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Table of Contents

 

 

 

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 December 31, 2011

 

OR

 

o

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 1-34733

 

Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

27-1855740

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification number)

 

 

 

1001 Fannin Street
Suite 2500
Houston, TX

 

77002

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(281) 404-1890

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer x
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x

 

As of February 7, 2012, there were 34,492,245 Common Units and 33,804,745 Subordinated Units outstanding.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

 

This report contains information that may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future—including statements relating to general views about future operating results—are forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include changes in general economic conditions, competitive conditions in our industry, actions taken by third-party operators, processors and transporters, changes in the availability and cost of capital, operating hazards, natural disasters, weather-related delays, casualty losses and other matters beyond our control, the effects of existing and future laws and governmental regulations, the effects of future litigation, and certain factors described in Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

i



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited)

1

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Earnings and Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the Three and Nine months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010

1

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011

2

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine months Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010

3

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Members’ Equity for the Nine months Ended December 31, 2011

4

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

5

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

19

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

28

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

28

 

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

29

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

29

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

30

 

ii



Table of Contents

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for per unit amounts)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term Contract

 

$

28,994

 

$

30,298

 

$

88,069

 

$

88,316

 

Short-term Contract

 

8,228

 

11,101

 

19,532

 

28,877

 

Optimization, net

 

52,682

 

4,188

 

103,726

 

47,874

 

 

 

89,904

 

45,587

 

211,327

 

165,067

 

Expenses (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

9,702

 

11,133

 

34,881

 

32,404

 

General and administrative

 

6,015

 

8,692

 

20,482

 

23,964

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

13,115

 

13,011

 

33,922

 

36,348

 

Interest

 

19,598

 

19,434

 

57,620

 

57,601

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

250,000

 

 

250,000

 

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

5,147

 

 

6,030

 

 

Foreign exchange losses (gains)

 

557

 

(796

)

939

 

(765

)

Other income

 

(7

)

(12

)

(49

)

(35

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(LOSS) EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

(214,223

)

(5,875

)

(192,498

)

15,550

 

Income tax benefit

 

(593

)

(3,461

)

(11,084

)

(14,008

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET (LOSS) EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

 

(213,630

)

(2,414

)

(181,414

)

29,558

 

Less: Net earnings prior to initial public offering on May 17, 2010

 

 

 

 

36,234

 

Net loss subsequent to initial public offering on May 17, 2010

 

$

(213,630

)

$

(2,414

)

$

(181,414

)

$

(6,676

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings subsequent to initial public offering allocated to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Managing Member

 

$

(4,230

)

$

(48

)

$

(3,595

)

$

344

 

Common unitholders

 

$

(105,754

)

$

(1,183

)

$

(89,804

)

$

(3,510

)

Subordinated unitholder

 

$

(103,646

)

$

(1,183

)

$

(88,015

)

$

(3,510

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per unit allocated to common unitholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- basic and diluted

 

$

(3.07

)

$

(0.03

)

$

(2.62

)

$

(0.10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per unit allocated to subordinated unitholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- basic and diluted

 

$

(3.07

)

$

(0.03

)

$

(2.62

)

$

(0.10

)

 

(See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

1



Table of Contents

 

Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

December 31,

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2011

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

14,593

 

$

117,742

 

Margin deposits

 

 

79,107

 

Trade receivables

 

3,642

 

2,434

 

Accrued receivables

 

51,641

 

45,293

 

Natural gas inventory

 

259,126

 

133,576

 

Prepaid expenses

 

3,322

 

5,830

 

Short-term risk management assets

 

114,607

 

59,717

 

 

 

446,931

 

443,699

 

Long-term assets

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

982,181

 

964,146

 

Goodwill

 

245,604

 

495,604

 

Long-term natural gas inventory

 

15,264

 

15,264

 

Intangible assets, net

 

88,678

 

98,846

 

Deferred charges, net

 

16,775

 

22,215

 

Other assets

 

1,593

 

 

Long-term risk management assets

 

49,713

 

21,496

 

 

 

1,399,808

 

1,617,571

 

TOTAL

 

$

1,846,739

 

$

2,061,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of debt

 

$

84,000

 

$

 

Margin deposits

 

15,639

 

 

Trade payables

 

64

 

2,408

 

Accrued liabilities

 

62,248

 

86,662

 

Deferred revenue

 

9,856

 

4,738

 

Accrued cushion gas purchases

 

53,765

 

 

Short-term financing liabilities

 

1,222

 

 

Current portion of deferred taxes

 

26,455

 

29,022

 

Short-term risk management liabilities

 

56,964

 

48,719

 

 

 

310,213

 

171,549

 

Long-term liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term risk management liabilities

 

22,794

 

22,629

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

1,511

 

1,484

 

Funds held on deposit

 

223

 

121

 

Deferred income taxes

 

135,389

 

148,514

 

Long-term financing liabilities

 

10,085

 

 

Long-term debt

 

678,790

 

800,000

 

 

 

1,159,005

 

1,144,297

 

Members’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common units

 

396,612

 

510,275

 

Subordinated units

 

279,477

 

390,283

 

Managing Member’s interest

 

11,645

 

16,415

 

 

 

687,734

 

916,973

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 2)

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

$

1,846,739

 

$

2,061,270

 

 

(See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

2



Table of Contents

 

Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

$

(181,414

)

$

29,558

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains)

 

88

 

(587

)

Deferred income tax benefit

 

(11,178

)

(14,295

)

Unrealized risk management (gains) losses

 

(74,708

)

25,659

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

33,922

 

36,348

 

Deferred charges amortization

 

3,018

 

3,098

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

6,030

 

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

250,000

 

 

Changes in non-cash working capital

 

8,077

 

(140,151

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

33,835

 

(60,370

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(43,632

)

(17,163

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(43,632

)

(17,163

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from revolver drawings

 

498,798

 

442,000

 

Revolver payments

 

(414,798

)

(442,000

)

Repurchase of long-term debt

 

(124,817

)

 

Payment of debt issuance costs

 

 

(2,086

)

Net proceeds from issuance of common units

 

11,000

 

333,459

 

Distributions to partners

 

(61,153

)

(352,097

)

Acquisition of interest in parent company

 

(2,176

)

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(93,146

)

(20,724

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of translation on foreign currency cash and cash equivalents

 

(206

)

84

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(103,149

)

(98,173

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

117,742

 

131,559

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

14,593

 

$

33,386

 

 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures (Note 16)

 

(See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

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Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Members’ Equity

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Managing

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

Subordinated

 

Member

 

 

 

 

 

Units

 

Units

 

Interest

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, April 1, 2011

 

$

510,275

 

$

390,283

 

$

16,415

 

$

916,973

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

(89,804

)

(88,015

)

(3,595

)

(181,414

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions to unitholders

 

(36,212

)

(24,140

)

(1,229

)

(61,581

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of interest in parent company

 

(1,066

)

(1,066

)

(44

)

(2,176

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of assets from parent company

 

212

 

208

 

8

 

428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common units

 

11,000

 

 

 

11,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax benefit of offering costs

 

2,207

 

2,207

 

90

 

4,504

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2011

 

$

396,612

 

$

279,477

 

$

11,645

 

$

687,734

 

 

(See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

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Table of Contents

 

Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)

 

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

 

Organization

 

Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC (“Niska Partners” or the “Company”) is a publicly traded Delaware limited liability company (NYSE:NKA) that was formed on January 27, 2010 to acquire certain assets of Niska GS Holdings I, LP and Niska GS Holdings II, LP (collectively, “Niska Predecessor”). On May 11, 2010, Niska Partners priced its initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 17,500,000 common units at an offering price of $20.50 per unit. Upon closing of the IPO on May 17, 2010, Niska Partners received net proceeds of $333.5 million, after deducting the underwriters’ discount, structuring fees and offering expenses. Upon closing the IPO, Niska Predecessor’s parent Niska Sponsor Holdings Coöperatief U.A. (“Sponsor Holdings” or “Holdco”), exchanged 100% of its equity interest in Niska Predecessor for a 2% Managing Member’s interest, 33,804,745 subordinated units, 13,679,745 common units of Niska Partners, and all of the Company’s Incentive Distribution Rights (“IDRs”). As a result of these transactions, Niska Partners became the owner of substantially all of the assets of Niska Predecessor. Prior to the closing, Niska Partners had no activity.

 

As partial consideration for the contribution of 100% of Niska Predecessor’s equity interest to Niska Partners, Sponsor Holdings held the right to receive any common units not purchased pursuant to the expiration of a 30-day option granted to the underwriters of the IPO to purchase up to an additional 2,625,000 common units. Upon the close of business on June 10, 2010, the 30-day option granted to the underwriters expired unexercised. Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, 2,625,000 common units were issued to Sponsor Holdings on June 11, 2010.

 

At December 31, 2011, Niska Partners had 34,492,245 common units and 33,804,745 subordinated units outstanding. Of these amounts, 16,992,245 common units and all of the subordinated units are owned by Sponsor Holdings, along with a 1.98% Managing Member’s interest in the Company and all of the Company’s IDRs. Including all of the common and subordinated units owned by Sponsor Holdings, along with the 1.98% Managing Member’s interest, Sponsor Holdings has a 74.88% ownership interest in the Company, excluding the IDRs. The remaining 17,500,000 common units, representing a 25.12% ownership interest excluding the IDRs, are owned by the public.

 

Niska Partners operates the Countess and Suffield gas storage facilities (collectively, the AECO Hub™) in Alberta, Canada, and the Wild Goose and Salt Plains gas storage facilities in California and Oklahoma, respectively. Each of these facilities markets gas storage services in addition to optimizing storage capacity with its own proprietary gas purchases.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accounting policies applied in these unaudited interim financial statements are consistent with the policies applied in the consolidated financial statements of Niska Partners and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Niska Partners, which are unaudited except that the balance sheet at March 31, 2011 is derived from audited financial statements, include all adjustments necessary to present fairly Niska Partners’ financial position as of December 31, 2011, along with the results of Niska Partners’ operations and its cash flows for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 are not necessarily representative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year ending March 31, 2012.  The optimization of proprietary gas purchases is seasonal with the majority of the revenues and cost associated with the physical sale of proprietary gas occurring during the third and fourth fiscal quarters, when demand for natural gas is typically the strongest.

 

As the closing of the Company’s IPO occurred on May 17, 2010, the earnings for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 have been pro-rated to reflect earnings on a pre- and post-IPO basis. As part of the process of allocating revenues and expenses to both periods, the Company assessed the fair value of its risk management assets and liabilities as of the closing date, resulting in an unrealized gain for the pre-IPO period and an unrealized loss for the post-IPO period. The net unrealized loss for the period from May 17, 2010 to December 31, 2010 is reflected in the per-unit information presented in the consolidated statement of earnings (loss) and comprehensive income (loss).

 

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Table of Contents

 

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the unaudited consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and notes normally included with financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Niska Partners and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Accounting Standards Update 2011-04

 

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that updates the previous reporting requirement under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820.  This update, which will become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, requires additional disclosures about the transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the sensitivity of unobservable inputs to the fair value measurements within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, and disclosure of the categorization by level of the fair value hierarchy for items for which fair value disclosure is required but that are not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position.

 

In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance that updates the requirements for testing for goodwill impairment. This update, which will become effective for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, permits entities testing for goodwill impairment the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the reporting unit. If it is determined that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount on the basis of qualitative factors, the two step impairment test is required. The update does not change how goodwill is calculated or assigned to reporting units and did not affect the impairment of goodwill described in note 3.

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued amended guidance to enhance disclosures that will enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position. The amendments require enhanced disclosures by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either offset in accordance with current U.S. GAAP or subject to an enforceable master netting agreement. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Adoption of these amendments is expected to result in an increase in disclosures regarding financial instruments which are subject to offsetting as described in this amendment.

 

2. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Contingencies

 

Niska Partners and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal proceedings and actions arising in the normal course of business. While the outcome of such legal proceedings and actions cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the view of management that the resolution of such proceedings and actions will not have a material impact on Niska Partners’ unaudited consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

3. Goodwill

 

Niska Partners is required to perform an annual impairment test with respect to the valuation of its goodwill, a test which is performed at the Company’s fiscal year end of March 31.  However, Niska Partners is also required to evaluate on an interim basis whether there are factors which indicate that economic and/or business conditions have deteriorated such that the value of its goodwill has declined since its most recent annual test.  During the three months ended December 31, 2011, the Company concluded that a number of factors, including the continued narrow difference between summer and winter prices in the natural gas futures market, sometimes referred to as the seasonal spread, along with a significant reduction in natural gas price volatility were impairment indicators.  The Company made this determination because these factors had a material negative effect on its current financial performance and its expected performance for the balance of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012.  Management is unable to predict whether these factors will reverse in periods beyond the current fiscal year.  Therefore, management performed an interim goodwill impairment test.

 

The goodwill impairment test is performed at a reporting unit level.  Reporting units are identified and distinguished based on how the associated business is managed, taking into consideration the nature of services offered, the types of customer contracts entered into and the nature of the economic and regulatory environment.  Niska Partners has four reporting units (its AECO HubTM facility in Alberta, its Wild Goose facility in California, its Salt Plains facility in Oklahoma

 

6



Table of Contents

 

and its contractual capacity on the Natural Gas Pipeline of America (“NGPL”) system).  These reporting units are aggregated into one operating segment for financial reporting purposes.  Prior to the impairment test, Niska Partners’ total goodwill of $495.6 million was recorded at the AECO HubTM facility ($455.0 million) and the NGPL capacity ($40.6 million).  There is no goodwill recorded at the Wild Goose or Salt Plains facilities.

 

The performance of the impairment test involves a two step process.  The first step determines whether an impairment exists by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, no impairment is necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the second step measures the amount of impairment by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. An entity assigns the fair value of a reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill.

 

The Company determined the fair value of the AECO HubTM and NGPL reporting units using a combination of the present value of future cash flows method and the comparable transactions method. The present value of future cash flows was estimated using (i) discrete financial forecasts, which rely on management’s estimates of revenue, expenses and volumes, (ii) long-term natural gas volatility and seasonal spreads (iii) long-term average exchange rate between the United States Dollar and the Canadian Dollar and (iv) appropriate discount rates. The comparable transactions method analyzed other purchases of similar assets and considered (i) the anticipated cash flows of the Company determined above, (ii) recent transaction multiples based on anticipated cash flows and (iii) the similarity of comparable transactions to the Company’s facilities.  Specifically, the Company used experience and budgeted amounts to estimate cycling volumes and expenses, the future summer to winter spreads which reflects its longer term outlook, and extrinsic values consistent with those achieved in the business to estimate future revenue.  These values used to estimate future revenues are lower than the seasonal storage spread and extrinsic values used in the Company’s most recent annual test.  The Company also used a comparable transaction multiple consistent with recent transactions for depleted reservoir storage facility acquisitions (the type of facilities comparable to the Company’s AECO HubTM facility).  Both the AECO HubTM facility and the NGPL leased capacity failed step one of the goodwill impairment test; therefore, the second step of impairment test was performed.

 

In step two, the Company compared the implied fair value of the reporting units’ goodwill with the carrying amounts of that goodwill. Under step two of the impairment test, significant assumptions in measuring the fair value of the assets and liabilities include (1) the replacement cost, depreciation and obsolescence and useful lives of property, plant and equipment and (2) the present value of incremental cash flows attributable to certain intangible assets. Based on the step two analysis, the Company determined that an impairment charge of $250 million was required.

 

The allocation of goodwill balances and related impairment charges by reporting unit consists of the following:

 

 

 

Alberta Hub TM Facility

 

NGPL Leased Capacity

 

Total

 

Balance, April 1, 2011

 

$

455,004

 

$

40,600

 

$

495,604

 

Impairment Charges

 

(227,000

)

(23,000

)

(250,000

)

Balance, December 31, 2011

 

$

228,004

 

$

17,600

 

$

245,604

 

 

The Company also considered the goodwill impairment an indicator of impairment related to the long-lived assets associated with the AECO HubTM facility and the NGPL leased capacity. Accordingly, these assets were evaluated for impairment prior to completing the goodwill valuation and management concluded that no impairment of other long-lived asset had occurred.

 

4. Accrued Cushion Gas Purchases

 

During the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company entered into a series of transactions to sell cushion gas which, is recorded as a component of property, plant and equipment in the accompanying financial statements. The Company entered into firm commitments to re-acquire this cushion gas in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The repurchase price is accrued as a liability. The difference between the proceeds received and the repurchase price, along with the proceeds of short-term firm transactions designed to replace the cushion gas during the intervening period, is being recorded as an expense over the period of the arrangement.

 

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5. Financing Liabilities

 

During the quarter December 31, 2011, Niska Partners entered into a sales leaseback transaction whereby it sold certain equipment under construction to be used at the Wild Goose Facility for proceeds equal to its carrying value at the time of $11.4 million.  The Company has agreed to lease the equipment back under a nine year lease arrangement for estimated future minimum lease payments of approximately $13.2 million.  There was no gain or loss resulting from this transaction. Under the terms of the arrangement, the lessor will incur the remaining construction costs, up to a maximum of $20 million, and Niska Partners will lease the completed assets under the same arrangement.  Niska Partners may purchase the assets after eight years for an agreed portion of the acquisition cost.  The present value of the minimum future lease payments is based on the total costs incurred by the lessor through December 31, 2011 and have been reflected in the in the balance sheet as current and non-current financing liabilities of $1.2 million and $10.1 million, respectively.

 

6. Debt

 

Niska Partners’ debt obligations consist of the following:

 

 

 

December 31,
2011

 

March 31,
2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes due 2018

 

$

678,790

 

$

800,000

 

Revolving credit facility

 

84,000

 

 

Total

 

762,790

 

800,000

 

Less portion classified as current

 

(84,000

)

 

 

 

$

678,790

 

$

800,000

 

 

Senior Notes

 

On March 5, 2010, Niska Partners, through its subsidiaries Niska Gas Storage US, LLC (“Niska US”) and Niska Gas Storage Canada ULC (“Niska Canada”), completed a non-public offering of 800,000 units, each unit consisting of $218.75 principal amount of 8.875% senior notes due 2018 of Niska US and $781.25 principal amount of 8.875% senior notes of Niska Canada (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes were sold for par value of $800.0 million in an offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act.

 

On February 4, 2011, the SEC declared effective Niska Partners’ exchange offer whereby holders of the Senior Notes were permitted to exchange such Senior Notes for new freely transferable Senior Notes.  The terms of the new units are identical to the units described above, except that the new units have been registered under the Securities Act and do generally not contain restrictions on transfer.  The exchange offer was completed on March 2, 2011 and all of the previously outstanding Senior Notes were exchanged.

 

During the quarter ended December 31, 2011, Niska Partners paid $93.9 million, excluding accrued interest, to repurchase Senior Notes with a principal amount of $90.5 million. During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, the Company paid $124.8 million, excluding accrued interest, to repurchase Senior Notes with a principal amount of $121.2 million. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, the Company recognized losses of $5.1 million and $6.0 million, respectively, on these repurchases, which were recorded as losses on extinguishment of debt. The losses on the repurchases were measured based on the carrying value of the repurchased portion of the Senior Notes, which included a portion of the unamortized debt issue costs on the dates of repurchase. The related accrued interest costs were recorded in interest expense.

 

Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 at a rate of 8.875% per annum, commencing September 15, 2010. The Senior Notes will mature on March 15, 2018. As at December 31, 2011, the estimated fair value of the Senior Notes was $666.9 million.

 

The indenture governing the Senior Notes limits Niska Partners’ ability to incur new debt or to pay distributions in respect of, repurchase or pay dividends on its membership interests (or other capital stock) or make other restricted payments. The limitations will apply differently depending on a fixed charge coverage ratio, which is defined as the ratio of cash flow (which is defined in the indenture in a manner substantially consistent with consolidated earnings before interest, taxes,

 

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depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) to fixed charges, each as defined in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, and measured for the preceding four fiscal quarters.

 

Under this limitation the indenture would have permitted the Company to distribute approximately $29.4 million as at December 31, 2011.

 

If the fixed charge coverage ratio is not less than 2.0 to 1.0 (after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of the additional debt obligations), Niska Partners is generally permitted to incur additional debt obligations beyond the Senior Notes and its $400 million Credit Agreement (discussed below).

 

If the fixed charge coverage ratio is not less than 1.75 to 1.0, Niska Partners is permitted to make restricted payments if the aggregate restricted payments since the date of the closing of its IPO, excluding certain types or amounts of permitted payments, are less than the sum (which the Company refers to as the restricted payment basket) of a number of items including, most importantly:

 

·                  operating surplus (defined similarly to the definition in the Company’s operating agreement) calculated as of the end of its preceding fiscal quarter; and

 

·                  the aggregate net cash proceeds received as a capital contribution or from the issuance of equity interests, including the approximately $336 million of net cash proceeds from the IPO, reduced by the approximately $271.4 million Niska Partners distributed to Holdings Canada (as defined below) shortly before the IPO.

 

If the fixed charge coverage ratio is less than 1.75 to 1.0, Niska Partners is permitted to make restricted payments if the aggregate restricted payments constituting distributions in respect of Niska Partners’ capital stock since the date of the closing of its IPO, excluding certain types or amounts of permitted payments, are less than the sum (which the Company refers to as the restricted payment basket) of a number of items including, most importantly:

 

·                  $75.0 million; and

 

·                  the aggregate net cash proceeds received as a capital contribution or from the issuance of equity interests, again including the net cash proceeds from the IPO, reduced by the amount distributed before the IPO.

 

The limitations are applied without regard to whether the restricted payments that are compared to the restricted payment basket were made when the fixed charge coverage ratio was or was not less than 1.75 to 1.0, meaning that if the fixed charge coverage ratio becomes less than 1.75 to 1.0 and Niska Partners has previously made restricted payments in excess of the restricted payment basket, Niska Partners will be prohibited from making restricted payments other than the permitted payments referred to above.

 

The permitted payments, which are applicable regardless of the fixed charge ratio, include a general basket of $75.0 million.

 

At December 31, 2011, the fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.99 to 1.0 and Niska Partners was permitted to pay the distribution described in Note 18. When the ratio declines below 2.0 to 1.0 the Company is restricted in its ability to issue new debt.

 

$400 Million Credit Agreement

 

In March 2010, Niska Partners, through its subsidiaries, Niska Gas Storage US, LLC and AECO Gas Storage Partnership, entered into new senior secured asset-based revolving credit facilities, consisting of a U.S. revolving credit facility and a Canadian revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facilities” or the “$400 million Credit Agreement”). The $400 million Credit Agreement provides for revolving loans and letters of credit in an aggregate principal amount of up to $200 million for each of the U.S. revolving credit facility and the Canadian revolving credit facility. Subject to certain conditions, each of the revolving credit facilities may be expanded up to a maximum of $100.0 million in additional commitments, and the commitments in each facility may be reallocated on terms and according to procedures to be determined. Loans under the U.S. revolving facility will be denominated in U.S. dollars and loans under the Canadian revolving facility may be denominated, at the Company’s option, in either U.S. or Canadian dollars. Each revolving credit facility matures on March 5, 2014.

 

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Niska Partners had $84.0 million in drawings outstanding under the $400 million Credit Agreement at December 31, 2011 (March 31, 2011 - $ nil). Amounts committed in support of letters of credit totaled $52.8 million at December 31, 2011 (March 31, 2011—$3.1 million). Any borrowings under the $400 million Credit Agreement are classified as current.

 

Borrowings under the Credit Facilities are limited to a borrowing base calculated as the sum of specified percentages of eligible cash and cash equivalents, eligible accounts receivable, the net liquidating value of hedge positions in broker accounts, eligible inventory, issued but unused letters of credit, and certain fixed assets minus the amount of any reserves and other priority claims. Borrowings will bear interest at a floating rate, which (1) in the case of U.S. dollar loans can be either LIBOR plus an applicable margin or, at the Company’s option, a base rate plus an applicable margin, and (2) in the case of Canadian dollar loans can be either the bankers’ acceptance rate plus an applicable margin or, at the Company’s option, a prime rate plus an applicable margin. The credit agreement provides that Niska Partners may borrow only up to the lesser of the level of the then current borrowing base or the committed maximum borrowing capacity, which is currently $400.0 million. As of December 31, 2011, the borrowing base collateral totaled $509.4 million.

 

The $400 million Credit Agreement contains limitations on Niska Partners’ ability to incur additional debt or to pay distributions in respect of, repurchase or pay dividends on its membership interests (or other capital stock) or make other restricted payments. These limitations are similar to those contained in the indenture governing the Senior Notes, but contain certain substantive differences.  As a result of these differences, the limitations on restricted payments contained in the Credit Agreement should be less restrictive than the limitations contained in the indenture.

 

As of December 31, 2011, Niska Partners was in compliance with all covenant requirements under the Senior Notes and the $400 million Credit Agreement.

 

Niska Partners has no independent assets or operations other than its investments in its subsidiaries. Both the Senior Notes and the $400 million Credit Agreement have been jointly and severally guaranteed by Niska Partners and substantially all of its subsidiaries. Niska Partners’ subsidiaries have no significant restrictions on their ability to pay distributions or make loans to Niska Partners, which are prepared and measured on a consolidated basis, and have no restricted assets as of December 31, 2011.

 

7. Risk Management Activities and Financial Instruments

 

Risk Management Overview

 

Niska Partners has exposure to commodity price, foreign currency, counterparty credit, interest rate, and liquidity risk. Risk management activities are tailored to the risks they are designed to mitigate.

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

As a result of its natural gas inventory, Niska Partners is exposed to risks associated with changes in price when buying and selling natural gas across future time periods. To manage these risks and reduce variability of cash flows, the Company utilizes a combination of financial and physical derivative contracts, including forwards, futures, swaps and option contracts. The use of these contracts is subject to the Company’s risk management policies. These contracts have not been treated as hedges for financial reporting purposes and therefore changes in fair value are recorded directly in earnings.

 

Forward contracts and futures contracts are agreements to purchase or sell a specific financial instrument or quantity of natural gas at a specified price and date in the future. Niska Partners enters into forward contracts and futures contracts to mitigate the impact of changes in natural gas prices. In addition to cash settlement, exchange traded futures may also be settled by the physical delivery of natural gas.

 

Swap contracts are agreements between two parties to exchange streams of payments over time according to specified terms. Swap contracts require receipt of payment for the notional quantity of the commodity based on the difference between a fixed price and the market price on the settlement date. Niska Partners enters into commodity swaps to mitigate the impact of changes in natural gas prices.

 

Option contracts are contractual agreements to convey the right, but not the obligation, for the purchaser of the option to buy or sell a specific physical or notional amount of a commodity at a fixed price, either at a fixed date or at any time within a specified period. Niska Partners enters into option agreements to mitigate the impact of changes in natural gas prices.

 

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To limit its exposure to changes in commodity prices, Niska Partners enters into purchases and sales of natural gas inventory and concurrently matches the volumes in these transactions with offsetting forward contracts. To comply with its internal risk management policies, Niska Partners is required to limit its exposure of unmatched volumes of proprietary current natural gas inventory to an aggregate overall limit of 8.0 billion cubic feet (“Bcf”). At December 31, 2011, 69.1 Bcf of natural gas inventory was offset with forward contracts, representing 99.9% of total current inventory. Non-cycling working gas, which is included in long-term inventory, and fuel gas used for operating the facilities are excluded from the coverage requirement. Total volumes of long-term inventory and fuel gas at December 31, 2011 are 3.4 Bcf and 0.0 Bcf, respectively.

 

Counterparty Credit Risk

 

Niska Partners is exposed to counterparty credit risk on its trade and accrued accounts receivable and risk management assets. Counterparty credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer fails to perform its contractual obligations. Niska Partners engages in transactions for the purchase and sale of products and services with major companies in the energy industry and with industrial, commercial, residential and municipal energy consumers.  Credit risk associated with trade accounts receivable is mitigated by the high percentage of investment grade customers, collateral support of receivables and Niska Partners’ ability to take ownership of customer owned natural gas stored in its facilities in the event of non-payment.  For the nine months ended December 31, 2011, no trade receivables were deemed to be uncollectible. It is management’s opinion that no allowance for doubtful accounts is required at December 31, 2011 or March 31, 2011 on accrued and trade accounts receivable.

 

The Company analyzes the financial condition of counterparties prior to entering into an agreement. Credit limits are established and monitored on an ongoing basis. Management believes, based on its credit policies, that the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows will not be materially affected as a result of non-performance by any single counterparty. Although the Company relies on a few counterparties for a significant portion of its revenues, one counterparty making up 42.0% of gross optimization revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 is a physical natural gas clearing and settlement facility that requires counterparties to post margin deposits equal to 125% of their net position, which reduces the risk of default. Gross optimization revenue means realized optimization revenue prior to deducting cost of gas sold.

 

Exchange traded futures and options comprise approximately 67.9% of Niska Partners’ commodity risk management assets at December 31, 2011. These exchange traded contracts have minimal credit exposure as the exchanges guarantee that every contract will be margined on a daily basis. In the event of any default, Niska Partners’ account on the exchange would be absorbed by other clearing members. Because every member posts an initial margin, the exchange can protect the exchange members if or when a clearing member defaults.

 

Niska Partners further manages credit exposure by entering into master netting agreements for the majority of non-retail contracts. These master netting agreements provide the Company, in the event of default, the right to offset the counterparty’s rights and obligations.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Niska Partners assesses interest rate risk by continually identifying and monitoring changes in interest rate exposures that may adversely impact expected future cash flows. At December 31, 2011, Niska Partners was only exposed to interest rate risk resulting from the variable rates associated with its $400 million Credit Agreement of which $84.0 million was drawn at December 31, 2011.

 

Liquidity Risk

 

Niska Partners continues to manage its liquidity risk by ensuring sufficient cash and credit facilities are available to meet its operating and capital expenditure obligations when due, under both normal and stressed conditions.

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

Foreign currency risk is created by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. As Niska Partners conducts a portion of its activities in Canadian dollars, earnings and cash flows are subject to currency fluctuations. The performance of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar could positively or negatively affect earnings. Niska Partners is exposed to cash flow risk to the extent that Canadian currency outflows do not match inflows. The Company enters into currency swaps to mitigate the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates. The notional value of currency swaps at December 31, 2011 was

 

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$126.4 million (March 31, 2011—$142.8 million). These contracts expire on various dates between January 1, 2012 and August 1, 2014. Niska Partners has not elected hedge accounting treatment for financial reporting purposes and, therefore, changes in fair value are recorded directly in earnings.

 

The following tables show the fair values of Niska Partners’ risk management assets and liabilities at December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011:

 

December 31, 2011 

 

Energy
Contracts

 

Currency
Contracts

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term risk management assets

 

$

112,758

 

$

1,849

 

$

114,607

 

Long-term risk management assets

 

49,519

 

194

 

49,713

 

Short-term risk management liabilities

 

(56,824

)

(140

)

(56,964

)

Long-term risk management liabilities

 

(22,642

)

(152

)

(22,794

)

 

 

$

82,811

 

$

1,751

 

$

84,562

 

 

March 31, 2011 

 

Energy
Contracts

 

Currency
Contracts

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term risk management assets

 

$

59,717

 

$

 

$

59,717

 

Long-term risk management assets

 

21,496

 

 

21,496

 

Short-term risk management liabilities

 

(43,556

)

(5,163

)

(48,719

)

Long-term risk management liabilities

 

(21,441

)

(1,188

)

(22,629

)

 

 

$

16,216

 

$

(6,351

)

$

9,865

 

 

The Company expects to recognize risk management assets and liabilities outstanding at December 31, 2011 into net earnings and comprehensive income in the fiscal periods as follows:

 

 

 

Energy
Contracts

 

Currency
Contracts

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal year ending March 31, 2012

 

$

31,300

 

$

16

 

$

31,316

 

Fiscal year ending March 31, 2013

 

45,619

 

1,692

 

47,311

 

Fiscal year ending March 31, 2014

 

4,938

 

132

 

5,070

 

Thereafter

 

955

 

(90

)

865

 

 

 

$

82,812

 

$

1,750

 

$

84,562

 

 

Realized (losses)/gains from the settlement of risk management contracts are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
December 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Classification

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy contracts

 

$

(8,828

)

$

26,653

 

$

(30,913

)

$

66,337

 

Optimization, net

 

Currency contracts

 

592

 

(412

)

5,487

 

(3,057

)

Optimization, net

 

 

 

$

(8,236

)

$

26,241

 

$

(25,426

)

$

63,280

 

 

 

 

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8. Fair Value Measurements

 

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, margin deposits, trade receivables, accrued receivables, trade payables, accrued liabilities, and accrued cushion gas purchases reported on the unaudited consolidated balance sheet approximate fair value. The fair value of debt is the estimated amount the Company would have to pay to transfer its debt, including any premium or discount attributable to the difference between the stated interest rate and market rate of interest at the balance sheet date. Fair values are based on valuations of similar debt at the balance sheet date and supported by observable market transactions when available. See Note 6 for disclosures regarding the fair value of debt.

 

Fair values have been determined as follows for Niska Partners financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

December 31, 2011 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity derivatives

 

$

 

$

162,277

 

$

 

$

162,277

 

Currency derivatives

 

 

2,043

 

 

2,043

 

Total assets

 

 

164,320

 

 

164,320

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity derivatives

 

 

79,466

 

 

79,466

 

Currency derivatives

 

 

292

 

 

292

 

Total liabilities

 

 

79,758

 

 

79,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

$

 

$

84,562

 

$

 

$

84,562

 

 

March 31, 2011 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity derivatives

 

$

 

$

81,213

 

$

 

$

81,213

 

Currency derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

81,213

 

 

81,213

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity derivatives

 

 

64,997

 

 

64,997

 

Currency derivatives

 

 

6,351

 

 

6,351

 

Total liabilities

 

 

71,348

 

 

71,348

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

$

 

$

9,865

 

$

 

$

9,865

 

 

There were no transfers out of level 2 during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

 

Fair values have been determined as follows for Niska Partners non-financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a non-recurring basis:

 

December 31, 2011 

 

Book Value

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

245,604

 

$

 

$

 

$

245,604

 

$

245,604

 

 

 

$

245,604

 

$

 

$

 

$

245,604

 

$

245,604

 

 

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During the quarter ended December 31, 2011, the goodwill of two of Niska Partners’ reporting units was written down to its implied fair value.  The goodwill at the AECO HubTM facility with a carrying amount of $455.0 million was written down to its implied fair value of $228.0 million and the NGPL capacity which had recorded goodwill with a carrying amount of $40.6 million recorded a write down to its implied fair value of $17.6 million. The resulting impairment charges of $250 million were included in impairment of goodwill and net loss (gains) and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 (three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 - $ nil). There were no transfers out of level 3 during the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. See Note 3 for a description of the information used to develop inputs and valuation techniques.

 

9. Members’ Equity

 

Acquisition of Assets from Parent

 

On December 20, 2011 Niska Partners purchased certain assets from companies that are all effectively owned by the same parent company as Niska Partners. As the transaction was completed between entities under common control the assets have been recorded at the parent’s carrying value and the residual value of net assets acquired has been recognized in equity. See Note 14.

 

Unit Issuance and Sale of Common Units

 

On August 24, 2011, the Company completed the issuance and sale 687,500 common units at a price of $16.00 per unit to Sponsor Holdings. Total proceeds of $11.0 million were used to reduce amounts owing under the Senior Notes. See Notes 6 and 14.

 

Acquisition of Interest in Parent

 

Sponsor Holdings is wholly-owned, directly and indirectly, by Niska GS Holdings Canada, L.P (“Niska Holdings Canada”).  Niska Holdings Canada’s equity consists of Class A, Class B and Class C units.  Niska Holdings Canada’s Class A Units are owned principally by Carlyle/Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund III, L.P. and Carlyle/Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund II, L.P. and affiliated entities (together, the “Carlyle/Riverstone Funds”) and certain current and former members of Niska Partners’ management.  The Class B and Class C units, which have identical rights and obligations in Niska Holdings Canada, are owned by certain current and former members of Niska Partners’ management and non-executive employees.  The Class B and Class C units were originally issued by Niska Predecessor in conjunction with a long-term incentive plan and were subject to service and performance conditions, all of which were satisfied in May 2009.  The Class B and Class C units were, therefore, fully vested.  Niska Predecessor had previously recorded compensation expense with respect to the Class B and Class C units throughout the vesting period. Upon vesting and the holders of the units being exposed to the risks and rewards of ownership for a reasonable period of time, the compensation arrangement became equity classified.

 

On June 24, 2011, certain Class B units of Niska Holdings Canada held by non-executive employees were purchased by Niska Partners at fair value. The aggregate purchase price of $2.2 million was recorded as a reduction of equity in the accompanying financial statements, with no gain or loss recognized.

 

The Class B units represent profit interests in Niska Holdings Canada, and entitle the holders to share in distributions made by Niska Holdings Canada once the Class A units have received distributions equal to their contributed capital plus an 8% cumulative rate of return. The Class B units held by Niska Partners do not currently participate in the earnings of or distributions paid by Niska Partners.

 

Earnings per unit:

 

Niska Partners uses the two-class method for allocating earnings per unit. The two-class method requires the determination of net income allocated to member interests as shown below.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

to December 31

 

Net Loss Allocation and Loss per Unit Calculation

 

2011

 

2011

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Niska Partners

 

$

(213,630

)

$

(181,414

)

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

Managing Member’s 1.98% interest

 

4,230

 

3,595

 

Net loss attributable to common and subordinated unitholders

 

$

(209,400

)

$

(177,819

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average units outstanding

 

68,296,990

 

67,915,046

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average units outstanding

 

68,296,990

 

67,915,046

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per unit:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(3.07

)

$

(2.62

)

Diluted

 

$

(3.07

)

$

(2.62

)

 

10. Optimization Revenue

 

Optimization, net consists of the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized optimization (losses) revenue, net

 

$

(9,054

)

$

38,296

 

$

29,018

 

$

73,532

 

Unrealized risk management gains (losses)

 

61,736

 

(34,108

)

74,708

 

(25,659

)

Total

 

$

52,682

 

$

4,188

 

$

103,726

 

$

47,874

 

 

11. Stock-Based Compensation

 

Effective April 1, 2011, the Company implemented The Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC Phantom Unit Performance Plan (the “PUPP”), which is designed to further align the interests of participants in the PUPP, including the Company’s executive officers, employees, directors and certain service providers, with the interests of the Company’s unit holders by providing these individuals with a phantom unit award.  A “Phantom Unit” is a notional unit granted under the PUPP that represents the right to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a unit of the Company’s common units, following the satisfaction of certain time periods and/or certain performance criteria. The PUPP is primarily administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) which grants Phantom Units to eligible participants at such times as the Committee may determine to be appropriate.

 

Phantom Units are generally unvested at the date of grant and subject to both time and performance conditions.  The default period over which the Phantom Units vest is three years from the date of grant.  For Phantom Units which are subject to a performance measure which is based on a combination of distributed cash flow (“DCF”) and total unitholder return (“TUR”) metrics, compared to such metrics at a select group of Niska Partners’ peer companies. The DCF and TUR metrics are calculated based on the Company’s percentile ranking during the applicable performance period compared to the peer group.  Vesting in the phantom units is also subject to the Company satisfying at least its minimum quarterly distributions for the underlying common units.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Effective April 1, 2011, the Company issued 518,425 of the 3,380,474 Phantom Units authorized under the PUPP. During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, Niska Partners did not issue any additional Phantom Units and 161,579 Phantom Units were forfeited.

 

At December 31, 2011 and for the three and nine months then ended, Niska Partners recorded no liability for the units under the PUPP plan which are subject to performance measures and did not record any compensation expense, because the DCF and TUR performance measures were below the minimum threshold for accrual.

 

At December 31, 2011 and for the three and nine months then ended, Niska Partners recorded a liability of $0.3 million and compensation expense of $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively for the units under the PUPP plan which are subject to time conditions.

 

12. Interest Expense

 

Interest expense consists of the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

19,741

 

$

18,773

 

$

57,512

 

$

55,839

 

Deferred charges amortization

 

972

 

1,026

 

3,018

 

3,098

 

Capitalized interest

 

(1,115

)

(365

)

(2,910

)

(1,336

)

Total

 

$

19,598

 

$

19,434

 

$

57,620

 

$

57,601

 

 

13. Income Taxes

 

Income taxes included in the consolidated financial statements were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax benefit

 

$

(593

)

$

(3,461

)

$

(11,084

)

$

(14,008

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

 

0

%

59

%

6

%

-90

%

 

Income tax (benefit) expense was a benefit of $11.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 compared to a benefit of $14.0 million in the same period of the prior year. The income tax benefit in the current period is due mainly to the recognition of losses in certain taxable Canadian entities and the recognition of income in certain non-taxable entities. As a result of a triggering event, goodwill in one of Niska Partners’ partnerships which allocates income to taxable Canadian entities has been written down. This write-down is not a deductible expense for Canadian tax purposes and therefore does not impact taxable income.

 

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 differs from the U.S. statutory federal rate of 35% primarily due to the recognition of income in non-taxable entities and the recognition of losses in taxable entities.

 

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14. Related Parties

 

During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, Niska Partners purchased the net assets of Starks Gas Storage LLC, Coastal Bend Gas Storage LLC, and Sundance Gas Storage ULC from Sponsor Holdings Cooperatief U.A. and from R/C Sundance Cooperatief U.A. for consideration of $5.0 million. Niska Partners, Sponsor Holdings Cooperatief U.A. and R/C Sundance Cooperatief U.A. are all effectively owned by the same parent company. As a result, the transactions between entities under common control have been recorded at the parent’s carrying value and the residual value of net assets acquired has been recognized in equity.

 

During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, a subsidiary of Niska Partners purchased certain Class B units of Niska Holdings Canada from certain non-executive officers and employees of Niska Partners for $2.2 million. The amount has been reflected as a reduction of members’ equity.

 

During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, the Carlyle/Riverstone Funds reinvested through Sponsor Holdings $11.0 million in additional common units of Niska Partners at a price of $16.00 per unit.

 

Included in accrued receivables at December 31, 2011, was $0.7 million (March 31, 2011 - $1.8 million) that is owed from affiliated entities owned by Sponsor Holdings or its parent company for payments made by Niska Partners on behalf of the affiliated entities. The amounts owning are non-interest bearing and have no fixed terms of repayment.

 

15. Changes in Non-Cash Working Capital

 

Changes in non-cash working capital for the nine months ended consists of the following:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margin deposits

 

$

94,746

 

$

(39,437

)

Trade receivables

 

(1,231

)

470

 

Accrued receivables

 

3,531

 

(20,490

)

Natural gas inventory

 

(125,550

)

(117,426

)

Prepaid expenses

 

1,158

 

(2,396

)

Other assets

 

(392

)

 

Trade payables

 

(1,198

)

(1,311

)

Accrued liabilities

 

31,793

 

28,218

 

Deferred revenue

 

5,118

 

12,218

 

Funds held on deposit

 

102

 

3

 

Total

 

$

8,077

 

$

(140,151

)

 

16. Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

41,638

 

$

40,706

 

Taxes paid

 

$

1,107

 

$

334

 

Interest capitalized

 

$

2,910

 

$

1,336

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

17. Segment Disclosures

 

Niska Partners’ process for the identification of reportable segments involves examining the nature of services offered, the types of customer contracts entered into and the nature of the economic and regulatory environment.

 

Since inception, Niska Partners has operated along functional lines in their commercial, engineering, and operations teams for operations in Alberta, California, and the U.S. Midcontinent. All operating areas and facilities offer the same services: long-term firm contracts, short-term firm contracts, and optimization. All services are delivered using reservoir storage. Niska Partners measures profitability consistently at each operating area based on revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and unrealized risk management gains and losses. Niska Partners has aggregated its operating segments into one reportable segment for all periods presented.

 

Information pertaining to Niska Partners’ short-term and long-term contract services and net optimization revenues was presented in the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income. All facilities have the same types of customers: major creditworthy companies in the energy industry, industrial, commercial, and local distribution companies, and municipal energy consumers.

 

The following tables summarize the net revenues and assets by geographic area:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

External revenues, net realized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

$

16,708

 

$

27,850

 

$

55,599

 

$

66,108

 

Canada

 

11,459

 

51,845

 

81,020

 

124,618

 

Inter-entity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

28,167

 

$

79,695

 

$

136,619

 

$

190,726

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-lived assets (at period end)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

$

395,105

 

$

365,534

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada

 

602,340

 

613,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

997,445

 

$

979,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18. Subsequent Events

 

Distributions

 

On February 1, 2012, the Board of Directors of Niska Partners approved a distribution of $0.35 per common unit, payable on February 16, 2012 to unitholders of record on February 13, 2012. The total distribution is expected to be approximately $12.3 million. No distribution was declared on the Company’s subordinated units.

 

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Table of Contents

 

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

 

The following information should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this report. The following information and such unaudited consolidated financial statements should also be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes, management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and other information included our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

 

Overview of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The process of preparing financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires our management to make estimates and judgments regarding certain items and transactions. It is possible that materially different amounts could be recorded if these estimates and judgments change or if the actual results differ from these estimates and judgments. Our most critical accounting estimates, which involve the judgment of our management, were fully disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 and remained unchanged as of December 31, 2011.

 

Overview of Our Business

 

We operate the Countess and Suffield gas storage facilities (collectively, the AECO HubTM) in Alberta, Canada, and the Wild Goose and Salt Plains gas storage facilities in California and Oklahoma, respectively. Niska Partners markets gas storage services of working gas capacity in addition to optimizing storage capacity with its own proprietary gas purchases at each of these facilities. We earn revenues by leasing storage on a long-term firm (“LTF”) contract basis for which we receive monthly reservation fees for fixed amounts of storage, leasing storage on a short-term firm (“STF”) contract basis, where customers inject and withdraw specified amounts of gas and pay fees on specific dates, and optimization, where we purchase and sell gas on an economically hedged basis in order to improve facility utilization at margins higher than those from third party contracts.

 

The Company has a total of 206.5 Bcf of working gas capacity among its facilities, including 8.5 Bcf leased from a third-party pipeline company.

 

We have aggregated all of our activities in one reportable operating segment for financial reporting purposes. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Because the closing of the IPO which occurred on May 17, 2010, we have pro-rated net earnings for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 on a pre- and post-IPO basis. As part of the process of allocating revenues and expenses to the pre and post-IPO periods, we assessed the fair value of our risk management assets and liabilities to market, which resulted in a gain for the pre-IPO period and a loss for the post-IPO period.

 

Factors that Impact Our Business

 

During our fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 and the nine months ended December 31, 2011 there was a significant reduction in natural gas price volatility and a narrowing of the difference between winter and summer prices in the natural gas futures market, sometimes referred to as the seasonal spread.  These conditions are the result of numerous factors, including, but not limited to: (i) warmer weather patterns; (ii) an increase in the supply of non-conventional (including shale-gas) natural gas; (iii) real or perceived changes in the overall supply and demand fundamentals; (iv) increased development in the number and size of natural gas storage facilities; and (v) the development of new pipeline infrastructure.  These factors have adversely impacted our business this quarter. If low volatility and narrow seasonal spreads persist, these conditions will continue to adversely impact our revenues and profitability.

 

Niska is required to perform an annual impairment test with respect to the valuation of its goodwill, a test which is performed at the Company’s fiscal year end of March 31.  However, Niska is also required to evaluate on an interim basis whether there are factors which indicate that economic and/or business conditions have deteriorated such that the value of its goodwill has declined since its most recent annual test.  During the three months ended December 31, 2011, the Company concluded that a number of factors, including the continued narrow difference between summer and winter prices in the natural gas futures market along with a significant reduction in natural gas price volatility were impairment indicators.  The Company made this determination because these factors had a material negative effect on its current financial performance and its expected performance for the balance of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012.  Management is unable to predict whether these factors will reverse in periods beyond the current fiscal year.  Therefore, management performed an interim goodwill impairment test. Based on the interim goodwill impairment test performed, the Company determined and accordingly recorded an impairment charge of $250 million.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Other than the above, there were no material changes in the disclosure made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 regarding this matter.

 

Results of Operations

 

A summary of financial data for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Consolidated Statement of (Loss) Earnings and Comprehensive (Loss) Income Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term Contract

 

$

28,994

 

$

30,298

 

$

88,069

 

$

88,316

 

Short-term Contract

 

8,228

 

11,101

 

19,532

 

28,877

 

Optimization, net

 

52,682

 

4,188

 

103,726

 

47,874

 

 

 

89,904

 

45,587

 

211,327

 

165,067

 

Expenses (income)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

9,702

 

11,133

 

34,881

 

32,404

 

General and administrative

 

6,015

 

8,692

 

20,482

 

23,964

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

13,115

 

13,011

 

33,922

 

36,348

 

Interest

 

19,598

 

19,434

 

57,620

 

57,601

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

250,000

 

 

250,000

 

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

5,147

 

 

6,030

 

 

Foreign exchange losses (gains)

 

557

 

(796

)

939

 

(765

)

Other income

 

(7

)

(12

)

(49

)

(35

)

(Loss) earnings before income taxes

 

(214,223

)

(5,875

)

(192,498

)

15,550

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax benefit

 

(593

)

(3,461

)

(11,084

)

(14,008

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings and comprehensive (loss) income

 

$

(213,630

)

$

(2,414

)

$

(181,414

)

$

29,558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution to Net (Loss) Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

$

(213,630

)

$

(2,414

)

$

(181,414

)

$

29,558

 

Add/(deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

19,598

 

19,434

 

57,620

 

57,601

 

Income tax benefit

 

(593

)

(3,461

)

(11,084

)

(14,008

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

13,115

 

13,011

 

33,922

 

36,348

 

Unrealized risk management (gains) losses

 

(61,736

)

34,108

 

(74,708

)

25,659

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

250,000

 

 

250,000

 

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

5,147

 

 

6,030

 

 

Foreign exchange losses (gains)

 

557

 

(796

)

939

 

(765

)

Other income

 

(7

)

(12

)

(49

)

(35

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

12,451

 

59,870

 

81,256

 

134,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash interest expense, net

 

18,626

 

18,408

 

54,602

 

54,503

 

Income taxes paid

 

352

 

 

1,107

 

287

 

Maintenance capital expenditures

 

1,274

 

144

 

1,436

 

868

 

Other income

 

(7

)

(12

)

(49

)

(35

)

Cash Available for Distribution

 

$

(7,794

)

$

41,330

 

$

24,160

 

$

78,735

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution

 

We use the non-GAAP financial measures Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution in this report. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution to net earnings, the most directly comparable financial measure as calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, is shown above.

 

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, unrealized risk management gains and losses, foreign exchange gains and losses, unrealized inventory impairment write downs, gains and losses on asset dispositions, asset impairments and other income. We believe the adjustments for other income are similar in nature to the traditional adjustments to net earnings used to calculate EBITDA and adjustment for these items results in an appropriate representation of this financial measure. Cash Available for Distribution is defined as Adjusted EBITDA reduced by interest expense (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs and the effects of unrealized gains or losses on interest rate swaps), income taxes paid, maintenance capital expenditures and other income. Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution are used as supplemental financial measures by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as commercial banks and ratings agencies, to assess:

 

·                  the financial performance of our assets, operations and return on capital without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;

 

·                  the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest on our indebtedness and make distributions to our equity holders;

 

·                  repeatable operating performance that is not distorted by non-recurring items or market volatility; and

 

·                  the viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects.

 

The non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution should not be considered as alternatives to net earnings. Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution are not presentations made in accordance with GAAP and have important limitations as analytical tools. Neither Adjusted EBITDA nor Cash Available for Distribution should be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution exclude some, but not all, items that affect net earnings and are defined differently by different companies, our definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Available for Distribution may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

 

We recognize that the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as an evaluative tool may have certain limitations, including:

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA does not include interest expense. Because we have borrowed money in order to finance our operations, interest expense is a necessary element of our costs and impacts our ability to generate profits and cash flows. Therefore, any measure that excludes interest expense may have material limitations;

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA does not include depreciation and amortization expense. Because we use capital assets, depreciation and amortization expense is a necessary element of our costs and ability to generate profits. Therefore, any measure that excludes depreciation and amortization expense may have material limitations;

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA does not include provision for income taxes. Because the payment of income taxes is a necessary element of our costs, any measure that excludes income tax expense may have material limitations;

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; and

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA does not allow us to analyze the effect of certain recurring and non-recurring items that materially affect our net earnings or loss.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Similarly, Cash Available for Distribution has certain limitations because it accounts for some, but not all, of the above limitations.

 

Revenues

 

Revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2011 were $89.9 million compared to $45.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2010. Revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 were $211.3 million compared to $165.1 million in the same period last year. Changes in revenue are described below.

 

LTF Revenues.  LTF revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2011 were $29.0 million compared to $30.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010.  LTF revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 were $88.1 million compared to $88.3 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2010. Revenues from Canadian operations declined on a quarter over quarter basis due to a weakening of the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar. For the nine months ended December 31, 2011, an increase in LTF capacity contracted was offset by a decrease in fees on re-contracted capacity.

 

STF Revenues.  STF revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2011 decreased to $8.2 million compared to $11.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010. STF revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 were $19.5 million, compared to $28.9 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2010.  Lower seasonal spreads and reduced capacity allocated to our STF strategy contributed to lower revenue compared to the third quarter and first nine months of last year.

 

Optimization Revenues.  Net optimization revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2011 increased to $52.7 million from $4.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010. Net optimization revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 were $103.7 million, an increase of $55.8 million compared to revenues of $47.9 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2010. Net optimization revenues consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized optimization (losses) revenue, net

 

$

(9,054

)

$

38,296

 

$

29,018

 

$

73,532

 

Unrealized risk management gains (losses)

 

61,736

 

(34,108

)

74,708

 

(25,659

)

Total

 

$

52,682

 

$

4,188

 

$

103,726

 

$

47,874

 

 

When evaluating the performance of our optimization business, we focus on our realized optimization margins, excluding the impact of unrealized economic hedging gains and losses and inventory write-downs. For accounting purposes, our net optimization revenues include the impact of unrealized economic hedging gains and losses and of inventory write-downs, which cause our reported revenues to fluctuate from period to period. However, because substantially all of our inventory is economically hedged, any inventory write-downs are offset by economic hedging gains and any unrealized economic hedging losses are offset by realized gains from the sale of physical inventory. The components of optimization revenues are as follows:

 

·                  Realized Optimization (Losses) Revenues. Realized optimization (losses) revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2011 decreased to losses of $9.1 million from revenues of $38.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2010. Realized optimization revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 decreased to $29.0 million from $73.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2010. During the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2011, we used a greater proportion of our total capacity for our proprietary optimization strategy compared to the prior period; however lower margins were realized as a result of the weaker seasonal spread environment. Realized financial losses related to the timing of the settlement of financial contracts impacted revenue during the prior three and nine month periods. In addition, the liquidation of approximately $110 million of proprietary inventory shifted realized revenue from the third to the fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal 2012.

 

·                  Unrealized Risk Management Gains/(Losses).  Unrealized risk management gains for the three months ended December 31, 2011 were $61.7 million compared to unrealized risk management losses of $34.1 million in the

 

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three months ended December 31, 2010. Unrealized risk management gains for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 were $74.7 million, compared to losses of $25.7 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2010. As all inventory is economically hedged, any unrealized risk management losses (or gains) are offset by future gains (or losses) associated with the sale of proprietary inventory.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General operating costs, including insurance, lease costs, safety and training costs

 

$

4,214

 

$

5,354

 

$

15,922

 

$

14,750

 

Salaries and benefits

 

1,463

 

1,630

 

4,929

 

4,860

 

Fuel and electricity

 

3,490

 

2,855

 

11,999

 

10,323

 

Maintenance

 

535

 

1,294

 

2,031

 

2,471

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

9,702

 

$

11,133

 

$

34,881

 

$

32,404

 

 

Operating expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 decreased to $9.7 million from $11.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. Operating expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 increased to $34.9 million from $32.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2010. Lower property taxes resulting from a refund of previous taxes paid drove general operating expenses lower in the quarter.  Costs associated with additional 3rd party storage acquired for the current year increased year to date general operating costs. Higher electricity prices and increased compressor utilization required to fill our newly expanded facilities resulted in additional fuel and electricity costs in the three and nine months ended in the current year.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation costs

 

$

2,421

 

$

5,416

 

$

11,789

 

$

15,713

 

General costs, including office and information technology costs

 

1,351

 

1,335

 

2,976

 

3,474

 

Legal, audit and regulatory costs

 

2,243

 

1,941

 

5,717

 

4,777

 

Total general and administrative expenses

 

$

6,015

 

$

8,692

 

$

20,482

 

$

23,964

 

 

General and administrative costs were $6.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2011, compared to $8.7 million in the same period last year.  General and administrative expenses decreased to $20.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 compared to $24.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2010. Compensation costs decreased principally as a result of a reduction in incentive compensation accruals in the current period.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended December 31, 2011 was $13.1 million compared to $13.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2010. Depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 was $33.9 million compared to $36.3 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2010. The decrease was primarily attributable to a provision for cushion gas migration at one of the Company’s facilities which is

 

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recorded in depreciation and amortization expense. The provision for cushion gas migration amounted to $3.3 million and $4.3 million during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011, respectively, as compared to $2.7 million and $5.5 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010. The provision against cushion gas is estimated based on tests of its effectiveness.

 

Impairment of Goodwill

 

During the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2011 we concluded that a number of factors, including the significant reduction in natural gas price volatility and the continued narrow seasonal spread were impairment indicators.  We made this determination because these factors had a material negative effect on its current financial performance and our expected performance for the balance of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012. As a result of this determination, we performed an interim impairment test and concluded that an impairment charge of $250 million should be recorded.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2011 was $19.6 million compared to $19.4 million in the three months ended December 31, 2010. Interest expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 was $57.6 million compared to $57.6 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2010. Interest expense in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 principally consisted of interest on our 8.875% Senior Notes and the Credit Facilities as well as amortization of deferred financing costs.

 

Loss/Earnings before Income Taxes

 

Loss before income taxes for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 increased to $214.2 million from a loss of $5.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2010.  Loss before income taxes for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 increased to $192.5 million from earnings of $15.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2010. The changes in loss for the three and nine months ended were primarily attributable to the impairment of goodwill recorded during the quarter ended.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax benefit was $0.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2011 compared to $3.5 million for the same period of the prior year.  We had an income tax benefit of $11.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011, compared to a benefit of $14.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2010. The income tax benefit in the current three and nine month periods is due mainly to the certain tax planning strategies undertaken in certain taxable Canadian entities, the recognition of losses in those entities, and the recognition of income in certain non-taxable entities. As a result of a triggering event, goodwill in one of Niska Partners’ partnerships which allocates income to taxable Canadian entities was written down during the quarter ended December 31, 2011. This write-down is not a deductible expense for Canadian tax purposes and therefore does not impact taxable income.

 

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2011 differs from the U.S. statutory federal rate of 35% primarily due to the recognition of income in non-taxable entities and the recognition of losses in taxable entities.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Overview

 

As noted above, our revenues and profitability have been negatively impacted in fiscal 2012 by a combination of factors that have resulted in reduced revenue margins compared to those experienced in prior periods.  We have responded to these conditions with a number of actions which are designed to reduce debt and interest costs as well as preserve Niska’s liquidity and financial flexibility under these conditions.

 

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

 

Our primary debt obligations are our 8.875% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Senior Notes”) and our $400 million Credit Agreement, which matures in March 2014.  For further information about our Senior Notes and our $400 million

 

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Credit Agreement, including covenants and restrictions, see Note 6 to the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

 

Our primary short-term liquidity needs are to pay our operating and maintenance and expansion capital expenditures, pay interest and principal on our debt obligations, fund inventory purchases and related margin requirements associated with our optimization activities and to pay distributions, to the extent declared by our Board of Directors, to our unitholders.  We fund these expenditures from cash on hand, cash flows from operations and borrowings under our $400 million Credit Agreement.

 

Our medium-term and long-term liquidity needs primarily relate to potential debt repurchases, organic expansion opportunities and asset acquisitions. We expect to finance the cost of any expansion projects and acquisitions from borrowings under our existing and possible future credit facilities or a mix of borrowings and additional equity offerings as well as cash on hand and cash from operations. As of December 31, 2011, the Company does not anticipate any expansion projects or acquisitions that would require additional debt or equity financing.  As noted above, when our fixed charge coverage ratio is less than 2.0:1.0, we are restricted in our ability to issue additional debt.  At December 31, 2011, our fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.99:1.0.

 

During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, we purchased approximately $121 million principal amount of the Senior Notes, reducing the outstanding balance to $679 million from $800 million which was outstanding at March 31, 2011.  These purchases of Senior Notes were funded primarily by working capital that management determined was not required for the operation of our business.  We sold approximately $110 million of proprietary inventory in the three months ended December 31, 2011.  In addition, in August 2011 the Carlyle/Riverstone funds invested $11 million of distributions that had been paid to them in new common units.  Niska’s management believes that it has additional working capital that it could liquidate and use for other higher-return opportunities, which could include additional repurchases of the Senior Notes.  Management also believes that the debt purchases to date as well as any future purchases serve to lower Niska’s interest costs without impacting its ability to effectively operate the business, because its existing sources of cash, including the $400 million Credit Agreement, would be available to fund its operating activities.

 

In certain circumstances, our fixed charge coverage ratio could fall below the level of 1.75 to 1.0 in future quarters.  If our fixed charge coverage ratio were to be below 1.75 to 1.0, we expect we would be permitted to thereafter pay at least an additional $75 million of distributions.

 

We believe that our existing sources of liquidity described above will be sufficient to fund our short-term liquidity needs through March 31, 2012 and the year ending March 31, 2013.  Funding of material acquisitions and longer-term liquidity needs will depend on the availability and cost of capital in the debt and equity markets, as well as compliance with our debt covenants.  Accordingly, the availability of any such potential funding on economic terms is uncertain.

 

Management does not believe that the operation of its existing business is impacted by the availability of capital for expansion projects or acquisitions.

 

Historical Cash Flows

 

Our cash flows are significantly influenced by our level of natural gas inventory, margin deposits and related forward sale contracts or economic hedging positions at the end of each accounting period and may fluctuate significantly from period to period. In addition, our period to period cash flows are heavily influenced by the seasonality of our proprietary optimization activities. For example, we generally purchase significant quantities of natural gas during the summer months and sell natural gas during the winter months. The storage of natural gas for our own account can have a material impact on our cash flows from operating activities for the period we pay for and store the natural gas and the subsequent period in which we receive proceeds from the sale of natural gas. When we purchase and store natural gas for our own account, we use cash to pay for the gas and record the gas as inventory and thereby reduce our cash flows from operating activities. We typically borrow on our revolving credit facilities to fund these purchases, and these borrowings increase our cash flows from financing activities. Conversely, when we collect the proceeds from the sale of natural gas that we purchased and stored for our own account, our cash flows from operating activities increase and our cash flows from financing activities are decreased. Therefore, our cash flows from operating activities fluctuate significantly from period-to-period as we purchase gas, store it, and then sell it in a later period. In addition, we have margin requirements on our economically hedged positions. As the cash deposits we make to satisfy our margin requirements increase and decrease with our volume of derivative positions and changes in commodity prices, our cash flows from operating activities may fluctuate significantly from period to period.

 

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Cash Flows from Operations and Financing Activities

 

The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash for the nine month periods ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

$

(181,414

)

$

29,558

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains)

 

88

 

(587

)

Deferred income tax benefit

 

(11,178

)

(14,295

)

Unrealized risk management (gains) losses

 

(74,708

)

25,659

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

33,922

 

36,348

 

Deferred charges amortization

 

3,018

 

3,098

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

6,030

 

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

250,000

 

 

Changes in non-cash working capital

 

8,077

 

(140,151

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

33,835

 

(60,370

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(43,632

)

(17,163

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(93,146

)

(20,724

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of translation of foreign currency on cash and cash equivalents

 

(206

)

84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

$

(103,149

)

$

(98,173

)

 

The decrease in cash is primarily due to cash paid for inventory purchases, interest payments and principal repurchases on our Senior Notes, capital expenditures, and distributions to unitholders.  These decreases are offset by cash from operations and drawings on our Credit Facilities, in addition to cushion gas sales entered into during the nine months ended December 31, 2011, for total proceeds of $49.0 million. We sold cushion gas during the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and entered into firm commitments to reacquire an equivalent amount of cushion gas in the quarter ending March 31, 2012 and accordingly expect to spend approximately $53.8 million to reacquire the cushion gas at that time. In conjunction with the sale of cushion gas, we entered into STF contracts which provided cash inflows of $2.1 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and will provided a further $2.1 million of cash inflows during the fourth quarter of the fiscal 2012 fiscal year.

 

For a discussion of changes in cash flow resulting from adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operations, please refer to the discussion “Results of Operations,” above.

 

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Changes in non-cash working capital consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in non-cash working capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margin deposits

 

$

94,746

 

$

(39,437

)

Trade receivables

 

(1,231

)

470

 

Accrued receivables

 

3,531

 

(20,490

)

Natural gas inventory

 

(125,550

)

(117,426

)

Prepaid expenses

 

1,158

 

(2,396

)

Other assets

 

(392

)

 

Trade payables

 

(1,198

)

(1,311

)

Accrued liabilities

 

31,793

 

28,218

 

Deferred revenue

 

5,118

 

12,218

 

Funds held on deposit

 

102

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net changes in non-cash working capital

 

$

8,077

 

$

(140,151

)

 

For the period ended December 31, 2011, consistent with the same period in the prior year, we continued to allocate a significant proportion of our capacity to our optimization strategy, accumulating inventory and economically hedging it forward to future periods. However, unlike the prior year, forward commodity prices softened after we hedged our inventory and this resulted in a return of substantial cash that had been posted as margin deposits.

 

Investing Activities

 

Substantially all of our investing activities consisted of capital expenditures in each of the nine months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Capital expenditures in each nine month period consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintenance capital

 

$

1,436

 

$

868

 

Expansion capital

 

42,196

 

16,295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cash expenditures

 

43,632

 

17,163

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in accrued capital expenditures

 

5,745

 

4,710

 

Total

 

$

49,377

 

$

21,873

 

 

Maintenance capital expenditures are capital expenditures made to replace partially or fully depreciated assets, to maintain the existing operating capacity of our assets and to extend their useful lives. Expansion capital expenditures are made to acquire additional assets to grow our business, to expand and upgrade our facilities and to acquire similar operations or facilities. During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, we spent a total of $49.4 million on projects at our AECO and Wild Goose facilities including $11.3 million included in a capital lease.

 

Under our current plan, we expect to continue to spend between approximately $1.0 million and $2.0 million per year for maintenance capital expenditures to maintain the integrity of our storage facilities and ensure the reliable injection, storage and withdrawal of natural gas for our customers.  Total expansion capital spending during the twelve months ending

 

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March 31, 2012 is currently expected to be within a range of $65 - $75 million. During the nine months ended December 31, 2011, we added 2.0 Bcf of incremental capacity at our AECO Hub ™ facility. We plan to add 15.0 Bcf of incremental capacity at the Wild Goose facility.  We expect to fund both our maintenance capital expenditures and our expansion capital expenditures from existing cash on hand, cash flows from operations and borrowings under our $400 million Credit Agreement.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

There were no material changes to the disclosures made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 regarding this matter.

 

At December 31, 2011, 69.1 Bcf of natural gas inventory was economically hedged, representing 99.9% of our total current inventory. Because inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market, not fair value, if the price of natural gas increased by $1.00 per Mcf the value of that inventory would increase by $69.1 million, the fair value or mark-to-market value of our economic hedges would decrease by $69.0 million, and the impact due to the non-economically hedged position would be immaterial. Similarly, if the price of natural gas declined by $1.00 per Mcf, the value of that inventory would decrease by $69.1 million while the fair value of our economic hedges would increase by $69.0 million and the impact due to the non-economically hedged position would be immaterial. Long-term inventory and fuel gas used for operating our facilities are not offset. Total volumes of long-term inventory and fuel gas at December 31, 2011 are 3.4 Bcf and 0.0 Bcf, respectively.

 

At December 31, 2011, we were exposed to interest rate risk resulting from the variable rates associated with our $400 million Credit Agreement. A balance of $84.0 million was drawn on the Credit Facilities at December 31, 2011.  The interest rate applicable on the Credit Facilities is subject to change based on certain ratios and the magnitude of our drawings on the facility.  At December 31, 2011, a one percent increase or decrease in interest rates would have an impact of approximately $0.8 million on our interest expense.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our principal executive officer (Interim CEO) and principal financial officer (CFO) undertook an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. The Interim CEO and the CFO have concluded that our controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2011. For purposes of this section, the term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. However, a controls system cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

For information on legal proceedings, see Part 1, Item 1, Financial Statements, Note 2, “Commitments and Contingencies” in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in this quarterly report, which is incorporated into this item by reference.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes from the risk factors described previously in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, filed on June 14, 2011.

 

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Item 6.  Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

3.1

Certificate of formation of Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-165007), filed on April 15, 2010)

 

 

 

3.2

First Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC dated May 17, 2010 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2010)

 

 

 

4.1

Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement made as of August 24, 2011, by and between Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Niska Sponsor Holdings Coöperatief U.A. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report, filed on November 7, 2011)

 

 

 

10.1

Common Unit Purchase Agreement made as of August 24, 2011 by and between Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC and Niska Sponsor Holdings Coöperatief U.A. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report, filed on November 7, 2011)

 

 

 

31.1*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

31.2*

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

32.1*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2*

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document.

 

 

 

101.SCH*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

 

 

 

101.CAL*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.LAB*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.PRE*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.DEF*

Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 


*                                         Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

 

NISKA GAS STORAGE PARTNERS LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: February 8, 2012

By:

/s/ VANCE E. POWERS

 

 

Vance E. Powers

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

31