Western Midstream Partners LP
For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 8, 2024.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 8, 2024
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
General. Western Midstream Partners, LP is a Delaware master limited partnership formed in September 2012. Western Midstream Operating, LP (together with its subsidiaries, “WES Operating”) is a Delaware limited partnership formed in 2007 to acquire, own, develop, and operate midstream assets. Western Midstream Partners, LP owns, directly and indirectly, a 98.0% limited partner interest in WES Operating, and directly owns all of the outstanding equity interests of Western Midstream Operating GP, LLC, which holds the entire non-economic general partner interest in WES Operating.
For purposes of these consolidated financial statements, the “Partnership” refers to Western Midstream Partners, LP in its individual capacity or to Western Midstream Partners, LP and its subsidiaries, including Western Midstream Operating GP, LLC and WES Operating, as the context requires. “WES Operating GP” refers to Western Midstream Operating GP, LLC, individually as the general partner of WES Operating. The Partnership’s general partner, Western Midstream Holdings, LLC (the “general partner”), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Corporation. “Occidental” refers to Occidental Petroleum Corporation, as the context requires, and its subsidiaries, excluding the general partner. “Anadarko” refers to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries, excluding Western Midstream Holdings, LLC. Anadarko became a wholly owned subsidiary of Occidental as a result of Occidental’s acquisition by merger of Anadarko on August 8, 2019. “Related parties” refers to Occidental (see Note 6), the Partnership’s investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting (see Note 7), and the Partnership and WES Operating for transactions that eliminate upon consolidation (see Note 6).
The Partnership is engaged in the business of gathering, compressing, treating, processing, and transporting natural gas; gathering, stabilizing, and transporting condensate, natural-gas liquids (“NGLs”), and crude oil; and gathering and disposing of produced water. In its capacity as a natural-gas processor, the Partnership also buys and sells natural gas, NGLs, and condensate on behalf of itself and its customers under certain contracts. As of March 31, 2024, the Partnership’s assets and investments consisted of the following:
| WhollyOwned andOperated | OperatedInterests | Non-OperatedInterests | EquityInterests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gathering systems (1) | 18 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Treating facilities | 38 | 3 | — | — |
| Natural-gas processing plants/trains | 24 | 3 | — | 1 |
| NGLs pipelines | 3 | — | — | 4 |
| Natural-gas pipelines | 6 | — | — | 1 |
| Crude-oil pipelines | 3 | 1 | — | 1 |
(1)Includes the DBM water systems.
These assets and investments are located in Texas, New Mexico, the Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming), and North-central Pennsylvania.
Basis of presentation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Partnership and entities in which it holds a controlling financial interest, including WES Operating, WES Operating GP, proportionately consolidated interests, and equity investments (see table below). All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
The following table outlines the ownership interests and the accounting method of consolidation used in the consolidated financial statements for entities not wholly owned (see Note 7):
| Percentage Interest | |
|---|---|
| Full consolidation | |
| Chipeta (1) | 75.00% |
| Proportionate consolidation (2) | |
| Springfield system | 50.10% |
| Marcellus Interest systems | 33.75% |
| Equity investments (3) | |
| Mi Vida JV LLC (“Mi Vida”) | 50.00% |
| Front Range Pipeline LLC (“FRP”) | 33.33% |
| Red Bluff Express Pipeline, LLC (“Red Bluff Express”) | 30.00% |
| Rendezvous Gas Services, LLC (“Rendezvous”) | 22.00% |
| Texas Express Pipeline LLC (“TEP”) | 20.00% |
| Texas Express Gathering LLC (“TEG”) | 20.00% |
| White Cliffs Pipeline, LLC (“White Cliffs”) | 10.00% |
(1)The 25% third-party interest in Chipeta Processing LLC (“Chipeta”) is reflected within noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements. See Noncontrolling interests below.
(2)The Partnership proportionately consolidates its associated share of the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses attributable to these assets.
(3)Investments in non-controlled entities over which the Partnership exercises significant influence are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. “Equity-investment throughput” refers to the Partnership’s share of average throughput for these investments.
Certain information and note disclosures commonly included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Partnership’s 2023 Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on February 21, 2024. Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading.
The consolidated financial results of WES Operating are included in the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements. Throughout these notes to consolidated financial statements, and to the extent material, any differences between the consolidated financial results of the Partnership and WES Operating are discussed separately. The Partnership’s consolidated financial statements differ from those of WES Operating primarily as a result of (i) the presentation of noncontrolling interest ownership (see Noncontrolling interests below), (ii) the elimination of WES Operating GP’s investment in WES Operating with WES Operating GP’s underlying capital account, (iii) the general and administrative expenses incurred by the Partnership, which are separate from, and in addition to, those incurred by WES Operating, (iv) the inclusion of the impact of Partnership equity balances and Partnership distributions, and (v) transactions between the Partnership and WES Operating that eliminate upon consolidation.
Presentation of the Partnership’s assets. The Partnership’s assets include assets owned and ownership interests accounted for by the Partnership under the equity method of accounting, through its 98.0% partnership interest in WES Operating, as of March 31, 2024 (see Note 7). The Partnership also owns and controls the entire non-economic general partner interest in WES Operating GP, and the Partnership’s general partner is owned by Occidental.
Use of estimates. In preparing financial statements in accordance with GAAP, management makes informed judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, using historical experience and other reasonable methods. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ from these estimates. Effects on the business, financial condition, and results of operations resulting from revisions to estimates are recognized when the facts that give rise to the revisions become known. The information included herein reflects all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements.
Noncontrolling interests. The Partnership’s noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements consist of (i) the 25% third-party interest in Chipeta and (ii) the 2.0% limited partner interest in WES Operating owned by an Occidental subsidiary. WES Operating’s noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements consists of the 25% third-party interest in Chipeta. See Note 5.
Segments. The Partnership’s operations continue to be organized into a single operating segment, the assets of which gather, compress, treat, process, and transport natural gas; gather, stabilize, and transport condensate, NGLs, and crude oil; and gather and dispose of produced water in the United States.
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” The standard improves reportable segment disclosure requirements for public business entities primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit (referred to as the “significant expense principle”). The standard will become effective for the Partnership for the fiscal year 2024 annual financial statements and interim financial statements thereafter and will be applied retrospectively for all prior periods presented in the financial statements, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership plans to adopt the standard when it becomes effective beginning with the fiscal year 2024 annual financial statements. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on disclosures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. This standard will have no impact to the Partnership’s financial statements, but will result in additional disclosure.
Equity-based compensation. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Partnership issued 970,155 common units under its long-term incentive plans. Compensation expense was $9.4 million and $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
- REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| thousands | 2024 | 2023 |
| Revenue from customers | ||
| Service revenues – fee based | $781,262 | $647,867 |
| Service revenues – product based | 66,740 | 46,810 |
| Product sales | 39,292 | 39,025 |
| Total revenue from customers | 887,294 | 733,702 |
| Revenue from other than customers | ||
| Other | 435 | 280 |
| Total revenues and other | $887,729 | $733,982 |
Contract balances. Receivables from customers, which are included in Accounts receivable, net on the consolidated balance sheets were $711.0 million and $661.6 million as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Contract assets primarily relate to (i) revenue accrued but not yet billed under cost-of-service contracts with fixed and variable fees and (ii) accrued deficiency fees the Partnership expects to charge customers once the related performance periods are completed. The following table summarizes activity related to contract assets from contracts with customers:
| thousands | |
|---|---|
| Contract assets balance at December 31, 2023 | $39,292 |
| Amounts transferred to Accounts receivable, net that were included in the contract assets balance at the beginning of the period | (1,928) |
| Additional estimated revenues recognized | 1,974 |
| Contract assets balance at March 31, 2024 | $39,338 |
| Other current assets | $8,708 |
| Other assets | 30,630 |
| Total contract assets from contracts with customers | $39,338 |
- REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
Contract liabilities primarily relate to (i) fixed and variable fees under cost-of-service contracts that are received from customers for which revenue recognition is deferred, (ii) aid-in-construction payments received from customers that must be recognized over the expected period of customer benefit, and (iii) fees that are charged to customers for only a portion of the contract term and must be recognized as revenues over the expected period of customer benefit. The following table summarizes activity related to contract liabilities from contracts with customers:
| thousands | |
|---|---|
| Contract liabilities balance at December 31, 2023 | $445,499 |
| Cash received or receivable, excluding revenues recognized during the period | 36,960 |
| Revenues recognized that were included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period | (11,715) |
| Contract liabilities balance at March 31, 2024 | $470,744 |
| Accrued liabilities | $11,875 |
| Other liabilities | 458,869 |
| Total contract liabilities from contracts with customers | $470,744 |
Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations. Revenues expected to be recognized from certain performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of March 31, 2024, are presented in the table below. The Partnership applies the optional exemptions in Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and does not disclose consideration for remaining performance obligations with an original expected duration of one year or less or for variable consideration related to unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) performance obligations. Therefore, the following table represents only a portion of expected future revenues from existing contracts as most future revenues from customers are dependent on future variable customer volumes and, in some cases, variable commodity prices for those volumes.
| thousands | |
|---|---|
| Remainder of 2024 | $881,845 |
| 2025 | 1,113,716 |
| 2026 | 1,029,954 |
| 2027 | 919,010 |
| 2028 | 712,825 |
| Thereafter | 2,001,043 |
| Total | $6,658,393 |
- ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
Mont Belvieu JV, Whitethorn LLC, Panola, and Saddlehorn. During the first quarter of 2024, the Partnership closed on the sale of the following equity investments to third parties: (i) the 25.00% interest in Enterprise EF78 LLC (the “Mont Belvieu JV”), (ii) the 20.00% interest in Whitethorn Pipeline Company LLC (“Whitethorn LLC”), (iii) the 15.00% interest in Panola Pipeline Company, LLC (“Panola”), and (iv) the 20.00% interest in Saddlehorn Pipeline Company, LLC (“Saddlehorn”). The combined proceeds received in the first quarter of 2024 of $588.6 million includes $5.9 million in pro-rata distributions through closing, resulting in a net gain on sale of $239.7 million that was recorded as Gain (loss) on divestiture and other, net in the consolidated statement of operations. The sale of the interests in the Mont Belvieu JV and Whitethorn LLC also resolved outstanding legal proceedings associated with those assets.
Marcellus Interest systems. In April 2024, the Partnership closed on the sale of its 33.75% interest in the Marcellus Interest systems for proceeds of $206.2 million, resulting in an estimated net gain on sale of approximately $65.0 million that will be recorded as Gain (loss) on divestiture and other, net in the consolidated statement of operations during the second quarter of 2024. As of March 31, 2024, the Marcellus Interest systems satisfied criteria to be considered held for sale. At March 31, 2024, the consolidated balance sheet included current assets of $6.6 million, long-term assets of $142.7 million, current liabilities of $5.9 million, and long-term liabilities of $2.1 million associated with assets held for sale.
Meritage. On October 13, 2023, the Partnership closed on the acquisition of Meritage Midstream Services II, LLC (“Meritage”) for $885.0 million (subject to certain customary post-closing adjustments) funded with cash, including proceeds from the Partnership’s $600.0 million senior note issuance in September 2023 (see Note 10)and borrowings on the senior unsecured revolving credit facility (“RCF”). The cash purchase price, adjusted for working capital and certain customary post-closing adjustments and reduced by the $38.4 million of cash acquired (as presented in the table below), was $878.2 million.
The assets acquired, located in Converse, Campbell, and Johnson counties, Wyoming, include approximately 1,500 miles of high- and low-pressure natural-gas gathering pipelines, approximately 380 MMcf/d of natural-gas processing capacity, and the Thunder Creek NGL pipeline, which is a 120 mile, 38 MBbls/d FERC-regulated NGL pipeline that connects to the processing facility. The acquisition expands the Partnership’s existing Powder River Basin asset base, increasing total natural-gas processing capacity in that region to 440 MMcf/d.
The Meritage acquisition has been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Meritage acquisition were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Results of operations attributable to the Meritage acquisition were included in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations beginning on the acquisition date in the fourth quarter of 2023.
- ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
The following is the final acquisition-date fair value for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Meritage acquisition on October 13, 2023.
| thousands | |
|---|---|
| Assets acquired: | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $38,412 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 34,060 |
| Other current assets | 1,980 |
| Property, plant, and equipment | 926,347 |
| Other assets | 6,498 |
| Total assets acquired | 1,007,297 |
| Liabilities assumed: | |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 34,733 |
| Other current liabilities | 5,451 |
| Asset retirement obligation | 22,156 |
| Other liabilities | 28,356 |
| Total liabilities assumed | 90,696 |
| Net assets acquired | $916,601 |
The acquisition-date fair values are based on an assessment of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Meritage acquisition using inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 inputs. The fair values of the processing plants, gathering system, and related facilities and equipment are based on market and cost approaches.
- PARTNERSHIP DISTRIBUTIONS
Partnership distributions. Under its partnership agreement, the Partnership distributes all of its available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date within 55 days following each quarter’s end. The amount of available cash (beyond proper reserves as defined in the partnership agreement) generally is all cash on hand at the end of the quarter, plus, at the discretion of the general partner, working capital borrowings made subsequent to the end of such quarter, less the amount of cash reserves established by the general partner to provide for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business, including (i) to fund future capital expenditures; (ii) to comply with applicable laws, debt instruments, or other agreements; or (iii) to provide funds for unitholder distributions for any one or more of the next four quarters. Working capital borrowings generally include borrowings made under a credit facility or similar financing arrangement and are intended to be repaid or refinanced within 12 months. In all cases, working capital borrowings are used solely for working capital purposes or to fund unitholder distributions.
- PARTNERSHIP DISTRIBUTIONS
The Board of Directors of the general partner (the “Board”) declared the following cash distributions to the Partnership’s unitholders for the periods presented:
| thousands except per-unit amountsQuarters Ended | Total QuarterlyPer-unitDistribution | Total QuarterlyCash Distribution | DistributionDate | RecordDate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 31 (1) | $0.856 | $336,987 | May 15, 2023 | May 1, 2023 |
| June 30 | 0.5625 | 221,442 | August 14, 2023 | July 31, 2023 |
| September 30 | 0.575 | 223,432 | November 13, 2023 | November 1, 2023 |
| December 31 | 0.575 | 223,438 | February 13, 2024 | February 1, 2024 |
| March 31 | $0.875 | $340,858 | May 15, 2024 | May 1, 2024 |
(1)Includes the regular quarterly distribution of $0.500 per unit, or $196.8 million, as well as the Enhanced Distribution of $0.356 per unit discussed below.
To facilitate the distribution of available cash, during 2022 the Partnership adopted a financial policy that provided for an additional distribution (“Enhanced Distribution”) to be paid in conjunction with the regular first-quarter distribution of the following year (beginning in 2023), in a target amount equal to Free cash flow generated in the prior year after subtracting Free cash flow used for the prior year’s debt repayments, regular-quarter distributions, and unit repurchases. In April 2023, the Board approved an Enhanced Distribution of $0.356 per unit, or $140.1 million, related to the Partnership’s 2022 performance, which was paid in conjunction with the regular first-quarter 2023 distribution on May 15, 2023.
WES Operating partnership distributions. WES Operating makes quarterly cash distributions to the Partnership and WGR Asset Holding Company LLC (“WGRAH”), a subsidiary of Occidental, in proportion to their share of limited partner interests in WES Operating. See Note 5. WES Operating made and/or declared the following cash distributions to its limited partners for the periods presented:
| thousandsQuarters Ended | Total QuarterlyCash Distribution | DistributionDate |
|---|---|---|
| March 31 (1) | $342,895 | May 2023 |
| June 30 | 226,260 | August 2023 |
| September 30 | 229,446 | November 2023 |
| December 31 | 229,446 | February 2024 |
| March 31 | $347,675 | May 2024 |
(1)Includes amounts related to the Enhanced Distribution discussed above.
- EQUITY AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
Holdings of Partnership equity. The Partnership’s common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “WES.” As of March 31, 2024, Occidental held 185,181,578 common units, representing a 47.6% limited partner interest in the Partnership, and through its ownership of the general partner, Occidental indirectly held 9,060,641 general partner units, representing a 2.3% general partner interest in the Partnership. The public held 195,308,560 common units, representing a 50.1% limited partner interest in the Partnership.
Partnership equity repurchases. In 2022, the Board authorized the Partnership to buy back up to $1.25 billion of the Partnership’s common units through December 31, 2024 (the “$1.25 billion Purchase Program”). The common units may be purchased from time to time in the open market at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, there were no common units repurchased. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Partnership repurchased 285,688 common units for an aggregate purchase price of $7.1 million. The units were canceled immediately upon receipt. As of March 31, 2024, the Partnership had an authorized amount of $627.8 million remaining under the program.
Holdings of WES Operating equity. As of March 31, 2024, (i) the Partnership, directly and indirectly through its ownership of WES Operating GP, owned a 98.0% limited partner interest and the entire non-economic general partner interest in WES Operating and (ii) Occidental, through its ownership of WGRAH, owned a 2.0% limited partner interest in WES Operating, which is reflected as a noncontrolling interest within the consolidated financial statements of the Partnership (see Note 1).
Partnership’s net income (loss) per common unit. The common and general partner unitholders’ allocation of net income (loss) attributable to the Partnership was equal to their cash distributions plus their respective allocations of undistributed earnings or losses in accordance with their weighted-average ownership percentage during each period using the two-class method.
The Partnership’s basic net income (loss) per common unit is calculated by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common unit includes the effect of outstanding units issued under the Partnership’s long-term incentive plans.
The following table provides a reconciliation between basic and diluted net income (loss) per common unit:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| thousands except per-unit amounts | 2024 | 2023 |
| Net income (loss) | ||
| Limited partners’ interest in net income (loss) | $559,500 | $198,959 |
| Weighted-average common units outstanding | ||
| Basic | 380,024 | 384,468 |
| Dilutive effect of non-vested phantom units | 1,604 | 1,282 |
| Diluted | 381,628 | 385,750 |
| Excluded due to anti-dilutive effect | 279 | 663 |
| Net income (loss) per common unit | ||
| Basic | $1.47 | $0.52 |
| Diluted | $1.47 | $0.52 |
WES Operating’s net income (loss) per common unit. Net income (loss) per common unit for WES Operating is not calculated because it has no publicly traded units.
Summary of related-party transactions. The following tables summarize material related-party transactions included in the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements:
| Consolidated statements of operations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
| thousands | 2024 | 2023 |
| Revenues and other | ||
| Service revenues – fee based | $489,729 | $423,501 |
| Service revenues – product based | 14,057 | 8,116 |
| Product sales | (3,977) | 17,168 |
| Total revenues and other | 499,809 | 448,785 |
| Equity income, net – related parties (1) | 32,819 | 39,021 |
| Operating expenses | ||
| Cost of product (2) | (27,412) | (3,947) |
| Operation and maintenance | 1,439 | 747 |
| General and administrative | — | 67 |
| Total operating expenses | (25,973) | (3,133) |
(1)See Note 7.
(2)Includes related-party natural-gas and NGLs imbalances.
| Consolidated balance sheets | ||
|---|---|---|
| thousands | March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 |
| Assets | ||
| Accounts receivable, net | $389,721 | $358,141 |
| Other current assets | 3,277 | 1,260 |
| Equity investments (1) | 546,078 | 904,535 |
| Other assets | 43,534 | 43,216 |
| Total assets | 982,610 | 1,307,152 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Accounts and imbalance payables | 38,739 | 38,541 |
| Accrued liabilities | 5,009 | 4,979 |
| Other liabilities (2) | 362,604 | 335,320 |
| Total liabilities | 406,352 | 378,840 |
(1)See Note 7.
(2)Includes contract liabilities from contracts with customers. See Note 2.
| Consolidated statements of cash flows | ||
|---|---|---|
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
| thousands | 2024 | 2023 |
| Distributions from equity-investment earnings – related parties | $29,304 | $39,609 |
| Contributions to equity investments – related parties | — | (110) |
| Distributions from equity investments in excess of cumulative earnings – related parties | 19,033 | 12,366 |
| Distributions to Partnership unitholders (1) | (111,689) | (99,671) |
| Distributions to WES Operating unitholders (2) | (4,591) | (4,271) |
(1)Represents common and general partner unit distributions paid to Occidental pursuant to the partnership agreement of the Partnership (see Note 4 and Note 5).
(2)Represents distributions paid to Occidental, through its ownership of WGRAH, pursuant to WES Operating’s partnership agreement (see Note 4 and Note 5).
The following tables summarize material related-party transactions for WES Operating (which are included in the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements) to the extent the amounts differ materially from the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements:
| Consolidated statements of operations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
| thousands | 2024 | 2023 |
| General and administrative (1) | $1,306 | $1,281 |
(1)Includes an intercompany service fee between the Partnership and WES Operating.
| Consolidated balance sheets | ||
|---|---|---|
| thousands | March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 |
| Accounts receivable, net (1) | $407,881 | $358,141 |
| Other current assets | 3,218 | 1,235 |
| Other assets | 40,108 | 41,405 |
| Accounts and imbalance payables | 38,739 | 69,472 |
| Accrued liabilities | 4,692 | 4,662 |
(1)Includes balances related to transactions between the Partnership and WES Operating.
| Consolidated statements of cash flows | ||
|---|---|---|
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
| thousands | 2024 | 2023 |
| Distributions to WES Operating unitholders (1) | $(229,446) | $(213,513) |
(1)Represents distributions paid to the Partnership and Occidental, through its ownership of WGRAH, pursuant to WES Operating’s partnership agreement. See Note 4 and Note 5.
Related-party revenues. Related-party revenues include amounts earned by the Partnership from services provided to Occidental and from the sale of natural gas, condensate, and NGLs to Occidental.
Gathering and processing agreements. The Partnership has significant gathering, processing, and produced-water disposal arrangements with affiliates of Occidental on most of its systems. While Occidental is the contracting counterparty of the Partnership, these arrangements with Occidental include not just Occidental-produced volumes, but also, in some instances, the volumes of other working-interest owners of Occidental who rely on the Partnership’s facilities and infrastructure to bring their volumes to market. Natural-gas throughput (excluding equity-investment throughput) attributable to production owned or controlled by Occidental was 31% and 35% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Crude-oil and NGLs throughput (excluding equity-investment throughput) attributable to production owned or controlled by Occidental was 89% and 88% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Produced-water throughput attributable to production owned or controlled by Occidental was 77% and 80% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Partnership is currently discussing varying interpretations of certain contractual provisions with Occidental regarding the calculation of the cost-of-service rates under an oil-gathering contract related to the Partnership’s DJ Basin oil-gathering system. If such discussions are resolved in a manner adverse to the Partnership, such resolution could have a negative impact on the Partnership’s financial condition and results of operations, including a reduction in rates and a non-cash charge to earnings.
In connection with the sale of its Eagle Ford assets in 2017, Anadarko remained the primary counterparty to the Partnership’s Brasada gas processing agreement and entered into an agency relationship with Sanchez Energy Corporation (“Sanchez”), subsequently Mesquite Energy, Inc. (“Mesquite”), that allowed Mesquite to process gas under such agreement. In December 2021, the Brasada gas processing agreement was assigned from Anadarko to Mesquite effective July 1, 2023. For this reason, Anadarko is not liable for any obligations under the Brasada gas processing agreement after June 30, 2023. For all periods presented, either Mesquite or its successor, a subsidiary of Javelin Energy Partners, performed Anadarko’s obligations under the Brasada gas processing agreement pursuant to its agency arrangement with Anadarko.
Marketing Transition Services Agreement. During the year ended December 31, 2020, Occidental provided marketing-related services to certain of the Partnership’s subsidiaries (the “Marketing Transition Services Agreement”). While the Partnership still has some marketing agreements with affiliates of Occidental, on January 1, 2021, the Partnership began marketing and selling substantially all of its crude oil, residue gas, and NGLs directly to third parties.
Related-party expenses. Operation and maintenance expense includes amounts accrued for or paid to related parties for field-related costs, shared field offices, and easements (see Related-party commercial agreement below) supporting the Partnership’s operations at certain assets. A portion of general and administrative expense is paid by Occidental, which results in related-party transactions pursuant to the reimbursement provisions of the Partnership’s and WES Operating’s agreements with Occidental. Cost of product expense includes amounts related to certain continuing marketing arrangements with affiliates of Occidental, related-party imbalances, and transactions with affiliates accounted for under the equity method of accounting. See Marketing Transition Services Agreement in the section above. Related-party expenses bear no direct relationship to related-party revenues, and third-party expenses bear no direct relationship to third-party revenues.
Services Agreement. Occidental performed certain centralized corporate functions for the Partnership and WES Operating pursuant to the agreement dated as of December 31, 2019, by and among Occidental, Anadarko, and WES Operating GP (“Services Agreement”). Most of the administrative and operational services previously provided by Occidental fully transitioned to the Partnership by December 31, 2021, with certain limited transition services remaining in place pursuant to the terms of the Services Agreement.
Construction reimbursement agreements and purchases and sales with related parties. From time to time, the Partnership enters into construction reimbursement agreements with Occidental providing that the Partnership will manage the construction of certain midstream infrastructure for Occidental in the Partnership’s areas of operation. Such arrangements generally provide for a reimbursement of costs incurred by the Partnership on a cost or cost-plus basis.
Additionally, from time to time, in support of the Partnership’s business, the Partnership purchases and sells equipment, inventory, and other miscellaneous assets from or to Occidental or its affiliates.
Related-party commercial agreement. During the first quarter of 2021, an affiliate of Occidental and certain wholly owned subsidiaries of the Partnership entered into a Commercial Understanding Agreement (“CUA”). Under the CUA, certain West Texas surface-use and salt-water disposal agreements were amended to reduce usage fees owed by the Partnership in exchange for the forgiveness of certain deficiency fees owed by Occidental and other unrelated contractual amendments. The present value of the reduced usage fees under the CUA was $30.0 million at the time the agreement was executed. Also, as a result of the amendments under the CUA, these agreements are classified as operating leases and a $30.0 million right-of-use (“ROU”) asset, included in Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, was recognized during the first quarter of 2021. The ROU asset is being amortized to Operation and maintenance expense through 2038, the remaining term of the agreements.
Customer concentration. Occidental was the only customer from which revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated revenues for all periods presented in the consolidated statements of operations.
- EQUITY INVESTMENTS
The following tables present the financial statement impact of the Partnership’s equity investments for the three months ended March 31, 2024:
| thousands | Balance at December 31, 2023 | Equityincome, net | Distributions | Distributions in excess ofcumulativeearnings (1) | Acquisitions and Divestitures (2) | Balance at March 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Cliffs | $13,248 | $1,285 | $(1,285) | $(843) | $— | $12,405 |
| Rendezvous | 10,815 | (578) | (237) | (464) | — | 9,536 |
| Mont Belvieu JV | 88,556 | 51 | (442) | (6,047) | (82,118) | — |
| TEG | 15,185 | 169 | (175) | (200) | — | 14,979 |
| TEP | 172,559 | 7,218 | (7,281) | (635) | — | 171,861 |
| FRP | 186,551 | 11,727 | (11,770) | (1,803) | — | 184,705 |
| Whitethorn LLC | 144,799 | 1,185 | 3,326 | (4,924) | (144,386) | — |
| Saddlehorn | 101,760 | 4,200 | (4,124) | (3,096) | (98,740) | — |
| Panola | 18,716 | 74 | (74) | (1,021) | (17,695) | — |
| Mi Vida | 45,424 | 2,068 | (2,050) | — | — | 45,442 |
| Red Bluff Express | 106,922 | 5,420 | (5,192) | — | — | 107,150 |
| Total | $904,535 | $32,819 | $(29,304) | $(19,033) | $(342,939) | $546,078 |
(1)Distributions in excess of cumulative earnings, classified as investing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows, are calculated on an individual-investment basis.
(2)See Note 3.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Partnership closed on the sale of the following equity investments to third parties: (i) the 25.00% interest in Mont Belvieu JV, (ii) the 20.00% interest in Whitethorn LLC, (iii) the 15.00% interest in Panola, and (iv) the 20.00% interest in Saddlehorn. See Note 3.
- PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of the historical cost of property, plant, and equipment is as follows:
| thousands | Estimated Useful Life | March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land | N/A | $12,442 | $12,504 |
| Gathering systems – pipelines | 30 years | 5,935,848 | 5,890,607 |
| Gathering systems – compressors | 15 years | 2,602,110 | 2,553,602 |
| Processing complexes and treating facilities | 25 years | 3,775,379 | 3,745,332 |
| Transportation pipeline and equipment | 3 to 48 years | 259,227 | 259,314 |
| Produced-water disposal systems | 20 years | 1,103,001 | 1,098,616 |
| Assets under construction | N/A | 560,417 | 479,368 |
| Other | 3 to 40 years | 909,211 | 906,088 |
| Total property, plant, and equipment | 15,157,635 | 14,945,431 | |
| Less accumulated depreciation | 5,432,343 | 5,290,415 | |
| Net property, plant, and equipment | $9,725,292 | $9,655,016 |
“Assets under construction” represents property that is not yet placed into productive service as of the respective balance sheet date and is excluded from capitalized costs being depreciated.
Long-lived asset impairments. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Partnership recognized a long-lived asset impairment of $52.1 million for assets located in the Rockies due to a reduction in estimated future cash flows resulting from a contract termination notice received in the first quarter of 2023. This asset was impaired to its estimated fair value of $22.8 million. The fair value was measured using the income approach and Level-3 fair value inputs. The income approach was based on the Partnership’s projected future EBITDA and free cash flows, which requires significant assumptions including, among others, future throughput volumes based on current expectations of producer activity and operating costs.
- SELECTED COMPONENTS OF WORKING CAPITAL
A summary of accounts receivable, net is as follows:
| The Partnership | WES Operating | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thousands | March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 | March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 |
| Trade receivables, net | $720,169 | $665,892 | $738,328 | $665,892 |
| Other receivables, net | 182 | 745 | 159 | 723 |
| Total accounts receivable, net | $720,351 | $666,637 | $738,487 | $666,615 |
A summary of other current assets is as follows:
| The Partnership | WES Operating | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thousands | March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 | March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 |
| NGLs inventory | $2,650 | $2,557 | $2,650 | $2,557 |
| Imbalance receivables | 8,125 | 5,056 | 8,125 | 5,056 |
| Prepaid insurance | 15,707 | 21,065 | 13,904 | 18,571 |
| Contract assets | 8,708 | 9,595 | 8,708 | 9,595 |
| Other | 15,560 | 14,713 | 15,501 | 14,689 |
| Total other current assets | $50,750 | $52,986 | $48,888 | $50,468 |
A summary of accrued liabilities is as follows:
| The Partnership | WES Operating | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thousands | March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 | March 31,2024 | December 31,2023 |
| Accrued interest expense | $86,369 | $124,937 | $86,369 | $124,937 |
| Short-term asset retirement obligations | 3,790 | 7,606 | 3,790 | 7,606 |
| Short-term remediation and reclamation obligations | 1,790 | 5,490 | 1,790 | 5,490 |
| Income taxes payable | 4,201 | 2,908 | 4,201 | 2,908 |
| Contract liabilities | 11,875 | 16,866 | 11,875 | 16,866 |
| Accrued payroll and benefits | 30,598 | 55,237 | — | 2,243 |
| Other | 35,098 | 49,528 | 35,001 | 43,411 |
| Total accrued liabilities | $173,721 | $262,572 | $143,026 | $203,461 |
WES Operating is the borrower for all outstanding debt and is expected to be the borrower for all future debt issuances. The following table presents the outstanding debt:
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| thousands | Principal | CarryingValue | FairValue (1) | Principal | CarryingValue | FairValue (1) |
| Short-term debt | ||||||
| Commercial paper | $100,000 | $99,933 | $99,933 | $613,885 | $610,312 | $610,312 |
| Finance lease liabilities | 8,461 | 8,461 | 8,461 | 7,436 | 7,436 | 7,436 |
| Total short-term debt | $108,461 | $108,394 | $108,394 | $621,321 | $617,748 | $617,748 |
| Long-term debt | ||||||
| 3.100% Senior Notes due 2025 | $663,831 | $662,804 | $649,658 | $666,481 | $665,145 | $650,765 |
| 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025 | 348,645 | 347,631 | 341,763 | 349,163 | 347,938 | 341,415 |
| 4.650% Senior Notes due 2026 | 467,204 | 465,848 | 458,425 | 467,204 | 465,705 | 459,617 |
| 4.500% Senior Notes due 2028 | 350,175 | 347,923 | 338,199 | 357,094 | 354,665 | 346,121 |
| 4.750% Senior Notes due 2028 | 381,848 | 379,816 | 370,935 | 382,888 | 380,747 | 374,767 |
| 6.350% Senior Notes due 2029 | 600,000 | 593,364 | 622,248 | 600,000 | 593,069 | 626,994 |
| 4.050% Senior Notes due 2030 | 1,100,612 | 1,093,906 | 1,025,726 | 1,104,593 | 1,097,609 | 1,036,097 |
| 6.150% Senior Notes due 2033 | 750,000 | 741,302 | 769,373 | 750,000 | 741,125 | 780,203 |
| 5.450% Senior Notes due 2044 | 600,000 | 594,070 | 551,802 | 600,000 | 594,031 | 545,154 |
| 5.300% Senior Notes due 2048 | 700,000 | 687,798 | 611,492 | 700,000 | 687,735 | 614,082 |
| 5.500% Senior Notes due 2048 | 350,000 | 342,947 | 310,674 | 350,000 | 342,913 | 312,365 |
| 5.250% Senior Notes due 2050 | 1,000,000 | 984,276 | 895,150 | 1,000,000 | 984,206 | 895,440 |
| Finance lease liabilities | 30,394 | 30,394 | 30,394 | 28,668 | 28,668 | 28,668 |
| Total long-term debt | $7,342,709 | $7,272,079 | $6,975,839 | $7,356,091 | $7,283,556 | $7,011,688 |
(1)Fair value is measured using the market approach and Level-2 fair value inputs.
Debt activity. The following table presents the debt activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024:
| thousands | Carrying Value |
|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $7,901,304 |
| Commercial paper borrowings (repayments), net (1) | (510,379) |
| Repayment of 3.100% Senior Notes due 2025 | (2,650) |
| Repayment of 3.950% Senior Notes due 2025 | (518) |
| Repayment of 4.500% Senior Notes due 2028 | (6,919) |
| Repayment of 4.750% Senior Notes due 2028 | (1,040) |
| Repayment of 4.050% Senior Notes due 2030 | (3,981) |
| Finance lease liabilities | 2,751 |
| Other | 1,905 |
| Balance at March 31, 2024 | $7,380,473 |
(1)Net of borrowings and repayments related to commercial paper notes with original maturities of 90 days or less.
WES Operating Senior Notes. WES Operating issued the Fixed-Rate 3.100% Senior Notes due 2025,4.050% Senior Notes due 2030,5.250% Senior Notes due 2050, and the Floating-Rate Senior Notes due 2023 in January 2020. Including the effects of the issuance prices, underwriting discounts, and interest-rate adjustments, the effective interest rates of the Senior Notes due 2025, 2030, and 2050, were 3.290%,4.169%, and 5.363%, respectively, at March 31, 2024, and were 3.790%,4.671%, and 5.869%, respectively, at March 31, 2023. The effective interest rate of these notes is subject to adjustment from time to time due to a change in credit rating.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, WES Operating purchased and retired $15.1 million of certain of its senior notes via open-market repurchases with cash from operations (see Debt activity above) and a gain of $0.5 million was recognized for the early retirement of portions of these notes. As of March 31, 2024, the 3.100% Senior Notes due 2025 were classified as long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheet as WES Operating has the ability and intent to refinance these obligations using long-term debt. Subsequent to March 31, 2024, WES Operating purchased and retired $134.9 million of certain of its senior notes via open-market repurchases.
During the third quarter of 2023, WES Operating completed the public offering of $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.350% Senior Notes due 2029. Net proceeds from the offering were used to fund a portion of the aggregate purchase price for the Meritage acquisition (see Note 3), to pay related costs and expenses, and for general partnership purposes. During the second quarter of 2023, WES Operating completed the public offering of $750.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.150% Senior Notes due 2033. Net proceeds from the offering were used to repay borrowings under the RCF and for general partnership purposes. In addition, during 2023, WES Operating purchased and retired $276.7 million of certain of its senior notes via open-market repurchases and redeemed the total principal amount outstanding on the Floating-Rate Senior Notes due 2023 at par value with cash on hand.
As of March 31, 2024, WES Operating was in compliance with all covenants under the relevant governing indentures.
Revolving credit facility. In April 2023, WES Operating (i) repaid all then-outstanding borrowings under its RCF with proceeds from the 6.150% Senior Notes due 2033 offering, and (ii) entered into an amendment to its RCF to, among other things, extend the maturity date to April 2028 and provide for a maximum borrowing capacity up to $2.0 billion, expandable to a maximum of $2.5 billion, through the maturity date.
As of March 31, 2024, there wereno outstanding borrowings and $0.5 million of outstanding letters of credit, resulting in $1.9 billion in effective borrowing capacity under the RCF, after taking into account the $100.0 million of outstanding commercial paper borrowings (see below), for which we maintain availability under the RCF as support for WES Operating’s commercial paper program. As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, the interest rate on any outstanding RCF borrowings was 6.63% and 6.21%, respectively. The facility-fee rate was 0.20% at March 31, 2024 and 2023. As of March 31, 2024, WES Operating was in compliance with all covenants under the RCF.
Commercial paper program. In November 2023, WES operating entered into an unsecured commercial paper program under which it may issue (and have outstanding at any one time) an aggregate principal amount up to $2.0 billion. WES Operating intends to maintain a minimum aggregate available borrowing capacity under the RCF equal to the aggregate amount of outstanding commercial paper borrowings. The maturities of the notes may vary, but may not exceed 397 days. As of March 31, 2024, there were $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of short-term notes outstanding under the commercial paper program at a weighted-average interest rate of 6.00% and weighted-average maturity offour days.
Interest expense. The following table summarizes the amounts included in interest expense:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| thousands | 2024 | 2023 |
| Long-term and short-term debt | $(95,956) | $(81,151) |
| Finance lease liabilities | (677) | (163) |
| Commitment fees and amortization of debt-related costs | (3,200) | (2,881) |
| Capitalized interest | 5,327 | 2,525 |
| Interest expense | $(94,506) | $(81,670) |
- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Environmental obligations. The Partnership is subject to various environmental-remediation obligations arising from federal, state, and local regulations regarding air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal, and other environmental matters. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the consolidated balance sheets included $3.5 million and $7.3 million, respectively, of liabilities for remediation and reclamation obligations. The current portion of these amounts is included in Accrued liabilities, and the long-term portion of these amounts is included in Other liabilities.
Litigation and legal proceedings. From time to time, the Partnership is involved in legal, tax, regulatory, and other proceedings in various forums regarding performance, contracts, and other matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management is not aware of any such proceeding for which the final disposition could have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Other commitments. The Partnership has payment obligations, or commitments, that include, among other things, a revolving credit facility, other third-party long-term debt, obligations related to the Partnership’s capital spending programs, pipeline and offload commitments, and various operating and finance leases. The payment obligations related to the Partnership’s capital spending programs, the majority of which is expected to be paid in the next 12 months, primarily relate to expansion, construction, and asset-integrity projects at the West Texas complex, DBM water systems, DJ Basin complex, Powder River Basin complex, and DBM oil system.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.