Document
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2016
or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from         to         
 
Commission file numbers: 001-11331, 333-06693, 000-50182 and 000-50183
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.
Ferrellgas, L.P.
Ferrellgas Finance Corp.
(Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters)
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
 
43-1698480
43-1742520
43-1698481
14-1866671
(States or other jurisdictions of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Nos.)
 
 
 
7500 College Boulevard,
Suite 1000, Overland Park, Kansas
 
66210
(Address of principal executive office)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrants’ telephone number, including area code: (913) 661-1500
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have 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 registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically and posted on their 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 registrants were required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are large accelerated filers, accelerated filers, non-accelerated filers, or smaller reporting companies. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.:
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o
(do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp, Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp.:
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer x
(do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Ferrellgas, L.P. Yes ¨ No x
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. Yes x No ¨

At April 30, 2016, the registrants had common units or shares of common stock outstanding as follows:
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
 
98,002,665
 
Common Units
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.
 
1,000
 
Common Stock
Ferrellgas, L.P.
 
n/a
 
n/a
Ferrellgas Finance Corp.
 
1,000
 
Common Stock
 
Documents Incorporated by Reference: None


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EACH OF FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP. AND FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP. MEET THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION 
H(1)(A) AND (B) OF FORM 10-Q AND ARE THEREFORE, WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH REGISTRANT, FILING THIS FORM 10-Q WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT.

FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.
FERRELLGAS, L.P.
FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
 
 

    
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except unit data)
(unaudited)
 
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
6,266

 
$
7,652

Accounts and notes receivable, net (including $134,538 and $123,791 of accounts receivable pledged as collateral at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively)
 
192,704

 
196,918

Inventories
 
87,739

 
96,754

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
35,857

 
64,285

Total current assets
 
322,566

 
365,609

 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
981,453

 
965,217

Goodwill, net
 
446,333

 
478,747

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $421,475 and $375,119 at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively)
 
551,372

 
580,043

Assets held for sale
 
845

 

Other assets, net
 
70,280

 
74,440

Total assets
 
$
2,372,849

 
$
2,464,056

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
 
$
78,063

 
$
83,974

Short-term borrowings
 
9,071

 
75,319

Collateralized note payable
 
77,000

 
70,000

Other current liabilities
 
161,394

 
180,687

Total current liabilities
 
325,528

 
409,980

 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
1,960,331

 
1,804,392

Other liabilities
 
33,347

 
41,975

Contingencies and commitments (Note L)
 


 


 
 
 
 
 
Partners' capital:
 
 

 
 

Common unitholders (98,002,665 and 100,376,789 units outstanding at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively)
 
122,740

 
299,730

General partner unitholder (989,926 and 1,013,907 units outstanding at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively)
 
(58,829
)
 
(57,042
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(12,709
)
 
(38,934
)
Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. partners' capital
 
51,202

 
203,754

Noncontrolling interest
 
2,441

 
3,955

Total partners' capital
 
53,643

 
207,709

Total liabilities and partners' capital
 
$
2,372,849

 
$
2,464,056

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(in thousands, except unit data)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Propane and other gas liquids sales
 
$
338,929

 
$
445,667

 
$
961,086

 
$
1,400,895

Midstream operations
 
105,424

 
5,293

 
487,427

 
20,362

Other
 
65,119

 
81,591

 
181,343

 
220,622

Total revenues
 
509,472

 
532,551

 
1,629,856

 
1,641,879

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales
 
152,261

 
253,684

 
448,841

 
849,190

Cost of sales - midstream operations
 
71,852

 
1,877

 
373,899

 
6,064

Cost of sales - other
 
41,203

 
57,709

 
111,425

 
147,672

Operating expense
 
115,271

 
107,504

 
347,467

 
321,146

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
38,352

 
23,324

 
112,698

 
70,576

General and administrative expense
 
13,314

 
10,902

 
42,530

 
45,169

Equipment lease expense
 
7,244

 
6,347

 
21,554

 
17,674

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
 
9,978

 
8,566

 
18,375

 
16,728

Goodwill impairment
 

 

 
29,316

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other
 
5,779

 
2,203

 
23,220

 
4,578

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
54,218

 
60,435

 
100,531

 
163,082

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
(34,371
)
 
(23,510
)
 
(102,889
)
 
(71,797
)
Other income (expense), net
 
331

 
212

 
(89
)
 
(415
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
 
20,178

 
37,137

 
(2,447
)
 
90,870

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
1,260

 
917

 
1,446

 
1,448

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss)
 
18,918

 
36,220

 
(3,893
)
 
89,422

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
233

 
408

 
88

 
1,027

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
 
18,685

 
35,812

 
(3,981
)
 
88,395

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: General partner's interest in net earnings (loss)
 
187

 
358

 
(40
)
 
884

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common unitholders' interest in net earnings (loss)
 
$
18,498

 
$
35,454

 
$
(3,941
)
 
$
87,511

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per common unitholders' interest
 
$
0.19

 
$
0.43

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
1.06

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash distributions declared per common unit
 
$
0.5125

 
$
0.50

 
$
1.5375

 
$
1.50

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 

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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss)
 
$
18,918

 
$
36,220

 
$
(3,893
)
 
$
89,422

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in value of risk management derivatives
 
14,681

 
7,919

 
3,561

 
(51,105
)
Reclassification of losses on derivatives to earnings, net
 
6,138

 
10,907

 
22,931

 
17,338

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 

 

 

 
(2
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
20,819

 
18,826

 
26,492

 
(33,769
)
Comprehensive income
 
39,737

 
55,046

 
22,599

 
55,653

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
444

 
598

 
355

 
686

Comprehensive income attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
 
$
39,293

 
$
54,448

 
$
22,244

 
$
54,967

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 

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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of units
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
Total
Ferrellgas
Partners, L.P. partners'
capital
 
 
 
Total partners'
capital
 

Common
unitholders
 
General partner unitholder
 
Common
unitholders
 
General partner unitholder
 
 
 
Non-controlling
interest
 
Balance at July 31, 2015
100,376.8

 
1,014.0

 
$
299,730

 
$
(57,042
)
 
$
(38,934
)
 
$
203,754

 
$
3,955

 
$
207,709

Contributions in connection with non-cash ESOP and stock-based compensation charges

 

 
24,629

 
249

 

 
24,878

 
254

 
25,132

Distributions

 

 
(151,892
)
 
(1,534
)
 

 
(153,426
)
 
(2,123
)
 
(155,549
)
Common unit repurchases
(2,385.8
)
 
(24.2
)
 
(45,968
)
 
(464
)
 

 
(46,432
)
 

 
(46,432
)
Exercise of common unit options
11.7

 
0.1

 
182

 
2

 

 
184

 

 
184

Net loss

 

 
(3,941
)
 
(40
)
 

 
(3,981
)
 
88

 
(3,893
)
Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
26,225

 
26,225

 
267

 
26,492

Balance at April 30, 2016
98,002.7

 
989.9

 
$
122,740

 
$
(58,829
)
 
$
(12,709
)
 
$
51,202

 
$
2,441

 
$
53,643

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss)
$
(3,893
)
 
$
89,422

Reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization expense
112,698

 
70,576

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
18,375

 
16,728

Non-cash stock-based compensation charge
6,757

 
19,701

Goodwill impairment
29,316

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other
23,220

 
4,578

Change in fair value of contingent consideration
(100
)
 
(6,300
)
Provision for doubtful accounts
1,974

 
3,194

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
(124
)
 
102

Other
3,721

 
2,731

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
 
 
 
Accounts and notes receivable, net of securitization
3,039

 
(14,073
)
Inventories
8,771

 
47,159

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
21,603

 
(17,675
)
Accounts payable
(5,194
)
 
(15,001
)
Accrued interest expense
27,758

 
20,045

Other current liabilities
(37,168
)
 
(19,127
)
Other assets and liabilities
9,329

 
(6,996
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
220,082

 
195,064

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(13,894
)
 
(68,902
)
Capital expenditures
(108,387
)
 
(51,321
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
11,862

 
4,060

Other
(499
)
 

Net cash used in investing activities
(110,918
)
 
(116,163
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Distributions
(153,426
)
 
(125,328
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
159,814

 
107,951

Payments on long-term debt
(8,739
)
 
(60,216
)
Net reductions in short-term borrowings
(66,248
)
 
(69,519
)
Net additions to collateralized short-term borrowings
7,000

 
26,000

Cash paid for financing costs
(640
)
 
(204
)
Noncontrolling interest activity
(2,093
)
 
(927
)
Repurchase of common units (including fees of $34 and $0 for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively)
(46,432
)
 

Proceeds from exercise of common unit options
182

 
91

Proceeds from equity offering, (net of issuance costs of $0 and $52 for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively)

 
41,948

Cash contribution from general partner in connection with common unit issuances
32

 
425

Net cash used in financing activities
(110,550
)
 
(79,779
)
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 
(2
)
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(1,386
)
 
(880
)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
7,652

 
8,289

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period
$
6,266

 
$
7,409


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See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit data, unless otherwise designated)
 (unaudited)
A.  Partnership organization and formation
 
Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (“Ferrellgas Partners”) was formed April 19, 1994, and is a publicly traded limited partnership, owning an approximate 99% limited partner interest in Ferrellgas, L.P. (the "operating partnership"). Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership, collectively referred to as “Ferrellgas,” are both Delaware limited partnerships and are governed by their respective partnership agreements. Ferrellgas Partners was formed to acquire and hold a limited partner interest in the operating partnership. As of April 30, 2016, Ferrell Companies, Inc. ("Ferrell Companies") beneficially owns 22.8 million Ferrellgas Partners common units. Ferrellgas, Inc. (the "general partner"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrell Companies, has retained a 1% general partner interest in Ferrellgas Partners and also holds an approximate 1% general partner interest in the operating partnership, representing an effective 2% general partner interest in Ferrellgas on a combined basis. As general partner, it performs all management functions required by Ferrellgas. Unless contractually provided for, creditors of the operating partnership have no recourse with regards to Ferrellgas Partners.
 
Ferrellgas Partners is a holding entity that conducts no operations and has two subsidiaries, Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and the operating partnership. Ferrellgas Partners owns a 100% equity interest in Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., whose only business activity is to act as the co-issuer and co-obligor of debt issued by Ferrellgas Partners. The operating partnership is the only operating subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners.

Ferrellgas is engaged in the following reportable business segment activities:
Propane and related equipment sales consists of the distribution of propane and related equipment and supplies. The propane distribution market is seasonal because propane is used primarily for heating in residential and commercial buildings. Ferrellgas serves residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale and other customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Midstream operations consists of two reportable operating segments: crude oil logistics and water solutions. The crude oil logistics segment ("Bridger") primarily generates income by providing crude oil transportation and logistics services on behalf of producers and end-users of crude oil. Bridger services include transportation through its operation of a fleet of trucks, tank trailers, railcars, pipeline injection stations and a barge. Bridger primarily operates in major oil and gas basins across the continental United States. Bridger also enters into crude oil purchase and sales arrangements. The salt water disposal wells within the water solutions segment are located in the Eagle Ford shale region of south Texas and are a critical component of the oil and natural gas well drilling industry. Oil and natural gas wells generate significant volumes of salt water. In the oil and gas fields Ferrellgas services, these volumes of water are transported by truck away from the fields to salt water disposal wells where a combination of gravity and chemicals are used to separate crude oil that is residual in the salt water through a process that results in the collection of "skimming oil". This skimming oil is then captured and sold before the salt water is injected into underground geologic formations using high-pressure pumps.

Due to seasonality, the results of operations for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full fiscal year ending July 31, 2016.
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements of Ferrellgas reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods presented. All adjustments to the condensed consolidated financial statements were of a normal recurring nature. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with (i) the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and (ii) the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Ferrellgas' Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2015.

B.    Summary of significant accounting policies
 
(1)    Accounting estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates impacting the condensed consolidated financial statements include accruals that have been established for contingent liabilities, pending claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of business, useful lives of property, plant and equipment assets, residual values of tanks, capitalization of customer tank installation costs, amortization methods of intangible assets, valuation methods used to value sales returns and allowances, valuation methods used to value

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intangibles and goodwill in business combination, allowance for doubtful accounts, fair value of assets held for sale, fair value of reporting units, fair value of derivative contracts and stock based compensation calculations.

(2)    Goodwill: Ferrellgas records goodwill as the excess of the cost of acquisitions over the fair value of the related net assets at the date of acquisition. Ferrellgas has determined that it has five reporting units for goodwill impairment testing purposes. Three of these reporting units contain goodwill that is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value-based test. Under this test, the carrying value of each reporting unit is determined by assigning the assets and liabilities, including the existing goodwill and intangible assets, to those reporting units as of the date of the evaluation on a specific identification basis. To the extent a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, an indication exists that the reporting unit’s goodwill may be impaired and the second step of the impairment test must be performed. In the second step, the implied fair value of goodwill is determined by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for that excess. We completed our last annual goodwill impairment test on January 31, 2016 and did not incur an impairment loss.

During the three months ended April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas determined that the uncertainty surrounding the future cash flows associated with a logistics contract with its largest customer and Jamex, that customer’s crude oil supplier, constituted a triggering event for its Midstream operations - crude oil logistics business that required an update to the goodwill impairment assessment as of April 30, 2016.  Additionally, during the three months ended October 31, 2015, Ferrellgas determined that the continued and prolonged decline in the price of crude oil constituted a triggering event for its Midstream operations - water solutions business that required an update to the goodwill impairment assessment as of October 31, 2015. See Note F – Goodwill and intangible assets, net – for further discussion of Ferrellgas' goodwill impairment assessment.

(3) Assets held for sale: Assets held for sale represent tractor trucks that have met the criteria of “held for sale” accounting. During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, Ferrellgas committed to a plan to sell certain trucks held by the Midstream operations - crude oil logistics segment. These assets were reclassified from "Vehicles, including transport trailers" to Assets held for sale in the balance sheet as of October 31, 2015. Ferrellgas ceased depreciation on these assets during October 2015. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. See Note D – Supplemental financial statement information – for further discussion of these held for sale assets.

(4) New accounting standards:

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2014-09
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The issuance is part of a joint effort by the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") to enhance financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and, thereby, improving the consistency of requirements, comparability of practices and usefulness of disclosures. The new standard will supersede much of the existing authoritative literature for revenue recognition. The standard and related amendments will be effective for Ferrellgas for its annual reporting period beginning August 1, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. Entities are allowed to transition to the new standard by either recasting prior periods or recognizing the cumulative effect. Ferrellgas is currently evaluating the newly issued guidance, including which transition approach will be applied and the estimated impact it will have on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2015-02
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation: Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which provides additional guidance on the consolidation of limited partnerships and on the evaluation of variable interest entities. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Ferrellgas is currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2015-02 on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2015-03
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt liability. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted, and retrospective application required. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2015-06
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-06, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, which requires all entities to record the effects on earnings, if any, of changes in provisional

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amounts for items in a business combination in the same period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The requirement to retrospectively account for the adjustments is eliminated by this amendment. ASU 2015-06 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2015-11
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330) - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which requires that inventory within the scope of the guidance be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2016-02
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) to increase transparency and comparability
among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Ferrellgas is currently evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of ASU 2016-02 on the consolidated financial statements.

(5)    Supplemental cash flow information: For purposes of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, Ferrellgas considers cash equivalents to include all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. Certain cash flow and significant non-cash activities are presented below:
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
CASH PAID FOR:
 
 
 
Interest
$
71,409

 
$
49,021

Income taxes
$
432

 
$
333

NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Liabilities incurred in connection with acquisitions
$
1,239

 
$

Change in accruals for property, plant and equipment additions
$
1,293

 
$
1,316


(6)    Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using weighted average cost and actual cost methods.

 
 
C. Business combinations

Ferrellgas records the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination at their acquisition date fair values. An entity is allowed a reasonable period of time (not to exceed one year) to obtain the information necessary to identify and measure the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The Bridger acquisition, which occurred during the year ended July 31, 2015 and is described below, is still within this measurement period, and as a result, the acquisition date fair values Ferrellgas recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to change. Ferrellgas made certain adjustments during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 to its estimates of the acquisition date fair values of the Bridger assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

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On June 24, 2015, Ferrellgas acquired Bridger and formed a new midstream operations - crude oil logistics segment based near Dallas, Texas. Ferrellgas paid $560.0 million of cash, net of cash acquired and issued $260.0 million of Ferrellgas Partners common units to the seller, along with $2.5 million of other seller costs and consideration for an aggregate value of $822.5 million. The purchase agreement for the Bridger acquisition contemplates post-closing payments for certain working capital items. Ferrellgas is in the process of identifying and determining the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this business combination, and as a result, the estimates of fair value at April 30, 2016 remain subject to change to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. Ferrellgas is currently determining the appropriate value of working capital acquired with the former owners of Bridger. Ferrellgas has preliminarily estimated the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows:

 
 
Estimated At
 
 
 
 
April 30, 2016 (as adjusted)
 
July 31, 2015 (as initially reported)
 
Measurement period adjustments
Working capital
 
$
(7,867
)
 
$
1,783

 
$
(9,650
)
Transportation equipment
 
293,491

 
293,491

 

Injection stations and pipelines
 
41,632

 
41,632

 

Goodwill
 
188,872

 
193,311

 
(4,439
)
Customer relationships
 
277,100

 
261,811

 
15,289

Non-compete agreements
 
10,000

 
14,800

 
(4,800
)
Trade names & trademarks
 
9,400

 
5,800

 
3,600

Office equipment
 
7,449

 
7,449

 

Other
 
2,375

 
2,375

 

Aggregate fair value of net assets acquired
 
$
822,452

 
$
822,452

 
$


Pro forma results of operations (unaudited):

The following summarized unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of earnings information assumes that the acquisition of Bridger during fiscal 2015 occurred as of August 1, 2014. These unaudited pro forma results are for comparative purposes only and may not be indicative of the results that would have occurred had this acquisition been completed on August 1, 2014 or the results that would be attained in the future.
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
2015
 
2015
Revenue
$
614,777

 
$
1,894,618

Net earnings
29,806

 
76,632

Net earnings per common unitholders' interest
$
0.35

 
$
0.91

The unaudited pro forma consolidated data presented above has also been prepared as if the following transactions had been completed on August 1, 2014:

the issuance of senior secured notes in June 2015;
the sale of common units in June 2015 in a public offering; and
the issuance of common units to the seller in June 2015.

D. Supplemental financial statement information
 
Inventories consist of the following:
 
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
Propane gas and related products
 
$
51,502

 
$
68,731

Crude oil
 
9,871

 

Appliances, parts and supplies
 
26,366

 
28,023

Inventories
 
$
87,739

 
$
96,754



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In addition to inventories on hand, Ferrellgas enters into contracts primarily to buy propane for supply procurement purposes with terms up to 36 months. Most of these contracts call for payment based on market prices at the date of delivery. As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas had committed, for supply procurement purposes, to take delivery of approximately 92.7 million gallons of propane at fixed prices.

Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following:

 
 
 
April 30,
 
July 31,
 
Estimated Useful Lives
 
2016
 
2015
Land
Indefinite
 
$
35,220

 
$
34,389

Land improvements
2-20
 
13,776

 
13,249

Building and improvements
20
 
72,800

 
71,923

Vehicles, including transport trailers
8-20
 
205,892

 
228,646

Bulk equipment and district facilities
5-30
 
112,283

 
111,657

Tanks, cylinders and customer equipment
2-30
 
773,022

 
772,904

Salt water disposal wells and related equipment
2-30
 
55,569

 
38,460

Rail cars
30
 
199,240

 
150,235

Injection stations
20
 
32,178

 
37,619

Pipeline
15
 
4,074

 
4,074

Computer and office equipment
2-5
 
121,813

 
123,386

Construction in progress
n/a
 
22,080

 
16,841

 
 
 
1,647,947

 
1,603,383

Less: accumulated depreciation
 
 
666,494

 
638,166

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
 
$
981,453

 
$
965,217


Other current liabilities consist of the following:
 
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
Accrued interest
 
$
45,039

 
$
17,281

Accrued payroll
 
18,354

 
17,485

Customer deposits and advances
 
21,335

 
28,792

Price risk management liabilities
 
20,077

 
31,450

Other
 
56,589

 
85,679

Other current liabilities
 
$
161,394

 
$
180,687


Shipping and handling expenses are classified in the following condensed consolidated statements of earnings line items:
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Operating expense
 
$
42,378

 
$
41,291

 
$
126,946

 
$
135,206

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
1,071

 
1,194

 
3,268

 
3,970

Equipment lease expense
 
6,470

 
5,900

 
19,385

 
16,479


 
$
49,919

 
$
48,385

 
$
149,599

 
$
155,655



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During the three month period ended October 31, 2015, Ferrellgas committed to a plan to dispose of certain assets in its Midstream operations - crude oil logistics segment. As of October 31, 2015, this plan resulted in 69 tractor trucks sold and 136 tractor trucks reclassified from "Vehicles, including transport trailers" to Assets held for sale. The held for sale assets were recorded at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value, less an estimate of costs to sell. The estimate of fair value included significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 fair value). Subsequent to October 31, 2015, 64 of these tractor trucks were sold, 59 were repurposed and reclassified to property, plant, and equipment as held for use within other Ferrellgas businesses, which constitutes a change in plan, and 13 tractor trucks remain classified as held for sale assets as of April 30, 2016. Loss on disposal of assets and other during the three and nine month periods ended April 30, 2016 consists of:
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Loss on assets held for sale
 
$

 
$

 
$
12,112

 
$

Loss on sale of assets held for sale
 
896

 

 
1,687

 

Loss on sale of assets and other
 
4,883

 
2,203

 
9,421

 
4,578

Loss on disposal of assets and other
 
$
5,779

 
$
2,203

 
$
23,220

 
$
4,578


E. Accounts and notes receivable, net and accounts receivable securitization
 
Accounts and notes receivable, net consist of the following:
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
Accounts receivable pledged as collateral
$
134,538

 
$
123,791

Accounts receivable
64,359

 
77,636

Other
382

 
307

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
(6,575
)
 
(4,816
)
Accounts and notes receivable, net
$
192,704

 
$
196,918


At April 30, 2016, $134.5 million of trade accounts receivable were pledged as collateral against $77.0 million of collateralized notes payable due to the commercial paper conduit. At July 31, 2015, $123.8 million of trade accounts receivable were pledged as collateral against $70.0 million of collateralized notes payable due to the commercial paper conduit. These accounts receivable pledged as collateral are bankruptcy remote from the operating partnership. The operating partnership does not provide any guarantee or similar support to the collectability of these accounts receivable pledged as collateral. 
 
As of April 30, 2016, the operating partnership had received cash proceeds of $77.0 million from trade accounts receivables securitized, with no remaining capacity to receive additional proceeds. As of July 31, 2015, the operating partnership had received cash proceeds of $70.0 million from trade accounts receivables securitized, with no remaining capacity to receive additional proceeds. Borrowings under the accounts receivable securitization facility had a weighted average interest rate of 2.9% and 2.3% as of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively.

F. Goodwill and intangible assets, net

Ferrellgas records goodwill as the excess of the cost of acquisitions over the fair value of the related net assets at the date of acquisition.

Ferrellgas tests goodwill for impairment annually during the second quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value.


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Table of Contents

During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, approximately 60% of Midstream Operations - Crude oil logistics' segment gross margin was generated from its largest customer and Jamex, that customer's crude oil supplier, under a take-or-pay arrangement (the “contract”). Under the terms of the take-or-pay arrangement, Jamex is responsible for payments to Ferrellgas and also for sourcing crude oil volumes for that customer. Ferrellgas believes Jamex may not have financial resources sufficient to satisfy its payment obligations to Ferrellgas through June 2019, the remaining term of this agreement. If current market conditions persist, Ferrellgas also believes Jamex may not be able to fulfill its crude oil sourcing volume commitments to Ferrellgas’ customer throughout the remaining term of this agreement, which could cause a termination of the transportation and logistics agreement Ferrellgas has with that customer. Ferrellgas is currently negotiating alternative contractual arrangements to mitigate this risk. If Ferrellgas’ transportation and logistics agreement with that customer were to terminate and Ferrellgas was unable to negotiate an economically similar replacement agreement with that customer, Ferrellgas would likely experience a decrease in sales, gross margin and net income from crude oil logistics operations which would materially and adversely affect the results of operations and cash flows generated by the segment. As a result of the uncertainty surrounding the future cash flows associated with this contract, Ferrellgas considered whether the fair value of this reporting unit no longer exceeded the carrying value. Upon applying the fair-value-based test as described above for purposes of the interim impairment test, Ferrellgas concluded that there was no impairment of the Midstream operations - crude oil logistics reporting unit as of April 30, 2016.  As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas determined that this reporting unit had an estimated fair value in excess of its respective carrying value of approximately 10%.

This test primarily consists of using discounted future cash flow models to estimate fair value. Ferrellgas prepared various cash flow models involving certain potential scenarios and probability weighted these scenarios which included the following critical assumptions: (1) renewal of certain significant, long term logistics contracts upon their expiration; (2) the economic conditions present in the oil and gas sector at the time of these contract renewals; (3) the timing, success rate and capital required for certain organic growth projects; (4) the amount of capital expenditures required to maintain the existing cash flows; and (5) a terminal period growth rate equal to the expected rate of inflation.  In addition to these critical cash flow assumptions, a discount rate of 11.3% was applied to the various projected cash flow models.

Judgments and assumptions are inherent in management’s estimates used to determine the fair value of Ferrellgas' reporting units and are consistent with what management believes would be utilized by primary market participants.

Additionally, during the three months ended October 31, 2015, Ferrellgas determined that the continued and prolonged decline in the price of crude oil constituted a triggering event for its Midstream operations - water solutions business that required an update to the goodwill impairment assessment as of October 31, 2015.

The first step of this test primarily consists of a discounted future cash flow model to predict fair value. The result of this first step is based on the following critical assumptions: (1) the NYMEX West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil curve was used to estimate future oil prices; (2) the oil skimming rate was expected to increase or decrease consistent with the projected increases/decreases in the NYMEX WTI crude oil curve consistent with past history; and (3) certain organic growth projects were projected to increase the salt water volumes processed as new drilling activity increases associated with the projected NYMEX WTI crude oil curve. As noted in our discussion of this reporting unit in Ferrellgas' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2015, Ferrellgas believes that the results of this business are closely tied to the price of WTI crude oil. The daily average closing price for WTI crude oil for the three months ended July 31, 2015 of $56.63 decreased 20.7% to $44.90 during the three months ended October 31, 2015. Additionally, the projected NYMEX WTI crude oil curve decreased approximately 6.5% from August 31, 2015 to October 31, 2015. These events have led to an overall decline in drilling activity and volumes in the Eagle Ford shale region of Texas. These market changes, in addition to previous declines noted during fiscal year 2015, negatively affected Ferrellgas' current period results and future projections sufficiently to indicate that the fair value of the reporting unit likely no longer exceeded its carrying value.

In the second step, the implied fair value of goodwill is determined by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for that excess.

As of October 31, 2015, Ferrellgas performed the first step of the goodwill impairment test for the Midstream operations - water solutions reporting unit and determined that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeded the fair value. Ferrellgas then completed the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying amount of goodwill and determined that goodwill was completely impaired and has written off the entire $29.3 million of goodwill related to this reporting unit.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by reportable segment, are as follows:

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Table of Contents


 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - water solutions
 
Midstream operations - crude oil logistics
 
Total
Balance at July 31, 2015
$
256,120

 
$
29,316

 
$
193,311

 
$
478,747

Acquisitions

 

 
1,356

 
1,356

Measurement period adjustments

 

 
(4,439
)
 
(4,439
)
Dispositions
(15
)
 

 

 
(15
)
Impairment

 
(29,316
)
 

 
(29,316
)
Balance at April 30, 2016
$
256,105

 
$

 
$
190,228

 
$
446,333


G.    Debt
 
Short-term borrowings
 
Ferrellgas classified a portion of its secured credit facility borrowings as short-term because it was used to fund working capital needs that management had intended to pay down within the 12 month period following each balance sheet date. As of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, $9.1 million and $75.3 million, respectively, were classified as short-term borrowings. For further discussion see the secured credit facility section below.
 
Secured credit facility

As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas had total borrowings outstanding under its secured credit facility of $299.0 million, of which $289.9 million was classified as long-term debt. As of July 31, 2015, Ferrellgas had total borrowings outstanding under its secured credit facility of $211.4 million, of which $136.1 million was classified as long-term debt. Borrowings outstanding at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015 under the secured credit facility had weighted average interest rates of 3.6% and 3.5%, respectively.
  
The obligations under this credit facility are secured by substantially all assets of Ferrellgas, the general partner and certain subsidiaries of Ferrellgas but specifically excluding (a) assets that are subject to Ferrellgas’ accounts receivable securitization facility, (b) the general partner’s equity interest in Ferrellgas Partners and (c) equity interest in certain unrestricted subsidiaries. Such obligations are also guaranteed by the general partner and certain subsidiaries of Ferrellgas.
 
Letters of credit outstanding at April 30, 2016 totaled $69.5 million and were used primarily to secure insurance arrangements and, to a lesser extent, product purchases. Letters of credit outstanding at July 31, 2015 totaled $61.2 million and were used primarily to secure insurance arrangements and, to a lesser extent, product purchases. At April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas had remaining letter of credit capacity of $130.5 million. At July 31, 2015, Ferrellgas had remaining letter of credit capacity of $138.8 million.

H.  Partners' capital

As of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, limited partner units were beneficially owned by the following:

 
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
Public common unitholders (1)
 
65,691,492

 
63,294,168

Ferrell Companies (2)
 
22,529,361

 
22,529,361

FCI Trading Corp. (3)
 
195,686

 
195,686

Ferrell Propane, Inc. (4)
 
51,204

 
51,204

James E. Ferrell (5) (7)
 
4,763,475

 
4,763,475

James H. Ballengee (6) (7)
 
4,771,447

 
9,542,895


(1)
These common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FGP.”
(2) Ferrell Companies is the owner of the general partner and is an approximate 23.0% direct owner of Ferrellgas Partners' common units and thus a related party. Ferrell Companies also beneficially owns 195,686 and 51,204 common units of Ferrellgas Partners held by FCI Trading Corp. ("FCI Trading") and Ferrell Propane, Inc. ("Ferrell Propane"), respectively, bringing Ferrell Companies' beneficial ownership to 23.2% at April 30, 2016.
(3) FCI Trading is an affiliate of the general partner and thus a related party.
(4) Ferrell Propane is controlled by the general partner and thus a related party.
(5) James E. Ferrell is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the general partner and thus a related party. JEF Capital Management owns 4,758,859 of these common units and is wholly-owned by the James E. Ferrell Revocable Trust Two for which James E. Ferrell is the trustee and sole beneficiary. The remaining 4,616 common units are held by Ferrell Resources Holding, Inc., which is wholly-owned by the James E. Ferrell Revocable Trust One, for which James E. Ferrell is the trustee and sole beneficiary.
(6) Jamex Marketing, LLC, is the unitholder of record of these common units, with whom Bridger regularly conducts business in their normal operations.
(7) Beneficially owned limited partner units are based on the most recent Schedule 13G, Schedule 13D, or Section 16 SEC filing, or information provided by the beneficial owner.


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Table of Contents


Partnership distributions paid
 
Ferrellgas Partners has paid the following distributions:
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Public common unitholders
 
$
32,792

 
$
27,791

 
$
97,673

 
$
83,370

Ferrell Companies
 
11,546

 
11,265

 
34,638

 
33,795

FCI Trading Corp.
 
100

 
98

 
300

 
294

Ferrell Propane, Inc.
 
26

 
26

 
78

 
78

James E. Ferrell
 
2,441

 
2,179

 
7,323

 
6,537

James H. Ballengee
 
3,321

 

 
11,880

 

General partner
 
507

 
418

 
1,534

 
1,254

 
 
$
50,733

 
$
41,777

 
$
153,426

 
$
125,328


On May 24, 2016, Ferrellgas Partners declared a cash distribution of $0.5125 per common unit for the three months ended April 30, 2016, which is expected to be paid on June 14, 2016. Included in this cash distribution are the following amounts to be paid to related parties:
Ferrell Companies
$
11,546

FCI Trading Corp.
100

Ferrell Propane, Inc.
26

James E. Ferrell (1)
2,441

James H. Ballengee (1)
2,445

General partner
507


(1) Beneficially owned limited partner units are based on the most recent Schedule 13G, Schedule 13D or Section 16 SEC filing, or information provided by the beneficial owner.

See additional discussions about transactions with related parties in Note K – Transactions with related parties.

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”)
 
See Note J – Derivative instruments and hedging activities – for details regarding changes in the fair value of risk management financial derivatives recorded within AOCI for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015.
 
General partner’s commitment to maintain its capital account
 
Ferrellgas’ partnership agreements allow the general partner to have an option to maintain its effective 2% general partner interest concurrent with the issuance of other additional equity.

During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, the general partner made non-cash contributions of $0.5 million to Ferrellgas to maintain its effective 2% general partner interest.

During the nine months ended April 30, 2015, the general partner made cash contributions of $0.9 million and non-cash contributions of $0.7 million to Ferrellgas to maintain its effective 2% general partner interest.


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Table of Contents

I.    Fair value measurements
 
Derivative financial instruments and contingent consideration
 
The following table presents Ferrellgas’ financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each of the fair value hierarchy levels, including both current and noncurrent portions, as of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015:
 
 
Asset (Liability)
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets and Liabilities (Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
 
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Total
April 30, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
 
$

 
$
4,582

 
$

 
$
4,582

Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
6,344

 
$

 
$
6,344

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
 
$

 
$
(3,856
)
 
$

 
$
(3,856
)
Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
(20,818
)
 
$

 
$
(20,818
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
 
$

 
$
1,828

 
$

 
$
1,828

Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
4,655

 
$

 
$
4,655

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
 
$

 
$
(4,748
)
 
$

 
$
(4,748
)
Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
(42,375
)
 
$

 
$
(42,375
)
Contingent consideration

$


$

 
$
(100
)
 
$
(100
)

The following is a reconciliation of the opening and closing balances for the liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the period ended April 30, 2016:

 
Contingent consideration liability
Balance at July 31, 2015
 
$
100

     Increase in fair value related to accretion
 

     Change in fair value included in earnings
 
(100
)
Balance at April 30, 2016
 
$


Methodology

The fair values of Ferrellgas’ non-exchange traded commodity derivative contracts are based upon indicative price quotations available through brokers, industry price publications or recent market transactions and related market indicators. The fair values of interest rate swap contracts are based upon third-party quotes or indicative values based on recent market transactions. The fair value of the trucks classified as assets held for sale represents Ferrellgas' estimate of expected sales price less costs to sell. The fair value measurements used to determine this value of the assets held for sale were based on a market approach utilizing prices from prior transactions and third party pricing information.


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Table of Contents

Other financial instruments
 
The carrying amounts of other financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities (except for current maturities of long-term debt) approximate their fair values because of their short-term nature. At April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, the estimated fair value of Ferrellgas’ long-term debt instruments was $1,873.2 million and $1,889.8 million, respectively. Ferrellgas estimates the fair value of long-term debt based on quoted market prices. The fair value of our consolidated debt obligations is a Level 2 valuation based on the observable inputs used for similar liabilities.
 
Ferrellgas has other financial instruments such as trade accounts receivable which could expose it to concentrations of credit risk. The credit risk from trade accounts receivable is limited because of a large customer base which extends across many different U.S. markets.

J.  Derivative instruments and hedging activities
 
Ferrellgas is exposed to certain market risks related to its ongoing business operations. These risks include exposure to changing commodity prices as well as fluctuations in interest rates. Ferrellgas utilizes derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices. Of these, the propane commodity derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges. All other commodity derivative instruments do not qualify or are not designated as cash flow hedges, therefore, the change in their fair value are recorded currently in earnings. Ferrellgas also periodically utilizes derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.
 
Derivative instruments and hedging activity
 
During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas did not recognize any gain or loss in earnings related to hedge ineffectiveness and did not exclude any component of financial derivative contract gains or losses from the assessment of hedge effectiveness related to commodity cash flow hedges. During the nine months ended April 30, 2015, Ferrellgas recognized a $0.2 million loss related to hedge ineffectiveness and did not exclude any component of financial derivative contract gains or losses from the assessment of hedge effectiveness related to commodity cash flow hedges.


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Table of Contents

The following tables provide a summary of the fair value of derivatives in Ferrellgas’ condensed consolidated balance sheets as of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015:  
 
 
April 30, 2016
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Instrument
 
Location
 
 Fair value
 
Location
 
 Fair value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commodity derivatives-propane
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
2,058

 
Other current liabilities
 
$
11,441

  Commodity derivatives-propane
 
Other assets, net
 
2,926

 
Other liabilities
 
2,301

  Interest rate swap agreements
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
1,676

 
Other current liabilities
 
2,315

  Interest rate swap agreements
 
Other assets, net
 
2,906

 
Other liabilities
 
1,541

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commodity derivatives-vehicle fuel
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 

 
Other current liabilities
 
3,249

  Commodity derivatives-vehicle fuel
 
Other assets, net
 

 
Other liabilities
 
755

  Commodity derivatives- crude oil
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
1,360

 
Other current liabilities
 
3,072

 
 
Total
 
$
10,926

 
Total
 
$
24,674

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 31, 2015
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Instrument
 
Location
 
 Fair value
 
Location
 
 Fair value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commodity derivatives-propane
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
3,614

 
Other current liabilities
 
$
27,929

  Commodity derivatives-propane
 
Other assets, net
 
1,041

 
Other liabilities
 
12,034

  Interest rate swap agreements
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
1,828

 
Other current liabilities
 
2,241

  Interest rate swap agreements
 
Other assets, net
 

 
Other liabilities
 
2,507

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commodity derivatives-vehicle fuel
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 

 
Other current liabilities
 
1,280

  Commodity derivatives-vehicle fuel
 
Other assets, net
 

 
Other liabilities
 
1,132


 
Total
 
$
6,483

 
Total
 
$
47,123



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Table of Contents

Ferrellgas' exchange traded commodity derivative contracts require cash margin deposit as collateral for contracts that are in a negative mark-to-market position. These cash margin deposits will be returned if mark-to-market conditions improve or will be applied against cash settlement when the contracts are settled. The following tables provide a summary of cash margin deposit balances as of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively:

 
 
April 30, 2016
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
Description
 
Location
 
Amount
 
Location
 
Amount
Margin Deposits
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
8,100

 
Other current liabilities
 
$

 
 
Other assets, net
 
2,992

 
Other liabilities
 

 
 
 
 
$
11,092

 
 
 
$

 
 
July 31, 2015
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
Description
 
Location
 
Amount
 
Location
 
Amount
Margin Deposits
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
18,009

 
Other current liabilities
 
$
15

 
 
Other assets, net
 
11,786

 
Other liabilities
 

 
 
 
 
$
29,795

 
 
 
$
15



The following tables provide a summary of the effect on Ferrellgas' condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 due to derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments:  
 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain Recognized on Derivative
 
Amount of Interest Expense Recognized on Fixed-Rated Debt (Related Hedged Item)
Derivative Instrument
 
Location of Gain Recognized on Derivative
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest rate swap agreements
 
Interest expense
 
$
433

 
$
601

 
$
(2,275
)
 
$
(2,275
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain Recognized on Derivative
 
Amount of Interest Expense Recognized on Fixed-Rated Debt (Related Hedged Item)
Derivative Instrument
 
Location of Gain Recognized on Derivative
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest rate swap agreements
 
Interest expense
 
$
1,477

 
$
1,408

 
$
(6,825
)
 
$
(6,825
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



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The following tables provide a summary of the effect on Ferrellgas’ condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 due to derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2016
 
 
Derivative Instrument
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
 
 
 
Effective portion
 
Ineffective portion
Commodity derivatives
 
$
14,998

 
Cost of sales-propane and other gas liquids sales
 
$
(5,467
)
 
$

Interest rate swap agreements
 
(317
)
 
Interest expense
 
(671
)
 

 
 
$
14,681

 
 
 
$
(6,138
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2015
 
 
Derivative Instrument
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
 
 
 
Effective portion
 
Ineffective portion
Commodity derivatives
 
$
7,813

 
Cost of sales-propane and other gas liquids sales
 
$
(10,907
)
 
$

Interest rate swap agreements
 
106

 
Interest expense
 

 

 
 
$
7,919

 
 
 
$
(10,907
)
 
$


 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2016
 
 
Derivative Instrument
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
 
 
 
Effective portion
 
Ineffective portion
Commodity derivatives
 
$
5,823

 
Cost of sales-propane and other gas liquids sales
 
$
(20,729
)
 
$

Interest rate swap agreements
 
(2,262
)
 
Interest expense
 
(2,202
)
 

 
 
$
3,561

 
 
 
$
(22,931
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2015
 
 
Derivative Instrument
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
 
 
 
Effective portion
 
Ineffective portion
Commodity derivatives
 
$
(47,855
)
 
Cost of sales-propane and other gas liquids sales
 
$
(17,139
)
 
$

Interest rate swap agreements
 
(3,250
)
 
Interest expense
 

 
(199
)
 
 
$
(51,105
)
 
 
 
$
(17,139
)
 
$
(199
)



22

Table of Contents

The following tables provide a summary of the effect on Ferrellgas' condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 due to the change in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2016
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Commodity derivatives - crude oil
 
$
487

 
Cost of sales - midstream operations
Commodity derivatives - vehicle fuel
 
$
955

 
Operating expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2016
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Commodity derivatives - crude oil
 
$
(3,532
)
 
Cost of sales - midstream operations
Commodity derivatives - vehicle fuel
 
$
(3,779
)
 
Operating expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2015
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Commodity derivatives - vehicle fuel
 
$
1,609

 
Operating expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2015
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Commodity derivatives - vehicle fuel
 
$
1,609

 
Operating expense
 
 
 
 
 

The changes in derivatives included in AOCI for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:  

 
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
Gains and losses on derivatives included in AOCI
 
2016
 
2015
Beginning balance
 
$
(38,906
)
 
$
6,483

Change in value of risk management commodity derivatives
 
5,823

 
(47,855
)
Reclassification of gains and losses on commodity hedges to cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales, net
 
20,729

 
17,139

Change in value of risk management interest rate derivatives
 
(2,262
)
 
(3,250
)
Reclassification of gains and losses on interest rate hedges to interest expense
 
2,202

 
199

Ending balance
 
$
(12,414
)
 
$
(27,284
)

Ferrellgas expects to reclassify net losses related to the risk management commodity derivatives of approximately $9.4 million to earnings during the next 12 months. These net losses are expected to be offset by increased margins on propane sales commitments Ferrellgas has with its customers that qualify for the normal purchase normal sales exception.
 
During the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, Ferrellgas had no reclassifications to earnings resulting from the discontinuance of any cash flow hedges arising from the probability of the original forecasted transactions not occurring within the originally specified period of time defined within the hedging relationship.
 
As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas had financial derivative contracts covering 3.1 million barrels of propane that were entered into as cash flow hedges of forward and forecasted purchases of propane.


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Table of Contents

As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas had financial derivative contracts covering 0.2 million barrels of diesel and 35 thousand barrels of unleaded gasoline related to fuel hedges in transportation of propane.

As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas had financial derivative contracts covering 0.5 million barrels of crude oil related to the hedging of crude oil line fill and inventory.

Derivative financial instruments credit risk
 
Ferrellgas is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial and commodity instruments. Ferrellgas’ counterparties principally consist of major energy companies and major U.S. financial institutions. Ferrellgas maintains credit policies with regard to its counterparties that it believes reduce its overall credit risk. These policies include evaluating and monitoring its counterparties’ financial condition, including their credit ratings, and entering into agreements with counterparties that govern credit limits. Certain of these agreements call for the posting of collateral by the counterparty or by Ferrellgas in the forms of letters of credit, parental guarantees or cash. Ferrellgas has concentrations of credit risk associated with derivative financial instruments held by certain derivative financial instrument counterparties. If these counterparties that make up the concentration failed to perform according to the terms of their contracts at April 30, 2016, the maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that, based upon the gross fair values of the derivative financial instruments, Ferrellgas would incur is zero.
 
Ferrellgas holds certain derivative contracts that have credit-risk-related contingent features which dictate credit limits based upon the Ferrellgas' debt rating. As of April 30, 2016, a downgrade in Ferrellgas' debt rating could trigger a reduction in credit limit and would result in an additional collateral requirement of zero. There were no derivatives with credit-risk-related contingent features in a liability position on April 30, 2016 and Ferrellgas had posted no collateral in the normal course of business related to such derivatives.

K.    Transactions with related parties
 
Ferrellgas has no employees and is managed and controlled by its general partner. Pursuant to Ferrellgas’ partnership agreements, the general partner is entitled to reimbursement for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or payments it makes on behalf of Ferrellgas and all other necessary or appropriate expenses allocable to Ferrellgas or otherwise reasonably incurred by its general partner in connection with operating Ferrellgas’ business. These costs primarily include compensation and benefits paid to employees of the general partner who perform services on Ferrellgas’ behalf and are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings as follows:
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Operating expense
 
$
59,907

 
$
53,155

 
$
174,943

 
$
163,417

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expense
 
$
7,957

 
$
5,394

 
$
22,297

 
$
20,059

 
 

In connection with the closing of the Bridger acquisition, Ferrellgas issued common units to Bridger Marketing, LLC (now known as Jamex Marketing, LLC) and entered into a ten-year transportation and logistics agreement (the "TLA") with Jamex Marketing, LLC. As of April 30, 2016, Jamex Marketing, LLC owned 4.9% (1) of Ferrellgas Partners' limited partners' interest. Jamex Marketing, LLC, in connection with the TLA, enters into transactions with the operating partnership and its subsidiaries. Bridger provides crude oil logistics services for Jamex Marketing, LLC, including the transportation and storage of crude oil by truck, terminal and pipeline. During the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas' total revenues from these transactions were $26.6 million and $36.7 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas' total cost of sales from these transactions were $1.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively. There was no activity for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2015. The amounts due from and due to Jamex Marketing, LLC at April 30, 2016, were $19.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The amounts due from and due to Jamex Marketing, LLC at July 31, 2015, were $4.8 million and $4.2 million, respectively. On November 13, 2015, Ferrellgas Partners, L.P repurchased approximately 2.4 million common units from Jamex Marketing, LLC, for approximately $45.9 million. During the three months ended April 30, 2016, Jamex Marketing, LLC sold approximately 2.4 million units in the open market, bringing their unit ownership to 4.8 million units as of April 30, 2016 (1).

See additional discussions about transactions with the general partner and related parties in Note H – Partners’ capital.


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Table of Contents

(1) Beneficially owned limited partner units are based on the most recent Schedule 13G, Schedule 13D, Schedule 16 SEC filing, or information provided by the beneficial owner.

L.    Contingencies and commitments

Litigation

Ferrellgas’ operations are subject to all operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing, transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers of combustible liquids such as propane and crude oil. As a result, at any given time, Ferrellgas can be threatened with or named as a defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Other than as discussed below, Ferrellgas is not a party to any legal proceedings other than various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters; however, management is of the opinion that there are no known claims or contingent claims that are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Ferrellgas.
 
Ferrellgas has been named as a defendant, along with a competitor, in putative class action lawsuits filed in multiple jurisdictions. The lawsuits allege that Ferrellgas and a competitor coordinated in 2008 to reduce the fill level in barbeque cylinders and combined to persuade a common customer to accept that fill reduction, resulting in increased cylinder costs to direct customers and end-user customers in violation of federal and certain state antitrust laws. The lawsuits seek treble damages, attorneys’ fees, injunctive relief and costs on behalf of the putative class. These lawsuits have been consolidated into one case by a multidistrict litigation panel.  The Court has dismissed all claims brought by direct and indirect customers other than state law claims of indirect customers under Wisconsin, Maine and Vermont law.  The direct customer plaintiffs have filed an appeal, which is pending.  Ferrellgas believes it has strong defenses to the claims and intends to vigorously defend against the consolidated case. Ferrellgas does not believe loss is probable or reasonably estimable at this time related to the putative class action lawsuit.
 
In addition, putative class action cases have been filed in California relating to residual propane remaining in the tank after use.  Ferrellgas has prevailed at the trial court on a motion to dismiss those claims.  It is uncertain whether plaintiffs will appeal;  Ferrellgas intends to vigorously defend any such appeal.  Ferrellgas does not believe loss is probable or reasonably estimable at this time related to the putative class action lawsuit.

M.    Net earnings per common unitholders’ interest
 
Below is a calculation of the basic and diluted net earnings per common unitholders’ interest in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the periods indicated. Ferrellgas calculates net earnings (loss) per common unitholders’ interest for each period presented according to distributions declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings, as if all of the earnings or loss for the period had been distributed according to the incentive distribution rights in the Ferrellgas partnership agreement. Due to the seasonality of the propane business, the dilutive effect of the two-class method typically impacts only the three months ending January 31. In periods with undistributed earnings above certain levels, the calculation according to the two-class method results in an increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the general partner and a dilution of the earnings to the limited partners as follows:
 
 
 
Ratio of total distributions payable to:
Quarterly distribution per common unit
 
Common unitholder
 
General partner
$0.56 to $0.63
 
86.9
%
 
13.1
%
$0.64 to $0.82
 
76.8
%
 
23.2
%
$0.83 and above
 
51.5
%
 
48.5
%

There was no dilutive effect resulting from this guidance based on basic and diluted net earnings per common unitholders' interest for both the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 or 2015.
 
In periods with net losses, the allocation of the net losses to the limited partners and the general partner will be determined based on the same allocation basis specified in Ferrellgas Partners’ partnership agreement that would apply to periods in which there were no undistributed earnings. Additionally, there are no dilutive securities in periods with net losses.

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Table of Contents

 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(in thousands, except per unitholders' interest amounts)
Common unitholders’ interest in net earnings (loss)
 
$
18,498

 
$
35,454

 
$
(3,941
)
 
$
87,511

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common units outstanding - basic
 
98,002.7

 
82,717.6

 
98,911.2

 
82,536.1

Dilutive securities
 
0.5

 
5.7

 

 
7.2

Weighted average common units outstanding - diluted
 
98,003.2

 
82,723.3

 
98,911.2

 
82,543.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted net (earnings) loss per common unitholders’ interest
 
$
0.19

 
$
0.43

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
1.06


N.    Segment reporting

Ferrellgas has two primary operations: propane and related equipment sales and midstream operations. These two operations result in three reportable operating segments: propane and related equipment sales, midstream operations - water solutions and midstream operations - crude oil logistics.

The chief operating decision maker evaluates the operating segments using an Adjusted EBITDA performance measure which is based on earnings before income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, non-cash stock-based compensation charge, goodwill impairment, loss on disposal of assets and other, other expense, net, change in fair value of contingent consideration, severance costs, litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit, unrealized (non-cash) loss on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, acquisition and transition expenses and net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest. This performance measure is not a GAAP measure, however, the components are computed using amounts that are determined in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of this performance measure to net earnings, which is its nearest comparable GAAP measure, is included in the tables below. In management's evaluation of performance, costs such as compensation for certain administrative staff and executive management, are not allocated by segment and, accordingly, the following reportable segment results do not include such unallocated costs. The accounting policies of the operating segments are otherwise the same as those described in Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

Assets reported within a segment are those assets that can be identified to a segment and primarily consist of trade receivables, property, plant and equipment, inventories, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. Cash, certain prepaid assets and other assets are not allocated to segments. Although Ferrellgas can and does identify long-lived assets such as property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets to reportable segments, Ferrellgas does not allocate the related depreciation and amortization to the segment as management evaluates segment performance exclusive of these non-cash charges.

The propane and related equipment sales segment primarily includes the distribution and sale of propane and related equipment and supplies with concentrations in the Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest regions of the United States. Sales from propane distribution are generated principally from transporting propane purchased from third parties to propane distribution locations and then to tanks on customers’ premises or to portable propane tanks delivered to nationwide and local retailers. Sales from portable tank exchanges, nationally branded under the name Blue Rhino, are generated through a network of independent and partnership-owned distribution outlets.

The midstream operations - crude oil logistics segment primarily includes a domestic crude oil transportation and logistics provider with an integrated portfolio of midstream assets. These assets connect crude oil production in prolific unconventional resource plays to downstream markets. Bridger's truck, pipeline terminal, pipeline, rail and maritime assets form a comprehensive, fee-for-service business model, and substantially all of its cash flow is from fee-based commercial agreements. Bridger's fee-based business model generates income by providing crude oil transportation and logistics services on behalf of producers and end users of crude oil.

The midstream operations - water solutions segment primarily includes salt water disposal wells that are a critical component of the oil and natural gas well drilling industry. Oil and gas wells generate significant volumes of salt water known as “flowback” and “production” water. Flowback is a water based solution that flows back to the surface during and after the completion of the

26

Table of Contents

hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) process whereby large volumes of water, sand and chemicals are injected under high pressures into rock formations to stimulate production. Production water is salt water from underground formations that are brought to the surface during the normal course of oil or gas production. In the oil and gas fields Ferrellgas services, these volumes of water are transported by truck away from the fields to salt water disposal wells where it is injected into underground geologic formations using high-pressure pumps. Revenue is derived from fees charged to customers to dispose of salt water at the disposal facilities and crude oil sales from the skimming oil process.

Following is a summary of segment information for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015.

 
 
Three months ended April 30, 2016
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Segment revenues
 
$
404,048

 
$
101,996

 
$
3,907

 
$

 
$
(479
)
 
$
509,472

Direct costs (1)
 
307,708

 
76,826

 
5,301

 
11,684

 
(33
)
 
401,486

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
96,340

 
$
25,170

 
$
(1,394
)
 
$
(11,684
)
 
$
(446
)
 
$
107,986

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended April 30, 2015
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Segment revenues
 
$
527,258

 
$

 
$
5,293

 
$

 
$

 
$
532,551

Direct costs (1)
 
422,837

 

 
4,871

 
8,570

 

 
436,278

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
104,421

 
$

 
$
422

 
$
(8,570
)
 
$

 
$
96,273


 
 
Nine months ended April 30, 2016
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Segment revenues
 
$
1,142,429

 
$
475,162

 
$
12,744

 
$

 
$
(479
)
 
$
1,629,856

Direct costs (1)
 
888,380

 
396,468

 
15,538

 
34,289

 
(33
)
 
1,334,642

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
254,049

 
$
78,694

 
$
(2,794
)
 
$
(34,289
)
 
$
(446
)
 
$
295,214

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended April 30, 2015
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Segment revenues
 
$
1,621,517

 
$

 
$
20,362

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,641,879

Direct costs (1)
 
1,329,648

 

 
14,741

 
29,928

 

 
1,374,317

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
291,869

 
$

 
$
5,621

 
$
(29,928
)
 
$

 
$
267,562


(1) Direct costs are comprised of "cost of products sold-propane and other gas liquids sales", "cost of products sold-midstream operations", "cost of products sold-other", "operating expense", "general and administrative expense", and "equipment lease expense" less "non-cash stock-based compensation charge", "change in fair value of contingent consideration", "severance charge", "litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit", "unrealized (non-cash) loss on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments" and "acquisition and transition expenses".


27

Table of Contents

Following is a reconciliation of Ferrellgas' total segment performance measure to condensed consolidated net earnings:
 
 
Three months ended April 30,
 
Nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
 
$
18,685

 
$
35,812

 
$
(3,981
)
 
$
88,395

Income tax expense
 
1,260

 
917

 
1,446

 
1,448

Interest expense
 
34,371

 
23,510

 
102,889

 
71,797

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
38,352

 
23,324

 
112,698

 
70,576

EBITDA
 
92,668

 
83,563

 
213,052

 
232,216

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
 
9,978

 
8,566

 
18,375

 
16,728

Non-cash stock-based compensation charge
 
1,091

 
3,271

 
6,757

 
19,701

Goodwill impairment
 

 

 
29,316

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other
 
5,779

 
2,203

 
23,220

 
4,578

Other (income) expense, net
 
(331
)
 
(212
)
 
89

 
415

Change in fair value of contingent consideration
 

 

 
(100
)
 
(6,300
)
Severance costs
 
469

 

 
1,325

 

Litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit
 

 
83

 

 
806

Unrealized (non-cash) loss on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
(1,915
)
 
(1,609
)
 
2,993

 
(1,609
)
Acquisition and transition expenses
 
14

 

 
99

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
233

 
408

 
88

 
1,027

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
107,986

 
$
96,273

 
$
295,214

 
$
267,562

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Following are total assets by segment:
Assets
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
Propane and related equipment sales
 
$
1,257,965

 
$
1,295,831

Midstream operations - crude oil logistics
 
897,181

 
917,325

Midstream operations - water logistics
 
175,157

 
205,358

Corporate and unallocated
 
42,546

 
45,542

Total consolidated assets
 
$
2,372,849

 
$
2,464,056



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Table of Contents

Following are capital expenditures by segment:
 
 
Nine months ended April 30, 2016
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Total
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maintenance
 
$
12,705

 
$
32

 
$

 
$
991

 
$
13,728

Growth
 
28,461

 
52,315

 
10,553

 

 
91,329

Total
 
$
41,166

 
$
52,347

 
$
10,553

 
$
991

 
$
105,057

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended April 30, 2015
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Total
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maintenance
 
$
12,839

 
$

 
$
976

 
$
1,012

 
$
14,827

Growth
 
27,128

 

 
6,561

 

 
33,689

Total
 
$
39,967

 
$

 
$
7,537

 
$
1,012

 
$
48,516


O. Subsequent events
 
Ferrellgas evaluated events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date through the date Ferrellgas' condensed consolidated financial statements were issued and concluded that there were no events or transactions occurring during this period that require recognition or disclosure in its condensed consolidated financial statements.




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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.)
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
ASSETS


 


Cash
$
1,000

 
$
1,000

Total assets
$
1,000

 
$
1,000

 
 
 
 
Contingencies and commitments (Note B)

 

 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
 
 
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 1,000 shares issued and outstanding
$
1,000

 
$
1,000

Additional paid in capital
17,760

 
17,485

Accumulated deficit
(17,760
)
 
(17,485
)
Total stockholder's equity
$
1,000

 
$
1,000

See notes to condensed financial statements.


FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expense
$
225

 
$
549

 
$
275

 
$
699

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(225
)
 
$
(549
)
 
$
(275
)
 
$
(699
)
See notes to condensed financial statements.

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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(275
)
 
$
(699
)
Cash used in operating activities
(275
)
 
(699
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Capital contribution
275

 
730

Cash provided by financing activities
275

 
730

 
 
 
 
Net change in cash

 
31

Cash - beginning of period
1,000

 
969

Cash - end of period
$
1,000

 
$
1,000

See notes to condensed financial statements.

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FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.)
 (unaudited)
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A.    Formation
 
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. (the “Finance Corp.”), a Delaware corporation, was formed on March 28, 1996 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”).
 
The condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented. All adjustments to the condensed financial statements were of a normal recurring nature.

The Finance Corp. has nominal assets, does not conduct any operations and has no employees.

B.    Contingencies and commitments
 
The Finance Corp. serves as co-issuer and co-obligor for the Partnership's $182.0 million, 8.625% senior notes due 2020.
 


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FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
6,235

 
$
5,600

Accounts and notes receivable, net (including $134,538 and $123,791 of accounts receivable pledged as collateral at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively)
192,704

 
196,918

Inventories
87,739

 
96,754

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
35,975

 
64,211

Total current assets
322,653

 
363,483

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
981,453

 
965,217

Goodwill, net
446,333

 
478,747

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $421,475 and $375,119 at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively)
551,372

 
580,043

Assets held for sale
845

 

Other assets, net
68,628

 
72,472

Total assets
$
2,371,284

 
$
2,459,962

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
78,063

 
$
83,974

Short-term borrowings
9,071

 
75,319

Collateralized note payable
77,000

 
70,000

Other current liabilities
155,464

 
176,176

Total current liabilities
319,598

 
405,469

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
1,778,331

 
1,622,392

Other liabilities
33,347

 
41,975

Contingencies and commitments (Note L)


 


 
 
 
 
Partners' capital:
 

 
 

Limited partner
250,276

 
425,105

General partner
2,558

 
4,339

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(12,826
)
 
(39,318
)
Total partners' capital
240,008

 
390,126

Total liabilities and partners' capital
$
2,371,284

 
$
2,459,962

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Propane and other gas liquids sales
$
338,929

 
$
445,667

 
$
961,086

 
$
1,400,895

Midstream operations
105,424

 
5,293

 
487,427

 
20,362

Other
65,119

 
81,591

 
181,343

 
220,622

Total revenues
509,472

 
532,551

 
1,629,856

 
1,641,879

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales
152,261

 
253,684

 
448,841

 
849,190

Cost of sales - midstream operations
71,852

 
1,877

 
373,899

 
6,064

Cost of sales - other
41,203

 
57,709

 
111,425

 
147,672

Operating expense
115,271

 
107,418

 
347,467

 
321,063

Depreciation and amortization expense
38,352

 
23,324

 
112,698

 
70,576

General and administrative expense
13,214

 
10,902

 
42,032

 
45,169

Equipment lease expense
7,244

 
6,347

 
21,554

 
17,674

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
9,978

 
8,566

 
18,375

 
16,728

Goodwill impairment

 

 
29,316

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other
5,779

 
2,203

 
23,220

 
4,578

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
54,318

 
60,521

 
101,029

 
163,165

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(30,340
)
 
(19,476
)
 
(90,799
)
 
(59,695
)
Other income (expense), net
331

 
212

 
(89
)
 
(415
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings before income taxes
24,309

 
41,257

 
10,141

 
103,055

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
1,260

 
853

 
1,441

 
1,379

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
23,049

 
$
40,404

 
$
8,700

 
$
101,676

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 


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FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
$
23,049

 
$
40,404

 
$
8,700

 
$
101,676

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in value of risk management derivatives
 
14,681

 
7,919

 
3,561

 
(51,105
)
Reclassification of losses on derivatives to earnings, net
 
6,138

 
10,907

 
22,931

 
17,338

Foreign currency translation adjustment
 

 

 

 
(2
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
20,819

 
18,826

 
26,492

 
(33,769
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
43,868

 
$
59,230

 
$
35,192

 
$
67,907

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
other
 
Total
 
Limited
 
General
 
comprehensive
 
partners'
 
partner
 
partner
 
loss
 
capital
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at July 31, 2015
$
425,105

 
$
4,339

 
$
(39,318
)
 
$
390,126

Contributions in connection with non-cash ESOP and stock-based compensation charges
24,878

 
254

 

 
25,132

Contributions in connection with acquisitions
(284
)
 

 

 
(284
)
Distributions
(208,035
)
 
(2,123
)
 

 
(210,158
)
Net loss
8,612

 
88

 

 
8,700

Other comprehensive income

 

 
26,492

 
26,492

Balance at April 30, 2016
$
250,276

 
$
2,558

 
$
(12,826
)
 
$
240,008

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


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FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
8,700

 
$
101,676

Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization expense
112,698

 
70,576

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
18,375

 
16,728

Non-cash stock-based compensation charge
6,757

 
19,701

Goodwill impairment
29,316

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other
23,220

 
4,578

Change in fair value of contingent consideration
(100
)
 
(6,300
)
Provision for doubtful accounts
1,974

 
3,194

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
(124
)
 
102

Other
3,406

 
2,402

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
 
 
 
Accounts and notes receivable, net of securitization
2,755

 
(14,073
)
Inventories
8,771

 
47,159

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
21,623

 
(17,621
)
Accounts payable
(5,194
)
 
(15,001
)
Accrued interest expense
23,834

 
16,121

Other current liabilities
(34,845
)
 
(19,128
)
Other assets and liabilities
9,328

 
(6,996
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
230,494

 
203,118

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(13,894
)
 
(68,902
)
Capital expenditures
(108,387
)
 
(51,321
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
11,862

 
4,060

Other
(499
)
 

Net cash used in investing activities
(110,918
)
 
(116,163
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Distributions
(210,158
)
 
(134,535
)
Contributions from partners
30

 
42,655

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
159,814

 
107,951

Payments on long-term debt
(8,739
)
 
(60,216
)
Net reductions in short-term borrowings
(66,248
)
 
(69,519
)
Net additions to collateralized short-term borrowings
7,000

 
26,000

Cash paid for financing costs
(640
)
 
(204
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(118,941
)
 
(87,868
)
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 
(2
)
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
635

 
(915
)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
5,600

 
8,283

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period
$
6,235

 
$
7,368

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise designated)
  (unaudited)
A.    Partnership organization and formation
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. is a limited partnership that owns and operates propane distribution and related assets, crude oil transportation and logistics services and salt water disposal wells in south Texas. Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. (“Ferrellgas Partners”), a publicly traded limited partnership, holds an approximate 99% limited partner interest in, and consolidates, Ferrellgas, L.P. Ferrellgas, Inc. (the “general partner”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrell Companies, Inc. (“Ferrell Companies”), holds an approximate 1% general partner interest in Ferrellgas, L.P. and performs all management functions required by Ferrellgas, L.P.
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. owns a 100% equity interest in Ferrellgas Finance Corp., whose only business activity is to act as the co-issuer and co-obligor of debt issued by Ferrellgas, L.P.

Ferrellgas, L.P. is engaged in the following reportable business segment activities:
Propane and related equipment sales consists of the distribution of propane and related equipment and supplies. The propane distribution market is seasonal because propane is used primarily for heating in residential and commercial buildings. Ferrellgas, L.P. serves residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale and other customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Midstream operations consists of two reportable operating segments: crude oil logistics and water solutions. The crude oil logistics segment ("Bridger") primarily generates income by providing crude oil transportation and logistics services on behalf of producers and end-users of crude oil. Bridger services include transportation through its operation of a fleet of trucks, tank trailers, railcars, pipeline injection terminals, and a barge. Bridger primarily operates in major oil and gas basins across the continental United States. Bridger also enters into crude oil purchase and sales arrangements. The salt water disposal wells within the water solutions segment are located in the Eagle Ford shale region of south Texas and are a critical component of the oil and natural gas well drilling industry. Oil and natural gas wells generate significant volumes of salt water. In the oil and gas fields Ferrellgas, L.P. services, these volumes of water are transported by truck away from the fields to salt water disposal wells where a combination of gravity and chemicals are used to separate crude oil that is residual in the salt water through a process that results in the collection of "skimming oil". This skimming oil is then captured and sold before the salt water is injected into underground geologic formations using high-pressure pumps.

Due to seasonality, the results of operations for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full fiscal year ending July 31, 2016.
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements of Ferrellgas, L.P. and subsidiaries reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods presented. All adjustments to the condensed consolidated financial statements were of a normal recurring nature. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with (i) the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and (ii) the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Ferrellgas, L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2015.

B.    Summary of significant accounting policies
 
(1)    Accounting estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates impacting the condensed consolidated financial statements include accruals that have been established for contingent liabilities, pending claims and legal actions arising in the normal course of business, useful lives of property, plant and equipment, residual values of tanks, capitalization of customer tank installation costs, amortization methods of intangible assets, valuation methods used to value sales returns and allowances, valuation methods used to value intangibles and goodwill in business combinations, allowance for doubtful accounts, fair value of assets held for sale, fair value of reporting units, fair value of derivative contracts, and stock based compensation calculations.

(2)    Goodwill: Ferrellgas, L.P. records goodwill as the excess of the cost of acquisitions over the fair value of the related net assets at the date of acquisition. Ferrellgas, L.P. has determined that it has five reporting units for goodwill impairment testing purposes. Three of these reporting units contain goodwill that is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value-based test. Under this test, the carrying value of each reporting unit is determined by assigning the assets and liabilities, including the existing goodwill and intangible assets, to those reporting units as of the date of the evaluation on a

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specific identification basis. To the extent a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, an indication exists that the reporting unit’s goodwill may be impaired and the second step of the impairment test must be performed. In the second step, the implied fair value of goodwill is determined by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for that excess. We completed our last annual goodwill impairment test on January 31, 2016 and did not incur an impairment loss.

During the three months ended April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas, L.P. determined that the uncertainty surrounding the future cash flows associated with a logistics contract with its largest customer and Jamex, that customer’s crude oil supplier, constituted a triggering event for its Midstream operations - crude oil logistics business that required an update to the goodwill impairment assessment as of April 30, 2016.  Additionally, during the three months ended October 31, 2015, Ferrellgas, L.P. determined that the continued and prolonged decline in the price of crude oil constituted a triggering event for its Midstream operations - water solutions business that required an update to the goodwill impairment assessment as of October 31, 2015. See Note F – Goodwill and intangible assets, net – for further discussion of Ferrellgas, L.P.'s goodwill impairment assessment.

(3) Assets held for sale: Assets held for sale represent tractor trucks that have met the criteria of “held for sale” accounting. During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, Ferrellgas, L.P. committed to a plan to sell certain trucks held by the Midstream operations - crude oil logistics segment. These assets were reclassified from "Vehicles, including transport trailers" to Assets held for sale in the balance sheet as of October 31, 2015. Ferrellgas, L.P. ceased depreciation on these assets during October 2015. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. See Note D – Supplemental financial statement information – for further discussion of these held for sale assets.

(4) New accounting standards:

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2014-09
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The issuance is part of a joint effort by the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") to enhance financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and, thereby, improving the consistency of requirements, comparability of practices and usefulness of disclosures. The new standard will supersede much of the existing authoritative literature for revenue recognition. The standard and related amendments will be effective for Ferrellgas for its annual reporting period beginning August 1, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. Entities are allowed to transition to the new standard by either recasting prior periods or recognizing the cumulative effect. Ferrellgas is currently evaluating the newly issued guidance, including which transition approach will be applied and the estimated impact it will have on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2015-02
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation: Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which provides additional guidance on the consolidation of limited partnerships and on the evaluation of variable interest entities. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Ferrellgas is currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2015-02 on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2015-03
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt liability. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted, and retrospective application required. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2015-06
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-06, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, which requires all entities to record the effects on earnings, if any, of changes in provisional amounts for items in a business combination in the same period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The requirement to retrospectively account for the adjustments is eliminated by this amendment. ASU 2015-06 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2015-11
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330) - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which requires that inventory within the scope of the guidance be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 is

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effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standard Update No. 2016-02
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) to increase transparency and comparability
among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Ferrellgas, L.P. is currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2016-02 on the consolidated financial statements.

(5)    Supplemental cash flow information: For purposes of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, Ferrellgas, L.P. considers cash equivalents to include all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less. Certain cash flow and significant non-cash activities are presented below:
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
CASH PAID FOR:
 
 
 
Interest
$
63,559

 
$
41,172

Income taxes
$
427

 
$
264

NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Liabilities incurred in connection with acquisitions
$
1,239

 
$

Change in accruals for property, plant and equipment additions
$
1,293

 
$
1,316


(6)    Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using weighted average cost and actual cost methods.

C. Business combinations

Ferrellgas, L.P. records the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination at their acquisition date fair values. An entity is allowed a reasonable period of time (not to exceed one year) to obtain the information necessary to identify and measure the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The Bridger acquisition, which occurred during the year ended July 31, 2015 and is described below, is still within this measurement period, and as a result, the acquisition date fair values Ferrellgas, L.P. recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to change. Ferrellgas, L.P. made certain adjustments during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 to its estimates of the acquisition date fair values of the Bridger assets acquired and liabilities assumed.


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On June 24, 2015, Ferrellgas Partners acquired Bridger and formed a new midstream operations - crude oil logistics segment based near Dallas, Texas. Ferrellgas paid $560.0 million of cash, net of cash acquired and issued $260.0 million of Ferrellgas Partners common units to the seller, along with $2.5 million of other seller costs and consideration for an aggregate value of $822.5 million. Ferrellgas Partners then contributed the Bridger assets and liabilities to Ferrellgas, L.P. The purchase agreement for the Bridger acquisition contemplates post-closing payments for certain working capital items. Ferrellgas, L.P. is in the process of identifying and determining the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this business combination, and as a result, the estimates of fair value at April 30, 2016 remain subject to change to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. Ferrellgas, L.P. is currently determining the appropriate value of working capital acquired with the former owners of Bridger. Ferrellgas, L.P. has preliminarily estimated the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows:

 
 
Estimated At
 
 

 
April 30, 2016
(as adjusted)
 
July 31, 2015 (as initially reported)
 
Measurement period adjustments
Working capital
 
$
(7,867
)
 
$
1,783

 
$
(9,650
)
Transportation equipment
 
293,491

 
293,491

 

Injection stations and pipelines
 
41,632

 
41,632

 

Goodwill
 
188,872

 
193,311

 
(4,439
)
Customer relationships
 
277,100

 
261,811

 
15,289

Non-compete agreements
 
10,000

 
14,800

 
(4,800
)
Trade names & trademarks
 
9,400

 
5,800

 
3,600

Office equipment
 
7,449

 
7,449

 

Other
 
2,375

 
2,375

 

Aggregate fair value of net assets acquired
 
$
822,452

 
$
822,452

 
$


Pro forma results of operations (unaudited):

The following summarized unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of earnings information assumes that the acquisition of Bridger during fiscal 2015 occurred as of August 1, 2014. These unaudited pro forma results are for comparative purposes only and may not be indicative of the results that would have occurred had this acquisition been completed on August 1, 2014 or the results that would be attained in the future.
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
2015
 
2015
Revenue
$
614,777

 
$
1,894,618

Net earnings
33,990

 
88,886



The unaudited pro forma consolidated data presented above has also been prepared as if the following transaction had been completed on August 1, 2014:

the issuance of senior secured notes in June 2015.


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D.    Supplemental financial statement information
 
Inventories consist of the following:
 
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
Propane gas and related products
 
$
51,502

 
$
68,731

Crude oil
 
9,871

 

Appliances, parts and supplies
 
26,366

 
28,023

Inventories
 
$
87,739

 
$
96,754


In addition to inventories on hand, Ferrellgas, L.P. enters into contracts primarily to buy propane for supply procurement purposes with terms up to 36 months. Most of these contracts call for payment based on market prices at the date of delivery. As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas, L.P. had committed, for supply procurement purposes, to take delivery of approximately 92.7 million gallons of propane at fixed prices.

Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following:

 
 
 
April 30,
 
July 31,
 
Estimated useful lives
 
2016
 
2015
Land
Indefinite
 
$
35,220

 
$
34,389

Land improvements
2-20
 
13,776

 
13,249

Building and improvements
20
 
72,800

 
71,923

Vehicles, including transport trailers
8-20
 
205,892

 
228,646

Bulk equipment and district facilities
5-30
 
112,283

 
111,657

Tanks, cylinders and customer equipment
2-30
 
773,022

 
772,904

Salt water disposal wells and related equipment
2-30
 
55,569

 
38,460

Rail cars
30
 
199,240

 
150,235

Injection stations
20
 
32,178

 
37,619

Pipeline
15
 
4,074

 
4,074

Computer and office equipment
2-5
 
121,813

 
123,386

Construction in progress
n/a
 
22,080

 
16,841

 
 
 
1,647,947

 
1,603,383

Less: accumulated depreciation
 
 
666,494

 
638,166

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
 
$
981,453

 
$
965,217


Other current liabilities consist of the following:
 
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
Accrued interest
 
$
39,109

 
$
15,275

Accrued payroll
 
18,354

 
17,485

Customer deposits and advances
 
21,335

 
28,792

Price risk management liabilities
 
20,077

 
31,450

Other
 
56,589

 
83,174

Other current liabilities
 
$
155,464

 
$
176,176



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Table of Contents

Shipping and handling expenses are classified in the following condensed consolidated statements of earnings line items:
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Operating expense
 
$
42,378

 
$
41,291

 
$
126,946

 
$
135,206

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
1,071

 
1,194

 
3,268

 
3,970

Equipment lease expense
 
6,470

 
5,900

 
19,385

 
16,479

 
 
$
49,919

 
$
48,385

 
$
149,599

 
$
155,655


During the three month period ended October 31, 2015, Ferrellgas, L.P. committed to a plan to dispose of certain assets in its Midstream operations - crude oil logistics segment. As of October 31, 2015, this plan resulted in 69 tractor trucks sold and 136 tractor trucks reclassified from "Vehicles, including transport trailers" to Assets held for sale. The held for sale assets were recorded at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value, less an estimate of costs to sell. The estimate of fair value included significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 fair value). Subsequent to October 31, 2015, 64 of these tractor trailers were sold, 59 were repurposed and reclassified to property, plant, and equipment as held for use within other Ferrellgas businesses, which constitutes a change in plan, and 13 tractor trucks remain classified as held for sale as of April 30, 2016. Loss on disposal of assets and other during the three and nine month periods ended April 30, 2016 consists of:

 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Loss on assets held for sale
 
$

 
$

 
$
12,112

 
$

Loss on sale of assets held for sale
 
896

 

 
1,687

 

Loss on sale of assets and other
 
4,883

 
2,203

 
9,421

 
4,578

Loss on disposal of assets and other
 
$
5,779

 
$
2,203

 
$
23,220

 
$
4,578


E. Accounts and notes receivable, net and accounts receivable securitization
 
Accounts and notes receivable, net consist of the following:
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
Accounts receivable pledged as collateral
$
134,538

 
$
123,791

Accounts receivable
64,359

 
77,636

Other
382

 
307

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
(6,575
)
 
(4,816
)
Accounts and notes receivable, net
$
192,704

 
$
196,918

 
 

At April 30, 2016, $134.5 million of trade accounts receivable were pledged as collateral against $77.0 million of collateralized notes payable due to a commercial paper conduit. At July 31, 2015, $123.8 million of trade accounts receivable were pledged as collateral against $70.0 million of collateralized notes payable due to the commercial paper conduit. These accounts receivable pledged as collateral are bankruptcy remote from Ferrellgas, L.P. Ferrellgas, L.P. does not provide any guarantee or similar support to the collectability of these accounts receivable pledged as collateral. 
 
As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas, L.P. had received cash proceeds of $77.0 million from trade accounts receivables securitized, with no remaining capacity to receive additional proceeds. As of July 31, 2015, Ferrellgas, L.P. had received cash proceeds of $70.0 million from trade accounts receivables securitized, with no remaining capacity to receive additional proceeds. Borrowings under the accounts receivable securitization facility had a weighted average interest rate of 2.9% and 2.3% as of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively.

F. Goodwill and intangible assets, net

Ferrellgas, L.P. records goodwill as the excess of the cost of acquisitions over the fair value of the related net assets at the date of acquisition.

Ferrellgas, L.P. tests goodwill for impairment annually during the second quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value.

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During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, approximately 60% of Midstream Operations - Crude oil logistics' segment gross margin was generated from its largest customer and Jamex, that customer's crude oil supplier, under a take-or-pay arrangement (the “contract”). Under the terms of the take-or-pay arrangement, Jamex is responsible for payments to Ferrellgas, L.P. and also for sourcing crude oil volumes for that customer. Ferrellgas, L.P. believes Jamex may not have financial resources sufficient to satisfy its payment obligations to Ferrellgas, L.P. through June 2019, the remaining term of this agreement. If current market conditions persist, Ferrellgas, L.P. also believes Jamex may not be able to fulfill its crude oil sourcing volume commitments to Ferrellgas, L.P.’s customer throughout the remaining term of this agreement, which could cause a termination of the transportation and logistics agreement Ferrellgas, L.P. has with that customer. Ferrellgas, L.P. is currently negotiating alternative contractual arrangements to mitigate this risk. If Ferrellgas, L.P.’s transportation and logistics agreement with that customer were to terminate and Ferrellgas, L.P. was unable to negotiate an economically similar replacement agreement with that customer, Ferrellgas, L.P. would likely experience a decrease in sales, gross margin and net income from crude oil logistics operations which would materially and adversely affect the results of operations and cash flows generated by the segment. As a result of the uncertainty surrounding the future cash flows associated with this contract, Ferrellgas, L.P. considered whether the fair value of this reporting unit no longer exceeded the carrying value. Upon applying the fair-value-based test as described above for purposes of the interim impairment test, Ferrellgas, L.P. concluded that there was no impairment of the Midstream operations - crude oil logistics reporting unit as of April 30, 2016.  As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas, L.P. determined that this reporting unit had an estimated fair value in excess of its respective carrying value of approximately 10%.

This test primarily consists of using discounted future cash flow models to estimate fair value. Ferrellgas, L.P. prepared various cash flow models involving certain potential scenarios and probability weighted these scenarios which included the following critical assumptions: (1) renewal of certain significant, long term logistics contracts upon their expiration; (2) the economic conditions present in the oil and gas sector at the time of these contract renewals; (3) the timing, success rate and capital required for certain organic growth projects; (4) the amount of capital expenditures required to maintain the existing cash flows; and (5) a terminal period growth rate equal to the expected rate of inflation.  In addition to these critical cash flow assumptions, a discount rate of 11.3% was applied to the various projected cash flow models.

Judgments and assumptions are inherent in management’s estimates used to determine the fair value of Ferrellgas, L.P.'s reporting units and are consistent with what management believes would be utilized by primary market participants.

Additionally, during the three months ended October 31, 2015, Ferrellgas, L.P. determined that the continued and prolonged decline in the price of crude oil constituted a triggering event for its Midstream operations - water solutions business that required an update to the goodwill impairment assessment as of October 31, 2015.

The first step of this test primarily consists of a discounted future cash flow model to predict fair value. The result of this first step is based on the following critical assumptions: (1) the NYMEX West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil curve was used to estimate future oil prices; (2) the oil skimming rate was expected to increase or decrease consistent with the projected increases/decreases in the NYMEX WTI crude oil curve consistent with past history; and (3) certain organic growth projects were projected to increase the salt water volumes processed as new drilling activity increases associated with the projected NYMEX WTI crude oil curve. As noted in our discussion of this reporting unit in Ferrellgas, L.P.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2015, Ferrellgas, L.P. believes that the results of this business are closely tied to the price of WTI crude oil. The daily average closing price for WTI crude oil for the three months ended July 31, 2015 of $56.63 decreased 20.7% to $44.90 during the three months ended October 31, 2015. Additionally, the projected NYMEX WTI crude oil curve decreased approximately 6.5% from August 31, 2015 to October 31, 2015. These events have led to an overall decline in drilling activity and volumes in the Eagle Ford shale region of Texas. These market changes negatively affected Ferrellgas, L.P.'s current period results and future projections sufficiently to indicate that the fair value of the reporting unit likely no longer exceeded its carrying value.

In the second step, the implied fair value of goodwill is determined by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for that excess.

As of October 31, 2015, Ferrellgas, L.P. performed the first step of the goodwill impairment test for the Midstream operations - water solutions reporting unit and determined that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeded the fair value. Ferrellgas, L.P. then completed the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying amount of goodwill and determined that goodwill was completely impaired and has written off the entire $29.3 million of goodwill related to this reporting unit.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by reportable segment, are as follows:


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Table of Contents

 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - water solutions
 
Midstream operations - crude oil logistics
 
Total
Balance at July 31, 2015
$
256,120

 
$
29,316

 
$
193,311

 
$
478,747

Acquisitions

 

 
1,356

 
1,356

Measurement period adjustments

 

 
(4,439
)
 
(4,439
)
Dispositions
(15
)
 

 

 
(15
)
Impairment

 
(29,316
)
 

 
(29,316
)
Balance at April 30, 2016
$
256,105

 
$

 
$
190,228

 
$
446,333


G.    Debt
 
Short-term borrowings
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. classified a portion of its secured credit facility borrowings as short-term because it was used to fund working capital needs that management had intended to pay down within the 12 month period following each balance sheet date. As of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, $9.1 million and $75.3 million, respectively, were classified as short-term borrowings. For further discussion see the secured credit facility section below.

Secured credit facility
 
As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas, L.P. had total borrowings outstanding under its secured credit facility of $299.0 million, of which $289.9 million was classified as long-term debt. As of July 31, 2015, Ferrellgas, L.P. had total borrowings outstanding under its secured credit facility of $211.4 million, of which $136.1 million was classified as long-term debt. Borrowings outstanding at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015 under the secured credit facility had weighted average interest rates of 3.6% and 3.5%, respectively.

The obligations under this credit facility are secured by substantially all assets of Ferrellgas, L.P., the general partner and certain subsidiaries of Ferrellgas, L.P. but specifically excluding (a) assets that are subject to Ferrellgas, L.P.’s accounts receivable securitization facility, (b) the general partner’s equity interest in Ferrellgas Partners and (c) equity interest in certain unrestricted subsidiaries. Such obligations are also guaranteed by the general partner and certain subsidiaries of Ferrellgas, L.P.
 
Letters of credit outstanding at April 30, 2016 totaled $69.5 million and were used primarily to secure insurance arrangements and to a lesser extent, product purchases. Letters of credit outstanding at July 31, 2015 totaled $61.2 million and were used primarily to secure insurance arrangements and, to a lesser extent, product purchases. At April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas, L.P. had remaining letter of credit capacity of $130.5 million. At July 31, 2015 Ferrellgas, L.P. had remaining letter of credit capacity of $138.8 million

H.  Partners’ capital

Partnership distributions paid
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. has paid the following distributions:
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Ferrellgas Partners
 
$
50,733

 
$
41,777

 
$
208,035

 
$
133,177

General partner
 
518

 
426

 
2,123

 
1,358

 
 
$
51,251

 
$
42,203

 
$
210,158

 
$
134,535


On May 24, 2016, Ferrellgas, L.P. declared distributions for the three months ended April 30, 2016 to Ferrellgas Partners and the general partner of $58.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively, which are expected to be paid on June 14, 2016.
 
See additional discussions about transactions with related parties in Note K – Transactions with related parties.

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”)

See Note J – Derivative instruments and hedging activities – for details regarding changes in the fair value of risk management financial derivatives recorded within AOCI for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015.
 
General partner’s commitment to maintain its capital account
 
Ferrellgas, L.P.’s partnership agreement allows the general partner to have an option to maintain its 1.0101% general partner interest concurrent with the issuance of other additional equity.

During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, the general partner made non-cash contributions of $0.3 million to Ferrellgas, L.P. to maintain its 1.0101% general partner interest.
 
During the nine months ended April 30, 2015, the general partner made cash contributions of $0.4 million and non-cash contributions of $0.4 million to Ferrellgas, L.P. to maintain its 1.0101% general partner interest.


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Table of Contents

I.    Fair value measurements
 
Derivative financial instruments and contingent consideration
 
The following table presents Ferrellgas, L.P.’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each of the fair value hierarchy levels, including both current and noncurrent portions, as of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015:
 
 
Asset (Liability)
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets and Liabilities (Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Total
April 30, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
 
$

 
$
4,582

 
$

 
$
4,582

Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
6,344

 
$

 
$
6,344

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
 
$

 
$
(3,856
)
 
$

 
$
(3,856
)
Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
(20,818
)
 
$

 
$
(20,818
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
 
$

 
$
1,828

 
$

 
$
1,828

Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
4,655

 
$

 
$
4,655

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements
 
$

 
$
(4,748
)
 
$

 
$
(4,748
)
Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
(42,375
)
 
$

 
$
(42,375
)
Contingent consideration

$


$


$
(100
)

$
(100
)

The following is a reconciliation of the opening and closing balances for the liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the period ended April 30, 2016:

 
Contingent consideration liability
Balance at July 31, 2015
 
$
100

     Increase in fair value related to accretion
 

     Change in fair value included in earnings
 
(100
)
Balance at April 30, 2016
 
$

Methodology

The fair values of Ferrellgas, L.P.’s non-exchange traded commodity derivative contracts are based upon indicative price quotations available through brokers, industry price publications or recent market transactions and related market indicators. The fair values of interest rate swap contracts are based upon third-party quotes or indicative values based on recent market transactions. The fair value of the trucks classified as assets held for sale represents Ferrellgas, L.P.'s estimate of expected sales price less costs to sell. The fair value measurements used to determine this value of the assets held for sale were based on a market approach utilizing prices from prior transactions and third party pricing information.


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Table of Contents

Other financial instruments
 
The carrying amounts of other financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities (except for current maturities of long-term debt) approximate their fair values because of their short-term nature. At April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, the estimated fair value of Ferrellgas, L.P.’s long-term debt instruments was $1,694.8 million and $1,700.5 million, respectively. Ferrellgas estimates the fair value of long-term debt based on quoted market prices. The fair value of our consolidated debt obligations is a Level 2 valuation based on the observable inputs used for similar liabilities.

Ferrellgas, L.P. has other financial instruments such as trade accounts receivable which could expose it to concentrations of credit risk. The credit risk from trade accounts receivable is limited because of a large customer base which extends across many different U.S. markets.

J.   Derivative instruments and hedging activities
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. is exposed to certain market risks related to its ongoing business operations. These risks include exposure to changing commodity prices as well as fluctuations in interest rates. Ferrellgas, L.P. utilizes derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices. Of these, the propane commodity derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges. All other commodity derivative instruments do not qualify or are not designated as cash flow hedges, therefore, the change in their fair value are recorded currently in earnings. Ferrellgas, L.P. also periodically utilizes derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.
 
Derivative instruments and hedging activities  
 
During the nine months ended April 30, 2016 Ferrellgas, L.P. did not recognize any gain or loss in earnings related to hedge ineffectiveness and did not exclude any component of financial derivative contract gains or losses from the assessment of hedge effectiveness related to commodity cash flow hedges. During the nine months ended April 30, 2015, Ferrellgas, L.P. recognized a $0.2 million loss related to hedge ineffectiveness and did not exclude any component of financial derivative contract gains or losses from the assessment of hedge effectiveness related to commodity cash flow hedges.
 

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Table of Contents

The following tables provide a summary of the fair value of derivatives in Ferrellgas, L.P.’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015
 
 
April 30, 2016
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Instrument
 
Location
 
 Fair value
 
Location
 
 Fair value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commodity derivatives-propane
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
2,058

 
Other current liabilities
 
$
11,441

  Commodity derivatives-propane
 
Other assets, net
 
2,926

 
Other liabilities
 
2,301

  Interest rate swap agreements
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
1,676

 
Other current liabilities
 
2,315

  Interest rate swap agreements
 
Other assets, net
 
2,906

 
Other liabilities
 
1,541

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commodity derivatives-vehicle fuel
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 

 
Other current liabilities
 
3,249

  Commodity derivatives-vehicle fuel
 
Other assets, net
 

 
Other liabilities
 
755

  Commodity derivatives- crude oil
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
1,360

 
Other current liabilities
 
3,072

 
 
Total
 
$
10,926

 
Total
 
$
24,674

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 31, 2015
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Instrument
 
Location
 
 Fair value
 
Location
 
 Fair value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commodity derivatives
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
3,614

 
Other current liabilities
 
$
27,929

  Commodity derivatives
 
Other assets, net
 
1,041

 
Other liabilities
 
12,034

  Interest rate swap agreements
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
1,828

 
Other current liabilities
 
2,241

  Interest rate swap agreements
 
Other assets, net
 

 
Other liabilities
 
2,507

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commodity derivatives - vehicle fuel
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 

 
Other current liabilities
 
1,280

  Commodity derivatives - vehicle fuel
 
Other assets, net
 

 
Other liabilities
 
1,132

 
 
Total
 
$
6,483

 
Total
 
$
47,123



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Table of Contents

Ferrellgas, L.P.'s exchange traded commodity derivative contracts require cash margin deposit as collateral for contracts that are in a negative mark-to-market position. These cash margin deposits will be returned if mark-to-market conditions improve or will be applied against cash settlement when the contracts are settled. The following tables provide a summary of cash margin deposit balances as of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively:

 
 
April 30, 2016
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
Description
 
Location
 
Amount
 
Location
 
Amount
Margin Deposits
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
8,100

 
Other current liabilities
 
$

 
 
Other assets, net
 
2,992

 
Other liabilities
 

 
 
 
 
$
11,092

 
 
 
$

 
 
July 31, 2015
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
Description
 
Location
 
Amount
 
Location
 
Amount
Margin Deposits
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
18,009

 
Other current liabilities
 
$
15

 
 
Other assets, net
 
11,786

 
Other liabilities
 

 
 
 
 
$
29,795

 
 
 
$
15


The following table provides a summary of the effect on Ferrellgas, L.P.’s condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 due to derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments:

 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain Recognized on Derivative

Amount of Interest Expense Recognized on Fixed-Rated Debt (Related Hedged Item)
Derivative Instrument
 
Location of Gain Recognized on Derivative
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest rate swap agreements
 
Interest expense
 
$
433

 
$
601

 
$
(2,275
)
 
$
(2,275
)

 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain Recognized on Derivative
 
Amount of Interest Expense Recognized on Fixed-Rated Debt (Related Hedged Item)
Derivative Instrument
 
Location of Gain Recognized on Derivative
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest rate swap agreements
 
Interest expense
 
$
1,477

 
$
1,408

 
$
(6,825
)
 
$
(6,825
)



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Table of Contents

The following tables provide a summary of the effect on Ferrellgas, L.P.’s condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 due to derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:  
 
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2016
 
 
Derivative Instrument
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income
 
 
 
Effective portion
 
Ineffective portion
Commodity derivatives
 
$
14,998

 
Cost of sales-propane and other gas liquids sales
 
$
(5,467
)
 
$

Interest rate swap agreements
 
(317
)
 
Interest expense
 
(671
)
 

 
 
$
14,681

 
 
 
$
(6,138
)
 
$


 
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2015
 
 
Derivative Instrument
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income
 
 
 
Effective portion
 
Ineffective portion
Commodity derivatives
 
$
7,813

 
Cost of sales-propane and other gas liquids sales
 
$
(10,907
)
 
$

Interest rate swap agreements
 
106

 
Interest expense
 

 

 
 
$
7,919

 
 
 
$
(10,907
)
 
$


 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2016
 
 
Derivative Instrument
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income
 
 
 
Effective portion
 
Ineffective portion
Commodity derivatives
 
$
5,823

 
Cost of sales-propane and other gas liquids sales
 
$
(20,729
)
 
$

Interest rate swap agreements
 
(2,262
)
 
Interest expense
 
(2,202
)
 

 
 
$
3,561

 
 
 
$
(22,931
)
 
$


 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2015
 
 
Derivative Instrument
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income
 
 
 
Effective portion
 
Ineffective portion
Commodity derivatives
 
$
(47,855
)
 
Cost of sales-propane and other gas liquids sales
 
$
(17,139
)
 
$

Interest rate swap agreements
 
(3,250
)
 
Interest expense
 

 
(199
)
 
 
$
(51,105
)
 
 
 
$
(17,139
)
 
$
(199
)


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Table of Contents

The following tables provide a summary of the effect on Ferrellgas, L.P.'s condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 due to the change in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2016
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Commodity derivatives - crude oil
 
$
487

 
Cost of sales - midstream operations
Commodity derivatives - vehicle fuel
 
$
955

 
Operating expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2016
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Commodity derivatives - crude oil
 
$
(3,532
)
 
Cost of sales - midstream operations
Commodity derivatives - vehicle fuel
 
$
(3,779
)
 
Operating expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2015
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Commodity derivatives - vehicle fuel
 
$
1,609

 
Operating expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2015
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Commodity derivatives - vehicle fuel
 
$
1,609

 
Operating expense
 
 
 
 
 


The changes in derivatives included in AOCI for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows: 
 
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
Gains and losses on derivatives included in AOCI
 
2016
 
2015
Beginning balance
 
$
(38,906
)
 
$
6,483

Change in value of risk management commodity derivatives
 
5,823

 
(47,855
)
Reclassification of gains and losses on commodity hedges to cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales, net
 
20,729

 
17,139

Change in value of risk management interest rate derivatives
 
(2,262
)
 
(3,250
)
Reclassification of gains and losses on interest rate hedges to interest expense
 
2,202

 
199

Ending balance
 
$
(12,414
)
 
$
(27,284
)

Ferrellgas, L.P. expects to reclassify net losses related to the risk management commodity derivatives of approximately $9.4 million to earnings during the next 12 months. These net losses are expected to be offset by increased margins on propane sales commitments Ferrellgas, L.P. has with its customers that qualify for the normal purchase normal sales exception.
 
During the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, Ferrellgas, L.P. had no reclassifications to earnings resulting from the discontinuance of any cash flow hedges arising from the probability of the original forecasted transactions not occurring within the originally specified period of time defined within the hedging relationship.
 
As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas, L.P. had financial derivative contracts covering 3.1 million barrels of propane that were entered into as cash flow hedges of forward and forecasted purchases of propane.


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As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas, L.P. had financial derivative contracts covering 0.2 million barrels of diesel and 35 thousand barrels of unleaded gasoline related to fuel hedges in transportation of propane.

As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas, L.P. financial derivative contracts covering 0.5 million barrels of crude oil related to the hedging of crude oil line fill and inventory.
 
Derivative financial instruments credit risk
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial and commodity instruments. Ferrellgas, L.P.’s counterparties principally consist of major energy companies and major U.S. financial institutions. Ferrellgas, L.P. maintains credit policies with regard to its counterparties that it believes reduces its overall credit risk. These policies include evaluating and monitoring its counterparties’ financial condition, including their credit ratings, and entering into agreements with counterparties that govern credit limits. Certain of these agreements call for the posting of collateral by the counterparty or by Ferrellgas, L.P. in the forms of letters of credit, parental guarantees or cash. Ferrellgas, L.P. has concentrations of credit risk associated with derivative financial instruments held by certain derivative financial instrument counterparties. If these counterparties that make up the concentration failed to perform according to the terms of their contracts at April 30, 2016, the maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that, based upon the gross fair values of the derivative financial instruments, Ferrellgas, L.P. would incur is zero.  
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. holds certain derivative contracts that have credit-risk-related contingent features which dictate credit limits based upon Ferrellgas, L.P.’s debt rating. As of April 30, 2016, a downgrade in Ferrellgas, L.P.'s debt rating could trigger a reduction in credit limit and would result in an additional collateral requirement of zero. There were no derivatives with credit-risk-related contingent features in a liability position on April 30, 2016 and Ferrellgas, L.P. had posted no collateral in the normal course of business related to such derivatives.

K.    Transactions with related parties 
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. has no employees and is managed and controlled by its general partner. Pursuant to Ferrellgas, L.P.’s partnership agreement, the general partner is entitled to reimbursement for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or payments it makes on behalf of Ferrellgas, L.P. and all other necessary or appropriate expenses allocable to Ferrellgas, L.P. or otherwise reasonably incurred by its general partner in connection with operating Ferrellgas, L.P.’s business. These costs primarily include compensation and benefits paid to employees of the general partner who perform services on Ferrellgas, L.P.’s behalf and are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings as follows:
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Operating expense
 
$
59,907

 
$
53,155

 
$
174,943

 
$
163,417

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expense
 
$
7,957

 
$
5,394

 
$
22,297

 
$
20,059


In connection with the closing of the Bridger acquisition, Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. issued common units to Bridger Marketing, LLC (now known as Jamex Marketing, LLC) and Ferrellgas, L.P. entered into a ten-year transportation and logistics agreement (the "TLA") with Jamex Marketing, LLC. As a result of that issuance, As of April 30, 2016, Jamex Marketing, LLC owned 4.9% (1) of Ferrellgas Partners' limited partners' interest. Jamex Marketing, LLC, in connection with the TLA, enters into transactions with Ferrellgas, L.P. and its subsidiaries. Bridger provides crude oil logistics services for Jamex Marketing, LLC, including the transportation and storage of crude oil by truck, terminal and pipeline. During the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas L.P.'s total revenues from these transactions were $26.6 million and $36.7 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas L.P.'s total cost of sales from these transactions were $1.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively. There was no activity for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2015. The amounts due from and due to Jamex Marketing, LLC at April 30, 2016, were $19.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The amounts due from and due to Jamex Marketing, LLC at July 31, 2015, were $4.8 million and $4.2 million, respectively. On November 13, 2015, Ferrellgas Partners repurchased approximately 2.4 million common units from Jamex Marketing, LLC, for approximately $45.9 million. During the three months ended April 30, 2016, Jamex Marketing, LLC sold approximately 2.4 million units in the open market, bringing their unit ownership to 4.8 million units as of April 30, 2016 (1).

See additional discussions about transactions with the general partner and related parties in Note H – Partners’ capital.


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(1) Beneficially owned limited partner units are based on the most recent Schedule 13G, Schedule 13D, Schedule 16 SEC filing, or information provided by the beneficial owner.

L.    Contingencies and commitments

Litigation
 
Ferrellgas L.P.’s operations are subject to all operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing, transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers of combustible liquids such as propane and crude oil. As a result, at any given time, Ferrellgas L.P. can be threatened with or named as a defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Other than as discussed below, Ferrellgas L.P. is not a party to any legal proceedings other than various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters; however, management is of the opinion that there are no known claims or contingent claims that are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Ferrellgas L.P.
 
Ferrellgas L.P. has been named as a defendant, along with a competitor, in putative class action lawsuits filed in multiple jurisdictions. The lawsuits allege that Ferrellgas L.P. and a competitor coordinated in 2008 to reduce the fill level in barbeque cylinders and combined to persuade a common customer to accept that fill reduction, resulting in increased cylinder costs to direct customers and end-user customers in violation of federal and certain state antitrust laws. The lawsuits seek treble damages, attorneys’ fees, injunctive relief and costs on behalf of the putative class. These lawsuits have been consolidated into one case by a multidistrict litigation panel.  The Court has dismissed all claims brought by direct and indirect customers other than state law claims of indirect customers under Wisconsin, Maine and Vermont law.  The direct customer plaintiffs have filed an appeal, which is pending. Ferrellgas L.P. believes it has strong defenses to the claims and intends to vigorously defend against the consolidated case. Ferrellgas does not believe loss is probable or reasonably estimable at this time related to the putative class action lawsuit.
 
In addition, putative class action cases have been filed in California relating to residual propane remaining in the tank after use.  Ferrellgas L.P. has prevailed at the trial court on a motion to dismiss those claims.  It is uncertain whether plaintiffs will appeal; Ferrellgas L.P. intends to vigorously defend any such appeal.  Ferrellgas does not believe loss is probable or reasonably estimable at this time related to the putative class action lawsuit.

M.    Segment reporting

Ferrellgas, L.P. has two primary operations: propane and related equipment sales and midstream operations. These two operations result in three reportable operating segments: propane and related equipment sales, midstream operations - water solutions and midstream operations - crude oil logistics.

The chief operating decision maker evaluates the operating segments using an Adjusted EBITDA performance measure which is based on earnings before income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, non-cash stock-based compensation charge, goodwill impairment, loss on disposal of assets and other, other expense, net, change in fair value of contingent consideration, severance costs, litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit, unrealized (non-cash) loss on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments and acquisition and transition expenses. This performance measure is not a GAAP measure, however, the components are computed using amounts that are determined in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of this performance measure to net earnings, which is its nearest comparable GAAP measure, is included in the tables below. In management's evaluation of performance, costs such as compensation for certain administrative staff and executive management, are not allocated by segment and, accordingly, the following reportable segment results do not include such unallocated costs. The accounting policies of the operating segments are otherwise the same as those described in Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

Assets reported within a segment are those assets that can be identified to a segment and primarily consist of trade receivables, property, plant and equipment, inventories, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. Cash, certain prepaid assets and other assets are not allocated to segments. Although Ferrellgas, L.P. can and does identify long-lived assets such as property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets to reportable segments, Ferrellgas, L.P. does not allocate the related depreciation and amortization to the segment as management evaluates segment performance exclusive of these non-cash charges.

The propane and related equipment sales segment primarily includes the distribution and sale of propane and related equipment and supplies with concentrations in the Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest regions of the United States. Sales from propane distribution are generated principally from transporting propane purchased from third parties to propane distribution locations and then to tanks on customers’ premises or to portable propane tanks delivered to nationwide and local retailers.

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Sales from portable tank exchanges, nationally branded under the name Blue Rhino, are generated through a network of independent and partnership-owned distribution outlets.

The midstream operations - crude oil logistics segment primarily includes a domestic crude oil transportation and logistics provider with an integrated portfolio of midstream assets. These assets connect crude oil production in prolific unconventional resource plays to downstream markets. Bridger's truck, pipeline terminal, pipeline, rail and maritime assets form a comprehensive, fee-for-service business model, and substantially all of its cash flow is generated from fee-based commercial agreements. Bridger's fee-based business model generates income by providing crude oil transportation and logistics services on behalf of producers and end users of crude oil.

The midstream operations - water solutions segment primarily includes salt water disposal wells that are a critical component of the oil and natural gas well drilling industry. Oil and gas wells generate significant volumes of salt water known as “flowback” and “production” water. Flowback is a water based solution that flows back to the surface during and after the completion of the hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) process whereby large volumes of water, sand and chemicals are injected under high pressures into rock formations to stimulate production. Production water is salt water from underground formations that are brought to the surface during the normal course of oil or gas production. In the oil and gas fields Ferrellgas, L.P. services, these volumes of water are transported by truck away from the fields to salt water disposal wells where it is injected into underground geologic formations using high-pressure pumps. Revenue is derived from fees charged to customers to dispose of salt water at the disposal facilities and crude oil sales from the skimming oil process.

Following is a summary of segment information for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015.

 
 
Three months ended April 30, 2016
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Segment revenues
 
$
404,048

 
$
101,996

 
$
3,907

 
$

 
$
(479
)
 
$
509,472

Direct costs (1)
 
307,708

 
76,826

 
5,301

 
11,584

 
(33
)
 
401,386

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
96,340

 
$
25,170

 
$
(1,394
)
 
$
(11,584
)
 
$
(446
)
 
$
108,086

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended April 30, 2015
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Segment revenues
 
$
527,258

 
$

 
$
5,293

 
$

 
$

 
$
532,551

Direct costs (1)
 
422,751

 

 
4,871

 
8,570

 

 
436,192

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
104,507

 
$

 
$
422

 
$
(8,570
)
 
$

 
$
96,359



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Table of Contents

 
 
Nine months ended April 30, 2016
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Segment revenues
 
$
1,142,429

 
$
475,162

 
$
12,744

 
$

 
$
(479
)
 
$
1,629,856

Direct costs (1)
 
888,380

 
396,468

 
15,538

 
33,791

 
(33
)
 
1,334,144

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
254,049

 
$
78,694

 
$
(2,794
)
 
$
(33,791
)
 
$
(446
)
 
$
295,712

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended April 30, 2015
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Segment revenues
 
$
1,621,517

 
$

 
$
20,362

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,641,879

Direct costs (1)
 
1,329,565

 

 
14,741

 
29,928

 

 
1,374,234

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
291,952

 
$

 
$
5,621

 
$
(29,928
)
 
$

 
$
267,645

 
(1) Direct costs are comprised of "cost of sales-propane and other gas liquids sales", "cost of products sold-midstream operations", "cost of products sold-other", "operating expense", "general and administrative expense", and "equipment lease expense" less "non-cash stock-based compensation charge", "change in fair value of contingent consideration", "severance charge", "litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit", "unrealized (non-cash) loss on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments" and "acquisition and transition expenses".

Following is a reconciliation of Ferrellgas, L.P.'s total segment performance measure to condensed consolidated net earnings:
 
 
Three months ended April 30,
 
Nine months ended April 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net earnings
 
$
23,049

 
$
40,404

 
$
8,700

 
$
101,676

Income tax expense
 
1,260

 
853

 
1,441

 
1,379

Interest expense
 
30,340

 
19,476

 
90,799

 
59,695

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
38,352

 
23,324

 
112,698

 
70,576

EBITDA
 
93,001

 
84,057

 
213,638

 
233,326

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
 
9,978

 
8,566

 
18,375

 
16,728

Non-cash stock-based compensation charge
 
1,091

 
3,271

 
6,757

 
19,701

Goodwill impairment
 

 

 
29,316

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other
 
5,779

 
2,203

 
23,220

 
4,578

Other (income) expense, net
 
(331
)
 
(212
)
 
89

 
415

Change in fair value of contingent consideration
 

 

 
(100
)
 
(6,300
)
Severance costs
 
469

 

 
1,325

 

Litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit
 

 
83

 

 
806

 Unrealized (non-cash) loss on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
(1,915
)
 
(1,609
)
 
2,993

 
(1,609
)
Acquisition and transition expenses
 
14

 

 
99

 

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
108,086

 
$
96,359

 
$
295,712

 
$
267,645



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Table of Contents

Following are total assets by segment:
Assets
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
Propane and related equipment sales
 
$
1,257,965

 
$
1,291,737

Midstream operations - crude oil logistics
 
897,181

 
917,325

Midstream operations - water logistics
 
175,157

 
205,358

Corporate and unallocated
 
40,981

 
45,542

Total consolidated assets
 
$
2,371,284

 
$
2,459,962


Following are capital expenditures by segment:
 
 
Nine months ended April 30, 2016
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Total
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maintenance
 
$
12,705

 
$
32

 
$

 
$
991

 
$
13,728

Growth
 
28,461

 
52,315

 
10,553

 

 
91,329

Total
 
$
41,166

 
$
52,347

 
$
10,553

 
$
991

 
$
105,057

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended April 30, 2015
 
 
Propane and related equipment sales
 
Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics
 
Midstream operations - Water Solutions
 
Corporate and other
 
Total
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maintenance
 
$
12,839

 
$

 
$
976

 
$
1,012

 
$
14,827

Growth
 
27,128

 

 
6,561

 

 
33,689

Total
 
$
39,967

 
$

 
$
7,537

 
$
1,012

 
$
48,516


N.  Guarantor financial information

The $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of unregistered 6.75% senior notes due 2023 co-issued by Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. are, and any notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and issued in exchange for such unregistered notes will be, fully and unconditionally and joint and severally guaranteed by all of Ferrellgas, L.P.’s 100% owned subsidiaries except: i) Ferrellgas Finance Corp; ii) certain special purposes subsidiaries formed for use in connection with our accounts receivable securitization; and iii) foreign subsidiaries. Guarantees of these senior notes will be released under certain circumstances, including (i) in connection with any sale or other disposition of (a) all or substantially all of the assets of a guarantor or (b) all of the capital stock of such guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation), in each case, to a person that is not Ferrellgas, L.P. or a restricted subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P., (ii) if Ferrellgas, L.P. designates any restricted subsidiary that is a guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary, (iii) upon defeasance or discharge of the notes, (iv) upon the liquidation or dissolution of such guarantor, or (v) at such time as such guarantor ceases to guarantee any other indebtedness of either of the issuers and any other guarantor.

The guarantor financial information discloses in separate columns the financial position, results of operations and the cash flows of Ferrellgas, L.P. (Parent), Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (co-issuer), Ferrellgas L.P.’s guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis, and Ferrellgas L.P.’s non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis. The dates and the periods presented in the guarantor financial information are consistent with the periods presented in Ferrellgas, L.P.’s consolidated financial statements.




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Table of Contents

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
 
As of April 30, 2016
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. (Parent and Co-Issuer)
 
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (Co-Issuer)
 
 Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
5,742

 
$
1

 
$
492

 
$

 
$

 
$
6,235

Accounts and notes receivable
(3,863
)
 

 
66,079

 
130,488

 

 
192,704

   Intercompany receivables
44,309

 

 

 

 
(44,309
)
 

Inventories
63,313

 

 
24,426

 

 

 
87,739

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
26,155

 

 
9,818

 
2

 

 
35,975

Total current assets
135,656

 
1

 
100,815

 
130,490

 
(44,309
)
 
322,653

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
566,750

 

 
414,703

 

 

 
981,453

Goodwill
243,598

 

 
202,735

 

 

 
446,333

Intangible assets, net
145,188

 

 
406,184

 

 

 
551,372

Intercompany receivables
450,000

 

 

 

 
(450,000
)
 

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
640,282

 

 

 

 
(640,282
)
 

Assets held for sale

 

 
845

 

 

 
845

Other assets, net
60,773

 

 
7,676

 
179

 

 
68,628

Total assets
$
2,242,247

 
$
1

 
$
1,132,958

 
$
130,669

 
$
(1,134,591
)
 
$
2,371,284

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Accounts payable
$
42,536

 
$

 
$
35,527

 
$

 
$

 
$
78,063

Short-term borrowings
9,071

 

 

 

 

 
9,071

Collateralized note payable

 

 

 
77,000

 

 
77,000

Intercompany payables

 

 
34,210

 
10,099

 
(44,309
)
 

Other current liabilities
144,259

 

 
11,012

 
193

 

 
155,464

Total current liabilities
195,866

 

 
80,749

 
87,292

 
(44,309
)
 
319,598

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
1,777,331

 

 
451,000

 

 
(450,000
)
 
1,778,331

Other liabilities
29,042

 

 
4,080

 
225

 

 
33,347

Contingencies and commitments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Partners' capital:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Partners' equity
252,834

 
1

 
597,776

 
42,827

 
(640,604
)
 
252,834

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(12,826
)
 

 
(647
)
 
325

 
322

 
(12,826
)
Total partners' capital
240,008

 
1

 
597,129

 
43,152

 
(640,282
)
 
240,008

Total liabilities and partners' capital
$
2,242,247

 
$
1

 
$
1,132,958

 
$
130,669

 
$
(1,134,591
)
 
$
2,371,284

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
 
As of July 31, 2015
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. (Parent and Co-Issuer)
 
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (Co-Issuer)
 
 Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
5,579

 
$
1

 
$
20

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,600

Accounts and notes receivable
(2,858
)
 

 
80,657

 
119,119

 

 
196,918

   Intercompany receivables
39,238

 

 

 

 
(39,238
)
 

Inventories
78,132

 

 
18,622

 

 

 
96,754

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
42,069

 

 
22,140

 
2

 

 
64,211

Total current assets
162,160

 
1

 
121,439

 
119,121

 
(39,238
)
 
363,483

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
569,640

 

 
395,577

 

 

 
965,217

Goodwill
246,116

 

 
232,631

 

 

 
478,747

Intangible assets, net
155,659

 

 
424,384

 

 

 
580,043

Intercompany receivables
450,000

 

 

 

 
(450,000
)
 

Investments in consolidated subsidiaries
661,081

 

 

 

 
(661,081
)
 

Other assets, net
62,019

 

 
10,087

 
366

 

 
72,472

Total assets
$
2,306,675

 
$
1

 
$
1,184,118

 
$
119,487

 
$
(1,150,319
)
 
$
2,459,962

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Accounts payable
$
40,210

 
$

 
$
43,764

 
$

 
$

 
$
83,974

Short-term borrowings
75,319

 

 

 

 

 
75,319

Collateralized note payable

 

 

 
70,000

 

 
70,000

Intercompany payables

 

 
30,289

 
8,949

 
(39,238
)
 

Other current liabilities
142,137

 

 
33,903

 
136

 

 
176,176

Total current liabilities
257,666

 

 
107,956

 
79,085

 
(39,238
)
 
405,469

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
1,621,439

 

 
450,953

 

 
(450,000
)
 
1,622,392

Other liabilities
37,444

 

 
4,306

 
225

 

 
41,975

Contingencies and commitments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Partners' capital:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Partners' equity
429,444

 
1

 
621,550

 
39,852

 
(661,403
)
 
429,444

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(39,318
)
 

 
(647
)
 
325

 
322

 
(39,318
)
Total partners' capital
390,126

 
1

 
620,903

 
40,177

 
(661,081
)
 
390,126

Total liabilities and partners' capital
$
2,306,675

 
$
1

 
$
1,184,118

 
$
119,487

 
$
(1,150,319
)
 
$
2,459,962

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


58

Table of Contents

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(in thousands)
 
 
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2016
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. (Parent and Co-Issuer)
 
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (Co-Issuer)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Propane and other gas liquids sales
$
338,929

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
338,929

Midstream operations

 

 
105,424

 

 

 
105,424

Other
19,739

 

 
45,380

 

 

 
65,119

Total revenues
358,668

 

 
150,804

 

 

 
509,472

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales
152,261

 

 

 

 

 
152,261

Cost of sales - midstream operations

 

 
71,852

 

 

 
71,852

Cost of sales - other
2,009

 

 
39,194

 

 

 
41,203

Operating expense
100,998

 

 
13,999

 
1,376

 
(1,102
)
 
115,271

Depreciation and amortization expense
18,247

 

 
19,918

 
187

 

 
38,352

General and administrative expense
11,884

 

 
1,330

 

 

 
13,214

Equipment lease expense
7,127

 

 
117

 

 

 
7,244

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
9,978

 

 

 

 

 
9,978

Loss on disposal of assets
1,775

 

 
4,004

 

 

 
5,779

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
54,389

 

 
390

 
(1,563
)
 
1,102

 
54,318

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(19,316
)
 

 
(10,499
)
 
(536
)
 
11

 
(30,340
)
Other income (expense), net
331

 

 

 
1,113

 
(1,113
)
 
331

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
35,404

 

 
(10,109
)
 
(986
)
 

 
24,309

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
395

 

 
865

 

 

 
1,260

Equity in earnings of subsidiary
(11,960
)
 

 

 

 
11,960

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss)
23,049

 

 
(10,974
)
 
(986
)
 
11,960

 
23,049

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income
20,819

 

 

 

 

 
20,819

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
43,868

 
$

 
$
(10,974
)
 
$
(986
)
 
$
11,960

 
$
43,868


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Table of Contents

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(in thousands)
 
 
 
For the three months ended April 30, 2015
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. (Parent and Co-Issuer)
 
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (Co-Issuer)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Propane and other gas liquids sales
$
445,667

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
445,667

Midstream operations

 

 
5,293

 

 

 
5,293

Other
18,893

 

 
62,698

 

 

 
81,591

Total revenues
464,560

 

 
67,991

 

 

 
532,551

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales
253,684

 

 

 

 

 
253,684

Cost of sales - midstream operations

 

 
1,877

 

 

 
1,877

Cost of sales - other
1,626

 

 
56,083

 

 

 
57,709

Operating expense
100,155

 

 
7,135

 
2,171

 
(2,043
)
 
107,418

Depreciation and amortization expense
18,675

 

 
4,462

 
187

 

 
23,324

General and administrative expense
10,902

 

 

 

 

 
10,902

Equipment lease expense
6,327

 

 
20

 

 

 
6,347

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
8,566

 

 

 

 

 
8,566

Loss on disposal of assets
2,199

 

 
4

 

 

 
2,203

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
62,426

 

 
(1,590
)
 
(2,358
)
 
2,043

 
60,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(16,969
)
 

 
(1,256
)
 
(750
)
 
(501
)
 
(19,476
)
Other income (expense), net
212

 

 

 
1,542

 
(1,542
)
 
212

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
45,669

 

 
(2,846
)
 
(1,566
)
 

 
41,257

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
86

 

 
767

 

 

 
853

Equity in earnings of subsidiary
(5,179
)
 

 

 

 
5,179

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss)
40,404

 

 
(3,613
)
 
(1,566
)
 
5,179

 
40,404

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income
18,826

 

 

 

 

 
18,826

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
59,230

 
$

 
$
(3,613
)
 
$
(1,566
)
 
$
5,179

 
$
59,230



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Table of Contents

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(in thousands)
 
 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2016
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. (Parent and Co-Issuer)
 
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (Co-Issuer)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Propane and other gas liquids sales
$
961,086

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
961,086

Midstream operations

 

 
487,427

 

 

 
487,427

Other
58,687

 

 
122,656

 

 

 
181,343

Total revenues
1,019,773

 

 
610,083

 

 

 
1,629,856

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales
448,841

 

 

 

 

 
448,841

Cost of sales - midstream operations

 

 
373,899

 

 

 
373,899

Cost of sales - other
6,804

 

 
104,621

 

 

 
111,425

Operating expense
299,660

 

 
46,380

 
3,981

 
(2,554
)
 
347,467

Depreciation and amortization expense
55,602

 

 
56,909

 
187

 

 
112,698

General and administrative expense
37,619

 
3

 
4,410

 

 

 
42,032

Equipment lease expense
21,170

 

 
384

 

 

 
21,554

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
18,375

 

 

 

 

 
18,375

Goodwill impairment

 

 
29,316

 

 

 
29,316

Loss on disposal of assets
5,420

 

 
17,800

 

 

 
23,220

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
126,282

 
(3
)
 
(23,636
)
 
(4,168
)
 
2,554

 
101,029

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(57,467
)
 

 
(31,819
)
 
(1,669
)
 
156

 
(90,799
)
Other income (expense), net
(89
)
 

 

 
2,710

 
(2,710
)
 
(89
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
68,726

 
(3
)
 
(55,455
)
 
(3,127
)
 

 
10,141

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
673

 

 
768

 

 

 
1,441

Equity in earnings of subsidiary
(59,353
)
 

 

 

 
59,353

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss)
8,700

 
(3
)
 
(56,223
)
 
(3,127
)
 
59,353

 
8,700

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income
26,492

 

 

 

 

 
26,492

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
35,192

 
$
(3
)
 
$
(56,223
)
 
$
(3,127
)
 
$
59,353

 
$
35,192


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Table of Contents

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(in thousands)
 
 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2015
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. (Parent and Co-Issuer)
 
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (Co-Issuer)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Propane and other gas liquids sales
$
1,400,895

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,400,895

Midstream operations

 

 
20,362

 

 

 
20,362

Other
59,480

 

 
161,142

 

 

 
220,622

Total revenues
1,460,375

 

 
181,504

 

 

 
1,641,879

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales - propane and other gas liquids sales
849,190

 

 

 

 

 
849,190

Cost of sales - midstream operations

 

 
6,064

 

 

 
6,064

Cost of sales - other
5,624

 

 
142,048

 

 

 
147,672

Operating expense
306,184

 

 
14,460

 
5,211

 
(4,792
)
 
321,063

Depreciation and amortization expense
57,529

 

 
12,860

 
187

 

 
70,576

General and administrative expense
45,166

 
3

 

 

 

 
45,169

Equipment lease expense
17,642

 

 
32

 

 

 
17,674

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
16,728

 

 

 

 

 
16,728

Loss on disposal of assets
4,574

 

 
4

 

 

 
4,578

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
157,738

 
(3
)
 
6,036

 
(5,398
)
 
4,792

 
163,165

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(54,217
)
 

 
(3,639
)
 
(1,883
)
 
44

 
(59,695
)
Other income (expense), net
(415
)
 

 

 
4,836

 
(4,836
)
 
(415
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
103,106

 
(3
)
 
2,397

 
(2,445
)
 

 
103,055

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
249

 

 
1,130

 

 

 
1,379

Equity in earnings of subsidiary
(1,181
)
 

 

 

 
1,181

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss)
101,676

 
(3
)
 
1,267

 
(2,445
)
 
1,181

 
101,676

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss
(33,769
)
 

 

 

 

 
(33,769
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
67,907

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,267

 
$
(2,445
)
 
$
1,181

 
$
67,907




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Table of Contents

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2016
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. (Parent and Co-Issuer)
 
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (Co-Issuer)
 
 Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
193,703

 
$
(3
)
 
$
57,450

 
$
(13,656
)
 
$
(7,000
)
 
$
230,494

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(13,894
)
 

 

 

 

 
(13,894
)
Capital expenditures
(44,330
)
 

 
(64,057
)
 

 

 
(108,387
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
11,862

 

 

 

 

 
11,862

Cash collected for purchase of interest in accounts receivable

 

 

 
763,604

 
(763,604
)
 

Cash remitted to Ferrellgas, L.P for accounts receivable

 

 

 
(770,604
)
 
770,604

 

Net changes in advances with consolidated entities
(20,740
)
 

 

 

 
20,740

 

Other
(499
)
 

 

 

 

 
(499
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(67,601
)
 

 
(64,057
)
 
(7,000
)
 
27,740

 
(110,918
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions
(210,158
)
 

 

 

 

 
(210,158
)
Contributions from Partners
30

 

 

 

 

 
30

Proceeds from increase in long-term debt
159,814

 

 

 

 

 
159,814

Reductions in long-term debt
(8,739
)
 

 

 

 

 
(8,739
)
Net reductions in short-term borrowings
(66,248
)
 

 

 

 

 
(66,248
)
Net additions to collateralized short-term borrowings

 

 

 
7,000

 

 
7,000

Net changes in advances with parent

 
3

 
7,079

 
13,658

 
(20,740
)
 

Cash paid for financing costs
(640
)
 

 

 

 

 
(640
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(125,941
)
 
3

 
7,079

 
20,658

 
(20,740
)
 
(118,941
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
2

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
163

 

 
472

 

 

 
635

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year
5,579

 
1

 
20

 

 

 
5,600

Cash and cash equivalents - end of year
$
5,742

 
$
1

 
$
492

 
$

 
$

 
$
6,235

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents

FERRELLGAS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended April 30, 2015
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. (Parent and Co-Issuer)
 
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (Co-Issuer)
 
 Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
241,141

 
$
(3
)
 
$
12,307

 
$
(24,327
)
 
$
(26,000
)
 
$
203,118

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(68,901
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(68,902
)
Capital expenditures
(42,854
)
 

 
(8,467
)
 

 

 
(51,321
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
4,060

 

 

 

 

 
4,060

Cash collected for purchase of interest in accounts receivable

 

 

 
1,079,031

 
(1,079,031
)
 

Cash remitted to Ferrellgas, L.P for accounts receivable

 

 

 
(1,105,031
)
 
1,105,031

 

Net changes in advances with consolidated entities
(20,087
)
 

 

 

 
20,087

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities
(127,782
)
 

 
(8,468
)
 
(26,000
)
 
46,087

 
(116,163
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions
(134,535
)
 

 

 

 

 
(134,535
)
Contributions from Partners
42,655

 

 

 

 

 
42,655

Proceeds from increase in long-term debt
107,951

 

 

 

 

 
107,951

Reductions in long-term debt
(60,216
)
 

 

 

 

 
(60,216
)
Net reductions in short-term borrowings
(69,519
)
 

 

 

 

 
(69,519
)
Net additions to collateralized short-term borrowings

 

 

 
26,000

 

 
26,000

Net changes in advances with parent

 
3

 
(4,245
)
 
24,329

 
(20,087
)
 

Cash paid for financing costs
(204
)
 

 

 

 

 
(204
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(113,868
)
 
3

 
(4,245
)
 
50,329

 
(20,087
)
 
(87,868
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(509
)
 

 
(406
)
 

 

 
(915
)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year
7,798

 
1

 
484

 

 

 
8,283

Cash and cash equivalents - end of year
$
7,289

 
$
1

 
$
78

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,368

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


64

Table of Contents

O.  Subsequent events
 
Ferrellgas, L.P. evaluated events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date through the date Ferrellgas L.P.'s condensed consolidated financial statements were issued and concluded that there were no events or transactions occurring during this period that require recognition or disclosure in its condensed consolidated financial statements.



65

Table of Contents

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P.)
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
 
April 30, 2016
 
July 31, 2015
ASSETS


 


Cash
$
1,100

 
$
1,100

Total assets
$
1,100

 
$
1,100

 
 
 
 
Contingencies and commitments (Note B)


 


 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
 
 
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 1,000 shares issued and outstanding
$
1,000

 
$
1,000

Additional paid in capital
56,583

 
53,267

Accumulated deficit
(56,483
)
 
(53,167
)
Total stockholder's equity
$
1,100

 
$
1,100

See notes to condensed financial statements.


FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P.)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expense
$
225

 
$
548

 
3,316

 
$
4,108

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(225
)
 
$
(548
)
 
$
(3,316
)
 
$
(4,108
)
See notes to condensed financial statements.
 
 
 
 

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Table of Contents

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P.)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(3,316
)
 
$
(4,108
)
Cash used in operating activities
(3,316
)
 
(4,108
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Capital contribution
3,316

 
4,108

Cash provided by financing activities
3,316

 
4,108

 
 
 
 
Net change in cash

 

Cash - beginning of period
1,100

 
1,100

Cash - end of period
$
1,100

 
$
1,100

See notes to condensed financial statements.

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Table of Contents

FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P.)
  (unaudited)

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
A.    Formation
 
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. (the “Finance Corp.”), a Delaware corporation, was formed on January 16, 2003 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferrellgas, L.P. (the “Partnership”).
 
The condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods presented. All adjustments to the condensed financial statements were of a normal recurring nature.

The Finance Corp. has nominal assets, does not conduct any operations and has no employees.

B.    Contingencies and commitments
 
The Finance Corp. serves as co-issuer and co-obligor for debt securities of the Partnership.


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Table of Contents

ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations relates to Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership.
 
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. have nominal assets, do not conduct any operations and have no employees other than officers. Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. serves as co-issuer and co-obligor for debt securities of Ferrellgas Partners while Ferrellgas Finance Corp. serves as co-issuer and co-obligor for debt securities of the operating partnership. Accordingly, and due to the reduced disclosure format, a discussion of the results of operations, liquidity and capital resources of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. is not presented.

In this Item 2 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless the context indicates otherwise:

“us,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “consolidated,” or "Ferrellgas" are references exclusively to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P. and Ferrellgas Finance Corp., except when used in connection with “common units,” in which case these terms refer to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. without its consolidated subsidiaries;

“Ferrellgas Partners” refers to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. itself, without its consolidated subsidiaries;

the “operating partnership” refers to Ferrellgas, L.P., together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Ferrellgas Finance Corp.;

our “general partner” refers to Ferrellgas, Inc.;

“Ferrell Companies” refers to Ferrell Companies, Inc., the sole shareholder of our general partner;

“unitholders” refers to holders of common units of Ferrellgas Partners;

“retail sales” refers to Propane and other gas liquid sales: Retail - Sales to End Users or the volume of propane sold primarily to our residential, industrial/commercial and agricultural customers;

“wholesale sales” refers to Propane and other gas liquid sales: Wholesale - Sales to Resellers or the volume of propane sold primarily to our portable tank exchange customers and bulk propane sold to wholesale customers;

“other gas sales” refers to Propane and other gas liquid sales: Other Gas Sales or the volume of bulk propane sold to other third party propane distributors or marketers and the volume of refined fuel sold;

“propane sales volume” refers to the volume of propane sold to our retail sales and wholesale sales customers;

“water solutions revenues” refers to fees charged for the processing and disposal of salt water as well as the sale of skimming oil;

"crude oil logistics revenues" refers to fees charged for crude oil transportation and logistics services on behalf of producers and end-users of crude oil;

"crude oil purchases and sales" refers to crude oil purchased and sold in connection with crude oil transportation and logistics services on behalf of producers and end-users of crude oil;

"crude oil hauled" refers to the crude oil volume in barrels transported through our operation of a fleet of trucks, tank trailers, rail cars and a barge;

“salt water volume” refers to the number of barrels of salt water processed at our disposal sites;

“skimming oil” refers to the oil collected from the process used at our salt water disposal wells through a combination of gravity and chemicals to separate crude oil that is dissolved in the salt water;


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“Notes” refers to the notes of the condensed consolidated financial statements of Ferrellgas Partners or the operating partnership, as applicable;

"MBbls/d" refers to one thousand barrels per day; and

"Bridger acquisition" refers to our acquisition of Bridger Logistics, LLC in June 2015.

Ferrellgas Partners is a holding entity that conducts no operations and has two direct subsidiaries, Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and the operating partnership. Ferrellgas Partners’ only significant assets are its approximate 99% limited partnership interest in the operating partnership and its 100% equity interest in Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. The common units of Ferrellgas Partners are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and our activities are primarily conducted through the operating partnership.
 
The operating partnership was formed on April 22, 1994, and accounts for substantially all of our consolidated assets, sales and operating earnings, except for interest expense related to the senior notes co-issued by Ferrellgas Partners and Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp.

Our general partner performs all management functions for us and our subsidiaries and holds a 1% general partner interest in Ferrellgas Partners and an approximate 1% general partner interest in the operating partnership. The parent company of our general partner, Ferrell Companies, beneficially owns approximately 23.2% of our outstanding common units. Ferrell Companies is owned 100% by an employee stock ownership trust.
 
We file annual, quarterly, and other reports and information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). You may read and download our SEC filings over the Internet from several commercial document retrieval services as well as at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy our SEC filings at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information concerning the Public Reference Room and any applicable copy charges. Because our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “FGP,” we also provide our SEC filings and particular other information to the New York Stock Exchange. You may obtain copies of these filings and such other information at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange located at 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005. In addition, our SEC filings are available on our website at www.ferrellgas.com at no cost as soon as reasonably practicable after our electronic filing or furnishing thereof with the SEC. Please note that any Internet addresses provided in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be hyperlinks. Accordingly, no information found and/or provided at such Internet addresses is intended or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.
 
The following is a discussion of our historical financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with our historical condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
The discussions set forth in the “Results of Operations” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections generally refer to Ferrellgas Partners and its consolidated subsidiaries. However, in these discussions there exist two material differences between Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership. Those material differences are:
 
because Ferrellgas Partners has outstanding $182.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.625% senior notes due fiscal 2020, the two partnerships incur different amounts of interest expense on their outstanding indebtedness; see the statements of earnings in their respective condensed consolidated financial statements; and
Ferrellgas Partners issued common units during both fiscal 2015 and 2016 and repurchased common units in fiscal 2016.

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Overview
 
 Propane and related equipment sales

We are a leading distributor of propane and related equipment and supplies to customers in the United States as measured by the volume of our retail sales in fiscal 2015 and a leading national provider of propane by portable tank exchange. We serve residential, industrial/commercial, portable tank exchange, agricultural, wholesale and other customers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Our operations primarily include the distribution and sale of propane and related equipment and supplies with concentrations in the Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest regions of the United States.

We use information on temperatures to understand how our results of operations are affected by temperatures that are warmer or colder than normal. We use the definition of “normal” temperatures based on information published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Based on this information we calculate a ratio of actual heating degree days to normal heating degree days. Heating degree days are a general indicator of weather impacting propane usage.
 
Weather conditions have a significant impact on demand for propane for heating purposes primarily during the months of November through March (the “winter heating season”). Accordingly, the volume of propane used by our customers for this purpose is directly affected by the severity of the winter weather in the regions we serve and can vary substantially from year to year. In any given region, sustained warmer-than-normal temperatures will tend to result in reduced propane usage, while sustained colder-than-normal temperatures will tend to result in greater usage. Although there is a strong correlation between weather and customer usage, general economic conditions in the United States and the wholesale price of propane can have a significant impact on this correlation. Additionally, there is a natural time lag between the onset of cold weather and increased sales to customers. If the United States were to experience a cooling trend we could expect nationwide demand for propane to increase which could lead to greater sales, income and liquidity availability. Conversely, if the United States were to experience a warming trend, we could expect nationwide demand for propane to decrease which could lead to a reduction in our sales, income and liquidity availability.
      
We employ risk management activities that attempt to mitigate price risks related to the purchase, storage, transport and sale of propane generally in the contract and spot markets from major domestic energy companies on a short-term basis. We attempt to mitigate these price risks through the use of financial derivative instruments and forward propane purchase and sales contracts. We enter into propane sales commitments with a portion of our customers that provide for a contracted price agreement for a specified period of time. These commitments can expose us to product price risk if not immediately hedged with an offsetting propane purchase commitment.
 
Our open financial derivative propane purchase commitments are designated as hedges primarily for fiscal 2016 and 2017 sales commitments and, as of April 30, 2016, have experienced net mark to market losses of approximately $8.8 million. Because these financial derivative purchase commitments qualify for hedge accounting treatment, the resulting asset, liability and related mark to market gains or losses are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as “Prepaid expenses and other current assets,” "Other assets, net," “Other current liabilities,” "Other liabilities" and “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” respectively, until settled. Upon settlement, realized gains or losses on these contracts will be reclassified to “Cost of sales-propane and other gas liquid sales” in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings as the underlying inventory is sold. These financial derivative propane purchase commitment net losses are expected to be offset by increased margins on propane sales commitments that qualify for the normal purchase normal sale exception. At April 30, 2016, we estimate 60% of currently open financial derivative propane purchase commitments, the related propane sales commitments and the resulting gross margin will be realized into earnings during the next twelve months.
Midstream Operations
Crude oil logistics
    
Our crude oil logistics segment ("Bridger") primarily generates income by providing crude oil transportation and logistics services on behalf of producers and end-users of crude oil. Bridger services include transportation through its operation of a fleet of trucks, tank trailers, railcars, pipeline injection terminals, and a barge. We primarily operate in major oil and gas basins across the continental United States. Our crude oil logistics segment also enters into crude oil purchase and sales arrangements. We manage our exposure to price fluctuations by using back-to-back contracts and financial hedging positions.
 
During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, approximately 60% of Midstream Operations - Crude oil logistics' segment gross margin was generated from its largest customer and Jamex (the "contract"), that customer's supplier, under a

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take-or-pay arrangement. Under the terms of the take-or-pay arrangement, Jamex is responsible for payments to us and also for sourcing crude oil volumes for that customer. We believe Jamex may not have financial resources sufficient to satisfy its payment obligations to us through June 2019, the remaining term of this agreement. If current market conditions persist, we also believe Jamex may not be able to fulfill its crude oil sourcing volume commitments to our customer throughout the remaining term of this agreement, which could cause a termination of the transportation and logistics agreement we have with that customer. We are currently negotiating alternative contractual arrangements to mitigate this risk. If our transportation and logistics agreement with that customer were to terminate and we were unable to negotiate an economically similar replacement agreement with that customer, we would likely experience a decrease in sales, gross margin and Adjusted EBITDA from our crude oil logistics operations which would materially and adversely affect the results of operations and cash flows generated by the segment which in turn could result in future material impairments.

As a result of the uncertainty surrounding the future cash flows associated with this contract, we considered whether the fair value of this reporting unit no longer exceeded the carrying value. Upon applying the fair-value-based test as described in Critical Accounting Estimates for purposes of the interim impairment test, we concluded that there was no impairment of the Midstream operations - crude oil logistics reporting unit as of April 30, 2016. 

This test primarily consists of discounted future cash flow models to estimate fair value. We prepared various cash flow models involving certain potential scenarios and probability weighted these scenarios which included the following critical assumptions: (1) renewal of certain significant, long term logistics contracts upon their expiration; (2) the economic conditions present in the oil and gas sector at the time of these contract renewals; (3) the timing, success rate and capital required for certain organic growth projects; (4) the amount of capital expenditures required to maintain the existing cash flows; and (5) a terminal period growth rate equal to the expected rate of inflation. Variances in any of these assumptions could lead to material impairments in the Midstream operations - crude oil reporting unit.

If commodity volatility leads to significant production declines in this segment’s truck transportation operating areas, demand for truck transportation services could decline and the prices we can charge for those operations could also decline. This could materially and adversely affect the results of operations and cash flows generated by this segment which in turn could result in goodwill, intangible assets, and long-lived asset impairments.

In addition, many energy companies have experienced significant declines in credit ratings and in cash flows as a result of the recent commodity price declines. If any of this segment’s customers or suppliers are negatively impacted by the commodity price and volume declines, those impacts may affect the collectability of the obligations under our contractual arrangements including minimum volume commitment contracts. Either such event would materially and adversely affect the results of operations and cash flows generated by this segment which in turn could result in future, material impairments.
Water solutions
We currently own and operate salt water disposal wells in and around the Eagle Ford shale in south Texas. Salt water disposal wells are a critical component of the oil and natural gas well drilling industry. Oil and natural gas wells generate significant volumes of salt water. In the oil and gas fields Ferrellgas services, these volumes of water are transported by truck away from the fields to salt water disposal wells where a combination of gravity and chemicals are used to separate crude oil that is residual in the salt water through a process that results in the collection of "skimming oil". This skimming oil is then captured and sold before the salt water is injected into underground geologic formations using high-pressure pumps. Our revenue per barrel of salt water processed is derived from a blend of fees we charge our customers to dispose of salt water at our facilities and skimming oil sales. Our gross margin is highly dependent on crude oil production activity in the Eagle Ford shale and thus from the volume of salt water delivered to our wells for disposal. We may hedge the price of crude oil sales from a portion of our oil skimming activities, although we do not elect to qualify these transactions for hedge accounting.

Lower crude oil prices directly impacts revenues from our “skimming oil” process and also tends to reduce our customers’ new oil exploration and production spending levels. Reduced oil exploration and production spending levels by our customers can reduce the quantity of water processed at our disposal wells and can decrease the quantity of crude oil available for our “skimming oil” processes. Since mid-2014, crude oil prices have declined significantly and we do not expect these prices to rebound to their previous levels in the near future. Expectations about future prices and price volatility are important for determining the profitability of our “skimming oil” process as well as future oil exploration and production spending levels of our customers. As a result, many of our customers have reduced or delayed their oil and gas exploration and production spending, which in turn has reduced the demand for our services and additionally exerting downward pressure on the quantity of oil available for our “skimming oil” process. If the price of crude oil continues to decline or remain at current levels for an extended period of time we may continue to recognize operational losses which could in turn result in future, material impairment of intangible assets and long-lived assets.

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Acquisitions

We completed multiple significant acquisitions during the year ended July 31, 2015. These acquisitions described below impact the comparability of our results of operations between our current and prior fiscal years.
 
In June 2015, we acquired Bridger Logistics, LLC and began operating our crude oil logistics segment.
In September 2014, we acquired two saltwater disposal facilities in the Eagle Ford shale play in Texas.


Forward-looking Statements
 
Statements included in this report include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements often use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “position,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” or the negative of those terms or other variations of them or comparable terminology. These statements often discuss plans,

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strategies, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future and are based upon the beliefs and assumptions of our management and on the information currently available to them. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning our future operating results or our ability to generate sales, income or cash flow are forward-looking statements.
 
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will affect our future results are beyond our ability to control or predict.
 
Some of our forward-looking statements include the following:

that we will continue to have sufficient access to capital markets at yields acceptable to us to support our expected growth expenditures and refinancing of debt maturities;
that Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership will continue to meet all of the quarterly financial tests required by the agreements governing their indebtedness, and
that our future capital expenditures and working capital needs will be provided by a combination of cash generated from future operations, existing cash balances, the secured credit facility or the accounts receivable securitization facility.
 
When considering any forward-looking statement, keep in mind the risk factors set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2015, under Part II, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2016, respectively, and as set forth in "Part II, Item 1A" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of these risks could impair our business, financial condition or results of operations. Any such impairment may affect our ability to make distributions to our unitholders or to pay interest on the principal of our debt securities. In addition, the trading price, if any, of our securities could decline as a result of any such impairment.
 
Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or risk factors after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.



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Summary Discussion of Results of Operations:

For the three months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015

During the three months ended April 30, 2016, we generated net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners L.P. of $18.7 million, compared to $35.8 million during the three months ended April 30, 2015.

Our propane and related products segment generated operating income of $78.7 million during the three months ended April 30, 2016, compared to $85.0 million during the three months ended April 30, 2015. Due to the seasonal nature of demand for propane, sales volumes of our propane and related products segment typically are higher during the second and third quarters of the fiscal year than during the first and fourth quarters of the fiscal year. The primary reason for the decrease in the operating income during the three months ended April 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended April 30, 2015 was decreased gross margin related to decreased propane sales volumes. Propane volumes decreased primarily due to winter degree day temperatures that were 21% warmer than those in the prior year.

Our crude oil logistics segment began with the Bridger acquisition in June 2015. We generated operating income of $5.0 million during the three months ended April 30, 2016.
 
Our water solutions segment generated an operating loss of $5.3 million during the three months ended April 30, 2016, compared to operating loss of $3.3 million recognized during the three months ended April 30, 2015. Results in both periods reflect the impact of an overall decrease in crude oil prices resulting in reductions in gross margin related to our crude oil sales from the skimming oil process. This overall decrease in crude oil prices resulted in a decrease in revenues, gross margin and operating income.

Corporate and other recognized an operating loss of $23.7 million during the three months ended April 30, 2016, compared to an operating loss of $21.3 million recognized during the three months ended April 30, 2015. The increase in operating loss resulted primarily due to an increase in personnel and other expenses primarily as a result of the Bridger acquisition.

“Interest expense” for both Ferrellgas and the operating partnership increased $10.9 million primarily due to the issuance of new debt incurred to fund the Bridger acquisition and growth capital expenditures.

Distributable cash flow to equity investors

Distributable cash flow to equity investors increased from $70.0 million in the prior period to $73.6 million in the current period primarily due to $25.2 million in Adjusted EBITDA from our newly created Crude oil logistics segment, partially offset by a $10.4 million increase in net cash interest expense paid and a $8.1 million decrease in Adjusted EBITDA from our Propane and related products segment.

Distributable cash flow excess

Distributable cash flow excess decreased from $27.2 million in the prior period to $21.9 million in the current period. Although our distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors increased by $3.6 million as discussed above, it was more than offset by the effect of an increase in common units issued in June 2015 in connection with the Bridger acquisition in fiscal 2015.

For the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015

During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, we generated a net loss attributable to Ferrellgas Partners L.P. of $4.0 million, compared to net earnings attributable to Ferrellgas Partners L.P. of $88.4 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2015.

Our propane and related products segment generated operating income of $190.2 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to $230.5 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2015. Due to the seasonal nature of demand for propane, sales volumes of our propane and related products segment typically are higher during the second and third quarters of the fiscal year than during the first and fourth quarters of the fiscal year. The primary reason for the decrease in the operating income during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2015 was

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decreased gross margin related to decreased propane sales volumes. Propane volumes decreased primarily due to winter degree day temperatures that were 17% warmer than those in the prior year.

Our crude oil logistics segment began with the Bridger acquisition in June 2015. We generated operating income of $16.7 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2016.
 
Our water solutions segment generated an operating loss of $43.8 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to operating income of $1.3 million earned during the nine months ended April 30, 2015. Current year results include an impairment charge of $29.3 million related to the write down of the entire goodwill related to the water solutions reporting unit. Prior year results included income of $6.2 million related to a decrease in the fair value of contingent consideration that was not repeated in the current period. Additionally, the impact of a continued decrease in crude oil prices resulted in reductions in gross margin related to our crude oil sales from the skimming oil process. This continued decrease in crude oil prices resulted in a decrease in revenues, gross margin and operating income.

Corporate and other recognized an operating loss of $62.1 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to an operating loss of $68.7 million recognized during the nine months ended April 30, 2015. The decrease in operating loss resulted primarily due to $12.9 million of decreased non-cash stock based compensation charges, partially offset by a $2.8 million increase in general and administrative expense primarily related to the Bridger acquisition.

Interest expense for both Ferrellgas and the operating partnership increased $31.1 million primarily due to the issuance of new debt incurred to fund the Bridger acquisition and growth capital expenditures.

Distributable cash flow to equity investors

Distributable cash flow to equity investors increased slightly from $187.8 million in the prior period to $187.9 million in the current period primarily due to $78.7 million in Adjusted EBITDA from our newly created Crude oil logistics segment, offset by a $37.8 million decrease in Adjusted EBITDA from our Propane and related products segment, a $30.7 million increase in net cash interest expense paid and a $8.4 million decrease in Adjusted EBITDA from our Water solutions segment.

Distributable cash flow excess

Distributable cash flow excess decreased from $60.0 million in the prior period to $32.2 million in the current period. Although our distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors increased slightly as discussed above, the distributable cash flow excess was impacted by the effect of an increase in common units issued in June 2015 in connection with the Bridger acquisition in fiscal 2015.
Consolidated Results of Operations

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended April 30,
 
Nine months ended April 30,
(amounts in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Total revenues
 
$
509,472

 
$
532,551

 
$
1,629,856

 
$
1,641,879

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total cost of sales
 
265,316

 
313,270

 
934,165

 
1,002,926

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expense
 
115,271

 
107,504

 
347,467

 
321,146

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
38,352

 
23,324

 
112,698

 
70,576

General and administrative expense
 
13,314

 
10,902

 
42,530

 
45,169

Equipment lease expense
 
7,244

 
6,347

 
21,554

 
17,674

Non-cash employment stock ownership plan compensation charge
 
9,978

 
8,566

 
18,375

 
16,728

Goodwill impairment
 

 

 
29,316

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other
 
5,779

 
2,203

 
23,220

 
4,578

Operating income
 
54,218

 
60,435

 
100,531

 
163,082

Interest expense
 
(34,371
)
 
(23,510
)
 
(102,889
)
 
(71,797
)
Other income (expense), net
 
331

 
212

 
(89
)
 
(415
)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
 
20,178

 
37,137

 
(2,447
)
 
90,870

Income tax expense
 
1,260

 
917

 
1,446

 
1,448

Net earnings (loss)
 
18,918

 
36,220

 
(3,893
)
 
89,422

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
233

 
408

 
88

 
1,027

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
 
18,685

 
35,812

 
(3,981
)
 
88,395

Less: General partner's interest in net earnings (loss)
 
187

 
358

 
(40
)
 
884

Common unitholders' interest in net earnings (loss)
 
$
18,498

 
$
35,454

 
$
(3,941
)
 
$
87,511


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., less the sum of the following: income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge, non-cash stock-based compensation charge, goodwill impairment, loss on disposal of assets and other, other income (expense), net, change in fair value of contingent consideration, severance costs, litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit, unrealized (non-cash) loss (gain) on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, acquisition and transition expenses and net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest. Management believes the presentation of this measure is relevant and useful because it allows investors to view the partnership's performance in a manner similar to the method management uses, adjusted for items management believes makes it easier to compare its results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures. This method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA may not be consistent with that of other companies and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP.


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The following table summarizes EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively:

 
 
 
Three months ended April 30,
 
For the nine months ended April 30,
(amounts in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Ferrellgas Partners, L.P.
 
$
18,685

 
$
35,812

 
$
(3,981
)
 
$
88,395

Income tax expense
 
1,260

 
917

 
1,446

 
1,448

Interest expense
 
34,371

 
23,510

 
102,889

 
71,797

Depreciation and amortization expense
 
38,352

 
23,324

 
112,698

 
70,576

EBITDA
 
92,668

 
83,563

 
213,052

 
232,216

Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge
 
9,978

 
8,566

 
18,375

 
16,728

Non-cash stock-based compensation charge
 
1,091

 
3,271

 
6,757

 
19,701

Goodwill impairment
 

 

 
29,316

 

Loss on disposal of assets and other
 
5,779

 
2,203

 
23,220

 
4,578

Other income (expense), net
 
(331
)
 
(212
)
 
89

 
415

Change in fair value of contingent consideration
 

 

 
(100
)
 
(6,300
)
Severance costs
 
469

 

 
1,325

 

Litigation accrual and related legal fees associated with a class action lawsuit
 

 
83

 

 
806

Unrealized (non-cash) loss (gain) on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
(1,915
)
 
(1,609
)
 
2,993

 
(1,609
)
Acquisition and transition expenses
 
14

 

 
99

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
233

 
408

 
88

 
1,027

Adjusted EBITDA
 
107,986

 
96,273

 
295,214

 
267,562

Net cash interest expense (a)
 
(32,849
)
 
(22,422
)
 
(99,256
)
 
(68,599
)
Maintenance capital expenditures (b)
 
(4,159
)
 
(5,151
)
 
(13,588
)
 
(14,863
)
Cash paid for taxes
 
(427
)
 
(67
)
 
(432
)
 
(333
)
Proceeds from asset sales
 
3,096

 
1,331

 
5,972

 
4,060

Distributable cash flow to equity investors (c)
 
73,647

 
69,964

 
187,910

 
187,827

Distributable cash flow attributable to general partner and non-controlling interest
 
1,473

 
1,400

 
3,758

 
3,757

Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders (d)
 
72,174

 
68,564

 
184,152

 
184,070

Less: Distributions paid to common unitholders
 
50,267

 
41,359

 
151,933

 
124,074

Distributable cash flow excess
 
$
21,907

 
$
27,205

 
$
32,219

 
$
59,996


 
 
(a)
Net cash interest expense is the sum of interest expense less non-cash interest expense and other income (expense), net. This amount includes interest expense related to the accounts receivable securitization facility.

(b)
Maintenance capital expenditures include capitalized expenditures for betterment and replacement of property, plant and equipment.

(c)
Management considers distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors a meaningful non-GAAP measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to equity investors. Distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors, as management defines it, may not be comparable to distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors or similarly titled measurements used by other corporations and partnerships and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP. Items added into our calculation of distributable cash flow attributable to equity investors that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments.

(d) Management considers distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders a meaningful non-GAAP measure of the partnership’s ability to declare and pay quarterly distributions to common unitholders. Distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders, as management defines it, may not be comparable to distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders or similarly titled measurements used by other corporations and partnerships and should be viewed in conjunction with measurements that are computed in accordance with GAAP. Items added into our calculation of

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distributable cash flow attributable to common unitholders that will not occur on a continuing basis may have associated cash payments.

Segment Operating Results for the three months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015

Items Impacting the Comparability of Our Financial Results

Our current and future results of operations may not be comparable to our historical results of operations for the periods presented due to acquisitions. We have recently entered the crude oil logistics business through our acquisition of Bridger in June 2015. For this reason, our results of operations for the three months ended April 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for future periods or for the full fiscal year ending July 31, 2016.

Propane and related equipment sales

The following table summarizes propane sales volumes and the Adjusted EBITDA results of our propane and related equipment sales segment for the periods indicated:

(amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Favorable (Unfavorable) Variance
Propane sales volumes (gallons):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail - Sales to End Users
 
164,713

 
178,583

 
(13,870
)
 
(8
)%
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers
 
58,645

 
67,823

 
(9,178
)
 
(14
)%
 
 
223,358

 
246,406

 
(23,048
)
 
(9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Propane and other gas liquids sales:
 

 

 

 

Retail - Sales to End Users
 
$
236,361

 
$
310,311

 
$
(73,950
)
 
(24
)%
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers
 
88,809

 
112,457

 
(23,648
)
 
(21
)%
Other Gas Sales (a)
 
13,759

 
22,899

 
(9,140
)
 
(40
)%
Other
 
65,119

 
81,591

 
(16,472
)
 
(20
)%
Propane and related equipment revenues
 
$
404,048

 
$
527,258

 
$
(123,210
)
 
(23
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Margin -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Propane and other gas liquids sales: (b)
 

 

 

 

Retail - Sales to End Users (a)
 
$
141,421

 
$
142,180

 
$
(759
)
 
(1
)%
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers (a)
 
45,247

 
49,803

 
(4,556
)
 
(9
)%
Other
 
23,916

 
23,882

 
34

 
 %
Propane and related equipment and other gross margin
 
210,584

 
215,865

 
(5,281
)
 
(2
)%
Operating expense
 
107,855

 
105,510

 
(2,345
)
 
(2
)%
Equipment lease expense
 
6,389

 
5,934

 
(455
)
 
(8
)%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
96,340

 
$
104,421

 
$
(8,081
)
 
(8
)%

(a) Gross margin for Other Gas Sales is allocated to Gross margin "Retail - Sales to End Users" and "Wholesale - Sales to Resellers" based on the volumes in each respective category.
(b) Gross margin from Propane and other gas liquids sales represents "Revenues - Propane and other gas liquids sales" less "Cost of sales - Propane and other gas liquids sales" and does not include depreciation and amortization.

Propane sales volumes during the three months ended April 30, 2016 decreased 9% or 23.0 million gallons, from that of the prior year period primarily due to 13.9 million and 9.1 million of decreased gallon sales to retail and wholesale customers, respectively.


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Weather in the more highly concentrated geographic areas we serve for the three months ended April 30, 2016 was approximately 21% warmer than that of the prior year period. We believe retail and wholesale customer sales volumes decreased due to the relatively warmer weather.
    
Our wholesale sales price per gallon correlates to the wholesale market price of propane. The wholesale market price at major supply points in Mt. Belvieu, Texas and Conway, Kansas during the three months ended April 30, 2016 averaged 29% and 14% less than the prior year period, respectively. The wholesale market price at Mt. Belvieu, Texas averaged $0.39 and $0.55 per gallon during the three months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, while the wholesale market price at Conway, Kansas averaged $0.43 and $0.50 per gallon during the three months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

We believe the effect of this significant decrease in the average wholesale market price of propane resulted in a decrease in our sales price per gallon.

Revenues
 
Retail sales decreased $74.0 million compared to the prior year period. This decrease resulted primarily from a $49.8 million decrease in sales price per gallon and $24.2 million due to decreased sales volumes, as discussed above.
 
Wholesale sales decreased $23.6 million compared to the prior year period. This decrease resulted primarily from a $16.0 million decrease in sales price per gallon and $7.6 million due to decreased sales volumes, as discussed above.
 
Other gas sales decreased $9.1 million compared to the prior year period primarily due to $4.7 million resulting from decreased sales volumes and a $4.4 million decrease in sales price per gallon.

Other revenues decreased $16.5 million compared to the prior year period, primarily due to decrease in the sale of certain lower margin equipment sales.

Gross margin - Propane and other gas liquids sales
 
Gross margin decreased $5.3 million compared to the prior year period. This decrease resulted primarily from a $10.0 million decrease in propane sales volumes, partially offset by a $4.7 million increase in gross margin per gallon, both as discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $8.1 million primarily due to a $5.3 million decrease in "Gross margin - Propane and other gas liquid sales", as discussed above, and a $2.3 million increase in operating expense. Operating expense increased primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in general liability and workers compensation costs.

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Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics

The following table summarizes the volume of product sold and hauled, as well as Adjusted EBITDA results of our crude oil logistics segment for the periods indicated:

(amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Favorable (Unfavorable) Variance
Volumes (barrels):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil hauled
 
16,215

 

 
16,215

 
NM
Crude oil sold
 
1,780

 

 
1,780

 
NM
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil logistics sales
 
$
50,580

 
$

 
$
50,580

 
NM
Crude oil sales
 
51,416

 
 
 
51,416

 
NM
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin (a)
 
33,407

 

 
33,407

 
NM
Operating, general, and administrative expenses (b)
 
8,149

 

 
(8,149
)
 
NM
Equipment lease expense
 
88

 

 
(88
)
 
NM
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
25,170

 
$

 
$
25,170

 
NM

(a) Gross margin represents "Revenues - Midstream operations" less "Cost of sales - Midstream operations" and does not include depreciation and amortization.
(b) Operating, general, and administrative expenses are included in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA. General and administrative expenses include only certain items that were directly attributable to the crude oil logistics segment.

Our midstream operations - crude oil logistics began with our June 2015 acquisition of Bridger, therefore, there are no comparable results from fiscal 2015.

Revenues

We generated $23.4 million of revenues relating to the hauling of 16.2 million barrels of crude oil, $25.8 million of revenues under the pay portion of take-or-pay arrangements and $51.4 million of revenues relating to sales of 1.8 million barrels of crude oil and associated fees.

Gross margin

We generated $29.9 million of gross margin relating to the hauling of crude oil and $3.5 million of gross margin relating to sales of crude oil and associated fees.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA of $25.2 million during three months ended April 30, 2016 was due to the $33.4 million of gross margin discussed above, partially offset by $8.1 million of operating, general and administrative expenses.

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Midstream operations - Water solutions

The following table summarizes the volume of water processed and Adjusted EBITDA results of our water solutions segment for the periods indicated:

(amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Favorable (Unfavorable) Variance
Volumes (barrels)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salt water volume processed
 
4,024

 
4,515

 
(491
)
 
(11
)%
Crude oil sold
 
86

 
53

 
33

 
62
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Water solutions sales:
 
$
3,907

 
$
5,293

 
$
(1,386
)
 
(26
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin (a)
 
1,838

 
3,416

 
(1,578
)
 
(46
)%
Operating expense
 
3,212

 
2,982

 
(230
)
 
(8
)%
Equipment lease expense
 
20

 
12

 
(8
)
 
(67
)%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
(1,394
)
 
$
422

 
$
(1,816
)
 
NM


(a) Gross margin represents "Revenues - Midstream operations" less "Cost of sales - Midstream operations" and does not include depreciation and amortization.

Revenues

Our skimming oil and salt water disposal revenues decreased $1.4 million as compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower sales prices of crude oil related to our skimming oil process and to a lesser extent the reduction in the oil skimming rate.

Gross margin

Our skimming oil and salt water gross margin decreased $1.6 million as compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower sales prices of crude oil related to our skimming oil process and to a lesser extent the reduction in the oil skimming rate.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $1.8 million during three months ended April 30, 2016 primarily due to the $1.6 million decrease in gross margin discussed above.

Corporate & other

The following table summarizes the Adjusted EBITDA results of our corporate and other segment for the periods indicated:

(amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Favorable (Unfavorable) Variance
General and administrative expenses
 
$
10,937

 
$
8,169

 
$
(2,768
)
 
(34
)%
Equipment lease expense
 
747

 
401

 
(346
)
 
(86
)%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
(11,684
)
 
$
(8,570
)
 
$
(3,114
)
 
(36
)%

The Adjusted EBITDA within "corporate and other" decreased by $3.1 million primarily due to a $2.6 million increase in personnel and other expenses primarily related to the Bridger acquisition.

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Segment Operating Results for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015

Items Impacting the Comparability of Our Financial Results

Our current and future results of operations may not be comparable to our historical results of operations for the periods presented, due to business combinations. We have entered the crude oil logistics business through our acquisition of Bridger in June 2015. For this reason, our results of operations for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for future periods or for the full fiscal year ending July 31, 2016.

Propane and related equipment sales

The following table summarizes propane sales volumes and the Adjusted EBITDA results of our propane and related equipment sales segment for the periods indicated:

(amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Favorable (Unfavorable) Variance
Propane sales volumes (gallons):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail - Sales to End Users
 
465,146

 
518,726

 
(53,580
)
 
(10
)%
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers
 
169,992

 
211,068

 
(41,076
)
 
(19
)%
 
 
635,138

 
729,794

 
(94,656
)
 
(13
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Propane and other gas liquids sales:
 

 

 

 

Retail - Sales to End Users
 
$
661,669

 
$
945,515

 
$
(283,846
)
 
(30
)%
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers
 
260,964

 
358,195

 
(97,231
)
 
(27
)%
Other Gas Sales (a)
 
38,453

 
97,185

 
(58,732
)
 
(60
)%
Other
 
181,343

 
220,622

 
(39,279
)
 
(18
)%
Propane and related equipment other revenues
 
$
1,142,429

 
$
1,621,517

 
$
(479,088
)
 
(30
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Margin -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Propane and other gas liquids sales: (b)
 

 

 

 

Retail - Sales to End Users (a)
 
$
384,491

 
$
420,386

 
$
(35,895
)
 
(9
)%
Wholesale - Sales to Resellers (a)
 
127,754

 
131,319

 
(3,565
)
 
(3
)%
Other
 
69,918

 
72,950

 
(3,032
)
 
(4
)%
Propane and related equipment gross margin
 
582,163

 
624,655

 
(42,492
)
 
(7
)%
Operating expense
 
309,132

 
316,167

 
7,035

 
2
 %
Equipment lease expense
 
18,982

 
16,619

 
(2,363
)
 
(14
)%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
254,049

 
$
291,869

 
$
(37,820
)
 
(13
)%

(a) Gross margin for Other Gas Sales is allocated to Gross margin "Retail - Sales to End Users" and "Wholesale - Sales to Resellers" based on the volumes in each respective category.
(b) Gross margin from "Propane and other gas liquids sales" represents "Revenues - Propane and other gas liquids sales" less "Cost of sales - Propane and other gas liquids sales" and does not include depreciation and amortization.

Propane sales volumes during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 decreased 13% or 94.7 million gallons, from that of the prior year period primarily due to 53.6 million and 41.1 million of decreased gallon sales to retail and wholesale customers, respectively.


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Weather in the more highly concentrated geographic areas we serve for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 was approximately 17% warmer than that of the prior year period. We believe retail and wholesale customer sales volumes decreased due to the relatively warmer weather.
Our wholesale sales price per gallon correlates to the wholesale market price of propane. The wholesale market price at major supply points in Mt. Belvieu, Texas and Conway, Kansas during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 both averaged 45% less than the prior year period. The wholesale market price at Mt. Belvieu, Texas averaged $0.40 and $0.73 per gallon during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, while the wholesale market price at Conway, Kansas averaged $0.39 and $0.71 per gallon during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

We believe the effect of this significant decrease in the average wholesale market price of propane resulted in a decrease in our sales price per gallon.

Revenues

Retail sales decreased $283.8 million compared to the prior year period. This decrease resulted primarily from a $186.2 million decrease in sales price per gallon and $97.6 million due to decreased sales volumes, as discussed above.
 
Wholesale sales decreased $97.2 million compared to the prior year period. This decrease resulted primarily from a $60.7 million decrease in sales price per gallon and $36.5 million due to decreased sales volumes, as discussed above.
 
Other gas sales decreased $58.7 million compared to the prior year period primarily due to $30.8 million resulting from decreased sales volumes and $27.9 million from a decrease in sales price per gallon.

Other revenues decreased $39.3 million compared to the prior year period, primarily due to a decrease in the sale of certain lower margin equipment sales.

Gross margin - Propane and other gas liquids sales
 
Gross margin decreased $39.5 million compared to the prior year period. This decrease resulted primarily from a $36.8 million decrease in propane sales volumes and a $2.7 million decrease in gross margin per gallon, both as discussed above.

Gross margin - Other
 
Gross margin decreased $3.0 million primarily due to a $2.1 million decrease in miscellaneous fees billed to customers.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $37.8 million primarily due to a $39.5 million decrease in "Gross margin - Propane and other gas liquid sales", a $3.0 million decrease in "Gross margin - Other", each as discussed above, and a $2.4 million increase in "Equipment lease expense" primarily due to the replacement of older vehicles, partially offset by a $7.0 million decrease in operating expense. Operating expense decreased primarily due to a $4.8 million decrease in vehicle fuel costs, a $2.6 million reduction in other personnel costs, $1.8 million reduction in bad debt expense, a $1.7 million reduction in performance-based incentive expenses, partially offset by a $4.5 million increase in general liability and workers compensation costs.

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Midstream operations - Crude oil logistics

The following table summarizes the volume of product sold and hauled, as well as Adjusted EBITDA results of our crude oil logistics segment for the periods indicated:

(amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Favorable (Unfavorable) Variance
Volumes (barrels):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil hauled
 
64,824

 

 
64,824

 
NM
Crude oil sold
 
4,883

 

 
4,883

 
NM
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil logistics sales
 
$
285,433

 
$

 
$
285,433

 
NM
Crude oil sales
 
189,729

 

 
189,729

 
NM
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin (a)
 
109,193

 

 
109,193

 
NM
Operating, general, and administrative expenses (b)
 
30,203

 

 
(30,203
)
 
NM
Equipment lease expense
 
296

 

 
(296
)
 
NM
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
78,694

 
$

 
$
78,694

 
NM

(a) Gross margin represents "Revenues - Midstream operations" less "Cost of sales - Midstream operations" and does not include depreciation and amortization.
(b) Operating, general, and administrative expenses are included in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA. General and administrative expenses include only certain items that were directly attributable to the crude oil logistics segment.

Our midstream operations - crude oil logistics began with our June 2015 acquisition of Bridger, therefore, there are no comparable results from fiscal 2015.

Revenues

We generated $251.4 million of revenues relating to the hauling of 64.8 million barrels of crude oil, $30.1 million of revenues under the pay portion of take-or-pay arrangements and $189.7 million of revenues relating to sales of 4.9 million barrels of crude oil and associated fees.

Gross margin

We generated $101.3 million of gross margin relating to the hauling of crude oil and $7.9 million of gross margin relating to the sales of crude oil and associated fees.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA of $78.7 million during nine months ended April 30, 2016 was due to the $109.2 million of gross margin discussed above, partially offset by $30.2 million of operating, general and administrative expenses.


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Midstream operations - Water solutions

The following table summarizes the volume of water processed and Adjusted EBITDA results of our water solutions segment for the periods indicated:

(amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Favorable (Unfavorable) Variance
Volume (barrels)








Salt water volume processed

12,980


13,234


(254
)

(2
)%
Crude oil sold

86


175


(89
)

(51
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Water solutions sales:
 
$
12,744

 
$
20,362

 
$
(7,618
)
 
(37
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin (a)
 
6,182

 
14,298

 
(8,116
)
 
(57
)%
Operating expense
 
8,915

 
8,655

 
(260
)
 
(3
)%
Equipment lease expense
 
61

 
22

 
(39
)
 
(177
)%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
(2,794
)
 
$
5,621

 
$
(8,415
)
 
NM


(a) Gross margin represents "Revenues - Midstream operations" less "Cost of sales - Midstream operations" and does not include depreciation and amortization.

Revenues

Our skimming oil and salt water disposal revenues decreased $7.6 million as compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower sales prices of crude oil related to our skimming oil process and to a lesser extent the reduction in the oil skimming rate.

Gross margin

Our skimming oil and salt water gross margin decreased $8.1 million as compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower sales prices of crude oil related to our skimming oil process and to a lesser extent the reduction in the oil skimming rate.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $8.4 million during nine months ended April 30, 2016 primarily due to the $8.1 million decrease in gross margin discussed above.


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Corporate & other

The following table summarizes the Adjusted EBITDA results of our corporate and other segment for the periods indicated:

(amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended April 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Favorable (Unfavorable) Variance
General and administrative expenses
 
$
32,074

 
$
28,895

 
$
(3,179
)
 
(11
)%
Equipment lease expense
 
2,215

 
1,033

 
(1,182
)
 
(114
)%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
(34,289
)
 
$
(29,928
)
 
$
(4,361
)
 
(15
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Adjusted EBITDA within "corporate and other" decreased by $4.4 million primarily due to a $5.2 million increase in personnel and other expenses primarily related to the Bridger acquisition, partially offset by $1.9 million in reduced performance-based incentive expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
General
 
Our liquidity and capital resources enable us to fund our working capital requirements, letter of credit requirements, debt service payments, acquisition and capital expenditures and distributions to our unitholders. Our liquidity and capital resources may be affected by our ability to access the capital markets or by unforeseen demands on cash, or other events beyond our control.

Distributable Cash Flow

A reconciliation of distributable cash flow to distributions paid for the twelve months ended April 30, 2016 to the twelve months ended January 31, 2016 is as follows (in thousands):


Distributable Cash Flow to equity investors
 
Changes in cash reserves approved by our General Partner
 
Cash distributions paid to equity investors
 
DCF ratio
Nine months ended April 30, 2016
$
187,910

 
$
32,838

 
$
155,072

 

For the year ended July 31, 2015
189,615

 
20,646

 
168,969

 

Less: Nine months ended April 30, 2015
187,827

 
61,141

 
126,686

 

Twelve months ended April 30, 2016
$
189,698

 
$
(7,657
)
 
$
197,355

 
0.96

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twelve months ended January 31, 2016
186,015

 
(2,292
)
 
188,307

 
0.99

Increase (decrease)
$
3,683

 
$
(5,365
)
 
$
9,048

 
(0.03
)

For the twelve months ended April 30, 2016, distributable cash flow increased $3.7 million compared to the twelve months ended January 31, 2016. Cash distributions paid increased $9.0 million primarily due to the issuance of 17.5 million common units during the twelve months ended April 30, 2016 in connection with the acquisition of Bridger, offset by a repurchase of 2.4 million units in November 2015. These changes resulted in a decrease in our distribution coverage ratio to 0.96 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2016 as compared to 0.99 for the twelve months ended January 31, 2016. Cash reserves, which we utilize to meet future anticipated expenditures, decreased by $7.7 million during the twelve months ended April 30, 2016 compared to a decrease of $2.3 million in the twelve months ended January 31, 2016.
    
Subject to meeting the financial tests discussed below and also subject to the risk factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2015 entitled, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and under Part II, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended October 31, 2015 and for the three and six months ended January 31, 2016, as well as any changes to these risk factors set forth in "Part II, Item 1A" of this Quarterly Report on From 10-Q, we believe we will continue to have sufficient access to capital markets at yields acceptable to us to support our expected growth expenditures and refinancing of debt maturities. On January 14, 2016, we executed a commitment increase supplement to our secured credit

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facility that increased the size of the facility from $600 million to $700 million. Our disciplined approach to fund necessary capital spending and other partnership needs, combined with sufficient trade credit to operate our business efficiently and available credit under our secured credit facility and our accounts receivable securitization facility should provide us the means to meet our anticipated liquidity and capital resource requirements.
 
During periods of high volatility, our risk management activities may expose us to the risk of counterparty margin calls in amounts greater than we have the capacity to fund. Likewise our counterparties may not be able to fulfill their margin calls from us or may default on the settlement of positions with us.
 
Our working capital requirements are subject to, among other things, the price of propane and crude oil, delays in the collection of receivables, volatility in energy commodity prices, liquidity imposed by insurance providers, downgrades in our credit ratings, decreased trade credit, significant acquisitions, the weather, customer retention and purchasing patterns and other changes in the demand for propane and crude oil. Relatively colder weather or higher propane prices during the winter heating season are factors that could significantly increase our working capital requirements.
 
Our ability to satisfy our obligations is dependent upon our future performance, which will be subject to prevailing economic, financial, business and weather conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Due to the seasonality of the retail propane distribution business, a significant portion of our cash flow from operations is generated during the winter heating season. Our midstream operations segments are not expected to experience seasonality. Our net cash provided by operating activities primarily reflects earnings from our business activities adjusted for depreciation and amortization and changes in our working capital accounts. Historically, we generate significantly lower net cash from operating activities in our first and fourth fiscal quarters as compared to the second and third fiscal quarters due to the seasonality of our propane and related equipment sales segment.
 
A quarterly distribution of $0.5125 will be paid on June 14, 2016 to all common units that were outstanding on June 7, 2016. This represents the fourth consecutive quarterly distribution of $0.5125 paid to our common unitholders following eighty-three consecutive quarterly distributions of $0.50 dating back to October 1994.
 
Our secured credit facility, publicly-held debt and accounts receivable securitization facility contain several financial tests and covenants restricting our ability to pay distributions, incur debt and engage in certain other business transactions. In general, these tests are based on our debt-to-cash flow ratio and cash flow-to-interest expense ratio. Our general partner currently believes that the most restrictive of these tests are debt incurrence limitations under the terms of our secured credit and accounts receivable securitization facilities.
 
As of April 30, 2016, we met all of our required quarterly financial tests and covenants. Based upon current estimates of our cash flow, our general partner believes that we will be able to continue to meet all of our required quarterly financial tests and covenants in fiscal 2016. However, we may not meet the applicable financial tests in future quarters if we were to experience:

significantly warmer than normal temperatures during the winter heating season;
continued depression of the energy commodity cost environment;
an unexpected downturn in business operations;
a change in customer retention or purchasing patterns due to economic or other factors in the United States; or
a material downturn in the credit and/or equity markets.
 
Failure to meet applicable financial tests could have a material effect on our operating capacity and cash flows and could restrict our ability to incur debt or to make cash distributions to our unitholders, even if sufficient funds were available. Depending on the circumstances, we may consider alternatives to permit the incurrence of debt or the continued payment of the quarterly cash distribution to our unitholders. No assurances can be given, however, that such alternatives can or will be implemented with respect to any given quarter.
 
We expect our future capital expenditures and working capital needs to be met through a combination of cash generated from future operations, existing cash balances, the secured credit facility and the accounts receivable securitization facility. See additional information about the accounts receivable securitization facility in “Financing Activities – Accounts receivable securitization.” In order to reduce existing indebtedness, fund future acquisitions and expansive capital projects, we may obtain funds from our facilities, we may issue additional debt to the extent permitted under existing financing arrangements or we may issue additional equity securities, including, among others, common units.
 
Toward this purpose, the following registration statements were effective upon filing or declared effective by the SEC:


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a shelf registration statement for the periodic sale of common units for general business purposes, which, among other things, may include the following: repayment of outstanding indebtedness; the redemption of any senior notes or other securities (other than common units) previously issued; working capital; capital expenditures; acquisitions, or other general business purposes. As of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas Partners had issued 6.3 million common units from this shelf registration statement; and
an “acquisition” shelf registration statement for the periodic sale of up to $500.0 million in common units to fund acquisitions; as of April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas Partners had $500.0 million available under this shelf registration statement.

In addition, we monitor the trading market for our outstanding debt securities and we may from time to time repurchase outstanding senior notes, whether in open market transactions or privately negotiated repurchases.

Operating Activities

Ferrellgas Partners
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $220.1 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $195.1 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2015. This increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a $17.5 million decrease in working capital requirements, a $16.3 million favorable impact in other assets, net, primarily due to reductions in margin funding requirements during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, offset by a $8.8 million decrease in cash flow from operations.

The decrease in working capital requirements for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2015 was primarily due to a $39.3 million decrease in requirements for prepaid expenses and other current assets largely due to increases in required margin deposits made toward price risk management activities during the nine months ended April 30, 2015 compared to reductions in margin deposits required during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, a $17.1 million decrease in requirements for accounts receivable resulting primarily from timing of billing and collections in our Midstream operations - crude oil logistics segment, and a $7.7 million decrease in requirements due to an increase in accrued interest due to debt issued in June 2015 in contemplation of the acquisition of Bridger. These decreases in working capital requirements were partially offset by a $38.4 million decline in inventory resulting from substantial reductions in the price of propane in the nine months ended April 30, 2015 that did not repeat during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, and a net $8.2 million increase in requirements for accounts payable and other current liabilities, primarily due to settlement of outstanding litigation.

The decrease in cash flow from operations is primarily due to a $26.3 million increase in "Operating expense", a $3.9 million increase in "Equipment lease expense", and a $31.1 million increase in "Interest expense", partially offset by a $56.7 million increase in gross margin, as discussed above by segment.

The operating partnership
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $230.5 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $203.1 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2015. This increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a $19.5 million decrease in working capital requirements, a $16.3 million favorable impact in other assets, net, primarily due to reductions in margin funding requirements during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, offset by an $8.4 million decrease in cash flow from operations.

The decrease in working capital requirements for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 compared to the nine months ended April 30, 2015 was primarily due to a $39.2 million decrease in requirements for prepaid expenses and other current assets largely due to increases in required margin deposits made toward price risk management activities during the nine months ended April 30, 2015 compared to reductions in margin deposits required during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, a $16.8 million decrease in requirements for accounts receivable resulting primarily from timing of billing and collections in our Midstream operations - crude oil logistics segment, and a $7.7 million decrease in requirements due to an increase in accrued interest due to debt issued in June 2015 in contemplation of the acquisition of Bridger. These decreases in working capital requirements were partially offset by a $38.4 million decline in inventory resulting from substantial reductions in the price of propane during the nine months ended April 30, 2015 that did not repeat during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, and a net $5.9 million increase in requirements for accounts payable and other current liabilities, primarily due to settlement of outstanding litigation.

The decrease in cash flow from operations is primarily due to a $26.4 million increase in "Operating expense", a $3.9 million increase in "Equipment lease expense", and a $31.1 million increase in "Interest expense", partially offset by a $56.7 million increase in gross margin, as discussed above by segment.

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Investing Activities
 
Capital Requirements

Our business requires continual investments to upgrade or enhance existing operations and to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Capital expenditures for our business consist primarily of:

Maintenance capital expenditures. These capital expenditures include expenditures for betterment and replacement of property, plant and equipment rather than to generate incremental distributable cash flow. Examples of maintenance capital expenditures include a routine replacement of a worn-out asset or replacement of major vehicle components.

Growth capital expenditures. These expenditures are undertaken primarily to generate incremental distributable cash flow. Examples include expenditures for purchases of both bulk and portable propane tanks, rail cars and other equipment to facilitate expansion of our customer base and operating capacity.

Net cash used in investing activities was $110.9 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $116.2 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2015. This decrease in net cash used in investing activities is due to a decrease of $55.0 million in "Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired" and an increase of $7.8 million in proceeds from asset sales, partially offset by a $57.1 million increase in "Capital expenditures".
 
The decrease in cash used for "Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired" is attributable to our acquisition of salt water disposal assets during the nine months ended April 30, 2015, partially offset by acquisition activity during the nine months ended April 30, 2016.
    
The increase in "Capital expenditures" is primarily due to a $56.3 million increase in Midstream operations growth projects.

Due to the mature nature of our Propane and related equipment sales operations, we have not incurred and do not anticipate significant fluctuations in maintenance capital expenditures. However, future fluctuations in growth capital expenditures could occur due to the opportunistic nature of these projects.

Due to the relatively new nature of our Midstream operations, we may experience significant fluctuations in maintenance capital expenditures as our facilities age and future fluctuations in growth capital expenditures could occur due to the opportunistic nature of these projects.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $110.6 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $79.8 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2015. This increase in cash flows used in financing activities was primarily due to a $46.4 million repurchase of common units during the current year, a $41.9 million decrease in proceeds from equity offerings, which were primarily used to fund acquisitions during the prior year period, a $28.1 million increase in distributions paid, and a $15.7 million decrease in net credit facility and accounts receivable short term borrowings due to the decrease in working capital requirements resulting from the decrease in the wholesale cost of propane, partially offset by a net increase in long-term borrowings of $103.3 million.

Distributions
 
Ferrellgas Partners paid a $0.5125 per unit quarterly distribution on all common units, as well as the related general partner distributions, totaling $153.4 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 in connection with the distributions declared for the three month periods ended July 31, 2015, October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2016. The quarterly distribution of $0.5125 on all common units and the related general partner distribution for the three months ended April 30, 2016 totaling $50.7 million are expected to be paid on June 14, 2016 to holders of record on June 7, 2016.
     
Secured credit facility

On January 14, 2016, our operating partnership, Ferrellgas, L.P., executed a commitment increase supplement to its secured credit facility that increased the size of this facility from $600 million to $700 million. The commitment increase supplement did not change the interest rate or maturity date of the secured credit facility which remains at October, 2018.


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As of April 30, 2016, we had total borrowings outstanding under our secured credit facility of $299.0 million, of which $289.9 million was classified as long-term debt. Additionally, Ferrellgas had $331.5 million of available borrowing capacity under our secured credit facility as of April 30, 2016. However, the debt incurrence limitation covenant under this facility limits additional borrowings to $135.1 million as of April 30, 2016.
 
Borrowings outstanding at April 30, 2016 under the secured credit facility had a weighted average interest rate of 3.6%. All borrowings under the secured credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate equal to either:

for Base Rate Loans or Swing Line Loans, the Base Rate, which is defined as the higher of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) Bank of America’s prime rate; or (iii) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%; plus a margin varying from 0.75% to 1.75%; or
for Eurodollar Rate Loans, the Eurodollar Rate, which is defined as the LIBOR Rate plus a margin varying from 1.75% to 2.75%.
 
As of April 30, 2016, the federal funds rate and Bank of America’s prime rate were 0.37% and 3.50%, respectively. As of April 30, 2016, the one-month and three-month Eurodollar Rates were 0.48% and 0.65%, respectively.
 
In addition, an annual commitment fee is payable at a per annum rate ranging from 0.35% to 0.50% times the actual daily amount by which the secured credit facility exceeds the sum of (i) the outstanding amount of revolving credit loans and (ii) the outstanding amount of letter of credit obligations.
 
The obligations under this secured credit facility are secured by substantially all assets of the operating partnership, the general partner and certain subsidiaries of the operating partnership but specifically excluding (a) assets that are subject to the operating partnership’s accounts receivable securitization facility, (b) the general partner’s equity interest in Ferrellgas Partners and (c) equity interest in certain unrestricted subsidiaries. Such obligations are also guaranteed by the general partner and certain subsidiaries of the operating partnership.
 
Letters of credit outstanding at April 30, 2016 totaled $69.5 million and were used primarily to secure insurance arrangements and, to a lesser extent, product purchases. At April 30, 2016, we had remaining letter of credit capacity of $130.5 million.
 
All standby letter of credit commitments under our secured credit facility bear a per annum rate varying from 1.75% to 2.75% (as of April 30, 2016, the rate was 2.75%) times the daily maximum amount available to be drawn under such letter of credit. Letter of credit fees are computed on a quarterly basis in arrears.
 
Accounts receivable securitization
 
Ferrellgas Receivables, LLC is a consolidated subsidiary. Expenses associated with accounts receivable securitization transactions are recorded in “Interest expense” in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. Additionally, borrowings and repayments associated with these transactions are recorded in “Cash flows from financing activities” in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
 
Cash flows from our accounts receivable securitization facility decreased $19.0 million. We received net funding of $7.0 million from this facility during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 as compared to receiving net funding of $26.0 million from this facility in the prior year period.
 
Our strategy is to maximize liquidity by utilizing the accounts receivable securitization facility along with borrowings under the secured credit facility. See additional discussion about the secured credit facility in “Financing Activities – Secured credit facility.” Our utilization of the accounts receivable securitization facility is limited by the amount of accounts receivable that we are permitted to securitize according to the facility agreement. As of April 30, 2016, we had received cash proceeds of $77.0 million related to the securitization of our trade accounts receivable, with no remaining capacity to receive additional proceeds. As of April 30, 2016, the weighted average interest rate was 2.9%. As our trade accounts receivable increase during the winter heating season, the securitization facility permits us to receive greater proceeds as eligible trade accounts receivable increases, thereby providing additional cash for working capital needs.

Common unit repurchase

On November 13, 2015, Ferrellgas Partners repurchased approximately 2.4 million common units from Jamex Marketing, LLC, for approximately $45.9 million. Ferrellgas paid a total of approximately $1.0 million to the general partner in connection with this transaction. Both transactions were financed by borrowings on our secured credit facility.


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The operating partnership
 
The financing activities discussed above also apply to the operating partnership except for the repurchase of common units as discussed above, and cash flows related to distributions, as discussed below.
 
Distributions
 
The operating partnership paid cash distributions of $210.2 million and $134.5 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. On November 13, 2015, the operating partnership distributed $46.8 million and $0.4 million to Ferrellgas Partners and the general partner, respectively, using proceeds from its secured credit facility. Ferrellgas Partners utilized these funds primarily to repurchase approximately 2.4 million common units from Jamex Marketing, LLC. The operating partnership expects to pay cash distributions of $59.4 million on June 14, 2016.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to establish accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. These financial statements include some estimates and assumptions that are based on informed judgments and estimates of management. We evaluate our policies and estimates on an on-going basis and discuss the development, selection and disclosure of critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of our general partner. Predicting future events is inherently an imprecise activity and as such requires the use of judgment. Our consolidated financial statements may differ based upon different estimates and assumptions.  Additional information regarding Ferrellgas’ critical accounting estimates is included in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2015.

As discussed in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2015, we have identified goodwill impairment as a critical accounting estimate due to the degree of judgment inherent in testing our reporting units for impairment testing.  We have five reporting units, of which three have goodwill that is subject to at least an annual goodwill impairment test. 

In the first step of the test, the carrying value of each reporting unit is determined by assigning the assets and liabilities, including existing goodwill and intangible assets, to those reporting units as of the date of evaluation.  To the extent a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds it fair value, the second step of the impairment test must be performed.  In the second step, the implied fair value of the goodwill is determined by calculating the excess, if any, of the reporting unit’s fair value over the fair value of all of its assets (including any unrecognized intangible assets) and liabilities.  If the carrying value of goodwill is greater than the implied fair value of goodwill, that excess is recorded as an impairment charge.

During the three months ended January 31, 2016, we completed the annual impairment test for our Retail, Products and Midstream - crude oil logistics reporting units.  We estimated the fair values of the reporting units tested by weighing the market and income approaches.  These approaches, which are based on significant unobservable inputs, include numerous estimates and key assumptions, including forecasted cash flows, discount rates, growth rates and comparable multiples from other companies and require us to make certain estimates regarding economic factors and the future profitability of our business.  Although we believe our assumptions are reasonable, if actual results vary from our estimates, we may suffer material impairments in future periods.

Based on these tests, we determined that the estimated fair values of each reporting unit exceeded its respective carrying value, thus no impairments were recorded.  We applied a hypothetical 10% decline in the fair value of each of our reporting units, which as of our testing date would not have triggered additional impairment testing.

During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, approximately 60% of Midstream Operations - Crude oil logistics' segment gross margin was generated from its largest customer and Jamex, that customer's crude oil supplier, under a take-or-pay arrangement (the “contract”). Under the terms of the take-or-pay arrangement, Jamex is responsible for payments to us and also for sourcing crude oil volumes for that customer. We believe Jamex may not have financial resources sufficient to satisfy its payment obligations to us through June 2019, the remaining term of this agreement. If current market conditions persist, we also believe Jamex may not be able to fulfill its crude oil sourcing volume commitments to our customer throughout the remaining term of this agreement, which could cause a termination of the transportation and logistics agreement we have with that customer. We are currently negotiating alternative contractual arrangements to mitigate this risk. If our transportation and logistics agreement with that customer were to terminate and we were unable to negotiate an economically similar replacement agreement with that customer, we would likely experience a decrease in sales, gross margin and Adjusted EBITDA from our crude oil logistics operations which would materially and adversely affect the results of operations and cash flows generated by the segment. As a result of the uncertainty surrounding the future cash flows associated with this contract, we considered whether the fair value of this reporting unit no longer exceeded the carrying value. Upon applying the fair-value-based test as

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described above for purposes of the interim impairment test, We concluded that there was no impairment of the Midstream operations - crude oil logistics reporting unit as of April 30, 2016.  As of April 30, 2016, we determined that this reporting unit had an estimated fair value in excess of its respective carrying value of approximately 10%.

This test primarily consists of using discounted future cash flow models to estimate fair value. We prepared various cash flow models involving certain potential scenarios and probability weighted these scenarios which included the following critical assumptions: (1) renewal of certain significant, long term logistics contracts upon their expiration; (2) the economic conditions present in the oil and gas sector at the time of these contract renewals; (3) the timing, success rate and capital required for certain organic growth projects; (4) the amount of capital expenditures required to maintain the existing cash flows; and (5) a terminal period growth rate equal to the expected rate of inflation. Variances in any of these assumptions could lead to material impairments in the Midstream operations - crude oil reporting unit. In addition to these critical cash flow assumptions, a discount rate of 11.3% was applied to the various projected cash flow models. A 0.5% increase, resulting in a discount rate equal to 11.8%, could cause us to fail step one of the goodwill impairment test. If this reporting unit fails step one in the future, we would be required to perform step two of the goodwill impairment test. If we perform step two and goodwill is impaired, it could require a complete write-off of goodwill assigned to this reporting unit, up to $190.2 million.

Judgments and assumptions are inherent in management’s estimates used to determine the fair value of our reporting units and are consistent with what management believes would be utilized by primary market participants. The use of alternate judgments and assumptions could result in the recognition of impairment charges in the financial statements.

Disclosures about Effects of Transactions with Related Parties
 
We have no employees and are managed and controlled by our general partner. Pursuant to our partnership agreements, our general partner is entitled to reimbursement for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or payments it makes on our behalf, and all other necessary or appropriate expenses allocable to us or otherwise reasonably incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These reimbursable costs, which totaled $197.2 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, include operating expenses such as compensation and benefits paid to employees of our general partner who perform services on our behalf as well as related general and administrative expenses.

Jamex Marketing, LLC, in connection with a ten-year transportation and logistics agreement, enters into transactions with the operating partnership and its subsidiaries. Bridger provides crude oil logistics services for Jamex Marketing, LLC, including the transportation and storage of crude oil by truck, terminal and pipeline. During the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas' total revenues from these transactions were $26.6 million and $36.7 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas' total cost of sales from these transactions were $1.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively. There was no activity for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2015. The amounts due from and due to Jamex Marketing, LLC at April 30, 2016, were $19.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The amounts due from and due to Jamex Marketing, LLC at July 31, 2015, were $4.8 million and $4.2 million, respectively.

See "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Financing Activities - Common unit repurchase" for discussion about the repurchase of common units from Jamex Marketing, LLC.
 
Related party common unitholder information consisted of the following:

 
 
Common unit ownership at
 
Distributions (in thousands) paid during the nine months ended
 
 
April 30, 2016
 
April 30, 2016
Ferrell Companies (1)
 
22,529,361

 
$
34,638

FCI Trading Corp. (2)
 
195,686

 
300

Ferrell Propane, Inc. (3)
 
51,204

 
78

James E. Ferrell (4) (6)
 
4,763,475

 
7,323

James H. Ballengee (5) (6)
 
4,771,447

 
11,880

 

(1) Ferrell Companies is the owner of the general partner and is an approximate 23.0% direct owner of Ferrellgas Partners' common units and thus a related party. Ferrell Companies also beneficially owns 195,686 and 51,204 common units of Ferrellgas Partners held by FCI Trading Corp. ("FCI Trading") and Ferrell Propane, Inc. ("Ferrell Propane"), respectively, bringing Ferrell Companies' beneficial ownership to 23.2% at April 30, 2016.
(2) FCI Trading is an affiliate of the general partner and thus a related party.
(3) Ferrell Propane is controlled by the general partner and thus a related party.

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(4) James E. Ferrell is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the general partner and thus a related party. JEF Capital Management owns 4,758,859 of these common units and is wholly-owned by the James E. Ferrell Revocable Trust Two for which James E. Ferrell is the trustee and sole beneficiary. The remaining 4,616 common units are held by Ferrell Resources Holding, Inc., which is wholly-owned by the James E. Ferrell Revocable Trust One, for which James E. Ferrell is the trustee and sole beneficiary.
(5) Jamex Marketing, LLC, is the unitholder of record of these common units, with whom Bridger regularly conducts business in their normal operations.
(6) Beneficially owned limited partner units are based on the most recent Schedule 13G, Schedule 13D or Section 16 SEC filing, or information provided by the beneficial owner.

During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, Ferrellgas Partners and the operating partnership together paid the general partner distributions of $3.7 million.

On June 14, 2016, Ferrellgas Partners expects to pay distributions to Ferrell Companies, FCI Trading Corp., Ferrell Propane, Inc., James E. Ferrell (indirectly), James H. Ballengee (indirectly), and the general partner of $11.5 million, $0.1 million, $26 thousand, $2.4 million, $2.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

ITEM 3.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
We did not enter into any risk management trading activities during the nine months ended April 30, 2016. Our remaining market risk sensitive instruments and positions have been determined to be “other than trading.”

Commodity price risk management
 
Our risk management activities primarily attempt to mitigate price risks related to the purchase, storage, transport and sale of propane generally in the contract and spot markets from major domestic energy companies on a short-term basis. We attempt to mitigate these price risks through the use of financial derivative instruments and forward propane purchase and sales contracts.

Our risk management strategy involves taking positions in the forward or financial markets that are equal and opposite to our positions in the physical products market in order to minimize the risk of financial loss from an adverse price change. This risk management strategy is successful when our gains or losses in the physical product markets are offset by our losses or gains in the forward or financial markets. Propane related financial derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges.
 
Our risk management activities include the use of financial derivative instruments including, but not limited to, price swaps, options, futures and basis swaps to seek protection from adverse price movements and to minimize potential losses. We enter into these financial derivative instruments directly with third parties in the over-the-counter market and with brokers who are clearing members with the New York Mercantile Exchange. We also enter into forward propane purchase and sales contracts with counterparties. These forward contracts qualify for the normal purchase normal sales exception within GAAP guidance and are therefore not recorded on our financial statements until settled.

Our risk management activities also attempt to mitigate price risks related to our crude oil line fill and inventory. We may use financial and commodity based derivative contracts to manage the risks produced by changes in the price of crude oil or to capture market opportunities.

Our risk management strategy involves taking positions in the financial markets that are equal and opposite to the forecasted crude oil line fill and inventory volume in order to minimize the risk of inventory price change. This risk management strategy locks in our sales price and is successful when our gains or losses on line fill or inventory are offset by our losses or gains in the financial markets. Our crude oil financial derivatives are not designated as cash flow hedges.
 
Transportation Fuel Price Risk

Our risk management activities also attempt to mitigate price risks related to the purchase of gasoline and diesel fuel for use in the transport of propane from retail fueling stations. We attempt to mitigate these price risks through the use of financial derivative instruments.

Our risk management strategy involves taking positions in the financial markets that are not more than the forecasted purchases of fuel for our internal use in the retail and supply propane delivery fleet in order to minimize the risk of decreased earnings from an adverse price change. This risk management strategy locks in our purchase price and is successful when our gains or losses in the physical product markets are offset by our losses or gains in the financial markets. Our transport fuel financial derivatives are not designated as cash flow hedges.

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Risk Policy and Sensitivity Analysis

Market risks associated with energy commodities are monitored daily by senior management for compliance with our commodity risk management policy. This policy includes an aggregate dollar loss limit and limits on the term of various contracts. We also utilize volume limits for various energy commodities and review our positions daily where we remain exposed to market risk, so as to manage exposures to changing market prices.
 
We have prepared a sensitivity analysis to estimate the exposure to market risk of our energy commodity positions. Forward contracts, futures, swaps and options outstanding as of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, that were used in our risk management activities were analyzed assuming a hypothetical 10% adverse change in prices for the delivery month for all energy commodities. The potential loss in future earnings from these positions due to a 10% adverse movement in market prices of the underlying energy commodities was estimated at $13.9 million and $11.3 million as of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively. The preceding hypothetical analysis is limited because changes in prices may or may not equal 10%, thus actual results may differ. Our sensitivity analysis does not include the anticipated transactions associated with these transactions, which we anticipate will be 100% effective.
 
Credit risk
 
We maintain credit policies with regard to our counterparties that we believe significantly minimize overall credit risk. These policies include an evaluation of counterparties’ financial condition (including credit ratings), and entering into agreements with counterparties that govern credit guidelines.
 
These counterparties consist of major energy companies who are suppliers, marketers, wholesalers, retailers, end users and financial institutions. The overall impact due to certain changes in economic, regulatory and other events may impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively in that counterparties may be similarly impacted. Based on our policies, exposures, credit and other reserves, management does not anticipate a material adverse effect on financial position or results of operations as a result of counterparty performance. 
 
Interest rate risk

At April 30, 2016, we had $376.0 million in variable rate secured credit facility and collateralized note payable borrowings. We also have an interest rate swap that hedges a portion of the interest rate risk associated with these variable rate borrowings, as discussed in the table below. Thus, assuming a one percent increase in our variable interest rate, our interest rate risk related to these borrowings would result in a reduction to future earnings of $2.0 million for the twelve months ending April 30, 2016. The preceding hypothetical analysis is limited because changes in interest rates may or may not equal one percent, thus actual results may differ. We manage a portion of our interest rate exposure by utilizing interest rate swaps. To the extent that we have debt with variable interest rates that is not hedged, our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by significant increases in interest rates.

We also manage a portion of our interest rate exposure associated with our fixed rate debt by utilizing an interest rate swap. A hypothetical one percent change in interest rates would result in a reduction to future earnings of $1.4 million for the twelve months ending April 30, 2016.

As discussed above, the following interest rate swaps are outstanding as of January 31, 2016, and are all designated as hedges for accounting purposes:
Term
 
Notional Amount(s) (in thousands)
 
Type
May 2021
 
$140,000
 
Pay a floating rate and receive a fixed rate of 6.50%
Aug 2018
 
$175,000 and $100,000
 
Pay a fixed rate of 1.95% and receive a floating rate
 

ITEM 4.     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
An evaluation was performed by the management of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P., and Ferrellgas Finance Corp., with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of our general partner, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, were effective.
 
The management of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp., Ferrellgas, L.P., and Ferrellgas Finance Corp. does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all fraud. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Based on the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the above mentioned partnerships and corporations have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Therefore, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide such reasonable assurances of achieving our desired control objectives, and the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of our general partner have concluded, as of April 30, 2016, that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in achieving that level of reasonable assurance.
 
Other than changes that have resulted or may result from our business combination during the year ended July 31, 2015, as discussed below, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13(a) - 15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the most recent fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

We acquired Bridger Logistics, LLC on June 24, 2015, as described in Note C - Business Combinations to our condensed consolidated financial statements. At this time, we continue to evaluate the business and internal controls and processes of Bridger Logistics, LLC and are making various changes to its operating and organizational structure based on our business plan. We are in the process of implementing our internal control structure over this acquired business. Our evaluation and integration efforts related to those operations have continued into fiscal 2016.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
Our operations are subject to all operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing, transporting and otherwise providing for use by consumers of combustible liquids such as propane and crude oil. As a result, at any given time, we can be threatened with or named as a defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Other than as discussed below, we are not a party to any legal proceedings other than various claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters; however, management is of the opinion that there are no known claims or contingent claims that are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
We have been named as a defendant, along with a competitor, in putative class action lawsuits filed in multiple jurisdictions. The lawsuits allege that we and a competitor coordinated in 2008 to reduce the fill level in barbeque cylinders and combined to persuade a common customer to accept that fill reduction, resulting in increased cylinder costs to direct customers and end-user customers in violation of federal and certain state antitrust laws. The lawsuits seek treble damages, attorneys’ fees, injunctive relief and costs on behalf of the putative class. These lawsuits have been consolidated into one case by a multidistrict litigation panel.  The Court has dismissed all claims brought by direct and indirect customers other than state law claims of indirect customers under Wisconsin, Maine and Vermont law.  The direct customer plaintiffs have filed an appeal, which is pending. We believe we have strong defenses to the claims and intend to vigorously defend against the consolidated case. We do not believe loss is probable or reasonably estimable at this time related to the putative class action lawsuit.
 
In addition, putative class action cases have been filed in California relating to residual propane remaining in the tank after use.  We have prevailed at the trial court on a motion to dismiss those claims.  It is uncertain whether plaintiffs will appeal;  we intend to vigorously defend any such appeal.  We do not believe loss is probable or reasonably estimable at this time related to the putative class action lawsuit.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS
 
There have been no material changes from the risk factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2015 and under Part II, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2016, respectively.

ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 

None.

ITEM 3.     DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None.
 
 
ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
Not applicable.

ITEM 5.     OTHER INFORMATION
None.

 

95

Table of Contents

ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS
The exhibits listed below are furnished as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, which are not listed, are not applicable.

 
 
Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
 
@
2.1
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated May 29, 2015, by and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Bridger, L.L.C. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 1, 2015.

 
 
3.1
 
Certificate of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2015.
 
 
3.2
 
Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. dated as of February 18, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed March 6, 2009.

 
 
3.3
 
First Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. dated as of March 8, 2005. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed March 6, 2009.

 
 
3.4
 
Second Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. dated as of June 29, 2005. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed March 6, 2009.

 
 
3.5
 
Third Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. dated as of October 11, 2006. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed March 6, 2009.

 
 
3.6
 
Certificate of Incorporation of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. filed with the Delaware Division of Corporations on March 28, 1996. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed March 6, 2009.

 
 
3.7
 
Bylaws of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. adopted as of April 1, 1996. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed March 6, 2009.

 
 
3.8
 
Certificate of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas, L.P. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2015.
 
 
3.9
 
Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Ferrellgas, L.P. dated as of April 7, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed March 6, 2009.

 
 
3.10
 
Certificate of Incorporation of Ferrellgas Finance Corp. filed with the Delaware Division of Corporations on January 16, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.8 to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed March 6, 2009.

 
 
3.11
 
Bylaws of Ferrellgas Finance Corp. adopted as of January 16, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed March 6, 2009. 

 
 
4.1
 
Specimen Certificate evidencing Common Units representing Limited Partner Interests. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A of Exhibit 3.1 to our registration statement on Form S-3 filed March 6, 2009.

 
 
4.2
 
Indenture dated as of November 4, 2013 with form of Note attached, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas Finance Corp. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to $475 million aggregate amount of the Registrant’s 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2022. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 5, 2013.
 
 
4.3
 
Indenture dated as of April 13, 2010, among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to $280 million aggregate amount of the Registrant’s 8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2020. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 13, 2010.
 
 
4.4
 
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 13, 2010, with form of Note attached, by and among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to $280 million aggregate amount of the Registrant’s 8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2020. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 13, 2010.
 
 
4.5
 
Indenture dated as of November 24, 2010, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas Finance Corp. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to $500 million aggregate amount of the Registrant’s 6 1/2% Senior Notes due 2021. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 30, 2010.
 
 
4.6
 
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 17, 1999, by and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2014.
 
 
4.7
 
First Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 14, 2000, by and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Williams Natural Gas Liquids, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2014.

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Table of Contents

 
 
4.8
 
Second Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 6, 2001, by and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and The Williams Companies, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2014.
 
 
4.9
 
Third Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 29, 2005, by and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and JEF Capital Management, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed June 9, 2010.
 
 
4.10
 
Indenture, dated June 8, 2015, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas, Finance Corp. the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to $500 million aggregate amount of the Registrant’s 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2023. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 8, 2015.
 
 
4.11
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2015, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P., Ferrellgas Finance Corp. and J.P. Morgan Securities L.L.C., as representative of the several initial purchasers. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 8, 2015
 
 
4.12
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2015 among Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Jamex Marketing, LLC, Rios Holdings, Inc. and Gamboa Enterprises, LLC. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 24, 2015.
 
 
10.1
 
Credit Agreement dated as of November 2, 2009, among Ferrellgas, L.P. as the borrower, Ferrellgas, Inc. as the general partner of the borrower, Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and the lenders party hereto. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2014.
 
 
10.2
 
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement dated as of September 23, 2011, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P. as the borrower, Ferrellgas, Inc. as the general partner of the borrower, Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and the lenders party hereto. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 26, 2011.
 
 
10.3
 
Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement dated as of October 21, 2013, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P. as the borrower, Ferrellgas, Inc. as the general partner of the borrower, Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and the lenders party hereto. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 23, 2013.
 
 
10.4
 
Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement dated as of June 6, 2014, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P. as the borrower, Ferrellgas, Inc. as the general partner of the borrower, Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and the lenders party hereto. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 9, 2014.
 
 
10.5
 
Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement and Amendment No. 2 to Security Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2015, by and among Ferrellgas, L.P. as the borrower, Ferrellgas, Inc. as the general partner of the borrower, Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer, and the lenders party hereto. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 9, 2015.
 
 
10.6
 
Amended and Restated Receivable Sale Agreement dated as of January 19, 2012, between Ferrellgas, L.P. and Blue Rhino Global Sourcing, Inc., as originators, and Ferrellgas Receivables, LLC, as buyer. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 20, 2012.
 
 
10.7
 
Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of January 19, 2012, among Ferrellgas Receivables, LLC, as seller, Ferrellgas, L.P., as servicer, the purchasers from time to time party hereto, Fifth Third Bank and SunTrust Bank, as co-agents, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 20, 2012.
 
 
10.8
 
First Amendment to Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of April 30, 2012, among Ferrellgas Receivables, LLC, as seller, Ferrellgas, L.P., as servicer, the purchasers from time to time party hereto, Fifth Third Bank and SunTrust Bank, as co-agents, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed June 8, 2012.
 
#
10.9
 
Ferrell Companies, Inc. Supplemental Savings Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2010. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed March 10, 2010.
 
#
10.10
 
Ferrell Companies, Inc. 1998 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective October 11, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2014.
 
#
10.11
 
Amendment to Ferrell Companies, Inc. 1998 Incentive Compensation Plan, dated as of March 7, 2010. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed June 9, 2010.
 
#
10.12
 
Employment, Confidentiality, and Noncompete Agreement dated as of July 17, 1998 by and among Ferrell Companies, Inc. as the company, Ferrellgas, Inc. as the company, James E. Ferrell as the executive and LaSalle National Bank as trustee of the Ferrell Companies, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Trust. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2014.
 
#
10.13
 
Employment Agreement dated as of August 10, 2009 by and between Ferrellgas, Inc. as the company and Stephen L. Wambold as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2014.
 
#
10.14
 
Employment Agreement dated as of August 10, 2009 by and between Ferrellgas, Inc. as the company and James R. VanWinkle as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2014.

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Table of Contents

 
#
10.15
 
Employment Agreement dated as of August 10, 2009 by and between Ferrellgas, Inc. as the company and Tod Brown as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2014.
 
#
10.16
 
Employment Agreement dated as of August 10, 2009 by and between Ferrellgas, Inc. as the company and George L. Koloroutis as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2014.
 
#
10.17
 
Agreement and Release dated as of January 19, 2012 by and between Ferrellgas, Inc. as the company and George L. Koloroutis as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 20, 2012. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2014.
 
#
10.18
 
Employment Agreement dated as of September 25, 2013 by and between Ferrell Companies, Inc. as the company and Boyd H. McGathey as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 26, 2013.
 
 
10.19
 
ISDA 2002 Master Agreement and Schedule to the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement both dated as of May 3, 2012 together with three Confirmation of Swap Transaction documents each dated as of May 8, 2012, all between SunTrust Bank and Ferrellgas, L.P. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed June 8, 2012.
 
#
10.20
 
Form of Director/Officer Indemnification Agreement, by and between Ferrellgas, Inc. and each director and executive officer. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed March 9, 2012.
 
 
10.21
 
Membership interest purchase agreement dated May 1, 2014, among Ferrellgas, L.P. and the former members of Sable Environmental LLC and Sable SWD 2 LLC. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 1, 2014.
 
#
10.22
 
Agreement and Release dated as of January 27, 2015 by and between Ferrellgas, Inc. as the company and J. Ryan VanWinkle as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 28, 2015.
 
#
10.23
 
Ferrell Companies, Inc. 2015 Deferred Appreciation Rights Plan, dated as of July 31, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2015.
 
#
10.24
 
Employment agreement dated as of July 10, 2015 by and between Ferrellgas, Inc. as the company and Alan C. Heitmann as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 15, 2015.
 
#
10.25
 
Employment agreement dated as of May 29, 2015 by and between Ferrellgas, Inc. as the company and Julio E. Rios, II as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2015.
 
#
10.26
 
Employment agreement dated as of May 29, 2015 by and between Ferrellgas, Inc. as the company and Jeremy H. Gamboa as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2015.
 
#
10.27
 
Employment agreement dated as of May 28, 2015 by and between Ferrellgas, Inc. as the company and Thomas M. Van Buren as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2015.
 
+
10.28
 
Transportation Logistics Agreement, dated May 29, 2015, by and between Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and Bridger, L.L.C. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 29, 2015.
 
#
10.29
 
Agreement and Release dated as of October 21, 2015 by and between Ferrellgas, Inc., Ferrell Companies, Inc., Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., Ferrellgas, L.P. and Boyd H. McGathey as the executive. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 22, 2015.

 
 
10.30
 
Common Unit Repurchase Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2015, by and between Jamex Marketing, LLC and Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2015.
*
 
31.1
 
Certification of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

*
 
31.2
 
Certification of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

*
 
31.3
 
Certification of Ferrellgas, L.P. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

*
 
31.4
 
Certification of Ferrellgas Finance Corp. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act.

*
 
32.1
 
Certification of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

*
 
32.2
 
Certification of Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

*
 
32.3
 
Certification of Ferrellgas, L.P. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

*
 
32.4
 
Certification of Ferrellgas Finance Corp. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.


E-3

Table of Contents

*
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.
*
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
*
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
*
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
*
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
*
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
Filed herewith
 
 
#
 
Management contracts or compensatory plans. 
 
 
@
 
Exhibits and Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. A list of these Exhibits and Schedules is included in the index of each Purchase and Sale Agreement. Ferrellgas agrees to furnish a supplemental copy of any such omitted Exhibit or Schedule to the SEC upon request.
 
 
+
 
Confidential treatment has been granted with respect to certain portions of this exhibit. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the SEC.


E-4

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS, L.P.
 
 
By Ferrellgas, Inc. (General Partner)
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 8, 2016
By
/s/ Alan C. Heitmann
 
 
 
Alan C. Heitmann
 
 
 
Executive Vice President; Chief Financial Officer; Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FERRELLGAS PARTNERS FINANCE CORP.
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 8, 2016
By
/s/ Alan C. Heitmann
 
 
 
Alan C. Heitmann
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer and Sole Director
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FERRELLGAS, L.P.
 
 
By Ferrellgas, Inc. (General Partner)
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 8, 2016
By
/s/ Alan C. Heitmann
 
 
 
Alan C. Heitmann
 
 
 
Executive Vice President; Chief Financial Officer; Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FERRELLGAS FINANCE CORP.
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 8, 2016
By
/s/ Alan C. Heitmann
 
 
 
Alan C. Heitmann
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer and Sole Director


E-5