GLOBAL PARTNERS LP
For the period ended Sep 30, 2024. Filed Nov 8, 2024.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
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.
Sep 30, 2024 · Filed Nov 8, 2024
Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.
See the whole filing, with its images and exhibitsContents
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
Organization
Global Partners LP (the “Partnership”) is a master limited partnership formed in March 2005. The Partnership owns, controls or has access to a large terminal network of refined petroleum products and renewable fuels—with connectivity to strategic rail, pipeline and marine assets—spanning from Maine to Florida and into the U.S. Gulf States. The Partnership is one of the largest independent owners, suppliers and operators of gasoline stations and convenience stores, primarily in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania (collectively, the “Northeast”) and Maryland and Virginia. As of September 30, 2024, the Partnership had a portfolio of 1,589 owned, leased and/or supplied gasoline stations, including 306 directly operated convenience stores, primarily in the Northeast, as well as 64 gasoline stations located in Texas that are operated by the Partnership’s unconsolidated affiliate, Spring Partners Retail LLC (“SPR”). The Partnership is also one of the largest distributors of gasoline, distillates, residual oil and renewable fuels to wholesalers, retailers and commercial customers in the New England states and New York. The Partnership engages in the purchasing, selling, gathering, blending, storing and logistics of transporting petroleum and related products, including gasoline and gasoline blendstocks (such as ethanol), distillates (such as home heating oil, diesel and kerosene), residual oil, renewable fuels, crude oil and propane and in the transportation of petroleum products and renewable fuels by rail from the mid-continent region of the United States and Canada.
Global GP LLC, the Partnership’s general partner (the “General Partner”), manages the Partnership’s operations and activities and employs its officers and substantially all of its personnel, except for most of its gasoline station and convenience store employees who are employed by Global Montello Group Corp. (“GMG”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership and for substantially all of the employees who primarily or exclusively provide services to SPR, who are employed by SPR Operator LLC (“SPR Operator”), also a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership.
The General Partner, which holds a 0.67% general partner interest in the Partnership, is owned by affiliates of the Slifka family. As of September 30, 2024, affiliates of the General Partner, including its directors and executive officers and their affiliates, owned 6,415,996 common units, and the General Partner held 268,307 common units on behalf of the Partnership pursuant to its repurchase program for future Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) obligations, representing in the aggregate a 19.7% limited partner interest.
2024 Events
Redemption of Series A Preferred Units—On April 15, 2024, the Partnership redeemed all of itsoutstanding Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units (the “Series A Preferred Units”)at a redemption price of $25.00 per unit, plusa$0.514275 per unit cash distribution for the period from February 15, 2024 through April 14, 2024. Effective April 15, 2024, the Series A Preferred Units areno longer outstanding. See Note 13 for additional information.
Acquisition of Terminals from Gulf Oil—On April 9, 2024, the Partnership acquired four refined-product terminals from Gulf Oil Limited Partnership. See Note 2 for additional information.
Credit Agreement Facility Reallocation and Accordion Reduction—On February 5, 2024, the Partnership and the lenders under the Partnership’s credit agreement agreed, pursuant to the terms of our credit agreement, to (i) a reallocation of $300.0 million of the revolving credit facility to the working capital revolving credit facility and (ii) reduce the accordion feature from $200.0 million to $0. After giving effect to the reallocation and the accordion reduction, the working capital revolving credit facility is$950.0 million and the revolving credit facility is $600.0 million, for a total commitment of $1.55 billion, effective February 8, 2024. This reallocation and accordion reduction return the credit facilities to the terms in place prior to the reallocation and accordion exercise previously
agreed to by the Partnership and the lenders on December 7, 2023. See Note 7 for additional information on the credit agreement.
2032 Notes Offering—On January 18, 2024, the Partnership and GLP Finance Corp. issued $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.250% senior notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes”) that are guaranteed by certain of the Partnership’s subsidiaries in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Partnership used the net proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under its credit agreement and for general corporate purposes. See Note 7 for additional information on the credit agreement.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 reflect the accounts of the Partnership. Upon consolidation, all intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial condition and operating results for the interim periods. The interim financial information, which has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 and notes thereto contained in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The significant accounting policies described in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of such Annual Report on Form 10-K are the same used in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that will be realized for the entire year ending December 31, 2024. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2023 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form** **10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Concentration of Risk
Due to the nature of the Partnership’s businesses and its reliance, in part, on consumer travel and spending patterns, the Partnership may experience more demand for gasoline during the late spring and summer months than during the fall and winter months. Travel and recreational activities are typically higher in these months in the geographic areas in which the Partnership operates, increasing the demand for gasoline. Therefore, the Partnership’s volumes in gasoline are typically higher in the second and third quarters of the calendar year. As demand for some of the Partnership’s refined petroleum products, specifically home heating oil and residual oil for space heating purposes, is generally greater during the winter months, heating oil and residual oil volumes are generally higher during the first and fourth quarters of the calendar year. These factors may result in fluctuations in the Partnership’s quarterly operating results.
The following table presents the Partnership’s product sales and other revenues as a percentage of the consolidated sales for the periods presented:
| · · · · · · · · · | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | | September 30, | | September 30, | |
| · 2024 · 2023 · 2024 · 2023 | |||||
| Gasoline sales: gasoline and gasoline blendstocks (such as ethanol) | 70% | 73% | 67% | 68% | |
| Distillates (home heating oil, diesel and kerosene), residual oil and crude oil sales | 27% | 23% | 30% | 28% | |
| Convenience store and prepared food sales, rental income and sundries | | 3% | 4% | 3% | 4% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
The following table presents the Partnership’s product margin by segment as a percentage of the consolidated product margin for the periods presented:
| · · · · · · · · · | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | | September 30, | | September 30, | |
| · 2024 · 2023 · 2024 · 2023 | |||||
| Wholesale segment | 22% | 15% | 24% | 20% | |
| Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations segment | 75% | 82% | 73% | 77% | |
| Commercial segment | | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
See Note 14, “Segment Reporting,” for additional information on the Partnership’s operating segments.
None of the Partnership’s customers accounted for greater than 10% of total sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Note 2. Acquisition
Acquisition of Terminals from Gulf Oil LLC—On April 9, 2024, the Partnership acquired four refined-product terminals from Gulf Oil Limited Partnership (“Gulf Oil”) which are located in Chelsea, MA, New Haven, CT, Linden, NJ and Woodbury, NJ, (the “Gulf Terminals”) pursuant to a purchase agreement initially entered into on December 15, 2022 and subsequently amended and restated on February 23, 2024. The acquisition price was approximately$215.0 million, excluding inventory acquired from Gulf Oil. The Partnership financed the transaction with borrowings under its revolving credit facility.
Upon an acquisition, the Partnership first determines whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets in order to determine whether the acquisition should be accounted for as an asset acquisition. If the threshold is not substantially met, the Partnership then determines whether the acquisition meets the definition of a business (i.e., whether it includes, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contributes to the ability to create outputs).
Specific to the acquisition of the Gulf Terminals, consideration was given to the exception principle pertaining to the real estate assets acquired of real property, personal property and construction in progress and whether these assets should be considered a group of similar assets. The personal property and construction in progress assets cannot be removed from the real property without significant cost (i.e., disassembly) and diminution in both utility and fair value to both the real property and personal property. Additionally, the real property and personal property have similar risk characteristics since the land and terminal equipment are both used in the process of blending, storing and transporting petroleum products. The real property and personal property operate as a combined unit of account in order for the Partnership to achieve a desired economic return from the Gulf Terminals. The Partnership also considered and
concluded that the nature of the Gulf Terminals and the different geographic regions where the Gulf Terminals reside do not rise to separate risks based on how these assets operate in the marketplace.
As a result of its analysis, the Partnership concluded the acquisition of the Gulf Terminals did not meet the criteria of a business combination pursuant to ASC 805, “Business Combinations,” and therefore was accounted for as an asset acquisition. The purchase price in an asset acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values and no goodwill is recognized. The Gulf Terminals were allocated to the Wholesale segment.
The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of April 9, 2024, the acquisition date (in thousands):
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets acquired: | | | | |
| Property and equipment | | $217,050 | | |
| Right of use assets | | | 350 | |
| Intangible assets | | | 4,800 | |
| Total assets acquired | | $222,200 | | |
| Liabilities assumed: | | | | |
| Environmental liabilities | | $(6,850) | | |
| Lease liability | | | (350) | |
| Total liabilities assumed | | $(7,200) | | |
| Net assets acquired | $215,000 | | ||
Property and equipment were recorded at cost based on relative fair value as of April 9, 2024 using current market values and reproduction or replacement costs of similar assets.
Intangible assets consist of third-party customer relationship contracts and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated periods for which the intangible assets will provide economic benefit to the Partnership, which the Partnerships expects to beten years. Third-party customer relationship contracts were valued using the discounted cash flow method. Significant assumptions used in the valuations include projected cash flows including expected renewals and the discount rate.
In connection with the acquisition, the Partnership incurred acquisition costs of approximately $2.7 million during 2024 which were capitalized as property and equipment in the accompanying balance sheet at September 30, 2024.
Note 3. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table provides the disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers and other sales by segment for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue from contracts with customers: · Wholesale · GDSO · Commercial · Total | |||||||||||||
| Petroleum and related product sales | | $544,210 | | $1,269,955 | | $192,661 | | $2,006,826 | | ||||
| Station operations | | — | | 129,576 | | — | | 129,576 | | ||||
| Total revenue from contracts with customers | | | 544,210 | | | 1,399,531 | | | 192,661 | | | 2,136,402 | |
| Other sales: | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Revenue originating as physical forward contracts and exchanges | | | 2,179,349 | | | — | | | 84,469 | | | 2,263,818 | |
| Revenue from leases | | 651 | | 21,367 | | — | | 22,018 | | ||||
| Total other sales | | | 2,180,000 | | | 21,367 | | | 84,469 | | | 2,285,836 | |
| Total sales | | $2,724,210 | | $1,420,898 | | $277,130 | | $4,422,238 | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue from contracts with customers: · Wholesale · GDSO · Commercial · Total | |||||||||||||
| Petroleum and related product sales | | $1,027,213 | | $1,460,670 | | $183,421 | | $2,671,304 | | ||||
| Station operations | | — | | 136,133 | | — | | 136,133 | | ||||
| Total revenue from contracts with customers | | | 1,027,213 | | | 1,596,803 | | | 183,421 | | | 2,807,437 | |
| Other sales: | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Revenue originating as physical forward contracts and exchanges | | | 1,302,160 | | | — | | | 90,373 | | | 1,392,533 | |
| Revenue from leases | | 523 | | 20,552 | | — | | 21,075 | | ||||
| Total other sales | | | 1,302,683 | | | 20,552 | | | 90,373 | | | 1,413,608 | |
| Total sales | | $2,329,896 | | $1,617,355 | | $273,794 | | $4,221,045 | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue from contracts with customers: · Wholesale · GDSO · Commercial · Total | |||||||||||||
| Petroleum and related product sales | | $2,001,437 | | $3,683,780 | | $567,886 | | $6,253,103 | | ||||
| Station operations | | — | | 367,864 | | — | | 367,864 | | ||||
| Total revenue from contracts with customers | | | 2,001,437 | | | 4,051,644 | | | 567,886 | | | 6,620,967 | |
| Other sales: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revenue originating as physical forward contracts and exchanges | | | 6,022,577 | | | — | | | 268,780 | | | 6,291,357 | |
| Revenue from leases | | 2,232 | | 62,772 | | — | | 65,004 | | ||||
| Total other sales | | | 6,024,809 | | | 62,772 | | | 268,780 | | | 6,356,361 | |
| Total sales | | $8,026,246 | | $4,114,416 | | $836,666 | | $12,977,328 | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue from contracts with customers: · Wholesale · GDSO · Commercial · Total | |||||||||||||
| Petroleum and related product sales | | $2,563,586 | | $3,996,890 | | $507,728 | | $7,068,204 | | ||||
| Station operations | | — | | 371,416 | | — | | 371,416 | | ||||
| Total revenue from contracts with customers | | | 2,563,586 | | | 4,368,306 | | | 507,728 | | | 7,439,620 | |
| Other sales: | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Revenue originating as physical forward contracts and exchanges | | | 4,330,766 | | | — | | | 250,464 | | | 4,581,230 | |
| Revenue from leases | | 1,677 | | 60,535 | | — | | 62,212 | | ||||
| Total other sales | | | 4,332,443 | | | 60,535 | | | 250,464 | | | 4,643,442 | |
| Total sales | | $6,896,029 | | $4,428,841 | | $758,192 | | $12,083,062 | | ||||
Contract Balances
A receivable, which is included in accounts receivable, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, is recognized in the period the Partnership provides services when its right to consideration is unconditional. In contrast, a contract asset will be recognized when the Partnership has fulfilled a contract obligation but must perform other obligations before being entitled to payment.
The nature of the receivables related to revenue from contracts with customers and other revenue, as well as contract assets, are the same, given they are related to the same customers and have the same risk profile and securitization. Payment terms on invoiced amounts are typically 2 to 30 days.
A contract liability is recognized when the Partnership has an obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the Partnership has received consideration (or the amount is due) from the customer. The Partnership hadno significant contract liabilities at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Note 4. Inventories
The Partnership hedges substantially all of its petroleum and ethanol inventory using a variety of instruments, primarily exchange-traded futures contracts. These futures contracts are entered into when inventory is purchased and are either designated as fair value hedges against the inventory on a specific barrel basis for inventories qualifying for fair value hedge accounting or not designated and maintained as economic hedges against certain inventory of the Partnership on a specific barrel basis. Changes in fair value of these futures contracts, as well as the offsetting change in fair value on the hedged inventory, are recognized in earnings as an increase or decrease in cost of sales. All hedged inventory designated in a fair value hedge relationship is valued using the lower of cost, as determined by specific identification, or net realizable value, as determined at the product level. All petroleum and ethanol inventory not designated in a fair value hedging relationship is carried at the lower of historical cost, on a first-in, first-out basis, or net realizable value. Renewable Identification Numbers (“RINs”) inventory is carried at the lower of historical cost, on a first-in, first-out basis, or net realizable value. Convenience store inventory is carried at the lower of historical cost, based on a weighted average cost method, or net realizable value.
Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
| · · · · · · · | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | September 30, | | December 31, | |
| · 2024 · 2023 · | |||||
| Distillates: home heating oil, diesel and kerosene | | $230,329 | | $154,890 | |
| Gasoline | | 153,991 | | 134,749 | |
| Gasoline blendstocks | | 40,596 | | 31,146 | |
| Residual oil | | 44,644 | | 45,774 | |
| Renewable identification numbers (RINs) | | 2,399 | | 1,684 | |
| Convenience store inventory | | 27,513 | | 29,071 | |
| Total | | $499,472 | | $397,314 | |
In addition to its own inventory, the Partnership has exchange agreements for petroleum products and ethanol with unrelated third-party suppliers, whereby it may draw inventory from these other suppliers and suppliers may draw inventory from the Partnership. Positive exchange balances are accounted for as accounts receivable and amounted to$3.8 million and $0.5 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Negative exchange balances are accounted for as accounts payable and amounted to$27.2 million and $29.8 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Exchange transactions are valued using current carrying costs.
Note 5. Goodwill
The following table presents changes in goodwill, all of which has been allocated to the Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations (“GDSO”) segment (in thousands):
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | | $429,215 | | |
| Dispositions (1) | | | (6,873) | |
| Balance at September 30, 2024 | | $422,342 | |
| (1) | Dispositions represent derecognition of goodwill associated with the sale and disposition of certain assets. |
Note 6. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · September 30, · · December 31, · | |||||||
| · 2024 · 2023 | |||||||
| Buildings and improvements | | $1,898,558 | | $1,738,122 | | ||
| Land | | 670,941 | | 614,548 | | ||
| Fixtures and equipment | | 51,581 | | 47,589 | | ||
| Idle plant assets | | | 30,500 | | | 30,500 | |
| Construction in process | | 58,631 | | 54,281 | | ||
| Capitalized internal use software | | 33,808 | | 33,808 | | ||
| Total property and equipment | | 2,744,019 | | 2,518,848 | | ||
| Less accumulated depreciation | | 1,082,622 | | 1,005,303 | | ||
| Total | | $1,661,397 | | $1,513,545 | | ||
Property and equipment includes retail gasoline station assets held for sale of $6.7 million and $20.3 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
At September 30, 2024, the Partnership had a $38.7 million remaining net book value of long-lived assets at its West Coast facility, including $30.5 million related to the Partnership’s ethanol plant acquired in 2013. The Partnership would need to take certain measures to prepare the facility for ethanol production in order to place the plant into service and commence depreciation. Therefore, the$30.5 million related to the ethanol plant was included in property and equipment and classified as idle plant assets at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
If the Partnership is unable to generate cash flows to support the recoverability of the plant and facility assets, this may become an indicator of potential impairment of the West Coast facility. The Partnership believes these assets are recoverable but continues to monitor the market for ethanol, the continued business development of this facility for ethanol or other product transloading, and the related impact this may have on the facility’s operating cash flows and whether this would constitute an impairment indicator.
Evaluation of Long-Lived Asset Impairment
The Partnership recognized impairment charges relating to certain right of use assets and construction in process assets allocated to the GDSO segment in the total amount of $0.5 million for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, which are included in long-lived asset impairment in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. No impairment charges were recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Note 7. Debt and Financing Obligations
Credit Agreement
Certain subsidiaries of the Partnership, as borrowers, and the Partnership and certain of its subsidiaries, as guarantors, have a $1.55 billion senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement matures on May 2, 2026.
On February 5, 2024, the Partnership and the lenders under the Credit Agreement agreed, pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, to (i) a reallocation of $300.0 million of the revolving credit facility to the working capital revolving credit facility and (ii) reduce the accordion feature from $200.0 million to $0, effective February 8, 2024. This reallocation and accordion reduction return the credit facilities to the terms in place prior to the reallocation and accordion exercise previously agreed to by the Partnership and the lenders on December 7, 2023.
As of September 30, 2024, there weretwo facilities under the Credit Agreement:
| ● | a working capital revolving credit facility to be used for working capital purposes and letters of credit in the principal amount equal to the lesser of the Partnership’s borrowing base and $950.0 million; and |
| ● | a $600.0 million revolving credit facility to be used for general corporate purposes. |
Availability under the working capital revolving credit facility is subject to a borrowing base which is redetermined from time to time and based on specific advance rates on eligible current assets. Availability under the borrowing base may be affected by events beyond the Partnership’s control, such as changes in petroleum product prices, collection cycles, counterparty performance, advance rates and limits and general economic conditions.
The average interest rates for the Credit Agreement were 7.6% and 7.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and 7.6% and 7.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Partnership classifies a portion of its working capital revolving credit facility as a current liability and a portion as a long-term liability. The portion classified as a long-term liability represents the amounts expected to be outstanding throughout the next twelve months based on an analysis of historical daily borrowings under the working capital revolving credit facility, the seasonality of borrowings, forecasted future working capital requirements and forward product curves, and because the Partnership has a multi-year, long-term commitment from its bank group.
The table below presents the total borrowings and availability under the Credit Agreement (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · September 30, · · December 31, · | |||||||
| · 2024 · 2023 | |||||||
| Total available commitments | | $1,550,000 | | $1,750,000 | | ||
| | | | | | | | |
| Working capital revolving credit facility-current portion | | | 219,200 | | | 16,800 | |
| Working capital revolving credit facility-less current portion | | | — | | | — | |
| Revolving credit facility | | | 177,000 | | | 380,000 | |
| Total borrowings outstanding | | | 396,200 | | | 396,800 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Less outstanding letters of credit | | | 68,200 | | | 220,200 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total remaining availability for borrowings and letters of credit (1) | | $1,085,600 | | $1,133,000 | | ||
| (1) | Subject to borrowing base limitations. |
The Credit Agreement imposes financial covenants that require the Partnership to maintain certain minimum working capital amounts, a minimum combined interest coverage ratio, a maximum senior secured leverage ratio and a maximum total leverage ratio. The Partnership was in compliance with the foregoing covenants at September 30, 2024.
Please read Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for additional information on the Credit Agreement.
Supplemental cash flow information
The following table presents supplemental cash flow information related to the Credit Agreement for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Nine Months Ended · | |||||||
| · · September 30, · | |||||||
| · · 2024 · 2023 | |||||||
| Borrowings from working capital revolving credit facility | | $1,896,200 | | $1,856,600 | | ||
| Payments on working capital revolving credit facility | | | (1,693,800) | | | (1,944,300) | |
| Net borrowings from (payments on) working capital revolving credit facility | | $202,400 | | $(87,700) | | ||
| Borrowings from revolving credit facility | | $218,800 | | $59,500 | | ||
| Payments on revolving credit facility | | | (421,800) | | | (69,500) | |
| Net payments on revolving credit facility | | $(203,000) | | $(10,000) | | ||
Senior Notes
The Partnership had 7.00% senior notes due 2027 and 6.875% senior notes due 2029 outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Partnership also had 8.250% senior notes due 2032 outstanding at September 30, 2024.
On January 18, 2024, the Partnership and GLP Finance Corp. (the “Issuers”) issued $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.250% senior notes due 2032 to several initial purchasers in a private placement exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Partnership used the net proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement and for general corporate purposes.
In connection with the private placement of the 2032 Notes, the Issuers and the subsidiary guarantors and Regions Bank, as trustee, entered into an indenture as may be supplemented from time to time (the “2032 Notes Indenture”).
The 2032 Notes mature on January 15, 2032 with interest accruing at a rate of 8.250% per annum. Interest was payable beginning July 15, 2024 and thereafter semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The 2032 Notes are guaranteed on a joint and several senior unsecured basis by each of the Issuers and the subsidiary guarantors to the extent set forth in the 2032 Notes Indenture. Upon a continuing event of default, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the 2032 Notes may declare the 2032 Notes immediately due and payable, except that an event of default resulting from entry into a bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Issuers, any restricted subsidiary of the Partnership that is a significant subsidiary or any group of its restricted subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary of the Partnership, will automatically cause the 2032 Notes to become due and payable.
The Issuers will have the option to redeem up to 35% of the 2032 Notes prior to January 15, 2027 at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 108.250% plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The Issuers will have the option to redeem the 2032 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after January 15, 2027, at the redemption prices of 104.125% for the twelve-month period beginning January 15, 2027,102.063% for the twelve-month period beginning January 15, 2028, and 100% beginning on January 15, 2029 and at any time thereafter, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. In addition, before January 15, 2027, the Issuers may redeem all or any part of the 2032 Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of the principal amount thereof, plus a make whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. The holders of the 2032 Notes may require the Issuers to repurchase the 2032 Notes following certain asset sales or a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined in the 2032 Notes Indenture) at the prices and on the terms specified in the 2032 Notes Indenture.
The 2032 Notes Indenture contains covenants that limit the Partnership’s ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness and issue preferred securities, make certain dividends and distributions, make certain investments and other restricted payments, restrict distributions by its subsidiaries, create liens, sell assets or merge with other entities. Events of default under the 2032 Notes Indenture include (i) a default in payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the 2032 Notes, (ii) breach of the Partnership’s covenants under the 2032 Notes Indenture, (iii) certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, (iv) any payment default or acceleration of indebtedness of the Partnership or certain subsidiaries if the total amount of such indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds$50.0 million and (v) failure to pay within 60 days uninsured final judgments exceeding $50.0 million.
Please read Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for additional information on these senior notes.
Financing Obligations
The Partnership had financing obligations outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 associated with historical sale-leaseback transactions that did not meet the criteria for sale accounting. Please read Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for additional information on these financial obligations.
Deferred Financing Fees
The Partnership incurs bank fees related to its Credit Agreement and other financing arrangements. These deferred financing fees are capitalized and amortized over the life of the Credit Agreement or other financing arrangements. Primarily in connection with the accordion exercise and reallocation in February 2024, the Partnership incurred expenses of approximately$0 and $1.4 million associated with the write-off of a portion of the related deferred financing fees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. These expenses are included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Partnership had unamortized deferred financing fees of$21.7 million and $20.0 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Unamortized fees related to the Credit Agreement are included in other current assets and other long-term assets and amounted to $7.3 million and $12.2 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Unamortized fees related to the senior notes are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability and amounted to$14.0 million and $7.3 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Unamortized fees related to the Partnership’s sale-lease transactions are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the financing obligation and amounted to$0.4 million and $0.5 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Amortization expense of approximately $1.9 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $5.6 million and $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Note 8. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Partnership principally uses derivative instruments, which include regulated exchange-traded futures and options contracts (collectively, “exchange-traded derivatives”) and physical and financial forwards and over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps (collectively, “OTC derivatives”), to reduce its exposure to unfavorable changes in commodity market prices. The Partnership uses these exchange-traded and OTC derivatives to hedge commodity price risk associated with its inventory and undelivered forward commodity purchases and sales (“physical forward contracts”). The Partnership accounts for derivative transactions in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” and recognizes derivatives instruments as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value. The changes in fair value of the derivative transactions are presented in earnings, unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.
The following table summarizes the notional values related to the Partnership’s derivative instruments outstanding at September 30, 2024:
| | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · Units (1) · Unit of Measure | |||||
| Exchange-Traded Derivatives | | | | | |
| Long | | 68,387 | Thousands of barrels | | |
| Short | | (71,857) | Thousands of barrels | | |
| | | | | | |
| OTC Derivatives (Petroleum/Ethanol) | | | | | |
| Long | | 5,495 | Thousands of barrels | | |
| Short | | (5,906) | Thousands of barrels | | |
| (1) | Number of open positions and gross notional values do not measure the Partnership’s risk of loss, quantify risk or represent assets or liabilities of the Partnership, but rather indicate the relative size of the derivative instruments and are used in the calculation of the amounts to be exchanged between counterparties upon settlements. |
Derivatives Accounted for as Hedges
Fair Value Hedges
The Partnership’s fair value hedges include exchange-traded futures contracts and OTC derivative contracts that are hedges against inventory with specific futures contracts matched to specific barrels. The change in fair value of these futures contracts and the change in fair value of the underlying inventory generally provide an offset to each other in the consolidated statements of operations.
The following table presents the gains and losses from the Partnership’s derivative instruments involved in fair value hedging relationships recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Location of Gain (Loss) · · Three Months Ended · · Nine Months Ended · | |||||||||||||||
| · · Recognized in Income on · · September 30, · · September 30, · | |||||||||||||||
| · · Derivatives · · 2024 · · 2023 · · 2024 · · 2023 · | |||||||||||||||
| Derivatives in fair value hedging relationship · · · · · · | |||||||||||||||
| Exchange-traded futures contracts and OTC derivative contracts for petroleum commodity products | Cost of sales | | $10,028 | | $(9,831) | | $13,422 | | $(3,521) | | |||||
| Hedged items in fair value hedge relationship | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Physical inventory | Cost of sales | | $(11,003) | | $8,822 | | $(17,608) | | $(3,376) | | |||||
Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedges
The Partnership utilizes petroleum and ethanol commodity contracts to hedge price and currency risk in certain commodity inventories and physical forward contracts.
The following table presents the gains and losses from the Partnership’s derivative instruments not involved in a hedging relationship recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented (in thousands):
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Location of Gain (Loss) · · Three Months Ended · · Nine Months Ended · | ||||||||||
| Derivatives not designated as · · Recognized in · · September 30, · · September 30, · | ||||||||||
| hedging instruments · Income on Derivatives · 2024 · 2023 · 2024 · · 2023 · | ||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | Cost of sales | | $2,706 | | $(2,444) | | $2,456 | | $(473) | |
Commodity Contracts and Other Derivative Activity
The Partnership’s commodity contracts and other derivative activity include: (i) exchange-traded derivative contracts that are hedges against inventory and either do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated in a hedge accounting relationship, (ii) exchange-traded derivative contracts used to economically hedge physical forward contracts, (iii) financial forward and OTC swap agreements used to economically hedge physical forward contracts and (iv)the derivative instruments under the Partnership’s controlled trading program. The Partnership does not take the normal purchase and sale exemption available under ASC 815 for any of its physical forward contracts.
The following table presents the fair value of each classification of the Partnership’s derivative instruments and its location in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · · · September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| · · · · Derivatives · · Derivatives Not · · · | ||||||||||||
| · · · · Designated as · · Designated as · · · | ||||||||||||
| · · · · Hedging · · Hedging · · · | ||||||||||||
| · · Balance Sheet Location · · Instruments · · Instruments · · Total | ||||||||||||
| Asset Derivatives: · · · · | ||||||||||||
| Exchange-traded derivative contracts | Broker margin deposits | | $3,107 | | $72,761 | | $75,868 | | ||||
| Forward derivative contracts (1) | Derivative assets | | | — | | | 25,364 | | | 25,364 | | |
| Total asset derivatives | | | | $3,107 | | $98,125 | | $101,232 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liability Derivatives: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Exchange-traded derivative contracts | Broker margin deposits | | $— | | $(50,755) | | $(50,755) | | ||||
| Forward derivative contracts (1) | | Derivative liabilities | | | — | | | (2,392) | | | (2,392) | |
| Total liability derivatives | | | | $— | | $(53,147) | | $(53,147) | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · · · December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| · · · · Derivatives · · Derivatives Not · · · | ||||||||||||
| · · · · Designated as · · Designated as · · · | ||||||||||||
| · · · · Hedging · · Hedging · · · | ||||||||||||
| · · Balance Sheet Location · · Instruments · · Instruments · · Total | ||||||||||||
| Asset Derivatives: · · · · | ||||||||||||
| Exchange-traded derivative contracts | Broker margin deposits | | $— | | $67,430 | | $67,430 | | ||||
| Forward derivative contracts (1) | Derivative assets | | | — | | | 17,656 | | | 17,656 | | |
| Total asset derivatives | | | | $— | | $85,086 | | $85,086 | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liability Derivatives: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Exchange-traded derivative contracts | | Broker margin deposits | | $10,678 | | $(44,687) | | $(34,009) | | |||
| Forward derivative contracts (1) | Derivative liabilities | | | — | | | (4,987) | | | (4,987) | | |
| Total liability derivatives | | | | $10,678 | | $(49,674) | | $(38,996) | | |||
| (1) | Forward derivative contracts include the Partnership’s petroleum and ethanol physical and financial forwards and OTC swaps. |
Credit Risk
The Partnership’s derivative financial instruments do not contain credit risk related to other contingent features that could cause accelerated payments when these financial instruments are in net liability positions.
The Partnership is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the Partnership’s exchange-traded and OTC derivative contracts, but the Partnership has no current reason to expect any material nonperformance by any of these counterparties. Exchange-traded derivative contracts, the primary derivative instrument utilized by the Partnership, are traded on regulated exchanges, greatly reducing potential credit risks. The Partnership utilizes major financial institutions as its clearing brokers for all New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”), Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) and Intercontinental Exchange (“ICE”) derivative transactions and the right of offset exists with these financial institutions under master netting agreements. Accordingly, the fair value of the Partnership’s exchange-traded derivative instruments is presented on a net basis in the consolidated balance sheets. Exposure on OTC derivatives is limited to the amount of the recorded fair value as of the balance sheet dates.
Please read Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for additional information on derivative financial instruments.
Note 9. Fair Value Measurements
The following tables present, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Partnership’s financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Fair Value at September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||
| · · · · · · · · Cash Collateral · · · | |||||||||||||
| · Level 1 · Level 2 · Netting · Total | |||||||||||||
| Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Forward derivative contracts (1) | | $— | | $25,364 | | $— | | $25,364 | | ||||
| Exchange-traded/cleared derivative instruments (2) | | 25,113 | | — | | (6,631) | | 18,482 | | ||||
| Pension plans | | 10,485 | | — | | — | | 10,485 | | ||||
| Total assets | | $35,598 | | $25,364 | | $(6,631) | | $54,331 | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Forward derivative contracts (1) | | $— | | $(2,392) | | $— | | $(2,392) | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Fair Value at December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| · · · · · · · · Cash Collateral · · · | |||||||||||||
| · Level 1 · Level 2 · Netting · Total | |||||||||||||
| Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Forward derivative contracts (1) | | $— | | $17,656 | | $— | | $17,656 | | ||||
| Exchange-traded/cleared derivative instruments (2) | | 33,421 | | — | | (20,642) | | 12,779 | | ||||
| Pension plans | | 19,113 | | — | | — | | 19,113 | | ||||
| Total assets | | $52,534 | | $17,656 | | $(20,642) | | $49,548 | | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Forward derivative contracts (1) | | $— | | $(4,987) | | $— | | $(4,987) | | ||||
| (1) | Forward derivative contracts include the Partnership’s petroleum and ethanol physical and financial forwards and OTC swaps. |
| (2) | Amount includes the effect of cash balances on deposit with clearing brokers. |
This table excludes cash on hand and assets and liabilities that are measured at historical cost or any basis other than fair value. The carrying amounts of certain of the Partnership’s financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying value of the credit facility approximates fair value due to the variable rate nature of these financial instruments.
The carrying value of the inventory qualifying for fair value hedge accounting approximates fair value due to adjustments for changes in fair value of the hedged item. The fair values of the derivatives used by the Partnership are disclosed in Note 8.
The determination of the fair values above incorporates factors including not only the credit standing of the counterparties involved, but also the impact of the Partnership’s nonperformance risks on its liabilities.
The Partnership estimates the fair values of its senior notes using a combination of quoted market prices for similar financing arrangements and expected future payments discounted at risk-adjusted rates, which are considered
Level 2 inputs. The fair values of the senior notes, estimated by observing market trading prices of the respective senior notes, were as follows (in thousands):
| · · · · · · · · · · · · | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · September 30, 2024 · · December 31, 2023 · | ||||||||
| | Face | | Fair | | Face | | Fair | |
| | Value | | Value | | Value | | Value | |
| 7.00% senior notes due 2027 | $400,000 | | $403,000 | | $400,000 | | $390,516 | |
| 6.875% senior notes due 2029 | $350,000 | | $349,563 | | $350,000 | | $340,130 | |
| 8.250% senior notes due 2032 | $450,000 | | $465,750 | | $— | | $— | |
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as acquired assets and liabilities, losses related to firm non-cancellable purchase commitments or long-lived assets subject to impairment. For assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis during the period, accounting guidance requires quantitative disclosures about the fair value measurements separately for each major category.
Note10. Environmental Liabilities
The following table presents a summary roll forward of the Partnership’s environmental liabilities at September 30, 2024 (in thousands):
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · Balance at · · · · · · · · Other · Balance at | |||||||||||||||||
| · · December 31, · · Additions · · Payments · · Dispositions · · Adjustments · · September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| Environmental Liability Related to: · · 2023 · · 2024 · · 2024 · · 2024 · · 2024 · · 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Retail gasoline stations | | $63,539 | | $— | | $(2,840) | | $(2,171) | | $184 | | $58,712 | | ||||
| Terminals | | 12,610 | | 6,850 | | (245) | | — | | 76 | | 19,291 | | ||||
| Total environmental liabilities | | $76,149 | | $6,850 | | $(3,085) | | $(2,171) | | $260 | | $78,003 | | ||||
| Current portion | | $5,057 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $5,493 | |
| Long-term portion | | 71,092 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 72,510 | |
| Total environmental liabilities | | $76,149 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $78,003 | |
In connection with the acquisition offour refined product terminals from Gulf Oil as described in Note 2, the Partnership assumed certain environmental liabilities, including certain ongoing environmental remediation efforts. As a result, the Partnership recorded, on an undiscounted basis, a total environmental liability of approximately$6.9 million as of September 30, 2024.
In addition to environmental liabilities related to the Partnership’s retail gasoline stations, the Partnership retains some of the environmental obligations associated with certain gasoline stations that the Partnership has sold.
The Partnership’s estimates used in these environmental liabilities are based on all known facts at the time and its assessment of the ultimate remedial action outcomes. Among the many uncertainties that impact the Partnership’s estimates are the necessary regulatory approvals for, and potential modification of, its remediation plans, the amount of data available upon initial assessment of the impact of soil or water contamination, changes in costs associated with environmental remediation services and equipment, relief of obligations through divestitures of sites and the possibility of existing legal claims giving rise to additional claims. Dispositions generally represent relief of legal obligations through the sale of the related property with no retained obligation. Other adjustments generally represent changes in estimates for existing obligations or obligations associated with new sites. Therefore, although the Partnership believes that these environmental liabilities are adequate, no assurances can be made that any costs incurred in excess of these
environmental liabilities or outside of indemnifications or not otherwise covered by insurance would not have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Note 11. Equity Method Investments
Everett Landco GP, LLC
On October 23, 2023, the Partnership, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Everett Landco, LLC, entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “Everett LLC Agreement”) of Everett Landco GP, LLC (“Everett”), a Delaware limited liability company formed as a joint venture with Everett Investor LLC (the “Everett Investor”), an entity controlled by an affiliate of The Davis Companies, a company primarily involved in the acquisition, development, management and sale of commercial real estate. In accordance with the Everett LLC Agreement, the Partnership agreed to invest up to$30.0 million for an initial 30% ownership interest in the joint venture.
The joint venture was formed to invest, directly or indirectly, in Everett Landco, LLC, (“Landco”), an entity formed to acquire from ExxonMobil Corporation (“ExxonMobil”) specified real estate (formerly operated as a refined products terminal), consisting of, in part, multiple facilities used to store and transport petroleum products including oil storage tanks and related facilities located in Everett, Massachusetts (the “Project Site”) and thereafter proceed with certain decommissioning, demolition, environmental remediation, entitlement, horizontal development, and other development activities with respect to the Project Site in one or more phases.
Everett is a variable interest entity for which the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary and, therefore, is not consolidated in the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements. The Partnership accounts for its investment in Everett as an equity method investment as the Partnership has significant influence, but not a controlling interest in the investee.
The Partnership recognized income of $0 and $0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, which is includedin (loss) income from equity method investments in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2024, the Partnership’s investment balance in the joint venture was$15.8 million, which is includedin equity method investments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
On December 5, 2023, Landco completed the purchase of the Project Site. In addition, the Partnership provided certain financial guarantees of Everett’s performance pursuant to a Terminal Demolition and Remediation Responsibilities Agreement (“TDRRA”) between Landco and ExxonMobil (the “Remediation Guaranty”). The Remediation Guaranty was executed at the closing of the Project Site purchase, concurrently with Landco’s execution of the TDRRA. The Remediation Guaranty was provided to ExxonMobil to provide security for Landco’s obligations to perform and complete the demolition and remediation responsibilities set forth in the TDRRA. The maximum amount of financial assurances liability of the Partnership under the Remediation Guaranty is$75.0 million (the “Guaranty Threshold”). The Guaranty Threshold will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis as Landco undertakes demolition and remediation activities under the TDRRA. The Partnership received financial assurances from the Everett Investor and certain of its affiliates that allow the Partnership to recover 70% of any amounts paid under the Remediation Guaranty, up to $52.5 million. The Partnership’s loss exposure for the Everett investment is limited to the Partnership’s investment in the joint venture and any amounts due under the Remediation Guaranty. The Partnership recognized its performance obligation under the Remediation Guaranty at fair value, which was immaterial at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Spring Partners Retail LLC
On March 1, 2023, the Partnership entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement, as amended (the “SPR LLCAgreement”) of SPR, a Delaware limited liability company formed as a joint venture with ExxonMobil for the purpose of engaging in the business of operating retail locations in the state of Texas and such other states as may be approved by SPR’s board of managers. In accordance with the SPR LLC Agreement, the Partnership invested approximately$69.5 million in cash for a 49.99% ownership interest. ExxonMobil has the remaining 50.01% ownership interest in SPR. SPR is managed by atwo-person board of managers, one of whom is designated by the Partnership. The day-to-day activities of SPR are operated by SPR Operator, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership. SPR Operator provides administrative and support functions, such as operations and management support, accounting, legal and human resources and information technology services and systems to SPR for an annual fixed fee.
The Partnership accounts for its investment in SPR as an equity method investment as the Partnership has significant influence, but not a controlling interest in the investee. Under this method with regard to SPR, the investment is carried originally at cost, increased by any allocated share of the investee’s net income and contributions made, and decreased by any allocated share of the investee’s net losses and distributions received. The investee’s allocated share of income and losses is based on the rights and priorities outlined in the joint venture agreement.
On June 1, 2023, SPR acquired a portfolio of 64 Houston-area convenience and fueling facilities from Landmark Industries, LLC and its related entities. There have been no changes to the portfolio as of September 30, 2024.
The Partnership recognized a (loss) income of ($0.1 million) and $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and ($2.1 million) and $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is includedin (loss) income from equity method investments in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2024, the Partnership’s investment balance in the joint venture was$73.5 million, which is includedin equity method investments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Note 12. Related Party Transactions
Services Agreement—The Partnership is a party to a services agreement with various entities which own limited partner interests in the Partnership and interests in the General Partner and which are 100% owned by members of the Slifka family (the “Slifka Entities Services Agreement”), pursuant to which the Partnership provides certain tax, accounting, treasury, and legal support services and such Slifka entities pay the Partnership an annual services fee of $20,000, and which Slifka Entities Services Agreement has been approved by the Conflicts Committee of the board of directors of the General Partner. The Slifka Entities Services Agreement is for an indefinite term and any party may terminate some or all of the services upon ninety (90) days’ advance written notice. As of September 30, 2024, no such notice of termination had been given by any party to the Slifka Entities Services Agreement.
General Partner—Affiliates of the Slifka family own 100% of the ownership interests in the General Partner. The General Partner employs substantially all of the Partnership’s employees, except for most of its gasoline station and convenience store employees, who are employed by GMG, and for substantially all of the employees who primarily or exclusively provide services to SPR, who are employed by SPR Operator. The Partnership reimburses the General Partner for expenses incurred in connection with these employees. These expenses, including bonus, payroll and payroll taxes, were$55.1 million and $36.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $165.4 million and $117.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Partnership also reimburses the General Partner for its contributions under the General Partner’s 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plans and the General Partner’s qualified and non-qualified pension plans.
Spring Partners Retail LLC—The Partnership, through its subsidiary, SPR Operator, is party to an operations and maintenance agreement with the Partnership’s joint venture, SPR (see Note 11). Pursuant to this agreement, certain employees of the Partnership provide SPR with services including administrative and support functions, such as operations and management support, accounting, legal and human resources and information technology services and systems to SPR for which SPR pays SPR Operator, and therefore the Partnership, an annual fixed fee. The Partnership received approximately$0.8 million and $0.5 million from SPR associated with the operations and management agreement for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $2.7 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In addition, SPR Operator employs substantially all of the employees who primarily or exclusively provide services to the Partnership’s joint venture. SPR reimburses the Partnership for direct expenses incurred in connection with these employees, which amounted to$4.2 million and $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $13.0 million and $5.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Accounts receivable–affiliates consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · September 30, · · December 31, · | |||||||
| · 2024 · 2023 | |||||||
| Receivables from the General Partner (1) | | $4,328 | | $8,031 | | ||
| Receivables from Spring Partners Retail LLC (2) | | | 1,779 | | | 111 | |
| Total | | $6,107 | | $8,142 | | ||
| (1) | Receivables from the General Partner reflect the Partnership’s prepayment of payroll taxes and payroll accruals to the General Partner and are due to the timing of the payroll obligations. |
| (2) | Receivables from SPR reflect the Partnership’s payment of direct expenditures on behalf of SPR under the operations and maintenance agreement. |
Everett Landco GP, LLC—On October 23, 2023, the Partnership, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Everett Landco, LLC, entered into the Everett LLC Agreement of Everett, a Delaware limited liability company formed as a joint venture with the Everett Investor, an entity controlled by an affiliate of The Davis Companies, a company primarily involved in the acquisition, development, management and sale of commercial real estate. See Note 11.
Sale of the Revere Terminal—On June 28, 2022, the Partnership completed the sale of its terminal located on Boston Harbor in Revere, Massachusetts (the “Revere Terminal”) to Revere MA Owner LLC (the “Revere Buyer”) for a purchase price of $150.0 million in cash. In connection with closing under the purchase agreement between the Partnership and the Revere Buyer, the Partnership entered into a leaseback agreement, which meets the criteria for sale accounting, with the Revere Buyer pursuant to which the Partnership leases back key infrastructure at the Revere Terminal, including certain tanks, dock access rights, and loading rack infrastructure, to allow the Partnership to continue business operations at the Revere Terminal. The term of the leaseback agreement, including all renewal options exercisable at the Partnership’s election, could extend through September 30, 2039.
Pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement the Partnership entered into with affiliates of the Slifka family (the “Initial Sellers”), related parties, in 2015 to acquire the Revere Terminal, the Initial Sellers are entitled to an amount equal tofifty percent of the net proceeds (as defined in the 2015 purchase agreement) (the “Initial Sellers Share”) from the sale of the Revere Terminal. At the time of the 2022 closing, the preliminary calculation of the Initial Sellers Share was approximately$44.3 million, which amount is subject to future revisions. To date, there have been no payments of additional net proceeds from the 2022 sale of the Revere Terminal relating to the final calculation of the Initial Sellers Share, as adjusted for such shared expenses and potential operating losses or profits.
The final calculation of the Initial Sellers Share, including a sharing of any additional expenses in order to satisfy outstanding obligations under the Partnership’s current government storage contract at the Revere Terminal and potential
operating losses or profits relating to the operation of the Revere Terminal during the initial leaseback term, will occur upon the expiration of such storage contract. The Partnership recorded a total of approximately$23.8 million and $17.6 million of such additional expenses due to the Initial Sellers which are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Approximately ($1.1 million) and $2.8 million of the total amount was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $6.2 million and $9.5 million of the total amount was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Note 13. Partners’ Equity and Cash Distributions
Partners’ Equity
Common Units and General Partner Interest
At September 30, 2024, there were 33,995,563 common units issued, including 6,415,996 common units held by affiliates of the General Partner, including directors and executive officers, and 268,307 common units held by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership pursuant to its repurchase program for future LTIP obligations, collectively representing a 99.33% limited partner interest in the Partnership, and 230,303 general partner units representing a 0.67% general partner interest in the Partnership. There were no changes to common units or the general partner interest during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Series A Preferred Units
On April 15, 2024 the Partnership redeemed all 2,760,000 of its Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units (the “Series* *A Preferred Units”) at a redemption price of$25.00 per unit, plus a$0.514275 per unit cash distribution for the period from February 15, 2024 through April 14, 2024. Effective April 15, 2024, the Series A Preferred Units areno longer outstanding.
Series B Preferred Units
At September 30, 2024, there were 3,000,000 9.50% Series* B Fixed Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units issued representing limited partners interests (the “Series B Preferred Units”) for $25.00 per Series *B Preferred Unit outstanding. There were no changes to the Series B Preferred Units during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Cash Distributions
Common Units
The Partnership intends to make cash distributions to common unitholders on a quarterly basis, although there is no assurance as to the future cash distributions since they are dependent upon future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors. The Credit Agreement prohibits the Partnership from making cash distributions if any potential default or Event of Default, as defined in the Credit Agreement, occurs or would result from the cash distribution. The indentures governing the Partnership’s outstanding senior notes also limit the Partnership’s ability to make distributions to its common unitholders in certain circumstances.
Within 45 days after the end of each quarter, the Partnership will distribute all of its Available Cash (as defined in its partnership agreement) to common unitholders of record on the applicable record date.
The Partnership will make distributions of Available Cash from distributable cash flow for any quarter in the following manner:99.33% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 0.67% to the General Partner, until the Partnership distributes for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and thereafter, cash in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution is distributed to the common unitholders and the General Partner based on the percentages as provided below.
As holder of the IDRs, the General Partner is entitled to incentive distributions if the amount that the Partnership distributes with respect to any quarter exceeds specified target levels shown below:
| · · · · · · · · | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · · · Marginal Percentage | |||||
| · · Total Quarterly Distribution · · Interest in Distributions | |||||
| · Target Amount · Unitholders · General Partner | |||||
| First Target Distribution | | | up to $0.4625 | 99.33% | 0.67% |
| Second Target Distribution | | above $0.4625 up to $0.5375 | 86.33% | 13.67% | |
| Third Target Distribution | | above $0.5375 up to $0.6625 | 76.33% | 23.67% | |
| Thereafter | | above $0.6625 | 51.33% | 48.67% | |
The Partnership paid the following cash distributions to common unitholders during 2024 (in thousands, except per unit data):
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · For the · Per Unit · · · · · · · · | |||||||||||||
| Cash Distribution · · Quarter · · Cash · · Common · · General · · Incentive · · Total Cash | |||||||||||||
| Payment Date · Ended · · Distribution · · Units · · Partner · · Distribution · · Distribution | |||||||||||||
| 2/14/2024 (1) | | 12/31/23 | | $0.7000 | | $23,797 | | $180 | | $2,857 | | $26,834 | |
| 5/15/2024 (1) | | 03/31/24 | | 0.7100 | | 24,137 | | 185 | | 3,174 | | 27,496 | |
| 8/14/2024 (1) | | 06/30/24 | | 0.7200 | | 24,477 | | 189 | | 3,493 | | 28,159 | |
| (1) | This distribution resulted in the Partnership exceeding its third target level distribution for this quarter. As a result, the General Partner, as the holder of the IDRs, received an incentive distribution. |
In addition, on October 23, 2024, the board of directors of the General Partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.7300 per unit ($2.92 per unit on an annualized basis) on its common units for the period from July 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024. On November 14, 2024, the Partnership will pay this cash distribution to its common unitholders of record as of the close of business on November 8, 2024.
Series A Preferred Units
Prior to the April 15, 2024 redemption of the Series A Preferred Units discussed above, distributions on the Series A Preferred Units were cumulative from August 7, 2018, the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Units, and were payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year (each, a “Series A Distribution Payment Date”), commencing on November 15, 2018, to holders of record as of the opening of business on the February 1, May 1, August 1 or November 1 next preceding the Series A Distribution Payment Date, in each case, when, as, and if declared by the General Partner out of legally available funds for such purpose. Distributions on the Series A Preferred Units were paid out of Available Cash with respect to the quarter immediately preceding the applicable Series A Distribution Payment Date.
The Partnership paid the following cash distributions on the Series A Preferred Units during 2024 (in thousands, except per unit data):
| · · · · · · · · · · · | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · For the · · Per Unit · · · · · · | |||||||||
| Cash Distribution · · Quarterly Period · · Cash · · Total Cash · · | |||||||||
| Payment Date · Covering · · Distribution · Distribution · · Rate | |||||||||
| 2/15/2024 | | 11/15/23 - 2/14/24 | | $0.77596 | | $2,142 | | 10.42% | |
On April 15, 2024, the Partnership paid the full redemption price of$25.00 per Series A Preferred Unit, plus a cash distribution$0.514275 per unitfor the period from February 15, 2024 through April 14, 2024, for a total amount of$70.4 million.
Series B Preferred Units
Distributions on the Series B Preferred Units are cumulative from March 24, 2021, the original issue date of the Series B Preferred Units, and payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year (each, a “Series B Distribution Payment Date”), commencing on May 15, 2021, to holders of record as of the opening of business on the February 1, May 1, August 1 or November 1 next preceding the Series B Distribution Payment Date, in each case, when, as, and if declared by the General Partner out of legally available funds for such purpose. Distributions on the Series B Preferred Units will be paid out of Available Cash with respect to the quarter immediately preceding the applicable Series B Distribution Payment Date.
The distribution rate for the Series B Preferred Units is 9.50% per annum of the $25.00 liquidation preference per Series B Preferred Unit (equal to $2.375 per Series B Preferred Unit per annum).
At any time on or after May 15, 2026, the Partnership may redeem, in whole or in part, the Series B Preferred Units at a redemption price in cash of $25.00 per Series B Preferred Unit plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid distributions thereon to, but excluding, the date of redemption, whether or not declared. The Partnership must provide not less than 30 days’ and not more than 60 days’ advance written notice of any such redemption.
The Partnership paid the following cash distributions on the Series B Preferred Units during 2024 (in thousands, except per unit data):
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · For the · Per Unit · · | |||||||||
| Cash Distribution · · Quarterly Period · · Cash · · Total Cash | |||||||||
| Payment Date · Covering · Distribution · Distribution | |||||||||
| 2/15/2024 | | 11/15/23 - 2/14/24 | | $0.59375 | | $1,781 | | ||
| 5/15/2024 | | 2/15/24 - 5/14/24 | | | 0.59375 | | | 1,781 | |
| 8/15/2024 | | 5/15/24 - 8/14/24 | | | 0.59375 | | | 1,781 | |
On October 15, 2024, the board of directors of the General Partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.59375 per unit ($2.375 per unit on an annualized basis) on the Series B Preferred Units for the period from August 15, 2024 through November 14, 2024. This distribution will be payable on November 15, 2024 to holders of record as of the opening of business on November 1, 2024.
Note 14. Segment Reporting
Summarized financial information for the Partnership’s reportable segments is presented in the table below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Three Months Ended · · Nine Months Ended · | |||||||||||||
| · · September 30, · · September 30, · | |||||||||||||
| · 2024 · 2023 · 2024 · · 2023 · | |||||||||||||
| Wholesale Segment: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sales | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gasoline and gasoline blendstocks | | $1,790,302 | | $1,614,459 | | $4,909,560 | | $4,213,536 | | ||||
| Distillates and other oils (1) | | 933,908 | | 715,437 | | 3,116,686 | | 2,682,493 | | ||||
| Total | | $2,724,210 | | $2,329,896 | | $8,026,246 | | $6,896,029 | | ||||
| Product margin | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gasoline and gasoline blendstocks | | $43,024 | | $20,390 | | $143,197 | | $79,799 | | ||||
| Distillates and other oils (1) | | 28,118 | | 16,780 | | 69,230 | | 70,226 | | ||||
| Total | | $71,142 | | $37,170 | | $212,427 | | $150,025 | | ||||
| Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations Segment: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sales | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gasoline | | $1,269,955 | | $1,460,670 | | $3,683,780 | | $3,996,890 | | ||||
| Station operations (2) | | 150,943 | | 156,685 | | 430,636 | | 431,951 | | ||||
| Total | | $1,420,898 | | $1,617,355 | | $4,114,416 | | $4,428,841 | | ||||
| Product margin | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gasoline | | $164,122 | | $132,000 | | $433,065 | | $380,699 | | ||||
| Station operations (2) | | 73,590 | | 74,530 | | 213,831 | | 208,456 | | ||||
| Total | | $237,712 | | $206,530 | | $646,896 | | $589,155 | | ||||
| Commercial Segment: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sales | | $277,130 | | $273,794 | | $836,666 | | $758,192 | | ||||
| Product margin | | $9,509 | | $8,426 | | $22,699 | | $23,310 | | ||||
| Combined sales and Product margin: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sales | | $4,422,238 | | $4,221,045 | | $12,977,328 | | $12,083,062 | | ||||
| Product margin (3) | | $318,363 | | $252,126 | | $882,022 | | $762,490 | | ||||
| Depreciation allocated to cost of sales | | (32,314) | | (23,606) | | (92,954) | | (69,247) | | ||||
| Combined gross profit | | $286,049 | | $228,520 | | $789,068 | | $693,243 | | ||||
| (1) | Distillates and other oils (primarily residual oil and crude oil). |
| (2) | Station operations consist of convenience store and prepared food sales, rental income and sundries. |
| (3) | Product margin is a non-GAAP financial measure used by management and external users of the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements to assess its business. The table above includes a reconciliation of product margin on a combined basis to gross profit, a directly comparable GAAP measure. |
Approximately 122 million gallons and 110 million gallons of the GDSO segment’s sales for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and 342 million gallons and 314 million gallons of the GDSO segment’s sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were supplied from petroleum products and renewable fuels sourced by the Wholesale segment. The Commercial segment’s sales were predominantly sourced by the Wholesale segment. These intra-segment sales are not reflected as sales in the Wholesale segment as they are eliminated.
A reconciliation of the totals reported for the reportable segments to the applicable line items in the consolidated financial statements is as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Three Months Ended · · Nine Months Ended · | |||||||||||||
| · · September 30, · · September 30, | |||||||||||||
| · 2024 · 2023 · 2024 · · 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Combined gross profit | | $286,049 | | $228,520 | | $789,068 | | $693,243 | | ||||
| Operating costs and expenses not allocated to operating segments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | | 70,495 | | 63,479 | | 212,646 | | 192,431 | | ||||
| Operating expenses | | 137,126 | | 115,944 | | 387,235 | | 334,676 | | ||||
| Amortization expense | | | 2,288 | | | 2,017 | | | 6,146 | | | 6,119 | |
| Net gain on sale and disposition of assets | | | (7,805) | | | (897) | | | (10,609) | | | (2,141) | |
| Long-lived asset impairment | | | 492 | | | — | | | 492 | | | — | |
| Total operating costs and expenses | | 202,596 | | 180,543 | | 595,910 | | 531,085 | | ||||
| Operating income | | 83,453 | | 47,977 | | 193,158 | | 162,158 | | ||||
| (Loss) income from equity method investments | | | (147) | | | 1,180 | | | (1,872) | | | 2,384 | |
| Interest expense | | (35,129) | | (21,089) | | (100,356) | | (64,963) | | ||||
| Income tax expense | | (2,255) | | (1,260) | | (4,461) | | (2,351) | | ||||
| Net income | | $45,922 | | $26,808 | | $86,469 | | $97,228 | | ||||
The Partnership’s foreign assets and foreign sales were immaterial as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
Segment Assets
The Partnership’s terminal assets are allocated to the Wholesale and Commercial segments, and its retail gasoline stations are allocated to the GDSO segment. Due to the commingled nature and uses of the remainder of the Partnership’s assets, it is not reasonably possible for the Partnership to allocate these assets among its reportable segments.
The table below presents total assets by reportable segment at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Wholesale · · Commercial · · GDSO · · Unallocated (1) · · Total | |||||
| September 30, 2024 | $1,188,573 | $— | $1,872,341 | $604,201 | $3,665,115 |
| December 31, 2023 | $862,850 | $— | $1,910,058 | $673,103 | $3,446,011 |
| (1) | Includes the Partnership’s equity method investments (see Note 11). |
Note 15. Net Income Per Common Limited Partner Unit
Under the Partnership’s partnership agreement, for any quarterly period, the incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”) participate in net income only to the extent of the amount of cash distributions actually declared, thereby excluding the IDRs from participating in the Partnership’s undistributed net income or losses. Accordingly, the Partnership’s undistributed net income or losses is assumed to be allocated to the common unitholders and to the General Partner’s general partner interest.
Common units outstanding as reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 excludes 268,307 and 113,206 common units, respectively, held on behalf of the Partnership pursuant to its repurchase program. These units are not deemed outstanding for purposes of calculating net
income per common limited partner unit (basic and diluted). For all periods presented below, the Partnership’s preferred units are not potentially dilutive securities based on the nature of the conversion feature.
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income and the assumed allocation of net income to the common limited partners (after deducting amounts allocated to preferred unitholders) for purposes of computing net income per common limited partner unit for the periods presented (in thousands, except per unit data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 · · · Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · Common · General · · · · · Common · General · · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · · Limited · · Partner · · · · · · · · · Limited · · Partner · · · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: · Total · Partners · Interest · IDRs · Total · Partners · Interest · IDRs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | | $45,922 | | $41,804 | | $4,118 | | $— | | | $26,808 | | $24,248 | | $2,560 | | $— | | ||||||||
| Declared distribution | | $28,821 | | $24,817 | | $194 | | $3,810 | | | $25,841 | | $23,287 | | $174 | | $2,380 | | ||||||||
| Assumed allocation of undistributed net income | | 17,101 | | 16,987 | | 114 | | — | | | 967 | | 961 | | 6 | | — | | ||||||||
| Assumed allocation of net income | | $45,922 | | $41,804 | | $308 | | $3,810 | | | $26,808 | | $24,248 | | $180 | | $2,380 | | ||||||||
| Less: Preferred limited partner interest in net income | | | | | | 1,781 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,712 | | | | | | | |
| Net income attributable to common limited partners | | | | | $40,023 | | | | | | | | | | | | $20,536 | | | | | | | | ||
| Denominator: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic weighted average common units outstanding | | | | | 33,781 | | | | | | | | | | | | 33,983 | | | | | | | | ||
| Dilutive effect of phantom units | | | | | 412 | | | | | | | | | | | | 80 | | | | | | | | ||
| Diluted weighted average common units outstanding | | | | | 34,193 | | | | | | | | | | | | 34,063 | | | | | | | | ||
| Basic net income per common limited partner unit | | | | | $1.18 | | | | | | | | | | | | $0.60 | | | | | | | | ||
| Diluted net income per common limited partner unit | | | | | $1.17 | | | | | | | | | | | | $0.60 | | | | | | | | ||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| · · Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 · Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · Common · General · · · · · · · Common · General · · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| · · · · · Limited · · Partner · · · · · · · · · Limited · · Partner · · · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: · · Total · · Partners · · Interest · · IDRs · Total · Partners · Interest · IDRs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | | $86,469 | | $75,413 | | $11,056 | | $— | | | $97,228 | | $90,547 | | $6,681 | | $— | | ||||||||
| Declared distribution | | $84,476 | | $73,431 | | $568 | | $10,477 | | | $75,035 | | $68,501 | | $505 | | $6,029 | | ||||||||
| Assumed allocation of undistributed net income | | 1,993 | | 1,982 | | 11 | | — | | | 22,193 | | 22,046 | | 147 | | — | | ||||||||
| Assumed allocation of net income | | $86,469 | | $75,413 | | $579 | | $10,477 | | | $97,228 | | $90,547 | | $652 | | $6,029 | | ||||||||
| Less: Preferred limited partner interest in net income | | | | | | 7,794 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10,638 | | | | | | | |
| Less: Redemption of Series A preferred limited partner units | | | | | | 2,634 | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | |
| Net income attributable to common limited partners | | | | | $64,985 | | | | | | | | | | | | $79,909 | | | | | | | | ||
| Denominator: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic weighted average common units outstanding | | | | | 33,884 | | | | | | | | | | | | 33,985 | | | | | | | | ||
| Dilutive effect of phantom units | | | | | 371 | | | | | | | | | | | | 41 | | | | | | | | ||
| Diluted weighted average common units outstanding | | | | | 34,255 | | | | | | | | | | | | 34,026 | | | | | | | | ||
| Basic net income per common limited partner unit | | | | | $1.92 | | | | | | | | | | | | $2.35 | | | | | | | | ||
| Diluted net income per common limited partner unit | | | | | $1.90 | | | | | | | | | | | | $2.35 | | | | | | | | ||
See Note 13, “Partners’ Equity and Cash Distributions” for information on declared cash distributions.
Note 16. Legal Proceedings
General
Although the Partnership may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business, the Partnership does not believe that it is a party to any litigation that will have a material adverse impact on its financial condition or results of operations. Except as described below and in Note 10 included herein, the Partnership is not aware of any significant legal or governmental proceedings against it or contemplated to be brought against it. The Partnership maintains insurance policies with insurers in amounts and with coverage and deductibles as its general partner believes are reasonable and prudent. However, the Partnership can provide no assurance that this insurance will be adequate to protect it from all material expenses related to potential future claims or that these levels of insurance will be available in the future at economically acceptable prices.
Other
In January 2022, the Partnership was served with a complaint filed in the Middlesex County Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts against the Partnership and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Global Companies LLC (“Global Companies”) and Alliance Energy LLC (“Alliance”), alleging, among other things, that a plaintiff truck driver, while (1) loading gasoline and diesel fuel at terminals owned and operated by the Partnership located in Albany, New York and Revere, Massachusetts and (2)unloading gasoline and diesel fuel at gasoline stations owned and/or operated by the Partnership throughout New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, contracted aplastic anemia as a result of exposure to benzene-containing products and/or vapors therefrom. In October 2024, the parties agreed in principle to fully settle the allegations alleged in the complaint and dismiss the complaint in its entirety with prejudice, subject to the execution by the parties of a mutually acceptable settlement and release agreement.
In October 2020, the Partnership was served with a complaint filed against the Partnership and its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Companies alleging, among other things, wrongful death and loss of consortium. The complaint, filed in the Middlesex County Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, alleges, among other things, that a truck driver (whose estate is a co-plaintiff), while loading gasoline and diesel fuel at terminals owned and operated by the Partnership located in Albany, New York and Burlington, Vermont, was exposed to benzene-containing products and/or vapors therefrom. In October 2024, the parties reached a full settlement of the complaint. In connection therewith, the Partnership and Global Companies have been fully released of any and all liabilities and claims with respect to the matters alleged in the complaint and, upon satisfaction of the terms of the settlement agreement, the complaint will be dismissed in its entirety with prejudice.
By letter dated January 25, 2017, the Partnership received a notice of intent to sue (the “2017 NOI”) from Earthjustice related to alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (the “CAA”) specifically alleging that the Partnership was operating the Albany Terminal without a valid CAA Title V Permit. On February 9, 2017, the Partnership responded to Earthjustice advising that the 2017 NOI was without factual or legal merit and that the Partnership would move to dismiss any action commenced by Earthjustice. No action was taken by either the EPA or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation(the “NYSDEC”) with regard to the Earthjustice allegations. At this time, there has been no further action taken by Earthjustice. Neither the EPA nor the NYSDEC has followed up on the 2017 NOI. The Albany Terminal had been operating pursuant to its then-existing Title V Permit, which had been extended in accordance with the State Administrative Procedures Act. Additionally, the Partnership had submitted a Title V Permit renewal and a request for modifications to its existing Title V Permit. On June 25, 2024, NYSDEC issued the Title V Permit renewal and modification. The Partnership believes that it has meritorious defenses against all allegations.
The Partnership received letters from the EPA dated November 2, 2011 and March 29, 2012, containing requirements and testing orders (collectively, the “Requests for Information”) for information under the CAA. The Requests for Information were part of an EPA investigation to determine whether the Partnership has violated sections of the CAA at certain of its terminal locations in New England with respect to residual oil and asphalt. On June 6, 2014, a NOV was received from the EPA, alleging certain violations of its Air Emissions License issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, based upon the test results at the South Portland, Maine terminal. The Partnership met with and provided additional information to the EPA with respect to the alleged violations. On April 7, 2015, the EPA issued a Supplemental Notice of Violation modifying the allegations of violations of the terminal’s Air Emissions License. The Partnership has entered into a consent decree (the “Consent Decree”) with the EPA and the United States Department of Justice (the “Department of Justice”), which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine (the “Court”) on March 25, 2019. The Consent Decree was entered by the Court on December 19, 2019. The Partnership believes that compliance with the Consent Decree and implementation of the requirements of the Consent Decree will have no material impact on its operations.
The Partnership received a Subpoena Duces Tecum dated May 13, 2022 from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York (“NY AG”) requesting information regarding charges paid by retailers, distributors, or consumers for oil and gas products in or within the proximity of the State of New York during the disruption of the market triggered by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Partnership has been advised that the NY AG’s office sent similar subpoena requests for information to market participants across the petroleum industry. The Partnership made an initial submission of information to the NY AG’s office and continues to cooperate with the NY AG’s office to satisfy its obligations under the subpoena.
The Partnership received a letter from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut (“CT AG”) dated June 28, 2022 seeking information from the Partnership related to its sales of motor fuel to retailers within the State of Connecticut from February 3, 2022 through June 28, 2022. The Partnership has been advised that the CT AG’s office sent similar requests for information to market participants across the petroleum industry. The Partnership has complied with the CT AG’s request and submitted information responsive thereto.
In May 2024, a petition was filed against the Partnership’s joint venture, SPR, and the Partnership’s wholly owned subsidiary, SPR Operator, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, alleging, among other things, the wrongful death of a customer at a retail site in Houston, Texas. SPR and SPR Operator have meritorious defenses to the allegations in the petition and will vigorously contest this matter.
Note 17. New Accounting Standards
There have been no recently issued accounting standards that are expected to have a material impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.
Note 18. Subsequent Events
Distribution to Common Unitholders—On October 23, 2024, the board of directors of the General Partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.7300 per unit ($2.92 per unit on an annualized basis) for the period from July 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024. On November 14, 2024, the Partnership will pay this cash distribution to its common unitholders of record as of the close of business on November 8, 2024.
Distribution to Series B Preferred Unitholders—On October 15, 2024, the board of directors of the General Partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.59375 per unit ($2.375 per unit on an annualized basis) on the Series B Preferred Units, covering the period from August 15, 2024 through November 14, 2024. This distribution will be payable on November 15, 2024 to holders of record as of the opening of business on November 1, 2024.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.