Spectra Energy Partners Reports First Quarter 2013 Results

HOUSTON, May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Cash available for distribution of $72.9 million, up 10 percent over prior year
• Reported net income of $55.9 million, up 7 percent over prior year
• 22^nd consecutive quarterly cash distribution increase to $0.50125 per unit

Spectra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE:SEP) today reported first quarter 2013 cash available for distribution of $72.9 million, compared with $66.2 million in the prior-year quarter. Net income was $55.9 million for the first quarter 2013, compared with $52.4 million in the first quarter 2012. Distributions per limited partner unit for the quarter were $0.50125, compared with $0.48 per limited partner unit for the first quarter 2012.

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The increases in both net income and cash available for distribution were the result of the October 31, 2012 acquisition of a 38.76 percent interest in Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (M&N US).

"Spectra Energy Partners continues to deliver solid financial results, and we're proud to have been able to recently announce our 22nd consecutive quarterly distribution increase," said Julie Dill, president and chief executive officer. "We are also excited about the pending drop-down of 50-percent of the Express-Platte crude oil pipeline system from our general partner, Spectra Energy. This is the first step in a series of fee-based asset drop-downs we expect from our general partner over the next couple of years, totaling more than $2 billion. These drop-downs will provide us with an expanded growth platform, which will allow us to continue delivering increasing value to our investors."

Results from Operations

Spectra Energy Partners reported operating income of $33.1 million for the first quarter 2013, in line with the prior-year quarter.  For the current quarter, lower operating expenses were offset by lower revenues at Ozark.

Equity Investments

First quarter 2013 equity earnings were $30.7 million, compared with $27.4 million for the prior-year quarter. SEP's share of first quarter 2013 cash available for distribution was $39.5 million, compared with $33.1 million for the prior-year quarter. These increases were primarily the result of the acquisition of a 38.76 percent interest in M&N US on October 31, 2012, partially offset by expected lower revenues at Market Hub Partners (MHP).

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $7.6 million, consistent with the prior-year quarter.

Capital Expenditures and Equity Investments

During the quarter, Spectra Energy Partners invested $4.0 million in expansion and maintenance capital projects in the Gas Transportation and Storage segment and an additional $0.5 million at MHP.

Additional Information

The company will discuss its quarter results in greater detail during the analyst conference call today.  The call is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. CT today, May 3, 2013. The webcast and conference call can be accessed via the investor relations section of Spectra Energy Partners, LP's website or by dialing 888-252-3715 in the United States or 706-634-8942 outside the United States. The Conference ID is 31676988.

Please call in 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A replay of the conference call will be available after 1:00 p.m. CT, May 3, 2013, until 5:00 p.m. CT, July 31, 2013, by dialing 800-585-8367 with Conference ID 31676988. The international replay number is 404-537-3406 with Conference ID 31676988. A replay and transcript also will be available by accessing the investor relations section of Spectra Energy Partners' website at http://www.spectraenergypartners.com.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes certain financial measures, including cash available for distribution and adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA), that are non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures, as defined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Spectra Energy Partners defines adjusted EBITDA as net income plus interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, less equity in earnings of Gulfstream, MHP and M&N US, interest income, and other income and expenses, net, which primarily includes non-cash AFUDC.

Spectra Energy Partners defines cash available for distribution as adjusted EBITDA plus cash available for distribution from Gulfstream, MHP and M&N US and net preliminary project costs, less interest expense, cash paid for income taxes, maintenance capital expenditures, excluding the impact of reimbursable projects, and other non-cash items affecting net income. Cash available for distribution does not reflect changes in working capital balances. Cash available for distribution for Gulfstream and MHP is defined on a basis consistent with Spectra Energy Partners.  Cash Available for Distribution for M&N US includes an adjustment for amortizing bond payments. 

This press release is accompanied by a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their nearest GAAP financial measures. Management uses these financial measures because they are accepted financial indicators used by investors to compare company performance. In addition, management believes that these measures provide investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of the Partnership's assets and the cash that the business is generating. Adjusted EBITDA and cash available for distribution are not presented as alternatives to net income or cash flow from operations. They should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for a measure of performance prepared in accordance with United States GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes "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. Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by terms and phrases such as: anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, expect, continue, should, could, may, plan, project, predict, will, potential, forecast, and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from the results predicted. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to:  the timing and success of the completion of the expected drop-down; state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an effect on rate structure, and affect the speed at and degree to which competition enters the natural gas industries; outcomes of litigation and regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries; weather and other natural phenomena, including the economic, operational and other effects of hurricanes and storms; the timing and extent of changes in interest rates; general economic conditions, including the risk of a prolonged economic slowdown or decline, or the risk of delay in a recovery, which can affect the long-term demand for natural gas and related services; potential effects arising from terrorist attacks and any consequential or other hostilities; changes in environmental, safety and other laws and regulations; results and costs of financing efforts, including the ability to obtain financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors, including credit ratings and general market and economic conditions; increases in the cost of goods and services required to complete capital projects; growth in opportunities, including the timing and success of efforts to develop domestic pipeline, storage, gathering and other infrastructure projects and the effects of competition; the performance of natural gas transmission, storage and gathering facilities; the extent of success in connecting natural gas supplies to transmission and gathering systems and in connecting to expanding gas markets; the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting standard-setting bodies; conditions of the capital markets during the periods covered by the forward-looking statements; and the ability to successfully complete merger, acquisition or divestiture plans; regulatory or other limitations imposed as a result of a merger, acquisition or divestiture; and the success of the business following a merger, acquisition or divestiture. These factors, as well as additional factors that could affect our forward-looking statements, are described in our filings that we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available via the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov.  In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than we have described.  All forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Spectra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: SEP) is a Houston-based master limited partnership, formed by Spectra Energy Corp (NYSE: SE), that owns interests in natural gas transportation and storage assets in the United States, including more than 3,500 miles of transmission and gathering pipeline and approximately 57 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas storage. These assets are capable of transporting 4.5 Bcf of natural gas per day from growing supply areas to high-demand markets.

SOURCE Spectra Energy Partners, LP