T’s

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

 

OR

 

 

For the transition period from                    to                   

 

Commission file number: 001-36719

 

ANTERO MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(303) 357-7310

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has 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 registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  ☒ Yes  ☐ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its 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 registrant was required to submit and post such files).  ☒ Yes  ☐ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  ☐ Yes  ☒ No

 

As of April 25, 2016, there were 100,230,728 common units and 75,940,957 subordinated units outstanding.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the information in this report may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition, or forecasts of future events. Words such as “may,” “assume,” “forecast,” “position,” “predict,” “strategy,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “budget,” “potential,” or “continue,” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. They can be affected by assumptions used or by known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statements can be guaranteed. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this report. Actual results may vary materially. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should also understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider the following list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include:

We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, incident to the gathering and compression and water handling business. These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, inflation, environmental risks, drilling and completion and other operating risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in projecting future rates of production, cash flow and access to capital, the timing of development expenditures, and the other risks described under “Risk Factors” in this report, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2016 (the “2015 Form 10-K).

Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this report occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this report are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue.

Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report.

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.Financial Statements

ANTERO MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

Condensed Combined Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except unit counts)

See accompanying notes to condensed combined consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

ANTERO MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

Condensed Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, and 2016

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except unit counts and per unit amounts)

 

See accompanying notes to condensed combined consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANTERO MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

Condensed Combined Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed combined consolidated financial statements.

 

 

ANTERO MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

Condensed Combined Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015, and 2016

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed combined consolidated financial statements.

 

 

(1)Business and Organization

Antero Midstream Partners LP (the “Partnership”) is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by Antero Resources Corporation (“Antero”) to own, operate and develop midstream energy assets to service Antero’s increasing production. The Partnership’s assets consist of gathering pipelines, compressor stations and water handling and treatment assets, through which the Partnership provides midstream services to Antero under long-term, fixed-fee contracts. Our assets are located in the southwestern core of the Marcellus Shale in northwest West Virginia and the core of the Utica Shale in southern Ohio. The Partnership’s condensed combined consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2016, include the accounts of the Partnership, Antero Midstream LLC (“Midstream Operating”), Antero Water LLC (“Antero Water”), and Antero Treatment LLC (“Antero Treatment”), all of which are entities under common control.

On September 23, 2015, Antero contributed (the “Water Acquisition”) (i) all of the outstanding limited liability company interests of Antero Water to the Partnership and (ii) all of the assets, contracts, rights, permits and properties owned or leased by Antero and used primarily in connection with the construction, ownership, operation, use or maintenance of Antero’s advanced waste water treatment complex to be constructed in Doddridge County, West Virginia, to Antero Treatment (collectively, (i) and (ii) are referred to herein as the “Contributed Assets”). Our results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 have been recast to include the historical results of Antero Water because the transaction was between entities under common control. Antero Water’s operations prior to the Water Acquisition consisted entirely of water fresh handling operations.

References to “the Partnership,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms, when referring to the three months ended March 31, 2015, refer to the Partnership’s gathering and compression assets and operations, and include Antero’s water assets and operations, which were contributed to us on September 23, 2015. References to “the Partnership,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms, when referring to the three months ended March 31, 2016 or when used in the present tense or prospectively, refer to Antero Midstream Partners LP.

The Partnership’s gathering and compression assets consist of 8-, 12-, 16-, 20-, and 24-inch high and low pressure gathering pipelines and compressor stations that collect natural gas, NGLs and oil from Antero’s wells in West Virginia and in Ohio. The Partnership’s assets also include two independent fresh water distribution systems that deliver water used by Antero for hydraulic fracturing activities in Antero’s operating areas. The fresh water distribution systems consist of permanent buried pipelines, surface pipelines and fresh water storage facilitates, as well as pumping stations and impoundments to transport fresh water throughout the pipeline system.

The Partnership has the right to participate in up to a 15% non-operating equity interest in the 67-mile Stonewall gathering pipeline for which Antero is an anchor shipper. The Stonewall gathering pipeline was placed into service on November 30, 2015 and Antero has a firm commitment of 900 MMBtu/d through the system. The Partnership’s option expires six months following the date on which the regional gathering system was placed into service, or May 30, 2016. In addition, the Partnership has entered into a right-of-first-offer agreement with Antero to provide Antero with gas processing or NGLs fractionation, transportation or marketing services in the future.

 

(2)Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Basis of Presentation

These condensed combined consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) applicable to interim financial information, and should be read in the context of the December 31, 2015 combined consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for a more complete understanding of the Partnership’s operations, financial position, and accounting policies.  The December 31, 2015 combined consolidated financial statements were originally filed with the SEC in the 2015 Form 10-K.

The accompanying unaudited condensed combined consolidated financial statements of the Partnership have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, and, accordingly, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Partnership’s financial position as of December 31, 2015 and March

31, 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2016. The Partnership has no items of other comprehensive income; therefore, its net income is identical to its comprehensive income. Operating results for the period ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

Certain costs of doing business which are incurred by Antero on our behalf have been reflected in the accompanying condensed combined consolidated financial statements. These costs include general and administrative expenses attributed to us by Antero in exchange for:

Transactions between us and Antero have been identified in the condensed combined consolidated financial statements (see Note 3).

As of the date these condensed combined consolidated financial statements were filed with the SEC, the Partnership completed its evaluation of potential subsequent events for disclosure and no items requiring disclosure were identified, except the declaration of a cash distribution to unitholders, as described in Note 6—Partnership Equity and Distributions.

(b)Revenue Recognition

We provide gathering and compression and water handling and treatment services under fee-based contracts primarily based on throughput or cost plus margin. Under these arrangements, we receive fees for gathering oil and gas products, compression services, and water handling and treatment services. The revenue we earn from these arrangements is directly related to (1) in the case of natural gas gathering and compression, the volumes of metered natural gas that we gather, compress and deliver to natural gas compression sites or other transmission delivery points, (2) in the case of oil and condensate gathering, the volumes of metered oil and condensate that we gather and deliver to other transmission delivery points, (3) in the case of fresh water delivery, the quantities of fresh water delivered to our customers for use in their well completion operations, or (4) in the case of water handling and treatment, our third party out-of-pocket costs plus 3%. We recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, (2) services have been rendered, (3) prices are fixed or determinable and (4) collectability is reasonable assured.

(c) Use of Estimates

The preparation of the condensed combined consolidated financial statements and notes in conformity with GAAP requires that management formulate estimates and assumptions that affect revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Items subject to estimates and assumptions include the useful lives of property and equipment and valuation of accrued liabilities, among others. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

(d)Cash and Cash Equivalents

Prior to September 23, 2015 Antero Water’s operations were funded by Antero. Net amounts funded by Antero are reflected as “Deemed distribution to Antero, net” on the accompanying statements of Condensed Combined Consolidated Cash Flows.

We consider all liquid investments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

(e)Property and Equipment

Property and equipment primarily consists of gathering pipelines, compressor stations and fresh water distribution pipelines and facilities stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. We capitalize construction-related direct labor and material costs. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives and salvage values of assets. The depreciation of fixed assets recorded under capital lease agreements is included in depreciation expense. Uncertainties that may impact these estimates of useful lives include, among others, changes in laws and regulations relating to environmental matters, including air and water quality, restoration and abandonment requirements, economic conditions, and supply and demand for our services in the areas in which we operate. When assets are placed into service, management makes estimates with respect to useful lives and salvage values that management believes are reasonable. However, subsequent events could cause a change in estimates, thereby impacting future depreciation amounts.

Our investment in property and equipment for the periods presented is as follows:

 

(f)Impairment of Long‑Lived Assets

We evaluate our long‑lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying values of the assets may not be recoverable.  Generally, the basis for making such assessments is undiscounted future cash flow projections for the unit being assessed.  If the carrying values of the assets are deemed not recoverable, the carrying values are reduced to the estimated fair value, which are based on discounted future cash flows or other techniques, as appropriate.  No impairments for such assets have been recorded through March 31, 2016.

(g)Asset Retirement Obligations

Our gathering pipelines, compressor stations and fresh water distribution pipelines and facilities have an indeterminate life, if properly maintained. A liability will be recorded only if and when a future retirement obligation with a determinable life can be estimated. We are not able to make a reasonable estimate of when future dismantlement and removal dates of our pipelines, compressor stations and facilities, will occur and, because it has been determined that abandonment of all other ancillary assets would require minimal costs, we have not recorded asset retirement obligations at December 31, 2015 or March 31, 2016.

(h)Litigation and Other Contingencies

An accrual is recorded for a loss contingency when its occurrence is probable and damages can be reasonably estimated based on the anticipated most likely outcome or the minimum amount within a range of possible outcomes. We regularly review contingencies to determine the adequacy of our accruals and related disclosures. The ultimate amount of losses, if any, may differ from these estimates.

We accrue losses associated with environmental obligations when such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Accruals for estimated environmental losses are recognized no later than at the time a remediation feasibility study, or an evaluation of response options, is complete. These accruals are adjusted as additional information becomes available or as circumstances change. Future environmental expenditures are not discounted to their present value. Recoveries of environmental costs from other parties are recorded separately as assets at their undiscounted value when receipt of such recoveries is probable.

(i)Equity‑Based Compensation

On March 30, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Stock Compensation–Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, and the Partnership has elected to early-adopt the standard as of March 31, 2016. See Note 2 (l) Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.

Our condensed combined consolidated financial statements reflect various equity-based compensation awards granted by Antero, as well as compensation expense associated with our own plan. These awards include profits interests awards, restricted stock, stock options, restricted units, and phantom units. For purposes of these condensed combined consolidated financial statements, we recognized as expense in each period an amount allocated from Antero, with the offset included in partners’ capital. See Note 3—Transactions with Affiliates for additional information regarding Antero’s allocation of expenses to us.

In connection with our initial public offering (“IPO”), our general partner adopted the Antero Midstream Partners LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (“Midstream LTIP”), pursuant to which certain non-employee directors of our general partner and certain officers, employees and consultants of our general partner and its affiliates are eligible to receive awards representing equity interests in the Partnership. An aggregate of 10,000,000 common units may be delivered pursuant to awards under the Midstream LTIP, subject to customary adjustments. For accounting purposes, these units are treated as if they are distributed from us to Antero. Antero recognizes compensation expense for the units awarded to its employees and a portion of that expense is allocated to us. See Note 5—Equity-Based Compensation.

(j)Income Taxes

Our condensed combined consolidated financial statements do not include a provision for income taxes as we are treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes, with each partner being separately taxed on its share of taxable income.

(k)Fair Value Measures

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance also relates to all nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed on a recurring basis (e.g., the initial recognition of asset retirement obligations and impairments of long ‑lived assets). The fair value is the price that we estimate would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize inputs to valuation techniques used to estimate fair value. An asset or liability subject to the fair value requirements is categorized within the hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. The highest priority (Level 1) is given to unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, and the lowest priority (Level 3) is given to unobservable inputs. Level 2 inputs are data, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

The carrying values on our balance sheet of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable—Antero, accounts receivable—third party, prepaid expenses, other assets, accounts payable, accounts payable—Antero, accrued liabilities, accrued capital expenditures, accrued ad valorem tax, other current liabilities, other liabilities and the revolving credit facility approximate fair values due to their short-term maturities.

As discussed in Note 8—Fair Value Measurement, the Partnership has agreed to pay Antero contingent consideration in connection with the Water Acquisition.

(l) Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

On March 30, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Stock Compensation–Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.  This standard simplifies or clarifies several aspects of the accounting for equity-based payment awards, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.  Certain of these changes are required to be applied retrospectively, while other changes are required to be applied prospectively.  The Partnership has elected to early-adopt the standard as of March 31, 2016.

As a result of adopting this standard, we will reclassify cash outflows attributable to tax withholdings on the net settlement of equity-classified awards from operating cash flows to financing cash flows. No retrospective adjustments to the condensed combined consolidated statement of cash flows were required for the three months ended March 31, 2015, because no equity compensation awards were settled during this period.

 

 

(3)Transactions with Affiliates

(a)Revenues

Gathering and compression revenues earned from Antero were $52.2 million and $69.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Water handling revenues earned from Antero were $33.4 million and $66.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.  Water handling revenue includes waste water treatment and high rate transfer revenue of zero and $33.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively, which is calculated as third party out-of-pocket costs plus 3%.

(b)Accounts receivable—Antero and Accounts payable—Antero

Accounts receivable—Antero represents amounts due from Antero, primarily related to gathering and compression services and water handling and treatment services. Accounts payable—Antero represents amounts due to Antero for general and administrative expenses and other costs.

(c)Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses, and Accrued Capital Expenditures

All accounts payable, accrued liabilities and accrued capital expenditures balances are due to transactions with unaffiliated parties. Prior to September 23, 2015, all operating and capital expenditures related to Antero Water were funded through capital contributions from Antero and borrowings under the water credit facility. See Note 4 — Long-term Debt. These balances were managed and paid under Antero’s cash management program. On September 23, 2015, we began to maintain our own bank accounts and sources of liquidity for water handling and treatment operations.

(d)Allocation of Costs

The employees supporting our operations are employees of Antero. Direct operating expense includes allocated costs of $0.7 million and $0.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively, related to labor charges for Antero employees associated with the operation of our gathering lines, compressor stations, and water handling and treatment assets. General and administrative expense includes allocated costs of $10.9 million and $12.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. These costs relate to: (i) various business services, including payroll processing, accounts payable processing and facilities management, (ii) various corporate services, including legal, accounting, treasury, information technology and human resources and (iii) compensation, including equity-based compensation (see Note 5—Equity-Based Compensation for more information). These expenses are charged or allocated to us based on the nature of the expenses and are allocated based on a combination of our proportionate share of Antero’s gross property and equipment, capital expenditures and labor costs, as applicable.

(e)Agreements

The Partnership has entered into various agreements with Antero, as summarized below.

Gathering and Compression

In connection with the IPO on November 10, 2014, the Partnership entered in a 20-year gathering and compression agreement, whereby Antero has agreed to dedicate all of its current and future acreage in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania to us (other than the existing third-party commitments). The initial term of the gathering and compression agreement is 20 years from the date thereof and from year to year thereafter until terminated by either party. We also have an option to gather and compress natural gas produced by Antero on any acreage it acquires in the future outside of West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania on the same terms and conditions. Under the gathering and compression agreement, we receive a low pressure gathering fee of $0.30 per Mcf, a high pressure gathering fee of $0.18 per Mcf, a compression fee of $0.18 per Mcf, and a condensate gathering fee of $4.00 per Bbl, in each case subject to CPI-based adjustments. If and to the extent Antero requests that we construct new high pressure lines and compressor stations, the gathering and compression agreement contains minimum volume commitments that require Antero to utilize or pay for 75% and 70% , respectively, of the capacity of such new construction. Additional high pressure lines and compressor stations installed on our own initiative are not subject to such volume commitments. These minimum volume commitments on new infrastructure are intended to support the stability of our cash flows.

Water Services Agreement

In connection with the Water Acquisition on September 23, 2015, the Partnership entered a 20-year Water Services Agreement with Antero whereby we have agreed to provide certain fluid handling services to Antero within an area of dedication in defined service areas in Ohio and West Virginia and Antero agreed to pay monthly fees to us for all fluid handling services provided by us in accordance with the terms of the Water Services Agreement. The initial term of the Water Services Agreement is 20 years from the date thereof and from year to year thereafter until terminated by either party. Under the agreement, Antero will pay a fixed fee of $3.685 per barrel in West Virginia and $3.635 per barrel in Ohio and all other locations for fresh water deliveries by pipeline directly to the well site, subject to annual CPI-based adjustments. Antero has committed to pay a fee on a minimum volume of fresh water deliveries in calendar years 2016 through 2019. Antero is obligated to pay a minimum volume fee to us in the event the aggregate volume of fresh water delivered to Antero under the Water Services Agreement is less than 90,000 barrels per day in 2016, 100,000 barrels per day in 2017 and 120,000 barrels per day in 2018 and 2019. Antero also agreed to pay us a fixed fee of $4.00 per barrel for waste water treatment at the advanced waste water treatment complex and a fee per barrel for waste water collected in trucks owned by the Partnership, in each case subject to annual CPI-based adjustments. Until such time as the advanced waste water treatment complex is placed into service or we operate our own fleet of trucks for transporting waste water, the Partnership will continue to contract with third parties to provide Antero flow back and produced water services and Antero will reimburse us third party out-of-pocket costs plus 3%. Waste water treatment and high rate transfer revenue were zero and $33.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively, and waste water treatment and high rate transfer operating expenses were zero and $32.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Secondment Agreement

On September 23, 2015, the Partnership entered into a secondment agreement with Antero, our general partner, Midstream Operating, Antero Water and Antero Treatment, whereby Antero has agreed to provide seconded employees to perform certain operational services with respect to the Partnership’s gathering and compression facilities and the Contributed Assets, and the Partnership has agreed to reimburse Antero for expenditures incurred by Antero in the performance of those operational services. The initial term of the secondment agreement is 20 years from November 10, 2014, and from year to year thereafter.

 

(4)Long-Term Debt

Revolving Credit Facility

On November 10, 2014, in connection with the closing of the IPO, the Partnership entered into a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of bank lenders. The revolving credit facility provides for lender commitments of $1.5 billion and a letter of credit sublimit of $150 million. The revolving credit facility matures on November 10, 2019.

The revolving credit facility is ratably secured by mortgages on substantially all of our properties, including the properties of our subsidiaries, and guarantees from our subsidiaries. The revolving credit facility contains certain covenants including restrictions on indebtedness, and requirements with respect to leverage and interest coverage ratios. The revolving credit facility provides that, so long as no event of default exists or would be caused thereby, and only to the extent permitted by our organizational documents, distributions to the holders of our equity interests may be made in accordance with the cash distribution policy adopted by the board of directors of our general partner in connection with the IPO. The Partnership was in compliance with all of the financial covenants under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016.

Principal amounts borrowed are payable on the maturity date with such borrowings bearing interest that is payable quarterly or, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, at the end of the applicable interest period if shorter than three months. Interest is payable at a variable rate based on LIBOR or the base rate, determined by election at the time of borrowing. Commitment fees on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility are due quarterly at rates ranging from 0.25% to 0.375% of the unused facility based on utilization.

At December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016, we had borrowings under the revolving credit facility of $620 million and $680 million, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate of 1.94%.  No letters of credit were outstanding at December 31, 2015 or March 31, 2016. 

(5)Equity-Based Compensation

Our general and administrative expenses include equity-based compensation costs allocated to us by Antero for grants made pursuant to: (i) the Antero Resources Corporation Long‑Term Incentive Plan (the “Antero LTIP”); (ii) profits interests awards valued in connection with the Antero reorganization pursuant to its initial public offering of common stock; and (iii) the Midstream LTIP. Equity‑based compensation expense allocated to us was $5.8 million and $6.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. These expenses were allocated to us based on our proportionate share of Antero’s labor costs. Antero has unamortized expense totaling approximately $228.8 million as of March 31, 2016 related to its various equity-based compensation plans, which includes the Midstream LTIP. A portion of this will be allocated to us as it is amortized over the remaining service period of the related awards.

Midstream LTIP

Our general partner manages our operations and activities and Antero employs the personnel who provide support to our operations. In connection with the IPO, our general partner adopted the Midstream LTIP, pursuant to which non‑employee directors of our general partner and certain officers, employees and consultants of our general partner and its affiliates are eligible to receive awards representing ownership interests in the Partnership. An aggregate of 10,000,000 common units may be delivered pursuant to awards under the Midstream LTIP, subject to customary adjustments. A total of 7,953,111 common units are available for future grant under the Midstream LTIP as of March 31, 2016. Restricted units and phantom units granted under the Midstream LTIP vest subject to the satisfaction of service requirements, upon the completion of which common units in the Partnership are delivered to the holder of the restricted units or phantom units. Compensation related to each restricted unit and phantom unit award is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award. The grant date fair values of these awards are determined based on the closing price of the Partnership’s common units on the date of grant. These units are accounted for as if they are distributed by the Partnership to Antero. Antero recognizes compensation expense for the units awarded and a portion of that expense is allocated to the Partnership. Antero allocates equity-based compensation expense to the Partnership based on our proportionate share of Antero’s labor costs. The Partnership’s portion of

the equity-based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expenses, and recorded as a credit to the applicable classes of partners’ capital.

A summary of restricted unit and phantom unit awards activity during the three months ended March 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

Intrinsic values are based on the closing price of the Partnership’s common units on the referenced dates. Midstream LTIP unamortized expense of $41.8 million at March 31, 2016 is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.6 years and our proportionate share will be allocated to us as it is recognized.

 

 

(6)Partnership Equity and Distributions

Our Minimum Quarterly Distribution

Our partnership agreement provides for a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.17 per unit for each quarter, or $0.68 per unit on an annualized basis.

Our partnership agreement generally provides that we distribute cash each quarter during the subordination period in the following manner:

If cash distributions to our unitholders exceed $0.1955 per common unit and subordinated unit in any quarter, our unitholders and our general partner, as the holder of our incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”), will receive distributions according to the following percentage allocations:

 

General Partner Interest

Our general partner owns a non‑economic general partner interest in us, which does not entitle it to receive cash distributions. However, our general partner owns the IDRs and may in the future own common units or other equity interests in us and will be entitled to receive distributions on any such interests.

Subordinated Units

Antero owns all of our subordinated units. The principal difference between our common units and subordinated units is that, for any quarter during the subordination period, holders of the subordinated units are not entitled to receive any distribution from operating surplus until the common units have received the minimum quarterly distribution from operating surplus for such quarter plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution from prior quarters. Subordinated units will not accrue arrearages. When the subordination period ends, all of the subordinated units will convert into an equal number of common units. The subordination period will end on the first business day after we have earned and paid at least $0.68 (the minimum quarterly distribution on an annualized basis) on each outstanding common unit and subordinated unit for each of three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods ending on or after September 30, 2017 and there are no outstanding arrearages on our common units.

To the extent we do not pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units, our common unitholders will not be entitled to receive such arrearage payments in the future except during the subordination period. To the extent we have cash available for distribution from operating surplus in any future quarter during the subordination period in excess of the amount necessary to pay the minimum quarterly distribution to holders of our common units, we will use this excess cash to pay any distribution arrearages on common units related to prior quarters before any cash distribution is made to holders of subordinated units.

Cash Distributions

The board of directors of our general partner has declared a cash distribution of $0.235 per unit for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The distribution will be payable on May 25, 2016 to unitholders of record as of May 11, 2016.

The following table details the distributions paid during or pertaining to the periods presented below (in thousands, except per unit data):

* Distribution equivalent rights on units that vested under the Midstream LTIP.

 

 

(7)Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit

The Partnership’s net income is attributed to the general partner and limited partners, including subordinated unitholders, in accordance with their respective ownership percentages, and when applicable, giving effect to incentive distributions paid to

the general partner. Basic and diluted net income per limited partner unit is calculated by dividing limited partners’ interest in net income, less general partner incentive distributions, by the weighted average number of outstanding limited partner units during the period.

We compute earnings per unit using the two-class method for master limited partnerships. Under the two-class method, earnings per unit is calculated as if all of the earnings for the period were distributed under the terms of the partnership agreement, regardless of whether the general partner has discretion over the amount of distributions to be made in any particular period, whether those earnings would actually be distributed during a particular period from an economic or practical perspective, or whether the general partner has other legal or contractual limitations on its ability to pay distributions that would prevent it from distributing all of the earnings for a particular period.

We calculate net income available to limited partners based on the distributions pertaining to the current period’s net income. After adjusting for the appropriate period’s distributions, the remaining undistributed earnings or excess distributions over earnings, if any, are attributed to the general partner and limited partners in accordance with the contractual terms of the partnership agreement under the two-class method.

Basic earnings per unit is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to unitholders by the weighted average number of units outstanding during each period. Diluted net income per limited partner unit reflects the potential dilution that could occur if agreements to issue common units, such as awards under long-term incentive plans, were exercised, settled or converted into common units. When it is determined that potential common units resulting from an award should be included in the diluted net income per limited partner unit calculation, the impact is reflected by applying the treasury stock method. Earnings per common unit assuming dilution for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was calculated based on the diluted weighted average number of units outstanding of 100,218,579, including 5,380 dilutive units attributable to non-vested restricted unit and phantom unit awards. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, 1,643,955 non-vested phantom unit and restricted unit awards were anti-dilutive.

The Partnership’s calculation of net income per common and subordinated unit for the periods indicated is as follows (in thousands, except per unit data):

 

 

 

 

(8) Fair Value Measurement

In connection with the Water Acquisition, we have agreed to pay Antero (a) $125 million in cash if the Partnership delivers 176,295,000 barrels or more of fresh water during the period between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019 and (b) an additional $125 million in cash if the Partnership delivers 219,200,000 barrels or more of fresh water during the period between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020. This contingent consideration liability is valued based on Level 3 inputs.

The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in Level 3 financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

We account for contingent consideration in accordance with applicable accounting guidance pertaining to business combinations. We are contractually obligated to pay Antero contingent consideration in connection with the Water Acquisition, and therefore recorded this contingent consideration liability at the time of the Water Acquisition. We update our assumptions

each reporting period based on new developments and adjust such amounts to fair value based on revised assumptions, if applicable, until such consideration is satisfied through payment upon achievement of the specified objectives or it is eliminated upon failure to achieve the specified objectives.

As of March 31, 2016, we expect to pay the entire amount of the contingent consideration amounts in 2019 and 2020. The fair value measurement is based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the contingent consideration liability associated with future milestone payments was based on the risk adjusted present value of the contingent consideration payout.

 

(9)    Reporting Segments

The Partnership’s operations are located in the United States and are organized into two reporting segments: (1) gathering and compression and (2) water handling and treatment.

Gathering and Compression

The gathering and compression segment includes a network of gathering pipelines and compressor stations that collect natural gas, NGLs and oil from Antero’s wells in West Virginia and Ohio.

Water Handling and Treatment

The Partnership’s water handling and treatment segment includes two independent fresh water distribution systems that source and deliver fresh water from the Ohio River and several regional waterways, and waste water services for well completion operations in Antero’s operating areas. These fresh water systems consist of permanent buried pipelines, surface pipelines and fresh water storage facilitates, as well as pumping stations and impoundments to transport the fresh water throughout the pipelines. The waste water services consist of waste water transportation, disposal, and treatment, including a water treatment facility, currently under construction.

These segments are monitored separately by management for performance and are consistent with internal financial reporting. These segments have been identified based on the differing products and services, regulatory environment and the expertise required for these operations. We evaluate the performance of the Partnership’s business segments based on operating income. Interest expense is primarily managed and evaluated on a consolidated basis.

Summarized financial information concerning the Partnership’s segments for the periods indicated is shown in the following table (in thousands):

 

 

 

(10)  Contingencies

Environmental Obligations

We are subject to federal, state and local regulations regarding air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal and other environmental matters. We believe there are currently no such matters that will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed combined consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. The information provided below supplements, but does not form part of, our condensed combined consolidated financial statements. This discussion contains forward‑looking statements that are based on the views and beliefs of our management, as well as assumptions and estimates made by our management. Actual results could differ materially from such forward‑looking statements as a result of various risk factors, including those that may not be in the control of management. For further information on items that could impact our future operating performance or financial condition, please see “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” and the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward‑Looking Statements.” We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law. For more information please refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2016.

References to “the Partnership,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms, when referring to the three months ended March 31, 2015, refer to the Partnership’s gathering and compression assets and operations, and include Antero’s water assets and operations, which were contributed to us on September 23, 2015. References to “the Partnership,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms, when referring to the three months ended March 31, 2016 or when used in the present tense or prospectively, refer to Antero Midstream Partners LP.

Overview

We are a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by Antero to own, operate and develop midstream energy assets to service Antero’s increasing production. Our assets consist of gathering pipelines and compressor stations that collect natural gas, NGLs and oil from Antero’s wells in the Marcellus Shale in West Virginia and the Utica Shale in Ohio. Our assets also include two independent fresh water distribution systems that deliver fresh water from the Ohio River and several regional waterways, and waste water services for well completion operations in Antero’s operating areas. The fresh water systems consist of permanent buried pipelines, surface pipelines and fresh water storage facilities, as well as pumping stations and impoundments to transport the fresh water throughout the pipelines. The waste water services consist of waste water transportation, disposal, and treatment, including a water treatment facility, currently under construction. We believe that our strategically located assets and our relationship with Antero position us to become a leading midstream energy company serving the Marcellus and Utica shale plays.

Address, Internet Website and Availability of Public Filings

Our principal executive offices are at 1615 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202.  Our telephone number is (303) 357-7310. Our website is located at www.anteromidstream.com.

We make available free of charge our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. These documents are located at www.anteromidstream.com under the “Investors Relations” link.

Information on our website is not incorporated into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or our other filings with the SEC and is not a part of them.

2016 Developments and Highlights 

 

Financial Results

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, we generated cash flow from operations of $82.4 million, net income of $42.9 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $79.6 million. This compares to cash flow from operations of $70.1 million, net income of $32.3 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $60.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a definition of Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income and cash flow from operations.

Energy Industry Environment

In late 2014, global energy commodity prices declined precipitously as a result of several factors, including an increase in worldwide commodity supplies, a stronger U.S. dollar, relatively mild weather in large portions of the U.S. during winter months, and

strong competition among oil producing countries for market share.  These events continued throughout 2015 and into 2016 and, along with slower economic growth in China, have led to the continued low commodity prices.  Spot prices for WTI declined from approximately $106.00 per Bbl in June 2014 to less than $50.00 per Bbl in January 2015, and declined further to less than $40.00 per Bbl in March 2016.  Spot prices for Henry Hub natural gas declined from approximately $4.40 per MMBtu in January 2014 to $3.00 per MMBtu in January 2015, and declined further to less than $2.00 per MMBtu in March 2016.  Spot prices for propane, which is the largest portion of Antero’s NGLs sales, declined from approximately $1.55 per gallon in January 2014 to less than $0.50 per gallon in January 2015, and declined further to less than $0.45 per gallon in March 2016.

Cash Distributions

The board of directors of our general partner has declared a cash distribution of $0.235 per unit for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The distribution will be payable on May 25, 2016 to unitholders of record as of May 11, 2016.

2016 Capital Budget

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, our total gathering and compression capital expenditures were approximately $48.7 million and our total water handling and treatment capital expenditures were approximately $37.0 million. During 2016, we plan to expand our existing Marcellus and Utica Shale gathering, compression, and fresh water delivery infrastructure to accommodate Antero’s development plans. Our 2016 capital budget is approximately $435 million, which includes $410 million of expansion capital and $25 million of maintenance capital. The capital budget includes $240 million of expansion capital on gathering and compression infrastructure, approximately 90% of which will be invested in the Marcellus Shale and the remaining 10% will be invested in the Utica Shale. The gathering and compression budget will result in 9 miles and 22 miles of additional low pressure and high pressure gathering pipelines, respectively, and 240 MMcf/d of incremental compression capacity in 2016. We also expect to invest $40 million of expansion capital in fresh water delivery infrastructure, approximately 75% of which will be invested in the Marcellus Shale and the remaining 25% will be invested in the Utica Shale. In addition, we plan to construct one fresh water storage impoundment as well as 11 miles and 19 miles of fresh water trunklines and surface pipelines, respectively. Our 2016 budget also includes $130 million of construction capital for the advanced waste water treatment facility, which is expected to be placed into service in late 2017.

Antero’s 2016 capital budget for drilling, completions, and land in 2016 is $1.4 billion, a 24% reduction from Antero’s 2015 capital expenditures.  Antero plans to operate an average of 7 drilling rigs in 2016 as compared to an average of 14 rigs in 2015, and plans to complete 110 horizontal wells in the Marcellus and Utica Shales in 2016 as compared to 131 in 2015.  In conjunction with the reduction in capital expenditures during 2016, Antero plans to defer the completion of 70 wells until 2017.

Credit Facility

As of March 31, 2016, lender commitments under our revolving credit facility were $1.5 billion, with a letter of credit sublimit of $150 million. At March 31, 2016, we had borrowings of $680 million and no letters of credit outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Our revolving credit facility matures in November 2019. See “—Debt Agreements—Revolving Credit Facility” for a description of our revolving credit facility.

Items Affecting Comparability of Our Financial Results

Certain of the historical financial results discussed below may not be comparable to our future financial results primarily as a result of the significant increase in the scope of our operations over the last several years. Our gathering and compression and water handling and treatment systems are relatively new, having been substantially built within the last three years. Accordingly, our revenues and expenses over that time reflect the significant ramp up in our operations. Similarly, Antero has experienced significant growth in its production and drilling and completion schedule over that same period. Accordingly, it may be difficult to project trends from our historical financial data going forward.

Results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 have been recast to include the Water Acquisition.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

We have two operating segments: (1) gathering and compression and (2) water handling and treatment. The operating results and assets of our reportable segments were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 (in thousands):