Harvest Oil & Gas Corp. - Annual Report: 2007 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
þ ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF
1934
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
OR
o TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
Commission
File Number
001-33024
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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20-4745690
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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1001
Fannin, Suite 800, Houston, Texas
(Address
of principal executive offices)
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77002
(Zip
Code)
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Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: (713) 651-1144
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common
Units Representing Limited Partner Interests
(Title
of each class)
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NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC
(Name
of each exchange on which
registered)
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YES
o
NO
þ
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
YES
o
NO
þ
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
þ
NO
o
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III or any amendment to the Form 10-K.
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Check
one:
Large
accelerated filer o
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Accelerated
filer þ
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Non-accelerated
filer o
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES
o
NO
þ
The
aggregate market value of the common units held by non-affiliates at June 29,
2007 based on the closing price on the NASDAQ Global Market on June 29, 2007
was
$428,635,554.
As
of
March 3, 2008, the registrant had 11,881,939 common units outstanding.
Table
of Contents
PART
I.
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Item 1. |
Business
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4
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Item 1A. |
Risk
Factors
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17
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Item 1B. |
Unresolved
Staff Comments
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33
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Item 2. |
Properties
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33
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Item 3. |
Legal
Proceedings
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33
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Item 4. |
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
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33
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PART
II
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Item 5.
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Market
for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of
Equity Securities
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34
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Item 6. |
Selected
Financial Data
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38
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Item 7. |
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
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39
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Item 7A. |
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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51
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Item 8. |
Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data
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53
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Item 9. |
Changes
in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
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79
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Item 9A. |
Controls
and Procedures
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79
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Item 9B. |
Other
Information
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79
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PART
III
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Item 10. |
Directors,
Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
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79
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Item 11. |
Executive
Compensation
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84
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Item 12.
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Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
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96
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Item 13.
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Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence
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98
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Item 14. |
Principal
Accounting Fees and Services
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99
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PART
IV
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Item 15.
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Exhibits,
Financial Statement Schedules
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103
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Signatures
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103
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1
GLOSSARY
OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TERMS
Bbl.
One stock tank barrel or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume.
Bcf.
One billion cubic feet.
Bcfe.
One billion cubic feet equivalent, determined using a ratio of six Mcf of
natural gas to one Bbl of oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.
Btu.
A British thermal unit is a measurement of the heat generating capacity of
natural gas. One Btu is the heat required to raise the temperature of a
one-pound mass of pure liquid water one degree Fahrenheit at the temperature
at
which water has its greatest density (39 degrees Fahrenheit).
Development
well.
A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or natural gas reservoir to
the
depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.
Developed
acres.
Acres spaced or assigned to productive wells.
Dry
hole or
well.
A well found to be incapable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities
such that proceeds from the sale of such production would exceed production
expenses and taxes.
Field.
An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped
on
or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or
stratigraphic condition.
Gross
acres or
gross
wells.
The total acres or wells, as the case may be, in which a working interest is
owned.
MBbls.
One thousand barrels of oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
Mcf.
One thousand cubic feet.
Mcfe.
One thousand cubic feet equivalent, determined using the ratio of six Mcf of
natural gas to one Bbl of oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.
MMBbls.
One
million barrels.
MMBtu.
One million British thermal units.
MMcf.
One million cubic feet.
Natural
gas liquids. The
hydrocarbon liquids contained within natural gas.
Net
acres or
net
wells.
The sum of the fractional working interests owned in gross acres or gross wells,
as the case may be.
NYMEX.
The New York Mercantile Exchange.
Oil.
Crude oil and condensate.
Productive
well.
A well that is found to be capable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient
quantities such that proceeds from the sale of such production exceeds
production expenses and taxes.
Proved
reserves.
Proved oil and natural gas reserves, as defined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”) in Article 4-10(a)(2) of Regulation S-X, are the
estimated quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids which
geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be
recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and
operating conditions, i.e.,
prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Prices include
consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual
arrangements, but not on escalations based on future conditions. Comprehensive
SEC oil and natural gas reserve definitions can be found on the SEC’s website at
www.sec.gov/about.forms/regs-x.pdf.
2
Proved
developed reserves.
Reserves
that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing
equipment and operating methods. Additional oil and natural gas expected to
be
obtained through the application of fluid injection or other improved recovery
techniques for supplementing the natural forces and mechanisms
of primary recovery are included in “proved developed reserves” only after
testing by a pilot project or after the operation of an installed program has
confirmed through production response that increased recovery will be achieved.
Proved
undeveloped drilling location.
A site on which a development well can be drilled consistent with spacing rules
for purposes of recovering proved undeveloped reserves.
Proved
undeveloped reserves or
PUDs.
Reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage
or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for
recompletion. Reserves on undrilled acreage are limited to those drilling units
offsetting productive units that are reasonably certain of production when
drilled. Proved reserves for other undrilled units are claimed only where it
can
be demonstrated with certainty that there is continuity of production from
the
existing productive formation. Estimates for proved undeveloped reserves are
not
attributed to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other
improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been
proved effective by actual tests in the area and in the same reservoir.
Recompletion.
The completion for production of an existing wellbore in another formation
from
that which the well has been previously completed.
Reservoir.
A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation
of produceable oil and/or natural gas that is confined by impermeable rock
or
water barriers and is individual and separate from other reserves.
Standardized
measure.
Standardized measure is the present value of estimated future net revenues
to be
generated from the production of proved reserves, determined in accordance
with
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (using
prices and costs in effect as of the date of estimation) without giving effect
to non-property related expenses such as certain general and administrative
expenses, debt service and future federal income tax expenses or to
depreciation, depletion and amortization and discounted using an annual discount
rate of 10%. Our standardized measure includes future obligations under the
Texas gross margin tax, but it does not include future federal income tax
expenses because we are a partnership and are not subject to federal income
taxes.
Successful
well.
A well capable of producing oil and/or natural gas in commercial quantities.
Undeveloped
acreage.
Lease acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point
that
would permit the production of commercial quantities of natural gas and oil
regardless of whether such acreage contains proved reserves.
Working
interest.
The operating interest that gives the owner the right to drill, produce and
conduct operating activities on the property and a share of production.
Workover.
Operations on a producing well to restore or increase production.
3
PART
I
ITEM
1. BUSINESS
References
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “EV Energy Partners, L.P.,” “we,” “our” or
“us” or like terms when used in a historical context prior to October 1, 2006
refer to the combined operations of CGAS Exploration, Inc. and EV Properties,
L.P. (collectively, the “Combined Predecessor Entities”). When used in a
historical context on or after October 1, 2006, the present tense or
prospectively, those terms refer to EV Energy Partners, L.P. and its
subsidiaries. Reference to “EnerVest” refers to EnerVest, Ltd. and its
partnerships and other entities under common ownership.
We
are a
Delaware limited partnership formed in April 2006 by EnerVest to acquire,
produce and develop oil and natural gas properties. Our general partner is
EV
Energy GP, L.P. (“EV Energy GP”), a Delaware limited partnership, and the
general partner of our general partner is EV Management, LLC (“EV Management”),
a Delaware limited liability company. Our common units are traded on the NASDAQ
Global Market under the symbol “EVEP.” Our business activities are primarily
conducted through wholly-owned subsidiaries.
We
operate in one reportable segment engaged in the exploration, development and
production of oil and natural gas properties. At December 31, 2007, our
properties were located in the Appalachian Basin (primarily in Ohio and West
Virginia), Michigan, the Monroe Field in Northern Louisiana, the Austin Chalk
area in Central and East Texas, the Permian Basin and the Mid-Continent areas
in
Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana, and we had estimated net proved reserves of
4.5
MMBbls of oil, 250.0 Bcf of natural gas and 8.7 MMBbls of natural gas
liquids, or 329.4 Bcfe, and a present value of future net cash flows discounted
at 10% of $681.8 million.
Oil
and natural gas reserve information is derived from our reserve report prepared
by Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., our independent reserve
engineers. The following table summarizes information about our oil and natural
gas reserves by geographic region as of December 31, 2007:
Estimated
Net Proved Reserves
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Oil
(MMBbls)
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Natural
Gas (Bcf)
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Natural
Gas
Liquids (MMBbls)
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Bcfe
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PV-10
(1)
($
in millions)
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Appalachian
Basin
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1.1
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51.9
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-
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58.7
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$
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136.6
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Michigan
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-
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58.2
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-
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58.2
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75.7
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Monroe
Field (1)
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-
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74.8
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-
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74.9
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96.8
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Central
and East Texas
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0.9
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34.8
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6.4
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43.2
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155.0
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Permian
Basin
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1.5
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20.7
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2.3
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78.5
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174.6
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Mid-Continent
area
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1.0
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9.6
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-
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15.9
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43.1
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Total
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4.5
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250.0
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8.7
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329.4
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$
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681.8
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_____________
(1) |
At
December 31, 2007 our standardized measure of discounted future net
cash flows
as
calculated in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(“SFAS”) No. 69, Disclosures
About Oil and Gas Producing Activities,
was
$679.9 million. Because
we are a limited partnership, we made no provision for federal income
taxes in the calculation of standardized measure; however, we made
a
provision for future obligations under the Texas gross margin tax.
The
present value of future net pre-tax cash flows attributable to estimated
net proved reserves, discounted at 10% per annum (“PV-10”), is a
computation of the standardized measure of discounted future net
cash
flows on a pre-tax basis. PV-10 is computed on the same basis as
standardized measure but does not include a provision for federal
income
taxes or the Texas gross margin tax. PV-10 may be considered a non-GAAP
financial measure under the SEC’s regulations. We believe PV-10 to be an
important measure for evaluating the relative significance of our
oil and
natural gas properties. We further believe investors and creditors
may
utilize our PV-10 as a basis for comparison of the relative size
and value
of our reserves to other companies. However, PV-10 is not a substitute
for
the standardized measure. Our PV-10 measure and the standardized
measure
do not purport to present the fair value of our oil and natural gas
and
oil reserves.
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4
The
table below provides a reconciliation of PV-10 to the standardized measure
at
December 31, 2007 (dollars in millions):
PV-10
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$
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681.8
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Future
Texas gross margin taxes, discounted at 10%
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(1.9
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)
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Standardized
measure
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$
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679.9
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Developments
in 2007
In
2007,
we completed the following acquisitions (collectively, the “2007
acquisitions”):
·
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in
January, we acquired natural gas properties in Michigan (the “Michigan
acquisition”) from an institutional partnership managed by EnerVest for
$69.5 million, net of cash
acquired;
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·
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in
March, we acquired additional natural gas properties in the Monroe
Field
in Louisiana (the “Monroe acquisition”) from an institutional partnership
managed by EnerVest for $95.4
million;
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·
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in
June, we acquired oil and natural gas properties in Central and East
Texas
from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (the “Anadarko acquisition”) for $93.6
million;
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·
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in
October, we acquired oil and natural gas properties in the Permian
Basin
from Plantation Operating, LLC, a company sponsored by investment
funds
formed by EnCap Investments, L.P. (the “Plantation acquisition”) for
$154.7 million; and
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·
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in
December, we acquired oil and natural gas properties in the Appalachian
Basin (the “Appalachian acquisition”) from an institutional partnership
managed by EnerVest for $59.6
million.
|
In
February 2007 and June 2007, we issued 3.9 million common units and 3.4 million
common units, respectively, to institutional investors in a private placement
for net proceeds of $219.7 million, including contributions of $4.4 million
by
our general partner to maintain its 2% interest in us. Proceeds from these
issuances were primarily used to repay indebtedness outstanding under our credit
facility.
Our
primary business objective is to provide stability and growth in our cash
distributions per unit over time. We intend to accomplish this objective by
executing the following business strategies:
· |
replace
and increase our reserves and production over the long term by pursuing
acquisitions of long-lived producing oil or natural gas properties
with
low decline rates, predictable production profiles and relatively
low risk
drilling opportunities;
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· |
maintain
conservative levels of indebtedness to reduce risk and facilitate
acquisition opportunities;
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· |
reduce
exposure to commodity price risk through
hedging;
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· |
establish
an inventory of proved undeveloped reserves sufficient to mitigate
production declines;
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· |
retain
control over the operation of a substantial portion of our
production; and
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· |
focus
on controlling the costs of our
operations.
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5
Competitive
Strengths
We
believe that we are well positioned to achieve our primary business objective
and to execute our strategies because of the following competitive strengths:
· |
Drilling
inventory. We
have a substantial inventory of low risk, proved undeveloped drilling
locations.
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.
· |
Long
life reserves with predictable decline rates. Our
properties generally have a long reserve to production index, with
predictable decline rates.
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· |
Experienced
management team. Our
management is experienced in oil and natural gas acquisitions and
operations. Our executive officers average over 25 years of industry
experience, and over nine years of experience acquiring and managing
oil and natural gas properties for EnerVest
partnerships.
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· |
Relationship
with EnerVest. Our
relationship with EnerVest provides us with a wide breadth of operational,
technical, risk management and other expertise across a wide geographical
range, which will assist us in evaluating acquisition and development
opportunities. EnerVest’s primary business is to acquire and manage oil
and natural gas properties for partnerships formed with institutional
investors. These partnerships focus on maximizing investment returns
for
investees, including the sale of oil and natural gas
properties.
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One
of our principal attributes is our relationship with EnerVest. Through our
omnibus agreement, EnerVest agreed to make available to us sufficient of its
personnel to permit us to carry on our business in the same manner in which
it
was carried on by our predecessors. We therefore benefit from the technical
expertise of EnerVest, which we believe would generally not otherwise be
available to a company of our size.
EnerVest’s
principal business is to act as general partner or manager of EnerVest
partnerships, formed to acquire, explore, develop and produce oil and natural
gas properties. A primary investment objective of the EnerVest partnerships
is
to make periodic cash distributions. EnerVest was formed in 1992, and has
acquired for its own account and for the EnerVest partnerships oil and natural
gas properties for a total purchase price of more than $2.1 billion.
EnerVest acts as an operator of over 11,000 oil and natural gas wells in
11 states.
EnerVest
and its affiliates have a significant interest in our partnership through their
71.25% ownership of our general partner, which, in turn, owns a 2% general
partner interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights.
Additionally, as of March 3, 2008, EnerVest owned an aggregate of 1.1% of our
outstanding common units and 85.9% of our outstanding subordinated units. At
the
closing of our initial public offering, we entered into the omnibus agreement
with EnerVest that governs our relationship with them regarding certain
reimbursement and indemnification matters.
While
our relationship with EnerVest is a significant attribute, it is also a source
of potential conflicts. For example, we have acquired oil and natural gas
properties from partnerships formed by EnerVest and partnerships in which
EnerVest has an interest, and we may do so in the future. In addition, EnerVest
is not restricted from competing with us. It may acquire, develop or dispose
of
oil and natural gas properties or other assets in the future without any
obligation to offer us the opportunity to purchase or participate in the
development of those assets. In addition, the principal business of the EnerVest
partnerships is to acquire and develop oil and natural gas properties.
Properties targeted by the EnerVest partnerships for acquisition typically
have
a lower amount of proved producing reserves and higher risk exploitation and
development opportunities than the properties that we will target.
6
Our
Areas of Operation
As
of December 31, 2007, our properties were located in the Appalachian Basin
(primarily in Ohio and West Virginia), Michigan, the Monroe Field in Northern
Louisiana, Central and East Texas, the Permian Basin and the Mid-Continent
areas
in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.
Appalachian
Basin
We
acquired our Appalachian Basin properties at our formation, and we acquired
additional properties in the Appalachian Basin in December 2007. Our activities
are concentrated in the Ohio and West Virginia areas of the Appalachian Basin.
Our Ohio area properties produce from the Clinton reservoir in 22 counties
in
Eastern Ohio and two counties in Western Pennsylvania. Our West Virginia area
properties are located in the Balltown, Benson and Injun formations in 22
counties in North Central West Virginia and one county in Southwestern
Pennsylvania. Our estimated net proved reserves as of December 31, 2007 were
58.7 Bcfe, 88% of which is natural gas. During the year ended December 31,
2007,
we drilled 13 wells, all of which were successfully completed as producers.
Enervest operated wells representing 90% of the estimated net proved reserves,
and we own an average 79.7% working interest in 1,309 gross producing
wells.
Michigan
We
acquired our Michigan properties in January 2007. The properties are located
in
the Antrim Shale reservoir in Otsego and Montmorency counties in northern
Michigan. Our estimated net proved reserves as of December 31, 2007 were 58.2
Bcfe, 100% of which is natural gas. During the year ended December 31, 2007,
we
drilled two wells and deepened 12 wells, all of which were successfully
completed as producers. EnerVest operated wells representing 100% of the
estimated net proved reserves in this area, and we have an 89.6% average working
interest in 343 gross producing wells.
Monroe
Field
We
acquired our Monroe Field properties at our formation, and we acquired
additional properties in the Monroe Field in March 2007. The properties are
located in three parishes in Northeast Louisiana. Our estimated net proved
reserves as of December 31, 2007 were 74.9 Bcfe, 100% of which were natural
gas.
During 2007, we drilled six wells, five of which were successfully completed
as
producers. EnerVest operated wells representing 100% of our estimated net proved
reserves in this area, and we own an average 100% working interest in 3,938
gross producing wells.
Central
and East Texas
We,
along with certain institutional partnerships managed by EnerVest, acquired
our
Central and East Texas properties in June 2007. The properties are primarily
located in the Austin Chalk formation in ten counties in Central and East Texas.
Our portion of the estimated net proved reserves as of December 31, 2007 was
43.2 Bcfe, 48% of which is natural gas. During the year ended December 31,
2007,
we drilled three wells, all of which were successfully completed as producers.
EnerVest operated wells representing 85% of the estimated net proved reserves
in
this area, and we own an average 9.2% working interest in 1,500 gross
producing wells.
Permian
Basin
We
acquired our Permian Basin properties in October 2007. The properties are
primarily located in the Yates, Seven Rivers, Queen, Morrow, Clear Fork and
Wichita Albany formations in four counties in New Mexico and Texas. Our
estimated net proved reserves as of December 31, 2007 were 78.5 Bcfe, 45% of
which was natural gas. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we did not
drill
any wells. EnerVest operated wells representing 99% of the estimated net proved
reserves in this area, and we own an average 97.9% working interest in
142 gross producing wells.
Mid-Continent
Area
We
acquired our Mid-Continent area properties in December 2006. The properties
are
primarily located in six counties in Western Oklahoma, three counties in Texas
and two parishes in North Louisiana. Our estimated net proved reserves as of
December 31, 2007 were 15.9 Bcfe, 61% of which is natural gas. During
the year ended December 31, 2007, we drilled four wells, all of which were
successfully completed as producers. We do not operate any of the wells in
this
area, and we own an average 8% working interest in 390 gross producing
wells.
7
Our
Oil and Natural Gas Data
Our
Reserves
The
following table presents our estimated net proved oil and natural gas reserves
and the present value of our estimated net proved reserves at December 31,
2007:
Reserve
Data:
|
||||
Estimated
net proved reserves:
|
||||
Oil
(MMBbls)
|
4.5
|
|||
Natural
gas liquids (MMBbls)
|
8.7
|
|||
Natural
gas (Bcf)
|
250.0
|
|||
Total
(Bcfe)
|
329.4
|
|||
Proved
developed (Bcfe)
|
277.9
|
|||
Proved
undeveloped (Bcfe)
|
51.5
|
|||
Proved
developed reserves as a % of total proved reserves
|
84
|
%
|
||
Standardized
measure (in millions)
|
$
|
679.9
|
Proved
developed reserves are reserves that can be expected to be recovered through
existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. Proved undeveloped
reserves are proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells
on
undrilled acreage, or from existing wells on which a relatively major
expenditure is required for recompletion. See “Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas
Terms.”
The
data in the above table represents estimates only. Oil and natural gas reserve
engineering is inherently a subjective process of estimating underground
accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured exactly. The
accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available
data
and engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Accordingly, reserve
estimates may vary from the quantities of natural gas and oil that are
ultimately recovered. Please read “Risk Factors” in Item 1A.
Future
prices received for production and costs may vary, perhaps significantly, from
the prices and costs assumed for purposes of these estimates. Standardized
measure is the present value of estimated future net cash flows to be generated
from the production of proved reserves, determined in accordance with the rules
and regulations of the SEC (using prices and estimated costs in effect as of
the
date of estimation) without giving effect to non-property related expenses
such
as certain general and administrative expenses and debt service or to
depreciation, depletion and amortization and discounted using an annual discount
rate of 10%. Because we are a limited partnership which passes through our
taxable income to our unitholders, we have made no provisions for federal income
taxes in the calculation of standardized measure;
however, we have made a provision for future obligations under the Texas gross
margin tax.
Standardized measure does not give effect to derivative transactions. The
standardized measure shown should not be construed as the current market value
of the reserves. The 10% discount factor, which is required by Financial
Accounting Standards Board pronouncements, is not necessarily the most
appropriate discount rate. The present value, no matter what discount rate
is
used, is materially affected by assumptions as to timing of future production,
which may prove to be inaccurate.
8
Our
Productive Wells
The
following table sets forth information relating to the productive wells in
which
we owned a working interest as of December 31, 2007. Productive wells consist
of
producing wells and wells capable of production, including natural gas wells
awaiting pipeline connections to commence deliveries and oil wells awaiting
connection to production facilities. Gross wells are the total number of
producing wells in which we have a working interest in, regardless of our
percentage interest. A net well is not a physical well, but is a concept
that
reflects the actual total working interest we hold in all wells. We compute
the
number of net wells we own by totaling the percentage interests we hold in
all
our gross wells.
Our
wells may produce both oil and natural gas. We classify a well as an oil well
if
the net equivalent production of oil was greater than natural gas for the well.
Gross
Wells
|
Net
Wells
|
||||||||||||||||||
Oil
|
Natural
Gas
|
Total
|
Oil
|
Natural
Gas
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||
Appalachian
Basin:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operated
|
15
|
1,224
|
1,239
|
14
|
1,158
|
1,172
|
|||||||||||||
Non-operated
(1)
|
-
|
70
|
70
|
-
|
32
|
32
|
|||||||||||||
Michigan:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operated
|
-
|
343
|
343
|
-
|
307
|
307
|
|||||||||||||
Non-operated
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Monroe
Field:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operated
|
-
|
3,938
|
3,938
|
-
|
3,938
|
3,938
|
|||||||||||||
Non-operated
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Central
and East Texas:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operated
|
504
|
550
|
1,054
|
57
|
60
|
117
|
|||||||||||||
Non-operated
|
162
|
284
|
446
|
7
|
13
|
20
|
|||||||||||||
Permian
Basin:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Operated
|
7
|
135
|
142
|
7
|
132
|
139
|
|||||||||||||
Non-operated
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Mid-Continent
area:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Non-operated
|
296
|
94
|
390
|
17
|
14
|
31
|
|||||||||||||
Total
|
984
|
6,638
|
7,622
|
102
|
5,654
|
5,756
|
_____________
(1) |
In
addition, we own small royalty interests in an additional 55 wells.
|
Our
Developed and Undeveloped Acreage
The
following table sets forth information relating to our leasehold acreage as
of
December 31, 2007:
Developed
Acreage
|
Undeveloped
Acreage
|
||||||||||||
Gross
|
Net
|
Gross
|
Net
|
||||||||||
Appalachian
Basin
|
34,428
|
32,620
|
77,869
|
64,734
|
|||||||||
Michigan
|
25,323
|
25,149
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Monroe
Field (1)
|
6,169
|
6,169
|
172,163
|
147,484
|
|||||||||
Central
and East Texas
|
842,445
|
97,521
|
33,811
|
2,904
|
|||||||||
Permian
Basin
|
8,496
|
8,480
|
7,610
|
5,848
|
|||||||||
Mid-Continent
area
|
18,467
|
5,853
|
254
|
254
|
|||||||||
Total
|
935,328
|
175,792
|
291,707
|
221,224
|
_____________
(1) |
There
are no spacing requirements on substantially all of the wells on
our
Monroe Field properties; therefore, one developed acre is assigned
to each
productive well for which there is no spacing unit assigned.
|
Substantially
all of our developed and undeveloped acreage is held by production, which means
that as long as our wells on the acreage continue to produce, we will continue
to own the leases.
9
Title
to Properties
As
is customary in the oil and natural gas industry, we initially conduct only
a
cursory review of the title to our properties on which we do not have proved
reserves. Prior to the commencement of drilling operations on those properties,
we conduct a thorough title examination and perform curative work with respect
to significant defects. To the extent title opinions or other investigations
reflect title defects on those properties, we are typically responsible for
curing any title defects at our expense. We generally will not commence drilling
operations on a property until we have cured any material title defects on
such
property. Prior to completing an acquisition of producing natural gas leases,
we
perform title reviews on the most significant leases and, depending on the
materiality of properties, we may obtain a title opinion or review previously
obtained title opinions. As a result, we have obtained title opinions on a
significant portion of our natural gas properties and believe that we have
satisfactory title to our producing properties in accordance with standards
generally accepted in the natural gas and oil industry. Our properties are
subject to customary royalty and other interests, liens for current taxes and
other burdens that we believe do not materially interfere with the use of or
affect our carrying value of the properties.
Our
Drilling Activity
We
intend to concentrate our drilling activity on low risk, development drilling
opportunities. The number and types of wells we drill will vary depending on
the
amount of funds we have available for drilling, the cost of each well, the
size
of the fractional working interests we acquire in each well, the estimated
recoverable reserves attributable to each well and the accessibility to the
well
site.
The
following table summarizes our approximate gross and net interest in wells
completed by us during the year ended December 31, 2007 and the three months
ended December 31, 2006 and by our predecessors during the nine months
ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended December 31, 2005, regardless of
when drilling was initiated. The information should not be considered indicative
of future performance, nor should it be assumed that there is necessarily any
correlation between the number of productive wells drilled, quantities of
reserves found or economic value.
Successor
|
Predecessors
(1)
|
||||||||||||
Year
Ended
|
Three
Months Ended
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
Year
Ended
|
||||||||||
December
31,
|
December
31,
|
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||
Gross
wells:
|
|||||||||||||
Productive
|
27.0
|
7.0
|
30.0
|
27.0
|
|||||||||
Dry
|
1.0
|
-
|
4.0
|
7.0
|
|||||||||
Total
|
28.0
|
7.0
|
34.0
|
34.0
|
|||||||||
Net
wells:
|
|||||||||||||
Productive
|
20.5
|
7.0
|
20.6
|
15.4
|
|||||||||
Dry
|
1.0
|
-
|
1.0
|
3.2
|
|||||||||
Total
|
21.5
|
7.0
|
21.6
|
18.6
|
_____________
(1) |
Our
predecessors were EV Properties, L.P. (“EV Properties”), a limited
partnership that owns oil and natural gas properties and related
assets in
the Monroe field in Northern Louisiana and in the Appalachian Basin
in
West Virginia, and CGAS Exploration, Inc. (“CGAS Exploration”), a
corporation that owns oil and natural gas properties and related
assets in
the Appalachian Basin in Ohio. EV Properties was formed in the second
quarter of 2006 by EnerVest, as general partner, and EV
Investors,
L.P. (“EV Investors”) and investment funds formed by EnCap Investments,
L.P. (“EnCap”),
as limited partners, to acquire the business of EnerVest Production
Partners, Ltd., which owned oil and natural gas properties and related
assets in the Monroe Field in Northern Louisiana, and EnerVest WV,
L.P.,
which owned oil and natural gas properties and related assets in
West
Virginia. CGAS Exploration was engaged in exploratory drilling. We
did not
acquire the exploration business from CGAS Exploration, and we do
not
expect that our exploratory drilling operations will be material
in the
future.
|
As
of
December 31, 2007, we were participating in the drilling of three gross (0.3
net) wells.
10
Well
Operations
We
have entered into operating agreements with EnerVest. Under these operating
agreements, EnerVest acts as contract operator of the oil and natural gas wells
and related gathering systems and production facilities in which we own an
interest, if our interest entitles us to control the appointment of the operator
of the well, gathering system or production facilities. As contract operator,
EnerVest designs and manages the drilling and completion of a well and manages
the day to day operating and maintenance activities for our wells.
Under
the operating agreements, EnerVest has established a joint account for each
well
in which we have an interest. We are required to pay our working interest share
of amounts charged to the joint account. The joint account will be charged
with
all direct expenses incurred in the operation of our wells and related gathering
systems and production facilities. The determination of which direct expenses
can be charged to the joint account and the manner of charging direct expenses
to the joint account for our wells is done in accordance with the Council of
Petroleum Accountants Societies (“COPAS”) model form of accounting procedure.
Under
the COPAS model form, direct expenses include the costs of third party services
performed on our properties and well, gathering and other equipment used on
our
properties. In addition, direct expenses will include the allocable share of
the
cost of the EnerVest employees who perform services on our properties. The
allocation of the cost of EnerVest employees who perform services on our
properties is based on time sheets maintained by EnerVest’s employees. Direct
expenses charged to the joint account will also include an amount determined
by
EnerVest to be the fair rental value of facilities owned by EnerVest and used
in
the operation of our properties.
The
market for our oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production depends
on
factors beyond our control, including the extent of domestic production and
imports of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, the proximity and capacity
of natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities, demand for oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids, the marketing of competitive fuels and
the
effect of state and federal regulation. The oil and natural gas industry also
competes with other industries in supplying the energy and fuel requirements
of
industrial, commercial and individual consumers.
Our
oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids production is sold to a variety of
purchasers. The terms of sale under the majority of existing contracts are
short-term, usually one to three months in duration. The prices received for
oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales are generally tied to monthly
or
daily indices as quoted in industry publications.
In
2007,
one customer accounted for 15% of our consolidated oil, natural gas and natural
gas liquids revenues. In 2006, three customers accounted for 32%, 17% and 14%,
respectively, of the combined oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues
of us and our predecessors. In 2005, one customer accounted for 34% of our
predecessors’ oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues. We believe
that the loss of a major customer would have a temporary effect on our revenues
but that over time, we would be able to replace our major customers.
The
oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive. We encounter strong
competition from other independent operators and from major oil companies in
acquiring properties, contracting for drilling equipment and securing trained
personnel. Many of these competitors have financial and technical resources
and
staffs substantially larger than ours. As a result, our competitors may be
able
to pay more for desirable leases, or to evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater
number of properties or prospects than our financial or personnel resources
will
permit.
We
are also affected by competition for drilling rigs and the availability of
related equipment. In the past, the oil and natural gas industry has experienced
shortages of drilling rigs, equipment, pipe and personnel, which has delayed
development drilling and other exploitation activities and has caused
significant price increases. We are unable to predict when, or if, such
shortages may occur or how they would affect our development and exploitation
program.
Competition
is also strong for attractive oil and natural gas producing properties,
undeveloped leases and drilling rights, and we cannot assure you that we will
be
able to compete satisfactorily when attempting to make further acquisitions.
11
Seasonal
Nature of Business
Seasonal
weather conditions and lease stipulations can limit our drilling and producing
activities and other operations in certain areas of the Appalachian Basin and
Michigan. As a result, we generally perform the majority of our drilling in
these areas during the summer and autumn months. In addition, the Monroe Field
properties in Louisiana are subject to flooding. These seasonal anomalies can
pose challenges for meeting our well drilling objectives and increase
competition for equipment, supplies and personnel during the drilling season,
which could lead to shortages and increase costs or delay our operations.
Generally, but not always, the demand for natural gas decreases during the
summer months and increases during the winter months. Seasonal anomalies such
as
warm winters or hot summers sometimes lessen this fluctuation. In addition,
certain natural gas users utilize natural gas storage facilities and purchase
some of their anticipated winter requirements during the summer. This can also
lessen seasonal demand fluctuations.
Environmental
Matters and Regulation
Our
operations are subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local laws
and regulations governing the protection of the environment as well as the
discharge of materials into the environment. These laws and regulations may,
among other things:
· |
require
the acquisition of various permits before drilling
commences;
|
· |
restrict
the types, quantities and concentration of various substances that
can be
released into the environment in connection with drilling, production
and
transportation activities;
|
· |
limit
or prohibit drilling activities on lands lying within wilderness,
wetlands
and other protected areas; and
|
· |
require
remedial measures to mitigate pollution from former and ongoing
operations, such as site restoration, pit closure and plugging of
abandoned wells.
|
These
laws, rules and regulations may also restrict the rate of oil and natural gas
production below the rate that would otherwise be possible. The regulatory
burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases the cost of doing business
in the industry and consequently affects profitability. Additionally, Congress
and federal, state and local agencies frequently revise environmental laws
and
regulations, and such changes could result in an increased costs for
environmental compliance, such as waste handling, permitting, or cleanup, for
the oil and natural gas industry and could have a significant impact on our
operating costs.
The
following is a summary of some of the existing laws, rules and regulations
to
which our business operations are subject.
Solid
and Hazardous Waste Handling
The
federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (the “RCRA”) and comparable state
statutes regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal
and cleanup of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. The federal Environmental
Protection Agency (the “EPA”) and individual states administer some or all of
the provisions of RCRA, sometimes in conjunction with their own more stringent
state requirements. We generate both hazardous and non-hazardous wastes as
a
routine part of our operations. Although a substantial amount of the wastes
generated in our operations are regulated as non-hazardous solid wastes rather
than hazardous wastes, there is no guarantee that the EPA or individual states
will not adopt more stringent requirements for the handling of non-hazardous
wastes or categorize some non-hazardous wastes as hazardous in the future.
Any
such change could result in an increase in our costs to manage and dispose
of
wastes, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations
and financial position.
We
currently own, lease, or operate numerous properties that have been used for
oil
and natural gas exploration and production for many years. Although we believe
we have utilized operating and waste disposal practices that were standard
in
the industry at the time, hazardous substances, wastes or hydrocarbons may
have
been released on or under the properties owned or leased by us, or on or under
other locations, including off-site locations, where such substances have been
taken for disposal. In addition, some of these properties have been operated
by
third parties or by previous owners or operators whose treatment and disposal
of
hazardous substances, wastes, or hydrocarbons were not under our control. These
properties and the substances disposed or released on them may be subject to
RCRA and analogous state laws. In the future, we could be required to remediate
property, including groundwater, containing or impacted by previously disposed
wastes (including wastes disposed or released by prior owners or operators,
or
property contamination, including groundwater contamination by prior owners
or
operators) or to perform remedial plugging operations to prevent future or
mitigate existing contamination.
12
Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act
The
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (the
“CERCLA”) imposes joint and several liability for costs of investigation and
remediation and for natural resource damages without regard to fault or legality
of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons with respect to the
release into the environment of substances designated under CERCLA as hazardous
substances (“Hazardous Substances”). These classes of persons, or so-called
potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) include the current and past owners or
operators of a site where the release occurred and anyone who disposed or
arranged for the disposal of a hazardous substance found at the site. CERCLA
also authorizes the EPA and, in some instances, third parties to take actions
in
response to threats to the public health or the environment and to seek to
recover from the PRPs the costs of such action. Many states have adopted
comparable or more stringent state statutes.
Although
CERCLA generally exempts “petroleum” from the definition of Hazardous Substance,
in the course of its operations, we have generated and will generate wastes
that
may fall within CERCLA’s definition of Hazardous Substance and may have disposed
of these wastes at disposal sites owned and operated by others. We may also
be
the owner or operator of sites on which Hazardous Substances have been released.
To our knowledge, neither we nor our predecessors have been designated as a
PRP
by the EPA under CERCLA; we also do not know of any prior owners or operators
of
our properties that are named as PRPs related to their ownership or operation
of
such properties. States such as Texas have comparable statutes. In the event
contamination is discovered at a site on which we are or have been an owner
or
operator or to which we sent Hazardous Substances, we could be liable for costs
of investigation and remediation and natural resources damages.
Water
Discharges
The
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (the “Clean Water Act”) and analogous state
laws impose restrictions and strict controls with respect to the discharge
of
pollutants, including spills and leaks of produced water and other oil and
natural gas wastes, into waters of the United States, a term broadly defined.
The discharge of pollutants into regulated waters is prohibited, except in
accordance with the terms of a permit issued by EPA or an analogous state
agency. The Clean Water Act also prohibits the discharge of dredge and fill
material in regulated waters, including wetlands, unless authorized by a permit
issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Federal and state regulatory
agencies can impose administrative, civil and criminal penalties, as well as
require remedial or mitigation measures, for non-compliance with discharge
permits or other requirements of the federal Clean Water Act and analogous
state
laws and regulations. In the event of an unauthorized discharge of wastes,
we
may be liable for penalties and costs.
Oil
Pollution Act
The
primary federal law for oil spill liability is the Oil Pollution Act (the “OPA”)
which amends
and augments oil spill provisions of CWA, imposes certain duties and liabilities
on certain "responsible parties" related to the prevention of oil spills and
damages resulting from such spills in or threatening United States waters or
adjoining shorelines. A liable "responsible party" includes the owner or
operator of a facility, vessel or pipeline that is a source of an oil discharge
or that poses the substantial threat of discharge, or in the case of offshore
facilities, the lessee or permittee of the area in which a discharging facility
is located. OPA assigns joint and several liability, without regard to fault,
to
each liable party for oil removal costs and a variety of public and private
damages. Although defenses exist to the liability imposed by OPA, they are
limited. In the event of an oil discharge or substantial threat of discharge,
the Company may be liable for costs and damages.
The
OPA
also imposes ongoing requirements on a responsible party, including proof of
financial responsibility to cover at least some costs in a potential spill.
Certain amendments to the OPA that were enacted in 1996 require owners and
operators of offshore facilities that have a worst case oil spill potential
of
more than 1,000 bbls to demonstrate financial responsibility in amounts ranging
from $10 million in specified state waters and $35 million in federal outer
continental shelf (“OCS”) waters, with higher amounts, up to $150 million based
upon worst case oil-spill discharge volume calculations. We have no offshore
facilities.
13
Air
Emissions
Our
operations are subject to local, state and federal regulations for the control
of emissions from sources of air pollution. Federal and state laws require
new
and modified sources of air pollutants to obtain permits prior to commencing
construction. Major sources of air pollutants are subject to more stringent,
federally imposed requirements including additional permits. Federal and state
laws designed to control hazardous (toxic) air pollutants, might require
installation of additional controls. Administrative enforcement actions for
failure to comply strictly with air pollution regulations or permits are
generally resolved by payment of monetary fines and correction of any identified
deficiencies. Alternatively, regulatory agencies could bring lawsuits for civil
penalties or require us to forego construction, modification or operation of
certain air emission sources.
National
Environmental Policy Act
Oil
and natural gas exploration and production activities on federal lands are
subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (the “NEPA”) which requires
federal agencies, including the Department of Interior, to evaluate major agency
actions having the potential to significantly impact the environment. In the
course of such evaluations, an agency will prepare an Environmental Assessment
that assesses the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of a
proposed project and, if necessary, will prepare a more detailed Environmental
Impact Statement that may be made available for public review and comment.
All
of our current exploration and production activities, as well as proposed
exploration and development plans, on federal lands require governmental permits
that are subject to the requirements of NEPA. This process has the potential
to
delay or impose additional conditions upon the development of oil and natural
gas projects.
Greenhouse
Gas Emissions
Recent
scientific studies have suggested that manmade emissions of certain gases,
commonly referred to as “greenhouse gases” and including carbon dioxide and
methane, may be contributing to the warming of the atmosphere, resulting in
climate change. In response to such studies, the United States Congress is
actively considering legislation to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. In
addition, at least 17 states have already taken legal measures to reduce
emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily through the planned development of
greenhouse gas emission inventories and/or regional greenhouse gas cap and
trade
programs. In addition, as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on April
2, 2007 in Massachusetts v. EPA, the EPA may regulate greenhouse gas emissions
from mobile sources (e.g., cars and trucks) and possibly from stationary sources
as well under certain federal Clean Air Act programs, even if Congress does
not
adopt new legislation specifically addressing emissions of greenhouse gases.
New
legislation or regulatory programs that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases
in areas where we conduct business could adversely affect our operations and
the
demand for hydrocarbon products generally. The impact of such future programs
cannot be predicted, but we do not expect our operations to be affected any
differently than other similarly situated domestic competitors.
OSHA
and Other Laws and Regulation
We
are subject to the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health
Act (the “OSHA”) and comparable state statutes. These laws and the implementing
regulations strictly govern the protection of the health and safety of
employees. The OSHA hazard communication standard, the EPA community
right-to-know regulations under the Title III of CERCLA and similar state
statutes require that we organize and/or disclose information about hazardous
materials used or produced in our operations. We believe that we are in
substantial compliance with these applicable requirements and with other OSHA
and comparable requirements.
We
believe that we are in substantial compliance with all existing environmental
laws and regulations applicable to our current operations and that our continued
compliance with existing requirements will not have a material adverse impact
on
our financial condition and results of operations. We did not incur any material
capital expenditures for remediation or pollution control activities for the
year ended December 31, 2007 and the three months ended December 31, 2006,
and our predecessors did not incur any material capital expenditures for
remediation or pollution control activities for the nine months ended September
30, 2006 and the year ended December 31, 2005. Additionally, we are not aware
of
any environmental issues or claims that will require material capital
expenditures during 2007 or that will otherwise have a material impact on our
financial position or results of operations in the future. However, we cannot
assure you that the passage of more stringent laws and regulations in the future
will not have a negative impact our business activities, financial condition,
results of operations and ability to pay distributions to our unitholders.
14
Other
Regulation of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
The
oil
and natural gas industry is extensively regulated by numerous federal, state
and
local authorities. Legislation affecting the oil and natural gas industry is
under constant review for amendment or expansion, frequently increasing the
regulatory burden. Also, numerous departments and agencies, both federal and
state, are authorized by statute to issue rules and regulations binding on
the
oil and natural gas industry and its individual members, some of which carry
substantial penalties for failure to comply. Although the regulatory burden
on
the oil and natural gas industry increases our cost of doing business and,
consequently, affects our profitability, these burdens generally do not affect
us any differently or to any greater or lesser extent than they affect other
companies in the industry with similar types, quantities and locations of
production.
Legislation
continues to be introduced in Congress and development of regulations continues
in the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies concerning the
security of industrial facilities, including natural gas and oil facilities.
Our
operations may be subject to such laws and regulations. Presently, it is not
possible to accurately estimate the costs we could incur to comply with any
such
facility security laws or regulations, but such expenditures could be
substantial.
Drilling
and Production
Our
operations are subject to various types of regulation at the federal, state
and
local levels. These types of regulation include requiring permits for the
drilling of wells, drilling bonds and reports concerning operations. Most states
and some counties and municipalities in which we operate also regulate one
or
more of the following:
· |
the
location of wells;
|
· |
the
method of drilling and casing
wells;
|
· |
the
surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are
drilled;
|
· |
the
plugging and abandoning of
wells; and
|
· |
notice
to surface owners and other third
parties.
|
State
laws regulate the size and shape of drilling and spacing units or proration
units governing the pooling of oil and natural gas oil properties. Some states
allow forced pooling or integration of tracts to facilitate exploitation while
other states rely on voluntary pooling of lands and leases. In some instances,
forced pooling or unitization may be implemented by third parties and may reduce
our interest in the unitized properties. In addition, state conservation laws
establish maximum rates of production from oil and natural gas wells, generally
prohibit the venting or flaring of natural gas and impose requirements regarding
the ratability of production. These laws and regulations may limit the amount
of
oil and natural gas we can produce from our wells or limit the number of wells
or the locations at which we can drill. Moreover, each state generally imposes
a
production or severance tax with respect to the production and sale of oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids within its jurisdiction.
Federal
Natural Gas Regulation
The
availability, terms and cost of transportation significantly affect sales of
natural gas. The interstate transportation and sale for resale of natural gas
is
subject to federal regulation, including regulation of the terms, conditions
and
rates for interstate transportation, storage and various other matters,
primarily by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Federal and state
regulations govern the price and terms for access to natural gas pipeline
transportation. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s regulations for
interstate natural gas transmission in some circumstances may also affect the
intrastate transportation of natural gas. FERC regulates the rates, terms and
conditions applicable to the interstate transportation of natural gas by
pipelines under the Natural Gas Act, or NGA, as well as under Section 311
of the Natural Gas Policy Act, or NGPA.
Since
1985, FERC has implemented regulations intended to increase competition within
the natural gas industry by making natural gas transportation more accessible
to
natural gas buyers and sellers on an open-access, nondiscriminatory basis.
FERC
has announced several important transportation related policy statements and
rule changes, including a statement of policy and final rule issued
February 25, 2000, concerning alternatives to its traditional
cost-of-service rate-making methodology to establish the rates interstate
pipelines may charge for their services. The final rule revises FERC’s pricing
policy and current regulatory framework to improve the efficiency of the market
and further enhance competition in natural gas markets.
15
Although
natural gas prices are currently unregulated, Congress historically has been
active in the area of natural gas regulation. We cannot predict whether new
legislation to regulate natural gas might be proposed, what proposals, if any,
might actually be enacted by Congress or the various state legislatures, and
what effect, if any, the proposals might have on the operations of the
underlying properties. Sales of condensate and natural gas liquids are not
currently regulated and are made at market prices.
State
Natural Gas Regulation
The
various states regulate the drilling for, and the production, gathering and
sale
of, natural gas, including imposing severance taxes and requirements for
obtaining drilling permits. States also regulate the method of developing new
fields, the spacing and operation of wells and the prevention of waste of
natural gas resources. States may regulate rates of production and may establish
maximum daily production allowables from natural gas wells based on market
demand or resource conservation, or both. States do not regulate wellhead prices
or engage in other similar direct economic regulation, but there can be no
assurance that they will not do so in the future. The effect of these
regulations may be to limit the amounts of natural gas that may be produced
from
our wells and to limit the number of wells or locations we can drill.
Other
Regulation
In
addition to the regulation of oil pipeline transportation rates, the petroleum
industry generally is subject to compliance with various other federal, state
and local regulations and laws. Some of those laws relate to occupational
safety, resource conservation and equal employment opportunity. We do not
believe that compliance with these laws will have a material adverse effect
upon
the unitholders.
Employees
EV
Management, the general partner of our general partner, has three full time
employees and two executive officers who spend a significant amount of their
time on our operations. At December 31, 2007, EnerVest, the sole member of
EV
Management, had approximately 460 full-time employees, including over 70
geologists, engineers and landmen professionals. To carry out our operations,
EnerVest employs the people who will provide direct support to our operations.
None of these employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. We
consider EV Management’s relationship with its employees to be good, and
EnerVest considers its relationships with its employees to be good.
Available
Information
Our
annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports
on
Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”), are made available free of charge on our website at www.evenergypartners.com
as soon
as reasonably practicable after these reports have been electronically filed
with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These
documents are also available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov
or you
may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public
Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington DC 20549. Our website also
includes our Code of Business Conduct and the charters of our Audit Committee
and Compensation Committee. No information from either the SEC’s website or our
website is incorporated herein by reference.
16
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
Limited
partner interests are inherently different from capital stock of a corporation,
although many of the business risks to which we are subject are similar to
those
that would be faced by a corporation engaged in similar businesses. If any
of
the following risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition
or
results of operations or cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
Risks
Related to Our Business
We
may not have sufficient cash from operations following the establishment of
cash
reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including cost reimbursements to
our
general partner, to enable us to make cash distributions to holders of our
common units and subordinated units at the current distribution rate under
our
cash distribution policy.
In
order to make our cash distributions at our current quarterly distribution
rate
of $0.60 per common and subordinated unit, we will require available cash
of approximately $38.9 million per quarter based on the common units,
subordinated units and phantom units outstanding as of March 3, 2008. We may
not
have sufficient available cash from operating surplus each quarter to enable
us
to make cash distributions at this anticipated quarterly distribution rate
under
our cash distribution policy. The amount of cash we can distribute on our units
principally depends upon the amount of cash we generate from our operations,
which will fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on, among other things:
· |
the
amount of oil and natural gas we
produce;
|
· |
the
prices at which we sell our oil and natural gas
production;
|
· |
our
ability to acquire additional oil and natural gas properties at
economically attractive prices;
|
· |
our
ability to hedge commodity prices;
|
· |
the
level of our capital expenditures;
|
· |
the
level of our operating and administrative costs;
and
|
· |
the
level of our interest expense, which depends on the amount of our
indebtedness and the interest payable
thereon.
|
In
addition, the actual amount of cash we will have available for distribution
will
depend on other factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:
· |
the
amount of cash reserves established by our general partner for the
proper
conduct of our business and for capital expenditures to maintain
our
production levels over the long-term, which may be
substantial;
|
· |
the
cost of acquisitions;
|
· |
our
debt service requirements and other
liabilities;
|
· |
fluctuations
in our working capital needs;
|
· |
our
ability to borrow funds and access capital
markets;
|
· |
the
timing and collectibility of receivables;
and
|
· |
prevailing
economic conditions.
|
As
a result of these factors, the amount of cash we distribute to our unitholders
may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and may be less than the
quarterly distribution amount that we expect to distribute.
17
We
may be unable to integrate successfully the operations of our recent or future
acquisitions with our operations and we may not realize all the anticipated
benefits of the recent acquisitions or any future
acquisition.
Integration
of our recent acquisitions with our business and operations has been a complex,
time consuming and costly process. We cannot assure you that we will achieve
the
desired profitability from our recent acquisitions or any other acquisitions
we
may complete in the future. In addition, failure to assimilate future
acquisitions successfully could adversely affect our financial condition and
results of operations.
Our
acquisitions involve numerous risks, including:
· |
operating
a significantly larger combined organization and adding
operations;
|
· |
difficulties
in the assimilation of the assets and operations of the acquired
business,
especially if the assets acquired are in a new business segment or
geographic area;
|
· |
the
risk that oil and natural gas reserves acquired may not be of the
anticipated magnitude or may not be developed as
anticipated;
|
· |
the
loss of significant key employees from the acquired
business:
|
· |
the
diversion of management’s attention from other business
concerns;
|
· |
the
failure to realize expected profitability or
growth;
|
· |
the
failure to realize expected synergies and cost
savings;
|
· |
coordinating
geographically disparate organizations, systems and facilities;
and
|
· |
coordinating
or consolidating corporate and administrative
functions.
|
Further,
unexpected costs and challenges may arise whenever businesses with different
operations or management are combined, and we may experience unanticipated
delays in realizing the benefits of an acquisition. If we consummate any future
acquisition, our capitalization and results of operation may change
significantly, and you may not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic,
financial and other relevant information that we will consider in evaluating
future acquisitions.
The
amount of cash we have available for distribution to holders of our common
units
and subordinated units depends on our cash flows.
The
amount of cash that we have available for distribution depends primarily upon
our cash flows, including financial reserves and cash flows from working capital
borrowing, and not solely on profitability, which will be affected by non cash
items. As a result, we may make cash distributions during periods when we record
losses for financial accounting purposes and may not make cash distributions
during periods when we record net income for financial accounting purposes.
If
oil and natural gas prices decline significantly for a prolonged period, our
cash flows from operations will decline and we may have to lower our
distributions or may not be able to pay distributions at
all.
Our
revenue, profitability and cash flow depend upon the prices for oil and natural
gas. The prices we receive for oil and natural gas production are volatile
and a
drop in prices can significantly affect our financial results and impede our
growth, including our ability to maintain or increase our borrowing capacity,
to
repay current or future indebtedness and to obtain additional capital on
attractive terms, all of which can affect our ability to pay distributions.
Changes in oil and natural gas prices have a significant impact on the value
of
our reserves and on our cash flows. Prices for oil and natural gas may fluctuate
widely in response to relatively minor changes in the supply and demand, market
uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control,
such as:
· |
the
domestic and foreign supply of and demand for oil and natural gas;
|
· |
the
price and quantity of foreign imports of oil and natural
gas;
|
18
· |
the
level of consumer product demand;
|
· |
weather
conditions;
|
· |
the
value of the U.S dollar relative to the currencies of other
countries:
|
· |
overall
domestic and global economic
conditions;
|
· |
political
and economic conditions and events in foreign oil and natural gas
producing countries, including embargoes, continued hostilities in
the
Middle East and other sustained military campaigns, conditions in
South
America, China and Russia, and acts of terrorism or
sabotage;
|
· |
the
ability of members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
to
agree to and maintain oil price and production
controls;
|
· |
technological
advances affecting energy
consumption;
|
· |
domestic
and foreign governmental regulations and
taxation;
|
· |
the
impact of energy conservation
efforts;
|
· |
the
proximity and capacity of natural gas pipelines and other transportation
facilities to our
production; and
|
· |
the
price and availability of alternative
fuels.
|
Lower
oil or natural gas prices may not only decrease our revenues, but also reduce
the amount of oil or natural gas that we can economically produce. This may
result in our having to make substantial downward adjustments to our estimated
proved reserves. If this occurs, or if our estimates of development costs
increase, production data factors change or drilling results deteriorate,
accounting rules may require us to write down, as a non-cash charge to earnings,
the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties for impairments. We
are
required to perform impairment tests on our assets whenever events or changes
in
circumstances lead to a reduction of the estimated useful life or estimated
future cash flows that would indicate that the carrying amount may not be
recoverable or whenever management’s plans change with respect to those assets.
We may incur impairment charges in the future, which could have a material
adverse effect on our results of operations in the period taken and our ability
to borrow funds under our credit facility, which may adversely affect our
ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
Restrictions
in our credit facility will limit our ability to make distributions to you
and
may limit our ability to capitalize on acquisitions and other business
opportunities.
Our
credit facility contains covenants limiting our ability to make distributions,
incur indebtedness, grant liens, make acquisitions, investments or dispositions
and engage in transactions with affiliates, as well as containing covenants
requiring us to maintain certain financial ratios and tests.
Unless
we replace the oil and natural gas reserves we produce, our revenues and
production will decline, which would adversely affect our cash flows from
operations and our ability to make distributions to our
unitholders.
Producing
reservoirs are characterized by declining production rates that vary depending
upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. Our decline rate may change
when we drill additional wells, make acquisitions or under other circumstances.
Our future cash flows and income and our ability to maintain and to increase
distributions to unitholders are highly dependent on our success in efficiently
developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or
acquiring additional recoverable reserves. We may not be able to develop, find
or acquire additional reserves to replace our current and future production
at
acceptable costs, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition
and results of operations. Factors that may hinder our ability to acquire
additional reserves include competition, access to capital, prevailing oil
and
natural gas prices and the number and attractiveness of properties for sale.
19
Our
estimated oil and natural gas reserve quantities and future production rates
are
based on many assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate. Any material
inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or the underlying assumptions will
materially affect the quantities and present value of our
reserves.
Numerous
uncertainties are inherent in estimating quantities of oil and natural gas
reserves. Our estimates of our net proved reserve quantities are based upon
reports of Cawley Gillespie & Associates, Inc., our independent
petroleum engineers. The process of estimating oil and natural gas reserves
is
complex, requiring significant decisions and assumptions in the evaluation
of
available geological, engineering and economic data for each reservoir, and
these reports rely upon various assumptions, including assumptions regarding
future oil and natural gas prices, production levels, and operating and
development costs. As a result, estimated quantities of proved reserves and
projections of future production rates and the timing of development
expenditures may prove to be inaccurate. Over time, we may make material changes
to reserve estimates taking into account the results of actual drilling and
production. Any significant variance in our assumptions and actual results
could
greatly affect our estimates of reserves, the economically recoverable
quantities of oil and natural gas attributable to any particular group of
properties, the classifications of reserves based on risk of recovery, and
estimates of the future net cash flows. In addition, our wells are characterized
by low production rates per well. As a result, changes in future production
costs assumptions could have a significant effect on our proved reserve
quantities.
The
standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows of our estimated net
proved reserves is not necessarily the same as the current market value of
our
estimated net proved reserves. We base the discounted future net cash flows
from
our estimated net proved reserves on prices and costs in effect on the day
of
the estimate. Actual prices received for production and actual costs of such
production will be different than these assumptions, perhaps materially.
The
timing of both our production and our incurrence of expenses in connection
with
the development and production of our properties will affect the timing of
actual future net cash flows from proved reserves, and thus their actual present
value. In addition, the 10% discount factor we use when calculating discounted
future net cash flows may not be the most appropriate discount factor based
on
interest rates in effect from time to time and risks associated with us or
the
natural gas and oil industry in general. Any material inaccuracy in our reserve
estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and
present value of our reserves which could adversely affect our business, results
of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions
to
our unitholders.
Our
acquisition and development operations will require substantial capital
expenditures, which will reduce our cash available for distribution. We may
be
unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms, which could
lead to a decline in our production and reserves.
The
oil and natural gas industry is capital intensive. We make and expect to
continue to make substantial capital expenditures in our business for the
development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves. These
expenditures will be deducted from our revenues in determining our cash
available for distribution. We intend to finance our future capital expenditures
with cash flows from operations, borrowings under our credit facility and the
issuance of debt and equity securities. The incurrence of debt will require
that
a portion of our cash flows from operations be used for the payment of interest
and principal on our debt, thereby reducing our ability to use cash flows to
fund working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions. Our cash flows
from
operations and access to capital are subject to a number of variables,
including:
· |
the
estimated quantities of our oil and natural gas
reserves;
|
· |
the
amount of oil and natural gas we produce from existing
wells;
|
· |
the
prices at which we sell our
production; and
|
· |
our
ability to acquire, locate and produce new
reserves.
|
If
our revenues or the borrowing base under our credit facility decrease as a
result of lower commodity prices, operating difficulties, declines in reserves
or for any other reason, we may have limited ability to obtain the capital
necessary to sustain our operations at current levels. Our credit facility
may
restrict our ability to obtain new financing. If additional capital is needed,
we may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing on terms favorable to
us,
or at all. If cash generated by operations or available under our credit
facility is not sufficient to meet our capital requirements, the failure to
obtain additional financing could result in a curtailment of our operations
relating to development of our prospects, which in turn could lead to a possible
decline in our reserves and production, which could lead to a decline in our
oil
and natural gas reserves, and could adversely affect our business, results
of
operation, financial conditions and ability to make distributions to you. In
addition, we may lose opportunities to acquire oil and natural gas properties
and businesses.
20
We
may incur substantial debt in the future to enable us to maintain or increase
our production levels and to otherwise pursue our business plan. This debt
may
restrict our ability to make distributions.
Our
business requires a significant amount of capital expenditures to maintain
and
grow production levels. If prices were to decline for an extended period of
time, if the costs of our acquisition and development operations were to
increase substantially, or if other events were to occur which reduced our
revenues or increased our costs, we may be required to borrow significant
amounts in the future to enable us to finance the expenditures necessary to
replace the reserves we produce. The cost of the borrowings and our obligations
to repay the borrowings will reduce amounts otherwise available for
distributions to our unitholders.
Shortages
of drilling rigs, equipment and crews could delay our operations and reduce
our
cash available for distribution.
Higher
oil and natural gas prices generally increase the demand for drilling rigs,
equipment and crews and can lead to shortages of, and increasing costs for,
drilling equipment, services and personnel. Shortages of, or increasing costs
for, experienced drilling crews and oil field equipment and services could
restrict our ability to drill the wells and conduct the operations which we
currently have planned. Any delay in the drilling of new wells or significant
increase in drilling costs could reduce our revenues and cash available for
distribution.
We
will rely on development drilling to assist in maintaining our levels of
production. If our development drilling is unsuccessful, our cash available
for
distributions and financial condition will be adversely
affected.
Part
of our business strategy will focus on maintaining production levels by drilling
development wells. Although we and our predecessors and their affiliates were
successful in development drilling in the past, we cannot assure you that we
will continue to maintain production levels through development drilling. Our
drilling involves numerous risks, including the risk that we will not encounter
commercially productive oil or natural gas reservoirs. We must incur significant
expenditures to drill and complete wells. Additionally, seismic technology
does
not allow us to know conclusively, prior to drilling a well, that oil or natural
gas is present or economically producible. The costs of drilling and completing
wells are often uncertain, and it is possible that we will make substantial
expenditures on development drilling and not discover reserves in commercially
viable quantities. These expenditures will reduce cash available for
distribution to our unitholders.
Our
drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed or cancelled as a result of a
variety of factors, including:
· |
unexpected
drilling conditions;
|
· |
facility
or equipment failure or accidents;
|
· |
shortages
or delays in the availability of drilling rigs and
equipment;
|
· |
adverse
weather conditions;
|
· |
compliance
with environmental and governmental
requirements;
|
· |
title
problems;
|
· |
unusual
or unexpected geological
formations;
|
· |
pipeline
ruptures;
|
· |
fires,
blowouts, craterings and
explosions; and
|
· |
uncontrollable
flows of oil or natural gas or well
fluids.
|
21
Properties
that we buy may not produce as projected and we may be unable to determine
reserve potential, identify liabilities associated with the properties or obtain
protection from sellers against such liabilities, which could adversely affect
our cash available for distribution.
One
of our growth strategies is to capitalize on opportunistic acquisitions of
oil
and natural gas reserves. Any future acquisition will require an assessment
of
recoverable reserves, title, future oil and natural gas prices, operating costs,
potential environmental hazards, potential tax and ERISA liabilities, and other
liabilities and similar factors. Ordinarily, our review efforts are focused
on
the higher valued properties and are inherently incomplete because it generally
is not feasible to review in depth every individual property involved in each
acquisition. Even a detailed review of records and properties may not
necessarily reveal existing or potential problems, nor will it permit a buyer
to
become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their
deficiencies and potential. Inspections may not always be performed on every
well, and potential problems, such as ground water contamination and other
environmental conditions and deficiencies in the mechanical integrity of
equipment are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken.
Any unidentified problems could result in material liabilities and costs that
negatively impact our financial conditions and results of operations and our
ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
Additional
potential risks related to acquisitions include, among other things:
· |
incorrect
assumptions regarding the future prices of oil and natural gas or
the
future operating or development costs of properties
acquired;
|
· |
incorrect
estimates of the oil and natural gas reserves attributable to a property
we acquire;
|
· |
an
inability to integrate successfully the businesses we
acquire;
|
· |
the
assumption of liabilities;
|
· |
limitations
on rights to indemnity from the
seller;
|
· |
the
diversion of management’s attention from other business
concerns; and
|
· |
losses
of key employees at the acquired
businesses.
|
If
we consummate any future acquisitions, our capitalization and results of
operations may change significantly.
Our
hedging activities could result in financial losses or could reduce our net
income, which may adversely affect our ability to pay distributions to our
unitholders.
To
achieve more predictable cash flows and to reduce our exposure to fluctuations
in the prices of oil and natural gas, we have and may continue to enter into
hedging arrangements for a significant portion of our oil and natural gas
production. If we experience a sustained material interruption in our production
or if we are unable to perform our drilling activity as planned, we might be
forced to satisfy all or a portion of our hedging obligations without the
benefit of the cash flows from our sale of the underlying physical commodity,
resulting in a substantial diminution of our liquidity. Lastly, an attendant
risk exists in hedging activities that the counterparty in any derivative
transaction cannot or will not perform under the instrument and that we will
not
realize the benefit of the hedge.
Our
ability to use hedging transactions to protect us from future oil and natural
gas price declines will be dependent upon oil and natural gas prices at the
time
we enter into future hedging transactions and our future levels of hedging,
and
as a result our future net cash flows may be more sensitive to commodity price
changes.
Our
policy has been to hedge a significant portion of our near-term estimated oil
and natural gas production. However, our price hedging strategy and future
hedging transactions will be determined at the discretion of our general
partner, which is not under an obligation to hedge a specific portion of our
production. The prices at which we hedge our production in the future will
be
dependent upon commodities prices at the time we enter into these transactions,
which may be substantially higher or lower than current oil and natural gas
prices. Accordingly, our price hedging strategy may not protect us from
significant declines in oil and natural gas prices received for our future
production. Conversely, our hedging strategy may limit our ability to realize
cash flows from commodity price increases. It is also possible that a
substantially larger percentage of our future production will not be hedged
as
compared with the next few years, which would result in our oil and natural
gas
revenues becoming more sensitive to commodity price changes.
22
We
may be unable to compete effectively with larger companies, which may adversely
affect our ability to generate sufficient revenue and our ability to pay
distributions to our unitholders.
The
oil
and natural gas industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with other
companies that have greater resources than us. Our ability to acquire additional
properties and to discover reserves in the future will be dependent upon our
ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate
transactions in a highly competitive environment. Many of our larger competitors
not only drill for and produce oil and natural gas, but also carry on refining
operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national
or
worldwide basis. These companies may be able to pay more for natural gas
properties and evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties
than our financial or human resources permit. In addition, these companies
may
have a greater ability to continue drilling activities during periods of low
oil
and natural gas prices, to contract for drilling equipment, to secure trained
personnel, and to absorb the burden of present and future federal, state, local
and other laws and regulations. The oil and natural gas industry has
periodically experienced shortages of drilling rigs, equipment, pipe and
personnel, which has delayed development drilling and other exploitation
activities and has caused significant price increases. Competition has been
strong in hiring experienced personnel, particularly in the accounting and
financial reporting, tax and land departments. In addition, competition is
strong for attractive oil and natural gas producing properties, oil and natural
gas companies, and undeveloped leases and drilling rights. We may be often
outbid by competitors in our attempts to acquire properties or companies. Our
inability to compete effectively with larger companies could have a material
adverse impact on our business activities, financial condition and results
of
operations.
Our
business is subject to operational risks that will not be fully insured, which,
if they were to occur, could adversely affect our financial condition or results
of operations and, as a result, our ability to pay distributions to our
unitholders.
Our
business activities are subject to operational risks, including:
· |
damages
to equipment caused by adverse weather conditions, including hurricanes
and flooding;
|
· |
facility
or equipment malfunctions;
|
· |
pipeline
ruptures or spills;
|
· |
fires,
blowouts, craterings and
explosions; and
|
· |
uncontrollable
flows of oil or natural gas or well
fluids.
|
In
addition, a portion of our natural gas production is processed to extract
natural gas liquids at processing plants that we own or that are owned by
others. If these plants were to cease operations for any reason, we would need
to arrange for alternative transportation and processing facilities. These
alternative facilities may not be available, which could cause us to shut-in our
natural gas production, or the alternative facilities could be more expensive
than the facilities we currently use.
Any
of these events could adversely affect our ability to conduct operations or
cause substantial losses, including personal injury or loss of life, damage
to
or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution or other
environmental contamination, loss of wells, regulatory penalties, suspension
of
operations, and attorney’s fees and other expenses incurred in the prosecution
or defense of litigation.
As
is customary in the industry, we maintain insurance against some but not all
of
these risks. Additionally, we may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe
that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the perceived
risks presented. Losses could therefore occur for uninsurable or uninsured
risks
or in amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage. The occurrence of an
event that is not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse
impact on our business activities, financial condition, results of operations
and ability to pay distributions to our unitholders.
23
Our
ability to make distributions to our unitholders and to pursue our business
strategies may be adversely affected if we incur costs and liabilities due
to a
failure to comply with environmental regulations or a release of hazardous
substances into the environment.
We
may incur significant costs and liabilities as a result of environmental
requirements applicable to the operation of our wells, gathering systems and
other facilities. These costs and liabilities could arise under a wide range
of
federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including, for
example:
· |
the
Clean Air Act and comparable state laws and regulations that impose
obligations related to air emissions;
|
· |
the
Clean Water Act and comparable state laws and regulations that impose
obligations related to discharges of pollutants into regulated bodies
of
water;
|
· |
the
RCRA, and comparable state laws that impose requirements for the
handling
and disposal of waste from our facilities; and
|
· |
the
CERCLA and comparable state laws that regulate the cleanup of hazardous
substances that may have been released at properties currently or
previously owned or operated by us or at locations to which we have
sent
waste for disposal.
|
Failure
to comply with these laws and regulations may trigger a variety of
administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the
assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements,
and
the issuance of orders enjoining future operations. Certain environmental
statutes, including the
RCRA, CERCLA, the federal Oil Pollution Act and analogous state laws and
regulations, impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required
to
clean up and restore sites where hazardous substances or other waste products
have been disposed of or otherwise released. Moreover, it is not uncommon for
neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal
injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous
substances or other waste products into the environment.
We
are subject to complex federal, state, local and other laws and regulations
that
could adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of conducting our
operations.
Our
oil and natural gas exploration, production and transportation operations are
subject to complex and stringent laws and regulations. In order to conduct
our
operations in compliance with these laws and regulations, we must obtain and
maintain numerous permits, approvals and certificates from various federal,
state and local governmental authorities. Failure or delay in obtaining
regulatory approvals or drilling permits could have a material adverse effect
on
our ability to develop our properties, and receipt of drilling permits with
onerous conditions could increase our compliance costs. In addition, regulations
regarding conservation practices and the protection of correlative rights affect
our operations by limiting the quantity of oil and natural gas we may produce
and sell.
We
are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations as interpreted
and
enforced by governmental authorities possessing jurisdiction over various
aspects of the exploration, production and transportation of oil and natural
gas. While the cost of compliance with these laws has not been material to
our
operations in the past, the possibility exists that new laws, regulations or
enforcement policies could be more stringent and significantly increase our
compliance costs. If we are not able to recover the resulting costs through
insurance or increased revenues, our ability to pay distributions to our
unitholders could be adversely affected.
Changes
in interest rates could adversely impact our unit price and our ability to
issue
additional equity and incur debt.
Interest
rates on future credit facilities and debt offerings could be higher than
current levels, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. As with
other yield oriented securities, our unit price is impacted by the level of
our
cash distributions and implied distribution yield. The distribution yield is
often used by investors to compare and rank related yield oriented securities
for investment decision-making purposes. Therefore, changes in interest rates,
either positive or negative, may affect the yield requirements of investors
who
invest in our units, and a rising interest rate environment could have an
adverse impact on our unit price and our ability to issue additional equity
to
make acquisitions, incur debt or for other purposes.
24
We
may encounter obstacles to marketing our oil and natural gas, which could
adversely impact our revenues.
The
marketability of our production will depend in part upon the availability and
capacity of natural gas gathering systems, pipelines and other transportation
facilities owned by third parties. Transportation space on the gathering systems
and pipelines we utilize is occasionally limited or unavailable due to repairs
or improvements to facilities or due to space being utilized by other companies
that have priority transportation agreements. Our access to transportation
options can also be affected by U.S. federal and state regulation of oil
and natural gas production and transportation, general economic conditions
and
changes in supply and demand. The availability of markets are beyond our
control.
If market factors dramatically change, the impact on our revenues could be
substantial and could adversely affect our ability to produce and market oil
and
natural gas, the value of our units and our ability to pay distributions on
our
units.
We
may experience a temporary decline in revenues and production if we lose one
of
our significant customers.
To
the extent any significant customer reduces the volume of its oil or natural
gas
purchases from us, we could experience a temporary interruption in sales of,
or
a lower price for, our oil and natural gas production and our revenues and
cash
available for distribution could decline which could adversely affect our
ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
Our
ability to make distributions will depend on our ability to successfully drill
and complete wells on our properties. Seasonal weather conditions and lease
stipulations may adversely affect our ability to conduct drilling activities
in
some of the areas where we operate.
Drilling
operations in the Appalachian Basin and Michigan are adversely affected by
seasonal weather conditions, primarily in the spring. Many municipalities in
Appalachia impose weight restrictions on the paved roads that lead to our
jobsites due to the muddy conditions caused by spring thaws. In addition, our
Monroe Field properties in Louisiana are subject to flooding. This limits our
access to these jobsites and our ability to service wells in these areas on
a
year around basis.
Sales
of our common units by the selling unitholders may cause our unit price to
decline.
In
March
and June 2007, we conducted two private placements to an aggregate of 23
investors pursuant to which we sold such investors an aggregate of 7,344,439
common units. We have registered the resale of these common units and such
common units are freely tradable. Those common units constitute a majority
of
our outstanding common units, as we had 11,839,439 common units outstanding
as
of December 31, 2007.
Sales
of
substantial amounts of our common units in the public market, or the perception
that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common units
to
decline. In addition, the sale of these units could impair our ability to raise
capital through the sale of additional common units.
EnerVest
controls our general partner, which has sole responsibility for conducting
our
business and managing our operations. EnerVest, EV Investors and EnCap, which
are limited partners of our general partner, will have conflicts of interest,
which may permit them to favor their own interests to your
detriment.
EnerVest
owns and controls our general partner and EnCap owns a 23.75% limited
partnership interest in our general partner. Conflicts of interest may arise
between EnerVest, EnCap and their respective affiliates, including our general
partner, on the one hand, and us and our unitholders, on the other hand. In
resolving these conflicts of interest, our general partner may favor its own
interests and the interests of its owners over the interests of our unitholders.
These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:
· |
we
have acquired oil and natural gas properties from partnerships formed
by
EnerVest and EnCap and partnerships in which EnerVest and EnCap have
an
interest, and we may do so in the future;
|
· |
neither
our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires EnerVest
or
EnCap to pursue a business strategy that favors us or to refer any
business opportunity to us;
|
25
· |
our
general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of
parties
other than us, such as EnerVest and EnCap, in resolving conflicts
of
interest;
|
· |
our
general partner determines the amount and timing of our drilling
program
and related capital expenditures, asset purchases and sales, borrowings,
issuance of additional partnership securities and reserves, each
of which
can affect the amount of cash that is distributed to
unitholders;
|
· |
our
partnership agreement does not restrict our general partner from
causing
us to pay it or its affiliates for any services rendered to us or
entering
into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities
on our
behalf;
|
· |
our
general partner controls the enforcement of obligations owed to us
by our
general partner and its affiliates;
and
|
· |
our
general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants
or
others to perform services for us.
|
Many
of the directors and officers who have responsibility for our management have
significant duties with, and will spend significant time serving, entities
that
compete with us in seeking out acquisitions and business opportunities and,
accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating time or pursuing
business opportunities.
In
order to maintain and increase our levels of production, we will need to acquire
oil and natural gas properties. Several of the officers and directors of EV
Management, the general partner of our general partner, who have
responsibilities for managing our operations and activities hold similar
positions with other entities that are in the business of identifying and
acquiring oil and natural gas properties. For example, Mr. Walker is
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EV Management and President and Chief
Executive Officer of EnerVest, which is in the business of acquiring oil and
natural gas properties and managing the EnerVest partnerships that are in that
business. Mr. Houser, President and Chief Operating Officer and a director
of EV Management, is also Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
of EnerVest. We cannot assure you that these conflicts will be resolved in
our
favor. Mr. Gary R. Petersen, a director of EV Management, is also a senior
managing director of EnCap, which is in the business of investing in oil and
natural gas companies with independent management which in turn is in the
business of acquiring oil and natural gas properties. Mr. Petersen is also
a director of several oil and natural gas producing entities that are in the
business of acquiring oil and natural gas properties. The existing positions
of
these directors and officers may give rise to fiduciary obligations that are
in
conflict with fiduciary obligation owed to us. The EV Management officers and
directors may become aware of business opportunities that may be appropriate
for
presentation to us as well as the other entities with which they are or may
be
affiliated. Due to these existing and potential future affiliations with these
and other entities, they may have fiduciary obligations to present potential
business opportunities to those entities prior to presenting them to us, which
could cause additional conflicts of interest. They may also decide that the
opportunities are more appropriate for other entities which they serve and
elect
not to present them to us.
Neither
EnerVest nor EnCap is limited in its ability to compete with us for acquisition
or drilling opportunities. This could cause conflicts of interest and limit
our
ability to acquire additional assets or businesses which in turn could adversely
affect our ability to replace reserves, results of operations and cash available
for distribution to our unitholders.
Neither
our partnership agreement nor the omnibus agreement between us, EnerVest and
others prohibits EnerVest, EnCap and their affiliates from owning assets or
engaging in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. For
instance, EnerVest, EnCap and their respective affiliates may acquire, develop
or dispose of additional oil or natural gas properties or other assets in the
future, without any obligation to offer us the opportunity to purchase or
develop any of those assets. Each of these entities is a large, established
participant in the energy business, and each has significantly greater resources
and experience than we have, which factors may make it more difficult for us
to
compete with these entities with respect to commercial activities as well as
for
acquisition candidates. As a result, competition from these entities could
adversely impact our results of operations and accordingly cash available for
distribution.
Cost
reimbursements due to our general partner and its affiliates for services
provided may be substantial and could reduce our cash available for distribution
to you.
Pursuant
to the omnibus agreement we entered into with EnerVest, our general partner
and
others, EnerVest will receive reimbursement for the provision of various general
and administrative
services for our benefit. In addition, we entered into contract operating
agreements with a subsidiary of EnerVest pursuant to which the subsidiary will
be the contract operator of all of the wells for which we have the right to
appoint an operator. Payments for these services will be substantial and will
reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to unitholders. In
addition, under Delaware partnership law, our general partner has unlimited
liability for our obligations, such as our debts and environmental liabilities,
except for our contractual obligations that are expressly made without recourse
to our general partner. To the extent our general partner incurs obligations
on
our behalf, we are obligated to reimburse or indemnify it. If we are unable
or
unwilling to reimburse or indemnify our general partner, our general partner
may
take actions to cause us to make payments of these obligations and liabilities.
Any such payments could reduce the amount of cash otherwise available for
distribution to our unitholders.
26
Our
partnership agreement limits our general partner’s fiduciary duties to holders
of our common units and subordinated units.
Although
our general partner has a fiduciary duty to manage us in a manner beneficial
to
us and our unitholders, the directors and officers of EV Management, the general
partner of our general partner, have a fiduciary duty to manage our general
partner in a manner beneficial to its owners. Our partnership agreement contains
provisions that reduce the standards to which our general partner and its
affiliates would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty laws. For example,
our partnership agreement permits our general partner and its affiliates to
make
a number of decisions either in their individual capacities, as opposed to
in
its capacity as our general partner, or otherwise free of fiduciary duties
to us
and our unitholders. This entitles our general partner and its affiliates to
consider only the interests and factors that they desire, and they have no
duty
or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors
affecting, us, our affiliates or any limited partner. Examples include:
· |
whether
or not to exercise its right to reset the target distribution levels
of
its incentive distribution rights at higher levels and receive, in
connection with this reset, a number of Class B units that are
convertible at any time following the first anniversary of the issuance
of
these Class B units into common
units;
|
· |
whether
or not to exercise its limited call
right;
|
· |
how
to exercise its voting rights with respect to the units it
owns;
|
· |
whether
or not to exercise its registration
rights; and
|
· |
whether
or not to consent to any merger or consolidation of the partnership
or
amendment to the partnership
agreement.
|
Our
partnership agreement restricts the remedies available to holders of our common
units and subordinated units for actions taken by our general partner that
might
otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
Our
partnership agreement contains provisions restricting the remedies available
to
unitholders for actions taken by our general partner or its affiliates that
might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty. For example, our
partnership agreement:
· |
provides
that our general partner will not have any liability to us or our
unitholders for decisions made in its capacity as a general partner
so
long as it acted in good faith, meaning it believed the decision
was in
the best interests of our
partnership;
|
· |
generally
provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts
of
interest not approved by the conflicts committee of the board of
directors
of the general partner of our general partner and not involving a
vote of
unitholders must be on terms no less favorable to us than those generally
being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or must
be
“fair and reasonable” to us, as determined by our general partner in good
faith and that, in determining whether a transaction or resolution
is
“fair and reasonable,” our general partner may consider the totality of
the relationships between the parties involved, including other
transactions that may be particularly advantageous or beneficial
to
us; and
|
· |
provides
that our general partner and its officers and directors will not
be liable
for monetary damages to us, our limited partners or assignees for
any acts
or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment
entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that the
general
partner or those other persons acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud
or
willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with
knowledge that the conduct was
criminal.
|
27
Our
general partner may elect to cause us to issue Class B units to it in
connection with a resetting of the target distribution levels related to our
general partner’s incentive distribution rights without the approval of the
conflicts committee or holders of our common units and subordinated units.
This
may result in lower distributions to holders of our common units in certain
situations.
Our
general partner has the right, at a time when there are no subordinated units
outstanding and it has received incentive distributions at the highest level
to
which it is entitled (25%) for each of the prior four consecutive fiscal
quarters, to reset the initial cash target distribution levels at higher levels
based on the distribution at the time of the exercise of the reset election.
Following a reset election by our general partner, the minimum quarterly
distribution amount will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash
distribution amount per common unit for the two fiscal quarters immediately
preceding the reset election (such amount is referred to as the “reset
minimum quarterly distribution”) and the target distribution levels will be
reset to correspondingly higher levels based on percentage increases above
the
reset minimum quarterly distribution amount.
In
connection with resetting these target distribution levels, our general partner
will be entitled to receive a number of Class B units. The Class B
units will be entitled to the same cash distributions per unit as our common
units and will be convertible into an equal number of common units. The number
of Class B units to be issued will be equal to that number of common units
whose aggregate quarterly cash distributions equaled the average of the
distributions to our general partner on the incentive distribution rights in
the
prior two quarters. We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this
reset right in order to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects
that
would not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per common unit
without such conversion; however, it is possible that our general partner could
exercise this reset election at a time when it is experiencing, or may be
expected to experience, declines in the cash distributions it receives related
to its incentive distribution rights and may therefore desire to be issued
our
Class B units, which are entitled to receive cash distributions from us on
the same priority as our common units, rather than retain the right to receive
incentive distributions based on the initial target distribution levels. As
a
result, a reset election may cause our common unitholders to experience dilution
in the amount of cash distributions that they would have otherwise received
had
we not issued new Class B units to our general partner in connection with
resetting the target distribution levels related to our general partner
incentive distribution rights.
Holders
of our common units have limited voting rights and are not entitled to elect
our
general partner or the board of directors of its general
partner.
Unlike
the holders of common stock in a corporation, unitholders have only limited
voting rights on matters affecting our business and, therefore, limited ability
to influence management’s decisions regarding our business. Unitholders will not
elect our general partner, its general partner or the members of its board
of
directors, and will have no right to elect our general partner, its general
partner or its board of directors on an annual or other continuing basis. The
board of directors of EV Management is chosen by EnerVest, the sole
member of EV Management. Furthermore, if the unitholders were dissatisfied
with
the performance of our general partner, they will have only a limited ability
to
remove our general partner. As a result of these limitations, the price at
which
the common units will trade could be diminished because of the absence or
reduction of a takeover premium in the trading price.
Even
if holders of our common units are dissatisfied, they will have difficulty
removing our general partner without its consent.
The
vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of all outstanding units voting together
as a single class is required to remove the general partner. As of March 3,
2008, our general partner, its owners and their affiliates, and EnCap own 22.5%
of our aggregate outstanding common and subordinated units. Also, if our general
partner is removed without cause during the subordination period and units
held
by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that
removal, all remaining subordinated units will automatically convert into common
units and any existing arrearages on our common units will be extinguished.
A
removal of our general partner under these circumstances would adversely affect
our common units by prematurely eliminating their distribution and liquidation
preference over our subordinated units, which would otherwise have continued
until we had met certain distribution and performance tests. Cause is narrowly
defined to mean that a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final,
non-appealable judgment finding the general partner liable for actual fraud
or
willful or wanton misconduct in its capacity as our general partner. Cause
does
not include most cases of charges of poor business management, so the removal
of
the general partner because of the unitholder’s dissatisfaction with our general
partner’s performance in managing our partnership will most likely result in the
termination of the subordination period and conversion of all subordinated
units
to common units.
28
Our
partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning 20%
or
more of our common units.
Unitholders’
voting rights are further restricted by the partnership agreement provision
providing that any units held by a person that owns 20% or more of any class
of
units then outstanding, other than our general partner, its affiliates, their
transferees and persons who acquired such units with the prior approval of
the
board of directors of our general partner, cannot vote on any matter. Our
partnership agreement also contains provisions limiting the ability of
unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as
well as other provisions limiting the unitholders’ ability to influence the
manner or direction of management.
Control
of our general partner may be transferred to a third party without unitholder
consent.
Our
general partner may transfer its general partner interest to a third party
in a
merger or in a sale of all or substantially all of its assets without the
consent of the unitholders. Furthermore, our partnership agreement does not
restrict the ability of the owners of our general partner or EV Management,
from
transferring all or a portion of their respective ownership interest in our
general partner or EV Management to a third party. The new owners of our general
partner or EV Management would then be in a position to replace the board of
directors and officers of EV Management with its own choices and thereby
influence the decisions taken by the board of directors and officers.
We
may issue additional units without your approval, which would dilute your
existing ownership interests.
Our
partnership agreement does not limit the number of additional limited partner
interests that we may issue at any time without the approval of our unitholders.
The issuance by us of additional common units or other equity securities of
equal or senior rank will have the following effects:
· |
our
unitholders’ proportionate ownership interest in us will
decrease;
|
· |
the
amount of cash available for distribution on each unit may
decrease;
|
· |
because
a lower percentage of total outstanding units will be subordinated
units,
the risk that a shortfall in the payment of the minimum quarterly
distribution will be borne by our common unitholders will
increase;
|
· |
the
ratio of taxable income to distributions may
increase;
|
· |
the
relative voting strength of each previously outstanding unit may
be
diminished; and
|
· |
the
market price of the common units may
decline.
|
EnerVest,
EV Investors, CGAS Exploration and EnCap may sell common units in the public
markets, which sales could have an adverse impact on the trading price of the
common units.
EnerVest,
EV Investors, CGAS Exploration and EnCap hold an aggregate of 3.1 million
subordinated units. All of the subordinated units will convert into common
units
at the end of the subordination period and some may convert earlier. The sale
of
these units in the public markets could have an adverse impact on the price
of
the common units or on any trading market that may develop.
We
have the right to borrow to make distributions. Repayment of these borrowings
will decrease cash available for future distributions, and covenants in our
credit facility may restrict our ability to make
distributions.
Our
partnership agreement allows us to borrow to make distributions. We may make
short term borrowings under our credit facility, which we refer to as working
capital borrowings, to make distributions. The primary purpose of these
borrowings would be to mitigate the effects of short term fluctuation in our
working capital that would otherwise cause volatility in our quarter to quarter
distributions.
The
terms of our credit facility may restrict our ability to pay distributions
if we
do not satisfy the financial and other covenants in the facility.
29
Our
partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash,
which could limit our ability to grow our reserves and
production.
Our
partnership agreement provides that we will distribute all of our available
cash
each quarter. As a result, we will be dependent on the issuance of additional
common units and other partnership securities and borrowings to finance our
growth. A number of factors will affect our ability to issue securities and
borrow money to finance growth, as well as the costs of such financings,
including:
· |
general
economic and market conditions, including interest rates, prevailing
at
the time we desire to issue securities or borrow
funds;
|
· |
conditions
in the oil and natural gas
industry;
|
· |
our
results of operations and financial
condition; and
|
· |
prices
for oil and natural gas.
|
Our
general partner has a limited call right that may require you to sell your
units
at an undesirable time or price.
If
at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80% of the
common units, our general partner will have the right, but not the obligation,
which it may assign to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but
not
less than all, of the common units held by unaffiliated persons at a price
not
less than their then current market price. As a result, you may be required
to
sell your common units at an undesirable time or price and may not receive
any
return on your investment. You may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of
your units.
Your
liability may not be limited if a court finds that unitholder action constitutes
control of our business.
A
general partner of a partnership generally has unlimited liability for the
obligations of the partnership, except for those contractual obligations of
the
partnership that are expressly made without recourse to the general partner.
Our
partnership is organized under Delaware law and we conduct business in a number
of other states. The limitations on the liability of holders of limited partner
interests for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly
established in some of the other states in which we do business. You could
be
liable for any and all of our obligations as if you were a general partner
if:
· |
a
court or government agency determined that we were conducting business
in
a state but had not complied with that particular state’s partnership
statute; or
|
· |
your
right to act with other unitholders to remove or replace the general
partner, to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement
or to
take other actions under our partnership agreement constitutes “control”
of our business.
|
Unitholders
may have liability to repay distributions that were wrongfully distributed
to
them.
Under
certain circumstances, unitholders may have to repay amounts wrongfully returned
or distributed to them. Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised
Uniform Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a distribution to you if the
distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets.
Delaware law provides that for a period of three years from the date of the
impermissible distribution, limited partners who received the distribution
and
who knew at the time of the distribution that it violated Delaware law will
be
liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount. Substituted
limited partners are liable for the obligations of the assignor to make
contributions to the partnership that are known to the substituted limited
partner at the time it became a limited partner and for unknown obligations
if
the liabilities could be determined from the partnership agreement. Liabilities
to partners on account of their partnership interest and liabilities that are
non-recourse to the partnership are not counted for purposes of determining
whether a distribution is permitted.
30
If
we distribute cash from capital surplus, which is analogous of a return of
capital, our minimum quarterly distribution rate will be reduced
proportionately, and the distribution thresholds after which the incentive
distribution rights entitle our general partner to an increased percentage
of
distributions will be proportionately decreased.
Our
cash distribution will be characterized as coming from either operating surplus
or capital surplus. Operating surplus generally means amounts we receive from
operating sources, such as sale of our oil and natural gas production, less
operating expenditures, such as production costs and taxes, and less estimated
maintenance capital, which are generally amounts we estimate we will need to
spend in the future to maintain our production levels over the long term.
Capital surplus generally means amounts we receive from non-operating sources,
such as sales of properties and issuances of debt and equity securities. Cash
representing capital surplus, therefore, is analogous to a return of capital.
Distributions of capital surplus are made to our unitholders and our general
partner in proportion to their percentage interests in us, or 98 percent to
our unitholders and two percent to our general partner, and will result in
a
decrease in our minimum quarterly distribution and a lower threshold for
distributions on the incentive distribution rights held by our general partner.
Our
partnership agreement allows us to add to operating surplus up to two times
the
amount of our most recent minimum quarterly distribution. As a result, a portion
of this amount, which is analogous to a return of capital, may be distributed
to
the general partner and its affiliates, as holders of incentive distribution
rights, rather than to holders of common units as a return of capital.
If
we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be
able
to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result,
current and potential unitholders could lose confidence in our financial
reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our
units.
Effective
internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports,
prevent fraud and operate successfully as a public company. If we cannot provide
reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating
results would be harmed. We cannot be certain that our efforts to maintain
our
internal controls will be successful, that we will be able to maintain adequate
controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future or that we
will be able to continue to comply with our obligations under Section 404
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any failure to maintain effective internal
controls, or difficulties encountered in implementing or improving our internal
controls, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our
reporting obligations. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors
to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which would likely
have a negative effect on the trading price of our units.
Tax
Risks to Common Unitholders
Our
tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes and not being subject to a material amount of entity-level taxation
by
individual states. If the Internal Revenue Service treats us as a corporation
or
we become subject to a material amount of entity-level taxation for state tax
purposes, it would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to
our
unitholders.
The
anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in the common units
depends largely on our being treated as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes. We have not requested, and do not plan to request, a ruling from
the
Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS, on this or any other
tax
matter affecting us.
If
we were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, we would
pay
federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which is
currently a maximum of 35% and would likely pay state income tax at varying
rates. Distributions to you would generally be taxed again as corporate
distributions, and no income, gains, losses or deductions would flow through
to
you. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, our cash available
for distribution to you would be substantially reduced. Therefore, treatment
of
us as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated
cash
flows and after-tax return to the unitholders, likely causing a substantial
reduction in the value of our common units.
Current
law may change so as to cause us to be treated as a corporation for federal
income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to entity-level taxation. In
addition, because of widespread state budget deficits and other reasons, several
states, including Texas, have implemented or are evaluating ways to subject
partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income,
franchise and other forms of taxation. For example, we are subject to a new
entity level tax on the portion of our income that is generated in Texas
beginning in our tax year ending December 31, 2007. Specifically, the Texas
gross margin tax will be imposed at a maximum effective rate of 0.7% of our
gross income that is apportioned to Texas. Imposition of such a tax on us by
Texas, or any other state, will reduce the cash available for distribution
to
you.
31
The
partnership agreement provides that if a law is enacted or existing law is
modified or interpreted in a manner that subjects us to taxation as a
corporation or otherwise subjects us to entity-level taxation for federal,
state
or local income tax purposes, the minimum quarterly distribution amount and
the
target distribution levels will be adjusted to reflect the impact of that law
on
us.
An
IRS contest of our federal income tax positions may adversely affect the market
for our common units, and the cost of any IRS contest will reduce our cash
available for distribution to our unitholders
We
have not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to our treatment as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes or any other matter affecting us.
It
may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain
some or all of our counsel’s conclusions or the positions we take. A court may
not agree with all of our counsel’s conclusions or positions we take. Any
contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our
common units and the price at which they trade. In addition, our costs of any
contest with the IRS will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general
partner because the costs will reduce our cash available for distribution.
You
may be required to pay taxes on income from us even if you do not receive any
cash distributions from us.
Because
our unitholders will be treated as partners to whom we will allocate taxable
income which could be different in amount than the cash we distribute, you
will
be required to pay any federal income taxes and, in some cases, state and local
income taxes on your share of our taxable income even if you receive no cash
distributions from us. You may not receive cash distributions from us equal
to
your share of our taxable income or even equal to the tax liability that results
from that income.
Tax
gain or loss on disposition of common units could be more or less than
expected.
If
you sell your common units, you will recognize a gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in those common units.
Prior distributions to you in excess of the total net taxable income you were
allocated for a common unit, which decreased your tax basis in that common
unit,
will, in effect, become taxable income to you if the common unit is sold at
a
price greater than your tax basis in that common unit, even if the price is
less
than your original cost. A substantial portion of the amount realized, whether
or not representing gain, may be ordinary income. In addition, if you sell
your
units, you may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash you receive
from the sale.
Tax-exempt
entities and foreign persons face unique tax issues from owning common units
that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.
Investment
in common units by tax-exempt entities, such as individual retirement accounts
(known as IRAs), other retirement plans and non-U.S. persons raises issues
unique to them. For example, virtually all of our income allocated to
organizations that are exempt from federal income tax, including IRAs and other
retirement plans, will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable
to them. Distributions to non-U.S. persons will be reduced by withholding
taxes at the highest applicable effective tax rate, and non-U.S. persons
will be required to file United States federal tax returns and pay tax on their
share of our taxable income.
We
will treat each purchaser of our common units as having the same tax benefits
without regard to the actual common units purchased. The IRS may challenge
this
treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the common
units.
Because
we cannot match transferors and transferees of common units and because of
other
reasons, we will take depreciation and amortization positions that may not
conform to all aspects of existing Treasury Regulations. A successful IRS
challenge to those positions could adversely affect the amount of tax benefits
available to you. It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits or
the
amount of gain from the sale of common units and could have a negative impact
on
the value of our common units or result in audit adjustments to your tax
returns.
32
The
sale or exchange of 50% or more of our capital and profits interests during
any
twelve-month period will result in the termination of our partnership for
federal income tax purposes.
We
will be considered to have terminated our partnership for federal income tax
purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests
in
our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. For example, an exchange
of 50% of our capital and profits could occur if, in any twelve-month period,
holders of our subordinated and common units sell at least 50% of the interests
in our capital and profits. Our termination would, among other things, result
in
the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders and could result in a
deferral of depreciation deductions allowable in computing our taxable income.
Unitholders
may be subject to state and local taxes and tax return filing requirements
in
states where they do not live as a result of investing in our common
units.
In
addition to federal income taxes, you will likely be subject to other taxes,
including state and local taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate,
inheritance or intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions
in
which we do business or own property, even if you do not live in any of those
jurisdictions. You will likely be required to file foreign, state and local
income tax returns and pay state and local income taxes in some or all of these
jurisdictions. Further, you may be subject to penalties for failure to comply
with those requirements. We own assets and do business in the States of Texas,
Louisiana, Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Each of
these states, other than Texas, currently imposes a personal income tax. As
we
make acquisitions or expand our business, we may own assets or do business
in
additional states that impose a personal income tax. It is your responsibility
to file all United States federal, foreign, state and local tax returns.
ITEM
1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM
2. PROPERTIES
Information
regarding our properties is contained in Item 1. Business “—Our Areas of
Operation” and “—Our Oil and Natural Gas Data” contained herein.
ITEM
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We
are
involved in disputes or legal actions arising in the ordinary course of
business. We do not believe the outcome of such disputes or legal actions will
have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.
ITEM
4. SUBMISSIONS OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
33
PART
II
ITEM
5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED UNITHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our
common units are traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “EVEP.” At
the close of business on March 3, 2008, based upon information received from
our
transfer agent and brokers and nominees, we had 41 common unitholders of record.
This number does not include owners for whom common units may be held in
“street” names.
The
following table sets forth the range of the daily high and low sales prices
per
common unit and cash distributions to common unitholders for 2007 and
2006:
Price
Range
|
||||||||||
High
|
Low
|
Cash
Distribution per Common Unit (1)
|
||||||||
2007:
|
||||||||||
First
Quarter
|
$
|
36.16
|
$
|
21.52
|
$
|
0.46
|
||||
Second
Quarter
|
39.85
|
35.41
|
0.50
|
|||||||
Third
Quarter
|
43.00
|
33.08
|
0.56
|
|||||||
Fourth
Quarter
|
38.52
|
31.10
|
0.60(2
|
)
|
||||||
2006
(3):
|
||||||||||
Third
Quarter
|
19.95
|
19.79
|
-
|
|||||||
Fourth
Quarter
|
23.81
|
18.89
|
0.40
|
_____________
(1) |
Cash
distributions are declared and paid in the following calendar
quarter.
|
(2) |
On
January 29, 2008, the board of directors of EV Management declared
a
quarterly cash distribution for the fourth quarter of 2007 of $0.60
per
unit. The distribution was paid on February 14, 2008.
|
(3) |
Our
common units began trading commencing with our initial public offering
on
September 27, 2006.
|
Cash
Distributions to Unitholders
We
intend to continue to make cash distributions to unitholders on a quarterly
basis, although there is no assurance as to the future cash distributions since
they are dependent upon future earnings, cash flows, capital requirements,
financial condition and other factors. Our credit agreement prohibits us from
making cash distributions if any potential default or event of default, as
defined in the credit agreement, occurs or would result from the cash
distribution.
Our
partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each
quarter, we distribute all of our available cash (as defined in our partnership
agreement) to unitholders of record on the applicable record date. The amount
of
available cash generally is all cash on hand at the end of the
quarter:
· |
less
the
amount of cash reserves established by our general partner
to:
|
· |
provide
for the proper conduct of our
business;
|
· |
comply
with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other
agreements; or
|
·
|
provide
funds for distributions to our unitholders and to our general partner
for
any one or more of the next four
quarters;
|
· |
plus,
if
our general partner so determines, all or a portion of cash on hand
on the
date of determination of available cash for the quarter including
cash
from working capital borrowings.
|
Working
capital borrowings are borrowings used solely for working capital purposes
or to
pay distributions to unitholders.
34
Initially,
our general partner was entitled to 2% of all quarterly distributions that
we
made prior to our liquidation. Our general partner has the right, but not the
obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain
its current general partner interest. The general partner’s initial 2% interest
in these distributions will be reduced if we issue additional units in the
future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate share of
capital to us to maintain its 2% general partnership interest. When we issued
common units in 2007, our general partner contributed to us an amount of cash
necessary to maintain its 2% interest.
Our
general partner also holds incentive distribution rights that entitle it to
receive increasing percentages, up to a maximum of 25%, of the cash we
distribute from operating surplus (as defined in our partnership agreement)
in
excess of $0.46 per unit per quarter. The maximum distribution percentage of
25%
includes distributions paid to our general partner on its 2% general partner
interest and assumes that our general partner maintains its general partner
interest at 2%. The maximum distribution percentage of 25% does not include
any
distributions that our general partner may receive on common and subordinated
units that it owns.
On
July 25, 2007, the board of directors of EV Management declared a quarterly
distribution of $0.50 per unit payable on August 14, 2007 to unitholders of
record on August 6, 2007. This distribution resulted in our achieving the second
target distribution level pursuant to our partnership agreement. As a result,
the distribution in excess of $0.46 per unit was allocated 85% to all
unitholders and 15% to our general partner.
On
October 25, 2007, the board of directors of EV Management declared a quarterly
distribution of $0.56 per unit payable on November 14, 2007 to unitholders
of
record on November 5, 2007. This distribution resulted in our achieving the
third target distribution level pursuant to our partnership agreement. As a
result, the distribution between $0.46 and $0.50 per unit was allocated 85%
to
all unitholders and 15% to our general partner, and the distribution in excess
of $0.50 per unit was allocated 75% to all unitholders and 25% to our general
partner. For additional information on our distributions, please see Note 11
of
the Notes to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data.”
During
the subordination period, the common units will have the right to receive
distributions of available cash from operating surplus each quarter in an amount
equal to $0.40 per common unit plus any arrearages in the payment of the
minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before
any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the
subordinated units. These units are deemed “subordinated” because for a period
of time, referred to as the subordination period, the subordinated units will
not be entitled to receive any distributions until the common units have
received the minimum quarterly distribution plus any arrearages from prior
quarters. Furthermore, no arrearages will be paid on the subordinated units.
The
practical effect of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that
during the subordination period there will be available cash to be distributed
on the common units.
The
subordination period will extend until the first day of any quarter beginning
after September 30, 2011 that each of the following tests are met:
· |
distributions
of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding
common
units, subordinated units and the 2% general partner interest equaled
or
exceeded the minimum quarterly distribution for each of the three
consecutive, non-overlapping four quarter periods immediately preceding
that date;
|
· |
the
“adjusted operating surplus” (as defined in our partnership agreement)
generated during each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four
quarter periods immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded
the
sum of the minimum quarterly distributions on all of the outstanding
common and subordinated units and the 2% general partner interest
during
those periods on a fully diluted basis during those
periods; and
|
· |
there
are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution
on the
common units.
|
When
the subordination period expires, each outstanding subordinated unit will
convert into one common unit and will then participate pro rata with the other
common units in distributions of available cash. In addition, if the unitholders
remove our general partner other than for cause and units held by the general
partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal:
· |
the
subordination period will end and each subordinated unit will immediately
convert into one common unit;
|
35
· |
any
existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution
on
the common units will be extinguished;
and
|
· |
the
general partner will have the right to convert its 2% general partner
interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units
or to
receive cash in exchange for those
interests.
|
In
addition, if the tests for ending the subordination period are satisfied for
any
three consecutive, non-overlapping four quarter periods ending on or after
September 30, 2009, 25% of the subordinated units will convert into an
equal number of common units, and if the tests for ending the subordination
period are satisfied for any three consecutive, non-overlapping four quarter
periods ending after September 30, 2010, an additional 25% of the
subordinated units will convert into common units. The second early conversion
of subordinated units may not occur, however, until at least one year following
the end of the period for the first early conversion of subordinated units.
In
addition to the early conversion of subordinated units described above, all
of
the subordinated units will convert into an equal number of common units if
the
following tests are met:
· |
distributions
of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding
common
units, subordinated units and the 2% general partner interest equaled
or
exceeded $2.00 (125% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution)
for
each of the two consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods
ending
on or after September 30,
2009;
|
· |
the
adjusted operating surplus generated during each of the two consecutive,
non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date
equaled or exceeded the sum of a distribution of $2.00 per common
unit (125% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on all
of the
outstanding common and subordinated units and the 2% general partner
interest during those periods on a fully diluted
basis; and
|
· |
there
are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution
on the
common units.
|
Our
partnership agreement requires that we make distributions of available cash
from
operating surplus for any quarter during the subordination period in the
following manner:
· |
first,
98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner,
until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal
to
the minimum quarterly distribution for that
quarter;
|
· |
second,
98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner,
until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal
to
any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on
the
common units for any prior quarters during the subordination
period;
|
· |
third,
98% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general
partner, until we distribute for each subordinated unit an amount
equal to
the minimum quarterly distribution for that
quarter; and
|
· |
thereafter,
cash in excess of the minimum quarterly distributions is distributed
to
the unitholders and the general partner based on the percentages
below.
|
Our
general partner is entitled to incentive distributions if the amount we
distribute with respect to one quarter exceeds specified target levels shown
below:
Marginal
Percentage Interest in Distributions
|
||||||||||
Total
Quarterly Distributions Target Amount
|
Limited
Partner
|
General
Partner
|
||||||||
Minimum
quarterly distribution
|
$0.40
|
98
|
%
|
2
|
%
|
|||||
First
target distribution
|
Up
to $0.46
|
98
|
%
|
2
|
%
|
|||||
Second
target distribution
|
Above
$0.46, up to $0.50
|
85
|
%
|
15
|
%
|
|||||
Thereafter
|
Above
$0.50
|
75
|
%
|
25
|
%
|
36
Securities
Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The
following table summarizes information about our equity compensation plans
as of
December 31, 2007:
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
warrants
and rights
(a)
|
Weighted
average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and
rights
(b)
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column
(a))
(c)
|
||||||||
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
251,900
|
-
|
775,000
|
|||||||
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security
holders
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Total
|
251,900
|
-
|
775,000
|
For
a description of our equity compensation plan, please see the discussion under
Item 11 below.
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities
None.
Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
37
ITEM
6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The
following table shows selected financial data of us and our predecessors for
he
periods and as of the dates indicated. The selected financial data for the
year
ended December 31, 2007 and three months ended and as of December 31, 2006
are
derived from our audited financial statements. The selected financial data
for
the nine months ended and as of September 30, 2006 and for the years ended
and
as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 are derived from the audited
financial statements of our predecessors. The selected financial data should
be
read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 8. Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data,” both contained herein.
Successor
|
Predecessors
(1)
|
||||||||||||||||||
Year
Ended
|
Three
Months Ended
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||||
December
31,
|
December
31,
|
September
30,
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
2007
(2)
|
2006
(3)
|
2006
|
2005
(4)
|
2004
|
2003
(5)
|
||||||||||||||
Statement
of Operations Data:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Revenues:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids
revenues
|
$
|
89,422
|
$
|
5,548
|
$
|
34,379
|
$
|
45,148
|
$
|
28,336
|
$
|
10,370
|
|||||||
Gain
(loss) on derivatives, net (6)
|
3,171
|
999
|
1,254
|
(7,194
|
)
|
(1,890
|
)
|
(242
|
)
|
||||||||||
Transportation
and marketing- related
revenues
|
11,415
|
1,271
|
4,458
|
6,225
|
3,438
|
3,443
|
|||||||||||||
Total
revenues
|
104,008
|
7,818
|
40,091
|
44,179
|
29,884
|
13,571
|
|||||||||||||
Operating
costs and expenses:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Lease
operating expenses
|
21,515
|
1,493
|
6,085
|
7,236
|
6,615
|
3,466
|
|||||||||||||
Cost
of purchased natural gas
|
9,830
|
1,153
|
3,860
|
5,660
|
3,003
|
2,933
|
|||||||||||||
Production
taxes
|
3,360
|
109
|
185
|
292
|
119
|
65
|
|||||||||||||
Exploration
expenses (7)
|
-
|
-
|
1,061
|
2,539
|
1,281
|
1,338
|
|||||||||||||
Dry
hole costs (7)
|
-
|
-
|
354
|
530
|
440
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Impairment
of unproved oil and natural
gas properties (7)
|
-
|
-
|
90
|
2,041
|
1,415
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Asset
retirement obligations accretion
expense
|
814
|
89
|
129
|
171
|
160
|
67
|
|||||||||||||
Depreciation,
depletion and amortization
|
19,759
|
1,180
|
4,388
|
4,409
|
4,135
|
1,837
|
|||||||||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
10,384
|
2,043
|
1,491
|
1,016
|
1,155
|
1,138
|
|||||||||||||
Total
operating costs and expenses
|
65,662
|
6,067
|
17,643
|
23,894
|
18,323
|
10,844
|
|||||||||||||
Operating
income
|
38,346
|
1,751
|
22,448
|
20,285
|
11,561
|
2,727
|
|||||||||||||
Other
(expense) income, net
|
(27,102
|
)
|
1,616
|
(229
|
)
|
(428
|
)
|
12
|
264
|
||||||||||
Income
before income taxes and equity
in income (loss) of affiliates
|
11,244
|
3,367
|
22,219
|
19,857
|
11,573
|
2,991
|
|||||||||||||
Income
taxes
|
(54
|
)
|
-
|
(5,809
|
)
|
(5,349
|
)
|
(2,521
|
)
|
(317
|
)
|
||||||||
Equity
in income (loss) of affiliates
|
-
|
-
|
164
|
565
|
(621
|
)
|
3
|
||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
11,190
|
$
|
3,367
|
$
|
16,574
|
$
|
15,073
|
$
|
8,431
|
$
|
2,677
|
|||||||
General
partner’s interest in net income,
including incentive distribution
rights
|
$
|
1,670
|
$
|
67
|
|||||||||||||||
Limited
partners’ interest in net income
|
$
|
9,520
|
$
|
3,300
|
|||||||||||||||
Net
income per limited partner unit:
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Common
units (basic and diluted)
|
$
|
0.74
|
$
|
0.43
|
|||||||||||||||
Subordinated
units (basic and diluted)
|
$
|
0.74
|
$
|
0.43
|
|||||||||||||||
Cash
distributions per common unit
|
$
|
1.92
|
$
|
-
|
|||||||||||||||
Financial
Position (at end of period):
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Working
capital
|
$
|
16,438
|
$
|
12,006
|
$
|
9,190
|
$
|
(642
|
)
|
$
|
3,094
|
$
|
(7,557
|
)
|
|||||
Total
assets
|
607,541
|
132,689
|
95,749
|
77,351
|
58,801
|
57,132
|
|||||||||||||
Long-term
debt
|
270,000
|
28,000
|
10,350
|
10,500
|
2,850
|
3,050
|
|||||||||||||
Owners’
equity
|
283,030
|
96,253
|
63,240
|
40,910
|
41,215
|
34,756
|
38
_____________
(1) |
Our
predecessors’ combined financial statements include the results of EV
Properties and CGAS Exploration, combined as entities under common
control.
|
(2) |
Includes
the results of (i) the Michigan acquisition from January 31, 2007
(date of
acquisition) to December 31, 2007, (ii) the Monroe acquisition from
March
30, 2007 (date of acquisition) to December 31, 2007, (iii) the Anadarko
acquisition from June 27, 2007 (date of acquisition) to December
31, 2007,
(iv) the Plantation acquisition from October 1, 2007 (date of acquisition)
to December 31, 2007 and (v) the Appalachia acquisition from December
21,
2007 (date of acquisition) to December 31,
2007.
|
(3) |
Includes
the results of the Five States acquisition from
December 15, 2006 (date of acquisition) to December
31, 2006.
|
(4) |
Includes
the results of an acquisition by our predecessors of oil and natural
gas
properties in the Monroe Field in March
2005.
|
(5) |
Includes
the results of CGAS Exploration since its acquisition in August
2003.
|
(6) |
Our
predecessors accounted for their derivative instruments as cash flow
hedges in accordance with SFAS No. 133. Accordingly, the changes
in fair
value of the derivative instruments were reported in accumulated
other
comprehensive income (“AOCI”) and reclassified to net income in the
periods in which the contracts were settled. As of October 1, 2006,
we
elected not to designate our derivative instruments as hedges in
accordance with SFAS No. 133. The amount in AOCI at that date related
to
derivative instruments that previously were designated and accounted
for
as cash flow hedges continue to be deferred until the underlying
production is produced and sold, at which time amounts are reclassified
from AOCI and reflected as a component of revenues. Changes in the
fair
value of derivative instruments that existed at October 1, 2006 and
any
derivative instruments entered into thereafter are no longer deferred
in
AOCI, but rather are recorded immediately to net income as “(Loss) gain on
mark-to-market derivatives, net”, which in included in “Other (expense)
income, net” in our consolidated statement of operations.
|
(7) |
Exploration
expenses, dry hole costs and impairment of unproved properties were
incurred by CGAS Exploration with respect to properties we did not
acquire.
|
ITEM
7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should
be read in conjunction with “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data” contained herein.
OVERVIEW
We
are a
Delaware limited partnership formed in April 2006 by EnerVest to acquire,
produce and develop oil and natural gas properties. We consummated the
acquisition of our predecessors and an initial public offering of our common
units effective October 1, 2006. Our general partner is EV Energy GP and the
general partner of our general partner is EV Management.
Acquisitions
in 2007
On
January 31, 2007, we acquired natural gas properties in Michigan from certain
institutional partnerships managed by EnerVest for $69.5 million, net of cash
acquired. The acquisition was primarily funded with borrowings under our credit
facility.
On
March
30, 2007, we acquired additional natural gas properties in the Monroe Field
in
Louisiana from an institutional partnership managed by EnerVest for $95.4
million. The acquisition was primarily funded
with borrowings under our credit facility.
On
June
27, 2007, we acquired oil and natural gas properties in Central and East Texas
from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation for $93.6 million. The acquisition was
financed with borrowings under our credit facility and proceeds from the June
2007 private placement.
39
On
October 1, 2007, we acquired oil and natural gas properties in the Permian
Basin
in New Mexico and Texas from Plantation Operating, LLC, an EnCap sponsored
company, for $154.7 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments.
The
acquisition was funded with borrowings under our credit facility.
On
December 21, 2007, we acquired oil and natural gas properties in the Appalachian
Basin from an institutional partnership managed by EnerVest for $59.6 million.
The acquisition was funded with borrowing under our credit facility and cash
on
hand.
Issuances
of Common Units in 2007
In
February 2007 and June 2007, we entered into Common Unit Purchase Agreements
and
Registration Rights Agreements for the issuance of 3.9 million common units
and
3.4 million common units, respectively, to institutional investors in private
placements. We received net proceeds of $219.7 million, including contributions
of $4.4 million by our general partner to maintain its 2% interest in us.
Proceeds from these issuances were primarily used to repay indebtedness
outstanding under our credit facility.
Our
Assets
As
of
December 31, 2007, our properties were located in the Appalachian Basin
(primarily in Ohio and West Virginia), Michigan, the Monroe Field in Northern
Louisiana, Central and East Texas, the Permian Basin and the Mid-Continent
areas
in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. Our oil and natural gas properties had
estimated net proved reserves of 4.5 MMBbls of oil, 250.0 Bcf of natural gas
and
8.7 MMBbls of natural gas liquids, and a standardized measure of $679.9 million.
Business
Environment
Our
primary business objective is to provide stability and growth in cash
distributions per unit over time. The amount of cash we can distribute on our
units principally depends upon the amount of cash generated from our operations,
which will fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on, among other
things:
· |
the
prices at which we will sell our oil and natural gas
production;
|
· |
our
ability to hedge commodity prices;
|
· |
the
amount of oil and natural gas we produce;
and
|
· |
the
level of our operating and administrative
costs.
|
Oil
and
natural gas prices have been, and are expected to be, volatile. Prices for
oil
and natural gas fluctuate widely in response to relatively minor changes in
the
supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and a variety
of factors beyond our control. Factors affecting the price of oil include the
lack of excess productive capacity, geopolitical activities, worldwide supply
disruptions, worldwide economic conditions, weather conditions, actions taken
by
the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and the value of the U.S.
dollar in international currency markets. Factors affecting the price of natural
gas include North American weather conditions, industrial and consumer demand
for natural gas, storage levels of natural gas and the availability and
accessibility of natural gas deposits in North America.
As
of
December 31, 2007, we are a party to derivative agreements, and we intend to
enter into derivative agreements in the future to reduce the impact of oil
and
natural gas price volatility on our cash flows. By removing a significant
portion of our price volatility on our future oil and natural gas production,
we
have mitigated, but not eliminated, the potential effects of changing oil and
natural gas prices on our cash flows from operations for those periods.
The
primary factors affecting our production levels are capital availability, our
ability to make accretive acquisitions, the success of our drilling program
and
our inventory of drilling prospects. In addition, we face the challenge of
natural production declines. As initial reservoir pressures are depleted,
production from a given well decreases. We attempt to overcome this natural
decline by drilling to find additional reserves and acquiring more reserves
than
we produce. Our future growth will depend on our ability to continue to add
reserves in excess of production. We will maintain our focus on costs to add
reserves through drilling and acquisitions as well as the costs necessary to
produce such reserves. Our ability to add reserves through drilling is dependent
on our capital resources and can be limited by many factors, including our
ability to timely obtain drilling permits and regulatory approvals. Any delays
in drilling, completion or connection to gathering lines of our new wells will
negatively impact our production, which may have an adverse effect on our
revenues and, as a result, cash available for distribution.
40
Higher
oil and natural gas prices have led to higher demand for drilling rigs,
operating personnel and field supplies and services, and have caused increases
in the costs of these goods and services. We focus our efforts on increasing
oil
and natural gas reserves and production while controlling costs at a level
that
is appropriate for long-term operations. Our future cash flows from operations
are dependent on our ability to manage our overall cost structure.
Critical
Accounting Policies
The
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations
is
based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared
in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation
of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues
and expenses and related disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities.
Certain of our accounting policies involve estimates and assumptions to such
an
extent that there is reasonable likelihood that materially different amounts
could have been reported under different conditions or if different assumptions
had been used. We base these estimates and assumptions on historical experience
and on various other information and assumptions that are believed to be
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for
making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are
not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates and assumptions about future
events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly,
these estimates may change as additional information is obtained, as more
experience is acquired, as our operating environment changes and as new events
occur.
Our
critical accounting policies are important to the portrayal of both our
financial condition and results of operations and require us to make difficult,
subjective or complex assumptions or estimates about matters that are uncertain.
We would report different amounts in our consolidated financial statements,
which could be material, if we used different assumptions or estimates. We
believe that the following are the critical accounting policies used in the
preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Oil
and Natural Gas Properties
We
account for our oil and natural gas properties using the successful efforts
method of accounting. Under this method, costs of productive exploratory wells,
development dry holes and productive wells and undeveloped leases are
capitalized. Oil and natural gas lease acquisition costs are also capitalized.
Exploration costs, including personnel costs, certain geological and geophysical
expenses and delay rentals for oil and natural gas leases, are charged to
expense during the period the costs are incurred. Exploratory drilling costs
are
initially capitalized, but charged to expense if and when the well is determined
not to have found reserves in commercial quantities.
No
gains or losses are recognized upon the disposition of oil and natural gas
properties except in transactions such as the significant disposition of an
amortizable base that significantly affects the unit-of-production amortization
rate. Sales proceeds are credited to the carrying value of the properties.
The
application of the successful efforts method of accounting requires managerial
judgment to determine the proper classification of wells designated as
development or exploratory which will ultimately determine the proper accounting
treatment of the costs incurred. The results from a drilling operation can
take
considerable time to analyze and the determination that commercial reserves
have
been discovered requires both judgment and industry experience. Wells may be
completed that are assumed to be productive and actually deliver oil and natural
gas in quantities insufficient to be economic, which may result in the
abandonment of the wells at a later date. Wells are drilled that have targeted
geologic structures that are both developmental and exploratory in nature,
and
an allocation of costs is required to properly account for the results.
Delineation seismic incurred to select development locations within an oil
and
natural gas field is typically considered a development cost and capitalized,
but often these seismic programs extend beyond the reserve area considered
proved and management must estimate the portion of the seismic costs to expense.
The evaluation of oil and natural gas leasehold acquisition costs requires
managerial judgment to estimate the fair value of these costs with reference
to
drilling activity in a given area. Drilling activities in an area by other
companies may also effectively condemn leasehold positions.
41
The
successful efforts method of accounting can have a significant impact on the
operational results reported when we are entering a new exploratory area in
hopes of finding an oil and natural gas field that will be the focus of future
developmental drilling activity. The initial exploratory wells may be
unsuccessful and will be expensed. Seismic costs can be substantial which will
result in additional explorations expenses when incurred.
We
assess our proved oil and natural gas properties for possible impairment
whenever events or circumstances indicate that the recorded carrying value
of
the properties may not be recoverable. Such events include a projection of
future oil and natural gas reserves that will be produced from a field, the
timing of this future production, future costs to produce the oil and natural
gas and future inflation levels. If the carrying amount of a property exceeds
the sum of the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows, we recognize an
impairment expense equal to the difference between the carrying value and the
fair value of the property, which is estimated to be the expected present value
of the future net cash flows from proved reserves. Estimated future net cash
flows are based on management’s expectations for the future and include
estimates of oil and natural gas reserves and future commodity prices and
operating costs. Downward revisions in estimates of reserve quantities or
expectations of falling commodity prices or rising operating costs could result
in a reduction in undiscounted future cash flows and could indicate a property
impairment.
Estimates
of Oil and Natural Gas Reserves
Our
estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves are based on the quantities
of
oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate, with
reasonable certainty, to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs
under existing economic and operating conditions. The accuracy of any reserve
estimate is a function of the quality of available data, engineering and
geological interpretation and judgment. For example, we must estimate the amount
and timing of future operating costs, severance taxes, development costs and
workover costs, all of which may vary considerably from actual results. In
addition, as prices and cost levels change from year to year, the estimate
of
proved reserves also changes. Any significant variance in these assumptions
could materially affect the estimated quantity and value of our reserves. Our
independent reserve engineers prepare our reserve estimates at the end of each
year.
Despite
the inherent imprecision in these engineering estimates, our reserves are used
throughout our financial statements. For example, since we use the
units-of-production method to amortize the costs of our oil and natural gas
properties, the quantity of reserves could significantly impact our
depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. Our reserves are also the
basis of our supplemental oil and natural gas disclosures.
Accounting
for Derivatives
We
use derivatives to hedge against the variability in cash flows associated with
the forecasted sale of our anticipated future oil and natural gas production.
We
generally hedge a substantial, but varying, portion of our anticipated oil
and
natural gas production for the next 12 - 48 months. We do not use derivative
instruments for trading purposes. We have elected not to apply hedge accounting
to our derivatives. Accordingly, we carry our derivatives at fair value on
our
consolidated balance sheet, with the changes in the fair value included in
our
consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the change occurs.
Our predecessors had elected to apply hedge accounting to its derivatives,
which
allowed them to defer the impact of any changes in fair value of derivatives
and
record only realized gains and losses when the hedged volumes were produced
and
sold. Our results of operations would potentially have been significantly
different had we elected and qualified for hedge accounting on our
derivatives.
In
determining the amounts to be recorded, we are required to estimate the fair
values of the derivatives. We base our estimates of fair value upon various
factors that include closing prices on the NYMEX, volatility and the time value
of options. These pricing and discounting variables are sensitive to market
volatility as well as changes in future price forecasts and interest rates.
Accounting
for Asset Retirement Obligations
We
have
significant obligations to remove tangible equipment and facilities and restore
land at the end of oil and natural gas production operations. Our removal and
restoration obligations are primarily associated with plugging and abandoning
wells. Estimating the future restoration and removal costs is difficult and
requires management to make estimates and judgments because most of the removal
obligations are many years in the future and contracts and regulations often
have vague descriptions of what constitutes removal. Asset removal technologies
and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental,
safety and public relations considerations.
42
SFAS
No.
143, Accounting
for Asset Removal Obligations,
together with the related FASB Interpretation No. 47, Accounting
for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations, an Interpretation of FASB
Statement No. 143,
requires that the discounted fair value of a liability for an asset retirement
obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred with the
associated asset retirement cost capitalized as past of the carrying cost of
the
oil and natural gas asset. In periods subsequent to initial measurement of
the
asset retirement obligation, we recognize period to period changes in the
liability resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing
or the amount of the original estimates.
Inherent
in the present value calculation are numerous assumptions and judgments
including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted
discount rates, timing of settlement and changes in the legal, regulatory,
environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions of
these assumptions impact the present value of the existing asset retirement
obligation liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and natural
gas property balance.
43
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Successor
(1)
|
Non-GAAP
Combined
(2)
|
Successor
(1)
|
Predecessors
|
|||||||||||||
Year
Ended
December
31,
|
Three
Months Ended December 31,
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
Year
Ended
December 31
|
|||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2006
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||||
Revenues:
|
||||||||||||||||
Oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids
revenues
|
$
|
89,422
|
$
|
39,927
|
$
|
5,548
|
$
|
34,379
|
$
|
45,148
|
||||||
Gain
(loss) on derivatives, net
|
3,171
|
2,253
|
999
|
1,254
|
(7,194
|
)
|
||||||||||
Transportation
and marketing-related
revenues
|
11,415
|
5,729
|
1,271
|
4,458
|
6,225
|
|||||||||||
Total
revenues
|
104,008
|
47,909
|
7,818
|
40,091
|
44,179
|
|||||||||||
Operating
costs and expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||
Lease
operating expenses
|
21,515
|
7,578
|
1,493
|
6,085
|
7,236
|
|||||||||||
Cost
of purchased natural gas
|
9,830
|
5,013
|
1,153
|
3,860
|
5,660
|
|||||||||||
Production
taxes
|
3,360
|
294
|
109
|
185
|
292
|
|||||||||||
Exploration
expenses
|
-
|
1,061
|
-
|
1,061
|
2,539
|
|||||||||||
Dry
hole costs
|
-
|
354
|
-
|
354
|
530
|
|||||||||||
Impairment
of unproved oil and natural
gas properties
|
-
|
90
|
-
|
90
|
2,041
|
|||||||||||
Asset
retirement obligations accretion
expense
|
814
|
218
|
89
|
129
|
171
|
|||||||||||
Depreciation,
depletion and amortization
|
19,759
|
5,568
|
1,180
|
4,388
|
4,409
|
|||||||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
10,384
|
3,534
|
2,043
|
1,491
|
1,016
|
|||||||||||
Total
operating costs and expenses
|
65,662
|
23,710
|
6,067
|
17,643
|
23,894
|
|||||||||||
Operating
income
|
38,346
|
24,199
|
1,751
|
22,448
|
20,285
|
|||||||||||
Other
(expense) income, net:
|
||||||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
(8,009
|
)
|
(707
|
)
|
(134
|
)
|
(573
|
)
|
(632
|
)
|
||||||
(Loss)
gain on mark-to-market derivatives,
net
|
(19,906
|
)
|
1,719
|
1,719
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||
Other
income, net
|
813
|
375
|
31
|
344
|
204
|
|||||||||||
Total
other (expense) income, net
|
(27,102
|
)
|
1,387
|
1,616
|
(229
|
)
|
(428
|
)
|
||||||||
Income
before income taxes and equity
in income of affiliates
|
$
|
11,244
|
$
|
25,586
|
$
|
3,367
|
$
|
22,219
|
$
|
19,857
|
||||||
Production
data:
|
||||||||||||||||
Oil
(MBbls)
|
225
|
165
|
18
|
147
|
174
|
|||||||||||
Natural
gas liquids (MBbls)
|
199
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Natural
gas (MMcf)
|
9,254
|
3,900
|
625
|
3,275
|
3,901
|
|||||||||||
Net
production (MMcfe)
|
11,798
|
4,893
|
734
|
4,159
|
4,947
|
|||||||||||
Average
sales price per unit:
|
||||||||||||||||
Oil
(Bbl)
|
$
|
74.42
|
$
|
63.54
|
$
|
56.65
|
$
|
64.38
|
$
|
53.70
|
||||||
Natural
gas liquids (Bbl)
|
54.18
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Natural
gas (Mcf)
|
6.69
|
7.54
|
7.24
|
7.60
|
9.17
|
|||||||||||
Average
unit cost per Mcfe:
|
||||||||||||||||
Production
costs:
|
||||||||||||||||
Lease
operating expenses
|
$
|
1.82
|
$
|
1.55
|
$
|
2.04
|
$
|
1.46
|
$
|
1.46
|
||||||
Production
taxes
|
0.28
|
0.06
|
0.15
|
0.04
|
0.06
|
|||||||||||
Total
|
2.10
|
1.61
|
2.19
|
1.50
|
1.52
|
|||||||||||
Depreciation,
depletion and amortization
|
1.67
|
1.14
|
1.61
|
1.06
|
0.89
|
|||||||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
0.88
|
0.72
|
2.78
|
0.36
|
0.21
|
__________
(1) |
In
connection with our initial public offering, we acquired substantially
all
of the assets and operations of EV Properties and approximately one-half
of the assets and operations of CGAS Exploration. The financial statements
of our predecessors, therefore, include substantial operations that
we did
not acquire. In addition,
|
·
|
CGAS
Exploration incurred substantial expenses related to exploration
activities, which we do not plan to
do;
|
· |
the
contracts under which our predecessors reimbursed EnerVest for general
and
administrative costs were different than the contracts under which
we
reimburse EnerVest; and
|
44
· |
our
predecessors did not incur the additional costs of being a public
company.
|
(2) |
Our
results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 are
derived from the combination of the results of the combined operations
of
our predecessors for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and
the
results of our operations for the three months ended December 31,
2006.
The combined results of operations for the year ended December 31,
2006 are unaudited and do not necessarily represent the results that
would
have been achieved during this period had the business been operated
by us
for the entire year.
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2007 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2006
Oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues for 2007 totaled $89.4 million,
an
increase of $49.5 million compared with 2006. This increase was primarily the
result of an increase of $67.6 million related to the oil and natural gas
properties that we acquired in the December 2006 acquisition of oil and natural
gas properties in the Mid-Continent
area in Louisiana,
Texas and Oklahoma (the “Five States acquisition”) and the 2007 acquisitions
offset by a decrease of $18.3 million related to the oil and natural gas
properties that we did not acquire from CGAS Exploration.
Due
to
fluctuations in the commodity market, gain (loss) on derivatives, net was $3.2
million for 2007 compared with $2.3 million for 2006. Our predecessors accounted
for their derivatives as cash flow hedges in accordance with SFAS No. 133 and,
as a result, the changes in fair value of the derivatives were reported in
AOCI
and reclassified to net income in the periods in which the contracts were
settled. Effective October 1, 2006, we elected not to designate our derivatives
as hedges for accounting purposes in accordance with SFAS No. 133. The amount
in
AOCI at October 1, 2006 related to derivatives that previously were designated
and accounted for as cash flow hedges continues to be deferred until the
underlying production is produced and sold, at which time the amounts are
reclassified from AOCI and reflected as a component of revenues. Changes in
the
fair value of derivatives that existed at October 1, 2006 and any derivatives
entered into thereafter are no longer deferred in AOCI, but rather are recorded
immediately to net income as “(Loss) gain on mark-to-market derivatives, net”.
Transportation
and marketing-related revenues for 2007 increased $5.7 million compared with
2006 primarily due to $7.3 million in transportation and marketing-related
revenues from the Monroe acquisition partially offset by lower volumes of
natural gas transported through our gathering systems due to the permanent
shut-down of a compressor in the Monroe Field in May 2007.
Lease
operating expenses for 2007 increased $13.9 million compared with 2006 as the
result of (i) an increase of $16.5
million related to the oil and natural gas properties that we acquired in the
Five States acquisition and the 2007 acquisitions; (ii) a decrease of $1.8
million related to the oil and natural gas properties that we did not acquire
from CGAS Exploration; and (iii) a decrease of $0.8 million related to the
oil
and natural gas properties that we acquired at our formation. Lease operating
expenses per Mcfe were $1.82 in 2007 compared with $1.55 in 2006. This increase
is primarily the result of the Five States acquisition and the 2007 acquisitions
having lease operating expenses of $1.83 per Mcfe.
The
cost of purchased natural gas for 2007 increased $4.8 million compared with
2006
primarily due to (i) an increase of $5.5
million in costs from the Monroe acquisition; (ii) a decrease of $0.4 million
related to a decrease in prices for purchased natural gas; and (iii) a decrease
of $0.3 million related to a 8% decrease in the volume of purchased natural
gas.
Production
taxes for 2007 increased $3.1 million compared with 2006 primarily as the result
of $3.1 million of production taxes associated with the oil and natural gas
properties that we acquired in the Five States acquisition and the 2007
acquisitions. Production taxes for 2006 were $0.28 per Mcfe compared with $0.06
per Mcfe for 2006. This increase is primarily the result of the Five States
acquisition and the 2007 acquisitions having production taxes of $0.34 per
Mcfe.
Depreciation,
depletion and amortization increased $13.7 million compared with 2006 primarily
due to (i) an increase of $15.4 million related to the oil and natural gas
properties that we acquired in the Five States acquisition and the 2007
acquisitions; (ii) a decrease of $2.6 million related to the oil and natural
gas
properties that we did not acquire from CGAS Exploration and (iii) an increase
of $1.4 million related to the oil and natural gas properties that we acquired
at our formation. Depreciation, depletion and amortization for 2007 was $1.67
per Mcfe compared with $1.14 per Mcfe for 2006. This increase is primarily
due
to the oil and natural gas properties that we acquired in the Five States and
2007 acquisitions having a depreciation, depletion and amortization rate of
$1.71 per Mcfe.
45
General
and administrative expenses include the costs of administrative employees and
related benefits, management fees paid to EnerVest, professional fees and other
costs not directly associated with field operations. General and administrative
expenses for 2007 totaled $10.4 million, an increase of $6.8 million compared
with 2006. General and administrative expenses were $0.88 per Mcfe in 2007
compared with $0.72 per Mcfe in 2006. These increases are primarily the result
of (i) $2.8 million of fees paid to EnerVest under the omnibus agreement, (ii)
$2.5 million of compensation cost, including $1.5 million of compensation cost
related to our phantom units, (iii) $0.3 million related to a write-off of
spare
parts inventory and other items associated with the acquisition of the CGAS
Exploration assets, (iv) costs incurred to meet the reporting requirements
of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and (v) an overall increase in costs related to being
a
public partnership.
Interest
expense for 2007 totaled $8.0 million, an increase of $7.3 million, or 1,033%,
compared with 2006 primarily as a result of an increase in our long-term debt
utilized to fund a portion of the 2007 acquisitions.
As
a result of the change in how we account for derivatives, (loss) gain on
mark-to-market derivatives, net for 2007 included $9.0 million of realized
gains
and $28.9 million of unrealized losses on the mark-to-market of derivatives.
Year
Ended December 31, 2006 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2005
Oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues for 2006 totaled $39.9 million,
a
decrease of 12% compared with 2005. Approximately 89%, or $4.6 million, of
this
decrease was attributable to decreased natural gas prices partially offset
by
increased oil prices. Natural gas prices for 2006 averaged $7.54 per Mcf
compared with an average of $9.17 per Mcf for 2005, and oil prices for 2006
averaged $63.54 per Bbl compared with an average of $53.70 per Bbl for 2005.
The
remainder of the decrease was primarily due to lower production in the
Appalachian Basin as a result of the oil and natural gas properties that we
did
not acquire from CGAS Exploration offset by increased production from our Monroe
Field properties and production from the oil and natural gas properties that
we
acquired in the Five States acquisition on December 15, 2006.
Due
to
fluctuations in the commodity market, gain (loss) on derivatives, net was $2.3
million for 2006 compared with $(7.2) million for 2005.
Transportation
and marketing-related revenues for 2006 decreased $0.5 million, or 8%, compared
with 2005 primarily due to lower prices for natural gas transported through
our
gathering systems.
Lease
operating expenses for 2006 increased $0.3 million, or 5%, compared with 2005
as
of result of (i) $0.1 million in lease operating expenses for the oil and
natural gas properties that we acquired in the Five States acquisition, (ii)
$0.2 million in adjustments to the value of our oil inventory and (iii)
increased costs of material and labor, offset by a decrease in lease operating
expenses related to the oil and natural gas properties that we did not acquire
from CGAS Exploration. Lease operating expenses per Mcfe produced were $1.55
in
2006 compared with $1.46 in 2005.
The
cost of purchased natural gas for 2006 decreased by $0.6 million, or 11%,
compared with 2005 primarily due to lower prices for natural gas.
Exploration
expenses totaled $1.1 million in 2006, a decrease of 58% compared with 2005.
These expenses principally consist of expenditures for exploratory and
confirmation seismic incurred by our predecessors to explore the deep formations
in the Ohio area properties of CGAS Exploration that we did not acquire.
Depreciation,
depletion and amortization for 2006 totaled $5.6 million, or $1.14 per Mcfe,
compared with $4.4 million, or $0.89 per Mcfe, for 2005. The increase was
primarily due to an increase in depreciable property from our Five States
acquisition and an increase in the basis of the depreciable property that we
acquired from CGAS Exploration.
General
and administrative expenses include the costs of administrative employees and
related benefits, management fees paid to EnerVest, professional fees and other
costs not directly associated with field operations. General and administrative
expenses for 2006 totaled $3.5 million, an increase of $2.6 million, or 288%,
compared with 2005. General and administrative expenses were $0.72 per Mcfe
in
2006 compared with $0.21 per Mcfe in 2005. These increases are primarily the
result of (i) $0.3 million of fees paid to EnerVest under the omnibus agreement,
(ii) $1.1 million of audit and tax fees related to the audit of our December
31,
2006 financials and the preparation of our 2006 tax returns, (iii) $0.5 million
of payroll expenses for EV Management employees and (iv) an overall increase
in
costs related to being a public partnership.
As
a result of the change in how we account for derivatives, (loss) gain on
mark-to-market derivatives, net for 2006 included $1.8 million of realized
gains
and $0.1 million of unrealized losses on the mark-to-market of derivatives.
46
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our
primary sources of liquidity and capital have been issuances of equity
securities, borrowings under our credit facility and cash flows from operations.
Our primary uses of cash have been acquisitions of oil and natural gas
properties and related assets, development of our oil and natural gas
properties, distributions to our partners and working capital needs. For 2008,
we believe that cash on hand, net cash flows generated from operations and
borrowings under our credit facility will be adequate to fund our capital budget
and satisfy our short-term liquidity needs. We may also utilize various
financing sources available to us, including the issuance of additional common
units through public offerings or private placements, to fund our long-term
liquidity needs. Our ability to complete future offerings of our common units
and the timing of these offerings will depend upon various factors including
prevailing market conditions and our financial condition.
Available
Credit Facility
We
have a
$500.0 million senior secured credit facility that expires in October 2012.
Borrowings under the facility are secured by a first priority lien on
substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries. We may
use
borrowings under the facility for acquiring and developing oil and natural
gas
properties, for working capital purposes, for general corporate purposes and
for
funding distributions to partners. We also may use up to $50.0 million of
available borrowing capacity for letters of credit. The facility contains
certain covenants which, among other things, require the maintenance of a
current ratio (as defined in the facility) of greater than 1.0 and a ratio
of
total debt to earnings plus interest expense, taxes, depreciation, depletion
and
amortization expense and exploration expense of no greater than 4.0 to 1.0.
As
of December 31, 2007, we were in compliance with all of the facility
covenants.
Borrowings
under the facility will bear interest at a floating rate based on, at our
election, a base rate or the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate plus applicable
premiums based on the percent of the borrowing base that we have outstanding.
The amount of borrowings that we may have outstanding under the facility is
subject to a borrowing base calculation which is calculated semi-annually,
once
per calendar year at our request or at the request of the lenders, with one
additional calculation that may be made at our request during each calendar
year, and in connection with material acquisitions of properties. The current
borrowing base under the facility is $275.0 million.
During
2007, we borrowed $438.4 million to finance our acquisitions and repaid $196.4
million of our outstanding debt using proceeds from our private equity offerings
in February and June 2007. At December 31, 2007, we had $270.0 million
outstanding under the facility.
Cash
Flows
Cash
flows provided (used) by type of activity were as follows for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004:
Successor
|
Predecessors
|
||||||||||||
Year
Ended
December
31,
|
Three
Months Ended December 31,
|
Nine
Months
Ended
September
30,
|
Year
Ended
December
31,
|
||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||
Operating
activities
|
$
|
56,114
|
$
|
2,863
|
$
|
20,114
|
$
|
27,979
|
|||||
Investing
activities
|
(467,056
|
)
|
(70,688
|
)
|
(7,041
|
)
|
(17,797
|
)
|
|||||
Financing
activities
|
419,287
|
69,700
|
(17,330
|
)
|
(4,695
|
)
|
Operating
Activities
Cash
flows from operating activities provided $56.1 million in the year ended
December 31, 2007. Cash flows from operating activities provided $2.9 million
in
the three months ended December 31, 2006 and $20.1 million in the nine months
ended September 30, 2006. Cash flows from operating activities provided $28.0
million in 2005.
Investing
Activities
Our
principal recurring investing activity is the acquisition and development of
oil
and natural gas properties. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we spent
$456.5 million for the 2007 acquisitions and $10.5 million for the development
of oil and natural gas properties. During the three months ended December 31,
2006, we spent $69.6 million for the acquisition of our predecessors and for
the
Five States acquisition and $1.2 million for the development of oil and natural
gas properties, primarily related to development drilling on our Appalachian
Basin properties. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, our
predecessors spent $6.9 million for the development of oil and natural gas
properties, primarily related to development drilling on the Ohio properties.
During 2005, our predecessors spent $11.2 million for the acquisition of oil
and
natural gas properties, which included $10.7 million related to the acquisition
of oil and natural gas properties in the Monroe Field in Northern Louisiana,
and
spent $5.6 million for the development of oil and natural gas properties,
primarily related to development drilling on the Ohio properties.
47
Financing
Activities
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, we received net proceeds of $219.7 million
from our private equity offerings in February and June 2007. From these net
proceeds, we repaid $196.4 million of borrowings outstanding under our credit
facility. We borrowed $438.4 million under our credit facility to finance our
2007 acquisitions. We paid $25.1 million of distributions to holders of our
common and subordinated units. In addition, as we acquired oil and natural
gas
properties in the Michigan acquisition, the Monroe acquisition and the
Appalachia acquisition from institutional partnerships managed by EnerVest,
we
carried over the historical costs related to EnerVest’s interests and applied
purchase accounting to the remaining interests and recorded deemed distributions
of $16.2 million related to the difference between the purchase price
allocations and the amounts paid for the Michigan acquisition, the Monroe
acquisition and the Appalachia acquisition.
During
the three months ended December 31, 2006, we received proceeds of $81.1 million
from our initial public offering. From these net proceeds, we paid offering
costs of $4.4 million, distributions of $24.1 million to the owners of the
predecessors and repaid $10.4 million of borrowings outstanding under our
predecessors’ credit facility. In addition, we borrowed $28.0 million under our
credit facility to finance our Five States acquisition.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2006, our predecessors received
contributions from partners of $16.0 million and paid distributions and
dividends to partners of $33.3 million. In 2005, contributions from partners
totaled $2.0 million, distributions and dividends to partners totaled $14.2
million and borrowings to acquire properties in the Monroe field totaled $8.7
million.
Cash
Requirements
We
currently expect 2008 spending for the development of our oil and natural gas
properties to be between $31.8 million and $35.8 million. In 2008, we
currently expect to make distributions of approximately $38.9 million to our
unitholders based on our current quarterly distribution rate of $0.60 per common
unit, subordinated unit and phantom unit outstanding.
We
are
actively engaged in the acquisition of oil and natural gas properties. We expect
to continue to acquire oil and natural gas properties during 2008. We plan
to
finance the acquisitions with borrowings under our credit facility and issuances
of equity and debt securities.
Contractual
Obligations
In
the
table below, we set forth our contractual cash obligations as of
December 31, 2007. Some of the figures we include in this table are based
on our estimates and assumptions about these obligations, including their
duration, anticipated actions by third parties and other factors. The
contractual cash obligations we will actually pay in future periods may vary
from those reflected in the table because the estimates and assumptions are
subjective. Amounts in the table represent obligations where both the timing
and
amount of payment streams are known.
Payments
Due by Period (amounts in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Total
|
Less
Than 1 Year
|
1
- 3 Years
|
4
- 5
Years
|
After
5 Years
|
||||||||||||
Total
debt
|
$
|
270,000
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
270,000
|
$
|
-
|
||||||
Estimated
interest payments (1)
|
91,827
|
19,332
|
38,664
|
33,831
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Purchase
obligation (2)
|
4,920
|
4,920
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Other
long-term liabilities (3)
|
19,595
|
131
|
1,644
|
663
|
17,157
|
|||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
386,342
|
$
|
24,383
|
$
|
40,308
|
$
|
304,494
|
$
|
17,157
|
48
_____________
(1) |
Amounts
represent the expected cash payments for interest based on the debt
outstanding and the weighted average interest rate of 7.16% as of
December
31, 2007.
|
(2) |
Amounts
represent payments to be made under our omnibus agreement with EnerVest.
This amount will
increase or decrease as we purchase or divest assets. While
these payments will continue for periods subsequent to December 31,
2008,
no amounts are shown as they cannot be
quantified.
|
(3) |
Amounts
represent estimated asset retirement obligations.
|
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
As
of
December 31, 2007, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements.
NEW
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
SFAS No. 157,
Fair
Value Measurements,
to
provide guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS
No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy and clarifies the principle that
fair
value should be based on assumptions market participants would use when pricing
the asset or liability. SFAS No. 157 also requires expanded disclosure of the
effect on earnings for items measured using unobservable data. SFAS No. 157
was
to be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after
November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years; however,
in
February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS 157-2, Effective
Date of FASB Statement No. 157,
which
delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and
nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at
fair
value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, for one year. We adopted
SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008 for our financial assets and financial
liabilities, and the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated
financial statements. We will adopt SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2009 for our
nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, and we have not yet determined
the impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including
an
amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.
SFAS
No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and
certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured
at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value
option has been selected are reported in earnings. SFAS No. 159 also establishes
presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons
between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types
of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007. At the present time, we do not expect to apply the
provisions of SFAS No. 159.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No 141 (Revised 2007), Business
Combinations
(“SFAS
No. 141(R)”) to significantly change the accounting for business combinations.
Under SFAS No. 141(R), an acquiring entity will be required to recognize all
the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition
date
fair value with limited exceptions and will change the accounting treatment
for
certain specific items, including:
·
|
acquisition
costs will generally be expensed as
incurred;
|
· |
noncontrolling
interests will be valued at fair value at the date of acquisition;
and
|
· |
liabilities
related to contingent consideration will be recorded at fair value
at the
date of acquisition and subsequently remeasured each subsequent reporting
period.
|
49
SFAS
No.
141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We
will
adopt SFAS No. 141(R) on January 1, 2009, and we have not yet determined the
impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling
Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - An Amendment of ARB No.
51,
to
establish new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest
in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160
requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as
equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent’s
equity. The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement.
SFAS No. 160 clarifies that changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a
subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation are equity transactions if
the
parent retains its controlling financial interest. In addition, SFAS No. 160
requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary
is deconsolidated. SFAS No. 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements
regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest. SFAS
No.
160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We will
adopt SFAS No. 160 on January 1, 2009, and we have not yet determined the
impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
Form
10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange
Act (each a “forward-looking statement”). These forward-looking statements
relate to, among other things, the following:
· |
our
future financial and operating performance and
results;
|
· |
our
business strategy;
|
· |
our
estimated net proved reserves and standardized
measure;
|
· |
market
prices;
|
· |
our
future derivative activities; and
|
· |
our
plans and forecasts.
|
We
have
based these forward-looking statements on our current assumptions, expectations
and projections about future events.
The
words
“anticipate,” “believe,” “ensure,” “expect,” “if,” “intend,” “estimate,”
“project,” “forecasts,” “predict,” “outlook,” “aim,” “will,” “could,” “should,”
“would,” “may,” “likely” and similar expressions, and the negative thereof, are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements discuss future
expectations, contain projection of results of operations or of financial
condition or state other “forward-looking” information. We do not undertake any
obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, except
as required by law. These statements also involve risks and uncertainties that
could cause our actual results or financial condition to materially differ
from
our expectations in this Form 10-K including, but not limited to:
· |
fluctuations
in prices of oil and natural gas;
|
· |
future
capital requirements and availability of
financing;
|
· |
uncertainty
inherent in estimating our
reserves;
|
· |
risks
associated with drilling and operating
wells;
|
· |
discovery,
acquisition, development and replacement of oil and natural gas
reserves;
|
· |
cash
flows and liquidity;
|
· |
timing
and amount of future production of oil and natural
gas;
|
50
· |
availability
of drilling and production
equipment;
|
· |
marketing
of oil and natural gas;
|
· |
developments
in oil and natural gas producing
countries;
|
· |
competition;
|
· |
general
economic conditions;
|
· |
governmental
regulations;
|
· |
receipt
of amounts owed to us by purchasers of our production and counterparties
to our derivative financial instrument
contracts;
|
· |
hedging
decisions, including whether or not to enter into derivative financial
instruments;
|
· |
events
similar to those of September 11,
2001;
|
· |
actions
of third party co-owners of interest in properties in which we also
own an
interest;
|
· |
fluctuations
in interest rates and the value of the U.S. dollar in international
currency markets; and
|
· |
our
ability to effectively integrate companies and properties that we
acquire.
|
All
of
our forward-looking information is subject to risks and uncertainties that
could
cause actual results to differ materially from the results expected. Although
it
is not possible to identify all factors, these risks and uncertainties include
the risk factors and the timing of any of those risk factors identified in
the
“Risk Factors” section included
in Item
1A.
Our
revenues, operating results, financial condition and ability to borrow funds
or
obtain additional capital depend substantially on prevailing prices for oil
and
natural gas. Declines in oil or natural gas prices may materially adversely
affect our financial condition, liquidity, ability to obtain financing and
operating results. Lower oil or natural gas prices also may reduce the amount
of
oil or natural gas that we can produce economically. A decline in oil and/or
natural gas prices could have a material adverse effect on the estimated value
and estimated quantities of our oil and natural gas reserves, our ability to
fund our operations and our financial condition, cash flows, results of
operations and access to capital. Historically, oil and natural gas prices
and
markets have been volatile, with prices fluctuating widely, and they are likely
to continue to be volatile.
ITEM
7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
RISK
We
are
exposed to certain market risks that are inherent in our financial statements
that arise in the normal course of business. We may enter into derivative
financial instrument transactions to manage or reduce market risk, but do not
enter into derivative financial instrument transactions for speculative
purposes.
Commodity
Price Risk
Our
major
market risk exposure is to oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids prices
which
have historically been volatile. As such, future earnings are subject to change
due to changes in these prices. Realized prices are primarily driven by the
prevailing worldwide price for oil and regional spot prices for natural gas
production. We have used, and expect to continue to use, energy financial
instruments to reduce our risk of changes in the prices of oil and natural
gas.
Pursuant to our risk management policy, we engage in these activities as a
hedging mechanism against price volatility associated with pre-existing or
anticipated sales of oil and natural gas.
51
As
of
December 31, 2007, we had entered into swap agreements for oil and natural
gas
with the following terms:
Period
Covered
|
Index
|
Hedged
Volume per Day
|
Weighted
Average Fixed Price
|
Weighted
Average Floor Price
|
Weighted
Average Ceiling
Price
|
|||||||||||
Oil
(Bbls):
|
||||||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2008
|
WTI
|
1,215
|
$
|
72.45
|
$
|
$
|
|
|||||||||
Collar
- 2008
|
WTI
|
125
|
62.00
|
73.95
|
||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2009
|
WTI
|
981
|
71.85
|
|||||||||||||
Collar
- 2009
|
WTI
|
125
|
62.00
|
73.90
|
||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2010
|
WTI
|
1,000
|
71.16
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Natural
Gas (MMBtu):
|
||||||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2008
|
Dominion
Appalachia
|
6,500
|
9.07
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2009
|
Dominion
Appalachia
|
4,400
|
8.79
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2010
|
Dominion
Appalachia
|
5,600
|
8.65
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2008
|
NYMEX
|
4,000
|
8.85
|
|||||||||||||
Collars
- 2008
|
NYMEX
|
6,000
|
7.67
|
10.25
|
||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2009
|
NYMEX
|
4,500
|
8.00
|
|||||||||||||
Collars
- 2009
|
NYMEX
|
7,000
|
7.79
|
9.50
|
||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2010
|
NYMEX
|
7,500
|
8.44
|
|||||||||||||
Collar
- 2010
|
NYMEX
|
1,500
|
7.50
|
10.00
|
||||||||||||
Swap
- 2011
|
NYMEX
|
5,000
|
8.47
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2008
|
MICHCON_NB
|
3,500
|
8.16
|
|||||||||||||
Collar
-2008
|
MICHCON_NB
|
2,000
|
8.00
|
9.55
|
||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2009
|
MICHCON_NB
|
5,000
|
8.27
|
|||||||||||||
Swap
- 2010
|
MICHCON_NB
|
5,000
|
8.34
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2008
|
HOUSTON
SC
|
5,393
|
8.17
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2009
|
HOUSTON
SC
|
4,320
|
8.29
|
|||||||||||||
Collar
- 2010
|
HOUSTON
SC
|
3,500
|
7.25
|
9.55
|
||||||||||||
Swap
- 2008
|
EL
PASO PERMIAN
|
3,000
|
7.23
|
|||||||||||||
Swap
- 2009
|
EL
PASO PERMIAN
|
2,500
|
7.93
|
|||||||||||||
Swap
- 2010
|
EL
PASO PERMIAN
|
2,500
|
7.68
|
We
do not
designate these or future derivative agreements as hedges for accounting
purposes pursuant to SFAS No. 133, Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,
as
amended. Accordingly, the changes in the fair value of these agreements are
recognized currently in earnings. At December 31, 2007, the fair value
associated with these derivative agreements is a net liability of $18.5 million.
Interest
Rate Risk
The
following tables set forth the required cash payments for our long-term debt
and
the related weighted average effective interest rate as of December 31 2007
and
2006:
As
of December 31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expected
Maturity Date
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
Thereafter
|
Total
|
Fair
Value
|
||||||||||||||||||
Long-term
debt:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable
|
$
|
270,000
|
$
|
270,000
|
$
|
270,000
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Average
interest rate
|
7.16
|
%
|
7.16
|
%
|
A
1%
change in interest rates would result in an estimated $27.0 million change
in
interest expense.
As
of December 31, 2006
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expected
Maturity Date
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
Thereafter
|
Total
|
Fair
Value
|
||||||||||||||||||
Long-term
debt:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable
|
$
|
28,000
|
$
|
28,000
|
$
|
28,000
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Average
interest rate
|
6.98
|
%
|
6.98
|
%
|
52
ITEM
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
MANAGEMENT’S
REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is
responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
our
financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)
of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our internal control system was designed
to
provide reasonable assurance to our Management and Directors regarding the
preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. Because
of
its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management
conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting based on the Internal
Control - Integrated Framework issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based
on this evaluation, management concluded that EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s
internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31,
2007. Management excluded the acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties
from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and Plantation Operating, LLC. Due to
transition services provided by the sellers under the terms of the acquisition
agreements, integration of these acquisitions did not begin until the third
and
fourth quarter, respectively. These acquisitions represent approximately $258.7
million, or 43%, $30.8 million, or 30%, and $16.4 million, or 25% of our total
assets, revenues, and operating expenses, respectively, as of and for the year
ended December 31, 2007.
Pursuant
to the requirements of Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting has been
signed below by the following persons on our behalf and in the capacities
indicated below.
/s/ JOHN B. WALKER | /s/ MICHAEL E. MERCER | ||
John B. Walker |
Michael E. Mercer |
||
Chief Executive Officer of EV Management, LLC, | Chief Financial Officer of EV Management, LLC, | ||
general partner of EV Energy, GP, L.P., | general partner of EV Energy GP, L.P., | ||
general partner of EV Energy Partners, L.P. | general partner of EV Energy Partners, L.P. | ||
Houston, TX | |||
March 13, 2008 |
53
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the
Board of Directors of EV Management, LLC
and
Unitholders of EV Energy Partners, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Houston,
Texas
We
have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of EV Energy Partners,
L.P. and subsidiaries (the "Partnership") as of December 31, 2007 and 2006,
and
the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and changes
in
owners’ equity of the Partnership for the year ended December 31, 2007 and three
months ended December 31, 2006, and combined statements of operations, cash
flows, and changes in owners’ equity of the Combined Predecessor Entities (the
“Entities”) for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, and for the year
ended December 31, 2005. We
also
have audited the Partnership's internal control over financial reporting as
of
December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal
Control — Integrated Framework issued
by
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The
Partnership's management is responsible for these financial statements, for
maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting,
included in the accompanying Management's
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
an
opinion on the Partnership's internal control over financial reporting based
on
our audits.
As
described in Management’s Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting,
management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial
reporting for the acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties from Anadarko
Petroleum Corporation and Plantation Operating, LLC. Due to transition services
provided by the sellers under the terms of the acquisition agreements,
integration of these acquisitions did not begin until the third and fourth
quarter, respectively. These acquisitions represent approximately $258.7
million, or 43%, $30.8 million, or 30%, and $16.4 million, or 25% of the
Partnership’s total assets, revenues, and operating expenses, respectively, as
of and for the year ended December 31, 2007. Accordingly, our audit did
not include the internal control over financial reporting for the acquisitions
of oil and natural gas properties from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and
Plantation Operating, LLC.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the
financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting
included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial
reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing
and
evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based
on
the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other
procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A
company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by,
or
under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal
financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by
the
company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control
over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2)
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors
of
the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's
assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
Because
of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting,
including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of
controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented
or
detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the
effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods
are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of
changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or
procedures may deteriorate.
In
our opinion, the consolidated and combined financial statements referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Partnership as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2007 and three
months ended December 31, 2006, and combined statements of operations and
their cash flows of the Entities for the nine months ended September 30,
2006, and for the year ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Also, in our opinion, the Partnership maintained, in all material respects,
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007,
based on the criteria established in Internal
Control — Integrated Framework issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission.
/s/
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Houston,
TX
March
13, 2008
54
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
(In
thousands, except number of units)
December
31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
ASSETS
|
|||||||
Current
assets:
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
10,220
|
$
|
1,875
|
|||
Accounts
receivable:
|
|||||||
Oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues
|
18,658
|
4,608
|
|||||
Related
party
|
3,656
|
1,996
|
|||||
Other
|
15
|
56
|
|||||
Derivative
asset
|
1,762
|
5,929
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
594
|
790
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
34,905
|
15,254
|
|||||
Oil
and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion
and amortization;
December 31, 2007, $30,724; December 31, 2006, $4,092
|
570,398
|
114,401
|
|||||
Other
property, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization;
December
31, 2007, $239; December 31, 2006, $195
|
225
|
283
|
|||||
Long-term
derivative asset
|
-
|
2,286
|
|||||
Other
assets
|
2,013
|
465
|
|||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
607,541
|
$
|
132,689
|
|||
LIABILITIES
AND OWNERS’ EQUITY
|
|||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
$
|
12,113
|
$
|
3,248
|
|||
Deferred
revenues
|
1,122
|
-
|
|||||
Derivative
liability
|
5,232
|
-
|
|||||
Total
current liabilities
|
18,467
|
3,248
|
|||||
Asset
retirement obligations
|
19,463
|
5,188
|
|||||
Long-term
debt
|
270,000
|
28,000
|
|||||
Share-based
compensation liability
|
1,507
|
-
|
|||||
Long-term
derivative liability
|
15,074
|
-
|
|||||
Commitments
and contingencies
|
|||||||
Owners’
equity:
|
|||||||
Common
unitholders - 11,839,439 units and 4,495,000 units issued and outstanding
as of December 31, 2007 and 2006
|
282,676
|
77,701
|
|||||
Subordinated
unitholders - 3,100,000 units issued and outstanding as of December
31, 2007 and 2006
|
(5,488
|
)
|
10,830
|
||||
General
partner interest
|
4,245
|
3,379
|
|||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
1,597
|
4,343
|
|||||
Total
owners’ equity
|
283,030
|
96,253
|
|||||
Total
liabilities and owners’ equity
|
$
|
607,541
|
$
|
132,689
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated/combined financial statements.
55
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Statements
of Operations
(In
thousands, except per unit data)
Successor
|
Predecessors
|
||||||||||||
Year
Ended
|
Three
Months
Ended
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
Year
Ended
|
||||||||||
December
31,
|
December
31,
|
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||
(Consolidated)
|
(Combined)
|
||||||||||||
Revenues:
|
|||||||||||||
Oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues
|
$
|
89,422
|
$
|
5,548
|
$
|
34,379
|
$
|
45,148
|
|||||
Gain
(loss) on derivatives, net
|
3,171
|
999
|
1,254
|
(7,194
|
)
|
||||||||
Transportation
and marketing-related revenues
|
11,415
|
1,271
|
4,458
|
6,225
|
|||||||||
Total
revenues
|
104,008
|
7,818
|
40,091
|
44,179
|
|||||||||
Operating
costs and expenses:
|
|||||||||||||
Lease
operating expenses
|
21,515
|
1,493
|
6,085
|
7,236
|
|||||||||
Cost
of purchased natural gas
|
9,830
|
1,153
|
3,860
|
5,660
|
|||||||||
Production
taxes
|
3,360
|
109
|
185
|
292
|
|||||||||
Exploration
expenses
|
-
|
-
|
1,061
|
2,539
|
|||||||||
Dry
hole costs
|
-
|
-
|
354
|
530
|
|||||||||
Impairment
of unproved oil and natural gas properties
|
-
|
-
|
90
|
2,041
|
|||||||||
Asset
retirement obligations accretion expense
|
814
|
89
|
129
|
171
|
|||||||||
Depreciation,
depletion and amortization
|
19,759
|
1,180
|
4,388
|
4,409
|
|||||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
10,384
|
2,043
|
1,491
|
1,016
|
|||||||||
Total
operating costs and expenses
|
65,662
|
6,067
|
17,643
|
23,894
|
|||||||||
Operating
income
|
38,346
|
1,751
|
22,448
|
20,285
|
|||||||||
Other
(expense) income, net:
|
|||||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
(8,009
|
)
|
(134
|
)
|
(573
|
)
|
(632
|
)
|
|||||
(Loss)
gain on mark-to-market derivatives, net
|
(19,906
|
)
|
1,719
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Other
income, net
|
813
|
31
|
344
|
204
|
|||||||||
Total
other (expense) income, net
|
(27,102
|
)
|
1,616
|
(229
|
)
|
(428
|
)
|
||||||
Income
before income taxes and equity in income of
affiliates
|
11,244
|
3,367
|
22,219
|
19,857
|
|||||||||
Income
taxes
|
(54
|
)
|
-
|
(5,809
|
)
|
(5,349
|
)
|
||||||
Equity
in income of affiliates
|
-
|
-
|
164
|
565
|
|||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
11,190
|
$
|
3,367
|
$
|
16,574
|
$
|
15,073
|
|||||
General
partner’s interest in net income, including incentive
distribution rights
|
$
|
1,670
|
$
|
67
|
|||||||||
Limited
partners’ interest in net income
|
$
|
9,520
|
$
|
3,300
|
|||||||||
Net
income per limited partner unit:
|
|||||||||||||
Common
units (basic and diluted)
|
$
|
0.74
|
$
|
0.43
|
|||||||||
Subordinated
units (basic and diluted)
|
$
|
0.74
|
$
|
0.43
|
|||||||||
Weighted
average limited partner units outstanding:
|
|||||||||||||
Common
units (basic and diluted))
|
9,815
|
4,495
|
|||||||||||
Subordinated
units (basic and diluted)
|
3,100
|
3,100
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated/combined financial statements.
56
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Statements
of Cash Flows
(In
thousands)
Successor
|
Predecessors
|
||||||||||||
Year
Ended
|
Three
Months
Ended
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
Year
Ended
|
||||||||||
December
31,
|
December
31,
|
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||||
(Consolidated)
|
(Combined)
|
||||||||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
|||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
11,190
|
$
|
3,367
|
$
|
16,574
|
$
|
15,073
|
|||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash flows
provided by operating activities:
|
|||||||||||||
Dry
hole costs
|
-
|
-
|
354
|
530
|
|||||||||
Impairment
of unproved oil and natural gas properties
|
-
|
-
|
90
|
2,041
|
|||||||||
Asset
retirement obligations accretion expense
|
814
|
89
|
129
|
171
|
|||||||||
Depreciation,
depletion and amortization
|
19,759
|
1,180
|
4,388
|
4,409
|
|||||||||
Share-based
compensation cost
|
1,507
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Amortization
of deferred loan costs
|
155
|
22
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Unrealized
loss (gain) on mark-to-market derivatives
|
25,713
|
(906
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Benefit
for deferred income taxes
|
-
|
-
|
(540
|
)
|
(211
|
)
|
|||||||
Equity
in income of affiliates, net of distributions
|
-
|
-
|
94
|
(243
|
)
|
||||||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|||||||||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
(8,926
|
)
|
(2,278
|
)
|
1,258
|
(544
|
)
|
||||||
Income
tax receivable
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
463
|
|||||||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
441
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
4,627
|
1,536
|
(3,487
|
)
|
2,706
|
||||||||
Deferred
revenues
|
1,122
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||
Due
to affiliates
|
-
|
-
|
(2,089
|
)
|
2,966
|
||||||||
Income
taxes
|
-
|
-
|
2,993
|
1,171
|
|||||||||
Other,
net
|
(288
|
)
|
(147)
|
)
|
350
|
(553
|
)
|
||||||
Net
cash flows provided by operating activities
|
56,114
|
2,863
|
20,114
|
27,979
|
|||||||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
|||||||||||||
Acquisition
of oil and natural gas properties, net of
cash acquired
|
(456,513
|
)
|
(69,517
|
)
|
-
|
(11,224
|
)
|
||||||
Development
of oil and natural gas properties
|
(10,543
|
)
|
(1,171
|
)
|
(6,911
|
)
|
(5,627
|
)
|
|||||
Acquisition
of other property
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(38
|
)
|
||||||||
Proceeds
from sale of property
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
|||||||||
Investment
in equity investee
|
-
|
-
|
(130
|
)
|
(918
|
)
|
|||||||
Net
cash flows used in investing activities
|
(467,056
|
)
|
(70,688
|
)
|
(7,041
|
)
|
(17,797
|
)
|
|||||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
|||||||||||||
Repayment
of advances - related party
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,136
|
)
|
||||||||
Long-term
debt borrowings
|
438,350
|
28,000
|
-
|
8,650
|
|||||||||
Repayment
of long-term debt borrowings
|
(196,350
|
)
|
(10,350
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Proceeds
from initial public offering
|
-
|
81,065
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Proceeds
from private equity offerings
|
220,000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Offering
costs
|
(302
|
)
|
(4,448
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Distribution
to the Predecessors
|
-
|
(24,134
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Distributions
related to acquisitions
|
(16,238
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Deferred
loan costs
|
(1,046
|
)
|
(433
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Contributions
by partners
|
-
|
-
|
16,000
|
2,029
|
|||||||||
Distributions
to partners and dividends paid
|
(25,127
|
)
|
-
|
(33,330
|
)
|
(14,238
|
)
|
||||||
Net
cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities
|
419,287
|
69,700
|
(17,330
|
)
|
(4,695
|
)
|
|||||||
Increase
(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
8,345
|
1,875
|
(4,257
|
)
|
5,487
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents - beginning of period
|
1,875
|
-
|
7,159
|
1,672
|
|||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents - end of period
|
$
|
10,220
|
$
|
1,875
|
$
|
2,902
|
$
|
7,159
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated/combined financial statements.
57
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Statements
of Changes in Owners’ Equity
(In
thousands)
Owners’
Equity Excluding Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
(Loss)
|
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
|
Total
Owners’
Equity
|
||||||||
Predecessors
(Combined):
|
||||||||||
Balance,
January 1, 2005
|
$
|
41,316
|
$
|
(100
|
)
|
$
|
41,216
|
|||
Comprehensive
income:
|
||||||||||
Net
income
|
15,073
|
-
|
||||||||
Unrealized
loss on derivatives
|
-
|
(8,391
|
)
|
|||||||
Reclassification
adjustment into earnings
|
-
|
4,223
|
||||||||
Total
comprehensive income
|
10,905
|
|||||||||
Contributions
|
3,029
|
-
|
3,029
|
|||||||
Distributions
|
(5,186
|
)
|
-
|
(5,186
|
)
|
|||||
Dividends
|
(9,054
|
)
|
-
|
(9,054
|
)
|
|||||
Balance,
December 31, 2005
|
45,178
|
(4,268
|
)
|
40,910
|
||||||
Comprehensive
income:
|
||||||||||
Net
income
|
16,574
|
-
|
||||||||
Unrealized
gain on derivatives
|
-
|
14,347
|
||||||||
Reclassification
adjustment into earnings
|
-
|
(408
|
)
|
|||||||
Total
comprehensive income
|
30,513
|
|||||||||
Contributions
|
19,315
|
-
|
19,315
|
|||||||
Distributions
|
(14,871
|
)
|
-
|
(14,871
|
)
|
|||||
Dividends
|
(12,627
|
)
|
-
|
(12,627
|
)
|
|||||
Balance,
September 30, 2006
|
$
|
53,569
|
$
|
9,671
|
$
|
63,240
|
Common
Unitholders
|
Subordinated
Unitholders
|
General
Partner
Interest
|
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income
|
Total
Owners’
Equity
|
||||||||||||
Successor
(Consolidated):
|
||||||||||||||||
Balance
at September 30, 2006
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||
Proceeds
from initial public offering,
net of underwriter discount
|
81,065
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
81,065
|
|||||||||||
Offering
costs
|
(4,448
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(4,448
|
)
|
|||||||||
Acquisition
of the Predecessors
|
9,919
|
22,829
|
3,312
|
5,392
|
41,452
|
|||||||||||
Distribution
to the Predecessors
|
(10,788
|
)
|
(13,346
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(24,134
|
)
|
||||||||
Comprehensive
income:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
1,953
|
1,347
|
67
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Reclassification
adjustment into earnings
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,049
|
)
|
|||||||||||
Total
comprehensive income
|
2,318
|
|||||||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
77,701
|
10,830
|
3,379
|
4,343
|
96,253
|
|||||||||||
Proceeds
from private equity offerings
|
215,600
|
-
|
4,400
|
-
|
220,000
|
|||||||||||
Offering
costs
|
(302
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(302
|
)
|
|||||||||
Distributions
in conjunction with acquisitions
|
(695
|
)
|
(12,734
|
)
|
(2,809
|
)
|
-
|
(16,238
|
)
|
|||||||
Distributions
|
(18,226
|
)
|
(5,952
|
)
|
(949
|
)
|
-
|
(25,127
|
)
|
|||||||
Acquisition
of derivative instruments
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
425
|
425
|
|||||||||||
Comprehensive
income:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
8,598
|
2,368
|
224
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Reclassification
adjustment into earnings
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3,171
|
)
|
|||||||||||
Total
comprehensive income
|
8,019
|
|||||||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2007
|
$
|
282,676
|
$
|
(5,488
|
)
|
$
|
4,245
|
$
|
1,597
|
$
|
283,030
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated/combined financial statements.
58
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements
NOTE
1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS
EV
Energy
Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a publicly held limited partnership that
engages in the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas
properties. The Partnership consummated the acquisition of its predecessors
and
an initial public offering of its common units effective October 1, 2006. The
Partnership’s general partner is EV Energy GP, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership, and the general partner of its general partner is EV Management,
LLC (“EV Management”), a Delaware limited liability company.
The
Partnership’s predecessors (the “Predecessors”) were:
· |
EV
Properties, L.P. (“EV Properties”), a limited partnership that owns oil
and natural gas properties and related assets in the Monroe field
in
Northern Louisiana and in the Appalachian Basin in West Virginia,
and
|
· |
CGAS
Exploration, Inc. (“CGAS Exploration”), a corporation that owns oil and
natural gas properties and related assets in the Appalachian Basin
in
Ohio.
|
EV
Properties was formed on April 12, 2006 by EnerVest, Ltd. (“EnerVest”) and
investment funds affiliated with EnCap Investments, L.P. (“EnCap”) to acquire
the business of the following partnerships which were controlled by
EnerVest:
· |
EnerVest
Production Partners, Ltd. (“EnerVest Production Partners”), which owned
oil and natural gas properties and related assets in the Monroe field
in
Northern Louisiana, and
|
· |
EnerVest
WV, L.P. (“EnerVest WV”), which owned oil and natural gas properties and
related assets in West Virginia.
|
Effective
October 1, 2006, we completed our initial public offering of 3.9 million common
units at a price of $20.00 per unit, and on October 26, 2006, we closed the
sale
of an additional 0.4 million common units at a price per unit of $20.00 pursuant
to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Net proceeds from
the sale of the common units were approximately $76.6 million.
In
February 2007 and June 2007, we issued 3.9 million common units and 3.4 million
common units, respectively, to institutional investors in private placements
for
net proceeds of $219.7 million, including a $4.4 million contribution by our
general partner to maintain its 2% interest in us. Proceeds from these issuances
were primarily used to repay indebtedness outstanding under our credit facility.
NOTE
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis
of Presentation
The
consolidated financial statements include the operations of the Partnership
and
all of its subsidiaries (“we,” “our” or “us”) for periods beginning October 1,
2006. The combined financial statements of the Predecessors reflect the
operations of the following entities:
· |
the
combined operations of EnerVest Production Partners, EnerVest WV
and CGAS
Exploration for periods before May 12, 2006,
and
|
· |
the
combined operations of EV Properties and CGAS Exploration from May
12,
2006 through September 30, 2006.
|
All
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation/combination. In the Notes to Consolidated/Combined Financial
Statements, all dollar and share amounts in tabulations are in thousands of
dollars and shares, respectively, unless otherwise indicated.
59
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements
(continued)
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period. We base our estimates and judgments on historical
experience and on various other assumptions and information that are believed
to
be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future
events and their effects cannot be perceived with certainty and, accordingly,
these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired,
as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes.
While we believe that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation
of
the consolidated/combined financial statements are appropriate, actual results
could differ from those estimates.
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
We
consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months
or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Accounts
Receivable
Accounts
receivable from oil and natural gas sales are recorded at the invoiced amount
and do not bear interest. We routinely assess the financial strength of our
customers and bad debts are recorded based on an account-by-account review
after
all means of collection have been exhausted, and the potential recovery is
considered remote.
As
of December 31, 2007 and 2006, we did not have any reserves for doubtful
accounts, and we did not incur any expense related to bad debts. We do not
have
any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to our customers.
Property
and Depreciation
Our
oil and natural gas producing activities are accounted for under the successful
efforts method of accounting. Under this method, exploration costs, other than
the costs of drilling exploratory wells, are charged to expense as incurred.
Costs that are associated with the drilling of successful exploration wells
are
capitalized if proved reserves are found. Lease acquisition costs are
capitalized when incurred. Capitalized costs associated with unproved properties
totaled $0.6 million and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2007 and December
31,
2006, respectively. Costs associated with the drilling of exploratory wells
that
do not find proved reserves, geological and geophysical costs and costs of
certain non-producing leasehold costs are expensed as incurred.
The
capitalized costs of our producing oil and natural gas properties are
depreciated and depleted by the units-of-production method based on the ratio
of
current production to estimated total net proved oil and natural gas reserves
as
estimated by independent petroleum engineers. Proved developed reserves are
used
in computing unit rates for drilling and development costs and total proved
reserves are used for depletion rates of leasehold and pipeline costs.
Other
property is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, which is computed
using the straight-line method based on estimated economic lives ranging from
three to 25 years. We expense costs for maintenance and repairs in the
period incurred. Significant improvements and betterments are capitalized if
they extend the useful life of the asset.
Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets
We
evaluate our proved oil and natural gas properties and related equipment and
facilities for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying amounts of such properties may not be recoverable. The
determination of recoverability is made based upon estimated undiscounted future
net cash flows. The amount of impairment loss, if any, is determined by
comparing the fair value, as determined by a discounted cash flow analysis,
with
the carrying value of the related asset. For the years ended December 31, 2007,
2006 and 2005, neither we nor the Predecessors recorded any impairments related
to proved oil and natural gas properties.
Unproved
oil and natural gas properties are assessed periodically on a
property-by-property basis, and any impairment in value is recognized. For
the
year ended December 31, 2007 and the three months ended December 31, 2006,
we
recorded no impairments related to unproved oil and natural gas properties.
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and for the year ended December 31,
2005, the Predecessors recorded $0.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively,
of
impairments related to unproved oil and natural gas properties.
60
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements
(continued)
Asset
Retirement Obligations
We
account for our legal obligations associated with retirement of long-lived
assets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”)
No. 143, Accounting
for Asset Retirement Obligations. SFAS
No.
143 requires that the fair value of a liability associated with an asset
retirement obligation (“ARO”) be recognized in the period in which it is
incurred if a reasonable estimate can be made. The associated retirement costs
are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and
subsequently depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. The
liability is eventually extinguished when the asset is taken out of
service.
Revenue
Recognition
Oil
and natural gas revenues are recognized when production is sold to a purchaser
at fixed or determinable prices, when delivery has occurred and title has
transferred and collectibility of the revenue is probable. We follow the sales
method of accounting for natural gas revenues. Under this method of accounting,
revenues are recognized based on volumes sold, which may differ from the volume
to which we are entitled based on our working interest. An imbalance is
recognized as a liability only when the estimated remaining reserves will not
be
sufficient to enable the under-produced owner(s) to recoup its entitled share
through future production. Under the sales method, no receivables are recorded
where we have taken less than our share of production. There were no material
gas imbalances at December 31, 2007 or 2006.
We
own and operate a network of natural gas gathering systems in the Monroe field
in Northern Louisiana which gather and transport owned natural gas and a small
amount of third party natural gas to intrastate, interstate and local
distribution pipelines. Natural gas gathering and transportation revenue is
recognized when the natural gas has been delivered to a custody transfer point.
Income
Taxes
We
are a partnership that is not taxable for federal income tax purposes. As such,
we do not directly pay federal income tax. As appropriate, our taxable income
or
loss is includable in the federal income tax returns of our partners. Effective
January 1, 2007, the state of Texas changed its Texas franchise tax, which
was
based on taxable capital, to a gross margin tax. We record our obligations
under
this tax as “Income taxes” in our consolidated statement of operations.
One
of the Predecessors was a corporation subject to federal and state income taxes.
They used the liability method for determining their income taxes, under which
current and deferred tax liabilities and assets are recorded in accordance
with
enacted tax laws and rates. Under this method, the amounts of deferred tax
liabilities and assets at the end of each period are determined using the tax
rate expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. Future
tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits
is
more likely than not. Deferred income taxes are provided for the estimated
income tax effect of temporary difference between financial and tax bases in
assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are also provided for certain tax
credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax is
established when it is more likely than not that some portion of all of the
deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Net
Income per Limited Partner Unit
We
calculate net income per limited partner unit in accordance with Emerging Issues
Task Force 03-06, Participating
Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement
No. 128
(“EITF
03-06”). The computation of net income per limited partner unit is based on the
weighted average number of common and subordinated units outstanding during
the
period. Basic and diluted net income per limited partner unit are
determined by dividing net income, after deducting the amount allocated to
the
general partner interest (including its incentive distribution in excess of
its
2% interest), by the weighted average number of outstanding limited partner
units during the period.
EITF
03-06 provides that in any accounting period where our aggregate net income
exceeds our aggregate distribution for such period, we are required to present
net income per limited partner unit as if all of the earnings for the periods
were distributed, regardless of whether those earnings would have actually
been
distributed. EITF 03-06 does not impact our overall net income or other
financial results; however, for periods in which our aggregate net income
exceeds our aggregate distributions for such period, it will have the impact
of
reducing the earnings per limited partner unit. This result occurs as a larger
portion of our aggregate earnings is allocated to the incentive distribution
rights held by EV Energy GP, as if distributed, even though we make cash
distributions on the basis of cash available for distributions, not earnings,
in
any given accounting period. In accounting periods where aggregate net income
does not exceed aggregate distributions for such period, EITF 03-06 does not
have an impact on our net income per limited partner unit
calculation.
61
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements
(continued)
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
Our
financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable,
accounts payable and accrued liabilities, long-term debt and derivative
financial instruments. Commodity derivatives are recorded at fair value. The
carrying amount of our other financial instruments other than debt approximates
fair value because of the short-term nature of the items. The carrying value
of
our debt approximates fair value because our debt has variable interest rates.
Derivative
Financial Instruments
We
monitor our exposure to various business risks, including commodity price and
interest rate risks, and use derivative financial instruments to manage the
impact of certain of these risks. Our policies do not permit the use of
derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. We use energy
derivatives for the purpose of mitigating risk resulting from fluctuations
in
the market price of oil and natural gas.
The
Predecessors accounted for their derivative financial instruments as cash flows
hedges in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. Derivative
financial instruments that had been designated and qualified as cash flows
hedging instruments were reported at fair value. The change in fair value of
the
derivative financial instrument was initially reported as a component of other
comprehensive income (“AOCI”). Amounts in AOCI were reclassified into net income
(as a component of revenues) in the same period in which the hedged forecasted
transaction affected earnings. In the event that a forecasted transaction is
no
longer probable of occurrence, the amount deferred in AOCI for such forecasted
transaction would be reclassified into net income.
As
of October 1, 2006, we elected not to designate any of our derivative financial
instruments as hedging instruments as defined by SFAS No. 133. The
amount in AOCI at that date related to derivatives that previously were
designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges continue to be deferred until
the underlying production is produced and sold, at which time the amounts are
reclassified from AOCI and reflected as a component of revenues. Changes in
the
fair value of derivatives that existed at October 1, 2006 and any derivatives
entered thereafter are no longer deferred in AOCI, but rather are recorded
immediately to net income as “(Loss) gain on mark-to-market derivatives, net” in
our consolidated statement of operations.
The
counterparties to our derivative financial instruments are major financial
institutions. The credit ratings and concentration of risk of these financial
institutions are monitored on a continuing basis.
Business
Segment Reporting
We
operate in one reportable segment engaged in the exploration, development and
production of oil and natural gas properties and all of our operations are
located in the United States.
Concentration
of Credit Risk
Our
oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues are derived principally from
uncollateralized sales to numerous companies in the oil and natural gas
industry; therefore, our customers may be similarly affected by changes in
economic and other conditions within the industry. We have experienced no
material credit losses on such sales in the past.
In
2007,
one customer accounted for 15% of our consolidated oil, natural gas and natural
gas liquids revenues. In 2006, three customers accounted for 32%, 17% and 14%,
respectively, of the combined oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues
of us and our predecessors. In 2005, one customer accounted for 34% of our
predecessors’ oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues. We believe
that the loss of a major customer would have a temporary effect on our revenues
but that over time, we would be able to replace our major
customers.
62
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements
(continued)
New
Accounting Standards
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
SFAS No. 157,
Fair
Value Measurements,
to
provide guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS
No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy and clarifies the principle that
fair
value should be based on assumptions market participants would use when pricing
the asset or liability. SFAS No. 157 also requires expanded disclosure of the
effect on earnings for items measured using unobservable data. SFAS No. 157
was
to be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after
November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years; however,
in
February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS 157-2, Effective
Date of FASB Statement No. 157,
which
delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and
nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at
fair
value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, for one year. We adopted
SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008 for our financial assets and financial
liabilities, and the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated
financial statements. We will adopt SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2009 for our
nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, and we have not yet determined
the impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including
an
amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.
SFAS
No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and
certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured
at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value
option has been selected are reported in earnings. SFAS No. 159 also establishes
presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons
between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types
of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007. At the present time, we do not expect to apply the
provisions of SFAS No. 159.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No 141 (Revised 2007), Business
Combinations
(“SFAS
No. 141(R)”) to significantly change the accounting for business combinations.
Under SFAS No. 141(R), an acquiring entity will be required to recognize all
the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition
date
fair value with limited exceptions and will change the accounting treatment
for
certain specific items, including:
· |
acquisition
costs will generally be expensed as
incurred;
|
· |
noncontrolling
interests will be valued at fair value at the date of acquisition;
and
|
· |
liabilities
related to contingent consideration will be recorded at fair value
at the
date of acquisition and subsequently remeasured each subsequent reporting
period.
|
SFAS
No.
141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We
will
adopt SFAS No. 141(R) on January 1, 2009, and we have not yet determined the
impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling
Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - An Amendment of ARB No.
51,
to
establish new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest
in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160
requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as
equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent’s
equity. The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement.
SFAS No. 160 clarifies that changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a
subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation are equity transactions if
the
parent retains its controlling financial interest. In addition, SFAS No. 160
requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary
is deconsolidated. SFAS No. 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements
regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest. SFAS
No.
160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We will
adopt SFAS No. 160 on January 1, 2009, and we have not yet determined the
impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications
Certain
reclassifications have been made to the prior year’s consolidated/combined
financial statements to conform with the current year’s
presentation.
63
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements
(continued)
NOTE
3. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
On
September 29, 2006, we closed the initial public offering of 3.9 million of
our
common units at a price of $20.00 per common unit, and on October 26, 2006,
we
closed the sale of an additional 0.4 million common units at a price per unit
of
$20.00 pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment
option. Net proceeds from the sale of the common units were approximately
$76.6 million. The common units sold in our initial public offering
represented a 57.1% limited partnership interest. Our common units began trading
on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “EVEP.” For financial reporting
purposes, the effective date of the closing of our initial public offering
was
October 1, 2006.
At
the
closing of our initial public offering, the
partners of EV Properties contributed a portion of their general and
limited partnership interests in EV Properties to us in exchange for limited
partnership interests in our general partner. Our general partner contributed
the interests it received in EV Properties to us in exchange for a 2% general
partnership interest and incentive distribution rights representing limited
partnership interests. The limited partners of EV Properties also contributed
the remainder of their interests in EV Properties to us in exchange for common
units representing limited partnership interests, subordinated units
representing limited partnership interests and cash payments totaling $28.1
million. Since these transactions were between entities under common control,
we
did not apply purchase accounting, and we carried over the historical cost
basis
of EV Properties.
In
addition, at the closing of our initial public offering, CGAS Exploration
formed a limited partnership and contributed a portion of its producing
properties and related assets to the partnership in exchange for a limited
partnership interest. CGAS Exploration then contributed this limited partnership
interest to us in exchange for common units, subordinated units and a cash
payment of $38.3 million. Since EnerVest owned 25.75% of CGAS Exploration,
the
historical cost basis of 25.75% of the producing properties and related assets
contributed by CGAS Exploration was carried over. Purchase accounting was
applied to the remaining 74.25%.
Immediately
following our initial public offering, we had outstanding a 2% general
partnership interest and the incentive distribution rights and common units
and
subordinated units owned by the public (common units), and the former partners
of EV Properties (common units and subordinated units) and CGAS Exploration
(common units and subordinated units).
NOTE
4. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
In
September 2006, the board of directors of EV Management adopted a long-term
incentive plan (the “Plan”) for employees, consultants and directors of EV
Management and its affiliates who perform services for us. The Plan allows
for
the award of unit options, phantom units, restricted units and deferred equity
rights, and the aggregate amount of our common units that may be awarded under
the plan is 0.8 million units. Unless earlier terminated by us or unless all
units available under the Plan have been paid to participants, the Plan will
terminate as of the close of business on September 20, 2016. The
compensation committee or the board of directors administers the Plan.
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, we issued 0.3 million phantom units, which
are
subject to graded vesting over a two or three year period. On satisfaction
of
the vesting requirement, the holders of the phantom units are entitled, at
our
discretion, to either common units or a cash payment equal to the current value
of the units. Accordingly, the phantom units are classified as liability awards.
In addition, the holders of the phantom units are entitled to quarterly cash
distributions equal to the number of phantom units outstanding and the amount
of
the cash distribution that we pay on our common units.
We
account for our share-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123 -
Revised 2004, Share-Based
Payment (“SFAS
No. 123(R)”). Since the phantom units are liability awards, the fair value of
the units is remeasured at the end of each reporting period based on the current
market price of our common units until settlement. Prior to settlement,
compensation cost is recognized for the phantom units based on the proportionate
amount of the requisite service period that has been rendered to date.
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, we recognized compensation cost of $1.5
million related to our phantom units. This cost is included in “General and
administrative expenses” in our consolidated statement of operations. As of
December 31, 2007, there was $6.7 million of total unrecognized
compensation cost related to nonvested phantom units which is expected to be
recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years.
64
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
NOTE
5. ACQUISITIONS
On
January 31, 2007, we acquired natural gas properties in Michigan (the “Michigan
acquisition”) for $69.5 million, net of cash acquired, from certain
institutional partnerships managed by EnerVest, on March 30, 2007, we acquired
additional natural gas properties in the Monroe Field in Louisiana (the “Monroe
acquisition”) for $95.4 million from an institutional partnership managed by
EnerVest and on December 21, 2007, we acquired additional oil and natural gas
properties in the Appalachian Basin (the “Appalachia acquisition”) for $59.6
million from an institutional partnership managed by EnerVest. These
acquisitions were primarily financed with
borrowings under our credit facility and cash on hand.
As
we acquired these oil and natural gas properties from institutional partnerships
managed by EnerVest, we carried over the historical costs related to EnerVest’s
interests and applied purchase accounting to the remaining interests acquired.
As a result, we recorded deemed distributions of $16.2 million that represent
the difference between the purchase price allocations and the amounts paid
for
the acquisitions. We allocated these deemed distributions to the common
unitholders, subordinated unitholders and the general partner interest based
on
EnerVest’s relative ownership interests. Accordingly, $0.7 million, $12.7
million and $2.8 million was allocated to the common unitholders, subordinated
unitholders and the general partner, respectively.
On
June
27, 2007, we acquired oil and natural gas properties in Central and East Texas
from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (the “Anadarko acquisition”) for $93.6
million. The acquisition was financed with borrowings under our credit facility
and proceeds from the June 2007 private placement.
On
October 1, 2007, we acquired oil and natural gas properties in the Permian
Basin
in New Mexico and Texas from Plantation Operating, LLC, an EnCap sponsored
company (the “Plantation acquisition), for $154.7 million. The acquisition was
funded with borrowings under our credit facility.
The
estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the
date
of the acquisitions were as follows:
Michigan
|
Monroe
|
Anadarko
|
Plantation
|
Appalachia
|
||||||||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
$
|
1,183
|
$
|
3,092
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(727
|
)
|
$
|
3,197
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
1,942
|
209
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Other
assets
|
587
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Oil
and natural gas properties
|
62,425
|
97,829
|
97,254
|
156,482
|
49,495
|
|||||||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
(472
|
)
|
(629
|
)
|
(335
|
)
|
-
|
(1,016
|
)
|
|||||||
Asset
retirement obligations
|
(1,098
|
)
|
(5,574
|
)
|
(3,357
|
)
|
(1,040
|
)
|
(2,510
|
)
|
||||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
(424
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||
Allocation
of purchase price
|
$
|
64,143
|
$
|
94,927
|
$
|
93,562
|
$
|
154,715
|
$
|
49,166
|
The
following table reflects pro forma revenues, net income and net income per
limited partner unit as if these acquisitions had taken place at the beginning
of the periods presented. These unaudited pro forma amounts do not purport
to be
indicative of the results that would have actually been obtained during the
periods presented or that may be obtained in the future.
Year
Ended
December
31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
(1)
|
||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
166,962
|
$
|
182,736
|
|||
Net
income
|
29,049
|
63,209
|
|||||
Net
income per limited partner unit:
|
|||||||
Common
units (basic and diluted)
|
$
|
2.04 | |||||
Subordinated
units (basic and diluted)
|
$
|
2.04 |
_____________
(1) |
The
results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 are derived
from the combination of the results of operations for our predecessors
for
the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and our results of operations
for
the three months ended December 31,
2006.
|
On
December 15, 2006, we acquired
oil and natural gas properties in the Mid-Continent area in Oklahoma, Texas
and
Louisiana (the “Five States acquisition”) for $27.6 million. The acquisition was
financed with borrowings under our credit facility. Pro
forma
results of operations have not been presented because the effect of this
acquisition was not material to our consolidated financial statements.
65
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
The
fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of
acquisition was as follows:
Accounts
receivable
|
$
|
1,620
|
||
Oil
and natural gas properties
|
26,626
|
|||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
(194
|
)
|
||
Asset
retirement obligations
|
(473
|
)
|
||
Allocation
of purchase price
|
$
|
27,579
|
NOTE
6. RISK MANAGEMENT
Our
business activities expose us to risks associated with changes in the market
price of oil and natural gas. As such, future earnings are subject to change
due
to changes in these market prices. We use derivative instruments to reduce
our
risk of changes in the prices of oil and natural gas. As of December 31, 2007,
we had entered into derivative instruments with the following
terms:
Period
Covered
|
Index
|
Hedged
Volume per Day
|
Weighted
Average Fixed Price
|
Weighted
Average Floor Price
|
Weighted
Average Ceiling
Price
|
|||||||||||
Oil
(Bbls):
|
||||||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2008
|
WTI
|
1,215
|
$
|
72.45
|
$
|
$
|
|
|||||||||
Collar
- 2008
|
WTI
|
125
|
62.00
|
73.95
|
||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2009
|
WTI
|
981
|
71.85
|
|||||||||||||
Collar
- 2009
|
WTI
|
125
|
62.00
|
73.90
|
||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2010
|
WTI
|
1,000
|
71.16
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Natural
Gas (MMBtu):
|
||||||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2008
|
Dominion
Appalachia
|
6,500
|
9.07
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2009
|
Dominion
Appalachia
|
4,400
|
8.79
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2010
|
Dominion
Appalachia
|
5,600
|
8.65
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2008
|
NYMEX
|
4,000
|
8.85
|
|||||||||||||
Collars
- 2008
|
NYMEX
|
6,000
|
7.67
|
10.25
|
||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2009
|
NYMEX
|
4,500
|
8.00
|
|||||||||||||
Collars
- 2009
|
NYMEX
|
7,000
|
7.79
|
9.50
|
||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2010
|
NYMEX
|
7,500
|
8.44
|
|||||||||||||
Collar
- 2010
|
NYMEX
|
1,500
|
7.50
|
10.00
|
||||||||||||
Swap
- 2011
|
NYMEX
|
5,000
|
8.47
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2008
|
MICHCON_NB
|
3,500
|
8.16
|
|||||||||||||
Collar
-2008
|
MICHCON_NB
|
2,000
|
8.00
|
9.55
|
||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2009
|
MICHCON_NB
|
5,000
|
8.27
|
|||||||||||||
Swap
- 2010
|
MICHCON_NB
|
5,000
|
8.34
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2008
|
HOUSTON
SC
|
5,393
|
8.17
|
|||||||||||||
Swaps
- 2009
|
HOUSTON
SC
|
4,320
|
8.29
|
|||||||||||||
Collar
- 2010
|
HOUSTON
SC
|
3,500
|
7.25
|
9.55
|
||||||||||||
Swap
- 2008
|
EL
PASO PERMIAN
|
3,000
|
7.23
|
|||||||||||||
Swap
- 2009
|
EL
PASO PERMIAN
|
2,500
|
7.93
|
|||||||||||||
Swap
- 2010
|
EL
PASO PERMIAN
|
2,500
|
7.68
|
At
December 31, 2007, the fair value associated with the derivative instruments
is
a net liability of $18.5 million.
As
of
December 31, 2007, we had AOCI of $1.6 million related to derivative instruments
where we removed the hedge designation. During the year ended December 31,
2007
and three months ended December 31, 2006, we reclassified $3.2 million and
$1.0
million, respectively, from AOCI to “Gain (loss) on derivatives, net,” and we
anticipate that $1.6 million will be reclassified from AOCI during the year
ended December 31, 2008.
66
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
During
the year ended December 31, 2007 and three months ended December 31, 2006,
we
recorded net losses of $28.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively, on the
change in fair value of the derivative instruments in “(Loss) gain
on
mark-to-market derivatives.”
In addition, we recorded net realized gains of $9.0 million and $1.8 million
in
the year ended December 31, 2007 and the three months ended December 31, 2006,
respectively, related to settlements of our derivative instruments in “(Loss)
gain on mark-to-market derivatives, net.”
NOTE
7. INCOME TAXES
We
are a partnership that is not taxable for federal income tax purposes. As such,
we do not directly pay federal income tax. As appropriate, our taxable income
or
loss is includable in the federal income tax returns of our partners.
Effective
January 1, 2007, the state of Texas changed its Texas franchise tax, which
was
based on taxable capital, to a gross margin tax. During the year ended December
31, 2007, we recorded a $0.1 million provision for income taxes relating to
our
obligations under this tax.
We
adopted Financial Interpretation No. 48, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109
(“FIN
48”), on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 requires that we recognize only
the impact of income tax positions that, based on their merits, are more likely
than not to be sustained upon audit by a taxing authority. It also
requires expanded financial statement disclosure of such positions.
In
evaluating our current tax positions in order to identify any material uncertain
tax positions, we developed a policy in identifying uncertain tax positions
that
considers support for each tax position, industry standards, tax return
disclosures and schedules and the significance of each position. As of
December 31, 2007, we had no material uncertain tax positions.
One
of the Predecessors was a corporate entity which was subject to federal and
state taxation. The provision for income taxes is comprised of the
following:
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
Year
Ended
December
31,
|
||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Current
|
$
|
6,348
|
$
|
5,560
|
|||
Deferred
|
(539
|
)
|
(211
|
)
|
|||
Provision
for income taxes
|
$
|
5,809
|
$
|
5,349
|
The
provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the
U.S.
statutory income tax rate to income before income taxes and equity in income
of
affiliates for the reasons set forth below:
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
Year
Ended
December
31,
|
||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Income
before income taxes and equity in income of affiliates
|
$
|
22,219
|
$
|
19,857
|
|||
Less:
Income not subject to income taxes
|
(3,862
|
)
|
(4,582
|
)
|
|||
Income
before income taxes and equity in income of affiliates subject to
income
taxes
|
18,357
|
15,275
|
|||||
Statutory
rate
|
35
|
%
|
34
|
%
|
|||
Income
tax expense at statutory rate
|
6,425
|
5,193
|
|||||
Reconciling
items:
|
|||||||
State
income taxes, net of federal benefit
|
656
|
678
|
|||||
Percentage
depletion in excess of basis
|
(1,225
|
)
|
(448
|
)
|
|||
Other
permanent items
|
(47
|
)
|
(74
|
)
|
|||
Provision
for income taxes
|
$
|
5,809
|
$
|
5,349
|
67
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
NOTE
8. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
If
a
reasonable estimate of the fair value of an obligation to perform site
reclamation, dismantle facilities or plug and abandon wells can be made, we
record an ARO and capitalize the asset retirement cost in oil and natural gas
properties in the period in which the retirement obligation is incurred. After
recording these amounts, the ARO is accreted to its future estimated value
using
an assumed cost of funds and the additional capitalized costs are depreciated
on
a unit-of-production basis. The changes in the aggregate asset retirement
obligations are as follows:
Predecessors:
|
||||
Balance
as of December 31, 2005
|
$
|
2,752
|
||
Liabilities
incurred
|
11
|
|||
Accretion
expense
|
129
|
|||
Sale
of assets
|
(60
|
)
|
||
Balance
as of September 30, 2006
|
$
|
2,832
|
||
Successor:
|
||||
Balance
as of September 30, 2006
|
$
|
-
|
||
Liabilities
incurred or assumed in acquisitions
|
4,387
|
|||
Accretion
expense
|
89
|
|||
Revisions
in estimated cash flows
|
712
|
|||
Balance
as of December 31, 2006
|
5,188
|
|||
Liabilities
incurred or assumed in acquisitions
|
13,579
|
|||
Accretion
expense
|
814
|
|||
Revisions
in estimated cash flows
|
14
|
|||
Balance
as of December 31, 2007
|
$
|
19,595
|
The
current portion of our ARO is included in “Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheet.
NOTE
9. LONG-TERM DEBT
As
of December 31, 2006, our credit facility consisted of a $150.0
million senior secured revolving credit facility that expired in September
2011.
Borrowings under the facility were secured by a first priority lien on
substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries. Borrowings
under the facility bore interest at a floating rate based on, at our election, a
base rate or the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate plus applicable premiums based
on the percent of the borrowing base that we have outstanding (weighted average
interest rate of 6.98% at December 31, 2006). At December 31, 2006, we had
$28.0
million outstanding under the facility.
On
October 1, 2007, we amended and restated our credit facility to increase our
maximum borrowing availability to $500.0
million. The amended and restated credit facility expires in October 2012.
Borrowings under the amended and restated facility are secured by a first
priority lien on substantially all of our assets and the assets of our
subsidiaries. We may use borrowings under the amended and restated facility
for
acquiring and developing oil and natural gas properties, for working capital
purposes, for general corporate purposes and for funding distributions to
partners. We also may use up to $50.0 million of available borrowing capacity
for letters of credit. The amended and restated facility contains certain
covenants which, among other things, require the maintenance of a current ratio
(as defined in the facility) of greater than 1.0 and a ratio of total debt
to
earnings plus interest expense, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization
expense and exploration expense of no greater than 4.0 to 1.0. As of December
31, 2007, we were in compliance with all of the covenants.
Borrowings
under the amended and restated facility bear interest at a floating rate based
on, at our election, a base rate or the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate plus
applicable premiums based on the percent of the borrowing base that we have
outstanding (weighted average interest rate of 7.16% at December 31, 2007).
Borrowings under the facility may not exceed a “borrowing base” determined by
the lenders under the facility based on our oil and natural gas reserves. As
of
December 31, 2007, the borrowing base under the facility was $275.0 million.
The
borrowing base is subject to redetermination semi-annually and in connection
with material acquisitions or divestitures of properties. At December 31, 2007,
we had $270.0 million outstanding under the amended and restated facility.
68
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
NOTE
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation
We
are
involved in disputes or legal actions arising in the ordinary course of
business. We do not believe the outcome of such disputes or legal actions will
have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial
statements.
Environmental
Matters
Our
past
and present operations include activities which are subject to extensive
domestic (including U.S. federal, state and local) environmental regulations
with regard to air and water quality and other environmental matters. Our
environmental procedures, policies and practices are designed to ensure
compliance with existing laws and regulations and to minimize the possibility
of
significant environmental damage.
We
expense environmental costs if they relate to an existing condition caused
by
past operations and do not contribute to current or future revenue generation.
Liabilities are recorded when site restoration and environmental remediation
and
cleanup obligations are either known or considered probable and can be
reasonably estimated. Recoveries of environmental costs through insurance,
indemnification arrangements or other sources are included in other assets
to
the extent such recoveries are considered probable. Neither we nor the
Predecessors incurred material environmental expenses during the year ended
December 31, 2007, the three months ended December 31, 2006, the nine months
ended September 30, 2006 or the year ended December 31, 2005. In addition,
we
had no accrual for environmental liabilities as of December 31, 2007 or
2006.
NOTE
11. OWNERS’ EQUITY
Issuance
of Units
On
September 29, 2006, we closed our initial public offering of 3.9 million of
our
common units, and on October 26, 2006, we closed the sale of an additional
0.4
million common units pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’
over-allotment option. Upon the closing of our initial public offering
(and taking into account the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment
option), EnerVest and its affiliates received an aggregate of 136,304 common
units and 2,663,830 subordinated units.
In
February 2007 and June 2007, we entered into Common Unit Purchase Agreements
and
Registration Rights Agreements for the issuance of 3.9 million common units
and
3.4 million common units, respectively, to institutional investors in private
placements. We received net proceeds of $219.7 million, including contributions
of $4.4 million by our general partner to maintain its 2% interest in us.
Proceeds from these issuances were primarily used to repay indebtedness
outstanding under our credit facility.
Units
Outstanding
At
December 31, 2007, owner’s equity consists of 11,839,439 common
units (including 184,704 common units held by EV Management and its
executive officers) and 3,100,000 subordinated units (including 2,663,830
held by EV Management and its executive officers), collectively representing
a
98% limited partnership interest in us, and a 2% general partnership
interest.
Common
Units
During
the subordination period, the common units will have the right to receive
distributions of available cash from operating surplus each quarter in an amount
equal to $0.40 per common unit plus any arrearages in the payment of the
minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before
any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the
subordinated units. The purpose of the subordinated units is to increase the
likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash
to
be distributed on the common units.
69
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
The
subordination period will extend until the first day of any quarter beginning
after September 30, 2011 that each of the following tests are met:
· |
distributions
of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding
common
units and subordinated units equaled or exceeded the minimum quarterly
distribution for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four
quarter periods immediately preceding that
date;
|
· |
the
“adjusted operating surplus” (as defined in our partnership agreement)
generated during each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four
quarter periods immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded
the
sum of the minimum quarterly distributions on all of the outstanding
common and subordinated units during those periods on a fully diluted
basis during those
periods; and
|
· |
there
are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution
on the
common units.
|
If
the unitholders remove our general partner other than for cause and units held
by the general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of such
removal:
· |
the
subordination period will end and each subordinated unit will immediately
convert into one common unit;
|
· |
any
existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution
on
the common units will be extinguished;
and
|
· |
the
general partner will have the right to convert its 2% general partner
interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units
or to
receive cash in exchange for those
interests.
|
The
common units have limited voting rights as set forth in our partnership
agreement.
Pursuant
to our partnership agreement, if at any time our general partner and its
affiliates own more than 80% of the common units outstanding, our general
partner has the right, but not the obligation, to “call” or acquire all, but not
less than all, of the common units held by unaffiliated persons at a price
not
less than their then current market value. Our general partner may assign
this call right to any of its affiliates or to us.
Subordinated
Units
During
the subordination period, the subordinated units have no right to receive
distributions of available cash from operating surplus until the common units
receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus in an amount
equal to the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.40 per quarter, plus any
arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common
units from prior quarters. No arrearages will be paid to subordinated
units.
The
subordinated units may convert to common units on a one-for-one basis when
certain conditions as set forth in our partnership agreement are met. Our
partnership agreement also sets forth the calculation to be used to determine
the amount and priority of cash distributions that the common unitholders,
subordinated unitholders and our general partner will receive.
The
subordinated units have limited voting rights as set forth in our partnership
agreement.
General
Partner Interest
Our
general partner owns a 2% interest in us. This interest entitles our general
partner to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus as
discussed further below under Cash Distributions. Our partnership agreement
sets
forth the calculation to be used to determine the amount and priority of cash
distributions that the common unitholders, subordinated unitholders and general
partner will receive.
The
general partner units have the management rights as set forth in our partnership
agreement.
70
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
Allocations
of Net Income
Net
income is allocated between our general partner and the common and subordinated
unitholders in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement.
Net
income is generally allocated first to our general partner and the common and
subordinated unitholders in an amount equal to the net losses allocated to
our
general partner and the common and subordinated unitholders in the current
and
prior tax years under the partnership agreement. The remaining net income is
allocated to our general partner and the common and subordinated unitholders
in
accordance with their respective percentage interests of the general partner
units, common units and subordinated units.
Cash
Distributions
We
intend
to continue to make regular cash distributions to unitholders on a quarterly
basis, although there is no assurance as to the future cash distributions since
they are dependent upon future earnings, cash flows, capital requirements,
financial condition and other factors. Our credit facility prohibits us from
making cash distributions if any potential default or event of default, as
defined in our credit facility, occurs or would result from the cash
distribution.
Within
45
days after the end of each quarter, we will distribute all of our available
cash
(as defined in our partnership agreement) to our general partner and unitholders
of record on the applicable record date. The amount of available cash generally
is all cash on hand at the end of the quarter; less the amount of cash reserves
established by our general partner to provide for the proper conduct of our
business, to comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments, or other
agreements or to provide funds for distributions to unitholders and to our
general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters; plus all cash
on
hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting
from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter. Working
capital borrowings are generally borrowings that are made under our credit
facility and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to
pay
distributions to partners.
Our
partnership agreement requires that we make distributions of available cash
from
operating surplus for any quarter during the subordination period in the
following manner:
· |
first,
98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner,
until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal
to
the minimum quarterly distribution for that
quarter;
|
· |
second,
98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general partner,
until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal
to
any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on
the
common units for any prior quarters during the subordination
period;
|
· |
third,
98% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to the general
partner, until we distribute for each subordinated unit an amount
equal to
the minimum quarterly distribution for that
quarter; and
|
· |
thereafter,
cash in excess of the minimum quarterly distributions is distributed
to
the unitholders and the general partner based on the percentages
below.
|
Our
general partner is entitled to incentive distributions if the amount we
distribute with respect to one quarter exceeds specified target levels shown
below:
Marginal
Percentage
Interest
in Distributions
|
||||||||||
Total
Quarterly
Distributions
Target
Amount
|
Limited
Partner
|
General
Partner
|
||||||||
Minimum
quarterly distribution
|
$0.40
|
98
|
%
|
2
|
%
|
|||||
First
target distribution
|
Up
to $0.46
|
98
|
%
|
2
|
%
|
|||||
Second
target distribution
|
Above
$0.46, up to $0.50
|
85
|
%
|
15
|
%
|
|||||
Thereafter
|
Above
$0.50
|
75
|
%
|
25
|
%
|
On
January 26, 2007, the board of directors of EV Management declared a $0.40
per
unit distribution for the fourth quarter of 2006 on all common and subordinated
units. The distribution was paid on February 14, 2007 to unitholders of
record at the close of business on February 5, 2007. The aggregate amount of
the
distribution was $3.1 million.
71
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
On
April 30, 2007, the board of directors of EV Management declared a $0.46 per
unit distribution for the first quarter of 2007 on all common and subordinated
units. The distribution was paid on May 15, 2007 to unitholders of record at
the
close of business on May 7, 2007. The aggregate amount of the distribution
was
$5.4 million.
On
July
25, 2007, the board of directors of EV Management declared a $0.50 per unit
distribution for the second quarter of 2007 on all common and subordinated
units. The distribution was paid on August 14, 2007 to unitholders of record
at
the close of business on August 6, 2007. The aggregate amount of the
distribution was $7.7 million.
On
October 25, 2007, the board of directors of EV Management declared a $0.56
per
unit distribution for the third quarter of 2007 on all common and subordinated
units. The distribution was paid on November 14, 2007 to unitholders of record
at the close of business on November 5, 2007. The aggregate amount of the
distribution was $8.9 million.
On
January 29, 2008, the board of directors of EV Management declared a $0.60
per
unit distribution for the fourth quarter of 2007 on all common and subordinated
units. The distribution was paid on February 14, 2008 to unitholders of
record at the close of business on February 8, 2008. The aggregate amount of
the
distribution was $9.7 million.
NOTE
12. NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER UNIT
The
following sets forth the net income allocation in accordance with EITF
03-06:
Successor
|
|||||||
Year
Ended December 31, 2007
|
October
1, 2006 through December 31, 2006
|
||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
11,190
|
$
|
3,367
|
|||
Less:
|
|||||||
General
partner incentive distribution rights
|
(1,476
|
)
|
-
|
||||
General
partner’s 2% interest in net income
|
(194
|
)
|
(67
|
)
|
|||
Net
income available for limited partners
|
$
|
9,520
|
$
|
3,300
|
|||
Weighted
average common units outstanding (basic and diluted)
|
|||||||
Common
units (basic and diluted)
|
9,815
|
4,495
|
|||||
Subordinated
units (basic and diluted)
|
3,100
|
3,100
|
|||||
Net
income per limited partner unit (basic and diluted)
|
$
|
0.74
|
$
|
0.43
|
We
did
not declare a cash distribution during the period October 1, 2006 through
December 31, 2006 which would result in an incentive distribution to the
general partner as indicated above.
NOTE
13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Successor
Pursuant
to the Omnibus Agreement, we paid EnerVest $3.1 million and $0.3 million in
the
year ended December 31, 2007 and the three months ended December 31, 2006,
respectively, in monthly administrative fees for providing us general and
administrative services. These fees are included in general and administrative
expenses in our consolidated statement of operations.
On
January 31, 2007, we acquired natural gas properties in Michigan for $69.5
million, net of cash acquired, from certain institutional partnerships managed
by EnerVest, on March 30, 2007, we acquired additional natural gas properties
in
the Monroe Field in Louisiana from an institutional partnership managed by
EnerVest for $95.4 million and on December 21, 2007, we acquired additional
oil
and natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin for $59.6 million from
an
institutional partnership managed by EnerVest. On October 1, 2007, we acquired
oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin in New Mexico and Texas
from
Plantation Operating, LLC, an EnCap sponsored company, for $154.7 million (see
Note 5).
72
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
We
have entered into operating agreements with EnerVest whereby a subsidiary of
EnerVest acts as contract operator of the oil and natural gas wells and related
gathering systems and production facilities in which we own an interest. During
the year ended December 31, 2007 and the three months ended December 31, 2006,
we reimbursed EnerVest approximately $6.1 million and $0.6 million,
respectively, for direct expenses incurred in the operation of our wells and
related gathering systems and production facilities and for the allocable share
of the costs of EnerVest employees who performed services on our properties.
These costs are included in lease operating expenses in our consolidated
statement of operations. Additionally, in its role as contract operator, this
EnerVest subsidiary also collects proceeds from oil and natural gas sales and
distributes them to us and other working interest owners. We believe that the
aforementioned services were provided to us at fair and reasonable rates
relative to the prevailing market.
During
the three months ended March 31, 2007 and the three months ended December 31,
2006, we sold $1.3 million of natural gas to EnerVest Monroe Marketing, Ltd.
(“EnerVest Monroe Marketing”), a subsidiary of one of the EnerVest partnerships.
On March 30, 2007, we acquired EnerVest Monroe Marketing in our acquisition
of
natural gas properties in the Monroe Field in Louisiana (see Note 5).
Predecessors
Pursuant
to terms of certain agreements, the Predecessors paid $42,000 and $0.1 million
to EnerVest and its subsidiaries for management, accounting and advisory
services in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended December
31, 2005, respectively. In addition, a subsidiary of EnerVest served as operator
of the Predecessors’ properties and received reimbursement through Council of
Petroleum Accountants Societies (“COPAS”) overhead billings. The Predecessors
paid this EnerVest subsidiary $1.0 million and $1.2 million in the nine months
ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended December 31, 2005, respectively,
and
these amounts are reflected in lease operating expenses within the combined
statements of operations. Additionally, in its role as operator, this EnerVest
subsidiary also collected proceeds from oil and natural gas sales and
distributed them to the Predecessor and other working interest owners. We
believe that the aforementioned services were provided to the Predecessors
and
their affiliates at fair and reasonable rates relative to the prevailing
market.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended December 31, 2005,
the Predecessors sold $4.3 million and $6.0 million, respectively, of natural
gas to EnerVest Monroe Marketing. The purchase price was spot market price
based
on the average of two index prices for natural gas production in the area,
less
a gathering fee of either $0.10 per Mcf or $0.75 per Mcf depending upon whether
compression and additional gathering services or facilities were provided.
EnerVest Monroe Marketing resold the natural gas and realized a profit of $0.3
million and $0.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and the
year ended December 31, 2005, respectively.
In
connection with the formation of EV Properties in the second quarter of 2006,
EnerVest Production Partners and EnerVest WV sold certain non-material assets
not used in their oil and natural gas activities. These transactions are
described below:
· |
The
Predecessors sold oil and natural gas properties totaling $0.4 million
to
a wholly owned subsidiary of EnerVest. No loss was recognized on
the sale
as the transaction was deemed to be a transfer of assets between
entities
under common control;
|
· |
The
Predecessors sold other property totaling $0.2 million to a wholly
owned
subsidiary of EnerVest. No loss was recognized on the sale as the
transaction was deemed to be a distribution to the general partner;
and
|
· |
The
Predecessors sold investments in affiliated companies totaling $1.3
million to a wholly owned subsidiary of EnerVest. No loss was recognized
on the sale as the transaction was deemed to be a transfer of assets
between entities under common control. Prior to the sale, the Predecessors
recorded the proportionate share of net income from the investments
in
affiliated companies under the equity method of
accounting.
|
In
addition, in connection with the contribution of the general partner and limited
partner interests in EnerVest Production Partners to EV Properties, accounts
payable of $3.2 million was forgiven by EnerVest and converted to owners’
equity.
73
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements
(continued)
NOTE
14. OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Supplemental
cash flows and non-cash transactions were as follows:
Successor
|
Predecessors
|
||||||||||||
Year
Ended December 31, 2007
|
Three
Months Ended December 31, 2006
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2006
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2005
|
||||||||||
Supplemental
cash flows information:
|
|||||||||||||
Cash
paid for interest
|
$
|
6,453
|
$
|
16
|
$
|
686
|
$
|
569
|
|||||
Cash
paid for income taxes
|
-
|
-
|
3,357
|
3,921
|
|||||||||
Non-cash
transactions:
|
|||||||||||||
Issuance
of common and subordinated units in
conjunction with the acquisition of the Predecessors
|
-
|
36,060
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Costs
for development of oil and natural gas
properties in accounts payable and accrued
liabilities
|
1,653
|
557
|
241
|
-
|
|||||||||
Increase
in oil and natural gas properties rom purchase
of limited partnership interest
in EnerVest WV
|
-
|
-
|
7,681
|
-
|
|||||||||
Distribution/sale
of property and investments
in affiliates to EnerVest
|
-
|
-
|
1,849
|
-
|
|||||||||
Reduction
in debt through partner contribution
|
-
|
-
|
150
|
1,000
|
|||||||||
Increase
in due to affiliates for the incurrence
of offering costs on our behalf
|
-
|
-
|
4,000
|
-
|
|||||||||
Conversion
of accounts payable to EnerVest
to owners’ equity
|
-
|
-
|
3,165
|
-
|
NOTE
15. QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
Successor
|
|||||||||||||
First
Quarter
|
Second
Quarter
|
Third
Quarter
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
||||||||||
2007
|
|||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
12,007
|
$
|
23,138
|
$
|
29,429
|
$
|
39,434
|
|||||
Gross
profit (1)
|
8,219
|
14,667
|
19,359
|
27,058
|
|||||||||
Net
income (loss)
|
(2,602
|
)
|
11,957
|
13,735
|
(11,900
|
)
|
|||||||
Limited
partners’ interest in net income (loss)
(2)
|
(2,550
|
)
|
11,718
|
12,014
|
(11,662
|
)
|
|||||||
Net
income (loss) per limited partner unit (2)
|
|||||||||||||
Basic
|
$
|
(0.28
|
)
|
$
|
0.93
|
$
|
0.80
|
$
|
(0.78
|
)
|
|||
Diluted
|
$
|
(0.28
|
)
|
$
|
0.93
|
$
|
0.80
|
$
|
(0.78
|
)
|
|||
2006 |
Predecessors
|
Successor
|
|||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
13,158
|
$
|
13,053
|
$
|
13,880
|
$
|
7,818
|
|||||
Gross
profit (1)
|
9,749
|
9,772
|
10,440
|
5,063
|
|||||||||
Net
income
|
6,222
|
4,851
|
5,501
|
3,367
|
|||||||||
Limited
partners’ interest in net income (2)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,300
|
|||||||||
Net
income per limited partner unit (2)
|
|||||||||||||
Basic
|
$
|
0.43
|
|||||||||||
Diluted
|
$
|
0.43
|
_____________
(1) |
Represents
total revenues less lease operating expenses, cost of purchased natural
gas and production taxes.
|
(2) |
Calculated
for the period beginning with our initial public offering effective
October 1, 2006.
|
74
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
NOTE
16. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON OIL AND NATURAL GAS ACTIVITIES
(UNAUDITED)
The
following disclosures of costs incurred related to oil and natural gas
activities are presented in accordance with SFAS No. 69, Disclosure
about Oil and Gas Producing Activities:
Successor
|
Predecessors
|
||||||||||||
Year
Ended December 31, 2007
|
Three
Months Ended December 31, 2006
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2006
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2005
|
||||||||||
Costs
incurred in oil and natural gas producing
activities:
|
|||||||||||||
Acquisition
of proved properties
|
$
|
456,393
|
$
|
112,952
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
10,778
|
|||||
Acquisition
of unproved properties
|
446
|
173
|
-
|
445
|
|||||||||
Development
of oil and natural gas properties
|
12,197
|
1,728
|
7,152
|
5,097
|
|||||||||
Exploration
costs
|
-
|
-
|
1,415
|
3,069
|
|||||||||
Asset
retirement costs incurred and revised
|
13,593
|
712
|
11
|
532
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
482,629
|
$
|
115,565
|
$
|
8,578
|
$
|
19,921
|
December
31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Capitalized
costs related to oil and natural gas producing activities:
|
|||||||
Evaluated
properties:
|
|||||||
Proved
properties
|
$
|
600,503
|
$
|
118,320
|
|||
Unproved
properties
|
619
|
173
|
|||||
Accumulated
depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
(30,724
|
)
|
(4,092
|
)
|
|||
Net
capitalized costs
|
$
|
570,398
|
$
|
114,401
|
NOTE
17. ESTIMATED PROVED OIL, NATURAL GAS AND NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS RESERVES
(UNAUDITED)
Our
estimated proved developed and estimated proved undeveloped reserves are all
located within the United States. We caution that there are many uncertainties
inherent in estimating proved reserve quantities and in projecting future
production rates and the timing of development expenditures. Accordingly, these
estimates are expected to change as further information becomes available.
Material revisions of reserve estimates may occur in the future, development
and
production of the oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves may not
occur in the periods assumed, and actual prices realized and actual costs
incurred may vary significantly from those used in this estimate. Proved
reserves represent estimated quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas
liquids that geological and engineering data demonstrate, with reasonable
certainty, to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under
economic and operating conditions existing at the time the estimates were made.
Estimated proved developed reserves are estimated proved reserves expected
to be
recovered through wells and equipment in place and under operating methods
in
use at the time the estimates were made. The estimates of our proved reserves
as
of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and for CGAS Exploration and
EnerVest WV as of December 31, 2005 have been prepared by Cawley,
Gillespie, & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum consultants. The
estimates of proved reserves for EnerVest Production Partners as of
December 31, 2005 have been materially prepared by Cawley,
Gillespie, & Associates, Inc.
75
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
The
following table sets forth changes in estimated proved and estimated proved
developed reserves for the periods indicated.
Oil
(MBbls)
(1)
|
Natural
Gas
(Mmcf)
(2)
|
Natural
Gas Liquids
(MBbls)
(1)
|
MMcfe
(3)
|
||||||||||
Predecessors:
|
|||||||||||||
Proved
reserves:
|
|||||||||||||
Proved
reserves, January 1, 2005
|
1,484
|
35,752
|
-
|
44,660
|
|||||||||
Purchase
of minerals in place
|
-
|
9,816
|
-
|
9,816
|
|||||||||
Revision
of previous estimates
|
156
|
2,308
|
-
|
3,243
|
|||||||||
Production
|
(174
|
)
|
(3,901
|
)
|
-
|
(4,947
|
)
|
||||||
Extensions
and discoveries
|
202
|
6,908
|
-
|
8,119
|
|||||||||
Proved
reserves, December 31, 2005
|
1,668
|
50,883
|
-
|
60,891
|
|||||||||
Revision
of previous estimates
|
(139
|
)
|
(10,752
|
)
|
-
|
(11,590
|
)
|
||||||
Production
|
(147
|
)
|
(3,275
|
)
|
-
|
(4,157
|
)
|
||||||
Extension
and discoveries
|
47
|
1,157
|
-
|
1,440
|
|||||||||
Proved
reserves, September 30, 2006
|
1,429
|
38,013
|
-
|
46,584
|
|||||||||
Proved
developed reserves:
|
|||||||||||||
December
31, 2005
|
1,553
|
45,821
|
-
|
55,136
|
|||||||||
September
30, 2006
|
1,376
|
35,947
|
-
|
44,203
|
|||||||||
Successor:
|
|||||||||||||
Proved
reserves, September 30, 2006
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Purchase
of minerals in place
|
1,992
|
49,050
|
-
|
61,002
|
|||||||||
Revision
of previous estimates
|
-
|
91
|
-
|
91
|
|||||||||
Production
|
(18
|
)
|
(625
|
)
|
-
|
(733
|
)
|
||||||
Extensions
and discoveries
|
46
|
875
|
-
|
1,151
|
|||||||||
Proved
reserves, December 31, 2006
|
2,020
|
49,391
|
-
|
61,511
|
|||||||||
Reclass
of natural gas liquids (4)
|
(18
|
)
|
-
|
18
|
-
|
||||||||
Purchase
of minerals in place
|
2,450
|
207,285
|
8,841
|
275,031
|
|||||||||
Revision
of previous estimates
|
190
|
571
|
35
|
1,921
|
|||||||||
Production
|
(225
|
)
|
(9,254
|
)
|
(199
|
)
|
(11,798
|
)
|
|||||
Extensions
and discoveries
|
87
|
2,017
|
24
|
2,683
|
|||||||||
Proved
reserves, December 31, 2007
|
4,504
|
250,010
|
8,719
|
329,348
|
|||||||||
Proved
developed reserves:
|
|||||||||||||
December
31, 2006
|
1,920
|
45,906
|
-
|
57,425
|
|||||||||
December
31, 2007
|
3,714
|
223,000
|
5,434
|
277,888
|
_____________
(1) |
Thousand
of barrels.
|
(2) |
Million
cubic
feet.
|
(3) |
Million
cubic
feet equivalent; barrels are converted to Mcfe based on one barrel
of oil
to six Mcf of natural gas
equivalent.
|
(4) |
Reserves
for natural gas liquids were included with oil reserves in prior
years as
the amounts were not material.
|
NOTE
18. STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED FUTURE NET CASH FLOWS RELATING TO PROVED
OIL, NATURAL GAS AND NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS RESERVES
(UNAUDITED)
The
following tables, which present a standardized measure of discounted future
net
cash flows and changes therein relating to estimated proved oil, natural gas
and
natural gas liquids reserves, are presented pursuant to SFAS No. 69. In
computing this data, assumptions other than those required by SFAS No. 69
could produce different results. Accordingly, the data should not be construed
as representative of the fair market value of our estimated proved oil, natural
gas and natural gas liquids reserves. The following assumptions have been made:
76
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
·
|
Future
revenues were based on year end oil, natural gas and natural gas
liquids
prices. Future price changes were included only to the extent provided
by
existing contractual agreements.
|
· |
Production
and development costs were computed using year end costs assuming
no
change in present economic
conditions.
|
· |
Future
net cash flows were discounted at an annual rate of
10%.
|
· |
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and the year ended December
31,
2005, future income taxes were computed only for CGAS Exploration
using
the approximate statutory tax rate and giving effect to available
net
operating losses, tax credits and statutory depletion. No future
income
taxes were computed for EnerVest WV or EnerVest Production Partners
in
accordance with their standing as non taxable entities. For the year
ended
December 31, 2007 and the three months ended December 31, 2006, no
future
federal income taxes were computed in accordance with our standing
as non
taxable entities. For the year ended December 31, 2007, future obligations
under the Texas gross margin tax were
computed.
|
The
standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to estimated
proved oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves is presented below:
Successor
|
Predecessors
|
||||||||||||
Year
Ended December 31, 2007
|
Three
Months Ended December 31, 2006
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2006
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2005
|
||||||||||
Estimated
future cash inflows:
|
|||||||||||||
Revenues
from sales of oil, natural gas and natural
gas liquids
|
$
|
2,541,295
|
$
|
405,592
|
$
|
263,003
|
$
|
643,848
|
|||||
Production
costs
|
(937,764
|
)
|
(165,968
|
)
|
(113,414
|
)
|
(181,962
|
)
|
|||||
Development
costs
|
(100,113
|
)
|
(11,969
|
)
|
(5,666
|
)
|
(15,593
|
)
|
|||||
Estimated
future cash inflows before future
income taxes
|
1,503,418
|
227,655
|
143,923
|
446,293
|
|||||||||
Future
income taxes
|
(3,172
|
)
|
-
|
(31,222
|
)
|
(76,033
|
)
|
||||||
Future
net cash inflows
|
1,500,246
|
227,655
|
112,701
|
370,260
|
|||||||||
10%
annual timing discount
|
(820,347
|
)
|
(122,652
|
)
|
(45,406
|
)
|
(187,851
|
)
|
|||||
Standardized
measure of discounted future net
cash flows
|
$
|
679,899
|
$
|
105,003
|
$
|
67,295
|
$
|
182,409
|
At
December 31, 2007, as specified by the SEC, the prices for oil and natural
gas used in this calculation were regional cash price quotes on the last day
of
the year except for volumes subject to fixed price contracts. The weighted
average prices for the total estimated proved reserves at December 31,
2007, 2006 and 2005 were $95.95 per Bbl of oil, $6.795 per MMBtu of natural
gas
and $57.50 per Bbl of natural gas liquids, $60.85 per Bbl of oil and $5.635
per
MMBtu of natural gas and $61.04 per Bbl of oil and $10.08 per MMBtu of
natural gas, respectively. We do not include our oil and natural gas derivative
financial instruments, consisting of swaps and collars, in the determination
of
our oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves.
77
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
Notes
to Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements (continued)
The
principal sources of changes in the standardized measure of future net cash
flows are as follows:
Successor
|
Predecessors
|
||||||||||||
Year
Ended December 31, 2007
|
Three
Months Ended December 31, 2006
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2006
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2005
|
||||||||||
Beginning
of period
|
$
|
105,003
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
182,409
|
$
|
80,772
|
|||||
Sales
of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids,
net of production costs
|
(67,774
|
)
|
(3,946
|
)
|
(28,109
|
)
|
(31,259
|
)
|
|||||
Purchase
of minerals in place
|
519,578
|
84,265
|
-
|
15,804
|
|||||||||
Extensions
and discoveries
|
7,000
|
1,638
|
6,499
|
36,668
|
|||||||||
Development
costs incurred
|
12,528
|
10
|
7,152
|
5,097
|
|||||||||
Changes
in estimated future development costs
|
(4,092
|
)
|
(7,372
|
)
|
2,776
|
(19,972
|
)
|
||||||
Net
changes in prices and production costs
|
55,419
|
22,300
|
(147,324
|
)
|
77,351
|
||||||||
Revisions
and other
|
19,176
|
6,574
|
7,298
|
33,207
|
|||||||||
Changes
in income taxes
|
(1,882
|
)
|
-
|
22,913
|
(24,515
|
)
|
|||||||
Accretion
of 10% timing discount
|
34,943
|
1,534
|
13,681
|
9,256
|
|||||||||
End
of period
|
$
|
679,899
|
$
|
105,003
|
$
|
67,295
|
$
|
182,409
|
78
ITEM
9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM
9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In
accordance with Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15, we carried out an
evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management,
including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the
period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls
and
procedures were effective as of December 31, 2007 to provide reasonable
assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or
submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s
rules and forms. Our disclosure controls and procedures include controls and
procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required
to
be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated
and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure.
Management’s
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Pursuant
to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our management included a
report of their assessment of the design and effectiveness of our internal
controls over financial reporting as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K
for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. Management
excluded the acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties from Anadarko
Petroleum Corporation and Plantation Operating, LLC. Due to transition services
provided by the sellers under the terms of the acquisition agreements,
integration of these acquisitions did not begin until the third and fourth
quarter, respectively. These acquisitions represent approximately $258.7
million, or 43%, $30.8 million, or 30%, and $16.4 million, or 25% of our total
assets, revenues, and operating expenses, respectively, as of and for the year
ended December 31, 2007. Deloitte
& Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued
an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over
financial reporting. Management’s report and the independent registered public
accounting firm’s attestation report are included in Item 8 under the
caption entitled “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and are
incorporated herein by reference.
Change
in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
There
have not been any changes in our internal controls over financial reporting
that
occurred during the quarterly period ended December 31, 2007 that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls
over financial reporting.
ITEM
9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART
III
ITEM
10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
As
is the case with many publicly traded partnerships, we do not directly have
officers, directors or employees. Our operations and activities are managed
by
the general partner of our general partner, EV Management, a wholly owned
subsidiary of EnerVest. References to our officers, directors and employees
are
references to the officers, directors and employees of EV Management.
Our
general partner is not elected by our unitholders and will not be subject to
re-election on a regular basis in the future. Unitholders will not be entitled
to elect the directors of EV Management or directly or indirectly participate
in
our management or operation. Our general partner is owned 71.25% by EnerVest,
23.75% by EnCap and 5.00% by EV Investors.
79
Our
general partner owes a fiduciary duty to our unitholders. Our general partner
will be liable, as general partner, for all of our debts (to the extent not
paid
from our assets), except for indebtedness or other obligations that are made
expressly nonrecourse to it. Our general partner therefore may cause us to
incur
indebtedness or other obligations that are nonrecourse to it.
Directors
and Executive Officers
All
of our executive management personnel, other than Messrs. Walker, Houser and
Dwyer, are employees of EV Management and devote all of their time to our
business and affairs. We estimate that Mr. Walker devotes
approximately 25% of his time to our business, Mr. Houser devotes
approximately 40% of his time to our business and Mr. Dwyer devotes
approximately 25% of his time to our business. The officers of EV Management
will manage the day-to-day affairs of our business. We also utilize a
significant number of employees of EnerVest to operate our properties and
provide us with certain general and administrative services. Under the omnibus
agreement, we pay EnerVest a fee for its operational personnel who perform
services for our benefit. During the year ended December 31, 2007, we paid
EnerVest $3.1 million for general and administrative services, which fee will
increase or decrease as we purchase or divest assets.
The
following table shows information as of March 3, 2008 regarding members of
our
Board of Directors and executive officers of EV Management. Members of our
Board
of Directors are elected for one-year terms.
Name
|
Age
|
Position
with EV Management
|
||
John
B. Walker
|
62
|
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
|
||
Mark
A. Houser
|
46
|
President,
Chief Operating Officer and Director
|
||
Michael
E. Mercer
|
49
|
Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
||
Kathryn
S. MacAskie
|
51
|
Senior
Vice President of Acquisitions and Divestitures
|
||
Frederick
Dwyer
|
48
|
Controller
|
||
Victor
Burk (1)
(2)
|
58
|
Director
|
||
James
R. Larson (1)
|
58
|
Director
|
||
George
Lindahl III (1)
(2)
|
61
|
Director
|
||
Gary
R. Petersen (2)
|
61
|
Director
|
_____________
(1) |
Member
of the audit committee and the conflicts
committee.
|
(2) |
Member
of the compensation committee.
|
John
B. Walker
has served as EV Management’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 2006.
He has been the President and CEO of EnerVest, Ltd. since its formation in
1992.
Prior to that, Mr. Walker was President and Chief Operating Officer of
Torch Energy Advisors Incorporated, a company which formed and managed
partnerships for institutional investors in the oil and natural gas business,
and Chief Executive Officer of Walker Energy Partners, a master limited
partnership engaged in the exploration and production business. He was the
Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of America from 2003 to 2005.
Mr. Walker is currently a member of the National Petroleum Council and
serves or has served on the boards of the Houston Producers Forum, Houston
Petroleum Club, Offshore Energy Center, Texas Independent Producers and Royalty
Owners Association and the Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of
America. He holds a BBA from Texas Tech University and an MBA from New York
University.
Mark
A. Houser
has
served as EV Management’s President, Chief Operating Officer and Director since
2006. He has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
of
EnerVest, Ltd. since 1999. Prior to that, Mr. Houser was Vice President,
United States Exploration and Production, for Occidental Petroleum Corporation,
or Oxy, where he helped lead Oxy’s reorganization of its domestic reserve base.
Mr. Houser
began his career as an engineer with Kerr-McGee Corporation. He holds a
petroleum engineering degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA from
Southern Methodist University.
80
Michael
E. Mercer has
served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2006.
He
was a consultant to EnerVest, Ltd. from 2001 to 2006. Prior to that,
Mr. Mercer was an investment banker for twelve years. He was a Director in
the Energy Group at Credit Suisse First Boston in Houston and a Director in
the
Energy Group at Salomon Smith Barney in New York and London. He holds a BBA
in
Petroleum Land Management from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA
from
the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
Kathryn
S. MacAskie
has served as our Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Divestitures since
2006. She has been President and co-owner of FlairTex Resources, Inc., a
petroleum engineering consulting and acquisition business since 2002. Prior
to
that, Ms. MacAskie was Vice President and Manager of the Houston Office for
Cawley, Gillespie & Associates Inc., a Petroleum Engineering Consulting
firm from 1999 to 2002 and Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and
Divestitures for EnerVest, Ltd. from 1994 to 1999. She holds a BS in Engineering
from Rice University and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of
Texas.
Frederick
Dwyer has
served as Controller of EV Management since 2006. Mr. Dwyer joined EnerVest
in
September 2006 as Vice President and Corporate Controller. Prior to that, he
was
employed by KCS Energy, Inc., a Houston-based oil and natural gas exploration
and production company, since 1986, where he held various management and
supervisory positions including Vice President, Controller and Corporate
Secretary. He began his career with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Company. Mr.
Dwyer holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Manhattan College.
Victor
Burk was
appointed to our Board of Directors in September 2006. Since 2005, Mr. Burk
has been the global energy practice leader for Spencer Stuart, a privately
owned
executive recruiting firm. Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Mr. Burk served
as managing partner of Deloitte & Touche’s global oil and natural gas
group from 2002 to 2005. He began his professional career in 1972 with Arthur
Andersen and served as managing partner of Arthur Andersen’s global oil and
natural gas group from 1989 until 2002. Mr. Burk is a board member of the
Houston Producers’ Forum, the Independent Petroleum Association of America
(Southeast Texas Region) and Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of
America. He holds a BBA in Accounting from Stephen F. Austin University,
graduating with highest honors.
James
R. Larson was
appointed to our Board of Directors in September 2006. Since January 1,
2006, Mr. Larson has been retired. From September 2005 until
January 1, 2006, Mr. Larson served as Senior Vice President of
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. From December 2003 to September 2005,
Mr. Larson served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
Officer of Anadarko. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Larson served as Senior Vice
President, Finance of Anadarko where he oversaw treasury, investor relations,
internal audits and acquisitions and divestitures. From 1995 to 2002,
Mr. Larson served as Vice President and Controller of Anadarko where he was
responsible for accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and
tax.
Prior to that, he held various tax and financial positions within Anadarko
after
joining the company in 1981. Mr. Larson is a current member of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Financial Executives International
and Tax Executives Institute. He holds a BBA in Business from the University
of
Iowa.
George
Lindahl III
was appointed to our Board of Directors in September 2006. From 2001 to 2007,
he was a Managing Partner for Sandefer Capital Partners. From 2000 to 2001
he served as Vice Chairman of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. From 1987 to
2000,
he was with Union Pacific Resources, serving as President and Chief Operating
Officer from 1996 to 1999 and as Chairman, President and CEO from 1999 to 2000.
He holds a BS in Geology from the University of Alabama and has completed the
Advanced Management program at Harvard Business School.
Gary
R. Petersen
was appointed to our Board of Directors in September 2006. Since 1988,
Mr. Petersen has been Senior Managing Director of EnCap Investments L.P.,
an investment management firm which he co-founded. He had previously served
as
Senior Vice President of the Corporate Finance Division of the Energy Banking
Group for RepublicBank Corporation. Prior to his position at RepublicBank,
he
was Executive Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of Nicklos
Oil & Gas Company from 1979 to 1984. Mr. Petersen is on the board of
directors of the general partner of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., a
publicly traded partnership engaged in the transportation and marketing of
crude
oil. He holds a BBA and an MBA from Texas Tech University.
Composition
of the Board of Directors
EV
Management’s board of directors consists of six members, one of which, Mr.
Petersen, was appointed by EnCap and the remainder of which were appointed
by
EnerVest.
EV
Management’s board of directors holds regular and special meetings at any time
as may be necessary. Regular meetings may be held without notice on dates set
by
the board from time to time. Special meetings of the board may be called with
reasonable notice to each member upon request of the chairman of the board
or
upon the written request of any three board members. A quorum for a regular
or
special meeting will exist when a majority of the members are participating
in
the meeting either in person or by telephone conference. Any action required
or
permitted to be taken at a board meeting may be taken without a meeting, without
prior notice and without a vote if all of the members sign a written consent
authorizing the action.
81
Unitholder
Communications
Interested
parties can communicate directly with non-management directors by mail in care
of EV Energy Partners, L.P., 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 800, Houston, Texas
77002. Such communications should specify the intended recipient or recipients.
Commercial solicitations or communications will not be forwarded.
Committees
of the Board of Directors
EV
Management’s board of directors established an audit committee, a compensation
committee and a conflicts committee. The charters for our audit and compensation
committees are posted under the “Investor Relations” section of our website at
www.evenergypartners.com.
Our
conflicts committee was created in our partnership agreement and does not have
a
charter.
Because
we are a limited partnership, the listing standards of the NASDAQ do not require
that we or our general partner have a majority of independent directors or
a
nominating or compensation committee of the board of directors. We are, however,
required to have an audit committee, a majority of whose members are required
to
be “independent” under NASDAQ standards as described below.
Audit
Committee
The
audit
committee is comprised of Messrs. Larson (Chairman), Burk and Lindahl, all
of
whom meet the independence and experience standards established by the NASDAQ
and the Exchange Act.
The board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. Larson, Burk and
Lindahl is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under SEC
rules.
The
audit committee assists the board of directors in its oversight of the integrity
of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements and corporate policies and controls. The audit committee has the
sole authority and responsibility to retain and terminate our independent
registered public accounting firm, resolve disputes with such firm, approve
all
auditing services and related fees and the terms thereof, and pre-approve any
non-audit services to be rendered by our independent registered public
accounting firm. The audit committee is also responsible for confirming the
independence and objectivity of our independent registered public accounting
firm. Our independent registered public accounting firm is given unrestricted
access to the audit committee and meets with the audit committee on a regularly
scheduled basis. During 2007, representatives of our independent auditors
attended all of our audit committee meetings. The audit committee may also
engage the services of advisors and accountants as it deems advisable.
Compensation
Committee
Although
not required by the listing requirements of the NASDAQ, the board of directors
established and maintains a compensation committee comprised of non-employee
directors. The compensation committee is comprised of Messrs. Lindahl
(Chairman), Burk and Petersen. The compensation committee reviews the
compensation and benefits of our executive officers, establishes and reviews
general policies related to our compensation and benefits and administers our
Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Conflicts
Committee
The
conflicts committee is comprised of Messrs. Burk (Chairman), Larson and Lindahl,
all of whom meet the independence and experience standards established by the
NASDAQ and the Exchange Act. The conflicts committee reviews specific matters
that the board of directors believes may involve conflicts of interest. The
conflicts committee will then determine if the resolution of the conflict of
interest is fair and reasonable to us. Any matters approved by the conflicts
committee will be conclusively deemed to be fair and reasonable to us, approved
by all of our partners, and not a breach by our general partner of any duties
it
may owe us or our unitholders.
Meetings
and Other Information
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, the board of directors had 14 regularly
scheduled and special meetings, the audit committee had seven meetings, the
compensation committee had four meetings and the conflicts committee had eight
meetings. None of our directors attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate number
of meetings of the board of directors and committees of the board on which
the
director served except for Mr. Petersen who attended 10 board meetings and
two
compensation committee meetings.
82
Our
partnership agreement provides that the general partner manages and operates
us
and that, unlike holders of common stock in a corporation, unitholders have
only
limited voting rights on matters affecting our business or governance.
Accordingly, we do not hold annual meetings of unitholders.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires executive officers and directors of EV
Management and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a class of our
equity securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act to
file
certain reports with the SEC and the NASDAQ concerning their beneficial
ownership of such securities.
Based
solely on a review of the copies of reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments
thereto furnished to us and written representations from the executive officers
and directors of EV Management, we believe that during the year ended December
31, 2007, the officers and directors of EV Management and beneficial owners
of
more than 10% of our equity securities registered pursuant to Section 12 were
in
compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 16(a).
Code
of Ethics
The
corporate governance of EV Management is, in effect, the corporate governance
of
our partnership, subject in all cases to any specific unitholder rights
contained in our partnership agreement.
EV
Management has adopted a code of business conduct that applies to all officers,
directors and employees of EV Management and its affiliates. A copy of our
code
of business conduct is available on our website at www.evenergypartners.com.
83
Reimbursement
of Expenses of our General Partner
Our
general partner does not receive any management fee or other compensation for
its management of our partnership. Under the terms of the omnibus agreement,
we
pay EnerVest a fee for general and administrative services undertaken for our
benefit and for our allocable portion of the premiums on insurance policies
covering our assets. In addition, we reimburse EV Management for the costs
of
employee, officer and director compensation and benefits properly allocable
to
us, as well as for other expenses necessary or appropriate to the conduct of
our
business and properly allocable to us. Our partnership agreement provides that
our general partner will determine the expenses that are allocable to us in
any
reasonable manner determined by our general partner in its sole discretion.
ITEM
11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
Because
our general partner is a limited partnership, its general partner, EV
Management, manages our operations and activities. We do not directly employ
any
of the persons responsible for managing our business. Mr. Mercer and Ms.
MacAskie are employees of EV Management, and we reimburse EV Management for
the
costs of their compensation. Mr. Mercer and Ms. MacAskie do not perform services
for EnerVest or its affiliates. Their compensation is set by the compensation
committee of EV Management’s board of directors, which we refer to as our
compensation committee
Messrs.
Walker, Houser and Dwyer are officers of EV Management and also are officers
and
employees of subsidiaries of EnerVest. In these capacities, they perform
services for us as well as for EnerVest and its other affiliates. Messrs.
Walker, Houser and Dwyer receive their base salary and short-term and long-term
incentive compensation from EnerVest. Our compensation committee discusses
with
EnerVest the philosophy used by EnerVest in setting their salaries and bonus
compensation, but the compensation committee has no role in determining the
base
salary and short-term and long-term incentive compensation paid to them by
EnerVest. We pay EnerVest a fee under the omnibus agreement which is based
in
part on the compensation paid to EnerVest employees who perform work for us,
but
we do not directly reimburse EnerVest for the costs of the compensation of
Messrs. Walker, Houser and Dwyer. In addition to the compensation paid to them
by EnerVest, Messrs. Walker, Houser and Dwyer participate in our equity
incentive plan. Awards made to Messrs. Walker, Houser and Dwyer under the plan
are determined by our compensation committee.
Our
compensation committee has overall responsibility for the approval, evaluation
and oversight of all of our compensation plans. The
committee’s primary purpose is to assist the board of directors in the discharge
of its fiduciary responsibilities relating to fair and competitive compensation.
The compensation committee meets in the fourth quarter of each year to review
the compensation program and to determine compensation levels for the ensuing
fiscal year, and at other times as required.
Objectives
of Our Compensation Program
Our
executive compensation program is intended to align the interests of our
management team with those of our unitholders by motivating our executive
officers to achieve strong financial and operating results for us, which we
believe closely correlate to long-term unitholder value. In addition, our
program is designed to achieve the following objectives:
· |
attract
and retain talented executive officers by providing reasonable total
compensation levels competitive with that of executives holding comparable
positions in similarly situated
organizations;
|
· |
provide
total compensation that is justified by individual performance and
industry peers;
|
· |
provide
performance-based compensation that balances rewards for short-term
and
long-term results and is tied to both individual and our performance;
and
|
· |
encourage
the long-term commitment of our executive officers to us and our
unitholders’ long-term interests.
|
What
Our Compensation Program is Designed to Reward
Our
compensation program is designed to reward performance that contributes to
the
achievement of our business strategy on both a short-term and long-term basis.
In addition, we reward qualities that we believe help achieve our strategy
such
as teamwork; individual performance in light of general economic and industry
specific conditions; performance that supports our core values; resourcefulness;
the ability to manage our existing assets; the ability to explore new avenues
to
increase oil and gas production and reserves; level of job responsibility;
and
tenure.
84
Benchmarking
To
assist
us in evaluating our compensation for 2007, our compensation committee retained
Buck Consultants (an ASC company), as our compensation consultants. Buck
Consulting also assisted EnerVest in its compensation decisions for 2007. Buck
Consulting prepared an analysis for us of the compensation paid by a peer group
composed of the following upstream master limited partnerships: Atlas Energy
Resources, LLC, BreitBurn Energy Partners, L.P., Constellation Energy Group,
Inc., Encore Acquisition Company, Legacy Reserves LP and Linn Energy, LLC.
Buck
Consultants is independent, and, other than its engagement to review our
compensation practices and those of EnerVest, has no other business relationship
with us.
Performance
Metrics
Our
compensation committee did not establish performance metrics for our executive
officers at the beginning of the year. Our compensation committee has discussed
with Buck Consultants a compensation plan in which performance metrics, goals
and target compensation levels for meeting the goals would be established and
communicated to executive officers. Our compensation committee does not intend
to establish metrics, goals and target compensation levels for 2008 to remain
flexible in our compensation practices during our first several years as a
public master limited partnership.
In
setting compensation amounts, the compensation committee considered the
performance of our executive officers in causing us to achieve the following
milestones:
· |
our
common unit price increased from our initial public offering price
of
$20.00 to $35.00;
|
· |
our
distributions increased from $0.40 per unit to $0.60 per
unit;
|
· |
our
asset base increased over 500% from over $500 million in acquisitions
at
favorable prices;
|
· |
our
operating performance was within budget;
and
|
· |
we
completed two private offerings of our common units and entered into
an
amended and restated credit
facility.
|
Based
on
this success, our compensation committee generally awarded bonuses and long-term
incentives that reflected good to excellent performance.
Elements
of Our Compensation Program and Why We Pay Each
Element
To
accomplish our objectives, we seek to offer a total direct compensation program
to our executive officers that, when valued in its entirety, serves to attract,
motivate and retain executives with the character, experience and professional
accomplishments required for our growth and development. Our compensation
program is comprised of four elements:
·
|
base
salary;
|
·
|
cash
bonus;
|
·
|
long-term
equity-based compensation; and
|
·
|
benefits.
|
Base
Salary
We
pay
base salary in order to recognize each executive officer's unique value and
historical contributions to our success in light of salary norms in the industry
and the general marketplace; to match competitors for executive talent; to
provide executives with sufficient, regularly-paid income; and to reflect
position and level of responsibility.
85
Mr.
Mercer and Ms. MacAskie are parties to employment agreements which set their
minimum base salaries per annum. These salaries were determined by private
negotiations between those officers and EnerVest prior to our initial public
offering.
In
the
compensation committee’s discretion, these base salaries may be increased. The
compensation committee increased the base salary of both Mr. Mercer and Ms.
MacAskie by 4%, generally representing a cost of living increase. In determining
to increase the base salary from that paid in 2007, the compensation committee
took into account a combination of subjective factors as well as data available
from objective, professionally-conducted market studies obtained from a range
of
industry and general market sources, including Buck Consultants. Subjective
factors the compensation committee considered include individual achievements,
the partnership’s performance, level of responsibility, experience, leadership
abilities, increases or changes in duties and responsibilities and contributions
to our performance.
Cash
Bonus
We
include an annual cash bonus as part of our compensation program because we
believe this element of compensation helps to motivate management to achieve
key
operational objectives by rewarding the achievement of these objectives. The
annual cash bonus also allows us to be competitive from a total remuneration
standpoint.
The
cash
bonuses paid to Mr. Mercer and Ms. MacAskie reflect the belief of our
compensation committee that their efforts directly affected our success in
2007.
In general, the compensation committee targets between 50% and 75% of base
salary for performance deemed by our compensation committee to be good (to
generally exceed expectations) and great (to significantly exceed expectations),
respectively, with the possibility of no bonus for poor performance and higher
for exceptional corporate or individual performance. Mr. Mercer’s and Ms.
MacAskie’s employment agreements provide that the cash bonus element of
compensation will be equal to a percentage of the executive's base salary paid
during each such annual period, such percentage to be established by the
compensation committee in its sole discretion.
Long-term
Equity-based Compensation
Long-term
equity-based compensation is an element of our compensation policy because
we
believe it aligns executives’ interests with the interests of our unitholders;
rewards long-term performance; is required in order for us to be competitive
from a total remuneration standpoint; encourages executive retention; and gives
executives the opportunity to share in our long-term performance.
The
compensation committee and/or our board of directors act as the manager of
our
long-term incentive plan (the “Plan”) and performs functions that include
selecting award recipients, determining the timing of grants and assigning
the
number of units subject to each award, fixing the time and manner in which
awards are exercisable, setting exercise prices and vesting and expiration
dates, and from time to time adopting rules and regulations for carrying out
the
purposes of our plan. For compensation decisions regarding the grant of equity
compensation to executive officers, our compensation committee will consider
recommendations from our chief executive officer. Typically, awards vest over
multiple years, but the compensation committee maintains the discretionary
authority to vest the equity grant immediately if the individual situation
merits. In the event of a change of control, or upon the death, disability,
retirement or termination of a grantee’s employment without good reason, all
outstanding equity based awards will immediately vest.
Except
as
set forth in the employment agreements, we have no set formula for granting
awards to our executives or employees. In determining whether to grant awards
and the amount of any awards, our compensation committee takes into
consideration discretionary factors such as the individual’s current and
expected future performance, level of responsibilities, retention
considerations, survey data and the total compensation package.
Awards
under the Plan may be unit options, phantom units, restricted units and deferred
equity rights, or DERs, and the aggregate amount of our common units that may
be
awarded under the Plan is 775,000 units. As of December 31, 2007, there are
523,100 units available for issuance. Unless earlier terminated by us or unless
all units available under the plan have been paid to participants, the Plan
will
terminate as of the close of business on September 20, 2016.
Although
the Plan generally provides for the grant of unit options, Internal Revenue
Code
Section 409A and authoritative guidance thereunder provides that options can
generally only be granted to employees of the entity granting the option
and certain affiliates without being required to comply with Section 409A as
nonqualified deferred compensation. Until further guidance is issued by
the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service under Section 409A, we
do
not intend to grant unit options.
86
Generally,
upon vesting, a phantom unit entitles the participant to a common unit or an
amount of cash equal to the fair market value of a common unit at the date
of
vesting. The compensation committee will determine the number of phantom units
to be granted, any restricted period, the conditions under which phantom units
may become vested or forfeited and any other terms and conditions, all as
specified in the applicable award agreement. Unless waived by the compensation
committee or the award agreement provides otherwise, all outstanding phantom
units will be forfeited upon termination of a participant’s employment with, or
consulting services to, the general partner and its affiliates or upon
termination of a participant’s membership on the board of directors of the
general partner.
Restricted
unit awards are subject to a restricted period, which is a period of time
established by the compensation committee and during which the award is subject
to forfeiture and is not exercisable or payable to the participant, as
applicable. The compensation committee will determine the number of restricted
units to be granted, the restricted period, the conditions under which
restricted units may become vested or forfeited and any other terms and
conditions, all as specified in the applicable award agreement. Unless waived
by
the compensation committee or the award agreement provides otherwise, all
outstanding restricted units will be forfeited upon termination of a
participant’s employment with, or consulting services to, the general partner
and its affiliates or upon termination of a participant’s membership on the
board of directors of the general partner.
In
the
compensation committee’s discretion, an award may provide that distributions
made with respect to the phantom units or restricted units are subject to the
same forfeiture and other restrictions as the phantom units or restricted units
and that the distributions will be held, without interest, until the phantom
unit or restricted unit vests or is forfeited. Absent a restriction on
distributions, distributions will be paid to the holder of the phantom units
or
restricted units without restriction.
The
compensation committee may, in its discretion, grant DERs to eligible
participants. A DER is a contingent right to receive an amount in cash equal
to
the cash distributions made by us with respect to a unit during the period
the
award is outstanding. The compensation committee will determine whether DERs
are
tandem or separate awards and how such awards are paid to participants. The
award agreement will contain the vesting schedule and the payment provisions
applicable to the award.
Because
Messrs. Walker, Houser and Dwyer commit less than half of their business time
to
us, the compensation committee believes that it is appropriate to compensate
them only through long-term incentives that will reward them in accordance
with
our long-term success.
Benefits
We
believe in a simple, straight-forward compensation program and, as such, Mr.
Mercer and Ms. MacAskie are not provided unique perquisites or other personal
benefits. Consistent with this strategy, no perquisites or other personal
benefits have or are expected to exceed $10,000 for Mr. Mercer or Ms.
MacAskie.
Through
EnerVest, we provide company benefits that we believe are standard in the
industry. These benefits consist of a group medical and dental insurance program
for employees and their qualified dependents, group life insurance for employees
and their spouses, accidental death and dismemberment coverage for employees,
a
company sponsored cafeteria plan and a 401(k) employee savings and protection
plan. The 401(k) contribution to each qualified participant, including the
named
executive officers, is calculated based on 5% of the employee’s eligible salary,
excluding annual cash bonuses. We also match employee deferral amounts,
including amounts deferred by named executive officers, up to a total of 5%
of
eligible compensation.
How
Elements of Our Compensation Program are Related to Each
Other
We
view
the various components of compensation as related but distinct and emphasize
“pay for performance” with a significant portion of total compensation
reflecting a risk aspect tied to long-term and short-term financial and
strategic goals. Our compensation philosophy is to foster entrepreneurship
at
all levels of the organization by making long-term equity-based incentives,
in
particular unit grants, a significant component of executive compensation.
We
determine the appropriate level for each compensation component based in part,
but not exclusively, on our view of internal equity and consistency, and other
considerations we deem relevant, such as rewarding extraordinary performance.
87
Our
compensation committee, has not adopted any formal or informal policies or
guidelines for allocating compensation between long-term and currently paid
out
compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation, or among different forms
of non-cash compensation.
Accounting
and Tax Considerations
We
have
structured our compensation program to comply with Internal Revenue Code
Sections 162(m) and 409A. Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code,
a
limitation was placed on tax deductions of any publicly-held corporation for
individual compensation to certain executives of such corporation exceeding
$1,000,000 in any taxable year, unless the compensation is performance-based.
If
an executive is entitled to nonqualified deferred compensation benefits that
are
subject to Section 409A, and such benefits do not comply with Section 409A,
then
the benefits are taxable in the first year they are not subject to a substantial
risk of forfeiture. In such case, the service provider is subject to regular
federal income tax, interest and an additional federal income tax of 20% of
the
benefit includible in income. We have no employees with non-performance based
compensation paid in excess of the Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) tax
deduction limit. However, we reserve the right to use our judgment to authorize
compensation payments that do not comply with the exemptions in Section 162(m)
when we believe that such payments are appropriate and in the best interest
of
the unitholders, after taking into consideration changing business conditions
or
the executive’s individual performance and/or changes in specific job duties and
responsibilities.
When
the
compensation committee makes awards under the Plan, they also review the effect
the awards will have on our consolidated financial statements.
Compensation
Committee Report
We
have
reviewed and discussed with management the compensation discussion and analysis
required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K. Based on the review and discussion
referred to above, we recommend to the board of directors that the compensation
discussion and analysis be included in this Form 10-K.
Compensation
Committee:
George
Lindhal III (Chairman)
Victor
Burk
Gary
R. Petersen
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to compensation
of
our named executive officers. We
reimburse EV Management for the costs of Mr. Mercer’s and Ms. MacAskie’s
salaries and bonuses. Messrs. Walker, Houser and Dwyer are compensated by
EnerVest. We pay EnerVest a fee under the omnibus agreement, but we do not
directly reimburse EnerVest for the costs of their salaries and
bonuses.
There
was no compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to any of the named executive
officers related to option awards or non-equity incentive compensation plans.
In
addition, none of the named executive officers participate in a defined benefit
pension plan.
Name
and Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
|
Bonus
(1)
|
Unit
Awards
(2)
|
All
Other
Compensation
(3)
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
John
B. Walker Chief
Executive Officer
|
2007
2006
|
$
|
-
-
|
$
|
-
-
|
$
|
308,907
450,000
|
$
|
75,300
-
|
$
|
384,207
450,000
|
||||||||
Mark
A. Houser President,
Chief Operating Officer
|
2007
2006
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
306,711
450,000
|
75,300
-
|
382,011
450,000
|
|||||||||||||
Michael
E. Mercer Senior
Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer
|
2007
2006
|
215,000
50,000
|
135,000
200,000
|
232,983
1,200,000
|
117,000
-
|
699,983
1,450,000
|
|||||||||||||
Kathryn
S. MacAskie Senior
Vice President of Acquisitions
and Divestitures
|
2007
2006
|
215,000
43,750
|
135,000
100,000
|
383,945
1,000,000
|
113,000
-
|
846,945
1,143,750
|
|||||||||||||
Frederick
Dwyer Controller
|
2007
2006
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
1,098
-
|
-
-
|
1,098
-
|
___________
(1) |
Represents
amounts paid in December 2007 as bonuses for services in 2007.
|
88
(2) |
Represents
the dollar amounts recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
for the year ended December 31, 2007 in accordance with SFAS No.
123(R)
for the phantom units granted in 2007. No phantom awards were granted
in
prior years. Amounts for 2006 represent $20, the initial public offering
price of our common units, multiplied by the number of subordinated
units
issued to EV Investors and attributable to the named executive officer's
ownership interest in EV Investors as described under “- EV
Investors” below.
|
(3) |
Represents
cash distributions received on the phantom units and on the unvested
subordinated units held by EV Investors and paid to the named executive
officer as discussed under “-EV Investors” below. Any perquisites or other
personal benefits received were less than $10,000.
|
Narrative
Disclosure to the Summary Compensation Table
Mr.
Walker
Mr.
Walker received grants of 20,000 phantom units and 25,000 phantom units in
January 2007 and December 2007, respectively. The January 2007 grant vested
50%
in January 2008 with the remaining 50% vesting in January 2009. The December
2007 grant vests 1/3 each in January 2009, January 2010 and January 2011. These
phantom units will vest in full upon a change of control or a termination
without cause, with good reason or upon Mr. Walker’s death or
disability.
Mr.
Houser
Mr.
Houser received grants of 20,000 phantom units and 20,000 phantom units in
January 2007 and December 2007, respectively. The January 2007 grant vested
50%
in January 2008 with the remaining 50% vesting in January 2009. The December
2007 grant vests 1/3 each in January 2009, January 2010 and January 2011. These
phantom units will vest in full upon a change of control or a termination
without cause, with good reason or upon Mr. Houser’s death or
disability.
Mr.
Mercer
EV
Management entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Mercer that provides
that he will act as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of EV
Management until December 31, 2008, subject to automatic one year renewals
of the term if neither party submits a notice of termination at least sixty
days
prior to the end of the then-current term. This agreement may be terminated
by
either party, at any time, subject to severance obligations in the event
Mr. Mercer is terminated by EV Management without cause or he dies or is
disabled.
Mr. Mercer’s
employment agreement provides for a minimum base salary of $200,000, subject
to
upward adjustment by the compensation committee or EV Management’s board of
directors, and an annual bonus equal to a percentage of his base salary based
on
the achievement of performance criteria for the applicable period, all as
determined by the compensation committee.
Mr.
Mercer received grants of 7,500 phantom units, 7,500 phantom units and 15,000
phantom units in January 2007, August 2007 and December 2007, respectively.
The
January 2007 and August 2007 grants vested 50% in January 2008 with the
remaining 50% vesting in January 2009. The December 2007 grant vests 1/3 each
in
January 2009, January 2010 and January 2011. These phantom units will vest
in
full upon a change of control or a termination without cause, with good reason
or upon Mr. Mercer’s death or disability.
Ms.
MacAskie
EV
Management entered into an employment agreement with Ms. MacAskie that provides
that she will act as Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Divestitures
of
EV Management until December 31, 2008, subject to automatic one year
renewals of the term if neither party submits a notice of termination at least
sixty days prior to the end of the then-current term. This agreement may be
terminated by either party, at any time, subject to severance obligations in
the
event Ms. MacAskie is terminated by EV Management without cause or he dies
or is disabled.
Ms. MacAskie’s
employment agreement provides for a minimum base salary of $175,000, subject
to
upward adjustment by the compensation committee or EV Management’s board of
directors, and an annual bonus equal to a percentage of her base salary based
on
the achievement of performance criteria for the applicable period, all as
determined by the compensation committee.
89
Ms.
MacAskie received grants of 12,500 phantom units, 12,500 phantom units and
15,000 phantom units in January 2007, August 2007 and December 2007,
respectively. The January 2007 and August 2007 grants vested 50% in January
2008
with the remaining 50% vesting in January 2009. The December 2007 grant vests
1/3 each in January 2009, January 2010 and January 2011. These phantom units
will vest in full upon a change of control or a termination without cause,
with
good reason or upon Ms. MacAskie’s death or disability.
Mr.
Dwyer
Mr.
Dwyer received a grant of 2,500 phantom units in December 2007. These phantom
units vest 1/3 each in January 2009, January 2010 and January 2011. These
phantom units will vest in full upon a change of control or a termination
without cause, with good reason or upon Mr. Dwyer’s death or
disability.
Grants
of Plan-Based Awards
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to grants of phantom
units to our named executive officers in 2007. There were no grants of
non-equity incentives, equity incentives or option awards.
Name
|
Grant
Date
|
All
Other Unit Awards: Number of Units (1)
|
||
John
B. Walker
|
January
2007
|
20,000
|
||
December
2007
|
25,000
|
|||
Mark
A. Houser
|
January
2007
|
20,000
|
||
December
2007
|
20,000
|
|||
Michael
E. Mercer
|
January
2007
|
7,500
|
||
August
2007
|
7,500
|
|||
December
2007
|
15,000
|
|||
Kathryn
S. MacAskie
|
January
2007
|
12,500
|
||
August
2007
|
12,500
|
|||
December
2007
|
15,000
|
|||
Frederick
Dwyer
|
December
2007
|
2,500
|
_____________
(1) |
Represents
the number of units granted to each named executive officer pursuant
to
the Plan and terms of certain executives’ employment agreements.
|
90
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to outstanding
equity awards at December 31, 2007. There were no option awards or equity
incentive plan awards outstanding.
Name |
Number
of Units That Have Not
Yet
Vested
|
|
|
|
Market
Value of Units That Have Not
Yet
Vested (1)
|
|||||
John
B. Walker
|
20,000
|
(2
|
)
|
$
|
1,462,500
|
|||||
|
25,000
|
(3
|
)
|
|||||||
Mark
A. Houser
|
20,000
|
(2
|
)
|
1,300,000
|
||||||
|
20,000
|
(3
|
)
|
|||||||
Michael
E. Mercer
|
7,500
|
(2
|
)
|
975,000
|
||||||
|
7,500
|
(2
|
)
|
|||||||
|
15,000
|
(3
|
)
|
|||||||
Kathryn
S. MacAskie
|
12,500
|
(2
|
)
|
1,300,000
|
||||||
|
12,500
|
(2
|
)
|
|||||||
|
15,000
|
(3
|
)
|
|||||||
Frederick
Dwyer
|
|
2,500
|
(3
|
)
|
81,250
|
_____________
(1) |
Based
on the closing price of our common units on December 31, 2007 of
$32.50.
|
(2) |
These
phantom units vested 50% in January 2008 with the remaining 50% vesting
in
January 2009.
|
(3) |
These
phantom units vest 1/3 each in January 2009, January 2010 and January
2011.
|
Option
Exercises and Units Vested
No
option awards were exercised and no equity awards vested during
2007.
Pension
Benefits
We
do not provide pension benefits for our named executive officers.
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation
We
do not have a nonqualified deferred compensation plan and, as such, no
compensation has been deferred by our named executive officers.
Termination
of Employment and Change-in-Control Provisions
Mr.
Mercer and Ms. MacAskie are parties to employment agreements with EV Management
which provide them with post-termination benefits in a variety of circumstances.
The amount of compensation payable in some cases may vary depending on the
nature of the termination, whether as a result of retirement/voluntary
termination, involuntary not-for-cause termination, termination following a
change of control and in the event of disability or death of the executive.
The
discussion below describes the varying amounts payable in each of these
situations. It assumes, in each case, that the officer’s termination was
effective as of December 31, 2007. In presenting this disclosure, we
describe amounts earned through December 31, 2007 and, in those cases where
the actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of such
executive’s separation from EV Management, our estimates of the amounts which
would be paid out to the executives upon their termination.
91
Provisions
Under the Employment Agreements
Under
the
employment agreements, if the executive’s employment with EV Management and its
affiliates terminates, the executive is entitled to unpaid salary for the full
month in which the termination date occurred. However, if the executive is
terminated for cause, the executive is only entitled to receive accrued but
unpaid salary through the termination date. In addition, if the executive’s
employment terminates, the executive is entitled to unpaid vacation days for
that year which have accrued through the termination date, reimbursement of
reasonable business expenses that were incurred but unpaid as of the termination
date, and COBRA coverage as required by law. Salary and accrued vacation days
are payable in cash lump sum less applicable withholdings. Business expenses
are
reimbursable in accordance with normal procedures.
If
the
executive's employment is involuntarily terminated by EV Management (except
for
cause or due to the death of the executive) or if the executive's employment
is
terminated due to disability or retirement, EV Management is obligated to pay
as
additional compensation an amount in cash equal to 104 weeks of the executive’s
base salary in effect as of the termination date. Assuming termination as of
December 31, 2007, for Mr. Mercer, this amount would have been $430,000, and
for
Ms. MacAskie, this amount would have been $430,000. In addition, the executive
is entitled to continued group health plan coverage following the termination
date for the executive and the executive’s eligible spouse and dependents for
the maximum period for which such qualified beneficiaries are eligible to
receive COBRA coverage. Executive shall not be required to pay more for COBRA
coverage than officers who are then in active service for EV Management and
receiving coverage under the plan. Assuming termination as of December 31,
2007,
for Mr. Mercer, this amount would have been $25,265, and for Ms. MacAskie this
amount would have been $18,212.
In
the
event an executive’s employment terminates within the 12-month period
immediately following the effective date of a change in control other than
by
reason of death, disability or for cause, the executive will be entitled to
receive payment of the compensation and benefits as set forth above and to
become 100% fully vested in all unvested shares or units of equity compensation
granted as of the effective date of the change in control. Assuming a change
in
control as of December 31, 2007, for Mr. Mercer, this amount would have been
$430,000 representing 104 weeks of base salary, $975,000 representing vesting
of
unvested units, and $25,265 representing COBRA coverage. For Ms. MacAskie,
this
amount would have been $430,000 representing 104 weeks of base salary,
$1,300,000 representing vesting of unvested units, and $18,212 representing
COBRA coverage.
If
the
compensation is paid or benefits are provided under the employment agreement
by
reason of a change in control, no additional compensation will be payable or
benefits provided by reason of a subsequent change in control during the term
of
the agreement.
“Cause”
generally means:
· |
the
executive’s conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction as to which no
further appeal can be taken of a felony or entering the plea of nolo
contendere to such crime by the
executive;
|
· |
the
commission by the executive of a demonstrable act of fraud, or a
misappropriation of funds or property, of or upon the company or
any
affiliate;
|
· |
the
engagement by the executive without approval of the board of directors
or
compensation committee in any material activity which directly competes
with the business of the company or any affiliate or which would
directly
result in a material injury to the business or reputation of the
company
or any affiliate; or
|
· |
the
material breach by the executive of the employment agreement, or
the
repeated nonperformance of executive’s duties to the company or any
affiliate (other than by reason of illness or
incapacity).
|
In
some
cases, the executive has the opportunity to cure the breach or nonperformance
before being terminated for cause.
A
“change
in control" generally means the occurrence of any of following
events:
· |
a
corporation, person, or group acquires, directly or indirectly, beneficial
ownership of more than 50% of the equity interests in us then entitled
to
vote generally in the election of the board of directors;
or
|
92
· |
the
withdrawal, removal or resignation of EV Management as the general
partner
of our general partner or the withdrawal, removal or resignation
of our
general partner as the general partner of the partnership;
or
|
· |
the
effective date of a merger, consolidation, or reorganization plan
that is
adopted by the board of directors of EV Management involving EV Management
in which EV Management is not the surviving entity, or a sale of
all or
substantially all of our assets; or
|
· |
any
other transactions or series of related transactions which have
substantially the same effect as the
foregoing.
|
“Retirement”
means the termination of the executive’s employment for normal retirement at or
after attaining age sixty-five provided that executive has been with the company
for at least five years.
Provisions
Under Phantom Unit Award Agreements
During
2007, Mr. Mercer and Ms. MacAskie were granted 30,000 phantom units and 40,000
phantom units, respectively. The award agreements provide that any unvested
units will vest upon the executive’s death, disability, termination of
employment other than for cause and upon a change of control. Assuming
termination of employment or change of control as of December 31, 2007, for
Mr.
Mercer, the value of the awards would have been $975,000, and for Ms. MacAskie,
the value of the awards would have been $1,300,000. If the executive resigns
or
his or her employment or is terminated for cause, all unvested units are
forfeited. Upon vesting, the units may be paid in cash equal to the fair market
value of the units on the date immediately preceding the vesting date, at the
option of our general partner. The definitions of the terms such as “cause” and
“change in control” in the award agreements are substantially similar to the
definitions in the employment agreements.
EV
Investors
When
EV
Properties was formed in May 2006, EV Investors was issued a limited partnership
interest in one of our predecessors. The general partner of EV Investors is
EnerVest (with a nominal interest), and the limited partners of EV Investors
are
Messrs. Walker, Houser and Mercer and Ms. MacAskie. Our predecessor issued
the
limited partnership interest to EV Investors as incentive compensation to
Messrs. Walker, Houser and Mercer and Ms. MacAskie. In connection with the
closing of our initial public offering in September 2006, EV Investors
transferred its limited partnership interest in our predecessor to us in
exchange for 155,000 subordinated units. Under the partnership
agreement of EV Investors, the limited partners of EV Investors will be entitled
to all of the distributions attributable to the 155,000 subordinated units
held
by EV Investors. In addition, if these limited partners do not forfeit their
limited partnership interests, they will be entitled to have distributed to
them
their share of the subordinated units. The limited partnership interests of
EV
Investors are generally subject to forfeiture if, prior to the end of the
forfeiture period, the executive officer voluntarily resigns his employment
or
is terminated for cause. The forfeiture period terminated as to half of the
limited partnership interest on September 30, 2007, and will terminate as
to the other half on September 30, 2008.
The
limited partner interests in EV Investors owned by the executive officers of
EV
Management and the number of subordinated units with respect to which the
executive officer will receive dividends and be entitled to receive upon
termination of the forfeiture period, is listed below:
Name
|
Percent
Interest
|
Subordinated
Units
|
|||||
John
B. Walker
|
14.5
|
%
|
22,500
|
||||
Mark
A. Houser
|
14.5
|
%
|
22,500
|
||||
Michael
E. Mercer
|
38.7
|
%
|
60,000
|
||||
Kathryn
S. MacAskie
|
32.3
|
%
|
50,000
|
||||
Total
|
100.0
|
%
|
155,000
|
93
Compensation
of Directors
We
use a combination of cash and unit-based inventive compensation to attract
and
retain qualified candidates to serve on EV Management’s board. In setting
director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that directors
expend in fulfilling their duties to us as well as the skill level we require
of
members of the board.
Directors
who are not officers or employees of EV Management, EnCap or their
respective affiliates receive an annual retainer of $25,000, with the
chairman of the audit committee receiving an additional annual fee of $4,000
and
the chairmen of the compensation committee and conflicts committee receiving
an
additional annual fee of $2,000. In addition, each non-employee director
receives $1,000 per board of directors or committee meeting attended ($500
if by
phone) and is reimbursed for his out of pocket expenses in connection with
attending meetings. We indemnify each director for his actions associated with
being a director to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
94
Each
of the independent directors was awarded 1,250 phantom units on January 25,
2007, of which 50% vested on January 15, 2008 and 50% will vest on January
15,
2009, and an additional 1,500 phantom units on December 13, 2007, of which
50%
will vest on January 15, 2009 and 50% will vest on January 15, 2010. Mr.
Petersen, who is not an independent director because of his affiliations with
EnCap, was awarded 1,250 phantom units on January 25, 2007, of which 50% vested
on January 15, 2008 and 50% will vest on January 15, 2009, and an additional
1,250 phantom units on December 13, 2007, of which 50% will vest on January
15,
2009 and 50% on January 15, 2010.
The
following table discloses the cash unit awards and other compensation earned,
paid or awarded to each of EV Management’s directors during year ended December
31, 2007:
Name
(1)
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash
($)
|
Unit
Awards
(2)
($)
|
All
Other Compensation
(3)
($)
|
Total
|
|||||||||
Victor
Burk
|
$
|
44,500
|
$
|
19,576
|
$
|
2,400
|
$
|
66,476
|
|||||
James
R. Larson
|
43,000
|
19,576
|
2,400
|
64,976
|
|||||||||
George
Lindahl III
|
43,000
|
19,576
|
2,400
|
64,976
|
|||||||||
Gary R. Petersen | - | 19,435 | 2,400 | 21,835 |
_____________
(1) |
Messrs.
Walker and Houser are not included in this table as they are
employees of EnerVest and receive no compensation for their services
as
directors. Mr.
Petersen is not an independent director because of his affiliations
with
EnCap and does not receive a cash director’s
fee.
|
(2) |
Reflects
the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
for the year ended December 31, 2007 in accordance with SFAS
No. 123(R).
|
(3) |
Reflects
the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
for the year ended December 31, 2007 for distributions paid on the
phantom
units.
|
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None
of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or
compensation committee of any entity that has one or more of its executive
officers serving as a member of EV Management’s board of directors or
compensation committee.
None
of the members of the compensation committee have served as an officer or
employee of us, our general partner or its general partner. Furthermore, except
for compensation arrangements discussed in this Form 10-K, we have not
participated in any contracts, loans, fees, awards or financial interests,
direct or indirect, with any committee member, nor are we aware of any means,
directly or indirectly, by which a committee member could receive a material
benefit from us.
95
ITEM
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
UNITHOLDER MATTERS
The
following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our units as of March
3,
2008 held by:
· |
each
person know by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our common or
subordinated units;
|
· |
each
member of the Board of Directors of EV
Management
|
· |
each
named executive officer of EV Management;
and
|
· |
all
directors and executive officers of EV Management as a
group.
|
Name
of Beneficial Owner (1)
|
Common
Units Beneficially Owned
|
Percentage
of Common Units Beneficially Owned
|
Subordinated
Units Beneficially Owned
|
Percentage
of Subordinated Units Beneficially Owned
|
Percentage
of Common Units and Subordinated Units Beneficially
Owned
|
|||||||||||
5%
Beneficial Owner:
|
||||||||||||||||
Lehman
Brothers Holding,
Inc.
|
1,165,993
|
9.8
|
%
|
-
|
-
|
7.8
|
%
|
|||||||||
745
Seventh Avenue
|
||||||||||||||||
New
York, NY 10019
|
||||||||||||||||
Swank
Capital, LLC
|
1,077,299
|
9.1
|
%
|
-
|
-
|
7.2
|
%
|
|||||||||
3300
Oak Lawn Avenue
|
||||||||||||||||
Suite
650
|
||||||||||||||||
Dallas,
TX 75219
|
||||||||||||||||
Deutsche
Bank AG
|
797,684
|
6.7
|
%
|
-
|
-
|
5.3
|
%
|
|||||||||
Theodor-Heuss-Allee
70
|
||||||||||||||||
60468
Frankfurt am Main
|
||||||||||||||||
Federal
Republic of Germany
|
||||||||||||||||
ZLP
Fund, L.P.
|
716,392
|
6.0
|
%
|
-
|
-
|
4.8
|
%
|
|||||||||
45
Broadway - 28th
Floor
|
||||||||||||||||
New
York, NY 10006
|
||||||||||||||||
Officers
and Directors:
|
||||||||||||||||
John
B. Walker (2)
|
200,604
|
1.7
|
%
|
2,663,830
|
85.9
|
%
|
19.1
|
%
|
||||||||
Mark
A. Houser (3)
|
10,600
|
*
|
22,500
|
*
|
*
|
|||||||||||
Michael
E. Mercer (4)
|
7,500
|
*
|
60,000
|
1.9
|
%
|
*
|
||||||||||
Kathryn
S. MacAskie (5)
|
13,500
|
*
|
50,000
|
1.6
|
%
|
*
|
||||||||||
Frederick
Dwyer
|
2,500
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
|||||||||||
Victor
Burk
|
1,625
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
|||||||||||
James
R. Larson
|
1,625
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
|||||||||||
George
Lindahl III
|
9,325
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
|||||||||||
Gary
R. Petersen (6)
|
24,321
|
*
|
436,170
|
14.1
|
%
|
3.1
|
%
|
|||||||||
All
directors and executive
officers as a group
(9 persons)
|
271,600
|
2.3
|
%
|
3,100,000
|
100.0
|
%
|
22.5
|
%
|
___________
* |
Less
than 1%
|
(1) |
Unless
otherwise indicated, the address for all beneficial owners in this
table
is 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 800, Houston, TX
77002.
|
(2) |
Includes
(i) 44,000 common units and 810,030 subordinated units owned by EnerVest,
(ii) 92,304 common units and 1,698,800 subordinated units owned by
CGAS
Exploration and (iii) 155,000 subordinated units owned by EV Investors.
Mr. Walker, by virtue of his direct and indirect ownership of the
limited liability company that acts as EnerVest’s general partner, may be
deemed to beneficially own the common and subordinated units beneficially
owned by EnerVest, and EnerVest may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner
of the common and subordinated units owned by CGAS Exploration and
EV
Investors. CGAS Exploration is owned by EnerVest partnerships. EnerVest,
as the general partner of the EnerVest partnerships that own CGAS
Exploration, has the power to direct the voting and disposition of
the
common units and subordinated units owned by CGAS Exploration, and
may
therefore be deemed to beneficially own such units. EnerVest, as
the
general partner of EV Investors, has the power to direct the voting
and
disposition of the subordinated units owned by EV Investors, and
may
therefore be deemed to beneficially own such units. Mr. Walker
disclaims beneficial ownership of the units owned by EnerVest, CGAS
Exploration and EV Investors.
|
96
(3) |
Includes
22,500 subordinated units owned by EV Investors. As a limited partner
of
EV Investors, Mr. Houser is entitled to distributions made with
respect to the subordinated units, and may be entitled to receive
a
distribution of the subordinated units in the future. Mr. Houser
disclaims beneficial ownership of the subordinated units owned by
EV
Investors.
|
(4) |
Includes
60,000 subordinated units owned by EV Investors. As a limited partner
of
EV Investors, Mr. Mercer is entitled to distributions made with
respect to the subordinated units, and may be entitled to receive
a
distribution of the subordinated units in the future. Mr. Mercer
disclaims beneficial ownership of the subordinated units owned by
EV
Investors.
|
(5) |
Includes
50,000 subordinated units owned by EV Investors. As a limited partner
of
EV Investors, Ms. MacAskie is entitled to distributions made with
respect to the subordinated units, and may be entitled to receive
a
distribution of the subordinated units in the future. Ms. MacAskie
disclaims beneficial ownership of the subordinated units owned by
EV
Investors.
|
(6) |
Includes
13,581 common units and 243,350 subordinated units owned by EnCap
Energy
Capital Fund V, L.P. and 10,740 common units and 192,820 subordinated
units owned by EnCap Energy Capital Fund V-B, L.P. EnCap Equity
Fund V GP, L.P., as the general partner of each of EnCap Energy
Capital Fund V, L.P. and EnCap Energy Capital Fund V-B, L.P.,
EnCap Investments L.P., as the general partner of EnCap Equity Fund V
GP, L.P., EnCap Investments GP, L.L.C., as the general partner of
EnCap
Investments L.P., RNBD GP LLC, as the sole member of EnCap Investments
GP,
L.L.C., and David B. Miller, Gary R. Petersen, D. Martin Phillips,
and
Robert L. Zorich, as the members of RNBD GP LLC may be deemed to
share
voting and dispositive control over the subordinated units and common
units owned by EnCap Energy Capital Fund V, L.P. and EnCap Energy
Capital Fund V-B, L.P. Each of EnCap Equity Fund V GP, L.P.,
EnCap Investments L.P., EnCap Investments GP, L.L.C., RNBD GP LLC,
David
B. Miller, Gary R. Petersen, D. Martin Phillips, and Robert L. Zorich
disclaim beneficial ownership of the reported securities in excess
of such
entity’s or person’s respective pecuniary interest in the
securities.
|
Beneficial
Ownership of Our General Partner
EV
Management, the general partner of our general partner, is a limited liability
company wholly-owned by EnerVest, a limited partnership. Messrs. Jon Rex Jones
and A.V. Jones and members of EnerVest’s executive management team, including
Mr. Walker and Mr. Houser, own substantially all of the partnership interests
in
EnerVest. The address for Mr. John Rex Jones and Mr. A.V. Jones, and the members
of EnerVest’s executive management team which own interests in EnerVest, is 1001
Fannin Street, Suite 800, Houston, Texas 70002.
97
ITEM
13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
Our
general partner, EV Energy GP, is owned 71.25% by EnerVest, 23.75% by EnCap
and
5% by EV Investors. Our general partner has a 2% interest in us and owns the
incentive distribution rights, which entitle our general partner to a portion
of
the distributions we make. The distributions we will make to our general partner
are described under Item 5. While EnerVest, EV Investors and CGAS
Exploration are under common control with us, EnCap is deemed our affiliate
because EnCap has designated a director to the board of directors of
EV Management.
Contracts
with EnerVest and Its Affiliates
EnerVest
owns all of the limited liability interests in EV Management, the general
partner of our general partner. Messrs. Walker and Houser own partnership
interests in EnerVest. In addition, some of the employees of EnerVest who
perform services for us under the administrative services agreement and
operating agreement described below are owners of EnerVest.
We
have
entered into agreements with EnerVest. The following is a description of those
agreements.
In
connection with our initial public offering, we entered into an omnibus
agreement with EnerVest, our general partner and others that addressed the
following matters:
· |
our
obligation to pay EnerVest a monthly fee for providing us general
and
administrative and all other services with respect to our existing
business and operations;
|
· |
our
obligation to reimburse EnerVest for any insurance coverage expenses
it
incurs with respect to our business and
operations; and
|
· |
EnerVest’s
obligation to indemnify us for certain liabilities and our obligation
to
indemnify EnerVest for certain
liabilities.
|
Pursuant
to the omnibus agreement, EnerVest performs certain centralized corporate
functions for us, such as accounting, treasury, insurance administration and
claims processing, risk management, health, safety and environmental,
information technology, human resources, credit, payroll, internal audit, taxes
and engineering and senior management oversight.
Any
or all of the provisions of the omnibus agreement, other than the
indemnification provisions described below, will be terminable by EnerVest
at
its option if our general partner is removed without cause and units held by
our
general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal.
The
omnibus agreement will also terminate in the event of a change of control of
us,
our general partner or the general partner of our general partner.
Under
the omnibus agreement, EnerVest indemnified us for losses attributable to title
defects, retained assets and liabilities (including any preclosing litigation
relating to assets contributed to us) and income taxes attributable to
pre-closing operations. EnerVest’s maximum liability for these indemnification
obligations will not exceed $1.5 million and EnerVest will not have any
obligation under this indemnification until our aggregate losses exceed
$200,000. We also will indemnify EnerVest for all losses attributable to the
operations of the assets contributed to us after September 29, 2006, to the
extent not subject to EnerVest’s indemnification obligations.
During
the year ended December 31, 2007 and three months ended December 31, 2006,
we
paid EnerVest $3.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in monthly fees
under
the omnibus agreement.
Operating
Agreements
We
are
party to operating agreements under which a subsidiary of EnerVest acts as
contract operator of all wells in which we own an interest and are entitled
to
appoint the operator. As contract operator, EnerVest designs and manages the
drilling and completion of our wells, and manages the day-to-day operating
and
maintenance activities of our wells and facilities.
98
Under
the operating agreements, EnerVest establishes a joint account for each well
in
which we have an interest. The joint account is charged with all direct expenses
incurred in the operation of our wells and related gathering systems and
production facilities, and we are required to pay our working interest share
of
amounts charged to the joint account. The determination of which direct expenses
can be charged to the joint account and the manner of charging direct expenses
to the joint account for our wells is done in accordance with the COPAS model
form of accounting procedure.
Under
the COPAS model form, direct expenses include the costs of third party services
performed on our properties and well, gathering and other equipment used on
our
properties. In addition, direct expenses will include the allocable share of
the
cost of the EnerVest employees who perform services on our properties. The
allocation of the cost of EnerVest employees who perform services on our
properties are based on time sheets maintained by EnerVest’s employees. Direct
expenses charged to the joint account will also include an amount determined
by
EnerVest to be the fair rental value of facilities owned by EnerVest and used
in
the operation of our properties.
During
the year ended December 31, 2007 and three months ended December 31, 2006,
we
reimbursed EnerVest approximately $6.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively,
for direct expenses incurred in the operation of our wells and related gathering
systems and production facilities and for the allocable share of the costs
of
EnerVest employees who performed services on our properties.
Natural
Gas Gathering Arrangements.
A
portion of our natural gas production in Northern Louisiana was sold to EnerVest
Monroe Marketing, a subsidiary of a partnership in which EnerVest owned a 1%
general partnership interest. EnerVest Monroe Marketing then resold the natural
gas, typically at a price based on one of the two indices for natural gas
production in the area used to calculate our purchase price. EnerVest Monroe
Marketing therefore realized a profit or loss on resales of our natural gas
production when there was a difference between the average of the two indices
used to calculate our purchase price and the index at which EnerVest Monroe
Marketing resold its production. Prior to our acquisition of EnerVest Monroe
Marketing in March 2007, EnerVest Monroe Marketing realized a profit of $0.1
million on sales of our natural gas production under this arrangement.
Purchase
of Oil and Natural Gas Properties from EnerVest and Its Affiliates and EnCap
and
Its Affiliates
On
January 31, 2007, we acquired natural gas properties in Michigan for $69.5
million, net of cash acquired, from certain institutional partnerships in which
EnerVest has a 26% interest. On March 30, 2007, we acquired natural gas
properties in the Monroe Field in Louisiana for $95.4 million from an
institutional partnership in which EnerVest has a 1% general partner interest.
On December 21, 2007, we acquired oil and natural gas properties in the
Appalachian Basin for $59.6 million from an institutional partnership in which
EnerVest has a 1% general partner interest.
On
October 1, 2007, we acquired oil and natural gas properties in the Permian
Basin
in New Mexico and Texas from Plantation Operating, LLC, an EnCap sponsored
company, for $154.7 million.
Director
Independence
All
members of the board of directors of EV Management, other than Messrs. Walker,
Houser and Petersen, are independent as defined under the independence standards
established by the NASDAQ. The NASDAQ does not require a listed limited
partnership like us to have a majority of independent directors on the board
of
directors of our general partner.
ITEM
14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The
audit
committee of EV Management selected Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm, to audit our consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2007. The audit committee’s charter
requires the audit committee to approve in advance all audit and non-audit
services to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm.
All services reported in the audit, audit-related, tax and all other fees
categories below with respect to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2007 were approved by the audit committee.
99
Fees
paid
to Deloitte & Touche LLP are as follows:
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||||
Successor
|
Successor
|
Predecessors
|
Total
|
||||||||||
Audit
fees (1)
|
$
|
1,243,560
|
$
|
663,780
|
$
|
907,692
|
$
|
1,571,472
|
|||||
Audit-related
fees
|
95,268
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Tax
fees
|
-
|
-
|
92,040
|
92,040
|
|||||||||
All
other fees
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
1,338,828
|
$
|
663,780
|
$
|
999,732
|
$
|
1,663,512
|
_____________
(1) |
Represents
fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit
of
our annual financial statements, review of our quarterly financial
statements and audits performed as part of our registration
filings.
|
PART
IV
ITEM
15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
|
|||
(a)
|
List
of Documents filed as part of this Report
|
||
(1)
|
Financial
Statements
|
||
All
financial statement of the Registrant as set forth under Item 8
of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
|
|||
(2)
|
Financial
Statement Schedules
|
||
Financial
statement schedules have been omitted because they are either not
required, not applicable or the information required to be presented
is
included in our consolidated financial statements and related
notes.
|
|||
(3)
|
Exhibits
|
||
The
exhibits listed below are filed or furnished as part of this
report:
|
|||
2.1
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement by and among EV Properties, L.P. and Five States
Energy
Company, LLC dated November 10, 2006 (Incorporated by reference
from
Exhibit 2.1 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed
with the SEC on November 17, 2006).
|
||
|
|||
2.2
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement by and among EV Properties, L.P. and Five States
Energy
Company, LLC dated November 10, 2006 (Incorporated by reference
from
Exhibit 2.2 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed
with the SEC on November 17, 2006).
|
||
2.3
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement between EV Properties, L.P. and EnerVest Energy
Institutional Fund IX, L.P. and EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund
IX-WI,
L.P. dated January 9, 2007 (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
2.1 to
EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC
on January 16, 2007).
|
||
2.4
|
Agreement
of Sale and Purchase by and among EnerVest Monroe Limited Partnership,
EnerVest Monroe Pipeline GP, L.C. and EnerVest Monroe Gathering,
Ltd., as
Seller, and EnerVest Production Partners, Ltd, as Buyer, dated
March 7,
2007 (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.1 to EV Energy Partners
L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 14,
2007).
|
||
2.5
|
First
Amendment to Agreement of Sale and Purchase by and among EnerVest
Monroe
Limited Partnership, EnerVest Monroe Pipeline GP, L.C., EnerVest
Production Partners, Ltd and EVPP GP, LLC dated March 29, 2007
(Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.1 to EV Energy Partners,
L.P.’s
current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4,
2007).
|
100
2.6
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement between Anadarko E&P Company LP and Kerr-McGee Oil
and Gas Onshore LP, as Seller, and EnerVest Energy Institutional
Fund X-A,
L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund X-WI, L.P., EnerVest Energy
Institutional Fund XI-A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund
XI-WI,
L.P., EnerVest Management Partners, Ltd., Wachovia Investment Holdings,
LLC and EV Properties, L.P. dated April 13, 2007 (Incorporated
by
reference from Exhibit 2.3 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s quarterly report
on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 14, 2007).
|
||
2.7
|
Asset
Purchase and Sale Agreement between Plantation Operating, LLC,
as Seller,
and EV Properties, L.P., as Buyer, dated July 17, 2007 (Incorporated
by
reference from Exhibit 2.5 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s quarterly report
on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC of November 14, 2007).
|
||
+2.8
|
Agreement
of Sale and Purchase between EnerVest Appalachia, L.P., as Seller,
and
EnerVest Production Partners, Ltd., as Buyer, dated November 16,
2007.
|
||
3.1
|
First
Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement EV Energy Partners,
L.P.
(Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to EV Energy Partners,
L.P.’s
current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 5,
2006).
|
||
|
|||
3.2
|
First
Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement of EV Energy GP, L.P.
(Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to EV Energy Partners,
L.P.’s
current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 5,
2006).
|
||
|
|||
3.3
|
Amended
and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EV Management,
LLC.
(Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.3 to EV Energy Partners,
L.P.’s
current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 5,
2006).
|
||
10.1
|
Omnibus
Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and among EnerVest Management
Partners, Ltd., EV Management, LLC, EV Energy GP, L.P., EV Energy
Partners, L.P., and EV Properties, L.P. (Incorporated by reference
from
Exhibit 10.1 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on October 5, 2006).
|
||
10.2
|
Contract
Operating Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and among EnerVest
Operating, L.L.C. and EnerVest Production Partners, L.P. (Incorporated
by
reference from Exhibit 10.2 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report
on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 5, 2006).
|
||
10.3
|
Contract
Operating Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and among EnerVest
Operating, L.L.C. and CGAS Properties, L.P. (Incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 10.3 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on October 5, 2006).
|
||
*10.4
|
EV
Energy Partners, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated by
reference
from Exhibit 10.4 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on October 5, 2006).
|
||
10.5
|
Contribution
Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and among EnerVest Management
Partners, Ltd., EVEC Holdings, LLC, EnerVest Operating, L.L.C.,
CGAS
Exploration, Inc., EV Investors, L.P., , EVCG GP LLC, CGAS Properties,
L.P., CGAS Holdings, LLC, EnCap Energy Capital Fund V, L.P., EnCap
V-B
Acquisitions, L.P., EnCap Fund V, EV Management, LLC, EV Energy
GP, L.P.,
and EV Energy Partners, L.P. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.5
to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the
SEC on October 5, 2006).
|
||
10.6
|
Credit
Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and among EV Properties,
L.P. and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders
named
therein. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to EV Energy
Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October
5, 2006).
|
||
*10.7
|
Employment
Agreement, dated October 1, 2006, by and between EV Management,
LLC and
Michael E. Mercer. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7
to EV
Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
October 5, 2006).
|
101
*10.8
|
Employment
Agreement, dated October 1, 2006, by and between EV Management,
LLC and
Kathryn S. MacAskie. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.8
to EV
Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
October 5, 2006).
|
||
10.9
|
Purchase
Agreement, dated February 27, 2007, by and among EV Energy Partners,
L.P.
and the Purchasers named therein (Incorporated by reference from
Exhibit
10.1 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with
the SEC on February 28, 2007).
|
||
10.10
|
Registration
Rights Agreement, dated February 27, 2007, by and among EV Energy
Partners, L.P. and the Purchasers named therein (Incorporated by
reference
from Exhibit 10.2 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on February 28, 2007).
|
||
10.11
|
Purchase
Agreement, dated June 1, 2007, by and among EV Energy Partners,
L.P. and
the Purchasers named therein (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.1
to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the
SEC on June 4, 2007).
|
||
10.12
|
Registration
Rights Agreement, dated June 1, 2007, by and among EV Energy Partners,
L.P. and the Purchasers named therein (Incorporated by reference
from
Exhibit 10.2 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on June 4, 2007).
|
||
+10.13
|
Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 1, 2007, among
EV Energy
Partners, L.P., as Parent, EV Properties, L.P., as Borrower, and
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders named
therein.
|
||
+21.1
|
Subsidiaries
of EV Energy Partners, L.P.
|
||
+23.1
|
Consent
of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
|
||
+23.2
|
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
|
||
+31.1
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
|
||
+31.2
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
|
||
+32
.1
|
Section 1350
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
|
||
+32.2
|
Section
1350 Certification of Chief Financial
Officer
|
________________
* Management
contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
+ Filed
herewith
102
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its
behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
EV
Energy Partners, L.P.
(Registrant)
|
||
|
|
|
Date: March 13, 2008 | By: | /s/ MICHAEL E. MERCER |
Michael E. Mercer |
||
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Pursuant
to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
||
/s/JOHN
B. WALKER
|
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
|
March
13, 2008
|
||
John
B. Walker
|
(principal
executive officer)
|
|||
/s/MARK
A. HOUSER
|
President,
Chief Operating Officer and Director
|
March
13, 2008
|
||
Mark
A. Houser
|
||||
/s/MICHAEL
E. MERCER
|
Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
March
13, 2008
|
||
Michael
E. Mercer
|
(principal
financial officer)
|
|||
/s/FREDERICK
DWYER
|
Controller
|
March
13, 2008
|
||
Frederick
Dwyer
|
(principal
accounting officer)
|
|||
/s/VICTOR
BURK
|
Director
|
March
13, 2008
|
||
Victor
Burk
|
||||
/s/JAMES
R. LARSON
|
Director
|
March
13, 2008
|
||
James
R. Larson
|
||||
/s/GEORGE
LINDAHL III
|
Director
|
March
13, 2008
|
||
George
Lindahl, III
|
||||
/s/GARY
R. PETERSEN
|
Director
|
March
13, 2008
|
||
Gary
R. Petersen
|
103
EXHIBIT
INDEX
2.1
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement by and among EV Properties, L.P. and Five States
Energy
Company, LLC dated November 10, 2006 (Incorporated by reference
from
Exhibit 2.1 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed
with the SEC on November 17, 2006).
|
|
|
2.2
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement by and among EV Properties, L.P. and Five States
Energy
Company, LLC dated November 10, 2006 (Incorporated by reference
from
Exhibit 2.2 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed
with the SEC on November 17, 2006).
|
2.3
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement between EV Properties, L.P. and EnerVest Energy
Institutional Fund IX, L.P. and EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund
IX-WI,
L.P. dated January 9, 2007 (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
2.1 to
EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC
on January 16, 2007).
|
2.4
|
Agreement
of Sale and Purchase by and among EnerVest Monroe Limited Partnership,
EnerVest Monroe Pipeline GP, L.C. and EnerVest Monroe Gathering,
Ltd., as
Seller, and EnerVest Production Partners, Ltd, as Buyer, dated
March 7,
2007 (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.1 to EV Energy Partners
L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 14,
2007).
|
2.5
|
First
Amendment to Agreement of Sale and Purchase by and among EnerVest
Monroe
Limited Partnership, EnerVest Monroe Pipeline GP, L.C., EnerVest
Production Partners, Ltd and EVPP GP, LLC dated March 29, 2007
(Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.1 to EV Energy Partners,
L.P.’s
current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4,
2007).
|
2.6
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement between Anadarko E&P Company LP and Kerr-McGee Oil
and Gas Onshore LP, as Seller, and EnerVest Energy Institutional
Fund X-A,
L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund X-WI, L.P., EnerVest Energy
Institutional Fund XI-A, L.P., EnerVest Energy Institutional Fund
XI-WI,
L.P., EnerVest Management Partners, Ltd., Wachovia Investment Holdings,
LLC and EV Properties, L.P. dated April 13, 2007 (Incorporated
by
reference from Exhibit 2.3 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s quarterly report
on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 14, 2007).
|
2.7
|
Asset
Purchase and Sale Agreement between Plantation Operating, LLC,
as Seller,
and EV Properties, L.P., as Buyer, dated July 17, 2007 (Incorporated
by
reference from Exhibit 2.5 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s quarterly report
on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC of November 14, 2007).
|
+2.8
|
Agreement
of Sale and Purchase between EnerVest Appalachia, L.P., as Seller,
and
EnerVest Production Partners, Ltd., as Buyer, dated November 16,
2007.
|
3.1
|
First
Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement EV Energy Partners,
L.P.
(Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to EV Energy Partners,
L.P.’s
current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 5,
2006).
|
|
|
3.2
|
First
Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement of EV Energy GP, L.P.
(Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to EV Energy Partners,
L.P.’s
current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 5,
2006).
|
|
|
3.3
|
Amended
and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EV Management,
LLC.
(Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.3 to EV Energy Partners,
L.P.’s
current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 5,
2006).
|
10.1
|
Omnibus
Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and among EnerVest Management
Partners, Ltd., EV Management, LLC, EV Energy GP, L.P., EV Energy
Partners, L.P., and EV Properties, L.P. (Incorporated by reference
from
Exhibit 10.1 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on October 5, 2006).
|
10.2
|
Contract
Operating Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and among EnerVest
Operating, L.L.C. and EnerVest Production Partners, L.P. (Incorporated
by
reference from Exhibit 10.2 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report
on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 5,
2006).
|
104
10.3
|
Contract
Operating Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and among EnerVest
Operating, L.L.C. and CGAS Properties, L.P. (Incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 10.3 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on October 5, 2006).
|
*10.4
|
EV
Energy Partners, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated by
reference
from Exhibit 10.4 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on October 5, 2006).
|
10.5
|
Contribution
Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and among EnerVest Management
Partners, Ltd., EVEC Holdings, LLC, EnerVest Operating, L.L.C.,
CGAS
Exploration, Inc., EV Investors, L.P., , EVCG GP LLC, CGAS Properties,
L.P., CGAS Holdings, LLC, EnCap Energy Capital Fund V, L.P., EnCap
V-B
Acquisitions, L.P., EnCap Fund V, EV Management, LLC, EV Energy
GP, L.P.,
and EV Energy Partners, L.P. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.5
to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the
SEC on October 5, 2006).
|
10.6
|
Credit
Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and among EV Properties,
L.P. and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders
named
therein. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to EV Energy
Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October
5, 2006).
|
*10.7
|
Employment
Agreement, dated October 1, 2006, by and between EV Management,
LLC and
Michael E. Mercer. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7
to EV
Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
October 5, 2006).
|
*10.8
|
Employment
Agreement, dated October 1, 2006, by and between EV Management,
LLC and
Kathryn S. MacAskie. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.8
to EV
Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
October 5, 2006).
|
10.9
|
Purchase
Agreement, dated February 27, 2007, by and among EV Energy Partners,
L.P.
and the Purchasers named therein (Incorporated by reference from
Exhibit
10.1 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with
the SEC on February 28, 2007).
|
10.10
|
Registration
Rights Agreement, dated February 27, 2007, by and among EV Energy
Partners, L.P. and the Purchasers named therein (Incorporated by
reference
from Exhibit 10.2 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on February 28, 2007).
|
10.11
|
Purchase
Agreement, dated June 1, 2007, by and among EV Energy Partners,
L.P. and
the Purchasers named therein (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.1
to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the
SEC on June 4, 2007).
|
10.12
|
Registration
Rights Agreement, dated June 1, 2007, by and among EV Energy Partners,
L.P. and the Purchasers named therein (Incorporated by reference
from
Exhibit 10.2 to EV Energy Partners, L.P.’s current report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on June 4, 2007).
|
+10.13
|
Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 1, 2007, among
EV Energy
Partners, L.P., as Parent, EV Properties, L.P., as Borrower, and
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders named
therein.
|
+21.1
|
Subsidiaries
of EV Energy Partners, L.P.
|
+23.1
|
Consent
of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
|
+23.2
|
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
|
+31.1
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
|
+31.2
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
|
+32
.1
|
Section 1350
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
|
105
+32.2
|
Section
1350 Certification of Chief Financial
Officer
|
________________
* Management
contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
+ Filed
herewith
106