Sisecam Resources LP - Annual Report: 2014 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One) | |
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2014
OR | |
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from _______ to ________ | |
Commission file number: 001-36062
OCI RESOURCES LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE (State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | 46-2613366 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Five Concourse Parkway
Suite 2500
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (770) 375-2300
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common units representing limited partnership interests | New York Stock Exchange |
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 ¨ 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 ¨ 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 ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) 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 of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨ | Accelerated filer þ | Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes ¨ No þ
The aggregate market value, as of June 30, 2014, of the common units held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the reported closing price of such units on the New York Stock Exchange on such date ($25.49 per unit), was approximately $127.5 million.
The registrant had 9,801,027 common units, 9,775,500 subordinated units and 399,000 general partner units outstanding at March 2, 2015, the most recent practicable date.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: None
OCI RESOURCES LP
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the "Predecessor," "we," "our," "us," or like terms, when used in a historical context (periods prior to September 18, 2013, the closing date of our IPO), refer to OCI Wyoming Holding Co. ("OCI Holdings") and its subsidiary, our predecessor for accounting purposes. References in this Report to "OCIR," "the Partnership," "we," "our," "us," or like terms, when used in the present tense or prospectively (starting September 18, 2013), refer to OCI Resources LP and its subsidiary. References to “our general partner” or “OCI GP” refer to OCI Resource Partners LLC, the general partner of OCI Resources LP and a wholly-owned subsidiary of OCI Holdings. References to "our sponsor" or "OCI Enterprises" refer to OCI Enterprises Inc., which owns 100% of the capital stock of OCI Chemical Corporation ("OCI Chemical"), which in turn owns 100% of the capital stock of OCI Holdings. References to "OCI Wyoming" refer to OCI Wyoming LLC.
We include cross references to captions elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which we refer to as this "Report", where you can find related additional information. The following table of contents tells you where to find these captions.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Report contains, and our other public filings and oral and written statements by us and our management may include, statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States securities laws. We have based such forward-looking statements on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, potential growth opportunities, potential operating performance, the effects of competition and the effects of future legislation or regulations. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words "believe," "expect," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "predict," "forecast," "potential," "continue," "may," "will," "should" or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future distributions, if any, and such distributions are subject to the approval of the board of directors of our general partner and will be based upon circumstances then existing.
When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements set forth in this Report. Actual results may vary materially. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should also understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider the following list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements and, therefore, affect our ability to distribute cash to unitholders, include:
•changes in general economic conditions in the United States and globally;
• | changes in our relationships with our customers or the loss of or adverse developments at major customers, including the American Natural Soda Ash Corporation, or ANSAC; |
•the demand for soda ash and the development of glass and glass making products alternatives;
•changes in soda ash prices;
•changes in demand for glass in the construction, automotive and beverage industries;
•shifts in glass production from the United States to international locations;
•the ability of our competitors to develop more efficient mining and processing techniques;
•operating hazards and other risks incidental to the mining, processing and shipment of trona ore and soda ash;
•natural disasters, weather-related delays, casualty losses and other matters beyond our control;
•increases in electricity and natural gas prices paid by us;
•inability to renew our mineral leases and license or material changes in lease or license royalties;
• | disruption in railroad or shipping services or increases in rail, vessel and other transportation costs; |
•deterioration in our labor relations;
•large customer defaults;
•the price and availability of debt and equity financing;
•changes in interest rates;
•foreign exchange rate risks;
•changes in the availability and cost of capital;
•our lack of asset and geographic diversification, including reliance on a single facility for conducting our operations;
• | our reliance on insurance policies that may not fully cover an accident or event that causes significant damage to our facility or causes extended business interruption; |
• | anticipated operating and recovery rates at our facility; |
• | shutdowns (either temporary or permanent), including, without limitation, the timing and length of planned maintenance outages; |
• | increased competition and supply from international soda ash producers, especially in China and Turkey; |
• | risks related to the use of technology and cybersecurity; |
• | potential increases in costs and distraction resulting from the requirements of being a publicly traded partnership; |
• | exemptions we rely on in connection with NYSE corporate governance requirements; |
• | risks related to our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures; |
• | risks relating to our relationships with OCI Enterprises or its affiliates; |
• | control of our general partner by OCI Enterprises; |
• | the conflicts of interest faced by our senior management team, which operates both us and our general partner and are employed by OCI Enterprises or its other affiliates; |
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• | limitations on the fiduciary duties owed by our general partner to us and our limited partners which are included in the partnership agreement; |
• | changes in our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income or state tax purposes; |
•changes in tax status; and
•the effects of existing and future laws and governmental regulations.
Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. After the date of this Report, we do not have any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information or future events except as required by applicable law.
The risk factors discussed in Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and the factors discussed in Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. There may also be other risks that we are unable to predict at this time. All forward-looking statements included in this Report are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
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PART I
Item 1. Business
Overview
We are a Delaware limited partnership formed by OCI Holdings on April 22, 2013 to operate the trona ore mining and soda ash production business of OCI Wyoming. We own a controlling 51.0% membership interest in OCI Wyoming, which is one of the largest and lowest cost producers of soda ash in the world, serving a global market from our facility in the Green River Basin of Wyoming. Our facility has been in operation for more than 50 years.
The following table sets forth certain operating data regarding our business:
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
Operating and Other Data: | (thousands of short tons, except for ratio data) | |||||||||||||
Trona ore mined | 3,869.5 | 3,921.5 | 3,865.4 | 3,676.0 | 3,597.4 | |||||||||
Ore to ash ratio(1) | 1.52: 1.0 | 1.59: 1.0 | 1.56: 1.0 | 1.60: 1.0 | 1.61: 1.0 | |||||||||
Soda ash volume sold | 2,548.3 | 2,492.2 | 2,455.5 | 2,308.3 | 2,235.6 | |||||||||
(1) | Ore to ash ratio expresses the number of short tons of trona ore used to produce one short ton of soda ash and liquor and includes our deca rehydration recovery process. In general, a lower ore to ash ratio results in lower costs and improved efficiency. |
Trona, a naturally occurring soft mineral, is also known as sodium sesquicarbonate and consists primarily of sodium carbonate, or soda ash, sodium bicarbonate and water. We process trona ore into soda ash, which is an essential raw material in flat glass, container glass, detergents, chemicals, paper and other consumer and industrial products. The vast majority of the world's accessible trona reserves are located in the Green River Basin. According to historical production statistics, approximately one-quarter of global soda ash is produced by processing trona, with the remainder being produced synthetically through chemical processes. We believe processing soda ash from trona is the cheapest manner in which to produce soda ash. The costs associated with procuring the materials needed for synthetic production are greater than the costs associated with mining trona for trona-based production. In addition, we believe trona-based production consumes less energy and produces fewer undesirable by-products than synthetic production.
Our principal executive offices are located at Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2500, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, and our telephone number is (770) 375-2300. Our website address is www.ociresources.com. We make available through our website our annual report 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, or the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Our website also includes our Code of Conduct and Ethics, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Internal Reporting and Whistleblower Protection Policy, our Insider Trading Policy and the charters of our Audit Committee and Conflicts Committee. The information on our website, or information about us on any other website, is not incorporated by reference into this Report. The SEC maintains an internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that the following competitive strengths enable us and will continue to allow us to execute our business strategies successfully and to achieve our objective of generating and growing cash available for distribution to our unitholders:
Cost Advantages of Producing Soda Ash from Trona. We believe that as a producer of soda ash from trona, we have a significant competitive advantage compared to synthetic producers of soda ash. The manufacturing and processing costs for producing soda ash from trona are more cost competitive than other manufacturing techniques partly because the costs associated with procuring the materials needed for synthetic production are greater than the costs associated with mining trona for trona-based production. In addition, we believe trona-based production consumes less energy and produces fewer undesirable by-products than synthetic production. Based on our estimates and industry sources, we believe the average cost of production per short ton of soda ash (before freight and logistics costs) from trona is approximately one-third to one-half the cost per short ton of soda ash from synthetic production. In addition, synthetic producers of soda ash incur additional costs associated with storing or disposing of, or attempting to resell, the by-products the synthetic processes produce. Even after taking into account the higher freight and logistics costs associated with our soda ash exports, we believe we can be cost competitive with synthetic soda ash operations who are typically located closer to customers than we are. We believe that our competitive cost structure, together with our current logistics arrangements, allows us to be competitive globally.
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Substantial Reserve Life from Significant Reserves. As of December 31, 2014, Hollberg Professional Group PC ("Hollberg Professional Group"), an independent mining and geological consulting firm, estimated we had proven and probable reserves of approximately 271.5 million short tons of trona, which is equivalent to 148.0 million short tons of soda ash. Based on a projected mining rate of 4.0 million short tons of trona per year, we have enough proven and probable trona reserves to continue mining trona for approximately 68 years. Please see Item 1, Business, "Trona Reserves" for more information.
Certain Operational Advantages Compared to Other U.S. Trona-Based Producers. We believe we have certain operational advantages over other soda ash producers in the Green River Basin due to the operational characteristics of our facilities as described below. These advantages are manifested in our high productivity and efficiency rates.
• | Location of our mining beds and high purity trona. Our mining beds are located 800 to 1100 feet below the surface, which is significantly closer to the surface than the mining beds of other operators in the Green River Basin. The relatively shallow depth of our beds compared to other Green River Basin trona mines contributes to favorable ground conditions and improved mining efficiency. Our competitive advantage resides in the fact that we can mine and roof bolt continuously while mining. In addition, the trona in our mining beds has a higher concentration of soda ash as compared to the trona mined at other locations in the Green River Basin, which is typically imbedded or mixed with greater amounts of halite and other impurities. Our trona ore is generally composed of approximately 85% to 89% pure trona. |
• | Advantageous facility layout. Our surface site includes a high capacity network of natural ponds that we use to recapture soda ash lost in processing trona through a process we introduced in 2009 called deca rehydration. Primarily as a result of this process, we have been able to reduce our ore to ash ratio by 6% over the past four years. While other producers in the Green River Basin also utilize deca rehydration, our natural pond complex enables us to spread deca-saturated water over a large surface area, which facilitates evaporation and access to the resulting deca. Additionally, we can transfer water from one pond to another, a process we call "de-watering," leaving the first pond dry. De-watering enables us to use front loaders and other hauling equipment to move dry deca from that "de-watered" pond to our processing facility. Other producers in the area instead need to utilize costly dredging techniques to extract deca from their ponds, and the recovered deca is wet, and therefore requires more energy to process than dry deca. Introducing dry deca into our process has also reduced our energy consumption per short ton of soda ash produced. |
Partly due to these operational advantages over other domestic producers, we believe we have the most efficient soda ash production facility in the Green River Basin both in terms of short tons of soda ash produced per employee and in energy consumed per short ton of soda ash produced. In 2014, we used approximately 3.8 MMBtus of energy per short ton of soda ash processed, as compared to an average of 5.4 MMBtus of energy for the other three operators in the Green River Basin according to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and our internal estimates. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we produced approximately 5,900 short tons of soda ash per employee. Based on historical production statistics we believe this production metric exceeds that of the other three operators in the Green River Basin.
Strong Safety Record. We have an outstanding track record for safety, and we have among the lowest instances of workplace injury in the U.S. mining industry. Our tradition of excellence in safety has been recognized by the Wyoming State Mine Inspector, which has awarded us its Safety Excellence Award for five consecutive years from 2008 to 2012. We also received three consecutive safety awards from the U.S. Industrial Minerals Association of North America and the Mine Safety and Health Administration from 2009 to 2011. In addition, the safety performance of our facilities, as measured by the number of citations, recordable injuries and lost work day injuries and accident incident rate, significantly exceeds that of our peers in the Green River Basin over the last five years, according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration. We believe this emphasis on, and track record of, safety keeps employee morale high and aids in recruiting and retaining the most qualified workers in the Green River Basin to operate our assets.
Stable Customer Relationships. We have an extensive base of more than 60 domestic customers in industries such as flat glass, container glass, detergents, chemicals, paper and other consumer and industrial products. We have long-term relationships with many of our customers due to our competitive pricing, reliable shipping and high quality soda ash. For the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately 70% of our domestic net sales were made to customers with whom we have done business for over ten years. We believe that these relationships lead to stable cash flows. We have a strong, long-standing relationship with our primary export customer, ANSAC. ANSAC is a cooperative that serves as the primary international distribution channel for us and two other U.S. manufacturers of trona-based soda ash. ANSAC is one of the largest purchasers and exporters of soda ash in the world and, as a result, is able to leverage its economies of scale in the markets it serves. We believe that our customer relationships, including our relationship with ANSAC, lead to more stable cash flows and allow us to plan production activity more accurately.
Experienced Management and Workforce. Our facility has been in continuous operation for over 50 years. We are able to build on the collective knowledge gained from our experience during this period to continually improve our operations and introduce innovative processes. In addition, many members of OCI Wyoming's senior management team have more than 20 years of relevant industry experience. Our executives lead a highly productive workforce with an average tenure of approximately 18 years. We believe our institutional knowledge, coupled with the relative seniority of our workforce, engenders a strong sense of teamwork and collegiality, which has led to one of the safest and most efficient operations in the industry today.
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Our Business Strategies
Our primary business objective is to generate stable cash flows, allowing us to make quarterly cash distributions to our common and subordinated unitholders and, over time, to increase those quarterly cash distributions. To achieve our objective, we intend to execute the following key business strategies:
Capitalize on the Growing Demand for Soda Ash. We believe that as one of the leading low-cost producers of trona-based soda ash, we are well-positioned to capitalize on the worldwide growth of soda ash. While consumption of soda ash within the United States is expected to remain relatively stable in the near future, overall worldwide demand for soda ash, based on historical production statistics, is projected to grow from an estimated 55.0 million metric tons (equivalent to approximately 60.6 million short tons) in 2014 to almost 76 million metric tons (equivalent to approximately 83.8 million short tons) in 2024, which represents a compounded annual growth rate of 3.3%. Through ANSAC and our own exports, as well as our long-standing relationship with domestic customers, we believe that as global demand increases, we will be well positioned to maintain our market share in the principal markets in which we operate by increasing our production through refinements in our production process and without significant additional strategic capital expenditures.
Increase Operational Efficiencies. We intend to focus on increasing the efficiency of our operations. We plan to invest in our operations and improve our competitive position as one of the most cost efficient producers of soda ash in the world. We have identified opportunities to increase our annual production capacity by further streamlining our refining process and implementing certain process efficiencies.
Maintain Financial Flexibility. We intend to pursue a disciplined financial policy and seek to maintain a conservative capital structure that we believe will provide enhanced stability to our existing cash flows and allow us to consider attractive growth projects and strategic acquisitions in all market environments. See Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Debt" for additional information.
Expand Operations Strategically. In addition to capacity expansions and process improvements at our current facility, we plan to grow our business through various methods as they become available to us, including: (1) organic growth of our existing business by expanding our customer relationships and by making strategic capital expenditures; (2) acquisition of other businesses involved in mining and processing minerals and manufacturing chemicals; (3) acquisition of other soda ash facilities if and when they become available; and (4) acquisition of shipping, logistical or other ancillary businesses to improve our efficiencies and grow our cash flows. However, none of these opportunities may become available to us, and we may choose not to pursue any opportunities that are presented to us.
We can provide no assurance that we will be able to utilize our strengths described above. For further discussion of the risks that we face, see Item 1A, "Risk Factors."
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Our Organizational Structure
The following chart depicts our ownership structure as of December 31, 2014 and approximate ownership percentages:
Our Relationship with OCI Company
OCI Company Ltd., the parent company of OCI Enterprises ("OCI Company"), is a diversified, global company with its common shares listed on the Korea Exchange. OCI Company, its subsidiaries and its affiliates have a product portfolio consisting of inorganic chemicals, petrochemicals and coal chemicals, fine chemicals, specialty gases and renewable energy. OCI Company and its subsidiaries have produced soda ash since the late 1960s. OCI Chemical acquired its interest in OCI Wyoming in 1996.
Omnibus Agreement. We entered into an omnibus agreement with OCI Enterprises and our general partner (the "Omnibus Agreement") under which we agree upon certain aspects of our relationship with them. For additional information regarding the Omnibus Agreement, please see "Item 13 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence - Omnibus Agreement".
Our general partner owns 399,000 general partner units representing an approximate 2.0% general partner interest in us. These general partner units entitle it to receive approximately 2.0% of all the distributions we make. Our general partner also owns initially all of our incentive distribution rights, which entitle it to increasing percentages, up to a maximum of 48.0%, of the cash we distribute in excess of $0.5750 per unit per quarter. In addition, OCI Holdings owns 4,775,500 common units and 9,775,500 subordinated units.
Our Operations
Our Green River Basin surface operations are situated on approximately 880 acres in Wyoming, and our mining operations consist of approximately 23,500 acres of leased and licensed subsurface mining area. Our facility is accessible by both road and rail. We use six large continuous mining machines and ten underground shuttle cars in our mining operations. Our processing assets consist of material sizing units, conveyors, calciners, dissolver circuits, thickener tanks, drum filters, evaporators and rotary dryers.
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The following map provides an aerial overview of our surface operations:
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The following map shows the known sodium leasing area within the Green River Basin, including the boundaries of our leased and licensed subsurface mining area:
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The Green River Basin geological formation holds the largest, and one of the highest purity, known deposits of trona ore in the world. Our reserves contain trona deposits having a purity between 85% to 89% by weight, which means that insoluble impurities and water make up approximately 11% to 15% of our trona.
Our mining leases and license are located in two mining beds, designated by the U.S. Geological Survey as beds 24 and 25, at depths of 800 to 1100 feet, respectively, below the surface. Mining these beds affords us several competitive advantages. First, the depth of our beds is shallower than other actively mined beds in the Green River Basin, which allows us to use a continuous mining technique to mine trona and roof bolt the ceiling simultaneously. In addition, mining two beds that are on top of one another allows for production efficiencies because we are able to use a single hoisting shaft to service both beds.
The following graphic shows a cross-section of the strategic areas of the Green River Basin where we mine trona:
Source: Management.
We remove insoluble materials and other impurities by thickening and filtering the liquor. We then add activated carbon to our filters to remove organic impurities, which can cause color contamination in the final product. The resulting clear liquid is then crystallized in evaporators, producing sodium carbonate monohydrate. The crystals are then drawn off and passed through a centrifuge to remove excess water. We then dry the resulting material in a product dryer to form anhydrous sodium carbonate, or soda ash. The resulting processed soda ash is then stored in seven on-site storage silos to await shipment by bulk rail or truck to distributors and end customers. Our storage silos can hold up to 65,000 short tons of processed soda ash at any given time. Our facility is in good working condition and has been in service for over 50 years.
Deca Rehydration. The evaporation stage of our trona ore processing produces a precipitate and natural by-product called deca. "Deca", short for sodium carbonate decahydrate, is one part soda ash and ten parts water. Solar evaporation causes deca to crystallize and precipitate to the bottom of the four main surface ponds at our Green River Basin facility. In 2009 we implemented a process called deca rehydration, which enables us to recover soda ash from the deca-rich purged liquor as a by-product of our refining process. We capture the soda ash contained in deca by allowing the deca crystals to evaporate in the sun and separating the dehydrated crystals from the soda ash. We then blend the separated deca crystals with partially processed trona ore at the dissolving stage of our production process described above. This process enables us to reduce our waste storage needs and convert what is typically a waste product into a usable raw material. Primarily as a result of this process, we have been able to reduce our ore to ash ratio by 6% over the past four years.
Energy Consumption. We believe we have one of the most efficient mining and soda ash production surface operations in the world. In 2014, we used approximately 3.8 MMBtus of energy in the form of electricity and natural gas to produce each short ton of soda ash. In addition, we believe this to be the lowest energy consumption of any soda ash producer in North America. We and other producers of soda ash in the Green River Basin benefit from relatively low cost and stable supplies of coal and natural gas in Wyoming, which further enhances our competitive cost advantage over other regions of the world. To reduce the impact of the
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volatility in gas prices, a new hedging program was introduced during 2014 that enables us to fix the price for a portion of our forecasted natural gas purchases.
Shipping and Logistics. All of our soda ash is shipped by rail or truck from our Green River Basin operations. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we shipped approximately 96.0% of our soda ash to our customers initially via a single rail line owned and controlled by Union Pacific Railroad Company ("Union Pacific"), and our plant receives rail service exclusively from Union Pacific. Our recently renewed lease agreement with Union Pacific expires on December 31, 2017. The rail freight rate we are charged under our agreement increases annually based on a published index tied to certain rail industry metrics. If we do not ship a significant portion of our soda ash production on the Union Pacific rail line during a twelve-month period, we must pay Union Pacific a shortfall payment under the terms of our transportation agreement. During 2014 and 2013, we had no shortfall payments and do not expect such payments in the future. We lease a fleet of more than 1,700 hopper cars that serve as dedicated modes of shipment to our domestic customers. For export, we ship our soda ash on unit trains consisting of approximately 100 cars to two primary ports: Port Arthur, Texas and Portland, Oregon. From these ports, our soda ash is loaded onto ships for delivery to ports all over the world. ANSAC provides logistics and support services for all of our export sales. For domestic sales, OCI Chemical provides similar services.
Customers
Our largest customer is ANSAC, which buys soda ash from us (through our sales agent) and other of its member companies for further export to its customers. For the year ended December 31, 2014, ANSAC accounted for approximately 49.6% of our net sales. No other individual customer accounted for more than 10% of our net sales. ANSAC takes soda ash orders directly from its overseas customers and then purchases soda ash for resale from its member companies pro rata based on each member's allocated volumes. ANSAC is the exclusive distributor for its members to the markets it serves. However, OCI Chemical, on our behalf, negotiates directly with, and we export to, customers in markets not served by ANSAC. We had more than 60 domestic customers and 15 foreign customers to whom our agent made sales directly.
For customers other than ANSAC, our sales agent typically enters into contracts, on our behalf, having terms ranging from three months to three years. Under these contracts, our customers generally agree to purchase either minimum estimated volumes of soda ash or a certain percentage of their soda ash requirements. Although we do not have a "take or pay" arrangement with our customers, substantially all of our sales are made pursuant to written agreements and not through spot sales.
Our customers, including end users to whom ANSAC makes sales overseas, consist primarily of:
• | Glass manufacturing companies, account for 50% or more of the consumption of soda ash around the world, including Owens-Illinois Inc., Guardian Industries, Ardagh and Arc International; and |
• | Chemical and detergent manufacturing companies, including Elementis plc, Church and Dwight Co. Inc., PQ Corporation, Procter and Gamble Company and Innophos Holdings Inc. |
For accounts in North America, OCI Chemical, on our behalf, typically enters into sales contracts with our customers having terms of one to three years. Pursuant to these contracts, we supply an estimated annual tonnage of soda ash to a customer at a fixed price for a given calendar year. Generally speaking, we have long-term relationships with the majority of our customers, meaning we have been a supplier to them for more than five years.
Leases and Licenses
We are party to several mining leases and one license, as noted in the table below, which give us subsurface mining rights. Some of our leases are renewable at our option upon expiration. We pay royalties to the State of Wyoming, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Anadarko Petroleum or its affiliates, which are calculated based upon a percentage of the quantity or gross value of soda ash and related products at a certain stage in the mining process, or a certain sum per each ton of such products. These royalty payments are typically subject to a minimum domestic production volume from our Green River Basin facility, although we are obligated to pay minimum royalties or annual rentals to our lessors and licensor regardless of actual sales.
The royalty rates we pay to our lessors and licensor may change upon our renewal of such leases and license. Under our license with Anardarko Petroleum or its affiliates, the applicable royalty rate varies based on an index. Anadarko Petroleum or its affiliates are entitled to adjust their royalty rate if we pay a higher royalty rate to certain other mineral rights owners in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Any increase in the royalty rates we are required to pay to our lessors and licensor, or any failure by us to renew any of our leases and license, could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity, and. therefore, may affect our ability to distribute cash to unitholders.
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The following is a summary of the material terms of our leases and our license as of December 31, 2014:
Name of Lessor or Licensor | Number of Leases or Licenses as of December 31, 2014 | Total Approximate Acreage as of December 31, 2014 | Expiration Date Range | Renewals | Year of Commencement | Royalty Rate | |||||||
Anadarko Petroleum or its Affiliates | 1 | 12,445 acres | N/A | Renewed until 2061 in 2010 | 1962 | 7% of soda ash sold (calculated on a netback basis); scheduled to increase to 8% on October 1, 2016. If royalty rates paid to other lessors are higher, royalty rates are increased to match. | |||||||
U.S. Government | 4 | 7,934 acres | 2017-2025 | We have a preferential renewal right upon application to the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management(1) | 1961 | 6% of gross output(2) | |||||||
State of Wyoming | 5 | 3,079 acres | 2019 | No contractual right to renewal, but leases have been historically renewed for consecutive 10-year periods | 1969 | 6% of gross value | |||||||
(1) | Renewals are typically for ten-year periods. |
(2) | On October 2, 2013, U.S. Congress passed the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, giving U.S. natural soda ash producers some relief on royalties paid to the federal government for trona mined on federal land, reducing the royalty rate from 6% to 4%, for the next two years. |
The foregoing descriptions of the material terms of our leases and our license do not purport to be complete descriptions of our leases and our license, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the leases and license, copies of which have been filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to this Report. See Part IV, Item 15, "Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules— Exhibit Index" for more information.
Trona Reserves
As of December 31, 2014, we had estimated proven and probable reserves of approximately 271.5 million short tons, which is equivalent to 148.0 million short tons of soda ash. The estimates of our proven and probable reserves are derived from a year-end reserve report funded by us and prepared by Hollberg Professional Group, an independent mining and geological consulting firm. Based on a projected mining rate of 4.0 million short tons of trona per year, we have enough proven and probable trona reserves to continue mining trona for approximately 68 years.
Hollberg Professional Group performed a mineral reserve estimate on our trona mineral assets, which are contained in beds 24 and 25 of the Green River Basin, at depths of 800 and 1100 feet below the surface, respectively. Hollberg Professional Group's estimates are based on geological data provided by us and third parties, which were generated from historical exploration drill holes, borings within the mine space, and mine observations and measurements, including core samples. In addition, Hollberg Professional Group reviewed and analyzed our reserve base maps and current mining plans, and developed a life of mine plan with respect to the predicted life of our reserves using a non-subsidence design.
Our trona reserve estimates include reserves that can be economically and legally extracted and processed into soda ash at the time of their determination. Our trona reserves are categorized as "proven (measured) reserves" and "probable (indicated) reserves," which are defined as follows:
• | Proven (Measured) Reserves—Reserves for which: (a) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling and (b) the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well-established. |
• | Probable (Indicated) Reserves—Reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that used for proven (measured) reserves, but the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven (measured) reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation. |
For purposes of categorizing our proven reserves, Hollberg Professional Group's estimates applied exploration and mine measurements and drill hole data within a one-quarter mile radius, and required at least 8-feet of trona thickness and a trona ore grade of at least 85% (with 15% of clays, shales and other impurities). For purposes of categorizing our probable reserves, Hollberg Professional Group's estimates applied exploration and mine measurements and drill hole data within a three-quarter mile radius, and required at least 8-feet of trona thickness and a trona ore grade of at least 85% (with 15% of clays, shales and other impurities). To
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assess the economic viability of our reserves, Hollberg Professional Group reviewed our cost of products sold and average sales price of soda ash for the three years ended December 31, 2014.
In determining whether our reserves meet these proven and probable standards, Hollberg Professional Group made certain assumptions regarding the remaining life of our reserves, including, among other things, that:
• | our cost of products sold per short ton will remain consistent with our cost of products sold for the three years ended December 31, 2014, which was approximately $80 per short ton of soda ash; |
• | the average CIF (carriage, insurance, and freight) sales price will remain consistent with our historical average CIF sales price for the three years ended December 31, 2014, which was approximately $183 per short ton of soda ash; |
• | we will achieve an annual mining rate of approximately 4.0 million short tons of trona; |
• | we will process soda ash with a 90% recovery rate without accounting for our deca rehydration process; |
• | the ore to ash ratio for the stated trona reserves is 1.835:1.0 (short tons of trona run-of-mine to short tons of soda ash); |
• | our run-of-mine ore estimate contains dilution from the mining process; |
• | we will, in approximately 30-40 years, make necessary equipment modifications to operate at a seam height of 7-feet, although our current mining limit is 9 to 10 feet; |
• | we will, within the next four to nine years, conduct "two-seam mining," which means to perform continuous mining simultaneously on beds 24 and 25 in close proximity; |
• | our mining costs will remain consistent with 2014 levels until we begin two-seam mining, at which time our mining costs for the two-seam mine tonnage will increase by approximately 25%; |
• | our processing costs will remain consistent with 2014 levels; |
• | we will continue to conduct only conventional mining using the room and pillar method and a non-subsidence mine design; |
• | we have and will continue to have valid leases and licenses in place with respect to the reserves, and that these leases and licenses can be renewed for the life of the mine based on our extensive history of renewing leases and licenses; |
• | we have and will continue to have the necessary permits to conduct mining operations with respect to the reserves; and |
• | we will maintain the necessary tailings storage capacity to maintain tailings disposal between the mine and surface placement for the life-of-mine. |
Our reserves are subject to leases with the State of Wyoming and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and a license with Anadarko Petroleum or its affiliates. See "Leases and Licenses" above for a summary of these leases and our license, including expiration date ranges.
The following table presents our estimated proven and probable trona reserves at December 31, 2014:
Right of Access and Extraction | Proven Trona Reserves | Average Run-of-Mine Grade of Proven Trona Reserves (% Trona)(1) | Probable Trona Reserves | Average Run-of-Mine Grade of Probable Trona Reserves (% Trona)(1) | Total Proven and Probable Trona Reserves(2) | Soda Ash Produced from Total Proven and Probable Trona Reserves(3) | |||||||||||
(In millions of short tons except percentages)(4) | |||||||||||||||||
License with Anadarko Petroleum or its affiliates | 70.6 | 86.1 | % | 64.5 | 85.4 | % | 135.1 | 73.6 | |||||||||
Leases with the U.S. Government | 57.1 | 86.3 | % | 56.8 | 85.5 | % | 113.9 | 62.0 | |||||||||
Leases with the State of Wyoming | 5.8 | 87.0 | % | 16.7 | 86.2 | % | 22.5 | 12.4 | |||||||||
Total(5) | 133.5 | 86.2 | % | 138.0 | 85.5 | % | 271.5 | 148.0 | |||||||||
(1) | For purposes of these estimates, the minimum grade for reported tonnage is 85%. |
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(2) | The average run-of-mine trona grade, or the percentage of the raw trona mined that comprises soda ash, of our proven and probable trona reserves is approximately 86.2% and 85.5%, respectively. These estimates assume out-of-seam dilution of 4 inches. The price used to estimate our proven and probable trona reserves was our historical average CIF (carriage, insurance and freight) sales price for the three years ended December 31, 2014, which was approximately $183 per short ton of soda ash. |
(3) | Soda ash conversion assumes a 90% recovery rate, resulting in an ore to ash ratio of 1.835:1.0. |
(4) | The sums of some of the rows and columns may not foot due to rounding. |
(5) | Except percentages, which are averages. |
Our reserve estimates will change from time to time as a result of mining activities, analysis of new engineering and geologic data, modification of mining plans or mining methods and other factors. For addition information, see Item 1A, Risk Factors, "Risks Inherent in Our Business and Industry" for more information regarding risks surrounding our reserves.
Competition
Soda ash is a commodity chemical traded globally with numerous producers and consumers worldwide. We compete with both North American and international soda ash producers. There are two ways to consider how we compete: (1) versus our fellow North American competitors; and (2) versus our worldwide competitors. Against our principal North American competitors, which include subsidiaries of FMC, Solvay and Tata in the Green River Basin and Searles Valley Minerals in California, we believe we have a number of competitive advantages, including operational advantages that improve our relative cost position, life of our mineral reserves, our strong safety record, customer relationships and an experienced management team and workforce. Against our principal worldwide competitors, Solvay, Tata and Nirma Group, virtually all of their production is manufactured from synthetic processes and we believe, as a producer of soda ash from trona, we have significant competitive advantages, even after considering the fact that we generally have higher logistics costs to move the soda ash from Wyoming to regions around the world. The costs associated with procuring the materials needed for synthetic production are greater than the costs associated with mining trona. In addition, we believe trona-based production consumes less energy and produces fewer undesirable by-products than synthetic production. See "Our Competitive Strengths" above for additional information.
Insurance
Because all of our operations are conducted at a single facility, an event such as an explosion, fire, equipment malfunction or severe weather conditions could significantly disrupt our trona mining or soda ash production operations and our ability to supply soda ash to our customers. These hazards can also cause personal injury and loss of life, pollution or environmental damage and suspension of our surface and subsurface operations. To mitigate this risk, our sponsor maintains, on our behalf, property, casualty and business interruption insurance in amounts and with coverage and deductibles that we believe are adequate for our current operations. We continually evaluate our policy limits and deductibles as they relate to the overall cost and scope of our insurance coverage to account for changes or growth in our business.
Environmental Matters
Our mining and processing operations, which have been conducted at our Green River Basin facility for many years, are subject to strict regulation by federal, state and local authorities with respect to protection of the environment. We have a rigorous compliance program to ensure that our facilities comply with environmental laws and regulations. However, we are involved from time to time in administrative and judicial proceedings and inquiries relating to environmental matters. Modifications or changes in enforcement of existing laws and regulations or the adoption of new laws and regulations in the future, particularly with respect to environmental or climate change, or changes in the operation of our business or the discovery of additional or unknown environmental contamination, could require expenditures which might be material to our results of operations or financial conditions.
We summarize below certain environmental laws applicable to us that regulate discharges of substances into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the clean-up of contaminated sites, the protection of groundwater quality and availability, plant and wildlife protection, and climate change. Our failure to comply with any of the below laws may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of clean-up and site restoration costs and liens, the issuance of injunctions to limit or cease operations, the suspension or revocation of permits and other enforcement measures that could have the effect of limiting production from our operations.
Clean Air Act
The federal Clean Air Act and comparable state laws restrict the emission of air pollutants from many sources. Under the Clean Air Act, our facility has been issued a Title V operating permit, which regulates emissions to air from our operations. In particular, our operations are subject to technology-based standards pursuant to the Clean Air Act's New Source Performance Standards for Nonmetallic Mineral Processing Plants, which limit particulate matter emissions. Under associated clean air act regulations this operation is also subject to Best Available Control Technology (BACT) requirements. In addition, our boilers are subject to
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technology-based standards pursuant to the Clean Air Act's National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Source: Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters, which were published in final form in January 2013. These laws and regulations may require us to obtain pre-approval for the construction or modification of certain projects or facilities expected to produce or significantly increase air emissions, obtain and strictly comply with stringent air permit requirements or utilize specific equipment or technologies to control emissions of certain pollutants.
Clean Water Act
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which we refer to as the Clean Water Act, and comparable state laws impose restrictions and controls regarding the discharge of pollutants into regulated waters. The discharge of pollutants into regulated waters is prohibited, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by the federal EPA or the state. We do not discharge any wastewater from our operations into the Green River, the nearest river system to our Green River Basin facility. However, the discharge of storm water runoff from our facility is governed by a general permit issued by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. In particular, the general permit requires our compliance with a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. We periodically monitor groundwater wells at our processing facility, most of which are proximate to our surface pond complex, for salinity, conductivity and other parameters pursuant to permits issued by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Permitted interceptor trenches are used to collect saline groundwater to prevent discharge and impact to the Green River.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
The federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, and analogous state laws, impose requirements for the careful generation, handling, storage, treatment and disposal of nonhazardous and hazardous solid wastes. Based on the amount of hazardous waste our operations generate (less than 100 kilograms per month), we have been classified under RCRA as a conditionally exempt generator.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
The federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA, (otherwise known as "Superfund") and comparable state laws impose liability in connection with the release of hazardous substances into the environment. CERCLA imposes liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons that are considered to have contributed to the release of a hazardous substance into the environment. These persons include the current and past owner or operator of the disposal site or the site where the release occurred and those who disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances at the site where the release occurred. Under CERCLA, such persons may be subject to joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment and for damages to natural resources. Wyoming's Environmental Quality Act also creates the potential for liability in connection with the release of hazardous substances into the environment, and has been construed to impose liability without regard to fault. We have not received notice that we are a potentially responsible party at any Superfund site.
Climate Change Legislation and Regulations
In response to findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases, or GHGs, present an endangerment to public health and the environment, the EPA has adopted rules requiring the monitoring and annual reporting of GHG emissions from specified sources, including soda ash processors like us. We are monitoring and reporting GHG emissions from our operations, and we believe we are in substantial compliance with the rules. Under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration of Air Quality, or PSD, permitting regulations, this operation will be subject to BACT requirements if PSD thresholds are exceeded. In the past, the U.S. Congress has considered, but not enacted, legislation that would impose requirements to reduce emissions of GHGs. The State of California recently enacted regulations establishing a so-called GHG "cap-and-trade" system designed to reduce GHG emissions. Our operations are not currently subject to any federal or state requirement to reduce GHG emissions. Although it is not possible at this time to predict how legislation or new regulations that may be adopted to address GHG emissions would impact our business, any such future laws and regulations limiting, or otherwise imposing a tax or financial penalty for, emissions of GHGs from our equipment and operations might be material to our results of operations or financial conditions.
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality—Land Quality Division
Our operations are subject to oversight by the Land Quality Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. In particular, our principal mine permit issued by the Land Quality Division requires us to "self-bond" for the estimated future cost to reclaim the area of our processing facility, surface pond complex and on-site sanitary landfill. As of December 31, 2014, the amount of the self-bond was $33.9 million. The amount of the bond is subject to change based upon periodic re-evaluation by the Land Quality Division.
Mining and Workplace Safety
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, or MSHA, is the primary regulatory organization governing safety matters associated with trona ore mining. Accordingly, MSHA regulates underground mines and the industrial mineral processing facilities
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associated with trona ore mines. MSHA administers the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and enforces compliance with that statute's mandatory safety and health standards. As part of MSHA's oversight, representatives perform at least four unannounced inspections (quarterly) annually for our entire facility. To date these inspections have not resulted in any citations for major violations of MSHA's Code of Federal Regulations.
We also are subject to the requirements of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act, or OSHA, and comparable state statutes that regulate the protection of the health and safety of workers. In addition, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requires that information be maintained about hazardous materials used or produced in operations and that this information be provided to employees, state and local government authorities and the public.
Our Green River Basin facility maintains a rigorous safety program. Our sponsor's employees and contractors who operate our assets are required to complete 40 hours of initial training, as well as eight-hour annual refresher sessions. These training programs cover all of the potential site-specific hazards present at the facility. As a direct result of our commitment to safety, the Green River Basin facility has had an exceptional safety record in recent years. During the year ended December 31, 2014, our facility had only three lost work day injuries and only eight recordable injuries as reported by MSHA. Over the five years ended December 31, 2014, the Green River Basin facility averaged 1.6 lost work day injuries and only 5.0 recordable injuries as reported by MSHA, which we believe to be better than the industry average.
Employees/Labor Relations
We are managed by the directors and officers of our general partner. The personnel who operate our assets are employees of our sponsor. Under the Omnibus Agreement, we reimburse OCI Enterprises and its affiliates for the expenses incurred by them in providing services to us, and we also reimburse OCI Enterprises for certain direct operating expenses they pay on our behalf. As of December 31, 2014, OCI Enterprises and its affiliates had 420 employees at our facility in the Green River Basin that operate the mine, 127 of whom were full-time salaried employees. None of these employees was covered by a collective bargaining agreement as of December 31, 2014, and we did not experience any labor strikes or other significant labor problems during 2014.
Emerging Growth Company Status
We qualify as an "emerging growth company" as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act. For as long as we are an emerging growth company, unlike other public companies, we will not be required to:
• provide an auditor's attestation report on management's assessment of the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;
• | present more than two years of audited financial statements, selected financial data and related Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Report; |
• | comply with certain new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB; |
• | comply with certain new audit rules adopted by the PCAOB after April 5, 2012, unless the SEC determines otherwise; |
• | provide disclosures regarding executive compensation required of larger public companies; or |
• | obtain unitholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. |
We will cease to be an emerging growth company when any of the following conditions apply:
• | we have $1.0 billion or more in annual revenues; |
• | at least $700 million in market value of our common units are held by non-affiliates; |
• | we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period; or |
• | the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering has passed. |
In addition, an emerging growth company can delay its adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we have made the irrevocable election to "opt out" of such extended transition period, and as a result, we will comply with any new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which non-emerging growth companies must adopt such standards.
Glossary of Industry Terms
Industry terms are defined in the Glossary of Industry Terms, included at the end of this Report.
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
Limited partner interests are inherently different from the 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 a similar business. You should
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carefully consider the following risk factors together with all of the other information included in this Report in evaluating an investment in our common units.
If any of the following risks were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to distribute cash could be materially adversely affected. In that case, we might not be able to make distributions on our common units, the trading price of our common units could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Inherent in Our Business and Industry
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 and its affiliates, to enable us to pay any quarterly distribution on our units.
We may not have sufficient available cash each quarter to pay the quarterly distribution at the current distribution level of $0.5315 per unit, or $2.126 per unit on an annualized basis, at the minimum quarterly distribution level, or at all. In order to pay the quarterly distribution at the current distribution level, we will require available cash of approximately $10.6 million per quarter, or $42.5 million per year, based on the number of common, subordinated and general partner units currently outstanding.
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 several factors, some of which are beyond our control, including, among other things:
•the market prices for soda ash in the markets in which we sell;
•the volume of natural and synthetic soda ash produced worldwide;
• | domestic and international demand for soda ash in the flat glass, container glass, detergent, chemical and paper industries in which our customers operate or serve; |
•the freight costs we pay to transport our soda ash to customers or various delivery points;
•the cost of electricity and natural gas used to power our operations;
• | the amount of royalty payments we are required to pay to our lessors and licensor and the duration of our leases and license; |
• | political disruptions in the international markets we or our customers serve, including any changes in trade barriers; |
•our relationships with our customers and our or our sales agent's ability to renew contracts;
•the creditworthiness of our customers;
• | regulatory action affecting the supply of, or demand for, soda ash, our ability to mine trona ore, our transportation logistics, our operating costs or our operating flexibility; |
•new or modified statutes, regulations, governmental policies and taxes or their interpretations; and
•prevailing U.S. and international economic conditions and foreign exchange rates.
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, among other things:
•the level and timing of capital expenditures we make;
• | the level of our operating, maintenance and general and administrative expenses, including reimbursements to our general partner for services provided to us; |
•the cost of acquisitions, if any;
•our debt service requirements and other liabilities;
•fluctuations in our working capital needs;
•our ability to borrow funds and access capital markets;
• | restrictions on distributions contained in debt agreements to which we, OCI Wyoming or OCI Chemical are a party; |
•the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner; and
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•other business risks affecting our cash levels.
Soda ash prices have been and in the future may be volatile, and lower soda ash prices will negatively affect our financial position and results of operations.
Our only product is soda ash, and the market price of soda ash directly affects the profitability of our operations. If the market price for soda ash declines, our revenue may decrease. Historically, the global market and, to a lesser extent, the domestic market for soda ash have been volatile, and those markets are likely to remain volatile in the future. In the past, we have reduced production to mitigate the impact of low soda ash prices. Volatility in soda ash prices can make it difficult to predict the cash we may have on hand at any given time, and a prolonged period of low soda ash prices may materially and adversely affect our financial position, liquidity (including our borrowing capacity under the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility), ability to finance planned capital expenditures and results of operations.
Prices for soda ash may fluctuate in response to relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for soda ash, market uncertainty and other factors beyond our control. These factors include, among other things:
•overall economic conditions;
•the level of customer demand, including in the glassmaking industry;
•the level of production and exports of soda ash globally;
•the level of production of materials used to produce soda ash, including trona ore or synthetic materials, globally;
•the cost of energy consumed in the production of soda ash, including the price of natural gas, electricity and coal;
•the impact of non-ANSAC members increasing their capacity and exports;
•domestic and foreign governmental relations, regulations and taxes; and
•political conditions or hostilities and unrest in regions where we export soda ash.
A substantial portion of our costs are attributable to transportation and freight costs. Increases in freight costs could increase our costs significantly and adversely affect our results of operations.
Most soda ash is sold inclusive of transportation costs, which make up a substantial portion of the total delivered cost to the customer. We transport our soda ash by rail or truck and ocean vessel. As a result, our business and financial results are sensitive to increases in rail freight, trucking and ocean vessel rates. Increases in transportation costs, including increases resulting from emission control requirements, port taxes and fluctuations in the price of fuel, could make soda ash a less competitive product for glass manufacturers when compared to glass substitutes or recycled glass, or could make our soda ash less competitive than soda ash produced by competitors that have other means of transportation or are located closer to their customers. Under our current rail transport contract, our rail freight rates increase each year based upon an industry price index. We may be unable to pass on our freight and other transportation costs in full because market prices for soda ash are generally determined by supply and demand forces.
A significant portion of our international sales of soda ash are to ANSAC, a U.S. export cooperative, and therefore adverse developments at ANSAC or its customers, or in any of the markets in which we make direct international sales, could adversely affect our ability to compete in certain international markets.
We, along with two other U.S. trona-based soda ash producers, utilize ANSAC as our exclusive export vehicle for sales to customers in all countries excluding Canada, South Africa and members of the European Community and European Free Trade Area, which provides us with the benefits of large purchases of soda ash and significant economies of scale in managing international sales and logistics. Because ANSAC makes sales to its end customers directly and then allocates a portion of such sales to each member, we do not have direct access to ANSAC's customers and we have no direct control over the credit or other terms ANSAC extends to its customers. As a result, we are indirectly vulnerable to ANSAC's customer relationships and the credit and other terms ANSAC extends to its customers. Any adverse change in ANSAC's customer relationships could have a direct impact on ANSAC's ability to make sales and our ability to make sales to ANSAC. In addition, to the extent ANSAC extends credit or other favorable terms to its end customers and those customers subsequently default under sales contracts or otherwise fail to perform, we would have no direct recourse against them.
Furthermore, from time to time international competition authorities have conducted inquiries into the potentially anti-competitive nature of ANSAC's activities. The Secretariat of Economic Law of the Ministry Justice of Brazil has commenced an investigation into ANSAC's activities in Brazil. OCI Chemical and the two other members of ANSAC have been named in these investigations. An unfavorable outcome in any such investigation could result in our having to pay fines or penalties, either on behalf of OCI Chemical or through ANSAC, or otherwise adversely affect the ability of ANSAC to continue serving export markets. In the event of an unfavorable outcome in any such investigation, the withdrawal of one of the other two members of
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ANSAC or the dissolution of ANSAC, we would be forced to use alternative methods to facilitate additional direct export sales, resulting in less favorable arrangements in respect of logistics or sales. Any of these developments could lead us to incur significant additional costs and may result in lower pricing for our export sales, which could have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders. For more information about ANSAC, see Item 1, "Business—Customers."
An increase in natural gas prices, or an interruption in our natural gas supply would negatively impact our competitive cost position when compared to other foreign and domestic soda ash producers.
We rely on natural gas as the main energy source in our soda ash production process, and therefore the cost of natural gas is a significant component of the total production cost for our soda ash. Natural gas prices, over the past five years, have ranged between $1.95 and $6.00 per MMBtu per Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot Price. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot Price was $3.48 and $4.23 per MMBtu, respectively. Furthermore, the price of natural gas could increase as a result of reduced domestic drilling and production activity. Drilling and production operations are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws and government regulations concerning, among other things, emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases, hydraulic fracturing, and the handling of natural gas and other substances used in connection with natural gas operations, such as drilling fluids and wastewater. In addition, natural gas operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local taxation. More stringent legislation, regulation or taxation of natural gas drilling activity in the United States could directly curtail such activity or increase the cost of drilling, resulting in reduced levels of drilling activity and therefore increased natural gas prices.
Any material increase in natural gas prices could adversely impact our operations by making us less competitive with other soda ash producers who do not use natural gas as a key input. If U.S. natural gas prices were to increase to a level where foreign soda ash producers were able to improve their competitive position on a unit cost basis, this would negatively affect our competitive cost position.
All of our operations are conducted at one facility. Any adverse developments at our facility could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and therefore our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
Because all of our operations are conducted at a single facility, an event such as an explosion, fire, equipment malfunction or severe weather conditions that adversely affect our facility could significantly disrupt our trona mining or soda ash production operations and our ability to supply soda ash to our customers. While our sponsor maintains business interruption insurance, our policy includes a 15 day equivalent time element deductible, per occurrence, and is subject to customary limitations and exclusions. Any sustained disruption in our ability to meet our obligations under our sales agreements could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and therefore our ability to distribute cash to unitholders.
Due to our lack of product diversification, adverse developments in the soda ash industry would adversely affect our results of operations and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
We rely exclusively on the revenues generated from the production and sale of soda ash. An adverse development in the market for soda ash in U.S. or foreign markets would have a significantly greater impact on our operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders than it would on other companies that have a more diverse asset and product base. Some of the soda ash producers with which we compete sell a more diverse range of products to broader markets.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately 96.0% of our soda ash was shipped via rail, and we rely on one rail line to service our facility under a contract that expires in 2017. Interruptions of service on this rail line could adversely affect our results of operations and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, we shipped approximately 96.0% of our soda ash from our facility on a single rail line owned and controlled by Union Pacific. Our current transportation contract with Union Pacific expires on December 31, 2017. There can be no assurance that this contract will be renewed on terms favorable to us or at all. Rail operations are subject to various risks that may result in a delay or lack of service at our facility, including mechanical problems, extreme weather conditions, work stoppages, labor strikes, terrorist attacks and operating hazards. Moreover, if Union Pacific's financial condition were adversely affected, it could decide to cease or suspend service to our facility. If we are unable to ship soda ash by rail, it would be impracticable to ship all of our soda ash by truck and it would be cost-prohibitive to construct a rail connection to the closest alternative rail line that is approximately 140 miles from our facility. Any delay or failure in the rail services on which we rely could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our unitholders. Moreover, if we do not ship a significant portion of our soda ash production on the Union Pacific rail line during a twelve-month period, we must pay Union Pacific a shortfall payment under the terms of our transportation agreement.
A significant portion of the demand for soda ash comes from glass manufacturers and other industrial end users whose businesses can be adversely affected by economic downturns.
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A significant portion of the demand for soda ash comes from glass manufacturers and other industrial customers. Companies that operate in the industries that glass manufacturers serve, including the automotive, construction and glass container industries, may experience significant fluctuations in demand for their own end products because of economic conditions, changes in consumer demand, or increases in raw material and energy costs. In addition, many large end users of soda ash depend upon the availability of credit on favorable terms to make purchases of raw materials such as soda ash. As interest rates increase or if our customers' creditworthiness deteriorates, this credit may be expensive or difficult to obtain. If these customers cannot obtain credit on favorable terms, they may be forced to reduce their purchases of soda ash. These and other factors may lead some customers to seek renegotiation or cancellation of their existing arrangements with us, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our ability to distribute cash to unitholders.
If the percentage of our international sales increases as a percentage of total sales, our gross margin could decrease and the average trade credit payment period of our customers could increase, which could adversely affect our financial position and our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders.
From 2013 to 2014, our international sales of soda ash as a percentage of total sales increased from 55.9% to 58.1%. Our gross margin for international sales is lower than our gross margin for domestic sales because the average price of soda ash sold internationally is lower than the average price of soda ash sold domestically. Lower margins could adversely affect our financial position and our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders.
We typically receive payment for our domestic sales more quickly than we receive payment for our international sales. Therefore, an increase in our international sales and a decrease in domestic sales would extend the average time period for our receipt of payment for our soda ash, which could expose us to greater credit risk from our customers, increase our working capital requirements and negatively affect the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
OCI Chemical, on our behalf, typically enters into contracts and exclusive arrangements with our customers that have terms of three months to three years, and our customers are not obligated to purchase any amount of soda ash from us.
The terms of our customer contracts vary by geography. Most of our domestic contracts have terms of one to three years. Our European contracts typically have a term of one year, and some Asian contracts have only a three-month term. We understand that ANSAC's customer contract terms also vary by region. Moreover, our customer contracts are not exclusive dealing or take-or-pay arrangements. Additionally, we may lose a customer for any number of reasons, including as a result of a merger or acquisition, the selection of another provider of soda ash, business failure or bankruptcy of the customer or dissatisfaction with our performance or pricing. Loss of any of our major customers could adversely affect our business, results of operations and cash flow.
Increased use of glass substitutes and recycled glass may affect demand for soda ash, which could adversely affect our result of operations.
Increased use of glass substitutes or recycled glass in the container industry could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Container glass production is one of the principal end markets for soda ash. Competition from increased use of glass substitutes, such as plastic and recycled glass, has had a negative effect on demand for soda ash. Demand for soda ash by the glass container industry has generally declined over the last ten years. We believe that the use of containers containing alternative materials such as plastic and aluminum will continue to affect negatively the growth in domestic demand for soda ash.
We are exposed to trade credit risk in the ordinary course of our business activities.
We extend credit to our customers as a normal part of our business, and as such, are subject to the credit risk of our customers, including the risk of loss resulting from nonpayment or nonperformance. Typical industry contract terms are net 30 days from date of shipment for domestic U.S. customers. We have experienced nonperformance by our customers and counterparties in the past, and we take reserves for accounts more than 90 days past due. Some of our customers and counterparties may be highly leveraged and subject to their own operating and regulatory risks. Our credit procedures and policies may not be adequate to eliminate customer credit risk, and we may not adequately assess the creditworthiness of existing or future customers. In addition, even if our procedures work properly, our customers may experience unanticipated deterioration of their creditworthiness. Material nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and on our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders.
We face intense competition, including from companies that have capital resources greater than ours and that have more diversified operations.
We face competition from a number of soda ash producers in the United States, Europe and Asia, some of which have greater market share and greater financial, production and other resources than we do. Some of our competitors are diversified global corporations that have many lines of business. Some of our competitors have greater capital resources and may be in a better position to withstand a long term deterioration in the soda ash market. Other competitors, even if smaller in size, may have greater
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experience and stronger relationships in their local markets. Competitive pressures could make it more difficult for us to retain our existing customers and attract new customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to distribute cash to our unitholders. Competition could also intensify the negative impact of factors that decrease demand for soda ash in the markets we serve, such as adverse economic conditions, weather, higher fuel costs and taxes or other governmental or regulatory actions that directly or indirectly increase the cost or limit the use of soda ash. We expect to face competition from Turkey's trona-based soda ash production in the next several years. In addition, China is the largest producer of synthetic soda ash in the world and historically has exported only a small percentage of its production. If Chinese producers, which we believe are supported by government subsidies, and other new producers were to begin exporting significant quantities of soda ash, including on non-commercial terms, the supply of soda ash in the global market could materially increase and put downward pressure on pricing.
Unfavorable economic conditions may reduce demand for our products, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Worldwide soda ash demand generally correlates to global economic growth generally. The U.S. economy and global capital and credit markets remain volatile. Worsening economic conditions or factors that negatively affect the economic health of the United States and other parts of the world into which we or ANSAC sells soda ash could reduce our revenues and adversely affect our results of operations. The recent global financial crisis and sovereign debt crises in Europe have led to a global economic slowdown, with the economies of those regions showing significant signs of weakness, resulting in greater volatility in the U.S. economy and in the global capital and credit markets. These markets have been experiencing disruption, including volatility in securities markets, diminished liquidity and credit availability, credit ratings downgrades, failure and potential failures of major financial institutions, unprecedented government support of financial institutions and high unemployment rates. Instability in consumer confidence and increased unemployment have increased concerns of prolonged economic weakness. These developments may adversely affect the ability of our customers to obtain financing to perform their obligations to us. We believe that further deterioration of economic conditions or a prolonged period of economic weakness will have an adverse impact on our results of operations, business and financial condition, as well as our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders.
Our reserve data are estimates based on assumptions that may be inaccurate and are based on existing economic and operating conditions that may change in the future, which could materially and adversely affect the quantities and value of our reserves.
Our reserve estimates may vary substantially from the actual amounts of minerals we are be able to recover economically from our reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of reserves, including many factors beyond our control. Estimates of reserves necessarily depend upon a number of variables and assumptions, any one of which may, if incorrect, result in an estimate that varies considerably from actual results. These factors and assumptions relate to:
• | future prices of soda ash, mining and production costs, capital expenditures and transportation costs; |
• | future mining technology; |
• | the effects of regulation by governmental agencies; and |
• | geologic and mining conditions, which may not be identified by available exploration data and may differ from our experiences in areas where we currently mine. |
Actual production, revenue and expenditures with respect to our reserves will likely vary from our estimates, and these variations may be material.
Restrictions in the agreements governing OCI Wyoming's indebtedness, including the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, could limit its operations and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make quarterly cash distributions to our unitholders.
On July 18, 2013, OCI Wyoming entered into a $190.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility, as amended on October 30, 2014 (as amended, the "OCI Wyoming Credit Facility"). The OCI Wyoming Credit Facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions that limit (subject to certain exceptions) OCI Wyoming's ability to:
• | make distributions on or redeem or repurchase its units; |
• | incur or guarantee additional debt; |
• | make certain investments and acquisitions; |
• | incur certain liens or permit them to exist; |
• | enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates of OCI Wyoming; |
• | merge or consolidate with another company; and |
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• | transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of assets. |
The OCI Wyoming Credit Facility also contains covenants requiring OCI Wyoming to maintain certain financial ratios. OCI Wyoming is subject to a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility) of not less than 1.10 to 1.00 for the 2014 and 2015 fiscal years, respectively, and not less than 1.15 to 1.00 thereafter, and a consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility) of not greater than 3.00 to 1.00. OCI Wyoming's ability to meet those financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that OCI Wyoming will meet those ratios and tests. The OCI Wyoming Credit Facility also requires that consolidated capital expenditures, as defined in the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, not exceed $50 million in any fiscal year.
In addition, the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility contains events of default customary for transactions of this nature, including (1) failure to make payments required under the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, (2) events of default resulting from OCI Wyoming's failure to comply with covenants and financial ratios in the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, (3) the institution of insolvency or similar proceedings against OCI Wyoming, (4) the occurrence of a default under any other material indebtedness OCI Wyoming may have, and (5) the occurrence of a change of control.
Under the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, a change of control is triggered if OCI Chemical and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, cease to own all of the equity interests, or cease to have the ability to elect a majority of the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of OCI GP (or any entity that performs the functions of our general partner). In addition, a change of control would be triggered if we cease to own at least 50.1% of the economic interests in OCI Wyoming or cease to have the ability to elect a majority of the members of OCI Wyoming's board of managers.
The provisions of the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility may affect OCI Wyoming's ability to obtain future financing and pursue attractive business opportunities and its flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in business conditions. In addition, OCI Wyoming's failure to comply with the provisions of the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility could result in an event of default, which could enable its lenders, subject to the terms and conditions of the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, to terminate all outstanding commitments and declare any outstanding principal of that debt, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable. If the payment of OCI Wyoming's debt is accelerated, its assets may be insufficient to repay such debt in full. As a result, our results of operations and, therefore, our ability to distribute cash to unitholders, could be materially and adversely affected, and our unitholders could experience a partial or total loss of their investment. Please read Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt—OCI Wyoming Credit Facility" for more information.
If we are not able to renew our leases and license, it will have a material adverse effect on us. Under the terms of our subsurface mining leases and license, we are required to make minimum royalty payments or annual rentals, and the royalty rates we are required to pay may change with little or no notice to us.
All of our reserves are held under leases with the State of Wyoming and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and a license with Anadarko Petroleum or its affiliates. As of December 31, 2014, leases covering approximately 46.9% of our acreage were scheduled to expire in the next five years. If we are not able to renew our leases and license, it will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash available for distribution to unitholders.
Each of those leases and the license requires that minimum royalties or annual rentals be paid regardless of production levels. If our operations do not meet production goals, then it could have an adverse effect on our ability to pay cash distributions due to the ongoing requirement to pay minimum royalty payments despite a lack of production and the corresponding net sales.
Under our license with Anadarko Petroleum or its affiliates, the applicable royalty rate varies based on an index. Anadarko Petroleum or its affiliates are entitled to adjust their royalty rate if we pay a higher royalty rate to certain other mineral rights owners in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Any increase in the royalty rates we are required to pay to our lessors or licensor, or any failure by us to renew any of our leases or our license, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and ability to distribute cash to our unitholders.
We may not achieve the acquisition component of our growth strategy.
Acquisitions are an important component of our current growth strategy. We can offer no assurance that we will be able to identify any acquisition opportunities, that we will be able to grow our business through acquisitions, or that any assets or business we acquire will perform in accordance with our expectations or that our assessment concerning the value, strengths and weaknesses of assets or business acquired will prove to be correct. We have not made any acquisitions in the past, and there are currently a limited number of producers in North America with businesses similar to ours. In connection with future acquisitions, if any, we may incur debt and contingent liabilities, increased interest expense and amortization expense and significant charges relative to integration costs. In addition, our financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected if we overpay for acquisitions.
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Acquisitions involve a number of special risks, including:
• | unforeseen difficulties extending internal control over financial reporting and performing the required assessment at the newly acquired business or assets; |
• | potential adverse short-term effects on operating results through increased costs or otherwise; |
• | diversion of management's attention and failure to recruit new, and retain existing, key personnel of the acquired business or assets; |
• | failure to implement infrastructure, logistics and systems integration successfully; and |
• | the risks inherent in the systems of the acquired business and risks associated with unanticipated events or liabilities, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. |
Defects in title or loss of any leasehold interests in our properties could limit our ability to conduct mining operations on these properties or result in significant unanticipated costs.
All of our trona reserves are leased or licensed. A title defect in our leased, licensed or owned property or the loss of any lease or license upon expiration of its term, upon a default or otherwise could adversely affect our ability to mine the associated reserves and/or process the trona that we mine. In some cases, we rely on title information or representations and warranties provided by our lessors, licensor or grantors. We cannot rely on any such representations or warranties with respect to the surface land on which our facility is located because we acquired the surface land in 1991 by quitclaim deed. We have no title insurance for our interests in this property. Any challenge to our title or leasehold interests could delay our operations and could ultimately result in the loss of some or all of our interest in the property. From time to time we also may be in default with respect to leases or the license for properties on which we have mining operations. In such events, we may have to close down or alter significantly the sequence of such mining operations, which may adversely affect our future soda ash production and future revenues. If we mine on property that we do not own, lease or license, we could incur liability for such mining and be subject to regulatory sanction and penalties. Also, in any such case, the investigation and resolution of title issues would divert management's time from our business, and our results of operations could be adversely affected. As a result, our results of operations, business and financial condition, as well as our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders may be materially adversely affected.
Mining development, exploration and processing operations pose numerous hazards and uncertainties that may negatively affect our business.
Mining and processing operations involve many hazards and uncertainties, including, among other things:
• | seismic activity; |
• | ground failures; |
• | industrial accidents; |
• | environmental contamination or leakage; |
• | fires and explosions; |
• | unusual and unexpected rock formations or water conditions; |
• | flooding and periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions or other acts of nature; and |
• | mechanical equipment failure and facility performance problems. |
These occurrences could damage or destroy our properties or production facilities, or result in personal injury or wrongful death claims, environmental damage to our properties or the properties of others, delays in, or prohibitions on, mining or processing, increased production costs, asset write downs, monetary losses and legal liability, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In particular, underground mining and related processing activities present inherent risks of injury to persons and damage to equipment. Our insurance policies provide limited coverage for some of these risks but will not fully cover these risks. Please read “Risk Factors—Risks Inherent in Our Business and Industry—Our business is subject to inherent risk, including risk relating to natural disasters, and our insurance coverage for such risks may not be adequate or available to us. If an accident or event occurs that is not fully insured, it could materially affect our business.” Significant mine accidents could occur, potentially resulting in a mine shutdown or leading to liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
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We may be unable to obtain, maintain or renew permits necessary for our operations, which could impair our ability to conduct our operations and limit our ability to make distributions to unitholders.
Our facility and operations require us to obtain a number of permits that impose strict regulations on various environmental and operational matters in connection with mining trona ore and producing soda ash. These include permits issued by various federal, state and local agencies and regulatory bodies. The permitting rules, and the interpretations of these rules, are complex, change frequently and are subject to discretionary interpretations by our regulators, all of which may make compliance difficult or impractical and may impair our existing operations or the development of future facilities. The public, including non-governmental organizations, environmental groups and individuals, have certain statutory rights to comment upon and submit objections to requested permits and environmental impact statements prepared in connection with applicable regulations and otherwise engage in the permitting process, including bringing citizen's lawsuits to challenge the issuance or renewal of permits, the validity of environmental impact statements or the performance of mining activities. If permits are not issued or renewed in a timely fashion or at all or are conditioned in a manner that restricts our ability to conduct our operations economically, our cash flows may decline, which could limit our ability to distribute cash to unitholders.
Equipment upgrades, equipment failures and deterioration of assets may lead to production curtailments, shutdowns or additional expenditures.
Our operations depend upon critical equipment that require scheduled upgrades and maintenance and may suffer unanticipated breakdowns or failures. As a result, our mining operations and processing may be interrupted or curtailed, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
As our mine ages and we deplete our trona reserves, in order to maintain current production rates over the next five to ten years, we expect to need to use smaller mining equipment or two seam mining technique, which will increase our mining costs. In addition, our maintenance capital expenditures do not include actual or estimated capital expenditures for replacement of our trona reserves.
In addition, assets critical to our trona ore mining and soda ash production operations may deteriorate due to wear and tear or otherwise sooner than we currently estimate. Such deterioration may result in additional maintenance spending and additional capital expenditures. If these assets do not generate the amount of future cash flows that we expect, and we are not able to procure replacement assets in an economically feasible manner, our future results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
If any of the equipment on which we depend were severely damaged or were destroyed by fire, abnormal wear and tear, flooding, or otherwise, we may be unable to replace or repair it in a timely manner or at a reasonable cost, which would impact our ability to produce and ship soda ash, which would have a material adverse effect our results of operations, financial condition and our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders.
We may record impairment charges on our assets, including our reserves, that would adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
We are required to perform impairment tests on our assets, including our trona reserves, whenever events or changes in circumstances modify the estimated useful life of or estimated future cash flows from an asset that would indicate that the carrying amount of such asset may not be recoverable or whenever management's plans change with respect to such asset. An impairment in one period may not be reversed in a later period even if prices increase. If we are required to recognize impairment charges in the future, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
A shortage of skilled workers could reduce our labor productivity and increase our costs, which could negatively affect our business.
Our mining and processing operations require personnel with specialized skills and experience. Our ability to be productive and profitable will depend upon our ability to employ and retain skilled workers. If we experience shortages of skilled workers in the future, our labor costs and overall productivity could be materially and adversely affected. If our labor costs increase or if we experience materially increased health and benefits costs, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Severe weather conditions could have a material adverse impact on our business.
Our business could be materially adversely affected by severe weather conditions. Severe weather conditions may affect our mining and processing operations by resulting in weather-related damage to our facility and equipment or impact our ability to transport soda ash from our facility. In addition, severe weather conditions could hinder our operations by causing us to halt or delay our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
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Our business is subject to inherent risk, including risk relating to natural disasters, and our insurance coverage for such risks may not be adequate or available to us. If an accident or event occurs that is not fully insured, it could materially affect our business.
We are covered by insurance policies maintained by our sponsor. These insurance policies provide limited coverage for some, but not all, of the potential risks and liabilities associated with our businesses. For some risks, we do not obtain insurance or are covered by our sponsor's policies if we believe the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. As a result of market conditions, premiums and deductibles for certain insurance policies can increase substantially, and certain types of insurance may become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage. As a result, we may not be able to renew our or its existing insurance policies or procure other desirable insurance on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. In addition, we cannot insure against certain environmental and pollution risks. Even where insurance coverage applies, insurers may contest their obligations to make payments. Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover us against losses we incur, and coverage under these policies may be depleted or may not be available to us to the extent that we otherwise exhaust its coverage limits. Our results of operations, and therefore our ability to distribute cash to unitholders, could be materially and adversely affected by losses and liabilities from uninsured or under-insured events, as well as by delays in the payment of insurance proceeds or the failure by insurers to make payments.
We also may incur costs and liabilities resulting from claims for damages to property or injury to persons arising from our operations. We must compensate employees for work-related injuries. If we do not make adequate provision for our workers' compensation liabilities, such claims could harm our future operating results. If we are required to pay for these fines, costs and liabilities, our financial condition, results of operations, and therefore our ability to distribute cash to unitholders, could be adversely affected.
We may be subject to litigation, the disposition of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The nature of our operations exposes us to possible litigation claims, including disputes with customers and providers of shipping services. Some of the lawsuits may seek fines or penalties and damages in large amounts, or seek to restrict our business activities. Because of the uncertain nature of litigation and coverage decisions, we cannot predict the outcome of these matters or whether insurance claims may mitigate any damages to us. Litigation is very costly, and the costs associated with prosecuting and defending litigation matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Expansion or improvement of our existing facilities may not result in revenue increases and will be subject to regulatory, environmental, political, legal and economic risks, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
One of the ways we may grow our business is through the expansion or improvement of our existing facility. The construction of additions or modifications to our existing facility involve numerous regulatory, environmental, political, legal and economic uncertainties that are beyond our control. Such expansion or improvement projects may also require the expenditure of significant amounts of capital, and financing may not be available on economically acceptable terms or at all. If we undertake these projects, they may not be completed on schedule, at the budgeted cost, or at all. Moreover, our revenue may not increase immediately upon the expenditure of funds on a particular project. As a result, we may not be able to realize our expected investment return, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We conduct our operations through a joint venture, which subjects us to additional risks that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
OCI Wyoming is a joint venture with an affiliate of NRP. We may also enter into other joint venture arrangements with third parties in the future. NRP has, and these third parties may have, obligations that are important to the success of the joint venture, such as the obligation to pay their share of capital and other costs of the joint venture. The performance of these third party obligations, including the ability of our joint venture partner in OCI Wyoming, to satisfy their respective obligations, is outside our control. If these parties do not satisfy their obligations under the arrangement, our business may be adversely affected.
Our joint venture arrangement may involve risks not otherwise present without such partner, including, for example:
• | our joint venture partner shares certain blocking rights over transactions between OCI Wyoming and its affiliates, including us; |
• | our joint venture partner may take actions contrary to our instructions or requests or contrary to our policies or objectives; |
• | although we control OCI Wyoming, we owe contractual duties to OCI Wyoming and its other owners, which may conflict with our interests and the interests of our unitholders; and |
• | disputes between us and our joint venture partner may result in delays, litigation or operational impasses. |
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The risks described above or any failure to continue our joint venture or to resolve disagreements with our joint venture partner could adversely affect our ability to transact the business that is the subject of such joint venture, which would, in turn, negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations and ability to distribute cash to our unitholders.
Restrictions in the Revolving Credit Facility could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to make quarterly cash distributions to our unitholders.
On July 18, 2013, OCIR entered into a $10.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, as amended on October 30, 2014 (as amended, the "Revolving Credit Facility"). The Revolving Credit Facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions that limit (subject to certain exceptions) our ability (and the ability of our subsidiaries, including OCI Wyoming) to:
• | make distributions on or redeem or repurchase units; |
• | incur or guarantee additional debt; |
• | make certain investments and acquisitions; |
• | incur certain liens or permit them to exist; |
• | enter into certain types of transactions with our affiliates; |
• | merge or consolidate with another company; and |
• | transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of assets. |
The Revolving Credit Facility also contains a covenant requiring us to maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) of not less than 1.05 to 1.00 for the 2014 fiscal year and the 2015 fiscal year, and not less than 1.10 to 1.00 thereafter. Our ability to meet that financial ratio and test can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet that ratio and test. The Revolving Credit Facility also requires that consolidated capital expenditures, as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility, not exceed $50 million in any fiscal year.
In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility contains events of default customary for transactions of this nature, including (1) failure to make payments required under the Revolving Credit Facility, (2) events of default resulting from our failure to comply with covenants and financial ratios in the Revolving Credit Facility, (3) the institution of insolvency or similar proceedings against us, (4) the occurrence of a default under any other material indebtedness we (or any of our subsidiaries) may have, including the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, and (5) the occurrence of a change of control. In addition, our obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a pledge of substantially all of our assets (subject to certain exceptions), including the membership interests in OCI Wyoming held by us.
Under the Revolving Credit Facility, a change of control is triggered if OCI Chemical and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, cease to own all of the equity interests, or cease to have the ability to elect a majority of the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of, OCI Holdings or OCI GP (or any entity that performs the functions of our general partner). In addition, a change of control would be triggered if we cease to own at least 50.1% of the economic interests in OCI Wyoming or cease to have the ability to elect a majority of the members of OCI Wyoming's board of managers.
The provisions of the Revolving Credit Facility may affect our ability to obtain future financing and pursue attractive business opportunities and our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in business conditions. In addition, a failure to comply with the provisions of the Revolving Credit Facility could result in an event of default, which could enable our lenders to, subject to the terms and conditions of the Revolving Credit Facility, terminate all outstanding commitments and declare any outstanding principal of that debt, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable. If the payment of our debt is accelerated, our assets may be insufficient to repay such debt in full, the lenders could foreclose on our assets, including without limitation our ownership interests in OCI Wyoming, and our unitholders could experience a partial or total loss of their investment. Please read Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 8, "Debt-Revolving Credit Facility."
Our level of indebtedness may increase, reducing our financial flexibility.
In the future, we may incur significant indebtedness in order to make future acquisitions or to develop or expand our facilities and mining capabilities. Our level of indebtedness could affect our operations in several ways, including:
• | a significant portion of our cash flows could be used to service our indebtedness; |
• | a high level of debt would increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; |
• | the covenants contained in the agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness will limit our ability to borrow additional funds, dispose of assets, pay distributions and make certain investments; |
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• | a high level of debt may place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that are less leveraged, and therefore may be able to take advantage of opportunities that our indebtedness would prevent us from pursuing; |
• | our debt covenants may also affect our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in the economy and our industry; and |
• | a high level of debt may impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, distributions or for general corporate or other purposes. |
A high level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may default on our debt obligations. Our ability to meet our debt obligations and to reduce our level of indebtedness depends on our future performance. General economic conditions and financial, business and other factors affect our operations and our future performance. Many of these factors are beyond our control. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to pay the interest on our debt, and future working capital, borrowings or equity financing may not be available to pay or refinance such debt. Factors that will affect our ability to raise cash through an offering of our units or a refinancing of our debt include financial market conditions, the value of our assets and our performance at the time we need capital.
Our general partner is a guarantor under, and its equity interests and assets (other than its general partner interests in us) are pledged as collateral for, OCI Chemical's $25 million senior secured credit facility; in the event OCI Chemical is unable to meet its obligations under that facility, or is declared bankrupt, OCI Chemical's lenders may gain control of our general partner or, in the case of bankruptcy, our partnership may be dissolved.
On July 18, 2013, OCI Chemical entered into a senior secured credit facility, which was amended on October 30, 2014 (we refer to the senior secured credit facility, as amended, as the OCI Chemical Credit Facility). Our general partner is a guarantor under the OCI Chemical Credit Facility, and all of our general partner's assets (other than its general partner interest in us) and OCI Chemical's ownership interest in our general partner are subject to a lien under the OCI Chemical Credit Facility. In the event OCI Chemical is unable to satisfy its obligations under the OCI Chemical Credit Facility and the lenders foreclose on their collateral, the lenders will own our general partner, and effectively all of its assets, which include the general partner interest in us and our incentive distribution rights. In such event, the lenders would own the entity that controls our management and operation. Moreover, in the event OCI Chemical becomes insolvent or is declared bankrupt, our general partner also may be deemed insolvent or declared bankrupt. Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the bankruptcy or insolvency of our general partner may cause a dissolution of our partnership. As of December 31, 2014, OCI Chemical had $16.0 million outstanding under the OCI Chemical Credit Facility.
Restrictions in the OCI Chemical Credit Facility could limit our operations and our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders.
We and OCI Wyoming are indirectly affected by certain prohibitions and limitations contained in the OCI Chemical Credit Facility. Specifically, OCI Chemical has agreed (subject to certain exceptions in addition to those described below) that it will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries, including OCI Wyoming and us, to:
• | make distributions on or redeem or repurchase equity interests, other than distributions to our and OCI Wyoming's unitholders to the extent no default is in effect at such time and that the required financial ratio tests are met prior to and after giving effect to such distribution; |
• | incur or guarantee additional debt, other than debt incurred under the Revolving Credit Facility or the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, among certain other types of permitted debt; |
• | make certain investments and acquisitions, other than investments in each of OCI Wyoming and us in an amount not to exceed $2 million per calendar year, respectively, and other exceptions set forth therein; |
• | incur certain liens or permit them to exist, other than, with respect to our and OCI Wyoming's liens, an aggregate amount outstanding at any time equal to $200,000 and $1 million, respectively; |
• | enter into certain types of transaction with affiliates, other than transactions between OCI Wyoming and us; |
• | merge or consolidate with another company; or |
• | transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of assets, other than our and OCI Wyoming's dispositions of assets with a net book value not to exceed $500,000 and $2.5 million, respectively, in any given year. |
The OCI Chemical Credit Facility also contains covenants requiring OCI Chemical to maintain certain financial ratios. For example, OCI Chemical is subject to a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the OCI Chemical Credit Facility) of not less than 1.25 to 1.00 and a consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the OCI Chemical Credit Facility) of not greater than
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3.00 to 1.00. OCI Chemical's ability to meet those financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that OCI Chemical will meet those ratios and tests.
Due to its ownership and control of our general partner, OCI Chemical has the ability to prevent OCI Wyoming and us from taking actions that would cause OCI Chemical to violate any covenants in, or otherwise to be in default under, the OCI Chemical Credit Facility. In deciding whether to prevent OCI Wyoming or us from taking any such action, OCI Chemical will have no fiduciary duty to us or our unitholders. Moreover, if we or OCI Wyoming desire to take any action, to the extent such action would not be permitted under the OCI Chemical Credit Facility, OCI Chemical would be required to seek the consent of the lenders under the OCI Chemical Credit Facility. OCI Chemical's compliance with the covenants in the OCI Chemical Credit Facility may restrict our and OCI Wyoming's ability to undertake certain actions that might otherwise be considered beneficial to us, including borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility or the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility to finance operations or expansions or to distribute cash to our and their respective unitholders.
Under the OCI Chemical Credit Facility, a change of control is triggered if OCI Enterprises and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, cease to own all of the equity interests, or cease to have the ability to elect a majority of the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of, OCI Chemical, OCI Holdings or OCI GP (or any entity that performs the functions of our general partner). In addition, a change of control would be triggered if we cease to own at least 50.1% of the economic interests in OCI Wyoming or cease to have the ability to elect a majority of the members of OCI Wyoming's board of managers.
Any debt instruments that OCI Chemical or any of its affiliates enter into in the future, including any amendments to the OCI Chemical Credit Facility, may include additional or more restrictive limitations that may impact our ability to conduct our business. These additional restrictions could adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs or engage in, expand or pursue our business activities.
We are subject to stringent environmental laws and regulations that may expose us to significant costs and liabilities.
Our operations are subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that govern the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relate to environmental protection. Examples of these laws include:
• | the federal Clean Air Act and analogous state laws that impose obligations related to air emissions; |
• | the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, known as CERCLA or the Superfund law, and analogous state laws that regulate the cleanup of hazardous substances that may be or have been released at properties currently or previously owned or operated by us or at locations to which our wastes are or have been transported for disposal; |
• | the federal Water Pollution Control Act, or the Clean Water Act, and analogous state laws that regulate discharges from our facilities into state and federal waters, including wetlands and the Green River; |
• | the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, and analogous state laws that impose requirements for the storage, treatment and disposal of solid and hazardous waste from our facilities; |
• | the Endangered Species Act, or ESA; and |
• | the Toxic Substances Control Act, or TSCA, and analogous state laws that impose requirements on the use, storage and disposal of various chemicals and chemical substances at our facility. |
These laws and regulations may impose numerous obligations that are applicable to our operations, including the acquisition of permits to conduct regulated activities, the incurrence of capital or operating expenditures to limit or prevent releases of materials from our facility, and the imposition of substantial liabilities and remedial obligations for pollution resulting from our operations. Numerous governmental authorities, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA, and analogous state agencies, have the power to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them, oftentimes requiring difficult and costly corrective actions. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations and permits may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations and the issuance of injunctions limiting or preventing some or all of our operations. In addition, we may experience a delay in obtaining or be unable to obtain required permits or regulatory authorizations, which may cause us to lose potential and current customers, interrupt our operations and limit our growth and revenue. In addition, future changes in environmental or other laws may result in additional compliance expenditures that have not been pre-funded and which could adversely affect our business and results of operations and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
There is a risk that we may incur costs and liabilities in connection with our operations due to historical industry operations and waste disposal practices, our handling of wastes and potential emissions and discharges related to our operations. Private
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parties, including the owners of the properties on which we operate, may have the right to pursue legal actions to require remediation of contamination or enforce compliance with environmental requirements as well as to seek damages for personal injury or property damage. For example, an accidental release from our facility could subject us to substantial liabilities arising from environmental cleanup and restoration costs, claims made by neighboring landowners and other third parties for personal injury and property damage and fines or penalties for related violations of environmental laws or regulations. Under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, our sponsor will indemnify us for certain potential environmental and toxic tort claims, losses and expenses associated with the operation of the assets contributed to us and occurring before the closing date of our IPO. OCI Company. has not agreed to indemnify us for these or any other losses. The maximum liability of our sponsor for these indemnification obligations will not exceed $10 million, which may not be sufficient to fully compensate us for such claims, losses and expenses. Moreover, our assets constitute substantially all of our sponsor's assets, and our sponsor has not agreed to maintain any cash reserve to fund any indemnification obligations under the Omnibus Agreement. In addition, changes in environmental laws occur frequently, and any such changes that result in more stringent and costly waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or remediation requirements could have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial position. We may not be able to recover all or any of these costs from insurance. Please read Item 1, "Business—Environmental Matters" and Item 13, "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence—Omnibus Agreement" for more information.
The adoption of climate change legislation by Congress could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the soda ash we produce.
Many nations have agreed to limit emissions of "greenhouse gases," or GHGs, pursuant to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, also known as the "Kyoto Protocol." Methane, a primary component of natural gas, and carbon dioxide, a by-product of the burning of coal, oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products, are GHGs regulated by the Kyoto Protocol. The United States signed, but did not ratify, the Kyoto Protocol. Although the United States is not participating in the Kyoto Protocol at this time, several states or geographic regions have adopted legislation and regulations to reduce emissions of GHGs. The EPA has adopted two sets of related rules, one of which purports to regulate emissions of GHGs from motor vehicles, and the other of which regulates emissions of GHGs from large stationary sources of emissions such as power plants or industrial facilities. The EPA finalized the motor vehicle rule in April 2010, and it became effective in January 2011. The EPA adopted the stationary source rule, also known as the "Tailoring Rule," in May 2010, and it became effective in January 2011. Additionally, in September 2009, the EPA issued a final rule requiring the reporting of GHG emissions from specified large GHG emission sources in the United States, including soda ash manufacturers, beginning in 2011 for emissions occurring in 2010. In addition, the EPA has continued to adopt GHG regulations of other industries, such as the March 2012 proposed GHG rule restricting future development of coal-fired power plants. As a result of this continued regulatory focus, future GHG regulations of the soda ash industry remain a possibility.
In addition, the U.S. Congress has from time to time considered adopting legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs, and almost one-half of the states have already taken legal measures to reduce emissions of GHGs, primarily through the planned development of GHG emission inventories and/or regional GHG "cap and trade" programs. Although the U.S. Congress has not adopted such legislation at this time, it may do so in the future and many states continue to pursue regulations to reduce GHG emissions. Most of these cap and trade programs work by requiring major sources of emissions, such as electric power plants, or major producers of fuels, such as refineries and natural gas processing plants, to acquire and surrender emission allowances corresponding with their annual emissions of GHGs. These programs work by reducing the number of allowances available for purchase each year until the overall GHG emission reduction goal is achieved. As the number of GHG emission allowances declines each year, the cost or value of allowances is expected to escalate significantly. Restrictions on GHG emissions that may be imposed in various states could adversely affect the soda ash industry.
In addition, there has been public discussion that climate change may be associated with extreme weather conditions, such as more intense hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornados and snow or ice storms, as well as rising sea levels. Another possible consequence of climate change is increased volatility in seasonal temperatures. Some studies indicate that climate change could cause some areas to experience temperatures substantially colder than their historical averages. Extreme weather conditions can interfere with our production and increase our costs, and damage resulting from extreme weather may not be fully insured. However, at this time, we are unable to determine the extent to which climate change may lead to increased storm or weather hazards affecting our operations.
We are subject to strict laws and regulations regarding employee and process safety, and failure to comply with these laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to distribute cash to unitholders.
We are subject to a number of federal and state laws and regulations related to safety, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, or MSHA, and comparable state statutes, the purposes of which are to protect the health and safety of workers. In addition, OSHA requires that we maintain information about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations and that we provide this information to employees, state and local
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governmental authorities, and local residents. Failure to comply with OSHA and MSHA requirements and related state regulations, including general industry standards, record keeping requirements and monitoring and control of occupational exposure to regulated substances, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions if we are subjected to significant penalties, fines or compliance costs.
The amount of cash we have available for distribution to holders of our units depends primarily on our cash flow and not solely on profitability, which may prevent us from making cash distributions during periods when we record net income.
The amount of cash we have available for distribution depends primarily upon our cash flow, including cash flow from reserves and working capital or other borrowings, and not solely on profitability, which will be affected by non-cash items. As a result, we may pay cash distributions during periods when we record net losses for financial accounting purposes and may not pay cash distributions during periods when we record net income.
Failure to maintain effective quality control systems at our mining, processing and production facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
The performance and quality of our products are critical to the success of our business. These factors depend significantly on the effectiveness of our quality control systems, which, in turn, depends on a number of factors, including the design of our quality control systems, our quality-training program and our ability to ensure that our sponsor's employees that operate our assets adhere to our quality control policies and guidelines. Any significant failure or deterioration of our quality control systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our inability to acquire, maintain or renew financial assurances related to the reclamation and restoration of mining property could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Mining operations are generally obligated under federal, state and local laws to restore property in accordance with regulatory standards and an approved reclamation plan after it has been mined, and generally must also maintain financial assurances, such as surety bonds, to secure such obligations. To fulfill the financial assurances requirement, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (“WDEQ”) allows us to “self-bond,” which commits us to pay directly for reclamation costs rather than obtaining a traditional surety bond. As of December 31, 2014, the amount of our self-bond agreement with the WDEQ was $33.9 million. The Land Quality Division of the WDEQ periodically re-evaluates the amount of the bond, so the current amount is subject to increase.
Our inability to secure financial assurances satisfactory to WDEQ could subject us to fines and penalties as well as the revocation of our operating permits. Such inability could result from a variety of factors, including:
• | the State of Wyoming’s future decision to require mining operations to maintain surety bonds instead of self-bonds; |
• | continued increases in the amount of our self-bond; |
• | the lack of availability, high expense, or unreasonable terms of financial assurances; |
• | the ability of future financial assurance counterparties to require collateral; and |
• | the exercise by financial assurance counterparties of any rights to refuse to renew the financial assurance instruments. |
Our inability to acquire, maintain, or renew necessary financial assurances related to the reclamation and restoration of mining property could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Federal or state regulatory agencies have the authority to order certain of our mines to be temporarily or permanently closed under certain circumstances, which could materially and adversely affect our ability to meet our customers’ demands.
Federal or state regulatory agencies have the authority under certain circumstances following significant health and safety incidents, such as fatalities, to order a mine to be temporarily or permanently closed. If this occurred, we may be required to incur capital expenditures to re-open the mine. In the event that these agencies order the closing of our Green River Basin facility, our soda ash sales contracts generally permit us to issue force majeure notices which suspend our obligations to deliver soda ash under these contracts. However, our customers may challenge our issuances of force majeure notices. If these challenges are successful, we may have to purchase soda ash from third-party sources, if it is available, to fulfill these obligations, incur capital expenditures to re-open the mine and/or negotiate settlements with the customers, which may include price reductions, the reduction of commitments, the extension of time for delivery or the termination of customers’ contracts. Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
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Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us
Our sponsor indirectly owns and controls our general partner, which has sole responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations. Our general partner and its affiliates, including our sponsor, have conflicts of interest with us and our unitholders and limited duties to us and our unitholders, and they may favor their own interests to the detriment of us and our unitholders.
Our sponsor indirectly owns and controls our general partner and OCI Holdings will appoint all of the directors of our general partner, who in turn will appoint all of our general partner's officers. Although our general partner has a duty to manage us in a manner that is beneficial to us and our unitholders, the executive officers and directors of our general partner have a fiduciary duty to manage our general partner in a manner beneficial to our sponsor. Therefore, conflicts of interest will arise between our sponsor or any of its affiliates, including our general partner, on the one hand, and us or any of 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 affiliates over the interests of our common unitholders. These conflicts include the following situations:
• | neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires our sponsor to pursue a business strategy that favors us, and the directors and officers of our sponsor have a fiduciary duty to make these decisions in the best interests of our sponsor, which may be contrary to our interests. Our sponsor may choose to shift the focus of its investment and growth to areas not served by our assets; |
• | our general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such as our sponsor, in exercising certain rights under our partnership agreement, which may effectively limit its duty to our unitholders; |
• | many of the officers and three of the directors of our general partner are also officers and/or directors of our sponsor and will owe fiduciary duties to our sponsor. The officers of our general partner that are also officers of our sponsor will devote significant time to the business of our sponsor and will be compensated by our sponsor accordingly; |
• | our partnership agreement replaces the fiduciary duties that would otherwise be owed by our general partner with contractual standards governing its duties, limits our general partner's liabilities and restricts the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that, without such limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty; |
• | except in limited circumstances, our general partner has the power and authority to conduct our business without unitholder approval; |
• | our largest customer is ANSAC, of which our affiliate, OCI Chemical, is one of three members, and the officers of our general partner periodically serve as chairman of ANSAC; |
• | our sponsor and its affiliates are not limited in its ability to compete with us and may compete directly with us for acquisition opportunities; |
• | our general partner determines the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales, borrowings, issuances of additional partnership securities and the level of reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash that we distribute to our unitholders; |
• | our general partner determines the amount and timing of any capital expenditure and whether a capital expenditure is classified as a maintenance capital expenditure, which reduces operating surplus, or an expansion or investment capital expenditure, which does not reduce operating surplus. Our partnership agreement does not set a limit on the amount of maintenance capital expenditures that our general partner may determine to be necessary or appropriate. Please read Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Expenditures" for a discussion regarding when a capital expenditure constitutes a maintenance capital expenditure or an expansion capital expenditure. This determination can affect the amount of cash that is distributed to our unitholders, which, in turn, may affect the ability of the subordinated units to convert. Please read Part II, Item 5, "Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities—Subordinated Units," for more information; |
• | our general partner may cause us to borrow funds to pay cash distributions, even if the purpose or effect of the borrowing is to make a distribution on the subordinated units, to make incentive distributions or to accelerate the expiration of the subordination period; |
• | our partnership agreement permits us to classify up to $20.0 million as operating surplus, even if it is generated from asset sales, non-working capital borrowings or other sources that would otherwise constitute capital surplus. This cash may be used to fund distributions on our subordinated units or to our general partner in respect of the incentive distribution rights; |
• | our general partner determines which costs incurred by it and its affiliates are reimbursable by us; |
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• | our partnership agreement does not restrict our general partner from causing us to pay our general partner or its affiliates for any services rendered to us or from entering into additional contractual arrangements with its affiliates on our behalf; |
• | our general partner intends to limit its liability regarding our contractual and other obligations; |
• | our general partner may exercise its right to call and purchase our common units if it and its affiliates own more than 80% of the common units; |
• | our general partner controls the enforcement of obligations that it and its affiliates owe to us, including our sponsor's obligations under the Omnibus Agreement and its commercial agreement with us; |
• | our general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants or others to perform services for us; |
• | our general partner may transfer its incentive distribution rights without unitholder approval; and |
• | our general partner may elect to cause us to issue common 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 of the board of directors of our general partner or the unitholders. Any such election may result in lower distributions to the common unitholders in certain situations. |
We expect that we will distribute substantially all of our available cash, which could limit our ability to grow and make acquisitions.
We expect that we will distribute substantially all of our available cash to our unitholders and may rely primarily upon external financing sources, including commercial bank borrowings and the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund any acquisitions and expansion capital expenditures. If we are unable to finance growth externally, our cash distribution policy will impair our ability to grow.
In addition, because we intend to distribute substantially all of our available cash, we may not grow as quickly as businesses that reinvest their cash to expand ongoing operations. Moreover, our maintenance capital expenditures do not include actual or estimated capital expenditures for replacement of our trona reserves. To the extent we issue additional units in connection with any acquisitions or expansion capital expenditures, the payment of distributions on those additional units may increase the risk that we will be unable to maintain or increase our per unit distribution level. There are no limitations in our partnership agreement or the Revolving Credit Facility on our ability to issue additional units, including units ranking senior to the common units. The incurrence of additional commercial borrowings or other debt to finance our growth strategy will increase our interest expense, which, in turn, may impact the cash that we have available to distribute to our unitholders.
Our partnership agreement does not contain a requirement for us to pay distributions to our unitholders, and we do not guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution (as defined in our partnership agreement) or any distribution on the units in any quarter.
Our partnership agreement does not contain a requirement for us to pay distributions to our unitholders, and we do not guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution or any distribution on the units in any quarter. Our partnership agreement generally may not be amended during the subordination period without the approval of our public common unitholders (excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates) other than in certain circumstances where no unitholder approval is required. However, our partnership agreement can be amended with the consent of our general partner and the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units (including common units held by affiliates of our general partner) after the subordination period has ended.
Our partnership agreement replaces our general partner's fiduciary duties to holders of our common units with contractual standards governing its duties.
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that eliminate and replace the fiduciary standards to which our general partner would otherwise be held by Delaware law regarding fiduciary duty and replace those duties with several different contractual standards. For example, our partnership agreement permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner, free of any duties to us and our unitholders other than the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, which means that a court will enforce the reasonable expectations of the partners where the language in the partnership agreement does not provide for a clear course of action. This provision entitles our general partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires and relieves it of any duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or our limited partners. Examples of decisions that our general partner may make in its individual capacity include:
• | how to allocate business opportunities among us and its affiliates; |
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• | whether to exercise its limited call right; |
• | whether to seek approval of the resolution of a conflict of interest by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner; |
• | how to exercise its voting rights with respect to the units it owns; |
• | whether to exercise its registration rights; |
• | whether to elect to reset target distribution levels; |
• | whether to transfer the incentive distribution rights or any units it owns to a third party; and |
• | whether or not to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the partnership or amendment to the partnership agreement. |
By purchasing a common unit, a unitholder is treated as having consented to the provisions in the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above.
Our partnership agreement restricts the remedies available to holders of our units for actions taken by our general partner that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that restrict the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken by our general partner that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty under Delaware law regarding fiduciary duty under state fiduciary duty law. For example, our partnership agreement provides that:
• | whenever our general partner, the board of directors of our general partner or any committee thereof (including the conflicts committee) makes a determination or takes, or declines to take, any other action in their respective capacities, our general partner, the board of directors of our general partner and any committee thereof (including the conflicts committee), as applicable, is required to make such determination, or take or decline to take such other action, in good faith, meaning that it subjectively believed that the decision was in the best interests of our partnership, and, except as specifically provided by our partnership agreement, will not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by our partnership agreement, Delaware law, or any other law, rule or regulation, or at equity; |
• | our general partner will not have any liability to us or our unitholders for a decision made in its capacity as a general partner so long as such decisions are made in good faith; |
• | our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us or our limited partners resulting from any act or omission unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that our general partner or its officers and directors, as the case may be, 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; and |
• | our general partner will not be in breach of its obligations under the partnership agreement or its duties to us or our limited partners if a transaction with an affiliate or the resolution of a conflict of interest is: |
• | approved by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner, although our general partner is not obligated to seek such approval; |
• | approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding any common units owned by our general partner and its affiliates; |
• | determined by the board of directors of our general partner to be on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties; or |
• | determined by the board of directors of our general partner to be fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships among the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us. |
In connection with a situation involving a transaction with an affiliate or a conflict of interest, any determination by our general partner or the conflicts committee must be made in good faith. If an affiliate transaction or the resolution of a conflict of interest is not approved by our common unitholders or the conflicts committee and the board of directors of our general partner determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to such affiliate transaction or conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in the third and fourth bullets above, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the board
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of directors acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership challenging such determination, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption.
Our sponsor and other affiliates of our general partner are not restricted in their ability to compete with us.
Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner will be restricted from engaging in any business activities other than acting as our general partner and those activities incidental to its ownership of interests in us. Affiliates of our general partner, including our sponsor and its other subsidiaries, are not prohibited from owning assets or engaging in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. Our sponsor may make investments in and purchases of entities that acquire, own and operate other soda ash producing assets. Our sponsor will be under no obligation to make any acquisition opportunities available to us. Moreover, while our sponsor may offer us the opportunity to buy additional assets from it, it is under no contractual obligation to accept any offer we might make with respect to such opportunity.
Pursuant to the terms of our partnership agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, does not apply to our general partner or any of its affiliates, including its executive officers and directors and our sponsor. Any such person or entity that becomes aware of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for us will not have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to us. Any such person or entity will not be liable to us or to any limited partner for breach of any fiduciary duty or other duty by reason of the fact that such person or entity pursues or acquires such opportunity for itself, directs such opportunity to another person or entity or does not communicate such opportunity or information to us. This may create actual and potential conflicts of interest between us and affiliates of our general partner and result in less than favorable treatment of us and our common unitholders.
Our general partner, or any transferee holding a majority of the incentive distribution rights, may elect to cause us to issue common units to it in connection with a resetting of the minimum quarterly distribution (as defined in our partnership agreement) and target distribution levels related to its incentive distribution rights, without the approval of the conflicts committee of our general partner or the holders of our common units. This election could result in lower distributions to holders of our common units in certain situations.
The holder or holders of a majority of the incentive distribution rights, which is initially our general partner, have the right, at any time when there are no subordinated units outstanding and it has received incentive distributions at the highest level to which it is entitled (48.0%) for each of the prior four consecutive fiscal quarters (and the amount of each such distribution did not exceed adjusted operating surplus for each such quarter), to reset the minimum quarterly distribution and the initial target distribution levels at higher levels based on our cash distribution at the time of the exercise of the reset election. Following such a reset election, the minimum quarterly distribution will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution per 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. Our general partner has the right to transfer the incentive distribution rights at any time, in whole or in part, and any transferee holding a majority of the incentive distribution rights will have the same rights as our general partner with respect to resetting target distributions.
In the event of a reset of our minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels, our general partner will be entitled to receive, in the aggregate, a number of common units equal to that number of common units that would have entitled the holder of such units to an aggregate quarterly cash distribution in the two-quarter period prior to the reset election equal to the distribution to our general partner on the incentive distribution rights in the quarter prior to the reset election prior two quarters. Our general partner will also be issued the number of general partner units necessary to maintain its general partner interest in us that existed immediately prior to the reset election (approximately 2.0%). We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this reset right to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects that would not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per common unit without such conversion. However, our general partner or a transferee could also exercise this reset election at a time when it is experiencing, or expects to experience, declines in the cash distributions it receives related to its incentive distribution rights and may, therefore, desire to be issued common units rather than retain the right to receive incentive distributions based on target distribution levels that are less certain in the then-current business environment. This risk could increase if our incentive distribution rights have been transferred to a third-party. As a result, a reset election may cause our common unitholders to experience dilution in the amount of cash distributions that they otherwise would have received had we not issued new common units to our general partner in connection with resetting the target distribution levels.
Holders of our common units have limited voting rights and are not entitled to appoint our general partner or its directors, which could reduce the price at which our common units will trade.
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 have no right on an annual or ongoing basis to appoint our general partner or its board of directors. The board of directors of our general partner, including the independent directors, is chosen entirely by OCI Holdings as a result of its ownership in our general partner and not
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by our unitholders. As a result of these limitations, the secondary market price at which the common units will trade could decline because of the absence or reduction of a takeover premium in the trading price. Unlike publicly traded corporations, we will not conduct annual meetings of our unitholders to appoint directors or to conduct other matters routinely conducted at annual meetings of stockholders of corporations. 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.
Even if holders of our common units are dissatisfied, they cannot initially remove our general partner without its consent.
If our unitholders are dissatisfied with the performance of our general partner, they will have limited ability to remove our general partner. The vote of the holders of at least 662/3% of all outstanding common and subordinated units voting together as a single class is required to remove our general partner. As of March 2, 2015, OCI Holdings owned 4,775,500 common units and 9,775,500 subordinated units, which together constitute an aggregate of 74.3% of the common units and subordinated units in us. Also, if our general partner is removed without cause during the subordination period and no units held by the holders of the subordinated units or their affiliates are voted in favor of that removal, all remaining subordinated units will automatically be converted into common units and any existing arrearages on the common units will be extinguished. 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 in our partnership agreement to mean that a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding our general partner liable for actual fraud or willful misconduct in its capacity as our general partner. Cause does not include most cases of charges of poor management of the business, so the removal of our general partner because of unitholder dissatisfaction with the performance of our general partner in managing our partnership will most likely result in the termination of the subordination period and conversion of all subordinated units to common units.
Our general partner interest or the 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 our unitholders. Furthermore, our partnership agreement does not restrict the ability of our sponsor to transfer its ownership interest in our general partner to a third party. In such a situation, the new members of our general partner would be in a position to replace the board of directors and executive officers of our general partner with their own designees and thereby exert significant control over the decisions taken by the board of directors and executive officers of our general partner. This effectively permits a "change of control" without the vote or consent of our unitholders.
The incentive distribution rights held by our general partner, or indirectly held by our sponsor, may be transferred to a third party without unitholder consent.
Our general partner or our sponsor may transfer the incentive distribution rights to a third party at any time without the consent of our unitholders. If our sponsor transfers the incentive distribution rights to a third party but retains its ownership interest in our general partner, our general partner may not have the same incentive to grow our partnership and increase quarterly distributions to unitholders over time as it would if our sponsor had retained ownership of the incentive distribution rights. For example, a transfer of incentive distribution rights by our sponsor could reduce the likelihood of our sponsor accepting offers made by us to purchase assets owned by it, as it would have less of an economic incentive to grow our business, which in turn would impact our ability to grow our asset base.
Our general partner has a limited call right that may require unitholders to sell their common 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, which it may assign to any of its affiliates or to us, but not the obligation, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the common units held by unaffiliated persons at a price equal to the greater of (1) the average of the daily closing price of the common units over the 20 trading days preceding the date three days before notice of exercise of the call right is first mailed and (2) the highest per-unit price paid by our general partner or any of its affiliates for common units during the 90-day period preceding the date such notice is first mailed. We refer to this right in this Report as the limited call right. As a result, unitholders may be required to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price and may receive no return or a negative return on their investment. Unitholders may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of their units. Our general partner is not obligated to obtain a fairness opinion regarding the value of the common units to be repurchased by it upon exercise of the limited call right. There is no restriction in our partnership agreement that prevents our general partner from issuing additional common units and exercising its limited call right. If our general partner exercised its limited call right, the effect would be to take us private and, if the units were subsequently deregistered, we would no longer be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. As of March 2, 2015, OCI Holdings owned an aggregate of 48.7% of our common units. At the end of the subordination period, assuming no additional issuances of units (other than upon the conversion of the subordinated units), OCI Holdings will own 74.3% of our common units.
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We may issue additional units, including units ranking senior to common units, without unitholder approval, which would dilute existing unitholder ownership interests.
Our partnership agreement does not limit the number of additional limited partner interests we may issue at any time without the approval of our unitholders. Any additional partnership interests that we issue may be senior to the common units in right of distribution, liquidation and voting. The issuance of additional common units or other equity interests of equal or senior rank will have the following effects:
• | our existing 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; |
• | because the amount payable to holders of incentive distribution rights is based on a percentage of the total cash available for distribution, the distributions to holders of incentive distribution rights will increase even if the per unit distribution on common units remains the same; |
• | the ratio of taxable income to distributions may increase; |
• | the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding unit may be diminished; |
• | the market price of the common units may decline; |
• | the amounts available for distributions to our common unitholders may be reduced or eliminated; and |
• | the claims of the common unitholders to our assets in the event of our liquidations may be subordinated. |
Our general partner intends to limit its liability regarding our obligations.
Our general partner intends to limit its liability under contractual arrangements so that the counterparties to such arrangements have recourse only against our assets, and not against our general partner or its assets. Our general partner may therefore cause us to incur indebtedness or other obligations that are nonrecourse to our general partner. Our partnership agreement permits our general partner to limit its liability, even if we could have obtained more favorable terms without the limitation on liability. In addition, we are obligated to reimburse or indemnify our general partner to the extent that it incurs obligations on our behalf. Any such reimbursement or indemnification payments would reduce the amount of cash otherwise available for distribution to our unitholders.
Our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning 20% or more of our common units.
Our partnership agreement restricts unitholders' voting rights by providing that any units held by a person or group that owns 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, other than our general partner and 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.
Cost reimbursements due to our general partner and its affiliates for services provided to us or on our behalf will reduce our earnings and therefore our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders. The amount and timing of such reimbursements will be determined by our general partner.
Prior to making any distribution on the common units, we will reimburse our general partner and its affiliates for all expenses they incur and payments they make on our behalf. Our partnership agreement does not set a limit on the amount of expenses for which our general partner and its affiliates may be reimbursed. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our general partner by its affiliates. Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner will determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us. The reimbursement of expenses and payment of fees, if any, to our general partner and its affiliates will reduce our earnings and therefore our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders.
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 primarily in Wyoming and Georgia. 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 jurisdictions. You could be liable for any and all of our obligations as if you were a general partner if a court or government agency were to determine that:
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• | 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 constitute "control" of our business. |
Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions and in certain circumstances may be personally liable for the obligations of the partnership.
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 our unitholders 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 a distribution and who knew at the time of such distribution that it violated Delaware law will be liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount. Transferees of common units are liable both for the obligations of the transferor to make contributions to the partnership that were known to the transferee at the time of transfer and for those obligations that were unknown if the liabilities could have been determined from the partnership agreement. Liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities that are non-recourse to the partnership are not counted for purposes of determining whether a distribution is permitted.
For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with certain reporting requirements, including those relating to accounting standards and disclosure about our executive compensation, that apply to other public companies.
We are classified as an emerging growth company. The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for emerging growth companies, including certain requirements relating to accounting standards and compensation disclosure. For as long as we are an emerging growth company, which may be up to five full fiscal years, unlike other public companies, we will not be required to (1) provide an auditor's attestation report on management's assessment of the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, (2) comply with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the PCAOB, requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor's report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer, (3) comply with any new audit rules adopted by the PCAOB after April 5, 2012 unless the SEC determines otherwise, (4) provide certain disclosure regarding executive compensation required of larger public companies or (5) hold unitholder advisory votes on executive compensation. We have chosen to "opt out" of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. The JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable. If we fail to develop or 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.
We are an emerging growth company and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common units less attractive to investors.
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act, and we have taken advantage and may in the future take advantage of certain temporary exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not "emerging growth companies," including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We cannot predict if investors will find our common units less attractive if we continue to rely on this exemption. If some investors find our common units less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common units, and the secondary market price of our common units may be more volatile.
The New York Stock Exchange does not require a publicly-traded partnership like us to comply with certain of its corporate governance requirements.
Our common units are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “OCIR.” Because we are a publicly-traded partnership, the NYSE does not require us to have a majority of independent directors on our general partner’s board of directors or to establish a compensation committee or a nominating and corporate governance committee. Accordingly, unitholders do not have the same protections afforded to certain corporations that are subject to all of the NYSE corporate governance requirements.
We incur increased costs as a result of being a publicly-traded partnership.
We have a limited history operating as a publicly-traded partnership. As a publicly-traded partnership, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur prior to becoming public. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
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as well as rules implemented by the SEC and the NYSE, require publicly-traded entities to adopt various corporate governance practices that further increase our costs. Before we are able to make distributions to our unitholders, we must first pay or reserve cash for our expenses, including the costs of being a publicly-traded partnership. As a result, the amount of cash we have available for distribution to our unitholders is affected by the costs associated with being a public company.
The market price of our common units could be adversely affected by sales of substantial amounts of our common units in the public markets, including sales by our existing unitholders.
Under our partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws any common units, subordinated units or other limited partner interests proposed to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates or their assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is not otherwise available. These registration rights continue for two years following any withdrawal or removal of our general partner. The sale or disposition of a substantial number of our common units in the public markets could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common units or could impair our ability to obtain capital through an offering of equity securities. We do not know whether any such sales would be made in the public market or in private placements, nor do we know what impact such potential or actual sales would have on our unit price in the future.
Our unitholders who fail to furnish certain information requested by our general partner or who our general partner, upon receipt of such information, determines are not eligible citizens are not entitled to receive distributions or allocations of income or loss on their common units and their common units will be subject to redemption.
Our general partner may require each limited partner to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or related status. If a limited partner fails to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or other related status within 30 days after a request for the information or our general partner determines after receipt of the information that the limited partner is not an eligible citizen, the limited partner may be treated as a non-citizen assignee. A non-citizen assignee does not have the right to direct the voting of his units and may not receive distributions in kind upon our liquidation. Furthermore, we have the right to redeem all of the common units and subordinated units of any holder that is not an eligible citizen or fails to furnish the requested information. The redemption price will be paid in cash or by delivery of a promissory note, as determined by our general partner.
We are dependent on information technology and our systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including cybersecurity risks and data leakage risks.
We are dependent on information technology systems and infrastructure. Any significant breakdown, invasion, destruction or interruption of these systems by employees, others with authorized access to our systems, or unauthorized persons could negatively impact operations. There is also a risk that we could experience a business interruption, theft of information, or reputational damage as a result of a cyber-attack, such as an infiltration of a data center, or data leakage of confidential information either internally or at our third-party providers. While we have invested in the protection of our data and information technology to reduce these risks and periodically test the security of our information systems network, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent breakdowns or breaches in our systems that could adversely affect our business.
Tax Risks to Common Unitholders
Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as well as our not being subject to a material amount of entity-level taxation by individual states. If the IRS were to treat us as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or we were to become subject to material additional amounts of entity-level taxation for state tax purposes, then our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders could be substantially reduced.
The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in our common units depends largely on our being treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Despite the fact that we are organized as a limited partnership under Delaware law, it is possible in certain circumstances for a partnership such as ours to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Although we do not believe, based upon our current operations, that we will be so treated the IRS could disagree with positions we take, or a change in our business (or a change in current law) could cause us to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to taxation as an entity.
If we were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would pay U.S. 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 our unitholders would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, which would be taxable as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no income, gains, losses, deductions or credits recognized by us would flow
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through to our unitholders. Because tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, our after tax earnings, and therefore our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders, would be substantially reduced. Therefore, treatment of us as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to the unitholders, likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of our common units.
Our 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 amounts may be adjusted to reflect the impact of that law on us.
The tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or an investment in our common units could be subject to potential legislative, judicial or administrative changes and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our common units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial changes or differing interpretations at any time. For example, from time to time, members of Congress propose and consider substantive changes to the existing U.S. federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. One such Obama Administration budget proposal for fiscal year 2016 would, if enacted, tax publicly traded partnerships with “fossil fuels” activities as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning in 2021. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes or other proposals will ultimately be enacted. Any modification to the U.S. federal income tax laws may be applied retroactively and could make it more difficult or impossible to meet the exception for certain publicly traded partnerships to be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our common units.
Unitholders are required to pay taxes on their respective shares of our income even if they do not receive any cash distributions from us.
Because our unitholders are treated as partners to whom we will allocate taxable income that could be different in amount than the cash we distribute, unitholders are required to pay U.S. federal income taxes and, in some cases, state and local income taxes on their respective shares of our taxable income whether or not they receive cash distributions from us. Unitholders may not receive cash distributions from us equal to their respective shares of our taxable income or even equal to the actual tax liability that results from that income.
The sale or exchange of 50% or more of our or OCI Wyoming's capital and profit interests during any twelve-month period will result in the termination of our partnership or OCI Wyoming for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We will be considered to have terminated as a partnership for U.S. 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 purposes of determining whether the 50% threshold has been met, multiple sales of the same interest will be counted only once. Therefore, a transfer by our sponsor of all or a portion of its interests in us could result in a termination of us as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders, which would result in us filing two tax returns (and our unitholders could receive two Schedules K-1 if relief was not available, as described below) for one fiscal year and could result in a deferral of depreciation deductions allowable in computing our taxable income. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than the calendar year, the closing of our taxable year may also result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being included in his taxable income for the year of termination. Our termination currently would not affect our classification as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes but instead, after our termination we would be treated as a new partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we were treated as a new partnership, we would be required to make new tax elections and could be subject to penalties if we were unable to determine that a termination occurred. The IRS has announced a relief procedure whereby if a publicly traded partnership that has technically terminated requests and the IRS grants special relief, among other things, the partnership will be required to provide only a single Schedule K-1 to unitholders for the tax years in which the termination occurs. Similarly, any actual or deemed transfers of 50% or more of the capital of OCI Wyoming in a twelve-month period will cause a termination of OCI Wyoming, resulting in the same deferral of depreciation deductions discussed above with respect to our termination.
Tax gain or loss on the disposition of our common units could be more or less than expected.
If our unitholders sell their common units, they will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and our unitholders tax basis in those common units. Because distributions in excess of their allocable share of our net taxable income result in a decrease in their tax basis in their common units, the amount, if any, of such prior excess distributions with respect to the units they sell will, in effect, become taxable income to them if they sell such units at a price greater than their tax basis in those units, even if the price they receive is less than their original cost. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the amount realized, whether or not representing gain, may be taxed as ordinary income due to potential recapture of depreciation, depletion or certain other expense deductions and certain other items. In addition, because the amount realized includes a
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unitholder's share of our liabilities, if they sell their units, they may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash they receive from the sale.
Tax-exempt entities and non-U.S. persons face unique tax issues from owning common units that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.
Investments in common units by tax-exempt entities, such as employee benefit plans and individual retirement accounts, or "IRAs", and non-U.S. persons raises issues unique to them. For example, virtually all of our income allocated to organizations that are exempt from U.S. 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 U.S. federal tax rates, and non-U.S. persons will be required to file federal tax returns and pay tax on their shares of our taxable income. Prospective unitholders who are tax-exempt entities or non-U.S. persons should consult their tax advisor before investing in our common units.
If the IRS contests the U.S. federal income tax positions we take, the market for our common units may be adversely impacted and the cost of any IRS contest will reduce our earnings and therefore our ability to distribute cash to our unitholders.
The IRS may adopt positions that differ from the positions we take. It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of the positions we take. A court may not agree with some or all of the positions we take. Any contest by the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our common units and the price at which they trade. Our costs of any contest by the IRS will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner because the costs will reduce our earnings and therefore our ability to distribute cash.
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, we will adopt depreciation, depletion 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 our unitholders. 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 a unitholder's tax returns.
We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our units based upon the ownership of our units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among our unitholders.
We generally prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our common units based upon the ownership of our common units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular common unit is transferred. The use of this proration method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations, and although the U.S. Treasury Department issued proposed Treasury Regulations allowing a similar monthly simplifying convention, such regulations are not final and do not specifically authorize the use of the proration method we have adopted. If the IRS were to successfully challenge our proration method, we may be required to change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss, and deduction among our unitholders.
A unitholder whose common units are the subject of a securities loan (e.g., a loan to a "short seller" to cover a short sale of common units) may be considered as having disposed of those common units. If so, he or she would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those common units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition.
Because there is no tax concept of loaning a partnership interest, a unitholder whose common units are the subject of a securities loan may be considered as having disposed of the loaned units. In that case, he or she may no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those common units during the period of the loan to the short seller and the unitholder may recognize gain or loss from such disposition. Moreover, during the period of the loan, any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those common units may not be reportable by the unitholder and any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those common units could be fully taxable as ordinary income. Unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller should modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing their common units.
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We have adopted certain valuation methodologies in determining a unitholder’s allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction. The IRS may challenge these methodologies or the resulting allocations, and such a challenge could adversely affect the value of our common units.
In determining the items of income, gain, loss and deduction allocable to our unitholders, we must routinely determine the fair market value of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we make many fair market value estimates ourselves using a methodology based on the market value of our common units as a means to determine the fair market value of our assets. The IRS may challenge these valuation methods and the resulting allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction.
A successful IRS challenge to these methods or allocations could adversely affect the timing or amount of taxable income or loss being allocated to our unitholders. It also could affect the amount of gain from our unitholders’ sale of common units and could have a negative impact on the value of the common units or result in audit adjustments to our unitholders’ tax returns without the benefit of additional deductions.
Our unitholders will likely be subject to state and local taxes and return filing requirements in states where they do not live as a result of investing in our common units.
In addition to U.S. federal income taxes, our unitholders may be subject to other taxes, including state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we conduct business or own property now or in the future, even if they do not live in any of those jurisdictions. Further, unitholders may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. As we make acquisitions or expand our business, we may own assets or conduct business in additional states or foreign jurisdictions that impose a personal income tax. It is a unitholder's responsibility to file all U.S. federal, foreign, state and local tax returns.
ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
ITEM 2. Properties
In addition to the information provided below, information regarding our properties is included in Item 1. "Business — Our Operations,” “Leases and Licenses” and "Trona Reserves” and is incorporated by reference in this Item.
Our Green River Basin facility is situated on approximately 880 acres in the Green River Basin of Wyoming. We own the surface land and its improvements in fee, which we acquired pursuant to a quitclaim deed in 1991. See Item 1A, "Risk Factors—Risks Inherent in Our Business and Industry—Defects in title or loss of any leasehold interests in our properties could limit our ability to conduct mining operations on these properties or result in significant unanticipated costs" for more information. We have operated our facility since 1996, prior to which Rhône-Poulenc was the operator. In addition, we have approximately 23,500 acres of subsurface leased/licensed mining areas. Four ponds on the property of our Green River Basin facility enable us to store the by-products from our refining process. We draw the water necessary for our refining processes from the nearby Green River. Our mining assets consist of two mining beds with five active mining faces at any one given time. The mine is served by three separate mine shafts.
Our general partner leases 21,688 square feet of office space for its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
We believe that our facilities are adequate for our current and anticipated needs.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time we are party to various claims and legal proceedings related to our business. We are not aware of any claims or legal proceedings material to us. However, we cannot predict the nature of any future claims or proceedings, nor the ultimate size or outcome of existing claims and legal proceedings and whether any damages resulting from them will be covered by insurance.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Information regarding mine safety violations and other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95.1 to this Report.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our public common units began trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "OCIR" on September 13, 2013. Prior to that time, there was no public market for our securities. As of December 31, 2014, OCI Holdings owned 4,775,500 common units and 9,775,500 subordinated units, which together constitute a 72.8% ownership interest in us and the public owned 5,026,330 common units. There are eight record holders of our outstanding common units as of March 2, 2015.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of the high and low sales prices of our common units and cash distributions declared per unit.
Sales Price per Common Units | Quarterly Cash Distribution Declared per Unit (1) | Distribution Date | Record Date | |||||||||||||
Quarter Ended | High | Low | ||||||||||||||
2014 | ||||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 25.89 | $ | 20.70 | $ | 0.5315 | 2/13/2015 | 1/30/2015 | ||||||||
Third Quarter | $ | 25.90 | $ | 21.81 | $ | 0.5250 | 11/14/2014 | 10/31/2014 | ||||||||
Second Quarter | $ | 26.19 | $ | 21.10 | $ | 0.5000 | 8/14/2014 | 8/1/2014 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 22.85 | $ | 20.22 | $ | 0.5000 | 5/15/2014 | 4/30/2014 | ||||||||
2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 22.33 | $ | 18.35 | $ | 0.5000 | 2/14/2014 | 1/30/2014 | ||||||||
Third Quarter (2) | $ | 18.39 | $ | 18.00 | $ | 0.0707 | 2/14/2014 | 1/30/2014 | ||||||||
(1) There were no distributions paid to unitholders during the period from September 13, 2013, the date our common units began trading, through December 31, 2013. Distribution information is for distributions declared with respect to that quarter. For each quarter beginning with the fourth quarter 2013, the declared distributions will be paid within 45 days after the end of such quarter. | ||||||||||||||||
(2) Sales price per common unit from September 13, 2013, the commencement date of trading. Cash distribution declared per unit of $0.5000 per quarter was prorated for the 13 days of operation from September 18, 2013, the closing date of our IPO, to September 30, 2013. | ||||||||||||||||
Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus
General
Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute our available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.
Definition of Available Cash
Available cash generally means, for any quarter, all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter:
less, the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to:
• | provide for the proper conduct of our business (including reserves for our future capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit needs subsequent to that quarter); |
• | 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 (provided that our general partner may not establish cash reserves for distributions if the effect of the establishment of such reserves will prevent us from distributing the minimum quarterly distribution on all common units and any cumulative arrearages on such common units for the current quarter); |
plus, if our general partner so determines, all or any portion of the cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter, resulting from working capital borrowings made subsequent to the end of such quarter.
The purpose and effect of the last bullet point above is to allow our general partner, if it so decides, to use cash received by us after the end of the quarter but on or before the date of determination of available cash for the quarter, including cash on hand from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter but on or before the date of determination of available cash for that quarter, to pay
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distributions to unitholders. Under our partnership agreement, working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that are made under a credit facility, commercial paper facility or similar financing arrangement, and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to partners, and with the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months with funds other than from additional working capital borrowings.
Any distributions we make will be characterized as made from "operating surplus" or "capital surplus." Distributions of available cash from operating surplus are made differently than distributions of available cash that we would make from capital surplus. Operating surplus distributions will be made to first our unitholders. If our quarterly distributions exceed the first target distribution level described below, then operating surplus distributions will also be made to the holder of our incentive distribution rights ("IDRs"). We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus. If we do make any capital surplus distribution, however, we will distribute such amount pro rata to all unitholders. The holder of the IDRs would generally not participate in any capital surplus distributions with respect to those rights.
In determining operating surplus and capital surplus, we will only take into account our proportionate share of our interest in our consolidated subsidiaries, so long as they are not wholly owned, as well as our proportionate share of entities accounted for under the equity method.
Operating Surplus
We define operating surplus as:
•$20.0 million; plus
•all of our cash receipts, including amounts received by us from OCI Enterprises under the Omnibus Agreement to the extent such amounts offset operating expenditures or lost revenue, and excluding cash from interim capital transactions (as defined below) and, under certain circumstances, the termination of hedge contracts; plus
•working capital borrowings, if any, made after the end of a period but on or before the date of determination of operating surplus for the period; plus
•cash distributions paid in respect of equity issued (including incremental distributions on IDRs), to finance all or a portion of replacement, improvement or expansion capital expenditures in respect of the period from such financing until the earlier to occur of (1) the date the related capital improvement commences commercial service and (2) the date that it is abandoned or disposed of; plus
•cash distributions paid in respect of debt or equity issued (including incremental distributions on IDRs) to pay the construction period interest on debt incurred, or to pay construction period distributions on equity issued, to finance the expansion capital expenditures referred to above, in each case, in respect of the period from such financing until the earlier to occur of (1) the date the capital asset is placed in service and (2) the date that it is abandoned or disposed of; less
•all of our operating expenditures (as defined below); less
•the amount of cash reserves or our proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of subsidiaries that are not wholly owned established by our general partner to provide funds for future operating expenditures; less
•all working capital borrowings not repaid within twelve months after having been incurred, or repaid within such twelve-month period with the proceeds of additional working capital borrowings; less
•any cash loss realized on disposition of an investment capital expenditure.
We will include in operating surplus, when collected, cash receipts equal to our proportionate share of accounts receivable that are retained by OCI Enterprises.
As described above, operating surplus does not reflect actual cash on hand that is available for distribution to our unitholders and is not limited to cash generated by our operations. For example, it includes a basket of $20.0 million that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus cash we receive in the future from non-operating sources such as asset sales, issuances of securities and long-term borrowings that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. In addition, by including, as described above, certain cash distributions on equity interests in operating surplus, we will increase operating surplus by the amount of any such cash distributions. As a result, we may also distribute as operating surplus up to the amount of any such cash that we receive from non-operating sources.
The proceeds of working capital borrowings increase operating surplus, and repayments of working capital borrowings are generally operating expenditures, as described below. Therefore, we will reduce operating surplus when we repay working capital borrowings. However, if we do not repay a working capital borrowing during the twelve-month period following such borrowing, it will be deemed to be repaid at the end of such period, thereby decreasing operating surplus at such time. When such working capital borrowing is, in fact, repaid, it will be excluded from operating expenditures because operating surplus will have been previously reduced by the deemed repayment.
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We define operating expenditures in our partnership agreement, which generally means all of our cash expenditures, including:
•taxes,
•reimbursement of expenses to our general partner or its affiliates,
•payments made in the ordinary course of business under interest rate hedge agreements or commodity hedge agreements (provided that (1) with respect to amounts paid in connection with the initial purchase of an interest rate hedge contract or a commodity hedge contract, we will amortize such amounts over the life of the applicable interest rate hedge contract or commodity hedge contract, and (2) we will include in operating expenditures payments made in connection with the termination of any interest rate hedge contract or commodity hedge contract prior to the expiration of its stipulated settlement or termination date of such contracts in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such contract),
•compensation of officers and directors of our general partner,
•repayment of working capital borrowings,
•debt service payments, and
•payments made in the ordinary course of business under any hedge contracts.
However, operating expenditures will not include:
•repayment of working capital borrowings deducted from operating surplus pursuant to the penultimate bullet point of the definition of operating surplus above when such repayment actually occurs;
•payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on indebtedness, other than working capital borrowings;
•expansion capital expenditures;
•investment capital expenditures;
•payment of transaction expenses relating to interim capital transactions;
•distributions to our partners (including distributions in respect of our IDRs); or
•repurchases of equity interests except to fund obligations under employee benefit plans.
Capital Surplus
Capital surplus is defined in our partnership agreement as any available cash distributed in excess of our operating surplus. Accordingly, we will generate capital surplus generally only by the following (which we refer to as "interim capital transactions"):
•borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness other than working capital borrowings and other than for items purchased on open account or for a deferred purchase price in the ordinary course of business;
•sales of our equity and debt securities;
•sales or other dispositions of assets, other than inventory, accounts receivable and other assets sold in the ordinary course of business or as part of normal retirement or replacement of assets; and
•capital contributions received.
Quarterly Distributions
On January 16, 2015, the Partnership declared its fourth quarter 2014 quarterly distribution. The quarterly cash distribution of $0.5315 per unit was paid on February 13, 2015 to unitholders of record on January 30, 2015.
Percentage Allocations of Distributions from Operating Surplus
The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of distributions from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner based on the specified target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under the column heading "Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions" are the percentage interests of our general partner and the unitholders in any distributions from operating surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column "Total Quarterly Distribution per Unit Target Amount." The percentage interests shown for our unitholders and our general partner for the minimum quarterly distribution also apply to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests set forth below for our general partner (1) include a 2.0% general partner interest, (2) assume that our general partner has contributed any
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additional capital necessary to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest, (3) assume that our general partner has not transferred its IDRs and (4) assume there are no arrearages on common units.
Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions | |||||||
Total Quarterly Distribution per Unit Target Amount | Unitholders | General Partner | |||||
Minimum Quarterly Distribution | $0.5000 | 98.0 | % | 2.0 | % | ||
First Target Distribution | above $0.5000 up to $0.5750 | 98.0 | % | 2.0 | % | ||
Second Target Distribution | above $0.5750 up to $0.6250 | 85.0 | % | 15.0 | % | ||
Third Target Distribution | above $0.6250 up to $0.7500 | 75.0 | % | 25.0 | % | ||
Thereafter | above $0.7500 | 50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||
Subordinated Units
General
Our partnership agreement provides that, during the subordination period (which we describe below), the common units will have the right to receive distributions from operating surplus each quarter in an amount equal to $0.5000 per common unit, defined in our partnership agreement as the minimum quarterly distribution, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before we may make any distributions from operating surplus 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 from operating surplus until the common units have received the minimum quarterly distribution plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution from prior quarters. Furthermore, no arrearages will be paid on the subordinated units. The practical effect of this subordination provision is to increase the likelihood that, during the subordination period, there will be sufficient cash from operating surplus to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.
Determination of Subordination Period
OCI Holdings currently owns all of our subordinated units. Except as described below, the subordination period began September 18, 2013 and will expire on the first business day after the distribution to unitholders in respect of any quarter, beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 2016, if each of the following has occurred:
•distributions from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units; subordinated units and the related distribution on the general partner interest equaled or exceeded the sum of the minimum quarterly distribution for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding such 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 such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the minimum quarterly distribution on all of the outstanding common units, subordinated units and the related distribution on the general partner interest during those periods on a fully diluted weighted average basis; and
•there were, on such date, no arrearages in payment of minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.
Expiration Upon Removal of the General Partner
In addition, if the unitholders remove our general partner other than for cause:
•the subordinated units then held by any person will immediately and automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis, so long as (1) neither such person nor any of its affiliates voted any of its units in favor of removal and (2) such person is not an affiliate of the successor general partner;
•if all of the subordinated units convert pursuant to this provision, all cumulative common unit arrearages on the common units will be extinguished, and the subordination period will end; and
•our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests.
Expiration of the Subordination Period
When the subordination period ends, each outstanding subordinated unit will convert into one common unit and will then participate pro rata with the other common units in distributions.
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Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plan
See Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” for information relating to compensation plans under which the Partnership’s securities are authorized for issuance.
The following table summarizes our repurchase activity during the three months ended December 31, 2014:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | |||||||||
Period | Total Number of Units Purchased | Average Price Paid per Unit | Total Number of Units Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number of Units That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans | |||||
October 1 - October 31 | — | — | — | — | |||||
November 1 - November 30 (1) | 205 | $ | — | — | — | ||||
December 1 - December 31 | — | — | — | — | |||||
Total | 205 | $ | — | — | — | ||||
(1) The Partnership did not repurchase any of its equity securities during the period covered by this report pursuant to any publicly announced plan or program, and no such plan or program is presently in effect. All purchases reflected in the table above reflect purchases of common units by the Partnership in connection with tax withholding obligations of units issued pursuant to the OCI Resource Partners LLC 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following table shows selected historical financial data of our Predecessor and the Partnership for the periods and as of the dates indicated. As a result of the Restructuring as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with SEC on March 14, 2014 (our "2014 10-K"), the historical results of the Predecessor have been restated to reflect the combination of the ownership interests in OCI Wyoming previously held by the Predecessor and Wyoming Co. adjusted for certain push-down accounting effects. See the "Explanatory Note", disclosed in our 2014 10-K, for more information on the restructuring transactions. The selected consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor. The selected consolidated financial data for the year ended December 31, 2013 includes the combined results of the Predecessor through September 17, 2013 and the Partnership for the period from September 18, 2013 through December 31, 2013, all derived from the Partnership's 2013 audited financial statements.
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Predecessor Historical | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of operations data: | For the years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions, except per unit data) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||
Net sales: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sales - Affiliates | $ | 236.7 | $ | 211.6 | $ | 236.9 | $ | 168.6 | $ | 104.6 | ||||||||||
Sales - others | 228.3 | 230.5 | 225.7 | 253.3 | 258.5 | |||||||||||||||
Total net sales | 465.0 | 442.1 | 462.6 | 421.9 | 363.1 | |||||||||||||||
Cost of products sold: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of products sold | 201.6 | 202.4 | 197.7 | 179.3 | 159.4 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense | 22.4 | 23.9 | 23.7 | 23.4 | 25.4 | |||||||||||||||
Freight costs | 123.7 | 122.7 | 110.1 | 105.7 | 109.1 | |||||||||||||||
Total cost of products sold | 347.7 | 349.0 | 331.5 | 308.4 | 293.9 | |||||||||||||||
Gross profit | 117.3 | 93.1 | 131.1 | 113.5 | 69.2 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses - others | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.1 | — | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses—Affiliates | 17.0 | 12.5 | 11.1 | 10.8 | 8.8 | |||||||||||||||
Loss on disposal of assets, net | 1.0 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 21.3 | 13.2 | 11.8 | 10.9 | 8.8 | |||||||||||||||
Operating income | 96.0 | 79.9 | 119.3 | 102.6 | 60.4 | |||||||||||||||
Other income/(expenses): | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest income | — | — | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (5.2 | ) | (2.9 | ) | (1.5 | ) | (1.5 | ) | (2.8 | ) | ||||||||||
Other - net | 1.1 | 0.7 | (0.6 | ) | — | (1.8 | ) | |||||||||||||
Total other income/(expense), net | (4.1 | ) | (2.2 | ) | (1.9 | ) | (1.3 | ) | (4.5 | ) | ||||||||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 91.9 | 77.7 | 117.4 | 101.3 | 55.9 | |||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | — | 7.1 | 16.4 | 14.6 | 6.5 | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 91.9 | $ | 70.6 | $ | 101.0 | $ | 86.7 | $ | 49.4 | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | 47.4 | 44.3 | 65.9 | 58.2 | 36.1 | |||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to OCI Resources LP/Predecessor | $ | 44.5 | $ | 26.3 | $ | 35.1 | $ | 28.5 | $ | 13.3 | ||||||||||
Less: Predecessor net income prior to initial public offering on September 18, 2013 | — | 13.3 | ** | ** | ** | |||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to OCI Resources LP subsequent to initial public offering | $ | 44.5 | $ | 13.0 | ** | ** | ** | |||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) on derivative financial instruments | (0.2 | ) | — | — | (0.5 | ) | 1.4 | |||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | 91.7 | 70.6 | 101.0 | 86.2 | 50.8 | |||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest | 47.3 | 44.3 | 65.9 | 57.9 | 36.1 | |||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to OCI Resources LP/Predecessor | $ | 44.4 | $ | 26.3 | $ | 35.1 | $ | 28.3 | $ | 14.7 | ||||||||||
Less: Predecessor comprehensive income prior to initial public offering on September 18, 2013 | — | 13.1 | ** | ** | ** | |||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to OCI Resources LP subsequent to initial public offering | $ | 44.4 | $ | 13.2 | ** | ** | ** | |||||||||||||
Net income per limited partner unit subsequent to initial public offering: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common - Public and OCI Holdings (basic and diluted) | $ | 2.23 | $ | 0.65 | ** | ** | ** | |||||||||||||
Subordinated - OCI Holdings (basic and diluted) | $ | 2.23 | $ | 0.65 | ** | ** | ** | |||||||||||||
Limited partner units outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average common units outstanding (basic and diluted) | 9.8 | 9.8 | ** | ** | ** | |||||||||||||||
Weighted average subordinated units outstanding (basic and diluted) | 9.8 | 9.8 | ** | ** | ** | |||||||||||||||
** Information is not applicable for the pre-IPO periods.
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Predecessor Historical | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance sheet data (at period end): | As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
($ and unit data in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 31.0 | $ | 46.9 | $ | 22.7 | $ | 26.8 | $ | 10.8 | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net | 35.5 | 34.4 | 35.2 | 32.6 | 29.6 | |||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable - ANSAC | 70.4 | 58.1 | 53.8 | 46.9 | 20.3 | |||||||||||||||
Due from affiliates, net | 19.6 | 20.4 | 26.6 | 11.6 | 18.2 | |||||||||||||||
Inventory | 43.2 | 41.7 | 42.1 | 32.1 | 31.2 | |||||||||||||||
Other current assets | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.7 | |||||||||||||||
Total current assets | 201.5 | 202.7 | 181.1 | 151.2 | 110.8 | |||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 245.0 | 238.0 | 244.5 | 241.6 | 235.9 | |||||||||||||||
Other non-current assets | 0.9 | 1.3 | — | 0.2 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 447.4 | $ | 442.0 | $ | 425.6 | $ | 393.0 | $ | 346.9 | ||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4.0 | $ | 4.0 | $ | 4.0 | ||||||||||
Accounts payable | 13.1 | 13.2 | 13.1 | 15.8 | 11.8 | |||||||||||||||
Due to affiliates | 7.1 | 2.3 | 22.3 | 3.7 | 8.9 | |||||||||||||||
Accrued expenses | 29.5 | 26.4 | 26.2 | 31.3 | 25.1 | |||||||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 49.7 | 41.9 | 65.6 | 54.8 | 49.8 | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 145.0 | 155.0 | 48.0 | 52.0 | 56.0 | |||||||||||||||
Other non-current liabilities | 4.2 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||||
Deferred income taxes | — | — | 36.1 | 36.9 | 35.6 | |||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 198.9 | 200.7 | 153.3 | 147.2 | 143.0 | |||||||||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 13) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Equity: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Predecessor's net equity | — | — | 130.0 | 125.4 | 107.1 | |||||||||||||||
Common unitholders - Public and OCI Holdings (9.8 million units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively) | 106.3 | 104.5 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Subordinated unitholders - OCI Holdings (9.8 million units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively) | 37.9 | 36.6 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
General partner unitholders - OCI Resource Partners LLC (0.4 million units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively) | 3.8 | 3.8 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (0.4 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | — | |||||||||||
Partners' capital attributable to OCI Resources LP | 147.6 | 144.6 | 129.8 | 125.2 | 107.1 | |||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interests | 100.9 | 96.7 | 142.5 | 120.6 | 96.8 | |||||||||||||||
Total equity | 248.5 | 241.3 | 272.3 | 245.8 | 203.9 | |||||||||||||||
Total liabilities and partners' equity | $ | 447.4 | $ | 442.0 | $ | 425.6 | $ | 393.0 | $ | 346.9 | ||||||||||
Cash flow data (at period end): | Predecessor Historical | |||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | For the years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in): | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||
Operating activities | $ | 106.1 | $ | 100.3 | $ | 101.8 | $ | 90.1 | $ | 83.0 | ||||||||||
Investing activities | (27.2 | ) | (16.2 | ) | (27.4 | ) | (25.8 | ) | (7.3 | ) | ||||||||||
Financing activities | (94.8 | ) | (59.9 | ) | (78.5 | ) | (48.3 | ) | (76.6 | ) | ||||||||||
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Report.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" to ‘‘Predecessor,’’ ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘our,’’ ‘‘us,’’ or like terms, when used in a historical context (periods
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prior to September 18, 2013, the completion of our IPO), refer to OCI Wyoming Holding Co. ("OCI Holdings") and its subsidiary, our predecessor for accounting purposes, and, unless otherwise noted, financial information for the Predecessor is presented before the non-controlling interest. When used in the present tense or prospectively (starting September 18, 2013), such terms refer to OCI Resources LP and its subsidiary, and, unless otherwise noted, financial information for the Partnership is presented before the non-controlling interest. References to “our general partner” or “OCI GP” refer to OCI Resource Partners LLC, the General Partner of OCI Resources LP and a wholly owned subsidiary of OCI Holdings. References to "our sponsor," or "OCI Enterprises" refer to OCI Enterprises Inc., which owns 100% of the capital stock of OCI Chemical Corporation ("OCI Chemical"), which in turn owns 100% of the capital stock of OCI Holdings. References to "OCI Wyoming" refer to OCI Wyoming LLC.
Overview
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Report, as well as the historical consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of OCI Holdings, the Predecessor. The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those implied or expressed by these forward-looking statements. Please read “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” and the risk factors discussed in Item 1A " Risk Factors" of this Report.
We are a Delaware limited partnership formed by OCI Holdings to own 51.0% membership interest in, and to operate the trona ore mining and soda ash production business of, OCI Wyoming. OCI Wyoming is currently one of the world's largest producers of soda ash, serving a global market from its facility in the Green River Basin of Wyoming. Our facility has been in operation for more than 50 years.
NRP Trona LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Natural Resource Partners LP ("NRP") currently owns a 49% membership interest in OCI Wyoming. NRP indirectly acquired its interest in OCI Wyoming in January 2013 from Anadarko Holding Company.
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Soda Ash Supply and Demand
Our net sales, earnings and cash flow from operations are primarily affected by the global supply of, and demand for soda ash, which, in turn, directly impacts the prices we and other producers charge for our products.
Demand for soda ash in the United States is driven in large part by general economic growth and activity levels in the end-markets that the glass-making industry serve, such as the automotive and construction industries. Because the United States is a well-developed market, we expect that domestic demand levels will remain stable for the near future. Because future U.S. capacity growth is expected to come from the four major producers in the Green River Basin, we also expect that U.S. supply levels will remain relatively stable in the near term.
Soda ash demand in international markets has increased steadily over the last several years, primarily due to economic growth in emerging markets, especially those in Asia and South America. We expect that continued economic growth in these markets will fuel further increases in demand, which will likely result in increased exports primarily from the United States and to a limited extent, from China, the first and second largest suppliers of soda ash to international markets, respectively.
Sales Mix
Because demand for soda ash in the United States has remained relatively stable in recent years, we have focused on international markets to expand our business, and we expect to continue to do so in the near future. As a result, our operations have been and continue to be sensitive to fluctuations in freight and shipping costs and changes in international prices, which have historically been more volatile than domestic prices. Our gross profit will be impacted by the mix of domestic and international sales as a result of changes in input costs and our average selling prices.
Energy Costs
One of the primary drivers of our profitability is our energy costs. Because we depend upon natural gas and electricity to power our trona ore mining and soda ash processing operations, our net sales, earnings and cash flow from operations are sensitive to changes in the prices we pay for these energy sources. Our cost of energy, particularly natural gas, has been relatively low in recent years, and, despite the historic volatility of natural gas prices, we believe that we will continue to benefit from relatively low prices in the near future.
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How We Evaluate Our Business
Productivity of Operations
Our soda ash production volume is primarily dependent on the following three factors: (1) operating rate, (2) quality of our mined trona ore and (3) recovery rates. Operating rate is a measure of utilization of the effective production capacity of our facilities and is determined in large part by productivity rates and mechanical on-stream times, which is the percentage of actual run times over the total time scheduled. We implement two planned outages of our mining and surface operations each year, typically in the second and third quarters. During these outages, which last approximately one week, we repair and replace equipment and parts. Periodically, we may experience minor unplanned outages caused by various factors, including equipment failures, power outages or service interruptions. The quality of our mine ore is determined by measuring the trona ore recovered as a percentage of the deposit, which includes both trona ore and insolubles. Plant recovery rates are generally determined by calculating the soda ash produced divided by the sum of the soda ash produced plus soda ash that is not recovered from the process. All of these factors determine the amount of trona ore we require to produce one short ton of soda ash and liquor, which we refer to as our "ore to ash ratio." Our ore to ash ratio for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, was 1.52: 1.0, 1.59: 1.0 and 1.56: 1.0, respectively.
Freight and Logistics
The soda ash industry is logistics intensive and involves careful management of freight and logistics costs. These freight costs make up a large portion of the total delivered cost to the customer. Union Pacific is our largest provider of domestic rail freight services and accounted for 74.4%, 80.6% and 81.9% of our total freight costs for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our agreement with Union Pacific generally requires that the freight rate we are charged be increased annually based on a published index tied to certain rail industry metrics. We generally pass on to our customers increases in our freight costs but we may be unsuccessful in doing so.
Sales
Net sales include the amounts we earn on sales of soda ash. We recognize revenue from our sales when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement between us and the customer, products have been delivered to the customer, selling price is fixed, determinable or reasonably estimated and collection is reasonably assured. Substantially all of our sales are derived from sales of soda ash, which we sell through our exclusive sales agent, OCI Chemical. A small amount of our sales is derived from sales of production purge, which is a by-product liquor solution containing soda ash that is produced during the processing of trona ore. For the purposes of our discussion below, we include these transactions in domestic sales of soda ash and in the volume of domestic soda ash sold.
Sales prices for sales through ANSAC include the cost of freight to the ports of embarkation for overseas export or to Laredo, Texas for sales to Mexico. Sales prices for other international sales may include the cost of rail freight to the port of embarkation, the cost of ocean freight to the port of disembarkation for import by the customer and the cost of inland freight required for delivery to the customer.
Cost of products sold
Expenses relating to employee compensation, energy, including natural gas and electricity, royalties and maintenance materials constitute the greatest components of cost of products sold. These costs generally increase in line with increases in sales volume.
Energy. A major item in our cost of products sold is energy, comprised primarily of natural gas and electricity. We primarily use natural gas to fuel our above-ground processing operations, including the heating of calciners, and we use electricity to power our underground mining operations, including our continuous mining machines, or continuous miners, and shuttle cars. Natural gas prices, over the past five years, have ranged between $1.95 and $6.00 per MMBtu per Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot Price. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot Price was $3.48 and $4.23 per MMBtu, respectively.
Employee Compensation. Our employee compensation expenses are affected by headcount and salary levels, as well as incentive compensation paid. Retirement benefits for certain individuals that provide services to us are provided by OCI Enterprises under the OCI Pension Plan for Salaried Employees and OCI Pension Plan for Hourly Employees. OCI Enterprises has the right to modify or terminate the benefits at will. We also reimburse OCI Enterprises for contributions it makes on our behalf to the OCI 401(k) Retirement Plan based upon specified percentages of employee contributions. See Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 10, "Employee Compensation," for more information on the various plans.
Royalties. We pay royalties to the State of Wyoming, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Anadarko Petroleum or its affiliates, which are calculated based upon a percentage of the value of soda ash sold, or a certain sum per each ton of such products. We also pay a production tax to Sweetwater County, and trona severance tax to the State of Wyoming that is calculated based on a formula that utilizes the volume of trona ore mined and the value of the soda ash produced.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses incurred by OCI Enterprises and its affiliates on our behalf are generally allocated to us based on the time the employees of those companies spend on our business and the actual direct costs they incur on our behalf.
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Selling, general and administrative expenses incurred by ANSAC on our behalf are allocated to us based on the proportion of ANSAC's total volumes sold for a given period attributable to the soda ash sold by us to ANSAC.
Results of Operations
A discussion and analysis of the factors contributing to our results of operations is presented below for the periods and as of the dates indicated. The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, represent the Predecessor's results of operations, reflecting the ownership in OCI Wyoming previously held by the Predecessor and Wyoming Co. on a combined basis, adjusted for the effects of the restructuring and certain push-down accounting effects. The consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, presents the results of operations for the Partnership, reflecting the combined ownership interests previously held by Predecessor and Wyoming Co. on a combined basis, adjusted for certain push-down accounting effects. See the "Explanatory Note," disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2014, for more information on the restructuring transactions. The financial statements, together with the following information, are intended to provide investors with a reasonable basis for assessing our historical operations, but should not serve as the only criteria for predicting our future performance.
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The following tables set forth our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||||
(Predecessor) | ||||||||||||
($ in millions; except for operating and ratio data and Adjusted EBITDA per ton) | ||||||||||||
Net sales: | ||||||||||||
Sales - Affiliates | $ | 236.7 | $ | 211.6 | $ | 236.9 | ||||||
Sales - others | 228.3 | 230.5 | 225.7 | |||||||||
Total net sales | 465.0 | 442.1 | 462.6 | |||||||||
Cost of products sold: | ||||||||||||
Cost of products sold | 201.6 | 202.4 | 197.7 | |||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense | 22.4 | 23.9 | 23.7 | |||||||||
Freight costs | 123.7 | 122.7 | 110.1 | |||||||||
Total cost of products sold | 347.7 | 349.0 | 331.5 | |||||||||
Gross profit | 117.3 | 93.1 | 131.1 | |||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses - others | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses—Affiliates | 17.0 | 12.5 | 11.1 | |||||||||
Loss on disposal of assets, net | 1.0 | — | — | |||||||||
Total operating expenses | 21.3 | 13.2 | 11.8 | |||||||||
Operating income | 96.0 | 79.9 | 119.3 | |||||||||
Other income/(expenses): | ||||||||||||
Interest income | — | — | 0.2 | |||||||||
Interest expense | (5.2 | ) | (2.9 | ) | (1.5 | ) | ||||||
Other - net | 1.1 | 0.7 | (0.6 | ) | ||||||||
Total other income/(expense), net | (4.1 | ) | (2.2 | ) | (1.9 | ) | ||||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 91.9 | 77.7 | 117.4 | |||||||||
Provision for income taxes | — | 7.1 | 16.4 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 91.9 | $ | 70.6 | $ | 101.0 | ||||||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | 47.4 | 44.3 | 65.9 | |||||||||
Net income attributable to OCI Resources LP/Predecessor | $ | 44.5 | $ | 26.3 | $ | 35.1 | ||||||
Less: Predecessor net income prior to initial public offering on September 18, 2013 | — | 13.3 | ** | |||||||||
Net income attributable to OCI Resources LP subsequent to initial public offering | $ | 44.5 | $ | 13.0 | ** | |||||||
Other comprehensive loss: | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) on derivative financial instruments | (0.2 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
Comprehensive income | 91.7 | 70.6 | 101.0 | |||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest | 47.3 | 44.3 | 65.9 | |||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to OCI Resources LP/Predecessor | $ | 44.4 | $ | 26.3 | $ | 35.1 | ||||||
Less: Predecessor comprehensive income prior to initial public offering on September 18, 2013 | — | 13.1 | ** | |||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to OCI Resources LP subsequent to initial public offering | $ | 44.4 | $ | 13.2 | ** | |||||||
Operating and Other Data: | ||||||||||||
Trona ore mined (thousands of short tons) | 3,869.5 | 3,921.5 | 3,865.4 | |||||||||
Ore to ash ratio(1) | 1.52: 1.0 | 1.59: 1.0 | 1.56: 1.0 | |||||||||
Soda ash volume sold (thousands of short tons) | 2,548.3 | 2,492.2 | 2,455.5 | |||||||||
Domestic (thousands of short tons) | 817.8 | 802.6 | 830.2 | |||||||||
International (thousands of short tons) | 1,730.5 | 1,689.6 | 1,625.3 | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(2) | $ | 120.5 | $ | 104.4 | $ | 142.4 | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA per short ton(3) | $ | 47.29 | $ | 41.89 | $ | 57.99 | ||||||
** Information is not applicable for the pre-IPO periods.
(1) | Ore to ash ratio expresses the number of short tons of trona ore needed to produce one short ton of soda ash and liquor and includes our deca rehydration recovery process. |
(2) | For a discussion of the non-GAAP financial measure Adjusted EBITDA, please read "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" of this Management's Discussion and Analysis. |
(3) | Reflects Adjusted EBITDA divided by sales volumes. |
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Analysis of Results of Operations
Net sales
A summary of net sales, sales volumes and average sales price, and the percentage change between the periods, is as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | Percent Increase/(Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||
($ in millions, except per ton data) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2014 vs 2013 | 2013 vs 2012 | |||||||||||||
Net sales: | ||||||||||||||||||
Domestic | $ | 194.8 | $ | 195.1 | $ | 199.4 | (0.2 | )% | (2.2 | )% | ||||||||
International | $ | 270.2 | $ | 247.0 | $ | 263.2 | 9.4 | % | (6.1 | )% | ||||||||
Total net sales | $ | 465.0 | $ | 442.1 | $ | 462.6 | 5.2 | % | (4.4 | )% | ||||||||
Sales volumes: | ||||||||||||||||||
Domestic (thousands of short tons) | 817.8 | 802.6 | 830.2 | 1.9 | % | (3.3 | )% | |||||||||||
International (thousands of short tons) | 1,730.5 | 1,689.6 | 1,625.3 | 2.4 | % | 4.0 | % | |||||||||||
Total soda ash volume sold (thousands of short tons) | 2,548.3 | 2,492.2 | 2,455.5 | 2.3 | % | 1.5 | % | |||||||||||
Average sales price (per short ton): | ||||||||||||||||||
Domestic | $ | 238.20 | $ | 243.05 | $ | 240.18 | (2.0 | )% | 1.2 | % | ||||||||
International | $ | 156.16 | $ | 146.23 | $ | 161.92 | 6.8 | % | (9.7 | )% | ||||||||
Average | $ | 182.49 | $ | 177.41 | $ | 188.38 | 2.9 | % | (5.8 | )% | ||||||||
Percent of net sales: | ||||||||||||||||||
Domestic sales | 41.9 | % | 44.1 | % | 43.1 | % | ||||||||||||
International sales | 58.1 | % | 55.9 | % | 56.9 | % | ||||||||||||
Total percent of net sales | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
2014 compared to 2013
Our net sales increased by 5.2% to $465.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $442.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, driven by increases in both international average sales price of 6.8% and total volumes sold of 2.3%, partially offset by a decrease in domestic average sales price of 2.0%.
2013 compared to 2012
Our net sales decreased by 4.4% to $442.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $462.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily as a result of a decrease of 9.7% in international average sales price, primarily due to lower international pricing from ANSAC in 2013 compared to 2012, offset by a 4.0% increase in volumes sold and a decrease in domestic sales volume of 3.3%, partly offset by, an increase in average sales price of 1.2%.
Cost of products sold and operating expenses
A summary of cost of products sold and operating expenses, and the percentage change between the periods, is as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | Percent Increase/(Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2014 vs 2013 | 2013 vs 2012 | |||||||||||||
Cost of products sold | $ | 347.7 | $ | 349.0 | $ | 331.5 | (0.4 | )% | 5.3 | % | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 20.3 | $ | 13.2 | $ | 11.8 | 53.8 | % | 11.9 | % | ||||||||
Loss on disposal of assets, net | $ | 1.0 | $ | — | $ | — | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
Total cost of products sold and operating expenses | $ | 369.0 | $ | 362.2 | $ | 343.3 | 1.9 | % | 5.5 | % | ||||||||
Total cost of products sold and operating expenses, as a percent of net sales | 79.4 | % | 81.9 | % | 74.2 | % | ||||||||||||
2014 compared to 2013
Our total cost of products sold decreased by 0.4% to $347.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $349.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily as a result of the following:
• | a decrease in operating and maintenance supply costs of 7.1% to $18.4 million for year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $19.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, partly due to decreased equipment maintenance costs in the mine; |
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• | a decrease of 7.0% in salaries and benefits to $54.7 million for year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $58.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, partly due to a $5.3 million reduction in pension benefit expense driven by favorable effects of higher actuarial discount rates and market returns. Based on actuarial estimates, as of December 31, 2014, we expect these pension expenses to revert back to 2013 levels during 2015; |
• | a decrease of 6.3% in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense to $22.4 million for year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $23.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, due primarily to certain in service equipment reaching their maximum depreciable lives, moderately offset by, fixed asset additions during the year; and |
• | a decrease of 3.1% in royalties paid to $19.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, driven by a reduction in the federal royalty rate from 6% to 4% ("Helium Stewardship Act of 2013"), which is due to expire in September 2015, partially offset by an increase in royalty accruals due to increased production volumes during the year; partly offset by |
• | an increase of 16.7% in natural gas costs to $38.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $33.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, due to higher prices and production volume growth; and |
• | an increase of 0.8% in freight costs to $123.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to $122.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, due to higher sales volume. |
Gross profit. Gross profit increased by 25.9% to $117.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $93.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to the increase in average sales price and higher volumes sold over the period as discussed above.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased 53.8% to $20.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $13.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to higher shared services expenses and increased compliance costs associated with being a publicly traded company, in 2014 compared to 2013.
Loss on disposal of assets, net. Our loss on disposal of assets of $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, relates to the disposal of one asset which was replaced, and the write-off of canceled or abandoned capital projects.
Operating income. As a result of the foregoing, operating income increased by 20.0% to $96.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $79.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Other income/(expense), net. Our total other non-operating expense increased to $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to the interest expense recorded in the current year related to our July 2013 debt restructuring and the resulting higher average principal balance of our long-term debt during 2014 verses 2013.
Provision for income taxes. The Predecessor was subject to income tax and was included in the consolidated income tax returns of OCI Enterprises. Income taxes were allocated to the Predecessor based on separate-company computations of income or loss. The income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are those of the Predecessor. Due to our status as a master limited partnership as of the IPO, we have not been subject to U.S. federal income tax and certain state income taxes subsequent to September 18, 2013.
Net income. As a result of the foregoing, net income increased by 30.2% to $91.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $70.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
2013 compared to 2012
Our cost of products sold increased by 5.3% to $349.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $331.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily as a result of the following:
• | an increase of 13.0% in natural gas costs to $33.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $29.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, due to higher prices; |
• | an increase of 8.5% in the cost of electricity from $24.6 million to $26.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the year ended December 31, 2012 due to higher rates. The energy consumed on a per ton of soda ash produced basis did not materially change for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the year ended December 31, 2012; and |
• | an increase of 11.4% in freight costs to $122.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $110.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to an increase in freight costs related to increased international sales volumes to international customers; partly offset by |
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• | a decrease of 3.9% in royalties paid to $19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, as compared to $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, due to a 5.8% decrease in average sales price, and a decrease in the royalty rate for federal land from 6% to 4% on October 2, 2013. |
Gross profit. Gross profit decreased by 29.0% to $93.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $131.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to the 5.8% decrease in average sales price over the period, and increases in cost of products sold, excluding freight costs of 2.2% and freight costs of 11.4% as discussed above.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased 11.9% to $13.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $11.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to an increase in allocated charges from ANSAC caused by higher participation percentage of total ANSAC volume. There was also an increase in charges allocated from OCI Enterprises.
Operating income. As a result of the foregoing, operating income decreased by 33.0% to $79.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $119.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Other income/(expense), net. Our other non-operating expense increased to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Provision for income taxes. The Predecessor was subject to income tax and was included in the consolidated income tax returns of OCI Enterprises. Income taxes were allocated to the Predecessor based on separate-company computations of income or loss. The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 are those of the Predecessor. For the year ended December 31, 2013, included in income tax expense is the expense of the Predecessor through September 17, 2013. Due to our status as a master limited partnership subsequent to September 18, 2013, we will no longer be subject to U.S. federal income tax and certain state income taxes.
Net income. As a result of the foregoing, net income decreased by 30.1% to $70.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $101.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of liquidity include cash generated from operations and borrowings under a credit facility and capital calls from partners. We use cash and require liquidity primarily to finance and maintain our operations, fund capital expenditures for our property, plant and equipment, make cash distributions to holders of our partnership interests, pay the expenses of our general partner and satisfy obligations arising from our indebtedness. Our ability to meet these liquidity requirements will depend on our ability to generate cash flow from operations.
Our sources of liquidity include:
• | cash generated from our operations; |
• | $10 million available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 8, "Debt"), subject to borrowing base availability; |
• | $45 million ($190 million, less $125 million outstanding and less standby letters of credit of $20 million), is available for borrowing and undrawn under the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility (as defined in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 8, "Debt"), subject to borrowing base availability; |
• | issuances of additional partnership units; and |
• | the incurrence of additional debt. |
We expect our ongoing working capital and capital expenditures to be funded by cash generated from operations and borrowings under the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility. We believe that cash generated from these sources will be sufficient to meet our short-term working capital requirements and long-term capital expenditure requirements and to make quarterly cash distributions. However, we are subject to business and operational risks that could adversely affect our cash flow and access to borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility. Our ability to satisfy debt service obligations, to fund planned capital expenditures and to make acquisitions will depend upon our future operating performance, which, in turn, will be affected by prevailing economic conditions, our business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.
We intend to continue to pay a minimum quarterly distribution per quarter, to unitholders of record, to the extent we have sufficient cash from our operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our general partner and its affiliates. We do not have legal obligation to pay this distribution.
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Capital Requirements
Working capital is the amount by which current assets exceed current liabilities. As of December 31, 2014, we had a working capital surplus of $151.8 million as compared to a working capital surplus of $160.8 million as of December 31, 2013.
Our working capital requirements have been, and will continue to be, primarily driven by changes in accounts receivable and accounts payable, which generally fluctuate with changes in the market prices of soda ash in the normal course of our business. As sales increase, our accounts receivable will also increase, which will result in an increase in our working capital requirements. Other factors impacting changes in accounts receivable and accounts payable could include the timing of collections from customers and payments to suppliers, as well as the level of spending for maintenance and growth capital expenditures. A material adverse change in operations or available financing under the Revolving Credit Facility and the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility could impact our ability to fund our requirements for liquidity and capital resources. Historically, we have not made working capital borrowings to finance our operations.
Capital Expenditures
Our operations require investments to expand, upgrade or enhance existing operations and to meet evolving environmental and safety regulations. We distinguish between maintenance and expansion capital expenditures. Maintenance capital expenditures (including expenditures for the construction or development of new capital assets or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets) are made to maintain, over the long term, our operating income or operating capacity. Examples of maintenance capital expenditures are expenditures to upgrade and replace mining equipment and to address equipment integrity, safety and environmental laws and regulations. Our maintenance capital expenditures do not include actual or estimated capital expenditures for replacement of our trona reserves. Expansion capital expenditures are incurred for acquisitions or capital improvements made to increase, over the long term, our operating income or operating capacity. Examples of expansion capital expenditures include the acquisition and/or construction of complementary assets to grow our business and to expand existing facilities, such as projects that increase production from existing facilities, to the extent such capital expenditures are expected to increase our long-term operating capacity or operating income.
The following table summarizes our maintenance and expansion capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 in the table below:
Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||
Maintenance | $ | 10.4 | $ | 14.3 | $ | 19.5 | |||||
Expansion | 20.0 | 2.7 | 7.9 | ||||||||
Total | $ | 30.4 | $ | 17.0 | $ | 27.4 | |||||
The increase in capital expenditures during 2014 compared to 2013 is driven by the increased planned expansion projects to improve our operating capacity levels. In 2013, we limited our capital expenditures to routine maintenance and minor expansionary debottlenecking projects and in 2012, we made significant expenditures in rebuilding mine shuttlecars, projects designed to increase our yield versus the prior year, as well as the investigation of additional projects for future consideration.
Cash Flows Discussion
The following is a summary of cash provided by or used in each of the indicated types of activities:
Years Ended December 31, | Percent Increase/(Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2014 vs 2013 | 2013 vs 2012 | ||||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||||||||
Operating activities | $ | 106.1 | $ | 100.3 | $ | 101.8 | 5.8 | % | (1.6 | )% | |||||||
Investing activities | (27.2 | ) | (16.2 | ) | (27.4 | ) | 67.9 | % | (40.9 | )% | |||||||
Financing activities | (94.8 | ) | (59.9 | ) | (78.5 | ) | 58.3 | % | (23.7 | )% | |||||||
Operating Activities
Our operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2014 provided $106.1 million, an increase of 5.8% from the $100.3 million generated during the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily as a result of the following:
• | an increase of 30.2% in net income during the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to prior year; offset by |
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• | cash flows used in working capital of $9.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $5.5 million of cash flows provided in working capital in the prior year. |
Our operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2013 provided $100.3 million a decrease of 1.6% over the $101.8 million generated during the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily as a result of the following:
• | a decrease of $30.4 million in net income during the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to the year ended December 31, 2012; offset by |
• | cash flows provided in working capital of $5.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to cash flows used in working capital of $22.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2012; |
Investing Activities
We used cash flows of $27.2 million in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $16.2 million used during 2013 and $27.4 million used during 2012, all related to the funding of capital expenditures as described in "Capital Expenditures" above.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities of $94.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 increased by 58.3% over prior year, primarily due to distributions paid during the year of $84.8 million. During 2013, the cash used in financing activities of $59.9 million were largely driven by the distributions paid of $162.9 million and $32.0 million repayment of long-term debt, offset by the $135.0 million of net proceeds received from the issuance of the revolving credit facility. During 2012, the cash flows used in financing activities of $78.5 million was mainly due to distributions paid during the year of $74.5 million.
Debt
See in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 8, "Debt", for details of our outstanding debt.
Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth a summary of our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014:
Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | — | — | 8.6 | 136.4 | — | — | 145.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase obligations (1) | 26.0 | 19.7 | 16.9 | 11.6 | 9.8 | 7.3 | 91.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest payments (2) | 4.3 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.2 | — | 26.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Lease obligations (3) | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 2.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 30.4 | $ | 24.6 | $ | 31.0 | $ | 154.0 | $ | 16.1 | $ | 8.9 | $ | 265.0 | |||||||||||||
(1) Purchase obligations primarily include agreement to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. We have certain long-term utility contracts with various terms extending through 2021. These commitments are designed to assure source of supply for our normal requirements. The amounts include purchase obligations under a contract for the transportation of gas, which may be canceled by either upon 12 months' advance written notice to the other party.
(2) Long-term debt interest payments set forth in the table above are based on our contractual rates, or in the case of variable interest rate obligations, the weighted average interest rates as of December 31, 2014
(3) Minimum contractual rental commitments of various operating leases, including renewal periods.
Impact of Inflation
Although the impact of inflation has slowed in recent years, it is still a factor in the U.S. economy and may increase our cost to acquire or replace properties, plant and equipment. Inflation may also increase our costs of labor and supplies. To the extent permitted by competition, regulation and existing agreements, we pass along increased costs to our customers in the form of higher selling prices, and we expect to continue this practice.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have a self-bond agreement with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality under which we commit to pay directly for reclamation costs. As of December 31, 2014, the amount of the bond was $33.9 million (December 31, 2013: $27.1 million), which is the amount we would need to pay the State of Wyoming for reclamation costs if we cease mining operations currently. The amount of this self-bond is subject to change upon periodic re-evaluation by the Land Quality Division.
58
OCI Wyoming's revenue bonds require it to maintain stand-by letters of credit totaling $20.3 million as of December 31, 2014.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We report our financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States or GAAP. We also present the non-GAAP financial measures of:
• | Adjusted EBITDA; |
• | distributable cash flow; and |
• | distribution coverage ratio. |
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus net interest expense, income tax, depreciation, depletion and amortization and certain other expenses that are non-cash charges or that we consider not to be indicative of ongoing operations. Distributable cash flow is defined as Adjusted EBITDA less net cash paid for interest, maintenance capital expenditures and income taxes. Distributable cash flow will not reflect changes in working capital balances. We define distribution coverage ratio as the ratio of distributable cash flow per outstanding unit (as of the end of the period) to cash distributions payable per outstanding unit with respect to such period.
Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and distribution coverage ratio are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures that management and external users of our consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies, may use to assess:
• | our operating performance as compared to other publicly traded partnerships in our industry, without regard to historical cost basis or, in the case of Adjusted EBITDA, financing methods; |
• | the ability of our assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to our unitholders; |
• | our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; and |
• | the viability of capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities. |
We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and distribution coverage ratio provide useful information to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Our non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and distribution coverage ratio should not be considered as an alternatives to GAAP net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some, but not all items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Investors should not consider Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and distribution coverage ratio in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and distribution coverage ratio may be defined differently by other companies, including those in our industry, our definition of Adjusted EBITDA, distributable cash flow and distribution coverage ratio may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing its utility.
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The table below presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow to the GAAP financial measures of net income and net cash provided by operating activities:
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
($ in millions, except per unit data) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income: | (Predecessor) | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | 91.9 | $ | 70.6 | $ | 101.0 | ||||||
Add backs: | ||||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense | 22.4 | 23.9 | 23.7 | |||||||||
Interest expense | 5.2 | 2.8 | 1.3 | |||||||||
Loss on disposal of assets, net | 1.0 | — | — | |||||||||
Taxes | — | 7.1 | 16.4 | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 120.5 | $ | 104.4 | $ | 142.4 | ||||||
Less: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to non-controlling interest | 60.8 | 57.3 | 77.9 | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to OCI Resources LP/Predecessor | $ | 59.7 | $ | 47.1 | $ | 64.5 | ||||||
Less: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Predecessor through September 17, 2013 | — | 29.8 | ** | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to OCI Resources LP | $ | 59.7 | $ | 17.3 | ** | |||||||
Reconciliation of distributable cash flow to Adjusted EBITDA attributable to OCI Resources LP: | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to OCI Resources LP | 59.7 | 17.3 | ** | |||||||||
Less: Cash interest expense, net attributable to OCIR | 2.2 | 0.6 | ** | |||||||||
Maintenance capital expenditures attributable to OCIR(1) | 4.4 | 2.7 | ** | |||||||||
Distributable cash flow attributable to OCI Resources LP (2) | $ | 53.1 | $ | 14.0 | ** | |||||||
Cash distribution declared per unit(2) | $ | 2.0565 | $ | 0.5707 | ** | |||||||
Total units outstanding | 19.965 | 19.950 | ** | |||||||||
Total distributions to unitholders and general partner(2) | $ | 41.1 | $ | 11.4 | ** | |||||||
Distribution Coverage Ratio | 1.29 | 1.23 | ** | |||||||||
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net cash from operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 106.1 | $ | 100.3 | $ | 101.8 | ||||||
Add/(less): | ||||||||||||
Amortization of long-term loan financing | (0.4 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
Equity-based compensation expense | (0.4 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes | — | (0.3 | ) | 0.2 | ||||||||
Net change in working capital | 9.8 | (5.5 | ) | 22.6 | ||||||||
Interest expense | 5.2 | 2.8 | 1.3 | |||||||||
Taxes | — | 7.1 | 16.4 | |||||||||
Other non-cash items | 0.2 | — | — | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 120.5 | 104.4 | 142.3 | |||||||||
Less: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to non-controlling interest | 60.8 | 57.3 | 77.9 | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to OCI Resources LP/Predecessor | 59.7 | 47.1 | 64.4 | |||||||||
Less: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Predecessor through September 17, 2013 | — | 29.8 | ** | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to OCI Resources LP | $ | 59.7 | $ | 17.3 | ** | |||||||
Less: Cash interest expense, net attributable to OCIR | 2.2 | 0.6 | ** | |||||||||
Maintenance capital expenditures attributable to OCIR(1) | 4.4 | 2.7 | ** | |||||||||
Distributable cash flow attributable to OCI Resources LP (2) | $ | 53.1 | $ | 14.0 | ** | |||||||
** Information is not applicable for the pre-IPO periods. | ||||||||||||
(1) The Partnership may fund expansion-related capital expenditures with borrowings under existing credit facilities such that expansion-related capital expenditures will have no impact on cash on hand or the calculation of cash available for distribution. In certain instances, the timing of the Partnership’s borrowings and/or its cash management practices will result in a mismatch between the period of the borrowing and the period of the capital expenditure. In those instances, the Partnership adjusts designated reserves (as provided in the partnership agreement) to take account of the timing difference. Accordingly, expansion-related capital expenditures have been excluded from the presentation of cash available for distribution. | ||||||||||||
(2) For the year ended December 31, 2013, distributable cash flow attributable to OCIR is calculated for the period from September 18, 2013, the closing date of our IPO, until December 31, 2013. | ||||||||||||
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2 , 'Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.'" The accounting policies and estimates that we believe are the most critical to an understanding of our results of operations and financial condition are those that require complex management judgment regarding matters that are highly uncertain at the time policies were applied and estimates were made. These accounting policies and estimates are discussed below; however, the additional accounting policy detail in the footnote previously referenced is important to the discussion of each of the topics.
60
Different estimates reasonably could have been used in the current period that would have had a material effect on these consolidated financial statements, and changes in these estimates are likely to occur from period-to-period in the future.
Revenue Recognition - We recognize revenue when the earnings process is complete, which is generally upon transfer of title. This transfer typically occurs upon shipment to the customer, which is normally free on board ("FOB") terms or upon receipt by the customer. In all cases, we apply the following criteria in recognizing revenue: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred; (3) the selling price is fixed, determinable or reasonably estimated sales price has been agreed with the customer; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Customer rebates are accounted for as sales deductions. We record amounts billed for shipping and handling fees as revenue. Costs incurred for shipping and handling are recorded as costs of sales and services.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Accounting standards recently issued are discussed in Part II, Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" - Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the notes to consolidated financial statements.
Supplementary Selected Quarterly Financial Data
The following is selected unaudited condensed consolidated data for OCI Resources LP for the quarters indicated:
Predecessor Historical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions, except per unit data) | Q4-14 | Q3-14 | Q2-14 | Q1-14 | Q4-13 | Q3-13 | Q2-13 | Q1-13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 126.0 | $ | 109.8 | $ | 113.0 | $ | 116.2 | $ | 117.6 | $ | 105.6 | $ | 110.8 | $ | 108.2 | |||||||||||||||
Cost of products sold | 91.0 | 81.6 | 85.7 | 89.4 | 87.4 | 85.3 | 88.3 | 87.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit | 35.0 | 28.2 | 27.3 | 26.8 | 30.2 | 20.3 | 22.5 | 21.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 3.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income | 29.0 | 22.2 | 22.2 | 22.6 | 26.7 | 17.1 | 19.0 | 17.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 27.6 | 21.6 | 21.1 | 21.6 | 25.4 | 16.0 | 18.4 | 18.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | — | — | — | — | — | 2.1 | 1.8 | 3.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 27.6 | $ | 21.6 | $ | 21.1 | $ | 21.6 | $ | 25.4 | $ | 13.9 | $ | 16.6 | $ | 14.9 | |||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | 14.1 | 11.2 | 10.8 | 11.3 | 12.9 | 9.5 | 11.1 | 10.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to OCI Resources LP/Predecessor | $ | 13.5 | $ | 10.4 | $ | 10.3 | $ | 10.3 | $ | 12.5 | $ | 4.4 | $ | 5.5 | $ | 4.0 | |||||||||||||||
Less: Predecessor net income prior to initial public offering on September 18, 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | 3.9 | ** | ** | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to OCI Resources LP subsequent to initial public offering | $ | 13.5 | $ | 10.4 | $ | 10.3 | $ | 10.3 | $ | 12.5 | $ | 0.5 | ** | ** | |||||||||||||||||
Operating and Other Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trona ore mined (thousands of short tons) | 1,013.0 | 944.5 | 916.4 | 995.7 | 1,014.8 | 953.8 | 983.1 | 969.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Ore to ash ratio(1) | 1.53: 1.0 | 1.49:1.0 | 1.52:1.0 | 1.54:1.0 | 1.62:1.0 | 1.62:1.0 | 1.60:1.0 | 1.60:1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Soda ash volume sold (thousands of short tons) | 685.6 | 597.9 | 609.5 | 655.2 | 657.6 | 597.1 | 611.8 | 625.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic (thousands of short tons) | 189.7 | 213.4 | 210.3 | 204.4 | 195.3 | 193.8 | 202.5 | 211.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
International (thousands of short tons) | 495.9 | 384.5 | 399.2 | 450.8 | 462.3 | 403.3 | 409.3 | 414.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income per limited partner unit subsequent to initial public offering: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common - Public and OCI Holdings (basic and diluted) | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.52 | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.52 | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.03 | ** | ** | |||||||||||||||||
Subordinated - OCI Holdings (basic and diluted) | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.52 | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.52 | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.03 | ** | ** | |||||||||||||||||
Limited partner units outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average common units outstanding (basic and diluted) | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | ** | ** | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average subordinated units outstanding (basic and diluted) | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 9.8 | ** | ** | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash distribution declared per unit | $ | 0.5315 | $ | 0.5250 | $ | 0.5000 | $ | 0.5000 | $ | 0.5000 | $ | — | ** | ** | |||||||||||||||||
** Information is not applicable for the pre-IPO periods.
(1) | Ore to ash ratio expresses the number of short tons of trona ore needed to produce one short ton of soda ash and liquor and includes our deca rehydration recovery process. |
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ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Our exposure to the financial markets consists of changes in interest rates relative to the balance of our outstanding debt obligations and derivatives that we have employed from time to time to manage our exposure to changes in market interest rates, foreign currency rate and commodity prices. We do not use financial instruments or derivatives for trading or other speculative purposes.
Interest Rate Risks
The aggregate principal amount of variable rate debt we had outstanding under our debt instruments as of December 31, 2014 was $145.0 million (December 31, 2013: $155.0 million). This debt had a weighted average annual interest rate of 2.9% as of December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: 2.3%). Based on the variable rate debt in our debt instruments as of December 31, 2014, we estimate that a 1% increase in interest rates would have increased interest expense by $0.7 million and a 1% decrease in interest rates would have decreased interest expense by $0.2 million.
We have entered into interest rate swap contracts designed to hedge our exposure to possible increases in interest rates. These contracts had an aggregate notional value of $76.0 million and a fair value liability of $0.7 million as of December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: notional value of $101.5 million; fair value liability of $0.5 million)
Foreign Exchange Rate Risks
Our sales to ANSAC are denominated in U.S. dollars but our sales to other international customers may be denominated in a foreign currency, which exposes us to foreign currency fluctuations. To reduce that risk, we generally hedge one half of our anticipated currency exposure for the next budget period as early as October of the prior year. As OCI Chemical, on our behalf, finalizes customer contracts, we increase this percentage up to 80% of expected sales.
Commodity Price Risks
Energy costs represent a large part of our cost of products sold. Natural gas is a large component of that expense. We purchase natural gas primarily from two suppliers: BP Energy and Iberdrola. The purchase price we pay does not include the cost of freight so we must arrange and pay for the cost of transporting the natural gas from the gas compressor facility approximately 20 miles from the plant to our facility. We have a separate contract for the transportation of gas. We pay a fixed amount to reserve capacity on a daily basis. In order to mitigate the risk of gas price fluctuations, we hedge a portion of our forecasted natural gas purchases by entering into physical or financial gas hedges generally ranging between 20% and 80% of our expected monthly gas requirements, on a sliding scale, for approximately the next five years. We can give no assurance that we will continue this practice.
ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Page Number | |
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting | 65 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
67 | |
68 | |
69 | |
70 | |
71 | |
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Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Partnership's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control system is designed under the supervision of the Partnership's chief executive offer and principal financial officer to provide reasonable assurance to the Partnership’s management and our general partner's Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Our management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in its 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, our management has concluded that as of December 31, 2014 our internal control over financial reporting is effective.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Partners of
OCI Resources LP
Atlanta, Georgia
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of OCI Resources LP (a majority-owned subsidiary of OCI Wyoming Holding Co.) and its subsidiary (the "Partnership") as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
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. The Partnership is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes 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, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of OCI Resources LP and its subsidiary as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
March 6, 2015
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OCI RESOURCES LP CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||
As of | |||||||
($ and unit data in millions) | December 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | |||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Current assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 31.0 | $ | 46.9 | |||
Accounts receivable, net | 35.5 | 34.4 | |||||
Accounts receivable - ANSAC | 70.4 | 58.1 | |||||
Due from affiliates, net | 19.6 | 20.4 | |||||
Inventory | 43.2 | 41.7 | |||||
Other current assets | 1.8 | 1.2 | |||||
Total current assets | 201.5 | 202.7 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 245.0 | 238.0 | |||||
Other non-current assets | 0.9 | 1.3 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 447.4 | $ | 442.0 | |||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts payable | 13.1 | 13.2 | |||||
Due to affiliates | 7.1 | 2.3 | |||||
Accrued expenses | 29.5 | 26.4 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 49.7 | 41.9 | |||||
Long-term debt | 145.0 | 155.0 | |||||
Other non-current liabilities | 4.2 | 3.8 | |||||
Total liabilities | 198.9 | 200.7 | |||||
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 13) | |||||||
Equity: | |||||||
Common unitholders - Public and OCI Holdings (9.8 million units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively) | 106.3 | 104.5 | |||||
Subordinated unitholders - OCI Holdings (9.8 million units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively) | 37.9 | 36.6 | |||||
General partner unitholders - OCI Resource Partners LLC (0.4 million units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively) | 3.8 | 3.8 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (0.4 | ) | (0.3 | ) | |||
Partners' capital attributable to OCI Resources LP | 147.6 | 144.6 | |||||
Non-controlling interests | 100.9 | 96.7 | |||||
Total equity | 248.5 | 241.3 | |||||
Total liabilities and partners' equity | $ | 447.4 | $ | 442.0 | |||
See accompanying notes.
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OCI RESOURCES LP CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||||||||||||
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
($ in millions, except per unit data) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
(Predecessor) | ||||||||||||
Net sales: | ||||||||||||
Sales - Affiliates | $ | 236.7 | $ | 211.6 | $ | 236.9 | ||||||
Sales - others | 228.3 | 230.5 | 225.7 | |||||||||
Total net sales | $ | 465.0 | $ | 442.1 | $ | 462.6 | ||||||
Cost of products sold: | ||||||||||||
Cost of products sold | 201.6 | 202.4 | 197.7 | |||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense | 22.4 | 23.9 | 23.7 | |||||||||
Freight costs | 123.7 | 122.7 | 110.1 | |||||||||
Total cost of products sold | 347.7 | 349.0 | 331.5 | |||||||||
Gross profit | 117.3 | 93.1 | 131.1 | |||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses - others | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses - Affiliates | 17.0 | 12.5 | 11.1 | |||||||||
Loss on disposal of assets, net | 1.0 | — | — | |||||||||
Total operating expenses | 21.3 | 13.2 | 11.8 | |||||||||
Operating income | 96.0 | 79.9 | 119.3 | |||||||||
Other income/(expenses): | ||||||||||||
Interest income | — | — | 0.2 | |||||||||
Interest expense | (5.2 | ) | (2.9 | ) | (1.5 | ) | ||||||
Other - net | 1.1 | 0.7 | (0.6 | ) | ||||||||
Total other income/(expense), net | (4.1 | ) | (2.2 | ) | (1.9 | ) | ||||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 91.9 | 77.7 | 117.4 | |||||||||
Provision for income taxes | — | 7.1 | 16.4 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 91.9 | $ | 70.6 | $ | 101.0 | ||||||
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest | 47.4 | 44.3 | 65.9 | |||||||||
Net income attributable to OCI Resources LP/Predecessor | $ | 44.5 | $ | 26.3 | $ | 35.1 | ||||||
Less: Predecessor net income prior to initial public offering on September 18, 2013 | — | 13.3 | ** | |||||||||
Net income attributable to OCI Resources LP subsequent to initial public offering | $ | 44.5 | $ | 13.0 | ** | |||||||
Other comprehensive loss: | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) on derivative financial instruments | (0.2 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
Comprehensive income | 91.7 | 70.6 | 101.0 | |||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest | 47.3 | 44.3 | 65.9 | |||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to OCI Resources LP/Predecessor | $ | 44.4 | $ | 26.3 | $ | 35.1 | ||||||
Less: Predecessor comprehensive income prior to initial public offering on September 18, 2013 | — | 13.1 | ** | |||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to OCI Resources LP subsequent to initial public offering | $ | 44.4 | $ | 13.2 | ** | |||||||
Net income per limited partner unit subsequent to initial public offering: | ||||||||||||
Common - Public and OCI Holdings (basic and diluted) | $ | 2.23 | $ | 0.65 | ** | |||||||
Subordinated - OCI Holdings (basic and diluted) | $ | 2.23 | $ | 0.65 | ** | |||||||
Limited partner units outstanding: | ||||||||||||
Weighted average common units outstanding (basic and diluted) | 9.8 | 9.8 | ** | |||||||||
Weighted average subordinated units outstanding (basic and diluted) | 9.8 | 9.8 | ** | |||||||||
** Information is not applicable for the pre-IPO periods.
See accompanying notes.
65
OCI RESOURCES LP CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||||||
Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||
(Predecessor) | |||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | 91.9 | $ | 70.6 | $ | 101.0 | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense | 22.8 | 23.9 | 23.7 | ||||||||
Loss on disposal of assets, net | 1.0 | — | — | ||||||||
Equity-based compensation expense | 0.4 | — | — | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes | — | 0.3 | (0.2 | ) | |||||||
Other non-cash items | (0.2 | ) | — | — | |||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
(Increase)/decrease in: | |||||||||||
Accounts receivable - net | (1.1 | ) | 0.8 | (3.5 | ) | ||||||
Accounts receivable - ANSAC | (12.3 | ) | (4.2 | ) | (6.0 | ) | |||||
Inventory | (1.5 | ) | — | (10.0 | ) | ||||||
Other current and other non-current assets | — | (2.0 | ) | 0.2 | |||||||
Due from affiliates, net | 0.8 | 5.5 | (13.5 | ) | |||||||
Increase/(decrease) in: | |||||||||||
Accounts payable | (3.5 | ) | 0.1 | (1.6 | ) | ||||||
Due to affiliates | 4.8 | 5.6 | 16.9 | ||||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 3.0 | (0.3 | ) | (5.2 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 106.1 | 100.3 | 101.8 | ||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
Capital expenditures | (27.2 | ) | (16.2 | ) | (27.4 | ) | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (27.2 | ) | (16.2 | ) | (27.4 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common units, net of offering costs | — | 83.3 | — | ||||||||
Distribution of IPO proceeds to Predecessor and its affiliate | — | (83.3 | ) | — | |||||||
Proceeds from issuance of revolving credit facility | — | 135.0 | — | ||||||||
Repayments of long-term debt | (10.0 | ) | (32.0 | ) | (4.0 | ) | |||||
Distributions to common unitholders | (20.5 | ) | — | — | |||||||
Distributions to subordinated unitholders | (20.5 | ) | — | — | |||||||
Distributions to general partner | (0.8 | ) | — | — | |||||||
Distributions to Predecessor | — | (72.9 | ) | (30.5 | ) | ||||||
Distributions to non-controlling interest | (43.0 | ) | (90.0 | ) | (44.0 | ) | |||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (94.8 | ) | (59.9 | ) | (78.5 | ) | |||||
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents | (15.9 | ) | 24.2 | (4.1 | ) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 46.9 | 22.7 | 26.8 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 31.0 | $ | 46.9 | $ | 22.7 | |||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |||||||||||
Interest paid during the year | $ | 4.3 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 1.5 | |||||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating activities: | |||||||||||
Predecessor net liabilities not assumed by the Partnership | $ | — | $ | 61.5 | $ | — | |||||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities: | |||||||||||
Capital expenditures on account | $ | 4.6 | $ | 0.8 | $ | 0.8 | |||||
See accompanying notes.
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OCI RESOURCES LP CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Partnership | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Predecessor | Common Units | Subordinated Units | General Partner | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Partners' Capital Attributable to OCIR and Predecessor's Net Equity | Noncontrolling Interests | Total Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2012 | $ | 125.4 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (0.2 | ) | $ | 125.2 | $ | 120.6 | $ | 245.8 | ||||||||||||||
Net income | 35.1 | — | — | — | — | 35.1 | 65.9 | 101.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions | (30.5 | ) | — | — | — | — | (30.5 | ) | (44.0 | ) | (74.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 | 130.0 | — | — | — | (0.2 | ) | 129.8 | 142.5 | 272.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income through September 17, 2013 | 13.3 | — | — | — | — | 13.3 | 30.8 | 44.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions | (72.9 | ) | — | — | — | — | (72.9 | ) | (90.0 | ) | (162.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 18, 2013 (date of offering) | 70.4 | — | — | — | (0.2 | ) | 70.2 | 83.3 | 153.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net liabilities not assumed by the Partnership | 61.5 | — | — | — | (0.1 | ) | 61.4 | (0.1 | ) | 61.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Allocation of net Predecessor investment to unitholders | (131.9 | ) | 42.2 | 86.2 | 3.5 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income from September 18, 2013 | — | 6.3 | 6.4 | 0.3 | — | 13.0 | 13.5 | 26.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from initial public offering, net | — | 83.3 | — | — | — | 83.3 | — | 83.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Distribution of IPO proceeds to Predecessor and its affiliate | — | (27.3 | ) | (56.0 | ) | — | — | (83.3 | ) | — | (83.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2013 | — | 104.5 | 36.6 | 3.8 | (0.3 | ) | 144.6 | 96.7 | 241.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Partnership net income | — | 21.9 | 21.8 | 0.8 | — | 44.5 | 47.4 | 91.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation plan activity | — | 0.4 | — | — | — | 0.4 | — | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions | — | (20.5 | ) | (20.5 | ) | (0.8 | ) | — | (41.8 | ) | (43.0 | ) | (84.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | (0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2014 | $ | — | $ | 106.3 | $ | 37.9 | $ | 3.8 | $ | (0.4 | ) | $ | 147.6 | $ | 100.9 | $ | 248.5 | ||||||||||||||
The sums of some of the rows and columns may not foot due to rounding. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes.
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OCI RESOURCES LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. GENERAL
Nature of Operations
As used in this Report, the terms "OCI Resources LP," "OCI Resources," the "Partnership," "OCIR," "we," "us," or "our" may refer to OCI Resources LP, which is a Delaware limited partnership formed on April 22, 2013 by OCI Wyoming Holding Co. ("OCI Holdings"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of OCI Chemical Corporation ("OCI Chemical"). On September 18, 2013, the Partnership completed the initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common units representing limited partner interests (the "Common Units"). The Partnership owns a controlling interest of 51.0% membership interest in OCI Wyoming LLC ("OCI Wyoming"). The Partnership’s operations consist solely of its investment in OCI Wyoming, which is in the business of mining trona ore to produce soda ash. All soda ash processed is sold to various domestic, Korean and European customers and to American Natural Soda Ash Corporation ("ANSAC") which is an affiliate for export. All mining and processing activities take place in one facility located in the Green River Basin of Wyoming. On June 30, 2014, OCI Wyoming converted from a Delaware limited partnership to a Delaware limited liability company.
NRP Trona LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Natural Resource Partners LP ("NRP"), currently owns a 49.0% membership interest in OCI Wyoming. NRP acquired its interest in OCI Wyoming in January 2013 from Anadarko Holding Company ("Anadarko").
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Partnership and its subsidiary have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All adjustments and elimination of significant intercompany balances necessary for a fair presentation of the Partnership’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented have been made. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The year ended December 31, 2013, includes the combined results of OCI Holdings and its subsidiary (the "Predecessor") through September 17, 2013 and the Partnership for the period from September 18, 2013 through December 31, 2013 and unless otherwise noted, financial information for the Predecessor and the Partnership is presented before non-controlling interest. For periods prior to the IPO, the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes present the historical accounts of the Predecessor. To the extent they relate to periods prior to the IPO, the results are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations that might have occurred if we had operated as the restructured public entity during that pre-IPO period.
Non-controlling interests
Prior to the completion of the IPO and the restructuring transaction completed in connection therewith (the "Restructuring"), non-controlling interests in the consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor represented the 1.0% limited partner interest in OCI Wyoming owned by Wyoming Co. and the 48.51% general partner interest in OCI Wyoming owned by Anadarko, and subsequently acquired by NRP. Subsequent to the Restructuring and IPO, non-controlling interests in the consolidated financial statements of the Partnership consisted of 39.37% general partner interest and 9.63% limited partner interest in OCI Wyoming owned by NRP. In connection with the conversion of OCI Wyoming from a Delaware limited partnership to a Delaware limited liability company, NRP's general partner interest and limited partnership interest were converted into a single-class of membership interests in OCI Wyoming, which currently consists of a 49.0% membership interest in OCI Wyoming.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when the earnings process is complete, which is generally upon transfer of title. This transfer typically occurs upon shipment to the customer, which is normally free on board ("FOB") terms or upon receipt by the customer. In all cases, we apply the following criteria in recognizing revenue: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred; (3) the selling price is fixed, determinable or reasonably estimated sales price has been agreed with the customer; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Customer rebates are accounted for as sales deductions. We record amounts billed for shipping and handling fees as revenue. Costs incurred for shipping and handling are recorded as costs of sales and services.
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Freight Costs
The Partnership includes freight costs billed to customers for shipments administered by the Partnership in gross sales. The related freight costs along with cost of products sold are deducted from gross sales to determine gross profit.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Partnership considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of money market deposit accounts.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are carried at the original invoice amount less an estimate for doubtful receivables. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on specifically identified amounts that the Partnership believes to be uncollectible. An additional allowance is recorded based on certain percentages of aged receivables, which are determined based on management's assessment of the general financial conditions affecting the Partnership's customer base. If actual collection experience changes, revisions to the allowance may be required. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recorded when received. During the years ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no significant accounts receivable bad debt expenses, write-offs or recoveries.
Inventory
Inventory is carried at the lower of cost or market determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Costs include raw materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead. Market is based on current replacement cost for raw materials and stores inventory, and finished goods is based on net realizable value.
• | Raw material inventory includes material and natural resources being used in the mining and refining process. |
• | Finished goods inventory is the finished product soda ash. |
• | Stores inventory includes materials and supplies currently available for future use. |
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of depreciable assets, principally using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives applied to depreciable assets are as follows:
Useful Lives | ||
Land and land improvements | 10 years | |
Depletable land | 15-60 years | |
Buildings and building improvements | 10-30 years | |
Internal-use computer software | 3-5 years | |
Machinery and equipment | 5-20 years | |
When property, plant, and equipment are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations for the year.
The Partnership's policy is to evaluate property, plant, and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. An indicator of potential impairment would include situations when the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value. The amount of any impairment then recognized would be calculated as the difference between estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Partnership may enter into derivative contracts from time to time to manage exposure to the risk of exchange rate changes on its foreign currency transactions, the risk of changes in natural gas prices, and the risk of the variability in interest rates on borrowings. Gains and losses on derivative contracts are reported as a component of the underlying transactions. The Partnership follows hedge accounting for its hedging activities. All derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at their fair values. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. The Partnership designates its derivatives based upon criteria established for hedge accounting under generally accepted accounting principles. For a derivative designated as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change together with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributed to the risk being hedged. For a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings. Any significant
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ineffective portion of the gain or loss is reported in earnings immediately. For derivatives not designated as hedges, the gain or loss is reported in earnings in the period of change.
Income Tax
We are organized as a pass-through entity for federal income tax purposes. As a result, our partners are responsible for federal income taxes based on their respective share of taxable income. Net income for financial statement purposes may differ significantly from taxable income reportable to unitholders as a result of differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities and the taxable income allocation requirements under the partnership agreement.
The Partnership is a limited partnership and generally is not subject to federal or certain state income taxes. The Predecessor was subject to income tax and was included in the consolidated income tax returns of OCI Enterprises. Income taxes were allocated to the Predecessor based on separate-company computations of income or loss. The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 are those of the Predecessor. For the year ended December 31, 2013, included in income tax expense is the expense of the Predecessor through September 17, 2013.
Reclamation Costs
The Partnership is obligated to return the land beneath its refinery and tailings ponds to its natural condition upon completion of operations and is required to return the land beneath its rail yard to its natural condition upon termination of the various lease agreements.
The Partnership accounts for its land reclamation liability as an asset retirement obligation, which requires that obligations associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset be recorded as a liability when those obligations are incurred, with the amount of the liability initially measured at fair value. Upon initially recognizing a liability for an asset retirement obligation, an entity must capitalize the cost by recognizing an increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, an entity either settles the obligation for its recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss upon settlement.
The estimated original liability calculated in 1996 for the refinery and tailing ponds was calculated based on the estimated useful life of the mine, which was 80 years, and on external and internal estimates as to the cost to restore the land in the future and state regulatory requirements. As a result of a revised mine reserve study, effective January 1, 2015, the mining reserve will be amortized over a remaining life of 68 years. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the remaining life was 66, 67 and 69, respectively. The liability was discounted using credit-adjusted risk-free rates of 7% and is being accreted throughout the estimated life of the related assets to equal the total estimated costs with a corresponding entry being recorded to interest expense.
During 2011, the Partnership constructed a rail yard to facilitate loading and switching of rail cars. The Partnership is required to restore the land on which the rail yard is constructed to its natural conditions. The estimated liability for restoring the rail yard to its natural condition is calculated based on the land lease life of 30 years and on external and internal estimates as to the cost to restore the land in the future. The liability is discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate of 4.25% and is being accreted throughout the estimated life of the related assets to equal the total estimated costs with a corresponding entry being recorded to interest expense.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is determined using a valuation hierarchy, generally by reference to an active trading market, quoted market prices or model-derived valuations for the same or similar financial instruments. See Note 16, "Fair Value Measurements," for more information.
Equity-Based Compensation
We recognize compensation expense related to equity-based awards, with service conditions, granted to employees based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the date of grant, net of estimated forfeitures. The grant date fair value of the equity-based awards is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective awards. Equity-based awards with market conditions are fair valued using a Monte Carlo Simulation model. See Note 11, "Equity-Based Compensation - TR Performance Unit Awards," for additional information.
Subsequent Events
We have evaluated subsequent events through the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) that requires companies to recognize revenue when a customer obtains control
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rather than when companies have transferred substantially all risks and rewards of a good or service. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016 and interim periods therein and requires expanded disclosures. We are currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. The new guidance requires that share-based compensation that require a specific performance target to be achieved in order for employees to become eligible to vest in the awards and that could be achieved after an employee completes the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation costs should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Entities may apply the amendments in this Update either (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The adoption of ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
3. NET INCOME PER UNIT AND CASH DISTRIBUTION
Net income per unit applicable to limited partners (including subordinated unitholders) is computed by dividing limited partners’ interest in net income attributable to OCIR after deducting the general partner's interest and any incentive distributions, by the weighted average number of outstanding common and subordinated units. Our net income is allocated to the general partner and limited partners in accordance with their respective partnership percentages, after giving effect to priority income allocations for incentive distributions, if any, to our general partner, pursuant to our partnership agreement. Earnings in excess of distributions are allocated to the general partner and limited partners based on their respective ownership interests. Payments made to our unitholders are determined in relation to actual distributions declared and are not based on the net income allocations used in the calculation of net income per unit.
In addition to the common and subordinated units, we have also identified the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights ("IDRs") as participating securities and use the two-class method when calculating the net income per unit applicable to limited partners, which is based on the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period. Basic and diluted net income per unit applicable to limited partners are the same because our dilutive and anti-dilutive units outstanding were immaterial for the period.
Allocation of Net Income
The calculation of net income per unit is as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
($ and unit data in millions, except per unit data) | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Net income attributable to OCI Resources LP (1) | $ | 44.5 | $ | 13.0 | ||||
Less: General partner's interest in net income | 0.8 | 0.2 | ||||||
Limited partners' interest in net income | $ | 43.7 | $ | 12.8 | ||||
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding: | ||||||||
Common - Public and OCI Holdings (basic and diluted) | 9.8 | 9.8 | ||||||
Subordinated - OCI Holdings (basic and diluted) | 9.8 | 9.8 | ||||||
Net income per limited partner unit (1): | ||||||||
Common - Public and OCI Holdings (basic and diluted) | $ | 2.23 | $ | 0.65 | ||||
Subordinated - OCI Holdings (basic and diluted) | $ | 2.23 | $ | 0.65 | ||||
(1) Net income attributable to OCI Resources LP and net income per limited partner unit, for year ended December 31, 2013, is subsequent to initial public offering.
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The calculation of limited partners' interest in net income is as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | |||||||
($ in millions, except per unit data) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Net income attributable to common unitholders (1): | |||||||
Distributions (2) | $ | 20.2 | $ | 5.6 | |||
Undistributed earnings | 1.7 | 0.8 | |||||
Common unitholders' interest in net income (1) | $ | 21.9 | $ | 6.4 | |||
Net income attributable to subordinated unitholders (1): | |||||||
Distributions (2) | $ | 20.1 | $ | 5.6 | |||
Undistributed earnings | 1.7 | 0.8 | |||||
Subordinated unitholders' interest in net income (1) | $ | 21.8 | $ | 6.4 | |||
(1) Net income and interest attributable to common and subordinated unitholders, for year ended December 31, 2013, is subsequent to initial public offering. | |||||||
(2) Distributions declared per unit for the period | |||||||
Quarterly Distribution
On January 16, 2015, the Partnership declared its fourth quarter 2014 quarterly distribution. The quarterly cash distribution of $0.5315 per unit was paid on February 13, 2015 to unitholders of record on January 30, 2015.
Our general partner has considerable discretion in determining the amount of available cash, the amount of distributions and the decision to make any distribution. Although our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash quarterly, there is no guarantee that we will make quarterly cash distributions to our unitholders at our current quarterly distribution level, at the minimum quarterly distribution level or at any other rate, and we have no legal obligation to do so. However, our partnership agreement does contain provisions intended to motivate our general partner to make steady, increasing and sustainable distributions over time.
Distributions from Operating Surplus During the Subordination Period
If we make a distribution from operating surplus for any quarter during the subordination period (beginning on September 18, 2013 and expiring on the first business day after the distribution to unitholders in respect of any quarter, beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 2016), our partnership agreement requires that we make the distribution in the following manner:
• | first, 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each common unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; |
• | second, 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units with respect to any prior quarters; |
• | third, 98.0% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each subordinated unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and |
• | thereafter, in the manner described in - "General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights" below. |
General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights
Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner initially will be entitled to 2.0% of all distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute up to a proportionate amount of capital to us in order to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest if we issue additional units. Our general partner's approximate 2.0% interest, and the percentage of our cash distributions to which our general partner is entitled from such approximate 2.0% interest, will be proportionately reduced if we issue additional units in the future (other than (1) the issuance of common units upon conversion of outstanding subordinated units or (2) the issuance of common units upon a reset of the IDRs), and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us in order to maintain its approximate 2.0% general partner interest. Our partnership agreement does not require that our general partner fund its capital contribution with cash. It may, instead, fund its capital contribution by contributing to us common units or other property.
IDRs represent the right to receive increasing percentages (13.0%, 23.0% and 48.0%) of quarterly distributions from operating surplus after we have achieved the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels. Our general partner
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currently holds the IDRs, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to certain restrictions in our partnership agreement.
Percentage Allocations of Distributions from Operating Surplus
The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of distributions from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner based on the specified target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under the column heading "Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions" are the percentage interests of our general partner and the unitholders in any distributions from operating surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column "Total Quarterly Distribution per Unit Target Amount." The percentage interests shown for our unitholders and our general partner for the minimum quarterly distribution also apply to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests set forth below for our general partner (1) include a 2.0% general partner interest, (2) assume that our general partner has contributed any additional capital necessary to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest, (3) assume that our general partner has not transferred its incentive distribution rights and (4) assume there are no arrearages on common units.
Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions | |||||||
Total Quarterly Distribution per Unit Target Amount | Unitholders | General Partner | |||||
Minimum Quarterly Distribution | $0.5000 | 98.0 | % | 2.0 | % | ||
First Target Distribution | above $0.5000 up to $0.5750 | 98.0 | % | 2.0 | % | ||
Second Target Distribution | above $0.5750 up to $0.6250 | 85.0 | % | 15.0 | % | ||
Third Target Distribution | above $0.6250 up to $0.7500 | 75.0 | % | 25.0 | % | ||
Thereafter | above $0.7500 | 50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||
4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
Accounts receivable, net as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consists of the following:
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Trade receivables | $ | 24.7 | $ | 23.9 | |||
Other receivables | 10.9 | 10.5 | |||||
35.6 | 34.4 | ||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | (0.1 | ) | — | ||||
Total | $ | 35.5 | $ | 34.4 | |||
5. INVENTORY
Inventory as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consists of the following:
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Raw materials | $ | 6.4 | $ | 5.7 | |||
Finished goods | 10.4 | 10.5 | |||||
Stores inventory | 26.4 | 25.5 | |||||
Total | $ | 43.2 | $ | 41.7 | |||
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6. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant, and equipment, net as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consists of the following:
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Land and land improvements | $ | 0.3 | $ | 0.3 | |||
Depletable land | 3.0 | 2.0 | |||||
Buildings and building improvements | 129.5 | 128.9 | |||||
Internal-use computer software | 4.5 | 4.1 | |||||
Machinery and equipment | 595.5 | 594.6 | |||||
Mining reserves | 65.3 | 65.2 | |||||
Total | 798.1 | 795.1 | |||||
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization | (586.2 | ) | (580.0 | ) | |||
Total net book value | 211.9 | 215.1 | |||||
Construction in progress | 33.1 | 22.9 | |||||
Total property, plant, and equipment, net | $ | 245.0 | $ | 238.0 | |||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense on property, plant, and equipment was $22.4 million, $23.9 million and $23.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
7. ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consists of the following:
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Accrued freight costs | $ | 1.4 | $ | 0.5 | |||
Accrued energy costs | 5.7 | 6.1 | |||||
Accrued royalty costs | 4.4 | 4.0 | |||||
Accrued employee compensation | 6.8 | 5.2 | |||||
Accrued other taxes | 4.7 | 4.3 | |||||
Accrued derivatives | 0.7 | 1.1 | |||||
Other accruals | 5.8 | 5.2 | |||||
Total | $ | 29.5 | $ | 26.4 | |||
8. DEBT
Long-term debt as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consists of the following:
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Variable Rate Demand Revenue Bonds, principal due October 1, 2018, interest payable monthly, bearing monthly interest rate of 0.14% (2014) and 0.16% (2013) | $ | 11.4 | $ | 11.4 | |||
Variable Rate Demand Revenue Bonds, principal due August 1, 2017, interest payable monthly, bearing monthly interest rate of 0.14% (2014) and 0.16% (2013) | 8.6 | 8.6 | |||||
OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, unsecured principal expiring on July 18, 2018, interest payable quarterly, bearing quarterly variable interest at 1.9781% (2014) and 1.996% (2013) | 125.0 | 135.0 | |||||
Total debt | 145.0 | $ | 155.0 | ||||
Current portion of long-term debt | — | — | |||||
Total long-term debt | $ | 145.0 | $ | 155.0 | |||
Aggregate maturities required on long-term debt at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
2017 | 8.6 | ||
2018 | $ | 136.4 | |
Total | $ | 145.0 | |
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Demand Revenue Bonds
The above revenue bonds require OCI Wyoming to maintain standby letters of credit totaling $20.3 million at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. These letters of credit require compliance with certain covenants, including minimum net worth, maximum debt to net worth, and interest coverage ratios. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, OCI Wyoming was in compliance with these debt covenants.
OCI Wyoming Credit Facility
On July 18, 2013, OCI Wyoming entered into a $190.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility, as amended on October 30, 2014 (as amended, the "OCI Wyoming Credit Facility"), with a syndicate of lenders, which will mature on the fifth anniversary of the closing date of such credit facility. The OCI Wyoming Credit Facility provides for revolving loans to fund working capital requirements, capital expenditures, to consummate permitted acquisitions and for all other lawful partnership purposes. The OCI Wyoming Credit Facility has an accordion feature that allows OCI Wyoming to increase the available revolving borrowings under the facility by up to an additional $75.0 million, subject to OCI Wyoming receiving increased commitments from existing lenders or new commitments from new lenders and the satisfaction of certain other conditions. In addition, the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility includes a sublimit up to $20.0 million for same-day swing line advances and a sublimit up to $40.0 million for letters of credit. OCI Wyoming's obligations under the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility are unsecured.
The OCI Wyoming Credit Facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions that limit (subject to certain exceptions) OCI Wyoming's ability to:
• | make distributions on or redeem or repurchase units; |
• | incur or guarantee additional debt; |
• | make certain investments and acquisitions; |
• | incur certain liens or permit them to exist; |
• | enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates of OCI Wyoming; |
• | merge or consolidate with another company; and |
• | transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of assets. |
The OCI Wyoming Credit Facility also requires quarterly maintenance of a consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility) of not more than 3.00 to 1.00 and a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility) of not less than 1.10 to 1.00 for the 2014 and 2015 fiscal years, respectively, and not less than 1.15 to 1.00 thereafter. The OCI Wyoming Credit Facility also requires that consolidated capital expenditures, as defined in the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, not exceed $50 million in any fiscal year.
In addition, the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility contains events of default customary for transactions of this nature, including (i) failure to make payments required under the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, (ii) events of default resulting from failure to comply with covenants and financial ratios in the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, (iii) the occurrence of a change of control, (iv) the institution of insolvency or similar proceedings against OCI Wyoming and (v) the occurrence of a default under any other material indebtedness OCI Wyoming may have. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default, subject to the terms and conditions of the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, the lenders may terminate all outstanding commitments under the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility and may declare any outstanding principal of the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility debt, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable.
Under the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility, a change of control is triggered if OCI Chemical and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, cease to own all of the equity interests, or cease to have the ability to elect a majority of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of OCI GP (or any entity that performs the functions of our general partner). In addition, a change of control would be triggered if we cease to own at least 50.1% of the economic interests in OCI Wyoming or cease to have the ability to elect a majority of the members of OCI Wyoming's board of managers.
OCI Wyoming was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions under its long-term debt agreements as of December 31, 2014.
Loans under the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility bear interest at OCI Wyoming's option at either:
• | a Base Rate, which equals the highest of (i) the federal funds rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%, (ii) the administrative agent's prime rate in effect on such day and (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, in each case, plus an applicable margin; or |
• | a LIBOR Rate plus an applicable margin. |
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The unused portion of the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility is subject to an unused line fee ranging from 0.275% to 0.350% per annum based on OCI Wyoming's then current consolidated leverage ratio.
Revolving Credit Facility
On July 18, 2013, OCIR entered into a $10.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, as amended on October 30, 2014 (as amended, the "Revolving Credit Facility"), with a syndicate of lenders, which will mature on the fifth anniversary of the closing date of such credit facility. The Revolving Credit Facility provides for revolving loans to be available to fund distributions on OCIR's units and working capital requirements and capital expenditures, to consummate permitted acquisitions and for all other lawful partnership purposes. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, OCIR had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility includes a sublimit up to $5.0 million for same-day swing line advances and a sublimit up to $5.0 million for letters of credit. OCIR's obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by each of OCIR's material domestic subsidiaries other than OCI Wyoming, and to the extent no material adverse tax consequences would result, foreign wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, OCIR's obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a pledge of substantially all of OCIR's assets (subject to certain exceptions), including the membership interests held in OCI Wyoming by us.
The Revolving Credit Facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions that limit (subject to certain exceptions) our ability to (and the ability of our subsidiaries, including without limitation, OCI Wyoming to):
• make distributions on or redeem or repurchase units;
• incur or guarantee additional debt;
• make certain investments and acquisitions;
• incur certain liens or permit them to exist;
• enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates;
• merge or consolidate with another company; and
• transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of assets.
The Revolving Credit Facility also requires quarterly maintenance of a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) of not less than 1.05 to 1.00 for the 2014 fiscal year and the 2015 fiscal year, and not less than 1.10 to 1.00 thereafter. The Revolving Credit Facility also requires that consolidated capital expenditures, as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility, not exceed $50 million in any fiscal year.
In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility contains events of default customary for transactions of this nature, including (i) failure to make payments required under the Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) events of default resulting from failure to comply with covenants and financial ratios, (iii) the occurrence of a change of control, (iv) the institution of insolvency or similar proceedings against OCIR or OCIR's material subsidiaries and (v) the occurrence of a default under any other material indebtedness OCIR (or any of OCIR's subsidiaries) may have, including the OCI Wyoming Credit Facility. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default, subject to the terms and conditions of the Revolving Credit Facility, the lenders may terminate all outstanding commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility and may declare any outstanding principal of the Revolving Credit Facility debt, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable.
Under the Revolving Credit Facility, a change of control is triggered if OCI Chemical and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, cease to own all of the equity interests, or cease to have the ability to elect a majority of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of, OCI Holdings or OCI GP (or any entity that performs the functions of OCIR's general partner). In addition, a change of control would be triggered if OCIR ceases to own at least 50.1% of the economic interests in OCI Wyoming or ceases to have the ability to elect a majority of the members of OCI Wyoming's board of managers.
The Partnership was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions under its long-term debt agreements as of December 31, 2014.
Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at our option at either:
• | a Base Rate, which equals the highest of (i) the federal funds rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%, (ii) the administrative agent's prime rate in effect on such day and (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, in each case, plus an applicable margin; or |
• | a LIBOR Rate plus an applicable margin. |
The unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to an unused line fee ranging from 0.275% to 0.350% based on our then current consolidated leverage ratio.
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9. OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other non-current liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 consists of the following:
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Reclamation reserve balance at beginning of year | $ | 3.8 | $ | 3.6 | |||
Accretion expense | 0.4 | 0.2 | |||||
Reclamation reserve balance at end of year | $ | 4.2 | $ | 3.8 | |||
10. EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
The Partnership participates in various benefit plans offered and administered by OCI Enterprises and is allocated its portions of the annual costs related thereto. The specific plans are as follows:
Retirement Plans - Benefits provided under the OCI Enterprises' Pension Plan for Salaried Employees and OCI Enterprises' Pension Plan for Hourly Employees are based upon years of service and average compensation for the highest 60 consecutive months of the employee's last 120 months of service, as defined. Each plan covers substantially all full-time employees hired before May 1, 2001. OCI Enterprises’ funding policy is to contribute an amount within the range of the minimum required and the maximum tax-deductible contribution. The Partnership's allocated portion of OCI Enterprises’ net periodic pension cost was $3.1 million, $8.4 million and $9.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in pension costs was driven by favorable effects of higher actuarial discount rates and market returns. These pension expenses will revert back to 2013 levels during 2015.
Savings Plan - The OCI Enterprises' 401(k) Retirement Plan covers all eligible hourly and salaried employees. Eligibility is limited to all domestic residents and any foreign expatriates who are in the United States indefinitely. The plan permits employees to contribute specified percentages of their compensation, while the Partnership makes contributions based upon specified percentages of employee contributions. The Plan was amended such that participants hired on or subsequent to May 1, 2001, will receive an additional contribution from the Partnership based on a percentage of the participant’s base pay. Contributions made by OCI Enterprises for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $2.4 million, $2.8 million and $2.4 million, respectively.
Postretirement Benefits - Most of the Partnership's employees are eligible for postretirement benefits other than pensions if they reach retirement age while still employed.
OCI Enterprises accounts for postretirement benefits on an accrual basis over an employee’s period of service. The postretirement plan, excluding pensions, are not funded, and OCI Enterprises has the right to modify or terminate the plan. OCI Enterprises' post-retirement benefits had a benefits obligation of $22.8 million and $21.0 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Effective January 1, 2013, the postretirement benefits for non-grandfathered retirees were amended to replace the medical coverage for post-65-year-old members with a fixed dollar contribution amount. As a result of the amendment, the accumulated and projected benefit obligation for postretirement benefits decreased by $8.7 million and resulted in a prior service credit of $7.7 million which will be recognized as a reduction of net periodic postretirement benefit costs in future years. The Partnership’s allocated portion of postretirement benefit costs were income of $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively; and expense of $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
11. EQUITY - BASED COMPENSATION
In July 2013, our general partner established the OCI Resource Partners LLC 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan" or "LTIP"). The Plan is intended to provide incentives that will attract and retain valued employees, officers, consultants and non-employee directors by offering them a greater stake in our success and a closer identity with us, and to encourage ownership of our common units by such individuals. The Plan provides for awards in the form of common units, phantom units, distribution equivalent rights ("DERs"), cash awards and other unit-based awards.
All employees, officers, consultants and non-employee directors of us and our parents and subsidiaries are eligible to be selected to participate in the Plan. As of December 31, 2014, subject to further adjustment as provided in the Plan, a total of 928,099 common units were available for awards under the Plan. Any common units tendered by a participant in payment of the tax liability with respect to an award, including common units withheld from any such award, will not be available for future awards under the Plan. Common units awarded under the Plan may be reserved or made available from our authorized and unissued common units or from common units reacquired (through open market transactions or otherwise). Any common units issued under the Plan through the assumption or substitution of outstanding grants from an acquired company will not reduce the number of common units available for awards under the Plan. If any common units subject to an award under the Plan are forfeited, any common units counted against the number of common units available for issuance pursuant to the Plan with respect to such award will again be available for awards under the Plan.
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Non-employee Director Awards
As of December 31, 2014, a total of 7,941 common units were granted to non-employee directors and were fully vested. The total fair value of these awards was approximately $0.2 million at the date of grant during the year ended December 31, 2014.
Restricted Unit Awards
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we granted restricted unit awards in the form of common units to certain of our executive officers which vest over a specified period of time, usually between one to three years, with vesting based on continued employment as of each applicable vesting date. Award recipients are entitled to distributions subject to the same restrictions as the underlying common unit. The awards are classified as equity awards, and are accounted for at fair value at grant date.
The following table presents a summary of activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Restricted Stock Units | ||||||
(Units in whole numbers) | Number of Units | Grant-Date Average Fair Value per Unit (1) | ||||
Nonvested at December 31, 2013 | — | $ | — | |||
Granted (2) | 19,960 | 25.01 | ||||
Vested | (4,101 | ) | 25.54 | |||
Nonvested at December 31, 2014 | 15,859 | $ | 25.23 | |||
(1) Determined by dividing the aggregate grate date fair value of awards by the number of awards issued.
(2) The aggregate grant date fair value of time-based awards issued during 2014 was $0.5 million based on a grant date market price of our common units ranging from $24.16 to $25.54 per unit. No estimated forfeiture rate was applied to the awards as of December 31, 2014, as all awards granted are expected to vest.
TR Performance Unit Awards
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we granted time restricted unit performance awards ("TR Performance Unit Awards") to certain of our executive officers. The TR Performance Unit awards represent the right to receive a number of common units at a future date based on the achievement of market-based performance requirements in accordance with the TR Unit Performance Award agreement, and also include Distribution Equivalent Rights (“DERs”). DERs are the right to receive an amount equal to the accumulated cash distributions made during the period with respect to each common unit issued upon vesting. The TR Performance Unit Awards vest at the end of the performance period, usually between two to three years from the date of the grant. The DERs are forfeitable and vest with the TR Performance Unit Awards. Performance is measured on the achievement of a specified level of total return, or TR, relative to the TR of a peer group comprised of other limited partnerships. The potential payout ranges from 0-200% of the grant target quantity and is adjusted based on our TR performance relative to the peer group
We utilized a Monte Carlo Simulation model to estimate the grant date fair value of TR Performance Unit Awards, with market conditions, granted to employees, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected volatility and expected distribution yield. Historical and implied volatilities were used in estimating the fair value of these awards.
The following table presents a summary of activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
TR Unit Performance Awards | ||||||
(Units in whole numbers) | Number of Units | Grant-Date Average Fair Value per Unit (1) | ||||
Nonvested at December 31, 2013 | — | $ | — | |||
Granted | 7,658 | 35.72 | ||||
Nonvested at December 31, 2014 | 7,658 | $ | 35.72 | |||
(1) Determined by dividing the aggregate grant date fair value of awards by the number of awards issued.
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Unrecognized Compensation Expense
A summary of the Partnership's unrecognized compensation expense for its non-vested restricted time and performance based units, and the weighted-average periods over which the compensation expense is expected to be recognized are as following:
Year Ended December 31, 2014 | |||||
Unrecognized Compensation Expense (In millions) | Weighted Average to be Recognized (In years) | ||||
Time-based units | $ | 0.3 | 1.85 | ||
Performance-based units | 0.2 | 2.00 | |||
Total | $ | 0.5 | |||
12. INCOME TAXES
The Partnership is a limited partnership and generally is not subject to federal or certain state income taxes. As a result, the Partnership has not recognized income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The Predecessor was subject to income tax and was included in the consolidated income tax returns of OCI Enterprises. Income taxes were allocated to the Predecessor based on separate-company computations of income or loss. The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 are those of the Predecessor. For the year ended December 31, 2013, included in income tax expense is the expense of the Predecessor through September 17, 2013.
The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 includes the following:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
(Predecessor) | ||||||||
Current | $ | 6.8 | $ | 16.6 | ||||
Deferred | 0.3 | (0.2 | ) | |||||
Total provision for income tax | $ | 7.1 | $ | 16.4 | ||||
The effective tax rate (excluding net income attributable to non-controlling interest) for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 includes the following:
2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||
(Predecessor) | ||||||||||||||
Amount | Rate Effect | Amount | Rate Effect | |||||||||||
Income tax provision at federal statutory rate | $ | 7.1 | 35.00 | % | $ | 18.3 | 35.00 | % | ||||||
State and local income taxes net of federal tax benefit | 0.5 | 2.36 | % | 0.1 | 0.24 | % | ||||||||
Permanent domestic production activity deduction | (0.4 | ) | (2.06 | )% | (2.1 | ) | (4.01 | )% | ||||||
Other | (0.1 | ) | (0.27 | )% | 0.1 | 0.23 | % | |||||||
Total provision for income tax | $ | 7.1 | 35.03 | % | $ | 16.4 | 31.46 | % | ||||||
The effective tax rate excludes income taxes on income attributable to non-controlling interest shareholders because the results of OCI Wyoming LLC's operations are taxed to its owners as a partnership for U.S. income tax purposes.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Lease Commitments
OCI Chemical, on behalf of the Partnership, typically enters into operating lease contracts with various lessors for railcars to transport product to customer locations and warehouses. Rail car leases under these contractual commitments range for periods from 1 to 10 years.
The Partnership leases mineral rights from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the state of Wyoming, Rock Springs Royalty Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko, and other private parties. All of these leases provide for royalties based upon production volume. The remaining leases provide for minimum lease payments as detailed in the table below. The Partnership has a perpetual right of first refusal with respect to these leases and intends to continue renewing the leases as has been its practice.
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The Partnership entered into a 10 year rail yard switching and maintenance agreement with a third party, Watco Companies, LLC ("Watco"), on December 1, 2011. Under the agreement, Watco provides rail-switching services at the Partnership’s rail yard. The Partnership’s rail yard is constructed on land leased by Watco from Rock Springs Grazing Association and on land by which Watco holds an easement from Anadarko Land Corp; the Rock Springs Grazing Association land lease is renewable every 5 years for a total period of 30 years, while the Anadarko Land Corp. easement lease is perpetual. The Partnership has an option agreement with Watco to assign these leases to the Partnership at any time during the land lease term. An annual rental of $15 thousand is paid under the easement and an annual rental of $60 thousand is paid under the lease.
The Partnership entered into a 10 year track lease agreement with Union Pacific for certain rail tracks used in connection with the rail yard.
OCI Chemical, on behalf of the Partnership, typically enters into operating lease contracts with various lessors for railcars to transport product to customer locations and warehouses. Rail car leases under these contractual commitments range for periods from 1 to 10 years. OCI Chemical's obligation related to these rail car leases are $9.7 million in 2015, $7.1 million in 2016, $5.7 million in 2017, $4.4 million in 2018, $3.6 million in 2019 and $4.2 million in 2020 and thereafter.
As of December 31, 2014, the total minimum contractual rental commitments under the Partnership's various operating leases, including renewal periods, are as follows:
($ in millions) | Leased Land | Track Lease | Total Minimum Lease Payments | ||||||||
2015 | $ | 0.1 | $ | — | $ | 0.1 | |||||
2016 | 0.1 | — | 0.1 | ||||||||
2017 | 0.1 | — | 0.1 | ||||||||
2018 | 0.1 | — | 0.1 | ||||||||
2019 | 0.1 | — | 0.1 | ||||||||
Thereafter | 1.5 | 0.2 | 1.7 | ||||||||
Total | $ | 2.0 | $ | 0.2 | $ | 2.2 | |||||
Purchase Commitments
We have natural gas supply contracts to mitigate volatility in the gas price. As of December 31, 2014, these contracts total $66.1 million for the purchase of a portion of our gas requirement over approximately the next five years. The supply purchase agreements have specific commitments of $22.4 million in 2015, $16.1 million in 2016, $13.3 million in 2017, $8.0 million in 2018 and $6.3 million in 2019. We have a separate contract for transportation of gas with average annual cost of approximately $3.6 million per year and the contract runs through 2021.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Partnership has various litigation, claims, and assessments that arise in the normal course of business. Management does not believe, based upon its evaluation and discussion with counsel, that the ultimate outcome of any current matters, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material effect on the Partnership's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have a self-bond agreement with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality under which we commit to pay directly for reclamation costs. As of December 31, 2014, the amount of the bond was $33.9 million (December 31, 2013: $27.1 million), which is the amount we would need to pay the State of Wyoming for reclamation costs if we cease mining operations currently. The amount of this self-bond is subject to change upon periodic re-evaluation by the Land Quality Division.
14. AGREEMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
OCI Chemical is the exclusive sales agent for the Partnership and through its membership in ANSAC, OCI Chemical is responsible for promoting and increasing the use and sale of soda ash and other refined or processed sodium products produced. All actual sales and marketing costs incurred by OCI Chemical are charged directly to the Partnership. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include amounts charged to the Partnership by OCI Enterprises and OCI Chemical principally consisting of salaries, benefits, office supplies, professional fees, travel, rent and other costs of certain assets used by the Partnership. These transactions do not necessarily represent arm's length transactions and may not represent all costs if the Partnership operated on a stand alone basis.
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The total costs charged to the Partnership by OCI Enterprises and OCI Chemical, including ANSAC related charge for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||
OCI Enterprises | $ | 10.7 | $ | 5.5 | $ | 4.0 | |||||
OCI Chemical | 3.4 | 4.4 | 5.2 | ||||||||
ANSAC | 2.9 | 2.6 | 1.9 | ||||||||
Total selling, general and administrative expenses - Affiliates | $ | 17.0 | $ | 12.5 | $ | 11.1 | |||||
(1) ANSAC allocates its expenses to ANSAC’s members using a pro rata calculation based on sales.
Cost of products sold includes logistics services charged by ANSAC. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 these costs were $9.2 million, $6.7 million and $5.8 million, respectively.
Net sales to affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
ANSAC | $ | 230.8 | $ | 200.4 | $ | 229.5 | ||||||
OCI Alabama LLC | 5.9 | 7.3 | 7.4 | |||||||||
OCI Company Limited | — | 3.9 | — | |||||||||
Total | $ | 236.7 | $ | 211.6 | $ | 236.9 | ||||||
As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Partnership had receivables and payables representing arm's length transactions with affiliated entities, as follows:
As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||
Receivables from affiliates | Payables to affiliates | ||||||||||||||
OCI Enterprises | $ | 1.7 | $ | 0.1 | $ | 4.5 | $ | 2.2 | |||||||
OCI Chemical | 8.7 | 10.5 | 1.4 | — | |||||||||||
OCI Chemical Europe NV | 9.2 | 7.8 | — | — | |||||||||||
OCI Company Limited | — | 1.9 | — | — | |||||||||||
Other | — | 0.1 | 1.2 | 0.1 | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 19.6 | $ | 20.4 | $ | 7.1 | $ | 2.3 | |||||||
15. MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND SEGMENT REPORTING
Our operations are similar in nature of products we provide and type of customers we serve. As the Partnership earns substantially all of its revenues through the sale of soda ash mined at a single location, we have concluded that we have one operating segment for reporting purposes. The net sales by geographic area for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
($ in millions) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||
Domestic | $ | 194.8 | $ | 195.1 | $ | 199.4 | ||||||
International | ||||||||||||
ANSAC | 230.8 | 200.4 | 229.5 | |||||||||
Other | 39.4 | 46.6 | 33.7 | |||||||||
Total international | 270.2 | 247.0 | 263.2 | |||||||||
Total net sales | $ | 465.0 | $ | 442.1 | $ | 462.6 | ||||||
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The Partnership's largest customer by sales is ANSAC. For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no other customers who individually accounted for ten percent or more of total revenues.
16. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Partnership measures certain financial and non-financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Fair value disclosures are reflected in a three-level hierarchy, maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs.
A three-level valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability on the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:
Ÿ | Level 1-inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for an identical asset or liability in an active market. |
Ÿ | Level 2-inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for a similar asset or liability in an active market or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. |
Ÿ | Level 3-inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. |
Financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair value because of the nature of such instruments. Our interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts are fair valued with Level 2 inputs based on quoted market values for similar but not identical financial instruments.
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
We have entered into interest rate swaps designed to hedge our exposure to possible increases in interest rates. These contracts are for periods consistent with the exposure being hedged and generally will mature on July 18, 2018, the maturity date of the long-term debt under our Wyoming Credit Facility. These contracts had an aggregate notional value $76.0 million and $0.7 million fair value liability as of December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: notional value of $101.5 million; fair value liability of $0.5 million)
We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge certain firm commitments denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. However, the Partnership does not apply hedge accounting for these contracts. These contracts are for periods consistent with the exposure being hedged and generally have maturities of one year or less. The fair value of forward contracts, which are predominantly used to purchase U.S. dollars and sell Euros, totaled an asset of $0.6 million and a liability of $0.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These currency hedges have a notional value of $6.9 million and $26.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Financial Assets and Liabilities not Measured at Fair Value
The fair value of our long-term debt is based on present rates for indebtedness with similar amounts, durations and credit risks. See Note 8 "Debt" for additional information on our debt arrangements.
17. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Distribution Declaration
On January 15, 2015, the members of the Board of Managers of OCI Wyoming LLC, approved and paid a cash distribution to the members in the aggregate amount of $22.0 million. The distribution was paid on January 16, 2015.
On January 16, 2015, the Partnership declared its fourth quarter 2014 quarterly distribution. The quarterly cash distribution of $0.5315 per unit was paid on February 13, 2015 to unitholders of record on January 30, 2015.
In February 2015, the Company entered into a natural gas forward contract with a notional value of approximately $17.6 million and maturity dates ranging from 2015 to 2020, to mitigate volatility in the gas prices. The maturity of the notional value is $0.9 million in 2015, $2.9 million in 2016, $3.2 million in 2017, $3.4 million in 2018, $3.5 million in 2019 and $3.7 million in 2020.
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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
Based on an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Partnership’s management, the Partnership’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act were effective as of December 31, 2014 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Partnership in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Partnership’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Partnership's internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of fiscal year December 31, 2014, which were identified in connection with management’s evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The report of management required under this Item 9A is contained in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
Our independent registered public accounting firm is not yet required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, and will not be required to do so for as long as we are an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the provisions of the JOBS Act of 2012.
Item 9B. Other Information
Not applicable
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Our general partner manages our operations and activities on our behalf through its directors and officers. OCI Holdings, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of OCI Enterprises, owns all of the membership interests in our general partner and has the right to appoint the entire board of directors of our general partner, including our independent directors. Our unitholders are not entitled to elect the directors of our general partner’s board of directors or to directly or indirectly participate in our management or operations. In addition, our general partner owes certain duties to our unitholders as well as a fiduciary duty to its owners. References to "our directors" or "our executive officers" refer to the directors or executive officers of our general partner.
The Board of Directors of Our General Partner
The board of directors of our general partner (the “Board”) oversee our operations. The Board’s directors hold office until their successors have been elected or qualified or until the earlier of their death, resignation, removal or disqualification. Executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers. The Board held nine meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
Our common units are traded on the NYSE. The NYSE does not require a listed publicly traded partnership, such as ours, to have, and we do not intend to have, a majority of independent directors on the Board or to establish a compensation committee or a nominating and corporate governance committee.
At the date of this Report, the Board consists of the following seven members: Mark J. Lee, Michael E. Ducey, Kevin L. Kremke, Kirk H. Milling, William P. O’Neill, Jr., JaeYong Yang and Angela A. Minas. The Board has determined that each of William P. O’Neill, Jr., Michael E. Ducey and Angela A. Minas qualifies as an independent director under applicable SEC rules and regulations and the rules of the NYSE. Under the NYSE's listing standards, a director will not be deemed independent unless the Board affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with us. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his background, diversity, personal characteristics, business experience and affiliations, including commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and familial relationships, the Board has determined that each of its independent directors has no material relationship with OCI Enterprises or us, either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us, and is therefore independent under the NYSE's listing standards and applicable SEC rules and regulations.
Director Experience and Qualifications
In identifying and evaluating candidates as possible director-nominees of our general partner, OCI Holdings will assess the experience and personal characteristics of the possible nominee against the following individual qualifications, which OCI Holdings may modify from time to time:
• | possesses integrity, competence, insight, creativity and dedication together with the ability to work with colleagues while challenging one another to achieve superior performance; |
•has attained prominent position in his or her field of endeavor;
•possesses broad business experience;
•has ability to exercise sound business judgment;
•is able to draw on his or her past experience relative to significant issues facing us;
•has experience in our industry or in another industry or endeavor with practical application to our needs;
• | has sufficient time and dedication for preparation as well as participation in board and committee deliberations; |
•has no conflict of interest;
•meets such standards of independence and financial knowledge as may be required or desirable; and
•possesses attributes deemed appropriate given the then current needs of the board.
Executive Officers of Our General Partner
The Board appoints all of our executive officers, all of whom are employed by OCI Enterprises and devote such portion of their productive time to our business and affairs as is required to manage and conduct our operations. Our executive officers manage the day-to-day affairs of our business and conduct our operations. We will also utilize a significant number of employees of OCI Enterprises to operate our business and provide us with general and administrative services.
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Directors, Executive Officers and Other Significant Employees of Our General Partner
The following table shows information for the current directors and executive officers of our general partner:
Name | Age | Position | |
Kirk H. Milling | 48 | Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of our General Partner | |
Kevin L. Kremke | 42 | Director, Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner | |
Nicole C. Daniel | 46 | Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of our General Partner | |
Mark J. Lee | 47 | Chairman of Board of Directors of our General Partner | |
William P. O'Neill, Jr. | 69 | Director of our General Partner | |
Angela A. Minas | 50 | Director of our General Partner | |
Michael E. Ducey | 66 | Director of our General Partner | |
JaeYong Yang | 41 | Director of our General Partner | |
Kirk H. Milling was appointed as a director and President and Chief Executive Officer of our general partner in April 2013. He has served in positions of increasing responsibility for OCI Chemical since 1999 and currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of OCI Enterprises and OCI Chemical and as Managing Director of OCI Europe. Mr. Milling has been a director of ANSAC since 2001 and served as Chairman through December 31, 2013. Mr. Milling has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. We believe that Mr. Milling's many years of senior level experience in the chemical industry provide him with a deep understanding of OCI Wyoming's industry, business needs and strategies, and qualify him to serve as a member of the board of directors of our general partner.
Kevin L. Kremke was appointed Chief Financial Officer of our general partner in June 2014 and was appointed as a director of our general partner in December 2014. Prior to joining our general partner, Mr. Kremke served as Vice President, Finance and Strategic Planning of Cheniere Energy, Inc. since August 2011. Prior to joining Cheniere, he served as Vice President, Energy Structuring and Supply with Spark Energy from December 2009 to August 2011. From 2000 to 2009, Mr. Kremke held various operations and managerial positions with Reliant Energy, Inc. and its successor NRG Energy, ultimately being promoted to serve as Vice President, Strategy and Product Structuring. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Kremke served as Director of Market Risk of NiSource Inc. Mr. Kremke earned his M.B.A. in finance and strategic management from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and earned his B.S. in marketing from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. We believe that Mr. Kremke's previous experience with public master limited partnerships and the natural resource industry, as well as his financial acumen and knowledge of business matters, provide him with the necessary skills to be a member of the board of directors of our general partner.
Nicole C. Daniel was appointed Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of our general partner in July 2013. Prior to joining our general partner, from 2002 to 2013, Ms. Daniel was with Albemarle Corporation, a specialty chemical company, most recently serving as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. Ms. Daniel received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from The College of William and Mary and a Juris Doctor from Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
Mark J. Lee was appointed as a director of our general partner in April 2013 and appointed as the Chairman of the Board in July 2013. He served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of OCI Company from September 2012 until December 2013. Prior to joining OCI Company, from August 2007 to September 2012, Mr. Lee was a partner with Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe LLP in Hong Kong. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Option Business from the University of Chicago, a Master of Business Administration from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with a concentration in Corporation Finance and a Juris Doctor from The University of Pennsylvania Law School. We believe that Mr. Lee's financial acumen and knowledge of corporate governance and business matters provide him with the necessary skills to be a member of the board of directors of our general partner.
William P. O'Neill, Jr. was elected as a director of our general partner in July 2013. He has been with International Raw Materials Ltd., or IRM, since its founding in 1979 as President. Based in Philadelphia, IRM is an international marketing company specializing in the wholesale distribution of fertilizers and industrial chemicals. Mr. O'Neill has served on the Boards of Agricultural Retailers Association, the Canadian Fertilizer Institute and The Fertilizer Institute. He is also a past Chair of the Fertilizer Industry Roundtable. He currently serves as an elected Ambassador to International Fertilizer Industry Association. Additionally, he served as an independent director and audit committee chair for Columbian Chemicals Company from 2006 through 2009. Mr. O'Neill received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1988, he returned to Wharton attending the Advanced Management Program and, in 2006, The Directors Consortium. He also is a graduate of and was an instructor for the U.S. Army Artillery Officers Candidate School. We believe
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that Mr. O'Neill's many years of senior level experience in the chemical industry and knowledge of corporate governance and business matters provide him with the necessary skills to be a member of the board of directors of our general partner.
Angela A. Minas was appointed as a director of our general partner in December 2013. Ms. Minas also currently serves on the board of directors and as chairwoman of the audit committee of CONE Midstream Partners L.P. From 2013 to 2014, Ms. Minas served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nemaha Oil and Gas, LLC, a private, exploration and production portfolio company backed by Pine Brook Road Partners, a private equity firm. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Minas served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of DCP Midstream Partners, a public master limited partnership. From 2006 to 2008, Ms. Minas served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of Constellation Energy Partners, a public master limited partnership. Ms. Minas received both a Bachelor of Arts in Managerial Studies and a Master of Business Administration from Rice University. We believe that Ms. Minas’ previous experience with public master limited partnerships and the natural resource industry, as well as her knowledge of financial statements, provide her with the necessary skills to be a member of the board of directors of our general partner.
Michael E. Ducey was appointed as a director of our general partner in September 2014. Mr. Ducey also currently serves as a director of Verso Paper Holdings, Inc., HaloSource, Inc. and Apollo Global Management, LLC, serving as the Chairman of the audit committee of Verso Paper Holdings, Inc, the Chairman of the audit committee and member of the conflicts committee of Apollo Global Management, LLC, and the Chairman of the compliance and governance committee and the nominations committee of HaloSource, Inc. Mr. Ducey was with Compass Minerals International, Inc., from March 2002 to May 2006, where he served in a variety of roles, including as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director prior to his retirement in May 2006. Prior to joining Compass Minerals International, Inc., Mr. Ducey worked for nearly 30 years at Borden Chemical, Inc., in various management, sales, marketing, planning and commercial development positions, and ultimately as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. In addition, from September 2009 to December 2012, Mr. Ducey was the non-executive Chairman of TPC Group, Inc. and served on the audit committee and the environmental health and safety committee. From June 2006 to May 2008, Mr. Ducey served on the board of directors of and as a member of the governance and compensation committee of the board of directors of UAP Holdings Corporation. Also, from July 2010 to May 2011, Mr. Ducey was a member of the board of directors and served on the audit committee of Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation. Mr. Ducey graduated from Otterbein University with a degree in Economics and an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Dayton. We believe that Mr. Ducey’s comprehensive corporate background and experience in the mining industry, and his experience serving on various boards and committees add significant value to the board of directors of our general partner.
JaeYong Yang was appointed as a director of our general partner in December 2014. Since June 2014, Mr. Yang has been the Vice President of the Strategic Planning Group for OCI Company in Seoul, Korea. From October 2013 to June 2014, Mr. Yang served as the Vice President of the Advanced Material Department for OCI Company, and from December 2010 to September 2014, Mr. Yang served as Vice President of OCI Company's carbon black business. Prior to joining OCI Company in 2006, he worked in strategic planning for Hyundai Motors Group. He began his career at Kiswire Ltd., where he served as Manager of the Strategic Planning Team. Mr. Yang is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He is also a Certified Management Accountant. We believe that Mr. Yang's background in strategic planning, financial acumen, and knowledge of business matters provide him with the necessary skills to be a member of the board of directors of our general partner.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board has established an audit committee and a conflicts committee. William P. O’Neill, Jr., Michael E. Ducey and Angela A. Minas are the members of the audit committee and William P. O'Neill, Jr. serves as chairperson. William P. O'Neill, Jr. and Angela A. Minas are the members of our conflicts committee and Angela A. Minas serves as the chairperson. The Board will determine whether to refer a matter to the conflicts committee on a case-by-case basis in accordance with our partnership agreement. We do not have a compensation committee, but rather the Board approves equity grants to and compensation of our directors, and the compensation committee of OCI Enterprises approves compensation of our officers. We do not have a nominating and corporate governance committee in view of the fact that OCI Holdings, which owns our general partner, controls appointments to the Board.
Audit Committee
We are required to have an audit committee of at least three members who meet the independence and experience standards established by the NYSE and the Exchange Act. In accordance with the rules of the NYSE, we have appointed three independent directors. The Board has determined that each director appointed to the audit committee is “financially literate,” and William P. O'Neill, Jr., who serves as chairperson of the audit committee, and Michael E. Ducey and Angela A. Minas, who are members of the audit committee, each has “accounting or related financial management expertise” and constitutes an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with SEC and NYSE rules and regulations. The audit committee operates
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pursuant to a written charter, an electronic copy of which is available on our website at www.ociresources.com under the Corporate Governance tab.
The audit committee assists the Board in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and partnership policies and controls. The audit committee operates under a written charter and has been given the sole authority to (1) retain and terminate our independent registered public accounting firm, (2) approve all auditing services and related fees and the terms thereof performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, (3) establish policies and procedures for pre-approval of all audit, non-audit and internal control related services to be rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm and (4) review and evaluate all related party transactions or dealings with parties related to us and disclosures of such transactions or dealings in our annual report on Form 10-K. 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 has been given unrestricted access to the audit committee and our management, as necessary. The audit committee met six times during the the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
Conflicts Committee
The conflicts committee will determine if the resolution of any conflict of interest between our general partner or any of its affiliates, on the one hand, and us, our partners and any of our subsidiaries, on the other hand, is in our best interest. The conflicts committee operates pursuant to a written charter, an electronic copy of which is available on our website at www.ociresouces.com under the Corporate Governance tab. The members of the conflicts committee may not be officers or employees of our general partner or directors, officers or employees of its affiliates, including OCI Holdings, may not hold an ownership interest in our general partner or its affiliates other than common units or awards under any long-term incentive plan, equity compensation plan or similar plan implemented by our general partner or the partnership and must meet the independence standards established by the NYSE and the Exchange Act to serve on an audit committee of a board of directors. Any matters approved by the conflicts committee will be conclusively deemed to be in our best interest, approved by all of our partners and not a breach by our general partner of any duties it may owe us or our unitholders. Any unitholder challenging any matter approved by the conflicts committee will have the burden of proving that the members of the conflicts committee did not believe that the matter was in the best interests of our partnership. Moreover, any acts taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the advice or opinions of experts such as legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants and investment bankers, where our general partner (or any members of the Board including any member of the conflicts committee) reasonably believes the advice or opinion to be within such person's professional or expert competence, shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith. The conflicts committee did not meet in 2014.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
The Board has no formal policy with respect to the separation of the offices of chairperson of the Board and chief executive officer. Instead, that relationship is defined and governed by the first amended and restated limited liability company agreement of our general partner, which permits the same person to hold both offices. The Board believes that whether the offices of chairperson of the board and chief executive officer are combined or separated should be decided by the Board, from time to time, in its business judgment after considering relevant circumstances. Mr. Lee currently serves as chairman of the Board. Directors of the Board are designated or elected by OCI Holdings. Accordingly, unlike holders of common stock in a corporation, our unitholders have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business or governance, subject in all cases to any specific unitholder rights contained in our partnership agreement.
Our corporate governance guidelines provide that the Board is responsible for reviewing the process for assessing the major risks facing us and the options for their mitigation. This responsibility is largely satisfied by our audit committee, which is responsible for reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our major risk exposures and the policies management has implemented to monitor such exposures, including our financial risk exposures and risk management policies.
Executive Sessions of Independent Directors
The Board holds regular executive sessions in which the independent directors of the Board meet without any members of management present. The purpose of these executive sessions is to promote open and candid discussion among the independent directors. Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, we have our Audit Committee Chairperson preside over these executive sessions.
Communication with the Board of Directors
A holder of our units or other interested party who wishes to communicate with the non-management directors or independent directors of our general partner may do so by contacting our corporate secretary at the address or phone number
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appearing on the front page of this Report. Communications will be relayed to the intended recipient of the Board except in instances where it is deemed unnecessary or inappropriate to do so. Any communications withheld will nonetheless be recorded and available for any director who wishes to review them.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common units to file certain reports with the SEC and New York Stock Exchange concerning their beneficial ownership of our equity securities. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of these reports, other and written representations from reporting persons indicating that no other reports were required, all such reports concerning beneficial ownership were filed in a timely manner by reporting persons during the year ended December 31, 2014.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of conduct and ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions, as well as other employees. We intend to disclose any amendments to or waivers of the code of conduct and ethics on behalf of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and persons performing similar functions on our website at www.ociresources.com under the Corporate Governance tab. Additionally, the Board has adopted corporate governance guidelines for the directors and the Board. The code of conduct and ethics and the corporate governance guidelines may be found on our website at www.ociresources.com under the Corporate Governance tab.
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. As such, we are permitted to meet the disclosure requirements of Item 402 of Regulation S-K by providing the reduced disclosure required of a “smaller reporting company.”
Compensation Overview
We do not directly employ any of the persons responsible for managing our business, and, as permitted by the NYSE’s rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, we do not have a compensation committee. We are managed by our general partner, the executive officers of which are employees of OCI Enterprises or its affiliates. The compensation of OCI Enterprises' or its affiliates' employees that perform services on our behalf, including our general partner's executive officers, other than awards that may be granted under the OCI Resource Partners LLC 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), is determined and approved by OCI Enterprises. We reimburse OCI Enterprises for such services and compensation, and our reimbursement is governed by the Omnibus Agreement and are based on OCI Enterprises' methodology used for allocating general and administrative expenses to us. Such expenses are generally allocated to us based on the time the employees spend on our business and the actual direct costs they incur on our behalf.
For 2014, OCI Enterprises approved the compensation of our named executive officers for the year ending December 31, 2014, other than awards that may be granted by our general partner under the Plan, in a manner consistent with the objectives of its compensation program, which is to attract and retain the best possible executive talent, to tie annual and long-term cash and equity incentive awards to achievement of measurable corporate and individual performance goals and objectives, and to align executives' incentives with unitholder value creation. OCI Enterprises provides compensation to its executives in the form of base salaries, annual cash incentive awards, long-term cash and equity incentive awards and participation in various employee benefits plans and arrangements.
The general partner has adopted the Plan to promote our interests by providing employees of the general partner’s affiliates and others who perform services for us or on our behalf incentive compensation awards for their service. Awards granted under the Plan are approved by the Board (or a committee designated by the Board).
For 2014, our general partners’ named executive officers (“NEOs”) were:
• | Kirk Milling, President and Chief Executive Officer |
• | Kevin Kremke, Chief Financial Officer |
• | Nicole Daniel, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
We do not have any employment agreements with these officers. All of the NEOs are employed by OCI Enterprises and devoted a majority of their time to management of our business in 2014.
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Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position | Year(1) | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Unit Awards ($)(2) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) |
Kirk H. Milling, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer | 2014 | 281,831 | 306,876 | 525,208 | 9,570 | 1,130,212 |
2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Kevin Kremke, Director and Chief Financial Officer(3) | 2014 | 170,479 | 24,000 | 84,790 | 29,635(4) | 308,904 |
2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Nicole Daniel, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | 2014 | 153,768 | 255,714 | 162,756 | 6,912 | 579,150 |
2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
(1) During 2013, we did not incur any cost or liability under the Omnibus Agreement with respect to compensation of the NEOs, and our general partner did not grant any equity-based awards under the Plan.
(2) The amounts shown in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the unit awards granted to the NEOs during 2014, as determined in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718, without regard to potential forfeitures. For a discussion of the valuation assumptions applicable to our equity compensation awards, please see Note 11 to our financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
(3) Mr. Kremke was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of our general partner in June 2014.
(4) During 2014, the amounts shown in this column for Mr. Kremke reflect relocation benefits.
Narrative Disclosure to the Summary Compensation Table
The summary compensation table summarizes total compensation for services rendered by the NEOs during the period after our initial public offering in September 2013. Other than for awards granted under the Plan, the compensation of the NEOs is determined and approved by OCI Enterprises, and other than for awards granted under the Plan, the amounts reflected in the columns of the summary compensation table reflect the amounts we incurred for such services from the NEOs, in accordance with our Omnibus Agreement. We believe these expenses accurately reflect amounts paid to the NEOs as compensation for the services provided to us. OCI Enterprises did not allocate to us and we did not reimburse OCI Enterprises for any other compensation that OCI Enterprises provided to the NEOs in 2014.
Executive officers are eligible under the same plans as all other employees with respect to our medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance plans, a profit sharing plan and a defined contribution plan that is tax-qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code and that we refer to as the OCI 401(k) Retirement Plan. In addition, Mr. Milling is a participant in OCI Enterprises OCI Pension Plan for Salaried Employees.
2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan
On July 25, 2013, in connection with our initial public offering, we adopted the Plan. The Plan is intended to provide incentives that will attract and retain valued employees, officers, consultants and non-employee directors by offering them a greater stake in our success and a closer identity with us, and to encourage ownership of our common units by such individuals. The Plan provides for awards in the form of common units, phantom units, distribution equivalent rights, cash awards and other unit-based awards. As of December 31, 2014, there were 27,901 units granted under the Plan.
All employees, officers, consultants and non-employee directors of us and our parents and subsidiaries are eligible to be selected to participate in the Plan. Subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan, a total of 928,099 common units are available for awards under the Plan. Any common units tendered by a participant in payment of the tax liability with respect to an award, including common units withheld from any such award, will not be available for future awards under the Plan. Common units awarded under the Plan may be reserved or made available from our authorized and unissued common units or from common units reacquired (through open market transactions or otherwise). Any common units issued under the Plan through the assumption or substitution of outstanding grants from an acquired company will not reduce the number of common units available for awards under the Plan. If any common units subject to an award under the Plan are forfeited, any common units counted against the number of common units available for issuance pursuant to the Plan with respect to such award will again be available for awards under the Plan.
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2014
Unit Awards | ||||||||
Name | Number of Shares or Units That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units That Have Not Vested ($)(3) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)(4) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(5) | ||||
Kirk H. Milling | 6,079(1) | 156,230 | 4,882 | 175,385 | ||||
4,882(2) | 125,467 | |||||||
Kevin Kremke | 1,416(2) | 36,391 | 1,416 | 50,580 | ||||
Nicole Daniel | 2,123(1) | 54,561 | 1,360 | 48,579 | ||||
1,360(2) | 34,952 | |||||||
(1) Represents restricted common units that were awarded pursuant to the Plan on July 1, 2014 that have not yet vested. Such restricted common units vest in substantially equal increments on September 13, 2015 and September 13, 2016, subject to accelerated vesting in certain circumstances.
(2) Represents restricted common units that were awarded pursuant to the Plan effective on August 1, 2014. Such restricted common units were outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and vest in substantially equal one-third increments, with the first substantially equal one-third increment having vested on January 1, 2015, and with the remaining substantially equal one-third increments vesting on January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017, subject to accelerated vesting in certain circumstances.
(3) The market value is based on the closing market price of a common unit on December 31, 2014 of $25.70 per unit.
(4) Represents TR Performance Unit Awards granted to the NEOs that have a performance cycle beginning on January 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2016. The vesting of the TR Performance Unit Award, and number of our common units distributable pursuant to such vesting, is dependent on the relative performance of our common units compared to a peer group of the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index consisting of 25 other publicly traded partnerships. For additional information regarding the TR Performance Unit Awards, please see Note 11 to our financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
(5) The market value is based on the closing market price of a common unit on December 31, 2014 of $25.70 per unit.
Director Compensation
Officers or employees of OCI Enterprises or its affiliates who also serve as directors of our general partner do not receive additional compensation for their service as a director of our general partner. Directors of our general partner who are not officers or employees of OCI Enterprises or its affiliates receive compensation as “non-employee directors.” Our annual retainer for our non-employee directors consists of $125,000, of which $62,500 is paid in the form of an annual cash retainer and the remaining $62,500 is paid in a grant of common units under the Plan. The chairman of the board, the audit committee chair and the conflicts committee chair are paid annual retainers of $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500, respectively. Each non-employee director that does participate as a non-employee director for the entire year, receives a prorated retainer reflecting their partial year of non-employee director service with us.
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Mark J. Lee, William P. O’Neill, Jr., Angela A. Minas and Michael E. Ducey each received compensation for service as a director during the year ended December 31, 2014, as set forth in the following table:
Name | Fees earned or paid in cash ($)(1) | Unit awards ($)(2) | All other compensation ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||
Mark J. Lee | 18,125 | 15,641 | — | 33,766 | ||||||||
William P. O’Neill, Jr. | 67,500 | 75,655 | — | 143,155 | ||||||||
Angela A. Minas | 64,167 | 64,246 | — | 128,413 | ||||||||
Michael E. Ducey(3) | 19,349 | 19,360 | — | 38,709 | ||||||||
________________
(1) | The amounts shown in this column reflect the director cash retainers and committee chair fees paid for non-employee director board service based on when the service was effective. |
(2) | The amounts shown in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value, as determined in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718 (without regard to potential forfeitures), for awards of common units as follows: Lee - 686 common units; O’Neill, Jr. - 3,488 common units; Minas - 2,962 common units; and Ducey - 805 common units. |
(3) | Mr. Ducey was appointed to the Board and the audit committee of our general partner on September 10, 2014. |
We have established ownership guidelines for our non-management directors with the goal of promoting ownership of units and aligning the interests of our directors with those of our unitholders. The guidelines require non-management directors to hold three times their annual cash retainer in our units within five years of the date the person first becomes a director.
Each non-employee director will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending such meetings. Each director will be fully indemnified by us for actions associated with being a director to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
As a limited partnership, we are not required by the NYSE to establish a compensation committee. Although the board of directors of our general partner does not currently intend to establish a compensation committee, it may do so in the future.
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common and subordinated units as of March 2, 2015 owned by:
• | each person known by us to be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our units; |
• | each of the directors of our general partner; |
• | each of the named executive officers of our general partner; and |
• | all directors and executive officers of our general partner as a group. |
The amounts and percentage of units beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a "beneficial owner" of a security if that person has or shares "voting power," which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or "investment power," which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. Except as indicated by footnote, the persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all units shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable.
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Percentage of total units beneficially owned is based on 9,801,830 common units and 9,775,500 subordinated units outstanding. The list of beneficial owners in presented in the following table below:
Name of Beneficial Owner (1) | Common Units Beneficially Owned(2) | Percentage of Common Units Beneficially Owned | Subordinated Units Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Subordinated Units Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Total Common and Subordinated Units Beneficially Owned | ||||||||||
OCI Wyoming Holding Co.(2) | 4,775,500 | 48.7 | % | 9,775,500 | 100.0 | % | 74.3 | % | |||||||
Kirk H. Milling | 9,104 | * | — | — | * | ||||||||||
Kevin Kremke | 9,360 | * | — | — | * | ||||||||||
Nicole C. Daniel | 4,109 | * | — | — | * | ||||||||||
Mark J. Lee | 2,481 | * | — | — | * | ||||||||||
Michael E. Ducey | 805 | * | — | — | * | ||||||||||
William P. O'Neill, Jr. | 5,988 | * | — | — | * | ||||||||||
Angela A. Minas | 12,962 | * | — | — | * | ||||||||||
JaeYong Yang | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||
All directors and executive officers as a group (8 people) | 44,809 | * | — | — | * | ||||||||||
* Beneficial ownership represents less than 1% of the Partnership's outstanding common or subordinated units.
(1) | Unless otherwise indicated, the address for all beneficial owners is Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2500, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. |
(2) | OCI Holdings, the sole member of our general partner, owns 4,775,500 common units and 9,775,500 subordinated units representing limited partner interests in us. OCI Company, a publicly traded company on the Korea Stock Exchange, owns all of the ownership interests of OCI Enterprises, which owns all of the ownership interests of OCI Chemical, which owns all of the ownership interests of OCI Holdings, the sole member of our general partner. Each of OCI Company, OCI Enterprises and OCI Chemical may, therefore, be deemed to beneficially own the units held by OCI Holdings. OCI Company disclaims such beneficial ownership. The address for OCI Company is 50 Segong-Dong, Jung-Gu, Seoul, 100-718, Korea. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2014:
Number of Securities | Weighted Average | Number of Securities | |||||||
to be Issued Upon Exercise | Exercise Price of | Remaining Available | |||||||
of Outstanding Options, | Outstanding Options, | For Future Issuance Under | |||||||
Plan Category | Warrants and Rights (1) | Warrants and Rights | Equity Compensation Plan | ||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | — | — | — | ||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | 15,316 | — | 928,099 | ||||||
(1) | The amount in this column reflects the maximum potential number of units that could be issued in settlement of the time restricted performance units outstanding as of December 31, 2014, pursuant to the OCI Resource Partners LLC 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The number of units reported in this column may overstate dilution. See Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 11, “Equity-Based Compensation”-“TR Performance Unit Awards” for more information on our time restricted performance unit awards. |
For a description of our equity compensation plan, please see the discussion under “Item 11. Executive Compensation” above.
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ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
As of March 2, 2015, OCI Holdings owns 4,775,500 common units and 9,775,500 subordinated units representing a 72.8% ownership interest in us, and owns and controls our general partner. In addition, our general partner owns general partner units representing an approximate 2.0% general partner interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights.
The terms of the transactions and agreements disclosed in this section were determined by and among affiliated entities and, consequently, are not the result of arm's length negotiations. These terms and agreements are not necessarily at least as favorable to us as the terms that could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
Distributions and Payments to Our General Partner and Its Affiliates
The following table summarizes the distributions and payments to be made by us to our general partner and its affiliates in connection with the formation, ongoing operation and any liquidation of OCI Resources LP.
Operational Stage
Distributions to our general partner and its affiliates | We will generally make cash distributions 98.0% to our unitholders, pro rata, including our general partner and its affiliates as the holders of an aggregate of 4,775,500 common units and all of the subordinated units, and approximately 2.0% to our general partner. In addition, if distributions exceed the minimum quarterly distribution and other higher target distribution levels, our general partner will be entitled to increasing percentages of the distributions, up to 48.0% of the distributions we make above the highest target distribution level. | |
Payments to our general partner and its affiliates | Neither our general partner nor OCI Enterprises will receive a management fee in connection with our general partner's management of us, but, prior to making any distribution on our common units, we will reimburse OCI Enterprises and certain of its affiliates, including OCI Holdings, OCI Chemical and OCI Enterprises, for all expenses they incur and payments they make on our behalf pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement. Our partnership agreement does not set a limit on the amount of expenses for which our general partner and such affiliates may be reimbursed. These expenses may include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our general partner by such affiliates. Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner will determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us. | |
Withdrawal or removal of our general partner | If our general partner withdraws or is removed, its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will either be sold to the new general partner for cash or converted into common units, in each case for an amount equal to the fair market value of those interests. | |
Liquidation Stage
Liquidation | Upon our liquidation, the partners, including our general partner, will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions according to their particular capital account balances. | |
Omnibus Agreement
In connection with the consummation of our IPO, we entered into the Omnibus Agreement, which addresses certain aspects of our relationship with OCI Enterprises and its affiliates, including:
• | our obligation to reimburse OCI Enterprises and its affiliates for certain direct operating expenses they pay on our behalf; |
• | our obligation to reimburse OCI Enterprises and its affiliates for providing us corporate, general and administrative services, including our allocated portion of the cost of insurance for our operations; |
• | OCI Enterprises' obligation to indemnify or reimburse us for losses or expenses relating to or arising from (i) certain preclosing environmental liabilities; (ii) certain title and rights-of-way matters; (iii) our failure to have certain necessary governmental consents and permits; (iv) certain preclosing tax liabilities; (v) the use of the name "OCI" and other trademarks; and (vi) assets retained by OCI Enterprises and its affiliates; |
• | our obligation to indemnify OCI Enterprises for losses attributable to the ownership or operation of our assets after the closing of the IPO; and |
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• | our use of "OCI" as part of our or any of our subsidiaries' names, and as a trademark and service mark, or as part of a trademark or service mark, for our or our subsidiaries' products and services and other matters. |
Reimbursement of General and Administrative Expense
Under the Omnibus Agreement, OCI Enterprises performs, or will cause its affiliates to perform, centralized corporate, general and administrative services for us, such as legal, corporate recordkeeping, planning, budgeting, regulatory, accounting, billing, business development, treasury, insurance administration and claims processing, risk management, health, safety and environmental, information technology, human resources, investor relations, cash management and banking, payroll, internal audit, taxes and engineering. In exchange, we reimburse OCI Enterprises and its affiliates for the expenses incurred by them in providing these services. The Omnibus Agreement further provides that we will reimburse OCI Enterprises and its affiliates for our allocable portion of the premiums on any insurance policies covering our assets.
OCI Enterprises has agreed to perform, or to cause its affiliates to perform, all services under the relevant provisions of the Omnibus Agreement using at least the same degree of care, quality, timeliness and skill as its or its affiliates past practice in performing the services for our business prior to its acquisition by us.
We also reimburse OCI Enterprises for any additional state income, franchise or similar tax paid by OCI Enterprises resulting from the inclusion of us (and our subsidiaries) in a combined state income, franchise or similar tax report with OCI Enterprises as required by applicable law. The amount of any such reimbursement is limited to the tax that we (and our subsidiaries) would have paid had we not been included in a combined group with OCI Enterprises.
Indemnification
Pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement, we are entitled to indemnification from OCI Enterprises for certain liabilities and we are required to indemnify OCI Enterprises for certain liabilities. However, our assets constitute substantially all of OCI Enterprises' assets. OCI Enterprises' indemnification obligations to us include the following:
Environmental. For a period of three years after the closing of the IPO, OCI Enterprises will indemnify us for no more than $10 million for certain potential environmental and toxic tort claims, losses and expenses associated with the operation of the assets contributed to us and occurring on or before the closing date of the IPO, other than claims made as a result to changes in environmental laws occurring after the closing of the IPO.
Title. For a period of three years after the closing of the IPO, OCI Enterprises will indemnify us for certain losses relating to our failure to have valid and indefeasible real property rights.
Governmental consents and permits. For a period of three years after the closing of the IPO, OCI Enterprises will indemnify us for certain losses relating to our failure to have any consent or license or governmental permit or waiver.
Taxes. Until 60 days after the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations, OCI Enterprises will indemnify us for any income taxes attributable to operations or ownership of the assets prior to the closing of the IPO.
Use of "OCI." For a period of three years after the closing of the IPO, OCI Enterprises will indemnify us for losses relating to the use of "OCI".
Retained Assets. OCI Enterprises will indemnify us indefinitely for losses relating to assets and investments owned by OCI Enterprises and its affiliates that are not contributed to us.
In no event will OCI Enterprises be obligated to indemnify us for any claims, losses or expenses or income taxes referred to in the bullets above to the extent either (i) reserved for in our financial statements as of December 31, 2012, or (ii) we recover any such amounts under available insurance coverage or other recoveries against any third party.
We will indemnify OCI Enterprises for all losses attributable to the post-closing operations of the assets contributed to us, to the extent not subject to OCI Enterprises' indemnification obligations.
Competition
Under our partnership agreement, OCI Enterprises and its affiliates are expressly permitted to compete with us.
Amendment and Termination
The Omnibus Agreement can be amended by written agreement of all parties to the agreement. However, we may not agree to any amendment or modification that would, in the reasonable determination of our general partner, be adverse in any material respect to the holders of our common units without prior approval of the conflicts committee. So long as there is not a change of control of our general partner, our sponsor or us, the Omnibus Agreement will remain in full force and effect unless mutually terminated by the parties. If there is a change of control of our general partner, our sponsor or us, the Omnibus Agreement will terminate, provided the indemnification obligations described above will remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.
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Transactions with Affiliates
OCI Chemical and OCI Wyoming are party to a sales agreement dated July 18, 1961 but have waived the provisions of that agreement since January 1, 2005. Under the current business arrangement, OCI Chemical contracts with customers, including ANSAC, for the sale of the soda ash that OCI Wyoming produces, and OCI Wyoming delivers soda ash directly to the customers. Though OCI Chemical is the contractual party with customers, any risk of loss related to soda ash is passed directly to OCI Wyoming, except in circumstances where the buyer takes ownership of soda ash at the shipping point. OCI Wyoming invoices the customers, and risk of loss from collecting accounts receivable remains with OCI Wyoming. OCI Wyoming also bears any risk of loss from liability claims related to soda ash. OCI Chemical receives sales proceeds directly from customers on behalf of OCI Wyoming, and OCI Chemical then transfers the total proceeds of the sales directly to OCI Wyoming, less OCI Chemical's actual costs of sales and marketing. OCI Chemical's costs are allocated to OCI Wyoming by OCI Enterprises based on the amount of time spent by OCI Chemical providing such services. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, these charges amounted to approximately $3.4 million, $4.4 million and $5.2 million, respectively. OCI Chemical also contracts with various land and sea carriers for freight transportation on behalf of OCI Wyoming. All such actual freight costs are charged directly to OCI Wyoming.
Substantially all of OCI Wyoming's selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses are expenses charged to OCI Wyoming by OCI Enterprises and OCI Chemical for actual expenses incurred by them on behalf of OCI Wyoming and include expenses relating to salaries, benefits, office supplies, professional fees, travel, computers and rent.
OCI Wyoming also makes sales of soda ash to OCI Alabama, LLC, or OCI Alabama, an affiliate of OCI Chemical that manufactures sodium percarbonate. These sales of soda ash to OCI Alabama were approved by the partnership committee of OCI Wyoming in 2002, and are not made pursuant to any written sales agreement. The price of such sales is based on the average price of arms' length sales made by OCI Wyoming to similar size businesses. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, sales to OCI Alabama were approximately $5.9 million, $7.3 million and $7.4 million, respectively. See Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 14 , "Agreements and Transactions with Affiliates," for more information.
OCI Chemical is a member company of ANSAC, and had an approximate 37.8%, 37.5% and 37.4% participation interest at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Kirk Milling, the chief executive officer of OCI Chemical and director and chief executive officer of our general partner, has served as a director of ANSAC since 2001. We made approximately 49.6%, 45.3% and 49.6% of our total net sales for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, through OCI Chemical's membership in ANSAC. In addition, ANSAC provides logistics and support services for all of our export sales.
The personnel who operate our assets are employees of OCI Enterprises. OCI Enterprises directly charges us for the payroll and benefit costs associated with employees and carries the obligations for other employee-related benefits in its financial statements. We are allocated a portion of OCI Enterprises' defined benefit pension plan liability and postretirement benefit liability for the employees providing services to us based on an actuarial assessment of that liability.
Procedures for Review, Approval and Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
As disclosed under "Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance," our audit committee has been given the sole authority, under the audit committee charter, to review and evaluate any related party transactions or dealings with parties related to us and disclosures of such transactions or dealings in our annual report on Form 10-K, and our conflicts committee is responsible, under the conflicts committee charter, with determining if the resolution of any conflict of interest between our general partner or any of its affiliates, on the one hand, and us, our partners and any of our subsidiaries, on the other hand, is in our best interest.
Director Independence
See “Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” for information regarding the directors of our general partner and independence requirements applicable for the Board of Directors of our general partner and its committees.
ITEM 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The Audit Committee has ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, to audit the books, records and accounting of OCI Resources LP for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change will be in the best interests of us and our unitholders.
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Audit Fees
The following table presents approximate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and other services rendered for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Year ended December 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Audit fees (1) | $ | 498,182 | $ | 634,790 | ||||
Audit-related fees (2) | — | — | ||||||
Tax fees (3) | 366,138 | 809,471 | ||||||
All other fees (4) | — | 1,385,557 | ||||||
Total | $ | 864,320 | $ | 2,829,818 | ||||
(1) Audit fees represent fees for professional services rendered in connection with (i) the audit of our annual financial statements, (ii) the review of our quarterly financial statements and (iii) those services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements including consents and other services related to SEC matters (but excluding IPO services disclosed in footnote 4). As of December 31, 2014, $0.1 million is to be billed.
(2) Audit-related fees represent fees for assurance and related services. This category primarily includes services relating to fees for audit of employee benefits plans.
(3) Tax fees represent fees for professional services rendered in connection with tax compliance. During the year ended December 31, 2013 tax fees related to our IPO services totaled approximately $0.8 million.
(4) All other fees represent fees for services not classifiable under the other categories listed in the table above. During the year ended December 31, 2013, fees associated with our IPO services (excluding the tax fees related to our IPO disclosed in footnote 3) totaled approximately $1.4 million.
Pre-Approval Policy
As outlined in its charter, the audit committee of the board of directors of our general partner is responsible for reviewing and approving, in advance, all audit services, internal control related services and permissible non-audit services to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm. During the year ended December 31, 2014, all of the services performed for us by Deloitte & Touche LLP were pre-approved by the audit committee of the board of directors of our general partner.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) the following documents are included with the filing of this report:
1. | The financial statements filed as part of this Report are listed in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” |
2. | No financial statement schedules are required to be filed as part of this Report because all such schedules have been |
omitted. Such omission has been made on the basis that information is provided in the financial statements or related footnotes in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” or is not required to be filed as the information is not applicable.
3. | The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index, which follows the Glossary of Industry Terms, are included with this Report and incorporated by reference into this Item. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
OCI RESOURCES LP (Registrant)
By: | OCI Resource Partners LLC, its General Partner |
By: | /s/ Kirk H. Milling |
Kirk H. Milling President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of OCI Resource Partners LLC, our General Partner | |
Date: March 6, 2015
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Kirk H. Milling | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of OCI Resource Partners LLC, our General Partner (Principal Executive Officer) | March 6, 2015 | ||
Kirk H. Milling | ||||
/s/ Kevin L. Kremke | Chief Financial Officer and Director of OCI Resource Partners LLC, our General Partner (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | March 6, 2015 | ||
Kevin L. Kremke | ||||
/s/ William P. O'Neill, Jr. | (Director of OCI Resource Partners LLC, our General Partner) | March 6, 2015 | ||
William P. O'Neill, Jr. | ||||
/s/ Mark J. Lee | (Chairman of the Board of Directors of OCI Resource Partners LLC, our General Partner) | March 6, 2015 | ||
Mark J. Lee | ||||
/s/ Angela A. Minas | (Director of OCI Resource Partners LLC, our General Partner) | March 6, 2015 | ||
Angela A. Minas | ||||
/s/ Michael E. Ducey | (Director of OCI Resource Partners LLC, our General Partner) | March 6, 2015 | ||
Michael E. Ducey | ||||
/s/ JaeYong Yang | (Director of OCI Resource Partners LLC, our General Partner) | March 6, 2015 | ||
JaeYong Yang | ||||
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GLOSSARY OF INDUSTRY TERMS
ANSAC: American Natural Soda Ash Corporation, a U.S. export cooperative organized under the provisions of the Webb-Pomerene Act of 1918.
Calciner: A large furnace used to heat and bring about thermal decomposition of trona.
Continuous Miner: A machine with a large rotating steel drum equipped with tungsten carbide teeth that scrapes trona from a mining bed seam.
Deca: Sodium carbonate decahydrate, a natural by-product of trona ore processing.
Effective Capacity: The volume of soda ash that can be generated using current operational resources, taking into account scheduled and unscheduled downtime and idled capacity.
Liquor: A solution consisting of sodium carbonate dissolved in water.
Longwall Mining: A mining method employing heavy machinery to cut and remove trona from the wide face of a mine and hoist it to the surface. Longwall mining provides high production rates with low operating costs but requires large areas of medium to thick seams.
Mining Bed: A layer or stratum of trona.
Mining Face: The exposed area of an underground mine from which trona is extracted.
MMBtu: Million British thermal units
MSHA: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Nameplate Capacity: Maximum potential output of a mining facility.
Non-subsidence mining: Any one of several mining techniques designed to prevent or avoid the collapse of the surface above the mine. Room and pillar mining, which leaves "pillars" to support the roof of a mine, is a form of non-subsidence mining.
Operating Rate: The amount of soda ash produced in a given year as a percentage of effective capacity for that year.
Ore to Ash Ratio: The number of short tons of trona ore it takes to produce one short ton of soda ash.
Purged Liquor: Liquor expelled into collection ponds during trona ore processing.
Recovery Rate: An amount, expressed as a percentage, calculated by dividing the volume of dry soda ash produced by the sum of the volume of dry soda ash produced and the losses experienced in the refinery process.
Reserves: That part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination.
Room and Pillar Mining: A mining method wherein underground mineral seams are mined in a network of "rooms." As these rooms are cut and formed, continuous miners simultaneously load trona onto shuttle cars for hoisting to the surface. "Pillars" composed of trona are left behind in these rooms to support the roofs of the mines. Room and pillar mining is often used to mine smaller blocks or center seams.
Run-of-Mine: The amount of trona removed directly from the mine prior to processing.
Seam: Trona deposits occur in layers typically separated by layers of rock. Each layer of trona is called a "seam."
Soda Ash: Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) in a powder form.
Solution Mining: A mining method in which ore is extracted by dissolving it in a leaching solution and pumping the dissolved ore to the surface for processing. Solution mining is used in situations where minimal seam width or deep mining beds prohibit the use of conventional underground mining techniques.
Tailings Disposal: Disposal of materials left over after the process of separating the soluble portion of trona ore from the non-soluble portion of trona ore.
Trona: Sodium sesquicarbonate (Na3H(CO3)2), a naturally occurring soft mineral, consisting primarily of sodium carbonate, or soda ash, sodium bicarbonate and water.
Trona Ore: Trona that has been removed from the ground.
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number | Description | ||
3.1 | Certificate of Limited Partnership of OCI Resources LP dated April 22, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013) | ||
3.2 | First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of OCI Resources LP dated as of September 18, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 18, 2013) | ||
3.3 | Amendment No. 1 to First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of OCI Resources LP dated as of May 2, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2014) | ||
3.4 | Certificate of Formation of OCI Resource Partners LLC dated April 22, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013). | ||
3.5 | Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of OCI Resource Partners LLC dated as of September 18, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 18, 2013) | ||
In accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K, certain instruments respecting long-term debt of the Registrant have been omitted but will be furnished to the SEC upon request. | |||
10.1 | Contribution, Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated effective as of July 18, 2013 by and between OCI Wyoming Holding Co. and OCI Resources LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 22, 2013) | ||
10.2 | Omnibus Agreement dated as of September 18, 2013 by and among OCI Enterprises Inc., OCI Resource Partners LLC and OCI Resources LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 18, 2013) | ||
10.3 | Credit Agreement dated as of July 18, 2013 among OCI Wyoming, L.P., as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 22, 2013) | ||
10.4 | Credit Agreement dated as of July 18, 2013 among OCI Resources LP, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 22, 2013) | ||
10.5 | First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2014, among OCI Wyoming LLC, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2014) | ||
10.6 | First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2014, among OCI Resources LP, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 4, 2014) | ||
10.7 | Sodium Lease (WYW0111731), dated December 1, 2007, between the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management and OCI Wyoming, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013) | ||
10.8 | Sodium Lease (WYW0111730), dated December 1, 2007, between the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management and OCI Wyoming, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013) | ||
10.9 | Sodium Lease (WYW101824), dated June 1, 2008, between the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management and OCI Wyoming, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013) | ||
10.10 | Modified Sodium Lease (WYW079420), effective January 1, 2015, between the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management and OCI Wyoming LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 16, 2014) | ||
10.11 | Sodium/Trona and Associated Mineral Salts Mining Lease No. 0-42571, dated August 2, 2009, between the State of Wyoming and OCI Wyoming, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013) | ||
10.12 | Sodium/Trona and Associated Mineral Salts Mining Lease No. 0-42570, dated August 2, 2009, between the State of Wyoming and OCI Wyoming, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013) | ||
10.13 | Sodium/Trona and Associated Mineral Salts Mining Lease No. 0-26012, dated November 2, 2009, between the State of Wyoming and OCI Wyoming, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013) | ||
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10.14 | Sodium/Trona and Associated Mineral Salts Mining Lease No. 0-25779, dated September 2, 2009, between the State of Wyoming and OCI Wyoming, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013) | ||
10.15 | Sodium/Trona and Associated Mineral Salts Mining Lease No. 0-25971, dated November 2, 2009, between the State of Wyoming and OCI Wyoming, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013) | ||
10.16 | License Agreement, dated July 18, 1961, between Union Pacific Railroad Company and Stauffer Chemical Company of Wyoming (as amended by Amendment of License Agreement, dated September 20, 2010, between OCI Wyoming, L.P., as successor by assignment from Stauffer Chemical Company of Wyoming, and Rock Springs Royalty Company LLC, as successor in interest to Union Pacific Railroad Company) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013) | ||
10.17 | Agreement, dated March 10, 1961, among Rock Springs Grazing Association, Union Pacific Railroad Company and Stauffer Chemical Company of Wyoming (superseded by Exhibit 10.15) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on July 8, 2013) | ||
10.18 | Contribution, Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated as of September 18, 2013 by and among OCI Wyoming Co., OCI Resource Partners LLC, OCI Resources LP, OCI Wyoming Holding Co. and OCI Chemical Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 18, 2013) | ||
10.19++ | OCI Resource Partners LLC 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-189838) filed with the SEC on September 3, 2013) | ||
10.20++ | Form of OCI Resource Partners LLC 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2014) | ||
10.21++ | Form of OCI Resource Partners LLC 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan Director Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2014) | ||
10.22++ | Form of OCI Resource Partners LLC 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan TR Performance Unit Award (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2014) | ||
10.23 | Limited Liability Company Agreement of OCI Wyoming LLC, dated as of June 30, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 2, 2014) | ||
21.1* | List of Subsidiaries of Registrant | ||
23.1* | Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated March 6, 2015 | ||
23.2* | Consent of Hollberg Professional Group, PC, dated March 6, 2015 | ||
31.1* | Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
31.2* | Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
32.1** | Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as Adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
32.2** | Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as Adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | ||
95.1* | Mine Safety Disclosures | ||
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document | ||
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | ||
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | ||
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | ||
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | ||
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase | ||
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith. Not considered to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and are not deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
++Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this 10-K pursuant to Item 15.
101