Item 1. Business
Introduction
The original Buckeye Pipe Line Company was founded in 1886 as part of the Standard Oil Company (“Standard Oil”) and became a publicly owned, independent company after the dissolution of Standard Oil in 1911. Expansion into petroleum products transportation after World War II and subsequent acquisitions thereafter ultimately led to Buckeye Pipe Line Company becoming a leading independent common carrier pipeline. In 1964, Buckeye Pipe Line Company was acquired by a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which later became the Penn Central Corporation. In 1986, Buckeye Pipe Line Company was reorganized into a master limited partnership (“MLP”), Buckeye Partners, L.P. We are a publicly traded Delaware master limited partnership, and our limited partnership units representing limited partner interests (“LP Units”) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “BPL.” Buckeye GP LLC (“Buckeye GP”) is our general partner and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Buckeye GP Holdings L.P. (“BGH”), a Delaware limited partnership that was previously publicly traded on the NYSE prior to Buckeye’s merger with BGH (see Item 6 of this Report for further information). Effective November 5, 2014, BGH was merged with and into Buckeye GP, with Buckeye GP as the surviving entity. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Partnership” or “Buckeye” are intended to mean the business and operations of Buckeye Partners, L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
We own and operate a diversified network of integrated assets providing midstream logistic solutions, primarily consisting of the transportation, storage and marketing of liquid petroleum products. We are one of the largest independent liquid petroleum products pipeline operators in the United States in terms of volumes delivered, with approximately 6,000 miles of pipeline. Our terminal network comprises more than 120 liquid petroleum products terminals with aggregate storage capacity of over 110 million barrels across our portfolio of pipelines, inland terminals and marine terminals located primarily in the East Coast and Gulf Coast regions of the United States and in the Caribbean. Our flagship marine terminal in The Bahamas, Bahamas Oil Refining Company International Limited (“BORCO”), is one of the largest marine crude oil and refined petroleum products storage facilities in the world and provides an array of logistics and blending services for petroleum products. Our network of marine terminals enables us to facilitate global flows of crude oil, refined petroleum products, and other commodities, and to offer our customers connectivity to some of the world’s most important bulk storage and blending hubs. In September 2014, we expanded our network of marine midstream assets by acquiring a controlling interest in a company with assets located in Corpus Christi and the Eagle Ford play in Texas. We are also a wholesale distributor of refined petroleum products in certain areas served by our pipelines and terminals. Finally, Buckeye operates and/or maintains third-party pipelines under agreements with major oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical companies, and performs certain engineering and construction management services for third parties.
Business Strategy
Our primary business objective is to provide stable and sustainable cash distributions to our LP Unitholders, while maintaining a relatively low investment risk profile. The key elements of our strategy are to:
· Operate in a safe and environmentally responsible manner;
· Maximize utilization of our assets at the lowest cost per unit;
· Maintain stable long-term customer relationships;
· Optimize, expand and diversify our portfolio of energy assets through accretive acquisitions and organic growth projects; and
· Maintain a solid, conservative financial position and our investment-grade credit rating.
We intend to achieve our strategy by:
· Acquiring, building and operating high quality, strategically-located assets;
· Maintaining and enhancing the integrity of our pipelines, terminals and storage assets;
· Pursuing strategic cash flow-accretive acquisitions that:
· Complement our existing footprint;
· Provide geographic, product and/or asset class diversity; and
· Leverage existing management capabilities and infrastructure;
· Pursuing other energy-related assets that enable us to leverage our asset base, knowledge base
and skill sets;
· Valuing the effort, teamwork and innovation of our employees; and
· Providing superior customer service.
Recent Developments
2014 Transactions
Disposal of our Natural Gas Storage business
In December 2014, we completed the sale of all of the outstanding limited liability company interests in Lodi Gas Storage, L.L.C. (“Lodi”), our Natural Gas Storage business, to Brookfield Infrastructure and its institutional partners (“Brookfield”) for $103.4 million in cash, net of expenses and working capital adjustments of $1.6 million.
Business Combination
In September 2014, we acquired an 80% interest in Buckeye Texas Partners LLC (“Buckeye Texas”), a newly-formed entity, for $821.0 million, net of cash acquired of $15.0 million and working capital and capital expenditure adjustments required by the contribution agreement with Trafigura Corpus Christi Holdings Inc. (the “Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction”). Buckeye Texas and its subsidiaries, which are owned jointly with Trafigura Trading LLC, formerly known as Trafigura AG (“Trafigura”), are constructing a vertically integrated system of midstream assets, including a deep-water, high volume marine terminal located on the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, a condensate splitter and liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”) storage complex in Corpus Christi, Texas and three crude oil and condensate gathering facilities in the Eagle Ford play. Upon completion of the initial build-out, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2015, the assets will form an integrated system with connectivity from the production in the field to the marine terminal infrastructure and the refining complex in Corpus Christi. The Corpus Christi facilities have five vessel berths, including three deep-water docks, and upon completion of the initial build-out, they will offer 6.3 million barrels of liquid petroleum products storage capacity along with rail and truck loading/unloading capability. In addition, three field gathering facilities with associated storage and pipeline connectivity will allow Buckeye Texas to move Eagle Ford play crude oil and condensate production directly to the terminalling complex in Corpus Christi. The initial build-out of these facilities has been and continues to be funded through additional partnership contributions by us and Trafigura based on our respective ownership interests. Concurrent with this acquisition, we entered into multi-year storage and throughput commitments with Trafigura that support substantially all the capacity and cash flows expected from these assets. Buckeye Texas does not have sufficient resources to complete its initial build-out and activities without financial support of its joint owners. Accordingly, we concluded Buckeye Texas is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) of which we are the primary beneficiary. In making this conclusion, we evaluated the activities that significantly impact the economics of the VIE, including our role to perform all services reasonably required to construct, operate and maintain the assets. We consolidated Buckeye Texas due to our conclusion that Buckeye Texas is a VIE and we are the primary beneficiary. The operations of these assets are reported in the Global Marine Terminals segment.
Credit Facility
In September 2014, Buckeye and its indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, Buckeye Energy Services LLC (“BES”), Buckeye West Indies Holdings LP (“BWI”) and Buckeye Caribbean Terminals LLC (“BCT”), as borrowers, modified (through a new credit agreement) the revolving credit facility with SunTrust Bank (the “Credit Facility”) to provide an increase in borrowing capacity of $250.0 million, resulting in a total borrowing capacity of $1.5 billion, of which BES, BWI and BCT, collectively the Buckeye Merchant Service Companies (“BMSC”), share a sublimit of $500.0 million. The Credit Facility’s maturity date is September 30, 2019, with an option to extend the term for up to two one-year periods and a $500.0 million accordion option to increase the commitments with the consent of the lenders. At December 31, 2014, BMSC had $166.0 million collectively outstanding under the Credit Facility, all of which was classified as current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, as related funds were used to finance current working capital needs.
Equity Offerings
In September 2014, we completed a public offering of 6.75 million LP Units pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement, which priced at $80.00 per unit. In October 2014, the underwriters exercised an option to purchase up to an additional 1.0 million LP Units, resulting in total gross proceeds of $621.0 million before deducting underwriting fees and estimated offering expenses of $22.0 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility, to fund a portion of the Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction and for general partnership purposes.
In August 2014, we completed a public offering of 2.6 million LP Units pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement, through which the underwriters also exercised an option to purchase 0.4 million additional LP Units. The offering priced at $76.60 per unit, resulting in total gross proceeds of $229.0 million before deducting underwriting fees and estimated offering expenses of $2.4 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility and for general partnership purposes.
Notes Offering
In September 2014, we issued an aggregate of $600.0 million of senior unsecured notes in an underwritten public offering, including the $300.0 million of 4.350% Notes due on October 15, 2024 (the “4.350% Notes”) and the $300.0 million of 5.600% Notes due on October 15, 2044 (the “5.600% Notes”), at 99.825% and 99.876%, respectively, of their principal amounts. Total proceeds from this offering, after underwriting fees, expenses and debt issuance costs of $5.3 million, were $593.8 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to fund a portion of the Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction, to settle all interest rate swaps relating to the forecasted refinancing of the 5.300% Notes due on October 15, 2014 (the “5.300% Notes”) for $51.5 million and for general partnership purposes. We also used the net proceeds to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility.
Repayment of Debt
In October 2014, we repaid in full the $275.0 million principal amount outstanding under the 5.300% Notes and $7.3 million of related accrued interest using funds available under our Credit Facility.
At-the-Market Offering Program
During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we sold 1.0 million and 0.5 million LP Units in aggregate under the equity distribution agreements entered into in May 2013 with each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and UBS Securities LLC (each an “Equity Distribution Agreement” and collectively the “Equity Distribution Agreements”), received $74.5 million and $33.1 million in net proceeds after deducting commissions and other related expenses, and paid $0.8 million and $0.4 million of compensation in aggregate to the agents under the Equity Distribution Agreements, respectively.
Business Activities
The following discussion describes the business activities of our business segments, which include Pipelines & Terminals, Global Marine Terminals, Merchant Services, Development & Logistics and the discontinuation of the Natural Gas Storage segment.
The Pipelines & Terminals, Global Marine and Merchant Services segments derive a nominal amount of their revenue from U.S. governmental agencies. The Development & Logistics segment has no direct contracts or subcontracts with the U.S. government. All of our operations and assets are conducted and located in the continental United States, except for our terminals located in Puerto Rico, St. Lucia and The Bahamas and, from time to time, our Merchant Services segment sells fuel oil to third parties at various locations in the Caribbean. Detailed financial information regarding revenue, profits and total assets of each segment and major geographic area can be found in Note 25 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The following table shows our consolidated revenue and each segment’s revenue and percentage of consolidated revenue for the periods indicated (revenue in thousands):
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2014, amount includes a reduction in revenue of $40.0 million related to a litigation contingency reserve associated with ongoing FERC proceedings.
Pipelines & Terminals Segment
The Pipelines & Terminals segment owns and operates approximately 6,000 miles of pipeline located primarily in the northeastern and upper midwestern portions of the United States, and services approximately 110 delivery locations. This segment transports liquid petroleum products, including gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel, heating oil and kerosene, from major supply sources to terminals and airports located within end-use markets. The pipelines within this segment also transport other refined petroleum products, such as propane and butane, refinery feedstock and blending components, as well as crude oil. The segment also includes approximately 116 active terminals that provide bulk storage and throughput services with respect to liquid petroleum products and renewable fuels, including ethanol, and have an aggregate storage capacity of over 55 million barrels. In addition, three of our terminals provide crude oil services, including train loading, off-loading, storage and throughput. Of our terminals in the Pipelines & Terminals segment, over half are connected to our pipelines. We generally own the property on which the terminals are located. The segment’s geographical diversity, connections to multiple sources of supply and extensive delivery system help create a stable base business.
Pipelines
The Pipelines & Terminals segment’s pipelines conduct business without the benefit of exclusive franchises from government entities. In addition, our pipelines generally operate as a common carrier, providing transportation services at posted tariffs and without long-term contracts. Demand for the services provided by our pipelines derives from end-users’ demand for liquid petroleum products in the regions served and the ability and willingness of refiners and marketers to supply such demand by deliveries through our pipelines. Factors affecting demand for liquid petroleum products include price and prevailing general economic conditions. Demand for the services provided by our pipelines is, therefore, subject to a variety of factors partially or entirely beyond our control.
Typically, this segment receives liquid petroleum products from refineries, connecting pipelines, and bulk and marine terminals and transports those products to other locations for a fee.
The following table presents product volumes and percentage of products transported by the pipelines in the Pipelines & Terminals segment for the periods indicated (barrels per day (“bpd”) in thousands):
(1) Includes diesel fuel and heating oil.
(2) Includes liquefied petroleum gas, intermediate petroleum products and crude oil.
We provide pipeline transportation services in the following states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. The geographical location and description of these pipelines is as follows:
Pennsylvania-New York-New Jersey. Our operating subsidiary Buckeye Pipe Line Company, L.P. (“BPLC”) serves major population centers in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey through approximately 825 miles of pipeline. Liquid petroleum products are received at Linden, New Jersey from 17 major source points, including two refineries, six connecting pipelines and nine storage and terminalling facilities. Products are then transported through two lines from Linden, New Jersey to Macungie, Pennsylvania. From Macungie, the pipeline continues west through a connection with our operating subsidiary Laurel Pipe Line Company, L.P. (“Laurel”) pipeline to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (serving Reading, Harrisburg, Altoona/Johnstown, Greensburg and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) and north through eastern Pennsylvania into New York (serving Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and Binghamton, Syracuse, Utica, Rochester and, via a connecting carrier, Buffalo, New York). We lease capacity in one of the pipelines extending from Pennsylvania to upstate New York to a major public pipeline company. Products received at Linden, New Jersey are also transported through one line to Newark Airport and through two additional lines to JFK Airport and LaGuardia Airport and to commercial liquid petroleum products terminals at Long Island City and Inwood, New York. These pipelines supply JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Airport with substantially all of each airport’s jet fuel requirements.
Our operating subsidiary Buckeye Pipe Line Transportation LLC (“BPL Transportation”) pipeline system delivers liquid petroleum products from a refinery located in Paulsboro, New Jersey to destinations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York through approximately 420 miles of pipeline. A portion of the pipeline system extends from Paulsboro, New Jersey to Malvern, Pennsylvania. From Malvern, a pipeline segment delivers liquid petroleum products to locations in upstate New York.
The Laurel pipeline system transports liquid petroleum products through a 350-mile pipeline extending westward from three refineries, a marine terminal and a connection to the Colonial pipeline system in the Philadelphia area to Reading, Harrisburg, Altoona/Johnstown, Greensburg and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Illinois-Indiana-Michigan-Missouri-Ohio. BPLC, BPL Transportation and our operating subsidiary NORCO Pipe Line Company, LLC (“NORCO”), a subsidiary of Buckeye Pipe Line Holdings, L.P. (“BPH”), transport liquid petroleum products through approximately 1,800 miles of pipeline in northern Illinois, central Indiana, eastern Michigan, western and northern Ohio, and western Pennsylvania. A number of receiving lines and delivery lines connect to a central corridor which runs from Lima, Ohio through Toledo, Ohio to Detroit, Michigan. Liquid petroleum products are received at refineries and other pipeline connection points near Toledo and Lima, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; and East Chicago, Indiana. Major market areas served include Huntington/Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and South Bend, Indiana; Bay City, Detroit and Flint, Michigan; Cleveland, Columbus, Lima, Warren and Toledo, Ohio; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Our operating subsidiary Wood River Pipe Lines LLC (“Wood River”) owns liquid petroleum products pipelines with aggregate mileage of approximately 1,250 miles located in the Midwestern United States. Liquid petroleum products are received from the Wood River refinery in the East St. Louis, Illinois area and transported to the Chicago area (the “Chicago Complex”), to our terminal in the St. Louis, Missouri area and to the Lambert-St. Louis Airport, to delivery points across Illinois and Indiana and to our pipeline in Lima, Ohio, and from the Chicago Complex to the Kankakee, Illinois area.
Other Liquid Petroleum Products Pipelines. BPLC serves Connecticut and Massachusetts through an approximately 100-mile pipeline that carries liquid petroleum products from New Haven, Connecticut to Hartford, Connecticut and Springfield, Massachusetts. This pipeline also serves Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Also, BPL Transportation owns an approximately 650-mile refined product pipeline that originates in Dubuque, Iowa and runs southwest into Missouri and then northwest back into Iowa, serving the Sugar Creek, Missouri, and Council Bluffs and Des Moines, Iowa markets. BPL Transportation also has an approximately 125-mile pipeline that runs from Portland, Maine to Bangor, Maine.
Our operating subsidiary Everglades Pipe Line Company, L.P. (“Everglades”) transports primarily jet fuel through an approximately 40-mile pipeline from Port Everglades, Florida to Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport. Everglades supplies Miami International Airport with substantially all of its jet fuel requirements.
Our operating subsidiary WesPac Pipelines - Reno LLC (“WesPac Reno”) owns an approximately 3-mile pipeline serving the Reno/Tahoe International Airport. Our operating subsidiary WesPac Pipelines - San Diego LLC (“WesPac San Diego”) owns an approximately 4-mile pipeline serving the San Diego International Airport. WesPac Pipelines - Memphis LLC (“WesPac Memphis”) owns an approximately 16-mile pipeline and a related terminal facility that primarily serves Federal Express Corporation at the Memphis International Airport. WesPac Reno, WesPac San Diego and WesPac Memphis, collectively, have terminal facilities with aggregate storage capacity of 0.5 million barrels. WesPac Reno, WesPac San Diego and WesPac Memphis were originally created as joint ventures between BPH and Kealine LLC (“Kealine”). BPH currently owns 100% of WesPac Reno and WesPac San Diego. In April 2013 and April 2014, BPH purchased additional 10% ownership interests, respectively, in WesPac Memphis from Kealine, increasing our ownership interest in WesPac Memphis from 70% to 90%. Each of these entities has been consolidated into our financial statements.
Terminals
The Pipelines & Terminals segment’s terminals receive products from pipelines and, in certain cases, barges, ships or railroads, and distribute them to third parties, who in turn deliver them to end-users and retail outlets. This segment’s terminals play a key role in moving products to the end-user market by providing efficient product receipt, storage and distribution capabilities, inventory management, ethanol and biodiesel blending, and other ancillary services that include the injection of various additives. Typically, the Pipelines & Terminals segment’s terminal facilities consist of multiple storage tanks and are equipped with automated truck loading equipment that is available 24 hours a day.
The Pipelines & Terminals segment’s terminals derive most of their revenues from various fees paid by customers. A throughput fee is charged for receiving products into the terminal and delivering them to trucks, barges, ships or pipelines. In addition to these throughput fees, revenues are generated by charging customers fees for blending with renewable fuels, injecting additives and providing storage capacity to customers on either a short-term or long-term basis. The terminals also derive revenue from recovering and selling vapors emitted during truck loading. Finally, the terminals derive service fees and blending margins from butane blending activities during the winter months (mid-September through mid-March), whereby butane is blended into various grades of gasoline. Blending margins depend upon pricing spreads between gasoline and butane, and we use financial derivative instruments to manage the commodity price risk associated with narrowing gasoline-to-butane pricing spreads, as deemed necessary. The fair value of such derivative instruments is recorded in our consolidated balance sheets, with the change in fair value recorded in earnings. These derivative instruments consist primarily of futures contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) that are executed in conjunction with our Merchant Services segment.
The following table sets forth the total average daily throughput for terminals within the Pipelines & Terminals segment for the periods indicated (volume of bpd in thousands):
(1) Amounts for 2014 and 2013 include post-acquisition throughput volumes at terminals acquired from Hess in December 2013. The table also includes throughput at the five terminals owned by the Merchant Services segment and operated by the Pipelines & Terminals segment (as discussed below).
The following table sets forth the number of terminals and storage capacity in barrels by location for terminals reported in the Pipelines & Terminals segment (barrels in thousands):
(1) This table includes five terminals in Pennsylvania with aggregate storage capacity of approximately 1 million barrels, which are owned by the Merchant Services segment and operated by the Pipelines & Terminals segment (as discussed below).
(2) This represents the terminal facility owned by WesPac Memphis, which is 90% owned by BPH.
Equity Investments
We own a 34.6% equity interest in West Shore Pipe Line Company (“West Shore”). West Shore owns an approximately 650-mile pipeline system that originates in the Chicago, Illinois area and extends north to Green Bay, Wisconsin and west and then north to Madison, Wisconsin. The pipeline system transports refined petroleum and crude oil products to markets in northern Illinois and Wisconsin. The other equity holders of West Shore are affiliated with major oil and gas companies. Since January 1, 2009, we have operated the West Shore pipeline system on behalf of West Shore.
We also own a 40% equity interest in Muskegon Pipeline LLC (“Muskegon”). Marathon Pipeline LLC is the majority owner and operator of Muskegon. Muskegon owns an approximately 170-mile pipeline that delivers petroleum products from Griffith, Indiana to Muskegon, Michigan.
Additionally, we own a 25% equity interest in Transport4, LLC (“Transport4”). Transport4 provides an internet-based shipper information system that allows its customers, including shippers, suppliers and tankage partners to access nominations, schedules, tickets, inventories, invoices and bulletins over a secure internet connection.
We also own a 50% equity interest in South Portland Terminal LLC (“South Portland”), which owns a terminal in South Portland, Maine that has approximately 725,000 barrels of storage capacity.
Global Marine Terminals Segment
The Global Marine Terminals segment provides marine bulk storage, marine terminal throughput services, and other related services in the Caribbean and in the East Coast and Gulf Coast regions of the United States. The segment has seven liquid petroleum product terminals located in The Bahamas, Puerto Rico and St. Lucia in the Caribbean and the New York Harbor and Corpus Christi, Texas in the United States.
The following table sets forth terminal locations and storage capacity in barrels for terminals reported in the Global Marine Terminals segment (barrels in thousands):
(1) This represents the terminal facility owned by Buckeye Texas, which is 80% owned by us.
BORCO Facility
BORCO owns a terminal facility located along the Northwest Providence Channel of Grand Bahama Island, which it uses to operate a fully integrated terminalling business, and offers customers storage and ancillary services including, but not limited to, berthing, heating, transshipment, blending, treating and bunkering. Ancillary services provided by BORCO facilitate customer activities within the tank farm and at the jetties.
BORCO’s terminal facility includes more than 80 aboveground storage tanks, which store crude oil, fuel oil and refined petroleum products. The existing marine infrastructure of BORCO’s terminal facility consists of three deep-water jetties, which provide six deep-water berths and an inland dock with two berths that serve as the access points to the storage facilities. Certain of these jetties are capable of handling both very large crude carriers and ultra large crude carriers.
We own the 500 acres of property on which the BORCO terminal facility is located. BORCO leases 330 acres of seabed on which the deep water jetties are located pursuant to a long-term agreement with The Bahamas Government that runs through 2057. BORCO also leases the land on which the inland dock is located pursuant to a long-term agreement with the Freeport Harbour Company that runs through 2067.
Yabucoa Terminal
The Yabucoa terminal sits on approximately 250 acres in the southeast of Puerto Rico and includes 44 storage tanks, which store gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, fuel oil and crude oil. The facility provides terminalling services for the handling, blending and distribution of liquid petroleum products within the Puerto Rico market as well as residual fuel oil and petroleum distillate fuel for the local and regional Caribbean markets. Access to the Yabucoa terminal is provided through one ship dock, which is leased from the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, two barge docks and an 8-bay truck rack.
New York Harbor Terminals
The New York Harbor storage and marine terminals, which consist of our Perth Amboy terminal and the Port Reading and Raritan Bay terminals acquired from Hess, have the ability to provide a link between our inland pipelines and terminals and our BORCO facility, enabling our customers to take advantage of BORCO’s deep water access and ability to aggregate product. The Perth Amboy Facility sits on approximately 250 acres on the Arthur Kill tidal strait in Perth Amboy, New Jersey - six miles from our Linden, New Jersey complex - and has water, pipeline, rail and truck access. In 2014, we completed a high capacity pipeline connection between Perth Amboy and our Linden hub. Furthermore, the Perth Amboy terminal includes 51 storage tanks, a dock and three operational berths, each with articulated loading arms, allowing both ship and barge berthing. The Port Reading and Raritan Bay terminals acquired as part of the Hess Terminals Acquisition have approximately 6 million and 5 million barrels of liquid petroleum products storage capacity, respectively. These terminals extend Buckeye’s connectivity in New York Harbor by offering diverse storage capabilities that include terminalling services for gasoline, blendstocks, distillate and fuel oil. The Port Reading terminal is located on 211 acres in Port Reading, New Jersey and includes 61 storage tanks, a deep-water dock and five operational berths, allowing for both ship and barge berthing. In addition, the facility has bi-directional pipeline access, rail off-loading capabilities, and a six-bay driver-operated truck loading rack. The Raritan Bay terminal is located on 62 acres on the Raritan River in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and includes 30 storage tanks, a barge dock and two operational berths. The Raritan Bay facility also has bi-directional pipeline access and a six-bay driver-operated truck loading rack. Additionally, the Port Reading and Raritan Bay terminals are NYMEX delivery locations for both gasoline and ultra low sulfur diesel.
St. Lucia Terminal
The St. Lucia terminal sits on approximately 700 acres on Cul de Sac Bay in St. Lucia. It has approximately 10 million barrels of crude oil and refined petroleum products storage capacity, has deep-water access and improves our capabilities in the Caribbean storage market with more geographically diverse service offerings to allow us to accommodate a larger portion of the growing Latin American crude oil production volumes.
Corpus Christi Facilities
In September 2014 we acquired an 80% interest in Buckeye Texas, which owns storage and marine terminal facilities that sit on approximately 730 acres along the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in Texas. The Corpus Christi facilities have five vessel berths, including three deep-water docks, and 2.5 million barrels of liquid petroleum products storage capacity. Upon the completion of the initial build-out, which is expected to occur in the second half of 2015, the Corpus Christi facilities will have a condensate splitter, an LPG storage complex and 6.3 million barrels of liquid petroleum products storage capacity along with rail and truck loading/unloading capabilities. The initial build-out also includes the completion of three field gathering facilities with associated storage in the Eagle Ford play and pipeline connectivity that will allow Buckeye Texas to move Eagle Ford play crude oil and condensate production directly to the terminalling complex in Corpus Christi. These assets will form an integrated system with connectivity from the production in the field to the marine terminal infrastructure and the refining complex in Corpus Christi.
Merchant Services Segment
The Merchant Services segment is a wholesale distributor of refined petroleum products in the continental United States and in the Caribbean. We increase the utilization of our existing pipeline and terminal assets by marketing refined petroleum products in certain areas served by our pipelines and terminals. The segment’s customers consist principally of product wholesalers and major commercial users of refined petroleum products including gasoline, propane, ethanol, biodiesel and petroleum distillates such as heating oil, diesel fuel and kerosene. The segment also provides fuel oil supply and distribution services to third parties in the Caribbean.
The Merchant Services segment owns five terminals in Pennsylvania with aggregate storage capacity of approximately 1 million barrels, which are operated by the Pipelines & Terminals segment. Each terminal is equipped with multiple storage tanks and automated truck loading equipment that is available 24 hours a day. We also own the property on which the terminals are located.
The following table sets forth the total gallons of refined petroleum products sold by the Merchant Services segment for the periods indicated (in millions of gallons):
(1) Amounts include volumes related to fuel oil supply and distribution services, which began in late 2012.
The Merchant Services segment’s operations are segregated into three categories based on the type of fuel delivered and the delivery method:
· Wholesale - liquid fuels and propane gas are delivered to distributors and large commercial customers. These customers take delivery of the products using truck loading equipment at storage facilities;
· Wholesale Delivered - liquid fuels are delivered to commercial customers, construction companies, school districts and trucking companies through third party carriers; or via ship using our marine terminals.
· Branded Gasoline - gasoline and on-highway diesel fuel are delivered through third-party trucking companies to independently owned retail gas stations under many leading gasoline brands.
The operations of the Merchant Services segment expose us to commodity price risk. The commodity price risk is managed by entering into derivative instruments to offset the effect of commodity price fluctuations on the segment’s inventory and fixed price contracts. The fair value of our derivative instruments is recorded in our consolidated balance sheets, with the change in fair value recorded in earnings. The derivative instruments the Merchant Services segment uses consist primarily of futures contracts traded on the NYMEX for the purposes of managing our market price risk from holding physical inventory and entering into physical fixed-price contracts. A majority of the futures contracts executed are designated as fair value hedges of our refined petroleum inventory. The changes in fair value of the hedging instruments and hedged items are both recognized in cost of product sales. However, hedge accounting has not been elected for all of the Merchant Services segment’s derivative instruments. Fixed-price purchase and sales contracts are generally economically hedged with financial instruments; however, these instruments are not designated in a hedge relationship. In the cases in which hedge accounting has not been used for physical derivative contracts, changes in the fair values of the financial instruments, which are included in revenue and cost of product sales, generally are offset by changes in the values of the physical derivative contracts which are also derivative instruments whose changes in value are recognized in product sales or cost of product sales. In addition, hedge accounting has not been elected for financial instruments that have been executed to economically hedge a portion of the Merchant Services segment’s refined petroleum products held in inventory. The changes in value of the financial instruments that are economically hedging inventory are recognized in cost of product sales.
Development & Logistics Segment
The Development & Logistics segment provides turn-key operations and maintenance, asset development and construction services for third-party pipeline and energy assets across the United States. This segment operates and/or maintains third-party pipelines under agreements with major oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical companies, which are located primarily in Texas and Louisiana. This segment also performs pipeline construction management services, typically for cost plus a fixed fee, for these same customers as well as other energy companies in the United States. The Development & Logistics segment includes our ownership and operation of two underground propane storage caverns in Huntington, Indiana and Tuscola, Illinois, with approximately 800,000 barrels of throughput and storage capability. Additionally, this segment owns an approximate 63% interest in a crude butadiene pipeline, owns and operates a 30-mile ammonia pipeline and owns and operates approximately 25 miles of pipeline, which it leases to third parties, all located in Texas.
Third-party operations and construction management services are a key area of focus for the Development & Logistics segment. The segment also operates as an asset and business development service provider for many of its operation and maintenance service customers.
Discontinuation of Natural Gas Storage Segment
In December 2013, the Board of Directors of Buckeye GP (“the Board”) approved a plan to divest the natural gas storage facility and related assets that our former subsidiary, Lodi, owned and operated in Northern California. We refer to this group of assets as our Natural Gas Storage disposal group. We classified the Natural Gas Storage disposal group as “Assets held for sale” and “Liabilities held for sale” in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and reported the results of operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented in these financial statements. In December 2014, we completed the sale of our Natural Gas Storage disposal group for $103.4 million in cash, net of expenses and working capital adjustments of $1.6 million. For additional information, see Notes 4 and 5 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Competition and Customers
Competitive Strengths
We believe that we have the following competitive strengths:
· We operate in a safe and environmentally responsible manner;
· We own and operate high quality assets that are strategically located;
· We have stable, long-term relationships with our customers;
· We own relatively predictable and stable fee-based businesses with opportunistic revenue generating capabilities that support distribution growth; and
· We maintain a conservative financial position with an investment-grade credit rating.
Pipelines & Terminals Segment
Generally, pipelines are the lowest cost method for long-haul overland movement of liquid petroleum products. Therefore, the Pipelines & Terminals segment’s most significant competitors for large volume shipments are other pipelines, some of which are owned or controlled by major integrated oil and gas companies. Although it is unlikely that a pipeline system comparable in size and scope to the Pipelines & Terminals segment’s pipeline systems will be built in the foreseeable future, new pipelines (including pipeline segments that connect with existing pipeline systems) could be built to effectively compete with the Pipelines & Terminals segment in particular locations.
The Pipelines & Terminals segment competes with marine transportation in some areas. Tankers and barges on the Great Lakes account for some of the volume to certain Michigan, Ohio and upstate New York locations during the approximately eight non-winter months of the year. Barges are presently a competitive factor for deliveries to and within the New York City area, the Pittsburgh area and locations on the Ohio River, such as Cincinnati, Ohio and locations on the Mississippi River, such as St. Louis, Missouri. Additionally, the South Portland and Bangor, Maine terminals, and the pipeline connecting these terminals, compete with regional barge-supplied terminals.
Trucks competitively deliver liquid petroleum products in a number of areas that the Pipelines & Terminals segment serves. While their costs may not be competitive for longer hauls or large volume shipments, trucks compete effectively for smaller volumes in many local areas. The availability of truck transportation places a significant competitive constraint on the ability of the Pipelines & Terminals segment to increase its tariff rates.
Privately arranged exchanges of liquid petroleum products between marketers in different locations are another form of competition. Generally, such exchanges reduce both parties’ costs by eliminating or reducing transportation charges. In addition, consolidation among refiners and marketers that has accelerated in recent years has altered distribution patterns, reducing demand for transportation services in some markets and increasing them in other markets.
The production and use of biofuels may be a competitive factor in that, to the extent the usage of biofuels increases, some alternative means of transport that compete with our pipelines may be able to provide transportation services for biofuels that our pipelines cannot because of safety or pipeline integrity issues. In particular, railroads competitively deliver biofuels to a number of areas and, therefore, are a significant competitor of pipelines with respect to biofuels. Biofuel usage may also create opportunities for additional pipeline transportation, if such biofuels can be transported through our pipeline, and additional blending opportunities within the segment, although that potential cannot be quantified at present.
Distribution of liquid petroleum products depends to a large extent upon the location and capacity of refineries. However, because the Pipelines & Terminals segment’s business is largely driven by the consumption of fuel in its delivery areas and the Pipelines & Terminals segment’s pipelines have numerous source points, we do not believe that the expansion or shutdown of any particular refinery is likely, in most instances, to have a material effect on the business of the Pipelines & Terminals segment. As discussed in “Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There are many factors that may affect us and investments in us. Security holders and potential investors in our securities should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below, as well as the discussion of other factors that could affect us or investments in us included elsewhere in this Report. If one or more of these risks were to materialize, our business, financial position or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We are identifying these risk factors as important risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any written or oral forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.
Risks Inherent in our Business
Changes in petroleum demand and distribution and weakness in the United States economy may adversely affect our business.
Demand for the services we provide depends upon the demand for the products we handle in the regions we serve and the supply of products in the regions connected to our pipelines or from which our customers source products handled by our terminals. Prevailing economic conditions, refined petroleum product, fuel oil and crude oil price levels and weather affect the demand for liquid petroleum products. Changes in transportation and travel patterns in the areas served by our pipelines also affect the demand for petroleum products because a substantial portion of the refined petroleum products transported by our pipelines and throughput at our terminals is ultimately used as fuel for motor vehicles and aircraft. If these factors result in a decline in demand for refined petroleum products, our business would be particularly susceptible to adverse effects because we operate without the benefit of either exclusive franchises from government entities or long-term contracts.
Recent increases in demand for the services we provide in the Caribbean has been driven by increases in crude oil production from Latin America, crude oil movements from South America to Asia, and Latin America demand for clean petroleum products from the United States and Europe. Changes in these and other global patterns of supply and demand for fuel oil, crude oil and clean petroleum products could affect the demand for the services we provide in the Caribbean and the prices we can charge for those services.
In recent years, the federal government has enacted renewable fuel or energy efficiency statutory mandates that may have the impact over time of reducing the demand for fuel oil or clean refined petroleum products, particularly with respect to gasoline, in certain markets. Other legislative changes may similarly alter the expected demand and supply projections for refined petroleum products in ways that cannot be predicted.
Energy conservation, changing sources of supply, structural changes in the oil industry and new energy technologies also could adversely affect our business. We cannot predict or control the effect of these factors on us.
Economic conditions worldwide have from time to time contributed to slowdowns in the oil and gas industry, as well as in the specific segments and markets in which we operate, resulting in reduced supply or demand and increased price competition for our products and services. In addition, economic conditions could result in a loss of customers in our operating segments because their access to the capital necessary to purchase services we provide is limited. Our operating results may also be affected by uncertain or changing economic conditions in certain regions of the United States. If global economic and market conditions (including volatility in commodity markets) or economic conditions in the United States remain uncertain or persist, spread or deteriorate further, we may experience material impacts on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
A significant decline in production at certain refineries served by certain of our pipelines and terminals, or a fundamental change in the primary source of supply of petroleum products to a region, could materially reduce the volume of liquid petroleum products we transport and adversely impact our operating results.
Refineries that our pipelines and terminals service could partially or completely shut down their operations, temporarily or permanently, due to factors such as unscheduled maintenance, catastrophes, labor difficulties, environmental proceedings or other litigation, loss of significant downstream customers; or legislation or regulation that adversely impacts the economics of refinery operations. For example, a significant decline in production at the Wood River refinery, Paulsboro refinery or Lima refinery could negatively impact the financial performance of such assets and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In addition, if there is a fundamental shift in the primary source of supply of petroleum products to a region our pipelines serve and our pipeline infrastructure in the region is not well-suited to serve the new primary source, the performance of such assets could be negatively impacted, and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Competition could adversely affect our operating results.
Generally, pipelines are the lowest cost method for long-haul overland movement of liquid petroleum products. Therefore, the most significant competitors for large volume shipments in our Pipelines & Terminals segment are other existing pipelines, some of which are owned or controlled by major integrated oil and gas companies. In addition, new pipelines (including pipeline segments that connect with existing pipeline systems) could be built to effectively compete with us in particular locations.
Our Pipelines & Terminals segment competes with marine transportation in some areas. Tankers and barges on the Great Lakes account for some of the volume to certain Michigan, Ohio and upstate New York locations during the approximately eight non-winter months of the year. Barges are presently a competitive factor for deliveries to the New York City area, the Pittsburgh area, Connecticut and locations on the Ohio River such as Cincinnati, Ohio and locations on the Mississippi River, such as St. Louis, Missouri. Additionally, our South Portland and Bangor, Maine terminals are mainly supplied by overseas ships from Canada and Europe.
Trucks competitively deliver liquid petroleum products in a number of areas that we serve. While their costs may not be competitive for longer hauls or large volume shipments, trucks compete effectively for incremental and marginal volumes in many areas that we serve. The availability of truck transportation places a significant competitive constraint on our ability to increase our tariff rates.
Privately arranged exchanges of liquid petroleum products between marketers in different locations are another form of competition for our Pipelines & Terminals segment. Generally, these exchanges reduce both parties’ costs by eliminating or reducing transportation charges. In addition, consolidation among refiners and marketers, which has accelerated in recent years, has altered distribution patterns, reducing demand for transportation services in some markets and increasing them in other markets.
The Pipelines & Terminals segment also generally competes with other terminals in the same geographic market. Many competitive terminals are owned by major integrated oil and gas companies. These major oil and gas companies may have the opportunity for product exchanges that are not available to the Pipelines & Terminals segment’s terminals. While the Pipelines & Terminals segment’s terminal throughput fees are not regulated, they are subject to price competition from competitive terminals and alternate modes of delivering liquid petroleum products to end-users such as retail gasoline stations.
Our Global Marine Terminals segment primarily competes with other marine terminals in the Caribbean, in New York Harbor and in the Gulf Coast. Many competitive terminals are owned by major energy companies, refiners and master limited partnerships. Although the Global Marine Terminals segment’s storage fees are not regulated, the segment is subject to price competition from competitive terminals. Our Global Marine Terminals segment also competes with alternatives to terminal storage of crude oil and refined petroleum products, such as floating storage and lightering, which could reduce demand for our Caribbean terminal services.
Our Merchant Services segment buys and sells refined petroleum products in connection with its marketing activities, and must compete with major energy companies, their marketing affiliates, and independent brokers and marketers of widely varying sizes, financial resources and experience. Some of these companies have superior access to capital resources, which could affect our ability to effectively compete with them.
All of these competitive pressures could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Mergers among our customers and competitors could result in lower volumes being shipped on our pipelines and stored in our terminals, thereby reducing the amount of cash we generate.
Mergers between existing customers could provide strong economic incentives for the combined entities to utilize their existing pipeline and terminal systems instead of ours. As a result, we could lose some or all of the volumes and associated revenues from these customers, and we could experience difficulty in replacing those lost volumes and revenues. Because most of our operating costs are fixed, a reduction in volumes would result in not only a reduction of revenues, but also a decline in Adjusted EBITDA (see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in Item 7 for a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA, which is our primary measure of performance), net income and cash flow of a similar magnitude, which would reduce our ability to meet our financial obligations and pay cash distributions.
We are a holding company and depend entirely on our operating subsidiaries’ distributions to service our debt obligations and pay cash distributions to our unitholders.
We are a holding company with no material operations. If we do not receive cash distributions from our operating subsidiaries, we will not be able to meet our debt service obligations or to make cash distributions to our unitholders. Among other things, this would adversely affect the market price of our LP Units. We are currently bound by the terms of our Credit Facility, which prohibit us from making distributions to our unitholders if a default under the Credit Facility exists at the time of the distribution or would result from the distribution. Approval from the Central Bank of The Bahamas will be required before BORCO can make distributions to us. Our operating subsidiaries may from time to time incur additional indebtedness under agreements that contain restrictions which could further limit each operating subsidiary’s ability to make distributions to us.
We may incur unknown and contingent liabilities from assets we have acquired.
Some of the assets we have acquired have been used for many years to distribute, store or transport petroleum products. Releases from terminals or along pipeline rights-of-way may have occurred prior to our acquisition. In addition, releases may have occurred in the past that have not yet been discovered, which could require costly future remediation.
We performed a certain level of diligence in connection with our acquisitions and attempted to ascertain the extent of liabilities that might be associated with an acquired facility, but there may be unknown and contingent liabilities related to our acquisitions of which we are unaware.
If a significant release or event occurred in the past at any of our acquired assets and we are responsible for all or a significant portion of the liability associated with such release or event, it could adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. We could be liable for unknown obligations relating to any of our acquired assets, for which indemnification is not available, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.
If we incorrectly predict the future results of acquired operations or assets, we may not realize all of the benefits we expect from an acquisition. We may make dispositions on terms that are less favorable than we anticipated.
Part of our business strategy includes making acquisitions and, when appropriate, dispositions. In evaluating acquisitions and dispositions, we prepare one or more financial cases based on a number of business, industry, economic, legal, regulatory, and other assumptions applicable to the proposed transaction. Although we expect a reasonable basis will exist for those assumptions, the assumptions typically involve current estimates of future conditions. Many assumptions are beyond our control and may not materialize. Because of the uncertainty and risk of inaccuracy associated with these assumptions, including financial projections, we may not realize the full benefits we anticipate from an acquisition, or we may encounter unanticipated difficulties locating buyers and securing favorable terms for dispositions, each of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow. Dispositions may also involve continued financial involvement in the divested business, such as through continuing minority equity ownership, guarantees, indemnities or other financial obligations. Under these arrangements, performance by the divested businesses or other conditions outside of our control could adversely affect our future financial results.
Potential future acquisitions and expansions, if any, may affect our business by substantially increasing the level of our indebtedness and contingent liabilities and increasing the risks of our being unable to effectively integrate these new operations.
From time to time, we evaluate and acquire assets and businesses that we believe complement our existing assets and businesses. Acquisitions, including the integration of acquired assets into our existing business, may require substantial capital or the incurrence of substantial indebtedness. If we consummate any future acquisitions, our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly.
Acquisitions and business expansions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of the assets and operations of the acquired businesses, inefficiencies and difficulties that arise because of unfamiliarity with new assets and the businesses associated with them and new geographic areas and the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns. Further, we may experience unanticipated delays in realizing the benefits of an acquisition or we may be unable to integrate certain assets we acquire as part of a larger acquisition to the extent such assets relate to a business for which we have no or limited experience. Following an acquisition, we may discover previously unknown liabilities associated with the acquired business for which we have no recourse under applicable indemnification provisions.
Debt securities we issue are, and will continue to be, junior to claims of our operating subsidiaries’ creditors.
Our outstanding debt securities are structurally subordinated to the claims of our operating subsidiaries’ creditors. In addition, any debt securities we issue in the future will likewise be subordinated in the same manner. Holders of the debt securities will not be creditors of our operating subsidiaries. Our claim to the assets of our operating subsidiaries derives from our own ownership interests in those operating subsidiaries. Claims of our operating subsidiaries’ creditors will generally have priority as to the assets of our operating subsidiaries over our own ownership interests and will therefore have priority over the holders of our debt, including our debt securities.
Our rate structures are subject to regulation and change by FERC; required changes could be adverse.
BPLC, Wood River, BPL Transportation, Buckeye Linden and NORCO are interstate common carriers regulated by FERC under the Interstate Commerce Act, the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the Department of Energy Organization Act. FERC’s primary ratemaking methodology is indexing rates for inflation. In the alternative, a pipeline is allowed to charge market-based rates if the pipeline establishes that it does not possess significant market power in a particular market. A pipeline may also charge rates based on the agreement of all shippers receiving a service, which are referred to as settlement-based rates.
The indexing methodology has been and continues to be used to establish rates on the pipelines owned by Wood River, BPL Transportation, Buckeye Linden and NORCO. In December 2010, FERC amended its regulations to change the index to the Producer Price Index (“PPI”) - finished goods plus 2.65% effective July 1, 2011. If the index were to be negative, we would be required to reduce the rates charged by Wood River, BPL Transportation, Buckeye Linden and NORCO if they exceed the new maximum allowable rate. In addition, changes in the PPI might not fully reflect actual increases in the costs associated with these pipelines, thus potentially hampering our ability to recover our costs by relying on the index. Where circumstances justify it, FERC permits pipelines to use one of three alternatives to indexing-pipelines may seek to use market-based, cost-based, or settlement-based rates.
Until February 2013, BPLC was authorized to charge rates under an exception to the rules generally applicable to oil pipelines. In 1991, BPLC sought and received FERC permission to determine rate changes on BPLC’s pipeline system (the “Buckeye System”) using a unique methodology that constrained rates based on competitive pressures in markets that FERC found to be competitive, as well as certain other limits on rate increases in other markets on the Buckeye System (the “Buckeye Methodology”). FERC permitted the continuation of the Buckeye Methodology for the Buckeye System in 1994, subject to FERC’s authority to cause BPLC to terminate the Buckeye Methodology in the future. The Buckeye Methodology was an exception to the generic oil pipeline regulations that FERC issued under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (the “FERC Rules”), which rely primarily on the indexing methodology described above.
On March 1, 2012, BPLC filed to increase its rates under the Buckeye Methodology. On March 30, 2012, in response to a shipper protest, FERC issued an order (the “Show Cause Order”) in Dkt. No. IS 12-185-000 rejecting the rate increase and stating that FERC would review the continued efficacy of the Buckeye Methodology. The Show Cause Order, among other things, stated that FERC would review the continued efficacy of the unique program and directed BPLC to show cause why it should not be required to discontinue the program on the Buckeye System and avail itself of the generic ratemaking methodologies used by other oil pipelines. The Show Cause Order did not impact any of the pipeline systems or terminals owned by Buckeye’s other operating subsidiaries. On February 22, 2013, FERC issued an order in Dkt. No. IS12-185-000 et al. discontinuing the Buckeye Methodology, and affirming on rehearing its rejection of all rate increases filed in March 2012 (“Ratemaking Methodology Order”). The Ratemaking Methodology Order permitted Buckeye to retain its currently-filed rates in place, to make future rate changes under market-based ratemaking authority in markets previously found to be competitive by FERC, and to make future rate changes in other markets pursuant to the generic FERC ratemaking methods, which would include indexing. Subsequently, on March 28, 2013, BPLC filed rate increases for services in the markets previously found to be competitive, and on May 30, 2013, BPLC filed rate increases for most transportation services in the markets not previously found to be competitive; both sets of tariff filings became effective and are not subject to any FERC proceedings.
On September 20, 2012, five airlines jointly filed a complaint in FERC Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 alleging that BPLC’s rates for the transportation of jet fuel to the three major New York City area airports were unreasonable and should be reduced and should be subject to reparations for past shipments, and that the Buckeye Methodology should end with respect to that transportation; on October 10, 2012, BPLC filed a motion to dismiss and answer opposing the complaint and its relief, and subsequent pleadings were filed by both the airlines and by BPLC. On October 15, 2012, BPLC filed an application in FERC Dkt. No. OR13-3-000 for authority to charge market-based rates for transportation to destinations in the New York City-area markets (the “Application”), because BPLC lacked significant market power. On December 14, 2012, five airlines intervened and filed comments in opposition to the application in Dkt. No. OR13-3-000. On February 22, 2013, FERC issued an order setting the airline complaint in Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 for hearing, but holding the hearing in abeyance and setting the dispute for settlement procedures before a settlement judge. If FERC were to find these challenged rates to be in excess of costs and not otherwise protected by law, it could order BPLC to reduce these rates prospectively and could order repayment to the complaining airlines of any past charges found to be in excess of just and reasonable levels for up to two years prior to the filing date of the complaint. On February 28, 2013, FERC also issued an order setting the Application for hearing, holding the hearing in abeyance and setting the dispute for settlement procedures before a settlement judge. If FERC were to approve the Application, BPLC would be permitted prospectively to set these rates in response to competitive forces, and the basis for the airlines’ claim for relief in their OR12-28-000 complaint as to BPLC’s future rates would be irrelevant prospectively. On March 8, 2013, an order was issued consolidating, for settlement purposes, the complaint proceeding in Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 with the proceeding regarding the Application for market-based rates in the New York City market in Dkt. No. OR13-3-000 and settlement discussions under the supervision of the FERC settlement judge occurred. On April 1, 2014, the FERC settlement judge issued a status report stating that the parties had been unable to reach a settlement, and recommending that both Dkt. Nos. OR12-28-000 and OR13-3-000 be set for hearing. The settlement judge further recommended that settlement procedures under the supervision of the settlement judge continue concurrently because the parties hope to continue settlement talks after the commencement of litigation. On April 17, 2014, the FERC Chief Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) ruled in favor of separate proceedings and of continuing the existing settlement procedures concurrently with litigation. Litigation has continued subsequently in both proceedings. The timing or outcome of final resolution of these matters cannot reasonably be determined at this time.
On September 17, 2014, American Airlines filed a complaint in FERC Dkt. No. OR14-41-000 alleging that BPLC’s rates for the transportation of jet fuel to the three major New York City area airports were unreasonable and should be reduced and should be subject to reparations for past shipments, and that BPLC’s practices relating to nominations, scheduling, and deliveries of jet fuel to the New York City Airports may not be just and reasonable and are not properly set forth in BPLC’s tariff. BPLC filed an answer to the complaint on October 7, 2014. On December 18, 2014, the Commission issued an order setting this complaint for hearing, holding the hearing in abeyance in order to provide the parties the opportunity to negotiate a settlement through formal FERC settlement procedures, and directing the Chief Judge to appoint an administrative law judge to facilitate the settlement negotiations. Since formal FERC settlement proceedings were established in December 2014, BPLC and American have actively participated in settlement negotiations in an attempt to resolve the issues in OR14-41-000. The timing or outcome of final resolution of this matter cannot reasonably be determined at this time.
In addition to the risks described above, at any time shippers on any of our FERC-regulated pipelines have the right to challenge the application of the index to a pipeline’s rates or the underlying rates themselves as being unjust and unreasonable, subject to the FERC’s cost-of-service standards. Such shipper challenges may seek adjustments to our rates prospectively and, subject to limitations, for certain past periods. If a significant shipper challenge were to result in an outcome that is unfavorable to us, our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows could be adversely impacted.
Climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of “greenhouse gases” or setting fuel economy or air quality standards could result in increased operating costs or reduced demand for the liquid petroleum products and other hydrocarbon products that we transport, store or otherwise handle in connection with our business.
In recent years, federal authorities such as the EPA and various state regulatory bodies have increasingly sought to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other “greenhouse gases” (“GHG”). Such regulation has targeted emissions from large industrial sources, such as factories, refineries and other manufacturing facilities, and for increasingly large classes of motor vehicles.
While most of these currently effective regulations have not had a material effect on our operations, expansions of the existing regulations or any future laws or regulations that may be adopted to address GHG emissions could require us to incur additional costs to reduce emissions of GHG associated with our operations. The effect on our operations could include increased costs to operate and maintain our facilities, measure and report our emissions, install new emission controls on our facilities, acquire allowances to authorize our GHG emissions, pay any taxes related to our greenhouse gas emissions and administer and manage a GHG emissions program. While we may be able to include some or all of such increased costs in the rates we charge, such recovery of costs is uncertain and may depend on events beyond our control, including the outcome of future rate proceedings before the FERC and the provisions of any final regulations. In addition, laws or regulations regarding fuel economy, air quality or GHG gas emissions (for motor vehicles or otherwise) could include efficiency requirements or other methods of curbing carbon emissions that could adversely affect demand for the liquid petroleum products and other hydrocarbon products that we transport, store or otherwise handle in connection with our business. A significant decrease in demand for petroleum products would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Environmental regulation may impose significant costs and liabilities on us.
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Risks of substantial environmental liabilities are inherent in our operations, and we cannot assure you that we will not incur material environmental liabilities. Additionally, our costs could increase significantly, and we could face substantial liabilities, if, among other developments:
· environmental laws, regulations and enforcement policies become more rigorous; or
· claims for property damage or personal injury resulting from our operations are filed.
Existing or future state or federal government regulations relating to certain chemicals or additives in gasoline or diesel fuel could require capital expenditures or result in lower pipeline volumes and thereby adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.
Changes made to governmental regulations governing the components of liquid petroleum products may necessitate changes to our pipelines and terminals which may require significant capital expenditures or result in lower pipeline volumes. For instance, the increasing use of ethanol as a fuel additive, which is blended with gasoline at product terminals, may lead to reduced pipeline volumes and revenue which may not be totally offset by increased terminal blending fees we may receive at our terminals.
DOT and state-level regulations may impose significant costs and liabilities on us.
Our pipeline operations are subject to regulation by the DOT and by some of the states in which we do business. Certain states, particularly California, have been reviewing pipeline safety regulations and increasing inspections and audits. These regulations require, among other things, that pipeline operators engage in a regular program of pipeline integrity testing to assess, evaluate, repair and validate the integrity of their pipelines, which, in the event of a leak or failure, could affect populated areas, unusually sensitive environmental areas or commercially navigable waterways. In response to these regulations, we conduct pipeline integrity tests on an ongoing and regular basis. Depending on the results of these integrity tests, we could incur significant and unexpected capital and operating expenditures, not accounted for in anticipated capital or operating budgets, in order to repair such pipelines to ensure their continued safe and reliable operation. In addition, any new regulations that are the result of PSA 2011 may affect our operations.
Our BORCO and St. Lucia operations may be adversely affected by economic, political and regulatory developments.
BORCO’s terminal facility and the St. Lucia terminal are located in The Bahamas and St. Lucia, respectively. As a result, we are exposed to the risks of international operations, including political, economic and regulatory developments and changes in laws or policies affecting our terminal operations, as well as changes in the policies of the United States affecting trade, taxation and investment in other countries. Any such developments or changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flow.
Compliance with laws and regulations that apply to our Caribbean operations increases the cost of doing business and could interfere with our ability to offer services or expose us to fines and penalties. These numerous laws and regulations include the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials or agents. Although policies designed to fully ensure compliance with these laws are in place, employees, contractors, or agents may violate the policies. Any such violations could include prohibitions on our ability to offer services in the Caribbean and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and cash flow.
We may not be able to fully implement or capitalize upon planned growth projects.
We have a number of organic growth projects that involve the construction, expansion or modification of existing assets. Many of these projects involve numerous regulatory, environmental, commercial, economic, weather-related, political and legal uncertainties that are beyond our control, including the following:
· As these projects are undertaken, required approvals, permits and licenses may not be obtained, may be delayed or may be obtained with conditions that materially alter the expected return associated with the underlying projects;
· Despite the fact that we will expend significant amounts of capital during the construction phase of these projects, revenues associated with these organic growth projects will not materialize until the projects have been completed and placed into commercial service, and the amount of revenue generated from these projects could be significantly lower than anticipated for a variety of reasons;
· We may not be able to secure, or we may be significantly delayed in obtaining, all of the rights of way or other real property interests we need to complete such projects, or the costs we incur in order to obtain such rights of way or other interests may be greater than we anticipated;
· We may construct pipelines, facilities or other assets in anticipation of market demand that dissipates or market growth that never materializes;
· Due to unavailability or costs of materials, supplies, power, labor or equipment, the cost of completing these projects could turn out to be significantly higher than we budgeted and the time it takes to complete construction of these projects and place them into commercial service could be significantly longer than planned; and
· The completion or success of our projects may depend on the completion or success of third-party facilities over which we have no control.
As a result of these uncertainties, the anticipated benefits associated with our capital projects may not be achieved. In turn, this could negatively impact our cash flow and our ability to make or increase cash distributions to our partners.
Our results could be adversely affected by volatility in the price of refined petroleum products.
The Merchant Services segment buys and sells refined petroleum products in connection with its marketing activities. If the values of refined petroleum products change in a direction or manner that we do not anticipate, we could experience financial losses from these activities. Furthermore, when refined petroleum product prices decrease rapidly, we may be unable to promptly pass our additional costs to our customers, resulting in lower margins for us which could adversely affect our results of operations. Factors that could cause significant increases or decreases in commodity prices include changes in supply due to production constraints, weather, governmental regulations, and changes in consumer demand. It is our practice to maintain a position that is substantially balanced between commodity purchases, on the one hand, and expected commodity sales or future delivery obligations, on the other hand. Through these transactions, we seek to establish a margin for the commodity purchased by selling the same commodity for physical delivery to third-party users, such as wholesalers or retailers. While our hedging policies are designed to minimize commodity price risk, some degree of exposure to unforeseen fluctuations in market conditions remains. For example, any event that disrupts our anticipated physical supply could expose us to risk of loss resulting from price changes if we are required to obtain alternative supplies to cover these sales transactions. In addition, we are also exposed to basis risk which is created when a commodity of a certain grade or location is purchased, sold, or exchanged for a like commodity at a different time or location. For example, we use NYMEX traded products, which deliver in New York Harbor, to hedge our commodity risk associated with physical transactions that will be delivered at other locations, such as Macungie, Pennsylvania. We are also susceptible to basis risk in our hedging activities that arises when a commodity, such as the purchase of heating oil at one location must be hedged against the New York Harbor ultra low sulfur diesel futures contract as a result of limitations within the financial markets for derivative products.
A substantial amount of the petroleum products handled by BORCO are exported from Venezuela, which exposes us to political risks.
A substantial portion of BORCO’s revenue relates to petroleum products exported from Venezuela. This involvement with products exported from Venezuela exposes BORCO to significant risks, including potential political and economic instability and trade restrictions and economic embargoes imposed by the United States and other countries.
BORCO depends on a limited number of customers for substantially all of its revenue, and the loss of any of them could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flow.
Storage revenue represented 69% of BORCO’s total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014. Currently, BORCO has a limited number of long-term storage customers, consisting of major oil companies, energy companies, physical traders and one national oil company. For the year ended December 31, 2014, 30% and 66% of BORCO’s storage revenue was derived from the top one and the top three customers, in the aggregate, respectively. We expect BORCO to continue to derive substantially all of its total revenue from a small number of customers in the future. BORCO may be unsuccessful in renewing its storage contracts with its customers, and those customers may discontinue or reduce contracted storage from BORCO. If any of BORCO’s customers, in particular its top three customers, significantly reduces its contracted storage with BORCO and if BORCO is unable to find other storage customers on terms substantially similar to the terms under BORCO’s existing storage contracts, our business, results of operations and cash flow could be adversely affected.
Terrorist attacks or other security threats could adversely affect our business.
Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States government has issued warnings that energy assets, specifically our nation’s pipeline infrastructure, may be the future target of terrorist organizations. In addition to the threat of terrorist attacks, we face various other security threats, including cyber security threats to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or systems or to render data or systems unusable; threats to the safety of our employees; threats to the security of our facilities, such as terminals and pipelines, and infrastructure or third-party facilities and infrastructure. These developments have subjected our operations to increased risks.
Although we utilize various procedures and controls to monitor these threats and mitigate our exposure to security threats, there can be no assurance that these procedures and controls will be sufficient in preventing security threats from materializing. If any of these events were to materialize, they could lead to losses of sensitive information, critical infrastructure, personnel or capabilities, essential to our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Cyber security attacks in particular are evolving and include but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to, or otherwise disrupt, our pipeline control systems, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in critical systems, including our pipeline control systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information and corruption of data. These events could damage our reputation and lead to financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business or potential liability.
During 2007, the Department of Homeland Security promulgated the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (“CFATS”) to regulate the security of facilities that handle certain chemicals. We have submitted to the Department of Homeland Security certain required information concerning our facilities in compliance with CFATS and, as a result, several of our facilities have been determined to be initially tiered as “high risk” by the Department of Homeland Security. Due to this determination, we are required to prepare a security vulnerability assessment and possibly develop and implement site security plans required by CFATS. The Department of Homeland Security began a concerted effort to enforce and further define the CFATS program in 2013, which we expect to continue. At this time, we do not believe that compliance with CFATS will have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In addition to CFATS, our domestic operations are also subject to other laws and regulations promulgated and enforced by other components of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation, including TSA Pipeline Security Guidelines. Our operations in The Bahamas and in St. Lucia are subject to similar security-related regulations. We believe that we currently comply in all material respects with security-related laws and regulations. However, this is an area of continued regulatory developments for our industry and as such, we may incur increased operating costs based on developments associated with these regulations and ongoing compliance. At this time, we do not believe that future compliance with these requirements will have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-bribery laws.
Our international operations require us to comply with a number of U.S. and international laws and regulations, including those involving anti-bribery and anti-corruption. For example, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar international laws and regulations prohibit improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. The scope and enforcement of anti-corruption laws and regulations may vary.
We operate in parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree and, in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices. Our compliance programs and internal control policies and procedures may not always protect us from reckless or negligent acts committed by our employees or agents. Violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our business and result in a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
Derivative reform mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act and rules and regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act may have an adverse effect on our ability to use certain derivative instruments to reduce the effect of commodity price, interest rate and other risks associated with our business.
Congress adopted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in 2010. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act mandates significant changes to the over-the-counter derivative market and requires the Commodities Futures Trading Commission and the SEC and other regulators to promulgate rules and regulations establishing federal oversight and regulation of the over-the-counter derivative market. The rules and regulations promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Act may have an adverse effect on our ability to use certain derivative instruments to reduce the effect of commodity price, interest rate and other risks associated with our business.
The rulemaking process under the Dodd-Frank Act has not been completed, so it is not possible at this time to determine the full effect that the Dodd-Frank Act will have on our ability to continue to use the derivative products we currently utilize. The rules and regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act may increase the costs of certain derivative products as a result of the imposition of capital, clearing and exchange-trading requirements. Any requirement to post more collateral to our counterparties in excess of what we currently post to collateralize our obligations may have a negative impact upon our liquidity. Position limits may be imposed upon certain derivative transactions, which may further restrict our ability to utilize these products. The effects of the rules and regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act may also reduce our ability to monetize or restructure our existing derivative contracts. If, as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, we reduce our use of certain derivatives, our results of operations may become more volatile and our cash flows may be less predictable, which could adversely affect our ability to plan for and fund capital expenditures. Any of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on us, our financial condition, and our results of operations.
Our business is exposed to customer credit risk, and we may not be able to fully protect ourselves against such risk.
Our businesses are subject to the risks of nonpayment and nonperformance by our customers. We manage our exposure to credit risk through credit analysis and monitoring procedures, and sometimes use letters of credit, prepayments and guarantees. However, these procedures and policies cannot fully eliminate customer credit risk, and to the extent our policies and procedures prove to be inadequate, it could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, some of our customers, counterparties and suppliers may be highly leveraged and subject to their own operating and regulatory risks and, even if our credit review and analysis mechanisms work properly, we may experience financial losses in our dealings with such parties. Volatility in commodity prices might have an impact on many of our customers, which in turn could have a negative impact on their ability to meet their obligations to us.
The marketing business in our Merchant Services segment enters into sales contracts pursuant to which customers agree to buy refined petroleum products from us at a fixed price on a future date. If our customers have not hedged their exposure to reductions in refined petroleum product prices and there is a price drop, then they could have a significant loss upon settlement of their fixed-price contracts with us, which could increase the risk of their nonpayment or nonperformance. In addition, we generally have entered into futures contracts to hedge our exposure under these fixed-price contracts to increases in refined petroleum product prices. If price levels are lower at settlement than when we entered into these futures contracts, then we will be required to make payments upon the settlement thereof. Ordinarily, this settlement payment is offset by the payment received from the customer pursuant to the associated fixed-price contract. We are, however, required to make the settlement payment under the futures contract even if a fixed-price contract customer does not perform. Nonperformance under fixed-price contracts by a significant number of our customers could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Our operations are subject to operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions for which we may not be insured or entitled to indemnification.
Our operations are subject to operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions such as natural disasters, adverse weather, accidents, fires, explosions, marine allisions, hazardous materials releases and other events beyond our control. These events might result in a loss of equipment or life, injury, or extensive property or environmental damage, as well as an interruption in our operations. Our operations are currently covered by property, casualty, workers’ compensation and environmental insurance policies. In the future, however, we may not be able to maintain or obtain insurance of the type and amount desired at reasonable rates. As a result of market conditions, premiums and deductibles for certain insurance policies have increased substantially, and could escalate further. In some instances, certain insurance could become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage. For example, insurance carriers are now requiring broad exclusions for losses due to war risk and terrorist acts. Further, our environmental pollution coverage is subject to exclusions, conditions and limitations that could apply to a particular pollution claim or may not cover all claims or liabilities we incur. The contracts with our customers and other business partners involve risk-allocation and indemnification provisions. However, pursuant to these contracts we generally may not seek indemnification from a counterparty for liabilities, including those associated with the release of petroleum products, arising at a time in which we are in possession of the product owned by the counterparty. If we were to incur a significant liability for which we were not fully insured, or insured at all, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.
Our risk management policies cannot eliminate all commodity price risk and any noncompliance with our risk management policies could result in significant financial losses.
Our Merchant Services segment follows risk management practices that are designed to minimize commodity price risk, credit risk and operational risk. These practices and policies cannot, however, eliminate all price and price-related risks. Additionally, noncompliance with such practices and policies by our employees or agents may create additional risk. We cannot make any assurances that we will detect and prevent all violations of our risk management practices and policies, particularly if deception or other intentional misconduct is involved. Any violations of these practices or policies by our employees or agents could result in significant financial losses.
Hurricanes and other severe weather conditions, which may become more frequent as a result of climatic changes, could damage our facilities or disrupt our marine terminals or the operations of their customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and cash flow.
The operations of our facilities, in particular our marine terminals, could be impacted by severe weather conditions, including hurricanes. Any such event could cause a serious business disruption or serious damage to our facilities, which could affect such facilities’ ability to provide services. Additionally, such events could impact our facilities’ customers, and they may be unable to utilize our services. In addition, many scientists believe that global climatic changes are occurring and are likely to lead to increased physical risks, including an increase in sea level, wetland and barrier island erosion, risks of flooding and changes in weather conditions, such as precipitation, average temperatures and extreme weather conditions or storms. We own assets in communities that may be at risk from sea level rise, changes in weather conditions, storms and loss of the protection offered by coastal wetlands. The portion of our assets that is located in these areas may be increasingly susceptible to storm damage that could be aggravated by wetland and barrier island erosion. Existing weather-related risks and increased risks from additional future climate changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.
Increases in interest rates could adversely affect our unit price and our business.
Interest rates on future debt offerings could be higher than current levels, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. An increase in interest rates could also cause a corresponding decline in demand for equity investments, in general, and in particular for yield-based equity investments such as our LP Units. Lower demand for our LP Units for any reason, including competition from other more attractive investment opportunities, would likely cause the trading price of our LP Units to decline. If we issue additional equity at a significantly lower price, material dilution to our existing unitholders could result.
Additionally, we use both fixed and variable rate debt, and we are exposed to market risk due to the floating interest rates on our credit facility. From time to time we use interest rate derivatives to hedge interest obligations on specific debt. In addition, interest rates on future debt offerings could be higher, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. Our results of operations, cash flows and financial position could be adversely affected by significant increases in interest rates above current levels.
Risks Relating to Partnership Structure
We may sell additional units, diluting existing interests of unitholders.
Our partnership agreement allows us to issue additional units and certain other equity securities without unitholder approval. There is no limit on the total number of units and other equity securities we may issue. When we issue additional units or other equity securities, the proportionate partnership interest of our existing unitholders will decrease. The issuance could negatively affect the amount of cash distributed to unitholders and the market price of the units. Issuance of additional units will also diminish the relative voting strength of the previously outstanding LP Units.
Our partnership agreement limits the liability of our general partner and its directors and officers.
Our general partner and its directors and officers owe fiduciary duties to our unitholders. Provisions of our partnership agreement and partnership agreements for each of our operating partnerships, however, contain language limiting the liability of the general partner and its directors and officers to the unitholders for actions or omissions taken in good faith which do not involve gross negligence or willful misconduct. In addition, these partnership agreements grant broad rights of indemnification to the general partner and its directors, officers, employees and affiliates.
Unitholders may not have limited liability in some circumstances.
The limitations on the liability of holders of limited partnership interests for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in some states. If it were determined that we had been conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership statute, or that the unitholders as a group took any action pursuant to our partnership agreement that constituted participation in the “control” of our business, then the unitholders could be held liable under some circumstances for our obligations to the same extent as a general partner.
Under applicable state law, our general partner has unlimited liability for our obligations, including our debts and environmental liabilities, if any, except for our contractual obligations that are expressly made without recourse to the general partner.
In addition, Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act provides that under some circumstances a unitholder may be liable to us for the amount of distributions paid to the unitholder for a period of three years from the date of the distribution.
Tax Risks to Unitholders
Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, as well as our not being subject to a material amount of entity-level taxation by individual states. If the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) were to treat us as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, or we become subject to entity-level taxation for state tax purposes, our cash available for distribution to you would be substantially reduced.
The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in our LP Units depends largely on our being treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Despite the fact that we are organized as a limited partnership under Delaware law, we will be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless we satisfy a “qualifying income” requirement. Based upon our current operations and the private letter rulings we have received with respect to certain aspects of our business, we believe we satisfy the qualifying income requirement. Failing to meet the qualifying income requirement or a change in current law could cause us to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to taxation.
If we were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, we would pay U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 35%. Distributions to you would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gains, losses or deductions would flow through to you. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, our cash available for distribution to you would be substantially reduced. Therefore, treatment of us as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to holders of our LP Units, likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of our LP Units.
At the state level, several states have been evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise or other forms of taxation. If any state were to impose a tax upon us as an entity, the cash available for distribution to you would be reduced and the value of our LP Units could be negatively impacted.
The tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or an investment in our LP Units could be subject to potential legislative, judicial or administrative changes and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our LP Units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial changes or differing interpretations at any time. For example, the Obama administration’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2016 recommends that certain publicly traded partnerships earning income from activities related to fossil fuels be taxed as corporations beginning in 2021. From time to time, members of Congress propose and consider similar substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. If successful, such proposals could eliminate the qualifying income exception to the treatment of all publicly-traded partnerships as corporations upon which we rely for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In addition, the Internal Revenue Service has been considering changes to its private letter ruling policy concerning which activities give rise to qualifying income within the meaning of section 7704 of the Code. The implementation of changes to this policy could include the modification or revocation of existing rulings, including ours.
Any modification to the U.S. federal income tax laws may be applied retroactively and could make it more difficult or impossible for us to meet the exception for certain publicly traded partnerships to be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes or other proposals will ultimately be enacted. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our LP Units.
If the IRS were to contest the federal income tax positions we take, it may adversely impact the market for our LP Units, and the costs of any such contest would reduce cash available for distribution to you.
We have not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to our treatment as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. The IRS may adopt positions that differ from the positions we take. It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of the positions we take. A court may not agree with some or all of the positions we take. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our LP Units and the price at which they trade. Moreover, the costs of any contest between us and the IRS will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders.
Even if you do not receive any cash distributions from us, you will be required to pay taxes on your share of our taxable income.
You will be required to pay federal income taxes and, in some cases, state and local income taxes, on your share of our taxable income, whether or not you receive cash distributions from us. You may not receive cash distributions from us equal to your share of our taxable income or even equal to the actual tax due from you with respect to that income.
Tax gain or loss on disposition of our LP Units could be more or less than expected.
If you sell your LP Units, you will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in those LP Units. Because distributions in excess of your allocable share of our net taxable income decrease your tax basis in your LP Units, the amount, if any, of such prior excess distributions with respect to the LP Units you sell will, in effect, become taxable income to you if you sell such LP Units at a price greater than your tax basis in those LP Units, even if the price you receive is less than your original cost. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the amount realized, whether or not representing gain, may be taxed as ordinary income due to potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. In addition, because your amount realized includes your share of our nonrecourse liabilities, if you sell your LP Units, you may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash you receive from the sale.
Tax-exempt entities and non-U.S. persons face unique tax issues from owning our LP Units that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.
Investment in LP Units by tax-exempt entities, such as employee benefit plans and individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), and non-U.S. persons raises issues unique to them. For example, virtually all of our income allocated to organizations that are exempt from federal income tax, including IRAs and other retirement plans, will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to them. Distributions to non-U.S. persons will be subject to withholding taxes imposed at the highest effective tax rate applicable to such non-U.S. persons, and each non-U.S. person will be required to file United States federal tax returns and pay tax on their share of our taxable income. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a non-U.S. person, you should consult your tax advisor before investing in our LP Units.
We treat each purchaser of LP Units as having the same tax benefits without regard to the LP Units actually purchased. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the LP Units.
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of LP Units and because of other reasons, we have adopted depreciation and amortization positions that may not conform to all aspects of existing U.S. Treasury Regulations. A successful IRS challenge to those positions could adversely affect the amount of tax benefits available to you. It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits or the amount of gain from your sale of LP Units and could have a negative impact on the value of our LP Units or result in audit adjustments to your tax returns.
We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our LP Units each month based upon the ownership of our LP Units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular LP Unit is transferred. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among our unitholders.
We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our LP Units each month based upon the ownership of our LP Units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular LP Unit is transferred. The use of this proration method may not be permitted under existing U.S. Treasury Regulations. The U.S. Treasury Department has issued proposed Treasury Regulations that provide a safe harbor pursuant to which publicly traded partnerships may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders. Nonetheless, the proposed regulations do not specifically authorize the use of the proration method we have adopted. If the IRS were to challenge our proration method or new Treasury Regulations were issued, we may be required to change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among our unitholders.
A unitholder whose LP Units are the subject of a securities loan (e.g., a loan to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of LP Units) may be considered to have disposed of those LP Units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those LP Units during the period of the loan and could recognize gain or loss from the disposition.
Because there are no specific rules governing the federal income tax consequences of loaning a partnership interest, a unitholder whose LP Units are the subject of a securities loan may be considered to have disposed of the loaned LP Units. In that case, the unitholder may no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those LP Units during the period of the loan to the short seller and the unitholder may recognize gain or loss from such disposition. Moreover, during the period of the loan, any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those LP Units may not be reportable by the unitholder and any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those LP Units could be fully taxable as ordinary income. Unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a securities loan are urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing their LP Units.
The sale or exchange of 50% or more of our capital and profits interests during any twelve-month period will result in the termination of our partnership for federal income tax purposes.
We will be considered to have terminated for U.S. federal income tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. Our termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders, which would result in us filing two tax returns for one calendar year and could result in a significant deferral of depreciation deductions allowable in computing our taxable income. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a calendar year, the closing of our taxable year may also result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in taxable income for the unitholder’s taxable year that includes our termination. Our termination would not affect our classification as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, but it would result in our being treated as a new partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes following the termination. If we were treated as a new partnership, we would be required to make new tax elections and could be subject to penalties if we were unable to determine that a termination occurred. The IRS has announced a relief procedure whereby if a publicly traded partnership that has technically terminated requests and the IRS grants special relief, among other things, the partnership may be permitted to provide only a single Schedule K-1 to unitholders for the two short tax periods included in the year in which the termination occurs.
You will likely be subject to state and local taxes and income tax return filing requirements in jurisdictions where you do not live as a result of investing in our LP Units.
In addition to U.S. federal income taxes, you may be subject to other taxes, including non-U.S., state and local taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we conduct business or own property now or in the future, even if you do not live in any of those jurisdictions. You will likely be required to file non-U.S., state and local income tax returns and pay state and local income taxes in some or all of these various jurisdictions. Further, you may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. We own property and conduct business in a number of states in the United States. Most of these states impose an income tax on individuals, corporations and other entities. Additionally, we also own property and conduct business in Puerto Rico, The Bahamas and in St. Lucia. Under current law, you are not required to file a tax return or pay taxes in Puerto Rico, The Bahamas and in St. Lucia. As we make acquisitions or expand our business, we may own assets or conduct business in additional states or non-U.S. jurisdictions that impose a personal income tax. It is a unitholder’s responsibility to file all non-U.S., federal, state and local tax returns.
We have a subsidiary that is treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes and subject to corporate-level income taxes.
We conduct a portion of our operations through a subsidiary that is a corporation for federal income tax purposes. We may elect to conduct additional operations in corporate form in the future. The corporate subsidiary will be subject to corporate-level tax, which will reduce the cash available for distribution to us and, in turn, to our unitholders. If the IRS were to successfully assert that the corporate subsidiary has more tax liability than we anticipate or legislation was enacted that increased the corporate tax rate, our cash available for distribution would be further reduced.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
We are managed primarily from two leased commercial business offices located in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania and Houston, Texas that are approximately 75,000 and 68,000 square feet in size, respectively.
In general, our pipelines are located on land owned by others pursuant to rights granted under easements, leases, licenses and permits from railroads, utilities, governmental entities and private parties. Like other pipelines, certain of our rights are revocable at the election of the grantor or are subject to renewal at various intervals, and some require periodic payments. We have not experienced any revocations or lapses of such rights which were material to our business or operations, and we have no reason to expect any such revocation or lapse in the foreseeable future. Most delivery points, gathering, pumping stations and terminal facilities are located on land that we own.
See “Item 1, Business” for a description of the location and general character of our material property.
We believe that we have sufficient title to our material assets and properties, possess all material authorizations and revocable consents from state and local governmental and regulatory authorities and have all other material rights necessary to conduct our business substantially in accordance with past practice. Although in certain cases our title to assets and properties or our other rights, including our rights to occupy the land of others under easements, leases, licenses and permits, may be subject to encumbrances, restrictions and other imperfections, we do not expect any of such imperfections to materially detract from the value of such assets or properties or interfere materially with the conduct of our businesses.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various claims and legal proceedings, some of which are covered by insurance. We are generally unable to predict the timing or outcome of these claims and proceedings. Based upon our evaluation of existing claims and proceedings and the probability of losses relating to such contingencies, we have accrued certain amounts relating to such claims and proceedings, none of which are considered material.
Pennsauken Allisions. Our terminal located in Pennsauken, New Jersey suffered two allisions in August and October of 2014. On August 5, 2014, a vessel allided with our terminal’s ship dock. We incurred and will continue to incur damages for loss of use, which are still in the process of being quantified. Full security for our claim has been provided by the vessel owner’s insurers, reserving all of their defenses. We have commenced litigation against the vessel and her owner and are optimistic that we can recover all provable damages. On October 5, 2014, a vessel struck and caused damage to a second dock operated at the Pennsauken facility. We have put the vessel owners on notice of our intent to pursue them for reimbursement. Repair estimates are approximately $10.0 million for each incident. We are insured for all losses with respect to the allisions, subject to a $10.0 million deductible for property insurance per incident. As of December 31, 2014 we had a $2.8 million receivable included in “Other non-current assets” in our consolidated balance sheet, representing reimbursement of third party expenses.
BORCO Jetty. On May 25, 2012, a ship, Cape Bari, allided with a jetty at our BORCO facility while berthing, causing damage to portions of the jetty. Buckeye has insurance to cover this loss, subject to a $5.0 million deductible. On May 26, 2012, we commenced legal proceedings in The Bahamas against the vessel’s owner and the vessel to obtain security for the cost of repairs and other losses incurred as a result of the incident. Full security for our claim has been provided by the vessel owner’s insurers, reserving all of their defenses. We also have notified the customer on whose behalf the vessel was at the BORCO facility that we intend to hold them responsible for all damages and losses resulting from the incident pursuant to the terms of an agreement between the parties. Any disputes between us and our customer on this matter are subject to arbitration in Houston, Texas.
The vessel owner has claimed that it is entitled to limit its liability to $17.0 million, but we are contesting the right of the vessel owner to such limitation. The Bahamas court of first instance denied the vessel owner the right to limit its liability for the incident, leaving the vessel owner responsible for all provable damages. The vessel interests appealed, and The Bahamas Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the vessel interests may limit their liability. Our application for leave to appeal the Court of Appeals’ decision to the Privy Council, was granted, and the appeal has been filed. We can express no view on whether The Bahamas Court of Appeals decision ultimately will be affirmed or reversed.
We experienced no material interruption of service at the BORCO facility as a result of the incident, and the repairs and reconstruction of the damaged sections are complete.
The aggregate cost to repair and reconstruct the damaged portions of the jetty and pursue recovery in court has been $23.0 million. We recorded a loss on disposal due to the assets destroyed in the incident and other related costs incurred; however, since we believe recovery of our losses is probable, we recorded a corresponding receivable. As of December 31, 2014, we had a $6.2 million receivable included in “Other non-current assets” in our consolidated balance sheet, representing reimbursement of the deductible and other third party expenses. Additionally, we have received insurance reimbursements of $16.0 million, and to the extent the aggregate proceeds from the recovery of our losses is in excess of the carrying value of the destroyed assets or other costs incurred, we will recognize a gain when such proceeds are received and are not refundable. Our insurers have paid most of the claim and have now appeared in The Bahamas litigation. As of December 31, 2014, no gain had been recognized; however, we recorded a $14.1 million deferred gain in “Accrued and other current liabilities” in our consolidated balance sheet, representing excess proceeds received over the loss on disposal and other costs incurred.
On May 12, 2014, the vessel interests filed a third-party complaint against BORCO and a BORCO subsidiary, Borco Towing Company Limited, alleging negligence by the pilots and tugs that assisted the Cape Bari berth. We are investigating those allegations, but, at this time, we believe that we have defenses and intend to defend ourselves and pursue our claims against the vessel interests. BORCO and Borco Towing Company Limited are insured for the alleged liability and the liability insurers are participating in the defense.
West Shore. On December 3, 2012, a complaint was filed in the Circuit Court for Washington County, Wisconsin by Chad Altschafl, et al., as plaintiffs, naming Buckeye, Services Company, BPH, BPLC and West Shore as defendants, which complaint was amended by the plaintiffs on April 18, 2013, August 1, 2013 and again on September 23, 2013. The second amended complaint filed on August 1, 2013 named Zurich American Insurance Co. (“Zurich”) as an additional defendant. The plaintiffs were owners of 216 properties located in and around the Town of Jackson, Wisconsin. The complaint attempts to allege various emotional distress and property damage claims under Wisconsin law arising out of a release of gasoline from a pipeline owned by West Shore in the Town of Jackson, Wisconsin on July 17, 2012. On January 21, 2013, we filed an answer to the complaint, denying plaintiffs’ claims and asserting affirmative defenses. No dollar amount of damages was stated in the complaint, but the plaintiffs sought damages to reimburse them for, among other things, alleged costs of restoring their properties, of installing a permanent supply of potable water, and the alleged diminution in value of their properties. The plaintiffs also sought punitive damages. On February 7, 2014, the plaintiffs filed a stipulation to voluntarily dismiss Zurich without prejudice and on February 19, 2014, the court entered an order dismissing Zurich. In December 2014, the parties signed a settlement agreement. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, a stipulation of dismissal was filed in February 2015 seeking dismissal of all claims with prejudice. Buckeye, Services Company, BPH and BPLC are entitled to certain indemnifications by West Shore pursuant to an agreement between BPLC and West Shore, which resulted in West Shore indemnifying Buckeye, Services Company, BPH and BPLC for all costs associated with the settlement.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) Proceedings
FERC Docket No. OR12-28-000 - Airlines Complaint against BPLC New York City Jet Fuel Rates. On September 20, 2012, a complaint was filed with FERC by Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, United/Continental Air Lines, and US Airways challenging BPLC’s rates for transportation of jet fuel from New Jersey to three New York City airports. The complaint was not directed at BPLC’s rates for service to other destinations and does not involve pipeline systems and terminals owned by Buckeye’s other operating subsidiaries. The complaint challenges these jet fuel transportation rates as generating revenues in excess of costs and thus being “unjust and unreasonable” under the Interstate Commerce Act. On October 10, 2012, BPLC filed its answer to the complaint, contending that the airlines’ allegations are based on inappropriate adjustments to the pipeline’s costs and revenues, and that, in any event, any revenue recovery by BPLC in excess of costs would be irrelevant because BPLC’s rates are set under a FERC-approved program that ties rates to competitive levels. BPLC also sought dismissal of the complaint to the extent it seeks to challenge the portion of BPLC’s rates that were deemed just and reasonable, or “grandfathered,” under Section 1803 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. BPLC further contested the airlines’ ability to seek relief as to past charges where the rates are lawful under BPLC’s FERC-approved rate program. On October 25, 2012, the complainants filed their answer to BPLC’s motion to dismiss and answer. On November 9, 2012, BPLC filed a response addressing newly raised arguments in the complainants’ October 25th answer. On February 22, 2013, FERC issued an order setting the airline complaint in Dkt.” No. OR12-28-000 for hearing, but holding the hearing in abeyance and setting the dispute for settlement procedures before a settlement judge. If FERC were to find these challenged rates to be in excess of costs and not otherwise protected by law, it could order BPLC to reduce these rates prospectively and could order repayment to the complaining airlines of any past charges found to be in excess of just and reasonable levels for up to two years prior to the filing date of the complaint. BPLC intends to vigorously defend its rates. On March 8, 2013, an order was issued consolidating, for settlement purposes, this complaint proceeding with the proceeding regarding BPLC’s application for market-based rates in the New York City market in Dkt. No. OR13-3-000 (discussed below), and settlement discussions under the supervision of the FERC settlement judge continued until April 2014. On April 1, 2014, the FERC settlement judge issued a status report stating that the parties had been unable to reach a settlement, and recommending that both Dkt. Nos. OR12-28-000 and OR13-3-000 be set for hearing. The settlement judge further recommended that settlement procedures under the supervision of the settlement judge continue concurrently because the parties hope to continue settlement talks after the commencement of litigation. On April 17, 2014, the FERC Chief Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) ruled in favor of separate proceedings and of continuing the existing settlement procedures concurrently with litigation. In May 2014, a procedural schedule was established for this matter, providing for a hearing in March 2015 and an initial decision by August 2015. In February 2015, we determined that there was sufficient basis to record a contingency for a possible settlement. We recorded a reduction in revenue in the amount of $40.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 in our Pipelines & Terminals segment based upon a settlement offer made by BPLC to satisfy the claims for alleged past excessive charges through December 31, 2014. While we continue to pursue settlement of this matter, we are not able to predict with certainty the timing or final outcome of the proceeding, should it be carried through to its conclusion, or whether we can reach a satisfactory settlement and, if so, whether or not it will be on more or less favorable terms.
FERC Docket No. OR14-41-000 - American Airlines Complaint against BPLC New York City Jet Fuel Rates. On September 17, 2014, a complaint was filed with FERC by American Airlines. It is similar to the Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 complaint (see above) in that it challenges BPLC’s rates for transportation of jet fuel from New Jersey to the three New York City airports, is not directed at BPLC’s rates for service to other destinations, and does not involve pipeline systems and terminals owned by Buckeye’s other operating subsidiaries. The complaint’s allegations are virtually identical to those in the other airline complaint proceeding. The complaint also challenges Buckeye’s nominations and scheduling procedures and practices. On October 7, 2014, BPLC filed its answer to the complaint, contesting the airline’s allegations and presenting certain legal defenses to relief sought by the airline. On December 18, 2014, FERC issued an order setting the complaint for hearing, but holding the hearing in abeyance and setting the dispute for settlement procedures before a settlement judge. If FERC were to find these challenged rates to be in excess of costs and not otherwise protected by law, it could order BPLC to reduce these rates prospectively and could order repayment to the complaining airline of any past charges found to be in excess of just and reasonable levels for up to two years prior to the filing date of the complaint. BPLC intends to vigorously defend its rates and practices.
FERC Docket No. OR13-3-000 - BPLC’s Market-Based Rate Application. On October 15, 2012, BPLC filed an application with FERC seeking authority to charge market-based rates for deliveries of liquid petroleum products to the New York City-area market (the “Application”). In the Application, BPLC seeks to charge market-based rates from its three origin points in northeastern New Jersey to its five destinations on its Long Island System, including deliveries of jet fuel to the Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports. The jet fuel rates were also the subject of the airlines’ Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 complaint discussed above. On December 14, 2012, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, United/Continental Air Lines, and US Airways filed a joint intervention and protest challenging the Application and requesting its rejection. On January 14, 2013, BPLC filed its answer to the protest and requested summary disposition as to those non-jet-fuel rates that were not challenged in the protest. On January 29, 2013, the protestants responded to BPLC’s answer, and on February 13, 2013, BPLC filed a further answer to the protestants’ January 29, 2013 pleading. On February 28, 2013, FERC issued an order setting the Application for hearing, holding the hearing in abeyance and setting the dispute for settlement procedures before a settlement judge. As discussed above, the Application has been consolidated with the complaint proceeding in Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 for settlement purposes and the settlement judge has reported to the FERC and the Chief ALJ that the application should be set for hearing. The settlement judge also recommended that settlement procedures under the supervision of the settlement judge continue concurrently because the parties hope to continue settlement talks after the commencement of litigation. As noted above, the FERC Chief ALJ ruled that Dkt. No. OR13-3-000 will proceed separately from the Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 proceeding and that the existing settlement procedures will continue concurrently with litigation. If FERC were to approve the Application, BPLC would be permitted prospectively to set these rates in response to competitive forces, and the basis for the airlines’ claim for relief in their Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 complaint as to BPLC’s future rates would be irrelevant prospectively. The timing or outcome of FERC’s review of the Application cannot reasonably be determined at this time.
Environmental Proceedings
In December 2014, Buckeye received a penalty from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (“IDEM”) totaling $0.1 million primarily in connection with air emissions control device operations outside of the parameters of our permit at our terminal in Hammond, Indiana. We are currently in discussions with IDEM regarding the penalty.
In November 2014, Buckeye received a notice of probable violation from the PHMSA totaling $0.2 million in connection with certain recordkeeping and procedural issues related to our assets in the Linden, New Jersey area. We are contesting certain of the violations and requesting a reduced penalty.
In November 2014, Buckeye agreed with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to the payment of a penalty and establishment of a reserve fund for an environmental benefit project totaling $0.2 million in the aggregate in connection with air emissions control device operations outside of the parameters of our permit at our terminal in Albany, New York.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Units, Related Unitholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Units
Our LP Units are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “BPL.” The high and low sales prices of our LP Units during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, as reported in the NYSE Composite Transactions, were as follows:
The following graph compares the total unitholder return performance of our LP Units with the performance of: (i) the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (“S&P 500”) and (ii) the Alerian MLP Index. The Alerian MLP Index is a composite of the 50 most prominent energy master limited partnerships that provides investors with a comprehensive benchmark for this asset class. The graph assumes that $100 was invested in our LP Units and each comparison index beginning on December 31, 2009 and that all distributions or dividends were reinvested on a quarterly basis.
We have gathered tax information from our known unitholders and from brokers/nominees and, based on the information collected, we estimate our number of beneficial unitholders to be approximately 148,100 at December 31, 2014.
Cash distributions paid to LP Unitholders for the periods indicated were as follows:
On February 6, 2015, we announced a quarterly distribution of $1.1375 per LP Unit that will be paid on February 24, 2015, to unitholders of record on February 17, 2015. Based on the LP Units outstanding as of December 31, 2014, cash distributed to LP unitholders on February 24, 2015 will total $145.0 million.
We generally make quarterly cash distributions of substantially all of our available cash, generally defined as consolidated cash receipts less consolidated cash expenditures and such retentions for working capital, anticipated cash expenditures and contingencies as Buckeye GP deems appropriate.
We are a publicly traded MLP and are not subject to federal income tax. Instead, unitholders are required to report their allocable share of our income, gain, loss and deduction, regardless of whether we make distributions. We have made quarterly distribution payments since May 1987.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following tables present our selected consolidated financial data from our audited consolidated financial statements for the periods and at the dates indicated. The tables should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and our accompanying notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Report (in thousands, except per unit amounts).
(1) On November 19, 2010, we consummated a transaction pursuant to a plan and agreement of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with our general partner, BGH, BGH’s general partner and Grand Ohio, LLC (“Merger Sub”), our subsidiary. The exchange of BGH’s units for our LP Units was accounted for as a BGH equity issuance, and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub was merged into BGH, with BGH as the surviving entity (the “Merger”) for accounting purposes. The financial information for the periods prior to the effective date of the Merger is that of BGH. Although Buckeye is the surviving entity for legal purposes, BGH is the surviving entity for accounting purposes. Because BGH controlled Buckeye prior to the Merger, Buckeye’s financial statements were consolidated into BGH.
(2) During 2014, we recorded a reduction in revenue of $40.0 million related to a litigation contingency reserve associated with ongoing FERC litigation proceedings (see Note 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion).
(3) During 2012 and 2010, we recorded a $60.0 million asset impairment in our Pipelines & Terminals segment (see Note 5 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements) and a $21.1 million modification of an equity compensation plan, respectively.
(4) In connection with the Merger, the incentive compensation agreement (also referred to as the incentive distribution rights) held by our general partner was cancelled, and the general partner units held by our general partner (representing an approximate 0.5% general partner interest in us) were converted to a non-economic general partner interest. Additionally, pursuant to the Merger, BGH’s unitholders received a total of approximately 20 million of Buckeye’s LP Units in exchange for all outstanding BGH common units and management units. As a result, the number of Buckeye’s LP Units outstanding increased from 51.6 million to 71.4 million. However, for historical reporting purposes, the impact of this change was accounted for as a reverse split of BGH’s units of 0.705 to 1.0, together with the addition of Buckeye’s existing LP Units.
(5) Includes $181.7 million of assets held for sale as of December 31, 2013 relating to the Natural Gas Storage disposal group sold in December 2014 (see Note 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion).
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and our accompanying notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Report.
Business Overview
We own and operate a diversified network of integrated assets providing midstream logistic solutions, primarily consisting of the transportation, storage and marketing of liquid petroleum products. We are one of the largest independent liquid petroleum products pipeline operators in the United States in terms of volumes delivered, with approximately 6,000 miles of pipeline. Our terminal network comprises more than 120 liquid petroleum products terminals with aggregate storage capacity of over 110 million barrels across our portfolio of pipelines, inland terminals and marine terminals located primarily in the East Coast and Gulf Coast regions of the United States and in the Caribbean. Our flagship marine terminal in The Bahamas, BORCO, is one of the largest marine crude oil and refined petroleum products storage facilities in the world and provides an array of logistics and blending services for petroleum products. Our network of marine terminals enables us to facilitate global flows of crude oil, refined petroleum products, and other commodities, and to offer our customers connectivity to some of the world’s most important bulk storage and blending hubs. In September 2014, we expanded our network of marine midstream assets by acquiring a controlling interest in a company with assets located in Corpus Christi and the Eagle Ford play in Texas. We are also a wholesale distributor of refined petroleum products in certain areas served by our pipelines and terminals. Finally, Buckeye operates and/or maintains third-party pipelines under agreements with major oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical companies, and performs certain engineering and construction management services for third parties.
Our primary business objective is to provide stable and sustainable cash distributions to our LP Unitholders, while maintaining a relatively low investment risk profile. The key elements of our strategy are to: (i) operate in a safe and environmentally responsible manner; (ii) maximize utilization of our assets at the lowest cost per unit; (iii) maintain stable long-term customer relationships; (iv) optimize, expand and diversify our portfolio of energy assets through accretive acquisitions and organic growth projects; and (v) maintain a solid, conservative financial position and our investment-grade credit rating.
Overview of Operating Results
Net income attributable to our unitholders was $273.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was an increase of $112.7 million, or 70.3%, from $160.3 million for the corresponding period in 2013. The increase was primarily related to a non-cash asset impairment charge of $169.0 million recorded in 2013 related to our decision to divest our natural gas storage business. Operating income was $495.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is an increase of $17.3 million, or 3.6%, from $478.0 million the corresponding period in 2013. Our results for the year ended December 31, 2014 include year-over-year improvement in our Pipelines & Terminals, Global Marine Terminals and Development & Logistics segments, while our Merchant Services segment experienced an operating loss as a result of weaker business conditions in the various refined petroleum markets in which we serve, and unfavorable results from implementing strategies during the second quarter of 2014 intended to increase the utilization of our physical assets, grow our marketing business and mitigate risk. In 2014, our net income attributable to unitholders was also negatively impacted by the continued decline in the financial performance of our discontinued natural gas storage operations, primarily due to unfavorable market conditions, including low natural gas prices, compressed seasonal spreads and low volatility, as well as a reduction in revenue in our Pipelines & Terminals segment related to a litigation contingency reserve for ongoing FERC proceedings.
Revenues for our Pipelines & Terminals segment grew significantly in 2014, with the most significant contributor to this improvement attributed to the effective commercialization and integration of the terminals acquired from Hess in December 2013. Capital investments in internal growth and diversification initiatives, including expanding our butane blending capabilities and our crude oil handling services, also drove the year-over-year increase. More specifically, we benefitted from the contribution of 1.1 million barrels of new crude oil storage capacity that was placed in service during 2014 as well as the crude oil pipeline to rail facility that became operational in late 2013 at our Chicago Complex. Completed growth capital projects across our terminals continued to generate incremental cash flows related to higher butane blending margins and further butanization initiatives, including the installation of butane blending capabilities at five additional facilities. We also benefited from tariff increases put in place in March and July of 2014.
Our Global Marine Terminals segment benefited from year-over-year contribution driven primarily by the St. Lucia, Port Reading and Raritan Bay terminalling assets acquired from Hess in December 2013. The integration of these assets into our legacy portfolio has created synergies from providing complementary storage positions across our assets. In addition, internal capital growth initiatives generated period-over-period improvements and include the pipeline connection to Linden that was completed in the second quarter of 2014, the commencement of the gasoline blending and storage contract upon completion of this pipeline and the completed truck rack placed in service in late 2013. Furthermore, we benefited from the integration of assets acquired in the Buckeye Texas Partners transaction.
Key contributors to growth for our Development & Logistics segment include our third-party engineering and operations business, which benefited from improved margins and new contract operations opportunities. In addition, contributions from the LPG storage caverns continue to increase due to the return of recent capital investments and rail capabilities at these facilities.
The loss in our Merchant Services segment was primarily due to implementing strategies during the second quarter of 2014 intended to increase the utilization of our physical assets, grow our marketing business and mitigate risk. These losses were attributed to: (i) costs associated with entering into new markets to grow our marketing business and support the optimization of our underlying physical assets; (ii) losses on the liquidation of physical positions in markets less liquid than in our core markets; (iii) losses resulting from the timing of activity intended to mitigate risk on gasoline and distillates for the summer driving season and upcoming heating season; and (iv) a significant decline in the value of ethanol which is carried in inventory to support our gasoline business. The strategies that led to the loss in the second quarter were terminated and we continue to institute process improvements to manage our commodity risk. These losses were partially offset by increased earnings as a result of higher rack margins.
Also partially offsetting our overall increase in net income attributable to our unitholders was an increase in interest expense resulting from the long term debt issuances in 2013, including the debt issued to partially fund the assets acquired from Hess, and the increase in depreciation and amortization expense due to the assets acquired from Hess and the Buckeye Texas Partners transaction.
See the “Results of Operations” section below for further discussion and analysis of our operating segments.
Results of Operations
Consolidated Summary
Our summary operating results were as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per unit amounts):
(1) Represents loss from the operations of our Natural Gas Storage disposal group. See Note 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure used by our senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer, to: (i) evaluate our consolidated operating performance and the operating performance of our business segments; (ii) allocate resources and capital to business segments; (iii) evaluate the viability of proposed projects; and (iv) determine overall rates of return on alternative investment opportunities. Distributable cash flow is another measure used by our senior management to provide a clearer picture of cash available for distribution to its unitholders. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow eliminate: (i) non-cash expenses, including but not limited to, depreciation and amortization expense resulting from the significant capital investments we make in our businesses and from intangible assets recognized in business combinations; (ii) charges for obligations expected to be settled with the issuance of equity instruments; and (iii) items that are not indicative of our core operating performance results and business outlook.
We believe that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that we use and that these measures are useful to investors because they aid in comparing our operating performance with that of other companies with similar operations. The Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow data presented by us may not be comparable to similarly titled measures at other companies because these items may be defined differently by other companies.
The following table presents Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations by segment and on a consolidated basis, distributable cash flow and a reconciliation of income from continuing operations, which is the most comparable financial measure under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), to Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow for the periods indicated (in thousands):
(1) Includes $12.3 million of depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 100% of ownership interest in Buckeye Texas.
(2) Represents acquisition and transition expense related to the Hess Terminals Acquisition in December 2013 and the Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction in September 2014.
(3) Represents a contingent liability associated with ongoing FERC litigation proceedings.
(4) Represents the amortization of the negative fair values allocated to certain unfavorable storage contracts acquired in connection with the BORCO acquisition.
The following table presents product volumes transported and average daily throughput for the Pipelines & Terminals segment and total volumes sold for the Merchant Services segment for the periods indicated:
(1) Includes diesel fuel and heating oil.
(2) Includes liquefied petroleum gas, intermediate petroleum products and crude oil.
(3) Amounts for 2014 and 2013 include throughput volumes at terminals acquired from Hess in December 2013.
(4) Amounts include volumes related to fuel oil supply and distribution services which began in late 2012.
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013
Consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA was $763.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is an increase of $114.8 million, or 17.7%, from $648.8 million for the corresponding period in 2013. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily related to positive contribution from the assets acquired from Hess in December 2013 in the Global Marine Terminals and Pipelines & Terminals segments and benefit from growth capital spending in the Pipelines & Terminals segment. These increases in Adjusted EBITDA were partially offset by the loss in the Merchant Services segment as a result of weaker business conditions in the various refined petroleum markets in which we serve, and unfavorable results from implementing strategies in that segment during the second quarter of 2014 intended to increase the utilization of our physical assets, grow our marketing business and mitigate risk. These losses were attributed to: (i) costs associated with entering into new markets to grow our marketing business and support the optimization of our underlying physical assets; (ii) losses on the liquidation of physical positions in markets less liquid than in our core markets; (iii) losses resulting from the timing of activity intended to mitigate risk on gasoline and distillates for the summer driving season and upcoming heating season; and (iv) a significant decline in the value of ethanol which is carried in inventory to support our gasoline business.
Revenue was $6,620.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is an increase of $1,566.1 million, or 31.0%, from $5,054.1 million for the corresponding period in 2013. The increase in revenue was primarily related to increased product sales volumes in our Merchant Services segment, as well as the benefit of the terminals acquired from Hess in December 2013 in both our Pipelines & Terminals and Global Marine Terminals segments. These increases were partially offset by the litigation contingency reserve, recorded as a reduction in revenue, associated with ongoing FERC proceedings in our Pipelines & Terminals segment.
Operating income was $495.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is an increase of $17.3 million, or 3.6%, from $478.0 million in the corresponding period in 2013. The increase in operating income was primarily related to the benefit of the terminals acquired from Hess in December 2013 in both our Global Marine Terminals and Pipelines & Terminals segments. These increases were partially offset by the increase in depreciation and amortization expense primarily due to the assets acquired from Hess, assets acquired in the Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction in September 2014, the loss in the Merchant Services segment discussed above, as well as the litigation contingency reserve, recorded as a reduction in revenue, associated with ongoing FERC proceedings in our Pipelines & Terminals segment.
Distributable cash flow was $526.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is an increase of $72.6 million, or 16.0%, from $454.2 million for the corresponding period in 2013. The increase in distributable cash flow was primarily related to an increase of $114.8 million in Adjusted EBITDA as described above, partially offset by a $34.3 million increase in interest expense, excluding amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts and other, primarily resulting from the long-term debt issuances in 2013, including the debt issued to partially fund the assets acquired from Hess in December 2013 and a $7.9 million increase in maintenance capital expenditures.
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
Pipelines & Terminals. Adjusted EBITDA from the Pipelines & Terminals segment was $511.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was an increase of $40.2 million, or 8.5%, from $471.1 million for the corresponding period in 2013. The positive factors impacting Adjusted EBITDA were related to a $68.4 million increase in revenue resulting from an increase in terminalling throughput and storage contracts, including those associated with the assets acquired from Hess in December 2013, $33.4 million of incremental revenue from capital investments in internal growth and diversification initiatives, including butane blending capabilities, crude oil handling services and storage and throughput of other hydrocarbons, a $14.6 million increase in revenue due to increases in average pipeline tariff rates and longer-haul shipments, a $6.0 million increase in earnings from equity investments primarily due to a decrease in maintenance expense, a $4.6 million increase in other revenue, including a favorable settlement related to certain pipeline transportation services and a $2.4 million increase resulting from higher pipeline volumes.
The negative factors impacting Adjusted EBITDA were an $80.8 million increase in operating expenses, primarily related to incremental costs necessary to operate the terminals acquired from Hess in December 2013 and outside services for asset-maintenance activities, and $8.4 million in less favorable settlement experience primarily related to high volumetric gains experienced in 2013 as well as, to a lesser extent, falling commodity prices in 2014.
Pipeline volumes slightly increased despite weaker gasoline shipments resulting from extreme weather conditions in early 2014. Overall terminalling volumes increased by 16.5% due to effective commercialization and integration of the terminals acquired from Hess in December 2013. Legacy terminalling volumes increased by 4.4% due to higher demand for gasoline, distillates and jet fuel and new customer contracts and service offerings at select locations, including the benefit of contributions from growth capital spending.
Global Marine Terminals. Adjusted EBITDA from the Global Marine Terminals segment was $239.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was an increase of $89.8 million, or 60.0%, from $149.7 million for the corresponding period in 2013. The positive factors impacting Adjusted EBITDA were a $103.5 million increase in storage and terminalling revenue primarily as a result of the assets acquired from Hess in December 2013 and a $32.8 million increase in revenue from ancillary services. Ancillary services include the berthing of ships at our jetties, heating services and settlement gains/losses. The increase in revenue was partially offset by a $46.5 million increase in operating expenses primarily related to incremental costs necessary to operate the assets acquired from Hess in December 2013.
Merchant Services. Adjusted EBITDA from the Merchant Services segment was a loss of $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was a decrease of $20.7 million from earnings of $12.6 million for the corresponding period in 2013. The loss experienced during the period is primarily attributed to losses in the second quarter described above, partially offset by strong domestic rack margins.
Adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by a $1,368.0 million increase in revenue, which included a $1,854.9 million increase due to 46.5% of higher volumes sold, partially offset by a $486.9 million decrease in refined petroleum product sales due to a price decrease of $0.24 per gallon (average sales prices per gallon were $2.67 and $2.91 for the 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively).
Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by a $1,383.0 million increase in cost of product sales, which included a $1,843.3 million increase due to 46.5% of higher volumes sold, offset by a $460.3 million decrease in refined petroleum product cost due to a price decrease of $0.23 per gallon (average cost prices per gallon were $2.66 and $2.89 for the 2014 and 2013 periods, respectively) and a $5.7 million increase in operating expenses.
Development & Logistics. Adjusted EBITDA from the Development & Logistics segment was $20.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was an increase of $5.4 million, or 35.0%, from $15.4 million for the corresponding period in 2013. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a $19.5 million increase in third-party engineering and operations revenue primarily due to increased project activity and $2.9 million increase in revenue related to the LPG storage caverns primarily due to the favorable seasonal impact of the depletion of inventory and a one-time gain recognition of inventory, partially offset by a $17.0 million increase in engineering and operations expenses.
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2012
Consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA was $648.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is an increase of $96.4 million, or 17.4%, from $552.4 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily related to positive contributions from increased pipeline and terminalling volumes directly attributable to growth capital spending and higher blending capabilities, particularly butane blending, in the Pipelines & Terminals segment and increased storage capacity at and customer utilization of our BORCO facility in the Global Marine Terminals segment. In addition, higher margins in the Merchant Services segment were primarily due to lower product costs resulting from risk management activities and the generation of RINs.
Revenue was $5,054.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is an increase of $768.2 million, or 17.9%, from $4,285.9 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The increase in revenue was primarily related to new fuel oil supply and distribution services in the Caribbean and increased product sales volumes in our Merchant Services segment. In addition, revenue in our Pipelines & Terminals segment increased as a result of increased pipeline and terminalling volumes directly attributable to our growth capital spending and higher butane blending capabilities. Our Global Marine Terminals segment benefitted from incremental storage capacity brought online at our BORCO facility.
Operating income was $478.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is an increase of $133.5 million, or 38.7%, from $344.5 million the corresponding period in 2012. The increase in operating income was primarily related to increased pipeline and terminalling volumes directly attributable to our growth capital spending and diversification initiatives, as well as a non-cash asset impairment charge in 2012 in the Pipelines & Terminals segment. In addition, higher margins and lower operating costs in our Merchant Services segment contributed to our overall increase in operating income. These increases in operating income were offset by increased operating and depreciation expense largely attributable to the capacity expansion completed and brought online in the Global Marine Terminals segment.
Distributable cash flow was $454.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is an increase of $68.4 million, or 17.7%, from $385.8 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The increase in distributable cash flow was primarily related to an increase of $96.4 million in Adjusted EBITDA as described above, partially offset by an increase in maintenance capital expenditures of $17.4 million and increase in interest expense of $11.0 million related to long-term debt issuances in 2013, including the debt issued in the fourth quarter of 2013 to partially fund the Hess Terminals acquisition.
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
Pipelines & Terminals. Adjusted EBITDA from the Pipelines & Terminals segment was $471.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was an increase of $61.6 million, or 15.0%, from $409.5 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The positive factors impacting Adjusted EBITDA were related to $49.6 million of incremental revenue from capital investments in internal growth and diversification initiatives, including expanded butane blending capabilities, crude-handling services, as well as storage and throughput of other hydrocarbons, a $17.8 million increase in revenue due to higher pipeline and terminalling volumes on our legacy assets, $6.9 million increase in revenue resulting from an increase in pipeline capacity rentals, terminalling storage contracts and throughput and storage revenue at the terminals acquired from Hess in December 2013, $5.6 million more of favorable settlement experience despite the successful resolution of a $10.6 million product settlement allocation matter in 2012 and a $0.7 million increase in earnings due to the purchase of an additional ownership interest in WesPac Memphis in the second quarter of 2013.
The negative factors impacting Adjusted EBITDA were a $16.9 million increase in operating expenses, primarily related to higher operating costs due to internal growth and pipeline integrity costs, a $1.2 million decrease in revenue due to lower average pipeline tariff rates resulting from shorter-haul shipments and a $0.9 million decrease in earnings from equity investments due to higher maintenance costs.
Pipeline volumes increased by 2.9% due to stronger demand for gasoline and middle distillates resulting from changes in regional production and supply, partially offset by the idling of a portion of our NORCO pipeline system in early 2013. Terminalling volumes increased by 6.4% due to higher demand for gasoline, distillates and other hydrocarbons, resulting from new customer contracts and service offerings at select locations, effective commercialization of acquired assets, continued positive contribution from our recently completed internal growth projects and favorable market conditions.
Global Marine Terminals. Adjusted EBITDA from the Global Marine Terminals segment was $149.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was an increase of $21.1 million, or 16.4%, from $128.6 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The positive factors impacting Adjusted EBITDA were a $28.9 million increase in storage revenue primarily as a result of incremental storage capacity brought online at our BORCO facility and assets acquired from Hess in December 2013 and a $5.3 million increase in revenues from ancillary services due to increased customer utilization of our facilities. Ancillary services include the berthing of ships at our jetties and heating services.
The increase in revenue was offset by a $13.1 million increase in operating expenses primarily due to increased costs necessary to operate the expanded capabilities of the BORCO facility, one-time costs related to certain organizational changes in the second quarter of 2013 and costs associated with taking certain tankage out of service for maintenance activities and project work to improve the capabilities for handling anticipated heavy crude volumes.
Merchant Services. Adjusted EBITDA from the Merchant Services segment was $12.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was an increase of $11.5 million from $1.1 million for the corresponding period in 2012. In 2012, we developed and executed a strategy to mitigate basis risk that included the reduction of refined petroleum product inventories in the Midwest. In 2013, we continued to benefit from the execution of our strategy, which included focusing on fewer, more strategic locations in which to transact business, better managing our inventories and reducing the cost structure of the business. Sales volumes increased as we executed this strategy. In addition, beginning in late 2012, the segment began to provide fuel oil supply and distribution services to third parties in the Caribbean. This activity has also contributed to our increase in sales volumes for the period. Furthermore, we benefited from improved rack margins, largely the result of risk management activities to lower product costs, and the generation of RINs, which are tradable “credits” generated by blending biofuels into finished gasoline or diesel products.
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily related to a $651.4 million increase in revenue, which included a $728.4 million increase due to 21.8% of higher sales volumes, offset by a $77.0 million decrease as a result of a $0.06 per gallon decrease in refined petroleum product sales price (average sales prices per gallon were $2.91 and $2.97 for the 2013 and 2012 periods, respectively) and a $0.8 million decrease in operating expenses primarily related to overhead costs.
The increase in revenue was partially offset by a $640.7 million increase in cost of product sales, which included a $725.3 million increase due to 21.8% of higher sales volumes, offset by a $84.6 million decrease as a result of a $0.06 per gallon decrease in refined petroleum product cost price (average cost prices per gallon were $2.89 and $2.95 for the 2013 and 2012 periods, respectively).
Development & Logistics. Adjusted EBITDA from the Development & Logistics segment was $15.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was an increase of $2.2 million, or 16.6%, from $13.2 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to an $8.1 million increase in third-party engineering and operations revenue as a result of new contracts and higher fees and a $0.9 million increase in revenue related to the LPG storage caverns, partially offset by a $6.0 million increase in third-party engineering and operations expense and a $0.8 million increase in operating expenses, which primarily related to overhead costs.
General Outlook for 2015
The full year contribution from our recent acquisition of Buckeye Texas is expected to drive meaningful improvement in our year-over-year performance. We continue our implementation efforts around these assets, and we have made and expect to continue to make substantial investments in the Corpus Christi facilities during 2015. We expect to complete the construction of 3.8 million barrels of additional storage capacity, which will be placed in service ratably as tankage is completed in 2015 and into early 2016. Additionally, the condensate splitter is anticipated to be in service by mid-2015. Once complete, these facilities will offer our customer and partner, Trafigura, a premier deep-water, high-volume marine terminal, a condensate splitter and an LPG storage complex in Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as three crude oil and condensate gathering facilities in the Eagle Ford play. Importantly, all of these assets are backed by long-term seven to ten year minimum volume throughput and storage contracts with Trafigura that support substantially all the capacity and cash flows expected from these assets.
We expect to invest additional capital in 2015 in a number of projects, including potential pipeline extensions and expansions for transportation and/or storage of crude oil, refined products and natural gas liquids in and around our system footprint, both in the Midwest and around the East Coast. We recently announced an open season on a significant pipeline expansion project intended to facilitate refined product movements from advantaged Midwestern refiners eastward to markets in Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. We have historically generated strong returns on our organic growth capital investments, and we expect this trend to continue.
We also expect to incrementally benefit in 2015 from previous capital investments in projects completed in 2014. We completed the addition of 1.1 million barrels of crude oil storage capacity that was placed in service at our Chicago Complex as well as the high capacity pipeline connection between Perth Amboy and our Linden hub. We will see a full year contribution from those investments in 2015. We also completed the crude rail loading and unloading facility at our Perth Amboy facility in 2014, and we are actively exploring options to utilize the facility to potentially handle a heavier crude slate, export Canadian-sourced crude oil and handle petroleum feedstock components such as LPGs, naphtha and natural gasoline. We believe both producers and refiners continue to value the optionality and flexibility that rail logistics provide and expect these assets to provide a substantial incremental contribution in 2015.
In 2014, we installed new leadership in our Merchant Services segment that has been busy implementing a number of new processes and analyses to allow further optimization of this business. We expect this business to continue to focus on its core strategy of optimizing the utilization of the hard assets across our system, driving more profitable operations in 2015. In addition, we believe this business will benefit in 2015 from contango in the refined products markets.
We have seen declining crude prices in the second half of 2014 and early 2015 and expect prices to remain significantly below pricing levels we saw over the past few years. While certain aspects of our business will be negatively impacted by this decline in prices, other businesses are expected to benefit, as contango drives interest in storage and lower refined products prices potentially drives higher throughput volumes. Overall, we believe Buckeye is well positioned for the current market environment.
Volumes on our pipeline systems and terminals are expected to experience moderate growth, primarily as the result of capital projects. We posted a tariff increase as of January 1, 2015 on our market-based systems and expect growth on our index-based systems. Tariffs on our pipelines serving the New York City airports remain subject to the ongoing FERC matter.
We continue to look for ways to provide new solutions for our customers by leveraging our existing asset footprint. Ultimately, our ability to increase transportation and storage revenues is largely dependent on the strength of the overall economy in the markets we serve.
We believe that, under current market conditions, we could raise additional capital in both the debt and equity markets on acceptable terms. This could include utilizing the at-the-market equity issuance program, which is the most cost-efficient means to raise equity if necessary.
We will continue to evaluate opportunities throughout 2015 to acquire or construct assets that are complementary to our businesses and support our long-term growth strategy and will determine the appropriate financing structure for any opportunity we pursue.
The forward-looking statements contained in this “General Outlook for 2015” speak only as of the date hereof. Although the expectations in the forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by federal and state securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason. All such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this Report, including under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and elsewhere in this Report and in our future periodic reports filed with the SEC. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this “General Outlook for 2015” may not occur.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
Our primary cash requirements, in addition to normal operating expenses and debt service, are for working capital, capital expenditures, business acquisitions and distributions to partners. Our principal sources of liquidity are cash from operations, borrowings under our $1.5 billion revolving Credit Facility and proceeds from the issuance of our LP Units. We will, from time to time, issue debt securities to permanently finance amounts borrowed under our Credit Facility. The BMSC entities fund their working capital needs principally from their own operations and their portion of our Credit Facility. Our financial policy has been to fund maintenance capital expenditures with cash from continuing operations. Expansion and cost reduction capital expenditures, along with acquisitions, have typically been funded from external sources including our Credit Facility, as well as debt and equity offerings. Our goal has been to fund at least half of these expenditures with proceeds from equity offerings in order to maintain our investment-grade credit rating. Based on current market conditions, we believe our borrowing capacity under our Credit Facility, cash flows from continuing operations and access to debt and equity markets, if necessary, will be sufficient to fund our primary cash requirements, including our expansion plans over the next 12 months.
Current Liquidity
As of December 31, 2014, we had $10.3 million of working capital and $1,334.0 million of availability under our Credit Facility, but, except for borrowings that are used to refinance other debt, we are limited to $1,209.2 million of additional borrowing capacity by the financial covenants under our Credit Facility.
Capital Structuring Transactions
As part of our ongoing efforts to maintain a capital structure that is closely aligned with the cash-generating potential of our asset-based business, we may explore additional sources of external liquidity, including public or private debt or equity issuances. Matters to be considered will include cash interest expense and maturity profile, all to be balanced with maintaining adequate liquidity. We have a universal shelf registration statement that does not place any dollar limits on the amount of debt and equity securities that we may issue thereunder and a traditional shelf registration statement on file with the SEC under which we may issue equity securities with a value, as of December 31, 2014, not to exceed $674.5 million. The timing of any transaction may be impacted by events, such as strategic growth opportunities, legal judgments or regulatory or environmental requirements. The receptiveness of the capital markets to an offering of debt or equity securities cannot be assured and may be negatively impacted by, among other things, our long-term business prospects and other factors beyond our control, including market conditions.
In addition, we periodically evaluate engaging in strategic transactions as a source of capital or may consider divesting non-core assets where our evaluation suggests such a transaction is in the best interest of Buckeye.
Capital Allocation
We continually review our investment options with respect to our capital resources that are not distributed to our unitholders or used to pay down our debt and seek to invest these capital resources in various projects and activities based on their return to Buckeye. Potential investments could include, among others: add-on or other enhancement projects associated with our current assets; greenfield or brownfield development projects; and merger and acquisition activities.
Debt
At December 31, 2014, we had the following debt obligations (in thousands):
In October 2014, we repaid in full the $275.0 million principal amount outstanding under the 5.300% Notes and $7.3 million of related accrued interest using funds available under our Credit Facility.
In September 2014, we issued an aggregate of $600.0 million of senior unsecured notes in an underwritten public offering, including the $300.0 million of 4.350% Notes and the $300.0 million of 5.600% Notes, at 99.825% and 99.876%, respectively, of their principal amounts. Total proceeds from this offering, after underwriting fees, expenses and debt issuance costs of $5.3 million, were $593.8 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to fund a portion of the Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction (see Note 3), to settle all interest rate swaps relating to the forecasted refinancing of the 5.300% Notes for $51.5 million (see Note 17) and for general partnership purposes. We also used the net proceeds to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility.
In September 2014, the Credit Facility was modified and extended (through a new credit agreement) to provide for an increased borrowing capacity of $1.5 billion. The Credit Facility’s maturity date is September 30, 2019, with an option to extend the term for up to two one-year periods and a $500.0 million accordion option to increase the commitments with the consent of the lenders. At December 31, 2014, BMSC had $166.0 million collectively outstanding under the Credit Facility, all of which was classified as current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, as related funds were used to finance current working capital needs. See Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Equity
In September 2014, we completed a public offering of 6.75 million LP Units pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement, which priced at $80.00 per unit. In October 2014, the underwriters exercised an option to purchase up to an additional 1.0 million LP Units, resulting in total gross proceeds of $621.0 million before deducting underwriting fees and estimated offering expenses of $22.0 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility, to fund a portion of the Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction and for general partnership purposes.
In August 2014, we completed a public offering of 2.6 million LP Units pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement, through which the underwriters also exercised an option to purchase 0.4 million additional LP Units. The offering priced at $76.60 per unit, resulting in total gross proceeds of $229.0 million before deducting underwriting fees and estimated offering expenses of $2.4 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility and for general partnership purposes.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we sold 1.0 million LP Units in aggregate under the Equity Distribution Agreements, received $74.5 million in net proceeds after deducting commissions and other related expenses, and paid $0.8 million of compensation in aggregate to the agents under the Equity Distribution Agreements.
Cash Flows from Operating, Investing and Financing Activities
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Operating Activities
2014. Net cash provided by operating activities was $599.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily related to $274.9 million of net income, $196.4 million of depreciation and amortization, a $71.3 million decrease in accounts receivables, and a $70.1 million decrease in inventory, partially offset by a $51.5 million settlement to terminate the interest rate swap agreements related to the forecasted refinancing of the 5.300% Notes.
2013. Net cash provided by operating activities was $385.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily related to $164.4 million of net income and $155.2 million of depreciation and amortization, partially offset by a $62 million settlement to terminate the interest rate swap agreements related to the 4.150% Notes, a $69.7 million increase in accounts receivables and an increase in interest and debt expense.
2012. Net cash provided by operating activities was $441.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily related to $230.6 million of net income, $146.4 million of depreciation and amortization and $39.1 million associated with a reduction in inventory, partially offset by an increase of $73.7 million in accounts receivables. In 2012, we developed and executed a strategy to mitigate our basis risk that included the reduction of refined petroleum product inventories in the Midwest.
Future Operating Cash Flows. Our future operating cash flows will vary based on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including demand for our services, the cost of commodities, the effectiveness of our strategy, legal environmental and regulatory requirements and our ability to capture value associated with commodity price volatility.
Investing Activities
2014. Net cash used in investing activities of $1,191.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 primarily related to $472.1 million of capital expenditures and $824.7 million of acquisition costs, primarily related to the Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction, partially offset by $103.4 million cash proceeds from the sale of our Natural Gas Storage disposal group.
2013. Net cash used in investing activities of $1,204.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily related to $361.4 million of capital expenditures and $856.4 million related to the Hess Terminals Acquisition.
2012. Net cash used in investing activities of $590.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 primarily related to $331.3 million of capital expenditures and a $260.3 million acquisition of the Perth Amboy Facility.
See below for a discussion of capital spending. For further discussion on our acquisitions, see Note 3 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
We have capital expenditures, which we define as “maintenance capital expenditures,” in order to maintain and enhance the safety and integrity of our pipelines, terminals, storage facilities and related assets, and “expansion and cost reduction capital expenditures” to expand the reach or capacity of those assets, to improve the efficiency of our operations and to pursue new business opportunities. Capital expenditures, excluding non-cash changes in accruals for capital expenditures, were as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):
(1) Includes maintenance capital expenditures related to the Natural Gas Storage disposal group of $0.8 million, $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
(2) Includes expansion and cost reduction capital expenditures related to the Natural Gas Storage disposal group of $0.1 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Capital expenditures increased for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the corresponding period in 2013 primarily due to increases in expansion and cost reduction capital expenditures. Our expansion and cost reduction capital expenditures were $392.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is an increase of $102.2 million, or 35.2%, from $289.9 million for the corresponding period in 2013. Year-to-year fluctuations in our expansion and cost reduction capital expenditures are primarily driven by spending on our major growth capital projects. Our most significant growth capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2014 included cost reduction and revenue generating projects related to storage tank enhancements across our portfolio of terminalling assets, butane blending, completion of rail offloading facilities, crude oil storage/transportation and a pipeline integrity enhancement program that improved the operational efficiencies in our pipeline systems. Our maintenance capital expenditures were $80.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which is an increase of $8.5 million, or 12%, from $71.6 million for the corresponding period in 2013. Year-to-year fluctuations in our maintenance capital expenditures are primarily driven by the timing and cost of pipeline integrity and similar projects. Our most significant maintenance capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2014 included truck rack infrastructure upgrades, pump replacements and pipeline and tank integrity work necessary to maintain the operating capacity and equipment reliability of our existing infrastructure, as well as address environmental regulations.
Capital expenditures increased for the year ended December 31, 2013, as compared to the corresponding period in 2012 primarily due to increases in maintenance capital expenditures. Our maintenance capital expenditures were $71.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is an increase of $17.2 million, or 31.5%, from $54.4 million for the corresponding period in 2012. Year-to-year fluctuations in our maintenance capital expenditures are primarily driven by the timing and cost of pipeline integrity and similar projects. In 2012, maintenance capital spending was lower due to cancellation of certain project work that had been planned on a line that was idle late in the fourth quarter 2012. Otherwise, our most significant maintenance capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2013 included truck rack infrastructure upgrades, pump replacements and pipeline and tank integrity work necessary to maintain the operating capacity and equipment reliability of our existing infrastructure, as well as address environmental regulations. Our expansion and cost reduction capital expenditures were $289.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is an increase of $12.9 million, or 4.7%, from $276.9 million for the corresponding period in 2012. Year-to-year fluctuations in our expansion and cost reduction capital expenditures are primarily driven by spending on our major growth capital projects. Our most significant growth capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2013 included significant investments in storage tank expansion at BORCO and Perth Amboy, butane blending, rail offloading facilities, crude oil storage/transportation and various other cost reduction and revenue generating projects.
We estimate our capital expenditures for the period indicated as follows (in thousands):
(1) Includes 100% of Buckeye Texas Partners related capital expenditures.
Estimated maintenance capital expenditures include replacement of tank floors and tank roofs and upgrades to station and terminalling equipment, field instrumentation and cathodic protection systems. Estimated major expansion and cost reduction expenditures include the construction of a deep-water, marine terminal, a condensate splitter, an LPG storage complex and three crude oil and condensate gathering facilities in South Texas, storage tank enhancement and refurbishment projects across our system, and various upgrades and expansions of our butane blending business. The build-out of the facilities in South Texas is funded through additional partnership contributions by us and Trafigura based on our respective ownership interests.
Financing Activities
2014. Net cash flows provided by financing activities of $595.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 primarily related to $899.7 million of net proceeds from the issuance of an aggregate 11.8 million LP Units, and $599.1 million of proceeds from the issuance of the 4.350% and 5.600% Notes due October 15, 2024 and October 15, 2044, respectively, partially offset by $527.2 million of cash distributions paid to our unitholders ($ 4.425 per LP Unit), $275.0 million related to the repayment of the 5.300% Notes and $89.0 million of net repayments under the Credit Facility.
2013. Net cash flows provided by financing activities of $817.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily related to $1.3 billion of proceeds from the issuance of the 4.150%, 2.650% and 5.850% Notes due July 1, 2023, November 15, 2018 and November 15, 2043, respectively, $903.0 million of net proceeds from the issuance of an aggregate 16.0 million LP Units, partially offset by $655.8 million of net repayments under the Credit Facility, $428.8 million of cash distributions paid to our unitholders ($4.225 per LP Unit) and $300.0 million related to the repayment of the 4.625% Notes.
2012. Net cash flows provided by financing activities of $142.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 primarily related to $296.0 million of net borrowings under the Credit Facility and $246.8 million of net proceeds from the issuance of 4.3 million LP Units, partially offset by $371.2 million ($4.15 per LP Unit) of cash distributions paid to our unitholders.
For further discussion on our equity offerings, see Note 22 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
(1) Includes long-term debt portion borrowed by Buckeye under our Credit Facility. See Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our debt obligations.
(2) Includes amounts due on our notes and amounts and commitment fees due on our Credit Facility. The interest amount calculated on the Credit Facility is based on the assumption that the amount outstanding and the interest rate charged both remain at their current levels.
(3) Includes leases for tugboats and a barge in our Global Marine Terminals segment.
(4) Includes leases for properties in connection with both the jetty and inland dock operations in our Global Marine Terminals segment.
(5) Includes short-term purchase obligations for products and services with third-party suppliers and payment obligations relating to capital projects we have committed to. The prices that we are obligated to pay under these contracts approximate current market prices.
For the year ended 2015, our rights-of-way payments are expected to be $6.7 million, which includes an estimated amount for annual escalation.
In addition, our obligations related to our pension and postretirement benefit plans are discussed in Note 19 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Services Company provides the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) to the majority of its employees hired before September 16, 2004. Employees hired by Services Company after September 15, 2004 and certain employees covered by a union multiemployer pension plan do not participate in the ESOP. The ESOP owns all of the outstanding common stock of Services Company.
The ESOP was frozen with respect to benefits effective March 27, 2011 (the “Freeze Date”). No Services Company contributions have been or will be made on behalf of current participants in the ESOP on and after the Freeze Date. Even though contributions under the ESOP are no longer being made, each eligible participant’s ESOP account will continue to be credited with its share of any stock dividends or other stock distributions associated with Services Company stock.
All Services Company stock has been allocated to ESOP participants. See Note 19 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had no off-balance sheet debt or arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses during the reporting period and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be made with certainty. Estimates may change as new events occur, when additional information becomes available and if our operating environment changes. Actual results could differ from our estimates. See Note 2 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for our significant accounting policies. The following describes significant estimates and assumptions affecting the application of these policies:
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our subsidiaries controlled by us and VIEs, of which we are the primary beneficiary. A VIE is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary which is generally defined as the party who has (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. We evaluate our relationships with our VIEs on an ongoing basis to determine whether we continue to be the primary beneficiary. Third party or affiliate ownership interests in our consolidated VIEs are presented as noncontrolling interests. All intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
In September 2014, we acquired an 80% interest in Buckeye Texas, a newly-formed entity. Buckeye Texas does not have sufficient resources to complete its initial build-out and activities without financial support of its joint owners. Accordingly, we concluded Buckeye Texas is a VIE of which we are the primary beneficiary. In making this conclusion, we evaluated the activities that significantly impact the economics of the VIE, including our role to perform all services reasonably required to construct, operate and maintain the assets.
Business Combinations
We allocate the total purchase price of a business combination to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date, with the excess purchase price recorded as goodwill. An income, market or cost valuation method may be utilized to estimate the fair value of the assets acquired or liabilities assumed in a business combination. The income valuation method represents the present value of future cash flows over the life of the asset using: (i) discrete financial forecasts, which rely on management’s estimates of revenue and operating expenses; (ii) long-term growth rates; and (iii) appropriate discount rates. The market valuation method uses prices paid for a reasonably similar asset by other purchasers in the market, with adjustments relating to any differences between the assets. The cost valuation method is based on the replacement cost of a comparable asset at prices at the time of the acquisition reduced for depreciation of the asset.
Valuation of Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired. Our goodwill amounts are assessed for impairment: (i) on an annual basis on January 1 of each year; or (ii) on an interim basis if circumstances indicate it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value.
Subsequent to the acquisition of our interest in Buckeye Texas, which is consolidated into our Global Marine Terminals segment, we identified two reporting units within Global Marine Terminals, comprised of: (i) our legacy operations in the Caribbean and New York Harbor; and (ii) the newly acquired operations in Buckeye Texas. We tested these reporting units for impairment as of our annual testing date of January 1, 2015.
For our annual goodwill impairment test as of January 1, 2015, we performed a qualitative assessment to determine whether the fair value of the Pipelines & Terminals reporting unit was more likely than not less than the carrying value. Based on our assessment, the Pipelines & Terminals reporting unit had: (i) a substantial excess of fair value over carrying value in its latest quantitative assessment; (ii) continued positive performance in Adjusted EBITDA over the prior year; (iii) projected increases in Adjusted EBITDA primarily as a result of contributions from internal capital projects and accretive acquisitions; and (iv) positive industry and market factors. We determined that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying amount; therefore, the two-step impairment test was not required.
Additionally, we performed quantitative assessments to determine the fair value of each of the remaining reporting units. The estimate of the fair value of the reporting unit is determined using a combination of an expected present value of future cash flows and a market multiple valuation method. The present value of future cash flows is estimated using: (i) discrete financial forecasts, which rely on management’s estimates of revenue and operating expenses; (ii) long-term growth rates; and (iii) an appropriate discount rate. The market multiple valuation method uses appropriate market multiples from comparable companies on the reporting unit’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. We evaluate industry and market conditions for purposes of weighting the income and market valuation approach. Based on such calculations, each reporting unit’s fair value was in excess of its carrying value. We did not record any goodwill impairment charges during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets and Equity Method Investments
We assess the recoverability of our long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Estimates of undiscounted future cash flows include: (i) discrete financial forecasts, which rely on management’s estimates of revenue and operating expenses; (ii) long-term growth rates; and (iii) estimates of useful lives of the assets. Such estimates of future undiscounted cash flows are highly subjective and are based on numerous assumptions about future operations and market conditions.
In December 2013, the Board approved a plan to divest the natural gas storage facility and related assets that our former subsidiary, Lodi, owned and operated in Northern California. We refer to this group of assets as our Natural Gas Storage disposal group. The estimated fair value less costs to sell was determined to be less than its carrying value, which resulted in the recognition of a non-cash asset impairment charge of $169.0 million, which included the write-down of long-lived assets. In July 2014, we signed a purchase and sale agreement to sell our Natural Gas Storage disposal group. As a result of the execution of the purchase and sale agreement, subsequent changes in the carrying value of the net assets and the completed sale in December 2014, we recorded additional non-cash asset impairment charges of $23.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2014. We recorded these asset impairment charges within “Loss from discontinued operations” on our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See Notes 4 and 5 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
During the fourth quarter of 2012, we recorded a $60.0 million non-cash asset impairment charge in our Pipelines & Terminals segment relating to a portion of Buckeye’s NORCO pipeline system. See Note 5 and 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
We evaluate equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that there is an “other than temporary” loss in value of the investment. Estimates of future cash flows include: (i) discrete financial forecasts, which rely on management’s estimates of revenue and operating expenses; (ii) long-term growth rates; and (iii) probabilities assigned to different cash flow scenarios. There were no impairments of our equity investments during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Reserves for Environmental Matters
We record environmental liabilities at a specific site when environmental assessments occur or remediation efforts are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated based upon past experience, discussion with operating personnel, advice of outside engineering and consulting firms, discussion with legal counsel, or current facts and circumstances. The estimates related to environmental matters are uncertain because: (i) estimated future expenditures are subject to cost fluctuations and change in estimated remediation period; (ii) unanticipated liabilities may arise; and (iii) changes in federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations may significantly change the extent of remediation.
Valuation of Derivatives
We are exposed to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates and commodity prices, in the course of our normal business operations. We use derivative instruments to manage these risks.
Our Merchant Services segment primarily uses exchange-traded refined petroleum product futures contracts to manage the risk of market price volatility on its refined petroleum product inventories and its physical derivative contracts. The futures contracts used to hedge refined petroleum product inventories are designated as fair value hedges with changes in fair value of both the futures contracts and physical inventory reflected in earnings. Physical contracts and futures contracts that have not been designated in a hedge relationship are marked-to-market.
The fixed-price and index purchase contracts are typically executed with credit worthy counterparties and are short-term in nature, thus evaluated for credit risk in the same manner as the fixed-price sales contracts. However, because the fixed-price sales contracts are privately negotiated with customers of the Merchant Services segment who are generally smaller, private companies that may not have established credit ratings, the determination of an adjustment to fair value to reflect counterparty credit risk (a “credit valuation adjustment”) requires significant management judgment.
Each customer is evaluated for performance under the terms and conditions of their contracts; therefore, we evaluate: (i) the historical payment patterns of the customer; (ii) the current outstanding receivables balances for each customer and contract; and (iii) the level of performance of each customer with respect to volumes called for in the contract. We then evaluated the specific risks and expected outcomes of nonpayment or nonperformance by each customer and contract. We continue to monitor and evaluate performance and collections with respect to these fixed-price contracts.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market Risk - Trading Instruments
We have no trading derivative instruments.
Market Risk - Non-Trading Instruments
We are exposed to financial market risks, including changes in commodity prices and interest rates. The primary factors affecting our market risk and the fair value of our derivative portfolio at any point in time are the volume of open derivative positions, changing refined petroleum commodity prices, and prevailing interest rates for our interest rate swaps. We are also susceptible to basis risk created when we enter into financial hedges that are priced at a certain location, but the sales or exchanges of the underlying commodity are at another location where prices and price changes might differ from the prices and price changes at the location upon which the hedging instrument is based. Since prices for refined petroleum products and interest rates are volatile, there may be material changes in the fair value of our derivatives over time, driven both by price volatility and the changes in volume of open derivative transactions.
The following is a summary of changes in fair value of our derivative instruments for the periods indicated (in thousands):
(1) In September 2014, we settled the remaining six forward-starting interest rate swaps for $51.5 million. See Note 17 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion related to derivative instruments and hedging activities.
Commodity Price Risk
Merchant Services
Our Merchant Services segment primarily uses exchange-traded refined petroleum product futures contracts to manage the risk of market price volatility on its refined petroleum product inventories and its physical derivative contracts. Based on a hypothetical 10% movement in the underlying quoted market prices of the futures contracts and observable market data from third-party pricing publications for physical derivative contracts related to designated hedged refined petroleum products inventories outstanding and physical derivative contracts at December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value would be as follows (in thousands):
Interest Rate Risk
From time to time, we utilize forward-starting interest rate swaps to hedge the variability of the forecasted interest payments on anticipated debt issuances that may result from changes in the benchmark interest rate until the expected debt is issued. When entering into interest rate swap transactions, we are exposed to both credit risk and market risk. We manage our credit risk by entering into swap transactions only with major financial institutions with investment-grade credit ratings. We are subject to credit risk when the change in fair value of the swap instruments is positive and the counterparty may fail to perform under the terms of the contract. We are subject to market risk with respect to changes in the underlying benchmark interest rate that impact the fair value of swaps. We manage our market risk by aligning the swap instrument with the existing underlying debt obligation or a specified expected debt issuance generally associated with the maturity of an existing debt obligation.
Our practice with respect to derivative transactions related to interest rate risk has been to have each transaction in connection with non-routine borrowings authorized by the Board of Directors of Buckeye GP. In February 2009, Buckeye GP’s Board of Directors adopted an interest rate hedging policy which permits us to enter into certain short-term interest rate swap agreements to manage our interest rate and cash flow risks associated with a credit facility. In addition, in July 2009 and May 2010, Buckeye GP’s Board of Directors authorized us to enter into certain transactions, such as forward-starting interest rate swaps, to manage our interest rate and cash flow risks related to certain expected debt issuances associated with the maturity of existing debt obligations.
See Note 17 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion related to derivative instruments and hedging activities.
At December 31, 2014, we had total fixed-rate debt obligations under various public notes at aggregate carrying value of $3,389.0 million. Based on a hypothetical 1% movement in the underlying interest rates at December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value of these debt obligations would be as follows (in millions):
At December 31, 2014, our variable-rate obligations were $166.0 million under the Credit Facility. Based on the balance outstanding at December 31, 2014, we estimate that a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates would increase or decrease annual interest expense by $1.7 million.
Foreign Currency Risk
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth country under the U.S., and thus uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency. BORCO’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar and it is equivalent in value to the Bahamian dollar. St. Lucia is a sovereign island country in the Caribbean and its official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, which is pegged to the U.S. dollar and has remained fixed for many years. The functional currency for our operations in St. Lucia is the U.S. dollar. Foreign exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar relate to a nominal amount of supply purchases and are included in “Other income (expense)” within our consolidated statements of operations. The effects of foreign currency transactions were not considered to be material for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Page
Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements:
1. Organization
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
3. Acquisitions and Disposition
4. Discontinued Operations
5. Asset Impairments
6. Commitments and Contingencies
7. Inventories
8. Prepaid and Other Current Assets
9. Property, Plant and Equipment
10. Equity Investments
11. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
12. Other Non-Current Assets
13. Accrued and Other Current Liabilities
14. Long-Term Debt
15. Other Non-Current Liabilities
16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
17. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
18. Fair Value Measurements
19. Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
20. Unit-Based Compensation Plans
21. Related Party Transactions
22. Partners’ Capital and Distributions
23. Income Taxes
24. Earnings Per Unit
25. Business Segments
26. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
27. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
28. Subsequent Event
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of Buckeye GP LLC, as general partner of Buckeye Partners, L.P. (“Buckeye”), is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting of Buckeye. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In conducting our evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, we excluded the internal control over financial reporting of Buckeye Texas Partners LLC (“Buckeye Texas”), which was consolidated into our financial statements on September 16, 2014, due to its size, implementation of our internal control structure and certain system implementations. Buckeye Texas constituted 14.3% of total assets and 0.2% of total revenue of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014. Such exclusion was in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission guidance that an assessment of a recently acquired business may be omitted in management’s report on internal controls over financial reporting, providing the acquisition took place within twelve months of management’s evaluation.
Management evaluated the internal control over financial reporting of Buckeye as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) (“COSO”). As a result of this assessment and based on the criteria in the COSO framework, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, the internal control over financial reporting of Buckeye was effective.
Buckeye’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has audited the internal control over financial reporting of Buckeye. Their opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Buckeye appears herein.
/s/ CLARK C. SMITH
/s/ KEITH E. ST.CLAIR
Clark C. Smith
Keith E. St.Clair
Chief Executive Officer, President and
Executive Vice President and
Chairman of the Board
Chief Financial Officer
February 26, 2015
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors of Buckeye GP LLC and the
Partners of Buckeye Partners, L.P.
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Buckeye Partners, L.P. and subsidiaries (“Buckeye”) as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting of Buckeye Texas Partners (“Buckeye Texas”), which was consolidated into Buckeye’s financial statements on September 16, 2014, and whose financial statements constitute approximately 14.3% of total assets and 0.2% of total revenue of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at Buckeye Texas. Buckeye’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Buckeye’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Buckeye maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 of Buckeye and our report dated February 26, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Houston, Texas
February 26, 2015
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors of Buckeye GP LLC and the
Partners of Buckeye Partners, L.P.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Buckeye Partners, L.P. and subsidiaries (“Buckeye”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and partners’ capital for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of Buckeye’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Buckeye as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Buckeye’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on Buckeye’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Houston, Texas
February 26, 2015
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except unit amounts)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
(In thousands)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION
Buckeye Partners, L.P. is a publicly traded Delaware master limited partnership (“MLP”), and its limited partnership units representing limited partner interests (“LP Units”) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “BPL.” Buckeye GP LLC (“Buckeye GP”) is our general partner and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Buckeye GP Holdings L.P. (“BGH”), a Delaware limited partnership that was previously publicly traded on the NYSE prior to Buckeye’s merger with BGH, with BGH as the surviving entity. Effective November 5, 2014, BGH was merged with and into Buckeye GP, with Buckeye GP as the surviving entity. As used in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “we,” “us,” “our” and “Buckeye” mean Buckeye Partners, L.P. and, where the context requires, includes our subsidiaries.
We were formed in 1986 and own and operate a diversified network of integrated assets providing midstream logistic solutions, primarily consisting of the transportation, storage and marketing of liquid petroleum products. We are one of the largest independent liquid petroleum products pipeline operators in the United States in terms of volumes delivered, miles of pipeline and active products terminals across our portfolio of pipelines, inland terminals and marine terminals located primarily in the East Coast and Gulf Coast regions of the United States and in the Caribbean. Our flagship marine terminal in The Bahamas, Bahamas Oil Refining Company International Limited (“BORCO”), is one of the largest marine crude oil and refined petroleum products storage facilities in the world and provides an array of logistics and blending services for petroleum products. Our network of marine terminals enables us to facilitate global flows of crude oil, refined petroleum products, and other commodities, and to offer our customers connectivity to some of the world’s most important bulk storage and blending hubs. In September 2014, we expanded our network of marine midstream assets by acquiring a controlling interest in a company with assets located in Corpus Christi and the Eagle Ford play in Texas. We are also a wholesale distributor of refined petroleum products in certain areas served by our pipelines and terminals. Finally, Buckeye operates and/or maintains third-party pipelines under agreements with major oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical companies, and performs certain engineering and construction management services for third parties.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
We adhere to the following significant accounting policies in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our subsidiaries controlled by us and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) of which we are the primary beneficiary. A VIE is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary which is generally defined as the party who has (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. We evaluate our relationships with our VIEs on an ongoing basis to determine whether we continue to be the primary beneficiary. Third party or affiliate ownership interests in our consolidated VIEs are presented as noncontrolling interests. All intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Prior period amounts for certain receivables have been reclassified from “Prepaid and other current assets” to “Accounts receivable, net” in our consolidated balance sheets to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on our results of operations.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Asset Retirement Obligations
We regularly assess our legal obligations with respect to estimated retirements of certain of our long-lived assets to determine if an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) exists. The fair value of a liability related to the retirement of long-lived assets is recorded at the time a regulatory or contractual obligation is incurred, including obligations to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. If an ARO is identified and a liability is recorded, a corresponding asset is recorded concurrently and is depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset. After the initial measurement, the liability is periodically adjusted for costs incurred or settled, accretion expense, and any revisions made to the assumptions related to the retirement costs. Generally, the fair value of the liability is determined based on estimates and assumptions related to: (i) future retirement costs; (ii) future inflation rates; and (iii) credit-adjusted risk-free interest rates.
Our assets generally consist of terminals that we own and underground liquid petroleum products pipelines installed along rights-of-way acquired from land owners and related above-ground facilities. The significant majority of our rights-of-way agreements do not require the dismantling and removal of the pipelines and reclamation of the rights-of-way upon permanent removal of the pipelines from service. In addition, we assume substantially all of our common carrier properties operate indefinitely, as these assets generally serve in high-population and high-demand markets. Accordingly, other than with respect to facilities that are expected to be taken out of service, we have recorded no liabilities, or corresponding assets because the future dismantlement and removal dates of the majority of our assets, and the amount of any associated costs, are indeterminable. The ARO liability represents our best estimate of the costs to be incurred with information currently available and is based on certain assumptions, including: (i) timing of retirement of assets; (ii) methods of abandonment to be employed; and (iii) if applicable, our requirements under right-of-way agreements; therefore, it is likely that the ultimate costs to settle this liability will be different and such differences could be material.
The following table presents information regarding our AROs (in thousands):
(1) Amount is included in “Liabilities held for sale” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. See Note 4 for further information.
(2) Amount includes $1.1 million and $8.3 million within “Accrued and other current liabilities” and $2.6 million and $2.6 million within “Other non-current liabilities” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(3) In 2014, we recorded a $3.8 million reduction to our ARO related to the abandonment of a portion of our NORCO pipeline system. See Note 5 for further information.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Assets Held for Sale
Assets are classified as held for sale when we have a plan for disposal of certain assets and those assets meet the held for sale criteria as set forth in authoritative accounting guidance. In December 2013, the Board of Directors of Buckeye GP (the “Board”) approved a plan to divest the natural gas storage facility and related assets that our former subsidiary, Lodi Gas Storage, L.L.C. (“Lodi”), owned and operated in Northern California. We refer to this group of assets as our Natural Gas Storage disposal group. Upon approval of the plan to sell our Natural Gas Storage disposal group, we classified the asset and liabilities of the business as “held for sale” on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. The results of operations for our Natural Gas Storage disposal group have been segregated and presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented in these financial statements.
At the time an operation qualifies for held for sale accounting, the operation is evaluated to determine whether or not the carrying value exceeds its fair value less cost to sell. As a result of our measurement of this disposal group at fair value less costs to sell, we recorded $169.0 million of asset impairment expense within “Loss from discontinued operations” on our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013.
In July 2014, we signed a purchase and sale agreement to sell our Natural Gas Storage disposal group. As a result of the execution of the purchase and sale agreement, subsequent changes in the carrying value of the net assets of our Natural Gas Storage business and the completed sale in December 2014, we recorded an additional $23.4 million of asset impairment expense within “Loss from discontinued operations” on our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. See Note 4 and Note 5 for additional information.
Business Combinations
We allocate the total purchase price of a business combination to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date, with the excess purchase price recorded as goodwill. For all material acquisitions, we engage an independent valuation specialist to assist us in determining the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including goodwill, based on recognized business valuation methodology. If the initial accounting for the business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the acquisition occurs, an estimate will be recorded. Subsequent to the acquisition, and not later than one year from the acquisition date, we will record any material adjustments retrospectively to the initial estimate based on new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. An income, market or cost valuation method may be utilized to estimate the fair value of the assets acquired or liabilities assumed in a business combination. The income valuation method represents the present value of future cash flows over the life of the asset using: (i) discrete financial forecasts, which rely on management’s estimates of revenue and operating expenses; (ii) long-term growth rates; and (iii) appropriate discount rates. The market valuation method uses prices paid for a reasonably similar asset by other purchasers in the market, with adjustments relating to any differences between the assets. The cost valuation method is based on the replacement cost of a comparable asset at prices at the time of the acquisition reduced for depreciation of the asset. Also, we expense any acquisition-related costs as incurred in connection with each business combination.
Business Segments
We operate and report in four business segments: (i) Pipelines & Terminals; (ii) Global Marine Terminals; (iii) Merchant Services; and (iv) Development & Logistics. See Note 25 for discussion of our business segments.
Capitalization of Interest
Interest on borrowed funds is capitalized on projects during construction based on the approximate average interest rate of our debt. Interest capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $9.9 million, $7.0 million and $9.2 million, respectively. The weighted average rates used to capitalize interest on borrowed funds was 4.9%, 4.7% and 4.5% for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents represent all highly marketable securities with original maturities of three months or less. The carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of these investments.
Comprehensive Income
Our comprehensive income is determined based on net income adjusted for unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments for our hedging transactions, reclassification of derivative gains and losses to net income, recognition of costs related to our pension and post-retirement benefit plans and adjustments to the funded status of our pension and post-retirement benefit plans.
Concentration of Credit Risk and Trade Receivables
Trade receivables of $255.0 million and $326.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are primarily due from oil and natural gas companies, refineries, marketing and trading companies, and commercial airlines. These concentrations of customers may affect our overall credit risk as these customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, regulatory or other factors. We extend credit to customers and manage our credit risks through credit analysis and monitoring procedures, including credit approvals, credit limits and right of offset. Also, we manage our risk using letters of credit, prepayments and guarantees.
Trade receivables represent valid claims against non-affiliated customers and are recognized when products are sold or services are rendered. We record an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We review the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts monthly by making judgments regarding future events and trends based on the: (i) customers’ historical relationship with us; (ii) customers’ current financial condition; and (iii) current and projected economic conditions.
The following table presents activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts at the dates indicated (in thousands):
Construction and Pipeline Relocation Receivables
Construction and pipeline relocation receivables represent valid claims against non-affiliated customers for services rendered in constructing or relocating pipelines and are recognized when services are rendered.
Contingencies
Certain conditions may exist as of the date our consolidated financial statements are issued that may result in a loss to us, but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. Our management, with input from legal counsel, assesses such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against us or unasserted claims that may result in proceedings, our management, with input from legal counsel, evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability is accrued in our consolidated financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, is disclosed. Actual results could vary from these estimates and judgments.
Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the guarantees would be disclosed.
Cost of Product Sales
Cost of product sales relates to sales of refined petroleum products, consisting primarily of gasoline, propane, ethanol, biodiesel and middle distillates, such as heating oil, diesel fuel and kerosene, and fuel oil, as well as the effects of hedges of refined petroleum product acquisition costs and hedges of fixed-price contracts.
Debt Issuance Costs
Costs incurred upon the issuance of our debt instruments are capitalized and amortized over the life of the associated debt instrument on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective interest method. If the debt instrument is retired before its scheduled maturity date, any remaining issuance costs associated with that debt instrument are expensed in the same period.
Derivative Instruments
Derivatives are financial and physical instruments whose fair value is determined by changes in a specified benchmark such as interest rates or commodity prices. We use derivative instruments such as swaps, forwards, futures and other contracts to manage market price risks associated with inventories, firm commitments, interest rates and certain forecasted transactions. We do not engage in speculative trading activities.
We recognize these transactions on our consolidated balance sheets as assets and liabilities based on the instrument’s fair value. Changes in fair value of derivative instrument contracts are recognized in the current period in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. If the derivative instrument is designated as a hedging instrument in a fair value hedge, gains and losses incurred on the instrument will be recorded in earnings to offset corresponding losses and gains on the hedged item. If the derivative instrument is designated as a hedging instrument in a cash flow hedge, gains and losses incurred on the instrument are recorded in other comprehensive income. In both cases, any gains or losses incurred on the derivative instrument that are not effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in earnings. Gains and losses on cash flow hedges are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings when the forecasted transaction occurs and affects net income or, as appropriate, over the economic life of the underlying asset or liability. Gains and losses related to a derivative instrument designated as a hedge of a forecasted transaction that is no longer likely to occur is immediately recognized in earnings.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
To qualify as a hedge, the item to be hedged must expose us to risk and we must have an expectation that the related hedging instrument will be effective at reducing or mitigating that exposure. In accordance with the hedging requirements, we document all hedging relationships at inception and include a description of the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged, the method for assessing effectiveness of the hedging instrument in offsetting the hedged risk and the method of measuring any ineffectiveness. We link all derivative instruments that are designated as fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. When an event or transaction occurs, such as the sale of hedged fuel inventory or the expiration of derivative contracts, we discontinue hedge accounting. We also formally assess, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used in designated hedging relationships are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. If it is determined that a derivative instrument is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively. We measure ineffectiveness by comparing the change in fair value of the hedge instrument to the change in fair value of the hedged item. The time value component is excluded from our hedge assessment and reported directly in earnings.
Earnings per Unit
Basic earnings per unit from continuing operations, which includes LP Units and Class B Units (as defined in Note 22), is determined by dividing our income from continuing operations, after deducting the amount allocated to noncontrolling interests, by the weighted average units outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per unit from continuing operations is calculated using the same methodology, except the weighted average units outstanding includes any dilutive effect of LP Unit option grants or grants under the 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Buckeye Partners, L.P. (the “LTIP”). A similar calculation is performed for basic and diluted earnings per unit from discontinued operations, except loss from discontinued operations is divided by the weighted average units outstanding for the period. See Note 20 for more information.
Environmental Expenditures
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, which require us to remove or remedy the effect of the disposal or release of specified substances at our operating sites. We record environmental liabilities at a specific site when environmental assessments indicate remediation efforts are probable, and costs can be reasonably estimated based upon past experience, discussions with operating personnel, advice of outside engineering and consulting firms, discussion with legal counsel or current facts and circumstances. The estimates related to environmental matters are uncertain because: (i) estimated future expenditures are subject to cost fluctuations and change in estimated remediation period; (ii) unanticipated liabilities may arise; and (iii) changes in federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations may significantly change the extent of remediation.
Our estimated environmental remediation liabilities are not discounted to present value since the ultimate amount and timing of cash payments for such liabilities are not readily determinable. Expenditures to mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized. We monitor the environmental liabilities regularly and record adjustments to our initial estimates, from time to time, to reflect changing circumstances and estimates based upon additional developments or information obtained in subsequent periods. We maintain insurance which may cover certain environmental expenditures. Recoveries of environmental remediation expenses from other parties are recorded when their receipt is deemed probable.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Equity Investments
We account for investments in entities in which we do not exercise control, but have significant influence, using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, an investment is recorded at acquisition cost plus our equity in undistributed earnings or losses since acquisition, reduced by distributions received and amortization of excess net investment. Excess investment is the amount by which the total investment exceeds the proportionate share of the book value of the net assets of the investment. Such excess investment not related to any specific accounts of the investee are treated as goodwill and not amortized. Amounts associated with specific accounts of the investee are amortized. We evaluate equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that there is an “other than temporary” loss in value of the investment. In the event that the loss in value of an investment is “other than temporary”, we record a charge to earnings to adjust the carrying value to fair value. Estimates of future cash flows that would be used to determine fair value include: (i) discrete financial forecasts, which rely on management’s estimates of revenue and operating expenses; (ii) long-term growth rates; and (iii) probabilities assigned to different cash flow scenarios. A significant change in these underlying assumptions could result in an impairment charge. There were no impairments of our equity investments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses during the reporting period and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be made with certainty. Estimates may change as new events occur, when additional information becomes available and if our operating environment changes. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at a specified measurement date. Our fair value estimates are based on either: (i) actual market data or (ii) assumptions that other market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including estimates of risk. Recognized valuation techniques employ inputs such as product prices, operating costs, discount factors and business growth rates. These inputs may be either readily observable, corroborated by market data or generally unobservable. In developing our estimates of fair value, we endeavor to utilize the best information available and apply market-based data to the extent possible. Accordingly, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
A three-tier hierarchy has been established that classifies fair value amounts recognized or disclosed in the financial statements based on the observability of inputs used to estimate such fair values. The characteristics of fair value amounts classified within each level of the hierarchy are described as follows:
· Level 1 inputs - unadjusted quoted prices which are available in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities as of the reporting date;
· Level 2 inputs - quoted market prices in markets that are not considered to be active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and
· Level 3 inputs - prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. These inputs are typically used in connection with internally developed valuation methodologies where management makes its best estimate of an instrument’s fair value.
We categorize our financial assets and liabilities using this hierarchy at each balance sheet reporting date.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Foreign Currency
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth country under the U.S., and thus uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency. The functional currency of our operations in BORCO and St. Lucia is the U.S. dollar. Foreign exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar relate to a nominal amount of supply purchases and are included in “Other income (expense)” within the consolidated statements of operations. The effects of foreign currency transactions were not considered to be material for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired. Our goodwill amounts are assessed for impairment: (i) on an annual basis on January 1 of each year or (ii) on an interim basis if circumstances indicate it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its fair value. Goodwill is tested for impairment at a level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit. A reporting unit is a business segment or one level below a business segment for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management. Our reporting units are our business segments, with the exception of our Global Marine Terminals segment. Our reporting units to which goodwill has been allocated in our Global Marine Terminals segment consist of the following: (i) our legacy operations in the Caribbean and New York Harbor; and (ii) the newly acquired operations in Buckeye Texas.
We may perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether the fair value of our reporting units are more likely than not less than the carrying amount. If we believe the fair value is less than the carrying amount, we will perform step one of the two-step goodwill impairment test. The first step of the goodwill impairment test determines whether an impairment exists by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, no impairment is indicated. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment is indicated and the second step of the test is performed to measure the amount of impairment by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill to the carrying amount of that goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. The estimate of the fair value of the reporting unit is determined using a combination of an expected present value of future cash flows and a market multiple valuation method. The present value of future cash flows is estimated using: (i) discrete financial forecasts, which rely on management’s estimates of revenue and operating expenses; (ii) long-term growth rates; and (iii) appropriate discount rates. The market multiple valuation method uses appropriate market multiples from comparable companies on the reporting unit’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. We evaluate industry and market conditions for purposes of weighting the income and market valuation approach.
Income Taxes
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we and each of our subsidiaries, except for Buckeye Development & Logistics I LLC (“BDL”), are not taxable entities. Accordingly, our taxable income, except for BDL, is generally includable in the U.S. federal income tax returns of our individual partners and may differ significantly from taxable income reportable to our unitholders as a result of differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of certain assets and liabilities and other factors. In certain states in which we operate, our operating subsidiaries directly incur income-based state taxes, which are subject to examination by state taxing authorities.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In addition, outside the continental U.S., our operations at BORCO and St. Lucia are exempt from income taxes. Our operations at BORCO are tax exempt by the Bahamian government pursuant to concessions granted under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement between the Government of The Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority through 2015. Our operations in St. Lucia are exempt from income taxes and duties pursuant to concessions granted under the terms of a tax concession agreement effective in 2007 and in effect for a minimum of 50 years. Our operations at the Yabucoa terminal are subject to income taxes within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Buckeye Caribbean Terminals LLC (“Buckeye Caribbean”) files annual income tax returns with the Puerto Rico Treasury Department and in 2002, was granted partial exemption under the Tax Incentives Act of 1998 (the “Act”). Under the current terms of the grant, Buckeye Caribbean is subject to an income tax rate of 4% to 7% on industrial development income. The grant also provides additional exemptions as follows: (i) 90% exempt from real and personal property taxes; (ii) 60% exempt from municipal taxes on industrial development income; and (iii) 100% exempt from excise taxes imposed under Subtitle C of the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code, to the extent provided in Section 6(c) of the Act. This favorable tax rate is scheduled to expire in 2022.
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities measured for financial reporting purposes and federal income tax purposes. Changes in tax legislation are included in the relevant computations in the period in which such changes are effective. We evaluate the need for a valuation allowance and consider all available positive and negative evidence, including projected operating income or losses for the foreseeable future, to determine the likelihood of realizing the benefits of deferred tax assets. If the value of the deferred tax assets exceeds the estimated future benefit, we record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount of future benefit that is more likely than not to be realized. In the future, if the realization of the deferred tax assets should occur, a reduction to the valuation allowance related to the deferred tax assets would increase net income in the period such determination is made.
Our current and deferred income tax expense (benefit) was $0.7 million and ($0.2) million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014, $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2013 and $1.1 million and ($1.8) million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2012. We have no unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives. Intangible assets include contracts and customer relationships. The fair values of these intangibles are based on the present value of cash flows attributable to the customer relationship or contract, which includes management’s estimates of revenue and operating expenses and costs relating to utilization of other assets to fulfill such contracts. The customer contracts are being amortized over their contractual lives with a range of 1 to 10 years. For the customer relationships, we determine the recovery period based on historical customer attrition rates and management’s assumptions on future events, including customer demand, contract renewal, useful lives of related assets and market conditions. The customer relationships are being amortized over the estimated recovery period of 12 to 20 years. When necessary, intangible assets’ useful lives are revised and the impact on amortization is reflected on a prospective basis.
Inventories
We generally maintain two types of inventory. Our Merchant Services segment principally maintains refined petroleum products inventory, consisting of gasoline, propane, ethanol, biodiesel and middle distillates, such as heating oil, diesel fuel and kerosene. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market using the weighted average costs method, unless such inventories are hedged. Hedged inventory is adjusted for the effects of applying fair value hedge accounting.
We also maintain, principally within our Pipelines & Terminals segment, an inventory of materials and supplies such as pipes, valves, pumps, electrical/electronic components, drag reducing agent and other miscellaneous items that are valued at the lower of cost or market based on the weighted-average cost method.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Long-Lived Assets
We assess the recoverability of our long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We determine the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposal. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows exceeds the carrying amount, no impairment is necessary. If the carrying amount exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell. Estimates of undiscounted future cash flows include: (i) discrete financial forecasts, which rely on management’s estimates of revenue and operating expenses; (ii) long-term growth rates; and (iii) estimates of useful lives of the assets. Such estimates of future undiscounted net cash flows are highly subjective and are based on numerous assumptions about future operations and market conditions.
Net Income Allocation
We previously allocated the net income attributable to Buckeye to the LP Unitholders and Class B Unitholders based on the weighted average LP Units and Class B Units (as defined in Note 22) outstanding during the period. Following the conversion of all Class B Units into LP Units effective September 1, 2013, the net income attributable to Buckeye is allocated entirely to the LP Unitholders.
Noncontrolling Interests
The consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations include noncontrolling interests that relate primarily to Buckeye Texas Partners LLC (“Buckeye Texas”), Buckeye Pipe Line Services Company (“Services Company”) and portions of the Sabina crude butadiene pipeline (the “Sabina Pipeline”) and WesPac Pipelines - Memphis LLC (“WesPac Memphis”) that are not owned by Buckeye.
Pensions and Postretirement Benefits
Services Company sponsors a defined contribution plan, a defined benefit plan and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) that provide retirement benefits to certain regular full-time employees. Services Company also sponsors an unfunded post-retirement plan that provides health care and life insurance benefits for certain of its retirees. We develop pension and postretirement health care and life insurance benefits costs from actuarial valuations. The measurement of expenses and liabilities related to these plans is based on management’s assumptions related to future events, including discount rate, expected return on plan assets, rate of compensation increase, and heath care cost trend rates. The actuarial assumptions that we use may differ from actual results due to changing market rates or other factors. These differences could affect the amount of pension and postretirement health care and life insurance benefit expense we have recorded or may record.
Property, Plant and Equipment
We record property, plant and equipment at its original acquisition cost. Property, plant and equipment consist primarily of pipelines, storage and terminal facilities, jetties, subsea pipelines and docks, and pumping and station equipment. Generally, we depreciate property, plant and equipment based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, except for land. See Note 9 for the depreciation life of our assets.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Additions to property, plant and equipment, including maintenance and expansion and cost reduction capital expenditures, are recorded at cost. Maintenance capital expenditures maintain and enhance the safety and integrity of our pipelines, terminals, storage facilities and related assets, and expansion and cost reduction capital expenditures expand the reach or capacity of those assets, to improve the efficiency of our operations and to pursue new business opportunities. We charge repairs to expense in the period incurred. The cost of property, plant and equipment sold or retired and the related depreciation, except for certain pipeline system assets, are removed from our consolidated balance sheet in the period of sale or disposition, and any resulting gain or loss is included in earnings. For our pipeline system assets, we generally charge the original cost of property sold or retired to accumulated depreciation and amortization, net of salvage and cost of removal. When a separately identifiable group of assets, such as a stand-alone pipeline system is sold, we will recognize a gain or loss in our consolidated statements of operations for the difference between the cash received and the net book value of the assets sold.
Recent Accounting Developments
Going Concern. In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance requiring management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. The standard also provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. An entity must provide certain disclosures if there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s evaluation should be based on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at the date that the financial statements are issued. The new guidance applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance to clarify principles used to recognize revenue for all entities. The standard’s core principle is that an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers 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. In doing so, entities will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration included in the transaction price and/or allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with no early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Pipelines & Terminals segment. Revenue from pipeline operations is comprised of tariffs and fees associated with the transportation of liquid petroleum products or crude oil at published tariffs as well as revenue associated with line leases for committed capacity on a particular system. Tariff revenue is recognized either at the point of delivery or at the point of receipt, pursuant to specifications outlined in the respective tariffs. Revenue associated with line leases is recognized ratably over the respective lease terms, regardless of whether the capacity is actually utilized, and is subject to take or pay arrangements. All pipeline tariff and fee revenue is based upon actual volumes and rates. As is common in the industry, our tariffs incorporate loss allocation or loss allowance factors that are intended to, among other things, offset losses due to evaporation, measurement and other product losses in transit. We value the variance of allowance volumes to actual losses at the estimated net realizable value at the time the variance occurred, and the result is recorded as either an increase or decrease to transportation and other service revenue. In addition, we have certain agreements that require counterparties to ship a minimum volume over an agreed-upon period. Revenue pursuant to such agreements is recognized at the earlier of when the volume is shipped or when the counterparty’s ability to meet the minimum volume commitment has expired.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Revenue from terminalling and storage operations is recognized as services are performed. Storage and terminalling revenue include storage fees, which are generated when we provide storage capacity, and terminalling or throughput fees, which are generated when we receive liquid petroleum products from one connecting pipeline and redeliver such products to another connecting carrier or to customers through a truck-loading rack. We generate revenue through a combination of month-to-month and multi-year storage capacity and terminalling service arrangements. Storage fees resulting from short-term and long-term contracts are typically recognized in revenue ratably over the term of the contract, regardless of the actual storage capacity utilized. Terminalling fees are recognized as the refined petroleum product or crude oil exits the terminal and is delivered to a connecting carrier, third-party terminal or a customer through a truck-loading rack. In addition, we have certain agreements that require counterparties to throughput a minimum volume over an agreed-upon period. Revenue pursuant to such agreements is recognized at the earlier of when the volume exits the terminal or when the counterparty’s ability to meet the minimum volume commitment has expired. Butane blending revenues are recognized as blending activities are completed and include the change in the fair value of financial derivative instruments used to manage the commodity price risk associated with narrowing gasoline-to-butane pricing spreads.
Global Marine Terminals segment. Revenue from terminalling and storage operations is recognized as the services are performed. Storage and terminalling revenue includes storage fees, which are generated when we provide storage capacity, and terminalling or throughput fees, which are generated when we receive liquid petroleum products from sea going vessels or trucks and redeliver such products to customers through marine terminals or truck-loading racks, respectively. We generate revenue through a combination of multi-year storage capacity and terminalling service arrangements. Storage fees resulting from short-term and long-term contracts are typically recognized in revenue ratably over the term of the contract, regardless of the actual storage capacity utilized. Terminalling fees are recognized as the liquid petroleum product exits the terminal and is delivered to a connecting carrier, third-party terminal or a customer through a truck-loading rack or vessel. In addition, we have agreements that require counterparties to throughput a minimum volume over an agreed-upon period. Revenue pursuant to such agreements is recognized at the earlier of when the volume exits the terminal or when the counterparty’s ability to meet the minimum volume has expired. Revenue from other ancillary services is recognized in the accounting period in which the services are rendered.
Merchant Services segment. Revenue from the sale of petroleum products, including fuel oil, which are sold on a wholesale basis, is recognized at the time title to the product sold transfers to the purchaser, which occurs upon delivery of the product to the purchaser or its designee. Revenue from transactions commonly called buy/sell contracts, in which the purchase and sale of inventory with the same counterparty physically settle on the same day and location, are combined and reported net.
Development & Logistics segment. Revenue from contract operation and construction services of facilities and pipelines not directly owned by us is recognized as the services are performed. Contract and construction services revenue typically includes costs to be reimbursed by the customer plus an operator fee.
Unit-Based Compensation
We award unit-based compensation to employees and directors primarily under the LTIP. All unit-based payments to employees under the LTIP, including grants of phantom units and performance units, are recognized in our consolidated statements of operations based on their fair values. The fair values of both the performance unit and phantom unit grants are based on the average market price of our LP Units on the date of grant. Compensation expense equal to the fair value of those performance unit and phantom unit awards that are expected to vest is estimated and recorded over the period the grants are earned, which is the vesting period. Compensation expense estimates are updated periodically. The vesting of the performance unit awards is also contingent upon the attainment of predetermined performance goals. Depending on the estimated probability of attainment of those performance goals, the compensation expense recognized related to the awards could increase or decrease over the remaining vesting period.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Variable Interest Entities
We evaluate our financial interests in business enterprises to determine if they represent variable interest entities of which we are the primary beneficiary. If such criteria are met (as discussed above in “Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation”), we reflect these entities as consolidated subsidiaries. Third party or affiliate ownership interests in our consolidated VIEs are presented as noncontrolling interests.
In September 2014, we acquired an 80% interest in Buckeye Texas, a newly-formed entity. See Note 3 for more information.
3. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITION
Business Combinations
2014 Transaction
In September 2014, we acquired an 80% interest in Buckeye Texas, a newly-formed entity, for $821.0 million, net of cash acquired of $15.0 million and working capital and capital expenditure adjustments required by the contribution agreement with Trafigura Corpus Christi Holdings Inc. (the “Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction”). Buckeye Texas and its subsidiaries, which are owned jointly with Trafigura Trading LLC, formerly known as Trafigura AG (“Trafigura”), are constructing a vertically integrated system of midstream assets, including a deep-water, high volume marine terminal located on the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, a condensate splitter and liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”) storage complex in Corpus Christi, Texas and three crude oil and condensate gathering facilities in the Eagle Ford play. Upon completion of the initial build-out, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2015, the assets will form an integrated system with connectivity from the production in the field to the marine terminal infrastructure and the refining complex in Corpus Christi. The Corpus Christi facilities have five vessel berths, including three deep-water docks, and upon completion of the initial build-out, they will offer 6.3 million barrels of liquid petroleum products storage capacity along with rail and truck loading/unloading capability. In addition, three field gathering facilities with associated storage and pipeline connectivity will allow Buckeye Texas to move Eagle Ford play crude oil and condensate production directly to the terminalling complex in Corpus Christi. The initial build-out of these facilities has been and continues to be funded through additional partnership contributions by us and Trafigura based on our respective ownership interests. Concurrent with this acquisition, we entered into multi-year storage and throughput commitments with Trafigura that support substantially all the capacity and cash flows expected from these assets. Buckeye Texas does not have sufficient resources to complete its initial build-out and activities without financial support of its joint owners. Accordingly, we concluded Buckeye Texas is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) of which we are the primary beneficiary. In making this conclusion, we evaluated the activities that significantly impact the economics of the VIE, including our role to perform all services reasonably required to construct, operate and maintain the assets. We consolidated Buckeye Texas due to our conclusion that Buckeye Texas is a VIE and we are the primary beneficiary. The operations of these assets are reported in the Global Marine Terminals segment.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The acquisition cost has been allocated on a preliminary basis to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date, with amounts exceeding the fair value recorded as goodwill, which represents both expected synergies from combining the Buckeye Texas operations with our existing operations and the economic value attributable to future expansion projects resulting from this acquisition. Fair values have been developed using recognized business valuation techniques. The estimates of fair value reflected as of December 31, 2014 are subject to change pending final valuation analysis, and due to timing of available preliminary valuation information, such changes, particularly to intangible assets and goodwill, could be material. The purchase price has been allocated to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows (in thousands):
The pro forma impact of this acquisition was not significant to our results for the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013, as significant assets are still under construction.
2013 Transaction
In December 2013, we acquired certain wholesale distribution contracts and 20 liquid petroleum products terminals with total storage capacity of approximately 39 million barrels from Hess Corporation (“Hess”) for $856.4 million, net of cash acquired (the “Hess Terminals Acquisition”). The 19 domestic terminals are located primarily in major metropolitan locations along the U.S. East Coast and have approximately 29 million barrels of aggregate liquid petroleum products storage capacity, including approximately 15 million barrels of capacity strategically located in New York Harbor. These terminals have access to products supplied by marine vessels and barges as well as pipelines. Excluding the Port Reading and Raritan Bay terminals, which are reported as part of our Global Marine Terminals segment, the operations of these domestic terminals acquired from Hess are reported in our Pipelines & Terminals segment. The terminal on St. Lucia in the Caribbean has approximately 10 million barrels of crude oil and refined petroleum products storage capacity with deep-water access, and its operations are reported in our Global Marine Terminals segment. The operations relating to the wholesale distribution contracts are reported in our Merchant Services segment. We allocated $6.0 million of goodwill resulting from the Hess Terminals Acquisition to the Pipelines & Terminals reporting unit due to expected growth opportunities from one of the domestic terminals with high throughput volumes. The remaining $3.4 million of goodwill was allocated to the Merchant Services reporting unit as it relates to the wholesale distribution contracts, which will enhance our wholesale distribution and rack marketing business. Concurrent with this acquisition, we entered into multi-year storage and throughput commitments with Hess.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The acquisition cost has been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date, with amounts exceeding the fair value recorded as goodwill, which represents both expected synergies from combining our operations from the Hess Terminals Acquisition with our existing operations and the economic value attributable to future expansion projects resulting from this acquisition. Fair values have been developed using recognized business valuation techniques. The purchase price has been allocated to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows (in thousands):
Unaudited Pro forma Financial Results for Hess Terminals Acquisition
Our consolidated statements of operations do not include earnings from the terminals acquired from Hess (the “Hess Terminals”) prior to December 11, 2013, the effective date of the Hess Terminals Acquisition. The preparation of unaudited pro forma financial information for the Hess Terminals Acquisition is impracticable due to the fact that Hess historically operated the domestic terminals primarily as part of its integrated distribution network and therefore, meaningful historical revenue information is not available. The following table summarizes revenue and net income related to the assets acquired from Hess included in our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated (in thousands):
(1) Includes transition expenses of $8.2 million and $11.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
2012 Transaction
In July 2012, we acquired a marine terminal facility for liquid petroleum products in New York Harbor (the “Perth Amboy Facility”) from Chevron U.S.A Inc. (“Chevron”) for $260.3 million in cash. The facility, which sits on approximately 250 acres on the Arthur Kill tidal strait in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, has 4.4 million barrels of tankage, four docks, and significant undeveloped land available for potential expansion. The Perth Amboy Facility has water, pipeline, rail, and truck access, and is located six miles from our Linden, New Jersey complex. The facility provides a link between our inland pipelines and terminals and our BORCO facility in The Bahamas and opportunities for improved service offerings to our customers. Concurrent with the acquisition, we entered into multi-year storage, blending, and throughput commitments with Chevron. The operations of the Perth Amboy Facility are reported in our Global Marine Terminals segment.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The acquisition cost has been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date, with amounts exceeding the fair value recorded as goodwill, which represents both expected synergies from combining the Perth Amboy Facility with our existing operations and the economic value attributable to future expansion projects resulting from this acquisition. Fair values have been developed using recognized business valuation techniques. The purchase price has been allocated to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows (in thousands):
Other Acquisition
In April 2014, our operating subsidiary, Buckeye Pipe Line Holdings, L.P. (“BPH”), purchased an additional 10% ownership interest in WesPac Pipelines - Memphis LLC (“WesPac Memphis”) from Kealine LLC for $9.5 million. As a result of the acquisition, our ownership interest in WesPac Memphis increased from 80% to 90%. Since BPH retained controlling interest in WesPac Memphis, this acquisition was accounted for as an equity transaction. Previously, in April 2013, BPH had purchased an additional 10% ownership interest in WesPac Memphis for $9.7 million, increasing our ownership interest in WesPac Memphis from 70% to 80%, and in September 2012, BPH had purchased an additional 20% ownership interest in WesPac Memphis for $17.3 million, increasing our ownership interest in WesPac Memphis from 50% to 70%. These acquisitions were also accounted for as equity transactions since BPH retained controlling interest in WesPac Memphis.
Disposition
In December 2014, we completed the sale of all of the outstanding limited liability company interests in Lodi, our Natural Gas Storage business, to Brookfield Infrastructure and its institutional partners (“Brookfield”) for $103.4 million in cash, net of expenses and working capital adjustments of $1.6 million. Refer to Note 4 and Note 5 for further information.
4. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In December 2013, the Board approved a plan to divest our Natural Gas Storage disposal group. Accordingly, we classified the disposal group as “Assets held for sale” and “Liabilities held for sale” in our accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and discontinued depreciation and amortization of the Natural Gas Storage disposal group’s property, plant and equipment. We have reported the results of operations for the disposal group as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
In December 2014, we completed the sale of our Natural Gas Storage disposal group for $103.4 million in cash, net of expenses and working capital adjustments of $1.6 million. We recorded asset impairment charges of $23.4 million and $169.0 million within “Loss from discontinued operations” on our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See Note 5 and Note 18 for further discussion.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table summarizes the results from discontinued operations (in thousands):
We classified the disposal group as “Assets held for sale” and “Liabilities held for sale” in our accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. The total assets and liabilities held for sale consisted of the following (in thousands):
5. ASSET IMPAIRMENTS
Natural Gas Storage Disposal Group
In connection with the classification of our Natural Gas Storage disposal group as held for sale (as discussed in Note 4 above), we performed a valuation to measure the disposal group at fair value less costs to sell (see Note 18 for more information). The estimated fair value less costs to sell was determined to be less than its carrying value, which resulted in the recognition of a non-cash asset impairment charge of $169.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, which included the write-down of long-lived assets. In July 2014, we signed a purchase and sale agreement to sell our Natural Gas Storage disposal group. As a result of the execution of the purchase and sale agreement, subsequent changes in the carrying value of the net assets of our Natural Gas Storage disposal group and the completed sale in December 2014 (as discussed in Note 4), we recorded additional non-cash asset impairment charges of $23.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2014. We recorded these asset impairment charges within “Loss from discontinued operations” on our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Refer to Note 18 for further discussion.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NORCO Pipeline System
During the third and fourth quarters of 2012, management performed extensive integrity tests on a portion of our NORCO pipeline system, consisting of approximately 169 miles of liquid petroleum products pipelines and related assets in Indiana and Illinois. Upon completion of the integrity tests in the fourth quarter of 2012, management determined that projected integrity costs, which included work required to maintain the line to our integrity standards, were in excess of the amounts that would be recoverable through operation of the line and proposed the abandonment of this portion of our NORCO pipeline system. On December 13, 2012, the Board approved management’s plan. Based on the determination to abandon this pipeline, we were able to estimate the settlement date for the asset retirement obligation and therefore recorded a liability of $12.1 million as of December 31, 2012 for our estimated costs of abandonment, which we began incurring in 2013. We also compared the undiscounted future cash flows to the carrying value of the assets, including the asset retirement cost associated with the removal and decommissioning of the pipeline. Since the carrying value exceeded the undiscounted cash flows, we estimated the fair value of the assets using the expected present value of future cash flows to be minimal and recorded a $60.0 million non-cash asset impairment charge in December 2012 in our Pipelines & Terminals segment. In January 2013, we ceased operations on the affected portion of the system. In 2014, we recorded a $3.8 million reduction in our ARO due to revised estimated costs of abandonment. The ARO represents our best estimate of the costs to be incurred with information currently available and is based on certain assumptions, including assumptions about methods of abandonment to be employed and our requirements in applicable rights-of-way agreements.
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Claims and Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various claims and legal proceedings, some of which are covered by insurance. We are generally unable to predict the timing or outcome of these claims and proceedings. Based upon our evaluation of existing claims and proceedings and the probability of losses relating to such contingencies, we have accrued certain amounts relating to such claims and proceedings, none of which are considered material.
Pennsauken Allisions. Our terminal located in Pennsauken, New Jersey suffered two allisions in August and October of 2014. On August 5, 2014, a vessel allided with our terminal’s ship dock. We incurred and will continue to incur damages for loss of use, which are still in the process of being quantified. Full security for our claim has been provided by the vessel owner’s insurers, reserving all of their defenses. We have commenced litigation against the vessel and her owner and are optimistic that we can recover all provable damages. On October 5, 2014, a vessel struck and caused damage to a second dock operated at the Pennsauken facility. We have put the vessel owners on notice of our intent to pursue them for reimbursement. Repair estimates are approximately $10.0 million for each incident. We are insured for all losses with respect to the allisions, subject to a $10.0 million deductible for property insurance per incident. As of December 31, 2014 we had a $2.8 million receivable included in “Other non-current assets” in our consolidated balance sheet, representing reimbursement of third party expenses.
BORCO Jetty. On May 25, 2012, a ship, Cape Bari, allided with a jetty at our BORCO facility while berthing, causing damage to portions of the jetty. Buckeye has insurance to cover this loss, subject to a $5.0 million deductible. On May 26, 2012, we commenced legal proceedings in The Bahamas against the vessel’s owner and the vessel to obtain security for the cost of repairs and other losses incurred as a result of the incident. Full security for our claim has been provided by the vessel owner’s insurers, reserving all of their defenses. We also have notified the customer on whose behalf the vessel was at the BORCO facility that we intend to hold them responsible for all damages and losses resulting from the incident pursuant to the terms of an agreement between the parties. Any disputes between us and our customer on this matter are subject to arbitration in Houston, Texas.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The vessel owner has claimed that it is entitled to limit its liability to $17.0 million, but we are contesting the right of the vessel owner to such limitation. The Bahamas court of first instance denied the vessel owner the right to limit its liability for the incident, leaving the vessel owner responsible for all provable damages. The vessel interests appealed, and The Bahamas Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the vessel interests may limit their liability. Our application for leave to appeal the Court of Appeals’ decision to the Privy Council, was granted, and the appeal has been filed. We can express no view on whether The Bahamas Court of Appeals decision ultimately will be affirmed or reversed.
We experienced no material interruption of service at the BORCO facility as a result of the incident, and the repairs and reconstruction of the damaged sections are complete.
The aggregate cost to repair and reconstruct the damaged portions of the jetty and pursue recovery in court has been $23.0 million. We recorded a loss on disposal due to the assets destroyed in the incident and other related costs incurred; however, since we believe recovery of our losses is probable, we recorded a corresponding receivable. As of December 31, 2014, we had a $6.2 million receivable included in “Other non-current assets” in our consolidated balance sheet, representing reimbursement of the deductible and other third party expenses. Additionally, we have received insurance reimbursements of $16.0 million, and to the extent the aggregate proceeds from the recovery of our losses is in excess of the carrying value of the destroyed assets or other costs incurred, we will recognize a gain when such proceeds are received and are not refundable. Our insurers have paid most of the claim and have now appeared in The Bahamas litigation. As of December 31, 2014, no gain had been recognized; however, we recorded a $14.1 million deferred gain in “Accrued and other current liabilities” in our consolidated balance sheet, representing excess proceeds received over the loss on disposal and other costs incurred.
On May 12, 2014, the vessel interests filed a third-party complaint against BORCO and a BORCO subsidiary, Borco Towing Company Limited, alleging negligence by the pilots and tugs that assisted the Cape Bari berth. We are investigating those allegations, but, at this time, we believe that we have defenses and intend to defend ourselves and pursue our claims against the vessel interests. BORCO and Borco Towing Company Limited are insured for the alleged liability and the liability insurers are participating in the defense.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) Proceedings
FERC Docket No. OR12-28-000 - Airlines Complaint against Buckeye Pipe Line Company, L.P. (“BPLC”) New York City Jet Fuel Rates. On September 20, 2012, a complaint was filed with FERC by Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, United/Continental Air Lines, and US Airways challenging BPLC’s rates for transportation of jet fuel from New Jersey to three New York City airports. The complaint was not directed at BPLC’s rates for service to other destinations and does not involve pipeline systems and terminals owned by Buckeye’s other operating subsidiaries. The complaint challenges these jet fuel transportation rates as generating revenues in excess of costs and thus being “unjust and unreasonable” under the Interstate Commerce Act. On October 10, 2012, BPLC filed its answer to the complaint, contending that the airlines’ allegations are based on inappropriate adjustments to the pipeline’s costs and revenues, and that, in any event, any revenue recovery by BPLC in excess of costs would be irrelevant because BPLC’s rates are set under a FERC-approved program that ties rates to competitive levels. BPLC also sought dismissal of the complaint to the extent it seeks to challenge the portion of BPLC’s rates that were deemed just and reasonable, or “grandfathered,” under Section 1803 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. BPLC further contested the airlines’ ability to seek relief as to past charges where the rates are lawful under BPLC’s FERC-approved rate program. On October 25, 2012, the complainants filed their answer to BPLC’s motion to dismiss and answer. On November 9, 2012, BPLC filed a response addressing newly raised arguments in the complainants’ October 25th answer. On February 22, 2013, FERC issued an order setting the airline complaint in Docket (“Dkt.”) No. OR12-28-000 for hearing, but holding the hearing in abeyance and setting the dispute for settlement procedures before a settlement judge. If FERC were to find these challenged rates to be in excess of costs and not otherwise protected by law, it could order BPLC to reduce these rates prospectively and could order repayment to the complaining airlines of any past charges found to be in excess of just and reasonable levels for up to two years prior to the filing date of the complaint. BPLC intends to vigorously defend its rates. On March 8, 2013, an order was issued consolidating, for settlement purposes, this complaint proceeding with the proceeding regarding BPLC’s application for market-based rates in the New York City market in Dkt. No. OR13-3-000 (discussed below), and settlement discussions under the supervision of the FERC settlement judge continued until April 2014. On April 1, 2014, the FERC settlement judge issued a status report stating that the parties had been unable to reach a settlement, and recommending that both Dkt. Nos. OR12-28-000 and OR13-3-000 be set for hearing. The settlement judge further recommended that settlement procedures under the supervision of the settlement judge continue concurrently because the parties hope to continue settlement talks after the commencement of litigation. On April 17, 2014, the FERC Chief Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) ruled in favor of separate proceedings and of continuing the existing settlement procedures concurrently with litigation. In May 2014, a procedural schedule was established for this matter, providing for a hearing in March 2015 and an initial decision by August 2015. In February 2015, we determined that there was sufficient basis to record a contingency for a possible settlement. We recorded a reduction in revenue in the amount of $40.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 in our Pipelines & Terminals segment based upon a settlement offer made by BPLC to satisfy the claims for alleged past excessive charges through December 31, 2014. While we continue to pursue settlement of this matter, we are not able to predict with certainty the timing or final outcome of the proceeding, should it be carried through to its conclusion, or whether we can reach a satisfactory settlement and, if so, whether or not it will be on more or less favorable terms.
FERC Docket No. OR14-41-000 - American Airlines Complaint against BPLC New York City Jet Fuel Rates. On September 17, 2014, a complaint was filed with FERC by American Airlines. It is similar to the Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 complaint (see above) in that it challenges BPLC’s rates for transportation of jet fuel from New Jersey to the three New York City airports, is not directed at BPLC’s rates for service to other destinations, and does not involve pipeline systems and terminals owned by Buckeye’s other operating subsidiaries. The complaint’s allegations are virtually identical to those in the other airline complaint proceeding. On October 7, 2014, BPLC filed its answer to the complaint, contesting the airline’s allegations and presenting certain legal defenses to relief sought by the airline. On December 18, 2014, FERC issued an order setting the complaint for hearing, but holding the hearing in abeyance and setting the dispute for settlement procedures before a settlement judge. If FERC were to find these challenged rates to be in excess of costs and not otherwise protected by law, it could order BPLC to reduce these rates prospectively and could order repayment to the complaining airline of any past charges found to be in excess of just and reasonable levels for up to two years prior to the filing date of the complaint. BPLC intends to vigorously defend its rates.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FERC Docket No. OR13-3-000 - BPLC’s Market-Based Rate Application. On October 15, 2012, BPLC filed an application with FERC seeking authority to charge market-based rates for deliveries of liquid petroleum products to the New York City-area market (the “Application”). In the Application, BPLC seeks to charge market-based rates from its three origin points in northeastern New Jersey to its five destinations on its Long Island System, including deliveries of jet fuel to the Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports. The jet fuel rates were also the subject of the airlines’ Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 complaint discussed above. On December 14, 2012, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, United/Continental Air Lines, and US Airways filed a joint intervention and protest challenging the Application and requesting its rejection. On January 14, 2013, BPLC filed its answer to the protest and requested summary disposition as to those non-jet-fuel rates that were not challenged in the protest. On January 29, 2013, the protestants responded to BPLC’s answer, and on February 13, 2013, BPLC filed a further answer to the protestants’ January 29, 2013 pleading. On February 28, 2013, FERC issued an order setting the Application for hearing, holding the hearing in abeyance and setting the dispute for settlement procedures before a settlement judge. As discussed above, the Application has been consolidated with the complaint proceeding in Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 for settlement purposes and the settlement judge has reported to the FERC and the Chief ALJ that the application should be set for hearing. The settlement judge also recommended that settlement procedures under the supervision of the settlement judge continue concurrently because the parties hope to continue settlement talks after the commencement of litigation. As noted above, the FERC Chief ALJ ruled that Dkt. No. OR13-3-000 will proceed separately from the Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 proceeding and that the existing settlement procedures will continue concurrently with litigation. If FERC were to approve the Application, BPLC would be permitted prospectively to set these rates in response to competitive forces, and the basis for the airlines’ claim for relief in their Dkt. No. OR12-28-000 complaint as to BPLC’s future rates would be irrelevant prospectively. The timing or outcome of FERC’s review of the Application cannot reasonably be determined at this time.
Environmental Contingencies
We recorded operating expenses, net of recoveries, of $3.0 million, $3.5 million and $6.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to environmental remediation liabilities unrelated to claims and legal proceedings. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we recorded environmental remediation liabilities of $52.3 million and $57.2 million, respectively. See Notes 13 and 15 for further information. Costs incurred may be in excess of our estimates, which may have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had $13.6 million and $10.6 million, respectively, of receivables related to these environmental remediation liabilities covered by insurance or third party claims.
Other Contingencies
The Puerto Rico Treasury Department has notified Buckeye Caribbean of a certain matter for discussion on the 2008 taxable year related to the possible recapture of investment tax credits previously granted to affiliates of Royal Dutch Shell Plc. (“Shell”) in 2002 and 2003, but no preliminary or final notice of debt regarding such matter has been issued. The investment tax credits are not related to income taxes. Upon our acquisition of Buckeye Caribbean in 2010, we recorded a $17.7 million liability related to the uncertain outcome of the tax audit with an offsetting indemnification asset from Shell for the same amount. See Notes 12 and 15 for further information.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Leases -Where We are Lessee
We lease certain property, plant and equipment under noncancelable and cancelable operating leases. Rental expense is charged to operating expenses on a straight-line basis over the period of expected benefit. Contingent rental payments are expensed as incurred. Total rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $26.9 million, $24.9 million and $27.0 million, respectively. The following table presents minimum lease payment obligations under our operating leases with terms in excess of one year for the years ending December 31 (in thousands):
(1) Includes BORCO facility leases for tugboats and a barge in our Global Marine Terminals segment.
(2) Includes leases for properties in connection with both the jetty and inland dock operations in the Global Marine Terminals segment.
Additionally, our rights-of-way payments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $6.5 million, $6.1 million and $7.4 million, respectively; and are subject to an annual escalation for the remaining life of all pipelines and terminals.
7. INVENTORIES
Our inventory amounts were as follows at the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1) Ending inventory was 140.3 million and 102.1 million gallons of liquid petroleum products at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 90% and 81% of our liquid petroleum products inventory volumes were designated in a fair value hedge relationship, respectively. Because we generally designate inventory as a hedged item upon purchase, hedged inventory is valued at current market prices with the change in value of the inventory reflected in our consolidated statements of operations. Our inventory volumes that are not designated as the hedged item in a fair value hedge relationship are economically hedged to reduce our commodity price exposure. Inventory not accounted for as a fair value hedge is accounted for at the lower of cost or market using the weighted average cost method.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8. PREPAID AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid and other current assets consist of the following at the dates indicated (in thousands):
9. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following at the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1) Rights-of-way assets are depreciated over the useful life of the related pipeline assets.
Depreciation expense was $148.4 million, $122.7 million and $120.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
10. EQUITY INVESTMENTS
The following table presents our equity investments, all included within the Pipelines & Terminals segment, at the dates indicated (in thousands):
The following table presents earnings from equity investments for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Summarized combined financial information for our equity method investments are as follows for the periods indicated (amounts represent 100% of investee financial information in thousands):
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment are as follows at the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1) See Note 3 for discussion of our acquisitions.
(2) Goodwill is recorded at the acquisition date based on preliminary fair value information. Subsequent to the acquisition but not to exceed one year from the acquisition date, we record any material adjustments retrospectively to the initial estimate based on new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. During 2013 and 2014, we recorded adjustments to the purchase price allocations for the Perth Amboy Facility and Hess Terminals acquisitions, respectively. See Note 3 for discussion of our acquisitions.
(3) The realignment of our business segments in December 2013 resulted in a change in the composition of our reporting units. Accordingly, we reassigned a portion of the goodwill acquired as part of our acquisition of the Perth Amboy Facility, previously reported in the Pipelines & Terminals segment, to the Global Marine Terminals segment. We allocated $11.8 million of the $58.3 million goodwill resulting from our acquisition of the Perth Amboy Facility in 2012 to the Pipelines & Terminals reporting unit since the Perth Amboy Facility benefits our existing pipeline and terminal assets and provides a gateway to our domestic pipeline and terminal network from the New York Harbor. The remaining goodwill of $46.5 million, assigned to the Global Marine Terminals’ reporting unit, is attributable to expansion opportunities at the Perth Amboy Facility expected to create value by further extending our integrated network of marine terminals.
For our annual goodwill impairment tests as of January 1, 2015 and 2014, we performed a qualitative assessment to determine whether the fair value of the Pipelines & Terminals reporting unit was more likely than not less than the carrying value. Based on economic conditions and industry and market considerations, we determined the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value; therefore, the two-step impairment test was not required. Additionally, we performed quantitative assessments to determine the fair value of each of the remaining reporting units. Based on such calculations, each reporting unit’s fair value was in excess of its carrying value. Therefore, we did not record any goodwill impairment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of the following at the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1) Amount includes customer contracts with contractual lives ranging from 7 to 10 years acquired in September 2014 in connection with the Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction. See Note 3 for further discussion.
For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, amortization expense related to intangible assets was $47.4 million, $24.4 million and $24.7 million, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets is expected to be $63.0 million for 2015, $68.0 million for 2016, $66.6 million for 2017, $65.7 million for 2018 and $64.9 million for 2019.
12. OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Other non-current assets consist of the following at the dates indicated (in thousands):
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
13. ACCRUED AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accrued and other current liabilities consist of the following at the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1) Amounts relate to the unfavorable storage contracts acquired in connection with the BORCO acquisition in 2011. We recognized $11.1 million and $11.0 million of revenue during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Revenue to be recognized related to these unfavorable storage contracts is expected to be $11.1 million for 2015 and $6.0 million for 2016.
(2) See Note 5 for a discussion of the ARO recorded in connection with the abandonment of a portion of our NORCO pipeline system.
(3) Amount relates to a litigation contingency reserve associated with ongoing FERC litigation proceedings. See Note 6 for further information.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
14. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following at the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1) We make semi-annual interest payments on these notes based on the rates noted above with the principal balances outstanding to be paid on or before the due dates as shown above.
(2) The line of credit is classified as a current liability in our consolidated balance sheets as related funds are used to finance the Buckeye Merchant Service Companies’ current working capital needs.
The following table presents the scheduled maturities of principal amounts of our debt obligations for the next five years and in total thereafter (in thousands):
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Credit Facility
In September 2014, Buckeye and its indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, Buckeye Energy Services LLC (“BES”), Buckeye West Indies Holdings LP (“BWI”) and Buckeye Caribbean Terminals LLC (“BCT”), as borrowers, modified and extended (through a new credit agreement) our existing revolving credit facility with SunTrust Bank to provide an increase in borrowing capacity of $250.0 million, resulting in a total borrowing capacity of $1.5 billion dated September 30, 2014 (the “Credit Facility”), of which BES, BWI and BCT, collectively the Buckeye Merchant Service Companies (“BMSC”), share a sublimit of $500.0 million. The Credit Facility’s maturity date is September 30, 2019, with an option to extend the term for up to two one-year periods and a $500.0 million accordion option to increase the commitments, with the consent of the lenders. At the time of the transaction, we had $2.7 million of remaining unamortized deferred financing costs, and we incurred additional debt issuance costs of $2.1 million in connection with the modification and extension of the Credit Facility. These amounts are included in other non-current assets and are being amortized over the new term of the agreement.
Under the Credit Facility, interest accrues on advances at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin based on the election of the applicable borrower for each interest period. The issuing fees for all letters of credit are also based on an applicable margin. The applicable margin used in connection with interest rates and fees is based on the credit ratings assigned to our senior unsecured long-term debt securities. The applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans, swing line loans, and letter of credit fees ranges from 1.0% to 1.75% and the applicable margin for base rate loans ranges from 0% to 0.75%. Buckeye and BMSC will also pay a fee based on our credit ratings on the actual daily unused amount of the aggregate commitments.
At December 31, 2014, BMSC had $166.0 million collectively outstanding under the Credit Facility, all of which was classified as current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, as related funds were used to finance current working capital needs. The weighted average interest rate for borrowings under the Credit Facility was 1.7% at December 31, 2014. The Credit Facility includes covenants limiting, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, the ratio of consolidated funded debt (“Funded Debt Ratio”) to consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Facility, measured for the preceding twelve months, to not more than 5.0 to 1.0. This requirement is subject to a provision for increases to 5.5 to 1.0 in connection with certain future acquisitions. The Funded Debt Ratio is calculated by dividing consolidated debt by annualized EBITDA, which is defined in the Credit Facility as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization determined on a consolidated basis. At December 31, 2014, our Funded Debt Ratio was 4.06 to 1.00. At December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with the covenants under our Credit Facility.
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had committed $0.8 million and $7.7 million, respectively, in support of letters of credit. The obligations for letters of credit are not reflected as debt on our consolidated balance sheets.
Notes Offerings
In September 2014, we issued an aggregate of $600.0 million of senior unsecured notes in an underwritten public offering, including the $300.0 million of 4.350% Notes due on October 15, 2024 (the “4.350% Notes”) and the $300.0 million of 5.600% Notes due on October 15, 2044 (the “5.600% Notes”), at 99.825% and 99.876%, respectively, of their principal amounts. Total proceeds from this offering, after underwriting fees, expenses and debt issuance costs of $5.3 million, were $593.8 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to fund a portion of the Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction (see Note 3), to settle all interest rate swaps relating to the forecasted refinancing of the 5.300% Notes for $51.5 million (see Note 17) and for general partnership purposes. We also used the net proceeds to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility.
In November 2013, we issued an aggregate of $800.0 million of senior unsecured notes in an underwritten public offering, including the $400.0 million of 2.650% Notes maturing on November 15, 2018 (the “2.650% Notes”) and the $400.0 million of 5.850% Notes maturing on November 15, 2043 (the “5.850% Notes”), at 99.823% and 98.581%, respectively, of their principal amounts. Total proceeds from this offering, after underwriting fees, expenses and debt issuance costs of $5.9 million, were $787.7 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering for general partnership purposes and to fund the Hess Terminals Acquisition (see Note 3).
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In June 2013, we issued $500.0 million of senior unsecured 4.150% Notes maturing on July 1, 2023 (the “4.150% Notes”) in an underwritten public offering at 99.81% of their principal amount. Total proceeds from this offering, after underwriting fees, expenses and debt issuance costs of $3.3 million, were $495.8 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering for general partnership purposes and to repay amounts due under our Credit Facility, a portion of which was subsequently reborrowed in July 2013 in order to repay in full the $300.0 million of 4.625% Notes due on July 15, 2013 and $6.9 million of related accrued interest. We also settled all interest rate swaps relating to the 4.150% Notes for $62.0 million during June 2013.
Extinguishment of Debt
In October 2014, we repaid in full the $275.0 million principal amount outstanding under the 5.300% Notes due on October 15, 2014 (the “5.300% Notes”) and $7.3 million of related accrued interest using funds available under our Credit Facility.
15. OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other non-current liabilities consist of the following at the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1) Amounts relate to the unfavorable storage contracts acquired in connection with the BORCO acquisition in 2011. See Note 13 for further discussion.
(2) See Note 5 for a discussion of the ARO recorded in connection with the abandonment of a portion of our NORCO pipeline system.
16. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists of the following at the dates indicated (in thousands):
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
17. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
We are exposed to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates and commodity prices, in the course of our normal business operations. We use derivative instruments to manage risks.
Interest Rate Derivatives
From time to time, we utilize forward-starting interest rate swaps to hedge the variability of the forecasted interest payments on anticipated debt issuances that may result from changes in the benchmark interest rate until the expected debt is issued. When entering into interest rate swap transactions, we become exposed to both credit risk and market risk. We are subject to credit risk when the change in fair value of the swap instrument is positive and the counterparty may fail to perform under the terms of the contract. We are subject to market risk with respect to changes in the underlying benchmark interest rate that impacts the fair value of the swaps. We manage our credit risk by entering into swap transactions only with major financial institutions with investment-grade credit ratings. We manage our market risk by aligning the swap instrument with the existing underlying debt obligation or a specified expected debt issuance generally associated with the maturity of an existing debt obligation. We designate the swap agreements as cash flow hedges at inception and expect the changes in values to be highly correlated with the changes in value of the underlying borrowings.
We entered into six forward-starting interest rate swaps with a total aggregate notional amount of $300.0 million, which we entered into in anticipation of the issuance of debt on or before July 15, 2013, and six forward-starting interest rate swaps with a total aggregate notional amount of $275.0 million, which we entered into in anticipation of the issuance of debt on or before October 15, 2014.
In September 2014, we issued $300.0 million of senior unsecured notes (see Note 14 for further discussion) and also settled the related six forward-starting interest rate swaps for $51.5 million. As a result of the interest rate swap settlement, we recognized $1.1 million hedge ineffectiveness in interest and debt expense attributable to the timing difference between when the swaps were settled and when they were forecasted to settle. In June 2013, we issued $500.0 million of the 4.150% Notes (see Note 14 for further discussion) and also settled the related six forward-starting interest rate swaps for $62.0 million. As a result of the interest rate swap settlement, we recognized $0.9 million hedge ineffectiveness in interest and debt expense attributable to the timing difference between when the swaps were settled and when they were forecasted to settle.
During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, unrealized loss of $21.4 million and unrealized gain of $37.7 million, respectively, were recorded in AOCI to reflect the change in the fair values of the forward-starting interest rate swaps. Over the next twelve months, we expect to reclassify $12.2 million of net losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest and debt expense. The loss consists primarily of the amortization of our settled forward-starting interest rate swaps.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Commodity Derivatives
Our Merchant Services segment primarily uses exchange-traded refined petroleum product futures contracts to manage the risk of market price volatility on its refined petroleum product inventories and its physical derivative contracts. The futures contracts used to hedge refined petroleum product inventories are designated as fair value hedges with changes in fair value of both the futures contracts and physical inventory reflected in earnings. Physical contracts and futures contracts that have not been designated in a hedge relationship are marked-to-market.
The following table summarizes our commodity derivative instruments outstanding at December 31, 2014 (amounts in thousands of gallons):
(1) Volume represents absolute value of net notional volume position.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table sets forth the fair value of each classification of derivative instruments and the locations of the derivative instruments on our consolidated balance sheets at the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1) Amounts represent the netting of physical fixed and index contracts’ assets and liabilities when a legal right of offset exists. Futures contracts are subject to settlement through margin requirements and are additionally presented on a net basis.
(1) Amounts represent the netting of physical fixed and index contracts’ assets and liabilities when a legal right of offset exists. Futures contracts are subject to settlement through margin requirements and are additionally presented on a net basis.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our hedged inventory portfolio extends to the third quarter of 2015. The majority of the unrealized gain at December 31, 2014 for inventory hedges represented by futures contracts of $30.7 million will be realized by the first quarter of 2015 as the related inventory is sold. At December 31, 2014, open refined petroleum product derivative contracts (represented by the physical fixed-price contracts, physical index contracts, and futures contracts for fixed-price sales contracts noted above) varied in duration in the overall portfolio, but did not extend beyond June 2016. In addition, at December 31, 2014, we had refined petroleum product inventories that we intend to use to satisfy a portion of the physical derivative contracts.
The gains and losses on our derivative instruments recognized in income were as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The losses reclassified from AOCI to income and the change in value recognized in OCI on our derivatives were as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):
18. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
We categorize our financial assets and liabilities using the three-tier hierarchy as follows:
Recurring
The following table sets forth financial assets and liabilities, measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of the measurement dates indicated, and the basis for that measurement, by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
The values of the Level 1 derivative assets and liabilities were based on quoted market prices obtained from the New York Mercantile Exchange.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The values of the Level 2 interest rate derivatives were determined using expected cash flow models, which incorporated market inputs including the implied forward LIBOR yield curve for the same period as the future interest rate swap settlements.
The values of the Level 2 commodity derivative contracts were calculated using market approaches based on observable market data inputs, including published commodity pricing data, which is verified against other available market data, and market interest rate and volatility data. Level 2 fixed price derivative assets are net of credit value adjustments (“CVAs”) determined using an expected cash flow model, which incorporates assumptions about the credit risk of the derivative contracts based on the historical and expected payment history of each customer, the amount of product contracted for under the agreement and the customer’s historical and expected purchase performance under each contract. The Merchant Services segment determined CVAs are appropriate because few of the Merchant Services segment’s customers entering into these derivative contracts are large organizations with nationally-recognized credit ratings. The Level 2 fixed price derivative assets of $44.9 million and $4.4 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are net of CVA of ($0.1) million for both periods, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the Merchant Services segment did not hold any net liability derivative position containing credit contingent features.
Financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at amounts which approximate fair value due to the relatively short period to maturity of these financial instruments. The fair values of our fixed-rate debt were estimated by observing market trading prices and by comparing the historic market prices of our publicly issued debt with the market prices of the publicly-issued debt of other MLP’s with similar credit ratings and terms. The fair values of our variable-rate debt are their carrying amounts, as the carrying amount reasonably approximates fair value due to the variability of the interest rates. The carrying value and fair value, using Level 2 input values, of our debt were as follows at the dates indicated
(in thousands):
In addition, our pension plan assets are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, based on Level 1 and Level 3 inputs. See Note 19 for additional information.
We recognize transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy as of the beginning of the reporting period. We did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Non-Recurring
Certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded a net non-cash asset impairment charge of $23.4 million related to our Natural Gas Storage disposal group as a result of the execution of a purchase and sale agreement in July 2014 to sell the business, subsequent changes in the carrying value of the net assets of the business and the completed sale in December 2014. See Note 4 and Note 5 for additional information.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge of $169.0 million based on Level 3 inputs related to our Natural Gas Storage disposal group. We believed the combination of a repurposed natural gas and compressed air energy storage was the highest-and-best use of this facility and as such our fair value estimate less cost to sell was based on the disposal group operating as such. We applied the income approach due to the lack of recent comparable transactions in the marketplace and estimated the fair value using a present value of expected future cash flows valuation method. The present value of the expected future cash flows was determined using multiple pricing inputs, including, where applicable, commodity prices (power ancillary service charges, energy prices, capacity fees, and natural gas storage), discount rates, historical contract terms, and operational capabilities of the natural gas storage facility. Valuation adjustments were considered to factor in liquidity risk and model uncertainty. Unobservable pricing inputs were developed based on an evaluation of relevant empirical market data and historical pricing and operating cash flows. In addition, we engaged a third-party natural gas storage valuation specialist to assist with our internally developed fair value estimate.
During the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge of $60.0 million based on Level 3 inputs related to the idling of a portion of Buckeye’s NORCO pipeline system. See Note 5 for additional information.
19. PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
RIGP and Retiree Medical Plan
Services Company, which employs the majority of our workforce, sponsors a Retirement Income Guarantee Plan (“RIGP”), which is a defined benefit plan that generally guarantees employees hired before January 1, 1986 a retirement benefit based on years of service and the employee’s highest compensation for any consecutive 5-year period during the last 10 years of service or other compensation measures as defined under the respective plan provisions. The retirement benefit is subject to reduction at varying percentages for certain offsetting amounts, including benefits payable under a retirement and savings plan discussed further below. Services Company funds this benefit plan through contributions to pension trust assets, generally subject to minimum funding requirements as provided by applicable law.
Services Company also sponsors an unfunded post-retirement benefit plan (the “Retiree Medical Plan”), which provides health care and life insurance benefits to certain of its retirees. To be eligible for the health care benefits, an employee must have been hired prior to January 1, 1991 and meet certain service requirements. To be eligible for the life insurance benefits, an employee must have been hired prior to January 1, 2002 and meet certain service requirements.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The components of projected benefit obligations and plan assets, and the funded status of the RIGP and the Retiree Medical Plan (“the Plans”) were as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Amounts recognized in our consolidated balance sheets for the Plans consist of the following at the dates indicated below (in thousands):
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Information regarding the accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets for the RIGP is as follows at the dates indicated (in thousands):
(1) The accumulated benefit obligation does not include an assumption for future compensation increases.
The weighted average assumptions used in determining net periodic benefit cost for the Plans were as follows for the periods indicated:
The assumptions used in determining benefit obligations for the Plans were as follows at the dates indicated:
The discount rate reflects the rate at which benefits could be effectively settled on the measurement date. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the discount rate was determined based on a projection of expected cash flows from the Plans using relevant economic benchmarks available as of each year end. The expected return on plan assets was determined based on projected long-term market returns for each asset class in which the Plans are invested, weighted by the target asset class allocations. The rate of compensation increase represents the long-term assumption for future increases to salaries.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The assumed annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits as of December 31, 2014 in the Retiree Medical Plan was 6.5% for 2015, grading down to 4.5% in 2021, and thereafter. The assumed health care cost trend rates may have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the Retiree Medical Plan. Based on a hypothetical 1% movement in the assumed health care cost trend rates, the change in costs would have had the following effects on the December 31, 2014 results (in thousands):
The components of the net periodic benefit cost and other changes recognized in OCI for the Plans were as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):
We expect that the following amounts, currently included in OCI, for the Plans will be recognized in our consolidated statement of operations during the year ending December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We estimate the following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, will be paid for the Plans in the years indicated below as such (in thousands):
We expect to contribute $3.7 million to our benefit plans in 2015. Funding requirements for subsequent years are uncertain and will depend on whether there are any changes in the actuarial assumptions used to calculate plan funding levels, the actual return on plan assets and any legislative or regulatory changes affecting plan funding requirements. For tax planning, financial planning, cash flow management or cost reduction purposes, we may increase, accelerate, decrease or delay contributions to the plan to the extent permitted by law.
We do not fund the Retiree Medical Plan and, accordingly, no assets are invested in the plan. A summary of investments in the RIGP are as follows at the dates indicated (in thousands):
The values of the Level 1 mutual funds were based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. The mutual fund - fixed-income securities generally seeks long-term growth of capital and income and invests in a portfolio consisting primarily of fixed-income securities.
The values of the Level 3 coal lease were determined using an expected present value of future cash flows valuation model. This investment relates to a 20.8% interest in a coal lease, which derives value from specified minimum royalty payments received from CONSOL Energy Inc. related to coal reserves mined from two Pennsylvania mines owned by the lessor. The coal lease extends through 2023.
The following table summarizes the activity in our Level 3 pension assets for the periods indicated (in thousands):
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The RIGP investment policy does not target specific asset classes, but seeks to balance the preservation and growth of capital in the plan’s mutual funds with the income derived with proceeds from the coal lease. While no significant changes in the asset class allocation of the plan are expected during the upcoming year, Services Company may make changes at any time.
Retirement and Savings Plans
Services Company also sponsors the Retirement and Savings Plan (“RASP”) through which it provides retirement benefits for substantially all of its regular full-time employees located in the continental United States, except those covered by certain labor contracts. The RASP consists of two components. Under the first component, Services Company contributes 5% of each eligible employee’s covered salary to an employee’s separate account maintained in the RASP. Under the second component, Services Company makes a matching contribution into the employee’s separate account for 100% of an employee’s contribution to the RASP up to 5% (or 6% if an employee has over 20 years of service) of an employee’s eligible covered salary. Total costs of the RASP were $14.0 million, $10.7 million and $10 million during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Services Company also participates in a multi-employer retirement income plan and a multi-employer postretirement benefit plan, both of which provide retirement and health care and life insurance benefits to employees covered by certain labor contracts. We do not administer these plans and contribute to them in accordance with the provisions of negotiated labor contracts. The costs of providing these benefits, in aggregate, were $1.0 million, $0.6 million and $0.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Additionally, certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries provide a savings and retirement plan to employees. The costs of providing these benefits, which primarily relates to BORCO, were $1.4 million, $1.2 million and $1.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Services Company provides the ESOP to the majority of its employees hired before September 16, 2004. Employees hired by Services Company after September 15, 2004 and certain employees covered by a union multiemployer pension plan do not participate in the ESOP. The ESOP owns all of the outstanding common stock of Services Company. Buckeye, as primary beneficiary, consolidates Services Company.
The ESOP was frozen with respect to benefits effective March 27, 2011 (the “Freeze Date”). No Services Company contributions (other than dividend equivalent payments) have been made on behalf of current participants in the Plan after the Freeze Date. Even though contributions under the ESOP are no longer being made, each eligible participant’s ESOP account continues to be credited with its share of any stock dividends or other stock distributions associated with Services Company stock.
Individual employees were allocated shares based upon the ratio of their eligible compensation to total eligible compensation. Eligible compensation generally included base salary, overtime payments and certain bonuses. All Services Company stock has been released to ESOP participants. Total ESOP related costs charged to earnings were nominal for each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
20. UNIT-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
We award unit-based compensation to employees and directors primarily under the Buckeye Partners, L.P. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”), which was approved by the Partnership’s unitholders in June 2013. The LTIP replaced the 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”), which was merged with and into the LTIP, and no further grants will be made under the 2009 Plan. We formerly awarded options to acquire LP Units to employees pursuant to the Buckeye Partners, L.P. Unit Option and Distribution Equivalent Plan (the “Option Plan”).
We recognized compensation expense related to the LTIP, which includes awards under the 2009 Plan and the Option Plan of $21.5 million, $21.8 million and $19.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
LTIP
The LTIP, which is overseen by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Buckeye GP (the “Compensation Committee”), provides for the grant of phantom units, performance units and in certain cases, distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”) which provide the participant a right to receive payments based on distributions we make on our LP Units. Phantom units are notional LP Units whose vesting is subject to service-based restrictions or other conditions established by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. Phantom units entitle a participant to receive an LP Unit, without payment of an exercise price, upon vesting. Performance units are notional LP Units whose vesting is subject to the attainment of one or more performance goals, and which entitle a participant to receive LP Units without payment of an exercise price upon vesting. DERs are rights to receive a cash payment per phantom unit or performance unit, as applicable, equal to the per unit cash distribution we pay on our LP Units. The number of LP Units that may be granted to any one individual in a calendar year will not exceed 100,000. If awards are forfeited, terminated or otherwise not paid in full, the LP Units underlying such awards will again be available for purposes of the LTIP. Persons eligible to receive grants under the LTIP are (i) officers and employees of Buckeye GP and any of our affiliates who provide services to us and (ii) independent members of the Board of Directors of Buckeye GP. Phantom units or performance units may be granted to participants at any time as determined by the Compensation Committee.
After giving effect to the issuance or forfeiture of phantom unit and performance unit awards through the year end, awards representing a total of 2,945,015 LP Units were available for issuance under the LTIP as of December 31, 2014.
Deferral Plan under the LTIP
On December 16, 2009, the Compensation Committee approved the terms of the Buckeye Partners, L.P. Unit Deferral and Incentive Plan (“Deferral Plan”). The Compensation Committee is expressly authorized to adopt the Deferral Plan under the terms of the LTIP, which grants the Compensation Committee the authority to establish a program pursuant to which our phantom units may be awarded in lieu of cash compensation at the election of the employee. At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, eligible employees were allowed to defer up to 50% of their 2014, 2013, and 2012 compensation award under our Annual Incentive Compensation Plan or other discretionary bonus program in exchange for grants of phantom units equal in value to the amount of their cash award deferral (each such unit, a “Deferral Unit”). Participants also receive one matching phantom unit for each Deferral Unit. Deferral Units and their matching phantom units vest on December 15 of the second year after the year in which such units are granted. At December 31, 2014, $1.7 million of 2014 compensation awards had been deferred, for which phantom units will be granted in 2015. At December 31, 2013, $2.7 million of 2013 compensation awards had been deferred, for which 75,870 phantom units (including matching units) were granted during 2014. At December 31, 2012, $1.4 million of 2012 compensation awards had been deferred, for which 51,668 phantom units (including matching units) were granted during 2013. These grants are included as granted in the LTIP activity table below.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Awards under the LTIP
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Compensation Committee granted 209,260 phantom units to employees (including the 75,870 phantom units granted pursuant to the Deferral Plan discussed above), 16,000 phantom units to independent directors of Buckeye GP and 183,722 performance units to employees. The vesting criteria for the performance units are the attainment of certain performance goals during the third year of a three-year period and remaining employed by us throughout such three-year period.
Phantom unit grantees will be paid quarterly distributions on DERs associated with phantom units over their respective vesting periods of one-year or three-years in the same amounts per phantom unit as distributions paid on our LP Units over those same one-year or three-year periods. The amount paid with respect to phantom unit distributions was $2.0 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Distributions may be paid on performance units at the end of the three-year vesting period. In such case, DERs will be paid on the number of LP Units for which the performance units will be settled. Quarterly distributions related to DERs associated with phantom and performance units are recorded as a reduction of our Limited Partners’ Capital on our consolidated balance sheets.
The following table sets forth the LTIP activity for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per unit amounts):
(1) Determined by dividing the aggregate grant date fair value of awards by the number of awards issued. The weighted-average grant date fair value per LP Unit for forfeited and vested awards is determined before an allowance for forfeitures.
At December 31, 2014, $21.8 million of compensation expense related to the LTIP is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
Unit Option and Distribution Equivalent Plan
We also sponsor the Option Plan pursuant to which we historically granted options to employees to purchase LP Units at the market price of our LP Units on the date of grant. Generally, the options vest three years from the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. As unit options are exercised, we issue new LP Units to the holder. We have not historically repurchased, and do not expect to repurchase in 2015, any of our LP Units. Following the adoption of the 2009 Plan effective March 20, 2009, we ceased making additional grants under the Option Plan.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following is a summary of the changes in the options outstanding (all of which are vested) under the Option Plan for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per unit amounts):
(1) Aggregate intrinsic value reflects fully vested LP Unit options at the date indicated. Intrinsic value is determined by calculating the difference between our closing LP Unit price on the last trading day in 2014 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of exercisable, in-the-money options.
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.5 million, $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options, as all options were vested as of November 24, 2011. At December 31, 2014, 333,000 LP Units were available for grant in connection with the Option Plan. The fair value of options vested was zero for each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
21. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
We are managed by Buckeye GP, our general partner. Services Company is considered a related party with respect to us. Services Company employees provide services to the majority of our operating subsidiaries. Pursuant to a services agreement entered into in December 2004, our operating subsidiaries reimburse Services Company for the costs of the services provided by Services Company. As Services Company is consolidated, these amounts eliminate in consolidation. Services Company, which is beneficially owned by the ESOP, owned 0.8 million of our LP Units (0.7% of our LP Units outstanding) as of December 31, 2014. Distributions received by Services Company from us on such LP Units are distributed to ESOP participants for investment pursuant to the terms of the ESOP. Distributions paid to Services Company totaled $3.2 million, $3.7 million and $5.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Total distributions paid to Services Company decrease over time as Services Company sells LP Units to fund benefits payable to ESOP participants who exit the ESOP.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
22. PARTNERS’ CAPITAL AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Our LP Units represent limited partner interests, which give the holders thereof the right to participate in distributions and to exercise the other rights and privileges available to them under our partnership agreement. The partnership agreement provides that, without prior approval of our limited partners holding an aggregate of at least two-thirds of the outstanding LP Units, we cannot issue any LP Units of a class or series having preferences or other special or senior rights over the LP Units.
Class B Units
From January 2011 to September 2013, we had issued and outstanding Class B Units representing a separate class of our limited partnership interests. The Class B Units shared equally with the LP Units: (i) with respect to the payment of distributions and (ii) in the event of our liquidation. Our partnership agreement provided the option to pay distributions on the Class B Units with cash or by issuing additional Class B Units, with the number of Class B Units issued based upon the volume-weighted average price of the LP Units for the 10 trading days immediately preceding the date the distributions were declared, less a discount of 15%. From January 2011 to September 2013, we paid distributions on the Class B Units by issuing such additional Class B Units.
In September 2013, 8.5 million Class B Units, which represented all of our Class B Units outstanding as of September 1, 2013, converted into LP Units on a one-for-one basis. The conversion was required by our partnership agreement and was triggered in connection with over 4 million barrels of incremental storage capacity being placed in service since acquisition at our BORCO facility effective September 1, 2013. No Class B Units have been issued subsequent to that date, and as a result, there were no Class B Units outstanding at December 31, 2014.
At-the-Market Offering Program
In May 2013, we entered into four separate equity distribution agreements (each an “Equity Distribution Agreement” and collectively the “Equity Distribution Agreements”) with each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and UBS Securities LLC. Under the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreements, we may offer and sell up to $300 million in aggregate gross sales proceeds of LP Units from time to time through such firms, acting as agents of the Partnership or as principals, subject in each case to the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Equity Distribution Agreement. Sales of LP Units, if any, may be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices or as otherwise agreed with any of such firms. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we sold 1.0 million and 0.5 million LP Units in aggregate under the Equity Distribution Agreements, received $74.5 million and $33.1 million in net proceeds after deducting commissions and other related expenses, and paid $0.8 million and $0.4 million of compensation in aggregate to the agents under the Equity Distribution Agreements, respectively.
Equity Offerings
In September 2014, we completed a public offering of 6.75 million LP Units pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement, which priced at $80.00 per unit. In October 2014, the underwriters exercised an option to purchase up to an additional 1.0 million LP Units, resulting in total gross proceeds of $621.0 million before deducting underwriting fees and estimated offering expenses of $22.0 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility, to fund a portion of the Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction and for general partnership purposes.
In August 2014, we completed a public offering of 2.6 million LP Units pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement, through which the underwriters also exercised an option to purchase 0.4 million additional LP Units. The offering priced at $76.60 per unit, resulting in total gross proceeds of $229.0 million before deducting underwriting fees and estimated offering expenses of $2.4 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility and for general partnership purposes.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In October 2013, we completed a public offering of 7.5 million LP Units pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement, which priced at $62.61 per unit. The underwriters also exercised an option to purchase 1.1 million additional LP Units, resulting in total gross proceeds of $540.0 million before deducting underwriting fees and offering expenses of $19.3 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility and to indirectly fund a portion of the purchase price for the Hess Terminals Acquisition.
In January 2013, we completed a public offering of 6.0 million LP Units pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement, which priced at $52.54 per unit. The underwriters also exercised an option to purchase 0.9 million additional LP Units, resulting in total gross proceeds of $362.5 million before deducting underwriting fees and offering expenses of $13.3 million. We used the net proceeds from this offering to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility.
In February 2012, we issued 4.3 million LP Units to institutional investors in a registered direct offering for aggregate consideration of $250.0 million at a price of $58.65 per LP Unit, before deducting placement agents’ fees and offering expenses of $3.2 million. We used the majority of the net proceeds from this offering to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under our Credit Facility and to indirectly fund a portion of the Perth Amboy Facility acquisition as well as certain other growth capital expenditures.
Summary of Changes in Outstanding Units
The following is a summary of changes in Buckeye’s outstanding units for the periods indicated (in thousands):
(1) The number of units issued represents issuance net of tax withholding.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Cash Distributions
We generally make quarterly cash distributions to unitholders of substantially all of our available cash, generally defined in our partnership agreement as consolidated cash receipts less consolidated cash expenditures and such retentions for working capital, anticipated cash expenditures and contingencies as our general partner deems appropriate. Cash distributions paid to unitholders of Buckeye for the periods indicated were as follows (in thousands, except per unit amounts):
In-kind Distributions
In-kind distributions paid to Class B unitholders of Buckeye for the periods indicated were as follows (in thousands):
On February 6, 2015, we announced a quarterly distribution of $1.1375 per LP Unit that will be paid on February 24, 2015, to unitholders of record on February 17, 2015. Based on the LP Units outstanding as of December 31, 2014, cash distributed to LP unitholders on February 24, 2015 will total $145.0 million.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
23. INCOME TAXES
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had net deferred tax assets of $1.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for BDL, which are not expected to be realized based on the available evidence of projected operating losses for the foreseeable future, and have provided a full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets as of the end of each year. As of December 31, 2014, $3.0 million of BDL’s deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards will expire between 2028 and 2032.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had net deferred tax assets of $43.4 million and $43.0 million related to Buckeye Caribbean. As of December 31, 2014, $18.7 million of the deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards, and unless utilized, the tax benefits of the net operating loss carryforwards will expire between 2020 and 2022. Based on available evidence, we had recorded a full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets upon our acquisition of Buckeye Caribbean during the year ended December 31, 2010. However, based on our assessment at December 31, 2014 and 2013, we concluded that sufficient positive evidence exists, including the realization of book and taxable income and a forecast of future book and taxable income, to release $1.8 million and $1.6 million of valuation allowance, respectively, at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
The tax effects of significant items comprising our net deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
We are currently not under any income tax audits or examinations. As of December 31, 2014, BDL’s tax years from 2011 to 2014 and Buckeye Caribbean’s tax years from 2010 through 2014 were open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and Puerto Rico Treasury Department, respectively.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
24. EARNINGS PER UNIT
Basic and diluted earnings per unit (includes LP Units and Class B Units in 2013 and 2012) is calculated by dividing net income, after deducting the amount allocated to noncontrolling interests, by the weighted-average number of LP Units and Class B Units outstanding during the period.
The following table is a reconciliation of the weighted average units outstanding used in computing the basic and diluted earnings per unit for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per unit amounts):
25. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
We operate and report in four business segments: (i) Pipelines & Terminals; (ii) Global Marine Terminals; (iii) Merchant Services; and (iv) Development & Logistics.
Pipelines & Terminals
The Pipelines & Terminals segment receives liquid petroleum products from refineries, connecting pipelines, vessels, and bulk and marine terminals and transports those products to other locations for a fee and provides bulk storage and terminal throughput services in the continental United States. This segment owns and operates pipeline systems and liquid petroleum products terminals in the continental United States, including five terminals owned by the Merchant Services segment but operated by the Pipelines & Terminals segment and 17 terminals acquired in conjunction with the Hess Terminals Acquisition in December 2013. In addition, the segment has butane blending capabilities and provides crude oil services, including train loading, off-loading, storage and throughput.
Global Marine Terminals
The Global Marine Terminals segment provides marine bulk storage and marine terminal throughput services in the East Coast and Gulf Coast regions of the United States and in the Caribbean. The segment has liquid petroleum product terminals located in The Bahamas, Puerto Rico and St. Lucia in the Caribbean, Corpus Christi and the New York Harbor. The Global Marine Terminals segment operates three liquid petroleum products terminals acquired in conjunction with the Hess Terminals Acquisition in December 2013.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Buckeye Texas owns storage and marine terminal facilities that sit along the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in Texas. The Corpus Christi facilities have five vessel berths, including three deep-water docks, and approximately 2.5 million barrels of liquid petroleum products storage capacity. Upon the completion of the initial build-out, the Corpus Christi facilities will have a condensate splitter, an LPG storage complex and approximately 6.3 million barrels of liquid petroleum products storage capacity along with rail and truck loading/unloading capabilities. The initial build-out also includes the completion of three field gathering facilities with associated storage in the Eagle Ford play and pipeline connectivity that will allow Buckeye Texas to move Eagle Ford play crude oil and condensate production directly to the terminalling complex in Corpus Christi. These assets will form an integrated system with connectivity from the production in the field to the marine terminal infrastructure and the refining complex in Corpus Christi. See Note 3 for further discussion.
Merchant Services
The Merchant Services segment is a wholesale distributor of petroleum products in the United States and in the Caribbean. This segment recognizes revenues when products are delivered. The segment’s products include gasoline, natural gas liquids, ethanol, biodiesel and petroleum distillates such as heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene and fuel oil. The segment owns five terminals, which are operated by the Pipelines & Terminals segment. The segment’s customers consist principally of product wholesalers as well as major commercial users of these refined petroleum products.
Development & Logistics
The Development & Logistics segment consists primarily of our contract operations of third-party pipelines, which are owned principally by major oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical companies and are located primarily in Texas and Louisiana. Additionally, this segment performs pipeline construction management services, typically for cost plus a fixed fee. This segment also owns and operates two underground propane storage caverns in Indiana and Illinois and an ammonia pipeline, as well as our majority ownership of the Sabina Pipeline, located in Texas.
Natural Gas Storage Disposal Group
In December 2014, we completed the sale of our Natural Gas Storage disposal group for $103.4 million in cash, net of expenses and working capital adjustments of $1.6 million. At December 31, 2013, this group of assets was classified as “Assets held for sale” and “Liabilities held for sale” in our accompanying consolidated balance sheet. We have reported the results of operations for the disposal group as discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. See Note 4 and Note 5 for further information.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure used by our senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer, to: (i) evaluate our consolidated operating performance and the operating performance of our business segments; (ii) allocate resources and capital to business segments; (iii) evaluate the viability of proposed projects; and (iv) determine overall rates of return on alternative investment opportunities. Adjusted EBITDA eliminates: (i) non-cash expenses, including but not limited to depreciation and amortization expense resulting from the significant capital investments we make in our businesses and from intangible assets recognized in business combinations; (ii) charges for obligations expected to be settled with the issuance of equity instruments; and (iii) items that are not indicative of our core operating performance results and business outlook.
We believe that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that we use and that these measures are useful to investors because they aid in comparing our operating performance with that of other companies with similar operations. The Adjusted EBITDA data presented by us may not be comparable to similarly titled measures at other companies because these items may be defined differently by other companies.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following tables summarize our financial information by each segment for the periods indicated (in thousands):
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2014, amount includes a reduction in revenue of $40.0 million related to a litigation contingency reserve associated with ongoing FERC proceedings.
For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, no customer contributed 10% or more of consolidated revenue.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) Amounts represent cash paid for capital expenditures and exclude ($49.8) million, $23.3 million and ($2.4) million of non-cash changes in accounts payable and accruals for capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. See Note 26 for supplemental cash flow information.
(2) Assets related to the Natural Gas Storage disposal group were classified as “Assets held for sale” as of the year ended December 31, 2013. In December 2014, we sold our Natural Gas Storage segment and its related assets. See Note 4 for further information.
(1) All equity investments are included in the assets of the Pipelines & Terminals segment.
(2) The Global Marine Terminals segment’s long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets and other non-current assets. Total tangible long-lived assets located in our international locations were $1,520.8 million and $1,540.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(3) Assets related to the Natural Gas Storage disposal group were classified as “Assets held for sale” as of the year ended December 31, 2013. In December 2014, we completed the sale of our Natural Gas Storage segment and its related assets. See Note 4 for further information.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following tables summarize our financial information for continuing operations, by major geographic area, for the periods indicated (in thousands):
The following tables present Adjusted EBITDA by segment and on a consolidated basis and a reconciliation of income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated (in thousands):
(1) Includes $12.3 million of depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing 100% of ownership interest in Buckeye Texas.
(2) Represents acquisition and transition expense related to the Hess Terminals Acquisition in December 2013 and the Buckeye Texas Partners Transaction in September 2014.
(3) Represents a contingent liability associated with ongoing FERC litigation proceedings.
(4) Represents amortization of negative fair values allocated to certain unfavorable storage contracts acquired in connection with the BORCO acquisition.
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
26. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Supplemental cash flows and non-cash transactions were as follows for the periods indicated (in thousands):
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
27. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Summarized quarterly financial data for the periods indicated is set forth below (in thousands, except per unit amounts). Quarterly results were influenced by seasonal and other factors inherent in our business. The results of operations of the Natural Gas Storage disposal group have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
(1) During the fourth quarter of 2014, we recorded a reduction in revenue of $40.0 million related to a litigation contingency reserve associated with ongoing FERC litigation proceedings (see Note 6).
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(2) During the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a $26.3 million asset impairment charge related to the Natural Gas Storage disposal group. During the third quarter of 2014, we reduced the asset impairment charge by $5.4 million due to changes in the carrying value of the net assets of the Natural Gas Storage disposal group. In December 2014, we recorded an additional $2.5 million asset impairment charge due to the completion of the sale (see Note 5).
(3) During the fourth quarter of 2013, we recorded a $169.0 million asset impairment expense related to the Natural Gas Storage disposal group (see Note 5).
28. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
FERC Proceedings Update
Pursuant to ongoing FERC settlement discussions in late February 2015, we recorded a litigation contingency reserve as a reduction in revenue in the amount of $40.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 in our Pipelines & Terminals segment. See Note 6 for further discussion.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”), evaluated the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report are designed and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is: (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. A controls system cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting is set forth in Item 8 of this Report and is incorporated by reference herein.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
The attestation report of our registered public accounting firm with respect to internal controls over financial reporting is set forth in Item 8 of this Report and is incorporated by reference herein.
Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or in other factors during the fourth quarter of 2014, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
On May 14, 2013, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) issued an updated version of its Internal Control - Integrated Framework (the “2013 Framework”). Originally issued in 1992 (the “1992 Framework”), the framework helps organizations design, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of internal control concepts and simplify their use and application. As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership has adopted and is in compliance with the 2013 Framework.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item will be included in our definitive Proxy Statement in connection with our 2015 Annual Meeting of unitholders (the “2015 Proxy Statement”), which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, under the headings “Proposal One: Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item will be set forth in our 2015 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, under the headings “Compensation of Directors,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Unitholder Matters
The information required by this item will be set forth in our 2015 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, under the headings “Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Equity Compensation Plans” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item will be set forth in our 2015 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, under the headings “Independence of Directors” and “Related Person Transactions and Procedures” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this item will be included in our 2015 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, under the heading “Fees Paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP” and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this Report:
(1) Financial Statements - See Item 8 of this Report.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules - None.
(3) Exhibits - The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Report including those incorporated by reference.
Exhibit
Number
Description
2.1
Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between Buckeye Partners, L.P. and Hess Corporation, dated as of October 9, 2013 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 10, 2013).
2.2
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated July 25, 2014, between Buckeye Gas Storage LLC and BIF II CalGas (Delaware) LLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 29, 2014).
2.3
Contribution Agreement, dated as of September 2, 2014, by and between Trafigura Corpus Christi Holdings Inc. and Buckeye Partners, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 2, 2014).
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of Buckeye Partners, L.P., dated as of February 4, 1998 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997).
3.2
Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of Buckeye Partners, L.P., dated as of April 26, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2002).
3.3
Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of Buckeye Partners, L.P., dated as of June 1, 2004, effective as of June 3, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed June 16, 2004).
3.4
Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of Buckeye Partners, L.P., dated as of December 15, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004).
3.5
Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Buckeye Partners, L.P., dated as of November 19, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 22, 2010).
3.6
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Buckeye Partners, L.P., dated as of January 18, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2011).
3.7
Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Buckeye Partners, L.P., dated as of February 21, 2013 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2013).
3.8
Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Buckeye Partners, L.P., dated as of October 1, 2013, (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 7, 2013).
3.9
Amendment No. 4 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Buckeye Partners, L.P., dated as of September 29, 2014, (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 29, 2014).
4.1
Indenture dated as of July 10, 2003, between Buckeye Partners, L.P. and SunTrust Bank, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed September 19, 2003).
4.2
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 10, 2003, between Buckeye Partners, L.P. and SunTrust Bank, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed September 19, 2003).
4.3
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 19, 2003, between Buckeye Partners, L.P. and SunTrust Bank, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Buckeye Partners, L.P.’s
* Represents management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
** Filed herewith.
 Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. Buckeye agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of the omitted schedules to the SEC upon request.
(a) Exhibits - See Item 15(a)(3) above.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
PIETER BAKKER
Pieter Bakker
Director
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
BARBARA M. BAUMANN
Barbara M. Baumann
Director
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
BARBARA J. DUGANIER
Barbara J. Duganier
Director
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
JOSEPH A. LASALA, JR.
Joseph A. LaSala, Jr.
Director
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
MARK C. MCKINLEY
Mark C. McKinley
Director
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
DONALD W. NIEMIEC
Donald W. Niemiec
Director
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
LARRY C. PAYNE
Larry C. Payne
Director
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
OLIVER G. “RICK” RICHARD, III
Oliver “Rick” G. Richard, III
Director
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
CLARK C. SMITH
Clark C. Smith
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
FRANK S. SOWINSKI
Frank S. Sowinski
Lead Independent Director
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
KEITH E. ST.CLAIR
Keith E. St.Clair
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
MARTIN A. WHITE
Martin A. White
Director
Dated: February 26, 2015
By:
/s/
PATRICK L. PELTON
Patrick L. Pelton
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)