Results for the First Quarter of 2018
- Net income of $13.4 million, or $0.41 per common unit
- Quarterly cash distribution declared, increased by a half-cent to $0.475 per unit
- Adjusted EBITDA of $17.1 million and distributable cash flow of $15.5 million
- Distribution coverage ratio of 1.00x
OMAHA, Neb., May 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ:GPP) today announced financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2018. Net income was $13.4 million, or $0.41 per common unit, for the first quarter of 2018 compared with $15.0 million, or $0.46 per common unit, for the same period in 2017. The partnership reported adjusted EBITDA of $17.1 million and distributable cash flow of $15.5 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared with adjusted EBITDA of $17.6 million and distributable cash flow of $16.2 million for the same period in 2017. Distribution coverage was 1.00x for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
“The partnership’s joint venture with Delek Renewables, NLR Energy Logistics, completed construction of its Little Rock ethanol unit train terminal during the quarter and commenced operations in April,” said Todd Becker, president and chief executive officer of Green Plains Partners. “This terminal will improve the delivery of ethanol to the Little Rock market and surrounding area. We look forward to further developing downstream distribution services through similar projects.
Development of our other joint venture with Delek Logistics continues to make progress on its proposed transaction, which is pending regulatory approvals,” Becker added. “We anticipate the DKGP Energy Terminals transaction will close in the second half of the year.”
First Quarter Highlights and Recent Developments
- On Feb. 16, 2018, the partnership and Delek Logistics Partners LP formed DKGP Energy Terminals LLC, a 50/50 joint venture, to acquire and manage light products terminal assets in Texas and Arkansas. DKGP Energy Terminals executed a membership interest purchase agreement to acquire AMID Refined Products LLC for approximately $138.5 million, which includes two light products fuel terminals. The partnership will contribute $81.75 million in cash and Delek Logistics Partners will contribute $57.75 million in cash as well as two of its existing terminals to the joint venture. DKGP Energy Terminals will have a total of four light products terminals with combined storage capacity of approximately 1.8 million barrels, access to major pipelines and railroads and the ability to transload gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, distillates and ethanol. The acquisition is anticipated to close in the second half of 2018, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
- On Feb. 20, 2018, the partnership increased its revolving credit facility by $40 million, from $195 million to $235 million.
- During the quarter, the partnership and Green Plains agreed to extend the offer period related to the company’s interest in JGP Energy Partners, a joint venture with Jefferson Ethanol Holdings LLC, to no later than October 15, 2018.
- In April 2018, NLR Energy Logistics LLC, the partnership’s 50/50 joint venture with Delek Renewables LLC, commenced operations of its ethanol unit train terminal. The total cost of the project was approximately $7.0 million.
- On April 19, 2018, the board of directors of the partnership’s general partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.475 per unit, or approximately $15.5 million, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The first quarter distribution is payable on May 11, 2018, to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 4, 2018.
Results of Operations
Consolidated revenues decreased $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared with the same period for 2017. Revenues generated from the partnership’s storage and throughput agreement decreased $1.4 million as a result of reduced throughput activity by Green Plains Trade. Revenues generated from the partnership’s terminal services agreements decreased $0.4 million due to lower throughput at the partnership’s terminals, partially offset by a $0.5 million increase in revenue generated by the expansion of the partnership’s truck fleet.
Operations and maintenance expenses decreased $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared with the same period for 2017, primarily due to lower repair, maintenance and railcar offload expenses associated with the partnership’s terminal operations. General and administrative expenses increased $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared with the same period for 2017, primarily due to transaction costs related to the formation of the DKGP Energy Terminals LLC joint venture and associated membership purchase agreement to acquire AMID Refined Products LLC. Interest expense increased by $0.3 million primarily due to higher borrowing costs.
During the first quarter of 2018, Green Plains Inc. reduced its ethanol production volumes in conjunction with plant improvement projects and seasonally weaker margins, operating its ethanol facilities at approximately 76.5% of capacity. Lower capacity utilization resulted in ethanol production of 280.4 million gallons compared with the contracted minimum volume commitment of 296.6 million gallons per quarter. As a result, the partnership charged Green Plains Trade a deficiency payment of $0.7 million related to the minimum volume commitment during the first quarter of 2018. Total throughput for the first quarter of 2018 was 298.3 million gallons, which included an incremental 17.9 million gallons related to transload volumes and changes in inventory.
| GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP | ||||||
| SELECTED OPERATING DATA | ||||||
| (unaudited, in million gallons) | ||||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||||
| March 31, | ||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | % Var. | ||||
| Product volumes | ||||||
| Storage and throughput services | 298.3 | 321.1 | (7.1 | )% | ||
| Terminal services: | ||||||
| Affiliate | 29.6 | 48.9 | (39.5 | ) | ||
| Non-affiliate | 32.1 | 25.5 | 25.9 | |||
| 61.7 | 74.4 | (17.1 | ) | |||
| Railcar capacity billed (daily average) | 99.2 | 89.2 | 11.2 | |||
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Total liquidity as of March 31, 2018, was $106.6 million, including $0.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, and $106.0 million available under the partnership’s revolving credit facility. The balance outstanding on the partnership’s revolving credit facility was $129.0 million as of March 31, 2018.
Conference Call Information
On May 7, 2018, Green Plains Partners LP and Green Plains Inc. will host a joint conference call at 11 a.m. Eastern time (10 a.m. Central time) to discuss first quarter 2018 financial and operating results for each company. Domestic and international participants can access the conference call by dialing 877.711.2374 and 281.542.4862, respectively, and referencing conference ID 4695992. The company advises participants to call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. Alternatively, the conference call, transcript and presentation will be accessible on Green Plains Partners’ website at http://ir.greenplainspartners.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are supplemental financial measures used to assess the partnership’s financial performance. Management believes adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow provide investors useful information in assessing the partnership’s financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, plus adjustments for transaction costs related to acquisitions or financings, minimum volume commitment deficiency payments, unit-based compensation expense, net gains or losses on asset sales and the partnership’s proportional share of EBITDA adjustments of equity method investees. Distributable cash flow is defined as adjusted EBITDA less interest paid or payable, income taxes paid or payable, maintenance capital expenditures and the partnership’s proportionate share of distributable cash flow adjustments of equity method investees. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and therefore should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP to analyze the partnership’s results.
About Green Plains Partners LP
Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ:GPP) is a fee-based Delaware limited partnership formed by Green Plains Inc. to provide fuel storage and transportation services by owning, operating, developing and acquiring ethanol and fuel storage tanks, terminals, transportation assets and other related assets and businesses. For more information about Green Plains Partners, visit www.greenplainspartners.com.
About Green Plains Inc.
Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) is a diversified commodity-processing business with operations related to ethanol production, grain handling and storage, cattle feeding, food ingredients, and commodity marketing and logistics services. The company is one of the leading producers of ethanol in the world and, through its adjacent businesses, is focused on the production of high-protein feed ingredients and export growth opportunities. Green Plains owns a 62.5% limited partner interest and a 2.0% general partner interest in Green Plains Partners. For more information about Green Plains, visit www.gpreinc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views, which are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, anticipated financial and operating results, plans and objectives that are not historical in nature. These statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied are discussed in Green Plains Partners’ reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Green Plains Partners assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Consolidated Financial Results
| GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP | |||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||
| March 31, | December 31, | ||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| ASSETS | (unaudited) | ||||||
| Current assets | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 588 | $ | 502 | |||
| Accounts receivable, including from affiliates | 23,525 | 19,974 | |||||
| Other current assets | 909 | 1,158 | |||||
| Total current assets | 25,022 | 21,634 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 48,339 | 48,305 | |||||
| Other assets | 23,529 | 22,329 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 96,890 | $ | 92,268 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL | |||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||
| Accounts payable, including to affiliates | $ | 13,392 | $ | 7,960 | |||
| Other current liabilities | 6,979 | 8,098 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 20,371 | 16,058 | |||||
| Long-term debt | 136,988 | 134,875 | |||||
| Other liabilities | 4,251 | 4,181 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 161,610 | 155,114 | |||||
| Partners' capital | (64,720 | ) | (62,846 | ) | |||
| Total liabilities and partners' capital | $ | 96,890 | $ | 92,268 | |||
| GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP | ||||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||
| (unaudited, in thousands except per unit amounts) | ||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | % Var. | ||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||
| Affiliate | $ | 24,257 | $ | 25,757 | (5.8 | )% | ||||
| Non-affiliate | 1,628 | 1,472 | 10.6 | |||||||
| Total revenues | 25,885 | 27,229 | (4.9 | ) | ||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||
| Operations and maintenance (excluding depreciation and amortization reflected below) | 8,410 | 8,531 | (1.4 | ) | ||||||
| General and administrative | 1,401 | 1,212 | 15.6 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,181 | 1,254 | (5.8 | ) | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 10,992 | 10,997 | (0.0 | ) | ||||||
| Operating income | 14,893 | 16,232 | (8.2 | ) | ||||||
| Other income (expense) | ||||||||||
| Interest income | 20 | 20 | - | |||||||
| Interest expense | (1,571 | ) | (1,228 | ) | 27.9 | |||||
| Other | 75 | - | * | |||||||
| Total other expense | (1,476 | ) | (1,208 | ) | 22.2 | |||||
| Income before income taxes and loss from equity method investees | 13,417 | 15,024 | (10.7 | ) | ||||||
| Income tax expense | (32 | ) | (47 | ) | (31.9 | ) | ||||
| Loss from equity method investees | (13 | ) | - | * | ||||||
| Net income | $ | 13,372 | $ | 14,977 | (10.7 | )% | ||||
| Net income attributable to partners' ownership interests: | ||||||||||
| General partner | $ | 267 | $ | 300 | (11.0 | )% | ||||
| Limited partners - common unitholders | 6,559 | 7,343 | (10.7 | ) | ||||||
| Limited partners - subordinated unitholders | 6,546 | 7,334 | (10.7 | ) | ||||||
| Earnings per limited partner unit (basic and diluted): | ||||||||||
| Common units | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.46 | (10.9 | )% | ||||
| Subordinated units | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.46 | (10.9 | )% | ||||
| Weighted average limited partner units outstanding (basic and diluted): | ||||||||||
| Common units | 15,922 | 15,910 | ||||||||
| Subordinated units | 15,890 | 15,890 | ||||||||
| Supplemental Revenues Data: | ||||||||||
| Storage and throughput services | $ | 14,642 | $ | 16,054 | (8.8 | )% | ||||
| Terminal services | 2,691 | 3,112 | (13.5 | ) | ||||||
| Railcar transportation services | 7,469 | 7,530 | (0.8 | ) | ||||||
| Trucking and other | 1,083 | 533 | 103.2 | |||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 25,885 | $ | 27,229 | (4.9 | )% | ||||
* Percentage variance not considered meaningful.
| GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP | |||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||
| (unaudited, in thousands) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||||
| March 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 13,372 | $ | 14,977 | |||
| Noncash operating adjustments: | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,181 | 1,254 | |||||
| Other | 292 | 256 | |||||
| Net change in working capital | (156 | ) | 237 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 14,689 | 16,724 | |||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (1,212 | ) | - | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,212 | ) | - | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||
| Payments of distributions | (15,306 | ) | (13,953 | ) | |||
| Net proceeds (payments) - revolving credit facility | 2,100 | (2,500 | ) | ||||
| Payments of loan fees | (185 | ) | - | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (13,391 | ) | (16,453 | ) | |||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 86 | 271 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 502 | 622 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 588 | $ | 893 | |||
| GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP | |||||||||||
| RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES | |||||||||||
| (unaudited, dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | LTM Ended | ||||||||||
| March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 13,372 | $ | 14,977 | $ | 57,262 | |||||
| Interest expense | 1,571 | 1,228 | 5,745 | ||||||||
| Income tax expense | 32 | 47 | 94 | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,181 | 1,254 | 5,038 | ||||||||
| Minimum volume commitment adjustments (1) | 747 | - | 747 | ||||||||
| Transaction costs | 135 | - | 135 | ||||||||
| Unit-based compensation expense | 60 | 59 | 220 | ||||||||
| Proportional share of EBITDA adjustments of equity method investees (2) | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 17,098 | 17,565 | 69,241 | ||||||||
| Interest paid or payable | (1,571 | ) | (1,228 | ) | (5,745 | ) | |||||
| Income taxes paid or payable | (32 | ) | (47 | ) | (74 | ) | |||||
| Maintenance capital expenditures | (15 | ) | (106 | ) | (93 | ) | |||||
| Proportional share of distributable cash flow adjustments of equity method investees (3) | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Distributable cash flow | $ | 15,480 | $ | 16,184 | $ | 63,329 | |||||
| Distributions declared (4) | $ | 15,493 | $ | 14,278 | $ | 60,339 | |||||
| Coverage ratio | 1.00x | 1.13x | 1.05x | ||||||||
| (1) Adjustments related to the storage and throughput quarterly minimum volume commitments. | |||||||||||
| (2) Represents the partnership's proportional share of depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and income tax expense of equity method investees. | |||||||||||
| (3) Represents the partnership's proportional share of interest paid or payable, income taxes paid or payable, and maintenance capital expenditures of equity method investees. | |||||||||||
| (4) Represents distributions declared for the applicable period and paid in the subsequent quarter. | |||||||||||
Contact: Jim Stark | Vice President, Investor & Media Relations | 402.884.8700 | jim.stark@gpreinc.com