Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009

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 Number 1-16417

 

 

NUSTAR ENERGY L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   74-2956831

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2330 North Loop 1604 West

San Antonio, Texas

(Address of principal executive offices)

78248

(Zip Code)

Telephone number: (210) 918-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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.    Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).    Yes   ¨    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No   x

The number of common units outstanding as of May 1, 2009 was 54,460,549.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements:

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

   3

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

   4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

   5

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

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

   25

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   35

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   38

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

   39

Item 6. Exhibits

   39

SIGNATURES

   40

 

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Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Thousands of Dollars, Except Unit Data)

 

     March 31,     December 31,  
     2009     2008  
     (Unaudited)        

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 12,866     $ 45,375  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,167 and $1,174 as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

     156,206       178,216  

Inventories

     338,294       220,574  

Other current assets

     51,884       42,321  
                

Total current assets

     559,250       486,486  
                

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

     3,521,295       3,507,573  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (597,330 )     (565,749 )
                

Property, plant and equipment, net

     2,923,965       2,941,824  

Intangible assets, net

     49,772       51,704  

Goodwill

     808,261       806,330  

Investment in joint venture

     69,626       68,813  

Deferred income tax asset

     9,668       12,427  

Other long-term assets, net

     84,586       92,013  
                

Total assets

   $ 4,505,128     $ 4,459,597  
                

Liabilities and Partners’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 713     $ 713  

Accounts payable

     202,016       145,963  

Payable to related party

     5,638       3,441  

Notes payable

     20,533       22,120  

Accrued interest payable

     22,074       22,496  

Accrued liabilities

     27,582       37,454  

Taxes other than income taxes

     16,046       15,333  

Income taxes payable

     2,836       4,504  
                

Total current liabilities

     297,438       252,024  
                

Long-term debt, less current portion

     1,902,964       1,872,015  

Long-term payable to related party

     6,629       6,645  

Deferred income tax liability

     26,811       27,370  

Other long-term liabilities

     96,772       94,546  

Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)

    

Partners’ equity:

    

Limited partners (54,460,549 common units outstanding as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008)

     2,147,648       2,173,462  

General partner

     47,132       47,801  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (20,266 )     (14,266 )
                

Total partners’ equity

     2,174,514       2,206,997  
                

Total liabilities and partners’ equity

   $ 4,505,128     $ 4,459,597  
                

See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited, Thousands of Dollars, Except Unit and Per Unit Data)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2009     2008  

Revenues:

    

Service revenues

   $ 182,652     $ 180,116  

Product sales

     451,352       412,658  
                

Total revenues

     634,004       592,774  
                

Costs and expenses:

    

Cost of product sales

     416,795       393,009  

Operating expenses:

    

Third parties

     72,562       64,129  

Related party

     30,760       24,321  
                

Total operating expenses

     103,322       88,450  

General and administrative expenses:

    

Third parties

     7,596       6,261  

Related party

     14,868       9,822  
                

Total general and administrative expenses

     22,464       16,083  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     35,989       30,046  
                

Total costs and expenses

     578,570       527,588  
                

Operating income

     55,434       65,186  

Equity earnings from joint ventures

     2,313       2,201  

Interest expense, net

     (20,470 )     (16,865 )

Other income, net

     8,604       9,909  
                

Income before income tax expense

     45,881       60,431  

Income tax expense

     6,526       4,562  
                

Net income

   $ 39,355     $ 55,869  
                

Net income per unit applicable to limited partners (Note 10)

   $ 0.58     $ 1.01  
                

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding

     54,460,549       49,409,749  
                

See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited, Thousands of Dollars)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2009     2008  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net income

   $ 39,355     $ 55,869  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization expense

     35,989       30,046  

Amortization of debt related items

     (1,707 )     (1,586 )

Gain on sale or disposition of assets

     (28 )     (4,250 )

Provision for deferred income taxes

     2,967       585  

Equity earnings from joint ventures

     (2,313 )     (2,201 )

Distributions of equity earnings from joint ventures

     1,500       500  

Changes in current assets and current liabilities (Note 11)

     (53,600 )     (83,382 )

Other, net

     124       1,596  
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     22,287       (2,823 )
                

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Reliability capital expenditures

     (5,942 )     (7,704 )

Strategic and other capital expenditures

     (22,364 )     (32,782 )

Acquisition of East Coast Asphalt Operations

     —         (655,962 )

Proceeds from sale or disposition of assets

     114       4,360  

Proceeds from insurance settlement

     8,109       —    

Other, net

     —         24  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (20,083 )     (692,064 )
                

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings

     158,778       1,207,849  

Proceeds from short-term debt borrowings

     42,200       218,000  

Long-term debt repayments

     (115,390 )     (645,000 )

Short-term debt repayments

     (43,787 )     (40,257 )

Distributions to unitholders and general partner

     (65,838 )     (54,956 )

Decrease in cash book overdrafts

     (9,114 )     (3,433 )

Other, net

     —         (50 )
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (33,151 )     682,153  
                

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

     (1,562 )     (1,886 )
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (32,509 )     (14,620 )

Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of the period

     45,375       89,838  
                

Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period

   $ 12,866     $ 75,218  
                

See Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. ORGANIZATION, OPERATIONS AND ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Organization

NuStar Energy L.P. (NuStar Energy) (NYSE: NS) is engaged in the terminalling and storage of petroleum products, the transportation of petroleum products and anhydrous ammonia and asphalt and fuels marketing. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “NuStar Energy,” “the Partnership,” “we,” “our” and “us” are used in this report to refer to NuStar Energy L.P., to one or more of our consolidated subsidiaries or to all of them taken as a whole. NuStar GP Holdings, LLC (NuStar GP Holdings) (NYSE: NSH) wholly owns our general partner, Riverwalk Logistics, L.P., and owns a 20.4% total interest in us.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership and subsidiaries in which the Partnership has a controlling interest. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in 50% or less owned entities are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and all disclosures made are adequate. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless disclosed otherwise. Financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 included in these Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009.

The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. You should read these consolidated financial statements in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Operations

We conduct our operations through our wholly owned subsidiaries, primarily NuStar Logistics, L.P. (NuStar Logistics) and NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership L.P. (NuPOP) We have three business segments: storage, transportation and asphalt and fuels marketing.

New Accounting Pronouncements

FASB Staff Position FAS 141R-1. In April 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Staff Position FAS 141R-1, “Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies” (FSP FAS 141R-1). FSP FAS 141R-1 amends FASB Statement No. 141R, “Business Combinations”, and requires that assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies be recognized at fair value on the acquisition date if fair value can be determined. If fair value cannot be determined, the acquired contingencies should be accounted for under FASB Statement No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”, and FASB Interpretation No. 14, “Reasonable Estimation of the Amount of a Loss.” FSP FAS 141R-1 also amends the accounting for contingent consideration arrangements and the disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. FSP FAS 141R-1 applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We adopted FSP FAS141R-1 effective January 1, 2009.

FASB Staff Position FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1. In April 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (FSP FAS 107-1). FSP FAS 107-1 amends FASB Statement No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” and APB Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting” to require disclosures of the fair value of financial instruments in annual and interim financial statements. The fair value of all financial instruments, whether or not recognized at fair value in the balance sheet, should be disclosed, along with the related carrying value and methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value. Retrospective application for comparative periods presented is not required. FSP FAS 107-1 is effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009. Accordingly, we will not adopt the provision of FSP FAS

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

107-1 until the quarter ending June 30, 2009, and we do not expect FSP FAS 107-1 to have a material impact on our disclosures.

2. ACQUISITIONS

CITGO Asphalt Refining Company Asphalt Operations and Assets

On March 20, 2008, we acquired CITGO Asphalt Refining Company’s asphalt operations and assets (the East Coast Asphalt Operations) for approximately $840.4 million.

The acquisition of the East Coast Asphalt Operations was accounted for using the purchase method. The purchase price has been allocated based on the estimated fair values of the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. The purchase price and final purchase price allocation were as follows (in thousands):

 

Cash paid for the East Coast Asphalt Operations

   $ 801,686

Transaction costs

     1,498
      

Total cash paid

     803,184

Fair value of liabilities assumed

     37,238
      

Purchase price

   $ 840,422
      

Inventories

   $ 327,312

Other current assets

     1,439

Property, plant and equipment

     450,310

Goodwill

     22,132

Intangible assets

     11,510

Other long-term assets

     27,719
      

Purchase price allocation

   $ 840,422
      

3. INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

     March 31,    December 31,
     2009    2008
     (Thousands of Dollars)

Crude oil

   $ 74,801    $ 14,912

Finished products

     263,493      205,662
             

Total

   $ 338,294    $ 220,574
             

4. LONG-TERM DEBT

Revolving Credit Agreement

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we borrowed an aggregate $155.6 million under our five-year revolving credit agreement (the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement) to fund a portion of our capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Additionally, we repaid $115.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2009. The 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement bears interest based on either an alternative base rate or a LIBOR based rate, which was 1.3% as of March 31, 2009.

The 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement is diversified among 24 participating banks. However, the participating banks include Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB (LB Bank), a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (Lehman), which filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2008. LB Bank’s participation in the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement totaled $42.5 million, of which $13.2 million remained outstanding as of March 31, 2009. As a result of Lehman’s bankruptcy filing in October 2008, LB Bank has elected not to fund its pro rata share of any future borrowings we request, which reduces the total commitment under the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement to approximately $1.2 billion. Excluding LB Bank’s participation, we had $572.0 million available for borrowing under the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2009. If other lenders under the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement file for

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

bankruptcy or experience severe financial hardship due to recent disruptions and steep declines in the global financial markets and tightening credit supply, they may not honor their pro rata share of our borrowing requests.

Gulf Opportunity Zone Revenue Bonds

On June 26, 2008, the Parish of St. James, where our St. James, Louisiana, terminal is located, issued $56.2 million of Revenue Bonds (NuStar Logistics, L.P. Project) Series 2008 associated with our St. James terminal expansion. The bonds mature on June 1, 2038. The interest rate is based on a weekly tax-exempt bond market interest rate and is paid monthly. The interest rate was 0.6% as of March 31, 2009. Following the issuance, the proceeds were deposited with a trustee and will be disbursed to us upon our request for reimbursement of expenditures related to our St. James terminal expansion. As of March 31, 2009, we have received $55.5 million from the trustee, of which $3.2 million was received during the three months ended March 31, 2009. As of March 31, 2009, the remaining $0.7 million in trust are included in “Other long-term assets, net,” and the $56.2 million obligation is included in “Long-term debt, less current portion” in our consolidated balance sheets.

5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation and Environmental Matters

We have contingent liabilities resulting from various litigation, claims and commitments, the most significant of which are discussed below. We record accruals for loss contingencies when losses are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. Legal fees associated with defending the Partnership in legal matters are expensed as incurred. As of March 31, 2009, we have recorded $0.7 million of accruals related to settled matters and $81.8 million of accruals for contingent losses. The actual payment of any amounts accrued and the timing of such payments ultimately made is uncertain.

Grace Energy Corporation Matter. In 1997, Grace Energy Corporation (Grace Energy) sued subsidiaries of Kaneb Pipe Line Partners, L.P. (KPP) and Kaneb Services LLC (KSL and, collectively with KPP and their respective subsidiaries, Kaneb) in Texas state court. The complaint sought recovery of the cost of remediation of fuel leaks in the 1970s from a pipeline that had once connected a former Grace Energy terminal with Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts (Otis AFB). Grace Energy alleges the Otis AFB pipeline and related environmental liabilities had been transferred in 1978 to an entity that was part of Kaneb’s acquisition of Support Terminal Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries from Grace Energy in 1993. Kaneb contends that it did not acquire the Otis AFB pipeline and never assumed any responsibility for any associated environmental damage.

In 2000, the court entered final judgment that: (i) Grace Energy could not recover its own remediation costs of $3.5 million, (ii) Kaneb owned the Otis AFB pipeline and its related environmental liabilities and (iii) Grace Energy was awarded $1.8 million in attorney costs. Both Kaneb and Grace Energy appealed the final judgment of the trial court to the Texas Court of Appeals in Dallas. In 2001, Grace Energy filed a petition in bankruptcy, which created an automatic stay of actions against Grace Energy. In September 2008, Grace Energy filed its Joint Plan of Reorganization and Disclosure Statement.

The Otis AFB is a part of a Superfund Site pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). The site contains a number of groundwater contamination plumes, two of which are allegedly associated with the Otis AFB pipeline. Relying on the final judgment of the Texas state court assigning ownership of the Otis AFB pipeline to Kaneb, the U.S. Department of Justice (the DOJ) advised Kaneb in 2001 that it intends to seek reimbursement from Kaneb for the remediation costs associated with the two plumes. In November 2008, the DOJ forwarded information to us indicating that the past and estimated future remediation expenses associated with one plume are $71.9 million. The DOJ has indicated that they will not seek recovery of remediation costs for the second plume. The DOJ has not filed a lawsuit against us related to this matter, and we have not made any payments toward costs incurred by the DOJ.

Eres Matter. In August 2008, Eres N.V. (Eres) forwarded a demand for arbitration to CITGO Asphalt Refining Company (CARCO), CITGO Petroleum Corporation (CITGO), NuStar Asphalt Refining, LLC (NuStar Asphalt) and NuStar Marketing LLC (NuStar Marketing, and together with CARCO, CITGO and NuStar Asphalt, the Defendants) contending that the Defendants are in breach of a tanker voyage charter party agreement, dated November 2004, between Eres and CARCO (the Charter Agreement). The Charter Agreement provides for CARCO’s use of Eres’

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

vessels for the shipment of asphalt. Eres contends that NuStar Asphalt and/or NuStar Marketing assumed the Charter Agreement when NuStar Asphalt purchased the CARCO assets, and that the Defendants have failed to perform under the Charter Agreement since January 1, 2008. CARCO has demanded that NuStar Asphalt and NuStar Marketing defend and indemnify it against Eres’ claims and has filed a lawsuit in the Harris County District Court, Harris County, Texas, seeking to recover on its indemnity claim. This lawsuit has been removed and is currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. In connection with the demand for arbitration, Eres filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) seeking to require the Defendants to arbitrate the dispute and seeking to attach the banking funds of CARCO and NuStar Asphalt (including cash, escrow funds, credits, debts, wire transfers, electronic funds transfers, accounts, letters of credit, freights and charter hire) within the SDNY in amounts of approximately $78.1 million pending resolution of arbitration between Eres and the Defendants. This lawsuit has also been removed to and is currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. To date, no funds of NuStar Asphalt have been attached. We intend to vigorously defend against these claims.

Department of Justice Matter. In February 2008, the DOJ advised us that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) has requested that the DOJ initiate a lawsuit against us for (a) failing to prepare adequate Facility Response Plans, as required by Section 311(j)(5) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §1321(j), for certain of our pipeline terminals located in Region VII by August 30, 1994, and (b) maintaining Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans at the terminal that deviate from the SPCC regulations, 40 C.F.R. §112.3. A Facility Response Plan is a plan for responding to a worst case discharge, and to a substantial threat of such a discharge, of oil or hazardous substances. The SPCC rule requires specific facilities to prepare, amend and implement plans to prevent, prepare and respond to oil discharges to navigable waters and adjoining shorelines. We are currently in settlement negotiations with the DOJ to resolve these matters.

EPA Investigation. In November 2006, agents of the EPA presented a search warrant issued by a U.S. District Court at one of our terminals. Since then, we have been served with additional subpoenas. The search warrant and subpoenas all sought information regarding allegations of potential illegal conduct by us, certain of our subsidiaries and/or our employees concerning compliance with certain environmental and safety laws and regulations. We have cooperated fully with the U.S. Attorney and the EPA in producing documents in response to the subpoenas. Although the U.S. Attorney has indicated that they intend to seek criminal penalties and fines as a result of alleged violations of environmental laws at the terminal, we are currently in negotiations with the U.S. Attorney and the EPA to resolve this matter. There can be no assurances that the conclusion of the U.S. Attorney’s and the EPA’s investigation will not result in a determination that we violated applicable laws. If we are found to have violated such laws, we could be subject to fines, civil penalties and criminal penalties. A final determination that we violated applicable laws could, among other things, result in our debarment from future federal government contracts.

Other

We are also a party to additional claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or liquidity. It is possible that if one or more of the matters described above were decided against us, the effects could be material to our results of operations in the period in which we would be required to record or adjust the related liability and could also be material to our cash flows in the periods we would be required to pay such liability.

Commitments

Simultaneously with the acquisition of the East Coast Asphalt Operations, we entered into a commitment to purchase an annual average of 75,000 barrels per day of crude oil over a minimum seven-year period from an affiliate of Petróleos de Venezuela S. A. (PDVSA), the national oil company of Venezuela. The value of this commitment fluctuates according to a market-based pricing formula using published market indices, subject to adjustment based on the price of Mexican Maya crude.

In recent months, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries announced its intention to reduce crude oil production in response to dramatically lower demand for refined products. As a result, our scheduled deliveries of Boscan crude oil were reduced by 600,000 barrels in February and 300,000 barrels in March from the amounts specified in our crude supply agreement with PDVSA. We replaced the volumes lost from PDVSA with alternative

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

grades of crude oil purchased on the spot market. We are currently receiving full contract volumes and have not received notification of any further supply reductions from PDVSA.

6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (Statement No. 157). Statement No. 157, as amended, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measures. The FASB deferred the effective date of Statement No. 157 for one year for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for those items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We have applied the recognition and disclosure provisions of Statement No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities and for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are re-measured at least annually as of January 1, 2008.

We adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of Statement No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis on January 1, 2009. The adoption of these provisions did not affect our financial position or results of operations in the first quarter of 2009.

Statement No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy, which segregates the inputs used in measuring fair value into three levels: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists.

The following assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

     March 31, 2009  
     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3    Total  
     (Thousands of Dollars)  

Inventory (FAS 133)

   $ 377     $ —       $ —      $ 377  

Other current assets:

         

Product imbalances

     12,625       —         —        12,625  

Other long-term assets, net:

         

Interest rate swaps

     —         13,869       —        13,869  

Accrued liabilities:

         

Firm commitments

     27       —         —        27  

Derivatives

     (2,732 )     —         —        (2,732 )
                               

Total

   $ 10,297     $ 13,869     $ —      $ 24,166  
                               
     December 31, 2008  
     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3    Total  
     (Thousands of Dollars)  

Inventory (FAS 133)

   $ (2,441 )   $ —       $ —      $ (2,441 )

Other current assets:

         

Derivatives

     8,502       —         —        8,502  

Product imbalances

     —         11,502       —        11,502  

Other long-term assets, net:

         

Interest rate swaps

     —         15,284       —        15,284  

Accrued liabilities:

         

Firm commitments

     706       —         —        706  

Product imbalances

     —         (2,193 )     —        (2,193 )
                               

Total

   $ 6,767     $ 24,593     $ —      $ 31,360  
                               

Product Imbalances

Product imbalances occur within the East Pipeline system as a result of variances in pipeline meter readings and volume fluctuations within the pipeline system due to pressure and

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

temperature changes. We valued assets and liabilities related to product imbalances by petroleum product at adjusted market prices as of December 31, 2008. Effective January 1, 2009, we began using quoted market prices as of the reporting date to value our assets and liabilities related to product imbalances.

Interest Rate Swaps

The fair value of the interest rate swaps was determined using discounted cash flows, which uses observable inputs such as time to maturity and market interest rates.

Derivatives

A portion of our product inventories and related firm commitments qualify for fair value hedge treatment under FASB Statement No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (Statement No. 133). The fair value of the respective hedged items is determined using quoted public spot market prices.

Our commodity derivative instruments consist of futures contracts and swaps traded on the NYMEX. Therefore, the fair values of these contracts are based on quoted prices in active markets. We have consistently applied these valuation techniques in all periods presented.

7. DERIVATIVES, FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

We utilize various derivative instruments to: (i) manage our exposure to commodity price risk, (ii) engage in a trading program and (iii) manage our exposure to interest rate risk. Our risk management policies and procedures are designed to monitor interest rates, NYMEX and over-the-counter positions, as well as physical volumes, grades, locations and delivery schedules to help ensure that our hedging activities address our market risks. We have a risk management committee that oversees our trading controls and procedures and certain aspects of commodity and trading risk management. Our risk management committee also approves all new commodity and trading risk management strategies in accordance with our Risk Management Policy, as approved by our board of directors.

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (Statement No. 161). Statement No. 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements under Statement No. 133 to require enhanced disclosures on how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and their impact on an entity’s financial performance, financial position and cash flows. We adopted the disclosure requirements of Statement No. 161 as of January 1, 2009.

 

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The fair values of our derivative instruments included in our consolidated balance sheets were as follows:

 

          Asset Derivatives    Liability Derivatives  
    

Balance Sheet Location

   March 31,
2009
   December 31,
2008
   March 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 
          (Thousands of Dollars)  

Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments under FAS 133:

             

Interest rate swaps

   Other long-term assets, net    $ 13,869    $ 15,284    $ —       $ —    

Commodity contracts

   Other current assets      —        7,005      —         (6,911 )

Commodity contracts

   Accrued liabilities      153      —        (1,191 )     —    
                                 

Total

        14,022      22,289      (1,191 )     (6,911 )
                                 

Derivatives Not Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments under FAS 133:

             

Commodity contracts

   Other current assets      —        8,408      —         —    

Commodity contracts

   Accrued liabilities      6,831      —        (8,525 )     —    
                                 

Total

        6,831      8,408      (8,525 )     —    
                                 

Total Derivatives

      $ 20,853    $ 30,697    $ (9,716 )   $ (6,911 )
                                 

The earnings impact of our derivative activity was as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2009:

 

Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments
under FAS 133

  

Income Statement
Location

   Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
    Amount of Gain
(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Hedged Item
   Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized
in Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
          (Thousands of Dollars)

Interest rate swaps

   Interest expense, net    $ (1,415 )   $ 1,415    $ —  

Commodity contracts

   Cost of product sales      (1,265 )     2,443      1,178
                        

Total

      $ (2,680 )   $ 3,858    $ 1,178
                        

Derivatives Not Designated as Fair Value Hedging
Instruments under FAS 133

  

Income Statement
Location

   Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
          
          (Thousands of Dollars)           

Commodity contracts

   Cost of product sales    $ 109       

Commodity contracts

   Operating expenses      (781 )     
                

Total

      $ (672 )     
                

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The following table presents the volume of our derivative activity. The volume of commodity contracts is based on open derivative positions and represents the combined volume of our long and short positions on an absolute basis.

 

     March 31, 2009

Commodity contracts (thousands of barrels)

     2,634

Interest rate swaps (notional amount in thousands of dollars)

   $ 167,500

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to commodity price risk with respect to our product inventories and related firm commitments to purchase and/or sell such inventories. We utilize futures contracts and swaps traded on the NYMEX to manage our exposure to changes in the fair value of certain of our product inventories, related firm commitments and product imbalances with the objective of stabilizing cash flows. Derivative instruments designated and qualifying as fair value hedges under Statement No. 133 (Fair Value Hedges) are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities at fair value, with related mark-to-market adjustments recorded in “Cost of product sales.” The offsetting gain or loss on the associated hedged physical inventory or firm commitment, together with the resulting hedge ineffectiveness, is recognized concurrently in “Cost of product sales.” No component of the associated derivative instruments’ gains or losses was excluded from our assessment of hedge ineffectiveness.

We record derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting under Statement No. 133 in the consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities at fair value with mark-to-market adjustments recorded in “Cost of product sales” or “Operating expenses.” Fair value is based on quoted market prices.

From time to time, we also enter into derivative commodity instruments based on our analysis of market conditions in order to attempt to profit from market fluctuations. These derivative instruments are financial positions entered into without underlying physical inventory and are not considered hedges. We record these derivatives in the consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities at fair value with mark-to-market adjustments recorded in “Product sales.” We did not enter into any such derivatives during the three months ended March 31, 2009.

As of March 31, 2009, we had $9.0 million as margin deposits related to our derivative instruments.

Interest Rate Swaps

We are a party to certain interest rate swap agreements for the purpose of hedging the interest rate risk associated with a portion of our fixed-rate senior notes. We account for the interest rate swaps as fair value hedges and recognize the fair value of each interest rate swap in the consolidated balance sheet as either an asset or liability. The interest rate swap contracts qualify for the shortcut method of accounting prescribed by Statement No. 133. As a result, changes in the fair value of the derivatives will completely offset the changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged debt. As of March 31, 2009, the weighted-average interest rate for our interest rate swaps was 3.3%.

Concentration of Credit Risk

We are exposed to credit risk on our hedging instruments in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. However, because our hedging activities are transacted only with highly rated institutions, we do not anticipate nonperformance by any of these counterparties.

8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Our operations are managed by the general partner of our general partner, NuStar GP, LLC. The employees of NuStar GP, LLC perform services for our U.S. operations. Certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries employ persons who perform services for our international operations. We reimburse NuStar GP, LLC for all costs related to its employees, other than costs associated with NuStar GP Holdings under the services agreement described below. We had a payable of $5.6 million and $3.4 million, as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, with both amounts primarily representing payroll and benefit plan costs, net of payments made by us. We also had a long-term payable as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 of $6.6 million to NuStar GP, LLC related to amounts payable for retiree medical benefits and other post-employment benefits.

 

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes information pertaining to related party transactions with NuStar GP, LLC:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2009    2008
     (Thousands of Dollars)

Operating expenses

   $ 30,760    $ 24,321

General and administrative expenses

     14,868      9,822

GP Services Agreement

NuStar Energy and NuStar GP, LLC entered into a services agreement, effective as of January 1, 2008 (the GP Services Agreement). The GP Services Agreement provides that NuStar GP, LLC will furnish all administrative services necessary to conduct the business of NuStar Energy. All employees providing services to both NuStar GP Holdings and NuStar Energy are employed by NuStar GP, LLC; therefore, NuStar Energy will reimburse NuStar GP, LLC for all employee costs, other than the expenses allocated to NuStar GP Holdings.

9. OTHER INCOME

Other income, net consisted of the following:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2009    2008
     (Thousands of Dollars)

Gain from insurance proceeds

   $ 7,225    $ 3,504

Sale or disposal of fixed assets

     28      4,250

Foreign exchange gains

     1,223      1,813

Other

     128      342
             

Other income, net

   $ 8,604    $ 9,909
             

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the gain from insurance proceeds relates to damage caused by Hurricane Ike incurred primarily at our Texas City terminal in the third quarter of 2008. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the gain from insurance proceeds relates to business interruption insurance associated with our pipelines and terminals that serve Valero Energy Corporation’s McKee refinery, which experienced a fire in February 2007.

10. PARTNERS’ EQUITY

Allocations of Net Income

Our partnership agreement, as amended, sets forth the calculation to be used to determine the amount and priority of cash distributions that the common unitholders and general partner will receive. The partnership agreement also contains provisions for the allocation of net income and loss to the unitholders and the general partner. For purposes of maintaining partner capital accounts, the partnership agreement specifies that items of income and loss shall be allocated among the partners in accordance with their respective percentage interests. Normal allocations according to percentage interests are done after giving effect, if any, to priority income allocations in an amount equal to incentive cash distributions allocated 100% to the general partner.

Net Income per Unit

Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted EITF Issue No. 07-4, “Application of the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share, to Master Limited Partnerships” (EITF No. 07-4). EITF No. 07-4 applies to master limited partnerships with incentive distribution rights (IDRs) that are accounted for as equity interests. Under the provisions of EITF No. 07-4, a master limited partnership must allocate earnings to its IDRs in the calculation of earnings per unit. The terms of our partnership agreement limit distributions to the IDR holders to the amount of available cash calculated for the period. As such, IDRs are not allocated undistributed earnings or distributions in excess of earnings. Previous periods have been restated to conform to this presentation. Basic and diluted net income per unit applicable to limited partners are the same because we have no potentially dilutive securities outstanding.

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The following table details the calculation of net income per unit:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2009     2008
     (Thousands of Dollars)

Net income

   $ 39,355     $ 55,869

Less general partner distribution (including IDRs) (a)

     8,247       6,288

Less limited partner distribution

     57,591       48,668
              

Distributions (greater than) less than earnings

   $ (26,483 )   $ 913
              

General partner earnings:

    

Distributions

   $ 8,247     $ 6,288

Allocation of distributions (greater than) less than earnings (2%)

     (530 )     18
              

Total

   $ 7,717     $ 6,306
              

Limited partner earnings:

    

Distributions

   $ 57,591     $ 48,668

Allocation of distributions (greater than) less than earnings (98%)

     (25,953 )     895
              

Total

   $ 31,638     $ 49,563
              

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding

     54,460,549       49,409,749

Net income per unit applicable to limited partners:

    

Distributions

   $ 1.06     $ 0.99

Distributions (greater than) less than earnings

     (0.48 )     0.02
              

Total

   $ 0.58     $ 1.01
              

 

(a)     For the first quarter of 2008, the general partner distribution used in our calculation of earnings per unit was based on the partnership interests outstanding as of March 31, 2008. We issued approximately 5.1 million common units in April 2008. Actual distribution payments are made within 45 days after the end of each quarter as of a record date that is set after the end of each quarter. As such, the general partner’s portion of the actual distribution made with respect to the first quarter 2008, including the IDRs, which is shown in the distribution table below, exceeded the general partner distribution used in the calculation of earnings per unit.

Cash Distributions

In January 2009, we declared a quarterly cash distribution of $1.0575 per unit that was paid on February 12, 2009 to unitholders of record on February 5, 2009. This distribution related to the fourth quarter of 2008 and totaled $65.8 million. In April 2009, we declared a quarterly cash distribution of $1.0575 per unit related to the first quarter of 2009. This distribution will be paid on May 15, 2009 to unitholders of record on May 8, 2009 and will total $65.8 million.

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The following table reflects the allocation of total cash distributions to the general and limited partners applicable to the period in which the distributions were earned:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2009    2008
     (Thousands of Dollars)

General partner interest

   $ 1,318    $ 1,211

General partner incentive distribution

     6,929      5,718
             

Total general partner distribution

     8,247      6,929

Limited partners’ distribution

     57,591      53,644
             

Total cash distributions

   $ 65,838    $ 60,573
             

Cash distributions per unit applicable to limited partners

   $ 1.0575    $ 0.985
             

Comprehensive Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the difference between our net income and our comprehensive income resulted from foreign currency translation adjustments. Our total comprehensive income was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2009     2008  
     (Thousands of Dollars)  

Net income

   $ 39,355     $ 55,869  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (6,000 )     (3,280 )
                

Comprehensive income

   $ 33,355     $ 52,589  
                

11. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Changes in current assets and current liabilities are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2009     2008  
     (Thousands of Dollars)  

Decrease (increase) in current assets:

    

Accounts receivable

   $ 21,397     $ (71,295 )

Receivable from related party

     —         786  

Inventories

     (117,974 )     (15,342 )

Other current assets

     (8,216 )     (24,220 )

Increase (decrease) in current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

     65,483       33,494  

Payable to related party

     2,259       753  

Accrued interest payable

     (413 )     (6,689 )

Accrued liabilities

     (15,253 )     (4,317 )

Taxes other than income taxes

     715       2,064  

Income taxes payable

     (1,598 )     1,384  
                

Changes in current assets and current liabilities

   $ (53,600 )   $ (83,382 )
                

 

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

The above changes in current assets and current liabilities differ from changes between amounts reflected in the applicable consolidated balance sheets for the following reasons:

 

   

the amounts shown above exclude the current assets and current liabilities acquired in connection with the East Coast Asphalt Operations acquisition for the three months ended March 31, 2008; and

 

   

certain differences between consolidated balance sheet changes and amounts reflected above result from translating foreign currency denominated amounts at different exchange rates for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

Non-cash investing and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 included:

 

   

adjustments to inventory and certain current and noncurrent assets and liabilities resulting from a preliminary purchase price allocation related to the East Coast Asphalt Operations acquisition; and

 

   

the recognition of a $5.1 million note payable and related other current asset pertaining to insurance.

Cash flows related to interest and income taxes were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2009    2008
     (Thousands of Dollars)

Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized

   $ 23,556    $ 28,195
             

Cash paid for income taxes, net of tax refunds received

   $ 5,030    $ 1,986
             

12. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Our operating segments consist of storage, transportation and asphalt and fuels marketing. Our segments represent strategic business units that offer different services. We evaluate the performance of each segment based on its respective operating income, before general and administrative expenses and certain non-segmental depreciation and amortization expense. General and administrative expenses are not allocated to the operating segments since those expenses relate primarily to the overall management at the entity level. Our principal services include terminalling and storage lease services, pipeline transportation services and asphalt and fuels marketing. Product sales included in our asphalt and fuels marketing segment consist of sales of asphalt and other petroleum products to third parties. Intersegment revenues are derived from storage and throughput rates consistent with rates charged to third parties and pipeline tariffs based upon the published tariff applicable to all shippers.

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Results of operations for the reportable segments were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2009     2008  
     (Thousands of Dollars)  

Revenues:

    

Storage:

    

Third party revenues

   $ 108,507     $ 104,508  

Intersegment revenues

     9,295       4,605  
                

Total storage

     117,802       109,113  

Transportation:

    

Third party revenues

     74,145       75,608  

Intersegment revenues

     247       171  
                

Total transportation

     74,392       75,779  

Asphalt and fuels marketing:

    

Third party revenues

     451,352       412,658  

Intersegment revenues

     —         —    
                

Total asphalt and fuels marketing

     451,352       412,658  

Consolidation and intersegment eliminations

     (9,542 )     (4,776 )
                

Total revenues

   $ 634,004     $ 592,774  
                

Operating income (loss):

    

Storage

   $ 46,652     $ 39,164  

Transportation

     36,529       33,317  

Asphalt and fuels marketing

     (4,488 )     9,570  

Consolidation and intersegment eliminations

     331       20  
                

Total segment operating income

     79,024       82,071  

Less general and administrative expenses

     22,464       16,083  

Less other depreciation and amortization

     1,126       802  
                

Total operating income

   $ 55,434     $ 65,186  
                

Total assets by reportable segment were as follows:

 

     March 31,    December 31,
     2009    2008
     (Thousands of Dollars)

Storage

   $ 2,121,011    $ 2,140,010

Transportation

     1,318,001      1,327,666

Asphalt and fuels marketing

     996,736      885,492
             

Total segment assets

     4,435,748      4,353,168

Other partnership assets

     69,380      106,429
             

Total consolidated assets

   $ 4,505,128    $ 4,459,597
             

 

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CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

13. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NuStar Energy has no operations and its assets consist mainly of its investments in NuStar Logistics and NuPOP, both wholly owned subsidiaries. The senior notes issued by NuStar Logistics and NuPOP are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by NuStar Energy, and both NuStar Logistics and NuPOP fully and unconditionally guarantee the outstanding senior notes of the other. As a result, the following condensed consolidating financial statements are presented as an alternative to providing separate financial statements for NuStar Logistics and NuPOP.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

March 31, 2009

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

     NuStar
Energy
   NuStar
Logistics
   NuPOP    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries (a)
   Eliminations     Consolidated

Assets

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 53    $ 2,236    $ 392    $ 10,185    $ —       $ 12,866

Accounts receivable, net

     39      35,449      7,480      124,064      (10,826 )     156,206

Inventories

     —        —        1,634      337,250      (590 )     338,294

Other current assets

     —        10,219      14,851      26,814      —         51,884

Intercompany receivable

     —        306,722      663,149      —        (969,871 )     —  
                                          

Current assets

     92      354,626      687,506      498,313      (981,287 )     559,250
                                          

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —        951,640      626,527      1,345,798      —         2,923,965

Intangible assets, net

     —        2,601      —        47,171      —         49,772

Goodwill

     —        18,613      170,652      618,996      —         808,261

Investment in wholly owned subsidiaries

     2,315,188      70,470      836,445      1,821,031      (5,043,134 )     —  

Investment in joint venture

     —        —        —        69,626      —         69,626

Deferred income tax asset

     —        —        —        9,668      —         9,668

Other long-term assets, net

     56      29,010      26,486      29,034      —         84,586
                                          

Total assets

   $ 2,315,336    $ 1,426,960    $ 2,347,616    $ 4,439,637    $ (6,024,421 )   $ 4,505,128
                                          

Liabilities and Partners’ Equity

                

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ —      $ 713    $ —      $ —      $ —       $ 713

Payables

     83      12,345      6,982      199,070      (10,826 )     207,654

Notes payable

     —        20,533      —        —        —         20,533

Accrued interest payable

     —        14,682      7,318      74      —         22,074

Accrued liabilities

     733      8,013      3,059      15,803      (26 )     27,582

Taxes other than income taxes

     187      2,844      3,178      9,837      —         16,046

Income taxes payable

     —        1,196      —        1,640      —         2,836

Intercompany payable

     119,553      —        —        850,318      (969,871 )     —  
                                          

Current liabilities

     120,556      60,326      20,537      1,076,742      (980,723 )     297,438
                                          

Long-term debt, less current portion

     —        1,343,382      529,537      30,045      —         1,902,964

Long-term payable to related party

     —        —        —        6,629      —         6,629

Deferred tax liability

     —        —        —        26,811      —         26,811

Other long-term liabilities

     —        4,211      1,053      91,508      —         96,772

Total partners’ equity

     2,194,780      19,041      1,796,489      3,207,902      (5,043,698 )     2,174,514
                                          

Total liabilities and partners’ equity

   $ 2,315,336    $ 1,426,960    $ 2,347,616    $ 4,439,637    $ (6,024,421 )   $ 4,505,128
                                          

 

(a) Non-guarantor subsidiaries are wholly owned by NuStar Energy, NuStar Logistics or NuPOP.

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

December 31, 2008

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

     NuStar
Energy
   NuStar
Logistics
   NuPOP    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries (a)
   Eliminations     Consolidated

Assets

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 53    $ 2    $ 656    $ 44,664    $ —       $ 45,375

Accounts receivable, net

     8      33,620      8,421      143,141      (6,974 )     178,216

Inventories

     —        —        347      220,937      (710 )     220,574

Other current assets

     9      9,472      13,673      19,167      —         42,321

Intercompany receivable

     —        337,685      666,052      —        (1,003,737 )     —  
                                          

Current assets

     70      380,779      689,149      427,909      (1,011,421 )     486,486
                                          

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —        954,487      629,091      1,358,246      —         2,941,824

Intangible assets, net

     —        2,771      —        48,933      —         51,704

Goodwill

     —        18,613      170,652      617,065      —         806,330

Investment in wholly owned subsidiaries

     2,341,184      82,435      806,706      1,679,065      (4,909,390 )     —  

Investment in joint venture

     —        —        —        68,813      —         68,813

Deferred income tax asset

     —        —        —        12,427      —         12,427

Other long-term assets, net

     56      34,557      26,517      30,883      —         92,013
                                          

Total assets

   $ 2,341,310    $ 1,473,642    $ 2,322,115    $ 4,243,341    $ (5,920,811 )   $ 4,459,597
                                          

Liabilities and Partners’ Equity

                

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ —      $ 713    $ —      $ —      $ —       $ 713

Payables

     —        23,900      10,171      122,307      (6,974 )     149,404

Notes payable

     —        22,120      —        —        —         22,120

Accrued interest payable

     —        13,830      8,490      176      —         22,496

Accrued liabilities

     1,032      14,998      5,076      16,365      (17 )     37,454

Taxes other than income taxes

     125      3,866      2,687      8,655      —         15,333

Income taxes payable

     —        976      —        3,528      —         4,504

Intercompany payable

     118,890      —        —        884,847      (1,003,737 )     —  
                                          

Current liabilities

     120,047      80,403      26,424      1,035,878      (1,010,728 )     252,024
                                          

Long-term debt, less current portion

     —        1,309,763      531,504      30,748      —         1,872,015

Long-term payable to related party

     —        —        —        6,645      —         6,645

Deferred tax liability

     —        —        —        27,370      —         27,370

Other long-term liabilities

     —        4,992      965      88,589      —         94,546

Total partners’ equity

     2,221,263      78,484      1,763,222      3,054,111      (4,910,083 )     2,206,997
                                          

Total liabilities and partners’ equity

   $ 2,341,310    $ 1,473,642    $ 2,322,115    $ 4,243,341    $ (5,920,811 )   $ 4,459,597
                                          

 

(a) Non-guarantor subsidiaries are wholly owned by NuStar Energy, NuStar Logistics or NuPOP.

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

     NuStar
Energy
    NuStar
Logistics
    NuPOP     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries (a)
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Revenues

   $ —       $ 76,101     $ 32,110     $ 529,245     $ (3,452 )   $ 634,004  

Costs and expenses

     487       44,465       22,512       514,687       (3,581 )     578,570  
                                                

Operating income

     (487 )     31,636       9,598       14,558       129       55,434  

Equity earnings in subsidiaries

     39,842       (11,965 )     29,739       44,442       (102,058 )     —    

Equity earnings from joint venture

     —         —         —         2,313       —         2,313  

Interest expense, net

     —         (13,287 )     (6,074 )     (1,109 )     —         (20,470 )

Other income, net

     —         232       3       8,369       —         8,604  
                                                

Income before income tax expense

     39,355       6,616       33,266       68,573       (101,929 )     45,881  

Income tax expense

     —         220       —         6,306       —         6,526  
                                                

Net income

   $ 39,355     $ 6,396     $ 33,266     $ 62,267     $ (101,929 )   $ 39,355  
                                                

 

(a) Non-guarantor subsidiaries are wholly owned by NuStar Energy, NuStar Logistics or NuPOP.

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

     NuStar
Energy
    NuStar
Logistics
    NuPOP     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries (a)
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Revenues

   $ —       $ 73,023     $ 35,682     $ 484,912     $ (843 )   $ 592,774  

Costs and expenses

     247       38,579       27,829       461,805       (872 )     527,588  
                                                

Operating income

     (247 )     34,444       7,853       23,107       29       65,186  

Equity earnings in subsidiaries

     56,194       1,645       21,502       36,823       (116,164 )     —    

Equity earnings from joint ventures

     —         788       —         1,413       —         2,201  

Interest expense, net

     —         (10,466 )     (6,208 )     (191 )     —         (16,865 )

Other (expense) income, net

     (78 )     7,888       (37 )     2,136       —         9,909  
                                                

Income before income tax expense

     55,869       34,299       23,110       63,288       (116,135 )     60,431  

Income tax expense

     —         493       —         4,069       —         4,562  
                                                

Net income

   $ 55,869     $ 33,806     $ 23,110     $ 59,219     $ (116,135 )   $ 55,869  
                                                

 

(a) Non-guarantor subsidiaries are wholly owned by NuStar Energy, NuStar Logistics or NuPOP.

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

     NuStar
Energy
    NuStar
Logistics
    NuPOP     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries (a)
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 65,175     $ 18,620     $ 751     $ 3,585     $ (65,844 )   $ 22,287  
                                                

Cash flows from investing activities:

            

Capital expenditures

     —         (9,274 )     (3,898 )     (15,134 )     —         (28,306 )

Proceeds from insurance settlement

     —         —         —         8,109       —         8,109  

Proceeds from sale or disposal of assets

     —         90       —         24       —         114  
                                                

Net cash used in investing activities

     —         (9,184 )     (3,898 )     (7,001 )     —         (20,083 )
                                                

Cash flows from financing activities:

            

Debt borrowings

     —         200,978       —         —         —         200,978  

Debt repayments

     —         (159,177 )     —         —         —         (159,177 )

Distributions to unitholders and general partner

     (65,838 )     (65,838 )     —         (6 )     65,844       (65,838 )

Net intercompany borrowings (repayments)

     663       30,996       2,883       (34,542 )     —         —    

Decrease in cash book overdrafts

     —         (8,968 )     —         (146 )     —         (9,114 )
                                                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (65,175 )     (2,009 )     2,883       (34,694 )     65,844       (33,151 )
                                                

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

     —         (5,193 )     —         3,631       —         (1,562 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     —         2,234       (264 )     (34,479 )     —         (32,509 )

Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of the period

     53       2       656       44,664       —         45,375  
                                                

Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the period

   $ 53     $ 2,236     $ 392     $ 10,185     $ —       $ 12,866  
                                                

 

(a) Non-guarantor subsidiaries are wholly owned by NuStar Energy, NuStar Logistics or NuPOP.

 

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NUSTAR ENERGY L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

     NuStar
Energy
    NuStar
Logistics
    NuPOP     Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries(a)
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 53,738     $ 17,061     $ 2,910     $ (21,571 )   $ (54,961 )   $ (2,823 )
                                                

Cash flows from investing activities:

            

Capital expenditures

     —         (13,159 )     (2,348 )     (24,979 )     —         (40,486 )

Acquisition of East Coast Asphalt Operations

     —         —         —         (655,962 )     —         (655,962 )

Proceeds from sale or disposal of assets

     —         4,359       —         1       —         4,360  

Other

     —         —         —         24       —         24  
                                                

Net cash used in investing activities

     —         (8,800 )     (2,348 )     (680,916 )     —         (692,064 )
                                                

Cash flows from financing activities:

            

Debt borrowings

     —         1,425,849       —         —         —         1,425,849  

Debt repayments

     —         (685,257 )     —         —         —         (685,257 )

Distributions to unitholders and general partner

     (54,956 )     (54,956 )     —         (5 )     54,961       (54,956 )

Net intercompany borrowings (repayments)

     1,235       (709,238 )     (466 )     708,469       —         —    

(Decrease) increase in cash book overdrafts

     —         (4,316 )     —         883       —         (3,433 )

Other, net

     (17 )     (33 )     —         —         —         (50 )
                                                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (53,738 )     (27,951 )     (466 )     709,347       54,961       682,153  
                                                

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

     —         7,409       —         (9,295 )     —         (1,886 )

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     —         (12,281 )     96       (2,435 )     —         (14,620 )

Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of the period

     7       12,284       122       77,425       —         89,838  
                                                

Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the period

   $ 7     $ 3     $ 218     $ 74,990     $ —       $ 75,218  
                                                

 

(a) Non-guarantor subsidiaries are wholly owned by NuStar Energy, NuStar Logistics or NuPOP.

 

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

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q contains certain estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions and other forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested in this report. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “budgets,” “projects,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “may” and similar expressions. These statements reflect our current views with regard to future events and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Please read our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain of those risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those described in any forward-looking statement. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on our future results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is as of the date of the Form 10-Q. We do not intend to update these statements unless it is required by the securities laws to do so, and we undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

OVERVIEW

NuStar Energy L.P. (NuStar Energy) is a publicly held Delaware limited partnership engaged in the terminalling and storage of petroleum products, the transportation of petroleum products and anhydrous ammonia and asphalt and fuels marketing. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “NuStar Energy,” “the Partnership,” “we,” “our” and “us” are used in this report to refer to NuStar Energy L.P., to one or more of our consolidated subsidiaries or to all of them taken as a whole. NuStar GP Holdings, LLC (NuStar GP Holdings) (NYSE: NSH) wholly owns our general partner, Riverwalk Logistics, L.P., and owns a 20.4% total interest in us. Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is presented in five sections:

 

   

Overview

 

   

Results of Operations

 

   

Outlook

 

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

   

Critical Accounting Policies

Storage

We own refined product terminals in the United States, the Netherland Antilles, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom providing approximately 61.2 million barrels of storage capacity and one crude oil storage facility providing approximately 4.8 million barrels of storage capacity. Our terminals in the United States provide storage and handling services on a fee basis for petroleum products, specialty chemicals and other liquids, including one that provides storage services for crude oil and other feedstocks. We also own 60 crude oil and intermediate feedstock storage tanks and related assets that store and deliver crude oil and intermediate feedstocks to Valero Energy Corporation’s (Valero Energy) refineries in California and Texas providing 12.5 million barrels of storage capacity.

Transportation

We own common carrier refined product pipelines in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota covering approximately 5,679 miles, consisting of the Central West System, the East Pipeline and the North Pipeline. The East and North Pipelines also include 21 terminals providing storage capacity of 4.6 million barrels, and the East Pipeline includes two tank farms providing storage capacity of 1.2 million barrels. In addition, we own a 2,000 mile anhydrous ammonia pipeline located in Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska. We also own 812 miles of crude oil pipelines in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Illinois, as well as associated crude oil storage facilities providing storage capacity of 1.9 million barrels in Texas and Oklahoma that are located along the crude oil pipelines. We charge tariffs on a per barrel

 

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basis for transporting refined products, crude oil and other feedstocks in our refined product and crude oil pipelines and on a per ton basis for transporting anhydrous ammonia in our ammonia pipeline.

Asphalt and Fuels Marketing

Our asphalt and fuels marketing segment includes our asphalt refining operations and our fuels marketing operations. We refine crude oil to produce asphalt and certain other refined products from our asphalt operations. Our asphalt operations include two asphalt refineries with a combined throughput capacity of 104,000 barrels per day and related terminal facilities. Additionally, we purchase gasoline and other refined petroleum products for resale. The activities of the asphalt and fuels marketing segment expose us to the risk of fluctuations in commodity prices, which directly impact the results of operations for the asphalt and fuels marketing segment. We enter into derivative contracts to mitigate the effect of commodity price fluctuations.

Factors Affecting Results of Operations

The following are what we consider the most important factors affecting the results of our operations:

 

   

company-specific factors, such as integrity issues and maintenance requirements that impact the throughput rates of our assets;

 

   

seasonal factors that affect the demand for products transported by and/or stored in our assets and the demand for products we sell, particularly asphalt;

 

   

industry factors, such as changes in the prices of petroleum products that affect demand and operations of our competitors;

 

   

factors such as commodity price volatility and market structure that impact our asphalt and fuels marketing segment; and

 

   

other factors such as refinery utilization rates and maintenance turnaround schedules that impact the operations of refineries served by our assets.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

Financial Highlights

(Unaudited, Thousands of Dollars, Except Unit and Per Unit Data)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,        
     2009     2008     Change  

Statement of Income Data:

  

Revenues:

      

Service revenues

   $ 182,652     $ 180,116     $ 2,536  

Product sales

     451,352       412,658       38,694  
                        

Total revenues

     634,004       592,774       41,230  
                        

Costs and expenses:

      

Cost of product sales

     416,795       393,009       23,786  

Operating expenses

     103,322       88,450       14,872  

General and administrative expenses

     22,464       16,083       6,381  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     35,989       30,046       5,943  
                        

Total costs and expenses

     578,570       527,588       50,982  
                        

Operating income

     55,434       65,186       (9,752 )

Equity earnings from joint ventures

     2,313       2,201       112  

Interest expense, net

     (20,470 )     (16,865 )     (3,605 )

Other income, net

     8,604       9,909       (1,305 )
                        

Income before income tax expense

     45,881       60,431       (14,550 )

Income tax expense

     6,526       4,562       1,964  
                        

Net income

   $ 39,355     $ 55,869     $ (16,514 )
                        

Net income per unit applicable to limited partners

   $ 0.58     $ 1.01     $ (0.43 )
                        

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding

     54,460,549       49,409,749       5,050,800  
                        

Highlights

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased $16.5 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to increases in general and administrative expenses and interest expense and a decrease in segment operating income. Segment operating income decreased $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, mainly due to a $14.1 million decrease in operating income for the asphalt and fuels marketing segment.

 

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Segment Operating Highlights

(Thousands of Dollars, Except Barrels/Day Information)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,        
     2009     2008     Change  

Storage:

      

Throughput (barrels/day)

     595,943       795,251       (199,308 )

Throughput revenues

   $ 20,028     $ 23,121     $ (3,093 )

Storage lease revenues

     97,774       85,992       11,782  
                        

Total revenues

     117,802       109,113       8,689  

Operating expenses

     54,158       53,998       160  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     16,992       15,951       1,041  
                        

Segment operating income

   $ 46,652     $ 39,164     $ 7,488  
                        

Transportation:

      

Refined products pipelines throughput (barrels/day)

     620,223       694,772       (74,549 )

Crude oil pipelines throughput (barrels/day)

     385,984       405,964       (19,980 )
                        

Total throughput (barrels/day)

     1,006,207       1,100,736       (94,529 )

Throughput revenues

   $ 74,392     $ 75,779     $ (1,387 )

Operating expenses

     25,200       29,857       (4,657 )

Depreciation and amortization expense

     12,663       12,605       58  
                        

Segment operating income

   $ 36,529     $ 33,317     $ 3,212  
                        

Asphalt and Fuels Marketing:

      

Product sales

   $ 451,352     $ 412,658     $ 38,694  

Cost of product sales

     420,793       396,182       24,611  

Operating expenses

     29,839       6,218       23,621  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     5,208       688       4,520  
                        

Segment operating income

   $ (4,488 )   $ 9,570     $ (14,058 )
                        

Consolidation and Intersegment Eliminations:

      

Revenues

   $ (9,542 )   $ (4,776 )   $ (4,766 )

Cost of product sales

     (3,998 )     (3,173 )     (825 )

Operating expenses

     (5,875 )     (1,623 )     (4,252 )
                        

Total

   $ 331     $ 20     $ 311  
                        

Consolidated Information:

      

Revenues

   $ 634,004     $ 592,774     $ 41,230  

Cost of product sales

     416,795       393,009       23,786  

Operating expenses

     103,322       88,450       14,872  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     34,863       29,244       5,619  
                        

Segment operating income

     79,024       82,071       (3,047 )

General and administrative expenses

     22,464       16,083       6,381  

Other depreciation and amortization expense

     1,126       802       324  
                        

Consolidated operating income

   $ 55,434     $ 65,186     $ (9,752 )
                        

Storage

Throughputs decreased 199,308 barrels per day for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, mainly due to turnarounds at refineries served by our Texas City and Corpus Christi crude oil storage tanks. In addition, throughput-based contracts for certain terminals were changed to storage-based

 

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contracts. Therefore, throughputs for these terminals are no longer reported and revenues are reported under storage lease revenues.

Total revenues increased by $8.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to:

 

   

an increase of $7.3 million due to completed tank expansion projects at our Amsterdam, St. James, St. Eustatius, Jacksonville and Texas City terminals;

 

   

an increase of $1.9 million at our Amsterdam terminal resulting from the effect of favorable foreign exchange rates and other revenues;

 

   

an increase of $1.6 million attributable to minimum throughput agreements with our customers;

 

   

an increase of $1.2 million due to the conversion of throughput-based contracts to storage-based contracts for certain terminals;

 

   

an increase of $0.9 million due to our acquisition of the Wilmington asphalt terminal with our acquisition of the East Coast Asphalt Operations in March 2008; and

 

   

an increase of $2.4 million related to increases across our domestic storage terminals.

These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $2.5 million at our UK terminal facility mainly due to the effect of foreign exchange rates and a decrease of $2.3 million at our St. Eustatius terminal due to decreased dock activity. Revenues also decreased $1.8 million as a result of lower throughputs resulting from turnarounds at refineries served by our Texas City and Corpus Christi crude oil storage tanks.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to the completion of various terminal expansion projects.

Transportation

Throughputs decreased 94,529 barrels per day and revenues decreased $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to decreased throughputs and revenues on the Ammonia Pipeline due to high inventory levels of ammonia in the Midwest that carried over from the fall of 2008. In addition, the El Paso-Santa Fe Pipeline experienced decreased throughputs as a shipper acquired our joint venture partner’s interest and continues to ship product on its purchased space. These decreases were partially offset by increased throughputs and revenues on the Wichita Falls Pipeline resulting from an additional shipper.

Operating expenses decreased $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to decreased maintenance expenses on the Ammonia Pipeline and certain pipelines on the Central West System primarily resulting from the deferral of non-regulatory maintenance. The impact of higher product prices on product imbalances on the East Pipeline further contributed to the decrease in operating expenses.

Asphalt and Fuels Marketing

Sales and cost of product sales increased $38.7 million and $24.6 million, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, mainly due to the fact we owned the East Coast Asphalt Operations for a full quarter in 2009, which contributed an increase of $113.5 million and $96.5 million in sales and cost of product sales, respectively. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $69.7 million and $68.4 million for sales and cost of product sales, respectively, associated with our bunker fuel sales. These decreases were caused by a significant decrease in the market price per metric ton at our St. Eustatius facility. Our Point Tupper facility, which resumed the sale of bunker fuel in the second quarter of 2008, also experienced a decrease in the market price per metric ton. As prices declined beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008, the carrying cost of our inventory at Point Tupper exceeded our average sales price.

Operating expenses increased by $23.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to:

 

   

an increase of $16.4 million due to a full quarter of asphalt operations related to our acquisition of the East Coast Asphalt Operations; and

 

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an increase of $2.6 million related to bunkering activities mainly due to increased tug and barge rental costs.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, due to our acquisition of the East Coast Asphalt Operations in March 2008.

Consolidation and Intersegment Eliminations

The revenue, cost of product sales and operating expense eliminations primarily relate to storage and transportation fees charged to the asphalt and fuels marketing segment by the transportation and storage segments.

General

General and administrative expenses increased by $6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to an increase in compensation expense associated with grants to our employees from long-term incentive plans. This resulted from an increase in our unit price in the first quarter of 2009. In addition, salaries and wages increased due to higher headcount resulting from the Partnership’s growth and merit increases.

Other depreciation and amortization expense relates to corporate assets.

Interest expense, net increased by $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to the issuance of $350.0 million of 7.65% senior notes in April 2008 and a decrease in capitalized interest.

Other income, net consisted of the following:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2009    2008
     (Thousands of Dollars)

Gain from insurance proceeds

   $ 7,225    $ 3,504

Sale or disposal of fixed assets

     28      4,250

Foreign exchange gains

     1,223      1,813

Other

     128      342
             

Other income, net

   $ 8,604    $ 9,909
             

See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1. “Financial Statements and Supplemental Data” for further information regarding the components of other income.

Income tax expense increased $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008, despite a decline in income before income tax expense. The increase in income tax expense is primarily due to higher taxable income in our corporate subsidiaries, including a gain from insurance proceeds related to damage caused by Hurricane Ike primarily at our Texas City terminal in the third quarter of 2008.

OUTLOOK

We expect the operating results in all of our segments to improve in 2009 compared to 2008.

Transportation Segment

Barring any significant unplanned maintenance activity for the remainder of 2009 at the refineries we serve, we expect throughputs for 2009 to decline slightly from 2008 due to the impact of refinery maintenance in the first quarter and the effect of reduced refinery utilization rates caused by lower demand. However, effective July 1, 2009, we expect to increase the tariff on our pipelines by approximately 7.5%, which should positively affect our revenues and offset the impact of the decline in throughputs. In addition to the expected tariff increase, the completion of a pipeline expansion project should also offset the expected decline in throughputs.

 

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Storage Segment

We expect the same factors affecting throughputs in our transportation segment and the conversion of certain throughput-based contracts to lease-based contracts to cause our storage segment throughputs for 2009 to decline from 2008. However, we do not expect these lower throughputs to have a significant impact on our revenues or results of operations for the full year of 2009 because most of our revenues relate to long-term storage lease contracts, which are not throughput dependent. Most of our multi-year storage contracts include annual index increases to storage fee rates, which should increase our storage lease revenue. Additionally, our revenues and results of operations for this segment should benefit from key terminal expansion projects.

Asphalt and Fuels Marketing Segment

We expect many of the same factors present in 2008 that contributed positively to our results of operations to continue in 2009, which should increase the earnings from our asphalt and fuels marketing segment. Specifically, we expect asphalt supply levels to remain below recent averages due to lower U.S. refinery utilization rates, which reduce asphalt production, and the continued lack of asphalt imports. Demand for asphalt should increase slightly over 2008 levels due to the impact of the American Recovery and Revitalization Act, which provides approximately $29 billion for transportation infrastructure projects. As a result of those factors, we expect our margin per barrel to improve over 2008 and sales volumes to increase slightly, resulting in improved results of operations for this segment.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

General

Our primary cash requirements are for distributions to partners, working capital requirements, including inventory purchases, debt service, capital expenditures, acquisitions and normal operating expenses. On an annual basis, we typically generate sufficient cash from our operations to fund day-to-day operating and general and administrative expenses, reliability capital expenditures, interest expense and distribution requirements. We also have available borrowing capacity under our existing revolving credit facility, and, to the extent necessary, we may raise additional funds through equity or debt offerings under our $3.0 billion shelf registration statement for strategic capital expenditures or other cash requirements not funded from operations. However, there can be no assurance regarding the availability of any additional funds or whether such additional funds will be available on terms acceptable to us. The volatility of the capital and credit markets could affect our cost of capital and ability to access the capital and credit markets.

Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2009     2008  
     (Thousands of Dollars)  

Net cash provided by (used in):

    

Operating activities

   $ 22,287     $ (2,823 )

Investing activities

     (20,083 )     (692,064 )

Financing activities

     (33,151 )     682,153  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash

     (1,562 )     (1,886 )
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (32,509 )   $ (14,620 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $22.3 million compared to net cash used in operating activities of $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 primarily due to changes in working capital accounts. Working capital increased $53.6 million in 2009 compared to $83.4 million in 2008. Within working capital in 2009, inventories increased $118.0 million mainly due to the seasonal nature of asphalt-related inventories. Partially offsetting this increase was a decrease in accounts receivable of $21.4 million due to the timing of payments and an increase in accounts payable of $65.5 million mainly related to inventory purchases.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, cash from operating activities and proceeds from long-term and short-term debt borrowings, net of repayments, combined with cash on hand, were used to fund our distributions to unitholders and our general partner and capital expenditures primarily related to various terminal expansion projects.

 

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Cash flows from investing activities also include insurance proceeds of $8.1 million received for damage caused primarily at our Texas City terminal by Hurricane Ike in the third quarter of 2008.

For the three months ended March 31, 2008, proceeds from long-term and short-term debt borrowings, net of repayments, combined with cash on hand were used to fund the acquisition of the East Coast Asphalt Operations, our capital expenditures primarily related to various terminal expansion projects and our distributions to unitholders and the general partner. Cash flows from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2008 also include proceeds from business interruption insurance of $3.5 million.

2007 Revolving Credit Agreement

Our five-year revolving credit agreement (the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement) is diversified among 24 participating banks. However, the participating banks include Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB (LB Bank), a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (Lehman), which filed for bankruptcy protection in October 2008. LB Bank’s participation in the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement totaled $42.5 million, of which we had $13.2 million outstanding as of March 31, 2009. As a result of Lehman’s bankruptcy filing, LB Bank has elected not to fund its pro rata share of any future borrowings we request, which reduces the total commitment under the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement to approximately $1.2 billion. Excluding LB Bank’s participation, we had $572.0 million available for borrowing under the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2009. If other lenders under the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement file for bankruptcy or experience severe financial hardship due to recent disruptions and steep declines in the global financial markets and tightening credit supply, they may not honor their pro rata share of our borrowing requests.

The 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement matures in December 2012, and we do not have any other significant debt maturing until 2012 and 2013, when four of our five senior notes become due.

Shelf Registration Statement

Our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 permits us to offer and sell various types of securities, including NuStar Energy common units and debt securities of NuStar Logistics and NuPOP, having an aggregate value of up to $3.0 billion (the 2007 Shelf Registration Statement). We filed the 2007 Shelf Registration Statement to gain additional flexibility in accessing capital markets for, among other things, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions. As of March 31, 2009, we had $2.3 billion available under our $3.0 billion shelf registration statement.

If the volatility of the capital markets continues, our access to the capital markets may be limited, or we could face increased costs when accessing the capital markets. In addition, it is possible that our ability to access the capital and credit markets may be limited by these or other factors at a time when we would like or need to do so, which could have an impact on our ability to refinance maturing debt and/or react to changing economic and business conditions.

Capital Requirements

Our operations are capital intensive, requiring significant investments to maintain, upgrade or enhance existing operations and to comply with environmental and safety laws and regulations. Our capital expenditures consist of:

 

   

reliability capital expenditures, such as those required to maintain equipment reliability and safety and to address environmental and safety regulations; and

 

   

strategic and other capital expenditures, such as those to expand and upgrade pipeline capacity or asphalt refinery operations and to construct new pipelines, terminals and storage tanks. In addition, strategic capital expenditures may include acquisitions of pipelines, terminals or storage tank assets.

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, our reliability capital expenditures totaled $5.9 million, primarily related to maintenance upgrade projects at our terminals, pipelines and refineries. Strategic and other capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2009 totaled $22.4 million and were primarily related to our storage segment.

For the full year of 2009, we expect to incur approximately $158.0 million of capital expenditures, including $70.0 million for reliability capital projects and $88.0 million for strategic and other capital projects. We continue to evaluate our capital budget and make changes as economic conditions warrant. If conditions warrant, our actual

 

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capital expenditures for 2009 may exceed or be lower than the budgeted amounts. We believe cash generated from operations combined with other sources of liquidity previously described will be sufficient to fund our capital expenditures in 2009, and our internal growth projects can be accelerated or scaled back depending on the capital markets.

Working Capital Requirements

The asphalt and fuels marketing segment requires us to make substantial investments in inventory. Increases in commodity prices could cause our working capital requirements to increase, which could affect our liquidity. Our working capital requirements will vary with the seasonal nature of asphalt demand as we build and store inventories during periods of lower demand in order to sell it during periods of higher demand. This seasonal nature of demand will also affect the accounts receivable and accounts payable balances, which will vary depending on timing of payments.

Distributions

In January 2009, we declared a quarterly cash distribution of $1.0575 per unit that was paid on February 12, 2009 to unitholders of record on February 5, 2009. This distribution related to the fourth quarter of 2008 and totaled $65.8 million. In April 2009, we declared a quarterly cash distribution of $1.0575 per unit related to the first quarter of 2009. This distribution will be paid on May 15, 2009 to unitholders of record on May 8, 2009 and will total $65.8 million.

The following table reflects the allocation of total cash distributions to the general and limited partners applicable to the period in which the distributions were earned:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2009    2008
     (Thousands of Dollars)

General partner interest

   $ 1,318    $ 1,211

General partner incentive distribution

     6,929      5,718
             

Total general partner distribution

     8,247      6,929

Limited partners’ distribution

     57,591      53,644
             

Total cash distributions

   $ 65,838    $ 60,573
             

Cash distributions per unit applicable to limited partners

   $ 1.0575    $ 0.985
             

Distributions declared for the quarter are paid within 45 days following the end of each quarter based on the partnership interests outstanding as of a record date that is set after the end of each quarter.

Long-Term Debt Obligations

We are a party to the following long-term debt agreements:

 

   

NuStar Logistics’ 7.65% senior notes due April 15, 2018 with a face value of $350.0 million, 6.05% senior notes due March 15, 2013 with a face value of $229.9 million and 6.875% senior notes due July 15, 2012 with a face value of $100.0 million;

 

   

NuPOP’s 7.75% senior notes due February 15, 2012 and 5.875% senior notes due June 1, 2013 with an aggregate face value of $500.0 million;

 

   

the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement due December 10, 2012;

 

   

the £21 million term loan due December 11, 2012 (UK Term Loan);

 

   

the $56.2 million revenue bonds due June 1, 2038 associated with the St. James terminal expansion (Gulf Opportunity Zone Revenue Bonds); and

 

   

the $12.0 million note payable in annual installments through December 31, 2015 to the Port of Corpus Christi Authority of Nueces County, Texas associated with the construction of a crude oil storage facility in Corpus Christi, Texas (Port Authority of Corpus Christi Note Payable).

 

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Please refer to Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1. “Financial Statements” for a more detailed discussion of certain of our long-term debt agreements.

Our 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement and £21 million five-year UK term loan require that we maintain certain financial ratios and include other restrictive covenants, including a prohibition on distributions if any defaults, as defined in the agreements, exist or would result from the distribution. Our management believes that we are in compliance with all of these ratios and covenants as of March 31, 2009.

Interest Rate Swaps

As of March 31, 2009, the weighted-average interest rate for our interest rate swaps was 3.3%. As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the aggregate estimated fair value of the interest rate swaps included in “Other long-term assets, net” in our consolidated balance sheets was $13.9 million and $15.3 million, respectively.

Commitments

Simultaneously with the acquisition of the East Coast Asphalt Operations, we entered into a commitment to purchase an annual average of 75,000 barrels per day of crude oil over a minimum seven-year period from an affiliate of Petróleos de Venezuela S. A. (PDVSA), the national oil company of Venezuela. The value of this commitment fluctuates according to a market-based pricing formula using published market indices, subject to adjustment based on the price of Mexican Maya crude.

In recent months, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries announced its intention to reduce crude oil production in response to dramatically lower demand for refined products. As a result, our scheduled deliveries of Boscan crude oil were reduced by 600,000 barrels in February and 300,000 barrels in March from the amounts specified in our crude supply agreement with PDVSA. We replaced the volumes lost from PDVSA with alternative grades of crude oil purchased on the spot market. We are currently receiving full contract volumes and have not received notification of any further supply reductions from PDVSA.

Environmental, Health and Safety

We are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations, including those relating to the discharge of materials into the environment, waste management, pollution prevention measures, pipeline integrity and operator qualifications, among others. Because more stringent new environmental and safety laws and regulations are continuously being enacted or proposed, the level of future expenditures required for environmental, health and safety matters is expected to increase.

Contingencies

We are subject to certain loss contingencies, the outcome of which could have an adverse effect on our cash flows and results of operations, as further disclosed in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1. “Financial Statements.”

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our critical accounting policies are disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

We manage our debt considering various financing alternatives available in the market, and we manage our exposure to changing interest rates principally through the use of a combination of fixed-rate debt and variable-rate debt. In addition, we utilize interest rate swap agreements to manage a portion of the exposure to changing interest rates by converting certain fixed-rate debt to variable-rate debt. Borrowings under the 2007 Revolving Credit Agreement and Gulf Opportunity Zone Revenue Bonds expose us to increases in the benchmark interest rate.

The following table provides information about our long-term debt and interest rate derivative instruments, all of which are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For long-term debt, principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates are presented. For interest rate swaps, the table presents notional amounts and weighted-average interest rates by expected (contractual) maturity dates. Weighted-average variable rates are based on implied forward interest rates in the yield curve at the reporting date.

 

     March 31, 2009
     Expected Maturity Dates            
     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     There-
after
    Total     Fair
Value
     (Thousands of Dollars, Except Interest Rates)

Long-term Debt:

                

Fixed rate

   $ 713     $ 770     $ 832     $ 380,943     $ 480,902     $ 350,627     $ 1,214,787     $ 1,166,817

Average interest rate

     8.0 %     8.0 %     8.0 %     7.4 %     6.0 %     7.7 %     6.9 %  

Variable rate

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 590,292     $ —       $ 56,200     $ 646,492     $ 646,492

Average interest rate

     —         —         —         1.3 %     —         0.6 %     1.3 %  

Interest Rate Swaps Fixed to Variable:

                

Notional amount

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 60,000     $ 107,500     $ —       $ 167,500     $ 13,869

Average pay rate

     3.4 %     3.8 %     4.4 %     4.9 %     4.8 %     —         4.2 %  

Average receive rate

     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.1 %     —         6.3 %  

 

     December 31, 2008
     Expected Maturity Dates            
     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     There-
after
    Total     Fair
Value
     (Thousands of Dollars, Except Interest Rates)

Long-term Debt:

                

Fixed rate

   $ 713     $ 770     $ 832     $ 381,647     $ 480,902     $ 350,627     $ 1,215,491     $ 1,157,470

Average interest rate

     8.0 %     8.0 %     8.0 %     7.4 %     6.0 %     7.7 %     6.9 %  

Variable rate

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 555,294     $ —       $ 56,200     $ 611,494     $ 611,494

Average interest rate

     —         —         —         1.9 %     —         0.9 %     1.8 %  

Interest Rate Swaps Fixed to Variable:

                

Notional amount

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 60,000     $ 107,500     $ —       $ 167,500     $ 15,284

Average pay rate

     3.2 %     3.9 %     4.3 %     4.5 %     4.3 %     —         4.0 %  

Average receive rate

     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.3 %     6.1 %     —         6.3 %  

 

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Commodity Price Risk

Since the operations of our marketing segment expose us to commodity price risk, we enter into derivative instruments to mitigate the effect of commodity price fluctuations. The derivative instruments we use consist primarily of futures contracts and swaps traded on the NYMEX.

We have a risk management committee that oversees our trading controls and procedures and certain aspects of risk management. Our risk management committee also approves all new risk management strategies in accordance with our Risk Management Policy, approved by our board of directors.

Derivative instruments designated and qualifying as fair value hedges under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 (SFAS 133) (Fair Value Hedges) are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value with mark-to-market adjustments recorded in cost of sales. The offsetting gain or loss on the associated hedged physical inventory is recognized concurrently in cost of sales. We record derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133 (Economic Hedges) in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value with mark-to-market adjustments recorded in cost of sales. The market fluctuations in inventory are not recognized until the physical sale takes place. Fair value is based on quoted market prices.

On a limited basis, we also enter into derivative commodity instruments based on our analysis of market conditions in order to attempt to profit from market fluctuations. These derivative instruments are financial positions entered into without underlying physical inventory and are not considered hedges. We record these derivatives in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value with mark-to-market adjustments recorded in revenues.

The following tables provide information about our derivative instruments, the fair value of which will fluctuate with changes in commodity prices:

 

     March 31, 2009  
     Contract
Volumes
   Weighted Average    Fair Value of
Current

Asset (Liability)
 
        Pay Price    Receive Price   
     (Thousands
of Barrels)
             (Thousands of
Dollars)
 

Fair Value Hedges:

           

Futures – long:

           

(refined products)

   25    $ 52.77      N/A    $ 85  

Futures – short:

           

(refined products)

   347      N/A    $ 55.75    $ (745 )

Economic Hedges:

           

Futures – long:

           

(crude oil and refined products)

   874    $ 52.92      N/A      4,779  

Futures – short:

           

(crude oil and refined products)

   1,359      N/A    $ 59.31      (5,136 )
                 

Total fair value of open positions

            $ (1,017 )
                 

 

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     December 31, 2008  
     Contract
Volumes
   Weighted Average    Fair Value of
Current

Asset (Liability)
 
        Pay Price    Receive Price   
     (Thousands
of Barrels)
             (Thousands of
Dollars)
 

Fair Value Hedges:

           

Futures – short:

           

(refined products)

   445      N/A    $ 43.88    $ (2,370 )

Economic Hedges:

           

Futures – long:

           

(crude oil and refined products)

   119    $ 39.92      N/A      654  

Futures – short:

           

(crude oil and refined products)

   754      N/A    $ 48.95      (3,131 )
                 

Total fair value of open positions

            $ (4,847 )
                 

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

  (a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

Our management has evaluated, with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of NuStar GP, LLC, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report, and has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2009.

 

  (b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The information below describes new proceedings or material developments in proceedings that we previously reported in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

McKee System Pipeline Safety Matter. In December 2005, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) proposed penalties totaling $255,000 based on alleged violations of various pipeline safety requirements in the McKee System. In March 2009, OPS reduced this penalty to $115,000. This penalty was paid in April 2009.

Portland Harbor Superfund Site. Our wholly owned subsidiary, Shore Terminals LLC (Shore) owns a refined product terminal in Portland, Oregon located adjacent to the Portland Harbor. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) has classified portions of the Portland Harbor, including the portion adjacent to our terminal, as a federal “Superfund” site due to sediment contamination (the Portland Harbor Site). Portland Harbor is contaminated with metals (such as mercury), pesticides, herbicides, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated byphenyls, semi-volatile organics and dioxin/furans. Shore and more than 80 other parties have received a “General Notice” of potential liability from the EPA relating to the Portland Harbor Site. The letter advised Shore that it may be liable for the costs of investigation and remediation (which liability may be joint and several with other potentially responsible parties), as well as for natural resource damages resulting from releases of hazardous substances to the Portland Harbor Site. We have agreed to work with more than 65 other potentially responsible parties to attempt to negotiate an agreed method of allocating costs associated with the clean-up. The precise nature and extent of any clean-up of the Portland Harbor Site, the parties to be involved, the process to be followed for any clean-up and the allocation of any costs for the clean-up among responsible parties have not yet been determined. It is unclear to what extent, if any, Shore will be liable for environmental costs or damages associated with the Portland Harbor Site. It is also unclear to what extent natural resource damage claims or third party contribution or damage claims will be asserted against Shore.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

*Exhibit 12.01    Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
*Exhibit 31.01    Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications (under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
*Exhibit 32.01    Section 1350 Certifications (as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
 
  * Filed herewith.
  + Identifies management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed as an exhibit hereto.

 

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SIGNATURES

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.

 

NUSTAR ENERGY L.P.
(Registrant)
By:  

Riverwalk Logistics, L.P., its general partner

  By:   NuStar GP, LLC, its general partner
By:    

/s/ Curtis V. Anastasio

    Curtis V. Anastasio
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    May 7, 2009
By:    

/s/ Steven A. Blank

    Steven A. Blank
    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
    May 7, 2009
By:    

/s/ Thomas R. Shoaf

    Thomas R. Shoaf
    Vice President and Controller
    May 7, 2009

 

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