Targa Resources Partners LP and Targa Resources Corp. Report First Quarter 2014 Financial Results


HOUSTON, May 1, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Targa Resources Partners LP (NYSE:NGLS) ("Targa Resources Partners" or the "Partnership") and Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE:TRGP) ("TRC" or the "Company") today reported first quarter 2014 results. First quarter 2014 net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners was $122.4 million compared to $38.9 million for the first quarter of 2013. Net income per diluted limited partner unit was $0.78 in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $0.16 for the first quarter of 2013. The Partnership reported earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other non-cash items ("Adjusted EBITDA") of $231.6 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $132.2 million for the first quarter of 2013.

The Partnership's distributable cash flow for the first quarter 2014 of $189.0 million corresponds to distribution coverage of approximately 1.6 times the $121.3 million in total distributions to be paid on May 15, 2014 (see the section of this release entitled "Targa Resources Partners - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA, gross margin, operating margin and distributable cash flow, and reconciliations of such measures to their most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP")).

"Our record first quarter 2014 financial results were the result of strong performance across our businesses. Despite severe cold weather during the quarter, our assets performed at high levels and we continued to benefit from robust demand for our upstream and downstream services. We expect 2014 EBITDA to be approximately 30%-40% higher than our record 2013, which is reflective of the continued need for our services and our ongoing success in identifying and constructing attractive growth projects," said Joe Bob Perkins, Chief Executive Officer of the general partner of the Partnership and of the Company.

On April 15, 2014, the Partnership announced a cash distribution for the first quarter 2014 of $0.7625 per common unit, or $3.05 per unit on an annualized basis, representing an increase of approximately 2% over the distribution for the fourth quarter 2013 and 9% over the distribution for the first quarter 2013. The cash distribution will be paid on May 15, 2014 on all outstanding common units to holders of record as of the close of business on April 28, 2014. The total distribution paid will be $121.3 million, with $77.3 million to the Partnership's third-party limited partners and $44.0 million to TRC for its ownership of common units, incentive distribution rights ("IDRs") and its 2% general partner interest in the Partnership.

Targa Resources Corp. – First Quarter 2014 Financial Results

Targa Resources Corp., the parent of Targa Resources Partners, today reported its first quarter 2014 results. The Company, which as of March 31, 2014 owned a 2% general partner interest in the Partnership (held through its 100% ownership interest in the general partner of the Partnership), all of the IDRs and 12,945,659 common units of the Partnership, presents its results consolidated with those of the Partnership.

TRC reported net income available to common shareholders of $19.6 million for the first quarter 2014 compared with a $13.4 million for the first quarter 2013. The net income per diluted common share was $0.47 in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $0.32 for the first quarter of 2013.

First quarter 2014 distributions to be paid on May 15, 2014 by the Partnership to the Company will be $44.0 million, with $9.9 million, $31.7 million and $2.4 million paid with respect to common units, IDRs and general partner interests, respectively.

On April 15, 2014, TRC declared a quarterly dividend of $0.6475 per share of its common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2014, or $2.59 per share on an annualized basis, representing increases of approximately 7% over the previous quarter's dividend and 31% over the dividend for the first quarter of 2013. Total cash dividends of approximately $27.2 million will be paid May 16, 2014 on all outstanding common shares to holders of record as of the close of business on April 28, 2014.

The Company's distributable cash flow for the first quarter 2014 was $27.0 million compared to $27.4 million in total declared dividends for the quarter (see the section of this release entitled "Targa Resources Corp. - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a discussion of distributable cash flow and reconciliations of this measure to its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP).

Targa Resources Partners First Quarter 2014 - Capitalization, Liquidity and Financing

Total funded debt of the Partnership as of March 31, 2014 was $2,819.7 million including $355.0 million outstanding under the Partnership's $1.2 billion senior secured revolving credit facility, $233.5 million outstanding under the Partnership's accounts receivable securitization facility, and $2,231.2 million of senior unsecured notes, net of unamortized discounts.

As of March 31, 2014, after giving effect to $97.2 million in outstanding letters of credit, the Partnership had available revolver capacity of $747.8 million and $81.4 million of cash on hand, resulting in total liquidity of $829.2 million.

Targa Resources Corp. First Quarter 2014 - Capitalization, Liquidity and Financing

Total funded debt of the Company as of March 31, 2014, excluding debt of the Partnership, was $72.0 million in borrowings outstanding under its $150.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility due 2017. This resulted in $78.0 million in available revolver capacity as of March 31, 2014.

The Company's cash balance, excluding cash held by the Partnership and its subsidiaries, was $13.5 million as of March 31, 2014, resulting in total liquidity of $91.5 million.

Conference Call

Targa Resources Partners and Targa Resources Corp. will host a joint conference call for investors and analysts at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time (9:30 a.m. Central Time) on May 1, 2014 to discuss first quarter 2014 financial results. The conference call can be accessed via Webcast through the Events and Presentations section of the Partnership's website at www.targaresources.com, by going directly to http://ir.targaresources.com/events.cfm?company=LP or by dialing 877-881-2598. The pass code for the dial-in is 31339767. Please dial in ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A replay will be available approximately two hours following the completion of the Webcast through the Investors section of the Partnership's website. An updated investor presentation will also be available in the Events and Presentations section of the Partnership's website following the completion of the conference call.

Targa Resources Partners – Consolidated Financial Results of Operations

     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
  (In millions, except per unit data)
Revenues   $ 2,352.9  $ 1,397.8
Product purchases  1,973.3  1,137.5
Gross margin (1)  379.6  260.3
Operating expenses  104.3  86.1
Operating margin (2)  275.3  174.2
Depreciation and amortization expenses  79.5  63.9
General and administrative expenses  35.9  34.1
Other operating income  (0.7)  -- 
Income from operations  160.6  76.2
Interest expense, net  (33.1)  (31.4)
Equity earnings   4.9  1.6
Other   --   (0.2)
Income tax expense   (1.1)  (0.9)
Net income   131.3  45.3
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests  8.9  6.4
Net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP  $ 122.4  $ 38.9
     
Net income attributable to general partner  33.8  22.8
Net income attributable to limited partners   88.6  16.1
Net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP  $ 122.4  $ 38.9
     
Basic net income per limited partner unit  $ 0.79  $ 0.16
Diluted net income per limited partner unit  0.78  0.16
     
Financial data:    
Adjusted EBITDA (3)  $ 231.6  $ 132.2
Distributable cash flow (4)  189.0  85.5
Capital expenditures  175.4  206.9
     
Operating data:    
Crude oil gathered, MBbl/d  74.7  31.5
Plant natural gas inlet, MMcf/d (5),(6)  2,048.2  2,079.7
Gross NGL production, MBbl/d  142.8  133.3
Export volumes, MBbl/d (7)  115.6  45.8
Natural gas sales, BBtu/d (6)  867.2  849.7
NGL sales, MBbl/d  401.0  281.3
Condensate sales, MBbl/d  3.5  3.4

__________

(1)   Gross margin is a non-GAAP financial measure and is discussed under "Targa Resources Partners - Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

(2)   Operating margin is a non-GAAP financial measure and is discussed under "Targa Resources Partners - Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

(3)   Adjusted EBITDA is net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP before: interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, gains or losses on debt repurchases and debt redemptions, early debt extinguishments and asset disposals, non-cash risk management activities related to derivative instruments and changes in the fair value of the Badlands acquisition contingent consideration and the non-controlling interest portion of depreciation and amortization expenses. This is a non-GAAP financial measure and is discussed under "Targa Resources Partners - Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

(4)   Distributable cash flow is income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP plus depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes and amortization of debt issue costs included in interest expense, adjusted for non-cash risk management activities related to derivative instruments, debt repurchases, and redemptions, early debt extinguishments, and asset disposals, less maintenance capital expenditures (net of any reimbursements of project costs) and changes in the fair value of the Badlands acquisition contingent consideration. This is a non-GAAP financial measure and is discussed under "Targa Resources Partners - Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

(5)   Plant natural gas inlet represents the volume of natural gas passing through the meter located at the inlet of a natural gas processing plant.

(6)   Plant natural gas inlet volumes include producer take-in-kind volumes, while natural gas sales exclude producer take-in-kind volumes.

(7)   Export volumes represent the quantity of NGL products delivered to third party customers destined for international markets at our Galena Park Marine terminal.

Targa Resources Partners – Review of Consolidated First Quarter Results

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

Revenues, including the impact of hedging, increased due to the impact of higher commodity sales prices ($459.8 million), higher commodity volumes ($401.2 million) and higher fee-based and other revenues ($94.1 million). 

Higher consolidated gross margin in 2014 was primarily driven by increased export activities and higher fractionation fees in our Logistics and Marketing segments and increased throughput volumes associated with system expansions and higher commodity sales prices in our Field Gathering and Processing segment. This significant growth in our asset base brought a higher level of operating expenses in 2014. See "—Targa Resources Partners —Review of Segment Performance—" for additional information regarding changes in the components of gross and operating margin on a disaggregated basis.

The increase in depreciation and amortization expenses was primarily due to increased amortization of the Badlands intangible assets and higher depreciation related to the timing of major organic investment placed in service during the last twelve months, including CBF Train 4, Phase I of the international export expansion project and other system expansions.

The increase in general and administrative expenses reflected increased compensation related costs to support our expanding business operations.

The increase in interest expense primarily reflects higher borrowings ($2.3 million) partially offset by increased capitalized interest attributable to our major expansion projects ($0.7 million).

The increase in equity earnings in our investment in GCF was due to higher system product gains at the facility in 2014.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased as our Versado and CBF joint ventures experienced higher earnings in 2014.

Targa Resources Partners – Review of Segment Performance

The following discussion of segment performance includes inter-segment revenues. The Partnership views segment operating margin as an important performance measure of the core profitability of its operations. This measure is a key component of internal financial reporting and is reviewed for consistency and trend analysis. For a discussion of operating margin, see "Targa Resources Partners - Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Operating Margin." Segment operating financial results and operating statistics include the effects of intersegment transactions. These intersegment transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated presentation. For all operating statistics presented, the numerator is the total volume or sales during the applicable reporting period and the denominator is the number of calendar days during the applicable reporting period.

The Partnership reports its operations in two divisions: (i) Gathering and Processing, consisting of two reportable segments - (a) Field Gathering and Processing and (b) Coastal Gathering and Processing; and (ii) Logistics and Marketing, consisting of two reportable segments - (a) Logistics Assets and (b) Marketing and Distribution. The financial results of the Partnership's commodity hedging activities are reported in Other.

Field Gathering and Processing

The Field Gathering and Processing segment's assets are located in North Texas, the Permian Basin of West Texas, New Mexico and North Dakota.

The following table provides summary data regarding results of operations of this segment for the periods indicated:

     
  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2014 2013
  ($ in millions, except operating statistics and price amounts)
Gross margin  $ 139.0  $ 91.5
Operating expenses  44.9  37.7
Operating margin  $ 94.1  $ 53.8
Operating statistics (1):    
Plant natural gas inlet, MMcf/d (2),(3)    
 Sand Hills  166.7  152.3
 SAOU  165.9  139.2
 North Texas System  331.3  260.8
 Versado  155.0  160.7
 Badlands (4)  34.4  16.5
   853.3  729.5
Gross NGL production, MBbl/d (3)    
 Sand Hills  18.2  17.4
 SAOU  24.1  20.6
 North Texas System  33.4  29.0
 Versado  18.9  19.4
 Badlands  3.1  1.6
   97.7  88.0
Crude oil gathered, MBbl/d  74.7  31.5
Natural gas sales, BBtu/d (3)  426.3  339.2
NGL sales, MBbl/d  75.5  70.8
Condensate sales, MBbl/d   2.9  2.9
Average realized prices (5):    
Natural gas, $/MMBtu  4.64  3.12
NGL, $/gal  0.86  0.72
Condensate, $/Bbl  89.30  85.66

________

(1)   Segment operating statistics include the effect of intersegment amounts, which have been eliminated from the consolidated presentation. For all volume statistics presented, the numerator is the total volume during the applicable reporting period and the denominator is the number of calendar days during the applicable reporting period.

(2)   Plant natural gas inlet represents the volume of natural gas passing through the meter located at the inlet of a natural gas processing plant.

(3)   Plant natural gas inlet volumes and gross NGL production volumes include producer take-in-kind volumes, while natural gas sales exclude producer take-in-kind volumes.

(4)   Badlands natural gas inlet represents the total wellhead gathered volume.

(5)   Average realized prices exclude the impact of hedging settlements presented in Other.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

The increase in gross margin was primarily due to higher commodity sales prices and increased throughput volumes despite the impact of severe cold weather. The increase in plant inlet volumes was driven by system expansions and by increased producer activity which increased available supply across our areas of operation. Operational issues affected Versado volumes. Badlands crude oil and natural gas volumes increased significantly as a result of our continuing investment to expand and improve gathering and processing capabilities.

Higher operating expenses were driven by volume growth and system expansions and included additional labor costs, ad valorem taxes and compression and system maintenance expenses.

Coastal Gathering and Processing

The Coastal Gathering and Processing segment assets are located in the onshore and near offshore region of the Louisiana Gulf Coast, accessing natural gas from the Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. With the strategic location of the Partnership's assets in Louisiana, it has access to the Henry Hub, the largest natural gas hub in the U.S., and to a substantial NGL distribution system with access to markets throughout Louisiana and the Southeast United States.

The following table provides summary data regarding results of operations of this segment for the periods indicated:

     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
  ($ in millions, except operating statistics and price amounts)
Gross margin  $ 36.4  $ 34.0
Operating expenses   10.3  10.5
Operating margin  $ 26.1  $ 23.5
Operating statistics (1):    
Plant natural gas inlet, MMcf/d (2),(3)    
 LOU  325.0  341.6
 VESCO  490.5  534.1
 Other Coastal Straddles  379.4  474.5
   1,194.9  1,350.2
Gross NGL production, MBbl/d (3)    
 LOU  10.0  9.0
 VESCO  23.2  22.9
 Other Coastal Straddles  11.9  13.4
   45.1  45.3
Natural gas sales, BBtu/d (3)  287.7  275.1
NGL sales, MBbl/d   40.5  41.4
Condensate sales, MBbl/d   0.5  0.5
Average realized prices:    
Natural gas, $/MMBtu  5.01  3.45
NGL, $/gal  0.94  0.84
Condensate, $/Bbl   97.95  110.44

__________

(1)   Segment operating statistics include intersegment amounts, which have been eliminated from the consolidated presentation. For all volume statistics presented, the numerator is the total volume during the applicable reporting period and the denominator is the number of calendar days during the applicable reporting period.

(2)   Plant natural gas inlet represents the volume of natural gas passing through the meter located at the inlet of a natural gas processing plant.

(3)   Plant natural gas inlet volumes and gross NGL production volumes include producer take-in-kind volumes, while natural gas sales exclude producer take-in-kind volumes.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

The increase in gross margin was primarily due to higher NGL sales prices and a short-term availability of higher average GPM off-system volumes at LOU. The decrease in plant inlet volumes was largely attributable to the decline in other off-system supply volumes and the impact of severe cold weather. Gross NGL production at VESCO during the first quarter 2013 was impacted by a NGL takeaway pipeline volume constraint.

Operating expenses were relatively flat.

Logistics and Marketing Segments

Logistics Assets

The Logistics Assets segment is involved in transporting, storing and fractionating mixed NGLs; storing, terminaling and transporting finished NGLs, including services for exporting liquefied petroleum gas ("LPG"); and storing and terminaling refined petroleum products and crude oil. The Partnership's logistics assets are generally connected to, and supplied in part by, its Gathering and Processing segments and are predominantly located in Mont Belvieu and Galena Park, Texas and Lake Charles, Louisiana.

The following table provides summary data regarding results of operations of this segment for the periods indicated:

     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
  ($ in millions, except operating statistics)
Gross margin  $ 136.5  $ 86.5
Operating expenses  39.9  30.2
Operating margin  $ 96.6  $ 56.3
Operating statistics, MBbl/d (1):  
Fractionation volumes  312.5  258.0
LSNG treating volumes  24.5  25.7
Benzene treating volumes  24.5  20.9

________

(1)   For all volume statistics presented, the numerator is the total volume during the applicable reporting period and the denominator is the number of calendar days during the applicable reporting period.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

Gross margin was significantly higher due to increased LPG export activity and increased fractionation activities, despite the continued impact of third-party ethane rejection. The first quarter of 2014 also included higher reservation fees for both fractionation and LPG export activities. LPG export volumes, which benefit both the Logistics Assets and Marketing and Distribution segments, averaged 115.6 MBbl/d in the first quarter of 2014 compared to 45.8 MBbl/d for the same period last year. This increase was driven by the first phase of our international export expansion project, which was placed into service in September 2013. Higher 2014 fractionation volumes were due to the expansion of fractionation capacity, with CBF Train 4 commencing commercial operations during the third quarter of 2013. Gross margin results also include the impact of higher fuel prices which pass through to operating expenses.

The increase in operating expenses reflects the expansion of our export and fractionation facilities described above and increased power and fuel costs (which have a corresponding impact on higher fractionating and treating fee revenues). These factors were partially offset by higher system product gains.

Marketing and Distribution

The Marketing and Distribution segment covers all activities required to distribute and market raw and finished natural gas liquids and all natural gas marketing activities. It includes: (1) marketing the Partnership's natural gas liquids production and purchasing natural gas liquids products in selected United States markets; (2) providing LPG balancing services to refinery customers; (3) transporting, storing and selling propane and providing related propane logistics services to multi-state retailers, independent retailers and other end-users; (4) providing propane, butane and services to LPG exporters; and (5) marketing natural gas available to the Partnership from its Gathering and Processing division and the purchase and resale and other value added activities related to third-party natural gas in selected United States markets.

The following table provides summary data regarding results of operations of this segment for the periods indicated:

     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
  (In millions, except operating statistics and price amounts)
Gross margin  $ 77.7  $ 44.8
Operating expenses  13.1  10.8
Operating margin  $ 64.6  $ 34.0
Operating statistics (1):    
NGL sales, MBbl/d  404.4  283.6
Average realized prices:    
NGL realized price, $/gal  1.14  0.92

________

(1)   Segment operating statistics include intersegment amounts, which have been eliminated from the consolidated presentation. For all volume statistics presented, the numerator is the total volume sold during the applicable reporting period and the denominator is the number of calendar days during the applicable reporting period.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

Gross margin increased primarily due to higher LPG export activity (which benefits both the Logistics Assets and Marketing and Distribution segments) and higher NGL marketing and wholesale margins related to a more favorable market environment.

Operating expenses increased primarily due to increased barge and truck maintenance and increased terminal utilization.

Other

     
   Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2014 2013
  (In millions)
Gross margin  $ (6.1)  $ 6.6
Operating margin  $ (6.1)  $ 6.6

Other contains the financial effects of our hedging program on operating margin as it represents the cash settlements on our derivative contracts. The primary purpose of our commodity risk management activities is to mitigate a portion of the impact of commodity prices on our operating cash flow. We have hedged the commodity prices associated with a portion of our expected (i) natural gas equity volumes in Field Gathering and Processing Operations and (ii) NGL and condensate equity volumes predominately in Field Gathering and Processing as well as in the LOU portion of the Coastal Gathering and Processing Operations that result from percent of proceeds or liquid processing arrangements by entering into derivative instruments. Because we are essentially forward-selling a portion of our plant equity volumes, these hedge positions will move favorably in periods of falling prices and unfavorably in periods of rising prices.

The following table provides a breakdown of the Partnership's hedge revenue by product:

     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
  (In millions)
Natural gas  $ (4.1)  $ 3.3
NGL  (0.4)  3.5
Crude oil  (1.6)  (0.2)
   $ (6.1)  $ 6.6

About Targa Resources Corp. and Targa Resources Partners

Targa Resources Corp. is a publicly traded Delaware corporation that owns a 2% general partner interest (which the Company holds through its 100% ownership interest in the general partner of the Partnership), all of the outstanding incentive distribution rights and a portion of the outstanding limited partner interests in Targa Resources Partners LP.

Targa Resources Partners is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership formed in October 2006 by its parent, Targa Resources Corp., to own, operate, acquire and develop a diversified portfolio of complementary midstream energy assets. The Partnership is a leading provider of midstream natural gas and natural gas liquid services in the United States. In addition, the Partnership provides crude oil gathering and crude oil and petroleum product terminaling services. The Partnership is engaged in the business of gathering, compressing, treating, processing and selling natural gas; storing, fractionating, treating, transporting, terminaling and selling NGLs and NGL products; gathering, storing, and terminaling crude oil; and storing and terminaling petroleum products. The Partnership reports its operations in two divisions: (i) Gathering and Processing, consisting of two reportable segments - (a) Field Gathering and Processing and (b) Coastal Gathering and Processing; and (ii) Logistics and Marketing, consisting of two reportable segments - (a) Logistics Assets and (b) Marketing and Distribution. The financial results of the Partnership's commodity hedging activities are reported in Other.

The principal executive offices of Targa Resources Corp. and Targa Resources Partners are located at 1000 Louisiana, Suite 4300, Houston, TX 77002 and their telephone number is 713-584-1000.  For more information please go to www.targaresources.com.

Targa Resources Partners - Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes the Partnership's non-GAAP financial measures distributable cash flow, Adjusted EBITDA, gross margin and operating margin. The following tables provide reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures. The Partnership's non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to GAAP measures such as net income, operating income, net cash flows provided by operating activities or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.

Distributable Cash Flow - The Partnership defines distributable cash flow as net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP plus: depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes and amortization of debt issue costs included in interest expense, adjusted for non-cash risk management activities related to derivative instruments, debt repurchases and early debt extinguishments and asset disposals, less maintenance capital expenditures (net of any reimbursements of project costs), and changes in the fair value of the Badlands acquisition contingent consideration. This measure includes any impact of noncontrolling interests.

Distributable cash flow is a significant performance metric used by the Partnership and by external users of its financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks and research analysts to compare basic cash flows generated by the Partnership (prior to the establishment of any retained cash reserves by the board of directors of the Partnership's general partner) to the cash distributions it expects to pay its unitholders. Using this metric, management and external users of the Partnership's financial statements can quickly compute the coverage ratio of estimated cash flows to planned cash distributions. Distributable cash flow is also an important financial measure for the Partnership's unitholders since it serves as an indicator of the Partnership's success in providing a cash return on investment. Specifically, this financial measure indicates to investors whether or not the Partnership is generating cash flow at a level that can sustain or support an increase in its quarterly distribution rates. Distributable cash flow is also a quantitative standard used throughout the investment community with respect to publicly traded partnerships and limited liability companies because the value of a unit of such an entity is generally determined by the unit's yield (which in turn is based on the amount of cash distributions the entity pays to a unitholder).

Distributable cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to distributable cash flow is net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP. Distributable cash flow should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP. It has important limitations as an analytical tool. Investors should not consider distributable cash flow in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Partnership's results as reported under GAAP. Because distributable cash flow excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP and is defined differently by different companies in the Partnership's industry, the Partnership's definition of distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing its utility.

Management compensates for the limitations of distributable cash flow as an analytical tool by reviewing the comparable GAAP measure, understanding the differences between the measures and incorporating these insights into its decision-making processes.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP to distributable cash flow for the periods indicated:

     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
   (In millions) 
Reconciliation of net income attributable to Targa    
Resources Partners LP to distributable cash flow:    
Net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP  $ 122.4  $ 38.9
Affiliate and allocated interest expense  --   -- 
Depreciation and amortization expenses  79.5  63.9
Deferred income tax expense  0.4  0.4
Amortization in interest expense  3.4  4.0
Change in contingent consideration  --   0.3
Gain on sale or disposition of assets  (0.8)  (0.1)
Risk management activities  (0.2)  (0.2)
Maintenance capital expenditures  (13.7)  (21.7)
Other (1)  (2.0)  -- 
Targa Resources Partners LP distributable cash flow  $ 189.0  $ 85.5

_______

(1)     Includes the noncontrolling interest portion of maintenance capital expenditures, and depreciation and amortization expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA - The Partnership defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP before: interest; income taxes; depreciation and amortization; gains or losses on debt repurchases and redemptions, early debt extinguishments and asset disposals; non-cash risk management activities related to derivative instruments; changes in the fair value of the Badlands acquisition contingent consideration and the non-controlling interest portion of depreciation and amortization expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure by the Partnership and by external users of the Partnership's financial statements such as investors, commercial banks and others.

The economic substance behind management's use of Adjusted EBITDA is to measure the ability of the Partnership's assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest costs, support indebtedness and make distributions to investors.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA are net cash provided by operating activities and net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net cash provided by operating activities or GAAP net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP. Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool. Investors should not consider Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Partnership's results as reported under GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP and net cash provided by operating activities and is defined differently by different companies in the Partnership's industry, the Partnership's definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing its utility.

Management compensates for the limitations of Adjusted EBITDA as an analytical tool by reviewing the comparable GAAP measures, understanding the differences between the measures and incorporating these insights into its decision-making processes.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash provided by Targa Resources Partners L.P. operating activities to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:

     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
  (In millions)
Reconciliation of net cash provided by Targa Resources    
Partners LP operating activities to Adjusted EBITDA:    
Net cash provided by operating activities  $ 316.4  $ 190.6
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests  (8.9)  (6.4)
Interest expense, net (1)  29.7  27.4
Change in contingent consideration   --   0.3
Current income tax expense  0.7  0.5
Other (2)  (7.2)  (3.8)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities which used (provided) cash:    
Accounts receivable and other assets  (111.2)  (121.5)
Accounts payable and other liabilities  12.1  45.1
Targa Resources Partners LP Adjusted EBITDA  $ 231.6  $ 132.2

_________

(1)   Net of amortization of debt issuance costs, discount and premium included in interest expense of $3.4 million and $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

(2)   Includes equity earnings from unconsolidated investments – net of distributions, accretion expense associated with asset retirement obligations, amortization of stock-based compensation and gain on sale or disposal of assets.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:

     
  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2014 2013
   (In millions) 
Reconciliation of net income attributable to    
Targa Resources Partners LP to Adjusted EBITDA:    
Net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP  $ 122.4  $ 38.9
Interest expense, net   33.1  31.4
Income tax expense  1.1  0.9
Depreciation and amortization expenses  79.5  63.9
Gain on sale or disposition of assets  (0.8)  (0.1)
Change in contingent consideration  --   0.3
Risk management activities  (0.2)  (0.2)
Noncontrolling interests adjustment (1)  (3.5)  (2.9)
Targa Resources Partners LP Adjusted EBITDA  $ 231.6  $ 132.2

__________

(1)   Noncontrolling interest portion of depreciation and amortization expenses.

Gross MarginThe Partnership defines gross margin as revenues less purchases. It is impacted by volumes and commodity prices as well as the Partnership's contract mix and commodity hedging program. The Partnership defines Gathering and Processing gross margin as total operating revenues from (1) the sale of natural gas, condensate, crude and NGLs, (2) natural gas and crude oil gathering and service fee revenues and (3) settlement gains and losses on commodity hedges, less product purchases, which consist primarily of producer payments and other natural gas and crude purchases. Logistics Assets gross margin consists primarily of service fee revenue. Gross margin for Marketing and Distribution equals total revenue from service fees, NGL and natural gas sales, less cost of sales, which consists primarily of NGL and natural gas purchases, transportation costs and changes in inventory valuation. The gross margin impacts of cash flow hedge settlements are reported in Other.

Operating Margin - Operating margin is an important performance measure of the core profitability of the Partnership's operations. The Partnership defines operating margin as gross margin less operating expenses.

Gross margin and operating margin are non-GAAP measures. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to gross margin and operating margin is net income. Gross margin and operating margin are not alternatives to GAAP net income and have important limitations as analytical tools. Investors should not consider gross margin and operating margin in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of the Partnership's results as reported under GAAP. Because gross margin and operating margin exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and are defined differently by different companies in the Partnership's industry, the Partnership's definitions of gross margin and operating margin may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.

Management reviews business segment gross margin and operating margin monthly as a core internal management process. The Partnership believes that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that its management uses in evaluating its operating results. Gross margin and operating margin provide useful information to investors because they are used as supplemental financial measures by the Partnership and by external users of the Partnership's financial statements, including investors and commercial banks, to assess:

  • the financial performance of the Partnership's assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;  
     
  • the Partnership's operating performance and return on capital as compared to other companies in the midstream energy sector, without regard to financing or capital structure; and 
     
  • the viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects and the overall rates of return on alternative investment opportunities.

Management compensates for the limitations of gross margin and operating margin as analytical tools by reviewing the comparable GAAP measure, understanding the differences between the measures and incorporating these insights into its decision-making processes.

The following table presents a reconciliation of gross margin and operating margin to net income for the periods indicated:

     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
  (In millions)
Reconciliation of Targa Resources Partners LP gross   
margin and operating margin to net income:    
Gross margin  $ 379.6  $ 260.3
Operating expenses  (104.3)  (86.1)
Operating margin  275.3  174.2
Depreciation and amortization expenses  (79.5)  (63.9)
General and administrative expenses  (35.9)  (34.1)
Interest expense, net  (33.1)  (31.4)
Income tax expense  (1.1)  (0.9)
Gain on sale or disposition of assets  0.8  0.1
Change in contingent consideration  --   (0.3)
Other, net  4.8  1.6
Targa Resources Partners LP net income  $ 131.3  $ 45.3

Targa Resources Corp. - Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes the Company's non-GAAP financial measure distributable cash flow. Distributable cash flow should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures such as net income or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.

Distributable Cash Flow - The Company defines distributable cash flow as distributions due to it from the Partnership, less the Company's specific general and administrative costs as a separate public reporting entity, the interest carry costs associated with its debt and taxes attributable to the Company's earnings. Distributable cash flow is a significant performance metric used by the Company and by external users of the Company's financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, research analysts and others to compare basic cash flows generated by the Company to the cash dividends the Company expects to pay its shareholders. Using this metric, management and external users of the Company's financial statements can quickly compute the coverage ratio of estimated cash flows to planned cash dividends. Distributable cash flow is also an important financial measure for the Company's shareholders since it serves as an indicator of the Company's success in providing a cash return on investment. Specifically, this financial measure indicates to investors whether or not the Company is generating cash flow at a level that can sustain or support an increase in the Company's quarterly dividend rates. Distributable cash flow is also a quantitative standard used throughout the investment community because the share value is generally determined by the share's yield (which in turn is based on the amount of cash dividends the entity pays to a shareholder).

The economic substance behind the Company's use of distributable cash flow is to measure the ability of the Company's assets to generate cash flow sufficient to pay dividends to the Company's investors.

The GAAP measure most directly comparable to distributable cash flow is net income attributable to Targa Resources Corp. Distributable cash flow should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income attributable to Targa Resources Corp. Distributable cash flow is not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP and has important limitations as an analytical tool. Investors should not consider distributable cash flow in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP. Because distributable cash flow excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income attributable to Targa Resources Corp. and is defined differently by different companies in the Company's industry, the Company's definition of distributable cash flow may not be compatible to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing its utility.

Management compensates for the limitations of distributable cash flow as an analytical tool by reviewing the comparable GAAP measure, understanding the differences between the measures and incorporating these insights into its decision-making process.

The following tables present a reconciliation of net income of Targa Resources Corp. to distributable cash flow, and an alternative reconciliation of cash distributions declared by Targa Resources Partners LP to distributable cash flow of Targa Resources Corp. for the periods indicated:

     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
  (In millions)
Reconciliation of Net Income attributable to    
Targa Resources Corp. to Distributable Cash Flow    
Net income of Targa Resources Corp.  $ 106.9  $ 33.8
Less: Net income of Targa Resources Partners LP  (131.3)  (45.3)
Net loss for TRC Non-Partnership  (24.4)  (11.5)
TRC Non-Partnership income tax expense  21.4  8.5
Distributions from the Partnership   44.0  33.0
Depreciation - Non-Partnership assets  0.1  0.1
Current cash tax expense (1)  (17.0)  (7.5)
Taxes funded with cash on hand (2)  2.9  2.5
Distributable cash flow  $ 27.0  $ 25.1

__________

(1)   Excludes $1.2  million of non-cash current tax expense arising from amortization of deferred long-term tax assets from drop down gains realized for tax purposes and paid in 2010 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and includes a $5.0 million adjustment to account for taxable income timing differences for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

(2)   Current period portion of amount established at our IPO to fund taxes on deferred gains related to drop down transactions that were treated as sales for income tax purposes.

     
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
  (In millions)
Targa Resources Corp. Distributable Cash Flow    
Distributions declared by Targa Resources Partners LP associated with:    
General Partner Interests  $ 2.4  $ 1.9
Incentive Distribution Rights  31.7  22.1
Common Units  9.9  9.0
Total distributions declared by Targa Resources Partners LP  44.0  33.0
Income (expenses) of TRC Non-Partnership    
General and administrative expenses  (2.1)  (2.2)
Interest expense, net  (0.8)  (0.7)
Current cash tax expense (1)  (17.0)  (7.5)
Taxes funded with cash on hand (2)  2.9  2.5
Distributable cash flow  $ 27.0  $ 25.1

__________

(1)  Excludes $1.2 million of non-cash current tax expense arising from amortization of deferred long-term tax assets from drop-down gains realized for tax purposes and paid in 2010 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and includes a $5.0 million adjustment to account for taxable income timing differences for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

(2)  Current period portion of amount established at our IPO to fund taxes on deferred gains related to drop down transactions that were treated as sales for income tax purposes.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Partnership and the Company expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, factors and risks, many of which are outside the Partnership's and the Company's control, which could cause results to differ materially from those expected by management of the Partnership and the Company. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, weather, political, economic and market conditions, including a decline in the price and market demand for natural gas and natural gas liquids; the timing and success of business development efforts; and other uncertainties. These and other applicable uncertainties, factors and risks are described more fully in the Partnership's and the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including their Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Neither the Partnership nor the Company undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

     
TARGA RESOURCES PARTNERS LP
FINANCIAL SUMMARY (unaudited)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
     
  March 31, 2014 December 31, 2013
ASSETS     
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 81.4  $ 57.5
Trade receivables  610.1  658.6
Inventories  88.5  150.7
Assets from risk management activities  1.6  2.0
Other current assets  4.0  7.1
Total current assets  785.6  875.9
Property, plant and equipment, net  4,459.8  4,345.4
Intangible assets, net  638.1  653.4
Long-term assets from risk management activities  2.9  3.1
Other long-term assets  89.9  93.6
Total assets   $ 5,976.3  $ 5,971.4
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  $ 739.9  $ 773.6
Liabilities from risk management activities  12.9  8.0
Total current liabilities  752.8  781.6
Long-term debt   2,819.7  2,905.3
Long-term liabilities from risk management activities  1.2  1.4
Other long-term liabilities  67.8  64.7
Owners' equity:    
Targa Resources Partners LP owner's equity  2,172.7 2,057.8
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries  162.1 160.6
Total owners' equity  2,334.8  2,218.4
Total liabilities and owners' equity  $ 5,976.3  $ 5,971.4
     
TARGA RESOURCES PARTNERS LP
FINANCIAL SUMMARY (unaudited)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per unit amounts)
  Three Months Ended
  March 31,
  2014 2013
REVENUES  $ 2,352.9  $ 1,397.8
Product purchases  1,973.3  1,137.5
Operating expenses  104.3  86.1
Depreciation and amortization expenses  79.5  63.9
General and administrative expenses  35.9  34.1
Other operating income  (0.7)  -- 
 Total costs and expenses  2,192.3  1,321.6
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS  160.6  76.2
Other income (expense):    
Interest expense, net  (33.1)  (31.4)
Equity earnings   4.9  1.6
Other expense  --   (0.2)
Income before income taxes  132.4  46.2
Income tax expense  (1.1)  (0.9)
NET INCOME  131.3  45.3
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests  8.9  6.4
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO TARGA
 RESOURCES PARTNERS LP
 $ 122.4  $ 38.9
     
Net income attributable to general partner  $ 33.8  $ 22.8
Net income attributable to limited partners   88.6  16.1
Net income attributable to Targa Resources Partners LP  $ 122.4  $ 38.9
     
Net income per limited partner unit - basic   $ 0.79  $ 0.16
Net income per limited partner unit - diluted  0.78  0.16
     
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding - basic  112.4  101.8
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding - diluted  113.0  102.0
     
TARGA RESOURCES PARTNERS LP
FINANCIAL SUMMARY (unaudited)
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW INFORMATION
(In millions)
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES    
Net income  $ 131.3  $ 45.3
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash    
provided by operating activities:    
Amortization in interest expense  3.4  4.0
Compensation on equity grants  2.6  1.7
Interest expense on affiliate and allocated indebtedness  --   -- 
Depreciation and amortization expense  79.5  63.9
Accretion of asset retirement obligations  1.2  1.1
Deferred income tax expense  0.4  0.4
Equity earnings, net of distributions  --   (1.6)
Risk management activities  (0.3)  (0.2)
Gain on sale or disposal of assets  (0.8)  (0.1)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities  99.1  76.1
Net cash provided by operating activities  316.4  190.6
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES    
Outlays for property, plant and equipment  (197.7)  (222.4)
Purchase of materials and supplies  0.1  -- 
Return of capital from unconsolidated affiliate  2.2  -- 
Other, net  1.7  (4.6)
Net cash used in investing activities  (193.7)  (227.0)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES    
Borrowings under credit facility  460.0  325.0
Repayments of credit facility  (500.0)  (380.0)
Borrowings from accounts receivable securitization facility  29.5  171.4
Repayments of accounts receivable securitization facility  (75.7)  (60.0)
Costs incurred in connection with financing arrangements  (1.2)  (3.1)
Proceeds from equity offerings  111.8  109.7
Distributions   (115.8)  (90.9)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests  --   2.1
Distributions to noncontrolling interests  (7.4)  (3.7)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  (98.8)  70.5
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  23.9  34.1
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  57.5  68.0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $ 81.4  $ 102.1
     
TARGA RESOURCES CORP.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY (unaudited)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
(In millions, except per share amounts)
  Three Months Ended March 31,
  2014 2013
REVENUES  $ 2,352.9  $ 1,397.8
Product purchases  1,973.3  1,137.5
Operating expenses  104.3  86.1
Depreciation and amortization expenses  79.6  64.0
General and administrative expenses  38.0  36.3
Other operating income  (0.7)  -- 
 Total costs and expenses  2,194.5  1,323.9
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS  158.4  73.9
Other income (expense):    
Interest expense, net  (33.9)  (32.1)
Equity earnings  4.9  1.6
Other expenses  --   (0.2)
Income before income taxes  129.4  43.2
Income tax expense  (22.5)  (9.4)
NET INCOME  106.9  33.8
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests  87.3  20.4
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS  $ 19.6  $ 13.4
     
Net income available per common share - basic   $ 0.47  $ 0.32
Net income available per common share - diluted  $ 0.47  $ 0.32
     
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic   42.0  41.6
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted  42.1  42.0
   
TARGA RESOURCES CORP.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY (unaudited)
KEY TARGA RESOURCES CORP. BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
(In millions)
   
  March 31, 2014
Cash and cash equivalents:  
TRC Non-Partnership  $ 13.5
Targa Resources Partners   81.4
Total cash and cash equivalents  $ 94.9
Long-term debt:  
TRC Non-Partnership  $ 72.0
Targa Resources Partners   2,819.7
Total long-term debt  $ 2,891.7


            

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