EX-99.1 2 w78451exv99w1.htm EX-99.1 exv99w1
Exhibit 99.1
         
News Release

NYSE: BPL
  Buckeye Partners, L.P.
One Greenway Plaza
Suite 600
Houston, TX 77046
  (GRAPHIC)
 
Contact:   Mark Stockard
Director, Investor Relations
Irelations@buckeye.com
(800) 422-2825
BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P. REPORTS 2010 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS AND INCREASES QUARTERLY CASH DISTRIBUTION
HOUSTON, May 7, 2010 — Buckeye Partners, L.P. (“Buckeye”) (NYSE: BPL) today reported net income attributable to Buckeye’s unitholders for the first quarter of 2010 of $50.5 million, or $0.73 per limited partner (“LP”) unit, compared to $53.8 million, or $0.87 per LP unit, for the first quarter of 2009. The diluted weighted average number of LP units outstanding during the first quarter of 2010 was 51.6 million LP units, compared to 48.4 million LP units outstanding during the first quarter of 2009, reflecting the public offering of additional LP units in March 2009.
Buckeye’s Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) for the first quarter of 2010 increased 3.9 percent to $90.1 million from Adjusted EBITDA of $86.7 million in the first quarter of 2009. Operating income for the first quarter of 2010 was $71.0 million, compared to operating income of $70.1 million for the first quarter of 2009.
Buckeye also announced today that its general partner, Buckeye GP LLC, declared a cash distribution of $0.95 per LP unit for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The distribution will be payable on May 28, 2010, to unitholders of record on May 17, 2010. This cash distribution is the 24th consecutive increase in the quarterly cash distribution and represents a 5.6 percent increase over the $0.90 per LP unit distribution declared for the first quarter of 2009. Buckeye has paid cash distributions in each quarter since its formation in 1986.
“Buckeye’s Pipeline Operations and Terminalling & Storage segments, which are the partnership’s two largest segments, drove the increase in overall Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2010,” explained Forrest E. Wylie, Chairman and CEO of Buckeye’s general partner. “Additional pipeline and terminal capacity from asset acquisitions and completion of capital projects played a significant role in these segments’ improved performance. Also, the organizational restructuring completed in the second half of 2009 continued to provide
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Buckeye Partners — 2010 First Quarter Earnings   Page 2
benefits throughout the partnership as a whole. Our performance was dampened in the first quarter of 2010 by lower earnings in our Energy Services segment due to compressed marketing margins resulting from a significantly reduced contango pricing environment.”
“Distributable cash flow generated during the first quarter of 2010 again supported an increase in the quarterly distribution rate. Our employees have continued to identify opportunities to grow the business throughout the recessionary economic conditions experienced since 2008. Moreover, we are encouraged by recent leading indications of improved economic conditions, and we are well-positioned to benefit from increased refined products demand as the economy recovers.”
Buckeye will host a conference call with members of executive management on Friday, May 7, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To access the live Webcast of the call, go to http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=68425 10 minutes prior to its start. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 800-952-4972. A replay will be archived and available at this link until June 7, 2010, and the replay may also be accessed at 800-408-3053 and entering passcode 7081572.
Buckeye Partners, L.P. (www.buckeye.com) is a publicly traded partnership that owns and operates one of the largest independent refined petroleum products pipeline systems in the United States in terms of volumes delivered, with approximately 5,400 miles of pipeline. Buckeye Partners, L.P. also owns 67 refined petroleum products terminals, operates and maintains approximately 2,400 miles of pipeline under agreements with major oil and chemical companies, owns a major natural gas storage facility in northern California, and markets refined petroleum products in certain of the geographic areas served by its pipeline and terminal operations. The general partner of Buckeye Partners, L.P. is owned by Buckeye GP Holdings L.P. (NYSE: BGH).
* * * * *
EBITDA, a measure not defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), is defined by Buckeye as net income attributable to Buckeye’s unitholders before interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. The EBITDA measure eliminates the significant level of non-cash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the capital-intensive nature of Buckeye’s businesses and from intangible assets recognized in business combinations. In addition, EBITDA is unaffected by Buckeye’s capital structure due to the elimination of interest expense and income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA, which also is a non-GAAP measure, is defined by Buckeye as EBITDA plus non-cash deferred lease expense, which is the difference between the estimated annual land lease expense for Buckeye’s natural gas storage facility in the Natural Gas Storage segment to be recorded under GAAP and the actual cash to be paid for such annual land

 


 

     
Buckeye Partners — 2010 First Quarter Earnings   Page 3
lease, and non-cash unit-based compensation expense. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered alternatives to net income, operating income, cash flow from operations, or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP.
The EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA data presented may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures at other companies because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA exclude some items that affect net income attributable to Buckeye’s unitholders, and these measures may be defined differently by other companies. Management of Buckeye uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the consolidated operating performance and the operating performance of the business segments and to allocate resources and capital to the business. In addition, Buckeye’s management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure to evaluate the viability of proposed projects and to determine overall rates of return on alternative investment opportunities.
Distributable cash flow, which is a financial measure included in the schedules to this press release, is another measure not defined under GAAP. Distributable cash flow is defined by Buckeye as net income attributable to Buckeye’s unitholders, plus depreciation and amortization expense, deferred lease expense for Buckeye’s Natural Gas Storage segment, unit-based compensation expense and the senior administrative charge (all of which are non-cash expense items) and minus maintenance capital expenditures. Buckeye’s management believes that distributable cash flow is useful to investors because it removes non-cash items from net income and provides a clearer picture of Buckeye’s cash available for distribution to its unitholders.
Buckeye believes that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures used by Buckeye’s management. Further, Buckeye believes that these measures are useful to investors because they are one of the bases for comparing Buckeye’s operating performance with that of other companies with similar operations, although Buckeye’s measures may not be directly comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Please see the attached reconciliations of each of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow to net income attributable to Buckeye’s unitholders.
* * * * *
This press release includes forward-looking statements that we believe to be reasonable as of today’s date. Such statements are identified by use of the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,” and similar expressions. Actual results may differ significantly because of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and that may be beyond our control. Among them are (1) changes in laws or regulations to which we are subject, including those that permit the treatment of us as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, (2) terrorism, adverse weather conditions, environmental

 


 

     
Buckeye Partners — 2010 First Quarter Earnings   Page 4
releases, and natural disasters, (3) changes in the marketplace for our products or services, such as increased competition, better energy efficiency, or general reductions in demand, (4) adverse regional or national economic conditions or adverse capital market conditions, (5) shutdowns or interruptions at the source points for the products we transport, store, or sell, (6) unanticipated capital expenditures in connection with the construction, repair, or replacement of our assets, (7) volatility in the price of refined petroleum products and the value of natural gas storage services, (8) nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers, (9) our ability to realize efficiencies expected to result from our previously announced reorganization, and (10) our ability to integrate acquired assets with our existing assets and to realize anticipated cost savings and other efficiencies. You should read our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a more extensive list of factors that could affect results. We undertake no obligation to revise our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after today’s date.
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BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Revenue:
               
Product sales
  $ 568,170     $ 268,779  
Transportation and other services
    163,004       148,061  
 
           
Total revenue
    731,174       416,840  
 
           
Costs and expenses:
               
Cost of product sales and natural gas storage services
    569,737       250,676  
Operating expenses
    65,709       73,507  
Depreciation and amortization
    15,644       14,480  
General and administrative
    9,064       8,074  
 
           
Total costs and expenses
    660,154       346,737  
 
           
Operating income
    71,020       70,103  
 
           
Other income (expense):
               
Earnings from equity investments
    2,652       2,082  
Interest and debt expense
    (21,549 )     (17,176 )
Other income
    155       111  
 
           
Total other expense
    (18,742 )     (14,983 )
 
           
Net income
    52,278       55,120  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (1,765 )     (1,360 )
 
           
Net income attributable to Buckeye Partners, L.P.
  $ 50,513     $ 53,760  
 
           
 
               
Allocation of net income attributable to Buckeye Partners, L.P.:
               
Net income allocated to general partner
  $ 12,495     $ 11,666  
 
           
Net income allocated to limited partners
  $ 38,018     $ 42,094  
 
           
 
               
Earnings per Limited Partner Unit:
               
Diluted
  $ 0.73     $ 0.87  
 
           
 
               
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding:
               
Basic
    51,471       48,401  
 
           
Diluted
    51,634       48,406  
 
           

 


 

BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Revenue:
               
Pipeline Operations
  $ 96,537     $ 99,195  
Terminalling & Storage
    42,371       30,643  
Natural Gas Storage
    25,406       15,077  
Energy Services
    568,202       268,480  
Development & Logistics
    7,515       9,125  
Intersegment eliminations
    (8,857 )     (5,680 )
 
           
Total revenue
  $ 731,174     $ 416,840  
 
           
Operating income:
               
Pipeline Operations
  $ 45,972     $ 44,916  
Terminalling & Storage
    23,466       10,993  
Natural Gas Storage
    3,555       6,238  
Energy Services
    (3,076 )     6,412  
Development & Logistics
    1,103       1,544  
 
           
Total operating income
  $ 71,020     $ 70,103  
 
           
Total costs and expenses: (1)
               
Pipeline Operations
  $ 50,565     $ 54,279  
Terminalling & Storage
    18,905       19,650  
Natural Gas Storage
    21,851       8,839  
Energy Services
    571,278       262,068  
Development & Logistics
    6,412       7,581  
Intersegment eliminations
    (8,857 )     (5,680 )
 
           
Total costs and expenses
  $ 660,154     $ 346,737  
 
           
Depreciation and amortization:
               
Pipeline Operations
  $ 9,641     $ 9,577  
Terminalling & Storage
    2,494       1,866  
Natural Gas Storage
    1,767       1,581  
Energy Services
    1,287       1,059  
Development & Logistics
    455       397  
 
           
Total depreciation and amortization
  $ 15,644     $ 14,480  
 
           
Adjusted EBITDA:
               
Pipeline Operations
  $ 57,817     $ 55,868  
Terminalling & Storage
    26,201       12,841  
Natural Gas Storage
    6,469       8,963  
Energy Services
    (1,541 )     7,485  
Development & Logistics
    1,136       1,537  
 
           
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 90,082     $ 86,694  
 
           
Capital additions:
               
Pipeline Operations
  $ 4,833     $ 6,634  
Terminalling & Storage
    2,581       5,641  
Natural Gas Storage
    1,399       6,375  
Energy Services
    618       730  
Development & Logistics
    177       74  
 
           
Total capital additions
  $ 9,608     $ 19,454  
 
           
Summary of capital additions:
               
Maintenance and capital expenditures
  $ 3,270     $ 4,883  
Expansion and cost reduction
    6,338       14,571  
 
           
Total capital additions
  $ 9,608     $ 19,454  
 
           
 
(1)   Includes depreciation and amortization.
                 
    March 31,   December 31,
Key Balance Sheet information:   2010   2009
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 16,507     $ 34,599  
Long-term debt
    1,441,076       1,498,970  

 


 

BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA — Continued
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Operating data:
               
Pipeline Operations Throughput (b/d — 000s):
               
Gasoline
    608.9       632.4  
Jet fuel
    322.3       333.3  
Diesel fuel
    227.5       222.0  
Heating oil
    113.9       131.1  
LPGs
    20.5       14.4  
NGLs
          21.3  
Other products
    0.8       13.4  
 
           
Total Pipeline Operations Throughput
    1,293.9       1,367.9  
 
           
 
               
Pipeline Average Tariff (Cents/bbl.)
    71.8       69.7  
 
               
Terminal Throughput (b/d — 000s) (1)
    556.3       480.8  
 
               
Product sales (in millions of gallons)
    266.9       205.2  
 
(1)   Reported quantities exclude transfer volumes, which are non-revenue generating transfers among our various terminals. Previously reported 2009 amount included transfer volumes.

 


 

BUCKEYE PARTNERS, L.P.
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
Non-GAAP Reconciliations
(In thousands, except per unit amounts and coverage ratio)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2010     2009  
Adjusted EBITDA:
               
Net income attributable to Buckeye Partners, L.P.
  $ 50,513     $ 53,760  
Interest and debt expense
    21,549       17,176  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (18 )     65  
Depreciation and amortization
    15,644       14,480  
 
           
EBITDA
    87,688       85,481  
Non-cash deferred lease expense
    1,059       1,125  
Non-cash unit-based compensation expense
    1,335       88  
 
           
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 90,082     $ 86,694  
 
           
 
               
Distributable Cash Flow:
               
Net income attributable to Buckeye Partners, L.P.
  $ 50,513     $ 53,760  
Depreciation and amortization
    15,644       14,480  
Non-cash deferred lease expense
    1,059       1,125  
Non-cash unit-based compensation expense
    1,335       88  
Non-cash senior administrative charge
          475  
Maintenance and capital expenditures
    (3,270 )     (4,883 )
 
           
Distributable cash flow
  $ 65,281     $ 65,045  
 
           
 
               
Distributions for Coverage Ratio (1)
  $ 61,926     $ 58,089  
 
           
 
               
Coverage Ratio
    1.05       1.12  
 
           
 
(1)   Represents cash distributions declared for respective periods.