Archrock, Inc. - FORM 10-Q - November 2, 2017

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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 September 30, 2017
OR
o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                   TO                  
 
Commission File No. 001-33666
 
ARCHROCK, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
74-3204509
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
 
Identification No.)
 
 
 
9807 Katy Freeway, Suite 100
 
 
Houston, Texas
 
77024
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(281) 836-8000
(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. Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No x
 
Number of shares of the common stock of the registrant outstanding as of October 26, 2017: 71,015,662 shares.
 


TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 


2

GLOSSARY

The following terms and abbreviations appearing in the text of this report have the meanings indicated below.

2006 Partnership LTIP
The Archrock Partners, L.P. Long Term Incentive Plan, adopted in October 2006
2007 Plan
The Archrock, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan
2013 Plan
The Archrock, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan
2016 Form 10-K
Archrock, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016
2017 Partnership LTIP
The Archrock Partners, L.P. Long Term Incentive Plan, adopted in April 2017
51st District Court
51st Judicial District Court of Irion County, Texas
Archrock, our, we, us
Archrock, Inc.
Bcf
Billion cubic feet
Credit Facility
Archrock’s $350 million revolving credit facility
Distribution Date
The date on which we completed the Spin-off, which was November 3, 2015
EES Leasing
Archrock Services Leasing LLC, formerly known as EES Leasing LLC
EIA
U.S. Energy Information Administration
Exchange Act
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
EXLP Leasing
Archrock Partners Leasing LLC, formerly known as EXLP Leasing LLC
Exterran Corporation
The standalone public company created as a result of the Spin-off whose operations include international contract operations, international aftermarket services and global fabrication
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
Financial Statements
Archrock’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
Former Credit Facility
The Partnership’s former $825.0 million revolving credit facility and $150.0 million term loan, terminated in March 2017
GAAP
Accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.
GP
Archrock General Partner, L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of Archrock and the Partnership’s general partner
Heavy Equipment Statutes
Texas Tax Code §§ 23.1241, 23.1242
LIBOR
London Interbank Offered Rate
March 2016 Acquisition
The Partnership’s March 1, 2016 acquisition of contract operations customer service agreements with four customers and a fleet of 19 compressor units
MMBtu
Million British thermal unit
Partnership
Archrock Partners, L.P., together with its subsidiaries
Partnership Credit Facility
The Partnership’s $1.1 billion asset-based revolving credit facility
Partnership Plan Administrator
The board of directors of Archrock GP LLC, the general partner, or a committee thereof which serves as administrator to the Partnership’s long term incentive plans
PDVSA Gas
PDVSA Gas, S.A.
Revenue Recognition Update
Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 and additional related standards updates
SEC
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
SG&A
Selling, general and administrative
Spin-off
The spin-off of our international contract operations, international aftermarket services and global fabrication businesses into a standalone public company operating as Exterran Corporation
Tcf
Trillion cubic feet
Update 2016-02
Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02
Update 2016-09
Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09
Update 2016-13
Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13
Update 2016-15
Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15
Update 2017-12
Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-12
U.S.
United States of America

3

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

ARCHROCK, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value and share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2,646

 
$
3,134

Accounts receivable, trade, net of allowance of $2,592 and $1,864, respectively
119,686

 
111,746

Inventory
94,294

 
93,801

Other current assets
5,256

 
6,081

Current assets associated with discontinued operations
300

 
923

Total current assets
222,182

 
215,685

Property, plant and equipment, net
2,073,753

 
2,079,099

Intangible assets, net
73,303

 
86,697

Other long-term assets
26,253

 
13,224

Long-term assets associated with discontinued operations
18,335

 
20,074

Total assets
$
2,413,826

 
$
2,414,779

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable, trade
$
52,682

 
$
32,529

Accrued liabilities
79,603

 
69,639

Deferred revenue
3,814

 
3,451

Current liabilities associated with discontinued operations
297

 
909

Total current liabilities
136,396

 
106,528

Long-term debt
1,392,947

 
1,441,724

Deferred income taxes
156,944

 
167,114

Other long-term liabilities
19,668

 
7,910

Long-term liabilities associated with discontinued operations
6,421

 
6,575

Total liabilities
1,712,376

 
1,729,851

Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)


 


Equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; zero issued
—

 
—

Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 76,863,541 and 76,162,279 shares issued, respectively
769

 
762

Additional paid-in capital
3,090,785

 
3,021,040

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
195

 
(1,678
)
Accumulated deficit
(2,280,268
)
 
(2,227,214
)
Treasury stock, 5,847,879 and 5,626,074 common shares, at cost, respectively
(76,152
)
 
(73,944
)
Total Archrock stockholders’ equity
735,329

 
718,966

Noncontrolling interest
(33,879
)
 
(34,038
)
Total equity
701,450

 
684,928

Total liabilities and equity
$
2,413,826

 
$
2,414,779

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

4

ARCHROCK, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contract operations
$
153,524

 
$
156,599

 
$
454,622

 
$
495,811

Aftermarket services
44,329

 
39,250

 
131,098

 
117,478

Total revenue
197,853

 
195,849

 
585,720

 
613,289

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contract operations
71,951

 
59,776

 
198,291

 
186,821

Aftermarket services
38,486

 
32,750

 
111,827

 
97,465

Selling, general and administrative
29,108

 
25,448

 
81,823

 
87,745

Depreciation and amortization
47,463

 
52,068

 
142,483

 
157,891

Long-lived asset impairment
7,105

 
16,713

 
20,858

 
40,381

Restatement and other charges
566

 
426

 
3,287

 
860

Restructuring and other charges
422

 
4,689

 
1,245

 
15,758

Interest expense
22,892

 
21,365

 
66,817

 
62,842

Debt extinguishment costs
—

 
—

 
291

 
—

Other income, net
(2,716
)
 
(2,470
)
 
(4,472
)
 
(4,640
)
Total costs and expenses
215,277

 
210,765

 
622,450

 
645,123

Loss before income taxes
(17,424
)
 
(14,916
)
 
(36,730
)
 
(31,834
)
Benefit from income taxes
(4,795
)
 
(4,878
)
 
(6,052
)
 
(12,712
)
Loss from continuing operations
(12,629
)
 
(10,038
)
 
(30,678
)
 
(19,122
)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
(54
)
 
(16
)
 
(54
)
 
(42
)
Net loss
(12,683
)
 
(10,054
)
 
(30,732
)
 
(19,164
)
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
2,448

 
406

 
2,125

 
3,220

Net loss attributable to Archrock stockholders
$
(10,235
)
 
$
(9,648
)
 
$
(28,607
)
 
$
(15,944
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted loss per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss attributable to Archrock common stockholders
$
(0.15
)
 
$
(0.14
)
 
$
(0.42
)
 
$
(0.24
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding used in loss per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted
69,644

 
69,064

 
69,520

 
68,958

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared and paid per common share
$
0.1200

 
$
0.0950

 
$
0.3600

 
$
0.3775

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

5

ARCHROCK, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net loss
$
(12,683
)
 
$
(10,054
)
 
$
(30,732
)
 
$
(19,164
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative gain (loss), net of reclassifications to earnings
2,076

 
2,726

 
3,890

 
(3,572
)
Adjustments from changes in ownership of Partnership
32

 
—

 
32

 
(6
)
Amortization of terminated interest rate swaps
182

 
36

 
227

 
128

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
2,290

 
2,762

 
4,149

 
(3,450
)
Comprehensive loss
(10,393
)
 
(7,292
)
 
(26,583
)
 
(22,614
)
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
1,289

 
(1,483
)
 
(151
)
 
5,532

Comprehensive loss attributable to Archrock stockholders
$
(9,104
)
 
$
(8,775
)
 
$
(26,734
)
 
$
(17,082
)
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


6

ARCHROCK, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Archrock, Inc. Stockholders
 
 
 
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
Total
Balance, January 1, 2016
$
750

 
$
2,944,897

 
$
(1,570
)
 
$
(72,429
)
 
$
(2,137,738
)
 
$
53,349

 
$
787,259

Treasury stock purchased


 


 


 
(960
)
 


 


 
(960
)
Cash dividends


 


 


 


 
(26,462
)
 


 
(26,462
)
Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures
12

 
7,467

 


 


 


 
967

 
8,446

Income tax expense from stock-based compensation expense


 
(992
)
 


 


 


 


 
(992
)
Contribution from Exterran Corporation
 
 
49,015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
49,015

Partnership units issued in March 2016 Acquisition
 
 
585

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
884

 
1,469

Cash distribution to noncontrolling unitholders of the Partnership


 


 


 


 


 
(41,626
)
 
(41,626
)
Comprehensive loss


 


 
(1,138
)
 


 
(15,944
)
 
(5,532
)
 
(22,614
)
Balance, September 30, 2016
$
762

 
$
3,000,972

 
$
(2,708
)
 
$
(73,389
)
 
$
(2,180,144
)
 
$
8,042

 
$
753,535

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, January 1, 2017
$
762

 
$
3,021,040

 
$
(1,678
)
 
$
(73,944
)
 
$
(2,227,214
)
 
$
(34,038
)
 
$
684,928

Treasury stock purchased


 


 


 
(2,208
)
 


 


 
(2,208
)
Cash dividends


 


 


 


 
(25,528
)
 


 
(25,528
)
Shares issued in employee stock purchase plan
 
 
195

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
195

Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures
6

 
6,003

 


 


 


 
598

 
6,607

Stock options exercised
1

 
991

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
992

Contribution from Exterran Corporation


 
44,709

 


 


 


 


 
44,709

Net proceeds from sale of Partnership units, net of tax
 
 
17,638

 


 
 
 
 
 
32,088

 
49,726

Cash distribution to noncontrolling unitholders of the Partnership


 


 


 


 


 
(32,678
)
 
(32,678
)
Impact of adoption of ASU 2016-09
 
 
209

 
 
 
 
 
1,081

 
 
 
1,290

Comprehensive income (loss)


 


 
1,873

 


 
(28,607
)
 
151

 
(26,583
)
Balance, September 30, 2017
$
769

 
$
3,090,785

 
$
195

 
$
(76,152
)
 
$
(2,280,268
)
 
$
(33,879
)
 
$
701,450

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


7

ARCHROCK, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(30,732
)
 
$
(19,164
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
142,483

 
157,891

Long-lived asset impairment
20,858

 
40,381

Amortization of deferred financing costs
5,440

 
4,735

Amortization of debt discount
986

 
927

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
54

 
42

Debt extinguishment costs
291

 
—

Provision for doubtful accounts
2,909

 
3,056

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment
(4,452
)
 
(2,085
)
Loss on non-cash consideration in March 2016 Acquisition
—

 
635

Amortization of terminated interest rate swaps
349

 
197

Interest rate swaps
2,028

 
1,115

Stock-based compensation expense
6,117

 
7,106

Non-cash restructuring charges
1,245

 
2,272

Deferred income tax benefit
(5,611
)
 
(12,891
)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable and notes
(9,835
)
 
34,140

Inventory
(1,589
)
 
10,007

Other current assets
53

 
6,379

Accounts payable and other liabilities
20,458

 
(14,104
)
Deferred revenue
(63
)
 
(688
)
Other
66

 
190

Net cash provided by continuing operations
151,055

 
220,141

Net cash used in discontinued operations
—

 
(67
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
151,055

 
220,074

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(152,248
)
 
(97,009
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
22,681

 
27,064

Payment for March 2016 Acquisition
—

 
(13,779
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(129,567
)
 
(83,724
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt
1,066,500

 
388,000

Repayments of long-term debt
(1,118,000
)
 
(496,000
)
Payments for debt issuance costs
(14,855
)
 
(2,334
)
Payments for settlement of interest rate swaps that include financing elements
(1,405
)
 
(2,344
)
Net Proceeds from sale of Partnership units
60,291

 
—

Proceeds from stock options exercised
992

 
—

Purchases of treasury stock
(2,208
)
 
(960
)
Proceeds from stock issued under our employee stock purchase plan
195

 
—

Dividends to Archrock stockholders
(25,528
)
 
(26,462
)
Distributions to noncontrolling partners in the Partnership
(32,678
)
 
(41,626
)
Contribution from Exterran Corporation
44,720

 
49,176

Net cash used in financing activities
(21,976
)
 
(132,550
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(488
)
 
3,800

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
3,134

 
1,563

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
2,646

 
$
5,363

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:
 
 
 
Non-cash consideration in March 2016 Acquisition
$
—

 
$
3,165

Partnership units issued in March 2016 Acquisition
$
—

 
$
1,799

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

8

ARCHROCK, INC.
 
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Archrock included herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP are not required in these interim financial statements and have been condensed or omitted. Management believes that the information furnished includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements presented in our 2016 Form 10-K, which contains a more comprehensive summary of our accounting policies. The interim results reported herein are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Organization

We are a pure play U.S. natural gas contract operations services business and the leading provider of natural gas compression services to customers in the oil and natural gas industry throughout the U.S. and a leading supplier of aftermarket services to customers that own compression equipment in the U.S. We operate in two primary business lines: contract operations and aftermarket services. In our contract operations business line, we use our fleet of natural gas compression equipment to provide operations services to our customers. In our aftermarket services business line, we sell parts and components and provide operations, maintenance, overhaul and reconfiguration services to customers who own compression equipment.

Income (Loss) Attributable to Archrock Common Stockholders Per Common Share
 
Basic income (loss) attributable to Archrock common stockholders per common share is computed using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation formula that determines net income (loss) per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under the two-class method, basic income (loss) attributable to Archrock common stockholders per common share is determined by dividing income (loss) attributable to Archrock common stockholders after deducting amounts allocated to participating securities, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Participating securities include unvested restricted stock and stock settled restricted stock units that have nonforfeitable rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid. During periods of net loss, no effect is given to participating securities because they do not have a contractual obligation to participate in our losses.
 
Diluted income (loss) attributable to Archrock common stockholders per common share is computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding adjusted for the incremental common stock equivalents attributed to outstanding options and stock to be issued pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan unless their effect would be anti-dilutive.
 
The following table summarizes net loss attributable to Archrock common stockholders used in the calculation of basic and diluted loss per common share (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Archrock stockholders
$
(10,181
)
 
$
(9,632
)
 
$
(28,553
)
 
$
(15,902
)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
(54
)
 
(16
)
 
(54
)
 
(42
)
Net loss attributable to Archrock stockholders
(10,235
)
 
(9,648
)
 
(28,607
)
 
(15,944
)
Less: Net income attributable to participating securities
(179
)
 
(135
)
 
(513
)
 
(470
)
Net loss attributable to Archrock common stockholders
$
(10,414
)
 
$
(9,783
)
 
$
(29,120
)
 
$
(16,414
)


9

The following table shows the potential shares of common stock that were included in computing diluted income (loss) attributable to Archrock common stockholders per common share (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Weighted average common shares outstanding including participating securities
70,952

 
70,603

 
70,847

 
70,450

Less: Weighted average participating securities outstanding
(1,308
)
 
(1,539
)
 
(1,327
)
 
(1,492
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding — used in basic income (loss) per common share
69,644

 
69,064

 
69,520

 
68,958

Net dilutive potential common shares issuable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On exercise of options
*

 
*

 
*

 
*

On the settlement of employee stock purchase plan shares
*

 
—

 
*

 
—

Weighted average common shares outstanding — used in diluted income (loss) per common share
69,644

 
69,064

 
69,520

 
68,958


*
Excluded from diluted income (loss) per common share as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

The following table shows the potential shares of common stock issuable that were excluded from computing diluted income (loss) attributable to Archrock common stockholders per common share as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net dilutive potential common shares issuable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On exercise of options where exercise price is greater than average market value for the period
240

 
469

 
278

 
640

On exercise of options
100

 
88

 
116

 
44

On the settlement of employee stock purchase plan shares (1)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net dilutive potential common shares issuable
340

 
557

 
394

 
684


(1) 
The Archrock, Inc. 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan commenced during the third quarter of 2017. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 potential common shares calculated under the treasury stock method were immaterial.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Components of comprehensive income (loss) are net income (loss) and all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from transactions with owners. Our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists of changes in the fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax, that are designated as cash flow hedges to the extent the hedge is effective, amortization of terminated interest rate swaps and adjustments related to changes in our ownership of the Partnership.


10

The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, and excluding noncontrolling interest, during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2017 (in thousands):
 
Derivatives Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, January 1, 2016
$
(1,570
)
Loss recognized in other comprehensive loss, net of tax(1)
(2,132
)
Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax(2)
994

Other comprehensive loss attributable to Archrock stockholders
(1,138
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, September 30, 2016
$
(2,708
)
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, January 1, 2017
$
(1,678
)
Gain recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax(3)
1,104

Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax(4)
769

Other comprehensive income attributable to Archrock stockholders
1,873

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, September 30, 2017
$
195


(1) 
During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized a gain of $0.9 million and a tax provision of $0.3 million, in other comprehensive income (loss) related to the change in the fair value of derivative instruments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized a loss of $3.1 million and a tax benefit of $1.0 million in other comprehensive income (loss) related to the change in the fair value of derivative instruments.

(2) 
During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we reclassified a loss of $0.5 million to interest expense and a tax benefit of $0.1 million to provision for (benefit from) income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we reclassified a loss of $1.5 million to interest expense and a tax benefit of $0.5 million to provision for (benefit from) income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

(3) 
During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we recognized a gain of $1.2 million and a tax provision of $0.3 million in other comprehensive income (loss) related to the change in the fair value of derivative instruments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recognized a gain of $1.4 million and tax provision of $0.3 million in other comprehensive income (loss) related to the change in the fair value of derivative instruments.

(4) 
During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we reclassified a loss of $0.3 million to interest expense and a tax benefit of $0.1 million to provision for (benefit from) income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we reclassified a loss of $1.2 million to interest expense and a tax benefit of $0.4 million to provision for (benefit from) income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

2. Recent Accounting Developments

Accounting Standards Updates Implemented

On January 1, 2017, we adopted Update 2016-09, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions and had the following impacts to our condensed consolidated financial statements:

•
Update 2016-09 requires that all prospective excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies should be recognized as income tax benefits and expense. Additionally, Update 2016-09 requires that we recognize previously unrecognized excess tax benefits using a modified retrospective approach. As a result, we recorded a $1.2 million cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2017.

•
Update 2016-09 allows companies to make an accounting policy election to either estimate forfeitures or account for forfeitures as they occur. We have elected to account for forfeitures as they occur which we are required to apply on a modified retrospective basis. As a result, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings of $0.2 million to reverse forfeiture estimates on unvested awards as of January 1, 2017.


11

•
Update 2016-09 also reflects the FASB’s decision that cash flows related to excess tax benefits should be classified as cash flows from operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. We adopted this provision on a retrospective basis which resulted in a $0.2 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities and a $0.2 million increase in net cash used in financing activities on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

There were no other material impacts to the condensed consolidated financial statements as a result of adoption of Update 2016-09.

On January 1, 2017, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11 which requires us to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which is defined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. There was no material impact to the condensed consolidated financial statements as a result of the adoption of this standard.

Accounting Standards Updates Not Yet Implemented

In August 2017, the FASB issued Update 2017-12 which expands and refines hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components, aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and hedged item in the financial statements and makes certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance. Update 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities will apply Update 2017-12 provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted; amended presentation and disclosure guidance will be required only prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of Update 2017-12 on our consolidated financial statements including the impact of an early adoption as permitted in the guidance.

In August 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-15 which addresses diversity in practice and simplifies several elements of cash flow classification, including how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. Update 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Update 2016-15 will require adoption on a retrospective basis unless it is impracticable to apply, in which case it would be required to apply the amendments prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. Early adoption is permitted. We have evaluated Update 2016-15 and do not expect a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-13 that changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities and loans, and requires entities to use a new forward-looking expected loss model that will result in the earlier recognition of allowance for losses. Update 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. Entities will apply Update 2016-13 provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. We are currently evaluating the impact of Update 2016-13 on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-02 that establishes a right-of-use model that requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Update 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. We are currently evaluating the impact of Update 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements.

From May 2014 through May 2016, the FASB issued the Revenue Recognition Update that outlines a single comprehensive model for companies to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes the most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the Revenue Recognition Update is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Revenue Recognition Update also requires disclosures enabling users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Revenue Recognition Update will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within the reporting period. Early adoption is permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach.


12

We intend to adopt the Revenue Recognition Update on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method applied to those contracts which are not complete as of that date. Upon adoption, we will recognize the cumulative effect of adoption as an adjustment to the opening balance of our retained earnings.

Under current guidance, contract operations revenue is recognized when earned, which generally occurs monthly when the service is provided under our customer contracts. We anticipate the timing of revenue recognized will be impacted by contractual provisions for service availability guarantees of our compressor assets, re-billable costs associated with moving our compressor assets to a customer site, as well as delayed billings for new agreements. At this time we do not expect these changes to result in a material difference from current practice for contract operations.

We do not expect there to be a material difference in the amount or timing of revenues for sales of aftermarket services parts and components. A significant change is expected related to our aftermarket services operations, maintenance, overhaul and reconfiguration services. Under current guidance, revenue is recognized on a completed contract basis as products are delivered and title is transferred, or services are performed for the customer. Under the new guidance, these services will meet the requirements to be recognized as revenue over time, using output or input methods to measure the progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation based on the nature of the good or service being provided.

The Revenue Recognition Update provides guidance on contract costs that should be recognized as assets and amortized over the period that the related goods or services transfer to the customer. Certain costs such as sales commissions and freight charges to transport compressor assets, currently expensed as incurred, will be deferred and amortized.

The impacts noted are not all-inclusive, but reflect our current expectations. We are still determining the materiality of the impact for certain of these changes on our consolidated financial statements. We anticipate significant changes to our disclosures based on the requirements prescribed by the Revenue Recognition Update.

In preparation for the adoption of the Revenue Recognition Update on January 1, 2018, we have established a transition team, with representation from all functional areas of our businesses that will be impacted, to implement the required changes. Processes to capture and verify the quality of information needed, including identifying and implementing changes to our information technology systems, are being developed. We are also in the process of evaluating changes to our internal control structure to address risks associated with recognizing revenue under the new guidance. We have modified certain controls effective in the fourth quarter of 2017 to take into consideration the new criteria for recognizing revenue, specifically identifying promises within the contract that give rise to performance obligations, and evaluating the impact of variable consideration on the transaction price. We will continue to evaluate our business processes, systems and controls to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the recognition and disclosure requirements under the new revenue guidance

3. Discontinued Operations

Spin-off of Exterran Corporation

We completed the Spin-off on the Distribution Date. We continue to hold our interests in the Partnership, which include the sole general partner interest and certain limited partner interests, as well as all of the incentive distribution rights in the Partnership. Exterran Corporation’s business following the Spin-off has been reported as discontinued operations, net of tax, in our condensed consolidated statement of operations for all periods presented and was previously included in the international contract operations segment, fabrication segment and aftermarket services segment. Following the Spin-off, we no longer operate in the international contract operations or fabrication segments and our operations in the aftermarket services segment are now limited to domestic operations.


13

In order to effect the Spin-off and govern our relationship with Exterran Corporation after the Spin-off, we entered into several agreements with Exterran Corporation on the Distribution Date, which include but are not limited to:

•
The separation and distribution agreement contains the key provisions relating to the separation of our business from Exterran Corporation’s business. The separation and distribution agreement identifies the assets and rights that were transferred, liabilities that were assumed or retained and contracts and related matters that were assigned to us or Exterran Corporation in the Spin-off and describes how these transfers, assumptions and assignments occurred. Additionally, the separation and distribution agreement specifies our right to receive payments from a subsidiary of Exterran Corporation based on a notional amount corresponding to payments received by Exterran Corporation’s subsidiaries from PDVSA Gas in respect of the sale of Exterran Corporation’s subsidiaries’ and joint ventures’ previously nationalized assets promptly after such amounts are collected by Exterran Corporation’s subsidiaries. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, Exterran Corporation received installment payments of $19.7 million and $49.2 million, respectively, from PDVSA Gas relating to these sales and transferred cash to us equal to that amount. Exterran Corporation or its subsidiary was due to receive the remaining principal amount as of September 30, 2017 of approximately $20.9 million. As these remaining proceeds are received, Exterran Corporation intends to contribute to us an amount equal to such proceeds pursuant to the terms of the separation and distribution agreement. The separation and distribution agreement also specifies our right to receive a $25.0 million cash payment from a subsidiary of Exterran Corporation promptly following the occurrence of a qualified capital raise as defined in the Exterran Corporation credit agreement. Such a qualified capital raise occurred on April 4, 2017, when Exterran Corporation completed an issuance of 8.125% Senior Notes. In satisfaction of the separation and distribution agreement, we received a cash payment of $25.0 million on April 11, 2017.

•
The tax matters agreement governs the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of Exterran Corporation and us with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax proceedings and certain other matters regarding taxes. Subject to the provisions of this agreement Exterran Corporation and we agreed to indemnify the primary obligor of any return for tax periods beginning before and ending before or after the Spin-off (including any ongoing or future amendments and audits for these returns) for the portion of the tax liability (including interest and penalties) that relates to their respective operations reported in the filing. As of September 30, 2017, we classified $6.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits (including interest and penalties) as long-term liability associated with discontinued operations since it relates to operations of Exterran Corporation prior to the Spin-off. We have also recorded an offsetting $6.4 million indemnification asset related to this reserve as long-term assets associated with discontinued operations.

•
The transition services agreement sets forth the terms on which Exterran Corporation provides to us, and we provide to Exterran Corporation, on a temporary basis, certain services or functions that the companies historically shared. Each service provided under the agreement has its own duration, generally less than one year and not more than two years, extension terms and monthly cost, and the transition services agreement will terminate upon cessation of all services provided thereunder. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recorded other income of $0.5 million and SG&A expense of $0.9 million associated with the services under the transition services agreement.

•
The supply agreement sets forth the terms under which Exterran Corporation provides manufactured equipment, including the design, engineering, manufacturing and sale of natural gas compression equipment, on an exclusive basis to us and the Partnership. This supply agreement has an initial term of two years, subject to certain cancellation conditions, and is extendible for additional one-year terms by mutual agreement of the parties. Pursuant to the supply agreement, we and the Partnership are each required to purchase our respective requirements of newly-manufactured compression equipment from Exterran Corporation, subject to certain exceptions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, we purchased $115.3 million and $47.2 million, respectively, of newly-manufactured compression equipment from Exterran Corporation.

Generally, the separation and distribution agreement provides for cross-indemnities principally designed to place financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of our business with us and financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of Exterran Corporation’s business with Exterran Corporation. Pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement, we and Exterran Corporation generally release the other party from all claims arising prior to the Spin-off that relate to the other party’s business.


14

Other discontinued operations activity

In December 2013, we abandoned our contract water treatment business as part of our continued emphasis on simplification and focus on our core businesses. The abandonment of this business meets the criteria established for recognition as discontinued operations under GAAP. Therefore certain deferred tax assets related to our contract water treatment business have been reported as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. This business was previously included in our contract operations segment.

The following table summarizes the balance sheet data for discontinued operations (in thousands):
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Exterran Corporation
 
Contract Water Treatment Business
 
Total
 
Exterran Corporation
 
Contract Water Treatment Business
 
Total
Other current assets
$
300

 
$
—

 
$
300

 
$
923

 
$
—

 
$
923

Total current assets associated with discontinued operations
300

 
—

 
300

 
923

 
—

 
923

Other assets, net
6,421

 
—

 
6,421

 
6,575

 
—

 
6,575

Deferred income taxes
—

 
11,914

 
11,914

 
54

 
13,445

 
13,499

Total assets associated with discontinued operations
$
6,721

 
$
11,914

 
$
18,635

 
$
7,552

 
$
13,445

 
$
20,997

Other current liabilities
$
297

 
$
—

 
$
297

 
$
909

 
$
—

 
$
909

Total current liabilities associated with discontinued operations
297

 
—

 
297

 
909

 
—

 
909

Deferred income taxes
6,421

 
—

 
6,421

 
6,575

 
—

 
6,575

Total liabilities associated with discontinued operations
$
6,718

 
$
—

 
$
6,718

 
$
7,484

 
$
—

 
$
7,484

 
4. Business Acquisitions

On March 1, 2016, the Partnership completed the March 2016 Acquisition, whereby it acquired contract operations customer service agreements with four customers and a fleet of 19 compressor units used to provide compression services under those agreements comprising approximately 23,000 horsepower. The $18.8 million purchase price was funded with $13.8 million in borrowings under it’s Former Credit Facility, a non-cash exchange of 24 Partnership compressor units for $3.2 million, and the issuance of 257,000 of the Partnership’s common units for $1.8 million. In connection with this acquisition, the Partnership issued and sold to GP, our wholly owned subsidiary and the Partnership’s general partner, 5,205 general partner units to maintain GP’s approximate 2% general partner interest in the Partnership. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Partnership incurred transaction costs of $0.2 million related to the March 2016 Acquisition, which is reflected in other income, net, in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

We accounted for the March 2016 Acquisition using the acquisition method, which requires, among other things, assets acquired to be recorded at their fair value on the acquisition date. The following table summarized the purchase price allocation based on estimated fair values of the acquired assets as of the acquisition date (in thousands):
 
Fair Value
Property, plant and equipment
$
14,929

Intangible assets
3,839

Purchase price
$
18,768



15

Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangible Assets Acquired

Property, plant and equipment is primarily comprised of compressor units that will be depreciated on a straight-line basis over an estimated average remaining useful life of 15 years.

The amount of finite life intangible assets, and their associated average useful lives, was determined based on the period which the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to our future cash flows, and consisted of the following:
 
Amount
(in thousands)
 
Average
Useful Life
Contract based
$
3,839

 
2.3 years

The results of operations attributable to the assets acquired in the March 2016 Acquisition have been included in our condensed consolidated financial statements as part of our contract operations segment since the date of acquisition.

Pro forma financial information is not presented for the March 2016 Acquisition as it is immaterial to our reported results.

5. Inventory
 
Inventory consisted of the following amounts (in thousands):
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Parts and supplies
$
73,665

 
$
80,641

Work in progress
20,629

 
13,160

Inventory
$
94,294

 
$
93,801

  
6. Property, Plant and Equipment, net
 
Property, plant and equipment, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Compression equipment, facilities and other fleet assets
$
3,184,449

 
$
3,147,708

Land and buildings
49,698

 
48,964

Transportation and shop equipment
100,292

 
102,312

Computer equipment
89,229

 
79,019

Other
11,689

 
29,481

Property, plant and equipment
3,435,357

 
3,407,484

Accumulated depreciation
(1,361,604
)
 
(1,328,385
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
2,073,753

 
$
2,079,099



16

7. Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Revolving credit facility due November 2020
$
75,500

 
$
99,000

Partnership’s revolving credit facility due March 2022
631,500

 
—

Partnership’s revolving credit facility due May 2018
—

 
509,500

 
 
 
 
Partnership’s term loan facility due May 2018
—

 
150,000

Less: Deferred financing costs, net of amortization
—

 
(353
)
 
—

 
149,647

 
 
 
 
Partnership’s 6% senior notes due April 2021
350,000

 
350,000

Less: Debt discount, net of amortization
(2,700
)
 
(3,213
)
Less: Deferred financing costs, net of amortization
(3,595
)
 
(4,366
)
 
343,705

 
342,421

 
 
 
 
Partnership’s 6% senior notes due October 2022
350,000

 
350,000

Less: Debt discount, net of amortization
(3,603
)
 
(4,076
)
Less: Deferred financing costs, net of amortization
(4,155
)
 
(4,768
)
 
342,242

 
341,156

Long-term debt
$
1,392,947

 
$
1,441,724

 
Archrock Revolving Credit Facility
 
In October 2015, in connection with the Spin-off, we entered into the Credit Facility, a five-year, $350 million revolving credit facility and in November 2015, we terminated our former credit facility. The Credit Facility will mature in November 2020. As of September 30, 2017, we had $75.5 million in outstanding borrowings, $15.1 million in outstanding letters of credit and undrawn capacity of $259.4 million under the Credit Facility. Our Credit Facility limits our Total Debt to EBITDA ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) to not greater than 4.25 to 1.0. As a result of this limitation, $156.5 million of the $259.4 million undrawn capacity under the Credit Facility was available for additional borrowings as of September 30, 2017.

At September 30, 2017, the applicable margin on amounts outstanding was 1.75%.

We are required to pay commitment fees based on the daily unused amount of the Credit Facility in an amount, depending on our leverage ratio, ranging from 0.25% to 0.50%. We incurred $0.2 million in commitment fees on the daily unused amount of the Credit Facility during each of the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, and $0.5 million and $0.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Partnership Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility
On March 30, 2017, the Partnership entered into the Partnership Credit Facility, a five-year, $1.1 billion asset-based revolving credit facility. The Partnership Credit Facility will mature on March 30, 2022, except that if any portion of the Partnership’s 6% senior notes due April 2021 are outstanding as of December 2, 2020, then the Partnership Credit Facility will instead mature on December 2, 2020. The Partnership incurred $14.9 million in transaction costs related to the Partnership Credit Facility, which were included in other long-term assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and will be amortized over the term of the Partnership Credit Facility. Concurrent with entering into the Partnership Credit Facility, the Partnership terminated its Former Credit Facility and repaid $648.4 million in borrowings and accrued and unpaid interest and fees outstanding. All commitments under the Former Credit Facility have been terminated. As a result of the termination, we expensed $0.6 million of unamortized deferred financing costs associated with the $825.0 million revolving credit facility, which was included in interest expense in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, we recorded a loss of $0.3 million related to the extinguishment of the $150.0 million term loan.

17

As of September 30, 2017, the Partnership had $631.5 million in outstanding borrowings and no outstanding letters of credit under the Partnership Credit Facility.

Subject to certain conditions, including the approval by the lenders, the Partnership is able to increase the aggregate commitments under the Partnership Credit Facility by up to an additional $250.0 million. Portions of the Partnership Credit Facility up to $25.0 million and $50.0 million will be available for the issuance of letters of credit and swing line loans, respectively.

The Partnership Credit Facility bears interest at a base rate or LIBOR, at the Partnership’s option, plus an applicable margin. Depending on the Partnership’s leverage ratio, the applicable margin varies (i) in the case of LIBOR loans, from 2.00% to 3.25% and (ii) in the case of base rate loans, from 1.00% to 2.25%. The base rate is the highest of (i) the prime rate announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50% and (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%. At September 30, 2017, the applicable margin on amounts outstanding was 3.24%.

Additionally, the Partnership is required to pay commitment fees based on the daily unused amount of the Credit Facility in an amount, depending on its leverage ratio, ranging from 0.375% to 0.50%. The Partnership incurred $0.6 million and $0.3 million in commitment fees on the daily unused amount of the Partnership Credit Facility and the former $825.0 million revolving credit facility during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $1.5 million and $1.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Credit Facility borrowing base consists of eligible accounts receivable, inventory and compressor units. The largest component is eligible compressor units.

Borrowings under the Partnership Credit Facility are secured by substantially all of the personal property assets of the Partnership and its Significant Domestic Subsidiaries (as defined in the Partnership Credit Facility agreement), including all of the membership interests of the Partnership’s Domestic Subsidiaries (as defined in the Partnership Credit Facility agreement).

The Partnership Credit Facility agreement contains various covenants including, but not limited to, restrictions on the use of proceeds from borrowings and limitations on the Partnership’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, engage in transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate, sell assets, make certain investments and acquisitions, make loans, grant liens, repurchase equity and pay distributions. The Partnership Credit Facility agreement also contains various covenants requiring mandatory prepayments from the net cash proceeds of certain asset transfers. In addition, if as of any date the Partnership has cash and cash equivalents (other than proceeds from a debt or equity issuance received in the 30 days prior to such date reasonably expected to be used to fund an acquisition permitted under the Partnership Credit Facility agreement) in excess of $50.0 million, then such excess amount will be used to pay down outstanding borrowings of a corresponding amount under the Partnership Credit Facility.

The Partnership must maintain the following consolidated financial ratios, as defined in the Partnership Credit Facility agreement:
EBITDA to Interest Expense
2.5 to 1.0
Senior Secured Debt to EBITDA
3.5 to 1.0
Total Debt to EBITDA
 
Through fiscal year 2017
5.95 to 1.0
Through fiscal year 2018
5.75 to 1.0
Through second quarter of 2019
5.50 to 1.0
Thereafter (1)
5.25 to 1.0
(1) 
Subject to a temporary increase to 5.5 to 1.0 for any quarter during which an acquisition meeting certain thresholds is completed and for the following two quarters after the quarter in which the acquisition closes.

As of September 30, 2017, the Partnership had undrawn capacity of $468.5 million under the Partnership Credit Facility. As a result of the financial ratio requirements discussed above, $213.6 million of the $468.5 million of undrawn capacity was available for additional borrowings as of September 30, 2017.
A material adverse effect on the Partnership’s assets, liabilities, financial condition, business or operations that, taken as a whole, impacts its ability to perform its obligations under the Partnership Credit Facility agreement, could lead to a default under that agreement. A default under one of the Partnership’s debt agreements would trigger cross-default provisions under the Partnership’s other debt agreements, which would accelerate its obligation to repay its indebtedness under those agreements. As of September 30, 2017, the Partnership was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Partnership Credit Facility agreement.


18

8. Derivatives
 
We are exposed to market risks associated with changes in interest rates. We use derivative instruments to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with financial activities by managing our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on a portion of our debt obligations. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
At September 30, 2017, the Partnership was a party to the following interest rate swaps, which were entered into to offset changes in expected cash flows due to fluctuations in the associated variable interest rates:

Expiration Date
 
Notional Value
(in millions)
May 2019
 
$
100

May 2020
 
100

March 2022
 
300

 
 
$
500


As of September 30, 2017, the weighted average effective fixed interest rate on the interest rate swaps was 1.8%. We have designated these interest rate swaps as cash flow hedging instruments so that any change in their fair values is recognized as a component of comprehensive income (loss) and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the extent the hedge is effective. As the swap terms substantially coincide with the hedged item and are expected to offset changes in expected cash flows due to fluctuations in the variable rate, we currently do not expect a significant amount of ineffectiveness on these hedges. We perform quarterly calculations to determine whether the swap agreements are still effective and to calculate any ineffectiveness. We recorded $0.7 million of interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to an immaterial amount of interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to ineffectiveness related to interest rate swaps. We estimate that $1.1 million of deferred pre-tax losses attributable to interest rate swaps and included in our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2017, will be reclassified into earnings as interest expense at then-current values during the next twelve months as the underlying hedged transactions occur. Cash flows from derivatives designated as hedges are classified in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows under the same category as the cash flows from the underlying assets, liabilities or anticipated transactions, unless the derivative contract contains a significant financing element; in this case, the cash settlements for these derivatives are classified as cash flows from financing activities in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
 
In August 2017, the Partnership amended the terms of certain of its interest rate swap agreements, designated as cash flow hedges against the variability of future interest payments due under the Partnership Credit Facility, with a notional value of $300.0 million. The amended terms adjusted the fixed interest rate and extended the maturity dates to March 2022. These amendments effectively created new derivative contracts and terminated the old derivative contracts. As a result, as of the amendment date, we discontinued the original cash flow hedge relationships on a prospective basis and designated the amended interest rate swaps under new cash flow hedge relationships based on the amended terms. The fair value of the interest rate swaps immediately prior to the execution of the amendments was a liability of $0.7 million. The associated amount in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is being amortized into interest expense over the original terms of the interest rate swaps through May 2018.

The following tables present the effect of derivative instruments on our consolidated financial position and results of operations (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Asset (Liability)
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
Other long-term assets
 
$
1,884

 
$
413

Interest rate swaps
Accrued liabilities
 
(1,297
)
 
(3,226
)
Interest rate swaps
Other long-term liabilities
 
—

 
(377
)
Total derivatives
 
 
$
587

 
$
(3,190
)
 

19

 
Pre-tax Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss) on
Derivatives
 
Location of Pre-tax
Loss
Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss) into
Income (Loss)
 
Pre-tax Loss
Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss) into
Income (Loss)
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2017
$
1,919

 
Interest expense
 
$
(678
)
Three months ended September 30, 2016
2,049

 
Interest expense
 
(1,208
)
Nine months ended September 30, 2017
2,282

 
Interest expense
 
(2,521
)
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
(7,401
)
 
Interest expense
 
(3,483
)

The counterparties to the derivative agreements are major financial institutions. We monitor the credit quality of these financial institutions and do not expect non-performance by any counterparty, although such non-performance could have a material adverse effect on us. The Partnership has no specific collateral posted for its derivative instruments.

9. Fair Value Measurements
 
The accounting standard for fair value measurements and disclosures establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value into the following three categories:
 
•
Level 1 — Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets to which we have access at the date of measurement.

•
Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 inputs are those in markets for which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, little public information exists or prices vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers.

•
Level 3 — Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect our own assumptions regarding how market participants would price the asset or liability based on the best available information.
 

20

Asset and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

On a quarterly basis, our interest rate swaps are valued based on the income approach (discounted cash flow) using market observable inputs, including forward LIBOR curves. These fair value measurements are classified as Level 2.

The following table presents our interest rate swaps asset and liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, with pricing levels as of the date of valuation (in thousands):
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Interest rate swaps asset
$
1,884

 
$
413

Interest rate swaps liability
(1,297
)
 
(3,603
)
 
Asset and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded non-recurring fair value measurements related to our idle and previously-culled compressor units. Our estimate of the compressor units’ fair value was primarily based on either the expected net sale proceeds compared to other fleet units we recently sold and/or a review of other units recently offered for sale by third parties, or the estimated component value of the equipment we plan to use. We discounted the expected proceeds, net of selling and other carrying costs, using a weighted average disposal period of four years. These fair value measurements are classified as Level 3. The fair value of our impaired compressor units was $1.1 million and $6.5 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. See Note 10 (“Long-Lived Asset Impairment”) for further details.

Other Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of our cash, receivables and payables approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of those instruments.

The carrying amounts of borrowings outstanding under our Credit Facility and Partnership Credit Facility approximate fair value due to their variable interest rates. The fair value of these outstanding borrowings was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on interest rates offered on loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality, which are Level 3 inputs.

The fair value of our fixed rate debt was estimated based on quoted prices in inactive markets and is considered a Level 2 measurement. The following table summarizes the carrying amount and fair value of our fixed rate debt as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Carrying amount of fixed rate debt (1)
$
685,947

 
$
683,577

Fair value of fixed rate debt
687,000

 
686,000


(1) 
Carrying amounts are shown net of unamortized debt discounts and unamortized deferred financing costs. See Note 7 (“Long-Term Debt”) for further details.

10. Long-Lived Asset Impairment

We review long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangibles that are being amortized, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, including the removal of compressor units from our active fleet, indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 we reviewed the future deployment of our idle compression assets for units that were not of the type, configuration, condition, make or model that are cost efficient to maintain and operate. Based on these reviews, we determined that certain idle compressor units would be retired from the active fleet. The retirement of these units from the active fleet triggered a review of these assets for impairment, and as a result of our review, we recorded an asset impairment to reduce the book value of each unit to its estimated fair value. The fair value of each unit was estimated based on either the expected net sale proceeds compared to other fleet units we recently sold and/or a review of other units recently offered for sale by third parties, or the estimated component value of the equipment we plan to use.


21

In connection with our review of our idle compression assets during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we evaluated for impairment idle units that had been culled from our fleet in prior years and were available for sale. Based upon that review, we reduced the expected proceeds from disposition for certain of the remaining units and recorded additional impairment to reduce the book value of each unit to its estimated fair value.

The following table presents the results of our impairment review of compressor units for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Idle compressor units retired from the active fleet
50

 
60

 
190

 
270

Horsepower of idle compressor units retired from the active fleet
20,000

 
25,000

 
71,000

 
97,000

Impairment recorded on idle compressor units retired from the active fleet
$
5,934

 
$
9,081

 
$
19,686

 
$
29,674

Additional impairment recorded on available-for-sale compressor units previously culled
$
—

 
$
7,632

 
$
—

 
$
10,707


In addition to the impairment discussed above, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, $0.8 million of leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures were impaired in conjunction with the relocation of our corporate office during the third quarter. See Note 12 (“Corporate Office Relocation”) for further details.

11. Restructuring and Other Charges

As discussed in Note 3 (“Discontinued Operations”), we completed the Spin-off on the Distribution Date. During the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we incurred $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of costs associated with the Spin-off that were directly attributable to Archrock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we incurred $1.2 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of costs associated with the Spin-off. The restructuring charges associated with the Spin-off are not directly attributable to our reportable segments because they primarily represent costs incurred within the corporate function. As of September 30, 2017, we had an accrued liability of $0.5 million related to retention benefits incurred. We expect to incur an additional $0.1 million for the remainder of 2017.

In the first quarter of 2016, we determined to undertake a cost reduction program to reduce our on-going operating expenses, including workforce reductions and closure of certain make-ready shops. These actions were a result of our review of our businesses and efforts to efficiently manage cost and maintain our businesses in line with then current and expected activity levels and anticipated make-ready demand in the U.S. market. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred $4.0 million and $13.3 million, respectively, of restructuring and other charges as a result of this plan primarily related to severance benefits and consulting fees. These charges are reflected as restructuring and other charges in our condensed consolidated statement of operations. The cost reduction program under this plan was completed during the fourth quarter of 2016.

The following table presents the expense incurred under this plan by reportable segment (in thousands):

 
Contract
Operations
 
Aftermarket
Services
 
Other (1)
 
Total
Three months ended September 30, 2016
$
508

 
$
312

 
$
3,210

 
$
4,030

Nine months ended September 30, 2016
3,424

 
1,113

 
8,762

 
13,299


(1) 
Represents expenses incurred under this plan that are not directly attributable to our reportable segments because it represents severance benefits and consulting fees incurred within the corporate function.


22

The following table summarizes the changes to our accrued liability balance related to restructuring and other charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
Spin-off
 
Cost
Reduction Plan
 
Total
Beginning balance at January 1, 2016
$
855

 
$
—

 
$
855

Additions for costs expensed
2,459

 
13,299

 
15,758

Less non-cash expense (1)
(1,492
)
 
—

 
(1,492
)
Reductions for payments
(1,106
)
 
(13,235
)
 
(14,341
)
Ending balance at September 30, 2016
$
716

 
$
64

 
$
780

 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance at January 1, 2017
$
712

 
$
—

 
$
712

Additions for costs expensed
1,245

 
—

 
1,245

Less non-cash expense(1)
(895
)
 
—

 
(895
)
Reductions for payments
(606
)
 
—

 
(606
)
Ending balance at September 30, 2017
$
456

 
$
—

 
$
456

 
(1) 
Represents non-cash retention benefits associated with the Spin-off to be settled in Archrock stock.

The following table summarizes the components of charges included in restructuring and other charges in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Retention and severance benefits
$
422

 
$
4,297

 
$
1,245

 
$
11,692

Consulting services
—

 
392

 
—

 
4,066

Total restructuring and other charges
$
422

 
$
4,689

 
$
1,245

 
$
15,758

 
12. Corporate Office Relocation

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 we recorded $2.1 million in charges associated with the relocation of our corporate headquarters during the third quarter. The charges included the estimated costs that will continue to be incurred through the end of the lease term in the first quarter of 2018 associated with our former corporate office and relocation costs which are reflected in SG&A. Additionally, leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures were impaired in the third quarter of 2017 and are reflected in long-lived asset impairment in our condensed consolidated income statement (see Note 10 (“Long-Lived Asset Impairment”)). We do not expect to incur additional costs as a result of the relocation.

The following table summarizes the changes to our accrued liability balance related to our corporate office relocation for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands):

Beginning balance at January 1, 2017
$
—

Additions for costs expensed
2,113

Less non-cash expense (1)
(613
)
Reductions for payments
(72
)
Ending balance at September 30, 2017
$
1,428


(1) 
Represents non-cash write-off of leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures and the net liability associated with the straight-line expense associated with the lease of our former corporate office.


23

The following table summarizes our corporate office relocation costs by category during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands):

Remaining lease costs
$
1,258

Impairment of leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures
795

Relocation costs
60

Total corporate relocation costs
$
2,113


13. Income Taxes

Recent appellate court decisions have required us to remeasure certain of our uncertain tax positions. Consequently, we increased our unrecognized tax benefit for these positions during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. We had $21.1 million and $9.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, of which $16.0 million and $9.7 million, respectively, would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. We also recorded $1.5 million and $0.2 million of potential interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. In addition, our income tax provision reflects a federal benefit of $0.1 million and $2.4 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and a deferred state release of $4.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to the increase in our unrecognized tax benefit.

14. Stock-Based Compensation
 
Stock Incentive Plan
 
In April 2013, we adopted the 2013 Plan to provide for the granting of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units, other stock-based awards and dividend equivalent rights to employees, directors and consultants of Archrock. Under the 2013 Plan, the maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to awards is 10,100,000. Each option and stock appreciation right granted counts as one share against the aggregate share limit, and any share subject to a stock settled award other than a stock option, stock appreciation right or other award for which the recipient pays intrinsic value counts as 1.75 shares against the aggregate share limit. Shares subject to awards granted under the 2013 Plan that are subsequently canceled, terminated, settled in cash or forfeited (excluding shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations or to pay the exercise price of an option) are, to the extent of such cancellation, termination, settlement or forfeiture, available for future grant under the 2013 Plan. Cash-settled awards are not counted against the aggregate share limit. No additional grants may be made under the 2007 Plan. Previous grants made under the 2007 Plan will continue to be governed by that plan and the applicable award agreements.
 
Stock Options
 
Stock options are granted at fair market value at the grant date, are exercisable according to the vesting schedule established by the compensation committee of our board of directors in its sole discretion and expire no later than seven years after the grant date. Stock options generally vest one-third per year on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date.
 
The following table presents stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2017:
 
 
Stock
Options
(in thousands)
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life
(in years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
Options outstanding, January 1, 2017
747

 
$
16.88

 
 
 
 
Granted
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(83
)
 
12.04

 
 
 
 

Canceled
(175
)
 
32.00

 
 
 
 
Options outstanding, September 30, 2017
489

 
12.28

 
1.8
 
$
1,494

Options exercisable, September 30, 2017
489

 
12.28

 
1.8
 
1,494


24

 
Intrinsic value is the difference between the market value of our stock and the exercise price of each stock option multiplied by the number of stock options outstanding for those stock options where the market value exceeds their exercise price. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $0.3 million.
 
Restricted Stock, Stock-Settled Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Cash-Settled Restricted Stock Units and Cash Settled Performance Units
 
For grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units, we recognize compensation expense over the vesting period equal to the fair value of our common stock at the grant date. Our restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance units include rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents. We remeasure the fair value of cash-settled restricted stock units and cash-settled performance units and record a cumulative adjustment of the expense previously recognized. Our obligation related to the cash-settled restricted stock units and cash settled performance units is reflected as a liability in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Restricted stock, stock-settled restricted stock units, cash-settled restricted stock units and cash-settled performance units generally vest one-third per year on dates as specified in the applicable award agreement, subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date. Stock-settled performance units cliff vest at the end of the performance period as specified in the terms of the applicable award agreement, subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date.

The following table presents restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance unit, cash-settled restricted stock unit and cash- settled performance unit activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2017:
 
 
Shares
(in thousands)
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
Non-vested awards, January 1, 2017
1,612

 
$
10.08

Granted
811

 
12.95

Vested
(668
)
 
12.30

Canceled
(105
)
 
10.82

Non-vested awards, September 30, 2017 (1)
1,650

 
10.54


(1) 
Non-vested awards as of September 30, 2017 are comprised of 258,000 cash-settled restricted stock units and cash-settled performance units and 1,392,000 restricted shares and stock-settled performance units.
 
As of September 30, 2017, we expect $12.8 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock, stock-settled restricted stock units, performance units, cash-settled restricted stock units and cash-settled performance units to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 2.2 years.
 
Partnership Long-Term Incentive Plan
 
In April 2017, the Partnership adopted the 2017 Partnership LTIP to provide for the benefit of employees, directors and consultants of the Partnership, us and our respective affiliates. Two million common units have been authorized for issuance with respect to awards under the 2017 Partnership LTIP. The 2017 Partnership LTIP provides for the issuance of unit options, unit appreciation rights, restricted units, phantom units, performance awards, bonus awards, distribution equivalent rights, cash awards and other unit based awards. The Partnership Plan will be administered by the Partnership Plan Administrator. The 2006 Partnership LTIP expired in 2016 and as such no further grants can be made under that plan. Previous grants made under the 2006 Partnership LTIP will continue to be governed by the 2006 Partnership LTIP and the applicable award agreements.

Phantom units are notional units that entitle the grantee to receive common units upon the vesting of such phantom units or, at the discretion of the Partnership Plan Administrator, cash equal to the fair market value of such common units. Phantom units may include nonforfeitable tandem distribution equivalent rights to receive cash distributions on unvested phantom units in the quarter in which distributions are paid on common units. For grants of phantom units, we recognize compensation expense over the vesting period equal to the fair value of the Partnership’s common units at the grant date. Phantom units generally vest one-third per year on dates as specified in the applicable award agreements subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date.

25

 
Partnership Phantom Units
 
The following table presents phantom unit activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2017:
 
 
Phantom
Units
(in thousands)
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
per Unit
Phantom units outstanding, January 1, 2017
197

 
$
11.60

Granted
81

 
16.28

Vested
(89
)
 
14.86

Canceled
(11
)
 
7.84

Phantom units outstanding, September 30, 2017
178

 
12.32


As of September 30, 2017, we expect $1.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested phantom units to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 2.1 years.
 
15. Cash Dividends
 
The following table summarizes our dividends per common share:
Declaration Date
 
Payment Date
 
Dividends per
Common Share
 
Total Dividends
January 26, 2016
 
February 16, 2016
 
$
0.1875

 
$
13.1
 million
May 2, 2016
 
May 18, 2016
 
0.0950

 
6.7
 million
July 27, 2016
 
August 16, 2016
 
0.0950

 
6.7
 million
October 31, 2016
 
November 17, 2016
 
0.1200

 
8.4
 million
January 19, 2017
 
February 15, 2017
 
0.1200

 
8.5
 million
April 26, 2017
 
May 16, 2017
 
0.1200

 
8.5
 million
July 26, 2017
 
August 15, 2017
 
0.1200

 
8.5
 million
 
On October 20, 2017, our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock to be paid on November 15, 2017 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 8, 2017.

16. Commitments and Contingencies

Performance Bonds

In the normal course of business we have issued performance bonds to various state authorities that ensure payment of certain obligations. We have also issued a bond to protect our 401(k) retirement plan against losses caused by acts of fraud or dishonesty. The bonds have expiration dates in 2017 through the first quarter of 2020 and maximum potential future payments of $2.3 million. As of September 30, 2017, we were in compliance with all obligations to which the performance bonds pertain.


26

Tax Matters

We are subject to a number of state and local taxes that are not income-based. As many of these taxes are subject to audit by the taxing authorities, it is possible that an audit could result in additional taxes due. We accrue for such additional taxes when we determine that it is probable that we have incurred a liability and we can reasonably estimate the amount of the liability. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we accrued $1.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for the outcomes of non-income based tax audits. We do not expect that the ultimate resolutions of these audits will result in a material variance from the amounts accrued. We do not accrue for unasserted claims for tax audits unless we believe the assertion of a claim is probable, it is probable that it will be determined that the claim is owed and we can reasonably estimate the claim or range of the claim. We believe the likelihood is remote that the impact of potential unasserted claims from non-income based tax audits could be material to our consolidated financial position, but it is possible that the resolution of future audits could be material to our consolidated results of operations or cash flows for the period in which the resolution occurs.

Subject to the provisions of the tax matters agreement between Exterran Corporation and us, both parties agreed to indemnify the primary obligor of any return for tax periods beginning before and ending before or after the Spin-off (including any ongoing or future amendments and audits for these returns) for the portion of the tax liability (including interest and penalties) that relates to their respective operations reported in the filing. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we recorded an indemnification liability (including penalties and interest) of $2.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively, related to non-income based tax audits.

Insurance Matters

Our business can be hazardous, involving unforeseen circumstances such as uncontrollable flows of natural gas or well fluids and fires or explosions. As is customary in our industry, we review our safety equipment and procedures and carry insurance against some, but not all, risks of our business. Our insurance coverage includes property damage, general liability and commercial automobile liability and other coverage we believe is appropriate. In addition, we have a minimal amount of insurance on our offshore assets. We believe that our insurance coverage is customary for the industry and adequate for our business; however, losses and liabilities not covered by insurance would increase our costs.

Additionally, we are substantially self-insured for workers’ compensation and employee group health claims in view of the relatively high per-incident deductibles we absorb under our insurance arrangements for these risks. Losses up to the deductible amounts are estimated and accrued based upon known facts, historical trends and industry averages.

Indemnification Obligations

On November 3, 2015, we completed the Spin-off of our international contract operations, international aftermarket services and global fabrication businesses into a separate, publicly traded company operating as Exterran Corporation. In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a separation and distribution agreement, which provides for cross-indemnities between Exterran Corporation’s operating subsidiary and us and established procedures for handling claims subject to indemnification and related matters. Generally, the separation and distribution agreement provides for cross-indemnities principally designed to place financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of our business with us and financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of Exterran Corporation’s business with Exterran Corporation. Pursuant to the separation and distribution agreement, we and Exterran Corporation will generally release the other party from all claims arising prior to the Spin-off that relate to the other party’s business.


27

Litigation and Claims

In 2011, the Texas Legislature enacted changes related to the appraisal of natural gas compressors for ad valorem tax purposes by expanding the definitions of “Heavy Equipment Dealer” and “Heavy Equipment” effective from the beginning of 2012. Under the revised Heavy Equipment Statutes, we believe we are a Heavy Equipment Dealer, that our natural gas compressors are Heavy Equipment and that we, therefore, are required to file our ad valorem taxes under this new methodology. We further believe that our natural gas compressors are taxable under the Heavy Equipment Statutes in the counties where we maintain a business location and keep natural gas compressors instead of where the compressors may be located on January 1 of a tax year. As a result of this new methodology, our ad valorem tax expense (which is reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of operations as a component of cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense)) includes a benefit of $12.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Since the change in methodology became effective in 2012, we have recorded an aggregate benefit of $73.4 million as of September 30, 2017, of which $16.0 million has been agreed to by a number of appraisal review boards and county appraisal districts and $57.4 million has been disputed and is currently in litigation. A large number of appraisal review boards denied our position, although some accepted it, and our wholly owned subsidiary, Archrock Services Leasing LLC, formerly known as EES Leasing, and Archrock Partners’ subsidiary, Archrock Partners Leasing LLC, formerly known as EXLP Leasing, filed 176 petitions for review in the appropriate district courts with respect to the 2012 tax year, 109 petitions for review in the appropriate district courts with respect to the 2013 tax year, 115 petitions for review in the appropriate district courts with respect to the 2014 tax year, 120 petitions for review in the appropriate district courts with respect to the 2015 tax year, 113 petitions for review in the appropriate district courts with respect to the 2016 tax year and 83 petitions for review in the appropriate district courts with respect to the 2017 tax year.

To date, only five cases have advanced to the point of trial or submission of summary judgment motions on the merits, and only three cases have been decided, with two of the decisions having been rendered by the same presiding judge. All three of those decisions were appealed, and all three of the appeals have been decided by intermediate appellate courts.

On October 17, 2013, the 143rd Judicial District Court of Loving County, Texas ruled in EXLP Leasing LLC & EES Leasing LLC v. Loving County Appraisal District that EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing are Heavy Equipment Dealers and that their compressors qualify as Heavy Equipment, but the district court further held that the Heavy Equipment Statutes were unconstitutional as applied to EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s compressors. EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing appealed the district court’s constitutionality holding to the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso, Texas. On September 23, 2015, the Eighth Court of Appeals ruled in EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s favor by overruling the 143rd District Court’s constitutionality ruling. The Eighth Court of Appeals also ruled, however, that EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s natural gas compressors are taxable in the counties where they were located on January 1 of the tax year at issue.

On October 28, 2013, the 143rd Judicial District Court of Ward County, Texas ruled in EES Leasing LLC & EXLP Leasing LLC v. Ward County Appraisal District that EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing are Heavy Equipment Dealers and that their compressors qualify as Heavy Equipment, but the court held that the Heavy Equipment Statutes were unconstitutional as applied to their compressors. EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing appealed the district court’s constitutionality holding to the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso, Texas, and the Ward County Appraisal District cross-appealed the district court’s rulings that EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s compressors qualify as Heavy Equipment. On September 23, 2015, the Eighth Court of Appeals ruled in EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s favor by overruling the 143rd District Court’s constitutionality ruling and affirming its ruling that EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s compressors qualify as Heavy Equipment. The Eighth Court of Appeals also ruled, however, that EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s natural gas compressors are taxable in the counties where they were located on January 1 of the tax year at issue.

The Ward County Appraisal District and Loving County Appraisal District each filed (on January 27, 2016 and February 10, 2016, respectively) a petition asking the Texas Supreme Court to review its respective Eighth Court of Appeals decision. On March 11, 2016, EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing filed responses to the appraisal districts’ petitions and cross-petitions for review in each case asking the Texas Supreme Court to also review the Eighth Court of Appeals’ determination that natural gas compressors are taxable in the counties where they were located on January 1 of the tax year at issue. The Ward County Appraisal District filed its response to EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s cross-petition on June 6, 2016, and EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing filed their reply on June 21, 2016. The Loving County Appraisal District filed its response to EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s cross-petition on May 27, 2016, and EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing filed their reply on June 10, 2016.


28

On March 18, 2014, the 10th Judicial District Court of Galveston, Texas ruled in EXLP Leasing LLC & EES Leasing LLC v. Galveston Central Appraisal District that EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing are Heavy Equipment Dealers and that their compressors qualify as Heavy Equipment, but the court held the Heavy Equipment Statutes unconstitutional as applied to their compressors. EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing appealed the district court’s constitutionality holding to the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston, Texas. On August 25, 2015, the Fourteenth Court of Appeals issued a ruling stating that EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s compressors are taxable in the counties where they were located on January 1 of the tax year at issue, and it remanded the case to the district court for further evidence on the issue of whether the Heavy Equipment Statutes are constitutional as applied to EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s compressors. On November 24, 2015, EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing filed a petition asking the Texas Supreme Court to review this decision. On March 21, 2016, the Galveston Central Appraisal District filed a response to EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s petition for review, and EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing filed their reply on April 26, 2016.

In EES Leasing v. Irion County Appraisal District, EES Leasing and the appraisal district each filed motions for summary judgment in the 51st District Court concerning the applicability and constitutionality of the Heavy Equipment Statutes. On May 20, 2014, the district court entered an order denying both motions for summary judgment, holding that a fact issue existed as to the applicability of the Heavy Equipment Statutes to the one compressor at issue. The presiding judge for the 51st District Court has since consolidated the 2012 tax year case with EES Leasing’s 2013 tax year case, which also included EXLP Leasing as a party. On August 27, 2015, the presiding judge abated the combined case, EES Leasing LLC and EXLP Leasing LLC v. Irion County Appraisal District, until the final resolution of the appellate cases considering the constitutionality of the Heavy Equipment Statutes, or further order of the court.

EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing also filed a motion for summary judgment in EES Leasing LLC & EXLP Leasing LLC v. Harris County Appraisal District, pending in the 189th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. The court heard arguments on the motion on December 6, 2013 but has yet to rule. No trial date has been set.

On June 3, 2015, the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, Texas issued a decision reversing the 406th District Court’s dismissal of EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s tax appeals for want of jurisdiction. In EXLP Leasing LLC et. al v. Webb County Appraisal District, United Independent School District (“United ISD”) intervened as a party in interest and sought to dismiss the lawsuit arguing that the district court was without jurisdiction to hear the appeal. Under Section 42.08(b) of the Texas Tax Code, a property owner must pay before the delinquency date the lesser of (1) the amount of taxes due on the portion of the taxable value of the property that is not in dispute or (2) the amount of taxes due on the property under the order from which the appeal is taken. EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing paid zero taxes to Webb County because the entire amount of tax assessed by Webb County was in dispute. Instead, as required by the Heavy Equipment Statutes and Texas Comptroller forms, EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing paid taxes on the compressors at issue to Victoria County, where they maintain their place of business and keep natural gas compressors. The Webb County Appraisal District and United ISD contested EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s position that the Heavy Equipment Statutes contain situs provisions requiring that taxes be paid where the dealer has a business location and keeps its natural gas compressors, instead arguing that taxes are payable to the county where each compressor is located as of January 1 of the tax year at issue. The district court granted United ISD’s motion to dismiss on April 1, 2014 and declined EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s motion to reconsider. The Fourth Court of Appeals reversed, holding that, based on the plain meaning of Section 42.08(b)(1), and because the entire amount was in dispute, EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing were not required to prepay disputed taxes to invoke the trial court’s jurisdiction. The Fourth Court of Appeals denied United ISD’s request for a rehearing. On September 29, 2015, United ISD filed a petition for review in the Texas Supreme Court. On December 4, 2015, the Texas Supreme Court denied United ISD’s petition for review.

United ISD has four delinquency lawsuits pending against EES Leasing and EXLP Leasing in the 49th District Court of Webb County, Texas. The cases have been abated pending the resolution of EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s 2012 tax year case pending in the 406th Judicial District Court of Webb County, Texas.

On September 2, 2016, the Texas Supreme Court requested that consolidated merits briefs be filed in EES Leasing’s and EXLP Leasing’s cases against the Loving County Appraisal District, Ward County Appraisal District, and Galveston Central Appraisal District, as well as two similar cases involving different taxpayers. On September 19, 2016, the Supreme Court entered a consolidated briefing schedule for the five cases. Consolidated briefing was completed on February 7, 2017.

On March 10, 2017, the Texas Supreme Court granted EXLP Leasing’s and EES Leasing’s petition for review in EXLP Leasing LLC & EES Leasing LLC v. Galveston Central Appraisal District. Oral argument before the Texas Supreme Court was held on October 10, 2017.


29

We continue to believe that the revised statutes are constitutional as applied to natural gas compressors and that under the revised statutes our natural gas compressors are taxable in the counties where we maintain a business location and keep natural gas compressors. Recognizing the similarity of the issues and that these cases will ultimately be resolved by the Texas appellate courts, most of the remaining 2012-2017 district court cases have been formally or effectively abated pending a decision from the Texas Supreme Court.

If we are unsuccessful in our litigation, we would be required to pay ad valorem taxes up to the aggregate benefit we have recorded, and the additional ad valorem tax payments may also be subject to substantial penalties and interest. In addition, while we do not expect the ultimate determination of the issue of where the natural gas compressors are taxable under the Heavy Equipment Statutes would have an impact on the amount of taxes due, we could be subject to substantial penalties if we are unsuccessful on this issue. Also, if we are unsuccessful in our litigation, or if legislation is enacted in Texas that repeals or alters the Heavy Equipment Statutes such that in the future we do not qualify as a Heavy Equipment Dealer or our compressors do not qualify as Heavy Equipment, then we would likely be required to pay these ad valorem taxes under the old methodology going forward, which would increase our quarterly cost of sales expense up to approximately the amount of our then most recent quarterly benefit recorded. If this litigation is resolved against us in whole or in part, or if in the future we do not qualify as a Heavy Equipment Dealer or our compressors do not qualify as Heavy Equipment because of new or revised Texas statutes, we will incur additional taxes and could be subject to substantial penalties and interest, which would impact our future results of operations, financial position and cash flows, including our ability to pay dividends.

In the ordinary course of business, we are also involved in various other pending or threatened legal actions. While management is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these actions, it believes that any ultimate liability arising from any of these other actions will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, including our ability to pay dividends. However, because of the inherent uncertainty of litigation and arbitration proceedings, we cannot provide assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding to which we are a party will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, including our ability to pay dividends.

In addition, the SEC has been conducting an investigation in connection with certain previously disclosed errors and possible irregularities at one of our former international operations. We and Exterran Corporation are cooperating with the SEC in the investigation. Among other things, we have been assisting Exterran Corporation in responding to a subpoena for documents related to the restatement of prior period consolidated and combined financial statements and related disclosures and compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which are also being provided to the U.S. Department of Justice at its request.

17. Reportable Segments
 
We manage our business segments primarily based upon the type of product or service provided. We have two reportable segments which we operate within the U.S.: contract operations and aftermarket services. The contract operations segment primarily provides natural gas compression services to meet specific customer requirements. The aftermarket services segment provides a full range of services to support the compression needs of customers, from part sales and normal maintenance services to full operation of a customer’s owned assets.

We evaluate the performance of our segments based on gross margin for each segment. Revenue includes only sales to external customers.


30

The following table presents revenue and other financial information by reportable segment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): 
 
Contract
Operations
 
Aftermarket
Services
 
Reportable
Segments
Total
Three months ended September 30, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from external customers
$
153,524

 
$
44,329

 
$
197,853

Gross margin
81,573

 
5,843

 
87,416

Three months ended September 30, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from external customers
$
156,599

 
$
39,250

 
$
195,849

Gross margin
96,823

 
6,500

 
103,323

 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from external customers
$
454,622

 
$
131,098

 
$
585,720

Gross margin
256,331

 
19,271

 
275,602

Nine months ended September 30, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from external customers
$
495,811

 
$
117,478

 
$
613,289

Gross margin
308,990

 
20,013

 
329,003

 
The following table reconciles total gross margin to loss before income taxes (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Total gross margin
$
87,416

 
$
103,323

 
$
275,602

 
$
329,003

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
29,108

 
25,448

 
81,823

 
87,745

Depreciation and amortization
47,463

 
52,068

 
142,483

 
157,891

Long-lived asset impairment
7,105

 
16,713

 
20,858

 
40,381

Restatement and other charges
566

 
426

 
3,287

 
860

Restructuring and other charges
422

 
4,689

 
1,245

 
15,758

Interest expense
22,892

 
21,365

 
66,817

 
62,842

Debt extinguishment costs
—

 
—

 
291

 
—

Other income, net
(2,716
)
 
(2,470
)
 
(4,472
)
 
(4,640
)
Loss before income taxes
$
(17,424
)

$
(14,916
)

$
(36,730
)

$
(31,834
)

18. Transactions Related to the Partnership
 
At September 30, 2017, Archrock owned an approximate 43% interest in the Partnership. As of September 30, 2017, the Partnership’s fleet included 6,046 compressor units comprising approximately 3.3 million horsepower, or 85% of our and the Partnership’s combined total horsepower.

The liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating the Partnership do not necessarily represent additional claims on the general assets of Archrock outside of the Partnership; rather, they represent claims against the specific assets of the consolidated Partnership. Conversely, assets recognized as a result of consolidating the Partnership do not necessarily represent additional assets that could be used to satisfy claims against Archrock’s general assets. There are no restrictions on the Partnership’s assets that are reported in Archrock’s general assets.


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On October 20, 2017, the board of directors of Archrock GP LLC, the general partner of GP, approved a cash distribution by the Partnership of $0.2850 per common unit, or approximately $20.5 million. Of the total distribution the Partnership will pay us approximately $8.7 million with respect to our common unit and general partner interest in the Partnership. The distribution covers the period from July 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017. The record date for this distribution is November 8, 2017 and payment is expected to occur on November 14, 2017.

In August 2017, the Partnership sold, pursuant to a public underwritten offering, 4,600,000 common units, including 600,000 common units pursuant to an over-allotment option. The Partnership received net proceeds of $60.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses, which it used to repay borrowings outstanding under the Partnership Credit Facility. In connection with this sale and as permitted under its partnership agreement, the Partnership sold 93,163 general partner units to GP for a contribution of $1.3 million to maintain GP’s approximate 2% general partner interest in the Partnership. As a result, adjustments were made to noncontrolling interest, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), deferred income taxes and additional paid-in capital to reflect our new ownership percentage in the Partnership.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Partnership issued and sold to GP 94,506 general partner units, including the 93,163 units sold in the offering discussed above, to maintain GP’s approximate 2% general partner interest in the Partnership.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Partnership issued and sold to GP 6,363 general partner units, including the 5,205 units sold in the March 2016 Acquisition, to maintain GP’s approximate 2% general partner interest in the Partnership.

On March 1, 2016, the Partnership completed the March 2016 Acquisition. A portion of the $18.8 million purchase price was funded through the issuance of 257,000 of the Partnership’s common units for $1.8 million in connection with this acquisition, the Partnership issued and sold to GP, our wholly owned subsidiary and the Partnership’s general partner, 5,205 general partner units to maintain GP’s approximate 2% general partner interest in the Partnership. See Note 4 (“Business Acquisitions”) for additional information. As a result, adjustments were made to noncontrolling interest, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), deferred income taxes and additional paid-in capital to reflect our new ownership percentage in the Partnership.

The following table presents the effects of changes from net loss attributable to Archrock stockholders and changes in our equity interest of the Partnership on our equity attributable to Archrock stockholders (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Net loss attributable to Archrock stockholders
$
(28,607
)
 
$
(15,944
)
Increase in Archrock stockholders’ additional paid-in capital for change in ownership of Partnership units
17,638

 
585

Change from net loss attributable to Archrock stockholders and transfers to noncontrolling interest
$
(10,969
)
 
$
(15,359
)

19. Subsequent Events

On October 4, 2017, we and the Partnership received cash proceeds of $13.3 million from the sale of our Kilgore, Texas facility and approximately 1,400 compressor units previously retired from the active fleet.


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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in conjunction with our 2016 Form 10-K.
 
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, statements regarding our business growth strategy and projected costs; future financial position; the sufficiency of available cash flows to fund continuing operations and pay dividends; the expected amount of our capital expenditures; expenditures related to the restatement of our financial statements and related matters, including sharing a portion of costs incurred by Exterran Corporation with respect to such matters, as well as reviews, investigations or other proceedings by government authorities, stockholders or other parties; anticipated cost savings, future revenue, gross margin and other financial or operational measures related to our business; the future value of our equipment; and plans and objectives of our management for our future operations. You can identify many of these statements by looking for words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “will continue” or similar words or the negative thereof.
 
Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. Known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements include the risk factors described in our 2016 Form 10-K, and those set forth from time to time in our filings with the SEC, which are available through our website at www.archrock.com and through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, as well as the following risks and uncertainties:

•
conditions in the oil and natural gas industry, including a sustained decrease in the level of supply or demand for oil or natural gas or a sustained low price of oil or natural gas;

•
the success of our subsidiary, the Partnership, including the amount of cash distributions by the Partnership with respect to its general partner interests, incentive distribution rights and limited partner interests;

•
our reduced profit margins or the loss of market share resulting from competition or the introduction of competing technologies by other companies;

•
the spin-off of our international contract operations, international aftermarket services and global fabrication businesses into an independent, publicly traded company, Exterran Corporation;

•
changes in economic or political conditions, including terrorism and legislative changes;

•
the inherent risks associated with our operations, such as equipment defects, impairments, malfunctions and natural disasters;

•
the loss of the Partnership’s status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

•
the risk that counterparties will not perform their obligations under our financial instruments;

•
the financial condition of our customers;

•
our ability to timely and cost-effectively obtain components necessary to conduct our business;

•
employment and workforce factors, including our ability to hire, train and retain key employees;


33

•
our ability to implement certain business and financial objectives, such as:

•
winning profitable new business;

•
growing our asset base and enhancing asset utilization;

•
integrating acquired businesses;

•
generating sufficient cash; and

•
accessing the capital markets at an acceptable cost;

•
liability related to the use of our services;

•
changes in governmental safety, health, environmental or other regulations, which could require us to make significant expenditures;

•the effectiveness of our control environment, including the identification of additional control deficiencies;

•the results of any reviews, investigations or other proceedings by government authorities;

•the results of any shareholder actions relating to the restatement of our financial statements that may be filed;

•
the potential additional costs related to our restatement, cost-sharing with Exterran Corporation, and addressing any reviews, investigations or other proceedings by government authorities or shareholder actions; and

•
our level of indebtedness and ability to fund our business.
 
All forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on information available to us on the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
Overview
 
Archrock is a pure play U.S. natural gas contract operations services business and the leading provider of natural gas compression services to customers in the oil and natural gas industry throughout the U.S. and a leading supplier of aftermarket services to customers that own compression equipment in the U.S. We operate in two primary business lines: contract operations and aftermarket services. In our contract operations business line, we use our fleet of natural gas compression equipment to provide operations services to our customers. In our aftermarket services business line, we sell parts and components and provide operations, maintenance, overhaul and reconfiguration services to customers who own compression equipment.

Archrock Partners, L.P.
 
We have a significant equity interest in the Partnership, a master limited partnership that provides natural gas contract operations services to customers throughout the U.S. As of September 30, 2017, public unitholders held an approximate 57% ownership interest in the Partnership and we owned the remaining equity interest, including all of the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights. We consolidate the financial position and results of operations of the Partnership. It is our intention for the Partnership to be the primary vehicle for the growth of our contract operations business and we may grow the Partnership through third-party acquisitions and organic growth. As of September 30, 2017, the Partnership’s fleet included 6,046 compressor units comprising approximately 3.3 million horsepower, or 85% of our and the Partnership’s combined total horsepower.


34

Trends and Outlook

Our business environment and corresponding operating results are affected by the level of energy industry spending for the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas reserves in the U.S. Spending by oil and natural gas exploration and production companies is dependent upon these companies’ forecasts regarding the expected future supply, demand and pricing of oil and natural gas products as well as their estimates of risk-adjusted costs to find, develop and produce reserves. For example, oil and natural gas exploration and development activity and the number of well completions typically decline when there is a significant reduction in oil and natural gas prices or significant instability in energy markets. Our revenue, earnings and financial position are affected by, among other things, market conditions that impact demand and pricing for natural gas compression, our customers’ decisions between using our services or our competitors’ services, our customers’ decisions regarding whether to own and operate the equipment themselves and the timing and consummation of any acquisition of additional contract operations customer service agreements and equipment from third parties. Although we believe our contract operations business is typically less impacted by commodity prices than certain other oil and natural gas service providers, changes in oil and natural gas exploration and production spending normally result in changes in demand for our services.

Natural gas consumption in the U.S. for the twelve months ended July 31, 2017 decreased 2% to 26,653 Bcf compared to 27,139 Bcf for the twelve months ended July 31, 2016. The EIA forecasts that total U.S. natural gas consumption will decrease 3% in 2017 compared to 2016. The EIA estimates that the U.S. natural gas consumption level will be approximately 30 Tcf in 2040, or 15% of the projected worldwide total of approximately 203 Tcf.

Natural gas marketed production in the U.S. for the twelve months ended July 31, 2017 decreased 3% to 28,102 Bcf compared to 28,817 Bcf for the twelve months ended July 31, 2016. The EIA forecasts that total U.S. natural gas marketed production will increase 1% in 2017 compared to 2016. The EIA estimates that the U.S. natural gas production level will be approximately 35 Tcf in 2040, or 17% of the projected worldwide total of approximately 202 Tcf.

Historically, oil and natural gas prices and the level of drilling and exploration activity in the U.S. have been volatile. For example, the Henry Hub spot price for natural gas was $2.94 per MMBtu at September 29, 2017, which was 21% lower and 4% higher than prices at December 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively, and the U.S. natural gas liquid composite price was $6.27 per MMBtu for the month of July 2017, which was 6% lower and 19% higher than prices for the months of December 2016 and September 2016, respectively. In addition, the West Texas Intermediate crude oil spot price was $51.67 per barrel at September 29, 2017, which was 4% lower and 8% higher than prices at December 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively.

Increased stability of oil and natural gas prices in the second half of 2016 and thus far in 2017, compared to the declines experienced in 2015 and the first half of 2016, contributed to increased new orders for our compression services in 2017 compared to 2016, as well as a stabilization of our contract operations revenue in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, which decreased 2% and 8%, respectively, compared to our revenue recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Year to date 2017 operating horsepower increased compared to the decline in operating horsepower we experienced in 2016. We have invested more capital in new fleet units in 2017 than we did in 2016 to take advantage of improved market conditions during 2017. Although new orders for compression services have been strong in 2017, given the operating horsepower declines and pricing pressure experienced in 2016, we expect an overall decline in our full-year 2017 contract operations revenue compared to 2016. Our aftermarket services business, though initially impacted by the previous decline in market conditions, is expected to moderately recover in 2017 and show an increase in full-year 2017 revenue compared to 2016.


35

Operating Highlights
The following table summarizes our total available horsepower, total operating horsepower, average operating horsepower and horsepower utilization percentages (in thousands, except percentages):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Total Available Horsepower (at period end)(1)
3,866

 
3,984

 
3,866

 
3,984

Total Operating Horsepower (at period end)(2)
3,204

 
3,153

 
3,204

 
3,153

Average Operating Horsepower
3,166

 
3,151

 
3,125

 
3,266

Horsepower Utilization:


 


 
 
 
 
Spot (at period end)
83
%
 
79
%
 
83
%
 
79
%
Average
82
%
 
79
%
 
82
%
 
81
%

(1) 
Defined as idle and operating horsepower. New compressor units completed by a third party manufacturer that have been delivered to us are included in the fleet.
(2) 
Defined as horsepower that is operating under contract and horsepower that is idle but under contract and generating revenue such as standby revenue.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Our management uses a variety of financial and operating metrics to analyze our performance. These metrics are significant factors in assessing our operating results and profitability and include the non-GAAP financial measure of gross margin.
We define gross margin as total revenue less cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense). Gross margin is included as a supplemental disclosure because it is a primary measure used by our management to evaluate the results of revenue and cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense), which are key components of our operations. We believe gross margin is important because it focuses on the current operating performance of our operations and excludes the impact of the prior historical costs of the assets acquired or constructed that are utilized in those operations, the indirect costs associated with our SG&A activities, the impact of our financing methods and income taxes. Depreciation and amortization expense may not accurately reflect the costs required to maintain and replenish the operational usage of our assets and therefore may not portray the costs of current operating activity. As an indicator of our operating performance, gross margin should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our gross margin may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company because other entities may not calculate gross margin in the same manner.
Gross margin has certain material limitations associated with its use as compared to net income (loss). These limitations are primarily due to the exclusion of interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, SG&A expense, impairment charges, restatement and other charges, restructuring and other charges, debt extinguishment costs, provision for (benefit from) income taxes and other (income) loss, net. Because we intend to finance a portion of our operations through borrowings, interest expense is a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate revenue. Additionally, because we use capital assets, depreciation expense is a necessary element of our costs and our ability to generate revenue and SG&A expense is necessary to support our operations and required corporate activities. To compensate for these limitations, management uses this non-GAAP measure as a supplemental measure to other GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of our performance.


36

The following table reconciles net loss to gross margin (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net loss
$
(12,683
)
 
$
(10,054
)
 
$
(30,732
)
 
$
(19,164
)
Selling, general and administrative
29,108

 
25,448

 
81,823

 
87,745

Depreciation and amortization
47,463

 
52,068

 
142,483

 
157,891

Long-lived asset impairment
7,105

 
16,713

 
20,858

 
40,381

Restatement and other charges
566

 
426

 
3,287

 
860

Restructuring and other charges
422

 
4,689

 
1,245

 
15,758

Interest expense
22,892

 
21,365

 
66,817

 
62,842

Debt extinguishment costs
—

 
—

 
291

 
—

Other income, net
(2,716
)
 
(2,470
)
 
(4,472
)
 
(4,640
)
Benefit from income taxes
(4,795
)
 
(4,878
)
 
(6,052
)
 
(12,712
)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
54

 
16

 
54

 
42

Gross margin
$
87,416

 
$
103,323

 
$
275,602

 
$
329,003


Financial Results of Operations
 
Summary of Results
 
Revenue.  Revenue was $197.9 million and $195.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $585.7 million and $613.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The increase in revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to the increase in revenue in our aftermarket services segment as a result of increased part sales and service activities, partially offset by decreased revenue in our contract operations segment as a result of decreased customer demand due to 2016 market conditions.

The decrease in revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to the decrease in revenue of our contract operations segment as a result of decreased customer demand due to 2016 market conditions, partially offset by the increase in revenue in our aftermarket services segment as a result of increased part sales and service activities.

Net loss attributable to Archrock stockholders.  We generated net loss attributable to Archrock stockholders of $10.2 million and $9.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $28.6 million and $15.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The increase in net loss attributable to Archrock stockholders during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily driven by the decrease in gross margin in our contract operations and aftermarket services segments and an increase in SG&A expense, partially offset by decreases in long-lived asset impairment, depreciation and amortization and restructuring and other charges.

The increase in net loss attributable to Archrock stockholders during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily driven by the decrease in gross margin in our contract operations and aftermarket services segments and a decrease in the benefit from income taxes, partially offset by decreases in long-lived asset impairment, depreciation and amortization, restructuring and other charges and SG&A expense.

37


Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
Contract Operations
(dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase
 
2017

2016
 
(Decrease)
Revenue
$
153,524

 
$
156,599

 
(2
)%
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense)
71,951

 
59,776

 
20
 %
Gross margin
$
81,573

 
$
96,823

 
(16
)%
Gross margin percentage (1)
53
%
 
62
%
 
(9
)%

(1) 
Defined as gross margin divided by revenue.

The decrease in revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to lower rates driven by a decrease in customer demand due to 2016 market conditions, partially offset by a slight increase in average operating horsepower.

Gross margin decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to the decrease in revenue mentioned above and increases in cost of sales driven by increased costs associated with the start-up of compressor units, lube oil expense and other operating costs of providing our contract operations services. Gross margin percentage decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to the increase in cost associated with the start-up of compressor units, lube oil and other operating costs mentioned above as well as lower rates.

Aftermarket Services
(dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Decrease)
Revenue
$
44,329

 
$
39,250

 
13
 %
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense)
38,486

 
32,750

 
18
 %
Gross margin
$
5,843

 
$
6,500

 
(10
)%
Gross margin percentage
13
%
 
17
%
 
(4
)%
 
The increase in revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was due to increases in part sales and service activities.

Gross margin decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to the increase in cost of sales mainly driven by the increase in part sales and service activities and other operating costs of providing our aftermarket services, partially offset by the increase in revenue mentioned above. Gross margin percentage decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to the increase in other operating costs mentioned above.


38

Costs and Expenses
(dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Decrease)
Selling, general and administrative
$
29,108

 
$
25,448

 
14
 %
Depreciation and amortization
47,463

 
52,068

 
(9
)%
Long-lived asset impairment
7,105

 
16,713

 
(57
)%
Restatement and other charges
566

 
426

 
33
 %
Restructuring and other charges
422

 
4,689

 
(91
)%
Interest expense
22,892

 
21,365

 
7
 %
Other income, net
(2,716
)
 
(2,470
)
 
10
 %
 
SG&A. The increase in SG&A expense during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to a $1.7 million increase in compensation and benefit costs, $1.3 million of corporate office relocation costs (see Note 12 (“Corporate Office Relocation”) to our Financial Statements) and $0.9 million increase in bad debt expense.

Depreciation and amortization. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to a decrease in depreciation expense resulting from certain assets reaching the end of their depreciable lives as well as the impact of asset impairments during 2016 and 2017, partially offset by an increase in depreciation expense associated with fixed asset additions.

Long-lived asset impairment. During the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we reviewed the future deployment of our idle compression assets for units that were not of the type, configuration, condition, make or model that are cost efficient to maintain and operate. In addition, we evaluated for impairment idle units that had been culled from our fleet in prior years and were available for sale. See Note 10 (“Long-Lived Asset Impairment”) to our Financial Statements for further details.

The following table presents the results of our impairment review of compressor units for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Idle compressor units retired from the active fleet
50

 
60

Horsepower of idle compressor units retired from the active fleet
20,000

 
25,000

Impairment recorded on idle compressor units retired from the active fleet
$
5,934

 
$
9,081

Additional impairment recorded on available-for-sale compressor units previously culled
$
—

 
$
7,632


In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2017, $0.8 million of leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures were impaired in conjunction with the relocation of our corporate office during the third quarter. See Note 12 (“Corporate Office Relocation”) to our Financial Statements for further details.

Restatement and other charges. During the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we incurred $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively of restatement and other charges primarily for professional and legal fees related to the restatement of prior period consolidated and combined financial statements and related disclosures and related matters described in Note 16 (“Commitments and Contingencies”) to our Financial Statements.


39

Restructuring and other charges. As discussed in Note 3 (“Discontinued Operations”) to our Financial Statements, we completed the Spin-off on the Distribution Date. During the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we incurred $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of costs associated with the Spin-off which were directly attributable to Archrock.

In the first quarter of 2016 we determined to undertake a cost reduction program to reduce our on-going operating expenses, including workforce reductions and closure of certain of our make-ready shops. These actions were a result of our review of our businesses and efforts to efficiently manage cost and maintain our businesses in line with then current and expected activity levels and anticipated make ready demand in the U.S. market. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred $4.0 million of restructuring and other charges as a result of this plan primarily related to severance benefits and consulting fees. These charges are reflected as restructuring and other charges in our consolidated statement of operations.

Interest expense. The increase in interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to an increase in the weighted average effective interest rate, partially offset by a decrease in the average outstanding balance of long-term debt.

Other income, net. The increase in other income, net during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment.

Income Taxes
(dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Decrease)
Benefit from income taxes
$
(4,795
)
 
$
(4,878
)
 
(2
)%
Effective tax rate
27.5
%
 
32.7
%
 
(5
)%
 
The decrease in benefit from income taxes during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to a federal benefit for a prior period adjustment in the three months ended September 30, 2016.


Net Loss Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interest
(dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Decrease)
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
$
2,448

 
$
406

 
503
%
 
The noncontrolling interest comprises the portion of the Partnership’s earnings that are applicable to the Partnership’s publicly-held common unitholder interest. As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, public unitholders held an ownership interest in the Partnership of 57% and 60%, respectively. The increase net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to an increase in net loss of the Partnership. The increase in net loss of the Partnership was primarily due to a decrease in gross margin and increases in SG&A and interest expense, partially offset by decreases in long-lived asset impairment, depreciation and amortization and restructuring charges and an increase in other income, net.



40

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

Contract Operations
(dollars in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Decrease)
Revenue
$
454,622

 
$
495,811

 
(8
)%
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense)
198,291

 
186,821

 
6
 %
Gross margin
$
256,331

 
$
308,990

 
(17
)%
Gross margin percentage
56
%
 
62
%
 
(6
)%

The decrease in revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to lower rates and a 4% decline in average operating horsepower driven by a decrease in customer demand due to 2016 market conditions.

Gross margin decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to the decrease in revenue mentioned above and increases in cost of sales associated with the start-up of compressor units, lube oil expense and other operating costs of providing our contract operations services. The increase in cost of sales was partially offset by the decrease in costs associated with the decline in average operating horsepower mentioned above. Gross margin percentage decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to lower rates and the increase in cost associated with the start-up of compressor units, lube oil and other operating costs mentioned above.

Aftermarket Services
(dollars in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Decrease)
Revenue
$
131,098

 
$
117,478

 
12
 %
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense)
111,827

 
97,465

 
15
 %
Gross margin
$
19,271

 
$
20,013

 
(4
)%
Gross margin percentage
15
%
 
17
%
 
(2
)%

The increase in revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to increases in part sales and service activities.

Gross margin decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily due to the increase in cost of sales mainly driven by the increase in part sales and service activities and other operating costs of providing our aftermarket services, partially offset by the increase in revenue mentioned above.


41

Costs and Expenses
(dollars in thousands)

 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Decrease)
Selling, general and administrative
$
81,823

 
$
87,745

 
(7
)%
Depreciation and amortization
142,483

 
157,891

 
(10
)%
Long-lived asset impairment
20,858

 
40,381

 
(48
)%
Restatement and other charges
3,287

 
860

 
282
 %
Restructuring and other charges
1,245

 
15,758

 
(92
)%
Interest expense
66,817

 
62,842

 
6
 %
Debt extinguishment costs
291

 
—

 
n/a

Other income, net
(4,472
)
 
(4,640
)
 
(4
)%

SG&A. The decrease in SG&A expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was due to a $6.5 million decrease in compensation and benefits cost primarily as a result of our cost reduction program that was completed in fiscal year 2016 and a $1.1 million decrease in professional expense primarily driven by a decrease in costs incurred in conjunction with transition services provided by Exterran Corporation as a result of the Spin-off. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.4 million franchise tax benefit recorded as a result of the settlement of a franchise tax refund claim during the second quarter of 2016 and $1.3 million of corporate office relocation costs recorded in the third quarter of 2017 (see Note 12 (“Corporate Office Relocation”) to our Financial Statements).

Depreciation and amortization. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to a decrease in depreciation expense resulting from certain assets reaching the end of their depreciable lives as well as the impact of asset impairments during 2016 and early 2017, partially offset by an increase in depreciation expense associated with fixed asset additions.

Long-lived asset impairment. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we reviewed the future deployment of our idle compression assets for units that were not of the type, configuration, condition, make or model that are cost efficient to maintain and operate. In addition, we evaluated for impairment idle units that had been culled from our fleet in prior years and were available for sale. See Note 10 (“Long-Lived Asset Impairment”) to our Financial Statements for further details.

The following table presents the results of our impairment review of compressor units for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Idle compressor units retired from the active fleet
190

 
270

Horsepower of idle compressor units retired from the active fleet
71,000

 
97,000

Impairment recorded on idle compressor units retired from the active fleet
$
19,686

 
$
29,674

Additional impairment recorded on available-for-sale compressor units previously culled
$
—

 
$
10,707


In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, $0.8 million of leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures were impaired in conjunction with the relocation of our corporate office during the third quarter. See Note 12 (“Corporate Office Relocation”) to our Financial Statements for further details.

Restatement and other charges. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we incurred $3.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of restatement and other charges primarily for professional and legal fees related to the restatement of prior period consolidated and combined financial statements and related disclosures and related matters described in Note 16 (“Commitments and Contingencies”) to our Financial Statements.


42

Restructuring and other charges. As discussed in Note 3 (“Discontinued Operations”) to our Financial Statements, we completed the Spin-off on the Distribution Date. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we incurred $1.2 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of costs associated with the Spin-off which were directly attributable to Archrock. These charges are reflected as restructuring and other charges in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

In the first quarter of 2016 we determined to undertake a cost reduction program to reduce our on-going operating expenses, including workforce reductions and closure of certain of our make-ready shops. These actions were a result of our review of our businesses and efforts to efficiently manage cost and maintain our businesses in line with then current and expected activity levels and anticipated make ready demand in the U.S. market. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred $13.3 million of restructuring and other charges as a result of this plan primarily related to severance benefits and consulting fees. These charges are reflected as restructuring and other charges in our consolidated statement of operations.

Interest expense. The increase in interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to an increase in the weighted average effective interest rate and a $0.6 million write-off of deferred financing costs associated with the termination of the Partnership’s former $825.0 million revolving credit facility, partially offset by a decrease in the average outstanding balance of long-term debt.

Other income, net. The decrease in other income, net during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to a $2.5 million decrease in our indemnification asset related to tax contingencies due from Exterran Corporation and a $0.5 million decrease in income related to transition services provided to Exterran Corporation in conjunction with the Spin-off, partially offset by a $2.4 million increase in gain on sale of property, plant and equipment, and a $0.6 million loss on non-cash consideration and $0.2 million of expensed acquisition costs, both of which were associated with the March 2016 Acquisition and incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Income Taxes
(dollars in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Decrease)
Benefit from income taxes
$
(6,052
)
 
$
(12,712
)
 
(52
)%
Effective tax rate
16.5
%
 
39.9
%
 
(23
)%

The decrease in benefit from income taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to a state audit settlement in 2016 as well as an increase in an unrecognized tax benefit resulting from recent appellate court decisions which impacted certain of our uncertain tax positions, partially offset by the federal benefit and deferred state release related to the increase in our unrecognized tax benefit and the tax impact of the new share-based compensation accounting standard (see Note 2 (“Recent Accounting Developments”) to our Financial Statements).

Net Loss Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interest
(dollars in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Decrease)
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
$
2,125

 
$
3,220

 
(34
)%

The noncontrolling interest comprises the portion of the Partnership’s earnings that are applicable to the Partnership’s publicly-held common unitholder interest. As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, public unitholders held an ownership interest in the Partnership of 57% and 60%, respectively. The decrease in net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to distributions of $4.8 million paid on incentive distribution rights during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, partially offset by the change in net income (loss) of the Partnership. The change in net income (loss) of the Partnership was primarily due to a decrease in gross margin and an increase in interest expense, partially offset by decreases in long-lived asset impairment, restructuring charges and depreciation and amortization and an increase in other income, net.



43

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Overview

Our ability to fund operations, finance capital expenditures and pay dividends depends on the levels of our operating cash flows and access to the capital and credit markets. Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from our operations and our borrowing availability under our Credit Facility and the Partnership Credit Facility.

Our cash flow is affected by numerous factors including prices and demand for our services, volatility in commodity prices and their effect on oil and natural gas exploration and production spending, conditions in the financial markets and other factors. The reduction in capital spending and drilling activity by our customers in 2016 has resulted in decreased cash flow from operations thus far in 2017. Although new orders for compression services have been strong in 2017, given the operating horsepower declines and pricing pressure experienced in 2016 (see “Trends and Outlook” above), we expect our cash flow from operations in 2017 to decrease as compared to 2016. Despite this expected decrease, we believe that our operating cash flows and borrowings under our revolving credit facilities will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs through at least September 30, 2018.

We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity securities in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors.

Capital Requirements

Our contract operations business is capital intensive, requiring significant investment to maintain and upgrade existing operations. Our capital spending is primarily dependent on the demand for our contract operations services and the availability of the type of compression equipment required for us to render those contract operations services to our customers. Our capital requirements have consisted primarily of, and we anticipate will continue to consist of, the following:

•
growth capital expenditures, which are made to expand or to replace partially or fully depreciated assets or to expand the operating capacity or revenue generating capabilities of existing or new assets, whether through construction, acquisition or modification; and

•
maintenance capital expenditures, which are made to maintain the existing operating capacity of our assets and related cash flows further extending the useful lives of the assets.

The majority of our growth capital expenditures are related to the acquisition cost of new compressor units that we add to our fleet. In addition to the cost of newly acquired compressor units, growth capital expenditures can also include the upgrading of major components on an existing compressor unit where the current configuration of the compressor unit is no longer in demand and the compressor is not likely to return to an operating status without the capital expenditures. These latter expenditures substantially modify the operating parameters of the compressor unit such that it can be used in applications for which it previously was not suited. Maintenance capital expenditures are related to major overhauls of significant components of a compressor unit, such as the engine, compressor and cooler, which return the components to a like new condition, but do not modify the applications for which the compressor unit was designed.

We generally invest funds necessary to purchase fleet additions when our idle equipment cannot be reconfigured to economically fulfill a project’s requirements and the new equipment expenditure is expected to generate economic returns over its expected useful life that exceeds our targeted return on capital. We currently plan to spend approximately $225 million in capital expenditures during 2017, primarily consisting of approximately $175 million for growth capital expenditures and approximately $35 million for equipment maintenance capital expenditures.


44

Financial Resources

Revolving Credit Facilities

The following table presents the weighted average annual interest rate and average daily debt balance of our revolving credit facilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Credit Facility
 
 
 
Weighted average annual interest rate (1)
3.0
%
 
2.3
%
Average daily debt balance (in millions)
$
70.3

 
$
144.5

 
 
 
 
Partnership Credit Facility (2)
 
 
 
Weighted average annual interest rate (1)
4.6
%
 
3.6
%
Average daily debt balance (in millions)
$
616.6

 
$
733.7


(1) 
Excludes the effect of interest rate swaps.
(2) 
The amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 pertain to the Partnership Credit Facility. The amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 pertain to the Partnership’s Former Credit Facility.

Credit Facility. Our $350.0 million revolving credit facility matures in November 2020. Portions of the Credit Facility up to $50.0 million and $40.0 million are available for the issuance of letters of credit and swing line loans, respectively. Subject to certain conditions, including approval by the lenders, the aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility may be increased by up to an additional $100.0 million.

The Credit Facility must maintain the following consolidated financial ratios, as defined in the Credit Facility agreement:
EBITDA to Total Interest Expense
2.25 to 1.0
Total Debt to EBITDA (1)
4.25 to 1.0
(1) 
Subject to a temporary increase to 4.75 to 1.0 for any quarter during which an acquisition meeting certain thresholds is completed and for the following two quarters after the quarter in which the acquisition closes.

As a result of the Total Debt to EBITDA ratio limitation above, $156.5 million of the $259.4 million undrawn capacity under the Credit Facility was available for additional borrowings as of September 30, 2017.

The Credit Facility also contains various additional covenants with which we must comply, including, but not limited to, limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness, investments, liens on assets, repurchasing equity and making distributions, transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations, dispositions of assets and other provisions customary in similar types of agreements. As of September 30, 2017, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Facility.

Partnership Credit Facility. The Partnership’s $1.1 billion asset-based revolving credit facility matures on March 30, 2022, except that if any portion of the Partnership’s 6% senior notes due April 2021 are outstanding as of December 2, 2020, then the Partnership Credit Facility will instead mature on December 2, 2020. Portions of the Partnership Credit Facility up to $25.0 million and $50.0 million are available for the issuance of letters of credit and swing line loans, respectively. Subject to certain conditions, including approval by the lenders, the Partnership is able to increase the aggregate commitments under the Partnership Credit Facility by up to an additional $250.0 million. The Partnership Credit Facility borrowing base consists of eligible accounts receivable, inventory and compressor units.

Concurrent with entering into the Partnership Credit Facility in March 2017, the Partnership terminated its Former Credit Facility. All commitments under the former revolving credit facility and term loan have been terminated.


45

The Partnership must maintain the following consolidated financial ratios, as defined in the Partnership Credit Facility agreement:

EBITDA to Interest Expense
2.5 to 1.0
Senior Secured Debt to EBITDA
3.5 to 1.0
Total Debt to EBITDA
 
Through fiscal year 2017
5.95 to 1.0
Through fiscal year 2018
5.75 to 1.0
Through second quarter of 2019
5.50 to 1.0
Thereafter (1)
5.25 to 1.0
(1) 
Subject to a temporary increase to 5.50 to 1.0 for any quarter during which an acquisition meeting certain thresholds is completed and for the following two quarters after the quarter in which the acquisition closes.

As a result of the Total Debt to EBITDA ratio limitation above, $213.6 million of the $468.5 million undrawn capacity under the Partnership Credit Facility was available for additional borrowings as of September 30, 2017.

The Partnership Credit Facility agreement also contains various additional covenants including, but not limited to, mandatory prepayments from the net cash proceeds of certain asset transfers, restrictions on the use of proceeds from borrowings and limitations on the Partnership’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, engage in transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate, sell assets, make certain investments and acquisitions, make loans, grant liens, repurchase equity and pay distributions. In addition, if as of any date the Partnership has cash and cash equivalents (other than proceeds from a debt or equity issuance received in the 30 days prior to such date reasonably expected to be used to fund an acquisition permitted under the Partnership Credit Facility agreement) in excess of $50.0 million, then such excess amount will be used to pay down outstanding borrowings of a corresponding amount under the Partnership Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2017, the Partnership was in compliance with all covenants under the Partnership Credit Facility.

Partnership Capital Offering

In August 2017, the Partnership sold, pursuant to a public underwritten offering, 4,600,000 common units, including 600,000 common units pursuant to an over-allotment option. The Partnership received net proceeds of $60.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses, which it used to repay borrowings outstanding under the Partnership Credit Facility. In connection with this sale and as permitted under its partnership agreement, the Partnership sold 93,163 general partner units to GP for net proceeds of $1.3 million to maintain GP’s approximate 2% general partner interest in the Partnership.

Other

In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a separation and distribution agreement with Exterran Corporation pursuant to which we have the right to receive payments from a subsidiary of Exterran Corporation based on a notional amount corresponding to payments received by Exterran Corporation’s subsidiaries from PDVSA Gas in respect of the sale of Exterran Corporation’s subsidiaries’ and joint ventures’ previously nationalized assets. As of September 30, 2017, Exterran Corporation or its subsidiaries were due to receive the remaining principal amount of $20.9 million from PDVSA Gas.

In satisfaction of certain provisions of the separation and distribution agreement, we received a cash payment of $25.0 million on April 11, 2017 following Exterran Corporation’s issuance of 8.125% Senior Notes.


46

Cash Flows

Our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, are summarized in the table below (in thousands): 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations:
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
151,055

 
$
220,141

Investing activities
(129,567
)
 
(83,724
)
Financing activities
(21,976
)
 
(132,550
)
Discontinued operations
—

 
(67
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
$
(488
)
 
$
3,800

 
Operating Activities. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to the decrease in gross margin, partially offset by a decrease in restructuring and other charges.

Investing Activities. The increase in net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to a $55.2 million increase in capital expenditures and a $4.4 million decrease in proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, partially offset by a $13.8 million payment for the March 2016 Acquisition (as discussed in Note 4 (“Business Acquisitions”) to our Financial Statements).

Financing Activities. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to $60.3 million of proceeds received from a public offering by the Partnership of its common units during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a $56.5 million decrease in net repayments of long-term debt, and a $8.9 million decrease in distributions to noncontrolling partners in the Partnership. These changes were partially offset by a $12.5 million increase in payments for debt issuance costs and a $4.5 million decrease in contributions from Exterran Corporation.

Dividends

On October 20, 2017, our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock to be paid on November 15, 2017 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 8, 2017. Any future determinations to pay cash dividends to our stockholders will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition and results of operations, credit and loan agreements in effect at that time and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.

Partnership Distributions to Unitholders 

The Partnership’s partnership agreement requires the Partnership to distribute all of its “available cash” quarterly. Under the partnership agreement, available cash is defined generally to mean, for each fiscal quarter, (i) cash on hand at the Partnership at the end of the quarter in excess of the amount of reserves its general partner determines is necessary or appropriate to provide for the conduct of its business, to comply with applicable law, any of its debt instruments or other agreements or to provide for future distributions to its unitholders for any one or more of the upcoming four quarters, plus, (ii) if the Partnership’s general partner so determines, all or a portion of the Partnership’s cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter.

Through our ownership of common units and all of the equity interests in the Partnership’s general partner, we expect to receive cash distributions from the Partnership.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, there is no guarantee that unitholders will receive quarterly distributions from the Partnership. The Partnership’s distribution policy, which may be changed at any time, is subject to certain restrictions, including (i) restrictions contained in the Partnership’s revolving credit facility, (ii) the Partnership’s general partner’s establishment of reserves to fund future operations or cash distributions to the Partnership’s unitholders, (iii) restrictions contained in the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act and (iv) the Partnership’s lack of sufficient cash to pay distributions.
 

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On October 20, 2017, the board of directors of Archrock GP LLC, the general partner of the Partnership’s general partner, approved a cash distribution by the Partnership of $0.2850 per common unit, or approximately $20.5 million. Of the total distribution, the Partnership will pay us approximately $8.7 million with respect to our common unit and general partner interest in the Partnership. The distribution covers the period from July 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017. The record date for this distribution is November 8, 2017 and payment is expected to occur on November 14, 2017.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
For information on our obligations with respect to performance bonds and letters of credit, see Note 16 (“Commitments and Contingencies”) and Note 7 (“Long-Term Debt”), respectively, to our Financial Statements.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk primarily associated with changes in interest rates under our financing arrangements. We use derivative instruments to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with financial activities by managing our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on a portion of our debt obligations. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

As of September 30, 2017, after taking into consideration interest rate swaps, we had $207.0 million of outstanding indebtedness that was effectively subject to floating interest rates. A 1% increase in the effective interest rate on our outstanding debt subject to floating interest rates at September 30, 2017 would result in an annual increase in our interest expense of $2.1 million.

For further information regarding our use of interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on a portion of our debt obligations, see Note 8 (“Derivatives”) to our Financial Statements.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

This Item 4 includes information concerning the controls and controls evaluation referred to in the certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act included in this Quarterly Report as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2.
 
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act, which are designed to provide reasonable assurance that we are able to record, process, summarize and report the information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Based on the evaluation, as of September 30, 2017 our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, and made known to our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, on a timely basis to ensure that it is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the last fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See Note 16 (“Commitments and Contingencies”) to our Financial Statements for a discussion of litigation related to the Heavy Equipment Statutes, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.

In the ordinary course of business, we are also involved in various other pending or threatened legal actions. While management is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these actions, it believes that any ultimate liability arising from any of these other actions will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, including our ability to pay dividends. However, because of the inherent uncertainty of litigation and arbitration proceedings, we cannot provide assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding to which we are a party will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, including our ability to pay dividends.

In addition, the SEC has been conducting an investigation in connection with certain previously disclosed errors and possible irregularities at one of our former international operations. We and Exterran Corporation are cooperating with the SEC in the investigation. Among other things, we have been assisting Exterran Corporation in responding to a subpoena for documents related to the restatement of prior period consolidated and combined financial statements and related disclosures and compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which are also being provided to the U.S. Department of Justice at its request.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
There have been no material changes or updates to our risk factors that were previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

The following table summarizes our repurchases of equity securities during the three months ended September 30, 2017:

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Repurchased (1)
 
Average Price Paid Per Unit
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number of Shares yet to be Purchased Under the Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
July 1, 2017 - July 31, 2017
 
—

 
$
—

 
N/A
 
N/A
August 1, 2017 - August 31, 2017
 
—

 
—

 
N/A
 
N/A
September 1, 2017 - September 30, 2017
 
517

 
11.90

 
N/A
 
N/A
Total
 
517

 
$
11.90

 
N/A
 
N/A

(1) 
Represents shares withheld to satisfy employees’ tax withholding obligations in connection with vesting of restricted stock awards during the period.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None.
 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 5. Other Information

None.


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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.
 
Description
2.1
 
2.2
 
3.1
 
3.2
 
3.3
 
3.4
 
31.1*
 
31.2*
 
32.1**
 
32.2**
 
101.1*
 
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T


*
Filed herewith.
**
Furnished, not filed.


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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.
 
 
 
ARCHROCK, INC.
 
 
 
 
November 2, 2017
 
By:
/s/ David S. Miller
 
 
 
David S. Miller
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Donna A. Henderson
 
 
 
Donna A. Henderson
 
 
 
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)

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Archrock, Inc. Reports