Attached files
file | filename |
---|---|
8-K - FORM 8-K - Energy Transfer, LP | h75589e8vk.htm |
EX-8.1 - EX-8.1 - Energy Transfer, LP | h75589exv8w1.htm |
EX-1.1 - EX-1.1 - Energy Transfer, LP | h75589exv1w1.htm |
EX-99.1 - EX-99.1 - Energy Transfer, LP | h75589exv99w1.htm |
Exhibit 5.1
717 Texas Avenue, 16th floor | ||||
Houston, TX 77002 | ||||
Tel: +1.713.546.5400 Fax: +1.713.546.5401 | ||||
www.lw.com | ||||
FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES | ||||
Abu Dhabi | Moscow | |||
Barcelona | Munich | |||
Beijing | New Jersey | |||
Brussels | New York | |||
August 18, 2010
|
Chicago | Orange County | ||
Doha | Paris | |||
Dubai | Riyadh | |||
Frankfurt | Rome | |||
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
|
Hamburg | San Diego | ||
3738 Oak Lawn Avenue
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Hong Kong | San Francisco | ||
Dallas, TX
|
Houston | Shanghai | ||
London | Silicon Valley | |||
Los Angeles | Singapore | |||
Madrid | Tokyo | |||
Milan | Washington, D.C. |
Re: | Registration Statement No. 333-147990; Issuance of up to 10,925,000 common units representing limited partner interests |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (the Partnership), in connection with the proposed issuance of up to 10,925,000
common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the Units). The Units are
included in a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Act), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on December 11, 2007
(Registration No. 333-147990) (as amended, the Registration Statement). This opinion is being
furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act,
and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration
Statement or related Prospectus, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of
the Units.
As such counsel, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have
considered appropriate for purposes of this letter. With your consent, we have relied upon
certificates and other assurances of officers of the general partner of the Partnerships general
partner and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual
matters. We are opining herein as to the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the
Delaware Act), and we express no opinion with respect to any other laws.
Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of
the date hereof, when the Units shall have been duly registered on the books of the transfer agent
and registrar therefor in the name or on behalf of the purchasers and have been issued by the
Partnership against payment therefor in the circumstances contemplated by the form of underwriting
agreement most recently filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, the issue and sale of
the Units will have been duly authorized by all necessary partnership action of the Partnership,
and the Units will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
Page 2
This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be
relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of
the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Companys Form 8-K dated
August 20, 2010 and to the reference to our firm in the Prospectus under the heading Legal
Matters. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ LATHAM & WATKINS LLP