Energy Transfer Partners Reports Fourth Quarter Results

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP) today reported its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2015. Adjusted EBITDA for Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (“ETP” or the “Partnership”) for the three months ended December 31, 2015 totaled $1.36 billion, a decrease of $168 million compared to the same period last year. Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP, as adjusted, for the three months ended December 31, 2015 totaled $959 million, an increase of $165 million over the same period last year. Income from continuing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2015 was $21 million, an increase of $264 million over the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA for ETP for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $5.71 billion, an increase of $4 million compared to last year. Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP, as adjusted, for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $3.45 billion, an increase of $196 million over last year. Income from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $1.52 billion, an increase of $286 million over last year.

In January 2016, ETP announced a quarterly distribution of $1.055 per unit ($4.22 annualized) on ETP Common Units for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.

ETP’s other recent key accomplishments include the following:

• In December 2015, ETP announced that the Lake Charles LNG Project has received approval from the FERC to site, construct and operate a natural gas liquefaction and export facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana. On February 15, 2016, Royal Dutch Shell plc completed its acquisition of BG Group plc. Final investment decisions from Royal Dutch Shell plc and Lake Charles LNG Export Company, LLC, a subsidiary of ETP and Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (“ETE”), are expected to be made in 2016, with construction to start immediately following an affirmative investment decision and first LNG export anticipated about four years later.
• In November 2015, ETP and Sunoco LP announced ETP’s contribution to Sunoco LP of the remaining 68.42% interest in Sunoco, LLC and 100% interest in the legacy Sunoco, Inc. retail business for $2.23 billion. Sunoco LP will pay ETP $2.03 billion in cash, subject to certain working capital adjustments, and will issue to ETP 5.7 million Sunoco LP common units. The transaction will be effective January 1, 2016, and is expected to close in March 2016.
• As of December 31, 2015, ETP’s $3.75 billion revolving credit facility had $1.36 billion of outstanding borrowings, and its leverage ratio, as defined by the credit agreement, was 4.50x.
• In the fourth quarter of 2015, ETP issued 6.7 million common units through its at-the-market equity program, generating net proceeds of $293 million.

An analysis of ETP’s segment results and other supplementary data is provided after the financial tables shown below. ETP has scheduled a conference call for 8:00 a.m. Central Time, Thursday, February 25, 2016 to discuss the fourth quarter 2015 results. The conference call will be broadcast live via an internet webcast, which can be accessed through www.energytransfer.com and will also be available for replay on ETP’s website for a limited time.

Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP) is a master limited partnership owning and operating one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States. ETP’s subsidiaries include Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company, LP (the successor of Southern Union Company) and Lone Star NGL LLC, which owns and operates natural gas liquids storage, fractionation and transportation assets. In total, ETP currently owns and operates more than 62,500 miles of natural gas and natural gas liquids pipelines. ETP also owns the general partner, 100% of the incentive distribution rights, and approximately 67.1 million common units in Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (NYSE: SXL), which operates a geographically diverse portfolio of crude oil and refined products pipelines, terminalling and crude oil acquisition and marketing assets. Additionally, ETP owns fuel distribution and retail marketing assets and approximately 36% of the limited partner interests in Sunoco LP (formerly Susser Petroleum Partners LP) (NYSE: SUN), a wholesale fuel distributor and convenience store operator. ETP’s general partner is owned by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE). For more information, visit the Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. website at www.energytransfer.com.

Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE) is a master limited partnership which owns the general partner and 100% of the incentive distribution rights (IDRs) of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP) and Sunoco LP(NYSE: SUN) and approximately 2.6 million ETP Common Units, approximately 81 million ETP Class H Units, which track 90% of the underlying economics of the general partner interest and the IDRs of Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (NYSE: SXL), and 100 ETP Class I Units. On a consolidated basis, ETE’s family of companies owns and operates approximately 71,000 miles of natural gas, natural gas liquids, refined products, and crude oil pipelines. For more information, visit the Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. website at www.energytransfer.com.

Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (NYSE: SXL), headquartered in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, is a master limited partnership that owns and operates a logistics business consisting of a geographically diverse portfolio of complementary crude oil, refined products, and natural gas liquids pipeline, terminalling and acquisition and marketing assets which are used to facilitate the purchase and sale of crude oil, refined products, and natural gas liquids. Sunoco Logistics’ general partner is a consolidated subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP). For more information, visit the Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. website at www.sunocologistics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management’s control. An extensive list of factors that can affect future results are discussed in the Partnerships’ Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events.

The information contained in this press release is available on our website at www.energytransfer.com.

ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
(unaudited)
		December 31,
			2015			2014
ASSETS
Current assets		$	4,698		$	6,029
Property, plant and equipment, net			45,087			38,907
Advances to and investments in unconsolidated affiliates			5,003			3,760
Non-current derivative assets			—			10
Other non-current assets, net			536			644
Intangible assets, net			4,421			5,526
Goodwill			5,428			7,642
Total assets		$	65,173		$	62,518
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities		$	4,121		$	6,585
Long-term debt, less current maturities			28,553			24,831
Long-term notes payable – related party			233			—
Non-current derivative liabilities			137			154
Deferred income taxes			4,082			4,331
Other non-current liabilities			968			1,258
Commitments and contingencies
Series A Preferred Units			33			33
Redeemable noncontrolling interests			15			15
Equity:
Total partners’ capital			20,836			12,070
Noncontrolling interest			6,195			5,153
Predecessor equity			—			8,088
Total equity			27,031			25,311
Total liabilities and equity		$	65,173		$	62,518

ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per unit data)
(unaudited)
		Three Months EndedDecember 31,							Years Ended December 31,
			2015			2014				2015				2014
REVENUES		$	5,825		$	13,427			$	34,292			$	55,475
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of products sold			4,237			11,591				27,029				48,414
Operating expenses			498			696				2,261				2,059
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			478			463				1,929				1,669
Selling, general and administrative			86			148				475				520
Impairment losses			339			370				339				370
Total costs and expenses			5,638			13,268				32,033				53,032
OPERATING INCOME			187			159				2,259				2,443
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net			(312	)		(297	)			(1,291	)			(1,165	)
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates			81			67				469				332
Gain on sale of AmeriGas common units			—			—				—				177
Losses on extinguishments of debt			—			(25	)			(43	)			(25	)
Losses on interest rate derivatives			(4	)		(84	)			(18	)			(157	)
Other, net			(34	)		24				22				(12	)
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE			(82	)		(156	)			1,398				1,593
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations			(103	)		87				(123	)			358
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS			21			(243	)			1,521				1,235
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			—			(2	)			—				64
NET INCOME (LOSS)			21			(245	)			1,521				1,299
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			(25	)		(103	)			157				116
Less: Net loss attributable to predecessor			—			(250	)			(34	)			(153	)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARTNERS			46			108				1,398				1,336
General Partner’s interest in net income			285			140				1,064				513
Class H Unitholder’s interest in net income			74			58				258				217
Class I Unitholder’s interest in net income			14			—				94				—
Common Unitholders’ interest in net income (loss)		$	(327	)	$	(90	)		$	(18	)		$	606
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS PER COMMON UNIT:
Basic		$	(0.68	)	$	(0.27	)		$	(0.09	)		$	1.58
Diluted		$	(0.68	)	$	(0.27	)		$	(0.10	)		$	1.58
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON UNIT:
Basic		$	(0.68	)	$	(0.28	)		$	(0.09	)		$	1.77
Diluted		$	(0.68	)	$	(0.28	)		$	(0.10	)		$	1.77
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON UNITS OUTSTANDING:
Basic			485.1			351.2				432.8				331.5
Diluted			485.5			351.2				435.4				332.8

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
(Dollars and units in millions, except per unit amounts)
(unaudited)
		Three Months EndedDecember 31,								Years Ended December 31,
			2015				2014				2015			2014
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow (a):
Net income (loss)		$	21			$	(245	)		$	1,521			$	1,299
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized			312				297				1,291			1,165
Gain on sale of AmeriGas common units			—				—				—			(177		)
Impairment losses			339				370				339			370
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (b)			(103	)			87				(123	)		358
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			478				463				1,929			1,669
Non-cash compensation expense			20				18				79			68
Losses on interest rate derivatives			4				84				18			157
Unrealized (gains) losses on commodity risk management activities			(7	)			(113	)			65			(112		)
Inventory valuation adjustments			120				456				104			473
Losses on extinguishments of debt			—				25				43			25
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates			(81	)			(67	)			(469	)		(332		)
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates			226				164				937			748
Other, net			31				(11	)			(20	)		(1		)
Adjusted EBITDA (consolidated)			1,360				1,528				5,714			5,710
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates			(226	)			(164	)			(937	)		(748		)
Distributable cash flow from unconsolidated affiliates (c)			214				119				682			482
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized			(312	)			(297	)			(1,291	)		(1,165		)
Amortization included in interest expense			(6	)			(12	)			(36	)		(60		)
Current income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations (b)			283				(70	)			325			(407		)
Transaction-related income taxes (d)			(51	)			15				(51	)		396
Maintenance capital expenditures			(177	)			(184	)			(485	)		(444		)
Other, net			1				2				12			7
Distributable Cash Flow (consolidated)			1,086				937				3,933			3,771
Distributable Cash Flow attributable to Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (“Sunoco Logistics”) (100%)			(245	)			(177	)			(879	)		(750		)
Distributions from Sunoco Logistics to ETP			118				81				413			285
Distributable Cash Flow attributable to Sunoco LP (100%) (e)			—				(52	)			(68	)		(56		)
Distributions from Sunoco LP to ETP (e)			—				10				24			18
Distributable cash flow attributable to noncontrolling interest in Edwards Lime Gathering LLC			(5	)			(5	)			(20	)		(19		)
Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP			954				794				3,403			3,249
Transaction-related expenses			5				—				42			—
Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP, as adjusted		$	959			$	794			$	3,445			$	3,249
Distributions to the partners of ETP (f):
Limited Partners:
Common units held by public		$	512			$	321			$	1,970			$	1,179
Common units held by ETE			3				31				54			119
Class H Units held by ETE (g)			77				60				263			219
General Partner interests held by ETE			8				5				31			21
Incentive Distribution Rights (“IDRs”) held by ETE			324				208				1,261			754
IDR relinquishments net of Class I Unit distributions			(28	)			(68	)			(111	)		(250		)
Total distributions to be paid to the partners of ETP		$	896			$	557			$	3,468			$	2,042
Common Units outstanding – end of period			505.6				355.5				505.6			355.5
Distribution coverage ratio (h)		1.07		x		1.43		x		0.99		x		1.59		x
Distributable Cash Flow per Common Unit (i)		$	1.19			$	1.68			$	4.62			$	7.56

(a) Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow are non-GAAP financial measures used by industry analysts, investors, lenders, and rating agencies to assess the financial performance and the operating results of ETP’s fundamental business activities and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, income from operations, cash flows from operating activities, or other GAAP measures.

There are material limitations to using measures such as Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow, including the difficulty associated with using either as the sole measure to compare the results of one company to another, and the inability to analyze certain significant items that directly affect a company’s net income or loss or cash flows. In addition, our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow may not be consistent with similarly titled measures of other companies and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP, such as gross margin, operating income, net income, and cash flow from operating activities.

Definition of Adjusted EBITDA

ETP defines Adjusted EBITDA as total partnership earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items, such as non-cash compensation expense, gains and losses on disposals of assets, the allowance for equity funds used during construction, unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities and other non-operating income or expense items. Unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities include unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory fair value adjustments (excluding lower of cost or market adjustments). Adjusted EBITDA reflects amounts for less than wholly-owned subsidiaries based on 100% of the subsidiaries’ results of operations and for unconsolidated affiliates based on ETP’s proportionate ownership.

Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to determine our operating performance and, along with other financial and volumetric data, as internal measures for setting annual operating budgets, assessing financial performance of our numerous business locations, as a measure for evaluating targeted businesses for acquisition and as a measurement component of incentive compensation.

Definition of Distributable Cash Flow

ETP defines Distributable Cash Flow as net income, adjusted for certain non-cash items, less maintenance capital expenditures. Non-cash items include depreciation and amortization, non-cash compensation expense, gains and losses on disposals of assets, the allowance for equity funds used during construction, unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities and deferred income taxes. Unrealized gains and losses on commodity risk management activities includes unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory fair value adjustments (excluding lower of cost or market adjustments). Distributable Cash Flow reflects earnings from unconsolidated affiliates on a cash basis, including (i) for unconsolidated affiliates with publicly traded equity interests, distributions paid or expected to be paid for the periods presented and (ii) for unconsolidated affiliates that are under common control of ETP’s parent, ETP’s proportionate share of the distributable cash flow of the investee.

Distributable Cash Flow is used by management to evaluate our overall performance. Our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all available cash, and Distributable Cash Flow is calculated to evaluate our ability to fund distributions through cash generated by our operations.

On a consolidated basis, Distributable Cash Flow includes 100% of the Distributable Cash Flow of ETP’s consolidated subsidiaries. However, to the extent that noncontrolling interests exist among ETP’s subsidiaries, the Distributable Cash Flow generated by ETP’s subsidiaries may not be available to be distributed to the partners of ETP. In order to reflect the cash flows available for distributions to the partners of ETP, ETP has reported Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP, which is calculated by adjusting Distributable Cash Flow (consolidated), as follows:

• For subsidiaries with publicly traded equity interests, Distributable Cash Flow (consolidated) includes 100% of Distributable Cash Flow attributable to such subsidiary, and Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP includes distributions to be received by the parent company with respect to the periods presented.
• For consolidated joint ventures or similar entities, where the noncontrolling interest is not publicly traded, Distributable Cash Flow (consolidated) includes 100% of Distributable Cash Flow attributable to such subsidiary, but Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP is net of distributions to be paid by the subsidiary to the noncontrolling interests.

For Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP, as adjusted, certain transaction-related and non-recurring expenses that are included in net income are excluded.

(b) For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015, the Partnership’s effective income tax rate decreased from the prior year primarily due to lower earnings among the Partnership’s consolidated corporate subsidiaries. The three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 also reflect a benefit of $24 million of net state tax benefit attributable to statutory state rate changes resulting from the Regency Merger and sale of Susser to Sunoco LP, as well as a favorable impact of $11 million due to a reduction in the statutory Texas franchise tax rate which was enacted by the Texas legislature during the second quarter of 2015. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the Partnership’s income tax expense from continuing operations included unfavorable income tax adjustments of $87 million related to the Lake Charles LNG Transaction, which was treated as a sale for tax purposes.

The three months ended December 31, 2015 reflect current income tax benefits of $80 million due to lower earnings among the Partnership’s consolidated corporate subsidiaries, $120 million due to the retroactive re-enactment of bonus depreciation, and $24 million attributable to the reversal of an income tax reserve for certain amended tax returns that had been filed claiming previously disallowed Pennsylvania net operating loss deductions. Additionally, the three months ended December 31, 2015 also reflect a $51 million current income tax benefit related to the funding of Sunoco, Inc.’s pension plan obligations, which benefit has been excluded from Distributable Cash Flow, as discussed in note (d) below.

(c) For the three months ended December 31, 2015, distributable cash flow from unconsolidated affiliates includes distributions to be paid by Sunoco LP with respect to the fourth quarter of 2015, as well as the Partnership’s share of the distributable cash flow of Sunoco LLC for the fourth quarter of 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2015, distributable cash flow from unconsolidated affiliates includes distributions to be paid by Sunoco LP with respect to the third and fourth quarters of 2015, as well as the Partnership’s share of the distributable cash flow of Sunoco LLC for the third and fourth quarters of 2015.

(d) For the three months ended December 31, 2015, transaction-related income taxes reflect a $51 million current income tax benefit related to the funding of Sunoco, Inc.’s pension plan obligations, which amount is reflected in “Current income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations.”

Transaction-related income taxes primarily included income tax expense related to the Lake Charles LNG Transaction. For the three months and year ended December 31, 2014, amounts previously reported for each of the interim periods have been adjusted to reflect income taxes related to other transactions, which amounts had not previously been reflected in the calculation of Distributable Cash Flow for such interim periods.

(e) Amounts related to Sunoco LP reflect the periods through June 30, 2015, subsequent to which Sunoco LP was deconsolidated and is now reflected as an equity method investment.

(f) Distributions on ETP Common Units, as reflected above, exclude cash distributions on Partnership common units held by subsidiaries of ETP.

(g) Distributions on the Class H Units for the three months and years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were calculated as follows:

		Three Months EndedDecember 31,								Years Ended December 31,
			2015				2014				2015				2014
General partner distributions and incentive distributions from Sunoco Logistics		$	86			$	54			$	293			$	185
			90.05	%			50.05	%			90.05	%			50.05	%
Share of Sunoco Logistics general partner and incentive distributions payable to Class H Unitholder			77				27				263				93
Incremental distributions payable to Class H Unitholder			—				33				—				126
Total Class H Unit distributions		$	77			$	60			$	263			$	219

*		Incremental distributions previously paid to the Class H Unitholder were eliminated in Amendment No. 9 to ETP’s Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership effective in the first quarter of 2015.

(h) Distribution coverage ratio for a period is calculated as Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP, as adjusted, divided by net distributions expected to be paid to the partners of ETP in respect of such period.

(i) The Partnership defines Distributable Cash Flow per Common Unit for a period as the quotient of Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP, as adjusted, net of distributions related to the Class H Units, Class I Units and the General Partner and IDR interests, divided by the weighted average number of Common Units outstanding.

Similar to Distributable Cash Flow as described above, Distributable Cash Flow per Common Unit is a significant liquidity measure used by the Partnership’s senior management to compare net cash flows generated by the Partnership to the distributions the Partnership expects to pay to its unitholders. Using this measure, the Partnership’s management can compare Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP, as adjusted, among different periods on a per-unit basis.

Distributable Cash Flow per Common Unit is calculated as follows:

		Three Months EndedDecember 31,								Years Ended December 31,
			2015				2014				2015				2014
Distributable Cash Flow attributable to the partners of ETP, as adjusted		$	959			$	794			$	3,445			$	3,249
Less:
Class H Units held by ETE			(77	)			(60	)			(263	)			(219	)
General Partner interests held by ETE			(8	)			(5	)			(31	)			(21	)
IDRs held by ETE			(324	)			(208	)			(1,261	)			(754	)
IDR relinquishments net of Class I Unit distributions			28				68				111				250
		$	578			$	589			$	2,001			$	2,505
Weighted average Common Units outstanding – basic			485.1				351.2				432.8				331.5
Distributable Cash Flow per Common Unit		$	1.19			$	1.68			$	4.62			$	7.56

SUMMARY ANALYSIS OF QUARTERLY RESULTS BY SEGMENT

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions)

(unaudited)

Our segment results are presented based on the measure of Segment Adjusted EBITDA. The tables below identify the components of Segment Adjusted EBITDA, which was calculated as follows:

• Gross margin, operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses. These amounts represent the amounts included in our consolidated financial statements that are attributable to each segment.
• Unrealized gains or losses on commodity risk management activities and inventory valuation adjustments. These are the unrealized amounts that are included in cost of products sold to calculate gross margin. These amounts are not included in Segment Adjusted EBITDA; therefore, the unrealized losses are added back and the unrealized gains are subtracted to calculate the segment measure.
• Non-cash compensation expense. These amounts represent the total non-cash compensation recorded in operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. This expense is not included in Segment Adjusted EBITDA and therefore is added back to calculate the segment measure.
• Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates. These amounts represent our proportionate share of the Adjusted EBITDA of our unconsolidated affiliates. Amounts reflected are calculated consistently with our definition of Adjusted EBITDA.

		Three Months EndedDecember 31,
			2015				2014
Segment Adjusted EBITDA:
Midstream		$	264			$	360
Liquids transportation and services			222				159
Interstate transportation and storage			283				307
Intrastate transportation and storage			122				120
Investment in Sunoco Logistics			317				237
Retail marketing			119				295
All other			33				50
		$	1,360			$	1,528
Midstream
		Three Months EndedDecember 31,
			2015				2014
Gathered volumes (MMBtu/d):			10,051,612				9,531,307
NGLs produced (Bbls/d):			443,741				376,724
Equity NGLs produced (Bbls/d):			29,437				30,656
Revenues		$	1,289			$	1,599
Cost of products sold			840				993
Gross margin			449				606
Unrealized gains on commodity risk management activities			—				(76	)
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense			(183	)			(156	)
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense			(8	)			(16	)
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates			6				2
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		$	264			$	360

Gathered volumes and NGLs produced increased during the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period last year primarily due the King Ranch acquisition, as well as increased gathering and processing capacities in the Eagle Ford Shale, Permian Basin and Cotton Valley regions.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA for the midstream segment reflected a decrease in gross margin as follows:

		Three Months EndedDecember 31,
			2015			2014
Gathering and processing fee-based revenues		$	393		$	382
Non fee-based contracts and processing			56			224
Total gross margin		$	449		$	606

For the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to our midstream segment decreased due to the net impacts of the following:

• lower natural gas prices and lower NGL prices resulted in lower non-fee based margins of $22 million and $51 million, respectively;
• a decrease of $19 million due to realized gains on derivatives in the prior year; and
• an increase of $27 million in operating expenses primarily due to assets recently placed in service, including the Rebel system in west Texas, the King Ranch system in south Texas, as well as the Dubberly plant in north Louisiana; partially offset by
• an increase of $11 million in fee-based revenues due to increased production and increased capacity from assets placed in service in the Eagle Ford Shale, Permian Basin and Cotton Valley, partially offset by volume declines in the North Texas and Mid-Continent/Panhandle regions; and
• a decrease of $8 million in general and administrative expenses primarily due to a reduction in employee-related cost.

Liquids Transportation and Services
		Three Months EndedDecember 31,
			2015				2014
Liquids transportation volumes (Bbls/d)			473,656				393,743
NGL fractionation volumes (Bbls/d)			249,566				204,565
Revenues		$	972			$	982
Cost of products sold			716				770
Gross margin			256				212
Unrealized (gains) losses on commodity risk management activities			6				(11	)
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense			(38	)			(38	)
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense			(4	)			(5	)
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates			2				1
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		$	222			$	159

NGL transportation volumes increased due to increases from the Eagle Ford, Permian, and Southeast Texas producing regions, offset by decreases from North Texas. Additionally, we commissioned a crude transportation pipeline in the fourth quarter of 2014 that transported approximately 44,000 Bbls/d for the three months ended December 31, 2015.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA for the liquids transportation and services segment reflected an increase in gross margin as follows:

		Three Months EndedDecember 31,
			2015			2014
Transportation margin		$	104		$	100
Processing and fractionation margin			79			66
Storage margin			48			44
Other margin			25			2
Total gross margin		$	256		$	212

For the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to our liquids transportation and services segment increased due to the net impacts of the following:

• an increase of $4 million in transportation margin primarily due to higher volumes transported out of the Permian and the Eagle Ford producing regions. Increased volumes from the Eagle Ford region led to increases in margin of $3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015;
• an increase of $6 million in processing and fractionation margin (excluding changes in unrealized gains of $7 million) due to a $15 million increase in fees from the Mariner South export terminal which ramped up starting in April of 2015, offset by a reduction of $8 million in margin associated with our off-gas fractionator in Geismar, Louisiana for the three months ended December 31, 2015 as NGL and olefins market prices decreased significantly for the comparable period;
• an increase of $4 million in storage margin due to a $3 million increase in fee-based storage margin for the three months ended December 31, 2015 as a result of favorable market conditions and a specific contract negotiated in connection with the Mariner South LPG export project. In addition, non-fee based storage margin increased $1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 due to gains recognized on the withdrawal of inventory from our caverns;
• an increase of $48 million in other margin (excluding changes in unrealized losses of $25 million) primarily due to the withdrawal and sale of physical storage volumes; and
• a decrease of $1 million in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to lower employee-related costs.

Interstate Transportation and Storage
		Three Months EndedDecember 31,
			2015				2014
Natural gas transported (MMBtu/d)			5,739,157				6,125,616
Natural gas sold (MMBtu/d)			18,665				15,643
Revenues		$	258			$	267
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation, amortization and accretion expenses			(83	)			(72	)
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation, amortization and accretion expenses			(9	)			(16	)
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates			117				117
Other			—				11
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		$	283			$	307
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates		$	75			$	80

Transported volumes decreased primarily due to a managed contract roll off to facilitate the transfer of one of the pipelines that was taken out of service in advance of being repurposed from natural gas service to crude oil service. The decrease was partially offset by increased deliveries on the Transwestern pipeline due to sustained cooling demand in the Phoenix market and increased customer demand in New Mexico.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA for the interstate transportation and storage segment decreased primarily due to a $9 million decrease in revenues due to the expiration of a transportation rate schedule on the Transwestern pipeline and $8 million due to a managed contract roll off to facilitate the transfer of one of the pipelines that was taken out of service in advance of being repurposed from natural gas service to crude oil service. These decreases were partially offset by sales of capacity at higher rates on the Panhandle, Trunkline and Transwestern pipelines.

The decrease in cash distributions from unconsolidated affiliates reflected a decrease in cash distributions from Citrus due to slightly higher cash taxes on Citrus for the three months ended December 31, 2015.

Intrastate Transportation and Storage
		Three Months EndedDecember 31,
			2015				2014
Natural gas transported (MMBtu/d)			7,926,907				8,485,823
Revenues		$	503			$	610
Cost of products sold			327				446
Gross margin			176				164
Unrealized gains on commodity risk management activities			(23	)			(4	)
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense			(42	)			(49	)
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense			(4	)			(6	)
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates			15				15
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		$	122			$	120

Transported volumes decreased compared to the same period last year primarily due to lower production volume, mostly in the Barnett Shale region, partially offset by increased volumes related to significant new long-term transportation contracts.

For the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to our intrastate transportation and storage segment increased due to the net impacts of the following:

• an increase of $6 million in transportation fees margin (excluding changes in unrealized loss of $1 million), primarily due to increased revenue from renegotiated and newly initiated long-term fixed-capacity fee contracts on our Houston Pipeline system;
• a decrease of $7 million in operating expenses primarily due to a decrease in fuel consumption expense driven by a decrease in fuel market prices; and
• a decrease of $2 million in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to lower employee-related costs; partially offset by
• a decrease of $3 million in storage margin (excluding changes in unrealized gains of $14 million), primarily due to the timing of the movement of market prices;
• a decrease of $2 million (excluding changes in unrealized gains of $7 million) due to a decrease from the purchase and sale of natural gas on our system;
• a decrease of $8 million in retained fuel revenues (excluding changes in unrealized loss of $1 million) due to significantly lower market prices. The average spot price at the Houston Ship Channel location for the twelve month period ending December 31, 2015 decreased by $1.76, or 41%, to $2.57 as compared to $4.32 for the prior year period.

Investment in Sunoco Logistics
		Three Months EndedDecember 31,
			2015				2014
Revenue		$	2,305			$	3,875
Cost of products sold(1)			2,067				3,812
Gross margin			238				63
Unrealized (gains) losses on commodity risk management activities			13				(3	)
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense(1)			(42	)			(63	)
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense			(24	)			(32	)
Inventory valuation adjustments			118				258
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates			14				13
Other			—				1
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		$	317			$	237

(1)

Prior period expenses have been recast to conform to Sunoco Logistics’ current presentation.

For the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to Sunoco Logistics increased due to the following:

• an increase of $9 million from crude oil pipelines, primarily due to the commencement of operations on the Permian Express 2 pipeline in the third quarter of 2015. Higher contributions from crude oil terminals also contributed to the increase. These positive factors were partially offset by decreased margins related to crude oil acquisition and marketing activities which were negatively impacted by narrowing crude oil differentials compared to the same period last year;
• an increase of $36 million from NGL pipelines, primarily due to improved contributions from NGLs pipelines which was driven by the Mariner South and Mariner East 1 pipeline projects which commenced operations in late 2014. Increased results from the Nederland and Marcus Hook NGLs terminals also contributed to the increase. These positive factors were partially offset by decreased margins related to NGLs acquisition and marketing activities; and
• an increase of $35 million from refined products pipelines, primarily due to increased contributions which was largely attributable to the Allegheny Access pipeline which commenced operations in the first quarter of 2015. Results related to the refined products terminals and acquisition and marketing activities improved compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA related to refined products joint venture interest also contributed to the increase.

Retail Marketing
		Three Months EndedDecember 31,
			2015				2014
Motor fuel outlets and convenience stores, end of period:
Retail			438				1,251
Third-party wholesale			—				5,399
Total			438				6,650
Total motor fuel gallons sold (in millions):
Retail			266				608
Third-party wholesale			—				1,304
Total			266				1,912
Motor fuel gross profit (cents/gallon):
Retail			24.1				37.4
Third-party wholesale			—				13.0
Volume-weighted average for all gallons			24.1				20.7
Merchandise sales (in millions)		$	143			$	489
Retail merchandise margin %			25.6	%			30.1	%
Revenue		$	777			$	5,920
Cost of products sold			655				5,493
Gross margin			122				427
Unrealized gains on commodity risk management activities			—				(7	)
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense			(95	)			(283	)
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense			(4	)			(41	)
Inventory valuation adjustments			2				198
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates			94				1
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		$	119			$	295

The results reflected above include Sunoco LP for the three months ended December 31, 2014.

For the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period last year, Segment Adjusted EBITDA related to our retail marketing segment decreased due to the net impacts of the following:

• a decrease of $57 million due to the deconsolidation of Sunoco LP as a result of the sale of Sunoco LP’s general partner interest and incentive distribution rights to ETE effective July 1, 2015;
• a decrease of $140 million due to unfavorable fuel margins and $15 million due to unfavorable volumes in the retail and wholesale channels; and
• a decrease of $7 million in margins as 2014 benefited from favorable regional market conditions for ethanol; partially offset by
• an increase of $19 million in merchandise margins and $9 million from other retail and wholesale margins;
• a favorable impact of $8 million from recent acquisitions; and
• a decrease of $7 million in expenses primarily due to one-time acquisition costs in 2014.

All Other
		Three Months EndedDecember 31,
			2015				2014
Revenue		$	853			$	949
Cost of products sold			748				868
Gross margin			105				81
Unrealized gains on commodity risk management activities			(3	)			(12	)
Operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense			(24	)			(31	)
Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding non-cash compensation expense			(31	)			(28	)
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates			(20	)			17
Other			19				17
Elimination			(13	)			6
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		$	33			$	50
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates		$	43			$	3

Amounts reflected in our all other segment primarily include:

• our natural gas marketing and compression operations;
• an approximate 33% non-operating interest in PES, a refining joint venture;
• our investment in Coal Handling, an entity that owns and operates end-user coal handling facilities; and
• our investment in AmeriGas until August 2014.

Segment Adjusted EBITDA decreased primarily due to lower earnings driven by the impact of weaker refining crack spreads on our investment in PES.

In connection with the Lake Charles LNG Transaction, ETP agreed to continue to provide management services for ETE through 2015 in relation to both Lake Charles LNG’s regasification facility and the development of a liquefaction project at Lake Charles LNG’s facility, for which ETE has agreed to pay incremental management fees to ETP of $75 million per year for the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2015. These fees were reflected in “Other” in the “All other” segment and for the three months ended December 31, 2015 were reflected as an offset to operating expenses of $6 million and selling, general and administrative expenses of $13 million in the consolidated statements of operations.

The increase in cash distributions from unconsolidated affiliates was due to an increase of $42 million in cash distributions from our ownership in PES.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

(Tabular amounts in millions)

(unaudited)

The following is a summary of capital expenditures (net of contributions in aid of construction costs) during the year ended December 31, 2015:

		Growth			Maintenance			Total
Direct(1):
Midstream		$	2,055		$	117		$	2,172
Liquids transportation and services(2)			2,091			18			2,109
Interstate transportation and storage(2)			741			119			860
Intrastate transportation and storage			74			31			105
Retail marketing(3)			259			63			322
All other (including eliminations)			337			46			383
Total direct capital expenditures			5,557			394			5,951
Indirect(1):
Investment in Sunoco Logistics			2,042			84			2,126
Investment in Sunoco LP(4)			83			7			90
Total indirect capital expenditures			2,125			91			2,216
Total capital expenditures		$	7,682		$	485		$	8,167

(1)		Indirect capital expenditures comprise those funded by our publicly traded subsidiaries; all other capital expenditures are reflected as direct capital expenditures.
(2)		Includes capital expenditures related to our proportionate ownership of the Bakken and Rover pipeline projects.
(3)		The retail marketing segment includes our wholly-owned retail marketing operations.
(4)		Investment in Sunoco LP includes capital expenditures for the period prior to deconsolidation on July 1, 2015.

We currently expect capital expenditures for the full year 2016 to be within the following ranges:

		Growth						Maintenance
		Low			High			Low			High
Direct(1):
Midstream		$	1,200		$	1,250		$	110		$	120
Liquids transportation and services
NGL			1,150			1,200			25			30
Crude(3)			1,275			1,325			—			—
Interstate transportation and storage(2)(3)			375			415			140			145
Intrastate transportation and storage(2)			10			20			35			40
All other (including eliminations)			65			75			20			25
Total direct capital expenditures			4,075			4,285			330			360
Indirect(1):
Investment in Sunoco Logistics			2,600			2,800			75			85
Total projected capital expenditures		$	6,675		$	7,085		$	405		$	445

(1)		Indirect capital expenditures comprise those funded by our publicly traded subsidiary; all other capital expenditures are reflected as direct capital expenditures.
(2)		Net of amounts forecasted to be financed at the asset level with non-recourse debt of approximately $325 million.
(3)		Includes capital expenditures related to our proportionate ownership of the Bakken and Rover pipeline projects.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
(In millions)
(unaudited)
		Three Months EndedDecember 31,
			2015				2014
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates:
Citrus		$	20			$	20
FEP			14				14
PES			(25	)			10
MEP			12				13
HPC			8				3
AmeriGas			(5	)			(2	)
Sunoco, LLC			3				—
Sunoco LP			85				—
Other			(31	)			9
Total equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates		$	81			$	67
Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates(1):
Citrus		$	73			$	72
FEP			19				19
PES			(16	)			17
MEP			25				26
HPC			15				9
Sunoco, LLC			38				—
Sunoco LP			56				—
Other			16				21
Total Adjusted EBITDA related to unconsolidated affiliates		$	226			$	164
Distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates:
Citrus		$	37			$	42
FEP			18				19
PES			42				—
MEP			20				19
HPC			11				13
Sunoco LP			39				—
Other			12				10
Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates		$	179			$	103

(1)

These amounts represent our proportionate share of the Adjusted EBITDA of our unconsolidated affiliates and are based on our equity in earnings or losses of our unconsolidated affiliates adjusted for our proportionate share of the unconsolidated affiliates’ interest, depreciation, depletion, amortization, non-cash items and taxes.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160224006658/en/

Investor Relations:
Energy Transfer
Brent Ratliff, 214-981-0700
or
Lyndsay Hannah, 214-840-5477
or
Media Relations:
Granado Communications Group
Vicki Granado, 214-599-8785
214-498-9272 (cell)

Source: Energy Transfer Partners

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