Press Release Details

Holly Energy Partners, L.P. Reports Third Quarter Results

October 30, 2018

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2018-- Holly Energy Partners, L.P. (“HEP” or the “Partnership”) (NYSE:HEP) today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2018. Net income attributable to HEP for the third quarter was $45.0 million ($0.43 per basic and diluted limited partner unit) compared to $42.1 million ($0.66 per basic and diluted limited partner unit) for the third quarter of 2017.

Distributable cash flow was $66.6 million for the quarter, up $7.4 million, or 12.4% compared to the third quarter of 2017. HEP announced its 56thconsecutive distribution increase on October 19, 2018, raising the quarterly distribution from $0.660 to $0.665 per unit, which represents an increase of 3.1% over the distribution for the third quarter of 2017.

The increase in net income attributable to HEP was primarily due to our acquisition of the remaining interests in the SLC and Frontier pipelines in the fourth quarter of 2017 and higher crude oil gathering volumes around the Permian Basin. These gains were partially offset by higher interest expense and lower earnings on equity investments. Limited partners' earnings per unit in the third quarter declined compared to the third quarter of 2017 despite higher net income attributable to the partners. This decrease was driven by the issuance of new common units primarily associated with the incentive distribution rights simplification transaction on October 31, 2017.

Commenting on our 2018 third quarter results, George Damiris, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “HEP delivered solid financial results in the third quarter, which allowed us to maintain our record of consecutive quarterly distribution increases. Despite seasonal headwinds and the Woods Cross refinery running at lower throughput, third quarter results highlight the cash flow stability of HEP’s business model.

“Looking forward, we anticipate higher earnings and distributable cash flow in the fourth quarter. HEP remains on track to report a distribution coverage ratio of 1.0x for the full year 2018.”

Third Quarter 2018 Revenue Highlights

Revenues for the quarter were $125.8 million, an increase of $15.4 million compared to the third quarter of 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to our acquisition of the remaining interests in the SLC and Frontier pipelines and higher crude oil gathering volumes around the Permian Basin in New Mexico and Texas, which contributed to an increase in overall pipeline volumes of 22%.

  • Revenues from our refined product pipelines were $32.0 million, a decrease of $0.2 million, on shipments averaging 187.1 thousand barrels per day ("mbpd") compared to 217.3 mbpd for the third quarter of 2017. The volume decrease was mainly due to pipelines servicing HollyFrontier Corporation's ("HFC" or "HollyFrontier") Woods Cross refinery, which had lower throughput due to operational issues at the refinery during the quarter, lower volumes on pipelines servicing HFC's Navajo refinery and lower volumes from Delek. Revenue remained relatively consistent due to contractual minimum revenue commitments and contractual tariff escalators.
  • Revenues from our intermediate pipelines were $6.8 million, a decrease of $1.1 million compared to the third quarter of 2017, on shipments averaging 148.3 mbpd compared to 151.6 mbpd for the third quarter of 2017. The decreases were mainly attributable to a decrease in production at HFC's Navajo refinery and a $0.6 million decrease in deferred revenue realized.
  • Revenues from our crude pipelines were $31.0 million, an increase of $16.9 million, on shipments averaging 442.1 mbpd compared to 267.9 mbpd for the third quarter of 2017. The increases were mainly attributable to our acquisition of the remaining interests in the SLC and Frontier pipelines in the fourth quarter of 2017 as well as increased volumes on our crude pipeline systems in New Mexico and Texas.
  • Revenues from terminal, tankage and loading rack fees were $36.5 million, an increase of $0.8 million compared to the third quarter of 2017. Refined products and crude oil terminalled in the facilities averaged 475.1 mbpd compared to 495.5 mbpd for the third quarter of 2017. The volume decrease was mainly due to the planned turnaround at HFC's El Dorado refinery in the third quarter of 2018 as well as the cessation of HEP's operations at the Tucson terminal in April 2018.
  • Revenues from refinery processing units were $19.6 million, a decrease of $1.0 million, on throughputs averaging 65.6 mbpd compared to 61.5 mbpd for the third quarter of 2017. Although throughput increased, revenue decreased, driven by lower reimbursable natural gas costs.

Revenues for the third quarter of 2018 included an immaterial recognition of prior shortfalls billed to shippers in 2017. As of September 30, 2018, deferred revenue reflected in our consolidated balance sheet related to shortfalls billed was $5.7 million.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Revenue Highlights

Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, were $373.4 million, an increase of $48.3 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to our acquisition of the remaining interests in the SLC and Frontier pipelines and the turnaround at HollyFrontier'sNavajo refinery in the first quarter of 2017.

  • Revenues from our refined product pipelines were $98.0 million, an increase of $4.5 million, on shipments averaging 196.5 mbpd compared to 205.3 mbpd for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The volume decrease was mainly due to pipelines servicing HFC's Woods Cross refinery, which had lower throughput due to operational issues at the refinery beginning in the first quarter of 2018. These decreases were partially offset by higher volumes on our product pipelines in New Mexico due to the turnaround at HFC's Navajo refinery in the first quarter of 2017. Revenue increased as a result of the higher volumes on the New Mexico product pipelines and remained relatively consistent around pipelines servicing HFC's Woods Cross refinery due to contractual minimum volume commitments.
  • Revenues from our intermediate pipelines were $22.5 million, an increase of $2.1 million, on shipments averaging 142.4 mbpd compared to 136.1 mbpd for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. These increases were principally due to the turnaround at HFC's Navajo refinery in the first quarter of 2017.
  • Revenues from our crude pipelines were $87.0 million, an increase of $39.1 million, on shipments averaging 455.6 mbpd compared to 268.7 mbpd for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increases were mainly attributable to our acquisition of the remaining interests in the SLC and Frontier pipelines in the fourth quarter of 2017 as well as increased volumes on our crude pipeline systems in New Mexico and Texas.
  • Revenues from terminal, tankage and loading rack fees were $109.0 million, an increase of $3.2 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Refined products and crude oil terminalled in the facilities averaged 477.8 mbpd compared to 489.9 mbpd for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Despite the decrease in volume, revenue increased due to volumes at higher revenue terminals combined with an adjustment to revenue recognition.
  • Revenues from refinery processing units were $56.9 million, a decrease of $0.6 million on throughputs averaging 67.9 mbpd compared to 63.9 mbpd for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Although throughput increased, revenue decreased, driven by lower reimbursable natural gas costs.

Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, included the recognition of $2.6 million of prior shortfalls billed to shippers in 2017 as they did not exceed their minimum volume commitments within the contractual make-up period.

Operating Costs and Expenses Highlights

Operating costs and expenses were $62.9 million and $189.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, representing an increase of $4.2 million and $20.0 million from the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily due to new operating costs and expenses related to our acquisition of the remaining interests in the SLC and Frontier pipelines in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Interest expense was $18.0 million and $53.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, representing an increase of $4.0 million and $11.9 million over the same periods of 2017. These increases were primarily due to interest expense associated with the private placement of an additional $100 million in aggregate principal amount of our 6% Senior Notes due 2024 completed in the third quarter of 2017, higher average balances outstanding under our senior secured revolving credit facility and market interest rate increases under that facility.

We have scheduled a webcast conference call today at 4:00 PM Eastern Time to discuss financial results. This webcast may be accessed at:

https://78449.themediaframe.com/dataconf/productusers/hep/mediaframe/26443/indexl.html.

An audio archive of this webcast will be available using the above noted link through November 13, 2018.

About Holly Energy Partners, L.P.

Holly Energy Partners, L.P., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, provides petroleum product and crude oil transportation, terminalling, storage and throughput services to the petroleum industry, including HollyFrontier Corporation subsidiaries. The Partnership, through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, owns and/or operates petroleum product and crude pipelines, tankage and terminals in Texas, New Mexico, Washington, Idaho, Oklahoma, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming and Kansas, as well as refinery processing units in Utah and Kansas.

HollyFrontier Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is an independent petroleum refiner and marketer that produces high value light products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and other specialty products. HollyFrontier operates through its subsidiaries a 135,000 barrels per stream day ("bpsd") refinery located in El Dorado, Kansas, a 125,000 bpsd refinery in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a 100,000 bpsd refinery located in Artesia, New Mexico, a 52,000 bpsd refinery located in Cheyenne, Wyoming and a 45,000 bpsd refinery in Woods Cross, Utah. HollyFrontier markets its refined products principally in the Southwest U.S., the Rocky Mountains extending into the Pacific Northwest and in other neighboring Plains states. Additionally, HollyFrontier owns Petro-Canada Lubricants Inc., whose Mississauga, Ontario facility produces 15,600 barrels per day of base oils and other specialized lubricant products, and owns a 57% limited partner interest and the non-economic general partner interest in Holly Energy Partners, L.P.

The statements in this press release relating to matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are based on our beliefs and assumptions and those of our general partner using currently available information and expectations as of the date hereof, are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Although we and our general partner believe that such expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, neither we nor our general partner can give assurance that our expectations will prove to be correct. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecast in these statements. Any differences could be caused by a number of factors including, but not limited to:

  • risks and uncertainties with respect to the actual quantities of petroleum products and crude oil shipped on our pipelines and/or terminalled, stored and throughput in our terminals;
  • the economic viability of HollyFrontier Corporation, Delek US Holdings, Inc. and our other customers;
  • the demand for refined petroleum products in markets we serve;
  • our ability to purchase and integrate future acquired operations;
  • our ability to complete previously announced or contemplated acquisitions;
  • the availability and cost of additional debt and equity financing;
  • the possibility of reductions in production or shutdowns at refineries utilizing our pipeline and terminal facilities;
  • the effects of current and future government regulations and policies;
  • our operational efficiency in carrying out routine operations and capital construction projects;
  • the possibility of terrorist or cyber attacks and the consequences of any such attacks;
  • general economic conditions;
  • the impact of recent changes in tax laws and regulations that affect master limited partnerships; and
  • other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and, other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

Income, Distributable Cash Flow and Volumes

The following tables present income, distributable cash flow and volume information for the three and the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

    Three Months Ended September 30,     Change from
2018     2017 2017
(In thousands, except per unit data)
Revenues
Pipelines:
Affiliates – refined product pipelines $ 20,803 $ 20,801 $ 2
Affiliates – intermediate pipelines 6,772 7,832 (1,060 )
Affiliates – crude pipelines   20,461     14,089     6,372  
48,036 42,722 5,314
Third parties – refined product pipelines 11,194 11,350 (156 )
Third parties – crude pipelines   10,505         10,505  
69,735 54,072 15,663
Terminals, tanks and loading racks:
Affiliates 32,572 31,825 747
Third parties   3,897     3,876     21  
  36,469     35,701     768  
 
Affiliates - refinery processing units   19,580     20,591     (1,011 )
 
Total revenues   125,784     110,364     15,420  
Operating costs and expenses
Operations 35,996 35,998 (2 )
Depreciation and amortization 24,367 19,007 5,360
General and administrative   2,498     3,623     (1,125 )
  62,861     58,628     4,233  
Operating income 62,923 51,736 11,187
 
Equity in earnings of equity method investments 1,114 5,072 (3,958 )
Interest expense, including amortization (18,042 ) (14,072 ) (3,970 )
Interest income 540 101 439
Gain on sale of assets and other   38     155     (117 )
  (16,350 )   (8,744 )   (7,606 )
Income before income taxes 46,573 42,992 3,581
State income tax benefit (expense)   (39 )   69     (108 )
Net income 46,534 43,061 3,473
Allocation of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (1,531 )   (990 )   (541 )
Net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners 45,003 42,071 2,932
General partner interest in net income, including incentive distributions(1)       419     (419 )
Limited partners’ interest in net income $ 45,003   $ 42,490   $ 2,513  
Limited partners’ earnings per unit – basic and diluted(1) $ 0.43   $ 0.66   $ (0.23 )
Weighted average limited partners’ units outstanding   105,440     64,319     41,121  
EBITDA(2) $ 86,911   $ 74,980   $ 11,931  
Distributable cash flow(3) $ 66,598   $ 59,248   $ 7,350  
 
Volumes (bpd)
Pipelines:
Affiliates – refined product pipelines 120,024 142,624 (22,600 )
Affiliates – intermediate pipelines 148,347 151,622 (3,275 )
Affiliates – crude pipelines   322,590     267,911     54,679  
590,961 562,157 28,804
Third parties – refined product pipelines 67,112 74,703 (7,591 )
Third parties – crude pipelines   119,503         119,503  
777,576 636,860 140,716
Terminals and loading racks:
Affiliates 417,079 426,122 (9,043 )
Third parties   57,990     69,405     (11,415 )
  475,069     495,527     (20,458 )
 
Affiliates – refinery processing units   65,640     61,453     4,187  
 
Total for pipelines and terminal assets (bpd)   1,318,285     1,193,840     124,445  
 
       
Nine Months Ended September 30, Change from
2018     2017 2017
(In thousands, except per unit data)
Revenues
Pipelines:
Affiliates – refined product pipelines $ 60,841 $ 57,977 $ 2,864
Affiliates – intermediate pipelines 22,496 20,366 2,130
Affiliates – crude pipelines   58,737     47,890     10,847  
142,074 126,233 15,841
Third parties – refined product pipelines 37,124 35,535 1,589
Third parties – crude pipelines   28,245         28,245  
207,443 161,768 45,675
Terminals, tanks and loading racks:
Affiliates 96,606 93,573 3,033
Third parties   12,430     12,291     139  
  109,036     105,864     3,172  
 
Affiliates - refinery processing units   56,949     57,510     (561 )
 
Total revenues   373,428     325,142     48,286  
Operating costs and expenses
Operations 106,731 102,584 4,147
Depreciation and amortization 74,117 57,729 16,388
General and administrative   8,293     8,872     (579 )
  189,141     169,185     19,956  
Operating income 184,287 155,957 28,330
 
Equity in earnings of equity method investments 4,127 10,965 (6,838 )
Interest expense, including amortization (53,249 ) (41,359 ) (11,890 )
Interest income 1,581 306 1,275
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (12,225 ) 12,225
Gain (loss) on sale of assets and other   71     317     (246 )
  (47,470 )   (41,996 )   (5,474 )
Income before income taxes 136,817 113,961 22,856
State income tax expense   (149 )   (164 )   15  
Net income 136,668 113,797 22,871
Allocation of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (5,354 )   (4,827 )   (527 )
Net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners 131,314 108,970 22,344
General partner interest in net income, including incentive distributions(1)       (35,047 )   35,047  
Limited partners’ interest in net income $ 131,314   $ 73,923   $ 57,391  
Limited partners’ earnings per unit—basic and diluted(1) $ 1.25   $ 1.16   $ 0.09  
Weighted average limited partners’ units outstanding   104,908     63,845     41,063  
EBITDA(2) $ 257,248   $ 207,916   $ 49,332  
Adjusted EBITDA(2) $ 257,248   $ 220,141   $ 37,107  
Distributable cash flow(3) $ 200,878   $ 177,436   $ 23,442  
 
Volumes (bpd)
Pipelines:
Affiliates – refined product pipelines 125,642 128,212 (2,570 )
Affiliates – intermediate pipelines 142,371 136,055 6,316
Affiliates – crude pipelines   336,224     268,736     67,488  
604,237 533,003 71,234
Third parties – refined product pipelines 70,830 77,114 (6,284 )
Third parties – crude pipelines   119,344         119,344  
794,411 610,117 184,294
Terminals and loading racks:
Affiliates 418,009 420,979 (2,970 )
Third parties   59,776     68,902     (9,126 )
  477,785     489,881     (12,096 )
 
Affiliates – refinery processing units   67,873     63,858     4,015  
 
Total for pipelines and terminal assets (bpd)   1,340,069     1,163,856     176,213  
 
(1)   Prior to the equity restructuring transaction on October 31, 2017, net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners was allocated between limited partners and the general partner interest in accordance with the provisions of the partnership agreement. HEP net income allocated to the general partner included incentive distributions that were declared subsequent to quarter end. There were no distributions made on the general partner interest after October 31, 2017. No general partner distributions were declared for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and general partner distributions of $36.5 million were declared for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
 
(2) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) is calculated as net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners plus (i) interest expense, net of interest income, (ii) state income tax and (iii) depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as EBITDA plus loss on early extinguishment of debt. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not calculations based upon generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). However, the amounts included in the EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA calculations are derived from amounts included in our consolidated financial statements. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners or operating income, as indications of our operating performance or as alternatives to operating cash flow as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are presented here because they are widely used financial indicators used by investors and analysts to measure performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are also used by our management for internal analysis and as a basis for compliance with financial covenants.
 
Set forth below is our calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.
 
   

Three Months Ended
September 30,

     

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2018     2017 2018     2017
(In thousands)
Net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners $ 45,003 $ 42,071 $ 131,314 $ 108,970
Add (subtract):
Interest expense 17,280 13,291 50,971 39,042
Interest Income (540 ) (101 ) (1,581 ) (306 )
Amortization of discount and deferred debt charges 762 781 2,278 2,317
State income tax (benefit) expense 39 (69 ) 149 164
Depreciation and amortization   24,367     19,007     74,117     57,729  
EBITDA $ 86,911 $ 74,980 $ 257,248 $ 207,916
Add loss on early extinguishment of debt               12,225  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 86,911   $ 74,980   $ 257,248   $ 220,141  
 
(3)   Distributable cash flow is not a calculation based upon GAAP. However, the amounts included in the calculation are derived from amounts presented in our consolidated financial statements, with the general exception of maintenance capital expenditures. Distributable cash flow should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners or operating income, as an indication of our operating performance, or as an alternative to operating cash flow as a measure of liquidity. Distributable cash flow is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Distributable cash flow is presented here because it is a widely accepted financial indicator used by investors to compare partnership performance. It is also used by management for internal analysis and our performance units. We believe that this measure provides investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of our assets and the cash our business is generating.
 
Set forth below is our calculation of distributable cash flow.
 
   

Three Months Ended
September 30,

     

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2018     2017 2018     2017
(In thousands)
Net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners $ 45,003 $ 42,071 $ 131,314 $ 108,970
Add (subtract):
Depreciation and amortization 24,367 19,007 74,117 57,729
Amortization of discount and deferred debt charges 762 781 2,278 2,317
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 12,225
Customer billings greater than revenue recognized 1,294 1,134 2,994 3,835
Maintenance capital expenditures (4) (3,198 ) (3,240 ) (4,504 ) (6,308 )
Decrease in environmental liability (150 ) (180 ) (368 ) (741 )
Decrease in reimbursable deferred revenue (1,517 ) (917 ) (3,937 ) (2,765 )
Other non-cash adjustments   37       592     (1,016 )   2,174  
Distributable cash flow $ 66,598     $ 59,248   $ 200,878   $ 177,436  
 
(4)   Maintenance capital expenditures are capital expenditures made to replace partially or fully depreciated assets in order to maintain the existing operating capacity of our assets and to extend their useful lives. Maintenance capital expenditures include expenditures required to maintain equipment reliability, tankage and pipeline integrity, safety and to address environmental regulations.
 
Set forth below is certain balance sheet data.
 
    September 30,     December 31,
2018 2017
(In thousands)
Balance Sheet Data
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,375 $ 7,776
Working capital $ 20,914 $ 18,906
Total assets $ 2,107,042 $ 2,154,114
Long-term debt $ 1,416,748 $ 1,507,308
Partners' equity (5) $ 446,946 $ 393,959
 
(5)   As a master limited partnership, we distribute our available cash, which historically has exceeded our net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners because depreciation and amortization expense represents a non-cash charge against income. The result is a decline in partners’ equity since our regular quarterly distributions have exceeded our quarterly net income attributable to Holly Energy Partners. Additionally, if the assets contributed and acquired from HollyFrontier while we were a consolidated variable interest entity of HollyFrontier had been acquired from third parties, our acquisition cost in excess of HollyFrontier’s basis in the transferred assets would have been recorded in our financial statements as increases to our properties and equipment and intangible assets at the time of acquisition instead of decreases to partners’ equity.
 

Source: Holly Energy Partners, L.P.

Holly Energy Partners, L.P.
Richard L. Voliva III, 214-954-6511
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
or
Craig Biery, 214-954-6511
Director, Investor Relations