Bay Street News

TC PipeLines, LP Announces 2018 Third Quarter Financial Results

HOUSTON, Nov. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TC PipeLines, LP (NYSE: TCP) (the Partnership) today reported third quarter 2018 net income attributable to controlling interests of $62 million and distributable cash flow of $83 million.

“During the third quarter of 2018, our portfolio of high quality, natural gas pipelines performed very well, generating 30 percent higher net income per common unit than in the same quarter last year,” said Nathan Brown, president of TC PipeLines, GP, Inc. “Our strategically located pipelines continue to benefit from increased natural gas flows, largely out of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, and from additional contracting, both of which are contributing to our current results.”

“We have a healthy balance sheet and strong coverage ratios,” continued Brown. “We have made significant progress in our response to the actions of the FERC earlier this year, and look forward to finalizing our regulatory strategy by year’s end. Our reliable and diversified pipeline assets are in high demand and we are pursuing further appropriately sized, well-placed and well-timed organic expansion opportunities. Our Portland XPress project is a good example of our ability to economically and efficiently expand our existing infrastructure.”

Third Quarter Highlights (All financial figures are unaudited)

The Partnership’s financial highlights for the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period of 2017 were:

  Three months ended   Nine months ended
(unaudited) September 30,   September 30,
(millions of dollars, except per common unit amounts) 2018   2017   2018   2017
Net income   65       55       241       193  
Net income attributable to controlling interests   62       54       231       186  
Net income per common unit  – basic and diluted (a) $ 0.79     $ 0.61     $ 3.11     $ 2.38  
               
Cash distributions paid   (47 )     (74 )     (171 )     (210 )
Class B distribution paid               (15 )     (22 )
Cash distribution declared per common unit $ 0.65     $ 1.00     $ 1.95     $ 2.94  
               
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) (b)   113       103       386       327  
Distributable cash flow (b)   83       65       296       238  
               
Weighted average common units outstanding basic and diluted (millions) (c)   71.3       69.4       71.3       68.9  
               
Common units outstanding, end of period (millions) (c)   71.3       69.6       71.3       69.6  

(a)  Net income per common unit is computed by dividing net income attributable to controlling interests, after deduction of net income attributed to PNGTS’ former parent and amounts attributable to the General Partner and Class B units, by the weighted average number of common units outstanding. Refer to Financial Summary-Consolidated Statements of Income section of this release.
(b)  EBITDA and Distributable cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures. Refer to the description of these non-GAAP financial measures in the section of this release entitled “Non-GAAP Measures” and the Supplemental Schedule for further detail.
(c)  Under the ATM program, the Partnership issued 732,973 units during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (no units were issued during the three months ended September 30, 2018).

Results of Operations

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, we generated net income attributable to controlling interests of $62 million, an $8 million increase compared to the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher revenues and higher equity earnings of $3 million and $7 million, respectively.

The increase in our revenues was largely due to the net effect of:

The $7 million increase in equity earnings was primarily due to higher equity earnings from Great Lakes as a result of the elimination of Great Lakes’ revenue sharing mechanism beginning in 2018 as part of the 2017 Great Lakes settlement. Additionally, there was a slight increase in Great Lakes’ incremental short-term sales during the current period.

Our EBITDA was $10 million higher for the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 mostly due to higher equity earnings and the increase in our revenues during the period as discussed above.

Distributable cash flow increased by $18 million in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 due to the increase in EBITDA as described above and reduced distributions allocated to both our General Partner and Class B unitholders as a result of lower declared common share distributions. These gains were partially offset by an increase in maintenance capital expenditures of $2 million, largely attributable to the timing of pipeline reliability projects on GTN.

Cash Flow Analysis

The Partnership’s net cash provided by operating activities increased by $43 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 primarily due to the net effect of (i) higher cash flow from operations at PNGTS and North Baja due to their increased revenues, (ii) the addition of quarterly distributions from Iroquois for the full nine months in 2018 as compared to the period from June 1 to the end of September in 2017, and (iii) higher distributions received from Great Lakes due to an increase in its revenue related to its increased contract levels.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $732 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 primarily due to the net effect of:

The Partnership’s net cash from financing activities decreased by $769 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 due to the net effect of:

As of September 30, 2018, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $48 million, an increase of $15 million or 45 percent, from December 31, 2017. In 2018 to the end of the third quarter, we reduced the outstanding balance of our credit facility by 68 percent, from $185 million at December 31, 2017 to $60 million at September 30, 2018.  As of November 9, 2018 the available borrowing capacity on our credit facility was $430 million. We believe our cash position, remaining borrowing capacity on our credit facility and operating cash flows are adequate to fund our liquidity requirements over the next twelve months, including distributions to our unitholders, ongoing capital expenditures and required debt repayments.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following non-GAAP financial measures are presented as a supplement to our financial statements:

EBITDA is an approximate measure of our operating cash flow during the current earnings period and reconciles directly to the net income amount presented. It measures our earnings before deducting interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and net income attributable to non-controlling interests and includes earnings from our equity investments.

Total distributable cash flow and distributable cash flow provide measures of distributable cash generated during the current earnings period and reconcile directly to the net income amounts presented.

Total distributable cash flow includes EBITDA plus:

Distributable cash flow is computed net of distributions declared to the General Partner and distributions allocable to Class B units. Distributions declared to the General Partner are based on its effective two percent interest plus an amount equal to incentive distributions. For the year ending December 31, 2018, distributions allocable to the Class B units (30 percent of GTN’s 2018 distributable cash flow less $20 million) will be further reduced by 35 percent, which is equivalent to the percentage by which distributions payable to the common units were reduced in 2018 (Class B Reduction). The Class B Reduction was implemented during the first quarter of 2018 following the Partnership’s common unit distribution reduction of 35 percent. The Class B Reduction will continue to apply for any particular calendar year until distributions payable in respect of common units for such calendar year equal or exceed $3.94 per common unit.

The non-GAAP financial measures described above are performance measures presented to assist investors in evaluating our business performance. We believe these measures provide additional meaningful information in evaluating our financial performance and cash generating capacity.

The non-GAAP financial measures presented as part of this release are provided as a supplement to GAAP financial results and are not meant to be considered in isolation or as substitutes for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, these measures as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures, please see the table captioned “Reconciliation of Net income to Distributable Cash Flow” included at the end of this release.

Conference Call

Members of the investment community and other interested parties are invited to participate in a teleconference by calling 800.273.9672 on Friday, November 9, 2018 at 10 a.m. CST/11 a.m. EST. Nathan Brown, president of the General Partner, will discuss the third quarter financial results and provide an update on the Partnership’s business, followed by a question and answer session. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. No pass code is required. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available through the Partnership’s website at www.tcpipelineslp.com or via the following URL: http://www.gowebcasting.com/9681. Slides for the presentation will be posted on 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. CST and midnight EST on November 16, 2018, by calling 800.408.3053, then entering pass code 2998492#.

About TC PipeLines, LP

TC PipeLines, LP is a Delaware master limited partnership with interests in eight federally regulated U.S. interstate natural gas pipelines which serve markets in the Western, Midwestern and Northeastern United States. 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 are intended to be “forward-looking statements”.  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 to the ability of these assets to generate ongoing value to our unitholders, impact of potential impairment charges, decreases in demand on our pipeline systems, increases in operating and compliance costs, the outcome of rate proceedings, the impact of recently issued and future accounting updates and other changes in accounting policies, the impact of the 2017 Tax Act and the 2018 FERC Actions on our future operating performance and cashflows, potential changes in the taxation of MLP investments by state or federal governments such as the elimination of pass-through taxation or tax deferred distributions, our ability to identify and complete expansion and growth opportunities, operating hazards beyond our control, and our ability to access  debt and equity markets that negatively impacts the Partnership’s ability to finance its capital spending. 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, 2017 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.

Media Inquiries:                                  
Grady Semmens                                  
403.920.7859 or 800.608.7859

Unitholder and Analyst Inquiries:        
Rhonda Amundson
877.290.2772                                        
investor_relations@tcpipelineslp.com


TC PipeLines, LP
Financial Summary

Consolidated Statements of Income

    Three months ended   Nine months ended
(unaudited)   September 30,   September 30,
(millions of dollars, except per common unit amounts)   2018   2017   2018   2017
                 
Transmission revenues     103       100       328       313  
Equity earnings     34       27       129       87  
Operation and maintenance expenses     (15 )     (16 )     (48 )     (47 )
Property taxes     (7 )     (7 )     (21 )     (21 )
General and administrative     (2 )     (1 )     (4 )     (6 )
Depreciation     (25 )     (25 )     (73 )     (73 )
Financial charges and other     (23 )     (23 )     (69 )     (59 )
Net income before taxes     65       55       242       194  
Income taxes                 (1 )     (1 )
Net Income     65       55       241       193  
                 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests     3       1       10       7  
Net income attributable to controlling interests     62       54       231       186  
                 
Net income attributable to controlling interest allocation                
Common units     57       42       222       164  
General Partner     1       4       5       12  
TransCanada and its subsidiaries     4       8       4       10  
      62       54       231       186  
                 
Net income per common unit   – basic and diluted (a)   $ 0.79     $ 0.61     $ 3.11     $ 2.38  
                 
Weighted average common units outstanding basic and diluted (millions)     71.3       69.4       71.3       68.9  
                 
Common units outstanding, end of period (millions)     71.3       69.6       71.3       69.6  

(a)  Net income per common unit is computed by dividing net income attributable to controlling interests, after deduction of amounts attributable to the General Partner and Class B units, by the weighted average number of common units outstanding. The amount allocable to the General Partner equals an amount based upon the General Partner’s effective two percent general partner interest, plus an amount equal to incentive distributions. For the year ending December 31, 2018, the amount allocable to the Class B units is equal to 30 percent of GTN’s annual distributable cash flow, less the threshold amount of $20 million and is further reduced by the Class B Reduction for 2018 (2017 – less the threshold of $20 million and the Class B Reduction was not required).  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, $4 million was allocated to the Class B units (2017 – $8 million).

TC PipeLines, LP
Financial Summary

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)        
(millions of dollars)   September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017
         
ASSETS        
Current Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents   48   33
Accounts receivable and other   39   42
Inventories   7   8
Other   8   7
    102   90
Equity investments   1,196   1,213
Property, plant and equipment        
(Net of $1,252 accumulated depreciation; 2017 – $1,181)   2,075   2,123
Goodwill   130   130
Other assets   13   3
    3,516   3,559
         
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY        
Current Liabilities        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   30   31
Provision for revenue sharing   9  
Accounts payable to affiliates   5   5
Distributions payable     1
Accrued interest   20   12
Current portion of long-term debt   36   51
    100   100
Long-term debt, net   2,211   2,352
Deferred state income taxes   10   10
Other liabilities   29   29
    2,350   2,491
Partners’ Equity        
Common units   921   824
Class B units   99   110
General partner   23   24
Accumulated other comprehensive gain   18   5
Controlling interests   1,061   963
Non-controlling interest   105   105
    1,166   1,068
    3,516   3,559

TC PipeLines, LP
Financial Summary

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

    Nine months ended
(unaudited)   September 30,
(millions of dollars)   2018   2017
         
Cash Generated from Operations        
Net income   241     193  
Depreciation   73     73  
Amortization of debt issue costs reported as interest expense   1     1  
Amortization of realized loss on derivative instrument   2     1  
Equity earnings from equity investments   (129 )   (87 )
Distributions received from operating activities of equity investments   142     106  
Change in other long term liabilities   (1 )    
Change in operating working capital   25     24  
    354     311  
Investing Activities        
Investment in Northern Border       (83 )
Investment in Great Lakes   (4 )   (4 )
Acquisition of a 49.34 percent in Iroquois and an additional 11.81 percent in PNGTS       (646 )
Distribution received from Iroquois as return of investment   8     3  
Capital expenditures   (28 )   (26 )
    (24 )   (756 )
Financing Activities        
Distributions paid   (171 )   (210 )
Distributions paid to Class B units   (15 )   (22 )
Distributions paid to non-controlling interests   (11 )   (5 )
Distributions paid to former parent of PNGTS       (1 )
Common unit issuance, net   40     126  
Long-term debt issued, net   159     732  
Long-term debt repaid   (316 )   (164 )
Debt issuance costs   (1 )   (2 )
    (315 )   454  
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   15     9  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   33     64  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   48     73  

TC PipeLines, LP
Supplemental Schedule

Non-GAAP Measures
Reconciliations of Net income to Distributable Cash Flow

    Three months ended   Nine months ended
(unaudited)   September 30,   September 30,
(millions of dollars)   2018     2017     2018     2017  
Net income    65     55     241     193  
                 
Add:                
Interest expense (a)   23     23     71     60  
Depreciation and amortization    25     25     73     73  
Income taxes           1     1  
                 
EBITDA   113     103     386     327  
                 
Add:                 
Distributions from equity investments (b)                
  Northern Border   22     21     60     61  
  Great Lakes   10     1     49     28  
  Iroquois (c)   14     14     42     28  
    46     36     151     117  
Less:                
Equity earnings:                
  Northern Border   (16 )   (16 )   (49 )   (50 )
  Great Lakes   (9 )   (2 )   (45 )   (24 )
  Iroquois    (9 )   (9 )   (35 )   (13 )
    (34 )   (27 )   (129 )   (87 )
Less:                
Interest expense (a)   (23 )   (23 )   (71 )   (60 )
Income taxes           (1 )   (1 )
Distributions to non-controlling interest (d)   (3 )   (2 )   (12 )   (10 )
Distributions allocated to TransCanada as PNGTS’ former parent (e)               (1 )
Maintenance capital expenditures (f)   (11 )   (9 )   (21 )   (26 )
    (37 )   (34 )   (105 )   (98 )
                 
Total Distributable Cash Flow    88     78     303     259  
General Partner distributions declared (g)   (1 )   (5 )   (3 )   (13 )
Distributions allocable to Class B units (h)   (4 )   (8 )   (4 )   (8 )
Distributable Cash Flow    83     65     296     238  
 

(a)  Interest expense as presented includes net realized loss related to the interest rate swaps and amortization of realized loss on PNGTS’ derivative instruments.

(b)  Amounts are calculated in accordance with the cash distribution policies of each of our equity investments. Distributions from our equity investments represent our respective share of these entities’ quarterly distributable cash during the current reporting period.

(c)  This amount represents our proportional 49.34 percent share of the distribution declared by our equity investee Iroquois during the current reporting period and includes our 49.34 percent share of the Iroquois unrestricted cash distribution amounting to approximately $2.6 million and $7.8 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 (2017-$2.6 million and $5.2 million).

(d)  Distributions to non-controlling interests represent the respective share of our consolidated entities’ distributable cash from earnings not owned by us during the periods presented.

(e)  Distributions to TransCanada as PNGTS’ former parent represent TransCanada’s respective share of PNGTS’ distributable cash from earnings not owned by us during the periods presented.

(f)  The Partnership’s maintenance capital expenditures include cash expenditures made to maintain, over the long term, the operating capacity, system integrity and reliability of our pipeline assets.  This amount represents the Partnership’s and its consolidated subsidiaries’ maintenance capital expenditures and does not include the Partnership’s share of maintenance capital expenditures for our equity investments. Such amounts are reflected in “Distributions from equity investments” as those amounts are withheld by those entities from their quarterly distributable cash.

(g)  Distributions declared to the General Partner for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 did not warrant or include any incentive distributions (2017 – $3 million and $9 million).

(h)  During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, 30 percent of GTN’s total distributions amounted to $31 million. After applying the $20 million annual threshold and an estimate of Class B Reduction for 2018, $4 million was allocated to the Class B units for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, 30 percent of GTN’s total distributions amounted to $28 million. After applying the $20 million annual threshold, $8 million was allocated to the Class B units for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The Class B reduction was not required during 2017.

PDF available: http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/b821c564-e4f5-47e8-9465-81307915c5e9