HOUSTON, TEXAS -- (Marketwired) -- 10/25/13 -- TC PipeLines, LP (NYSE: TCP) (the Partnership) today announced that the board of directors of TC PipeLines GP, Inc., its general partner (the General Partner), declared the Partnership's third quarter 2013 cash distribution of $0.81 per common unit. The distribution is payable on November 14, 2013 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on November 5, 2013.
The Partnership also reported third quarter 2013 Partnership cash flows of $58 million and net income attributable to controlling interests of $37 million or $0.58 per common unit.
"The Partnership's third quarter results reflect the $1.05 billion acquisition of additional interests in the GTN and Bison pipelines including the debt and equity financing for the transaction," said Steve Becker, president of TC PipeLines, GP, Inc. "TC PipeLines had another quarter of positive performance from the majority of our pipeline assets. Going forward, we are confident that our expanded asset base will allow us to continue to deliver stable cash flows and long-term value to our investors."
Third Quarter 2013 Highlights (All financial figures are unaudited)
-- Partnership cash flows of $58 million.
-- Paid cash distributions of $52 million.
-- Declared cash distributions of $0.81 per common unit.
-- Net income attributable to controlling interests of $37 million or $0.58
per common unit.
-- Closed acquisition of an additional 45 percent interest in each of Gas
Transmission Northwest LLC (GTN) and Bison Pipeline LLC (Bison).
-- Reached rate case settlement with Great Lakes' shippers and filed
settlement with FERC for approval.
The Partnership's financial highlights for the third quarter of 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2012 were:
Three months ended Nine months ended (unaudited) September 30, September 30, (millions of dollars except per common unit amounts) 2013 2012(c) 2013(c) 2012(c) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Partnership cash flows(a) 58 48 142 150 Cash distributions paid (52) (43) (137) (127) Cash distributions declared per common unit $0.81 $ 0.78 $2.40 $ 2.33 Net income attributable to controlling interests 37 48 114 148 Net income per common unit(b) $0.58 $ 0.88 $1.94 $ 2.71 Weighted average common units outstanding (millions) 62.3 53.5 57.8 53.5 Common units outstanding at end of period (millions) 62.3 53.5 62.3 53.5
(a) Partnership cash flows is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the description of Partnership Cash Flows in the section of this release entitled "Partnership Cash Flows" and the Supplemental Schedule Non-GAAP Measures for further detail.
(b) Net income per common unit is computed by dividing net income attributable to controlling interests, after deduction of the General Partner's allocation, by the weighted average number of common units outstanding. The General Partner's allocation is computed based upon the General Partner's effective two percent general partner interest plus an amount equal to incentive distributions. On May 22, 2013, the Partnership issued 8.855 million common units in a public offering.
(c) Because the additional 45 percent membership interests in each of GTN and Bison were acquired from subsidiaries of TransCanada, the acquisition was accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control, similar to a pooling of interests, whereby the assets and liabilities of GTN and Bison were recorded at TransCanada's carrying value and the Partnership's historical financial information was recast to consolidate GTN and Bison for all periods presented.
Recent Developments
Great Lakes Rate Settlement - On September 27, 2013, Great Lakes filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a settlement with its customers to modify its transportation rates beginning on November 1, 2013. The settlement is expected to be approved by FERC before the end of the year. The settlement establishes maximum recourse transportation rates on the Great Lakes system. Commencing November 2013, rates will increase, compared to current rates, by approximately 21 percent. This will result in a modest increase in the portion of Great Lakes' revenue derived from its recourse rate contracts. The settlement includes a moratorium on filing rate cases or challenging the settlement rates between November 1, 2013 and March 31, 2015 and requires that Great Lakes file to have new rates in effect no later than January 1, 2018.
Cash Distributions - On October 24, 2013, the board of directors of our General Partner declared the Partnership's third quarter 2013 cash distribution in the amount of $0.81 per common unit payable on November 14, 2013 to unitholders of record as of November 5, 2013.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Partnership Cash Flows
Partnership cash flows increased by $10 million to $58 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $48 million in the same period of 2012. This increase was primarily due to the increased cash distributions of $19 million from GTN and Bison beginning July 1, 2013 as a result of the 2013 Acquisition. It was partially offset by lower cash distributions from Great Lakes of $8 million, due to lower revenue, as compared to the same period of 2012.
The Partnership paid distributions of $52 million in the third quarter of 2013, an increase of $9 million compared to the same period in 2012. This increase was due to a $0.03 increase in the distribution per common unit in the second quarter of 2013, as well as an increase in the number of common units outstanding resulting from the May 2013 equity issuance.
The Partnership uses the non-GAAP financial measures "Partnership cash flows" and "Partnership cash flows before General Partner distributions" as they provide measures of cash generated during the period to evaluate our cash distribution capability. Management also uses these measures as a basis for recommendations to our General Partner's board of directors regarding the distribution to be declared each quarter. Partnership cash flow information is presented to enhance investors' understanding of the way management analyzes the Partnership's financial performance.
Partnership cash flows include net income attributable to controlling interests, less net income attributed to 45 percent interests in each of GTN and Bison not owned prior to July 1, 2013, plus operating cash flows from North Baja and Tuscarora, and cash distributions received from Great Lakes, Northern Border, GTN and Bison, less equity earnings from unconsolidated affiliates and Other Pipes' net income as previously reported, plus net income attributable to non-controlling interests from consolidated subsidiaries after the 2013 Acquisition, and net of distributions declared to the General Partner.
Partnership cash flows and Partnership cash flows before General Partner distributions are provided as a supplement to GAAP financial results and are not meant to be considered in isolation or as substitutes for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Contractual Obligations
At September 30, 2013, there was $350 million outstanding on the Partnership's $500 million senior revolving credit facility. The Partnership was in compliance with the covenants of the credit agreement at September 30, 2013.
Net Income attributable to controlling interests
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, net income attributable to controlling interests decreased by $11 million to $37 million compared to $48 million in the third quarter of 2012. This decrease was primarily due to lower equity earnings from Great Lakes and increased Partnership expenses.
Equity losses from Great Lakes were $2 million in the third quarter of 2013, whereas Great Lakes had equity earnings of $6 million in the same period in 2012. The decrease of $8 million was due to lower revenue resulting from capacity contracted at lower rates and volumes in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
Partnership expenses were $9 million in the third quarter of 2013, an increase of $3 million compared to the same period in 2012. This increase was due to higher interest expense as a result of the $500 million term loan obtained to finance a portion of the purchase price of the 2013 Acquisition.
Conference Call
Analysts, members of the media, investors and other interested parties are invited to participate in a teleconference by calling 866.226.1793 today, Friday, October 25, 2013 at 10 a.m. central time (CT)/11 a.m. eastern time (ET). Steve Becker, President of the General Partner, will discuss the Partnership's financial results and latest developments. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. No pass code is required. Interested parties can also listen to a live webcast and replay of the conference call by accessing the Investor Center portion of the Partnership's website at www.tcpipelineslp.com. Slides with information that may be discussed during the webcast will be posted on the Investor Center of the Partnership's website under "Events and Presentations" prior to the webcast.
A replay of the teleconference will also be available two hours after the conclusion of the call and until 11 p.m. (CT) and midnight (ET) on November 1, 2013, by calling 800.408.3053, then entering pass code 9135626.
TC PipeLines, LP is a Delaware master limited partnership with interests in six federally regulated U.S. interstate natural gas pipelines which serve markets in western and mid-western United States and Eastern Canada. The Partnership is managed by its general partner, TC PipeLines GP, Inc., a subsidiary of TransCanada Corporation (NYSE: TRP). For more information about TC PipeLines, LP, visit the Partnership's website at www.tcpipelineslp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain non-historical statements in this release relating to future plans, projections, events or conditions, including our belief that the Partnership is well positioned to deliver long-term value and solid results in the future and our expectation for FERC approval of the Great Lakes settlement, are intended to be "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 statements are based on current expectations and, therefore, subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this release, including, without limitation, competitive conditions in the natural gas industry, increases in operating and compliance costs, the outcome of rate proceedings, our ability to identify and complete expansion and growth opportunities, operating hazards beyond our control, availability of capital and market demand that the Partnership expects or believes will or may occur in the future. These and other factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated are discussed in Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), as updated and supplemented by subsequent filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements are made only as of the date made and except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or other changes.
TC PipeLines, LP
Financial Summary
Consolidated Statement of Income
Three months ended Nine months ended
(unaudited) September 30, September 30,
(millions of dollars except
per common unit amounts) 2013 2012(a) 2013(a) 2012(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transmission revenues 85 84 253 256
Equity earnings from
unconsolidated affiliates 15 24 48 77
Operating expenses (19) (19) (57) (58)
General and administrative (2) (1) (8) (5)
Depreciation (21) (21) (64) (64)
Financial charges and other (12) (10) (31) (30)
------------------------------------------------
Net income 46 57 141 176
------------------------------------------------
Net income attributable to
non-controlling interests 9 9 27 28
------------------------------------------------
Net income attributable to
controlling interests 37 48 114 148
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
Net income attributable to
controlling interests
allocation
Common units 36 47 112 145
General Partner 1 1 2 3
------------------------------------------------
37 48 114 148
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
Net income per common unit-
basic and diluted $0.58 $0.88 $1.94 $2.71
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
Weighted average common
units outstanding
(millions) - basic and
diluted 62.3 53.5 57.8 53.5
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
Common units outstanding,
end of period (millions) 62.3 53.5 62.3 53.5
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
(a) Financial information was recast to consolidate GTN and Bison.
TC PipeLines, LP
Financial Summary
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet
(unaudited) September 30, December 31,
(millions of dollars) 2013 2012(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current assets 89 69
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates 1,161 1,189
Plant, property and equipment 2,056 2,111
Other assets 139 136
------------------------------
3,445 3,505
------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities 40 49
Other liabilities 25 21
Long-term debt, including current portion 1,551 1,013
Partners' equity 1,829 2,422
------------------------------
3,445 3,505
------------------------------
(a) Financial information was recast to consolidate GTN and Bison.
TC PipeLines, LP
Supplemental Schedule
Non-GAAP Measures
Reconciliation of Net Income attributable to controlling interests to
Partnership Cash Flows
Three months ended Nine months ended
(unaudited) September 30, September 30,
(millions of dollars except
per common unit amounts) 2013 2012 2013 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income attributable to
controlling interests(d) 37 48 114 148
Less net income attributed
to 45 percent interests in
GTN and Bison not owned
prior to July 1, 2013(d) - (13) (26) (41)
------------------------------------------------
Net income as previously
reported 37 35 88 107
Add:
Cash distributions from
Great Lakes (a) 3 11 15 34
Cash distributions from
Northern Border (a) 22 20 66 71
Cash distributions from GTN
(a) 19 7 33 21
Cash distributions from
Bison (a) 11 4 18 12
Cash flows provided by North
Baja's and Tuscarora's
operating activities 13 13 39 37
------------------------------------------------
68 55 171 175
Less:
Equity earnings/(losses) as
previously reported:
Great Lakes 2 (6) - (23)
Northern Border (17) (18) (48) (54)
GTN - (5) (9) (15)
Bison - (2) (6) (8)
------------------------------------------------
(15) (31) (63) (100)
Other Pipes' net income as
previously reported (e)
GTN (19) - (19) -
Bison (11) - (11) -
North Baja (6) (6) (18) (17)
Tuscarora (4) (4) (12) (12)
------------------------------------------------
(40) (10) (60) (29)
Net income attributable to
non-controlling interests
after the 2013 Acquisition 9 - 9 -
------------------------------------------------
(46) (41) (114) (129)
------------------------------------------------
Partnership cash flows
before General Partner
distributions 59 49 145 153
General Partner
distributions (b) (1) (1) (3) (3)
------------------------------------------------
Partnership cash flows 58 48 142 150
------------------------------------------------
Cash distributions declared (52) (43) (146) (127)
Cash distributions declared
per common unit (c) $0.81 $0.78 $2.40 $2.33
Cash distributions paid (52) (43) (137) (127)
Cash distributions paid per
common unit (c) $0.81 $0.78 $2.37 $2.32
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
(a) In accordance with the cash distribution policies of the respective
entities, cash distributions from Great Lakes, Northern Border, GTN and
Bison are based on their respective prior quarter financial results.
Distributions from GTN and Bison are based on 70 percent ownership
starting from July 1, 2013.
(b) General Partner distributions represent the cash distributions paid to
the General Partner with respect to its two percent interest plus an
amount equal to incentive distributions. Incentive distributions in the
first three quarters of 2013 and 2012 were nil.
(c) Cash distributions declared per common unit and cash distributions paid
per common unit are computed by dividing cash distributions, after the
deduction of the General Partner's allocation, by the number of common
units outstanding. The General Partner's allocation is computed based
upon the General Partner's two percent interest plus an amount equal to
incentive distributions.
(d) Financial information was recast to consolidate GTN and Bison for all
periods presented. Prior to the 2013 Acquisition, our net income was $35
million and $107 million for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2012, respectively, reflecting 25 percent ownership in each of GTN
and Bison. As part of the recast, we show net income of $48 million and
$148 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012,
respectively, as if we owned 70 percent in each of GTN and Bison. Net
income attributed to GTN and Bison's former parent of $13 million and
$41 million, reflecting the 45 percent interests not then owned by the
Partnership, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012,
respectively, reconciles the net income as previously reported and that
after the recast.
(e) "Other Pipes" includes the results of North Baja and Tuscarora prior to
July 1, 2013. Since July 1, 2013, it includes the results of GTN, Bison,
North Baja and Tuscarora.
Contacts:
TC PipeLines, LP
Media Inquiries:
Grady Semmens/Shawn Howard/Davis Sheremata
403.920.7859 or 800.608.7859
TC PipeLines, LP
Unitholder and Analyst Inquiries:
Rhonda Amundson
877.290.2772
investor_relations@tcpipelineslp.com
www.tcpipelineslp.com
