EQUITY AND NET EARNINGS PER UNIT
We had 61,188,041 common public units outstanding as of March 31, 2016. Additionally, Tesoro owned 32,445,115 of our common units and 1,900,515 of our general partner units (the 2% general partner interest) as of March 31, 2016, which together constitutes a 36% ownership interest in us.
ATM PROGRAM. On August 24, 2015, we filed a prospectus supplement to our shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on August 6, 2015, authorizing the continuous issuance of up to an aggregate of $750 million of common units, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of our offerings (such continuous offering program, or at-the-market program, referred to as our “ATM Program”). During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we issued an aggregate of 103,748 common units under our ATM Program, generating proceeds of approximately $5 million, before issuance costs. The net proceeds from sales under the ATM Program will be used for general partnership purposes, which may include debt repayment, future acquisitions, capital expenditures and additions to working capital.
CHANGE IN THE CARRYING AMOUNT OF OUR EQUITY (in millions)
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Partnership | | |
|
|
| Common | | General Partner | | Noncontrolling Interest | | Total |
Balance at December 31, 2015 | $ | 1,707 |
| | $ | (13 | ) | | $ | 84 |
| | $ | 1,778 |
|
Equity offering under ATM Program, net of issuance costs | 5 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 5 |
|
Effect of deconsolidation of RGS (a) | (2 | ) | | — |
| | (84 | ) | | (86 | ) |
Distributions (b) | (73 | ) | | (25 | ) | | — |
| | (98 | ) |
Net earnings | 60 |
| | 32 |
| | — |
| | 92 |
|
Contributions (c) | 3 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | 4 |
|
Other | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1 |
|
Balance at March 31, 2016 | $ | 1,701 |
| | $ | (5 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,696 |
|
| |
(a) | As the result of the reassessment performed, we deconsolidated RGS causing the derecognition of noncontrolling interest and an opening equity impact totaling $86 million. The cumulative effect to opening equity of $2 million related to the difference in earnings under the equity method of accounting in prior periods. |
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(b) | Represents cash distributions declared and paid during the three months ended March 31, 2016 relating to the fourth quarter of 2015. |
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(c) | Includes Tesoro and TLGP contributions to the Partnership primarily related to reimbursements for capital spending pursuant predominantly to the Amended Omnibus Agreement and the Carson Assets Indemnity Agreement. |
NET EARNINGS PER UNIT. We use the two-class method when calculating the net earnings per unit applicable to limited partners, because we have more than one participating security. At March 31, 2016, our participating securities consist of common units, general partner units and IDRs. Net earnings earned by the Partnership are allocated between the common and general partners in accordance with our partnership agreement. We base our calculation of net earnings per unit on the weighted average number of common limited partner units outstanding during the period.
Diluted net earnings per unit include the effects of potentially dilutive units on our common units, which consist of unvested service and performance phantom units. Distributions less than or greater than earnings are allocated in accordance with our partnership agreement.
NET EARNINGS PER UNIT (in millions, except per unit amounts)
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| | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2016 | | 2015 |
Net earnings | $ | 92 |
| | $ | 70 |
|
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest | — |
| | (10 | ) |
Net earnings, excluding noncontrolling interest | 92 |
| | 60 |
|
General partner’s distributions | (2 | ) | | (2 | ) |
General partner’s IDRs (a) | (30 | ) | | (12 | ) |
Limited partners’ distributions on common units | (76 | ) | | (56 | ) |
Distributions greater than earnings | $ | (16 | ) | | $ | (10 | ) |
General partner’s earnings: | | | |
Distributions | $ | 2 |
| | $ | 2 |
|
General partner’s IDRs (a) | 30 |
| | 12 |
|
Total general partner’s earnings | $ | 32 |
| | $ | 14 |
|
Limited partners’ earnings on common units: | | | |
Distributions | $ | 76 |
| | $ | 56 |
|
Allocation of distributions greater than earnings | (16 | ) | | (10 | ) |
Total limited partners’ earnings on common units | $ | 60 |
| | $ | 46 |
|
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding | | | |
Common units - basic | 93.6 |
| | 80.3 |
|
Common units - diluted | 93.6 |
| | 80.3 |
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Net earnings per limited partner unit: | | | |
Common - basic | $ | 0.64 |
| | $ | 0.63 |
|
Common - diluted | $ | 0.64 |
| | $ | 0.63 |
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(a) | IDRs entitle the general partner to receive increasing percentages, up to 50%, of quarterly distributions in excess of $0.3881 per unit per quarter. The amount above reflects earnings distributed to our general partner net of $3 million of IDRs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 waived by TLGP. See Note 12 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, for further discussion related to IDRs. |
CASH DISTRIBUTIONS
Our partnership agreement, as amended, sets forth the calculation to be used to determine the amount and priority of cash distributions that the limited partner unitholders and general partner will receive. The table below summarizes the quarterly distributions related to our quarterly financial results:
QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTIONS
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| | | | | | | | | | | |
Quarter Ended | Quarterly Distribution Per Unit | | Total Cash Distribution including general partner IDRs (in millions) | | Date of Distribution | | Unitholders Record Date |
December 31, 2015 | $ | 0.78 |
| | $ | 98 |
| | February 12, 2016 | | February 2, 2016 |
March 31, 2016 (a) | 0.81 |
| | 108 |
| | May 13, 2016 | | May 2, 2016 |
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(a) | This distribution was declared on April 20, 2016 and will be paid on the date of distribution. |