Westlake Chemical Partners LP - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the quarterly period ended | September 30, 2020 | |
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 No. 001-36567
Westlake Chemical Partners LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 32-0436529 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
2801 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77056
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(713) 585-2900
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common units representing limited partnership interests | WLKP | The New York Stock Exchange |
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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | x | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes ☐ No x
The registrant had 35,194,545 common units outstanding as of October 28, 2020.
INDEX
Item | Page |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts) | ||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 23,331 | $ | 19,923 | ||||
Receivable under the Investment Management Agreement—Westlake Chemical Corporation ("Westlake") | 191,241 | 162,773 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net—Westlake | 56,237 | 42,847 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net—third parties | 5,144 | 9,914 | ||||||
Inventories | 1,652 | 2,484 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 557 | 470 | ||||||
Total current assets | 278,162 | 238,411 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 1,060,840 | 1,102,995 | ||||||
Goodwill | 5,814 | 5,814 | ||||||
Deferred charges and other assets, net | 37,466 | 46,236 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,382,282 | $ | 1,393,456 | ||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable—Westlake | $ | 17,923 | $ | 15,201 | ||||
Accounts payable—third parties | 6,816 | 6,141 | ||||||
Accrued and other liabilities | 16,955 | 17,507 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 41,694 | 38,849 | ||||||
Long-term debt payable to Westlake | 399,674 | 399,674 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 1,527 | 1,649 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 555 | 1,149 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 443,450 | 441,321 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) | ||||||||
EQUITY | ||||||||
Common unitholders—publicly and privately held (21,072,315 and 21,072,315 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively) | 472,556 | 471,736 | ||||||
Common unitholder—Westlake (14,122,230 and 14,122,230 units issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively) | 48,900 | 48,350 | ||||||
General partner—Westlake | (242,572 | ) | (242,572 | ) | ||||
Total Westlake Chemical Partners LP partners' capital | 278,884 | 277,514 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest in Westlake Chemical OpCo LP ("OpCo") | 659,948 | 674,621 | ||||||
Total equity | 938,832 | 952,135 | ||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 1,382,282 | $ | 1,393,456 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
1
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data) | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue | ||||||||||||||||
Net sales—Westlake | $ | 217,763 | $ | 216,678 | $ | 660,022 | $ | 703,765 | ||||||||
Net co-product, ethylene and other sales—third parties | 14,206 | 33,247 | 60,996 | 115,308 | ||||||||||||
Total net sales | 231,969 | 249,925 | 721,018 | 819,073 | ||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 131,578 | 156,706 | 427,049 | 543,242 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit | 100,391 | 93,219 | 293,969 | 275,831 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 6,255 | 6,822 | 18,590 | 21,434 | ||||||||||||
Income from operations | 94,136 | 86,397 | 275,379 | 254,397 | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense—Westlake | (2,320 | ) | (4,411 | ) | (9,701 | ) | (15,436 | ) | ||||||||
Other income, net | 17 | 565 | 725 | 2,533 | ||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 91,833 | 82,551 | 266,403 | 241,494 | ||||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | (15 | ) | 72 | 408 | 509 | |||||||||||
Net income | 91,848 | 82,479 | 265,995 | 240,985 | ||||||||||||
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in OpCo | 73,313 | 67,557 | 214,853 | 197,375 | ||||||||||||
Net income attributable to Westlake Chemical Partners LP and limited partners' interest in net income | $ | 18,535 | $ | 14,922 | $ | 51,142 | $ | 43,610 | ||||||||
Net income per limited partner unit attributable to Westlake Chemical Partners LP per limited partner unit (basic and diluted) | ||||||||||||||||
Common units | $ | 0.53 | $ | 0.42 | $ | 1.45 | $ | 1.27 | ||||||||
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding (basic and diluted) | ||||||||||||||||
Common units—publicly and privately held | 21,072,315 | 21,065,959 | 21,072,315 | 20,128,775 | ||||||||||||
Common units—Westlake | 14,122,230 | 14,122,230 | 14,122,230 | 14,122,230 | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
2
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(Unaudited)
Partnership | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common Unitholders— Public and Privately Held | Common Unitholder— Westlake | General Partner— Westlake | Noncontrolling Interests in OpCo | Total | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2019 | $ | 471,736 | $ | 48,350 | $ | (242,572 | ) | $ | 674,621 | $ | 952,135 | |||||||||
Net income | 10,626 | 7,121 | — | 76,023 | 93,770 | |||||||||||||||
Quarterly distribution to unitholders | (9,934 | ) | (6,657 | ) | — | — | (16,591 | ) | ||||||||||||
Quarterly distribution to noncontrolling interest retained in OpCo by Westlake | — | — | — | (79,223 | ) | (79,223 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2020 | $ | 472,428 | $ | 48,814 | $ | (242,572 | ) | $ | 671,421 | $ | 950,091 | |||||||||
Net income | 8,897 | 5,963 | — | 65,517 | 80,377 | |||||||||||||||
Quarterly distribution to unitholders | (9,933 | ) | (6,657 | ) | — | — | (16,590 | ) | ||||||||||||
Quarterly distribution to noncontrolling interest retained in OpCo by Westlake | — | — | — | (78,025 | ) | (78,025 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2020 | $ | 471,392 | $ | 48,120 | $ | (242,572 | ) | $ | 658,913 | $ | 935,853 | |||||||||
Net income | 11,098 | 7,437 | — | 73,313 | 91,848 | |||||||||||||||
Quarterly distribution to unitholders | (9,934 | ) | (6,657 | ) | — | — | (16,591 | ) | ||||||||||||
Quarterly distribution to noncontrolling interest retained in OpCo by Westlake | — | — | — | (72,278 | ) | (72,278 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2020 | $ | 472,556 | $ | 48,900 | $ | (242,572 | ) | $ | 659,948 | $ | 938,832 | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
3
Partnership | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common Unitholders— Public and Privately Held | Common Unitholder— Westlake | General Partner— Westlake | Noncontrolling Interests in OpCo | Total | ||||||||||||||||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2018 | $ | 409,608 | $ | 48,774 | $ | (242,572 | ) | $ | 718,271 | $ | 934,081 | |||||||||
Net income | 8,422 | 6,533 | — | 63,441 | 78,396 | |||||||||||||||
Net proceeds from private placement of common units | 62,934 | — | — | — | 62,934 | |||||||||||||||
Quarterly distribution to unitholders | (7,845 | ) | (6,112 | ) | — | — | (13,957 | ) | ||||||||||||
Quarterly distribution to noncontrolling interest retained in OpCo by Westlake | — | — | — | (81,507 | ) | (81,507 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2019 | $ | 473,119 | $ | 49,195 | $ | (242,572 | ) | $ | 700,205 | $ | 979,947 | |||||||||
Net income | 8,222 | 5,511 | — | 66,377 | 80,110 | |||||||||||||||
Offering costs related to private placement of common units | (18 | ) | — | — | — | (18 | ) | |||||||||||||
Quarterly distributions to unitholders | (9,379 | ) | (6,287 | ) | — | — | (15,666 | ) | ||||||||||||
Quarterly distribution to noncontrolling interest retained in OpCo by Westlake | — | — | — | (72,259 | ) | (72,259 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2019 | $ | 471,944 | $ | 48,419 | $ | (242,572 | ) | $ | 694,323 | $ | 972,114 | |||||||||
Net income | 8,934 | 5,988 | — | 67,557 | 82,479 | |||||||||||||||
Offering costs related to private placement of common units | (255 | ) | — | — | — | (255 | ) | |||||||||||||
Quarterly distributions to unitholders | (9,646 | ) | (6,467 | ) | — | — | (16,113 | ) | ||||||||||||
Quarterly distribution to noncontrolling interest retained in OpCo by Westlake | — | — | — | (75,494 | ) | (75,494 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2019 | $ | 470,977 | $ | 47,940 | $ | (242,572 | ) | $ | 686,386 | $ | 962,731 | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
(in thousands of dollars) | ||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 265,995 | $ | 240,985 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 77,767 | 80,382 | ||||||
Loss from disposition of property, plant and equipment | 1,000 | 458 | ||||||
Other gains, net | (522 | ) | (819 | ) | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts receivable—third parties | 5,170 | 2,647 | ||||||
Net accounts receivable—Westlake | (10,136 | ) | 8,217 | |||||
Inventories | 832 | (88 | ) | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (87 | ) | (189 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable | 711 | (662 | ) | |||||
Accrued and other liabilities | 1,398 | 4,869 | ||||||
Other, net | (1,252 | ) | (646 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 340,876 | 335,154 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
Additions to property, plant and equipment | (29,170 | ) | (30,028 | ) | ||||
Maturities of investments with Westlake under the Investment Management Agreement | 276,000 | 405,445 | ||||||
Investments with Westlake under the Investment Management Agreement | (305,000 | ) | (421,445 | ) | ||||
Other | — | 46 | ||||||
Net cash used for investing activities | (58,170 | ) | (45,982 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
Net proceeds from private placement of common units | — | 62,661 | ||||||
Proceeds from debt payable to Westlake | — | 123,511 | ||||||
Repayment of debt payable to Westlake | — | (201,445 | ) | |||||
Quarterly distributions to noncontrolling interest retained in OpCo by Westlake | (229,526 | ) | (229,260 | ) | ||||
Quarterly distributions to unitholders | (49,772 | ) | (45,736 | ) | ||||
Net cash used for financing activities | (279,298 | ) | (290,269 | ) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 3,408 | (1,097 | ) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 19,923 | 19,744 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 23,331 | $ | 18,647 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
5
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data)
1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Description of Business
Westlake Chemical Partners LP (the "Partnership") is a Delaware limited partnership formed in March 2014 to operate, acquire and develop ethylene production facilities and related assets. On August 4, 2014, the Partnership completed its initial public offering (the "IPO") of 12,937,500 common units representing limited partner interests.
In connection with the IPO, the Partnership acquired a 10.6% limited partner interest in Westlake Chemical OpCo LP ("OpCo") and a 100% interest in Westlake Chemical OpCo GP LLC ("OpCo GP"), which is the general partner of OpCo. OpCo owns three ethylene production facilities and one common carrier ethylene pipeline. Since the IPO, the Partnership has periodically purchased additional limited partner interest in OpCo. Most recently, on March 29, 2019, the Partnership purchased an additional 4.5% newly-issued limited partner interest in OpCo for approximately $201,445, resulting in an aggregate 22.8% limited partner interest in OpCo, effective January 1, 2019. The remaining 77.2% limited partner interest in OpCo is owned by Westlake Chemical Corporation.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for interim periods. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required for complete financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") have not been included. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of the Partnership included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (the "2019 Form 10-K"), filed with the SEC on February 28, 2020. These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the accounting principles and practices as disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Partnership for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 with the exceptions of those accounting standards adopted in 2020 as discussed in Note 1.
References to "Westlake" refer collectively to Westlake Chemical Corporation and its subsidiaries, other than the Partnership, OpCo and OpCo GP.
The Partnership holds a 22.8% limited partner interest and the entire non-economic general partner interest in OpCo. The remaining 77.2% limited partner interest in OpCo is owned directly by Westlake, which has no rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of OpCo. As a result of the fact that substantially all of OpCo's activities are conducted on behalf of Westlake, and the fact that OpCo exhibits disproportionality of voting rights to economic interest, OpCo was deemed to be a variable interest entity. The Partnership, through its ownership of OpCo's general partner, has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of OpCo, and it also has the obligation or right to absorb losses or receive benefits from OpCo that could potentially be significant to OpCo. As such, the Partnership was determined to be OpCo's primary beneficiary and therefore consolidates OpCo's results of operations and financial position. Westlake's retained interest of 77.2% is recorded as noncontrolling interest in the Partnership's consolidated financial statements.
In the opinion of the Partnership's management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary for a fair statement of the Partnership's financial position as of September 30, 2020, its results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and the changes in its cash position for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
Results of operations and changes in cash position for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 or any other interim period. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
6
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data)
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. The pandemic has resulted in widespread adverse impacts on the global economy and on our employees, customers and suppliers. The Partnership did not experience significant disruptions to its business operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and does not expect significant disruptions to its business operations resulting from COVID-19. However, the impact that COVID-19 will have on the Partnership's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows cannot be estimated with certainty at this time as it will depend on future developments, including, among others, the ultimate duration, geographic spread and severity of the virus, the actions to contain the virus, the consequences of governmental and other measures designed to prevent the spread of the virus, the development of effective treatments, the impact on the operation of OpCo facilities, Westlake, customers, suppliers and other third parties and the timing and extent to which normal economic and operating conditions resume.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Reference Rate Reform (ASU No. 2020-04)
In March 2020, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Partnership is in the process of evaluating the impact that the new accounting guidance will have on the Partnership's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
Credit Losses (ASU No. 2016-13)
In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update providing new guidance for the accounting for credit losses on loans and other financial instruments. The new guidance introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on trade receivables and certain types of financial instruments. The standard also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. The accounting standard became effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and did not have a material impact on the Partnership's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Fair Value Measurement (ASU No. 2018-13)
In August 2018, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The amendments became effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until the effective date. Most amendments should be applied retrospectively but certain amendments should be applied prospectively. The Partnership adopted this accounting standard effective January 1, 2020 and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Partnership's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
2. Accounts Receivable—Third Parties
Accounts receivable—third parties consist of the following:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Trade customers | $ | 5,220 | $ | 9,730 | ||||
Allowance for credit losses | (76 | ) | (476 | ) | ||||
5,144 | 9,254 | |||||||
Other receivables | — | 660 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net—third parties | $ | 5,144 | $ | 9,914 | ||||
7
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data)
3. Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Finished products | $ | 1,174 | $ | 2,154 | ||||
Feedstock, additives and chemicals | 478 | 330 | ||||||
Inventories | $ | 1,652 | $ | 2,484 | ||||
4. Property, Plant and Equipment
Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment of $22,913 and $22,313 is included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment of $68,380 and $66,754 is included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
5. Deferred Charges and Other Assets
Amortization expense on other assets of $3,010 and $4,368 is included in costs of sales in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense on other assets of $9,387 and $13,628 is included in costs of sales in the consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
6. Distributions and Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit
On October 30, 2020, the board of directors of Westlake Chemical Partners GP LLC ("Westlake GP"), the Partnership's general partner, declared a quarterly cash distribution for the three months ended September 30, 2020 of $0.4714 per unit. This distribution is payable on November 24, 2020 to the unitholders of record as of November 9, 2020.
Distributions are declared subsequent to quarter end; therefore, the table below represents total cash distributions declared from earnings of the related periods pertaining to such distributions.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Net income attributable to the Partnership | $ | 18,535 | $ | 14,922 | $ | 51,142 | $ | 43,610 | ||||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||||||
Limited partners' distribution declared on common units | 16,591 | 16,348 | 49,772 | 48,127 | ||||||||||||
Net income in excess of distribution (distribution in excess of net income) | $ | 1,944 | $ | (1,426 | ) | $ | 1,370 | $ | (4,517 | ) | ||||||
Net income per unit applicable to common limited partner units is computed by dividing the respective limited partners' interest in net income by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding for the period. Because the Partnership has more than one class of participating securities, it uses the two-class method when calculating the net income per unit applicable to limited partners. The classes of participating securities include common units and incentive distribution rights. Net income attributable to the Partnership is allocated to the unitholders in accordance with their respective ownership percentages in preparation of the consolidated statements of changes in equity. However, when distributions related to the incentive distribution rights are made, net income equal to the amount of those distributions is first allocated to the general partner before the remaining net income is allocated to the unitholders based on their respective ownership percentages. Basic and diluted net income per unit is the same because the Partnership does not have any potentially dilutive units outstanding for the periods presented.
8
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||
Limited Partners' Common Units | Incentive Distribution Rights | Total | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to the Partnership: | ||||||||||||
Distribution | $ | 16,591 | $ | — | $ | 16,591 | ||||||
Net income in excess of distribution | 1,944 | — | 1,944 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 18,535 | $ | — | $ | 18,535 | ||||||
Weighted average units outstanding: | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | 35,194,545 | 35,194,545 | ||||||||||
Net income per limited partner unit: | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | $ | 0.53 | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Limited Partners' Common Units | Incentive Distribution Rights | Total | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to the Partnership: | ||||||||||||
Distribution | $ | 16,348 | $ | — | $ | 16,348 | ||||||
Distribution in excess of net income | (1,426 | ) | — | (1,426 | ) | |||||||
Net income | $ | 14,922 | $ | — | $ | 14,922 | ||||||
Weighted average units outstanding: | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | 35,188,189 | 35,188,189 | ||||||||||
Net income per limited partner unit: | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | $ | 0.42 | ||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | ||||||||||||
Limited Partners' Common Units | Incentive Distribution Rights | Total | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to the Partnership: | ||||||||||||
Distribution | $ | 49,772 | $ | — | $ | 49,772 | ||||||
Net income in excess of distribution | 1,370 | — | 1,370 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 51,142 | $ | — | $ | 51,142 | ||||||
Weighted average units outstanding: | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | 35,194,545 | 35,194,545 | ||||||||||
Net income per limited partner unit: | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | $ | 1.45 | ||||||||||
9
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Limited Partners' Common Units | Incentive Distribution Rights | Total | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to the Partnership: | ||||||||||||
Distribution | $ | 48,127 | $ | — | $ | 48,127 | ||||||
Distribution in excess of net income | (4,517 | ) | — | (4,517 | ) | |||||||
Net income | $ | 43,610 | $ | — | $ | 43,610 | ||||||
Weighted average units outstanding: | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | 34,251,005 | 34,251,005 | ||||||||||
Net income per limited partner unit: | ||||||||||||
Basic and diluted | $ | 1.27 | ||||||||||
The amended Partnership Agreement provides that the Partnership will distribute cash each quarter to all the unitholders, pro rata, until each unit has received a distribution of $1.2938. If cash distributions to the Partnership's unitholders exceed $1.2938 per common unit in any quarter, the Partnership's unitholders and Westlake, as the holder of the Partnership's incentive distribution rights, will receive distributions according to the following percentage allocations:
Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions | ||||||
Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit | Unitholders | IDR Holders | ||||
Above $1.2938 up to $1.4063 | 85.0 | % | 15.0 | % | ||
Above $1.4063 up to $1.6875 | 75.0 | % | 25.0 | % | ||
Above $1.6875 | 50.0 | % | 50.0 | % | ||
The Partnership's distribution for the three months ended September 30, 2020 did not exceed the $1.2938 per unit threshold, and, as a result, no distribution was made with respect to the Partnership's incentive distribution rights to Westlake, as the holder of the Partnership's incentive distribution rights.
Distribution Per Common Unit
Distributions per common unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Distributions per common unit | $ | 0.4714 | $ | 0.4579 | $ | 1.4142 | $ | 1.3359 | ||||||||
7. Partners' Equity
On October 4, 2018, the Partnership and Westlake GP, the general partner of the Partnership, entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with UBS Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC to offer and sell the Partnership's common units, from time to time, up to an aggregate offering amount of $50,000. The Equity Distribution Agreement was amended on February 28, 2020 to reference a new shelf registration for utilization under this agreement. No common units were issued under this program as of September 30, 2020.
On March 29, 2019, the Partnership completed the issuance and sale of 2,940,818 common units at a price of $21.40 per unit through a private placement. Net proceeds to the Partnership from the sale of the units were approximately $62,934. TTWF LP, Westlake's principal stockholder and a related party, acquired 1,401,869 common units out of 2,940,818 common units issued in the private placement.
10
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data)
8. Related Party Transactions
The Partnership and OpCo regularly enter into related party transactions with Westlake. See below for a description of transactions with related parties.
Sales to Related Parties
OpCo sells ethylene to Westlake under the Ethylene Sales Agreement. Additionally, the Partnership and OpCo from time to time provide other services or products for which it charges Westlake a fee.
Sales to related parties were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Net sales—Westlake | $ | 217,763 | $ | 216,678 | $ | 660,022 | $ | 703,765 | ||||||||
During the third quarter of 2020, the Lake Charles Petro 1 and Petro 2 facilities were impacted by Hurricane Laura, which resulted in a force majeure event under the Ethylene Sales Agreement. As a result of the force majeure event, the Partnership recognized a buyer deficiency fee of $41,329 as a component of net sales in the quarter ended September 30, 2020, representing fixed margin and unavoided operating and maintenance capital expenditures and maintenance expenses per pound of volume committed by Westlake during the force majeure event. Payment for the buyer deficiency fee is scheduled to be received by the Partnership after the conclusion of the year.
Cost of Sales from Related Parties
Charges for goods and services purchased by the Partnership and OpCo from Westlake and included in cost of sales relate primarily to feedstock purchased under the Feedstock Supply Agreement and services provided under the Services and Secondment Agreement.
Charges from related parties in cost of sales were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Feedstock purchased from Westlake and included in cost of sales | $ | 60,646 | $ | 73,813 | $ | 189,608 | $ | 285,567 | ||||||||
Other charges from Westlake and included in cost of sales | 23,166 | 25,990 | 71,164 | 81,026 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 83,812 | $ | 99,803 | $ | 260,772 | $ | 366,593 | ||||||||
11
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data)
Services from Related Parties Included in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Charges for services purchased by the Partnership from Westlake and included in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily relate to services Westlake performs on behalf of the Partnership under the Omnibus Agreement, including the Partnership's finance, legal, information technology, human resources, communication, ethics and compliance and other administrative functions.
Charges from related parties included within selling, general and administrative expenses were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Services received from Westlake and included in selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 5,679 | $ | 6,808 | $ | 16,492 | $ | 19,875 | ||||||||
Goods and Services from Related Parties Capitalized as Assets
Charges for goods and services purchased by the Partnership and OpCo from Westlake which were capitalized as assets relate primarily to the services of Westlake employees under the Services and Secondment Agreement.
Charges from related parties for goods and services capitalized as assets were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Goods and services purchased from Westlake and capitalized as assets | $ | 404 | $ | 634 | $ | 1,268 | $ | 1,918 | ||||||||
Receivable under the Investment Management Agreement
On August 1, 2017, the Partnership, OpCo and Westlake executed an investment management agreement (the "Investment Management Agreement") that authorized Westlake to invest the Partnership and OpCo's excess cash with Westlake for a term of up to a maximum of nine months. Per the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Partnership earns a market return plus five basis points and Westlake provides daily availability of the invested cash to meet any liquidity needs of the Partnership or OpCo. Accrued interest of $69 and $601 was included in the receivable under the Investment Management Agreement balance at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Total interest earned related to the Investment Management Agreement was $69 and $716 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $876 and $2,688 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Partnership's receivable under the Investment Management Agreement was as follows:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Receivable under the Investment Management Agreement | $ | 191,241 | $ | 162,773 | ||||
12
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data)
Accounts Receivable from Related Parties
The Partnership's accounts receivable from Westlake result primarily from ethylene sales to Westlake and the buyer deficiency fee recognized under the Ethylene Sales Agreement, as discussed above under "Sales to Related Parties."
The Partnership's accounts receivable from Westlake were as follows:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Accounts receivable—Westlake | $ | 56,237 | $ | 42,847 | ||||
Accounts Payable to Related Parties
The Partnership's accounts payable to Westlake result primarily from feedstock purchases under the Feedstock Supply Agreement and services provided under the Services and Secondment Agreement and the Omnibus Agreement.
The related party accounts payable balances were as follows:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Accounts payable—Westlake | $ | 17,923 | $ | 15,201 | ||||
Related Party Leases
OpCo is obligated to Westlake under various long-term and short-term noncancelable operating leases, primarily related to rail car leases and land. Operating lease rentals paid to Westlake for such leases were $407 and $597 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $1,803 and $1,673 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and reflected in other charges from Westlake that are included in cost of sales.
OpCo has two site lease agreements with Westlake, each of which has a term of 50 years. Pursuant to the site lease agreements, OpCo pays Westlake one dollar per site per year.
Debt Payable to Related Parties
See Note 9 for a description of related party debt payable balances.
Interest on related party debt payable balances for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $2,320 and $4,411, respectively. Interest on related party debt payable balances for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $9,701 and $15,436, respectively. Interest on related party debt payable is presented as interest expense—Westlake in the consolidated statements of operations. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, accrued interest on related party debt was $2,320 and $4,187, respectively, and is reflected as a component of accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Debt payable to related parties was as follows:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
Long-term debt payable to Westlake | $ | 399,674 | $ | 399,674 | ||||
Major Customer and Concentration of Credit Risk
During the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, Westlake accounted for approximately 93.9% and 86.7%, respectively, of the Partnership's net sales. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, Westlake accounted for approximately 91.5% and 85.9%, respectively, of the Partnership's net sales.
Other
See Note 7 above for an additional related party transaction.
13
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data)
9. Long-term Debt Payable to Westlake
Long-term debt payable to Westlake consists of the following:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||
OpCo Revolver (variable interest rate of London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 2.0%, scheduled maturity of September 25, 2023) | $ | 22,619 | $ | 22,619 | ||||
MLP Revolver (variable interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.0%, scheduled maturity of March 19, 2023) | 377,055 | 377,055 | ||||||
$ | 399,674 | $ | 399,674 | |||||
On April 30, 2019, the Partnership repaid $201,445 of borrowings under the OpCo Revolver.
On March 29, 2019, the Partnership borrowed $123,511 under the MLP Revolver to partially fund the purchase of the additional 4.5% interest in OpCo. On March 19, 2020, the Partnership entered into an amendment to the MLP Revolver, to extend the maturity date to March 19, 2023 and add a phase-out provision for LIBOR, which is to be replaced by an alternate benchmark rate. The amended Credit Agreement bears interest at a variable rate of either (a) LIBOR plus 2.0% or, if LIBOR is no longer available, (b) Alternate Base Rate plus 1.0%.
The weighted average interest rate on all long-term debt was 2.3% and 4.1%, respectively, at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
As of September 30, 2020, the Partnership was in compliance with all of the covenants under the OpCo Revolver and the MLP Revolver.
10. Derivative Commodity Instruments
From time to time, the Partnership uses derivative instruments to reduce price volatility risk on commodities, primarily ethane and ethylene. The Partnership does not use derivative instruments to engage in speculative activities.
The Partnership had no derivatives that were designated as fair value hedges during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
Gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments were included in net sales and cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
The exposure on commodity derivatives used for price risk management includes the risk that the counterparty will not pay if the market price declines below the established fixed price. In such case, the Partnership would lose the benefit of the derivative differential on the volume of the commodities covered. In any event, the Partnership would continue to receive the market price on the actual volume hedge. The Partnership also bears the risk that it could lose the benefit of market improvements over the fixed derivative price for the term and volume of the derivative instruments (as such improvements would accrue to the benefit of the counterparty). The Partnership had non-hedge designated derivatives covering approximately 7.6 million gallons and 18.0 million pounds of commodities as of September 30, 2020 and 39.1 million gallons and 93.0 million pounds of commodities as of December 31, 2019.
At September 30, 2020, the fair value of these derivative instruments recorded as accrued liabilities was $1,147. At December 31, 2019, the fair values of these derivative instruments recorded as accrued liabilities and accounts receivable, net were $1,959 and $597, respectively. The losses recognized in net sales and gains recognized in cost of sales related to derivatives were $2,539 and $306, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and losses recognized in net sales and cost of sales were $6,801 and $1,294, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The losses recognized in net sales and gains recognized in cost of sales related to derivatives were $384 and $150, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and losses recognized in net sales and cost of sales related to derivatives were $4,375 and $2,678, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
The Partnership's commodity contracts are measured using forward curves supplied by industry recognized sources and unrelated third-party services and classified as Level 2 under the fair value measurement guidance.
14
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data)
11. Fair Value Measurements
The Partnership reports certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). Under the accounting guidance for fair value measurements, inputs used to measure fair value are classified in one of three levels:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
The Partnership has financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measures. These financial assets and liabilities include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, net, accounts payable and long-term debt payable to Westlake, all of which are recorded at carrying value. The amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for accounts receivable, net and accounts payable approximate their fair value due to the short maturities of these instruments. The carrying and fair values of the Partnership's long-term debt at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are summarized in the table below. The Partnership's long-term debt includes the OpCo Revolver and the MLP Revolver at September 30, 2020. The fair value of debt is determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows using a discounted cash flow methodology. Because the Partnership's valuation methodology used for long-term debt requires the use of significant unobservable inputs, the inputs used to measure the fair value of the Partnership's long-term debt are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Inputs used to estimate the fair values of the Partnership's long-term debt include the selection of an appropriate discount rate.
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||
Carrying Value | Fair Value | Carrying Value | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
OpCo Revolver | $ | 22,619 | $ | 22,980 | $ | 22,619 | $ | 23,364 | ||||||||
MLP Revolver | 377,055 | 378,797 | 377,055 | 379,452 | ||||||||||||
12. Supplemental Information
Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities were $16,955 and $17,507 at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Accrued taxes, accrued maintenance expense and accrued interest, which are components of accrued liabilities, were $5,550, $4,054 and $2,320, respectively, at September 30, 2020 and $2,611, $3,225 and $4,187, respectively, at December 31, 2019. No other component of accrued liabilities was more than five percent of total current liabilities.
Non-cash Investing Activity
The non-cash investing activities related to accruals for capital expenditures were $1,945 and $1,213 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
15
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of dollars, except unit amounts and per unit data)
13. Commitments and Contingencies
The Partnership is subject to environmental laws and regulations that can impose civil and criminal sanctions and that may require the Partnership to mitigate the effects of contamination caused by the release or disposal of hazardous substances into the environment. These laws include the federal Clean Air Act, the federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), the Toxic Substances Control Act and various other federal, state and local laws and regulations. Under CERCLA, an owner or operator of property may be held strictly liable for remediating contamination without regard to whether that person caused the contamination, and without regard to whether the practices that resulted in the contamination were legal at the time they occurred. Because the Partnership's production sites have a history of industrial use, it is impossible to predict precisely what effect these legal requirements will have on the Partnership. Westlake will indemnify the Partnership for liabilities that occurred or existed prior to August 4, 2014.
The Partnership is involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business. The Partnership does not believe that any of these legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Westlake Chemical Partners LP's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (the "2019 Form 10-K"), as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2020. Unless otherwise indicated, references in this report to "we," "our," "us" or like terms, refer to Westlake Chemical Partners LP (the "Partnership"), Westlake Chemical OpCo LP ("OpCo") and Westlake Chemical OpCo GP LLC ("OpCo GP"). References to "Westlake" refer to Westlake Chemical Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries other than the Partnership, OpCo GP and OpCo. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. Please read "Forward-Looking Statements" for a discussion of limitations inherent in such statements.
Partnership Overview
We are a Delaware limited partnership formed by Westlake to operate, acquire and develop ethylene production facilities and related assets. On August 4, 2014, we closed our initial public offering (the "IPO") of 12,937,500 common units. In connection with the IPO, we acquired a 10.6% interest in OpCo and a 100% interest in OpCo GP, which is the general partner of OpCo. On April 29, 2015, we purchased an additional 2.7% newly-issued limited partner interest in OpCo, resulting in an aggregate 13.3% limited partner interest in OpCo, effective April 1, 2015. The 12,686,115 subordinated units of the Partnership, all of which were previously owned by Westlake, were converted into common units of the Partnership on August 30, 2017. On September 29, 2017, we completed a secondary public offering of 5,175,000 common units and purchased an additional 5.0% newly-issued limited partner interest in OpCo, resulting in an aggregate 18.3% limited partner interest in OpCo, effective July 1, 2017. On March 29, 2019, we completed a private placement of 2,940,818 common units and used the net proceeds to purchase an additional 4.5% interest in OpCo, effective January 1, 2019, resulting in us owning an aggregate 22.8% limited partner interest in OpCo.
Currently, our sole revenue generating asset is our 22.8% limited partner interest in OpCo, a limited partnership formed by Westlake and us in anticipation of the IPO to own and operate an ethylene production business. We control OpCo through our ownership of its general partner. Westlake retains the remaining 77.2% limited partner interest in OpCo as well as a significant interest in us through its ownership of our general partner, 40.1% of our limited partner units (consisting of 14,122,230 common units) and our incentive distribution rights. OpCo's assets include (1) two ethylene production facilities ("Petro 1" and "Petro 2" and, collectively, "Lake Charles Olefins") at Westlake's Lake Charles, Louisiana site; (2) one ethylene production facility ("Calvert City Olefins") at Westlake's Calvert City, Kentucky site; and (3) a 200-mile common carrier ethylene pipeline (the "Longview Pipeline") that runs from Mont Belvieu, Texas to Westlake's Longview, Texas facility.
16
How We Generate Revenue
We generate revenue primarily by selling ethylene and the resulting co-products we produce. OpCo and Westlake have entered into an ethylene sales agreement (the "Ethylene Sales Agreement") pursuant to which we generate a substantial majority of our revenue. The Ethylene Sales Agreement is a long-term, fee-based agreement with a minimum purchase commitment and includes variable pricing based on OpCo's actual feedstock and natural gas costs and estimated other costs of producing ethylene (including OpCo's estimated operating costs and a five-year average of OpCo's expected future maintenance capital expenditures and other turnaround expenditures based on OpCo's planned ethylene production capacity for the year), plus a fixed margin per pound of $0.10 less revenue from co-products sales. Pursuant to the Ethylene Sales Agreement, Westlake's obligation to pay for the annual minimum commitment (95% of OpCo's budgeted ethylene production), which is measured on an annual basis, is generally not reduced for the first 45 days of a force majeure event, but is reduced for the portion of a force majeure event extending beyond the 45th day. In the event of a force majeure event, we recognize buyer deficiency fees representing fixed margin and unavoided operating and maintenance capital expenditures and maintenance expenses per pound of volume committed by Westlake during the force majeure event. Payment for the buyer deficiency fee is scheduled to be received by the Partnership after the conclusion of the year.
Westlake has an option to take 95% of volumes in excess of the minimum commitment on an annual basis under the Ethylene Sales Agreement if we produce more than our planned production. Under the Ethylene Sales Agreement, the price for the sale of such excess ethylene to Westlake is based on a formula similar to that used for the minimum purchase commitment, with the exception of certain fixed costs. In addition, under the Ethylene Sales Agreement, if production costs billed to Westlake on an annual basis are less than 95% of the actual production costs incurred by OpCo during the contract year, OpCo is entitled to recover the shortfall in such production costs (proportionate to the volume sold to Westlake) in the subsequent year ("Shortfall"). The Shortfall is generally recognized during the period in which the related operating, maintenance or turnaround activities occur.
Operating Expenses, Maintenance Capital Expenditures and Turnaround Costs
Our management seeks to maximize the profitability of our operations by effectively managing operating expenses, maintenance capital expenditures and turnaround costs. Our operating expenses are comprised primarily of feedstock costs and natural gas, labor expenses (including contractor services), utility costs (other than natural gas) and turnaround and maintenance expenses. With the exception of feedstock, including natural gas, and utilities-related expenses, operating expenses generally remain relatively stable across broad ranges of production volumes but can fluctuate from period to period depending on the circumstances, particularly maintenance and turnaround activities. Our maintenance capital expenditures and turnaround costs are comprised primarily of maintenance of our ethylene production facilities and the amortization of capitalized turnaround costs. These capital expenditures relate to the maintenance and integrity of our facilities. We capitalize the costs of major maintenance activities, or turnarounds, and amortize the costs over the period until the next planned turnaround of the affected facility.
Operating expenses, maintenance capital expenditures and turnaround costs are built into the price per pound of ethylene charged to Westlake under the Ethylene Sales Agreement. Because the expenses other than feedstock costs and natural gas are based on forecasted amounts and remain a fixed component of the price per pound of ethylene sold under the Ethylene Sales Agreement for any given 12-month period, our ability to manage operating expenses, maintenance expenditures and turnaround cost may directly affect our profitability and cash flows. The impact on profitability is partially mitigated by the fact that we generally recognize any Shortfall as revenue in the period such costs and expenses are incurred. We seek to manage our operating and maintenance expenses on our ethylene production facilities by scheduling maintenance and turnarounds over time to avoid significant variability in our operating margins and minimize the impact on our cash flows, without compromising our commitment to safety and environmental stewardship. In addition, we reserve cash on an annual basis from what we would otherwise distribute to minimize the impact of turnaround costs in the year of incurrence. The purchase price under the Ethylene Sales Agreement is not designed to cover capital expenditures for expansions.
17
MLP Distributable Cash Flow and EBITDA
The body of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States is commonly referred to as "GAAP." For this purpose, a non-GAAP financial measure is generally defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as a numerical measure of a registrant's historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that (1) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of income, balance sheet or statement of cash flows (or equivalent statements) of the registrant; or (2) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable measure so calculated and presented. We use the non-GAAP measures of MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA to analyze our performance. We define distributable cash flow as net income plus depreciation, amortization and disposition of property, plant and equipment, less contributions for turnaround reserves, maintenance capital expenditures and mark-to-market adjustment on derivative contracts. We define MLP distributable cash flow as distributable cash flow less distributable cash flow attributable to Westlake's noncontrolling interest in OpCo and distributions attributable to the incentive distribution rights holder. MLP distributable cash flow does not reflect changes in working capital balances. We define EBITDA as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We use each of MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA to analyze our performance. MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA 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; our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; and the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities.
MLP distributable cash flow is not a substitute for the GAAP measures of net income and net cash provided by operating activities. MLP distributable cash flow has important limitations as an analytical tool because it excludes some but not all items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities. EBITDA is not a substitute for the GAAP measures of net income, income from operations and net cash provided by operating activities. In addition, it should be noted that companies calculate EBITDA differently and, therefore, EBITDA as presented for us may not be comparable to EBITDA reported by other companies. EBITDA has material limitations as a performance measure because it excludes interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and income taxes. Reconciliations for each of MLP distributable cash flow and EBITDA are included in the "Results of Operations" section below.
Recent Developments
COVID-19 and Other Recent Developments Affecting Industry Conditions and Our Business
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. The pandemic has resulted in widespread adverse impacts on the global economy and on our employees, customers and suppliers. We did not experience significant disruptions to our business operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and do not expect to experience significant disruptions to our business operations resulting from COVID-19, primarily due to the fact that 95% of our production is sold to Westlake on a take-or-pay contract.
Our first priority in our response to this crisis has been the health and safety of our operators, who are loaned to us by Westlake, and those of our customers and vendors. Westlake has implemented preventative measures and developed corporate and regional response plans to minimize unnecessary risk of exposure. We and Westlake have modified certain business practices (including those related to employee travel, employee work locations and employee work practices) to conform to government restrictions and best practices encouraged by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and other governmental and health authorities. We and Westlake have implemented strategies to reduce costs, increase operational efficiencies and lower capital spending. We have also deferred the planned turnaround at OpCo's Petro 2 ethylene unit and associated maintenance cost into the second half of 2021. The turnaround is expected to last approximately 60 days.
Though the price of crude oil has partially recovered from its sudden collapse in early March 2020, due to the continuing impact of low crude-oil prices and the addition of ethylene production capacity in recent months, prices for ethylene and co-products have remained weak and have also negatively impacted our plants' operating rates. We may idle production and reduce operating rates if it is not economical for us to produce ethylene to sell to third parties.
18
Impact of Hurricanes Laura and Delta
On August 27, 2020, Hurricane Laura made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 storm, which resulted in wide-spread damage to property and infrastructure in the greater Lake Charles area, including the electricity transmission system. On October 9, 2020, Hurricane Delta made landfall as a Category 2 storm in the same general vicinity of Louisiana. As a precautionary measure, OpCo idled its units in the Lake Charles area, Petro 1 and Petro 2, in advance of each storm. As a result of the storms and certain pre-existing issues discovered during start-up following Hurricanes Laura and Delta, Petro 1 and Petro 2 remained shut down in the month of September. Petro 1 and Petro 2 have resumed production. In connection with these outages and pursuant to the Ethylene Sales Agreement, OpCo provided notices of force majeure events to Westlake. Under the Ethylene Sales Agreement, Westlake's obligation to pay for the annual minimum commitment (95% of OpCo's budgeted ethylene production) will generally not be reduced for the first 45 days of a force majeure event. As a result of the force majeure event due to Hurricane Laura, we recognized a buyer deficiency fee of $41.3 million as a component of net sales in the quarter ended September 30, 2020, representing fixed margin and unavoided operating and maintenance capital expenditures and maintenance expenses per pound of volume committed by Westlake during the force majeure event. Payment for the buyer deficiency fee is scheduled to be received by the Partnership after the conclusion of the year.
19
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue | ||||||||||||||||
Net sales—Westlake | $ | 217,763 | $ | 216,678 | $ | 660,022 | $ | 703,765 | ||||||||
Net co-product, ethylene and other sales—third parties | 14,206 | 33,247 | 60,996 | 115,308 | ||||||||||||
Total net sales | 231,969 | 249,925 | 721,018 | 819,073 | ||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 131,578 | 156,706 | 427,049 | 543,242 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit | 100,391 | 93,219 | 293,969 | 275,831 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 6,255 | 6,822 | 18,590 | 21,434 | ||||||||||||
Income from operations | 94,136 | 86,397 | 275,379 | 254,397 | ||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | ||||||||||||||||
Interest expense—Westlake | (2,320 | ) | (4,411 | ) | (9,701 | ) | (15,436 | ) | ||||||||
Other income, net | 17 | 565 | 725 | 2,533 | ||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 91,833 | 82,551 | 266,403 | 241,494 | ||||||||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | (15 | ) | 72 | 408 | 509 | |||||||||||
Net income | 91,848 | 82,479 | 265,995 | 240,985 | ||||||||||||
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in OpCo | 73,313 | 67,557 | 214,853 | 197,375 | ||||||||||||
Net income attributable to Westlake Chemical Partners LP | $ | 18,535 | $ | 14,922 | $ | 51,142 | $ | 43,610 | ||||||||
MLP distributable cash flow (1) | $ | 21,188 | $ | 20,452 | $ | 56,380 | $ | 54,429 | ||||||||
EBITDA (2) | $ | 120,076 | $ | 113,643 | $ | 353,871 | $ | 337,312 | ||||||||
____________ | ||||||||||||||||
(1) See "Reconciliation of MLP Distributable Cash Flow to Net Income and Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities" below. | ||||||||||||||||
(2) See "Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income, Income from Operations and Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities" below. | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | |||||||||||
Average Sales Price | Volume | Average Sales Price | Volume | |||||||||
Product sales prices and volume percentage change from prior-year period | +10.8 | % | -34.5 | % | -1.8 | % | -15.2 | % | ||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||
Average industry prices (1) | ||||||||||||
Ethane (cents/lb) | 7.4 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 7.6 | ||||||||
Propane (cents/lb) | 11.9 | 10.3 | 10.1 | 13.0 | ||||||||
Ethylene (cents/lb) (2) | 19.3 | 20.7 | 15.4 | 17.1 | ||||||||
(1) | Industry pricing data was obtained through IHS Markit ("IHS"). We have not independently verified the data. |
(2) | Represents average North American spot prices of ethylene over the period as reported by IHS. |
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Reconciliation of MLP Distributable Cash Flow to Net Income and Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
The following table presents reconciliations of MLP distributable cash flow to net income and net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, for each of the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 117,157 | $ | 121,482 | $ | 340,876 | $ | 335,154 | ||||||||
Loss from disposition of fixed assets | (554 | ) | — | (1,000 | ) | (458 | ) | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other | (24,755 | ) | (39,003 | ) | (73,881 | ) | (93,711 | ) | ||||||||
Net Income | 91,848 | 82,479 | 265,995 | 240,985 | ||||||||||||
Add: | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and disposition of property, plant and equipment | 26,476 | 26,582 | 78,767 | 80,787 | ||||||||||||
Mark-to-market adjustment loss (gain) on derivative contracts | 1,572 | 7,195 | (215 | ) | 6,996 | |||||||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||||||
Contribution to turnaround reserves | (9,890 | ) | (3,932 | ) | (29,697 | ) | (11,669 | ) | ||||||||
Maintenance capital expenditures | (6,509 | ) | (5,568 | ) | (25,858 | ) | (28,613 | ) | ||||||||
Distributable cash flow attributable to noncontrolling interest in OpCo | (82,309 | ) | (86,304 | ) | (232,612 | ) | (234,057 | ) | ||||||||
MLP distributable cash flow | $ | 21,188 | $ | 20,452 | $ | 56,380 | $ | 54,429 | ||||||||
Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income, Income from Operations and Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
The following table presents reconciliations of EBITDA to net income, income from operations and net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, for each of the periods indicated.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 117,157 | $ | 121,482 | $ | 340,876 | $ | 335,154 | ||||||||
Loss from disposition of fixed assets | (554 | ) | — | (1,000 | ) | (458 | ) | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other | (24,755 | ) | (39,003 | ) | (73,881 | ) | (93,711 | ) | ||||||||
Net Income | 91,848 | 82,479 | 265,995 | 240,985 | ||||||||||||
Less: | ||||||||||||||||
Other income, net | 17 | 565 | 725 | 2,533 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (2,320 | ) | (4,411 | ) | (9,701 | ) | (15,436 | ) | ||||||||
Benefit (Provision) for income taxes | 15 | (72 | ) | (408 | ) | (509 | ) | |||||||||
Income from operations | 94,136 | 86,397 | 275,379 | 254,397 | ||||||||||||
Add: | ||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 25,923 | 26,681 | 77,767 | 80,382 | ||||||||||||
Other income, net | 17 | 565 | 725 | 2,533 | ||||||||||||
EBITDA | $ | 120,076 | $ | 113,643 | $ | 353,871 | $ | 337,312 | ||||||||
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Summary
For the quarter ended September 30, 2020, net income was $91.8 million on net sales of $232.0 million. This represents an increase in net income of $9.3 million as compared to net income of $82.5 million on net sales of $249.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. Net income attributable to Westlake Chemical Partners LP for the third quarter of 2020 was $18.5 million as compared to $14.9 million for the third quarter of 2019, an increase of $3.6 million. Net income and net income attributable to Westlake Chemical Partners LP for the third quarter of 2020 as compared to the third quarter of 2019 were higher primarily due to the higher sales price for ethylene sold to Westlake per the terms of the Ethylene Sales Agreement, the buyer deficiency fee of $41.3 million recognized in third quarter of 2020 as a result of the force majeure event at the Petro 1 and Petro 2 units, as discussed above under "Recent Developments—Impact of Hurricanes Laura and Delta," and lower interest expense, partially offset by lower sales to third parties and increased maintenance expense. Net sales for the third quarter of 2020 decreased by $17.9 million as compared to net sales for the third quarter of 2019, mainly due to lower sales to third parties, partially offset by higher sales prices to Westlake per the terms of the Ethylene Sales Agreement and the buyer deficiency fee recognized during the period. Income from operations was $94.1 million for the third quarter of 2020 as compared to $86.4 million for the third quarter of 2019. Income from operations for the third quarter of 2020 increased mainly as a result of the higher sales price for ethylene sold to Westlake, the buyer deficiency fee recognized during the period, partially offset by increased maintenance expense and lower sales volumes to third parties, as compared to the third quarter of 2019.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net income was $266.0 million on net sales of $721.0 million. This represents an increase in net income of $25.0 million as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 net income of $241.0 million on net sales of $819.1 million. Net income attributable to Westlake Chemical Partners LP for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $51.1 million as compared to $43.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, an increase of $7.5 million. The increase in net income and net income attributable to Westlake Chemical Partners LP in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to the buyer deficiency fee of $41.3 million recognized during the current-year period as a result of the force majeure event at the Petro 1 and Petro 2 units and lower selling, general and administrative expenses and interest expense, partially offset by lower sales to third parties, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 decreased by $98.1 million as compared to net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, mainly due to lower production and lower sales to third parties, partially offset by higher sales prices to Westlake per the terms of the Ethylene Sales Agreement and the buyer deficiency fee recognized for the period. Income from operations was $275.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to $254.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Income from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased mainly as a result of the buyer deficiency fee recognized during the period and lower selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower sales to third parties, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Third Quarter 2020 Compared with Third Quarter 2019
Net Sales. Total net sales decreased by $17.9 million, or 7.2%, to $232.0 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $249.9 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in net sales in the third quarter of 2020 was primarily due to lower production during the quarter, partially offset by the buyer deficiency fee of $41.3 million recognized for the period and higher sales prices to Westlake per the terms of the Ethylene Sales Agreement in the third quarter of 2020. The lower sales volume in the third quarter of 2020 contributed to a decrease in net sales of 34.5% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in sales volume for the third quarter of 2020 was primarily due to the force majeure event at our Lake Charles Petro 1 and Petro 2 units. The average sales price in the third quarter of 2020 contributed to a 10.8% increase in net sales, primarily due to higher ethylene sales prices to Westlake per the terms of the Ethylene Sales Agreement.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased to $100.4 million for the third quarter of 2020 from $93.2 million for the third quarter of 2019. The gross profit margin in the third quarter of 2020 was 43.3%, as compared to 37.3% for the third quarter of 2019. The third quarter of 2020 gross profit margin was higher mainly due to higher earnings on ethylene sold to Westlake as a result of the buyer deficiency fee of $41.3 million recognized during the third quarter of 2020, partially offset by lower sales to third parties and increased maintenance expense at the Lake Charles Petro I and Petro 2 units compared to the third quarter of 2019.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $0.5 million, or 7.4%, to $6.3 million in the third quarter of 2020 as compared to $6.8 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in the third quarter of 2020 was mainly attributable to lower general and administrative expense allocations as compared to the third quarter of 2019.
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Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased by $2.1 million to $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $4.4 million in the third quarter of 2019, largely due to a lower interest rate on debt as a result of a decrease in the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR").
Other Income, net. Other income, net in the third quarter of 2020 decreased by $0.6 million, primarily due to a decrease in interest income earned under the Investment Management Agreement as a result of lower average interest rates.
MLP Distributable Cash Flow. MLP distributable cash flow increased by $0.7 million to $21.2 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $20.5 million in the third quarter of 2019. The increased MLP distributable cash flow in the third quarter of 2020, as compared to the prior-year period, was primarily due to the buyer deficiency fee of $41.3 million recognized in the third quarter of 2020 and lower interest expense, partially offset by increased turnaround reserves.
EBITDA. EBITDA increased by $6.5 million to $120.1 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $113.6 million in the third quarter of 2019. The increased EBITDA, as compared to the prior-year period, was primarily due to the buyer deficiency fee of $41.3 million recognized in the third quarter of 2020, partially offset by lower sales volumes as a result of lower production.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Net Sales. Total net sales decreased by $98.1 million, or 12.0%, to $721.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $819.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in net sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to lower production during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and lower sales prices to third parties, partially offset by the buyer deficiency fee of $41.3 million recognized in the current-year period and higher sales price to Westlake per the terms of the Ethylene Sales Agreement in the current-year period. The lower sales volume contributed to a decrease in net sales of 15.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in sales volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to the force majeure event at our Lake Charles Petro 1 and Petro 2 units resulting from Hurricane Laura. The average sales price for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 contributed to a 1.8% decrease in net sales, primarily due to lower sales prices to third parties.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased to $294.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $275.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The gross profit margin in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was 40.8%, as compared to 33.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The nine months ended September 30, 2020 gross profit margin was higher mainly due to higher earnings on ethylene sold to Westlake and the buyer deficiency fee of $41.3 million recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, partially offset by lower sales volumes resulting from the lower production at the Lake Charles Petro I and Petro 2 units compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $2.8 million, or 13.1%, to $18.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $21.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was mainly attributable to lower general and administrative expense allocations in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the prior-year period.
Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased by $5.7 million to $9.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $15.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due to a lower interest rate on debt.
Other Income, net. Other income, net decreased by $1.8 million to $0.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to $2.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, primarily due to a decrease in interest income earned under the Investment Management Agreement as a result of lower average interest rates.
Provision for Income Taxes. Provision for income taxes was $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to a provision of $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was mainly attributable to a tax benefit due to a revaluation of the state deferred income tax liability arising from a decrease in state tax apportionment.
MLP Distributable Cash Flow. MLP distributable cash flow increased by $2.0 million to $56.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $54.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increased MLP distributable cash flow in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the prior-year period, was primarily due to the buyer deficiency fee of $41.3 million recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and lower interest expense, partially offset by increased turnaround reserves.
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EBITDA. EBITDA increased by $16.6 million to $353.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $337.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increased EBITDA, as compared to the prior-year period, was primarily due to the buyer deficiency fee of $41.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, partially offset by lower sales volumes to Westlake and third parties as a result of the lower production.
CASH FLOW DISCUSSION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AND 2019
Operating Activities
Operating activities provided cash of $340.9 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $335.2 million in the first nine months of 2019. The $5.7 million increase in cash flows from operating activities was mainly due to an increase in income from operations, partially offset by an increase in cash used for working capital during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the prior-year period. Changes in components of working capital, which we define for the purposes of this cash flow discussion as accounts receivable—Westlake, accounts receivable, net—third parties, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets less accounts payable—Westlake, accounts payable—third parties and accrued liabilities, used cash of $2.1 million in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to $14.7 million of cash provided in the first nine months of 2019, resulting in an overall unfavorable change of $16.8 million. The unfavorable change in working capital was mainly attributable to an unfavorable change in Westlake, net accounts receivable due to the buyer deficiency fee recognized in the third quarter of 2020.
Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities during the first nine months of 2020 was $58.2 million as compared to net cash used for investing activities of $46.0 million in the first nine months of 2019, mainly due to increased net cash used under the Investment Management Agreement in the first nine months of 2020, as compared to the prior-year period. Capital expenditures during the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 were primarily related to projects to improve production capacity or reduce costs, maintenance and safety and environmental projects at our facilities.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities during the first nine months of 2020 was $279.3 million as compared to net cash used by financing activities of $290.3 million in the first nine months of 2019. The outflows during the first nine months of 2020 were related to the distribution of $229.5 million to Westlake and of $49.8 million to other unitholders by the Partnership. The cash inflows during the first nine months of 2019 were a result of borrowings under the MLP Revolver of $123.5 million and net proceeds from the private placement of common units of approximately $62.7 million. The cash outflows during the first nine months of 2019 were related to the distribution of $229.3 million to Westlake and of $45.7 million to other unitholders by the Partnership as well as a partial repayment of borrowings under the OpCo revolver of $201.4 million.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity and Financing Arrangements
Pursuant to the terms of an equity distribution agreement, entered in October 2018 and amended in February 2020, among the Partnership and various investment banks, the Partnership may offer and sell the Partnership's common units from time to time to or through the investment banks, as the Partnership's sales agents or as principals, having an aggregate offering amount of up to $50.0 million ("the ATM Program"). The Partnership intends to use the net proceeds of sales of the common units, if any, for general partnership purposes, including the funding of potential drop-downs and other acquisitions. No common units had been issued under the ATM Program as of September 30, 2020.
Based on the terms of our cash distribution policy, we expect that we will distribute to our partners most of the excess cash generated by our operations. To the extent we do not generate sufficient cash flow to fund capital expenditures, we expect to fund them primarily from external sources, including borrowing directly from Westlake, as well as future issuances of equity and debt interests.
The Partnership maintains separate bank accounts, but Westlake continues to provide treasury services on our behalf under the Services and Secondment Agreement. Our sources of liquidity include cash generated from operations, the OpCo Revolver, the MLP Revolver and, if necessary and possible under then current market conditions, the issuance of additional common units representing limited partner interests of the Partnership, other classes of units representing limited partner interests of the Partnership or debt securities. 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. Westlake may also provide other direct and indirect financing to us from time to time, although it is not required to do so.
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In order to fund non-annual turnaround expenditures, we cause OpCo to reserve approximately $30.0 million during each twelve-month period for turnaround activities. Each of OpCo's ethylene production facilities requires turnaround maintenance approximately every five years. By reserving additional cash annually, we intend to reduce the variability in OpCo's cash flow. Westlake's purchase price for ethylene purchased under the Ethylene Sales Agreement includes a component (adjusted annually) designed to cover, over the long term, substantially all of OpCo's turnaround expenditures.
Westlake's credit facility and various indentures do not prevent OpCo from making distributions to us.
On October 30, 2020, the board of directors of Westlake Chemical Partners GP LLC, our general partner, approved a quarterly distribution of $0.4714 per unit payable on November 24, 2020 to unitholders of record as of November 9, 2020, which equates to a total amount of approximately $16.6 million per quarter, or approximately $66.4 million per year in aggregate, based on the number of common units outstanding on September 30, 2020. We do not have a legal or contractual obligation to pay distributions on a quarterly basis or any other basis at our minimum quarterly distribution rate or any other rate.
Capital Expenditures
Westlake has historically funded expansion capital expenditures related to Lake Charles Olefins and Calvert City Olefins. Total capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $29.2 million and $30.0 million, respectively. No funding was required by OpCo to fund capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. We expect that Westlake will loan additional cash to OpCo to fund its expansion capital expenditures in the future, but Westlake is under no obligation to do so.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
As of September 30, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $23.3 million. In addition, we have cash invested under the Investment Management Agreement (as described below) and a revolving credit facility with Westlake available to supplement cash if needed, as described under "Indebtedness" below.
In August 2017, the Partnership, OpCo and Westlake executed the Investment Management Agreement that authorized Westlake to invest the Partnership's and OpCo's excess cash with Westlake for a term of up to a maximum of nine months. Per the terms of the Investment Management Agreement, the Partnership earns a market return plus five basis points and Westlake provides daily availability of the invested cash to meet any liquidity needs of the Partnership or OpCo. The Partnership had $191.2 million of cash invested under the Investment Management Agreement at September 30, 2020.
Indebtedness
OpCo Revolver
In connection with the IPO, OpCo entered into a $600.0 million revolving credit facility with Westlake (the "OpCo Revolver") that may be used to fund growth projects and working capital needs. On April 30, 2019, the Partnership repaid $201.4 million of borrowings under the OpCo Revolver. As of September 30, 2020, outstanding borrowings under the OpCo Revolver totaled $22.6 million and bore interest at the LIBOR rate plus 2.0%, which is accrued in arrears quarterly. In September 2018, the OpCo Revolver was amended to extend the scheduled maturity date from August 4, 2019 to September 25, 2023 and revise the applicable margin from 3.0% to 2.0%.
25
MLP Revolver
In 2015, we entered into a senior, unsecured revolving credit agreement with an affiliate of Westlake (the "MLP Revolver"). The MLP Revolver has a borrowing capacity of $600 million and is scheduled to mature in 2023. On March 29, 2019, the Partnership borrowed $123.5 million under the MLP Revolver to partially fund the purchase of an additional 4.5% interest in OpCo. On March 19, 2020, the Partnership entered into an amendment to the MLP Revolver, to extend the maturity date to March 19, 2023 and add a phase-out provision for LIBOR, which is to be replaced by an alternate benchmark rate. Borrowings under the MLP Revolver bear interest at a variable rate of either (a) LIBOR plus 2.0% or, if LIBOR is no longer available, (b) Alternate Base Rate plus 1.0%. The MLP Revolver provides that we may pay all or a portion of the interest on any borrowings in kind, in which case any such amounts would be added to the principal amount of the loan. The MLP Revolver requires that we maintain a consolidated leverage ratio of either (1) during any one-year period following certain types of acquisitions (including acquisitions of additional interests in OpCo), 5.50:1.0 or less, or (2) during any other period, 4.50:1.0 or less. The MLP Revolver also contains certain other customary covenants. The repayment of borrowings under the MLP Revolver is subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an event of default. As of September 30, 2020, outstanding borrowings under the MLP Revolver totaled $377.1 million. We intend to use the MLP Revolver to purchase additional limited partnership interests in OpCo in the future, in the event OpCo desires to sell such additional interests to us, for other acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
26
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain of the statements contained in this report are forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "intends," "may," "should," "could," "anticipates," "expects," "will" or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements relate to matters such as:
• | the amount of ethane that we are able to process, which could be adversely affected by, among other things, operating difficulties; |
• | the volume of ethylene that we are able to sell; |
• | the price at which we are able to sell ethylene; |
• | industry market outlook, including prices and margins in third-party ethylene and co-products sales; |
• | widespread outbreak of an illness or any other communicable disease, or any other public health crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic; |
• | our plans and Westlake's plans to respond to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 epidemic, including planned reductions of costs, increases of operational efficiencies and lowering of capital spending, as well as the timing and deferral of the planned turnaround at OpCo's Petro 2 ethylene unit; |
• | the parties to whom we will sell ethylene and on what basis; |
• | volumes of ethylene that Westlake may purchase, in addition to the minimum commitment under the Ethylene Sales Agreement; |
• | timing, funding and results of capital projects; |
• | our intended minimum quarterly distributions and the manner of making such distributions; |
• | our ability to meet our liquidity needs; |
• | timing of and amount of capital expenditures; |
• | the Partnership's At-the-Market program and the use of any net proceeds from any sales under that program; |
• | potential loans from Westlake to OpCo to fund OpCo's expansion capital expenditures in the future; |
• | expected mitigation of exposure to commodity price fluctuations; |
• | turnaround activities and the variability of OpCo's cash flow; |
• | receipt of any buyer deficiency fee under the Ethylene Sales Agreement; |
• | compliance with present and future environmental regulations and costs associated with environmentally related penalties, capital expenditures, remedial actions and proceedings, including any new laws, regulations or treaties that may come into force to limit or control carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions or to address other issues of climate change; and |
• | effects of pending legal proceedings. |
27
We have based these statements on assumptions and analysis in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe were appropriate in the circumstances when the statements were made. Forward-looking statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those described in such statements. These statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including those described under "Risk Factors" in the 2019 Form 10-K and the following:
• | general economic and business conditions; |
• | the cyclical nature of the chemical industry; |
• | the availability, cost and volatility of raw materials and energy; |
• | low crude oil prices reducing the cost advantage of ethane-based ethylene producers; |
• | uncertainties associated with the United States and worldwide economies, including those due to political tensions and unrest in the Middle East and elsewhere; |
• | uncertainties associated with pandemic infectious diseases, particularly COVID-19; |
• | current and potential governmental regulatory actions in the United States and regulatory actions and political unrest in other countries, including environmental regulations; |
• | industry production capacity and operating rates; |
• | the supply/demand balance for our product; |
• | competitive products and pricing pressures; |
• | instability in the credit and financial markets; |
• | access to capital markets; |
• | terrorist acts; |
• | operating interruptions (including leaks, explosions, fires, weather-related incidents, mechanical failure, unscheduled downtime, labor difficulties, transportation interruptions, spills and releases and other environmental risks); |
• | changes in laws or regulations; |
• | technological developments; |
• | our ability to integrate acquired businesses; |
• | foreign currency exchange risks; |
• | our ability to implement our business strategies; and |
• | creditworthiness of our customers. |
Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Any of the factors, or a combination of these factors, could materially affect our future results of operations and the ultimate accuracy of the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of our future performance, and our actual results and future developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Management cautions against putting undue reliance on forward-looking statements or projecting any future results based on such statements or present or prior earnings levels. Every forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Commodity Price Risk
A substantial portion of the Partnership's products and raw materials are commodities whose prices fluctuate as market supply and demand fundamentals change. However, our direct exposure to commodity price risk is limited to approximately 5.0% of our total ethylene production, which is the portion sold to third parties. We believe we have substantially mitigated our indirect exposure to commodity price fluctuations during the term of the Ethylene Sales Agreement through the minimum commitment and the cost-plus based pricing. Additionally, we may use derivative instruments to reduce price volatility risk on feedstocks and ethylene associated with the production and sales to third parties. Based on our open derivative positions as of September 30, 2020, a hypothetical $0.10 increase in the price of a gallon of ethane would have increased our income before taxes by $0.8 million and a hypothetical $0.10 decrease in the price of a pound of ethylene would have increased our income before taxes by $1.8 million.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk with respect to our outstanding debt, all of which is variable rate debt. At September 30, 2020, we had total variable rate debt of $399.7 million outstanding, all of which was owed to wholly-owned subsidiaries of Westlake, and currently accrues interest at a variable rate of LIBOR plus 200 basis points. On March 19, 2020, the Partnership entered into an amendment to the MLP Revolver to extend the maturity date to March 19, 2023 and add a phase-out provision for LIBOR, which is to be replaced by an alternate benchmark rate. The amended credit agreement bears interest at a variable rate of either (a) LIBOR plus 2.0% or, if LIBOR is no longer available, (b) Alternate Base Rate plus 1.0%. The weighted average variable interest rate of our debt as of September 30, 2020 was 2.3%. We will continue to be subject to interest rate risk with respect to our variable rate debt as well as the risk of higher interest cost if and when this debt is refinanced. A hypothetical increase in our average interest rate on variable rate debt by 100 basis points would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $4.0 million, based on the September 30, 2020 debt balance.
LIBOR is used as a reference rate for all of our outstanding variable rate debt as of September 30, 2020. LIBOR is set to be phased out at the end of 2021 and to be replaced by an alternate benchmark rate. We do not expect the impact of the LIBOR phase out to be material.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective with respect to (i) the accumulation and communication to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we submit under the Exchange Act, and (ii) the recording, processing, summarizing and reporting of such information within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The 2019 Form 10-K, filed on February 28, 2020, contained a description of various legal proceedings in which we are involved, including environmental proceedings. See below and Note 13 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion on legal proceedings, which information is incorporated by reference herein.
Under the Omnibus Agreement, Westlake Chemical Corporation ("Westlake") has agreed to indemnify the Partnership for certain environmental and other liabilities relating to OpCo's processing facilities and related assets.
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Potential Flare Modifications. For several years, the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") has been conducting an enforcement initiative against petroleum refineries and petrochemical plants with respect to emissions from flares. On April 21, 2014, Westlake received a Clean Air Act Section 114 Information Request from the EPA, which sought information regarding flares at the Calvert City and Lake Charles facilities. The EPA has informed Westlake that the information provided leads the EPA to believe that some of the flares are out of compliance with applicable standards. The EPA has indicated that it is seeking a consent decree that would obligate Westlake to take corrective actions relating to the alleged noncompliance. The Partnership believes the resolution of these matters may require the payment of a monetary sanction in excess of $100,000.
In addition to the matters described above, the Partnership is involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business. The Partnership does not believe that any of these legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
For a discussion of risk factors, please read Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in the 2019 Form 10-K. The information below includes additional risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The risks described below and in other documents that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flow, liquidity or financial condition.
OpCo is subject to the credit risk of Westlake on a substantial majority of its revenues, and Westlake's leverage and creditworthiness could adversely affect our ability to make distributions to our unitholders. The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic could materially adversely affect Westlake's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our ability to make distributions to unitholders is substantially dependent on Westlake's ability to meet its minimum contractual obligations under the Ethylene Sales Agreement. If Westlake defaults on its obligations, our ability to make distributions to our unitholders could be reduced or eliminated. Westlake has not pledged any assets to us as security for the performance of its obligations.
Westlake has not agreed with us to limit its ability to incur indebtedness, pledge or sell assets or make investments, and we have no control over the amount of indebtedness Westlake incurs, the assets it pledges or sells or the investments it makes.
The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which the World Health Organization declared as a pandemic on March 11, 2020, has continued to persist. It has resulted in authorities implementing numerous measures to try to contain the disease, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and shutdowns, among others. Westlake could experience significant disruptions to its business operations, if the pandemic and its impacts on the global economy continue.
Westlake, which loans us our operators, has modified certain business practices (including those related to employee travel, employee work locations and employee work practices to conform to government restrictions and best practices encouraged by governmental and health authorities. However, the quarantine of personnel or the inability to access our or Westlake's facilities could adversely affect our and Westlake's operations. We or Westlake may take further actions as required by government authorities from time to time or that we or Westlake determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, Westlake's partners and suppliers. There is no certainty that such measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by the disease, and our ability to perform certain functions could be harmed.
In addition, while the potential impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and our business in particular may be difficult to assess or predict, the pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, significant disruption of global financial markets, which may reduce our or Westlake's ability to access capital or our customers' ability to pay us for past or future purchases, which could negatively affect our liquidity. The COVID-19 pandemic could also reduce the demand for our products or Westlake's products.
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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No. | Exhibit | |
31.1† | ||
31.2† | ||
32.1# | ||
101.INS† | XBRL Instance Document–The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL 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 Document | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File - The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |
_____________
† | Filed herewith. |
# | Furnished herewith. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
WESTLAKE CHEMICAL PARTNERS LP | ||||||
Date: | November 4, 2020 | By: | /S/ ALBERT CHAO | |||
Albert Chao | ||||||
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Westlake Chemical Partners GP LLC (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||
Date: | November 4, 2020 | By: | /S/ M. STEVEN BENDER | |||
M. Steven Bender | ||||||
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Westlake Chemical Partners GP LLC (Principal Financial Officer) | ||||||
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