STAR GROUP, L.P. - Quarter Report: 2014 June (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014

OR

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 001-14129

STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P.

(Exact name of registrants as specified in its charters)

(203) 328-7310

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are large accelerated filers, accelerated filers, non-accelerated filers or smaller reporting companies. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

At July 31, 2014, the registrant had 57,467,744 Common Units outstanding.

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STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

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STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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STAR GAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1) Partnership Organization

Star Gas Partners, L.P. (“Star Gas Partners,” the “Partnership,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a full service provider specializing in the sale of home heating products and services to residential and commercial customers to heat their homes and buildings. The Partnership also services and sells heating and air conditioning equipment to its home heating oil and propane customers and to a lesser extent, provides these offerings to customers outside of our home heating oil and propane customer base. In certain of our marketing areas, we provide home security and plumbing services primarily to our home heating oil and propane customer base. We also sell diesel fuel, gasoline and home heating oil on a delivery only basis. All of these product and services are offered through our home heating oil and propane locations. The Partnership has one reportable segment for accounting purposes. We are the nation’s largest retail distributor of home heating oil, based upon sales volume, operating throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

The Partnership is organized as follows:

2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Star Gas Partners, L.P. and its subsidiaries. All material inter-company items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, such information reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair statement of financial condition and results for the interim periods. Due to the seasonal nature of the Partnership’s business, the results of operations and cash flows for the nine month period ended June 30, 2014, and June 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

These interim financial statements of the Partnership have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013.

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Correction of Immaterial Errors

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, we recorded adjustments that reduce net income by $2.2 million ($3.7 million, excluding the related income tax benefit) to correct certain errors related to periods from 2002 through March 31, 2014. The errors include understatements of expenses for state sales and petroleum taxes (“other taxes”) and the related interest and penalties, and overstatements of installations and service sales. The errors were the result of certain control deficiencies that we identified during the quarter. See Item 4. of this Report for additional information concerning these deficiencies.

The impact of the error correction on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2014 was an increase in delivery and branch expenses of $1.7 million, an increase to interest expense, net, of $1.4 million, and a reduction of installations and service sales of $0.6 million, offset by the related income tax benefit of $1.5 million. The impact of the error correction on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2014 was an increase in delivery and branch expenses of $1.7 million, an increase to interest expense, net, of $1.2 million, and a reduction of installations and service sales of $0.3 million, offset by the related income tax benefit of $1.3 million. The impact of the error correction on our June 30, 2014, condensed consolidated balance sheet was a decrease to current assets ($2.6 million) for other taxes, interest and penalties already paid and assets written off, and an increase to accrued expenses and other current liabilities ($1.1 million) for the amounts remaining to be paid.

Had these items been recorded timely, the impact would have been a reduction of $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.4 million to our reported net income of $29.9 million, $26.0 million and $24.3 million for the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Further, net income of $52.2 million and $19.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 would have decreased by $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. In addition, our total partners’ capital of $279.9 million as reported as of September 30, 2010 would have decreased by $1.0 million for errors impacting fiscal years 2002 through 2010.

These errors did not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a material misstatement of our previously issued consolidated financial statements for any period through March 31, 2014. The correction of these errors in the third quarter of fiscal year 2014 was significant to our results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2014, but had no material effect on our results for the nine months ended June 30, 2014 and is not expected to have a material effect on our results for the full year ending September 30, 2014.

Reclassification

The accompanying June 30, 2013, consolidated statements of operations have been revised from their previous presentation to reclassify finance charge income for the three and nine months period of $1.7 million and $4.9 million respectively, and present it separately as an element of operating income. Previously, finance charge income was included in the caption interest income in the consolidated statements of operations. This reclassification was made in order to conform with common industry practice regarding the reporting of finance charge income in operating income, and had no impact on net income, financial position, and cash flows for any period. Interest expense, net consists of:

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of the unrealized gain (loss) amortization on the Partnership’s pension plan obligation for its two frozen defined benefit pension plans and the corresponding tax effect.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principal of this standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This new guidance is effective for our annual reporting period beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, with early adoption prohibited. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU No. 2014-09.

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3) Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement

In July 2012, the Star Board of Directors (“the Board”) authorized the repurchase of up to 3.0 million of the Partnership’s Common Units (“Plan III”). In July 2013, the Board authorized the repurchase of an additional 1.9 million Common Units under Plan III. The authorized Common Unit repurchases may be made from time-to-time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or in such other manner deemed appropriate by management. There is no guarantee of the exact number of units that will be purchased under the program and the Partnership may discontinue purchases at any time. The program does not have a time limit. The Board may also approve additional purchases of units from time to time in private transactions. The Partnership’s repurchase activities take into account SEC safe harbor rules and guidance for issuer repurchases. All of the Common Units purchased in the repurchase program will be retired.

Under the Partnership’s second amended and restated credit agreement dated January 14, 2014, in order to repurchase Common Units we must maintain Availability (as defined in the second amended and restated credit facility agreement) of $45 million, 15.0% of the facility size of $300 million (assuming the non-seasonal aggregate commitment is outstanding) on a historical pro forma and forward-looking basis, and a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.15 measured as of the date of repurchase. The Partnership was in compliance with this covenant (or the equivalent covenant under the credit agreement then in effect) for all unit repurchases made during the nine months ended June 30, 2014.

The following table shows repurchases under Plan III.

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4) Derivatives and Hedging—Fair Value Measurements and Accounting for the Offsetting of Certain Contracts

The Partnership uses derivative instruments such as futures, options and swap agreements in order to mitigate exposure to market risk associated with the purchase of home heating oil for price-protected customers, physical inventory on hand, inventory in transit, priced purchase commitments and internal fuel usage. The Partnership has elected not to designate its derivative instruments as hedging derivatives, but rather as economic hedges whose change in fair value is recognized in its statement of operations in the line item (Increase) decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments. Depending on the risk being economically hedged, realized gains and losses are recorded in cost of product, cost of installations and service, or delivery and branch expenses.

To hedge a substantial majority of the purchase price associated with heating oil gallons anticipated to be sold to its price-protected customers as of June 30, 2014, the Partnership held 0.1 million gallons of physical inventory and had bought 6.3 million gallons of swap contracts, 1.6 million gallons of call options, 4.0 million gallons of put options and 48.7 million net gallons of synthetic calls, all in future months to match anticipated sales. To hedge the inter-month differentials for its price-protected customers, its physical inventory on hand and inventory in transit, the Partnership, as of June 30, 2014, had bought 52.2 million gallons of future contracts, and had sold 60.2 million gallons of future contracts. In addition to the previously described hedging instruments, the Partnership as of June 30, 2014, had bought corresponding long and short 20.7 million net gallons of swap contracts to lock-in the differential between high sulfur home heating oil and ultra low sulfur diesel. To hedge a majority of its internal fuel usage for the remainder of fiscal 2014, the Partnership as of June 30, 2014, had bought 1.8 million gallons of future swap contracts.

To hedge a substantial majority of the purchase price associated with heating oil gallons anticipated to be sold to its price-protected customers as of June 30, 2013, the Partnership held 1.0 million gallons of physical inventory and had bought 4.3 million gallons of swap contracts, 1.3 million gallons of call options, 3.1 million gallons of put options and 47.1 million net gallons of synthetic calls, all in future months to match anticipated sales. To hedge the inter-month differentials for its price-protected customers, its physical inventory on hand and inventory in transit, the Partnership, as of June 30, 2013, had bought 27.3 million gallons of future contracts, had sold 34.0 million gallons of future contracts and had sold 4.4 million gallons of future swap contracts. To hedge a majority of its internal fuel usage for the remainder of fiscal 2013 the Partnership as of June 30, 2013, had bought 2.0 million gallons of future swap contracts.

The Partnership’s derivative instruments are with the following counterparties: Bank of America, N.A., Bank of Montreal, Cargill, Inc., Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Key Bank, N.A., Regions Financial Corporation, Societe Generale, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The Partnership assesses counterparty credit risk and considers it to be low. We maintain master netting arrangements that allow for the non-conditional offsetting of amounts receivable and payable with counterparties to help manage our risks and record derivative positions on a net basis. The Partnership generally does not receive cash collateral from its counterparties and does not restrict the use of cash collateral it maintains at counterparties. At June 30, 2014, the aggregate cash posted as collateral in the normal course of business at counterparties was $0.8 million. Positions with counterparties who are also parties to our revolving credit facility are collateralized under that facility. As of June 30, 2014, $0.4 million of hedge positions and payable amounts were secured under the credit facility.

FASB ASC 820-10 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classified the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Partnership’s Level 1 derivative assets and liabilities represent the fair value of commodity contracts used in its hedging activities that are identical and traded in active markets. The Partnership’s Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities represent the fair value of commodity contracts used in its hedging activities that are valued using either directly or indirectly observable inputs, whose nature, risk and class are similar. No significant transfers of assets or liabilities have been made into and out of the Level 1 or Level 2 tiers. All derivative instruments were non-trading positions and were either a Level 1 or Level 2 instrument. The fair market value of our Level 1 and Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities are calculated by our counter-parties and are independently validated by the Partnership. The Partnership’s calculations are, for Level 1 derivative assets and liabilities, based on the published New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) market prices for the commodity contracts open at the end of the period. For Level 2 derivative assets and liabilities the calculations performed by the Partnership are based on a combination of the NYMEX published market prices and other inputs, including such factors as present value, volatility and duration.

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The Partnership had no assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition. The Partnership’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are listed on the following table.

The Partnership’s derivative assets (liabilities) offset by counterparty and subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement are listed on the following table.

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5) Inventories

The Partnership’s product inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market computed on the weighted average cost method. All other inventories, representing parts and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or market using the FIFO method. The components of inventory were as follows (in thousands):

6) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets using the straight-line method (in thousands):

7) Business Combination

On March 4, 2014 (the “Acquisition Date”), the Partnership completed the acquisition of Griffith Energy Services, Inc. (“Griffith”) of Columbia, Maryland, from Central Hudson Enterprises Corporation. The Partnership purchased 100% of the stock of Griffith for $98.7 million, consisting of $69.9 million paid for the long term assets and $28.8 million paid for estimated working capital (net of $4.2 million of cash acquired). In addition, the Partnership issued $8.5 million in letters of credit for supply and insurance purposes. There was no long-term debt assumed in the acquisition. The business reason for this acquisition is that Griffith, being a 100-year-old brand that is broadly recognized as a premier fuel and service provider in its territories, is an excellent strategic fit for the Partnership. The Griffith acquisition adds scale to the Partnership and leverages our existing fixed cost base, providing access to approximately 50,000 residential and commercial accounts across the Mid-Atlantic region.

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The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values and purchase price allocation at the acquisition date, of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to the Griffith acquisition as of the Acquisition Date.

The total costs of $0.8 million related to this acquisition are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations under general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014.

All of the $8.0 million of goodwill relating to the Griffith acquisition is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Griffith’s operating results are included in the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements starting on the Acquisition Date. Customer lists, other intangibles and trade names are amortized on a straight-line basis over ten to twenty years.

Included in our consolidated statement of operations from the Acquisition Date through June 30, 2014, are Griffith’s sales and net earnings before income taxes of $86.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

The following table provides unaudited pro forma results of operations as if the Griffith acquisition had occurred on October 1, 2012, the beginning of fiscal year 2013. The unaudited pro forma results were prepared using Griffith’s current and prior year financial information, reflecting certain adjustments related to the acquisition, such as the elimination of directly attributable acquisition expenses and changes to depreciation and amortization expenses. These pro forma adjustments do not include any potential synergies related to combining the businesses. Accordingly, such pro forma operating results were prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition been made as of October 1, 2012 or of results that may occur in the future.

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8) Goodwill and Intangibles, net

Goodwill

A summary of changes in the Partnership’s goodwill is as follows (in thousands):

Intangibles, net

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets subject to amortization are as follows (in thousands):

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $8.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2014, compared to $6.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2013. Total estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and the four succeeding fiscal years ending September 30, is as follows (in thousands):

9) Long-Term Debt and Bank Facility Borrowings

The Partnership’s debt is as follows (in thousands):

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The second amended and restated revolving credit facility provides the Partnership with the ability to borrow up to $300 million ($450 million during the heating season of December through April of each year) for working capital purposes (subject to certain borrowing base limitations and coverage ratios), including the issuance of up to $100 million in letters of credit, and extends the maturity date to June 2017, or January 2019 if the Partnership has met the conditions of the facility termination date as defined in the agreement and as discussed further below. The Partnership can increase the facility size by $100 million without the consent of the bank group. However, the bank group is not obligated to fund the $100 million increase. If the bank group elects not to fund the increase, the Partnership can add additional lenders to the group, with the consent of the Agent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Obligations under the second amended and restated credit facility are guaranteed by the Partnership and its subsidiaries and are secured by liens on substantially all of the Partnership’s assets including accounts receivable, inventory, general intangibles, real property, fixtures and equipment.

The interest rate on the second amended and restated credit facility is LIBOR plus (i) 1.75% (if Availability, as defined in the agreement is greater than or equal to $150 million), or (ii) 2.00% (if Availability is greater than $75 million but less than $150 million), or (iii) 2.25% (if Availability is less than or equal to $75 million). The Commitment Fee on the unused portion of the facility is 0.30% per annum.

Under the second amended and restated credit facility, the Partnership is obligated to meet certain financial covenants, including the requirement to maintain at all times either Availability (borrowing base less amounts borrowed and letters of credit issued) of 12.5% of the facility size, or a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the revolving credit facility agreement) of not less than 1.1, which is calculated based upon Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months. In order to make acquisitions, the Partnership must maintain Availability of $40 million on a historical pro forma and forward-looking basis. In addition, the Partnership must maintain Availability of $45 million, 15.0% of the facility size of $300 million (assuming the non-seasonal aggregate commitment is outstanding), on a historical and forward-looking basis, and a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.15 in order to pay any distributions to unitholders or repurchase Common Units. No inter-company dividends or distributions can be made (including those needed to pay interest or principle on our 8.875% Senior Notes), except to the Partnership or a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership, if the immediately preceding covenants have not been met. Certain restrictions are also imposed by the agreement, including restrictions on the Partnership’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, to pay distributions to unitholders, to pay inter-company dividends or distributions, make investments, grant liens, sell assets, make acquisitions and engage in certain other activities.

All outstanding amounts owed under the second amended and restated credit facility become due and payable on the facility termination date of June 1, 2017. If the Partnership has repaid, prepaid or otherwise defeased at least $100 million of our 8.875% Senior Notes and Availability is equal to or greater than the aggregate amount required to repay the remaining outstanding 8.875% Senior Notes (“Payoff Amount”), then the facility termination date is January 14, 2019. However, after June 1, 2017, in the event that Availability is less than the Payoff Amount, the facility termination date shall be three days following such date. Notwithstanding this, all outstanding amounts are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of events of default which the Partnership considers usual and customary for an agreement of this type, including failure to make payments under the second amended and restated credit facility, non-performance of covenants and obligations or insolvency or bankruptcy (as described in the second amended and restated credit facility).

At June 30, 2014, $39.5 million was outstanding under the revolving credit facility and $52.5 million of letters of credit were issued. At September 30, 2013, no amount was outstanding under the revolving credit facility and $44.7 million of letters of credit were issued.

At June 30, 2014, availability was $120.9 million and the Partnership was in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio. At September 30, 2013, availability was $164.3 million and the Partnership was in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio.

In July 2011, the Partnership’s shelf registration became effective, providing for the sale of up to $250 million in one or more offerings of Common Units representing limited partnership interests, partnership securities and debt securities; which may be secured or unsecured senior debt securities or secured or unsecured subordinated debt securities. This shelf registration expired in July 2014 and no offerings under this shelf registration occurred.

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10) Employee Benefit Plan

For the nine months ended June 30, 2014, the Partnership contributed $1.4 million and expects to make an additional $0.6 million contribution in fiscal 2014 to fund its pension obligation.

11) Income Taxes

Since Star Gas Partners is organized as a master limited partnership, it is not subject to tax at its entity level for Federal and state income tax purposes. However, Star Gas Partners’ income is derived from its corporate subsidiaries, and these entities do incur Federal and state income taxes relating to their respective corporate subsidiaries, which are reflected in these financial statements. For the corporate subsidiaries of Star Gas Partners, a consolidated Federal income tax return is filed.

Income and losses of Star Gas Partners are allocated directly to the individual partners. Even though Star Gas Partners will generate non-qualifying Master Limited Partnership income through its corporate subsidiaries, cash received by Star Gas Partners from its corporate subsidiaries is generally included in the determination of qualified Master Limited Partnership income. All or a portion of such cash could be taxable as dividend income or as a capital gain to the individual partners. This could be the case even if Star Gas Partners used the cash received from its corporate subsidiaries for purposes such as the repurchase of common units rather than distributions to its individual partners.

The accompanying financial statements are reported on a fiscal year, however, Star Gas Partners and its Corporate subsidiaries file Federal and state income tax returns on a calendar year.

The current and deferred income tax expenses for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014, and 2013 are as follows:

As of January 1, 2014, Star Acquisitions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership, had an estimated Federal net operating loss carry forward (“NOLs”) of approximately $8.3 million. The Federal NOLs, which will expire between 2018 and 2024, are generally available to offset any future taxable income but are also subject to annual limitations of between $1.0 million and $2.2 million.

FASB ASC 740-10-05-6 Income Taxes, Uncertain Tax Position, provides financial statement accounting guidance for uncertainty in income taxes and tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. At June 30, 2014, we had unrecognized income tax benefits totaling $0.9 million including related accrued interest and penalties of $0.2 million. These unrecognized tax benefits are primarily the result of state tax uncertainties. If recognized, these tax benefits would be recorded as a benefit to the effective tax rate.

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We believe that the total liability for unrecognized tax benefits will not materially change during the next 12 months ending June 30, 2015. Our continuing practice is to recognize interest related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense. We file U.S. Federal income tax returns and various state and local returns. A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and finally resolved. For our Federal income tax returns we have four tax years subject to examination. In our major state tax jurisdictions of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we have four, four, four and five tax years, respectively, that are subject to examination. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular uncertain tax position, based on our assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretation of tax law, we believe that our provision for income taxes reflect the most probable outcome. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events.

12) Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

13) Commitments and Contingencies

The Partnership’s operations are subject to the operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing and transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers of hazardous liquids such as home heating oil and propane. As a result, at any given time, the Partnership is generally a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The Partnership maintains insurance policies in amounts and with coverages and deductibles we believe are reasonable and prudent. However, the Partnership cannot assure that this insurance will be adequate to protect it from all material expenses related to potential future claims for personal and property damage or that these levels of insurance will be available in the future at economical prices. The Partnership does not carry business interruption insurance. In the opinion of management the Partnership is not a party to any litigation which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

14) Earnings (Loss) Per Limited Partner Unit

Income per limited partner unit is computed in accordance with FASB ASC 260-10-05 Earnings Per Share, Master Limited Partnerships (EITF 03-06), by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income by the weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding. The pro forma nature of the allocation required by this standard provides that in any accounting period where the Partnership’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distribution for such period, the Partnership is required to present net income per limited partner unit as if all of the earnings for the periods were distributed, regardless of whether those earnings would actually be distributed during a particular period from an economic or practical perspective. This allocation does not impact the Partnership’s overall net income or other financial results. However, for periods in which the Partnership’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distributions for such period, it will have the impact of reducing the earnings per limited partner unit, as the calculation according to this standard results in a theoretical increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the general partner. In accounting periods where aggregate net income does not exceed aggregate distributions for such period, this standard does not have any impact on the Partnership’s net income per limited partner unit calculation. A separate and independent calculation for each quarter and year-to-date period is performed, in which the Partnership’s contractual participation rights are taken into account.

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The following presents the net income allocation and per unit data using this method for the periods presented:

15) Subsequent Events

Quarterly Distribution Declared

In July 2014, we declared a quarterly distribution of $0.0875 per unit, or $0.35 per unit on an annualized basis, on all Common Units with respect to the third quarter of fiscal 2014, payable on August 8, 2014, to holders of record on July 31, 2014. In accordance with our Partnership Agreement, the amount of distributions in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.0675, are distributed 90% to Common Unit holders and 10% to the General Partner unit holders (until certain distribution levels are met), subject to the management incentive compensation plan. As a result, $5.0 million will be paid to the Common Unit holders, $0.1 million to the General Partner unit holders (including $0.06 million of incentive distribution as provided in our Partnership Agreement) and $0.06 million to management pursuant to the management incentive compensation plan which provides for certain members of management to receive incentive distributions that would otherwise be payable to the General Partner.

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ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” which represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including those associated with the effect of weather conditions on our financial performance, the price and supply of the products that we sell, the consumption patterns of our customers, our ability to obtain satisfactory gross profit margins, our ability to obtain new customers and retain existing customers, our ability to make strategic acquisitions, the impact of litigation, our ability to contract for our current and future supply needs, natural gas conversions, future union relations and the outcome of current and future union negotiations, the impact of current and future governmental regulations, including environmental, health, and safety regulations, the ability to attract and retain employees, customer credit worthiness, counterparty credit worthiness, marketing plans, general economic conditions and new technology. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Report including, without limitation, the statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere herein, are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “seek,” “estimate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Business Strategy” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, and under the heading “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations (“Cautionary Statements”) are disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Partnership or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements. Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this Report.

Overview

The following is a discussion of our historical financial condition and results of our operations and should be read in conjunction with the description of our business and the historical financial and operating data and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Report.

Seasonality

The following matters should be considered in analyzing our financial results. Our fiscal year ends on September 30. All references to quarters and years respectively in this document are to the fiscal quarters and years unless otherwise noted. The seasonal nature of our business has resulted, on average during the last five years, in the sale of approximately 30% of our volume of home heating oil and propane in the first fiscal quarter and 50% of our volume in the second fiscal quarter, the peak heating season. We generally realize net income in both of these quarters and net losses during the quarters ending June and September. In addition, sales volume typically fluctuates from year to year in response to variations in weather, wholesale energy prices and other factors.

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Degree Day

A “degree day” is an industry measurement of temperature designed to evaluate energy demand and consumption. Degree days are based on how far the average daily temperature departs from 65°F. Each degree of temperature above 65°F is counted as one cooling degree day, and each degree of temperature below 65°F is counted as one heating degree day. Degree days are accumulated each day over the course of a year and can be compared to a monthly or a long-term (multi-year) average to see if a given month or year was warmer or cooler than usual. Degree days are officially observed by the National Weather Service.

Every ten years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) computes and publishes average meteorological quantities, including average temperatures for the last 30 years by geographical location, and the corresponding degree days. The latest and most widely used data covers the years from 1981 through 2010. Our calculations of normal weather are based on these published 30 year averages for heating degree days, weighted by volume for the locations where we have existing operations.

Home Heating Oil Price Volatility

The wholesale price of home heating oil can be volatile, resulting in increased consumer price sensitivity to heating costs and increased gross customer losses. As a commodity, the price of home heating oil is generally impacted by many factors, including economic and geopolitical forces. The price of home heating oil is closely linked to the price refiners pay for crude oil, which is the principal cost component of home heating oil. The volatility in the wholesale cost of home heating oil, as measured by the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) price per gallon for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2010 through 2014, on a quarterly basis, is illustrated in the following chart:

Impact on Liquidity of Wholesale Product Cost Volatility

Our liquidity is adversely impacted in times of increasing wholesale product costs, as we must use more cash to fund our hedging requirements and a portion of the increased levels of accounts receivable and inventory. Our liquidity is also adversely impacted at times by sudden and sharp decreases in wholesale product costs due to the increased margin requirements for futures contracts and collateral requirements for options and swaps that we use to manage market risks.

Weather Hedge Contract — Fiscal Years 2013, 2014 and 2015

In July 2012, the Partnership entered into a weather hedge contract for fiscal years 2013, 2014 and 2015, with Swiss Re Financial Products Corporation, under which the Partnership is entitled to receive a payment of $35,000 per heating degree-day shortfall if the total number of heating degree-days in the period covered is less than 92.5% of the ten year average (the “Payment Threshold”). The hedge covers the period from November 1 through March 31, taken as a whole, for each respective fiscal year and has a maximum payout of $12.5 million for each fiscal year. The Partnership did not record any benefit under its weather hedge contract during fiscal 2013 and has not recorded any benefit for the nine months ended June 30, 2014.

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Per Gallon Gross Profit Margins

We believe home heating oil and propane margins should be evaluated on a cents per gallon basis, before the effects of increases or decreases in the fair value of derivative instruments (as we believe that realized per gallon margins should not include the impact of non-cash changes in the market value of hedges before the settlement of the underlying transaction).

A significant portion of our home heating oil volume is sold to individual customers under an arrangement pre-establishing a ceiling price or fixed price for home heating oil over a fixed period of time, generally twelve months (“price-protected” customers). When these price-protected customers agree to purchase home heating oil from us for the next heating season, we purchase option contracts, swaps and futures contracts for a substantial majority of the heating oil that we expect to sell to these customers. The amount of home heating oil volume that we hedge per price-protected customer is based upon the estimated fuel consumption per average customer per month. In the event that the actual usage exceeds the amount of the hedged volume on a monthly basis, we may be required to obtain additional volume at unfavorable costs. In addition, should actual usage in any month be less than the hedged volume, our hedging cost per gallon could be greater, thus reducing expected margins.

Derivatives

FASB ASC 815-10-05 Derivatives and Hedging requires that derivative instruments be recorded at fair value and included in the consolidated balance sheet as assets or liabilities. To the extent derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are effective, as defined under this guidance, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income until the forecasted hedged item is recognized in earnings. We have elected not to designate our derivative instruments as hedging instruments under this guidance, and as a result, the changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recognized in our statement of operations. Therefore, we experience volatility in earnings as outstanding derivative instruments are marked to market and non-cash gains and losses are recorded prior to the sale of the commodity to the customer. The volatility in any given period related to unrealized non-cash gains or losses on derivative instruments can be significant to our overall results. However, we ultimately expect those gains and losses to be offset by the cost of product when purchased.

Griffith Acquisition

On March 4, 2014, the Partnership completed the acquisition of Griffith Energy Services, Inc. (“Griffith”) of Columbia, Maryland, from Central Hudson Enterprises Corporation. The Partnership purchased 100% of the stock of Griffith for $98.7 million, consisting of $69.9 million paid for the long term assets and $28.8 million paid for estimated working capital (net of $4.2 million of cash acquired). In addition, the Partnership issued $8.5 million in letters of credit for supply and insurance purposes. There was no long-term debt assumed in the acquisition. The Griffith acquisition added scale to the Partnership and leveraged our existing fixed cost base, providing access to approximately 50,000 residential and commercial accounts across the Mid-Atlantic region. For Griffith’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, Griffith sold 78.4 million gallons of petroleum products including 29.0 million gallons of home heating oil, 0.9 million gallons of propane and 48.5 million gallons of motor fuel.

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Impact of Sandy

On October 29, 2012, the storm known as “Sandy” made landfall in our service area, resulting in widespread power outages for a number of our customers. In addition, certain third-party terminals where we purchase and store liquid product were closed for a short period of time due to damage sustained from the storm or by the loss of power. During the period subsequent to the storm, our operations and systems functioned without any meaningful disruptions.

Deliveries of home heating oil and propane were less than expected for certain of our customers who were without power for several weeks subsequent to Sandy. However, since our operations were able to provide uninterrupted service to current and new customers, our sales of diesel fuel increased during the weeks after the storm, as did our service and installation sales, along with the related costs to provide these services.

Income Taxes

Net Operating Loss Carry Forwards

The Partnership and its corporate subsidiaries file Federal and state income tax returns on a calendar year basis. As of January 1, 2014, our Federal Net Operating Loss carry forwards (“NOLs”) were estimated to be $8.3 million, subject to annual limitations of between $1.0 million and $2.2 million on the amount of such losses that can be used.

Book Versus Tax Deductions

The amount of cash flow that we generate in any given year depends upon a variety of factors including the amount of cash income taxes that our corporate subsidiaries are required to pay. The amount of depreciation and amortization that we deduct for book (i.e., financial reporting) purposes will differ from the amount that our subsidiaries can deduct for tax purposes. The table below compares the estimated depreciation and amortization for book purposes to the amount that our subsidiaries expect to deduct for tax purposes based on currently owned assets. Our subsidiaries file their tax returns based on a calendar year basis. The amounts below are based on our September 30 fiscal year and are reflective of fixed assets additions and acquisitions through June 30, 2014, including the Griffith acquisition.

Estimated Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Non-Deductible Partnership Expenses

The Partnership incurs certain expenses at the Partnership level that are not deductible for Federal or state income tax purposes by our corporate subsidiaries. As a result, our effective tax rate could differ from the statutory rate that would be applicable if such expenses were deductible.

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Income Taxes—Election to be Taxed as an Association or “C Corporation”

The Partnership is evaluating whether to make certain elections for Federal and State tax purposes to both better rationalize our tax reporting structure and to reduce costs.

The production of the Partnership’s K-1 forms is an expensive, time consuming and administratively intensive process. Due to our existing tax structure, our unit holders typically do not receive the tax benefits normally associated with owning units in a publicly traded master limited partnership, as the source of much of the Partnership’s income is from corporations below the Partnership and is subject to corporate level income taxes. Certain cash transfers from our corporations to the Partnership are generally treated as dividends, and may be taxable to the unit holders regardless as to whether the Partnership actually distributes any cash to them. For example, cash sent by our corporate subsidiary to the Partnership for unit repurchases may be treated as dividend income to all our unit holders.

If such an election is made, we would still remain a publicly traded partnership for legal and governance purposes. For income tax purposes, our unit holders would be treated as owning stock in a corporation rather than being partners in a partnership. By making certain elections, the resulting complexities from cash movements will be reduced and certain administrative costs eliminated.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP financial measures)

EBITDA (Earnings from continuing operations before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) and Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings from continuing operations before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, (increase) decrease in the fair value of derivatives, gain or loss on debt redemption, goodwill impairment, and other non-cash and non-operating charges) are non-GAAP financial measures that are used as supplemental financial measures by management and external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks and research analysts, to assess:

The method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may not be consistent with that of other companies and each of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA has its limitations as an analytical tool, should not be considered in isolation and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP. Some of the limitations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are:

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Customer Attrition

We measure net customer attrition on an ongoing basis for our full service residential and commercial home heating oil and propane customers. Net customer attrition is the difference between gross customer losses and customers added through marketing efforts. Customers added through acquisitions are not included in the calculation of gross customer gains. However, additional customers that are obtained through marketing efforts or lost at newly acquired businesses are included in these calculations. Customer attrition percentage calculations include customers added through acquisitions in the denominators of the calculations on a weighted average basis. Gross customer losses are the result of a number of factors, including price competition, move-outs, credit losses and conversion to natural gas. When a customer moves out of an existing home, we count the “move out” as a loss and, if we are successful in signing up the new homeowner, the “move in” is treated as a gain.

Gross customer gains and gross customer losses