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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
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Sep. 30, 2014
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| RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The following table summarizes information pertaining to related party transactions:
NuStar GP, LLC Our operations are managed by NuStar GP, LLC, the general partner of our general partner. Under a services agreement between NuStar Energy and NuStar GP, LLC, employees of NuStar GP, LLC perform services for our U.S. operations. Certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries employ persons who perform services for our international operations. Employees of NuStar GP, LLC provide services to both NuStar Energy and NuStar GP Holdings; therefore, we reimburse NuStar GP, LLC for all employee costs, other than the expenses allocated to NuStar GP Holdings. We had a payable to NuStar GP, LLC of $14.1 million and $8.3 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, with both amounts representing payroll, employee benefit plan expenses and unit-based compensation. We also had a long-term payable to NuStar GP, LLC as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 of $30.5 million and $41.1 million, respectively, related to amounts payable for retiree medical benefits and other post-employment benefits. Axeon As a result of the Asphalt JV Sale, we ceased reporting transactions between us and Axeon as related party transactions in our consolidated financial statements on February 26, 2014. Financing Agreements and Credit Support. Effective upon the Asphalt JV Sale, the NuStar JV Facility was converted into the Axeon Term Loan. The Axeon Term Loan will step down from $190.0 million over time: first, to $175.0 million on December 31, 2014 and then to $150.0 million on September 30, 2015. While the Axeon Term Loan does not provide for any other scheduled payments, Axeon is required to use all of its excess cash, as defined in the Axeon Term Loan, to repay the Axeon Term Loan. The Axeon Term Loan must be repaid in full on September 28, 2019. All repayments of the Axeon Term Loan, including those scheduled in 2014 and 2015, are subject to Axeon meeting certain restrictive requirements contained in its third-party credit facility. The carrying value of the Axeon Term Loan is included in “Other long-term assets, net” on the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. NuStar Energy will continue to provide credit support, such as guarantees, letters of credit and cash collateral, as applicable, of up to $150.0 million. Our obligation to provide credit support will be reduced by a minimum of $25.0 million beginning February 2016 and will terminate in full no later than September 28, 2019. As of September 30, 2014, we provided guarantees for commodity purchases, lease obligations and certain utilities for Axeon with an aggregate maximum potential exposure of $73.3 million, plus two guarantees to suppliers that do not specify a maximum amount, but for which we believe any amounts due would be minimal. A majority of these guarantees have no expiration date. As of September 30, 2014, we have also provided $61.9 million in letters of credit on behalf of Axeon. In the event we are obligated to perform under any of these guarantees or letters of credit, the amount paid by us will be treated as additional borrowings under the Axeon Term Loan. Crude Oil Supply Agreement. We were a party to a crude oil supply agreement with Axeon (the Axeon Crude Oil Supply Agreement) that committed Axeon to purchase from us a minimum number of barrels of crude oil in a given year. The Axeon Crude Oil Supply Agreement terminated effective January 1, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, we had a receivable from Axeon of $50.7 million, mainly associated with crude oil sales under the Axeon Crude Oil Supply Agreement. Services Agreement between Axeon and NuStar GP, LLC. NuStar GP, LLC and Axeon were a party to a services agreement, which provided that NuStar GP, LLC furnish certain administrative and other operating services necessary to conduct the business of Axeon for an annual fee totaling $10.0 million, subject to adjustment (the Axeon Services Agreement). The Axeon Services Agreement terminated on June 30, 2014. |
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