10-Q 1 c70583e10vq.htm FORM 10-Q Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number: 000-50394
Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
     
Delaware   20-0153267
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
820 Gessner Road, Suite 1285, Houston, Texas   77024
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (713) 467-8235
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer o      Accelerated Filer o      Non-Accelerated Filer þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
Yes o No þ
The number of common units outstanding on May 14, 2007 was 1,910,656.
 
 

 


 

RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
ITEM     PAGE NO.
 
           
 
           
  Financial Statements        
 
           
 
  Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     3  
 
           
 
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007 (unaudited)     4-5  
 
           
 
  Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007     6  
 
           
 
  Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Partners’ Capital for the three months ended March 31, 2007     7  
 
           
 
  Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007     8  
 
           
 
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)     9-24  
 
           
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     25-36  
 
           
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     37  
 
           
  Controls and Procedures     37  
 
           
           
 
           
  Legal Proceedings     38  
 
           
  Risk Factors     38-39  
 
           
  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds     39  
 
           
  Defaults Upon Senior Securities     39  
 
           
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     39  
 
           
  Other Information     39  
 
           
  Exhibits     40-44  
 
           
Signatures     45  
 
           
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32

 

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Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Managers of Rio Vista GP LLC,  
     General Partner of Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P.
We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and subsidiaries (Rio Vista) as of March 31, 2007, the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 and the consolidated statement of partners’ capital for the three months ended March 31, 2007. These interim consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of Rio Vista’s management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements for them to be in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and the related consolidated statements of operations, partners’ capital and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2006 (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 15, 2007, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
/s/ BURTON McCUMBER & CORTEZ, L.L.P.
Brownsville, Texas
May 18, 2007

 

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Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
                 
    December 31,     March 31,  
    2006     2007  
            (unaudited)  
Current Assets
               
 
               
Cash
  $ 3,896,000     $ 3,675,000  
 
               
Restricted cash
    25,000       25,000  
 
               
Trade accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 at
December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007)
    523,000       998,000  
 
               
Due from Penn Octane Corporation, net
    1,751,000       722,000  
 
               
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    246,000       244,000  
 
           
 
               
Total current assets
    6,441,000       5,664,000  
 
               
Property, plant and equipment – net
    10,704,000       10,539,000  
 
               
Other non-current assets
    11,000       13,000  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 17,156,000     $ 16,216,000  
 
           
The accompanying notes and accountants’ report are an integral part of these statements.

 

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Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
                 
    December 31,     March 31,  
    2006     2007  
            (Unaudited)  
Current Liabilities
               
 
               
Note payable
  $ 1,000,000     $ 1,000,000  
 
               
Due to Penn Octane Corporation, net
           
 
               
Accounts payable
    397,000       499,000  
 
               
Mexican taxes payable
    17,000       29,000  
 
               
Accrued liabilities
    702,000       565,000  
 
           
 
               
Total current liabilities
    2,116,000       2,093,000  
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
           
 
               
Partners’ Capital
               
 
               
Common units
    14,739,000       13,840,000  
 
               
General partner’s equity
    301,000       283,000  
 
           
 
               
Total Partners’ Capital
    15,040,000       14,123,000  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and Partners’ Capital
  $ 17,156,000     $ 16,216,000  
 
           
The accompanying notes and accountants’ report are an integral part of these statements.

 

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Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2006     2007  
Revenues
  $     $ 679,000  
 
               
Cost of goods sold
    540,000       394,000  
 
           
 
               
Gross profit
    (540,000 )     285,000  
 
               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
               
Legal and professional fees
    187,000       288,000  
Salaries and payroll related expenses
    195,000       132,000  
Other
    360,000       299,000  
 
           
 
    742,000       719,000  
 
           
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
    (1,282,000 )     (434,000 )
 
           
 
               
Other income (expense)
               
Interest expense
    (42,000 )     (25,000 )
Interest income
           
 
           
Loss from continuing operations before taxes
    (1,324,000 )     (459,000 )
 
               
Provision for Mexican income taxes
    14,000       11,000  
 
           
 
               
Net loss from continuing operations
    (1,338,000 )     (470,000 )
 
               
Discontinued operations:
               
 
               
Net income from operations of the LPG Assets Sold
    1,087,000        
 
           
 
               
Net income (loss)
  $ (251,000 )   $ (470,000 )
 
           
 
               
Net income (loss) allocable to the partners
  $ (251,000 )   $ (470,000 )
Less general partner’s interest in net income (loss)
    5,000       9,000  
 
           
 
               
Net income (loss) allocable to the common units
  $ (246,000 )   $ (461,000 )
 
           
 
               
Net loss from continuing operations per common unit
  $ (0.69 )   $ (0.24 )
 
               
Net income from discontinued operations per common unit
    0.56        
 
           
 
               
Net income (loss) per common unit
  $ (0.13 )   $ (0.24 )
 
           
 
               
Weighted average common units outstanding
    1,910,656       1,910,656  
 
           
The accompanying notes and accountants’ report are an integral part of these statements.

 

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Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
(Unaudited)
                                 
                            Total  
    Common Units     General     Partners’  
    Units     Amount     Partner     Capital  
Balance as of December 31, 2006
    1,910,656     $ 14,739,000     $ 301,000     $ 15,040,000  
Net income (loss)
          (461,000 )     (9,000 )     (470,000 )
Cash distribution to partners
          (477,000 )     (10,000 )     (487,000 )
Unit-based payment expense
          39,000       1,000       40,000  
 
                       
 
                               
Balance as of March 31, 2007 (unaudited)
    1,910,656     $ 13,840,000     $ 283,000     $ 14,123,000  
 
                       
The accompanying notes and accountants’ report are an integral part of these statements.

 

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Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2006     2007  
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income (loss)
  $ (251,000 )   $ (470,000 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    200,000       165,000  
Unit-based payment expense
    8,000       40,000  
Amortization of loan discount related to detachable warrants issued
    22,000        
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
               
Trade accounts receivable
    6,115,000       (476,000 )
Inventories
    26,000        
Prepaid and other current assets
    (241,000 )     4,000  
Trade accounts payable
    (347,000 )     102,000  
Due to Penn Octane Corporation, net
    (6,828,000 )     1,029,000  
Accrued liabilities
    241,000       (137,000 )
Mexican taxes payable
    (8,000 )     11,000  
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (1,063,000 )     268,000  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (4,000 )      
Proceeds from the sale of land and other assets
           
Other non-current assets
    (1,000 )     (2,000 )
 
           
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (5,000 )     (2,000 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash
    1,052,000        
Cash distributions to partners
          (487,000 )
Issuance of TransMontaigne Note
           
 
           
Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities
    1,052,000       (487,000 )
 
           
Net increase in cash
    (16,000 )     (221,000 )
Cash at beginning of period
    26,000       3,896,000  
 
           
Cash at end of period
  $ 10,000     $ 3,675,000  
 
           
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the year for:
               
Interest
  $ 20,000     $ 60,000  
 
           
Mexican taxes
  $     $  
 
           
Supplemental disclosures of noncash transactions:
               
Units and warrants issued and other
  $ 30,000     $ 40,000  
 
           
The accompanying notes and accountants’ report are an integral part of these statements.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE A – ORGANIZATION
Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. (Rio Vista), a Delaware limited partnership, was formed by Penn Octane Corporation (Penn Octane) on July 10, 2003 and was a wholly owned subsidiary of Penn Octane until September 30, 2004, the date that Penn Octane completed a series of transactions that (i) transferred substantially all of its owned pipeline and terminal assets in Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico and certain immaterial liabilities to Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. (RVOP) (ii) transferred Penn Octane’s 99.9% interest in RVOP to Rio Vista and (iii) distributed all of its limited partnership interests (Common Units) in Rio Vista to its common stockholders (Spin-Off), resulting in Rio Vista becoming a separate public company. The Common Units represented 98% of Rio Vista’s outstanding capital and 100% of Rio Vista’s limited partnership interests. The remaining 2% represented the general partner interest. The general partner interest is solely owned and controlled by Rio Vista GP LLC (General Partner). Prior to June 30, 2006, the General Partner was wholly owned by Penn Octane. On July 1, 2006, options to acquire 50% of the General Partner were exercised, resulting in Penn Octane having a 50% interest in the General Partner. Penn Octane retains control over the General Partner pursuant to a voting agreement with the other owners of the General Partner. The General Partner is responsible for the management of Rio Vista. Common unitholders do not participate in the management of Rio Vista. Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries (not including the General Partner) are hereinafter referred to as “Rio Vista”.
As more fully described in note D, prior to the sale of a portion of Rio Vista’s LPG related assets and all of Penn Octane’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) related assets to TransMontaigne Product Services Inc. (TransMontaigne) on August 22, 2006 (Restated LPG Asset Sale), Rio Vista was principally engaged in the purchase, transportation and sale of LPG. Subsequent to the Restated LPG Asset Sale, Rio Vista continues to own and operate a LPG terminal facility in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico (Matamoros Terminal Facility) and approximately 23 miles of pipelines (US — Mexico Pipelines) which connect the Matamoros Terminal Facility to the LPG terminal facility in Brownsville, Texas sold to TransMontaigne. Pursuant to an LPG transportation agreement with TransMontaigne, Rio Vista uses its remaining LPG assets to transport LPG exclusively for TransMontaigne on a fee-for-services basis.
Subsequent to the Spin-Off, and through the date of the Restated LPG Asset Sale, Rio Vista sold LPG directly to P.M.I. Trading Limited (PMI). PMI is a subsidiary of Petróleos Mexicanos, the state-owned Mexican oil company, which is commonly known by its trade name “PEMEX.” PMI is currently the exclusive importer of LPG into Mexico. Rio Vista purchased LPG from Penn Octane under a long-term supply agreement. The purchase price to Rio Vista of the LPG sold from Penn Octane was determined based on the cost of LPG under Penn Octane’s LPG supply agreements with its suppliers, other direct costs related to PMI sales and a formula that took into consideration operating costs of Penn Octane and Rio Vista. Prior to the Restated LPG Asset Sale, Rio Vista’s primary customer for LPG was PMI. PMI sells the LPG delivered from the Matamoros Terminal Facility to PEMEX which distributes the LPG into the northeastern region of Mexico. Subsequent to the Restated LPG Asset Sale, TransMontaigne continues to use the Matamoros Terminal Facility for sales of LPG to PMI which are principally destined for consumption in the northeastern region of Mexico, which includes the states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Sales of LPG to PMI have historically fluctuated in part based on the seasons. The demand for LPG is strongest during the winter season.
All of Rio Vista’s LPG operations are conducted through, and Rio Vista’s LPG operating assets are owned by, RVOP. The General Partner is entitled to receive distributions from Rio Vista on its general partner interest and additional incentive distributions as provided in Rio Vista’s partnership agreement. The General Partner has sole responsibility for conducting Rio Vista’s business and for managing Rio Vista’s operations in accordance with the partnership agreement. The General Partner does not receive a management fee in connection with its management of Rio Vista’s business, but is entitled to be reimbursed for all direct and indirect expenses incurred on Rio Vista’s behalf.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE A – ORGANIZATION — Continued
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Rio Vista and its United States subsidiaries including RVOP, Rio Vista Operating GP LLC and Penn Octane International, L.L.C., and its Mexican subsidiaries, Penn Octane de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (PennMex) and Termatsal, S. de R.L. de C.V. (Termatsal) and its consolidated affiliate, Tergas, S. de R.L. de C.V. (Tergas). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.
The unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2006, the unaudited consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 and the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, have been prepared by Rio Vista without audit. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the unaudited consolidated financial position of Rio Vista as of March 31, 2007, the unaudited consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 and the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission, although Rio Vista believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period balances to conform in the current presentation. All reclassifications have been consistently applied to the periods presented.
NOTE B – UNIT-BASED PAYMENT
Rio Vista applies the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R “Share-Based Payment” (123R) and Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 14 “Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt Issued with Stock Purchase Warrants” (APB 14) to account for such transactions. SFAS 123R requires that such transactions be accounted for at fair value. If the fair value of the goods and services or debt related transactions are not readily measurable, the fair value of the warrants is used to account for such transactions.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE B – UNIT-BASED PAYMENT — Continued
Unit-Based Payment — Continued
Rio Vista utilizes unit-based awards as a form of compensation for employees, officers, manager and consultants of the General Partner. During the quarter ended March 31, 2006, Rio Vista adopted the provisions of SFAS 123R for unit-based payments to employees using the modified prospective application transition method. Under this method, previously reported amounts should not be restated to reflect the provisions of SFAS 123R. SFAS 123R requires measurement of all employee unit-based payment awards using a fair-value method and recording of such expense in the consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period. The fair value concepts have not changed significantly in SFAS 123R; however, in adopting this standard, companies must choose among alternative valuation models and amortization assumptions. After assessing alternative valuation models and amortization assumptions, Rio Vista will continue using both the Black-Scholes valuation model and straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the grant. Rio Vista will reconsider use of this model if additional information becomes available in the future that indicates another model would be more appropriate, or if grants issued in future periods have characteristics that cannot be reasonably estimated using this model. Previously, Rio Vista had applied the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25) and related interpretations and elected to utilize the disclosure option of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123). Rio Vista recorded unit-based payment expense for employees and non-employees of $8,000 ($0.00 per common unit) and $40,000 ($0.02 per common unit) for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively under the fair-value provisions of SFAS 123R.
NOTE C – INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON UNIT
The following tables present reconciliations from net income (loss) from continuing operations per common unit to income (loss) from continuing operations per common unit assuming dilution (see note I for the warrants):
                         
    For the three months ended March 31, 2006  
    Income (Loss)     Shares     Per-Unit  
    (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount  
Net income (loss) from continuing operations available to the common units
  $ (1,311,000 )                
 
                       
Basic EPS
                       
Net income (loss) available to the common units
    (1,311,000 )     1,910,656     $ (0.69 )
 
                     
 
                       
Effect of Dilutive Securities
                       
Warrants
                   
 
                       
Diluted EPS
                       
Net income (loss) available to the common units
    N/A       N/A       N/A  
                         
    For the three months ended March 31, 2007  
    Income (Loss)     Shares     Per-Unit  
    (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount  
Net income (loss) from continuing operations available to the common units
  $ (461,000 )                
 
                       
Basic EPS
                       
Net income (loss) available to the common units
    (461,000 )     1,910,656     $ (0.24 )
 
                     
 
                       
Effect of Dilutive Securities
                       
Warrants
                   
 
                       
Diluted EPS
                       
Net income (loss) available to the common units
    N/A       N/A       N/A  

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE D – SALE OF LPG ASSETS / DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
On August 22, 2006, Rio Vista completed the sale and assignment to TransMontaigne of certain LPG assets, including the Brownsville Terminal Facility, the refined products tank farm and associated leases, and LPG inventory, wherever located, (collectively, the Brownsville Terminal Assets) and assignment of the 2006 PMI agreement (Brownsville Terminal Assets and the 2006 PMI agreement collectively, the Rio Vista Sold Assets) pursuant to an amended and restated purchase and sale agreement (Rio Vista Restated PSA). The Rio Vista Restated PSA replaced the previous purchase and sale agreement entered into between Rio Vista and TransMontaigne on August 15, 2005. Rio Vista retained its owned pipelines located in the United States, including land, leases and rights of way and 100% of the outstanding stock of its Mexican subsidiaries. Rio Vista’s Mexican subsidiaries and consolidated affiliate own pipelines in Mexico and the Matamoros Terminal Facility, including land and rights of way (collectively, the Retained Assets). The purchase price for the Rio Vista Sold Assets was $8,300,000 less closing adjustments of $351,173 and escrow cleaning costs of $500,000 (see paragraph below).
Also on August 22, 2006, Penn Octane completed the sale and assignment to TransMontaigne of all of Penn Octane’s LPG assets, including assignment of the lease of the Leased Pipeline and the Exxon Supply Contract (Penn Octane Sold Assets) pursuant to an amended and restated purchase and sale agreement (Penn Octane Restated PSA). The terms of the Penn Octane Restated PSA were substantially similar to the original purchase and sale agreement entered into between Penn Octane and TransMontaigne on August 15, 2005. Penn Octane retained assets related to its Fuel Sales Business, and its interest in the General Partner. The purchase price was $10,100,000 for assets sold by Penn Octane less closing adjustments of $132,177.
The Rio Vista Restated PSA required Rio Vista to escrow $500,000 for disposal and cleaning costs of the refined products tank farm (Escrow Cleaning Costs) and the TransMontaigne Note (see note F) was amended whereby Rio Vista was required to pay $300,000 of principal at closing and will be required to pay the remaining outstanding principal balance on August 22, 2007. In addition, any portion of the Escrow Cleaning Costs returned to Rio Vista is required to be paid on the outstanding principal balance of the TransMontaigne Note. Rio Vista currently estimates that the amount, if any, of the Escrow Cleaning Costs that may be returned by TransMontaigne, will be immaterial.
Under the Rio Vista Restated PSA and the related transportation agreement between Rio Vista and TransMontaigne dated August 22, 2006 (LPG Transportation Agreement), TransMontaigne agreed to exclusively use the services and Retained Assets of Rio Vista on a fee basis for purposes of transportation of LPG to be delivered into northeastern Mexico and/or LPG sold pursuant to the existing PMI agreement. Rio Vista has agreed not to transport LPG through Rio Vista’s Retained Assets in Mexico except on behalf of TransMontaigne, subject to certain conditions. TransMontaigne has agreed to use the Retained Assets pursuant to the LPG Transportation Agreement which began on August 22, 2006 and runs for the term of the existing PMI agreement between TransMontaigne and PMI, as extended from time to time thereafter. Rio Vista receives a fee for all LPG transported on behalf of TransMontaigne through the Retained Assets. In addition, under the Rio Vista Restated PSA and the related pipeline services agreement between Rio Vista and TransMontaigne dated August 22, 2006 (U.S. Pipeline Services Agreement), TransMontaigne agreed to provide routine and non-routine operation and maintenance services, as defined, for the U.S. portion only of Rio Vista’s pipelines between Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico. TransMontaigne agreed to provide the routine services at its sole cost and expense. For the non-routine services, Rio Vista agreed to reimburse TransMontaigne for all costs actually incurred in performing the services and all materials and supplies provided in connection with such services, plus 15%. Rio Vista has also granted TransMontaigne certain rights of first offer with respect to a sale of the Retained Assets by Rio Vista to any third party.
In connection with Mr. Jerome B. Richter’s previous consulting agreement, Penn Octane and Rio Vista paid Mr. Richter $193,000 and $138,000, respectively, for fees due on the sale of the Penn Octane Sold Assets and Rio Vista Sold Assets.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE D – SALE OF LPG ASSETS / DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS – Continued
The sale of the Rio Vista Sold Assets constituted a disposal of a business in accordance with FAS 144. Accordingly, the financials statements reflect the results associated with the Sold Assets prior to the sale as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements. Costs related to the Retained Assets, consisting of depreciation expense and the expenses related to the US-Mexico Pipelines and Matamoros Terminal Facility have been included in costs of goods sold since these costs have continued to be incurred in connection with the LPG Transportation Agreement. Revenues reported in discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were $39,237,000.
The following were also transferred to TransMontaigne in connection with the Restated LPG Asset Sale:
Leases Assigned
The Brownsville terminal land lease and the Brownsville tank farm land lease were transferred to TransMontainge in connection with the Restated LPG Asset Sale.
In connection with the above leases, rent expense included in discontinued operations was $25,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2006.
2006 PMI Agreement
Effective June 4, 2005, Rio Vista entered into an agreement with PMI for the period June 4, 2005 through March 31, 2006 for the sale of LPG to PMI (PMI Agreement). On March 31, 2006, the 2005 PMI Agreement expired. During the month of April, 2006 Rio Vista sold LPG to PMI under a monthly contract which provided for volumes of approximately 6,000,000 gallons at prices similar to the 2005 PMI Agreement. During April 2006, PMI purchased approximately 6,000,000 gallons.
On April 28, 2006, Rio Vista received electronic confirmation (PMI Confirmation) from PMI of the terms of a new purchase and sale agreement for LPG for the period May 1, 2006 through March 31, 2007.
The PMI Confirmation was subject to execution of a definitive written agreement between Rio Vista and PMI. The agreement (2006 PMI Agreement) was executed during July 2006 with the terms specified in the PMI Confirmation. The 2006 PMI Agreement provided that PMI did not have a financial obligation with respect to any short falls if volumes actually purchased are less than minimum volumes contained in the 2006 PMI Agreement.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE D – SALE OF LPG ASSETS / DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS – Continued
2006 PMI Agreement — Continued
The following table sets forth the actual volumes purchased by PMI for the months January 2006 through April 2007.
         
    Actual Volumes
Month   Sold/Transported
    (gallons)
January 2006
    14,757,646  
 
       
February 2006
    11,940,257  
 
       
March 2006
    11,606,435  
 
       
April 2006
    6,035,733  
 
       
May 2006
    5,733,193  
 
       
June 2006
    7,130,666  
 
       
July 2006
    4,937,441  
 
       
August 2006
    5,408,563  
 
       
September 2006
    6,402,253  
 
       
October 2006
    8,908,931  
 
       
November 2006
    9,906,874  
 
       
December 2006
    10,448,614  
 
       
January 2007
    10,362,590  
 
       
February 2007
    8,590,460  
 
       
March 2007
    8,772,010  
 
       
April 2007
    6,492,361  
For the period January 1, 2006 through August 21, 2006, Rio Vista sold LPG to PMI. Beginning on August 22, 2006, Rio Vista transported LPG pursuant to the LPG Transportation Agreement. The volume transported by Rio Vista for the period August 22, 2006 to August 31, 2006 totaled 1,384,581 gallons.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE D – SALE OF LPG ASSETS / DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS – Continued
LPG Supply Agreement with Penn Octane
Penn Octane entered into the LPG Supply Agreement with Rio Vista pursuant to which Rio Vista had agreed to purchase all of its LPG requirements for sales which utilized the assets transferred to Rio Vista by Penn Octane to the extent Penn Octane was able to supply such LPG requirements. The LPG Supply Agreement further provided that Rio Vista had no obligation to purchase LPG from Penn Octane to the extent the distribution of such LPG to Rio Vista’s customers would not require the use of any of the assets Penn Octane transferred to Rio Vista or Penn Octane ceased to have the right to access the Leased Pipeline.
Under the LPG Supply Agreement, Penn Octane supplied all of Rio Vista’s LPG requirements in connection with its LPG sales obligations to PMI. The purchases of the LPG were at fluctuating prices and were determined based on the cost of LPG under Penn Octane’s agreements with its LPG suppliers for volumes sold to Rio Vista for sale to PMI or to other Rio Vista customers, other direct costs related to PMI and other LPG sales of Rio Vista and a formula that took into consideration operating costs of Penn Octane and Rio Vista.
As a result of the Restated LPG Asset Sale, the LPG Supply Agreement was terminated.
NOTE E — PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
                 
    December 31,     March 31,  
    2006     2007  
US — Mexico Pipelines and Matamoros Terminal Facility: (a)
               
 
               
U.S. Pipelines and Rights of Way
  $ 6,852,000     $ 6,852,000  
Mexico Pipelines and Rights of Way
    1,046,000       1,046,000  
Matamoros Terminal Facility
    5,564,000       5,564,000  
Land
    705,000       705,000  
 
           
Total
    14,167,000       14,167,000  
 
               
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (3,463,000 )     (3,628,000 )
 
           
 
  $ 10,704,000     $ 10,539,000  
 
           
(a)  
Rio Vista owns, leases, or is in the process of obtaining the land or rights of way used related to the US-Mexico Pipelines.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE E — PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT — Continued
Depreciation expense of property, plant and equipment from continuing operations totaled $149,000 and $165,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively.
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, includes $4,704,000 and $4,603,000 of costs, located in Mexico at December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007, respectively.
NOTE F – DEBT OBLIGATIONS
TransMontaigne Note
In connection with the purchase and sale agreement entered into between Rio Vista and TransMontaigne on August 15, 2005 (see note D), TransMontaigne loaned Rio Vista $1,300,000 (TransMontaigne Note). The TransMontaigne Note was to be repaid, including interest, as a reduction of the total purchase price at the time of closing or 120 days following demand by TransMontaigne. The TransMontaigne Note was secured by the tank farm and certain LPG storage tanks located at the Brownsville Terminal Facility (Collateral). The TransMontaigne Note began to accrue interest on November 15, 2005 at the prime rate plus 2%. On August 22, 2006, in connection with the Rio Vista Restated PSA, the TransMontaigne Note was amended whereby Rio Vista paid $300,000 of principal and the TransMontaigne Note was extended to August 22, 2007. The TransMontaigne Note was also amended to substitute as collateral the US portion of the eight-inch pipeline owned by Rio Vista. The TransMontaigne Note bears interest at the rate of prime (8.25% as of March 31, 2007) plus 2% annually and interest is payable monthly.
NOTE G — INCOME TAXES
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an Interpretation of SFAS No. 109” (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions recognized in a company’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Rio Vista adopted FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have any impact on the accompanying financial statements.
Rio Vista recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The tax years that remain open to examination are 2001 – 2006 for foreign jurisdictions.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE H – PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
General Partner Interest
The General Partner of Rio Vista owns a 2% general partner interest in Rio Vista. On July 1, 2006, Penn Octane’s 100% interest in the General Partner was decreased to 50% as a result of the exercise by Shore Capital LLC (Shore Capital), an affiliate of Mr. Richard Shore Jr., former president of Penn Octane and former chief executive officer of Rio Vista, and by Mr. Jerome B. Richter, of options to each acquire 25% of the General Partner (General Partner Options). The exercise price for each option was approximately $82,000. Mr. Richter’s option was amended to permit payment of the exercise price by surrender of Penn Octane common stock having a fair market value equal to the exercise price. Mr. Richter paid the exercise price for his option by surrender of 136,558 shares of Penn Octane common stock. In connection with the exercise of the General Partner Options, Penn Octane retained voting control of the General Partner pursuant to a voting agreement with each of Shore Capital and Mr. Richter. In December 2006, Shore Capital transferred its interest in the General Partner to Shore Trading LLC, an affiliated entity (Shore Trading). Shore Trading is also a party to the voting agreement with Penn Octane.
On February 6, 2007, Penn Octane entered into a purchase option agreement with Shore Trading that provides Penn Octane with the option (Purchase Option) to purchase the 25% interest in the General Partner held by Shore Trading. Penn Octane paid Shore Trading $100,000 in order to acquire the Purchase Option. The exercise price for the Purchase Option is $1,300,000, for a total purchase price of $1,400,000, if Penn Octane exercises the Purchase Option between July 1 and July 31, 2007. If Penn Octane exercises the Purchase Option before July 1, 2007, the exercise price is $1,700,000, for a total purchase price of $1,800,000. The Purchase Option expires if it is not exercised on or before July 31, 2007.
The General Partner generally has unlimited liability for the obligations of Rio Vista, such as its debts and environmental liabilities, except for those contractual obligations of Rio Vista that are expressly made without recourse to the General Partner.
Distributions of Available Cash
All Rio Vista unitholders have the right to receive distributions from Rio Vista of “available cash” as defined in the partnership agreement in an amount equal to at least the minimum distribution of $0.25 per quarter per unit, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the units from prior quarters subject to any reserves determined by the General Partner. The General Partner has a right to receive a distribution corresponding to its 2% general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights described below. The distributions are to be paid within 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. However, Rio Vista is prohibited from making any distributions to unitholders if it would cause an event of default, or an event of default exists, under any obligation of Penn Octane which Rio Vista has guaranteed.
In addition to its 2% general partner interest, the General Partner is currently the holder of incentive distribution rights which entitle the holder to an increasing portion of cash distributions as described in the partnership agreement. As a result, cash distributions from Rio Vista are shared by the holders of the common units and the General Partner interest based on a formula whereby the General Partner receives disproportionately more distributions per percentage interest than the holders of the common units as annual cash distributions exceed certain milestones.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE H – PARTNERS’ CAPITAL — Continued
Distributions of Available Cash — Continued
On both February 14, 2005 and May 13, 2005, Rio Vista made cash distributions of $487,000 for the quarters ended December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2005. Because of insufficient available cash, Rio Vista did not declare any other distributions for the quarters ended June 30, 2005 through June 30, 2006. On October 26, 2006, Rio Vista made a cash distribution of $0.25 per unit totaling $487,000 (including amount paid to the General Partner) for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. On January 18, 2007, Rio Vista made a cash distribution of $0.25 per unit totaling $487,000 (including amount paid to the General Partner) for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. On May 4, 2007, Rio Vista made a cash distribution of $0.25 per unit totaling $487,000 (including amount paid to the General Partner) for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. Total arrearages payable to the limited partners and the General Partner after the May 2007 distribution is $2,400,000.
As a result of the exercise of the General Partner Options, subsequent to July 1, 2006, Penn Octane is only entitled to receive up to 50% of any distributions paid by Rio Vista and distributed by the General Partner, including any distributions associated with arrearages prior to the exercise of the General Partner Options.
NOTE I – UNIT WARRANTS
Options and Warrants
Rio Vista has no U.S. employees and is managed by its General Partner. Rio Vista applies SFAS 123R for warrants granted to employees and managers of the General Partner and for warrants issued to acquire goods and services from non-employees.
Equity Incentive Plan
On February 15, 2007, the board of managers of the General Partner approved the grant of options to purchase a total of 21,250 common units under Rio Vista’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (2005 Plan). Of the total number of options granted, 5,000 were issued to an executive officer of the General Partner and 16,250 were issued to outside managers of the General Partner. The exercise price for the options is $8.38 per unit, which was the average of the high and low sale prices for Rio Vista common units as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market on February 15, 2007. Options granted to the executive officer vest in equal monthly installments over a period of 36 months from the date of grant, become fully exercisable upon a change in control event, and expire five years from the date of grant. Options granted to outside managers are fully vested on the date of grant and expire five years from the date of grant.
On March 21, 2007, the board of managers the General Partner approved the grant of an option to purchase 20,000 common units of Rio Vista under the 2005 Plan to an executive officer of the General Partner. The exercise price for the options is $7.36 per unit, which was the average of the high and low sale prices for Rio Vista common units as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market on March 21, 2007. The options vest in equal monthly installments over a period of 36 months from the date of grant, become fully exercisable upon a change in control event, and expire five years from the date of grant.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE J — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
Penn Octane, Rio Vista and/or Rio Vista’s subsidiaries were named as defendants in two lawsuits filed in connection with an accident in the town of Lucio Blanco, Mexico on August 11, 2005, involving a tanker truck carrying LPG which was struck by a train resulting in an explosion. Neither of Penn Octane, Rio Vista nor any of Rio Vista’s subsidiaries owned or operated the tanker truck or employed or controlled the driver of the tanker truck. Further, none of Penn Octane, Rio Vista or any of Rio Vista’s subsidiaries owned or had custody of the LPG on the tanker truck at the time and location of the accident.
The tanker truck reportedly took delivery of LPG at the Matamoros Terminal Facility operated under agreement with Rio Vista’s Mexican subsidiaries. According to the lawsuits, after leaving the Matamoros Terminal Facility, the tanker truck was involved in a collision with a train in Lucio Blanco, Mexico, resulting in a tragic explosion that killed and injured several persons and caused significant property damage. Published reports indicate that the truck used a road not approved for large trucks and failed to stop at an unprotected rail crossing, resulting in the collision and explosion. The insurance carrier for the owner of the tanker truck has settled certain claims in Mexico with victims of the accident.
Even though the accident took place in Mexico, these lawsuits were filed in Texas. The first case is captioned Lesly Camacho by Her Mother Dora Adame as Next Friend, et al. vs. Penn Octane International LLC and was filed in the 404th District Court for Cameron County, Texas on September 26, 2005. The plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages and a temporary injunction in order to preserve evidence relevant to the case. On August 16, 2006 with the consent of the parties, the Court issued an amended order for temporary injunction for the purpose of preserving relevant evidence. The amended injunction required a subsidiary of Rio Vista to make available for inspection by plaintiffs Rio Vista’s terminal facilities in Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico and associated equipment and records. The order also required Rio Vista to give 30 days advance notice to plaintiffs before conducting any alteration, repair, service, work or changes to the facilities or equipment. In addition, the order required Rio Vista to make available its employees for deposition by the plaintiffs and to secure and preserve certain physical evidence believed to be located in Mexico. The amended injunction superseded a previous order for temporary injunction issued on June 13, 2006. The Brownsville, Texas terminal facility was sold to TransMontaigne Product Services Inc. on August 22, 2006. On January 17, 2007, this case was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division. On February 15, 2007, plaintiffs filed a motion to remand the case to the state court in Cameron County, Texas. Limited discovery has been conducted to date in this proceeding. The parties anticipate that discovery will be completed during 2007.
The second case is captioned Faustino Izaguirre Gonzalez, et al. vs. Penn Octane Corporation, et al. and was filed in the 107th District Court for Cameron County, Texas, on November 14, 2005. The plaintiffs sought unspecified monetary damages. In March 2007, Rio Vista entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs on terms deemed favorable to Rio Vista. Pursuant to the settlement agreement this case was dismissed in April 2007. Rio Vista’s legal fees and settlement costs were covered by insurance.
Management believes the remaining lawsuit against Penn Octane, Rio Vista and/or Rio Vista’s subsidiaries relating to the accident in Lucio Blanco is without merit and, based on the advice of counsel, does not anticipate liability for damages. Rio Vista’s insurance carrier is expected to bear the legal fees and expenses in connection with defending this case. If, however, a court found liability on the part of Penn Octane, Rio Vista or their subsidiaries, a judgment or settlement in excess of insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on Penn Octane’s and Rio Vista’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE J — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES — Continued
Legal Proceedings — Continued
On December 14, 2004, a subsidiary of Rio Vista brought a condemnation action against a landowner in order to obtain a right-of-way in connection with Rio Vista’s existing pipelines that run between Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico. The case is captioned Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. vs. Guajardo, Jr. Farms, Inc., and was filed in the County Court No. 3 of Cameron County, Texas. Subsequently, the landowner filed an inverse condemnation counterclaim against Rio Vista and Penn Octane seeking damages of $1,800,000. After mediation in February 2007, this matter settled for the amount of $200,000 paid by Rio Vista to the landowner. On March 21, 2007, the easement agreement from the landowner was recorded in the real property records from Cameron County, Texas.
Rio Vista and its subsidiaries are involved with other proceedings, lawsuits and claims. Rio Vista believes that the liabilities, if any, ultimately resulting from such proceedings, lawsuits and claims should not materially affect its consolidated financial results.
Credit Facility, Letters of Credit and Other
Rio Vista’s LPG purchases before the Restated LPG Asset Sale were financed entirely by Penn Octane. Penn Octane previously financed its purchases of LPG and continues to finance its purchases of Fuel Products through its credit facility with RZB Finance, LLC (RZB).
Penn Octane finances its purchases of Fuel Products through its credit facility with RZB Finance, LLC (RZB). As of March 31, 2007, Penn Octane had a $15,000,000 credit facility with RZB for demand loans and standby letters of credit (RZB Credit Facility) to finance Penn Octane’s purchases of Fuel Products. The RZB Credit facility is an uncommitted facility under which the letters of credit have an expiration date of no more than 90 days and the facility is reviewed annually. In connection with the Spin-Off, Rio Vista agreed to guarantee Penn Octane’s obligations with respect to the RZB Credit Facility. In connection with Rio Vista’s guaranty, Rio Vista granted RZB a security interest and assignment in any and all of Rio Vista’s accounts, real property, buildings, pipelines, fixtures and interests therein or relating thereto. Rio Vista’s guarantee and asset pledge continue under the existing RZB Credit Facility. In addition, Rio Vista may not permit to exist any lien, security interest, mortgage, charge or other encumbrance of any nature on any of its properties or assets, except in favor of RZB, without the consent of RZB.
Under the RZB Credit Facility, Penn Octane pays a fee with respect to each letter of credit thereunder in an amount equal to the greater of (i) $500, (ii) 2% of the maximum face amount of such letter of credit, or (iii) such higher amount as may be agreed to between Penn Octane and RZB. Any loan amounts outstanding under the RZB Credit Facility accrue interest at a rate equal to the rate announced by the JPMorgan Chase Bank as its prime rate (8.25% at March 31, 2007) plus 2.5%. Pursuant to the RZB Credit Facility, RZB has sole and absolute discretion to limit or terminate its participation in the RZB Credit Facility and to refrain from making any loans or issuing any letters of credit thereunder. RZB also has the right to demand payment of any and all amounts outstanding under the RZB Credit Facility at any time.
Under the terms of the RZB Credit Facility, either Penn Octane or Rio Vista is required to maintain net worth of a minimum of $10,000,000.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE J — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES — Continued
Consulting Agreement
Rio Vista entered into a consulting agreement (Consulting Agreement) with JBR Capital Resources, Inc. (JBR Capital) regarding consulting services to be rendered by JBR Capital to Rio Vista and to Penn Octane. JBR Capital is controlled by Mr. Richter. The provisions of the Consulting Agreement are effective as of November 15, 2006 (Effective Date).
Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, JBR Capital has agreed to assist Rio Vista and Penn Octane with the potential acquisition and disposition of assets and with other transactions involving Rio Vista or Penn Octane. In exchange for these services, Rio Vista has agreed to pay JBR Capital a fee based on approved services rendered by JBR Capital plus a fee based on the net proceeds to Rio Vista resulting from a sale of assets to a third party introduced to Rio Vista by JBR Capital. Pursuant to a related letter agreement, JBR Capital has agreed that Rio Vista will apply 50% of the amount of any fees payable to JBR Capital under the Consulting Agreement against amounts owed by Mr. Richter to Penn Octane pursuant to the promissory note. During the three months ended March 31, 2007, Rio Vista expensed approximately $57,000 in connection with the Consulting Agreement and $31,000 was applied against the promissory note. The term of the Consulting Agreement is six months following the Effective Date. The Consulting Agreement renews for additional six-month terms unless terminated by either party at least 30 days before the end of each term.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject Rio Vista to credit risk include cash balances at banks which at times exceed the federal deposit insurance.
Tax obligations of Penn Octane resulting from the Spin-Off
Rio Vista has agreed to indemnify Penn Octane for a period of three years from the fiscal year end that includes the date of the Spin-Off for any federal income tax liabilities resulting from the Spin-Off in excess of $2,500,000. Penn Octane has filed its federal income tax return for the year of the Spin-Off and it did not incur a federal income tax liability in excess of $2,500,000. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may review Penn Octane’s federal income tax returns and challenge positions that Penn Octane has taken with respect to the Spin-Off.
Further, if Penn Octane is determined to have a federal income tax liability in excess of the amounts which were included in the federal income tax return related to the Spin-Off and if Penn Octane is unable to pay such liabilities or Rio Vista is unable to pay, then the Internal Revenue Service may assert that the Penn Octane stockholders who received common units in the Spin-Off are liable for unpaid federal income taxes of Penn Octane, including interest and any penalties, up to the value of the Rio Vista Common Units received by each stockholder.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE J — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES — Continued
Partnership Tax Treatment
Rio Vista is not a taxable entity for U.S. tax purposes (see below) and incurs no U.S. federal income tax liability. Rio Vista’s Mexican subsidiaries are taxed on their income directly by the Mexican government. The income/loss of Rio Vista’s Mexican subsidiaries is included in the U.S. partnership income tax return of Rio Vista. The holders of the common units and General Partner interest will be entitled to their proportionate share of any tax credits resulting from any income taxes paid to the Mexican government. Each unitholder of Rio Vista is required to take into account that unitholder’s share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of Rio Vista in computing that unitholder’s federal income tax liability, even if no cash distributions are made to the unitholder by Rio Vista. Distributions by Rio Vista to a unitholder are generally not taxable unless the amount of cash distributed is in excess of the unitholder’s adjusted basis in Rio Vista.
Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) provides that publicly traded partnerships shall, as a general rule, be taxed as corporations despite the fact that they are not classified as corporations under Section 7701 of the Code. Section 7704 of the Code provides an exception to this general rule for a publicly traded partnership if 90% or more of its gross income for every taxable year consists of “qualifying income” (Qualifying Income Exception). For purposes of this exception, “qualifying income” includes income and gains derived from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation (including pipelines) or marketing of any mineral or natural resource. Other types of “qualifying income” include interest (other than from a financial business or interest based on profits of the borrower), dividends, real property rents, gains from the sale of real property, including real property held by one considered to be a “dealer” in such property, and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes “qualifying income”.
Rio Vista estimates that more than 90% of its gross income is “qualifying income”. No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS and the IRS has made no determination as to Rio Vista’s classification as a partnership for federal income tax purposes or whether Rio Vista’s operations generate a minimum of 90% of “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the Code.
If Rio Vista was classified as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, Rio Vista’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be reflected only on Rio Vista’s tax return rather than being passed through to Rio Vista’s unitholders, and Rio Vista’s net income would be taxed at corporate rates.
If Rio Vista was treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, Rio Vista would pay tax on income at corporate rates, which is currently a maximum of 35%. Distributions to unitholders would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gains, losses, or deductions would flow through to the unitholders. Because a tax would be imposed upon Rio Vista as a corporation, the cash available for distribution to unitholders would be substantially reduced and Rio Vista’s ability to make minimum quarterly distributions would be impaired. Consequently, treatment of Rio Vista as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to unitholders and therefore would likely result in a substantial reduction in the value of Rio Vista’s common units.
Current law may change so as to cause Rio Vista to be taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject Rio Vista to entity-level taxation. The partnership agreement provides that, if a law is enacted or existing law is modified or interpreted in a manner that subject Rio Vista to taxation as a corporation or otherwise subjects Rio Vista to entity-level taxation for federal, state or local income tax purposes, then the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution amount will be adjusted to reflect the impact of that law on Rio Vista.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE J — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES — Continued
Guarantees and Assets Pledged on Certain of Penn Octane’s Obligations
The dollar amounts of Penn Octane’s obligations which Rio Vista guarantees and/or for which Rio Vista’s assets are pledged total $12,027,000 at March 31, 2007 based on Penn Octane’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the amounts were as follows:
         
Fuel Products trade accounts payable
  $ 5,626,000  
Lines of credit
  $ 3,923,000  
Letters of credit in excess of Fuel Products trade accounts payable
  $ 2,478,000  
Consolidated current assets of Penn Octane, which includes assets of Rio Vista, pledged in favor of Penn Octane’s credit facility totals $24,492,000 at March 31, 2007 and the amounts were as follows:
         
Accounts receivable
  $ 9,897,000  
Restricted cash
  $ 2,180,000  
Inventory
  $ 1,507,000  
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 10,908,000  
Rio Vista’s assets that are included in the above amounts are as follows:
         
Accounts receivable
  $ 998,000  
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 10,539,000  
NOTE K — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The General Partner has a legal duty to manage Rio Vista in a manner beneficial to Rio Vista’s unitholders. This legal duty originates in statutes and judicial decisions and is commonly referred to as a “fiduciary” duty. Because of Penn Octane’s ownership and control of the General Partner, Penn Octane’s officers and managers of the General Partner also have fiduciary duties to manage the business of the General Partner in a manner beneficial to Penn Octane.
The partnership agreement limits the liability and reduces the fiduciary duties of the General Partner to the unitholders. The partnership agreement also restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions that might otherwise constitute breaches of the General Partner’s fiduciary duty.

 

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RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE K — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS — Continued
Omnibus Agreement
In connection with the Spin-Off, Penn Octane entered into an Omnibus Agreement with Rio Vista that governs, among other things, indemnification obligations among the parties to the agreement, related party transactions and the provision of general administration and support services by Penn Octane.
The Omnibus Agreement prohibits Rio Vista from entering into any material agreement with Penn Octane without the prior approval of the conflicts committee of the board of managers of the General Partner. For purposes of the Omnibus Agreement, a material agreement is any agreement between Rio Vista and Penn Octane that requires aggregate annual payments in excess of $100,000.
The Omnibus Agreement may be amended by written agreement of the parties; provided, however that it may not be amended without the approval of the conflicts committee of the General Partner if the amendment would adversely affect the unitholders of Rio Vista. The Omnibus Agreement has an initial term of five years that automatically renews for successive five-year terms and, other than the indemnification provisions, will terminate if Rio Vista is no longer an affiliate of Penn Octane.
Under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, Penn Octane charged Rio Vista $126,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, respectively.
NOTE L — ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accrued liabilities consist of the following as of:
                 
    December 31,     March 31,  
    2006     2007  
Mexican taxes payable
  $ 299,000     $ 346,000  
Other accrued liabilities
    403,000       219,000  
 
           
 
  $ 702,000     $ 565,000  
 
           

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion of Rio Vista’s liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Rio Vista and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein. References to specific years preceded by “fiscal” (e.g. fiscal 2007) refer to Rio Vista’s fiscal year ending December 31.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained in this Quarterly Report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will”, “should” or “anticipates” or by discussions of strategy that inherently involve risks and uncertainties. From time to time, Rio Vista has made or may make forward-looking statements, orally or in writing. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated future revenues, sales, LPG supply, LPG Transportation Business, operations, demand, potential acquisitions, competition, capital expenditures, the deregulation of the LPG market in Mexico, the operations of the US — Mexico Pipelines, the Brownsville and Matamoros Terminal Facilities, other upgrades to Rio Vista’s facilities, foreign ownership of LPG operations, short-term obligations and credit arrangements, guarantees, cash distributions, Qualified Income, Penn Octane, the Spin-Off, risk factors and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, and involve predictions which are based upon a number of future conditions that ultimately may prove to be inaccurate. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Report on Form 10-Q. These factors may not include all material risks facing Rio Vista.
Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries are collectively hereinafter referred to as “Rio Vista”.
Overview
Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. (Rio Vista), a Delaware limited partnership, was formed by Penn Octane Corporation (Penn Octane) on July 10, 2003 and was a wholly owned subsidiary of Penn Octane until September 30, 2004, the date that Penn Octane completed a series of transactions that (i) transferred substantially all of its owned pipeline and terminal assets in Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico and certain immaterial liabilities to Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. (RVOP) (ii) transferred Penn Octane’s 99.9% interest in RVOP to Rio Vista and (iii) distributed all of its limited partnership interests (Common Units) in Rio Vista to its common stockholders (Spin-Off), resulting in Rio Vista becoming a separate public company. The Common Units represented 98% of Rio Vista’s outstanding capital and 100% of Rio Vista’s limited partnership interests. The remaining 2% represented the general partner interest. The general partner interest is solely owned and controlled by Rio Vista GP LLC (General Partner). Prior to June 30, 2006, the General Partner was wholly owned by Penn Octane. On July 1, 2006, options to acquire 50% of the General Partner were exercised, resulting in Penn Octane having a 50% interest in the General Partner. Penn Octane retains control over the General Partner pursuant to a voting agreement with the other owners of the General Partner. The General Partner is responsible for the management of Rio Vista. Common unitholders do not participate in the management of Rio Vista. Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries (not including the General Partner) are hereinafter referred to as “Rio Vista”.
As more fully described in note D to the consolidated financial statements, prior to the sale of a portion of Rio Vista’s LPG related assets and all of Penn Octane’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) related assets to TransMontaigne Product Services, Inc. (TransMontaigne) on August 22, 2006 (Restated LPG Asset Sale), Rio Vista was principally engaged in the purchase, transportation and sale of LPG. Subsequent to the Restated LPG Asset Sale, Rio Vista continues to own and operate an LPG terminal facility in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico (Matamoros Terminal Facility) and approximately 23 miles of pipelines (US — Mexico Pipelines) (collectively Retained Assets) which connect the Matamoros Terminal Facility to the LPG terminal facility in Brownsville, Texas sold to TransMontaigne. Pursuant to a LPG transportation agreement with TransMontaigne, Rio Vista uses the Retained Assets to transport LPG exclusively for TransMontaigne on a fee-for-services basis.

 

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Subsequent to the Spin-Off, and through the date of the Restated LPG Asset Sale, Rio Vista sold LPG directly to P.M.I. Trading Limited (PMI). PMI is a subsidiary of Petróleos Mexicanos, the state-owned Mexican oil company, which is commonly known by its trade name “PEMEX.” PMI is currently the exclusive importer of LPG into Mexico. Rio Vista purchased LPG from Penn Octane under a long-term supply agreement. The purchase price to Rio Vista of the LPG sold from Penn Octane was determined based on the cost of LPG under Penn Octane’s LPG supply agreements with its suppliers, other direct costs related to PMI sales and a formula that took into consideration operating costs of Penn Octane and Rio Vista. Prior to the Restated LPG Asset Sale, Rio Vista’s, primary customer for LPG was PMI. PMI sells the LPG delivered from the Matamoros Terminal Facility to PEMEX which distributes the LPG into the northeastern region of Mexico. Subsequent to the Restated LPG Asset Sale, TransMontaigne continues to use the Matamoros Terminal Facility for sales of LPG to PMI which are principally destined for consumption in the northeastern region of Mexico, which includes the states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Sales of LPG to PMI have historically fluctuated in part based on the seasons. The demand for LPG is strongest during the winter season.
Rio Vista does not anticipate that its existing business, the LPG Transportation Business (see below), will generate sufficient cash flow to increase unitholder value. Therefore the General Partner of Rio Vista intends to use a portion of its available cash and credit to make strategic acquisitions. There can be no assurance, however, that Rio Vista will be able to complete such acquisitions or that, if completed, such acquisitions will increase unitholder value. See “Risk Factors” below.
All of Rio Vista’s LPG operations are conducted through, and Rio Vista’s LPG operating assets are owned by, RVOP. The General Partner is entitled to receive distributions from Rio Vista on its general partner interest and additional incentive distributions (see Liquidity and Capital Resources — Distributions of Available Cash) as provided in Rio Vista’s partnership agreement. The General Partner has sole responsibility for conducting Rio Vista’s business and for managing Rio Vista’s operations in accordance with the partnership agreement. The General Partner does not receive a management fee in connection with its management of Rio Vista’s business, but is entitled to be reimbursed for all direct and indirect expenses incurred on Rio Vista’s behalf.
LPG Transportation Agreement
Under the Rio Vista Restated PSA and the related transportation agreement between Rio Vista and TransMontaigne dated August 22, 2006 (LPG Transportation Agreement), TransMontaigne agreed to exclusively use the services and Retained Assets of Rio Vista on a fee basis for purposes of transportation of LPG to be delivered into northeastern Mexico and/or LPG sold pursuant to the existing PMI agreement. Rio Vista has agreed not to transport LPG through Rio Vista’s Retained Assets in Mexico except on behalf of TransMontaigne, subject to certain conditions. TransMontaigne has agreed to use the Retained Assets pursuant to the LPG Transportation Agreement which began on August 22, 2006 and runs for the term of the existing PMI agreement between TransMontaigne and PMI, as extended from time to time thereafter. Rio Vista receives a fee for all LPG transported on behalf of TransMontaigne through the Retained Assets. In addition, under the Rio Vista Restated PSA and the related pipeline services agreement between Rio Vista and TransMontaigne dated August 22, 2006 (U.S. Pipeline Services Agreement), TransMontaigne agreed to provide routine and non-routine operation and maintenance services, as defined, for the U.S. portion only of Rio Vista’s pipelines between Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico. TransMontaigne agreed to provide the routine services at its sole cost and expense. For the non-routine services, Rio Vista agreed to reimburse TransMontaigne for all costs actually incurred in performing the services and all materials and supplies provided in connection with such services, plus 15%. Rio Vista has also granted TransMontaigne certain rights of first offer with respect to a sale of the Retained Assets by Rio Vista to any third party. Any changes in future contracts between PMI and TransMontaigne for the sale of LPG will have an impact on the fees which Rio Vista will receive pursuant to the LPG Transportation Agreement. Rio Vista is also exploring potential opportunities which would increase the value of the Retained Assets.

 

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The following table sets forth the actual volumes purchased by PMI for the months January 2006 through April 2007.
         
    Actual Volumes
Month   Sold/Transported
    (gallons)
January 2006
    14,757,646  
 
February 2006
    11,940,257  
 
March 2006
    11,606,435  
 
April 2006
    6,035,733  
 
May 2006
    5,733,193  
 
June 2006
    7,130,666  
 
July 2006
    4,937,441  
 
August 2006
    5,408,563  
 
September 2006
    6,402,253  
 
October 2006
    8,908,931  
 
November 2006
    9,906,874  
 
December 2006
    10,448,614  
 
January 2007
    10,362,590  
 
February 2007
    8,590,460  
 
March 2007
    8,772,010  
 
April 2007
    6,492,361  
For the period January 1, 2006 through August 21, 2006, Rio Vista sold LPG to PMI. Beginning on August 22, 2006, Rio Vista transported LPG pursuant to the LPG Transportation Agreement. The volume transported by Rio Vista for the period August 22, 2006 to August 31, 2006 totaled 1,384,581 gallons.
Rio Vista is entitled to fees for actual volumes delivered pursuant to the LPG Transportation Agreement.

 

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Potential Factors Affecting Future Demand For The Retained Assets:
Trends. PMI has historically used the Matamoros Terminal Facility to load LPG by truck for product destined for the northeastern part of Mexico. Since April 2004, through the date of the Restated LPG Asset Sale, PMI contracted with either Penn Octane or Rio Vista (subsequent to the Spin-Off), for LPG volumes which were significantly lower than amounts purchased by PMI in similar periods during previous years. The contract between TransMontaigne and PMI which expired on March 31, 2007, provided for minimum volumes lower than historical amounts. Rio Vista believes that the reduction of volume commitments by PMI is based on additional LPG production by PEMEX being generated from the Burgos Basin field in Reynosa, Mexico, an area within the proximity of Rio Vista’s Matamoros Terminal Facility and increased competition from U.S. suppliers (see below). Although Rio Vista is not aware of the total amount of LPG actually being produced by PEMEX from the Burgos Basin, it is aware that PEMEX has constructed and is operating two new cryogenic facilities at the Burgos Basin which it believes may have a capacity of producing up to 12 million gallons of LPG per month. Rio Vista also believes that PEMEX intends to install two additional cryogenic facilities, with similar capacity, to be operational in the near future. Rio Vista is also not aware of the capacity at which the current cryogenic facilities are being operated. Furthermore, Rio Vista is not aware of the actual gas reserves of the Burgos Basin or the gas quality, each of which could significantly impact LPG production amounts.
During June 2004, Valero L.P. (Valero) began operation of a newly constructed LPG terminal facility in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and a newly constructed pipeline connecting the terminal facility in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to existing pipelines in Juarez, Texas which connect directly to Valero Energy Corporation’s Corpus Christi, Texas and Three Rivers, Texas refineries. Valero originally contracted with PMI under a five year agreement to deliver approximately 6.3 million gallons (of which 3.2 million gallons were previously delivered by truck from Three Rivers, Texas) of LPG per month. During July 2005, Valero announced that it had entered into a new agreement with PMI which provides for double the amount of LPG previously contracted for with PMI.
During 2004, a pipeline operated by El Paso Energy between Corpus Christi, Texas and Hidalgo County, Texas was closed. Historically these facilities had supplied approximately 5.0 million gallons of LPG per month to Rio Vista’s strategic zone. Rio Vista is not aware of any future plans for these facilities.
During 2003, PMI constructed and began operations of a refined products cross border pipeline connecting a pipeline running from PEMEX’s Cadereyta Refinery in Monterrey, Mexico to terminal facilities operated by TransMontaigne, Inc. in Brownsville, Texas. The pipeline crosses the US-Mexico border near the proximity of Rio Vista’s pipelines. In connection with the construction of the pipeline, PMI utilizes an easement from Rio Vista for an approximate 21.67 acre portion of the pipeline easement. Under the terms of the easement, PMI has agreed that it will not transport LPG through October 15, 2017.
Dependence on TransMontaigne. The ability of Rio Vista to transport LPG using the Retained Assets is dependent on TransMontaigne, including TransMontaigne’s future contracts with PMI, and TransMontaigne’s ability to bring supplies of LPG into the Retained Assets. Currently, Rio Vista believes that TransMontaigne’s options to obtain and deliver significant additional volumes of LPG in excess of the maximum gallons committed under the Exxon Supply Agreement depends on TransMontaigne’s ability to bring shipments of LPG into the port of Brownsville via barges or ships to be delivered to its Brownsville terminal, railcar deliveries of LPG to its Brownsville Terminal and/or access to new pipelines which are capable of transporting LPG from other LPG suppliers into the Seadrift pipeline.

 

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Results of Operations
The following discussion of Rio Vista’s results of operations from continuing operations for all periods presented excludes the results of operations related to the Sold Assets, including revenues, direct costs and associated interest expenses, which have been reclassified as discontinued operations (see below). As a result, the results of operations from continuing operations reflects only the results associated with the LPG Transportation Business, including all costs associated with operation of the US-Mexico Pipelines and Matamoros Terminal Facility and all indirect income and expenses of Rio Vista. Revenues from Rio Vista’s LPG Transportation Business commenced on August 22, 2006 although expenses associated with operation of the US-Mexico Pipelines and Matamoros Terminal Facility were incurred during the entire period for each period presented.
Continuing Operations:
Three months ended March 31, 2007 Compared With Three months ended March 31, 2006
Revenues. Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2007, were $.7 million. There were no revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2006 since the LPG Transportation business did not commence until August 22, 2006. All revenues prior to August 22, 2006 were derived from Rio Vista’s LPG sales business and have been reclassified as discontinued operations (see below).
Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $.4 million compared with $.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The cost of goods sold consists of those costs associated with operation of the US — Mexico Pipelines and Matamoros Terminal Facility. All costs associated with Rio Vista’s LPG sales business prior to the LPG Asset Sale, except for costs associated with the US — Mexico Pipelines and Matamoros Terminal Facility, which are also being used for Rio Vista’s LPG Transportation business, have been reclassified as discontinued operations (see below).
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared with $.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. These costs were comprised of indirect selling, general and administrative expenses directly incurred by Rio Vista or allocated by Penn Octane to Rio Vista in accordance with the Omnibus Agreement. Salary related costs allocated by Penn Octane were based on the percentage of time spent by those employees (including executive officers) in performing Rio Vista related matters compared with the overall time spent working by those employees.
Discontinued Operations:
The following table shows Rio Vista’s volume of LPG sold in gallons and average sales price for LPG for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2007.
                 
    Three months ended     Three months ended  
    March 31, 2006     March 31, 2007 (a)  
Volume Sold
               
 
               
LPG (millions of gallons) — PMI
    38.3        
 
           
 
               
Average sales price
               
 
               
LPG (per gallon) — PMI
  $ 1.02     $  
(a)  
Sales of LPG ceased on August 21, 2006, immediately prior to the LPG Asset Sale
Rio Vista’s results of operations from discontinued operations of its LPG sales business applies only for the three months ended March 31, 2006 since these operations were sold on August 21, 2006. As a result, there is no comparison of such operations presented for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources
General. The following schedule details the pro forma working capital of Rio Vista and its subsidiaries after adjustment for the distribution paid by Rio Vista during May 2007 and the payment of outstanding intercompany balances:
                         
    As Reported             Adjusted  
    March 31, 2007     Pro Forma     March 31, 2007  
Current Assets
                       
Cash
  $ 3,675,000     $ (487,000 )(a)   $ 3,910,000  
 
          $ 722,000 (b)        
Restricted Cash
    25,000               25,000  
Trade Accounts Receivable
    998,000               998,000  
Inventories
                   
Due To Affiliates
    722,000       (722,000 )(b)      
Prepaid Expenses
    244,000               244,000  
 
                 
Total Current Assets
    5,664,000       (487,000 )     5,177,000  
 
                 
 
                       
Current Liabilities
                       
Current Maturities Of Long-Term Debt
  $ 1,000,000             $ 1,000,000  
US and Foreign Taxes Payable
    29,000               29,000  
Accounts Payable
    499,000               499,000  
Accrued Liabilities
    565,000               565,000  
 
                 
Total Current Liabilities
    2,093,000             2,093,000  
 
                 
 
                       
Working Capital
  $ 3,571,000       (487,000 )   $ 3,084,000  
 
                 
(a)  
distribution paid by Rio Vista during May 2007
 
(b)  
payment of outstanding intercompany balances
The pro forma net working capital available to Rio Vista at March 31, 2007, after adjustment for the March 31, 2007 quarterly distribution paid on May 4, 2007 and the payment of outstanding intercompany balances is approximately $3.1 million. The pro forma net cash on hand available to Rio Vista at March 31, 2007 after adjustment for the March 31, 2007 quarterly distribution paid on May 4, 2007 and receipt of payment of amounts due from Penn Octane was $3.9 million. Rio Vista will be required to pay the TransMontaigne Note of $1.0 million plus accrued and unpaid interest in August 2007.
Rio Vista has minimum quarterly distribution arrearages payable to the limited partners and the General Partner for the quarters ended June 30, 2005, September 30, 2005, December 31, 2005, March 31, 2006 and June 30, 2006 totaling $2.4 million. The General Partner of Rio Vista intends to use its cash assets to increase unitholder value primarily through strategic acquisitions. There can be no assurance, however, that Rio Vista will be able to complete such acquisitions or that, if completed, such acquisitions will increase unitholder value.
As a result of the Restated LPG Asset Sale, Rio Vista’s sources of cash flows are expected to be derived from the LPG Transportation Agreement and income on invested cash assets, if any. Under the LPG Transportation Agreement, Rio Vista may only transport LPG on behalf of TransMontaigne using the Retained Assets. Accordingly, there is no assurance that TransMontaigne will utilize the Retained Assets at capacity levels which provide Rio Vista with sufficient cash flow to meet its cash operating expenses. In addition, TransMontaigne’s agreement with PMI expired on March 31, 2007, and there can be no assurance that TransMontaigne will continue selling LPG to PMI. Rio Vista may obtain additional sources of revenues through the completion of future transactions, including acquisitions and/or dispositions of assets. The ability of Rio Vista to complete future acquisitions may require the use of a portion or substantially all of Rio Vista’s liquid assets, the issuance of additional debt and/or the issuance of additional units. Currently, substantially all of Rio Vista’s assets are pledged or committed to be pledged as collateral on existing debt in connection with the RZB Credit Facility and the TransMontaigne Note. Accordingly Rio Vista may be unable to obtain additional financing collateralized by those assets.

 

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Pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement, Penn Octane is entitled to reimbursement of costs incurred on behalf of Rio Vista, including an allocable share of overhead. Rio Vista cannot be certain that future cash flows from its LPG Transportation Business and future investments, if any, will be adequate to cover all of its future working capital requirements including minimum distributions by Rio Vista.
Rio Vista projects that monthly cash flows from its LPG Transportation Agreement during the months of April through September will be less than during the months of October through March as a result of seasonality.
TransMontaigne Note. In connection with the purchase and sale agreement entered into between Rio Vista and TransMontaigne on August 15, 2005 (see note D to the consolidated financial statements), TransMontaigne loaned Rio Vista $1,300,000 (TransMontaigne Note). The TransMontaigne Note was to be repaid, including interest, as a reduction of the total purchase price at the time of closing or 120 days following demand by TransMontaigne. The TransMontaigne Note was secured by the tank farm and certain LPG storage tanks located at the Brownsville Terminal Facility (Collateral). The TransMontaigne Note began to accrue interest on November 15, 2005 at the prime rate plus 2%. On August 22, 2006, in connection with the Rio Vista Restated PSA, the TransMontaigne Note was amended whereby Rio Vista paid $300,000 of principal and the TransMontaigne Note was extended to August 22, 2007. The TransMontaigne Note was also amended to substitute as collateral the US portion of the eight-inch pipeline owned by Rio Vista. The TransMontaigne Note bears interest at the rate of prime (8.25% as of December 31, 2006) plus 2% annually and interest is payable monthly.
Guarantees and Assets Pledged on Certain of Penn Octane’s Obligations. Rio Vista has agreed to guarantee Penn Octane’s obligations to RZB with respect to the RZB Credit Facility and certain of Rio Vista’s assets are pledged as collateral for those obligations of Penn Octane to RZB (see below), except that RZB has agreed to subordinate certain of Rio Vista’s assets in connection with the TransMontaigne Note. In addition, Rio Vista has agreed to indemnify Penn Octane for a period of three years from the fiscal year end that includes the date of the Spin-Off for any federal income tax liabilities resulting from the Spin-Off in excess of $2.5 million. Penn Octane has filed its federal income tax return for the year of the Spin-Off and it did not incur a federal income tax liability in excess of $2.5 million. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may review Penn Octane’s federal income tax returns and challenge positions that Penn Octane has taken with respect to the Spin-Off.
Further, if Penn Octane is determined to have a federal income tax liability in excess of the amounts which were included in the federal income tax return related to the Spin-Off and if Penn Octane is unable to pay such liabilities or Rio Vista is unable to pay, then the Internal Revenue Service may assert that the Penn Octane stockholders who received common units in the Spin-Off are liable for unpaid federal income taxes of Penn Octane, including interest and any penalties, up to the value of the Rio Vista Common Units received by each stockholder. As a result of the pledge of the collateral, Rio Vista may be unable to obtain financing using these pledged assets as collateral. Rio Vista may also be prohibited from making any distributions to unitholders if it would cause an event of default, or if an event of default exists, under Penn Octane’s revolving credit facilities, or any other covenant which may exist under any other credit arrangement or other regulatory requirement at the time.
The following is a discussion of the guaranteed obligations:
RZB Obligation
Rio Vista’s LPG purchases before the Restated LPG Asset Sale were financed entirely by Penn Octane. Penn Octane previously financed its purchases of LPG and continues to finance its purchases of Fuel Products through its credit facility with RZB Finance, LLC (RZB).
Penn Octane finances its purchases of Fuel Products through its credit facility with RZB Finance, LLC (RZB). As of March 31, 2007, Penn Octane had a $15,000,000 credit facility with RZB for demand loans and standby letters of credit (RZB Credit Facility) to finance Penn Octane’s purchases of Fuel Products. The RZB Credit facility is an uncommitted facility under which the letters of credit have an expiration date of no more than 90 days and the facility is reviewed annually. In connection with the Spin-Off, Rio Vista agreed to guarantee Penn Octane’s obligations with respect to the RZB Credit Facility. In connection with Rio Vista’s guaranty, Rio Vista granted RZB a security interest and assignment in any and all of Rio Vista’s accounts, real property, buildings, pipelines, fixtures and interests therein or relating thereto. Rio Vista’s guarantee and asset pledge continue under the existing RZB Credit Facility. In addition, Rio Vista may not permit to exist any lien, security interest, mortgage, charge or other encumbrance of any nature on any of its properties or assets, except in favor of RZB, without the consent of RZB.

 

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Under the RZB Credit Facility, Penn Octane pays a fee with respect to each letter of credit thereunder in an amount equal to the greater of (i) $500, (ii) 2% of the maximum face amount of such letter of credit, or (iii) such higher amount as may be agreed to between Penn Octane and RZB. Any loan amounts outstanding under the RZB Credit Facility accrue interest at a rate equal to the rate announced by the JPMorgan Chase Bank as its prime rate (8.25% at March 31, 2007) plus 2.5%. Pursuant to the RZB Credit Facility, RZB has sole and absolute discretion to limit or terminate its participation in the RZB Credit Facility and to refrain from making any loans or issuing any letters of credit thereunder. RZB also has the right to demand payment of any and all amounts outstanding under the RZB Credit Facility at any time.
Under the terms of the RZB Credit Facility, either Penn Octane or Rio Vista is required to maintain net worth of a minimum of $10,000,000.
Guarantees and Assets Pledged on Certain of Penn Octane’s Obligations
The dollar amounts of Penn Octane obligations which Rio Vista guarantees and/or for which Rio Vista’s assets are pledged total $12.0 million at March 31, 2007, based on Penn Octane’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the amounts were as follows (in millions):
         
Fuel Products trade payables
  $ 5.6  
Lines of credit
  $ 3.9  
Letters of credit in excess of Fuel Products trade payables
  $ 2.5  
Consolidated current assets of Penn Octane, which includes assets of Rio Vista, pledged in favor of Penn Octane’s credit facility totals $24.5 million at March 31, 2007 and the amounts were as follows (in millions):
         
Accounts receivable
  $ 9.9  
Restricted cash
  $ 2.2  
Inventory
  $ 1.5  
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 10.9  
Rio Vista’s assets that are included in the above amounts are as follows (in millions):
         
Accounts receivable
  $ 1.0  
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 10.5  
The following is a summary of Rio Vista’s estimated minimum contractual obligations as of March 31, 2007.
                                         
    Payments due by Period  
    (Amounts in Millions)  
            Less than     1 - 3     4 - 5     After  
Contractual Obligations   Total     1 Year     Years     Years     5 Years  
Long-Term Debt Obligations
  $ 1.0     $ 1.0     $     $     $  
Operating Leases
                             
LPG Purchase Obligations
                             
Other Long-Term Obligations
                             
 
                             
Total Contractual Cash Obligations
  $ 1.0     $ 1.0     $     $     $  
 
                             

 

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The following is a summary of Rio Vista’s estimated minimum commercial obligations as of March 31, 2007, based on Penn Octane’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as of March 31, 2007.
                                         
    Amount of Commitment Expiration  
    Per Period  
    (Amounts in Millions)  
    Total Amounts     Less than     1 - 3     4 - 5     Over  
Commercial Commitments   Committed     1 Year     Years     Years     5 Years  
Lines of Credit
  $     $     $     $     $  
Standby Letters of Credit
                             
Guarantees
    12.0       12.0                    
Standby Repurchase Obligations
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
Other Commercial Commitments
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
                             
Total Commercial Commitments
  $ 12.0     $ 12.0     $     $     $  
 
                             
Income Taxes. Rio Vista has agreed to indemnify Penn Octane for a period of three years from the fiscal year end that includes the date of the Spin-Off for any federal income tax liabilities resulting from the Spin-Off in excess of $2.5 million. Penn Octane has filed its federal income tax return for the year of the Spin-Off and it did not incur a federal income tax liability in excess of $2.5 million. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may review Penn Octane’s federal income tax returns and challenge positions that Penn Octane has taken with respect to the Spin-Off.
Further, if Penn Octane is determined to have a federal income tax liability in excess of the amounts which were included in the federal income tax return related to the Spin-Off and if Penn Octane is unable to pay such liabilities or Rio Vista is unable to pay, then the Internal Revenue Service may assert that the Penn Octane stockholders who received common units in the Spin-Off are liable for unpaid federal income taxes of Penn Octane, including interest and any penalties, up to the value of the Rio Vista Common Units received by each stockholder.
Partnership Tax Treatment. See note J to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of partnership tax treatment.
Legal Proceedings. See note J to the consolidated financial statements for the legal proceedings discussion.
Consulting Agreement. See note J to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of Mr. Richter’s consulting agreement.
Distributions of Available Cash. All Rio Vista unitholders have the right to receive distributions from Rio Vista of “available cash” as defined in the partnership agreement in an amount equal to at least to the minimum distribution of $0.25 per quarter per unit, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the units from prior quarters subject to any reserves determined by the General Partner. The General Partner has a right to receive a distribution corresponding to its 2% general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights described below. The distributions are to be paid within 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. However, Rio Vista is prohibited from making any distributions to unitholders if it would cause an event of default, or an event of default exists, under any obligation of Penn Octane which Rio Vista has guaranteed.
In addition to its 2% general partner interest, the General Partner is currently the holder of incentive distribution rights which entitle the holder to an increasing portion of cash distributions as described in the partnership agreement. As a result, cash distributions from Rio Vista are shared by the holders of the common units and the General Partner interest based on a formula whereby the General Partner receives disproportionately more distributions per percentage interest than the holders of the common units as annual cash distributions exceed certain milestones.

 

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On both February 14, 2005 and May 13, 2005, Rio Vista made cash distributions of $487,000 for the quarters ended December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2005. Because of insufficient available cash, Rio Vista did not declare any other distributions for the quarters ended June 30, 2005 through June 30, 2006. On October 26, 2006 Rio Vista made a cash distribution of $0.25 per unit totaling $487,000 (including amount paid to General Partner) for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. On January 18, 2007, Rio Vista made a cash distribution of $0.25 per unit totaling $487,000 (including amount paid to the General Partner) for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. On May 4, 2007, Rio Vista made a cash distribution of $0.25 per unit totaling $487,000 (includes amount paid to the General Partner) for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. Total arrearages payable to the limited partners and the General Partner after the May 2007 distribution is $2.4 million.
As a result of the exercise of the General Partner Options, subsequent to July 1, 2006, Penn Octane is only entitled to receive up to 50% of any distributions paid by Rio Vista and distributed by the General Partner, including any distributions associated with arrearages prior to the exercise of the General Partner Options.
Mexican Operations. Under current Mexican law, foreign ownership of Mexican entities involved in the distribution of LPG or the operation of LPG terminal facilities is prohibited. Foreign ownership is permitted in the transportation and storage of LPG. Mexican law also provides that a single entity is not permitted to participate in more than one of the defined LPG activities (transportation, storage or distribution). PennMex has a transportation permit and Termatsal owns, leases, or is in the process of obtaining the land or rights of way used in the construction of the Mexican portion of the US-Mexico Pipelines, and owns the Mexican portion of the assets comprising the US-Mexico Pipelines. Rio Vista’s consolidated Mexican affiliate, Tergas, owns the Matamoros Terminal Facility and has been granted the permit to operate the Matamoros Terminal Facility. Rio Vista relies on Tergas’ permit to continue its delivery of LPG at the Matamoros Terminal Facility. Tergas is owned 95% by Mr. Vicente Soriano, and the remaining balance is owned by an unrelated party. Rio Vista has an option to purchase Tergas for a nominal price of approximately $5,000.
Through its operations in Mexico and the operations of the Mexican Subsidiaries and Tergas, Rio Vista is subject to the tax laws of Mexico which, among other things, require that Rio Vista comply with transfer pricing rules, the payment of income, asset and ad valorem taxes, and possibly taxes on distributions in excess of earnings. In addition, distributions to foreign corporations, including dividends and interest payments may be subject to Mexican withholding taxes.
Deregulation of the LPG Industry in Mexico. The Mexican petroleum industry is governed by the Ley Reglarmentaria del Artículo 27 Constitutional en el Ramo del Petróleo (the Regulatory Law to Article 27 of the Constitution of Mexico concerning Petroleum Affairs (Regulatory Law)), Reglamento de Gas Licuado de Petroleo (Regulation of LPG) and Ley Orgánica del Petróleos Mexicanos y Organismos Subsidiarios (the Organic Law of Petróleos Mexicanos and Subsidiary Entities (Organic Law)). Under Mexican law and related regulations, PEMEX is entrusted with the central planning and the strategic management of Mexico’s petroleum industry, including importation, sales and transportation of LPG. In carrying out this role, PEMEX controls pricing and distribution of various petrochemical products, including LPG.
Beginning in 1995, as part of a national privatization program, the Regulatory Law was amended to permit private entities to transport, store and distribute natural gas with the approval of the Ministry of Energy. As part of this national privatization program, the Mexican Government is expected to deregulate the LPG market (Deregulation). In June 1999, the Regulation of LPG was enacted to permit foreign entities to participate without limitation in the defined LPG activities related to transportation and storage. However, foreign entities are prohibited from participating in the distribution of LPG in Mexico. Upon Deregulation, Mexican entities will be able to import LPG into Mexico. Under Mexican law, an entity with a permit to transport LPG is not permitted to obtain permits for the other defined LPG activities (storage and distribution). As a result of the foregoing, it is uncertain as to when, if ever, Deregulation will actually occur and the effect, if any, it may have on Rio Vista as a result of, among other things, its LPG Transportation Agreement with TransMontaigne.
Partners’ Capital. Rio Vista’s beginning capital was contributed by Penn Octane to Rio Vista’s operating partnership in the form of assets consisting primarily of terminal assets located in Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico, as well as the pipelines connecting these terminal facilities. The contribution to Rio Vista was recorded at Penn Octane’s historical cost of such assets on the date of the Spin-Off ($14.6 million).

 

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General Partner Interest
The General Partner of Rio Vista owns a 2% general partner interest in Rio Vista. On July 1, 2006, Penn Octane’s 100% interest in the General Partner was decreased to 50% as a result of the exercise by Shore Capital LLC (Shore Capital), an affiliate of Mr. Richard Shore Jr., former president of Penn Octane and former chief executive officer of Rio Vista, and by Mr. Jerome B. Richter, of options to each acquire 25% of the General Partner (General Partner Options). The exercise price for each option was approximately $82,000. Mr. Richter’s option was amended to permit payment of the exercise price by surrender of Penn Octane common stock having a fair market value equal to the exercise price. Mr. Richter paid the exercise price for his option by surrender of 136,558 shares of Penn Octane common stock. In connection with the exercise of the General Partner Options, Penn Octane retained voting control of the General Partner pursuant to a voting agreement with each of Shore Capital and Mr. Richter. In December 2006, Shore Capital transferred its interest in the General Partner to Shore Trading LLC, an affiliated entity (Shore Trading). Shore Trading is also a party to the voting agreement with Penn Octane.
On February 6, 2007, Penn Octane entered into a purchase option agreement with Shore Trading that provides Penn Octane with the option (Purchase Option) to purchase the 25% interest in the General Partner held by Shore Trading. Penn Octane paid Shore Trading $100,000 in order to acquire the Purchase Option. The exercise price for the Purchase Option is $1.3 million, for a total purchase price of $1.4 million, if Penn Octane exercises the Purchase Option between July 1 and July 31, 2007. If Penn Octane exercises the Purchase Option before July 1, 2007, the exercise price is $1.7 million, for a total purchase price of $1.8 million. The Purchase Option expires if it is not exercised on or before July 31, 2007.
The General Partner generally has unlimited liability for the obligations of Rio Vista, such as its debts and environmental liabilities, except for those contractual obligations of Rio Vista that are expressly made without recourse to the General Partner.
Options and Warrants
On February 15, 2007, the board of managers of the General Partner approved the grant of options to purchase a total of 21,250 common units under Rio Vista’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (2005 Plan). Of the total number of options granted, 5,000 were issued to an executive officer of the General Partner and 16,250 were issued to outside managers of the General Partner. The exercise price for the options is $8.38 per unit, which was the average of the high and low sale prices for Rio Vista common units as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market on February 15, 2007. Options granted to the executive officer vest in equal monthly installments over a period of 36 months from the date of grant, become fully exercisable upon a change in control event, and expire five years from the date of grant. Options granted to outside managers are fully vested on the date of grant and expire five years from the date of grant.
On March 21, 2007, the board of managers the General Partner approved the grant of an option to purchase 20,000 common units of Rio Vista under the 2005 Plan to an executive officer of the General Partner. The exercise price for the options is $7.36 per unit, which was the average of the high and low sale prices for Rio Vista common units as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market on March 21, 2007. The options vest in equal monthly installments over a period of 36 months from the date of grant, become fully exercisable upon a change in control event, and expire five years from the date of grant.

 

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Intercompany Agreement
Omnibus Agreement. In connection with the Spin-Off, Penn Octane entered into an Omnibus Agreement with Rio Vista that governs, among other things, indemnification obligations among the parties to the agreement, related party transactions and the provision of general administration and support services by Penn Octane.
The Omnibus Agreement prohibits Rio Vista from entering into any material agreement with Penn Octane without the prior approval of the conflicts committee of the board of managers of the General Partner. For purposes of the Omnibus Agreement, a material agreement is any agreement between Rio Vista and Penn Octane that requires aggregate annual payments in excess of $100,000.
The Omnibus Agreement may be amended by written agreement of the parties; provided, however that it may not be amended without the approval of the conflicts committee of the General Partner if the amendment would adversely affect the unitholders of Rio Vista. The Omnibus Agreement has an initial term of five years that automatically renews for successive five-year terms and, other than the indemnification provisions, will terminate if Rio Vista is no longer an affiliate of Penn Octane.
Impact of Inflation
Inflation in the United States and Mexico has been relatively low in recent years and did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of Rio Vista. However, inflation remains a factor in the United States and Mexican economies and could increase Rio Vista’s cost to acquire or replace property, plant and equipment as well as our labor and supply costs.
Environmental Matters
Rio Vista’s operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations adopted by various governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which these operations are conducted. Under the Omnibus Agreement, Penn Octane will indemnify Rio Vista for five years after the completion of the Spin-Off against certain potential environmental liabilities associated with the assets it contributed to Rio Vista relating to events or conditions that existed before the completion of the Spin-Off.
Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards
In February 2007, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — including an amendment of FAS 115,” (SFAS 159) was issued, which allows entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value that are not otherwise required to be measured at fair value. If a company elects the fair value option for an eligible item, changes in that item’s fair value in subsequent reporting periods must be recognized in current earnings. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to draw comparison between entities that elect different measurement attributes for similar assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective for us on January 1, 2008. Rio Vista has not assessed the impact of SFAS 159 on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
Statement by Management Concerning Review of Interim Information by An Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this filing on Form 10-Q have been reviewed by Burton McCumber & Cortez, L.L.P., an independent registered public accounting firm, in accordance with established professional standards and procedures for such review. The report of Burton McCumber & Cortez, L.L.P. commenting on their review, accompanies the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Rio Vista has debt at variable interest rates (see note D to the consolidated financial statements). Trade accounts receivable from TransMontaigne and Rio Vista’s trade and other accounts payable do not bear interest. Penn Octane’s credit facility with RZB for which Rio Vista has pledged its accounts receivable and property, plant and equipment, does not bear interest since generally no cash advances are made to Rio Vista or Penn Octane by RZB. Fees paid to RZB for letters of credit are based on a fixed schedule as provided in Penn Octane’s agreement with RZB. Therefore, Rio Vista currently has limited, if any, interest rate risk.
Rio Vista routinely converts U.S. dollars into Mexican pesos to pay terminal operating costs and income taxes. Such costs are expected to be less than $1 million per year and Rio Vista expects such costs will remain at less than $1 million in any year. Rio Vista does not maintain Mexican peso bank accounts with other than nominal balances. Therefore, Rio Vista has limited, if any, risk related to foreign currency exchange rates.
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures.
The General Partner’s management, including the principal executive officer/principal financial officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures and therefore has conducted an evaluation of Rio Vista’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of March 31, 2007. Based on their evaluation, the General Partner’s principal executive officer/principal accounting officer concluded that Rio Vista’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
There was no change in Rio Vista’s internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of the year ended December 31, 2007 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Rio Vista’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See note J to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Business Factors. Beginning with the Restated LPG Asset Sale, Rio Vista is solely dependent on the LPG Transportation Business and income on invested cash assets, if any, to provide revenues. Rio Vista can only transport LPG on behalf of TransMontaigne using the Retained Assets. TransMontaigne may not transport LPG volumes utilizing the Retained Assets in volumes that are profitable and/or sufficient for Rio Vista to make future distributions to its unitholders. Rio Vista may be unable to successfully develop additional sources of revenue in order to reduce its dependence on TransMontaigne. All of Rio Vista’s assets are pledged as collateral for existing debt of Penn Octane, and Rio Vista therefore may be unable to obtain additional financing collateralized by such assets. If Rio Vista cannot develop sufficient capital resources for acquisitions or opportunities for expansion, Rio Vista’s growth will be limited. Future acquisitions and expansions may not be successful, may substantially increase Rio Vista’s indebtedness and contingent liabilities, and may create integration difficulties. Rio Vista’s business would be adversely affected if operations at its transportation, terminal and distribution facilities were interrupted.
Acquisition Factors. The advancement, cost and results of particular acquisitions sought by Rio Vista, including projects and/or acquisitions which do not specifically fall within the areas of Rio Vista’s current lines of business will depend on: the outcome of negotiations for such projects and/or acquisitions; the ability of Rio Vista’s management to manage such businesses; the ability of Rio Vista to obtain financing for such acquisitions; business integration issues; changes in operating conditions or costs; and the occurrence of unforeseen operational difficulties.
Competitive Factors. The energy industry is highly competitive. There is competition within the industries and also with other industries in supplying the energy and fuel needs of industrial and individual consumers. A key component of Rio Vista’s competitive position, particularly given the commodity nature of its LPG Transportation Business, is its ability to manage its expenses successfully, which requires continuous management focus on reducing costs and improving efficiency.
International Factors. Mexican economic, political and social conditions may change and adversely affect Rio Vista’s operations. Rio Vista may not be able to continue operations in Mexico if Mexico restricts the existing ownership structure of its Mexican operations, requiring Rio Vista to increase its reliance on Mexican nationals to conduct its business. The LPG market in Mexico has yet to be deregulated. Upon deregulation Rio Vista will still be dependent on TransMontaigne because Rio Vista can only transport LPG on behalf of TransMontaigne using the Retained Assets. Rio Vista cannot predict the effect of deregulation on Rio Vista. Rio Vista’s contracts and Mexican business operations are subject to volatility in currency exchange rates which could negatively impact its earnings.
Political Factors. The operations and earnings of Rio Vista in the U.S. and Mexico have been, and may in the future be, affected from time to time in varying degree by political instability and by other political developments and laws and regulations, such as forced divestiture of assets; restrictions on production, imports and exports; war or other international conflicts; civil unrest and local security concerns that threaten the safe operation of Rio Vista’s facilities; price controls; tax increases and retroactive tax claims; expropriation of property; cancellation of contract rights; and environmental regulations. Both the likelihood of such occurrences and their overall effect upon Rio Vista vary greatly and are not predictable.
Industry and Economic Factors. The operations and earnings of Rio Vista throughout the U.S. and Mexico are affected by local, regional and global events or conditions that affect supply and demand for Rio Vista’s services. These events or conditions are generally not predictable and include, among other things, general economic growth rates and the occurrence of economic recessions; the development of new supply sources for its products; supply disruptions; weather, including seasonal patterns that affect energy demand and severe weather events that can disrupt operations; technological advances, including advances in exploration, production, refining and advances in technology relating to energy usage; changes in demographics, including population growth rates and consumer preferences; and the competitiveness of alternative hydrocarbon or other energy sources or product substitutes.

 

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Market Risk Factors. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in this report for discussion of the impact of market risks, inflation and other uncertainties.
Internal Control Factors. Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, beginning with the year ending December 31, 2007, Rio Vista’s management is required to complete an annual evaluation of its internal control systems. In addition, Rio Vista’s independent auditors are required to provide an opinion regarding such evaluation and the adequacy of Rio Vista’s internal accounting controls for the year ending December 31, 2008. Rio Vista’s internal controls may be found to be inadequate, deficiencies or weaknesses may be discovered, and remediation may not be successful. If Rio Vista acquires an existing business, the internal control systems of the acquired business may be inadequate and may require additional strengthening.
Projections. Projections, estimates and descriptions of Rio Vista’s plans and objectives included or incorporated in Part I. Items 1. and 2. and Part II. Items 1. and 1A. are forward-looking statements. Actual future results could differ materially due to, among other things, the factors discussed above and elsewhere in this report.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
See note I to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.
The above transactions were exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof because the issuance did not involve a public offering of securities.
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to previously filed reports, as noted.
Exhibit No.
     
2.1
  Distribution Agreement dated September 16, 2004 by and among Penn Octane Corporation, Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and Subsidiaries. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
2.2
  Purchase and Sale Agreement dated August 15, 2005 as amended and restated on August 15, 2006 entered into by and between Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. and TransMontaigne Product Services Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 filed on November 20, 2006, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.1
  First Amendment to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Rio Vista GP LLC dated October 2, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed on April 6, 2006, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.2
  Certificate of Limited Partnership of Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. filed July 10, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.3
  First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. dated September 16, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.4
  Certificate of Limited Partnership of Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.5
  First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. dated September 16, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.6
  Certificate of Formation of Rio Vista GP LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.7
  Rio Vista GP LLC Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of September 16, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.8
  Certificate of Formation of Rio Vista Operating GP LLC filed July 10, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.9
  Limited Liability Company Agreement of Rio Vista Operating GP LLC dated July 10, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).

 

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Exhibit No.
     
3.10
  Amendment of Certificate of Limited Partnership of Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. filed September 17, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 filed on November 22, 2004, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.11
  Amendment to Certificate of Limited Partnership of Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 filed on November 22, 2004, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.12
  First Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. dated as of October 26, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 filed on November 21, 2005, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
3.13
  First Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. dated as of October 26, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 filed on November 21, 2005, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
4.1
  Specimen Unit Certificate for Common Units (contained in Exhibit 3.2). (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.1
  Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement entered into as of September 16, 2004 by and among Penn Octane Corporation, Rio Vista GP LLC, Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P., Rio Vista Operating GP LLC and Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.2
  Omnibus Agreement entered into as of September 16, 2004 by and among Penn Octane Corporation, Rio Vista GP LLC, Rio Vista Energy Partners, L.P. and Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.3
  Purchase Contract made and entered into effective as of October 1, 2004 by and between Penn Octane Corporation and Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.4
  Form of Unit Purchase Option between Penn Octane Corporation and Shore Capital LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004 )(SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.5
  Form of Unit Purchase Option between Penn Octane Corporation and Jerome B. Richter. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.6
  Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. Unit option Agreement dated July 10, 2003 granted to Shore Capital LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.7
  Forms of Warrants to Purchase Common Units to be issued to Penn Octane warrant holders. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004) (SEC File No. 000-50394).

 

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Exhibit No.
     
10.8
  Form of RVGP Voting Agreement by and among Rio Vista GP LLC, Penn Octane Corporation and the members of Rio Vista GP LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s registration statement on Form 10 filed August 26, 2004 and amended Form 10 filed on September 16, 2004 )(SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.9
  Conveyance Agreement effective September 30, 2004 from Penn Octane Corporation in favor of Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 filed on November 22, 2004, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.10
  Amendment No. 1 to Omnibus Agreement entered into as of September 16, 2004 by and among Penn Octane Corporation, Rio Vista GP LLC, Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 filed on November 22, 2004, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.11
  Guaranty & Agreement between Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and RZB Finance LLC dated as of September 15, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 filed on November 22, 2004, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.12
  Guaranty & Agreement between Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. and RZB Finance LLC dated as of September 15, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 filed on November 22, 2004, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.13
  General Security Agreement between Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and RZB Finance LLC dated as of September 15, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 filed on November 22, 2004, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.14
  General Security Agreement between Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. and RZB Finance LLC dated as of September 15, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 filed on November 22, 2004, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.15
  Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed on April 12, 2005, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.16
  Promissory note dated August 15, 2005 between Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. and TransMontaigne Product Services Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 filed on August 19, 2005, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.17
  Security agreement dated August 15, 2005 between Rio Vista Operating Partnership L.P. and TransMontaigne Product Services Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 filed on August 19, 2005, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.18
  Amended and Restated Consulting Agreement dated November 15, 2005 between Penn Octane Corporation, Rio Vista Energy Partners and Jerome B. Richter. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 filed on November 21, 2005, SEC File No. 000-50394).

 

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Exhibit No.
     
10.19
  Unit Purchase Option effective February 6, 2007 between Shore Trading LLC and Penn Octane Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed on April 17, 2007, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.20
  Consent to Transfer of Units, Acknowledgement of Representation, and Waiver of Conflicts dated February 6, 2007 among Penn Octane Corporation, Rio Vista GP LLC and Shore Trading LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed on April 17, 2007, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.21
  Consulting Agreement entered into on March 5, 2007, with an effective date of November 15, 2006 by and between Penn Octane Corporation and Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and JBR Capital Resources, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed on April 17, 2007, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.22
  Letter agreement dated March 5, 2007 by and between Penn Octane Corporation, Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. and JBR Capital Resources, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed on April 17, 2007, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.23
  Form of Rio Vista GP LLC Chairman Services Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed on April 17, 2007, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.24
  Form of Rio Vista GP LLC Managers Services Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed on April 17, 2007, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.25
  Form of Rio Vista GP LLC Manager and Officer Indemnification Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed on April 17, 2007, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
10.26
  Form of Nonqualified Unit Option Agreement under the 2005 Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P. Equity Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed on April 17, 2007, SEC File No. 000-50394).
 
   
14.1
  Code of Business Conduct of Rio Vista (2007). (Incorporated by reference to Rio Vista’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed on April 17, 2007, SEC File No. 000-50394).

 

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The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report:
Exhibit No.
     
 
   
31.1
  Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d — 14(a) of the Exchange Act
 
   
31.2
  Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d — 14(a) of the Exchange Act
 
   
32
  Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes — Oxley Act of 2002
All of the Exhibits are available from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, Rio Vista will furnish a copy of any Exhibit upon payment of a fee (based on the estimated actual cost which shall be determined at the time of the request) together with a request addressed to Ian T. Bothwell, Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P., 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1285, Houston, Texas 77024.

 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
    RIO VISTA ENERGY PARTNERS L.P.
 
       
May 21, 2007
  By:   /s/Ian T. Bothwell
 
       
 
      Ian T. Bothwell
 
      Acting Chief Executive Officer, Acting President, Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary (Principal Executive, Financial and Accounting Officer) of Rio Vista GP LLC, general partner of Rio Vista Energy Partners L.P.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit    
Number   Description
 
   
31.1
  Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d — 14(a) of the Exchange Act
 
   
31.2
  Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d — 14(a) of the Exchange Act
 
   
32
  Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes — Oxley Act of 2002