HOUSTON, TEXAS — (Marketwire) — 07/25/12 — TC PipeLines, LP (NYSE: TCP) (the Partnership) today announced that the board of directors of TC PipeLines GP, Inc., its general partner, declared the Partnership–s second quarter 2012 cash distribution of $0.78 per common unit. The distribution represents a 1.3 percent increase over the distribution of $0.77 per common unit paid in first quarter 2012. The distribution is payable on August 14, 2012 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on August 3, 2012.
“The increase in the quarterly cash distribution reflects the Partnership–s overall portfolio of essential energy infrastructure assets,” said Steve Becker, president of TC PipeLines, GP, Inc. “Our long-term conservative investment approach allows the Partnership to provide stable and growing cash distributions to our unitholders.”
The quarterly cash distribution increase marks the 13th consecutive annual increase since the Partnership–s inception.
The Partnership also reported second quarter 2012 cash flows of $52 million compared to $48 million for the same period in 2011.
Net income in second quarter 2012 was $33 million or $0.60 per common unit compared to $36 million or $0.69 per common unit for the same period in 2011.
“The Partnership–s net income was impacted in the quarter primarily as a result of lower Great Lakes transmission revenues,” added Mr. Becker. “Recent re-contracting of long-haul capacity during the quarter on Northern Border means that five out of our six assets generate cash flows under long-term contracts. The increase in the distribution reflects the Partnership–s strong financial position from which to pursue future growth opportunities.”
Second Quarter Highlights (All financial figures are unaudited)
The Partnership–s financial highlights for the second quarter of 2012 compared to second quarter 2011 were:
Recent Developments
On July 24, 2012, the board of directors of our General Partner declared the Partnership–s second quarter 2012 cash distribution in the amount of $0.78 per common unit, an increase of $0.01 over the previous quarter, payable on August 14, 2012 to unitholders of record as of August 3, 2012.
Great Lakes– long-haul capacity in the second quarter of 2012 was sold at lower rates compared to the same period in 2011 resulting in transmission revenues of $47 million for the second quarter of 2012 which were $16 million lower than the same period in 2011. This resulted in a $7 million reduction to the Partnership–s equity earnings in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2011.
Northern Border operates pursuant to a 2007 rate case settlement and is required to file a rate case or reach a settlement on or before December 31, 2012.
Partnership Cash Flows
The Partnership uses the non-GAAP financial measures “Partnership cash flows” and “Partnership cash flows before General Partner distributions” as they provide measures of cash generated during the period to evaluate our cash distribution capability. Management also uses these measures as a basis for recommendations to our General Partner–s board of directors regarding the distribution to be declared each quarter. Partnership cash flow information is presented to enhance investors– understanding of the way that management analyzes the Partnership–s financial performance.
Partnership cash flows include cash distributions from the Partnership–s equity investments, Great Lakes, Northern Border, GTN and Bison, plus operating cash flows from the Partnership–s wholly-owned subsidiaries, North Baja and Tuscarora, net of Partnership costs and distributions declared to the General Partner.
Partnership cash flows and Partnership cash flows before General Partner distributions are provided as a supplement to GAAP financial results and are not meant to be considered in isolation or as substitutes for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Second Quarter 2012
Partnership cash flows increased $4 million to $52 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to $48 million in the same period of 2011. This increase was primarily due to cash distributions of $12 million from GTN and Bison, which were acquired in May 2011, partially offset by decreased cash distributions from Great Lakes of $10 million.
The Partnership paid distributions of $42 million in the second quarter of 2012, an increase of $7 million compared to the same period in 2011 due to an increase in the number of common units outstanding and an increase of $0.02 per common unit paid beginning in the third quarter of 2011.
Net Income
To supplement our financial statements, we have presented a comparison of the earnings contribution from each of our investments as an attachment. We have presented earnings in this format to enhance investors– understanding of the way management analyzes our financial performance. We believe this summary provides a meaningful comparison of our current period earnings relative to the prior year, as we account for our partially-owned pipeline systems using the equity method. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Second Quarter 2012
Net income decreased $3 million to $33 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to $36 million in the same period in 2011. This decrease was primarily due to lower equity earnings from Great Lakes, offset by a full quarter of equity earnings from GTN and Bison, which were acquired in May 2011, and lower Partnership expenses.
Equity earnings from Great Lakes were $8 million in the second quarter of 2012, a decrease of $9 million compared to $17 million earned in the second quarter of 2011. The decrease in equity earnings was primarily due to lower transportation revenue resulting from summer capacity sold as short-term at lower rates relative to the same period in 2011 and a cumulative one-time $2 million adjustment for Michigan business taxes, which was a benefit in the second quarter of 2011.
Expenses at the Partnership level were $8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 a decrease of $3 million compared to $11 million for the same period in 2011. This decrease was primarily due to costs incurred relating to the GTN and Bison acquisitions in 2011.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At June 30, 2012, there was $321 million outstanding on the Partnership–s $500 million senior revolving credit facility leaving $179 million available for future borrowing. The Partnership was in compliance with the covenants of the credit agreement at June 30, 2012.
Conference Call
Analysts, members of the media, investors and other interested parties are invited to participate in a teleconference by calling 866.226.1792 on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. central daylight time (CDT)/11:00 a.m. eastern daylight time (EDT). Steve Becker, President of the General Partner, will discuss the second quarter 2012 financial results and provide an update on the Partnership–s business developments, followed by a question and answer session for the investment community and media. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. No pass code is required. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available through the Partnership–s website at . Slides for the presentation will be posted on the Partnership–s website under “Event and Presentations” prior to the webcast.
A replay of the teleconference will also be available two hours after the conclusion of the call and until 11 p.m. (CDT)/midnight (EDT) on August 1, 2012, by calling 800.408.3053, then entering pass code 6220304.
TC PipeLines, LP (NYSE: TCP) has interests in over 5,550 miles of federally regulated U.S. interstate natural gas pipelines which serve markets across the United States and Eastern Canada. This includes significant interests in Great Lakes Gas Transmission Limited Partnership and Northern Border Pipeline Company as well as a 25 percent ownership interest in each of Gas Transmission Northwest LLC, and Bison Pipeline LLC. TC PipeLines, LP also has 100 percent ownership of North Baja Pipeline, LLC and Tuscarora Gas Transmission Company. TC PipeLines, LP is managed by its General Partner, TC PipeLines GP, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanada Corporation (NYSE: TRP). TC PipeLines GP, Inc. also holds common units of TC PipeLines, LP. For more information about TC PipeLines, LP, visit the Partnership–s website at .
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding expectations of future events and results. TC PipeLines, LP believes that these statements are based on reasonable assumptions made with current and complete information but there is no guarantee that expectations of future results will be achieved. These expectations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this release are described in Part 1, Item 1A. Risk Factors of TC PipeLines, LP–s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), copies of which are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC–s website () and at TC PipeLines, LP–s website (). TC PipeLines, LP disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to account for new information, future results or any other reason.
(a) 25 percent interests in each of GTN and Bison were acquired in May 2011.
Average Daily Scheduled Volumes(a)
Our pipeline systems generally sell capacity under contracts under which shippers are obligated to pay for their contracted capacity regardless of utilization.
Growth and Maintenance Capital Expenditures(a)(b)
Contacts:
TC PipeLines, LP
Media Inquiries:
Grady Semmens
403.920.7859
800.608.7859
TC PipeLines, LP
Unitholder and Analyst Inquiries:
Lee Evans
877.290.2772