Enterprise Reports First Quarter 2021 Earnings

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (“Enterprise”) (NYSE: EPD) today announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Enterprise reported net income attributable to common unitholders of $1.3 billion, or $0.61 per unit on a fully diluted basis, for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $1.4 billion, or $0.61 per unit on a fully diluted basis, for the first quarter of 2020. Net income for the first quarter of 2021 was reduced by non-cash, asset impairment charges of approximately $66 million, or $0.03 per fully diluted unit. The impairment charges include $43 million related to our coal bed natural gas gathering system and Val Verde treating facility in the San Juan Basin that was held-for-sale at March 31, 2021. Net income for the first quarter of 2020 included an aggregate $187 million, or $0.08 per fully diluted unit, of deferred income tax benefits associated with the settlement of the Liquidity Option Agreement on March 5, 2020, and the subsequent accounting for the related deferred tax liability.

Net cash flow provided by operating activities, or cash flow from operations (“CFFO”), was $2.0 billion for both the first quarters of 2021 and 2020. Distributions declared with respect to the first quarter of 2021 increased 1.1 percent to $0.45 per unit, or $1.80 per unit annualized, compared to distributions declared for the first quarter of 2020. Enterprise’s payout ratio to common unitholders of distributions and partnership unit buybacks for the twelve months ended March 31, 2021 was 68% of CFFO. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2021, Free Cash Flow (CFFO less capital investments, or “FCF”) was $3.1 billion compared to $3.4 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2020.

Distributable Cash Flow (“DCF”) was $1.7 billion for the first quarter of 2021 compared to $1.6 billion for the first quarter of 2020. DCF for the first quarter of 2021 included $81 million of cash proceeds from the monetization of interest rate hedging instruments and asset sales. Excluding these non-operating amounts, DCF provided 1.7 times coverage of the distribution declared with respect to the first quarter of 2021. Enterprise retained $746 million of DCF for the first quarter of 2021, and $2.7 billion for the twelve months ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2021 Highlights

• Gross operating margin, operating income and net income attributable to common unitholders included non-cash, mark-to-market (“MTM”) gains on financial instruments used in our commodity hedging activities of $16 million for the first quarter of 2021 and $30 million for the first quarter of 2020.
• Capital investments were $682 million during the first quarter of 2021, including $144 million of sustaining capital expenditures. Sustaining capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2021 included approximately $81 million of expenditures related to the turnaround of the partnership’s Propane Dehydrogenation Unit (“PDH”) and Octane Enhancement facilities.

As used in this press release, “NGL” means natural gas liquids, “LPG” means liquefied petroleum gas, “BPD” means barrels per day, “MBPD” means thousand barrels per day, “MMcf/d” means million cubic feet per day, “Bcf/d” means billion cubic feet per day, “BBtus/d” means billion British thermal units per day and “TBtus/d” means trillion British thermal units per day.

“The value of Enterprise’s diversified and integrated midstream system was exhibited again during a volatile first quarter of 2021,” said A. J. “Jim” Teague, co-chief executive officer on Enterprise’s general partner. “Our propylene, NGL, refined products and natural gas businesses benefited from greater demand associated with the early stages of an economic recovery, winter demand and higher commodity prices. This was offset by plant and pipeline disruptions and lower volumes attributable to the impacts of two back-to-back major winter storms, Uri and Viola, and turnarounds at our PDH and octane enhancement facilities.”

“During the winter storms, from February 15 through February 19, most of our Texas assets went offline at some point either from us voluntarily reducing our power requirements by shutting down certain facilities, our participation in ERCOT’s Load Resources program, which redeploys industrial power supplies to human need, or from power blackouts. In addition, our Texas Intrastate natural gas pipeline, natural gas processing plants and storage facilities were impacted by rolling blackouts. The economic impact of lost revenues from these disruptions, higher power and natural gas costs, as well as losses on natural gas hedges, were mitigated by sales of natural gas to electricity generators, natural gas utilities and industrial customers to assist them in meeting their needs. Our system was also impacted by lower volumes due to many of our producer, petrochemical and refinery customers experiencing disruptions both during and following the storms as repairs were made to freeze-damaged facilities. I want to thank our employees for their tireless, around-the-clock actions to schedule and keep natural gas flowing on our pipeline system and troubleshooting and restarting assets during the historic frigid conditions,” stated Teague.

“We continue to see stronger demand for crude oil, NGLs, primary petrochemicals and refined products as the United States and the rest of the world begin to unevenly emerge from COVID-related lockdowns, restart manufacturing facilities and as excess inventories of crude oil, NGLs and refined products are reduced. On the Texas and Louisiana gulf coast, petrochemical plants and refineries are increasing utilization rates after completing repairs due to damage from the winter storms and in response to better indicative profit margins. This has led to higher commodity prices, which has supported an increase in producer drilling and completion activities, especially in the Permian Basin. At the current level of activities, we are more confident in our most recent forecasts of U.S. crude oil and NGL production,” continued Teague.

“We continue to be ‘on schedule’ to complete the expansion of our Acadian Gas system to Gillis, Louisiana to serve LNG markets, the expansion of our ethylene and propylene pipeline systems and the construction of our natural gasoline hydrotreater during the second half of 2021,” said Teague.

Review of First Quarter 2021 Results

Enterprise reported total gross operating margin of $2.3 billion for the first quarter of 2021 compared to $2.0 billion for the first quarter of 2020. Below is a review of each business segment’s performance for the first quarter of 2021.

NGL Pipelines & Services – Gross operating margin from the NGL Pipelines & Services segment increased to $1.1 billion for the first quarter of 2021 from $1.0 billion for the first quarter of 2020.

Gross operating margin from Enterprise’s natural gas processing business and related NGL marketing activities increased 17 percent to $294 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to $252 million for the first quarter of 2020. Included in gross operating margin for the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 were non-cash, MTM gains of $37 million, and net noncash, MTM losses of $12 million, respectively. Gross operating margin for the first quarter of 2021 from Enterprise’s NGL marketing activities increased $97 million compared to the same quarter last year, primarily due to higher average sales margins and volumes.

Gross operating margin from the partnership’s processing plants for the first quarter of this year decreased $55 million compared to the same quarter in 2020. The South Texas processing plants had a $41 million decrease in gross operating margin, primarily due to lower equity NGL production, lower average processing fees and volumes and higher operating costs. Partially offsetting these negative impacts was a $10 million increase in gross operating margin due to higher processing margins, including the impact of hedging activities. Fee-based processing volumes at our South Texas processing plants decreased 213 MMcf/d.

Lower average gas processing margins and decreased fee-based volumes, partially offset by lower operating costs, contributed to a $22 million decrease in gross operating margin for the first quarter of 2021 from Enterprise’s Rockies processing facilities, which includes the Meeker, Pioneer and Chaco plants. On a combined basis, fee-based gas processing volumes decreased 402 MMcf/d. Gross operating margin from Enterprise’s Permian Basin processing facilities for the first quarter of this year increased $10 million, primarily due to higher average processing margins and a 193 MMcf/d increase in fee-based processing volumes.

Our Texas facilities were impacted by well freeze offs and power blackouts during the first quarter of 2021 due to winter storms Uri and Viola. In addition, upstream drilling activity remains below pre-COVID levels at this point in the economic recovery. Total fee-based processing volumes from Enterprise’s gas processing facilities were 4.0 Bcf/d for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 4.7 Bcf/d for the first quarter of 2020. Total equity NGL production increased 22 MBPD to 162 MBPD this quarter compared to the first quarter of last year.

Gross operating margin from the partnership’s NGL pipelines and storage business was $627 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to $653 million for the first quarter of 2020. NGL pipeline transportation volumes were 3.3 million BPD this quarter compared to 3.8 million BPD in the first quarter of last year.

A number of Enterprise’s NGL pipelines, including the Mid-America and Seminole NGL Pipeline Systems, Chaparral NGL Pipeline, Shin Oak NGL Pipeline, Texas Express and the Front Range Pipelines serve the Permian Basin and Rocky Mountain regions. On a combined basis, gross operating margin for the first quarter of 2021 from these pipelines decreased a net $22 million compared to the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to a 213 MBPD reduction in transportation volumes that was partially offset by higher average transportation fees. The partnership’s South Texas NGL Pipeline System had a $5 million decrease in gross operating margin primarily due to lower transportation volumes of 55 MBPD.

Gross operating margin from Enterprise Hydrocarbons Terminal (“EHT”) and the related Channel pipeline for the first quarter of 2021 decreased a combined $19 million compared to the same quarter last year, primarily due to a 95 MBPD decrease in LPG export volumes at EHT and a 144 MBPD decrease in transportation volumes on the Channel pipeline. The partnership’s marine terminal operations on the Houston Ship Channel were halted for 3 days due to the closure of the ship channel as a result of the winter storms. In total, the partnership’s NGL marine terminal volumes were 652 MBPD for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 742 MBPD for the first quarter of 2020.

Enterprise’s NGL fractionation business reported a $29 million increase in gross operating margin for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020. The partnership’s Mont Belvieu-area NGL fractionators generated a $41 million increase in gross operating margin for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same quarter last year, primarily due to a 159 MBPD increase in fractionation volumes. Enterprise’s 10^th and 11^th NGL fractionation facilities in Chambers County, Texas began operations in March and September 2020, respectively. Total NGL fractionation volumes increased to 1.2 million BPD this quarter from 1.1 million BPD in the same quarter of 2020.

Crude Oil Pipelines & Services – Gross operating margin from the partnership’s Crude Oil Pipelines & Services segment was $400 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to $453 million for the first quarter of 2020. Gross operating margin includes non-cash, MTM losses related to hedging activities of $1 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to non-cash MTM gains of $11 million in the first quarter of 2020. Total crude oil pipeline transportation volumes were 1.9 million BPD for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 2.4 million BPD for the first quarter of 2020. Total crude oil marine terminal volumes were 572 MBPD this quarter compared to 985 MBPD for the first quarter of last year.

The South Texas Crude Oil Pipeline System had a $26 million decrease in gross operating margin for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower transportation and other fees, and a 49 MBPD decrease in transportation volumes. Gross operating margin from our equity investment in the Eagle Ford Crude Oil Pipeline decreased $11 million for the first quarter of 2021 versus the same quarter last year due to a 93 MBPD decrease in transportation volumes.

Gross operating margin from the partnership’s West Texas Crude Oil Pipeline System for the first quarter of 2021 decreased $20 million compared to the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to a 57 MBPD decrease in transportation volumes, and lower average fees. Gross operating margin from Enterprise’s Midland-to-ECHO Pipeline System and related business activities decreased $11 million for the first quarter of 2021 versus the same quarter last year, primarily due to lower average sales margins (including the impact of hedging activities), partially offset by lower operating costs. Transportation volumes on the Midland-to-ECHO Pipeline System decreased 6 MBPD.

Gross operating margin from other crude oil marketing activities for the first quarter of 2021 increased $17 million compared to the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to higher average sales margins, including the impact of hedging activities. EHT had a $9 million increase in gross operating margin due to lower operating costs. Terminal loading volumes at EHT decreased 380 MBPD during the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020 due to lower export activity. Gross operating margin from our ECHO terminal decreased $5 million as a result of lower terminaling and storage revenue.

Natural Gas Pipelines & Services – Gross operating margin for the Natural Gas Pipelines & Services segment for the first quarter of 2021 increased to $535 million compared to $284 million for the first quarter of 2020. Gross operating margin for the first quarter of 2021 includes non-cash, MTM losses related to hedging activities of $3 million compared to $29 million of non-cash, MTM gains in the first quarter of 2020. Total natural gas transportation volumes were 13.7 TBtus/d for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 13.9 TBtus/d for the first quarter of 2020.

Gross operating margin from natural gas marketing activities for the first quarter of 2021 increased $266 million compared to the first quarter of last year primarily due to the resale of natural gas, including natural gas made available due to the temporary closures of our Texas-based facilities during the February 2021 winter storms. Enterprise’s Permian Basin natural gas gathering system had a $14 million increase in gross operating margin for the first quarter of 2021 due to higher condensate sales prices and volumes. This system also benefited from a 361 BBtus/d increase in gathering volumes, primarily related to deliveries to the Mentone and Orla natural gas processing facilities.

Gross operating margin from the Acadian Gas System for the first quarter of 2021 decreased $14 million, primarily due to a one-time producer payment received in the first quarter of 2020 and lower capacity reservation fees. Transportation volumes for the Acadian Gas System decreased 60 BBtus/d. The Texas Intrastate System had a $12 million reduction in gross operating margin this quarter compared to the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to lower capacity reservation fees. Transportation volumes for the Texas Intrastate System decreased 11 BBtus/d in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020.

Petrochemical & Refined Products Services – Gross operating margin for the Petrochemical & Refined Products Services segment was $282 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to $279 million for the first quarter of 2020. Total segment pipeline transportation volumes were 749 MBPD this quarter compared to 712 MBPD for the first quarter of last year. Refined products and petrochemical marine terminal volumes were 266 MBPD for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 271 MBPD for the same quarter in 2020.

Gross operating margin for the first quarter of 2021 from propylene production and related activities increased $37 million, primarily due to higher fractionation fees and lower operating expenses. Total propylene production volumes decreased to 83 MBPD this quarter from 98 MBPD for the first quarter of 2020, due to the PDH facility being down for 46 days for a planned turnaround during the first quarter of 2021. Our PDH facility returned to service during the second half of March 2021.

Enterprise’s refined products pipelines and related activities reported a $27 million increase in gross operating margin for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of last year primarily due to higher sales volumes withdrawn from storage. Gross operating margin includes $18 million of non-cash, MTM losses in the first quarter of 2021 compared to $2 million of non-cash MTM gains in the first quarter of 2020.

Gross operating margin from the partnership’s octane enhancement and related plant operations decreased $54 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same quarter in 2020 due to lower average sales margins, including the impact of hedging activities, and lower sales volumes. Scheduled plant turnarounds resulted in the octane enhancement facility and the associated high-purity isobutylene facility being down for 16 days and 21 days, respectively, during the first quarter of 2021. These facilities returned to service at the beginning of May 2021 and the last week of January 2021, respectively.

Capitalization

Total debt principal outstanding at March 31, 2021 was $28.9 billion, including $2.6 billion of junior subordinated notes, to which the debt rating agencies ascribe partial equity content. At March 31, 2021, Enterprise had consolidated liquidity of approximately $5.1 billion, comprised of unrestricted cash on hand and available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facilities.

Capital Investments

Total capital investments were $682 million in the first quarter of 2021, which included $144 million of sustaining capital expenditures. Included in sustaining capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2021 were $81 million associated with the planned turnarounds of the PDH and octane enhancement facilities.

Our current expectation for growth capital investments for 2021 and 2022 continue to be $1.6 billion and $800 million, respectively. These estimates do not include capital investments associated with Enterprise’s proposed deepwater Seaport Oil Terminal (“SPOT”), which remains subject to governmental approval. We currently expect sustaining capital expenditures to be approximately $440 million for 2021.

Conference Call to Discuss First Quarter 2021 Earnings

Enterprise will host a conference call today to discuss first quarter 2021 earnings. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet beginning at 9:00 a.m. CT and may be accessed by visiting the partnership’s website at www.enterpriseproducts.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and accompanying schedules include the non-GAAP financial measures of total gross operating margin, FCF, DCF and Adjusted EBITDA. The accompanying schedules provide definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to their most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to GAAP measures such as net income, operating income, net cash flow provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies because they may not calculate such measures in the same manner as we do.

Company Information and Use of Forward-Looking Statements

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is one of the largest publicly traded partnerships and a leading North American provider of midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals. Services include: natural gas gathering, treating, processing, transportation and storage; NGL transportation, fractionation, storage and export and import terminals; crude oil gathering, transportation, storage and export and import terminals; petrochemical and refined products transportation, storage, export and import terminals and related services; and a marine transportation business that operates primarily on the United States inland and Intracoastal Waterway systems. The partnership’s assets include approximately 50,000 miles of pipelines; 260 million barrels of storage capacity for NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals; and 14 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage capacity.

This press release includes forward-looking statements. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties, such as the partnership’s expectations regarding future results, capital expenditures, project completions, liquidity and financial market conditions.

Contacts

Randy Burkhalter, Vice President, Investor Relations, (713) 381-6812

Rick Rainey, Vice President, Media Relations, (713) 381-3635

Read full story here