Document
Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 _______________________________________
FORM 10-Q
 _______________________________________
þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
or
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____to_____
Commission File No. 1-36413
 _______________________________________
ENABLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
 _______________________________________
Delaware
 
72-1252419
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
One Leadership Square
211 North Robinson Avenue
Suite 150
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(405) 525-7788
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
 _______________________________________

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests
 
ENBL
 
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. þ Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). þ Yes ¨ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
þ
 
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨
 
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨ Yes þ No
As of April 12, 2019, there were 435,073,301 common units outstanding.
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents


ENABLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Our website is www.enablemidstream.com. On the investor relations tab of our website, http://investors.enablemidstream.com, we make available free of charge a variety of information to investors. Our goal is to maintain the investor relations tab of our website as a portal through which investors can easily find or navigate to pertinent information about us, including but not limited to:
our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file that material with or furnish it to the SEC;
press releases on quarterly distributions, quarterly earnings, and other developments;
governance information, including our governance guidelines, committee charters, and code of ethics and business conduct;
information on events and presentations, including an archive of available calls, webcasts, and presentations;
news and other announcements that we may post from time to time that investors may find useful or interesting; and
opportunities to sign up for email alerts and RSS feeds to have information pushed in real time.

Information contained on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this report and does not constitute a part of this report.
 




i

Table of Contents

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
 
2019 Notes.
$500 million aggregate principal amount of the Partnership’s 2.400% senior notes due 2019.
2019 Term Loan Agreement.
$1 billion unsecured term loan agreement.
2024 Notes.
$600 million aggregate principal amount of the Partnership’s 3.900% senior notes due 2024.
2027 Notes.
$700 million aggregate principal amount of the Partnership’s 4.400% senior notes due 2027.
2028 Notes.
$800 million aggregate principal amount of the Partnership’s 4.950% senior notes due 2028.
2044 Notes.
$550 million aggregate principal amount of the Partnership’s 5.000% senior notes due 2044.
Adjusted EBITDA.
A non-GAAP measure calculated as net income attributable to limited partners plus depreciation and amortization expense, interest expense, net of interest income, income tax expense, distributions received from equity method affiliate in excess of equity earnings, non-cash equity-based compensation, changes in fair value of derivatives, certain other non-cash gains and losses (including gains and losses on sales of assets and write-downs of materials and supplies) and impairments, less the noncontrolling interest allocable to Adjusted EBITDA.
Adjusted interest expense.
A non-GAAP measure calculated as interest expense plus amortization of premium on long-term debt and capitalized interest on expansion capital, less amortization of debt costs and discount on long-term debt.
Annual Report.
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
ASC.
Accounting Standards Codification.
ASU.
Accounting Standards Update.
Atoka.
Atoka Midstream LLC, in which the Partnership owns a 50% interest, which provides gathering and processing services to customers in the Arkoma Basin in Oklahoma.
ATM Program.
The offer and sale, from time to time, of common units representing limited partner interest having an aggregate offering price of up to $200 million in quantities, by sales methods and at prices determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of such sales, pursuant to that certain ATM Equity Offering Sales Agreement, entered into on May 12, 2017.
Barrel.
42 U.S. gallons of petroleum products.
Bbl.
Barrel.
Bbl/d.
Barrels per day.
Bcf/d.
Billion cubic feet per day.
Board of Directors.
The board of directors of Enable GP, LLC.
Btu.
British thermal unit. When used in terms of volume, Btu refers to the amount of natural gas required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at one atmospheric pressure.
CenterPoint Energy.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc., a Texas corporation, and its subsidiaries.
Condensate.
A natural gas liquid with a low vapor pressure, mainly composed of propane, butane, pentane and heavier hydrocarbon fractions.
DCF.
Distributable Cash Flow, a non-GAAP measure calculated as Adjusted EBITDA, as further adjusted for Series A Preferred Unit distributions, distributions for phantom and performance units, Adjusted interest expense, maintenance capital expenditures and current income taxes. 
Distribution coverage ratio.
A non-GAAP measure calculated as DCF divided by distributions related to common unitholders.
DOT.
Department of Transportation.
EGR
Enable Gulf Run Transmission, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership.
EGT.
Enable Gas Transmission, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership that operates an approximately 5,900-mile interstate pipeline that provides natural gas transportation and storage services to customers principally in the Anadarko, Arkoma and Ark-La-Tex Basins in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Kansas.
Enable GP.
Enable GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of Enable Midstream Partners, LP.
EOCS.
Enable Oklahoma Crude Services, LLC, formerly Velocity Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership that provides crude oil and condensate gathering services in the SCOOP and STACK plays of the Anadarko Basin in Oklahoma.

1

Table of Contents

EOIT.
Enable Oklahoma Intrastate Transmission, LLC, formerly Enogex LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership that operates an approximately 2,200-mile intrastate pipeline that provides natural gas transportation and storage services to customers in Oklahoma.
EOIT Senior Notes.
$250 million 6.25% senior notes due 2020.
ESCP.
Enable South Central Pipeline, LLC, formerly Velocity Pipeline Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in which the Partnership, through EOCS, owns a 60% joint venture interest in a 26-mile pipeline system with a third party which owns and operates a refinery connected to the EOCS system.
Exchange Act.
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
FASB.
Financial Accounting Standards Board.
FERC.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
GAAP.
Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
Gas imbalance.
The difference between the actual amounts of natural gas delivered from or received by a pipeline, as compared to the amounts scheduled to be delivered or received.
Gross margin.
A non-GAAP measure calculated as Total revenues minus Cost of natural gas and natural gas liquids, excluding depreciation and amortization.
ICE.
Intercontinental Exchange.
LDC.
Local distribution company involved in the delivery of natural gas to consumers within a specific geographic area.
LIBOR.
London Interbank Offered Rate.
MBbl.
Thousand barrels.
MBbl/d.
Thousand barrels per day.
MMcf.
Million cubic feet of natural gas.
MMcf/d.
Million cubic feet per day.
MRT.
Enable Mississippi River Transmission, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership that operates a 1,600-mile interstate pipeline that provides natural gas transportation and storage services principally in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Illinois.
NGLs.
Natural gas liquids, which are the hydrocarbon liquids contained within natural gas including condensate.
NYMEX.
New York Mercantile Exchange.
NYSE.
New York Stock Exchange.
OGE Energy.
OGE Energy Corp., an Oklahoma corporation, and its subsidiaries.
Partnership.
Enable Midstream Partners, LP, and its subsidiaries.
Partnership Agreement.
Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Enable Midstream Partners, LP dated as of November 14, 2017.
Revolving Credit Facility.
$1.75 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility.
SCOOP.
South Central Oklahoma Oil Province.
SEC.
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Series A Preferred Units.
10% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Non-Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership.
SESH.
Southeast Supply Header, LLC, in which the Partnership owns a 50% interest, that operates an approximately 290-mile interstate natural gas pipeline from Perryville, Louisiana to southwestern Alabama near the Gulf Coast.
STACK.
Sooner Trend (oil field), Anadarko (basin), Canadian and Kingfisher (counties).
TBtu.
Trillion British thermal units.
TBtu/d.
Trillion British thermal units per day.
WTI.
West Texas Intermediate.

2

Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Some of the information in this report may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition, or forecasts of future events. Words such as “could,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “assume,” “forecast,” “position,” “predict,” “strategy,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “budget,” “potential,” or “continue,” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this report include our expectations of plans, strategies, objectives, growth and anticipated financial and operational performance, including revenue projections, capital expenditures and tax position. Forward-looking statements can be affected by assumptions used or by known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statements can be guaranteed.
 
A forward-looking statement may include a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statement. We believe that we have chosen these assumptions or bases in good faith and that they are reasonable. However, when considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in our Annual Report. Those risk factors and other factors noted throughout this report and in our Annual Report could cause our actual results to differ materially from those disclosed in any forward-looking statement. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should also understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider the following list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include:
changes in general economic conditions;
competitive conditions in our industry;
actions taken by our customers and competitors;
the supply and demand for natural gas, NGLs, crude oil and midstream services;
our ability to successfully implement our business plan;
our ability to complete internal growth projects on time and on budget;
the price and availability of debt and equity financing;
strategic decisions by CenterPoint Energy and OGE Energy regarding their ownership of us and Enable GP;
operating hazards and other risks incidental to transporting, storing, gathering and processing natural gas, NGLs, crude oil and midstream products;
natural disasters, weather-related delays, casualty losses and other matters beyond our control;
interest rates;
the timing and extent of changes in labor and material prices;
labor relations;
large customer defaults;
changes in the availability and cost of capital;
changes in tax status;
the effects of existing and future laws and governmental regulations;
changes in insurance markets impacting costs and the level and types of coverage available;
the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices;
the suspension, reduction or termination of our customers’ obligations under our commercial agreements;
disruptions due to equipment interruption or failure at our facilities, or third-party facilities on which our business is dependent;
the effects of current or future litigation; and
other factors set forth in this report and our other filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

3

Table of Contents


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

ENABLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019

2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions, except per unit data)
Revenues (including revenues from affiliates (Note 13)):





Product sales
$
443


$
443

Service revenues
352


305

Total Revenues
795


748

Cost and Expenses (including expenses from affiliates (Note 13)):




Cost of natural gas and natural gas liquids (excluding depreciation and amortization shown separately)
378


375

Operation and maintenance
103


94

General and administrative
26


27

Depreciation and amortization
105


96

Taxes other than income tax
18


17

Total Cost and Expenses
630


609

Operating Income
165


139

Other Income (Expense):



Interest expense
(46
)

(33
)
Equity in earnings of equity method affiliate
3


6

Other, net


2

Total Other Expense
(43
)

(25
)
Income Before Income Tax
122


114

Income tax benefit
(1
)


Net Income
$
123


$
114

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
1



Net Income Attributable to Limited Partners
$
122


$
114

Less: Series A Preferred Unit distributions (Note 7)
9


9

Net Income Attributable to Common Units (Note 6)
$
113


$
105







Basic earnings per unit (Note 6)





Common units
$
0.26


$
0.24

Diluted earnings per unit (Note 6)



Common units
$
0.26


$
0.24

 

See Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
4

Table of Contents

ENABLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Current Assets:
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
18

 
$
8

Restricted cash
1

 
14

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (Note 1)
261

 
290

Accounts receivable—affiliated companies
17

 
19

Inventory
51

 
50

Gas imbalances
22

 
29

Other current assets
32

 
39

Total current assets
402

 
449

Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
13,016

 
12,899

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
2,110

 
2,028

Property, plant and equipment, net
10,906

 
10,871

Other Assets:
 
 
 
Intangible assets, net
647

 
663

Goodwill
98

 
98

Investment in equity method affiliate
308

 
317

Other
86

 
46

Total other assets
1,139

 
1,124

Total Assets
$
12,447

 
$
12,444

Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
211

 
$
288

Accounts payable—affiliated companies
4

 
4

Current portion of long-term debt
756

 
500

Short-term debt
796

 
649

Taxes accrued
26

 
31

Gas imbalances
15

 
22

Other
133

 
121

Total current liabilities
1,941

 
1,615

Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accumulated deferred income taxes, net
4

 
5

Regulatory liabilities
23

 
23

Other
74

 
54

Total other liabilities
101

 
82

Long-Term Debt
2,822

 
3,129

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)

 

Partners’ Equity:
 
 
 
Series A Preferred Units (14,520,000 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018)
362

 
362

Common units (435,071,235 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and 433,232,411 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018, respectively)
7,183

 
7,218

Noncontrolling interest
38

 
38

Total Partners’ Equity
7,583

 
7,618

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Equity
$
12,447

 
$
12,444


See Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5

Table of Contents

ENABLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
Net income
$
123

 
$
114

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
105

 
96

Deferred income taxes
(1
)
 

Loss on sale/retirement of assets
1

 
1

Equity in earnings of equity method affiliate
(3
)
 
(6
)
Return on investment in equity method affiliate
3

 
6

Equity-based compensation
4

 
5

Changes in other assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
27

 
24

Accounts receivable—affiliated companies
2

 
(1
)
Inventory
(1
)
 
1

Gas imbalance assets
7

 
2

Other current assets
10

 
(4
)
Other assets
5

 
(3
)
Accounts payable
(55
)
 
(62
)
Accounts payable—affiliated companies

 
2

Gas imbalance liabilities
(7
)
 
(4
)
Other current liabilities
4

 
(6
)
Other liabilities
(9
)
 
1

Net cash provided by operating activities
215

 
166

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(143
)
 
(190
)
Proceeds from sale of assets

 
7

Return of investment in equity method affiliate
9

 
7

Other, net
(10
)
 

Net cash used in investing activities
(144
)
 
(176
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Increase in short-term debt
147

 
190

Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs
200

 

Repayment of Revolving Credit Facility
(250
)
 

Distributions
(148
)
 
(150
)
Cash paid for employee equity-based compensation
(23
)
 
(5
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(74
)
 
35

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
(3
)
 
25

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period
22

 
19

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period
$
19

 
$
44


See Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6

Table of Contents

ENABLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
 
 
Series A
Preferred
Units
 
Common
Units
 
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
Total Partners’
Equity
 
Units
 
Value
 
Units
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2017
15

 
$
362

 
433

 
$
7,280

 
$
12

 
$
7,654

Net income

 
9

 

 
105

 

 
114

Distributions

 
(9
)
 

 
(139
)
 
(1
)
 
(149
)
Equity-based compensation, net of units for employee taxes

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2018
15

 
$
362

 
433

 
$
7,246

 
$
11

 
$
7,619

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2018
15

 
$
362

 
433

 
$
7,218

 
$
38

 
$
7,618

Net income

 
9

 

 
113

 
1

 
123

Distributions

 
(9
)
 

 
(138
)
 
(1
)
 
(148
)
Equity-based compensation, net of units for employee taxes

 

 
2

 
(10
)
 

 
(10
)
Balance as of March 31, 2019
15

 
$
362

 
435

 
$
7,183

 
$
38

 
$
7,583


See Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
7

Table of Contents

ENABLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization
 
Enable Midstream Partners, LP is a Delaware limited partnership whose assets and operations are organized into two reportable segments: (i) gathering and processing and (ii) transportation and storage. The gathering and processing segment primarily provides natural gas and crude oil gathering and natural gas processing services to our producer customers. The transportation and storage segment provides interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline transportation and storage services primarily to our producer, power plant, LDC and industrial end-user customers. The Partnership’s natural gas gathering and processing assets are primarily located in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana and serve natural gas production in the Anadarko, Arkoma and Ark-La-Tex Basins. Crude oil gathering assets are located in Oklahoma and serve crude oil production in the SCOOP and STACK plays of the Anadarko Basin and in North Dakota and serve crude oil production in the Bakken Shale formation of the Williston Basin. The Partnership’s natural gas transportation and storage assets consist primarily of an interstate pipeline system extending from western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle to Louisiana, an interstate pipeline system extending from Louisiana to Illinois, an intrastate pipeline system in Oklahoma, and our investment in SESH, a pipeline extending from Louisiana to Alabama.
 
CenterPoint Energy and OGE Energy each have 50% of the management interests in Enable GP. Enable GP is the general partner of the Partnership and has no other operating activities. Enable GP is governed by a board made up of two representatives designated by each of CenterPoint Energy and OGE Energy, along with the Partnership’s Chief Executive Officer and three independent board members CenterPoint Energy and OGE Energy mutually agreed to appoint. CenterPoint Energy and OGE Energy also own a 40% and 60% interest, respectively, in the incentive distribution rights held by Enable GP.

As of March 31, 2019, CenterPoint Energy held approximately 53.8% or 233,856,623 of the Partnership’s common units, and OGE Energy held approximately 25.5% or 110,982,805 of the Partnership’s common units. Additionally, CenterPoint Energy holds 14,520,000 Series A Preferred Units. The limited partner interests of the Partnership have limited voting rights on matters affecting the business. As such, limited partners do not have rights to elect the Partnership’s general partner on an annual or continuing basis and may not remove Enable GP, its current general partner, without at least a 75% vote by all unitholders, including all units held by the Partnership’s limited partners, and Enable GP and its affiliates, voting together as a single class.
 
As of March 31, 2019, the Partnership owned a 50% interest in SESH. See Note 8 for further discussion of SESH. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Partnership held a 50% ownership in Atoka and consolidated Atoka in its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as EOIT acted as the managing member of Atoka and had control over the operations of Atoka. In addition, beginning November 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019, the Partnership owned a 60% interest in ESCP, which is consolidated in its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as EOCS acted as the managing member of ESCP and had control over the operations of ESCP.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of the Partnership have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and GAAP. Pursuant to such rules and regulations, certain disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report.  

 The condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations for the respective periods. Amounts reported in the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are not necessarily indicative of amounts expected for a full-year period due to the effects of, among other things, (a) seasonal fluctuations in demand for energy and energy services, (b) changes in energy commodity prices, (c) timing of maintenance and other expenditures and (d) acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, assets and other interests.
 
For a description of the Partnership’s reportable segments, see Note 16.


8

Table of Contents

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Depreciation Expense

The Partnership completed a depreciation study for the Gathering and Processing and Transportation and Storage segments. Effective January 1, 2019, the new depreciation rates have been applied prospectively as a change in accounting estimate. The new depreciation rates did not result in a material change in depreciation expense or results of operations.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not typically bear interest. The determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts requires management to make estimates and judgments regarding our customers’ ability to pay. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based upon specific identification and estimates of future uncollectable amounts. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our customers’ financial strength based on aging of accounts receivable, payment history, and review of other relevant information, including ratings agency credit ratings and alerts, publicly available reports and news releases, and bank and trade references. It is the policy of management to review the outstanding accounts receivable at least quarterly, giving consideration to credit losses, the aging of receivables, specific customer circumstances that may impact their ability to pay the amounts due and current and forecasted economic conditions over the assets contractual lives. Based on this review, management determined that a $2 million allowance for doubtful accounts was required at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Inventory

Natural gas inventory is held, through the transportation and storage segment, to provide operational support for the intrastate pipeline deliveries and to manage leased intrastate storage capacity. Natural gas liquids inventory is held, through the gathering and processing segment, due to timing differences between the production of certain natural gas liquids and ultimate sale to third parties. Natural gas and natural gas liquids inventory is valued using moving average cost and is subsequently recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The Partnership’s Inventory balance is net of $1 million and $4 million lower of cost or net realizable value adjustments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.


(2) New Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods

Financial Instruments—Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This standard requires entities to measure all expected credit losses of financial assets held at a reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts in order to record credit losses in a more timely manner. ASU 2016-13 also amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, although early adoption is permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Partnership does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Intangibles—Goodwill and Other

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This standard requires entities to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Partnership does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.


9

Table of Contents

Fair Value Measurement—Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” which focuses on improving the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements by facilitating clear communication of the information required by U.S. GAAP that is most important to users of each entity’s financial statements. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. The Partnership expects to adopt these standards in the first quarter of 2020 and continues to evaluate the other impacts of the new standards on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract”, which aims to reduce complexity in the accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement. ASU No. 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Partnership does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Collaborative Arrangements

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, “Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606.” This standard resolves the diversity in practice concerning the manner in which entities account for transactions on the basis of their view of the economics of the collaborative arrangement. The amendments (1) clarify that certain transactions between collaborative participants should be accounted for as revenue under topic 606 when the collaborative participant is a customer in the context of the unit of account; (2) add unit-of-account guidance in Topic 808 to align with the guidance in Topic 606; and (3) clarify that in a transaction that is not directly related to sales to third parties, presenting the transaction as revenue would be precluded if the collaborative participant counterparty was not a customer. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Partnership does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.


(3) Revenues

The following tables disaggregate total revenues by major source from contracts with customers and the gain (loss) on derivative activity for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
Gathering and
Processing
 
Transportation
and Storage
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
128

 
$
162

 
$
(141
)
 
$
149

Natural gas liquids
270

 
6

 
(6
)
 
270

Condensate
34

 

 

 
34

Total revenues from natural gas, natural gas liquids, and condensate
432

 
168

 
(147
)
 
453

Gain (loss) on derivative activity
(9
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(10
)
Total Product sales
$
423

 
$
167

 
$
(147
)
 
$
443

Service revenues:

 

 

 

Demand revenues
$
60

 
$
131

 
$

 
$
191

Volume-dependent revenues
147

 
18

 
(4
)
 
161

Total Service revenues
$
207

 
$
149

 
$
(4
)
 
$
352

Total Revenues
$
630

 
$
316

 
$
(151
)
 
$
795


10

Table of Contents


 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Gathering and
Processing
 
Transportation
and Storage
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
106

 
$
131

 
$
(109
)
 
$
128

Natural gas liquids
279

 
7

 
(7
)
 
279

Condensate
36

 

 

 
36

Total revenues from natural gas, natural gas liquids, and condensate
421

 
138

 
(116
)
 
443

Gain (loss) on derivative activity
(3
)
 
2

 
1

 

Total Product sales
$
418

 
$
140

 
$
(115
)
 
$
443

Service revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand revenues
$
50

 
$
120

 
$

 
$
170

Volume-dependent revenues
123

 
19

 
(7
)
 
135

Total Service revenues
$
173

 
$
139

 
$
(7
)
 
$
305

Total Revenues
$
591

 
$
279

 
$
(122
)
 
$
748


Accounts Receivable

The table below summarizes the change in accounts receivable for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Accounts Receivable:
 
 
 
Customers
$
259

 
$
297

Contract assets (1)
14

 
6

Non-customers
5

 
6

Total Accounts Receivable (2)
$
278

 
$
309

____________________
(1)
Contract assets reflected in Total Accounts Receivable include accrued minimum volume commitments. Contract assets increased $8 million compared to December 31, 2018 primarily due to the increase in estimated shortfall volumes on certain annual minimum volume commitment arrangements. Total Accounts Receivable does not include $4 million of contracts assets related to firm service transportation contracts with tiered rates, which are reflected in Other Assets.
(2)
Total Accounts Receivable includes Accounts receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and Accounts receivable—affiliated companies.

Contract Liabilities

Our contract liabilities primarily consist of prepayments received from customers for which the good or service has not yet been provided in connection with the prepayment. The table below summarizes the change in the contract liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2019:

 
March 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
 
Amounts recognized in revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Deferred revenues
$
48

 
$
48

 
$
20



11

Table of Contents


The table below summarizes the timing of recognition of these contract liabilities as of March 31, 2019:
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023 and After
 
(In millions)
Deferred revenues
$
22

 
$
6

 
$
5

 
$
5

 
$
10


Remaining Performance Obligations

Our remaining performance obligations consist primarily of firm arrangements and minimum volume commitment arrangements. Upon completion of the performance obligations associated with these arrangements, customers are invoiced and revenue is recognized as Service revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The table below summarizes the timing of recognition of the remaining performance obligations as of March 31, 2019:

 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023 and After
 
(In millions)
Transportation and Storage
$
344

 
$
356

 
$
200

 
$
156

 
$
774

Gathering and Processing
220

 
164

 
136

 
138

 
461

Total remaining performance obligations
$
564

 
$
520

 
$
336

 
$
294

 
$
1,235



(4) Leases

On January 1, 2019, the Partnership adopted ASU 2016-02, “Leases (ASC 842).” This standard requires, among other things, that lessees recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessees and lessors must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Partnership has applied the standard to only contracts that were not expired as of January 1, 2019.

The Partnership elected the optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate land easements that exist or expire before the Partnership's adoption of ASC 842 and that were not previously accounted for as leases under ASC 840. The Partnership elected the optional transition practical expedient to not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and initial direct costs for any existing leases. Upon adoption, we increased our asset and liability balances on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets by approximately $35 million due to the required recognition of right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities for all lease obligations that were classified as operating leases. The Partnership did not recognize a material cumulative adjustment to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Partners’ Equity and we did not have any material changes in the timing of expense recognition or our accounting policies.

Our lease obligations are primarily comprised of rentals of field equipment and buildings, which are recorded as Operation and maintenance and General and administrative expenses in the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Other than the contractual terms for each lease obligation, the key inputs for our calculations of the initial right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities are the expected remaining life and applicable discount rate. Field equipment has an expected lease term of three to five years, with contractual base terms of one to three years followed by month-to-month renewals. Field equipment rental arrangements do not generally contain any significant variable lease payments. While certain arrangements may include lower standby rates, field equipment is generally anticipated to be in use for all of its expected lease term. Buildings have an expected lease term of seven to ten years, which is currently the same as the contractual base term. Building rental arrangements contain market-based renewal options of up to 15 years. Variable lease payments for buildings are generally comprised of costs for utilities, maintenance and building management services. There are no variable lease payments due under building rental arrangements until July 1, 2019, after which amounts will be due monthly. The Partnership is generally not aware of the implicit rate for either field equipment or building rental arrangements, so discount rates are based upon the expected term of each arrangement and the Partnership’s uncollateralized borrowing rate associated with the expected term at the time of lease inception. As of March 31, 2019, the weighted average remaining lease term is 4.2 years and the weighted average discount rate is 5.55%.


12

Table of Contents

As of March 31, 2019, we have right-of-use assets of $33 million recorded as Other Assets, $8 million of corresponding obligations recorded as Other Current Liabilities and $26 million of corresponding obligations recorded as Other Liabilities on the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. All lease obligations outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2019 were classified as operating leases, therefore all cash flows are reflected in Cash Flows from Operating Activities. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, rental costs associated with field equipment and buildings were $7 million and $2 million, respectively.

The table below summarizes lease expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019:

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
Gathering and
Processing
 
Transportation
and Storage
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Lease Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
Lease Cost:
 
 
 
 
 
Operating lease cost
$
2

 
$

 
$
2

Short-term lease cost
6

 
1

 
7

Total Lease Cost
$
8

 
$
1

 
$
9


Under ASC 842, as of March 31, 2019, the Partnership has operating lease obligations expiring at various dates. The $17 million difference between undiscounted cash flows for operating leases and our $35 million of lease obligations is due to the impact of the applicable discount rate. Undiscounted cash flows for operating lease liabilities are as follows:

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
2024 and After
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Noncancellable operating leases
$
11

 
$
11

 
$
6

 
$
5

 
$
5

 
$
14

 
$
52


Under ASC 840, as of December 31, 2018, the Partnership had the following operating lease obligations as well as the estimate of the period in which the obligation will be settled:

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2019
 
2020-2021
 
2022-2023
 
After 2023
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Noncancellable operating leases
$
14

 
$
6

 
$
6

 
$
14

 
$
40





13

Table of Contents

(5) Acquisition

Velocity Holdings, LLC Acquisition

On November 1, 2018, the Partnership acquired all of the equity interests in Velocity Holdings, LLC, now EOCS, which owns and operates a crude oil and condensate gathering system in the SCOOP and STACK plays of the Anadarko Basin, for approximately $444 million in cash, subject to certain customary working capital adjustments. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and was funded with borrowings under the commercial paper program. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Partnership finalized the purchase price allocation as of November 1, 2018.

The following table presents the fair value of the identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date:

Purchase price allocation:
 
Assets acquired:
 
Cash
$
1

Current Assets
3

Property, plant and equipment
124

Intangibles
259

Goodwill
86

Liabilities assumed:
 
Current liabilities
1

Less: Non-Controlling Interest at fair value
28

Total identifiable net assets
$
444


The Partnership recognized intangible assets related to customer relationships. The acquired intangible assets will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated customer contract life of approximately 15 years. Goodwill recognized from the acquisition primarily relates to greater operating leverage in the Anadarko Basin and is allocated to the gathering and processing segment. Included within the acquisition was 60% of a 26-mile pipeline system joint venture with a third party which owns and operates a refinery connected to the EOCS system. This joint venture’s financials have been consolidated within the Partnership’s financial statements resulting in $28 million in non-controlling interest. The Partnership incurred approximately $6 million of acquisition costs associated with this transaction, which were included in General and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The Partnership determined not to include pro forma consolidated financial statements for the periods presented as the impact would not be material.

 

14

Table of Contents

(6) Earnings Per Limited Partner Unit

The following table illustrates the Partnership’s calculation of earnings per unit for common units:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions, except per unit data)
Net income
$
123

 
$
114

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
1

 

Series A Preferred Unit distributions
9

 
9

General partner interest in net income

 

Net income available to common unitholders
$
113

 
$
105

 
 
 
 
Net income allocable to common units
$
113

 
$
105

Dilutive effect of Series A Preferred Unit distributions

 

Diluted net income allocable to common units
113

 
105

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per unit
 
 
 
Common units
$
0.26

 
$
0.24

 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average number of common units outstanding (1)
435

 
434

Dilutive effect of Series A Preferred Units

 

Dilutive effect of performance units

 
1

Diluted weighted average number of common units outstanding
435

 
435

 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per unit
 
 
 
Common units
$
0.26

 
$
0.24

____________________
(1)
Basic weighted average number of outstanding common units includes approximately one million time-based phantom units for each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.


(7) Partners’ Equity

The Partnership Agreement requires that, within 60 days after the end of each quarter, the Partnership distribute all of its available cash (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.

The Partnership paid or has authorized payment of the following cash distributions to common unitholders, as applicable, during 2018 and 2019 (in millions, except for per unit amounts):
Three Months Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Per Unit Distribution
 
Total Cash Distribution
March 31, 2019 (1)
 
May 21, 2019
 
May 29, 2019
 
$
0.318

 
$
138

December 31, 2018
 
February 19, 2019
 
February 26, 2019
 
0.318

 
138

September 30, 2018
 
November 16, 2018
 
November 29, 2018
 
0.318

 
138

June 30, 2018
 
August 21, 2018
 
August 28, 2018
 
0.318

 
138

March 31, 2018
 
May 22, 2018
 
May 29, 2018
 
0.318

 
138

_____________________
(1)
The Board of Directors declared this $0.318 per common unit cash distribution on April 29, 2019, to be paid on May 29, 2019, to common unitholders of record at the close of business on May 21, 2019.


15

Table of Contents

The Partnership paid or has authorized payment of the following cash distributions to holders of the Series A Preferred Units during 2018 and 2019 (in millions, except for per unit amounts):
Three Months Ended
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Per Unit Distribution
 
Total Cash Distribution
March 31, 2019 (1)
 
April 29, 2019
 
May 15, 2019
 
$
0.625

 
$
9

December 31, 2018
 
February 8, 2019
 
February 14, 2019
 
0.625

 
9

September 30, 2018
 
November 6, 2018
 
November 14, 2018
 
0.625

 
9

June 30, 2018
 
August 1, 2018
 
August 14, 2018
 
0.625

 
9

March 31, 2018
 
May 1, 2018
 
May 15, 2018
 
0.625

 
9

_____________________
(1)
The Board of Directors declared a $0.625 per Series A Preferred Unit cash distribution on April 29, 2019, to be paid on May 15, 2019, to Series A Preferred unitholders of record at the close of business on April 29, 2019.

ATM Program

On May 12, 2017, the Partnership entered into an ATM Equity Offering Sales Agreement, pursuant to which the Partnership may issue and sell common units having an aggregate offering price of up to $200 million, by sales methods and at prices determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of our offerings. The Partnership has no obligation to sell any common units under the ATM Program and the Partnership may suspend sales under the ATM Program at any time. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, the Partnership did not issue common units under the ATM Program. As of March 31, 2019, $197 million of common units remained available for issuance through the ATM Program.


(8) Investment in Equity Method Affiliate
 
The Partnership uses the equity method of accounting for investments in entities in which it has an ownership interest between 20% and 50% and exercises significant influence.
 
SESH is owned 50% by Enbridge, Inc. and 50% by the Partnership. Pursuant to the terms of the SESH LLC Agreement, if, at any time, CenterPoint Energy has a right to receive less than 50% of our distributions through its interest in the Partnership and its economic interest in Enable GP, or does not have the ability to exercise certain control rights, Enbridge, Inc. may, under certain circumstances, have the right to purchase the Partnership’s interest in SESH at fair market value, subject to certain exceptions.

The Partnership shares operations of SESH with Enbridge, Inc. under service agreements. The Partnership is responsible for the field operations of SESH. SESH reimburses each party for actual costs incurred, which are billed based upon a combination of direct charges and allocations. The Partnership billed SESH $3 million and $2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, associated with these service agreements.

The Partnership includes equity in earnings of equity method affiliate under the Other Income (Expense) caption in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

SESH:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019

2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Equity in Earnings of Equity Method Affiliate
$
3

 
$
6

Distributions from Equity Method Affiliate (1)
$
12

 
$
13

___________________
(1)
Distributions from equity method affiliate includes a $3 million and $6 million return on investment and a $9 million and $7 million return of investment for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.


16

Table of Contents

Summarized financial information of SESH:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Income Statements:
 
 
 
Revenues
$
27

 
$
28

Operating income
$
11

 
$
17

Net income
$
7

 
$
12


 
(9) Debt

The following table presents the Partnership’s outstanding debt as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Outstanding Principal
 
Premium (Discount)
 
Total Debt
 
Outstanding Principal
 
Premium (Discount)
 
Total Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Commercial Paper
$
796

 
$

 
$
796

 
$
649

 
$

 
$
649

Revolving Credit Facility

 

 

 
250

 

 
250

2019 Term Loan Agreement
200

 

 
200

 

 

 

2019 Notes
500

 

 
500

 
500

 

 
500

2024 Notes
600

 

 
600

 
600

 

 
600

2027 Notes
700

 
(2
)
 
698

 
700

 
(2
)
 
698

2028 Notes
800

 
(6
)
 
794

 
800

 
(6
)
 
794

2044 Notes
550

 

 
550

 
550

 

 
550

EOIT Senior Notes
250

 
6

 
256

 
250

 
7

 
257

Total debt
$
4,396

 
$
(2
)
 
$
4,394

 
$
4,299

 
$
(1
)
 
$
4,298

Less: Short-term debt (1)
 
 
 
 
796

 
 
 
 
 
649

Less: Current portion of long-term debt (2)
 
 
 
 
756

 
 
 
 
 
500

Less: Unamortized debt expense (3)
 
 
 
 
20

 
 
 
 
 
20

Total long-term debt
 
 
 
 
$
2,822

 
 
 
 
 
$
3,129

____________________
(1)
Short-term debt includes $796 million and $649 million of outstanding commercial paper as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
(2)
As of March 31, 2019, Current portion of long-term debt includes $756 million outstanding balances of the 2019 Notes due May 15, 2019 and EOIT Senior Notes due March 15, 2020. As of December 31, 2018, Current portion of long-term debt includes $500 million outstanding balance of the 2019 Notes due May 15, 2019.
(3)
As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there was an additional $5 million and $6 million, respectively, of unamortized debt expense related to the Revolving Credit Facility included in Other assets, not included above.

Commercial Paper

The Partnership has a commercial paper program, pursuant to which the Partnership is authorized to issue up to $1.4 billion of commercial paper. The commercial paper program is supported by our Revolving Credit Facility, and outstanding commercial paper effectively reduces our borrowing capacity thereunder. There were $796 million and $649 million outstanding under our commercial paper program at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The weighted average interest rate for the outstanding commercial paper was 3.41% as of March 31, 2019.

17

Table of Contents


Revolving Credit Facility

On April 6, 2018, the Partnership amended and restated its Revolving Credit Facility. As amended and restated, the Revolving Credit Facility is a $1.75 billion, 5-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility, which under certain circumstances may be increased from time to time up to an additional $875 million, in aggregate. The Revolving Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on April 6, 2023, subject to an extension option, which could be exercised two times to extend the term of the Revolving Credit Facility, in each case, for an additional one-year term. As of March 31, 2019, there were no principal advances and $3 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Restated Revolving Credit Facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility provides that outstanding borrowings bear interest at the LIBOR and/or an alternate base rate, at the Partnership’s election, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on the Partnership’s applicable credit ratings. As of March 31, 2019, the applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility was 1.50% based on the Partnership’s credit ratings. In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility requires the Partnership to pay a fee on unused commitments. The commitment fee is based on the Partnership’s applicable credit rating from the rating agencies. As of March 31, 2019, the commitment fee under the restated Revolving Credit Facility was 0.20% per annum based on the Partnership’s credit ratings. The commitment fee is recorded as interest expense in the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

2019 Term Loan Agreement

On January 29, 2019, the Partnership entered into an unsecured term loan agreement, providing for up to $1 billion in advances with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the several lenders thereto. The 2019 Term Loan Agreement has a scheduled maturity date of January 29, 2022, but contains an option, which may be exercised up to two times, to extend the maturity date for an additional one-year term. As of March 31, 2019, there is a principal advance of $200 million outstanding under the 2019 Term Loan Agreement, and a delayed-draw feature permits the Partnership to borrow up to an additional $800 million within 180 days of the closing date, subject to the terms and conditions of the 2019 Term Loan Agreement. The 2019 Term Loan Agreement provides that outstanding borrowings bear interest at the eurodollar rate and/or an alternate base rate, at the Partnership’s election, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on the Partnership’s designated ratings from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, Moody’s Investor Services and Fitch Ratings. The applicable margin shall equal, (1) in the case of interest rates determined by reference to the eurodollar rate, between 0.75% and 1.50% per annum and (2) in the case of interest rates determined by reference to the alternate base rate, between 0% and 0.50% per annum. As of March 31, 2019, the applicable margin for LIBOR-based advances under the 2019 Term Loan Facility was 1.25% based on the Partnership’s credit ratings. As of March 31, 2019, the weighted average interest rate of the 2019 Term Loan Agreement was 3.74%.

The 2019 Term Loan Agreement requires the Partnership to, starting April 29, 2019 and continuing until the date on which all commitments have expired or been terminated or the amount available to be drawn is zero, pay a ticking fee on each lender’s unused commitment amount. The ticking fee shall equal a per annum rate of 0.125% on the actual daily amount of such lender’s portion of the unused commitments.

Advances under the 2019 Term Loan Agreement are subject to certain conditions precedent, including the accuracy in all material respects of certain representations and warranties and the absence of any default or event of default. Advances under the 2019 Term Loan Agreement may be used to refinance indebtedness outstanding from time to time and for other general corporate purposes, including to fund acquisitions, investments and capital expenditures. Advances under the 2019 Term Loan Agreement can be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, other than usual and customary LIBOR breakage costs, if applicable.

The 2019 Term Loan Agreement contains a financial covenant requiring the Partnership to maintain a ratio of consolidated funded debt to consolidated EBITDA as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of less than or equal to 5.00 to 1.00; provided that, for a certain period time following an acquisition by the Partnership or certain of its subsidiaries with a purchase price that when combined with the aggregate purchase price for all other such acquisitions in any rolling 12-month period, is equal to or greater than $25 million, the consolidated funded debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio as of the last day of each such fiscal quarter during such period would be permitted to be up to 5.50 to 1.00.

The 2019 Term Loan Agreement also contains covenants that restrict the Partnership and certain of its subsidiaries in respect of, among other things, mergers and consolidations, sales of all or substantially all assets, incurrence of subsidiary indebtedness, incurrence of liens, transactions with affiliates, designation of subsidiaries as Excluded Subsidiaries (as defined in the 2019 Term Loan Agreement), restricted payments, changes in the nature of their respective business and entering into certain restrictive agreements. The 2019 Term Loan Agreement is subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of certain defaults, including, among others, payment defaults on such facility, breach of representations, warranties and covenants, acceleration of indebtedness ( other

18

Table of Contents

than intercompany and non-recourse indebtedness) of $100 million or more in the aggregate, change of control, nonpayment of uninsured judgments in excess of $100 million, and the occurrence of certain ERISA and bankruptcy events, subject where applicable to specified cure periods.

Senior Notes

As of March 31, 2019, the Partnership’s debt included the 2019 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2027 Notes, 2028 Notes and 2044 Notes, which had $8 million of unamortized discount and $20 million of unamortized debt expense at March 31, 2019, resulting in effective interest rates of 2.56%, 4.01%, 4.57%, 5.20% and 5.08%, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

As of March 31, 2019, the Partnership’s debt included EOIT’s Senior Notes. The EOIT Senior Notes had $6 million of unamortized premium at March 31, 2019, resulting in an effective interest rate of 3.80% during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

As of March 31, 2019, the Partnership and EOIT were in compliance with all of their debt agreements, including financial covenants.


(10) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
 
The Partnership is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risk managed using derivative instruments is commodity price risk. The Partnership is also exposed to credit risk in its business operations.
 
Commodity Price Risk
 
The Partnership has used forward physical contracts, commodity price swap contracts and commodity price option features to manage the Partnership’s commodity price risk exposures in the past. Commodity derivative instruments used by the Partnership are as follows:
NGL put options, NGL futures and swaps, and WTI crude oil futures, swaps and swaptions are used to manage the Partnership’s NGL and condensate exposure associated with its processing agreements;
natural gas futures and swaps, natural gas options, natural gas swaptions and natural gas commodity purchases and sales are used to manage the Partnership’s natural gas exposure associated with its gathering, processing, transportation and storage assets, contracts and asset management activities.

Normal purchases and normal sales contracts are not recorded in Other Assets or Liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and earnings are recognized and recorded in the period in which physical delivery of the commodity occurs. Management applies normal purchases and normal sales treatment to: (i) commodity contracts for the purchase and sale of natural gas used in or produced by the Partnership’s operations and (ii) commodity contracts for the purchase and sale of NGLs produced by the Partnership’s gathering and processing business.
 
The Partnership recognizes its non-exchange traded derivative instruments as Other Assets or Liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value with such amounts classified as current or long-term based on their anticipated settlement. Exchange traded transactions are settled on a net basis daily through margin accounts with a clearing broker and are recorded as Other Assets or Liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value on a net basis with such amounts classified as current or long-term based on their anticipated settlement.
 
As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Partnership had no derivative instruments that were designated as cash flow or fair value hedges for accounting purposes.

Credit Risk
 
Credit risk includes the risk that counterparties that owe the Partnership money or energy will breach their obligations. If the counterparties to these arrangements fail to perform, the Partnership may seek or be forced to enter into alternative arrangements. In that event, the Partnership’s financial results could be adversely affected, and the Partnership could incur losses.
 

19

Table of Contents

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes are utilized in the Partnership’s asset management activities. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the gain or loss on the derivative is recognized currently in earnings.

Quantitative Disclosures Related to Derivative Instruments
 
The majority of natural gas physical purchases and sales not designated as hedges for accounting purposes are priced based on a monthly or daily index, and the fair value is subject to little or no market price risk. Natural gas physical sales volumes exceed natural gas physical purchase volumes due to the marketing of natural gas volumes purchased via the Partnership’s processing contracts, which are not derivative instruments.

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Partnership had the following derivative instruments that were not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes:

 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
  
Gross Notional Volume
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Purchases
 
Sales
Natural gas— TBtu (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial fixed futures/swaps
15

 
29

 
16

 
28

Financial basis futures/swaps
17

 
45

 
18

 
29

Financial swaptions (3)

 
3

 

 
1

Physical purchases/sales

 
10

 

 
11

Crude oil (for condensate)— MBbl (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial futures/swaps

 
735

 

 
945

Financial swaptions (3)

 
30

 

 
30

Natural gas liquids— MBbl (4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial futures/swaps
1,465

 
2,940

 
270

 
2,535

____________________
(1)
As of March 31, 2019, 78.3% of the natural gas contracts had durations of one year or less, 20.2% had durations of more than one year and less than two years and 1.5% had durations of more than two years. As of December 31, 2018, 74.0% of the natural gas contracts had durations of one year or less, 24.2% had durations of more than one year and less than two years and 1.8% had durations of more than two years.
(2)
As of March 31, 2019, 86.3% of the crude oil (for condensate) contracts had durations of one year or less and 13.7% had durations of more than one year and less than two years. As of December 31, 2018, 76.9% of the crude oil (for condensate) contracts had durations of one year or less and 23.1% had durations of more than one year and less than two years.
(3)
The notional contains a combined derivative instrument consisting of a fixed price swap and a sold option, which gives the counterparties the right, but not the obligation, to increase the notional quantity hedged under the fixed price swap until the option expiration date. The notional volume represents the volume prior to option exercise.
(4)
As of March 31, 2019, 94.9% of the natural gas liquids contracts had durations of one year or less and 5.1% had durations of more than one year and less than two years. As of December 31, 2018, 86.1% of the natural gas liquid contracts had durations of one year or less and 13.9% had durations of more than one year and less than two years.


20

Table of Contents

Balance Sheet Presentation Related to Derivative Instruments
 
The fair value of the derivative instruments that are presented in the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 that were not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes are as follows:
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
Fair Value
Instrument
Balance Sheet Location
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Natural gas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial futures/swaps
Other Current
 
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
3

 
$
5

Financial futures/swaps
Other
 

 
2

 

 
2

Physical purchases/sales
Other Current
 
2

 

 
3

 

Physical purchases/sales
Other
 
2

 

 
4

 

Crude oil (for condensate)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial futures/swaps
Other Current
 

 
4

 
9

 
3

Financial futures/swaps
Other
 
1

 

 
2

 

Natural gas liquids
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial futures/swaps
Other Current
 
10

 

 
10

 
1

Financial futures/swaps
Other
 
1

 

 
2

 

Total gross derivatives (1)
 
 
$
17

 
$
7

 
$
33

 
$
11

_____________________
(1)
See Note 11 for a reconciliation of the Partnership’s total derivatives fair value to the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Income Statement Presentation Related to Derivative Instruments
 
The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 
Amounts Recognized in Income
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Natural gas
 
 
 
Financial futures/swaps (losses) gains
$
(1
)
 
$
(3
)
Physical purchases/sales gains
(1
)
 
2

Crude oil (for condensate)
 
 
 
Financial futures/swaps (losses) gains
(11
)
 
(3
)
Financial swaptions (losses) gains

 

Natural gas liquids
 
 
 
Financial futures/swaps (losses) gains
3

 
4

Total
$
(10
)
 
$


For derivatives not designated as hedges in the tables above, amounts recognized in income for the periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, if any, are reported in Product sales.
    

21

Table of Contents

The following table presents the components of gain (loss) on derivative activity in the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Change in fair value of derivatives
$
(12
)
 
$
(2
)
Realized gain (loss) on derivatives
2

 
2

Gain (loss) on derivative activity
$
(10
)
 
$


Credit-Risk Related Contingent Features in Derivative Instruments
 
In the event Moody’s Investors Services or Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services were to lower the Partnership’s senior unsecured debt rating to a below investment grade rating, the Partnership could be required to provide additional credit assurances to third parties, which could include letters of credit or cash collateral to satisfy its obligation under its financial and physical contracts relating to derivative instruments that are in a net liability position. As of March 31, 2019, under these obligations, the Partnership has posted no cash collateral related to NGL swaps and crude swaps and swaptions and no additional collateral may be required to be posted by the Partnership in the event of a credit ratings downgrade to a below investment grade rating.


(11) Fair Value Measurements
 
Certain assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. Hierarchical levels, as defined below and directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuations of these assets and liabilities are as follows:
 
Level 1: Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Instruments classified as Level 1 include natural gas futures, swaps and options transactions for contracts traded on either the NYMEX or the ICE and settled through either a NYMEX or ICE clearing broker.
 
Level 2: Inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Fair value assets and liabilities that are generally included in this category are derivatives with fair values based on inputs from actively quoted markets. Instruments classified as Level 2 generally include over-the-counter natural gas swaps, natural gas swaptions, natural gas basis swaps and natural gas purchase and sales transactions in markets such that the pricing is closely related to the NYMEX or the ICE pricing, and over-the-counter WTI crude oil swaps and swaptions for condensate sales.
 
Level 3: Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs reflect the Partnership’s judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability since limited market data exists. The Partnership develops these inputs based on the best information available, including the Partnership’s own data.
 
The Partnership utilizes the market approach in determining the fair value of its derivative positions by using either NYMEX, ICE or WTI published market prices, independent broker pricing data or broker/dealer valuations. The valuations of derivatives with pricing based on NYMEX or ICE published market prices may be considered Level 1 if they are settled through a NYMEX or ICE clearing broker account with daily margining. Over-the-counter derivatives with NYMEX, ICE or WTI based prices are considered Level 2 due to the impact of counterparty credit risk. Valuations based on independent broker pricing or broker/dealer valuations may be classified as Level 2 only to the extent they may be validated by an additional source of independent market data for an identical or closely related active market. Certain derivatives with option features may be classified as Level 2 if valued using an industry standard Black-Scholes option pricing model that contain observable inputs in the marketplace throughout the term of the derivative instrument. In certain less liquid markets or for longer-term contracts, forward prices are not as readily available. In these circumstances, contracts are valued using internally developed methodologies that consider historical relationships among various quoted prices in active markets that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. These contracts are classified as Level 3. As of March 31, 2019, there were no contracts classified as Level 3.
 

22


The Partnership determines the appropriate level for each financial asset and liability on a quarterly basis and recognizes transfers between levels at the end of the reporting period. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, there were no transfers between levels.
 
The impact to the fair value of derivatives due to credit risk is calculated using the probability of default based on Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and/or internally generated ratings. The fair value of derivative assets is adjusted for credit risk. The fair value of derivative liabilities is adjusted for credit risk only if the impact is deemed material.

Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values of all accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable, commercial paper and other such financial instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are estimated to be approximately equivalent to their carrying amounts due to their short-term nature and have been excluded from the table below. The following table summarizes the fair value and carrying amount of the Partnership’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility (Level 2) (1)
$

 
$

 
$
250

 
$
250

2019 Term Loan Agreement (Level 2)
200

 
200

 

 

2019 Notes (Level 2)
500

 
499

 
500

 
497

2024 Notes (Level 2)
600

 
599

 
600

 
571

2027 Notes (Level 2)
698

 
684

 
698

 
642

2028 Notes (Level 2)
794

 
811

 
794

 
764

2044 Notes (Level 2)
550

 
489

 
550

 
445

EOIT Senior Notes (Level 2)
256

 
257

 
257

 
256

____________________
(1)
Borrowing capacity is effectively reduced by our borrowings outstanding under the commercial paper program. $796 million and $649 million of commercial paper was outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The fair value of the Partnership’s Revolving Credit Facility, 2019 Term Loan Agreement, 2019 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2027 Notes, 2028 Notes, 2044 Notes and EOIT Senior Notes is based on quoted market prices and estimates of current rates available for similar issues with similar maturities and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
 
Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (e.g., when there is evidence of impairment). As of March 31, 2019, no material fair value adjustments or fair value measurements were required for these non-financial assets or liabilities.

Contracts with Master Netting Arrangements
 
Fair value amounts recognized for forward, interest rate swap, option and other conditional or exchange contracts executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement may be offset. The reporting entity’s choice to offset or not must be applied consistently. A master netting arrangement exists if the reporting entity has multiple contracts, whether for the same type of conditional or exchange contract or for different types of contracts, with a single counterparty that are subject to a contractual agreement that provides for the net settlement of all contracts through a single payment in a single currency in the event of default on or termination of any one contract. Offsetting the fair values recognized for forward, interest rate swap, option and other conditional or exchange contracts outstanding with a single counterparty results in the net fair value of the transactions being reported as an asset or a liability in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Partnership has presented the fair values of its derivative contracts under master netting agreements using a net fair value presentation.
 

23


The following tables summarize the Partnership’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
 
March 31, 2019
Commodity Contracts
 
Gas Imbalances (1)
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets (2)
 
Liabilities (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Quoted market prices in active market for identical assets (Level 1)
$
1

 
$
6

 
$

 
$

Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
16

 
1

 
14

 
6

Unobservable inputs (Level 3)

 

 

 

Total fair value
17

 
7

 
14

 
6

Netting adjustments
(6
)
 
(6
)
 

 

Total
$
11

 
$
1

 
$
14

 
$
6


December 31, 2018
Commodity Contracts
 
Gas Imbalances (1)
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Assets (2)
 
Liabilities (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Quoted market prices in active market for identical assets (Level 1)
$
4

 
$
9

 
$

 
$

Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
29

 
2

 
18

 
17

Unobservable inputs (Level 3)

 

 

 

Total fair value
33

 
11

 
18

 
17

Netting adjustments
(9
)
 
(9
)
 

 

Total
$
24

 
$
2

 
$
18

 
$
17

______________________
(1)
The Partnership uses the market approach to fair value its gas imbalance assets and liabilities at individual, or where appropriate an average of, current market indices applicable to the Partnership’s operations, not to exceed net realizable value. There were no netting adjustments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
(2)
Gas imbalance assets exclude fuel reserves for under retained fuel due from shippers of $8 million and $11 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, which fuel reserves are based on the value of natural gas at the time the imbalance was created, and which are not subject to revaluation at fair market value.
(3)
Gas imbalance liabilities exclude fuel reserves for over retained fuel due to shippers of $9 million and $5 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, which fuel reserves are based on the value of natural gas at the time the imbalance was created, and which are not subject to revaluation at fair market value.


(12) Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

The following table provides information regarding supplemental cash flow information:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 
Cash Payments:
 
 
 
Interest, net of capitalized interest
$
32

 
$
29

Income taxes, net of refunds

 
2

Non-cash transactions:
 
 
 
Accounts payable related to capital expenditures
39

 
50

Lease liabilities arising from the implementation of ASC 842
35

 



24

Table of Contents

The following table reconciles cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
 
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
18

 
$
30

Restricted cash
1

 
14

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
$
19

 
$
44


During the three months ended March 31, 2019, Restricted cash decreased $13 million due to the release of cash collateral which was provided as credit assurance by a third party.


(13) Related Party Transactions
 
The material related party transactions with CenterPoint Energy, OGE Energy and their respective subsidiaries are summarized below. There were no material related party transactions with other affiliates.
 
Transportation and Storage Agreements

Transportation and Storage Agreements with CenterPoint Energy
 
EGT provides natural gas transportation and storage services to CenterPoint Energy’s LDCs in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Northeast Texas under a combination of contracts that include the following types of services: firm transportation, firm transportation with seasonal demand, firm storage, no-notice transportation with storage and maximum rate firm transportation. The contracts for firm transportation with seasonal demand will remain in effect through March 31, 2021. The contracts for firm transportation, firm storage and firm no-notice transportation with storage, as well as the contracts for maximum rate firm transportation for Oklahoma and portions of Northeast Texas, are in effect through March 31, 2021, and will remain in effect thereafter unless and until terminated by either party upon 180 days’ prior written notice. The contracts for maximum firm rate transportation for Arkansas, Louisiana and Texarkana, Texas terminated on March 31, 2018. MRT provides firm transportation and firm storage services to CenterPoint Energy’s LDCs in Arkansas and Louisiana. Contracts for these services are in effect through May 15, 2023 and will remain in effect thereafter unless and until terminated by either party upon twelve months’ prior written notice.

Transportation and Storage Agreement with OGE Energy
 
EOIT provides no-notice load-following transportation and storage services to OGE Energy. On March 17, 2014, EOIT entered into a transportation agreement with OGE Energy, for four of its generating facilities, with a primary term of May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2019. On October 24, 2018, EOIT entered into a no-notice load-following transportation agreement with OGE Energy, with a primary term of April 1, 2019 through May 1, 2024. Following the primary term, the agreement will remain in effect from year to year thereafter unless either party provides notice of termination to the other party at least 180 days prior to the commencement of the succeeding annual period. On December 6, 2016, EOIT entered into an additional firm transportation agreement with OGE Energy, for one of its generating facilities with a primary term of December 1, 2018 through December 1, 2038.
 
Gas Sales and Purchases Transactions

The Partnership sells natural gas volumes to affiliates of CenterPoint Energy and OGE Energy or purchases natural gas volumes from affiliates of CenterPoint Energy through a combination of forward, monthly and daily transactions. The Partnership enters into these physical natural gas transactions in the normal course of business based upon relevant market prices.


25

Table of Contents

The Partnership’s revenues from affiliated companies accounted for 6% and 7% of total revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Amounts of revenues from affiliated companies included in the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are summarized as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Gas transportation and storage service revenues — CenterPoint Energy
$
33

 
$
33

Natural gas product sales — CenterPoint Energy
1

 
6

Gas transportation and storage service revenues — OGE Energy
13

 
9

Natural gas product sales — OGE Energy 
1

 
1

Total revenues — affiliated companies
$
48

 
$
49


Amounts of natural gas purchased from affiliated companies included in the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are summarized as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Cost of natural gas purchases — CenterPoint Energy
$

 
$
2

Cost of natural gas purchases — OGE Energy
6

 
3

Total cost of natural gas purchases — affiliated companies
$
6

 
$
5


Seconded employees and corporate services

As of March 31, 2019, the Partnership had certain employees who are participants under OGE Energy’s defined benefit and retiree medical plans, who will remain seconded to the Partnership, subject to certain termination rights of the Partnership and OGE Energy. The Partnership’s reimbursement of OGE Energy for seconded employee costs arising out of OGE Energy’s defined benefit and retiree medical plans is fixed at actual cost subject to a cap of $5 million in 2019 and thereafter, unless and until secondment is terminated.
 
The Partnership receives services and support functions from each of CenterPoint Energy and OGE Energy under services agreements for an initial term that ended on April 30, 2016. The services agreements automatically extend year-to-year at the end of the initial term, unless terminated by the Partnership with at least 90 days’ notice prior to the end of any extension. Additionally, the Partnership may terminate the services agreements at any time with 180 days’ notice, if approved by the Board of Enable GP. The Partnership reimburses CenterPoint Energy and OGE Energy for these services up to annual caps, which for 2019 are $1 million and $1 million, respectively.

Amounts charged to the Partnership by affiliates for seconded employees and corporate services, included primarily in Operation and maintenance and General and administrative expenses in the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Corporate Services — CenterPoint Energy
$

 
$
1

Seconded Employee Costs — OGE Energy
6

 
8

Total corporate services and seconded employee costs
$
6

 
$
9




26

Table of Contents

(14) Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Partnership is routinely involved in legal, environmental, tax and regulatory proceedings before various courts, regulatory commissions and governmental agencies regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these proceedings may from time to time involve substantial amounts. The Partnership regularly analyzes current information and, as necessary, provides accruals for probable liabilities on the eventual disposition of these matters. The Partnership does not currently expect the disposition of these matters to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

On January 1, 2017, the Partnership entered into a 10-year gathering and processing agreement, which became effective on July 1, 2018, with an affiliate of Energy Transfer Partners, LP for 400 MMcf/d of deliveries to the Godley Plant in Johnson County, Texas. As of March 31, 2019, the Partnership estimates the remaining associated 10-year minimum volume commitment fee to be $209 million.

On September 13, 2018, the Partnership executed a precedent agreement for the development of the Gulf Run Pipeline, an interstate natural gas transportation project. On January 30, 2019, a final investment decision was made by Golden Pass LNG, the cornerstone shipper for the LNG facility to be served by the Gulf Run Pipeline project. Subject to approval of the project by the FERC, the Partnership will be required to construct a large-diameter pipeline from northern Louisiana to Gulf Coast markets. In addition, the Partnership may transfer existing EGT transportation infrastructure to the Gulf Run Pipeline. Under the precedent agreement, the Partnership estimates the cost to complete the Gulf Run Pipeline project would be as much as $550 million and the project is backed by a 20-year firm transportation service. The Gulf Run Pipeline connects natural gas producing regions in the U.S., including the Haynesville, Marcellus, Utica and Barnett shales and the Mid-Continent region. The project is expected to be placed into service in 2022.


(15) Equity-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes the Partnership’s equity-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 related to performance units, restricted units and phantom units for the Partnership’s employees and independent directors:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Performance units
$
3

 
$
3

Restricted units

 
1

Phantom units
1

 
1

Total compensation expense
$
4

 
$
5


The following table presents the assumptions related to the performance share units granted in 2019.

 
2019
Number of units granted
610,170

Fair value of units granted
19.95

Expected distribution yield
8.38
%
Expected price volatility
34.2
%
Risk-free interest rate
2.54
%
Expected life of units (in years)
3



27

Table of Contents

The following table presents the number of phantom units granted and the grant date fair value related to the phantom units granted in 2019.

 
2019
Phantom Units granted
574,121

Fair value of phantom units granted
$14.57 - $15.04

Units Outstanding

A summary of the activity for the Partnership’s performance units and phantom units applicable to the Partnership’s employees at March 31, 2019 and changes during the first quarter of 2019 are shown in the following table.

 
Performance Units
 
Phantom Units
  
Number
of Units
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Per Unit
 
Number
of Units
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Per Unit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions, except unit data)
Units outstanding at December 31, 2018
2,109,835

 
$
14.33

 
1,447,590

 
$
12.38

Granted (1)
610,170

 
19.95

 
574,121

 
15.04

Vested (2)
(1,113,159
)
 
10.45

 
(547,354
)
 
8.16

Forfeited
(26,474
)
 
18.22

 
(20,646
)
 
14.46

Units outstanding at March 31, 2019
1,580,372

 
$
19.17

 
1,453,711

 
$
14.98

Aggregate intrinsic value of units outstanding at March 31, 2019
$
22

 
 
 
$
21

 
 
_____________________
(1)
Performance units represents the target number of performance units granted. The actual number of performance units earned, if any, is dependent upon performance and may range from zero percent to 200 percent of the target.
(2)
Performance units vested as of March 31, 2019 include 1,097,846 units from the 2016 annual grant, which were approved by the Board of Directors in 2016 and paid out at 200%, or 2,195,692 units on March 1, 2019, based on the level of achievement of a performance goal established by the Board of Directors over the performance period of January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018.

Unrecognized Compensation Cost

A summary of the Partnership’s unrecognized compensation cost for its non-vested performance units and phantom units, and the weighted-average periods over which the compensation cost is expected to be recognized are shown in the following table.

 
March 31, 2019
 
Unrecognized Compensation Cost
(In millions)
 
Weighted Average Period for Recognition
(In years)
Performance Units
$
20

 
2.00
Phantom Units
15

 
2.02
Total
$
35

 
 

As of March 31, 2019, there were 6,235,141 units available for issuance under the long-term incentive plan.



28

Table of Contents

(16) Reportable Segments
 
The Partnership’s determination of reportable segments considers the strategic operating units under which it manages sales, allocates resources and assesses performance of various products and services to customers in differing regulatory environments. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies excerpt in the Partnership’s audited 2018 consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report. The Partnership uses operating income as the measure of profit or loss for its reportable segments.
 
The Partnership’s assets and operations are organized into two reportable segments: (i) gathering and processing, which primarily provides natural gas and crude oil gathering and natural gas processing services to our producer customers, and (ii) transportation and storage, which provides interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline transportation and storage service primarily to our producer, power plant, LDC and industrial end-user customers.

Financial data for reportable segments are as follows:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Gathering and
Processing
 
Transportation (1)
and Storage
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Product sales
$
423

 
$
167

 
$
(147
)
 
$
443

Service revenues
207

 
149

 
(4
)
 
352

Total Revenues
630

 
316

 
(151
)
 
795

Cost of natural gas and natural gas liquids (excluding depreciation and amortization shown separately)
360

 
169

 
(151
)
 
378

Operation and maintenance, General and administrative
84

 
45

 

 
129

Depreciation and amortization
74

 
31

 

 
105

Taxes other than income tax
11

 
7

 

 
18

Operating income
$
101

 
$
64

 
$

 
$
165

Total Assets
$
9,934

 
$
5,797

 
$
(3,284
)
 
$
12,447

Capital expenditures
$
107

 
$
36

 
$

 
$
143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Gathering and
Processing
 
Transportation (1)
and Storage
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Product sales
$
418

 
$
140

 
$
(115
)
 
$
443

Service revenues
173

 
139

 
(7
)
 
305

Total Revenues
591

 
279

 
(122
)
 
748

Cost of natural gas and natural gas liquids (excluding depreciation and amortization shown separately)
358

 
139

 
(122
)
 
375

Operation and maintenance, General and administrative
76

 
46

 
(1
)
 
121

Depreciation and amortization
62

 
34

 

 
96

Taxes other than income tax
10

 
7

 

 
17

Operating income
$
85

 
$
53

 
$
1

 
$
139

Total assets as of December 31, 2018
$
9,874

 
$
5,805

 
$
(3,235
)
 
$
12,444

Capital expenditures
$
147

 
$
43

 
$

 
$
190

_____________________
(1)
See Note 8 for discussion regarding ownership interests in SESH and related equity earnings included in the transportation and storage segment for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.



29

Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included herein and our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, included in our Annual Report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. The forward-looking statements are dependent upon events, risks and uncertainties that may be outside our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Please read “Forward-Looking Statements.” In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur.

Overview

Enable Midstream Partners, LP is a Delaware limited partnership formed in May 2013 to own, operate and develop midstream energy infrastructure assets strategically located to serve our customers. We completed our initial public offering in April 2014, and we are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “ENBL.” Our general partner is owned by CenterPoint Energy and OGE Energy. In this report, the terms “Partnership” and “Registrant” as well as the terms “our,” “we,” “us” and “its,” are sometimes used as abbreviated references to Enable Midstream Partners, LP together with its consolidated subsidiaries.

Our assets and operations are organized into two reportable segments: (i) gathering and processing and (ii) transportation and storage. Our gathering and processing segment primarily provides natural gas and crude oil gathering and natural gas processing services to our producer customers and crude oil, condensate and produced water gathering services to our producer and refiner customers. Our transportation and storage segment provides interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline transportation and storage services primarily to our producer, power plant, LDC and industrial end-user customers.
 
Our natural gas gathering and processing assets are primarily located in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana and serve natural gas production in the Anadarko, Arkoma and Ark-La-Tex Basins. Our crude oil gathering assets are located in Oklahoma and North Dakota and serve crude oil production in the Anadarko and Williston Basins. Our natural gas transportation and storage assets consist primarily of an interstate pipeline system extending from western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle to Louisiana, an interstate pipeline system extending from Louisiana to Illinois, an intrastate pipeline system in Oklahoma and our investment in SESH, an interstate pipeline extending from Louisiana to Alabama.

We expect our business to continue to be affected by the key trends included in our Annual Report, as well as the recent developments discussed herein. Our expectations are based on assumptions made by us and information currently available to us. To the extent our underlying assumptions about, or interpretations of, available information prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from our expected results.

Our primary business objective is to increase the cash available for distribution to our unitholders over time while maintaining our financial flexibility. Our business strategies for achieving this objective include capitalizing on organic growth opportunities associated with our strategically located assets, growing through accretive acquisitions, maintaining strong customer relationships to attract new volumes and expand beyond our existing asset footprint and business lines, and continuing to minimize direct commodity price exposure through fee-based contracts. As part of these efforts, we continuously engage in discussions with new and existing customers regarding potential projects to develop new midstream assets to support their needs as well as discussions with potential counterparties regarding opportunities to purchase or invest in complementary assets in new operating areas or midstream business lines. These growth, acquisition and development efforts often involve assets which, if acquired or constructed, could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.


Recent Developments

Regulatory Update

The regulation of midstream energy infrastructure assets has a significant impact on our business. For example, our interstate natural gas transportation and storage assets are subject to regulation by FERC under the Natural Gas Act (NGA). In March 2018, FERC announced a Revised Policy Statement on Treatment of Income Taxes stating that it would no longer allow pipelines organized as a master limited partnership to recover an income tax allowance in their cost-of-service rates. In July 2018, FERC issued new regulations which required all FERC-regulated natural gas pipelines to make a one-time Form No. 501-G filing providing certain financial information and to select one of four options: (i) file a limited NGA Section 4 filing reducing its rates only as required in relation to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the Revised Policy Statement, (ii) commit to filing a general NGA Section 4 rate case in the near future, (iii) file a statement explaining why an adjustment to rates is not needed, or (iv) take

30

Table of Contents

no other action. In October 2018, EGT filed its Form No. 501-G and filed a statement that it intended to take no other action. On March 8, 2019, FERC terminated EGT’s 501-G proceeding and required no other action.

MRT did not file a FERC Form No. 501-G because MRT had filed a general NGA Section 4 rate case in June 2018. The rate case proposed, among other things, a general system-wide increase in the maximum tariff rates for all firm and interruptible services offered by MRT, a change in the boundary between the Field and Market zones, a requirement for daily balancing, changes to the Small Customer service rate schedule and an income tax allowance in its cost-of-service rates. In July 2018, FERC issued an order accepting MRT’s proposed rate increases subject to refund upon a final determination of MRT’s rates and ordering MRT to refile its rate case to reflect, the elimination of an income tax allowance in its cost-of-service rates. On August 30, 2018, MRT submitted a supplemental filing to comply with FERC’s order. MRT has appealed FERC’s order to eliminate the income tax allowance in its cost-of-service rates, but we believe that the ordered elimination will have a de minimis impact on MRT’s rates. On February 19, 2019, FERC set MRT’s refiled rate case for hearing set to begin in November 2019.

On April 12, 2019, FERC accepted EGR and EGT into the pre-filing process in connection with their prospective applications for certificate to construct, operate and maintain natural gas pipeline facilities. Using the pre-filing procedures should enable more efficient and expeditious actions by FERC on EGR’s and EGT’s certificate applications allowing these entities, in advance of filing certificate applications with FERC, to engage stakeholders in the identification and resolution of concerns and to engage a consultant to work at FERC’s direction to perform an environmental impact assessment.

In addition to the regulation of our interstate natural gas transportation and storage assets by FERC, our midstream energy infrastructure assets are subject to regulation by various federal and state agencies, including DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. For an additional discussion of the impact of regulation on our business, see Item 1, Rate and Other Regulation in our Annual Report.

Liquidity Update

Term Loan Agreement

On January 29, 2019, the Partnership entered into a term loan facility, providing for an unsecured three-year $1 billion term loan agreement. For more information, please see Note 9 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


Results of Operations
 
The following tables summarize the key components of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Gathering and
Processing
 
Transportation
and Storage
 
Eliminations
 
Enable
Midstream
Partners, LP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Product sales
$
423

 
$
167

 
$
(147
)
 
$
443

Service revenues
207

 
149

 
(4
)
 
352

Total Revenues
630

 
316

 
(151
)
 
795

Cost of natural gas and natural gas liquids (excluding depreciation and amortization shown separately)
360

 
169

 
(151
)
 
378

Gross margin (1)
270

 
147

 

 
417

Operation and maintenance, General and administrative
84

 
45

 

 
129

Depreciation and amortization
74

 
31

 

 
105

Taxes other than income tax
11

 
7

 

 
18

Operating income
$
101

 
$
64

 
$

 
$
165

Equity in earnings of equity method affiliate
$

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
3



31

Table of Contents

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Gathering and
Processing
 
Transportation
and Storage
 
Eliminations
 
Enable
Midstream
Partners, LP
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Product sales
$
418

 
$
140

 
$
(115
)
 
$
443

Service revenues
173

 
139

 
(7
)
 
305

Total Revenues
591

 
279

 
(122
)
 
748

Cost of natural gas and natural gas liquids (excluding depreciation and amortization shown separately)
358

 
139

 
(122
)
 
375

Gross margin (1)
233

 
140

 

 
373

Operation and maintenance, General and administrative
76

 
46

 
(1
)
 
121

Depreciation and amortization
62

 
34

 

 
96

Taxes other than income tax
10

 
7

 

 
17

Operating income
$
85

 
$
53

 
$
1

 
$
139

Equity in earnings of equity method affiliate
$

 
$
6

 
$

 
$
6

 _____________________
(1)
Gross margin is a non-GAAP measure and is reconciled to its most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented below under the caption Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019

2018
 
 
 
 
Operating Data:

Natural gas gathered volumes—TBtu
409


385

Natural gas gathered volumes—TBtu/d
4.54


4.28

Natural gas processed volumes—TBtu (1)
291


200

Natural gas processed volumes—TBtu/d (1)
2.54


2.22

NGLs produced—MBbl/d (1)(2)
138.19


110.29

NGLs sold—MBbl/d (2)(3)
141.18


109.39

Condensate sold—MBbl/d
8.35


6.96

Crude oil and condensate gathered volumes—MBbl/d
107.90


24.83

Transported volumes—TBtu
601


521

Transported volumes—TBtu/d
6.67


5.79

Interstate firm contracted capacity—Bcf/d
6.52


6.05

Intrastate average deliveries—TBtu/d
2.32


2.10

 _____________________
(1)
Includes volumes under third party processing arrangements.
(2)
Excludes condensate.
(3)
NGLs sold includes volumes of NGLs withdrawn from inventory or purchased for system balancing purposes.


32

Table of Contents


Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019

2018
Anadarko



Gathered volumes—TBtu/d
2.35


2.02

Natural gas processed volumes—TBtu/d (1)
2.12


1.82

NGLs produced—MBbl/d (1)(2)
120.43


95.85

Crude oil and condensate gathered volumes—MBbl/d
76.54

 

Arkoma



Gathered volumes—TBtu/d
0.49


0.54

Natural gas processed volumes—TBtu/d (1)
0.10


0.10

NGLs produced—MBbl/d (1)(2)
6.23


4.98

Ark-La-Tex



Gathered volumes—TBtu/d
1.70


1.71

Natural gas processed volumes—TBtu/d
0.32


0.29

NGLs produced—MBbl/d (2)
11.53


9.46

Williston
 
 
 
Crude oil gathered volumes—MBbl/d
31.36

 
24.83

 _____________________
(1)
Includes volumes under third party processing arrangements.
(2)
Excludes condensate.


Gathering and Processing

Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to three months ended March 31, 2018. Our gathering and processing segment reported operating income of $101 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to operating income of $85 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The difference of $16 million in operating income between periods was primarily due to a $37 million increase in gross margin. This was partially offset by a $8 million increase in operation and maintenance and general and administrative expenses, a $12 million increase in depreciation and amortization and a $1 million increase in taxes other than income tax during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Our gathering and processing segment revenues increased $39 million. The increase was primarily due to the following:
Product Sales:
revenues from natural gas sales increased $22 million due to higher sales volumes and higher average natural gas sales prices.
This increase was partially offset by:
changes in the fair value of natural gas, condensate and NGL derivatives decreased $11 million, and
revenues from NGL sales decreased $6 million primarily due to a decrease in the average realized sales price from lower average market prices for all NGL products other than ethane and higher volumes subject to fee deductions for NGLs sold under certain third-party processing arrangements, partially offset by higher processed volumes and higher recoveries of ethane in the Anadarko and Ark-La-Tex Basins, which were sold at higher average ethane prices.
Service Revenues:
natural gas gathering revenues increased $25 million due to higher fees and gathered volumes in the Anadarko Basin,
crude oil, condensate and produced water gathering revenues increased $7 million primarily due to an increase related to the November 2018 acquisition of EOCS, and
processing service revenues increased $3 million resulting from higher processed volumes primarily under fixed processing arrangements, partially offset by lower consideration received from percent-of-proceeds, percent-of-liquids and keep-whole processing arrangements due to a decrease in the average realized price.


33

Table of Contents

Our gathering and processing segment gross margin increased $37 million. The increase was primarily due to the following:
natural gas gathering fees increased $25 million due to higher fees and gathered volumes in the Anadarko Basin,
revenues from NGL sales less the cost of NGLs increased $11 million due to higher processed volumes and higher recoveries of ethane sold at higher prices, partially offset by lower average sales prices for all other NGL products,
crude oil, condensate and produced water gathering revenues increased $7 million primarily due to an increase related to the November 2018 acquisition of EOCS,
processing service fees increased $3 million resulting from higher processed volumes primarily under fixed processing arrangements, partially offset by lower consideration received from percent-of-proceeds, percent-of-liquids and keep-whole processing arrangements due to a decrease in the average realized price, and
revenues from natural gas sales less the cost of natural gas increased approximately $3 million due to higher sales volumes and higher average prices.
These increases were partially offset by:
changes in the fair value of natural gas, condensate and NGL derivatives decreased $11 million.

Our gathering and processing segment operation and maintenance and general and administrative expenses increased $8 million. The increase was primarily due to a $2 million increase in maintenance on treating plants as a result of increased activity on our Ark-La-Tex assets, a $2 million increase in compressor rental expenses due to increased rental units, a $2 million increase in payroll-related costs, a $1 million increase in utilities and outside services as a result of additional assets in service and a $1 million increase in materials and supplies expenses.

Our gathering and processing segment depreciation and amortization increased $12 million primarily due to the amortization of customer intangibles acquired as part of the acquisition of EOCS in the fourth quarter of 2018, other additional assets placed in service and an increase in depreciation from the implementation of new rates from the 2019 depreciation study.

Our gathering and processing segment taxes other than income tax increased $1 million due to higher accrued ad valorem taxes due to additional assets placed in service.

Transportation and Storage

Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to three months ended March 31, 2018. Our transportation and storage segment reported operating income of $64 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to operating income of $53 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The difference of $11 million in operating income between periods was primarily due to a $7 million increase in gross margin, a $1 million decrease in operation and maintenance and general and administrative expenses and a $3 million decrease in depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Our transportation and storage segment revenues increased $37 million. The increase was primarily due to the following:
Product Sales:
revenues from natural gas sales increased $28 million primarily due to higher sales volumes and
changes in the fair value of natural gas derivatives increased $1 million.
This increase was partially offset by:
revenues from NGL sales decreased $1 million due to a decrease in lower average sales prices.
Service Revenues:
firm transportation and storage services increased $11 million due to new intrastate and interstate transportation contracts.
This increase was partially offset by:
volume-dependent transportation revenues decreased $1 million primarily due to a decrease in commodity fees and interruptible fees related to power-plant customers.

Our transportation and storage segment gross margin increased $7 million. The decrease was primarily due to the following:
firm transportation and storage services increased $11 million due to new intrastate and interstate transportation contracts and
changes in the fair value of natural gas derivatives increased $1 million.

34

Table of Contents

This increase was partially offset by:
system management activities decreased $3 million,
revenues from NGL sales less the cost of NGLs decreased $1 million due to a decrease in average NGL prices, partially offset by higher volumes, and
volume-dependent transportation decreased $1 million primarily due to a decrease in commodity fees and interruptible fees related to power-plant customers.

Our transportation and storage segment operation and maintenance and general and administrative expenses decreased $1 million. This decrease was primarily driven by a $1 million decrease due to increased capitalized overhead costs.

Our transportation and storage segment depreciation and amortization decreased $3 million primarily due to a decrease in depreciation from the implementation of new intrastate natural gas pipeline rates from the 2019 depreciation study.

Condensed Consolidated Interim Information
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Operating Income
$
165

 
$
139

Other Income (Expense):
 
 
 
Interest expense
(46
)
 
(33
)
Equity in earnings of equity method affiliate
3

 
6

Other, net

 
2

Total Other Expense
(43
)
 
(25
)
Income Before Income Taxes
122

 
114

Income tax expense
(1
)
 

Net Income
$
123

 
$
114

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
1

 

Net Income Attributable to Limited Partners
$
122

 
$
114

Less: Series A Preferred Unit distributions
9

 
9

Net Income Attributable to Common Units
$
113

 
$
105


Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

Net Income Attributable to Limited Partners. We reported net income attributable to limited partners of $122 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to net income attributable to limited partners of $114 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase in net income attributable to limited partners of $8 million was primarily attributable to an increase in operating income of $26 million partially offset by an increase in interest expense of $13 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Equity in Earnings of Equity Method Affiliate. Equity in earnings of equity method affiliate decreased $3 million primarily due to an increase of $2 million in operating expenses and a decrease of $1 million in contracted firm capacity.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $13 million primarily due to an increase in principal amounts and interest rates on the Partnership’s outstanding debt.


Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Partnership has included the non-GAAP financial measures Gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted interest expense, DCF and Distribution coverage ratio in this report based on information in its condensed consolidated financial statements. Gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted interest expense, DCF and Distribution coverage ratio are part of the performance measures that we use to manage the Partnership.


35

Table of Contents

Provided below are reconciliations of Gross margin to total revenues, Adjusted EBITDA and DCF to net income attributable to limited partners, and Adjusted EBITDA to net cash provided by operating activities and Adjusted interest expense to interest expense, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, on a historical basis, as applicable, for each of the periods indicated. Gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted interest expense, DCF and Distribution coverage ratio should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income, total revenues, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some but not all items that affect the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Additionally, because Gross margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted interest expense, DCF and Distribution coverage ratio may be defined differently by other companies in the Partnership’s industry, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.


Three Months Ended March 31,

2019

2018
 
 
 
 

(In millions)
Reconciliation of Gross margin to Total Revenues:



Consolidated



Product sales
$
443


$
443

Service revenues
352


305

Total Revenues
795


748

Cost of natural gas and natural gas liquids (excluding depreciation and amortization)
378


375

Gross margin
$
417


$
373





Reportable Segments



Gathering and Processing



Product sales
$
423


$
418

Service revenues
207


173

Total Revenues
630


591

Cost of natural gas and natural gas liquids (excluding depreciation and amortization)
360


358

Gross margin
$
270


$
233





Transportation and Storage



Product sales
$
167


$
140

Service revenues
149


139

Total Revenues
316


279

Cost of natural gas and natural gas liquids (excluding depreciation and amortization)
169


139

Gross margin
$
147


$
140


The following table shows the components of our gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2019:
 
Fee-Based (1)
 
 
 
Demand
 
Volume-
Dependent
 
Commodity-
Based (1)
 
Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gathering and Processing Segment
22
%
 
56
%
 
22
 %
 
100
%
Transportation and Storage Segment
90
%
 
12
%
 
(2
)%
 
100
%
Partnership Weighted Average
46
%
 
39
%
 
15
 %
 
100
%
____________________
(1)
For purposes of this table, the Partnership includes the value of all natural gas and NGL commodities received as payment as commodity-based.

36

Table of Contents


Three Months Ended March 31,

2019

2018
 
 
 
 

(In millions, except Distribution coverage ratio)
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and DCF to net income attributable to limited partners and calculation of Distribution coverage ratio:



Net income attributable to limited partners
$
122


$
114

Depreciation and amortization expense
105


96

Interest expense, net of interest income
46


33

Income tax benefit
(1
)


Distributions received from equity method affiliate in excess of equity earnings
9


7

Non-cash equity-based compensation
4


5

Change in fair value of derivatives
12


2

Other non-cash losses (1)
1



Noncontrolling Interest Share of Adjusted EBITDA
(1
)


Adjusted EBITDA
$
297


$
257

Series A Preferred Unit distributions (2)
(9
)

(9
)
Distributions for phantom and performance units (3)
(9
)

(3
)
Adjusted interest expense (4)
(47
)

(35
)
Maintenance capital expenditures
(24
)

(14
)
DCF
$
208


$
196





Distributions related to common unitholders (5)
$
138


$
138





Distribution coverage ratio
1.51


1.42

____________________
(1)
Other non-cash losses includes loss on sale of assets and write-downs of materials and supplies.
(2)
This amount represents the quarterly cash distributions on the Series A Preferred Units declared for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. In accordance with the Partnership Agreement, the Series A Preferred Unit distributions are deemed to have been paid out of available cash with respect to the quarter immediately preceding the quarter in which the distribution is made.
(3)
Distributions for phantom and performance units represent distribution equivalent rights paid in cash. Phantom unit distribution equivalent rights are paid during the vesting period and performance unit distribution equivalent rights are paid at vesting.
(4)
See below for a reconciliation of Adjusted interest expense to Interest expense.
(5)
Represents cash distributions declared for common units outstanding as of each respective period. Amounts for 2019 reflect estimated cash distributions for common units outstanding for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.


37

Table of Contents


Three Months Ended March 31,

2019

2018
 
 
 
 

(In millions)
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net cash provided by operating activities:



Net cash provided by operating activities
$
215


$
166

Interest expense, net of interest income
46


33

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
(1
)


Current income taxes
(1
)


Other non-cash items (1)


(1
)
Changes in operating working capital which (provided) used cash:



Accounts receivable
(29
)

(23
)
Accounts payable
55


60

Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities
(9
)

13

Return of investment in equity method affiliate
9


7

Change in fair value of derivatives
12


2

Adjusted EBITDA
$
297


$
257

____________________
(1)
Other non-cash items include amortization of debt expense, discount and premium on long-term debt and write-downs of materials and supplies.


Three Months Ended March 31,

2019

2018
 
 
 
 

(In millions)
Reconciliation of Adjusted interest expense to Interest expense:



Interest expense
$
46


$
33

Amortization of premium on long-term debt
1


1

Capitalized interest on expansion capital
1


2

Amortization of debt expense and discount
(1
)

(1
)
Adjusted interest expense
$
47


$
35



Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Partnership’s principal liquidity requirements are to finance its operations, fund capital expenditures and acquisitions, make cash distributions and satisfy any indebtedness obligations. We expect that our liquidity and capital resource needs will be met by cash on hand, operating cash flow, proceeds from commercial paper issuances, borrowings under our revolving credit facility, borrowings under our term loan, debt issuances and the issuance of equity. However, issuances of equity or debt in the capital markets and additional credit facilities may not be available to us on acceptable terms. Access to funds obtained through the equity or debt capital markets, particularly in the energy sector, has been constrained by a variety of market factors that have hindered the ability of energy companies to raise new capital or obtain financing at acceptable terms. Factors that contribute to our ability to raise capital through these channels depend on our financial condition, credit ratings and market conditions. Our ability to generate cash flow is subject to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. See Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for further discussion.
 
Working Capital
 
Working capital is the difference in our current assets and our current liabilities. Working capital is an indication of liquidity and potential need for short-term funding. The change in our working capital requirements are driven generally by changes in accounts receivable, accounts payable, commodity prices, credit extended to, and the timing of collections from, customers, the level and timing of spending for maintenance and expansion activity, and the timing of debt maturities. As of March 31, 2019, we had a working capital deficit of $1.5 billion. The deficit is primarily due to the classification of $756 million of 2019 Notes and the EOIT Senior Notes as Current portion of long-term debt as of March 31, 2019 as well as $796 million of commercial paper

38

Table of Contents

outstanding as of March 31, 2019. We utilize our commercial paper program and Revolving Credit Facility to manage the timing of cash flows and fund short-term working capital deficits.
 
Cash Flows
 
The following tables reflect cash flows for the applicable periods:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
215

 
$
166

Net cash used in investing activities
$
(144
)
 
$
(176
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
$
(74
)
 
$
35

 
Operating Activities
 
The increase of $49 million or 30%, in net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily driven by an increase of $33 million in the timing of cash receipts and disbursements and changes in other working capital assets and liabilities, an increase in net income of $9 million and an increase of $7 million in other non-cash items.

Investing Activities
 
The decrease of $32 million, or 18%, in net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily due to lower capital expenditures of $47 million, proceeds from sale of asset of $7 million due to the 2018 sale of a cryogenic processing plant and an increase in return of investment in equity method affiliate of $2 million, partially offset by an increase in other investing outflows of $10 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities decreased $109 million, or 311%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018. Our primary financing activities consist of the following:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
Increase in short-term debt
$
147

 
$
190

Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance costs
200

 

Net repayments to Revolving Credit Facility
(250
)
 

Distributions
(148
)
 
(150
)
Cash paid for employee equity-based compensation
(23
)
 
(5
)

Please see Note 9, “Debt” in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part 1, Item 1. for a description of the Partnership’s debt agreements.

Sources of Liquidity

As of March 31, 2019, our sources of liquidity included:
cash on hand;
cash generated from operations;
proceeds from commercial paper issuances;
borrowings under our 2019 Term Loan Agreement
borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility; and
capital raised through debt and equity markets.

39

Table of Contents


ATM Program

On May 12, 2017, the Partnership entered into an ATM Equity Offering Sales Agreement, pursuant to which the Partnership may issue and sell common units having an aggregate offering price of up to $200 million, by sales methods and at prices determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of our offerings. The Partnership has no obligation to sell any common units under the ATM Program and the Partnership may suspend sales under the ATM Program at any time. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Partnership did not issue common units under the ATM Program. As of March 31, 2019, $197 million of common units remained available for issuance through the ATM Program.

Distributions
 
On April 29, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.318 per common unit on all of the Partnership’s outstanding common units for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The distributions will be paid May 29, 2019 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on May 21, 2019. Additionally, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.625 on the Partnership’s outstanding Series A Preferred Units. The distributions will be paid May 15, 2019 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on April 29, 2019.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Credit Risk
 
We are exposed to certain credit risks relating to our ongoing business operations. Credit risk includes the risk that counterparties that owe us money or energy commodities will breach their obligations. If the counterparties to these arrangements fail to perform, we may be forced to enter into alternative arrangements. In that event, our financial results could be adversely affected, and we could incur losses. We examine the creditworthiness of third-party customers to whom we extend credit and manage our exposure to credit risk through credit analysis, credit approval, credit limits and monitoring procedures, and for certain transactions, we may request letters of credit, prepayments or guarantees.


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The Partnership’s critical accounting policies and estimates are described in Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates within Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in our Annual Report. The accounting policies and estimates used in preparing our interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are the same as those described in our Annual Report.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to various market risks, including volatility in commodity prices and interest rates.
 
Commodity Price Risk
 
While we generate a substantial portion of our gross margin pursuant to fee-based contracts that include minimum volume commitments and/or demand fees, we are also directly and indirectly exposed to changes in the prices of natural gas, condensate and NGLs. The Partnership utilizes derivatives and forward commodity sales to mitigate the effects of price changes. We do not enter into risk management contracts for speculative purposes. For further information regarding our derivatives, see Note 10 of the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Based on our forecasted volumes, prices and contractual arrangements, we estimate approximately 13% of our total gross margin for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 is directly exposed to changes in commodity prices, excluding the impact of hedges and contractual floors related to commodity prices in certain agreements. Since March 31, 2019, we have entered into additional derivative contracts to further manage our exposure to commodity price risk for the nine months ending December 31, 2019.


40

Table of Contents

Commodity price risk is estimated as the potential loss in value resulting from a hypothetical 10% decline in prices over the next nine months. Based on a sensitivity analysis, a 10% decrease in prices from forecasted levels would decrease net income by approximately $11 million for natural gas and ethane and $8 million for NGLs (other than ethane) and condensate, excluding the impact of hedges, for the remaining nine months ending December 31, 2019.

Interest Rate Risk
 
Our current interest rate risk exposure is related primarily to our debt portfolio. Our debt portfolio includes senior notes with a fixed rate of interest, which mitigates the impact of fluctuations in interest rates. Future issuances of long-term debt could be impacted by increases in interest rates, which could result in higher interest costs. Borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, 2019 Term Loan Agreement and any issuances under our commercial paper program are at a variable interest rate and expose us to the risk of increasing interest rates. Based upon the $996 million outstanding borrowings under commercial paper and 2019 Term Loan Agreement as of March 31, 2019, and holding all other variables constant, a 100 basis-point, or 1%, increase in interest rates would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $10 million.


Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2019. Based on such evaluation, our management has concluded that, as of March 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed and effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms and that information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system will be met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and the application of judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there is only reasonable assurance that our controls will succeed in achieving their goals under all potential future conditions.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information regarding legal proceedings is set forth in Note 14—Commitments and Contingencies to the Partnership’s condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 1A. Risk Factors

We are subject to various risks and uncertainties in the course of our business. Risk factors relating to the Partnership are set forth under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report. No other material changes to such risk factors have occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019.


Item 5. Other Information

41

Table of Contents


Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements with Certain Officers

On April 29, 2019, Xia Liu was appointed to the Board of Directors of Enable GP. Ms. Liu was appointed to the Board of Directors by CenterPoint Energy Midstream, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, which owns a 50% governance interest and a 40% economic interest in Enable GP. Ms. Liu currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CenterPoint Energy.

Neither Enable GP nor the Partnership has entered into any material contract, plan or arrangement with, or will provide any compensation to, Ms. Liu. There are no material arrangements or understandings between Ms. Liu and any other person pursuant to which Ms. Liu was appointed to serve as a director that are not described above. Ms. Liu has not been appointed, and is not currently expected to be appointed, to any committee of the Board.


Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits not incorporated by reference to a prior filing are designated by a cross (+); all exhibits not so designated are incorporated by reference to a prior filing as indicated. Management contracts and compensatory plans and arrangements are designated by a star (*).

Agreements included as exhibits are included only to provide information to investors regarding their terms. Agreements listed below may contain representations, warranties and other provisions that were made, among other things, to provide the parties thereto with specified rights and obligations and to allocate risk among them, and no such agreement should be relied upon as constituting or providing any factual disclosures about Enable Midstream Partners, LP, any other persons, any state of affairs or other matters.


42

Table of Contents

Exhibit Number
 
Description
Report or Registration Statement
SEC File or Registration Number
Exhibit Reference
 
Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1, filed on November 26, 2013
File No. 333-192545
Exhibit 2.1
 
Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1, filed on November 26, 2013
File No. 333-192545
Exhibit 3.1
 
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed November 15, 2017
File No. 001-36413
Exhibit 3.1
 
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed April 22, 2014
File No. 001-36413
Exhibit 3.1
 
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed May 29, 2014
File No. 001-36413
Exhibit 4.1
 
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed May 29, 2014
File No. 001-36413
Exhibit 4.2
 
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 19, 2016
File No. 001-36413
Exhibit 4.1
 
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 9, 2017
File No. 001-36413
Exhibit 4.2
 
Registrant’s Form 8-K filed May 10, 2018
File No. 001-36413
Exhibit 4.2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
+101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.
 
 
 
+101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document.
 
 
 
+101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
+101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
+101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
+101.DEF
 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.
 
 
 

43

Table of Contents


SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
ENABLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
By: ENABLE GP, LLC
 
 
Its general partner
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 1, 2019
By:
 
/s/ Tom Levescy
 
 
 
 
Tom Levescy
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller
 
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 

 
 

44