WES
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Western Gas Partners Announces Second-Quarter 2011 Results

HOUSTON, Aug 03, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Western Gas Partners, LP (NYSE: WES) today announced second-quarter 2011 financial and operating results. Net income available to limited partners for the second quarter totaled $32.1 million, or $0.39 per limited partner unit (diluted). Net income includes the effects of a $1.9 million realized loss on an interest-rate hedge entered in connection with the Partnership’s issuance in May 2011 of $500 million in 5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes. The Partnership’s second-quarter Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $63.5 million and distributable cash flow(1) was $56.6 million, resulting in a coverage ratio(1) of 1.57 times for the period.

Total throughput attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for the second quarter of 2011 averaged 1,555 MMcf/d, 3 percent above the prior quarter, and 5 percent below the second quarter of 2010. These results include the net throughput attributable to the Wattenberg assets acquired from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation for all periods of comparison and throughput attributable to the Platte Valley system beginning March 2011.

Capital expenditures attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP, excluding acquisitions, totaled approximately $13.4 million during the second quarter of 2011. Of this amount, maintenance capital expenditures were approximately $4.4 million, or 7 percent of Adjusted EBITDA.

“The overall performance of our portfolio, particularly in the liquids-rich basins, enables us to strengthen our distribution growth profile,” said Western Gas Partners’ President and Chief Executive Officer, Don Sinclair.

The Partnership previously declared a quarterly distribution of $0.405 per unit for the second quarter of 2011, payable on August 12, 2011 to unitholders of record at the close of business on July 29, 2011, representing a 4 percent increase over the prior quarter and a 16 percent increase over the second-quarter 2010 distribution of $0.35 per unit. The second-quarter 2011 coverage ratio of 1.57 times is based on the quarterly distribution of $0.405 per unit, and includes the full impact of approximately 3 million units issued to Anadarko in connection with the Bison acquisition in July 2011.

2011 GUIDANCE UPDATE

As a result of the recently announced acquisition of the Bison Assets, as well as its year-to-date performance and expectations for the second half of 2011, the Partnership has raised its full-year 2011 guidance for Adjusted EBITDA to a range of $245 to $260 million and has reduced its guidance for maintenance capital expenditures as a percent of Adjusted EBITDA to a range of 8 to 11 percent. The Partnership’s guidance for total capital expenditures remains unchanged.

CONFERENCE CALL TOMORROW AT 11 A.M. CDT

The Partnership will host a conference call on August 4, 2011, at 11 a.m. Central Daylight Time (12 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time) to discuss second-quarter results. The dial-in number for the call is 888.680.0878 and the participant code is 29292066. Please call in 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. For complete instructions on how to participate in the conference call, or to access the live audio webcast and slide presentation, please visit http://www.westerngas.com. A replay of the call will also be available on the Web site for approximately two weeks following the conference call.

Western Gas Partners, LP is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership formed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation to own, operate, acquire and develop midstream energy assets. With midstream assets in East and West Texas, the Rocky Mountains and the Mid-Continent, the Partnership is engaged in the business of gathering, compressing, processing, treating and transporting natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil for Anadarko and other producers and customers. For more information about Western Gas Partners, please visithttp://www.westerngas.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Western Gas Partners believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions. No assurance, however, can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this news release. These factors include the ability to meet financial guidance or distribution growth expectations; the ability to obtain new sources of natural gas supplies; the effect of fluctuations in commodity prices and the demand for natural gas and related products; and construction costs or capital expenditures exceeding estimated or budgeted costs or expenditures, as well as other factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Partnership’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other public filings and press releases by Western Gas Partners. Western Gas Partners undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

(1) Please see the tables at the end of this release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP measures and calculation of the coverage ratio.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

Below are reconciliations of Distributable cash flow (non-GAAP) and Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) to Net income (GAAP) as required under Regulation G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Management believes that the presentation of Distributable cash flow, Adjusted EBITDA and Coverage ratio are widely accepted financial indicators of a company’s financial performance compared to other publicly traded partnerships and are useful in assessing our ability to incur and service debt, fund capital expenditures and make distributions. Distributable cash flow, Adjusted EBITDA and Coverage ratio, as defined by the Partnership, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Therefore, the Partnership’s consolidated Distributable cash flow, Adjusted EBITDA and Coverage ratio should be considered in conjunction with net income and other performance measures, such as operating income or cash flows from operating activities.

Distributable Cash Flow

The Partnership defines Distributable cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA, plus interest income, less net cash paid for interest expense (including amortization of deferred debt issuance costs originally paid in cash), maintenance capital expenditures and income taxes.

                             
        Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
        June 30,   June 30,
thousands except coverage ratio       2011  

2010(1)

  2011  

2010(1)

                             
                             
                             
Reconciliation of Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP to Distributable cash flow

and calculation of the Coverage ratio

                           
Net income attributable to                            
Western Gas Partners, LP       $ 33,939   $   29,006   $ 68,923   $   59,444
Add:                            
Distributions from equity investees         3,013     1,088     5,447     2,238
Non-cash equity-based compensation expense         1,918     681     3,846     1,248
Income tax expense (2)         94     3,419     126     8,975
Depreciation, amortization and impairments(2)         21,007     16,907     39,860     33,926
Other expense (2)         3,682     2,393     3,682     2,393
Less:                            
Equity income, net         2,646     1,308     4,690     2,687
Cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures (2)         4,375     5,278     9,077     10,767
Capitalized interest         13    

    13    

Interest income, net (non-cash settled)        

    7    

    12
Other income (2)        

   

    1,759     19
                             
Distributable cash flow       $ 56,619   $   46,901   $ 106,345   $   94,739
                             
Distribution declared for the                            
three months ended June 30, 2011 (3)                          
Limited partners       $ 34,178                  
General partner         1,885                  
Total       $ 36,063                  
                             
Distribution coverage ratio         1.57 x                
 
(1)   Financial information for 2010 has been revised to include results attributable to the Wattenberg assets and 0.4% interest in White Cliffs.
(2)   Includes the Partnership’s 51% share of income tax expense; depreciation, amortization and impairments; other expense; cash paid for maintenance capital expenditures; and other income attributable to Chipeta Processing LLC.
(3)   Reflects distribution of $0.405 per unit payable on August 12, 2011.
 

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures, continued

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP

The Partnership defines Adjusted EBITDA as Net income (loss) attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP, plus distributions from equity investees, non-cash equity-based compensation expense, general and administrative expense in excess of the omnibus cap, if any, interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization and impairments and other expenses, less income from equity investments, interest income, income tax benefit, other income and other nonrecurring adjustments that are not settled in cash.

                           
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      June 30,   June 30,
thousands     2011  

2010(1)

  2011  

2010(1)

 
Reconciliation of Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP to Adjusted EBITDA
 
Net income attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP     $ 33,939   $   29,006   $ 68,923   $   59,444
Add:                          
Distributions from equity investees       3,013     1,088     5,447     2,238
Non-cash equity-based compensation expense       1,918     681     3,846     1,248
Interest expense       6,697     3,598     12,808     7,126
Income tax expense (2)       94     3,419     126     8,975
Depreciation, amortization and impairments(2)       21,007     16,907     39,860     33,926
Other expense (2)       3,682     2,393     3,682     2,393
Less:                          
Equity income, net       2,646     1,308     4,690     2,687
Interest income – affiliates       4,225     4,232     8,450     8,462
Other income (2)      

   

    1,759     19
                           
Adjusted EBITDA     $ 63,479   $   51,552   $ 119,793   $   104,182
 

(1)

 

Financial information for 2010 has been revised to include results attributable to the Wattenberg assets and 0.4% interest in White Cliffs.

(2)

 

Includes the Partnership’s 51% share of income tax expense; depreciation, amortization and impairments; other expense; and other income attributable to Chipeta Processing LLC.

 
                           
Western Gas Partners, LP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)
                           
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
      June 30,   June 30,
thousands except per-unit amounts     2011  

2010(1)

  2011  

2010(1)

                           
Revenues                          
Gathering, processing and transportation of                          
natural gas and natural gas liquids     $ 67,509     $   55,491     $ 128,639     $   112,406  
Natural gas, natural gas liquids and                          
condensate sales       90,557       67,033       161,962       136,905  
Equity income and other, net       3,682       2,459       7,140       4,608  
Total revenues       161,748       124,983       297,741       253,919  
                           
Operating expenses                          
Cost of product       62,317       38,506       109,137       80,479  
Operation and maintenance       23,639       22,205       44,501       44,596  
General and administrative       7,082       5,455       13,780       11,523  
Property and other taxes       3,974       3,649       7,933       7,268  
Depreciation, amortization and impairments       21,711       17,613       41,269       35,332  
Total operating expenses       118,723       87,428       216,620       179,198  
                           
Operating income       43,025       37,555       81,121       74,721  
                           
Interest income – affiliates       4,225       4,232       8,450       8,462  
Interest expense       (6,697 )     (3,598 )     (12,808 )     (7,126 )
Other expense, net       (3,682 )     (2,393 )     (1,922 )     (2,373 )
                           
Income before income taxes       36,871       35,796       74,841       73,684  
                           
Income tax expense       94       3,419       126       8,975  
                           
Net income       36,777       32,377       74,715       64,709  
                           
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests       2,838       3,371       5,792       5,265  
                           
Net income attributable to                          
Western Gas Partners, LP     $ 33,939     $   29,006     $ 68,923     $   59,444  
                           
Limited partner interest in net income:                          
                           
Net income attributable to                          
Western Gas Partners, LP     $ 33,939     $   29,006     $ 68,923     $   59,444  
Pre-acquisition net income allocated to Parent      

      (5,595 )    

      (11,901 )
General partner interest in net income       (1,842 )     (519 )     (3,290 )     (1,002 )
Limited partner interest in net income     $ 32,097     $   22,892     $ 65,633     $   46,541  
                           
Net income per limited partner unit –                          
basic and diluted     $ 0.39     $   0.35     $ 0.82     $   0.72  
Weighted average limited partner units                          
outstanding – basic and diluted       81,432       65,653       80,064       64,502  
 
(1)   Financial information for 2010 has been revised to include results attributable to the Wattenberg assets and 0.4% interest in White Cliffs.
 
                   
Western Gas Partners, LP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)
                   
      June 30,       December 31,
thousands except number of units     2011       2010
                   
Current assets     $ 94,500       $ 43,184
Note receivable – Anadarko       260,000         260,000
Net property, plant and equipment       1,618,696         1,359,350
Other assets       164,025         103,003
Total assets     $ 2,137,221       $ 1,765,537
                   
Current liabilities     $ 58,619       $ 42,194
Long-term debt       668,946         474,000
Asset retirement obligations and other       61,514         44,275
Total liabilities     $ 789,079       $ 560,469
                   
Common units (54,904,409 and 51,036,968 units issued and outstanding at                  
June 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, respectively)     $ 943,973       $ 810,717
Subordinated units (26,536,306 units issued and outstanding at                  
June 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010)       282,969         282,384
General partner units (1,661,757 and 1,583,128 units issued and outstanding at                  
June 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, respectively)       25,052         21,505
Noncontrolling interests       96,148         90,462
Total liabilities, equity and partners’ capital     $ 2,137,221       $ 1,765,537
 
                   
Western Gas Partners, LP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)
                   
      Six Months Ended
      June 30,
thousands     2011        

2010(1)

                   
Cash flows from operating activities                  
Net income     $ 74,715         $ 64,709  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                  
Depreciation, amortization and impairments       41,269           35,332  
Change in other items, net       (2,631 )         (315 )
Net cash provided by operating activities     $ 113,353         $ 99,726  
                   
Cash flows from investing activities                  
Capital expenditures       (29,956 )         (50,189 )
Acquisition from affiliates      

          (241,680 )
Acquisition from third parties       (303,602 )        

 
Investments in equity affiliates       (93 )         (310 )
Proceeds from sale of assets to affiliate       242          

 
Net cash used in investing activities     $ (333,409 )       $ (292,179 )
                   
Cash flows from financing activities                  
Borrowings, net of issuance costs     $ 1,045,939         $ 209,987  
Repayments of debt       (859,000 )         (100,000 )
Proceeds from issuance of common and general partner units       132,569           99,311  
Distributions to unitholders       (63,732 )         (43,435 )
Contributions from noncontrolling interest owners       7,389           2,053  
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners       (7,495 )         (6,383 )
Net contributions from Parent       7           25,338  
Net cash provided by financing activities     $ 255,677         $ 186,871  
                   
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     $ 35,621         $ (5,582 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period       27,074           69,984  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period     $ 62,695         $ 64,402  
 
(1)   Financial information for 2010 has been revised to include results attributable to the Wattenberg assets and 0.4% interest in White Cliffs.
 
                                     
Western Gas Partners, LP

OPERATING STATISTICS

(Unaudited)
                                     
    Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
    June 30,       June 30,
    2011      

2010(1)

      2011      

2010(1)

                                     
Throughput (MMcf/d)                                    
Gathering and transportation (2)     884         1,059         893         1,068
Processing (3)     851         664         800         649
Equity investment (4)     54         114         64         118
Total throughput (5)     1,789         1,837         1,757         1,835
                                     
Throughput attributable to noncontrolling interests     234         198         226         194
Total throughput attributable to                                    
Western Gas Partners, LP     1,555         1,639         1,531         1,641
                                     
Gross margin per Mcf attributable to                                    
Western Gas Partners, LP (6)   $ 0.67       $   0.55       $ 0.65       $   0.55
 
(1)   Throughput for 2010 has been revised to include volumes attributable to the Wattenberg assets.
(2)   Excludes average NGL pipeline volumes of 23 MBbls/d and 16 MBbls/d, for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 22 MBbls/d and 16 MBbls/d, for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
(3)   Includes 100% of Chipeta, Granger and Hilight system volumes and 50% of Newcastle system volumes for all periods presented as well as throughput beginning March 2011 attributable to the Platte Valley system.
(4)   Represents the Partnership’s 14.81% share of Fort Union’s gross volumes and excludes crude oil throughput measured in barrels attributable to White Cliffs.
(5)   Includes affiliate, third-party and equity-investment volumes.
(6)   Average for period. Calculated as gross margin, excluding the noncontrolling interest owners’ proportionate share of revenues and cost of product, divided by total throughput attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP. Calculation includes income attributable to the Partnership’s investments in Fort Union and White Cliffs and volumes attributable to the Partnership’s investment in Fort Union.
 

SOURCE: Western Gas Partners, LP

Western Gas Partners, LP

Benjamin Fink, CFA, 832.636.6010

SVP, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

[email protected]

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