ii) 10 basis points.
EQM had
no
borrowings outstanding on the
364
-Day Facility as of
March 31, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
. During the
three months ended March 31, 2017
, the maximum amount of EQM’s outstanding borrowings under the credit facility at any time was
$50 million
and the average daily balance was approximately
$26 million
. Interest was incurred at a weighted average annual interest rate of approximately
2.0%
for the
three months ended March 31, 2017
.
As of
March 31, 2017
, EQGP and EQM were in compliance with all debt provisions and covenants.
|
|
H.
|
Fair Value Measurements
|
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, amounts due to/from related parties and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short maturity of the instruments; these are considered Level 1 fair values. The carrying value of the credit facility borrowings approximates fair value as the interest rates are based on prevailing market rates; this is considered a Level 1 fair value. As EQM's long-term debt is not actively traded, its fair value is a Level 2 fair value measurement estimated using a standard industry income approach model which utilizes a discount rate based on market rates for debt with similar remaining time to maturity and credit risk. As of
March 31, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, the estimated fair value of EQM's long-term debt was approximately
$1,000 million
and
$982 million
, respectively, and the carrying value of EQM's long-term debt was approximately
$986 million
at both dates. The fair value of the Preferred Interest is a Level 3 fair value measurement which is estimated using an income approach model utilizing a market-based discount rate. As of
March 31, 2017
and
December 31, 2016
, the estimated fair value of the Preferred Interest was approximately
$132 million
at both periods and the carrying value of the Preferred Interest was approximately
$122 million
and
$123 million
, respectively.
As a result of its limited partnership structure, EQGP is not subject to federal and state income taxes. For federal and state income tax purposes, all income, expenses, gains, losses and tax credits generated by EQGP flow through to EQGP's unitholders; accordingly, EQGP does not record a provision for income taxes.
As discussed in Note A, EQGP’s consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively recast to include the pre-acquisition results of AVC, Rager and the Gathering Assets, which were acquired by EQM effective on October 1, 2016, because the transaction was between entities under common control. Accordingly, the income tax effects associated with these operations prior to acquisition are reflected in the consolidated financial statements as they were previously part of EQT’s consolidated federal tax return.
|
|
J.
|
Consolidated Variable Interest Entity
|
EQGP determined EQM to be a variable interest entity. Through EQGP's ownership and control of the EQM General Partner, EQGP has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact EQM's economic performance. In addition, through EQGP's general partner interest, IDRs and limited partner interest in EQM, EQGP has the obligation to absorb EQM's losses and the right to receive benefits from EQM in accordance with its general partner and limited partner ownership percentages and IDRs. Therefore, EQGP has a controlling financial interest in EQM, is the primary beneficiary of EQM and consolidates EQM. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements in EQGP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016
for additional information.
EQGP's only cash-generating assets consist of its partnership interests in EQM. As a result, EQGP's
results of operations do not differ materially from the results of operations of EQM. The risks associated with EQM's operations are discussed in EQGP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016
and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See further discussion of the impact that EQGP's involvement in EQM has on EQGP's financial position, results of operations and cash flows included in EQGP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016
, including the section captioned "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." For a discussion of related party transactions, see Note 5 of Item 8 in EQGP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016
and Note E contained herein.
The following table presents amounts included in EQGP's consolidated balance sheets that were for the use or obligation of EQM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Classification
|
March 31, 2017
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
(Thousands)
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
42,497
|
|
|
$
|
60,368
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
21,630
|
|
|
20,662
|
|
Accounts receivable – affiliate
|
81,654
|
|
|
81,358
|
|
Other current assets
|
5,685
|
|
|
9,671
|
|
Net property, plant and equipment
|
2,632,465
|
|
|
2,578,834
|
|
Investment in unconsolidated entity
|
237,308
|
|
|
184,562
|
|
Other assets
|
$
|
139,236
|
|
|
$
|
140,385
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
$
|
43,474
|
|
|
$
|
35,830
|
|
Due to related party
|
18,672
|
|
|
19,027
|
|
Capital contribution payable to MVP Joint Venture
|
40,180
|
|
|
11,471
|
|
Accrued interest
|
11,760
|
|
|
12,016
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
9,867
|
|
|
8,648
|
|
Long-term debt
|
986,137
|
|
|
985,732
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
$
|
10,258
|
|
|
$
|
9,562
|
|
The following table summarizes the quarterly cash distributions declared by EQM and EQGP to their respective unitholders from January 1,
2016
through
March 31, 2017
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
EQM Distribution per Common Unit
|
|
EQM Total Distribution
|
|
EQM Total Distribution to EQGP
|
|
EQGP Distribution
per Common Unit
|
|
EQGP Total Distribution
|
|
|
(Thousands, except per unit amounts)
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31
|
|
$
|
0.745
|
|
|
$
|
78,093
|
|
|
$
|
36,506
|
|
|
$
|
0.134
|
|
|
$
|
35,666
|
|
June 30
|
|
0.78
|
|
|
86,595
|
|
|
40,755
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
39,925
|
|
September 30
|
|
0.815
|
|
|
92,208
|
|
|
44,310
|
|
|
0.165
|
|
|
43,917
|
|
December 31
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
|
$
|
97,822
|
|
|
$
|
47,867
|
|
|
$
|
0.177
|
|
|
$
|
47,111
|
|
2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31
(1)
|
|
$
|
0.89
|
|
|
$
|
104,238
|
|
|
$
|
51,933
|
|
|
$
|
0.191
|
|
|
$
|
50,838
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
On
April 25, 2017
, the Board of Directors of the EQM General Partner declared a cash distribution to EQM's unitholders for the
first quarter
of
2017
of
$0.89
per common unit. The cash distribution will be paid on
May 15, 2017
to unitholders of record at the close of business on
May 5, 2017
. Based on the
80,581,758
EQM common units outstanding on
April 27, 2017
, cash distributions to EQGP will be approximately
$19.4 million
related to its limited partner interest,
$1.8 million
related to its general partner interest and
$30.7 million
related to its IDRs in EQM. The distribution amounts to EQGP related to its general partner interest and IDRs in EQM are subject to change if EQM issues additional common units on or prior to the record date for the
first quarter
2017
distribution.
|
On
April 25, 2017
, the Board of Directors of the EQGP General Partner declared a cash distribution to EQGP’s unitholders for the
first quarter
of
2017
of
$0.191
per common unit. The cash distribution will be paid on
May 24, 2017
to unitholders of record at the close of business on
May 5, 2017
.
EQT GP Holdings, LP and Subsidiaries
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
EQGP's consolidated financial statements have been retrospectively recast to include the pre-acquisition results of AVC, Rager and the Gathering Assets. You should read the following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
Disclosures in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts are forward-looking and usually identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “may,” “forecast,” “approximate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial matters. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include the matters discussed in the section captioned “Outlook” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives, and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance of EQGP, including guidance regarding EQM's gathering and transmission and storage revenue and volume growth; revenue projections; infrastructure programs (including the timing, cost, capacity and sources of funding with respect to gathering and transmission expansion projects); the timing, cost, capacity and expected interconnections with facilities and pipelines of the MVP project; the ultimate terms, partners and structure of the MVP Joint Venture; natural gas production growth in EQM's operating areas for EQT and third parties; asset acquisitions, including EQM's ability to complete asset acquisitions; the amount and timing of distributions, including expected increases; the amounts and timing of projected capital contributions and operating and capital expenditures, including the amount of capital expenditures reimbursable by EQT; the impact of commodity prices on EQM's business; liquidity and financing requirements, including sources and availability; the effects of government regulation and litigation; and tax position. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. EQGP has based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions about future events. While EQGP considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond EQGP's control. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance and results of EQGP's and EQM's business and forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in EQGP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016
.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and EQGP does not intend to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In reviewing any agreements incorporated by reference in or filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, please remember that such agreements are included to provide information regarding the terms of such agreements and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about EQGP or EQM. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by EQGP or EQM, which should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties to such agreements should those statements prove to be inaccurate. The representations and warranties were made only as of the date of the relevant agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in such agreement and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties alone may not describe the actual state of affairs of EQGP or its affiliates as of the date they were made or at any other time.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, EQM reported net income of $143.2 million compared to $136.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase primarily resulted from higher revenues from both gathering and transmission and storage, which were driven mainly by third party and affiliate production development in the Marcellus Shale and were partly offset by an increase in operating expenses, consistent with the growth of the business.
EQM declared a cash distribution to its unitholders of
$0.89
per unit on
April 25, 2017
, which was
5%
higher than the fourth quarter 2016 distribution of
$0.85
per unit and
19%
higher than the
first quarter
2016
distribution of
$0.745
per unit.
EQGP declared a cash distribution to its unitholders of
$0.191
per unit on
April 25, 2017
, which was
8%
higher than the fourth quarter 2016 distribution of
$0.177
per unit and
43%
higher than the
first quarter
2016
distribution of
$0.134
per unit.
Items Affecting the Comparability of EQGP's Financial Results to Those of EQM
The following table reconciles the differences between EQM net income as reported in EQM's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
three months ended March 31, 2017
and net income attributable to EQGP for the same period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
(Thousands)
|
Net income attributable to EQM
|
$
|
143,196
|
|
|
$
|
136,735
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to EQM noncontrolling interests
|
80,612
|
|
|
77,787
|
|
Additional expenses
|
1,208
|
|
|
956
|
|
Net income attributable to EQGP
|
$
|
61,376
|
|
|
$
|
57,992
|
|
Noncontrolling Interests.
The common units in EQM not held by EQGP are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements. These amounts will fluctuate based on EQM's net income and future changes in the public ownership percentage of EQM. The increase in net income attributable to EQM noncontrolling interests resulted from higher EQM net income as well as additional noncontrolling interests outstanding as a result of EQM equity offerings during the second quarter of 2016.
Additional Expenses.
EQGP incurs selling, general and administrative expenses as a result of being a publicly traded partnership separate from and in addition to similar costs incurred by EQM. EQGP also incurs interest expense under its Working Capital Facility and earns interest income on cash on hand.
Business Segment Results
Operating segments are revenue-producing components of the enterprise for which separate financial information is produced internally and is subject to evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources. Other income and net interest expense are managed on a consolidated basis. EQGP has presented each segment's operating income and various operational measures in the following sections. Management believes that the presentation of this information provides useful information to management and investors regarding the financial condition, results of operations and trends of segments. EQGP's two segments are the same as those of EQM as EQGP does not have any operating activities separate from those of EQM. EQGP has reconciled each segment's operating income to EQGP's consolidated operating income and net income in Note D to the consolidated financial statements.
GATHERING RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
% Change
|
FINANCIAL DATA
|
(Thousands, other than per day amounts)
|
Firm reservation fee revenues
|
$
|
94,271
|
|
|
$
|
82,007
|
|
|
15.0
|
|
Volumetric based fee revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Usage fees under firm contracts
(1)
|
4,821
|
|
|
10,452
|
|
|
(53.9
|
)
|
Usage fees under interruptible contracts
|
3,237
|
|
|
5,550
|
|
|
(41.7
|
)
|
Total volumetric based fee revenues
|
8,058
|
|
|
16,002
|
|
|
(49.6
|
)
|
Total operating revenues
|
102,329
|
|
|
98,009
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating and maintenance
|
10,455
|
|
|
8,945
|
|
|
16.9
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
9,425
|
|
|
9,197
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
8,860
|
|
|
7,263
|
|
|
22.0
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
28,740
|
|
|
25,405
|
|
|
13.1
|
|
Operating income
|
$
|
73,589
|
|
|
$
|
72,604
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATIONAL DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathered volumes (BBtu per day)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Firm capacity reservation
|
1,728
|
|
|
1,424
|
|
|
21.3
|
|
Volumetric based services
(2)
|
224
|
|
|
473
|
|
|
(52.6
|
)
|
Total gathered volumes
|
1,952
|
|
|
1,897
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
$
|
48,838
|
|
|
$
|
73,087
|
|
|
(33.2
|
)
|
|
|
(1)
|
Includes fees on volumes gathered in excess of firm contracted capacity.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Includes volumes gathered under interruptible contracts and volumes gathered in excess of firm contracted capacity.
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Gathering revenues increased by $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 driven primarily by third party production development in the Marcellus Shale. EQM increased firm reservation fee revenues as a result of affiliates and third parties contracting for additional capacity under firm contracts following the completion of part of the Range Resources Corporation (Range Resources) Header Pipeline project and a Northern West Virginia Marcellus gathering system (NWV Gathering) expansion project, which together resulted in increased firm gathering capacity of approximately 330 MMcf per day. The decrease in usage fees under firm contracts was due to lower affiliate volumes in excess of firm contracted capacity. The decrease in usage fees under interruptible contracts was primarily due to the additional contracts for firm capacity.
Operating expenses increased by $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. Operating and maintenance expense increased primarily as a result of higher allocations, including personnel costs, from EQT. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense resulted from additional assets placed in-service including those associated with the Range Resources Header Pipeline project and the NWV Gathering expansion project.
TRANSMISSION RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
% Change
|
FINANCIAL DATA
|
(Thousands, other than per day amounts)
|
Firm reservation fee revenues
|
$
|
92,274
|
|
|
$
|
70,109
|
|
|
31.6
|
|
Volumetric based fee revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Usage fees under firm contracts
(1)
|
2,857
|
|
|
13,429
|
|
|
(78.7
|
)
|
Usage fees under interruptible contracts
|
5,966
|
|
|
4,239
|
|
|
40.7
|
|
Total volumetric based fee revenues
|
8,823
|
|
|
17,668
|
|
|
(50.1
|
)
|
Total operating revenues
|
101,097
|
|
|
87,777
|
|
|
15.2
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating and maintenance
|
9,831
|
|
|
8,191
|
|
|
20.0
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
8,055
|
|
|
8,326
|
|
|
(3.3
|
)
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
11,687
|
|
|
6,744
|
|
|
73.3
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
29,573
|
|
|
23,261
|
|
|
27.1
|
|
Operating income
|
$
|
71,524
|
|
|
$
|
64,516
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATIONAL DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transmission pipeline throughput (BBtu per day)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Firm capacity reservation
|
2,119
|
|
|
1,622
|
|
|
30.6
|
|
Volumetric based services
(2)
|
31
|
|
|
487
|
|
|
(93.6
|
)
|
Total transmission pipeline throughput
|
2,150
|
|
|
2,109
|
|
|
1.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average contracted firm transmission reservation commitments (BBtu per day)
|
3,743
|
|
|
3,005
|
|
|
24.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
$
|
21,389
|
|
|
$
|
60,071
|
|
|
(64.4
|
)
|
|
|
(1)
|
Includes commodity charges and fees on all volumes transported under firm contracts as well as transmission fees on volumes in excess of firm contracted capacity.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Includes volumes transported under interruptible contracts and volumes transported in excess of firm contracted capacity.
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Transmission and storage revenues increased by $13.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. Firm reservation fee revenues increased due to affiliates and third parties contracting for additional capacity under firm contracts, primarily on the Ohio Valley Connector (OVC), as well as higher contractual rates on existing contracts in the current year. The firm capacity on the OVC resulted in lower affiliate usage fees under firm contracts.
Operating expenses increased by $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increases in operating and maintenance expense and depreciation and amortization expense were the result of the OVC project placed in service in the fourth quarter of 2016. Operating and maintenance expense increased primarily due to property taxes on OVC.
Other Income Statement Items
Other income decreased by $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily driven by distributions from EES of $2.8 million which were recorded as other income in the first quarter of 2016 and decreased AFUDC - equity of $1.2 million associated with the OVC project placed in-service in the fourth quarter of 2016, partly offset by higher equity income related to EQM's portion of the MVP Joint Venture's AFUDC on the MVP.
Net interest expense increased by $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 primarily driven by $5.2 million of interest incurred on EQM's long-term debt issued in November 2016 partly offset by $1.7 million of interest income recorded on distributions from EES.
See Note I to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of income tax expense.
See “Investing Activities” and “EQM Capital Requirements” in the “Capital Resources and Liquidity” section below for a discussion of capital expenditures.
EQM's Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures that management and external users of EQM’s consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, use to assess:
|
|
•
|
EQM’s operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships in the midstream energy industry without regard to historical cost basis or, in the case of adjusted EBITDA, financing methods;
|
|
|
•
|
the ability of EQM’s assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to EQM’s unitholders;
|
|
|
•
|
EQM’s ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; and
|
|
|
•
|
the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities.
|
EQM believes that adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow provide useful information to investors in assessing its financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Additionally, because adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may be defined differently by other companies in its industry, EQM’s adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing the utility of the measures. Distributable cash flow should not be viewed as indicative of the actual amount of cash that EQM has available for distributions from operating surplus or that it plans to distribute.
Reconciliation of EQM Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following table presents a reconciliation of EQM's non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow with the most directly comparable EQM GAAP financial measures of net income and net cash provided by operating activities as derived from EQM's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
(Thousands)
|
Net income
|
$
|
143,196
|
|
|
$
|
136,735
|
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
Net interest expense
|
7,926
|
|
|
4,552
|
|
Depreciation and amortization expense
|
20,547
|
|
|
14,007
|
|
Income tax expense
|
—
|
|
|
3,435
|
|
Preferred Interest payments received post conversion
|
2,746
|
|
|
—
|
|
Non-cash long-term compensation expense
|
225
|
|
|
195
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
Equity income
|
(4,277
|
)
|
|
(1,589
|
)
|
AFUDC – equity
|
(1,699
|
)
|
|
(2,937
|
)
|
Pre-acquisition capital lease payments for AVC
(1)
|
—
|
|
|
(9,364
|
)
|
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the October 2016 Acquisition prior to acquisition
(2)
|
—
|
|
|
(3,463
|
)
|
Adjusted EBITDA
|
$
|
168,664
|
|
|
$
|
141,571
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
Net interest expense excluding interest income on the Preferred Interest
|
(9,652
|
)
|
|
(4,551
|
)
|
Capitalized interest and AFUDC – debt
|
(1,600
|
)
|
|
(1,736
|
)
|
Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures net of expected reimbursements
(3)
|
(2,608
|
)
|
|
(1,969
|
)
|
Distributable cash flow
|
$
|
154,804
|
|
|
$
|
133,315
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
$
|
161,422
|
|
|
$
|
116,327
|
|
Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
Pre-acquisition capital lease payments for AVC
(1)
|
—
|
|
|
(9,364
|
)
|
Capitalized interest and AFUDC – debt
|
(1,600
|
)
|
|
(1,736
|
)
|
Principal payments received on Preferred Interest
|
1,020
|
|
|
—
|
|
Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures net of expected reimbursements
(3)
|
(2,608
|
)
|
|
(1,969
|
)
|
Current tax expense
|
—
|
|
|
460
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the October 2016 Acquisition prior to acquisition
(2)
|
—
|
|
|
(3,463
|
)
|
Other, including changes in working capital
|
(3,430
|
)
|
|
33,060
|
|
Distributable cash flow
|
$
|
154,804
|
|
|
$
|
133,315
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Reflects capital lease payments due under the lease. These lease payments were generally made monthly on a one month lag prior to the October 2016 Acquisition.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the October 2016 Acquisition prior to acquisition for the periods presented was excluded from EQM’s adjusted EBITDA calculations as these amounts were generated by Rager and the Gathering Assets prior to acquisition by EQM; therefore, the amounts could not have been distributed to EQM’s unitholders. Adjusted EBITDA attributable to the October 2016 Acquisition prior to acquisition for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was calculated as net income of $0.2 million plus depreciation and amortization expense of $0.6 million plus income tax expense of $3.4 million less interest income of $0.3 million less AFUDC - equity of $0.4 million.
|
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to AVC, excluding income tax expense and AFUDC - equity, was previously included in EQM's results as a result of the capital lease and was eliminated from adjusted EBITDA by subtracting the capital lease payment; therefore, there is no adjustment for AVC's adjusted EBITDA prior to acquisition other than the capital lease payments, income tax expense and AFUDC - equity. Net income for AVC including decreased depreciation expense related to the 40 year useful life of the pipeline was $7.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 (see Note B to the consolidated financial statements).
|
|
(3)
|
Ongoing maintenance capital expenditures net of expected reimbursements excludes ongoing maintenance that EQM expects to be reimbursed or that was reimbursed by EQT under the terms of EQM's omnibus agreement of $1.0 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Additionally, it excludes ongoing maintenance attributable to AVC, Rager and the Gathering Assets prior to acquisition of $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
|
See "Executive Overview" above for a discussion of EQM's net income, the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to adjusted EBITDA. EQM's adjusted EBITDA increased by $27.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 primarily as a result of the October 2016 Acquisition, which resulted in EBITDA subsequent to the transaction being reflected in adjusted EBITDA, including the elimination of the AVC lease payment, and higher operating income on increased revenues driven by production development in the Marcellus Shale.
EQM's net cash provided by operating activities, the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to distributable cash flow, increased by $45.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. The drivers for this change are substantively the same as those for the change in EQGP's net cash provided by operating activities as discussed in "Capital Resources and Liquidity." EQM's distributable cash flow increased by $21.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 mainly attributable to the increase in EQM's adjusted EBITDA partly offset by increased net interest expense.
Outlook
EQGP's principal business objective is to increase the quarterly cash distribution it pays to its unitholders over time through its ownership interests in EQM. EQM's principal business objective is to increase the quarterly cash distributions that it pays to its unitholders over time while ensuring the ongoing growth of its business. EQM believes that it is well positioned to achieve growth based on the combination of its relationship with EQT and its strategically located assets, which cover portions of the Marcellus, Upper Devonian and Utica Shales that lack substantial natural gas pipeline infrastructure. EQM believes it has a competitive advantage in pursuing economically attractive organic expansion projects in its areas of operations, which EQM believes will be a key driver of growth in the future. EQM is also currently pursuing organic growth projects that are expected to provide access to markets in the Gulf Coast and Southeast regions. Additionally, EQM may pursue asset acquisitions from third parties or, if EQT were to purchase assets or companies that contain midstream assets, EQT may make those assets available to EQM. Should EQT choose to pursue midstream asset sales, it is under no contractual obligation to offer the assets to EQM.
EQM expects that the following expansion projects will allow it to capitalize on drilling activity by EQT and third party producers:
|
|
•
|
Range Resources Header Pipeline
. EQM expects to complete this project in the second quarter of 2017, including the installation of approximately 25 miles of pipeline and 32,000 horsepower compression. The pipeline is estimated to cost approximately $250 million and provide total firm capacity of 600 MMcf per day, which is fully reserved under a ten-year firm capacity reservation commitment contract. EQM expects to invest approximately $40 million on the project in 2017.
|
|
|
•
|
Affiliate Gathering Expansion
. EQM expects to invest $200 million to $230 million in 2017 on gathering expansion projects supported by EQT Production development in the Marcellus. EQM plans to install approximately 30 miles of gathering pipeline and 10,000 horsepower compression in its gathering systems across northern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania during 2017.
|
|
|
•
|
Mountain Valley Pipeline
. The MVP Joint Venture is a joint venture with affiliates of each of NextEra Energy, Inc., Consolidated Edison, Inc., WGL Holdings, Inc. and RGC Resources, Inc. EQM is the operator of the MVP and owned a 45.5% interest in the MVP Joint Venture as of
March 31, 2017
. The 42 inch diameter MVP has a targeted capacity of 2.0 Bcf per day and is estimated to span 300 miles extending from EQM's existing transmission and storage system in Wetzel County, West Virginia to Pittsylvania County, Virginia. As currently designed, the MVP is estimated to cost a total of $3.0 billion to $3.5 billion, excluding AFUDC, with EQM funding its proportionate share through capital contributions made to the joint venture. In 2017, EQM expects to provide capital contributions of approximately $200 million to the MVP Joint Venture, primarily in support of materials, land, engineering design, environmental work and construction activities. The MVP Joint Venture has secured a total of 2.0 Bcf per day of firm capacity commitments at 20-year terms, including a 1.29 Bcf per day firm capacity commitment by EQT, and is currently in negotiation with additional shippers who have expressed interest in the MVP project. On March 31, 2017, the FERC issued an updated
|
Notice of Schedule for the environmental review of the MVP. Based on the revised schedule, the MVP Joint Venture anticipates receiving the Final Environmental Impact Statement on June 23, 2017 and anticipates receiving the FERC certificate by the fourth quarter of 2017. The pipeline is targeted to be placed in-service during the fourth quarter of 2018.
|
|
•
|
Transmission Expansion
. EQM plans to invest $60 million to $80 million on transmission expansion projects in 2017 including Equitrans expansion projects and modernization projects on the AVC facilities. The Equitrans expansion projects are designed to increase deliverable capacity to EQM's Mobley hub, which is the origin of both the OVC and the MVP. The projects include additional compression, pipeline looping and new header pipelines. In total, the projects are expected to add up to 1.5 Bcf per day of capacity by the end of 2018, consistent with the target MVP in-service date. The AVC modernization projects primarily consist of the replacement of approximately 20 miles of pipeline.
|
See further discussion of capital expenditures in the “EQM Capital Requirements” section below.
Commodity Prices.
EQM’s business is dependent on the continued availability of natural gas production and reserves in its areas of operation. Low prices for natural gas, including those resulting from regional basis differentials, could adversely affect development of additional reserves and production that is accessible by EQM’s pipeline and storage assets. Appalachian Basin market prices for natural gas were depressed throughout
2016
and the
three months ended March 31, 2017
. Lower regional natural gas prices could cause producers to determine in the future that drilling activities in areas outside of EQM’s current areas of operation are strategically more attractive to them. EQT, or third party customers on EQM's systems, may reduce capital spending in the future based on commodity prices or other factors. Unless EQM is successful in attracting and retaining unaffiliated third party customers, which accounted for 52% of transmission and storage revenues and 7% of gathering revenues for the
three months ended March 31, 2017
, its ability to maintain or increase the capacity subscribed and volumes transported under service arrangements on its transmission and storage system as well as the volumes gathered on its gathering systems will be dependent on receiving consistent or increasing commitments from EQT. While EQT has dedicated acreage to EQM and has entered into long-term firm transmission and gathering contracts on EQM's systems, EQT may determine in the future that drilling in areas outside of EQM's current areas of operations is strategically more attractive to it, and it is under no contractual obligation to continue to develop its acreage dedicated to EQM.
EQGP and EQM believe the high percentage of EQM's revenues derived from reservation charges under long-term, firm contracts will mitigate the risk of revenue fluctuations due to changes in near-term supply and demand conditions and commodity prices. For more information see “Risks Inherent in EQM’s Business - Any significant decrease in production of natural gas in EQM’s areas of operation could adversely affect its business and operating results and reduce its cash available to make distributions" included in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of EQGP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016
.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
EQGP expects its only capital requirements separate from EQM will be to provide funds for distributions or for the purchase of EQM general partner units if EQGP elects to maintain its existing general partner interest in EQM.
EQM’s principal liquidity requirements are to finance its operations, fund capital expenditures, potential acquisitions and capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture, make cash distributions and satisfy any indebtedness obligations. EQM’s ability to meet these liquidity requirements will depend on its ability to generate cash in the future as well as its ability to raise capital in banking, capital and other markets. EQM’s available sources of liquidity include cash generated from operations, borrowing under EQM's credit facilities, cash on hand, debt offerings and issuances of additional EQM partnership units.
Operating Activities
Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled
$160.8 million
for the
three months ended
March 31, 2017
compared to
$115.6 million
for the
three months ended
March 31, 2016
. The increase was primarily driven by the timing of working capital payments between the two periods and higher operating income for which contributing factors are discussed in the “Executive Overview” and "Business Segment Results of Operations" sections herein.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled
$81.7 million
for the
three months ended March 31, 2017
compared to
$123.5 million
for the
three months ended March 31, 2016
. The decrease was primarily attributable to decreased capital
expenditures as further described in the "EQM Capital Requirements" section herein partly offset by increased capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture and sales of interests in the MVP Joint Venture in 2016.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities totaled
$96.8 million
for the
three months ended March 31, 2017
compared to
$352.7 million
for the
three months ended March 31, 2016
. For the
three months ended March 31, 2017
, the primary uses of cash were distributions to EQM's noncontrolling interest unitholders and EQGP unitholders. For the
three months ended March 31, 2016
, the primary uses of cash were repayments of credit facility borrowings and distributions to EQM's noncontrolling interest unitholders and EQGP unitholders.
EQM Capital Requirements
The gathering, transmission and storage businesses are capital intensive, requiring significant investment to develop new facilities and to maintain and upgrade existing operations. The following table presents EQM's capital expenditures for the
three
months ended
March 31, 2017
and
2016
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
(Thousands)
|
Expansion capital expenditures
(1)
|
$
|
66,645
|
|
|
$
|
127,950
|
|
Maintenance capital expenditures:
|
|
|
|
Ongoing maintenance
|
3,582
|
|
|
5,033
|
|
Funded regulatory compliance
|
—
|
|
|
175
|
|
Total maintenance capital expenditures
|
3,582
|
|
|
5,208
|
|
Total capital expenditures
(2)
|
$
|
70,227
|
|
|
$
|
133,158
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Expansion capital expenditures do not include capital contributions made to the MVP Joint Venture of $19.8 million and $11.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
|
|
|
(2)
|
EQM accrues capital expenditures when work has been completed but the associated bills have not yet been paid. These accrued amounts are excluded from capital expenditures on the statements of consolidated cash flows until they are paid in a subsequent period. Accrued capital expenditures were approximately
$34.0 million
and $26.7 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Accrued capital expenditures were approximately $32.7 million and $24.1 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
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Expansion capital expenditures decreased by $61.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 as a result of decreased spending on the following projects: the OVC, the Range Resources Header Pipeline project and the NWV Gathering expansion. The OVC project, part of the Range Resources Header Pipeline project and a prior expansion project in the NWV Gathering development area were placed into service in the fourth quarter of 2016.
In 2017, expansion capital expenditures and capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture are expected to be $500 million to $550 million and ongoing maintenance capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $35 million, net of reimbursements. EQM’s future capital investments may vary significantly from period to period based on the available investment opportunities and are expected to grow substantially in future periods for the capital contributions to the MVP Joint Venture. Maintenance related capital expenditures are also expected to vary quarter to quarter. EQM expects to fund future capital expenditures primarily through cash on hand, cash generated from operations, availability under its credit facilities, debt offerings and issuances of additional EQM partnership units. EQM does not forecast capital expenditures associated with potential projects not committed as of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Credit Facility Borrowings
See Note G to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of the EQGP and EQM credit facilities.
EQM Security Ratings
The table below sets forth the credit ratings for debt instruments of EQM at
March 31, 2017
.
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Rating Service
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Senior Notes
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Outlook
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Moody’s Investors Service (Moody's)
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Ba1
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Stable
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Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P)
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BBB-
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Stable
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Fitch Ratings (Fitch)
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BBB-
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Stable
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EQM’s credit ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. EQM cannot ensure that a rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a credit rating agency if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant. If any credit rating agency downgrades EQM’s ratings, EQM’s access to the capital markets may be limited, borrowing costs could increase, EQM may be required to provide additional credit assurances in support of commercial agreements such as joint venture agreements and construction contracts, the amount of which may be substantial, and the potential pool of investors and funding sources may decrease. In order to be considered investment grade, a company must be rated Baa3 or higher by Moody’s, BBB- or higher by S&P, or BBB- or higher by Fitch. Anything below these ratings, including EQM's current credit rating of Ba1 by Moody's, is considered non-investment grade.
EQM $750 Million ATM Program
As of
April 27, 2017
, EQM had approximately
$443 million
in remaining capacity under the $750 Million ATM Program
.
Distributions
See Note K to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of distributions.
Commitments and Contingencies
As of
March 31, 2017
, no legal or regulatory claims or proceedings were pending or, to EQGP's knowledge, threatened against EQGP.
In the ordinary course of business, various legal and regulatory claims and proceedings are pending or threatened against EQM. While the amounts claimed may be substantial, EQM is unable to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of such claims and proceedings. EQM accrues legal and other direct costs related to loss contingencies when actually incurred. EQM has established reserves it believes to be appropriate for pending matters, and after consultation with counsel and giving appropriate consideration to available insurance, EQM believes that the ultimate outcome of any matter currently pending against it will not materially affect its business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to make distributions to EQM unitholders, including EQGP.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
See Note F to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the MVP Joint Venture guarantee.
Critical Accounting Policies
EQGP’s critical accounting policies are described in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in EQGP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016
. Any new accounting policies or updates to existing accounting policies as a result of new accounting pronouncements have been included in the notes to EQGP’s consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
March 31, 2017
. The application of EQGP’s critical accounting policies may require management to make judgments and estimates about the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Management uses historical experience and all available information to make these estimates and judgments. Different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and estimates.