CANONSBURG, Pa., May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CONE Midstream Partners LP (NYSE: CNNX) ("CONE Midstream" or the "Partnership") today reported financial and operational results for the three months ended March 31, 2016.(1)

First Quarter Results

Highlights of first quarter 2016 results attributable to the Partnership as compared to the first quarter of 2015 include:

  • Net income of $24.8 million as compared to $14.2 million
  • Average daily throughput volumes of 850 billion Btu per day (BBtu/d) as compared to 549 BBtu/d
  • Adjusted EBITDA(2) of $27.7 million as compared to $16.2 million
  • Distributable cash flow (DCF)(2) of $24.6 million as compared to $14.1 million
  • Cash distribution coverage of 1.69x on an as declared basis

Management Comment

"CONE Midstream is pleased to report very strong financial and operational results for the first quarter," said John T. Lewis, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of CONE Midstream GP LLC (the "General Partner").  "Net throughput volumes increased by 55% from the first quarter of 2015, and net income attributable to the partnership grew by 75% from a year ago.  Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow increased by 71%  and 74%, respectively, as compared to first quarter last year.

"We view our strong balance sheet and distribution coverage as positive differentiators for CNNX," continued Mr. Lewis.  "With a debt to trailing-twelve months EBITDA ratio of 0.8x, we have the financial capacity to sustain our growth through an appropriate combination of investment in organic projects, third party business development, and asset dropdowns or acquisitions. I'd also like to point out that we were free-cash-flow positive during the first quarter, as cash from operations exceeded our total capital investments and cash distribution payments.  Our balance sheet and robust distribution coverage have us well positioned for the future."

Quarterly Distribution

As previously announced, the Board of Directors of the General Partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.245 per unit with respect to the first quarter of 2016.  The distribution payment will be made on May 13, 2016 to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 4, 2016. The distribution, which equates to an annual rate of $0.98 per unit, represents an increase of 3.7% over the prior quarter and an increase of 15.3% over the distribution paid with respect to the first quarter of 2015.

Capital Investment and Resources

CONE Midstream's allocated first quarter 2016 share of investment in expansion projects was $9.0 million. Total expansion capital investment at the three development companies in which CONE Midstream holds controlling interests was $19.6 million. CONE Midstream's respective share of maintenance capital expenditures for the three development companies for the first quarter 2016 was $2.8 million.  Maintenance capital expenditures in the aggregate for the development companies in which CONE Midstream holds controlling interests totaled $4.8 million.

As of March 31, 2016,  CONE Midstream had outstanding borrowings of $74.0 million under its $250 million revolving credit facility and a cash balance of $14.3 million.

First Quarter Financial and Operational Results Conference Call

A conference call and webcast, during which management will discuss first quarter 2016 financial and operational results, is scheduled for May 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Reference material for the call will be available on the "Events" page of our website, www.conemidstream.com, shortly before the start of the call. Prepared remarks by members of management will be followed by a question and answer period.  Interested parties may listen via webcast by using the link posted on the "Events" page of our website or at  www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/998/14490. Participants who would like to ask questions may join the conference by phone at 888-349-0097 (international 412-902-0126) five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time (reference the CONE Midstream call).  An on-demand replay of the webcast will be also be available at  www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/998/14490 shortly after the conclusion of the conference call.  A telephonic replay will be available through May 12, 2016 by dialing 877-344-7529 (international: 412-317-0088) and using the conference playback number 10084060.

_______________

(1)

Unless otherwise indicated, the reporting measures included in this news release reflect the unallocated total activity of the three development companies jointly owned by the Partnership and CONE Gathering LLC ("CONE Gathering").  Because the Partnership owns a controlling interest in each of the three development companies, it fully consolidates their financial results. The Partnership's current economic interests in the development companies are: 75% in the Anchor Systems, 5% in the Growth Systems, and 5% in the Additional Systems.  CONE Gathering is a midstream joint venture formed by CONSOL Energy Inc. and Noble Energy, Inc. and owns non-controlling interests in the Partnership's development companies.



(2)

Adjusted EBITDA and DCF are not measures that are recognized under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP").  Definitions and reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to GAAP reporting measures appear in the financial tables which follow.

 

Contact:

Stephen R. Milbourne


CONE Investor Relations

Phone: 

724-485-4408

Email:  

smilbourne@conemidstream.com

* * * * *

CONE Midstream Partners is a master limited partnership formed by CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNX) and Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NBL), referred to as our Sponsors, to own, operate, develop and acquire natural gas gathering and other midstream energy assets to service our Sponsors' production in the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  Our assets include natural gas gathering pipelines and compression and dehydration facilities, as well as condensate gathering, collection, separation and stabilization facilities. More information is available on our website www.conemidstream.com.

* * * * *

This press release is intended to be a qualified notice to nominees as provided for under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100.0%) of CONE Midstream's distributions to non-U.S. investors as being attributed to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business.  Accordingly, CONE Midstream's distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate.  Nominees, and not CONE Midstream, are treated as withholding agents responsible for withholding on the distributions received by them on behalf of foreign investors.

* * * * *

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate" and other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and that do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and there can be no assurance that actual outcomes and results will not differ materially from those expected by our management.  Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others: the effects of changes in market prices of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil on our Sponsors' drilling and development plan on our dedicated acreage and the volumes of natural gas and condensate that are produced on our dedicated acreage; changes in our Sponsors' drilling and development plan in the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale; our Sponsors' ability to meet their drilling and development plan in the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale; the demand for natural gas and condensate gathering services; changes in general economic conditions; competitive conditions in our industry; actions taken by third-party operators, gatherers, processors and transporters; our ability to successfully implement our business plan; and our ability to complete internal growth projects on time and on budget. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.  Although forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs at the time they are made, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the factors described under "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, unless required by law.

 

CONE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per unit data)

(unaudited)




Three Months Ended
March 31,


2016


2015

Revenue




Gathering revenue — related party

$

62,248



$

43,168


Total Revenue

62,248



43,168


Expenses




Operating expense — third party

8,674



8,530


Operating expense — related party

8,344



7,044


General and administrative expense — third party

993



1,342


General and administrative expense — related party

1,684



1,977


Depreciation expense

4,839



2,994


Interest expense

419



65


Total Expense

24,953



21,952


Net Income

37,295



21,216


Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

12,505



7,004


Net Income Attributable to General and Limited Partner Ownership Interest in CONE Midstream Partners LP

$

24,790



$

14,212






Calculation of Limited Partner Interest in Net Income:




Net Income Attributable to General and Limited Partner Ownership Interest in CONE Midstream Partners LP

$

24,790



$

14,212


Less: General partner interest in net income

496



284


Limited partner interest in net income

$

24,294



$

13,928






Net income per Limited Partner unit - Basic

$

0.42



$

0.24


Net Income per Limited Partner unit - Diluted

$

0.42



$

0.24






Limited Partner units outstanding - Basic

58,343



58,326


Limited Partner unit outstanding - Diluted

58,365



58,360






Cash distributions declared per unit (*)

$

0.2450



$

0.2125


(*)   Represents the cash distributions declared in April of each year relating to the period presented.

 

CONE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO EBITDA AND DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FLOW
(in thousands)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, and Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted for non-cash items which should not be included in the calculation of distributable cash flow. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are used as supplemental financial measures by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, industry analysts, lenders and ratings agencies, to assess:

  • our operating performance as compared to those of other companies in the midstream energy industry, without regard to financing methods, historical cost basis or capital structure;
  • the ability of our assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to our partners;
  • 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.

We believe that the presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provides information that is useful to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are net income and net cash provided by operating activities. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income, net cash provided by (used in) operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income or net cash, and these measures may vary from those of other companies. As a result, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as presented below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Distributable Cash Flow

We define distributable cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net cash interest paid and maintenance capital expenditures. Distributable cash flow does not reflect changes in working capital balances.

Distributable cash flow is used as a supplemental financial measure by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, industry analysts, lenders and ratings agencies, to assess:

  • the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to support our indebtedness and make future cash distributions to our unitholders; and
  • the attractiveness of capital projects and acquisitions and the overall rates of return on alternative investment opportunities.

We believe that the presentation of distributable cash flow in this report provides information useful to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to distributable cash flow are net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Distributable cash flow should not be considered an alternative to net income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Distributable cash flow excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income or net cash, and these measures may vary from those of other companies. As a result, our distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures of net income and net cash provided by operating activities.



Three Months Ended
March 31,

(unaudited)


2016


2015

Net Income


$

37,295



$

21,216


Interest expense


419



65


Depreciation expense


4,839



2,994


EBITDA


42,553



24,275


Non-cash unit-based compensation expense


136



96


Adjusted EBITDA


42,689



24,371


Less:





Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest


12,505



7,004


Interest expense attributable to noncontrolling interest


189



20


Depreciation expense attributable to noncontrolling interest


2,286



1,166


Adjusted EBITDA Attributable to General and Limited Partner Ownership Interest in CONE Midstream Partners LP


$

27,709



$

16,181


Less:  cash interest paid, net


230



45


Less:  ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, net of expected reimbursements


2,839



1,991


Distributable Cash Flow


$

24,640



$

14,145







Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities


$

41,180



$

10,206


Interest expense


419



65


Other, including changes in working capital


1,090



14,100


Adjusted EBITDA


42,689



24,371


Less:





Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest


12,505



7,004


Interest expense attributable to noncontrolling interest


189



20


Depreciation expense attributable to noncontrolling interest


2,286



1,166


Adjusted EBITDA Attributable to General and Limited Partner Ownership Interest in CONE Midstream Partners LP


$

27,709



$

16,181


Less:  cash interest paid, net


230



45


Less:  ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, net of expected reimbursements


2,839



1,991


Distributable Cash Flow


$

24,640



$

14,145


 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow by quarter and for the most recently completed twelve month period with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, which are net income and net cash provided by operating activities.

(unaudited)


Q2 2015


Q3 2015


Q4 2015


Q1 2016


Twelve
Months
Ended
March 31,
2016

Net Income


$

24,905



$

33,614



$

35,796



$

37,295



$

131,610


Interest expense


47



158



565



419



1,189


Depreciation expense


3,667



3,769



4,623



4,839



16,898


EBITDA


28,619



37,541



40,984



42,553



149,697


Non-cash unit-based compensation expense


96



118



92



136



442


Adjusted EBITDA


28,715



37,659



41,076



42,689



150,139


Less:











Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest


9,993



13,957



13,330



12,505



49,785


Interest expense attributable to noncontrolling interest


14



63



331



189



597


Depreciation expense attributable to noncontrolling interest


1,659



1,728



2,246



2,286



7,919


Adjusted EBITDA Attributable to General and Limited
Partner Ownership Interest in CONE Midstream Partners LP


$

17,049



$

21,911



$

25,169



$

27,709



$

91,838


Less:  cash interest paid, net


33



95



234



230



592


Less:  ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, net of
expected reimbursements


2,148



2,291



2,554



2,839



9,832


Distributable Cash Flow


$

14,868



$

19,525



$

22,381



$

24,640



$

81,414













Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities


$

50,254



$

38,808



$

16,749



$

41,180



$

146,991


Interest expense


47



158



565



419



1,189


Other, including changes in working capital


(21,586)



(1,307)



23,762



1,090



1,959


Adjusted EBITDA


28,715



37,659



41,076



42,689



150,139


Less:











Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest


9,993



13,957



13,330



12,505



49,785


Interest expense attributable to noncontrolling interest


14



63



331



189



597


Depreciation expense attributable to noncontrolling interest


1,659



1,728



2,246



2,286



7,919


Adjusted EBITDA Attributable to General and Limited
Partner Ownership Interest in CONE Midstream Partners LP


$

17,049



$

21,911



$

25,169



$

27,709



$

91,838


Less:  cash interest paid, net


33



95



234



230



592


Less:  ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, net of
expected reimbursements


2,148



2,291



2,554



2,839



9,832


Distributable Cash Flow


$

14,868



$

19,525



$

22,381



$

24,640



$

81,414


Distributions Declared


$

13,094



$

13,570



$

14,062



$

14,591



$

55,317


Distribution Coverage Ratio - Declared


1.14

x


1.44

x


1.59

x


1.69

x


1.47

x












Distributable Cash Flow


$

14,868



$

19,525



$

22,381



$

24,640



$

81,414


Distributions Paid


$

12,647



$

13,094



$

13,570



$

14,062



$

53,373


Distribution Coverage Ratio - Paid


1.18

x


1.49

x


1.65

x


1.75

x


1.53

x

 

 

CONE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except number of units)



(unaudited)




March 31,
 2016


December 31,
2015

ASSETS




Current Assets:




Cash

$

14,273



$

217


Receivables — related party

21,847



36,418


Inventory

18,916



18,916


Other current assets

1,669



2,037


Total Current Assets

56,705



57,588


Property and Equipment:




Property and equipment

914,470



897,918


Less — accumulated depreciation

36,337



31,609


Property and Equipment — Net

878,133



866,309


Other non-current assets

487



528


TOTAL ASSETS

$

935,325



$

924,425






LIABILITIES AND EQUITY




Current Liabilities:




Accounts payable

$

29,158



$

46,155


Accounts payable — related party

1,574



1,628


Total Current Liabilities

30,732



47,783


Other Liabilities:




Revolving credit facility

74,000



73,500


Total Liabilities

104,732



121,283


Partners' Capital:




Common units (29,180,217 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016 and
29,163,121 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015)

404,767



399,399


Subordinated units (29,163,121 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015)

(77,641)



(82,900)


General partner interest

(3,171)



(3,389)


Partners' capital attributable to CONE Midstream Partners LP

323,955



313,110


Noncontrolling interest

506,638



490,032


Total Partners' Capital

830,593



803,142


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL

$

935,325



$

924,425


 

 

CONE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)



Three Months Ended March 31,


2016


2015

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:




Net Income

$

37,295



$

21,216


Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:




Depreciation expense and amortization of debt issuance costs

4,880



2,994


Unit-based compensation

136



96


Changes in operating assets:




Receivables — related party

7,851



3,462


Other current and non-current assets

369



253


Changes in operating liabilities:




Accounts payable

(9,188)



(17,616)


Accounts payable — related party

(163)



(199)


Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

41,180



10,206






Cash Flows from Investing Activities:




Capital expenditures

(24,386)



(61,806)


Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

(24,386)



(61,806)






Cash Flows from Financing Activities:




Contributions by general & limited partners and noncontrolling interest holders

10,823



85,392


Distributions to unitholders

(14,061)



(12,784)


Net proceeds from (payment on) revolver

500



(23,800)


Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities

(2,738)



48,808






Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash

14,056



(2,792)


Cash at Beginning of Period

217



3,252


Cash at End of Period

$

14,273



$

460


 

 

Development Companies Jointly Owned by CONE Midstream Partners LP and CONE Gathering LLC

Operating Income Summary, Selected Operating Statistics and Capital Investment

(in thousands)

(unaudited)



Three Months Ended March 31, 2016


 Development Company


Anchor


Growth


Additional


 TOTAL

Income Summary








Revenue

$

50,290



$

2,891



$

9,067



$

62,248


Expenses

17,539



1,954



5,460



24,953


Net Income

32,751



937



3,607



37,295


Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

8,188



890



3,427



12,505


Net Income Attributable to General and Limited
Partner Ownership Interest in CONE Midstream
Partners LP

$

24,563



$

47



$

180



$

24,790










Operating Statistics - Gathered Volumes








Dry gas (BBtu/d)

650



68



24



742


Wet gas (BBtu/d)

457



6



176



639


Condensate (MMcfe/d)

7





7



14


Total Gathered Volumes

1,114



74



207



1,395










Total Volumes Net to CONE Midstream Partners LP

836



4



10



850










Capital Investment








Maintenance capital

$

3,710



$

69



$

1,057



$

4,836


Expansion capital

11,461





8,089



19,550


Total Capital Investment

$

15,171



$

69



$

9,146



$

24,386










Capital Investment Net to CONE Midstream Partners LP








Maintenance capital

$

2,783



$

3



$

53



$

2,839


Expansion capital

8,596





404



9,000


Total Capital Investment Net to CONE Midstream
Partners LP

$

11,379



$

3



$

457



$

11,839


 

 

Development Companies Jointly Owned by CONE Midstream Partners LP and CONE Gathering LLC

Operating Income Summary, Selected Operating Statistics and Capital Investment

(in thousands)

(unaudited)



Three Months Ended March 31, 2015


 Development Company


Anchor


Growth


Additional


 TOTAL

Income Summary








Revenue

$

34,533



$

2,975



$

5,660



$

43,168


Expenses

15,746



2,174



4,032



21,952


Net Income

18,787



801



1,628



21,216


Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

4,697



761



1,546



7,004


Net Income Attributable to General and Limited
Partner Ownership Interest in CONE Midstream
Partners LP

$

14,090



$

40



$

82



$

14,212










Operating Statistics - Gathered Volumes








Dry gas (BBtu/d)

381



77



12



470


Wet gas (BBtu/d)

326



3



109



438


Condensate (MMcfe/d)

11





2



13


Total Gathered Volumes

718



80



123



921










Total Volumes Net to CONE Midstream Partners LP

539



4



6



549










Capital Investment








Maintenance capital

$

2,619



$

258



$

273



$

3,150


Expansion capital

26,680



11,379



20,597



58,656


Total Capital Investment

$

29,299



$

11,637



$

20,870



$

61,806










Capital Investment Net to CONE Midstream Partners LP








Maintenance capital

$

1,964



$

13



$

14



$

1,991


Expansion capital

20,010



569



1,030



21,609


Total Capital Investment Net to CONE Midstream
Partners LP

$

21,974



$

582



$

1,044



$

23,600


 

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cone-midstream-reports-first-quarter-results-300263107.html

SOURCE CONE Midstream Partners LP

Copyright 2016 PR Newswire

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