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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT SECTION 906 CEO CERTIFICATION - El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.epb-2013930ex321.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT SECTION 906 CFO CERTIFICATION - El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.epb-2013930ex322.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION - El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.epb-2013930ex311.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION - El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.epb-2013930ex312.htm
EX-12 - EXHIBIT RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES - El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.ratioofearningstofixedchar.htm
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.Financial_Report.xls

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from  _____ to _____
Commission File Number 1-33825


 EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
26-0789784
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
1001 Louisiana Street, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77002
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 713-369-9000

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  þ    No  ¨.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  þ    No  ¨
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.
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨  No þ.
There were 217,827,283 Common Units and 4,445,455 General Partner Units outstanding as of October 25, 2013.






EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
Number
Item 1.
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income - Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
 
Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 

2


EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.
 
 
Company Abbreviations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bear Creek
=
Bear Creek Storage Company, L.L.C.
 
GLNG
=
Gulf LNG Energy, L.L.C.
CIG
=
Colorado Interstate Gas Company, L.L.C.
 
KMI
=
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
CPG
=
Cheyenne Plains Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C.
 
SLC
=
Southern Liquefaction Company, L.L.C.
CPI
=
Cheyenne Plains Investment Company, L.L.C.
 
SLNG
=
Southern LNG Company, L.L.C.
Elba Express
=
Elba Express Company, L.L.C.
 
SNG
=
Southern Natural Gas Company, L.L.C.
ELC
=
Elba Liquefaction Company, L.L.C.
 
WIC
=
Wyoming Interstate Company, L.L.C.
El Paso
=
El Paso LLC
 
WYCO
=
WYCO Development L.L.C.
EPPOC
=
El Paso Pipeline Partners Operating Company, L.L.C.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unless the context otherwise requires, references to "us," "we," "our," "ours," or "EPB," are describing El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P. and/or our subsidiaries, as applicable.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Industry and Other Terms
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AFUDC
=
allowance for funds used during construction
 
FTA
=
Free Trade Agreement
BBtu/d
=
billion British thermal units per day
 
GAAP
=
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America
CERCLA
=
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
 
IDR
=
incentive distribution right
DCF
=
distributable cash flow
 
LIBOR
=
London Interbank Offered Rate
DD&A
=
depreciation and amortization
 
LLC
=
Limited Liability Company
DOE
=
United States Department of Energy
 
LNG
=
liquefied natural gas
EBDA
=
Earnings before depreciation and amortization
 
MLP
=
master limited partnership
EDA
=
equity distribution agreement
 
MMcf/d
=
million cubic feet per day
FERC
=
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
 
PRP
=
Potentially Responsible Party
FASB
=
Financial Accounting Standards Board
 
SEC
=
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
FPA
=
Flood Protection Authority
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
When we refer to cubic feet measurements, all measurements are at a pressure of 14.73 pounds per square inch.



3



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In Millions, Except Per Unit Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues
$
369

 
$
368

 
$
1,114

 
$
1,125

Operating Costs and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operations and maintenance
89


83


240


310

Depreciation and amortization
49

 
46

 
144

 
137

Taxes, other than income taxes
19


19


63


63

Total Operating Costs and Expenses
157

 
148

 
447

 
510

Operating Income
212

 
220

 
667

 
615

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from equity investments
3

 
4

 
9

 
11

Interest expense, net
(75
)
 
(74
)
 
(226
)
 
(218
)
Other, net
1

 
1

 
1

 
3

Total Other Income (Expense)
(71
)
 
(69
)
 
(216
)
 
(204
)
Net Income
141

 
151

 
451

 
411

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

 

 

 
(10
)
Net Income Attributable to El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.
$
141

 
$
151

 
$
451

 
$
401

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calculation of Limited Partners’ Interest in Net Income Attributable to El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Attributable to El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.
$
141

 
$
151

 
$
451

 
$
401

Less: Pre-acquisition Earnings Allocated to General Partner

 

 

 
(22
)
Plus: Severance Costs Allocated to General Partner

 
3

 
1

 
32

Income Subject to 2% Allocation of General Partner Interest
141

 
154

 
452

 
411

Less: General Partner’s 2% Interest Allocation
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(9
)
 
(8
)
Less: General Partner’s Incentive Distribution
(52
)
 
(36
)
 
(144
)
 
(86
)
Limited Partners’ Interest in Net Income
$
86

 
$
115

 
$
299

 
$
317

Limited Partners’ Net Income per Unit - Basic and Diluted
$
0.40

 
$
0.55

 
$
1.38

 
$
1.53

Weighted Average Number of Units Used in Computation of Limited Partners’ Net Income per Unit - basic and diluted
218

 
209

 
217

 
207

Per Unit Cash Distribution Declared for the Period
$
0.65

 
$
0.58

 
$
1.90

 
$
1.64


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


4



EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In Millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Net Income
$
141

 
$
151

 
$
451

 
$
411

Other Comprehensive Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in fair value of derivatives utilized for hedging purposes

 

 

 
(1
)
Reclassification of change in fair value of derivatives to net income

 
1

 

 
4

Adjustments to postretirement benefit plan liabilities
1

 

 
1

 
1

Reclassification of terminated hedge to net income (1)

 
12

 

 
12

Total Other Comprehensive Income
1

 
13

 
1

 
16

Comprehensive Income
142

 
164

 
452

 
427

Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

 

 

 
(10
)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.
$
142

 
$
164

 
$
452

 
$
417

—————————
(1) See Note 5 for further discussion.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 

5


EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Millions)
 
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
145

 
$
114

Accounts receivable, net
131

 
155

Inventories
34

 
34

Regulatory assets
36

 
46

Other current assets
11

 
6

Total current assets
357

 
355

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
5,903

 
5,931

Investments
79

 
72

Regulatory assets
127

 
147

Deferred charges and other assets
109

 
76

Total Assets
$
6,575

 
$
6,581

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Current portion of debt
$
76

 
$
93

Accounts payable
54

 
67

Accrued interest
89

 
53

Accrued taxes, other than income
64

 
31

Regulatory liabilities
16

 
17

Accrued other current liabilities
21

 
20

Total current liabilities
320

 
281

 
 
 
 
Long-term liabilities and deferred credits
 
 
 
Long-term debt
4,172

 
4,246

Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits
105

 
67

Total long-term liabilities and deferred credits
4,277

 
4,313

Total Liabilities
4,597

 
4,594

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

 

Partners’ Capital
 
 
 
Common units
4,234

 
4,253

General partner units
(2,267
)
 
(2,276
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
11

 
10

Total Partners’ Capital
1,978

 
1,987

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital
$
6,575

 
$
6,581


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6



EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Millions)
(Unaudited) 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net Income
$
451

 
$
411

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
144

 
137

Earnings from equity investments
(9
)
 
(11
)
Distributions from equity investments
10

 
7

Non-cash severance costs
1

 
32

Other
7

 
22

Changes in components of working capital:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
24

 
(42
)
Other current assets, including inventories
(5
)
 
(6
)
Accounts payable
(20
)
 
(49
)
Accrued interest
36

 
29

Accrued taxes, other than income
30

 
20

Regulatory assets
11

 
(8
)
Regulatory liabilities
3

 

Other current liabilities
(3
)
 
(25
)
Other long-term assets and liabilities
(7
)
 
6

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
673

 
523

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(89
)
 
(77
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
12

 

Contributions to equity investment
(8
)
 

Cash paid to acquire CPG

 
(185
)
Other, net
(3
)
 
(7
)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
(88
)
 
(269
)
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
 
 
 
Issuance of debt

 
725

Payments of debt
(92
)
 
(499
)
Net proceeds from issuance of common and general partner units
87

 
279

Cash distributions to unitholders and general partner
(549
)
 
(399
)
Cash distributions by subsidiaries to El Paso

 
(28
)
Cash contributions to subsidiaries from El Paso

 
2

Excess of cash paid for CPG over contributed book value

 
(180
)
Cash paid to acquire remaining interest in CIG

 
(206
)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
(554
)
 
(306
)
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
31

 
(52
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period
114

 
120

Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
$
145

 
$
68

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

7



EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
(In Millions, Except Units)
(Unaudited) 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
Units
 
Amount
 
Units
 
Amount
Limited partner common:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Balance
215,789,325

 
$
4,253

 
205,698,750

 
$
3,977

Net income

 
299

 

 
317

Issuance of units, net of issuance costs
2,037,958

 
85

 
8,165,000

 
272

Cash distributions to unitholders

 
(403
)
 

 
(322
)
Units issued to acquire interests in CIG and CPG


 

 
1,920,751

 

Other

 

 

 
1

Ending Balance
217,827,283

 
4,234

 
215,784,501

 
4,245

General partner:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Beginning Balance
4,403,765

 
(2,276
)
 
4,197,822

 
(1,855
)
Net income

 
152

 

 
84

Issuance of units
41,690

 
2

 
205,943

 
7

Cash distributions to general partner

 
(146
)
 

 
(77
)
Cash distributions by subsidiaries to El Paso

 

 

 
(15
)
Cash paid to general partner to acquire interests in CIG and CPG

 

 

 
(571
)
Acquisition of remaining interest in CIG

 

 

 
114

Non-cash contributions from general partner

 
1

 

 
32

Other

 

 

 
(2
)
Ending Balance
4,445,455

 
(2,267
)
 
4,403,765

 
(2,283
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Beginning Balance

 
10

 

 
(7
)
Acquisition of remaining interest in CIG

 

 

 
1

Other comprehensive income

 
1

 

 
15

Ending Balance

 
11

 

 
9

Total EPB Partners' Capital
222,272,738

 
1,978

 
220,188,266

 
1,971

Noncontrolling interests:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Balance

 

 

 
116

Net income

 

 

 
10

Cash distributions by subsidiaries to El Paso

 

 

 
(13
)
Cash contributions to subsidiaries from El Paso

 

 

 
2

Acquisition of remaining interest in CIG

 

 

 
(115
)
Ending Balance

 

 

 

Total Partners' Capital
222,272,738

 
$
1,978

 
220,188,266

 
$
1,971



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

8



EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. General

Organization

We are a Delaware MLP formed in 2007 to own and operate interstate natural gas transportation and terminaling facilities. We own WIC, SLNG, Elba Express, SNG, CIG, SLC and CPI, which owns CPG. WIC and CIG are interstate pipeline systems serving the Rocky Mountain region. CPG is an interstate pipeline which serves the Rocky Mountain and Midwest regions. SLNG owns the Elba Island LNG storage and regasification terminal near Savannah, Georgia. Elba Express and SNG are interstate pipeline systems serving the southeastern region of the United States. Our equity method investments include WYCO, which is owned 50% by CIG, Bear Creek, which is owned 50% by SNG, and ELC, which is owned 51% by SLC, our subsidiary formed in October 2012. ELC was formed in January 2013 to develop and own a natural gas liquefaction plant at SLNG's existing Elba Island LNG terminal. KMI indirectly owns our general partner, El Paso Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso.

Basis of Presentation

We have prepared our accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements under the rules and regulations of the SEC. These rules and regulations conform to the accounting principles contained in the FASB's Accounting Standards Codification, the single source of GAAP and referred to in this report as the Codification. Under such rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and notes normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with the Codification. We believe, however, that our disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

Our accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect normal adjustments, and also recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of our management, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial results for the interim periods. Certain amounts from prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year; accordingly, you should read these consolidated financial statements in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which we refer to in this report as our 2012 Form 10-K.

Limited Partners’ Net Income per Unit

We compute Limited Partners’ Net Income per Unit by dividing our limited partners’ interest in net income by the weighted average number of common units outstanding during the period.

2. Acquisitions
In May 2012, we acquired the remaining 14% interest in CIG and a 100% interest in CPG from El Paso. Subsequent to the acquisition, we had the ability to control CPG’s operating and financial decisions and policies and as a result, consolidated CPG in our financial statements. Accordingly, we retrospectively adjusted the 2012 pre-acquisition periods presented in our financial statements to reflect the reorganization of entities under common control and the change in reporting entity. As a result of the retrospective consolidation, the pre-acquisition earnings of CPG were allocated solely to our general partner. The retrospective consolidation of CPG increased net income attributable to EPB by $22 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The acquisition of the remaining interest in CIG was for an additional interest in an already consolidated entity; therefore, it was accounted for prospectively. We decreased our historical noncontrolling interest in CIG for the May 2012 acquisition by $115 million and reflected that amount as an increase to general partner’s capital and accumulated other comprehensive income.


9


3. Debt
We classify our debt based on the contractual maturity dates of the underlying debt instruments. We defer costs associated with debt issuance over the applicable term. These costs are then amortized as interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income. The following table summarizes the net carrying value of our outstanding debt (in millions):
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
EPPOC
 
 
 
Senior Notes, 8.00%, due 2013
$

 
$
88

Senior Notes, 4.10%, due 2015
375

 
375

Senior Notes, 6.50%, due 2020
535

 
535

Senior Notes, 5.00%, due 2021
500

 
500

Senior Notes, 7.50%, due 2040
375

 
375

Senior Notes, 4.70%, due 2042
475

 
475

Revolving credit facility, variable, due 2016 (1)

 

CIG
 
 
 
Senior Notes, 5.95%, due 2015
35

 
35

Senior Notes, 6.80%, due 2015
340

 
340

Senior Debentures, 6.85%, due 2037
100

 
100

SLNG
 
 
 
Senior Notes, 9.50%, due 2014
71

 
71

Senior Notes, 9.75%, due 2016
64

 
64

SNG
 
 
 
Notes, 5.90%, due 2017
500

 
500

Notes, 4.40%, due 2021
300

 
300

Notes, 7.35%, due 2031
153

 
153

Notes, 8.00%, due 2032
258

 
258

Total long-term debt
4,081

 
4,169

Other financing obligations
175

 
178

Total long-term debt and other financing obligations
4,256

 
4,347

Less: Unamortized discount
8

 
8

Less: Current portion of debt
76

 
93

Total long-term debt and other financing obligations, less current maturities
$
4,172

 
$
4,246

 —————————
(1) LIBOR plus 1.75%.
Credit Facility
As of September 30, 2013, we had no outstanding balance under our revolving credit facility. Our availability under this facility as of September 30, 2013 was approximately $1 billion.
Repayment of Debt
In September 2013, EPPOC repaid $88 million of 8.00% senior notes.

10


EPB’s Other Debt Obligations
EPPOC’s senior notes are guaranteed fully and unconditionally by its parent, EPB. EPB’s only operating asset is its investment in EPPOC, and EPPOC’s only operating assets are its investments in CIG, WIC, SLNG, Elba Express, SNG, CPG and SLC (collectively, the non-guarantor operating companies). EPB’s and EPPOC’s independent assets and operations, other than those related to these investments and EPPOC’s debt are less than 3% of total assets and operations of EPB, and thus substantially all of the operations and assets exist within these non-guarantor operating companies. Furthermore, there are no significant restrictions on EPPOC’s or our ability to access the net assets or cash flows related to its controlling interests in the operating companies either through dividend or loan.
Debt Covenants
As of September 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants. For a further discussion of our debt, see our 2012 Form 10-K.
4. Partners’ Capital
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our partners’ capital included the following limited partner and general partner units:
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Common units:
 
 
 
Held by third parties
127,506,473

 
125,468,515

Held by KMI and affiliates
90,320,810

 
90,320,810

Total limited partner units
217,827,283

 
215,789,325

General partner units
4,445,455

 
4,403,765

Total units outstanding
222,272,738

 
220,193,090

The total limited partner units represent our limited partners’ interest and an effective 98% interest in us, exclusive of our general partner’s IDRs. Our general partner has an effective 2% interest in us, excluding its right to receive incentive distributions.
As of September 30, 2013, KMI owns a 41% limited partner interest in us and retains its 2% general partner interest in us and all of our IDRs.
Equity Issuances
On March 7, 2013, we entered into an EDA with Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. (Citigroup). Pursuant to the provisions of the EDA, we may sell from time to time through Citigroup, as our sales agent, common units representing limited partner interests having an aggregate offering price of up to $500 million. Sales of the common units will be made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions on the New York Stock Exchange at market prices, in block transactions or as otherwise agreed between us and Citigroup. Under the terms of the EDA, we may also sell common units to Citigroup as principal for its own account at a price agreed upon at the time of the sale. Any sale of the common units to Citigroup as principal would be pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement between us and Citigroup. The EDA provides us with the right, but not the obligation, to offer and sell common units, at prices to be determined by market conditions. We retain at all times complete control over the amount and the timing of each sale, and we will designate the maximum number of common units to be sold through Citigroup, on a daily basis or otherwise as we and Citigroup agree.
The table below shows the units issued, the net proceeds from the issuances (in millions) and the use of the proceeds:
Issuance
Period
 
Common
Units(1)
 
General
Partner
Units(2)
 
Net Proceeds(3)
 
Use of Proceeds
First Quarter 2013
 
525,900

 
10,831

 
$
22

 
General partnership purposes
Second Quarter 2013
 
1,512,058

 
30,859

 
65

 
General partnership purposes
—————————
(1) Issuances pursuant to our EDA.
(2) Units issued to the general partner to maintain its 2% ownership interest in us.
(3) Net proceeds include proceeds from issuances to our general partner.


11


Partnership Distributions

The table below shows the distributions we declared for or paid in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in millions, except for per unit amounts):
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Per unit cash distribution declared for the period
 
$
0.65

 
$
0.58

 
$
1.90

 
$
1.64

Per unit cash distribution paid in the period
 
0.63

 
0.55

 
1.86

 
1.56

Cash distributions paid in the period to all partners
 
188

 
146

 
549

 
399

General Partner’s incentive distribution:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Declared for the period
 
52

 
36

 
144

 
86

Paid in the period
 
47

 
29

 
135

 
69


Incentive Distribution Rights

As of September 30, 2013, our general partner has not elected to reset its minimum quarterly distribution amount and increase the cash target distribution levels upon which its IDR payments are made. Therefore, no Class B units have been issued as required by the general partner's reset election. Even if there has been no reset election, diluted earnings per unit may be affected if the impact of a potential reset is dilutive. Currently, diluted earnings per unit has not been impacted because the combined impact is antidilutive. For a further discussion of our reset election, see our 2012 Form 10-K.

Our general partner currently holds all of our IDRs, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in our partnership agreement. The IDRs are considered a special non-voting limited partner interest under EPB's partnership agreement. For presentation purposes, however, we include income allocations and distributions related to the IDRs within general partner's capital because our general partner currently holds the IDRs. For a further discussion of our IDRs, see our 2012 Form 10-K.

5. Fair Value
The following table reflects the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our debt, excluding total other financing obligations (in millions):
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Estimated
Fair  Value
Total debt, excluding total other financing obligations(1)
$
4,073

 
$
4,474

 
$
4,161

 
$
4,895

 —————————
(1) Our total other financing obligations were $175 million and $178 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, of which $5 million was reported as "Current portion of debt" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for each period. For a further discussion of our total other financing obligations, see our 2012 Form 10-K.
We separate the fair values of our financial instruments into levels based on our assessment of the availability of observable market data and the significance of non-observable data used to determine the estimated fair value. We estimated the above fair values of debt, excluding total other financing obligations, primarily based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues, a Level 2 fair value measurement. Our assessment and classification of an instrument within a level can change over time based on the maturity or liquidity of the instrument and this change would be reflected at the end of the period in which the change occurs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, there were no changes to the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of these instruments, or the levels in which they were classified.
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term borrowings and accounts receivable and payable represent their fair values based on the short-term nature of these items.

12


Interest Rate Derivatives
In May 2005, CPG entered into two interest rate swap agreements, which were designated as cash flow hedges and effectively converted 80% of the $266 million term loan from a floating interest rate to a fixed interest rate. In September 2012, in conjunction with the repayment of the CPG term loan, we settled the outstanding balance of our accrued liabilities related to our interest rate swaps of approximately $12 million. There was no ineffectiveness recognized for these interest rate swaps during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 on our Consolidated Statements of Income. The $12 million loss on termination of these interest rate derivatives included in "Accumulated other comprehensive income" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets was deferred as a regulatory asset pursuant to the accounting requirements for regulated operations. The regulatory asset is amortized over the term of the original debt issuance.

6. Related Party Transactions
Cash Distributions
The following table summarizes our cash distributions paid to El Paso prior to KMI's acquisition of El Paso (in millions):
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
CIG distributions to noncontrolling interest holder
 
$
13

CPG distributions of pre-acquisition earnings(1)
 
15

Total cash distributions to El Paso
 
$
28

  —————————
(1) Due to the retrospective consolidation of CPG, as discussed in Note 2, the distributions made prior to its consolidation were allocated solely to our general partner and were reflected as distributions of pre-acquisition earnings.
Affiliate Balances
We enter into transactions with our affiliates within the ordinary course of business. For a further discussion of our affiliated transactions, see our 2012 Form 10-K. The following table summarizes our balance sheet amounts attributable to affiliate transactions (in millions):
 
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Accounts receivable, net
$
3

 
$
7

Contractual gas imbalance receivable(1)
2

 
2

Accounts payable
9

 
13

Financing obligations(2)
175

 
178

   —————————
(1) Included in "Other current assets" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2) Represents financing obligations payable to WYCO, of which $5 million is included in "Current portion of debt" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at each period end.
The following table shows overall revenues, expenses and reimbursements from our affiliates (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Operating revenues
$
1

 
$
3

 
$
5

 
$
11

Operating expenses (1)
40

 
44

 
116

 
187

Reimbursement of operating expenses

 
1

 

 
3

 —————————
(1) Includes non-cash severance costs of $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and $3 million and $32 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, allocated to us from our general partner as a result of KMI’s acquisition of El Paso; however, we do not have any obligation nor did we pay any amounts related to this expense.



13


7. Accounts Receivable Sales Programs
We participated in accounts receivable sales programs where we sold receivables in their entirety to a third-party financial institution (through wholly owned special purpose entities). In connection with our accounts receivable sales, we received a portion of the sales proceeds up front and received an additional amount upon the collection of the underlying receivables, which we referred to as a deferred purchase price. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 we sold $418 million of accounts receivable to the third-party financial institution, for which we received $242 million of cash up front and had a deferred purchase price of $176 million. We received $191 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 of cash when the underlying receivables were collected during 2012. Losses recognized on the sale of accounts receivable were immaterial for the 2012 nine month period. The accounts receivable sales program was terminated in June 2012. For a further discussion of our accounts receivable sales programs, see our 2012 Form 10-K.

8. Litigation, Environmental and Other Contingencies

We are party to various legal, regulatory and other matters arising from the day-to-day operations of our businesses that may result in claims against us. Although no assurance can be given, we believe, based on our experiences to date and taking into account established reserves, that the ultimate resolution of such items will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We believe we have meritorious defenses to the matters to which we are a party and intend to vigorously defend these matters. When we determine a loss is probable of occurring and is reasonably estimable, we accrue an undiscounted liability for such contingencies based on our best estimate using information available at that time. If the estimated loss is a range of potential outcomes and there is no better estimate within the range, we accrue the amount at the low end of the range. We disclose contingencies where an adverse outcome may be material, or in the judgment of management, we conclude the matter should otherwise be disclosed.

Legal Proceedings

Brinckerhoff v. El Paso Pipeline GP Company, LLC., et al.

In December 2011 (“Brinckerhoff I”), March 2012 (“Brinckerhoff II”) and May 2013 ("Brinckerhoff III"), derivative lawsuits were filed in Delaware Chancery Court against El Paso, El Paso Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C., our general partner, and the directors of our general partner. We were named in these lawsuits as a “Nominal Defendant.” The lawsuits arise from the March 2010, November 2010 and May 2012 drop down transactions involving our purchase of SLNG, Elba Express, CPG and interests in SNG and CIG. The lawsuits allege various conflicts of interest and that the consideration we paid was excessive. Defendants' motion to dismiss in Brinckerhoff I was denied in part. Brinckerhoff I and II have been consolidated into one proceeding. A motion to dismiss has been filed in Brinckerhoff III. Defendants continue to believe that these actions are without merit and intend to defend against them vigorously.
Allen v. El Paso Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C., et al.
In May 2012, a unitholder of EPB filed a purported class action in Delaware Chancery Court, alleging both derivative and non derivative claims, against us, and our general partner and its board. We were named in the lawsuit as both a “Class Defendant” and a “Derivative Nominal Defendant.” The complaint alleges a breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing in connection with the March 2011 sale to us of a 25% ownership interest in SNG. Defendants' motion to dismiss was denied. Defendants continue to believe this action is without merit and intend to defend against it vigorously.
General
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our total reserve for legal proceedings amounted to $2 million.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to environmental cleanup and enforcement actions from time to time. Our operations are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment. Although we believe our operations are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental law and regulations, risks of additional costs and liabilities are inherent in our operations, and there can be no assurance that we will not incur significant costs and liabilities. Moreover, it is possible that other developments, such as increasingly stringent environmental laws, regulations and enforcement policies under the terms of authority of those laws, and claims for damages to property or persons resulting from our operations, could result in substantial costs and liabilities to us.

14


Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Litigation

On July 24, 2013, the Board of Commissioners of the Southeast Louisiana FPA- East filed a petition for damages and injunctive relief in state district court for Orleans Parish, Louisiana (Case No. 13-6911) against SNG, and approximately one hundred other energy companies, alleging that defendants' drilling, dredging, pipeline and industrial operations since the 1930's have caused direct land loss and increased erosion and submergence resulting in alleged increased storm surge risk, increased flood protection costs and unspecified damages to the plaintiff. The FPA asserts claims for negligence, strict liability, public nuisance, private nuisance, and breach of contract. Among other relief, the petition seeks unspecified monetary damages, attorney fees, interest, and injunctive relief in the form of abatement and restoration of the alleged coastal land loss including but not limited to backfilling and re-vegetation of canals, wetlands and reef creation, land bridge construction, hydrologic restoration, shoreline protection, structural protection, and bank stabilization. On August 13, 2013, the suit was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Superfund Matters

Included in our recorded environmental liabilities are projects where we have received notice that we have been designated, or could be designated, as a PRP under the CERCLA, commonly known as Superfund, or state equivalents for one active site. Liability under the federal CERCLA statute may be joint and several, meaning that we could be required to pay in excess of our pro rata share of remediation costs. We consider the financial strength of other PRPs in estimating our liabilities.
General
Although it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcomes, we believe that the resolution of the environmental matters set forth in this note, and other matters to which we are a party, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash distributions. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had approximately $3 million accrued for our environmental matters.
Other Commitments
Capital Contributions for Elba Island Liquefaction Project
In January 2013, SLC, a subsidiary of EPB and Shell US Gas & Power LLC (Shell G&P), a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc (Shell), formed ELC, our equity method investment, to develop and own a natural gas liquefaction plant at SLNG's existing Elba Island LNG terminal. In connection with the formation of ELC, SLC and Shell G&P entered into a LLC agreement in which SLC owns 51% of ELC and Shell G&P owns the remaining membership interest. Under the terms of the LLC agreement, SLC and Shell G&P are both obligated to make certain capital contributions in proportion to their membership interests in ELC to fund the construction of the liquefaction facilities. EPB's estimated investment at the terminal in Phase I, including both the liquefaction facilities and SLNG ancillary facilities, is approximately $800 million. Phase I of the project requires no additional DOE approval.

9. Regulatory Matters

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

Regulatory assets and liabilities represent probable future revenues or expenses associated with certain charges and credits that will be recovered from or refunded to customers through the ratemaking process. The regulatory assets are being recovered as cost of service in our rates over a period of approximately one year to forty-two years. The following table summarizes our regulatory asset and liability balances (in millions):
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Current regulatory assets
$
36

 
$
46

Non-current regulatory assets
127

 
147

Total Regulatory Assets
$
163

 
$
193

 
 
 
 
Current regulatory liabilities
$
16

 
$
17

Non-current regulatory liabilities(1)
63

 
33

Total Regulatory Liabilities
$
79

 
$
50

 —————————
(1)
Included in “Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits” on our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

15



Our amortization of the regulatory assets for 2013 totaled $24 million, which primarily consisted of (i) $9 million of the deferred losses on SNG's sale of offshore assets recorded as "Depreciation and amortization" and (ii) $8 million of the deferred losses on reacquired debt recorded as "Interest expense, net" on our Consolidated Statement of Income.

Rate Proceedings

WIC

The FERC initiated a rate proceeding on November 15, 2012 to investigate WIC's rates under Section 5 of the Natural Gas Act. On October 1, 2013, the FERC approved an uncontested Offer of Settlement filed in June 2013 by WIC to fully resolve FERC’s rate investigation under Section 5 of the Natural Gas Act, initiated in November 2012. WIC’s approved settlement offer, agreed to by all active parties, provides for a two-phase, base tariff rate reduction on July 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014, as well as rate certainty for the parties during a three-year moratorium on new rates through July 1, 2016. The lower rates will result in an annual reduction in revenues of approximately $4 million in 2013 and an additional $12 million in 2014. WIC recorded a $2 million provision for rate refund for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The FERC order approving the uncontested settlement will become final on October 31, 2013 if FERC receives no protests, after which the rate refunds will be made.

SNG

On January 31, 2013, the FERC approved SNG's request to amend its January 2010 rate settlement with its customers. The amendment extended the required filing date for SNG's rate case from February 28, 2013 to no later than May 31, 2013. On May 2, 2013, SNG filed a comprehensive settlement with its customers to resolve all matters relating to its rates. The FERC approved the comprehensive settlement on July 12, 2013. Under the settlement, customers must extend all firm service agreements through August 31, 2016, and SNG cannot file a Section 4 rate case to be effective earlier than September 1, 2016. The settlement also includes a two-phase reduction in rates effective on September 1, 2013 and November 1, 2015, which will reduce annual revenues by approximately $34 million and an additional $14 million, respectively. The settlement prohibits both SNG and its customers from requesting a  change to SNG's rates during a three-year moratorium through August 31, 2016 and requires SNG to file a new rate case to be effective no later than September 1, 2018.

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

General and Basis of Presentation
The following information should be read in conjunction with (i) our accompanying interim consolidated financial statements and related notes (included elsewhere in this report), (ii) our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our 2012 Form 10-K and (iii) our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in our 2012 Form 10-K.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we continued to focus on providing fee-based services to our customers and on developing our expansion projects. Our growth is expected to be driven by our regulated natural gas pipeline and storage assets, our LNG businesses and incremental cost and growth synergies related to KMI’s acquisition of El Paso. For further discussion of our expansion projects, see our 2012 Form 10-K.
Growth Projects
Elba Express Phase B Expansion
The Elba Express Phase B Expansion was placed in service in April 2013, adding 10,000 horsepower at a new compressor station located in Hart County, Georgia. The expansion allows Elba Express to receive 220 MMcf/d of natural gas supplies from existing interconnections with Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company, LLC for deliveries to markets in the southeast.

16


Liquefaction Projects

Elba Island Liquefaction Project. In January 2013, SLC, a subsidiary of EPB and Shell G&P, a subsidiary of Shell, formed ELC to develop and own a natural gas liquefaction plant at SLNG's existing Elba Island LNG terminal. In connection with the formation of ELC, SLC and Shell G&P entered into a LLC agreement in which SLC owns 51% of ELC and Shell G&P owns the remaining 49%. Under the terms of the LLC agreement, SLC and Shell G&P are both obligated to make certain capital contributions in proportion to their membership interests in ELC to fund the construction of the liquefaction facilities. SLNG has received DOE authorization to export the produced LNG to FTA countries and has applied for non-FTA approval. Phase I of the project will have capacity of approximately 210 MMcf/d (1.5 million tonnes per year) and requires no additional DOE approval. As part of Phase I, we also expect to incur additional capital expenditures related to ancillary facilities on SLNG's terminal. EPB's estimated investment at the terminal in Phase I is approximately $800 million. Shell G&P has an option for ELC to build Phase II to liquefy approximately up to an additional 140 Mmcf/d with an estimated total capital expenditure of approximately $500 million.  

In January 2013, ELC signed a liquefaction services agreement with Shell NA LNG LLC (Shell LNG) to provide liquefaction services. Once the project is finalized, Shell LNG will subscribe to 100% of the liquefaction capacity pertaining to Phases I and II of the aforementioned project. Subject to various regulatory approvals, SLNG will modify its LNG terminal to load the LNG onto ships for export. SLNG entered into a Maintenance and Administrative and Operating Agreement with ELC in which SLNG has agreed to perform operation, maintenance and administrative services associated with the construction and operation of the liquefaction facilities. We expect to file full project applications with the FERC near the end of the first quarter in 2014.

Elba Express and SNG expansions
Elba Express and SNG will invest over $250 million to expand their systems following successful open seasons in August 2013 for incremental, long-term natural gas transportation service. The open seasons generated customer interest in incremental capacity of approximately 600,000 dekatherms per day that will support southeastern infrastructure growth and the needs of customers in Georgia, South Carolina and northern Florida.

Elba Express expansion. The Elba Express expansion will create incremental north-to-south capacity, including interconnects and delivery points with SNG and other pipelines and shippers, designed to serve a new load created by the proposed Elba Liquefaction Project at SLNG’s Elba Island Terminal near Savannah, Georgia and other capacity needs along the Elba Express Pipeline. Elba Express customers have expressed interest in a later phase to the Elba Express project that could add incremental capacity approaching 400,000 dekatherms per day, which, if constructed, would bring the total capacity of the expansions to approximately 1 billion cubic feet per day. Elba Express expects an in-service date as early as June 2016 pending regulatory approvals.

SNG expansion. The SNG expansion will create capacity on its South Main system and also provide subscribing customers firm north-to-south transportation service on the Elba Express Pipeline using firm transportation service being acquired by SNG in the Elba Express expansion. SNG anticipates placing the project in service in 2016, pending regulatory approvals.

2013 Outlook

EPB expects to distribute $2.55 per unit for 2013. KMI has elected to postpone its offer of its interest in GLNG to EPB. As a result, EPB's excess cash coverage for 2013 while still positive, is expected to be lower than our budget of $25 million. KMI has not determined to which MLP it may offer its remaining potential drop-down assets, but expects to provide further information by year-end 2013.

Our Outlook for 2013 is not a guarantee of performance. This Outlook involves risks, uncertainties, and assumptions.  Further, many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict.  Because of these uncertainties, it is advisable to not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. We plan to provide updates to our 2013 Outlook when we believe previously disclosed projections no longer have a reasonable basis. For more information, refer to "Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and our 2012 Form 10-K, Item 1A "Risk Factors." 

Results of Operations
Non-GAAP Measures

The non-GAAP financial measures, DCF before certain items and EBDA before certain items, are presented below under Distributable Cash Flow and Earnings Results, respectively.


17


Our non-GAAP measures described below should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income, operating income or any other GAAP measure. DCF before certain items and EBDA before certain items are not financial measures in accordance with GAAP and have important limitations as analytical tools. You should not consider either of these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because DCF before certain items excludes some but not all items that affect net income and because DCF measures are defined differently by different companies in our industry, our DCF before certain items may not be comparable to DCF measures of other companies. EBDA before certain items has similar limitations. Our management compensates for the limitations of these non-GAAP measures by reviewing our comparable GAAP measures, understanding the differences between the measures and taking this information into account in its analysis and its decision making process.

Distributable Cash Flow

As more fully described in our 2012 Form 10-K, our partnership agreement requires us to distribute 100% of our available cash to our partners on a quarterly basis (available cash as defined in our partnership agreement generally consists of all our cash receipts, less cash disbursements and changes in reserves). DCF is an overall performance metric we use as a measure of available cash. Because we distribute all of our available cash to investors, our primary objective is to grow cash distributions over time. We believe the primary measure of company performance used by us, investors and industry analysts covering MLPs is cash generation performance. Therefore, we believe DCF is our most important measure to evaluate the operating and financial performance of the partnership and to compare it with the performance of other publicly traded MLPs within the industry.

We define DCF before certain items to be limited partners' income before certain items and DD&A, less sustaining capital expenditures, plus our share of DD&A less our share of sustaining capital expenditures for our equity method investees, plus other income and expenses, net (which primarily includes deferred revenue, non-cash AFUDC equity and other items).

Our DCF was $127 million and $149 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The $22 million decrease in DCF in 2013 as compared to 2012 was primarily due to a higher general partner's incentive distribution, SNG and WIC rate case settlements and higher operating expenses, partially offset by lower spending of sustaining capital expenditures.

Our DCF was $425 million and $427 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in DCF of $2 million in 2013 as compared to 2012 was primarily due to higher general partner's incentive distribution and SNG and WIC rate case settlements partially offset by contributions from the 2012 acquisition of CPG and additional ownership interests in CIG, higher revenue due to SNG's Phase III of the South System III expansion project placed in service in June 2012 and the Elba Express Phase B Expansion project placed in service in April 2013 and lower spending of sustaining capital expenditures.

18


The table below details the reconciliation of Net Income to DCF (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Net Income
$
141

 
$
151

 
$
451

 
$
411

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(10
)
Net income attributable to El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.
141

 
151

 
451

 
401

Certain items:

 

 

 

CPG pre-acquisition earnings

 

 

 
(22
)
Loss on write-off of asset

 

 

 
11

CIG environmental reserve adjustment

 

 

 
(6
)
Non-cash severance costs(1)

 
3

 
1

 
32

SNG offshore assets hurricane repair costs

 

 
2

 

Sales and use tax reserve adjustment

 

 
2

 

Net income attributable to El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P. before certain items
141

 
154

 
456

 
416

Less: General Partner’s 2% interest allocation
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(9
)
 
(8
)
General Partner’s incentive distribution
(52
)
 
(36
)
 
(144
)
 
(86
)
Limited Partners’ Net Income before certain items
86

 
115

 
303

 
322

Add/(Subtract):

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization(2)
49

 
46

 
144

 
132

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests before certain items

 

 

 
10

Declared distributions to noncontrolling interests before certain items

 

 

 
(8
)
Sustaining capital expenditures(2)
(9
)
 
(13
)
 
(24
)
 
(29
)
Other, net (3)
1

 
1

 
2

 

 
41

 
34

 
122

 
105

Distributable Cash Flow before certain items—Limited Partners
$
127

 
$
149

 
$
425

 
$
427

  —————————
(1) Reflects the non-cash severance costs allocated to us from our general partner as a result of KMI’s acquisition of El Paso; however, we do not have any obligation nor did we pay any amounts related to this expense.
(2) Includes our share of equity method investees' depreciation and amortization or sustaining capital expenditures.
(3) Includes deferred revenue and certain non-cash items such as AFUDC equity and other items.

Earnings Results

Management assesses our performance based on EBDA, which excludes DD&A, general and administrative expenses and interest expense, net. Certain general and administrative expenses have been excluded from EBDA such as employee benefits, legal, information technology and other costs that are not controllable by operating management and thus are not included in the measure of performance for which they are accountable. Our management uses EBDA as a measure to assess the operating results and effectiveness of our assets, which consist of both consolidated operations and earnings from equity method investments. We believe providing EBDA to our investors is useful because it is the same measure used by management to evaluate our performance and allows investors to evaluate our operating results without regard to our financing methods or capital structure. EBDA may not be comparable to measures used by other companies. Additionally, EBDA should be considered in conjunction with net income and other performance measures such as operating income or operating cash flows.


19


Below are the components of EBDA for the periods presented (in millions): 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues
$
369

 
$
368

 
$
1,114

 
$
1,125

Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operations and maintenance
(89
)
 
(83
)
 
(240
)
 
(310
)
General and administrative expenses
21

 
28

 
63

 
120

Operations and maintenance, excluding general and administrative expenses
(68
)
 
(55
)
 
(177
)
 
(190
)
Taxes, other than income taxes
(19
)
 
(19
)
 
(63
)
 
(63
)
Operating Expenses
(87
)
 
(74
)
 
(240
)
 
(253
)
Earnings from equity investments
3

 
4

 
9

 
11

Other, net
1

 
1

 
1

 
3

EBDA
$
286

 
$
299

 
$
884

 
$
886

 
Below is a reconciliation of our EBDA to net income attributable to EPB, our throughput volumes and an analysis and discussion of our operating results for the periods presented (in millions, except operating statistics):
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
EBDA(1)(2)
$
286

 
$
299

 
$
884

 
$
886

Depreciation and amortization(3)
(49
)
 
(46
)
 
(144
)
 
(137
)
General and administrative expenses(4)
(21
)
 
(28
)
 
(63
)
 
(120
)
Interest expense, net(5)
(75
)
 
(74
)
 
(226
)
 
(218
)
Net income
141

 
151

 
451

 
411

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(10
)
Net income attributable to El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.
$
141

 
$
151

 
$
451

 
$
401

Throughput volumes (BBtu/d)(6)
7,288

 
7,973

 
7,468

 
7,868

  —————————
(1)
2013 includes a $4 million decrease in EBDA for the nine month period related to the following certain items:
a.
a $2 million decrease in EBDA, included in operating expenses, for the nine month period related to SNG's sales and use tax audit interests and penalties; and
b.
a $2 million decrease in EBDA, included in operating expenses, for the nine month period related to SNG offshore assets hurricane repair costs.
(2)
2012 includes a $29 million increase in EBDA for the nine month period related to the following certain items:
a.
$34 million (comprised of $45 million of revenues and $11 million of operating expenses) increase in EBDA for the nine month period related to CPG's pre-acquisition EBDA;
b.
an $11 million charge to operating expenses for the nine month period attributable to a canceled software implementation project; and
c.
a $6 million non-cash adjustment reducing operating expenses for the nine month period for environmental liabilities associated with certain CIG environmental projects.
(3)
2012 includes pre-acquisition depreciation and amortization expense for CPG of $5 million for the nine month period.
(4)
Includes certain items as follows:
a.
2013 includes non-cash severance costs of $1 million for the nine month period allocated to us from our general partner as a result of KMI’s acquisition of El Paso; however, we do not have any obligation nor did we pay any amounts related to this expense;
b.
2012 includes non-cash severance costs of $3 million and $32 million for the three and nine month periods allocated to us from our general partner as a result of KMI’s acquisition of El Paso; and
c.
2012 also includes pre-acquisition general and administrative expense for CPG of $3 million for the nine month period.
(5)
2012 includes pre-acquisition interest expense, net for CPG of $4 million for the nine month period.
(6)
Throughput volumes are presented for WIC, CIG, SNG, CPG and Elba Express and exclude intrasegment volumes. The average daily volumes transported on Elba Express during 2012 were not material.


20


EBDA

Combined, the items described in footnotes (1) and (2) above decreased our EBDA by $33 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same periods in 2012. Following is information related to the remaining changes in EBDA and revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the corresponding periods in 2012 (in millions).
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
EBDA
 
 
Revenues
 
 
EBDA

 
Revenues

 
increase/(decrease)
CPG
$
1

 
$

 
$
32

 
$
40

SNG
(11
)
 
6

 
(1
)
 
11

Elba Express
5

 
5

 
11

 
11

WIC
(4
)
 
(8
)
 
(6
)
 
(21
)
Other
(4
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
 
(7
)
Total EPB
$
(13
)
 
$
1

 
$
31

 
$
34


The CPG acquisition contributed higher EBDA of $32 million (comprised of $40 million of higher revenues and $8 million of higher operating expenses) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the 2012 post-acquisition period. See Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements. Note 2 “Acquisitions” for additional information regarding the May 24, 2012 acquisition of CPG;

SNG's EBDA decreased by $11 million for the three month period (comprised of $6 million of higher revenues and $17 million of higher operating expenses) and $1 million for the nine month period (comprised primarily of $11 million of higher revenues and $11 million of higher operating expenses). SNG experienced $12 million of higher revenues in the three and nine month periods due to the sale of cushion gas from one of its storage facilities partially offset by $7 million of associated cost of sale. The South System III Phase III Expansion project, which was completed and placed in service in June 2012, contributed $6 million of higher revenues for the nine month period partially offset by higher property taxes of $2 million. Both periods were unfavorably impacted by lower usage revenues of $3 million primarily due to reduced throughput volumes and $3 million of lower reservation and other service revenues due to rate reductions pursuant to SNG's rate case settlement. SNG experienced $13 million and $4 million of higher operating expenses during the three and nine month periods, respectively, primarily due to favorable 2012 gas balance revaluations and higher field operation and maintenance expenses due to increased pipeline integrity costs;

Elba Express contributed higher EBDA of $5 million and $11 million for the three and nine month periods, respectively, primarily due to higher revenues resulting from the placement of the Elba Express Phase B Expansion project in service in April 2013;

WIC's EBDA decreased by $4 million and $6 million for the three and nine month periods, respectively. WIC was unfavorably impacted by lower revenues of $1 million and $4 million for the three and nine month periods largely due to the nonrenewal of expiring contracts and restructuring of certain contracts at lower volumes or discounted rates. Additionally, in December 2012, WIC terminated some of its seamless single nomination services that previously provided natural gas deliveries through WIC and interconnected third party pipeline systems for certain customers, which for the three and nine month periods resulted in lower revenue of $5 million and $15 million and a corresponding offset within EBDA of lower transportation expense of $5 million and $15 million associated with the third party service providers. During the three and nine month periods, WIC recorded a $2 million provision for rate refunds reducing revenues pursuant to its Section 5 rate settlement. See Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 9 “Regulatory Matters” for further information related to WIC's rate proceeding; and

CIG, which is included in Other, was unfavorably impacted by lower transportation revenues of $3 million and $9 million for the three and nine month periods largely due to the nonrenewal of expiring contracts and the restructuring of certain contracts at lower volumes or discounted rates. Partially offsetting this unfavorable impact were higher revenues of $2 million and $6 million for the three and nine month periods attributable to the revenue surcharge mechanism (which enables us to make estimated customer billing surcharge accruals with certain customers when realized revenue is less than the annual threshold amounts as included in CIG's August 2011 rate case settlement).
 

21


General and Administrative Expenses

After adjusting for the items described in footnote (4) above, general and administrative costs were $4 million and $23 million lower for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012 primarily due to lower corporate allocations resulting from realization of synergies and cost savings associated with KMI's acquisition of El Paso.

Interest Expense, net

After adjusting for the items described in footnote (5) above, our interest expense, net increased by $1 million and $12 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same periods in 2012 primarily due to the November 2012 issuance of $475 million in senior notes by EPPOC, which was used to pay down the revolving credit facility borrowings partially offset by lower revolver borrowings in 2013. For a further discussion of these debt obligations, see Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 6 “Debt” of our 2012 Form 10-K.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our net income attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased as compared to the same period in 2012 primarily due to the acquisition of the remaining interest in CIG in May 2012.
Financial Condition
General
Our primary sources of cash include cash flow from operations and funds obtained through long term financing activities and bank credit facilities. Our primary uses of cash are funding capital expenditure programs, meeting our debt service obligations, meeting operating needs and paying distributions. Our primary sources of cash and uses of cash are consistent with those described in our 2012 Form 10-K.
Liquidity and Financing
As of September 30, 2013, we had approximately $1.1 billion of liquidity consisting of $1 billion of availability under our revolving credit facility and $145 million of cash on hand. Moody's Investor Services, which has a credit rating for EPPOC of Ba1, changed its outlook in February 2013 to positive from stable. As of September 30, 2013, both Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Fitch Ratings maintained an investment grade credit rating for EPPOC of BBB-.
Our outstanding short-term debt as of September 30, 2013 was $76 million, consisting of $71 million in SLNG senior notes and $5 million in other financing obligations. We intend to refinance or repay our short-term debt through a combination of long-term debt and equity or additional bank credit facility borrowings to replace current maturities of long-term debt. We may generate additional sources of cash through future issuances of additional partnership units, including EDA issuances, and/or future debt offerings.
We expect our current liquidity sources and operating cash flow to be sufficient to fund our estimated 2013 capital program. We believe our cash position and our remaining borrowing capacity allow us to manage our day-to-day cash requirements and any anticipated obligations, and currently, we believe our liquidity to be adequate. We will continue to assess and take further actions where prudent to meet our long-term objectives and capital requirements.
Partnership Distributions
Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute 100% of available cash, as defined in our partnership agreement, to our partners within 45 days following the end of each calendar quarter. Our 2012 Form 10-K contains additional information concerning our partnership distributions.
On October 16, 2013, we declared a cash distribution of $0.65 per unit for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (an annualized rate of $2.60 per unit). This distribution is 12% higher than the $0.58 per unit distribution we made for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Our declared distribution for the three months ended September 30, 2013 of $0.65 per unit will result in an IDR to our general partner of $52 million. Comparatively, our distribution of $0.58 per unit paid on November 14, 2012 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 resulted in an IDR payment to our general partner in the amount of $36 million.

22


Capital Expenditures
We define sustaining capital expenditures as capital expenditures which do not increase the capacity of an asset. Generally, we fund our sustaining capital expenditures with existing cash or from cash flows from operations. In addition to utilizing cash generated from their own operations, certain of our subsidiaries can each fund their own cash requirements for expansion capital expenditures with proceeds from issuing their own long-term notes or with proceeds from contributions received from their member owners.
All of our capital expenditures, with the exception of sustaining capital expenditures, are classified as discretionary. Generally, we initially fund our discretionary capital expenditures through borrowings under our credit facility until the amount borrowed is of a sufficient size to cost effectively issue either debt, or equity, or both.
Our capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and the amount we expect to spend for the remainder of 2013 to grow and sustain our businesses are as follows (in millions):
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013
(1)
 
2013
Remaining
 
Total(2)
Sustaining
$
24

 
$
15

 
$
39

Discretionary
84

 
53

 
137

Total
$
108

 
$
68

 
$
176

 —————————
(1)
Includes a net increase in capital accruals of $8 million.
(2)
Includes capitalized AFUDC and our share of equity method investees' capital expenditures.

Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our net cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for each period presented (in millions):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
increase/(decrease)
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
673

 
523

 
$
150

Investing activities
(88
)
 
(269
)
 
181

Financing activities
(554
)
 
(306
)
 
(248
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
31

 
$
(52
)
 
$
83

Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities was $6 million higher primarily due to lower general and administrative expenses in 2013. In addition, changes in operating assets and liabilities provided higher cash of $144 million primarily due to the timing of our customer collections, the timing of our ad valorem tax and debt interest payments, the termination of the accounts receivable sales program in June 2012 and the reduction in payments to affiliates due to lower allocated costs.
Investing Activities. Our cash flow from investing activities increased primarily due to the cash outlay of $185 million (representing CPG's book value) made during May 2012 to purchase CPG, as further discussed in Note 2.
Financing Activities. During 2013, we received $87 million of net proceeds from our common and general partner unit issuances as compared to the $279 million in 2012 as discussed in Note 4. During 2012, we paid $206 million to acquire the remaining interest in CIG and an additional $180 million of excess cash over contributed book value for CPG as further discussed in Note 2. We borrowed $725 million from our revolving credit facility during 2012 of which $570 million was used to fund the acquisition. In addition, our subsidiaries distributed $28 million to El Paso in 2012 as discussed in Note 6. Furthermore, we repaid CPG's debt of $172 million in September 2012 and EPPOC's debt of $60 million and $88 million in September 2012 and 2013, respectively. We also paid $150 million of higher cash distributions to our partners in 2013 as compared to 2012, due to a greater number of partnership units outstanding, an increase in our cash distribution per unit and increased IDR payments to our general partner.


23



Rate Case Settlements

See Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 9 “Regulatory Matters” for information related to rate case settlements for WIC and SNG.

These settlements are consistent with management's expectations and are not expected to impact our expected 2013 distributions.

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “position,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” or the negative of those terms or other variations of them or comparable terminology. In particular, statements, expressed or implied, concerning future actions, conditions or events, future operating results or the ability to generate sales, income or cash flow or to make distributions are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Future actions, conditions or events and future results of operations may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict.
See Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our 2012 Form 10-K for a more detailed description of factors that may affect the forward-looking statements. When considering forward-looking statements, one should keep in mind the risk factors described in our 2012 Form 10-K. The risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Because of these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. We plan to provide updates to projections included in this report when we believe previously disclosed projections no longer have a reasonable basis. 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
There have been no material changes in market risk exposures that would affect the quantitative and qualitative disclosures presented as of December 31, 2012, in Item 7A of our 2012 Form 10-K. 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
As of September 30, 2013, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon and as of the date of the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required, and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

24



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
See Part I, Item 1. Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements entitled “Litigation, Environmental and Other Contingencies,” which is incorporated in this item by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes in or additions to the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A in our 2012 Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.
None.


25


Item 6. Exhibits.
 
3.1*
 
Certificate of Limited Partnership of El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-145835) filed with the SEC on August 31, 2007).
 
 
 
3.2*—
 
First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P., dated November 21, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33825) filed with the SEC on November 28, 2007); Amendment No. 1 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P., dated July 28, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.A to our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33825) filed with the SEC on July 28, 2008).
 
 
 
3.3*—
 
Certificate of Formation of El Paso Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-145835) filed with the SEC on August 31, 2007).
 
 
 
3.4*—
 
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of El Paso Pipeline GP Company, L.L.C., dated November 21, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33825) filed with the SEC on November 28, 2007).
 
 
 
12—
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
 
 
31.1—
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2—
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.1—
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.2—
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
101—
 
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) our Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012; (ii) our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012; (iii) our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012; (iv) our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012; (v) Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and (vi) the notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

* Asterisk indicates exhibit incorporated by reference as indicated; all other exhibits are filed herewith, except as noted otherwise.



26


SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.
 
Registrant
 
 
 
 
By:
EL PASO PIPELINE GP COMPANY, L.L.C.
its General Partner
 
Date: October 29, 2013
 
By:
/s/ David P. Michels
 
 
David P. Michels
 
 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(principal financial and accounting officer)

27