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Common Unit Repurchase And Retirement
 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Common Unit Repurchase And Retirement [Abstract]  
Common Unit Repurchase And Retirement

2) Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement

In July 2010, the Board of Directors of the Partnership's General Partner ("BOD") authorized the repurchase of up to 7.0 million of the Partnership's common units ("Plan II"). In December 2011, the BOD authorized the repurchase of an additional 250 thousand common units. The authorized common unit repurchases may be made from time-to-time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or in such other manner deemed appropriate by management. In order to facilitate the repurchase program, the Partnership entered into a prearranged unit repurchase plan under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for up to 4.0 million common units with a third party broker. There is no guarantee of the exact number of units that will be purchased under the program and the Partnership may discontinue purchases at any time. The program does not have a time limit. The Partnership's repurchase activities take into account SEC safe harbor rules and guidance for issuer repurchases. As of December 31, 2011, 5.8 million common units authorized for repurchase under Plan II were repurchased at an average price paid per unit of $5.02. (See Note 10 - Subsequent Events, Common Unit Repurchase and Retirement)

(in thousands, except per unit amounts)                     

Period

    Total Number of Units
Purchased as Part of a
Publicly Announced Plan or
Program		      Average Price
Paid per Unit
(b)		      Maximum Number of Units
that May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plan II Program		  

Plan II - Number of units authorized (a)

            7,250   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

Plan II - Fiscal year 2010 total

      1,197       $ 4.44         6,053   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     
        
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

Plan II - Fiscal year 2011 total (c)

      2,108       $ 5.19         3,945   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

Plan II - October 2011

      226       $ 4.96         3,719   

Plan II - November 2011

      215       $ 4.95         3,504   

Plan II - December 2011 (d)

      2,007       $ 5.21         1,497   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

Plan II - First quarter fiscal year 2012 total

      2,448       $ 5.17         1,497   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

(a) In July 2010, the BOD authorized 7.0 million common units for repurchase. In December 2011, the BOD authorized an additional 250 thousand common units for repurchase.
(b) Amounts include repurchase costs.
(c) Fiscal year 2011 common unit repurchase include 1.5 million common units acquired in a private sale.
(d) December 2011 common unit repurchase include 1.75 million common units acquired in a private sale.