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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2003

 

OR

 

¨   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM              TO             

 

Commission file number 1-31219

 


 

SUNOCO LOGISTICS PARTNERS L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   23-3096839

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification

No.)

Ten Penn Center

1801 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA

  19103-1699
(Address of principal executive
offices)
  (Zip-Code)

 

(215) 977-3000

(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  ¨

 

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

 

At July 31, 2003, the number of the registrant’s Common Units outstanding were 11,388,154, and its Subordinated Units outstanding were 11,383,639.

 



Table of Contents

SUNOCO LOGISTICS PARTNERS L.P.

 

INDEX

 

                   Page No.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    
         Item 1.    Financial Statements (Unaudited)     
              Condensed Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002    2
              Condensed Statements of Income for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002    3
              Condensed Balance Sheets at June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002    4
              Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002    5
              Notes to Condensed Financial Statements    6
         Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    20
         Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    28
         Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    30

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

    
         Item 1.    Legal Proceedings    31
         Item 2.    Changes in Securities and Uses of Proceeds    31
         Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities    31
         Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    31
         Item 5.    Other Information    31
         Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    31

SIGNATURE

        33

 

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PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

SUNOCO LOGISTICS PARTNERS L.P.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

     Partnership

 
    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Revenues

                

Sales and other operating revenue:

                

Affiliates

   $ 313,087     $ 307,824  

Unaffiliated customers

     343,854       142,616  

Other income

     3,214       1,768  
    


 


Total Revenues

     660,155       452,208  
    


 


Costs and Expenses

                

Cost of products sold and operating expenses

     623,645       418,998  

Depreciation and amortization

     7,065       6,473  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     12,627       9,674  
    


 


Total Costs and Expenses

     643,337       435,145  
    


 


Operating Income

     16,818       17,063  

Net interest cost paid to affiliates

     92       428  

Other interest cost and debt expense, net

     5,125       4,373  

Capitalized interest

     (261 )     (245 )
    


 


Net Income

   $ 11,862     $ 12,507  
    


 


Calculation of Limited Partners’ interest:

                

Net Income

   $ 11,862     $ 12,507  

Less: General Partner’s interest

     237       250  
    


 


Limited Partners’ interest in Net Income

   $ 11,625     $ 12,257  
    


 


Net Income per Limited Partner unit:

                

Basic

   $ 0.51     $ 0.54  
    


 


Diluted

   $ 0.51     $ 0.54  
    


 


Weighted average Limited Partners’ units outstanding:

                

Basic

     22,771,793       22,767,278  
    


 


Diluted

     22,875,790       22,767,278  
    


 


 

(See Accompanying Notes)

 

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SUNOCO LOGISTICS PARTNERS L.P.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)

 

     Partnership

   

Partnership

and

Predecessor


 
    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Revenues

                

Sales and other operating revenue:

                

Affiliates

   $ 667,067     $ 545,292  

Unaffiliated customers

     705,893       249,559  

Other income

     6,839       3,516  
    


 


Total Revenues

     1,379,799       798,367  
    


 


Costs and Expenses

                

Cost of products sold and operating expenses

     1,302,672       732,065  

Depreciation and amortization

     13,594       12,712  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     24,274       19,411  
    


 


Total Costs and Expenses

     1,340,540       764,188  
    


 


Operating Income

     39,259       34,179  

Net interest cost (received from)/paid to affiliates

     (167 )     1,145  

Other interest cost and debt expense, net

     10,214       6,978  

Capitalized interest

     (493 )     (545 )
    


 


Income before income tax expense

     29,705       26,601  

Income tax expense

     —         1,555  
    


 


Net Income

   $ 29,705     $ 25,046  
    


 


Allocation of 2002 Net Income:

                

Portion applicable to January 1 through February 7, 2002 (period prior to initial public offering)

           $ 3,421  

Portion applicable to February 8 through June 30, 2002

             21,625  
            


Net Income

           $ 25,046  
            


Calculation of Limited Partners’ interest:

                

Net Income

   $ 29,705     $ 21,625  

Less: General Partner’s interest in Net Income

     594       433  
    


 


Limited Partners’ interest in Net Income

   $ 29,111     $ 21,192  
    


 


Net Income per Limited Partner unit (2002 is for the Period from February 8 through June 30, 2002):

                

Basic

   $ 1.28     $ 0.93  
    


 


Diluted

   $ 1.27     $ 0.93  
    


 


Weighted average Limited Partners’ units outstanding:

                

Basic

     22,771,793       22,767,278  
    


 


Diluted

     22,866,346       22,767,278  
    


 


(See Accompanying Notes)

 

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SUNOCO LOGISTICS PARTNERS L.P.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

     Partnership

 
     June 30,
2003


    December 31,
2002


 

Assets

                

Current Assets

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 38,399     $ 33,840  

Advances to affiliates (Note 3)

     8,441       10,716  

Accounts receivable, affiliated companies (Note 3)

     96,366       105,466  

Accounts receivable, net

     338,212       251,071  

Inventories:

                

Crude oil

     25,685       24,641  

Materials, supplies and other

     724       1,103  
    


 


Total Current Assets

     507,827       426,837  
    


 


Properties, plants and equipment

     987,653       972,499  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (412,292 )     (398,985 )
    


 


Properties, plants and equipment, net

     575,361       573,514  
    


 


Investment in affiliates (Note 5)

     67,017       65,733  

Deferred charges and other assets

     24,224       27,796  
    


 


Total Assets

   $ 1,174,429     $ 1,093,880  
    


 


Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

                

Current Liabilities

                

Accounts payable

   $ 435,836     $ 356,977  

Accrued liabilities

     20,600       25,090  

Current portion of long-term debt (Note 6)

     322       303  

Taxes payable

     9,250       11,273  
    


 


Total Current Liabilities

     466,008       393,643  

Long-term debt (Note 6)

     317,005       317,142  

Other deferred credits and liabilities

     1,225       745  

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 7)

                
    


 


Total Liabilities

     784,238       711,530  
    


 


Partners’ Capital:

                

Limited Partners’ interest

     384,316       376,632  

General Partner’s interest

     5,875       5,718  
    


 


Total Partners’ Capital

     390,191       382,350  
    


 


Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

   $ 1,174,429     $ 1,093,880  
    


 


 

(See Accompanying Notes)

 

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SUNOCO LOGISTICS PARTNERS L.P.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

     Partnership

   

Partnership

and

Predecessor


 
    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

                

Net income

   $ 29,705     $ 25,046  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/ (used in) operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     13,594       12,712  

Deferred income tax expense

     —         675  

Changes in working capital pertaining to operating activities:

                

Accounts receivable, affiliated companies

     9,100       (85,021 )

Accounts receivable, net

     (87,141 )     (27,186 )

Inventories

     (665 )     (8,606 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     74,369       19,388  

Taxes payable

     (2,023 )     2,850  

Other

     2,382       (6,455 )
    


 


Net cash provided by/ (used in) operating activities

     39,321       (66,597 )
    


 


Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

                

Capital expenditures

     (14,970 )     (15,172 )

Collection of note receivable from affiliate

     —         20,000  
    


 


Net cash (used in) /provided by investing activities

     (14,970 )     4,828  
    


 


Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

                

Distributions paid to unitholders and general partner

     (22,656 )     (6,040 )

Net proceeds from issuance of common units to the public

     —         98,314  

Advances from/ (to) affiliates, net

     2,275       (13,713 )

Repayments of long-term debt

     (203 )     (124 )

Repayments of long-term debt due affiliate

     —         (50,000 )

Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     —         245,573  

Special distribution to Sunoco

     —         (245,573 )

Contributions from Sunoco

     792       40,217  
    


 


Net cash (used in) /provided by financing activities

     (19,792 )     68,654  
    


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     4,559       6,885  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     33,840       —    
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 38,399     $ 6,885  
    


 


 

(See Accompanying Notes)

 

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SUNOCO LOGISTICS PARTNERS L.P.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

 

Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership formed by Sunoco, Inc. in October 2001 to acquire, own, and operate a substantial portion of Sunoco, Inc.’s logistics business, consisting of refined product pipelines, terminalling and storage assets, crude oil pipelines, and crude oil acquisition and marketing assets located in the Northeast, Midwest and Southwest United States (collectively, “Sunoco Logistics (Predecessor)” or the “Predecessor”).

 

The accompanying condensed financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting. They do not include all disclosures normally made in financial statements contained in Form 10-K. In management’s opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods shown have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year 2003. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2003 presentation.

 

The financial statements of Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. reflect historical cost-basis accounts of the Predecessor for periods prior to February 8, 2002, the closing date of the Partnership’s initial public offering (the “IPO”—see Note 2), and include charges from Sunoco, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Sunoco”) for direct costs and allocations of indirect corporate overhead. Management of the Partnership believes that the allocation methods are reasonable and that the allocations are representative of the costs that would have been incurred on a stand-alone basis. Beginning on February 8, 2002, the condensed financial statements reflect the consolidated financial statements of the Partnership and its subsidiaries. Equity ownership interests in corporate joint ventures, which are not consolidated, are accounted for under the equity method.

 

2. The Initial Public Offering

 

On February 8, 2002, Sunoco, through its subsidiary, Sunoco Partners LLC, the general partner of the Partnership, contributed the Predecessor to the Partnership in exchange for: (i) a 2% general partner interest in the Partnership; (ii) incentive distribution rights (as defined in the Partnership Agreement); (iii) 5,633,639 common units; (iv) 11,383,639 subordinated units; and (v) a special interest representing the right to receive from the Partnership, on the closing of the IPO, the net proceeds from the issuance of $250 million of ten-year senior notes (the “Senior Notes”) by Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations L.P., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership (the “Operating Partnership”). The Partnership concurrently issued 5,750,000 common units (including 750,000 units issued pursuant to the underwriters’ over-allotment option) in an IPO at a price of $20.25 per unit. Net proceeds from the IPO were used by the Partnership to establish working capital that was not contributed to the Partnership by Sunoco.

 

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3. Related Party Transactions

 

Prior to the IPO, substantially all of the related party transactions discussed below were settled immediately through the net parent investment account. Subsequent to the IPO, normal trade terms apply to transactions with Sunoco as described in various agreements discussed below which were entered into concurrent with the IPO.

 

Advances to Affiliates

 

The Partnership entered into a treasury services agreement with Sunoco at the closing of the IPO pursuant to which it, among other things, participates in Sunoco’s centralized cash management program. Under this program, all of the Partnership’s cash receipts and cash disbursements are processed, together with those of Sunoco and its other subsidiaries, through Sunoco’s cash accounts with a corresponding credit or charge to an intercompany account. The intercompany balances are settled periodically, but no less frequently than monthly. Amounts due from Sunoco earn interest at a rate equal to the average rate of the Partnership’s third-party money market investments, while amounts due to Sunoco bear interest at a rate equal to the interest rate provided in the Partnership’s revolving credit facility (see Note 6).

 

Accounts Receivable, Affiliated Companies

 

Affiliated revenues in the condensed statements of income consist of sales of crude oil as well as the provision of crude oil and refined product pipeline transportation, terminalling and storage services to Sunoco, Inc. (R&M) (“Sunoco R&M”). Sales of crude oil are computed using the formula-based pricing mechanism of a supply agreement with Sunoco R&M. Management of the Partnership believes these terms in the aggregate to be comparable to those that could be negotiated with an unrelated third party. Pipeline revenues are generally determined using posted tariffs. Concurrent with the closing of the IPO, the Partnership entered into a pipeline and terminals storage and throughput agreement under which the Partnership is charging Sunoco R&M fees for services provided under these agreements comparable to those charged in arm’s-length, third-party transactions and Sunoco R&M has agreed to pay the Partnership a minimum level of revenues for transporting and terminalling refined products. Sunoco R&M also has agreed to minimum throughputs of refined products and crude oil in the Partnership’s Inkster Terminal, Fort Mifflin Terminal Complex, Marcus Hook Tank Farm and certain crude oil pipelines.

 

Under various other agreements entered into at the closing of the IPO, Sunoco R&M is, among other things, purchasing from the Partnership, at market-based rates, particular grades of crude oil that the Partnership’s crude oil acquisition and marketing business purchases for delivery to certain pipelines. These agreements automatically renew on a monthly basis unless terminated by either party on 30 days written notice. Sunoco R&M also leases the Partnership’s 58 miles of interrefinery pipelines between Sunoco R&M’s Philadelphia and Marcus Hook refineries for a term of 20 years.

 

Corporate Functions

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed statements of income include costs incurred by Sunoco for the provision of centralized corporate functions such as legal, accounting, treasury, engineering, information technology, insurance and other corporate services.

 

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Prior to the closing of the IPO, such expenses were based on amounts negotiated between the parties, which approximated Sunoco’s cost of providing services. Under an omnibus agreement (“Omnibus Agreement”) with Sunoco that the Partnership entered into at the closing of the IPO, Sunoco provides these centralized corporate functions for three years for an annual administrative fee, which may be increased annually by the lesser of 2.5% or the consumer price index for the applicable year. The fee for the annual period ending December 31, 2003 is $8.2 million. These costs may also increase if the Partnership makes an acquisition or constructs additional assets that require an increase in the level of general and administrative services received by the Partnership from the general partner or Sunoco. The annual fee includes expenses incurred by Sunoco to perform the centralized corporate functions described above. This fee does not include the costs of shared insurance programs, which are allocated to the Partnership based upon its share of the premiums incurred. This fee also does not include salaries of pipeline and terminal personnel or other employees of the general partner, including senior executives, or the cost of their employee benefits. The Partnership is reimbursing Sunoco for these costs and other direct expenses incurred on the Partnership’s behalf.

 

Allocated Sunoco employee benefit plan expenses for employees who work in the pipeline, terminalling, storage and crude oil gathering operations, including senior executives, include non-contributory defined benefit retirement plans, defined contribution 401(k) plans, employee and retiree medical, dental and life insurance plans, incentive compensation plans, and other such benefits. These expenses are reflected in cost of products sold and operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed statements of income. In connection with the transfer of the Predecessor’s operations to the Partnership, these employees, including senior executives, became employees of the Partnership’s general partner or its affiliates, which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sunoco. The Partnership has no employees.

 

Note Receivable from Affiliate

 

Effective October 1, 2000, the Predecessor loaned $20.0 million to Sunoco. The loan, which was evidenced by a note, was repaid on January 1, 2002.

 

Long-Term Debt due Affiliate

 

At December 31, 2001, the Predecessor had four variable-rate notes totaling $140.0 million due to Sunoco. The notes bore interest at a rate based on the short-term applicable federal rate established by the Internal Revenue Service. The Predecessor repaid $50.0 million of this debt prior to the IPO. The remaining debt was not assumed by the Partnership.

 

Capital Contributions

 

The Omnibus Agreement with Sunoco requires Sunoco R&M to, among other things, reimburse the Partnership for up to $10.0 million of expenditures required at the Marcus Hook Tank Farm and the Darby Creek Tank Farm to maintain compliance with existing industry standards and regulatory requirements. During the six months ended June 30, 2003, the Partnership received $0.8 million from Sunoco R&M, consisting of $0.5 million for maintenance capital expenditures and $0.3 million for operating expenses, under this provision within the Omnibus Agreement. The Partnership recorded this amount as a capital contribution. No amounts were recorded under this provision for the six months ended June 30, 2002.

 

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4. Net Income Per Unit Data

 

Prior to the Partnership’s IPO on February 8, 2002, there were no limited partner units outstanding. As such, net income per unit presented for 2002 is for the period from February 8, 2002 to June 30, 2002. The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the weighted average number of limited partner units used to compute basic net income per limited partner unit to those used to compute diluted net income per limited partner unit for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002:

 

    

Three Months

Ended

June 30,


  

Six Months

Ended

June 30, 2003


  

Period from

February 8 to

June 30, 2002


     2003

   2002

     

Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding—basic

   22,771,793    22,767,278    22,771,793    22,767,278

Effect of dilutive unit incentive awards

   103,997    —      94,553    —  
    
  
  
  

Weighted average number of limited partner units—diluted

   22,875,790    22,767,278    22,866,346    22,767,278
    
  
  
  

 

5. Investment in Affiliates

 

The Partnership’s ownership percentages in corporate joint ventures as of June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 are as follows:

 

    

Ownership

Percentage


 

Explorer Pipeline Company

   9.4 %

Wolverine Pipe Line Company

   31.5 %

West Shore Pipe Line Company

   9.2 %

Yellowstone Pipe Line Company

   14.0 %

West Texas Gulf Pipe Line Company

   43.8 %

 

The following table provides summarized combined statement of income data on a 100% basis for the Partnership’s corporate joint venture interests for the three-months and six-months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002. The results of Wolverine, West Shore, Yellowstone and West Texas Gulf have been included from their date of acquisition on November 15, 2002 (see Note 8) (in thousands of dollars):

 

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     Partnership

   Partnership

  

Partnership
and

Predecessor


     Three Months Ended
June 30,


   Six Months Ended
June 30,


     2003

   2002

   2003

   2002

Income Statement Data:

                           

Total revenues

   $ 80,343    $ 51,093    $ 153,067    $ 97,460

Net income

   $ 22,134    $ 17,382    $ 44,270    $ 34,830

 

The following table provides summarized combined balance sheet data on a 100% basis for the Partnership’s corporate joint venture interests as of June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 (in thousands of dollars):

 

     Partnership

     June 30,
2003


   December 31,
2002


Balance Sheet Data:

             

Current assets

   $ 90,884    $ 100,132

Non-current assets

     469,396      441,720

Current liabilities

     76,133      70,404

Non-current liabilities

     428,696      419,563

Net equity

     55,451      51,885

 

The Partnership’s investments in Wolverine, West Shore, Yellowstone, and West Texas Gulf at June 30, 2003 exceeds the Partnership’s proportionate share of the net assets of the entities by $53.0 million. This excess is allocated as follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

     Partnership

    

June 30,

2003


Pipeline and related assets

   $ 22,910

Land (including rights of way)

     8,207

Goodwill

     21,926
    

     $ 53,043
    

 

The excess investment allocated to pipeline and related assets is being amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life of 40 years and is included within depreciation and amortization in the condensed statements of income. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

 

6. Long-Term Debt

 

The components of long-term debt (including current portion) are as follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

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     Partnership

 
    

June 30,

2003


   

December 31,

2002


 

Credit Facility

   $ 64,500     $ 64,500  

Senior Notes

     250,000       250,000  

Less unamortized bond discount

     (1,449 )     (1,533 )
    


 


       313,051       312,967  

Other (including current portion)

     4,276       4,478  
    


 


     $ 317,327     $ 317,445  
    


 


 

In conjunction with the IPO, the Operating Partnership issued $250.0 million of ten-year, 7.25% Senior Notes at 99.325% of the principal amount and established a revolving credit facility that matures January 2005 (the “Credit Facility”) with a committed sum of $250 million at June 30, 2003. The Senior Notes are redeemable, at a make-whole premium, and are not subject to sinking fund provisions. The Senior Notes contain various covenants limiting the Operating Partnership’s ability to incur certain liens, engage in sale/leaseback transactions, or merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of its assets. The Operating Partnership is in compliance with these covenants as of June 30, 2003. In addition, the Senior Notes are also subject to repurchase by the Operating Partnership at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon a change of control to a non-investment grade entity. The Operating Partnership distributed the net proceeds from the sale of the outstanding Senior Notes to the Partnership for distribution to Sunoco.

 

The Credit Facility is available to fund the Operating Partnership’s working capital requirements, to finance future acquisitions and for general partnership purposes. It may also be used to fund the quarterly distribution to a maximum of $20.0 million. Borrowings under this distribution sublimit must be reduced to zero each year for a 15-day period. The Credit Facility will bear interest at the Operating Partnership’s option, at either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin or (ii) the higher of the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or the Bank of America prime rate (each plus the applicable margin). The interest rate on the outstanding borrowings at June 30, 2003 was 1.9%. The Credit Facility may be prepaid at any time. The Credit Facility contains various covenants limiting the Operating Partnership’s ability to incur indebtedness; grant certain liens; make certain loans, acquisitions and investments; make any material change to the nature of its business; acquire another company; or enter into a merger or sale of assets, including the sale or transfer of interests in the Operating Partnership’s subsidiaries. The Credit Facility also contains covenants requiring the Operating Partnership to maintain, on a rolling four-quarter basis, a ratio of total debt to EBITDA (each as defined in the credit agreement) up to 4.0 to 1; and an interest coverage ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of at least 3.5 to 1. The Operating Partnership is in compliance with these covenants as of June 30, 2003. At June 30, 2003, the Partnership’s ratio of total debt to EBITDA was 3.0 to 1 and the interest coverage ratio was 5.1 to 1.

 

The Partnership and the operating subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership serve as joint and several guarantors of the Senior Notes and of any obligations under the Credit Facility. The guarantees are full and unconditional.

 

The Partnership has no operations and its only assets are its investments in its wholly-owned partnerships and subsidiaries. The Operating Partnership also has no operations and its assets are limited primarily to its investments in its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, deferred charges

 

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of $3.3 million, and cash and cash equivalents of $38.4 million. Except for amounts associated with the Senior Notes, Credit Facility, and cash and cash equivalents, the assets and liabilities in the condensed balance sheets and the revenues and costs and expenses in the condensed statements of income are attributable to the operating subsidiaries.

 

7. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

 

As part of the agreement to purchase Wolverine in November 2002 (see Note 8), the Partnership agreed to assume participation in an agreement along with the other owners of Wolverine to guarantee certain outstanding debt instruments of Wolverine based upon ownership percentage. Based upon outstanding indebtedness of these instruments of approximately $9.2 million at June 30, 2003, the approximate amount of the guarantee is $2.9 million.

 

The Partnership is subject to numerous federal, state and local laws which regulate the discharge of materials into the environment or that otherwise relate to the protection of the environment. These laws and regulations result in liabilities and loss contingencies for remediation at the Partnership’s facilities and at third-party or formerly owned sites. The accrued liability for environmental remediation in the condensed balance sheets at June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 was $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively. These liabilities do not include any amounts attributable to unasserted claims; nor have any recoveries from insurance been assumed.

 

Total future costs for environmental remediation activities will depend upon, among other things, the identification of new sites, the determination of the extent of any contamination at each site, the timing and nature of required remedial actions, the technology available and needed to meet the various existing legal requirements, the nature and extent of future environmental laws, inflation rates and the determination of the Partnership’s liability at multi-party sites, if any, in light of uncertainties with respect to joint and several liability, and the number, participation levels and financial viability of other parties. As discussed below, the Partnership’s future costs will also be impacted by an indemnification from Sunoco.

 

Sunoco has indemnified the Partnership for 30 years from environmental and toxic tort liabilities related to the assets contributed to the Partnership that arise from the operation of such assets prior to the closing of the February 2002 IPO. Sunoco has indemnified the Partnership for 100% of all losses asserted within the first 21 years of closing. Sunoco’s share of liability for claims asserted thereafter will decrease by 10% a year. For example, for a claim asserted during the twenty-third year after closing, Sunoco would be required to indemnify the Partnership for 80% of its loss. There is no monetary cap on the amount of indemnity coverage provided by Sunoco. The Partnership has agreed to indemnify Sunoco and its affiliates for events and conditions associated with the operation of the Partnership’s assets that occur on or after the closing of the February 2002 IPO and for environmental and toxic tort liabilities to the extent Sunoco is not required to indemnify the Partnership.

 

Sunoco also has indemnified the Partnership for liabilities, other than environmental and toxic tort liabilities related to the assets contributed to the Partnership, that arise out of Sunoco’s ownership and operation of the assets prior to the closing of the February 2002 IPO and that are asserted within 10 years after closing. In addition, Sunoco has indemnified the Partnership from liabilities relating to certain defects in

 

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title to the assets contributed to the Partnership and associated with failure to obtain certain consents and permits necessary to conduct its business that arise within 10 years after closing of the February 2002 IPO as well as from liabilities relating to legal actions currently pending against Sunoco or its affiliates and events and conditions associated with any assets retained by Sunoco or its affiliates.

 

Management of the Partnership does not believe that any liabilities which may arise from claims indemnified by Sunoco would be material in relation to the financial position of the Partnership at June 30, 2003.

 

8. Acquisitions

 

On November 15, 2002, the Partnership acquired a company whose assets included equity ownership interests in three Midwestern and Western United States products pipeline companies, consisting of a 31.5% interest in Wolverine Pipe Line Company, a 9.2% interest in West Shore Pipe Line Company, and a 14.0% interest in Yellowstone Pipe Line Company, for an aggregate purchase price of $54.0 million.

 

On November 15, 2002, the Partnership acquired a 43.8% equity ownership interest in West Texas Gulf Pipe Line Company, a Texas crude oil pipeline, for an aggregate purchase price of $10.6 million from Sunoco. Consideration paid to Sunoco for the acquisition included $10.5 million in cash and 4,515 Partnership common units with a value of $0.1 million at the date of the transaction. Since the acquisition was from a related party, the interest in West Texas Gulf was recorded by the Partnership at Sunoco’s historical cost of $11.7 million. The additional $1.1 million was reflected as a capital contribution from Sunoco.

 

The following information compares the actual results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 to the unaudited pro forma data for the comparable prior year periods as if the acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2002 (in thousands except per unit amounts):

 

     Partnership

   Partnership

  

Partnership
and

Predecessor


     Three Months Ended
June 30,


   Six Months Ended
June 30,


     2003

   2002

   2003

   2002

Total revenues

   $ 660,155    $ 453,958    $ 1,379,799    $ 802,116

Net income

   $ 11,862    $ 13,745    $ 29,705    $ 27,759

Net income per Limited Partner unit (six months ended June 30, 2002 is for the period from February 8 through June 30, 2002):

                           

Basic

   $ 0.51    $ 0.58    $ 1.28    $ 1.03

Diluted

   $ 0.51    $ 0.58    $ 1.27    $ 1.03

 

Net income utilized for net income per Limited Partner unit calculation purposes for the three months ended June 30, 2002 and for the period from February 8, 2002 to June 30, 2002 was $13.3 million and $23.5 million, respectively.

 

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9. Cash Distributions

 

The Partnership distributes all cash on hand, less reserves established by the general partner in its discretion, within 45 days after the end of each quarter. This is defined as “available cash” in the partnership agreement. The general partner has broad discretion to establish cash reserves that it determines are necessary or appropriate to properly conduct the Partnership’s business. The Partnership will make quarterly distributions to the extent there is sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to the general partner.

 

As presented in the table below, if cash distributions exceed $0.50 per unit in a quarter, the general partner will receive increasing percentages, up to 50%, of the cash distributed in excess of that amount. These distributions are referred to as “incentive distributions.” The amounts shown in the table below are the percentage interests of the general partner and the unitholders in any available cash from operating surplus that is distributed up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “Quarterly Cash Distribution per Unit,” until the available cash that is distributed reaches the next target distribution level, if any. The percentage interests shown for the unitholders and the general partner for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution.

 

Quarterly Cash Distribution per Unit:


   Unitholders

   

General

Partner


 

Up to Minimum Quarterly Distribution ($0.45 per Unit)

   98 %   2 %

Above $0.45 per Unit up to $0.50 per Unit

   98 %   2 %

Above $0.50 per Unit up to $0.575 per Unit

   85 %   15 %

Above $0.575 per Unit up to $0.70 per Unit

   75 %   25 %

Above $0.70 per Unit

   50 %   50 %

 

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There is no guarantee that the Partnership will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units in any quarter, and the Partnership will be prohibited from making any distributions to unitholders if it would cause an event of default, or if an event of default is existing, under the Credit Facility or the Senior Notes.

 

Distributions paid by the Partnership for the period from February 8, 2002, the closing date of the IPO, through June 30, 2003 were as follows:

 

Date Cash Distribution Paid


   Per Unit Cash
Distribution
Amount


  

Total Cash

Distribution to

the Limited

Partners


  

Total Cash
Distribution to

the General

Partner


          ($ in millions)    ($ in millions)

May 15, 2003

   $ 0.4875    $ 11.1    $ 0.2

February 14, 2003

   $ 0.4875    $ 11.1    $ 0.2

November 14, 2002

   $ 0.45    $ 10.3    $ 0.2

August 14, 2002

   $ 0.45    $ 10.3    $ 0.2

May 15, 2002

   $ 0.26    $ 5.9    $ 0.1

 

On July 23, 2003, the Partnership declared a cash distribution of $0.50 per unit on its outstanding common and subordinated units representing the distribution for the quarter ended June 30, 2003. The $11.6 million distribution, including $0.2 million to the general partner, will be paid on August 14, 2003 to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 4, 2003. The distribution paid on May 15, 2002 represented the minimum quarterly distribution for the 52-day period from the closing date of the IPO, February 8, 2002, through March 31, 2002.

 

10. Business Segment Information

 

The following tables set forth statement of income information concerning the Partnership’s business segments and reconcile total segment operating income to net income for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 (in thousands of dollars):

 

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SUNOCO LOGISTICS PARTNERS L.P.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Partnership

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


     2003

   2002

Segment Operating Income

             

Eastern Pipeline System:

             

Sales and other operating revenue:

             

Affiliates

   $ 17,803    $ 18,228

Unaffiliated customers

     4,856      5,621

Other income

     2,626      1,767
    

  

Total Revenues

     25,285      25,616
    

  

Operating expenses

     9,447      10,614

Depreciation and amortization

     2,801      2,362

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     4,725      3,980
    

  

Total Costs and Expenses

     16,973      16,956
    

  

Operating Income

   $ 8,312    $ 8,660
    

  

Terminal Facilities:

             

Sales and other operating revenue:

             

Affiliates

   $ 15,160    $ 13,460

Unaffiliated customers

     7,494      7,960

Other income

     8      —  
    

  

Total Revenues

     22,662      21,420
    

  

Operating expenses

     9,525      8,565

Depreciation and amortization

     2,840      2,697

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     3,502      2,614
    

  

Total Costs and Expenses

     15,867      13,876
    

  

Operating Income

   $ 6,795    $ 7,544
    

  

Western Pipeline System:

             

Sales and other operating revenue:

             

Affiliates

   $ 280,124    $ 276,136

Unaffiliated customers

     331,504      129,035

Other income

     580      1
    

  

Total Revenues

     612,208      405,172
    

  

Cost of products sold and operating expenses

     604,673      399,819

Depreciation and amortization

     1,424      1,414

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     4,400      3,080
    

  

Total Costs and Expenses

     610,497      404,313
    

  

Operating Income

   $ 1,711    $ 859
    

  

Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Net Income:

             

Operating Income:

             

Eastern Pipeline System

   $ 8,312    $ 8,660

Terminal Facilities

     6,795      7,544

Western Pipeline System

     1,711      859
    

  

Total segment operating income

     16,818      17,063

Net interest expense

     4,956      4,556
    

  

Net Income

   $ 11,862    $ 12,507
    

  

 

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Table of Contents
     Partnership

  

Partnership

and

Predecessor


    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


     2003

   2002

Segment Operating Income

             

Eastern Pipeline System:

             

Sales and other operating revenue:

             

Affiliates

   $ 35,314    $ 35,543

Unaffiliated customers

     10,851      11,057

Other income

     5,287      3,511
    

  

Total Revenues

     51,452      50,111
    

  

Operating expenses

     18,888      22,050

Depreciation and amortization

     5,269      4,929

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     9,290      8,006
    

  

Total Costs and Expenses

     33,447      34,985
    

  

Operating Income

   $ 18,005    $ 15,126
    

  

Terminal Facilities:

             

Sales and other operating revenue:

             

Affiliates

   $ 29,557    $ 27,535

Unaffiliated customers

     15,191      15,019

Other income

     15      2
    

  

Total Revenues

     44,763      42,556
    

  

Operating expenses

     18,430      16,068

Depreciation and amortization

     5,577      5,082

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     6,561      5,253
    

  

Total Costs and Expenses

     30,568      26,403
    

  

Operating Income

   $ 14,195    $ 16,153
    

  

Western Pipeline System:

             

Sales and other operating revenue:

             

Affiliates

   $ 602,196    $ 482,214

Unaffiliated customers

     679,851      223,483

Other income

     1,537      3
    

  

Total Revenues

     1,283,584      705,700
    

  

Cost of products sold and operating expenses

     1,265,354      693,947

Depreciation and amortization

     2,748      2,701

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     8,423      6,152
    

  

Total Costs and Expenses

     1,276,525      702,800
    

  

Operating Income

   $ 7,059    $ 2,900
    

  

Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Net Income:

             

Operating Income:

             

Eastern Pipeline System

   $ 18,005    $ 15,126

Terminal Facilities

     14,195      16,153

Western Pipeline System

     7,059      2,900
    

  

Total segment operating income

     39,259      34,179

Net interest expense

     9,554      7,578

Income tax expense

     —        1,555
    

  

Net Income

   $ 29,705    $ 25,046
    

  

 

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The following table provides the identifiable assets for each segment as of June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 (in thousands):

 

     Partnership

    

June 30,

2003


  

December 31,

2002


Eastern Pipeline System

   $ 316,861    $ 318,128

Terminal Facilities

     213,650      212,286

Western Pipeline System

     590,752      512,966

Corporate and other

     53,166      50,500
    

  

Total identifiable assets

   $ 1,174,429    $ 1,093,880
    

  

 

Corporate and other assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, advances to affiliates and deferred charges.

 

11. New Accounting Standards

 

Effective January 1, 2003, the Partnership adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (“SFAS No. 143”). This statement significantly changed the method of accruing for costs that an entity is legally obligated to incur associated with the retirement of fixed assets. Under SFAS No. 143, the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation is recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the fixed asset and depreciated over its estimated useful life. Prior to January 1, 2003, a liability for an asset retirement obligation was recognized using a cost-accumulation measurement approach. The cumulative effect of this accounting change for years prior to 2003 of $0.4 million was included in cost of products sold and operating expenses in the condensed statement of income during the first quarter 2003. The Partnership did not reflect the amount as a cumulative effect of an accounting change as it was not material to the condensed financial statements. Other than the cumulative effect, this change did not have a significant impact on the Partnership’s condensed statements of income during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2003. At June 30, 2003, the Partnership’s liability for asset retirement obligations amounted to $0.6 million. The Partnership has legal asset retirement obligations for several other assets, including certain pipelines and terminals, where it is not possible to estimate the time period when the obligations will be settled. Consequently, the retirement obligations for these assets cannot be measured at this time.

 

Effective January 1, 2003, the Partnership adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” (“SFAS No. 146”). This statement superseded Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Terminal Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).” SFAS No. 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. Under SFAS No. 146, an entity’s commitment to a plan, by itself, does not create an obligation that meets the definition of a liability. SFAS No. 146 also establishes fair value as the objective for initial measurement of the liability. Severance pay would be recognized over time rather than at the plan commitment date if the benefit arrangement requires employees to render future service beyond a “minimum retention period.” The provisions of SFAS No. 146 are effective for exit or disposal

 

18


Table of Contents

activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. SFAS No. 146 only applies to prospective activities, and it had no impact on the Partnership’s financial position or results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Effective January 1, 2003, the Partnership adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FASB Interpretation No. 45”). The accounting recognition provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 45 are effective January 1, 2003 on a prospective basis. They require that a guarantor recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. Under prior accounting principles, a guarantee would not have been recognized as a liability until a loss was probable and reasonably estimable. FASB Interpretation No. 45 had no impact on the Partnership’s financial position or results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

In January 2003, FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FASB Interpretation No. 46”), was issued. It clarifies the application of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements”, to certain entities in which the equity investors do not have a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk. FASB Interpretation No. 46 became effective on January 31, 2003 for entities acquired after such date. The effective date for entities acquired on or before January 31, 2003 is July 1, 2003. The Partnership has not completed its evaluation of FASB Interpretation No. 46 and, therefore, is unable to estimate the impact, if any, on its consolidated financial statements at this time.

 

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

 

Results of Operations—Three Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002

 

Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.

Operating Highlights

Three Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


     2003

   2002

Eastern Pipeline System(1):

         

Total shipments (barrel miles per day)(2)

   52,508,100    54,583,293

Revenue per barrel mile (cents)

   0.474    0.480

Terminal Facilities:

         

Terminal throughput (bpd):

         

Nederland terminal

   415,076    449,083

Other terminals(3)

   780,712    754,000

Western Pipeline System(1):

         

Crude oil pipeline throughput (bpd)

   304,876    288,219

Crude oil purchases at wellhead (bpd)

   196,997    187,935

Gross margin per barrel of pipeline throughput (cents)(4)

   19.9    15.0

(1)   Excludes amounts attributable to equity ownership interests in the joint ventures.
(2)   Represents total average daily pipeline throughput multiplied by the number of miles of pipeline through which each barrel has been shipped.
(3)   Consists of the Partnership’s refined product terminals, the Fort Mifflin Terminal Complex and the Marcus Hook Tank Farm.
(4)   Represents total segment sales and other operating revenue minus cost of products sold and operating expenses and depreciation and amortization divided by crude oil pipeline throughput.

 

Analysis of Statements of Income

 

Net income was $11.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003 as compared with $12.5 million for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $0.6 million. This decrease was primarily the result of a $0.3 million decrease in operating income and a $0.4 million increase in net interest expense. Operating income decreased $0.3 million to $16.8 million for the second quarter 2003 compared with $17.1 million for the second quarter 2002 due primarily to an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a result of higher administrative expenses and increased insurance premiums. Partially offsetting this was equity income from the corporate joint ventures acquired in November 2002 and higher gross margins from the Western Pipeline System.

 

Sales and other operating revenue totaled $656.9 million for the second quarter 2003 as compared with $450.4 million for the corresponding 2002 period, an increase of $206.5 million. This increase was largely attributable to an increase in crude oil prices and higher lease acquisition and bulk volumes. The average price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil at

 

20


Table of Contents

Cushing, Oklahoma, the benchmark crude oil in the United States, increased to an average price of $28.90 per barrel for the second quarter 2003 from $26.26 for the second quarter 2002. Other income increased $1.4 million from the prior year period to $3.2 million for the second quarter 2003 due principally to equity income from the interests in corporate joint ventures acquired in November 2002, partially offset by a decline in equity income from Explorer pipeline due to lower volumes.

 

Total costs of products sold and operating expenses increased $204.6 million to $623.6 million for the second quarter 2003 from $419.0 million for the prior year period due primarily to the increase in crude oil prices and higher lease acquisition and bulk volumes described earlier. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2.9 million to $12.6 million for the second quarter 2003 from $9.7 million for the prior year period. This increase was primarily attributable to higher administrative costs and increased insurance premiums.

 

Net interest expense increased $0.4 million to $5.0 million for the second quarter 2003 from $4.6 million for the prior year period primarily due to interest on the $64.5 million outstanding on the Credit Facility in the current year’s quarter. The Credit Facility was drawn on November 15, 2002 to fund two acquisitions and was not outstanding in the prior year’s quarter.

 

Analysis of Segment Operating Income

 

Eastern Pipeline System:

 

Operating income for the Eastern Pipeline System was $8.3 million for the second quarter 2003 compared with $8.7 million for the prior year period. This $0.4 million decrease was primarily the result of a $1.2 million decrease in sales and other operating revenue, partially offset by a $0.9 million increase in other income. Sales and other operating revenue decreased compared with the prior year period due primarily to lower shipments. The increase in other income was due to the equity income from the interests in the corporate joint ventures acquired in November 2002, partially offset by a decline in equity income from Explorer pipeline due to lower volumes.

 

Total costs and expenses remained relatively consistent between periods. Operating expenses declined $1.2 million from the prior year period as a result of lower pipeline maintenance expenses. This was partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses due to higher allocated administrative and insurance expenses and a $0.4 million increase in depreciation and amortization.

 

Terminal Facilities

 

Operating income for the Terminal Facilities was $6.8 million for the second quarter 2003 compared with $7.5 million for the prior year period. This $0.7 million decrease was due to a $2.0 million increase in total costs and expenses, partially offset by a $1.2 million increase in total revenues. The $1.2 million increase in total revenues from the prior year period was largely due to higher combined volumes at the refined product terminals, the Fort Mifflin Terminal Complex, and the Marcus Hook Tank Farm (collectively referred to as the “Other Terminals”) as a result of continued high demand for distillates, including heating oil in the Northeast U.S. due to the colder spring weather. This was partially offset by a decline in revenue at

 

21


Table of Contents

the Nederland Terminal primarily due to lower volumes. Nederland is fully operational following a release in the second quarter from a third-party natural gas pipeline which passes through the terminal facility. Operations were fully restored within 72 hours of the event. The cause of the natural gas release and ensuing fire remains under investigation, and no expenses have been incurred or recorded in the statements of income related to this incident.

 

The $2.0 million increase in total costs and expenses from the prior year period was primarily due to a $1.0 million increase in operating expenses and a $0.9 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. Operating expenses were higher principally due to higher maintenance expenses at the Other Terminals. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased due to higher allocated administrative and insurance expenses.

 

Western Pipeline System

 

Operating income for the Western Pipeline System was $1.7 million for the second quarter 2003, an increase of $0.9 million from the prior year period. This increase was the result of a $1.6 million increase in gross margin and a $0.6 million increase in other income, partially offset by a $1.3 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Sales and other operating revenue and cost of products sold and operating expenses increased in the second quarter 2003 compared with the prior year period due to an increase in crude oil prices and higher lease acquisition and bulk volumes as discussed earlier. The $1.6 million increase in gross margin was primarily due to an increase in lease acquisition volumes and margins and higher trunk pipeline volumes and revenues compared with the prior year period. Other income increased $0.6 million due to equity income from the interest in the West Texas Gulf pipeline acquired in November 2002. Selling, general and administrative expenses were higher by $1.3 million due to higher allocated administrative and insurance expenses.

 

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Results of Operations—Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002

 

Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.

Operating Highlights

Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


     2003

   2002

Eastern Pipeline System(1) :

         

Total shipments (barrel miles per day) (2)

   53,596,270    54,581,522

Revenue per barrel mile (cents)

   0.476    0.472

Terminal Facilities:

         

Terminal throughput (bpd) :

         

Nederland terminal

   402,808    432,542

Other terminals (3)

   772,761    738,448

Western Pipeline System(1) :

         

Crude oil pipeline throughput (bpd)

   307,733    282,889

Crude oil purchases at wellhead (bpd)

   198,338    189,414

Gross margin per barrel of pipeline throughput (cents)(4)

   25.0    17.7

(1)   Excludes amounts attributable to equity ownership interests in the joint ventures.
(2)   Represents total average daily pipeline throughput multiplied by the number of miles of pipeline through which each barrel has been shipped.
(3)   Consists of the Partnership’s refined product terminals, the Fort Mifflin Terminal Complex and the Marcus Hook Tank Farm.
(4)   Represents total segment sales and other operating revenue minus cost of products sold and operating expenses and depreciation and amortization divided by crude oil pipeline throughput.

 

Analysis of Statements of Income

 

Net income was $29.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003 as compared with $25.0 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $4.7 million. This increase was primarily the result of a $5.1 million increase in operating income and a $1.6 million increase from the absence of corporate income taxes for the period prior to our initial public offering, partially offset by a $2.0 million increase in net interest expense. Operating income increased $5.1 million to $39.3 million for the first half of 2003 compared with $34.2 million for the prior year period due principally to higher gross margins from the Western Pipeline System, equity income from the corporate joint ventures acquired in 2002, and a decline in operating expenses at the Eastern Pipeline System. Partially offsetting these amounts was an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses due to higher administrative costs and increased insurance premiums.

 

Sales and other operating revenue totaled $1,373.0 million for the first half of 2003 as compared with $794.9 million for the corresponding

 

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2002 period, an increase of $578.1 million. This increase was largely attributable to an increase in crude oil prices and higher lease acquisition and bulk volumes. The average price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil at Cushing, Oklahoma, increased to an average price of $31.34 per barrel for the first six months of 2003 from $23.98 for the corresponding prior year period. Other income increased $3.3 million from the prior year period to $6.8 million for the first half of 2003 due principally to equity income from the interests in corporate joint ventures acquired in 2002, partially offset by a decline in equity income from Explorer pipeline as a result of lower volumes.

 

Total costs of products sold and operating expenses increased $570.6 million to $1,302.7 million for the first six months of 2003 from $732.1 million for the prior year period due primarily to the increase in crude oil prices and higher lease acquisition and bulk volumes described earlier. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4.9 million to $24.3 million for the first half of 2003 from $19.4 million for the prior year period. This increase was primarily attributable to higher administrative costs and increased insurance premiums.

 

Net interest expense increased $2.0 million to $9.6 million for the first six months of 2003 from $7.6 million for the prior year period due primarily to the interest on the Credit Facility borrowings not outstanding in the prior year period and interest on the $250 million 7.25% Senior Notes, issued concurrently with the IPO on February 8, 2002, being at a higher rate than the debt due Sunoco, Inc. in the prior year, which was at a floating interest rate.

 

Income tax expense for the first six months of 2003 decreased $1.6 million from the prior year period due to the absence of corporate income taxes in the current period due to the Partnership not being subject to income taxes from its inception on February 8, 2002.

 

Analysis of Segment Operating Income

 

Eastern Pipeline System:

 

Operating income for the Eastern Pipeline System was $18.0 million for the first six months of 2003 compared with $15.1 million for the prior year period. This $2.9 million increase was primarily the result of a $1.8 million increase in other income and a $1.5 million decrease in total costs and expenses, partially offset by a $0.4 million decrease in sales and other operating revenue. Sales and other operating revenue decreased compared with the prior year period due principally to a decrease in shipments, partially offset by slightly higher revenue per barrel mile. The increase in other income was due to the equity income from the interests in the corporate joint ventures acquired in 2002, partially offset by a decline in equity income from Explorer pipeline due to lower volumes.

 

The $1.5 million decrease in total costs and expenses from the prior year period was primarily due to a $3.2 million decline in operating expenses, partially offset by a $1.3 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses and a $0.4 million increase in depreciation and amortization. The decrease in operating expenses from the prior year period was due principally to the absence of costs associated with a pipeline release in January 2002 and lower pipeline maintenance expenses. As this pipeline release occurred prior to the IPO and the Partnership is indemnified by Sunoco, Inc. for liabilities associated with this incident,

 

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there was no impact on the Partnership’s post-IPO financial results. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was due to higher allocated administrative and insurance expenses.

 

Terminal Facilities

 

Operating income for the Terminal Facilities was $14.2 million for the first six months of 2003 compared with $16.2 million for the prior year period. This $2.0 million decrease was due to a $4.2 million increase in total costs and expenses, partially offset by a $2.2 million increase in total revenues. The $2.2 million increase in total revenues from the prior year period was largely due to higher combined volumes at the Other Terminals as a result of higher demand for distillates, including heating oil in the Northeast U.S. due to cold spring and winter weather. Revenue at the Nederland Terminal declined primarily due to lower volumes caused by rising foreign crude oil prices relative to domestic crude oil prices.

 

The $4.2 million increase in total costs and expenses from the prior year period was due to a $2.4 million increase in operating expenses, a $1.3 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, and a $0.5 million increase in depreciation and amortization. Operating expenses were higher principally due to higher maintenance expenses at the Other Terminals. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased due to higher allocated administrative and insurance expenses. Depreciation and amortization was higher compared with the prior year due to a higher depreciable asset base.

 

Western Pipeline System

 

Operating income for the Western Pipeline System was $7.1 million for the first six months of 2003, a $4.2 million increase from the prior year period. This increase was primarily the result of a $5.0 million increase in gross margin and a $1.5 million increase in other income, partially offset by a $2.3 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Sales and other operating revenue and cost of products sold and operating expenses increased in the first six months of 2003 compared with the prior year period due to an increase in crude oil prices and higher lease acquisition and bulk volumes as discussed earlier. The $5.0 million increase in gross margin was primarily due to an increase in lease acquisition volumes and margins and higher trunk pipeline volumes and revenues compared with the prior year period. These amounts were partially offset by higher pipeline integrity management expenses. Other income increased $1.5 million due to equity income from the interest in the West Texas Gulf pipeline acquired in 2002. Selling, general and administrative expenses were higher by $2.3 million due to higher allocated administrative and insurance expenses.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

General

 

Cash generated from operations and borrowings under the Credit Facility are the Partnership’s primary sources of liquidity. Management currently believes that the Partnership has sufficient liquid assets and cash from operations to satisfy its financial commitments, including debt service obligations, unitholder distributions, contingencies and anticipated maintenance capital expenditures. In addition, the Partnership’s working

 

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capital of $41.8 million at June 30, 2003 is based upon the relatively low historical costs assigned under the LIFO method of accounting for crude oil inventories reflected in the balance sheets. The current replacement cost of all such inventories exceed their carrying value at June 30, 2003 by $33.4 million. However, the Partnership is subject to business and operations risks that could adversely effect its cash flow. The Partnership may supplement its cash generation with proceeds from financing activities, including borrowings under the Credit Facility, other borrowings and the issuance of additional common units. In April 2003, the Credit Facility was amended to increase the aggregate committed sum to $250 million, increasing the remaining capacity under the facility to $185.5 million. In addition, the Partnership has a $500 million universal shelf registration statement which allows the issuance of additional common units or debt securities.

 

Cash Flows

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the first six months of 2003 was $39.3 million compared with net cash used in operating activities of $66.6 million in the prior year period. The increase in net cash provided between the periods is primarily due to a $6.4 million increase in working capital for the first half of 2003 compared with a $98.6 million increase for the first half of 2002. The increase in working capital in the corresponding prior year period is largely due to the replacement of working capital that was not contributed by Sunoco, Inc. to the Partnership upon formation. The net proceeds of the IPO were used to replenish the working capital shortfall. The working capital not contributed consisted primarily of $81.0 million of affiliated company accounts receivable and $13.5 million of crude oil inventory.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $15.0 million for the first six months of 2003 compared with net cash provided by investing activities of $4.8 million in the prior year period. The change between periods is due to the collection of a $20.0 million note receivable from the Claymont Investment Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sunoco, Inc., in the first quarter of 2002, and a $0.2 million decrease in capital expenditures between periods. See further discussion of capital expenditures under “Capital Requirements”.

 

Net cash used in financing activities for the first six months of 2003 was $19.8 million compared with net cash provided by financing activities of $68.7 million in the prior year period. The $19.8 million of net cash used for the first half of 2003 was due to $22.7 million of distributions paid to unitholders and the general partner, partially offset by $2.3 million of collections of advances to affiliate. The $68.7 million of net cash provided for the first half of 2002 includes the Partnership’s net proceeds of $98.3 million from the IPO and $40.2 million of capital contributions from Sunoco, Inc., partially offset by a $13.7 million repayment of advances to affiliate, a $50.0 million repayment of long-term debt due an affiliate and $6.0 million of distributions paid to unitholders and the general partner. In addition, net proceeds of $245.6 million from the issuance of the Senior Notes in conjunction with the IPO were distributed to Sunoco, Inc. For more information on the IPO and related transactions, see Note 2 to the condensed financial statements.

 

Capital Requirements

 

The pipeline, terminalling, and crude oil transport operations are capital intensive, requiring significant investment to upgrade or enhance existing operations and to meet environmental and operational regulations.

 

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The capital requirements have consisted, and are expected to continue to consist, primarily of:

 

    Maintenance capital expenditures, such as those required to maintain equipment reliability, tankage, and pipeline integrity and safety, and to address environmental regulations; and

 

    Expansion capital expenditures to acquire complementary assets to grow the business and to expand existing facilities, such as projects that increase storage or throughput volume.

 

The following table summarizes maintenance and expansion capital expenditures for the periods presented (in thousands of dollars):

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,


     2003

   2002

Maintenance

   $ 10,129    $ 10,057

Expansion

     4,841      5,115
    

  

     $ 14,970    $ 15,172
    

  

 

Maintenance capital expenditures for the first half of 2003 were $10.1 million, relatively consistent with the prior year period. Maintenance capital spending for the first half of 2003 includes the purchase of replacement crude oil transport trucks and trailers for the Western Pipeline System and recurring expenditures at each of our business segments such as pipeline integrity costs, pipeline relocations, repair and upgrade of field instrumentation, repair and replacement of tank floors and roofs, upgrades of cathodic protection systems, and the upgrade of pump stations. Management expects maintenance capital expenditures to be approximately $25.5 million in 2003.

 

Expansion capital expenditures decreased by $0.3 million to $4.8 million for the first six months of 2003 compared with the prior year period. The $4.8 million of expansion capital spending for the first half of 2003 was primarily for the construction of two new tanks and a new pump station at the Nederland Terminal. The new tanks added approximately 1.3 million barrels of storage capacity to the terminal, and both projects became operational during the second quarter 2003. Expansion capital spending for the first half of 2002 was primarily for the construction of a new tank at the Nederland Terminal that was placed into service during the second quarter 2002.

 

The Omnibus Agreement with Sunoco requires Sunoco R&M to, among other things, reimburse the Partnership for up to $10.0 million of expenditures required at the Marcus Hook Tank Farm and the Darby Creek Tank Farm to maintain compliance with existing industry standards and regulatory requirements. During the six months ended June 30, 2003, the Partnership received $0.8 million from Sunoco R&M, consisting of $0.5 million for maintenance capital expenditures and $0.3 million for operating expenses, under this provision within the Omnibus Agreement. The Partnership recorded this amount as a capital contribution. No amounts were recorded under this provision for the six months ended June 30, 2002.

 

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The Partnership expects to fund capital expenditures, including any acquisitions, from cash provided by operations and, to the extent necessary, from the proceeds of:

 

    borrowing under the Credit Facility discussed above and other borrowings; and

 

    issuance of additional common units.

 

Other Event

 

In April 2003, Sunoco, Inc. signed a letter of intent to acquire El Paso Corporation’s 150 thousand barrels-per-day Eagle Point refinery and related assets located in Westville, NJ. These assets include certain pipeline and terminalling assets (“Eagle Point Logistics Assets”) that Sunoco must offer to the Partnership pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement. A value for the Eagle Point Logistics Assets has not yet been determined. The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals and negotiation of final definitive agreements. Sunoco is currently responding to requests for additional information from the Federal Trade Commission.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The Partnership is exposed to various market risks, including volatility in crude oil commodity prices and interest rates. To manage such exposures, inventory levels and expectations of future commodity prices and interest rates are monitored when making decisions with respect to risk management. The Partnership has not entered into derivative transactions that would expose it to price risk.

 

The $250 million Credit Facility exposes the Partnership to interest rate risk since it bears interest at a variable rate (1.9% at June 30, 2003). A one percent change in interest rates changes annual interest expense by approximately $645,000 based upon outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility of $64.5 million at June 30, 2003.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain matters discussed in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, excluding historical information, include forward-looking statements made in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

Forward-looking statements discuss expected future results based on current and pending business operations, and may be identified by words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “planned”, “scheduled” or similar expressions. Although management of the Partnership believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are based upon a number of assumptions, any or all of which may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Statements made regarding future results are subject to numerous assumptions, uncertainties and risks that may cause future results to be materially different from the results stated or implied in this document.

 

The following are among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any results projected, forecasted, estimated or budgeted:

 

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  Changes in the demand both for crude oil we buy and sell, as well as for crude oil and refined petroleum products that we store and distribute;

 

  Changes in demand for storage in the Partnership’s petroleum product terminals;

 

  The loss of Sunoco(R&M) as a customer or a significant reduction in its current level of throughput and storage with the Partnership;

 

  An increase in the competition encountered by the Partnership’s petroleum products terminals, pipelines and crude oil acquisition and marketing operations;

 

  Changes in the throughput on petroleum product pipelines owned and operated by third parties and connected to the Partnership’s petroleum product pipelines and terminals;

 

  Changes in the general economic conditions in the United States;

 

  Changes in laws and regulations to which the Partnership is subject, including federal, state, and local tax, safety, environmental and employment laws;

 

  Changes to existing or future state or federal government regulations banning or restricting the use of MTBE in gasoline;

 

  Improvements in energy efficiency and technology resulting in reduced demand;

 

  The Partnership’s ability to manage rapid growth;

 

  The Partnership’s ability to control costs;

 

  The effect of changes in accounting principles;

 

  Global and domestic economic repercussions from terrorist activities and international hostilities and the government’s response thereto;

 

  The occurrence of operational hazards or unforeseen interruptions for which the Partnership may not be adequately insured;

 

  Changes in the reliability and efficiency of the Partnership’s operating facilities or those of Sunoco R&M or third parties;

 

  Changes in the expected level of environmental remediation spending;

 

  Changes in insurance markets resulting in increased costs and reductions in the level and types of coverage available;

 

  The ability of announced acquisitions or expansions to be cash-flow accretive;

 

  The Partnership’s ability to successfully consummate announced acquisitions or expansions and integrate them into existing business operations;

 

  Risks related to labor relations;
  Non-performance by major customers, suppliers or other business partners;

 

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  Price trends and overall demand for refined petroleum products, crude oil and natural gas liquids in the United States, economic activity, weather, alternative energy sources, conservation and technological advances which may affect price trends and demand for the Partnership’s business activities;

 

  Changes in the Partnership’s tariff rates, implemented by federal and/or state government regulators;

 

  The amount of the Partnership’s indebtedness, which could make the Partnership vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limit the Partnership’s ability to borrow additional funds, place it at competitive disadvantages compared to competitors that have less debt or have other adverse consequences;

 

  Restrictive covenants in the Partnership’s or Sunoco, Inc.’s credit agreements;

 

  Changes in the Partnership’s or Sunoco, Inc.’s credit ratings, as assigned by ratings agencies;

 

  The condition of the debt capital markets and equity capital markets in the United States, and the Partnership’s ability to raise capital in a cost-effective way;

 

  Changes in interest rates on the Partnership’s outstanding debt, which could increase the costs of borrowing;

 

  The political and economic stability of the oil producing nations of the world; and

 

  The costs and effects of legal and administrative claims and proceedings against the Partnership or its subsidiaries, and changes in the status of litigation to which the Partnership is a party.

 

These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of the Partnership’s forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information or future events.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) As of the end of this fiscal quarter covered by this report, the Partnership carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the management of Sunoco Partners LLC, the Partnership’s general partner (including the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunoco Partners LLC and the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sunoco Partners LLC), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunoco Partners LLC and the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sunoco Partners LLC concluded that the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

(b) No change in the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting has occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that

 

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has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

(c) Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Partnership reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Partnership reports under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunoco Partners LLC and the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sunoco Partners LLC, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

There are certain legal and administrative proceedings pending against the Predecessor and the Partnership (as successor to certain liabilities of the Predecessor). Although the ultimate outcome of these proceedings cannot be ascertained at this time, it is reasonably possible that some of them may be resolved unfavorably. Sunoco, Inc. has agreed to indemnify the Partnership for any losses it may suffer as a result of these pending legal actions.

 

There are certain other pending legal proceedings related to matters arising after the IPO that are not indemnified by Sunoco, Inc. Management believes that any liabilities that may arise from these legal proceedings will not be material to the Partnership.

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Uses of Proceeds

 

None

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

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(a)   Exhibits

 

  12.1:   Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

  31.1:   Chief Executive Officer Certification of Periodic Report Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

  31.2:   Chief Financial Officer Certification of Periodic Report Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

  32   :   Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification of Periodic Report Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K

 

A report on Form 8-K, dated July 24, 2003, was furnished pursuant to Item 7—“Financial Statements and Exhibits” and Item 9—“Regulation FD Disclosure” of Form 8-K in connection with the Partnership’s earnings press release for the second quarter of 2003 that was issued on July 24, 2003. This release, which is required under Item 12—“Results of Operations and Financial Condition”, has been included under Item 9 pursuant to interim reporting guidance provided by the SEC. In this Form 8-K, the Partnership also furnished under Items 7 and 9 additional information concerning the Partnership’s second quarter earnings that was presented to investors in a teleconference call.

 

We are pleased to furnish this Form 10-Q to unitholders who request it by writing to:

 

Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.

Investor Relations

Ten Penn Center

1801 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-1699

 

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

SUNOCO LOGISTICS PARTNERS L.P.

By:

 

/s/ COLIN A. OERTON


    Colin A. Oerton
   

Vice President &

Chief Financial Officer

Date:

 

August 7, 2003

 

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