SUNOCO LOGISTICS PARTNERS L.P. 
By PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (NYSE: SXL) (the "Partnership") today announced record net income of $250.4 million, or $6.48 per limited partner unit on a diluted basis, for the year ended December 31, 2009. Operating income for the year increased $49.5 million, or 20.1 percent, to $295.0 million with record results being achieved in all of the Partnership's business segments. Distributable cash flow ("DCF"), which represents the cash generated during the year which is available to pay distributions, increased $29.2 million to $266.2 million compared to the prior year.
For the fourth quarter of 2009, net income of $54.4 million was in line with our previous guidance but decreased $21.0 million compared to the same period in 2008. Improved performance within the Refined Products Pipeline System and Terminal Facilities segments were more than offset by decreased earnings in the Crude Oil Pipeline System which were attributable to the timing of income recognition associated with crude oil inventory activities and crude oil market volatility which allowed for extraordinary earnings in the prior year's fourth quarter. Operating income for the quarter decreased $16.8 million when compared to the prior year period. DCF for the three months ended December 2009 decreased to $50.2 million compared to $75.9 million in the prior quarter.
Sunoco Partners LLC, the general partner of Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P., declared a cash distribution for the fourth quarter of 2009 of $1.09 per common partnership unit ($4.36 annualized), which is a 10.1 percent increase over the fourth quarter of 2008 and a 2.3 percent increase over the prior quarter. The distribution is payable February 12, 2010 to unit holders of record on February 8, 2010.
The Partnership, in a joint announcement with Sunoco, Inc., also announced today the completion of a repurchase of the incentive distribution rights (IDRs) held by its general partner, Sunoco Partners LLC, a subsidiary of Sunoco, Inc., in exchange for the issuance of a new class of IDRs and $201.2 million, secured by a promissory note.
"2009 was another record year for Sunoco Logistics," said Deborah M. Fretz, President and CEO of Sunoco Logistics. "We focused on maximizing utilization of our asset base, continuing organic growth programs throughout our system and strengthening our Lease Acquisition business. We did see some impact with reduced volumes due to a weak demand environment; however, we were able to take advantage of several market opportunities such as contango by utilizing our storage capacity and pipeline flexibility. In addition, the acquisition of the MagTex system in late 2008 has provided us with expanded opportunities.
"We entered 2010 with a strong balance sheet and excellent distribution coverage. We will continue to implement our organic growth opportunities and we also expect that there will be numerous potential acquisition opportunities that could fit well with our current asset base. The IDR repurchase transaction which we completed today is expected to be immediately accretive to our limited partnership unitholders and will serve to improve our competitive position for growth opportunities by lowering our cost of capital."
Segmented Fourth Quarter Results
Refined Products Pipeline System
Operating income for the Refined Products Pipeline System increased $0.6 million to $10.2 million for the fourth quarter 2009 compared to the prior year's fourth quarter. Sales and other operating revenue increased by $3.2 million to $33.1 million due primarily to results from the Partnership's acquisition of the MagTex refined products pipeline and terminals system in November 2008 and increased pipeline fees. These increases were partially offset by decreased volumes on the Partnership's northeastern pipelines. Other income increased $1.4 million due primarily to increased income associated with the Partnership's joint venture interests. Operating expenses, along with depreciation and amortization expense, increased compared to the prior year's fourth quarter primarily as a result of the MagTex acquisition.
Terminal Facilities
Operating income for the Terminal Facilities segment increased by $4.9 million to $20.5 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 compared to the prior year's fourth quarter. Sales and other operating revenue increased by $8.8 million to $51.9 million despite the reduced volumes experienced in the Partnership's refinery terminals which resulted from the idling of the Eagle Point refinery. Revenue increases for the quarter were due primarily to increased throughput, higher fees and additional tankage at the Nederland terminal facility and results from the MagTex acquisition. Revenues and cost of goods sold also increased during the quarter with the commencement of terminal optimization projects at the Partnership's refined products terminal facilities.
Crude Oil Pipeline System
Operating income for the Crude Oil Pipeline System decreased $22.2 million to $35.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the prior year's fourth quarter due to lower lease acquisition results. Lease acquisition results in the fourth quarter 2008 were positively impacted by extreme crude oil market volatility and timing of income recognition which was not repeated in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Higher crude oil prices were a key driver of the overall increase in total revenue, cost of products sold and operating expenses from the prior year's quarter. The average price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil at Cushing, Oklahoma increased to $76.17 per barrel for the fourth quarter of 2009 from $58.75 per barrel for the fourth quarter of 2008.
Segmented Twelve Month Results
Refined Products Pipeline System
Operating income for the Refined Products Pipeline System increased $10.3 million to a record high of $44.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 compared to the prior year period. Sales and other operating revenue increased by $24.3 million to $127.7 million due primarily to results from the MagTex acquisition described above, along with increased pipeline fees. Other income increased $4.1 million compared to the prior year period as a result of an increase in equity income associated with the Partnership's joint venture interests. Operating expenses increased by $11.7 million to $60.2 million due primarily to the MagTex acquisition, a reduction in pipeline operating gains and increased environmental remediation expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $4.4 million during 2009 due primarily to the MagTex acquisition. Selling, general and administrative expense increased $2.0 million compared to the prior year due primarily to increased employee benefits costs.
Terminal Facilities
Operating income for the Terminal Facilities segment increased by $25.2 million to a record high of $83.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 compared to the prior year period. Sales and other operating revenue increased by $28.9 million to $191.3 million due primarily to increased terminal fees, additional tankage at the Nederland terminal facility, results from the MagTex acquisition and the addition of refined product sales. Partially offsetting these increases were reduced volumes at the Partnership's refinery terminals. Other income increased $1.0 million in 2009 as a result of an insurance recovery associated with the Partnership's refinery terminals. Cost of goods sold and operating expenses increased by $6.9 million to $71.1 million for the period ended December 31, 2009 due primarily to the commencement of terminal optimization projects, increased terminal operating losses and the addition of the MagTex acquisition. These increases were partially offset by reduced utility expenses and the absence of hurricane damages incurred during 2008. Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $18.9 million for the twelve months of 2009 due to the MagTex acquisition and increased tankage at the Nederland facility. During 2008, a $5.7 million non-cash impairment charge was recognized related to the Partnership's decision to discontinue efforts to expand LPG storage capacity at its Inkster, Michigan facility. Selling, general and administrative expense increased $1.0 million compared to the prior year due primarily to increased employee benefits costs.
Crude Oil Pipeline System
Operating income for the Crude Oil Pipeline system increased $14.0 million to a record high of $166.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the prior year period due primarily to increased pipeline fees and higher lease acquisition earnings which benefited from the contango market structure. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in pipeline operating gains. Other income decreased $1.5 million compared to the prior year due primarily to decreased equity income associated with the Partnership's joint venture interests and the absence of an insurance gain recognized in 2008.
Lower crude oil prices were a key driver of the overall decrease in total revenue, cost of products sold and operating expenses from the prior year. The average price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil at Cushing, Oklahoma decreased to $61.93 per barrel for 2009 from $99.65 per barrel for 2008.
Other Analysis
Financing Costs
Net interest expense increased $13.6 million to $44.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, compared to the prior year period. The increase was due primarily to higher borrowings associated with the $185.4 million MagTex acquisition, increased contango inventory positions and organic growth projects.
At December 31, 2009, the Partnership had total debt outstanding of $868.4 million, which consisted of $599.4 million of Senior Notes and $269.0 million of borrowings under the Partnership's credit facilities as compared to $747.6 million of total debt outstanding at December 31, 2008. The Partnership had available borrowing capacity of $188.5 million under its credit facilities as of December 31, 2009 and a Debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.5 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009.
Capital Expenditures
Maintenance capital expenditures for 2009 were $32.2 million. The Partnership expects that maintenance capital spending will be approximately $32.0 million for 2010.
Expansion capital expenditures for 2009 were $193.6 million compared to $305.6 million in 2008. Expansion capital for 2009 includes the acquisitions of a refined products terminal in Romulus, MI and Excel Pipeline LLC, the owner of a crude oil pipeline which services Gary Williams' Wynnewood, OK refinery. Expansion capital also includes construction costs associated with the completed project to connect the Nederland terminal to Motiva's Port Arthur, Texas refinery, construction of additional storage tanks at Nederland and refined products terminal optimization projects. Expansion capital expenditures for 2008 include the $185.4 million MagTex acquisition.
Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.
Financial Highlights
(in thousands, except units and per unit amounts)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended
------------------
December 31,
------------
Income Statement 2009 2008
---- ----
Sales and other operating revenue $1,661,010 $1,573,003
Other income 6,575 4,444
----- -----
Total Revenues 1,667,585 1,577,447
--------- ---------
Cost of products sold and operating
expenses 1,572,817 1,469,294
Depreciation and amortization 12,692 10,555
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 15,690 14,457
Impairment Charge - -
--- ---
Total costs and expenses 1,601,199 1,494,306
--------- ---------
Operating income 66,386 83,141
Interest cost and debt expense, net 12,729 9,063
Capitalized interest (696) (1,242)
---- ------
Net Income $54,353 $75,320
======= =======
Calculation of Limited Partners'
interest:
Net Income $54,353 $75,320
Less: General Partner's interest (1) (13,780) (10,912)
------- -------
Limited Partners' interest in Net
Income $40,573 $64,408
======= =======
Net Income per Limited Partner unit
(1)
Basic $1.31 $2.25
===== =====
Diluted $1.30 $2.23
===== =====
Weighted average Limited Partners'
units
outstanding:
Basic 30,981,265 28,657,485
========== ==========
Diluted 31,199,159 28,854,397
========== ==========
Capital Expenditure Data:
Maintenance capital expenditures $16,846 $9,997
Expansion capital expenditures 50,179 232,203
------ -------
Total $67,025 $242,200
======= ========
Twelve Months Ended
-------------------
December 31,
------------
Income Statement 2009 2008
---- ----
Sales and other operating revenue $5,401,804 $10,112,320
Other income 27,873 24,298
------ ------
Total Revenues 5,429,677 10,136,618
--------- ----------
Cost of products sold and operating
expenses 5,023,307 9,786,014
Depreciation and amortization 48,020 40,054
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 63,306 59,284
Impairment Charge - 5,674
--- -----
Total costs and expenses 5,134,633 9,891,026
--------- ---------
Operating income 295,044 245,592
Interest cost and debt expense, net 49,007 34,967
Capitalized interest (4,325) (3,855)
------ ------
Net Income $250,362 $214,480
======== ========
Calculation of Limited Partners'
interest:
Net Income $250,362 $214,480
Less: General Partner's interest (1) (52,665) (37,097)
------- -------
Limited Partners' interest in Net
Income $197,697 $177.383
======== ========
Net Income per Limited Partner unit
(1)
Basic $6.52 $6.19
===== =====
Diluted $6.48 $6.15
===== =====
Weighted average Limited Partners'
units
outstanding:
Basic 30,310,618 28,650,069
========== ==========
Diluted 30,517,891 28,836,603
========== ==========
Capital Expenditure Data:
Maintenance capital expenditures $32,172 $25,652
Expansion capital expenditures 193,656 305,592
------- -------
Total $225,828 $331,244
======== ========
December 31, December 31,
2009 2008
Balance Sheet Data (at
period end):
Cash and cash equivalents $2,000 $2,000
Total Debt 868,424 747,631
Total Partners' Capital 861,614 669,900
(1) Effective January 1, 2009, the Partnership changed its
calculation of earnings per unit to conform to updated accounting
guidance that requires undistributed earnings to be allocated to the
limited partner and general partner interests in accordance with the
Partnership agreement. Prior period amounts have been restated for
comparative purposes. This change resulted in an increase in net
income per diluted LP unit of $0.61 and $1.17 for the three and
twelve months ended December 31, 2008 respectively.
Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.
Operating Highlights
(unaudited)
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
-------------
2009 2008
---- ----
Refined Products Pipeline System:
(1)(2)(3)
Total shipments (barrel miles per day)
(4) 56,540,785 55,025,429
Revenue per barrel mile (cents) 0.636 0.590
Terminal Facilities:
Terminal throughput (bpd):
Refined product terminals (3) 466,167 460,239
Nederland terminal 531,405 479,609
Refinery terminals (5) 573,344 669,478
Crude Oil Pipeline System: (1)(2)(6)
Crude oil pipeline throughput (bpd) 687,095 711,620
Crude oil purchases at wellhead (bpd) 177,164 184,965
Gross margin per barrel of pipeline
throughput (cents) (7) 60.4 93.4
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
------------
2009 2008
---- ----
Refined Products Pipeline System:
(1)(2)(3)
Total shipments (barrel miles per day)
(4) 57,741,323 46,867,934
Revenue per barrel mile (cents) 0.606 0.603
Terminal Facilities:
Terminal throughput (bpd):
Refined product terminals (3) 462,219 436,213
Nederland terminal 597,144 525,954
Refinery terminals (5) 591,180 653,326
Crude Oil Pipeline System: (1)(2)(6)
Crude oil pipeline throughput (bpd) 657,991 682,616
Crude oil purchases at wellhead (bpd) 181,564 177,662
Gross margin per barrel of pipeline
throughput (cents) (7) 73.0 63.0
(1) Excludes amounts attributable to equity ownership interests in
corporate joint ventures.
(2) Effective January 1, 2009, the Partnership realigned its
operating segments as discussed above. Prior period amounts have
been recast to reflect the current operating segments.
(3) Includes results from the Partnership's purchase of the Romulus,
MI terminal and the MagTex refined products pipeline and terminals
system from the acquisition date.
(4) Represents total average daily pipeline throughput multiplied by
the number of miles of pipeline through which each barrel has been
shipped.
(5) Consists of the Partnership's Fort Mifflin Terminal Complex, the
Marcus Hook Tank Farm and the Eagle Point Dock.
(6) Includes results from the Partnership's purchase of the Excel
pipeline from the acquisition date.
(7) Represents total segment sales minus cost of products sold and
operating expenses and depreciation and amortization divided by
crude oil pipeline throughput.
Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.
Earnings Contribution by Business Segment
(in thousands, unaudited)
Three Months Ended
------------------
December 31,
------------
2009 2008
---- ----
Refined Products Pipeline
System:
Sales and other operating
revenue 33,081 $29,879
Other income 3,438 2,014
----- -----
Total Revenues 36,519 31,893
------ ------
Operating expenses 16,405 14,825
Depreciation and amortization 4,118 2,702
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 5,750 4,684
----- -----
Operating Income 10,246 $9,682
====== ======
Terminal Facilities:
Sales and other operating
revenues 51,895 $43,134
Other Income 456 8
--- ---
Total Revenues 52,351 $43,142
------ -------
Cost of products sold and
operating expenses 22,699 18,744
Depreciation and amortization 4,448 4,255
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 4,685 4,525
Impairment Charge - -
--- ---
Operating Income 20,519 $15,618
====== =======
Crude Oil Pipeline System:
Sales and other operating
revenue 1,576,034 $1,499,990
Other income 2,681 2,422
----- -----
Total Revenues 1,578,715 1,502,412
--------- ---------
Cost of products sold and
operating expenses 1,533,713 1,435,725
Depreciation and amortization 4,126 3,598
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 5,255 5,248
----- -----
Operating Income 35,621 $57,841
====== =======
Twelve Months Ended
-------------------
December 31,
-------------
2009 2008
---- ----
Refined Products Pipeline
System:
Sales and other operating
revenue 127,729 $103,457
Other income 12,629 8,535
------ -----
Total Revenues 140,358 111,992
------- -------
Operating expenses 60,152 48,433
Depreciation and amortization 13,711 9,351
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 21,807 19,776
------ ------
Operating Income 44,688 $34,432
====== =======
Terminal Facilities:
Sales and other operating
revenues 191,284 $162,424
Other Income 1,860 833
----- ---
Total Revenues 193,144 163,257
------- -------
Cost of products sold and
operating expenses 71,137 64,283
Depreciation and amortization 18,937 16,446
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 19,406 18,378
Impairment Charge - 5,674
--- -----
Operating Income 83,664 $58,476
====== =======
Crude Oil Pipeline System:
Sales and other operating
revenue 5,082,791 $9,846,439
Other income 13,384 14,930
------ ------
Total Revenues 5,096,175 9,861,369
--------- ---------
Cost of products sold and
operating expenses 4,892,018 9,673,298
Depreciation and amortization 15,372 14,257
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 22,093 21,130
------ ------
Operating Income 166,692 $152,684
======= ========
Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(in thousands, unaudited)
Distributable Cash Flow Three Months Three Months
("DCF") Ended Ended
------------ ------------
December 31, December 31,
2009 2008
------------- --------------
Net Income 54,353 75,320
Add: Interest cost and debt
expense 12,729 9,063
Less: Capitalized Interest (696) (1,242)
Add. Depreciation and
amortization 12,692 10,555
Add: Impairment charge - -
--- ---
EBITDA 79,078 93,696
Less: Interest cost and debt
expense; net 12,033 7,821
Less: Maintenance Capital 16,846 9,997
Add: Sunoco reimbursements - -
--- ---
Distributable Cash Flow
("DCF") 50,199 75,878
====== ======
Distributable Cash Flow Twelve Months Twelve Months
("DCF") Ended Ended
------------- -------------
December 31, December 31,
2009 2008
------------- -------------
Net Income 250,362 214,480
Add: Interest cost and debt
expense 49,007 34,967
Less: Capitalized Interest (4,325) (3,855)
Add. Depreciation and
amortization 48,020 40,054
Add: Impairment charge - 5,674
--- -----
EBITDA 343,064 291,320
Less: Interest cost and debt
expense; net 44,682 31,112
Less: Maintenance Capital 32,172 25,652
Add: Sunoco reimbursements - 2,426
--- -----
Distributable Cash Flow
("DCF") 266,210 236,982
======= =======
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2009
Earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization
("EBITDA") --------------------
Net Income 250,362
Add: Interest cost and debt expense,
net 49,007
Less: Capitalized interest (4,325)
Add: Depreciation and amortization 48,020
------
EBITDA 343,064
=======
Total Debt as of December 31, 2009 868,424
Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio 2.5
An investor call with management regarding the fourth-quarter results is scheduled for Wednesday morning, January 27 at 9:00 am EST. Those wishing to listen can access the call by dialing (USA toll free) 1-877-297-3442; International (USA toll) 1-706-643-1335 and request "Sunoco Logistics Partners Earnings Call, Conference Code 49826444". This event may also be accessed by a webcast, which will be available at www.sunocologistics.com. A number of presentation slides will accompany the audio portion of the call and will be available to be viewed and printed shortly before the call begins. Individuals wishing to listen to the call on the Partnership's web site will need Windows Media Player, which can be downloaded free of charge from Microsoft or from Sunoco Logistics Partners' conference call page. Please allow at least fifteen minutes to complete the download.
Audio replays of the conference call will be available for two weeks after the conference call beginning approximately two hours following the completion of the call. To access the replay, dial 1-800-642-1687. International callers should dial 1-706-645-9291. Please enter Conference ID #49826444.
Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (NYSE: SXL), headquartered in Philadelphia, is a master limited partnership formed to acquire, own and operate refined product and crude oil pipelines and terminal facilities. The Refined Products Pipeline System consists of approximately 2,200 miles of refined product pipelines located in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States, the recently acquired MagTex Pipeline System, and interests in four refined products pipelines, consisting of a 9.4 percent interest in Explorer Pipeline Company, a 31.5 percent interest in Wolverine Pipe Line Company, a 12.3 percent interest in West Shore Pipe Line Company and a 14.0 percent interest in Yellowstone Pipe Line Company. The Terminal Facilities consist of approximately 10.1 million shell barrels of refined products terminal capacity and approximately 23.0 million shell barrels of crude oil terminal capacity (including approximately 19.6 million shell barrels of capacity at the Texas Gulf Coast Nederland Terminal). The Crude Oil Pipeline System consists of approximately 3,850 miles of crude oil pipelines, located principally in Oklahoma and Texas, a 55.3 percent interest in Mid-Valley Pipeline Company, a 43.8 percent interest in the West Texas Gulf Pipe Line Company and a 37.0 percent interest in the Mesa Pipe Line System. For additional information visit Sunoco Logistics' web site at www.sunocologistics.com.
Portions of this document constitute forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Although Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and necessarily involve risks that may affect the Partnership's business prospects and performance causing actual results to differ from those discussed in the foregoing release. Such risks and uncertainties include, by way of example and not of limitation: whether or not the transactions described in the foregoing news release will be cash flow accretive; increased competition; changes in demand for crude oil and refined products that we store and distribute; changes in operating conditions and costs; changes in the level of environmental remediation spending; potential equipment malfunction; potential labor issues; the legislative or regulatory environment; plant construction/repair delays; nonperformance by major customers or suppliers; and political and economic conditions, including the impact of potential terrorist acts and international hostilities. These and other applicable risks and uncertainties have been described more fully in the Partnership's Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4, 2009. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information or future events.
SOURCE Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.
