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Energy Transfer LP - Quarter Report: 2015 September (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
or
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 1-32740
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
30-0108820
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
8111 Westchester Drive, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas 75225
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
(214) 981-0700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

3738 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75219
(Former address, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
ý
 
Accelerated filer
¨
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
At October 30, 2015, the registrant had 1,044,764,836 Common Units outstanding.
 


Table of Contents

FORM 10-Q
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this report, excluding historical information, as well as some statements by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (“Energy Transfer Equity,” the “Partnership” or “ETE”) in periodic press releases and some oral statements of Energy Transfer Equity officials during presentations about the Partnership, include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Statements using words such as “anticipate,” “project,” “expect,” “plan,” “goal,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “may,” “will” or similar expressions help identify forward-looking statements. Although the Partnership and its general partner believe such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and current expectations and projections about future events, no assurance can be given that such assumptions, expectations or projections will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Partnership’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or expressed, forecasted, projected or expected in forward-looking statements since many of the factors that determine these results are subject to uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict and beyond management’s control. For additional discussion of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, see “Part I — Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Partnership’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2015.
Definitions
The following is a list of certain acronyms and terms generally used in the energy industry and throughout this document:
 
/d
 
per day
 
 
 
 
AmeriGas
 
AmeriGas Partners, L.P.
 
 
 
 
 
AOCI
 
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
Bbls
 
barrels
 
 
 
 
Bcf
 
billion cubic feet
 
 
 
 
 
Btu
 
British thermal unit, an energy measurement used by gas companies to convert the volume of gas used to its heat equivalent, and thus calculate the actual energy content
 
 
 
 
 
Citrus
 
Citrus, LLC
 
 
 
 
 
CrossCountry
 
CrossCountry Energy LLC, which owns an indirect 50% interest in Citrus
 
 
 
 
 
ETC
 
Energy Transfer Corp LP
 
 
 
 
 
ETC OLP
 
La Grange Acquisition, L.P., which conducts business under the assumed name of Energy Transfer Company
 
 
 
 
 
ETP
 
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
 
 
 
 
 
ETP GP
 
Energy Transfer Partners GP, L.P., the general partner of ETP
 
 
 
 
 
ETP Holdco
 
ETP Holdco Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
ETP Preferred Units
 
ETP’s Series A Convertible Preferred Units, the Preferred Units of a Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange Act
 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
 
 
 
 
FEP
 
Fayetteville Express Pipeline LLC
 
 
 
 
 
FERC
 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
 
 
 
 
 
FGT
 
Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP
 
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
 
 
 
 
 
HPC
 
RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co.
 
 
 
 
 
Hoover
 
Hoover Energy Partners, LP
 
 
 
 
 
IDRs
 
incentive distribution rights
 
 
 
 
 
Lake Charles LNG
 
Lake Charles LNG Company, LLC
 
 
 
 

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LIBOR
 
London Interbank Offered Rate
 
 
 
 
 
LNG
 
liquefied natural gas
 
 
 
 
 
Lone Star
 
Lone Star NGL LLC
 
 
 
 
 
MEP
 
Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC
 
 
 
 
 
MMBtu
 
million British thermal units
 
 
 
 
 
MTBE
 
methyl tertiary butyl ether
 
 
 
 
 
NGL
 
natural gas liquid, such as propane, butane and natural gasoline
 
 
 
 
NYMEX
 
New York Mercantile Exchange
 
 
 
 
 
OSHA
 
Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act
 
 
 
 
OTC
 
over-the-counter
 
 
 
 
 
Panhandle
 
Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP
 
 
 
 
 
PCBs
 
polychlorinated biphenyl
 
 
 
 
 
PES
 
Philadelphia Energy Solutions
 
 
 
 
 
PHMSA
 
Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
 
 
 
 
 
PVR
 
PVR Partners, L.P.
 
 
 
 
 
Regency
 
Regency Energy Partners LP
 
 
 
 
 
Regency OLP
 
Regency OLP GP LLC
 
 
 
 
 
Regency Preferred Units
 
Regency’s Series A Convertible Preferred Units, the Preferred Units of a Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
Retail Holdings
 
ETP Retail Holdings LLC, a joint venture between subsidiaries of ETC OLP and Sunoco, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
SEC
 
Securities and Exchange Commission
 
 
 
 
 
Southern Union
 
Southern Union Company
 
 
 
 
 
Sunoco GP
 
Sunoco GP LLC, the general partner of Sunoco LP
 
 
 
 
 
Sunoco Logistics
 
Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.
 
 
 
 
 
Sunoco LP
 
Sunoco LP (previously named Susser Petroleum Partners, LP)
 
 
 
 
 
Susser
 
Susser Holdings Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
Transwestern
 
Transwestern Pipeline Company, LLC
 
 
 
 
 
WMB
 
The Williams Companies, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
WTI
 
West Texas Intermediate Crude
Adjusted EBITDA is a term used throughout this document, which we define as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and other non-cash items, such as non-cash compensation expense, gains and losses on disposals of assets, the allowance for equity funds used during construction, unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities, non-cash impairment charges, losses on extinguishments of debt, gain on deconsolidation and other non-operating income or expense items. Unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities include unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory fair value adjustments (excluding lower of cost or market adjustments). Adjusted EBITDA reflects amounts for less than wholly-owned subsidiaries based on 100% of the subsidiaries’ results of operations and for unconsolidated affiliates based on the Partnership’s proportionate ownership.

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,019

 
$
847

Accounts receivable, net
2,749

 
3,378

Accounts receivable from related companies
250

 
35

Inventories
1,580

 
1,467

Exchanges receivable
39

 
44

Derivative assets
13

 
81

Other current assets
422

 
301

Total current assets
6,072

 
6,153

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
52,301

 
45,018

Accumulated depreciation and depletion
(5,996
)
 
(4,726
)
 
46,305

 
40,292

 
 
 
 
Advances to and investments in unconsolidated affiliates
3,637

 
3,659

Non-current derivative assets
15

 
10

Other non-current assets, net
962

 
908

Intangible assets, net
5,522

 
5,582

Goodwill
7,655

 
7,865

Total assets
$
70,168

 
$
64,469


















The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in million)
(unaudited)

 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
2,477

 
$
3,349

Accounts payable to related companies
32

 
19

Exchanges payable
87

 
184

Derivative liabilities
6

 
21

Accrued and other current liabilities
2,432

 
2,201

Current maturities of long-term debt
15

 
1,008

Total current liabilities
5,049

 
6,782

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
36,332

 
29,653

Non-current derivative liabilities
189

 
154

Deferred income taxes
4,256

 
4,325

Other non-current liabilities
1,246

 
1,193

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies

 

 
 
 
 
Preferred units of subsidiaries
33

 
33

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
15

 
15

 
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
General Partner
(2
)
 
(1
)
Limited Partners:
 
 
 
Common Unitholders
(925
)
 
648

Class D Units
21

 
22

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 
(5
)
Total partners’ capital
(906
)
 
664

Noncontrolling interest
23,954

 
21,650

Total equity
23,048

 
22,314

Total liabilities and equity
$
70,168

 
$
64,469












The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in millions, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas sales
$
960

 
$
1,290

 
$
2,893

 
$
4,082

NGL sales
961

 
1,797

 
2,930

 
4,451

Crude sales
1,860

 
4,497

 
6,748

 
13,022

Gathering, transportation and other fees
1,074

 
958

 
3,155

 
2,708

Refined product sales
4,105

 
5,165

 
12,195

 
14,581

Other
1,656

 
1,280

 
4,669

 
3,366

Total revenues
10,616

 
14,987

 
32,590

 
42,210

COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of products sold
8,581

 
13,015

 
26,406

 
36,808

Operating expenses
706

 
557

 
1,997

 
1,409

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
524


425

 
1,531

 
1,248

Selling, general and administrative
155

 
168

 
493

 
440

Total costs and expenses
9,966

 
14,165

 
30,427

 
39,905

OPERATING INCOME
650

 
822

 
2,163

 
2,305

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
(442
)

(356
)
 
(1,221
)
 
(1,015
)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
110

 
84

 
284

 
265

Gains (losses) on extinguishments of debt
(10
)
 
2

 
(43
)
 
2

Losses on interest rate derivatives
(64
)

(25
)
 
(14
)
 
(73
)
Gain on sale of AmeriGas common units

 
14

 

 
177

Other, net
31

 
(15
)
 
55

 
(38
)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE
275

 
526

 
1,224

 
1,623

Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations
37


56

 
(7
)

271

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
238

 
470

 
1,231

 
1,352

Income from discontinued operations



 


66

NET INCOME
238

 
470

 
1,231

 
1,418

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
(55
)
 
282

 
356

 
898

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARTNERS
293

 
188

 
875

 
520

General Partner’s interest in net income
1

 

 
2

 
1

Class D Unitholder’s interest in net income
1

 

 
2

 
1

Limited Partners’ interest in net income
$
291

 
$
188

 
$
871

 
$
518

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.28

 
$
0.17

 
$
0.81

 
$
0.47

Diluted
$
0.28

 
$
0.17

 
$
0.81

 
$
0.47

NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.28

 
$
0.17

 
$
0.81

 
$
0.47

Diluted
$
0.28

 
$
0.17

 
$
0.81

 
$
0.47


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
238

 
$
470

 
$
1,231

 
$
1,418

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification to earnings of gains and losses on derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges

 

 

 
6

Change in value of derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges

 
3

 
1

 
(3
)
Change in value of available-for-sale securities
(1
)
 
1

 
(1
)
 
1

Actuarial gain (loss) relating to pension and other postretirement benefit plans

 
(1
)
 
45

 
(2
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
1

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
Change in other comprehensive income from unconsolidated affiliates

 

 
(2
)
 
(6
)
 

 
2

 
42

 
(7
)
Comprehensive income
238

 
472

 
1,273

 
1,411

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
(57
)
 
285

 
393

 
895

Comprehensive income attributable to partners
$
295

 
$
187

 
$
880

 
$
516






























The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
 
 
General
Partner    
 
Common
Unitholders    
 
Class D Units
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Non-
controlling
Interest
 
Total    
Balance, December 31, 2014
$
(1
)
 
$
648

 
$
22

 
$
(5
)
 
$
21,650

 
$
22,314

Distributions to partners
(2
)
 
(786
)
 
(2
)
 

 

 
(790
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 
(1,712
)
 
(1,712
)
Subsidiary units issued
(1
)
 
(481
)
 
(1
)
 

 
3,037

 
2,554

Conversion of Class D Units to ETE Common Units

 
7

 
(7
)
 

 

 

Non-cash compensation expense, net of units tendered by employees for tax withholdings

 

 
7

 

 
51

 
58

Capital contributions received from noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 
617

 
617

Units repurchased under buyback program

 
(1,064
)
 

 

 

 
(1,064
)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 
(65
)
 
(65
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 
5

 
37

 
42

Other, net

 
(120
)
 

 

 
(17
)
 
(137
)
Net income
2

 
871

 
2

 

 
356

 
1,231

Balance, September 30, 2015
$
(2
)
 
$
(925
)
 
$
21

 
$

 
$
23,954

 
$
23,048




















The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,231

 
$
1,418

Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
1,531

 
1,248

Deferred income taxes
33

 
(66
)
Amortization included in interest expense
(20
)
 
(41
)
Unit-based compensation expense
68

 
60

Gain on sale of AmeriGas common units

 
(177
)
(Gains) losses on disposal of assets
(9
)
 
13

(Gains) losses on extinguishments of debt
43

 
(2
)
Inventory valuation adjustments
78

 
17

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
(284
)
 
(265
)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
263

 
224

Other non-cash
43

 
(42
)
Cash flow in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and deconsolidations
(831
)
 
120

Net cash provided by operating activities
2,146

 
2,507

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash received
(502
)
 
(1,794
)
Cash proceeds from sale of noncontrolling interest in Rover Pipeline LLC to AE-Midco Rover, LLC
64

 

Cash paid for acquisition of a noncontrolling interest
(129
)
 

Cash proceeds from the sale of AmeriGas common units

 
814

Capital expenditures, excluding allowance for equity funds used during construction
(6,688
)
 
(3,714
)
Contributions in aid of construction costs
27

 
34

Contributions to unconsolidated affiliates
(75
)
 
(264
)
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates in excess of cumulative earnings
124

 
97

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

 
79

Proceeds from the sale of assets
23

 
22

Change in restricted cash
10

 
162

Other
(14
)
 
(10
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(7,160
)
 
(4,574
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Proceeds from borrowings
19,791

 
12,044

Repayments of long-term debt
(14,107
)
 
(8,342
)
Subsidiary units issued for cash
2,554

 
1,881

Distributions to partners
(790
)
 
(596
)
Debt issuance costs
(65
)
 
(61
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest
(1,712
)
 
(1,359
)
Capital contributions received from noncontrolling interest
583

 
19

Units repurchased under buyback program
(1,064
)
 
(1,000
)
Other, net
(4
)
 
(1
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
5,186

 
2,585

Increase in cash and cash equivalents
172

 
518

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
847

 
590

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
1,019

 
$
1,108


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Table of Contents

ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular dollar and unit amounts, except per unit data, are in millions)
(unaudited)
1.
ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Organization
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Partnership” and “ETE” mean Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to the “Parent Company” mean Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. on a stand-alone basis.
The consolidated financial statements of ETE presented herein include the results of operations of:
the Parent Company;
our controlled subsidiaries, ETP and Sunoco LP (see description of their respective operations below under “Business Operations” and ETP’s acquisition of Regency in Note 2);
Consolidated subsidiaries of our controlled subsidiaries and our wholly-owned subsidiaries that own general partner interests and IDRs in ETP, Sunoco LP and Regency (until ETP’s April 2015 acquisition); and
our wholly-owned subsidiary, Lake Charles LNG.
The Parent Company’s principal sources of cash flow are derived from its direct and indirect investments in the limited partner and general partner interests in ETP and Sunoco LP and cash flows from the operations of Lake Charles LNG. The Parent Company’s primary cash requirements are for general and administrative expenses, debt service requirements and distributions to its partners. Parent Company-only assets are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of ETE’s subsidiaries. In order to understand the financial condition of the Parent Company on a stand-alone basis, see Note 16 for stand-alone financial information apart from that of the consolidated partnership information included herein.
Our activities are primarily conducted through our operating subsidiaries as follows:
ETP is a publicly traded partnership whose operations are conducted through the following subsidiaries:
ETC OLP, a Texas limited partnership primarily engaged in midstream and intrastate transportation and storage natural gas operations. ETC OLP owns and operates, through its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries, natural gas gathering systems, intrastate natural gas pipeline systems and gas processing plants and is engaged in the business of purchasing, gathering, transporting, processing, and marketing natural gas and NGLs in the states of Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico and West Virginia. ETC OLP’s intrastate transportation and storage operations primarily focus on transporting natural gas in Texas through our Oasis pipeline, ET Fuel System, East Texas pipeline and HPL System. ETC OLP’s midstream operations focus on the gathering, compression, treating, conditioning and processing of natural gas, primarily on or through our Southeast Texas System, Eagle Ford System, North Texas System and Northern Louisiana assets. Subsequent to its acquisition of Regency’s 30% equity interest in Lone Star, ETC OLP now owns 100% of Lone Star.
ET Interstate, a Delaware limited liability company with revenues consisting primarily of fees earned from natural gas transportation services and operational gas sales. ET Interstate is the parent company of:
Transwestern, a Delaware limited liability company engaged in interstate transportation of natural gas. Transwestern’s revenues consist primarily of fees earned from natural gas transportation services and operational gas sales.
ETC Fayetteville Express Pipeline, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company that directly owns a 50% interest in FEP, which owns 100% of the Fayetteville Express interstate natural gas pipeline.
ETC Tiger Pipeline, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company engaged in interstate transportation of natural gas.
CrossCountry, a Delaware limited liability company that indirectly owns a 50% interest in Citrus, which owns 100% of the FGT interstate natural gas pipeline.
ETC Compression, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company engaged in natural gas compression services and related equipment sales.

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ETP Holdco, a Delaware limited liability company that indirectly owns Panhandle and Sunoco, Inc. Panhandle and Sunoco, Inc. operations are described as follows:
Panhandle owns and operates assets in the regulated and unregulated natural gas industry and is primarily engaged in the transportation and storage of natural gas in the United States.
Sunoco, Inc. owns and operates retail marketing assets, which sell gasoline and middle distillates at retail locations and operates convenience stores primarily on the east coast and in the midwest region of the United States. Effective June 1, 2014, ETP combined certain Sunoco, Inc. retail assets with another wholly-owned subsidiary of ETP to form a limited liability company, Retail Holdings, owned by ETP and Sunoco, Inc.
Sunoco Logistics, a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership that owns and operates a logistics business, consisting of refined products, crude oil and NGL pipelines, terminalling and storage assets, and refined products, crude oil and NGL acquisition and marketing assets.
Regency OLP is a limited partnership engaged in the gathering and processing, compression, treating and transportation of natural gas; the gathering, transportation and terminalling of oil (crude and/or condensate, a lighter oil) received from producers; and the management of coal and natural resource properties in the United States. Regency OLP focuses on providing midstream services in some of the most prolific natural gas producing regions in the United States, including the Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Barnett, Fayetteville, Marcellus, Utica, Bone Spring, Avalon and Granite Wash shales.
Effective July 1, 2015, ETE acquired 100% of the membership interests of Sunoco GP, the general partner of Sunoco LP, and all of the IDRs of Sunoco LP from ETP, and in exchange, ETE transferred to ETP 21 million ETP common units. Sunoco LP is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership that distributes motor fuels to convenience stores and retail fuel outlets in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Hawaii and other commercial customers. Also in July 2015, Sunoco LP acquired 100% equity interest in Susser from ETP. Susser operates convenience stores in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Lake Charles LNG operates a LNG import terminal, which has approximately 9.0 Bcf of above ground LNG storage capacity and re-gasification facilities on Louisiana’s Gulf Coast near Lake Charles, Louisiana. Lake Charles LNG is engaged in interstate commerce and is subject to the rules, regulations and accounting requirements of the FERC.
Subsequent to ETE’s acquisition of a controlling interest in Sunoco LP (see Note 2), our financial statements reflect the following reportable business segments:
Investment in ETP, including the consolidated operations of ETP;
Investment in Sunoco LP, including the consolidated operations of Sunoco LP;
Investment in Lake Charles LNG, including the operations of Lake Charles LNG; and
Corporate and Other, including the following:
activities of the Parent Company; and
the goodwill and property, plant and equipment fair value adjustments recorded as a result of the 2004 reverse acquisition of Heritage Propane Partners, L.P.
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited financial information included in this Form 10-Q has been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. In the opinion of the Partnership’s management, such financial information reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for such interim periods in accordance with GAAP. All intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
As discussed in Note 9, in July 2015, the Partnership completed a two-for-one split of ETE Common Units. All references to unit and per unit amounts in the consolidated financial statements and in these notes to the consolidated financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the effect of the unit split for all periods presented.

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Use of Estimates
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net income or total equity.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which includes the use of estimates and assumptions made by management that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities that exist at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Although these estimates are based on management’s available knowledge of current and expected future events, actual results could be different from those estimates.
Excise Taxes
The Partnership records the collection of taxes to be remitted to government authorities on a net basis except for ETP’s retail marketing operations, in which consumer excise taxes on sales of refined products and merchandise are included in both revenues and cost of products sold in the consolidated statements of operations, with no net impact on net income. Excise taxes collected by the retail marketing operations were $793 million and $632 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $2.29 billion and $1.74 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Subsidiary Common Unit Transactions
The Parent Company accounts for the difference between the carrying amount of its investments in ETP and Sunoco LP and the underlying book value arising from the issuance or redemption of units by ETP or Sunoco LP (excluding transactions with the Parent Company) as capital transactions.
Recent Accounting Pronouncement
In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”), which changed the requirements for consolidations analysis.  Under ASU 2015-02, reporting entities are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities.  ASU 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and early adoption is permitted. The Partnership expects to adopt this standard for the year ending December 31, 2016, and we are currently evaluating the impact that it will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
2.
ACQUISITIONS, DIVESTITURES AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
WMB Merger
In September 2015, ETE, ETC and WMB entered into a merger agreement. The merger agreement provides that WMB will be merged with and into ETC, with ETC surviving the merger. ETC is a recently formed limited partnership that will elect to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes and would own the managing member interest in our general partner, and upon closing of a merger with WMB, would own limited partner interests in ETE. At the time of the merger, each issued and outstanding share of WMB common stock would be exchanged for (i) $8.00 in cash and 1.5274 common units representing limited partnership interests in ETC, (ii) 1.8716 ETC common shares, or (iii) $43.50 in cash.
The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including the receipt of approval of the merger from WMB’s stockholders and all required regulatory approvals, including approval pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. ETE and WMB anticipate that the transaction will be completed in the first half of 2016.
Regency Merger
On April 30, 2015, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETP merged with Regency, with Regency surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETP (the “Regency Merger”). Each Regency common unit and Class F unit was converted into the right to receive 0.4124 ETP common units. ETP issued 172.2 million ETP common units to Regency unitholders, including 15.5 million units issued to subsidiaries of ETP. The 1.9 million outstanding Regency series A preferred units were converted into corresponding new ETP Series A Preferred Units on a one-for-one basis.
In connection with the Regency Merger, ETE agreed to reduce the incentive distributions it receives from ETP by a total of $320 million over a five-year period. The IDR subsidy will total $80 million for the year ending December 31, 2015 and $60 million per year for the following four years.

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Sunoco LP
In April 2015, Sunoco LP acquired a 31.58% equity interest in Sunoco, LLC from Retail Holdings for $816 million. Sunoco, LLC distributes approximately 5.3 billion gallons per year of motor fuel to customers in the east, midwest and southwest regions of the United States. Sunoco LP paid $775 million in cash and issued $41 million of Sunoco LP common units to Retail Holdings, based on the five-day volume weighted average price of Sunoco LP’s common units as of March 20, 2015.
In July 2015, in exchange for the contribution of 100% of Susser from ETP to Sunoco LP, Sunoco LP paid approximately $970 million in cash and issued to ETP subsidiaries 22 million Sunoco LP Class B units valued at approximately $970 million. The Sunoco Class B units did not receive second quarter 2015 cash distributions from Sunoco LP and converted on a one-for-one basis into Sunoco LP common units on the day immediately following the record date for Sunoco LP’s second quarter 2015 distribution. In addition, (i) a Susser subsidiary exchanged its 79,308 Sunoco LP common units for 79,308 Sunoco LP Class A units, (ii) approximately 11 million Sunoco LP subordinated units owned by Susser subsidiaries were converted into approximately 11 million Sunoco LP Class A units and (iii) Sunoco LP issued 79,308 Sunoco LP common units and approximately 11 million Sunoco LP subordinated units to subsidiaries of ETP. The Sunoco LP Class A units were contributed to Sunoco LP as part of the transaction. Sunoco LP subsequently contributed, transferred, assigned and conveyed its interests in Susser to one of its subsidiaries.
Effective July 1, 2015, ETE acquired 100% of the membership interests of Sunoco GP, the general partner of Sunoco LP, and all of the IDRs of Sunoco LP from ETP, and in exchange, ETE transferred to ETP 21 million ETP common units (the “Sunoco LP Exchange”). In connection with ETP’s 2014 acquisition of Susser, ETE agreed to provide ETP a $35 million annual IDR subsidy for 10 years, which terminated upon the closing of ETE’s acquisition of Sunoco GP. In connection with the exchange and repurchase, ETE will provide ETP a $35 million annual IDR subsidy for two years beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2015.
Bakken Pipeline
In March 2015, ETE transferred 30.8 million ETP common units, ETE’s 45% interest in the Bakken Pipeline project, and $879 million in cash to ETP in exchange for 30.8 million newly issued ETP Class H Units that, when combined with the 50.2 million previously issued ETP Class H Units, generally entitle ETE to receive 90.05% of the cash distributions and other economic attributes of the general partner interest and IDRs of Sunoco Logistics (the “Bakken Pipeline Transaction”). In connection with this transaction, ETP also issued to ETE 100 ETP Class I Units that provide distributions to ETE to offset IDR subsidies previously provided to ETP. These IDR subsidies, including the impact from distributions on ETP Class I Units, will be reduced by $55 million in 2015 and $30 million in 2016.
In October 2015, Sunoco Logistics completed the previously announced acquisition of a 40% membership interest (the “Bakken Membership Interest”) in Bakken Holdings Company LLC (“Bakken Holdco”). Bakken Holdco, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns a 75% membership interest in each of Dakota Access, LLC and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, LLC, which together intend to develop the previously announced pipeline system to deliver crude oil from the Bakken/Three Forks production area in North Dakota to the Gulf Coast (the “Bakken Pipeline Project”). ETP transferred the Bakken Membership Interest to Sunoco Logistics in exchange for approximately 9.4 million Class B Units representing limited partner interests in Sunoco Logistics and the payment by Sunoco Logistics to ETP of $382 million of cash, which represented reimbursement for its proportionate share of the total cash contributions made in the Bakken Pipeline Project as of the date of closing of the exchange transaction.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 include the results of operations for a marketing business that was sold effective April 1, 2014.

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3.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include all cash on hand, demand deposits, and investments with original maturities of three months or less. We consider cash equivalents to include short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and that are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
Non-cash investing and financing activities were as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Accrued capital expenditures
$
966

 
$
399

Net gains (losses) from subsidiary common unit issuances
(483
)
 
702

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Contribution of property, plant and equipment from noncontrolling interest
$
34

 
$

Subsidiary issuances of common units in connection with Regency’s acquisitions

 
4,281

Subsidiary issuances of common units in connection with Susser Merger

 
1,312

Long-term debt assumed in Regency’s acquisitions

 
1,887

Long-term debt exchanged in Regency’s acquisitions

 
499

4.
INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following:
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Natural gas and NGLs
$
426

 
$
392

Crude oil
461

 
364

Refined products
348

 
392

Other
345

 
319

Total inventories
$
1,580

 
$
1,467

We utilize commodity derivatives to manage price volatility associated with our natural gas inventory. Changes in fair value of designated hedged inventory are recorded in inventory on our consolidated balance sheets and cost of products sold in our consolidated statements of operations.

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5.
FAIR VALUE MEASURES
We have commodity derivatives, interest rate derivatives and embedded derivatives in the ETP Preferred Units that are accounted for as assets and liabilities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. We determine the fair value of our assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurement by using the highest possible “level” of inputs. Level 1 inputs are observable quotes in an active market for identical assets and liabilities. We consider the valuation of commodity derivatives transacted through a clearing broker with a published price from the appropriate exchange as a Level 1 valuation. Level 2 inputs are inputs observable for similar assets and liabilities. We consider OTC commodity derivatives entered into directly with third parties as a Level 2 valuation since the values of these derivatives are quoted on an exchange for similar transactions. Additionally, we consider our options transacted through our clearing broker as having Level 2 inputs due to the level of activity of these contracts on the exchange in which they trade. We consider the valuation of our interest rate derivatives as Level 2 as the primary input, the LIBOR curve, is based on quotes from an active exchange of Eurodollar futures for the same period as the future interest swap settlements, and we discount the future cash flows accordingly, including the effects of credit risk. Level 3 inputs are unobservable. As of December 31, 2014, derivatives related to the Regency Series A Preferred Units were valued using a binomial lattice model. The market inputs utilized in the model include credit spread, probabilities of the occurrence of certain events, common unit price, dividend yield, and expected value, and are considered Level 3. Also on April 30, 2015, in connection with the Regency Merger, the Regency Series A Preferred Units were converted into the right to receive a preferred unit representing a limited partner interest in ETP (the ETP Preferred Units). During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, no transfers were made between any levels within the fair value hierarchy.
Based on the estimated borrowing rates currently available to us and our subsidiaries for loans with similar terms and average maturities, the aggregate fair value and carrying amount of our consolidated debt obligations as of September 30, 2015 was $34.57 billion and $36.35 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate fair value and carrying amount of our consolidated debt obligations was $31.68 billion and $30.66 billion, respectively. The fair value of our consolidated debt obligations is a Level 2 valuation based on the observable inputs used for similar liabilities.

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The following tables summarize the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 based on inputs used to derive their fair values:
 
Fair Value Measurements at
September 30, 2015
 
Fair Value
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
$
22

 
$

 
$
22

 
$

Commodity derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX
5

 
5

 

 

Swing Swaps IFERC
4

 
4

 

 

Fixed Swaps/Futures
237

 
237

 

 

Forward Physical Swaps
2

 

 
2

 

Power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forwards
11

 

 
11

 

Futures
2

 
2

 

 

Natural Gas Liquids – Forwards/Swaps
57

 
57

 

 

Refined Products — Futures
28

 
28

 

 

Crude – Futures
1

 
1

 

 

Total commodity derivatives
347

 
334

 
13

 

Total assets
$
369

 
$
334

 
$
35

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
$
(183
)
 
$

 
$
(183
)
 
$

Embedded derivatives in the ETP Preferred Units
(6
)
 

 

 
(6
)
Commodity derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX
(4
)
 
(4
)
 

 

Swing Swaps IFERC
(5
)
 
(5
)
 

 

Fixed Swaps/Futures
(189
)
 
(189
)
 

 

Power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forwards
(12
)
 

 
(12
)
 

Futures
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 

Natural Gas Liquids – Forwards/Swaps
(44
)
 
(44
)
 

 

Refined Products — Futures
(5
)
 
(5
)
 

 

Total commodity derivatives
(260
)
 
(248
)
 
(12
)
 

Total liabilities
$
(449
)
 
$
(248
)
 
$
(195
)
 
$
(6
)

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Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2014
 
Fair Value
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
$
3

 
$

 
$
3

 
$

Commodity derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensate — Forward Swaps
36

 

 
36

 

Natural Gas:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX
19

 
19

 

 

Swing Swaps IFERC
26

 
1

 
25

 

Fixed Swaps/Futures
566

 
541

 
25

 

Forward Physical Contracts
1

 

 
1

 

Power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forwards
3

 

 
3

 

Futures
4

 
4

 

 

Natural Gas Liquids — Forwards/Swaps
69

 
46

 
23

 

Refined Products — Futures
21

 
21

 

 

Total commodity derivatives
745

 
632

 
113

 

Total assets
$
748

 
$
632

 
$
116

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
$
(155
)
 
$

 
$
(155
)
 
$

Embedded derivatives in the Regency Preferred Units
(16
)
 

 

 
(16
)
Natural Gas:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX
(18
)
 
(18
)
 

 

Swing Swaps IFERC
(25
)
 
(2
)
 
(23
)
 

Fixed Swaps/Futures
(490
)
 
(490
)
 

 

Power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forwards
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
 

Futures
(2
)
 
(2
)
 

 

Natural Gas Liquids — Forwards/Swaps
(32
)
 
(32
)
 

 

Refined Products — Futures
(7
)
 
(7
)
 

 

Total commodity derivatives
(578
)
 
(551
)
 
(27
)
 

Total liabilities
$
(749
)
 
$
(551
)
 
$
(182
)
 
$
(16
)
The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for our Level 3 financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
Balance, December 31, 2014
$
(16
)
Net unrealized gains included in other income (expense)
10

Balance, September 30, 2015
$
(6
)


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6.
NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT
A reconciliation of income from continuing operations and weighted average units used in computing basic and diluted income from continuing operations per unit is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Income from continuing operations
$
238

 
$
470

 
$
1,231

 
$
1,352

Less: Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interest
(55
)
 
282

 
356

 
839

Income from continuing operations, net of noncontrolling interest
293

 
188

 
875

 
513

Less: General Partner’s interest in income from continuing operations
1

 

 
2

 
1

Less: Class D Unitholder’s interest in income from continuing operations
1

 

 
2

 
1

Income from continuing operations available to Limited Partners
$
291

 
$
188

 
$
871

 
$
511

Basic Income from Continuing Operations per Limited Partner Unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average limited partner units
1,052.5

 
1,077.5

 
1,068.9

 
1,093.2

Basic income from continuing operations per Limited Partner unit
$
0.28

 
$
0.17

 
$
0.81

 
$
0.47

Basic income from discontinued operations per Limited Partner unit
$
0.00

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.00

Diluted Income from Continuing Operations per Limited Partner Unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations available to Limited Partners
$
291

 
$
188

 
$
871

 
$
511

Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation of subsidiaries and distributions to Class D Unitholder
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Diluted income from continuing operations available to Limited Partners
$
290

 
$
187

 
$
869

 
$
509

Weighted average limited partner units
1,052.5

 
1,077.5

 
1,068.9

 
1,093.2

Dilutive effect of unconverted unit awards
1.6

 
2.2

 
1.6

 
2.0

Weighted average limited partner units, assuming dilutive effect of unvested unit awards
1,054.1

 
1,079.7

 
1,070.5

 
1,095.2

Diluted income from continuing operations per Limited Partner unit
$
0.28

 
$
0.17

 
$
0.81

 
$
0.47

Diluted income from discontinued operations per Limited Partner unit
$
0.00

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.00


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7.
DEBT OBLIGATIONS
Parent Company Indebtedness
The Parent Company’s indebtedness, including its senior notes, senior secured term loan and senior secured revolving credit facility, is secured by all of its and certain of its subsidiaries’ tangible and intangible assets.
ETE Term Loan Facility
In March 2015, the Parent Company entered into a Senior Secured Term Loan C Agreement (the “ETE Term Loan C Agreement” and, together with the Parent Company’s other term loan agreements, the “ETE Term Loan Facility”), which increased the aggregate principal amount under the ETE Term Loan Facility to $2.25 billion, an increase of $850 million. The Parent Company used the proceeds (i) to fund the cash consideration for the Bakken Pipeline Transaction, (ii) to repay amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility, and (iii) to pay transaction fees and expenses related to the Bakken Pipeline Transaction, the Term Loan Facility and other transactions incidental thereto. Under the ETE Term Loan C Agreement, interest accrues on advances at a LIBOR rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin based on the election of the Parent Company for each interest period; the applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans is 3.25% and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 2.25%.
For the $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount under the Senior Secured Term Loan B Agreement of the ETE Term Loan Facility, interest accrues on advances at a LIBOR rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin based on the election of the Parent Company for each interest period. The applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans is 2.50% and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 1.50%.
In October 2015, ETE entered into an Amended and Restated Commitment Letter with a syndicate of 20 banks for a senior secured credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $6.05 billion in order to fund the cash portion of the WMB Merger. Under the terms of the facility, the banks have committed to provide a 364-day secured loan that can be extended at ETE’s option for an additional year. The interest rate on the facility is capped at 5.5%.
Revolving Credit Facility
The Parent Company’s revolving credit facility has a capacity of $1.5 billion. As of September 30, 2015, there were $930 million outstanding borrowings under the Parent Company Credit Facility and the amount available for future borrowings was $570 million.
Senior Notes
In May 2015, ETE issued $1 billion aggregate principal amount of its 5.5% senior notes maturing 2027.
The Parent Company currently has outstanding an aggregate of $1.19 billion in principal amount of 7.5% senior notes due 2020 and $1.15 billion in principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due 2024.
Subsidiary Indebtedness
ETP Senior Notes
In June 2015, ETP issued $650 million aggregate principal amount of 2.50% senior notes due June 2018, $350 million aggregate principal amount of 4.15% senior notes due October 2020, $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior notes due January 2026 and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due December 2045. ETP used the net proceeds of $2.98 billion from the offering to repay outstanding borrowings under the ETP Credit Facility, to fund growth capital expenditures and for general partnership purposes.
In March 2015, ETP issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.05% senior notes due March 2025, $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.90% senior notes due March 2035, and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.15% senior notes due March 2045. ETP used the $2.48 billion net proceeds from the offering to repay outstanding borrowings under the ETP Credit Facility, to fund growth capital expenditures and for general partnership purposes.
At the time of the Regency Merger, Regency had outstanding $5.1 billion principal amount of senior notes. On June 1, 2015, Regency redeemed all of the outstanding $499 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.375% senior notes due June 2019.
Panhandle previously agreed to fully and unconditionally guarantee (the “Panhandle Guarantee”) all of the payment obligations of Regency and Regency Energy Finance Corp. under their $600 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.50% senior notes due November 2023. On May 28, 2015, ETP entered into a supplemental indenture relating to the senior notes pursuant to

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which it became a co-obligor with respect to such payment obligations thereunder. Accordingly, pursuant to the terms of such supplemental indentures the Panhandle Guarantee was terminated.
On August 10, 2015, ETP entered into various supplemental indentures pursuant to which ETP has agreed to assume all of the obligations under the outstanding Regency senior notes.
On August 13, 2015, ETP redeemed in full the outstanding amount of the 2020 Notes and the 2021 Notes. The amount paid to redeem the 2020 Notes included a make whole premium of approximately $40 million and the amount paid to redeem the 2021 Notes included a make whole premium of approximately $24 million.
Sunoco LP Senior Notes
In April 2015, Sunoco LP issued $800 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due April 2023. The net proceeds from the offering were used to fund the cash portion of the dropdown of Sunoco, LLC interests and to repay outstanding balances under the Sunoco LP revolving credit facility.
In July 2015, Sunoco LP issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% senior notes due August 2020. The net proceeds from the offering were used to fund a portion of the cash consideration for Sunoco LP’s acquisition of Susser.
Subsidiary Credit Facilities
ETP Credit Facility
The ETP Credit Facility allows for borrowings of up to $3.75 billion and expires in November 2019. The indebtedness under the ETP Credit Facility is unsecured, is not guaranteed by any of ETP’s subsidiaries and has equal rights to holders of ETP’s current and future unsecured debt. As of September 30, 2015, the ETP Credit Facility had $665 million of outstanding borrowings.
Regency Credit Facility
The Regency Credit Facility allowed for borrowings of $2.5 billion and would have expired on November 25, 2019. On April 30, 2015, in connection with the Regency Merger, the Regency Credit Facility was paid off in full and terminated.
Sunoco Logistics Credit Facilities
In March 2015, Sunoco Logistics amended and restated its $1.5 billion unsecured credit facility, which was scheduled to mature in November 2018. The amended and restated credit facility is a $2.5 billion unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Sunoco Logistics Credit Facility”), which matures in March 2020. The Sunoco Logistics Credit Facility contains an accordion feature, under which the total aggregate commitment may be increased to $3.25 billion under certain conditions. As of September 30, 2015, the Sunoco Logistics Credit Facility had $835 million of outstanding borrowings.
Sunoco LP Credit Facility
Sunoco LP maintains a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility (the “Sunoco LP Credit Facility”), which expires in September 2019. The Sunoco LP Credit Facility can be increased from time to time upon Sunoco LP’s written request, subject to certain conditions, up to an additional $250 million. As of September 30, 2015, the Sunoco LP Credit Facility had $875 million of outstanding borrowings.
Compliance with Our Covenants
We and our subsidiaries were in compliance with all requirements, tests, limitations, and covenants related to our respective credit agreements as of September 30, 2015.
8.
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
The noncontrolling interest holders in one of Sunoco Logistics’ consolidated subsidiaries have the option to sell their interests to Sunoco Logistics. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the noncontrolling interest is excluded from total equity and reflected as redeemable interest on our consolidated balance sheets.

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9.
EQUITY
ETE Common Unit Activity
The changes in ETE common units during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were as follows:
 
Number of
Units
Outstanding at December 31, 2014
1,077.5

Conversion of Class D Units to ETE common units
0.9

Repurchase of units under buyback program
(33.6
)
Outstanding at September 30, 2015
1,044.8

On May 28, 2015, ETE announced that the board of directors of its general partner approved a two-for-one split of the Partnership’s outstanding common units (the “Unit Split”). The Unit Split was completed on July 27, 2015. The Unit Split was effected by a distribution of one ETE common unit for each common unit outstanding and held by unitholders of record at the close of business on July 15, 2015.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, ETE repurchased approximately $1.06 billion of ETE common units under its $2.0 billion buyback program.
Subsidiary Common Unit Transactions
The Parent Company accounts for the difference between the carrying amount of its investments in ETP and Sunoco LP and the underlying book value arising from the issuance or redemption of units by ETP and Sunoco LP (excluding transactions with the Parent Company) as capital transactions. As a result of these transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recognized decreases in partners’ capital of $483 million.
ETP Common Unit Transactions
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, ETP received proceeds of $775 million, net of commissions of $8 million, from the issuance of common units pursuant to equity distribution agreements, which were used for general partnership purposes. As of September 30, 2015, approximately $624 million of ETP common units remained available to be issued under an equity distribution agreement.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, distributions of $255 million were reinvested under ETP’s Distribution Reinvestment Plan resulting in the issuance of 5.0 million ETP common units. As of September 30, 2015, a total of 2.3 million ETP common units remain available to be issued under the existing registration statement in connection with ETP’s Distribution Reinvestment Plan.
ETP Class H and Class I Units
In March 2015, ETE transferred 30.8 million ETP common units, ETE’s 45% interest in the Bakken Pipeline Project, and $879 million in cash to ETP in exchange for 30.8 million newly issued ETP Class H Units that, when combined with the 50.2 million previously issued ETP Class H Units, generally entitle ETE to receive 90.05% of the cash distributions and other economic attributes of the general partner interest and IDRs of Sunoco Logistics. In connection with this transaction, ETP also issued to ETE 100 ETP Class I Units that provide distributions to ETE to offset IDR subsidies previously provided to ETP. These IDR subsidies, including the impact from distributions on ETP Class I Units, will be reduced by $55 million in 2015 and $30 million in 2016.
Effective July 1, 2015, ETE acquired 100% of the membership interests of Sunoco GP, the general partner of Sunoco LP, and all of the IDRs of Sunoco LP from ETP, and in exchange, ETE transferred to ETP 21 million ETP common units. In connection with ETP’s 2014 acquisition of Susser, ETE agreed to provide ETP a $35 million annual IDR subsidy for 10 years, which would terminate upon the closing of ETE’s acquisition of Sunoco GP. In connection with the exchange and repurchase, ETE will provide ETP a $35 million annual IDR subsidy for two years.
The impact of (i) the IDR subsidy adjustments and (ii) the ETP Class I Unit distributions, along with the currently effective IDR subsidies, is included in the table below under “ETP Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash.”

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Regency Common Unit Transactions
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Regency received proceeds of $34 million from units issued pursuant to its equity distribution agreements, which proceeds were used for general partnership purposes. Regency did not issue any common units under the distribution agreement subsequent to April 30, 2015, the date the equity distribution agreement was terminated as a result of the merger with ETP.
Sunoco Logistics Common Unit Transactions
In 2014, Sunoco Logistics entered into equity distribution agreements pursuant to which Sunoco Logistics may sell from time to time common units having aggregate offering prices of up to $1.25 billion. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Sunoco Logistics received proceeds of $645 million, net of commissions of $7 million, which were used for general partnership purposes.
Additionally, Sunoco Logistics completed a public offering of 13.5 million common units for net proceeds of $547 million in March 2015. The net proceeds from this offering were used to repay outstanding borrowings under the $2.5 billion Sunoco Logistics Credit Facility and for general partnership purposes. In April 2015, an additional 2.0 million common units were issued for net proceeds of $82 million related to the exercise of an option in connection with the March 2015 offering.
Sunoco LP Common Unit Transactions
In July 2015, Sunoco LP completed an offering of 5.5 million Sunoco LP common units for net proceeds of $213 million. The net proceeds from the offering were used to repay outstanding balances under the Sunoco LP revolving credit facility.
Parent Company Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash
Following are distributions declared and/or paid by us subsequent to December 31, 2014 (on a post-split basis):
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate
December 31, 2014
 
February 6, 2015
 
February 19, 2015
 
$
0.2250

March 31, 2015
 
May 8, 2015
 
May 19, 2015
 
0.2450

June 30, 2015
 
August 6, 2015
 
August 19, 2015
 
0.2650

September 30, 2015
 
November 5, 2015
 
November 19, 2015
 
0.2850

ETP Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash
Following are distributions declared and/or paid by ETP subsequent to December 31, 2014:
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate
December 31, 2014
 
February 6, 2015
 
February 13, 2015
 
$
0.9950

March 31, 2015
 
May 8, 2015
 
May 15, 2015
 
1.0150

June 30, 2015
 
August 6, 2015
 
August 14, 2015
 
1.0350

September 30, 2015

November 5, 2015

November 16, 2015

1.0550

ETE has agreed to relinquish its right to the following amounts of incentive distributions in future periods, including distributions on ETP Class I Units.
 
 
Total Year
2015 (remainder)
 
$
28

2016
 
137

2017
 
128

2018
 
105

2019
 
95


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Regency Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash
Following are distributions declared and/or paid by Regency subsequent to December 31, 2014:
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate
December 31, 2014
 
February 6, 2015
 
February 13, 2015
 
$
0.5025

ETP’s acquisition of Regency closed on April 30, 2015; therefore, no distributions in relation to the quarters ended March 31, 2015 or subsequent quarters will be paid by Regency.
Sunoco Logistics Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash
Following are distributions declared and/or paid by Sunoco Logistics subsequent to December 31, 2014:
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate
December 31, 2014
 
February 9, 2015
 
February 13, 2015
 
$
0.4000

March 31, 2015
 
May 11, 2015
 
May 15, 2015
 
0.4190

June 30, 2015
 
August 10, 2015
 
August 14, 2015
 
0.4380

September 30, 2015
 
November 9, 2015
 
November 13, 2015
 
0.4580

Sunoco LP Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash
Following are distributions declared and/or paid by Sunoco LP subsequent to December 31, 2014:
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate
December 31, 2014
 
February 17, 2015
 
February 27, 2015
 
$
0.6000

March 31, 2015
 
May 19, 2015
 
May 29, 2015
 
0.6450

June 30, 2015
 
August 18, 2015
 
August 28, 2015
 
0.6934

September 30, 2015
 
November 17, 2015
 
November 27, 2015
 
0.7454

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table presents the components of AOCI, net of tax:
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
Available-for-sale securities
$
2

 
$
3

Foreign currency translation adjustment
(4
)
 
(3
)
Net loss on commodity related hedges

 
(1
)
Actuarial loss related to pensions and other postretirement benefits
(12
)
 
(57
)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, net

 
2

Subtotal
(14
)
 
(56
)
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interest
14

 
51

Total AOCI, net of tax
$

 
$
(5
)
10.
INCOME TAXES
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Partnership’s effective income tax rate decreased from the prior year primarily due to lower earnings among the Partnership’s consolidated corporate subsidiaries. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 also reflect a benefit of $27 million of net state tax benefit attributable to statutory state rate changes resulting from the Regency Merger and sale of Susser to Sunoco LP. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Partnership’s income tax expense was favorably impacted by $11 million due to a reduction in the statutory Texas franchise tax rate which was enacted by the Texas legislature during the second quarter of 2015. Additionally, the Partnership recognized a net tax benefit of $7 million related to the settlement of the Southern Union 2004-2009 Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination in July 2015. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Partnership’s income tax

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expense from continuing operations included unfavorable income tax adjustments of $87 million related to the Lake Charles LNG Transaction, which was treated as a sale for tax purposes.
11.
REGULATORY MATTERS, COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES
Contingent Matters Potentially Impacting the Partnership from Our Investment in Citrus
Florida Gas Pipeline Relocation Costs. The Florida Department of Transportation, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (“FDOT/FTE”) has various turnpike/State Road 91 widening projects that have impacted or may, over time, impact one or more of FGTs’ mainline pipelines located in FDOT/FTE rights-of-way. Certain FDOT/FTE projects have been or are the subject of litigation in Broward County, Florida. On November 16, 2012, FDOT paid to FGT the sum of approximately $100 million, representing the amount of the judgment, plus interest, in a case tried in 2011.
On April 14, 2011, FGT filed suit against the FDOT/FTE and other defendants in Broward County, Florida seeking an injunction and damages as the result of the construction of a mechanically stabilized earth wall and other encroachments in FGT easements as part of FDOT/FTE’s I-595 project. On August 21, 2013, FGT and FDOT/FTE entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to which, among other things, FDOT/FTE paid FGT approximately $19 million in September 2013 in settlement of FGT’s claims with respect to the I-595 project. The settlement agreement also provided for agreed easement widths for FDOT/FTE right-of-way and for cost sharing between FGT and FDOT/FTE for any future relocations. Also in September 2013, FDOT/FTE paid FGT an additional approximate $1 million for costs related to the aforementioned turnpike/State Road 91 case tried in 2011.
FGT will continue to seek rate recovery in the future for these types of costs to the extent not reimbursed by the FDOT/FTE. There can be no assurance that FGT will be successful in obtaining complete reimbursement for any such relocation costs from the FDOT/FTE or from its customers or that the timing of such reimbursement will fully compensate FGT for its costs.
Contingent Residual Support Agreement – AmeriGas
In connection with the closing of the contribution of its propane operations in January 2012, ETP agreed to provide contingent, residual support of $1.55 billion of intercompany borrowings made by AmeriGas and certain of its affiliates with maturities through 2022 from a finance subsidiary of AmeriGas that have maturity dates and repayment terms that mirror those of an equal principal amount of senior notes issued by this finance company subsidiary to third party purchasers.
Guarantee of Collection
Panhandle previously guaranteed the collections of the payment of $600 million of Regency 4.50% senior notes due 2023. On May 28, 2015, ETP entered into a supplemental indenture relating to the senior notes pursuant to which it has agreed to become a co-obligor with respect to the payment obligations thereunder. Accordingly, pursuant to the terms of the senior notes, Panhandle’s obligations under Panhandle’s guarantee have been released.
On April 30, 2015, in connection with the Regency Merger, ETP entered into various supplemental indentures pursuant to which ETP has agreed to fully and unconditionally guarantee all payment obligations of Regency for all of its outstanding senior notes.
NGL Pipeline Regulation
ETP has interests in NGL pipelines located in Texas and New Mexico. ETP commenced the interstate transportation of NGLs in 2013, which is subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC under the Interstate Commerce Act (“ICA”) and the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Under the ICA, tariff rates must be just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory and pipelines may not confer any undue preference. The tariff rates established for interstate services were based on a negotiated agreement; however, the FERC’s rate-making methodologies may limit ETP’s ability to set rates based on our actual costs, may delay or limit the use of rates that reflect increased costs and may subject us to potentially burdensome and expensive operational, reporting and other requirements. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect ETP’s business, revenues and cash flow.
Transwestern Rate Case
On October 1, 2014, Transwestern filed a general NGA Section 4 rate case pursuant to the 2011 settlement agreement with its shippers. On December 2, 2014, the FERC issued an order accepting and suspending the rates to be effective April 1, 2015, subject to refund, and setting a procedural schedule with a hearing scheduled in late 2015. On June 22, 2015, Transwestern filed a settlement with the FERC which resolved or provided for the resolution of all issues set for hearing in the case.  On October 15, 2015, the FERC issued an order approving the rate case settlement without condition.

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FGT Rate Case
On October 31, 2014, FGT filed a general NGA Section 4 rate case pursuant to a 2010 settlement agreement with its shippers. On November 28, 2014, the FERC issued an order accepting and suspending the rates to be effective no earlier than May 1, 2015, subject to refund.  On September 11, 2015, FGT filed a settlement with the FERC which resolved or provided for the resolution of all issues set for hearing in the case. The settlement is subject to FERC approval.
Commitments
In the normal course of our business, we purchase, process and sell natural gas pursuant to long-term contracts and we enter into long-term transportation and storage agreements.  Such contracts contain terms that are customary in the industry.  We believe that the terms of these agreements are commercially reasonable and will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
We have certain non-cancelable leases for property and equipment, which require fixed monthly rental payments and expire at various dates through 2058.  The table below reflects rental expense under these operating leases included in operating expenses in the accompanying statements of operations, which include contingent rentals, and rental expense recovered through related sublease rental income:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Rental expense(1)
$
43

 
$
31

 
$
149

 
$
90

Less: Sublease rental income
(4
)
 
(9
)
 
(16
)
 
(27
)
Rental expense, net
$
39

 
$
22

 
$
133

 
$
63

(1) 
Includes contingent rentals totaling $9 million and $8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and $19 million and $17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 respectively.
Certain of our subsidiaries’ joint venture agreements require that they fund their proportionate shares of capital contributions to their unconsolidated affiliates.  Such contributions will depend upon their unconsolidated affiliates’ capital requirements, such as for funding capital projects or repayment of long-term obligations.
Litigation and Contingencies
We may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business.  Natural gas and crude oil are flammable and combustible.  Serious personal injury and significant property damage can arise in connection with their transportation, storage or use.  In the ordinary course of business, we are sometimes threatened with or named as a defendant in various lawsuits seeking actual and punitive damages for product liability, personal injury and property damage.  We maintain liability insurance with insurers in amounts and with coverage and deductibles management believes are reasonable and prudent, and which are generally accepted in the industry.  However, there can be no assurance that the levels of insurance protection currently in effect will continue to be available at reasonable prices or that such levels will remain adequate to protect us from material expenses related to product liability, personal injury or property damage in the future.
Litigation Relating to the WMB Merger
Between October 5, 2015 and October 13, 2015, purported WMB stockholders filed four putative class action lawsuits in the Delaware Court of Chancery challenging the merger. The suits are captioned Greenwald v. The Williams Companies, Inc., C.A. No. 11573-CB, Ozaki v. Armstrong, C.A. No. 11574-CB; Blystone v. The Williams Companies, Inc., C.A. No. 11601-CB; and Glener v. The Williams Companies, Inc., C.A. No. 11606-CB. The complaints name as defendants the WMB Board (including, in the case of the Greenwald, Ozaki and Glener complaints, honorary director Joseph Williams), ETE, ETC, ETC GP, LE GP, and ETE GP (the “ETE defendants”), and, in the case of the Greenwald, Blystone and Glener actions, WMB. The complaints allege that the WMB Board has breached its fiduciary duties to WMB stockholders by agreeing to sell WMB through an unfair process and for an unfair price. The complaints also allege that the ETE defendants and, in the case of the Greenwald and Glener actions, WMB, have aided and abetted this purported breach of fiduciary duties. The plaintiffs seek, among other things, an injunction against the merger and an award of costs and attorneys’ fees. The defendants believe the allegations of the complaints are without merit.

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Regency Merger Litigation
Following the January 26, 2015 announcement of the definitive merger agreement with Regency, purported Regency unitholders filed lawsuits in state and federal courts in Dallas, Texas and Delaware state court asserting claims relating to the proposed transaction.
On February 3, 2015, William Engel and Enno Seago, purported Regency unitholders, filed a class action petition on behalf of Regency’s common unitholders and a derivative suit on behalf of Regency in the 162nd Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas (the “Engel Lawsuit”). The lawsuit names as defendants the Regency General Partner, the members of the Regency General Partner’s board of directors, ETP, ETP GP, ETE, and, as a nominal party, Regency. The Engel Lawsuit alleges that (1) the Regency General Partner’s directors breached duties to Regency and the Regency’s unitholders by employing a conflicted and unfair process and failing to maximize the merger consideration; (2) the Regency General Partner’s directors breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing by engaging in a flawed merger process; and (3) the non-director defendants aided and abetted in these claimed breaches. The plaintiffs seek an injunction preventing the defendants from closing the proposed transaction or an order rescinding the transaction if it has already been completed. The plaintiffs also seek money damages and court costs, including attorney’s fees.
On February 9, 2015, Stuart Yeager, a purported Regency unitholder, filed a class action petition on behalf of the Regency’s common unitholders and a derivative suit on behalf of Regency in the 134th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas (the “Yeager Lawsuit”). The allegations, claims, and relief sought in the Yeager Lawsuit are nearly identical to those in the Engel Lawsuit.
On February 10, 2015, Lucien Coggia a purported Regency unitholder, filed a class action petition on behalf of Regency’s common unitholders and a derivative suit on behalf of Regency in the 192nd Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas (the “Coggia Lawsuit”). The allegations, claims, and relief sought in the Coggia Lawsuit are nearly identical to those in the Engel Lawsuit.
On February 3, 2015, Linda Blankman, a purported Regency unitholder, filed a class action complaint on behalf of the Regency’s common unitholders in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “Blankman Lawsuit”). The allegations and claims in the Blankman Lawsuit are similar to those in the Engel Lawsuit. However, the Blankman Lawsuit does not allege any derivative claims and includes Regency as a defendant rather than a nominal party. The lawsuit also omits one of the Regency General Partner’s directors, Richard Brannon, who was named in the Engel Lawsuit. The Blankman Lawsuit alleges that the Regency General Partner’s directors breached their fiduciary duties to the unitholders by failing to maximize the value of Regency, failing to properly value Regency, and ignoring conflicts of interest. The plaintiff also asserts a claim against the non-director defendants for aiding and abetting the directors’ alleged breach of fiduciary duty. The Blankman Lawsuit seeks the same relief that the plaintiffs seek in the Engel Lawsuit.
On February 6, 2015, Edwin Bazini, a purported Regency unitholder, filed a class action complaint on behalf of Regency’s common unitholders in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “Bazini Lawsuit”). The allegations, claims, and relief sought in the Bazini Lawsuit are nearly identical to those in the Blankman Lawsuit. On March 27, 2015, Plaintiff Bazini filed an amended complaint asserting additional claims under Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
On February 11, 2015, Mark Hinnau, a purported Regency unitholder, filed a class action complaint on behalf of Regency’s common unitholders in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “Hinnau Lawsuit”). The allegations, claims, and relief sought in the Hinnau Lawsuit are nearly identical to those in the Blankman Lawsuit.
On February 11, 2015, Stephen Weaver, a purported Regency unitholder, filed a class action complaint on behalf of Regency’s common unitholders in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “Weaver Lawsuit”). The allegations, claims, and relief sought in the Weaver Lawsuit are nearly identical to those in the Blankman Lawsuit.
On February 11, 2015, Adrian Dieckman, a purported Regency unitholder, filed a class action complaint on behalf of Regency’s common unitholders in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “Dieckman Lawsuit”). The allegations, claims, and relief sought in the Dieckman Lawsuit are similar to those in the Blankman Lawsuit, except that the Dieckman Lawsuit does not assert an aiding and abetting claim.
On February 13, 2015, Irwin Berlin, a purported Regency unitholder, filed a class action complaint on behalf of Regency’s common unitholders in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “Berlin Lawsuit”). The allegations, claims, and relief sought in the Berlin Lawsuit are similar to those in the Blankman Lawsuit.

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On March 13, 2015, the Court in the 95th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas transferred and consolidated the Yeager and Coggia Lawsuits into the Engel Lawsuit and captioned the consolidated lawsuit as Engel v. Regency GP, LP, et al. (the “Consolidated State Lawsuit”).
On March 30, 2015, Leonard Cooperman, a purported Regency unitholder, filed a class action complaint on behalf of Regency’s common unitholders in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (the “Cooperman Lawsuit”). The allegations, claims, and relief sought in the Cooperman Lawsuit are similar to those in the Blankman Lawsuit.
On March 31, 2015, the Court in United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas consolidated the Blankman, Bazini, Hinnau, Weaver, Dieckman, and Berlin Lawsuits into a consolidated lawsuit captioned Bazini v. Bradley, et al. (the “Consolidated Federal Lawsuit”). On April 1, 2015, plaintiffs in the Consolidated Federal Lawsuit filed an Emergency Motion to Expedite Discovery. On April 9, 2015, by order of the Court, the parties submitted a joint submission wherein defendants opposed plaintiffs’ request to expedite discovery. On April 17, 2015, the Court denied plaintiffs’ motion to expedite discovery.
On June 10, 2015, Adrian Dieckman, a purported Regency unitholder, filed a class action complaint on behalf of Regency’s common unitholders in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Dieckman DE Lawsuit”). The lawsuit alleges that the transaction did not comply with the Regency partnership agreement because the Conflicts Committee was not properly formed.
On June 5, 2015, the Dieckman Lawsuit was dismissed. On July 23, 2015, the Blankman, Bazini, Hinnau, Weaver and Berlin Lawsuits were dismissed. On August 20, 2015, the Cooperman Lawsuit was dismissed. The Consolidated Federal Lawsuit was terminated once all named plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed.
Each of the remaining lawsuits is at a preliminary stage. We cannot predict the outcome of these or any other lawsuits that might be filed, nor can we predict the amount of time and expense that will be required to resolve these lawsuits. ETP and the other defendants named in the lawsuits intend to defend vigorously against these and any other actions.
MTBE Litigation
Sunoco, Inc., along with other refiners, manufacturers and sellers of gasoline, is a defendant in lawsuits alleging MTBE contamination of groundwater.  The plaintiffs typically include water purveyors and municipalities responsible for supplying drinking water and governmental authorities.  The plaintiffs primarily assert product liability claims and additional claims including nuisance, trespass, negligence, violation of environmental laws and deceptive business practices.  The plaintiffs in all of the cases seek to recover compensatory damages, and in some cases also seek natural resource damages, injunctive relief, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.
As of September 30, 2015, Sunoco, Inc. is a defendant in six cases, including cases initiated by the States of New Jersey, Vermont, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, two others by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with the more recent Puerto Rico action being a companion case alleging damages for additional sites beyond those at issue in the initial Puerto Rico action, and one case by the City of Breaux Bridge in the USDC Western District of Louisiana. Four of these cases are venued in a multidistrict litigation proceeding in a New York federal court. The New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Vermont, and Pennsylvania cases assert natural resource damage claims.
Fact discovery has concluded with respect to an initial set of 19 sites each that will be the subject of the first trial phase in the New Jersey case and the initial Puerto Rico case. In August 2015, the State of Rhode Island served a Notice of Intent to Sue on Sunoco, Inc., and certain predecessors and subsidiaries. The State of Rhode Island alleges Sunoco, Inc. unlawfully released MTBE from underground storage tanks and failed to remediate MTBE contamination in violation of various state and federal regulations. Insufficient information has been developed about the plaintiffs’ legal theories or the facts with respect to statewide natural resource damage claims to provide an analysis of the ultimate potential liability of Sunoco, Inc. in these matters. It is reasonably possible that a loss may be realized; however, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss in excess of amounts accrued. Management believes that an adverse determination with respect to one or more of the MTBE cases could have a significant impact on results of operations during the period in which any said adverse determination occurs, but does not believe that any such adverse determination would have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s consolidated financial position.
Enterprise Products Partners, L.P. and Enterprise Products Operating LLC Litigation
On January 27, 2014, a trial commenced between ETP against Enterprise Products Partners, L.P. and Enterprise Products Operating LLC (collectively, “Enterprise”) and Enbridge (US) Inc.  Trial resulted in a verdict in favor of ETP against Enterprise that consisted of $319 million in compensatory damages and $595 million in disgorgement to ETP.  The jury also found that ETP owed Enterprise approximately $1 million under a reimbursement agreement.  On July 29, 2014, the trial court entered

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a final judgment in favor of ETP and awarded ETP $536 million, consisting of compensatory damages, disgorgement, and pre-judgment interest.  The trial court also ordered that ETP shall be entitled to recover post-judgment interest and costs of court and that Enterprise is not entitled to any net recovery on its counterclaims.  Enterprise has filed a notice of appeal. In accordance with GAAP, no amounts related to the original verdict or the July 29, 2014 final judgment will be recorded in our financial statements until the appeal process is completed.
Other Litigation and Contingencies
We or our subsidiaries are a party to various legal proceedings and/or regulatory proceedings incidental to our businesses.  For each of these matters, we evaluate the merits of the case, our exposure to the matter, possible legal or settlement strategies, the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome and the availability of insurance coverage.  If we determine that an unfavorable outcome of a particular matter is probable and can be estimated, we accrue the contingent obligation, as well as any expected insurance recoverable amounts related to the contingency.  As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, accruals of approximately $38 million and $37 million, respectively, were reflected on our balance sheets related to these contingent obligations.  As new information becomes available, our estimates may change.  The impact of these changes may have a significant effect on our results of operations in a single period.
The outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty and there can be no assurance that the outcome of a particular matter will not result in the payment of amounts that have not been accrued for the matter.  Furthermore, we may revise accrual amounts prior to resolution of a particular contingency based on changes in facts and circumstances or changes in the expected outcome. Currently, we are not able to estimate possible losses or a range of possible losses in excess of amounts accrued.
No amounts have been recorded in our September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014 consolidated balance sheets for contingencies and current litigation, other than amounts disclosed herein.
Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. New England Gas Company.
On July 7, 2011, the Massachusetts Attorney General (“AG”) filed a regulatory complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (“MDPU”) against New England Gas Company with respect to certain environmental cost recoveries.  The AG is seeking a refund to New England Gas Company customers for alleged “excessive and imprudently incurred costs” related to legal fees associated with Southern Union’s environmental response activities.  In the complaint, the AG requests that the MDPU initiate an investigation into the New England Gas Company’s collection and reconciliation of recoverable environmental costs including:  (i) the prudence of any and all legal fees, totaling approximately $19 million, that were charged by the Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman firm and passed through the recovery mechanism since 2005, the year when a partner in the firm, the Southern Union former Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer, joined Southern Union’s management team; (ii) the prudence of any and all legal fees that were charged by the Bishop, London & Dodds firm and passed through the recovery mechanism since 2005, the period during which a member of the firm served as Southern Union’s Chief Ethics Officer; and (iii) the propriety and allocation of certain legal fees charged that were passed through the recovery mechanism that the AG contends only qualify for a lesser, 50%, level of recovery.  Southern Union has filed its answer denying the allegations and moved to dismiss the complaint, in part on a theory of collateral estoppel.  The hearing officer has deferred consideration of Southern Union’s motion to dismiss.  The AG’s motion to be reimbursed expert and consultant costs by Southern Union of up to $150,000 was granted. By tariff, these costs are recoverable through rates charged to New England Gas Company customers. The hearing officer previously stayed discovery pending resolution of a dispute concerning the applicability of attorney-client privilege to legal billing invoices. The MDPU issued an interlocutory order on June 24, 2013 that lifted the stay, and discovery has resumed. Panhandle (as successor to Southern Union) believes it has complied with all applicable requirements regarding its filings for cost recovery and has not recorded any accrued liability; however, Panhandle will continue to assess its potential exposure for such cost recoveries as the matter progresses.
Environmental Matters
Our operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations that require expenditures to ensure compliance, including related to air emissions and wastewater discharges, at operating facilities and for remediation at current and former facilities as well as waste disposal sites.  Although we believe our operations are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, risks of additional costs and liabilities are inherent in the business of transporting, storing, gathering, treating, compressing, blending and processing natural gas, natural gas liquids and other products.  As a result, there can be no assurance that significant costs and liabilities will not be incurred.  Costs of planning, designing, constructing and operating pipelines, plants and other facilities must incorporate compliance with environmental laws and regulations and safety standards.  Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations, the issuance of injunctions and the filing of federally authorized citizen suits.  Contingent losses related to all significant known environmental matters

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have been accrued and/or separately disclosed. However, we may revise accrual amounts prior to resolution of a particular contingency based on changes in facts and circumstances or changes in the expected outcome.
Environmental exposures and liabilities are difficult to assess and estimate due to unknown factors such as the magnitude of possible contamination, the timing and extent of remediation, the determination of our liability in proportion to other parties, improvements in cleanup technologies and the extent to which environmental laws and regulations may change in the future.  Although environmental costs may have a significant impact on the results of operations for any single period, we believe that such costs will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position.
Based on information available at this time and reviews undertaken to identify potential exposure, we believe the amount reserved for environmental matters is adequate to cover the potential exposure for cleanup costs.
Environmental Remediation
Our subsidiaries are responsible for environmental remediation at certain sites, including the following:
Certain of our interstate pipelines conduct soil and groundwater remediation related to contamination from past uses of PCBs.  PCB assessments are ongoing and, in some cases, our subsidiaries could potentially be held responsible for contamination caused by other parties.
Certain gathering and processing systems are responsible for soil and groundwater remediation related to releases of hydrocarbons.
Currently operating Sunoco, Inc. retail sites.
Legacy sites related to Sunoco, Inc., that are subject to environmental assessments include formerly owned terminals and other logistics assets, retail sites that Sunoco, Inc. no longer operates, closed and/or sold refineries and other formerly owned sites.
Sunoco, Inc. is potentially subject to joint and several liability for the costs of remediation at sites at which it has been identified as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”).  As of September 30, 2015, Sunoco, Inc. had been named as a PRP at approximately 52 identified or potentially identifiable “Superfund” sites under federal and/or comparable state law.  Sunoco, Inc. is usually one of a number of companies identified as a PRP at a site.  Sunoco, Inc. has reviewed the nature and extent of its involvement at each site and other relevant circumstances and, based upon Sunoco, Inc.’s purported nexus to the sites, believes that its potential liability associated with such sites will not be significant.
To the extent estimable, expected remediation costs are included in the amounts recorded for environmental matters in our consolidated balance sheets.  In some circumstances, future costs cannot be reasonably estimated because remediation activities are undertaken as claims are made by customers and former customers.  To the extent that an environmental remediation obligation is recorded by a subsidiary that applies regulatory accounting policies, amounts that are expected to be recoverable through tariffs or rates are recorded as regulatory assets on our consolidated balance sheets.
The table below reflects the amounts of accrued liabilities recorded in our consolidated balance sheets related to environmental matters that are considered to be probable and reasonably estimable.  Currently, we are not able to estimate possible losses or a range of possible losses in excess of amounts accrued. Except for matters discussed above, we do not have any material environmental matters assessed as reasonably possible that would require disclosure in our consolidated financial statements.
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
Current
$
49

 
$
41

Non-current
327

 
360

Total environmental liabilities
$
376

 
$
401

In 2013, we established a wholly-owned captive insurance company to bear certain risks associated with environmental obligations related to certain sites that are no longer operating. The premiums paid to the captive insurance company include estimates for environmental claims that have been incurred but not reported, based on an actuarially determined fully developed claims expense estimate. In such cases, we accrue losses attributable to unasserted claims based on the discounted estimates that are used to develop the premiums paid to the captive insurance company.
During the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, Sunoco, Inc. recorded $9 million and $10 million, respectively, of expenditures related to environmental cleanup programs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, Sunoco, Inc. recorded $27 million of expenditures related to environmental cleanup programs.

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On June 29, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule under the Clean Air Act that revised the new source performance standards for manufacturers, owners and operators of new, modified and reconstructed stationary internal combustion engines.  The rule became effective on August 29, 2011.  The rule modifications may require us to undertake significant expenditures, including expenditures for purchasing, installing, monitoring and maintaining emissions control equipment, if we replace equipment or expand existing facilities in the future.  At this point, we are not able to predict the cost to comply with the rule’s requirements, because the rule applies only to changes we might make in the future.
Our pipeline operations are subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation under the PHMSA, pursuant to which the PHMSA has established requirements relating to the design, installation, testing, construction, operation, replacement and management of pipeline facilities.  Moreover, the PHMSA, through the Office of Pipeline Safety, has promulgated a rule requiring pipeline operators to develop integrity management programs to comprehensively evaluate their pipelines, and take measures to protect pipeline segments located in what the rule refers to as “high consequence areas.”  Activities under these integrity management programs involve the performance of internal pipeline inspections, pressure testing or other effective means to assess the integrity of these regulated pipeline segments, and the regulations require prompt action to address integrity issues raised by the assessment and analysis.  Integrity testing and assessment of all of these assets will continue, and the potential exists that results of such testing and assessment could cause us to incur future capital and operating expenditures for repairs or upgrades deemed necessary to ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of our pipelines; however, no estimate can be made at this time of the likely range of such expenditures.
Our operations are also subject to the requirements of the OSHA, and comparable state laws that regulate the protection of the health and safety of employees.  In addition, OSHA’s hazardous communication standard requires that information be maintained about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations and that this information be provided to employees, state and local government authorities and citizens.  We believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with the OSHA requirements, including general industry standards, record keeping requirements, and monitoring of occupational exposure to regulated substances.
12.
DERIVATIVE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Commodity Price Risk
We are exposed to market risks related to the volatility of commodity prices. To manage the impact of volatility from these prices, our subsidiaries utilize various exchange-traded and OTC commodity financial instrument contracts. These contracts consist primarily of futures, swaps and options and are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Following is a description of our price risk management activities.
ETP injects and holds natural gas in its Bammel storage facility to take advantage of contango markets (i.e., when the price of natural gas is higher in the future than the current spot price). ETP uses financial derivatives to hedge the natural gas held in connection with these arbitrage opportunities. At the inception of the hedge, ETP locks in a margin by purchasing gas in the spot market or off peak season and entering into a financial contract to lock in the sale price. If ETP designates the related financial contract as a fair value hedge for accounting purposes, ETP values the hedged natural gas inventory at current spot market prices along with the financial derivative ETP uses to hedge it. Changes in the spread between the forward natural gas prices designated as fair value hedges and the physical inventory spot price result in unrealized gains or losses until the underlying physical gas is withdrawn and the related designated derivatives are settled. Once the gas is withdrawn and the designated derivatives are settled, the previously unrealized gains or losses associated with these positions are realized. Unrealized margins represent the unrealized gains or losses from ETP’s derivative instruments using mark-to-market accounting, with changes in the fair value of ETP’s derivatives being recorded directly in earnings. These margins fluctuate based upon changes in the spreads between the physical spot price and forward natural gas prices. If the spread narrows between the physical and financial prices, ETP will record unrealized gains or lower unrealized losses. If the spread widens, ETP will record unrealized losses or lower unrealized gains. Typically, as we enter the winter months, the spread converges so that ETP recognizes in earnings the original locked-in spread through either mark-to-market adjustments or the physical withdraw of natural gas.
ETP is also exposed to market risk on natural gas it retains for fees in ETP’s intrastate transportation and storage segment and operational gas sales on ETP’s interstate transportation and storage segment. ETP uses financial derivatives to hedge the sales price of this gas, including futures, swaps and options. Certain contracts that qualify for hedge accounting are designated as cash flow hedges of the forecasted sale of natural gas. The change in value, to the extent the contracts are effective, remains in AOCI until the forecasted transaction occurs. When the forecasted transaction occurs, any gain or loss associated with the derivative is recorded in cost of products sold in the consolidated statements of operations.
ETP is also exposed to commodity price risk on NGLs and residue gas it retains for fees in ETP’s midstream segment whereby ETP’s subsidiaries generally gather and process natural gas on behalf of producers, sell the resulting residue gas and NGL

27

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volumes at market prices and remit to producers an agreed upon percentage of the proceeds based on an index price for the residue gas and NGLs. ETP uses NGL and crude derivative swap contracts to hedge forecasted sales of NGL and condensate equity volumes. Certain contracts that qualify for hedge accounting are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The change in value, to the extent the contracts are effective, remains in AOCI until the forecasted transaction occurs. When the forecasted transaction occurs, any gain or loss associated with the derivative is recorded in cost of products sold in the consolidated statement of operations.
ETP may use derivatives in ETP’s liquids transportation and services segment to manage ETP’s storage facilities and the purchase and sale of purity NGLs.
Sunoco Logistics utilizes derivatives such as swaps, futures and other derivative instruments to mitigate the risk associated with market movements in the price of refined products, crude and NGLs. These derivative contracts act as a hedging mechanism against the volatility of prices by allowing Sunoco Logistics to transfer this price risk to counterparties who are able and willing to bear it. Sunoco Logistics does not designate any of its derivative contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. Therefore, all realized and unrealized gains and losses from these derivative contracts are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations during the current period.
ETP also uses derivatives to hedge a variety of price risks in its retail marketing operations. Futures and swaps are used to achieve ratable pricing of crude oil purchases, to convert certain expected refined product sales to fixed or floating prices, to lock in margins for certain refined products and to lock in the price of a portion of natural gas purchases or sales and transportation costs. The derivatives used in ETP’s retail marketing operations represent economic hedges; however, ETP has elected not to designate any of these derivative contracts as hedges in these operations. Therefore, all realized and unrealized gains and losses from these derivative contracts are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations during the current period.
ETP’s trading activities include the use of financial commodity derivatives to take advantage of market opportunities. These trading activities are a complement to ETP’s transportation and storage segment’s operations and are netted in cost of products sold in the consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, ETP also has trading and marketing activities related to power and natural gas in its other operations which are also netted in cost of products sold. As a result of ETP’s trading activities and the use of derivative financial instruments in ETP’s transportation and storage segment, the degree of earnings volatility that can occur may be significant, favorably or unfavorably, from period to period. ETP attempts to manage this volatility through the use of daily position and profit and loss reports provided to ETP’s risk oversight committee, which includes members of senior management, and the limits and authorizations set forth in ETP’s commodity risk management policy.

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Table of Contents

The following table details our outstanding commodity-related derivatives:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Notional
Volume
 
Maturity
 
Notional
Volume
 
Maturity
Mark-to-Market Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Trading)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas (MMBtu):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Swaps/Futures
2,750,700

 
2015-2016
 
(232,500
)
 
2015
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX (1)
32,677,500

 
2015-2016
 
(13,907,500
)
 
2015-2016
Options – Calls

 
 
5,000,000

 
2015
Power (Megawatt):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forwards
557,220

 
2015-2016
 
288,775

 
2015
Futures
(846,164
)
 
2015-2016
 
(156,000
)
 
2015
Options — Puts
(11,361
)
 
2015
 
(72,000
)
 
2015
Options — Calls
(55,618
)
 
2015
 
198,556

 
2015
Crude (Bbls) — Futures
(140,000
)
 
2015
 

 
(Non-Trading)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas (MMBtu):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX
(6,872,500
)
 
2015-2016
 
57,500

 
2015
Swing Swaps IFERC
73,757,500

 
2015-2016
 
46,150,000

 
2015
Fixed Swaps/Futures
(17,281,500
)
 
2015-2016
 
(34,304,000
)
 
2015-2016
Forward Physical Contracts
(1,537,218
)
 
2015
 
(9,116,777
)
 
2015
Natural Gas Liquid and Crude (Bbls) — Forwards/Swaps
(6,138,800
)
 
2015-2016
 
(4,417,400
)
 
2015-2016
Refined Products (Bbls) — Futures
(2,628,000
)
 
2015-2016
 
13,745,755

 
2015
Fair Value Hedging Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Non-Trading)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas (MMBtu):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX
(37,555,000
)
 
2016
 
(39,287,500
)
 
2015
Fixed Swaps/Futures
(37,555,000
)
 
2016
 
(39,287,500
)
 
2015
Hedged Item — Inventory
37,555,000

 
2016
 
39,287,500

 
2015
(1) 
Includes aggregate amounts for open positions related to Houston Ship Channel, Waha Hub, NGPL TexOk, West Louisiana Zone and Henry Hub locations.
Regency previously had swap contracts that settled against certain NGLs, condensate and natural gas market prices. In April 2015, in connection with the Regency Merger, Regency settled all outstanding swap contracts and received net proceeds of $56 million.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates. To maintain a cost effective capital structure, we borrow funds using a mix of fixed rate debt and floating rate debt. We also manage our interest rate exposures by utilizing interest rate swaps to achieve a desired mix of fixed and floating rate debt. We also utilize forward starting interest rate swaps to lock in the rate on a portion of anticipated debt issuances.

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes our interest rate swaps outstanding none of which were designated as hedges for accounting purposes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notional Amount
Outstanding
Entity
 
Term
 
Type(1)
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
ETP
 
July 2015(2)
 
Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.40% and receive a floating rate
 
$

 
$
200

ETP
 
July 2016(3)
 
Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.80% and receive a floating rate
 
200

 
200

ETP
 
July 2017(4)
 
Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.84% and receive a floating rate
 
300

 
300

ETP
 
July 2018(4)
 
Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 4.00% and receive a floating rate
 
200

 
200

ETP
 
July 2019(4)
 
Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.25% and receive a floating rate
 
200

 
300

ETP
 
December 2018
 
Pay a floating rate based on 3-month LIBOR and receive a fixed rate of 1.53%
 
1,200

 

ETP
 
March 2019
 
Pay a floating rate based on 3-month LIBOR and receive a fixed rate of 1.42%
 
300

 

ETP
 
February 2023
 
Pay a floating rate plus a spread of 1.73% and receive a fixed rate of 3.60%
 

 
200

(1) 
Floating rates are based on 3-month LIBOR.
(2) 
Represents the effective date. These forward-starting swaps have a term of 10 years with a mandatory termination date the same as the effective date. These forward-starting swaps matured in July 2015.
(3) 
Represents the effective date. These forward-starting swaps have terms of 10 and 30 years with a mandatory termination date the same as the effective date.
(4) 
Represents the effective date. These forward-starting swaps have a term of 30 years with a mandatory termination date the same as the effective date.
Credit Risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty may default on its contractual obligations resulting in a loss to the Partnership. Credit policies have been approved and implemented to govern ETP’s portfolio of counterparties with the objective of mitigating credit losses. These policies establish guidelines, controls and limits to manage credit risk within approved tolerances by mandating an appropriate evaluation of the financial condition of existing and potential counterparties, monitoring agency credit ratings, and by implementing credit practices that limit exposure according to the risk profiles of the counterparties. Furthermore, ETP may at times require collateral under certain circumstances to mitigate credit risk as necessary. ETP also implements the use of industry standard commercial agreements which allow for the netting of positive and negative exposures associated with transactions executed under a single commercial agreement. Additionally, ETP utilizes master netting agreements to offset credit exposure across multiple commercial agreements with a single counterparty or affiliated group of counterparties.
ETP’s counterparties consist of a diverse portfolio of customers across the energy industry, including petrochemical companies, commercial and industrials, oil and gas producers, motor fuel distributors, municipalities, utilities and midstream companies. ETP’s overall exposure may be affected positively or negatively by macroeconomic factors or regulatory changes that could impact its counterparties to one extent or another. Currently, management does not anticipate a material adverse effect in our financial position or results of operations as a consequence of counterparty non-performance.
ETP has maintenance margin deposits with certain counterparties in the OTC market, primarily independent system operators, and with clearing brokers. Payments on margin deposits are required when the value of a derivative exceeds our pre-established credit limit with the counterparty. Margin deposits are returned to ETP on or about the settlement date for non-exchange traded derivatives, and ETP exchanges margin calls on a daily basis for exchange traded transactions. Since the margin calls are made daily with the exchange brokers, the fair value of the financial derivative instruments are deemed current and netted in deposits paid to vendors within other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

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Table of Contents

For financial instruments, failure of a counterparty to perform on a contract could result in our inability to realize amounts that have been recorded on our consolidated balance sheets and recognized in net income or other comprehensive income.
Derivative Summary
The following table provides a summary of our derivative assets and liabilities:
 
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives (margin deposits)
$
18

 
$
43

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
18

 
43

 
(1
)
 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives (margin deposits)
$
313

 
$
617

 
$
(243
)
 
$
(577
)
Commodity derivatives
16

 
107

 
(16
)
 
(23
)
Interest rate derivatives
22

 
3

 
(183
)
 
(155
)
Embedded derivatives preferred units

 

 
(6
)
 
(16
)
 
351

 
727

 
(448
)
 
(771
)
Total derivatives
$
369

 
$
770

 
$
(449
)
 
$
(771
)
The following table presents the fair value of our recognized derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis and amounts offset on the consolidated balance sheets that are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar arrangements:
 
 
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Derivatives without offsetting agreements
 
$
22

 
$
3

 
$
(189
)
 
$
(171
)
Derivatives in offsetting agreements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC contracts
 
Derivative assets (liabilities)
 
16

 
107

 
(16
)
 
(23
)
Broker cleared derivative contracts
 
Other current assets (liabilities)
 
331

 
660

 
(244
)
 
(577
)
Total gross derivatives
 
369

 
770

 
(449
)
 
(771
)
Less offsetting agreements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Counterparty netting
 
Derivative assets (liabilities)
 
(10
)
 
(19
)
 
10

 
19

Counterparty netting
 
Other current assets (liabilities)
 
(244
)
 
(577
)
 
244

 
577

Total net derivatives
 
$
115

 
$
174

 
$
(195
)
 
$
(175
)
We disclose the non-exchange traded financial derivative instruments as price risk management assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets at fair value with amounts classified as either current or long-term depending on the anticipated settlement date.

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Table of Contents

The following tables summarize the amounts recognized with respect to our derivative financial instruments:
 
Change in Value Recognized in OCI on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
$

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
(3
)
Total
$

 
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
(3
)
 
Location of Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified from
AOCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified from AOCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
Cost of products sold
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(6
)
Total
 
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(6
)
 
Location of Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in Income
on Derivatives
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income Representing Hedge Ineffectiveness and Amount Excluded from the Assessment of Effectiveness
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Derivatives in fair value hedging relationships (including hedged item):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
Cost of products sold
 
$
(1
)
 
$
1

 
$
7

 
$
(5
)
Total
 
 
$
(1
)
 
$
1

 
$
7

 
$
(5
)
 
Location of Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in Income
on Derivatives
 
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives – Trading
Cost of products sold
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(10
)
 
$
(2
)
Commodity derivatives – Non-trading
Cost of products sold
 
48

 
52

 

 
9

Interest rate derivatives
Gains (losses) on interest rate derivatives
 
(64
)
 
(25
)
 
(14
)
 
(73
)
Embedded derivatives
Other income (expense)
 
6

 
(1
)
 
10

 
(11
)
Total
 
 
$
(12
)
 
$
22

 
$
(14
)
 
$
(77
)

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Table of Contents

13.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Parent Company has agreements with subsidiaries to provide or receive various general and administrative services. The Parent Company pays ETP to provide services on its behalf and on behalf of other subsidiaries of the Parent Company. The Parent Company receives management fees from certain of its subsidiaries, which include the reimbursement of various general and administrative services for expenses incurred by ETP on behalf of those subsidiaries. All such amounts have been eliminated in our consolidated financial statements.
In the ordinary course of business, our subsidiaries have related party transactions between each other which are generally based on transactions made at market-related rates. Our consolidated revenues and expenses reflect the elimination of all material intercompany transactions.
In addition, ETE recorded sales with affiliates of $45 million and $251 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $261 million and $951 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
14.
OTHER INFORMATION
The tables below present additional detail for certain balance sheet captions.
Other Current Assets
Other current assets consisted of the following:
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
Deposits paid to vendors
$
99

 
$
65

Deferred income taxes
12

 
14

Income taxes receivable
99

 
17

Prepaid expenses and other
212

 
205

Total other current assets
$
422

 
$
301

Accrued and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
Interest payable
$
508

 
$
440

Customer advances and deposits
125

 
103

Accrued capital expenditures
821

 
673

Accrued wages and benefits
200

 
233

Taxes payable other than income taxes
202

 
236

Income taxes payable
4

 
54

Deferred income taxes
99

 
99

Other
473

 
363

Total accrued and other current liabilities
$
2,432

 
$
2,201



33

Table of Contents

15.
REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
Subsequent to ETE’s acquisition of a controlling interest in Sunoco LP, our financial statements reflect the following reportable business segments:
Investment in ETP, including the consolidated operations of ETP;
Investment in Sunoco LP, including the consolidated operations of Sunoco LP;
Investment in Lake Charles LNG, including the operations of Lake Charles LNG; and
Corporate and Other, including the following:
activities of the Parent Company; and
the goodwill and property, plant and equipment fair value adjustments recorded as a result of the 2004 reverse acquisition of Heritage Propane Partners, L.P.
ETP completed its acquisition of Regency in April 2015; therefore, the Investment in ETP segment amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect Regency for the periods presented.
The Investment in Sunoco LP segment reflects the results of Sunoco LP beginning August 29, 2014, the date that ETP originally obtained control of Sunoco LP. ETE’s consolidated results reflect the elimination of MACS, Sunoco, LLC and Susser for the periods during which those entities were included in the consolidated results of both ETP and Sunoco LP. In addition, subsequent to July 2015, ETP holds an equity method investment in Sunoco, LLC, and a continuing investment in Sunoco LP the equity in earnings from which is also eliminated in ETE’s consolidated financial statements.
Related party transactions among our segments are generally based on transactions made at market-related rates. Consolidated revenues and expenses reflect the elimination of all material intercompany transactions.
We define Segment Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and other non-cash items, such as non-cash compensation expense, gains and losses on disposals of assets, the allowance for equity funds used during construction, unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities, non-cash impairment charges, losses on extinguishments of debt, gain on deconsolidation and other non-operating income or expense items. Unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities include unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory fair value adjustments (excluding lower of cost or market adjustments). Segment Adjusted EBITDA reflects amounts for unconsolidated affiliates based on the Partnership’s proportionate ownership and amounts for less than wholly owned subsidiaries based on 100% of the subsidiaries’ results of operations. Based on the change in our reportable segments we have recast the presentation of our segment results for the prior years to be consistent with the current year presentation.

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Table of Contents

The following tables present financial information by segment:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Segment Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in ETP
$
1,500

 
$
1,451

 
$
4,354

 
$
4,182

Investment in Sunoco LP
228

 
45

 
460

 
45

Investment in Lake Charles LNG
49

 
51

 
147

 
146

Corporate and Other
(26
)
 
(18
)
 
(74
)
 
(73
)
Adjustments and Eliminations
(251
)
 
(58
)
 
(484
)
 
(14
)
Total
1,500

 
1,471

 
4,403

 
4,286

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
(524
)
 
(425
)
 
(1,531
)
 
(1,248
)
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
(442
)
 
(356
)
 
(1,221
)
 
(1,015
)
Gain on sale of AmeriGas common units

 
14

 


177

Losses on interest rate derivatives
(64
)
 
(25
)
 
(14
)
 
(73
)
Non-cash unit-based compensation expense
(20
)
 
(20
)
 
(68
)
 
(60
)
Unrealized losses on commodity risk management activities
46

 
32

 
(73
)
 
(11
)
Gains (losses) on extinguishments of debt
(10
)
 
2

 
(43
)
 
2

Inventory valuation adjustments
(228
)
 
(51
)
 
(78
)
 
(17
)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
110

 
84

 
284

 
265

Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates
(126
)
 
(183
)
 
(487
)
 
(583
)
Adjusted EBITDA related to discontinued operations

 

 

 
(27
)
Other, net
33

 
(17
)
 
52

 
(73
)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense
$
275

 
$
526

 
$
1,224

 
$
1,623

 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
Assets:
 
 
 
Investment in ETP
$
64,145

 
$
62,674

Investment in Sunoco LP
6,180

 
6,161

Investment in Lake Charles LNG
1,331

 
1,210

Corporate and Other
727

 
1,153

Adjustments and Eliminations
(2,215
)
 
(6,729
)
Total assets
$
70,168

 
$
64,469


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Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in ETP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from external customers
$
6,549

 
$
14,933

 
$
28,415

 
$
42,048

Intersegment revenues
52

 

 
52

 

 
6,601

 
14,933

 
28,467

 
42,048

Investment in Sunoco LP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from external customers
3,989

 
897

 
11,797

 
897

Intersegment revenues
498

 
874

 
1,464

 
874

 
4,487

 
1,771

 
13,261

 
1,771

Investment in Lake Charles LNG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from external customers
54

 
55

 
162

 
162

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments and Eliminations
(526
)
 
(1,772
)
 
(9,300
)
 
(1,771
)
Total revenues
$
10,616

 
$
14,987

 
$
32,590

 
$
42,210

The following tables provide revenues, grouped by similar products and services, for our reportable segments. These amounts include intersegment revenues for transactions between ETP, Sunoco LP and Lake Charles LNG.
Investment in ETP
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Intrastate Transportation and Storage
$
477

 
$
557

 
$
1,504

 
$
2,069

Interstate Transportation and Storage
245

 
254

 
755

 
794

Midstream
543

 
1,358

 
2,067

 
3,707

Liquids Transportation and Services
779

 
1,148

 
2,366

 
2,807

Investment in Sunoco Logistics
2,379

 
4,862

 
8,026

 
14,080

Retail Marketing
1,362

 
5,985

 
11,701

 
16,561

All Other
816

 
769

 
2,048

 
2,030

Total revenues
6,601

 
14,933

 
28,467

 
42,048

Less: Intersegment revenues
52

 

 
52

 

Revenues from external customers
$
6,549

 
$
14,933

 
$
28,415

 
$
42,048

Investment in Sunoco LP
Sunoco LP’s revenues for all periods presented were primarily related to motor fuel sales.
Investment in Lake Charles LNG
Lake Charles LNG’s revenues for all periods presented were related to LNG terminalling.

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Table of Contents

16.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION
Following are the financial statements of the Parent Company, which are included to provide additional information with respect to the Parent Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows on a stand-alone basis:
BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)

 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
69

 
$
2

Accounts receivable from related companies
30

 
14

Other current assets

 
1

Total current assets
99

 
17

Property, plant and equipment, net
15

 

Advances to and investments in unconsolidated affiliates
5,760

 
5,390

Intangible assets, net
7

 
10

Goodwill
9

 
9

Other non-current assets, net
51

 
46

Total assets
$
5,941

 
$
5,472

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable to related companies
$
134

 
$
11

Interest payable
85

 
58

Accrued and other current liabilities
3

 
3

Total current liabilities
222

 
72

Long-term debt, less current maturities
6,439

 
4,680

Note payable to affiliate
184

 
54

Other non-current liabilities
2

 
2

Commitments and contingencies

 

Partners’ capital:
 
 
 
General Partner
(2
)
 
(1
)
Limited Partners:
 
 
 
Common Unitholders
(925
)
 
648

Class D Units
21

 
22

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 
(5
)
Total partners’ capital
(906
)
 
664

Total liabilities and partners’ capital
$
5,941

 
$
5,472



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Table of Contents

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES(1)
$
(24
)
 
$
(20
)
 
$
(81
)
 
$
(83
)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
(81
)
 
(57
)
 
(214
)
 
(147
)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
403

 
269

 
1,174

 
756

Other, net
(4
)
 
(2
)
 
(3
)
 
(4
)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
294

 
190

 
876

 
522

Income tax benefit
1

 
2

 
1

 
2

NET INCOME
293

 
188

 
875

 
520

General Partner’s interest in net income
1

 

 
2

 
1

Class D Unitholder’s interest in net income
1

 

 
2

 
1

Limited Partners’ interest in net income
$
291

 
$
188

 
$
871

 
$
518


(1) 
Includes management fees paid by ETE to ETP.

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Table of Contents

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
874

 
$
704

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Cash paid for Bakken Pipeline Transaction
(817
)
 

Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates
4

 

Contributions to unconsolidated affiliate

 
(30
)
Capital expenditures
(15
)
 

Purchase of additional interest in Regency

 
(800
)
Cash received from affiliate

 

Net cash used in investing activities
(828
)
 
(830
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Proceeds from borrowings
3,672

 
2,820

Principal payments on debt
(1,915
)
 
(1,082
)
Proceeds from affiliate
129

 

Distributions to partners
(790
)
 
(596
)
Units repurchased under buyback program
(1,064
)
 
(1,000
)
Debt issuance costs
(11
)
 
(15
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
21

 
127

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
67

 
1

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
2

 
8

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
$
69

 
$
9




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Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Tabular dollar and unit amounts, except per unit data, are in millions)
The following is a discussion of our historical consolidated financial condition and results of operations, and should be read in conjunction with our historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015. This discussion includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risk and uncertainties. Actual results may differ substantially from the statements we make in this section due to a number of factors that are discussed in “Part I - Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Partnership” and “ETE” mean Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries, which include ETP, Sunoco LP and Lake Charles LNG. References to the “Parent Company” mean Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. on a stand-alone basis.
OVERVIEW
We directly and indirectly own equity interests in entities that are engaged in diversified energy-related services. Subsequent to the Susser exchange and the Sunoco LP general partner and IDR exchange, as discussed below, our interests in ETP and Sunoco LP consisted of 100% of the respective general partner interests and IDRs, as well as the following:
 
ETP
 
Sunoco LP
 
Sunoco Logistics
Units held by ETE and its wholly-owned subsidiaries:
 
 
 
 
 
Common units
2.6
 
 
ETP Class H units
81.0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Units held by ETP and less than wholly-owned subsidiaries:
 
 
 
 
 
Common units
 
37.8
 
67.1
Class A units
 
11.0
 
We also own 0.1% of the general partner interests and IDRs of Sunoco Logistics, while ETP owns the remaining general partner interests and IDRs. Additionally, ETE owns 100 ETP Class I Units, the distributions from which offset a portion of IDR subsidies ETE has previously provided to ETP.
Subsequent to the Sunoco LP Exchange, our reportable segments are as follows:
Investment in ETP, including the consolidated operations of ETP;
Investment in Sunoco LP; including the consolidated operations of Sunoco LP;
Investment in Lake Charles LNG, including the operations of Lake Charles LNG, and;
Corporate and Other, including the following:
activities of the Parent Company; and
the goodwill and property, plant and equipment fair value adjustments recorded as a result of the 2004 reverse acquisition of Heritage Propane Partners, L.P.

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Table of Contents

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
WMB Merger
In September 2015, ETE, ETC and WMB entered into a merger agreement. The merger agreement provides that WMB will be merged with and into ETC, with ETC surviving the merger. ETC is a recently formed limited partnership that will elect to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes and would own the managing member interest in our general partner, and upon closing of a merger with WMB, would own limited partner interest in ETE. At the time of the merger, each issued and outstanding share of WMB common stock would be exchanged for (i) $8.00 in cash and 1.5274 common units representing limited partnership interests in ETC, (ii) 1.8716 ETC common shares, or (iii) $43.50 in cash.
The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including the receipt of approval of the merger from WMB’s stockholders and all required regulatory approvals, including approval pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. ETE and WMB anticipate that the transaction will be completed in the first half of 2016.
Sunoco LP
In July 2015, in exchange for the contribution of 100% of Susser from ETP to Sunoco LP, Sunoco LP paid approximately $970 million in cash and issued to ETP subsidiaries 22 million Sunoco LP Class B units valued at approximately $970 million. The Sunoco Class B units did not receive second quarter 2015 cash distributions from Sunoco LP and converted on a one-for-one basis into Sunoco LP common units on the day immediately following the record date for Sunoco LP’s second quarter 2015 distribution. In addition, (i) a Susser subsidiary exchanged its 79,308 Sunoco LP common units for 79,308 Sunoco LP Class A units, (ii) approximately 11 million Sunoco LP subordinated units owned by Susser subsidiaries were converted into approximately 11 million Sunoco LP Class A units and (iii) Sunoco LP issued 79,308 Sunoco LP common units and approximately 11 million Sunoco LP subordinated units to subsidiaries of ETP. The Sunoco LP Class A units were contributed to Sunoco LP as part of the transaction. Sunoco LP subsequently contributed, transferred, assigned and conveyed its interests in Susser to one of its subsidiaries.
Effective July 1, 2015, ETE acquired 100% of the membership interests of Sunoco GP, the general partner of Sunoco LP, and all of the IDRs of Sunoco LP from ETP, and in exchange, ETE transferred to ETP 21 million ETP common units. In connection with ETP’s 2014 acquisition of Susser, ETE agreed to provide ETP a $35 million annual IDR subsidy for 10 years, which terminated upon the closing of ETE’s acquisition of Sunoco GP. In connection with the exchange and repurchase, ETE will provide ETP a $35 million annual IDR subsidy for two years beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2015.
Regency Merger
On April 30, 2015, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETP merged with Regency, with Regency surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETP (the “Regency Merger”). Each Regency common unit and Class F unit was converted into the right to receive 0.4124 ETP common units. ETP issued 172.2 million ETP common units to Regency unitholders, including 15.5 million units issued to subsidiaries of ETP. The 1.9 million outstanding Regency series A preferred units were converted into corresponding new ETP Series A Preferred Units on a one-for-one basis.
In connection with the Regency Merger, ETE agreed to reduce the incentive distributions it receives from ETP by a total of $320 million over a five-year period. The IDR subsidy will total $80 million for the year ending December 31, 2015 and $60 million per year for the following four years.
On August 10, 2015, ETP entered into various supplemental indentures pursuant to which ETP has agreed to assume all of the obligations Regency and Regency Energy Finance Corp., of which ETP was previously a co-obligor or parent guarantor.
Bakken Pipeline
In October 2015, Sunoco Logistics completed the previously announced acquisition of a 40% membership interest (the “Bakken Membership Interest”) in Bakken Holdings Company LLC (“Bakken Holdco”). Bakken Holdco, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns a 75% membership interest in each of Dakota Access, LLC and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, LLC, which together intend to develop the previously announced pipeline system to deliver crude oil from the Bakken/Three Forks production area in North Dakota to the Gulf Coast (the “Bakken Pipeline Project”). ETP transferred the Bakken Membership Interest to Sunoco Logistics in exchange for approximately 9.4 million Class B Units representing limited partner interests in Sunoco Logistics and the payment by Sunoco Logistics to ETP of $382 million of cash, which represented reimbursement of the for its proportionate share of the total cash contributions made in the Bakken Pipeline Project as of the date of closing of the exchange transaction.

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Table of Contents

ETE Unit Repurchase
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, ETE repurchased approximately $1.06 billion of ETE common units under its $2.0 billion buyback program.
Quarterly Cash Distribution Increase
In October 2015, ETE announced an increase in its quarterly distribution to $0.285 per unit ($1.14 annualized on a post-split basis) on ETE common units for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.
Results of Operations
We define Segment Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and other non-cash items, such as non-cash compensation expense, gains and losses on disposals of assets, the allowance for equity funds used during construction, unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities, non-cash impairment charges, losses on extinguishments of debt, gain on deconsolidation and other non-operating income or expense items. Unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities include unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory fair value adjustments (excluding lower of cost or market adjustments). Segment Adjusted EBITDA reflects amounts for less than wholly owned subsidiaries based on 100% of the subsidiaries’ results of operations.
Based on the change in our reportable segments, we have adjusted the presentation of our segment results for the prior years to be consistent with the current year presentation. ETP completed its acquisition of Regency in April 2015; therefore, the Investment in ETP segment amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect Regency for the periods presented.
The Investment in Sunoco LP segment reflects the results of Sunoco LP beginning August 29, 2014, the date that ETP originally obtained control of Sunoco LP. ETE’s consolidated results reflect the elimination of MACS, Sunoco, LLC and Susser for the periods during which those entities were included in the consolidated results of both ETP and Sunoco LP. In addition, subsequent to July 2015, ETP holds an equity method investment in Sunoco, LLC, and a continuing investment in Sunoco LP the equity in earnings from which is also eliminated in ETE’s consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents


Consolidated Results

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Segment Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in ETP
$
1,500

 
$
1,451

 
$
49

 
$
4,354

 
$
4,182

 
$
172

Investment in Sunoco LP
228

 
45

 
183

 
460

 
45

 
415

Investment in Lake Charles LNG
49

 
51

 
(2
)
 
147

 
146

 
1

Corporate and Other
(26
)
 
(18
)
 
(8
)
 
(74
)
 
(73
)
 
(1
)
Adjustments and Eliminations
(251
)
 
(58
)
 
(193
)
 
(484
)
 
(14
)
 
(470
)
Total
1,500

 
1,471

 
29

 
4,403

 
4,286

 
117

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
(524
)
 
(425
)
 
(99
)
 
(1,531
)
 
(1,248
)
 
(283
)
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized
(442
)
 
(356
)
 
(86
)
 
(1,221
)
 
(1,015
)
 
(206
)
Gain on sale of AmeriGas common units

 
14

 
(14
)
 

 
177

 
(177
)
Losses on interest rate derivatives
(64
)
 
(25
)
 
(39
)
 
(14
)
 
(73
)
 
59

Non-cash unit-based compensation expense
(20
)
 
(20
)
 

 
(68
)
 
(60
)
 
(8
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on commodity risk management activities
46

 
32

 
14

 
(73
)
 
(11
)
 
(62
)
Gains (losses) on extinguishments of debt
(10
)
 
2

 
(12
)
 
(43
)
 
2

 
(45
)
Inventory valuation adjustments
(228
)
 
(51
)
 
(177
)
 
(78
)
 
(17
)
 
(61
)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
110

 
84

 
26

 
284

 
265

 
19

Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates
(126
)
 
(183
)
 
57

 
(487
)
 
(583
)
 
96

Adjusted EBITDA related to discontinued operations

 

 

 

 
(27
)
 
27

Other, net
33

 
(17
)
 
50

 
52

 
(73
)
 
125

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense
275

 
526

 
(251
)
 
1,224

 
1,623

 
(399
)
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations
37

 
56

 
(19
)
 
(7
)
 
271

 
(278
)
Income from continuing operations
238

 
470

 
(232
)
 
1,231

 
1,352

 
(121
)
Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 
66

 
(66
)
Net income
$
238

 
$
470

 
$
(232
)
 
$
1,231

 
$
1,418

 
$
(187
)
See the detailed discussion of Segment Adjusted EBITDA in “Segment Operating Results” below.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization. Depreciation, depletion and amortization for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same periods last year increased primarily due to additional depreciation and amortization from assets recently placed in service and recent acquisitions by ETP.

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Table of Contents

Interest Expense, Net of Interest Capitalized. Interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased primarily due to the following:
an increase of $34 million and $111 million, respectively, of expense recognized by ETP primarily due to recent issuances of senior notes;
an increase of $25 million and $54 million, respectively, of expense recognized by Sunoco LP primarily due to partial periods recognized in 2014; and
an increase of $24 million and $67 million, respectively, of expense recognized by the Parent Company primarily related to recent issuances of senior notes.
Gain on Sale of AmeriGas Common Units. In January 2014 and June 2014, ETP recognized gains on the sales of 9.2 million and 8.5 million AmeriGas common units that were originally received in connection with the contribution of ETP’s propane business to AmeriGas in 2012. As of September 30, 2015, ETP’s remaining interest in AmeriGas common units consisted of 3.1 million units held by a wholly-owned captive insurance company.
Losses on Interest Rate Derivatives. Our interest rate derivatives are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes; therefore, changes in fair value are recorded in earnings each period. Losses on interest rate derivatives during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 resulted from decreases in forward interest rates, which caused our forward-starting swaps to decrease in value.
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Commodity Risk Management Activities. See additional discussion of the unrealized gains (losses) on commodity risk management activities included in the discussion of segment results below.
Inventory Valuation Adjustments. Inventory valuation reserve adjustments were recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, for the inventory associated with Sunoco LP, Sunoco Logistics and ETP’s retail marketing operations as a result of commodity price changes between periods.
Adjusted EBITDA Related to Unconsolidated Affiliates and Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates. Amounts reflected primarily include our proportionate share of such amounts related to AmeriGas, FEP, HPC, MEP and Citrus.
Adjusted EBITDA Related to Discontinued Operations. The amount reflected for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 reflect the results of a marketing business that was sold by ETP effective April 1, 2014.
Other, net. Includes amortization of regulatory assets, certain acquisition related costs and other income and expense amounts.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) From Continuing Operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Partnership’s effective income tax rate decreased from the prior year primarily due to lower earnings among the Partnership’s consolidated corporate subsidiaries. The three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 also reflect a benefit of $27 million of net state tax benefit attributable to statutory state rate changes resulting from the Regency Merger and sale of Susser to Sunoco LP. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Partnership’s income tax expense was favorably impacted by $11 million due to a reduction in the statutory Texas franchise tax rate which was enacted by the Texas legislature during the second quarter of 2015. Additionally, the Partnership recognized a net tax benefit of $7 million related to the settlement of the Southern Union 2004-2009 Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination in July 2015. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Partnership’s income tax expense from continuing operations included unfavorable income tax adjustments of $87 million related to the Lake Charles LNG Transaction, which was treated as a sale for tax purposes.

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Table of Contents

Segment Operating Results
Investment in ETP
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Revenues
$
6,601

 
$
14,933

 
$
(8,332
)
 
$
28,467

 
$
42,048

 
$
(13,581
)
Cost of products sold
4,925

 
13,014

 
(8,089
)
 
22,750

 
36,808

 
(14,058
)
Gross margin
1,676

 
1,919

 
(243
)
 
5,717

 
5,240

 
477

Unrealized (gains) losses on commodity risk management activities
(47
)
 
(32
)
 
(15
)
 
72

 
1

 
71

Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense
(534
)
 
(549
)
 
15

 
(1,803
)
 
(1,381
)
 
(422
)
Selling, general and administrative, excluding non-cash compensation expense
(99
)
 
(140
)
 
41

 
(386
)
 
(362
)
 
(24
)
Inventory valuation adjustments
134

 
51

 
83

 
(16
)
 
17

 
(33
)
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates
350

 
184

 
166

 
711

 
584

 
127

Adjusted EBITDA related to discontinued operations

 

 

 

 
27

 
(27
)
Other
20

 
18

 
2

 
59

 
56

 
3

Segment Adjusted EBITDA
$
1,500

 
$
1,451

 
$
49

 
$
4,354

 
$
4,182

 
$
172

Segment Adjusted EBITDA. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to the Investment in ETP increased due to the net impact of the following:
an increase of $43 million from Sunoco Logistics due to:
an increase of $35 million from Sunoco Logistics’ terminal facilities, primarily attributable to NGL contributions at Sunoco Logistics’ Nederland terminal and Marcus Hook Industrial Complex;
an increase of $37 million from Sunoco Logistics’ products pipelines, primarily attributable to higher average pipeline revenue per barrel of $21 million and increased throughput volumes of $15 million primarily related to the Mariner NGL and Allegheny Access pipeline projects;
an increase of $38 million from Sunoco Logistics’ crude oil pipelines, primarily due to increased volumes of $12 million and higher average pipeline revenue per barrel of $25 million largely related to the Permian Express 2 pipeline that commenced operations in July 2015; offset by
a decrease of $67 million from Sunoco Logistics’ crude oil acquisition and marketing activities, primarily attributable to lower gross profit per barrel purchased as a result of narrowing crude oil differentials compared to the prior period;
an increase of $25 million in ETP’s Adjusted EBITDA attributable to its unconsolidated affiliate, PES, due to higher earnings driven by stronger refining crack spreads. Adjusted EBITDA reflected in the table above also reflects $134 million from ETP’s investment in Sunoco LP during the three months ended September 30, 2015, subsequent to ETP’s deconsolidation of Sunoco LP upon the exchange of the general partner and IDRs in July 2015; ETP’s earnings from its investment in Sunoco LP are eliminated in our consolidated results;
an increase of $29 million in ETP’s liquids transportation and services operations, primarily attributable to higher volumes transported out of West Texas on the Lone Star Gateway pipeline system and processing plants in Southeast Texas and in the Eagle Ford Shale region, as a result of the ramp-up of Lone Star’s second fractionator at Mont Belvieu commissioned in October 2013; offset by
a decrease of $61 million in ETP’s midstream operations primarily due to lower commodity prices.

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Table of Contents

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to the Investment in ETP increased due to the net impact of the following:
an increase of $102 million from Sunoco Logistics due to:
an increase of $93 million from Sunoco Logistics’ products pipelines, primarily attributable to higher average pipeline revenue per barrel of $53 million and increased throughput volumes of $42 million primarily related to the Mariner NGL and Allegheny Access pipeline projects;
an increase of $44 million from Sunoco Logistics’ terminal facilities, primarily attributable to NGL contributions at Sunoco Logistics’ Nederland terminal and Marcus Hook Industrial Complex;
an increase of $25 million from Sunoco Logistics’ crude oil pipelines, primarily due to increased volumes of $20 million and higher average pipeline revenue per barrel of $17 million largely related to the Permian Express 2 pipeline that commenced operations in July 2015, partially offset by increased operating expenses; offset by
a decrease of $60 million from Sunoco Logistics’ crude oil acquisition and marketing activities, primarily attributable to lower gross profit per barrel purchased as a result of narrowing crude oil differentials compared to the prior period; and
an increase of $77 million in ETP’s liquids transportation and services operations, primarily attributable to higher volumes transported out of West Texas on the Lone Star Gateway pipeline system, as well as increased processing and fractionation margin of $35 million due to the commissioning of the Mariner South LPG export project during February 2015;
an increase of $28 million in ETP’s midstream operations, primarily due to higher fee-based revenues resulting from increased production and increased capacity from assets recently placed in service in the Marcellus Shale, Eagle Ford Shale, Permian Basin and Cotton Valley, as well as the recent acquisitions of Eagle Rock and PVR midstream assets;
an increase of $28 million in ETP’s retail marketing operations, primarily due to the impacts of recent acquisitions, including the acquisition of Susser in August 2014; offset by
a decrease of $33 million in ETP’s interstate transportation and storage operations, primarily due to lower revenues of $21 million as a result of higher basis differentials in 2014 driven by colder weather, lower revenues of $8 million due to the expiration of a transportation rate schedule on the Transwestern pipeline, lower revenues of $7 million due to a managed contract roll off to facilitate the transfer of a line from Trunkline to an affiliate for its conversion from natural gas to crude oil service, and lower gas sales of $5 million on Transwestern as a result of lower sales prices in 2015. These decreases were partially offset by sales of capacity on the Panhandle and Transwestern pipelines at higher rates; and
a decrease in Adjusted EBITDA related to discontinued operations of $27 million related to a marketing business that was sold effective April 1, 2014.
Unrealized Losses on Commodity Risk Management Activities. Unrealized losses on commodity risk management activities primarily reflected the net impact from unrealized gains and losses on natural gas storage and non-storage derivatives, as well as fair value adjustments to inventory. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same periods last year, the changes included $16 million and $95 million of increases in unrealized losses related to derivatives of inventory adjustments of ETP’s midstream operations, partially offset by changes of $5 million and $28 million, respectively, related to ETP’s intrastate transportation and storage services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the remainder of the change was primarily related to Sunoco Logistics.
Operating Expenses, Excluding Non-Cash Compensation Expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same periods last year, ETP’s operating expenses increased primarily as a result of recent acquisitions. ETP had an increase of $257 million in ETP’s retail marketing operations, primarily due to recent acquisitions, and an increase of $108 million in ETP’s midstream operations, primarily due to assets recently placed in service and Regency’s acquisition of Eagle Rock midstream assets in 2014.
Selling, General and Administrative, Excluding Non-Cash Compensation Expense. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period last year, ETP’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of recent acquisitions by ETP’s retail marketing operations.
Inventory Valuation Adjustments.  Inventory valuation reserve adjustments were recorded for the inventory associated with Sunoco Logistics and ETP’s retail marketing operations as a result of commodity price changes between periods.
Adjusted EBITDA Related to Unconsolidated Affiliates. Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2015 increased compared to the same period last year primarily due to $134 million of adjusted EBITDA related to Sunoco LP, which is an equity method investment subsequent to July 1, 2015 as a result of ETP’s deconsolidation.

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Investment in Sunoco LP
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Revenues
$
4,487

 
$
1,771

 
$
2,716

 
$
13,261

 
$
1,771

 
$
11,490

Cost of products sold
4,106

 
1,705

 
2,401

 
12,136

 
1,705

 
10,431

Gross margin
381

 
66

 
315

 
1,125

 
66

 
1,059

Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense
(206
)
 
(58
)
 
(148
)
 
(571
)
 
(58
)
 
(513
)
Selling, general and administrative, excluding non-cash compensation expense
(43
)
 
(11
)
 
(32
)
 
(131
)
 
(11
)
 
(120
)
Inventory fair value adjustments
95

 
48

 
47

 
34

 
48

 
(14
)
Unrealized losses on commodity risk management activities
1

 

 
1

 
3

 

 
3

Segment Adjusted EBITDA
$
228

 
$
45

 
$
183

 
$
460

 
$
45

 
$
415

The Investment in Sunoco LP segment reflects the results of Sunoco LP beginning August 29, 2014, the date that ETP originally obtained control of Sunoco LP. Sunoco LP obtained control of MACS in October 2014, Sunoco, LLC in April 2015, and Susser in July 2015. Because these entities were under common control, Sunoco LP recast its financial statements to retrospectively consolidate each of the entities beginning August 29, 2014. The segment results above are presented on the same basis as Sunoco LP’s standalone financial statements; therefore, the segment results above also include MACS, Sunoco, LLC and Susser beginning August 29, 2014. MACS, Sunoco, LLC and Susser were also consolidated by ETP until October 2014, April 2015 and July 2015, respectively; therefore, the results from those entities are reflected in both the Investment in ETP and the Investment in Sunoco LP segments for the respective periods in 2014 and 2015. ETE’s consolidated results reflect the elimination of MACS, Sunoco, LLC and Susser for the periods during which those entities were included in the consolidated results of both ETP and Sunoco LP. In addition, subsequent to July 2015, ETP holds an equity method investment in Sunoco, LLC, the equity in earnings from which is also eliminated in ETE’s consolidated financial statements.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA. The increase in Segment Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same periods in the prior year is primarily due to the presentation of only a partial period of results for Sunoco LP in 2014, as discussed above. In addition, Sunoco LP completed the acquisition of Aloha in December 2014, which contributed $124 million and $374 million to revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.
Investment in Lake Charles LNG
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Revenues
$
54

 
$
55

 
$
(1
)
 
$
162

 
$
162

 
$

Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
1

 
(12
)
 
(13
)
 
1

Selling, general and administrative, excluding non-cash compensation expense
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(3
)
 
(4
)
 
1

Other

 
2

 
(2
)
 

 
1

 
(1
)
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
$
49

 
$
51

 
$
(2
)
 
$
147

 
$
146

 
$
1

Lake Charles LNG derives all of its revenue from a long-term contract with BG Group plc.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview
Parent Company Only
The Parent Company’s principal sources of cash flow are derived from its direct and indirect investments in the limited partner and general partner interests in ETP and Sunoco LP and cash flows from the operations of Lake Charles LNG. The amount of cash that our subsidiaries distribute to their respective partners, including the Parent Company, each quarter is based on earnings from their respective business activities and the amount of available cash, as discussed below. In connection with previous transactions, we have relinquished a portion of incentive distributions to be received.
The Parent Company’s primary cash requirements are for general and administrative expenses, debt service requirements and distributions to its partners. The Parent Company currently expects to fund its short-term needs for such items with its distributions from ETP, Sunoco LP and Lake Charles LNG. The Parent Company distributes its available cash remaining after satisfaction of the aforementioned cash requirements to its unitholders on a quarterly basis.
We expect our subsidiaries to utilize their resources, along with cash from their operations, to fund their announced growth capital expenditures and working capital needs; however, the Parent Company may issue debt or equity securities from time to time, as we deem prudent to provide liquidity for new capital projects of our subsidiaries or for other partnership purposes.
ETP
ETP’s ability to satisfy its obligations and pay distributions to its unitholders will depend on its future performance, which will be subject to prevailing economic, financial, business and weather conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of ETP’s management.
ETP currently expects capital expenditures (net of contributions in aid of construction costs) for the full year 2015 to be within the following ranges:
 
Growth
 
Maintenance
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
Direct(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intrastate transportation and storage
$
125

 
$
150

 
$
30

 
$
35

Interstate transportation and storage(2)
700

 
750

 
130

 
140

Midstream
2,100

 
2,200

 
90

 
110

Liquids transportation and services:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NGL
1,550

 
1,600

 
20

 
25

Crude(2)
700

 
750

 

 

Retail marketing(3)
210

 
240

 
50

 
60

All other (including eliminations)
320

 
360

 
25

 
35

Total direct capital expenditures
5,705

 
6,050

 
345

 
405

Indirect(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in Sunoco Logistics
2,400

 
2,600

 
65

 
75

Investment in Sunoco LP(4)
80

 
85

 
5

 
10

Total indirect capital expenditures
2,480

 
2,685

 
70

 
85

Total projected capital expenditures
$
8,185

 
$
8,735

 
$
415

 
$
490

(1) 
Indirect capital expenditures comprise those funded by ETP’s publicly traded subsidiaries; all other capital expenditures are reflected as direct capital expenditures.
(2) 
Includes capital expenditures related to ETP’s proportionate ownership of the Bakken and Rover pipeline projects.
(3) 
ETP’s retail marketing operations include ETP’s wholly-owned retail marketing operations.
(4) 
ETP’s Investment in Sunoco LP includes capital expenditures for the period prior to ETP’s deconsolidation of Sunoco LP on July 1, 2015.

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Sunoco Logistics expects total growth capital expenditures of approximately $2.5 billion in 2016, and we expect to publicly announce expected 2016 capital expenditures for ETP’s other operations prior to filing of ETP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
The assets used in ETP’s natural gas and liquids operations, including pipelines, gathering systems and related facilities, are generally long-lived assets and do not require significant maintenance capital expenditures. Accordingly, ETP does not have any significant financial commitments for maintenance capital expenditures in its businesses. From time to time ETP experiences increases in pipe costs due to a number of reasons, including but not limited to, delays from mills, limited selection of mills capable of producing large diameter pipe in a timely manner, higher steel prices and other factors beyond ETP’s control. However, ETP included these factors in its anticipated growth capital expenditures for each year.
ETP generally funds its maintenance capital expenditures and distributions with cash flows from operating activities. ETP generally funds growth capital expenditures with proceeds of borrowings under the ETP Credit Facility, long-term debt, the issuance of additional ETP common units, dropdown proceeds or the monetization of non-core assets or a combination thereof.
Sunoco LP
Sunoco LP’s ability to satisfy its obligations and pay distributions to its unitholders will depend on its future performance, which will be subject to prevailing economic, financial, business and weather conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Sunoco LP’s management.
Sunoco LP currently expects its capital expenditures (net of contributions in aid of construction costs) for the six months ending December 31, 2015 to be between $140 million and $175 million for growth capital expenditures and between $40 million and $45 million for maintenance capital expenditures.
Cash Flows
Our internally generated cash flows may change in the future due to a number of factors, some of which we cannot control. These include regulatory changes, the price for our operating entities products and services, the demand for such products and services, margin requirements resulting from significant changes in commodity prices, operational risks, the successful integration of acquisitions and other factors.
Operating Activities
Changes in cash flows from operating activities between periods primarily result from changes in earnings (as discussed in “Results of Operations” above), excluding the impacts of non-cash items and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash items include recurring non-cash expenses, such as depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and non-cash unit-based compensation expense. The increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense during the periods presented primarily resulted from the construction and acquisition of assets, while changes in non-cash compensation expense resulted from changes in the number of units granted and changes in the grant date fair value estimated for such grants. Cash flows from operating activities also differ from earnings as a result of non-cash charges that may not be recurring such as impairment charges and allowance for equity funds used during construction. The allowance for equity funds used during construction increases in periods when we have significant amount of interstate pipeline construction in progress. Changes in operating assets and liabilities between periods result from factors such as the changes in the value of price risk management assets and liabilities, timing of accounts receivable collection, payments on accounts payable, the timing of purchases and sales of inventories, and the timing of advances and deposits received from customers.
Nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2014. Cash provided by operating activities during 2015 was $2.15 billion as compared to $2.51 billion for 2014. Net income was $1.23 billion and $1.42 billion for 2015 and 2014, respectively. The difference between net income and the net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 primarily consisted of net changes in operating assets and liabilities of $831 million and non-cash items totaling $1.48 billion.
The non-cash activity in 2015 and 2014 consisted primarily of depreciation, depletion and amortization of $1.53 billion and $1.25 billion, respectively, unit-based compensation expense of $68 million and $60 million, respectively, and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $284 million and $265 million, respectively. Non-cash activity in 2014 also included deferred income taxes of $66 million and a gain on the sale of AmeriGas common units of $177 million.
Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized, was $1.29 billion and $1.06 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Capitalized interest was $108 million and $70 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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Investing Activities
Cash flows from investing activities primarily consist of cash amounts paid in acquisitions, capital expenditures, cash distributions from our joint ventures, and cash proceeds from sales or contributions of assets or businesses. Changes in capital expenditures between periods primarily result from increases or decreases in growth capital expenditures to fund construction and expansion projects.
Nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2014. Cash used in investing activities during 2015 was $7.16 billion as compared to $4.57 billion for 2014. Total capital expenditures (excluding the allowance for equity funds used during construction and net of contributions in aid of construction costs) for 2015 were $6.66 billion. This compares to total capital expenditures (excluding the allowance for equity funds used during construction and net of contributions in aid of construction costs) for 2014 of $3.68 billion. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we paid cash for acquisitions of $502 million, we paid $129 million for the purchase of noncontrolling interest and we received $64 million in proceeds from the sale of noncontrolling interest. Additionally, during 2014, we paid cash for acquisitions of $1.79 billion and received proceeds of $814 million from sales of AmeriGas common units.
Financing Activities
Changes in cash flows from financing activities between periods primarily result from changes in the levels of borrowings and equity issuances, which are primarily used to fund acquisitions and growth capital expenditures. Distribution increases between the periods were based on increases in distribution rates, increases in the number of common units outstanding at our subsidiaries and increases in the number of our common units outstanding.
Nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2014. Cash provided by financing activities during 2015 was $5.19 billion as compared to $2.59 billion for 2014. In 2015, ETP received $1.03 billion in net proceeds from offerings of their common units as compared to $1.13 billion in 2014. Also in 2015, Sunoco Logistics received $1.27 billion in net proceeds from offerings of their common units. During 2015, we had a consolidated net increase in our debt level of $5.68 billion as compared to a net increase of $3.70 billion for 2014. We have paid distributions of $790 million and $596 million to our partners in 2015 and in 2014, respectively. Our subsidiaries have paid distributions to noncontrolling interest of $1.71 billion and $1.36 billion in 2015 and 2014, respectively. We also paid $1.06 billion and $1.00 billion to repurchase common units under our buyback programs during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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Description of Indebtedness
Our outstanding consolidated indebtedness was as follows:
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Parent Company Indebtedness:
 
 
 
ETE Senior Notes due October 2020
$
1,187

 
$
1,187

ETE Senior Notes due January 2024
1,150

 
1,150

ETE Senior Notes due June 2027
1,000

 

ETE Senior Secured Term Loan due December 2019
2,190

 
1,400

ETE Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility due December 2018
930

 
940

Subsidiary Indebtedness:
 
 
 
ETP Senior Notes
19,440

 
10,890

Regency Senior Notes (1)

 
5,089

Transwestern Senior Notes
782

 
782

Panhandle Senior Notes
1,085

 
1,085

Sunoco, Inc. Senior Notes
465

 
715

Sunoco Logistics Senior Notes (2)
3,975

 
3,975

Sunoco LP Senior Notes
1,400

 

Revolving Credit Facilities:
 
 
 
ETP $3.75 billion Revolving Credit Facility due November 2019
665

 
570

Regency $2.5 billion Revolving Credit Facility due November 2019(3)

 
1,504

Sunoco Logistics’ subsidiary $35 million Revolving Credit Facility due April 2015(4)

 
35

Sunoco Logistics $2.50 billion Revolving Credit Facility due March 2020
835

 
150

Sunoco LP $1.5 billion Revolving Credit Facility due September 2019
875

 
683

Other long-term debt
214

 
223

Unamortized premiums, net of discounts and fair value adjustments
154

 
283

Total
36,347

 
30,661

Less: Current maturities of long-term debt
15

 
1,008

Long-term debt and notes payable, less current maturities
$
36,332

 
$
29,653

(1) 
As discussed below, the Regency senior notes were redeemed and/or assumed by ETP.
(2) 
Sunoco Logistics’ 6.125% senior notes due May 15, 2016 were classified as long-term debt as of September 30, 2015 as Sunoco Logistics has the ability and intent to refinance such borrowings on a long-term basis.
(3) 
On April 30, 2015, in connection with the Regency Merger, the Regency Credit Facility was paid off in full and terminated.
(4) 
Sunoco Logistics’ subsidiary $35 million revolving credit facility matured in April 2015 and was repaid with borrowings under the Sunoco Logistics $2.50 billion revolving credit facility.
ETE Senior Notes
In May, ETE issued $1 billion aggregate principal amount of its 5.5% senior notes maturing 2027.
The Parent Company currently has outstanding an aggregate of $1.19 billion in principal amount of 7.5% senior notes due 2020 and $1.15 billion in principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due 2024.
ETE Term Loan Facility
In March 2015, the Parent Company entered into a Senior Secured Term Loan C Agreement (the “ETE Term Loan C Agreement” and, together with the Parent Company’s other term loan agreements, the “ETE Term Loan Facility), which increased the aggregate principal amount under the ETE Term Loan Facility to $2.25 billion, an increase of $850 million. The Parent Company used the proceeds (i) to fund the cash consideration for the Bakken Pipeline Transaction, (ii) to repay amounts outstanding under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility, and (iii) to pay transaction fees and expenses related to the Bakken Pipeline Transaction, the Term Loan Facility and other transactions incidental thereto. Under the ETE Term Loan C Agreement, interest accrues on advances at a LIBOR rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin based on the election of the Parent Company for each interest period; the applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans is 3.25% and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 2.25%.

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For the $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount under the Senior Secured Term Loan B Agreement of the ETE Term Loan Facility, interest accrues on advances at a LIBOR rate or a base rate plus an applicable margin based on the election of the Parent Company for each interest period. The applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans is 2.50% and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 1.50%.
In October 2015, ETE entered into an Amended and Restated Commitment Letter with a syndicate of 20 banks for a senior secured credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $6.05 billion in order to fund the cash portion of the WMB Merger. Under the terms of the facility, the banks have committed to provide a 364-day secured loan that can be extended at ETE’s option for an additional year. The interest rate on the facility is capped at 5.5%.
ETP Senior Notes
In June 2015, ETP issued $650 million aggregate principal amount of 2.50% senior notes due June 2018, $350 million aggregate principal amount of 4.15% senior notes due October 2020, $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior notes due January 2026 and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due December 2045. ETP used the net proceeds of $2.98 billion from the offering to pay outstanding borrowings under the ETP Credit Facility to fund growth capital expenditures and for general partnership purposes.
In March 2015, ETP issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.05% senior notes due March 2025, $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.90% senior notes due March 2035, and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.15% senior notes due March 2045. ETP used the $2.48 billion net proceeds from the offering to pay outstanding borrowings under the ETP Credit Facility, to fund growth capital expenditures and for general partnership purposes.
At the time of the Regency Merger, Regency had outstanding $5.1 billion principal amount of senior notes. On June 1, 2015, Regency redeemed all of the outstanding $499 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.375% senior notes due June 2019.
Panhandle previously agreed to fully and unconditionally guarantee (the “Panhandle Guarantee”) all of the payment obligations of Regency and Regency Energy Finance Corp. under their $600 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.50% senior notes due November 2023. On May 28, 2015, ETP entered into a supplemental indenture relating to the senior notes pursuant to which it became a co-obligor with respect to such payment obligations thereunder. Accordingly, pursuant to the terms of such supplemental indentures the Panhandle Guarantee was terminated.
On August 10, 2015, ETP entered into various supplemental indentures pursuant to which ETP has agreed to assume all of the obligations under the outstanding Regency senior notes.
On August 13, 2015, ETP redeemed in full the outstanding amount of the 2020 Notes and the 2021 Notes. The amount paid to redeem the 2020 Notes included a make whole premium of approximately $40 million and the amount paid to redeem the 2021 Notes included a make whole premium of approximately $24 million.
Sunoco LP Senior Notes
In July 2015, Sunoco LP issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% senior notes due August 2020. The net proceeds from the offering were used to fund a portion of the cash consideration for Sunoco LP’s acquisition of Susser.
In April 2015, Sunoco LP issued $800 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due April 2023. The net proceeds from the offering were used to fund the cash portion of the dropdown of Sunoco, LLC interests and to repay outstanding balances under the Sunoco LP revolving credit facility.
Revolving Credit Facilities
Parent Company Credit Facility
The Parent Company increased the capacity on its revolving credit facility to $1.5 billion in February 2015. Indebtedness under the Parent Company Credit Facility is secured by all of the Parent Company’s and certain of its subsidiaries’ tangible and intangible assets, but is not guaranteed by any of the Parent Company’s subsidiaries.
As of September 30, 2015, we had $930 million outstanding borrowings under the Parent Company Credit Facility and the amount available for future borrowings was $570 million.

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ETP Credit Facility
The ETP Credit Facility allows for borrowings of up to $3.75 billion and expires in November 2019. The indebtedness under the ETP Credit Facility is unsecured and not guaranteed by any of ETP’s subsidiaries and has equal rights to holders of our current and future unsecured debt. As of September 30, 2015, the ETP Credit Facility had $665 million of outstanding borrowings.
Regency Credit Facility
The Regency Credit Facility allowed for borrowings of $2.5 billion and would have expired on November 25, 2019. On April 30, 2015, in connection with the Regency Merger, the Regency Credit Facility was paid off in full and terminated.
Sunoco Logistics Credit Facilities
In March 2015, Sunoco Logistics amended and restated its $1.5 billion unsecured credit facility, which was scheduled to mature in November 2018. The amended and restated credit facility is a $2.5 billion unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Sunoco Logistics Credit Facility”), which matures in March 2020. The Sunoco Logistics Credit Facility contains an accordion feature, under which the total aggregate commitment may be increased to $3.25 billion under certain conditions. As of September 30, 2015, the Sunoco Logistics Credit Facility had $835 million of outstanding borrowings.
Sunoco LP Credit Facility
Sunoco LP maintains a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility (the “Sunoco LP Credit Facility”), which expires in September 2019. The Sunoco LP Credit Facility can be increased from time to time upon Sunoco LP’s written request, subject to certain conditions, up to an additional $250 million. As of September 30, 2015, the Sunoco LP Credit Facility had $875 million of outstanding borrowings.
Covenants Related to Our Credit Agreements
We and our subsidiaries were in compliance with all requirements, tests, limitations, and covenants related to our respective credit agreements as of September 30, 2015.
CASH DISTRIBUTIONS
Cash Distributions Paid by the Parent Company
Under the Parent Company Partnership Agreement, the Parent Company will distribute all of its Available Cash, as defined, within 50 days following the end of each fiscal quarter. Available Cash generally means, with respect to any quarter, all cash on hand at the end of such quarter less the amount of cash reserves that are necessary or appropriate in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner that is necessary or appropriate to provide for future cash requirements.
Following are distributions declared and/or paid by us subsequent to December 31, 2014 (on a post-split basis):
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
February 6, 2015
 
February 19, 2015
 
$
0.2250

March 31, 2015
 
May 8, 2015
 
May 19, 2015
 
0.2450

June 30, 2015
 
August 6, 2015
 
August 19, 2015
 
0.2650

September 30, 2015
 
November 5, 2015
 
November 19, 2015
 
0.2850


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The total amounts of distributions declared and/or paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (all from Available Cash from operating surplus and are shown in the period with respect to which they relate):
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Limited Partners
$
841

 
$
624

General Partner interest
2

 
2

Class D units
2

 
2

Total Parent Company distributions
$
845

 
$
628

Cash Distributions Received by the Parent Company
The Parent Company’s cash available for distributions historically has been primarily generated from its direct and indirect interests in ETP and Regency. Lake Charles LNG also contributes to the Parent Company’s cash available for distributions.
As the holder of ETP’s IDRs, the Parent Company is entitled to an increasing share of ETP’s total distributions above certain target levels. The following table summarizes the target levels (as a percentage of total distributions on common units, IDRs and the general partner interest). The percentage reflected in the table includes only the percentage related to the IDRs and excludes distributions to which the Parent Company would also be entitled through its direct or indirect ownership of ETP’s general partner interest, Class H units, Class I units and a portion of the outstanding ETP common units.
 
Percentage of Total Distributions to IDRs
 
Quarterly Distribution Rate Target Amounts
 
 
Minimum quarterly distribution
—%
 
$0.25
First target distribution
—%
 
$0.25 to $0.275
Second target distribution
13%
 
$0.275 to $0.3175
Third target distribution
23%
 
$0.3175 to $0.4125
Fourth target distribution
48%
 
Above $0.4125
The total amount of distributions to the Parent Company from its limited partner interests, general partner interest and incentive distributions (shown in the period to which they relate) for the periods ended as noted below is as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Distributions from ETP:
 
 
 
Limited Partner interests
$
51

 
$
88

Class H Units
186

 
159

General Partner interest
23

 
16

IDRs
937

 
546

IDR relinquishments net of Class I Unit distributions
(83
)
 
(182
)
Total distributions from ETP
1,114

 
627

Distributions from Regency (1)

 
95

Distributions from Sunoco LP (2)
8

 

Total distributions received from subsidiaries
$
1,122

 
$
722

(1) 
ETP’s acquisition of Regency closed on April 30, 2015; therefore, no distributions in relation to the quarter ended March 31, 2015 or subsequent quarters were paid by Regency. Instead, distributions from ETP include distributions on the limited partner interests received by ETE as consideration in ETP’s acquisition of Regency.
(2) 
Effective July 1, 2015, ETE acquired 100% of the membership interests of Sunoco GP, the general partner of Sunoco LP, and all of the IDRs of Sunoco LP from ETP.

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In connection with transactions previous transactions, including the Regency Merger and Sunoco LP general partner and IDR exchange, ETE has agreed to relinquish its right to the following amounts of incentive distributions in future periods, including distributions on ETP Class I Units.
 
 
Total Year
2015 (remainder)
 
$
28

2016
 
137

2017
 
128

2018
 
105

2019
 
95

Cash Distributions Paid by Subsidiaries
Certain of our subsidiaries are required by their respective partnership agreements to distribute all cash on hand at the end of each quarter, less appropriate reserves determined by the board of directors of their respective general partners.
Cash Distributions Paid by ETP
Following are distributions declared and/or paid by ETP subsequent to December 31, 2014:
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
February 6, 2015
 
February 13, 2015
 
$
0.9950

March 31, 2015
 
May 8, 2015
 
May 15, 2015
 
1.0150

June 30, 2015
 
August 6, 2015
 
August 14, 2015
 
1.0350

September 30, 2015
 
November 5, 2015
 
November 16, 2015
 
1.0550

The total amounts of ETP distributions declared during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (all from Available Cash from ETP’s operating surplus and are shown in the period with respect to which they relate):
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Limited Partners:
 
 
 
  Common Units
$
1,509

 
$
946

  Class H Units
186

 
159

General Partner interest
23

 
16

IDRs
937

 
546

IDR relinquishments net of Class I Unit distributions
(83
)
 
(182
)
Total ETP distributions
$
2,572

 
$
1,485

Cash Distributions Paid by Regency
ETP’s acquisition of Regency closed on April 30, 2015; therefore, no distributions in relation to the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and subsequent quarters will be paid by Regency.
Following are distributions declared and/or paid by Regency subsequent to December 31, 2014:
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
February 6, 2015
 
February 13, 2015
 
$
0.5025


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The total amounts of Regency distributions declared and/or paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (all from Regency’s operating surplus and are shown in the period with respect to which they relate):
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Limited Partners
$

 
$
567

General Partner interest

 
4

IDRs

 
23

IDR relinquishment related to previous transaction

 
(2
)
Total Regency distributions
$

 
$
592

Cash Distributions Paid by Sunoco Logistics
Sunoco Logistics is required by its partnership agreement to distribute all cash on hand at the end of each quarter, less appropriate reserves determined by its general partner.
Following are distributions declared and/or paid by Sunoco Logistics subsequent to December 31, 2014:
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
February 9, 2015
 
February 13, 2015
 
$
0.4000

March 31, 2015
 
May 11, 2015
 
May 15, 2015
 
0.4190

June 30, 2015
 
August 10, 2015
 
August 14, 2015
 
0.4380

September 30, 2015
 
November 9, 2015
 
November 13, 2015
 
0.4580

The total amounts of Sunoco Logistics distributions declared and/or paid during the periods presented were as follows (all from Available Cash from Sunoco Logistics’ operating surplus and are shown in the period with respect to which they relate):
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Limited Partners:
 
 
 
Common units held by public
$
245

 
$
160

Common units held by ETP
88

 
73

General Partner interest held by ETP
9

 
7

Incentive distribution rights held by ETP
198

 
124

Total distributions declared
$
540

 
$
364

Cash Distributions Paid by Sunoco LP
Following are distributions declared and/or paid by Sunoco LP subsequent to December 31, 2014:
Quarter Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
February 17, 2015
 
February 27, 2015
 
$
0.6000

March 31, 2015
 
May 19, 2015
 
May 29, 2015
 
0.6450

June 30, 2015
 
August 18, 2015
 
August 28, 2015
 
0.6934

September 30, 2015
 
November 17, 2015
 
November 27, 2015
 
0.7454


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The total amounts of Sunoco LP distributions declared during the periods presented were as follows (all from Available Cash from Sunoco LP’s operating surplus and are shown in the period with respect to which they relate):
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Limited Partners:
 
Common units held by public
$
50

Common and subordinated units held by ETP(1)
49

Incentive distributions(2)
13

Total distributions declared
$
112

(1) 
Includes Sunoco LP units issued to ETP in connection with Sunoco LP’s acquisition of Susser from ETP in July 2015.
(2) 
The Sunoco LP IDRs were held by ETP until July 2015, at which time the IDRs were exchanged with ETE. The total incentive distributions from Sunoco LP for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 include $5 million to ETP and $8 million to ETE related to the respective periods during which each held the IDRs.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information contained in Item 3 updates, and should be read in conjunction with, information set forth in Part II, Item 7A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, in addition to the accompanying notes and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations presented in Items 1 and 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are consistent with those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Since December 31, 2014, there have been no material changes to our primary market risk exposures or how those exposures are managed.
Commodity Price Risk
The table below summarizes our commodity-related financial derivative instruments and fair values, including derivatives related to our consolidated subsidiaries, as well as the effect of an assumed hypothetical 10% change in the underlying price of the commodity. Notional volumes are presented in MMBtu for natural gas, thousand megawatt for power and barrels for natural gas liquids, crude and refined products. Dollar amounts are presented in millions.

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September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Notional
Volume
 
Fair Value
Asset
(Liability)
 
Effect of
Hypothetical
10% Change
 
Notional
Volume
 
Fair Value
Asset
(Liability)
 
Effect of
Hypothetical
10% Change
Mark-to-Market Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Trading)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas (MMBtu):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Swaps/Futures
2,750,700

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1

 
(232,500
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$

Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX (1)
32,677,500

 
1

 

 
(13,907,500
)
 

 

Options – Calls

 

 

 
5,000,000

 

 

Power (Megawatt):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forwards
557,220

 

 
2

 
288,775

 

 
1

Futures
(846,164
)
 
1

 
1

 
(156,000
)
 
2

 

Options — Puts
(11,361
)
 

 

 
(72,000
)
 

 
1

Options — Calls
(55,618
)
 

 

 
198,556

 

 

Crude (Bbls) — Futures
(140,000
)
 
1

 

 

 

 

(Non-Trading)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas (MMBtu):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX
(6,872,500
)
 

 

 
57,500

 
(3
)
 

Swing Swaps IFERC
73,757,500

 
(1
)
 

 
46,150,000

 
2

 
1

Fixed Swaps/Futures
(17,281,500
)
 
(6
)
 
6

 
(34,304,000
)
 
30

 
10

Forward Physical Contracts
(1,537,218
)
 
1

 

 
(9,116,777
)
 

 
3

Natural Gas Liquid and Crude (Bbls) — Forwards/Swaps
(6,138,800
)
 
13

 
17

 
(4,417,400
)
 
71

 
18

Refined Products (Bbls) — Futures
(2,628,000
)
 
23

 
15

 
13,745,755

 
15

 
11

Fair Value Hedging Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Non-Trading)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas (MMBtu):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basis Swaps IFERC/NYMEX
(37,555,000
)
 

 

 
(39,287,500
)
 
3

 
1

Fixed Swaps/Futures
(37,555,000
)
 
55

 
11

 
(39,287,500
)
 
48

 
12

(1) 
Includes aggregate amounts for open positions related to Houston Ship Channel, Waha Hub, NGPL TexOk, West Louisiana Zone and Henry Hub locations.
The fair values of the commodity-related financial positions have been determined using independent third party prices, readily available market information and appropriate valuation techniques. Non-trading positions offset physical exposures to the cash market; none of these offsetting physical exposures are included in the above tables. Price-risk sensitivities were calculated by assuming a theoretical 10% change (increase or decrease) in price regardless of term or historical relationships between the contractual price of the instruments and the underlying commodity price. Results are presented in absolute terms and represent a potential gain or loss in net income or in other comprehensive income. In the event of an actual 10% change in prompt month natural gas prices, the fair value of our total derivative portfolio may not change by 10% due to factors such as when the financial instrument settles and the location to which the financial instrument is tied (i.e., basis swaps) and the relationship between prompt month and forward months.
Interest Rate Risk
As of September 30, 2015, we and our subsidiaries had $7.15 billion of floating rate debt outstanding. A hypothetical change of 100 basis points would result in a maximum potential change to interest expense of $41 million annually; however, our actual change in interest expense may be less in a given period due to interest rate floors included in our variable rate debt instruments. We manage a portion of our interest rate exposure by utilizing interest rate swaps and similar arrangements. To the extent that we have debt with floating interest rates that are not hedged, our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected by increases in interest rates.

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The following table summarizes our interest rate swaps outstanding (dollars in millions), none of which are designated as hedges for accounting purposes:
Entity
 
Term
 
Type (1)
 
Notional Amount Outstanding
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
ETP
 
July 2015(2)
 
Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.40% and receive a floating rate
 
$

 
$
200

ETP
 
July 2016(3)
 
Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.80% and receive a floating rate
 
200

 
200

ETP
 
July 2017(4)
 
Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.84% and receive a floating rate
 
300

 
300

ETP
 
July 2018(4)
 
Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 4.00% and receive a floating rate
 
200

 
200

ETP
 
July 2019(4)
 
Forward-starting to pay a fixed rate of 3.25% and receive a floating rate
 
200

 
300

ETP
 
December 2018
 
Pay a floating rate based on 3-month LIBOR and receive a fixed rate of 1.53%
 
1,200

 

ETP
 
March 2019
 
Pay a floating rate based on 3-month LIBOR and receive a fixed rate of 1.42%
 
300

 

ETP
 
February 2023
 
Pay a floating rate plus a spread of 1.73% and receive a fixed rate of 3.60%
 

 
200

(1) 
Floating rates are based on 3-month LIBOR.
(2) 
Represents the effective date. These forward-starting swaps have a term of 10 years with a mandatory termination date the same as the effective date. These forward-starting swaps matured in July 2015.
(3) 
Represents the effective date. These forward-starting swaps have terms of 10 and 30 years with a mandatory termination date the same as the effective date.
(4) 
Represents the effective date. These forward-starting swaps have a term of 30 years with a mandatory termination date the same as the effective date.
A hypothetical change of 100 basis points in interest rates for these interest rate swaps would result in a net change in the fair value of interest rate derivatives and earnings (recognized in gains and losses on interest rate derivatives) of $195 million as of September 30, 2015. For ETP’s $1.50 billion of interest rate swaps whereby it pays a floating rate and receives a fixed rate, a hypothetical change of 100 basis points in interest rates would result in a net change in annual cash flows of $53 million. For the forward-starting interest rate swaps, a hypothetical change of 100 basis points in interest rates would not affect cash flows until the swaps are settled.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us, including our consolidated entities, in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Under the supervision and with the participation of senior management, including the President (“Principal Executive Officer”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“Principal Financial Officer”) of our General Partner, we evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a–15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer of our General Partner concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of our General Partner, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal controls, other than those discussed above, over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13(a)-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the three months ended September 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For information regarding legal proceedings, see our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Note 11 – Regulatory Matters, Commitments, Contingencies and Environmental Liabilities of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and Subsidiaries included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes from the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our previous fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table discloses purchases of ETE Common Units made by us or on our behalf during the quarter ended September 30, 2015:
Period
 
Total Number of Units Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Unit
 
Total Number of Units Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)
 
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Units that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
July 2015
 
15,138,210

 
$
32.25

 
15,138,210

 
$
1,217,791,399

August 2015
 
7,813,200

 
28.67

 
7,813,200

 
993,754,303

September 2015
 
2,100,000

 
27.58

 
2,100,000

 
935,831,293

Total
 
25,051,410

 
 
 
25,051,410

 
 
(1) 
The ETE $2 billion common unit buyback program was announced in February 2015.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
The exhibits listed below are filed or furnished, as indicated, as part of this report:
Exhibit Number
 
Description
2.1
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 28, 2015, among Energy Transfer Corp LP, ETE Corp GP, LLC, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., LE GP, LLC, ETE GP, LLC and The Williams Companies, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed September 29, 2015).
2.2
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 28, 2015, among Energy Transfer Corp LP, ETE Corp GP, LLC, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., LE GP, LLC, ETE GP, LLC and The Williams Companies, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Form 8-K/A filed October 2, 2015).
31.1*
 
Certification of President pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1**
 
Certification of President pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2**
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Document
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
*
 
Filed herewith.
**
 
Furnished herewith.




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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
LE GP, LLC, its General Partner
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 6, 2015
By:
 
/s/ Jamie Welch
 
 
 
 
Jamie Welch
 
 
 
 
Group Chief Financial Officer (duly
authorized to sign on behalf of the registrant)


62