TC Pipelines, LP - Common Units Representing Limited Partnership Interests (MM) (NASDAQ:TCLP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2019 to Jul 2024
TC PipeLines, LP (NASDAQ:TCLP) (the Partnership) today
reported third quarter 2005 net income of $14.8 million or $0.81 per
unit (all amounts in U.S. dollars) compared to $12.6 million or $0.68
per unit for the same period last year. The increase in net income is
primarily due to higher equity income from Northern Border Pipeline.
Cash generated from investments in the third quarter of 2005 was
$13.2 million, a decrease of $3.7 million, compared to $16.9 million
for the same period last year. The decrease in cash generated was
primarily due to Northern Border Pipeline's lower distributions in
the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period last year. The
reduction in Northern Border Pipeline's distributions is attributable
to the negative revenue impact experienced by Northern Border
Pipeline during the second quarter of 2005 due to changes in market
fundamentals which affected its ability to sell its capacity at
maximum rate.
"Our third quarter 2005 net income increased approximately $2.2
million relative to the same period last year," said Ron Turner,
president and chief executive officer of the general partner, TC
PipeLines GP, Inc. "This net income increase was mainly due to the
recognition of $9.4 million ($2.8 million positive impact on TC
PipeLines' net income) related to the sale of Northern Border
Pipeline's bankruptcy claims held against Enron and Enron North
America. During the third quarter, Northern Border Pipeline's firm
demand revenues dropped by approximately $2.0 million ($0.6 million
negative impact on TC PipeLines' net income) when compared to the
prior year as a result of expired contracts which were replaced with
short-term contracts at a discounted rate.
"Northern Border Pipeline continues to believe that the greatest
impact of unsold capacity occurred during the second quarter this
year. During the third quarter, all of Northern Border Pipeline's
available capacity was sold at more favourable rates relative to the
second quarter. In light of the changing market fundamentals on
Northern Border Pipeline, we are satisfied with the third quarter
financial performance. The Partnership continues to maintain a solid
financial position which supports stable cash flows to our
unitholders," Turner said.
On October 18, 2005, the Partnership announced its third quarter
cash distribution in the amount of $0.575 per unit, payable to
unitholders of record on October 31, 2005.
-0-
*T
Financial Highlights
(unaudited) Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30 September 30
--------------------------------------
(millions of dollars
except per unit amounts) 2005 2004 2005 2004
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 14.8 12.6 37.9 39.9
Per unit (1) $0.81 $0.68 $2.05 $2.17
Cash generated from operations 12.9 12.5 36.0 40.0
Return of capital (2) 0.3 4.4 11.9 10.8
Cash distributions paid 10.7 10.7 32.2 31.0
Cash distributions declared per
unit (3) $0.575 $0.575 $1.725 $1.700
Units outstanding (millions) 17.5 17.5 17.5 17.5
(1) Net income per unit is computed by dividing net income, after
deduction of the general partner's allocation, by the number of
common and subordinated units outstanding. The general partner's
allocation is computed based upon the general partner's two per
cent interest plus an amount equal to incentive distributions.
(2) Current accounting practice requires the classification of
cumulative cash distributions in excess of cumulative equity
earnings to be reported as a return of capital.
(3) The Partnership's 2005 third quarter cash distribution will be
paid on November 14, 2005 to unitholders of record as of
October 31, 2005.
*T
Net Income
The Partnership reported third quarter 2005 net income of $14.8
million or $0.81 per unit, an increase of $2.2 million compared to
$12.6 million or $0.68 per unit for the same period last year.
Equity income from Northern Border Pipeline was $13.9 million in
the third quarter of 2005, an increase of $2.6 million, compared to
$11.3 million for the same period last year. This increase was
primarily due to proceeds of $11.1 million received from the sale of
Northern Border Pipeline's bankruptcy claims held against Enron and
Enron North America. As a result of the sale, Northern Border
Pipeline recognized additional income of $9.4 million in the third
quarter of 2005. Northern Border Pipeline had previously adjusted its
allowance for doubtful accounts to reflect estimated recovery of $1.7
million. Partially offsetting this is a decrease in firm demand
revenues of approximately $2.0 million due to discounting of some
capacity. The Partnership's share of the net impact of these factors
on Northern Border Pipeline's revenues contributed to a positive net
income to TC PipeLines of $2.2 million. The balance of the $0.4
million increase in equity income from Northern Border Pipeline is
attributable to lower operations and maintenance and interest
expenses and higher other income.
Equity income from Tuscarora was $1.7 million in the third
quarter of 2005, a decrease of $0.1 million, compared to $1.8 million
for the same period last year. The decrease was primarily due to
slightly lower transportation revenues earned in the third quarter of
2005.
The Partnership's third quarter 2005 general and administrative
expenses of $0.5 million increased $0.2 million compared to $0.3
million for the same period in 2004, primarily due to higher salaries
and benefits as well as timing of expenses. Financial charges of $0.3
million in the third quarter of 2005 increased $0.1 million, compared
to $0.2 million for the same period last year due to higher average
interest rates.
Cash Flow
The Partnership reported third quarter 2005 cash generated from
investments of $13.2 million in the third quarter of 2005, a $3.7
million decrease, compared to $16.9 million for the same period last
year. In the third quarter of 2005, the Partnership received a cash
distribution from Northern Border Pipeline of $11.8 million compared
to $15.5 million in the third quarter of 2004, a decrease of $3.7
million. The decrease was primarily due to Northern Border Pipeline's
lower second quarter earnings due to the negative revenue impact
resulting from uncontracted capacity and expired contracts which were
replaced with short-term contracts at discounted rates. Cash
distributions received in the quarter are based on the respective
results of the Partnership's equity investments for the previous
quarter.
Cash distributions from Tuscarora in the third quarter of 2005
were $2.0 million, including $0.3 million classified as return of
capital, consistent with the third quarter of 2004.
The Partnership paid an aggregate $10.7 million of cash
distributions to unitholders and its general partner in each of the
third quarters of 2005 and 2004. This cash distribution, on a per
unit basis, represents $0.575 per unit, as well as the general
partner interest, including incentive distributions.
In the third quarter of 2005, the Partnership repaid $4.0 million
under its revolving credit facility, reducing the Partnership's
outstanding debt balance to $20.0 million as at September 30, 2005.
Conference Call
The Partnership will hold a conference call Thursday, November 3,
2005 at 12 p.m. (Eastern). Ron Turner, president and chief executive
officer of the general partner, will discuss the third quarter 2005
financial results and general developments and issues concerning the
Partnership. Those interested in listening to the call may dial (800)
387-6216. A replay of the conference call will also be available two
hours after the call and until midnight (Eastern), November 10, 2005
by dialing (800) 408-3053, then entering pass code 3164580.
A live webcast of the conference call will also be available
through the Partnership's website at www.tcpipelineslp.com. An audio
replay of the call will be maintained on the website.
TC PipeLines, LP is a publicly traded limited partnership. It
owns a 30 per cent interest in Northern Border Pipeline Company, a
Texas general partnership, and a 49 per cent interest in Tuscarora
Gas Transmission Company, a Nevada general partnership. Northern
Border Pipeline, which is owned 70 per cent by Northern Border
Partners, L.P., a publicly traded master limited partnership
controlled by affiliates of ONEOK, Inc., owns a 1,249-mile United
States interstate pipeline system that transports natural gas from
the Montana-Saskatchewan border to markets in the midwestern United
States. Tuscarora owns a 240-mile United States interstate pipeline
system that transports natural gas from Oregon, where it
interconnects to TransCanada's Gas Transmission Northwest System. TC
PipeLines, LP is managed by its general partner, TC PipeLines GP,
Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanada Corporation.
TC PipeLines GP, Inc., also holds common units of the Partnership.
Common units of TC PipeLines, LP are quoted on the Nasdaq Stock
Market and trade under the symbol "TCLP." For more information about
TC PipeLines, LP, visit www.tcpipelineslp.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release may include forward-looking statements
regarding future events and the future financial performance of TC
PipeLines, LP. Words such as "believes," "expects," "intends,"
"forecasts," "projects," and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based
on the Partnership's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by
and information currently available to the Partnership. These
statements reflect the Partnership's current views with respect to
future events. The Partnership assumes no obligation to update any
such forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances
occurring after the date hereof. Important factors that could cause
actual results to materially differ from the Partnership's current
expectations include regulatory decisions, particularly those of the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the ability of Northern Border Pipeline to recontract its
available capacity at maximum rates, operational decisions of
Northern Border Pipeline's operator, the failure of a shipper on
either one of the Partnership's pipelines to perform its contractual
obligations, cost of acquisitions, future demand for natural gas,
overcapacity in the industry, and other risks inherent in the
transportation of natural gas as discussed in the Partnership's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the
Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2004.
-0-
*T
TC PipeLines, LP
Financial Highlights
Statement of Income
(unaudited) Three months ended Nine months ended
(millions of U.S. dollars September 30 September 30
except per unit amounts) 2005 2004 2005 2004
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity income from investment in
Northern Border Pipeline (1) 13.9 11.3 34.7 36.2
Equity income from investment in
Tuscarora (2) 1.7 1.8 5.5 5.4
General and administrative
expenses (0.5) (0.3) (1.5) (1.3)
Financial charges and other (0.3) (0.2) (0.8) (0.4)
------------------------------------
Net income 14.8 12.6 37.9 39.9
------------------------------------
Net income per unit (3) $0.81 $0.68 $2.05 $2.17
------------------------------------
Units outstanding (millions) 17.5 17.5 17.5 17.5
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Balance Sheet September 30, 2005 December 31, 2004
(millions of U.S. dollars) (unaudited) (audited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Cash 1.4 2.5
Investment in Northern Border
Pipeline (1) 280.7 290.1
Investment in Tuscarora (2) 39.0 39.5
------------------------------------
321.1 332.1
------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' EQUITY
Accrued liabilities 0.8 0.7
Current portion of long-term debt 20.0 6.5
Long-term debt - 30.0
Partners' equity 300.3 294.9
------------------------------------
321.1 332.1
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Cash Flow Information Three months ended Nine months ended
(unaudited) September 30 September 30
(millions of U.S. dollars) 2005 2004 2005 2004
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions received from
equity investments
Northern Border Pipeline Company 11.8 11.3 32.6 36.2
Tuscarora Gas Transmission
Company 1.7 1.8 5.5 5.4
Changes in working capital and
other (0.6) (0.6) (2.1) (1.6)
------------------------------------
Cash Generated From Operations 12.9 12.5 36.0 40.0
Return of capital from Northern
Border Pipeline Company - 4.2 11.1 10.6
Return of capital from Tuscarora
Gas Transmission Company 0.3 0.2 0.8 0.2
------------------------------------
Cash Generated From Investments(x) 13.2 16.9 47.9 50.8
Investment in Northern Border
Pipeline Company - - - (39.0)
Investment in Tuscarora Gas
Transmission Company (0.3) (0.4) (0.3) (0.4)
Distributions paid (10.7) (10.7) (32.2) (31.0)
Long-term debt issued/(repaid) (4.0) (6.0) (16.5) 14.0
------------------------------------
(Decrease) in cash (1.8) (0.2) (1.1) (5.6)
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
(x) Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measure: Cash generated from
investments is a non-GAAP financial measure which includes cash
generated from operations and return of capital. It is provided
as a supplement to results reported in accordance with GAAP.
Management believes that this is an important measure to assist
the Partnership's investors in evaluating the Partnership's
business performance.
*T
(1) Northern Border Pipeline Company
TC PipeLines holds a 30 per cent general partner interest in
Northern Border Pipeline Company. Summarized operating and financial
information of Northern Border Pipeline for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 and as at September 30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004 is as follows:
-0-
*T
Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30 September 30
(unaudited) 2005 2004 2005 2004
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Results
Gas delivered
(million cubic feet) 212,481 210,245 612,445 637,522
Average throughput
(million cubic feet per day) 2,380 2,353 2,311 2,394
Financial Results
(millions of U.S. dollars)
Operating revenue 89.0 81.6 241.6 246.4
Operating expenses
Operations and maintenance 10.6 11.1 29.4 29.9
Depreciation and amortization 14.5 14.5 43.2 43.6
Taxes other than income 8.1 8.1 23.4 22.4
------------------------------------
Total operating expenses 33.2 33.7 96.0 95.9
------------------------------------
Operating income 55.8 47.9 145.6 150.5
Interest expense, net (10.7) (10.1) (31.9) (30.2)
Other income 1.1 (0.2) 1.9 0.3
------------------------------------
Net income 46.2 37.6 115.6 120.6
------------------------------------
Capital Expenditures
(millions of U.S. dollars)
Maintenance 3.9 2.6 12.0 7.0
Growth 3.0 (0.5) 5.0 (0.4)
Summary Balance Sheet Data September 30, 2005 December 31, 2004
(millions of U.S. dollars) (unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 1,599.0 1,625.0
------------------------------------
Other current liabilities and
reserves and deferred credits 60.9 54.0
Long-term debt
(including current maturities) 602.4 603.9
Partners' capital 933.0 963.3
Accumulated other comprehensive
income 2.7 3.8
------------------------------------
Total liabilities and partners'
equity 1,599.0 1,625.0
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Certain reclassifications were made to the 2004 financial statements
to conform with the current year presentation.
*T
(2) Tuscarora Gas Transmission Company
TC PipeLines holds a 49 per cent general partner interest in
Tuscarora Gas Transmission Company. Summarized operating and
financial information of Tuscarora for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 and as at September 30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004 is as follows:
-0-
*T
Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30 September 30
(unaudited) 2005 2004 2005 2004
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Results
Gas delivered
(million cubic feet) 4,190 4,494 17,802 16,725
Average throughput
(million cubic feet per day) 46 49 65 61
Financial Results
(millions of U.S. dollars)
Operating revenue 7.8 8.1 24.1 24.4
Operating expenses
Operations and maintenance 0.7 0.8 2.3 2.6
Depreciation and amortization 1.5 1.5 4.6 4.6
Taxes other than income 0.3 0.4 0.9 1.0
------------------------------------
Total operating expenses 2.5 2.7 7.8 8.2
------------------------------------
Operating income 5.3 5.4 16.3 16.2
Interest expense, net (1.5) (1.5) (4.4) (4.6)
Other income - - 0.1 -
------------------------------------
Net income 3.8 3.9 12.0 11.6
------------------------------------
Capital Expenditures (millions of
U.S. dollars)
Maintenance 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2
Growth 0.1 0.9 0.7 1.1
Summary Balance Sheet Data September 30, 2005 December 31, 2004
(millions of U.S. dollars) (unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 143.8 144.9
------------------------------------
Other current liabilities and
reserves and deferred credits 3.6 2.0
Long-term debt
(including current maturities) 78.3 80.8
Partners' capital 61.8 62.0
Accumulated other comprehensive
income 0.1 0.1
------------------------------------
Total liabilities and partners'
equity 143.8 144.9
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
*T
(3) Net income per unit is computed by dividing net income, after
deduction of the general partner's allocation, by the number of
common and subordinated units outstanding. The general partner's
allocation is computed based upon the general partner's two per cent
interest plus an amount equal to incentive distributions.
TC PipeLines, LP (NASDAQ:TCLP)