Magellan Midstream Reports Higher Third-Quarter Financial Results

TULSA, Okla., Nov. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. (NYSE: MMP) today reported net income of $594.5 million for third quarter 2018 compared to $198.5 million for third quarter 2017. The 2018 results include a $353.8 million gain related to the sale of a portion of the partnership's ownership interest in BridgeTex Pipeline Company, LLC.

Distributable cash flow (DCF), a non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) financial measure that represents the amount of cash generated during the period that is available to pay distributions, was $281.8 million for third quarter 2018 compared to $235.2 million for third quarter 2017. The gain on asset sale has not been included in DCF because it is not related to the partnership's ongoing operations.

Diluted net income per limited partner unit was $2.60 in third quarter 2018 and 87 cents in third quarter 2017. Diluted net income per unit excluding mark-to-market (MTM) commodity-related pricing adjustments, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $2.65 for third quarter 2018, or $1.10 excluding the $1.55 favorable impact of the gain on asset sale. These results were higher than the $1.00 guidance provided by management in early August primarily due to stronger-than-expected crude oil pipeline shipments and condensate splitter results.  

"Magellan continues to generate solid financial results from all of our operating segments, and our business fundamentals remain extremely strong," said Michael Mears, chief executive officer. "Further, our current slate of expansion spending represents a record $2.5 billion of attractive construction projects to expand our pipeline and storage capabilities and generate incremental distributable cash flow for our investors for years to come."

An analysis by segment comparing third quarter 2018 to third quarter 2017 is provided below based on operating margin, a non-GAAP financial measure that reflects operating profit before general and administrative (G&A) expense and depreciation and amortization:

Refined products. Refined products operating margin was $214.7 million, an increase of $40.9 million, in part due to the impact of MTM adjustments for exchange-traded futures contracts used to hedge the partnership's commodity-related activities. Financial results from this segment's fee-based activities also increased between periods.

Transportation and terminals revenue increased $11.0 million driven by higher shipments from strong demand for refined products in large part due to higher distillate demand in crude oil production regions served by the partnership. The current period also benefited from higher average pipeline rates primarily due to the mid-year tariff adjustment of 4.4% on July 1, 2018.

Earnings of non-controlled entities improved due to higher margins and additional volume from Powder Springs Logistics, LLC, which is owned 50% by Magellan and began operations in 2017.

Operating expenses decreased $6.4 million primarily due to more favorable product overages (which reduce operating expenses), partially offset by higher property taxes from a favorable adjustment in the 2017 period and more integrity spending in the current year.

Product margin (a non-GAAP measure defined as product sales revenue less cost of product sales) increased $19.4 million between periods primarily due to the recognition of lower unrealized losses in the current period on open futures contracts used to economically hedge the partnership's commodity-related activities. Details of these MTM commodity-related and other inventory adjustments can be found on the Distributable Cash Flow Reconciliation to Net Income schedule that accompanies this news release. The partnership's cash product margin, which reflects only transactions that physically settled during the quarter, declined slightly between periods.

Crude oil. Crude oil operating margin was $153.9 million, an increase of $38.1 million and a quarterly record for this segment. Transportation and terminals revenue increased $28.8 million primarily due to more spot shipments on the Longhorn pipeline from the favorable pricing differential between the Permian Basin and Houston, resulting in more volume at a higher average rate on Longhorn, as well as increased movements on the partnership's Houston distribution system. Overall, the average crude rate per barrel decreased between periods due to proportionately more volume on the Houston distribution system, which moves at a lower rate. The current period also benefited from higher contributions from the partnership's condensate splitter and revenues earned from new storage and ancillary services in conjunction with storage capacity Magellan now contracts from Seabrook Logistics, LLC, which is owned 50% by Magellan.

Earnings of non-controlled entities increased $18.2 million primarily due to higher earnings from BridgeTex, which was owned 50% by Magellan through Sept. 28, 2018 and 30% thereafter. The higher BridgeTex earnings were mainly attributable to new commitments that began in 2018 for recently-added pipeline capacity and more spot shipments due to the favorable pricing differential between the Permian Basin and Houston. The partnership also benefited from higher earnings from Saddlehorn Pipeline Company, LLC, which is owned 40% by Magellan, due to increased shipments associated with a contractual step-up in committed volumes in Sept. 2017 and Sept. 2018 as well as higher earnings from Seabrook Logistics associated with new storage, pipeline and export capabilities Seabrook Logistics placed into service during third quarter 2018.

Operating expenses increased by $14.0 million primarily due to fees paid to Seabrook Logistics for contract storage and ancillary services that Magellan utilized to provide services to its shippers, higher environmental accruals and less favorable product overages.

Marine storage. Marine storage operating margin was $29.0 million, an increase of $3.1 million. Transportation and terminals revenue increased $2.0 million primarily due to higher average storage rates and more ancillary fees reflecting additional customer activity as the prior year was negatively impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Operating expenses declined slightly due to environmental accruals and clean-up work related to the hurricane that negatively impacted the 2017 period.

Other items. Depreciation and amortization increased due to recent expansion capital expenditures, and G&A expense increased because of higher personnel costs resulting from an increase in employee headcount as a result of the partnership's growth and higher incentive compensation expense due to company performance in 2018.

The 2018 period benefited from the $353.8 million gain on the sale of a 20% interest in BridgeTex whereas the 2017 period recognized an $18.5 million gain on the sale of an inactive terminal along the partnership's refined products pipeline system. Magellan does not typically seek to sell assets that are generating positive cash flow but takes advantage of opportunities to realize value from time-to-time.

Net interest expense increased as a result of additional borrowings to finance expansion capital spending. As of Sept. 30, 2018, the partnership had $4.3 billion of debt outstanding, following repayment of $250 million of notes due in July 2018, and had $217.4 million of cash on hand with no borrowings outstanding on its commercial paper program.

Expansion capital projects 

Magellan remains focused on expansion opportunities and continues to identify new opportunities for future growth. Based on the progress of $2.5 billion of expansion projects already underway, the partnership expects to spend approximately $800 million in 2018, $1.3 billion in 2019 and $400 million in 2020 to complete its current slate of construction projects. These spending estimates include the recently-announced Permian Gulf Coast joint pipeline with Energy Transfer LP, MPLX LP and Delek US Holdings, Inc. to construct a 600-mile pipeline system from the Permian Basin to the Texas Gulf Coast region to be operational in mid-2020. While the final scope is still being determined, as currently contemplated, Magellan is expected to spend approximately $500 million for its share of the joint project.  

The final stages of construction activity are in progress for the initial 1 million barrels of storage at the partnership's joint-venture marine terminal in Pasadena, Texas. Pipeline and dock work are expected to be completed during the remainder of 2018, with this initial phase of Pasadena on target to be operational in January 2019. In addition, substantial progress has been made on the construction of an additional 4 million barrels of storage and supporting infrastructure at Pasadena, with an expected in-service date of January 2020.

Construction is currently underway for the partnership's East Houston-to-Hearne refined products pipeline, and construction is expected to commence by year-end for the partnership's Delaware Basin crude oil pipeline. Both of these pipelines are expected to be operational in mid-2019. Pipe steel has been ordered from domestic mills for the partnership's west Texas refined products pipeline expansion, which is expected to be operational in mid-2020.

In addition, Magellan continues to evaluate well in excess of $500 million of potential organic growth projects in earlier stages of development as well as acquisition opportunities, all of which have been excluded from the partnership's spending estimates at this time. Potential projects under development include a crude oil pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to Houston, a crude oil pipeline from Houston to Corpus Christi, Texas and a crude oil export terminal on Harbor Island in Corpus Christi capable of loading VLCCs, or very large crude carriers.

Financial guidance

As a result of continued strong financial performance to date and the partnership's expectations for the remainder of the year, management is increasing its annual DCF guidance by $20 million to $1.12 billion for 2018, or approximately 1.25 times the amount needed to pay projected cash distributions for 2018. Management remains committed to its stated goal of increasing annual cash distributions by approximately 8% for 2018.

Based on the continued favorable pricing differential between the Permian Basin and Houston that encourages spot shipments on the Longhorn and BridgeTex pipelines, current guidance assumes spot shipments occur on both pipelines through the remainder of 2018. As a result, volumes are still assumed to average 270,000 barrels per day (bpd) on the Longhorn pipeline and 370,000 bpd on the BridgeTex pipeline for 2018.

The initial term of the partnership's contracts for the Longhorn pipeline expired on Sept. 30, 2018. Effective Oct. 1, all existing committed shippers either elected to extend their contracts under expiring terms for an additional 2 years or executed new long-term contracts with lower incentive tariff rates and terms up to 10 years. Current guidance assumes an average committed rate of approximately $2 per barrel on the Longhorn pipeline beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018 with an average contract life of 5 years.

Including actual results so far this year, diluted net income per limited partner unit is estimated to be $5.70 for 2018, which results in fourth-quarter guidance of $1.24. Guidance excludes future MTM adjustments on the partnership's commodity-related activities.

Looking further ahead, management continues to target annual DCF growth in the range of 5% to 8% for both 2019 and 2020. Management further intends to manage distribution growth consistent with its expectations for DCF growth for the foreseeable future while maintaining annual distribution coverage of at least 1.2 times, which correspondingly could result in annual distribution growth of 5% to 8% each year as well. Consistent with its historical approach, management plans to provide more specific details related to 2019 guidance early next year in conjunction with reporting year-end 2018 financial results.

Earnings call details

An analyst call with management to discuss third-quarter financial results, outlook for the remainder of 2018 and the status of significant expansion projects is scheduled today at 1:30 p.m. Eastern. To join the conference call, dial (888) 220-8451 and provide code 4632297. Investors also may listen to the call via the partnership's website at www.magellanlp.com/investors/webcasts.aspx.

Audio replays of the conference call will be available from 4:30 p.m. Eastern today through midnight on Nov. 7. To access the replay, dial (888) 203-1112 and provide code 4632297. The replay also will be available at www.magellanlp.com.

Non-GAAP financial measures

Management believes that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures utilized by the partnership. As a result, this news release and supporting schedules include the non-GAAP financial measures of operating margin, product margin, adjusted EBITDA, DCF and net income per unit excluding MTM commodity-related pricing adjustments and the gain associated with the asset sale, which are important performance measures used by management.

Operating margin reflects operating profit before G&A expense and depreciation and amortization. This measure forms the basis of the partnership's internal financial reporting and is used by management to evaluate the economic performance of the partnership's operations.

Product margin, which is calculated as product sales revenue less cost of product sales, is used by management to evaluate the profitability of the partnership's commodity-related activities.

Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure utilized by management and the investment community to assess the financial results of an entity.

DCF is important in determining the amount of cash generated from the partnership's operations that is available for distribution to its unitholders. Management uses this performance measure as a basis for recommending to the board of directors the amount of cash distributions to be paid each period and for determining the payouts under the partnership's equity-based incentive plan.

Reconciliations of operating margin to operating profit and adjusted EBITDA and DCF to net income accompany this news release.

The partnership uses exchange-traded futures contracts to hedge against price changes of petroleum products associated with its commodity-related activities. Most of these futures contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. However, because these futures contracts are generally effective at hedging price changes, management believes the partnership's profitability should be evaluated excluding the unrealized gains and losses associated with petroleum products that will be sold in future periods. Further, because the financial guidance provided by management excludes future MTM commodity-related pricing adjustments, a reconciliation of actual results to those excluding these adjustments is provided for comparability to previous financial guidance.

Because the non-GAAP measures presented in this news release include adjustments specific to the partnership, they may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies.

About Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.
Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. (NYSE: MMP) is a publicly traded partnership that primarily transports, stores and distributes refined petroleum products and crude oil. The partnership owns the longest refined petroleum products pipeline system in the country, with access to nearly 50% of the nation's refining capacity, and can store more than 100 million barrels of petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel and crude oil. More information is available at www.magellanlp.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
Portions of this document constitute forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: plan, goal, target, guidance, believe, estimate, expect, projected, future, may, intend, will and similar references to future periods. Although management of Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. believes such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, actual outcomes may be materially different. Among the key risk factors that may have a direct impact on the partnership's results of operations and financial condition are: (1) its ability to identify growth projects and to complete identified projects on time and at expected costs; (2) price fluctuations and changes in demand for refined petroleum products, crude oil and natural gas liquids, or changes in demand for transportation, storage, blending or processing of those commodities through its existing or planned facilities; (3) changes in the partnership's tariff rates or other terms as required by state or federal regulatory authorities; (4) shut-downs or cutbacks at refineries or other businesses that use or supply the partnership's services; (5) changes in the throughput or interruption in service on pipelines or other facilities owned and operated by third parties and connected to the partnership's terminals, pipelines or other facilities; (6) the occurrence of operational hazards or unforeseen interruptions; (7) the treatment of the partnership as a corporation for federal or state income tax purposes or the partnership becoming subject to significant forms of other taxation; (8) an increase in the competition the partnership's operations encounter; (9) disruption in the debt and equity markets that negatively impacts the partnership's ability to finance its capital spending; and (10) failure of customers to meet or continue contractual obligations to the partnership. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the partnership's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2017 and subsequent reports on Forms 8-K and 10-Q. You are urged to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements and other disclosures made in those filings, especially under the heading "Risk Factors." Forward-looking statements made by the partnership in this release are based only on information currently known, and the partnership undertakes no obligation to revise its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances learned of or occurring after today's date.

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SOURCE Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.