Attached files

file filename
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - Summit Midstream Partners, LPFinancial_Report.xls
EX-31.2 - CFO CERTIFICATION - Summit Midstream Partners, LPex312cfocertification115.htm
EX-32.1 - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION - Summit Midstream Partners, LPex321section906certificati.htm
EX-31.1 - CEO CERTIFICATION - Summit Midstream Partners, LPex311ceocertification115.htm

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 March 31, 2015
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: 001-35666
Summit Midstream Partners, LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
incorporation or organization)
 
45-5200503 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
1790 Hughes Landing Blvd, Suite 500
The Woodlands, TX
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
77380
(Zip Code)
 
 
 
 (832) 413-4770
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes     o 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 (§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).
x Yes     o 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 x
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o (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 Exchange Act). o Yes x No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
As of April 30, 2015
Common Units
 
34,495,468 units
Subordinated Units
 
24,409,850 units
General Partner Units
 
1,200,651 units






TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 6.


i


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this report as well as in periodic press releases and certain oral statements made by our officials during our presentations are “forward-looking” statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions, or future conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” and “could.” In addition, any statement concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible actions taken by us or our subsidiaries, are also forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve external risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described under Part II—Item 1A. Risk Factors included herein.
Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of our management team.  All forward-looking statements in this report and subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph.  These risks and uncertainties include, among others:
fluctuations in natural gas, natural gas liquids ("NGLs") and crude oil prices;
the extent and success of drilling efforts, as well as the extent and quality of natural gas and crude oil volumes produced within proximity of our assets;
failure or delays by our customers in achieving expected production in their natural gas and crude oil projects;
competitive conditions in our industry and their impact on our ability to connect hydrocarbon supplies to our gathering and processing assets or systems;
actions or inactions taken or non-performance by third parties, including suppliers, contractors, operators, processors, transporters and customers, including the inability or failure of our shipper customers to meet their financial obligations under our gathering agreements;
our ability to acquire any assets owned by Summit Midstream Partners, LLC ("Summit Investments"), which is subject to a number of factors, including Summit Investments deciding, in its sole discretion, to offer us the right to acquire such assets, the ability to reach agreement on acceptable terms, the approval of the conflicts committee of our general partner's board of directors (if appropriate), prevailing conditions and outlook in the natural gas, NGL and crude oil industries and markets, and our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms from the credit and/or capital markets or other sources;
our ability to consummate acquisitions, successfully integrate the acquired businesses, realize any cost savings and other synergies from any acquisition;
the ability to attract and retain key management personnel;
commercial bank and capital market conditions and the potential impact of changes or disruptions in the credit and/or capital markets;
changes in the availability and cost of capital, and the results of our financing efforts, including availability of funds in the credit and/or capital markets;
restrictions placed on us by the agreements governing our debt instruments;
the availability, terms and cost of downstream transportation and processing services;
natural disasters, accidents, weather-related delays, casualty losses and other matters beyond our control;
operational risks and hazards inherent in the gathering, treating and processing of natural gas;
weather conditions and seasonal trends;
timely receipt of necessary government approvals and permits, our ability to control the costs of construction, including costs of materials, labor and rights-of-way and other factors that may impact our ability to complete projects within budget and on schedule;
the effects of existing and future laws and governmental regulations, including environmental and climate change requirements;

ii


the effects of litigation;
changes in general economic conditions; and
certain factors discussed elsewhere in this report.
Developments in any of these areas could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected or cause a significant reduction in the market price of our common units and senior notes.
The foregoing list of risks and uncertainties may not contain all of the risks and uncertainties that could affect us. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this document may not in fact occur. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

iii


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
13,096

 
$
26,428

Accounts receivable
44,069

 
83,612

Other current assets
2,371

 
3,289

Total current assets
59,536

 
113,329

Property, plant and equipment, net
1,234,229

 
1,235,652

Intangible assets, net
456,930

 
466,866

Goodwill
61,689

 
61,689

Other noncurrent assets
16,604

 
17,338

Total assets
$
1,828,988

 
$
1,894,874

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Partners' Capital
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Trade accounts payable
$
10,466

 
$
12,852

Due to affiliate
826

 
2,711

Deferred revenue
2,377

 
2,377

Ad valorem taxes payable
3,882

 
8,717

Accrued interest
7,733

 
18,858

Other current liabilities
7,917

 
11,939

Total current liabilities
33,201

 
57,454

Long-term debt
796,000

 
808,000

Unfavorable gas gathering contract, net
5,402

 
5,577

Deferred revenue
58,984

 
55,239

Other noncurrent liabilities
1,536

 
1,715

Total liabilities
895,123

 
927,985

Commitments and contingencies

 

 
 
 
 
Common limited partner capital (34,495 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and 34,427 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014)
630,241

 
649,060

Subordinated limited partner capital (24,410 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014)
279,524

 
293,153

General partner interests (1,201 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014)
24,100

 
24,676

Total partners' capital
933,865

 
966,889

Total liabilities and partners' capital
$
1,828,988

 
$
1,894,874

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

1


SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands, except per-unit amounts)
Revenues:
 
 
 
Gathering services and other fees
$
56,054

 
$
50,072

Natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales and other
12,776

 
26,356

Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts
(251
)
 
(226
)
Total revenues
68,579

 
76,202

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
Cost of natural gas and NGLs
6,695

 
15,281

Operation and maintenance
17,429

 
19,181

General and administrative
8,351

 
7,886

Transaction costs

 
537

Depreciation and amortization
22,143

 
19,642

Total costs and expenses
54,618

 
62,527

Other income
1

 
1

Interest expense
(12,118
)
 
(7,144
)
Income before income taxes
1,844

 
6,532

Income tax expense
(177
)
 
(159
)
Net income
$
1,667

 
$
6,373

Less: net income attributable to Summit Investments

 
2,828

Net income attributable to SMLP
1,667

 
3,545

Less: net income attributable to general partner, including IDRs
1,568

 
431

Net income attributable to limited partners
$
99

 
$
3,114

 
 
 
 
Earnings per limited partner unit:
 
 
 
Common unit – basic
$
0.00

 
$
0.08

Common unit – diluted
$
0.00

 
$
0.08

Subordinated unit – basic and diluted
$
0.00

 
$
0.02

 
 
 
 
Weighted-average limited partner units outstanding:
 
 
 
Common units – basic
34,439

 
29,912

Common units – diluted
34,585

 
30,068

Subordinated units – basic and diluted
24,410

 
24,410

 
 
 
 
Cash distributions declared and paid per common unit
$
0.560

 
$
0.480

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

2


SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 
Partners' capital
 
Summit Investments' equity in contributed subsidiaries
 
 
 
Limited partners
 
General partner
 
 
 
 
Common
 
Subordinated
 
 
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Partners' capital, January 1, 2014
$
566,532

 
$
379,287

 
$
23,324

 
$
232,594

 
$
1,201,737

Net income
1,741

 
1,373

 
431

 
2,828

 
6,373

Distributions to unitholders
(13,958
)
 
(11,717
)
 
(691
)
 

 
(26,366
)
Unit-based compensation
1,063

 

 

 

 
1,063

Tax withholdings on vested SMLP LTIP awards
(656
)
 

 

 

 
(656
)
Issuance of common units, net of offering costs
198,095

 

 

 

 
198,095

Contribution from general partner

 

 
4,235

 

 
4,235

Purchase of Red Rock Gathering

 

 

 
(305,000
)
 
(305,000
)
Excess of purchase price over acquired carrying value of Red Rock Gathering
(36,228
)
 
(25,691
)
 
(1,264
)
 
63,183

 

Cash advance from Summit Investments to contributed subsidiaries

 

 

 
1,982

 
1,982

Expenses paid by Summit Investments on behalf of contributed subsidiaries

 

 

 
4,413

 
4,413

Partners' capital, March 31, 2014
$
716,589

 
$
343,252

 
$
26,035

 
$

 
$
1,085,876

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Partners' capital, January 1, 2015
$
649,060

 
$
293,153

 
$
24,676

 
$

 
$
966,889

Net income
58

 
41

 
1,568

 

 
1,667

Distributions to unitholders
(19,279
)
 
(13,670
)
 
(2,144
)
 

 
(35,093
)
Unit-based compensation
1,312

 

 

 

 
1,312

Tax withholdings on vested SMLP LTIP awards
(910
)
 

 

 

 
(910
)
Partners' capital, March 31, 2015
$
630,241

 
$
279,524

 
$
24,100

 
$

 
$
933,865




3


SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,667

 
$
6,373

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
22,394

 
19,868

Amortization of deferred loan costs
791

 
604

Unit-based compensation
1,312

 
1,063

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
39,543

 
20,773

Trade accounts payable
(1,681
)
 
5,949

Due to affiliate
1,056

 
390

Change in deferred revenue
3,745

 
3,727

Ad valorem taxes payable
(4,835
)
 
(4,305
)
Accrued interest
(11,125
)
 
(6,404
)
Other, net
(3,326
)
 
471

Net cash provided by operating activities
49,541

 
48,509

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(11,914
)
 
(40,100
)
Acquisition of gathering system from affiliate
(2,941
)
 
(305,000
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(14,855
)
 
(345,100
)




4


SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(continued)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Distributions to unitholders
(35,093
)
 
(26,366
)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
14,000

 
125,000

Repayments under revolving credit facility
(26,000
)
 
(20,000
)
Deferred loan costs
(15
)
 
(65
)
Tax withholdings on vested SMLP LTIP awards
(910
)
 
(656
)
Proceeds from issuance of common units, net

 
198,095

Contribution from general partner

 
4,235

Cash advance from Summit Investments to contributed subsidiaries, net

 
1,982

Expenses paid by Summit Investments on behalf of contributed subsidiaries

 
4,413

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(48,018
)
 
286,638

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(13,332
)
 
(9,953
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
26,428

 
20,357

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
13,096

 
$
10,404

 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
 
 
 
Cash interest paid
$
22,812

 
$
14,308

Less: capitalized interest
341

 
1,358

Interest paid (net of capitalized interest)
$
22,471

 
$
12,950

 
 
 
 
Noncash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures in trade accounts payable (period-end accruals)
$
5,655

 
$
8,170

Excess of purchase price over acquired carrying value of Red Rock Gathering

 
63,183

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

5


SUMMIT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND PRESENTATION AND CONSOLIDATION
Organization. Summit Midstream Partners, LP ("SMLP" or the "Partnership"), a Delaware limited partnership, is a growth-oriented limited partnership focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in North America.
SMLP and its subsidiaries are managed and operated by the board of directors and executive officers of Summit Midstream GP, LLC (the "general partner"). Summit Investments, as the ultimate owner of our general partner, controls us and has the right to appoint the entire board of directors of our general partner, including our independent directors. Our operations are conducted through, and our operating assets are owned by, various wholly-owned operating subsidiaries. Neither SMLP nor its subsidiaries have any employees. All of the personnel that conduct our business are employed by the general partner and its subsidiaries, but these individuals are sometimes referred to as our employees.
As of March 31, 2015, Summit Midstream Partners Holdings, LLC ("SMP Holdings"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Summit Investments, held 5,293,571 SMLP common units, all of our subordinated units, all of our general partner units representing a 2% general partner interest in SMLP and all of our incentive distribution rights ("IDRs").
Business Operations. We provide natural gas gathering, treating and processing services pursuant to primarily long-term and fee-based, natural gas gathering and processing agreements with our customers. Our results are driven primarily by the volumes of natural gas that we gather, treat and process across our systems. Our gathering and processing systems and the unconventional resource basins in which they operate as of March 31, 2015 were as follows:
Mountaineer Midstream gathering system ("Mountaineer Midstream"), a natural gas gathering system, operating in the Appalachian Basin, which includes the Marcellus Shale formation in northern West Virginia;
Bison Midstream, LLC ("Bison Midstream"), an associated natural gas gathering system, operating in the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in northwestern North Dakota;
DFW Midstream Services LLC ("DFW Midstream"), a natural gas gathering system, operating in the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in north-central Texas; and
Grand River Gathering, LLC ("Grand River Gathering"), a natural gas gathering and processing system, operating in the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation and the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in western Colorado and eastern Utah.
Our operating subsidiaries, which are wholly owned by our wholly owned subsidiary, Summit Midstream Holdings, LLC ("Summit Holdings"), are DFW Midstream (which includes Mountaineer Midstream), Bison Midstream and Grand River Gathering. All of our operating subsidiaries are midstream energy companies focused on the development, construction and operation of natural gas gathering and processing systems.
Presentation and Consolidation. We prepare our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). These principles are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB"). The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of SMLP and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions among the consolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation.
We make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates, including fair value measurements, the reported amounts of revenue and expense, and the disclosure of contingencies. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from its estimates.
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. We believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, which are necessary to fairly present the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015, the consolidated statements of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated statements of partners' capital and cash flows for

6


the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that are included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015 (the "2014 Annual Report"). The results of operations for an interim period are not necessarily indicative of results expected for a full year.
SMLP acquired Red Rock Gathering Company, LLC ("Red Rock Gathering"), a natural gas gathering and processing system operating in the Piceance Basin, from a subsidiary of Summit Investments in March 2014. SMLP recognized its acquisition of Red Rock Gathering (the "Red Rock Drop Down") at Summit Investments' historical cost because the acquisition was executed by entities under common control. The excess of the purchase price paid by SMLP over Summit Investments' net investment in Red Rock Gathering was recognized as a reduction to partners' capital. Due to the common control aspect, the Red Rock Drop Down was accounted for by the Partnership on an “as-if pooled” basis for the periods during which common control existed. For the purposes of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, SMLP's results of operations reflect the results of operations of Red Rock Gathering for all periods presented.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income is the same as net income for all periods presented.
Environmental Matters. We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Liabilities for loss contingencies, including environmental remediation costs, arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, and penalties and other sources are charged to expense when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment and/or remediation can be reasonably estimated.
Other Significant Accounting Policies. For information on our other significant accounting policies, see Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements. Accounting standard setters frequently issue new or revised accounting rules. We review new pronouncements to determine the impact, if any, on our financial statements. There are currently no recent pronouncements that have been issued that we believe may materially affect our financial statements, except as noted below.
In May 2014, the FASB released a joint revenue recognition standard, Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 ("ASC Update 2014-09"). Under ASC Update 2014-09, revenue will be recognized under a five-step model: (i) identify the contract with the customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to performance obligations; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation. This new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim and annual periods thereafter. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of this update.
In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03 ("ASC Update 2015-30") Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. Under ASC Update 2015-03, entities that have historically presented debt issuance costs as an asset, related to a recognized debt liability, will be required to present those costs as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. This presentation will result in debt issuance cost being presented the same way debt discounts have historically been handled. This new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim and annual periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of this update.

3. SEGMENT INFORMATION
As of March 31, 2015, our reportable segments are:
the Marcellus Shale, which is served by Mountaineer Midstream;
the Williston Basin, which is served by Bison Midstream;
the Barnett Shale, which is served by DFW Midstream; and
the Piceance Basin, which is served by Grand River Gathering.

7


Each of our reportable segments provides midstream services in a specific geographic area. The assets of our reportable segments consist of natural gas gathering and processing systems and related plant and equipment.
Our reportable segments reflect the way in which we internally report the financial information used to make decisions and allocate resources in connection with our operations. In the first quarter of 2015, we combined our Red Rock Gathering operating segment with the Grand River Gathering operating segment to become one operating segment serving the Piceance Basin. Prior to 2015, we aggregated the Red Rock Gathering and Grand River Gathering operating segments into the Piceance Basin reportable segment.
Corporate represents those revenues and expenses that are not specifically attributable to a reportable segment, not individually reportable, or that have not been allocated to our reportable segments. In the first quarter of 2015, we discontinued allocating certain general and administrative expenses, primarily salaries, benefits, incentive compensation and rent expense, to our operating segments.
Assets by reportable segment follow.
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
Marcellus Shale
$
243,391

 
$
243,884

Williston Basin
296,870

 
311,041

Barnett Shale
425,142

 
428,935

Piceance Basin
843,054

 
872,437

Total reportable segment assets
1,808,457

 
1,856,297

Corporate
20,531

 
38,577

Total assets
$
1,828,988

 
$
1,894,874

Revenues by reportable segment follow.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
Marcellus Shale
$
7,840

 
$
5,356

Williston Basin
8,908

 
16,763

Barnett Shale
23,897

 
23,037

Piceance Basin
27,934

 
31,046

Total reportable segment revenues and total revenues
$
68,579

 
$
76,202

Depreciation and amortization by reportable segment follow.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Depreciation and amortization:
 
 
 
Marcellus Shale
$
2,168

 
$
1,801

Williston Basin
4,698

 
4,250

Barnett Shale
3,906

 
3,638

Piceance Basin
11,205

 
9,811

Total reportable segments
21,977

 
19,500

Corporate
166

 
142

Total depreciation and amortization
$
22,143

 
$
19,642


8


Capital expenditures by reportable segment follow.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
Marcellus Shale
$
496

 
$
4,431

Williston Basin
4,934

 
10,941

Barnett Shale
893

 
7,721

Piceance Basin
5,193

 
16,970

Total reportable segments
11,516

 
40,063

Corporate
398

 
37

Total capital expenditures
$
11,914

 
$
40,100

We assess the performance of our reportable segments based on segment adjusted EBITDA. We define segment adjusted EBITDA as total revenues less total costs and expenses; plus (i) other income excluding interest income, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) adjustments related to minimum volume commitment ("MVC") shortfall payments, (iv) impairments and (v) other noncash expenses or losses, less other noncash income or gains. Segment adjusted EBITDA excludes the effect of allocated corporate expenses, such as certain general and administrative expenses (including compensation-related expenses and professional services fees) interest expense and income tax expense.
Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments account for (i) the net increases or decreases in deferred revenue for MVC shortfall payments and (ii) our inclusion of expected annual MVC shortfall payments. We include a proportional amount of these historical or expected minimum volume commitment shortfall payments in each quarter prior to the quarter in which we actually recognize the shortfall payment. These adjustments have not been billed to our customers and are not recognized in our consolidated financial statements.
A reconciliation of income before income taxes to total reportable segment adjusted EBITDA follows.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Reconciliation of Income Before Income Taxes to Segment Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
$
1,844

 
$
6,532

Add:
 
 
 
Interest expense
12,118

 
7,144

Depreciation and amortization
22,143

 
19,642

Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts
251

 
226

Allocated corporate expenses
5,857

 
2,555

Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments
12,340

 
12,013

Unit-based compensation
1,312

 
1,063

Less:
 
 
 
Interest income
1

 
1

Total reportable segment adjusted EBITDA
$
55,864

 
$
49,174


9


Segment adjusted EBITDA by reportable segment follows.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Reportable segment adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
Marcellus Shale
$
6,535

 
$
3,883

Williston Basin
5,333

 
4,676

Barnett Shale
16,760

 
15,034

Piceance Basin
27,236

 
25,581

Total reportable segment adjusted EBITDA
$
55,864

 
$
49,174


4. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Details on property, plant, and equipment, net follow.
 
Useful lives (In years)
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Natural gas gathering and processing systems
30
 
$
884,890

 
$
881,235

Compressor stations and compression equipment
30
 
412,978

 
410,906

Construction in progress
n/a
 
37,566

 
33,177

Other
4-15
 
27,929

 
27,345

Total
 
 
1,363,363

 
1,352,663

Less: accumulated depreciation
 
 
129,134

 
117,011

Property, plant, and equipment, net
 
 
$
1,234,229

 
$
1,235,652

Construction in progress is depreciated consistent with its applicable asset class once it is placed in service. Depreciation expense related to property, plant, and equipment and capitalized interest were as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Depreciation expense
$
12,123

 
$
10,521

Capitalized interest
341

 
1,358


5. AMORTIZING INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets subject to amortization were as follows:
 
March 31, 2015
 
Useful lives
(In years)
 
Gross carrying amount
 
Accumulated amortization
 
Net
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Favorable gas gathering contracts
18.7
 
$
24,195

 
$
(8,482
)
 
$
15,713

Contract intangibles
12.5
 
426,464

 
(84,548
)
 
341,916

Rights-of-way
24.2
 
112,903

 
(13,602
)
 
99,301

Total intangible assets
 
 
$
563,562

 
$
(106,632
)
 
$
456,930

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unfavorable gas gathering contract
10.0
 
$
10,962

 
$
(5,560
)
 
$
5,402


10


 
December 31, 2014
 
Useful lives
(In years)
 
Gross carrying amount
 
Accumulated amortization
 
Net
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Favorable gas gathering contracts
18.7
 
$
24,195

 
$
(8,056
)
 
$
16,139

Contract intangibles
12.5
 
426,464

 
(75,713
)
 
350,751

Rights-of-way
24.2
 
112,393

 
(12,417
)
 
99,976

Total intangible assets
 
 
$
563,052

 
$
(96,186
)
 
$
466,866

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unfavorable gas gathering contract
10.0
 
$
10,962

 
$
(5,385
)
 
$
5,577

We recognized amortization expense in revenues as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Amortization expense – favorable gas gathering contracts
$
(426
)
 
$
(434
)
Amortization expense – unfavorable gas gathering contract
175

 
208

Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts
$
(251
)
 
$
(226
)
We recognized amortization expense in costs and expenses as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Amortization expense – contract intangibles
$
8,835

 
$
7,962

Amortization expense – rights-of-way
1,185

 
1,159

The estimated aggregate annual amortization expected to be recognized for the remainder of 2015 and each of the four succeeding fiscal years follows.
 
Intangible assets
 
Unfavorable gas gathering contract
 
(In thousands)
2015
$
31,401

 
$
530

2016
41,867

 
924

2017
40,719

 
1,047

2018
40,173

 
1,035

2019
40,418

 
1,045


6. GOODWILL
We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually on September 30 and whenever events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. There have been no impairments of goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Fourth Quarter 2014 Goodwill Impairment. In the first quarter of 2015, we finalized our calculations of the fair values of the identified assets and liabilities in step two of the December 31, 2014 goodwill impairment testing for the Bison Midstream reporting unit. This process confirmed the preliminary goodwill impairment of $54.2 million that was recognized as of December 31, 2014.


11


7. DEFERRED REVENUE
A rollforward of current deferred revenue follows.
 
Williston Basin
 
Barnett
Shale
 
Piceance
Basin
 
Total
current
 
(In thousands)
Current deferred revenue, January 1, 2015
$

 
$
2,377

 
$

 
$
2,377

Additions

 
322

 

 
322

Less: revenue recognized due to usage

 
322

 

 
322

Current deferred revenue, March 31, 2015
$

 
$
2,377

 
$

 
$
2,377

A rollforward of noncurrent deferred revenue follows.
 
Williston Basin
 
Barnett
Shale
 
Piceance
Basin
 
Total noncurrent
 
(In thousands)
Noncurrent deferred revenue, January 1, 2015
$
17,132

 
$

 
$
38,107

 
$
55,239

Additions

 

 
3,772

 
3,772

Less: revenue recognized due to usage
27

 

 

 
27

Noncurrent deferred revenue, March 31, 2015
$
17,105

 
$

 
$
41,879

 
$
58,984

As of March 31, 2015, accounts receivable included $2.5 million of shortfall billings related to MVC arrangements that can be utilized to offset gathering fees in subsequent periods. Noncurrent deferred revenue at March 31, 2015 represents amounts that provide certain customers the ability to offset their gathering fees over a period up to seven years to the extent that the customer's throughput volumes exceeds its MVC.

8. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Variable rate senior secured revolving credit facility (2.43% at March 31, 2015 and 2.67% at December 31, 2014) due November 2018
$
196,000

 
$
208,000

5.50% Senior unsecured notes due August 2022
300,000

 
300,000

7.50% Senior unsecured notes due July 2021
300,000

 
300,000

Total long-term debt
$
796,000

 
$
808,000

Revolving Credit Facility. We have a senior secured revolving credit facility which allows for revolving loans, letters of credit and swingline loans (the "revolving credit facility"). The revolving credit facility has a $700.0 million borrowing capacity, matures in November 2018, and includes a $200.0 million accordion feature. It is secured by the membership interests of Summit Holdings and those of its subsidiaries. Substantially all of the assets of Summit Holdings and its subsidiaries are pledged as collateral under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility, and Summit Holdings' obligations, are guaranteed by SMLP and each of its subsidiaries.
As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the revolving credit facility's covenants. There were no defaults or events of default during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Senior Notes. In July 2014, Summit Holdings and its 100% owned finance subsidiary, Summit Midstream Finance Corp. ("Finance Corp.," together with Summit Holdings, the "Co-Issuers"), co-issued $300.0 million of 5.50% senior unsecured notes maturing August 15, 2022 (the "5.5% senior notes"). In June 2013, the Co-Issuers co-issued $300.0 million of 7.50% senior unsecured notes maturing July 1, 2021 (the "7.5% senior notes").
SMLP and all of its subsidiaries other than the Co-Issuers (the "Guarantors") have fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guaranteed the 5.5% senior notes and the 7.5% senior notes. SMLP has no independent assets or operations. Summit Holdings has no assets or operations other than its ownership of its wholly owned subsidiaries and activities associated with its borrowings under the revolving credit facility, the 5.5% senior notes

12


and the 7.5% senior notes. Finance Corp. has no independent assets or operations and was formed for the sole purpose of being a co-issuer of certain of Summit Holdings' indebtedness, including the 5.5% senior notes and the 7.5% senior notes. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of SMLP or Summit Holdings to obtain funds from their subsidiaries by dividend or loan.
As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the covenants of the 5.5% senior notes and the 7.5% senior notes. There were no defaults or events of default during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Fair Value of Debt Instruments. A summary of the estimated fair value of our debt financial instruments follows.
 
March 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
value
 
Estimated
fair value (Level 2)
 
Carrying
value
 
Estimated
fair value (Level 2)
 
(In thousands)
Revolving credit facility
$
196,000

 
$
196,000

 
$
208,000

 
$
208,000

5.5% Senior notes
300,000

 
283,250

 
300,000

 
281,750

7.5% Senior notes
300,000

 
310,625

 
300,000

 
306,750

The revolving credit facility’s carrying value on the balance sheet is its fair value due to its floating interest rate. The fair value for the senior notes is based on an average of nonbinding broker quotes as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The use of different market assumptions or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value of the senior notes.

9. PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Partners' Capital
A rollforward of the number of common limited partner, subordinated limited partner and general partner units follows.
 
Common
 
Subordinated
 
General partner
 
Total
Units, January 1, 2015
34,426,513

 
24,409,850

 
1,200,651

 
60,037,014

Units issued under SMLP LTIP (1)
68,955

 

 

 
68,955

Units, March 31, 2015
34,495,468

 
24,409,850

 
1,200,651

 
60,105,969

__________
(1) Net of 19,175 units withheld to meet minimum statutory tax withholding requirements
Red Rock Drop Down. On March 18, 2014, SMLP acquired 100% of the membership interests in Red Rock Gathering from a subsidiary of Summit Investments. SMLP paid total cash consideration of $307.9 million (including working capital adjustments accrued in December 2014 and cash settled in February 2015) in exchange for Summit Investments' net investment in Red Rock Gathering. As a result of the excess of the purchase price over acquired carrying value of Red Rock Gathering, SMLP recognized a capital distribution to Summit Investments. The calculation of the capital distribution and its allocation to partners' capital follow (in thousands).
Summit Investments' net investment in Red Rock Gathering
 
 
$
241,817

Total cash consideration paid to a subsidiary of Summit Investments
 
 
307,941

Excess of purchase price over acquired carrying value of Red Rock Gathering
 
 
$
(66,124
)
 
 
 
 
Allocation of capital distribution:
 
 
 
General partner interest
$
(1,323
)
 
 
Common limited partner interest
(37,910
)
 
 
Subordinated limited partner interest
(26,891
)
 
 
Partners' capital allocation
 
 
$
(66,124
)

13


Details of cash distributions declared in 2015 follow.
Attributable to the
quarter ended
 
Payment date
 
Per-unit distribution
 
Cash paid to common unitholders
 
Cash paid to subordinated unitholders
 
Cash paid to general partner
 
Cash paid for IDRs
 
Total distribution
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except per-unit amounts)
December 31, 2014
 
February 13, 2015
 
$
0.5600

 
$
19,279

 
$
13,670

 
$
702

 
$
1,442

 
$
35,093

On April 23, 2015, the board of directors of our general partner declared a distribution of $0.565 per unit attributable to the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The distribution will be paid in accordance with the third target distribution level on May 15, 2015 to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 8, 2015.

10. EARNINGS PER UNIT
The following table details the components of earnings per limited partner unit.
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands, except per-unit amounts)
Net income attributable to limited partners
$
99

 
$
3,114

 
 
 
 
Numerator for basic and diluted EPU:
 
 
 
Allocation of net income among limited partner interests:
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common units
$
69

 
$
2,508

Net income attributable to subordinated units
30

 
606

Net income attributable to limited partners
$
99

 
$
3,114

 
 
 
 
Denominator for basic and diluted EPU:
 
 
 
Weighted-average common units outstanding – basic
34,439

 
29,912

Effect of nonvested phantom units
146

 
156

Weighted-average common units outstanding – diluted
34,585

 
30,068

 
 
 
 
Weighted-average subordinated units outstanding – basic and diluted
24,410

 
24,410

 
 
 
 
Earnings per limited partner unit:
 
 
 
Common unit – basic
$
0.00

 
$
0.08

Common unit – diluted
$
0.00

 
$
0.08

Subordinated unit – basic and diluted
$
0.00

 
$
0.02


We excluded 8,524 units in our calculation of the effect of nonvested phantom units for the three months ended March 31, 2015 because they were anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive units during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

11. UNIT-BASED COMPENSATION
SMLP Long-Term Incentive Plan. The SMLP Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "SMLP LTIP") provides for equity awards to eligible officers, employees, consultants and directors of our general partner and its affiliates. As of March 31, 2015, approximately 4.4 million common units remained available for future issuance.

14


The following table presents activity under the SMLP LTIP.
 
Three months ended March 31, 2015
 
Units
 
Weighted-average grant date
fair value
Nonvested phantom units, beginning of period
336,202

 
$
30.61

Phantom units granted (1)
200,283

 
33.94

Phantom units vested
(89,107
)
 
34.07

Phantom units forfeited
(2,106
)
 
36.36

Nonvested phantom units, end of period
445,272

 
$
31.39

__________
(1) Grants vest ratably over a three-year period.
As of March 31, 2015, the unrecognized unit-based compensation related to the SMLP LTIP was $9.5 million. Incremental unit-based compensation will be recorded in general and administrative expense over the remaining vesting period of approximately 3.0 years. Due to the limited and immaterial forfeiture history associated with the grants under the SMLP LTIP, no forfeitures were assumed in the determination of estimated compensation expense.

12. CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and accounts receivable. We maintain our cash in bank deposit accounts that frequently exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts and do not believe we are exposed to any significant risk.
Accounts receivable primarily comprise natural gas gathering, treating and processing services we provide to our customers and also the sale of natural gas liquids resulting from our processing services. This industry concentration has the potential to impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that our customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. We monitor the creditworthiness of our counterparties and can require letters of credit for receivables from counterparties that are judged to have substandard credit, unless the credit risk can otherwise be mitigated.
Counterparties accounting for more than 10% of total revenues were as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Revenue:
 
 
 
Counterparty A - Piceance Basin
16
%
 
17
%
Counterparty B - Williston Basin
*

 
10
%
Counterparty C - Barnett Shale
11
%
 
11
%
Counterparty D - Williston Basin
*

 
*

Counterparty E - Marcellus Shale
11
%
 
*

Counterparty F - Piceance Basin
*

 
*

__________
* Less than 10%

15


Counterparties accounting for more than 10% of total accounts receivable were as follows:
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Accounts receivable:
 
 
 
Counterparty A - Piceance Basin
15
%
 
29
%
Counterparty B - Williston Basin
*

 
*

Counterparty C - Barnett Shale
12
%
 
*

Counterparty D - Williston Basin
*

 
14
%
Counterparty E - Marcellus Shale
14
%
 
10
%
Counterparty F - Piceance Basin
13
%
 
*

__________
* Less than 10%

13. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Reimbursement of Expenses from General Partner. Our general partner and its affiliates do not receive a management fee or other compensation in connection with the management of our business, but will be reimbursed for expenses incurred on our behalf. Under our partnership agreement, we reimburse our general partner and its affiliates for certain expenses incurred on our behalf, including, without limitation, salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to our general partner's employees and executive officers who perform services necessary to run our business. Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner will determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us. Due to affiliate on the consolidated balance sheet represents the payables to our general partner for expenses incurred by it and paid on our behalf.
Expenses incurred by the general partner and reimbursed by us under our partnership agreement were as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Operation and maintenance expense
$
4,767

 
$
3,892

General and administrative expense
4,681

 
4,906

Red Rock Gathering Expenses. During the period from January 1, 2014 to March 18, 2014, Summit Investments incurred interest expense that was related to capital projects at Red Rock Gathering. As such, the associated interest expense was allocated to Red Rock Gathering as a noncash contribution and capitalized into the basis of the asset.
Prior to the Red Rock Drop Down, Summit Investments incurred certain support expenses and capital expenditures on behalf of Red Rock Gathering during the three months ended March 31, 2014. These transactions were settled periodically through membership interests prior to the Red Rock Drop Down.

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Leases. Rent expense related to operating leases, including rent expense incurred on our behalf and allocated to us by Summit Investments, was as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Rent expense
$
358

 
$
354

Environmental Matters. There are no material liabilities related to environmental remediation costs, arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, or penalties and other sources in the accompanying financial statements at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. However, we can provide no assurance that significant costs and liabilities

16


will not be incurred in the future. We are currently not aware of any material contingent liabilities that exist with respect to environmental matters.
Legal Proceedings. The Partnership is involved in various litigation and administrative proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, any liabilities that may result from these claims or those arising in the normal course of business would not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.

15. ACQUISITIONS
Red Rock Gathering System. On March 18, 2014, the Partnership acquired Red Rock Gathering from a subsidiary of Summit Investments, subject to customary working capital adjustments. The Partnership paid total cash consideration of $307.9 million, comprising $305.0 million at the date of acquisition and $2.9 million of working capital adjustments that were recognized in due to affiliate as of December 31, 2014 and settled in February 2015. Because of the common control aspects of the drop down transaction, the Red Rock Gathering acquisition was deemed a transaction between entities under common control and, as such, was accounted for on an “as if pooled” basis for all periods in which common control existed. SMLP’s financial results retrospectively include Red Rock’s financial results for all periods ending after October 23, 2012, the date Summit Investments acquired its interests, and before March 18, 2014.
Supplemental Disclosures – As-If Pooled Basis. As noted above, SMLP's acquisition of Red Rock Gathering was a transaction between commonly controlled entities, which required that SMLP account for the acquisition in a manner similar to a pooling of interests. As a result, the historical financial statements of the Partnership and Red Rock Gathering have been combined to reflect the historical operations, financial position and cash flows from the date common control began. Revenues and net income for the previously separate entities and the combined amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2014, as presented in these consolidated financial statements follow.
 
Three months
ended
March 31, 2014
 
(In thousands)
SMLP revenues
$
64,889

Red Rock Gathering revenues
11,313

Combined revenues
$
76,202

 
 
SMLP net income
$
3,545

Red Rock Gathering net income
2,828

Combined net income
$
6,373

Subsequent Event. On May 6, 2015, the Partnership signed a contribution agreement whereby Bison Midstream will acquire the equity interests of certain subsidiaries of Summit Investments for total cash consideration of $255.0 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments (the “Bakken Drop Down”). The assets to be acquired as a result of the Bakken Drop Down include certain crude oil and produced water gathering systems and transmission pipelines located in the Williston Basin ("Polar & Divide"). Subject to the achievement of certain development milestones, SMLP will also have an option to acquire a crude oil transmission project currently under development in the Williston Basin from a subsidiary of Summit Investments for $35.0 million. The Bakken Drop Down transaction is expected to close before May 31, 2015.
Because of the common control aspects in a drop down transaction, the acquisition is expected to be deemed a transaction between entities under common control and, as such, will be accounted for on an “as if pooled” basis for all periods in which common control existed. Upon closing the acquisition, SMLP’s financial results will retrospectively include the combined financial results of Polar & Divide for all periods ending after February 15, 2013.


17


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is intended to inform the reader about matters affecting the financial condition and results of operations of SMLP and its subsidiaries for the period since December 31, 2014. As a result, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this report and the MD&A and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes that are included in the 2014 Annual Report. Among other things, those financial statements and the related notes include more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the following information. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that constitute our plans, estimates and beliefs. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those discussed in Forward-Looking Statements on page ii of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
MD&A comprises the following sections:
Overview
Trends and Outlook
How We Evaluate Our Operations
Results of Operations
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Critical Accounting Estimates

Overview
We are a growth-oriented limited partnership focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in North America. We gather, treat and process natural gas from both dry gas and liquids-rich regions. Dry gas regions contain natural gas reserves that are primarily composed of methane. Liquids-rich regions include natural gas reserves that contain natural gas liquids, or NGLs, in addition to methane.
We currently operate natural gas gathering systems in four unconventional resource basins:
the Appalachian Basin, which includes the Marcellus Shale formation in northern West Virginia;
the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in northwestern North Dakota;
the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in north-central Texas; and
the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation and the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in western Colorado and eastern Utah.
We believe that our gathering systems are well positioned to capture volumes from producer activity in these regions in the future.
Our results are driven primarily by the volumes of natural gas that we gather, treat and process across our systems. We contract with producers to gather natural gas from pad sites and central receipt points connected to our systems, which we then compress, dehydrate, and/or treat for delivery to downstream pipelines for ultimate delivery to our or third-party processing plants and/or end users.
We generate the majority of our revenue from the natural gas gathering, treating and processing services that we provide to our natural gas producer customers under primarily long-term and fee-based natural gas gathering and processing agreements. Under these agreements, we are paid a fixed fee based on the volume of the natural gas we gather, treat and/or process. These agreements enhance the stability of our cash flows by providing a revenue stream that is not subject to direct commodity price risk. We also earn revenue from our marketing of natural gas and natural gas liquids and from the sale of physical natural gas purchased from our customers under percentage-

18


of-proceeds and keep-whole arrangements, which can expose us to commodity price risk. We sell condensate retained from our gathering services at Grand River Gathering.
We have indirect exposure to changes in commodity prices in that persistent low commodity prices may cause our customers to delay drilling or temporarily shut in production, which would reduce the volumes of natural gas that we gather. If our customers delay drilling or temporarily shut-in production, our MVCs ensure that we will receive a certain amount of revenue from our customers.
Most of our gas gathering agreements are underpinned by areas of mutual interest ("AMIs") and MVCs. Our AMIs cover over 1.4 million acres in the aggregate and provide that any natural gas produced from wells drilled by our customers within the AMI will be shipped on our gathering systems. Our MVCs, which totaled 3.7 Tcf at March 31, 2015 and average approximately 1,212 MMcf/d through 2019, are designed to ensure that we will generate a certain amount of revenue from each customer over the life of the respective gas gathering agreement, whether by collecting gathering fees on actual throughput or from cash payments to cover any MVC shortfall. Our MVCs had a weighted-average remaining life of 9.2 years as of March 31, 2015, assuming minimum throughput volumes for the remainder of the term.

Trends and Outlook
Our business has been, and we expect our future business to continue to be, affected by the following key trends:
Acquisitions from Summit Investments and third parties;
Natural gas, NGL and crude oil supply and demand dynamics;
Growth in production from U.S. shale plays;
Capital markets activity and cost of capital; and
Shifts in operating costs and inflation.
Our expectations are based on assumptions made by us and information currently available to us. To the extent our underlying assumptions about, or interpretations of, available information prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from our expected results. For additional information, see the "Trends and Outlook" section of MD&A included in the 2014 Annual Report.

How We Evaluate Our Operations
We conduct our operations in the midstream sector through four reportable segments:
the Marcellus Shale, which is served by Mountaineer Midstream;
the Williston Basin, which is served by Bison Midstream;
the Barnett Shale, which is served by DFW Midstream; and
the Piceance Basin, which is served by Grand River Gathering.
Our management uses a variety of financial and operational metrics to analyze our consolidated and segment performance. We view these metrics as important factors in evaluating our profitability and review these measurements on a regular basis for consistency and trend analysis. These metrics include:
throughput volume,
revenues,
operation and maintenance expenses,
EBITDA,
adjusted EBITDA and segment adjusted EBITDA, and
distributable cash flow.
For additional information on our reportable segments and how these metrics help us manage our business, see Note 3 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the "How We Evaluate Our Operations" section of MD&A included in the 2014 Annual Report.

19



Results of Operations
Consolidated Overview of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
The following table presents certain consolidated and other financial and operating data as of or for the periods indicated.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015 v. 2014
 
(Dollars in thousands, except fee-rate data)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering services and other fees
$
56,054

 
$
50,072

 
12
 %
Natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales and other
12,776

 
26,356

 
(52
)%
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts
(251
)
 
(226
)
 
*

Total revenues
68,579

 
76,202

 
(10
)%
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of natural gas and NGLs
6,695

 
15,281

 
(56
)%
Operation and maintenance
17,429

 
19,181

 
(9
)%
General and administrative
8,351

 
7,886

 
6
 %
Transaction costs

 
537

 
(100
)%
Depreciation and amortization
22,143

 
19,642

 
13
 %
Total costs and expenses
54,618

 
62,527

 
(13
)%
Other income
1

 
1

 
*

Interest expense
(12,118
)
 
(7,144
)
 
70
 %
Income before income taxes
1,844

 
6,532

 
(72
)%
Income tax expense
(177
)
 
(159
)
 
11
 %
Net income
$
1,667

 
$
6,373

 
(74
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Financial Data:
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA (1)
$
36,355

 
$
33,543

 
8
 %
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
50,007

 
46,619

 
7
 %
Capital expenditures (2)
11,914

 
40,100

 
(70
)%
Acquisitions of gathering systems (3)
2,941

 
305,000

 
*

Distributable cash flow (1)(2)
35,902

 
33,733

 
6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Data:
 
 
 
 
 
Miles of pipeline as of March 31
2,347

 
2,294

 
2
 %
Aggregate average throughput (MMcf/d)
1,583

 
1,311

 
21
 %
Aggregate average throughput rate per Mcf
$
0.40

 
$
0.44

 
(9
)%
__________
*Not considered meaningful
(1) See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" herein for additional information on EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow as well as their reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
(2) See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" herein for additional information on capital expenditures.
(3) Reflects cash paid (including working capital adjustments) and value of units issued, if any, to fund acquisitions and/or drop downs. For additional information, see Note 15 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Volumes. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, our aggregate throughput volumes increased to an average of 1,583 MMcf/d, compared with an average of 1,311 MMcf/d for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The

20


increase in volume throughput largely reflects the contribution from the Mountaineer Midstream and DFW Midstream systems, partially offset by volume throughput declines on the Grand River Gathering system.
Revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, total revenues decreased $7.6 million, or 10%. The decrease in total revenues reflects a decline in natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales and other for Bison Midstream, Grand River Gathering and DFW Midstream, partially offset by an increase in gathering services and other fees across all gathering systems.
Gathering Services and Other Fees. The increase in gathering services and other fees during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily driven by higher volume throughput on the DFW Midstream and Mountaineer Midstream systems. The aggregate average throughput rate decreased to $0.40 per Mcf during the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with $0.44 per Mcf in the prior-year period primarily as a result of a larger proportion of gathering fee revenue from Mountaineer Midstream.
Natural Gas, NGLs and Condensate Sales and Other. The decrease in natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales and other for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily a result of the impact of declining commodity prices, partially offset by an increase in volumes on the Bison Midstream and Grand River Gathering systems that are subject to percent-of-proceeds arrangements. Declining commodity prices negatively impacted our percent-of-proceeds arrangements at Bison Midstream and Grand River Gathering, our fuel retainage revenue at DFW Midstream and condensate revenue for Grand River Gathering.
Costs and Expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, total costs and expenses decreased $7.9 million, or 13%, primarily due to a decrease in cost of natural gas and NGLs at Bison Midstream and Grand River Gathering and a decrease in operation and maintenance across our gathering systems. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in depreciation and amortization across our gathering systems.
Cost of Natural Gas and NGLs. The decrease in cost of natural gas and NGLs during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was largely driven by declining commodity prices and the associated impact on our percent-of-proceeds arrangements at Bison Midstream and Grand River Gathering. This impact was partially offset by an increase in volume throughput for these arrangements.
Operation and Maintenance. Operation and maintenance expense decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2015 primarily as a result of lower-cost electricity and a decline in third-party natural gas treating expenses for DFW Midstream, partially offset by an overall increase in compensation-related expenses.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expense increased during the three months ended March 31, 2015 largely as a result of an increase in salaries, benefits and incentive compensation and professional services fees.
Transaction Costs. Transaction costs recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily relate to financial and legal advisory costs associated with the Red Rock Drop Down.
Depreciation and Amortization. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was largely driven by an increase in assets placed into service and contract amortization, with the substantial majority of the increase being attributed to Grand River Gathering and Mountaineer Midstream.
Interest Expense. The increase in interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2015, was primarily driven by our issuance of $300.0 million of 5.50% senior notes in July 2014.
For information on how our financial results are recognized, see the "Results of Operations" section of MD&A included in the 2014 Annual Report.

Segment Overview of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
Marcellus Shale. The Mountaineer Midstream gathering system provides our midstream services for the Marcellus Shale reportable segment. Marcellus Shale volume throughput averaged 547 MMcf/d for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with 286 MMcf/d in the prior-year period and reflects the continuation of active drilling by Mountaineer Midstream's anchor customer and the connection of new wells upstream of the Mountaineer Midstream system.

21


Information regarding our operations in the Marcellus Shale follows.
 
Marcellus Shale (1)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015 v. 2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering services and other fees
$
7,840

 
$
5,356

 
46
 %
Total revenues
7,840

 
5,356

 
46
 %
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Operation and maintenance
1,215

 
969

 
25
 %
General and administrative
90

 
504

 
(82
)%
Depreciation and amortization
2,168

 
1,801

 
20
 %
Total costs and expenses
3,473

 
3,274

 
6
 %
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
2,168

 
1,801

 

Segment adjusted EBITDA
$
6,535

 
$
3,883

 
68
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average throughput (MMcf/d)
547

 
286

 
91
 %
__________
(1) Contract terms related to throughput rate per MCF are excluded for confidentiality purposes.
Segment adjusted EBITDA increased $2.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 reflecting:
the impact of an increase in volume throughput which translated into higher gathering services and other fees revenue.
the benefit of higher volume throughput was partially offset by a decline in compression services, which resulted from a shift in volume throughput mix to a larger percentage of previously compressed natural gas entering our gathering lines. As a result of this shift in volume throughput mix, the proportion of high-pressure gathering services increased, which, due to its lower rate relative to compression fees, negatively impacted gathering services and other fees as well as the average throughput rate per Mcf.
minimum revenue commitment payments related to the recently completed Zinnia Loop project, received in the first quarter of 2015.
an increase in operation and maintenance primarily as a result of system expansion and the associated increase in volume throughput.
a decline in general and administrative expenses primarily as a result of our decision to discontinue allocating certain corporate expenses beginning in the first quarter of 2015.
Depreciation and amortization increased during the three months ended March 31, 2015 largely as a result of assets placed into service during the third quarter of 2014, most notably the Zinnia Loop project.

Williston Basin. The Bison Midstream gathering system provides our midstream services for the Williston Basin reportable segment. Williston Basin volume throughput averaged 18 MMcf/d for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with 12 MMcf/d in the prior-year period. The increase in volume throughput in 2015 reflects additional pad site connections and compression capacity installed in the latter half of 2014, which improved system hydraulics. Volume throughput in the first quarter of 2014 also reflected the impact of severe winter weather in northwestern North Dakota and operational challenges caused by water hydrate issues. These issues were remediated during the second quarter of 2014. Bison Midstream's aggregate average throughput rate declined to $2.80 per Mcf during the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with $4.59 per Mcf in the prior-year period, primarily as a result of a larger proportion of percent-of-proceeds contracts and the impact of declining commodity prices.

22


Information regarding our operations in the Williston Basin follows.
 
Williston Basin
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015 v. 2014
 
(Dollars in thousands, except fee-rate data)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering services and other fees
$
1,550

 
$
1,287

 
20
 %
Natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales and other
7,358

 
15,476

 
(52
)%
Total revenues
8,908

 
16,763

 
(47
)%
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of natural gas and NGLs
4,390

 
11,717

 
(63
)%
Operation and maintenance
1,678

 
2,034

 
(18
)%
General and administrative
167

 
1,028

 
(84
)%
Depreciation and amortization
4,698

 
4,250

 
11
 %
Total costs and expenses
10,933

 
19,029

 
(43
)%
Add:
 
 
 
 


Depreciation and amortization
4,698

 
4,250

 

Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments
2,660

 
2,692

 
 
Segment adjusted EBITDA
$
5,333

 
$
4,676

 
14
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average throughput (MMcf/d)
18

 
12

 
50
 %
Average throughput rate per Mcf
$
2.80

 
$
4.59

 
(39
)%
Segment adjusted EBITDA increased $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 reflecting:
the previously mentioned decision to discontinue certain general and administrative expense allocations.
the impact of declining commodity prices which negatively affected the margins we earn under percent-of-proceeds arrangements.
a decrease in operation and maintenance expenses largely as a result of the first quarter 2014 water hydrate remediation effort.
Depreciation and amortization increased during the three months ended March 31, 2015 largely as a result compression assets placed into service during the second half of 2014.

Barnett Shale. The DFW Midstream gathering system provides our midstream services for the Barnett Shale reportable segment. DFW Midstream volume throughput increased to 403 MMcf/d during the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with 348 MMcf/d in the prior-year period. The increase in volume throughput primarily reflects customer production which recommenced from several pad sites that had been temporarily shut-in for drilling and completion activities beginning in the third quarter of 2013 and continuing until late 2014. In addition, DFW Midstream volume throughput benefited from the contribution of the Lonestar assets, which we acquired on September 30, 2014. These increases were partially offset by a lack of drilling activity by DFW Midstream's anchor customer. DFW Midstream's aggregate average throughput rate was relatively unchanged at $0.60 per Mcf during the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared with $0.59 per Mcf in the prior-year period.

23


Information regarding our operations in the Barnett Shale follows.
 
Barnett Shale
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015 v. 2014
 
(Dollars in thousands, except fee-rate data)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering services and other fees
$
22,063

 
$
19,119

 
15
 %
Natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales and other
2,085

 
4,144

 
(50
)%
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts
(251
)
 
(226
)
 
11
 %
Total revenues
23,897

 
23,037

 
4
 %
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Operation and maintenance
6,812

 
7,892

 
(14
)%
General and administrative
353

 
1,170

 
(70
)%
Depreciation and amortization
3,906

 
3,638

 
7
 %
Total costs and expenses
11,071

 
12,700

 
(13
)%
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
4,157

 
3,864

 

Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments
(223
)
 
833

 
 
Segment adjusted EBITDA
$
16,760

 
$
15,034

 
11
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average throughput (MMcf/d)
403

 
348

 
16
 %
Average throughput rate per Mcf
$
0.60

 
$
0.59

 
2
 %
Segment adjusted EBITDA increased $1.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 reflecting:
an increase in gathering services and other fees due to increased volumes.
the impact of declining natural gas prices on the fuel retainage fee that is paid in-kind by certain of our customers to offset the costs we incur to operate DFW Midstream's electric-drive compression assets.
a decline in operation and maintenance expense due to lower electricity expense and a decline in third-party natural gas treating expenses. We purchase a fixed quantity of power at a fixed heat rate based on prevailing natural gas prices. As a result, the decline in natural gas prices translated into lower electricity expenses. The natural gas price effect was partially offset by an increase in electricity usage due to higher volume throughput.
a decline in third-party natural gas treating expenses, which we recognize in operation and maintenance. In February 2014, we commissioned a new 150 gallon per minute natural gas treating facility which allowed us to provide treating services to our customers rather than having to contract with a third-party service provider for treating services.
a negative adjustment to MVC shortfall payments in the first quarter of 2015 for a customer that exceeded volume throughput expectations as a result of wells placed in service in December 2014. The 2015 adjustment was necessary to true-up the customer's balance due to its annual MVC period ending on April 10.
the previously mentioned decision to discontinue certain general and administrative expense allocations.
Depreciation and amortization increased during the three months ended March 31, 2015 largely as a result of placing the Lonestar assets into service in September 2014.

Piceance Basin. The Grand River Gathering system provides our midstream services for the Piceance Basin reportable segment. Red Rock Gathering became part of the Grand River Gathering system in connection with the Red Rock Drop Down in March 2014. Our results include activity for Red Rock Gathering since October 23, 2012,

24


the date on which common control began. For additional information, see Notes 1 and 3 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Volume throughput for the Piceance Basin decreased to 615 MMcf/d during the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 665 MMcf/d during the prior-year period primarily as a result of Encana's temporary suspension of drilling activities, which began in the fourth quarter of 2013. This decline was partially offset by new pad site connections as well as the March 2014 start-up of a cryogenic processing plant. The aggregate average throughput rate increased to $0.42 per Mcf during the first quarter of 2015 from $0.38 per Mcf during the first quarter of 2014 largely as a result of the shift in volume throughput mix noted above. A shift in volume throughput mix has translated into higher average gathering rates per Mcf.
Certain of our gas gathering agreements for Grand River Gathering include MVCs that increase in both rate and volume commitment over the next few years and largely mitigate the financial impact associated with declining volumes from certain customers. As a result, lower volume throughput for the customers subject to these MVCs translated into larger MVC shortfall payments.
Information regarding our operations in the Piceance Basin follows.
 
Piceance Basin
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015 v. 2014
 
(Dollars in thousands, except fee-rate data)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering services and other fees
$
24,601

 
$
24,310

 
1
 %
Natural gas, NGLs and condensate sales and other
3,333

 
6,736

 
(51
)%
Total revenues
27,934

 
31,046

 
(10
)%
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of natural gas and NGLs
2,305

 
3,564

 
(35
)%
Operation and maintenance
7,724

 
8,286

 
(7
)%
General and administrative
572

 
2,103

 
(73
)%
Depreciation and amortization
11,205

 
9,811

 
14
 %
Total costs and expenses
21,806

 
23,764

 
(8
)%
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
11,205

 
9,811

 

Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments
9,903

 
8,488

 
 
Segment adjusted EBITDA
$
27,236

 
$
25,581

 
6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average throughput (MMcf/d)
615

 
665

 
(8
)%
Average throughput rate per Mcf
$
0.42

 
$
0.38

 
11
 %
Segment adjusted EBITDA increased $1.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 reflecting:
lower condensate sales due to a weak commodity price environment.
the previously mentioned decision to discontinue certain general and administrative expense allocations.
an increase in anticipated MVC shortfall payments due to increasing rate and volume commitment provisions in certain gas gathering agreements, as noted above.
the impact of declining commodity prices which negatively impacted the margins that we earn from our percent-of-proceeds contracts.
a decline in operation and maintenance due to lower utilities and compression expenses and property taxes, partially offset by an increase in salaries and benefits.
Depreciation and amortization increased $1.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 largely as a result of an increase in contract amortization for Grand River Gathering's anchor customer and the March 2014 commissioning of the cryogenic processing plant.

25



Corporate. Corporate represents those revenues and expenses that are not specifically attributable to a reportable segment or that have not been allocated to our reportable segments, including certain general and administrative expense items, transaction costs and interest expense. Items to note follow.
 
Corporate
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015 v. 2014
 
(In thousands)
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
$
7,169

 
$
3,081

 
133
 %
Transaction costs

 
537

 
(100
)%
Depreciation and amortization
166

 
142

 
17
 %
Interest expense
12,118

 
7,144

 
70
 %
General and Administrative. The increase in general and administrative expense during the three months ended March 31, 2015, largely reflects the impact of our decision to discontinue allocating certain expenses, primarily salaries, benefits, incentive compensation and rent expense, to our operating segments.
Transaction Costs. Transaction costs recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily relate to financial and legal advisory costs associated with the Red Rock Drop Down.
Interest Expense. The increase in interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2015, was primarily driven by our issuance of $300.0 million of 5.50% senior notes in July 2014.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are not financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. We define EBITDA as net income, plus interest expense, income tax expense, and depreciation and amortization, less interest income and income tax benefit. We define adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments, impairments and other noncash expenses or losses, less other noncash income or gains. We define distributable cash flow as adjusted EBITDA plus cash interest received, less cash interest paid, senior notes interest, cash taxes paid and maintenance capital expenditures. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations.
Net income and net cash provided by operating activities are the GAAP financial measures most directly comparable to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow. Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. For additional information on the limitations of our non-GAAP financial measures and how we compensate for those limitations, see the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section of MD&A included in the 2014 Annual Report.
Non-GAAP reconciliations items to note. The following items should be noted when reviewing our non-GAAP reconciliations:
EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and net cash provided by operating activities include transaction costs. These unusual expenses are settled in cash. For additional information, see "Results of Operations—Corporate" herein.
Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments account for (i) the net increases or decreases in deferred revenue for MVC shortfall payments and (ii) our inclusion of expected annual MVC shortfall payments. We include a proportional amount of these historical or expected minimum volume commitment shortfall payments in each quarter prior to the quarter in which we actually receive the shortfall payment.
Senior notes interest represents the net of interest expense accrued and paid during the period. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources—Long-Term Debt" and Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.
Maintenance capital expenditures are cash expenditures (including expenditures for the addition or improvement to, or the replacement of, our capital assets or for the acquisition of existing, or the

26


construction or development of new, capital assets) made to maintain our long-term operating income or operating capacity.
Interest expense presented in the net income-basis non-GAAP reconciliation includes amortization of deferred loan costs while interest expense presented in the cash flow-basis non-GAAP reconciliation is adjusted to exclude amortization of deferred loan costs. See the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for additional information.
Net Income-Basis Non-GAAP Reconciliation. The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow for the periods indicated.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Reconciliation of net income to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow:
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,667

 
$
6,373

Add:
 
 
 
Interest expense
12,118

 
7,144

Income tax expense
177

 
159

Depreciation and amortization
22,143

 
19,642

Amortization of favorable and unfavorable contracts
251

 
226

Less:
 
 
 
Interest income
1

 
1

EBITDA
$
36,355

 
$
33,543

Add:
 
 
 
Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments
12,340

 
12,013

Unit-based compensation
1,312

 
1,063

Adjusted EBITDA
$
50,007

 
$
46,619

Add:
 
 
 
Cash interest received
1

 
1

Less:
 
 
 
Cash interest paid
22,812

 
14,308

Senior notes interest
(11,171
)
 
(6,500
)
Maintenance capital expenditures
2,465

 
5,079

Distributable cash flow
$
35,902

 
$
33,733


27


Cash Flow-Basis Non-GAAP Reconciliation. The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow for the periods indicated.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow:
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
49,541

 
$
48,509

Add:
 
 
 
Interest expense
11,327

 
6,540

Income tax expense
177

 
159

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
(23,377
)
 
(20,601
)
Less:
 
 
 
Unit-based compensation
1,312

 
1,063

Interest income
1

 
1

EBITDA
$
36,355

 
$
33,543

Add:
 
 
 
Adjustments related to MVC shortfall payments
12,340

 
12,013

Unit-based compensation
1,312

 
1,063

Adjusted EBITDA
$
50,007

 
$
46,619

Add:
 
 
 
Cash interest received
1

 
1

Less:
 
 
 
Cash interest paid
22,812

 
14,308

Senior notes interest
(11,171
)
 
(6,500
)
Maintenance capital expenditures
2,465

 
5,079

Distributable cash flow
$
35,902

 
$
33,733


Liquidity and Capital Resources
Based on the terms of our partnership agreement, we expect that we will distribute to our unitholders most of the cash generated by our operations. As a result, we expect to fund future capital expenditures from cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flow generated from our operations, borrowings under our revolving credit facility and future issuances of equity and debt securities.
Capital Markets Activity
We had no capital markets activity during the three months ended March 31, 2015. For additional information, see the "Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Markets Activity" section of MD&A included in the 2014 Annual Report.
Long-Term Debt
Revolving Credit Facility. We have a $700.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility is secured by the membership interests of Summit Holdings and those of its subsidiaries. Substantially all of the assets of Summit Holdings and its subsidiaries are pledged as collateral under the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility, and Summit Holdings' obligations, are guaranteed by SMLP and each of its subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2015, the outstanding balance of the revolving credit facility was $196.0 million and the unused portion totaled $504.0 million. As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the covenants in the revolving credit facility. There were no defaults or events of default during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

28


Senior Notes. In July 2014, Summit Holdings and Summit Midstream Finance Corp. co-issued $300.0 million of 5.50% senior unsecured notes maturing August 15, 2022. In June 2013, they co-issued $300.0 million of 7.50% senior unsecured notes maturing July 1, 2021. There were no defaults or events of default during the three months ended March 31, 2015 on either series of senior notes.
For additional information, see Note 8 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Cash Flows
The components of the change in cash and cash equivalents were as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
49,541

 
$
48,509

Net cash used in investing activities
(14,855
)
 
(345,100
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(48,018
)
 
286,638

Change in cash and cash equivalents
$
(13,332
)
 
$
(9,953
)
Operating activities. Cash flows from operating activities increased by $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 primarily due to cash received as a result of MVCs. These cash receipts were largely offset by an increase in interest due to the 5.5% senior notes and other operating activities.
Investing activities. Cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were related primarily to the ongoing expansion of compression capacity on the Bison Midstream system and pipeline construction projects to connect new receipt points on the Grand River and Bison Midstream systems and the settlement of the working capital adjustment associated with the Red Rock Drop Down.
Cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily reflect the Partnership's acquisition of Red Rock Gathering from a subsidiary of Summit Investments. Additional expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily reflect construction of a processing plant for Grand River Gathering, projects to expand compression capacity on the Bison Midstream system, and adding pipeline on the Mountaineer Midstream system.
Financing activities. Details of cash flows provided by financing activities were as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Distributions to unitholders
$
(35,093
)
 
$
(26,366
)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
14,000

 
125,000

Repayments under revolving credit facility
(26,000
)
 
(20,000
)
Deferred loan costs
(15
)
 
(65
)
Tax withholdings on vested SMLP LTIP awards
(910
)
 
(656
)
Proceeds from issuance of common units, net

 
198,095

Contribution from general partner

 
4,235

Cash advance from Summit Investments to contributed subsidiaries, net

 
1,982

Expenses paid by Summit Investments on behalf of contributed subsidiaries

 
4,413

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
$
(48,018
)
 
$
286,638

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily composed of the following:
Distributions declared in respect of the fourth quarter of 2014 (paid in the first quarter of 2015); and
Net borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

29


Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was primarily composed of the following:
Net proceeds from an offering of common units in March 2014, which were used to partially fund the Red Rock Drop Down;
Net borrowings of $105.0 million under our revolving credit facility, including $100.0 million to partially fund the Red Rock Drop Down; and
Distributions declared in respect of the fourth quarter of 2013 (paid in the first quarter of 2014).
Capital Requirements
Our business is capital-intensive, requiring significant investment for the maintenance of existing gathering systems and the acquisition or construction and development of new gathering systems and other midstream assets and facilities. Our partnership agreement requires that we categorize our capital expenditures as either:
maintenance capital expenditures, which are cash expenditures (including expenditures for the addition or improvement to, or the replacement of, our capital assets or for the acquisition of existing, or the construction or development of new, capital assets) made to maintain our long-term operating income or operating capacity; or
expansion capital expenditures, which are cash expenditures incurred for acquisitions or capital improvements that we expect will increase our operating income or operating capacity over the long term.
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, SMLP recorded total capital expenditures of $11.9 million, which included $2.5 million of maintenance capital expenditures.
We anticipate that we will continue to make significant expansion capital expenditures in the future. Consequently, our ability to develop and maintain sources of funds to meet our capital requirements is critical to our ability to meet our growth objectives. We expect that our future expansion capital expenditures will be funded by borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the issuance of debt and equity securities.
We believe that our existing $700.0 million revolving credit facility, which had approximately $504.0 million of available capacity at March 31, 2015, together with our access to the debt and equity capital markets, will be adequate to finance our acquisition strategy for the foreseeable future without adversely impacting our liquidity or our ability to make quarterly cash distributions to our unitholders.
Distributions
Based on the terms of our partnership agreement, we expect to distribute to unitholders most of the cash generated by our operations. For additional information, see Note 9 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Credit Risk and Customer Concentration
We examine the creditworthiness of counterparties to whom we extend credit and manage our exposure to credit risk through credit analysis, credit approval, credit limits and monitoring procedures, and for certain transactions, we may request letters of credit, prepayments or guarantees. For additional information, see Note 12 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of or during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Critical Accounting Estimates
We prepare our financial statements in accordance with GAAP. These principles are established by the FASB. We employ methods, estimates and assumptions based on currently available information when recording transactions resulting from business operations. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
The estimates that we deem to be most critical to an understanding of our financial position and results of operations are those related to determination of fair value and recognition of deferred revenue. The preparation and evaluation of these critical accounting estimates involve the use of various assumptions developed from

30


management's analyses and judgments. Subsequent experience or use of other methods, estimates or assumptions could produce significantly different results.
There have been no changes in the accounting methodology for items that we have identified as critical accounting estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Goodwill. As of December 31, 2014, our preliminary estimates of the fair values of the identified assets and liabilities calculated in the step two testing of the Bison Midstream reporting unit indicated that all of the associated goodwill had been impaired. In the first quarter of 2015, we finalized our calculations of the fair values of the identified assets and liabilities, confirming the preliminary goodwill impairment of $54.2 million. For additional information, see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.
For additional information regarding critical accounting estimates generally, see the "Critical Accounting Estimates" section of MD&A included in the 2014 Annual Report.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Interest Rate Risk
We have exposure to changes in interest rates on our indebtedness associated with the revolving credit facility. Our current interest rate risk exposure has not changed materially since December 31, 2014. See the "Interest Rate Risk" section included in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk of the 2014 Annual Report for additional information.
Commodity Price Risk
We currently generate a substantial majority of our revenues pursuant to primarily long-term and fee-based gas gathering and processing agreements, many of which include MVCs and areas of mutual interest. Our direct commodity price exposure relates to (i) our sale of physical natural gas we retain from our DFW Midstream customers, (ii) our procurement of electricity to operate our electric-drive compression assets on the DFW Midstream system, (iii) the sale of condensate volumes that we retain on the Grand River Gathering system and (iv) the sale of processed natural gas and natural gas liquids pursuant to our percent-of-proceeds and keep-whole contracts with certain of our customers on the Bison Midstream and Grand River Gathering systems. Our current commodity price risk exposure has not changed materially since December 31, 2014. See the "Commodity Price Risk" section included in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk of the 2014 Annual Report for additional information.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Commission’s rules and forms, and that information is accumulated and communicated to the management of our general partner, including our general partner’s principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. SMLP’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of SMLP's general partner, has evaluated the effectiveness of SMLP’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"). Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of SMLP's general partner have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, SMLP’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in SMLP’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the first fiscal quarter of 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, SMLP's internal control over financial reporting.

31


PART II
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, and except as previously reported in Item 3. Legal Proceedings of the 2014 Annual Report, we are not currently a party to any significant legal or governmental proceedings. 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.
The risk factors contained in the Item 1A. Risk Factors of the 2014 Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit number
 
Description
3.1
 
First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Summit Midstream Partners, LP, dated as of October 3, 2012 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to SMLP's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 4, 2012 (Commission File No. 001-35666))
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Summit Midstream GP, LLC, dated as of October 3, 2012 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to SMLP's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 4, 2012 (Commission File No. 001-35666))
3.3
 
Certificate of Limited Partnership of Summit Midstream Partners, LP (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to SMLP's Form S-1 Registration Statement dated August 21, 2012 (Commission File No. 333-183466))
3.4
 
Certificate of Formation of Summit Midstream GP, LLC (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to SMLP's Form S-1 Registration Statement dated August 21, 2012 (Commission File No. 333-183466))
10.1
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 1, 2015, by and between Summit Midstream Partners, LLC and Brad N. Graves (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SMLP's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 4, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-35666))
10.2
 
Summit Midstream Partners, LP 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Phantom Unit Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SMLP's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 2014 (Commission File No. 001-35666))
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by Steven J. Newby, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by Matthew S. Harrison, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
32.1
 
Certifications required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350), executed by Steven J. Newby, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, and Matthew S. Harrison, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
101.INS
**
XBRL Instance Document (1)
101.SCH
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE
**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections. The financial information contained in the XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language)-related documents is unaudited and unreviewed.
(1) Includes the following materials contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL: (i) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital,

32


(iv) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

33


SIGNATURES
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.
 
Summit Midstream Partners, LP
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
By: Summit Midstream GP, LLC (its general partner)
 
 
May 6, 2015
/s/ Matthew S. Harrison
 
Matthew S. Harrison, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

34