MPLX LP Delivers Exceptional Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

FINDLAY, Ohio, Nov. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

• Reported third quarter net income of $510 million and adjusted EBITDA of $937 million, which provided 1.47x distribution coverage and resulted in 3.8x leverage
• Logistics & Storage segment income from operations of $468 million and adjusted EBITDA of $547 million driven by strong results from the underlying base business
• Gathering & Processing segment income from operations of $204 million and adjusted EBITDA of $390 million driven by record gathered, processed, and fractionated volumes
• Announced planned investment in the Permian-to-Gulf Coast Pipeline
• Acquired strategically located Gulf Coast Export Terminal in Mt. Airy, Louisiana

MPLX LP (NYSE: MPLX) today reported record third quarter 2018 net income attributable to MPLX of $510 million compared with $216 million in the third quarter of 2017. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was $937 million compared with $538 million in the second quarter of 2017. The significant year-over-year increase in EBITDA was driven by strong performance in the base business of both segments as well as drop downs in Logistics and Storage (L&S). L&S reported adjusted EBITDA of $547 million for the quarter, up $329 million versus the third quarter of last year. Gathering and Processing (G&P) reported adjusted EBITDA of $390 million for the quarter, up $70 million on a year-over-year basis.

"MPLX delivered exceptional results this quarter, setting multiple financial and operational records," said Gary R. Heminger, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our team continued to successfully bring multiple assets online throughout the year to match production growth. This has allowed us to take advantage of the strong levels of demand across all regions where we operate."

"At the same time, we are also very enthusiastic about the new Permian pipeline and Gulf Coast export investments we announced this quarter," Heminger added. "These projects demonstrate our team's ability to respond to market trends, developing infrastructure that connects growing domestic supply sources to global demand. Our focus on long haul pipelines and stable fee-based businesses positions the company to create long-term sustainable shareholder value."

During the quarter, the company generated $737 million in net cash provided by operating activities and distributable cash flow of $766 million, which provided 1.47x coverage.  Consistent with its self-funding strategy, the company did not issue equity and ended the third quarter with leverage of 3.8x. MPLX also announced its 23^rd consecutive distribution increase, to $0.6375 per common unit.

Financial Highlights

Logistics & Storage

L&S segment income from operations and adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2018 increased by $315 million and $329 million, respectively, compared with the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to dropdowns of certain refining logistics assets and the fuels distribution service business as well as the continued solid performance of the segment.

Total pipeline throughputs were 3.39 million barrels per day in the third quarter, an increase of 7 percent versus the same quarter last year, including the addition and expansion of the Ozark pipeline system. The average tariff rate was $0.69 per barrel for the quarter. Terminal throughput was 1.47 million barrels per day for the quarter, down 1 percent versus the same quarter last year.

During the quarter, MPLX announced planned investments in two separate long-haul pipelines. The company plans to join with Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET), Magellan Midstream Partners (NYSE: MMP), and Delek US Holdings, Inc (NYSE: DK) to construct a crude pipeline running from the Permian Basin to the Texas Gulf Coast region. The 600-mile Permian Gulf Coast pipeline system (PGC Pipeline) is expected to be at least 30 inches in diameter and operational in mid-2020. MPLX also plans to participate in developing the Whistler Pipeline, a 2.0 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) pipeline designed to deliver natural gas from Waha, Texas, to the Agua Dulce market hub. This pipeline is expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2020.

MPLX also announced the acquisition of an eastern Gulf Coast export terminal in Mt. Airy, Louisiana. The terminal is strategically located on the Mississippi River in close proximity to several large refineries, including MPC's Garyville refinery. The facility has 4 million barrels of third-party leased storage capacity and a 120 thousand barrel-per-day (mbpd) dock, with the capability of expanding storage capacity to 10 million barrels. MPLX has received a permit to construct a second 120 mbpd dock at the terminal to serve growing export needs in the region.

Additionally, on October 17, 2018, MPLX announced with Crimson Midstream, LLC the commencement of a binding open season to assess interest and solicit commitments from prospective shippers for transportation service on the Swordfish Pipeline. The Swordfish Pipeline would provide connectivity within Louisiana from existing terminal facilities in St. James and Raceland to the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port LLC (LOOP) terminal facility in Clovelly. The proposed pipeline would have the ability to transport up to 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day and provide shippers with access to storage services, vessel loading, as well as connectivity to other carriers at the Clovelly Hub. The in-service date for the Swordfish Pipeline is anticipated to be in the first half of 2020.

Within the L&S segment, MPLX continued to execute its organic growth plan. The company completed its major expansion work on the Ozark and Wood River-to-Patoka crude pipeline systems, with available capacity of these systems now at 360 mbpd. The company also placed into service two 410,000 barrel crude tanks in Texas City, Texas, in the third quarter. Both projects create additional fee-based revenue for MPLX while providing logistics solutions to Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: MPC) and other market participants.

Gathering & Processing

G&P segment income from operations and segment adjusted EBITDA increased by $46 million and $70 million, respectively, for the third quarter of 2018 compared with the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to increased gathered, processed and fractionated volumes.

• Gathered volumes: 4.7 billion cubic feet per day in the third quarter of 2018, a 27 percent increase versus the third quarter of 2017
• Processed volumes: 7.2 billion cubic feet per day in the third quarter of 2018, a 9 percent increase versus the third quarter of 2017
• Fractionated volumes: 488,000 barrels per day in the third quarter of 2018, a 23 percent increase versus the third quarter of 2017

Regionally, the company continues to deliver significant volume growth in the Northeast. Gathered volumes averaged 3.1 bcf/d for the quarter, a 35 percent increase versus the third quarter of 2017, driven primarily by higher Utica dry-gas and Marcellus wet-gas volumes. Processed volumes averaged 5.5 bcf/d, a 10 percent increase versus the third quarter of 2017 as volumes at the recently completed Sherwood 9, Houston 1, and Majorsville 7 plants ramped during the quarter. Fractionated volumes averaged 454,000 barrels per day, a 24 percent increase versus the third quarter of 2017. The increase was primarily the result of higher utilization at the Hopedale Complex.

In October, MPLX commenced operations of the 200-million-cubic-feet-per-day (mmcf/d) Sherwood 10 gas processing plant. Additionally, MPLX expects to add an incremental 400 mmcf/d of processing capacity and 100,000 barrels per day of fractionation capacity in the Northeast in the fourth quarter.

In the Southwest, gathered volumes were 1.6 bcf/d for the third quarter, a 14 percent increase versus the third quarter of 2017. Processed volumes averaged 1.5 bcf/d for the quarter, an 11 percent increase versus the third quarter of 2017, as volumes continued to ramp at the recently completed Argo plant in the Delaware Basin and the Omega plant in the STACK shale play in Oklahoma.

Financial Position and Liquidity

As of September 30, MPLX had $37 million in cash, approximately $1.25 billion available through its bank revolving credit facility expiring in July 2022, and $1 billion available through its credit facility with MPC.

The company's $2.3 billion of available liquidity at the end of the third quarter, its distribution coverage, and its access to the capital markets should provide it with sufficient flexibility to meet its day-to-day operational needs and continue investing in organic growth opportunities. The company's leverage ratio was 3.8x at September 30, 2018. MPLX remains committed to maintaining an investment-grade credit profile and self-funding strategy for its organic growth capital needs.

Conference Call

At 11 a.m. EDT today, MPLX will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss the reported results and provide an update on operations. Interested parties may listen by visiting MPLX's website at http://www.mplx.com and clicking on the "2018 Third Quarter Financial Results" link in the "News & Headlines" section. A replay of the webcast will be available on MPLX's website for two weeks. Financial information, including the earnings release and other investor-related material, will also be available online prior to the conference call and webcast at http://ir.mplx.com.

2018 Investor Day

Marathon Petroleum Corporation, MPLX LP, and Andeavor Logistics LP (NYSE: ANDX) will host their 2018 Investor Day at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City on December 4, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. EST. Reservations are required to attend. Interested parties can request an invitation by contacting the Investor Relations department via email at [email protected]. The presentation will also be webcast live at http://marathonpetroleum.com, http://mplx.com, and http://andeavorlogistics.com.

About MPLX LP

MPLX is a diversified, large-cap master limited partnership that owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and logistics assets, and provides fuels distribution services. MPLX's assets include a network of crude oil and refined product pipelines; an inland marine business; light-product terminals; storage caverns; refinery tanks, docks, loading racks, and associated piping; and crude and light-product marine terminals. The company also owns crude oil and natural gas gathering systems and pipelines as well as natural gas and NGL processing and fractionation facilities in key U.S. supply basins. More information is available at www.mplx.com.

Investor Relations Contact:
Kristina Kazarian (419) 421-2071

Media Contact:
Chuck Rice (419) 421-2521

Non-GAAP references

In addition to our financial information presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), management utilizes additional non-GAAP measures to facilitate comparisons of past performance and future periods. This press release and supporting schedules include the non-GAAP measures adjusted EBITDA (including segment adjusted EBITDA), distributable cash flow (DCF) and distribution coverage ratio. The amount of adjusted EBITDA and DCF generated is considered by the board of directors of our general partner in approving the Partnership's cash distribution. Adjusted EBITDA and DCF should not be considered separately from or as a substitute for net income, income from operations, or cash flow as reflected in our financial statements. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to adjusted EBITDA and DCF are net income and net cash provided by operating activities. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income adjusted for (i) depreciation and amortization; (ii) provision for income taxes; (iii) amortization of deferred financing costs; (iv) non-cash equity-based compensation; (v) net interest and other financial costs; (vi) income from equity method investments; (vii) distributions and adjustments related to equity method investments; (viii) unrealized derivative gains and losses; (ix) acquisition costs; (x) noncontrolling interest and (xi) other adjustments as deemed necessary. In general, we define DCF as adjusted EBITDA adjusted for (i) deferred revenue impacts; (ii) net interest and other financial costs; (iii) maintenance capital expenditures; (iv) equity method investment capital expenditures paid out; and (v) other non-cash items.

The Partnership makes a distinction between realized or unrealized gains and losses on derivatives. During the period when a derivative contract is outstanding, we record changes in the fair value of the derivative as an unrealized gain or loss. When a derivative contract matures or is settled, we reverse the previously recorded unrealized gain or loss and record the realized gain or loss of the contract.

Adjusted EBITDA is a financial performance measure used by management, industry analysts, investors, lenders, and rating agencies to assess the financial performance and operating results of our ongoing business operations. Additionally, we believe adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors for trending, analyzing and benchmarking our operating results from period to period as compared to other companies that may have different financing and capital structures.

DCF is a financial performance measure used by management as a key component in the determination of cash distributions paid to unitholders. We believe DCF is an important financial measure for unitholders as an indicator of cash return on investment and to evaluate whether the partnership is generating sufficient cash flow to support quarterly distributions. In addition, DCF is commonly used by the investment community because the market value of publicly traded partnerships is based, in part, on DCF and cash distributions paid to unitholders.

Distribution coverage ratio is a financial performance measure used by management to reflect the relationship between the partnership's financial operating performance and cash distribution capability. We define the distribution coverage ratio as the ratio of DCF attributable to GP and LP unitholders to total GP and LP distribution declared.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws regarding MPLX LP ("MPLX") and Marathon Petroleum Corporation ("MPC"). These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations, estimates and projections concerning the business and operations of MPLX and MPC, including strategic initiatives and our value creation plans. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "design," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "imply," "intend," "objective," "opportunity," "outlook," "plan," "position," "pursue," "prospective," "predict," "project," "potential," "seek," "strategy," "target," "could," "may," "should," "would," "will" or other similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the companies' control and are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause MPLX's actual results to differ materially from those implied in the forward-looking statements include: negative capital market conditions, including an increase of the current yield on common units, adversely affecting MPLX's ability to meet its distribution growth guidance; our ability to achieve the strategic and other objectives related to the strategic initiatives discussed herein and other proposed transactions; adverse changes in laws including with respect to tax and regulatory matters; the adequacy of MPLX's capital resources and liquidity, including, but not limited to, availability of sufficient cash flow to pay distributions and access to debt on commercially reasonable terms, and the ability to successfully execute its business plans, growth strategy and self-funding model; the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices and demand for crude oil, refined products, feedstocks or other hydrocarbon-based products; continued/further volatility in and/or degradation of market and industry conditions; changes to the expected construction costs and timing of projects and planned investments, and our ability to obtain regulatory and other approvals with respect thereto; completion of midstream infrastructure by competitors; disruptions due to equipment interruption or failure, including electrical shortages and power grid failures; the suspension, reduction or termination of MPC's obligations under MPLX's commercial agreements; modifications to earnings and distribution growth objectives; our ability to manage disruptions in credit markets or changes to our credit rating; compliance with federal and state environmental, economic, health and safety, energy and other policies and regulations and/or enforcement actions initiated thereunder; adverse results in litigation; changes to MPLX's capital budget; other risk factors inherent to MPLX's industry; and the factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in MPLX's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Factors that could cause MPC's actual results to differ materially from those implied in the forward-looking statements include: risks related to MPC's acquisition of Andeavor; future levels of revenues, refining and marketing margins, operating costs, retail gasoline and distillate margins, merchandise margins, income from operations, net income or earnings per share; the regional, national and worldwide availability and pricing of refined products, crude oil, natural gas, NGLs and other feedstocks; consumer demand for refined products; MPC's ability to manage disruptions in credit markets or changes to its credit rating; future levels of capital, environmental or maintenance expenditures, general and administrative and other expenses; the success or timing of completion of ongoing or anticipated capital or maintenance projects; the reliability of processing units and other equipment; business strategies, growth opportunities and expected investment; MPC's share repurchase authorizations, including the timing and amounts of any common stock repurchases; the adequacy of capital resources and liquidity, including but not limited to, availability of sufficient cash flow to execute the business plan and to effect any share repurchases, including within the expected timeframe; the effect of restructuring or reorganization of business components; the potential effects of judicial or other proceedings on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; continued or further volatility in and/or degradation of general economic, market, industry or business conditions; compliance with federal and state environmental, economic, health and safety, energy and other policies and regulations, including the cost of compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard, and/or enforcement actions initiated thereunder; the anticipated effects of actions of third parties such as competitors, activist investors or federal, foreign, state or local regulatory authorities or plaintiffs in litigation; the impact of adverse market conditions; risks related to MPLX described above and similar risks related to Andeavor Logistics LP; and the factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in MPC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2017, and in MPC's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, filed with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We have based our forward-looking statements on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and you should not rely unduly on them, as they involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that we cannot predict. In addition, we have based many of these forward-looking statements on assumptions about future events that may prove to be inaccurate. While our management considers these assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our actual results may differ materially from the future performance that we have expressed or forecast in our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by applicable law. Copies of MPLX's Form 10-K are available on the SEC website, MPLX's website at http://ir.mplx.com or by contacting MPLX's Investor Relations office. Copies of MPC's Form 10-K and Forms 10-Q are available on the SEC website, MPC's website at http://ir.marathonpetroleum.com or by contacting MPC's Investor Relations office.

 

SOURCE MPLX LP

Related Links

http://mplx.com