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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

     
x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     
    For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003
     
    OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File No. 1-13603


TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
(State of Incorporation
or Organization)
  76-0329620
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

2929 Allen Parkway
P.O. Box 2521
Houston, Texas 77252-2521
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(713) 759-3636
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

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



 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
SIGNATURES
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302
Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 906
Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 906

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

           
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION   Page
Item 1. Financial Statements
       
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2003 (unaudited) and December 31, 2002
    1  
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)
    2  
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (unaudited)
    3  
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
    4  
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    14  
 
Forward-Looking Statements
    23  
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
    23  
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
    24  
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
    24  
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
    24  
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
    24  
Signatures
    29  

 


 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)

                         
            September 30,   December 31,
            2003   2002
           
 
            (Unaudited)        
       
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 48     $ 485  
 
Accounts receivable, trade (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,075 and $287)
    26,424       25,930  
 
Accounts receivable, related parties
    229       5,125  
 
Inventories
    14,204       13,800  
 
Other
    6,561       11,939  
 
 
   
     
 
   
Total current assets
    47,466       57,279  
 
 
   
     
 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost (Net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $271,096 and $284,458)
    669,211       722,848  
Equity investments
    157,529       73,476  
Other assets
    23,438       29,560  
 
 
   
     
 
   
Total assets
  $ 897,644     $ 883,163  
 
 
   
     
 
     
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
               
Current liabilities:
               
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 15,471     $ 18,999  
 
Accounts payable, related parties
    5,037       5,685  
 
Accrued interest
    6,049       11,536  
 
Other accrued taxes
    7,385       6,732  
 
Other
    11,825       15,721  
 
 
   
     
 
   
Total current liabilities
    45,767       58,673  
 
 
   
     
 
Senior Notes
    397,203       403,428  
Note Payable, Parent Partnership
    197,917       154,093  
Other liabilities and deferred credits
    16,373       24,230  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Partners’ capital:
               
 
General partner’s interest
    2       2  
 
Limited partner’s interest
    240,382       242,737  
 
 
   
     
 
   
Total partners’ capital
    240,384       242,739  
 
 
   
     
 
   
Total liabilities and partners’ capital
  $ 897,644     $ 883,163  
 
 
   
     
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

1


 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

                                     
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30,   September 30,
       
 
        2003   2002   2003   2002
       
 
 
 
Operating revenues:
                               
 
Transportation – Refined products
  $ 37,992     $ 35,271     $ 102,688     $ 92,218  
 
Transportation – LPGs
    18,498       12,515       62,676       46,688  
 
Mont Belvieu operations
          3,726             11,121  
 
Other
    7,251       7,242       24,151       22,969  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total operating revenues
    63,741       58,754       189,515       172,996  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
Costs and expenses:
                               
 
Operating, general and administrative
    29,949       21,256       76,275       60,618  
 
Operating fuel and power
    7,762       7,563       23,664       20,202  
 
Depreciation and amortization
    6,988       7,496       20,925       21,692  
 
Taxes – other than income taxes
    2,417       2,711       7,493       8,532  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Total costs and expenses
    47,116       39,026       128,357       111,044  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Operating income
    16,625       19,728       61,158       61,952  
Interest expense
    (7,276 )     (6,698 )     (22,213 )     (20,639 )
Interest capitalized
    814       709       1,704       2,900  
Equity losses
    (1,437 )     (2,019 )     (2,632 )     (5,005 )
Other income – net
    70       77       119       271  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Income before discontinued operations
    8,796       11,797       38,136       39,479  
Income from discontinued operations
                      912  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
Net income
  $ 8,796     $ 11,797     $ 38,136     $ 40,391  
 
 
   
     
     
     
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2


 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

                       
          Nine Months Ended
          September 30,
         
          2003   2002
         
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
 
Net income from continuing operations
  $ 38,136     $ 39,479  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to cash provided by operating activities:
               
   
Depreciation and amortization
    20,925       21,692  
   
Equity in loss of affiliate
    2,632       5,005  
   
Non-cash portion of interest expense
    23       23  
   
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable
    (495 )     3,177  
   
Increase in inventories
    (404 )     (603 )
   
Decrease in other current assets
    5,378       1,799  
   
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (13,621 )     (3,546 )
   
Other
    21,237       24,002  
 
 
   
     
 
     
Net cash provided by continuing operations
    73,811       91,028  
     
Net cash provided by discontinued operations
          1,178  
 
 
   
     
 
     
Net cash provided by operating activities
    73,811       92,206  
 
 
   
     
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
 
Proceeds from sale of assets
          3,380  
 
Proceeds from sale of TEPPCO Colorado, LLC
          4,095  
 
Acquisition of additional interest in Centennial Pipeline LLC
    (20,000 )      
 
Investment in Centennial Pipeline LLC
    (3,000 )     (7,721 )
 
Investment in Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P.
    (250 )      
 
Capital expenditures
    (37,727 )     (47,423 )
 
 
   
     
 
     
Net cash used in investing activities
    (60,977 )     (47,669 )
 
 
   
     
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
 
Proceeds from term loan
    80,856       176,099  
 
Repayments of term loan
    (53,638 )     (147,667 )
 
Equity contribution – Parent Partnership
    37,082       2,447  
 
Distributions paid
    (77,571 )     (70,399 )
 
 
   
     
 
     
Net cash used in financing activities
    (13,271 )     (39,520 )
 
 
   
     
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (437 )     5,017  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    485       3,654  
 
 
   
     
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 48     $ 8,671  
 
 
   
     
 
Non-cash investing activities:
               
 
Net assets transferred to Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P.
  $ 61,408     $  
 
 
   
     
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flows:
               
 
Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized)
  $ 30,928     $ 24,996  
 
 
   
     
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership, was formed in March 1990. TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (the “Parent Partnership”) owns a 99.999% interest in us as the sole limited partner. TEPPCO GP, Inc. (“TEPPCO GP” or “General Partner”), a subsidiary of the Parent Partnership, holds a 0.001% general partner interest in us. Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability company, serves as the general partner of our Parent Partnership. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Duke Energy Field Services, LLC (“DEFS”), a joint venture between Duke Energy Corporation (“Duke Energy”) and ConocoPhillips. Duke Energy holds an approximate 70% interest in DEFS and ConocoPhillips holds the remaining 30%. TEPPCO GP, as general partner, performs all of our management and operating functions required according to the Agreement of Limited Partnership of TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”). We reimburse our General Partner and the Company for all reasonable direct and indirect expenses that they incur in managing us.

     As used in this Report, “we,” “us,” and “our” means TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership.

     The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of the management of the Company, of a normal and recurring nature and necessary for a fair statement of our financial position as of September 30, 2003, and the results of our operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003, are not necessarily indicative of results of our operations for the full year 2003. You should read the interim financial statements in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented in the TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2002. We have reclassified certain amounts from prior periods to conform with the current presentation.

     We operate and report in one business segment: transportation and storage of refined products, liquefied petroleum gases (“LPGs”) and petrochemicals. Our interstate transportation operations, including rates charged to customers, are subject to regulations prescribed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). We refer to refined products, LPGs and petrochemicals in this Report, collectively, as “petroleum products” or “products.”

     Effective January 1, 2002, our Parent Partnership realigned its business segments to reflect its entry into the natural gas gathering business and the expanded scope of its natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) operations. As part of this realignment, on May 31, 2002, we transferred our investment in TEPPCO Colorado, LLC (“TEPPCO Colorado”), which fractionates NGLs, to TEPPCO Midstream Companies, L.P. (“TEPPCO Midstream”). As a result of the transfer, the results of operations of TEPPCO Colorado for the periods presented are reflected as discontinued operations (see Note 10. Discontinued Operations). We have reclassified prior periods presented to reflect the current presentation.

New Accounting Pronouncements

     In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure. SFAS 148 amends SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, SFAS 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123 to require prominent disclosure in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on the reported results. The provisions of SFAS 148 are effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. Our Parent Partnership has not granted options for any periods presented. For options outstanding under our 1994 Long Term Incentive Plan, the Parent Partnership followed the intrinsic value method of accounting for recognizing stock-based compensation expense.

4


 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – Continued
(Unaudited)

Under this method, the Parent Partnership records no compensation expense for unit options granted when the exercise price of the options granted is equal to, or greater than, the market price of the Parent Partnership’s limited partner units on the date of the grant. Assuming the Parent Partnership had used the fair value method of accounting for its unit option plan, our pro forma net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, would be lower than reported net income by an immaterial amount. Pro forma net income would equal reported net income for the three months ended September 30, 2003, and 2002, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 148 did not have an effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

     In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of ARB No. 51 (“FIN 46”). FIN 46 requires certain variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the equity investors in the entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. We are required to apply FIN 46 to all new variable interest entities created or acquired after January 31, 2003. For variable interest entities created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003, we were required to apply FIN 46 on July 1, 2003. In connection with the adoption of FIN 46, we evaluated our investments in Centennial Pipeline LLC and Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P. and determined that these entities are not variable interest entities as defined by FIN 46, and thus we have accounted for them as equity method investments (see Note 6. Equity Investments). The adoption of FIN 46 did not have an effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

     In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS 149 amends SFAS 133 to conform and incorporate derivative implementation issues and subsequently issued accounting guidance. SFAS 149 clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristics of a derivative, clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component, amends the definition of an underlying to conform it to language used in FASB Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others and amends certain other existing pronouncements. SFAS 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and should be applied prospectively. However, certain SFAS 133 implementation issues that were effective for all fiscal quarters prior to June 15, 2003, should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective effective dates. We adopted SFAS 149 effective July 1, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 149 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

     In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. SFAS 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain freestanding financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS 150 requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or asset in some circumstances). We adopted SFAS 150 effective July 1, 2003. The adoption of SFAS 150 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

     In May 2003, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached consensus in EITF 03-04, Accounting for “Cash Balance” Pension Plans, to specifically address the accounting for certain cash balance pension plans. The consensus reached in EITF 03-04 requires certain cash balance pension plans to be accounted for as defined benefit plans. For cash balance plans described in the consensus, the consensus also requires the use of the traditional unit credit method for purposes of measuring benefit obligations and annual cost of benefits earned as opposed to the projected unit credit method. We have historically accounted for our cash balance plans as defined benefit plans; however, we are required to adopt the measurement provisions of EITF 03-04 in our cash balance plans’ next measurement date of December 31, 2003. Any differences in the measurement of the obligation as a result of applying the consensus will be reported as a component of actuarial gain or loss. We do not believe that the adoption of EITF 03-04 will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

5


 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – Continued
(Unaudited)

     In May 2003, the EITF reached consensus in EITF 01-08, Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease, to clarify the requirements of identifying whether an arrangement should be accounted for as a lease at its inception. The guidance in the consensus is designed to mandate reporting revenue as rental or leasing income that otherwise would be reported as part of product sales or service revenue. EITF 01-08 requires both parties in an arrangement to determine whether a service contract or similar arrangement is or includes a lease within the scope of SFAS No. 13, Accounting For Leases. We have historically leased storage capacity to outside parties and entered into pipeline capacity lease agreements both as the lessee and as the lessor. Upon application of EITF 01-08, the accounting requirements under the consensus could affect the timing of revenue and expense recognition, and revenues reported as transportation and storage services might have to be reported as rental or leasing income. Should capital-lease treatment be necessary, purchasers of transportation and storage services in the arrangements would have to recognize new assets on their balance sheets. The consensus is to be applied prospectively to arrangements agreed to, modified, or acquired in business combinations in fiscal periods beginning after May 28, 2003. Previous arrangements that would be leases or would contain a lease according to the consensus will continue to be accounted for as transportation and storage purchases or sales arrangements. The adoption of EITF 01-08 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

     In July 2003, the EITF reached consensus in EITF 03-11, Reporting Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments That Are Subject to FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and Not Held for Trading Purposes. In a 2002 Issue, the EITF reached a consensus that all gains and losses (realized and unrealized) on derivative instruments within the scope of SFAS 133 should be shown net in the income statement, whether or not settled physically, if the derivative instruments are held for trading purposes. However, the EITF recognized that there may be contracts within the scope of SFAS 133 considered not held for trading purposes that warrant further consideration as to the appropriate income statement classification of the gains and losses. In EITF 03-11, the EITF clarified certain criteria to use in determining whether gains and losses related to non-trading derivative instruments should be shown net in the income statement. The adoption of EITF 03-11 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 2. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

     In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. SFAS 143 requires us to record the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which we incur a legal obligation for the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. A corresponding asset is also recorded and depreciated over the life of the asset. After the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation, the liability will be adjusted at the end of each reporting period to reflect changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the obligation. Determination of any amounts recognized upon adoption is based upon numerous estimates and assumptions, including future retirement costs, future inflation rates and the credit-adjusted risk-free interest rates.

     Our assets consist of an interstate trunk pipeline system and a series of storage facilities that originate along the upper Texas Gulf Coast and extend through the Midwest and northeastern United States. We transport refined products, LPGs and petrochemicals through the pipeline system. These products are primarily received in the south end of the system and stored and/or transported to various points along the system per customer nominations.

     We have completed our assessment of SFAS 143, and we have determined that we are obligated by contractual or regulatory requirements to remove facilities or perform other remediation upon retirement of our assets. However, we are not able to reasonably determine the fair value of the asset retirement obligations for our trunk and interstate pipelines and our surface facilities, since future dismantlement and removal dates are indeterminate. It is impossible to predict when demand for transportation of the related products will cease. Our right-of-way agreements allow us to maintain the right-of-way rather than remove the pipe. In addition, we can evaluate our trunk pipelines for alternative uses, which can be and have been found.

6


 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – Continued
(Unaudited)

     We will record such asset retirement obligations in the period in which more information becomes available for us to reasonably estimate the settlement dates of the retirement obligations. The adoption of SFAS 143 did not have an effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 3. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

     We account for our intangible assets under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets which was issued by the FASB in July 2001. SFAS 142 prohibits amortization of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, but instead requires testing for impairment at least annually. SFAS 142 requires that intangible assets with finite useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives. If an intangible asset has a finite useful life, but the precise length of that life is not known, that intangible asset should be amortized over the best estimate of its useful life. At a minimum, we will assess the useful lives and residual values of all intangible assets on an annual basis to determine if adjustments are required.

     The following table reflects the components of amortized intangible assets, included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2003, and December 31, 2002 (in thousands):

                                   
      September 30, 2003   December 31, 2002
     
 
      Gross Carrying   Accumulated   Gross Carrying   Accumulated
      Amount   Amortization   Amount   Amortization
     
 
 
 
Amortized intangible assets:
                               
 
Transportation agreements
  $ 1,328     $ (177 )   $ 1,328     $ (127 )

     At September 30, 2003, we had $33.4 million of excess investment in our equity investment in Centennial Pipeline LLC, which was created upon formation of the company (see Note 6. Equity Investments). The excess investment is included in our equity investments account at September 30, 2003. This excess investment is accounted for as an intangible asset with an indefinite life. We will assess the intangible asset for impairment on an annual basis.

     Amortization expense on intangible assets was $16,603 and $12,500 for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $49,808 and $37,500 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

     Estimated amortization expense on intangible assets will be $0.1 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2003 through 2007.

NOTE 4. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     On October 4, 2001, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge our exposure to changes in the fair value of our fixed rate 7.51% Senior Notes due 2028. We designated this swap agreement as a fair value hedge. The swap agreement has a notional amount of $210.0 million and matures in January 2028 to match the principal and maturity of the 7.51% Senior Notes. Under the swap agreement, we pay a floating rate of interest based on a three-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR rate, plus a spread, and receive a fixed rate of interest of 7.51%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, and 2002, we recognized reductions in interest expense of $7.4 million and $5.4 million, respectively, related to the difference between the fixed rate and the floating rate of interest on the interest rate swap. During the quarter ended September 30, 2003, we measured the hedge effectiveness of this interest rate swap and noted that no gain or loss from ineffectiveness was required to be recognized. The fair value of this interest rate swap was a gain of approximately $7.3 million and $13.6 million at September 30, 2003, and December 31, 2002, respectively.

7


 

TE PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – Continued
(Unaudited)

NOTE 5. INVENTORIES

     Inventories are carried at the lower of cost (based on weighted average cost method) or market. The major components of inventories were as follows (in thousands):

                   
      September 30,   December 31,
      2003   2002
     
 
Gasolines
  $ 557     $ 4,700  
Butanes
    4,222       1,991  
Transmix
    2,632       2,526  
Other products
          845  
Materials and supplies
    6,793       3,738  
 
   
     
 
 
Total
  $ 14,204     $ 13,800  
 
   
     
 

     The costs of inventories did not exceed market values at September 30, 2003, and December 31, 2002.

NOTE 6. EQUITY INVESTMENTS

     In August 2000, we entered into agreements with Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company (“PEPL”), a former subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation, and Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (“Marathon”) to form Centennial Pipeline LLC (“Centennial”). Centennial owns an interstate refined petroleum products pipeline extending from the upper Texas Gulf Coast to Illinois. Through February 9, 2003, each participant owned a one-third interest in Centennial. On February 10, 2003, we and Marathon each acquired an additional interest in Centennial from PEPL for $20.0 million each, increasing our percentage ownerships in Centennial to 50% each. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, excluding the amount paid for the acquisition of the additional ownership interest, we contributed approximately $3.0 million to Centennial, which is included in the equity investment balance at September 30, 2003.

     As of January 1, 2003, we and Louis Dreyfus Energy Services, L.P. (“Louis Dreyfus”) effectively formed Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P. (“MB Storage”). We and Louis Dreyfus each own