Attached files

file filename
8-K - Breitburn Energy Partners LPv231201_8k.htm


BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P. Reports Strong Second Quarter Results

LOS ANGELES, August 8, 2011 — BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P. (the “Partnership”) (NASDAQ:BBEP) today announced financial and operating results for its second quarter of 2011.

Key Highlights

-
The Partnership had another quarter of strong operating and financial results, with production and lease operating expenses trending in-line with guidance and EBITDA trending towards the high end of the guidance range.
-
On June 14, 2011, the Partnership announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire crude oil properties in Niobrara County, Wyoming for $58.1 million. This acquisition closed on July 28, 2011 and is expected to immediately add approximately 500 Boe/day of net oil production to the Partnership.
-
On July 27, 2011, the Partnership announced an increased cash distribution for the second quarter of 2011 at the rate of $0.4225 per unit, or $1.69 per common unit on an annualized basis, to be paid on August 12, 2011 to the record holders of common units at the close of business on August 9, 2011.  This represents an increase of 10.5% over the cash distribution for the second quarter of 2010.
-
On July 27, 2011, the Partnership announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire natural gas and oil producing properties in Wyoming for approximately $285 million in cash. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and purchase price adjustments, including the exercise of preferential rights, and is expected to close before year end 2011.

Management Commentary

Hal Washburn, CEO, said: “The Partnership had strong performance this quarter with net production increasing 2% from the prior quarter, operating costs per Boe within the guidance range, and adjusted EBITDA trending towards the high end of the guidance range. In addition, we are excited to be executing on our acquisition strategy. Our two recent transactions in our Rocky Mountain region allow us to further expand our presence in the region and leverage our existing operational expertise in the area. Both acquisitions will be immediately accretive to distributable cash flow per unit and are consistent with our strategy of acquiring long-lived assets that have predictable production profiles and an inventory of low-risk exploitation and development opportunities.”

Second Quarter 2011 Operating and Financial Results Compared to First Quarter 2011

-
Total production increased from 1,629 MBoe in the first quarter of 2011 to 1,662 MBoe in the second quarter of 2011 primarily as a result of a seasonal increase in Michigan production.  Average daily production increased from 18,098 Boe/day in the first quarter of 2011 to 18,265 Boe/day in the second quarter of 2011.
 
o
Oil and NGL production was 782 MBoe compared to 773 MBoe.
 
o
Natural gas production was 5,277 MMcf compared to 5,138 MMcf.
-
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $51.6 million in the second quarter of 2011, down from $56.0 million in the first quarter of 2011. The decrease was primarily due to the timing of crude oil sales in Florida which impacted oil and natural gas sales revenue.

 
1

 

-
Lease operating expenses per Boe, which include district expenses and processing fees and exclude production/property taxes and transportation costs, increased to $18.41 per Boe in the second quarter of 2011 from $16.87 per Boe in the first quarter of 2011. The increase was primarily due to increased activity in both the Eastern and Western divisions exiting the winter months and increased utility and fuel costs.
-
General and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash unit-based compensation, decreased to $6.2 million, or $3.74 per Boe, in the second quarter of 2011 from $7.1 million, or $4.33 per Boe, in the first quarter of 2011, primarily reflecting higher first quarter expenses related to accounting and tax compliance.
-
Oil and natural gas sales revenues, including realized gains and losses on commodity derivative instruments, were $93.0 million in the second quarter of 2011, down from $99.0 million in the first quarter of 2011, primarily reflecting the timing of crude oil sales in Florida, with one sale occurring in the second quarter versus two sales in the first quarter.
-
Realized losses from commodity derivative instruments were $1.8 million in the second quarter of 2011 compared to realized gains of $6.4 million in the first quarter of 2011.
-
NYMEX WTI crude oil spot prices averaged $102.02 per barrel and NYMEX natural gas prices averaged $4.38 per Mcf in the second quarter of 2011 compared to $94.07 per barrel and $4.20 per Mcf, respectively, in the first quarter of 2011.
-
Realized crude oil and natural gas liquids prices averaged $79.48 per Boe and natural gas prices averaged $6.42 per Mcf in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $73.81 per Boe and $7.38 per Mcf, respectively, in the first quarter of 2011.
-
Net income, including the effect of unrealized gains on commodity derivative instruments, was $57.5 million, or $0.92 per diluted limited partner unit, in the second quarter of 2011 compared to a net loss of $94.7 million, or $1.67 per diluted limited partner unit, in the first quarter of 2011.
-
Capital expenditures totaled $28.1 million in the second quarter of 2011 compared to $9.7 million in the first quarter of 2011.

Impact of Derivative Instruments

The Partnership uses commodity and interest rate derivative instruments to mitigate the risks associated with commodity price volatility and changing interest rates and to help maintain cash flows for operating activities, acquisitions, capital expenditures, and distributions. The Partnership does not enter into derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.  Non-cash gains or losses do not affect Adjusted EBITDA, cash flow from operations or the Partnership’s ability to pay cash distributions.

Realized losses from commodity derivative instruments were $1.8 million during the second quarter of 2011.  Realized losses from interest rate derivative instruments were $1.1 million during the second quarter of 2011.  Non-cash unrealized gains from commodity derivative instruments were $48.2 million and non-cash unrealized losses from interest rate derivative instruments were $1.2 million during the second quarter of 2011.

 
2

 

Production, Income Statement and Realized Price Information

The following table presents production, selected income statement and realized price information for the three months ended June 30, 2011, March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2010:

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
March 31,
   
June 30,
 
Thousands of dollars, except as indicated
 
2011
   
2011
   
2010
 
Oil, natural gas and NGL sales (a)
  $ 94,742     $ 92,575     $ 82,079  
Realized gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments
    (1,751 )     6,443       18,435  
Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments
    48,234       (112,620 )     33,215  
Other revenues, net
    1,143       898       487  
Total revenues
  $ 142,368     $ (12,704 )   $ 134,216  
Lease operating expenses and processing fees
  $ 30,595     $ 27,485     $ 29,627  
Production and property taxes
    6,195       5,769       4,224  
Total lease operating expenses
  $ 36,790     $ 33,254     $ 33,851  
Transportation expenses
    1,010       1,423       1,231  
Purchases and other operating costs
    268       154       74  
Change in inventory
    (1,860 )     1,980       4,215  
Total operating costs
  $ 36,208     $ 36,811     $ 39,371  
Lease operating expenses pre taxes per Boe (b)
  $ 18.41     $ 16.87     $ 17.82  
Production and property taxes per Boe
    3.73       3.54       2.54  
Total lease operating expenses per Boe
    22.14       20.41       20.36  
General and administrative expenses excluding unit-based compensation
  $ 6,221     $ 7,058     $ 5,004  
Net income (loss)
  $ 57,523     $ (94,713 )   $ 53,597  
Net income (loss) per diluted limited partnership unit
  $ 0.92     $ (1.67 )   $ 0.94  
                         
Total production (MBoe)
    1,662       1,629       1,663  
Oil and NGL (MBoe)
    782       773       812  
Natural gas (MMcf)
    5,277       5,138       5,106  
Average daily production (Boe/d)
    18,265       18,098       18,270  
Sales volumes (MBoe)
    1,621       1,682       1,725  
Average realized sales price (per Boe) (c) (d)
  $ 57.29     $ 58.78     $ 58.30  
Oil and NGL (per Boe) (c) (d)
    79.48       73.81       69.99  
Natural gas (per Mcf) (c)
    6.42       7.38       7.70  

(a) Q2 2010 includes $123 of amortization of an intangible asset related to crude oil sales contracts.
(b) Includes lease operating expenses, district expenses and processing fees.
(c) Includes realized gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments.
(d) Includes crude oil purchases.  2010 excludes amortization of intangible asset related to crude oil sales contracts.

 
3

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release, the financial tables and other supplemental information, including the reconciliations of certain non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) measures to their nearest comparable generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) measures, may be used periodically by management when discussing the Partnership's financial results with investors and analysts and they are also available on the Partnership's website under the Investor Relations tab.

Among the non-GAAP financial measures used is “Adjusted EBITDA.”  This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, such as net income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.

Adjusted EBITDA is presented as management believes it provides additional information relative to the performance of the Partnership's business, such as our ability to meet our debt covenant compliance tests. This non-GAAP financial measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other publicly traded partnerships or limited liability companies because all companies may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner.

 
4

 

Adjusted EBITDA

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income or loss and net cash flows from operating activities, our most directly comparable GAAP financial performance and liquidity measures, to Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
March 31,
   
June 30,
 
Thousands of dollars
 
2011
   
2011
   
2010
 
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:
                 
                   
Net income (loss) attributable to the Partnership
  $ 57,455     $ (94,747 )   $ 53,569  
                         
Unrealized (gain) loss on commodity derivative instruments
    (48,234 )     112,620       (33,215 )
Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense
    25,025       24,641       23,909  
Interest expense and other financing costs (a)
    10,145       10,443       7,882  
Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives
    1,155       (1,366 )     (1,466 )
Loss on sale of assets
    40       14       381  
Income taxes
    616       (1,002 )     561  
Amortization of intangibles
    -       -       123  
Unit-based compensation expense (b)
    5,435       5,413       4,937  
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 51,637     $ 56,016     $ 56,681  

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
March 31,
   
June 30,
 
Thousands of dollars
 
2011
   
2011
   
2010
 
Reconciliation of net cash flows from operating activities to Adjusted EBITDA:
                 
                   
Net cash from operating activities
  $ 33,118     $ 54,399     $ 36,429  
                         
Increase (decrease) in assets net of liabilities relating to operating activities
    9,837       (7,597 )     13,528  
Interest expense (a) (c)
    8,896       9,139       6,949  
Income from equity affiliates, net
    (262 )     103       (144 )
Incentive compensation expense (d)
    14       (24 )     (19 )
Income taxes
    102       30       (34 )
Non-controlling interest
    (68 )     (34 )     (28 )
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 51,637     $ 56,016     $ 56,681  

(a) Includes realized gain/loss on interest rate derivatives.
(b) Represents non-cash long-term unit-based incentive compensation expense.
(c) Excludes amortization of debt issuance costs and amortization of Senior Note discount.
(d) Represents cash-based incentive compensation plan expense.

 
5

 

Hedge Portfolio Summary

The table below summarizes the Partnership’s commodity derivative hedge portfolio as of August 8, 2011.

   
Year
 
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
2015
 
Oil Positions:
                             
Fixed Price Swaps:
                             
Hedged Volume (Bbl/d)
    5,316       5,039       6,480       5,000       2,500  
Average Price ($/Bbl)
  $ 76.95     $ 77.15     $ 81.37     $ 88.59     $ 99.50  
Participating Swaps: (a)
                                       
Hedged Volume (Bbl/d)
    1,377       -       -       -       -  
Average Price ($/Bbl)
  $ 60.00     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Average Participation %
    53.1 %     -       -       -       -  
Collars:
                                       
Hedged Volume (Bbl/d)
    2,190       2,477       500       1,000       1,000  
Average Floor Price ($/Bbl)
  $ 103.68     $ 110.00     $ 77.00     $ 90.00     $ 90.00  
Average Ceiling Price ($/Bbl)
  $ 153.32     $ 145.39     $ 103.10     $ 112.00     $ 113.50  
Floors:
                                       
Hedged Volume (Bbl/d)
    -       -       -       -       -  
Average Floor Price ($/Bbl)
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Total:
                                       
Hedged Volume (Bbl/d)
    8,883       7,516       6,980       6,000       3,500  
Average Price ($/Bbl)
  $ 80.91     $ 87.97     $ 81.06     $ 88.83     $ 96.79  
                                         
Gas Positions:
                                       
Fixed Price Swaps:
                                       
Hedged Volume (MMBtu/d)
    26,454       35,128       53,000       27,500       27,500  
Average Price ($/MMBtu)
  $ 6.28     $ 6.09     $ 6.01     $ 5.48     $ 5.61  
Collars:
                                       
Hedged Volume (MMBtu/d)
    20,109       19,129       -       -       -  
Average Floor Price ($/MMBtu)
  $ 9.00     $ 9.00     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Average Ceiling Price ($/MMBtu)
  $ 11.61     $ 11.89     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Total:
                                       
Hedged Volume (MMBtu/d)
    46,563       54,257       53,000       27,500       27,500  
Average Price ($/MMBtu)
  $ 7.46     $ 7.12     $ 6.01     $ 5.48     $ 5.61  

 
(a)
Participating swap combines a swap and a call option with the same strike price.

 
6

 

Other Information

The Partnership will host an investor conference call to discuss its results today at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time).  Investors may access the conference call over the Internet via the Investor Relations tab of the Partnership's website (www.breitburn.com), or via telephone by dialing 888-417-2254 (international callers dial +1-719-457-1529) a few minutes prior to register.  Those listening via the Internet should go to the site 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. In addition, a replay of the call will be available through August 22, 2011 by dialing 877-870-5176 (international callers dial +1-858-384-5517) and entering replay PIN 4066557, or by going to the Investor Relations tab of the Partnership's website (www.breitburn.com). The Partnership will take live questions from securities analysts and institutional portfolio managers; the complete call is open to all other interested parties on a listen-only basis.

About BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P.

BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P. is a publicly traded independent oil and gas limited partnership focused on the acquisition, exploitation, development and production of oil and gas properties. The Partnership’s producing and non-producing crude oil and natural gas reserves are located in northern Michigan, the Los Angeles Basin in California, the Wind River and Big Horn Basins in central Wyoming, the Greasewood Field in eastern Wyoming, the Sunniland Trend in Florida, and the New Albany Shale in Indiana and Kentucky. See www.BreitBurn.com for more information.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to BreitBurn's operations that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections about its operations. Words and phrases such as “believes,” “expects,” “future,” “impact,” “guidance,” “will be” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict. These include risks relating to the Partnership’s financial performance and results, availability of sufficient cash flow and other sources of liquidity to execute our business plan, prices and demand for natural gas and oil, increases in operating costs, uncertainties inherent in estimating our reserves and production, our ability to replace reserves and efficiently develop our current reserves, political and regulatory developments relating to taxes, derivatives and our oil and gas operations, risks relating to our completed and pending acquisitions, and the factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2011, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless legally required, BreitBurn undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed herein also could have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations Contacts:
James G. Jackson
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(213) 225-5900 x273
or
Jessica Tang
Investor Relations
(213) 225-5900 x210

BBEP-IR

 
7

 

BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

   
June 30,
   
December 31,
 
Thousands
 
2011
   
2010
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets
           
Cash
  $ 2,747     $ 3,630  
Accounts and other receivables, net
    50,450       53,520  
Derivative instruments
    51,266       54,752  
Related party receivables
    2,632       4,345  
Inventory
    7,342       7,321  
Prepaid expenses
    6,344       6,449  
Total current assets
    120,781       130,017  
Equity investments
    7,541       7,700  
Property, plant and equipment
               
Oil and gas properties
    2,169,988       2,133,099  
Other assets
    11,702       10,832  
      2,181,690       2,143,931  
Accumulated depletion and depreciation
    (469,594 )     (421,636 )
Net property, plant and equipment
    1,712,096       1,722,295  
Other long-term assets
               
Derivative instruments
    19,400       50,652  
Other long-term assets
    19,314       19,503  
                 
Total assets
  $ 1,879,132     $ 1,930,167  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 27,924     $ 26,808  
Derivative instruments
    39,659       37,071  
Revenue and royalties payable
    17,534       16,427  
Salaries and wages payable
    6,730       12,594  
Accrued liabilities
    11,256       8,417  
Total current liabilities
    103,103       101,317  
                 
Credit facility
    127,000       228,000  
Senior notes, net
    300,364       300,116  
Deferred income taxes
    1,571       2,089  
Asset retirement obligation
    46,402       47,429  
Derivative instruments
    66,572       39,722  
Other long-term liabilities
    2,055       2,237  
Total  liabilities
    647,067       720,910  
Equity
               
Partners' equity
    1,231,617       1,208,803  
Noncontrolling interest
    448       454  
Total equity
    1,232,065       1,209,257  
                 
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 1,879,132     $ 1,930,167  
                 
Common units outstanding
    59,040       53,957  

 
8

 

BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations

   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
Thousands of dollars, except per unit amounts
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Revenues and other income items
                       
Oil, natural gas and natural gas liquid sales
  $ 94,742     $ 82,079     $ 187,317     $ 162,548  
Gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments, net
    46,483       51,650       (59,694 )     103,715  
Other revenue, net
    1,143       487       2,041       1,119  
Total revenues and other income items
    142,368       134,216       129,664       267,382  
Operating costs and expenses
                               
Operating costs
    36,208       39,371       73,019       75,222  
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
    25,025       23,909       49,666       45,963  
General and administrative expenses
    11,656       9,960       24,127       21,217  
Loss on sale of assets
    40       381       54       496  
Total operating costs and expenses
    72,929       73,621       146,866       142,898  
                                 
Operating income (loss)
    69,439       60,595       (17,202 )     124,484  
                                 
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
    9,080       4,998       18,500       8,615  
Loss on interest rate swaps
    2,220       1,418       1,877       3,661  
Other (income) expense, net
    -       21       (3 )     (4 )
                                 
Income (loss) before taxes
    58,139       54,158       (37,576 )     112,212  
                                 
Income tax expense (benefit)
    616       561       (386 )     705  
                                 
Net income (loss)
    57,523       53,597       (37,190 )     111,507  
                                 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (68 )     (28 )     (102 )     (99 )
                                 
Net income (loss) attributable to the partnership
    57,455       53,569       (37,292 )     111,408  
                                 
Basic net income (loss) per unit
  $ 0.93     $ 0.94     $ (0.64 )   $ 1.96  
Diluted net income (loss) per unit
  $ 0.92     $ 0.94     $ (0.64 )   $ 1.96  

 
9

 

BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   
Six months ended
 
   
June 30,
 
Thousands of dollars
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities
           
Net income (loss)
  $ (37,190 )   $ 111,507  
Adjustments to reconcile to cash flow from operating activities:
               
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
    49,666       45,963  
Unit based compensation expense
    10,858       9,839  
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments
    64,175       (75,291 )
Income from equity affiliates, net
    159       302  
Deferred income taxes
    (518 )     622  
Amortization of intangibles
    -       247  
Loss on sale of assets
    54       496  
Other
    (244 )     1,757  
Changes in net assets and liabilities
               
Accounts receivable and other assets
    4,171       7,890  
Inventory
    (21 )     3,909  
Net change in related party receivables and payables
    1,713       (13,377 )
Accounts payable and other liabilities
    (5,306 )     (12,800 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    87,517       81,064  
Cash flows from investing activities
               
Capital expenditures
    (35,136 )     (24,997 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
    110       225  
Property acquisitions
    -       (1,550 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (35,026 )     (26,322 )
Cash flows from financing activities
               
Issuance of common units
    100,204       -  
Distributions
    (49,470 )     (21,312 )
Proceeds from issuance long-term debt
    133,500       622,000  
Repayments of long-term debt
    (234,500 )     (647,000 )
Change in book overdraft
    5       798  
Long-term debt issuance costs
    (3,113 )     (11,647 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (53,374 )     (57,161 )
Decrease in cash
    (883 )     (2,419 )
Cash beginning of period
    3,630       5,766  
Cash end of period
  $ 2,747     $ 3,347  
 
 
10