UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
þ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
TEPPCO Partners, L.P.
| Delaware | 76-0291058 | |
| (State of Incorporation or Organization) | (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
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Name of each exchange on | ||
| Title of each class | which registered | |
| Limited Partner Units representing Limited Partner Interests |
New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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 twelve months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes þ No o
At June 30, 2003, the aggregate market value of the registrants Limited Partner Units held by non-affiliates was $2,103,612,900, which was computed using the average of the high and low sales prices of the Limited Partner Units on June 30, 2003.
Limited Partner Units outstanding as of February 20, 2004: 62,998,554.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: None
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I |
||||||||||
| ITEMS
1. AND 2. |
Business and Properties |
1 | ||||||||
| ITEM 3. | Legal Proceedings |
23 | ||||||||
| ITEM 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
24 | ||||||||
PART II |
||||||||||
| ITEM 5. | Market for Registrants Units and Related Unitholder Matters |
24 | ||||||||
| ITEM 6. | Selected Financial Data |
26 | ||||||||
| ITEM 7. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
27 | ||||||||
| ITEM 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
53 | ||||||||
| ITEM 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
54 | ||||||||
| ITEM 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
54 | ||||||||
| ITEM 9A. | Controls and Procedures |
54 | ||||||||
PART III |
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| ITEM 10. | Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant |
55 | ||||||||
| ITEM 11. | Executive Compensation |
59 | ||||||||
| ITEM 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management |
65 | ||||||||
| ITEM 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions |
66 | ||||||||
| ITEM 14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services |
69 | ||||||||
PART IV |
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| ITEM 15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K |
69 | ||||||||
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The matters discussed in this Report include forward-looking statements within the meaning of various provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this document that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as estimated future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), business strategy and measures to implement strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of our business and operations, plans, references to future success, references to intentions as to future matters and other such matters are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including general economic, market or business conditions, the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by us, competitive actions by other pipeline companies, changes in laws or regulations and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this document are qualified by these cautionary statements, and we cannot assure you that actual results or developments that we anticipate will be realized or, even if substantially realized, will have the expected consequences to or effect on us or our business or operations.
Items 1 and 2. Business and Properties
General
TEPPCO Partners, L.P. (the Partnership), a Delaware limited partnership, is a master limited partnership formed in March 1990. We operate through TE Products Pipeline Company, Limited Partnership (TE Products), TCTM, L.P. (TCTM) and TEPPCO Midstream Companies, L.P. (TEPPCO Midstream). Collectively, TE Products, TCTM and TEPPCO Midstream are referred to as the Operating Partnerships. Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC (the Company or General Partner), a Delaware limited liability company, serves as our general partner and owns a 2% general partner interest in us. The General Partner 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 interest of approximately 70% in DEFS, and ConocoPhillips holds the remaining 30%. The Company, as general partner, performs all management and operating functions required for us, except for the management and operations of certain of the TEPPCO Midstream assets that are managed by DEFS on our behalf. We reimburse the General Partner for all reasonable direct and indirect expenses incurred in managing us. TEPPCO GP, Inc. (TEPPCO GP), our subsidiary, is the general partner of our Operating Partnerships. We hold a 99.999% limited partner interest in the Operating Partnerships and TEPPCO GP holds a 0.001% general partner interest.
As used in this Report, we, us, our, and the Partnership means TEPPCO Partners, L.P. and, where the context requires, includes our subsidiaries.
We operate and report in three business segments: transportation and storage of refined products, liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs) and petrochemicals (Downstream Segment); gathering, transportation, marketing and storage of crude oil; and distribution of lubrication oils and specialty chemicals (Upstream Segment); and gathering of natural gas, fractionation of natural gas liquids (NGLs) and transportation of NGLs (Midstream Segment). Our reportable segments offer different products and services and are managed separately because each requires different business strategies.
Effective January 1, 2002, we realigned our three business segments to reflect our entry into the natural gas gathering business and the expanded scope of our NGLs operations. We transferred the fractionation of NGLs, which was previously reflected as part of the Downstream Segment, to the Midstream Segment. The operation of the NGL pipelines, which was previously reflected as part of the Upstream Segment, was also transferred to the Midstream Segment. We have adjusted our period-to-period comparisons to conform with the current presentation.
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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, petrochemicals, crude oil, NGLs and natural gas in this Report, collectively, as petroleum products or products.
At December 31, 2003 and 2002, we had outstanding 62,998,554 and 53,809,597 Limited Partner Units, respectively. At December 31, 2002, we had outstanding 3,916,547 Class B Limited Partner Units (Class B Units). All of the Class B Units were issued to Duke Energy Transport and Trading Company, LLC (DETTCO) in connection with an acquisition of assets initially acquired in the Upstream Segment in 1998. The Class B Units shared in income and distributions on the same basis as the Limited Partner Units, but they were not listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Class B Units were not included in partners capital at December 31, 2002, as the Class B Units could have been converted into Limited Partner Units upon approval by the unitholders. We had the option to seek approval for the conversion of the Class B Units into Limited Partner Units; however, if the conversion was denied, DETTCO, as holder of the Class B Units, would have had the right to sell them to us at 95.5% of the 20-day average market closing price of the Limited Partner Units, as determined under our Partnership Agreement. On April 2, 2003, we repurchased and retired all of the 3,916,547 previously outstanding Class B Units with proceeds from the issuance of additional Limited Partner Units (see Note 12. Partners Capital and Distributions). Collectively, the Limited Partner Units and Class B Units are referred to as Units.
Our strategy is to expand and improve service in our current markets, maintain the integrity of our pipeline systems and pursue growth initiatives that are balanced between internal projects and acquisitions. We intend to leverage the advantages inherent in our pipeline systems to maintain our status as a preferred provider in our market areas. We also intend to grow by acquiring assets, from both third parties and affiliates, which complement existing businesses or to establish new core businesses. We routinely evaluate opportunities to acquire assets and businesses that will complement existing operations with a view to increasing earnings and cash available for distribution to our unitholders. We may fund additional acquisitions with cash flow from operations, borrowings under existing credit facilities, the issuance of debt in the capital markets, the sale of additional Units, or any combination thereof.
Downstream Segment Transportation and Storage of Refined Products, LPGs and Petrochemicals
Operations
We conduct business in our Downstream Segment through the following:
| | TE Products, | ||
| | a subsidiary which owns the northern portion of the Dean Pipeline (Dean North), | ||
| | our 50% owned equity investment in Centennial Pipeline LLC (Centennial), and | ||
| | our 50% owned equity investment in Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P. (MB Storage). |
Our Downstream Segment owns, operates or has investments in properties located in 14 states. The operations of the Downstream Segment consist of interstate transportation, storage and terminaling of petroleum products; short-haul shuttle transportation of LPGs at the Mont Belvieu, Texas, complex through MB Storage; intrastate transportation of petrochemicals and other ancillary services.
As an interstate common carrier, our TE Products pipeline offers interstate transportation services, pursuant to tariffs filed with the FERC, to any shipper of refined petroleum products and LPGs who requests these services, provided that the products tendered for transportation satisfy the conditions and specifications contained in the applicable tariff. In addition to the revenues received by our pipeline system from our interstate tariffs, we also provide storage and marketing services at key points along our pipeline systems. Substantially all of the petroleum products transported and stored in our pipeline systems are owned by our customers. Petroleum products are received at terminals located principally on the southern end of the pipeline system, stored, scheduled into the pipeline in accordance with customer nominations and shipped to delivery terminals for ultimate delivery to the final distributor (including gas stations and retail propane distribution centers) or to other pipelines. Pipelines are
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generally the lowest cost method for intermediate and long-haul overland transportation of petroleum products. The TE Products pipeline system is the only pipeline that transports LPGs from the upper Texas Gulf Coast to the Northeast.
Our Downstream Segment depends in large part on the level of demand for refined petroleum products and LPGs in the geographic locations that we serve and the ability and willingness of customers having access to the pipeline system to supply this demand. We cannot predict the impact of future fuel conservation measures, alternate fuel requirements, governmental regulation or technological advances in fuel economy and energy-generation devices, all of which could reduce the demand for refined petroleum products and LPGs in the areas we serve.
The following table lists the material properties and investments of and ownership percentages in the Downstream Segment assets as of December 31, 2003:
| Our | ||||
| Ownership | ||||
Refined products and LPGs pipelines |
100 | % | ||
Mont Belvieu, Texas, to Port Arthur, Texas, petrochemical pipelines |
100 | % | ||
Northern portion of Dean Pipeline (1) |
100 | % | ||
Centennial Pipeline LLC (2) |
50 | % | ||
Mont Belvieu Storage Partners, L.P. (3) |
50 | % | ||
| (1) | Effective January 1, 2003, the northern portion of the Dean Pipeline was converted to transport refinery grade propylene (RGP) from Mont Belvieu, Texas, to Point Comfort, Texas. | |
| (2) | Accounted for as an equity investment. Effective February 10, 2003, TE Products acquired an additional 16.7% interest in Centennial, bringing its ownership percentage to 50%. | |
| (3) | Accounted for as an equity investment. Effective January 1, 2003, TE Products contributed substantially all of its Mont Belvieu LPG assets to MB Storage, a newly formed partnership with Louis Dreyfus Energy Services L.P. (Louis Dreyfus). |
Centennial Pipeline Equity Investment
In August 2000, TE Products entered into agreements with Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company (PEPL), a subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation, and Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (Marathon) to form Centennial. Each participant originally owned a one-third interest in Centennial. Centennial, which commenced operations in April 2002, owns an interstate refined petroleum products pipeline extending from the upper Texas Gulf Coast to central Illinois. Centennial constructed a 74-mile, 24-inch diameter pipeline connecting TE Products facility in Beaumont, Texas, with an existing 720-mile, 26-inch diameter pipeline extending from Longville, Louisiana, to Bourbon, Illinois. The Centennial pipeline intersects TE Products existing mainline pipeline near Creal Springs, Illinois, where Centennial constructed a new two million barrel refined petroleum products storage terminal. Marathon operates the mainline Centennial pipeline, and TE Products operates the Beaumont origination point and the Creal Springs terminal.
TE Products interest in Centennial is not subject to any encumbrances from mortgages or other secured debt. Centennial has unsecured debt, one third of which, up to $50.0 million in principal, was originally guaranteed by each owner, including TE Products. On February 10, 2003, TE Products and Marathon each acquired an additional interest in Centennial from PEPL for $20.0 million each, increasing their percentage ownerships in Centennial to 50% each. TE Products and Marathon have each guaranteed one-half of Centennials debt, up to a maximum of $75.0 million each. Through December 31, 2003, including the amount paid for the acquisition of the additional ownership interest in February 2003, TE Products has invested $104.9 million in Centennial.
3
Mont Belvieu Storage Equity Investment
In February 2000, we entered into a joint marketing and development alliance with Louis Dreyfus in which our Mont Belvieu LPGs storage and shuttle transportation system was jointly marketed by Louis Dreyfus and TE Products. The purpose of the alliance was to expand services to the upper Texas Gulf Coast energy marketplace by increasing pipeline throughput and the mix of products handled through the existing system and establishing new receipt and delivery connections. The alliance was a service-oriented, fee-based venture with no commodity trading activity. TE Products operated the facilities for the alliance. The alliance stipulated that if certain earnings thresholds were achieved, a partnership between TE Products and Louis Dreyfus was to be created effective January 1, 2003. All terms and earnings thresholds were met; therefore, as of January 1, 2003, TE Products and Louis Dreyfus formed MB Storage.
The economic terms of the MB Storage partnership are the same as those under the joint marketing and development alliance. TE Products contributed property, plant and equipment with a net book value of $67.4 million to MB Storage. TE Products continues to operate the facilities for MB Storage. Louis Dreyfus had invested $6.1 million for expansion projects for MB Storage that TE Products was required to reimburse if the original joint development and marketing agreement was terminated by either party. This deferred liability was also contributed and converted to the capital account of Louis Dreyfus in MB Storage. TE Products and Louis Dreyfus each own a 50% ownership interest in MB Storage. Through December 31, 2003, excluding the contribution of property, plant and equipment upon formation of the partnership, TE Products has contributed $2.5 million to MB Storage. In December 2003, we received a distribution of $5.3 million from MB Storage.
TE Products interest in MB Storage is not subject to any encumbrances from mortgages or other secured debt. TE Products receives the first $1.8 million per quarter (or $7.15 million on an annual basis) of MB Storages gross income less mandatory capital expenditures plus capital contributions, as defined in the operating agreement. Any amount of MB Storages gross income in excess of the $7.15 million is allocated evenly between TE Products and Louis Dreyfus, except for depreciation expense. Each partner is allocated depreciation expense based upon assets each originally contributed to MB Storage. Depreciation expense on assets constructed or acquired by MB Storage is allocated evenly between TE Products and Louis Dreyfus. For the year ended December 31, 2003, TE Products sharing ratio in the earnings of MB Storage was approximately 70.4%.
MB Storages asset base in the Mont Belvieu fractionation and storage complex, which is the largest complex of its kind in the United States, serving the fractionation, refining and petrochemical industries, provides substantial capacity and flexibility for the transportation, terminaling and storage of NGLs, LPGs and refined products. MB Storage receives revenue from the shuttling of product from refineries and fractionators to pipelines, refineries and petrochemical facilities on the upper Texas Gulf Coast. MB Storage has approximately 33 million barrels of LPGs storage capacity and approximately 5 million barrels of refined products storage capacity, including storage capacity leased to outside parties, at the Mont Belvieu fractionation and storage complex. MB Storage includes a short-haul transportation shuttle system, consisting of a complex system of pipelines and interconnects, that ties Mont Belvieu to virtually every refinery and petrochemical facility on the upper Texas Gulf Coast. MB Storage also provides truck and rail car loading capability. Total shuttle volumes for the three years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, were 33.1 million barrels, 28.9 million barrels and 23.1 million barrels, respectively.
Refined Products, LPGs and Petrochemical Pipeline Systems
TE Products is one of the largest pipeline common carriers of refined petroleum products and LPGs in the United States. TE Products owns and operates an approximately 4,600-mile pipeline system (together with the receiving, storage and terminaling facilities mentioned below, the Products Pipeline System) extending from southeast Texas through the central and midwestern United States to the northeastern United States. The Products Pipeline System includes delivery terminals for outloading product to other pipelines, tank trucks, rail cars or barges, and substantial storage facilities at numerous locations. TE Products also owns two marine receiving terminals, one near Beaumont and the other at Providence, Rhode Island. The Providence terminal is not physically connected to the Products Pipeline System. The Products Pipeline System also includes three parallel 12-inch diameter petrochemical pipelines between Mont Belvieu and Port Arthur, each approximately 70 miles in length, and 138 miles of pipeline from Mont Belvieu to Point Comfort (the northern portion of the Dean Pipeline).
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All properties comprising the Products Pipeline System are wholly owned by our subsidiaries and none are mortgaged or encumbered to secure funded debt. TE Products has guaranteed up to $75.0 million of Centennials unsecured debt (see -Centennial Pipeline Equity Investment above) and has also guaranteed our unsecured debt (see Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Financial Condition and Liquidity).
Products are transported in liquid form from the upper Texas Gulf Coast through two parallel underground pipelines that extend to Seymour, Indiana. From Seymour, segments of the Products Pipeline System extend to the Chicago, Illinois; Lima, Ohio; Selkirk, New York; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, areas. The Products Pipeline System east of Todhunter, Ohio, is dedicated solely to LPGs transportation and storage services, primarily for propane.
Excluding the storage facilities of Centennial and MB Storage, the Products Pipeline System includes 27 storage facilities with an aggregate storage capacity of 16 million barrels of refined petroleum products and 6 million barrels of LPG storage, including storage capacity leased to outside parties. The Products Pipeline System makes deliveries to customers at 56 locations including 19 truck racks, rail car facilities and marine facilities that we own. Deliveries to other pipelines occur at various facilities owned by TE Products or by third parties.
The Products Pipeline System is comprised of a 20-inch diameter line extending in a generally northeasterly direction from Baytown, Texas (located approximately 30 miles east of Houston), to a point in southwest Ohio near Lebanon and Todhunter. A second line, which also originates at Baytown, is 16 inches in diameter until it reaches Beaumont, at which point it reduces to a 14-inch diameter line. This second line extends along the same path as the 20-inch diameter line to the Products Pipeline Systems terminal in El Dorado, Arkansas, before continuing as a 16-inch diameter line to Seymour. The Products Pipeline System also has smaller diameter lines that extend laterally from El Dorado to Helena, Arkansas, from Tyler, Texas, to El Dorado and from McRae, Arkansas, to West Memphis, Arkansas. The line from El Dorado to Helena has a 10-inch diameter. The line from Tyler to El Dorado varies in diameter from 8 inches to 10 inches. The line from McRae to West Memphis has a 12-inch diameter. The Products Pipeline System also includes a 14-inch diameter line from Seymour to Chicago, Illinois, and a 10-inch diameter line running from Lebanon to Lima, Ohio. This 10-inch diameter pipeline connects to the Buckeye Pipe Line Company system that serves, among others, markets in Michigan and eastern Ohio. The Products Pipeline System also has a 6-inch diameter pipeline connection to the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and an 8-inch diameter pipeline connection to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. In addition, the Products Pipeline System contains numerous lines, ranging in size from 6 inches to 20 inches in diameter, associated with the gathering and distribution system, extending from Baytown to Beaumont; Texas City to Baytown; Pasadena, Texas to Baytown and Baytown to Mont Belvieu.
The Products Pipeline System continues eastward from Todhunter, Ohio, to Greensburg, Pennsylvania, at which point it branches into two segments, one ending in Selkirk, New York (near Albany), and the other ending at Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia). The Products Pipeline System east of Todhunter and ending in Selkirk is an 8-inch diameter line, and the line starting at Greensburg and ending at Marcus Hook varies in diameter from 6 inches to 8 inches.
In December 2002, we completed an upgrade of our Princeton, Indiana, LPG truck rack to increase its capacity. During the fourth quarter of 2003, we completed a Phase I project to expand our delivery capacity of LPGs in the Northeast. The Phase I expansion increased delivery capability to the Northeast during the peak winter months by approximately one million barrels. The expansion consisted of the construction of three new pump stations located between Middletown, Ohio, and Coshocton, Ohio. During the fourth quarter of 2003, we began projects to increase our truck rack capacity in the Northeast at locations in New York and Pennsylvania in order to improve customer service to those areas. These projects are scheduled to be completed in early 2004. Additionally, in 2004, we have begun a Phase II project to further expand our delivery capability to the Northeast by constructing three new pump stations located between Coshocton and Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and two new pump stations located between Greensburg and Watkins Glen, New York. The Phase II projects are anticipated to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2004. We have also approved a project for construction of a new truck loading terminal in Bossier City, Louisiana, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2004.
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TE Products also owns three 12-inch diameter common carrier petrochemical pipelines between Mont Belvieu and Port Arthur. Each of these pipelines is approximately 70 miles in length. The pipelines transport ethylene, propylene and natural gasoline. We entered into a 20-year agreement in 2002 with a major petrochemical producer for guaranteed throughput commitments. During the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, we recognized $11.9 million, $11.9 million and $10.7 million, respectively, of revenue under the throughput and deficiency contract. We began transporting product through these pipelines in September 2001.
Our Downstream Segment also includes the operations of the northern portion of the Dean Pipeline. Beginning in January 2003, the northern portion of the Dean Pipeline was converted to transport RGP from Mont Belvieu to Point Comfort. The northern portion of the Dean Pipeline consists of 138 miles of pipeline from Mont Belvieu to Point Comfort.
We believe that our Products Pipeline System is in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and accepted industry standards and practices. We perform regular maintenance on all the facilities of the Products Pipeline System and have an ongoing process of inspecting the Products Pipeline System and making repairs and replacements when necessary or appropriate. In addition, we conduct periodic air patrols of the Products Pipeline System to monitor pipeline integrity and third-party right of way encroachments.
Major Business Sector Markets
Our major operations in the Downstream Segment consist of the transportation, storage and terminaling of refined petroleum products and LPGs along our mainline system. Product deliveries, in millions of barrels (MMBbls) on a regional basis, for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, were as follows:
| Product Deliveries (MMBbls) | ||||||||||||||
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | ||||||||||||
Refined Products Mainline Transportation: |
||||||||||||||
Central (1) |
67.0 | 62.9 | 62.0 | |||||||||||
Midwest (2) |
57.7 | 49.6 | 37.4 | |||||||||||
Ohio and Kentucky |
29.4 | 25.7 | 23.5 | |||||||||||
Subtotal |
154.1 | 138.2 | 122.9 | |||||||||||
LPGs Mainline Transportation: |
||||||||||||||
Central, Midwest and Kentucky (1)(2) |
23.4 | 25.4 | 23.8 | |||||||||||
Ohio and Northeast (3) |
19.1 | 15.1 | 16.2 | |||||||||||
Subtotal |
42.5 | 40.5 | 40.0 | |||||||||||
Total Mainline Transportation |
196.6 | 178.7 | 162.9 | |||||||||||
Petrochemical Transportation (4) |
3.4 | | | |||||||||||
Total Product Deliveries |
200.0 | 178.7 | 162.9 | |||||||||||
| (1) | Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas. | |
| (2) | Illinois and Indiana. | |
| (3) | New York and Pennsylvania. | |
| (4) | Includes Dean North RGP volumes. Petrochemical transportation between Mont Belvieu and Port Arthur, Texas, has not been included as those volumes are with one customer. |
The mix of products delivered varies seasonally. Gasoline demand is generally stronger in the spring and summer months and LPGs demand is generally stronger in the fall and winter months. Weather and economic conditions in the geographic areas served by our Products Pipeline System also affect the demand for, and the mix of, the products delivered.
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Refined products and LPGs deliveries for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, were as follows:
| Product Deliveries (MMBbls) | ||||||||||||||
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | ||||||||||||
Refined Products Mainline Transportation: |
||||||||||||||
Gasoline |
89.8 | 81.9 | 69.4 | |||||||||||
Jet Fuels |
26.4 | 25.3 | 25.4 | |||||||||||
Distillates (1) |
37.9 | 31.0 | 28.1 | |||||||||||
Subtotal |
154.1 | 138.2 | 122.9 | |||||||||||
LPGs Mainline Transportation: |
||||||||||||||
Propane |
34.5 | 32.9 | 32.8 | |||||||||||
Butanes |
8.0 | 7.6 | 7.2 | |||||||||||
Subtotal |
42.5 | 40.5 | 40.0 | |||||||||||
Total Mainline Transportation |
196.6 | 178.7 | 162.9 | |||||||||||
Petrochemical Transportation |
3.4 | | | |||||||||||
Total Product Deliveries |
200.0 | 178.7 | 162.9 | |||||||||||
| (1) | Primarily diesel fuel, heating oil and other middle distillates. |
Refined Products Mainline Transportation
Our Products Pipeline System transports refined petroleum products from the upper Texas Gulf Coast, eastern Texas and southern Arkansas to the Central and Midwest regions of the United States with deliveries in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. At these points, refined petroleum products are delivered to terminals owned by TE Products, connecting pipelines and customer-owned terminals.
The volume of refined petroleum products transported by our Products Pipeline System is directly affected by the demand for refined products in the geographic regions the system serves. This market demand varies based upon the different end uses to which the refined products deliveries are applied. Demand for gasoline, which accounted for approximately 58% of the volume of refined products transported through the Products Pipeline System during 2003, depends upon price, prevailing economic conditions and demographic changes in the markets that we serve. Demand for distillates is affected by truck and railroad freight, the price of natural gas used by utilities, which use distillates as a substitute for natural gas when the price of natural gas is high, and usage for agricultural operations, which is affected by weather conditions, government policy and crop prices. Demand for jet fuel depends upon prevailing economic conditions and military usage.
Market prices for refined petroleum products affect the demand in the markets served by our Downstream Segment. Therefore, quantities and mix of products transported may vary. Transportation tariffs of refined petroleum products vary among specific product types. As a result, market price volatility may affect transportation volumes and revenues from period to period.
LPGs Mainline Transportation
Our Products Pipeline System transports LPGs from the upper Texas Gulf Coast to the Central, Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States. The Products Pipeline System east of Todhunter, Ohio, is devoted solely to the transportation of LPGs. Because propane demand is generally sensitive to weather in the winter months, year-to-year variations of propane deliveries have occurred and will likely continue to occur. Our Products Pipeline System also transports normal butane and isobutane in the Midwest and Northeast for use in the production of motor gasoline.
Our ability in the Downstream Segment to serve propane markets in the Northeast is enhanced by our marine import terminal at Providence. This facility includes a 400,000-barrel refrigerated storage tank along with
7
ship unloading and truck loading facilities. Effective May 2001, we entered into an agreement with an affiliate of DEFS to commit sole utilization of the Providence terminal to an affiliate of DEFS. We operate the terminal and provide propane loading services to an affiliate of DEFS. The agreement, with an affiliate of DEFS, terminates in May 2004, and we are currently renegotiating the agreement. During the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, revenues of $3.2 million, $2.3 million and $1.5 million from an affiliate of DEFS, respectively, were recognized pursuant to this agreement.
Other Operating Revenues
Our Downstream Segment also earns revenue from terminaling activities and other ancillary services associated with the transportation and storage of refined petroleum products and LPGs. From time to time, we sell excess product inventory. Other operating revenues include revenues related to the intrastate transportation of petrochemicals under a throughput and deficiency contract.
Customers
Our customers for the transportation of refined petroleum products include major integrated oil companies, independent oil companies, the airline industry and wholesalers. End markets for these deliveries are primarily retail service stations, truck stops, railroads, agricultural enterprises, refineries and military and commercial jet fuel users.
Propane customers include wholesalers and retailers who, in turn, sell to commercial, industrial, agricultural and residential heating customers, as well as utilities who use propane as a back-up fuel source. Refineries constitute our major customers for butane and isobutane, which are used as a blend stock for gasolines and as a feed stock for alkylation units, respectively.
At December 31, 2003, our Downstream Segment had approximately 130 customers. During the year ended December 31, 2003, total revenues (and percentage of total revenues) attributable to the top 10 customers were $149.5 million (56%), of which Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC accounted for approximately 18% of total Downstream Segment revenues. During the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, total revenues (and percentage of total revenues) attributable to the top 10 customers were $101.6 million (51%) and $115.0 million (44%), respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Downstream Segments revenues.
Credit Policies and Procedures
We manage our exposure to credit risk through credit analysis, credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures. We utilize letters of credit and guarantees for certain of our receivables. However, these procedures and policies do not fully eliminate customer credit risk. During the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, a few small to medium-sized customers of the Downstream Segment filed for bankruptcy protection. During the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, we expensed approximately $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of uncollectible receivables of the Downstream Segment related to customer bankruptcies or other non-payments.
Competition
The Products Pipeline System conducts operations without the benefit of exclusive franchises from government entities. Interstate common carrier transportation services are provided through the system pursuant to tariffs filed with the FERC.
Because pipelines are generally the lowest cost method for intermediate and long-haul overland movement of refined petroleum products and LPGs, the Products Pipeline Systems most significant competitors (other than indigenous production in its markets) are pipelines in the areas where the Products Pipeline System delivers products. Competition among common carrier pipelines is based primarily on transportation charges, quality of customer service and proximity to end users. We believe our Downstream Segment is competitive with other
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pipelines serving the same markets; however, comparison of different pipelines is difficult due to varying product mix and operations.
Trucks, barges and railroads competitively deliver products in some of the areas served by the Products Pipeline System. Trucking costs, however, render that mode of transportation less competitive for longer hauls or larger volumes. Barge fees for the transportation of refined products are generally lower than TE Products tariffs. We face competition from rail movements of LPGs from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, and waterborne imports into New Hampshire.
Upstream Segment Gathering, Transportation, Marketing and Storage of Crude Oil
Operations
We conduct business in our Upstream Segment through the following:
| | TCTM and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, and | ||
| | our 50% owned equity investment in Seaway Crude Pipeline Company (Seaway). |
Our Upstream Segment gathers, transports, markets and stores crude oil, and distributes lubrication oils and specialty chemicals, principally in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and the Rocky Mountain region. We commenced our Upstream Segment business in connection with the acquisition of assets from an affiliate of DEFS in November 1998. Our Upstream Segment uses its asset base to aggregate crude oil and provide transportation and specialized services to its regional customers. Our Upstream Segment purchases crude oil from various producers and operators at the wellhead and makes bulk purchases of crude oil at pipeline and terminal facilities. The crude oil is then sold to refiners and other customers. The Upstream Segment transports crude oil through equity owned pipelines, its trucking operations and third party pipelines.
Margins in the Upstream Segment are calculated as revenues generated from the sale of crude oil and lubrication oil, and transportation of crude oil, less the costs of purchases of crude oil and lubrication oil. Margins are a more meaningful measure of financial performance than operating revenues and operating expenses due to the significant fluctuations in revenues and expenses caused by variations in the level of marketing activity and prices for products marketed (see Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Upstream Segment for margin and volume information).
TCTM purchases crude oil and simultaneously establishes a margin by selling crude oil for physical delivery to third party users. We seek to maintain a balanced marketing position until we make physical delivery of the crude oil, thereby minimizing or eliminating our exposure to price fluctuations occurring after the initial purchase. However, certain basis risks, which are the risks that price relationships between delivery points, classes of products or delivery periods will change, cannot be completely hedged or eliminated. Risk management policies have been established by the Risk Management Committee to monitor and control market risks. The Risk Management Committee is comprised, in part, of certain senior executives of the Company.
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Product deliveries on TCTMs 100% owned pipeline systems, undivided joint interest pipelines and Seaway for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, were as follows (in millions):
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | |||||||||||
Barrels Delivered: |
|||||||||||||
Crude oil transportation |
95.5 | 82.8 | 78.7 | ||||||||||
Crude oil marketing |
159.7 | 139.2 | 159.5 | ||||||||||
Crude oil terminaling |
115.1 | 127.4 | 121.9 | ||||||||||
Lubricants and chemicals (total gallons) |
10.4 | 9.6 | 8.8 | ||||||||||
Seaway: |
|||||||||||||
Long-haul |
71.0 | 62.6 | 69.9 | ||||||||||
Short-haul |
179.8 | 183.8 | 175.7 | ||||||||||
Properties
The major crude oil pipelines and pipeline systems of our Upstream Segment are set forth in the following table, which include pipelines owned jointly with other industry participants or producers:
| Our | ||||||||
| Crude Oil Pipeline | Ownership | Operator | Description | |||||
| Red River System | 100% | TEPPCO Crude Pipeline (TCPL) (1) |
1,690 miles of pipeline; 1,484,000 barrels of storage North Texas to South Oklahoma | |||||
| South Texas System (2) | 100% | TCPL | 900 miles of pipeline; 780,000 barrels of storage South Central Texas to Houston, Texas area | |||||
| West Texas Trunk System | 100% | TCPL | 250 miles of smaller diameter pipeline connecting West Texas and Southeast New Mexico to TCTMs Midland, Texas terminal | |||||
| Seaway (3) |
50% general partnership interest |
TCPL | 500-mile, 30-inch diameter pipeline; 6,320,000 barrels of storage Texas Gulf Coast to Cushing, Oklahoma | |||||
| Basin | 13% joint ownership | Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. |
416-mile pipeline Permian Basin (New Mexico and Texas) to Cushing, Oklahoma | |||||
| (1) | TCPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of TCTM. | |
| (2) | Includes our remaining interest in the Rancho Pipeline and our acquisition of the Genesis assets. | |
| (3) | TCPLs participation in revenues and expenses of Seaway vary as described below in Seaway Crude Pipeline Equity Investment. |
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None of these pipelines or systems are mortgaged or encumbered to secure funded debt. TCTM has provided guarantees of our unsecured debt (see Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations).
The majority of the Red River System crude oil is delivered to Cushing, Oklahoma, via third party pipelines, or to two local refineries. The majority of the crude oil on the South Texas System is delivered on a tariff basis to Houston area refineries. The West Texas Trunk System is a fee based system which connects gathering systems to TCTMs Midland, Texas terminal. Other crude oil assets, located primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, consist of 310 miles of pipeline and 295,000 barrels of storage capacity.
In connection with our acquisition of ARCO Pipe Line Company (ARCO), a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlantic Richfield Company, in 2000, we acquired an approximate 23.5% undivided joint interest in the Rancho Pipeline, which was a crude oil pipeline system from West Texas to Houston. In March 2003, the Rancho Pipeline ceased operations, and segments of the pipeline were sold to certain of the owners which previously held undivided interests in the pipeline. We acquired approximately 230 miles of the pipeline in exchange for cash of $5.5 million and our interests in other portions of the Rancho Pipeline. We sold part of the segment we acquired to other entities for cash and assets valued at approximately $8.5 million. We recorded a net gain of $3.9 million on the transactions, which is included in the gain on sale of assets in our consolidated statements of income.
On November 1, 2003, we completed the purchase of crude supply and transportation assets along the upper Texas Gulf Coast for $21.0 million from Genesis Crude Oil, L.P. and Genesis Pipeline Texas, L.P. (Genesis). The transaction was funded with proceeds from our August 2003 equity offering (see Note 12. Partners Capital and Distributions). We allocated the purchase price, net of liabilities assumed, primarily to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (see Note 6. Acquisitions and Dispositions). The assets acquired included approximately 150 miles of small diameter trunk lines, 26,000 barrels per day of throughput and 12,000 barrels per day of lease marketing and supply business. We have integrated these assets into our South Texas pipeline system which has allowed us to consolidate gathering and marketing assets in key operating areas in a cost effective manner and will provide future growth opportunities. Accordingly, the results of the acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements from November 1, 2003.
Seaway Crude Pipeline Equity Investment
Seaway is a partnership between a subsidiary of TCTM, TEPPCO Seaway, L.P. (TEPPCO Seaway), and ConocoPhillips. TCTM acquired its 50% ownership interest in Seaway on July 20, 2000, as part of its purchase of ARCO and transferred the investment to TEPPCO Seaway. We assumed ARCOs role as operator of this pipeline. The 30-inch diameter, 500-mile pipeline transports crude oil from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Cushing, a central crude distribution point for the central United States and a delivery point for the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). The Freeport, Texas, marine terminal is the origin point for the 30-inch diameter crude pipeline. Three large diameter lines carry crude oil from the Freeport marine terminal to the adjacent Jones Creek Tank Farm, which has six tanks capable of handling approximately 2.6 million barrels of crude oil. A crude oil marine terminal facility at Texas City, Texas, is used to supply refineries in the Houston area. Two pipelines connect the Texas City marine terminal to storage facilities in Texas City and Galena Park, Texas, where there are seven tanks with a combined capacity of approximately 3 million barrels. Seaway has the capability to provide marine terminaling and crude oil storage services for all Houston area refineries.
The Seaway partnership agreement provides for varying participation ratios throughout the life of Seaway. From July 20, 2000, through May 2002, we received 80% of revenue and expense of Seaway. From June 2002 until May 2006, we will receive 60% of revenue and expense of Seaway. Thereafter, we will receive 40% of revenue and expense of Seaway. For the year ended December 31, 2002, our portion of equity earnings on a pro-rated basis averaged approximately 67%.
Line Transfers, Pumpovers and Other
Our Upstream Segment provides trade documentation services to its customers, primarily at Cushing and Midland. TCTM documents the transfer of crude oil in its terminal facilities between contracting buyers and sellers. This line transfer documentation service is related to the trading activity by TCTMs customers of NYMEX open-
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interest crude oil contracts and other physical trading activity. This service provides a documented record of receipts, deliveries and transactions to each customer, including confirmation of trade matches, inventory management and scheduled movements. Line transfer revenues are included as part of other operating revenues in our consolidated statements of income.
The line transfer services also attract physical barrels to TCTMs facilities for final delivery to the ultimate owner. A pumpover occurs when the last title transfer is executed and the physical barrels are delivered out of TCTMs custody. TCTM owns and operates storage facilities primarily in Midland and Cushing with an operational capacity of approximately 1.1 million barrels to facilitate the pumpover business. Revenues from pumpover services are included as part of crude oil transportation revenues in our consolidated statements of income and represent the crude oil terminaling component of margin. The line transfer and pumpover operations were acquired as part of our purchase of ARCO in 2000.
Lubrication Services, L.P. (LSI), a subsidiary of TCTM, distributes lubrication oils and specialty chemicals to natural gas pipelines, gas processors and industrial and commercial accounts. LSIs distribution networks are located in Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana. LSI also sells lubrication oils and specialty chemicals to DEFS. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, revenues recognized by LSI included $15.2 million, $14.6 million, and $12.3 million, respectively, for the sale of lubrication oils and specialty chemicals to DEFS.
Customers
TCTM purchases crude oil primarily from major integrated oil companies and independent oil producers. Crude oil sales are primarily to major integrated oil companies and independent refiners. Gross sales revenue of the Upstream Segment attributable to the top 10 customers was $2.6 billion (67%) for the year ended December 31, 2003, of which Valero Energy Corp. (Valero) accounted for 18%. For the year ended December 31, 2002, gross sales revenue attributable to the top 10 customers was $1.9 billion (66%), of which Valero accounted for 18%. For the year ended December 31, 2001, gross sales revenue attributable to the top 10 customers was $2.0 billion (61%), of which Valero accounted for 16%.
Competition
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